Beneath the fluttering bed curtains, that black shadow was like an evil spirit emerging from the underworld, emanating a cold and sinister aura. Yuanxi couldn’t see the person’s face clearly, but those icy fingers were like a slippery venomous snake tightly coiled around her neck, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.
Yuanxi’s eyes widened as she tried desperately to scream but couldn’t make a sound. Her throat was gripped tightly, and her frantic attempts to pry the hands away were all in vain. Her lungs grew increasingly burning, like a fish pulled onto shore, stripped of all vitality.
Finally, her struggles began to weaken, all the strength in her body seemed drained away, and her consciousness gradually blurred. The heavy darkness before her eyes turned into a vast expanse of white, while her body kept falling downward, yet could never touch the ground.
At this moment, a face suddenly flashed through the white light—a gentle yet resolute countenance, with eyes full of reluctance and devotion. She suddenly opened her eyes wide and used her last bit of strength to kick desperately with her legs. Perhaps due to her tremendous will to survive, she actually managed to kick off one of the curtain rods by the bed. The rod fell to the ground with the gauze curtains with a “clatter,” awakening the guards and palace maids keeping watch outside.
Seeing the situation had gone awry, the black shadow quickly withdrew its hands and swiftly fled outside. Yuanxi clutched her throat and coughed incessantly. Thinking of that moment of struggle between life and death, her spine kept turning cold. Slippery sweat enveloped her body, making her constantly want to vomit.
Palace lanterns had already been lit outside. Since this was a women’s inner chamber, the guards couldn’t barge in and only let the palace maids enter to see what had happened. As soon as several palace maids stepped through the door, they saw Yuanxi disheveled, clutching her throat and retching, with a clear bruise mark on her neck. They were all thoroughly frightened and hurried over to help her up, but Yuanxi waved them away and said in a weak voice, “Quick! Quick, go chase them—that person just ran out!”
The palace maids were stunned. One of them said, “But we just came in from outside and didn’t see anyone leave at all.”
Yuanxi was stunned for a moment, then said, “What about the guards outside the palace gates? Go ask them! They might have escaped through the window.”
Having an assassin in the palace was serious enough to cost heads. The palace maids didn’t dare be careless. They left two people to attend to Yuanxi’s dressing and getting up, and poured her a cup of hot tea to calm her nerves, while the rest ran out to report to the guards about Marquis Xuanyuan’s wife being in danger. For a time, Yikun Palace was brightly lit, with guards carrying palace lanterns leading the way as they searched inside and out thoroughly. In the quiet garden, the sound of hurried footsteps constantly echoed.
At this time, the princess had also finished dressing and hurried to Yuanxi’s room. Seeing Yuanxi holding a cup of hot tea with a still-frightened appearance, she frowned and asked, “What exactly happened?”
Yuanxi turned her head to look at her blankly. Although she and the princess weren’t particularly close in daily life, having just experienced life and death, seeing a familiar face at this moment still made her nose sting and nearly brought her to tears. She lowered her head and sniffed, then told the princess about her recent ordeal. The princess also showed a terrified expression, her hands trembling slightly as she said, “How could thieves enter the palace for no reason? And why would they want to harm you?”
Yuanxi shook her head with vacant eyes. Even now she didn’t understand why someone would want her life. Was that person acting on impulse, or had they come specifically for her?
At this time, a guard came in to report: “Princess, Madam, we have searched Yikun Palace inside and out completely. There are no traces of outsiders entering or leaving.”
Yuanxi’s eyes widened, and she suddenly felt somewhat dazed. Could what had just happened not have been real, but only a nightmare? But the clear bruise on her neck reminded her that this absolutely couldn’t have been a dream. In the heavily guarded Yikun Palace, even a fly entering or leaving should have left traces, yet that black shadow could come and go without a trace. Was he human or ghost?
For a moment, the room was unusually quiet, with only the dripping sound of the water clock being particularly clear. Finally, the princess sighed and broke the silence. She waved her hand to dismiss the guard first, then said to Yuanxi, “Tomorrow morning I’ll report this matter to His Majesty and have him send people to investigate thoroughly. After being frightened all night, you should rest well first. If you also fall ill, that would really be troublesome.”
These rare words of comfort coming from the princess’s mouth made Yuanxi feel warmth in her heart. She nodded and said, “I’m fine now. I just feel sorry for involving mother-in-law in this disturbance. You should also go back and rest quickly.”
The princess stood up and slowly walked toward the adjoining room. Her figure was gradually elongated by the flickering candlelight, casting a heavy shadow on the ground. Yuanxi’s heart suddenly jumped: the black shadow that had stood by her bed earlier bore some resemblance to the princess’s figure. Thinking further, only the princess sleeping in the adjoining room seemed capable of avoiding the layers of guards and the palace maids outside…
She quickly shook her head, forcing herself to dismiss this terrible thought. The princess had no reason to harm her, and furthermore, they were now bound together. If something happened to her, it couldn’t possibly benefit the princess in any way. She drained the hot tea in her cup, but her body still trembled with cold.
It was already the third watch of the night, but Yuanxi no longer had any desire to sleep. She sat on the bed hugging her knees for the entire night.
Day replaced night, and in the blink of an eye, it was New Year’s Eve. After the palace banquet ended, Old Marquis Xiao Yunjing hurried back to the mansion. Before he had time to change out of his thick fur coat, Xiao Du had already rushed over anxiously, asking, “Father, how was it? How are mother and Xi’er?”
Old Marquis shook his head with a grim expression, “Still can’t find out any information. I specifically went to ask His Majesty, and he only told me to rest assured, saying he would never neglect aunt, but he wouldn’t let me see them.” His expression was stern as he lowered his voice, “However, the Empress Dowager indeed didn’t attend the palace banquet. Everyone was discussing it during the feast. It seems the information we received was correct. His Majesty has been detaining them, and it’s probably really related to the Empress Dowager.”
Xiao Du laughed coldly, “Three days—it’s been a full three days already! I’m afraid what they’re waiting for isn’t the Empress Dowager waking up, but some other scheme.”
Old Marquis sighed, “Du’er, so you absolutely cannot act impulsively. If you can’t bear it and rashly enter the palace, you might very well fall into their trap. The situation in the palace is unclear now. They shouldn’t dare do anything to your mother and Xi’er. All we can do is wait. The Empress Dowager can’t remain unconscious forever. As long as the Empress Dowager is safe, I’ll apply some pressure again, and His Majesty will have no reason to keep detaining the Grand Princess and a minister’s wife.”
Xiao Du turned his head, his voice trembling slightly, “But father, what if the Empress Dowager really never wakes up again?”
Xiao Yunjing’s body shook, then he said, “Impossible! His Majesty has always been filial and would never do such a thing!”
Xiao Du shook his head and looked blankly toward the courtyard outside. Tonight was New Year’s Eve, with every household hanging lanterns and decorating with colors. Children played and laughed merrily, covering their ears as they lit loud firecrackers. When all families were reuniting, separation was hardest to bear. Though separated only by a palace wall, at this moment it felt like thousands of miles away, enough to ferment longing into bitter wine that chilled the heart.
On the other side of the palace wall, Yuanxi was eating the New Year’s Eve feast bestowed by His Majesty together with the princess. The table was laden with delicacies, but Yuanxi felt everything tasted like chewing wax. Combined with the festivities and clamor outside the window, it became even harder to swallow.
The princess forced herself to eat a few bites, then threw her jade chopsticks heavily onto the table, “I really can’t stand it anymore! It’s almost New Year—when exactly will they let us go back!”
Yuanxi looked up at her, then picked up the jade chopsticks from the table and placed them back in the bowl, softly comforting, “The longer the time, the more we must endure. I believe that right now, the old master and A’Du are having an even harder time than us and will certainly think of every way to rescue us. So we must stay calm, or we’ll only make things worse and cause them more trouble.”
At this time, the sound of clapping came from outside the door, and the bright yellow robes with embroidered golden dragon patterns came into view, greatly startling both Yuanxi and the princess. Just as Yuanxi was about to kneel in salute, Zhao Yan had already smiled and indicated she need not, then had them both sit down together before saying, “Today is New Year’s Eve. I’ve come to eat a meal with aunt and cousin. We’re all relatives—why need so many empty ceremonies?”
He then focused his gaze on Yuanxi, showing an approving expression, “Chancellor Xia once told me that this daughter of his had loved shutting herself in her chambers to read since childhood, never stepping out the main gate or crossing the second door. I originally thought that being suddenly separated from your husband, plus the previous incident of being in danger, you would surely be panicked and wash your face with tears daily. I didn’t expect to hear your words just now—you can still be so calm and restrained. I truly admire this.”
Yuanxi’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected that he had really heard all her previous words. She lowered her head and smoothed her hair to hide her inner panic. When she raised her head again, she had put on a smile, “This subject understands nothing. I was just racking my brains to think of words to comfort mother-in-law.”
Zhao Yan meaningfully said “Oh,” then remarked, “Then these randomly made-up words of yours are quite reasonable and convincing.”
The atmosphere at the table immediately became somewhat stiff. The princess quickly picked up her jade chopsticks and smiled, “Since Your Majesty has come to eat a homely meal, why bring up such mood-dampening matters? I haven’t dined with Your Majesty for a long time either. When I left the palace, Your Majesty was still just a child who couldn’t speak.”
Zhao Yan laughed and asked about some matters from before the princess left the palace. The atmosphere at the feast finally became lively. After chatting with the princess for a while, Zhao Yan seemed to be in a very good mood and said, “Tonight is New Year’s Eve. I’ve prevented you from reuniting with your families, so now I’ll grant you one request as compensation. How about that?” The princess showed an excited expression and was about to speak when Zhao Yan had already continued leisurely, “It’s just that mother hasn’t awakened yet, so I still can’t easily let aunt leave. Except for that, anything else can be requested.”
The princess’s hand holding the jade chopsticks trembled, and she disappointedly withdrew her gaze. At this time, Yuanxi, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace. Tonight Yuanxi would like to go to a place. Could Your Majesty grant this convenience?”
Zhao Yan was very curious why she would make this request and readily agreed, “Fine. As long as it’s within this imperial palace, any place is acceptable.”
Yuanxi quickly stood to express her gratitude, then put on a fox fur coat. Under the guidance of palace servants, she passed through layers of palace halls and colorful splendid lanterns, finally arriving at the highest city tower.
From the high tower, one could almost take in the prosperity of the entire capital, and beyond the green tiles and palace walls lay the direction where the marquis’s mansion was located. Tonight, are you also looking at the same sky as me, with the same longing?
At this moment, with a “bang,” colorful fireworks lit up the night sky. Startling stars scattered like flying flowers filling the sky. Excited screams and cheers came from below the city tower. Yuanxi wiped the tear tracks from her face and silently recited in her heart, “A’Du, you always said Beijing’s fireworks were the most beautiful, and that you must accompany me to see them on New Year’s Eve. Now, we can be considered to have seen them together.”
At this moment, below her feet were brilliant lights and clamorous music. The night wind gently blew, making her figure standing on the city tower appear thin and lonely. Yuanxi pulled her fox fur coat tighter around herself, but her body suddenly stiffened. She quickly turned around and bowed, “Greetings to Your Majesty.”
Zhao Yan followed her earlier gaze and said, “Very beautiful, isn’t it? Only from the palace can one see the most beautiful fireworks in the capital. It’s just…” He lowered his head and tugged at the corner of his mouth, “I’ve watched for so many years, and sometimes I also wonder what the fireworks would look like if I could walk out of these palace walls.”
Yuanxi kept her head lowered without responding. The loneliness and sentiment of standing at the pinnacle of the imperial city were not for her to participate in. She bowed to Zhao Yan again, preparing to return to her room, but as she walked past him, she suddenly paused, took a deep breath and said, “May this subject dare to ask Your Majesty one question?”
Zhao Yan turned his head. Her voice was very soft, almost drowned out by the loud fireworks, but he still heard clearly what she said: “Your Majesty’s insistence on keeping us here doesn’t have such simple intentions, does it?”