Chapter 1: Forced Back to the Cold Palace Again

In the seventh year of Tianqi, the third triennial selection of the Longmei Kingdom was held as scheduled.

In the direction of the Cold Palace, Jun Liuyi was lying on a rocking chair. Her fair face featured soft, delicate features, and she wore an expression of peace and ease. The rocking chair swayed back and forth, moving rhythmically.

The bustle outside caused her willow-leaf eyebrows to knit together. She slowly opened her sleepy eyes and sat up.

"Xiahe, why is it so noisy?"

Xiahe, who was pruning the flowering trees, stopped her work upon hearing this and said, "Replying to my mistress, today is the final arrangement and selection for the palace maids. Her Majesty the Empress has issued a decree for the servants to properly renovate and tidy up all the vacant palaces."

Jun Liuyi’s expression was slightly dazed. After a long moment, she gave a bitter smile. "Three years have passed in the blink of an eye. I wonder how many people will be trapped in this cage this time, fighting until the bitter end."

She looked up at the sky, and after a while, she whispered to herself, "I’m afraid this inner palace is about to become lively again."

"Mistress..." Xiahe stammered, not knowing how to offer comfort.

Chunliu walked over carrying a food box. She exchanged a glance with Xiahe, both of them filled with worry and sorrow.

In the palace, one always sees the new favorites laugh, but never hears the old ones weep. Although the Emperor treated their mistress differently, the heart of a monarch is the most difficult to fathom. With new people arriving, their mistress’s life would likely become even harder.

"You don't need to worry about me. If you truly feel something, let it be out of concern for these new palace maids," Jun Liuyi said with a gentle smile, shaking her head at her maids.

However, the maids who had been with her for so long knew exactly how much insincerity lay beneath Jun Liuyi’s seemingly calm smile.

In the Imperial Study, far from the Cold Palace, Emperor Sikong Qimo sat upon the dragon throne. His sword-like brows were furrowed as he focused on processing the mountain of memorials. When he saw something unsatisfactory, his brows tightened, and the warmth in his eyes instantly turned cold.

The palace attendants serving in the study held their breath and lowered their eyes, not daring to make a sound, serving with even greater caution.

Everyone serving in the Imperial Study knew how serious and earnest Sikong Qimo was regarding state affairs; they knew the dire consequences if someone were foolish enough to interrupt him at such a time.

Just then, Head Eunuch Zhang hurried over. Several other eunuchs quickly signaled him with their eyes. The Emperor was in a foul mood; he shouldn't throw himself onto the blade’s edge.

Eunuch Zhang naturally understood this, but he knew even better that this matter could not be delayed. Even knowing the timing was poor, he had to interrupt Sikong Qimo. He lowered his voice and reported, "Reporting to Your Majesty, someone from the Yuling Sect has snuck in and headed toward the Cold Palace."

Sikong Qimo put down the memorial in his hand and looked up at Eunuch Zhang.

Having been by the Emperor’s side for many years, Eunuch Zhang still couldn't withstand the Emperor’s gaze, which was as cold as a knife. Yet, he understood even more that the matter of the Cold Palace was a critical issue that could not be delayed.

"Speak!" Sikong Qimo set down the memorial and narrowed his eyes.

Eunuch Zhang quickly lowered his head and whispered, "This servant did not dare to act on his own and came specifically to seek your instructions."

Sikong Qimo’s thin lips were pressed into a tight line, and a dangerous light erupted in his eyes. After a long silence, he suddenly changed the subject: "What day is it today?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, today is the grand selection of palace maids," Eunuch Zhang said.

The grand selection? Sikong Qimo’s thin lips remained pressed together. His gaze shifted back to the memorials, and without looking up, he said, "Just keep an eye on it."

"Yes!" Eunuch Zhang nodded repeatedly and retreated quietly.

The young eunuch who left the Imperial Study with him asked in confusion, "Eunuch Zhang, the assassin has already appeared, why did the Emperor still..."

The young eunuch was glared at by Eunuch Zhang and quickly fell silent. He only heard Eunuch Zhang warn, "I have told you many times: it is not for a servant to guess the Emperor’s thoughts. If you work by the Emperor’s side and don't know how to obey and keep your mouth shut, just wait to collect your own corpse."

Eunuch Zhang scolded him sternly a few times before looking toward the direction of the Cold Palace.

Time flies so fast. In these three years, the Imperial Noble Consort has been stubborn enough to truly drag things out with the Emperor in this endless stalemate. Two people who love each other—why must they torture each other like this?

Eunuch Zhang sighed to himself. I fear that once the Emperor finishes reviewing the memorials, he will have more to worry about!

Night fell quietly.

It was already midnight by the time Sikong Qimo finished dealing with the troublesome memorials.

"Zhang Cheng." Sikong Qimo furrowed his brows.

"Your Majesty." Eunuch Zhang, who had been cautiously waiting outside, immediately bowed and walked in quickly upon hearing his master’s call.

In the dim candlelight, Sikong Qimo’s sharp, chiseled features were highlighted, exuding an imposing dominance, though there was a hint of exhaustion between his brows.

Eunuch Zhang felt a pang of anxiety and quickly lowered his head, saying respectfully, "Your Majesty, is it time to rest?"

"What is the situation at the Cold Palace?" Sikong Qimo asked, closing the memorial.

"Replying to Your Majesty, the person from the Yuling Sect has not yet left," Eunuch Zhang added with his head bowed. "It is Yu Xin'er from the Vermilion Bird Hall."

Sikong Qimo hesitated for a moment, then stood up. "Go to Lianyun Palace."

Eunuch Zhang quickly followed his master’s pace, his heart rising into his throat. Every time someone from the Yuling Sect appeared, the Emperor and the Imperial Noble Consort would fall into an even more rigid stalemate. Going to Lianyun Palace this time would likely mean several more sleepless nights.

Meanwhile, in Lianyun Palace next to the Cold Palace, Jun Liuyi was indulging in wine because of Xin'er’s arrival.

The maids serving nearby watched their mistress drinking like this, feeling worried but helpless, and could only look to Yu Xin'er for help.

Yu Xin'er observed the expressions of Chunliu and the other maid. After a slight nod, she snatched the wine cup from Jun Liuyi’s hand and said indifferently, "If you care, why don't you fight for it? Drowning your sorrows only makes them deeper."

Seeing her friend open her mouth to explain, she waved her hand and interrupted, "Don't use 'I'm happy to see you' as an excuse. Why deceive yourself?"

"Heh..." Jun Liuyi only gave a bitter smile. With the alcohol going to her head, she let her emotions show. "You know, I don't like being a canary, and I don't like sharing a man. I never wanted to enter the palace in the first place. If he hadn't forced me, perhaps we wouldn't have reached this point today."

"The Young Master asked me to tell you that whenever you want to leave, he will do everything in his power to help. It’s just..." Before Yu Xin'er could finish her sentence, a voice interrupted abruptly.

"Is my palace really a place where one can come and go as they please?"

Sikong Qimo glanced at Yu Xin'er and sat down uninvited.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" Because of Sikong Qimo’s appearance, the atmosphere in the room became even more bizarre. Jun Liuyi stood up and performed a formal salute, which only made the temperature in Sikong Qimo’s eyes grow colder.

Yu Xin'er and the others also hurriedly saluted, though everyone’s heart was filled with trepidation.

"If you want to take my consort away, you’ll need the ability to do so." Sikong Qimo looked coldly at the people kneeling on the ground. "Seize them for me!"

Following this order, the hidden guards within Lianyun Palace appeared outside the hall with lightning speed.

"So, there were so many people monitoring Lianyun Palace," Jun Liuyi laughed softly, her gaze toward the Emperor filled with mockery. "Is Your Majesty trying to use Xin'er to force me out of the Cold Palace once again?"