In Yonglin Hall, the Taoist priest who had presented the “divine stone” turned ashen-faced.

The assembled court officials were anxious and uneasy. Among the Northern Wu envoys were those who couldn’t read Chinese characters and didn’t understand what was happening. Though Wu Que recognized Chinese characters, he was uncertain at this moment. His golden eyes swept over groups of officials with varying expressions, watching the spectacle with interest.

The Minister of Rites was the first to notice something was amiss and promptly rose, finding an excuse to lead the Northern Wu envoys away.

Once the outsiders had left, court officials began discussing what the “divine message” on the jade might be implying.

However, among the royal family, only one person was born in the seventh month and had rumors of “using the false to confuse the true” circulating about them…

Zhao Yān placed both hands on her knees, sitting perfectly upright, lowering her gaze to conceal the mockery that flashed in her eyes.

This “divine stone” was not on the gift list submitted by the Ministry of Rites. From the moment the Taoist priest appeared, she had sensed an ominous sign.

Indeed, this trap was set for her. Consort Xu, giving birth more than twenty days early had completely disrupted all her plans centered around the Lantern Festival, leaving her unprepared.

At such a time, maintaining composure was more crucial than ever.

The Emperor on the throne had already darkened his expression, his gaze turning toward Empress Wei beside him: “Empress, what’s wrong with you?”

…

…

Empress Wei was still holding her cup, her knuckles pale, with half the wine already spilled, soaking her magnificent, heavy phoenix robe.

She rose to kneel, using almost all her strength to say: “This person harbors evil intentions and disregards Your Majesty’s authority. I cannot bear to see Your Majesty’s birthday celebration ruined or the agreement between our two countries damaged. I have failed in decorum and ask Your Majesty to punish me!”

“Bring a piece of silk to cover the divine stone,” the Emperor rubbed his fingers inside his sleeve and said to the kneeling Taoist in the hall, “Explain these words.”

The Taoist’s gaze swept over the Crown Prince before prostrating himself: “This is a divine prophecy. This poor Taoist… dare not interpret it.”

“Heh, dare not interpret. Crown Prince, what do you think?”

Zhao Yān, being addressed, stepped forward. With her youthful, pure, and handsome appearance, she spoke clearly: “The little prince has just been born, and this divine stone is presented before Father Emperor. Such a coincidence—whether it is human words or divine prophecy, your son dares not conclude.”

She cut straight to the heart of the matter, and the noisy discussions in the hall grew louder.

The Emperor sighed silently through his nose, patted his leg, and stood up: “Send this object to Taiji Hall. I am tired as well. All ministers may withdraw.”

Zhao Yān and the officials bowed, kneeling to see the Emperor off.

The table full of delicacies remained untouched.

At the steps of Yonglin Hall, Li Kexing looked up at the gray shadows above the imperial city and sighed, exhaling white breath: “The weather is changing.”

Zhou Ji looked back into the hall, his brows tightly knit.

Under the oppressive clouds, the Ao Mountain Lanterns stood tall as groups of officials who had attended the banquet whispered among themselves.

“The Crown Prince and Princess Changfeng were born on July 18th. Could the divine message be suggesting that the Crown Prince is fake?”

“If it’s truly a case of a hen crowing like a rooster, passing off fish eyes as pearls, then there’s no justice in this world.”

“Slandering the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace is a crime punishable by execution of the entire clan!”

Liu Baiwei strode down the stone steps as the harsh northern wind nearly tore his gold and jade robes. He clenched his fist and snorted coldly, “The little prince has been born less than half a day, and already villains are framing the Crown Prince. What intentions lie behind this? Anyone with clear eyes can see! You lot are in cahoots, truly deserving of death!”

The crowd fell silent as if in the presence of winter frost.

After a long while, someone slowly said: “But, some proof is needed, isn’t it?”

“Proof of what? I am the best proof!” Huo Zhenzhen appeared from somewhere, the gold bells at her waist tinkling crisp and clear as she fumed, “The Crown Prince brother is the Crown Prince brother, not someone else! I am close to him, not husband and wife but might as well be—how could I not tell true from false, real from fake?”

“Zhenzhen!”

Princess Imperial Shoukang approached, wrapped in sable fur, her elaborate purple palace attire cascading down the stone steps like a magnificent blooming peony.

The officials hurriedly cupped their hands and made way, respectfully saying: “Princess Imperial.”

Interrupted, Huo Zhenzhen was defiant: “It’s true! Why do they always pick on the Crown Prince’s brother? Now that he’s not the Emperor’s only son, they just…”

“Huo Zhenzhen!” Princess Imperial Shoukang stopped her with a stern voice.

Huo Zhenzhen had always been pampered, and this was the first time she heard her mother use such a severe tone to call her full name. She could only stare with her mouth open, eyes full of disbelief.

Her carefree daughter did not know the depth of the undercurrents, nor did she understand that behind the repeated rumors, there must be deeper machinations. This birthday banquet had been meticulously arranged by the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, and that child was no incompetent person. To bypass the Eastern Palace and bring the “divine stone” into the great hall, planting seeds of doubt in the officials’ minds… who else could it be?

Beside her, Liu Baiwei seemed to have also figured everything out, his expression slightly changing.

Disregarding etiquette, he turned and headed back toward Yonglin Hall.

Yonglin Hall was empty.

Without the Crown Prince’s permission, palace maids and eunuchs dared not come forward to clear away the food and wine. Candelabras flickered, and the fine dishes and wine sat like offerings at a spirit tablet, lifeless on the dining tables.

“When you leave Changqing Gate, someone will drive a carriage to pick you up. In the carriage, there are prepared palace passes and eunuch clothes, and hats. After you change, leave the palace directly, go to Huayang, and seek the protection of the Empress Dowager.”

In the side hall, Empress Wei’s phoenix robe trailed on the ground, her face appearing tragically beautiful in the candlelight as she spoke in a lowered voice, “No matter what happens, you must not return.”

Zhao Yān pressed her lips together and asked softly: “What about Mother?”

Empress Wei’s gaze paused for a moment before hardening again: “I have my way.”

“The court is like a web—easy to enter, difficult to leave. If I retreat, someone will surely come out to take the blame. Under verbal and written condemnation, Father will not show leniency to Mother.”

“Consider it a debt I owe you.”

“But the hundreds of people in the Eastern Palace, Zhang Xu, Liu Baiwei, and even anyone who has had contact with the Eastern Palace—they don’t owe me anything and shouldn’t die because of me.”

“If we want to buy time, there’s only one way.”

Empress Wei’s eyes were cold and clear as she spoke firmly in a low voice, “Marry a trustworthy woman to silence the rumors. However…”

“However, this move is also dangerous and not a long-term solution.”

Zhao Yān smiled self-mockingly, then raised her eyes and said, “Mother, you and I both know who wants to move against the Eastern Palace now. At this point, let’s not drag innocent girls from other families to their deaths.”

Empress Wei was at a loss for words. After a long while, she supported herself against the table, her voice suddenly breaking: “Then what will you do? Let me watch helplessly as you are exposed and put to death?!”

Outside the hall came a series of urgent footsteps as Liu Baiwei rushed in, out of breath.

“Feng, the eunuch from the Emperor’s side, has come. Nothing good can come of this! Come with me first. Claim illness and avoid this for now.”

Liu Baiwei grabbed Zhao Yān’s wrist and said to Empress Wei, “Your Majesty, I’m presumptuous to take the Crown Prince away.”

He tugged but couldn’t move her, turning back in surprise: “Your Highness, you…”

“I cannot retreat.”

“You’re mad!”

“Pretend I am mad, then. I will face this head-on and take a gamble.”

Zhao Yān slowly extracted her hand from Liu Baiwei’s grasp, looking at those who cared for her most, her closest family and friends: “If I gamble correctly, I have a way for everyone to survive. There is no other choice.”

Liu Baiwei futilely reached forward, like trying to hold back flowing sand, but grasped nothing.

His fingers gradually clenched into a fist, his voice hoarse beyond recognition: “And if you… lose the gamble?”

“…”

Zhao Yān was silent for a moment, then raised her bright, smiling eyes, tilting her head slightly: “I won’t. My brother had such good luck at gambling. I want to borrow some of his fortune.”

That light smile was carefree, like water splashing against a reef in the sunlight—clear and fragile, stinging one’s eyes to instant redness and wetness.

Outside the great hall came the sound of Eunuch Feng inquiring. Zhao Yān looked at Liu Baiwei and Empress Wei: “There’s no time left. Baiwei, no matter what happens, you must not seek an audience with the Emperor to plead my case. Do you understand?”

“What can we do?”

“You need to do nothing. You are my backup plan. Removing yourselves from this is the best help you can give me! Only if you aren’t implicated do I have a chance to counterattack!”

As the words fell, Eunuch Feng had reached the side hall, bowing as he announced: “Crown Prince, His Majesty summons you.”

The curtain stirred slightly as Zhao Yān slowly walked out from the inner chamber, revealing her customary gentle and elegant smile: “I couldn’t hold my wine well and rested here for a moment, neglecting the imperial decree. May I ask, Eunuch, why does Father summon me?”

“His Majesty returned from the banquet feeling unwell, suffering from a headache. He needs both princes to attend him in his illness.”

Eunuch Feng, seeing that the Crown Prince had always been kind and courteous to servants like them, spoke a few extra words in a low voice, “The wet nurse has already brought the newborn prince there. They’re just waiting for you! You’re the most courteous, don’t keep His Majesty waiting.”

Zhao Yān smiled: “Very well. Thank you for guiding me, Eunuch.”

As her figure disappeared into the distance, Liu Baiwei’s knuckles turned white in the inner chamber as he asked through gritted teeth: “Your Majesty, are we just going to watch helplessly as the young Crown Prince faces danger and the accusations of thousands?”

Empress Wei’s eyes were slightly red as she looked at the clear-spirited, elegant young man before her and spoke of an unrelated topic: “When you were Liu Ji, I did not like you.”

Liu Baiwei was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head with an unconcerned smile: “Your Majesty knows everything. I didn’t like Your Majesty either, but now is not the time to dig up old grudges.”

“But both my children hoped you would live.”

Empress Wei changed the subject, turning away and closing her eyes: “For you scholars, brush and ink are weapons. Listen to her, preserve your strength. It’s not yet time to charge into battle.”

“What about Your Majesty?” Liu Baiwei couldn’t help asking.

Empress Wei said nothing, opening her eyes and raising her hand to remove the phoenix crown from her head, letting her three thousand black hairs cascade down as she walked toward the outer chamber facing the light.

The wind lifted her hair at the temples, and her silhouette holding the phoenix crown resembled a female war deity standing with a sword drawn.

In Taiji Hall, in the warm chamber.

This was the second time Zhao Yān had entered her father’s meditation and rest chamber. The agarwood incense was heavy, mixed with a faint, subtle exotic fragrance…

Different from the cold fragrance of Wenren Lin’s medicine, it was a light, somewhat familiar scent.

Outside the purple sandalwood inlaid jade floor screen was prominently displayed that “Eternal Longevity of Mountains and Rivers” jade.

Behind the screen, the Emperor sat on the dragon couch wearing a straight-collared Taoist robe, holding the newborn prince in his arms, occasionally teasing him with his finger.

Zhao Yān stood at attention outside until the Emperor handed the little prince to the wet nurse. Only then did she step forward, lift her robe, kneel, and say: “Your son pays respects to Father Emperor. Hearing that Father Emperor is slightly unwell, your son is anxious and wishes to attend to Father Emperor’s illness.”

The Emperor pressed his temples and raised his eyes to look at the blurred, slender figure behind the screen: “It is very good that you have such a heart.”

The serving Eunuch Feng, upon hearing this, came forward with a jade bowl and said: “His Majesty’s headache has persisted for some time. The golden elixir now lacks one medicinal catalyst. Both princes are filial and loyal; surely they would want to relieve their father’s worries.”

Zhao Yān calmly asked: “What catalyst does Father Emperor need?”

Eunuch Feng could not reveal his expression and respectfully said, “It requires the pure yang blood of a close relative to be most effective.”

Hearing this, Zhao Yān looked at the newborn infant sleeping in the wet nurse’s arms outside and felt a cold mockery spreading in her heart.

What catalyst? It was merely a pretense to force her to admit her crime.

Zhao Yān didn’t know what had been done to the water in the jade bowl. She only knew that if her blood was ineffective and the little prince’s blood was effective, there were only two possibilities: either she was not of a pure yang male body but of an extreme yin female body, or she was not a blood relative. In the latter case, the Empress would be accused of confusing the imperial bloodline, a capital offense…

Zhao Yān could only choose the former.

And because of this, she could determine who was truly behind today’s dangerous situation, who was pushing and directing it.

Zhao Yān’s heart actually became calm, clearer than ever before. She half-lowered her eyelashes to cover the small mole at the corner of her eye and laughed very lightly.

The Emperor had been observing her movements and asked when he heard the laugh: “Why do you smile in the imperial presence?”

“Your son just recalled the words of a condemned prisoner.”

Zhao Yān’s tone lightened as she said softly, “I now finally understand why Wei Yan said that if I continued down this path, it would only lead to inevitable defeat.”

Under the arts of imperial power, everyone is an ant—a turn of the palm gives life, a turn gives death. How could one possibly overturn heaven?

The Emperor’s expression shifted slightly.

Wei Yan… it had been some time since he had heard the name of that criminal minister.

He rose and stepped out from behind the screen, looking down from his height to examine the face of the youth before him, both familiar and strange.

A eunuch broke the deathly silence in the room, announcing: “Your Majesty, the Empress is kneeling on the steps outside, having removed her hairpins, requesting to attend to Your Majesty’s illness along with the Crown Prince.”

“Don’t let her in!” Zhao Yān said firmly.

The eunuch had never heard the “Crown Prince” speak in such a serious and forceful tone and was momentarily stunned, unsure whether to proceed or retreat.

Zhao Yān’s eyes held two flames of light, neither servile nor overbearing: “Your son does not wish to face Mother with this face. The words to follow are private matters between your son and Father Emperor.”

The Emperor’s eyes flashed with a trace of doubt, but he raised his hand evenly and dismissed all the palace servants and eunuchs.

Zhao Yān exhaled slowly and said: “All these years, how has Father Emperor regarded the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace? As an exemplary, kind, and virtuous youth, or as a weak, sickly… a wasted chess piece?”

The Emperor said gravely, “Who taught you to speak such treasonous words?”

“No one. Your son wants to ask Father Emperor: Has Zhao Yǎn, as a subject and as a son, ever failed to live up to your imperial grace in any way?”

Zhao Yān spoke softly, “I also want to ask Father Emperor, have you ever sympathized with this youth, or rather, have you ever regarded him as your son?”

The Emperor remained silent, his gaze growing more complex and probing, weighing heavily so that one could not raise their head.

Zhao Yān swayed imperceptibly but then steadied herself, calmly and stubbornly returning his gaze.

“Have you ever shown your children the mercy and leniency of a birth father?”

The Emperor’s hand at his side curled slightly as he laughed coldly.

“I don’t show you leniency?”

He paced back and forth, pointing at Zhao Yān, “If I didn’t show you leniency, if I didn’t consider blood relations, at this moment you would be stripped of your garments by the female officials, your identity verified! Do you dare, hm?”

Zhao Yān’s hand gripping her sleeve tightened, then relaxed again.

Blood rushed up, filling her pale fingertips.

The Emperor’s tone was level but heavy: “I was also heartbroken by Yan’er’s death! Enduring until today was an unavoidable measure, yet you have been willful, not knowing how to be obedient.”

“So you did know everything after all.”

She smiled lightly, as if dust had settled, “Or rather, you knew from the beginning. Now that Prince Yong and his son are dead, and you have another heir, this puppet is no longer useful and can be kicked away, cutting off all her retreat paths in front of the court officials. Is that it, Father Emperor?”

First intimidation in the great hall, then conciliation in the warm chamber—breaking down one’s defenses in this way was truly the art of an emperor.

Unfortunately, she had never been a docile puppet. Seeking the truth, killing enemies—she would claw and tear open the strings binding her, fighting to the end.

“…”

Seeing the Emperor fall silent again, Zhao Yān knew she had gambled correctly.

Now she could use this crack to tear open an escape route for others.

“The woman kneeling outside with her hairpins removed is Father Emperor’s principal wife. For nearly twenty years, she has been decisive in her actions, never competing for favor or being jealous. She understood the greater good and never showed favoritism. Even when her brother violated the law, she knelt resolutely asking Father Emperor to punish him severely.”

Zhao Yān pressed her lips together. “When Father Emperor watched her stake the lives of both her children to stabilize the court, when you saw her treading on thin ice, unable to sleep at night, did you ever feel a shred of guilt toward this woman?”

With the past events vivid in his mind, the Emperor composed himself and slowly exhaled through his nose.

“What do you want?”

Zhao Yān placed her crossed palms on her forehead, performing a grand bow: “Everyone else acted for the greater good. The guilty one is I alone. Mother has already lost everything. Please, Father Emperor, have mercy.”