The Princess Donglin not only bore some resemblance to Zhao Yang in appearance, but her lively, innocent demeanor was also strikingly similar to hers.
A princess raised in luxury might always retain a certain naivety in temperament.
Shen Wei composed her expression and offered a warm smile. "Princess Zhenmin, there’s no need for formalities. Since you’ve traveled so far, it is only right that I, as your host, extend my hospitality. A banquet has been prepared in the palace—please accompany me."
Princess Donglin nodded cheerfully. "After the long journey, I am quite famished. I appreciate your kindness, Noble Consort Chen."
Exchanging polite words, the two walked side by side into the grand and imposing palace of Qing State.
The palace corridors stretched long and wide, lined with eunuchs and maids moving in perfect order, while guards stood tall with swords at their sides. Princess Donglin marveled inwardly—Noble Consort Chen was truly extraordinary.
The harem of Qing State was impeccably managed under her rule.
Stealing glances at the famed Noble Consort Chen, Princess Donglin noted her resplendent consort’s robes, the delicate sway of hairpins, and her striking beauty. Her eyes always carried a faint smile, as though she held the entire world in her grasp.
Princess Donglin thought to herself—she must never offend Noble Consort Chen. If she could secure her favor, perhaps she might find some semblance of security in this foreign land.
...
...
Changxin Palace.
Night had fallen, and lanterns illuminated the hall as exquisite dishes were served one after another. Lu Xuan picked up her white jade chopsticks, but after only two bites, she could eat no more.
Little Qin fretted, "My lady, you must eat more—you are with child."
Ever since realizing the emperor’s favoritism toward Shen Wei, Lu Xuan had felt as though she were sinking into an abyss. No matter how much she tried to convince herself not to mind the emperor’s partiality, the more she pretended indifference, the deeper her resentment grew. Her appetite had dwindled to nothing.
After sipping a few mouthfuls of nourishing broth, Lu Xuan asked, "What does Princess Donglin look like?"
Little Qin replied, "I caught a glimpse of her today. She is as lovely as the moon and flowers, with an air of innocent naivety. Noble Consort Chen hosted a welcoming banquet for her—she should still be dining in Qinghua Hall at this hour."
Lu Xuan lowered her beautiful eyes, a trace of mockery curling her lips. "Noble Consort Chen must be panicking. A new face in the palace always catches the emperor’s fancy for a while."
No matter how devoted a man might seem, he would always crave novelty.
A beautiful, spirited newcomer might just steal a fraction of his favor.
Lu Xuan added, "Keep watch on the Imperial Hospital."
Little Qin hesitated. "My lady, Noble Consort Chen seems to have noticed our surveillance of Doctor Mo. The guards stationed at the hospital’s entrance—she replaced ours and reassigned them to the servants’ quarters."
Lu Xuan’s expression darkened.
She had planted and bribed several guards responsible for patrols within the palace. Previously, she had orchestrated Concubine Lan’s vengeful attack by ensuring the guards turned a blind eye.
She had executed it flawlessly.
Yet even this had not escaped Shen Wei’s notice.
One by one, the guards and servants Lu Xuan had bought were being weeded out. Frustration gnawed at her—Shen Wei, with her control over the six palaces, was far more formidable than the foolish empress of the past.
"I can’t wait any longer." Lu Xuan had a premonition that if she didn’t strike back soon, she would be crushed beyond recovery.
Her voice turned icy as she ordered Little Qin, "Find a way to keep monitoring the Imperial Hospital. If we can catch Noble Consort Chen and Doctor Mo in a compromising situation, we can bring her down in one move."
Little Qin bowed. "Understood."
...
...
Princess Donglin’s arrival had stirred emotions in many. In Yanjing City, within the Yan residence, night had fallen. A maid carried a basin of warm water into the master’s bedchamber.
Tantai Rou helped Yan Yunting remove his shoes and socks, joining him as they soaked their feet. The water in the wooden tub was perfectly warm, soothing their weary bodies.
But Yan Yunting’s thoughts were clearly elsewhere. Several times, Tantai Rou spoke to him, only for him to remain oblivious.
Her delicate face creased with worry as she took his hand. "Husband, you’ve worked all day—you must be exhausted. Drink some calming broth and rest well."
Yan Yunting snapped out of his daze and smiled faintly. "Yes, I am rather tired."
Once their feet were washed, the maid took the basin away. Tantai Rou helped him out of his outer robe and into thick sleeping garments.
After drinking the broth, Yan Yunting lay in bed but found no sleep. His mind kept replaying Princess Donglin’s smile, overlapping with the face of Princess Zhao Yang from his memories.
Princess Donglin resembled Princess Zhao Yang somewhat.
Her lively, innocent charm even more so.
A man would always yearn for the woman he could never have.
Since Princess Zhao Yang had left to marry into Yue Kingdom, Yan Yunting had thought of her constantly, his longing growing heavier with time. Catching sight of Princess Donglin today had stirred the still waters of his heart into turbulent waves.
"Husband, what’s wrong?" Tantai Rou’s voice reached him. Yan Yunting turned to see her beside him.
Her dark hair spilled over her shoulders, her gentle features framed by faintly furrowed brows. Her eyes brimmed with concern.
A pang of guilt struck him.
He already had a good wife—yet here he was, lying beside her while pining for a foreign princess. He pulled Tantai Rou close and murmured, "It’s nothing. Let’s sleep."
Tantai Rou nodded softly, nestling into his embrace.
But even as he held his beloved wife, Princess Donglin’s face surfaced in his mind once more. He closed his eyes, exhaustion finally pulling him into a fitful slumber.
The servants had long retired, leaving the Yan residence silent. Inside the curtained bed, Tantai Rou slowly opened her eyes. Without expression, she moved Yan Yunting’s arm aside, slipped out, and tiptoed to the desk.
A small lamp flickered to life, casting a dim glow.
She took up a fine charcoal pen and wrote a few lines on a tiny slip of paper. A gray carrier pigeon perched on the windowsill. She rolled the note tightly and tied it to the bird’s leg.
The pigeon took flight, vanishing into the vast moonlight.
Tantai Rou returned to bed with practiced ease, casting a glance at Yan Yunting’s sleeping form—her eyes cold with disdain.
She closed her eyes and lay beside him once more.
...
...
Princess Donglin had stayed in the palace for two days.
Li Yuanjing had no intention of taking her as a concubine, so he tasked Shen Wei with selecting a suitable husband for her among the imperial relatives and high-ranking officials of the fifth rank or above.
In Yongning Palace, Shen Wei pored over the records of nobles and officials, frowning. Though Donglin was a small kingdom, its princess could never be made a mere concubine in a minister’s household.
Yet in Yanjing City, all eligible officials were already married. The few who remained unmarried served in the Ministry of War, Ministry of Personnel, or Ministry of Works—none of which could be allowed, lest Princess Donglin gain access to Qing State’s military strategies.
The best option was to marry her to an official from the Ministry of Rites, which handled ceremonial affairs and held fewer state secrets.
But after reviewing the ministry’s roster, Shen Wei found no suitable candidates. Sighing, she turned to the records of noble families. Marrying Princess Donglin to the son of a powerless duke or prince might suffice.
Cai Lian entered to announce, "My lady, Princess Zhenmin requests an audience."
