Yu Miaohua glanced sideways at the Imperial Noble Consort—she looked utterly devastated, her gaze still unfocused.
It seemed she and the Empress were truly close.
Deep down, Yu Miaohua wasn’t actually angry about the Imperial Noble Consort’s harsh attitude earlier. The Imperial Noble Consort… had simply mistaken her for the one who framed the Empress and wanted to seek justice on her behalf.
Though she held the title of Imperial Noble Consort, she didn’t enjoy the same level of favor as Yu Miaohua.
To outsiders, Yu Miaohua, the favored consort, was so powerful she could even scheme against the Empress—proof of her cunning and the Emperor’s immense favor. Crossing her or making an enemy of her would bring no benefit.
Yet, despite this, the Imperial Noble Consort was still willing to stand up for the Empress. She was a principled person, someone worth befriending.
The two were led by Aunt Fang to a side hall.
Aunt Fang had their favorite tea and pastries served.
By then, Yuan Huirou had regained her composure. She noticed that Aunt Fang seemed even more enthusiastic toward Yu Miaohua than usual, her smile wider than before.
Aunt Fang was the Empress’s confidante, and her attitude somewhat reflected the Empress’s stance.
Could it be that she had truly misjudged Yu Miaohua?
After a short wait, the Empress finally appeared before them.
Yu Miaohua noticed that the Empress’s face was unusually pale. Half an hour ago in the Qianyuan Hall, her complexion had been fine. She quickly realized—the Empress must have powdered her face beforehand.
Truly befitting of the Empress. Even now, she flawlessly played her part in the Emperor’s plans, leaving no room for error.
"Your Majesty, are you truly ill?" Yuan Huirou asked anxiously upon seeing her pallor.
The Empress let out a soft cough. "I’m much better now. Thanks to the miraculous medicine Consort Hui sent me. Physician Zhang said it perfectly matched my condition. After a few more doses of his prescribed medicine, I’ll fully recover. I’ve troubled you all unnecessarily—my apologies."
Yuan Huirou was stunned. "Consort Hui sent you medicine? So that’s why she went to the Qianyuan Hall?"
Yu Miaohua’s voice was tinged with grievance. "Because I knew the medicine would work and Your Majesty would recover soon, I was overjoyed. But instead, Imperial Noble Consort Sister misunderstood me."
"I never imagined that in Imperial Noble Consort Sister’s eyes, I’d be the kind of villain who would harm Your Majesty. Your Majesty, my heart aches. I don’t know what I’ve done to leave such an impression on her."
Yu Miaohua tried to squeeze out a few tears, but her acting skills fell short—no tears came.
She could only pretend to dab at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, feigning unbearable sorrow.
Any other consort would have detected the sarcasm in Yu Miaohua’s words.
But Yuan Huirou… she genuinely didn’t. Her expression shifted through shock, embarrassment, realization, and finally guilt.
So that’s how it was.
She had always thought Consort Hui didn’t seem like that kind of person. She clearly lacked the brains for scheming.
"My apologies, I misjudged you," Yuan Huirou said bluntly. She was straightforward but not the type to cling to pride—when wrong, she apologized.
Yu Miaohua wasn’t actually angry, but for the sake of her mission, she had to keep up the act.
"How could Imperial Noble Consort Sister be at fault? If anyone’s to blame, it’s me—I must have fallen short in some way. Your Majesty, please don’t blame her. She was just worried about you. My grievances are nothing in comparison."
[Host, you’ve really improved! Our mission will surely succeed!]
[Hehe, I think I’m pretty amazing too. If I’d been an actress in my past life, I might’ve been the youngest triple-crown film queen. But the Imperial Noble Consort is genuinely a good person. If not for needing the disaster warning, I wouldn’t have wanted to provoke her like this. Do you think Her Majesty the Empress will feel sorry for me?]
[This is a sure win.]
Empress Yang Zhaopei, who had witnessed everything: "…"
So that’s why Consort Hui had suddenly thrown shade at the Imperial Noble Consort in front of her—it was for the mission reward.
For now, she had to side with Consort Hui, even if it meant slighting the Imperial Noble Consort.
Still, the Empress had no intention of letting her close friend suffer unjustly. She would explain everything properly to the Imperial Noble Consort later.
The Empress sighed. "Huirou, you acted rashly this time. Consort Hui is a good girl—you shouldn’t have thought of her that way. You must apologize properly."
With the Empress’s words, Yu Miaohua’s newly triggered mission was smoothly completed.
Yu Miaohua was overjoyed. But this time, she couldn’t use the Imperial Library or Dexin Pavilion as an excuse for the reward. She’d have to come up with another flawless reason—maybe she could claim it was revealed in a dream?
Yuan Huirou’s face showed faint shame. "I acted improperly this time, accusing Consort Hui without evidence."
Especially since she had even returned all the gifts, as if cutting ties completely.
The thought made Yuan Huirou wish she could slap herself a few times.
She grabbed Yu Miaohua’s hand. "How about you hit me instead?"
Yu Miaohua’s lips twitched. In this era, people valued face greatly. A slap was seen as a humiliation. This was the first time she’d seen someone offer to be struck as an apology.
Yuan Huirou’s expression was resolute. "It’s fine. Hit me hard—I have thick skin. I won’t feel it."
Well, even if it hurt, she’d pretend it didn’t.
Yu Miaohua confirmed once again—the Imperial Noble Consort was a genuine fool.
The Empress, watching from the side, barely suppressed a laugh. The Imperial Noble Consort’s personality hadn’t changed all these years.
Seeing Yu Miaohua hesitate, Yuan Huirou grew anxious. "Do you still refuse to forgive me?"
Yu Miaohua tried to pull her hand back, but the Imperial Noble Consort’s grip was stronger than she expected.
With a sharp smack, Yuan Huirou guided Yu Miaohua’s hand to her own face, leaving a faint red mark.
Yu Miaohua gasped. The Imperial Noble Consort—terrifying! She actually went through with it?!
"Alright, fine! I forgive you! Stop making me commit such disrespect!"
"How about you just give me a few more silk flowers instead?"
Yu Miaohua quickly yanked her hand back, afraid the Imperial Noble Consort might force a second strike.
Yuan Huirou agreed immediately. "What flowers do you like? I’ll make them for you."
Her embroidery skills were mediocre—her "mandarin ducks" often ended up looking like plump ducks. Before entering the palace, her mother, frustrated by her lack of talent in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and needlework, had her practice making silk flowers instead.
Surprisingly, she had a knack for it. Her silk flowers carried a natural elegance, free of any artificial stiffness. But there were few people she deemed worthy of gifting them to.
"I love peonies. And make a few lotus flowers too—my younger sister likes those. Can I give the lotus flowers to her?"
It was precisely because she understood Yuan Huirou’s personality that Yu Miaohua could make such a direct request.
Yuan Huirou nodded. "Of course."
Yu Miaohua’s straightforwardness showed she bore no real grudge—the matter was settled. Yuan Huirou relaxed. She preferred dealing with people like Consort Hui. Some would sweet-talk to her face but secretly hold grudges, waiting for a chance to strike. Yuan Huirou had suffered plenty from such people.
"You and your sister must be very close."
Yuan Huirou sighed with emotion. Her parents had only given birth to her and her elder brother, and she had never gotten along well with her cousins, having been manipulated by them multiple times. After marrying the Emperor, she suffered several setbacks due to the covert schemes in the inner palace. Fortunately, the then-Crown Princess—now the Empress—had shielded her. Within a few years, the Emperor ascended the throne, and thanks to her father being not only the Grand Tutor but also the Emperor’s mentor, she was granted a high-ranking consort title from the start. Life had been smooth sailing for her ever since, and she rarely bothered to strategize.
Of course, seeing the Empress and her own younger sister, Yuan Huirou couldn’t help but feel that not having a sister might not be such a bad thing.
Yu Miaohua boasted with pride, “My sister is the absolute cutest!”
Especially when compared to the Empress’s sister.
“I plan to have my sister wear silk flowers often. If anyone dares to bully her, she can say they were personally made by the Noble Consort.”
This was the ancient version of a setup.
And the jade pendants and jewelry bestowed upon her by the Emperor and the Empress Dowager could also be used for the same purpose.
Yuan Huirou was dumbfounded, her face clearly expressing, “You can do that?”
The Empress could only smile faintly.
She pretended not to have heard.
With the misunderstanding resolved and her task completed, Yu Miaohua had to return for lunch with her mother and the others, so she took her leave first.
Before leaving, she didn’t forget to tell the Noble Consort, “I’ll have someone return the chest you brought later.”
The Noble Consort wasn’t in a hurry to leave—she still had more questions for Her Majesty.
“No need, I’ll come fetch it myself later.”
She might as well pick out some gifts from the treasury to send over.
Although the Virtuous Consort had only asked for her handmade silk flowers as an apology, she couldn’t just send that alone.
After Yu Miaohua left, Yuan Huirou couldn’t resist asking the Empress, “Were you really ill these past two days?”
Yang Zhaopei smiled at the undisguised concern in her eyes. Over the years, she had remained true to her principles, acting impartially and looking after the other consorts. She knew not all of them appreciated it, but as long as the Noble Consort and the Virtuous Consort did, her efforts weren’t in vain. At least someone recognized her dedication.
She shook her head. “It’s just that the Crown Prince has grown closer to my maternal grandfather’s family. My parents have long been dissatisfied, and now their ambitions have grown. That’s what caused yesterday’s incident.”
Yuan Huirou couldn’t hold back and blurted out, “Idiots!”
Had they forgotten that their wealth and status depended entirely on the Empress’s lineage? If anything happened to her, did they think they’d be spared?
Take Yang Zhaorong, for example—her looks were nothing special, her character was lacking, and she was as dull as a block of wood. If she entered the inner palace, she’d be torn apart within days. How could they possibly believe she could replace Her Majesty?
Yang Zhaopei said, “The Emperor only wanted me to seal off the palace for a few days as a warning to the Duke of Qin’s household.”
Then she laughed. “But Miaohua misunderstood, just like you did. She thought it was her fault and stormed into the Qianyuan Palace to defend me.”
Yuan Huirou was stunned.
The Virtuous Consort was even bolder than her! At most, she would’ve just gathered information, but Yu Miaohua had actually stood up for the Empress.
Yuan Huirou felt somewhat overshadowed, but at the same time, her guilt toward the Virtuous Consort deepened.
“And that’s not all…”
Yuan Huirou’s eyes widened. There was more?
“What else did she do?”
The Empress smiled gently. “She secured a merit no less significant than the invention of movable clay type printing and wanted to use it to protect me.”
“She said if anyone needed a warning, it should be the Duke of Qin.”
Yuan Huirou gave an imaginary thumbs-up to the absent Virtuous Consort.
Yu Miaohua was truly chivalrous, going to such lengths for the Empress.
She had lost, utterly and completely.
And to think she had misunderstood her like that—she deserved to die! No wonder the Virtuous Consort had been so angry. If it were her, she wouldn’t have forgiven so easily.
The Virtuous Consort had such a good temper.
Unbeknownst to Yu Miaohua, she had just been given a “good person card” by Yuan Huirou.
“Ah, with her personality, she’s bound to be taken advantage of,” Yuan Huirou fretted.
The Empress nodded in agreement. “We’ll just have to keep a closer eye on her.”
And so, the two reached a consensus regarding Yu Miaohua.
“In any case, for the next few days, I’ll only say I’m recuperating. Don’t let it slip.”
Yuan Huirou said, “Don’t worry, I’m not stupid.”
“I won’t even tell A’ning.” A’ning was Yuan Huirou’s most trusted maid, chosen by her parents as her dowry attendant when she married the Emperor.
The Empress felt reassured. Though Huirou wasn’t the sharpest, she could keep a secret.
…
Upon returning to the Guanju Palace, the feast Yu Miaohua had ordered earlier was ready.
Wiping the sweat from her forehead caused by the charcoal brazier, she sighed—this lunch had been quite the ordeal.
“Alright, let’s eat.”
As she sat down, she noticed the poorly concealed worry on her mother and sister’s faces. Yu Miaohua smiled. “Relax, the misunderstanding between the Noble Consort and me has been resolved.”
“She even promised to make lotus silk flowers for Miaoping.”
Yu Miaoping was pleasantly surprised. “There’s one for me?”
Yu Miaohua nodded. “I mentioned you like lotuses, and she agreed.”
Wang Yaning knew her younger daughter was hardly significant in the Noble Consort’s eyes. The fact that the Noble Consort was willing to personally make silk flowers for her showed genuine remorse.
Her earlier worries about a conflict between Miaohua and the Noble Consort finally eased.
Yu Miaohua said, “Mother, try this Eight-Treasure Chicken. The stuffing inside is the best part—it’s incredibly fragrant.”
As for Yu Miaoping, she had already helped herself to the roasted lamb ribs. The ribs came from a young lamb, tender and free of any gaminess, seasoned with the imperial chef’s secret blend of spices, including Yu Miaohua’s chili peppers. One bite was enough to send anyone into bliss.
Like her sister, Yu Miaoping loved the kick of chili. “Sis, these peppers are amazing.”
Wang Yaning, however, couldn’t handle spicy food and stuck to the non-spicy ribs.
Yu Miaohua said, “Take some seeds home and plant them. They’ll grow in about three months.”
“Got it.” Yu Miaoping decided she’d grow them herself.
After lunch, Yu Miaohua took a short walk around the palace to aid digestion, then settled in for her usual afternoon nap.
Before she could sleep, Yuan Huirou not only came to retrieve her belongings but also brought several calligraphy and painting scrolls—all masterpieces, the kind that could trade for a three-courtyard mansion in the capital.
Only someone from a scholarly family like Yuan Huirou could casually offer such treasures as an apology. She had truly gone all out this time.
Among them, Yu Miaohua spotted a painting by the renowned Wang Xuan—her father’s favorite artist. She decided to have her mother take it back for him.
Once the gifts were stored away, Yu Miaohua lay down peacefully.
Perhaps because today’s events had been more eventful than an entire week’s worth, her mind was still buzzing, making sleep impossible.
Time to binge-watch some dramas!
Wait—
Yu Miaohua realized the Palace Intrigue System had been unusually quiet since she left the Fengyi Palace.
Ah, right. It had upgraded today.
[System, what new features did you get?]
Silence.
Yu Miaohua’s heart sank. No wonder it hadn’t made a peep.
【Don’t tell me I’ve been working diligently to help you level up, only to get zero benefits after the upgrade?】
The system’s voice sounded guilty.
【Your blocking privileges have increased. You can now block me five times a day, for two hours each time.】
Yu Miaohua just wanted to scoff.
【I already knew about that feature! What else?】
【Haven’t you noticed how pretty my font color is now?】
【It’s so flashy it’s hurting my eyes!】
She was utterly despairing of the system’s taste.
【So, you didn’t add any other functions?】
【Host, I took some stunning photos of the Tanhua and the Young General yesterday. Look! Look!】
The system quickly changed the subject.
Yu Miaohua wasn’t about to pass up her perks. Too much had happened these past two days, making her forget about the Tanhua and the others. What was done couldn’t be undone, so she decided not to dwell on it—enjoying the present was what mattered most.
The system’s photography skills were indeed top-notch. Every shot could grace the cover of a high-end magazine.
Admittedly, the Tanhua’s looks perfectly matched her taste—classically handsome, with sharp, well-defined features and an impeccable figure: tall, broad-shouldered, and narrow-waisted. Even the standard court robes looked tailor-made on him.
As for the Young General, he had a completely different appeal—his piercing gaze and noble bearing exuded an air of cold elegance.
The system had taken plenty of photos, not just of these two but also of the Crown Prince and the Second Prince.
Yu Miaohua had to admit that, disregarding status, the Tanhua, the Young General, and the Crown Prince all had faces and temperaments she adored.
Within a month, she had to finalize three targets for her romantic pursuits. Of course, even after confirming them, whether she’d actually pursue them was entirely up to her.
Yu Miaohua seized the chance to ask the system some questions.
【If I unlock a side quest, what progress do I need to make to get rewards?】
Seeing her interest, the system eagerly pitched its features.
【There are three reward paths. One is based on affection levels, with a max score of 100. You’ll get rewards at 20, 30, 50, 70, 90, and 100.】
【Another is triggered by completing side quests, which vary randomly.】
【The last one is CG collection—unlocking special scenes also grants generous rewards.】
Suddenly, Yu Miaohua remembered something.
【So, if a target’s initial affection for me is 50, I can immediately claim the rewards for 20, 30, and 50 once I confirm them?】
【Correct!】
【Can I see their affection levels?】
【You can check once every two weeks.】
Yu Miaohua was satisfied. There was no harm in milking the system for all it was worth. The day before she had to confirm her choices, she could simply pick the three with the highest affection levels.
What a clever move.
As for the so-called quests that might pop up later—she’d do them only if she felt like it.
With a month left before finalizing her choices, she decided to check the current affection levels of her candidates.
She continued questioning the system.
【Are the candidates already finalized?】
【Not yet. Until the deadline, if you meet someone who meets the criteria, they can still be added to the list.】
Yu Miaohua roughly understood. She tapped the option to view all candidates’ affection levels.
Oddly enough, the Emperor—the main target—had no visible affection level, and no rewards were given no matter how high it might be. Talk about unfair.
In an instant, numbers appeared under each candidate’s name.
【Holy—!】
Yu Miaohua was utterly shocked by what she saw.
The lowest was the Second Prince, Pei Chiyao, with an affection level of -20—the only negative score in the group. Even the seemingly cold Young General had five points for her!
Had she somehow offended him? Did this imply that the Noble Consort’s faction secretly harbored ill will toward her?
All this time, the Noble Consort had acted like a gentle older sister in front of her. So it was all an act! She’d been deceived!
Hmph. Yu Miaohua decided then and there—Pei Chiyao was off the list.
As for the Tanhua, whom she quite liked, his affection level was 10.
She wasn’t surprised. Thanks to her contributions to movable-type printing, her reputation among scholars was fairly good.
But the biggest shock was the Crown Prince—his affection level was the highest at 20, enough to claim the first reward tier. And yet, because he reminded her of a past crush, she’d often mentally mocked him.
Yu Miaohua couldn’t sleep now.
Ah… she felt a little guilty.
……
The palace was full of sharp ears and keen eyes, especially after the Consort’s dramatic scene at noon.
All attention was now on the Empress’s palace, the Noble Consort’s palace, and the Consort’s palace, with rumors spreading like wildfire.
Some said the Empress wasn’t ill but had been placed under house arrest due to her family’s misdeeds.
Others claimed the Wise Consort was the real culprit—that she’d poisoned the Emperor’s mind, leading him to punish the Empress without regard for the Crown Prince’s dignity.
There were even whispers that the Consort had argued fiercely with the Wise Consort for the Empress’s sake, only for the Empress—ever the peacekeeper—to urge the Consort to swallow her pride and appease the Wise Consort.
And then there were the boldest rumors: the Wise Consort, newly promoted, dared target the Empress because she was pregnant.
Pei Chiyan listened expressionlessly as his subordinates relayed these absurd tales.
What nonsense was this?
He’d just returned to the Eastern Palace after finishing his duties at the Ministry of Revenue when he learned that the Empress’s palace had been sealed off. Though officially due to health reasons, it was clearly a euphemism for house arrest.
Obviously, his father had sent him to the Ministry of Revenue earlier to keep him out of the way.
Pei Chiyan summoned his men to gather intel, but the more he heard, the more his head ached.
After a moment’s thought, he made up his mind.
Rather than speculating, he’d go straight to the source—his parents.
Pei Chiyan first headed to the Emperor’s palace.
With the matter already settled, Pei Lingyue had no reason to withhold the truth. He received the Crown Prince and cut straight to the chase:
"This was a performance your mother and I staged together. Zhaopei is perfectly fine."
Hearing this, Pei Chiyan relaxed slightly. He immediately connected it to yesterday’s events.
"Was this to discipline the Yang family?"
Pei Lingyue was pleased. His son had grasped the situation without needing explanations.
"Exactly. They overstepped by meddling in my harem—far too arrogant."
Madame Lu and Yang Zhaorong were still locked in the disciplinary bureau. Pei Lingyue planned to let them suffer a few more days.
Pei Chiyan frowned. "Wouldn’t it be better to strip Grandfather of his title?"
His grandfather had no achievements to his name—his dukedom existed solely because of the Empress.
Why let his mother endure gossip for this?
Seeing his son’s concern, Pei Lingyue felt a pang of guilt.
Ah well… all for the sake of mission rewards.
"Consort Hui also misunderstood me because of this and even tried to use her merits to protect the Empress. She has good fortune—that very day, she achieved another accomplishment no less significant than the printing technique. I hadn’t expected her to be so fond of the Empress that she’d willingly offer her own merits to her." Pei Lingyue quickly changed the subject, seizing the opportunity to praise Consort Hui in front of his son.
If Consort Hui had chosen the Crown Prince as the target of her mission, as long as his favorability was high enough, she would receive corresponding rewards.
Pei Chiyan was caught off guard at the mention of Consort Hui, an awkward expression flickering across his face.
After all, she was his father’s consort. As the Crown Prince, he ought to maintain a proper distance from her.
All he could say was, "Consort Hui is a good person."
Pei Lingyue nodded and proceeded to lavish praise on her in front of Pei Chiyan, who eventually excused himself under the pretext of visiting his mother, the Empress.
When he arrived at Fengyi Palace, he found the Empress in good spirits, leisurely instructing palace maids to bring out fabrics from the storeroom as she carefully selected among them.
"...Send these leopard and tiger pelts to Yong’an Palace later—Consort Yang will surely like them."
"The white ermine and red fox furs are for Consort Hui. The peacock-patterned gauze and damask silk suit her well—send those to her as well."
Consort Hui.
Pei Chiyan hadn’t expected to encounter her name again even in Fengyi Palace. It seemed inescapable, as if her presence followed him everywhere.
Noticing his arrival, the Empress smiled and dismissed the other attendants.
"You came because you were worried about me, didn’t you? Don’t fret—I’m perfectly fine. In fact, I’m taking these few days to rest properly."
The New Year’s banquet was always an arduous affair.
"There’s been quite a bit of gossip outside," Pei Chiyan said, leaving the implication unspoken.
The Empress frowned. "I’m afraid someone is trying to smear Consort Hui’s name again."
She resolved to make an example of a few troublemakers later.
Pei Chiyan was now certain—his mother’s confinement had nothing to do with Consort Hui. His father hadn’t lied to him.
The Empress added, "Tomorrow is your day of rest. It would be good for you to visit the Duke of Qin’s residence."
The Crown Prince’s expression turned solemn. "Understood."
Like the Emperor, the Empress was anxious that her son might misunderstand Yu Miaohua, so she said with a smile, "What surprised me most during this ordeal was Consort Hui. I never expected her to stand up for me."
"I think even His Majesty was a little jealous."
Once again, Pei Chiyan found himself surrounded by mentions of Consort Hui.
His mother… seemed to be following in his father’s and the Empress Dowager’s footsteps, bringing up Consort Hui in every other sentence.
He maintained a composed listening posture, though his gaze grew slightly distant.
Midway through her speech, the Empress noticed her son’s distraction.
Even when his thoughts wandered, his bearing remained impeccable—graceful and refined as a bamboo stalk.
Under normal circumstances, his marriage arrangements should have been settled by now.
But given the current priorities of the state, it was unlikely he would be betrothed before the candidate was finalized, nor would he be assigned palace maids to acquaint him with matters of intimacy.
Still, the Emperor had mentioned that the Tanhua, Shen Sushang, seemed to be Yu Miaohua’s type. Her son was clearly superior!
The Empress had met Shen Sushang before—a strikingly handsome man who stood out even among the other scholars in their identical blue robes. His exceptional looks and talent had earned him the Emperor’s favor as the Tanhua.
A thought occurred to her, and she tapped the sapphire-blue cloud-patterned silk. "Have the seamstresses in your palace make a set of robes from this for the New Year. This color will suit you perfectly."
Pei Chiyan was puzzled.
His mother had once insisted that green suited him best, yet now she had switched to blue.
Besides, his New Year’s attire had already been prepared.
Still, this was her way of showing concern, so he saw no reason to refuse.
Empress Dowager: Consort Hui this, Consort Hui that.
Emperor: Consort Hui this, Consort Hui that.
Empress: Consort Hui this, Consort Hui that.
Crown Prince: polite smile
