Chapter 1

Chapter 1

On a silent winter night, the door of the secluded quarters for disgraced imperial consorts creaked open.

The barren, dilapidated courtyard was swept by a biting wind that stung the face. Xiangming led the way with a lantern in hand. Behind her, a figure wrapped in a vermilion cloak paused at the sight of the house with peeling paper windows, and the red lips beneath the hood curled into a smirk.

With just a gentle push from Xiangming, the rickety double doors of the main room collapsed inward with a loud crash. The sudden noise sent the disheveled mistress and her maid inside into a panic, their faces paling as they turned toward the entrance.

When Empress Zhang caught sight of Wen Zhi’s lotus-like radiance, her gaze turned icy. "Noble Consort Wen, what do you think you're doing?"

Wen Zhi threw back her cloak, her bright eyes brimming with amusement as she spoke words sharp as blades: "I came especially to inform you—after tomorrow’s grand sacrificial ceremony, you’ll have to address me as Empress." She drew out a scroll of golden imperial decree from behind her and held it up for Empress Zhang to see.

Empress Zhang, already gaunt, flinched. Her long nails dug into the wobbling wooden table before her as she lifted her chin defiantly, struggling to maintain her regal composure. Through gritted teeth, she spat, "Do you think defeating me means you’ll sit securely in the central palace? The Emperor is fickle—he once whispered vows of love to me too. Fading beauty means fading favor. My fate today will be yours tomorrow. You won’t gloat for long!"

The court and the harem all knew how desperately Wen Zhi loved the Emperor—she had taken a blade for him, tasted poison in his stead, and with her peerless beauty and exceptionally clever son, she had remained the undisputed favorite of the harem for years.

In the past, if anyone had dared suggest the Emperor didn’t love her, Wen Zhi would have bristled in anger.

But tonight, she merely smiled faintly, gazing at Empress Zhang with a look of near-pity—a look that stoked the empress’s fury.

"What are you laughing at?"

Wen Zhi blinked her long lashes innocently before continuing to smile. "I, too, once exchanged vows of love with the Emperor. But they were just sweet lies—taking them seriously is foolish. Zhang Yuyao, this is where you lost. A worthless man like him isn’t worth fighting over!"

Empress Zhang was stunned. Tonight, Wen Zhi seemed utterly different—no longer playing the delicate, docile role of the parasitic vine that lived only for the Emperor’s favor.

The noble consort before her now was like a poppy flower—

Opulent, venomous, and lethal.

"A worthless man?" Empress Zhang’s face darkened. "Wen Zhi, what do you mean?"

Wen Zhi straightened her back, her eyes brimming with even greater pity. "It means the thing you treasure is worthless to me. My goal is to become Empress Dowager."

The door of the cold palace slammed shut, leaving Empress Zhang’s shrill curses to echo in the frigid wind.

"Wen Zhi, may you die a wretched death!"

"Dream on about becoming Empress!"

"The Emperor will see through your disguise!"

"Wen Zhi, you scheming bitch—"

Amid the curses, Wen Zhi strode forward unshaken. Let her rant. The palace had always been a place that devoured people.

In high spirits, she returned to her chambers and nestled into the soft brocade quilts, drifting into a peaceful slumber.

Before dawn, the bed curtains were drawn aside as Xiangming bent down and called softly, "Your Highness, it’s time to rise. You must fast, bathe, and then accompany His Majesty and the Crown Prince to the ancestral temple for the ceremony. Tomorrow is your enthronement."

An alabaster arm emerged first, followed by a rustle of the quilts. Beneath the cascade of glossy black hair, a pale face peeked out.

Xiangming hid a smile. "Your Highness, when you laze in bed, you truly resemble a child."

Bleary-eyed, Wen Zhi allowed herself to be dressed and groomed.

Who hadn’t once been a child? She had simply been forced to grow up too soon.

When Wen Zhi had first transmigrated after drowning, she had been only twelve—a middle schooler doted on by her parents in the modern world. Alone and terrified in the wilderness, bitten by snakes, hunted by wolves, she had been fortunate enough to be rescued by the magistrate’s wife of Yunzhou.

She’d believed she’d found a kind family, only to realize after a year that she was merely a substitute for the family's legitimate daughter to enter the palace.

As the family put it, a life saved must be repaid tenfold.

It was her ‘good fortune’ to enter the palace.

At the age of thirteen, Wen Zhi replaced the original Wen Zhi and entered the palace. Over the years, she endured countless hardships and experienced the myriad cruelties of the world, rising from the lowest-ranking Beauty to become the Noble Consort.

Now, the Emperor had issued an edict, appointing her as Empress and her five-year-old son as Crown Prince.

She’d had the last laugh.

As long as she outlived the Emperor and became the Empress Dowager, all these years of scheming and meticulous planning would not have been in vain.

Just as she rose, a young eunuch’s muted greeting sounded outside the door.

A serious little voice came through the screen.

"Is Mother awake?"

Wen Zhi instantly felt awake. When she saw the five-year-old toddler emerge from behind the screen, her elegantly cold features broke into the warmest smile. "Mu Mu, why are you up so early?"

She bent down and beckoned. The little boy approached, bowed properly, and carefully articulated in his little voice, "Mother."

The little dumpling’s black python robe was flawless, with gold-threaded edges on the collar and auspicious cloud patterns embroidered on the cuffs. The jade belt and pendants at his waist didn’t make a sound as he moved, proof of his perfect discipline.

His nursemaid smiled and said, "His Highness the Crown Prince woke up at the crack of dawn and waited outside for half an hour. He only entered when he heard movement."

"His Highness is filial—he wanted Your Majesty to sleep a little longer."

Wen Zhi's heart ached. She stroked his soft, round cheeks and asked, looking at the heavy jade crown on his head, "Is this too heavy? If it is, you can take it off now and put it back on when we reach the Ancestral Temple."

"It's not heavy. Senior Tutor Shen said, 'Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.' Mu'er is a man. I must become Mother's pride and support, and protect Mother." The little dumpling was as pure as jade and snow, with eyes like black grapes—missing a child’s natural exuberance.

Hearing him speak so formally pained Wen Zhi.

Over the years, she had failed Mu Mu in many ways.

Her Mu Mu had been precocious since birth—speaking at one, recognizing a thousand characters at two, composing poetry at three, and by three and a half, he was already attending school with the other princes. Since then, he rose before dawn and rested late every day, never slacking in his studies of both literature and martial arts. He also frequently went to the Empress Dowager to learn etiquette, yet he had never once acted spoiled or willful with her.

No matter how clever he was, he was only five.

Wen Zhi's emotions were complicated.

She beckoned to Xiang Ming, who immediately fetched a brand-new silvery-white cloak.

Wen Zhi personally fastened the cloak around Little Dumpling. The hood was lined with fluffy white fur, and the edges were similarly trimmed, instantly making the little boy look even more adorable.

"My Mu Mu looks perfect like this." Satisfied, Wen Zhi straightened his longevity pendant and smiled. "After today, Mu Mu will be the official Crown Prince. Let's set off."

Wen Zhi often thought how wonderful it would be if her Mu Mu lived in the modern era.

At his age, he should be playing with mud, splashing in puddles, and laughing wildly on a carousel.

The phoenix carriage left the palace gates, but there was no sign of Great Yong’s emperor.

Just as Wen Zhi found it strange, the Emperor's eunuch, Fu Lu, hurried over and said, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has had a change of plans. He will first go to the Western Hills to offer prayers before returning to the Ancestral Temple for the ceremony."

The Imperial Guards escorted the procession toward the Western Hills. As they passed through the western city gate, the gloomy sky parted to reveal a warm sunrise. *Note: For cultural context, "Yin hour" refers to the time period between 3–5 AM, and "Chou hour" refers to the time period between 1–3 AM.*

The Little Crown Prince sighed in relief but also with a hint of disappointment: "Mother, won’t Father join us?"

Wen Zhi soothingly patted his head: "Your father may have left already."

As the procession moved further west, Wen Zhi grew increasingly uneasy. Through the lowered curtains, she noticed that everyone in *Furong Palace* had been replaced by Imperial Guards—even her close attendant, Xiangming, was nowhere to be seen.

In the warm sunlight, the guards’ spears glinted coldly.

Alarmed, Wen Zhi leaned out and called: "Turn back to the palace!"

The leader of the Imperial Guards remained unmoved and replied respectfully: "Your Grace, the Emperor awaits at West Mountain. Please do not make things difficult for us." He waved his hand, signaling the procession to continue.

The clear skies belied the storm to come.

Something was wrong.

After observing for a while, Wen Zhi leaned out again as they passed a patch of reeds and said: "Stop! The Crown Prince needs to pee. Let him do so before we proceed."

The Imperial Guards exchanged glances, deliberated, and then signaled for the procession to halt.

Wen Zhi carried the Little Crown Prince down from the palanquin and quickly headed toward the reeds, ordering everyone to turn around and wait.

After a long while with no sign of their return, the guards sent someone to investigate—only to find a waterskin hanging from a protruding dry branch, tilted slightly to mimic dripping water.

There was no trace of the Consort or the young crown prince.

The leader of the Imperial Guards panicked immediately and ordered his men to search the reeds on horseback. However, just as they rode a few hundred meters away, a sharp whinny came from the phoenix litter. The consort, dressed in red phoenix robes and crown, had seized a horse and was galloping away with the Little Crown Prince in her arms.

The Great Yong emperor won his throne on horseback and was deeply fond of horsemanship.

Wen Zhi had once trained rigorously in riding, and even five-year-old *Mumu* was an excellent rider.

As she fled, the Imperial Guards revealed their true nature, shouting for her to stop.

Wen Zhi paid no heed, lashing the horse wildly forward as arrows whistled past her ears.

Amid the howling north wind, her red robes flared like flames.

The Imperial Guards had never imagined the delicate Consort could ride so swiftly. They pursued her from noon until sunset, driving her toward Deer Cry Lake.

Wen Zhi, clutching the Little Crown Prince, tumbled from the horse into the dry reeds. Ignoring the dirt on her skirts, she urgently whispered: "*Mumu*, hide here. Mother will lure them away. Once they’re gone, find Grand Tutor Shen."

She tried to push him into the reeds, but his small hand tightly gripped her sleeve.

The Crown Prince fixed her with a stubborn, dark-eyed glare and shook his head firmly: "No. I *have* to stay with Mother."

His determination made Wen Zhi waver for a moment. "Let go. *Mumu* is the smartest and most obedient. You can find Grand Tutor Shen."

The Crown Prince shook his head resolutely, his eyes filled with the seriousness of a little man: "No. I *have* to protect Mother."

The sound of approaching hooves grew louder. Helpless, Wen Zhi picked him up and ran deeper into the reeds. When she pushed aside the last cluster, Deer Cry Lake lay serene before them. The cold wind rippled the water, and under the twilight sky, a man in a pale blue robe stood on the opposite shore.

Wen Zhi’s eyes lit up instantly. Holding the Little Crown Prince, she cried out: "Shen Yizhi—"

The man on the opposite shore slowly turned. His deep-set eyes were sharp with fury: "So it’s true—the Consort and Shen Yizhi are lovers!" The man was none other than Lu Xun, the emperor of Great Yong.

Shrinking in Wen Zhi’s arms, the Little Crown Prince’s eyes darted nervously. His small hands clutched her collar tightly as he stammered: "Father..."

Lu Xun’s gaze slowly shifted to the son he had once cherished. His fury was a physical force as he spat: "This is your bastard with Shen Yizhi. For all my wisdom, I raised a fraud for so long!" As he spoke, the pursuing Imperial Guards closed in around Deer Cry Lake. Under the setting sun, they notched their arrows and took aim at Wen Zhi and her son.

Cornered and panicking, Wen Zhi steadied herself, tightening her hold on Little Dumpling as she gazed at the slowly approaching Lu Xun with sorrowful eyes. "Your Majesty, Minister Shen and I are innocent. The Imperial Household’s records from that year prove it. Mu Mu is your child. Who has slandered me before you?"

Shen Yizhi is the most upright man—how could there be any impropriety between them?

Lu Xun’s gaze was icy. "You were an orphan, originally named Wen Zhi. The Prime Minister’s men dug up the real Wen Zhi."

Wen Zhi’s eyes flashed—so it was the Empress conspiring with her brother, the Prime Minister, behind this.

She’d been too soft.

"You knew Shen Yizhi before entering the palace. Over the years, he has repeatedly saved you from peril and even volunteered to be this bastard child’s tutor. Their blood matches—and you call this slander?"

Lu Xun's eyes burned crimson, as if he wished to flay her alive. "I have treated you well all these years, granting you favor? Honor? What more could you possibly want?"

Favor? Honor?

The kind where he summoned her seven times a month?

It made her sick.

Tears welled in Wen Zhi's eyes as she looked at him. "Must I die to prove my innocence?"

Ignoring her, Lu Xun fixed his gaze on Little Dumpling in her arms, his voice dripping with loathing. "If you drown this bastard in front of me today, I will still grant you the position of Empress."

Little Dumpling’s eyes widened in disbelief as he softly called out, "Father..."

Wen Zhi stared at Lu Xun—she knew how cold and ruthless he was, unwavering in his decisions.

Today, he was determined to kill Mu Mu.

Even if Mu Mu was truly his son, he would never acknowledge it.

Wen Zhi shed her pitiful expression, all traces of past adoration vanishing as she hugged Little Dumpling tighter. "Even a rabid tiger wouldn’t eat its young. Lu Xun, you’re lower than an animal."

The Imperial Guards trembled as they looked at the Emperor.

"You are unworthy to be Mu Mu's father. Everything you've given is trash. In my homeland, a man like you would be gelded and jailed—even dogs would shun you."

"Anyone who wishes to harm Mu Mu will have to step over my corpse first!"

Lu Xun's face twisted with unprecedented fury. He snatched an arrow from one of the guards and aimed it at Wen Zhi. "His meaning was clear: refuse, and he’d kill them both."

Wen Zhi turned her face away, holding the trembling Little Dumpling close. Softly, she asked, "Mu Mu, are you afraid?"

Clutching her neck, the child replied with reddened eyes, "No."

Infuriated by her defiance, Lu Xun drew the bowstring taut. As the arrow loosed, Wen Zhi leapt straight into Deer Cry Lake.

The lake connected to the West River—if she could swim to the opposite shore, there was still a sliver of hope.

The sunset’s glow shattered on the water, the once-calm surface churning into a massive whirlpool. Before Lu Xun could even reach for her sleeve, mother and son were gone.

Playfully begging for bookmarks—"When a Naughty Child Meets a Naughty Stepmother."

In 1982, eighteen-year-old Shen Yu was handed over by her father to Xu Mingcheng, a merchant who traveled the city, as his wife.

On their wedding night, Xu Mingcheng lifted her veil and spoke gently, "I know you didn’t want to marry me. You’re the most gentle and virtuous girl in the region—it’s a shame to be matched with a merchant like me. From now on, whatever money I earn will go to you. Just take care of my son for me. If you don’t want to call me husband, treat me as an elder brother. If you ever find someone you love, I’ll give you a dowry."

Shen Yu nodded timidly, "Mm, don’t worry, go ahead."

Xu Mingcheng confidently left his 7-year-old son in the care of his new wife and went off to do business.

A month later, upon returning home, he had just opened the door when a shoehorn smacked him in the face—his so-called 'gentle and virtuous' wife was chasing their son around the house in a frenzy.

Xu Mingcheng: Must’ve opened the door wrong.

Three months later, when he came back, his 'little rascal' secretly asked if he had brought a gift for his young wife, or else she’d be upset.

Half a year later, his little wife got up in the middle of the night and said coyly, "Brother, I think that college student next door is nice. Just give me the land behind the house as a dowry."

Xu Mingcheng, who never smoked, smoked half the night away. The next morning, he called his son over and asked, "Hey kid, want a little brother or sister?"

His son replied, "Mom says one rascal’s plenty."

Xu Mingcheng: "..."

----

Shen Yu, a modern-day overworked office grunt, worked round the clock until her hair fell out, yet still couldn’t afford a 10-square-meter apartment in a first-tier city.

After dying from overwork, she opened her eyes to find herself back in the 1980s—suddenly owning a big house with a courtyard in what would become a first-tier city.

On her wedding night, she had a dream: her bargain of a husband was destined to become the future richest man in Jiangcheng. The original owner of her body had toiled to raise the stepson, only to never gain his recognition and die young from exhaustion.

She never got to enjoy the good life—instead, the stepson’s biological mother took her place.

Upon waking, Shen Yu decided to slack off:

If the stepson was a handful, she’d outdo him. Raising kids? You get the hang of it.

The money her husband sent home? She’d spend it freely. Hard work? No way.

Just as she had saved enough money and skills to leave, her bargain of a husband pulled her in front of a crowd of his brothers and introduced, "Here, this is your sister-in-law."

The troublemaker stepson bragged to his classmates in front of her, "This is my mom. Pretty, right?"