Inside Jingren Palace, the Empress was practicing calligraphy when Jianqiu arrived with the news that Yu Shi had been promoted to an official’s wife. Jianqiu immediately went to the Empress.

“Don’t you know I don’t like to be disturbed when I’m practicing calligraphy?” the Empress said without even raising her head.

“Your Majesty, Yu Ying’er has become an official’s wife,” Jianqiu reported.

The Empress stopped writing and raised an eyebrow. “Yu Ying’er? Why have I never heard of this name before?”

“Yu Ying’er was a maid in Noble Consort Wan’s palace. It’s said that she’s very skilled at singing Kunqu opera, and Noble Consort Wan selected her to stay by her side. But when the Emperor returned, he happened to see her and took her, making her an official’s wife.”

The Empress paused, thinking for a moment, then said, “The Emperor’s attitude, what’s it like?”

“I’ve heard that the Emperor really enjoys Yu’s wife’s Kunqu singing,” Jianqiu glanced at the Empress. “Noble Consort Wan must be regretting her decision now, don’t you think?”

“The Emperor has always been like this,” the Empress said, stopping her brush and contemplating. “He’s always had a preference for those who can sing and dance, just like before…”

The Empress’s expression shifted, likely remembering her sister, Chun Yuan.

Even after so many years, whenever the Empress thought about Chun Yuan, a pang of discomfort stirred within her.

When Chun Yuan was alive, she had taken the Emperor from her, and also the position of the Empress’s most beloved noble wife.

Now, even though Chun Yuan had passed, she still shone brightly in the Emperor’s heart. Anything related to Chun Yuan made everyone else step aside.

How could the Empress not feel resentful?

Jianqiu noticed the Empress’s thoughts, but they both understood each other without saying a word. “Your Majesty, I’ve heard that Consort Hua was the one who sent Yu’s wife to the Shattered Jade Pavilion.”

“Consort Hua?” The Empress’s serious expression suddenly showed a hint of joy. “Consort Hua really knows how to read the situation!”

She then lowered her head and resumed writing, the brushwork flowing more smoothly than before, as if all her earlier unease had been swept away.

Jianqiu knew what the Empress liked to hear. She smiled as she spoke, “If Consort Hua finds out about this, she’ll surely throw a tantrum.”

“Consort Hua has always been like that,” the Empress said, pausing again, thinking for a moment. “Jianqiu, go to the storeroom and pick something to reward Yu’s wife.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Jianqiu left after receiving the order.

Since Yu Shi had been sent to the Shattered Jade Pavilion by Consort Hua, even if Consort Hua was angry, she would never abandon her pawn.

Soon enough, there would certainly be a rift between Zhen Huan and Consort Hua, and for the Empress, this was a golden opportunity to benefit from the situation.

Wasn’t her calligraphy getting smoother and more pleasant now?

Everyone has their own little schemes, but who will ultimately benefit? That remains to be seen.

As Yu Shi rose in favor, the Emperor, still intrigued, summoned her more frequently.

Within the harem, many voices began to mock Zhen Huan—

“Look at her, she wanted to choose someone for herself, but in the end, she picked someone for the Emperor’s bed instead. What a fail!”

Qi Fei laughed at her as well, saying, “Now she can’t be bored anymore, huh? The Emperor was already treating her well, and she went and picked someone who would compete for his favor. It’s just hilarious!”

Zhen Huan heard these discussions and didn’t get angry. The more others gossiped, the better it worked out for her, especially regarding Yu Ying’er’s status.

After attending the Emperor’s bedchamber, Yu Ying’er, as per custom, went to pay respects to the Empress.

The Empress greeted her with a smile, playing the role of the good person, sending Yu Ying’er gifts, and advising her to serve the Emperor well and strive to bear him an heir as soon as possible.

When she went to Consort Hua’s palace, it was inevitable that she would be greeted with some sarcastic remarks.

But the deed was done. Consort Hua, after throwing a tantrum based on Cao Qinmo’s suggestion, rewarded Yu Ying’er with some items—presumably to use her better in the future.

Upon reaching the Shattered Jade Pavilion, Yu Ying’er let out a long sigh as she sat down.

“I thought that once I became a little mistress, I wouldn’t be this tired. Who would’ve thought it would be even more exhausting than when I was a maid?”

Zhen Huan looked at Yu Ying’er and really couldn’t reconcile her with the arrogant and domineering girl from her previous life.

Was this the effect of following certain people? Is that how one learns to act?

In her past life, Yu Ying’er had become the Emperor’s woman purely by chance, having overheard a conversation between Zhen Huan and the Emperor in Yimei Garden. She had then acted as if she had made it on her own, with the arrogance of a small person who had succeeded unexpectedly.

This was further enabled by Consort Hua’s indulgence, which led to Yu Ying’er’s wild nature.

“So? After just a few days, you already feel exhausted? Who was it that was so happy to serve the Emperor back then?”

“Sister, are you making fun of me?” Yu Ying’er replied.

Zhen Huan smiled and sipped her tea. “I’m not making fun of you. I’m just speaking the truth.”

Yu Ying’er then went on to complain about how she had to accompany the Emperor and sing every night until late, her throat nearly worn out. Besides that, she had to go to the Empress’s and Consort Hua’s palaces to pay her respects every day, worry about making a mistake in her words, and always put on a smiling face, saying things that weren’t heartfelt. It was truly exhausting.

Zhen Huan smiled. “You’ve really changed!”

“I haven’t changed. I’ve always been this way,” Yu Ying’er replied.

“I used to think you’d enjoy this kind of life, but now I see that you understand things much clearer than before.”

“It’s not that I see things clearly. If it weren’t for my family being poor, who would want to be a servant in this palace where people die without blinking? I was driven by Consort Hua to come to the Shattered Jade Pavilion…”

Yu Ying’er glanced at Zhen Huan before continuing honestly:

“When I came to the Shattered Jade Pavilion and poisoned you, I was really just looking for someone to rely on.”

“Being a maid was too hard. In the middle of winter, I had to go to Yimei Garden to trim the flowers, my hands were frostbitten.”

“I’ll say something that might make you laugh, but I always wanted to climb higher back then. There was never an opportunity, but if anyone had given me a chance at that time, I’d have done anything, even poisoned someone…”

Zhen Huan was somewhat impressed by Yu Ying’er’s honesty. “But now Consort Hua’s power is greater than mine. Are you really content to depend on me, a mere noble consort?”

Yu Ying’er smiled. “Are you testing me, Sister? Let me tell you from the bottom of my heart—if you hadn’t caught me poisoning you, I would still be Consort Hua’s spy…”

“But after you caught me, I realized that even if I succeeded in poisoning you, if the Emperor found out, I’d probably be the first to die.”

“Rather than die in Consort Hua’s hands, I’d rather live under your protection. That’s all I’m thinking now.”

“Since you’ve said so, take these medicines back and take them.”

Zhen Huan took out the medicine she had obtained earlier from Wen Shichu and handed it to Yu Ying’er.

Yu Ying’er, looking nervous, asked, “Sister, are you still not trusting me? Are you worried I’ll betray you in the future, so you’re giving me this…”

Zhen Huan smiled. “What do you think this medicine is?”

“This… isn’t this medicine to prevent a woman from getting pregnant?” Yu Ying’er said, now speaking nervously, her words trailing off.