Chapter 5: Who Are You Really?

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Feng Ruqing’s phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly as her fingertips lightly tapped on the line of blurred writing in the ledger: “Reward to Consort Shu… one hundred taels of gold, ten bushels of eastern pearls.” Consort Shu was the archrival of her late younger sister, Feng Ruge. This reward was recorded just three days before Feng Ruge’s death. A coincidence? Feng Ruqing did not believe so.

“Hongxiu, summon the steward matron from Consort Shu’s palace,” Feng Ruqing’s voice was calm, betraying no emotion, yet it sent a chill down the spine.

Before Hongxiu could take her leave, a sharp voice sounded outside the hall: “How arrogant is the Empress, to disregard even an old servant like me?” Matron Li, accompanied by a group of palace attendants, strode in with imposing presence.

“What does Matron Li wish to say?” Feng Ruqing glanced at her coolly.

Matron Li sneered, “The Empress has recently entered the palace and should first learn the rules here. Why start auditing the accounts so soon? Affairs of the harem are traditionally managed by the Six Bureaus. Is Your Majesty trying to seize power by overstepping?”

Feng Ruqing let out a cold laugh. “Seize power? As the mother of the nation, managing the harem falls within my duties. Matron Li unwittingly reminded me that such chaotic accounts are a sign of the Six Bureaus’ negligence!”

Matron Li’s face shifted as she argued desperately, “Empress, be cautious! These accounts have already been reviewed by the Emperor himself. To question them is to show dissatisfaction with His Majesty!”

Feng Ruqing’s gaze sharpened. This old cunning woman dared to invoke the Emperor to pressure her! “Matron Li, are you inciting me to insubordination?”

Matron Li was silenced by Feng Ruqing’s imposing presence.

Their dispute soon reached Emperor Ji Ran’s ears. He had already harbored doubts about the suddenly appearing Empress. Now hearing she intended to meddle in the harem’s finances made him even more alert.

“Seems my Empress is not as fragile as she appears…” Ji Ran murmured, his eyes flickering with complicated emotions. “Shadow, investigate. I want to know what she truly intends.”

Night fell. Within Feng Luan Palace, Feng Ruqing sat by candlelight, leafing through another ledger. Suddenly, she sensed something amiss. Her gaze swept outside the window, a cold smile curling her lips.

“Ah, at last you’ve come…” She set down the ledger, approached the window, and gently pushed it open. To the shadowy figure lurking outside, she spoke softly, “Come out. Hiding like this is unbecoming.”

The shadow silently emerged from the darkness, kneeling on one knee. “Your Majesty, Empress.”

Feng Ruqing did not scold him for the intrusion; instead, she smiled meaningfully. “Commander Shadow visits late at night; do you have matters to report?”

She paced back to the desk, picked up a pen, and began scribbling on a blank sheet—seemingly casual, yet full of hidden meaning. Shadow’s eyes followed her pen intently but could not grasp the symbols’ significance.

After finishing, Feng Ruqing folded the paper into a small square, slipped it beneath the incense burner, and lit the incense.

“I enjoy studying strange things at night. Commander Shadow wouldn’t mind, would he?” Feng Ruqing’s smile was half-mocking, her tone laced with challenge.

Shadow bowed his head. “I dare not.” Though puzzled, he dared not ask further and resolved to report everything truthfully to Ji Ran.

The next day, Matron Li returned to the imperial study, exaggerating Feng Ruqing’s “odd behavior” to Ji Ran and insinuating potential treachery.

Ji Ran frowned deeply, his suspicion of Feng Ruqing growing ever stronger.

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“Your Majesty, the Empress’s conduct is truly unsettling!” Matron Li feigned concern.

Ji Ran was about to reply when Feng Ruqing suddenly appeared at the study door.

“Matron Li’s concern for me is truly flattering,” she said, stepping inside with a piercing gaze that swept over Matron Li.

“Empress…” Matron Li lowered her head guiltily.

Feng Ruqing sneered and produced a ledger from her sleeve, tossing it before Ji Ran.

“Your Majesty, while auditing the accounts, I discovered that the silk purchased by the palace these past years cost three times the market price. I wonder who pocketed the difference?”

Ji Ran flipped through the ledger, his expression darkening. The records detailed every transaction, and the buyer was none other than Matron Li’s nephew.

“Matron Li, are you aware of your crimes?” Ji Ran thundered.

Matron Li’s face drained of color as she knelt repeatedly, begging for mercy.

Feng Ruqing watched coldly, a cruel smile tugging at her lips.

“Guards! Drag Matron Li away for strict interrogation!” Ji Ran’s fury was uncontrollable.

After Matron Li’s removal, Feng Ruqing met Ji Ran’s gaze meaningfully. “Your Majesty, there may be more filth hiding within the harem…”

Ji Ran looked at Feng Ruqing with mixed feelings—gratitude and wariness intertwined.

Feng Ruqing smiled faintly, then turned away, leaving Ji Ran to ponder alone in the study.

She walked to the imperial garden, looking up at the sky softly murmuring, “The game has only just begun…”

In the distance, Consort Su appeared slowly, her eyes flashing with a poisonous gleam as she watched Feng Ruqing’s retreating figure.

“Your Majesty…” she called softly.

Consort Su moved gracefully to Ji Ran’s side, nestling weakly in his arms.

“Your Majesty, I have noticed the Empress’s strange behavior recently. She rushed to meddle in harem affairs upon arrival and has shown disrespect to the palace elders. I fear…” Her words faltered, worry filling her eyes.

Ji Ran gently stroked Consort Su’s hair, recalling Feng Ruqing’s icy gaze. His doubts deepened.

“Do not worry, my dear. I will handle it.”

Feng Ruqing was well aware of Consort Su’s subtle maneuvers. She scoffed inwardly—there was no fool among the women of the harem.

Returning to Feng Luan Palace, she summoned Hongxiu. “Send the evidence we gathered of Consort Su’s family’s corruption anonymously to the Censorate.” Hongxiu obeyed.

Within days, the court erupted. Consort Su’s father was impeached for embezzling military funds, with irrefutable proof. The Emperor was furious and ordered a thorough investigation.

Consort Su panicked, rushing about attempting to exonerate her father, leaving no time to scheme against Feng Ruqing.

Seizing the opportunity, Feng Ruqing reorganized the harem’s accounts, rooting out corrupt palace staff one by one, punishing them severely to warn others.

The harem’s atmosphere was purified overnight.

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One day, Feng Ruqing was strolling in the imperial garden when she encountered Ji Ran.

He looked at her with complicated eyes. “Empress, who are you really?”

Meeting his gaze, Feng Ruqing smiled mysteriously. “Your Majesty, I am naturally your Empress.” She paused, then added, “But I have another identity as well. Would you care to know?”

Ji Ran’s heart tightened, sensing something was about to unfold.

Feng Ruqing chuckled lightly, her tone teasing. “You want to know? I fear revealing it might frighten you.” She deliberately left him hanging, watching his reaction.

Ji Ran’s curiosity was piqued. “What secret does the Empress hold? Tell me.”

Feng Ruqing shook her head, feigning mystery. “Heaven’s secrets are not for disclosure. When the time comes, Your Majesty will know.” With that, she turned and left, leaving Ji Ran alone, his doubts deepening.

Back in Feng Luan Palace, the smile faded from Feng Ruqing’s face, replaced by a grave expression.

She knew her actions had temporarily steadied the situation but only heightened Ji Ran’s vigilance.

The harem was like a vast chessboard—everyone a piece. One misstep meant ruin.

“Hongxiu,” she called, “investigate who surrounds the Emperor, their backgrounds, and their connections to the concubines.”

She had to understand the palace’s power dynamics quickly to survive this treacherous place.

Late at night, Feng Ruqing sat alone by the window, gazing at the bright moon, her mind swirling.

She feared her hidden identity might be exposed and worried about implicating the soldiers stationed at the distant borders.

She had to uncover the truth behind her sister’s death—and then leave this place of strife.

Suddenly, faint footsteps approached. Alert, Feng Ruqing stood, clutching a dagger tightly.

“Who’s there?” she whispered sharply.

A shadow darted from the darkness, kneeling on one knee. “Your Majesty, the Emperor summons you.”

Feng Ruqing’s heart sank. She had not escaped her fate after all.

Taking a deep breath, she concealed the dagger in her sleeve and spoke calmly, “I understand. Lead the way.”

Following the shadow through the silent palace corridors, she walked toward the unknown destiny.

Stopping at the study’s door, she gazed deeply into the black night, as if imprinting her last taste of freedom upon her memory.

“Your Majesty, the Empress has arrived,” the shadow’s voice broke the night’s silence.

Inside the study, bright lamps illuminated Emperor Ji Ran seated on the dragon throne, his face dark and eyes flickering with complex light.

He regarded the slowly approaching Feng Ruqing with a cold voice: “Empress, I have several questions for you.”