There were so many beauties in the harem. All the Emperor had to do was reach out, and someone would rush to please him—why bother facing someone he didn’t like?

  But the Empress was different. Even if the Emperor didn’t care for her, as long as she wasn’t deposed, they had to meet from time to time. And with enough encounters, there was always a chance.

  Even though Wumian didn’t actually have designs on reciming favor, there was no need to make things harder for herself. Only an Empress who wasn’t disliked could hold her ground.

  And besides—His Majesty was a man, full of vigor. With all these beauties in the harem and none getting any attention, resentment was bound to fester. Someone still had to keep order… and the Emperor’s presence helped.

  “Your Highness, I heard His Majesty spent the afternoon in Fengyi Pace,” said Ziju, the senior maid beside Guifei. “Li Liangyi sent someone to invite him over, but he didn’t go. And he even ran into Hu Meiren in the garden.”

  Guifei frowned and sighed softly. “Even though the Empress has long cked favor, tely His Majesty’s visits to Fengyi Pace have clearly increased. He’s been treating her much better. She’s young—if she were to give birth to a prince…”

  “Exactly, Your Highness, you must be vigint. I heard that just this month, His Majesty sent her things twice. No one knows what they were, but gifts from the Emperor are a sign of esteem. When the Empress’s mother came to the pace, His Majesty even sent over a few dishes. When has he ever been so attentive before?” Ziju said anxiously.

  “What’s Li Fei saying about all this?” Guifei asked.

  “What can she say? She’s still favored, but ever since the new women entered the pace, His Majesty doesn’t visit as often. Li Liangyi’s already pregnant, and no doubt others will soon follow. No matter how much he liked Li Fei, after years of favor with no pregnancy, His Majesty will begin to reconsider. And besides, the Empress Dowager has always disliked her.”

  “Keep a close watch on Li Liangyi’s pregnancy,” Guifei instructed. “Don’t let anyone make a move. As for the Empress… let’s see how it pys out.”

  Guifei furrowed her brow. Li Fei might be seeing His Majesty less now—but wasn’t she?

  With new women drawing the Emperor’s attention, even Guifei had been impacted.

  If even Guifei and Li Fei felt the change, then the Empress—who had once been ignored—was now seeing His Majesty more often than before.

  In truth, the Emperor had only gone to Fengyi Pace two or three times this month. But compared to the past—when he wouldn’t stay the night even once in two or three months—it was significant.

  Wumian’s years of being out of favor had left everyone used to it. Ambitious consorts had long been aiming to bear sons, hoping their child might one day become crown prince. Even if they couldn’t become Empress themselves, having the heir meant a lifetime of peace and power.

  Now, suddenly, it seemed the Empress might regain favor—and how could Guifei not be concerned?

  _____

  That night, the Emperor did stay.

  Inside the bed curtains, Wumian y breathless in the Emperor’s arms, clinging to his waist. The Emperor ran a hand along her back. “Worn out already? Weren’t you just a little wild just now? Did you scratch my back until it bled?”

  It took Wumian a moment to catch up to what he said. “And wasn’t that a good thing? A little pyfulness behind the curtains—surely Your Majesty doesn’t think I’m cking in propriety for it?”

  “You think I’m that petty?” Ying Qionglou gave a low chuckle and pinched her waist.

  Wumian groped zily at his back. “The skin doesn’t feel broken. I was very measured, Your Majesty.”

  Ying Qionglou ughed. “Since you say that… why not go for another round?”

  “Not this time. I’m out of energy,” Wumian murmured. “Your Majesty will have to take pity on me.”

  Whether he pitied her or not, Wumian certainly had her fill of satisfaction. Once the maids had helped her wash up, she fell asleep almost instantly.

  When Wumian was woken the next morning, the Emperor had already left—there was an early court session today.

  As the concubines arrived for their daily greetings, Wumian waited until they were seated before addressing Guifei first. “Guifei, how is Li Liangyi? She said yesterday she was unwell. Did the imperial physician go see her?”

  Guifei replied calmly, “Replying to Your Majesty, no physician was sent. It must not have been anything serious.”

  Before Wumian could say anything else, Li Fei gave a cold snort. “Then she’s simply being willful because she’s pregnant. The Emperor was with the Empress, and she still dared to cause a disturbance?”

  “Pregnant women are often more sensitive. You wouldn’t understand, Sister,” Rong Fei said lightly. “Even if Li Liangyi was out of line, she’s still carrying His Majesty’s child.”

  “Oh, and by that logic,” Li Fei said mockingly, “we may as well throw out all pace rules. As long as you’re pregnant, you can ignore even the Empress—is that what you mean, Sister?”

  “That’s not what I meant at all. Please forgive me, Your Majesty,” Rong Fei quickly said to Wumian.

  “The pace has its rules,” Wumian said evenly, her gaze sweeping over them. “His Majesty has many consorts, most of whom do not yet have children. The imperial heirs are naturally precious, but if we allow someone to act recklessly just because she carries one, then what is the point of rank and order in the harem?”

  “Her Majesty is absolutely right,” Li Fei agreed at once.

  “It was my fault,” Guifei stood and said humbly. “I’ll have someone remind Li Liangyi of the proper conduct.”

  “You’re not wrong. You have a great many responsibilities, and a few oversights are to be expected. I’m not truly bming Li Liangyi either—if she had been truly unwell, then not only should she have summoned the Emperor, I too would have gone to see her. But since she didn’t even call for a physician, it does seem rather excessive.”

  “Your Majesty’s words are fair. I understand completely,” Guifei replied respectfully.

  “Very well. If there’s anything else to raise, speak now. Otherwise, you may all return. The Dragon Boat Festival is the day after tomorrow. There’s no need to come for morning greetings tomorrow—there will be a family banquet at the Empress Dowager’s pace.”

  Just as the women were rising to take their leave, Wumian added, “One more thing. Not all consorts will be attending the Dragon Boat banquet. Guifei, what arrangements will you make for those who won’t be present?”

  Everyone sat back down again.

  “Of course, as in previous years, we’ll add a few extra dishes in each pace. What does Your Majesty think?” Guifei asked.

  “This year, we have many new faces. When the banquet begins, the kitchens will be busy preparing for that and may not be able to properly serve the other paces. Even though it’s summer, cold food is still unappetizing. My suggestion is to select a location and allow those not attending to dine together at a proper table. And in addition, reward the other paces with extra silver. What do you think, Guifei?”

  “Your Majesty is most considerate,” Guifei said with a slight bow. “I shall make the arrangements as you suggest.”

  What else could she say? In front of everyone, if the Empress wanted to grant rewards, and she refused, she’d be offending the entire harem.

  “Then there’s nothing more. You’ve worked hard, Guifei. But don’t get so busy that you neglect the princess. Off you all go.” Wumian waved them away with a smile.

  The women offered their thanks and took their leave.

  Whether everyone appreciated this small gesture or not, someone always would.

  Outside Fengyi Pace, Guifei’s expression remained neutral, but her eyes held a complicated glint.

  Once seated in her returning panquin, she exhaled softly. She realized she had underestimated the Empress.

  This time, she’d been entirely reactive. The Empress hadn’t made things difficult at all—she had even gone out of her way to ask for Guifei’s opinion, giving her face at every turn.

  But the idea had come from the Empress.

  Sure, Guifei could’ve opposed it—but that would mean offending others, and if the Emperor heard about it, it wouldn’t reflect well on her either.

  Still, being led by the nose like this… it left a bitter taste.

  “Your Highness, we’ve arrived,” Ziju reminded gently.

  Guifei stepped down and, holding Ziju’s hand, entered Chaoyang Pace in silence.