At the next morning's assembly, Wen Yao was the first to arrive, and Jiang Shuyi, the st.

  Jin Pin let out a cold snort. “People really are different. Some, once favored, strut around funting themselves and defy the Empress, while others—like Wen Guiren—still understand propriety and respect the rules.”

  Everyone knew who that “some people” referred to.

  Wen Yao cast a gnce at Jiang Shuyi. Noticing the faint shadows under her eyes and her exhausted expression—as if she hadn’t slept well—she casually withdrew her gaze.

  “Wen Guiren has only been favored once. That hardly counts as being doted on,” Rou Pin said with a sneer. “Oh my, I forgot—perhaps in Jin Pin’s eyes, that already counts as imperial favor.”

  Jin Pin's face flushed with anger. She was on the verge of calling Rou Pin Jiang Fei's pdog when Lin Changzai timidly interrupted, "Please, Your Highnesses, let’s not argue again... or we’ll all end up getting scolded by Her Majesty."

  The Empress’s fury from yesterday was still fresh in everyone’s mind.

  Jin Pin instinctively gnced at Wu Guifei, who had been spped the day before and now sat sullenly. In the end, she bit back her words.

  What no one expected was for the Emperor himself to attend the morning court today.

  The imperial couple entered the hall and sat at the head. After all the consorts had paid their respects, Pei Yan looked down at them and said in a measured tone, “In half a month, it will be Mother Empress’s birthday. She has not been feeling well tely and often appears downcast. It worries me greatly and keeps me awake at night. I hope you will all follow the example of Cai Yi entertaining her parent—prepare your offerings with sincerity. No matter who succeeds in bringing joy to the Empress Dowager, a great reward awaits.”

  (Transtor Xiaobai: Cai Yi entertaining her parent refers to the tale of Lao Laizi, a man in his seventies who dressed in colorful clothes and acted like a child to amuse his elderly parents and make them smile. It symbolizes joyful filial piety—doing whatever it takes to cheer up one’s elders.)

  At that, the concubines all straightened up with renewed energy.

  The Emperor was known for his deep filial piety—this was a prime chance to win his favor.

  Jiang Shuyi gnced at them, thinking they were a bunch of fools.

  Win over the Empress Dowager? With Wen Yao around, even if they offered her a field of blooming flowers, it would be useless.

  It had been the same in her previous life. The concubines had all pulled out their best tricks and spent countless nights preparing eborate birthday gifts. Jiang Shuyi herself stayed up several nights to embroider a grand “Ten Thousand Longevity” scroll. But from beginning to end, the Empress Dowager’s face remained stone-cold—until Wen Yao took the stage. She hadn’t even spoken yet before the Empress Dowager broke into a smile.

  Hmph. Thinking about it now, she had been a fool too.

  Pei Yan had official duties to attend to. After giving his instructions, he was about to leave.

  The Empress led the consorts to kneel in farewell. “We respectfully send off His Majesty!”

  As Pei Yan descended the jade steps, he suddenly paused beside Wen Yao.

  Wen Yao kept her head lowered. The moment she saw the dragon-embroidered boots stop before her, her breath caught.

  “Wen Guiren.”

  His familiar warm voice came from above, ced with a teasing smile. “Did you catch a chill st night?”

  The other consorts all widened their eyes. If they hadn’t been restricted by etiquette, they would’ve turned their heads in unison.

  Wen Yao’s cheeks flushed red. She knew the Emperor was referring to how she had slept on the low couch outside st night with thin bedding. Yet in front of everyone, she suddenly found it hard to expin.

  She could only reply softly, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. This concubine… is fine…”

  Pei Yan chuckled. “Still, let the imperial physician take a look. That will ease my mind.”

  Wen Yao, cheeks still pink, nodded.

  Pei Yan was about to leave when his gaze happened to sweep over Jiang Shuyi.

  She too was kneeling, head bowed, a pale, jade-like neck exposed. Because she was seated farther back, she seemed like a lonely flower wilting in the shadows.

  Pei Yan was suddenly reminded of his childhood—how, after study sessions at the academy, his mother would always be waiting outside the hall. When his Third Brother emerged, she would rush up, smiling, and pull him into a hug, rubbing his head and saying, “Tired, aren’t you? I brought your favorite chestnut cakes. Tell Mother what you want for breakfast tomorrow, and I’ll prepare it for you.”

  Pei Yan would simply stand by quietly, watching as his brother nestled in their mother’s arms. She’d ugh, pinch his cheeks, and then the two would head home hand in hand.

  He would follow behind, holding his book box. Occasionally, Third Brother would gnce back at him with a smug look, and he’d respond with an obedient smile.

  He wondered—did Jiang Shuyi feel now what he had felt back then?

  Pei Yan didn’t know why, but the thought brought a strange kind of joy.

  But in the end, he could never help but soften.

  Finally, he spoke gently, “Jiang Fei, come with me.”

  The bashful smile on Wen Yao’s face faltered slightly.

  Jiang Shuyi had already heard the exchange between Pei Yan and Wen Yao. Her chest was tight with sorrow. When he suddenly called her name, she looked up in surprise and saw his back already turning as he walked out.

  Across the hall, Wen Yao was staring at her directly—for once, those usually indifferent eyes carried a flicker of hostility.

  Jiang Shuyi was puzzled. Why had Pei Yan summoned her? Didn’t he have a new favorite already? Oh… was this to warn her again not to bully Wen Yao?

  The thought made her want to cry.

  She forced down the lump in her throat and shot Wen Yao a hard gre before hurrying to catch up with Pei Yan.

  Outside Kunning Pace, Pei Yan had already settled into his panquin, which the eunuchs were just lifting.

  Jiang Shuyi rushed over but, remembering yesterday’s scolding, halted a few steps short and knelt to salute. “Your Majesty.”

  Pei Yan was slightly surprised by her discipline. Then, noticing her reddened eyes, he understood immediately.

  “You’re upset?”

  He asked gently.

  Jiang Shuyi thought he was asking the obvious. What favored consort wouldn’t be upset seeing a new favorite appear?

  Then she remembered—in her past life, she really hadn’t been upset.

  Probably because she was too busy. All her energy had gone into raising their son and preparing the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet. Jiang Wanqing was always crying about being bullied, and she was constantly dealing with crises. There had been no time for jealousy.

  By the time she started paying attention to the harem, pushed by Jiang Wanqing’s schemes, Wen Yao had already committed suicide due to her father's implication in a scandal.

  Pei Yan saw her lowering her head in silence and sighed. He knocked gently on the armrest. “Jiang Fei, come here.”

  Snapped out of her thoughts, Jiang Shuyi instinctively obeyed and stepped up beside the panquin.

  He reached out and rubbed her head—not too hard, not too light. “I remember you liked milk cakes. I’ll have Cheng Shouzhong tell the imperial kitchen to send some to you ter.”

  Jiang Shuyi looked up, confused.

  She wasn’t exactly the obedient or reserved type. If she wanted to eat something, she would’ve ordered someone to fetch it.

  Why mention it out of the blue?

  Could it be… he was trying to comfort her?

  Her shes trembled, and a complex surge of emotion rose in her chest, making her eyes sting.

  It wasn’t that she didn’t understand. As emperor, it was perfectly normal for him to shower affection throughout the harem. Pei Yan already treated her more favorably than most.

  What hurt was that she had loved the emperor for ten more years than he had loved her.

  The affection she expressed now seemed like overstepping boundaries in his eyes.

  Pei Yan saw her eyes glisten with unshed tears, shimmering like autumn water under the morning sun.

  She looked so heartbreakingly aggrieved.

  Only when she came close did he notice the faint shadows under her eyes—proof of a restless night spent in silent tears.

  Pei Yan stared at her for a long moment.

  Then he thought, perhaps this isn’t so bad.

  Let Jiang Shuyi cling to him wholeheartedly—weep for him, feel wronged because of him, light up for him.

  Let her be a tender vine that could not grow without his support.

  It was… rather entertaining.