~Even jade offends the blind when it gleams too brightly~
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When Murong Chen's carriage reached the great gates of the imperial palace, dawn had just brushed the sky with gold. A crowd of officials was already gathered, waiting for the guards to open the main gate. Their murmurs drifted across the marble courtyard like ripples on still water.
Among them stood several princes. Some conversed quietly with ministers, while others waited in composed silence, their attendants standing a respectful distance behind.
When Murong Chen stepped down from his carriage, eyes turned toward him briefly before quickly looking away. The ninth prince was well-known for disliking idle chatter-and for making people regret it if they tried.
The Crown Prince, Murong Jing, caught sight of him and walked over with a warm smile.
"Xiao Chen," he greeted.
Murong Chen inclined his head slightly. "Elder Brother."
Murong Jing sighed inwardly. His brother's tone was polite but devoid of emotion, his expression cold as ever.
"Did you like the gift I sent?" the Crown Prince asked, trying to keep the conversation alive.
"The bow? Yes."
"It's from Southern Jing-Father gave it to me long ago. You'll find it well-balanced for hunting or practice."
Murong Chen nodded. "Thank you."
And that was all. Murong Jing gave a helpless laugh and patted his younger brother's shoulder. How many years had it been since he'd seen warmth in those eyes?
Before he could speak again, his aide approached. "Your Highness, the guards are opening the gate."
Murong Jing nodded. "Then I'll go ahead. See you at court."
He left for Taiji Hall, the seat of morning audience.
Yin Li, standing nearby, watched silently. One brother tries to speak; the other tries to end it. He sighed inwardly. Your Highness, could you at least answer in full sentences?
But Murong Chen had already turned away, walking toward the inner palace where the emperor's wives resided.
The officials exchanged knowing looks. No one was surprised. The ninth prince's priorities were not, and never had been, the same as theirs.
***
Inside the Phoenix Palace, the empress's attendants had just finished arranging her robes and hair when a maid entered.
"Your Majesty, the Ninth Prince is waiting in the outer hall."
The empress, Lin Rouxi, smiled faintly. Of course he was. It was the sixth day of the week-his routine visit for breakfast and lunch. He had not missed one yet.
When she stepped into the hall, Murong Chen was already seated with his familiar lazy grace, his elbow propped against the side table, eyes closed.
Yin Li and the guards waited outside.
The empress's expression softened. To others, he was the Cold Prince. To her, he was still the quiet boy who once clung to her sleeves. Diligent, yes-but only in visiting her, never in attending court.
"Chen'er," she called gently.
He opened his eyes, rose, and bowed slightly with joined hands. "Mother."
"Sit," she said. Then, turning to the servants, "Bring the meal."
When the food arrived, Murong Chen waited until every servant had left before beginning to eat.
Halfway through the meal, the empress's personal aide, Yin Deng, hurried in and immediately froze under Murong Chen's sharp gaze.
He disliked interruptions. Everyone in the palace knew it.
"Speak," the empress said, sighing as her son set down his chopsticks. His appetite was gone already.
"Your Majesty, the consorts and concubines have arrived for the morning greeting."
"Tell them to wait," the empress replied, rubbing her temple. "Clear the table."
Murong Chen stood, bowed again to his mother, and left the hall without a word.
She watched him go with a helpless smile. "Yin Deng, how many times have I told you-wait until Chen'er has finished before you announce anyone?"
Yin Deng looked stricken. "Consort Lin kept urging me, Your Majesty. I dared not refuse."
The empress sighed again. "Then let them in."
***
Outside, the palace courtyard was filled with silk and perfume. The consorts stood waiting, their jeweled hairpieces catching the light. At a glance, they could tell the ninth prince was inside-the sight of his guards alone was warning enough.
Whenever he visited, they waited longer than usual. It had become an unspoken rule.
But one of them-a young woman newly elevated to consort just three days prior-grew impatient.
"Why has no one informed Her Majesty that we've arrived?" she demanded.
Noble Consort Yun gave her a sharp look. "Consort Lin, mind your tongue."
"Can't you see the ninth prince is still inside?" Consort Xie added.
"Inside or not, must we wait for him? He's only a prince. He should be the one waiting for us." Consort Lin turned toward Yin Deng. "You-go and announce us."
Yin Li's gaze flicked toward her like a drawn blade. For a moment, silence thickened. Then he gave a single, almost imperceptible nod.
If she wanted to test her luck, let her.
Yin Deng swallowed hard, bowed, and went inside.
The other women exchanged uneasy glances. They had warned her; now, whatever came of it was her own doing.
Even the emperor's favor had limits-and Murong Chen was not a man one provoked lightly.
***
Moments later, Murong Chen stepped out of the hall, his expression unreadable. He had barely taken a few steps when a voice stopped him.
"Your Highness," Consort Lin called boldly, "seeing us here, shouldn't you offer a greeting out of respect?"
The air seemed to still.
Murong Chen turned, his gaze settling on her. Blank, cold, and utterly without interest.
Foolish woman, thought Noble Consort Yun, fighting the urge to step back.
Even the empress's servants averted their eyes.
"Yin Li," Murong Chen said quietly.
Yin Li stepped forward. "Your Highness, this is Consort Lin, younger sister of Minister Lin Heng. She was promoted three days ago."
"Ah," Murong Chen murmured. "Lin Heng's sister."
Consort Lin lifted her chin slightly, mistaking recognition for favor.
"You want my greeting?" Murong Chen asked, voice flat as still water.
The color drained from her servant's face. She dropped to her knees, trembling. "Your Highness, Her Ladyship spoke without thought-please have mercy!"
"Yu'er, what are you doing? Get up!" Consort Lin snapped, her voice shrill.
"Consort Lin!" The empress's voice cut through the air from the doorway. "Mind your conduct. This is the Phoenix Palace. Show respect."
Consort Lin turned, unbowed. "Your Majesty, even if he is your son, such disrespect should not be indulged!"
A collective gasp swept through the courtyard.
Noble Consort Yun, who often disagreed with the empress, stepped forward this time. "Consort Lin, that's enough. Her Majesty does not need your counsel."
Murong Chen had remained silent throughout the exchange, his calm more frightening than anger. Yin Li's stomach tightened. He knew that silence-there were always two possibilities. Either his master was merely observing... or counting the seconds before acting.
He suspected the latter.
"An eyesore," Murong Chen said suddenly.
The word sliced through the air like a blade.
"Yin Li," he continued, his tone smooth, almost bored. "I've been looking since earlier. It's that gold hairpin that offends me. Remove it."
For a heartbeat, no one moved. Then Yin Li bowed and gestured to the two guards behind them. "Li Jing. Li Jian. Assist me."
Consort Lin's eyes widened in panic. "What are you doing? I am His Majesty's consort! That hairpin is the emperor's gift! Empress, stop him!"
"Chen'er," the empress said softly, "what do you intend to do?"
Murong Chen glanced at her. "Cut her hair."
The hall fell silent.
Gasps rippled through the women. Cutting a consort's hair was no small act-it was a curse, a symbolic renunciation of the emperor himself.
Before anyone could protest, Yin Li had already pulled the gold pin free. Her dark hair spilled loose, falling over her shoulders. She struggled, but the two guards held her firmly in place.
The dagger at Yin Li's waist gleamed as he drew it. One clean slice, and half her hair fell to the floor.
Consort Lin's scream echoed through the courtyard, raw with disbelief.
Murong Chen turned away, expression unchanged, and walked off without another glance. His men followed.
The empress watched him leave in silence, then instructed a eunuch, "Send everyone back to their palaces."
***
Later that afternoon, in Consort Lin's own quarters, a eunuch arrived bearing the empress's decree.
"Her Highness Consort Lin is ordered to remain within her palace for one month in reflection. Her conduct today was improper toward the Empress."
The eunuch's gaze flicked toward her trembling form before adding, "And one more thing. His Highness the Ninth Prince does not even bow to the emperor himself. How dare you expect him to bow to you?"
He left without waiting for a reply.
Consort Lin stood frozen, her face pale as wax.
Only now did she understand why the others had warned her. She had thought to assert her newfound favor by using the prince to remind the empress of her standing.
Instead, she had humiliated herself before the entire inner court.
The rumors had been true-Murong Chen was as merciless as they said.
And she had been a fool to think he would not dare.
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