Zhao Yān maintained her composure, displaying the Crown Prince’s signature smile.

“When someone wants to avoid a question, they often throw out another question to cover up. Answering a question with a question—such people either have been hit at their vital point or are guilty of something.”

Liu Ji rested one hand on the small table and said, “You needn’t worry that I’m trying to trick you. Without complete certainty, I wouldn’t have the courage to tear through this thin veil of pretense.”

At this, the autumn water-like smile in Zhao Yān’s eyes dimmed a little.

Prince Su’s night visit had unintentionally involved Liu Ji, and she had anticipated such an outcome.

“But finding someone with such similar features is not easy. Even the ‘shadow’ who died in the Crown Prince’s place couldn’t achieve such an uncanny resemblance in appearance and build as you have. Only someone connected by blood could perform this role.”

As she spoke, Liu Ji leaned forward slightly. “I guess you come from a thousand li southeast of here.”

The southeast, a thousand li from the capital, was precisely the location of Huayang Palace.

She had still underestimated her brother’s bed companion, whose sharp intelligence far exceeded that of ordinary people.

…

…

She had focused all her energy on dealing with Prince Su, never expecting to stumble over an inconspicuous concubine…

No, was Liu Ji truly just a caged songbird confined to the rear palace?

After just a moment’s contemplation, Zhao Yān made her decision. Since the other party had shown her “weapon,” there was no need for further concealment.

Although Liu Ji was aggressive, there wasn’t a hint of hostility. What was truly frightening were people like Wenren Lin, who smiled to your face while concealing daggers in their sleeves.

With this thought, she felt more at ease and raised her hand to lower the red-lacquered prop rod supporting the window panel.

The window panel fell, creating a quiet space sheltered from the howling north wind.

Outside, Liu Ying heard the sound and turned around, only to see the shadows of Liu Ji and the Crown Prince sitting opposite each other, their figures indistinct, their conversation inaudible.

Zhao Yān placed the red-lacquered prop rod across her knees. The timidity on her face disappeared, replaced by a gentle and languid expression.

Liu Ji’s words couldn’t be taken lightly. If she could see through the disguise, others might too. The weakness needed to be identified.

Zhao Yān carefully recalled, reflecting, “Is it that my attitude toward you lacks enthusiasm, or did I reveal something while in bed?”

“Your Highness need not worry. Your disguise is excellent. Others certainly wouldn’t notice anything amiss. The only reason I could discern the difference was by lucky chance… because of a secret arrangement between the Crown Prince and myself.”

Liu Ji picked up the wine flask brought by Liu Ying and generously poured herself a cup. “This is a secret even Liu Ying doesn’t know, let alone an imposter like you.”

“Actually, since our return journey, I vaguely suspected it would end this way.”

Liu Ji gave a cold snort, conveying either anger or mockery. She gripped her wine cup tightly and muttered to herself, “I always said Zhao Yǎn would eventually get himself killed by his actions.”

Having said this, as if reaching some decision, she raised the wine to her lips in front of Zhao Yān, tilting her head back to drink.

Zhao Yān grabbed her wrist.

The wine sloshed out, reflecting Liu Ji’s startled eyes.

“What ‘ending’? What ‘getting himself killed?”

Zhao Yān pursed her lips, her chest heaving. “Liu Ji, what exactly do you know?”

A moment of dead silence.

The spilled wine trickled down the edge of the table, seeping into the embroidered mat and leaving dark stains.

The air was heavy with the strong smell of wine, and upon careful sniffing, one could detect a subtle bitter note.

Zhao Yān’s grip on Liu Ji’s knuckles unconsciously tightened. She asked calmly, “Has something happened to the Crown Prince? Tell me.”

Liu Ji’s expression was complex. She only said, “Your Highness should have… let me drink that cup of wine.”

Zhao Yān emphasized, “Tell me!”

The small prince before her was identical to the Crown Prince in delicate build, seemingly fragile, but those beautiful peach blossom eyes revealed a stubborn determination completely different from the Crown Prince’s.

Liu Ji’s eyes showed several changes before she finally turned her head away, withdrawing her hand from Zhao Yān’s grasp.

“My relationship with the Crown Prince is not what you all think.”

She said, “I lost a bet to him, so I kept my promise and stayed by his side. He shelters me, and I help him solve problems. If I must describe it, it’s more like a mutually beneficial arrangement.”

This did sound like Zhao Yǎn’s style.

Her brother appeared weak and incompetent, but he possessed an enviable talent. No matter what gambling game he played, he always won.

Every time his opponent lost miserably, he would still gently and humbly say: “Thank you for letting me win.”

Zhao Yān had lost to him many times, and when angered, she would act unreasonably, accusing him of bullying her. Zhao Yǎn would only look at her with curved eyes and an indulgent smile. Though pale and fragile, his smile was as warm and gentle as the spring breeze.

Thinking about it now, these tumultuous memories were among the few sweet ones she had before the age of nine.

Zhao Yān pulled herself from her thoughts: “So, when you pretended to be jealous of Liu Ying, you already suspected me then?”

Liu Ji tacitly agreed and continued: “When we went to the Summer Resort, he sent me away with a clumsy excuse. Although I was suspicious, I didn’t dwell on it. Later, when I heard rumors about the Eastern Palace being closed off, my unease grew. I hurriedly returned after handling trivial matters, only to find all the Eastern Palace attendants and guards replaced by unfamiliar faces, confirming my suspicions.”

“Just from that?”

Zhao Yān was skeptical, focusing on the key point. “What exactly was the arrangement between you and the Crown Prince?”

Liu Ji looked at Zhao Yān for a long time, then suddenly smiled: “I was bluffing. If I hadn’t said that, how would you have blocked the Empress’s poisoned wine for me?”

Zhao Yān also smiled, stating firmly: “That statement is the real bluff.”

Hearing this, Liu Ji’s smile froze, and her flippant gaze became more serious.

“You were going to drink the poisoned wine just now, weren’t you?”

Zhao Yān frowned. “What secret are you and Zhao Yǎn hiding that would make you ready to die?”

“If it’s a secret, why would I tell you?”

Liu Ji rested her arm on her raised knee, mockingly saying, “Either way, I won’t survive tonight. If I don’t take the secret to my grave, how could the Empress rest easy?”

Zhao Yān knew she wouldn’t reveal the whole truth. A clever person never throws out all their chips at once, always keeping an ace up their sleeve.

“You won’t die,” Zhao Yān said.

Not only would she not die, but she needed to be well-protected. Everything had to remain as it was before her brother’s death.

Her eyes clear, after just a moment’s consideration, she made her decision: “I need you.”

“You?”

Liu Ji looked her up and down, her distrust evident.

If even Crown Prince Zhao Yǎn couldn’t achieve something, how could this precarious imposter make such a bold claim?

Zhao Yān offered no further explanation. After a moment’s concentration, she looked toward the chessboard on the nearby desk and asked, “Do you know the Swallow Tail Formation that Grand Tutor Li taught the Crown Prince?”

“Huh?”

The sudden change of topic startled Liu Ji, who reflexively nodded.

…

The long night was nearing its end, with a faint white arc appearing on the dark blue horizon.

The candle wick fell, making a crisp sound. Zhao Yān, who had fallen asleep at the table, suddenly awoke and mumbled groggily: “I’ve got it.”

She pressed a chess piece firmly onto the board, creating a clear sound of jade against stone.

Liu Ji, who had been sleeping sprawled on the couch, started and opened her eyes, asking in surprise: “You haven’t been playing chess all night, have you?”

Zhao Yān examined the board with satisfaction but said nothing.

She stretched her sore shoulders. The blue-white light reflected on the window paper cast her slender form as a dark silhouette, making it difficult to tell whether she was a delicate young man or a poised young woman.

Remembering something urgent, Zhao Yān paused her shoulder-rubbing motion and silently cursed, “Oh no.”

She hurriedly arranged her robes and stood up, wincing at the body aches from sleeping bent over the table. She walked a few steps toward the hall door, then turned back, bowing with clasped sleeves to Liu Ji, who was sitting with one leg propped up on the couch.

“Thank you for keeping my secret, and thank you for teaching me the chess move.”

She straightened up, her eyes particularly bright in the dim twilight. “I will do everything in my power to protect you.”

Just as her brother would have done for her.

Without waiting to see Liu Ji’s reaction, she smiled slightly and pushed open the door, walking into the cold, dark dawn.

Liu Ji rose from the couch and went to the window, tilting her head to look at the intricate pattern of black and white pieces on the board.

The final white piece had been placed brilliantly, forming the Swallow Tail Formation, cutting through the black pieces’ encirclement like a golden dragon’s sharp scissors, turning defeat into victory.

A thin beam of morning light streamed through the window crack, illuminating that winning piece, reflecting a dazzling light.

Liu Ji lightly touched that brilliantly shining piece, closing her eyes and murmuring: “I was ultimately one step too late, Zhao Yǎn.”

Zhao Yān left the inner chambers and indeed found a lady-in-waiting from Kunning Palace standing in front of the sleeping quarters.

Li Fu stood at attention, his face showing anxious restraint.

Zhao Yān’s heart sank. She quickened her pace up the steps and pushed open the main doors of the sleeping hall.

Inside, candles blazed brightly. Empress Wei, in full phoenix robes, sat regally on her sleeping couch, with pale-lipped Liu Ying kneeling beside her.

As the door closed behind her, Zhao Yān moved forward, performed a male courtesy, and said with composure: “Your son pays respects to Imperial Mother. At this hour the cold wind and frost are heavy, why did Mother not send someone to announce your coming?”

She deliberately imitated Zhao Yǎn’s mannerisms and gestures. This small trick couldn’t escape Empress Wei’s eyes.

But this time, Empress Wei didn’t soften. Her expression unchanged, she said: “So you know to return, Crown Prince?”

That “Crown Prince” was hoarse with suppressed anger, reminding Zhao Yān of her current identity.

“Pouring out the poisoned wine was my decision alone. I alone will take responsibility. It has nothing to do with Liu Ying.”

Zhao Yān looked at Liu Ying and said softly, “As the Crown Prince’s palace maid, what wrong is there in following the Crown Prince’s orders? Stand up.”

Liu Ying remained kneeling, slightly shaking her head at her master.

Zhao Yān’s lips tightened into a line, and she simply lifted her robe and knelt beside her.

“Liu Ji has seen through my true identity.”

Before the shocked Empress and Liu Ying could respond, she changed the subject, saying lightly but firmly: “But Mother, I wish to keep Liu Ji.”

Empress Wei’s phoenix eyes were stern as she asked: “Do you know what you’re saying? The current situation is already precarious; keeping this person will bring endless trouble!”

“I understand Mother’s concerns, but I disagree with Mother’s approach. Considering the big picture doesn’t mean killing is the only option.”

Zhao Yān spoke clearly: “Has Mother considered that Liu Ji is someone favored by the Crown Prince? If she returns to the palace after the Eastern Palace has been closed for months, only to mysteriously die after encountering Prince Su’s night visit, wouldn’t that raise more suspicion?”

Empress Wei frowned slightly.

Zhao Yān knew she was listening, so she continued: “Of course, Mother could quietly dispose of her and order the servants to remain silent, pretending Liu Ji never came to the Eastern Palace, but would Prince Su believe that?”

Empress Wei had naturally considered these points herself.

“Even so, she cannot be kept at your side. It’s merely choosing the lesser of two evils. The fate of the nation is at stake; neither of us can afford to gamble.”

Seeing her mother’s solemn face but less severe tone, Zhao Yān knew there was a slight turning point.

Even with just a glimmer of hope, she had to push for it.

She pressed on, having covered the practical benefits, now appealing to emotion: “Liu Ji returned without hesitation despite knowing the Eastern Palace had unusual circumstances. Even knowing that discovering my identity would bring her mortal danger, she still chose to be honest… This proves my brother’s trust in her was well-placed. Moreover, she spent day and night with my brother, sharing common interests, thoroughly understanding his writing and chess skills. If we kill her, I fear we won’t find another person so suitable.”

Empress Wei rubbed her throbbing temples and, after a long while, asked: “What are you suggesting?”

Zhao Yān said calmly, “Liu Ji is useful to us. Please spare her life for now, Mother, to assist the Eastern Palace.”

“If she harbors ill intentions and leaks secrets…”

“If anything goes wrong, I am willing to end this matter with my own hands and then accept punishment from Mother!”

But at least, at least for now, she wanted to fight for Liu Ji’s chance to live. Zhao Yān gently curled her fingers.

Empress Wei deliberated for a long time.

In the silence, the sky outside gradually brightened, and the dim candlelight cast on the floor tiles was slowly replaced by faint white light.

“Liu Ying.”

Empress Wei finally spoke, rising to command: “Temporarily confine Liu Ji to Cheng’en Hall, and do not allow her to contact any palace attendants. If anything unusual occurs, kill her without question!”

Liu Ying, ignoring the pain in her knees, hastily bowed her head and said, “Yes.”

Empress Wei didn’t linger, needing to return to Kunning Palace before daybreak.

Zhao Yān knew that Liu Ji’s life was temporarily saved. She collapsed onto the floor tiles, exhaling a long breath.

But before her heart could fully settle, it was suspended again.

Daylight had broken, and she still had to attend studies at Chongwen Hall.

Another great ordeal.

Feeling deflated, however unwilling, she had to change clothes, wash up, and enter the palace to face the scheming Wenren Lin.

By the time she reached Chongwen Hall, Wenren Lin had already arrived.

As usual, he wore plain black attire, sitting in the master’s chair reading a scroll with his left scholarly sleeve, while his right warrior sleeve with its wrist guard extended slightly forward, casually turning his long, strong hand to warm his knuckles over the charcoal brazier.

Fortunately, apart from this brazier, there were no other superfluous items in the hall. A gentle, fragrant warmth caressed the face, the temperature neither too cold nor too hot, just right.

On the small table before Wenren Lin was a chessboard with intertwined black and white pieces.

Zhao Yān gathered her courage and approached for a closer look, only to realize that the chess pattern was familiar—it seemed to be the game she had ruined by pretending to faint several days ago.

Wenren Lin had recreated the entire game from memory without missing a single piece!

Zhao Yān swallowed and reached into the chess container for a white piece, placing it gently on the disconnected point in the upper right with a soft click.

The Swallow Tail Formation was formed, and the white pieces turned the tide.

Wenren Lin looked up from behind his book scroll, seeing the broken game solved, his eyes showing a slight movement.

Zhao Yān gave a cautious smile, speaking softly: “Grand Tutor, my illness has greatly improved.”

As if!

She had just learned this Swallow Tail Formation last night, hurriedly practicing with Liu Ji.

Wenren Lin’s gaze barely skimmed over her, yet Zhao Yān felt her entire body tingle, as if she had been seen through completely.

He neither confirmed nor denied, tapping the table with his scroll: “Come here.”

Zhao Yān obediently sat down behind the desk.

Wenren Lin said again: “Come closer.”

Zhao Yān was startled, hesitantly moving forward half an inch.

Wenren Lin’s eyes flickered.

This time, Zhao Yān dared not play tricks. She dutifully leaned forward over the desk, half her body extending over the chessboard.

Wenren Lin picked up a small celadon medicine jar prepared nearby, removed the stopper, and scooped up some ointment with his fingertip.

His knuckles were as frost-white as the ointment itself.

When his hand extended toward her, Zhao Yān closed her eyes as if escaping, almost holding her breath.

The next moment, a cold, moist sensation touched her bruised forehead.

She tremulously opened her eyes to find Wenren Lin’s incomparably handsome face just inches away, his eyes half-lowered as he leisurely spread the ointment evenly.

Wenren Lin looked up, his gaze colliding directly with hers.

Zhao Yān clenched her five fingers within her sleeve, using all her strength to suppress the urge to flee, as she heard Wenren Lin casually ask: “Have you been taking the medicine for the Crown Prince as scheduled?”

“Medicine…”

Ah, that bottle of whatever pills for warming yang and nourishing kidneys?

Zhao Yān’s eyelashes trembled, somewhat embarrassed: “Thank you for Grand Tutor’s kindness, I will next time.”

Throw it away, Zhao Yān secretly thought.

Who knew what Wenren Lin’s concoctions contained? Only a fool would rush to take them. Besides, such medicine had no use in her hands.

Wenren Lin looked up. The little prince had not slept well last night; his face was as white as frost and snow, with two faint blue circles under his eyes.

He said, “The Crown Prince at such a young age shouldn’t indulge in carnal pleasures.”

Zhao Yān nodded repeatedly: “Grand Tutor’s admonishment is correct.”

Wenren Lin, seeing her meek and compliant manner, had a very faint smile ripple in his eyes. He withdrew his hand and said: “Let the Crown Prince recite the ‘Crane Neck Entwining’ from the ‘Classic of the Dark Woman’.”

Zhao Yān was about to nod perfunctorily when she suddenly froze.

What was the “Classic of the Dark Woman”?

And what was “Crane Neck Entwining”?

Seeing Zhao Yān’s dumbfounded expression, Wenren Lin slowly narrowed his eyes.

“Every prince in the palace learns the art of female companionship before coming of age, and the ‘Classic of the Dark Woman’ is required reading for all.”

Wenren Lin picked up the cotton cloth brought by the attendant to wipe away the remaining ointment from his fingertips, saying meaningfully: “I saw the Crown Prince spend the night with a concubine, so you must have mastered its principles. Surely you can recite it?”

Zhao Yān was stunned.