Aunt Wei’s meaning was clear to her.
She could no longer stay by the princess’s side.
The underlings’ methods were sometimes even filthier than their masters’. Gao Yuexing did not know what Aunt Wei had done, but it was foreseeable that wherever she went next, it would not be pleasant.
At sunset, the glow of the evening light embraced the palace’s red walls and green tiles, dreamlike and unreal in its beauty.
Finally, Gao Yuexing received the news.
—It was brought back by a few eunuchs from the outer palace.
The Emperor had severely punished Li Fuqiu in the study, even calling for the paddle to deliver a painful flogging.
This was unimportant.
No matter how the Emperor punished his son, Gao Yuexing didn’t care.
Injustice like what had occurred that morning might be an earth-shattering event for an actual six-year-old child, leading to tantrums, tears, and obstinacy.
But Gao Yuexing was no longer a child.
Her eyes pierced through time and space, seeing everything with clarity. In her view, Li Fuqiu was simply someone doomed to an early death, someone who, whether in the past or the future, would have nothing to do with her.
She stood quietly by the princess’s side, her expression indifferent.
A eunuch standing below glanced at her secretly and was caught in the act.
Gao Yuexing: “If you have something to say, say it.”
The eunuch appeared troubled, carefully choosing his words: “After the Third Prince was punished, he knelt outside the study, reciting essays on governance aloud…”
The princess looked up in surprise. “Oh, he can even recite essays on governance!?”
The eunuch replied, “This servant dares not speak falsely. The matter has already spread throughout the palace. Moreover…” He hesitated, glancing at Gao Yuexing again. “The Third Prince also said he is willing to mend his ways and diligently pursue his studies, asking His Majesty to grant Miss Gao to him as a personal companion.”
The princess didn’t immediately react, her face full of confusion, her delicate brows furrowed. After a moment, she slammed the table and stood up. “What did you say? He wants Sister Gao?!”
Gao Yuexing slowly shifted her gaze toward Aunt Wei.
Aunt Wei stood by the wall, hands folded, her head slightly bowed.
The princess lifted her skirt, about to rush out, exclaiming angrily, “Impossible! He’s insane! How can they send Sister Gao to him? I must speak with Mother Consort…”
Aunt Wei quickly stepped in front of the door, falling to her knees with a thud. “Your Highness, please reconsider. No matter where Miss Gao goes, it is by His Majesty’s decree. How can Consort Xian oppose an imperial edict? You are Consort Xian’s own flesh and blood; you must understand her difficulties.”
The princess abruptly stopped in her tracks at the door.
This type of admonishment was undoubtedly not the first time.
Gao Yuexing did not know whether this reflected Consort Xian’s intentions or was an old servant taking liberties to restrain the princess. In that instant, she sighed silently in her heart.
The princess stood at the door and looked back at her.
The eunuch from the Emperor’s side arrived at Chunhe Palace, summoning Gao Yuexing to face the Emperor.
When Gao Yuexing saw the Emperor again, it was in the study.
The Emperor gently asked her if she was willing to go to the Third Prince’s side to play with him.
Gao Yuexing agreed almost without hesitation.
She had already made up her mind on the way here.
Everyone knew the Third Prince was a lunatic, someone everyone avoided like the plague.
The Emperor, of course, knew this too.
He hadn’t expected Gao Yuexing to agree so readily.
The Emperor bent down and asked, “Aren’t you afraid he’ll bully you?”
Gao Yuexing lifted her head. “Your Majesty will protect me.”
The Emperor clapped his hands and laughed heartily, immediately promising, “Alright, I promise you, I will protect you.”
Gao Yuexing had her own considerations.
Compared to the princess, the Third Prince was clearly closer to the truth.
Rather than staying in a comfortable place where her hands and feet would be tied, it was better to take a risk.
The sky had completely darkened, and the last rays of the sunset disappeared beyond the horizon.
Carrying a small goat-horn lantern, Gao Yuexing returned to Chunhe Palace for the last time under the escort of the guards.
The Emperor allowed her to depart the next morning.
Late at night, Gao Yuexing lay awake, staring at the bed canopy when she suddenly heard soft, shuffling footsteps approaching.
There was no fear of thieves in Chunhe Palace.
Gao Yuexing waited quietly. The footsteps stopped nearby, and the goose-feather bed canopy was lifted. The princess, her hair loose, patted the bed, signaling that she wanted to climb in.
Gao Yuexing shifted to make space for her, and the princess slipped under her blanket.
“You’re leaving tomorrow,” the princess said, her voice tinged with reluctance. “I worked so hard to get a companion reader, and before I could even get used to you, he’s stolen you away… Honestly, I understand that this isn’t beyond fixing. If my mother consort were willing to say a few words, I could keep you here.”
Gao Yuexing realized that the princess might not be as naive as she had imagined.
Aunt Wei never worked night shifts.
Outside, there were only two young palace maids, and the princess had sent them far away before coming in.
It was a rare chance for them to have a heartfelt conversation.
Gao Yuexing rested her head on her small hand, turning to look at the princess. “Princess, as you grow older, you should have people of your own by your side.”
The princess replied softly, “That’s easy for you to say. Where would I find them?”
Everything she had was given by her mother consort. Her every action, every word, was scrutinized down to the smallest detail under Xianfei’s watchful eyes.
But a person is still a person, not a plaything.
If bound too tightly, it would inevitably lead to problems.
Gao Yuexing spoke warmly, “In this palace, unity between mother and child is a good thing. Whether it’s for you or for the consort, be very careful not to let those with ulterior motives exploit any gaps to sow discord between you and your mother.”
Gao Yuexing’s voice was always soft and unhurried, making those who heard it feel deeply at ease.
The princess took her words to heart, pondering them carefully.
In the warm chamber, only one candle remained lit, its dim yellow light casting shadows on the bed canopy.
The princess’s breathing gradually steadied.
—
The next morning, Gao Yuexing did not accompany the princess to Wenhua Hall for her studies. She bid farewell to Consort Xian, who instructed the guards to escort her to the residence of the Third Prince.
The Third Prince was raised in the palace of Consort Dowager Hui.
The Emperor had poured a great deal of thought into the care of this child. He wanted to raise him by his own side but feared that the affection of a doting father would spoil him. Sending him to the care of other concubines risked inadequate attention. After much deliberation, he settled on Consort Dowager Hui in Jingmen Palace.
The Emperor undoubtedly had his reasons for choosing Consort Dowager Hui, but from the current results, the effort seemed less than effective.
Gao Yuexing walked steadily into Jingmen Palace, first paying her respects to Consort Dowager Hui.
The furnishings of Jingmen Palace were simpler than she had imagined. There were no displays of gold, jade, or crystal, but the place was kept impeccably clean. Consort Dowager Hui sat in the main seat, not yet showing significant signs of aging. Her most striking feature was her jet-black hair, with not a single strand of gray visible at a glance.
Consort Dowager Hui beckoned her forward.
Wherever she went, the scrutiny of her superiors was inevitable.
Gao Yuexing kept her head bowed, listening as Consort Dowager Hui remarked, “What a charming little doll you are. No wonder His Majesty is so fond of you. Even before your arrival, the rewards have been flowing into my Jingmen Palace like water!”
Gao Yuexing curtsied timidly. “Thank you for His Majesty’s favor, and for your care, Noble Consort.”
The Emperor’s favorites always garnered a bit of deference from others.
Consort Dowager Hui said, “The Third Prince lives in the east wing; you will stay in the west wing. The west wing has been unoccupied for some time and was just cleaned yesterday. The items bestowed by His Majesty have been placed there as well. Let Fu Yun take you over to see if it suits you.”
A young palace maid standing by the door stepped forward.
Fu Yun.
Gao Yuexing turned her head sharply.
The name “Fu Yun” sounded incredibly familiar as it reached her ears.
This was the first familiar name Gao Yuexing had encountered since entering the palace.
When Fu Yun approached, Gao Yuexing tilted her head, scrutinizing her. Gradually, the maid’s delicate features overlapped with those from her memory.
Gao Yuexing remembered clearly that Fu Yun had been a member of the Prince Xiang’s household. On the second day after her marriage into the household, the prince assigned Fu Yun to her service. By then, Fu Yun was already an older maid, but her care for Gao Yuexing had been meticulous, almost familial. Gao Yuexing had always regarded her as the person she felt closest to.
It turned out she had originally been one of Consort Dowager Hui’s people.
Gao Yuexing was secretly astonished, momentarily lost in thought.
She only came back to her senses when Consort Dowager Hui, smiling, added, “I noticed you didn’t bring any attendants with you, so I’m giving you Fu Yun. Settle in peacefully. If there’s anything you’re unhappy with, feel free to come to me.”
With that, Consort Dowager Hui began to cough into her handkerchief, seeming unwell. Recognizing the situation, Gao Yuexing tactfully took her leave. Consort Dowager Hui waved her hand, granting her permission to withdraw.
—
Gao Yuexing, accompanied by Fu Yun, arrived at the west wing.
As Consort Dowager Hui had mentioned, the west wing had been unoccupied for a long time. Upon closer inspection, a faint scent of dust lingered in the air.
However, it was clear that the cleaning had been done with care. Every corner was swept spotless, and the window screens had been replaced with new ones. Several vermillion chests stood prominently in the center of the room—rewards from the Emperor. Gao Yuexing tiptoed to take a peek at them.
Fu Yun, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. “They’re all useful items, like hand warmers, charcoal basins, and even new clothes tailored specifically to Miss Gao’s measurements. I heard the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau worked overnight to prepare them. His Majesty truly dotes on Miss Gao.”
Gao Yuexing said nothing in response, but in her heart, she thought, ‘The Emperor has indeed gone to great lengths.’
When he goes to such lengths, it’s inevitable that those in the palace who follow the winds of favor will also start scheming.
It was foreseeable that the coming days would truly be treacherous.
After settling in briefly at the west wing, Gao Yuexing stepped outside. From across the courtyard, the doors to the east wing opened, and the Third Prince, Li Fuqiu, appeared in casual clothing. Standing at the threshold, he waved at her. “Come here.”
Today, he actually looked quite affable.
Gao Yuexing remained still.
Li Fuqiu raised his voice, adding emphasis. “Come here. I’ve been confined by the Emperor. I can’t go out.”
Confined again—serves him right.
Gao Yuexing flicked her sleeve and walked over.
The moment she reached him, Li Fuqiu grabbed her and pulled her through the door. Fu Yun tried to follow, but Li Fuqiu barked at her to stay outside and slammed the door, refusing to let her in.
Gao Yuexing stumbled as she was dragged into the gloomy east wing. She looked around and couldn’t help but find the place eerily sinister.
It seemed this prince had peculiar tastes, decorating his room to resemble a hall of the underworld. In the center was a dark, oppressive sandalwood chair that was both unpleasant to the eye and disruptive to the room’s feng shui.
Li Fuqiu leaned close to her ear and whispered, “I finally managed to get you here. Do you know how much effort it took?”
Gao Yuexing tilted her head, putting some distance between them, and replied coolly, “I know. You got beaten and had to recite essays on governance.”
Li Fuqiu immediately caught the hint of mockery in her tone. “You dare mock me!”
Gao Yuexing replied, “How would I dare?”
Li Fuqiu was dressed in a thin white robe, faint traces of blood visible on his back. The Emperor must have punished him harshly. For a ten-year-old boy, the fact that he could recite essays on governance at all at least proved he wasn’t entirely useless.
Li Fuqiu could tell that Gao Yuexing truly wasn’t afraid of him.
All his madness and attempts at intimidation were completely ineffective against her, making him seem more like a clown putting on a show.
Li Fuqiu glared at her viciously. “Just you wait!”