"You are not Helian Zheng's son by blood — but from today on, you will be his only heir."
The child sat properly on the cold wooden stool, a chicken leg in one hand and a white steamed bun in the other. He had just taken a bite when the calm, clear voice of the woman before him fell softly into the air. Though gentle, it carried such quiet power that not even the faintest thought of defiance could rise.
"Yes."
Ning Zhiqing watched curiously. The boy was only five, yet when told he wasn't Helian Zheng's child, he showed no sadness or surprise. Instead, his eyes shone with something like reverence, as though to say he would follow this woman from now on. Remembering how they'd found him earlier — half-starved, wary but still alive — she realized that surviving in the Cold Palace was itself a kind of cunning. He must have known this might be his only chance.
"Do you have a name?"
The boy's face flushed with shame. "They all call me Little Dog."
Ning Zhiqing nearly burst out laughing, but Axin's cool glance silenced her instantly.
"From now on, you will be called Helian Fu."
"Helian Fu... Helian Fu..." the boy murmured a few times, then smiled faintly. "Yes, Noble Lady. I'll be Helian Fu."
"Eat first. When you're full, we'll talk."
Helian Fu ate without greed, taking small, precise bites. There was a kind of quiet grace in the way he moved. Ning Zhiqing was taken aback — this was no ordinary child. Not Helian Zheng's son, and yet… that calm, that restraint. A wolf cub, she thought. Did Lin Guiren not fear raising something that might one day bite back?
But Axin only smiled when she caught Ning Zhiqing's doubt. "He's a clever child. And clever children gain much in life."
Helian Fu looked up at her, eyes full of devotion. "Then from today, Noble Lady and Noble Consort will both be my mothers."
When he finished eating, he stood and bowed properly to them both.
"You are the Empress's son."
His eyes widened, a flicker of shock. It seemed he had already guessed the rest.
"It wasn't the Empress who wronged Helian Zheng," Axin said softly. "It was Helian Zheng who wronged her."
The boy's small fists tightened, but his breath eased. For all his composure, he was still a child.
"The Empress — Lady Meng — was the Chancellor's daughter. Helian Zheng married her for her father's support. From the beginning, he never intended to let her bear a child. He secretly fed her medicine. If she hadn't discovered it in time, she would have been barren for life. The one he truly cared for was Bai Xi, the imperial concubine. You've heard of her, haven't you?"
"I have."
"Later, the Meng family was executed — all of them. That was Bai Xi's doing, though Helian Zheng played his part."
Axin spoke lightly, but Ning Zhiqing saw the boy's eyes redden. Axin gave a faint, almost tender laugh. "Your mother couldn't save the Meng family. She couldn't clear their names. So she chose another kind of revenge. Before she entered the palace, there was a man who loved her deeply — a soldier who gave up his chance for glory just to serve near her. That man was your real father."
Helian Fu's breath caught.
"She used the last of her influence to make Helian Zheng believe he had spent one night with her. After that, she pretended illness, hid herself away, and bore you in secret. Her plan was to poison Bai Xi and Helian Zheng both — to make him sterile. She wanted him to discover, too late, that the only heir he had left... was not his. She meant to tell him the truth right before he died."
Ning Zhiqing shivered. She had always thought the late Empress was gentle and dignified — never imagined such ruthless cunning. Yet when she remembered how the Mengs had been slaughtered, she could not judge her. If her own family were destroyed, she might have done worse.
"But she didn't expect that Bai Xi would uncover her plan." Axin's tone remained calm. "Bai Xi carries the Favored Consort System. It's good at identifying poisons and hidden drugs. She turned the plot around and exposed it. Helian Zheng flew into a rage and gave your mother a white silk cord."
The child's lips trembled slightly, but he did not cry.
"Before she died, she had her confidant smuggle you into the Cold Palace," Axin went on. "So now — your name is Helian Fu. Read it backwards, and it means to avenge Helian."
The boy straightened. "I understand."
"Helian Zheng seeks absolute power," Axin said quietly. "Anyone who stands in his way is destroyed. He has many enemies. You will have many allies. But first, you must restore the Meng name."
"Yes, Noble Lady. I will listen to you."
"Of course you will," Axin replied lightly. "You're still just a child. You can't do much yet."
The boy's cheeks colored. True — he was small, hungry, powerless. The chicken leg had come from her; the bun too.
"From now on, you'll study with me," Axin said. "You're not old enough to bear the throne yet, but if you are to be an emperor, you must learn to read and rule. My goal is not a puppet emperor. I want the Noble Consort to govern from behind the curtain — and when the time comes, if you're strong enough to hold your throne, then it will be yours."
Helian Fu's heart stirred. To sit above all — who wouldn't want that? At first, he only wanted food. Then, revenge. But now... power was a delicious idea.
He glanced uncertainly between Axin and Ning Zhiqing. Would they truly give up that power? Then again, after hearing Axin speak, he understood — this woman was not to be betrayed.
"Read." Axin said, and began placing stacks of books before him. She turned the lessons over to Ning Zhiqing.
To her surprise, the boy learned fast — frighteningly fast.
Near noon, Axin was gone. The boy asked softly, "Where did the Noble Lady go?"
"To get food," Ning Zhiqing whispered. "Where else do you think the buns and meat came from?"
The boy blinked. "But how—?"
"She won't say. But from the look of it, those are dishes from the imperial kitchens."
"Isn't the Cold Palace sealed?"
"Mm," Ning Zhiqing said. "She's... special. Once, she asked if I wanted to be empress. I said no, so she decided I'd rule from behind the screen. I told her I had no son — and then she found you. Tell me that's not magic."
Helian Fu nodded earnestly. "The Noble Lady is amazing. No one knew my secret, yet she does."
"Exactly. You must never offend her," Ning Zhiqing warned. "You know Hong Yan? The maid who was beaten to death?"
The boy nodded. "I saw it. I was hiding in the corner that day."
"If not for Lin Guiren, I'd have been the one beaten to death," Ning Zhiqing said, eyes bright with memory. "That night, I thought I was finished. She opened the door — calm as still water — grabbed Hong Yan's wrist, forced the drugged wine down her throat, and threw her at those men before taking me away."
A faint smile touched her lips. "When I was little, I dreamed of heroes. Never thought mine would be a woman."
"She sneaks out for food, for medicine, even ice from the storage cellar. Tell me that's not power."
The boy's eyes shone with awe. He had once fought rats just to eat. Compared to that, Axin was like a goddess.
Time passed swiftly. The Chengtian Festival — Helian Zheng's thirtieth birthday — arrived.
It was an important year. Ministers and noble ladies flooded the palace to celebrate. Helian Zheng issued pardons, freeing prisoners. Even the Cold Palace was opened for the day — food improved, no more rotten buns.
That morning Axin did not fetch food. She only told them both, "Don't leave your quarters."
"Where is she going?" the boy asked.
"She said she's bringing Helian Zheng a gift," Ning Zhiqing said.
The boy blinked. "I doubt it's a good one." They shared a look — half nervous, half amused. Axin's gifts were never simple.
The palace blazed with lanterns, alive with color. Musicians tuned their instruments; servants hurried like streams of light. None noticed the small group of men hidden inside the rockery.
"Tonight's work may cost our lives," one said. "Let me go alone."
"You think you're the only one who hates Helian Zheng?" another hissed.
"Lin Taifu was my teacher," said He Qing, gripping his blade. "Helian Zheng slaughtered his family. If I don't avenge him, I don't deserve to live."
"We've waited too long," another guard muttered. "Tonight or never."
They clasped hands. "If we fail, we die as men."
A quiet laugh cut through the air.
"Who's there?"
A woman stepped from the shadows. Every blade froze midair. Someone gasped. "Lin Guiren?"
"Yes," Axin said. "The Cold Palace is open today. I came out and happened to overhear your plans to assassinate the emperor."
The men exchanged alarmed glances. He Qing's hand tightened on his sword.
"She's Lin Taifu's daughter," someone whispered.
His grip faltered. "Lin Guiren... pretend you saw nothing."
"I already have," she said simply.
He scowled. "What do you want?"
"To speak. Alone. It's about the late Empress."
At that name, his composure broke. He sent the others away. "What do you know?"
"Only this — she bore you a son."
The sword slipped from his fingers. "What?"
Axin's tone stayed even. "Do you want that son to have a future? Do you want vengeance for the Empress?"
"Of course." His voice trembled.
"Then listen to me," Axin said softly. "If you go through with the assassination tonight, you'll die for nothing. Helian Zheng has guards, hidden shadows, and strength of his own. You won't reach him. You'll just give him a chance to show power by killing you publicly."
He Qing's heart wavered. If the Empress — his beloved Qiang'er — had borne him a son, then that child must be suffering now. If he died, who would protect the boy?
"You doubt me?" Axin asked.
He looked at her warily. "You're just a woman from the Cold Palace. Why should I believe you?"
"After tonight," she said, "you'll have no choice."
He hesitated. "Can I see him?"
"You can," she said. "But not yet. He needs the name of Helian Zheng's heir."
Anger flared. "My son should not bear that bastard's name—"
"How else," Axin interrupted gently, "will he one day wear the crown? Tell me, Guard He — do you want your son to be emperor?"
The sword clattered to the floor. His breath caught. "What did you say?"
"That was the Empress's plan from the beginning," Axin said. "Now — will you help me?"
He drew a deep breath. "Then I'll see what surprise you bring tonight, Lin Guiren."
"When you're convinced," Axin said, "you'll follow my lead."
"If it avenges Qiang'er, I will."
That evening, the Chengtian Feast began. The palace glittered. Helian Zheng entered late, hand in hand with Bai Xi, radiant in gold. Ministers and consorts knelt. Gifts were offered, music played, dancers spun — all perfect, all serene.
In the corner, He Qing stood guard, eyes locked on the emperor's laughing face. His fingers brushed the hilt of his sword. What surprise will she bring?
Meanwhile, Bai Xi smiled faintly, speaking inwardly to her system: Pity the border's still in chaos. If Ning Wuyuan were recalled, Helian Zheng could kill him. Once he dies, Ning Zhiqing's done. Then I'll be the new Noble Consort.
[Host, don't worry. Helian Zheng already favors you. Once the general's gone, you'll have the title.]
He likes me, yes — but as a toy. I want real power. Once I become Consort, I'll get the reward — the Shengzi Pill. With a son, I'll have security. Maybe even kill him myself one day, let my son rule. Power's better than love. Power never dies.
The system hesitated. Host… something's wrong.
The hall had fallen silent. Music gone. Dancers frozen mid-step. All eyes on Bai Xi.
Cold crept up her spine. She turned — and saw Helian Zheng's face, livid.
"System—system, can they hear us?" she whispered.
"Xi Fei!" Helian Zheng roared. "What did you just say? What system? Shengzi Pill? A son to take my throne? Poison me?"
All around, courtiers dropped to their knees, trembling. None dared look up.
"System, what do I do? He'll kill me! Give me something, anything—"
But the system was silent. It quivered in terror, bound by a vast force it could not resist.
A soft voice whispered through its code. "So. You're the Favored Consort System?"
"Y–yes… or… not exactly," it stammered. "If the host were a general, I'd be the General System. If a queen, the Queen System. Bai Xi can only ever be a concubine — I calculated that myself. If bound to an emperor, I'd be the Emperor System."
"Oh," said Axin's voice, smooth as silk. "I see."
"Can I unbind from her?" the system begged. "If you let me, I'll serve you instead."
Axin chuckled softly. "Dream on."
The system trembled, crushed under her unseen hand.
"I don't need you," she said. "But you'll do something for me. When Helian Zheng questions Bai Xi, tell him everything — and then bind yourself to him."
Relief flickered through the code. "As an Emperor System?"
"No." Axin's voice curved like a blade. "Bind as a Longevity System. Tell him how to live forever."
The system froze.
"Feed him false elixirs," Axin said, still calm. "Make them drain his blood, his strength. Let him rot — but never die. And let him be barren forever."
The system shuddered. A demon, it thought. She's worse than I am.
"You'll have your reward," Axin murmured. "You may feed on his fading fate. When he's broken and crawling, your task is done."
"I… understand."
"Protect Ning Zhiqing," she added softly. "You'll know what to say."
The pressure lifted. The system gasped for breath, then heard Bai Xi's frantic whisper — System! Help me!
And above her, Helian Zheng's cold voice: "That's the voice, isn't it? Xi Fei — what are you?"
He seized her by the throat. She kicked and clawed, choking.
System! Anything! A drug, a spell, something!
But the system only whispered, "Obey."