The Phoenix's Revenge

Since I was a child, I understood one truth: I didn’t need to marry the destined crown prince. Whoever I chose would become the crown prince. Unfortunately, in my past life, I was seduced by sweet words—*“If I take Ah Jiao as my wife, I shall house her in a palace of gold.”* That honeyed promise clouded my judgment, and I ended up a deposed empress, wasting ten years in the Cold Palace. Luckily, fate granted me a second chance. As I watched that boy Leo still desperately trying to please everyone, a cold smile curled on my lips.

1

“Our Claire marrying that Marcus? He should be grateful we even considered him! And he dares to make my Claire a concubine? I will never let this go!”

I stared at my mother, her face twisted with rage, and felt a strange sense of déjà vu. This scene… familiar yet distant. It was like a memory from decades ago, when I was still a child. My uncle the Emperor wanted to find me the finest husband. My mother casually said, “Then let Claire marry the crown prince.” But Lady Chestnut, mother of the crown prince Marcus, declared that I could only be a secondary wife. That arrogant pair offended us, not realizing that her son’s position as crown prince wouldn’t last much longer. Because it wasn’t that I, Claire Ashford, had to marry the crown prince. It was that whoever I married would become the crown prince.

2

My mother was the Grand Princess, the Empress Dowager’s beloved daughter, and the Emperor’s own sister. I had an Emperor grandfather, an Emperor uncle, and a future Emperor husband. In the palace, I was favored far more than any prince. In my past life, humiliated by Lady Chestnut, my mother decided to support another prince instead. Back then, the unknown Leo Warrington spoke to my mother with unwavering conviction: “If Sister Claire marries me, I will build a golden palace to hide her away.” I thought that golden palace was a promise of eternal love. Later, I realized it wasn’t love—it was a cage built for me. Using my mother’s influence and cunning, he deposed Crown Prince Marcus, seized the throne, and then turned on House Ashford, purging my family. He let his favored dancer frame me, had me deposed, and imprisoned me in Everlong Palace until I died. I thought I would carry my hatred for him into the next life, but my soul, too heavy with royal energy and wronged by death, could not move on. I drifted through the deep palace, watching Leo—no, Leo Warrington—dote on woman after woman. And I no longer hated those women. The only one I hated was Leo. If I were given a second chance, I would make him understand: without me, Claire Ashford, he would never sit on that throne!

When I woke again, I stared at the ornate canopy above my bed. My hands were still smooth and youthful, untouched by marriage. Only then was I certain I had truly lived again. My maid Luna teased, “Is the young lady mesmerized by her own beauty? Truly, Luna has never seen a more beautiful woman than you. But you still need to see the crown prince today—don’t be late.” The crown prince. Too bad Marcus had a mother as stupid as a pig. His days as crown prince were numbered. My target wasn’t Marcus, but I could use him. I waited on the path my mother would take. When she saw me, her angry face instantly softened into a smile. “Why is Claire standing here in this wind? You’ll catch a cold.” “I was just thinking it’s a bit chilly, so I worried about Mother and brought you a cloak.” As she draped it over her shoulders, her smile widened. She took my hand, eyes full of pride. “Claire is so thoughtful. Too bad some people are blind.” At the mention of Marcus and his mother, a cold glint flashed in her eyes. She was truly furious. “Mother, why be upset? If they’re useless, just get rid of them.” She paused, then nodded approvingly. “Claire is right. That’s the royal way. Useless people don’t need to be kept around.” I smiled and nodded. “But Mother, don’t act yet. I have other plans for them.” After I died, I watched Leo rule day after day, and I learned a new way to eliminate enemies—set the dogs to fight each other.

3

“Why? Is Claire still hung up on Marcus?” My mother frowned. I snuggled into her arms like I used to. “What are you saying, Mother? How could I possibly care about them? I just want to make them regret it myself.” By “them,” I meant everyone who had ever wronged me, Claire Ashford. But my mother thought I meant only Marcus and his mother. “My child has grown up. Then leave that mother and son to Claire for practice.” She nodded casually and took me to the Empress Dowager’s chambers. Though past forty, the Empress Dowager was still beautiful and well-preserved. As soon as she saw me, she waved me over. “Claire, come to Grandmother.” I immediately went to sit beside her, acting coy and adorable. She pinched my cheek and laughed. “Claire is a grown young lady now, still so clingy. Speaking of which, how are the marriage arrangements coming along?” At that, my mother’s face darkened as she recounted Lady Chestnut’s insult. The Empress Dowager was livid. “Guards! Bring Lady Chestnut here and make her kneel at the palace gates!” Just like in my past life, when my mother and I left, Lady Chestnut had already been kneeling for a long time, her face pale. My mother snorted coldly and led me away. I had grown up in the Empress Dowager’s care, and everyone knew how much she doted on me. Only Lady Chestnut, with her empty head, didn’t take it seriously. As my mother and I strolled through the imperial garden, about to leave, I spotted a mother and son not far away—Lady Willow and Leo. My mother paused. “Leo… what do you think of him, Claire?” I knew she was considering whether Leo could be useful. Technically, today wasn’t a holiday; Leo should have been studying. Yet here he stood, clearly waiting deliberately, hoping to secure a bright future through me. Too bad. This time, I wouldn’t let them succeed. “Mother, the sun is so hot. I don’t want to go home. Let’s stay at Grandmother’s palace tonight and go back tomorrow.” My mother doted on me; one whine and she agreed without a second thought, turning us back. I glanced behind me. Sure enough, Lady Willow and Leo’s faces were sour. The Empress Dowager was delighted I was staying. Casually, I mentioned seeing the two in the garden. I knew the Empress Dowager was sharp; she would understand immediately. And she did. “Lady Willow is forbidden from bringing the prince on private outings. Half a year’s salary docked, confined to her chambers for a month!” Meanwhile, I had someone subtly tip off Lady Chestnut about Lady Willow’s ambitions. Once the seed of suspicion was planted, all I needed was a little push. Then I could sit back and watch the show.

4

Lady Willow’s intentions were obvious. She knew her son was neither the eldest nor the favored son, and he wasn’t loved by the Empress or the Empress Dowager. So she hoped to climb using my influence. A month later, as my mother and I were returning from paying respects to the Empress Dowager, Lady Willow approached us directly. I knew the wind was about to blow. “Greetings, Grand Princess.” Lady Willow feigned an invitation for my mother to visit her palace, and my mother agreed. Sure enough, the moment we entered, I saw Leo practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard. “The Tenth Prince is truly diligent. I will certainly put in a good word with His Majesty,” my mother said casually. Lady Willow’s smile grew harder to hide, and she treated my mother even more deferentially. My mother called Leo over. “Leo, how would you like to marry your sister Claire?” Leo’s face lit up. “Thank you, Aunt! If Sister Claire marries me, I will build a golden palace to hide her away.” My mother covered her mouth and chuckled. “What an interesting child. What do you think, Claire?” Leo looked at me with the same hopeful eyes as in my past life. But I wasn’t moved. I smiled innocently. “A golden palace? To hide Claire away, never to see the light of day? Like… the Cold Palace?” The moment I said that, my mother’s smile vanished. She studied Leo carefully and dropped the subject. “Of course, Claire is beautiful—how could she ever be hidden away? The child is just joking,” Lady Willow quickly interjected. I feigned innocence. “So then, saying he’ll be good to Claire—was that just a joke too?” Under their flustered gazes, my mother coldly took my hand and left. I gave Luna a signal. She understood and turned toward Lady Chestnut’s chambers. That night, I received word. Lady Chestnut stormed into Lady Willow’s palace, humiliated and berated her. They said she made Lady Willow kneel all night. Meanwhile, I was in the Empress Dowager’s chambers, playing chess with her. “Claire, have you thought about what kind of man you want to marry?”

5

I shook my head. “I’m afraid that after I marry, Grandmother, Uncle the Emperor, and Mother won’t love me anymore. I’m afraid my husband won’t be good to me. I’m afraid I’ll be trapped in a deep courtyard forever.” “Nonsense! How could Mother ever stop loving you?” My mother glared at me playfully. “And whoever is unkind to our Claire—Mother won’t let them off! Neither will your Grandmother or Uncle the Emperor!” The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded, stroking my head. “Claire is a pearl. How could she be trapped in a deep courtyard? She will shake the world. Grandmother will protect our Claire forever.” Hearing that, I buried my face in her lap to hide my tears. In my past life, until her dying breath, the Empress Dowager’s heart was always with me. After a long moment, I said coyly, “Grandmother, isn’t Uncle the Emperor planning the autumn hunt? I want to go too!” As expected, the Empress Dowager agreed and ordered the palace to quickly make me the most splendid riding attire. Over the next few days, I heard that Lady Chestnut kept picking fights at Lady Willow’s palace. Lady Willow endured it all. It seemed Lady Chestnut had learned her lesson after kneeling at the Empress Dowager’s gates. But those lessons weren’t enough. When the autumn hunt arrived, Uncle the Emperor selected a few princes to accompany him. As expected, Leo wasn’t among them. Marcus was smug, a stark contrast to Leo’s dejection. But how could that do? If these two weren’t on equal footing, how could they fight? I walked over to Leo with a smile and handed him a bow through a servant. “Leo, can you hunt a little rabbit for me?” The Emperor looked our way. “Claire likes rabbits? I’ll hunt one for you!” “No, I want Uncle to hunt something big to show off his might! The little rabbit—Leo can handle it.” “In that case, Leo, mount your horse and join me!”

6

Leo’s face lit up. He grabbed the bow and leaped onto his horse with practiced ease. I saw Lady Willow’s faint smile in the distance, while Lady Chestnut’s face was dark as a storm cloud. I raised an eyebrow arrogantly. Their sons were princes, yes. But I, Claire Ashford, was a daughter of heaven, born of royal blood. One word from me could change Uncle the Emperor’s mind. As I increased my own value, I made Marcus feel threatened and gave Leo a glimmer of hope. That way… the real drama could begin. Sure enough, before departure, I saw Lady Chestnut pull Marcus aside and whisper something. I signaled toward a shadowy part of the forest. When I saw the leaves there rustle in a controlled pattern, I smiled. If all went well, tonight wouldn’t be boring. I hoped Crown Prince Marcus wouldn’t disappoint me. And he didn’t. That night, the imperial physicians gathered in a flurry. Prince Leo had fallen from his horse. When I arrived, the guards were kneeling everywhere. Lady Willow stood sobbing beside the Emperor. The Emperor’s face was grim, and the Empress Dowager was furious. “What happened? How did the Tenth Prince fall from his horse? And the guards—can’t they protect their master?” The guards kowtowed frantically. “Your servant deserves death! The prince said he wanted to hunt rabbits deeper in the forest and ordered us to stay back so we wouldn’t scare them. It was my negligence—I beg Your Majesty to punish me.” The Emperor’s expression softened slightly. He waved his hand and dismissed them. Just then, Leo slowly woke, looking around in confusion. “Leo, how are you?” Lady Willow threw herself at him, grabbing his hand and sobbing. “How did you fall? Tell the truth—your father will get justice for you…” A true survivor of the palace—a few words to drag others down. Leo lowered his eyes and pointed at Marcus. “It was Brother Crown Prince. Something hit my horse and spooked it. That’s why I fell. And at the time… only the crown prince was nearby!” “You lie!” Lady Chestnut shot up before Marcus could speak. “How could the crown prince do such a thing? You’re slandering him!” The two sides argued, and the Emperor quickly intervened. “I will investigate this thoroughly. Until then, no more accusations.” The last words were directed at Lady Willow and Leo. Clearly, the Emperor wanted to downplay the matter. After all, one was his cherished crown prince, the other a son he cared little for. Lady Willow and Leo’s faces darkened, but they had to obey. Just as everyone was about to let it go, I stepped forward, feigning innocence. “Leo got hurt hunting a rabbit for me, didn’t he?” Leo nodded and had someone bring in the rabbit. A fluffy white creature, utterly adorable. I held it in my arms. “Thank you, Leo. I’m sorry you got hurt because of me.” “It’s not your fault, Claire. I’m glad you like it.” I stroked the rabbit, then looked up at the Emperor with pleading eyes. “Uncle…” As expected, his heart softened. “Claire and Leo get along well?” I held up the rabbit. “Leo gave me a rabbit. I like Leo.” The Emperor laughed. “I’ve given you so many things—why don’t you say you like me?” I hugged the rabbit and threw myself into his arms. “I like Leo, but I love Uncle the Emperor the most!” He patted my head, then looked at Leo with a much gentler expression. “I will get to the bottom of this. For now, Leo needs to rest. The physicians will tend to him well.” He turned to Marcus, his tone cool. “As crown prince and elder brother, you stood by while your brother fell. Confine yourself to your chambers for fifteen days and copy the *Amplified Wisdom* three times.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” Marcus and Lady Chestnut paled but had no choice but to obey. As the Emperor was leaving, he paused. “Also, the name ‘Leo’ is no good. Change it. From now on, call him… Leo Warrington.”

7

“Leo” had originally meant “pig.” Leo had hated his name for years but never had a chance to change it. Because of me, Uncle the Emperor renamed him. Leo struggled to kneel and thank him, despite his injuries. Marcus clenched his fists, veins bulging on his hands. I took in everyone’s expressions, then followed my mother out. That night, after everyone had gone to sleep, I quietly opened my window and knocked on the frame three times. A shadow dropped down from the roof. “Report. What happened today?” The figure knelt respectfully. “The crown prince had the intent but not the nerve. He threw a pebble, missed the horse, and the Tenth Prince saw him. So I took the opportunity to prick the horse with a needle.” “Any evidence left?” “No, miss. While everyone was busy with the prince, I removed the needle and disposed of it.” I waved the shadow away, satisfied. Through this incident, Lady Chestnut would finally recognize her true enemy. All I had to do was balance their power and watch them tear each other apart. The palace was full of sycophants. Because of me, Leo was visibly gaining favor. A steady stream of people flocked to Lady Willow’s chambers. Meanwhile, Lady Chestnut’s once-bustling palace grew cold and quiet. She finally figured it out. She came bearing gifts when my mother and I visited the palace. My mother sneered. “Tell Lady Chestnut that I lack for nothing. Her gifts are beneath me.” After the servants withdrew, I laughed loudly and deliberately. “Lady Willow is beautiful—Uncle the Emperor likes her a lot. Lady Chestnut, on the other hand… Uncle is tired of her!” My voice was just loud enough for Lady Chestnut, still outside, to hear. I hated Leo, but I didn’t like Lady Willow either. If not for her scheming, the phrase “golden palace” would never have been uttered. Since she and Leo were one, she couldn’t blame me for venting my anger on her too.

8

Sure enough, within half a month, news of a disaster came from the harem. Poison had been slipped into Lady Willow’s medicinal broth. Within half an hour, her face began to redden and ulcerate. Her once-beautiful features became horrifying, and it was said to be contagious. No one dared enter her chambers, and even the physicians treated her with extreme caution. After three days of treatment, the itching stopped. But Lady Willow’s beauty was greatly diminished. The culprit was found to be a low-ranking concubine, who was beaten to death. Lady Chestnut emerged unscathed. And I, who had merely planted the seed, remained hidden in the shadows. I thought it was over, but half a month later, Leo, who had just started walking again, collapsed the moment his feet touched the ground. His entire lower body was paralyzed. The physicians did everything they could, but to no avail. Finally, the retired Sage Physician was summoned. After acupuncture, Leo barely recovered, but he would never walk normally again. Riding and archery were out of the question. I timed my visit perfectly, carrying a small food box to Leo’s chambers. Since his injury, I had come occasionally, pretending to care. But this time, Leo turned his face away. “I’m a cripple now. Claire shouldn’t associate with me anymore.” I smiled coldly inside but kept my face innocent. “Why would you say that, Leo? In my heart, you’re the best! We grew up together—I won’t abandon you.” He hesitated. “But what about the Grand Princess…”

9

“My mother is still a bit displeased. Don’t worry, Leo—I’ll speak well of you. But I’ll be leaving the palace soon and won’t be able to visit often…” A sweet date, then a slap. The rest was for Leo to figure out. With Lady Willow out of favor, she was probably frantic. Leo wrote me letter after letter. I either ignored them or replied vaguely, feigning difficulty. Since I didn’t want to enter the palace, I stayed at home and sent people to investigate the commoners’ situation. In my past life, I had never cared about the empire’s affairs. I vaguely remembered that early that year, many refugees had fled famine, and poor governance had nearly caused a major incident. Sure enough, my men reported, “This year’s drought has left many households with nothing to harvest. They’ve fled to the capital to survive. But without aid, they’re starting to band together… It’s not a serious threat yet, and it hasn’t reached the Emperor’s ears.” I breathed a sigh of relief. Somehow, events seemed slightly different from my past life. The famine, which should have come early in the year, arrived only in late autumn. But it had come, and this was the opportunity I had been waiting for. I immediately took the gold and jewels I had long set aside and exchanged them for cash. “Set up a porridge station in my name.” Anyone else openly buying goodwill like this would be suspected by the Emperor. But not me. It wasn’t arrogance—I knew too well how much my uncle and grandmother doted on me. When they heard, they would only praise me. “Our Claire has grown up.” Within half a month, my name was on everyone’s lips. Everyone knew that Claire Ashford, daughter of the Duke of Chen, was a reincarnated bodhisattva, a celestial maiden descended to earth. When the palace heard, as expected, Uncle the Emperor praised me lavishly, gifting me a thousand taels of silver and a chest of jewelry. I turned around and used the gift to build a shelter for the refugees, openly declaring it was from the Emperor. Innocent, straightforward, guileless—I wasn’t trying to win hearts. And Uncle the Emperor cherished me all the more. He often sighed to my mother, “I will give my best to Claire.” My mother would smile and tell me, “Wait for your uncle to choose an Emperor for you as a husband. Then my Claire will be the most honored woman in the Han Empire.” I said nothing. Was the title of Empress the best the Han Empire had to offer? But I… wanted more.

10

I gave charity without counting the cost, drawing people to me while quietly building my own network. One day, as I was leaving, a man dropped to his knees before me. “Your humble servant, Jack Zhang, thanks the young lady for saving my life. I am willing to serve you with all my might.” The man was around thirty, with a straight back even while kneeling. He looked like a trained fighter. “What can you do for me?” “My wife and daughter were on the verge of starving to death. Thank you for the meal that saved them. I have no great skills, only strength and martial training from childhood.” Intrigued, I had my shadow guard spar with him. My guard, trained since childhood, was evenly matched. I tossed him twenty silver taels. “Take this, settle your family, and await my orders.” The common folk were full of hidden talents, and my influence quietly expanded. Soon, the Empress Dowager’s birthday was approaching. Leo must be getting restless. Just then, my spy in the palace sent word. Leo had a new maidservant. Her surname was Wei, her given name Vera. When I heard that name again, my heart was calm. Once, I had hated her bitterly. In status, in history, she was beneath me in every way. But she understood Leo. Unlike me—proud, spoiled, and demanding—she won his favor with tearful eyes. And she used crude tricks to frame me for witchcraft, getting me deposed and thrown into the Cold Palace. Until my soul was trapped in the deep palace. I watched as Vera fell from Leo’s favor step by step, ending up in a fate worse than mine. I felt a grim satisfaction, but also a chill. Wasn’t that me? Loving Leo with all my heart, only to end up like this? Did Leo love Vera? I doubted it. Vera was lowborn, always fawning. Before her, Leo was every inch the sovereign. But I, Claire Ashford, was a daughter of heaven—I never learned such seductive tricks. And I knew how pitiful Leo had been back then. So every time he saw me, he was reminded of his former self. In the end, that man loved only himself. When Vera framed me for witchcraft, the one who truly orchestrated it was Leo. We were both his pawns. Thinking of the past, I smiled coldly. I held the letter over the candle and watched it burn. I had followed Leo for decades as a spirit. I learned not only his imperial craft but also his ruthless, heartless ways. In my past life, everyone said I, Claire Ashford, was undone by love. So I cut that root. This time, let’s see who wins.

11

The next day, I submitted a request to enter the palace and brought a food box to see Leo. Vera was by his side. He was teaching her to read. When I arrived, he quickly sent her away. “Claire, you finally came. I thought you would never visit me again.” I didn’t bother pretending anymore. My face cold, I asked, “Who was that woman?” “A new maidservant. She has a tragic background, but her dancing is exquisite. Would you like to see, Claire?” “No. Enjoy it yourself.” I turned to leave, but he hurried to block my path. “Claire, are you angry with me? I just missed you so much. Watching her dance reminds me of you.” He gazed at me with feigned longing and reached for my hand. I pulled away. “Dance? What do you take me for, Claire Ashford? A dancing girl to amuse you?” “Claire, that’s not what I meant!” He scrambled to explain. I swept my sleeve and walked away, not giving him a chance. A clever move. Use Vera to provoke me, make me confront my feelings, and beg my mother to arrange our marriage. My doting mother would eliminate Vera and then help him claim the crown prince’s position. Too bad. I didn’t love him anymore. I only hated him. With less than ten days until the Empress Dowager’s birthday, she asked me to stay in the palace with her. “Claire, you look thinner lately,” she said, touching my face fondly. The Emperor, playing chess in her chambers, looked up. “You do look thinner. Is something troubling you, Claire? Tell me.” I huffed, pretending to be sulky. “It’s Leo! He has a beautiful dancer now. He doesn’t pay attention to me anymore. Uncle, am I not as good as a dancer?” As expected, the Emperor’s face darkened. “Nonsense. Claire is my most precious pearl. A common dancer isn’t even worth a strand of your hair. Leo has gone too far. I’ll reprimand him for you!” Satisfied, I ate several pieces of pastry, making the Empress Dowager and the Emperor laugh. They rewarded me with the pastry chef. As I left, I passed Vera waiting in the long corridor. Just like in my past life, she stood at a distance, waiting. When she saw me, she bowed respectfully, making sure I noticed her. “Greetings, miss.” Her voice was pitiful, the kind that made men want to protect her. But this time, I didn’t even pause. I walked right past her. When I no longer loved Leo, Vera was just an ant I could crush anytime. Who stops for an ant? But I didn’t expect that before I could deal with her, the Empress Dowager, who had always doted on me, acted first. I heard from her attendants that she summoned Leo and Lady Willow. “Leo, do you love Claire?” she asked.

12

“Of course, Grandmother. Claire and I grew up together—our feelings run deep.” “Is that so? I hear you’ve taken a pretty maidservant and are teaching her to read.” At her signal, Vera was dragged in, bound and gagged. She looked at Leo with pleading eyes, hoping he would save her. But Leo could barely save himself. “Leo, I ask you: Claire, or this maidservant?” He glanced at Vera, then knelt firmly. “I choose Claire.” The Empress Dowager smiled. “Then take this seductress out and beat her to death!” They said Vera’s screams echoed through the entire palace. Leo thought that after the Empress Dowager vented her anger by killing Vera, she would betroth Claire to him. But he underestimated me, the daughter of heaven. “Claire’s marriage will be decided by her own heart. If she doesn’t want you, I won’t force it. But if you upset her, don’t blame me for being ruthless. After all, Marcus is more suitable for her than you are.” Leo’s face went pale. When I heard all this, a flicker of warmth touched my cold, decades-dead heart. The Empress Dowager, the Emperor, my mother… they were my dearest in this world. Time flew, and the Empress Dowager’s birthday arrived. The Emperor, being filial, wanted a grand celebration. Everyone poured their hearts into preparing gifts. Under the Empress Dowager’s expectant gaze, I stepped forward first and presented a magnificent, enormous pearl. A talented but down-on-his-luck scholar had given it to me in gratitude when I set up the porridge station. The Empress Dowager adored it. She held me and laughed, unable to stop, calling me “my precious Claire.” The Emperor even had me sit beside him at the feast. My status was clear to all. Soon, the crown prince’s gift was presented—a tapestry of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix, woven with intricate silk. It gleamed from afar. “Bring it closer,” the Empress Dowager said.

13

The servant brought it forward and unfurled it. The tapestry was lifelike, especially the soaring phoenix looking down on the other birds. The Empress Dowager seemed pleased. “Excellent! Reward him!” She reached out to touch the embroidery, then stopped at the phoenix’s eye. Her expression changed. Curious, I looked closer. Red liquid was slowly seeping from the phoenix’s eye. “Outrageous! What is this?” She threw the tapestry to the ground in fury. The Emperor’s face was even darker. Everyone in the hall knelt, trembling. It was well known that the Empress Dowager had an eye condition. How dare the crown prince send such an ill-omened gift? “Grandmother, please calm down! There must be some misunderstanding!” Marcus kowtowed repeatedly, begging for mercy. But the Empress Dowager was furious. She waved her hand and ordered Lady Chestnut to be thrown into the Cold Palace. As Lady Chestnut’s wails faded, I clearly saw a faint smile on Leo’s kneeling lips. So this was his counterattack. I suppressed a twinge of guilt toward the Empress Dowager. In this storm, and in the power struggles to come, many would die because of my interference. But I wouldn’t stop. The Cold Palace and the decades after death had ground away all my innocence and kindness, leaving only a heart harder than any emperor’s. Since Leo had made his move, I privately instructed the Ashford retainers to expose Marcus’s hidden crimes over the years. The Emperor was enraged. Three days later, he issued a decree. Crown Prince Marcus, for disrespecting the Empress Dowager and moral failings, was deposed. He was made Prince of Chen and ordered to leave for his fief within ten days. The crown prince’s position was suddenly vacant. Every prince’s eyes turned toward it. That night, I walked toward the Cold Palace with Luna. Lady Chestnut had lost all her former arrogance. Dressed in coarse cloth, disheveled and filthy, she lit up when she saw me and crawled to my feet. “Miss, I beg you, save me! Let me out! I am the crown prince’s mother—I can’t stay in the Cold Palace!” “True. But your son is no longer the crown prince.” I read the Emperor’s decree to her word by word. She collapsed, sobbing. “How can His Majesty and the Empress Dowager be so heartless?” “Allowing him to be a prince is already generous. You know what happens to deposed crown princes in every dynasty.” This was my mercy toward Marcus. He hadn’t truly killed me in my past life. So I would spare him. But Lady Chestnut—I still needed her. “The former crown prince made many enemies. Whether he survives the journey to his fief is uncertain.” Her sobbing stopped. She realized what I meant and kowtowed until her forehead bled. “Please, save my son! I beg you!” I threw a dagger in front of her. “The wrongdoer has a debtor. Go take your revenge.” She stared at the dagger, then grabbed it with wild eyes and nodded fiercely. I turned and left. The Cold Palace was eerie at night, filled with the howls of mad women. Luna shrank back, confused. “Miss, why do you seem so familiar with the Cold Palace?” Of course I was familiar. I had been trapped in that prison for too long. Everything I did now was to keep myself far away from it.

14

As Marcus prepared to leave the capital, Lady Willow came eagerly to see my mother. I told my mother not to receive her. She agreed with a smile. After being turned away several times, Lady Willow grew anxious. We weren’t in the palace every day, and she couldn’t leave it. Luna, seeing my indifference, couldn’t help asking, “Miss, don’t you like the Tenth Prince?” “Like Leo? He has no power, plenty of ambition, but he’s not the best among the princes. Ten Leos put together aren’t worth as much as I am. Why would I like him?” I laughed bitterly at my past self. I had been so foolish. With burning passion, I begged my mother to spend her blood and treasure to put the least outstanding prince on the throne. When he first ascended, I used my mother’s connections to purge those who opposed him, clear out spies in the harem, and help him secure his rule step by step. And what did I get in return? The Ashford family weakened, humiliation from a dancer, deposed and confined to Everlong Palace for over a decade. And Everlong Palace—it was the dowry my mother gave me when I married! It became my prison until death. Leo, you went too far! So I would make him understand: without me, Claire Ashford, he could accomplish nothing! Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice Luna’s quiet voice until she said, “Miss, if you don’t like him, just send him away. Don’t… be sad.” I looked at her worried eyes and reached out to pinch her cheek. In my past life, when I was “irrefutably” convicted of witchcraft, Luna took all the blame without hesitation and threw herself at Leo’s feet, taking her own life to protect me. But she was too naive. A cold emperor’s heart couldn’t be changed by one or two lives. Thankfully, I had a second chance. This time, I would protect her. I pulled myself together, casually stuck a hairpin in my hair, and said calmly, “No rush to send Leo away. I need him to accomplish one crucial thing.” Something that would ensure I, Claire Ashford, would never be under anyone’s control again! That night, I left the palace. The next day, I summoned Jack Zhang to the manor. “You said you would serve me.” He knelt immediately. “I await your orders, miss.” “What if what I want is treasonous and defies heaven’s will?” He paused, then lowered his head and said firmly, “You saved my family. I would shed my blood and break my bones for you.” “Good.” I handed him a piece of paper. “This is what I need you to do.” His eyes widened in disbelief, but in the end, he burned the paper with a flint and kowtowed heavily. “I accept my orders.” I looked at the first snow outside and sighed. The New Year was coming. Everyone was bustling with anticipation. But after the new year, the capital would be drenched in blood. The deposed crown prince Marcus left the capital before the new year. A day later, the Cold Palace caught fire. As everyone rushed to put it out, Lady Chestnut escaped. Lady Willow’s palace was conveniently close. Taking advantage of the chaos, Lady Chestnut stabbed her over a dozen times, each wound fatal. By the time the servants found them, Lady Willow was already dead. Lady Chestnut had also died by crashing into a pillar. The Emperor glanced at them, said “Bury them with honor,” and left. An emperor’s heart was cold, especially toward concubines he no longer loved. But Leo needed an explanation. I sent him a letter. He took my advice and volunteered to keep vigil at the funeral for three days, asking for nothing else. The Emperor was pleased, praised his filial piety, and rewarded him generously. “Claire, you’re so clever. You always know the best way. What about the Grand Princess… does she still refuse to accept me?” I sighed helplessly. “My mother is still thinking it over. After all, Uncle the Emperor has many princes.” I caught the