Volume One, Chapter 16: Making the Move

The evening breeze drifted into the hall, causing the candle flames to flicker and shadows to overlap.

Zhang Zhixi bowed deeply. “Princess, this is improper.”

Ning Yunshu let out a light laugh. “Is etiquette truly so important to you?”

Zhang Zhixi remained silent.

She leaned close to his ear. “If it weren’t for etiquette back then, perhaps…”

He suddenly stepped back, maintaining a proper distance. “Princess, be cautious with your words!”

“Are you afraid of breaking etiquette, Lord Zhang, so you dare not look at me?” She stepped forward once more.

Zhang Zhixi paused, then solemnly lifted his gaze. A chill seemed to envelop him, his handsome face cold and distant in the candlelight.

“If the princess wishes to learn the zither, there is the Grand Tutor to instruct you.”

Ning Yunshu smiled faintly. “The person I want must naturally be the best in the realm. If Lord Zhang is unwilling, I won’t force him. Either way, I will speak to His Majesty.”

Zhang Zhixi pursed his lips slightly—this was beyond his control!

“Ning Yunshu!” Ning Yu strode over, unable to stand it any longer. “No wonder you’ve been reported and dragged Xue’er into trouble! During these seven years among the Xiongnu, have you truly forgotten all sense of propriety and shame?”

Ning Yunshu smiled coldly. In the end, it was still her fault.

After scolding, Ning Yu turned to Zhang Zhixi with a puzzled look. “Lord Zhang, how have you offended the princess?”

From afar, he saw her making things difficult for him again. The matter of the zither had already raised suspicions; today, he would get to the bottom of it.

Zhang Zhixi pondered carefully, as if something were amiss, but ultimately could not come up with an answer.

“Lord Zhang’s talent is admirable. I only wish to learn a little. Why would His Majesty suspect without cause?” Ning Yunshu gently clasped his hand. In his eyes, she was willful and reckless in all she did.

Ning Yu hesitated, then said to Zhang Zhixi, “It’s late, Lord Zhang. You should return early and rest.”

Zhang Zhixi understood, bowed, and withdrew.

Ning Yunshu paid no mind; after all, she delighted most in achieving her aims by any means necessary.

Zhang Zhixi was her favored choice—she would never let him slip away.

Fewer people remained in the hall. Shen Yan also prepared to leave, his already gloomy face darkening further.

Ning Yunshu caught a glimpse of Shen Yan’s figure from the corner of her eye and froze for a moment. Was he standing there all along or just now departing?

She furrowed her brow.

With the ministers gone, Ning Yu spoke gravely, “Yunshu, why have you made no progress in these seven years? Still so willful! Do you know who Lord Zhang is? He’s not someone you can covet.”

---

Ning Yunshu’s frown deepened.

Covet? Did he think she fancied Zhang Zhixi?

“Brother, by status, why can’t I?” she retorted.

Ning Yu took a deep breath, his expression darkening. “A man like Zhang Zhixi—noble families’ daughters would be plenty to choose from. How could he look at a princess who was once married off? His father holds him in high regard. Even if you petition your father like before with Shen Yan for a marriage, your father would never agree! So I advise you to give up this foolish notion before you embarrass yourself.”

“Ha…” Ning Yunshu laughed sharply.

His meaning was clear: a faded flower like her did not deserve such a proud and powerful minister.

Ning Yu grew more frustrated. “Ning Yunshu! I’m serious with you, and you think it’s a joke?!”

Ning Yunshu smiled faintly. “Brother, don’t be angry. I’m just laughing at your overthinking. I have no improper thoughts toward Lord Zhang.”

Ning Yu looked doubtful. “If not for affection, why did you ask someone to visit him at Yongning Hall every day?”

“Brother, in the past, Yunshu was childish, playful every day, ignorant of the arts. Now is different. As the eldest princess, I ought to be talented and set an example for all women under heaven. That’s why I want Lord Zhang to be my teacher. Is that wrong?”

Her tone was sincere, her smile more restrained.

Ning Yu snorted coldly. “You wishful thinking. Lord Zhang is so protective of his reputation, it’s unlikely he’d agree to your request!”

“Whether he agrees or not is my own affair. Brother need not worry.”

“Who’s worried!” Ning Yu sighed helplessly. “Anyway, today’s matter is a warning. If in the future you misbehave and give people a handle, neither I nor Mother can protect you!”

Protect? Had they ever thought of protecting her?

Ning Yunshu smiled gently. “Understood, Yunshu will remember.”

Ning Yu felt an indescribable unease. Although she spoke and laughed casually, something about it felt strange, even unsettling.

But today she had suffered injustice... Enough, no more arguing.

“All right, go back early,” he waved his hand.

Ning Yunshu said no more, departing with Madame Gui and the other palace attendants.

Once she left, Li Jun, son of the Minister of War, quickly approached Ning Yu, a look of regret on his face. “Your Highness, the eldest princess already has someone she fancies. Do I still have a chance?”

Ning Yu glared at him. “Don’t worry. Even if she likes Zhang Zhixi, it’s impossible. Father won’t agree. Zhang Zhixi is his most trusted official, and his marriage has already been arranged.”

Hearing this, Li Jun breathed a sigh of relief, nodding eagerly. “Good!”

“Who knows her better than me? Rest assured, with my help, you’ll be the prince consort soon enough!” Ning Yu was confident.

Li Jun’s eyes shone, barely able to contain his excitement.

---

If he became the prince consort, why bother toiling for official rank? As long as he served the eldest princess well, he would enjoy endless wealth and glory!

So what if she had been married off before? After all, once the lights were out, all women were the same!

---

Night fell at Yongning Hall’s Fengchun Pool, where steam rose in waves. Around it, translucent white silk veils shimmered in the candlelight.

Petals drifted on the water as Ning Yunshu soaked in the warm pool, reclining against the edge. Madame Gui stood nearby, carefully combing her long hair with a black sandalwood comb.

“Princess, this old servant does not understand. The Changdu Princess slanders you so today—why did you not expel her from the palace and root out the problem?” Madame Gui could not help but voice her confusion.

Her princess had returned decisively, yet her punishment of the princess seemed too lenient.

Though demoted to the laundry bureau, she remained in the palace. Over time, the emperor might relent and restore her title, creating more trouble.

Ning Yunshu’s phoenix eyes half-closed, mist clinging to her long lashes. She smiled slightly. “She hates not me, but someone else. Leaving her here will make for better entertainment.”

Madame Gui paused, finally understanding Ning Yunshu’s plan to use a proxy to kill her enemy—though the “knife” was merely a trap set in advance, meant to be used someday.

She resumed combing silently, unsure of the princess’s true purpose since returning to the palace. But as her mistress and the child she had watched grow, she would follow her in all things.

---

Early the next morning, before breakfast, Ning Yunshu was summoned to Weiyang Palace.

Upon entering the hall, she saw Consort Xian sitting with a dark expression, the atmosphere heavy.

“Daughter greets Mother Consort,” Ning Yunshu bowed.

She had anticipated this summons since last night; her next move had already been set.

“Tongtong, do you have an explanation for Mother Consort?” Xian Consort’s gaze was sharp, trying to pierce her thoughts. Yet now, she could neither read Ning Yunshu’s mind nor shake the oppressive feeling she felt upon seeing her.

Feigning confusion, Ning Yunshu replied, “Daughter does not understand, Mother Consort. Has something happened?”

Xian Consort was skeptical—how could she not know? That lowly maid had left Yongning Hall!

“Last night, the emperor favored a mute girl from your palace. Are you aware of this?” Xian Consort said bluntly, watching her every move.

Ning Yunshu was taken aback. “Is it that maid Yuyan?!”

Xian Consort’s suspicion deepened—could she really be unaware?

Her personal maid, Lü Fu, explained, “Eldest Princess, you may not know, but this morning the empress received word that His Majesty summoned the mute girl from your palace to bed last night. This morning, she was made Consort Yan.”

“Such a thing… but what does this have to do with me?” Ning Yunshu feigned innocence.

Xian Consort glanced at Lü Fu, who nodded slightly and continued, “Princess, Yuyan would never have appeared before the emperor in the past. The reason he summoned her last night was because at the welcoming banquet, you arranged for her to serve wine to His Majesty. Could this simply be a coincidence?”