But the Crown Princess had always harbored deep resentment toward her—openly and in secret, she’d schemed against her time and time again. As for the reason why, Ying Qionglou couldn’t quite recall anymore. Back then, he had too many important matters on his pte. He’d paid little attention to these inner-court squabbles. He’d been young, and beautiful women were hardly in short supply…

  He only vaguely remembered one early spring when Yang Shi was caught in the rain and punished to kneel for half a day. Since then, she’d developed chronic ailments in her heart and lungs and had never truly recovered.

  As for why she was in the rain in the first pce? He had forgotten that, too.

  After entering the imperial pace, Yang Jieyu’s health steadily declined. It wasn’t until after Empress Shen passed away that she seemed to improve slightly.

  But even so, she never truly recovered. With such a frail body, bearing children was naturally out of the question.

  “Hu Meiren… Hu Cairen’s words were nonsense. But a lightning strike on a pace roof isn’t exactly common either,” said Guifei. “Now that the rain has stopped, I think we should investigate. It really was frightening.”

  The Emperor nodded in agreement.

  “Linshui, go check on Li Fei,” Wumian instructed. “Tell her not to stand on ceremony. No unnecessary movement—her health comes first.”

  Linshui responded with a quick “Yes” and left.

  Ying Qionglou suddenly recalled the st time and gnced toward Linshui out of habit.

  “Was there much damage? The courtyard looked like a mess,” Wumian asked again.

  “Shouldn’t be anything serious,” said Xian Fei. “Just a few external things—those can be repced. But frightening someone to the point of harming their health, that’s what truly isn’t worth it.”

  While they exchanged a few more words, Linshui returned.

  This time, whether it was Li Fei being more tactful or her maids taking initiative, Shaoyao came forth to formally thank the Empress for her care.

  “Your Majesty should go see Li Fei now,” Wumian said. “No need to say much—just help ease her mind. For the sake of the heir, that’s most important.”

  Having said that, Wumian made to take her leave.

  But the Emperor suddenly said, “Then I shall go check on her. Aside from the Empress and Guifei, the rest may return.”

  Everyone gave their acknowledgments.

  Wumian, however, shook her head. “Let Guifei stay—there’s indeed a lot of follow-up to handle. It’s best not to have too many people meddling. When it comes to managing things, too many voices only create chaos. I won’t be in the way.”

  She paused, then added, “However, this isn’t something we should keep from the Empress Dowager. I’ll send someone to inform her so she doesn’t hear rumors and get even more frightened.”

  Ying Qionglou looked at Wumian a few more times before finally saying, “Alright. Make sure your attendants hold the umbrel properly.”

  Wumian nodded. “Your Majesty mustn’t be upset. I’ve never been pregnant, but I imagine Li Fei can’t take it if you so much as frown at her right now. For the sake of the heir, please try to hold your temper.”

  “Thank you for your concern, Empress.” Ying Qionglou found this overly earnest version of his young Empress to be quite baffling.

  Wumian then turned to Guifei. “You’ve worked hard. There’ve been many matters in the pace tely—you’ve shouldered a great burden. His Majesty knows how capable you are.”

  “I wouldn’t dare,” Guifei replied through gritted teeth.

  Of course, she wanted the Emperor to know her worth—but when those words came from the Empress’s mouth, they seemed entirely twisted in meaning.

  Clearly, she was the one managing pace affairs, yet the Empress always had a way of making it sound like she was giving away credit.

  And worst of all, Guifei couldn’t refute her—she could only swallow her anger.

  Outside Hanliang Pace, the rain had let up even more. Judging by the sky, it looked like it would stop soon.

  Back in Fengyi Pace, after changing her clothes, Wumian commented, “His Majesty looked truly upset.”

  “Three consorts are pregnant, and only she keeps having problems. Even if His Majesty cherishes her, he can’t help but grow irritated,” Zhaohua muttered, shaking her head.

  “I didn’t want to jump to conclusions before, but now... I don’t think it’s just a coincidence. You’re right—this is the third time. Li Fei might be willful, but she’s not stupid. She wasn’t like this before. Can carrying a child really change someone so much?”

  They’d heard that pregnancy hormones could alter temperament. But this much?

  “If someone’s plotting against her, then how would they have caused lightning?” Feixu asked, confused.

  Wumian raised her brows. Good question—how would lightning be caused?

  Metal could attract lightning. Whatever the method, if this was the result of foul py, the evidence was likely long gone.

  The roof was damaged, and any setup would’ve been destroyed while extinguishing the fire.

  If that theory held true, it meant there was a traitor inside Li Fei’s pace.

  Then the previous two incidents—when His Majesty stayed overnight in Fengyi Pace and Li Fei’s sudden illness followed—might make sense.

  Could someone be trying to pit Li Fei against the Empress?

  Now that was sinister.

  “Your Majesty, should we inform His Majesty?” Linshui asked, concerned.

  “And say what? It’s all specution. Best to be cautious for now. Besides, don’t you think His Majesty suspects something already?” Wumian chuckled softly. “Then again, maybe not. Men and women think differently. So do Emperors and their concubines. In his eyes, this might all just be Li Fei vying for favor. As for the lightning—maybe it’s just lightning.”

  She turned more serious. “Send someone to the imperial retreat to inform the Empress Dowager. Tell the truth. No embellishments.”

  Linshui went to give the order.

  Feixu muttered, “Regardless of what anyone says, the Empress Dowager will take the lightning strike seriously.”

  “Even if Li Fei carries the heir safely to term, she might not rise in rank so easily now,” Zhaohua added.

  “True. They say lightning strikes evil spirits—it could be seen as bad luck for her child,” said Wumian with a click of her tongue. “Still, it depends on how she handles it. Some say lightning strikes demons, but others cim that gods bring thunder when divinely conceived children are born. If she gives birth to a healthy son, His Majesty probably won’t care about the lightning. But if the child is unhealthy or doesn’t survive... then yes, she’ll face trouble.”

  After all, the Empress Dowager was the Emperor’s birth mother. If she came to loathe Li Fei, would His Majesty oppose her for Li Fei’s sake?

  Wumian thought not.

  In the Emperor’s heart, his mother surely mattered more than Li Fei.

  —

  Ning'an Pace.

  “Your Highness,” said Meijiu as she entered and approached Min Fei. “Zhou Ming has returned.”

  “Let him in,” Min Fei said, setting down her book.

  Zhou Ming entered. “Your Highness.”

  “Did you retrieve the items?” she asked.

  “Rest assured, Your Highness. All seven—buried, not one missing.”

  “Good. Leave that pce alone from now on. Don’t make contact again for the time being.” Min Fei looked him over. “You’ve worked hard. You’ll be rewarded fifty taels of silver.”

  “Thank you, Your Highness,” Zhou Ming said, kneeling. “But I’m your servant. Serving you is my duty—there’s no need for such expense.”

  “I understand your loyalty. You’ve been with me since the Eastern Pace. As long as the Third Prince and I are well, you all will be well too,” Min Fei said calmly.

  “Yes! This servant will give his utmost,” Zhou Ming replied, visibly moved.

  After he left, Meijiu frowned slightly. “Your Highness... what if Li Fei really keeps the child?”

  “Then she’s incredibly lucky. Do you think I’m the only one who would make a move?” Min Fei’s tone remained cool and composed. “Plenty of people resent her. Her pregnancy is barely holding—if anyone gives a small nudge, the child will be lost. And I certainly won’t be the one delivering that final push.”

  Min Fei’s face remained as composed and elegant as ever, betraying nothing of the venom behind her words.