One by one, they filed out, their murmured conversations fading into the corridors. The Empress, now alone in her chamber, remained seated for a moment, her serene mask faltering as her gaze drifted toward the faint sunlight breaking through the frost-covered windows.
In the dimly lit Golden Jade Courtyard of Cun Shan Palace, Imperial Noble Consort Xi sat by a brazier, staring absentmindedly at the glowing embers. The room was warm, but her heart was heavy with worry. Outside, the faint drip of melting snow broke the silence, a rhythmic reminder of time slipping away.
A figure slipped through the doorway, bowing low before her. It was Imperial Concubine Yu.
Imperial Concubine Yu: "This Servant greets Your Highness. I bring news from the Empress's morning gathering."
Imperial Noble Consort Xi's maid, a young woman who had always served her with utmost loyalty, stood quietly by her side, waiting for orders. She turned to face Imperial Concubine Yu, her brow furrowed with concern.
Imperial Noble Consort Xi, still lost in thought, waved her hand to dismiss formalities.
Imperial Noble Consort Xi: "Speak quickly. This Palace is worried about Noble Lady Hai. I can't help but think of her locked up alone for days. Is she well?"
Imperial Concubine Yu's expression shifted, her lips curling into a slight frown. She did not share Imperial Noble Consort Xi's concern for Noble Lady Hai and, in fact, was uncomfortable with Imperial Noble Consort Xi's fixation on the matter.
Imperial Concubine Yu glanced around the room, ensuring no one was eavesdropping, before lowering her voice.
Imperial Concubine Yu: "It seems the situation is getting more complicated, Your Highness. The other concubines are growing restless. They demand that Noble Lady Hai be punished. The Empress has yet to act decisively, but the Emperor is still investigating. None of them are satisfied with the delay."
Imperial Concubine Yu recounted the morning's events—how the concubines gossiped about Noble Lady Hai, demanding punishment for her supposed crime, and how the Empress carefully deflected questions about the ongoing investigation.
Imperial Noble Consort Xi's expression darkened at the mention of the Empress. She looked out the window, her gaze distant, lost in thought.
Imperial Noble Consort Xi: "It's been ten days, and still no progress. Noble Lady Hai remains locked up, bearing the weight of this false accusation. How is she faring? Do you know?"
Imperial Concubine Yu, noticing the concern in Imperial Noble Consort Xi's voice, frowned. She watched Imperial Noble Consort Xi carefully, her eyes narrowing as she noticed the deep worry etched into her expression. She felt a pang of irritation, although she quickly masked it.
Imperial Concubine Yu: "Why does Your Highness care so deeply for her? She is but a low-ranking concubine with a few months in the palace and has no power or influence. She is not worth this much of your attention. What is it about her that makes you this concerned? "
The question hung in the air, and for a moment, Imperial Noble Consort Xi seemed lost in her thoughts. Her gaze softened, her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came. She stayed silent for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Imperial Concubine Yu's voice pierced the silence, breaking Xi from her reverie.
Imperial Concubine Yu: "Your Highness?"
Imperial Noble Consort Xi snapped out of her reverie, but her expression was unreadable. She opened her mouth to speak but faltered, unable to find the words.
Before she could respond Xiuxia stepped forward.
Xiuxia: "It is because Noble Lady Hai was framed in Her Highness's place."
Imperial Concubine Yu, stunned, took a step back.
Imperial Concubine Yu: "What do you mean Jiang was framed in Her Highness's stead? What does that mean? The poison was found in her courtyard! The evidence is right in front of everyone's eyes. You must be mistaken."
Xiuxia hesitated, glancing at Imperial Noble Consort Xi, who nodded slightly.
Xiuxia: "Noble Lady Hai is innocent. She was framed. When the First Prince was poisoned, Noble Lady Hai felt something was wrong. She suspected the Empress of framing Her Highness for the poisoning of the First Prince. So, she ordered one of her maids to come to us, asking us to search carefully through Golden Jade Courtyard for any signs of poison."
Imperial Concubine Yu's expression shifted to confusion.
Imperial Concubine Yu: "What are you talking about? What does the Empress have to do with it?"
Xiuxia: "The Empress can't stand Her Highness and holds a grudge against Her Highness and the Empress Dowager. So, she planned this drama to frame Her Highness."
Imperial Concubine Yu's face darkened with confusion and disbelief. She was too stunned to speak.
Xiuxia: "Noble Lady Hai's maid was frightened, but she followed the order. After searching carefully, we found the poison hidden in one of the cabinets."
Imperial Concubine Yu's face paled in disbelief. She had no idea that such an event had occurred.
Imperial Concubine Yu: "And what did you do with it?"
Xiuxia: "This Servant was frightened and thought of hiding it somewhere, but was afraid of getting caught. This Servant thought that no matter where it was hidden, it could still be discovered and linked back to us. Then, I thought about throwing the poison away but couldn't throw it away, not without drawing attention to myself, so this Servant placed it in Noble Lady Hai's courtyard, thinking it would be less suspicious."
Imperial Concubine Yu: "Why did you do that? Why didn't you destroy the poison immediately?"
Xiuxia trembled slightly but spoke firmly. "This Servant was afraid of getting caught and implicating Her Highness. Thinking that the evidence might be traced back to Her Highness, this Servant had no choice but to hide it in Willow Courtyard."
Imperial Concubine Yu was furious now, her voice sharp.
Imperial Concubine Yu: "You should have been more careful! What were you thinking, placing it in Willow courtyard? That was the worst decision you could have made! This is disastrous!"
Imperial Noble Consort Xi raised her hand sharply, silencing Yu.
Imperial Noble Consort Xi: "That's enough." Her voice was cold, cutting through the room like the winter wind. Her eyes burned with an intense fury that Imperial Concubine Yu had rarely seen in her. She waved her hand dismissively, cutting off Imperial Concubine Yu's rant.
Imperial Noble Consort Xi: "Noble Lady Hai took this risk to protect this Palace. This Palace won't let her sacrifice be in vain. Leave. Think of a way to get her released, and don't return until you have something useful to report. This Palace has no use for idle words."
Imperial Concubine Yu, realizing she had overstepped, lowered her head, bowing deeply, her frustration evident.
Imperial Concubine Yu: "This Servant apologizes for her incompetence. This Servant will not fail you again and will think of something, and I'll make sure Jiang is freed."
She turned to leave, her movements sharp and quick. As she left the courtyard, she cast a glance back at Imperial Noble Consort Xi, who had already turned her gaze away.
After Imperial Concubine Yu left, Imperial Noble Consort Xi sank back into her chair, her mind racing. She looked at Xiuxia, who was still standing by silently.
Imperial Noble Consort Xi: "Xiuxia, why didn't you tell Imperial Concubine Yu the whole truth?"
Xiuxia hesitated before responding softly, "Your Servant doesn't trust Imperial Concubine Yu completely, Your Highness. She's useful, but not enough to entrust everything to her."
Imperial Noble Consort Xi sighed deeply, her heart heavy with regret. She glanced down at her hands, which were clenched tightly together.
Imperial Noble Consort Xi: "Life in the palace is never easy, and it seems the price of trust is always too high. If this Palace could, I would take Jiang's place. She deserves better than this. This Palace has to save her."
The scene shifted to ten days ago, where Jiang Yunyao's maid, Jiang Yu Heng was hurrying to Xiuxia in secret.
Jiang Yu Heng, her face tense with urgency, explained everything she had learned from Jiang.
Jiang Yu Heng: "My Lady, Noble Lady Hai fears the Empress is trying to frame Imperial Noble Consort Xi for the poisoning of the First Prince. She has ordered this Servant to tell you to search your courtyard thoroughly, to see if there is any trace of poison that might have been planted there."
Xiuxia had been initially shocked by this, but she quickly composed herself, nodding in understanding.
Xiuxia: "I will investigate immediately."
Both girls moved swiftly, unnoticed by others in the palace, but once they arrived at Cun Shan Palace, the air grew thick with anxiety. Xiuxia began to search each corner of the space with meticulous care, hoping to find nothing. But her breath caught when she opened one of the cabinets.
Hidden among the various items was the poison—the same poison used to harm the First Prince.
Xiuxia: "This... this is it! The poison."
She was frozen for a moment, then ordered her servants to dispose of it immediately. But Jiang Yu Heng stepped forward, holding her arm.
Jiang Yu Heng: "You can't throw it away. If you throw it away, it will only be discovered. They'll find it, and they'll know."
Xiuxia was terrified.
Jiang Yu Heng: "You must place it somewhere else, somewhere they will not think to look."
Xiuxia was stunned, unsure of what to do.
Jiang Yu Heng: "We have no other choice. The only way to avoid suspicion is to place the poison somewhere else— Willow courtyard."
Xiuxia: "You are mad! If anyone finds out, we will be implicated!"
Jiang Yu Heng: "Quick, hide the poison in Willow courtyard. It is Noble Lady Hai's order. There is no time to waste. You must do this, or Imperial Noble Consort Xi will bear the consequences."
Xiuxia reluctantly agreed. She knew there was no other choice. Carefully, she hid the poison in Jiang Yunyao's Courtyard, knowing that it could be traced back to her. Afterward, the two maids fled from Cun Shan Palace, and moments later, the Emperor's eunuchs arrived, ready to conduct their search.
The eunuchs came and searched Imperial Noble Consort Xi's courtyard first. They found nothing.
They moved on to Jiang Yunyao's Willow Courtyard, and to no one's surprise, they found the poison there. The discovery led to Jiang Yunyao being placed under house arrest.
The memory of that night still lingered vividly in Imperial Noble Consort Xi's mind. Xiuxia had confessed everything upon her return, trembling as she recounted how she and Jiang Yu Heng had moved the poison to Willow courtyard.
Enraged, Imperial Noble Consort Xi had slapped the maid.
Imperial Noble Consort Xi: "You dare to harm Noble Lady Hai for my sake? This Palace would rather die than let her suffer because of me!"
Tears streaming down her face, Xiuxia had knelt before her and spoke with a trembling voice, "It was Noble Lady Hai's order. She said it was the only way to protect you. Your Servant… your Servant didn't know what else to do."
Imperial Noble Consort Xi had kicked the maid away, her voice trembling with fury, "You fool! What were you thinking? You've endangered Noble Lady Hai's life!"
Her voice cracked with emotion as she kicked Xiuxia in frustration. Imperial Noble Consort Xi felt her heart burn with rage and helplessness.
Imperial Noble Consort Xi: "This Palace would rather die than bring harm to Jiang Yunyao. This Palace will do anything to get her out of this. The Empress has crossed a line. She can start counting her days. If Jiang Yunyao is harmed because of this, she will pay dearly. She thinks this Palace weak, but she has touched my bottom line. Mark my words, she will regret it."
Xiuxia trembled, terrified by the fury in Imperial Noble Consort Xi's eyes.
As the memory faded, Imperial Noble Consort Xi sat in silence, her expression hardening. She had promised herself she would do whatever it took to free Jiang Yunyao. Her anger toward the Empress intensified.
Imperial Noble Consort Xi: "The Empress has touched my bottom line. She will regret this. This Palace will make sure of it."
Xiuxia who was watching from the side knew that Imperial Noble Consort Xi would stop at nothing to clear Noble Lady Hai's name.
The fierce anger that burned in Imperial Noble Consort Xi's heart for the injustice done to Jiang Yunyao could not be contained.
Xiuxia: "My lady, perhaps… we should act soon."
Imperial Noble Consort Xi stopped and turned sharply, a glint of determination in her eyes.
Imperial Noble Consort Xi: "We will. This palace will tremble before me if necessary. The Empress has crossed the line, and she will soon learn what it means to touch my bottom line."
Xiuxia stood on the side, her face etched with worry. But she said nothing, for she knew that once Imperial Noble Consort Xi set her mind on something, there was no turning back.
Imperial Noble Consort Xi could not shake the feeling of helplessness. She wondered how Jiang Yunyao was holding up—whether she was still calm, or whether the pressure had started to break her.
Imperial Noble Consort Xi: "Yunyao, are you well? You risked everything to protect me, and yet I can do nothing but wait. But not for long. The Empress has underestimated me."
[Italic words are POV and are spoken in mind.]
She clenched her fists, her determination blazing in her eyes.
In the neglected Willow Courtyard, where Jiang Yunyao had been locked away for ten days, she sat with calm precision by her table with no signs of grief, anger or regret. Her brushes and paints were scattered across the table as she carefully added the final touches to her painting—a cluster of peonies, a flower that had once been vibrant but now lay destroyed, their delicate petals crushed and torn. Her brush strokes were steady, deliberate, yet there was a cold smile playing at her lips as she set the brush down and muttered to herself.
Jiang Yunyao: "Enough of this charade. Ten days have passed. If Imperial Noble Consort Xi cannot act, then I must take matters into my own hands."
She picked up a bracelet lying on the table, its delicate beads catching the light. The cold metal glinted in the dim light, an ironic contrast to the warmth in her smile.
She wore the bracelet on her hand, her fingers playing with it as her mind raced with plans. Turning it over in her fingers, her smile grew sharper. She was no longer willing to wait for someone else to act—Jiang Yunyao would be the one to free herself.
Jiang Yunyao: "The Empress thinks she has me cornered, but she underestimates me. Let's see who can outsmart whom."
A cold, calculating smile spread across Jiang Yunyao's face as her fingers brushed the beautiful bracelet on her wrist, its jade glinting in the dim light.
Jiang Yunyao: "Let the games truly begin." Her eyes gleamed with icy determination as she prepared to take her next move.