The next day, Jiang Yunshu slept until the sun was high in the sky before rising.
She had made plans with Empress Dowager Wu to kick shuttlecocks together in the afternoon, but the moment she got out of bed, she knew she would have to cancel.
"Taoye, send a young eunuch to Fengyi Palace to relay that I’m too exhausted from yesterday’s shuttlecock games to play today."
Jiang Yunshu truly was worn out—though not from daytime activities, but from being "serviced" by Xie Lin late into the night… She had no idea how Xie Lin managed to rise at dawn after going to bed so late.
Every inch of her body ached, fatigue seeping from her very bones.
As Taoye and Zhezhi helped her wash and dress, Jiang Yunshu remained listless, unwilling to move a muscle.
It wasn’t until she noticed the odd behavior of her maids—their evasive glances, their reluctance to meet her eyes—that she finally understood.
Jiang Yunshu turned to the mirror and saw faint red marks scattered across her neck, stark against her porcelain skin.
No wonder! Xie Lin, who was fastidious to a fault, had never kissed her during their intimate moments—yet last night, he had unexpectedly lavished attention on her neck… He had deliberately left these marks!
Jiang Yunshu realized this was his revenge for the bite she’d left on his wrist. Truly a man who repaid every slight.
"My lady, should we use powder to cover them…?" Taoye whispered.
Jiang Yunshu rarely wore face powder as it was. The thought of applying it to her neck made her shake her head. "No need. Just fetch a high-collared gown."
The weather wasn’t too warm yet, so a high collar wouldn’t seem out of place.
Taoye obeyed, retrieving a lightweight high-necked robe. Once dressed, the marks were concealed by ninety percent, with only the faintest hint visible through the delicate fabric.
Jiang Yunshu examined herself in the mirror, satisfied. In this season, heavy fabrics were unbearable—this would suffice. Unless someone stared intently at her neck, the marks would go unnoticed.
While having lunch, the young eunuch sent to Fengyi Palace returned. Taoye listened to his report in the corridor before entering to relay the message.
"Empress Dowager Wu says if shuttlecock is too much, she invites you to enjoy an opera performance at the lakeside pavilion this afternoon."
Jiang Yunshu’s eyes brightened. "An opera by the lake?"
Now this was how royalty enjoyed themselves!
Taoye hesitated. "Will you go, my lady?"
"Of course."
Time to explore new territory!
Since Xie Lin had already permitted her to leave Weiyang Palace, she wasn’t about to confine herself there forever.
With a smile, Jiang Yunshu pointed at Taoye and Xiazhi. "You two will accompany me today. Next time, I’ll bring Zhezhi and Xiaoman."
Today, she learned that Xie Lin’s permission wasn’t an empty gesture. The moment she mentioned her afternoon plans, a palanquin and bearers were at her disposal.
And not just any palanquin—a brand-new one made specifically for her. Jiang Yunshu was startled. When had Xie Lin arranged this?
Then it struck her: given his obsessive cleanliness, he wouldn’t allow her to reuse even a shuttlecock kicked outside Weiyang Palace, let alone ride in a secondhand palanquin. Of course he’d prepared a new one in advance.
On any other day, Jiang Yunshu might have walked to the lake. But today, sore and weary, she boarded the palanquin without hesitation. Its slow pace allowed her to admire the palace scenery at leisure.
Beyond Weiyang Palace stood the Palace of Eternal Joy, where the Late Emperor had resided. Empress Dowager Wu’s Fengyi Palace now occupied the heart of the inner court.
Jiang Yunshu glanced back, catching a distant glimpse of the hall where imperial concubines had once been buried alive.
Of all the women in that hall, only she and Empress Dowager Wu had walked out alive.
Empress Dowager Wu had survived by virtue of carrying the Young Emperor in her womb. Jiang Yunshu, however, owed her life to…
She still didn’t know why Xie Lin had chosen to spare her that day.
Taoye and Xiazhi followed the palanquin through the vast, unfamiliar palace grounds. The sheer scale of it made Taoye uneasy.
Xiazhi, though younger, reassured her. "Sister, don’t be afraid. We come from Weiyang Palace—no one here dares cross us. If anything, they fear us."
Taoye observed their surroundings and realized it was true.
Other palace maids and eunuchs gave their procession a wide berth. Those who couldn’t avoid them pressed against walls, bowing deeply without daring to look up.
Taoye marveled inwardly. No wonder they called him the Nine Thousand-Year-Old Lord… His influence rivaled the emperor’s.
The palace lake, clear as a mirror, was aptly named Mirror Lake. While the palanquin was still some distance away, Jiang Yunshu already felt the cool breeze and moisture from the water.
In late spring, the lotus flowers hadn’t yet budded, but young, round leaves dotted the lake’s surface in tender green.
The serene beauty lifted her spirits.
Gazing at the shimmering water and the sea of lotus leaves, Jiang Yunshu swallowed and said to Taoye, "Ask the kitchens if they can prepare lotus-leaf-wrapped chicken."
Taoye: "…Yes, my lady."
Just then, Empress Dowager Wu spotted Jiang Yunshu from the pavilion and waved.
The empress dowager’s eyes lingered on Jiang Yunshu’s palanquin for a long moment.
That palanquin… violated protocol.
Not only did Jiang Yunshu currently hold no official rank to warrant such transportation, but even as a former concubine, she had no right to such extravagance!
Empress Dowager Wu’s own palanquin was far more modest.
Compared to Jiang Yunshu’s, it looked downright shabby—enough to make the empress dowager want to smash hers to pieces.
She was the empress dowager, the most exalted woman in the palace. Why did Jiang Yunshu outshine her in every aspect of daily life?
No. This wasn’t how things should be.
Empress Dowager Wu reaffirmed her resolve… What she planned to do next was simply to set things right.
She and her son needed the Chief Eunuch’s protection.
She was willing to offer herself to him—even to have the emperor call him "Father."
Eunuchs loved adopting sons, didn’t they? How could the Chief Eunuch refuse the emperor himself as a godson?
A wave of humiliation washed over her. But this was a last resort, born of desperation.
She would endure any disgrace, if only her son never had to bow to another.
Empress Dowager Wu took a deep breath, reminding herself not to rush. Everything was proceeding as she wished.
Today’s opera with Jiang Yunshu would reveal more about the girl.
The more she interacted with Jiang Yunshu, the better she’d understand what kind of woman the Chief Eunuch favored—how they behaved together…
From their first meeting yesterday, Empress Dowager Wu had pegged Jiang Yunshu as guileless. With time, familiarity would breed trust, making Jiang Yunshu lower her guard.
Then, when the time came… things would be much easier.
Lost in thought, Empress Dowager Wu looked up to see Jiang Yunshu stepping through the gauze curtains, her face alight with delight. "Your Majesty’s life is truly enviable."
