Tong'er noticed Concubine Lan's hesitation and was about to persuade her further when the closed door was knocked. A young maid from Huayang Palace whispered, "Mistress, someone from Yongning Palace is here."
Suppressing her confusion, Concubine Lan said, "Let them in."
The door opened, and Cai Ping, the chief maid of Yongning Palace, entered with a smile, curtsying to Concubine Lan.
Frowning, Concubine Lan asked, "What is it?"
Cai Ping replied cheerfully, "Concubine Lan, this servant is here on Noble Consort Chen's behalf. Your mother, the Second-Rank Lady of Honor, is gravely ill and bedridden. Noble Consort Chen is deeply concerned. She has ordered two imperial physicians to visit Xie Mansion tomorrow to treat your mother."
Pausing briefly, Cai Ping continued, "If you trust Noble Consort Chen, you may write a letter to your family. Tomorrow, the physicians will deliver it to your mother's bedside."
Concubine Lan tilted her head, skeptical. "How considerate of Noble Consort Chen toward the imperial harem."
Cai Ping maintained her smile. "Will you write the letter, Concubine Lan?"
The room fell silent for a moment. Tong'er lowered her voice and urged, "Mistress, why not try?"
Concubine Lan nodded slowly. "I will."
In the past, none of her letters to her mother had received a reply. Today, she would try again, hoping for a response—and praying her suspicions about the Xie family were unfounded.
...
...
The next day, in Yongning Palace.
The morning sun shone brightly as Shen Wei jogged through the courtyard, chrysanthemums in full bloom, stretching her limbs to stay fit.
Cai Lian handed her a handkerchief to wipe her sweat and reported, "Mistress, Physician Mo and Physician Zhang have already left for the Xie family. Physician Mo took Concubine Lan's letter with her. They should return by afternoon."
Wiping the sweat from her brow, Shen Wei nodded. "Good."
Moxun, having traveled the land for years, was sharp-witted and reliable. Shen Wei trusted her completely.
After her run, Shen Wei changed into fresh clothes. As the morning brightened, a palace attendant announced that Madam Liu of the Liu family had sent a request for an audience.
Shen Wei rubbed her temples.
Since implementing the new palace rule allowing family members to visit concubines twice a year, Shen Wei had been swamped with daily audiences from relatives of palace ladies.
She asked Cai Lian, "Is Madam Liu coming to see Consort Mei?"
Cai Lian shook her head. "Her request only mentions wishing to see you, Mistress. She did not mention Consort Mei."
After a moment’s thought, Shen Wei nodded. "Send word that Madam Liu may come in the afternoon. Also, inform the guards that all visiting ladies must be thoroughly searched—no blades or poisons allowed."
Cai Lian went to carry out the orders.
After her morning exercise, Shen Wei paid respects to the Empress Dowager at Cining Palace, spending half an hour with Leyou and the others. At noon, she went to Xuangming Hall to share a meal with Li Yuanjing. In the afternoon, she took a short nap before heading to the Internal Affairs Office to review the palace’s monthly stipend distribution.
Though managing the harem was busy work, Shen Wei felt at ease.
The taste of power was more intoxicating than love.
That afternoon, Madam Liu arrived for her audience. Shen Wei received the renowned lady in the main hall.
Madam Liu was impeccably dressed, her attire refined and meticulous. She entered the hall and bowed deeply to Shen Wei.
Shen Wei gestured for her to sit.
Madam Liu said gratefully, "Noble Consort Chen, today I come on behalf of the hundreds in the Liu family to thank you for your kindness. Had you not uncovered the truth behind the bronze plaque in Yuxiu Palace, our family would have faced utter ruin."
Recently, the discovery of a cursed bronze plaque in Yuxiu Palace had caused an uproar, with accusations pointing squarely at the Liu family.
Madam Liu had been consumed with worry. She sought help from her daughter, Liu Ruyan, but was met with cold indifference.
Despair had nearly overtaken her—until Noble Consort Chen returned to the palace and swiftly exposed the truth, clearing the Liu family’s name. Several talented Liu men were even granted official posts by the Emperor, their futures now bright.
Noble Consort Chen was the Liu family’s savior.
Overcome with emotion, Madam Liu bowed deeply once more.
Shen Wei motioned for Cai Lian to help her up, smiling. "As the overseer of the harem, it is my duty to maintain peace. Moreover, Nanzhi is a sweet and sensible child. I treat her as my own and would never let her suffer."
Madam Liu’s eyes reddened, her heart aching.
Even Noble Consort Chen, an outsider, showed more care for the innocent Li Nanzhi than her own mother, Liu Ruyan, who had always treated her daughter with cold disdain.
After exchanging pleasantries for nearly half an hour, Shen Wei accepted the Liu family’s gratitude and had Cai Lian escort Madam Liu out of Yongning Palace.
The Liu family belonged to the scholarly elite, with Liu Ruyan’s father being a disciple of Yang Xuanji. By winning their support, Shen Wei’s brother, Shen Xiuming, would find smoother sailing in his political career.
Sipping chrysanthemum tea, Shen Wei mused—perhaps one day, Shen Xiuming might even rise to become the Great Qing Kingdom’s prime minister.
...
On the long palace path, Madam Liu walked leisurely, her spirits lifted. Her maid asked, "Madam, will you not visit Yuxiu Palace to see the young mistress?"
Madam Liu’s expression darkened. She no longer wished to acknowledge her heartless daughter.
As far as the Liu family was concerned, she no longer existed.
As Madam Liu neared the palace gates, a little girl in golden robes came skipping toward her. "Grandmother! Nanzhi is here to see you off!"
Li Nanzhi took Madam Liu’s hand, beaming. "I told you Noble Consort Chen would uncover the truth!"
Madam Liu smiled tenderly. "You were right, Nanzhi."
Hand in hand, they walked along the palace walls.
The autumn breeze carried a chill. Madam Liu squeezed her granddaughter’s hand. "The weather is turning cold. Tomorrow, I’ll send you some warm fabric—"
She paused mid-sentence, noticing the exquisite Shu brocade dress Li Nanzhi wore, embroidered with flowers and rabbits—both warm and lovely.
"This dress is beautiful. The Internal Affairs Office has done well," Madam Liu remarked.
Li Nanzhi lifted her chin proudly, like a little peacock. "Noble Consort Chen had it made for me—three sets, plus wool boots and gloves!"
Madam Liu was stunned, her heart swelling with gratitude.
Actions spoke louder than words, and character was revealed in details.
Rumors of Noble Consort Chen’s kindness and virtue were widespread, but today, Madam Liu saw the truth firsthand.
Gently stroking Li Nanzhi’s hair, she advised, "Since Noble Consort Chen treats you so well, you must reciprocate. Don’t just take—give in return, understand?"
Li Nanzhi nodded earnestly, her eyes crinkling into crescents. "I understand!"
...
On the streets of Yanjing, a carriage stopped outside Xie Mansion.
The curtain lifted, and Moxun hopped down nimbly. Dressed in gray-blue physician’s robes and a black scholar’s cap, she cut a dashing figure—slim, fair-faced, and full of youthful vigor.
She handed her visiting card to the gatekeeper and waited patiently with an elderly physician. The autumn wind blew, snatching her cap away.
Moxun bent down to pick up her hat, her slender fingers delicately pinching the brim. Out of the corner of her eye, she suddenly froze, catching sight of a suspicious figure lurking in the shadowed corner of the street.
