Crown Prince Pei Chiyan's gaze swept over his father's composed expression.
In his memory, the Emperor had always been a figure of intelligence and rationality. Even when favoring a consort, he never lost his sense of proportion.
Yet with Consort Yu, it seemed His Majesty had cast aside his usual principles, openly displaying his partiality toward her.
If it were due to being blinded by love, it didn’t quite fit. Besides, if one truly loved someone, they wouldn’t put them in the line of fire. Overdoing it made the affection seem less genuine and more like a performance.
Pei Lingyue was unaware of the Crown Prince’s thoughts. He took a sip of warm wine, the rich flavor sliding down his throat, leaving him pleasantly lightheaded.
Since Consort Yu’s arrival, she had brought Great Qi wonders like Champa rice, cotton, white sugar, and rock sugar…
And she would continue to bring even more.
Consort Yu was Great Qi’s divine maiden—she had to be. Even knowing she possessed memories of a past life, Pei Lingyue didn’t mind. Extraordinary people had extraordinary experiences; it was only natural.
After a moment, he glanced at Beauty Concubine Zhao, still kneeling on the floor. "Rise, Beauty Concubine Zhao. The ground is cold."
She had danced beautifully, so he saw no reason to punish her for deceiving him. After all, she had only sought to earn a sliver of his favor.
Under normal circumstances, Pei Lingyue was willing to indulge the concubines who worked to please him.
But now…
Yu Miaohua’s importance far surpassed that of the others. Beauty Concubine Zhao’s role in his mind was merely to help him fulfill his duties more smoothly.
Beauty Concubine Zhao stood, her body swaying slightly from exhaustion after the long dance.
She returned to her seat quietly, showing no trace of resentment—only a quiet dignity that made her all the more pitiable.
Other concubines performed their talents—playing the zither, composing poetry—but none could surpass Beauty Concubine Zhao’s earlier display.
By the time the sky blazed with the colors of sunset, the banquet had reached its end.
As the gathering dispersed, Beauty Concubine Zhao approached Yu Miaohua. She had removed her veil, revealing delicate features.
"Sister Yu, I’m glad Ruolan has found a good place. If I have time, may I visit your palace to see her?" Her expression was calm, devoid of resentment, her eyes only holding a quiet hope.
In truth, Yu Miaohua was younger than Beauty Concubine Zhao, who had entered the palace over four years prior. But since Yu Miaohua held a higher rank, Zhao Shujing addressed her as "sister."
Yu Miaohua nodded. "Of course." She added, "If Ruolan wishes it."
Beauty Concubine Zhao smiled brightly.
Yu Miaohua turned and headed back to her palace.
If both women wanted to maintain this connection, she wouldn’t stand in the way. To her, their previous arrangement had been mutually beneficial—Ruolan had traded her knowledge of ancient dances for a way out of the Music Bureau, while Beauty Concubine Zhao gained fame as a talented dancer, solidifying her reputation to shine at the banquet.
It should have been a win for everyone.
But then the Emperor had assigned Ruolan to Yu Miaohua.
She truly couldn’t fathom the Emperor’s thoughts. For a moment, she couldn’t help but wonder:
Tongtong, do you think the Emperor is bound by some system that forces him to favor me?
Impossible! A world only has one system. You just got lucky—something about you must have struck a chord with him.
…
Yu Miaohua certainly believed she was exceptional, but the Emperor’s favor went beyond her wildest expectations.
Tongtong, what if the Emperor actually has a true love he’s protecting by making me the target? Isn’t that how novels go? If you love someone, you have to push them away!
She had read plenty of such stories in her past life, even shedding tears over the anguished romances.
Then would you rather be the one protected or the target?
Yu Miaohua thought for a moment and chose pragmatically.
I’ll take being the target. Sure, people might curse me behind my back, but the Emperor’s rewards are too good to pass up!
She was unapologetically materialistic—drawn to glittering jewels, beautiful clothes, and exquisite food.
Whatever the Emperor’s reasons for favoring her, whether it was true love or not, Yu Miaohua decided not to overthink it. Enjoying the present was what mattered.
Refusing to dwell on uncertainties, she cheerfully returned to her palace.
As soon as she arrived, her attendants hurried forward.
"Your Highness, shall we have dinner brought in?"
"Would you like to change out of these robes?"
Yu Miaohua considered for a moment. "Just bring me a bowl of wontons."
The wontons from her private kitchen were stuffed with fresh shrimp, so delicious they could make one forget everything else. Water chestnuts added a crisp, refreshing contrast. It was one of her favorite late-night snacks—light, comforting, and satisfying.
"Order whatever you’d like for yourselves," she added.
Her daily provisions were more than she could ever finish.
"Ask Wei Qiu and Ruolan what they’d like too. They’ll receive Dongmei’s monthly allowance, deducted from mine."
Wei Qiu was the woman who had performed the sword dance earlier, while Dongmei was a second-tier maid in Guanju Palace, mainly responsible for furnishings.
Now that they were part of her household, they would be treated as such. After some thought, Yu Miaohua decided their status would align with second-tier maids. Currently, her first-tier attendants were only Cuiwei and Qingluo. Since there were only two positions, Hong Xing was nominally second-tier but received first-tier benefits.
After finishing her wontons, Wei Qiu and Ruolan came to pay their respects. Both had changed out of their performance attire, removed their makeup, and now wore standard palace robes, indistinguishable from the other servants.
Yu Miaohua gestured for them to rise. "You only need to come when I wish to see you. If anyone else summons you without my permission, let me know."
Still, she doubted many would dare. The Emperor had made it clear she was his favorite—most wouldn’t be foolish enough to cross her.
Wei Qiu cut straight to the point. "What if someone asks Your Highness to give us away?"
Yu Miaohua replied, "Unless His Majesty commands it, I can protect you." The Empress, given her character, would never make such a request.
Wei Qiu relaxed slightly at her words.
Yu Miaohua continued, "If you wish to leave the palace at twenty-five, you may inform me."
Palace maids were allowed to depart at that age, but it required approval from their assigned consort.
Wei Qiu shook her head. "With our background, leaving might not be for the best."
Their past in the Music Bureau couldn’t be erased. Without protection outside, they’d be easy prey for the powerful. Staying in Guanju Palace was far safer—judging by the demeanor and attire of its servants, it was clear the mistress treated them well.
Yu Miaohua instructed Cuiwei to take them to collect their shopfronts. Wei Qiu left with light steps, but Ruolan lingered, clearly wanting to speak with her.
Yu Miaohua asked kindly, "Is there something you wish to say to me?"
Ruolan hesitated before asking, "What if Beauty Concubine Zhao demands my return from you?"
She had been assigned to Guanju Palace by the Emperor, a move that would surely unsettle Beauty Concubine Zhao, who feared Ruolan might reveal secrets to Consort Yu. Ruolan had no intention of doing so—even though Beauty Concubine Zhao had initially helped her for her own reputation, she had indeed been of assistance.
To outsiders, Ruolan would only say that the "Spiritual Butterfly Dance" was choreographed by Beauty Concubine Zhao herself based on ancient texts.
But... if Beauty Concubine Zhao were to reclaim her, she would never believe Ruolan had stayed silent. The fate awaiting her would likely be grim.
Yu Miaohua asked, "Do you wish to return to her side?"
Ruolan pressed her lips together, silent.
Yu Miaohua understood. "I see. You’d rather stay with me. Don’t worry—she won’t ask for you."
"I’m looking forward to seeing what new dance you and Wei Qiu can create together—one that will truly astonish me."
As she spoke, her face glowed with anticipation, her delicate features softened by the lamplight.
Suddenly, Ruolan realized—Consort Yu must have guessed everything long ago.
She knelt again, knocking her forehead against the ground in a firm kowtow before Yu Miaohua could stop her.
Yu Miaohua sighed playfully, "Even if you kowtow to me, I won’t increase your monthly allowance."
After the gesture, Ruolan withdrew.
Qingluo brought Yu Miaohua a cup of warm milk before bed. "My lady, what were you and Ruolan discussing in riddles?"
Yu Miaohua replied, "Nothing much. She was just worried I might antagonize Beauty Concubine Zhao because of her."
She didn’t reveal the truth—mainly because the information had come from the system in a fit of frustration.
Qingluo hesitated—the Emperor’s actions were rather unfair. By diverting what should have been Beauty Concubine Zhao’s reward to her mistress, he had only stirred up trouble for Consort Yu.
Yet he was the Son of Heaven, and his every decree was beyond reproach. No matter how much she wanted to complain, she could only swallow her words.
"Should we send gifts to Beauty Concubine Zhao tomorrow?"
Yu Miaohua refused outright. "I didn’t steal her reward. Sending gifts now would only come across as gloating."
The Emperor had assigned Ruolan to her palace—how could she defy his order? If she apologized to Beauty Concubine Zhao, wouldn’t that imply the Emperor had acted improperly?
The root of the issue lay with the Emperor. If Beauty Concubine Zhao resented her for it, so be it.
"Enough worrying. Let’s rest early." Finishing her milk, she washed up and retired for the night.
With the banquet over, the palace returned to its usual tranquility.
Yu Miaohua’s life remained largely unchanged.
Her rank and favor ensured that those around her wore smiles, and no one dared mention Beauty Concubine Zhao in her presence.
In contrast, Beauty Concubine Zhao endured whispers behind her back.
But she was no easy target. In public, she never showed resentment toward the Emperor or Yu Miaohua, merely stating calmly, "If Ruolan has found a better path, I can only rejoice for her. Sister Yu is kind-hearted—serving such a mistress is Ruolan’s good fortune. Unless, of course, you take issue with His Majesty’s decree?"
"Or do you believe Sister Yu would mistreat Ruolan?"
The pointed questions silenced the gossips at once.
Though Beauty Concubine Zhao hadn’t truly suffered a loss, her maidservant still seethed on her behalf. Back in their chambers, she couldn’t help muttering, "They’re all cowards, only daring to speak like this in front of you. Why don’t they say it to Consort Yu’s face?"
Beauty Concubine Zhao replied coolly, "They wouldn’t dare offend Consort Yu. She has the Emperor’s protection—I do not."
Even after practicing tirelessly for the Emperor, she had earned neither his favor nor even a kind word—only humiliation.
The Emperor’s words from that day resurfaced in her mind, stirring unease.
Did he know the Spiritual Butterfly Dance was Ruolan’s creation? Or that she had used special incense to lure the butterflies?
No—he couldn’t possibly know.
And Ruolan... now in Guanju Palace, would she betray the truth to win Consort Yu’s favor?
These thoughts tormented her day and night.
She took a deep breath. Best not dwell on it. Ruolan’s matter could wait—once in Guanju Palace, she couldn’t be retrieved. For now, the priority was reclaiming the Emperor’s favor.
Just then, an outer palace maid announced the arrival of gifts from another consort.
Beauty Concubine Zhao went to receive them personally. Her maidservant’s face lit up at the sight, quickly ushering the delivery attendants to a side hall for tea and pastries, slipping them pouches of silver ingots.
Once they left, the maidservant whispered, "My lady, it’s from Li Zhaoyuan—she sent brocade and two cases of jewelry."
Beauty Concubine Zhao’s expression softened. "Sister Li has always been kind. Remind me later—for her birthday this year, we’ll gift her the ‘Butterflies Among Flowers’ screen from the treasury."
Rumor had it that Li Zhaoyuan had once enjoyed the Emperor’s favor, until Consort Xu entered the palace and eclipsed her. Still, as a distant relative of the Virtuous Consort, she was treated with respect, and none dared slight her openly.
Sister Li must have heard of her troubles and sent these gifts as support.
They had spoken pleasantly before, though Beauty Concubine Zhao had kept her distance. Now, she saw Li Zhaoyuan as a worthy ally.
Her maidservant grumbled, "Even unrelated ladies like Li Zhaoyuan send gifts, while the one who should apologize hasn’t lifted a finger..."
Beauty Concubine Zhao’s face darkened. "Enough! I’ve spoiled you rotten, letting you speak so recklessly."
The maidservant paled and knelt in apology. After a stern reprimand, Beauty Concubine Zhao allowed her to rise. "I know you mean well, but careless words bring disaster. If overheard, even I couldn’t save you."
The maidservant nodded. "This servant understands—my lady only has my best interests at heart."
Beauty Concubine Zhao gazed out the window. "In rank and favor, I am far beneath her. To her, I must be nothing more than a pebble on the roadside—unworthy of even a glance."
She would remember this humiliation. And she would climb higher—until none could look down on her again.
