Concubine Lan stamped her foot in frustration, clutching her embroidered handkerchief tightly. She pleaded once more, "Nanny Qian, the Empress Dowager is my aunt—how can family not be close? Please inform her that I long to see her."
Nanny Qian gently refused again, "Before her afternoon rest, Her Majesty instructed this old servant to relay a message: 'Seek your own path; rely not on others.' Her mind is made up. Concubine Lan, please return to Huayang Palace."
With that, Nanny Qian turned and left.
Concubine Lan stood frozen for a long time, nearly tearing her delicate silk handkerchief apart. Her heart was heavy with bitterness—unloved by the Emperor, unsupported by her aunt, and now the Xie Family planning to replace her with a new maiden sent into the palace...
Her nose stung with unshed tears as she left Cining Palace, weighed down by sorrow. Seeking solace, she wandered the imperial gardens with her personal maid. As she walked, she noticed eunuchs carrying trays and hauling large chests.
"What are these chests for?" she asked curiously.
A head eunuch bowed and replied, "Your Grace, the Empress Dowager and Noble Consort Chen will depart tomorrow for Anguo Temple to pray. We are preparing their belongings."
Concubine Lan scoffed, her voice dripping with envy. "No wonder my aunt refused to see me—she's too busy planning an excursion."
The eunuch dared not respond, silently directing the others to continue their work.
Her heart ached. She, too, longed to leave the palace. But once within these walls, escape was near impossible. As a mid-ranking concubine, neither favored nor influential, even her own mother was barred from visiting.
Unless she rose to the rank of Consort.
Consorts held prestige—their birth mothers permitted one annual visit. The thought filled Concubine Lan with bitterness. She missed her mother’s embrace, the carefree days before the palace swallowed her whole.
Time dragged endlessly here. She would sit by her bed, watching the sun rise and set, days slipping by unnoticed.
Lonely and miserable, she had even grown accustomed to Tantai Yinxue’s presence—how pitiful.
Lost in thought, she wandered aimlessly until she reached the eastern pavilion. Startled, she looked up and saw a figure draped in white.
Flowing robes, dark hair swaying in the breeze.
Concubine Lan nearly fainted from fright. "Consort Mei!" she snapped. "Must you always wear white? Last Mid-Autumn, you nearly scared me to death. Now here you are again, haunting the gardens!"
Amidst the withered autumn leaves and chilly wind, the sudden ghostly figure would unsettle even the bravest soul.
Liu Ruyan turned, her breathtakingly beautiful face unreadable. "Be silent," she said coolly. "You disturb the autumn breeze."
Concubine Lan rolled her eyes.
Liu Ruyan’s gaze swept over Concubine Lan’s gaudy red-and-green attire. "Such garish colors ruin the season’s beauty."
Already seething from the Empress Dowager’s rejection, Concubine Lan flared at the insult. "I dress as I please! Wandering around in funeral white—one would think your family dropped dead. What use is a pretty face when you repel the Emperor? No wonder he ignores you."
Liu Ruyan fell silent.
After a long pause, she murmured, "The Emperor’s favor is like autumn leaves—no one can hold it forever."
Concubine Lan couldn’t stand her!
She glared at Liu Ruyan, resentful. What a waste! Blessed with a consort’s rank yet living like a nun. Every year, Liu Ruyan’s mother begged to visit, only to be rejected for "bringing unnecessary grief."
Storming off, a wicked idea took root in Concubine Lan’s mind. She summoned her maid and whispered, "Send a letter home. Tell the astrologers at the Directorate of Astronomy to..."
The maid listened intently, then nodded. "At once, Your Grace."
Concubine Lan smirked, glancing back at Liu Ruyan, serene in her pavilion.
So proud of your indifference? Let’s see how unshaken you remain when calamity strikes.
---
At dawn the next day, the procession assembled. Before departing, Shen Wei repeatedly instructed Nanny Rong and others to guard her children closely, increasing patrols near Cining Palace to thwart any schemes.
Only then did she board the carriage, accompanying the Empress Dowager to Anguo Temple.
As the carriage rolled down the imperial road, Shen Wei felt an unexpected lightness the moment they passed the palace gates. She lifted the curtain, breathing deeply—the scent of freedom.
The Empress Dowager chuckled. "I know the palace stifles you. From now on, I’ll take you with me whenever I leave for prayers."
Shen Wei beamed, nestling against her. "You’re too kind, Mother."
The Empress Dowager stroked Shen Wei’s hair, her eyes tender. Long ago, she had doted on Zhao Yang the same way before her marriage.
Shen Wei resembled Zhao Yang, yet not entirely.
Regardless, the Empress Dowager cherished her as her own.
Beloved by Li Yuanjing, mother to well-behaved children, Shen Wei managed the harem flawlessly, earning praise from ministers and noblewomen alike.
Only the Empress Dowager saw through her façade—behind the glory, Shen Wei suffered in silence. This trip was a respite for her weary heart.
---
News of Shen Wei and the Empress Dowager’s departure soon reached Changxin Palace.
Lu Xuan set down her prenatal tonic, her eyes glinting. "Little Qin, weren’t the Eighth and Ninth Princes scheduled for archery practice today?"
Little Qin nodded. "Yes, Your Grace. The Emperor personally oversees their training, surrounded by imperial guards. Noble Consort Chen’s children are untouchable."
Lu Xuan sneered. "How meticulous."
Her son, Li Chengjue, toddled over, clinging to her skirts. "Mother, hungry!"
Lu Xuan softened, caressing his cheek. "Come, let’s eat. Grow strong, my prince. When you turn four, your father will teach you archery."
Li Chengjue giggled. "Yes!"
---
As dusk fell, the cold moon hung over Chang’an Palace. Li Yuanjing set aside the last memorial, announcing, "Prepare the carriage. I’ll visit Yongning Palace."
De Shun coughed. "Your Majesty, Noble Consort Chen left with the Empress Dowager this morning."
Li Yuanjing paused, tea halfway to his lips.
In the day’s chaos, he had forgotten. The envoy from Donglin State intended to gift a beauty to Qing State—a gesture he would refuse. He had meant to consult Shen Wei on redirecting the woman to a suitable official.
De Shun ventured, "Shall I arrange for another consort to receive you tonight? Or will you rest in Xuanming Hall?"
After a moment’s thought, Li Yuanjing replied, "To Changxin Palace. I’ll visit Consort Shu."
Stepping out of the palace office, Li Yuanjing found the night had fallen, with moonlight spilling softly over the grounds. Just as the palace attendants brought forth his sedan chair, he suddenly spotted flames in the distance, thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
A eunuch rushed forward in panic, reporting, "Your Majesty, Consort Mei's Yuxiu Palace is on fire!"
