A month had passed.
To the palace, everything appeared unchanged. Bells rang at the proper hours, servants moved in orderly lines, and the Emperor continued to preside over court with the same calm authority. Decrees were reviewed, memorials answered, punishments issued, rewards granted.
Yet beneath the flawless order of the imperial palace, something secret endured.
For an entire month, the Emperor's nights had belonged to one person alone.
Always after midnight, always unseen, always erased before dawn.
Cloaks concealed her face. Hidden corridors swallowed their footsteps. No official summons bore her name, no servant dared whisper. By first light, she returned quietly to her quarters, resuming her role among the lowest ranks of palace servants as if nothing had happened at all.
No one suspected her.
But the palace did notice something else.
For one full month, the Emperor had not visited, Consort Yan Zhen, The empress or the other consorts.
In the inner palace, absence spoke louder than favor.
On the morning of the third lunar cycle's greeting, the concubines rose earlier than usual.
This was custom.
Every three months, regardless of rank or disposition, the women of the inner palace were required to leave their individual residences and gather at the Empress's domain to pay formal respect. It was not merely ceremony—it was observation. A ritual of hierarchy, where status was measured not only by rank, but by attention, whispers, and absence.
On the morning of the quarterly greeting, the concubines gathered at the Empress's residence as tradition demanded.
The Empress's garden was immaculate—flowering shrubs arranged by season, ancient trees casting measured shade, koi gliding beneath a curved stone bridge. A pavilion stood at the center, silk cushions arranged according to rank, incense drifting faintly in the air.
The women arrived one after another.
Noble Consort Shu Lan entered first, her posture dignified, expression cool and unreadable. Beneath her came Consort Mei Qian, elegant and gentle, her eyes observant despite her mild demeanor.
Concubine Rong Xue followed, laughter soft and deliberate, jade ornaments chiming at her waist. At her side walked Concubine Lin Shuang, stunning and sharp-tongued, her gaze bold and unapologetic.
Concubine Zhao Wen arrived quietly, eyes lowered, followed by Concubine He Lian and Concubine Su Yao, both smiling politely. After them came Concubine An Ning and Concubine Qiu Yan, careful not to draw attention to themselves.
Last to arrive although not late, was Consort Yan Zhen.
Her steps were calm, her posture flawless. She knelt gracefully.
"Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress."
The others echoed her words in unison.
The Empress inclined her head. "Rise. Be seated."
Tea was poured. Fans unfolded. Conversation began lightly.
At first, the topics were harmless.
Consort Mei Qian spoke of the changing season.
Consort Su Yao mentioned new musical arrangements in the palace.
Noble Consort Shu Lan listened in silence, her gaze steady.
Then consort Rong Xue smiled behind her sleeve.
"It must be pleasant," she said lightly, "to enjoy such… uninterrupted rest."
Lin Shuang laughed softly. "Too much rest can make one forget her place."
Several women exchanged glances.
Consort Yan Zhen said nothing.
Consort Zhao Wen sipped her tea. "His Majesty has been especially busy."
Noble Consort Shu Lan added with a delicate smile, "Busy indeed, and rather it might just be that his majesty is just tired of a certain someone and now we are all suffering from the consequences, Haa so unfair ."
Consort Lin Shuang— it just sad to become so pompous because of little favors and even to the point of making the emperor stay clear.
Soft laughter followed.
Consort Yan Zhen's fingers tightened around her teacup, but her expression did not change.
The Empress, smiles inwardly then set her cup down.
Silence fell instantly.
"The Emperor bears the burden of the empire," she said evenly. "Waiting for favor is not enough. You must strive for it."
Her gaze swept across them.
"His Majesty has only two daughters," she continued. "It is your duty to secure the imperial line."
No one dared respond.
The gathering soon ended.
Consort Yan Zhen returned to her residence with fury barely contained.
The moment the doors closed, porcelain shattered against the floor.
"A month," she hissed. "One full month."
Servants fell to their knees, trembling.
" Eunuch Wei Jun she screams send word," she ordered sharply. "Invite His Majesty to dine with me tonight."
Her eunuch hurried away.
When he returned, his face was pale.
"My lady… His Majesty has declined."
Consort Yan Zhen lashed out, overturning a table. Cushions were flung aside.
Madam Lian stepped forward carefully. "My lady, please calm yourself. His Majesty is overwhelmed with affairs of state."
Consort Yan Zhen sank into her seat, breath unsteady.
"No," she whispered. "Something is wrong, is he tired of me."he summons me even when tired so I can ease his stress. The emperor is mineeee I must do something about it I can't lose his favor.
Elsewhere, within the Emperor's study, lamplight glowed softly over stacked scrolls and carved wood.
He sat alone, decree unsealed, brush untouched.
His thoughts were not with court matters.
They lingered on stolen nights, quiet breaths, and a presence that left before dawn.
For a month, he had returned to her again and again—carefully, dangerously.
He exhaled slowly.
This cannot remain hidden forever.
Yet even knowing this, he did not summon Consort Yan Zhen or any other consort.
And within the palace walls, favor continued to drift—silently and perilously—toward the one person no one thought to watch.