The summons came shortly after noon.
Shen Yu was not surprised.
In her previous life, the Empress Dowager had remained distant from her—neither hostile nor warm, merely indifferent. At the time, she had believed it was because she lacked favor. Now she understood better.
The Empress Dowager did not invest in pieces whose fate was uncertain.
This time, she was no longer uncertain.
The palanquin stopped before the Hall of Longevity, incense smoke drifting lazily from within. Eunuchs announced her arrival in clear, ringing voices.
"Princess Anle requests an audience."
"Let her in," came the aged yet steady reply.
Shen Yu stepped inside and knelt.
"This subject greets the Empress Dowager. May Your Highness enjoy long life and enduring peace."
The Empress Dowager sat reclined upon a cushioned couch, her silver hair arranged neatly beneath an ornate phoenix crown. Her eyes—sharp despite her age—studied the young woman before her carefully.
After a moment, she smiled.
"Rise."
Princess Anle stood gracefully, hands folded, posture humble without being small.
"You did well," the Empress Dowager said.
The words landed with quiet weight.
Princess Anle lowered her gaze. "This subject merely fulfilled her duty to the realm."
"Few young women would volunteer themselves as a bridge between nations," the Empress Dowager continued. "Even fewer would do so without tears or hysteria."
She gestured lightly.
A procession of attendants entered, carrying trays upon trays—jade bracelets, silk bolts, rare medicinal herbs, gold ornaments, a set of palace seals carved with auspicious symbols.
"These are for you," the Empress Dowager said. "Consider them a token of the royal house's gratitude."
Princess Anle immediately knelt again.
"This subject dares not accept so much."
The Empress Dowager laughed softly. "You already have. Stand and receive them properly."
Princess Anle complied, bowing deeply in thanks.
"From this day forward," the Empress Dowager said, her tone shifting subtly, "you are no longer an outsider. You have been adopted into the royal family. You may call me—"
She paused.
"—Grandmother."
The word tightened something deep in Princess Anle's chest.
In her previous life, she had never been allowed such intimacy. Now, it was offered freely—because she had become useful to the throne.
"Yes, Grandmother," she said smoothly, lowering her head.
The Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction.
"I have also selected a group of servants for you," she continued. "They are steady, well-trained, and loyal to the palace rather than any single faction."
A subtle warning.
Princess Anle understood immediately.
"This granddaughter thanks Grandmother for her thoughtfulness."
They spoke for a while longer—of court etiquette, of her upcoming departure, of the Northern State's climate. The Empress Dowager offered advice without condescension, probing gently without prying too deeply.
By the time Shen Yu rose to take her leave, the old woman's smile had softened.
"Remember," the Empress Dowager said, "selflessness is rare. But survival is rarer still."
Princess Anle bowed deeply.
"I will remember."
—
The path out of the inner palace curved past a familiar courtyard.
Her steps slowed.
In her previous life, she had walked this road countless times—bearing gifts, offering greetings, kneeling for long stretches beneath the sun, all for a single woman's approval.
Consort Rui.
Speak of the devil. The summons arrived just as she thought of her.
"Her Ladyship invites Princess Anle to rest and take tea."
Princess Anle smiled faintly.
So impatient.
She followed the eunuch into the courtyard of Gentle Splendor.
Consort Rui reclined beneath a flowering magnolia tree, dressed in pale lavender silk, her expression gentle, her smile warm—the very picture of maternal grace.
In her past life, Princess Anle had adored this woman.
She remembered how softly Consort Rui had spoken to her. How kindly she had held her hands. How reassuring her promises had been.
You are like a daughter to me.
Yuan'er will never mistreat you.
What lies.
Only after she had lost everything had Consort Rui's true face emerged—cold, calculating, and cruel.
Princess Anle stepped forward.
She bowed.
But only slightly.
Just enough.
Consort Rui's fingers tightened imperceptibly around her teacup.
"How bold," Consort Rui said with a soft laugh. "You have become careless with etiquette, Shen Yu."
Shen Yu straightened and smiled gently.
"Forgive me," she said calmly. "I feared bowing too deeply might be improper."
Consort Rui's eyes flickered. "Improper?"
Before she could continue, her attendant stepped forward sharply.
"How dare you!" the servant snapped. "You stand before a high-ranking consort and bow so casually—have you forgotten your place?"
Princess Anle did not answer immediately.
She merely turned her head slightly.
"Qing Yu."
Her maid stepped forward at once.
"Teach her," Princess Anle said lightly.
The sound was sharp and sudden.
Smack.
The attendant staggered backward, stunned, hand flying to her cheek.
The courtyard fell deathly silent.
Consort Rui shot to her feet. "You—!"
Princess Anle turned back calmly.
"Please forgive the disturbance, Consort Rui," she said politely. "My maid acted rashly."
Consort Rui's lips trembled with barely concealed fury. "You dare strike my servant in my presence?"
Princess Anle's expression softened.
"It was necessary," she replied gently. "Your attendant spoke without understanding her boundaries."
She inclined her head slightly—again, just enough.
"I am now a princess personally adopted by His Majesty," she continued. "There is no requirement for me to perform deep obeisance before a consort. I bowed out of courtesy, not obligation."
Her gaze flicked briefly toward the trembling attendant.
"Unfortunately," she added mildly, "she did not seem to understand that distinction."
The implication was clear.
The lesson had been given.
Consort Rui's face paled, then flushed.
She could not refute it.
Nor could she retaliate.
To do so would be to challenge the emperor's adoption decree—and the Empress Dowager's favor.
After a long, suffocating pause, Consort Rui pressed a hand to her temple.
"My head suddenly aches," she said weakly. "I fear I cannot entertain guests today."
Princess Anle bowed again—slightly.
"Then this princess will take her leave," she said warmly. "May Consort Rui rest well."
She turned and walked away without another glance.
Behind her, Consort Rui's nails dug into her palm, blood blooming silently.
She had summoned the girl intending to intimidate her.
Instead—
She had been reminded of her place.
And for the first time, Consort Rui understood something chilling.
This princess was no longer someone her son could control.