The Palace of Yihe.
Consort Rong, upon hearing the whispered words of her attendant, shattered a teacup in shock. "What? One of them survived?"
Her personal matron hurriedly reassured her, "Your Highness, do not fret. The Crown Prince is unharmed, and his residence remains undisturbed. Moreover, the Fourth Prince is handling matters on your behalf—nothing will trace back to you."
Consort Rong clenched her handkerchief, vexed. "How can I not worry? As the acting overseer of the imperial harem, I was the one who approved sending those selected to the Crown Prince’s residence. If they had all perished, it would have been a clean resolution. But now, with a survivor, how can I rest easy?"
"I never should have indulged Ke'er’s whims—planting spies to monitor that sickly prince was a mistake. It has only brought unnecessary trouble."
After a moment of contemplation, her expression turned icy. "No. I must see that maid. She cannot be allowed to live."
The matron lowered her voice, cautioning, "Your Highness, reconsider. At present, there is no cause for alarm. Acting rashly now may draw unwanted attention. Moreover, I’ve heard the Crown Prince is quite fond of that Pingting girl. Removing her may prove difficult. Besides, might she not be of some use?"
Consort Rong paused. "Are you saying the Crown Prince has taken a liking to her?"
The elderly matron nodded. "Indeed. Today, the Crown Prince brought her into the palace. Your Highness might do well to observe first."
Gradually, Consort Rong’s expression softened. A faint smile curled her lips as she rose gracefully. "It seems she has some skill. Very well, I shall take a look."
...
Ye Ting was entirely out of sorts, her mind preoccupied with the impending meeting with her former employer. She had no idea what to do. Whether out of concern that she might flee or some other reason, Xiao Zhiheng had led her along without pause.
Yet, their path was abruptly blocked.
The one who intercepted them was none other than Eunuch Gao, the chief steward of Empress Su’s palace, who appeared to have been waiting for some time.
Spotting them, Eunuch Gao hurried forward with a smile. "This humble servant greets His Highness the Crown Prince. Her Majesty the Empress, knowing of your visit to the palace today, has prepared a banquet and sent this servant to escort you."
The Crown Prince glanced indifferently in the direction of the Empress’s palace. The chilly autumn wind lifted the hem of his robe, stealing away the last traces of warmth from his hands.
It was at this moment that Ye Ting inexplicably heard his concealed thoughts once more.
[I don’t want to go.]
When she looked up, however, the Crown Prince—who inwardly had no desire to attend—wore a gentle, courteous smile as he replied, "Thank you, Eunuch Gao. Please lead the way."
"Of course, of course. Your Highness, this way."
Ye Ting watched the Crown Prince’s composed demeanor with mixed feelings. That delicate, sickly prince’s tender smile was far too deceptive.
Who could possibly decipher the kaleidoscope of his heart?
They arrived at the Empress’s palace and were ushered into the inner chamber. The floor was heated, filling the entire hall with warmth. After enduring the cold wind for so long, Ye Ting felt instantly revived.
Yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the warm air carried a faint trace of incense—something oddly familiar.
Before she could dwell on it, Empress Su’s voice rang out, bright with delight. "The Crown Prince is here? Come in quickly—the draft at the entrance is harsh. Be careful not to catch a chill. Ruyi, fetch the hand warmer."
Xiao Zhiheng bowed respectfully, and Ye Ting followed suit, discreetly stepping back to find a vantage point for observation.
Noticing the palace attendants standing at attention, Xiao Zhiheng pressed his lips slightly. "There is no need for such trouble, Mother Empress."
Though his tone was polite and mild, Ye Ting detected a hint of distance in his words.
Of course, it was only natural. They weren’t bound by blood, and affection inevitably waned.
The Crown Prince was the son of Emperor Xuan’s first Empress, not the current Empress Su. Though both Empresses hailed from the same family, making them close kin, there was still a difference between one’s birth mother and an aunt.
To complicate matters further, Empress Su had her own son.
The relationship was awkward at best.
No matter how one spun it, without the bond of blood, true intimacy was impossible.
Empress Su, seemingly oblivious to the Crown Prince’s reserve—or perhaps accustomed to it—merely smiled. "Nonsense. It’s rare for the Crown Prince to visit. This palace has been stiflingly dull, with little to occupy my time."
Xiao Zhiheng’s gaze swept over the attendants before he asked bluntly, "Does Mother Empress have something troubling her?"
Empress Su stiffened slightly. Before she could respond, her chief maid spoke up indignantly on her behalf.
"Your Highness is astute. Ever since Consort Rong took charge of the inner palace, the Palace of Zhaoyang has grown desolate. Her Majesty has been harassed by the Consort, her heart burdened with grievances. She hasn’t slept well for days—"
Empress Su erupted in fury. "Silence! How dare you wag your tongue before the Crown Prince? The petty squabbles of the inner palace are unfit for his ears! You insolent creature—guards, take her away for punishment!"
The maid paled and dropped to her knees.
Ye Ting understood now.
Empress Su’s position was precarious, suppressed by her rival.
This summons was as much about reminiscing as it was about venting her frustrations.
Xiao Zhiheng lowered his eyes slightly, his voice soft. "Mother Empress, please calm yourself. It is not worth harming your health over such matters."
Empress Su sighed wearily. "What more is there to be upset about? This is simply how things are. Enough of this unpleasantness. We’ve been talking so much that the soup has gone cold. Sit, sit."
Changing the subject, Empress Su chatted warmly, exuding an air of maternal affection.
She then produced an item with a smile. "That child Lin’er is always thinking of the Crown Prince, clamoring to leave the palace and visit the Crown Prince’s residence. For someone her age, she lacks all sense of propriety. This hand muff—crooked and uneven—took her nearly half a year to make. She insisted it must be given to you. That girl doesn’t even show such devotion to me."
Ye Ting observed the Crown Prince as he accepted the hand muff from his admirer. His movements were slow, almost absent-minded.
[How ugly. Xiao Lin made this. But why… only now?]
Ye Ting’s brow furrowed slightly in surprise.
The Crown Prince was not pleased. If anything, he seemed… numb with disappointment?
Disappointed by what?
That this felt like a transaction of familial affection?
The realization left Ye Ting with a complicated feeling. Empress Su likely had a favor to ask of the Crown Prince.
Xiao Zhiheng listened to Empress Su’s words, then chuckled. "Mother Empress speaks so harshly. Little Seven will be heartbroken."
Hearing this, Empress Su exhaled subtly in relief. "What does that child know? She lacks all decorum befitting a princess. Ah, when will she ever grow up?"
Xiao Zhiheng smiled faintly before handing the hand muff to Ye Ting, who had been quietly blending into the background. The gesture was natural, almost intimate.
Empress Su seemed to notice Ye Ting for the first time. "This is the first time I’ve seen the Crown Prince bring a maid into the palace…"
Upon closer inspection, she was struck by the maid’s striking beauty—delicate features and a radiant charm that seemed to bloom like a flower.
Empress Su hesitated. "This is…?"
Xiao Zhiheng made no attempt to conceal the truth. "She is one of those selected by the Imperial Household Department and sent to the Crown Prince’s residence some time ago."
Empress Su gasped. "What?"
Ye Ting, abruptly thrust into the spotlight, was equally stunned.
Your Highness, if you’re going to stir trouble, could you at least give a warning? I’m only human—this is too much to handle.
But it was clear that Xiao Zhiheng intended to perform this act himself.
He gazed tenderly, yet his words were startling: "Pingting is pure-hearted, gentle, and kind—a good girl. Your son is fond of her."
The "good girl" Ye Ting froze in place, hardly daring to take such nonsense seriously.
Empress Su, too, seemed to think she had misheard, stunned by Xiao Zhiheng’s declaration of affection. "What did the Crown Prince just say?"
Xiao Zhiheng smiled and patiently repeated, "Your son is very fond of her. It was love at first sight."
Empress Su’s expression was indescribable, as if she were thinking, Are you joking with me?
Yet the Crown Prince showed no trace of jesting. Instead, he spoke with perfect clarity, "Bringing Pingting to the palace today… was actually because there is something your son wishes to request of Mother Empress."
Empress Su hardly knew where to begin. "What is it?"
Xiao Zhiheng: "Your son wishes to petition for Pingting to be granted the title of Liangyi."
Empress Su nearly choked. "What?!"
Ye Ting was dumbfounded.
What kind of devilish plot is this?
Did we come all this way just to get me a promotion? This fast?
Empress Su’s complexion shifted through several shades in rapid succession, taking a long moment to recover.
It was common knowledge that the Crown Prince had long been bedridden by illness, frail and skeletal, and had long since distanced himself from women. Rumor had it that once, when he suffered a severe relapse of his chronic condition, someone had foolishly attempted to drug and seduce him—only to meet a gruesome end, their body vanishing without a trace. This was the only known instance of the Crown Prince acting ruthlessly.
Over the years, though countless dancers and entertainers had been sent to the Crown Prince’s residence, not one had stayed. The noble and esteemed Crown Prince, burdened by illness, had not a single concubine to his name.
Gradually, whispers spread that his condition had rendered him impotent. And seeing him grow paler and weaker by the day, everyone believed it.
Who could have imagined that one day, the ailing Crown Prince would take a fancy to a woman who looked like nothing more than a pretty, scheming vixen?
Love at first sight? And immediately requesting her promotion to Liangyi?
Empress Su was still reeling in shock when a palace maid hurried in to report, "Your Majesty, Consort Rong requests an audience outside Zhaoyang Palace."
Already irritated, Empress Su snapped, "What does she want now?"
She had half a mind to send the meddlesome woman away, but at the last moment, she changed her mind. "Fine. Let her in."
She needed a distraction to steady herself.
Ye Ting, panicking, whispered urgently, "Your Highness, how could you joke about something like this?"
Xiao Zhiheng: "This prince is not joking."
Then, in a gentle tone, he asked, "Are you happy?"
"...Happy."
The Crown Prince let out a low cough, casually setting down his slightly spilled teacup. With a faint smile, he said, "Good."
But his inner voice was cold and mocking—
[Liar.]
Ye Ting: ?
And you have the nerve to judge me.
Consort Rong, resplendent in her lavish attire, entered with a bright smile and bowed. "The heating in Her Majesty’s palace is so effective—one steps inside and feels warmed through. My own palace pales in comparison. Ah, how fortunate, the Crown Prince is here as well."
Empress Su remained expressionless. No matter how pleasant the words, coming from her rival’s mouth, they sounded like veiled barbs.
Xiao Zhiheng returned the smile and rose to greet her.
Consort Rong, utterly unbothered by her unwelcome reception, continued smoothly, "I dare not accept such courtesy from the Crown Prince. Since returning from the grand sacrificial rites, Your Highness does seem to be in better health."
As she spoke, her eyes subtly flickered over the sickly Crown Prince—and the woman beside him, Ye Ting.
She recognized her. This was the beauty handpicked by her son, the Fourth Prince, and planted as a spy in the Crown Prince’s residence.
She had assumed the woman was nothing more than a pretty face, useless beyond her looks. But perhaps she had underestimated her.
The Crown Prince smiled faintly. "Consort is too kind. In fact, there is something this prince must thank you for."
Consort Rong’s thoughts stuttered. "What does the Crown Prince mean?"
Xiao Zhiheng: "For the people you sent to this prince’s residence."
Consort Rong’s smile stiffened.
The atmosphere instantly chilled.
Xiao Zhiheng suppressed a cough, his voice calm but cutting. "Thanks to Consort, this prince’s residence has not been so lively in a long time."
Consort Rong’s face paled.
She had never expected the usually reticent Crown Prince to suddenly bring up such a matter.
What is this sickly fool planning?
"More people are a good thing," Xiao Zhiheng continued, his smile deceptively mild. "But strangely, three of them happened to ingest something harmful on the same day… and died."
Consort Rong’s heart clenched.
Xiao Zhiheng’s tone remained indifferent. "This prince ordered their funerals arranged, but when the matter was brought before the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it seems the officials were careless—two of the deceased had discrepancies in their registered identities."
Empress Su’s expression darkened as she grasped the implications. She inhaled sharply.
An incident in the Crown Prince’s residence, yet no one knew?
Realization dawned, and inwardly, she sneered. Consort Rong, spoiled by the Emperor’s favor, has grown reckless. To brazenly infiltrate the Crown Prince’s residence—has she grown too comfortable?
If the Emperor learned of this, how could he let it slide?
Consort Rong could no longer maintain her smile. A cold sweat broke out on her palms as she stammered, "It must have been an oversight in the Ministry’s records—"
Empress Su slammed the table and rose, her voice sharp with fury. "How dare you! You still dare to make excuses? Why would the Ministry’s records be flawless in all matters except those you handle? Sending unidentified individuals into the Crown Prince’s residence—if harm had come to him, who would bear the crime of endangering an imperial heir? Consort Rong, your schemes are treasonous!"
This was no trivial accusation.
It could cost her life.
Consort Rong’s face drained of color. She dropped to her knees in panic, scrambling to explain, "Your Majesty, this is a misunderstanding! This consort would never—"
Empress Su, finally seizing an opportunity to strike back, coldly cut her off. "Whether you would or not, His Majesty will decide. Ruyi—summon the Emperor at once!"
Consort Rong paled further. "No! Wait—"
But Empress Su would not wait. She swiftly ordered her attendants to act, leaving Consort Rong no room to delay or defend herself.
Ye Ting, having witnessed so much in such a short time, had nearly forgotten her own predicament. This was her first close encounter with palace intrigue, and she was on edge.
She wanted to see how it would end, but the man who had lit the fuse was in no mood to stay for the climax. The Crown Prince suddenly swayed, his face ashen, doubling over in a fit of violent coughing.
Chaos erupted in Zhaoyang Palace.
Empress Su cried out in alarm, "Quickly! Assist the Crown Prince to rest! Jixiang—fetch Imperial Physician Zhang at once!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
...
Ye Ting ultimately didn’t get to enjoy the spectacle at Zhaoyang Palace to the end—she was forcibly dragged away to attend to the frail yet exceedingly precious Crown Prince.
In the end, the Crown Prince, who had startled everyone, turned out to be fine. The conflict between Empress Su and Consort Rong was far from over, and the struggle for control over the inner palace was urgent, leaving everything in chaos.
The delicate Crown Prince naturally couldn’t stay in such a contentious place. Ye Ting followed him closely, accompanying him to temporarily rest in Changle Palace. It was at least half the palace away from where Empress Su and Consort Rong resided.
Only then did true quiet settle in.
After the imperial physician left, Xiao Zhiheng opened his eyes. He lay quietly on the couch, maintaining his frail demeanor, his posture elegant and composed, his gaze devoid of any confusion.
Ye Ting had already guessed that his sudden illness was an act.
But she still had to play along with this formidable figure, pretending not to know he was faking it. She asked with concern, "Does Your Highness feel better now?"
"Not quite."
"Not better?"
"My head hurts."
Ye Ting smiled. "Then this servant will summon the imperial physician back to give Your Highness a few more acupuncture treatments."
Xiao Zhiheng’s eyes curved slightly as he replied, "Very well."
But even as he spoke so gently, his cold and unfeeling heart thought: Splendid. If you dare step out that door, you won’t need your head either.
Ye Ting immediately lost her nerve.
"Your Highness… this servant was only joking."
Xiao Zhiheng seemed slightly taken aback by how quickly she backed down, pausing before he could finish his words.
Under his thoughtful gaze, Ye Ting felt uneasy and resigned herself. "Your headache doesn’t require the imperial physician. Let this servant massage it for you—guaranteed to cure you."
Truthfully, she had some skill in massage. In her previous world, as an overworked office drone, learning to relieve stress by kneading her own temples had been a necessity. Thinking about it now brought tears to her eyes.
Ye Ting’s hands moved naturally, applying just the right amount of pressure, perfectly targeting the throbbing nerves in Xiao Zhiheng’s head.
The Crown Prince seemed slightly surprised but remained silent.
Before long, however, he took hold of her wrist and gently pushed her hand away. In a soft voice, he said, "No need."
Ye Ting stopped, puzzled. Are you sure? The consequences of your headaches are terrifying.
"Useless. A waste of effort," Xiao Zhiheng stated bluntly. His headaches were a chronic ailment—no amount of massage could fix them.
He smiled gently at Ye Ting and said, "Keep me company with some conversation instead."
Ye Ting did her best to comply. "What should we talk about?"
"Let’s see…" Xiao Zhiheng pondered for a moment before chuckling softly. "Should I continue thanking you? After all, you’re already here."
"…"
Alright, that’s enough. Stop talking.
