In the winter of the twenty-seventh year of the Zhaohua reign, heavy snow fell on the capital.

(Mu En Hou), wrapped in his fur robe, strode through the palace gates, his chin raised slightly, ignoring the fawning smiles of the palace servants.

After he passed, the previously obsequious eunuch instantly changed his expression, spitting on the ground with disgust.

“Bah! What a thing! Just a merchant, putting on an official robe and thinking he’s a lord!”

A younger eunuch quickly stopped him. “Don’t you want to live?!”

Looking around to ensure no one was watching, he breathed a sigh of relief. “Forget it. It’s because he has a good daughter. As long as the Imperial Concubine is around, who can touch him?”

The older eunuch, his anger subsided, felt a pang of fear. But on such a cold day, a bit of gossip was a welcome distraction. He beckoned the younger eunuch closer and whispered, “I heard the Imperial Concubine isn’t doing well.”

The younger eunuch quickly covered his mouth. “Don’t say such things! Don’t you remember what happened recently? The blood in front of the Xuanzheng Hall took three days to clean up.”

Three months ago, the Ninth Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Rui, the Imperial Concubine’s son, had died of a sudden illness. Grief-stricken, the Imperial Concubine fell into a coma.

The Emperor, enraged, executed numerous concubines and palace servants, along with several officials who had dared to offer advice. Even the white tiles in front of the Xuanzheng Hall were stained red. This scene had only been witnessed seven years prior, during the Imperial Concubine’s enthronement.

Fear gripped the palace, and everyone was silent, until the Imperial Concubine awoke from her coma three days later, bringing some relief.

The Emperor’s affection for the Imperial Concubine had reached a point of obsession. His love extended to her family; her father, once an ordinary merchant, had been elevated to the title of Mu En Hou, bringing immense glory to the Song family, surpassing even the true princes and princesses in influence.

If today’s words reached the Emperor’s ears, they would face a gruesome death.

Remembering the massacre, fear filled the eunuch’s eyes, but the recent palace rumors emboldened him.

“I’m not making it up,” he said, glancing around. “I heard the imperial physicians have been frequently visiting Phoenix (Fengwu Palace), and the Emperor has been neglecting court affairs, staying with the Imperial Concubine day and night. They say… she might not have long to live.”

The Song family had no real foundation; their current status was entirely due to the Imperial Concubine. Their arrogance and domineering behavior in the capital had made many prominent families resent them. Once the Imperial Concubine was gone, the Song family’s glory would come to an end.

The younger eunuch released his hand, sighing. “Actually, the Imperial Concubine is quite kind. She never beats or scolds us servants.” In fact, it was often the Imperial Concubine who calmed the Emperor’s anger.

“A beautiful woman, a short life…” the eunuch sighed, remembering the Imperial Concubine’s beauty. She was truly a stunning woman; even a frown from her could captivate hearts. No wonder the Emperor, despite the criticism, had brought her into the palace and showered her with affection.

“I’m afraid once the Imperial Concubine is gone, the palace will be drenched in blood again.”

And their lives, as servants, were the least valuable of all.

Meanwhile, Mu En Hou finally arrived at Fengwu Palace.

Looking at the palace’s opulent decorations, each piece more extravagant than anything he had ever seen, he gained a deeper understanding of his daughter’s favored status, but also felt a profound sense of regret.

Why had Prince Rui died so suddenly? If he had lived another ten years, with the Emperor’s favor towards his daughter, the throne would have been his for the taking, further elevating the Song family’s power.

Such a pity. He took a sip of tea and shook his head.

After a long wait, a palace maid finally helped the Imperial Concubine arrive and take her seat.