Xie Fanghua replied neither humbly nor arrogantly: "In response to Your Grace, this humble daughter entered the palace with my father to visit my gravely ill stepmother. As there are misunderstandings between Father and my stepmother, I thought it improper to interfere and thus waited in the imperial garden for my father's return."
Last night, Concubine Zhao had written a letter to the head of the Xie Family.
Xie Ji rushed back to the capital overnight.
At dawn, Xie Ji brought Xie Fanghua into the palace to visit his ailing wife.
"Judging by your attire—satin embroidered with chrysanthemums—do you favor chrysanthemums?" Shen Wei deliberately inquired.
Xie Fanghua lifted her head, revealing a face bearing a fifty percent resemblance to Shen Wei. With a faint smile on her red lips, she replied, "In response to Your Grace, this humble daughter does not merely favor chrysanthemums. I adore spring peach blossoms, summer lotus, autumn osmanthus and red chrysanthemums, and winter wintersweet. The only flower I dislike is the rose—too many thorns, too prone to wounding."
Upon hearing this, Cai Ping silently rolled her eyes.
This Xie girl not only imitated Consort Chen’s manner of dress but even copied her floral preferences—such blatant ambition was utterly nauseating.
Shen Wei smiled. "This consort also dislikes roses. The autumn scenery in the imperial garden is quite splendid—enjoy it while you can. You may not have another chance to enter the palace in the future."
Xie Fanghua froze, failing to grasp the implication behind Shen Wei’s words.
With a light wave of her hand, Shen Wei signaled for her palanquin to resume its journey. As the palanquin swayed, the dizziness in her head grew increasingly severe. The autumn breeze brushed past, leaving her thoughts muddled.
Irritated, Shen Wei frowned. "Return to Yongning Palace and summon the imperial physician."
She seemed to have fallen ill.
Lately, she had been preoccupied with managing the affairs of the inner palace. The sudden drop in temperature, coupled with her late-night frolics with Li Yuanjing in the bathtub a few days prior, had culminated in her current state.
Upon returning to Yongning Palace, her discomfort intensified. Her thoughts slowed, her mind grew foggy, and it felt as though her soul was detaching from her body. Dazed, she burrowed beneath thick quilts, yet still, she shivered with cold.
Lying weakly on the bed, Shen Wei issued orders to Nanny Rong, Cai Lian, and Cai Ping:
"Inform Her Majesty the Empress Dowager to increase the guards around Lady Wu’s residence."
"Have Consort Yu audit the autumn ledgers to prevent any discrepancies."
"Ensure His Majesty is made aware of my encounter with Xie Fanghua in the imperial garden today."
After issuing these drowsy instructions, her eyelids grew heavier, and she gradually drifted into sleep.
Exchanging glances, Nanny Rong and the others set about their tasks with orderly efficiency, maintaining Yongning Palace’s seamless operations.
...
...
Cining Palace.
Xie Ji, head of the Xie Family, stood in the inner chamber clad in official robes, his eyes reddened. Clenching his fists, he protested bitterly, "Elder Sister! Our Xie Family faces calamity—why do you still refuse to lend aid? You share the blood of the Xie Family! You are my own elder sister!"
Xie Ji could not fathom why the Empress Dowager remained indifferent, even obstructing his attempt to see Lady Wu.
For years, the Empress Dowager had never extended any assistance to the Xie Family. On the contrary, she had repeatedly suppressed them, seeking to weaken their influence.
Xie Ji tightened his fists. "Elder Sister, Lady Wu must die. If she lives, our Xie Family is doomed."
The Empress Dowager set down her teacup and glared at her younger brother. "You bring ruin upon yourself yet refuse to repent, and now you expect me to clean up your mess? The Wu Family’s dowry filled countless holes in the Xie Family’s finances. Instead of gratitude, you poisoned her and even had servants take your place in the marital bed—utterly despicable!"
Xie Ji retorted, "When you became Empress, you conspired with the late Emperor to oppress the Xie Family! Crushed under pressure, we had no choice but to ally with the Wu Family! The root of this lies with you! Had you shown even the slightest support, I would never have married a Wu daughter!"
The Empress Dowager slammed her cup onto the table. "The Xie Family sold official posts, exploited the people, and wallowed in corruption! Every male heir was greedy and lustful—how could I abet such villainy?"
Xie Ji: "I am your own brother! Will you stand by and watch me die?"
Furious, the Empress Dowager nearly fainted, her chest heaving. "Get out! Never set foot in Cining Palace again! I no longer have a brother like you!"
Xie Ji flicked his sleeve and stormed off.
Their meeting ended in discord.
Xie Fanghua, who had been waiting for Xie Ji, trailed anxiously behind her father. "Father, did you see her?"
Xie Ji’s expression darkened. "The Empress Dowager shields her tightly—she forbade me from meeting her. My sister has always been heartless."
Xie Fanghua lowered her head in disappointment.
Patting his daughter’s shoulder, Xie Ji softened his tone. "Fanghua, do not worry. Even if it costs me my life, I will protect you and your mother."
Tears welled in Xie Fanghua’s eyes as she nodded.
Father and daughter walked along the lengthy palace path. As they passed the Meridian Gate, they encountered the Emperor’s procession. Xie Ji hastily knelt with his daughter to pay respects.
Seated atop his palanquin, Li Yuanjing regarded them coldly. "Rise."
Xie Fanghua and Xie Ji stood.
Xie Ji addressed the Emperor urgently. "Your Majesty, there has been a misunderstanding between this official and Lady Wu. I implore Your Majesty to judge fairly and not heed the slander of petty men."
Li Yuanjing responded with a noncommittal hum.
Xie Fanghua’s heart raced. Shyly, she lifted her gaze to behold the Emperor’s majestic countenance. Unexpectedly, her eyes met his.
With a practiced smile—one she had rehearsed endlessly before a mirror—she curved her red lips in a bright, confident imitation of Consort Chen’s signature expression.
Li Yuanjing merely studied her deeply before his grand procession continued onward without another word.
The Xie father and daughter departed the palace and returned to the Xie residence.
Immediately, Xie Ji summoned the family elders to discuss countermeasures. Meanwhile, Xie Fanghua retired to her chambers, sitting before her mirror as an uneasy premonition stirred within her.
That afternoon, as Xie Fanghua practiced Consort Chen’s graceful gait in the courtyard, a maid rushed in, exclaiming, "Young Miss! An imperial decree has arrived! Eunuch Deshun from His Majesty’s side is here to deliver it!"
Xie Fanghua froze momentarily before delight flooded her face.
Could it be an edict summoning her to the palace as a consort?
Overjoyed, she hurried inside to check her reflection. The silver mirror reflected a youthful, radiant beauty with flawless adornments. Satisfied, she touched her lips and led her maids to the main hall to receive the decree.
Along the way, she encountered Concubine Zhao.
Xie Fanghua threw herself into her mother’s arms. "Mother! It must be an edict naming me as His Majesty’s consort! Today in the palace, I smiled at the Emperor, and he gazed at me for a long time!"
Concubine Zhao’s expression brightened. "My Fanghua, you’ve done well. If you enter the palace, perhaps you can save our Xie Family from this crisis."
Concubine Zhao had always believed that even heroes faltered before beauty. The Emperor, no matter how wise and mighty, was still a man—susceptible to feminine charms and whispered persuasion.
Mother and daughter proceeded to the main hall, where Xie Ji also arrived in haste.
The entire Xie Family knelt to receive the decree.
Eunuch Deshun unfurled the scroll and proclaimed:
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Concubine Zhao of the Xie Family, guilty of poisoning the primary wife, is to be detained by the Ministry of Justice for investigation. The Second Miss of the Xie Family, for offending the Imperial Consort and causing her illness, is sentenced to thirty strikes to the face, thirty lashes, head shaving, and confinement to a nunnery for life to preserve her virtue."
Xie Fanghua's smile froze on her face—she thought she must have misheard.
Take the tonsure and become a nun?
