Love and Crown

The Great Wu Empire, spanning thousands of miles, has enjoyed over a century of political clarity and border stability.

The capital, located slightly north of the empire's center, boasts a pleasant climate, thriving culture, education, and trade, with its people living in peace.

North of Vermilion Bird Street in the capital, south of Longevity Hill, east of Mirror Lake, and west of Grand Secretariat Lane, lies the imperial city—known as the Forbidden Palace—encircled by a moat over ten zhang wide.

Within the Forbidden Palace's Western Six Palaces reside thirteen consorts of varying ranks.

The Palace of Eternal Longevity, adjacent to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, is home to Imperial Noble Consort Du Tingxin. Due to her elegant demeanor, reminiscent of an orchid, those in the palace prefer to call her Consort Lan.

Consort Lan is the orphaned daughter of the late First-Rank Duke Wei, Du Ruhe. Raised by the Empress Dowager from childhood, she grew up alongside the emperor as his childhood sweetheart, making her the undeniably most favored consort.

Behind the Palace of Eternal Longevity lies the Palace of Earthly Honor, where Consort De, Xing Yiyong, daughter of Minister of Personnel Xing Yu, resides. She is the only other consort besides Consort Lan to hold an official title. The side chambers of the Palace of Earthly Honor house two lower-ranking concubines.

The Palace of Eternal Spring has no primary consort, instead accommodating eight attendants and lower-ranking concubines.

Next to the Palace of Universal Happiness stands the Palace of Gathered Elegance, with two large locust trees in its courtyard. Adjacent to the imperial garden and separated from the Hall of Mental Cultivation by two palaces, it remains largely deserted. Here, I live alone—I am the empress.

Since moving from the Palace of Earthly Tranquility three days after the wedding and taking up residence in the Palace of Gathered Elegance, I have rarely been summoned, living like an empress consigned to the cold palace. Yet, I am also the sole daughter of Ling Xuefeng, the Grand Secretary who holds sway over both internal and external affairs—the empress whom the emperor, during the wedding and enthronement ceremonies, gracefully held by the hand, pledging the union of two families to honor ancestors and secure the imperial lineage.

Now, I idly toy with an ivory lotus bead bracelet.

I do not believe in Buddhism. Devotion to gods and immortals is the pastime of old women who have lost hope in life.

I am still young, with many unfulfilled desires and aspirations. I remain confident in myself, even though Xiao Huan has never once looked at me properly.

Xiao Huan is my husband in name—the emperor of this empire, a man who has just reached the age of majority and assumed personal rule, with little control over state affairs and a modest appetite for women.

He is my nominal husband, just as he is the husband of every other woman in this harem. Those women flock to him like mosquitoes to blood. Were it not for the need to uphold decorum, I imagine they would throw themselves at him, clinging to his neck and desperately kissing his excessively refined eyebrows.

They chatter about who was recently gifted half a bowl of tremella soup—leftover from Xiao Huan's own meal—as if it were Divine Dew! They scrub themselves clean, speculating over whose Green Head Placard his hand will flip tonight. They gossip about that concubine who still dares to flaunt herself around with an outdated hairstyle.

They know nothing of love—and neither do I. There was a time when I thought I understood love, until that man said, "I'm sorry," and I realized I was wrong.

But those are all old stories, no longer worth mentioning.

What occupies my mind now is how to make a woman apologize to me.

I am not a vain woman, but neither am I magnanimous enough to let another woman trample over me. I intend to teach that arrogant Concubine Wu from the Palace of Earthly Honor a lesson.This presumptuous woman merely attended Xiao Huan in the Hall of Mental Cultivation for two consecutive nights, yet she dares defy me before the Empress Dowager and other concubines. Does she think the imperial harem is some little garden owned by her third-rank vice-minister father?

Naturally, there are numerous ways to teach her a lesson.

I could spend months winning her over, making her believe the empress of the Forbidden Palace is her most devoted sister. Then, over months or even years, I could wait for an opportunity to destroy her—perhaps when Xiao Huan loses interest, and she, emboldened by her closeness to the empress, commits some minor but fatal blunder.

If that seems too tedious, I could casually praise Wu Lianming’s dazzling favor during palace gatherings—no need for provocation or even a hint of resentment. Soon enough, those sharp-witted women of the court would eagerly and discreetly remove this thorn in everyone’s side.

In this harem, there are countless ways to make someone vanish without a trace.

But today, I won’t use any of those methods—because they lack satisfaction.

The Glazed Lion Beast on my desk exhaled wisps of blue smoke. Rising from the couch, I slipped my bare feet into gold-threaded mandarin duck embroidered slippers and stood, my vermilion phoenix-cloud gown trailing across the long-pile Persian carpet.

Supporting my head to keep the Seven-Treasure Golden Phoenix Hairpin in place, I smiled at Xiaoshan beside me: "Feel like accompanying your mistress to humble that Wu Lianming?"

Xiaoshan, my childhood maid and now the head palace maid of the Palace of Gathered Elegance, had grown too familiar. She shot me a glance and retorted, "What mischief are you plotting now?"

I chuckled, examining the fresh Henna Polish on my nails before glancing back. "Just watch. Go, summon Wu Lianming to the imperial garden. And have tea prepared for me beneath the wisteria arbor by the Crimson Snow Pavilion."

Xiaoshan, who fancied embroidery, pursed her lips and reluctantly set aside her half-finished shoe pattern to arrange matters.

After waiting a while, I draped the Snow Brocade Cloud Shawl over my exposed shoulders and stepped out, summoning a few maids and eunuchs for whispered instructions.

With everything arranged, we set off.

A procession of parasols stretched behind me, followed by a retinue of palace maids.

By the time we reached the imperial garden, tea and pastries were ready in the pavilion. As I settled onto the swept stone bench, commotion erupted at the garden’s entrance—Xiaoshan had brought Wu Lianming.

From the intertwined pines at the Gate of Heavenly Unity to the Crimson Snow Pavilion was roughly two hundred paces, passing a flower bed, rows of lotus pots, a Taihu rockery, and a wisteria arbor—a journey of mere moments.

Cradling the cup of Lion Peak Dragon Well tea, I sipped slowly. Then came the sounds: gasps, shattering porcelain, splashing water, falls, running footsteps, and screams.

When silence returned, I set down the teacup and looked up.Lady Wu stood beneath the pavilion, her hair ornaments askew and locks of hair clinging to her cheeks. Her beautiful eyes were wide with terror as the light green gauze clung wetly to her body, mud and grass sliding down the curves of her figure.

If my arrangements hadn't gone awry, she must have first been drenched with a basin of cold water, then pushed into a muddy lotus vat while still disoriented.

But what a beauty she was—even in such disarray, her delicate charm couldn't be concealed. No wonder she alone received such favor among the imperial concubines.

I narrowed my eyes and rose with a smile, covering my chin with the round fan in my hand, revealing only half my mouth. "Oh my, isn't this Lady Wu? How did you end up covered in mud?"

Lady Wu stared blankly at me, her eyes growing even wider, her voice trembling. "You... you..."

I lowered the fan from my lips, folding it against my left hand, my gaze turning sharp. "Lady Wu, have you forgotten the palace rules? Attendants, teach her properly!"

The palace maids nearby were much more obedient than Xiaoshan. Before my words even settled, someone immediately stepped forward. "By Her Majesty the Empress's decree!"

Two swift kicks followed—thud! thud!—and Lady Wu collapsed to her knees with a thump.

The vicious maids didn't hold back. Lady Wu fell to the ground, barely catching herself on her elbows to avoid sprawling face-first.

She braced against the ground, struggling to lift her head, her almond-shaped eyes wide with defiance—as if she still wanted to argue with me.

I chuckled softly and slowly strolled to her, bending down to press the fan's handle against her trembling shoulder. The pressure wasn't heavy, but it was precisely placed on her scapula, enough to numb half her body.

Looking down at her, I smiled faintly. "Wu Lianming, do you think that just because we're both the Emperor's women, you're prettier than me, better at pleasing His Majesty than me, yet you have to kneel before me and pay respects every time we meet—does that feel unfair? Does it seem unreasonable?"

I curled my lips higher, staring straight into her eyes. "Let me tell you this: even if you are prettier than me, even if you're better at pleasing His Majesty, I can still make you fall flat every time you see me. A hundred meetings, a hundred falls. If you don't believe me, I'll make you believe it—slowly." I leaned closer, my lips brushing her ear. "Or you could go beg His Majesty or the Empress Dowager, who dote on you, and see if they can protect you."

Pulling back, my smile remained, though to Wu Lianming, it must have seemed as venomous as a serpent's. "Actually, you should just accept it—after all, I'm the Empress, and you're not."

Straightening up, I lifted the fan from her shoulder and casually tossed it at her feet. "This fan is a bit muddy now—consider it a gift to Lady Wu." I smiled. "The Imperial Textile Bureau only produces five Western Cicada-Wing Gauze Fans each year. Don't waste it."

Turning away, I called for Xiaoshan and the gaggle of onlooking maids, swaying leisurely back to the palace. As I passed the lush wisteria trellis, I glanced back. Amidst the riot of flowers, Wu Lianming lay sprawled on the ground, fists clenched, her face buried in disheveled hair—her expression unreadable.

Returning to the Palace of Gathered Elegance, I idled away the hours until dusk, when word came from the Hall of Mental Cultivation: Xiao Huan had summoned Lady Wu to attend him that night.

The next morning, when I went to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager as customary, Xiao Huan was unexpectedly there as well.

With a radiant smile, I approached, first bowing to the Empress Dowager, then curtsying to Xiao Huan. "This humble consort greets Your Majesty.""Come, come, Empress, no need for such formalities. Sit here by me." The Empress Dowager warmly pulled me to sit beside her, taking my hand in hers, the very picture of a doting elder.

I smiled and turned to Xiao Huan nearby: "It's been so long. Has Your Majesty's health improved?"

It wasn't affectation on my part—the Imperial Medical Bureau always claimed Xiao Huan suffered from a cold ailment requiring much rest, making him appear as fragile as a wilting flower. It was precisely for this reason that he didn't marry and assume personal rule until after coming of age.

Cold ailment? If he truly had a cold ailment, I'd laugh my teeth out. Always using poor health as an excuse to neglect court affairs—never missing court assemblies or policy discussions, yet dumping all governmental matters onto the Grand Secretariat, only bothering to add vermilion endorsements to their Draft Recommendations. The phrase "hide one's capacities and bide one's time" fit him perfectly.

Before Xiao Huan could respond, the Empress Dowager frowned and turned to him: "So long? Emperor, has it truly been so long since you've seen the Empress?"

Xiao Huan immediately rose and answered respectfully: "Reporting to Mother Empress, this son has been neglectful these past days."

The Empress Dowager looked at him, paused for a moment, then sighed: "Since ancient times, what emperor hasn't shown some partiality? This is only natural. As long as it's not excessive, it harms neither family nor state. But Emperor, no matter how wonderful other women may be, isn't the Empress also an excellent woman? You must show her more affection."

I listened quietly, eyes lowered demurely: What beautifully crafted words—so considerate of me. One would never guess they carried even a hint of implying I couldn't keep my man.

Xiao Huan nodded respectfully: "Mother Empress's admonishment is correct. This son will remember it well."

"You always say you'll remember, remember, yet never take it to heart." The Empress Dowager's expression softened slightly as she chided him with a smile, then turned to me. "Empress, while the Emperor has his faults, he's been frail since childhood with the heavy burdens of state. Regarding matters of the inner palace, shouldn't the Empress also make considerations for the Emperor?"

I quickly rose as well: "This concubine humbly obeys Mother Empress's instruction."

"Enough, enough, I wasn't scolding either of you—no need for such formality." Though she said this, the Empress Dowager's expression had clearly softened as she cheerfully took both our hands. "Sit down quickly now. Let us three enjoy more family talk."

Xiao Huan and I sat again while the Empress Dowager held my hand and chattered about trivial matters. I made appropriate responses, and thus we conversed for nearly two hours.

Only when the Empress Dowager grew tired and needed to rest did Xiao Huan and I take our leave together.

After leaving the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility, I accompanied Xiao Huan down the long corridor back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Suddenly he smiled: "Has the Empress been particularly irritable lately?"

I sighed first before smiling at him: "When days and nights pass without catching even a glimpse of Your Majesty's robe, how could this concubine not grow anxious? For Your Majesty to ask such a question truly wounds me!"

To my surprise, he actually chuckled softly: "If the Empress truly wished to see me, wouldn't sending any servant to the Hall of Mental Cultivation with word suffice? That the Empress cares so deeply leaves me flattered."

Not letting my smile falter in the slightest, I purred: "How very disingenuous of Your Majesty to say so."

"Is that so?" He turned to look at me, the faint smile still playing at his lips. "Then are the Empress's words not equally disingenuous?"I raised an eyebrow, forcing a smile so fake even I found it insincere: "Every word from this humble consort comes from the heart, unlike Your Majesty, who refuses to show even a sliver of sincerity."

He lowered his head with a faint smile, deftly steering the conversation away: "Though Lady Wu may be spoiled, the Empress has already disciplined her. Could you, for my sake, refrain from further conflict with her?"

So we've finally arrived at the main point, haven't we? I knew it—ordinarily he'd go out of his way to avoid meeting me, yet today he deliberately waited for me at the Empress Dowager's residence despite our mutual aversion. All to plead for Lady Wu's sake.

"Ah, this. Your Majesty knows well—while others may have labyrinthine schemes, this consort follows but one principle: whoever displeases me shall find no pleasure themselves. However," I smiled sweetly at him, "once my anger is vented, the matter ends. Unlike some who smile to your face while plotting behind your back with such profound cunning. Wouldn't you agree, Your Majesty?"

He chuckled lightly and nodded: "It's reassuring to hear the Empress say so."

As we spoke, a figure in black hurried down the corridor and knelt on one knee: "Your servant Li Hongqing pays respects to Your Majesty and the Empress."

This was Li Hongqing, deputy commander of the Escort Battalion responsible for the imperial harem's security.

The Imperial Bodyguards of our dynasty were divided into two battalions—the Escort Battalion and the Venom Battalion, each comprising about two hundred men. The Escort Battalion oversaw the Brocade Uniform Guard, safeguarding the Forbidden Palace while also assisting in training and inspecting the Twenty-Four Imperial Guards of the capital. The Venom Battalion's two hundred operatives were scattered across the empire, gathering intelligence and monitoring officials—their very name struck fear into corrupt officials' hearts. Though fewer than five hundred in total, each was an elite warrior of exceptional skill, many possessing extraordinary abilities that made them formidable.

These two battalions answered directly to the emperor, holding unique status in the empire. Their four commanders traditionally descended from four noble families who had campaigned with the founding emperor. Li Hongqing was a descendant of the Valiant Duke Li Zhaolin, himself holding the title of Third-Class Valiant Marquis and General of Cavalry.

Successive emperors of Great Wu treated these commanders with utmost respect, almost as brothers. This mutual trust ensured the Imperial Bodyguards' unwavering loyalty as the imperial family's most trusted confidants.

Hong Qing had always been informal before Xiao Huan. Rising immediately after kneeling, he glanced at me and hesitated slightly: "Your Majesty, Hong Qing has urgent matters to report."

Understanding this confidential report required my absence, I smiled and bowed to Xiao Huan: "This consort takes her leave."

Xiao Huan nodded with a smile: "Take care, Empress."

I smiled again and withdrew. When sufficiently distant, I glanced back—Hong Qing stood before Xiao Huan reporting something, then a slender white figure emerged from Shunyi Gate nearby. Without concern for propriety, she naturally took Xiao Huan's arm and, whether intentionally or not, cast a glance toward my direction.

Imperial Noble Consort Du Tingxin.

I couldn't help a cold laugh—was this performance meant for me? Why not display it for the currently favored Lady Wu instead? I posed no threat to her—Xiao Huan probably wouldn't even touch a hair on my head.

Watching those two intimate figures, I felt an inexplicable pang of bitterness—just a slight one.After paying my respects, I found myself feeling short of breath and tight in the chest. Leading my entourage of palace maids and eunuchs along the corridor to the Palace of Gathered Elegance, I hesitated for a moment before deciding to dismiss most of my attendants. Keeping only two maids with me, I headed to the imperial garden for some fresh air.

The broken lotus vases from yesterday's mischief with Wu Lianming had long been cleared away and replaced with new ones. Only faint traces of mud remained in some hidden corners.

The weight of my embroidered finery pressed uncomfortably on my shoulders. A gust of wind rustled through the shrubs and flower beds, and for some reason, I had the strange illusion of hearing footsteps. When I turned to look, there was nothing behind me—only the lush greenery of the imperial garden swaying and stretching in the breeze.