All around was a heavy silence. A dim, yellowish light filtered through the closed "Double Blessing" lattice windows, casting a blurred, warm glow upon the cool floor of the Imperial Study.
Perhaps I had been sitting for too long; when I abruptly lifted my head, a wave of dizziness washed over me.
A pair of soft hands reached out at just the right moment, pressing against my aching temples and kneading gently. My heart eased slightly. I set down the memorial in my hand, closed my eyes, and leaned back against the dragon throne.
"It’s stifling," I murmured.
The woman behind me let out a soft laugh. Her voice, as gentle as flowing water, drifted through the silent room. "Chaoyun, open the windows."
I did not open my eyes, but I could clearly hear the rustle of silk as the palace maid moved. Almost soundlessly, a fresh, sweet fragrance wafted toward me.
"Are the Pink Bells in bloom?" I opened my eyes and looked out the window. Under the setting sun, the dense green foliage seemed draped in a veil of golden gauze; the scattered specks of pink were difficult to discern.
The woman behind me smiled. "Though the Pink Bells bloom for a long time, they are slow to open. It will be another three or four days."
I knew this, of course. Hearing her say it, I gave a self-deprecating smile and reached out to take her hand, pulling her into my lap. Her soft body stiffened for a fleeting second before yielding.
I looked down at her. Her cheeks were flushed with a shy crimson, and she was quietly stealing a glance at me. Those lively eyes always held a hint of nonchalant curiosity when they looked at people, a gaze so clear it was almost insolent. Yet, it was mixed with a trace of innocent charm she herself didn't notice—so much like *her*.
As if possessed, I leaned down and kissed her. Her eyes fluttered beneath thin lids, and one hand pressed lightly against my chest. "Your Majesty... Your Majesty... this is the Imperial Study," she whispered tremulously. "If word gets out, how will San’er survive?"
I gripped her hand. It was smooth and slightly cool, as fine as a piece of ivory. But it was not *her* hand. Her fingers were long and supple, with hard calluses in her palms from years of wielding a blade.
I let out a long sigh, a dull ache slowly spreading through my body. The wild rage that had once filled my heart to the point of bursting had miraculously vanished the moment news of her death arrived. It left behind only a tangled mess of hidden pain—unbreakable, unsolvable, and never-ending.
"Mother Liu from Longtai Palace came by," San’er said, no longer struggling as she let me hold her hand. "Consort Yao is not feeling well. The imperial physicians say it will likely be within the next two days. Will Your Majesty not go to see her?"
I tightened my arms, pulling her closer into my embrace. "See what? The child hasn't even been born yet."
San’er let out a soft "pfft" of a laugh but said no more.
From behind the layers of curtains came a soft cough. Wang Bao’s low voice followed: "Your Majesty, Grand Tutor Xu is waiting."
San’er nimbly stood up, straightened my outer robe, and retreated silently into the rear hall.
I opened my eyes as Xu Liufeng walked in with a swaying gait. He wore a broad, grey cloth robe that hung loosely over his thin frame. His expression was indifferent, looking more drained of spirit than ever.
"Is he back?" I asked listlessly. "What do the physicians say?"
"In response to Your Majesty: he has returned. He reached the Prince’s Manor at the hour of the Monkey," Xu Liufeng replied calmly. "The physicians have seen him and say he still needs recuperation. For now, he can vaguely see things."
"Oh? I thought he’d rather die than seek treatment." I toyed with the green jade archer's ring on my thumb, casting a half-smiling glance at the specks of Pink Bells amidst the green waves outside. "Who persuaded him?"
Xu Liufeng stole a quick glance at me and said cautiously, "The young prince traveled extensively in his early years and made many friends. These details were included in the secret missive presented to you."
"Who has he seen recently?" I still felt something was unusual.
"A wandering monk named Feikong," Xu Liufeng replied, choosing his words carefully. "He gifted the young prince several scrolls."
"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Xu Liufeng frowned slightly, seemingly puzzled himself. "The missive says the paintings are all of an infant not yet six months old. The servants at the manor say the Princess Consort Jing specifically requested them for Lady Qinghong. The young prince has been married for so long without an heir..."
I gave a noncommittal grunt. "Regarding Mingshao, what does my sixth royal uncle say?"
Xu Liufeng lowered his gaze, his tone flat. "Prince Jing says the young prince is in poor health and must rest for a while longer."
My fingers tapped against the purple sandalwood desk, which was as smooth as a mirror. After a long silence, I couldn't help but let out a short laugh. "Is he still nursing a grudge against me?"
Xu Liufeng sighed softly. "Your Majesty’s brilliant plan of 'making a feint to the east while attacking the west' was naturally excellent. It’s just..."
"Just what?" I looked up lazily.
He paused for a moment before continuing, "It’s just that Your Majesty turned the play into reality regarding Lord Xi. The young prince cannot possibly be without resentment."
The name "Lord Xi" carved deep into my heart, yet I tilted my head and laughed. "I don't know how many eyes are watching this Imperial Study. If the act wasn't convincing, who would it have fooled? If he didn't harbor resentment, how could that old scoundrel Han Gao believe that I had truly fallen out with the Prince Jing Manor?"
Xu Liufeng looked at me, a flash of pity crossing his eyes. Before I could see it clearly, it vanished, replaced by his usual clarity. "There is also some talk in the court regarding the death of Empress Dowager Han..."
I snorted, coldly interrupting him. "Her? She heard that her own brother forged an imperial edict to mobilize troops for a coup, leading to Empress Han being deposed to commoner status. She was old, couldn't take the shock, and felt she had failed the ancestors of the Qing clan, so she hanged herself. What’s so strange about that?"
Xu Liufeng remained silent.
I stood up and paced slowly to the window. The sun had already set, and the layers of palace halls took on a somber air in the twilight. Only the sea of flowers beneath the window remained as brilliant as her casual smile.
I shook my head and changed the subject. "Tell me about the Northern Six Prefectures."
"The Master of Dongyao City is currently in Liangzhou," Xu Liufeng said. "However, our people cannot get close. It is said to be a woman."
The world was becoming more interesting by the day. What kind of woman would have the audacity to try and seize my empire? "Striking a stone with an egg" was likely the phrase for it. Unexpectedly, Xixia’s clear, cold eyes flashed through my mind, her gaze sweeping over me, instantly causing a bone-deep ache to rise from my heart...
"The flax and medicinal herbs are growing exceptionally well. They have dug canals to divert water, solving the irrigation problem." There was a hint of admiration in Xu Liufeng’s tone.
His tone displeased me slightly. I snorted. "Since they grow so well, tell Chu De that I want all those crops. If he hasn't taken Red Cloud Pass by the autumn harvest, he needn't bother coming back." As I spoke, I suddenly felt that the war had gained some purpose; otherwise, reclaiming the Northern Six Prefectures would just be reclaiming a wasteland.
"Yes," Xu Liufeng replied softly, his voice like a faint sigh.
"In the entire court, not one person thought of planting such things?" I narrowed my eyes and said coldly, "On this point alone, I have lost to that woman."
Xu Liufeng did not speak, but his head bowed even lower.
For a time, even the air was thick with a stifling silence. Staying in this lifeless place for too long made me feel as though I were covered in the scent of decay. *It isn't free here*—those were her words. Indeed, it wasn't free. But she occupied my heart so recklessly; where could I ever truly be free?
San’er was standing on the path by the flower trees, her hands down as she spoke with Mother Liu, the head manager from Consort Yao’s palace. Sensing my gaze, she turned her head and gave me a radiant smile from afar. The warm afterglow of the sunset melted into her eyes; for a moment, it felt as though the entire evening sky lost its color against the vivid light in her gaze.
My head throbbed with a sudden ring.
That smile, framed by the Pink Bell flowers, gave me a suffocating sense of familiarity. In an instant, many fragments of memory overlapped. My gaze involuntarily drifted to the silver blade hanging on the coiled-cloud pillar.
Behind me, Xu Liufeng let out a faint sigh.
"The people I sent out... have they returned?" I asked abruptly.
He understood. "They have. But they found nothing. It has been so long, after all. The men Han Gao sent were eager to kill her and return for their reward; they naturally wouldn't have given her a proper burial. I fear..." He hesitated slightly. "According to my deductions, Han Gao’s original intent was likely to capture Lord Xi alive. After all, as long as she lived, Your Majesty would continue to clash with the Prince Jing Manor. However, Lord Xi was a martial artist; she certainly wouldn't have surrendered without a fight..."
He didn't finish, but my heart twisted into a tight knot. "She said she wouldn't be a caged bird... she'd rather die than be a caged bird..."
She truly would rather die without a grave than stay in this cage with me...
"Regarding Han Gao’s treason..."
I turned back sharply, my gaze sweeping over his face with chilling intensity. "Do you even need to ask me?!"
Xu Liufeng’s hand trembled slightly, and he bowed deeply. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"I am going to the Prince Jing Manor."
Xu Liufeng looked up in surprise but said nothing.
The Prince Jing Manor was truly... very quiet. So quiet it felt desolate. Especially in the dead of night, the cold light of the horn lanterns flickered on the gravel paths, lonely and devoid of any warmth.
The manor’s attendants kept their heads low, leading the way in silence.
After crossing the Meandering Water Bridge, the attendant bowed and said, "Ahead is the private courtyard of our young prince."
I nodded. Before even entering the courtyard, I smelled that familiar, sweet fragrance. I pushed open the half-closed gate and walked through the clusters of Pink Bells straight to Mingshao’s study. Just as my hand touched the silver-threaded bamboo curtain, I heard someone sigh softly, "The more I look, the more he resembles her." The tone was graceful—it sounded like Princess Consort Jing.
"Resembles who, exactly?" Mingshao pressed. His voice was urgent, yet it held a faint trace of tenderness.
Princess Consort Jing’s voice took on a hint of a smile. "Then won't you be a good boy and take your medicine? In a few days, when you can see for yourself, won't that be better?"
I lifted the curtain and entered, smiling nonchalantly. "Let me see as well. What does he resemble?"
The two people in the room were Mingshao and Princess Consort Jing. Both were stunned to see me.
"Your Majesty?!" Princess Consort Jing set down the medicine bowl and pulled her son to bow.
"There are no outsiders here; dispense with the formalities." I quickly reached out to steady them. "I heard Mingshao’s eye ailment is improving?"
Mingshao flinched when he touched my hand, taking an imperceptible step back. He looked even thinner than before, his hair falling loosely over his shoulders, a strip of white silk tied over his eyes.
Seeing me observe Mingshao, Princess Consort Jing smiled elegantly. "Thank you, Your Majesty. The medicine prescribed by Physician Qi is good, but it’s a hassle. Day and night, even while sleeping, his eyes must be covered with poultices."
I smiled as well, offering gentle comfort. "Can you not see a little already? Get well soon; I am counting on you to go to Red Cloud Pass and assist General Chu."
Mingshao said flatly, "If Your Majesty issues the decree, I can depart this very day."
The sarcasm in his words made even Princess Consort Jing frown with unease.
I acted as if I hadn't heard, turning my gaze to the scrolls on the wall. Several paintings depicted the same baby boy—chubby, adorable, with very beautiful features.
With just one look, my heart sank heavily. It was as if a drummer’s mallet had tapped lightly on a drum, then again, followed by a thunderous explosion of frantic music. A wave of icy coldness slowly crept up from my heart, spreading inch by inch to my limbs.
A thin layer of sweat broke out on my forehead. The image of the infant suddenly blurred before my eyes.
A pair of arms supported me; Xu Liufeng leaned in with concern, while on the other side, Princess Consort Jing looked on with a horrified expression.
I reached out to loosen my collar. The suffocating sensation slowly receded, and I could clearly hear the thumping of my own heart, beat after thunderous beat.
"So that’s how it is!" I stared at Mingshao, who was as still as a statue. My voice was so low I could barely hear it myself.
So that’s how it is!
I didn't know how I made it back to the carriage. I only knew that as soon as the carriage started moving, Xu Liufeng spoke up anxiously, "Your Majesty, the treacherous factions in the court have been purged. Though the internal strife is settled, external threats remain. Your Majesty and the Sixth Prince must not truly, for the sake of..."
I waved my hand for him to shut up. The only thought turning over in my mind was: *She isn't dead... she really isn't dead...*
"Your Majesty!" The old fox leaned in again. "Your Majesty, everything must be for the sake of the greater good..."
"Shut up!" I interrupted him coldly. "Wasn't it you, you old fox, who came up with the idea of using her as bait in the first place?"
The old fox gave a helpless sigh. "I did it for the sake of the Yan Kingdom’s empire..."
My heart was a mixture of joy and sorrow. I felt that when a person reaches the peak of pain, a dark fire—half-joy, half-grief—rises from that extremity. Unknowingly, it all turned into a heart full of bewilderment.
"When the scrolls were delivered, what were the exact words?"
"They only said it was a gift from an old friend. Nothing more."
An old friend? Just an old friend?
"Since they said 'old friend,' then surely the ties of affection have been severed," the old fox sighed deeply. "I will continue the search."
I gave a grim smile. "If you still can't find her, I’ll have the lives of every one of the hundred foxes in your family to pay for it!"
The old fox was silent for a long time. It wasn't until we reached Nanhua Gate that he asked softly, "She has already borne a son for the young prince. Does Your Majesty truly not mind?"
Do I mind? Or do I not? At this moment, there was no way to tell. I felt as if I were floating amidst a sea of brilliant flowers, so dazzled that I couldn't think of anything.
I hadn't intended to answer, but as I walked, I couldn't help but say, "Wait until she is found."
I looked up. A crescent moon hung lazily above the roof of the great hall, curved like a jade hook, pouring down a silence as still as liquid silver.
The dark, deep palace, bathed in this silvery light, actually revealed a trace of strange tenderness.
In the distance, the sound of the night watchman’s drum drifted over. It wasn't jarring; instead, it had a peculiar resonance that lingered within the deep palace.
It was the hour of the Pig.
The very hour she used to lead her troops in night drills.
***
