The snow crunched beneath Ning Xuan’s feet. He disliked having too many people trailing after him, so only Xiao Dezi accompanied him. Like a hibiscus emerging from clear water, naturally beautiful without adornment—those words perfectly described Ning Xuan at that moment.
He wore plain brocade in a pale blue-green shade reminiscent of water meeting sky. Elegant silver cloud patterns decorated the fabric without appearing overly ostentatious. The carefully tailored robes outlined his tall, slender figure in graceful, flowing lines, giving him an extraordinary bearing.
Quite some time had passed since Ning Xuan’s investiture. He had never paid the slightest attention to the rule requiring him to visit the Central Palace morning and evening to pay his respects or to “chat about domestic matters” and “strengthen his relationships” with the many brothers and sisters who served the emperor alongside him. At first, Xiao Dezi had offered indirect reminders, but when even Her Majesty the Empress—the mistress of the Central Palace—showed no concern, voiced no reproach, and said nothing whatsoever, Xiao Dezi naturally fell silent. Ning Xuan was more than happy to enjoy his freedom.
But matters were different now. Ning Xuan had gained a reason to compete. Ripples had disturbed the desireless heart that had once resembled a dried-up well. One new attachment meant the loss of much of his former freedom. What Ning Xuan did not know was that even something as ordinary as paying morning and evening respects could be turned into a source of turmoil and endless controversy.
He arrived at the Central Palace at the appointed hour, unaware that punctuality itself could be interpreted as disrespect—particularly when everyone else had demonstrated exceptional reverence by arriving early to wait. When Xiao Dezi accompanied Ning Xuan into the main hall, the room was already filled with people seated in orderly rows on both sides. Some were masters Ning Xuan had seen and served while living in Prince Rong’s residence, but many more were unfamiliar faces.
An indescribable, dull pain slowly struck Ning Xuan’s heart. While he had believed wholeheartedly in Feng Xuanyi’s love, while he had struggled between Feng Xuanyi and Feng Xuanzhe yet still clung stubbornly to his agreement with Feng Xuanyi because of that single declaration of true love, Feng Xuanyi had hardly remained idle. He had played through the mortal world without restraint, surrounded endlessly by beauties of both sexes. Whatever dignified excuses he might offer could not conceal the established truth: his rear palace was filled with beauties, including countless young ladies from powerful and distinguished families. In a sense, he distributed his favor evenly, neither showing preference nor indulging anyone excessively, forever weighing benefits against costs. Feng Xuanyi truly possessed the qualities of an emperor. Both in the imperial court and in the rear palace, he had begun preparing for every possibility at some unknown point, neglecting nothing.
“A new face? When did His Majesty invest another young gentleman?” The woman seated first on the right wore bright, magnificent clothing. A gold-woven, intricately carved hair ornament glittered beside her temple. Beneath her elaborate makeup, her face appeared delicate and pale. Her young profile still retained a trace of childish softness, yet it did nothing to diminish her graceful, seductive charm. Her sharp gaze appeared affectionate, but after casting a vague glance in Ning Xuan’s direction, she lowered her eyes and played with her jade-soft hands, carefully admiring the fresh flower dye on her nails. Her remark sounded casual, yet everyone present immediately understood the hostility and sharpness concealed within it.
The others were less openly aggressive than the woman. Even if hostility churned violently inside them, their outward composure remained intact. At most, they directed fleeting looks of curiosity, surprise, or provocation toward Ning Xuan.
“Ning Xuan, why are you…” Han Ruifeng looked up and was caught off guard to see Ning Xuan entering so openly.
“My health has mostly recovered. I cannot remain inside my own palace forever, and I should observe the rules that ought to be observed.” Ning Xuan pressed his lips into a smile, offering both an explanation and an account of himself.
Seeing how familiar Han Ruifeng appeared with the newcomer, the woman released an undisguised snort. Her disdain and contempt were obvious. She quickly withdrew her gaze as though even looking at Ning Xuan and Han Ruifeng for another moment would lower her own worth.
Han Ruifeng’s expression stiffened. The flash of awkwardness and embarrassment vanished quickly, but it did not escape Ning Xuan’s eyes.
“Younger Sister has only recently entered the palace, so naturally you would not know. Although this young gentleman was born to a low and humble station and served merely as a laboring servant in Prince Rong’s residence, His Majesty favored him greatly when he was still Prince Rong.” Liu Xiaoyun, now elevated to the rank of Guipin, explained with a radiant smile, though only she knew how much of that smile reached her eyes. “His Majesty has always been romantic and unmatched in talent, yet this young gentleman once made us believe that His Majesty had changed his nature. We were astonished for quite some time. Younger Sister truly missed something by entering too late to witness those days.”
Elio’s Notes: Guipin (貴嬪) is a formal title for a relatively high-ranking imperial consort. Its exact position varied between dynasties and fictional court systems. In this novel, Liu Xiaoyun holds the rank of Guipin, placing her among the more senior members of the imperial harem.
“You merely believed that he had changed, and belief is no more than belief. How could His Majesty’s intentions ever be altered or fathomed by a servant?” The woman did not even bother raising her brows, and her hands never stopped moving. Though she repeatedly addressed Liu Xiaoyun as Elder Sister and spoke with apparent courtesy and respect, every sentence was a soft knife that stabbed Liu Xiaoyun until rage burned within her. “Elder Sister has been in the residence for many years and has reportedly served beside His Majesty for quite some time. How is it that you still fail to grasp his temperament and continue speaking only of what you ‘believed’? That is hardly wise. In experience and service, Elder Sister surpasses me many times over. Unfortunately, you are slightly less capable when it comes to understanding the imperial will, which is why you are now merely a Guipin. Instead, I received the advantage and forced Elder Sister to remain beneath me. It truly leaves me ashamed.”
Every affectionate use of “Elder Sister” and “Younger Sister” concealed cutting mockery. The woman’s words enraged Liu Xiaoyun, but the difference in rank between them could not be ignored. However influential and spoiled by favor Liu Xiaoyun had once been in the residence, she understood that circumstances had changed and that the rear palace followed its own rules. She had no choice but to endure and swallow the veiled insult. Although she carefully maintained a welcoming smile, the blue veins standing out upon the back of her pale, smooth hand exposed her anger.
“How could Elder Sister possibly compare with Younger Sister? If I possessed even one-tenth of Younger Sister’s ability to interpret the imperial will, I would not be in my present position.” Her implication was clear: despite claiming to understand His Majesty so well, the woman had still obtained only her current title and status. “Still, allow Elder Sister to offer one unnecessary reminder. We are all sisters within the palace, so naturally we hear a little household gossip here and there. How is it that Younger Sister does not even recognize a member of her own family?”
Liu Xiaoyun smiled charmingly and gracefully raised a hand to half conceal her beautiful profile. One languidly curved finger pointed toward Ning Xuan. “He is no outsider, nor is he some casually selected newcomer. On the day His Majesty ascended the throne, His Majesty personally spoke the decree and invested him with the imperial brush as a Jieyu. He was specially granted Moon-Embracing Palace as his sole residence and even received the honorific ‘Virtuous’—Virtuous Jieyu.”
Watching the woman’s expression turn instantly ugly beneath the force of her measured yet perfectly clear words, Liu Xiaoyun swept away her previous frustration and immediately felt much better. Her spirits rose, and she pressed her advantage without pause. “Let me think. Was that not also the day Younger Sister received her own investiture? How could Younger Sister possibly not know?”
The exaggerated surprise only revealed Liu Xiaoyun’s delight more clearly. Her provocation and ridicule were openly displayed before everyone. How could the woman fail to understand her implication? A sharp glare, almost tangible enough to wound, slashed viciously toward Liu Xiaoyun. She released a disdainful snort, proud and contemptuous, overflowing with warning and threat. Invisible blades immediately crossed between them.
Everyone else pretended not to see, clearly accustomed to such scenes. They continued drinking tea or closing their eyes to rest. Liu Xiaoyun did not care in the slightest—or perhaps she thoroughly enjoyed the exchange. Unfortunately, Ning Xuan, who had been dragged into the conflict entirely against his will, became collateral damage. He had prepared himself mentally before coming, but being greeted immediately by such an explosive spectacle was still rather difficult to endure.
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