When Lii Fei returned to her palace, her expression was even brighter than when she had gone for her audience with the Empress. Though she uttered no words, she had Wan Ying bring him green grapes to snack on. She whispered that during the audience with the Empress, everyone had stared at her in astonishment. Even the Empress herself had complimented her hairstyle and comb, saying they suited Lii Fei perfectly, and had even bestowed upon her another ivory comb.

From then on, Li Lan Se had to assist the Imperial Consort with her daily dressing, and even when she changed into casual attire, he was there to offer advice, so that should the Emperor visit unexpectedly, she would not have to fuss with changing her robes.

However... the Emperor had not visited Lii Fei in her palace for several weeks.

"Who am I to dress up beautifully for? Even on the first day of falling snow, I waited for His Majesty in the imperial gardens, but I saw not even his shadow!"

"His Majesty may be occupied with state affairs. Moreover, the weather grows colder each day, and the snow falls heavily. He must preserve his imperial health, Your Highness," Wan Ying kneaded her slender legs, soothing her.

"Can he not visit me in my palace when the snow falls heavily? Do not think I am unaware. The red ledger indicates he selects the name plaques of those Changzai and Daying without fail each day!"

"His Majesty is merely captivated by novelty, Your Highness. It is Your Highness who has always been in His Majesty's heart," Xi Ying quickly sought excuses to comfort her mistress.

"May Your Highness not be angry. Should you be angry, your face will bear wrinkles and lose its charm, Your Highness," Li Lan Se, who had just entered, overheard the Imperial Consort's lamentations. In his hands, he held a silver basin with floating plum blossom petals, emitting a fragrant scent. "During this time, Your Highness must not display excessive emotion. Otherwise, the dry and cold air will cause Your Highness's skin to become rough. Pray, allow your humble servant to take your hands. Your humble servant has melted the frost from the plum trees outside the palace and boiled it with plum blossom petals. If Your Highness soaks your hands and massages them, it will make your hands soft and smooth, and also alleviate fatigue, Your Highness."

Lii Fei offered her hands, saying, "Lan Se, what shall I do? His Majesty hasn't visited me in so long. You once said you would find a way to restore my favor, did you not?"

"Yes, Your Highness. Your humble servant has never forgotten. However, during this period, Your Highness must remain in seclusion, awaiting the day you shall shine once more. Has Your Highness practiced singing and playing the guqin of the song 'Three Friends of Winter,' as Master Hu taught you daily?"

Li Lan Se had heard that the approaching New Year's celebration would be grandly organized by Emperor Wu Dinggao. All imperial kin, consorts, and high-ranking officials would be invited to attend the ceremony. He knew Lii Fei had a talent for playing the guqin, but after entering the palace, she had lost interest, believing that as a Consort (Fei), she need not demean herself by singing and dancing. However, Li Lan Se saw this as a golden opportunity for the Emperor to witness her beauty and talent. While many could play the guqin, it was rare to find someone who could both sing and play exquisitely at the same time. He therefore suggested she resume playing the guqin, and invited Master Hu from the Imperial Music Department to teach her specially. Of course, her family's wealth was abundant, so they paid Master Hu a substantial extra fee.

"Well... I practice every day," she replied evasively.

"But why did your humble servant not hear the guqin yesterday? Perhaps it is your humble servant who is deaf," Lan Se smiled faintly, ladling water onto her hands and gently massaging them. "There is not much time left. If Your Highness does not wish to regain favor, then there is no need to practice. Your humble servant will go to the Imperial Music Department and inform Master Hu that Your Highness no longer wishes to learn the guqin. When Your Highness has no talent to compete with other consorts, His Majesty will simply forget Your Highness. Your Highness need not tire yourself with practice."

"No! His Majesty cannot forget me! Xi Ying, bring out the guqin! I shall practice now!"

"Your Highness, please calm yourself. Allow your humble servant to dry Your Highness's hands first. Wait for one ke (15 minutes) for the plum blossom dew to nourish your hands. Then, Your Highness may practice," Li Lan Se smiled, seeing her eagerness to practice again. "Your humble servant requests leave, Your Highness."

Though Li Lan Se appeared a clever boy, capable of finding ways to make Lii Fei cease being a laughingstock and suggesting she perform 'Three Friends of Winter' before His Majesty to regain favor, the young boy still couldn't figure out what to do next. What good was regaining favor if there was no way to truly captivate the Emperor's heart? Soon, she would lose favor again, returning to her original distress.

"Why such a worried expression? Did the Imperial Consort dislike the plum blossom dew you presented?" Yunzhi asked, seeing the boy return with a long face.

"No, Brother Yunzhi. Your humble servant merely cannot fathom how to make His Majesty so pleased with the Imperial Consort that he cannot bear to be separated from her. His Majesty indeed cherishes and is captivated by Imperial Consort Lii Fei, but he also cherishes and is captivated by other consorts as well. What must Imperial Consort do to truly stand out from the others? It is clear that mere beauty is not enough."

"Hmm? Is this your problem?" Yunzhi snapped his fingers. "What could be so difficult about a man and woman being together? Simply captivate his heart in the bedchamber. That alone will restore the Imperial Consort's favor. Don't think I'm gossiping, and don't you dare repeat this, but Imperial Consort Lii Fei is beautiful but lacks skill. That's why His Majesty grows bored. Do you know why those low-ranking palace maids suddenly presented themselves and became Changzai and Daying, so that His Majesty visits them every night?"

"Do they have some secret?" Lan Se asked softly.

"Because they serve His Majesty together!"

"Serve together?"

"Yes."

"B-Brother Yunzhi... you mean..."

"Yes. There are five of them, and only one Emperor, hehe," Yunzhi chuckled lowly, while the young boy's face flushed crimson. "Furthermore, they have diligently studied books on the art of lovemaking and Chungongtu (erotic paintings). It's no wonder His Majesty is so captivated by them!"

"I-I... I think I understand now. I will go tell the Imperial Consort."

"What will you tell the Imperial Consort? Do you possess such knowledge?"

"Uh..."

"Truly a young boy. Tomorrow, I will bring you something good from outside the palace. Don't forget to pay me for the tea, mind you!"