The brazier appeared as though it hadn't been used in ages.

Expected, wasn't it? Deep within the cold palace, with no palace maids to attend, lighting a brazier alone would still bring endless trouble.

Chen Yi placed charcoal inside. The cold wind swept through the fissures of the windows and door. Over by the bed, someone shivered and asked:

"Is the brazier lit yet?"

"Not yet."

"Oh."

The voice over there responded with a lazy "oh." Chen Yi glanced sideways, seeing both Yin Weiyin and Little Yin huddled together, arms tucked tightly against their bodies.

Charcoal piled up in the brazier, pitch-dark. Chen Yi struck the fire steel twice — crack! — paper fragments and wood shavings caught the flame, igniting and heating the charcoal until it glowed red.

Chen Yi carefully fanned the flame, guarding the burning charcoal.

"Is the brazier lit yet?"

"Not yet."

"Oh."

Another response came, and the two women huddled close, cheek to cheek for warmth. He caught glimpses of them exchanging whispers, as if sharing secrets, while outside the window, moonlight shone on the banana leaves. So this was New Year's Eve, so simple and unremarkable.

The brazier finally burned steadily, its lid closed tight, a faint glow visible through its edges.

"Have you come to the bed yet?"

Another inquiry from the bed.

The voice warmed Chen Yi's heart, prompting him to rise and go over.

Dong Guifei was still fiddling with the charcoal.

Chen Yi lazily crawled into bed, only for Yin Weiyin to lean in closer, seizing the moment to whisper:

"…How exactly did you manage to seduce this Guifei?"

Though Dong Guifei acted outraged and humiliated at first, from her subsequent interactions, Yin Weiyin had sensed something was amiss.

Besides, Yin Weiyin had seen Dong Guifei in the underground palace before and knew she had used the Jade Spring Cream.

What followed… wasn't hard to guess.

Cognizant of women's keen insight into such matters, Chen Yi didn't bother concealing it and answered:

"In the Secret Realm of the underworld."

Yin Weiyin frowned, muttering:

"You really do make the most of every opportunity to win someone over, don't you?"

Chen Yi chuckled and replied:

"Why not?"

Yin Weiyin didn't respond, her half-lidded eyes hazy as she caught a whiff of a sweet, powdery scent lingering in the air.

The female crown immediately identified it, saying: "Fragrant powder from Xiansu Studio. Seems like she was well-prepared."

"Oh?"

"She already washed herself clean and even applied scented powder."

Chen Yi sniffed as well. No wonder he had sensed an intimate fragrance on Dong Guifei.

"You recognize this powder?"

"I used it before stepping onto the path of cultivation."

Chen Yi nodded and chuckled softly, saying: "This powder suits others; it's right that you don't use it."

Yin Weiyin's gaze dimmed. With a faint bitterness, she murmured: "So it suits others, but not me, right?"

Chen Yi froze momentarily, then quickly pulled her into his arms. He leaned by her ear, inhaling lightly, and whispered:

"I much prefer your pristine and untainted self."

Yin Weiyin huffed softly, secretly pleased. As her gaze shifted, she caught Little Yin's wide-eyed stare in the quiet night.

The young fox seemed to sense her thoughts. Then, with a poke to Chen Yi's back, she asked:

"What about me?"

Chen Yi paused, uncertain how she'd overheard, but laughed as he set the female crown down and hugged Yin Tingxue instead.

In a tender voice, he said: "I like you too. I like you too."

Soon after, Dong Guifei finished adjusting the charcoal. She turned back, climbed onto the bed, her spine dragging her long hair. The moonlight traced her smooth silhouette; her hair tips curved like mountain peaks. Chen Yi's Heart Lake rippled.

Dong Guifei acted as though nothing had happened. Glancing at Yin Tingxue, she asked aloud: "Is she a concubine?"

To Yin Weiyin and Little Yin, Dong Guifei felt half-familiar; equally, Dong Guifei saw them as strangers.

Before Chen Yi could respond, Yin Tingxue answered herself: "Yes."

"Though I'm a Guifei, I'm ultimately a concubine too. My mother was also a Guifei." Dong Guifei lowered her head, sharing intimately with Yin Tingxue. "Tell me, do you think a concubine's child would grow up like me and find happiness?"

Yin Tingxue replied gently: "I suppose so."

Dong Guifei softly shook her head, saying: "Confined to the cold palace for so long, where would happiness come from?"

Chen Yi looked at Dong Guifei, a trace of pity stirring within. He let go of Yin Tingxue and slid his hand around Dong Guifei's slender waist, drawing this woman from Goryeo into his embrace.

He didn't notice Yin Weiyin's displeased expression behind him.

Watching him hold the concubine-princess closely, Yin Weiyin felt uneasy. This crafty Goryeo woman! Through idle chatter with Little Yin, she had slyly tugged at Chen Yi's emotions. No wonder history describes Goryeo women as ruthless in competing for favor.

Chen Yi hugged Dong Guifei and whispered by her ear:

"What is your name?"

Dong Guifei chuckled before replying:

"A monk has no name to ask."

During those ten days in the Secret Realm, Chen Yi had asked for her name several times to no avail. Dong Guifei had always given the same answer.

Chen Yi glanced at Dong Guifei, suddenly tugging at her hair.

Dong Guifei whimpered softly, her eyes watery and gazing at him.

"You're now a Guifei, not a monk." Chen Yi said meaningfully.

The implication was clear: he could report her to the Empress Dowager. Dong Guifei deciphered his subtle threat and sighed inwardly at the man's possessiveness before replying:

"Han name Dong Zhiji, courtesy name Ling Shan. My Goryeo name is the same, except the 'Dong' uses the character for 'east.'"

Chen Yi was pleased, his hand gliding smoothly along her back. Her long hair draped beneath his palm as she nestled close, her body warm and damp.

Dong Guifei's soft voice floated up: "You must visit often."

The tone not too high, not too low — Yin Weiyin and Little Yin both overheard. Little Yin didn't seem to mind, but Yin Weiyin frowned at the suggestion.

This woman, confined in the cold palace under strict surveillance by the Empress Dowager, without a supportive family, aimed to hinge herself upon Chen Yi. With his frequent visits, the Empress Dowager might show her increasing favor and leniency, easing her days. But what of Yin Weiyin herself?

She'd still need to return to Taihua Mountain. If Chen Yi stayed entangled in the palace, wouldn't her own life become desolate?

Yin Weiyin deliberated before asserting coolly: "If the Guifei wishes him to visit, I can persuade him."

Dong Guifei turned sideways, her lips curling into a smile: "No need for Lady Jingwang to persuade. I trust he'll come of his own accord."

Yin Weiyin silently grasped Chen Yi's hand and said: "Men manage the external affairs, women the internal. He cannot act independently and must heed advice. You, as a Guifei, should understand: his frequent entering of the inner palace could harm the Heavenly Family's reputation. Such matters require deliberation. His comings and goings are far from decided."

The female crown continued speaking while glancing at Chen Yi's amused expression. Her scalp prickled, so she pulled in an ally:

"Right, Tingxue?"

Yin Tingxue blinked, ultimately echoing: "Right."

The female crown steadied her heart, lifting her delicate nose with pride.

…Yet even amidst scheming, her long eyes shimmered like autumn waters, utterly refined. As Yin Weiyin observed Dong Guifei nestled in his arms, she pressed her cheek to Chen Yi's hand.

Dong Guifei grinned slyly, preparing a silent comeback.

Crack! Bang!

Mid-strategy, fireworks erupted — the New Year had arrived.

Chen Yi listened to the explosions, preparing to recite something poetic:

"Old year swept away; New Year starts afre—"

Before his words finished, Yin Tingxue exclaimed nearby:

"Look, fireworks! Fireworks are lighting up!"

Suddenly, the night sky illuminated with dazzling hues, fire trees blooming in bright splendor. The light painted warmth across Chen Yi's face.

After leaving the capital, he would fondly recall this night.

He couldn't stop thinking.

As Chen Yi melancholically pondered, Yin Tingxue sneezed:

"Ha-choo!"

Turning, he saw the little fox rubbing her nose, staring wide-eyed at the window, unwilling to blink.

The sadness, the melancholy he longed to savor—

All chased away by that sneeze.

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