Chapter 1

Chapter 1

In a secluded hall of Chaoyang Palace, a beauty who had just moved in a few days ago lay restless on her couch, unable to sleep, for she knew she was to face death tomorrow.

This beauty, Song Qingying, was the legitimate cousin of Noble Consort Song, eighteen years old. With Noble Consort Song having been in the palace for many years without bearing a child, the Song family sent in a well-born and beautiful younger sister to aid the Noble Consort. The Song family had calculated well: with Qingying in the palace, she could help the Noble Consort vie for favor, and if she bore a prince, he could be raised under the Noble Consort's care. The Song family thought they were doing this for the Noble Consort's sake, but in the eyes of the Noble Consort, it was merely the Song family feeling that she was losing her influence and hastily sending in another pawn. Once in the palace, how this pawn was to be used was not for the Song family to decide. Since she was sent to assist the Noble Consort, of course, she would be utilized well.

The next day was bright and clear. Noble Consort Song, as usual, went to Fengyi Palace to pay respects to the Empress. No matter how noble, she could not surpass the Empress and had to show her respects.

"It's quieter today. Ah, yes, Consort Xian and Consort Qin are both with child," said the Empress, seated on her throne, her demeanor gentle and amiable.

Even with the Empress's gentleness, Noble Consort Song found her words grating. All women, yet some could bear children while others could not. She had been in the palace for eight years, climbing to the position of Noble Consort, yet had never been with child.

"Indeed, Yun Zhao was asking yesterday if the Consort Mother's womb held a brother for him," said the Virtuous Consort with a laugh. Yun Zhao, the third prince, was her son, adored by the Emperor for his lovely and endearing nature.

Mentioning the third prince only irritated Noble Consort Song more. Such a darling child, why wasn't he hers?

"Exactly, Chang Ning also asked. She'd like a sister to play with," joined in the Graceful Consort with a laugh, referring to her own daughter, the intelligent and cheerful second princess adored by all in the palace.

Noble Consort Song maintained a proper smile, though internally seething with resentment. They were all rubbing it in her face. Now in the palace, the Empress had borne the crown prince and the eldest princess, the Virtuous Consort had the third prince, the Graceful Consort had the second princess, and even Consort Xian was pregnant, as was the less favored Consort Qin. Only her womb was uncooperative. The more Noble Consort Song dwelled on it, the brighter her forced smile became — they could enjoy their moment; she refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing her upset.

"This servant has heard that Noble Consort's sister has entered the palace, a rare beauty indeed," said the newly favored Liu Zhao Yi, known for her singing and dancing, her voice as melodious as a lark, and her dance as graceful as a startled swan, recently enjoying the Emperor's favor. The Song family's sending of Song Qingying into the palace was precisely to usurp Liu Zhao Yi's favor.

"What great beauty, at best a delicate beauty, how could she compare to Liu Zhao Yi? A celestial fairy, see, has the Emperor ever praised anyone like this? Liu Zhao Yi is truly in a class of her own," grumbled Noble Consort Song inwardly. Liu Zhao Yi's mention of Song Qingying only added to her discomfort. Not wanting Liu Zhao Yi to feel at ease, her words turned Liu Zhao Yi into a target, changing the way several less favored consorts viewed her.

Liu Zhao Yi, basking in her current favor, paid little mind to the others' views, looking down on Noble Consort Song for needing her sister to compete for favor — truly incompetent.

The Empress watched the consorts with a smile, her mere words setting them against each other. She wanted them to fight, to wear each other down, to her benefit.

"Alright, I need to summon someone from the Internal Affairs Department to discuss the preparations for the Longevity Festival. You may leave," said the Empress, signaling that it was time to disperse.

The consorts bowed and left Fengyi Palace in small groups.

Upon returning to Chaoyang Palace, Noble Consort Song smashed a set of jade cups, causing the palace maids and eunuchs to tremble in fear, wary of inadvertently provoking her wrath. Ultimately, she took her anger out on one of the maids, suspecting her to be a spy planted by the Empress, thus seizing the opportunity to get rid of her and vent her frustration.

"Where is the Sixth Miss?" Noble Consort Song inquired about Song Qingying, who, as the Noble Consort's sister, had entered the palace without any official status or recognition.

"The Sixth Miss is resting in the side hall, my lady. She mentioned she had trouble sleeping last night," the head palace maid Cui Wei promptly replied.

The anger previously visible on Noble Consort Song's face had vanished. Leaning back on the couch, she casually ordered, "Tell the small kitchen to prepare some dishes the Sixth Miss enjoys. She should eat well before setting off."

In the side hall, Song Qingying had already awakened. She was merely seeking a moment's peace. Three days ago, she had awoken in this body as Song Qingying, realizing she was in a world from a book, destined to be a character who dies in chapter three. According to the plot, it was this afternoon that Song Qingying, while being led by a maid to stroll in the imperial garden, would encounter the pregnant Consort Xian, causing her miscarriage and ultimately, Song Qingying's own death by beating. This was all part of the Noble Consort's scheme, killing two birds with one stone.

Valuing her life, Song Qingying, now aware of the plot and having been transported into this world, saw no reason to sit idly by and await her fate. Initially, she contemplated feigning illness to avoid the scenario, but then she realized deviating from the plot would arouse the Noble Consort's suspicion, and the Noble Consort would not let her off easily, plotting her death anew. The only option was to follow through with the plan, ensuring she did not encounter Consort Xian, not even brushing past her.

Song Qingying sighed inwardly, lamenting her fate of being transplanted into such a doomed character. The women of this palace were ruthless. The Empress appeared gentle but was the most vicious of them all. Her cousin, the Noble Consort, was envious and sought her life. The other consorts were equally merciless. The novel's heroine, who was genuinely kind, had yet to enter the palace, leaving Song Qingying without any support. She wished to leave the palace; if she injured herself today, she planned to plead with the Noble Consort to let her leave, using both emotional appeal and logical reasoning, believing she could persuade the Noble Consort to release her. Unlike the original character, who aspired to be a consort, she only wished to survive.

Resolved, Song Qingying got up. The palace maid immediately came forward to attend to her.

"The Sixth Miss has awoken. The Noble Consort was just asking about you," said the palace maid Xiangqiao with a smile. This was the maid who would betray Song Qingying today, and after Song Qingying's death in the book, this maid would also be executed by the Noble Consort.

Song Qingying smiled lightly, brushing the hair from her forehead: "I didn't sleep well last night, making sister worry. I'll visit her in a bit." Saying this, she walked over and sat down at the dressing table.

Xiang Qiao silently marveled at Song Qingying's grace and charm in every move, understanding why the Consort would take drastic measures. If the Sixth Miss were to appear before the Emperor, she would undoubtedly gain favor. The Song family's intention in sending the Sixth Miss might have been to replace the Consort, an unforgivable act in the Consort's eyes.

"The Consort just ordered the kitchen to prepare your favorite dishes," Xiang Qiao put away her thoughts and went over to help Song Qingying with her makeup.

Song Qingying smiled again: "Sister is really good to me."

Though it had been three days since she transmigrated, Song Qingying was still stunned by the beauty in the mirror. Truly a vision of radiant skin and delicate features, with eyebrows like new willows and eyes clear as autumn waters. Her slightly plump lips were like the freshest, ripest red cherries, tempting anyone to taste. The Song family had raised her to be this stunning, and kept her unmarried until eighteen, surely intending to send her to the palace from the beginning. Yet, such a beauty died unseen by the Emperor in the book.

After dressing, Song Qingying went to the main hall to see Consort Song.

Consort Song, who had harbored a sliver of reluctance, felt it vanish the moment Song Qingying entered the hall gracefully.

"Paying respects to the Consort," Song Qingying greeted Consort Song properly.

"Why so formal today? Come, sit here," Consort Song said, smiling and gesturing to a soft chair beside her.

Song Qingying obediently took a seat.

"I heard from Cui Wei that you didn't sleep well last night. Were they not serving you well?" Consort Song asked with concern.

Song Qingying lowered her head: "The service in the Consort's palace is very good; it's just that Qingying misses home a bit," she said earnestly, her voice sincere and her eyes slightly reddened. She truly missed her home, not the Song family, but her own from before.

"Silly girl," Consort Song naturally assumed Song Qingying was acting, not believing for a second that she was unaware of her purpose in the palace.

Song Qingying didn't dare say much more, fearing that saying too much might arouse Consort Song's suspicion.

Indeed, lunch was served with all of Song Qingying's favorite dishes. She did not hold back and enjoyed a hearty meal.

"Look at you, still acting like a child, eating so much. You might get indigestion," Noble Consort Song said with concern.

"The food in the palace is delicious, Noble Consort. I'm so full I don't even miss home," Song Qingying replied with a sweet smile to Noble Consort Song.

That smile dazzled Noble Consort Song, who then firmly decided, "Xiangqiao, take the Sixth Miss for a walk in the Imperial Garden to aid digestion."

The moment had arrived. Although Song Qingying was aware of the plot, she couldn't help feeling nervous.

"Aren't you coming, Noble Consort?" Song Qingying asked.

Noble Consort Song shook her head, "Go by yourself, but be careful not to bump into anyone."

Song Qingying sneered inwardly, thinking, isn't that exactly what you want me to do...

Xiangqiao led Song Qingying to the Imperial Garden. After about fifteen minutes, they indeed encountered two palace maids supporting Consort Xian. This path was a daily route for Consort Xian, and Xiangqiao deliberately guided her here.

"Sister Xiangqiao, the Noble Consort is coming. Shouldn't we step aside?" Song Qingying whispered.

Xiangqiao quickly replied, "Absolutely not. Consort Xian has already seen the Sixth Miss. It would be disrespectful not to greet her."

"Then I have no choice but to pay my respects," Song Qingying said, realizing there was no avoiding the encounter.

Song Qingying slowly approached Consort Xian, getting closer and closer. Her heart raced, knowing Xiangqiao was behind her, waiting for the chance to push her. As expected, just as Song Qingying was about to stop and pay respects, Xiangqiao pushed her hard. Without her vigilance, she would have stumbled forward onto Consort Xian, just like in the book. However, Song Qingying braced herself in time, twisting her body to fall to the side instead. A sharp crack sounded — her arm was broken.