Coroner's Diary

When Zhao Shuhua emerged from Chongzheng Hall, her face was somewhat pale.

Pausing to glance at the sky above, her eyes held no trace of fear. A cold smile lingered at the corners of her lips as she recalled Yan Huai's expression moments earlier—both expected and infuriating. She took a deep breath, suppressing all her resentment.

Just then, Feng Lingsu approached with her attendants from a distance.

Feng Lingsu wore a sky-blue palace dress adorned with vibrant begonia patterns that seemed almost alive. Though it was late autumn, she radiated the brightness of spring, appearing vivid and delicate—a woman whose beauty remained undiminished, bathed in imperial favor.

As Zhao Shuhua watched Feng Lingsu draw near, her eyes held neither jealousy nor hatred.

Only pity—pity that such a fool as Feng Lingsu could exist in this world.

"Your humble servant pays respects to the Empress—"

Before Zhao Shuhua could speak, Feng Lingsu straightened up with a beaming smile. "Has Her Majesty come to see His Majesty? How strange—the Empress never usually visits Chongzheng Hall. What wind has blown you here today?"

Feng Lingsu had come to revel in the spectacle. Zhao Shuhua governed the Inner Palace and served as mother to the realm, yet she never brought specially prepared soups to Yan Huai like other consorts did to curry imperial affection. As Empress, she held the prestige and authority of Kunning Palace with unshakable legitimacy, while such acts of flattery and pleasing were reserved for lower-ranking consorts like herself.

Feng Lingsu took pride in Yan Huai's favor yet burned with envy toward Zhao Shuhua.

She knew she could never occupy the Empress's position, and Yan Huai's favor was all she could cling to—yet she never knew how long it would last. Though it was said that capturing the Emperor's heart was paramount in the deep palace, no matter how well Yan Huai treated her, she felt his heart would never belong to any woman.

But how captivating was a man whose mind encompassed the world—especially when he ruled it all.

Feng Lingsu's smile widened. "What did Her Majesty bring for His Majesty?"

Zhao Shuhua's pity deepened. Different perspectives bred different thoughts—this gaudily dressed woman actually believed such words could provoke her anger. How utterly foolish!

"Bringing food and drink for His Majesty is the Consort's duty. This Empress has no time for such trivialities. However... the Consort should not focus solely on His Majesty. Prince Cheng is no longer young and is already married—he ought to conduct himself properly by now. Yet his eagerness for achievements outweighs his steadiness, which is truly disappointing."

Feng Lingsu's face burned as if slapped, her smile vanishing. She lacked a father who was a Grand General and understood nothing of court affairs. Zhao Shuhua had personally tutored the Crown Prince, who still consulted her on matters to this day. But Prince Cheng had long grown impatient discussing court affairs with her. Thus, when Zhao Shuhua's accusations struck, Feng Lingsu was at a loss—where did the Empress's anger stem from? Was it due to the Imperial Discipline Office incident?

Soon, Feng Lingsu steadied herself. When Zhao Shuhua showed anger, it meant the situation had turned against her."Empress, I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean by this. Prince Cheng has been attending court with His Majesty for many years. Recently, he's been so occupied with state affairs that he hasn't even had time to pay his respects to me. May I ask if he has overstepped in some way and offended you? If that is truly the case, I shall certainly have him come to apologize to you."

Zhao Shuhua responded with a faint, cold smile. What status did she hold? If she were to make Yan Qi come apologize to her, how could she possibly live up to the words "motherly model for the world"? The imperial court was the imperial court, and the inner palace was the inner palace. If she didn't understand such boundaries, how could the Emperor have allowed her to remain securely in this position for so many years?

Zhao Shuhua wasn't angered by Feng Lingsu's tactic of yielding to advance. "This matter, you should ask Prince Cheng yourself."

Noticing the food container held by the maid behind Feng Lingsu, Zhao Shuhua asked with a smile, "What have you prepared for the Emperor?"

Feng Lingsu immediately smiled back. "Osmanthus sugar-steamed chestnut cake. At this time of year, these delicacies shouldn't go to waste. The Emperor has a sweet tooth, and when I mentioned it yesterday, he didn't refuse. So today I made some and brought it over."

The corner of Zhao Shuhua's lips curved upward. "Very good. You're always so thoughtful."

The earlier tension dissipated instantly. Zhao Shuhua suddenly looked at Feng Lingsu with an expression of great tolerance, then quickly withdrew her gaze and lifted her chin. Feng Lingsu hurriedly stepped aside to make way, and Zhao Shuhua left with her attendants.

Feng Lingsu felt somewhat perplexed, but knowing that Zhao Shuhua had been summoned by Yan Huai likely meant trouble, so her mood improved again. With Chongzheng Hall just ahead, Feng Lingsu turned and took the food container herself, walking gracefully toward the main entrance. The eunuchs outside, seeing Feng Lingsu approach, hurried forward attentively. Feng Lingsu smiled. In this entire palace, only she could so openly bring food to the Emperor, just like an ordinary married couple. She also believed that no one loved Yan Huai more than she did.

In this regard, Zhao Shuhua could never compare to her. Although Zhao Shuhua might not care about this herself, Feng Lingsu felt noble and deeply affectionate, which seemed particularly intoxicating in the depths of the palace.

...

Zhao Shuhua returned to Kunning Palace and immediately ordered, "Summon Wan Xi."

The attendant acknowledged and left. Soon, a thin, small eunuch followed him in.

Wan Xi knelt on the ground, his face pale as he paid his respects.

Zhao Shuhua sighed. "I will send someone to care for your mother. Your sister will marry into an official's family. From now on, I guarantee them wealth and honor."

Wan Xi trembled, then kowtowed heavily, the sound echoing through the empty main hall of Kunning Palace.

Zhao Shuhua looked at Wan Xi for a moment, then waved her hand. "Prince Cheng is waiting for you at the Imperial Punishment Office. Go."

Wan Xi kowtowed three more times. When he rose, he appeared steady, but his legs weakened as he stepped back. Stumbling once, he turned and walked out with a solitary, resolute figure. Zhao Shuhua watched his figure disappear beyond the doorway, lost in thought for a long while. The chief palace maid approached her. "Your Majesty, is this sufficient?"

Zhao Shuhua nodded, her expression utterly certain.She never trusted anyone lightly, and when she employed someone, their vulnerabilities were firmly in her grasp. Sitting in her position, she possessed ample power, yet there were ultimately things beyond her control. What she had to do was to perceive everything within her grasp with absolute precision.

This included her own two children.

"What is the Fifth Princess doing?" Zhao Shuhua suddenly asked.

The chief palace maid hurriedly replied, "She's still in Jingning Palace. She has started eating, but she seems listless."

Zhao Shuhua stood up. "This consort will go see her."

The Empress brought two maids and arrived lightly at Yan Zhen's chambers.

The Mommas guarding the place saw the Empress arrive and knelt in unison across the floor. Yan Zhen knew her mother had come, but she sat rigidly upright, her gaze fixed on the yellowing cherry blossom leaves outside the window, her expression wooden and cold.

Once the delicate imperial flower cherished in the palms of the Emperor and Empress, she was now shrouded in frost from within, likely to wither at any moment. Winter had not yet arrived, but Zhao Shuhua felt ice spikes forming in her heart.

"All of you, withdraw—"

The Mommas retreated in unison. These were seasoned palace staff; when Yan Zhen had gone mad, they had not hesitated to bind her—something Yan Zhen's previous maids could never have done.

Zhao Shuhua approached a few steps, her voice gentle. "Zhen'er..."

Yan Zhen remained seated, motionless. Zhao Shuhua sighed and sat beside her.

If possible, she did not want to teach Yan Zhen the rules of this world in such a manner. She suddenly began to regret her past indulgence toward Yan Zhen. "Zhen'er, you may blame your mother. You feel your mother has betrayed you. Your mother does not seek your forgiveness. Your mother wants you to remember that even someone as close as your mother cannot be fully trusted. Then others are even less worthy of your sincere heart."

Yan Zhen's eyelashes trembled slightly. Zhao Shuhua's tone grew desolate. "These days, your mother has been terrified in her dreams at night. Northern Wei is bitterly cold, and its inner palace is even more intricate and complex. Your mother dreamed of you being framed, coldly treated by Crown Prince Tuoba. Your mother dreamed of you miserable and desolate in the cold palace. Your mother... Zhen'er, you must grow strong. You must become like your mother... no, you need not become like your mother. If possible, your mother hopes Crown Prince Tuoba will treat you well, hopes you will find joy and happiness in Northern Wei."

A tear suddenly moistened the corner of Yan Zhen's eye. She could never be as ruthless as Zhao Shuhua, so even though she hated her mother intensely, she was still moved by her words. She was too powerless—unable to resist Zhao Shuhua, unable to resist anyone.

Zhao Shuhua raised her hand to wipe away the tear, but halfway there, Yan Zhen instinctively recoiled.

Zhao Shuhua was taken aback at first, then smiled. "Yes, just like that. You must learn to guard against everyone. Sincerity is too scarce in the imperial palace. Even behind gentle and kind appearances, there lies a cruel purpose. You are right to do this."Yan Zhen suddenly turned her head, her eyes moist and filled with fury as she glared fiercely at Zhao Shuhua. Before the age of fifteen, she had lived in a honey jar, surrounded by protective armor. After fifteen, her mother personally stripped away the barriers before her eyes, exposing the blades hidden behind that armor, and told her, "Look, your innocence is truly laughable." Her hand, meant for plucking flowers, was forcibly given a knife. Her mother said, "You must grow strong quickly. You must learn to fight!"

Yan Zhen felt utterly humiliated and helpless. The confidence of a heaven-favored princess was drained away. Her hand trembled as it held the knife, torn between rage and terror, like a mayfly caught in a violent storm, with heaven and earth collapsing around her.

If it were anyone but Yan Zhen staring at her, Zhao Shuhua would have remained unmoved by such a gaze. Yet, it was precisely Yan Zhen—her most beloved daughter. The rare softness in her heart was pierced by her daughter's eyes, and pain surged within her. "Zhen'er, do not hold onto any hope. Do not think of begging anyone. Your brother is struggling, and your father... will not show mercy either. Zhen'er, your mother has no choice. If you still trust me even a little, pull yourself together from this moment on. There is so much you must learn. I only regret not teaching you earlier..."

Tears streamed down Yan Zhen’s face, but she swiftly wiped them away. Shaking her head, she said, "Brother would never use me as a pawn. Father has always loved me the most. From beginning to end, this has been your scheme alone, Mother. You want to control me and Brother, to use him to dominate the imperial family and the Great Zhou. You do not love Father, and he does not love you. Mother, you have no love in your heart, and you wish for everyone to be like you. But Mother, are you truly happy? I truly pity you—"

No one wishes to be pitied, least of all by their own daughter.

Zhao Shuhua felt a surge of anger rising in her chest, and she could no longer maintain her composure.

Her lips pressed into a sharp, tight line, and her eyes contracted as if pricked by needles. After a long moment, she slowly rose to her feet. "Starting today, I will assign the people who will accompany you to Northern Wei to Jingning Palace. You must familiarize yourself with them and win them over. Do not always present yourself as a willful, spoiled princess—it will do you no good for your future."

With these words, Zhao Shuhua turned and walked out, her steps proud yet measured.

Once outside, the bright daylight stung Zhao Shuhua’s eyes, causing them to ache. She closed them briefly, then reopened them, feeling warmth gradually return to her limbs. Glancing back once, she strode resolutely out of Jingning Palace’s gates.

Left alone, Yan Zhen sat by the window, silently shedding tears before quickly wiping them away. Her gaze fixed vacantly on the direction Zhao Shuhua had departed, the last glimmer of light in her eyes extinguished completely.