Duke of Lu held a teacup in his hand, scrutinizing his younger daughter before him. In terms of looks and talent, Lu Yun was far inferior to Lu Xuan.
Lu Yun was delicate and demure, a modest beauty with a gentle demeanor.
In the current harem of Qing State, Noble Consort Chen enjoyed the emperor’s utmost favor, and no new concubines had entered the palace for a long time. The Lu family had fallen out of the emperor’s graces, their reputation in tatters. Sending Lu Yun into the palace might slightly appease the emperor’s displeasure.
As for Lu Yun winning the emperor’s exclusive favor?
Duke of Lu held little hope for that.
After a moment of contemplation, the duke spoke gravely to Lu Yun, "You care deeply for your sister, and it is good that you are close. Since that is the case, you may stay in the palace for a while to look after her."
He paused, then added meaningfully, "If you catch the emperor’s eye, it would be a lifeline for our Lu family. If not, do not linger—return to Yunzhou at once."
Duke of Lu was unfortunate in having no sons, only two daughters: Lu Xuan and Lu Yun.
If the emperor took no interest in Lu Yun, she could still be married off to a high-ranking official as a last-ditch effort to salvage the Lu family. Either way, it was worth the gamble.
Unaware of her father’s true intentions, Lu Yun nodded cheerfully, "Do not worry, Father. Your daughter will not disappoint you."
The carriage came to a stop on a bustling street.
Lu Yun stepped down with a maidservant in tow, bowed once more to Duke of Lu, and turned toward the Lu family’s residence in the capital.
Entering the imperial harem of Qing State was no simple matter. She still needed to submit a formal petition to Noble Consort Chen, detailing her reasons for entering the palace. Only with the consort’s permission could she proceed to care for Lu Xuan.
Duke of Lu’s carriage continued down the road, leaving the capital behind. The wheels left deep tracks in the snow-covered path, carving three long trails through the white expanse.
Suddenly, the carriage halted.
The coachman called out, "My lord, a woman is blocking the road ahead."
Duke of Lu lifted the curtain. The road was blanketed in snow, the world wrapped in silver. A plain-looking carriage stood by the roadside, and beside it, a slender woman held an oil-paper umbrella, her face veiled in white gauze. She stood gracefully in the snow, waiting with serene poise.
The duke narrowed his eyes, recognizing her. "Invite her over," he said.
...
...
Lu Yun had expected Noble Consort Chen to obstruct her entry into the palace. Yet, to her surprise, word arrived the very next day—the consort had granted permission for Lu Yun to enter and tend to the ailing Lu Xuan.
Lu Yun was both delighted and suspicious.
Sitting before her dressing table, carefully painting her brows, she murmured to herself, "Does she not realize I could steal the emperor’s favor? How could she allow me in without resistance?"
Her maidservant chimed in, "Perhaps Noble Consort Chen truly believes you are entering solely to care for Consort Shu."
Lu Yun pressed her rosy lips together, her smile laced with mockery.
That such a dim-witted consort could monopolize Emperor Qing’s affection was utterly baffling.
After meticulously adorning herself, Lu Yun arrived at the imperial palace. The cold air bit at her skin as snowflakes drifted down. Clad in a fox-fur-lined jacket and swathed in a thick pink cloak, she carried a small hand warmer as she walked the long palace corridors.
Her gaze swept over the towering palace walls, her heart swelling with ambition as she secretly envisioned herself crowned empress one day.
A faint smirk tugged at her lips.
"Well, if it isn’t the second young miss of the Lu family?" A slightly aged voice called out.
Lu Yun looked up and spotted an elderly eunuch in lavish palace robes. She recognized him—Eunuch Zhou, the chief eunuch of the palace, a man of great influence and the emperor’s trusted confidant.
Behind Eunuch Zhou stood six junior eunuchs, each holding an ornate box. The chief eunuch approached with a smile. "What brings the second young miss to the palace today?"
Deep down, Lu Yun despised eunuchs—men without roots, neither male nor female, reeking of heavy perfumes.
But she was shrewd enough to know that if she were to become an imperial consort, she would have to deal with them frequently. Forcing an innocent smile, she replied, "My elder sister is gravely ill. Noble Consort Chen has permitted me to enter and care for her."
Eunuch Zhou nodded. "I see."
Curious, Lu Yun asked, "Eunuch Zhou, where are you headed in such heavy snow?"
"I’m delivering some items to Chang’an Palace," he answered.
Feigning consideration, Lu Yun said, "Since you are occupied, I shall not detain you. I must first pay my respects at Yongning Palace before returning to Changxin Palace to tend to my sister."
By protocol, daughters of officials visiting the palace were required to first greet the mistress of the harem. Without delay, Lu Yun quickened her steps toward Yongning Palace.
Eunuch Zhou remained standing in the snow, his sharp gaze trailing her retreating figure. In his mind echoed the conversation he had once overheard between Lu Yun and Duke of Lu.
[Lu Yun had said: Father, that eunuch reeks.]
[Duke of Lu had replied: Eunuchs have no roots—of course they stink. Just stay away from them.]
The Lu father and daughter had mocked him behind his back.
Eunuch Zhou, who had neither sons nor daughters, despised nothing more than being called a "rootless creature." Their scornful words had festered in his heart.
"Master, the second young miss of the Lu family is dressed rather extravagantly," whispered a junior eunuch holding an umbrella for him.
Eunuch Zhou smirked coldly. "She claims she’s entering to care for Consort Shu, but I suspect her intentions lie elsewhere."
With that, he led his retinue of junior eunuchs toward Chang’an Palace.
At the palace gates, De Shun, who was on duty, hurried forward. "Master, the weather is freezing—why trouble yourself with this delivery? Rest first, and let this disciple arrange the vases for you."
Eunuch Zhou patted De Shun’s shoulder and asked casually, "Is the black-bone chicken soup ready for His Majesty and the two princes?"
De Shun replied, "The imperial kitchen has been simmering three portions over a slow fire."
"Take the others to set up the display stands," Eunuch Zhou instructed. "I’ll handle the soup."
De Shun dared not object and led the junior eunuchs to arrange the vases and stands. Meanwhile, Eunuch Zhou carried the three bowls of soup into Chang’an Palace.
The hall was warm and cozy.
Li Yuanjing reclined against a cushion on the daybed, reviewing military reports from Liangzhou. Li Chengtai sat cross-legged beside him, scribbling on a sheet of paper with a small brush.
Li Chengyou, nestled next to his elder brother, was sprawled under a thick tiger-fur blanket, fast asleep.
The atmosphere was tranquil.
Eunuch Zhou approached quietly, placing the three bowls of soup on the low table between them. Softly, he said, "Your Majesty, Eighth Prince, please have some soup to warm your stomachs."
Li Chengtai set down his brush and nudged the slumbering Li Chengyou.
Still yawning, Li Chengyou’s nose twitched before his eyes even opened, like a puppy catching the scent of a delicious bone.
"Chicken soup!" he exclaimed. "Brother, are you having any? If not, I’ll drink yours!"
Li Chengtai: "No."
Li Chengyou: "Then it’s mine!"
He grabbed a bowl and gulped down two large mouthfuls, his eyes lighting up instantly. "Father! This soup is amazing! You have to try it—you’ll regret it if you don’t!"
Li Yuanjing took a few sips. The soup was indeed flavorful. He turned to Eunuch Zhou. "Send another bowl to Yongning Palace. Have Weiwei drink it while it’s hot."
Eunuch Zhou furrowed his brows and replied, "Your Majesty, at this hour, Noble Consort Chen is likely receiving the Second Young Lady of the Lu family and may not have time to partake in the soup. Perhaps this servant should deliver it a little later?"
