The following day, at Jiao-Shu Palace, Empress Dowager He was chanting sutras when a palace attendant reported that the Empress had come to pay her respects. The Empress Dowager was somewhat bewildered—she would already be thanking the heavens if a person like Yin Zhuli didn't make her feel restless; what sudden whim had brought her here to pay respects?
Despite her thoughts, she had to see her. She ordered her maid, Xiuchun, to invite Yin Zhuli into the hall and smoothed her own robes before heading out. When Yin Zhuli saw her, she offered only a cursory salute. The Empress Dowager did not take offense, getting straight to the point: "The Empress has always been one who never visits the temple without a reason. Please, state your purpose for today's visit directly."
Yin Zhuli glanced at the attendants on either side. The Empress Dowager understood; since they were in her own palace, she wasn't worried about Yin Zhuli playing any tricks. She dismissed everyone nearby. Only then did Yin Zhuli speak slowly: "Is Xue Zangshi still in the Empress Dowager’s palace?"
The Empress Dowager gave a dry cough. She was truly in a difficult position regarding this matter. When she had summoned Xue Zangshi to the palace, she had already made a promise to Xue Chengyi, yet Shen Tingjiao remained entirely unmoved. If this endeavor failed, she would inevitably offend Xue Chengyi. If that happened, when would the political power in this court ever stabilize?
Yin Zhuli understood her predicament perfectly, the smile on her face never fading. "In truth, Mother needn't be distressed. Back then, His Majesty sought Qu Lingyu to no avail, yet suddenly changed his mind and wished to marry me. Does Mother know the reason behind this?"
The Empress Dowager’s gaze shifted slightly. "The Empress means... to present him with a *fait accompli*? But if we do this and the King is still unwilling, I fear it will alienate an old official."
Yin Zhuli tapped her fingers rhythmically, her expression indifferent. "If Mother allows Xue Zangshi to return home in disgrace like this, will the old officials of the court not be equally alienated?"
The Empress Dowager’s eyes were like torches. "Why are you doing this?"
Yin Zhuli smiled faintly. "Mother, even though I married the Ninth Lord, I do not wish for him to always be walking on a knife's edge. Furthermore, the effort I have invested in him is no less than yours."
The Empress Dowager’s expression softened slightly. Regardless of whether she trusted Yin Zhuli, she could only try following her plan. "In that case... we shall do as you say."
Shen Tingjiao had not visited Zhaohua Palace for four or five days. Yin Zhuli brought Xue Zangshi into her palace. Yin Zhuli was the type who could get along with anyone, and she managed to chat with Xue Zangshi about things like the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. After a few days, they had become quite well-acquainted. Yin Zhuli also gained a clear understanding of Xue Chengyi’s background.
During these days, the servants of Zhaohua Palace were all filled with trepidation, while those of Qifeng Palace gained quite a bit of face, walking around outside with their heads held high like proud roosters. However, in the afternoon, Shen Tingjiao finally came over.
Yin Zhuli was very well-behaved this time and did not provoke his anger again. He joined her for dinner, his face still dark and silent. Yin Zhuli sheepishly served him food. After a long while, he finally spoke: "You had better behave yourself. If there is a next time, I shall..."
Yin Zhuli quickly finished his sentence: "Your Majesty will execute my entire clan."
Shen Tingjiao slammed his silver chopsticks down heavily and let out a cold snort. Yin Zhuli put on a fawning face and pulled him into her arms. His anger had not dissipated, and he reached out to push her away. Yin Zhuli persisted, and eventually, he leaned into her embrace with a huff, lifting his chopsticks to place some meat dishes onto her plate. She loved meat and couldn't enjoy a meal without it.
After dinner, the servants in Zhaohua Palace were very perceptive and cleared the dishes early. After washing up, Shen Tingjiao followed Yin Zhuli into the bedroom. Yin Zhuli extinguished all the candles and began to undress him in the darkness. Shen Tingjiao was not difficult to coax; though he was still displeased, he allowed her to remove his robes.
Once they were on the bed, Shen Tingjiao rolled over to press her down, signaling that he wanted to take the lead tonight. Yin Zhuli had no objection; it was best not to provoke his ire at a time like this.
Embracing without a stitch of clothing between them, his skin felt smooth and delicate. Yin Zhuli found this friction very pleasant and let out a low hum, letting him have his way. His fingertips wandered everywhere; she was not soft like typical women, but had firm skin that offered a different kind of sensation to the touch.
Those fingertips traced every contour, bringing a strange itchiness—a feeling of discomfort yet vague anticipation. Yin Zhuli suddenly gripped his hand and sat up abruptly. Shen Tingjiao’s voice was already somewhat raspy: "Lie down."
The foreplay lasted a long time. He remained neither hot nor cold. At first, Yin Zhuli joked with him, but later she fell silent. Shen Tingjiao didn't speak either; he could feel that she was different tonight than usual. When they finally merged as one, Yin Zhuli actually entered the spirit of it. Shen Tingjiao was not satisfied and whispered in her ear, "Call me!"
Yin Zhuli answered cleanly: "Your Majesty!"
Shen Tingjiao patted her head. "My name!"
Yin Zhuli quickly changed the address: "Shen Tingjiao."
Shen Tingjiao became somewhat angry and inevitably intensified his movements. "Don't use my full name! Soften your voice!"
Yin Zhuli had a sudden realization. "Your Majesty, couldn't you have just told me to talk dirty?"
After saying this, she actually began to cry out. Shen Tingjiao was thin-skinned, and by now his face was flushed crimson, as vibrant as sunset clouds. "You shameless rogue!"
His only response was her shallow moans. This bout of lovemaking lasted a long time until both were drenched in sweat. Shen Tingjiao was content, holding her lazily, not wanting to move. Yin Zhuli lay beside him, the night filling her vision, so dark she couldn't see her own hand. There was only the faint scent of storax on him—slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste, exceptionally crisp and cold.
"Tingjiao," Yin Zhuli called out. Shen Tingjiao loved it when she called him by his name, so he responded softly, "Hmm?"
Yin Zhuli turned on her side to pull him into her arms. "Actually, you are different from what I imagined. In the future... if there is a chance, you truly might become a wise ruler of Daxing."
Shen Tingjiao craved the warmth of her body. Her blood ran hot, and even in winter, her body temperature was higher than normal. "What was the 'me' in your imagination like?"
Yin Zhuli thought seriously for a moment. "Perhaps someone who would fill the harem with concubines, spending every day eating, drinking, and playing, neglecting his duties. Someone who keeps sycophants close and virtuous officials at a distance. Hmm, soft-eared, easily swayed by pillow talk. Basically, a gilded exterior but..."
Before she could finish, Shen Tingjiao threw a punch at her. "Are you disappointed with how I am now?"
Yin Zhuli thought seriously again. "It's not exactly disappointment. It just feels like I brought a puppy home, only for it to grow into a big grey wolf. Although its value is much higher than at the start, there's always a bit of chagrin at having misjudged it."
Shen Tingjiao was so angry he laughed. "You actually thought I was a puppy back then?"
He suddenly leaned over her. If Yin Zhuli wanted to pin him down, it would be effortless, but she lay still, talking and laughing as before. "Not at all, not at all. Your Majesty, even if you were a dog, you would be a wolfhound..."
"Yin. Zhu. Li!" Shen Tingjiao buried himself down, blocking that unrestrained mouth with his lips. When he was with her, he always seemed to have boundless energy.
The next morning, before the sky was light, Shen Tingjiao had already gotten out of bed. Yin Zhuli lay on the couch as Chen Zhong entered to light the candles and help Shen Tingjiao dress. Once dressed, Shen Tingjiao turned back to see her half-asleep state, lifted the gauze curtain, and gave her a kiss. Chen Zhong kept his head down, not daring to look. Yin Zhuli, however, hooked her arms around his neck and gave him another deep kiss before asking lazily, "Are you coming over tonight?"
She had been getting plenty of sleep lately, and the flush on her cheeks was at its peak, making the light in her eyes even more brilliant. Shen Tingjiao’s heart fluttered. His tone was still somewhat petulant, yet it couldn't hide the affection within: "There is only this one place in the harem. If I don't come here, where else can I go?"
After answering, he lowered the gauze curtain. Yin Zhuli sat alone inside the curtain, clutching the brocade quilt. Thinking of tonight, she actually felt a hint of reluctance. It was like handing over her favorite possession to someone else. But she was a person who never had the habit of becoming attached to objects; her actions were determined solely by her goals. She could even endure the death of Tang Yin, let alone anything else.
At noon, she took out two identical sets of palace robes, giving one to Xue Zangshi and keeping one for herself. She was quite composed about performing such a shameless act. "If he comes tonight, you hide inside the curtains. We won't light the lamps in the room. You and I will both have our hair down and wear the same clothes; it will be extremely difficult for him to notice."
Xue Zangshi was, after all, a daughter of a noble family. She was not as open-minded as Yin Zhuli about doing such a thing. "Empress, this... this is truly improper..."
Yin Zhuli patted her hand, her expression solemn. "Miss Xue, after this matter, you will surely be the master of the harem. I have only one request."
Xue Zangshi was overwhelmed by the favor. "Empress, I wouldn't dare. Please, speak your mind."
Yin Zhuli’s gaze was deep. "The people in Zhaohua Palace are all the King's trusted confidants. This plan is a dangerous gamble, and the King will surely vent his anger on them. Only if you speak up can their safety be guaranteed. If they owe you their lives, they will surely serve you with all their heart in the future."
Xue Zangshi didn't understand. "Empress, if I may be blunt, you currently enjoy the King's favor. Why would you do this?"
Yin Zhuli flicked a fallen plum blossom from her robe, her voice carrying a smile. "Because I do not love him, and I do not want this favor."
At night, after Shen Tingjiao finished reviewing the memorials, he still stayed at Zhaohua Palace. During the meal, Yin Zhuli was extremely attentive, causing his previous displeasure to mostly dissipate. When they entered the room, there were still no lamps lit. Shen Tingjiao held Yin Zhuli’s hand. "Why are the lamps not lit again?"
Yin Zhuli fooled him with a casual excuse. "I don't like the smell of smoke in the room."
Shen Tingjiao frowned slightly and immediately instructed Chen Zhong outside the door: "Tomorrow, remember to find the Head of the Imperial Household Department, Chang Zhide. See if there are any high-quality luminous pearls in the storehouse to replace the lamps for the Empress."
Chen Zhong bowed in agreement and closed the door. Yin Zhuli wrapped her arms around his waist, holding him silently in the darkness for a long time before finally saying, "This way, it's more romantic."
Shen Tingjiao naturally wouldn't spoil her mood and raised his hands to embrace her as well. After a long while, Yin Zhuli fumbled to pour half a cup of hot tea from the pot. She took a sip herself first, then fed it to Shen Tingjiao. Shen Tingjiao suspected nothing and drank the remaining tea. The two sat by the bed, leaning against each other and talking for a while. He felt the brazier was burning too hot; his head felt a bit groggy and his throat slightly dry. He whispered, "Zhuli, it's late. Let's sleep early."
Seeing that the dosage was too light, Yin Zhuli poured another half cup of tea to feed him. Shen Tingjiao’s health was poor, and strong drugs could harm the body, so she didn't dare be careless with the dosage. After this cup of tea, Shen Tingjiao became even more groggy. He leaned over to unfasten Yin Zhuli’s clothes. Taking advantage of the moment they were laughing and playing, Yin Zhuli slipped off the bed and vanished into the night.
Shen Tingjiao called her name a few times and instinctively reached out to feel the bed. Encountering a warm female body, he let out a low laugh. "You rogue, you hide fast!"
The gauze curtains gradually fell. Shen Tingjiao’s voice, carrying a hint of daze, drifted through the thick darkness. "I know you've been frustrated lately. Once the imperial examinations are over, I'll take you hunting in the suburbs."
Outside, the wind and snow raged; inside, the room was filled with the colors of spring.
Yin Zhuli leaned out and jumped through the window. Outside the room, Chen Zhong was still dutifully on guard. She avoided him, forcing herself not to look back—*It's just a hunting trip. Once this is done, I can go hunting wherever the hell I want. Who needs someone to take me!*
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 拱手相让 | Handed Over on a Silver Platter | Idiom: to give away something easily or submissively. |
| 椒淑宫 | Jiao-Shu Palace | The residence of the Empress Dowager. |
| 绣春 | Xiuchun | Name of a palace maid. |
| 无事不登三宝殿 | Never visits without a purpose | Idiom: literally "one doesn't visit the Three Treasures Hall without a reason." |
| 生米作成熟饭 | Present him with a fait accompli | Idiom: "the raw rice is cooked," meaning something is done and cannot be undone. |
| 栖凤宫 | Qifeng Palace | "Resting Phoenix Palace," Qu Lingyu's residence. |
| 悬珠 | Luminous pearls | Literally "hanging pearls," often referring to night-bright pearls used for lighting. |
| 常志德 | Chang Zhide | Name of the Head of the Imperial Household Department. |
| 苏合香 | Storax | A fragrant resin used as incense. |
| 昭华殿 | Zhaohua Palace | The residence of the Empress (Yin Zhuli). |
| 薜藏诗 | Xue Zangshi | Daughter of Marquis Anchang. |
| 薜承义 | Xue Chengyi | Marquis Anchang. |
