The palace intrigue system was utterly shocked.
[The Emperor is actually siding with you? What’s his logic?]
Yu Miaohua’s eyes widened in disbelief. She never expected that His Majesty wouldn’t just dismiss Consort Xu’s slander but would instead stand firmly by her side, openly supporting her. For the first time, she truly felt the sweetness of being favored.
It seemed he genuinely loved and trusted her.
Pei Lingyue’s gaze swept indifferently over Consort Xu’s resentful expression as he said coolly, “Consort Xu has grown arrogant and unruly from excessive indulgence. Confine her to Yuhua Palace for one month.”
The color drained from Consort Xu’s face, her body swaying unsteadily. In all her years in the palace, she had never faced such severe punishment—her worst reprimand had only been copying scriptures.
This time, she had intended to crush Yu Miaohua, but instead, she had lost face and dignity completely.
There was only one reason—the Emperor’s favor no longer rested on her. No matter how much she wept or pleaded, it only made her a laughingstock.
Her spirit broken, she left in defeat.
Pei Lingyue glanced around, finding the others an unwelcome presence. “All of you, leave.”
The concubines hastily bowed and withdrew, their faces alight with excitement at the juicy gossip they couldn’t wait to share.
Yu Miaohua, the rising star, had effortlessly eclipsed Consort Xu, the fading one. How thrilling!
Though it stung a little that the Emperor had eyes only for Yu Miaohua, they quickly adjusted. They had never enjoyed his favor to begin with, so the loss wasn’t as sharp. But for Consort Xu, who had once basked in his devotion, the fall was devastating.
Seeing Consort Xu’s downfall oddly comforted them.
Some concubines even began wondering—should they learn from Yu Miaohua’s methods?
[System, does this count as completing our mission?]
After a moment of dazed silence, Yu Miaohua asked.
The system’s tone was resolute.
[Yes, absolutely! Maybe you possess some hidden, unparalleled charm I overlooked.]
If the host completed the mission, the palace intrigue system could also claim its share of energy rewards. So, in this regard, the system was even more eager than Yu Miaohua—no force in heaven or earth would deny this success!
[...]
Yu Miaohua felt like the system was mocking her, but she had no proof.
Regardless, she owed today’s victory entirely to the Emperor’s favor. Without it, she might have suffered dearly.
After some thought, Yu Miaohua made a suggestion to the system.
[System, I get to decide how the reward is delivered, right?]
[Correct. Even if you want the sugar-making method delivered straight to the Emperor’s bedchamber, I can arrange it seamlessly.]
Yu Miaohua would never do that. Was she the type to do good deeds anonymously?
[I want to ask His Majesty if I can borrow books from the imperial library. If he agrees, you can hide the book there, and I’ll pretend to stumble upon it before presenting it to him.]
Since she couldn’t run a business in the palace—her father was an official and couldn’t compete with commoners—it was better to offer the method to the Emperor. At least this merit would ensure that even if she fell out of favor later, she wouldn’t be banished to the cold palace. A safety net, of sorts.
[Approved.]
The palace intrigue system was pleased its host was finally showing ambition. With this sugar-making method, Yu Miaohua could secure greater prestige and favor.
Pei Lingyue overheard Yu Miaohua and the system’s conversation and abandoned his plan to send a shadow guard to steal the book at midnight. After all, the method would reach him eventually.
With this contribution, his favor toward Yu Miaohua would be justified.
Imagining the immense profits the sugar-making method could bring to the national treasury, Yu Miaohua instantly became an incomparable beauty in Pei Lingyue’s eyes—second only to the Empress, outshining all other concubines combined.
His expression softened as he asked gently, “Are you settling well in Guanju Palace?”
Yu Miaohua, flattered, quickly replied, “Guanju Palace is perfect in every way. Thank you for Your Majesty’s generosity.”
Pei Lingyue nodded. “If anything displeases you, inform Chai Xiu.”
Chai Xiu promptly offered an ingratiating smile.
The Emperor also mentioned the additional servants assigned to her. As a Jieyu, Yu Miaohua couldn’t have just a handful of attendants—it would be unseemly.
Yu Miaohua was relieved to learn that the new servants were experts in crop cultivation. While the Champa rice was hardy, it was crucial for the people’s food supply. If her negligence caused a poor harvest, it would be disastrous. With professionals around, she could rest easy.
As a Jieyu, she was entitled to two senior maids and two junior maids. The senior positions would go to Cuiwei and Qingluo, while the others could be chosen later.
Pei Lingyue was unusually attentive to Yu Miaohua’s needs, personally overseeing her food, clothing, and living arrangements.
In the past, even when favoring other concubines, he had merely rewarded them with treasures from the imperial vault—never with such meticulous care.
Unaware that Pei Lingyue was merely grinding mission points, others marveled at Yu Jieyu’s unparalleled imperial favor.
If she bore him a child, she might even ascend to the rank of Consort.
What they didn’t know was that Pei Lingyue had no intention of bedding Yu Miaohua. Not with a deity watching over her—the mere thought made him squirm.
Seizing the moment, Yu Miaohua broached her request to visit the imperial library. In her current rank, she couldn’t enter freely.
Pei Lingyue agreed at once. “You suffered today. Consider this my compensation. Go whenever you wish.”
He wrote her a pass on the spot.
Initially, he considered telling her she could avoid the other concubines. But then he wondered—would that mean missing out on new missions?
For the sake of rewards, he dismissed the idea.
Yu Miaohua had prepared to wheedle, but it proved unnecessary. Relieved yet puzzled, she wondered—was her charm really this potent? Had the Emperor been enchanted by the system?
With no new missions in sight, Pei Lingyue’s thoughts drifted back to his memorials, and he soon left Guanju Palace.
Of course, after his departure, lavish gifts flooded into Guanju Palace.
…
News of the events in Guanju Palace spread like wildfire through the harem as the concubines dispersed.
The imperial consorts were stunned.
Consort Xu, once the Emperor’s unwavering favorite, had been confined for a month—because of Yu Miaohua?
Yu Miaohua was terrifying!
Such unprecedented favor!
Though they had despised Consort Xu’s arrogance, watching her downfall at the hands of a newcomer filled them with melancholy—a reminder of their own precarious positions.
Low-ranking concubines grew wary, while even high-ranking ones with children no longer felt secure. They needed to study Yu Jieyu’s temperament and prepare countermeasures.
Consort De, who had sent lavish gifts in the morning, was in a complicated mood—Yu Miaohua had once been under her care in the palace. Having been wronged, Yu had gained the Emperor's pity and favor. Countless people were likely waiting to see Consort De humiliated, eager to witness a confrontation between them. Precisely because of this, she couldn’t afford to antagonize Yu Miaohua and give those onlookers the satisfaction.
Her mind drifted back to Yu Miaohua’s appearance when she first entered the palace—her delicate features, more vivacious than the other newcomers, yet always respectful toward her. She hadn’t seemed like a scheming person. When the poisoning incident occurred, Consort De had been shocked by Yu’s supposed cunning and ruthlessness, thinking she had misjudged her. Yet, it turned out Yu was truly innocent. Even after being banished to the cold palace, she had managed to turn the tables.
She had already extended an olive branch to Yu Miaohua. As long as Yu wasn’t foolish beyond belief, she wouldn’t make an enemy of her.
With a long exhale, Consort De said to her confidante, "I heard Yu Miaohua is quite fond of that coral bonsai. It seems our gift was well-chosen."
"After all, she once stayed under my care. With this connection, I’ll have one more sister to converse with during greetings."
The Empress, gentle and lenient, had exempted the consorts from daily greetings, requiring them only once every seven days.
The next greeting was in two days, and it promised to be lively.
Consort De’s maid whispered, "Will Her Majesty reprimand Lady Yu during the greetings?"
Consort De shook her head. "Her Majesty is virtuous. As long as Yu Miaohua hasn’t violated palace rules, the Empress will protect her. She has always favored lively newcomers with pleasing appearances and treats them with great indulgence."
The Empress had the Crown Prince by her side, whose position was as stable as a mountain. The Emperor also held her in high regard—no matter how many favored consorts there were, he never humiliated the Empress for their sake. As long as the Empress wasn’t a fool, she wouldn’t clash with the Emperor’s new favorite.
Their Empress was a clever woman.
Meanwhile, the Empress, whom Consort De had been musing about, was discussing Consort Xu with the Emperor. "A month of confinement—isn’t the punishment too severe? Perhaps I could have her copy scriptures to refine her temperament."
In the past, whenever a consort was punished, the Empress would plead for leniency. Whether the Emperor listened was his decision.
Pei Lingyue had come primarily to share lunch with the Empress and show her a letter from the Crown Prince.
After discussing the Crown Prince, the Empress brought up some matters concerning the inner palace, including Consort Xu.
Pei Lingyue shook his head. "Consort Xu has grown arrogant and willful, relying on my favor. She needs to learn her lesson."
Changing the punishment was out of the question—what if his reward vanished because of it?
The Empress sighed. "I only hope she reforms after this."
Pei Lingyue added, "Lady Yu is young and guileless. If she ever falters in her conduct, I trust you’ll look out for her."
The Empress smiled impeccably. "Does Your Majesty doubt me? I’ve always adored such lively and charming sisters. Their presence makes me feel younger."
Her estimation of Yu Miaohua rose slightly. The Emperor’s concern was genuine—he had even gone out of his way to mention her. The Empress could only hope Yu Miaohua was as innocent as she appeared. She had no desire to see the palace embroiled in turmoil.
Still, Yu Miaohua had endured half a year in the cold palace after being framed, yet remained well-behaved—aside from climbing trees to pick fruit… Perhaps there was no need to worry? As the Empress, certain things didn’t escape her notice. She had uncovered some details, like how the Emperor had encountered Yu Miaohua in the first place—because Yu had gone to pick pears.
Perhaps the Emperor, weary of cunning courtiers, had been charmed by someone so unguarded.
The Empress quickly rationalized the Emperor’s sudden change in taste.
Pei Lingyue paused, his expression turning solemn as he began spinning his tale. "Empress, the night before I met Lady Yu, I had a dream. The Late Emperor appeared and told me that Lady Yu is an auspicious figure for our dynasty, destined to bring boundless fortune to Great Qi."
"The very next day, I met her."
The Empress’s composure slipped—since when did the Emperor believe in such things?
If the Late Emperor’s spirit truly watched over them, his first act wouldn’t be heralding an auspicious omen—it would be giving the Emperor a good thrashing.
When the Late Emperor passed, his final decree had been to be buried with Empress Zhenyi.
The Emperor had complied—but he’d also relocated the remains of all the Late Emperor’s other consorts to the same mausoleum, including those the Late Emperor had despised most, claiming they should attend to him in the afterlife. As for Empress Zhenyi? Though she rested in the same mausoleum, her placement was more peripheral.
Having tossed out his excuse, Pei Lingyue enjoyed his lunch before cheerfully returning to official business. The pretext was out there—even if the Empress didn’t believe it now, once Yu Miaohua presented the method for refining white sugar, or when Champa rice appeared in her courtyard, she would.
The Empress, however, was left speechless.
Amid her exasperation, a faint worry for Yu Miaohua stirred in her heart.
If the Emperor’s favor stemmed from misplaced expectations, what would happen when this supposed fortune failed to materialize? He would undoubtedly withdraw his affection without hesitation, and the consorts who had lost favor because of Yu Miaohua would surely seek vengeance.
The Emperor’s actions were truly inconsiderate—he had painted a target on Yu Miaohua’s back without a care for her survival.
As the Empress, all she could do was watch over her a little more.
Meanwhile, in the library, Yu Miaohua sneezed—who was talking about her?
No matter. Books first!
White sugar—here she comes!
