Even so, Yu Lingxin’s heart still ached at the sight of those too-small clothes. He hurriedly ordered the Court of the Imperial Treasury to extravagantly produce a batch of new garments, and personally disposed of Jiang Nong’s old ones.
No one else dared to throw away her things.
He hadn’t expected what he’d find—Jiang Nong’s wardrobe held more than just clothes that no longer fit.
She even kept torn handkerchiefs.
It was no exaggeration to say that when Yu Lingxin found that handkerchief, his hands were trembling.
He’d known Jiang Nong was frugal, but he hadn’t realized she was frugal to this extent.
Only one thought filled his mind: he wanted to throw himself into a river.
“Well… it’s only a little torn. I was planning to embroider a flower over it when I had the time. The fabric really is excellent.”
Yu Lingxin didn’t respond. Jiang Nong thought he didn’t believe her, so she tried harder to convince him: “Really, feel it. It’s fine mulberry silk—it’s rare to find such fine thread. I studied embroidery, I’m not lying.”
Yu Lingxin gave a stiff, forced smile and nodded: “Mm, good material.” Then he turned and ordered someone to find even finer silk and rush a few summer garments for her.
Whether it was the Court of the Imperial Treasury or the inner palace coffers, Yu Lingxin had given Jiang Nong control over all of it. His entire fortune was in her hands—even in that first year of marriage, when they’d been “low on funds,” if she’d been extravagant, it would have lasted a good while.
He had no objection to her being a virtuous empress.
But finding that handkerchief was a heavy blow.
Jiang Nong had never worn such luxurious clothes. They were beautiful—she loved them.
“I’ve never had clothes like this made before. They must have been so expensive—so extravagant.” But no one disliked beautiful things. Her eyes still lit up as she held them against herself and asked Yu Lingxin: “Do they look good?”
So beautiful it was almost lethal. Jiang Nong looked beautiful in everything.
Yu Lingxin thought so—but also wanted to throw himself into a river.
So it wasn’t that she didn’t like nice things.
If she hadn’t worn those old clothes, he might never have realized.
“Still, let’s put them away for now.” Jiang Nong only tried them on—she didn’t plan to wear them out.
Xi’s customs favored simplicity and literary refinement. Everyone loved beautiful things, but she still needed time to adjust.
Yu Lingxin didn’t understand, but he decided to give her time. Meanwhile, he took full control of her daily life—down to the smallest utensils, up to her living arrangements and diet—determined to overturn her old frugal habits.
If Jiang Nong didn’t get the best, then what was the point of all his efforts?
…
Ever since Yu Lingxin had handed out festive candies at court, rumors of the Empress’s pregnancy had begun to surface. Later, reliable sources reported that the Empress was preparing baby clothes and had even been choosing fabrics with His Majesty for the child—which only confirmed that she must be pregnant.
Added to this was the recent surge in palace expenditures, all ordered by His Majesty for the Empress’s sake—further circumstantial evidence.
Why else would they suddenly go from three years of frugality to such lavish spending overnight? It had to be pregnancy.
A pregnant empress was precious and needed proper care and stable fetal support.
Under the pretext of a minor scheme, Yu Lingxin also reduced the noblewomen’s monthly court visits from twice a month (on the 1st and 15th) to once a month, on the 1st.
Given the pregnancy rumors, the noblewomen all understood.
As long as the benefits were sufficient, someone would always take the risk.
In the past, when the ladies came to court, they often requested to bring younger family members. Jiang Nong always allowed it. Back in Xi, she’d also had ladies wanting to bring their daughters to the palace—if they could earn a word of praise from the Empress, it was a great honor.
The ladies’ love for their daughters was genuine, and Jiang Nong was generous with her compliments, always finding ways to praise each girl. This time was no different.
Until a palace attendant rushed in, reporting that the ladies from the households of the Earl of Changping and General Wen had encountered His Majesty—their words hesitant, trembling before Jiang Nong.
“Encountered” was the word used, but everyone in the room knew exactly what kind of encounter it was.
Jiang Nong knew too—how did Yu Lingxin, a man who never left his chambers unless necessary, happen to “encounter” a few young ladies?
Her expression darkened. Lady Xie, the Earl of Changping’s wife, glanced up, saw the attendant trembling, and felt a flicker of joy. She sat up straighter, thinking her daughter’s prospects of entering the palace were secure.
It seemed His Majesty wasn’t quite as devoted to the Empress as legend had it.
It made sense—people grew tired of the familiar. Even a rustic peasant might stray, let alone a sovereign.
Even if the Empress was a celestial beauty with a gentle, virtuous nature, over time she would inevitably become dull.
She truly didn’t believe that with the Empress currently pregnant, His Majesty would remain faithful for ten months.
Jiang Nong’s expression wasn’t sour because she feared new concubines entering the palace—she was thinking: why on earth would those ladies go and provoke someone like Yu Lingxin?
“Hurry—take me there.” She rose anxiously, which only made her seem tense, as if she were trying to intervene and ruin the matter.
“Your Highness, don’t rush. Perhaps you should first hear the full story before heading over—so you won’t be confused when you arrive.” Lady Wang, the wife of General Wen, wore a pleased expression and advised her unhurriedly.
Whether she truly had Jiang Nong’s best interests at heart or was simply stalling to prevent her from interfering was another matter.
Jiang Nong felt a sudden twinge of toothache—like kindness being repaid with ingratitude: “I could take my time hearing her out—but I’m afraid your daughters’ lives can’t wait.”
She could already imagine the face Yu Lingxin would make when he told her about it.
He’d definitely look on the verge of tears, resting his chin on her shoulder, taking her hand and pressing it to his chest, putting on an act: “Jiang Nong, I was really scared back then—you know how I am…”
She rose and hurriedly led her people over, leaving the noblewomen exchanging bewildered glances behind her.
They quickly followed, arriving outside the study at Xuan Shi Hall. Voices drifted from within—they paused there, holding their breath to listen.
Fortunately, Yu Lingxin hadn’t lost his temper yet. He was simply making an ambiguous, unreadable remark: “The clothes are rather exquisite.”
The beautiful young Miss Wen flushed, twisting her handkerchief, and said softly: “Thank you for Your Majesty’s praise.”
The scene looked promising. Lady Xie and Lady Wang beamed with pride, sitting up straighter.
They even shot triumphant looks at Jiang Nong—see? How humiliating! What was that about “their daughters’ lives”? Their daughters were doing just fine—they’d caught His Majesty’s eye.
Even though Yu Lingxin’s reputation was fearsome—iron-fisted, unpredictable, ruthless—
But serving as a minister and serving as a consort were different. At least, the Earl of Changping and General Wen thought so. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have put their daughters forward as the first to try.
Thinking this, they smirked at Jiang Nong and tried to hold her back. What could she do? She pretended to be stopped.
Yu Lingxin asked, his tone remote: “Do you like the palace very much?”
“Naturally! If we could stay long-term by… by Her Highness the Empress’s side, to share her burdens, that would be our good fortune.” Their shy expressions and amorous glances made it clear they didn’t just want to keep the Empress company.
Status and wealth—everyone wanted them. They were no different.
They’d have to marry someone eventually. The Emperor was young and handsome. Entering the palace as a consort, winning favor, and bringing glory to their families—that was killing two birds with one stone.
Of course they’d say they loved the palace!
If it weren’t for the mention of “keeping Jiang Nong company,” Yu Lingxin might not have been so furious. Dressed like that to keep Jiang Nong company?
Jiang Nong couldn’t even bear to throw away a torn handkerchief, wasn’t used to wearing extravagant clothes—and these women dared to dress like this?
It was a little-known fact that Yu Lingxin was both sharp-tongued and bitterly jealous toward outsiders.
“The Empress has me to keep her company—that’s more than enough. Since you love the palace so much, you can stay here forever.”
The two young women’s faces lit up. Before they could thank him, Yu Lingxin signaled to Xunliang standing nearby: “Take them away. Burn them.”
Burn them?
What did he mean?
Burn what?
When the Yulin Guard stepped forward, the color drained from the two young women’s faces. Surely he didn’t mean to burn them?
Their cries for mercy rang out from outside the hall.
Lady Xie and Lady Wang, no longer flushed with triumph, turned ashen. Only now did they realize the Empress hadn’t been lying.
Terrified and ashamed, they dropped to their knees: “Your Highness, please save my daughter!”
“The child is innocent—it was all my doing. I failed to teach her properly.”
Jiang Nong had known they wouldn’t believe her. They had to see it with their own eyes before they’d give up.
“Stop kneeling. Get up. If I didn’t want to save them, I wouldn’t be standing here.”
She still had to save face for Yu Lingxin in public—she couldn’t just tell him to let them go outright, or how would he maintain his authority?
She rehearsed a few lines, then slowly walked in. Before she could say anything, the noblewomen outside heard Yu Lingxin’s voice again.
They listened, barely daring to breathe.
“My heart was pounding so hard—feel it. I was taking my afternoon nap when someone started singing loudly outside and woke me. My heart’s been racing ever since. You know how it is…”
Exactly as she’d predicted. But was this really the time?
Jiang Nong hurried to cover his mouth, motioning that outsiders were still there. Could he please not be so loud and save himself some dignity?
A petty man like Yu Lingxin wouldn’t listen. He wanted everyone to hear and see.
A man cherished by his wife always had more confidence.
The words Jiang Nong had prepared never left her lips—dissolved by Yu Lingxin’s repeated questions: “Do you think I’m cruel? Do you think I went too far?”
There was nothing to be done. Even knowing he was cruel, selfish, and brutal—even knowing he was deliberately playing pitiful to charm her—even knowing he was saying all this in front of others on purpose—she still loved him.
But now she had to calm him down, like soothing an excited, overeager dog showing off how much its owner loved it. She signaled him to quiet down.
Yu Lingxin lowered his eyes and smiled smugly.
Everything was under his control. Why would he do something Jiang Nong would hate? Even if he truly disliked those two.
He was waiting for her to plead for them.
What else could he do? He’d spent three lifetimes pursuing this happiness—of course he’d show it off whenever he could.
As for the noblewomen who had inadvertently overheard the imperial couple’s private affairs, they stumbled dazedly into their carriages and left the palace.
They couldn’t help but wonder—what were the odds that the Empress knew how to cast love spells?
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