Chapter 20: Reentering the Harem

That night, the freshly brewed tea on the table emitted a gentle steam. Rong Zhao sat by the window, tilting his head to gaze at the crescent moon, his expression somber.

“Ah!”

A sudden exclamation came from the courtyard. Rong Zhao turned toward the sound, frowning slightly.

The Wutong Courtyard had long since extinguished its lights, shrouded in darkness. Sheng Mingyue was carrying a freshly prepared medicinal decoction when, momentarily distracted, she kicked the doorframe, stumbled a few steps, nearly twisting her ankle.

Fortunately, she reacted quickly, and the medicine remained intact.

Rong Zhao slowly rose, glanced at Yun Lai, who was mostly hidden in the shadows, and said in a deep voice, “Light the lamp.”

Yun Lai was momentarily stunned, then rejoiced, cautiously speaking, “Your Grace, the earth dragon and charcoal fire…”

The room was cold and damp; even strong Yun Lai found it hard to endure, let alone the noble prince.

He shifted his gaze and carefully added, “The chill inside is strong. Luckily, I’m serving. If it were Mingyue, she’d likely catch a cold.”

Rong Zhao watched as the young woman approached, clearing his throat before saying, “Use both the earth dragon and the charcoal brazier.”

As expected!

“Yes!” Yun Lai suppressed the upward curve of his lips, and now even Sheng Mingyue seemed more agreeable in his eyes. Before leaving, he greeted her, “Miss Mingyue, thank you for your hard work.”

Yun Lai, who usually treated her coldly, spoke to her first. Sheng Mingyue was pleasantly surprised and quickly replied, “Brother Yun Lai, you flatter me.”

Yun Lai smiled and nodded, then briskly ran off to fetch the charcoal brazier.

Sheng Mingyue hesitated, unsure of what was happening, then stepped to the doorway and called out, “Your Grace, it’s time to take your medicine.”

“Come in.”

Receiving the prince’s permission, Sheng Mingyue finally stepped inside and placed the bowl of medicine on the table, not forgetting to set down two pieces of preserved fruit.

Rong Zhao’s face was weary as he lifted the bowl and drank it all at once. He had expected the medicine to be as bitter as before, but to his surprise, it tasted sweet and was easy to swallow.

Then, a piece of preserved fruit was pressed to his lips.

Instinctively, Rong Zhao parted his mouth. The fruit slipped in, sweet with a hint of sourness. He looked awkwardly at the young face so close to his own, the girl’s fingertip still resting on his lips.

Like being struck by lightning, Sheng Mingyue quickly withdrew her hand and knelt down, apologizing hurriedly, “Your servant knows her mistake…”

Before she could finish, Rong Zhao reached out and stopped her, speaking gently, “I appreciate your kindness. There is no fault; no need to kneel.”

Though he said this, his handsome face still flushed uncontrollably.

Sheng Mingyue lowered her gaze, biting her lip tightly, overwhelmed with shame, wishing she could slap herself twice.

Called you out of focus! You were just too quick!

During the hard days in Foshan, Rong Yan often fell ill from the cold and refused to drink the bitter medicine. She had no choice but to always carry preserved fruit to immediately offer him after he drank the medicine to ease the bitterness.

Just now… it was truly an instinctive reaction!

Sheng Mingyue wished the green bricks beneath her feet would crack open so she could crawl inside.

“Your Grace…” Yun Lai entered just then, breaking the awkwardness between them. He set the charcoal brazier on the floor and said gravely, “Tomorrow is the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet. The Emperor has ordered that you must attend.”

Rong Zhao shifted his gaze. After the flush on his face faded, he spoke quietly, “Then I shall go. Select a few treasures from the storage room to bring along.”

“Yes…” Yun Lai replied softly, his eyes flickering between his master and Mingyue.

Rong Zhao raised his eyes, a trace of confusion flashing in them. “Is there more?”

Yun Lai nodded hesitantly, then said, “Your Grace, the Emperor explicitly said you must bring Mingyue with you to the palace…”

Rong Zhao was momentarily stunned. His brows furrowed deeply as he asked quietly, “It’s just a palace banquet. Why must I bring a particular person?”

Yun Lai shook his head, equally puzzled. “I am also confused and dare not speculate on the Emperor’s will.”

Rong Zhao pursed his thin lips and remained silent.

The atmosphere suddenly froze. Sheng Mingyue stood awkwardly to the side, not daring to speak.

[According to the story, at the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, the Emperor, drunk and disorderly, messed up the marriage arrangements and betrothed Yun Shengsheng to the young prince!]

[What! The couple I ship is going to break up?]

[A bestowed marriage… what does the little cannon fodder have to do with it?]

[Don’t worry, the little cannon fodder is a plot hole in the story. She’s still alive, so there might be a twist.]

[Yun Shengsheng secretly met the prince and was found out by the Crown Prince. They arranged a midnight meeting at the inn, and when the Crown Prince entered, the screen went black. Everyone who knows understands.]

Sheng Mingyue’s face paled slightly. She bit her lower lip and clenched her sleeve tightly.

A soft sigh of resignation came from beside her.

“Benefactor, are you willing to enter the palace?”

Sheng Mingyue lifted her delicate face, determination flickering in her eyes as she whispered, “Your servant is willing to follow Your Grace.”

“Not afraid?”

“Not afraid.”

Rong Zhao nodded slightly, his gaze softening. He spoke warmly, “If that is so, then we shall go together. Rest assured, I will protect you fully.”

Outside, a drizzle began to fall, the wind rustling through the grapevine trellis.

---

Sheng Mingyue barely slept that night and rose at dawn.

When Song Guo went out to get herbs from the pharmacy, she had bought her two ready-made dresses, which she now wore.

Looking at her reflection in the bronze mirror, a wave of unease settled in Sheng Mingyue’s heart.

She had imagined meeting Rong Yan countless times in her mind but never expected the day to come so soon.

The Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet was a must-attend event for the Crown Prince.

Today, it seemed a harsh battle was about to unfold.

“Miss, use this new rouge I bought!” Song Guo held a delicate embroidered box and carefully applied it to her face. “You’re getting better and better. Let those who looked down on you take a good look!”

“What’s the point of these rare things? It’s a waste,” Sheng Mingyue said with a helpless smile, her tone gentler as she spoke. “You’ve been excited since last night when I told you I’m going to the palace. You seem even more nervous than I am.”

“How is it a waste?” Song Guo looked at her reflection, satisfied. “I truly consider you a friend. Giving things to a friend is never a regret.”

“You lived a hard life before. Now that you’re finally free, it’s only right to show those heartless and bitter people what you’re worth!”

Sheng Mingyue chuckled softly, the tension in her heart easing considerably. After getting ready, she set off early for the Wutong Courtyard.

“Your Grace, blessings and peace.”

Hearing the sound, Rong Zhao slowly turned, his gaze settling on his benefactor.

Song Guo had good taste and had chosen a jade-green long dress for Sheng Mingyue, which brightened her complexion significantly. Her rosy lips and cheeks, along with her neatly styled twin buns, made her gentle and lovely.

Rong Zhao smiled faintly and nodded slightly. “The jade green suits you well.”

With that, he casually picked up a sky-blue cloak nearby and draped it over his shoulders, speaking warmly, “Let us go.”

Sheng Mingyue obediently responded, “Yes.”

According to protocol, Rong Zhao should enter the palace first to accompany the Empress Dowager, then attend the banquet to offer her birthday wishes.

The carriage bore the sign of the Prince Jing’an’s residence. When it reached the palace gates, the imperial guards only dared to glance briefly before immediately allowing them through without obstruction, not daring to stand in the way of this noble guest.

Re-entering the inner palace, Sheng Mingyue felt a mixture of reluctance and helplessness.

Inside the Shoukang Palace, the Empress Dowager waited impatiently, uncertain how long it had been, until finally she saw the figure of her youngest son.

“Zhao’er!”