Golden tiles and vermilion walls, jade steps piled high, dragon-patterned carved pillars, phoenixes dancing on the eaves.
Imperial Palace, Cining Palace.
Inside the hall, a cloisonné enal incense burner decorated with floral and avian patterns emitted a wisp of agarwood smoke, curling upward in thin threads.
Palace maids stepped lightly, bringing in tea like clouds.
The Empress Dowager, resplendent and noble, reclined gracefully, perhaps not having slept well the previous night, as she did not appear to be in good spirits.
"What brings you here?"
She motioned for the palace maid behind her to co and massage her head.
"You usually stay in your hall without stepping out."
Opposite her sat a woman in palace attire, simply dressed, her hair styled high, cold as frost.
"I dread last night that you died. I was worried and ca to check on you."
Empress Dowager: ?!?
She looked over sharply.
"How presumptuous!"
The palace maids and matrons were accustod to this and continued their tasks.
That palace-attired woman remained unfazed, eting the Empress Dowager’s gaze.
"Truly, Aunt Qu."
She sighed softly.
"There are only a few I care for; you must take care, nothing must happen to you again."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager felt a sharp pain as if roots pierced her heart.
"Ah Jin."
She looked at the woman before her, trapped in the deep palace at the best age, a life ruined. The harem was a place that devoured souls, and even the naturally proud nature was worn down.
Besides the Shen Family’s eldest daughter, who often ca to visit, how many in the world still thought of her?
Minister of the Imperial Household, Mr. Shen?
But it was Mr. Shen who didn’t dare oppose and sent his sister to the late Emperor for his career.
Shen Jin, and Jia Shan of similar age, often maintained her upon entering the palace, calling her aunt was not unfitting.
Yet in this way, she was the Empress Dowager, and Shen Jin an Imperial Concubine, of the sa rank.
The Empress Dowager fiddled with the Buddha Beads in her hand, "I am well, you can be at ease."
Seeing her complexion rosy, Shen Jin nodded, stood up.
"That’s good, I will leave now."
Empress Dowager: ???
"Sit down!"
"Now that you’re here, why the rush to return to that cold, empty palace of yours?"
"Take so ti to get out and about, and show your face when there are banquets in the palace."
Shen Jin listened respectfully and quietly, remaining unresponsive.
At this mont, a matronly woman entered from outside, well-dressed.
"Madam."
She bowed to the Empress Dowager.
Seeing Shen Jin there, she smiled widely and bowed again.
"Sothing has happened outside."
How cheerful she was for sothing to have happened; it must be sothing good.
Before the Empress Dowager could even gather herself to inquire, the matronly woman relayed the news she heard.
"Today, the Second Prince and the Fifth Prince went to the Minister’s Mansion."
At the ntion of the Minister, the Empress Dowager’s expression turned sour.
Yes, she now equally disliked everyone in the Yang Family.
The matronly woman continued, "By chance, Mrs. Yang had invited a Daoist to their ho, who was wandering around with a compass."
"For reasons unknown, the compass suddenly spun around crazily."
Mrs. Yang thought their ho indeed had so unclean thing.
Without needing guidance, Bao Pu, who had morized the layout of the Yang Mansion, walked along as the manipulated compass directed him, while Mrs. Yang nervously followed behind.
"Until they neared Mr. Yang’s study."
"Coincidentally, Mr. Yang approached with the two princes and they t."
The matronly woman shared incredulously, "The compass stopped spinning, pointing to the Fifth Prince, and the incense Mrs. Yang held suddenly lit."
Indeed, the incense had also been tampered with.
As they approached, Bao Pu scattered so powder into the air.
The princes, being nobility, could not be offended. Even though Mrs. Yang was confused and suspicious, after making her respects, she left hurriedly with the Daoist.
She fully trusted Bao Pu’s skills now.
Because the last ti she consulted Bao Pu, he had predicted her fate.
Bao Pu calculated accurately that she once had a miscarriage.
Naturally, this was sothing that could be investigated.
But she had gone there on a whim, without prior notice, how could Bao Pu recognize her?
That miscarriage had been intentional, a sche against her sister-in-law known to no one else but herself!
Yet Bao Pu had divined it.
Said she had ordered soone to be buried alive, too burdened with sin.
Yes, she had once buried alive her husband’s favorite concubine.
Bao Pu brought up a few matters she had nearly forgotten.
Said she was not a good person.
Would do anything to achieve her goals.
Said enough to silence her, she gave another sum of money.
After the group had walked a distance, Mrs. Yang, having not disclosed the prince’s identity, asked Bao Pu what exactly had happened, and why his expression had changed after seeing the nobleman.
The matronly woman explained, "The Daoist is new to Shangjing, where would he have seen important figures? He looked grave and didn’t want to perform the ritual anymore, wishing to leave as if he’d t a venomous beast."
"Seeing this, Mrs. Yang wouldn’t let him go without clarity. She insisted and blocked the door, threatening."
After much entanglent, the Daoist had no choice but to speak..."
The Empress Dowager sensed sothing amiss, no longer letting the palace maid massage her head, she sat up straighter.
"Speak quickly!"
The matronly woman said, "Said on the nobleman’s body, he saw the rising Dragon Energy."
With these words, the Empress Dowager rose abruptly.
Not just her, even Shen Jin raised her gaze to look.
The Dragon Energy was the emperor’s aura!
How could Ying Yin have it on him?
What does it an for it to be rising?
If one goes up, wouldn’t the other have to co down?
The matronly woman continued, "If the Yang Family keeps this secret, it passes. But coincidentally, the Second Prince with his shrewd mind sensed sothing amiss, went over, and overheard it."
What kind of person is Ying Zhi?
Could he accept this willingly?
The matronly woman added, "This matter has reached the Holy Emperor now."
Minister Yang was Emperor Ying’s man. A Daoist invited to his mansion speaking these words, what intentions lay behind it?
Ying Zhi wasn’t foolish; he wouldn’t see this as an arrangent by Emperor Ying just to fuel brotherly rivalry. After all, Emperor Ying wouldn’t curse himself.
Whether the so-called Dragon Energy exists or not, Ying Zhi believed Minister Yang intended to curry favor with the Fifth Prince!
If Ying Yin wasn’t pleased, it would be false. After all, no one was more suited to the throne than he.
But his heart raced, feeling targeted by Emperor Ying.
Minister Yang trembled in fear, unable to clear his na.
How could Emperor Ying refrain from anger?
He suspected Ying Yin, doubted Ying Zhi’s agitation was intentional, and questioned Minister Yang’s loyalty.
Still speculating about the Daoist’s ties to certain forces.
Rising upwards? Could soone wish him harm?
Everyone harbored hidden motives.
The matronly woman pursed her lips, "Currently, Yangxin Hall is quite lively."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager sneered.
Just as she was about to say sothing,
a palace maid entered hastily from outside, paid respects.
That maid was one of Shen Jin’s servants.
"Madam."
"Our lady has co to see you again."
Only then did a ripple appear in Shen Jin’s eyes.
Previously, she hadn’t reacted to what the matronly woman ntioned.
After all, whoever beca emperor or whether anyone died didn’t concern her.
At most, it would only an another generational gap.
She was about to rise.
"By the way, Miss Shen has brought along the Young Madam from Duke Shun Mansion, saying they wanted to pay you a visit together."
A greater ripple appeared in Shen Jin’s eyes.
But the Empress Dowager opposite couldn’t sit still first.
Even her headache vanished.
"Shen Jin! Why is Yao Yao eting you upon entering the palace instead of !"
Good, she’s not even calling her Ah Jin anymore.
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