In the dead of night, when Prince Rui's Estate had long fallen into deep slumber and all was silent, voices suddenly arose. It was Tie Yi, urgently seeking an audience. Normally, Tie Yi would never disturb them at such an hour. Shen Miao was half-asleep when she felt Xie Jingxing rise and leave the room. Moments later, it seemed he was speaking to someone outside, followed by the rustling sounds of someone dressing in the room. She opened her eyes to see Xie Jingxing standing by the desk, putting on his clothes. Glancing outside, she wondered why he seemed to be preparing to leave in the middle of the night.
"Has something happened?" she asked.
Noticing she was awake, Xie Jingxing replied, "There's some trouble in the palace. I'm going to check on it. Go back to sleep—no need to wait for me."
Hearing this, Shen Miao's drowsiness dissipated. If Xie Jingxing was leaving at this hour, the matter must be serious—and it involved the palace. "What happened? Is it urgent?" she pressed.
"Empress pushed Lu Jing into the pond," Xie Jingxing said as he fastened his outer robe. "The details are too complicated to explain right now."
Shen Miao first felt relieved. When Xie Jingxing rushed to the palace in the middle of the night, she had feared an assassin or something dire. Learning it was only this eased her mind. But then another thought struck her, and she asked in surprise, "How could Empress push Consort Jing into the pond?" Shen Miao had rarely seen Xiande Huanghou, but she had met Consort Jing. Faced with someone like Consort Jing, Xiande Huanghou would never stoop to such pettiness—she was not one to act impulsively. Shen Miao might believe it if Consort Jing had pushed Xiande Huanghou, but the reverse was unthinkable.
"The Lu family is already in the palace," Xie Jingxing said. "They love to stir up trouble. I should go assess the situation."
Shen Miao quickly sat up. "I'm coming too."
"It's too late," Xie Jingxing objected. "Go back to sleep. Nothing will happen."
She shook her head. "If they're calling you to the palace, it can't be trivial. I won't be able to sleep anyway. Leaving me here alone will just make me worry. It's better I go with you—at least I'll know what's happening, and maybe I can help."
After a moment's thought, Xie Jingxing relented. "Fine. I wouldn't feel at ease leaving you here alone. Let's go."
Shen Miao hurriedly got up to change.
Since it was so late and the servants were all resting, Xie Jingxing and Shen Miao only brought Tie Yi and Cong Yang with them. The carriage rolled through the empty streets of Longye, not a soul in sight. Xie Jingxing's expression was cold, while Shen Miao pondered the situation carefully.
Even if Xiande Huanghou had truly pushed Consort Jing, there was no need to summon Xie Jingxing to the palace in the middle of the night. To put it bluntly, even if Consort Jing died from this, it was merely a squabble among the imperial harem—the Lu family could simply be dismissed. Moreover, the Yongle Emperor and the Lu family were already on the verge of an open rift. Why would they go to such lengths just to placate the Lu family?When Shen Miao was in Ming Qi, she had seen palace concubines tripping each other up out of jealousy, but the incident where Consort Jing was pushed into the pond by Xiande Huanghou seemed like the clumsiest frame-up imaginable. Why would Xie Jingxing need to make a trip to the palace for this? Shen Miao felt there was more to the matter. However, Tie Yi said the palace messenger who delivered the Imperial decree hadn’t been very clear, so no one knew the exact details.
Both lost in their own thoughts, they soon arrived at the palace gates. There, they were met by Duke Deng, an attendant of the Yongle Emperor. His face lit up at the sight of Xie Jingxing, but he was momentarily taken aback when Shen Miao also alighted from the carriage. However, he didn’t dwell on it and smiled, saying, “Your Highness, you’ve finally arrived. His Majesty is waiting for you inside.”
Xie Jingxing motioned for Duke Deng to lead the way, with Shen Miao following behind. After a moment’s thought, she asked, “Duke Deng, is Her Majesty the Empress well?”
“Her Majesty is fine. Thank you for your concern, Royal Consort,” Duke Deng replied with a smile.
Shen Miao’s gaze flickered. If the Empress was unharmed, yet such a fuss had been made, did that mean the other one was involved?
Sure enough, as soon as the thought crossed her mind, Duke Deng added, “However, Consort Jing has yet to awaken.”
Xie Jingxing scoffed coldly. “What scheme is Lu Jing playing now?” His expression was visibly irritated.
Duke Deng merely smiled without further comment, but Shen Miao sensed something hidden in that smile.
Upon entering the palace, Duke Deng led them straight to Jinghua Palace, Consort Jing’s residence. Though it was late at night, the palace was brightly lit, with a group of maids kneeling in the main hall. Shen Miao immediately spotted the Yongle Emperor and Xiande Huanghou seated inside. The Empress appeared composed and unruffled as always, while the Emperor’s face was icy.
Shen Miao and Xie Jingxing entered hand in hand. Duke Deng promptly announced their arrival. The Yongle Emperor seemed momentarily surprised to see Shen Miao, but Xiande Huanghou stood up and approached her warmly, taking her hand. “I had hoped to invite you to the palace for a chat earlier, but you were unwell, and then so many things happened. I didn’t expect you to come so late tonight.”
Shen Miao smiled. “His Highness was summoned to the palace, and since I didn’t know what had happened, I followed.”
Xiande Huanghou asked, “Are you feeling better now?”
“I’ve fully recovered. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty,” Shen Miao replied.
The Empress smiled. “Then I can rest easy.”
Meanwhile, Xie Jingxing turned to the Yongle Emperor and asked sternly, “Imperial Brother, what happened?”
Everyone knew Xiande Huanghou would never push Consort Jing into a pond without reason. Now that Consort Jing remained unconscious, and the Yongle Emperor had already begun acting against the Lu family without regard for their reputation, why would he summon Xie Jingxing to the palace over Consort Jing’s condition?
The Yongle Emperor said coldly, “The Lu family has just been here.”
“They’ve been here?” Xie Jingxing frowned. “I didn’t see any of them on my way in.” The Lu family was known for their obstinacy, flaunting their past merits as if they were above all. With Consort Jing’s fall into the pond and the recent setbacks the Lu family had suffered at the Yongle Emperor’s hands, they would surely seize this chance to make a scene—at the very least, they would hound Xiande Huanghou relentlessly. Yet now, there wasn’t a trace of them. Had they already made their fuss and left before Xie Jingxing arrived?"They are not afraid of anything happening to Consort Jing." It was Empress Xiande who spoke: "They simply have nothing to fear."
Shen Miao's heart stirred. What did this 'having nothing to fear' imply?
As she pondered, the imperial physician emerged from the inner chamber. Approaching the Yongle Emperor, he bowed and reported, "Your Majesty, Consort Jing has caught a chill from falling into the water. Fortunately, her constitution is strong, and the imperial offspring in her womb remains unharmed. After taking a couple of doses of medicine and resting, both mother and child will surely be safe."
Consort Jing was pregnant?
Both Shen Miao and Xie Jingxing froze in surprise. Instinctively, Shen Miao glanced at Empress Xiande. The Empress's lips curved slightly, appearing as composed and dignified as usual, yet Shen Miao sensed a trace of mockery in that smile. Turning to the Yongle Emperor, his gaze was icy, his expression unreadable—hardly the look of joy one would expect.
From inside the chamber, Consort Jing seemed to have awakened, calling out in a delicate voice, "Your Majesty... This concubine wishes to see Your Majesty..." Xie Jingxing cast an amused glance at the Yongle Emperor, who instead turned to look at Empress Xiande. The Empress smiled faintly. "Your Majesty should go and see Consort Jing. After all, the child is innocent." Then she addressed Xie Jingxing, "His Majesty will likely wish to speak with you later. You may wait here for a while." To Shen Miao, she said, "After all this commotion, I should return to change my clothes. Royal Consort, accompany me. It's late, and the night air is chilly. Weiyang Palace happens to have warm tea."
Empress Xiande remained poised, showing no sign of distress. Yet the more composed she appeared, the more unsettling it felt. Shen Miao noticed the Empress's skirt was soaked—likely from being near the pond with Consort Jing earlier. Though Consort Jing had fallen in, the Empress's robes had also gotten wet. Perhaps she had been too preoccupied with Lu Jing to change into dry clothes.
Shen Miao nodded. "Of course."
The Yongle Emperor stared at Empress Xiande without speaking, while Consort Jing's calls from inside grew increasingly plaintive. The Empress said, "Your Majesty should go in soon. What matters now is not Consort Jing's exhaustion, but the child in her womb." Without waiting for the Emperor's reaction, she took Shen Miao's hand and left.
Once outside Jinghua Palace, the air felt noticeably fresher. The bitter summer of Longye was nearly over, and soon the weather would cool into early autumn. The flowers now in full bloom would wither into desolation in the coming days.
Shen Miao lowered her head, reflecting on the strange tension between the Yongle Emperor and Empress Xiande. Today, the Empress had seemed weary, even confrontational in Jinghua Palace—uncharacteristic for her usually steady demeanor. Was it because of Consort Jing's child?
Come to think of it, Empress Xiande had no children. Shen Miao had noticed this during her first visit to the palace. The Yongle Emperor was in his prime, yet he had no heirs. This was one reason the Lu and Ye factions in court had so many followers—aside from the remnants of the late emperor's influence, the lack of an heir made the current reign seem precarious. A ruler without descendants could hardly secure a lasting legacy.But now Consort Jing is pregnant? If she gives birth to a son, would he inevitably be made the future crown prince? Then wouldn't this empire ultimately remain tied to the Lu family? The dominance of maternal relatives was precisely what the Yongle Emperor least wanted to see. No wonder he showed no joy upon hearing of Consort Jing's pregnancy. As for Xiande Huanghou's displeasure, it likely stemmed not just from concerns about her position as Empress, but also from a woman's jealousy.
Outsiders see clearly. Viewing matters from an external perspective always brings special clarity. Shen Miao was no exception. The way Xiande Huanghou looked at the Yongle Emperor was identical to how she herself had once looked at Fu Xiuyi. Deeply loving one's husband, only for another woman to bear his child—even someone as composed as Xiande Huanghou must have felt a twinge of resentment.
In the end, she was just a woman after all.
"Royal Consort?" Xiande Huanghou's voice sounded by her ear. Shen Miao snapped out of her thoughts to find the Empress looking at her with an indulgent smile. "You were so lost in thought you didn't hear what I said."
Shen Miao quickly apologized, "This humble one begs Your Majesty's forgiveness."
"No need for that," Xiande Huanghou waved it off unconcernedly. "At this late hour, it's natural for one to be distracted by fatigue. The Royal Consort need not blame herself."
As they walked, Shen Miao couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, may this humble wife ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"Did Your Majesty truly push Consort Jing into the water?"
Xiande Huanghou paused slightly before smiling at her. "What does the Royal Consort think?"
"Your Majesty would never do such a thing. Consort Jing has only recently entered the palace, and Your Majesty has coexisted peacefully with her for years. There's no reason to target her at this critical juncture." Shen Miao said. "That's why this humble wife finds it strange—why would Your Majesty admit to this accusation?"
Xiande Huanghou stopped walking and looked at Shen Miao with a laugh. "You seem to have great faith in me. Actually, it's rather peculiar—the first time I saw you, I felt we were very alike, though your temperament is fiercer, likely because your father was a military commander. I've heard much about you. Though equally shrewd and strategic, you possess a martial boldness in your actions—direct and decisive. I'm not like that. Civil officials' families emphasize circumspection. Even when I must be ruthless, I wrap it in softness until the very end. So in that regard, we're fundamentally different."
Shen Miao remained silent.
Xiande Huanghou continued smiling. "Indeed, I had no need to push her into the pond. This logic is understood by His Majesty, by the Lu family—the only one who doesn't understand is Lu Jing herself. As for whether I shoulder this blame or not, it matters little. The purpose of framing someone is to deceive the world, yet even you, who have only recently arrived in Longye, see through this lie—let alone Longye's officials."
Shen Miao asked, "But won't Your Majesty offer any explanation?"
"I can't be bothered to explain, nor do I deign to. Let Consort Jing do as she pleases—it concerns me not in the slightest." Xiande Huanghou said indifferently.
Shen Miao thought to herself—this was another fundamental difference between her and the Empress. Were it her, she would never admit to a crime she didn't commit, no matter how disdainful she felt. No matter how much she changed, her core remained fiery and unyielding. Xiande Huanghou, however, was like a pool of water—encompassing and steady, making others feel insignificant in her presence.As they spoke, Weiyang Palace came into view before they knew it. Tao Gugu was waiting at the entrance. Seeing the two of them return, she hurried over to Xiande Huanghou and asked, "Is Your Highness alright? Is Consort Jing unharmed?" After Consort Jing fell into the water, Xiande Huanghou had instructed Tao Gugu to return first. Tao Gugu had been worried all this time, especially since Xiande Huanghou had delayed until now to come back.
Xiande Huanghou did not answer Tao Gugu’s question and instead smiled, saying, "It’s nothing. I’ll go change my clothes first. Tao Gugu, please take Royal Consort Shen to the hall and serve her some hot tea." With that, she went inside to change.
Tao Gugu led Shen Miao to the hall. The tea was perfectly warm, and as she poured it for Shen Miao, she couldn’t help but ask, "Royal Consort, what exactly happened to Consort Jing? Is she truly unharmed? Why was the delay so long?" She was clearly an anxious and loyal servant.
Shen Miao thought for a moment and replied, "Consort Jing is fine, and the child in her womb is safe as well."
Tao Gugu froze, nearly spilling the tea. When she regained her composure, she quickly stopped what she was doing, her face turning pale.
Seeing her reaction, Shen Miao asked, "Did none of you know that Consort Jing was pregnant before this?"
Tao Gugu forced a smile. "Royal Consort, you jest. How could we have known? If we had known..." She trailed off.
Shen Miao didn’t miss the fleeting anger and resentment on Tao Gugu’s face. She wondered what would have happened if they had known. Would they have snuffed out the child in the womb, as women in the palace often did?
Just then, Xiande Huanghou emerged from inside. She had changed into a moon-white thin gauze dress embroidered faintly with orchids. Without her empress robes, Xiande Huanghou’s demeanor seemed entirely different. Shen Miao observed her closely and noticed that her features were delicate yet soothing, carrying the refined elegance of a scholar’s family. There was a faint resemblance to Pei Lang, but she exuded an even more serene and detached air.
She walked over and sat beside Shen Miao, picking up a cup of tea. With a smile, she said, "I’m so drowsy at night. A cup of tea like this warms me right up."
Suddenly, Tao Gugu knelt down and said, "Your Highness, how can you still think of drinking tea at a time like this?"
Xiande Huanghou was taken aback. "What is the meaning of this?" Her tone carried a hint of sternness.
Unfazed, Tao Gugu remained kneeling, her voice tinged with grief and indignation. "Consort Jing is pregnant! She’s with child and still tried to frame you. How much longer must you endure this? How much longer must you suffer in silence?"
Her words overstepped the boundaries of a servant addressing her mistress, and the previously warm atmosphere in the room turned icy. Shen Miao kept her eyes downcast, sipping her tea in silence. Xiande Huanghou said, "Qiu Shui, you’ve served me for so many years, and I’ve treated you as family. But you’ve truly overstepped this time."
Tao Gugu refused to rise.
After a moment, Xiande Huanghou sighed. "Very well. Lu Jing didn’t know she was pregnant. I know her temperament well—if she had known, she would never have dared to use the child in her womb to frame me. She would have protected the 'imperial offspring' with all her might, ensuring not a single mishap befell it."
"But the fact remains that Consort Jing is now pregnant," Tao Gugu lifted her head. "Your Highness must think of yourself as well!"Shen Miao finally broke her silence, saying, "Tao Gugu is right. The matter concerning Consort Jing must be carefully considered. It’s not entirely for the Empress’s sake, but given the current situation with the Lu family, for His Majesty’s sake, the Empress cannot simply stand by and do nothing."
Xiande Huanghou gave her a surprised glance, seemingly not expecting Shen Miao to speak up at this moment. However, she soon smiled understandingly and said, "It seems Jingxing has told you a great deal."
"Rise, Qiu Shui," Xiande Huanghou said to Tao Gugu. "This palace does not wish to repeat itself."
Her tone was now unmistakably commanding. Tao Gugu hesitated but eventually stood up.
Xiande Huanghou turned to Shen Miao. "You must think this is quite a spectacle. Qiu Shui is someone close to me, always acting in my best interests. Her words may be hasty, but her heart is in the right place." She sighed. "To be honest, I always thought Lu Jing was a fool. I disdained competing with her. But now it seems I underestimated her. She has some skill after all—she managed to avoid the Birth Control Concoction and conceive the Emperor’s child."
Birth Control Concoction. Shen Miao’s heart stirred. Xiande Huanghou had just revealed a palace secret to her. In truth, the more one knew, the more dangerous it became. Those who learned of the palace’s dark affairs often ended up as fertilizer for its gardens. Yet, for some reason, Shen Miao felt that Xiande Huanghou told her these things simply because she wanted to, not out of any intention to guard against her for knowing too much.
"You’re clever, so you must have noticed. The Emperor has no heirs in the palace, not because of the concubines or himself, but because they all drink the Birth Control Concoction. Lu Jing used to drink it as well, but somehow, she must have found a way around it and conceived the imperial heir—likely the first in the palace." Then, as if recalling something, she added with a smile, "Or perhaps not the first. I once had a child too, but I miscarried."
Tao Gugu’s eyes reddened at these words.
Shen Miao’s hand holding the teacup trembled slightly, but she remained silent.
"The Emperor often thinks poorly of you because he believes Jingxing is the best. Any ordinary girl, even a celestial beauty, would be worthless in his eyes. Back when Jingxing said he wanted to marry a girl from Ming Qi, the Emperor had people investigate you thoroughly. After hearing the reports, he told me you had a cruel heart." Xiande Huanghou suddenly changed the subject, looking at Shen Miao. "But now, I think you’re quite kind."
Shen Miao was puzzled.
Xiande Huanghou continued, "You clearly wanted to ask me about my miscarriage but held back, afraid of reopening old wounds."
Shen Miao said softly, "This humble wife merely did not dare."
"You’re truly candid. Jingxing has found himself an interesting wife—I like you even more now." Xiande Huanghou smiled. "In truth, it’s been so long that I’ve made peace with it. Back then, when I was pregnant, Lu Jing added cold-natured herbs to the pastries prepared by the imperial kitchen. Just a little, and my child was lost. At the time, Lu Jing had just entered the palace and was 'favored.' With the Lu family watching, His Majesty could only mete out a light punishment. I thought it simply wasn’t meant to be, so I let it go."Just by listening, Shen Miao could already imagine the heart-wrenching pain. In her past life within the Ming Qi imperial harem, concubines fought viciously for the emperor's favor—the harem was a battlefield for women, and when women turned ruthless, they could be even more terrifying than men. Many concubines' children became casualties in such struggles, and no matter how cruel or wicked a concubine might be, the moment she lost her child, she would inevitably wail in despair. Had the composed and gentle Empress Xiande also experienced such moments of hopelessness? Scars take a long time to heal, and the pain of those scars is known only to oneself.
The most infuriating part was that they couldn't even avenge their child. Why was that?
"Don't blame His Majesty, and don't think I'm pitiful—though I truly am pitiful, I'm also a wicked person," Empress Xiande said. "After that miscarriage, I could never bear children again. I could never have my own child in this lifetime. So the Emperor made sure no woman in this harem could bear his offspring. If I can't have it, then no one else should either."
Shen Miao was stunned.
Because Empress Xiande couldn't bear children, the Yongle Emperor ensured no woman in the palace could have his child?
Then the Yongle Emperor must have truly loved Empress Xiande. But if he really did, why would he let her suffer such injustice? Even if Empress Xiande never spoke of it, wouldn't the Yongle Emperor himself have wanted to personally slay the culprit who killed their child? How could he then keep that woman as his favored consort?
Shen Miao felt the secrets of Great Liang's imperial family were no fewer than those of Ming Qi.
Empress Xiande laughed softly at her stunned expression. "You actually believed that? How could His Majesty forsake the offspring of all his concubines just because of me? Jingxing succeeded because he was lucky, but the Emperor wasn't—he's the Emperor, after all."
The implications in those words were too numerous, leaving Shen Miao momentarily at a loss for how to respond.
"But you're right, we should indeed make plans for the future. Lu Jing's child came at an opportune time—it's spared her life for now. But the Lu family won't be so fortunate." Empress Xiande smiled faintly, her expression suddenly sharpening.
"The child cannot stay," Xie Jingxing said coldly in the imperial study, addressing the Emperor before him.
"I know it cannot stay. If possible, I'd have her drink a bowl of medicine right now," the Yongle Emperor replied icily, as though the one to be force-fed the medicine wasn't his own son, but some stranger.
"Why didn't you do it earlier?" Xie Jingxing's question was pointed.
"Qingzhen wouldn't allow it," the Yongle Emperor said.
Qingzhen was Empress Xiande's maiden name—one that hadn't passed the Yongle Emperor's lips in a very long time.
After a long silence, Xie Jingxing laughed mockingly. "The Empress has always been soft-hearted. Perhaps she pities her own lost child."
"Xie Yuan!" The words seemed to strike a nerve. The Yongle Emperor glared at him.
But Xie Jingxing only responded with an indifferent smile. "So what do we do now? I don't care about Lu Jing, nor do I care about that child. The Lu family came and left, surely thinking the child in Lu Jing's belly is their protective talisman. How should we deliver this grand gift to them?"
An emperor without heirs suddenly gains his only child—this sole heir becomes their lifeline. Whether the Yongle Emperor wills it or not, the position of crown prince would fall to the child in Consort Jing's womb. That was why the Lu family, upon seeing Consort Jing's pregnancy today, neither made a scene nor protested, but left quickly. In their eyes, Empress Xiande's position as Empress would soon be lost. They might even feel pity for her—too much to press their advantage, pretending it was an act of mercy, a good deed.
They rested easy, but what was the truth?
Since ancient times, there have been four words: the world is unpredictable."The Lu family always forgets one thing—both you and I bear the surname Xie, with the blood of the Xie family flowing in our veins," the Yongle Emperor said indifferently. "And the Xie family... is heartless."
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