Not to mention the 'good weather' in Jiyue Pavilion.

It is only now that Xia Fengyi has been released from Yihu Residence.

Ye Liangdi didn't punish her by making her kneel or subjecting her to other physical tortures, but she did confine her to the room for the entire morning. There was charcoal in the room, but the servants said they were afraid the smoke would bother her, so they placed it near the door.

But she wanted to draw flower patterns at her desk. One minute she wanted this, the next she wanted that.

There was no tea, so they had to endure their thirst and hunger. They were only released after missing lunch.

She had been shivering all morning, but not so cold that she couldn't bear it.

After all, we were still inside, and there was still a brazier.

Even this relatively mild torment left her with no one to confide in.

At this moment, her back felt like a wooden board, and it was difficult for her to even sit down.

"My lady, please have some hot tea first. This meal... it's been a while since it was delivered, and with the weather like this today, I'll have someone go and get some soup. Let's just heat up the rest." The maid, May, said cautiously.

"Well, it's good enough that lunch was even delivered. No need to trouble yourself, just heat it up and eat. It's just that my back is really stiff, I'm afraid I'll have to soak it in a bath later." Xia Fengyi didn't get angry; she knew that getting angry was useless. So she never got angry easily.

“Yes…but…but often at times like this, we can’t get that much hot water, especially in this weather.” May said, troubled.

Logically speaking, since her mistress is favored, she shouldn't be lacking in these things.

But Ye Liangdi would always deliberately make things difficult for her, so why would she ask the kitchen staff to serve hot water?

"Let's take whatever we have." Xia Fengyi was tired and frowned slightly.

She has suffered countless grievances since entering the household over a year ago. Last winter, she endured a great deal of torment.

You'll get used to it.

However, life can't go on like this forever.

"This Jiyue Pavilion is truly a place where one can sit still. In my opinion, many people in the manor are going to be disappointed." In the backyard, many people were waiting for this person to enter the manor and cause a ruckus.

And what was the result?

It's been a month now, and things have been surprisingly calm.

His Highness didn't go out of his way to show favoritism, but he still visited a few times.

“Although Consort Ye is immature, Liu Ying, who is by her side, was given to her by the Empress. She is probably trying to persuade her,” May said.

"Yes, there are many clever people in this manor. I, a mere Fengyi, can only keep my tail between my legs." Xia Fengyi chuckled.

May sighed: "You should have a child as soon as possible, even if it's a girl. You might get promoted. A higher rank means less mistreatment."

The title of Fengyi is utterly insignificant. She's barely better than a maidservant. She's a real handful.

"It's not that easy. Even if I don't have children, people will still target me everywhere. If I really get pregnant, do you think I can give birth? How did Liu Shi die before?" Xia Fengyi held Wu Yue's hand and slowly sat down at the table.

The other maids had already heated up the food, which actually looked quite good. But because I heated it up myself, it didn't look very appealing.

She didn't care; she was starving.

After eating, Xia Fengyi could only apply a hot towel to her lower back and then lie down to rest.

It was at this moment that she learned that His Highness had gone to Jiyue Pavilion.

"It seems His Highness will not be coming tonight."

“Then…why don’t you just say you’re not feeling well?” May said.

“No need. Consort Yan is not someone to be trifled with; there’s no need to offend her.” Xia Fengyi pinched one of her fingers. “Next year, we’ll be selecting consorts for the princes. At that time, there will certainly be new ladies entering the palace.”

She smiled and said, "Ye Liangdi is always jealous. Will she be able to keep up with all the jealousy?"

"Yes, she's not favored by the emperor and relies entirely on her birth, and the Crown Princess is also difficult to deal with." May was also very angry.

"It's not the right time yet. The Crown Princess is not someone to be trifled with either," Xia Fengyi said, then closed her eyes.

Seeing that she was tired in May, he pulled up the curtains for her and then left.

In Jiyue Pavilion, the clouds and rain have just ceased.

Yan Nangui's hair was completely wet, and she felt weak and had no strength at all.

Shu Chengfeng leaned closer, pinning her half-down on the couch and nibbling at her ear: "Tang'er, are you tired? Are you tired already?"

"Your Highness is never satisfied." Yan Nangui pushed his head: "It's broad daylight."

Shu Chengfeng laughed, his voice hoarse: "Wasn't it you, Tang'er, who said it was a nice day just now?"

His voice was already magnetic and pleasant, but now it carried a lazy quality that was simply irresistible.

The geese, eager to fly south, remained still, exhausted.

So he simply scratched Shu Chengfeng's hand and asked, "Is Your Highness hungry at this hour?"

Before I knew it, an afternoon had passed.

"Yes, let's have someone prepare the meal." Shu Chengfeng sat up and pulled her up as well.

The two dressed simply, and the meal was served.

With the Crown Prince here, his meals are naturally more abundant, and he doesn't need to fetch them; they are delivered to him naturally.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Xia Fengyi's men went to fetch the food. Although they weren't given any trouble, the probing words and smiles of the kitchen staff were quite meaningful.

For women of low status in the inner quarters like them, favor was fleeting; it might be there today, but not tomorrow.

In the past, after Consort Ye had made things difficult for her, His Highness would always comfort her.

But today, His Highness went to Jiyue Pavilion, but he didn't come, nor did he bring anything.

While this might not prove he's fallen out of favor, places like the kitchen always seem to have a bit of a "watching the show" feel to them.

After all, she was of low status, and her family was not something that could be taken for granted.

I don't have any children myself.

This is also why the women in the inner palace and harem desperately wanted to climb up the ranks.

Status really does determine a lot.

As night fell, the snow finally stopped, but then a northwest wind picked up, bringing a biting cold.

Yan Nangui felt a bit cold, so she moved closer to Shu Chengfeng. Since the person was sleeping right in front of her, why should she be coy?

Shu Chengfeng casually put his arm around her, not seeming to mind at all.

Although few of his women dared to do that, he wouldn't push them away if they really came close.

But that very night, something happened in the palace.

Lin Xiaoyi, who lived in a pavilion near the Imperial Garden, is gone.

Xiaoyi's passing is not a big deal, but this person is not even twenty years old this year. And during this period of time, she has received a lot of pampering.

Furthermore, her cause of death was poisoning.

On that extremely cold night, no one noticed in time, and by the time they found her in the morning, she was already stiff.

The death of someone in the harem from poisoning is a major event for the Empress.

His Majesty has already reprimanded the Empress for her incompetence and poor management of the harem.

When Shu Chengfeng came down from the morning court and entered Fengxiang Palace in the inner palace, the Empress looked displeased: "Cheng'er is here."

“My mother doesn’t look well. No matter what it is, nothing is more important than her health.” He said, sitting down. “We’ll find out who Lin Xiaoyi was on good terms with and who she had enemies with before she died.”