Chapter 4

The emperor was furious. That same night, he ordered Yu brought to the scene of the fire.

Witnesses, physical evidence, and a clear confession left no room for denial.

The prince who had swaggered so arrogantly now knelt pale-faced, unable to speak.

Seeing he could not escape guilt, the Noble Consort hurried over.

She dropped to her knees before the emperor.

“Your Majesty, I failed to teach my son properly. Punish me. But Yu is your own flesh and blood. You watched him grow up.”

“You know his nature. The servants must have incited him. He was foolish for a moment and wanted only to teach them a small lesson. He never intended to kill anyone!”

The emperor stared at her for a long time.

She knelt, tears falling one by one.

Everyone held their breath. No one dared speak.

At last, he said, “Xiao Yu is confined to the Eastern Palace to reflect on his conduct. Without my decree, he may not leave.”

She hurriedly kowtowed.

“Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty.”

Without looking at her again, he waved for Yu to be taken away.

Then he turned to me.

I stood in the snow in thin clothes, soot blackening my face, utterly disheveled.

Heng stood silently behind me, gripping my sleeve.

“You are Lady Shen of Zhutang Courtyard?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You have suffered an injustice tonight.”

I said nothing, only bowed.

On the spot, he made an exceptional promotion: from the lowest rank of Talented Lady to Consort. He granted me a new, properly furnished residence.

I stood stunned for a moment, then knelt to give thanks.

Before I could rise, he spoke again.

He looked at Heng behind me and was silent briefly.

“The Seventh Prince’s birth mother is dead. His origins are unusual, and he has no elder in the palace to care for him. He is alone and without support. Since you share a bond with him, Consort Shen, from now on you will take full responsibility for raising and protecting him.”

### Part 6

Before the ruins of Zhutang Courtyard, I accepted the decree.

Life would finally be easier. But I knew I could never remain unnoticed again. I had been drawn completely into the struggle for the succession.

When we moved into Qinghui Courtyard, Chuntao inspected every room.

She returned with red eyes and tugged my sleeve.

“My lady, we won’t have to be cold anymore.”

It was more than twice the size of our old courtyard. Enough charcoal, enough grain, brand-new bedding, soft and thick to the touch.

Yet on the first night in my new bed, I tossed and turned.

Others thought disaster had brought me good fortune, lifting me straight from the lowest rank to Consort. I knew Heng and I now stood firmly against the Noble Consort.

Over the following days, he studied at the palace school each morning and practiced riding and archery each afternoon, then came home to study more.

One day, he returned covered in dirt, a red bruise on his forehead.

I was turning herbs in the courtyard. Seeing him, my heart tightened.

“What happened?”

He grinned and wiped dirt from his forehead with the back of his hand.

“The horse went too fast. I couldn’t hold on and fell. It’s fine. It doesn’t hurt.”

“I’ll wash my face.”

He ran to the water jar and splashed cold water over himself.

I fetched the ointment and followed. He was still rinsing with cold water.

“Come here.”

He glanced back, hesitated, then obediently approached, bending to offer his forehead.

First, I dried his face with my handkerchief. Fine grit covered the wound’s edges.

“Hold still a moment. There’s dirt.”

He said nothing, bending quietly, his hands on his knees.

As I applied the ointment, he suddenly said, “It doesn’t hurt, Consort Shen.”

My hand paused.

He had always called me Lady Shen. Even after we moved, he hadn’t changed. Now, for some reason, he had used the more honored form of address.

I glanced at him. He lowered his eyes and pretended to study the ants, his ears bright red.

“Who told you to call me that?”

“No one.” A pause. “I wanted to.”

I didn’t answer. I went on applying the medicine.

I knew he was slowly beginning to think of me as family.

Without saying more, I gentled my touch.

When I finished, I put the ointment away.

“All done. Keep it dry.”

“I’ll go write my lessons.”

After two steps, he looked back and grinned at me. White ointment covered his forehead, making him look rather funny.

I stood in the courtyard and watched him run into the side chamber.