Chapter 2 Meeting Her Enemies After Three Year's

Mei Liang walked toward Cuìyù and gripped her arm tightly. "Tell me the reason why!" she demanded.

Realizing she had lost her composure, Mei Liang quickly released Cuìyù's hand. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to."

"No, Mistress. It is this servant who was in the wrong," Cuìyù said, lowering her head. "I was only afraid someone might overhear."

Taking a deep breath, Cuìyù hesitated before finally explaining why it was forbidden to speak about General Mei and his family. As Mei Liang listened, she struggled to hold back her tears.

After the Emperor sentenced her entire clan to death under the Execution of Nine Relations for treason, her father's remaining loyal soldiers had attempted to avenge them. When they heard that she had tried to assassinate the Emperor and was sentenced to death by strangulation, they plotted a rebellion.

However, their plan was discovered by Dé Fēi —who was known as Imperial Concubine Yan back then. Her father, the Western Army's Deputy General Yan, reported them to the authorities. As a result, all of her father's trusted soldiers and their families were publicly executed in the market square.

Meanwhile, Dé Fēi's father, Deputy General Yan, was rewarded—promoted from deputy general to deputy regional commander. He gained the Emperor's trust and the recognition of the citizens.

Cuìyù noticed something was wrong with her mistress, but before she could speak, Mei Liang gave a quiet instruction. "Prepare the bathhouse. I wish to bathe after eating."

Once Cuìyù left, Mei Liang could no longer hold back her tears. She cried for an hour, her silent sobs echoing through the empty chamber.

Finally, she pulled herself together, stood up, and walked toward the table. The food had gone cold. She ate a little before calling Cuìyù and Lánxīn back inside.

Lánxīn glanced at the barely touched meal and frowned. Worry flickered in her eyes, but she said nothing as she quietly cleared the table. Meanwhile, Cuìyù prepared the bath.

By the time Mei Liang finished bathing, it was already the Hour of the Dog. Just as she lay down, ready for sleep, Cuìyù entered the room.

"Mistress, tomorrow is the fifteenth. Now that you've recovered, you must pay respects to the Empress and the Empress Dowager."

Mei Liang turned to her. "Will all the concubines be at the Empress's palace tomorrow?"

"Yes, Mistress. They will all be there," Cuìyù confirmed.

"Alright," Mei Liang said softly. "Since I don't remember much, you will follow me tomorrow. I can't afford to make a mistake while greeting the concubines."

"You may leave now," Mei Liang said softly.

After Cuìyù left,she then sat up in bed, lost in thought. Tomorrow, she would face the very people who had orchestrated her family's downfall. She could no longer afford to be the naive and foolish girl she once was. This time, she had to plan carefully and act with precision. A gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years.

With that thought lingering in her mind, she drifted into sleep.

Mei Liang felt someone shaking her awake, but her body felt weak and exhausted. Groaning, she pushed the hand away and pulled the covers over her face to block the sunlight streaming into her eyes.

Cuìyù and Lánxīn exchanged helpless glances. Their mistress always woke up on time—why was it so difficult today? They had been trying for half an incense stick, yet she still hadn't risen.

"Mistress, you must get up now, or you'll be late to pay respects to the Empress and the Empress Dowager," Cuìyù urged.

Hearing this, Mei Liang's eyes snapped open. How could I forget? Today is a crucial day!

She quickly sat up, allowing Cuìyù and Lánxīn to help her dress and prepare.

By the time Mei Liang arrived at the Empress's Yaotai Palace, most of the concubines were already present. She hurried to her designated seat, feeling an odd mix of familiarity and strangeness. These faces—some were vaguely recognizable, others seemed almost foreign. After all, she had died three years ago.

But now that I'm back, I will never suffer the same humiliation again.

Her gaze shifted to the seating arrangement. The noble consort and consort chairs were nearly filled, but she noticed that two seats remained empty in the noble consort's section, while one was missing from the consorts' row.

Turning to Cuìyù, she whispered, "Which concubines have yet to arrive?"

"Xián Guìfēi, Duān Guìfēi, and Dé Fēi have not arrived yet, Mistress."

Just as Cuìyù finished speaking, a servant's voice rang out:

"Announcing the arrival of Duān Guìfēi and Dé Fēi!"

At once, the lower-ranking concubines rose from their seats and bowed.

"Greetings to Duān Guìfēi and Dé Fēi. May Your Highnesses live long."

Duān Guìfēi and Dé Fēi walked gracefully to their seats and sat down. Only then did Duān Guìfēi speak.

"You may rise."

Mei Liang and the rest of the concubines quickly took their seats, her gaze subtly shifting toward the two high-ranking consorts. Mei Liang's hands clenched in her lap as she recognized them—Duān Guìfēi was none other than Consort Dé from her previous life, and Dé Fēi was Imperial Concubine Yan. These two had played pivotal roles in her downfall.

If the Emperor had decreed her family's and clan execution, then these women and their families had been the swords that carried it out—especially Dé Fēi's family.

A surge of fury burned in her chest, but she knew she could do nothing for now. She tightened her grip on the silk handkerchief in her palm, the delicate fabric twisting out of shape as she suppressed her anger. No, I must remain in control. If I act rashly, I will meet the same tragic end as before.

She took a steadying breath. They are in the light while I am in the shadows. I will use this to my advantage and destroy them from within.

Lost in thought, Mei Liang was startled by the voice of a servant announcing,

"Her Majesty, the Empress, has arrived!"

At once, Mei Liang and the other concubines rose to their feet, bowing in unison.

"Greetings to Her Majesty, the Empress. Ten thousand years of long life and peace!"

The Empress entered, clad in a dark red brocade silk phoenix robe. Her hair was styled in an elegant flowing cloud bun, adorned with kingfisher-feather hairpins and jade bead strings. With regal poise, she made her way to her seat and sat down.

"You may rise," she said.

At her words, Duān Guìfēi and Dé Fēi were the first to sit, followed by the rest of the concubines.

Mei Liang's gaze lingered on the Empress. Though three years had passed, the Empress remained as breathtaking as ever, draped in the finest silks and ornaments of power. Meanwhile, I and my entire clan were reduced to nothing but corpses and ashes.

A heavy silence filled the hall until another servant stepped forward and announced,

"Xián Guìfēi has arrived!"

Once again, Mei Liang and the lower-ranking concubines stood and bowed.

"Greetings to Xián Guìfēi. Long life and peace."

"You may rise," Xián Guìfēi responded lazily, dressed in a slightly vibrant red robe as she seated herself without much care.

Then, without bothering to stand or bow, she addressed the Empress.

"Greetings to Her Majesty, the Empress. Ten thousand years and peace."

The hall grew tense. The Empress's expression darkened slightly—Xián Guìfēi wasn't even pretending to show proper respect, and she actually dared to wear that color of dress, which was highly inappropriate.

"Sister Xián even dares to wear such a color of dress? If everyone starts learning from her, won't the harem fall into disorder? Don't you think so, Sister Duān—Huì Guìfēi said?"

Before Duān Guìfēi could respond, Xián Guìfēi smiled and said, "Sister Huì, what can I do? His Majesty personally rewarded me with this dress. How could I refuse? If the others dare to follow, they should first earn the Emperor's favor."

Everyone knew Xián Guìfēi spoke boldly and arrogantly, yet the Emperor continued to favor her regardless.

Huì Guìfēi could only remain silent. After all, she didn't dare to question the Emperor's decision to reward Xián Guìfēi with such a red dress—one clearly inappropriate for a concubine.

Duān Guìfēi simply watched them argue, saying nothing, completely unbothered.

Mei Liang turned toward where Xián Guìfēi was seated. But the moment her eyes landed on her, she froze. Her breath caught in her throat, her fingers and feet turned cold.

Beneath the surface of her shocked expression, her eyes burned with deep hatred.