Chapter 5

Chuntao poked her head out of the kitchen.

“My lady, did His Highness fall again?”

“Yes.”

“He works far too hard at riding and archery.”

She brought out a basin of water to empty.

“When I collected our allowance today, the household officials said he arrives at the training ground first and leaves last. Even his instructors praise how hard he works.”

I said nothing, gathering the dried herbs into a basket.

That evening, I warmed a bowl of soup and took it to the side chamber.

The door was ajar. Through the gap, I saw him asleep over his desk, his face on a sheet of paper, his brush still gripped in his hand.

I entered, set the soup in a corner, and gently took the brush.

Writing covered the sheet: the lesson he had to memorize that day.

He had copied it over and over, dozens of times. The crooked early characters grew steadier toward the end.

In the margin was a small line, written with a child’s hand but pressed so hard it seemed engraved.

“Do not be lazy.”

I looked at it for a long time.

Then I folded the paper, laid it aside, draped a coat over him, and blew out the lamp.

### Part 7

The emperor occasionally summoned me to his study.

At first, he asked about Heng’s lessons: his books, his writing, his progress in riding and archery.

I told the truth, neither embellishing nor concealing.

Sometimes, he nodded. Sometimes, he gave me things to take back.

Gradually, his questions were no longer only about Heng.

Once, after discussing the lessons, he glanced at me.

“You’re dressed too lightly. It’s getting cold. Tell the household department to give you two more outfits.”

Startled, I bowed in thanks.

Later, he asked about my meals and whether I slept well.

One day, Heng happened to be there, too.

Being examined before the emperor, he recited a passage from the Book of Han and answered several policy questions.

A rare smile appeared on the emperor’s face.

“Not bad.”

Heng’s steps were noticeably lighter as he withdrew.

I saw everything. I said nothing, only straightened a corner of his collar that had folded inward.

But rumors began spreading through the inner palace.

First, people said my kindness was an act—that I’d taken Heng in to impress the emperor and win his pity.

Then they embroidered the story, saying I was using the boy to climb higher, my scheming immeasurable.

Furious, Chuntao insisted on confronting them.

I stopped her.

“The more we explain, the guiltier we’ll look. Let them talk. We can’t control their mouths.”

She swallowed her anger. After a long time, she gave an unhappy murmur of agreement.

I told her to close the gate. Not a word of those rumors was to reach Heng.

I mentioned none of it to him.

He should study and train as usual.

But one evening, he brought something to my room. After standing awhile, he spoke.

“Consort Shen.”

“I’ve heard what they’re saying.”

My needle stopped. I looked up.

He stood in the doorway, expressionless.

“They say you’re using me to bargain for advantages.”

“Do you believe them?”

He shook his head.

“No.”

“Let them say whatever they want. Don’t be sad. I won’t believe them.”

He stood against the light, his face difficult to see.

But hearing that made my nose sting.

In three years, no one had spoken to me that way.

No one had cared whether I was sad. No one had stood on my side.

Afterward, he rose earlier and slept later.

In just over a month, his studies became outstanding, his riding and archery assured.

Even the palace tutors praised him before the emperor: His Highness was naturally gifted and exceptionally diligent.

The prince once trampled and abandoned began to show the promise of a future heir.

He even took first place in the princes’ examination.

That very day, the emperor rewarded him with a set of the scholar’s four treasures and an imperial horse.

The decree praised his diligence and clear progress, offering special commendation as encouragement.

When the gifts arrived, Heng crouched in the courtyard, touching them one by one.

His hand stopped on the horse’s reins.

Looking up at me, he asked, “Consort Shen, may I ride it?”

“It’s yours. What do you think?”

He grinned and hugged the reins, refusing to let go.

Watching him, I felt both joy and an ache.

But before three days had passed, a censor accused him of cheating before the assembled court.