A message arrived from Qixiang Palace: Consort Zhuang was feeling unwell and couldn’t attend, begging the Emperor’s pardon.
Jiang Yuan didn’t mind. "In that case, let her rest well."
Thus, only Qi Daiyu and Concubine Cao remained to accompany him.
Concubine Cao stole cautious glances at Qi Daiyu. She wasn’t very familiar with Consort Hui—their few exchanges had been nothing more than polite formalities, making it hard for her to gauge the other woman’s temperament. Most of what she knew about Consort Hui came from Concubine Miao.
Since they both resided in Jingren Palace, Concubine Cao had often heard Concubine Miao speak of Qi Daiyu, though the latter usually referred to her as "that unlucky sickly thing"—a description that no longer held true after Qi Daiyu’s health improved.
Though Jiang Yuan had stayed at Yanqing Residence a few times since Qi Daiyu’s recovery, and she had even been promoted, most concubines believed it was due to the Empress’s behind-the-scenes influence. The Emperor favoring Consort Hui? Anyone who had witnessed how he once doted on Concubine Shu would find such a notion laughable.
The Emperor’s affections were easy to discern.
For the Empress, newly arrived tributes were always sent to Kunning Palace first.
For Concubine Shu, Chengqian Palace frequently received jewelry crafted by the Imperial Jewelry Office.
For Consort Zhuang, imperial delicacies were often bestowed.
Even Concubine Miao occasionally had the privilege of accompanying the Emperor in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
As for Consort Hui? She had merely attended the Emperor a few times, receiving some gold and silver as rewards. The most attention she’d drawn was riding the imperial palanquin—but that day had been a heavy snowfall, and the Emperor was known for his thoughtfulness. Letting her share the palanquin wasn’t unusual.
In short, the concubines didn’t yet see Consort Hui as a threat.
Of course, only those of higher rank or with the Emperor’s favor could afford such dismissiveness. Low-ranking concubines like Concubine Cao, who lacked both status and favor, had no right to such thoughts.
Yet comparisons were inevitable. To Concubine Cao, the old Qi Daiyu—though holding the title of Concubine—had been bedridden and melancholic. Even two ranks below her, Concubine Cao had lived more freely. When Concubine Miao mocked Qi Daiyu as "that unlucky sickly thing," she’d stifled her laughter but secretly agreed.
Now, Qi Daiyu was not only healthy but also promoted to Consort. The woman she’d once pitied now demanded deference, and the bitterness of it gnawed at Concubine Cao.
All because of the Empress’s support… Her nails dug into her palms inside her sleeves.
Watching Qi Daiyu converse with the Emperor, Concubine Cao steadied herself. Opportunities to serve him were rare—she couldn’t waste this one.
With that in mind, she turned to Jiang Yuan with a smile. "Your Majesty, the sun is bright today, and there’s no wind. The ice stretches far—why not enjoy some ice games together?" Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. Hailing from Shenyang, she’d been skating since she could walk, gliding effortlessly on blades and even mastering difficult maneuvers like "racing for position" and "chasing the ball."
She was certain to impress the Emperor.
Ice games?
Jiang Yuan gazed across the frozen expanse. The palace had once hosted lively ice-skating festivities every year, though the tradition had been suspended for three years due to mourning. Perhaps it could resume next winter.
Tempted by Concubine Cao’s suggestion, he finally said, "There are too few of us today for full games, but a simple skate would do. Quan Fuhai, fetch some ice skates."
The group retreated into one of the pavilions on Qionghua Island to change their shoes.
Qi Daiyu felt both excitement and nervousness—excited to try ice skating, yet anxious because she didn’t know how.
In her past life as a southerner, she had rarely even seen snow, let alone had the chance to skate. Roller skating was an option, but the rinks were usually in entertainment venues, and Qi Daiyu had never dared to go alone. So, whether it was ice skating, rollerblading, skateboarding, or skiing, she had no experience with any of them.
As she changed into her skates, she frantically searched for tutorials on her phone, trying to cram in some last-minute lessons.
But cramming might work for theory—not so much for practical skills.
By the time Emperor Jiang Yuan and Concubine Cao were already gliding across the ice, chasing each other playfully, Qi Daiyu was still clinging to Shiliu, frozen in place.
"My lady, you have to move. How else will you go forward?" Shiliu, who knew how to skate, tried to encourage her.
Qi Daiyu leaned heavily against her, stiff as a board, nearly in tears. "I want to move, but how?"
The moment she’d strapped on those ice skates, her legs seemed to disconnect from her brain. She couldn’t even stand on her own without support.
If she let go of Shiliu, she was sure she’d faceplant right onto the ice—and with so many people around, she had her dignity to consider.
"Maybe I should just give up," she muttered. Nothing was impossible if you were willing to quit. Skating was harder than she’d imagined, and she wasn’t cut out for it.
Just as she was about to ask Shiliu to help her back to change out of her skates, a figure swiftly approached from across the rink.
"What’s taking you so long?"
It was Emperor Jiang Yuan.
Jiang Yuan took one look at Qi Daiyu’s predicament and immediately understood. His brows lifted in amusement. "You don’t know how?"
He wasn’t entirely surprised. Ice skating was a common winter pastime, with many men venturing out to frozen lakes once the cold set in. But for noblewomen, upbringing was stricter.
And this Consort Hui was delicate—likely too afraid to even step outside in winter.
Jiang Yuan’s gaze flicked to the thick cloak draped over Qi Daiyu’s shoulders, and a sudden whim took hold. "Fine. I’ll teach you."
He held out his hand.
He would teach her? Qi Daiyu shook her head. "Your Majesty should enjoy skating with Concubine Cao. This concubine is content to watch."
Jiang Yuan’s expression darkened. "Hurry up." He was condescending to instruct her personally, and she dared refuse?
Qi Daiyu: "..."
Under the weight of imperial authority, she reluctantly placed her hand in his.
Jiang Yuan pulled her forward, drawing her into his arms. He steadied her, then adjusted his stance beside her, keeping only his right hand on her for support.
His strength far surpassed Shiliu’s. Feeling the firm support at her side, Qi Daiyu relaxed slightly.
"Watch my movements. Take it step by step." He demonstrated for her.
But after a long pause, Qi Daiyu still hadn’t budged.
"Move."
"...How?" It wasn’t that she was slow—she felt her legs straining, but her feet refused to cooperate.
She pushed her hips forward as if trying to uproot a stubborn radish, but her legs stayed rooted in place. From a distance, it probably looked like Consort Hui was having a seizure.
Jiang Yuan: "..."
He hadn’t expected her to be this clueless.
With a deep breath, he wrapped an arm around her waist and half-lifted her off the ice.
Before Qi Daiyu could even gasp, the Emperor commanded, "Move."
Huh?
She instinctively obeyed—and hey, she was actually gliding!
It felt like rowing through the air. Once she grew accustomed to the sensation, Jiang Yuan gradually lowered her, though not fully—just enough for her ice skates to barely graze the surface. Qi Daiyu still clung to the emperor’s neck, feeling the resistance of the blades against the ice, but it was far more manageable now. She continued the "rowing" motion, remaining in place yet experiencing the illusion of gliding.
Seeing her adjust, Jiang Yuan set her down fully. "No need to rush into skating. Lift your feet and walk forward. Don’t be afraid—I’m holding you. You won’t fall."
Qi Daiyu obeyed, resisting the urge to glide and instead taking careful steps. It felt entirely different from walking on solid ground—unsteady, yet with the emperor’s arms around her, she had no fear of stumbling. At this moment, she hardly noticed his hand at her waist, her focus entirely on her feet.
Step by step, she progressed, the grip around her waist loosening as Jiang Yuan gradually withdrew his support.
The moment he let go, his fingers unconsciously flexed. Despite the layers of winter clothing, her waist had felt slender—almost fragile, as if it could snap with a squeeze.
Qi Daiyu realized he’d released her, but to her surprise, she could now stand—and even walk—on her own!
After taking a few unassisted steps without falling, she instinctively broke into a smile. "I can walk by myself!"
Jiang Yuan’s eyes sparkled with amusement, though his tone remained teasing. "This is just the beginning. We’re here to skate, not walk on ice." The real lesson hadn’t even started—this was merely about overcoming fear.
He took her hand again, guiding her movements. "If you’re afraid of falling, bend your knees slightly… No one will laugh. Who would dare watch you?"
Qi Daiyu glanced sideways and saw Quan Fuhai and the others had already turned their backs. The rink held only the two of them… and Concubine Cao.
With no audience to embarrass her, Qi Daiyu relaxed. She was quick to learn, and Jiang Yuan, a skilled skater himself, pointed out key techniques. Soon, she was gliding across the ice—awkwardly, perhaps, but a vast improvement from her initial paralysis.
Pleased with his student’s progress, Jiang Yuan suddenly slid in front of her and extended his hand. "Come. Let me take you for a proper skate."
At some point, the enclosed rink had emptied of all but the emperor and Consort Hui.
Concubine Cao, having changed her shoes, sat on the viewing platform, her expression unreadable.
She could have joined them, but the emperor’s obvious delight told her it was pointless. Her presence wouldn’t leave an impression—only disrupt his enjoyment.
She moved on the ice like a dancing dragon, yet he never glanced her way. Meanwhile, Consort Hui, who knew nothing of skating, had his undivided attention.
Consort Hui… Just what makes you so special?
For the first time, Concubine Cao questioned the palace whispers. Was the emperor’s favor toward Consort Hui truly just out of deference to the Empress?
After a lap around the rink, Qi Daiyu was sweating.
Sweating in such bitter cold was dangerous—a single misstep could invite illness. She prepared to excuse herself to return to Yanqing Residence and change, but the emperor insisted on accompanying her.
Qi Daiyu glanced at Concubine Cao, about to speak, but the concubine preempted her: "This humble one won’t disturb His Majesty and Sister Hui any further."
Qi Daiyu: "…"
Jiang Yuan was pleased with Concubine Cao’s tact. “Hmm, you may return to your palace now.”
After the woman left, Jiang Yuan turned to Qi Daiyu. “There is a hot spring in Taiye Pond, its waters warm year-round. Since your constitution is weak, it would do you good to soak in it and dispel the cold.”
What did he mean? A sense of foreboding rose in Qi Daiyu.
But Jiang Yuan had already taken her by the wrist. “Let’s go!”
Beyond Taiye Bridge on Qionghua Island stood Chengguang Hall, where a natural hot spring fed several bathing pools.
Among them, the Dragon Pool was reserved for the emperor, the Phoenix Pool for the empress, while smaller ones like the Peacock Pool and Lily Pool were designated for imperial consorts.
The emperor’s decision to visit Chengguang Hall today had been abrupt. Even though Quan Fuhai had rushed ahead to notify the staff, the palace servants had only managed to prepare the Mandarin Duck Pool in time.
Jiang Yuan didn’t mind. “The Mandarin Duck Pool will do.”
He strode in first to change, failing to notice how stiff Consort Hui had become.
Qi Daiyu clenched her hands, her cheeks flushing crimson.
Only one pool? That meant she would have to share it with the emperor…
