Ever since the beloved Empress Xiao Yiren, who was deeply cherished by Emperor Kangxi, passed away from illness, no one has ascended to the position of empress again. However, the emperor allowed the consorts in whom he confided to join the administration of the six palaces. One of these consorts was Noble Consort Yi Guifei.[1]

    Yi Guifei sat smiling in the magnificently decorated hall of her palace, eagerly awaiting news while contentedly stroking her jade ruyi. The table next to her, inlaid with pearls, was laden with a variety of expensive snacks. Yi Guifei daintily ate half a piece of crab meat dim sum with her golden chopsticks and sipped a little Hebei tea from a pearl teapot, savoring the taste and luxuriating in the prestige that commanded even greater respect from the other consorts than the former empress had.

    Liang Fei, the mother of the Eighth Prince, wore a somewhat displeased expression. She was reluctant to see Yi Guifei but had to force a sweet smile to ingratiate herself. Although Liang Fei held a rank, she was not invited to share the snack, which was prepared by the head chef with utmost skill using the finest, most expensive, and rarest ingredients—sometimes costing more than Guiren’s monthly salary. But Yi Guifei remained indifferent, her face radiating contentment as she relished the food.

    "The taste is delightful."

    Li Gugu, Yi Guifei’s confidant, massaged her mistress’s ankles gently. Seeing her mistress happy made her feel joyful too.

    "Your Highness, I heard that woman fainted outright, I’m not even sure if she is still alive. She's just a low-ranking consort who tried to seduce His Majesty and even thought about vying for the empress position with you. Such arrogance surely meets its karma."

    Yi Guifei smiled sweetly, "If she's dead, what does it have to do with me? But since we’ve known each other since our youth, I should at least arrange a dignified funeral for Consort De Fei. Sigh... it won’t be long before I am made empress. If she really dies, I will request His Majesty posthumously confer on her the title of 'Guifei.'"

    "Your Highness is truly magnanimous, as vast as Huang He River," Li Gugu praised.

    Meanwhile, terror gripped the Yan Qi Palace, spreading fear all around. Rumors circulated of a black-toothed demoness appearing and assaulting Consort De Fei, causing her to faint. Dozens of maids and eunuchs confirmed seeing this demoness. Kang Gonggong, the head eunuch of Yi Guifei’s palace, immediately went to investigate and reported back to his mistress.

    "I report to Your Highness, there's chaos in Yan Qi Palace. The imperial physicians say Consort De Fei fainted in the garden from seeing a demoness."

    "A demoness? Is that true?"

    "I suspect this is a ploy to draw the emperor's attention more than anything else," Liang Fei suggested. Despite her disdain for Yi Guifei, she maintained a pleasant demeanor to pave the way for her son's future with the support of this grand and opulent Chu Qiao Palace’s owner.

    "That woman is not foolish. His Majesty doesn’t believe in ghosts; she would not resort to such a shallow plan."

    "I was foolish not to consider this, Your Highness. If so, it must indeed be an actual demoness appearing. It's strange that it would show up in Yan Qi Palace, which is almost like a temple."

    "Ha! I've always said that De Fei is a fox in disguise—fronting as virtuous and devout, but rotten and filthy behind the scenes. That's why the demoness was drawn to her."

    "Your Highness is sharp and wise. My son and I must rely on your protection," Liang Fei affirmed.

    "Hmp! I've supported you and your son to this day. Otherwise, a Daying of lowly status like you wouldn't even be in the position of a Fei, and your son would merely be a lowly Zhen Guogong.[2] It's only because of my support that he's considered my adopted son. I hope you're aware of your status."

    Liang Fei endured the insult, kneeling and bowing her head, "Please, when my son Yunsi ascends to the throne, you shall be the Empress Dowager."

    "Good, remember your gratitude... I have a comb made of jade from Burma’s tribute that the emperor bestowed upon me last month. I've grown tired of it. You can have it."

    Liang Fei's face turned angry, but she smartly smiled, "I deeply appreciate your kindness."

    Yi Guifei, sister of the former empress, fanned herself leisurely, smirking contentedly. Since her sister's death, she was the highest-ranking consort in the palace. Although the emperor had ordered the consorts, including De Fei, Rong Fei, and Liang Fei, to manage the palace together, Yi Guifei in reality had sole control over maintaining order. She was waiting for the official command to make her empress, always seeking to eliminate lower-ranked consorts from sight. For a Han woman like Liang Fei, Yi Guifei barely acknowledged her presence, while Rong Fei suffered from health issues and could not resist. Only De Fei, mother of two talented princes, stood in her way.

    Additionally, Fourth Prince Yinzhen was regarded as the adopted son of the former empress. If Yi Guifei did not become empress, the Eighth Prince could not compare to Yinzhen’s stature.

    Yi Guifei glanced at Liang Fei and scoffed, "If you're so grateful, why haven't you started cleaning for me yet?"

    "B...but, Your Highness, De Fei and I are like sisters; I cannot harm her."

    "You regard her as your sister, but does she see you as hers? Besides, us consorts in the palace are all sisters, serving the emperor together. Look at how you’ve mastered the 'art of medicine' over the years, helping me nurture many of your sisters, right?"

    "Please, Your Highness, don’t mention it anymore," Liang Fei’s face fell when reminded of past wounds. "I’ve stopped practicing medicine a long time ago, and as for De Fei... please show me mercy."

    Yi Guifei laughed at the mention of mercy from Liang Fei's lips, "If you were so troubled years ago when you and your son were struggling, why didn’t she help you then?"

    "Back then, Si Lan had just miscarried..." Liang Fei spoke softly, barely articulating.

    "If you're not comfortable with it, just say it outright. Sigh... I won’t drag you into the mud."

    "Those without humility who covet the empress's position all meet bad ends," Li Gugu, the confidant, chimed in, to which Yi Guifei responded with delight, rewarding her generously. Only Liang Fei wore a troubled expression. As a Han consort who had climbed the ranks and bore a prince to the emperor, she lacked the voice to object and could only follow the powerful currents to protect the Eighth Prince, especially as the atmosphere in the palace grew tense with the demotion of a crown prince. The Eighth Prince had made clear to his mother his ambition for the throne, forcing Liang Fei to side with her son to achieve their goal.

    The first thing to do was to demonstrate loyalty to Yi Guifei, helping her eliminate thorns even though De Fei had always been kind to her.

    "Uh... how about this, in two months it will be the birthday of the Empress Dowager, and the Ministry of Rites is preparing more than ten opera troupes from across the land to entertain. I will use this opportunity to request the emperor to appoint you as the Empress Dowager, and I will get rid of the thorns once and for all... for you."

    "Good, go and handle it. Make sure it's done as you say, otherwise, you wouldn't need to talk to me anymore," Yi Guifei twirled her precious jade bracelet, her eyes gleaming menacingly as she stared down at the lowly Han concubine. "You may leave, I'm tired and want to rest."

    "Very well."

    "Yi Guifei acts as if you’re a dog, what Burmese jade comb. She deliberately humiliates you by giving you leftovers," Dongguo, a confidant of Liang Fei, was especially resentful on behalf of her mistress. As soon as Liang Fei was leaving the palace, Dongguo could not help but complain loudly.

    "The emperor loves and cherishes you more than anyone, making her envious enough to pick on you, even saying that if it wasn’t for her, the Eighth Prince would just be a lowly Zhen Guogong. How arrogant!"

    "What can I do, Dongguo? If you must blame anyone, blame my Han origins. Despite my rank, I still must plead with others to protect my son. It's utterly disgraceful..."

    "Shall we ally with Rong Fei then?"

    "Rong Fei? She looks down on me," Liang Fei scoffed, remembering the past when she was just a lowly Daying from the Han ethnicity, so her life was much harder than others. On the other hand, Rong Fei... entered the palace with a concubine of Pin rank even before offering herself to the emperor. "Every time she looks at me, I feel like she sees a mangy dog. She’d be the last person I’d ask for help."

    "Such ill stuff should be discarded. Keeping them only brings bad luck!" Dongguo was about to throw away the jade comb in a fit of vengeance but Liang Fei sternly stopped her.

    "If you so much as scratch that comb, do you think someone like Yi Guifei would let it slide?"

    Dongguo regained her senses, slowly lowering her arm and gazing at the comb with sorrow. "I'm so sorry, even the servants in Chu Qiao Palace dare to insult you. I can’t protect your dignity, what good am I? If the Eighth Prince ascends to the throne, it's you who should rightfully sit as the Empress Dowager!"

    "Dongguo, be quiet now! The emperor is still healthy, may he live for ten thousand years. How dare you curse a change of dynasty!"

    "I wouldn’t dare, Your Grace, please forgive me."

    The perpetually smiling face of Liang Fei was actually filled with worry. "I hereby order all of you to stop speaking ill of the mistress behind her back. I've already faced enough problems. If you do not listen, I will send you to the imperial jail. Remember that!"

    "Understood, Your Grace. I will keep it in mind."

    “Throughout my life, I have faced nothing but contempt and bullying. I have grown accustomed to enduring it. If I can bear it, why can't you? I do not want my child to live a pitiable life like mine. Keep your word to yourselves, and do not cause any trouble for my child under any circumstances.

    "Yes, Niangniang. I will remember this. I will be at your service until I die."

    Dongguo bowed her head, wiping away her bitter tears. Liang Fei thought carefully about how to harm De Fei and then beckoned Zhu Eunuch, her close eunuch, to come closer and whispered.

    "Find some new eunuchs, send one to the astrological bureau and have him report to the emperor that De Fei is a star of calamity. Make sure he says that this is an order from..." Liang Fei thought of a scapegoat, a rising favorite consort of the moment.

    "Let it slip that it's a secret command from Mu Guiren."

    Zhu Eunuch looked troubled, but meeting the gaze of his mistress, a servant like him had no choice but to obey. "As you wish."

    The Fourteenth Prince Yunti rushed to his mother's palace anxiously. He was a tall and handsome young man, renowned among his brothers for his skill in archery and horsemanship. His brow furrowed tightly when he saw the chaos unfolding before him.

    "What's happening?! Report immediately!"

    "Beizhi[3], uh... it's because a mad, barefoot woman had entered the palace," reported Du Ming, a junior eunuch, bowing deeply with a panicked expression. Tao Zi and Si Zi, who were terrified and crying incessantly, nodded in agreement.

    "The eunuchs say she's an evil spirit from the Cold Palace."

    "Nonsense! What is this about a crazy barefoot woman? Speak the truth now."

    "I... I'm not lying, your grace. Many have seen her, and I saw her with my own eyes. Chen Gugu even fainted. She has a pale face and black teeth, dresses strangely, and moves so quickly as if she's not human. Even with dozens of men, they couldn't catch her." Yunti’s frown deepened. This was the palace of the emperor’s consort, so inexplicable and bizarre even indicated that the palace’s security was dangerously lax.

    "What exactly is going on, Fourteenth?"

    "Eighth brother, I'm not sure either, but the servants in mother's palace are terrified. They say they've seen a ghost."

    "Nonsense. What ghost would appear in broad daylight? Increase the patrols immediately." Eighth Prince Yunsi, tasked with maintaining order within the Forbidden City, felt the pressure. With an anomaly that could harm people had breached the security he would be blamed. He still had use for Consort De Fei. “Yunti, you search that side; I’ll take this side.”

    "Understood, Eighth brother... You all, protect the consort and capture that woman."

    "Yes, Your Highness."

    Nara stealthily peered out from her hiding spot, fixating on the face of Fourteenth Prince without blinking. He was incredibly handsome, strong, and exuded an overwhelming aura of a seasoned warrior, making it evident to Nara that this prince had endured countless battles and was a true warrior in every sense.

    Nara leisurely admired the prince's handsomeness until she noticed servants hurriedly carrying a pile of sex toys that she had accidentally dropped, now laid out in front of the princes. Although each item was neatly contained within sealed boxes, it was still inappropriate for such things to be displayed in the open.

    Hey, hey, don't touch those... that's a pleasure ring... and that's a cucumber-shaped dildo, oh my...

    Nara felt awkward when she saw him pick up a box of condoms and examine them. He tore one open and held it up to the sunlight, intrigued by its elastic yet durable material. This object was indeed strange. Yunti, together with several of his brothers, intensely pondered over what it could be.

    "It’s not wood, it’s not metal, it’s not made from stone either."

    "Could it be made from food?" suggested the Ninth Prince. Upon hearing this, the Tenth Prince tasted it. Nara gasped softly. The Tenth Prince chewed it briefly then widened his eyes, mentioning it was very fruity.

    "It tastes like orange!"

    "Let me try some too."

    It’s not meant to be eaten, darn it! Nara wanted to shout out. They were casually chewing on condoms! Who would dare to show their face now?!

    "I’ve never seen such strange symbols before. Send it to the foreign affairs department to check which nation’s script it is and what it says." As time passed, more people gathered. The Thai woman felt uneasy seeing all the handsome princes gather like a boy band. Each was indeed attractive, but she was not keen on meeting them just then!

    Nara groaned in frustration. Now, concubines from various quarters were rushing to console Consort De Fei. Then her eyes widened when a middle-aged man arrived with a procession full of regal dignity; every step he took was graceful and expansive. Nara noticed the gold-plated necklace adorned with pearls around his neck, his bright yellow imperial robe embroidered with nine five-clawed dragons, and his casual belt adorned with pearls with a silk pouch attached intricately.

    Emperor Kangxi!

    Emperor Kangxi himself came to greet Nara! Nara secretly screamed softly. Normally, he always had a smile on his face, but now his eyes were fiercely stern because Consort De Fei was one of his top consorts. He ordered the capture and punishment of anyone who dared offend Consort De Fei. The palace was even more chaotic with guards and hefty eunuchs searching every inch with sharp spears, barely missing Nara's head by a sliver.

    "Why so many people..." Originally intending to wait for help at the quiet artificial mountain, it turned out that everyone in the palace was thinking of her. It was a major event, indeed.

    Suddenly, she noticed a bold and majestic man dressed in silk with a circular pattern embroidered with a four-clawed dragon. This man held the title Beile... the Eighth Prince.

    A vigorous man like him looked distinguished and of noble birth. His eyes sparkled brilliantly, overflowing with self-confidence. His handsome face was so tender and inviting, he seemed perfect for leaning on. If a man with his physique and facial features roamed in her era, he would undoubtedly be snatched up by women. However, the aura around him was completely at odds with his image; his face wore a smile, but his eyes did not.

    His sharp gaze fell on the bushes where Nara was hiding. He stared briefly before calling someone over to ask, "Have you checked over there yet?"

    "Yes, Your Highness."

    The Eighth Prince, skeptical as ever and trusting no one completely, moved closer to the small bush he was observing because he noticed a shimmering reflection. Nara panicked, realizing the sunlight was reflecting off a bracelet she wore. She quickly covered it while contemplating using a green gem to camouflage herself, although it could only be used twice before it would self-destruct. Why on earth did her brother install such a flawed AI system in it!!?

    He kept approaching, and Nara could not decide.

    Should she reveal herself and dazzle them with a burst from the red gem to infiltrate their minds? But what if it went wrong? Would they capture and cook her? Oh, what a headache! Nara hesitated, growing so fearful that she had to cover her mouth tightly to stay quiet, lest she be found. Meanwhile, The Eighth Prince was closing in.

    "Eighth brother,"

    His stride halted at the call. Turning around, he saw Thirteenth Prince Yinxiang, who greeted him with a bow from not too far away.

    "What’s up, Thirteenth brother?"

    "The other day, my Eighth sister-in-law sent sweets for my consort. She wanted to thank you too."

    "Hmm, noted," Eighth Prince felt an odd irritation. He and Yinxiang had never been close. Why then would his consort send sweets to Yinxiang's consort? He had ordered them to keep their distance from the opposition faction, had he not? The Eighth Prince stored his suspicion momentarily but was quickly struck by a thought and turned back to the sparkling bush. However, he found only emptiness.

    "Eighth brother must be busy. I’ll go help look for the perpetrator on that side, then. Excuse me," Yinxiang pretended ignorance and walked away. The Eighth Prince sensed something was off but could not pinpoint what it was.

    How suspicious indeed.    

    [12] The fourth rank of consorts in the Qing dynasty, which had a total of eight ranks from highest to lowest, are as follows: Empress (Huanghou), Imperial Noble Consort (Huang Guifei), Noble Consort (Guifei), Consort (Fei), Concubine (Pin), Imperial Concubine (Guiren), First Class Attendant (Changzai), and Second Class Attendant (Daying).

    [13] The title of the fifth-ranked prince, which is bestowed upon sons born to concubines.

    [14] The initial noble rank of a prince who has reached the age of 13 years old, before being promoted to other positions based on achievements and capabilities.