I Will Lift You Up

Wen Yunmian's features were refined and graceful. With great understanding, she said, "Your Majesty, do you remember the Zuo Commentary I was reading earlier? General Qin Zhao must possess both courage and strategy to repel the Barbarian Tribes. Only by reassuring the general can Your Majesty rally the army's spirits and win battles."

"The people of the realm and the lands along our borders must come before all else."

"As for Her Highness the noble consort..." Wen Yunmian's slender, fair hand took Jun Chenyu's larger one, her bright eyes clear. "Your Majesty has already given me the fairness and justice I sought. I am content."

Her tenderness stirred Jun Chenyu's heart. The more she behaved this way, the deeper his guilt and compassion grew.

Before coming here today, he had not particularly cared whether Wen Yunmian felt wronged. After all, confining the noble consort had merely been a temporary expedient.

He had even thought that if Noble Lady Yan took this opportunity to make a fuss, he would have a pretext to lift the noble consort's confinement. Yet she insisted on...

Insisted on swallowing her grievances for the sake of harmony.

Jun Chenyu suddenly felt as though he had misunderstood her yet again.

"Rest assured. Once I lift the noble consort's confinement, I will compensate you properly."

Wen Yunmian moved to Jun Chenyu's side and nestled sweetly into his arms. The literary learning and composure she had displayed over the chessboard melted into tenderness.

"I need no compensation from Your Majesty. I only hope you will spare me a little of your affection and fondness. Just a little will be enough."

Jun Chenyu put his arms around her and settled her on his lap, his long fingers stroking her hair.

No matter how powerful a man was, he could not withstand a woman showing her vulnerability and asking for his affection.

"Was that your wish when you entered the palace?"

"Yes." Wen Yunmian was as gentle as water. "The admiration I felt in my maiden chambers, the first stirrings of my young heart-they all began with Your Majesty. Now that my wish has come true, I am overwhelmed with joy."

Something suddenly stirred in Jun Chenyu's heart.

After so long in the depths of the palace, all that surrounded the emperor was scheming and intrigue. Everyone scrambled to enter the palace for personal gain.

She alone had ventured into this palace, a dragon's pool and tiger's den, with nothing but sincerity and admiration in her heart.

"Do you know how perilous the inner palace is, how treacherous its storms can be? If you enter it on love alone, without seeking rank or power, how will you secure a foothold?"

She gazed at him affectionately, then wound her arms around Jun Chenyu's neck, shyness touching the corners of her eyes. "Your Majesty will keep me safe, won't you? No matter how dangerous the road, I would willingly walk it for you."

She kissed Jun Chenyu's thin lips, her words fading between their mouths. "Your Majesty, will you cherish me tonight?"

The Qin family's affairs had reached a satisfactory conclusion, so Jun Chenyu was naturally delighted.

His throat tightened, his deep eyes fixed on that lovely, fair, soft face.

His large hand closed around Wen Yunmian's slender waist and drew her against him. "I can promise to keep you safe and ensure your days go smoothly within this palace."

He swept her into his arms. As he carried her toward the bed, Jun Chenyu lowered his narrow Phoenix Eyes and said slowly, "You cannot survive in the palace without status and power. Mian'er, rise through your own abilities. Make your way to my side. If you have the ability, I will lift you up."

Wen Yunmian froze. In that moment when their lips met and passion clouded her senses, her heart abruptly missed a beat.

Make my way to his side?

Hadn't he always despised consorts who manipulated power and harbored a wolf's ambition?

Why...

Before Wen Yunmian could think further, the broad shoulders and arms of the man above her enveloped her. A faint, stinging pain interrupted all her thoughts.

"Mm..." A soft moan escaped her, and she clung tightly to the man over her.

Throughout the night, snow weighed down the branches outside. The charcoal fire did not warm the room enough, yet Wen Yunmian was drenched in sweat.

"Your Majesty, slower..."

By daybreak, Wen Yunmian's whole body felt weak and sore. Jun Chenyu had gone to morning court as usual.

Outside, however, things were unusually lively.

Only when Yun Yang and Yun Fei came in, beaming with delight, did she learn that Eunuch Hong from the Imperial Household Department had arrived.

Eunuch Hong's smile was exceptionally bright. Faced with this young mistress who enjoyed such imperial favor, he naturally offered every pleasing word he could think of to ingratiate himself.

Everyone in the Peony Pavilion basked in the imperial grace!

"My lady, this is the finest red gauze charcoal. I have brought it for you. Once you have used it up, simply send someone to notify the Imperial Household Department, and I will have more delivered!"

Eunuch Lu had specifically instructed him about this. How could Eunuch Hong dare be negligent?

Didn't Eunuch Lu's wishes reflect the emperor's own?

Along with basket after basket of red gauze charcoal, all manner of cloaks were carried in.

Among them was a green satin cloak with a snow-white fur collar, exquisitely crafted. When worn in the snow, its silver-thread embroidery would shimmer with flowing light and color.

Wen Yunmian accepted all the gifts. "Sorry for the trouble, Eunuch Hong."

"You are too kind, my lady! Whatever you need in the future, just let me know." Eunuch Hong bent at the waist with a cheerful smile, then left with the large group from the Imperial Household Department.

Just then, word arrived from the Empress's palace that all the consorts were going to Fengyi Palace. Upon hearing this, Wen Yunmian instructed Eunuch Zhou, "Move all this charcoal and these gifts into the storeroom."

Eunuch Zhou bowed. "Yes, my lady!"

The Peony Pavilion bustled with activity. Wen Yunmian put on her cloak and set off through the snow toward Fengyi Palace.

Jun Chenyu had bestowed a sedan chair on her early that morning, presumably worried about the slippery, snow-covered paths. But Wen Yunmian did not take it.

Consort Shu would likely have her confinement lifted today and go to Fengyi Palace as well.

As a mere noble lady who had managed to get the noble consort confined shortly after entering the palace, she had probably already left everyone as jittery as soldiers hearing enemy cries in the wind, their eyes fixed on her. Naturally, she could not afford to draw too much attention now.

"My lady, Her Majesty the Empress has excused the consorts from paying their respects lately. Why has she suddenly summoned everyone?"

Wen Yunmian had brought only Yun Yang and Yun Fei with her. The snow made walking difficult, so they supported her on either side.

Wen Yunmian fell silent for a moment. If it were merely a matter of lifting Consort Shu's confinement, the Empress would not need to mobilize everyone like this.

Either something had happened that would stir up a tremendous storm, or there was joyful news.

In any case, she would find out when she arrived.

All the palace consorts had gathered that day. As they waited, they saw Consort Shu step down from her sedan chair, as radiant and noble as ever, her head held high in unbridled arrogance.

At the sight of her, everyone who should curry favor did so, and everyone who should flatter her offered flattery. They could hardly wait to cluster around Consort Shu.

Even Consort Hui resentfully avoided her sharp edge, staying silently to one side.

Everyone in the palace knew that the Qin Clan was enjoying great glory. The Eastern Frontier lands occupied by the Barbarian Tribes had remained a deadlock for over a century, a knot in the hearts of many emperors. Recovering the Eastern Frontier had been the wish of every emperor.

If those lands could be reclaimed, it would be a magnificent achievement worthy of the annals of history.

Who would not be tempted?

For all these years, no general had been able to repel the Barbarian Tribes. Now, the great undertaking of reclaiming lands lost for a century was finally nearing completion.

Such merit was about to fall to the Qin Clan. How could they not bask in glory?

Although Consort Hui came from a respectable family, it amounted to little when truly compared with Consort Shu's.

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