Chapter 101: Broken

Noble Consort Li shut the doors of Jinghua Palace and began smashing things, leaving the floor in complete disarray within moments.

The palace maids around her dared not approach, yet they had no choice but to try to calm her. Only when she finally exhausted herself from throwing things did they cautiously step forward to clean up the shattered porcelain scattered across the floor.

Having spent all her energy, Noble Consort Li sat dazed on her chair, her hair disheveled and her entire demeanor appearing utterly dispirited.

Before long, Yu Mei brought in a meal and whispered, “Your Ladyship, you must eat something… please take care of your health.”

Tears streamed down Noble Consort Li’s face as she said bitterly, “What does it matter if my health fails! Even if I were to die, I doubt—”

Her words were cut short as Yu Mei trembled and knelt, wishing she had never heard them.

“Enough… enough. I have fallen from grace,” Noble Consort Li covered her mouth, weeping uncontrollably. “How could Your Majesty be so heartless, indulging his new favorite? She is nothing but a lowly wretch—she must have used some bewitching trick to capture His Majesty’s attention—otherwise, how could…”

“Otherwise, how could he demote me over such a trivial matter!”

Yu Mei dared not speak. While the masters had their own reasons for competing for favor, as a palace maid, she had to remain cautious.

She carefully gathered the broken porcelain pieces around Noble Consort Li, fearful that her mistress might accidentally step on them.

Once she had cleared away the shards, she heard her mistress speak again: “Where is Pan Xi? Bring her here.”

Yu Mei stiffened, sensing trouble for Pan Xi. She could only bow her head and reply, “Yes,” before quickly gathering the broken porcelain and leaving the hall.

Not far from the hall, she spotted Pan Xi standing alone under the corridor, gazing at the sky with an air of leisurely elegance. Under the moonlight, half of her face was hidden, half revealed—beautiful, yet cold.

Before Yu Mei could approach, Pan Xi noticed her footsteps and turned, offering a faint smile.

An inexplicable chill ran down Yu Mei’s spine, but she still stepped forward and said, “Her Ladyship is in a poor mood and has summoned you. When you go in, be careful not to provoke her further.”

A flicker of panic crossed Pan Xi’s face, making Yu Mei wonder if her earlier suspicions were unfounded.

Pan Xi was just an ordinary palace maid, albeit exceptionally pretty. What had she been thinking earlier?

“Thank you for the advice, Sister Yu Mei,” Pan Xi nodded, then lowered her head with a worried expression. “Her Ladyship must be angry and intends to take it out on me.”

Yu Mei remained silent, unsure of what to say, and did not urge her.

After a moment, Pan Xi composed herself, as if no longer afraid, and said, “Then, Sister, I will go in now.”

With that, she turned and walked toward the main hall.

Yu Mei watched her retreating figure, frowning with a silent sigh.

Lan Wu’s idea of bolstering her courage with wine was a good one, but Chu Mingheng kept a close eye on her drinking, not allowing her to indulge too much.

Even though he had only seen her drink once before, he seemed to know exactly how much she could handle.

As Lan Wu raised her cup, Chu Mingheng gently pressed her wrist down. She glanced at him resentfully, but upon meeting his calm, unyielding gaze, she pushed the cup away in defeat.

That scheming Chu Mingheng—if she had known, she would have cried louder earlier. Even making a scene to return to Yilan Hall would have been better than staying here now.

In Taichen Palace, aside from Chu Mingheng, she was only somewhat familiar with Luo Yun, which was not good at all.

She didn’t know where she would be taken later either.

Lan Wu picked at the dishes on the table, eating with the feeling of a last meal, yet she took her time, trying to delay as much as possible.

Until Chu Mingheng said to her, “It’s cold. I’ll have someone serve you a fresh portion.”

Seizing the opportunity, Lan Wu quickly reached for the wine cup beside her, tilted her head back, and drank the wine in one go.

The whole action was particularly swift.

The surroundings fell silent for a moment.

Until Chu Mingheng glanced at the empty cup and asked Lan Wu, “Had enough to drink?”

Lan Wu hummed in response.

“Then get up and walk it off.”

Whether it was psychological or not, even though Lan Wu felt the fine wine hadn’t completely intoxicated her, some emotions still surfaced. She followed Chu Mingheng into the hall, feeling sullen.

“Was that dress very beautiful? If A’Wu wore it, she would surely look the best,” Chu Mingheng suddenly remarked.

Lan Wu looked up blankly, remembering which dress he was referring to.

She shook her head and whispered, “I haven’t even seen it.”

That was exactly it—she hadn’t seen what the dress looked like, nor had she tried it on, before Consort Li took it to wear. After wearing it and finding it unsatisfactory, she decided to give it away. And not just to anyone, but to a palace maid who had originally intended to present herself to Chu Mingheng.

Lan Wu felt a headache coming on.

Sitting on the soft couch, her head truly began to ache.

In her line of sight, Chu Mingheng slowly approached, standing before her. He reached out to touch her forehead, then began removing the hairpins and ornaments from her bun one by one.

“Tomorrow, have the people from the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau come again. Bring the fabrics before you and choose materials for a hundred new dresses.”

As he spoke, Chu Mingheng leaned in slightly, bringing his nose close to Lan Wu’s neck. He sniffed the scent on her and chuckled, “A’Wu now smells like a grape.”

Lan Wu blinked, her cheeks flushing. She pressed her hands against the soft couch at her sides, her eyes shifting slightly as if trying to avoid his gaze, but in the end, she couldn’t help but turn back a little.

Chu Mingheng naturally didn’t miss her glance. Catching it, he curved his eyes slightly. “Still a grape with a hint of wine.”

“You’re the grape…” Lan Wu mumbled, turning her head. As she did, her lips brushed against Chu Mingheng’s—soft and slightly cool, making her instinctively pull back a little.

But soon, she leaned forward again, grabbing Chu Mingheng’s lapel and raising her head to kiss him.

Her kissing was clumsy, and tilting her head upward was strenuous. Her teeth accidentally bumped against Chu Mingheng’s lips, breaking the skin and drawing blood.

Before Lan Wu could say what she wanted to say, she mustered the courage to open her eyes and saw the wound on Chu Mingheng’s lips, instantly panicking.

Chu Mingheng had kissed her before but had never broken her lips.

How did she manage to break his with just one kiss?

Seeing Chu Mingheng extend his hand, his thumb wiping away the blood on his lips—the bright red blood impossible to ignore.

“Quite sharp teeth,” he remarked casually, fetching a handkerchief from nearby to wipe away the blood. When he turned back to look at her, his gaze held a hint of leisurely boldness.

Lan Wu had bitten someone and drawn blood. Feeling guilty and slightly intoxicated, she sat dizzily without speaking, only watching as Chu Mingheng leaned down and opened his mouth toward her, as if he were about to bite her too.

She quickly closed her eyes, but her body was pressed against the soft couch, forced to lean forward as her lips were parted and her tongue bitten under pressure.

It hurt a little, bringing tears to her eyes, though it didn’t break the skin.

Lan Wu opened her eyes slightly—the scene before her seemed to spin slowly, languidly. She was still a little drunk.