Chapter 3 — Daytime Succubus

Inside the Phoenix Pavilion, for the very first time, I had the privilege of gazing upon the reigning Empress seated on the central throne. She was none other than the former Imperial Consort Shu, the lifelong rival of my own legitimate elder sister. Everyone in the realm whispered of how she had ascended to the pinnacle of power in a single leap, her peerless grace completely eclipsing the other inhabitants of the six palaces. Encountering her today, I realized her reputation was entirely justified. She possessed sharp, exquisitely defined brows and a countenance of breathtaking beauty. Yet, her demeanor remained remarkably poised, calm, and dignified. Wearing the elaborate phoenix crown and the ceremonial robes of an empress, she exuded the effortless, supreme elegance that rightfully belonged to the mother of the nation. I dropped gracefully to my knees to offer my respects. With a gentle wave of her hand, the Empress motioned for me to rise.

There is no need for such elaborate formalities.

Her voice was astonishingly soft, and she even instructed the palace attendants to bring forward a seat for me. Throughout our meeting, even her gaze lingered upon me carrying a faint, warm smile—a gentleness that felt almost excessive. This only served to heighten the profound confusion swirling within my chest. It simply made no sense. She and my elder sister had fought bitterly within these palace walls for many years, their relationship as irreconcilable as water and fire. Logically speaking, out of deep resentment for my sister, she should have loathing to spare for me as well. Why, then, was she treating me, a mere secondary daughter of the Ning family, with such extraordinary tenderness? After we had conversed for a brief while, the Empress seemed to pierce straight through the veil of my wandering thoughts and spoke with casual ease.

It has been quite some time since you last saw your sister, has she not? I grant you permission to proceed to the Noble Consort's palace to visit her and catch up on old times.

Joy surged within my heart, and I hurriedly bowed to express my profound gratitude.

Several months of separation had left my elder sister noticeably thinner. Between her brows lingered a profound sense of isolation and sorrow. Upon catching sight of me, she froze in sheer disbelief before instantly darting forward to grasp both of my hands tightly.

Fei Fei, how is Shen Zhu treating you?

My sister's direct inquiry immediately summoned every grievance and suppressed sorrow that had been festering within my heart. Being someone utterly incapable of concealing my emotions, I spilled out every single one of those bizarre occurrences without holding back anything. At last, recalling the events of just moments earlier, I quickly tacked on one final sentence.

And that is not all, Sister. Today, the attitude of the Empress toward me was exceedingly strange as well.

Hearing this, my sister knitted her brows tightly together.

If you had not mentioned it, I would have kept it to myself, but recently, I too have felt that the Empress has been acting rather peculiar.

Just a couple of days ago, I merely coughed twice, and by the very next day, she had people deliver several jars of loquat paste, complete with a detailed medicinal recipe instructing me to take it three times a day after meals.

She even remarked that I had grown too thin lately and ordered the Imperial Kitchen to prepare extra nourishing broths for me.

The two of us sisters stared blankly at one another. After a long, silent moment, my sister probed tentatively.

Fei Fei, do you suppose... could it be that everyone in the Shen family suffers from some sort of hereditary illness?

I pondered the matter with utmost seriousness. Then, with absolute conviction, I nodded in solemn agreement.

It certainly appears to be the case.

Only... what manner of sickness could it possibly be?

Departing from the imperial palace, the carriage swayed gently as it rumbled toward the sprawling Shen estate. Shen Zhu sat directly across from me, maintaining that familiar, aloof expression of his. Stealthily pulling back my gaze, I found my mind a tangled maze of a hundred different thoughts. The carriage finally came to a steady halt outside the grand gates of the Shen residence, where the head steward was already waiting with a retinue of servants. Stepping across the threshold and rounding an intricately carved wooden screen, I casually inquired of the steward walking beside me.

Are there any trivial household matters within the estate that require my management?

The steward hastily bowed his head and replied.

Reporting to the Young Madam, all affairs within the manor have already been meticulously arranged, and everything is in perfect order.

The Master and Madam spend year after year guarding the distant borders, so the household has always been peaceful. From now on, only the Young Madam and the Young Master will reside here.

If you should have any requests or commands in the future, please feel free to instruct us at any time.

I gave a simple nod of acknowledgment. The parents of Shen Zhu were stationed year-round at the perilous borderlands. Not long ago, they had achieved a resounding military victory—an event directly tied to Consort Shu’s elevation to the rank of Empress. While I remained lost in my own reflections, Shen Zhu, who was walking ahead, suddenly halted in his tracks. Failing to check my momentum in time, I nearly collided straight into his back. Just as I managed to steady myself, I heard Shen Zhu inquire.

My parents are stationed at the borders throughout the year, leaving the manor rather desolate. From now on, with only the two of us living here together, do you feel lonely at all?

I blinked in mild astonishment. Was he actually showing concern for me? I shook my head in response.

Not particularly. My own family is much the same.

My father is perpetually occupied with official duties, and my eldest brother serves as a magistrate far from home. Ever since my sister entered the palace five years ago, the Ning residence has frequently consisted of only my mother and myself.

Shen Zhu lowered his gaze to look at me, offering a subtle nod without another word before resuming his pace. Sensing it wise not to press further, I turned instead to ask the steward the location of the kitchens. During the carriage ride back, I had turned the situation over repeatedly in my mind. In the past, emboldened by my sister's immense imperial favor, I had acted lawlessly and bullied Shen Zhu mercilessly for three whole years, committing countless outrageous acts. Now, the tides had turned entirely. The Shen family had climbed to the absolute zenith of power. The Empress sat securely upon the central throne, whereas my elder sister had found herself in a vulnerable position. Reason dictated that I was in the wrong; circumstance demanded that I be the one to lower my head. Since matters stood thus, rather than waiting, I might as well proactively concede, striving to mend the fractured bond between us. Though my culinary skills were hardly world-class, I was more than capable of crafting a few delicate, sweet pastries. The kitchens of the Shen estate were vastly more spacious than those of the Ning household. After acquainting myself with the layout, I washed my hands thoroughly and instructed the maidservants to bring forth the necessary ingredients. Kneading the dough, rolling the wrappers, and wrapping the sweet red bean paste, I labored until the time it took to steep two cups of tea had passed, whereupon the wooden lid of the steamer was finally lifted. A billowing cloud of white steam rushed forth to kiss my face. Row upon row of plump, round red bean buns sat invitingly, yielding softly with a tender elasticity whenever the tip of a chopstick brushed against them. I carefully arranged the pastries upon a porcelain plate and brewed a fresh pot of hot tea.