Jiang Shuyi had no idea what had just taken pce over at Xianfu Pace.

  She had cried terribly this time, to the point where Pei Yan had to stop and coax her.

  He released her wrist, cupped her face, and with his usual husky gentleness said, “Don’t bite your lips. Tell me—what are you crying for?”

  Of course, Jiang Shuyi couldn’t tell him it was because she had remembered the st time in their previous life before he left on campaign. The grief welled up, and she could only sob and urge him to hurry.

  Fragrant smoke curled zily from the gold-gilded incense burner carved with beast heads. Who knew how long had passed...

  Jiang Shuyi’s cheeks were flushed as if dusted with rouge, tear tracks still glistening, as she nestled softly against Pei Yan’s chest, catching her breath.

  Pei Yan lowered his gaze to look at her. After a while, he gently rubbed the back of her head and asked, “Do you still think I don’t want you?”

  Jiang Shuyi blinked, still recovering, then finally understood why he had suddenly doted on her in broad daylight.

  So this was him appeasing her after scolding her?

  Relieved to have muddled through, she was also a little hurt by his earlier cold tone—and the rather unfeeling way he chose to console her afterward.

  She rubbed against Pei Yan’s chest and spoke in a soft, pitiful voice, “Not anymore… But if His Majesty never scolds me again, that would be even better.”

  That was scolding?

  Pei Yan felt he had spoiled her far too much. Still, with the warmth between them yet to fade, now wasn’t the time to lecture her.

  So he only said with some helplessness, “I only warned you with a few words. If someone else had committed the crime of deceiving the emperor, would I bother to speak? I’d just have them punished by w.”

  Jiang Shuyi loved hearing him say such biased things.

  She hooked her arms around his neck, her eyes still dewy from crying, curved into a smile as she looked up at him.

  “That’s different. They deceived the Emperor and deserve death. But I only deceived my husband—it’s just a minor mistake. How could it be treated the same?”

  Pei Yan paused. He hadn’t expected her to argue like this.

  But her eyes, bright and clear as if washed by spring water, were filled with the same unwavering trust and reliance she had always shown him—eyes that seemed to hold only him in their gaze.

  Pei Yan had never intended to delve too deeply into her words. She had always been unruly, but knew where the line was. Yet now, being looked at like that… he found himself unsure what to say.

  So he simply followed her lead, “By your logic, does that mean it’s only a minor offense when any of the consorts deceives me?”

  Unexpectedly, Jiang Shuyi shook her head firmly, “No. Only I can treat Your Majesty as my husband. If anyone else dares say the same, that would be defiance of Heaven and deserve death!”

  Pei Yan couldn't help but ugh.

  "It's all because I spoil you," he said with a teasing reprimand. Gently, he id Jiang Shuyi down, wrapped her snugly in a quilt, and then rose to put on his outer robe and call for water.

  As an emperor, especially one who was diligent, his time was always limited. This brief interlude had already deyed him quite a bit, so after washing up, he needed to return to Qianqing Pace to handle government affairs. Jiang Shuyi couldn't ask him to stay.

  She stood beneath the corridor, respectfully seeing him off. Watching the Emperor’s imperial carriage disappear into the sunlit curve of the pace road, she remained still for a long time.

  Yuzhu turned and saw her mistress looking forlorn. She was a bit surprised. Usually, she’s all smiles after receiving favor. What’s wrong today?

  Just as she was about to ask, Jiang Shuyi suddenly said, “How many days has it been since the new concubines entered the pace?”

  Yuzhu immediately answered, “Just the second day.”

  “Oh.”

  Jiang Shuyi’s voice was dull.

  Which meant—tomorrow night, Pei Yan would be summoning Wen Yao.

  In her past life, she hadn’t felt much about it. She was even annoyed that her sister hadn’t been the first new consort to be favored.

  But now, thinking of Pei Yan doting on someone else the way he had just doted on her—being so gentle, so tender—with that cousin...

  Her chest tightened uncomfortably.

  Jiang Shuyi had never been the type to weep alone in a corner. If she was unhappy, she would find a way to fix it.

  In her past life, she would have eliminated anyone who made her uneasy or irritated. Now, if it hurt because Pei Yan was going to turn someone else’s namepte—

  Then she’d just find a way to make sure he couldn’t.

  When she returned to the bedchamber, Jiang Shuyi immediately ordered Yuzhu to retrieve the scrolls she had put away after giving birth to Pei Yu.

  Those were the books Pei Yan had originally pnned to teach her—from the elementary Thousand Character Cssic and Rapid Compositions, to poetry and essays, and even the Four Books and Five Cssics studied by schors—an entire rge nanmu wood chest full.

  Back then, when she was overwhelmed by the content, Jiang Shuyi had half-joked that Pei Yan must’ve wanted her to take the imperial exams.

  But even if that had been his intention, she wasn’t cut out for it. Just the mere mention of the sages' teachings gave her a headache. Among the cssics, only the Book of Songs had been bearable.

  Now, she sat cross-legged on a floor cushion, lowering her gaze to flip through the books one by one. Here and there were scattered vermilion notes—written in Pei Yan’s own hand.

  Though her intention hadn’t been to seek nostalgia, touching those long-dried markings made her recall the gentle way he’d once expined them to her. Gradually, the chaotic turmoil in her heart settled.

  The entire inner pace only learned of Jiang Wanqing's demotion at the next morning’s court assembly.

  From Guiren to Changzai—a two-rank drop, skipping right over Meiren.

  Today, Jiang Wanqing’s seat had been moved down three spots. From sitting just below Jin Pin, she now found herself beside Lin Changzai, with only Yun Daying behind her.

  Her expression was grim, especially when she caught the surprised stares cast her way.

  Originally, she’d intended to feign illness and skip the meeting altogether. But upon hearing the news, the Empress had dispatched an imperial physician to examine her. When no illness was found, the Empress’s maid Suqin gave her a few sharp reprimands, leaving her with no choice but to appear.

  At the thought of this, Jiang Wanqing’s eyes fshed with resentment. The Empress had been so kind to her just yesterday—why, the moment she was demoted, had she become so merciless?

  She’s just an old woman. Even her sister wouldn’t dare provoke her, so what was the Empress funting her authority for?

  Fortunately, this morning’s meeting was unusually quiet. Jiang Fei wasn’t present, and most consorts were still rattled from Qiu Daying’s bloody death the day before. Moved by fear and sympathy, few dared speak.

  Before long, Empress Shen arrived, and all the consorts knelt in greeting. But even after quite a while, no one was told to rise.

  Wu Guifei frowned and looked up, only to see the Empress’s face frozen in a deep scowl.

  “All of you—kneel properly!”

  The sudden outburst startled the assembled concubines. Bewildered but cowed by the Empress’s authority, they quickly went from curtseying to fully kneeling.

  All except Wu Guifei.

  She had no fear of the Empress.

  Her family background was the best in the harem. Back in the Eastern Pace, she’d cshed with Shen Shi all the time when she was still Crown Princess. It wasn’t until Jiang Shuyi rose to favor that she began to lose influence and was forced to make peace with the Empress. But now? To kneel without cause?

  Impossible.

  Wu Guifei not only refused to kneel, she even stood up slowly, her gaze unhappy and her voice ced with sarcasm, “Your Majesty, what’s this sudden temper about?”

  Empress Shen’s tone was ice cold, “Kneel.”

  Wu Guifei didn’t budge, merely smirking as she stared her down.

  The Empress turned her head and said to her personal maid, “Suqin, sp her.”

  The smile instantly froze on Wu Guifei’s face.

  Has this old hag gone mad?!

  Though Empress Shen had always been strict and solemn, she had never resorted to violence against other consorts. Wu Guifei assumed this was more posturing than an actual threat. Even as Suqin drew closer, she didn’t move—until the sp nded across her cheek.

  Wu Guifei’s eyes went wide. The sp wasn’t hard, but the public humiliation made her face flush red and her whole body tremble.

  Suqin stood over her and barked, “Wu Guifei, are you still not going to kneel?”

  For a moment, Wu Guifei didn’t know how to react. Her mind buzzed, and all she wanted was to lunge forward and kill that wretched maid. Yet the sp had rattled her—she didn’t dare be as reckless as before.

  It was Xue Shufei who gently offered a way out, speaking softly, “Your Highness, you should kneel. I’m sure Her Majesty has something important to instruct us all.”

  Only then did Wu Guifei clench her fists, grit her teeth, and lower herself to her knees.

  The rest of the consorts were all shaken by the Empress’s show of force, except Jiang Wanqing, who was secretly delighted.

  At least Wu Guifei embarrassed herself, too. Who would spare a thought for me now?