"Songzhi!" Nian Shilan seemed to be trapped in a nightmare while on her bed, her hands struggling continuously as if dreaming of something terrifying.
"Your Ladyship, I am here!" Songzhi, standing anxiously by the bedside, wiped the cold sweat from her mistress's forehead, wondering what kind of nightmare she had suffered.
Nian Shilan suddenly opened her eyes. Seeing Songzhi, she gripped her hand tightly. "Where is my older brother?"
Though slightly confused, Songzhi replied, "General Nian is still at the Nian residence. Is Your Ladyship missing him? Would you like this slave to..."
"No!" Before Songzhi could finish, Nian Shilan cut her off. "Everything has returned," she murmured to herself, filled with emotion. Songzhi couldn't quite hear her clearly.
"Your Ladyship, what did you just say?"
"It is nothing. Go tell the Empress that this palace is too ill to rise."
Hearing this, Songzhi became immediately nervous. "Your Ladyship, shall this slave send for a physician?"
"There is no need. Just do as I say!" After speaking, Nian Shilan pulled the curtains shut and said no more.
Sensing her mistress's anger, Songzhi withdrew.
"And one more thing—remove that Huanyi Incense from this palace. The smell gives me a headache!"
Nian Shilan had not expected to return to this time. Reflecting on her past life, she longed to kill the Emperor and the Empress right now to avenge her child.
"You cannot. Both the Emperor and the Empress are currently protected by the dragon's aura. You are in no position to confront them yet. I understand your feelings, Your Ladyship, but you must think carefully before you act!"
"001, you didn't leave?"
"In reply to Your Ladyship: I was supposed to return, but I couldn't bear to leave you, so I applied to follow you through this lifetime. However, all previous items and assets have been lost."
Hearing this, Nian Shilan felt a bit more settled. "Then, if I want revenge, what must I do?"
"In this world, the Emperor and Empress are shielded by the dragon's aura. To exact your revenge, you must weaken that aura. Only by diminishing theirs can you achieve your goal."
This was not Nian Shilan's first mission, so she understood what was required. Once she grasped the situation, she asked for the date and breathed a sigh of relief upon learning it was half a month before the selection of the palace maids.
She would not be foolish enough to pay out of her own pocket to help Yongzheng with the selection this time. Thinking of this, she wanted to slap herself; she had been completely blinded by that old man back then.
He had given her the power to manage the six palaces, but every expense had to come from her own purse. Did the Emperor and Empress not know how much money she had? They were simply eyeing the silver her older brother sent. In this palace, if a man used his wife's dowry, it would be criticized, yet in this place that supposedly valued rules above all else, those rules were conveniently ignored.
"The Empress is busy. Let Noble Consort Hua handle the selection of the palace maids," Yongzheng said.
Hearing this, the Empress Dowager was surprised. "Doesn't the Emperor know? This morning, Songzhi from Noble Consort Hua’s side came to ask for leave, saying that Noble Consort Hua is unwell and needs to recuperate for a period of time."
Upon hearing this news, Yongzheng was caught off guard. Having not entered the inner palace for over half a month, it was natural he hadn't heard.
"Then leave it to the Empress. She has always been meticulous," Yongzheng replied.
The Empress Dowager nodded. "Yixiu is steady and careful; she is indeed a good choice."
The selection was settled in just a few words. Upon learning of the task, Yixiu immediately inquired about Noble Consort Hua’s condition.
"In reply to Your Ladyship, this slave has already sent a physician to see her. They said it was a common cold and she needs to rest for a month. Does Your Ladyship feel something is amiss?" Jianqiu asked.
Yixiu shook her head. "I just find it suspicious. Noble Consort Hua has been healthy for so many years, yet she falls ill right when the Emperor decides to hold a selection."
"It is time the inner palace had some new faces—a hundred flowers blooming together," Jianqiu said, knowing her mistress’s hidden concerns.
"Enough, enough. Since the Emperor has entrusted this task to me, I must ensure it is done perfectly."
The selection process emptied more than half of Yixiu's private coffers, but what pained her most was not the loss of wealth, but seeing Zhen Huan, who looked so much like Chunyuan.
"Jianqiu, my head aches again."
"Your Ladyship, you wouldn't believe it—someone actually recited lewd poetry during the selection! It was truly improper. This slave also heard she had a dispute with the daughter of the Imperial Household Department official before the selection!" Songzhi said while massaging Nian Shilan's legs.
Nian Shilan knew she was talking about Zhen Huan, who had stood out in her simple attire among the elaborately dressed candidates. Even if she hadn't seen it in her previous life, she had heard of it.
"As long as the Emperor likes it, what does it matter if it is outrageous?" Nian Shilan said with disdain.
"Songzhi, take this letter to my older brother. Tell him to find more people to spread this news!"
"Yes, Your Ladyship!" Songzhi did not ask questions; once she took the letter, she went straight to work.
*Wanwan, my wife! Today I shall see what is more important—Empress Chunyuan or your reputation, Yongzheng!*
When Su Peisheng heard the news coming from below, his face turned pale. He hesitated, wondering whether he should tell the Emperor.
"What is wrong with you today? Why are you so hesitant?" Yongzheng noticed Su Peisheng’s odd behavior and teased him.
"Your Majesty, the people below say... they say that because you began the selection only half a year after the Holy Ancestor passed away, you seem overly eager," Su Peisheng said, his voice trembling.
Yongzheng understood the implication. He had been confused for a moment, listening to the Empress Dowager. And the Empress, usually so meticulous, hadn't reminded him either. Yongzheng immediately pushed the blame onto others, convinced of his own blamelessness.
"Summon Zhang Tingyu and Longkodo to the Hall of Mental Cultivation!"
The lights in the Hall of Mental Cultivation burned bright. They debated until the palace gates were about to be locked, finally settling on a plan: the Emperor would bathe and fast for a month to show respect to the late Emperor.
In Jingren Palace, Yixiu heard the rumors and knew the Emperor would not be coming that night. "Take these records to Noble Consort Hua. She has been ill for so long; she should be recovered by now!"