Murong Jin removed the heavy phoenix crown, rubbing her stiff neck. She was suddenly grateful that Empress Murong had insisted on making Zhaoyang Palace the Empress's residence.
It was the quietest corner of the palace, far from the noise of the main halls.
Let the world bustle; I will have my peace.
"Your Majesty, you've had a long day. You should rest." Ning Bi stood behind her. Murong Jin was running her fingers over the books on the shelf, finally pulling out a treatise on war strategy.
She hesitated, then sat down near the lamp.
Ning Bi moved to light another candle.
"No need." Murong Jin waved her hand. "Go put Qi'er to sleep."
"And you, Your Majesty?" Ning Bi asked, worried. The Emperor had not come to Zhaoyang Palace after the ceremony. He had stayed in the side hall, where his new consort, Guo Lingyu, resided.
Murong Jin looked up, smiling faintly. "I'll sleep in a while."
Is she waiting for him? Ning Bi wanted to ask, but stopped herself. Everyone knew he wasn't coming. Little Dingzi had already brought the message.
"Still here?" Murong Jin looked up from her book. "If you're not tired… there are still some clothes for Qi'er in the basket that need finishing."
Ning Bi sighed. "Your Majesty, didn't you say you wanted to sew them yourself?"
"One bib is enough." Murong Jin went back to reading. "If he grows up to be half as devoted to me as I am to him, I'll be satisfied."
"He will," Ning Bi laughed. "Our little prince will be the most filial son in the world."
"Then I, as his father, have no standing at all." Xue Liulan pushed aside the curtain, stepping in just in time to hear her.
"Your Majesty?" Ning Bi stared. Behind him, Xue Zhuoran followed.
Murong Jin put down her book. "Fourth Brother? Why are you here so late?"
"To make a clean escape, I needed someone with weight to invite me out." Xue Liulan clapped a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Siyou, your burden is heavy."
Xue Zhuoran rolled his eyes, brushing his brother's hand away. "I've delivered him. I'll take my leave." He bowed to Murong Jin.
She curtsied. "Ning Bi, see the Fourth Prince out."
"Yes." Ning Bi smiled, lifting the curtain for him.
The curtain fell, shutting out the cold. The charcoal brazier filled the room with warmth. Murong Jin returned to her book.
Xue Liulan leaned against the bed, watching her profile.
"You came out like this. Aren't you afraid he'll be suspicious?" she asked without looking up. He meant Guo Shangzhong.
"Suspicious of what?" He stretched lazily. "It's only natural for a brother to want to drink and talk on such a joyous night."
She paused, looking up at him with a half-smile. "But tonight is your wedding night. Dragging you out… that's a bit heartless of him."
"No." He walked to her, took the book from her hands, and knelt on one knee.
"No what?"
"Wedding night." He scooped her up into his arms. "A wedding night is only for a wife lawfully wedded. Isn't that right?"
She looked into his eyes, melting in their tenderness. She blushed and tried to look away, but he captured her lips in a kiss full of infinite gentleness.
The kiss deepened. The room grew warm. He laid her on the bed, his lips tracing the line of her collarbone.
The curtains fell, hiding the world.
Later, she lay against his chest, eyes closed, listening to his steady breathing.
"Were you waiting for me?" he asked suddenly.
"Who said that?" She rolled her eyes, hiding a smile.
"Then why was the lamp still lit?"
Her smile faded. She looked at him seriously. "I just felt… you might come back."
Just a feeling. And for that feeling, she had kept the lamp burning in the night. If he hadn't come… would she have slept at all?
Guo Lingyu admired herself in the mirror. Flawless skin, arched brows, upturned eyes. She was a standard beauty.
"Well?" she asked her maid.
The maid adjusted the red cloud-brocade robe. "You look like a goddess, Miss."
Guo Lingyu's face darkened. "It's Consort."
"Oh! Yes, Consort Guo." The maid paled.
Guo Lingyu nodded, satisfied. "Let's go. To Zhaoyang Palace."
The maid hesitated, then knelt. "Your Highness… wearing this to greet the Empress… is it appropriate?"
"Hm?" Guo Lingyu glared down at her. "A servant has no right to tell me what to wear."
"This servant wouldn't dare! But… red cloud-brocade is reserved for the Empress. If she takes offense…"
"Offense?" Guo Lingyu laughed, a strange, high sound. "Murong Jin? Take offense at me? Ha! I'd like to see her try. The Emperor gave me this."
The maid fell silent, moving aside to let her pass. A difficult mistress indeed.
As Guo Lingyu's sedan chair left her palace, she ran into Die Man.
"Well, if it isn't the new Consort Guo," Die Man said, smiling. "Going to pay your respects to the Empress?"
"Yes." Technically, Die Man had entered the palace first, but Guo Lingyu just looked at her levelly.
Die Man reached out from her hand-warmer to smooth her hair. "I heard the Emperor spent his wedding night in Zhaoyang Palace."
"You heard wrong. He stayed with me." Guo Lingyu snapped.
"Strange. When I went to pay my respects earlier, I saw him painting the Empress's eyebrows." Die Man's voice was sharp.
Guo Lingyu turned away. "To Zhaoyang Palace."
Die Man watched her go, her smile turning venomous.
"Consort Guo arrives!" the eunuch announced.
"Early," Murong Jin smiled at Ning Bi, then composed herself as Guo Lingyu stormed in.
The red robe made Murong Jin frown.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." Guo Lingyu gave a perfunctory curtsy, then stood tall, looking down her nose.
Murong Jin sipped her tea. "If there is nothing else, you may leave."
"You…" Guo Lingyu huffed. "Murong Jin, don't think that just because you're Empress you can order me around. You only got the position because of an old rule."
"Insolence!" Ning Bi shouted. "Apologize to Her Majesty at once!"
"Who are you to lecture me?" Guo Lingyu sneered.
"And who are you to act wild in my palace?" Murong Jin set her cup down with a clack and stood, walking up to Guo Lingyu. "The Emperor gave you the red robe, so wear it. He gave you authority over the six palaces, so manage them."
"Since you know you can't touch me, be a good Empress and stop trying to seduce the Emperor." Guo Lingyu puffed out her chest, trying to look fearless. But Murong Jin's low voice sent a chill down her spine.
Murong Jin stepped back, laughing softly. "You like being by his side? It's simple to arrange." She pointed to the sword hanging by the bed. "Wouldn't it be better to become a ghost and stay with him forever?"
Her voice rose, every word heavy with intent. Her eyes fixed on Guo Lingyu as if deciding where to strike.
Guo Lingyu sucked in a breath, fear creeping in. "You wouldn't dare kill me in the palace."
"Why not?" Murong Jin enjoyed her fear. "At worst, I'll be sent to the Cold Palace. Or I can trade Yuling for my crime and be exiled back to Wuchuan." She turned to Ning Bi. "Is my father still in Jindu?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. General Murong is still here," Ning Bi said, gloating.
Guo Lingyu gritted her teeth. She had no retort. Her godfather had been right. Capture the Emperor's heart, but do not provoke Murong Jin.
Ning Bi laughed as Guo Lingyu stormed out. Murong Jin smiled, but her eyes were sad.
According to their plan, he would have to take Guo Lingyu's side.