Prosperity and Blessings

After the Beginning of Autumn, several consecutive rains swept away the oppressive heat of summer, and the air turned noticeably colder in the mornings and evenings.

The Jianzhang Palace, nestled halfway up a mountainside and surrounded by lush, emerald trees, was originally a summer retreat for the imperial clan. Now, with the rain, it felt all the more desolate and cold.

Inside the main chamber of Sweet Osmanthus Courtyard, Wei Baofu sat on the bed, her long hair loose, a thin quilt wrapped around her shoulders. Her face was still etched with the terror of having survived a disaster.

Perhaps the fear of death from her previous life was something she could never truly let go.

Fortunately, she was skilled at concealing her emotions; none of her attendants noticed anything amiss.

Pulling back the quilt, Wei Baofu slowly got out of bed and walked to the table to pour herself a cup of water.

As the cool water touched her lips, she instinctively frowned—it was cold, almost startlingly so.

But at her core, she never considered herself someone of noble fragility. She didn’t find it hard to endure such discomforts.

“Madam, shall we come in to help you wash and dress?” came the respectful voice of Bingxin from outside the door, perhaps having heard movement within.

Though Wei Baofu now lived with the Empress Dowager far from the imperial palace, her life was not difficult. After all, she was the Empress Dowager’s only legitimate granddaughter, and though the current emperor was merely the Empress Dowager’s adopted son, Wei Ba