Liu Ruyan lowered her eyes, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "Mother, after days apart, the first thing you ask about is trivial matters."
Madam Liu, usually gentle-tempered, could no longer maintain decorum. Her eyes reddened as she said, "Do you know that the officials from the Directorate of Astrology have detected ominous celestial signs? Tomorrow, they will submit a report claiming that evil spirits have emerged in the inner palace—and they are pointing fingers at you!"
"Our Liu family has always been loyal to the throne, never colluding with corrupt noble families. We’ve offended many powerful clans. If this matter of evil spirits isn’t handled properly, the entire Liu family will be ruined!"
Throughout history, which witchcraft scandal did not end in rivers of blood?
The Liu family was a lineage of upright scholars, with hundreds of members in the main and branch households. If they were to face extermination because of Liu Ruyan, it would be an unbearable injustice.
"Mother, I have never placed any cursed objects in my courtyard," Liu Ruyan explained calmly.
Madam Liu pressed urgently, "Have you pleaded your innocence before the Emperor?"
Liu Ruyan replied gloomily, "He doesn’t believe me. What use is there in defending myself?"
Madam Liu nearly fainted from fury.
Suppressing her anger, she said, "The lives of our entire family are at stake. How can you not defend yourself before the Emperor? Must the Liu family be executed before you deign to speak?"
Liu Ruyan disliked her mother’s bitter tone but remained composed. "The Emperor no longer holds any affection for me. Why would he listen to my words?"
Madam Liu was on the verge of collapse. "If you don’t even try to defend yourself, how can the Emperor show leniency? This is not the time for pride—lives are at stake!"
The Liu couple had raised Liu Ruyan with utmost care, teaching her literature, painting, and molding her into a peerless beauty of both talent and grace.
Yet, they had unwittingly nurtured a daughter with an indifferent heart.
With the family on the brink of disaster, Liu Ruyan still had the leisure to read the Book of Songs in her study.
"The Emperor is cold-hearted. He won’t show me mercy," Liu Ruyan murmured, her nose tingling as she gazed at the scorched plum tree in the courtyard.
Madam Liu snapped, "So you’ll just stand by and watch the Liu family be executed?"
Liu Ruyan sighed helplessly. "Mother, I truly have no solution. Life is but a fleeting dream. If you and Father are sentenced to death, I will not live on alone."
She was merely an imperial consort without the Emperor’s favor—powerless to save her family.
Moreover, Liu Ruyan had no interest in meddling in family or court affairs. The scheming of officials and the deceit among palace concubines were stains she refused to tread upon.
She could not save the Liu family, but she could perish alongside them.
Madam Liu was speechless. She stared at her daughter, disappointment flooding her heart like an unstoppable tide.
Closing her eyes briefly, Madam Liu turned and stormed out.
Silence reclaimed the study. Liu Ruyan returned to her desk and resumed reading the unfinished Book of Songs.
Life was but a fleeting dream; fate decided life and death. She had long lost the will to live, calmly awaiting the decree that would strip her of her title, ready to face her end.
...
Madam Liu staggered out of Yuxiu Palace, her spirit broken.
Tears finally spilled uncontrollably. Leaning weakly against the palace wall, she wept silently.
"Grandmother, don’t cry." A breathless voice called out. Li Nanzhi hurried over, supporting Madam Liu’s arm with concern.
Madam Liu clung to Li Nanzhi, sobbing into her embrace.
Li Nanzhi patted her grandmother’s back gently. "Grandmother, I went to plead with Father Emperor, but he refused to see me. Still, don’t worry. Once Noble Consort Chen returns, she will surely clear Mother Consort’s name."
Madam Liu wiped her tears blankly. "Noble Consort Chen?"
Li Nanzhi nodded. "The Liu family is an honorable lineage. We’ve done no evil. Father Emperor is wise—he won’t harm us. Once Noble Consort Chen returns and uncovers the truth, the Liu family will be saved."
Madam Liu listened to the child’s innocent words, shaking her head inwardly. She did not believe them.
Children spoke without restraint—what did they know of court intrigue? These were merely kind words meant to comfort her.
Forcing a smile, Madam Liu stroked Li Nanzhi’s thin cheek. "Good... then I’ll return home and await good news."
Li Nanzhi held her grandmother’s hand and escorted her out of the palace.
As the sun dipped westward, Li Nanzhi stood alone on the long palace path, clenching her small fists and murmuring, "Noble Consort Chen, please come back soon."
...
...
Chang’an Palace.
Li Yuanjing set down the memorial in his hand. "Has the Empress Dowager and Noble Consort Chen returned to the palace?"
De Shun smiled helplessly. "Your Majesty, you’ve asked this five or six times today. Anguo Temple isn’t far. The Empress Dowager and Noble Consort Chen will depart after dinner, and the procession should arrive by the beginning of Xu hour."
It was only Shen hour in the afternoon, the sun still bright in the sky.
Li Yuanjing was restless. Today was his day of rest, and he longed to see Shen Wei sooner. Yet, his mind was also troubled by the ominous matter in Yuxiu Palace, leaving him unsettled all afternoon.
Abruptly, he stood. "To the training grounds."
De Shun bowed and ordered a palanquin to the palace’s martial field.
Li Yuanjing changed into a fitted short robe and summoned two military officers to spar with him.
Trained in martial arts since childhood, he was formidable in combat, exchanging fierce blows with the officers. After over half a shichen of intense fighting, sweat soaked his forehead band. Only then did Li Yuanjing retreat to a shaded pavilion to rest.
His body burned from exertion.
The autumn wind was strong, cooling his face pleasantly. Li Yuanjing loosened his collar, about to remove his outer robe to cool down. De Shun quickly advised, "Your Majesty, the imperial physician warned against undressing after heavy sweating. The wind is strong—please change inside the tent to avoid the draft."
Excessive sweat made one vulnerable to wind and cold.
Li Yuanjing faintly recalled that Shen Wei had often reminded him of this. For his health, she memorized many principles of wellness and would gently chide him in daily life.
He entered the nearby tent to change.
A palace maid slipped in silently, head bowed. Without a word, she removed Li Yuanjing’s sweat-drenched short robe, swiftly drying his skin with a cotton cloth before fetching fresh robes to dress him.
Lost in thought over his earlier sparring techniques, Li Yuanjing barely noticed when his belt tightened abruptly.
The maid’s inexperience had cinched it too tightly.
Frowning, Li Yuanjing was about to order De Shun to send in another attendant when his gaze fell on the maid. His eyes paused.
From his angle, he could only see the maid’s high nose bridge as she kept her head lowered.
A smile flickered in Li Yuanjing’s eyes as he feigned displeasure. "Where did this clumsy maid come from? Dressing the Emperor so poorly—are you not afraid of punishment?"
The petite figure stiffened, then turned to leave without a word.
Li Yuanjing seized her slender arm, pulling her back into his embrace. "You dare flee before I’ve even punished you? Such audacity."
Up close, Shen Wei’s fair, radiant face came into view.
Dressed as a palace maid, her hair styled plainly, she looked every bit the beautiful attendant. Her dark, gleaming eyes met his defiantly. "Then punish me, Your Majesty. This servant fears nothing."
