Seventeen, Orchid Falls

  As the New Year is approaching, it's not suitable to drag out the case of Murong Shilan, fearing it would be inauspicious. Su Xi had just been interrogated and confessed that she was instructed by Murong Shilan, so the Empress and Consort Jing made a prompt decision to interrogate Murong Shilan overnight and demote her to the Cold Palace.

  I temporarily reside in Meizhuang's Cunjutang, although it is a bit narrow, the two of us are affectionate and harmonious. It seems like we were still young, she often leaned against me on the bed, whispering to each other, the moonlight poured down from the window like water, like a field of pear blossoms in the snow. Meizhuang's hair is extremely long, black and thick, under the white moonlight it looks like a piece of high-quality ink-colored satin flowing out from the mosquito net.

  She counted the days on her fingers, "Today is the 25th, at most it's not more than the 29th, I'm sure to die." She let out a soft laugh, "It wasn't in vain that I hurt myself."

  I carefully examined her wound and scolded, "You're really something, why did you have to burn yourself? Fortunately it's cold now, if it were summer it would definitely become infected."

  Mei Zhuang said, "At most, it's just a scar, and even if she loses her life, it won't be a loss." She also said, "If the Emperor doesn't see my burn wounds with his own eyes, he will never know how terrifying fire is. Only when he sees my injuries will he think that if you were burned, it would be an even more terrifying thing, and he will hate Murong Shilan to the bone."

  Perhaps hatred can really make a person's mind meticulous, such eyebrows are brave and thoughtful, making me admire.

  Perhaps due to her injuries, her complexion was somewhat pale. The bright candlelight cast a reddish glow, making her skin seem even more translucent under its illumination. She gazed at the narcissus plant outside the south window, its fragrance wafting gently, and murmured: "If I were to die tomorrow, I wouldn't know who to fight with."

  I smiled faintly, with a hint of desolation in my tone: "It's not hard to fight in this palace, everyone is an enemy. Or it's easy not to fight, just be unknown and silent. New people will keep coming in, are you worried that the future days will be lonely?" I said: "You should worry about your injury instead. After the scab falls off, I'll go get some scar cream for you to use, it's the best way to remove scars."

  Two days later, I went to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager in the early morning. Everyone was there, and Ling seemed to have completely forgotten about the incident in the snow that day. She asked me and Mei Zhuang about our well-being, saying: "If you're not comfortable at Mei's place, you can come to mine too."

  I smiled and said, "It's no inconvenience. It's just a temporary stay, after a while when the Tongli Palace is renovated, we can move over."

  She anxiously reminded Shen: "Sister Shen, you mustn't overindulge in seafood and wine, it's not good for your wound."

  The empress spoke up, "Crown Prince Mu Rong is not remorseful, with a heart full of malice, he actually ordered his servant Su Xi to set fire to the Tong Li Palace. This is an unpardonable crime, I have decided to severely punish him as a warning to others. If Crown Prince Mu Rong is not put to death, then there will be no discipline or rules in the palace."

  Everyone present has been resentful of Murong Shilan for a long time, especially on the day I lost my child and was punished to kneel, she ordered the palace concubines to sit in the scorching sun to keep me company, which further infuriated everyone. At that time, they dared not speak out, but now the Empress's move is a great relief to everyone, and people are praising the Empress for "having a way with internal affairs".

  The queen said, "After all, the Murong family has served the emperor for many years. This palace will spare her life and let her die with a whole body." She called Qianqiu: "Go tell Li Gonggong to prepare poisonous wine, a dagger, and white silk, and let her choose one to end her own life. It's also a consideration for serving the emperor together."

  Xin Gui Fei smiled freely and refreshingly: "The Empress is kind, if it were me, seeing her being so evil, I would definitely want to give her a fatal blow to vent my anger."

  I smiled and said: "Sister Xin is best suited to be a case-solving imperial censor, encountering any case, one knife two cuts and it's done, the most effortless and refreshing thing."

  Xin Gui Fei smiled and made a gesture to lightly pat me on the back, saying: "Gu Mei's monkey mouth is truly the most mischievous."

  Everyone burst out laughing, except for Xiang Gui Fei who looked gloomy. It wasn't until the Empress asked her twice that she finally replied: "I've been feeling mentally fatigued lately and taking medicine hasn't helped. I'm truly sorry to be so rude in front of Your Majesty."

  The queen said: "You have to take care of the princess, and it's almost New Year's Day, so you can't help but be a little tired." Then she instructed her a few words to take good care of herself, and everyone dispersed.

  When I woke up from my nap, I asked Qi Yu, "What did Li Gong say about when to execute Murong Shi?"

  She helped me up and rinsed my mouth, saying: "The executions in the Cold Palace are usually carried out at dusk."

  I thought for a moment and smiled: "Help me dress properly, I'm going to see off Her Highness, the noble Empress Huafeng."

  She carefully combed a beautiful and elegant coiffure, with a four-butterfly golden hairpin inlaid with red, blue, and green gemstones shining brightly, as if it were the radiant light of a star twinkling among dark clouds. Her purple cloud-patterned embroidered dress was woven with colorful flowers and flying butterflies, with crystal clear silk edges, using flat gold needlework to weave in emerald green peacock feather threads. After finishing her hair and makeup, Xi Zao smiled: "Your Ladyship rarely looks so stunning."

  New grudges and old hatreds, my smile is charming yet icy cold: "Is this the last time we meet? Of course, I'll see you off properly."

  The way to Jin Leng Palace was already familiar. Murong Shilan curled up alone in a corner of the Cold Palace, her clothes neat and tidy, and her face not too disheveled.

  She saw me bringing Xiao Lianzi in alone and only said: "You're quite bold, daring to enter the Cold Palace by yourself."

  I smiled calmly: "This place, I've been here more than you. At that time, Yu Shi, I was the one who watched her die right here."

  Her mouth corners slightly raised, "Do you want to see me die too?" She was originally a phoenix eye, and her slanted gaze made her look even more charming and sharp: "This outfit of yours doesn't seem like it's for seeing someone off, but rather like an unsophisticated village woman rushing to attend a wedding."

  I didn't think it was a bad thing, and smiled: "Being able to see you go to the Western Paradise with your own eyes, how can it not be considered a great joy? Moreover, living village women are always better than dead people."

  She sneered, "What are you so proud of? You're just designing a trap for me!" She burst into rage, "I've never instructed Su Xi to set fire!" She panted: "Although he is someone in my palace, he's not my confidant. How would I instruct him like that?" In her furious state, she was about to pounce on me and grab my neck. I didn't dodge either. Just as she was about to reach me, Xiao Lianzi twisted her wrists and pinned her against the wall.

  The wall powder that had been accumulating for a long time fell down with a rustling sound as soon as someone bumped into it, and half of Murong Shilan's face was covered in white powder. She was choked by the powder and coughed uncontrollably, still struggling and shouting wildly: "You wrong me——"

  I waved my handkerchief and smiled, "You're wrong - it's the Emperor who wronged you, not me. I just... framed you." I smiled at Jing, "But you can't be considered wronged either. Wasn't it you who made Chunyu drown? And wasn't it you who put wood sorrel powder in Wen Yi's food? Didn't you instruct Yu Geng to poison my medicine, push Cui Zhuang into the water, and frame Jiang Mu Yang and Jiang Mu Yi for Cui Zhuang's fake pregnancy to compete for favor? Each of these was done by you. Using a fire to burn down Tong Li Palace to wrong you is really not that much."

  She raised her head and coldly snorted: "I knew it, that cheap servant girl from the Cao family dared to bite back at me, she must have been instructed by you all, how could she have had the guts to do so!"

  I burst out laughing and shook my head, the jade pendants on my belt swaying and making a soft tinkling sound. After a moment, I said, "You really don't understand people. You've repeatedly used Consort Wan's favor to manipulate Emperor Yi, even going so far as to joke about taking her life. Empress Dowager Xiang is her birth mother - how could she not hate you? Do you think the hatred in her heart just appeared today? Frost forms over three feet of ice, it's not a cold that develops overnight. You should have known long ago that she had ulterior motives."

  Her expression changed again, and she sneered: "In my heyday, the empress dowager still had to give me some face. Cao Shi was just a dog under my command, how could I have put her in my eyes?"

  I brushed off the soft down on my sleeve, in the cold and damp palace, every word I spoke was accompanied by a warm white mist. I said calmly: "If only it were a dog, dogs are the most loyal. Humans and dogs are different, humans are much more cunning than dogs."

  She raised an eyebrow, her breathing heavy: "You scoundrel! You and your brother and sister-in-law are equally cunning. If it weren't for your brother's clever plan to deceive the king into letting his guard down, how could he have easily obtained that list? The Murong clan and the King of Runan wouldn't have been defeated so thoroughly! Your people inside and outside the palace are working together to put me to death!"

  "If it weren't for the King of Yuzhang's arrogance, the Murong family would not have been reduced to this state. Don't forget, your husband is the Emperor, how can he tolerate others sleeping by his side? You think the Emperor can tolerate them, you're really too naive!" My voice was clear and cold, like a layer of ice covering her face, causing her still beautiful complexion to lose its color.

  She fell onto a heap of hay, forcing her strength to say: "They are meritorious ministers, fighting for the great Zhou dynasty on the battlefield, with brilliant military achievements..."

  I coldly interrupted her: "No matter how meritorious the war is, it's still a minister of the king. How can you surpass the king? Isn't that treason?"

  She remained silent for a long time, and I too kept quiet. At this moment, Li Chang led some people in, greeted me with courtesy, and neatly arranged the black wooden tray holding a dagger, poison wine, and white silk in front of Murong Shilan, saying respectfully: "By order of Her Majesty the Empress, please choose one item, young master."

  Murong Shilan came back to her senses, glanced at him and said coldly: "The Empress's edict? Where is the Emperor's edict? Bring it here!"

  Li Chang still looked down and said: "The emperor's intention is to entrust everything to the empress, so please go ahead."

  She held her breath for a moment, and said heavily: "Without the emperor's edict, Murong Shilan will not die." She smiled sadly, as if with endless hatred, "He has already personally ordered the execution of my father and brother, is he afraid to issue another edict for me?!"

  Li Chang simply said in his usual respectful tone: "Your Majesty has already stated that he doesn't want to hear anything about the young master again."

  She smiled to herself, as if asking: "Does the Emperor dislike me to such an extent?" As she tidied up her clothes and hair, a white silk sachet on her skirt caught my attention, emitting a familiar yet intense fragrance of "Huan Yi Xiang". I frowned in distaste and subconsciously took two steps back. She sat down with her legs crossed, saying: "Go and ask for the Emperor's decree."

  Li Changjin hesitated, and I took advantage of the opportunity to say to him: "General Li, please wait a moment. Let me bid farewell to Murong for a few words."

  "Please go ahead, Your Highness," Li Chang hastily said, "I'll wait outside."

  I saw Li Chang go out, and smiled at Murong Shilan: "Sorry, I'm used to calling you 'Niang Niang', suddenly became 'Xiao Zhu', it's really not easy to get used to changing my mouth."

  She glanced at me sideways and said indifferently: "Whatever, I'm going to die anyway."

  I handed the hand warmer in my bosom to Xiao Lianzi and said: "The palace's hand warmer has cooled down, you go out and add a few more charcoal."

  Xiao Lianzi hesitated and refused to move, his expression cautious as he said: "She..."

  "I said: 'You can go. If there's any movement, Li Gong and his men are just outside.'"

  Xiao Lianzi left as she was told, and I stood in front of her, saying: "Do you know why the Emperor dislikes you?"

  She shook her head, gently stroking the sachet with a soft gesture, and said in a low voice: "The emperor used to be very fond of me. Even if I made a big mistake, no matter how angry he was, he couldn't bear not to care about me for too long."

  I said faintly: "Why does the emperor favor you, have you ever thought about it?" I sneered coldly: "Is it just because of your beauty? This palace has never lacked beautiful women."

  She snorted: "Are you saying that the Emperor favors me because I'm a woman of the Murong family? Consort Duan is also a daughter of a noble family." Her body was slightly restless, shifting back and forth.

  I calmly gazed at her, "You actually know it in your heart, why must you deceive yourself?"

  Murong Shilan's left hand clenched her right fist tightly and rebuked loudly, "You're talking nonsense! How could the Emperor not have a true heart for me?"

  My smile grew thicker as I slowly said, "Maybe there is. Even if there is, you and your family have been arrogant for many years, this little bit of sincerity has long been exhausted, not a single shred left."

  She smiled softly, her smile simple and sincere, like a faint cloud at dawn. Her expression gradually calmed down, and she said slowly: "Really? That year I was only seventeen, just entering the palace, and all I knew was that my status was noble, and as soon as I entered the palace, I was sealed as Huabing. It was a summer morning, and I was riding a horse in the forest of Taiping Xinggong. I was the only one in the entire palace who dared to ride a horse, and even Duanfei, who came from a military family, did not dare to cross the line. As a result, the emperor appeared, and he stopped my horse. At that time, I was very afraid, fearing that he would scold me, but my mouth refused to admit defeat, and I still wanted to compete with him in horse racing. As a result, he smiled and agreed, and I won the race against him. He didn't get angry, and we rode together. That night, the emperor favored me." Her thoughts were immersed in the sweet memories of the past, under the dim light of the cold palace, like a delicate rose blooming on rotten wood. "I was only seventeen, and I became the most favored woman in the entire harem. He said that there were so many women in the palace, each one afraid of him, but I wasn't, so he only liked me." She sighed softly: "But there are really too many women in the palace, it makes me angry. Tonight, he stays with this concubine, and tomorrow night, he stays with that guifei. I often wait and wait until dawn, and he still hasn't come to my place."

  She suddenly looked at me, "Have you ever experienced watching the sky turn from dark to light?"

  I am speechless, with a hundred emotions swirling in my heart. Has it happened before? It seems not. I knew from the start that he was a king, and his nights didn't belong to me alone. I would lose sleep, but never wait for him until dawn breaks.

  She smiled lightly, the cold weather made her words visible as warm white air escaped from the corners of her mouth, making her face look unreal and poignant. "You don't like the Emperor that much, do you? Soon after I became pregnant, he was overjoyed and promoted me to Imperial Noble Consort. But gradually, he wasn't so happy anymore, although he didn't say anything, I could sense it. In the palace, only one child grows up to be the Crown Prince, I knew he was worried, so I told him not to worry, I would definitely give birth to a prince for him. But soon after, I took the fertility medicine given by Consort Duan, and my child was gone. Consort Duan has always been honest, how dare she...!" Her expression was tragic to the extreme, almost a little crazy, her voice also became mournful, "The imperial physician told me that it was already a well-formed male fetus!"

  Tears streaming down my face, I felt a sharp pain in my heart. I rushed forward and tightly grasped her wrist, saying fiercely: "Your child is gone, do you want mine to accompany him in death?! He's only four months old in my belly, how can you bear to put him to death?!"

  Murong Shilan desperately tried to shake off my hand, but I held on even tighter, leaving several shallow purple marks on her pale arm. She pushed me with all her might, and when she couldn't push me away, she stopped struggling and laughed coldly twice, panting heavily as she said: "I didn't want to kill your child! It's your own body that's useless, kneeling for half a time will cause a miscarriage. You can't even protect your own child, why blame me!" Her face was flushed red from the exertion of struggling: "I hate that the Emperor favors you so much! I've never seen the Emperor love a woman like he loves you. With you around, the Emperor doesn't care about me anymore. I don't want to wait for the Emperor until dawn, any woman who dares to compete with me for his favor must die! I ordered Yu Ge to poison your clothes and kill you, but I didn't mean to kill your child!"

  I pushed her away, letting go of her wrist, my eyes fell on her sachet, tears streaming down, my heart full of resentment, "You didn't? Even if you didn't do it on purpose, but if it wasn't for the 'Huan Yi Xiang' in your palace, how would I have become so weak and lost the child after kneeling for half an hour?"

  She was shocked and terrified: "Huan Yixiang?"

  I smiled, the scalding tears gradually turned cold, and said: "Do you know why you didn't get pregnant again for a long time after losing your child? The 'Xiangyi Xiang' you used contains musk, did you know that? You've been using it for so long, you'll never have children again."

  Her face was twisted in anger and fear, making her look terrifying: "You dare to deceive! That incense was bestowed upon me by the Emperor himself, how could..."

  I sneered repeatedly: "How could I not?! If it weren't for the Emperor's intention, how would there be no imperial physician to tell you that your body contains musk?! Not to mention your infertility, do you think your miscarriage was due to Consort Duan's pregnancy-preserving medicine?! Consort Duan merely took on a false reputation for the Emperor's sake; no matter how much safflower oil you drank, it couldn't bring back your child!"

  She stood there in a daze, her hand clenched tightly around the sachet as if she wanted to crush it. After a long time, she burst out laughing wildly and asked foolishly: "Why? Why?"

  For a moment, I couldn't bear it, but soon I hardened my heart and said word by word: "Because you are the daughter of the Murong family and the King of Runan, if you give birth to a child, they will use the young child to overthrow the emperor..." I didn't continue, she naturally knew the pros and cons.

  The Empress's sleeves were all tears. After a while, she stopped crying, her cheek dry of tears, and only looked up at the sky with loud laughter, her body violently shaking: "Your Majesty - Your Majesty has made me suffer so much!"

  The laughter had not yet faded when a loud "bang" was heard, and warm blood suddenly splashed onto my face. I quickly closed my eyes and retreated two steps. When I opened them again, her head was hitting the wall, and she had fallen to the ground, still clutching the sachet containing "Huan Yi Xiang". Until death, she did not let go. On the snow-white wall, a bright red streak appeared, with scattered bloodstains, like a tree of bright red peach blossoms in full bloom.

  My face and clothes were all stained with blood. My whole heart felt empty, standing still for a long time unable to move.

  So quiet, as silent as death.

  I subconsciously wiped my face and clothes with a handkerchief, when I suddenly heard a "squeak" sound, a grey fat old mouse stared at me with its eyes wide open and quickly ran past Muyong Shilan's body.

  I just felt scared and my heart ached. My throat made a "gurgling" sound, and I quickly turned around and left.

  Li Chang saw me rushing out and hastily intercepted: "Your Majesty." He saw that I was covered in blood, his expression even more anxious and puzzled.

  I forced myself to calm down and said, "Mu Rong young master died by his own hands, you can go back and report now."

  He was startled, and soon said calmly: "Yes. I'll go and clean up."

  I nodded and walked out slowly.

  The air is cold, and there's a sharp pain at the tip of my nose. My hands and feet are all chilled. Murong Shilan is dead, that woman I've always hated.

  I should be happy, shouldn't I? But I don't feel that way, only a sense of desolation and sorrow. The 17-year-old who entered the palace with high hopes, she probably never thought she would end up like this today. This woman who lived in the palace for so many years, was designed by her own husband to lose her child, and became barren for life.

  All her sorrow was because she was the daughter of Xuan Ling's political enemy, and due to Xuan Ling's intentional pampering, she lost her clarity and wisdom.

  I raise my eyes, the sky is about to dusk, the withered branches of the old tree are dry and strong, twisted into a desolate posture. The endless snowy land stretches endlessly, far away there is the sound of firecrackers, a residual sun like blood.

  I let out a long sigh, the New Year is approaching and Murong Shilan's death will be drowned in the festive atmosphere of the New Year, with no one asking about it. This former noble concubine only got a "Shun" character as her posthumous title after her death, without any posthumous honors or burial ceremony, and was hastily buried in the chaotic tomb of the palace maid's inner guard. And on the New Year's court visit, Xiang Gui Bin, who is ill and cannot get out of bed, will also not be able to attend.

  Duan Fei chuckled when she heard the posthumous title "Muruong Shilan" and said to me, "Obedient? When was she ever 'obedient'? This title is truly ironic."

  Duan Fei's body gradually recovered, and she began to attend some New Year's banquets, making up for the vacancy left by Hua Fei in the past. Under the simple framework of one empress, two consorts, and three noble concubines, life in the harem was exceptionally peaceful. Among the new noblewomen, Xiang Gui Ren Nie Shi was gradually being neglected, while Fu Gui Ren Li Shi was not very favored due to her slightly inferior beauty, but she didn't mind, always appearing cheerful. Rui Gui Ren Luo Shi had a elegant demeanor, although she wasn't overly flattering or competing for favor, she still gained the appreciation of Emperor Xuan Ling. And the most favored one was none other than Qi Gui Ren Guan Shi.

  I sat in the Fragrant Pavilion of Princess Duan, slowly peeling an orange and throwing the peel into the charcoal basin. Soon, a refreshing scent filled the pavilion. Princess Duan took a jade wheel and gently massaged her face, saying: "Yesterday, I got up to find that there were wrinkles at the corners of my eyes. Only then did I realize that I am already 27 years old."

  I smiled and said, "Recently, I've noticed that Her Ladyship has taken a great interest in dressing up."

  She smiled faintly: "Is it? Women are all the same."

  I bowed deeply and said goodbye, she looked at me in surprise and asked: "What are you doing?"

  I said, "Su Xi is not a trusted aide of Murong's, and Murong did not instruct him to set the fire. Although he denied it at first, he later confessed. It must be someone from your side, Your Majesty. Only you could have arranged for such a person to be in the palace without arousing suspicion."

  She smiled, her eyes narrowing slightly, warm and sharp, saying lightly: "Yes, who would care about a long-ill princess? However, to be honest, if it weren't for the Empress and Consort Jing's trial, this matter might not have passed so easily."

  I stood up with a composed expression and said, "It's all the same whoever gets it. It's really hard to find someone in this palace who likes Murong. Besides, anyone would do something like kicking someone when they're down."

  Duan Fei pulled me up and said: "You don't have to thank me, I'm just doing it for myself."

  I smiled: "But I have one thing that doesn't make sense, since it's the princess who arranged for someone to do this, why didn't they just set fire early on, instead of lurking outside for several days and being discovered by my servant?"

  She slowly swallowed an orange slice and smiled: "Originally, I didn't need you to take action personally, but unfortunately, those few days were during the thawing of snow, it was humid outside and not easy to start a fire, so it was delayed for a few days." She paused and continued: "Even if we get caught, it's no big deal, with the flint and oil on hand, we can frame Mu Rong Shilan for the crime of arson."

  I smiled calmly: "It's a pity that it's not as good as burning the palace and hurting people to get a bigger crime." I looked at her, "Your Majesty can finally take revenge, but I don't know if you have thought about your own future?"

  She waved her hand listlessly, her eyes dim: "The future? I have no children, who can I rely on in the future?"

  I was just about to respond when suddenly a eunuch rushed in and said: "Your Majesty, Consort Xiang has passed away."

  I was startled, but immediately calmed down and said: "You go and get ready, don't make any mistakes with the gifts, I will rush to the Anding Palace later."

  Duan Fei saw her leave and looked at me saying: "Have you made all the arrangements without any mistakes?"

  "I calmly said: 'Yes. The medicine was taken half a month ago, and it's about time for the symptoms to appear today. Dr. Wen is very careful with the dosage, so there shouldn't be any mistakes. I privately asked him, and he said that after taking the medicine, she often had nightmares, plus Mu Rong Shi Lan's downfall was due to her reporting, now that she's dead, it perfectly matches up, everyone will think she died of guilt-induced heart disease.'"

  Duan Fei thought for a moment and said, "That's good. Cao Qin is a deep thinker and knows that you overthrew Murong Shilan, so if she suddenly changes her mind, it won't be easy to deal with." She thought for a moment and said, "A doctor's heart is like a parent's, but Wen Taiyi is really pitiful, his temperament can't compare to ours."

  I slightly lowered my head, for me, Wen Shi Chu would always agree, even if it was to kill someone, as long as he could protect me, he would take action, although in his heart he was reluctant.

  Although Cao Qinmo cooperated with me hand in hand, we also had reservations about each other. Openly killing would be unwise, and secretly killing might not be clean either. The only option is to poison, which leaves no trace.

  It's just me, although I'm deeply moved by the warmth and kindness of his actions, but I don't take it to heart. I wonder if other women in this world are like me, not caring about men who don't love them even when they make an effort.

  I gathered my thoughts, slightly raised the corner of my mouth and coldly laughed: "If it weren't for Murong Shilan's schemes from behind the scenes, things wouldn't have become this brutal."

  "She was able to betray Huafei for her own benefit, who's to say she won't betray you in the future? Although Huafei is cruel and overbearing, without the backing of her family, she's just a tiger without claws, not worth fearing. But Cao Qinmo is not easy to deal with. Once she dies, there will be no more worries. Duanfei smiled coldly: "When Murong Shilan punished you to kneel in the sun, if Cao Qinmo had intervened and persuaded Huafei to listen, your child might not have been lost. And when you were pregnant, who was it that pushed you into colliding with Concubine Yin's belly in the Empress's palace?"

  I stood facing the window, and a cold light flickered on my armor. I said calmly: "If you want to kill me, then do it. There's no need for Her Majesty to mention that matter again, only to provoke more hatred."

  "She sighed and said, 'It's just a pity that Princess Wen Yi lost her mother at a young age.'"

  I turned my head, lifted the curtain, and smiled at Cao Qiniang's palace: "Your Majesty was just worried about being old and having no one to rely on, right? With Empress Dowager Wen as your foster mother, I'm sure you will grow up to be well-behaved and sensible, and the Emperor should have no objections."

  She smiled silently, "Is this the big gift you mentioned before?"

  I quietly pursed my lips and said, "Your Majesty loves the princess so much, you must regard her as your own daughter and love her even more. This is a wonderful place to settle down, I hope Xiang Gui Bin can rest in peace with a smile." I sighed: "Qian Xi had advised me to cut off the grass to eliminate future troubles. But after all, the princess is still young, and I couldn't bring myself to do it."

  She gazed at me quietly, smiled brightly: "If she were to be raised by my hands, even if the Empress knew her mother's cause of death in the future, she would certainly consider the nurturing feelings of this foster mother."

  I smiled slightly: "The princess is still young, when she grows up, she may not remember her birth mother. Besides, a birth mother is not as good as a foster mother, with the care of her foster mother, she may not know how Xiang Gui Bin died."

  "I will certainly be very fond of Lady Yunyi and give her everything I can."

  Seven days later, Xiang Gui Pin was buried and posthumously promoted to Xiang Fei. Because it was in the first month, the funeral rites were simple. Since the Empress had already taken care of the eldest son, Wen Yi Di Ji handed over the care of Princess Duan to Duan Fei. It was actually Jing Fei who sighed and privately told me: "I really envy Princess Duan, having children can pass the time on ordinary days, and in the future, she will have someone to rely on."

  I smiled and said, "Your Majesty is in her prime, why worry about not having children?" But as I spoke, I couldn't help but feel anxious myself. It's been so long since I gave birth to a child, and the Emperor's favor towards me has always been strong, so why haven't I had any more children?

  As I thought about it, melancholy began to spread in my heart.