Yu Wanyin was writing a note for Prince Duan.
The greatest advantage of the Secluded Palace was that it spared her from meeting Prince Duan in person. The guards outside appeared to be imprisoning her, but in reality, they were also protecting her, silently blocking all prying eyes. Inside the gates, there was an additional layer of Shadow Guards, making it as impenetrable as the former Imperial Concubine's Palace.
After that incident of Bloody Magic, Prince Duan seemed convinced she was a useful pawn, sending her notes every few days.
His notes were elegant—delicate handwriting, refined language, always filled with tender words of affection. Yet between the lines, Yu Wanyin could read the true message: the entire page screamed "get to work."
Sometimes, her Heavenly Eye was highly active, diligently aiding him in his power struggles against the Empress Dowager. Referencing the books Xu Yao had left behind, she could always provide precise predictions for his actions, accompanied by a few auspicious words like "I foresee your overwhelming victory."
Other times, her visions strayed into strange territory: "Last night, I dreamed of Xie Yong'er weeping alone, her belly slightly swollen. I wonder what omen this signifies."
Perhaps her probing was too obvious, as he never responded.
There were also moments when she had to help Prince Duan suppress Xiahou Dan.
According to Xu Yao's notes, if Prince Duan continued following his plan, he would soon overthrow the Empress Dowager faction and turn his attention to the throne.
But Yu Wanyin couldn't act recklessly yet.
As they had previously discussed, she truly had only one chance to betray him. Whether she succeeded or failed, she would never be able to influence Prince Duan again after that.
Every exchange of notes was a calculated move in their intricate game of wits—once a piece was placed, there was no taking it back. Her reactions were far slower than Prince Duan's, often requiring long deliberation before making a move. In the past, when they had faced each other directly, trading veiled words in rapid succession, she had been so tense her hair stood on end. Now, separated by thick palace walls, the pressure had eased considerably.
The Secluded Palace had another advantage: it shielded her from the rest of the imperial harem.
Since Xie Yong'er's earth-shattering episode of vomiting, the palace had been in turmoil, and the Imperial Harem Intrigue had long since broken free from the original script, galloping away like a runaway horse.
Yu Wanyin hid away, content to observe the drama from afar. Knowing she wasn't cut out for such schemes, she decided it was best not to step outside at all to avoid becoming collateral damage.
Yet, as fate would have it, the more she feared something, the more it came knocking.
She might avoid the intrigue, but the intrigue would come for her.
Just as Yu Wanyin finished writing her note, a sharp voice rang out beyond the door: "This Consort demands entry! How dare a mere disgraced concubine block my way?"
Yu Wanyin: "..."
That voice sounded familiar. Who was it again...?
Every palace intrigue novel had one or more tragic consorts who genuinely adored the Emperor, yearning for his love but never receiving it.
In this story, that role belonged to Shu Fei.
Shu Fei had been enjoying herself lately.
Ever since the once-favored, arrogant Yu Wanyin had attempted to poison her and was subsequently demoted to the Secluded Palace, Shu Fei had taken to applying her makeup meticulously, adorning herself with tinkling jewelry, and gliding gracefully past all the other concubines with the air of a rightful mistress.
Yet no matter how long she waited, Xiahou Dan still refused to summon her.
Shu Fei was confused. Shu Fei was anxious.
If Xiahou Dan had even punished Yu Wanyin for her sake, why wouldn't he grant her an audience?
Shu Fei pulled out all the stops, bribing An Xian to arrange a chance encounter in the Imperial Garden when Xiahou Dan passed by. When that longed-for, slender figure appeared in the corridor, she turned her head in feigned surprise, her eyes shimmering as she curtsied with perfect grace.Xiahou Dan: "Move aside."
Xiahou Dan left.
Shu Fei was utterly devastated.
She finally realized that this story had never been about her from the beginning. Xiahou Dan punished Yu Wanyin because he was furious with her—while Shu Fei wasn’t even worthy of his anger.
If she couldn’t have peace, neither would Yu Wanyin.
As time passed, Consort Yu remained confined in the Secluded Palace, clearly having lost any chance of regaining favor.
Today, Shu Fei had come to settle the score.
The long-sealed gate of the Secluded Palace creaked open with an ear-piercing groan as Shu Fei stepped into the courtyard with several palace attendants in tow.
Yu Wanyin approached, discreetly waving a hand behind her back to signal the Shadow Guard to stay calm. She couldn’t risk exposing their presence over such Imperial Harem Intrigue.
Shu Fei gave her a once-over, seemingly surprised, and sneered, "Well, well. After all this time in this wretched place, little sister’s fox-like charm seems to have only grown more alluring."
Yu Wanyin: "Thank you for the compliment, elder sister."
Shu Fei snapped, "Why haven’t you greeted me properly?"
Yu Wanyin bowed obediently. "This sister has overstepped. I beg for your forgiveness."
Shu Fei shot a glance to the side, and a young eunuch stepped forward, shrilly declaring, "If you’re begging for forgiveness, you should do it properly. Why aren’t you kneeling?"
Yu Wanyin froze for two seconds.
In those two seconds, she weighed her options: if this escalated into a physical altercation, the Shadow Guard would surely reveal themselves. If Shu Fei learned of their presence, she’d become a liability. The living couldn’t keep secrets, but Yu Wanyin had no desire to taste the bitterness of killing again.
"What? Unwilling to kneel?" The eunuch raised his hand high and strode forward menacingly.
Yu Wanyin dropped to her knees with a thud.
Yet the eunuch didn’t hesitate for even a second—his palm still came swinging toward her face!
The Shadow Guard’s blade was already drawn.
Yu Wanyin suddenly raised her arm, barely blocking the slap, then scrambled to her feet and bolted.
Her escape took everyone by surprise—even the Shadow Guard was stunned. Imperial Harem Intrigue had never presented this option before.
Shu Fei: "Stop her!"
Eunuchs and maids surged forward, chasing her down.
Cornered, Yu Wanyin tapped into her last reserves of strength, darting like the wind into a room and slamming the wooden door shut behind her. She whispered urgently to the Shadow Guard, "Quick, reinforce it!"
Outside, Shu Fei was livid. "Push it open!" she ordered her attendants.
The attendants rushed the door, shoving and kicking, even throwing their weight against it—but the door stood firm, as if reinforced with steel.
Shu Fei paced like an enraged lioness before commanding, "Bring an axe. Chop it down."
Yu Wanyin: "..."
This was extreme. She was out for blood.
Shadow Guard: "Your Highness, please take refuge in the tunnel."
Yu Wanyin: "Then make sure to conceal the entrance. We can’t risk exposing it."
Shadow Guard: "His Majesty’s orders: if anyone discovers the tunnel, eliminate them on the spot."
Yu Wanyin smiled bitterly. "Talk about delivering heads on a platter..."
A thunderous crash echoed as the axe struck the door.
Just then, a mocking voice called from outside, "Lady Shu Fei, what sort of entertainment is this?"
Shu Fei turned to see An Xian.
The appearance of the chief eunuch seemed to strike her like a physical blow. She swayed slightly, her fury instantly deflating. "Eunuch An?"An Xian said, "His Majesty has ordered that no visitors are allowed in the Secluded Palace. Please take your stroll elsewhere, Shu Fei."
After returning, Shu Fei summoned her clique of sisters, weeping and cursing.
"That little vixen! Even after losing favor, she still has tricks up her sleeve to coax An Xian into protecting her!"
Xie Yong'er sat in the farthest corner, her face pale with illness, listening quietly.
Xie Yong'er had once been Shu Fei's most trusted confidante. But since the suspicion of pregnancy arose, it had ignited Shu Fei's jealousy, and now she was severely ostracized within the group.
After listening to the others trade insults for a while, Xie Yong'er finally spoke up, "Sister, there's something odd about this."
Shu Fei glanced at her, "What do you mean?"
"An Xian has always been an opportunist. If a concubine has fallen from grace, he wouldn't spare her a second glance, let alone rush to the Secluded Palace. If he's standing up for Yu Wanyin, it means he still sees value in her."
Shu Fei was shocked, "Could that wretched concubine regain favor?"
Xie Yong'er lowered her head, "I don't know, but for now, it's best not to provoke her further."
Meanwhile, Yu Wanyin was earnestly trying to persuade Xiahou Dan, "We can't keep delaying Shu Fei like this."
"We can."
"If you delay her, Prince Duan will realize I haven't lost favor, and all the acting we've done so far will be for nothing!"
"If we don't delay her this time, what if others come after you with axes in the future?"
"...My relationships aren't that bad."
Xiahou Dan said seriously, "Wan Yin, the purpose of the Secluded Palace is to protect you. If it fails, you'll have to move out."
Yu Wanyin felt a warmth in her heart but firmly shook her head, "After all the effort to deceive Prince Duan..."
"I've already thought of a solution," Xiahou Dan smiled. "Here's how we'll play it: I'll suddenly realize I still need your Heavenly Eye, so I'll restore your position as imperial concubine and humbly beg for your forgiveness. But you, having suffered so much, will have grown distant from me, and from now on, your heart will only open to Prince Duan."
"A redemption arc for the male lead?" Yu Wanyin, well-read in novels, summarized succinctly.
Xiahou Dan: "?"
Xiahou Dan: "Uh, yes."
Belatedly realizing what she had said, Yu Wanyin flushed and quickly added, "It's worth considering. Given Prince Duan's intellect, he wouldn't believe you'd leave me unused. This plot would seem more plausible to him."
Xiahou Dan sighed in relief and stood up to leave.
Yu Wanyin stared at his retreating figure, "Where are you going?"
"To delay someone."
Yu Wanyin had no fondness for Shu Fei and only called out, "Don't kill her—"
"Won't." Xiahou Dan's tone was light, masking the bloodlust flashing in his eyes.
Yu Wanyin became Imperial Concubine Yu once more and moved back to the palace she had lived in when she first transmigrated.
By the time she left the Secluded Palace, Shu Fei had already been confined to another, smaller and more dilapidated Secluded Palace. As a result, Yu Wanyin never saw the state Shu Fei was in when she entered.
She only noticed the faint traces of fear in the other concubines' eyes when they looked at her.
Xiahou Dan began his performance of the redemption arc, sending clothes and jewelry to her palace every few days. Yu Wanyin, meanwhile, remained cold and aloof, appearing plain-faced and unadorned, the picture of a heartbroken woman.
A few days later, the Thousand Autumns Banquet arrived.
At the banquet, Yu Wanyin and the other women gathered in a side hall for the feast.
Now merely an ordinary concubine and disliked by the Empress Dowager, she was seated near the back, right by the window.To display her indifference toward Xiahou Dan, she wore a pale blue-green dress with only a simple silver hairpin as adornment—a choice so starkly out of place for the occasion that it bordered on defiance. Yet paired with her striking features, it exuded an icy allure that commanded attention.
Countless gazes, both overt and covert, turned her way, all of which she ignored.
Since she couldn’t see what was happening in the main hall, she focused on the food before her. Though the Secluded Palace had its own small kitchen, such a lavish feast was a rare treat.
A distant announcement rang out: "Envoy from the State of Yan has arrived—"
Yu Wanyin turned to look out the window.
The group numbered over thirty, men and women alike, with high noses and deep-set eyes—clearly not of Central Plains descent. The men were all burly, clad in fur-lined robes, while the women were strikingly beautiful, their graceful figures adorned with intricate jewelry that jingled with each step, marking them as dancers.
At their head was a middle-aged man with a slightly plump face and a genial smile.
But Yu Wanyin’s gaze was drawn to the figure beside him.
His attire was no different from the other attendants, but he stood out as the most imposing, with a thick beard obscuring most of his face, leaving only his deeply sunken eyes visible.
As Yu Wanyin craned her neck by the window, the man suddenly lifted his head slightly, his sinister gaze locking onto hers.
Despite the distance, a chill ran down her spine, as if prey caught in a predator’s sight. A wave of dread washed over her.
Yu Wanyin hastily ducked back inside.
By the time she looked again, the envoy had already entered the main hall.
The plump man was presenting gifts to Xiahou Dan, speaking in a heavily accented, garbled tongue: "Haqina, envoy of Yan, offers congratulations to His Majesty the Emperor of Great Xia. May your reign be as eternal as the heavens."
Xiahou Dan accepted the gifts politely and gestured for them to take their seats.
Haqina added, "We have also brought dancers from Yan to perform for Your Majesty."
Xiahou Dan replied, "Excellent."
Several Yan attendants borrowed instruments from the palace musicians and plucked a few experimental notes, filling the air with an exotic melody.
As the drums began and the music swelled, the beautiful dancers glided into the hall.
At that moment, a shrill voice cut through the air: "While the dancers are indeed a delightful sight, for His Majesty’s safety, it would be prudent to search them thoroughly first. After all, it hasn’t been so long since the last Yan beauty entered the palace!"
The music stopped abruptly, and the hall fell so silent one could hear a pin drop.
Everyone understood the allusion to Shan Yi, the Yan beauty who had once attempted assassination.
The courtiers exchanged covert glances, some stealing looks at the Empress Dowager seated regally beside the Emperor—the outspoken official was a member of her faction.
Haqina’s face twitched unnaturally, his jowls quivering with suppressed rage.
Xiahou Dan barked, "How dare you!"
The minister promptly knelt, well-practiced in this routine. "This humble servant risks death to speak out, all for Your Majesty’s safety!"
Haqina, however, waved a hand. "No matter. We came to celebrate, not to quarrel. If this is the rule of Great Xia’s palace, then let them be searched."
The side hall was filled with noblewomen, the atmosphere relaxed. With the intimidating Empress Dowager and Emperor absent today, everyone carried themselves more casually. Groups of young women chatted over their meals as if at an ordinary gathering.
Faint strains of music drifted from the main hall. The concubines perked up, tilting their heads to listen—only for the music to cut off abruptly.
They exchanged puzzled glances.Such a mishap at the Thousand Autumns Banquet was truly peculiar. Several people immediately left their seats to peer out the windows, while the rest buzzed with discussion.
Only two remained unmoved in their seats.
One was Xie Yong'er. She wilted like frostbitten eggplant, casting a fleeting glance toward the main hall before silently withdrawing her gaze.
The other was Yu Wanyin, who was observing Xie Yong'er instead.
Sensing eyes upon her, Xie Yong'er suddenly looked up. Upon realizing it was Yu Wanyin, she didn't avert her gaze but stared blankly back at her.
After several breaths, Xie Yong'er stood and approached with a wine cup: "Sister, let me toast you."
Yu Wanyin: "Ah... I should be toasting you. I heard you advised Shu Fei to stop targeting me. I'm grateful."
Xie Yong'er smiled bitterly in silence: "Now I understand what you meant. We're all just pitiful creatures."
Burdened with thoughts, she raised her cup to drink when Yu Wanyin stopped her: "Alcohol harms the body. Have tea instead."
Recognizing the implication, Xie Yong'er stiffened, arching like a wary feline.
Yu Wanyin tried to ease her suspicion: "It's alright, you can trust me..."
But Xie Yong'er had no interest in continuing. Downing the wine in one gulp, she hurried back to her seat.
Moments later, she abruptly knocked over her cup.
Yu Wanyin turned in surprise, only to see Xie Yong'er already leaving with her maid, bowing as she headed toward a side door of the annex.
Using some pretext to bypass the guards, she vanished into the night.
Yu Wanyin blinked hard.
She couldn't have imagined it—there had been traces of blood on Xie Yong'er's dress.
Yu Wanyin belatedly stood up.
Holy shit, did she really miscarry?
Where is she running off to?
Yu Wanyin knew full well how dangerous miscarriages were in ancient times—potentially fatal. If the chosen heroine died, wouldn't everything be over? Would this novel get axed mid-story?
Without further thought, she abandoned her maid and rushed out. The guards eyed her suspiciously: "Does Her Highness have urgent business?"
Yu Wanyin forced a laugh: "...Nature calls."
She scanned the surroundings but found no trace of Xie Yong'er.
Meanwhile, music resumed from the main hall.
The melody rose, drowning out whispers. The dancers, having passed inspection, began their graceful performance.
Xiahou Dan sipped from his cup, observing the crowd over its rim. Some sneered, some puzzled, others tense with anxiety.
One particularly nervous man seemed to sense something, trembling as he glanced up.
His eyes met the emperor's, startling him so badly he jolted upright. After a pause, he suddenly exclaimed: "Ah... Ah! My jade pendant is missing!"
Those nearby chimed in: "Don't fret, Lord Wang. Let's search again."
"I've already looked—it's nowhere nearby. I was wearing it when I arrived..." As he spoke, Lord Wang's gaze shifted meaningfully toward the Yan envoy seated beside him.
The implication was unmistakable.
The Yan envoy glowered, muttering something unintelligible.
Haqina strode over, coldly stating: "If there's suspicion, then search him."
Lord Wang's fingers trembled as he reached toward the towering foreigner's robes.
When he withdrew his hand, a jade pendant lay between his fingers.Lord Wang: "How could it be on this envoy?"
The Yan man was startled, then flew into a rage, smashing the wine cup in his hand.
The act of shattering a cup was an extremely dangerous signal. The imperial guards nearby instantly swarmed out, surrounding them with weapons pointed at the group of Yan men.
Haqina trembled with anger and turned to Xiahou Dan: "You... you..."
Someone tapped his shoulder.
It was the unusually burly attendant. Haqina turned his head, and the two exchanged a swift glance.
Haqina took a deep breath, clenched his teeth, and bowed. "We are from the wilderness and have never seen such splendor. Perhaps he was momentarily overcome by greed. We beg your forgiveness."
As soon as he finished speaking, the burly attendant swung his fist at the man accused of theft, knocking him to the ground.
Haqina: "He is at your disposal."
The Empress Dowager, who had been watching the spectacle, finally spoke leisurely: "Well, since the envoy likes the jade pendant, let it be a gift to you. Let us not spoil the friendship between our two nations over such a trivial matter."
Lord Wang smiled and tossed the jade pendant onto the fallen man.
The Yan men paled with fury, their faces turning livid.
The accused man didn’t even glance at the pendant. He slowly stood up, letting the pendant slip from him and shatter into two pieces with a crisp sound.
The tension in the hall was palpable, like a bowstring stretched to its breaking point.
Xiahou Dan spoke: "Lord Wang, where exactly did you find this jade pendant?"
Lord Wang froze, then bowed. "Your Majesty, it was... inside his robe."
Xiahou Dan: "Oh? Which part, precisely?"
Lord Wang’s earlier search had been witnessed by all. Now, he could only brace himself and say, "It seemed to be near his chest."
Xiahou Dan: "Looking at the Yan men’s attire, their robes don’t cling as closely as ours. How could such a small object be fixed near the chest if tucked inside? How fascinating. Demonstrate it again for us."
Lord Wang: "..."
Haqina muttered a few words in his own tongue. The accused man bowed, picked up half of the pendant, and tucked it into his robe.
Another crisp sound—the pendant fell straight to the ground, shattering further.
Lord Wang’s face had already turned ashen with fear. "This... must be some misunderstanding..."
Xiahou Dan: "Your sleeves, however, seem capable of holding a pendant. Why don’t you tuck it in and show us?"
Lord Wang dared not move, only kowtowing repeatedly.
Xiahou Dan sighed with disinterest. "Fine. Take him away."
Lord Wang was dragged off.
Haqina, now visibly moved, praised the Emperor’s wisdom repeatedly. Xiahou Dan, feigning remorse, personally offered a cup of wine to the wronged man.
The music resumed.
No one spoke during the banquet.
Everyone present received the same message: the Emperor had openly defied the Empress Dowager.
If looks could kill, the Empress Dowager’s gaze would have riddled Xiahou Dan with holes.
Xiahou Dan acted oblivious and respectfully said, "Mother Empress, may I propose a toast?"
Just then, a eunuch hurried over and whispered something into the Empress Dowager’s ear.
She paused, her anger fading as a faint smile curled her lips. She said to Xiahou Dan, "This humble one has heard that two consorts suddenly left the banquet and headed toward the woods in the Imperial Garden. Who were they again?"The eunuch bowed and said, "It's Imperial Concubine Yu and Consort Xie."
Xiahou Dan's brow twitched slightly.
"It seems another concubine has blood on her robes..." the Empress Dowager sighed helplessly. "This old one shall go see to it. Your Majesty, please continue presiding over the banquet."
With that, the Empress Dowager swept out without ceremony.
All the civil and military officials were stealing glances at the imperial family's drama, except for one man who still had his gaze fixed on the Yan Kingdom's envoy delegation.
As the Yan envoys gradually returned to their seats, Prince Duan also rose to his feet.
He appeared to be heading toward the Emperor to offer a toast, but as he passed the Yan envoys, his hand slipped and the wine cup fell.
—Right toward someone's toes.
That person instinctively lifted and tilted their foot, catching the cup perfectly without spilling a drop.
But only for an instant.
After that fleeting moment, the cup followed its original trajectory, rolling off their foot and spilling wine across the floor.
"My deepest apologies," Prince Duan said gracefully, looking up at the burly attendant.
The attendant replied, "...No matter."
Prince Duan widened his eyes slightly in apparent surprise. "Your Mandarin is excellent."
The attendant bowed and walked away.
Prince Duan then turned to watch the dancing beauties in the hall, murmuring to himself, "Such peerless beauties in this world. Pity they still can't compare to the legendary Shan Yi."
He didn't look to see the Yan envoys' reactions, instead shaking his head as if regretting his slip of tongue and falling silent.
Returning to his seat, he subtly signaled his trusted aide with an elegant hand gesture.
Only the aide understood its meaning: have someone follow them.
At this moment, all important figures were gathered at the Thousand Autumns Banquet, leaving the Imperial Garden lightly guarded.
Yu Wanyin wandered through the pitch-dark woods until her ears finally caught the sound of labored breathing.
"Sister? Xie Yong'er?" She followed the sound.
Xie Yong'er was slumped against a tree, panting heavily. By the moonlight and faint distant lantern light, Yu Wanyin could see the bloodstains on her dress.
Yu Wanyin asked, "What happened—"
Her heart pounding, she quickly scanned the ground but saw no horrifying flesh mass, which relieved her somewhat.
Footsteps approached from afar as several palace lanterns swayed—a group seemed to be heading their way.
In her panic, Yu Wanyin didn't have time to think carefully. "Can you stand? Go back and change clothes first. I'll stall them."
Xie Yong'er stared at her with dazed eyes.
Seeing she was at her limit, Yu Wanyin urged, "We'll talk later. Go now."
But Xie Yong'er didn't move.
With a bitter smile, she said, "I can't stand."
The approaching party had arrived.
The Empress Dowager exclaimed, "What are you two doing here? Goodness, why is there blood in such a place?" She covered her face with her sleeve and looked away as if unable to bear such filth.
Yu Wanyin forced an explanation, "This concubine doesn't know either. Perhaps she's injured?"
But Xie Yong'er on the ground, seemingly delirious, murmured, "It was that cup of wine just now..."
After a sharp intake of breath, her head lolled to the side as she fainted.
When Xie Yong'er first discovered her pregnancy, she could hardly believe it.
It had begun with moments of passion, some jealousy-fueled rivalry, and an intentional drinking session. She wanted to secure Prince Duan's affection. She thought she'd taken the Birth Control Concoction—it should have been foolproof.
Who could have guessed that damned thing didn't work on her?!
When Prince Duan found out, he remained perfectly calm, even comforting her gently: "Don't worry. The Emperor and I look similar enough. No one will notice anything unusual when the child is born."Xie Yong'er said in terror, "But His Majesty didn't—"
"Didn't what?"
Xie Yong'er fell silent. In that instant, she sensed something terrifying stirring in Xiahou Bo's gaze.
She couldn't let Prince Duan know the Emperor hadn't touched her, because he would surely force her to abort the child.
As a modern person, she knew how dangerous ancient abortion methods were.
But she still had a way out—she could quickly seduce Xiahou Dan before her pregnancy showed, securing legitimacy for the child.
This should have been a simple task—if Xiahou Dan weren't such a freak.
Xie Yong'er couldn't understand no matter how hard she tried. She'd practically served herself to him on a silver platter, yet Xiahou Dan remained as unmovable as Liu Xiahui.
Was he truly impotent? The original novel hadn't mentioned that!
As time passed, the situation slid inexorably toward despair.
A bout of vomiting ruined everything, drawing the Empress Dowager's interference.
The Empress Dowager began scheming to dose her with medicine.
At first, she thought the Empress Dowager had discovered her affair with Prince Duan. Upon reflection, she realized that if that were true, she would have been executed already. The Empress Dowager didn't know the truth, yet still acted.
There was a reason no imperial heirs had been born in the harem these years—the Empress Dowager only permitted one Little Crown Prince to exist.
Meaning, whether the child was legitimized or not, death was the only outcome.
Xie Yong'er finally gave up and turned to finding a scientific way to abort.
As the chosen heroine, she always had special opportunities—like the talented apprentice in the Imperial Hospital who took a liking to her. She was gradually winning his favor, planning to secretly have him prepare a safe abortifacient.
Meanwhile, she had to vigilantly monitor all food and drink to avoid the Empress Dowager's schemes. Having read the original novel, she knew all the Empress Dowager's concoctions were lethal—taking them would be a death sentence.
Just as the safe formula was nearly ready, disaster struck at the Thousand Autumns Banquet.
After drinking that cup of wine, she felt agonizing cramps and her vision darkened. She barely managed to flee the side hall, collapsing in the woods.
Only one maidservant accompanied her during that nightmare.
She was grateful for the darkness that hid the fetus's appearance. She sent the maid away alone to bury the remains elsewhere.
Then Yu Wanyin arrived.
When Xie Yong'er awoke again, she was in her own bed.
An imperial physician was taking her pulse.
Standing by the bed were the Empress Dowager and a visibly aggrieved Yu Wanyin—who was purely collateral damage, detained for questioning after being found at the scene.
Empress Dowager: "Well?"
Physician: "This... there's heavy bleeding, and the pulse is weak and floating. It resembles a miscarriage, yet no fetus is present..."
The Empress Dowager immediately said, "If it's a miscarriage, this is grave news. Inform His Majesty at once."
Xie Yong'er's eyes snapped open.
Xiahou Dan mustn't know! If he found out, she was dead!
Struggling upright, she pleaded, "Mother Empress, this concubine was never with child! Only... only because of stomach troubles earlier, when I vomited in public, someone must have mistaken it for pregnancy and poisoned my wine..."
Empress Dowager: "Are you saying someone poisoned you to induce miscarriage, so despite not being pregnant, you still bled and fainted?"
Xie Yong'er: "Yes."
The Empress Dowager blinked. "Then who poisoned you?"Xie Yong'er slowly raised her head, not daring to meet her gaze, focusing only on her chin.
The Empress Dowager's crimson lips parted slightly: "If Consort Xie knows anything, you must point it out."
Xie Yong'er's thoughts sluggishly connected.
She couldn't accuse the Empress Dowager unless she had a death wish.
But her bleeding was undeniable, so someone had to take the blame.
By the bedside, Yu Wanyin watched helplessly as Xie Yong'er slowly turned toward her.
Yu Wanyin: "?"
The Empress Dowager was delighted: "It seems Imperial Concubine Yu is involved in this matter."
Yu Wanyin immediately knelt: "It was Consort Xie who offered me wine first! I never touched her cup!"
Empress Dowager: "Then why did you chase after her?"
Yu Wanyin: "...I was just concerned..."
The Empress Dowager had no interest in explanations: "Guards, confine these two concubines here. Without my orders, they are not to leave."
She strode away, the door creaking shut behind her.
If looks could kill, Xie Yong'er's entire bed would have been reduced to ashes by Yu Wanyin's glare.
This was deliberate. That woman had absolutely done this on purpose.
She knew this pregnancy had to be terminated, that the poisoned wine had to be drunk—so she dragged Yu Wanyin down with her at the last moment. Offering that toast had been nothing but a blatant trap!
And who knew what was happening with Xiahou Dan? Meanwhile, she was stuck here, unable to leave, with no idea what accusations the Empress Dowager would pin on her later.
Xie Yong'er avoided her gaze, an unprecedented hint of guilt flashing across her face.
But Yu Wanyin was already thoroughly disappointed in her.
Even if she was just a Paper Doll, shouldn't someone with a modern setting have a broader perspective?
Exhaustion and anger intertwined, and in a moment of impulse, she made a decision.
It was time to abandon the gentle approach.
Prince Duan was close to overthrowing the Empress Dowager. Soon, he would turn his full force against Xiahou Dan. They didn't have much time left.
A palace maid approached with a medicine bowl: "Your Highness, please take your medicine."
Xie Yong'er had developed a phobia of liquids handed to her by palace staff: "No need, I'm fine..."
Yu Wanyin remarked sarcastically: "Sister, you're unwell. You should drink your medicine properly. Don't lose sight of what's important."
Xie Yong'er lowered her head in silence.
Yu Wanyin: "It's like one day, you're riding a horse and get lost in the mountains. You have no food, so you search and search until you find a river. There are fish in the river, so you decide to fish."
Xie Yong'er: "...?"
Yu Wanyin: "But you have no bait, so you look at your horse."
Xie Yong'er stared at her blankly.
Yu Wanyin: "You kill the horse, chop its meat into bait, and catch the fish. But now your horse is gone. Was it really worth it?"
Xie Yong'er froze completely.
She didn't know when the maid had left or how long she and Yu Wanyin had been staring at each other.
After what felt like an eternity, she finally opened her mouth: "You... you're..."
"Is there any other explanation?" Yu Wanyin walked to the bedside and looked at her, speaking softly. "I'm tired. Let's lay our cards on the table."
Xie Yong'er's eyes lost focus, her vision blurring.
She struggled to refocus, only to see a tall figure's shadow cast on the door behind Yu Wanyin.
Xie Yong'er's hair stood on end as she tried to stop Yu Wanyin: "Don't say anymore."Yu Wanyin ignored her meaningful glance. "Running away won't help. You already know who I am."
Xie Yong'er broke into a cold sweat. "What do you mean? I don't understand..."
"I think you understand perfectly well."
Seeing Xie Yong'er still evading the question, Yu Wanyin grew increasingly impatient. She initially wanted to blurt out "how are you," but remembering the guards outside the door, she instead walked to the desk, grabbed a brush, and swiftly wrote the phrase on a sheet of paper.
Holding up the paper, she started back toward the bed but paused mid-step, also glancing at the door. "Your Majesty?"
The shadow shifted, and Xiahou Dan pushed the door open.
Xie Yong'er, having endured emotional highs and lows all night, was teetering on the edge of a breakdown. Before Yu Wanyin could speak, she blurted out in self-preservation, "Your Majesty, Imperial Concubine Yu has been saying strange things and writing bizarre symbols on paper. This humble consort is frightened!"
Yu Wanyin: "..."
Xiahou Dan placed a hand on Yu Wanyin's shoulder and asked Xie Yong'er, "You knew I was outside the door and deliberately provoked her into speaking and writing?"
Xie Yong'er: "?"
Xiahou Dan: "You caught the fish, but you lost the horse. Was it really worth it?"
Xie Yong'er: "..."
Xie Yong'er: "......"
As Xie Yong'er froze like a statue, Yu Wanyin patiently waited for her to snap out of it and quietly asked, "Why are you here?"
Xiahou Dan: "Heard someone framed you. Came to bail you out."
"And the Empress Dowager...?"
"She had someone test the wine Xie Yong'er drank before leaving the banquet—it was laced with an abortifacient. Then she claimed Xie Yong'er accused you of poisoning her and brought people to arrest you. I stopped them."
"And then?"
"Then I said I'd personally interrogate Consort Xie. She accused me of trying to extract a false confession through torture. So I said if we're investigating, we might as well do it thoroughly."
Xiahou Dan frowned, slipping into an impromptu performance: "'Mother, treating the symptoms won't cure the disease. Every entry and exit in the palace must be recorded, and consorts cannot leave without reason. Yet such poison still slipped in—this negligence is outrageous!'"
Yu Wanyin played along: "'What does my son suggest?'"
"'In my opinion, we should first interrogate all the eunuchs and maids who served at the banquet under strict punishment. If no one confesses, we'll expand the scope—even the gate guards must be investigated to find out who smuggled in the herbs. Guards!'" Xiahou Dan added his own narration, "'Then I pointed at the Empress Dowager's chief maid—'If I recall correctly, you were also at the Thousand Autumns Banquet?'"
Yu Wanyin arched her brows, perfectly mimicking the Empress Dowager's manner: "'Hmph, is my son implying something?'"
Xiahou Dan feigned concern: "'Mother, please calm your anger. I only fear there may be villains lurking near you, endangering your safety.'—And that's how the plan fell through. Anyway, the Empress Dowager already has three thousand grievances against me—one more won't hurt."
He said it lightly, but Yu Wanyin was rattled.
"You're something else, Xiahou Dan," she said, still uneasy. "You don't even flinch."
"Of course. She's the one with a guilty conscience—if anyone should panic, it's her." Xiahou Dan noticed the English-written paper in Yu Wanyin's hand, took it, and held it over a candle, reducing it to a wisp of smoke.Seeing him ignore the English words, Xie Yong'er, frozen beside them, finally gave up her last shred of hope. "So, both of you are transmigrators like me?"
Yu Wanyin thought to herself that there was still a subtle difference, but she didn’t voice it. "Yes. Since we’re all in the same boat—"
Xie Yong'er, her face ashen, interrupted, "I was in the open while you lurked in the shadows. You’ve been watching me all along. From the start, I never stood a chance, did I?"
Before Yu Wanyin could respond, Xiahou Dan cut in, "Exactly. Watching you cuckold me the whole time was quite the thrill."
Yu Wanyin choked on her own breath and coughed, hurriedly shooting him a look: Enough, don’t provoke her.
Xie Yong'er fell silent for a moment before letting out a bitter laugh. "If that’s the case, why reveal yourselves now? Wouldn’t it have been better to just kill me off and claim I died in childbirth? That wouldn’t have aroused Prince Duan’s suspicions."
Xiahou Dan interjected again, "True, I was wondering the same thing. Wan Yin, why tell her? Just finish her off."
Yu Wanyin: "?"
Are you here to sabotage me? She glared at him even harder before turning back to Xie Yong'er with as much friendliness as she could muster. "We’ve already reached the point of forced abortion and framing. If we didn’t come clean now, it would’ve been a fight to the death. Since we’re all in the same boat, have you considered another possibility?"
Xie Yong'er, wrapped in her blanket, sneered. "I concede defeat. No need for your hypocritical act. You didn’t tell me from the start, letting me sink deeper into the mire. Now that I’ve fallen this low, you come calling me your kind. Don’t you find that laughable?"
Pale-faced and huddled under the covers, she looked as fragile as a willow, with only her eyes still alive—burning with indignant fury. Seeing her unyielding gaze, Yu Wanyin felt an overwhelming helplessness. "If we had approached you right after transmigrating, would your first reaction have been to cooperate?"
Xie Yong'er: "..."
She was stumped.
Back then, she had been convinced that heaven had given her a second chance—a new life free from mediocrity, where she could finally shine.
She knew Xiahou Dan was doomed, so she had thrown her lot in with Prince Duan without hesitation, and he had welcomed her readily. She had been brimming with ambition, every step leading her toward certain victory.
If she had suddenly discovered Xiahou Dan was a wildcard, her first reaction would likely have been panic—fearing his retaliation—and she would have rushed to warn Prince Duan, eliminating the threat while it was still weak.
Yu Wanyin’s question struck a nerve. "What are you implying? I just wanted to survive till the end. Is that wrong? Don’t you want the same?"
Yu Wanyin: "I do."
She softened her tone. "Honestly, I don’t think it’s entirely your fault. The blame lies with this damned world. If possible, I’d like you to survive too. The few of us could share a hotpot, play some cards..."
Her words were meant to soothe, but Xie Yong'er took them as an insult, glaring at the pair with fury. "The winner takes all. Stop playing the saint. If our positions were reversed, you’d have made the same choices!"
Xiahou Dan scoffed. "The difference would’ve been huge."
He seemed determined to undermine Yu Wanyin today. "If Wan Yin were like you, how would you still be alive?"Yu Wanyin: "No, no, it's not like that. Yong'er isn't as ruthless as she thinks she is, really. Before you came in, she wasn't trying to manipulate me into talking—she was trying to warn me."
Xie Yong'er choked back a retort, her expression dark and unreadable.
But Xiahou Dan shook his head, reaching out to pull Yu Wanyin along. "I don't think there's anything left to say to her. Let's go."
Yu Wanyin stared at him incredulously, but Xiahou Dan tightened his grip and forcibly led her out the door, adding over his shoulder, "Double the guards. While Consort Xie is recuperating, seal this door—no one enters or leaves."
Once they were alone, Yu Wanyin slowed her steps. "What was that about? Xie Yong'er is still useful. She's emotionally vulnerable right now—I was planning to pressure and coax her into switching sides."
Xiahou Dan remained calm. "I know. I was playing along with you."
"That was playing along?"
"Of course. I handled the pressure, you handle the coaxing. Given that I've been cuckolded, it's only natural for me to resort to some... personal punishment, right? Later, you can sneak back in with food and medicine to break through her psychological defenses."
Yu Wanyin: "...Personal punishment?"
Xiahou Dan nodded. "Trust me, words alone won't work."
"Don't be so hasty. At least let me try."
Xiahou Dan shrugged. "I knew you'd say that. Fine, give it a shot. If it works, great. If not, forget it. She's a genuine villain—even if she switches sides, you'll have to watch out for her acting. Hardly worth the effort."
Yu Wanyin hesitated.
"Actually, some of what I said earlier was sincere. Thinking about it now, her actions tonight might not have been premeditated—just a stress response. And the reason I want her alive is because I'm afraid this book will get axed. Ultimately, it's self-preservation..."
Xiahou Dan stopped walking.
Yu Wanyin, unaware, kept going. "There's not much difference between her and me."
"There is," Xiahou Dan said firmly.
Yu Wanyin turned back. "?"
Xiahou Dan stood still, watching her with an odd look. "Have you never considered that there are many ways to keep someone alive? Cut off her legs, imprison her for life—as long as she doesn't die, the goal is achieved, isn't it?"
"..." The hairs on Yu Wanyin's neck stood on end.
"If you can't even think of that, you've got no right to call yourself a villain," Xiahou Dan said, seemingly amused. "Xie Yong'er would've thought of it immediately. Let me remind you again—she's a Paper Doll. As the plot demands, she can be as wicked as needed."
Yu Wanyin stared at him, stunned.
He was still dressed in his banquet attire, though he'd removed his crown, leaving his hair slightly disheveled. He must have drunk quite a bit—the faint scent of alcohol lingered on him. Maybe that was why he spoke more freely tonight, more casually than usual.
Casual enough to unsettle her slightly.
Yu Wanyin: "You—"
"Hmm?"
You need to stay alert. Don't let this role assimilate you.
"You—" Yu Wanyin pressed her lips together. "Did you notice anything off about those Yan envoys at the banquet earlier?"
Xiahou Dan replied absently, "Of course there's something wrong. The Empress Dowager provoked them like that, and they didn't react at all—no anger, nothing. They must be planning something bigger."
Yu Wanyin nodded distractedly."However, the Thousand Autumns Banquet is when the security is tightest. If they wanted to cause trouble, they wouldn't choose today. Most likely, they're waiting to make their move when negotiating terms with me privately. Let's not dwell on this now—it's cold outside, hurry back inside."
But as she turned to leave, Xiahou Dan caught her hand.
Yu Wanyin's heart skipped a beat as she looked back at him.
Their skin touched, and Xiahou Dan's fingers twitched slightly, as if instinctively wanting to pull away—yet in the end, they remained still.
The slender, pale hand, already cool to the touch, grew as cold as a serpent's skin in the night breeze.
Yu Wanyin shivered.
Xiahou Dan released her grip this time: "You left in such a hurry earlier—did you eat enough?"
"...Huh? It's fine, I'll just have the palace servants heat up something for a late-night snack when I get back."
Xiahou Dan retrieved a few handkerchief-wrapped pastries from his robe: "Still warm. Have these to tide you over."
Yu Wanyin numbly accepted the pastries. They were indeed warm, having been kept close to his body, retaining at least his body heat.
While locked in a battle of wits with the Empress Dowager and contending with the Yan envoys, he had still remembered that she might be hungry.
"Don't tell me you're moved by this? That's too easy, you villain," Xiahou Dan teased with a smile.
Yu Wanyin took a deep breath: "Walk with me for a bit. I'm afraid the Empress Dowager might ambush me."
"Alright." Xiahou Dan urged her, "Eat quickly, or I brought these for nothing."
Yu Wanyin took a tasteless bite of the pastry: "Speaking of which, what did you originally look like? After staring at this tyrant's face for so long, I can hardly imagine your real appearance."
Half a step behind her, Xiahou Dan narrowed his eyes, straining to recall.
"Just... average. Not ugly."
"Average?" Yu Wanyin laughed. "Weren't you an actor?"
"Hence my lack of success," he replied smoothly. "What about you?"
"Me? Just your average corporate drone. With makeup, I might barely pass as cute. Without it... well, let's not talk about that."
"Don't sell yourself short. I'm sure you were beautiful too."
Xiahou Dan escorted Yu Wanyin all the way back to her quarters before returning to his own palace. To maintain their public facade of a rocky romance, once within sight of palace attendants, Yu Wanyin adopted a cold expression and said indifferently, "Your Majesty may leave now."
Whether still acting or not, Xiahou Dan replied gently, "Then rest early."
Yu Wanyin lowered her head and entered the gate.
"Uncle Bei?" she exclaimed in surprise.
"Dan'er sent me over. I'll be protecting you closely from now on," Bei Zhou said quietly. "What happened here tonight?"
"It's a long story, full of twists and turns..."
"I can tell," Bei Zhou nodded. "Your face is flushed with anxiety."
Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager faction was holding a secret meeting.
Everyone wore grave expressions, sitting in solemn silence. The Empress Dowager calmly skimmed tea leaves, not looking up.
With her silent, a minister took the initiative to self-criticize: "This humble official is incompetent. I never expected His Majesty to publicly challenge us at the Thousand Autumns Banquet. At a loss for how to respond, I failed Lord Wang..."
"Brother Wang panicked in the moment—hardly fit for responsibility. His imprisonment is no injustice," said another, seizing the chance to settle scores with the disliked Lord Wang.
"It seems His Majesty is growing older and developing his own ideas. We incompetents must rely on Your Majesty to guide him for the sake of the nation's future," one flattered, fanning the flames.
The Empress Dowager finally looked up: "Guide him?"
She smiled: "He's made it clear he won't be guided anymore."
"In this subject's opinion, though father and son, the Crown Prince is intelligent and magnanimous, showing signs of a wise ruler," one hinted, suggesting she replace the current puppet.
The Little Crown Prince sat meekly to the side.
But the Empress Dowager was in no mood for anger tonight, her voice tinged with weariness: "The timing has passed."
They had missed their best opportunity. Prince Duan's influence had grown too strong, now firmly overshadowing them. Killing the Emperor at this point would only pave the way for Prince Duan.The ministers were still arguing back and forth about whether to deal with the Emperor or Prince Duan first when the Empress Dowager set down her teacup with a sharp "clink," cutting them off. "Judging by the Emperor's actions, he's dead set on peace talks. If we establish friendly relations with Yan, securing our borders, Prince Duan's power will grow unchecked."
They had to keep the border forces in check.
Having made up her mind, she said lightly, "Those Yan people can't even speak proper Mandarin. Wandering around the capital, they're bound to clash with our Xia people. A bunch of barbarians—won't they draw their swords at the slightest provocation? And when blades are drawn, blood is bound to spill."
The ministers fell silent.
Those who schemed, those who stirred trouble, those with their own little plots—all stopped talking and stared dumbfounded at the woman seated above them.
The Empress Dowager wanted more than just the failure of peace talks—that wasn't enough for her.
If she was going to act, she would go all out, wiping out the Yan envoy delegation right here. Killing envoys during negotiations was the ultimate insult between warring states. She wanted to provoke Yan into seeking revenge, to ignite a new war.
A true villain—this was a real villain.
Internal strife was one thing, but dragging Yan into it would escalate matters entirely.
One minister wiped his cold sweat. "But... the safety of our nation..."
Another quickly sided with her. "What, are you all afraid our Central Army would actually lose if war broke out? Even if the Central Army fails, we can always deploy the Right Army. By then, both the Yan people and Prince Duan would be weakened, and we can reap the rewards."
A casual remark, treating the lives of countless soldiers as mere bargaining chips on the table.
The sweating minister glanced furtively at the Little Crown Prince nearby, as if hoping he might say something. Noticing this, the Empress Dowager asked outright, "What does the Crown Prince think?"
The Little Crown Prince pondered for a moment. "If Grandmother says we should fight, then we should fight."
The Empress Dowager laughed heartily. "Such a good grandson—far better than the one sitting on the throne now."
Even the most ambitious ministers felt a chill at this moment.
The thought that the Great Xia's empire would one day fall into the hands of such a child sent a shiver down their spines.
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