Last night, she had dreamed of Helian Jin again.
Yun Jichu sat up in bed, propping her forehead with both hands as she took a long moment to steady herself.
It had been less than two months since she entered this world, but was she really dreaming this much?
The last time she had dreamed so frequently was back in university, when she had been utterly addicted to 《Qingyu Case》.
She could hardly bear not to meet Helian Jin in her dreams every single night.
She was starting to suspect that Helian Jin might be some kind of demon who fed on people’s essence and souls.
But after leaving the game, she had plunged into her busy work and never dreamed again.
Yun Jichu let out a long sigh, stretching her arms wide before flopping back onto the bed. The bedding was soft and fragrant, and there was even an adorable little tiger curled up with her—pure bliss.
Before long, Lady Shuxiu parted the beaded curtain and entered. Her expression was impassive, but her voice was gentle.
“Consort, you mustn’t sleep any longer. The Empress Dowager has invited a grandmaster from Zhaoyin Temple to deliver a sutra lecture today, and she specifically summoned you to attend.”
Yun Jichu pushed herself up from the bed. “A sutra lecture? Monks?”
This mother and son—one devout Buddhist, the other a Daoist devotee. Truly, when it came to rites, more was never too much.
Lady Shuxiu did not reply, only smiling faintly. “His Majesty left at the hour of the rabbit this morning. Before departing, he specially instructed this servant to observe how Your Ladyship is feeling today. If you’re not well, I am to inform the Empress Dowager.”
“I’m perfectly fine.” Yun Jichu swung her legs off the bed. “Eh? What did you say? His Majesty left from here?”
Lady Shuxiu arranged the dressing items one by one and helped Yun Jichu to sit before the mirror. “He left at the hour of the rabbit.”
“…” So it hadn’t been a dream at all.
Which meant that last night, not only had she eagerly responded to Helian Jin, but she had also tugged at his clothes and nibbled on his chest…
And right when things were on the verge of going too far, she had been startled by his size and it had all fizzled out?
Yun Jichu wished she could dunk her face in a basin and drown herself.
There was no time for further embarrassment. Lady Shuxiu helped her wash her face, apply makeup, and don her robes and skirts. Then, with Little Lian in tow, they set off for Shouning Palace.
All the way there, Yun Jichu racked her brains trying to recall the events of the previous night.
It wasn’t that she fell for every man she saw. The truth was, His Majesty now looked exactly like the Helian Jin from before—the only way to tell them apart was by their demeanor and gaze.
Helian Jin was warm and easygoing, while His Majesty was cold and brooding.
Yet sometimes on the bed, His Majesty became unusually gentle, just like last night.
When Yun Jichu woke up that morning, she had even thought it was all a dream within a dream.
Seeing her distracted, Lady Shuxiu offered reassurance. “Consort, you’re still recovering from a serious illness. His Majesty is worried about you and doesn’t wish to tire you out. It’s all from a place of deep care—please don’t overthink it.”
Tire her out?
Don’t steer this toward the bedroom!
Yun Jichu hurriedly changed the subject. “What sutra is the grandmaster lecturing on today?”
“《Na Xian Bhikkhu Sutra》.”
Yun Jichu had never even heard of it. “What’s it about?”
“Today’s lecture is on ‘the conduct that endures after the body perishes.'”
Yun Jichu found it odd. “What does that mean? The body dies, but the actions continue?”
Lady Shuxiu pondered for a moment, then shook her head and murmured, “His Majesty dislikes this sutra.”
“‘Good and evil follow one wherever they go, unbound by the flesh. Karmic forces persist, and true fruition is not achieved in a single lifetime.'”
“His Majesty seeks eternal life for the Late Empress, to spare her the sufferings of reincarnation and attain the righteous fruit of Emperor and Empress, free from the torment of karma.”
Yun Jichu was utterly baffled. Helian Jin’s notions were truly putting the monks in a tough spot.
The grandmaster dared neither defy the imperial will nor twist the scriptures—truly a difficult bind.
“Never mind. Even if you explain it, I wouldn’t understand. It’s harder than advanced mathematics. Instead, tell me how to avoid angering the Empress Dowager later.”
Lady Shuxiu glanced at her with a suppressed smile. “Don’t worry, Consort. His Majesty dotes on you, so the Empress Dowager won’t make things too hard. But if you wish to stand firm in the palace going forward, you must learn to yield. Whatever the Empress Dowager says, just nod and agree. She’ll come to like you.”
Yun Jichu nodded and stepped into Shouning Palace.
There were no scowls or cold shoulders, no sharp-tongued barbs, no ignoring her with offered tea.
The Empress Dowager was quite amiable today.
Yun Jichu’s heart fluttered with unease as she sat to one side, sipping tea.
Every so often, she stole a glance at the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager was strikingly beautiful, with an exotic allure—her deep eyes sharp as a hawk’s when unburdened by emotion.
“I’ve heard you’re from Minzhou. Are your parents at home well?”
“Yes, my parents are both well.”
“I’ve heard your mother has trouble with her legs. Has the journey to the capital been manageable for her?”
How did everyone know about Yun Shen’s wife’s leg issues except her?
Li Wenzhu had brought it up yesterday, and now the Empress Dowager today.
“With my father managing things, Your Majesty need not worry.”
Suddenly, the Empress Dowager let out a cold laugh.
Yun Jichu’s heart skipped a beat. Had she said something wrong?
She looked up to find the Empress Dowager staring fixedly at her face.
“Come closer. Let this palace take a good look at you.”
The Empress Dowager stared at her face for a long, long time. Then she suddenly asked, “Have the Crown Prince and the Princess met you yet?”
Yun Jichu nodded.
“The Crown Prince and the Princess are twins, born from the same pregnancy. Back then, the Late Empress exhausted every last bit of her strength to bring these two children into the world. His Majesty cherishes them beyond measure. Do you understand?”
Ah? Yun Jichu nodded. Of course she understood.
“His Majesty and the Late Empress shared a deep bond of affection. Don’t even think about vying for position with a dead woman. Do you understand?”
Yun Jichu nodded.
“His Majesty is exceedingly picky. In these past five years, you’re the only one he’s kept by his side. If you can rein in your wandering thoughts, settle steadily into your role as Empress, and bear him a son or even a daughter to secure your place, you’ll enjoy boundless glory for the rest of your life.”
Yun Jichu nodded.
Eh, eh? No—she shook her head ever so slightly.
The Empress Dowager didn’t notice. She continued sternly, “But if you harbor any other intentions, don’t blame this widow for showing no mercy.”
Yun Jichu’s heart clenched. She nodded vigorously, like pounding garlic.
Seeing how timid she looked, the Empress Dowager frowned, uncertain how to continue. At last, she said indifferently, “Sit.”
They chatted idly for a little longer before heading together to the meditation room to listen to the Grandmaster expound the sutras.
The Grandmaster had barely spoken two sentences when the Empress Dowager rose to her feet.
Everyone around them knelt respectfully. The Grandmaster fell silent as well, awaiting her command.
But the Empress Dowager merely glanced at Yun Jichu and said coolly, “Listen carefully. When this widow returns, I’ll quiz you on it.”
With that, she departed the meditation room. Yun Jichu immediately felt a wave of pressure wash over her. It took her straight back to her school days, when the teacher would warn the class before stepping out: “Memorize this well. When I get back, I’ll call on someone at random to recite a passage.”
In the study of Shouning Palace’s side hall, Yu Rumei took a sip of tea. “Yun Jichu truly isn’t Yun Shen’s daughter.”
Li Wenzhu was distracted, but she responded, “Yesterday, Zhuer asked her about her mother, and she gave the same vague answers.”
“She doesn’t even know whether her own mother suffers from leg problems. Yun Jichu has to be a fake.”
Li Wenzhu said nothing.
Yu Rumei’s impatience flared. “Zhuer, if this widow throws all her influence behind making you a consort, will you kill Yun Jichu for me?”
Li Wenzhu panicked and dropped to her knees. “His Majesty doesn’t favor Zhuer.”
It truly was a thorny dilemma.
Yu Rumei slammed her teacup down on the table. “These past five years, this widow has summoned you into the palace time and again, yet you’ve made no headway at all! Are you worthy of your father’s painstaking efforts?”
“Zhuer… Mother is gravely ill. Father hasn’t wanted Zhuer entering the palace lately either. Aunt… Yun Jichu is foolish and dim-witted. Perhaps she doesn’t have any ulterior motives…”
“You’re the one who called her scheming before, and now you claim she’s foolish and honest! How did Li Zhengpei raise such a spineless daughter!”
Meng Dong glanced at the Empress Dowager’s expression and hurried forward to help Li Wenzhu to her feet.
She listened as the Empress Dowager unleashed a torrent of curses against her father.
Tears welled in Li Wenzhu’s eyes. She was utterly at a loss, her heart a storm of confusion as she was pulled up from the floor.
Last night at the midnight hour, a Mad Daoist had come knocking at her door. He claimed to bring her unimaginable wealth and glory.
The man muttered on in a frenzy: “Just wait until Yun Jichu dies tonight. This poor Daoist will cast a divination, and the Late Empress’s soul will enter your body. From that moment, you’ll reign as Empress!”
“If you wish to sit securely on the Empress’s throne, simply obey my words from here on out. I guarantee you’ll wield great power your whole life, with riches and honors beyond end!”
Li Wenzhu had been terrified out of her wits. She tried to call for her maidservant, but the Daoist dragged her deep into the rockery.
“You’ve waited in bitterness for years without gaining ground, and now this poor Daoist delivers the Empress’s position right into your hands—yet you refuse it!”