The sound of Yinzi’s tearful voice reached Noble Consort Wen, startling her into rising hastily and hurrying inside. Turning her head, she saw Yunxiu rubbing her temples, motionless for a long while. Amused yet exasperated, Noble Consort Wen frowned and scolded, "You, as his mother, are so careless!"
"They’re just playing around," Yunxiu replied, lowering her hand but finally adding a word in defense.
Noble Consort Wen didn’t believe her at all. At that moment, the nursemaids attending to the Eleventh Prince filed out in a fluster, unable to hide their panic as they knelt to beg forgiveness. "Your Highness, the Ninth Prince clung to the curtain and froze stiff. He’s fine now, but it frightened the Eleventh Prince."
Hearing this, Noble Consort Wen understood.
Clung to the curtain?
He’d been eavesdropping!
Noticing Yunxiu’s faint smile—one that sent chills down the spine—Noble Consort Wen coughed lightly and tactfully advised, "Children are naturally curious. His Majesty has just disciplined him harshly. Be careful not to crush his spirit too much."
As dinnertime approached, Noble Consort Wen didn’t linger. After pleading earnestly on Yintang’s behalf, she boarded her palanquin and returned to Yongshou Palace. Meanwhile, inside the warm chamber—
Yintang finally heard his little brother’s cry.
"Jiu-ge is dying!"
With a sudden jerk, he sat bolt upright, his fair, round face twisting in fury. That little troublemaker was going to be the death of him!
But then he remembered—this was his own younger brother, always sweet and endearing, not like Yin'e, that thick-skinned oaf who didn’t care about scoldings. Forcing a smile, he said, "Eleventh, Jiu-ge is just fine."
Yinzi wiped his tears and sniffled, accusing, "Jiu-ge was scary just now."
The Eleventh Prince’s eyes shone like black obsidian, and Yintang’s heart instantly softened. After much coaxing, he finally got Yinzi to stop sniffling. The little boy clutched his sleeve again, tears giving way to a smile.
Just as Yintang sighed in relief, he turned and saw Yunxiu standing there, smiling. His voice caught in his throat, and for a long moment, he couldn’t speak.
"Your mother needs to have a word with you," Yunxiu said, taking Yinzi’s small hand and gently wiping his tear-streaked face with a handkerchief. "Eavesdropping is wrong, isn’t it, Yinzi?"
Yinzi thought for a moment, then nodded solemnly and whispered, "Being scary is wrong too."
"..." Yintang hung his head and followed his mother into the inner chamber, thoroughly dejected.
After dismissing the servants, Yunxiu studied her second son for a long while before scoffing. "How impressive. Reborn into this life, and you’ve managed to repeat every foolish mistake. Aren’t you ashamed?"
He had prayed desperately that reality wouldn’t match his fears—yet here it was, confirmed.
The revelation struck like thunder, jolting Yintang into trembling terror. His eyes widened in shock. "M-Mother."
Mother had been reborn too?!
No wonder. No wonder everything in the palace was so different from his past life. No wonder, the moment he opened his eyes, she had called herself "jealous and venomous." The Emperor had been tamed under her influence, the Crown Prince and Suo'etu had grown distant, and now even Longkodo was about to fall.
Heavens above.
A storm of emotions—joy, excitement, sorrow, guilt—surged through him. Yintang stood rigid, his face burning red like a boiled shrimp.
Every misstep he’d made in this life, Mother had seen it all.
Gradually, his eyes reddened too. He stammered, "Mother... how did you know I—"
"I carried you in my womb and raised you all these years. How could I not recognize you?" Yunxiu smiled faintly, then paused, her nose tingling with emotion. After a long silence, she continued, "Zhang Youde prepared five young eunuchs, yet you picked Xiaogouzi without a second thought, insisting he serve you alone."
"I didn’t speak of it because I wanted you to forget your past life and live without burdens."
Yintang froze, momentarily distracted from questioning whether this was just Noble Consort Yi’s mischievous streak.
Though he had Yin'e to confide in, their occasional reminiscing about their past lives had never felt like this—like a dam bursting, releasing all the pent-up grievances he’d carried. With a thud, he dropped to his knees on the rug, crying until his eyes and nose were red. "Mother, I was unfilial! I dragged Fifth Brother down, and I dragged you down too—"
Oh, this child.
Yunxiu closed her eyes briefly, and all her scolding words evaporated.
Once she steadied her emotions, an overwhelming warmth filled her chest. Urging Yintang to rise, she said hoarsely, "It’s all in the past now. Come here, don’t kneel too long—you’ll hurt yourself."
Yintang obeyed, scrambling up and nestling close to Yunxiu, suddenly as docile as Yinzi. Tears still streamed down his face as he rambled about his past life. "I shouldn’t have meddled in the succession struggle—"
These were the bitter realizations Ninth Prince had reached during his imprisonment in the imperial clan’s custody, idle and drowning in regret.
Yunxiu stroked his shaved head, her own eyes glistening.
Little Ninth had grown up.
After a pause, she said gently, "Now, your mother is tied to your Second Brother. Over the years, I’ve worked tirelessly to make His Majesty favor our palace—"
Before she could finish her thought—"so we may live safely into the new reign, and I may become an imperial noble consort"—Yintang clutched her sleeve and wailed, "Mother, you must see clearly! What’s so great about the old man? Why cling to that crooked-neck tree?"
Once Second Brother ascended the throne, he’d bring Mother to his estate and make Fifth Brother green with envy. He’d even arrange ten or eight handsome middle-aged or young men to serve her—wouldn’t that be delightful?
Yunxiu was speechless for a long moment before jabbing his forehead sharply. "What ‘old man’? You must call him Imperial Father. No more insolence."
Yintang hiccuped through his tears, bewildered.
When he was first born, Mother had shown no interest in competing for favor—why had she changed? Had she fallen into the Emperor’s trap again?
Resentment simmered. Yintang resolved to make Mother see the Emperor’s true nature. She’d suffered enough in her past life—she mustn’t suffer again!
This called for a proper plan, one he’d need to discuss with Yin'e.
Suddenly remembering something, Yintang’s eyes lit up. Tentatively, he asked, "Mother, what about Tenth Brother—?"
"I know. Noble Consort Wen remains unaware." Yunxiu shot him an amused glance. "Wipe your face. Look at you—what a sight."
Yintang stopped crying, his expression shifting to eager determination.
"Mother is wise, Mother sees all," the six-year-old flattered, then pouted dramatically. "But Yinzhen bullied me so much, and you ignored it! Have you forgotten how cruel he was in our past life?"
In their past life, Mother had doted on him endlessly—why had she changed?
Yunxiu’s brows furrowed slightly, her earlier warmth cooling. Little Ninth still lacked wisdom—he needed more discipline.
Before she could respond, Yintang gnashed his teeth. "I ought to shave off all his dog fur—"
"Shave off whose dog fur? What nonsense are you telling your mother?" Just then, a low announcement came from outside. Kangxi entered the inner chamber carrying a drowsy Yinzi and cast Yintang an unreadable glance.
Then, frowning, he scolded, "Stand properly. What kind of behavior is this?"
Yintang looked down—he was still gripping Mother’s sleeve. Flustered, he released it and bowed properly. "Imperial Father’s blessings."
"Have you finished your studies?" Kangxi asked him coolly.
Yintang shook his head like a quail.
"Liang Jiugong, personally escort Yintang back to the princes' quarters and have Yinzhen keep an eye on him. How old is he now, still acting spoiled with his mother? Utterly ridiculous."
Yintang flushed with anger, his face expressionless as he thought to himself: Once the old man passes away, ten or eight handsome men won’t be enough—thirty would be just right.
One a day, rotating every month. And if there’s an extra day in a long month? Let Mother Yi pick her favorite to serve her.
As winter deepened and the New Year approached, the Crown Prince, after burying himself in diligent study, finally grasped the essence of the imperial teachings.
After a long moment of contemplation, the Crown Prince hurried toward Cining Palace. No one knew what he said to the Grand Empress Dowager, but it delighted her so much that she issued two decrees in succession, summoning the Prospective Crown Princess into the palace to accompany him.
At their second meeting, Jingchu was stunned, her usual composure shattered, her cheeks burning red. By the third meeting, she could barely hold her ground, stammering, "Your Highness, you—you—" How have you become like this?
The Crown Prince smiled, radiating confidence, thinking to himself: His Majesty truly does favor me.
If Mother Yi approves, how could Guargiya not?
In stark contrast was the stifling atmosphere between the Eldest Prince and the Eldest Princess Consort.
Whether due to a quarrel or something else, the once-loving couple had lost their harmony. The Eldest Prince no longer smiled, his gaze dark and heavy, leaving his attendants trembling in fear of displeasing him. The Eldest Princess Consort rapidly grew thinner, her complexion unnaturally sallow, making her swollen belly appear even more alarming.
On Minor New Year’s Day, Noble Consort Wen distributed laba porridge, while both Empress Dowagers sent gifts to the princes' quarters. The Eldest Princess Consort, carrying her eldest daughter and accompanied by Consort Hui, led a procession to Cining Palace to express gratitude.
The gathered consorts were shocked at the sight of the Eldest Princess Consort.
The once-delicate beauty had become, as the books say, "a shadow of her former self." What on earth had happened?
The Grand Empress Dowager, lacking energy, made a brief appearance before retiring to her chambers, leaving the Empress Dowager to oversee matters.
The Empress Dowager pointed at the Eldest Princess Consort and said with concern, "Eldest Princess Consort, have you seen the imperial physicians? Ruizhu, fetch my token and summon the Imperial Hospital at once."
The Eldest Princess Consort struggled to rise, but the Empress Dowager quickly motioned for her to remain seated.
She smiled weakly, grateful. "Your Majesty worries over this unworthy granddaughter-in-law. It’s merely the weather—my appetite has been poor lately..."
Consort Hui glanced at her, her smile superficial, her eyes cold.
The indifference was unmistakable, noticed by nearly everyone present.
Concubine An and Concubine Jing exchanged a look, puzzled, then settled in to watch the drama unfold.
Who didn’t know how dearly Consort Hui treasured this pregnancy?
The Empress Dowager saw through the pretense at once.
But meddling between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was improper. Since the Eldest Princess Consort refused to speak, she sighed and let the matter drop.
Yet no one expected Consort Hui to abruptly bring up something entirely unrelated.
"Yinzhen mentioned to me that the daughter of the Deputy Commander of the Han Army’s Bordered White Banner, Lady Cheng, is virtuous and well-mannered, and of suitable age. She would make an excellent secondary consort. May Your Majesty offer your opinion?"
The Eldest Princess Consort closed her eyes, trembling uncontrollably.
Her dignity rested entirely on the Eldest Prince. After that night, she had cautiously tried to advise him, only for him to fly into a rage for the first time, demanding who had poisoned her mind against him.
His eyes red, he had asked, "In what way am I inferior to Yinzhen, that my own wife distrusts me?"
Then he had moved to separate quarters, clearly disgusted with her.
Consort Hui, somehow informed of this, had concluded that she harbored ill intentions, persuading the Eldest Prince to abandon his ambitions—and now she was being punished for it.
Consort Hui spoke cheerfully, but Cining Palace fell into silence.
Yunxiu set down her silver spoon and sharply interrupted, "Ruizhu, the Eldest Princess Consort’s health cannot wait. Summon the imperial physicians at once!"
