Chu Qiao waited for a while but didn’t see Yan Xun return, which made her a bit anxious. After a moment, A Jing lifted the carriage curtain and told her that Yan Xun had boarded Prince Li’s carriage, saying that Chu Qiao need not wait for him and should go ahead by herself.

Spring always came late to the Red River Plateau. By now, Bian Tang and Huai Song were already enjoying the warm sun of summer with birds singing among fragrant flowers, yet on the lands of Da Xia, the spring chill still lingered, with occasional cold winds blowing from afar.

The carriage could only go as far as the Yuhua Gate. Chu Qiao alighted and followed the palace servant who came to guide her. She entered the front corridor and made her way toward the front hall through nine winding turns.

Perhaps because it was still early, the Sacred Gold Palace was quiet. White birds soared across the azure sky, and the cool breeze blew against her clothes, making her wide sleeves flutter like butterflies.

“Eunuch Bai!”

A young eunuch suddenly came running from the direction of the Xiangzhang Hall, panting as he spoke to the elderly eunuch who was guiding the way: “Eunuch Bai, Concubine Qin from the Shuyi Bureau has died!”

“What?” Eunuch Bai was startled, turning pale with shock. The feather duster in his hand immediately fell to the ground as he stammered: “What happened?”

“People from the Shuyi Bureau said she suddenly fell ill after eating date pastries from the Western Kitchen. Officials from the Internal Affairs Department have already entered the palace.”

“How could this happen?” The old eunuch frowned deeply.

Just as he turned his head about to speak, Chu Qiao said: “Please tend to your matters, Sir. I know the way to the front hall.”

“Thank you, Lady Chu.” The old eunuch bowed and said to the young eunuch: “Let’s go quickly.”

Chu Qiao held the rank of a fourth-grade female official with the title of Fangyi. Having lived in the palace for many years, she was quite familiar with all the consorts and eunuchs. To be precise, the Emperor of Da Xia was not particularly lustful, so none of the women in the palace were especially favored or neglected. She vaguely remembered that Concubine Qin from the Shuyi Bureau, named Wanwan, had always kept a low profile. Among the eighty dancing concubines in the Shuyi Bureau, she had always been the quietest and most gentle one, often coming to their Shangyi Workshop to borrow books. It was hard to imagine that such a person who always stayed out of affairs would not escape a fatal disaster.

Not pondering further, she passed through the Xiangzhang Hall and arrived at the Eight Channels Bright Lake. The willows on both shores had already sprouted, appearing as a clear, oily green. A gentle breeze rippled across the emerald surface of the lake. Chu Qiao stood on the Eight Channels gallery bridge, her sash dancing in the wind, almost flying, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of openness in her heart.

Walking quickly past Ronghua Pavilion, the next landmark was the Fortune Gate of the front hall. She was taking the side path, which was quieter and usually had fewer people. Walking under a row of vermilion-lacquered golden-tiled corridors, with distant rocky hills, azure waters, willow trees, and a hundred flowers, the woman in white clothes with dark hair looked exceptionally elegant.

However, at that moment, a shrill scream suddenly pierced the air, immediately disrupting the young woman’s stride.

Chu Qiao stopped and looked up. A snow-white eagle was falling from the sky, hitting the ground with a thud, its chest pierced by an arrow, blood flowing profusely.

The sound of hurried footsteps approached. The young woman frowned, pushed open a palace door by the corridor, and quickly slipped inside.

However, just as the door closed, a powerful force suddenly came at her, bringing wind with each strike, as sharp as a knife.

The opponent was extremely strong, and Chu Qiao was caught off guard, and subdued by the person. She reacted quickly; without seeing who the other person was, she turned and grabbed their wrist, locking the person’s throat with a coiling snake hand technique. But just as she succeeded, a slender yet cold hand firmly gripped her snow-white neck.

The attack was as fast as lightning, and they were evenly matched.

The doors and windows were tightly shut, without a trace of light. The room was completely dark, making it impossible to see each other’s faces. The figures of both people were hidden in the darkness, with only their sharp eyes glinting with dim light, like two wild beasts meeting on a narrow path.

Though they had each other in a hold, neither applied deadly force. Almost simultaneously, with mutual understanding, they each released one finger, seeing that the other was doing the same. They continued to loosen their grip until finally, they stood facing each other, yet still unable to hide the tension in the air.

“Sister Yun, why must you be like this?”

A gentle voice suddenly sounded in the courtyard. A woman dressed in blue brocade phoenix court attire with a purple-gold carved flower headdress, sleeves like clouds, a slender waist, a face like peach blossoms in spring, and eyes like June orchid lakes, slowly walked forward surrounded by a group of palace attendants.

“You and I are sisters, how could I bear to see you commit such a grave error?” The servants brought forward a nanmu daybed. Concubine Shu gently swept her sleeve and slowly sat down, with a faint smile she took the letter retrieved from the white eagle, opened it, and read it carefully, then said: “For a woman of the inner palace to secretly communicate with someone outside is a serious crime. Sister, you have managed the six palaces for many years, surely you know this? Why would you commit such an error?”

The once most noble woman of the imperial court stood in the middle of the courtyard, wearing a deep purple embroidered golden ceremonial dress, her neck straight, followed by two palace maids, still exuding an elegant and dignified aura, though her face appeared thinner and slightly pale. Mu He Na Yun did not even glance at Concubine Shu, and said sternly to the two palace servants behind her: “Let’s go.”

“Stop.”

Mu He Na Yun acted as if she hadn’t heard and continued walking. Several eunuchs immediately stepped forward, blocking Mu He Na Yun’s path, saying solemnly: “Empress, please wait. Noble Consort has something to say.”

A crisp “slap!” suddenly rang out as Mu He Na Yun delivered a harsh slap to the eunuch’s face. The Empress of Da Xia raised her phoenix eyes coldly and shouted: “What is your status that you dare block my way?”

The eunuch was stunned and immediately fell to his knees. Mu He Na Yun had been empress for ten years, and under the accumulated authority, these servants were frightened into silence.

Concubine Shu’s eyes turned cold, and she said calmly: “Rivers and mountains may change, but one’s nature is hard to alter. Sister, your imperial dignity remains undiminished, and your grace unchanged—congratulations.”

Mu He Na Yun’s face was like ice as she said coldly: “You and I were never close, nor do we have any friendship. In the past, I never feared you, and now I don’t intend to take you seriously. The rise and fall, glory and decline of women in the palace is ordinary. Since we are enemies rather than friends, there’s no need for you to address me so sweetly as ‘sister.'”

Concubine Shu smiled and said: “Sister Yun’s nature is like a fierce fire, direct and quick-tempered. I find myself liking you more and more.”

“I dare not accept such praise. I have matters to attend to and cannot stay to chat and admire flowers with you.”

With that, she turned to leave.

“Wait!” Concubine Shu’s pretty face turned cold as she slowly stood up, holding the letter in her hand, and said solemnly: “Doesn’t sister want to explain this?”

“When one is determined to frame another, there’s always a pretext,” Mu He Na Yun snorted coldly and slowly said: “If you like, you may take it to His Majesty. His Majesty is wise and will make a just decision.”

“But I want to hear sister’s explanation.”

Mu He Na Yun slowly turned around, her phoenix eyes as cold as snow, staring at Concubine Shu with the imposing air of the imperial family emanating from her. She gave a proud smile, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly, and said lightly: “If I were you, I would never do this today.”

Concubine Shu hadn’t expected her to say such a thing and was momentarily stunned. Mu He Na Yun continued: “For women in the palace, one looks first at the family background, second at the emperor’s favor, and third at the children one bears. Concubine Shu, you and I entered the palace in the same year, both starting as minor concubines. You are not inferior to me in any respect, so why was I made Empress ten years ago while you are still a Noble Consort to this day? Have you ever thought about the reason?”

Concubine Shu’s face turned cold, all traces of a smile gone. Mu He Na Yun said solemnly: “Because you are foolish, only knowing petty tricks, short-sighted, arrogant and domineering, with the face of a minor person who has attained a small success, ultimately unable to achieve greatness. Your only fortune is that you were born into a good family and have a good elder brother, that’s all.”

“How dare you!” the palace maid beside Concubine Shu immediately shouted.

The female official behind Mu He Na Yun immediately rebuked harshly: “You’re the one who dares! When the Empress speaks with your mistress, when did it become your turn, you lowly servant, to speak?”

“The Mu He family has fallen. If I were you, I would not still be standing here now. Compared to me, don’t you think that the one in Lanxuan Hall poses a greater threat to you at this very moment?”

Mu He Na Yun’s lips curled into a mocking smile: “Do you think His Majesty will still tolerate and allow the Wei clan to become the next Mu He clan? Though the Mu He clan has fallen, I am still the best choice to balance all sides. You will never become an empress in this lifetime. No matter how prominent the Wei clan is outside, you are merely a consort in the imperial palace of Da Xia. I advise you to learn what is meant by proper conduct, to understand when to advance and retreat, and the etiquette of paying respects. The Empress of Da Xia can only be me, Mu He Na Yun, and no one else. It was so in the past, is so now, and will be so in the future. You? Give up the idea.”

The long wind blew, lifting the deep purple hem of Mu He Na Yun’s robe. The woman in her forties had a sharp countenance, her hair flowing like a waterfall, looking as if she were in her thirties, her bearing and demeanor full of nobility and pride.

Concubine Shu stood in place, watching Mu He Na Yun’s departing figure, her eyes gloomy. As she turned back and passed by the kneeling eunuch, she paused and said sternly to the person beside her: “Take him away and execute him.”

“Your Highness!” The eunuch was alarmed and cried out loudly while kneeling: “Your Highness, please spare me!”

Concubine Shu did not look back and quickly disappeared into the courtyard. Sparrows chirped as they flew past the corridor, and the lake waters reflected a gentle light.

The door was opened, and light poured in from outside. Chu Qiao squinted slightly and looked to one side.

The man stood tall and straight, dressed in a dark red ceremonial robe with black flying eagles embroidered on his sash. His eyes were like stars, his lips crimson, as he slowly looked over.

A cold breeze passed between them, carrying a faint chill. The man’s gaze was as cold as ever, without a trace of emotion.

This man seemed to have always been like this, cold like a statue.

Chu Qiao slowly took two steps back, her face calm as she looked at the man before her, as if she had never known him. The early spring wind stirred up dust from many years ago, swirling through the cold air. Then, they simultaneously shifted their gazes, looking towards their respective paths ahead, passed each other without a word, and continued straight forward.

From beginning to end, they had never shared the same path, and even though fate occasionally arranged a teasing encounter, it could only be a brief meeting, after which they would pass each other, disappearing like meteors along their respective orbits in the vast sea of stars.

Zhuge Yue suddenly remembered a night many years ago, with an old man of white hair and beard standing in a desolate maple forest, his silhouette lonely, his clothes fluttering.

“Master, why me?”

“No particular reason,” the old man’s face was aged, his voice carrying undisguisable vicissitudes. “Because there are some things that if you don’t bear them, no one will. Child, born into a noble family, you have your responsibilities.”

“Young master,” a man dressed as a palace servant approached and said solemnly: “Everything is ready.”

In the dense bamboo grove, dark red robes swayed in the wind. Zhuge Yue’s brows were tightly knitted, yet he remained silent for a long time. The weather wasn’t hot, but the servant was so anxious that sweat beaded on his forehead.

After about the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, Zhuge Yue finally nodded and said: “Go ahead.”

The cold wind gusted, and the scent of blood permeated the Sacred Gold Palace.

Just as she arrived at the front hall, she saw shadows moving about, with large patches of purple Jin flowers arranged in the square. Yan Xun stood tall, waiting for her in the distance.

Chu Qiao quickened her pace, and Yan Xun, having spotted her, smiled at the corner of his mouth and also walked over.

“Qiao Qiao!” Li Ce was also standing nearby, dressed in bright red ceremonial attire, waving vigorously at Chu Qiao.

Before Chu Qiao’s expression of disgust could fully spread, a shrill bell suddenly rang throughout the entire palace, causing everyone to look up in terror toward the direction of Xiefang Hall.

“Assassin! The Empress has passed away!”

The eunuch’s shrill voice, like a death knell, carried a sobbing tone that spread throughout the front hall square. Everyone was instantly shocked. Guards dressed in black military uniforms darted between the palace halls, and dense waves of guards surged toward Xiefang Hall where the incident occurred. The crowd in the square was stunned for a moment, and suddenly someone began to wail. Immediately, the mass of people stood in shock, a dark expanse, with cries echoing in the sky above the Sacred Gold Palace.

Empress Mu He Na Yun, born into the Mu He clan, once the foremost of the seven great noble families, had entered the palace at thirteen, ascended to the position of Empress at thirty, and wielded the phoenix seal for ten years, commanding the obedience of the six palaces with none who dared to defy her.

Chu Qiao’s face instantly turned ashen. She raised her head to look at Yan Xun, only to see the same terror in his eyes.

At this moment, that chaotic palace was exactly where she had just passed. If the assassination had happened a little earlier, she would certainly not be standing here alive!

The death knell rang continuously, nine solemn tolls. All who were walking or standing—soldiers, palace maids, eunuchs, or princes, ministers, civil and military officials—turned to face the inner palace, prostrating themselves in unison. The imperial palace fell deathly silent; even the noisy front hall momentarily lost its voice. The bells and drums paused briefly, then rang out again, the sound even more resounding.

And so, first one person, then two, ten, a hundred, a thousand—all people knelt together, bowing their heads toward Xiefang Hall.

Chu Qiao opened her mouth but couldn’t speak. In her mind, she instantly recalled that fierce woman who represented the Mu He clan, who had held the position of Empress and controlled half of Da Xia’s power for nearly ten years, and remembered her resolute words that still echoed in her ears: “The Empress of Da Xia can only be me, Mu He Na Yun, and no one else. It was so in the past, is so now, and will be so in the future.”

The words were still in her ears, yet the person was already gone. What terrible blade was hidden in this seemingly splendid palace?

A great wail immediately pierced the clouds, traveling from beyond the Purple Gold Gate.

I’m feeling much better now, thank you, sisters. Tomorrow I’ll resume normal updates. Because I still need to limit my time online, I can’t update very quickly, but I’ll try to keep a steady pace. Thank you all for your support during this time, I’ll keep working hard.