“Guìrén Wan, watch your step, the floor is slippery…”

If no one had called out, it might’ve been fine. But the sudden shout completely threw Zhen Huan off her rhythm.

Had that man not reached out to pull her back, she would undoubtedly have fallen into the water.

It was him again—Guo Junwang!

In her previous life, she had been playing by the waters near Jiuzhou Qingyan Hall when she encountered him. In this life, she had deliberately avoided him, even staying indoors throughout the banquet. And yet, here he was again!

Why was this man always haunting her like an unshakable specter?

Annoyed, Zhen Huan shoved him away, hurriedly using her robes to cover her feet.

But Guo Junwang’s gaze lingered unabashedly.

“Does Guo Junwang not understand the principle of ‘do not look at what is improper’?”

Guo Junwang acted as though he hadn’t heard her, his eyes still fixed on her feet. Alarmed, Liu Zhu quickly adjusted Zhen Huan’s robes, shielding her from his intrusive gaze.

Unfazed by the tension in the air, Guo Junwang retrieved an ornate wine flask from his waist, took a sip, and resumed gazing at her feet.

His expression was as if he were savoring the most exquisite scenery under heaven.

As he stared, he even began to comment:

“Li Houzhu once praised fair skin, comparing it to ‘delicate jade of translucent hue.’ His words ring true.

“But I think the phrase ‘delicate jade of slender hue’ better captures the snowy elegance and refinement of these exquisite feet.”

“Prince, please behave yourself!” Zhen Huan shot him a glare, her eyes full of displeasure.

“No matter how much wine you’ve had, do not forget that I am the Emperor’s consort—your sister-in-law.”

“This time, I will let it slide, but if you dare act so rudely again, don’t blame me for reporting it to the Emperor and asking him to uphold justice for me.”

“Benwang…”

“Farewell.”

After curtseying, Zhen Huan turned and walked away without looking back.

“People always say that Guo Junwang is carefree and unruly—today, I’ve truly seen it for myself!”

On the way back, Liu Zhu grumbled angrily to Zhen Huan.

“I never noticed this about him before…”

“Before? My lady, have you known Guo Junwang for a long time?”

Zhen Huan smiled faintly and shook her head. For her, that was a matter of her previous life—a fleeting, dreamlike memory.

---

Half a month had passed since Princess Wenyin’s birthday. The Emperor gathered the court to discuss who would be most suitable to raise the princess.

“Based on seniority, Consort Hua, Consort Qi, Lady Jing, and Lady Duan have all served His Majesty for years. Logically, any of them could take on the task. But I wonder—who does His Majesty favor for this responsibility?”

The Empress, smiling warmly, turned to the Emperor as she spoke.

Consort Qi glanced at Princess Wenyin disdainfully and stepped back.

She already had the Third Prince under her care—why should she bother raising someone else’s child?

The Emperor seemed to share her sentiment and said, “Consort Qi already has the Third Prince. I fear she would not have the energy to also care for Princess Wenyin.”

Seeing how the Third Prince had turned out under Consort Qi’s care, the Emperor was unwilling to entrust her with another child.

Consort Qi, however, felt secretly pleased, thinking that she and the Emperor were perfectly aligned.

Lady Jing had intended to speak up, but Consort Hua preempted her:

“Your Majesty, Princess Wenyin has been staying in my palace and has grown close to me. I would be honored to raise her.”

The Emperor paused at her words, his hand, which had been fiddling with a green jade pouch, coming to a stop.

“Hua Fei, you’re still young and lack experience in raising children. I worry that if Princess Wenyin stays with you, you might find it difficult to adjust.”

The Empress immediately chimed in, “That’s right, Consort Hua. You’re still young, and in time, you’ll surely have children of your own. Why not let this opportunity go to Lady Duan or Lady Jing instead?”

“Your Majesty, if I lack experience, I can learn,” Consort Hua replied earnestly. Her gaze softened as she turned to look at Princess Wenyin.

“Since entering the palace, I’ve never had the fortune of bearing children for Your Majesty. But Your Majesty has always treated me so kindly, and I truly wish to do something for you.

“I genuinely adore Princess Wenyin. Please, Your Majesty, allow me to raise her.”

“Lady Jing, Lady Duan, what are your thoughts?”

Lady Duan thought to herself: Consort Hua isn’t suited to raising children. Competing with her now will only provoke her further. Better to let her make her own mistakes; it could work to my advantage later. I’ve endured her antics for years—I cannot lose my composure over this.

Rising to her feet, she said, “Your Majesty, my long-standing illness leaves me weak. Though I deeply adore Princess Wenyin, I fear I lack the strength to care for her. As long as she can live a peaceful life, it matters not who raises her.”

She coughed a few times for effect.

“Knowing your condition, you should sit down,” the Emperor said, his voice tinged with concern.

Seeing Lady Duan’s frailty reminded him of his guilt toward her. The Empress, noticing his unease, quickly ordered Jixiang to help Lady Duan sit.

Lady Jing hesitated to confront Consort Hua openly, so she too claimed no objections.

Such was the survival strategy of Lady Duan and Lady Jing.

When the Emperor asked for Zhen Huan’s opinion, she also expressed no objection.

Even the Empress agreed to let Consort Hua raise Princess Wenyin, which surprised Zhen Huan greatly.

Something’s off, Zhen Huan thought. When things deviate from the norm, there’s always something suspicious afoot.

The Emperor, deep in thought, seemed momentarily clouded with concern.

He must be worrying about the Huan Yi Xiang in Consort Hua’s palace, Zhen Huan guessed.

But they were currently at the Summer Palace; further discussions would have to wait until their return to the Forbidden City.

After a moment’s deliberation, the Emperor granted Consort Hua’s request.

Consort Hua, now delighted, secured custody of Princess Wenyin. Her mood brightened visibly, her smiles carrying an unmistakable sweetness.

The Emperor, however, merely observed her quietly, not offering even the faintest smile.

But in Consort Hua’s eyes, he was still the Emperor, embodying the demeanor of a sovereign ruler.

To her, deeply infatuated, everything about him was perfect.

“Urgh…” Just as everyone was preparing to leave, An Lingrong suddenly let out a retching sound.

Could she be pregnant?

The thought crossed Zhen Huan’s mind. She prepared to step forward, but the Empress beat her to it.

The Empress’s previously dim eyes suddenly lit up.

“An Changzai, could it be that you’re pregnant?”

An Lingrong froze for a moment.

“I… I…” Her voice trembled with excitement.

Zhen Huan, Shen Meizhuang, and Yu Ying’er quickly gathered around her.

Consort Hua, however, watched impatiently.

“An Changzai, have you missed your monthly cycle? Don’t let this turn into another disappointment like with Guìrén Wan and Guìrén Shen,” Consort Qi said snidely.

Consort Qi really knew how to hit a nerve. The Emperor was still upset over the earlier incidents, yet here she was, bringing them up again.

“If you can’t speak appropriately, Consort Qi, then say less,” the Emperor reprimanded her.

“Your Majesty, I only…”

“Consort Qi, stop interrupting or how will I question An Changzai?” the Empress cut in, silencing her.

Xinchangzai tugged on Consort Qi’s sleeve, signaling her to stop. Only then did she fall silent.

“This month… I’ve missed my cycle by over half a month already…”