Anguo Temple was a royal sanctuary, off-limits to commoners, accessible only to the nobility and high-ranking officials.
Shen Wei instructed Cai Ping to bring the visitor over.
Shen Wei sipped her tea leisurely until the faint rustle of footsteps reached her ears. Under the guidance of a palace maid, Tantai Rou arrived at the viewing pavilion in the temple's rear mountains.
"Your humble servant greets the Noble Consort Chen. May Your Highness enjoy eternal health and prosperity," Tantai Rou's voice was gentle and soft, like tiny bells tinkling under the eaves.
Shen Wei set down her teacup. "Rise. There’s no need for formalities."
Tantai Rou stood up respectfully.
Shen Wei did not offer her a seat, leaving her standing. Tantai Rou wore her hair in the style of a married woman, dressed in a deep green cloud-patterned gown with understated makeup, her delicate features carrying the mature grace of a lady.
Her demeanor was neither submissive nor arrogant, exuding dignified composure.
Shen Wei remarked, "When I was enshrined as Noble Consort, you gifted me a natural ruby. It was quite exquisite."
Tantai Rou lowered her gaze, her tone serene. "Your Highness possesses celestial beauty. That the ruby pleased you brings me immeasurable joy."
Shen Wei narrowed her eyes slightly and suddenly asked, "Where did you obtain such a ruby?"
Such rare rubies were unique to the Southern Chu State, both precious and costly. As the daughter of a minor official, even after marrying Yan Yunting, Tantai Rou should have had no means to acquire such a treasure.
Tantai Rou answered composedly, "A year ago, while traveling in Jiangnan, I happened to rescue a Southern Chu merchant. Grateful for his life, he gifted me the gem. I kept it carefully preserved and thought it fitting to present it to Your Highness on the joyous occasion of your enshrinement."
Shen Wei inwardly scoffed.
Clearly, Tantai Rou was lying. Southern Chu merchants were known for their adventurous spirit, traversing the continent for trade. Even if Shen Wei investigated, tracking down this supposed merchant would be near impossible.
No witness, no evidence.
Shen Wei’s intuition had always been sharp, and she sensed that Tantai Rou was shrouded in suspicion—nothing like the daughter of a minor official.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Shen Wei bestowed upon Tantai Rou a plate of tribute oranges and casually dismissed her.
...
Tantai Rou left the autumn pavilion and, assisted by her maid, boarded the official sedan for her return journey.
The carriage moved slowly.
Inside, Tantai Rou picked up one of the tribute oranges and peeled it leisurely. The skin was thin, the flesh plump and sweet—a delicacy reserved exclusively for the imperial household, with fewer than a hundred produced annually.
She recalled Shen Wei in the pavilion, the table before her piled with orange peels.
Clearly, the Emperor doted on this Noble Consort, who had risen from humble origins.
The maid remarked, "Madam, Noble Consort Chen kept you at a distance. She didn’t even offer you a seat."
Tantai Rou tasted a segment of the orange and replied mildly, "Noble Consort Chen and Princess Zhao Yang were once close confidantes. I married Yan Yunting, and Zhao Yang left in resentment. It’s only natural that Noble Consort Chen dislikes me."
The maid pursed her lips, muttering discontentedly, "Then why did we bother visiting? We only invited cold treatment."
If neither side wished for the meeting, why force it?
Tantai Rou handed the remaining half of the orange to her maid and smiled. "Our master gifted her that priceless ruby. I merely wanted to see what makes her so special."
A natural ruby, worth a fortune, yet given to the Noble Consort of Qing State.
Before this, Tantai Rou had never paid Shen Wei much attention. She only knew that Shen Wei had once been an ordinary maid in a prince’s household, climbing her way to become the Emperor’s favored consort, wielding power over the harem.
Today, after observing Shen Wei up close, Tantai Rou noted her undeniable beauty and sharp wit—every word laced with traps.
A woman who rose to such heights undoubtedly possessed cunning beyond the ordinary.
"Scheming, stunning, but still the Emperor’s woman," Tantai Rou peeled another orange, musing aloud. "Does our master intend to win her over, or is he simply intrigued by her?"
The maid was equally puzzled.
The carriage continued its slow journey, arriving at the Yan residence an hour later. As Tantai Rou alighted, she happened upon Yan Yunting, who was just leaving.
Dressed in his crimson official robes, Yan Yunting’s handsome face was stern, two scrolls clutched in his hand.
Tantai Rou approached and asked softly, "Husband, today is your day of rest. Must you still go to the Ministry of Rites?"
Yan Yunting nodded tersely. "There are loose ends to tie up. Don’t wait for me at dinner—I’ll be staying at the ministry tonight."
Tantai Rou pressed her lips together, a flicker of sadness crossing her eyes. She murmured, "The ministry’s quarters are bare. I’ll have someone send over bedding and furnishings later. The autumn chill is harsh—you mustn’t catch cold."
Every word dripped with concern.
Yan Yunting was moved. Since their marriage, he had often dwelled on Zhao Yang, regretting that he hadn’t stopped her from leaving. This regret had driven a wedge between him and Tantai Rou.
Yet Tantai Rou had borne his neglect with grace, managing the Yan household flawlessly and earning the respect of all.
Guilt gnawed at him. He had failed Zhao Yang and neglected Tantai Rou. Taking her hand, he said, "Once I’ve finished preparing for the arrival of the Eastern Lin princess, I’ll make time for you. As for Zhao Yang... I’ll try to let go."
Tantai Rou shook her head gently, her voice tender. "Princess Zhao Yang is noble and spirited. It’s only natural that you remember her fondly. As long as I have a place in your heart, I am content."
Yan Yunting’s guilt deepened.
With a wife like this, what more could he ask for?
Casually, Tantai Rou added, "Husband, when is the Eastern Lin princess due in the capital?"
Yan Yunting replied, "In a month."
A foreign princess arriving likely meant another imperial consort. As a Ministry of Rites official, it was his duty to oversee her reception.
Tantai Rou asked no further, smiling as she saw Yan Yunting off. Only when his carriage vanished from sight did her gentle expression fade.
She wiped her hands with a handkerchief and stepped into the Yan residence.
...
...
That afternoon, in the Consort Mei’s Yuxiu Palace.
The charred courtyard was cordoned off with wooden planks, entry forbidden. Though confined, Liu Ruyan sat in her study, leisurely perusing a volume of the Book of Songs.
When she reached the line "In the days of our youth, we laughed and chatted merrily," ripples of nostalgia stirred in her heart.
She thought of her first meeting with the Emperor, and sorrow welled within her.
Footsteps approached outside. A maid announced, "My lady, Madam Liu has come. The Liu family sought the Emperor’s permission to visit you."
Liu Ruyan set down the book, surprised.
Moments later, a plainly dressed middle-aged woman hurried into the study.
Liu Ruyan’s eyes wavered—it had been two or three years since she last saw her mother, and for a moment, she barely recognized her.
Madam Liu came from a scholarly family, her features bearing a striking resemblance to her daughter. She had arrived in haste, her attire simple, without even earrings, her face free of adornment.
"Mother," Liu Ruyan called softly.
Though anxious, Madam Liu remembered propriety, first bowing to her daughter before dismissing the attendants.
The spacious study was now empty save for the two of them.
Madam Liu stepped forward anxiously and noticed the Book of Songs in Liu Ruyan's hand. Frowning, she asked, "What is the meaning of the things dug up from your courtyard?"
