The one who spoke up was Concubine Zhang.
Dressed in a pale pink palace gown with delicate makeup, she appeared more spirited than before. At that moment, she was gazing at the coral bracelet on Yun Wan's wrist, her eyes seemingly flashing with envy.
Yun Wan was slightly surprised.
Meeting her gaze, Concubine Zhang blushed and said, "My apologies, Your Highness. I merely thought the hue of the bracelet complemented your fair skin so perfectly that I couldn’t help but speak up."
The flawless crimson coral coiled around Yun Wan’s slender, snow-white wrist, the stark contrast of red and white creating a striking visual allure—beautiful enough to inspire admiration.
Such a stunning bracelet was not something just anyone could possess.
Without reproach, Yun Wan toyed with it using her other hand and smiled. "This piece was crafted by the Jewelry Bureau. It had been stored away in the treasury until today, when I decided it looked lovely enough to wear."
Of course, this was a replacement. The one infused with musk beads had already been tucked away.
She removed the bracelet and turned to Concubine Zhang with a warm smile. "If you like it, Concubine Zhang, I’d be happy to gift it to you."
Concubine Zhang visibly hesitated, then replied sheepishly, "Your Highness is too kind, but this is something you cherish. How could I take what you love? Moreover, this is clearly South Sea red coral—a treasure of the highest quality. How could a lowly concubine like me dare to wear it?"
Items entering the palace were naturally of the finest grade, but even among these, there were hierarchies. One’s rank dictated the jewelry they could wear—unless personally bestowed by the Emperor.
The Noble Consort remained silent, observing coldly.
Consort Xian stepped in with a cheerful laugh. "Concubine Zhang speaks wisely. Sister Yun’s fair complexion and beauty are what make the red coral shine. The rest of us could never do it justice."
Following her lead, the others chimed in:
"Your Highness, your skin is so flawless—what is your secret? Would you share it with us?"
"Ah, if only I could possess even half of Your Highness’s beauty, my life would be complete."
"The bracelet is exquisite, but only Your Highness can truly bring out its brilliance."
"..."
Listening to their flattery, Yun Wan smiled faintly. "You all exaggerate."
She tried to discern something from their expressions, but to no avail.
Reactions to her coral bracelet varied—some envious, some indifferent, some dismissive—all perfectly ordinary.
It seemed the only leads lay with Lingxiang and her secret lover.
Yun Wan sighed inwardly.
After half an hour of idle chatter, as dusk settled outside, the group dispersed to their respective palaces.
On her way back, Yun Wan was approached by Concubine Zhang, who hurried after her to express gratitude. "Your Highness, the calming incense you gifted me last time worked wonders. I’ve finally been sleeping well these past few nights. I must thank you again."
Yun Wan shook her head gently. "No need for thanks. I promised it to you, after all."
Seeing her response, Concubine Zhang hesitated before glancing at the bracelet once more. With a smile, she added, "Though the bracelet is beautiful, Your Highness should wear it sparingly."
A chill ran down Yun Wan’s spine. She fixed her gaze on Concubine Zhang.
Once was coincidence, but twice? And now with a veiled warning—did Concubine Zhang know something?
Before Yun Wan could press further, Concubine Zhang excused herself hastily. "I have matters to attend to. Forgive me, Your Highness."
Her abrupt departure left Yun Wan standing there, deep in thought.
"You’d do well to keep your distance from her."
Concubine Hui appeared leisurely, her words cryptic.
Still processing, Yun Wan blinked. "Who?"
Concubine Hui scoffed. "Who else? Concubine Zhang, of course."
She shot Yun Wan a glance and added sharply, "She’s no saint."
Yun Wan frowned. "Why do you say that?"
Concubine Hui replied coldly, "Believe it or not, I’ve said my piece."
"I believe you," Yun Wan said, catching her sleeve. "But at least give me a reason."
The moment their hands touched, Concubine Hui jerked away, glaring. "Such impropriety! No reason. Take it or leave it."
With that, she stormed off in a huff.
Yun Wan was baffled. Why was everyone acting so strangely? It only made things harder to decipher.
Especially Concubine Hui—why was she always so volatile around her?
It made no sense.
Too many questions swirled in her mind, leaving Yun Wan restless all night.
The neglected man beside her finally had enough. With a punishing grip, he demanded, "What is my wife thinking about?"
Yun Wan shuddered, snapping back to reality. "Concubine Hui."
"?"
Emperor Jingxuan lifted his head, eyes dark with displeasure. "Why her?"
What was so fascinating about another woman?
Yun Wan pushed his mischievous head away and asked seriously, "Your Majesty, what kind of person is Concubine Hui?"
The man scoffed, feigning indifference. "No idea."
Yun Wan immediately wrapped her arms around his waist, her voice sweet and coaxing. "Your Majesty~ Tell me, please?"
Her voice was like a nightingale’s song, her gaze lidded with charm.
The "ruthless" emperor cracked. "What did she say to you?"
Yun Wan recounted, "She warned me to stay away from Concubine Zhang."
"You’d do well to heed her advice."
Yun Wan: ?
Emperor Jingxuan whispered a few words in her ear, and Yun Wan gasped, instinctively glancing at his head.
The emperor’s voice turned dangerous. "Wife, what are you looking at?"
Yun Wan averted her eyes, burying her face in his chest.
Patting her waist, Emperor Jingxuan let her be. "How goes the investigation into those two from last night?"
Yun Wan yawned lazily. "The maid is confirmed—it’s Lingxiang from my palace. As for her... lover, I haven’t identified him yet."
Emperor Jingxuan offered, "Shall I have Jiang Fusheng look into it?"
Yun Wan shook her head, her silken hair slipping into his collar, tickling his skin. "Not yet. I want to handle this myself. I can’t rely on you forever..."
The emperor stroked her hair but didn’t argue.
True, he could fortify the palace like an iron fortress, shielding her under his wing. But that wasn’t sustainable. If anything happened to him, she’d be left vulnerable to countless threats.
He didn’t demand she become formidable, but at the very least, she couldn’t afford to be weak—waiting helplessly in the face of danger.
Just as Emperor Jingxuan was about to speak, soft, even breaths rose from his chest.
Looking down, he found Yun Wan fast asleep against him.
With a sigh, he closed his eyes—only for a distinct signal to pierce the night.
His eyes snapped open. After ensuring Yun Wan remained undisturbed, he carefully replaced himself with a pillow and rose, throwing on an outer robe before stepping out.
Outside, the night was vast. Jiang Fusheng stood waiting, bundled against the autumn chill.
Emperor Jingxuan’s voice was icy. "What is it?"
Jiang Fusheng bowed. "Your Majesty, a message from Xuan Liu."
He presented the freshly delivered scroll.
Unfurling it, Emperor Jingxuan skimmed the contents—and his pupils constricted.
