Chapter Seven, the distant landscape of thousands of miles is shrouded in a cold hue

While I was having my meal, Shang Baiwen took the longevity noodles to Shang Wanquan's residence. Not long after, he returned and said: "Prince Yue has yet to return to his fief until today, only sending back the two brothers of Empress Hua. Grand Consort Zhang has also not returned to Fengtai Mountain as she used to. Do you know the reason?"

While flipping the eggs with a spatula, he still couldn't stop talking, his speech becoming increasingly rapid: "I can no longer manage her, but you, you must listen to me here." He lifted the first egg from the pan and, seeing that I did not respond, he asked again, "Did you hear me?"

Due to this secretive relationship, I am mostly fatigued, bearing these secrets much like a snail carries its shell, moving slowly and unable to discard them

The lively view seems to be a paradise dream bestowed upon me and Shang Baiwen by heaven. Here, I am not a concubine in the imperial harem, and he is not the son of a general; we are simply an ordinary couple of lay practitioners.

My attention was completely disrupted by his presence. I originally intended to listen attentively to the conversation between Shang Wanwan and Yue'er, but after several attempts, I realized that I simply could not do it. Wherever he was, my thoughts followed. I always wanted to catch a glimpse of him and exchange a few words. I felt like a pleasure-seeking addict, indulging in this deadly delight

"Your Highness, you will temporarily reside in the Tai Shang Wang Qing, which is conveniently opposite to the courtyard of Empress Hua, facilitating daily interactions between the two of you." Shang Wanwan suddenly called out to me, jolting me back to my senses.

The Emperor's words clearly indicate his intention to spare her a path of survival. However, this also signifies that the Emperor aims to uproot the two prominent families, the Yang and the Xiao clans.

The way of heaven is just and cyclical, you should wait. Whenever His Majesty issues an edict for you to return to the palace, that is when King Yue will meet his end. I was completely unprepared for the embrace from Shang Baiwen, to the point that the moment his hands wrapped around my waist, I felt a jolt as if struck by lightning, with my hair standing on end—though it may not sound like a pleasant feeling, it was indeed a very real sensation

She has seen through the Emperor, knowing that she is merely a substitute on the Emperor's bed when the Empress is unavailable. The Empress can accompany him daily for reading, writing, dining, and walking, while she can only engage in the rites of the Duke of Zhou with the Emperor, at most dancing to entertain him

"Shang Bai Wen." I was held by him, yet my eyes were fixed on the sky behind him. When I called his name, I felt as if I were a madwoman stabbing my own heart with a knife. He responded with a muffled sound, and I continued, "The Emperor has summoned me to serve him in the bedchamber several times, do you know? It was only after serving in the bedchamber that I was promoted to the position of Zhaoyi."

After finishing the preparations at hand, Shang Baiwen suddenly remembered that the fire had not yet been lit. He walked over to the stove, sat down, and while tending to the fire, said: "From now on, whenever you are on duty, I will come over. Whether it is sweeping, cooking, or chopping wood, I will take care of it all for you."

I am somewhat reluctant to continue this topic with him, but fortunately, my mood has improved now. It is meaningless to be entangled in this issue. I thought to myself: "Because it is my duty, once the schedule is set, I must fulfill my responsibilities. Among those who live here, apart from Xie Su, who isn't a noble lady?"

"Who is that?" Shang Bai asked, still looking puzzled, as he chased after me insisting on getting to the bottom of it

Hearing his words of such "magnanimity," I felt not a trace of joy in my heart; instead, I was filled with a sense of bitterness. This bitterness was something I had never experienced before, and I distinctly sensed that this feeling was somewhat abnormal, yet I could not clearly articulate the reasons behind it.

On this day, upon waking up, it was time for my shift. I dressed and headed to the kitchen, but upon pushing the door open, I saw that Shang Baiwen had already arrived. He was busy at the stove, seemingly cooking noodles. He appeared very focused, stirring the steaming pot with a long bamboo chopstick and a skimmer for lifting the noodles, not even noticing my entrance.

"How come you arrived so early today?" I gently knocked on the door to avoid startling him with my sudden voice

"Xiao Niang, it is I."

Indeed, calculating the age, Princess Yining was born in autumn, and in two to three months, she will celebrate her first birthday after coming of age. However, do the brothers of Yue'er have other intentions upon their return this time

Shang Wanquan laughed heartily and said, "There is no need to be polite. This lively courtyard has four yards, and usually, I am the only one here. Now that two noble ladies from the palace have arrived, it has become lively, which I could not have asked for more." She affectionately patted the back of my hand and said, "Your Highness, the Zhaoyi, has traveled a long way and should first go wash up and rest. I still need to take Consort Hua to the back to the 'Supreme Response' for her to settle in."

He must be constantly remembering this matter, specifically choosing to queue up during the temple fair to have such a clay figurine made. Between him and me, there isn't really a deep bond, yet he is so thoughtful, remembering this small detail.

"Noble Consort Hua, Noble Consort Zhao." Shang Wanquan and her maid Xie Su stood inside the main gate and performed a formal greeting to us. Just as I was about to return the gesture, a figure I had longed for appeared in my peripheral vision, leaving me in disbelief

"You just stand by, wherever I go, you follow, and occasionally help me wipe off my sweat." This was the first time I had seen Shang Bai looking angry, with his lips pressed tightly and his brows furrowed, not like an adult, but rather like a child. After finally getting angry, he took a cloth used for wiping the pot and dried the remaining water droplets in the pot, then poured in some oil: "I don't need you to do these chores; if it really doesn't work, I'll just hire a cook and a cleaner from home."

Princess Zhang Yi looked at her obedient demeanor and grew fonder of her, smiling as she said: "The Empress has already given me a clever and lovely granddaughter, Princess Yi Ning. You should hurry and bear a prince, so that our family can have a perfect 'good' character."

Only at this moment, in the embrace of Shang Baiwen, does my heart find a semblance of peace

Under the overturned nest, how can there be intact eggs? If her grandparents, parents, and other relatives were all executed, how could she live the rest of her life in peace? Even if the emperor were to show mercy and spare her and Fang Zhixuan, allowing them to live as an ordinary couple in the marketplace, she would still be condemned by her conscience for a lifetime

His words were incoherent, and I did not understand what he was trying to express. Seeing that the small stove had successfully cooked the meal, I took him to the kitchen table, forcefully pushed him onto the bench, and sat down beside him: "How could I possibly dislike you? It is even more impossible for me to hate you."

Shang Baiwen gently patted my back and said: "From now on, as long as it is something you like or desire, be it the brilliant stars or the shimmering waves, I will find it for you. Whether I make it for you myself or buy it with money, I will bring it to you."

The body temperature and urgency from Shang Baiwen make my limbs feel as if they are about to melt in this embrace. For the first time, I clearly feel that love can also be quite dangerous

Looking back now, this is not a bad situation for him. He has no excessive family ties, and he is not the eldest son. As long as he harbors no ill intentions, he can be considered to live freely and at will, enjoying life more than many noble sons. If he feels like being lively today, he can be; if he wishes to go to Wudang Mountain tomorrow, he can go.

I am selecting vegetables and said: "Good."

Xiao Niang... ..." Shang Bai did not give me any opportunity to speak at all. As I opened the door, he spread his arms and tightly embraced me across the threshold.

Determined, I pressed my lips together and said to the lady Shang Wanquan, who was pouring the wine, "Your Highness, I truly cannot drink any more; my body cannot handle it. The Empress Dowager is known for her exceptional capacity for alcohol in the harem, so you may certainly seek her out." As I spoke these words, I was only thinking that since Yue'er avoids her, she would not drink with her, and by sending away the troublesome drunkard Shang Wanquan, both Yue'er and I would be at peace.

The heartfelt words in this passage from "Shang Bai Wen" have allowed me to let go of the turmoil in my heart. I no longer feel indebted to him, but at the same time, I deeply understand a fact: he speaks these words because he has a sincere heart for me. In recent days, my emotions have fluctuated greatly, causing me to be unable to find peace almost every night

Once again, standing in front of the lively pavilion, I looked up and saw the inscription "Imperially Constructed Lively Pavilion"

The moment this thought emerged, I knew that my feelings for Shang Baiwen were not merely a fleeting infatuation; I had completely fallen for him. The most terrifying aspect of love in this world is the imbalance of investment between both parties. If Shang Baiwen were to grow weary of me while I still harbored such thoughts about him, my ultimate fate would be to be destroyed by this relationship.

Minty knelt before her to help her put on her shoes, then stood up to assist her in adjusting her clothing and hairstyle, before helping her to her feet: "Your grandaunt, Her Royal Highness Princess Zhang Yi has arrived"

He placed the fried egg onto the plate and then handed the plate to me, saying, "Alright, eat up"

Only after I thoroughly understood the grievances between Shang Wanquan and Yue'er did I truly realize that the reason the emperor personally managed the harem was not because he feared the concubines straying, but because he had regarded us as his pets from the very beginning

I am purely compelled by circumstances. I bent down to rummage through the vegetable basket and removed a round radish from the surface. I left Lin'an with my father to go to the front lines when I was six years old. Although there were cooks in the military camp, we only had three meals a day from a large pot, which was truly disheartening. Later, my second brother and I hit it off and had the cooks set up a stove in front of my tent so that we could cook for ourselves.

Of course, she has just welcomed a suitor into her heart, that foolish physician Fang Zhixuan, who just yesterday sent her ten hawthorn pills, fearing that she might lack an appetite and be unable to eat.

When the emperor took favor with me, I was entirely passive, lacking both the qualification and the courage to refuse. Subsequently, I repeatedly self-suggested that I was a woman who had betrayed love. Now, only I have spoken to Shang Baiwen, and I no longer need to hide it.

At that time, I was afraid that speaking out would only make him feel bad as well, and if both of us were unhappy, what would be the point? It would be better for me to endure it alone and forget about it in a moment or two.

"Your Highness, the esteemed Empress Dowager Zhang Yi of Shoukang Palace has arrived. Please rise to receive her!" The head maid Minti hurriedly rushed in from outside the door, not waiting for Yang Zhaoyuan's permission, and shook her drowsy mistress awake. "She must be here to question you for not paying your respects. My lady, you must not sleep any longer!"

"By the way, I actually forgot such an important matter, I really deserve a beating." Shang Baiwen recalled something, pulled my hand, and lightly hit the back of his hand. Then he took out a clay figurine from his pocket and handed it to me, "Last month on the fifteenth, there was a temple fair at Huairenfang in the capital. I took my nephews and nieces to have some fun. Coincidentally, a famous craftsman named Lu was selling clay figurines, so I queued up to buy a clay figurine of Pingyang Gong holding a spear for you."

He is like a double-edged sword that has pierced into my life; with him, I have been lingering on the edge of a cliff, and without him, I have also lost the courage to linger on the edge of the cliff

Princess Yining is already sixteen years old and should be married. Their reluctance to leave is likely to ensure that the princess finds a suitable husband. Shang Baiwen lifted the pot and placed it on the ground, then poured half a bucket of water into it to clean it. He continued, "Thinking about it this way, Princess Yining is actually quite fortunate; her lifelong affairs are not only managed by her biological mother, but also overseen by her grandmother and biological father."

After I scraped off the fish scales and opened the fish gills, I dug out the contents with my hand: "Once a month, you don't have it but I do, who could it be?" Then, I picked up the kitchen knife and used the tip to slice open the fish's belly, grabbing all the entrails in one go. Shang Bai was stunned by my fluid motions, forgetting to react, and was left staring in astonishment.

Seeing that I did not respond to her, Shang Wanquan seemed to gain more confidence: "The bond between me and Brother Hang is likely much deeper than that between him and Empress Hua, right?"

Shang Bai sighed deeply and said with a hint of despair, "I will never be worthy of you. You do not understand, how I wish you would never understand."

I had some doubts, so after he left the lively view and returned home, I asked Shang Wanquan. Shang Wanquan told me that Shang Baiwen truly has no wife or concubines, living alone to this day. He usually has no particular hobbies, only enjoying visiting famous scenic spots. After the emperor ascended the throne, he was ordered to escort the retired emperor to Qingcheng Mountain, and since then he has been traveling outside. Therefore, during the ten years I spent in the palace, I have never seen him.

How should I explain to him that doing these chores like cleaning and cooking is truly voluntary for both Yue'er and me, has nothing to do with Shang Wanjun, and certainly does not involve her coercing me

This person is "Aunt Flo"

With each deeper layer of thought, the unease and fear in Yang Zhaoyuan's heart intensified. She realized that in order to survive, she must immediately distance herself from Empress Dowager Zhang Yitai and others.

However, she did not want to betray the Emperor's true intentions to the Empress and others. In Yang Zhaoyuan's eyes, King Yue had always acted recklessly and had committed the heinous crime of confusing the legitimate royal bloodline. She had always looked down upon such reckless individuals and only wished for the Empress and Gu Wan, this pair of male thief and female prostitute, to be punished

Shang Wanquan's words are indeed not subtle, referring to the fact that she almost became the emperor's wife, which I am aware of. Yue'er has always been anxious about the emperor; it is almost impossible for her not to care with such a beautiful former lover like Shang Wanquan lingering around the emperor at all times

Many years later, when I recall the days spent in the lively observatory under the emperor's confinement, I come to realize that those days of daily chanting and prayer, filled with anguish, were in fact the last moments of pure joy in my life

When Shang Baiwen saw me arrive, he put down the sieve in his left hand, waved for me to come over, and then embraced me, gently kissing my forehead: "Today is Wanwan's thirtieth birthday. Father and Mother have matters to attend to and cannot come, so I came to cook a bowl of longevity noodles for her, which is also my heartfelt intention as her elder brother."

When Shang Baiwen silently cooked the second egg, I thought he had finished saying everything he wanted to say, and I felt a sense of relief. Little did I know that after finishing the second egg, he began again: "Xiao Niang, you are after all the daughter of a governor and a grand princess, a member of a prestigious family. Why do you have to be so obediently busying yourself? If Wanwan continues to treat you this way, just tell me, and I will go talk to her about it."

I immediately came to my senses, nodding vigorously as if pounding garlic: "I heard it, I really heard it"

After I wash the bloodstains from my hands and the fish scales from between my fingers, he holds back a face full of embarrassment, and after a while, he clears his throat, pretending to be nonchalant, and continues the previous topic: "I understand. Then why do you still touch cold water when cooking? Isn't that not good?"

I have a multitude of emotions intertwined within me that are difficult to articulate, resembling a tangled mass of threads that one cannot easily untangle. There is guilt towards him, self-blame, and also some resentment, the target of which is unclear.

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhaoyuan's intuition told her that this statement was somewhat off. The Emperor and Empress Dowager Zhang Yi had always been polite on the surface, but their actual relationship was not good; she could not possibly regard the Emperor as her own son. Although the Empress treated Empress Dowager Zhang Yi quite well, it still felt strange for Empress Dowager Zhang Yi to claim that Princess Yining was her granddaughter.

The eight years I spent with my father and brothers on the front lines were the happiest times of my childhood

Speaking of which, King Yue truly is a brave yet foolish man. Observing the reckless actions of Concubine Zhang Yi, one can probably guess which parent’s temperament King Yue has inherited. He is utterly unrestrained, causing a stir in front of the emperor with his mother by his side; it would be a miracle if he were to escape unscathed.

Yang Zhaoyuan concealed her thoughts and performed a grand courtesy to the noble lady Zhang Yi, saying: "Your Highness, I am merely a lowly concubine and cannot influence the Emperor's heart. I fear that your wishes cannot be fulfilled by my own efforts alone, and I truly feel ashamed"

This truly is a divine day, with no rules and no distinctions of rank. In this land of Daoism, let us women part ways with the doctrines of the world. For some reason, Shang Wanquan always enjoys coming to this courtyard where I reside to drink with me. My tolerance for alcohol has never been good, and she shows up with a wine jug every few days, making it somewhat difficult for me to cope

Who is it? My remark left Shang Baiwen completely puzzled. He walked to the kitchen door and looked around, but seeing no strangers, he turned back and asked in confusion, "Is it a relative of yours?"

Yang Zhaoyuan stood up and performed a deep bow, her tone still polite: "I am deeply grateful for your concern, Your Highness."

To be honest, I am more concerned that he will come to despise me. Without being with me, he can be the carefree and charming young gentleman of the world, eligible to pursue any beautiful unmarried woman; but once he is with me, he becomes the scorned and reviled scoundrel, pointed at by thousands.

Yang Zhaoyuan initially intended to enter the palace holding the arm of the Empress Dowager Zhang Yi as usual, but upon realizing that the Empress Dowager had only sought to use her from the very beginning, she lost even the slightest inclination to express closeness. Thus, she silently stood to the side, waiting for the Empress Dowager to enter the palace before she would follow in.

"You uncomprehending girl!" Upon hearing Yang Zhaoyuan's words, the noble lady Zhang Yitai immediately flew into a rage, standing up and pointing at Yang Zhaoyuan indignantly, "How could you refuse such an important responsibility that brings glory to the family? Have you considered your grandfather and your father?"

When I love you, you are the moon in the clouds; when I abandon you, you are the mud beneath the ground

Are the rumors in the palace not baseless?

As the saying goes, fate plays tricks on people, and the will of heaven is difficult to predict, perhaps it is just so

I am fully aware that everything is pulling me further away from Shang Baiwen, yet when I return to a lively perspective, I still secretly hope to see Shang Baiwen again

Reason urges me to restrain myself, yet I find myself powerless

In this world of ten miles of red dust, no one can escape the four words "destined by fate"; the regrets in everyone's life are already predetermined. Even I often find myself filled with remorse in the quiet of the night, wishing I had met him a little earlier, so that we could elope like the characters in a story, bidding farewell to the mundane world.

The implication is to let Consort Zhang Yi give up on the idea of dying and not to drag her into this murky water.

It is said that the feelings run deep, but whether there is true sincerity, only the emperor knows.

My heart is in turmoil, caught in a struggle between conflicting thoughts, unable to make a decision

The benefit of loving someone who also loves you is that at the moment you realize he loves you too, you will find that you have effortlessly possessed all of his belongings. The magic of love, I can say, is like catching a glimpse of a leopard through a tube. As long as it is true love, you will involuntarily want to offer him everything you have, as if presenting treasures, allowing him to choose.

I feel extremely satisfied, smiling so widely that my mouth seems to reach the back of my head. I jokingly said, "Next time, give me a Zhao Zilong who isn't wearing clothes, and I'll send him to my father at full speed to take revenge on him."

Recalling these matters, my good mood immediately dissipated. I took a piece of pork and a handful of greens, picked a few mushrooms, and then opened the lid of the water tank to check whether the grass carp was dead. Afterwards, I asked Shang Bai, "Today we will have squirrel fish and mushrooms."

Previously, when I asked Shang Bai about his age, he said he was born on the same year, month, and day as the emperor, and that he is thirty-two years old this year. Upon hearing this, I felt quite unhappy, as it indicated that he must have a wife and children, and I would be, in essence, disrupting someone else's family. I contemplated severing ties with him as soon as possible. However, to my surprise, he said that he has not even taken a concubine yet.

For example, planning matters within the army, such as causing the troops of King Yue to change their banners and defect.

Thus, I said softly: "It is nothing, a relative has come." Being a woman has one advantage that men can never enjoy, which is when you are in a bad mood and others ask the reason, if you are too lazy to answer, you can always attribute it to someone. This person visits you once a month, and when you have a child, they temporarily stop coming, and when you grow old, they will completely say goodbye to you.

That day in the garden of Kun Ning Palace, I merely mentioned it casually to him, yet he was able to guess that I wanted to be a graceful female general like Princess Pingyang

Countless Zhao Zilong clay figurines are still displayed in the governor's mansion, in my boudoir. They are truly exquisite, yet they also represent a shadow from my childhood

When I saw the imposing manner of the merchant, I quickly fished out the cooked noodles and extinguished the fire in the stove to facilitate my actions: "In the blink of an eye, you have been here for half a month. I heard from Wanwan that you occasionally take charge of the three daily meals. I never expected that you could cook."

He was originally innocent, but now he has been dragged down by me, and I still cannot bring myself to sever ties with him. I truly deserve to be punished in the most severe way.

I thought about it and shook my head

Yang Zhaoyuan thought to herself that Princess Zhang Yi only turned to her because she knew the Empress could not bear children, so why elevate the matter to the level of family honor? However, Yang Zhaoyuan felt mentally exhausted and was too lazy to continue entangling with this old woman. She stood up and said, "Someone, please escort Princess Zhang Yi out."

It is evident to any discerning person that Shang Wanyuan is feigning ignorance, deliberately making things convenient for Shang Baiwen and me. She was once the designated crown princess, just a step away from Kun Ning Palace, and had a childhood friendship with the emperor. Why would she assist me in my illicit affair?

After the welcome banquet was concluded, Dowager Consort Zhang did not immediately set off for Fengtai Mountain. She returned to her quarters in the Shoukang Palace, the Runyang Pavilion, where she had the Empress and her grandniece Yang Zhaoyuan come to pay their respects regularly. The Empress had always treated her with filial piety, addressing her as "Mother" and naturally visited every day; however, Yang Zhaoyuan had not appeared in the Shoukang Palace.

Princess Zhang Yi firmly believed that her condition was due to physical discomfort and was not concerned at all: "In the blink of an eye, your cousin Bi'er has been in the position of Empress for ten years, yet she has not given birth to a prince, which has always been a source of worry for me. Now, as she is getting older, in her thirties, and without the Emperor's favor, it is impossible for her to have children again"

Only after they had walked far away did I slowly enter the courtyard, push open the door to the quiet room, and prepare to make the bed for a feigned nap. What Shang Wanquan said was indeed true; after a long journey by boat and carriage, I was really very tired. Riding in the horse-drawn carriage up the mountain was truly not as exhausting as the last time when I was delirious from fever, compared to riding up the mountain with Shang Baiwen.

Emperor Gu Cheng's desire for control and possession is no less than that of others. He manages both the court and the harem with a firm grip, leaving no opportunity for the consorts to create disturbances. The only one who deals with the empress is the emperor himself. Currently, the palace's inner court women only wish to live their lives peacefully, and no one dares to oppose the emperor.

I can feel his breath lightly and heavily against my neck, his breathing rhythm harmonizing with my heartbeat, easily creating an illusion, an illusion of oneness between him and me, indistinguishable from each other

It had only been three or four days since we last met, and when I locked eyes with him, who was beaming with joy, the tumultuous emotions within me were so complex that even the phrase 'a myriad of feelings' could not fully capture them

Moreover, even if she has reported the secret, it is likely too late. If the Emperor is determined to eliminate the power of the King of Yue, he must have been planning for a long time and made thorough preparations. At this point, even if any unexpected events occur, they would merely advance the Emperor's actions.

Is it the merchant Baiwen? Could it be that he has come this time to lively observe, just to see me?

Shang Baiwen handled the fish with great skill, yet for some reason, a hint of anger suddenly appeared on his face, leaving me somewhat puzzled by his unexpected outburst of rage

"You are crying so sorrowfully, but did His Majesty treat you harshly?" Shang Baiwen, hearing me cry as if I had lost half my life, no longer had the heart to hold me. He grasped my shoulders and carefully checked for any bruises on my body, asking, "Is there anywhere that hurts?"

Princess Zhang Yi deliberately paused, expecting Yang Zhaoyuan to immediately grasp her hint, but Yang Zhaoyuan remained silent, merely adopting a posture of quiet listening.

His expression resembled that of a frightened puppy, which made me burst into laughter: "Aunt Huayang has truly left, so do not worry." I feigned mystery and said, "This Aunt Flo is not the same as that Aunt Flo."

Shang Baiwen brought me the pastries as requested and placed them on the stove for my convenience

Next, he first rinsed the fish and meat with water, then made several cuts on the fish and set it aside. After that, he diced the scallions, ginger, and garlic, placing them on top of the fish. Finally, he remembered to pour on the cooking wine and soy sauce.

I am well aware that continuing like this with Shang Baiwen is not feasible, so I simply opened the door, thinking it would be better to clarify things with him.

When I lifted my head and realized it was indeed Shang Baiwen, I unexpectedly shed tears without any preparation

As for her own family, they have become inseparable from the queen, and no matter how powerful she may be, she is powerless to change that

Shang Baiwen leisurely remarked: "Take a look at the other princesses in the palace who are around ten years old; who else receives such treatment?"

His reaction successfully amused me. I picked up the kitchen knife and knocked the grass carp unconscious, then swiftly scraped off its scales: "Yes, my period has come." In order not to reveal any flaws, I exerted all my strength to hold back my laughter, feeling as if the handle of the kitchen knife was about to be crushed in my grip

Upon reflection, I find it somewhat difficult to discern whether encountering Shang Baiwen is my destiny or my misfortune

"Today, I am fortunate to bask in the glory of the birthday star, Wanwan. After visiting so many times, I finally get to see you cook." Shang Baiwen scooped the water from the pot with a ladle and then sat in front of the stove to rekindle the fire. "Do you eat eggs? I am going to fry an egg for Wanwan's longevity noodles, and I will fry one for you as well."

With a loud crash, the egg fell, and the smoke from the oil immediately rose. Shang Bai stepped back, choked by the smoke, but did not stop speaking: "Earlier, I had arranged for two maidservants and a cook, but Wan Wan insisted against it, saying that too many people would disturb her cultivation. Now look, you and Empress Hua have come; you are not disturbing her, but she is completely disturbing you."

For instance, today, knowing full well that I had drunkenly vomited into the koi pond last night, she brought more alcohol. What perplexes me greatly is that since the moon entered the lively pavilion, she has not gone out anymore, nor does she allow Shang Wanshan to visit her. Perhaps Shang Wanshan came to find me out of sheer boredom.

"How can you..." Minty followed Yang Zhaoyuan towards the main hall, intending to say a few words to advise Yang Zhaoyuan to be more discreet. However, upon reflection, she felt that Yang Zhaoyuan had seemingly transformed into a different person over the past month or two. When she met His Majesty yesterday, she was not as warm as before, and even appeared somewhat perfunctory.

For some reason, she suddenly recalled that day at the Summer Palace, in the Wangu Jiangshan Hall, when the Emperor summoned her after placing the Empress under house arrest and said to her, "Otherwise, you will regret it." At that time, she only felt that the Emperor's words were profound, laden with obvious implications, and it was only just now that she understood the meaning behind the Emperor's words.

Then let us prepare a few dishes today. The princess has been in solitary meditation for many years, and apart from Su and you, there is no one else to celebrate her birthday with her. As I spoke, I rolled up my sleeves and walked to the basket of vegetables to see what the servants from the Yue Wang Mansion had bought yesterday when they delivered the vegetables to the mountain, intending to select a few items to prepare some decent banquet dishes. Of course, I am truly not skilled in decorative plating, so I can only rely on the taste to win.

I fear that this is the first and last time in this life that I will ride together with him

"Good child, you haven't come to see your grand-aunt for half a month, your grand-aunt has missed you dearly!" After entering the main hall of the Zhongcui Palace, Princess Zhang Yi walked directly to the upper end of the hall and sat down in the grand master's chair. Once Yang Zhaoyuan sat down in the first chair at the lower end, she looked affectionately at her charming and lovely niece.

Shang Wanjiao raised her wine cup and drank it all in one go, saying to me: "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager may not be aware, but I have a deep-seated enmity with Lady Hua. Therefore, Lady Hua's cold attitude towards me is something I never provoke. " She put down her wine cup and smiled at me, her smile as radiant as blooming peach and plum blossoms. If I were a man, I would surely be intoxicated by her smile.

The question regarding Shang Wanquan has left me momentarily unable to respond

This exchange, though seemingly ordinary, is quite reminiscent of the casual conversations between a typical married couple, with each responding to the other in a harmonious manner

As I grew older, I left my family to prepare for marriage and returned to the residence of the Grand Princess of Lin'an. I had thought that once I entered the palace, I would never have the opportunity to cook again in my lifetime. Unexpectedly, today, I can still wash my hands and prepare meals for the man I love

Upon hearing me say this, Shang Bai couldn't help but chuckle and remarked, "You really hold a grudge"

I looked around and found that we had just arrived in front of a small courtyard named "The Supreme Forgetting of Emotions." As I am currently under someone else's roof, I naturally need to express my gratitude for the host's arrangements: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your arrangements; I truly apologize for the disturbance"

Without waiting for the consent of the noble consort Zhang, Yang Zhaoyuan had already taken a step and returned to her palace on her own

With his embrace, my entire body stiffened, and my movements to start a fire became awkward. Shang Baiwen rested his chin on my shoulder, and his tone suddenly turned heavy: "If you hate me or dislike me, it is all right."

The way I cried truly brought disgrace to both the Grand Princess's residence and the Governor's office.

Lady Zhang Yitai said: "Miao, my child, are you truly unwell?" She stepped forward to personally help Yang Zhaoyuan up, carefully observing her complexion. The more she looked, the more she felt that Yang Zhaoyuan's face indeed bore signs of pallor and illness. She secretly pondered whether her brother's granddaughter, who had entered the palace for less than four months, might already be pregnant, but being too young, she had not taken it to heart and mistakenly thought she was ill. The more she looked, the more she felt that Yang Zhaoyuan's face indeed bore signs of pallor and illness. She secretly pondered whether her brother's granddaughter, who had entered the palace for less than four months, might already be pregnant, but being too young, she had not taken it to heart and mistakenly thought she was ill.

I humbly wish the Empress Dowager longevity and peace, and may the Empress Dowager enjoy good health for a thousand years. When Yang Zhaoyuan previously met Empress Dowager Zhang Yi, she expressed an indescribable warmth, never addressing her as "Empress Dowager" but rather directly calling her "Great-Aunt." Today, her overly formal and distant demeanor made Empress Dowager Zhang Yi feel somewhat unaccustomed.

Forming cliques has become a legend in Gu Hang's harem

"Such a high profile is fine; at least one can die with clarity." After I finished this sentence, I placed the pot containing the soybean milk onto the small stove and pulled a stick of firewood from the stove to start a fire. I thought for a moment and said to Shang Bai, "Please help me take out some of the glutinous rice cakes from the steamer, and take a few more."

As soon as I took off my shoes, I heard someone knocking at the door. "Who is it that comes?"

"Let me do it." Before the words had left his mouth, Shang Baiwen swiftly snatched the fish from my hand

As I expected, Shang Baiwen's originally soft and relaxed body became stiff upon hearing this. He remained silent for a while, but to me, it felt as if it lasted an entire day. He said: "I know. In the palace, as a concubine, there are far too many unavoidable circumstances."

"Therefore, I do not like you, Empress. Because my sixth brother is the closest to me, yet you have taken him away." Shang Wanquan propped her chin on her hand, smiling even more beautifully than before, "Empress, is my possessiveness terrifyingly strong?" She leaned on the table and stood up, her body slightly tilting in my direction, "Your Highness, if I had entered the harem back then, I wonder whether you would be dealing with me alongside Consort Hua, or with me against Consort Hua now?"

Thank you. I wiped away my tears with my sleeve, holding the clay figurine tightly as I choked out, "My father likes Zhao Zilong and has only ever bought me Zhao Zilong figurines. Only you know that I like Princess Pingyang."

I neatly put on my shoes and jogged to the door, my hand naturally resting on the latch, almost an instinctive action

The emperor has never held her in his heart, and with great "magnanimity," he informed her that if she were to have a lover, she could report it to him and discreetly leave the palace, assuming a false identity.

How can I know the thoughts of the emperor? As the saying goes, a woman's heart is as deep as the ocean, but Gu Cheng's heart is likely even more elusive than the needle of the sea god. He is absolutely capable of being affectionate one day and turning cold the next.

His statement caught me off guard; after a moment of hesitation, I still did not understand his intention: "Then what about me? What should I do?"

Yang Zhaoyuan opened her eyes with lingering drowsiness and murmured, her gaze unfocused as she asked Minty: "Who has come to seek justice?"

Yang Zhaoyuan always feels that these sordid truths will eventually come to light. When that day arrives, Princess Zhang Yitai, Empress Xiao, and His Highness the King of Yue will surely not escape death. At that time, will she, who is close to them, still have any chance of survival?

Since the Queen gave birth to Princess Yining sixteen years ago, she has not conceived again. No matter how much Grand Empress Zhang Yi advised the Emperor, it was to no avail. Now the Emperor is about to turn thirty-three years old, and he has not had a single legitimate son. Grand Empress Zhang Yi is solely focused on maintaining the family's glory. Seeing that the Queen has no further opportunities, she repeatedly urged her brother to allow her granddaughter to enter the palace, thinking that Yang Miaoze has just reached the age of maturity, full of youth, and is suitable for childbearing

She continued, "The Empress Hua is the same as I am; when something is taken from us, we will surely hold a grudge for a lifetime. Even if I appear to have let go now, she still harbors deep resentment in her heart"

Thus, the affair between the Queen and the King of Yue, even if it is on the verge of being exposed today, with the greatest "material evidence" long since obliterated, what can the Emperor do? Good people would not act, while bad people cannot carry it through completely, referring to Xiao Xunbi.

I hesitated just before opening the door

I looked at Princess Pingyang, dressed in red armor and holding a red tassel spear, and once again shed tears

I understand. "Shang Baiwen once again held me in his arms, his chin resting on the top of my head, and his voice seemed to come from beyond the heavens. He slowly said: 'Our relationship has always been contrary to morality. By pulling you, a woman, into this vortex, I have implicated you. If I were to continue to blame you relentlessly, demanding that you adhere to the three obediences and four virtues, how would I be any different from those who sell their wives and children?"

Although I am not a good person, at least I did not give birth to someone else's child and have the emperor help raise it. Yue'er was right before; if the empress had any sense, she would have certainly strangled the Princess Yining after giving birth to her.

However, when the term "husband and wife" briefly flashed through my mind, I felt a deep sense of guilt, as if the actions of Shang Baiwen and I had insulted the very essence of the word "husband and wife"

I held a pastry in my hand, arranged in a pattern that children would like, and casually chatted with him: "I wonder when King Yue will fall."

When I saw the plaque, I felt as if I had just awakened from a great dream. While ordinary people might feel as if they have traveled through time when returning to the place where they first met or fell in love with their beloved, I alone felt that standing in front of the lively Guan Gate was like being splashed with a bucket of cold water, awakening me from head to toe, from the inside out

The tension in the business inquiries has made me somewhat distracted, and I can no longer cry. Gradually, I quieted down and, feeling aggrieved, I sobbed, "How could I have the ability to compel the current emperor? I... I just feel very uncomfortable inside."

In those years, I was just a little girl, begging my father to buy me a clay figurine of Princess Pingyang, but he insisted that I should admire Zhao Zilong. What a great harm this was for a child

"Why are you suddenly unhappy?" Shang Bai was very sensitive to my emotional fluctuations. As soon as he heard that my tone was not as cheerful as before, he immediately became a bit anxious, stepped forward a few paces, took the fish and vegetables from my hands, and said, "If you have any worries, feel free to tell me. Don't keep it bottled up inside; be careful not to harm yourself by holding it in."

I have always been raised by my father as a son, and I consider myself to have a strong character, rarely shedding tears. However, I never anticipated that I could reveal such a vulnerable side of myself in front of Shang Baiwen—this cannot simply be understood as weakness; it is just that in his presence, I can no longer disguise my emotions.

Temples have always been a "no man's land" for the royal family and nobility of our dynasty, so it is understandable that Shang Wanquan lives like a drunken man. However, I really cannot drink anymore

Reluctantly, Empress Dowager Zhang could only continue, "Fortunately, there is still you in the palace. You are different from the Empress; she is merely a distant cousin of our Yang family, while you are a direct descendant of the Yang family. Compared to her, if you were to become Empress Dowager in the future, that would be the best outcome."

Once Yang Miaozhe has a prince, whether he is entrusted to the Empress for upbringing or whether the Eastern and Western Palaces stand independently in the future, it will be a matter of great benefit to the Yang family with no drawbacks

The Dowager Empress sent someone to inquire, and at first, she received the excuse of "being unwell and unable to move." A few days later, when she inquired again, Yang Zhaoyuan's maid simply replied that they would not go. The Dowager Empress Zhang Yi had always been accustomed to being spoiled; how could she tolerate such disrespect from her juniors? One day, after finishing a conversation with the Empress, she directly took her palanquin and headed to Yang Zhaoyuan's Zhongcui Palace

Shang Wanquan led me and Yue'er into the room, instructing Xie Su to take a few maidservants to reward the palace attendants outside. Shang Baiwen followed silently behind us, as if he were Shang Wanquan's shadow, with the sole duty of accompanying her

Shang Bai was taken aback, and in a hurry, he stopped my actions, saying: "You... your great-aunt is not the elder sister of the Supreme Emperor, Princess Huayang. She... did not the Princess pass away twenty years ago..."

In the past, Yang Zhaoyuan would have immediately regained her senses, but today she was truly in a bad mood. She slapped her own face to barely wake up a little: "Quickly, accompany this palace to meet the emperor, this is quite a hassle"

She felt that her master had been somewhat different lately, though she was unsure what exactly had changed, and decided to remain silent.

After seeing off Shang Wanquan and Yue'er, I held the moon gate of the courtyard with one hand, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. The two of them were quite clear about the relationship between me and Shang Baiwen. Whenever the four of us were present at the same time, I always felt like a thief caught in the act, with nowhere to hide.

I originally intended to rebut him in a cold tone, but for some reason, as soon as I opened my mouth, a wave of tears surged from the tenderest part of my heart, rushing up to the tip of my nose. My nose felt sour, and my eyes became blurry, rendering me unable to speak as I sobbed: "I... actually, I don't want to... I'm not doing this willingly..."

"Is the Zhaoyi Empress truly the sister of the Huafei Empress?" It was as if she had heard the greatest joke in the world, as Shang Wanquan actually laughed out loud in front of me. After a while, she finally stopped laughing, but the smile remained on her face.

What the Empress Dowager said is indeed true. Although Yang Zhaoyuan quickly agreed with her words, she secretly scoffed at the remarks made by Empress Dowager Zhang Yi.

At this moment, the political situation is tumultuous. The emperor sent me and Yue'er here for our safety, yet I find myself entangled in a romantic affair... I am, after all, an imperial concubine and a member of the royal family, sharing the same fate as Emperor Gu Cheng. Is such reckless behavior not considered inappropriate?