“Your Highness, Prince Chen and County Mistress Ming have arrived.”
“Let them in.” Consort Su rose from her chaise lounge, appearing unsurprised that Prince Chen had come along.
“Your Highness, His Majesty has just issued an order forbidding you from sending gifts to Prince Chen.” Her attendant voiced her concern softly. “If the Emperor finds out, might he be displeased?”
The entire palace knew that the Emperor’s mood had been foul lately. Five princes had been stripped of their titles or beaten with canes, and two princesses had been reprimanded. None of the consorts dared to plead on their behalf—such was the gravity of the situation.
“His Majesty only forbade me from sending things to my son, not from allowing him to visit me.” Consort Su retorted confidently. “When have I ever defied an imperial decree?”
The attendant fell silent. She had forgotten just how favored Her Highness was by the Emperor. If “His Highness came of his own accord,” it was not the same as “Her Highness sending gifts.” No rule had been broken.
“Your Highness.” Jiuzhu quickened her steps upon seeing Consort Su. “It’s been so long—how have you been?”
“All is well, but I’ve missed you terribly.” Consort Su took Jiuzhu’s hand and guided her to sit. “Rest for a while. This time, you must stay in the palace for a few days—otherwise, my days will be far too dull.”
“Your Highness, what troubles you?” Jiuzhu looked at her with concern.
Consort Su sighed softly. “His Majesty has forbidden me from sending anything to Du Qing at Zhangliu Palace. Since the Emperor punished all the princes, the palace has been tense—none of the consorts visit each other anymore. It’s been so lonely here.”
Xiangjuan, who had accompanied Jiuzhu and Prince Chen, remained silent.
*The consorts don’t visit each other?*
Her Highness had never cared for their company in the first place.
*Forbidden from sending things to Zhangliu Palace?*
Truthfully, among the five princes, their own Prince Chen had received the lightest punishment. She suspected the Emperor had only docked half a year of his stipend to avoid making him stand out too much among his brothers.
And even if Her Highness didn’t send anything, Taiyang Palace would discreetly provide for him.
“Your Highness need not worry,” Jiuzhu whispered. “I brought His Highness some silver before coming to the palace.”
Consort Su glanced at Prince Chen, who turned his head to study the ceiling beams.
“Du Qing accepted it?”
“He would only take half.” Jiuzhu leaned in conspiratorially. “But don’t worry—after the New Year, I’ll send more. I’ve plenty now.”
Between her mother’s monthly allowance and her stipend as a county mistress, she was practically a little heiress.
*He actually took it?*
Consort Su stared at her son in disbelief. *How shameless—taking money from a young lady! Where is your face? Your conscience?*
“I tried to persuade him, but he insisted on only half.” Jiuzhu sighed. “Your Highness, perhaps you could convince him?”
“A grown man like him has no business lacking money in the palace,” Consort Su huffed. “If it were up to me, you shouldn’t give him a single coin.”
“His Highness has never known hardship—how could he endure such deprivation?” Jiuzhu disagreed. To lose what one had always taken for granted—how painful that must be.
“Don’t worry. With me here, he won’t truly suffer.” The more Consort Su looked at Jiuzhu, the more she adored her. “Besides, we ladies must never lack for silver either. You care for him, so you give him money. He cares for you, so he takes only half. That’s just right.”
Prince Chen coughed lightly, fingers brushing the bulging pouch at his waist. He wasn’t *spoiling* Ming Jiuzhu—he just couldn’t bear seeing her unhappy.
Outside the Moonlit Palace, the Imperial Guards’ commander paced before finally turning to Liu Zhongbao. “Eunuch Liu, did His Majesty truly say we must ask Consort Su *respectfully*—and if she refuses to answer, we cannot press her?”
“Indeed, Commander Wang.” Liu Zhongbao smiled. “Worry not. This old servant will accompany you to see Her Highness.”
“Very well.” Commander Wang sighed. The Emperor’s favor toward Consort Su was boundless—even embroiled in such a serious case, he refused to cause her distress.
If anyone dared call Consort Su a *seductress* again, he’d be the first to object.
Had she truly been a wicked consort, given the Emperor’s devotion, the empire might well have fallen under the Su name by now—and the other princes wouldn’t have lived to adulthood.
History told of an emperor so besotted with a concubine that, though she bore him no heir, he spurned all others. His sole surviving child had been secretly raised by eunuchs and maids.
If there were rankings for *seductresses*, Consort Su would place dead last—not for lack of favor, but for her kindness.
“Eunuch Liu and the Imperial Guards’ commander seek an audience?” Consort Su was puzzled. What business had Commander Wang with her?
“Admit them.”
“This humble general pays respects to Her Highness Consort Su, His Highness Prince Chen, and County Mistress Ming.” Commander Wang bowed deeply.
“Commander Wang, Eunuch Liu, please be seated.” Consort Su gestured for tea and refreshments, then cut to the chase. “What brings you here?”
Commander Wang hesitated, glancing at Jiuzhu, who made to rise and excuse herself.
“We are all family here.” Consort Su reclined against her cushions. “Speak plainly.”
Jiuzhu’s half-lifted bottom settled back down.
Prince Chen stood, moved to sit beside Jiuzhu, and reached for the fruit on her plate. She beamed and pushed the entire platter toward him.
After picking through them, he selected the largest fruit, peeled it, split it in two, and held half to Jiuzhu’s lips.
Liu Zhongbao watched fondly, making no effort to hide his affection for the prince.
“Then this general shall be bold.” Commander Wang rose and clasped his hands. “Your Highness, in the fifth year of Longfeng, when you accompanied His Majesty to Lingzhou, had you planned to dine at a tavern in the city?”
Jiuzhu, startled, accidentally bit Prince Chen’s finger.
Prince Chen’s eyes widened. *Was she a piglet or a puppy?*
Flustered, she pulled out a handkerchief and began dabbing at his fingers. “Your Highness, forgive me—I didn’t mean to.”
“You’re living up to your zodiac sign admirably.” He shoved two more fruits at her. “Now peel these for me.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Consort Su shot the whispering pair a glance before addressing Commander Wang. “Why do you ask?”
“This general recently uncovered an assassination plot from that year—targeting you and His Highness. The attempt failed because you turned back to the imperial barge midway.” He studied her expression. “Might Your Highness recall what made you change plans?”
Jiuzhu, who had been peeling fruit, froze.
*Someone tried to kill Her Highness and the Prince?!*
"Someone actually dares to plot against this consort and my son?" Consort Su's focus was clearly on the first half of the statement, her languid demeanor shifting sharply: "Have you uncovered which family the assassin belongs to?"
Commander Wang: "..."
Wait, wasn't he the one here to ask *her* questions?
"What, unwilling to speak?" Consort Su stood up: "If you refuse to tell me, I’ll go ask His Majesty myself. I’d like to see just who has the audacity to scheme so brazenly."
"Please calm your anger, Your Grace!" Seeing that the consort truly intended to storm off to Taiyang Palace, Commander Wang hurriedly spoke: "This humble general does not dare conceal the mastermind—it is merely that the investigation is not yet complete, and I cannot speak recklessly."
"Then tell me who the current suspect is." Consort Su sat back down, as if the fury moments ago had never existed: "I believe His Majesty would tell me the same if I asked him today. Isn’t that right, Eunuch Liu?"
Eunuch Liu bowed: "Your Grace, His Majesty will surely tell you anything you wish to know. Even if he does not know himself, he will uncover the truth for you."
Hearing this, Commander Wang immediately replied: "Your Grace, the current suspect is the Zheng clan, the maternal family of Consort Ning."
"The Zhengs?" Prince Chen let out a cold laugh: "No wonder I’ve always found them detestable—turns out they were the ones at fault from the start."
Commander Wang: "..."
That wasn’t exactly fair. In the entire capital, there weren’t many people His Highness *didn’t* find detestable.
"Summon Consort Ning to see me at once." Consort Su waved Commander Wang away: "You may leave. I shall go see His Majesty now."
"Your Grace, weren’t you going to meet with Consort Ning?" Xiangjuan subtly reminded Consort Su with her eyes—County Mistress Ming was still present. Wouldn’t disciplining Consort Ning in front of the young lady make her appear too ruthless?
"Du Qing, take Jiuzhu for a stroll around your courtyard in Zhangliu Palace." Consort Su smiled gently: "I have some matters to discuss with His Majesty."
When it came to dealing with enemies, she never cared how others perceived her.
But Jiuzhu was different—she was the one who would accompany her son for the rest of his life.
Prince Chen glanced at Jiuzhu, who had been struggling to peel a fruit for what felt like ages: "Very well."
He led Jiuzhu out of Mingyue Palace: "Don’t worry. In the palace, neither my mother nor I are easily trifled with."
"But..."
"When all the adult princes and princesses are confined within the palace, that’s when it’s safest." Prince Chen tapped her forehead lightly: "Relax. And don’t be afraid—I’m here."
During their first few days in the palace, the brothers had gathered for hotpot together—not just to spite Yun Yanze, but also because they didn’t trust one another.
If no one could predict which meal they’d share or which pot of tea they’d drink together, then none dared tamper with the food or drink.
"Mm." Jiuzhu nodded softly, her eyes brimming with trust for Prince Chen: "I know. Your Highness has always been the most remarkable."
Prince Chen smirked: "Naturally."
Sun Caiyao stepped out into the courtyard and found the servants of Zhangliu Palace sweeping, polishing pillars, and even plucking weeds from the rockery. Some had even cut branches of blooming red plum blossoms and tied them to bare tree branches.
"What are they doing?" Sun Caiyao asked her attendant.
"Replying to the Commandery Princess, the servants are decorating the outer courtyard and Prince Chen’s residence." The attendant’s gaze lingered on the exquisite mermaid-silk lanterns being hung from the branches.
"But the New Year’s Eve is still eight days away. Are they preparing so early?"
"Commandery Princess, it’s not for the New Year." The attendant lowered her voice: "This servant heard it’s because County Mistress Ming is visiting. Prince Chen personally ordered the decorations."
All this fanfare… just because Ming Jiuzhu was coming?
Since when did the palace servants obey Prince Chen’s commands so readily?
Was Yun Duqing simply that bold, or did the entire inner court know he was the emperor’s most favored son?
"Your Highness." Jiuzhu stepped through the gates of Zhangliu Palace and saw the lanterns fluttering in the wind. "What are those? They’re so beautiful!"
"Mermaid-silk lanterns." Prince Chen explained. "When lit at night, they shimmer like the scales of mermaids—hence the name. Some say the fabric is woven by mermaids themselves."
"Do mermaids truly exist?" Jiuzhu asked curiously.
"No." Prince Chen flicked her forehead lightly. "Don’t daydream."
