Domestic Affairs
As the young mistress of the Tong Family, Lady Tong was practically invisible in the household. Only her aunt spared her a few thoughts and occasional care. The servants treated her with respect, but it was merely superficial—a performance for the master and madam. Behind her back, their disdain and mocking whispers were all too predictable.
She held no authority over household affairs, and her husband had long since moved to separate quarters. Seeing him was a rare luxury. Even if news spread like wildfire among the Tong Family, it would never reach her ears.
If Noble Consort Yi wished to chat with her about domestic matters or share amusing anecdotes about Longkodo, she had chosen the wrong person.
Mrs. Hesheli parted her lips, unsure how to respond.
Slowly lifting her gaze, she met a pair of captivating peach-blossom eyes, brimming with warmth and vitality. Noble Consort Yi studied her, her expression devoid of malice—only something Mrs. Hesheli couldn’t quite decipher.
Noble Consort Yi pitied her.
No one had ever pitied her before.
A tremor ran through Mrs. Hesheli’s body, her fingers clenching tightly.
She recalled the recent summons from the palace. Longkodo had ordered her to feign illness, but for the first time, she refused.
Escaping the stifling atmosphere of the Tong residence, even for a brief respite, was a rare opportunity. To admire the grandeur of the palace and stand before a noble consort—no matter the topic, it was a welcome reprieve.
When she first entered the palace, her heart had pounded with nervous excitement. Then fear took hold, and hesitation nearly drove her to retreat. What exactly did Noble Consort Yi want from her?
But now, as if a rift had torn through the dark clouds, Mrs. Hesheli suddenly felt no fear.
Not only her husband but even her father-in-law tread carefully around Noble Consort Yi. With Noble Consort Wen also holding authority over the palace, securing their goodwill might finally ease her suffering.
Even if they muttered complaints behind her back, no one in the household would dare slight her—or neglect Yuexing'a.
After a brief hesitation, she pressed her lips into a faint smile, shedding her usual wooden demeanor. Softly, she replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. This humble wife will speak without reserve."
Noble Consort Wen arched a brow, masking her surprise as she exchanged a glance with Yunxiu.
Yunxiu straightened slightly, pleasantly surprised by this unexpected turn.
Mrs. Hesheli was, after all, the daughter of a prominent family, her upbringing etched into her bones. Once she mustered the courage to respond thoughtfully, her poise rivaled that of any noblewoman. Nanny Dong, standing nearby, gave an approving nod.
Yunxiu steered clear of Tong Family affairs, instead asking about Mrs. Hesheli’s daily routines in the gentlest tone. Before long, Noble Consort Wen joined the conversation, interjecting occasionally.
As Mrs. Hesheli’s shoulders gradually relaxed, Yunxiu clapped her hands, summoning a servant bearing an exquisitely crafted hair ornament set. With a warm smile, she said, "Forgive my forwardness, but I feel an unusual kinship with you. Should you ever face hardship, do not hesitate to seek an audience. And if I am unable to assist, Noble Consort Wen will surely step in."
Though spoken lightly, the words struck deep. Mrs. Hesheli’s breath hitched, her heart swelling with emotion—yet she dared not take them seriously. "Thank you, Your Highness."
Clutching the consort’s gift, she returned to the Tong residence, the memory of those words etched into her mind.
The gatekeeper greeted her with uncharacteristic enthusiasm. Straightening her back, Mrs. Hesheli felt an unfamiliar daze.
Glancing at the ornate box in her hands, she realized even her dowry paled in comparison to such finery.
A spark of life flickered in her eyes, dispelling the gloom that had long clouded them. When the head steward of the main courtyard approached with deference, she paused before asking softly, "Who is the woman my husband keeps outside?"
——
"Why trouble yourself with the Tong Family? They’re of no concern to us," Noble Consort Wen remarked on the other side, sipping her tea with a reproachful glance at Yunxiu. "A noble consort meddling in trivial domestic squabbles—does the Emperor know?"
"You call this trivial?" Yunxiu chuckled before lowering her voice. "Longkodo has no scruples. He stole his father-in-law’s concubine and installed her as his mistress. And this mistress is no ordinary woman—soon enough, she’ll march into the Tong residence, usurping the rightful wife’s position and declaring herself a titled lady."
She omitted the sordid details, unwilling to sully Noble Consort Wen’s ears, adding only, "With Longkodo’s indulgence, Mrs. Hesheli is a pitiable soul."
If they could lend her aid, it would be a kindness.
Noble Consort Wen’s hands trembled, tea splashing onto the table.
He stole his father-in-law’s concubine? And she dared claim a title?
After confirming it was no jest, she massaged her temples in silence. "Not long ago, the Emperor thwarted the Tong Family’s attempt to send a daughter into the palace, urging them to learn from the Fucha Clan instead—effectively cutting off their path to imperial favor. If not for Tong Guowei’s desperate apologies, would Longkodo still stand unscathed before the throne? And now this? Has he lost his mind?"
Longkodo was still young, far from being a powerful minister. To put it bluntly, his standing relied entirely on the Emperor’s favor. Without their familial ties, who would remember his name?
He had ambition and capability, but the court teemed with competent officials. The Emperor ruled the realm—what need had he for a disgraced subject?
If Longkodo incurred the Emperor’s full displeasure, it would be no different from courting death.
"Precisely—he’s lost his mind," Yunxiu said coolly, setting her cup down with a sharp clink. "That mistress is the flesh of his flesh, inseparable from his heart. Since they’re a match made in heaven, why must they ruin another woman’s life?"
"For now, he keeps it hidden. Soon, Tong Guowei will help him bury the truth," Yunxiu continued evenly. "He pities his beloved concubine’s lowly status and seeks to elevate her. But I will not allow it. Defying morality and tarnishing virtue—how can such a man hold office? Find the right moment to impeach him."
News from outside the palace confirmed Li Si'er had become Longkodo’s mistress. Initially, Yunxiu had hesitated, intending only to summon Mrs. Hesheli before deciding her next move. But after their meeting, her resolve solidified. A swift strike would be best.
At this point, Longkodo had only one son, Yuexing'a. Mrs. Hesheli would feel no grief.
Hearing this, Noble Consort Wen’s anger subsided. She nodded faintly before pointing at Yunxiu with a laugh.
"Ma Qi, the Left Censor-in-Chief, is close with your brother. With him leading the charge, the censors will flood the Emperor’s desk with impeachment memorials. To receive such treatment—Longkodo must be the first."
Yunxiu couldn’t help but laugh.
Regaining her composure, she pressed a finger to her lips, eyes twinkling mischievously. "After all, this is Second Master Tong. Shouldn’t we treat him with due hospitality?"
——
Having finally bid farewell to Mrs. Hesheli, Yunxiu and Noble Consort Wen were deep in conversation when Zhang Youde, the chief eunuch of Yikun Palace, hovered anxiously on the sidelines, unable to interject.
At last, Yunxiu noticed his unusual demeanor and raised a brow. Zhang Youde exhaled in relief, bowing deeply. "Your Highness, the Ninth Prince has arrived to pay his respects."
Noble Consort Wen brightened. "Bring him in at once! It’s been too long since I last saw Yintang. Classes ended hours ago—was he delayed by some matter?"
"Reporting to Noble Consort Wen, the Ninth Prince sneaked into the warm chamber early this morning. This servant couldn’t stop him, Your Grace."
Yunxiu froze, her heart sinking.
That rascal Yintang—his cleverness had nowhere else to go. Claiming he’d entered the warm chamber, but in truth, he was eavesdropping, wasn’t he?
At this moment, the matter of Longkodo and Li Si'er…
He must be wondering how I knew.
There had been hints before, but Yunxiu was certain Yintang had never considered this angle, attributing everything to his "reincarnation" and feeling quite smug about it.
But today, her conversation with Noble Consort Wen had been far too revealing.
Would she really have to confess and say, "Your mother had a prophetic dream, and in it, Mrs. Hesheli suffered terribly"?
Or should she say, "Your mother and your Second Brother, the Crown Prince, are tied together, just waiting for the day to rise higher and become a leisurely imperial noble consort in the future"?
Massaging her temples in frustration, Yunxiu’s expression darkened. "Sneaking around like a thief—what kind of behavior is that? Bring him out at once."
Inside the warm chamber, Yinzi blinked his large, innocent eyes. Tugging at the sleeve of the person beside him, he whispered, "Ninth Brother, didn’t you say we were here to pay respects? Mother hasn’t even seen you yet."
His voice was soft and sweet.
Yintang, crouched low, only twitched his ears at the words, his mouth hanging open in stunned silence.
He stood on tiptoe, pressing against the partition curtain, his expression blank for a long moment, unable to shake off the overwhelming shock. Losing his balance, his weight shifted, and with a light tug from Yinzi, he toppled over with a loud "thud," landing flat on the floor.
Yintang still hadn’t snapped out of it, not even registering the pain. His eyes glazed over as he stared into empty space, his small body stiff as a board.
Yinzi was terrified.
The Eleventh Prince’s eyes welled up with tears in an instant. "Mother! Ninth Brother—Ninth Brother’s having a seizure! He’s dying!"
