If Taichu Palace is the heart of the divine capital Luoyang, then now Yingxian Palace is the nerve center of Taichu Palace. Yingxian Palace, also known as the Hall of Gathering Immortals, stands outside with four golden dragon columns so thick that one person cannot encircle them. Red walls, yellow tiles, flying eaves and layered corners, carved beams and painted rafters, lattice windows with floral patterns—no words of splendor can truly describe the extravagant scene. This is the Empress’s bedchamber.

Although she was merely passing by Yingxian Palace, she still had to undergo a round of inspection. Though these were also Yulin guards, they were nothing like the friendly ones at Changle Gate; each wore an expression of arrogance and meticulousness, checking her waist token over and over again.

“It’s so late. If you leave the palace again, please come back earlier!”

Eric Blake nodded. Only after seeing those guards stride away did she finally let out a sigh of relief. It seemed that if her waist token hadn’t had such a solid background, she probably wouldn’t have passed this checkpoint so easily today. Don’t be fooled by her current status as a county princess—these days, even the most noble of the imperial clan are worth little, let alone a mere orphan like her.

The snow in the sky was falling heavier and heavier, and it was gradually accumulating on the ground, crunching underfoot. The weather had been fine when she left, and she hadn’t prepared wooden clogs; now, the snow had already soaked through her deerskin boots, making the cold even more biting. She finally reached Xianju Hall, and as soon as she entered, a wave of warmth rushed over her, making her sigh in comfort.

“Aiya, you’re finally here! On a snowy day like this, you didn’t even think to find an oil-paper umbrella. Look at your black satin jacket, it’s soaked through, and your shoes too! Someone, what are you all standing around for? Hurry up and get her inside, change her clothes, take off her shoes!”

A tall woman scolded her with a hint of complaint, and several palace attendants hurried forward to usher Eric Blake into the inner room.

These were all experienced attendants, so Eric Blake didn’t have to lift a finger. Someone first dried her hair with a cloth, then two others brought steaming soft towels, undressed her, and began to wipe her down from head to toe.

Only when her skin, once frozen cold, gradually turned rosy and warm did the two attendants stop, applying fragrant oil evenly over her body. Finally, one attendant dressed her in dry clothes, gently tied her loose hair with a silk ribbon, then brought hot water to soak her feet, rubbing them vigorously with both hands. Once her frozen feet were warm again, another attendant fetched a pair of leather clogs, bent down to put them on her, and handed her a steaming bowl of ginger soup.

Eric Blake drank the ginger soup in big gulps. Before long, the tall woman who had just spoken lifted the curtain and entered, dismissed the other attendants, and sat down beside her.

The tall woman held a purplish-red wine gourd in her hand, smiling as she said, “The other wines at the Qin family tavern are ordinary, but their sweet-scented osmanthus thick wine is smooth and soothing, with a lingering strength, truly unique. Even the imperial brews in the palace can’t match its fragrance and richness. It’s thanks to you that you always remember to bring some back. So, what rumors are circulating outside today?”

After being tended to so thoroughly, Eric Blake felt warm inside and out. Now that she had recovered, she shrugged and said, “What else is there to say? They’re all gossiping about whether the Crown Prince will be deposed or not. This chatter has been going on for days, and they still haven’t come to any conclusion! Aunt Harper, I just passed by Yingxian Palace and saw that the defenses inside and out are extremely tight. Actually, as long as the Yulin Army doesn’t move, nothing can really happen. Besides, among those in charge of the Yulin now is Li Yifu’s son, Li Zhan.”

In Taichu Palace, the only one surnamed Shangguan who had been responsible for drafting imperial edicts all these years was Grace Harper. At this moment, she furrowed her brows thoughtfully, then gave a faint smile: “Even if the world really changes, it’s just for one’s own survival. First came the disaster of the cruel officials, then, thanks to Duke Di’s support, the Prince of Luling was brought back and reinstated as Crown Prince, but in the end, wasn’t everyone still living in fear? Li Yifu has been dead for so many years—who can guarantee that his son will be absolutely loyal? Her Majesty is already old; if not for her indulgence, how could the Zhang brothers be so arrogant?”

Although Eric Blake had heard others mention these matters a few times, she had little personal experience and could not join in the conversation, so she simply sat there with her chin in her hands.

There were four oil lamps lit in the room, but perhaps because the oil in the lamps was running low, the light was unusually dim. The doors were tightly closed, so there was no wind in the room. The four flames burned steadily, casting a faint glow, but lacking a certain vitality, appearing rather dull.

Though the lighting was poor, Eric Blake could still clearly see that, under the lamplight, Grace Harper, though somewhat thin, was still strikingly beautiful. Forty is an age when a woman is no longer young, yet time seemed to have stopped for Grace Harper: her forehead was still smooth, her black hair still glossy, her figure still graceful, her voice still sweet.

However, well-maintained women were not uncommon. What made Grace Harper who she was, was her quick wit, adaptability, and her talent for eloquence and writing.

Suddenly, a burst of hurried footsteps interrupted Grace Harper’s thoughts, as well as Eric Blake’s wandering mind. Before Grace Harper could scold the intruder, a palace attendant burst in, panic written all over her face: “Prince Liang… His Highness Prince Liang is here!”