From the inner chamber came the Emperor’s flat voice.

“What are you trying to say by mentioning Wei Yan?”

Zhao Yan knew clearly that pretending ignorance would be the best strategy at this moment. The Emperor’s heart was as deep as an abyss, and trying to guess the intentions of an emperor was extremely dangerous. Yet with so many doubts and concerns about Zhao Yan, she couldn’t help but ask.

“This daughter is merely confused about what Father Emperor truly fears.”

“How insolent.”

The Emperor threw the book in his hand onto the table. “If the Emperor wanted to kill you, the next imperial decree would suffice. Giving you a chance to defend yourself was to hear you admit your mistakes and reflect. Knowing your faults and correcting them—the Emperor would naturally show mercy and spare your life, but you have disappointed the Emperor too much.”

Zhao Yan used to fear the word “disappointment” greatly. Even a cold glance from others could make her feel uncomfortable for a long time, hiding away to reflect on whether she had done something wrong…

Only after growing up did she realize: why should she live according to others’ opinions? She would no longer fall into self-blame.

“This daughter wants ‘fairness,’ not ‘mercy.’ If this daughter were to retreat out of fear for her life now, those humble scholars who have been advocating for me would die…”

The Emperor’s move was truly clever. Zhao Yan recalled what Zhao Yan had done before his death, and a chill ran through her heart. “I somewhat understand now why Zhao Yan died.”

…

…

“You suspect the Emperor?”

The Emperor gave a cold laugh. “Even a tiger does not eat its cubs—how could the Emperor kill his only son?”

“But from Father Emperor’s words just now, you were indeed disappointed in him. The court is not lacking people like Wei Yan who are skilled at reading the sovereign’s mind. A Crown Prince who has fallen from his father’s favor is no different from a lamb thrown among wolves.”

Zhao Yan’s throat was dry, but she endured the chill and pressed on. “Why? Wasn’t Zhao Yan your most beloved son?”

The Emperor fell silent.

Indeed, Zhao Yan had been his most beloved and only son.

Even though the child was weak and sickly, not destined for longevity, he had carefully protected and nurtured him. Yuan’er had lived up to expectations—he was intelligent, studious, benevolent, and wise. Even on his sickbed, he never stopped studying. Though he lacked the decisive ruthlessness of an emperor, as Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, he had not been negligent in the slightest, but rather had exceeded expectations.

Before associating with those troublesome scholars at Mingde Academy, Yuan’er had always been his most valued son.

But gradually, this son changed.

He had repeatedly advised against the Emperor’s decisions, formed factions, and harbored ambitions to overthrow the order his sovereign father had established. Sometimes, looking at his son’s gentle yet somewhat childish face, the Emperor even found him somewhat detestable.

Elevating and suppressing, balancing the court order—these were the responsibilities of emperors throughout the ages.

His only regret was that the rod of discipline had been too hard, while his son had been too frail.

The Emperor clenched his right hand and his voice deepened: “At such a young age, he was always thinking about breaking with old systems, promoting scholars from humble backgrounds, and suppressing the noble families. How could he know that the foundation of the Great Xuan was supported by these noble families? Without them, even if the Emperor wanted to do something, he would be constrained by those village bumpkins lecturing him at every turn. The Crown Prince did not respect the law or fear his sovereign father—didn’t he deserve to be taught a lesson? But with such an accident happening, as fate would have it, do you think the Emperor doesn’t feel heartbroken and regretful?”

Taught a lesson?

Zhao Yan was stung by these cold words, her pupils quivering.

Realizing he had spoken hastily, the Emperor promptly stopped, his expression becoming increasingly inscrutable.

The room fell silent as a tomb.

Zhao Yan’s breathing trembled slightly. “You wanted my brother to respect and fear his sovereign father. You allowed all this to happen…”

The Emperor had to gather his wits and seriously regard his young daughter before him.

Although she was the one being questioned, she had instead seized upon his flaw and deduced the truth from mere fragments of speech. This past year and more of being “thrown into the deep end” as a false Crown Prince had honed her sharp perceptiveness.

“Utterly incorrigible! The Emperor sees no need for further questioning today.”

The Emperor rose, waving his sleeve, and pointed at something on the table, saying to Palace Eunuch Feng who served at his side, “Show her this jointly signed memorial.”

Palace Eunuch Feng hurriedly complied with a “Yes.”

Under the Emperor’s watchful eye, Palace Eunuch Feng dared not show even a hint of sympathy as he handed the memorial to Zhao Yan with both hands, not even allowing himself an extra glance before bowing and returning to his position.

Zhao Yan opened the memorial, her gaze slightly focused.

It was a joint memorial from over ten officials, requesting the Emperor to allow Princess Changfeng to marry the Northern Wu Prince in a political alliance, offsetting her crimes with service to the state.

Unable to defeat her and public opinion, the traditionalists bestowed upon her the high hat of “Princess Changfeng sacrificing for the country” and would send her far away. If she refused the marriage alliance, it would prove that she wasn’t truly concerned with the greater good but had other motives.

This appeared to be the Emperor’s grace, a reluctant concession from the traditionalists, but Zhao Yan knew full well it was their backup plan.

Offsetting her crimes with service…

The corner of Zhao Yan’s mouth twitched, revealing a silent mockery: what crimes had she committed?

“What are you smiling at now?”

“This daughter is smiling for the nearly one hundred thousand soldiers at Yanluo Pass who died resisting the northern barbarians—they deserve better.”

“This is already a mercy to you!”

The Emperor’s words were harsh, and he suddenly clenched his fist and began coughing. Palace Eunuch Feng hurriedly stepped forward, pouring tea and saying, “Your Majesty, please take care of your dragon body.”

The Emperor pushed him away and gradually eased his breathing, staring at Zhao Yan. “You need not complain about injustice; this is the debt you’ve owed for eight years. Admit your guilt and submit to the law, or bear your guilt and enter into this political marriage—think it through carefully before answering.”

These words left no room for negotiation. Zhao Yan pressed her lips together, her fingertips clenched painfully.

She remained silent, looking at the curling incense smoke rising from the table, wondering how much longer she could delay.

The Emperor spoke no more, pressing his brow. The immortal-like, kindly face showed a trace of severity. “Someone…”

“It was this dowager’s idea to have Changfeng return to the capital to temporarily act as Crown Prince. Does the Emperor wish to interrogate this dowager as well?”

The sound of a cane tapping the floor approached, and a voice suddenly broke the deadlock.

The curtains were lifted, and Empress Wei and a youthful palace maid supported an elderly, plump woman holding purple sandalwood prayer beads as they slowly entered.

Zhao Yan looked at the white-haired old lady, who was over seventy years old, her eyes suddenly hot. Her painful knees could no longer support her, and she knelt on the ground with relief, saying, “Imperial Grandmother.”

“How did you return, Your Majesty?”

The Emperor’s gaze swept past Zhao Yan, his voice softening as he bowed. “Your son has failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive me, Empress Dowager.”

The Empress Dowager passed by the bowing Emperor, looking only at Zhao Yan and saying, “Rise.”

The palace maid Shi Lan immediately stepped forward, kneeling to help Zhao Yan up, her voice slightly choked: “Your Highness…”

Since parting at Huayang, the master and servant had not seen each other for over a year. A thousand words were contained in this single call.

“Changfeng has been by this dowager’s side since childhood. Without this dowager’s permission, who do you think could allow her to return to the capital? You wanted to use her to rectify ritual propriety and secure imperial power, but without a country, where would ritual propriety and imperial power come from?”

The Empress Dowager tapped her dragon-headed cane, speaking slowly and clearly. “She is a princess of the Great Xuan, your daughter. Instead of showing compassion and care, the Emperor publicly interrogates her in court… Since you want to interrogate, fine, let’s include this dowager as well and revisit that old case from the eleventh year of Yuankang!”

In the eleventh year of Yuankang, the previous dynasty’s Crown Prince had been impeached for usurpation and rebellion, demoted to a commoner, and died on the way to exile in Fangling.

The Emperor dared not refute, his bowed form lowering further: “Your son would not dare. Please calm your anger, Empress Dowager.”

“The Emperor’s words are not clear to this dowager.”

“Empress Dowager has traveled far. Please rest in Ciyi Palace for a while. We can discuss any matters tomorrow.”

“This dowager has always preferred tranquility, so I’ll stay in Penglai Hall in the Northern Palace. The jianzhen incense here is too strong, making this dowager’s head spin.”

With these words, the Empress Dowager looked at Zhao Yan, her eyes showing kindness. “Since you gave Changfeng to this dowager back then, this dowager must take responsibility for her to the end. Changfeng, come with this dowager.”

The Emperor’s jaw tightened, but he did not obstruct them.

Zhao Yan said “Yes” and stepped forward to support the Empress Dowager by the elbow alongside Empress Wei as they walked toward the outer chamber.

The court officials had gradually returned to the great hall, and all were shocked to see the Empress Dowager’s return.

This old woman, who had lived a life of iron and blood, had avoided the capital for years due to a rift with the Emperor, yet her authority remained.

“Two years ago, when the Great Xuan faced internal and external turmoil with danger imminent, you demanded to know who instructed Princess Changfeng to impersonate the Crown Prince. Now that person stands before your eyes.”

The Empress Dowager surveyed the officials, her voice strong despite her age: “Whether it was meritorious or wrong, I leave it to you ministers to judge.”

All voices fell silent. Officials and palace servants alike lifted their robes to kneel, making way.

A few hours earlier, Zhao Yan and Wenren Lin had faced the accusations of hundreds, entering the court for interrogation amid the contemptuous and angry gazes of the officials. Now, she and the Empress Dowager received the officials’ kneeling salutations, walking with their heads held high through this sea of bowed forms and lowered eyes.

Outside the hall, sunlight spread over the snow, creating a dazzling field of gold and white.

Words about the Emperor’s attitude toward Zhao Yan rose to her lips, but upon seeing the Empress Dowager’s pale and tired face, she held them back.

Zhao Yan swallowed and thought to herself: At least wait until after the Lantern Festival to tell her everything.

After passing through Jiying Gate, Huo Zhenzhen and Zhao Xuan immediately came forward from the path.

Both first bowed to the Empress Dowager and Empress, then Huo Zhenzhen spoke first: “Zhao Yan, what’s the result? If you lost, I would be very disappointed in you!”

Zhao Yan smiled faintly, winking: “With Imperial Grandmother here, how could I lose?”

Huo Zhenzhen both sighed in relief and, unwilling to show how much she had worried about Zhao Yan, simply threw herself into the Empress Dowager’s arms, making a sound of “Wu” and saying: “Maternal Imperial Grandmother, it’s been so many years since I’ve seen you!”

“Indeed, Zhenzhen has grown into a young lady now.”

The Empress Dowager gently stroked Huo Zhenzhen’s face with the hand holding the prayer beads, then turned to look at Zhao Yan, feigning sternness: “You come here too.”

Zhao Yan’s heart softened, warmth flooding through her as she stepped forward to embrace the old woman she had been separated from for over a year.

Seeing the joyful reunion of grandmother and granddaughters, Liu Baiwei, supporting the bandaged Pei Sa, couldn’t help but smile slightly. Empress Wei stood to one side, composed and calm, only secretly raising a finger to press the slightly reddened corners of her eyes when no one was looking.

“You child, your courage is simply too great! If this dowager had not returned in time, how would you have continued to fight the court officials?”

“Your unfilial granddaughter has disturbed Imperial Grandmother’s quiet retirement.”

“That’s right, that’s right! Maternal Imperial Grandmother must teach her a good lesson!”

Huo Zhenzhen fanned the flames from the side.

Zhao Yan glanced at her red-tipped nose and mercilessly exposed her: “Princess, before you argue with me, you should wipe your tears first—your nose is all red from crying.”

“Ah, are there tears?”

Huo Zhenzhen rubbed her eyes vigorously, then realized she had been caught. She stamped her foot and said, “Who’s crying? I would never shed tears for you!”

Her embarrassed anger made it seem like they had returned to their childhood days of bickering.

“Your heroic figure in court—the Duke of Yingchuan’s grandson and Young Master Pei both recounted it to me. Those words, I could never speak in my entire life…”

Huo Zhenzhen turned her back to Zhao Yan and, after a while, awkwardly said, “Annoying pest, should we make peace?”

Zhao Yan curved her eyes and asked in return: “Have we ever been at odds, you little drama queen?”

“You…”

Huo Zhenzhen put her hands on her hips and glared, but after a moment, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

In this rare moment of peace, the group walked along the seemingly endless palace pathway, strolling toward the Northern Palace.

Huo Zhenzhen pulled Zhao Xuan along, whispering as they walked ahead.

Only then did the Empress Dowager look into Zhao Yan’s eyes and ask: “You lived in the remote area of Huayang for seven years, yet this dowager never fulfilled her supervisory responsibility. This dowager even tacitly allowed the Empress to bring you back to the palace, pushing you into the eye of the storm. Do you resent this dowager?”

These words were like opening a floodgate, memories pouring forth vividly.

Zhao Yan had always been restless, falling asleep or becoming distracted after listening to scriptures for just a short while, and not accustomed to vegetarian fare, she would often sneak to the kitchens for food. She even climbed walls to sneak out and play. Whenever this happened, the Empress Dowager would simply close her eyes and recite scriptures, ignoring her.

Zhao Yan shook her head: “As a child, I once thought that Imperial Grandmother didn’t like me. Now I understand that by not concerning yourself with worldly matters, you were giving me the greatest freedom.”

“You’ve truly grown up.”

The Empress Dowager’s stern face softened, her aged eyes revealing gratification. “The matter of impersonating the Crown Prince has indeed wronged you. But the political marriage concerns the nation’s fate, and this dowager will not interfere. Do you understand this dowager’s meaning?”

“I understand,” Zhao Yan nodded, smiling with detachment.

The old lady had always been clear about public and private matters. She would not wrong her, nor would she show excessive favoritism. She could only help this far.

The rest of the way, Zhao Yan had to walk herself.

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Yan still asked: “Imperial Grandmother, Father Emperor said he wanted me to enter into a political marriage to repay a debt from eight years ago. What does this mean?”

“The sunset brings a chill. This concubine will have people bring the phoenix carriage to take the Empress Dowager back to the palace,” Empress Wei interrupted Zhao Yan’s question.

“Why are you so nervous? Could you hide it from her forever?” the Empress Dowager said sternly.

Seeing this, Zhao Yan hurriedly looked at Empress Wei: “Mother, what hidden circumstances were there back then?”

“She’s just unable to let go of her dignity—sharp-tongued but soft-hearted.”

The Empress Dowager took up the conversation, asking Zhao Yan, “Do you still remember how you answered when your father questioned why you hit the Northern Yan Prince back then?”

“I said the Northern Yan Prince insisted on competing with me in polo, and I accidentally injured him.”

Zhao Yan reflected for a moment, not understanding. “But what was wrong with my answer?”

The Empress Dowager slowly shook her head, the plain hairpins in her silver hair swaying: “It’s precisely because you answered too well, child. You were clever and brave from a young age, making you an excellent candidate for a political marriage. A princess sent to an enemy country certainly shouldn’t be too foolish.”

Zhao Yan was stunned: “But I was only nine years old then.”

“The Northern Wu people marry earlier, with girls typically wedded at twelve or thirteen. Moreover, it was only an engagement at that time. The Northern Wu Prince has a vile character and particularly loves to keep unripe young girls. If you had been betrothed to him, raised for three or four more years before being married off to Northern Wu, what chance for survival would you have had?”

Zhao Yan recalled the Northern Wu Prince’s sticky gaze as he looked her up and down back then, and a chill ran through her heart.

The Empress Dowager sighed deeply, her cane tapping on the blue bricks of the palace path with each step. “The fourth girl has a hearing impairment and a soft temperament, unsuitable for entering a place of tigers and wolves. The third had already become a nun early on and was never in your father’s consideration. Only the second was left. Someone instigated her, making her think that a political marriage was some supreme honor, determined to go down in history. No one could dissuade her. She was only seventeen then, a flower-like tender age, yet was rejected by the Northern Wu Prince for being ‘too old.’ Unwillingly taken to Northern Wu, she died in disgrace in less than half a year…”

Zhao Yan stood in place, allowing the cold wind to bring the memories flooding back.

“Kneel!”

In her memory, Mother Empress was very young, beautiful, and strict.

“I’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Still unrepentant!”

Empress Wei looked at her young daughter’s childish yet stubborn gaze, her lips trembling before she finally said harshly, “Your brother pleaded for you, causing his old illness to recur, nearly costing him his life! You are reckless and bold, with an unlucky fate, lacking any of a princess’s gentle temperament. If not expelled from the palace, you will eventually bring disaster to the Great Xuan!”

The nine-year-old girl knelt on the icy stone steps, allowing the cold to penetrate her bones, eyes full of tears, yet refusing to bow her head and admit fault.

She had been too wronged, too angry at the time, and had not noticed the trembling in her mother’s breath as she scolded her sternly.

“Mother never told me these things.”

Zhao Yan said with complex emotions.

Empress Wei avoided her gaze, her voice light but hard: “Old matters from years past—why bring them up again?”

She had always been strong-willed, not one to pour out her feelings. If not for the Empress Dowager’s insistence on revealing the truth, she would never have spoken these words in her lifetime.

She wasn’t that bad, but indeed she had not been a fair or competent mother. Affairs in the imperial harem were complicated, and her son was weak and sickly, taking too much of her energy, so that when facing her daughter, she was always exhausted and harsh.

Zhao Yan also came to understand that the noble woman standing before her, though the mother of the nation as Empress, was just an ordinary mother with some flaws, willing to risk her life to protect her children in times of crisis.

Perhaps Zhao Yan should have stepped forward affectionately to embrace her mother, letting bygones be bygones.

She moved her fingers but couldn’t do it.

She understood her mother’s contradictions and hardships, but she still couldn’t do it.

Perhaps her mother felt the same way toward her. They had both missed the best opportunity for maternal love and filial piety. Even if their hearts understood and approached each other, their bodies maintained a respectful distance.

The wind carried the scent of ice and snow. Zhao Yan, enduring the pain in her knees, stepped back and slowly knelt.

“This daughter has no way to repay you. Today, I bow my head to thank Mother Empress and Imperial Grandmother for your grace.”

With that, she placed her palms together in front of her forehead and bowed once to Empress Wei and once to the Empress Dowager.

The two most noble women of the Great Xuan dynasty saw in this delicate young woman something akin to “backbone.”

Penglai Hall in the Northern Palace was near the water, less than a quarter-hour’s walk from Hegui Pavilion.

Unknowingly, the sun had slanted westward. In the distance, floating ice and remnant snow, cold trees standing tall, obscured the graceful eaves of Hegui Pavilion.

Everyone was by her side except for Wenren Lin. Zhao Yan suddenly wanted, very much wanted, to see him. This palpitation had already surpassed the joy of escaping death.

Her footsteps unconsciously slowed as she looked back.

The Empress Dowager took note of her distracted mood and suddenly sighed: “Years ago, this dowager also once accompanied the late Emperor to ascend Hanguang Gate to view the lanterns, enjoying festivities with the people. In the blink of an eye, decades have passed. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the capital’s lantern festival—I do miss it a bit.”

Zhao Yan returned to her senses and asked: “Does Imperial Grandmother wish to go to the gate to see the lantern festival?”

The old lady’s hand was loose and warm as she gently patted the back of Zhao Yan’s hand, saying meaningfully: “This dowager is old and can’t walk much. Go out of the palace on this dowager’s behalf and see it. Buy back a crystal lantern—the kind the late Emperor loved most.”

Zhao Yan was surprised and instinctively glanced at Empress Wei.

Empress Wei’s red lips moved slightly, and finally, with a complex expression, she admonished: “Find a few reliable people to accompany you. Don’t make too much of a stir, and return early.”

“That’s enough—she’s grown up now and understands,” said the Empress Dowager, closing her eyes with the peaceful demeanor of an old monk in meditation. “It’s a rare festival, and she’s suffered for so long. She needn’t accompany this old woman in vegetarian meals and Buddhist chanting.”

Zhao Yan had not breathed the air of freedom for too long. Now, with this brief respite, her mood became as lively as a fish returned to water.

“Then, this daughter will go now.”

She smiled and bowed to Empress Wei and the Empress Dowager before eagerly turning and heading toward Hegui Pavilion.

Soon, Zhao Yan saw Cai Tian waiting in the corridor and hurriedly asked: “Deputy Commander Cai, where is your master?”

Cai Tian bowed and pointed toward the northern gate.

The slanting sun cast its rays, remnant snow adorned the branches like jade flowers, and under the gate arch stood a figure against the light, his long shadow like a halberd.

Zhao Yan lifted her skirts and walked faster and faster, eventually breaking into a run despite the lingering pain in her knees, not caring that the wind disheveled her hair.

Three zhang, two zhang, one chi…

She staggered a step, and before she could fall, a steady arm supported her.

Zhao Yan leaned on her knees, catching her breath, carefully glancing around. A strand of loose hair stuck to her full, rosy lips with her breathing, drawing a golden line of soft light in the sunset.

“Your Highness need not worry—there are no idle onlookers around.”

Wenren Lin reached out to gently tuck that strand of hair behind her ear, taking the opportunity to rub her slightly cold, reddened earlobe.

Hearing him say this, Zhao Yan relaxed and threw herself straightforwardly into his embrace. She put so much force into it, as if wanting to release all the tension and fear she had accumulated throughout the day.

“Where did you go? I didn’t see you when I came out.”

She took a deep breath, her voice carrying a slight nasal quality but still bright. “You scared me to death.”

The young woman who had not been defeated in her battle of words against the court officials now knew what it was to feel fear in retrospect.

Wenren Lin returned the embrace, holding her slender waist, and said in a low voice: “I went to see the Emperor.”

Zhao Yan immediately tensed up and raised her eyes to ask: “What did you two say?”

Wenren Lin didn’t answer but only gazed at her tenderly, raising his palm to press against the back of her head, resting his chin on the top of her head, and gently nuzzling.

He embraced the young woman as if embracing a warm flame, a brilliant light.

“Does Your Highness know what this prince was thinking when Your Highness was forcefully refuting the officials in court?”

He spoke of an unrelated topic.

“What were you thinking?” Zhao Yan asked.

“Your Highness was so dazzling. This prince was thinking: even if she wanted my heart, I would unhesitatingly dig it out, clean it, and give it to her.”

Wenren Lin lowered his head and eyes, his voice resigned, as soft as a sigh by the ear. “You see, is this prince beyond salvation?”

He spoke so seriously, with words as tender as love poetry.

Zhao Yan listened to the steady, strong heartbeat in his chest and knew he was not lying.

Her heartbeat began to pound in response, as if answering his infatuation.

But she couldn’t join him in his madness. Between the two of them, someone had to remain clearheaded, to pull the other back into the sunlight before they fell into the abyss.

So Zhao Yan looked up and boldly cupped Wenren Lin’s handsome, pale face, saying word by word: “Wenren Shaoyuan, I don’t want you to die for me. I want you to live for me.”

These resolute words echoed clearly in Wenren Lin’s cold, hard heart.

“So domineering, not even calling me ‘Grand Tutor’ anymore.”

He raised the corner of his eye slightly, smiling indulgently, and rubbed the back of her neck.

Zhao Yan suddenly smiled, her eyes filled with countless shattered lights, and said softly: “Grand Tutor, Zhao Yan must have given me all his gambling luck, allowing me to meet you.”

The wind passed silently, and Wenren Lin felt a hot swelling in his chest.

Sweet and as pleasant as honey.