Volume One, Chapter 14: Old Acquaintances Meet, Yet Fail to Recognize Each Other

Xie Liwei’s hands were very pale, but his palms bore numerous scars—old wounds that crisscrossed like writhing worms upon his skin.

Song Yaozhu’s heart tightened briefly before she gently placed her hand over his. Their fingers intertwined, smiles gracing their lips just so, resembling a deeply affectionate married couple.

Yet beneath the wide sleeves, Song Yaozhu clenched his palm tightly.

Xie Liwei couldn’t help but frown, subtly shifting to whisper near her ear through clenched teeth, “The princess consort’s grip is stronger than expected.”

The smile lingered on Song Yaozhu’s lips as she mimicked his manner, replying softly with barely moving lips, “It’s my first banquet at court; some nervousness is unavoidable. My lord, please forgive me.”

Beneath the sleeves, their hands engaged in a silent contest of strength. Song Yaozhu keenly sensed that despite Xie Liwei’s towering stature, his right hand’s strength was nearly equal to hers—a slender woman. It was almost unbelievable.

She tilted her head slightly and looked up at him, curious about what he had endured over the years, and how the face beneath his mask had fared.

At that instant, their gazes met—his lowered eyes locking with hers. To Xie Liwei, her look seemed like a challenge.

His thin lips pressed into a firm line as he grasped her hand and moved toward the palace gates.

Song Yaozhu stumbled for a moment but quickly caught up.

She had no idea just how strong her grip was. Back in the countryside, she had done plenty of farm work—not some delicate young lady incapable of lifting or carrying. She could easily carry a ten-pound bucket with one hand.

“Why still so angry and embarrassed?” she murmured, thinking children grew harder to coax as they aged.

Those words reached Xie Liwei’s ears, only fueling his desire to strangle her on the spot.

Yet, at the palace gates, many ladies and wives stole glances at the couple, eager for a spectacle.

Just as his patience wore thin, her small fingers slipped out from beneath the sleeve to lightly scratch his palm. Seeing her sly smile, he said, “My lord may bully me, but no one else shall.”

Xie Liwei snorted softly, averting his gaze. “No need for you to say it—hurting you is like slapping my own face. I won’t allow it.”

Soon the palace gates opened as the senior eunuch, flanked by palace maids, came out to receive the ladies and lead them to the inner palace.

“Be careful,” she whispered, squeezing his palm once more before releasing his hand and following the young palace maid.

Xie Liwei remained standing, pondering her earlier words and the touch of her fingers. Since his elder sister’s passing, no one had cared for him like this.

He knew others thought him mad, yet he was painfully aware he was not insane.

This painful clarity often brought hallucinations. At first, seeing his sister’s apparition filled him with joy, and he indulged in these moments daily.

But as the sorrow on those around him deepened, they forced him to take medicine, after which he no longer saw her for long stretches. So, he secretly stopped taking the medicine.

Those bleak days had lasted so long he almost forgot the happiness each sighting once brought.

Now, Song Yaozhu’s frequent appearances seemed to provoke these visions again—was it his own delusion or a figment of his imagination?

Watching her retreating figure, Xie Liwei headed toward the Qian Kun Hall.

Song Yaozhu walked amidst a crowd of noble ladies. Due to her high rank, she led the procession, preceded only by senior first-rank titled madams and princesses.

They all proceeded to the Wei Yang Palace to pay respects to the favored consort, Song Yaozhu standing humbly at the lower end, witnessing the favored consort for the first time.

Consort Gao Ping had been childhood friends with her, but since meeting Yu Wenwu, everything had changed. Though genuinely kind to her, Consort Gao had poisoned her with her own hands.

Such was sisterly affection.

Fingers intertwined beneath her sleeve, blanching from the tight grip, Song Yaozhu displayed no emotion as she bowed with the other noble ladies before being seated.

Seated at the phoenix throne, the favored consort exchanged a few pleasantries with the elder madams, then quietly spoke to the eldest prince’s consort before calmly asking, “Has the carefree princess consort arrived today?”

All eyes turned toward Song Yaozhu, who gracefully rose and stepped forward to bow deeply to the favored consort.

“I am present,” she responded, her voice clear and melodious, striking the favored consort and the assembled consorts like a hammer blow.

The first to lose composure was Consort Shu, who abruptly stood, her face contorted, glaring at Song Yaozhu before nervously glancing at the favored consort.

“Consort Shu,” the favored consort said coldly, “If you are unwell today, you need not come to pay respects.”

Consort Shu swallowed hard, immediately bowing. “I am unwell today and have disturbed everyone’s mood. I shall take my leave.”

The favored consort waved dismissively. Consort Shu fled the Wei Yang Palace like a woman escaping disaster. Passing Song Yaozhu, her legs nearly gave way, and she was steadied by a palace maid.

Her outburst had stirred suspicion among the assembled ladies.

Even the favored consort, seated on her throne, clenched her hands tightly. Though prepared mentally, she had not expected Song Yaozhu to resemble Xie Wanqing so closely.

Before, Song Yaozhu’s likeness had been only superficial, but now her bearing and demeanor made the favored consort believe she was standing before a young Xie Wanqing herself.

Drawing a deep breath, the favored consort remarked, “You are truly a striking person. I hear you endured much hardship among the common folk in your youth. Do you have ease of life now?”

“Your Highness, I live well now,” Song Yaozhu replied.

How many could have such an opportunity to start anew? As long as one lived, past grievances could be slowly settled.

“You are fortunate. Serve the carefree prince well,” the favored consort said kindly before adding, “Has Madam Song arrived today?”

Madam Song promptly stepped forward and bowed. “Present.”

“I heard you and the late Empress were cousins?”

Madam Song nodded but harbored no fondness for her early-deceased cousin. She had married better and bore a daughter destined for greatness, yet never extended kindness to her afterward. Whenever mentioned, her father-in-law would scold her. Thus, she kept this connection secret.

Furthermore, almost a decade had passed since Xie Wanqing’s death, and the matter had faded from memory.

“I see,” the favored consort said lightly. “Upon seeing the carefree princess consort just now, I thought I was glimpsing my sister.”

Her words, neither heavy nor light, fell upon the ears of all present. The elder noble ladies, sharp as they were, had long noticed the resemblance but kept their gazes fixed and remained silent.

“I grew up with my sister,” the favored consort sighed, “Alas, her beauty was fleeting. These years with the emperor, I often recall the three of us together. Sigh…”

Hearing her deep sigh, she continued, “Has Miss Song arrived today?”

Song Wenyue, entering the palace for the first time, was extremely nervous. Hearing her name called, she stepped forward to bow but stumbled slightly from anxiety.

“Remove your veil, let me see you.”

Following the command, she lifted her veil. Today’s makeup followed the style Song Yaozhu had once helped her create at the teahouse. The combined effect of makeup and attire lent her features a faint resemblance to Xie Wanqing.

Without the veil, the likeness would be even stronger.

The favored consort looked quite pleased, nodding, “This deep palace is so lonely. If only a vibrant young lady like you would come often to keep me company.”

Those present exchanged subtle glances, wondering what the favored consort truly meant.