Upon hearing Wei Yun’s words, Shen Wushuang felt a twinge in his teeth.
By now, the Northern Di had adopted a completely defensive stance. Tu Suo and Su Cha were at a stalemate. If the Great Chu didn’t launch an offensive, nothing would happen. Wei Yun summoned Wei Qiu and Qin Shiyue, instructing them on military preparations for the coming months. He then said to them, “I estimate there will be a ceasefire during my absence. Nothing major should occur. I’ll leave a body double at the General’s mansion; please help conceal this. Use this time to rest and recuperate. Remember to make the necessary preparations. Before I bring back the person, contact me if you can reach me. If not, seek out Lord Chu.”
Wei Qiu and Qin Shiyue nodded, not asking further questions. After inquiring about some minor details, they left.
Once they were gone, Shen Wushuang brought in a pile of small bamboo tubes and placed them before Wei Yun, saying, “Take all the medicines you might need.”
Wei Yun nodded. Wei Xia went out to prepare identity documents for him. Shen Wushuang brought some wine and invited him, “Shall we chat outside?”
Wei Yun agreed, and they walked out together, sitting in the long corridor.
The northern sky was crystal clear, and cloudless, with a bright moon hanging high, luminous, and pure. Wei Yun had grown rapidly over the years, now resembling a young man. Sitting beside Shen Wushuang, he was a full half-head taller.
“Is it really necessary for you to go personally to capture someone?” Shen Wushuang asked casually.
Wei Yun poured himself some wine and replied calmly, “This matter is of great importance. I can’t leave it to others.”
“He’s heading to Huajing. I suppose you’ll be making a trip back there.”
Wei Yun didn’t respond. Shen Wushuang looked at him with a smile, “Tell me, you’re not just using this as an excuse to go back, are you?”
Wei Yun gave him a cool glance but said nothing.
Shen Wushuang shrugged, feeling that Wei Yun was becoming increasingly dull. This person used to be more talkative when younger, but as he grew older, he spoke less and less. Now, he would remain silent if he could avoid speaking.
Growing up seemed to be like building a house around one’s heart, keeping everyone outside. Once grown, with the house built, one could only gaze at the outside world from afar. All emotions became dulled, and one became exceptionally calm.
Shen Wushuang couldn’t tell if this was a good thing or a bad thing. He had walked the same path, so he said, “It’s been three years since you went back. You should go see your mother.”
“Mm.” Wei Yun finally responded. Shen Wushuang raised his hand, pointing at the pillar in the room, “You’ve been thinking about that person for three years too. It would be good to see her.”
Wei Yun remained silent for a long while before finally saying, “I’ll look at her secretly.”
Shen Wushuang laughed, “What’s there to be secretive about? If you want to see her, just see her. What law are you breaking by seeing her?”
Wei Yun raised his eyes to look at Shen Wushuang, “The law in my heart.”
Shen Wushuang was taken aback. Wei Yun poured wine for Shen Wushuang, “Wushuang, I’m different from you.”
He spoke calmly, “I can’t be as carefree as you. If she and I were together, countless eyes would be watching us. Back then, when Gu Chusheng said I was too young, I stubbornly told him I would persist, but in truth, I was afraid.”
“Later, when my Second Sister-in-law explained everything clearly, I felt she was right.”
“When you love someone, you should pave all the roads for her. You can’t recklessly drag her along a particularly difficult path just because you like her. Even if she doesn’t mind,” Wei Yun raised his wine cup to his lips, looking up at the bright moon, “I would still feel heartache.”
“So what do you plan to do?” Shen Wushuang felt somewhat irritated. Weren’t Wei Yun’s words also poking at his own heart?
Shen Wushuang pointed at the pillar in the room covered with marks, “Do you plan to fill up that pillar and then spend the rest of your life like this?!”
“I’ve given myself five years. If by the time I reach twenty, I still love her as I do now,” Wei Yun spoke calmly. Shen Wushuang found it strange and turned to look at the person in the moonlight. He watched him finish his wine and gently place the cup on the ground, as if speaking of the most ordinary thing, with a calm that carried an inexplicable solemnity, “I’ll go back and marry her.”
Chu Yu knelt beside the Princess Royal, watching as one imperial physician after another withdrew.
Almost the entire Imperial Medical Academy had come to examine her, and each one gave the Princess Royal the same definitive answer—she was indeed with child.
This became an inescapable fact for the Princess Royal. She dismissed everyone, leaving only Chu Yu in the room with her.
As soon as the door closed, the room fell into silence, and the Princess Royal turned to look at Chu Yu.
Her hand trembled slightly. Chu Yu looked at her steadily, “Your Highness, this is your child.”
“It’s his too,” the Princess Royal said through gritted teeth. “He forced my brother to his death, imprisoned me here, caused the deaths of seventy thousand Great Chu soldiers, and sent my daughter away in a distant marriage—”
The Princess Royal’s eyes were filled with tears, “And now he wants me to bear his child? He can forget it!”
Saying this, the Princess Royal pushed Chu Yu away. She stood up hastily as if searching for something, repeatedly saying, “I can’t keep this child. I can’t keep it. I…”
Chu Yu hurriedly followed, trying to hold the Princess Royal back. Seeing that Chu Yu wouldn’t let her find what she was looking for, she raised her hand to strike her belly. Chu Yu quickly grabbed her hand, shouting, “Your Highness!”
The Princess Royal slowly turned her head, staring blankly at Chu Yu. Her eyes were filled with tears. Chu Yu had never seen the Princess Royal look so vulnerable. She seemed like a little girl who had lost all her armor and sword, panicked and at a loss.
“I can’t have his child,” she said hoarsely. “Do you understand?”
“I understand,” Chu Yu held her hand, speaking firmly. “I understand.”
“He is my enemy, he is the sinner of Great Chu. One day, I will kill him with my own hands. I will send him to Yellow Springs Road to apologize to everyone. Do you know that?”
“I know.”
“I’ve already compromised and submitted to him. My pride, my dignity, my face, my family, my love—I have nothing left. I’ve given him everything! What more does he want?!”
The Princess Royal suddenly raised her voice. She trembled as she covered her belly, her expression frantic. “I feel like he’s a poisonous seed, wanting to take root and sprout in my body. But it can’t… I can give up everything else, but I will never bear a child for him… I will never let his spawn grow in my belly. I will kill him. If I have his child…”
The Princess Royal’s face turned pale. “Is this forcing me to kill my child in the future?”
Killing one loved one was already enough.
In her life, she had lost her mother in the palace turmoil as a youth, lost her father after her brother usurped the throne, lost her husband in her prime, and lost her brother in middle age.
She had always told others that she wanted to live beautifully and that she couldn’t let others laugh at her.
But from being a court lady to becoming the Princess Royal, and then from the Princess Royal to a Mei Fei relying on the monarch’s favor, her life had long been a laughingstock.
This child seemed to be breaking her, like the last straw on her back. She had no strength left in her entire body. She stared wide-eyed at the outside of the palace, desperately trying to stand up but unable to do so; she tried desperately to control her tears, but could only watch helplessly as everything before her became blurry.
Chu Yu sensed her struggle and steadily supported her, calmly saying, “Your Highness, the paths of life are all chosen by oneself.”
The Princess Royal paused slightly. She slowly raised her head to look at Chu Yu. Chu Yu’s expression was steady as she said, “Everyone’s path is difficult. Everyone will encounter many things—loved ones leaving, betrayal, framing, reaching dead ends. Everyone will have such moments. But the key lies in the choice.”
“Some people choose to cut the rope pulling them into the swamp, while others choose to be dragged down by that rope. Your Highness,” Chu Yu’s hand supporting her was as steady as if a thousand pounds were resting on it, unmovable even then. This gave the Princess Royal a sense of security. She gradually calmed down, looking into Chu Yu’s eyes as she listened to her say, “If you cut those ropes and walk out, everything will be fine.”
“The path of life is still long, isn’t it?”
Hearing these words, the Princess Royal’s emotions finally stabilized. She looked silently at Chu Yu for a long time before finally saying, “You’re right.”
As she spoke, she stood up with Chu Yu’s support and slowly returned to the bed, calmly saying, “I need to walk out of this.”
Chu Yu didn’t speak. She stood to the side. The Princess Royal thought for a long time before finally speaking, “Find a way to let Wang Guifei know about my fondness for the scent of Ten Days Fragrance.”
Hearing this, Chu Yu was slightly startled.
Ten Days Fragrance was a unique scent produced by dried flowers from the Southeast. Its fragrance could last for ten days, hence the name. This scent had a calming effect, but few people knew that Ten Days Fragrance was similar in scent to another Southeast flower called ‘Zisi’. While ‘Zisi’ had blood-nourishing and beauty-enhancing effects for women normally, it was strictly forbidden for pregnant women. Wearing a ‘Zisi’ scent pouch for just one day was enough to cause a miscarriage. Therefore, even if women in the Southeast region loved Ten Days Fragrance, they rarely used this flower as a fragrance during pregnancy, fearing it might be mixed with ‘Zisi’.
Wang Guifei herself had grown up in the Southeast region with her maternal clan when she was young. While Ten Days Fragrance might be unfamiliar to others, it was certainly not unfamiliar to Wang Guifei.
The moment Chu Yu heard the Princess Royal say this, she understood her intention.
She opened her mouth but couldn’t say anything.
The child was the Princess Royal’s, the life was the Princess Royal’s. She could certainly try to persuade the Princess Royal to give birth to the child, but what after that?
She couldn’t live the Princess Royal’s life for her, nor could she help her raise this child. This child, once born, would inevitably be caught between Zhao Yue and the Princess Royal. The relationship between the Princess Royal and Zhao Yue was already a deadlock. How innocent would this child be if born into such a situation?
However, she too had once had a child. Even though that child was now distant and had broken her heart, she still remembered the feeling of wanting to protect that child with her life when she was pregnant.
So she lowered her eyes and said softly, “Has Your Highness made up your mind?”
The Princess Royal didn’t speak. She gripped the armrest, and after a long while, she said hoarsely, word by word, “I’ve thought it through very clearly. There’s no need to add an innocent party to the matter between him and me.”
Chu Yu nodded and stepped forward to cover the Princess Royal with a blanket. Just at this moment, an announcement came from outside. As soon as the eunuch’s voice fell, Zhao Yue’s anxious voice was heard, “I heard you summoned the entire Imperial Medical Academy. They told me you’re with child…”
Before he could finish, Zhao Yue stopped in his tracks, looking at Chu Yu. He seemed a bit flustered, paused, cleared his throat lightly, and said, “Lady Wei.”
“Your Majesty.”
Chu Yu turned around and performed a respectful bow.
Zhao Yue turned his gaze to the Princess Royal. The Princess Royal understood his meaning and waved her hand at Chu Yu, saying, “You may leave now.”
Chu Yu respectfully bid farewell and walked out. When she reached the long corridor, she quietly instructed Wanyue, “Inform the palace spies about the Princess Royal’s pregnancy. Let everyone know as soon as possible.”
Wanyue acknowledged, and Chu Yu turned to go to the Imperial Garden, stopping with Changyue at the edge of the water pavilion, giving Wanyue time to find people.
After a while, Wanyue hurriedly returned, whispering, “All instructions have been given.”
Chu Yu nodded and then led Wanyue back to the Wei mansion.
Upon arriving at the Wei mansion, she sent someone to find Jiang Chun, prepared Ten Days Fragrance and elaborate ornaments like golden hairpins, and had Changyue paint her nails red, trimming them to resemble the Princess Royal’s.
Halfway through these preparations, a maid came in to report, “Madam, the Song family has sent gifts.”
Chu Yu looked down at Changyue dyeing her nails in the candlelight and calmly said, “Tell them I’ve retired for the night and won’t see anyone.”
Not long after, another maid came to report, “Madam, people from the Wang family have come to pay their respects.”
“I won’t see them.”
The maid respectfully withdrew to decline the Wang family’s servants. Changyue asked curiously, “Madam, why are they all coming to see you tonight?”
Chu Yu smiled lightly, “A new mistress is to be added to the inner palace. How can they not be anxious?”
As she spoke, Wanyue entered carrying cosmetics and scent pouches. Chu Yu raised her eyes to look at these items and slowly said, “Currently, there are no heirs in the inner palace. If the Princess Royal gives birth to a child, and if our Wei family continues to be her support, her ascension to Empress is just a matter of time. Whether the Wang and Song families are here to test the waters or to win us over, they were bound to come tonight.”
“Madam refused so decisively. Aren’t you afraid of offending the Wang and Song families?” Wanyue knelt behind Chu Yu to comb her hair.
Chu Yu looked down at the red color on her nails, which now reflected light. She said calmly, “Now that the news of the Princess Royal’s pregnancy has spread, it’s a crucial moment. Whether I see them or not is my stance. For the Wang and Song families, my refusal to see them shows that I remain loyal to the Princess. If I had seen them, that would have been strange.”
As she finished painting her nails, Chu Yu raised her hand, examining them in the candlelight. “As for offending them, I’ve been offending people since the day I became close to the Princess Royal. Why should I care about this particular instance?”
“That’s true,” Changyue nodded. She looked at the golden hairpins, somewhat puzzled, and asked, “Then what does Madam need these things for?”
This time, Chu Yu didn’t explain. She just smiled and said, “I have my use for them.”
The next day, Chu Yu wore a dark blue long dress with a silver gauze embroidered with gold threads over it. She carefully selected an inconspicuous golden hairpin from last night’s collection and inserted it into her hair. Then she hung a Ten Days Fragrance sachet and rode to the palace.
Shortly after entering the palace, as she was heading towards Qifeng Palace, she saw a woman in a sedan chair coming from the garden. Chu Yu stopped, folded her hands in front of her, and lowered her head slightly, waiting for the person to pass. Unexpectedly, the other party had the sedan chair carriers stop in front of Chu Yu. The voice from inside said, “Lady Wei.”
“Greetings, Noble Consort Wang,” Chu Yu bowed respectfully. Noble Consort Wang nodded.
Today, she wore a moon-white silk dress, looking quite dignified. The Wang family had always hoped for her to ascend to the position of Empress and had been grooming her in that direction. Currently, there were three Noble Consorts in the palace: the Princess Royal with her poor reputation, Yao who was arrogant and domineering, and Song who was young and delicate. If it weren’t for Zhao Yue’s feelings for the Princess Royal, Wang would indeed be the most likely candidate to become Empress—
Of course, this was assuming the Princess Royal didn’t give birth to a prince.
Everyone present understood why Noble Consort Wang was here now. She looked Chu Yu up and down and smiled lightly, “I remember the last time I saw you, Madam, was at the spring banquet. At that time, you were still in plain clothes. Now you’ve started to dress up.”
Chu Yu’s expression remained composed: “I’m just a simple woman, naturally fond of pretty things. Now that the mourning period is over, I’ve chosen some accessories I like. I thought the change wasn’t significant,” Chu Yu smiled lightly, raising her hand to touch the golden hairpin, seeming somewhat embarrassed, “but I didn’t expect Noble Consort to be so observant as to notice.”
Noble Consort Wang sighed lightly: “You’re only nineteen now. Life is still long, and this is the best age.”
Chu Yu understood the meaning behind Noble Consort Wang’s words. She was implying that Chu Yu was young and would eventually leave the Wei family to marry, so she should consider her future.
The Wei family might want to ally with the Princess Royal, but that was the Wei family’s business, not necessarily Chu Yu’s.
Seeing Chu Yu’s silence, Noble Consort Wang thought she had understood her meaning. She patted Chu Yu’s shoulder and said, “You and I get along well. If you have any difficulties, you can always come to me.”
As she spoke, Noble Consort Wang leaned back slightly in her sedan chair, revealing a hint of pride: “We Wangs are a first-class family, a centuries-old noble house. Lady Wei, there are many things others can’t do, but the Wang family might be able to. Given Lady Wei’s character, even as a remarried woman, our Wang family could still do our best for you. If Lady Wei were to align with our Wang family, perhaps even the position of principal wife to a Wang family direct descendant could be possible?”
Hearing this, Chu Yu pressed her lips together, the corners of her mouth curving slightly upward.
Seeing the smile on her face, Noble Consort Wang frowned slightly. Chu Yu raised her head, gently tucking her hair behind her ear, and calmly said, “I appreciate Noble Consort’s concern, but I’m still attached to my current position as an imperial-conferred lady. I think I’ll pass.”
The Wang family might be a centuries-old noble house, but wasn’t the Wei family a house of three generations of high officials?
In terms of family status, the Wang and Wei families were on par; in terms of reputation, the Wei family was the backbone of the nation, admired by all. Currently, Chu Yu held a first-rank imperial-conferred title in the Wei household. What more could she gain from the Wang family besides an additional man?
Noble Consort Wang heard the mockery in these words and, suppressing her anger, advised, “Lady Wei, you’ll only understand how hard it is for a woman to live alone when you’re older. Listen to my advice, don’t wait until it’s too late to regret.”
“Noble Consort is right,” Chu Yu sighed, placing her hand on her chest. “Unfortunately, I’m too attached to my current position. There’s no need for Noble Consort to worry about me.”
As she spoke, a palace maid came around the corner. Everyone recognized her as Caiyun, who served the Princess Royal.
“Greetings, Noble Consort Wang,” Caiyun bowed respectfully to Noble Consort Wang, then turned to Chu Yu and said, “Lady Wei, Consort Mei is anxiously waiting for you and sent this servant to fetch you.”
Chu Yu turned to Noble Consort Wang and smiled, “My apologies. Noble Consort, may I take my leave?”
Noble Consort Wang nodded coldly, and Chu Yu turned to follow Caiyun toward Qifeng Palace.
As soon as Chu Yu disappeared from Noble Consort Wang’s sight, the maid beside her said resentfully, “Did you see her attitude, Your Grace? She thinks she’s something!”
Noble Consort Wang’s eyes were cold as she slowly asked, “Have this month’s scented creams been distributed in the palace yet?”
“Not yet.”
Although the Princess Royal was nominally in charge, it was Noble Consort Wang who truly managed affairs.
Noble Consort Wang nodded and instructed her maid, “This month, don’t distribute the same ones to everyone. Take different scented creams to the three Noble Consorts and let them choose for themselves.”
The maid didn’t quite understand, but Noble Consort Wang didn’t explain. In her mind, she recalled the scent of Ten Days Fragrance on Chu Yu.
It was clear that Chu Yu was trying to please the Princess Royal, aligning herself with the Princess Royal’s preferences in almost every detail. Although her clothing was generally modest, she had added a golden hairpin and painted her nails red – all learned from the Princess Royal. The Ten Days Fragrance… was probably also the Princess Royal’s preference.
In any case, if she sent the scented creams over, and if Princess Royal truly liked it, she would naturally choose that cream. They were all palace items, so if anything happened, it couldn’t be traced back to her.
Noble Consort Wang smiled lightly and turned to leave.
In the following days, Chu Yu visited the palace to pay respects to the Princess Royal at her usual frequency, using the pretext of playing chess with her to plan escape routes within the palace.
They set this trap to make Noble Consort Wang go back and complain to her father, thereby stirring up conflict between the Wang family and Zhao Yue. If Zhao Yue were to kill her directly, they would need to find a way to frame others or cover it up, perhaps even find a body double. If that happened, all their efforts would have been in vain.
They needed to keep Noble Consort Wang alive. It wasn’t easy to get someone out of the palace, so they needed to prepare well in advance.
“She let me choose the scented cream myself, and I chose the Ten Days Fragrance,” the Princess Royal said calmly. “I’ll use it tonight. Today, have Changyue and Wanyue take someone disguised as you back to the Wei mansion, but don’t leave. Hide in my palace.”
Chu Yu nodded, placing a chess piece on the board, and calmly asked, “How far do you think Zhao Yue will go for you?”
“The Wang family is his maternal clan. His current position relies on maintaining a balance. He won’t offend the Wang family too severely for my sake,” the Princess Royal said calmly. “He’ll probably just confine her and reduce her rank. So we need to add fuel to the fire, make it burn hotter.”
Chu Yu listened quietly. The Princess Royal looked up at her, “When she’s confined, I’ll send someone disguised as Zhao Yue’s man to attempt to assassinate her. You take the opportunity to take her away, making her believe that Zhao Yue intends to secretly harm her.”
Chu Yu’s hand holding the chess piece paused. After a long while, she lowered her eyes and softly responded with an “Mm.”
This path had never been clean for anyone.
After finishing the chess game, Chu Yu entered the inner chamber, exchanged clothes with a secret guard, and had Changyue and Wanyue take the guard disguised as her back to the mansion. She changed into palace maid attire, put on a human skin mask, and hid in the Princess Royal’s inner chamber.
When dinner time came, the Princess Royal sat alone in front of the mirror. Chu Yu stood behind her. Looking at herself in the mirror, after a long while, she slowly said, “Actually, a long time ago, I once thought about having a child with him.”
“But he was too young then. I was five years older than him and already had a daughter. He was in the prime of his youth, the Crown Prince of Qin. Even though he had fallen to my side, I felt that many young girls liked him.”
The Princess Royal laughed bitterly, “Sometimes I would think, why not forget about feelings and just have a physical relationship with him, to have his body would be good enough. But I was especially afraid…”
“What were you afraid of, Your Highness?” Chu Yu stepped forward to comb the Princess Royal’s hair.
The Princess Royal spoke hoarsely, “I was afraid he would fall in love with me.”
She slowly closed her eyes, “Ah Yu, these young men often can’t distinguish between lust and love.”
“I once had a male companion, before I fell for Zhao Yue. That companion was very young, and I was his first woman,” the Princess Royal said, her lips curling into a bitter smile. “I thought he was very pure. To say I liked him… well, not particularly, but when he told me he liked me, he was so sincere that I was indeed somewhat moved.”
“Later, one day… he ran away with another woman.”
“The guards caught him and brought him back. I asked him, if he loved me, how could he run away with another woman?”
“Did he change his heart?”
“No,” the Princess Royal shook her head, opening her eyes with a hint of mockery. “He told me it was his mistake. He hadn’t distinguished between desire and emotion. I was his first woman, and at that time he thought desire was emotion. It wasn’t until he met that woman that he realized it was different.”
“It’s easy for a man to desire a woman, but when he grows up, when he meets one person after another, he’ll realize that oh, desire and emotion are very different. And when they pursue you out of desire, they’re so sincere that even they believe it’s real. It’s not just men… women are the same. Do you know at what moment I was particularly clear that I loved Zhao Yue?”
The Princess Royal’s eyes became a bit unfocused, “When I was holding him tightly, hearing him ask me very gently if I was in pain, at that moment when he was holding me tightly, like a child, bringing me to the peak, I would have a terrible thought: I love this person so much, I could give up everything to love him.”
“So before he clearly expressed his love for me, I never touched him.”
The Princess Royal’s expression gradually became calm, “If I want a relationship, I want it to be pure and clean. Otherwise, I’d rather have nothing for my entire life.”
As she spoke, the Princess Royal picked up the scented cream from the table.
She trembled as she opened the lid, and then, under Chu Yu’s gaze, she slowly applied it to her face, neck, hands, and then to her abdomen, rubbing it in circles.
The scent of Zisi, almost indistinguishable from Ten Days Fragrance, spread through the air. After finishing the application, the Princess Royal didn’t even have the strength to close the lid, letting the box fall to the ground.
Chu Yu stepped forward, picked up the cream, tightened the lid, and placed it on the table.
Then she helped the Princess Royal to bed and stood by.
About two hours later, the Princess Royal began to feel abdominal pain. Chu Yu rushed out, calling loudly for the imperial physicians to come quickly.
The imperial physicians arrived with Zhao Yue. Chu Yu mixed in with the crowd, standing outside the door.
When Zhao Yue arrived, the Princess Royal’s pain had intensified. She was gritting her teeth, her face pale, blood flowing from beneath her. Zhao Yue held her in his arms, his entire body shaking.
He kissed her forehead repeatedly, telling her, “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid…”
Their fingers were intertwined. The Princess Royal was in so much pain that she was digging her nails into him, but he didn’t let go, holding her tightly.
The imperial physicians repeatedly asked Princess Royal about what she had used and finally found the scented cream. The entire Imperial Medical Academy consulted, and a physician from the Southeast region recognized that the flower in this cream should be Zisi.
The physicians quickly prescribed medicine. After struggling until midnight, the Princess Royal fainted from the pain, and finally, the bleeding stopped. Zhao Yue stood in the room, looking at the kneeling physicians, and asked hoarsely, “The Crown Prince, can’t be saved?”
The child wasn’t even born yet, but Zhao Yue was already calling it “Crown Prince,” showing his expectations for this child.
The physicians trembled, none daring to answer. Zhao Yue suddenly raised his voice, “Speak!”
“Your Majesty,” the head of the Imperial Medical Academy finally spoke, sighing, “The effects of Zisi are potent. Your Majesty, please accept our condolences.”
“How could such a thing be here…” Zhao Yue’s voice trembled. “Consort Mei is clearly with child. How could something like this be in the palace? Who brought it here?”
Zhao Yue gripped the ointment jar and roared in anger, “Why is this here? Don’t you servants know that zi si cannot be near pregnant women?!”
“Your Majesty…” Caiyun timidly spoke up, “But when this ointment was delivered, it was said to be Ten Mile Fragrance…”
Zhao Yue froze for a moment before quickly realizing the situation. He felt his limbs turn cold as he stared blankly at the ointment jar. Being well-versed in such underhanded tactics, he instantly understood the whole story.
“Bring everyone who handled this ointment to me,” he commanded, his voice laced with ice.
Soon after, the palace maids who had distributed the ointment were brought before him. Zhao Yue sat cross-legged on the dais, toying with the ointment jar in his hand. He looked at the trembling people kneeling on the ground and spoke calmly, “This is my first child. Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for it?”
He raised his head, his gaze falling on those kneeling before him, a hint of laughter in his voice, “Twelve years.”
Twelve years ago, he first realized he had fallen in love with his young aunt.
For the past twelve years, his greatest wish in life was to marry her and have a child with her.
But now it was ruined.
Zhao Yue stood up and spoke calmly, “I’ll give you one chance. Speak up, or I’ll send you to a place where I guarantee you’ll wish for death.”
The people present began to cry, each urging the others to speak up. However, after a long while, no one came forward. Zhao Yue waved his hand, ordering these people to be taken away. Just then, a palace maid screamed, “It was Noble Consort Wang! Noble Consort Wang!”
Zhao Yue looked up as the maid crawled forward, crying, “Your Highness, this servant doesn’t know what happened, but in the past, ointments were always distributed uniformly according to set inventory. But this month, Noble Consort Wang suddenly ordered a change in the process, having everyone choose individually… There was nothing unusual about the ointment distribution this year except for this one thing. It must be her!”
Zhao Yue’s expression shifted slightly.
Noble Consort Wang…
He clutched the ointment jar, his hand trembling slightly. Then he stood up, raised his hand, and instructed his attendants, “Take them away for torture. Whoever reveals information can die.”
Everyone was stunned, and those listening nearby found it strange. Interrogations usually promised life for information, not death. Unless…
It was too cruel.
Chu Yu, listening from outside, looked up at the moon, her heart trembling slightly.
She thought that both she and the Princess Consort had underestimated Zhao Yue’s ruthlessness.
After these words were spoken, movement finally came from the inner chamber.
Zhao Yue hurriedly rose and went to the Princess Consort’s side. He knelt by her bed, holding her hand, and asked hoarsely, “It’s over now. Are you still in pain?”
The Princess Consort stared at the canopy, her expression calm.
She slowly raised her hand to her abdomen, turned to look at Zhao Yue, and asked hoarsely, “What about him?”
Zhao Yue’s expression froze, and the Princess Consort said nothing.
Her face was devoid of any expression, as still as death. Zhao Yue’s heart trembled slightly; he had seen this expression on her face the year Mei Hanxue died.
He frantically gripped her hand tighter and said urgently, “Don’t be sad. We’ll have other children, we…”
“So he died for nothing, is that it?” the Princess Consort stared at him, slowly beginning to laugh as tears flowed from her eyes. “Ah Yue, why can’t I keep anyone by my side?”
“Why is it so hard for us?”
“Look at us,” her laughter grew louder, “You’re a puppet emperor, I’m a disgraced noble consort. Our child is dead, and all we can do is hold hands and pretend nothing happened, swallowing our anger.”
“Stop…” Zhao Yue’s body trembled as he tried to maintain his composure.
The Princess Consort looked at him, tears in her eyes. “Zhao Yue,” she mocked, “Even a butcher’s anger can kill. You’re the emperor, what can you do?”
Zhao Yue pressed his lips together, saying nothing.
“You know,” she withdrew her hand from his and placed it on his cheek, speaking softly, “I knew.”
“From the moment my stomach started hurting, I knew the outcome. I knew it would only result in the death of some palace maids and guards. The real culprit wouldn’t face any punishment, and even if they did, it would be nothing more than a slap on the wrist. I know it’s difficult for you.”
She continued hoarsely, “I know your situation is precarious. So I don’t blame you, but I’m afraid… I’m so afraid…”
She finally broke down, crying out loud. Zhao Yue held her in his arms, listening to her heart-wrenching sobs.
He had never seen the Princess Consort like this before.
In his heart, she had always maintained her pride, never letting anyone see a hint of vulnerability. This was the first time she had dropped all pretenses in his arms, repeatedly telling him—
I’m afraid.
Zhao Yue’s eyes were full of tears. His arms trembled as he held her. When she finally cried herself out, he laid her down.
Shaking, he stumbled to the wall, took down a sword, and walked out.
As soon as he left the main door, he ordered the Imperial Guards to seal off the entire Qifeng Palace. After leaving instructions to “clean up Qifeng Palace,” he headed towards Luoxia Palace where Noble Consort Wang resided.
Zhang Hui, the eunuch who had always served him, noticed something was amiss with Zhao Yue and anxiously asked, “Your Majesty, what are you planning to do?”
Zhao Yue remained silent.
Zhang Hui mustered his courage and grabbed Zhao Yue’s sleeve, shouting, “Your Majesty!” Zhao Yue stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Zhang Hui, who was nearly in tears as he said, “The Wang family is your maternal clan!”
Zhao Yue looked at Zhang Hui.
This was the man who had been with him since childhood, and he had always shown him respect. He called him by the title he had used during his years in exile: “Uncle Zhang.”
Zhang Hui’s eyes reddened, and Zhao Yue forced a smile, “This was my first child. I was so happy. I thought that once this child was born, she and I could live a good life.”
Zhang Hui spoke hoarsely, “You’ll have more in the future.”
“I am his father and her husband. Now, my child is dead, and my wife lies in the palace, saying she’s afraid…”
Zhao Yue’s voice trembled, and he suddenly raised his voice, “When in her life has she ever said she was afraid?!”
“I know what you want to say. The Wang family is indeed my maternal clan, but I will kill Wang Zhi. Don’t worry, Uncle Zhang, news of her death won’t spread. I’ll arrange everything.”
Zhao Yue slowly calmed down, his face full of murderous intent. “No one is to stop me.”
Chu Yu, hiding in the shadows, heard Zhao Yue’s words and frowned. She hurried ahead towards Luoxia Palace.
Her mind was in chaos.
Neither she nor the Princess Consort had imagined that Zhao Yue would go this far.
No matter what, Noble Consort Wang had to survive. If she died, with Zhao Yue’s capabilities, he might truly be able to cover it up.
Chu Yu quickly snuck into Luoxia Palace, directly entering Noble Consort Wang’s chambers. Before the consort could make a sound, Chu Yu sealed her acupoints, hoisted her onto her shoulder, and headed out.
At this moment, Zhao Yue arrived with his sword. Chu Yu and Noble Consort Wang hid in the treetops, listening as Zhao Yue angrily demanded from the people in Luoxia Palace, “Where is she?!”
Noble Consort Wang’s eyes were filled with confusion and fear. Unable to find her, Zhao Yue ordered people to search everywhere and then set fire to Luoxia Palace.
“He’s truly determined to kill you,” Chu Yu sighed softly. “My lady, if you can’t leave the palace tonight, I’m afraid death will be your only option.”
Seeing that the coast was clear, she quickly took Noble Consort Wang to a place she had prepared, placing her in a swill bucket. Chu Yu took a token and joined the servants carrying the bucket onto a carriage.
As the carriage approached the palace gates, chaos had already erupted inside. Zhao Yue had ordered the gates to be sealed. Chu Yu watched the negotiations taking place and, throwing caution to the wind, spurred her horse directly towards the gates. Catching everyone off guard, she broke through and out of the palace.
Soldiers quickly gave chase, but Chu Yu, carrying Noble Consort Wang, leaped onto the rooftops. The pursuing soldiers were ordinary men, and after a few bounds, they lost sight of Chu Yu.
Chu Yu’s heart was still pounding as she carried Noble Consort Wang.
Even as she carried out these actions, she was afraid. In her fear, an image suddenly flashed through her mind.
She couldn’t help but smile softly.
Habit is truly a terrifying thing. In this life, no one had ever made her feel at ease, but then she met that one person. From then on, whenever she felt afraid, she would think of him.
Wei Yun.
That name seemed to carry infinite strength. She smiled gently and suddenly felt at peace.
Meanwhile, Wei Yun had prepared everything. Donning a mask, he and his companions set out directly towards Huajing.