Chapter 1

I was born with exceptional hearing.

Within a certain range, as long as I focused, I could filter out noise and eavesdrop on conversations through pavilions and corridors.

I overheard Consort Qi discussing with her chief palace maid, Qingfu, about sending me to Bifang Palace to be cared for by Consort Wan.

“Changsheng may be young, but she is old enough to understand the ways of the world.”

“If she truly believes the rumors, thinking it was Qinger who caused her Mother’s death, she may well harbor resentment.”

“If I raise her in Muchen Palace, wouldn’t I be raising a potential threat for my son?”

“It’s better to send her to Consort Wan, to keep her away from Qinger.”

Standing outside the door, I heard Consort Qi’s words loud and clear.

I couldn’t help but recall the day Mother’s body was pulled from the water.

A patch of wetness spread across the ground, and Mother lay in the center of it.

The water from Taiye Pond had soaked Mother until she no longer resembled a living person.

She was swollen, like an overly swollen bun.

I squeezed through the crowd, threw myself onto her, and cried out for Mother.

She no longer gently asked me what had happened, as she used to. Her eyes were tightly shut, and her whole body exuded a chilling coldness.

My Mother would never open her eyes again…

She had risked her life to carve out a path for me. How could I let her down?

A maid entered to announce, “Consort, the Sixth Princess requests an audience outside.”

“Why has she come?” Consort Qi set down her teacup and said, “Let her in.”

Muchen Palace was magnificent and splendid.

The Wuxia Palace, where Consort Qi resided, was especially fragrant and warm.

As it turned out, she was not alone in the room; there was also a silent young boy.

I had only glanced in the boy’s direction when Consort Qi interrupted, “What brings the Sixth Princess here?”

I withdrew my gaze and bowed properly. “Greetings, Consort.”

Consort Qi told me there was no need for such formality.

Qingfu stepped forward to help me up on her behalf.

I dropped to my knees with a thud, bent my body low, pressed my forehead to the floor, and pleaded, “I beg Consort to take me in.”

The room fell silent.

Qingfu stopped in her tracks.

I remained kneeling, quietly waiting for Consort Qi’s reply.

It seemed a long time before she finally spoke. “Changsheng, rest assured. Your Mother had a life-saving grace toward Qinger. I will personally see to it that you are given a good place.”

“Later, Aunt Qingfu will escort you to Bifang Palace. Consort Wan is kind and gentle. If you stay with her, you will not be mistreated.”

When the Third Prince was first saved, Consort Qi had been moved to tears. She sent for me that very night, held me in her arms, stroked my hair, and promised again and again to care for me as her own.

However, ever since the rumors began to spread, she started to worry that I might resent the Third Prince. Not only did she abandon the idea of caring for me, but now, even when facing me, she was cold and distant.

I refused to rise, continuing to plead, “Changsheng begs Consort to take me in.”

No one likes a stubborn child.

Consort Qi was no exception.

Seeing that I was unmoved, her tone turned stern. “Sixth Princess! Are you trying to cling to me?”

I bowed even lower. “Please do not be angry, Consort. Changsheng does not seek to rely on past favors.”

My tone was soft and steady, each word clearly reaching Consort Qi’s ears.

“When I first arrived at Muchen Palace, Consort once joked about adopting me. But since then, I have not heard you mention it again.”

“Changsheng suspects that Your Highness’s plans have changed. Is it because of the rumors in the palace?” I asked bluntly.

Consort Qi’s long brows knit together, her expression displeased.

But the boy beside her suddenly turned his gaze on me.

He was staring at me.

Mother once said that the Third Prince, Zhao Qing (Qinger), was only two years older than me.

Yet, when he looked at people, his gaze was deep and unreadable.

I could tell that Consort Qi disliked having her thoughts guessed, but I could not tell what my Third Imperial Brother was thinking at that moment.

I quietly lowered my eyes, maintaining my humble, head-to-the-ground posture, and continued, “Several months ago, the Imperial Physician diagnosed Mother with a grave illness and said she had little time left.”

“That day, when someone fell into Taiye Pond, if it had been any other prince, Mother might not have jumped in to save them at the risk of her own life.”

“Mother once said that of all the consorts in the palace, only Consort Qi was worthy of trust.”

“Others may not know, but I am well aware that Mother paved the way for me.”

“She did not die to save the Third Imperial Brother, but for me.”

“Mother’s dying wish was for me to be under Consort Qi’s protection. I hope Consort will grant her wish.”

My honest words finally moved Consort Qi.

She agreed to take me in.

However, as I left Wuxia Palace, I heard Consort Qi sigh behind me.

“What a formidable Sixth Princess. Only eight years old, yet already so clear-headed in planning her own future.”

“Qinger,” she instructed the Third Prince beside her, “Cui Cairen saved your life. In both sentiment and reason, we must repay this debt.”

“I agreed to protect the Sixth Princess only to repay this kindness.”

“The Sixth Princess, at such a young age, is already so calculating. She is by no means simple or kind-hearted.”

“Remember, do not get close to her.”

The boy replied respectfully, “Yes, Mother Consort.”