Suddenly, a commotion broke out outside, and Lánxīn hurried in, gasping for breath.
"Mistress, Eunuch Zhao is here!" she announced.
"I've told you several times to control yourself. You lose your composure every time something happens—how can you properly take care of the mistress like this?" Cuìyù scolded sharply from inside the room.
"I'm sorry, Mistress!" Lánxīn quickly apologized, lowering her head before Mei Liang.
"Cuìyù, help me get dressed. Lánxīn, go to the front hall and serve Eunuch Zhao some refreshments. Tell him I'll be out shortly."
"Yes, Mistress," Lánxīn responded and hurried off toward the hall, while Cuìyù assisted Mei Liang with her bath and dressed her with practiced efficiency.
Soon after, Mei Liang entered the front hall, calm and graceful. She walked over to Eunuch Zhao and offered a slight nod.
"Eunuch Zhao, I apologize for the delay. I hope you haven't been waiting long."
Though Mei Liang was known for her cold and unreadable expression, Eunuch Zhao found her more sincere than many other concubines, who only wore masks of kindness in the emperor's presence. At least Mei Liang was attentive and composed, unlike most.
Eunuch Zhao stood and replied respectfully, "No, Wenyuan, I haven't waited long. This servant was sent by the Emperor to deliver a decree and a gift to Mei Wenyuan."
He cleared his throat before announcing, "Mei Wenyuan, receive the decree."
At once, Mei Liang knelt down on the ground as he read aloud:
"Mei Wenyuan, possessing both grace and virtue, has conducted herself with propriety and diligence since entering the palace. Gentle and virtuous, she has earned Our favor. Therefore, We hereby promote her to the rank of Guiren, Tenth Rank."
"Mei Guiren, receive this decree."
"Thank you, Eunuch Zhao," Mei Liang said softly as she stood.
Cuìyù stepped forward and discreetly handed a purse of silver to Eunuch Zhao and the three attendants who had come with him. While Eunuch Zhao managed to maintain a neutral expression—having served the Emperor long enough to become indifferent to such gestures—the three lesser eunuchs beamed with joy.
Eunuch Zhao felt a flicker of embarrassment at their reaction, but he couldn't deny that among all the concubines, Mei Guiren was certainly the most generous.
The eunuchs then stepped forward and presented the gifts bestowed upon her by the Emperor. With formal bows, they took their leave from Xiangting Auspicious Pavilion.
Once they were gone, Mei Liang's face remained impassive, but her heart was in turmoil.
"Cuìyù, take the gifts to the storeroom and make sure everything is recorded properly," she ordered.
"Yes, Mistress."
Mei Liang turned and walked back to her room. As soon as the door closed behind her, she collapsed onto her bed, her expression falling apart.
Things are not going as planned. The Emperor is bringing me into the spotlight far too soon. I don't have any allies or protection yet—how am I supposed to survive, let alone get revenge?
Something is definitely wrong with him.
She had no choice now.
If the Emperor intended to shine a spotlight on her so soon, then she had to bring her plans forward. Revenge would have to start with the weakest among her enemies.
Before her death in her previous life, she had counted not only De Fei but also Jieyu Jun—now promoted to Zhaoyi Jun—as close friends. How naive she had been. Most of those responsible for her and her family's downfall had ascended the ranks within just three years.
If De Fei had betrayed her to gain power and favors for her family, then Zhaoyi Jun must have been the one who revealed her assassination plan to Xian Guifei.
Only she knew about it, Mei Liang thought bitterly.
She still didn't know how Zhaoyi Jun had found out. There must have been a spy in her residence in her past life. Someone she had never suspected.
At Emerald Cloud Palace, residence of Xian Guifei…
When the news spread that Mei Liang had been promoted from Wenyuan to Guiren, many concubines were shaken—but none more than Xian Guifei.
The sound of shattering jade vase echoed through her hall. Several vases lay in pieces at her feet.
"Tell me, Yǎyún, what is the Emperor thinking? First, he spends the night in that bitch's pavilion, and now he promotes her the very next day?" Xian Guifei hissed, her voice seething with fury. "Even if it's only the lowest tenth rank, the Emperor I know has never promoted a woman after just one night."
Yǎyún, her loyal maid, stepped forward carefully. "Niangniang, please don't be angry over such a trivial matter. She's just a tenth-rank concubine. You can deal with her any time."
She paused, then asked, "But soon the other concubines will start sending gifts. What should I send to Mei Guiren?"
"I still have that piece of cloud brocade," Xian Guifei replied coldly. "Send it to her. Add some jewelry. We can't let others say a noble consort is jealous of a Guiren now, can we?"
She adjusted her robe with elegance, as if she hadn't just destroyed half the room in a rage.
Back at Xiangting Auspicious Pavilion…
Soon, rows of ornate boxes began arriving—offerings from the empress and concubines across the palace.
Lánxīn stepped in and bowed. "Mistress, what should we do with the gifts?"
Mei Liang barely glanced up. "Record everything by their ranks and the gifts they've sent. Inspect each item thoroughly—make sure nothing dangerous is hidden. After that, store everything away."
"Yes, Mistress."
Meanwhile, at Qian Chun Gong, Hall of Tranquil Harmony…
The Emperor was seated at his desk, reviewing memorials. The scent of sandalwood hung in the air.
"Your Majesty, Eunuch Zhao is requesting an audience," announced the attendant outside.
"You may enter," Emperor Xiang Longwei replied.
Eunuch Zhao stepped inside and bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty, this servant has already delivered your decree," he said.
"How did Mei Guiren react?" the Emperor asked, setting his brush down.
"There was no joy, nor sorrow, nor any hint of surprise," Eunuch Zhao replied. "Her face remained as cold and unreadable as ever."
The Emperor was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. You may go."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After Eunuch Zhao left, Emperor Xiang Longwei stood in silence for a moment before turning toward a painting hanging on the far wall. With a gentle push, the painting shifted aside, revealing a secret passageway behind it.
He stepped inside.
The corridor was narrow and dimly lit, a place known only to him. After a short walk, he stopped before a large portrait of a young woman standing in a garden filled with camellia flowers. Her expression was serene, almost ethereal, her eyes full of life.
He reached out, trailing his fingers gently across her image.
"You know," he said quietly, his voice tinged with sorrow, "I recently saw someone in the palace who reminds me of you. Her manner is colder, more distant... but there's something in her eyes. Just like yours."
His gaze softened, filled with pain. "I know you blame me. And you're right. I failed to protect your family. If I had done better, maybe you wouldn't have hated me so deeply... I should've cherished you more when you were alive."
Tears glimmered in his eyes, and his voice dropped to a whisper. "But don't worry. I'll find a way to bring you back."
The next morning…
Mei Liang rose early, preparing herself carefully to pay respects to the Empress. Just as she was about to leave her chambers, she turned to Cuìyù.
"Cuìyù, stay behind today. Let Lánxīn accompany me."
Cuìyù blinked in surprise but bowed. "Yes, Mistress."
"I have an important task for you," Mei Liang continued, her voice low. "I need you to quietly make a connection with someone in the imperial kitchen. Don't let anyone notice, and make sure this person isn't tied to any other faction in the palace. Once you're sure they can be trusted, I'll give you further instructions. Understand?"
Cuìyù's expression turned serious. "Yes, Mistress. This servant understands."
Satisfied, Mei Liang nodded and turned to leave, Lánxīn falling in step beside her as they made their way to Yaotai Palace, the residence of the Empress.
As she walked, Mei Liang's expression remained composed, but her thoughts churned.
Today will be difficult.
First, the Emperor stayed the night in my palace… and then he promoted me the very next day. That alone is enough to stir resentment across the harem. He rarely grants promotions after a single favor—it's almost unheard of.
Something was off.
And Mei Liang knew she had to tread carefully.