"Master, this was sent by Lian Ye."
During the midday rest, Yue Ya quietly entered and handed a small object to Yun Wan.
Lian Ye was one of the Lu family informants originally assigned to Yun Wan by Lu Yuanduo. Because the messages were marked with a painted lotus leaf, Yue Ya had taken to calling the source by that name.
This was the first time Lian Ye had sent a physical item—a plain, unremarkable wooden box.
When Yun Wan opened it, she was met with a stack of banknotes.
Yue Ya gasped at the thickness of the pile. "This looks like it could be ten thousand taels!"
Yun Wan counted them, her expression shifting to surprise. "It's a hundred thousand taels."
Yue Ya was stunned.
This was an enormous sum. When had the Lu family ever been so generous?
Beneath the banknotes was a small note that read: 'The Lu family is remorseful. Use this without concern.'
A flicker of understanding passed through Yun Wan's eyes. This was clearly the Lu family's way of compensating her.
And it was indeed the Lu family's decision, not just Lu Yuanduo's alone.
They all knew that Consort Yun, now the emperor's favorite, was someone the Lu family could not afford to antagonize—unless there was an irreconcilable blood feud between them.
On the back of the note, as before, two names were written.
Yun Wan memorized them before burning the note.
By now, she had four usable contacts at her disposal.
She didn’t fully trust any of them, but since she had nothing else, she occasionally used them to gather information.
Having made up her mind, Yun Wan asked, "How is the situation at Changchun Palace?"
Yue Ya replied, "A few days ago, they were still brewing medicine daily, but these past two days, they’ve stopped. Perhaps Consort Shu has recovered."
Yun Wan’s lips curved slightly as she gazed at the banknotes. "Perfect. It’s time we paid her a visit."
......
Stepping into Changchun Palace again after several days, Yun Wan felt an unusual calm.
At the sound of the announcement, the newly promoted senior maid of Changchun Palace came out to greet her, bowing respectfully. "This servant pays respects to Consort Yun. My mistress has just risen. Please wait a moment, and follow me."
Yun Wan asked, "What is your name?"
The maid replied, "This servant is called Qiu Yue."
"Qiu Yue?" Yun Wan smiled faintly. 'Autumn moon, thick with longing for the north.' A fine name."
Qiu Yue hesitated. "Thank you for your praise, Your Grace. It is but a common name."
After waiting for about a quarter of an hour, Consort Shu finally appeared. Her beauty remained undiminished, though she looked slightly weary.
Strangely, she was unusually quiet upon seeing Yun Wan.
In the end, Yun Wan spoke first. "How is Your Grace’s health? I came uninvited—I hope you won’t take offense."
Consort Shu couldn’t resist a jab. "This Consort wouldn’t dare take offense, lest His Majesty take offense on your behalf."
She added coldly, "There’s no need for Consort Yun’s concern. This Consort is perfectly well."
Yun Wan sighed. "What a pity."
Consort Shu’s eyes widened. "You—!"
She hadn’t realized Yun Wan had become so sharp-tongued.
"Truly, a few days as Consort Yun have changed you. Having His Majesty’s favor gives you quite the confidence," she sneered.
Yun Wan remained unruffled. "Thanks to Your Grace’s blessings."
Consort Shu scoffed. "Do you think that even if Chun Tang had drugged you, His Majesty would have let you go?"
"If not for Chun Tang, would you even have the status of Consort Yun today?"
Yun Wan’s smile turned icy. "Should I be grateful to her, then?"
Replace 'Chun Tang' with 'me'—that was Consort Shu’s true meaning.
Both knew it, but neither voiced it.
After fuming for a while, Consort Shu took a sip of tea to calm herself. "Today, this Consort has no desire to argue. I wish to speak frankly—no one in the imperial harem is simple. You may be Consort Yun now, basking in His Majesty’s favor, wanting for nothing."
She smirked. "But a man’s favor is the most fleeting thing. The day His Majesty tires of you, your fate will be worse than Concubine Shen’s."
The former Consort Shen, now demoted to Concubine Shen, had not only lost the emperor’s favor but also her beauty, living a life worse than a servant’s.
Hearing the implication in her words, Yun Wan’s expression grew serious. She tilted her head slightly. "What are you trying to say?"
Consort Shu cut to the chase. "Join forces with me against the Crown Prince and the Noble Consort."
It was no secret that she and the Noble Consort were at odds, so there was no harm in stating it outright.
She studied Yun Wan. "You have His Majesty’s favor but no allies. I, on the other hand, have the Third Prince and the Lu family—my position is secure."
Excessive favor without backing was like a towering tree inviting the wind’s wrath. She doubted Yun Wan didn’t understand this.
Consort Shu was brimming with confidence.
"Is that so?"
Yun Wan pulled out a stack of banknotes from her sleeve. "Your Grace, do you recognize this?"
Under Consort Shu’s puzzled gaze, she tapped the banknotes’ seal and said coolly, "The Lu family sent these to me today—a hundred thousand taels."
"What?!"
Consort Shu’s composure shattered.
Yun Wan sighed softly. "The Lu family feels remorse toward me. They don’t wish to make an enemy of me and even paid compensation. But you, Consort Shu..."
Her lips curved in a mocking smile. "...expect me to help you without offering anything in return. Do you take me for a fool?"
Having achieved her goal, Yun Wan rose gracefully and left, leaving Consort Shu seething.
Consort Shu slammed her hand on the armrest, her face alternating between green and white. "Has my brother lost his mind? Helping that wretch instead of me?!"
Just days ago, he had even reprimanded her in a letter for acting recklessly and taken back several of her contacts—something unprecedented.
All because she hadn’t consulted him before scheming against Yun Wan? But they were family!
With Chun Tang’s fate fresh in mind, Qiu Yue stood silently, afraid to offer any advice that might cost her life.
When no one responded, the Third Prince entered. "Mother, I just saw Consort Yun—was she visiting you?"
Consort Shu snapped, "Silence! Never mention her again!"
The Third Prince shrank back, chastened.
Seeing her foul mood, the Wet Nurse quickly led him away.
As they walked, she muttered under her breath, "After all, he’s not her real..."
The Third Prince, sharp-eared, asked curiously, "Wet Nurse, what did you say? Not real what?"
The Wet Nurse paled and stammered, "Your Highness misheard! This servant said nothing."
With that, she hurried off on some excuse.
The Third Prince frowned. She had said something.
......
After finishing court affairs, Emperor Jingxuan arrived at Qiyun Palace as usual. Finding Yun Wan in low spirits, he drew her into his arms. "Who has upset my lady?"
Yun Wan’s delicate brows furrowed, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Could Your Majesty grant me one request?"
"Speak, my love."
She glanced up, biting her lip. "If one day, as others say, Your Majesty grows tired of me... could you show mercy and let me leave the palace?"
"Rest assured, I would never cling to you or cause trouble."
"?"
Emperor Jingxuan’s guard shot up. His first thought—
Who dares sow discord between me and my beloved?
