The moment Yang Zhaorong realized she was covered in bird droppings—and in full view of everyone—the last thread of rationality in her mind snapped.
These wretched birds! How could they do this to her? What was that bird trainer even doing?
Panicked, she flailed her arms, trying to shoo them away. "Get away from me! All of you, stay back!"
But these birds had been trained relentlessly, and they were nothing if not professional in their duties. They stubbornly circled Yang Zhaorong, refusing to leave her side.
On the verge of a breakdown, her voice trembling with tears, she instinctively called for her mother—after all, this so-called "auspicious sign" had been her mother's idea. "Mother, save me!"
Madame Lu, the one she was pleading to, clutched her chest, looking as if she might faint on the spot.
What was supposed to be a magnificent "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" had turned into a hundred birds relieving themselves on her daughter. With such a disastrous mishap, her beloved youngest daughter could forget about entering the imperial palace—she’d be lucky to marry into any respectable family now.
"Mother, why aren’t you helping me?"
Seeing Madame Lu frozen in shock, Yang Zhaorong grew even angrier. Gritting her teeth, she dashed toward her mother. This was all her fault for coming up with such a ridiculous plan! And to think this had originally been intended for her sister, the Empress—Yang Zhaorong couldn’t help but seethe with frustration.
If she could, she’d drag the Empress and Consort Hui into this humiliation with her. But the last shred of sense held her back. If she dared involve them, the imperial family would surely charge her with grave disrespect—she might even be sent to live out her days in a nunnery. And her sister, the Empress… wouldn’t lift a finger to help her.
Her only option was her mother.
When Madame Lu saw her daughter charging toward her, her face paled, and she immediately turned and fled. As the dignified wife of a duke, she couldn’t possibly be seen covered in bird droppings.
The noblewomen nearby cursed Yang Zhaorong vehemently while dodging to avoid being splattered, creating a chaotic scene.
They were happy to watch the spectacle, but they had no intention of becoming part of it. The bolder ones didn’t hesitate to roll their eyes—they had come hoping to bask in divine blessings, but now, the "divine light" had vanished.
No one believed this "Hundred Birds Paying Homage" was an auspicious sign anymore. A true blessing wouldn’t shower someone in bird droppings!
Yu Miaohua stared wide-eyed at the scene. "They run so fast."
Her "Divine Light Illumination" skill had just ended—lasting exactly one minute.
"Pfft—"
Huh? Did she just hear laughter? It seemed to come from the Empress’s direction.
Suspicious, Yu Miaohua turned her head and caught the Empress mid-smile—before she could school her expression back to its usual dignified serenity.
Caught in the act, the Empress blinked. Compared to her usual portrait-perfect grace, there was a rare liveliness in her expression.
But in the next instant, her lips settled back into their practiced curve, and she was once again the composed and virtuous Empress everyone knew.
Yu Miaohua turned away. By now, Yang Zhaorong and Madame Lu were nowhere to be seen.
[System, thank goodness we didn’t exchange for the "Hundred Birds Paying Homage" skill. Look how dangerous it is! This isn’t a legacy for the history books—it’s a recipe for infamy!]
[Host, that’s slander against our Palace Intrigue System! Our "Hundred Birds Paying Homage" would never have such a bug! It’s completely controllable!]
[Birds have fast metabolisms—they might just relieve themselves mid-flight. Can you really control instinct?]
She remembered her roommate in her past life getting bombarded by a bird mid-walk. Talk about bad luck.
There were plenty of other auspicious signs to choose from anyway.
[Congratulations, Host, for completing Main Mission 2.3: allowing the officials and noblewomen to witness an irreplicable divine sign, solidifying your "Heaven-Blessed" persona. Reward: Distilled Liquor Technique.]
With the reward secured, Yu Miaohua decided to forgive Yang Zhaorong… for a few seconds. Mostly because… the girl looked utterly pitiful.
Of course, if Yang Zhaorong had succeeded in sabotaging her investiture ceremony, Yu Miaohua would have held a grudge for life.
Palace maids hurried in to clean up the mess.
The Empress Dowager turned to Yu Miaohua. "Miaohua, come rest in my chambers for a while. You must be exhausted."
The Empress Dowager was in excellent spirits. She—yes, she!—had now witnessed a divine sign firsthand. The historians would surely record this moment for posterity.
Miaohua was truly thoughtful, always ensuring she shared in the blessings. Even if she had a daughter of her own, she doubted the girl would be so considerate.
And the fact that Miaohua hadn’t even used the divine light on her own mother? Proof of her genuine filial devotion.
The Empress Dowager conveniently ignored Lady Wang’s distance from the scene.
Though the investiture ceremony had ended, the banquet would begin in an hour. In the meantime, the noblewomen were escorted to a side hall to freshen up and rest.
Yu Miaohua was about to agree when she remembered her mother and younger sister—she wanted to speak with them.
As if reading her thoughts, the Empress Dowager asked, "Is Lady Wang present?"
There were many noblewomen from the Wang family present, but everyone knew only one would be summoned now: the mother of Consort Hui.
Seeing how warmly the Empress Dowager treated Yu Miaohua, it was clear the imperial consort lived comfortably in the palace. Favored by both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, she truly was Heaven-Blessed.
And to think some had claimed the Empress Dowager despised Consort Hui and made life difficult for her—what nonsense!
Wang Yaning stepped forward and bowed respectfully to the Empress Dowager.
Many watched with envy—Lady Wang had raised an exceptional daughter and earned the Empress Dowager’s favor because of it.
The Empress Dowager smiled. "Lady Wang and the Yu family’s second daughter shall join us as well. It’ll be nice to chat."
Wang Yaning, holding her younger daughter’s hand, expressed her gratitude. The Empress Dowager’s words reassured her—her daughter was indeed cherished.
Before leaving, Nanny Zhou said, "Your Majesty, allow this servant to assist you. Let me also bask in your divine fortune."
"Very well."
Surrounded by admiring gazes, the Empress Dowager couldn’t suppress her smile. Nanny Zhou, having served her for years, knew exactly how to please her. This was the perfect opportunity to reinforce the divine sign in everyone’s minds.
Yu Miaohua walked a few steps behind the Empress Dowager, while Wang Yaning and Yu Miaoping trailed further back.
The Emperor watched their retreating figures, his expression as unreadable as ever—though inwardly, he was seething with jealousy.
It was always the Empress Dowager!
Every time something auspicious happened, Yu Miaohua thought of her first. He was right there too—why couldn’t the divine light shine on him?
He hadn’t treated her poorly.
He’d have to find a way to hint to her—next time, she couldn’t leave him out.
If all else failed, he’d just position himself right beside her the moment a divine sign was about to manifest. She wouldn’t shake him off so easily this time.
...
Yu Miaoping had managed to maintain a demure facade inside the hall, but once outside, her gaze kept drifting toward Yu Miaohua.
Yu Miaohua could feel the scorching gaze coming from her lower left—no need to guess, it was her younger sister.
She had entered the palace in March, and since then, the girl had shot up in height, her figure beginning to slenderize, though the baby fat on her cheeks remained. Yu Miaohua had been itching to pinch them earlier.
She resisted the impulse.
The Empress Dowager was quite considerate toward those she favored. Upon returning to the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, she waved her hand, allowing the three of them to retreat to a side chamber to talk.
The palace servants promptly brought steaming hot tea and several baskets of freshly baked pastries, still warm and fragrant. Once everything was set out, the servants withdrew, closing the door behind them.
Yu Miaohua immediately reached out to pinch her sister’s cheek—ah, that nostalgic softness!
Yu Miaoping protested, "Sister, why do you always pinch me? My face got this big because of you!"
Yu Miaohua refused to take the blame. "Nonsense. You were born with a round face—don’t pin it on me."
Listening to their bickering, Wang Yaning couldn’t help but laugh. "You two—when you’re apart, you miss each other terribly, but the moment you reunite, you start squabbling."
Yu Miaohua said, "I bully her because I love her."
"Here, Miaoping, try these butter pastries and pine nut cakes. I’m sure you’ll love them."
Yu Miaohua was an expert at coaxing her sister.
Yu Miaoping had been craving snacks all day. She’d only eaten a few steamed buns before leaving home and was now ravenous.
With her sister going out of her way to prepare treats for her, how could she stay upset? It was clear her sister cherished her.
So she happily nibbled on the pastries, sipping tea between bites, her eyes crinkling with delight. The palace pastries were truly delicious!
Seizing the opportunity, Wang Yaning took the chance to speak with her daughter, mainly inquiring about her time in the cold palace. Outside the palace, she’d heard countless rumors, all muddled and contradictory, leaving her unsure what to believe.
Yu Miaohua held nothing back, recounting in detail how Lin Shu had framed her.
"Was there any feud between our family and the Lins?"
Wang Yaning’s expression darkened. "Before you entered the palace, the Lins once proposed a marriage alliance. I refused."
Her husband was a fourth-rank official, while the Lins were merely wealthy merchants—hardly a match in status. She couldn’t fathom why they’d even dared to propose. When Wang Yaning had married Yu Weihua, they’d been childhood sweethearts who knew each other inside out. Many now praised her for her good fortune, as her husband had risen to become a prefect. But back then, he’d been just a scholar.
Had the Lin heir been truly outstanding, she might have considered it. But though the young master had some literary reputation, he’d never sat for the imperial exams and was rumored to be overly fond of women. How could Wang Yaning possibly betroth her daughter to such a family? Out of respect for the Lins’ ties to her own family, she’d tactfully declined, citing an inauspicious zodiac clash. She hadn’t even mentioned it to her daughter, not wanting to trouble her.
The Lins had concealed their displeasure at the time, but clearly, they’d nursed a grudge.
This revelation cleared up Yu Miaohua’s confusion. "So that’s what happened."
Well, the Lins had since been stripped of their property and exiled. Yu Miaohua couldn’t be bothered to dwell on such petty grievances.
Wang Yaning felt a pang of guilt. She should have told her daughter before she entered the palace.
Yu Miaohua said, "Lin Shu played the devoted friend in front of me, calling me ‘sister’ this and ‘sister’ that. I never imagined she was that kind of person. It was a harsh lesson."
Hearing how her sister had been framed and sent to the cold palace, Yu Miaoping suddenly found the butter pastries tasteless. "Sister, is the palace really that terrifying?"
Yu Miaohua pondered. "Maybe it’s because I’m too favored, so people keep trying to bring me down."
Better for her family to hear the truth from her than distorted rumors from others. Anyway, the ordeal was over—not only had she survived, but she’d also risen in rank.
She began counting off her enemies on her fingers.
Yu Miaoping paled with each name.
"What happened to them now?"
At this, Yu Miaohua perked up.
"Consort Xu was sent to the cold palace, Lin Shu was exiled, and Consort Gu was packed off to a nunnery!"
Yu Miaoping’s face went blank. She’d worried for nothing—her sister’s combat skills were downright terrifying!
Wang Yaning took the chance to bring up the Duke of Qin’s family’s marriage proposal.
Yu Miaohua noticed her sister’s smug expression at the mention.
Yu Miaoping declared, "I was afraid Mother would just brush them off with that zodiac excuse again, so I made it clear—I was raised like a son in our family. I won’t marry out. Any future husband must enter our household!"
She had no desire to leave home. Life there was too good. Marrying out would mean managing someone else’s household, serving in-laws, even selecting concubines for her husband. Yu Miaoping was used to her parents’ devoted marriage—no third parties, just pure affection. She envied that bond and had no interest in marrying a stranger.
Besides, the Duke’s household was lofty and bound to be rigid with rules. With her free-spirited nature, any misstep could bring trouble upon her parents and her sister in the palace.
Yu Miaohua said firmly, "This has nothing to do with the Empress. It must be the Yang family’s own idea. The Empress is thoughtful—if she’d intended this, she’d have consulted me first."
Yet the Empress had never mentioned it.
Wang Yaning had caught her first glimpse of the Empress today, not daring to look too closely, only retaining an impression of dignified grace. From her daughter’s tone, their relationship seemed amicable.
Reflecting on the day’s events, she felt slightly reassured.
"You’re right… the Duke’s family and the Empress don’t seem to be of one mind."
The "Hundred Birds Paying Homage" spectacle had made that clear. Had it not been for the bird droppings, it would’ve been an undisputed auspicious sign—one that befell Yang Zhaorong, not the Empress.
Then Wang Yaning remembered—her daughter had genuinely been bathed in divine light today!
It was just that, watching Yu Miaohua lounging lazily on the couch, it was easy to forget.
Her daughter was still as endearing as ever, beloved not just by the Empress Dowager but even by the gods.
Wang Yaning thought, somewhat irreverently: The Buddha has excellent taste.
As they chatted, Nanny Zhou arrived with a message from the Empress Dowager—she’d taken such a liking to Lady Wang and her daughter that she invited them to stay in the palace for two days.
Yu Miaohua’s eyes lit up instantly.
As a consort, she could see her mother monthly, but overnight stays were out of the question. With the Empress Dowager’s decree, things were different now.
She could even show off her little treasure trove to her mother and Miaoping.
"Thank you, Empress Dowager."
Her decision to bestow that divine blessing on the Empress Dowager had paid off! Her Majesty was truly kind.
Wang Yaning was speechless with shock—she’d just gained a deeper understanding of her daughter’s standing in the Empress Dowager’s heart.
In the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, her daughter might as well walk sideways—she had free rein.
…
Meanwhile, in the Phoenix Courtyard Palace…
Empress Yang Zhaopei sat regally in her seat, her phoenix-like eyes sweeping over the kneeling palace servants before her. Not far away, another servant was bound tightly with ropes, a cloth gag stuffed in her mouth, her eyes filled with terror. She was the bird trainer who had infiltrated the palace.
The Empress asked her maid calmly, "Is this everyone?"
The maid replied, "These are all we’ve uncovered so far."
Having just left the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Empress had wasted no time, fearing that any delay might allow evidence to be erased. In truth, it hadn’t been difficult to uncover—starting with those from the Duke’s household, catching one led to unraveling an entire chain.
The Empress rose to her feet. "Come, bring them with me. We’re going to the Qianyuan Palace."
The maid hesitated. "Your Majesty, are you truly taking all of them?"
Would the Emperor believe the Empress had no part in this?
The Empress smiled bitterly. "If I suppress this matter now, it will only make me appear guilty later."
She had acted with complete transparency in this affair—she was, in fact, a victim. There was no reason for her to sink into this mire.
As for protecting the family’s reputation… only if she and the Crown Prince remained secure would the Duke’s household truly prosper.
Besides, her birth mother and younger sister had known full well she would never approve of their scheme, yet they had still dared to carry it out. Hadn’t they assumed that even if she found out, she wouldn’t dare expose them and would instead clean up their mess?
If they no longer treated her as family, why should she sacrifice herself for them?
The sorrow in the Empress’s eyes lasted only a moment before she regained her flawless composure as the nation’s foremost lady.
Though she had not ordered it, the Duke’s household had nearly ruined Consort Hui’s celebration. It was only natural for Consort Hui to be furious.
This time, she would have to prepare a lavish gift to make amends.
She turned slightly to her confidante. "Are my mother and Zhaorong in the side hall?"
The maid in pale green palace robes whispered, "They have freshened up and are now resting."
The Empress’s voice was so soft only this maid could hear. "Keep them under watch. Do not let them leave the room."
The Empress brought the entire group before the Emperor, placing the matter entirely in his hands for judgment.
Pei Lingyue ordered the detainees sent to the Punishment Bureau for separate interrogations, with severe torture to be applied if necessary.
He trusted the Empress. He trusted the Grand General. But the Duke’s household was another matter.
To attempt such deception was nothing short of treason—an act of blatant disrespect. He would not let this pass lightly.
Did he truly believe the Duke of Qin knew nothing of this? Impossible.
Pei Lingyue asked the Empress, "Where is the Duchess of Qin now?"
The Empress replied, "My mother and Zhaorong are in my palace. I have ordered them kept under watch."
Hearing this, the Emperor’s trust in the Empress deepened.
But trust aside, justice had to be served.
"Send both of them to the Punishment Bureau."
"Let them witness the interrogations firsthand."
Out of respect for the Empress, they would not be tortured, but punishment was inevitable.
If the Duchess had indeed masterminded this, Pei Lingyue intended to strip her of her noble title.
The Empress’s lips parted slightly, but in the end, she said nothing. She could only sigh inwardly—at least her mother would not suffer physical torment.
...
When the Emperor’s men arrived, Madame Lu and Yang Zhaorong were still discussing the day’s events.
Suppressing the urge to distance herself from her daughter, Madame Lu whispered, "If anyone questions you, deny everything. You are the victim in this, understand?"
Though Yang Zhaorong had already bathed, Madame Lu could still swear the stench of bird droppings clung to her.
She had already decided—neither she nor Zhaorong would attend the banquet later.
Yang Zhaorong’s ambitions had been shattered by the afternoon’s events. "Mother, let’s go home. I’m scared."
Madame Lu clenched her teeth. "Leaving now would only make us look guilty! Once your sister has time, we’ll go to her and plead innocence. We’ll say we were framed."
The more she thought about it, the better the plan seemed. They could twist this into sympathy—portray themselves as victims.
After suffering such humiliation, Zhaorong would never marry into a family of equal status. As her elder sister, Zhaopei owed it to her to secure her future. Becoming an imperial consort was the best option.
Given Zhaorong’s tarnished reputation, she might not qualify as a Noble Consort, but there was still one consort position left.
Hope flickered back into Yang Zhaorong’s eyes. "Really? But what if Sister finds out the truth? Would she still help us?"
Madame Lu scoffed. "She is the eldest daughter of the Yang family. That bloodline cannot be erased. If she doesn’t help, she’ll be letting outsiders mock her own family. Does she want to embarrass the Crown Prince?"
Yang Zhaorong found her mother’s reasoning sound. Her panic began to subside.
Yes, things weren’t as dire as she’d thought.
She would simply weep pitifully before her sister and the Emperor.
Just as the two were deep in discussion, the door burst open.
Madame Lu glared at the intruders. How could Zhaopei’s servants be so undisciplined?
"Madame Lu, Lady Yang Zhaorong, by His Majesty’s decree, you are to be escorted to the Punishment Bureau."
Yang Zhaorong froze. She knew of the Punishment Bureau—it was where criminals were interrogated.
Did the Emperor see her and her mother as criminals?
"Mother!" She turned to Madame Lu in panic. This wasn’t part of the plan!
Madame Lu was equally stunned. "There must be some mistake!"
"Do you dare defy an imperial decree?"
The accusation of treason left Madame Lu speechless. "I—I didn’t mean—I demand to see the Empress!"
Now she remembered her eldest daughter.
The eunuch replied coolly, "Her Majesty is currently at the Qianyuan Palace."
The unspoken meaning was clear—the Empress had been present when the decree was issued. And she had done nothing.
Yang Zhaorong was on the verge of hysteria. In her distress, she blurted out, "Mother, you said Sister would help us!"
Madame Lu could no longer speak.
How heartless the Empress was!
...
Yu Miaohua remained unaware that Madame Lu and Yang Zhaorong had been sent to the Punishment Bureau. As the celebration neared, she prepared to attend.
After all, she had used her system to check the weather forecast—today would be clear, if a bit chilly.
The seating for imperial consorts was arranged alongside the noblewomen.
Past winter celebrations had suffered from one flaw—by the time dishes arrived from the imperial kitchens, they were cold, the congealed fat unappetizing.
This time, Yu Miaohua had made special arrangements. Given the cold weather, hot pot would be served. The kitchens prepared broth bases and fresh ingredients, with each guest given an individual pot to cook their own meal.
Over six months, she had cultivated enough chili peppers for two harvests. The seeds were saved for next year’s planting and eventual distribution to the public.
As for this year’s stock, Yu Miaohua reluctantly used most of her reserves to prepare a split pot—one side mildly spicy, the other clear broth.
Guests could choose whichever they preferred.
To be honest, eating a steaming hot pot in this weather warmed one from the stomach to the limbs—far better than cold dishes. The banquet earned praise from most attendees.
As for the mildly spicy broth, it was also well-received by some.
For instance, Grand Academician Xue Bin quite enjoyed it.
"What is this seasoning? I find it even better than zanthoxylum," he remarked.
The palace attendant serving him whispered, "This is chili pepper, provided by Consort Hui."
Hearing it was related to Consort Hui, Xue Bin wasn’t the least bit surprised.
He mused that when Consort Hui’s father arrived in the capital, he could pay a visit and lend him some books from his family’s collection. With frequent interactions, they’d naturally become friends—and then he could drop by for meals.
He refused to believe Consort Hui wouldn’t send some treats to her own household.
Meanwhile, Yu Miaohua didn’t eat much, mainly because she’d already had a bite at the Empress Dowager’s palace and wasn’t hungry.
She touched her nose, suppressing the urge to sneeze earlier to avoid an undignified display, quickly covering it with a handkerchief.
Who was thinking of her?
Too many people dwelled on her, so Yu Miaohua gave up trying to guess.
She also noticed that Madame Lu and Yang Zhaorong were absent from the banquet.
While enjoying the splendid performances on stage, she nibbled here and there out of politeness.
Glancing beside her, she saw her younger sister eating heartily.
Yu Miaohua admired her sister’s appetite—having just eaten at the Empress Dowager’s palace, she was already hungry again.
The banquet concluded peacefully, without any attention-seeking upstarts or the assassins so often seen in novels.
It went so smoothly that it almost felt unnatural to her.
Afterward, she returned to her Guanju Palace.
Her mother and Yu Miaoping weren’t staying with her but resting in a side chamber of the Empress Dowager’s palace.
Today was her consort investiture celebration, and by tradition, the Emperor would visit that night.
After reading for half an hour, the Emperor indeed arrived.
Having changed out of his dragon robes into casual attire, he dismissed the attendants and dropped a bombshell.
"Madame Lu and Yang Zhaorong have confessed. They spent a fortune hiring a bird trainer to orchestrate the ‘Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix’ spectacle this afternoon."
Pei Lingyue had nothing but disdain for these two—ambition far exceeding their competence and nerve. Just witnessing their interrogation had reduced them to sniveling wrecks.
Yu Miaohua wasn’t surprised by the outcome.
So it really was them!
"What were they after? Pushing Yang Zhaorong into the palace?"
Had Madame Lu lost her mind? Instead of fostering a mother-daughter bond with the Empress, she wanted to groom a new favorite consort? Probably too comfortable a life had dulled her wits.
Pei Lingyue nodded slightly. "We intend to strip Madame Lu of her noble title, permanently barring reinstatement."
Yu Miaohua knew that for someone like Madame Lu, who prized status above all, this punishment was worse than death. From now on, she’d have to bow to everyone.
[If Madame Lu ever enters the palace again, I’ll make sure to parade before her and watch her kowtow!]
[…Host, can’t you aim higher? Why not use this to dethrone the Empress? Are you content just being a consort?]
Yu Miaohua felt the system didn’t understand her. Her idea was brilliant. Madame Lu had chosen to ruin her special day, proving her hatred. Forcing her to bow constantly to someone she loathed? Perfect revenge!
[Why would I topple the Empress? You don’t get it—having her as a superior is so hassle-free. I’m perfectly happy as things are.]
[The Empress failed in her oversight and deserves punishment. Hmm? A new task!]
[Host has triggered Main Quest 2.3: The long-awaited investiture celebration was marred by the Yang family’s ambition—an insult to any palace intrigue protagonist. Plant seeds of doubt before the Emperor, urging him to reprimand the Empress and confine her, establishing your authority. Reward: Improved bamboo and parchment paper-making techniques!]
Yu Miaohua was exasperated. The system’s schemes had finally ensnared the Empress.
[Rejected. I won’t do it!]
It wasn’t like the system could strike her down!
[Ugh, host, this task auto-triggered from the backend! Don’t blame me! Just consider it—this reward is incredible! Paired with the earlier clay movable-type printing, it’s a scholar’s dream! Current paper uses tree bark and hemp—inferior to bamboo paper and pricier. But our method uses bamboo, rice straw, and wheat stalks, with streamlined processes cutting labor and time costs. Imagine—a brand-new Four Books and Five Classics set for just 400 coins!]
[With this, you’ll truly become the literati’s white moonlight.]
Across from Yu Miaohua, Pei Lingyue maintained a calm facade while his mind reeled.
Initially, he’d wanted to refuse the task. Sacrificing the Empress’ dignity would indirectly slight the Crown Prince.
But the reward was revolutionary paper-making… A Four Books and Five Classics set currently cost 3,000 coins; even with movable-type printing, at least 1,000.
How could he say no?
A thought flickered: The Empress was… remarkably valuable.
If a task targeted him—say, forcing a self-criticism edict—what staggering reward might follow? Surely nothing less than those for the Empress or Empress Dowager?
Seeing Yu Miaohua reject the quest, Pei Lingyue was aggrieved.
If she wouldn’t do it, he would!
Of course, he’d need a plan to ensure the Empress and Crown Prince didn’t resent Yu Miaohua.
The Empress Dowager’s prior approach worked well—he could borrow it.
He’d also prove to Yu Miaohua that he was more reliable than the Empress Dowager. Next auspicious sign? He’d be part of it.
Good people surely get happy endings~
