Song Yuyan hid among the upturned eaves hundreds of meters away, completely unnoticed.
She looked down, taking in the entire scene at Wenhua Hall.
In the courtyard before the hall’s entrance, several new Cat Girls were frolicking, their furry ears and tails standing out in the twilight.
They wore thin silk gowns, revealing large swathes of snow-white skin. Their laughter was coy and alluring, and each was a picturesque beauty, enough to outshine the moon and humble the flowers.
Inside the hall, the white-haired elder Crown Prince was reclining on a soft couch. He had his left arm around a young girl in a goose-yellow dress, while a beauty in blue leaned against his right. His withered, restless hand roamed over the beauty’s waist, occasionally making even more outrageous advances.
His face was a mass of wrinkles as he laughed, his eyes turbid. Every now and then, he would lean in for a kiss, savor some foreign delicacies, and whisper a few lewd remarks, drawing coquettish protests from the beauties around him.
Anyone who saw this would conclude that he was just a hopelessly debauched old wreck, not long for this world. He posed no threat whatsoever; all one had to do was wait for him to pass.
But as Song Yuyan watched, an indescribable tenderness welled up in her heart. After much consideration, she was still certain her suspicions were correct.
She believed that beneath this seemingly decrepit exterior lay an astonishing power and wisdom, far beyond anyone’s imagination.
Behind this facade of nightly revelries lay a scheme of incredible depth and forbearance.
Within those turbid eyes burned an overwhelming hatred and resentment, just waiting for the moment to erupt.
What she didn’t know was that everything had already begun to erupt. Most of the recent events in the palace were Xia Wuyang’s doing.
She thought to herself, ’Your Highness, you have endured so much!’
She watched for a long time, then paused at a corner, taking one last look at the brilliantly lit palace.
As dusk deepened, palace lanterns were lit one by one, illuminating the entire Imperial City as if it were day.
Meanwhile, the revelry in Wenhua Hall had only just begun, and Xia Wuyang was already climbing onto the brocade couch with a Cat Girl in his arms.
Song Yuyan turned and disappeared into the shadows of the Palace Lane.
She had made her decision. She would wait until she had conclusive evidence, until she had sufficient strength, until those threats were eliminated.
Then she would expose it all, letting the entire world know that the elder Crown Prince, who had been cursed for decades, had in fact never given up and had been secretly protecting everyone he was supposed to protect.
So that Xia Wuyang would no longer have to bear this baseless infamy, no longer be mocked by everyone.
The night was as black as ink, blanketing the Deep Palace.
But some people were destined to walk in the darkness for much longer, until the day they could finally shatter it all.
The summer heat was beginning to make itself known in White Jade City. During the day, the fierce sun baked the glazed tiles on the palace walls until they were as hot as branding irons, and not even the birds dared to come near.
But once night fell, a cool breeze would blow from the direction of Taiye Pool, carrying the fresh scent of blooming lotuses. It barely managed to dispel some of the stifling heat as it drifted into Wenhua Hall.
Tonight, there was no moon. The clouds hung low, obscuring the stars—perfect weather for those who moved in the night.
Just after midnight, Jinxuan Palace, located in the northeastern corner of the Imperial Palace, was still brightly lit and impossibly lively.
The palace wasn’t large by official standards, but it was exceptionally exquisite and luxurious.
It was a retirement villa that Emperor Xia, Xia Shengming, had specially built for his Chief Wet Nurse, Qin Shi. Qin Shi held a special place in Emperor Xia’s heart, one that ordinary Palace Attendants could not compare to; she was not much different from his own birth mother.
Xia Shengming’s birth mother had been in poor health, so he was raised by six wet nurses who took turns feeding him.
Among them, Qin Shi was the Chief Wet Nurse. She was the dearest to him, stayed with him the longest, and had the best relationship with him.
When Emperor Xia was a child, he was frail and often ill. Whenever he cried or had convulsions at night, it was Qin Shi who held and soothed him through the night. She even tasted his medicine and soups, nearly dying from poison once. She sacrificed a great deal, but fortunately, her efforts were not in vain.
For this reason, after Emperor Xia ascended the throne, his favor toward Qin Shi far exceeded that of the other wet nurses. He not only granted her Jinxuan Palace to live in but also conferred upon her the title of First Grade Imperial Decree Lady, with the stipend of a Prince. Even her children received all sorts of preferential treatment.
The Palace Attendants all said in private that Qin Shi’s importance in His Majesty’s heart probably weighed more than most of his Consorts.
At this moment, inside Changchun Pavilion, the main hall of Jinxuan Palace, Qin Shi was reclining on an Imperial Consort’s Couch while two young Palace Maids massaged her legs and shoulders.
She looked to be no more than thirty, but in reality, she was nearly two hundred years old. Her Cultivation had also reached the level of a First Grade Grandmaster, all thanks to the abundant resources and treasures provided by Emperor Xia.
She was skilled in preserving her youthful appearance and was extremely well-maintained. Her skin was still fair and delicate, with only a few faint crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes.
Her figure was voluptuous yet slender—full where it should be full, and slim where it should be slim. She wore a light red, soft silk nightgown with a rather low-cut neckline, revealing a large expanse of her snow-white chest and deep cleavage. Hers was the face of a peerless beauty.
Though she was called a wet nurse, she actually looked younger than many of the concubines.
Her ability to receive such generous treatment from Emperor Xia wasn’t just due to his gratitude; her own abilities were quite impressive, and her Talent and Qualification were also considerable.
Willow-leaf eyebrows, phoenix eyes, a delicate nose, and cherry lips—her features were as exquisite as a Fairy from a painting.
Perhaps due to her years of living a privileged and comfortable life, her eyes held a natural, languid charm. The way she glanced around was innately bewitching. Although she no longer had the naivete of a young girl, she possessed the unique allure of a mature woman. To say she had a beauty that could topple nations would not be an exaggeration.
At that moment, she was toying with a Jade Bracelet in her hand. It was a gift from Emperor Xia last month, said to be an heirloom from an Imperial Consort of a previous dynasty. It was priceless and extremely rare.
She suddenly frowned and kicked the Palace Maid massaging her leg. "So light. Did you not eat?"
The Palace Maid was so frightened she dropped to her knees. "My lady, please forgive me..."
"Get out. And send in two who know what they’re doing," Qin Shi said, waving her hand impatiently.
The Palace Maid scrambled out of the hall and didn’t dare to come near again.
Qin Shi sat up, her bare feet stepping onto the Persian Carpet as she walked to her dressing table.
The Copper Mirror reflected her still-lovely face. She smiled with satisfaction and reached up to stroke her cheek.
"Even those teenage girls can’t compare to my beauty," she murmured to herself. "A pity His Majesty is so busy with state affairs these days. He visits less often."
She recalled a few days ago when Emperor Xia had come to Jinxuan Palace. He had held her and sighed, "Nurse, I am so weary... The Imperial Court is in an uproar, there are wars on both the Northern Territory and the Southern Border, and so much has happened in the palace. Only here with you can I relax for a moment."
What had she done then?
Just as she had when he was a child, she had pulled him into her arms, gently patted his back, and hummed a childhood nursery rhyme.
Emperor Xia had actually fallen asleep in her arms like a tired child, and the rest of the night passed in silence.
That night, an indescribable satisfaction had filled Qin Shi’s heart.
Although she had no children of her own, this child she had personally nursed was now the supreme ruler, yet he still showed her his most vulnerable side and was willing to stay by her side.
"As long as His Majesty still needs me, my position in this Harem will be as solid as a mountain." Qin Shi gazed into the mirror, a strange light flashing in her eyes.
Just as she was thinking this, a Palace Maid’s voice came from outside the hall. "My lady, Guard Li requests an audience."
Qin Shi’s eyes lit up. "Let him in."

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