Li Garden.
Since being demoted to the status of the Crown Prince's Secondary Consort, she had dismissed all the palace servants in Li Garden, keeping only an elderly nanny by her side.
Occasional coughs echoed from within as the Crown Prince's Secondary Consort sat alone in her chamber, a wooden box laid before her. Inside were all the deeds to her dowry lands and shops.
At this moment, her face still carried a trace of anticipation—she was waiting for Ah Huan to arrive so she could personally hand over these possessions, ensuring her child had security.
Even the courtyard had been adorned with pots of vibrant flowers, their colors glowing vividly under the sunlight.
But the Crown Prince's Secondary Consort waited and waited, yet the person she longed to see never came.
"This old servant is useless. I couldn’t bring the princess here."
The nanny knelt on the floor, watching as the Crown Prince's Secondary Consort’s eyes reddened.
"Nanny, it’s not your fault," the Crown Prince's Secondary Consort said between coughs, her lips unnaturally pale. "I’m the one who made Ah Huan lose faith in me."
That night, she slept deeply, not rising until the sun was high.
"Your Highness slept soundly last night—a rare blessing."
Before the nanny’s smile could fade, the Crown Prince's Secondary Consort clutched her chest. She had dreamed something strange.
In the dream, after being found, Ah Huan hadn’t gone to the Qin Prince's Mansion but had instead returned with them to the Eastern Palace.
She had desperately tried to grasp Ah Huan’s hand, but just as she was about to reach her, the dream ended.
Another fit of violent coughing wracked her body, each hack sending sharp pains through her chest.
Why had she dreamed such a thing?
Was it because she missed Ah Huan too much?
A sudden wave of dread seized her. She tightened her grip on the nanny’s hand. "Nanny, go and fetch Ah Huan again."
She needed to see her child—urgently.
Qin Prince's Mansion.
When Liuxi spotted Nanny Feng’s figure, she drew a sharp breath.
"Nanny Feng, our princess will not go to the Eastern Palace."
Despite the nanny’s pleading, she left empty-handed once more.
That night, the Crown Prince's Secondary Consort dreamed again.
In this dream, Ah Huan had no quarters of her own—instead, she was abandoned in a storage shed. Once, Ah Huan had even dashed through the rain to Li Garden, begging to see her.
But she had coldly dismissed her:
"No."
The Crown Prince's Secondary Consort woke drenched in sweat, curled into a corner of her bed.
"Your Highness, was it a nightmare?" The nanny quickly lit calming incense.
"Nanny, it was a terrible dream."
Why had she been so heartless in it?
The incense did little to soothe her. Burying her face in her knees, the Crown Prince's Secondary Consort broke into muffled sobs.
"Nanny, go to the Qin Prince's Mansion again. I must see Ah Huan."
The third day.
Nanny Feng arrived at the Qin Prince's Mansion and knelt directly at the gates.
"Please inform His Highness and the princess—beg the princess to see the Crown Prince's Secondary Consort just once."
The plea was relayed verbatim to Song Shihuan, but her fists never paused in their training.
"No."
After uttering that single word, Song Shihuan felt a surge of relief through her veins.
In her past life, she had been cast aside like trash. Why should she meet her now?
Raindrops began to fall. Song Shihuan lifted a hand, feeling the cool touch against her skin.
A mocking smile flickered at her lips.
This scene—
Surely, even the heavens were crying out for her injustice.
Outside the mansion, Nanny Feng stood drenched, waiting in vain for Song Shihuan’s appearance.
"Did... did the princess leave any message?"
Even a single word could be carried back to the Eastern Palace.
Liuxi shook her head, her gaze devoid of sympathy.
"The princess said only two words: 'No.'"
Her princess was the kindest soul. Those who drove her to this point deserved no mercy.
......
Li Garden.
"Mother, what’s wrong?" Chang Ling'er gasped at the sight of the Crown Prince's Secondary Consort’s state, pressing a hand to her forehead. "Why are you burning up like this?"
"Ling'er, go see... see if the nanny has returned..."
The Crown Prince's Secondary Consort was deathly pale, her entire body frail with illness.
"Someone, summon the imperial physician!" Chang Ling'er clutched her hand. "Mother, let the physician examine you first. You were fine just days ago—how did this happen?"
But the Crown Prince's Secondary Consort’s gaze remained fixed on the door, waiting for Song Shihuan’s figure.
When the physician arrived, he diagnosed nothing more than a chill.
"Are you certain it’s just a chill?" Chang Ling'er pressed. "Mother has never been this ill from a chill before."
"Your Highness, a few doses of medicine will restore the Secondary Consort."
The physician bowed low, his heart pounding.
As he left, he brushed past the returning nanny, who gave him a fleeting glance—his face unfamiliar—but had no time to question further.
The moment the nanny stepped inside, she too was shocked by the Crown Prince's Secondary Consort’s state.
"Nanny, where is Ah Huan?"
"Your Highness, the princess still refuses to come."
At this, the Crown Prince's Secondary Consort collapsed weakly onto the bed.
Twin trails of tears streaked down her cheeks.
She had brought this upon herself.
Even after taking the medicine, her condition showed no improvement. Instead, she spent her days staring blankly, her appetite halved.
The nanny grew so anxious her hair began to fall.
"I’ve come to see how the Secondary Consort fares."
Shen Hua'er appeared at Li Garden’s entrance, eyeing the nanny before pushing past her into the chamber.
The thick scent of sandalwood made her frown. "Does the Secondary Consort plan to enter the Buddhist order? Will you abandon your princes and princess?"
"Why are you here?"
The Crown Prince's Secondary Consort showed no warmth toward Shen Hua'er.
Unfazed, Shen Hua'er smiled wider at her pallor. "I’ve come to discuss something—about your sons."
"Their affairs are none of my concern."
A glint flashed in Shen Hua'er’s eyes as she seated herself without invitation.
"Don’t jest. They are your flesh and blood—who else should I consult?" She spoke slowly. "This matter concerns their futures."
The Crown Prince's Secondary Consort gave her a cold glance.
"For the autumn grand sacrifice, His Highness has always accompanied His Majesty to the altar. But this year, given His Highness’s poor health, his children should take his place. If Yan Zheng is unavailable, Yan Chao and Yan Ming are old enough."
"But the Shen family’s influence is limited. We’ll need your help to arrange this."
The Crown Prince's Secondary Consort burst into laughter, bending over until tears spilled.
Her voice trembled as she asked:
"In all of Great Qi, who holds the highest honor—after the Emperor?"
