The people of Lengxue Pavilion were filled with joy upon hearing the news.
Except for Ning Wan Yin.
Her situation was far from that of Song Meiren's.
Song's father was a trusted minister of the Emperor, one whose allegiance could be courted or whose betrayal would invite ruin. Yet, for Ning Wan Yin, there was no such protection.
Should she be killed, the Emperor would remain indifferent, and her family would dare not intervene.
To the two noble concubines, who hailed from illustrious backgrounds, the mere fact that a count's daughter was to sleep before them was a great dishonor, one that would bring them to treat her with even greater cruelty than Song Meiren.
Was the Emperor truly summoning her to his bedchamber? No, he was selecting her as a sacrifice.
At this life-or-death moment, Ning Wan Yin, ever cautious since her youth, wore a mask of feigned joy, gracefully rewarding the head eunuch with silver coins before proceeding to bathe and prepare in accordance with the rules, maintaining an air of dignity as if she were preparing for a feast, even though she knew death could be but hours away.
The steam rose, soft and ethereal.
Ning Wan Yin sat in the bath, her thoughts clear and focused, contemplating a means of escape.
Should she pretend that Gui Shui had arrived?
If Gui Shui had come, she should have reported it in time; failing to do so would incur punishment. Moreover, should her deception be discovered, she would be condemned for treason, a death sentence she could not escape.
This option would not do.
What if she feigned excessive joy, only to accidentally break her leg in her excitement?
While she could endure a bit of pain, what if the Emperor stayed, unwilling to leave her side? The outcome would be the same—a death sentence.
After eliminating several paths that led to certain death, Ning Wan Yin settled on three courses of action: upper, middle, and lower.
The best course? Seek the Emperor's favor.
"Lian Rui," she instructed, "Hang the 'Cold Plum' painting I brought into the palace in the most prominent place. And take out my chess set."
Lian Rui bowed and left to fetch the items.
Ning Wan Yin turned her gaze to Dan Li, "Choose your best hairstyle, and adorn it with my finest jewelry. I want to receive the Emperor in full splendor."
"Yes!" Dan Li did not dare to delay.
As the night deepened,
Wang De Gui glanced at the clock, then looked towards the Emperor, who was absorbed in reviewing the court memorials. He hesitated, yet again.
Half an hour had passed since his previous reminder.
But the Emperor had ignored him, continuing with his work.
As the hour grew late, Wang De Gui nervously kneeled, knocking his head to the floor.
"Your Majesty, it is getting late—"
Helian Qi cast him a cold glance, silencing him instantly.
His mood was foul.
In the court earlier, many memorials had been submitted, criticizing Right Overseer Song Gu for his actions. On the surface, they sounded respectable, but in truth, they were a direct consequence of Song Meiren being chosen to share the Emperor's bed, outranking the Xue and Cen families—damaging the prestige of two major noble houses.
The flaws left by his ancestors had become insurmountable in his time. He could neither endure nor remain passive. He needed change.
Helian Qi rose.
Wang De Gui immediately bowed and followed, shouting toward the door, "The Emperor is departing for Yonghe Palace!"
The moon hung low in the sky.
Helian Qi arrived at Yonghe Palace, where a group of palace servants knelt before him, with two ladies at the forefront.
He had no interest in them and walked straight inside.
Upon entering Lengxue Pavilion, Wang De Gui turned to Ning Wan Yin, reminding her, "Noble Consort, should you not go inside to attend to His Majesty?"
"Yes," Ning Wan Yin rose.
As she and her attendants entered the side hall, Tang Miaoling rose and, accompanied by her own people, retreated to the left hall. She, too, resided within the same palace, and with the Emperor's arrival, all in Yonghe Palace were required to receive him.
This was the perfect opportunity, one she had hoped to seize in her past life…
But in this life, she only desired to hide, to retreat from the Emperor.
...
Helian Qi entered Lengxue Pavilion and immediately saw eight large water jars.
Anyone who laid eyes on these would surely be drawn to them. Placed in a row beneath the eaves, these large, unsightly jars stood awkwardly, with no lotus planted inside to soften their appearance.
Helian Qi walked across the flower garden, but just as he was about to step over the threshold, he couldn't help but ask:
"Who placed these water jars here?"
What dreadful taste.
So ugly.
"They were placed by this concubine, in preparation to plant lotus flowers," Ning Wan Yin replied softly, "The seeds are still being nurtured, but they will be sent over soon. When summer comes, Your Majesty will see them in full bloom."
Upon hearing this, Helian Qi glanced at her, his expression shifting.
The woman before him wore a pale pink gown, fitted at the waist, her makeup radiant with a touch of seductive charm. Her elaborate hairstyle was adorned with red garnet jewelry, making her appear exceptionally resplendent.
Her eyes were like stars, her beauty like blooming peaches.
With just a glance, he realized she had prepared herself specifically to meet him.
Though he was used to such efforts, there was something more pleasing about someone who genuinely put thought into their appearance.
He had not taken much notice of her during the palace selection, but now, he saw her for what she truly was—a beauty.
"You like lotus flowers?" he asked casually.
Ning Wan Yin lowered her gaze. "I particularly like the lotus pods. The seeds are sweet and delicious, and the flower symbolizes abundance, fertility, and prosperity."
Helian Qi almost missed his step as he entered the hall.
He turned back to look at her, his expression strange.
Other concubines would speak of the lotus's pure nature, but here, the mention of its taste and the promise of many children—how practical.
"How... candid," he muttered.
Ning Wan Yin lowered her eyes demurely, looking meek and obedient, as though preparing for his judgment.
Helian Qi's gaze lingered on her face before continuing into the room.
Inside the grand hall, his attention was immediately drawn to a painting hanging on the wall.
The cold plum stood tall in the snow, resilient against the frost. It was unmistakably familiar.
It was a reproduction of his own "Cold Plum" painting.
Back when he was still a prince, not serving in the court, he had immersed himself in poetry, literature, and painting, becoming famous in the capital for his talent.
His own "Cold Plum" had once been included in the "Da Yan Painting Collection" published by the court, and countless imitations had followed. Yet this version—so poor in execution—was the first he had ever seen displayed so openly.
"You enjoy painting?" Helian Qi raised an eyebrow.
Ning Wan Yin answered gently, "Yes, I have tried to learn it."
"You're not very skilled," Helian Qi said bluntly.
Ning Wan Yin, unoffended, nodded in agreement. "My mother often said I have no talent for painting, but since it is something that Your Majesty enjoys, I thought I might learn a little. If you don't like it, I won't trouble myself with it anymore."
Helian Qi was momentarily taken aback.
It was expected that the concubines would try to please him, but her response was still a little surprising.
His gaze swept casually across the room, and his eyes landed on a chess set on the coffee table.
"You like chess as well?" Helian Qi raised an eyebrow.
"Do you like what I like?" He gave her a pointed look.
It was one thing to follow the Emperor's tastes, but this blatant mirroring seemed somewhat shallow.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty!" Ning Wan Yin bowed deeply, lowering her gaze, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, her voice sweet and soft, as if rehearsing words she had prepared years ago:
"I am deeply fond of you, Your Majesty. I know the palace is filled with beauties, and I am but a humble, insignificant woman. Yet, through small, trivial efforts, I dared to hope for your attention."
The room fell silent.
Wang De Gui, standing in the background, was utterly astonished. He had heard many words of affection from concubines in the palace, but none as humble, none so full of longing to be seen.
Her love was like dust, so humble it moved the heart.
But Ning Wan Yin did not hope for the Emperor's pity.
Appealing to his emotions was only the first step. To earn his favor through "pity" was merely the beginning.
"I am foolish, Your Majesty, but I have only a sincere heart. I would go to the ends of the earth for you. Whatever you like, I will do. I have been this way before, and I will continue in this way forever."
She slowly finished speaking, raising her eyes to meet his, her gaze sincere and earnest.
She was willing to be the sword in his hand, the chess piece in his grasp.
She wanted the Emperor to know that she was more valuable alive than dead.
Helian Qi's eyes, like calm waters, rippled faintly. For the first time, he truly observed the young woman before him...
To pledge allegiance to him?
Interesting.