On the way back to Suiyu Pavilion from Chuxiu Palace, Zhen Huan wore a faint smile, which terrified Huan Bi.

What's wrong with you, my lady? You were perfectly normal when you were in Chuxiu Palace. But once you stepped outside the palace gates, you became all smiles and daggers.

Could it be that he was provoked by Consort Cheng's favor?

Huanbi shook her head, "My lady isn't that kind of jealous person..."

Back at Suiyuxuan, once inside her own territory, Huanbi closed the door and turned around to see Zhen Huan sitting on the kang with a gloomy expression and an uncertain demeanor.

Huanbi said, "My lady, you seem to have something on your mind?"

"I noticed that you seemed rather unhappy when you came out of Consort Cheng's place."

Zhen Huan said with a solemn expression, "Huanbi, I think I know why the Emperor still thinks about me after all this time."

Huanbi was startled. When did she find out? Could it be that Consort Cheng told her? But she had been there the whole time!

Could it be that she is not as clever as the young mistress, so she didn't understand what was said?

Huanbi asked, "My lady, what is the reason? May I know?"

Zhen Huan stroked her cheek and said softly, "Aunt Fangruo once said that the Emperor had deep feelings for Empress Chun Yuan."

"Empress Chun Yuan has been gone for many years, but the Emperor still often thinks of the deep affection she showed when she was alive."

"And my appearance is similar to that of Empress Chun Yuan, so the Emperor is using me as an object to remind him of her..."

Huanbi knew Zhen Huan's personality; how could she tolerate being used as a substitute for someone else, even if that person was the emperor?

Zhen Huan has been sick for so long, and she is finally getting better. Huan Bi doesn't want to see her continue to be sick like this.

"My lady, I don't know where you heard this from."

"Empress Chun Yuan has been dead for so many years. If the Emperor was so deeply in love with her, how come there haven't been any other concubines around him who look like her all these years?"

"Among all the people in the world, are you the only one who looks like Empress Chun Yuan?"

"Therefore, this servant believes that His Majesty's affection for Your Highness may not be for this reason."

"With your talent, Your Highness, and the Emperor's eyes, it's only a matter of time before you gain his favor."

Zhen Huan shook her head. "Although we haven't served the emperor yet, our status is already set. Originally, I thought that since I didn't have any real feelings for him, how could I expect the emperor to have any real feelings for me?"

"But even now that I know the truth, I still feel uneasy. There's still a bit of fantasy left."

“I can accept his indifference, lack of concern, or even hypocrisy. But I absolutely cannot accept him treating me like someone else’s shadow.”

Zhen Huan sighed, "It's good this way. Seeing things clearly sooner will prevent us from making the same mistake again."

Huanbi asked cautiously, "Then what does Your Highness plan to do?"

"This servant dares to remind you, Your Highness, that if His Majesty truly finds it because Your Highness resembles Empress Chun Yuan, then no matter how much Your Highness tries to hide, you will not be able to escape it."

Zhen Huan glanced at Huan Bi and said unwillingly, "I know, no matter how far away Suiyu Pavilion is, it's still within the inner palace. Where else can we hide?"

"Go and see what Jinxi is doing. She has been in the palace for many years and must have seen Empress Chun Yuan."

Cui Jinxi and Xiao Yunzi had just gone to the Imperial Household Department to receive their New Year's rewards.

Out of respect for Consort Shen, Huang Guiquan followed all the rules, neither shortchanging nor substituting inferior goods, so Suiyuxuan could have a good year.

Just as Cui Jinxi put her things down, Huanbi relayed a message that the young mistress needed to see her.

Cui Jinxi was unaware that Zhen Huan already knew about the late Empress Chun Yuan. Upon entering, she asked as usual...

"My lady, your servant is back."

Zhen Huan looked at Cui Jinxi without saying a word, wondering whether Cui Jinxi knew about her resemblance to Empress Chun Yuan.

While she was ill for a long time and unable to see the emperor, and while other palace maids and eunuchs had all tried to find other places to go, Cui Jinxi, the head maid, stayed behind without uttering a single complaint.

Because of these reasons, Zhen Huan was always grateful to Cui Jinxi and was willing to give her her trust.

But if Cui Jinxi knows everything, then what are her true intentions...?

When Cui Jinxi saw Zhen Huan just staring at her without saying a word, an invisible pressure pressed down on her.

Cui Jinxi quickly reviewed the situation in her mind. She had always been cautious, diligent, and served well, and had not made any mistakes.

Your Highness's actions are probably not due to her; it's likely someone else. What has upset you?

Cui Jinxi asked again, "Your Highness, did you call me here for any instructions?"

Zhen Huan withdrew her gaze, smiled slightly, and asked casually, "Jinxi, you have been in the palace for many years and served the Dowager Consort. Have you ever met Empress Chun Yuan?"

Cui Jinxi tensed up. Why did she suddenly ask about Empress Chun Yuan out of the blue? Had she overheard some gossip?

"When I was still a lowly palace maid, I was fortunate enough to see the beauty of Empress Chun Yuan. That was almost twenty years ago. Why does Your Highness suddenly ask about this?"

Zhen Huan said, "It's nothing, I was just curious."

"I have often heard people say that when Empress Chun Yuan was alive, she and the Emperor were a perfect couple. It is a pity that beauty is jealous of heaven, and she passed away only three years after marrying the Emperor."

"His Majesty is a man of deep affection; he has never forgotten Empress Chun Yuan all these years. I am also very curious: what kind of person was Empress Chun Yuan?"

Cui Jinxi knew that Zhen Huan had figured things out these days. Everyone who had heard of Empress Chun Yuan was curious about her.

However, Empress Chun Yuan had only been married into the Prince's residence for three years, and even if the princes' wives entered the palace frequently, there was still a limit to how often they did so.

Palace maids are not allowed to move around freely without permission. It was already quite rare for her to have met Empress Chun Yuan. As for other matters, she really didn't know much.

Cui Jinxi said, "When Empress Chun Yuan was alive, the Emperor was just a prince, so although I was fortunate enough to meet him, all the things I know are things I've heard from others."

Zhen Huan said, "It's alright, just say whatever you know."

Cui Jinxi recalled for a moment, and then said, "Empress Chun Yuan was kind-hearted and gentle, a rare kind person."

"From the Empress Dowager to the princes and princesses, down to the palace maids and eunuchs, not one of them spoke ill of Empress Chun Yuan."

"In addition, Empress Chun Yuan was fond of singing, dancing and music, especially her performance of the Dance of the Startled Swan, which amazed everyone present."

"And Consort Duan's pipa playing is unparalleled in the palace; it is said that she was taught by Empress Chun Yuan."

Zhen Huan was reluctant to believe it, yet she had no choice but to believe it: could someone really be so perfect that everyone would like them?

"When the Duke of Zhou feared rumors, and Wang Mang was humble before his usurpation, who would know the truth of their lives if they had died then?"

Zhen Huan said, "It's a pity that Empress Chun Yuan has already passed away, otherwise I really wanted to meet this rare Empress."

"Jinxi, do I look a lot like Empress Chun Yuan?"