Lu Yun knelt on the cushion, her voice trembling. "This humble girl speaks no falsehood. I beg Your Majesty to discern the truth!"
Lu Yun was at her wit's end.
Ever since she was expelled from the imperial harem by the Empress Dowager, she had returned alone to the Duke of Lu's Mansion in Yunzhou. Nightmares plagued her—visions of the Lu family being executed en masse, of her elder sister Lu Xuan meeting a tragic end in the palace.
Lu Yun was but a frail woman, powerless in the face of war or politics, with no means to avert disaster. Watching her family inch closer to the abyss she had foreseen in her dreams, she was on the verge of collapse.
In desperation, she confided in the Duke of Lu about her prophetic dreams. Yet he dismissed them as delusions, confining her to her chambers all winter to "recuperate."
When spring arrived, the Emperor of Southern Chu, Li Yuanli, quietly arrived in Yunzhou and took residence in the Duke's mansion. The Duke sent Lu Yun to receive him, hoping Li Yuanli might take a liking to his youngest daughter.
Alas, Li Yuanli showed no interest in Lu Yun.
Trembling, Lu Yun knelt in the flower hall and mustered her courage to recount her visions to him. The Southern Chu Emperor wielded immense power—perhaps he could save the Lu family.
"I swear upon my life, every word is true! May lightning strike me if I lie." Lu Yun raised three fingers in solemn oath.
Li Yuanli reclined in his carved chair, his striking eyes glinting with amusement as he studied her.
Lu Yun’s expression was resolute, as though she truly believed her own words.
Li Yuanli drawled, "In your dream, Lu Xuan was crowned Empress. Yet in Da Qing’s harem now, it is that cunning Noble Consort Chen who holds all the favor."
Lu Yun frowned, equally puzzled. "There was no such person as Noble Consort Chen in my dreams. I, too, find it strange. But aside from her, nearly every major court event has unfolded as I foresaw."
In her visions, the harem had no Noble Consort Chen—only Lu Xuan basking in the Emperor’s undivided affection.
Li Yuanli mused, "It seems this Noble Consort Chen is an anomaly. Tell me more of your dreams. I am listening."
"You... believe me?" Lu Yun was taken aback.
Li Yuanli chuckled, setting down his teacup. His gaze drifted to a plump fox chasing butterflies in the courtyard, as if speaking to himself. "Why shouldn’t I? Of course I believe you."
The world was full of inexplicable wonders beyond the confines of books.
As the Southern Chu Empress once said: The world is vast—go out and see it.
...
"Achoo!"
In the crisp spring breeze, Shen Wei sneezed again.
Her maid, Cai Ping, startled, hurriedly draped a thick cloak over Shen Wei’s shoulders. "Your Highness, the wind is strong. Shall I summon a palanquin to the Internal Affairs Office?"
Shen Wei tightened the brocade cloak around herself. "A daily walk keeps one alive till ninety-nine."
Life thrived on movement!
Rather than ride in a palanquin, Shen Wei preferred strolling through the palace—exercising, admiring the vibrant spring scenery.
Since spring began, her mood had been excellent. Last year, her trading ventures had flourished, filling her coffers daily. Her businesses now spanned Da Qing and were expanding into neighboring kingdoms.
Soon, the Southern Chu Kingdom and Da Qing would sign a trade agreement, allowing goods to flow freely between them. Her enterprises would then penetrate Southern Chu’s markets.
A noble consort’s stipend was paltry. To amass real wealth, one had to engage in commerce.
In her buoyant spirits, even the palace flowers seemed brighter, the clouds whiter—joy colored everything beautifully.
"Your Highness, ahead is Consort Mei of Yuxiu Palace," Cai Ping whispered.
Since her confinement ended at spring’s arrival, Liu Ruyan had rarely ventured out, shunning social gatherings, burying herself in books and paintings.
As Shen Wei passed Yuxiu Palace, Liu Ruyan stood beneath the eaves, her stunning but lifeless eyes locking onto her.
After winter, Liu Ruyan had grown gaunt, clad in a thin grayish spring gown.
The palace gates were open. Shen Wei glimpsed the tidy courtyard, tender green sprouts peeking through the swept-clean grounds.
"Noble Consort Chen." Liu Ruyan suddenly called out, halting Shen Wei.
Shen Wei paused.
Cai Ping cleared her throat. "Consort Mei, you should greet Her Highness properly."
Liu Ruyan’s peerless face flushed with humiliation and resentment. Biting her lip, she finally stepped forward and murmured, "Noble Consort Chen, blessings upon you."
Shen Wei tilted her head. "What is it?"
Clutching her handkerchief, Liu Ruyan’s cheeks burned with shame before she stammered, "The servants in my palace are insolent and incompetent. I request your assistance in replacing them with capable ones."
Her tone bordered on a demand, not a plea.
Since her demotion to consort, Liu Ruyan’s life had become unbearable.
Though the sole daughter of the Liu family, they had disowned her, cutting off supplies of fine silks and stationery. A consort’s allowance was meager, and the kitchen sent near-inedible meals. The gaudy robes assigned to her rank were beneath her dignity.
Liu Ruyan had expected the Emperor to feel remorse for her suffering. Yet three months passed without a single visit to Yuxiu Palace.
Fully out of favor, her servants grew lax, ignoring her requests. Some even dared to rebuke her.
A kind-hearted consort once advised her: to command respect, one must balance discipline with rewards—carrot and stick.
But Liu Ruyan disdained such vulgar tactics. In her heart, she wished for servants who obeyed without complaint.
Hearing her plea, Shen Wei sighed and instructed Cai Ping to summon Yuxiu Palace’s staff. Four servants—two eunuchs, two maids—knelt trembling before her.
Cai Ping addressed them sternly. "Since you serve Yuxiu Palace, why neglect your duties?"
One eunuch stammered, "Your Highness, we’ve done all within our means. But Consort Mei makes impossible demands. We are at a loss."
A maid added bitterly, "Consort Mei ordered me to fetch two bolts of silver-shot brocade from the Royal Wardrobe. But such fabric is reserved for Your Highness and the Empress Dowager. When I returned empty-handed, she berated me."
Since Shen Wei reformed the harem’s discipline and instituted fair wages, mistreatment of low-ranking consorts had dwindled.
Yuxiu Palace’s servants disliked Consort Mei but still performed their duties—yet Liu Ruyan made it difficult.
The harem’s hierarchy was rigid.
The Internal Affairs Office strictly allocated luxuries by rank.
A mere consort like Liu Ruyan had no right to the finest treasures.
