Chapter 7

Following my instructions, Chuntao used the silver to approach low-ranking, neglected maids and eunuchs in secret.

They had suffered under the Noble Consort’s faction and long harbored resentment. Once paid, they willingly passed us information.

For half a month, all was peaceful.

Heng rose before dawn, attended the palace school, trained in riding and archery afterward, and returned to bury himself in his books.

One afternoon, just as dusk fell, an attendant announced gifts from the Noble Consort.

Chuntao frowned.

“Why would she suddenly send us something?”

I went into the courtyard.

Two maids carried a dark-red lacquered food box.

“Consort Shen, my lady knows the palace has been busy and His Highness has studied diligently. She specially ordered steamed osmanthus cakes for you both.”

As they offered it, a sweet fragrance escaped the lid.

I looked at their faces.

“How thoughtful. Unfortunately, my digestion has been weak lately, and I can’t eat sweets. His Highness studies at night; too many rich cakes wouldn’t suit him either.”

The maid’s smile stiffened.

“These were specially ordered from the kitchen. If you refuse, how can we report back?”

“I appreciate the gift. Take the cakes back untouched. Another day, I’ll thank her in person.”

My voice was neither harsh nor soft. I yielded nothing.

The maid tried again, but Heng stepped forward.

“Didn’t you understand her? Take them back.”

His gaze frightened them. They stopped arguing and left with the box.

Once they were gone, I turned to him and touched his arm.

“You needn’t step in. I can handle these things.”

His hands hung at his sides, his brows drawn tight.

“I can’t let you bear everything. If you hadn’t pulled me inside that snowy night, I would have frozen outside Zhutang Courtyard. Now it’s my turn to protect you.”

Warmth filled my chest.

“Silly boy. Protecting you is my duty.”

I turned away and changed the subject.

“Enough of that. Have you finished today’s work?”

“Two policy essays left.”

“Then go to your study. I’ll have Chuntao warm some milk and bring it over.”

He nodded and went to the side chamber’s study.

That night, I tossed and turned.

I wasn’t afraid of being implicated myself. What frightened me most was harm coming to Heng.

He had escaped those hellish days with such difficulty. He must not die in these schemes.

At midnight, a soft knock came at the window.

The young eunuch I’d arranged to gather information.

Chuntao quietly led him into the side room.

Pale-faced, he spoke very softly.

“My lady, I overheard the Noble Consort and the Second Prince planning to mix a slow poison into His Highness’s ink. It would accumulate day by day and gradually ruin his health, leaving nothing for an investigation to find.”

Cold sweat broke across my back.

I rewarded him with a little silver and sent him secretly away.

Alone with me, Chuntao’s teeth chattered.

“That’s monstrous! We must ask His Majesty for justice!”

### Part 10

“No. Without solid evidence, they’ll turn it against us and accuse us of inventing charges to frame her.”

I quickly considered our response.

“Tomorrow morning, collect and seal every ink stick and bottle in this courtyard. From now on, we’ll personally inspect all ink Heng uses.”

At first light, before he woke, Chuntao cleared the study and locked everything in a concealed chest in the storeroom.

When Heng entered and saw the empty desk, he looked puzzled.

“Where’s my ink, Consort Shen? I have lessons to catch up on and an examination before Father this afternoon.”

I brought in a cup of warm water and quietly told him what we’d learned.

His expression darkened.

“They’d go that far?”

“An open attack is easier to avoid than a hidden one. From now on, take care with every brush, every ink stick, every bite of food—anything you touch or consume.”

I placed a new, still-sealed pine-soot ink stick on the inkstone.

After a silence, he looked up at me.