Wuyan sat holding the letter, but her calculations were different. If she sent someone to the imperial study to request Lian Yu, they would undoubtedly encounter Murong Xi’s people, directly undermining Murong Xi’s dignity and making future peace impossible. If she went personally to intervene… though better than the former option, still…
She smiled self-mockingly. Xiao’an wanted her to harm Shuangcheng, yet she was going to save her instead—wasn’t this…
Her life had been half filled with misery. Aside from Lian Yu, who had ever considered her interests? Yet ultimately, this was a relative of an old friend, someone Lian Yu cared about. Gritting her teeth, she rose with a flourish: “Xiang’er, summon the imperial physician. I’ll go take a look first!”
Xiang’er was shocked, but saw that Wuyan had already resolutely swept out through the curtains.
Though she’d had some premonition that Murong Xi would harm Shuangcheng, arriving at the courtyard, Wuyan was still startled. Gu Shuangcheng had suffered considerably—if she’d been any later, her hands would have been half-ruined.
Murong Xi had been truly ruthless. The water provided for Gu Shuangcheng’s hand-washing was scalding hot. Before Gu Shuangcheng could even struggle or resist, two eunuchs forcefully gripped her hands and plunged them in.
Her hands immediately became raw and torn. When her other maid Yinxing rushed forward in alarm to help, Murong Xi stepped forward. Yinxing collided with her, and she used this as an excuse, claiming Yinxing had assaulted her and demanding the maid be beaten to death.
How could Shuangcheng not understand her meaning? Though already sweating from pain, she still offered to play the qin in apology. Playing with those injuries—the pain would shoot straight to her heart—
Looking at the blood-splattered strings, Wei Wuyan paid respects to Murong Xi. Her consort rank was “Shu” while Murong Xi’s was “Gui”—among the ranks of Gui, Shu, De, and Xian, she was below Murong Xi in status.
Murong Xi nodded casually: “Wuyan, come listen quickly. Miss Shuangcheng’s qin skills are excellent.”
But Wuyan smiled: “Miss Shuangcheng excels at needlework. Wuyan made an appointment with her to learn some embroidery patterns, but she never came. I’ve been looking everywhere for her, only to find she’s here with Sister Xi.”
Wei Wuyan’s meaning was crystal clear. Murong Xi’s expression immediately darkened. Though they weren’t born of the same mother, Wei Wuxia and Wuyan had gotten along well before marriage. Seeing that Shuangcheng had been tormented enough, and also helping Wuyan, she added a few words about how if things went too far, it might look bad to His Majesty.
“I heard Consort Wei usually has good relations with Sister Xi. What Consort Wei is doing now isn’t very honorable. This matter…”
At this moment, a voice came flatly from behind. The newcomer glanced at the pale-faced Gu Shuangcheng and sighed softly: “This matter will certainly reach His Majesty’s ears. It’s nothing by itself, but who’s the villain and who’s the victim—a comparison will make it clear.”
When that figure in graceful purple slowly appeared before everyone, their expressions changed with her words.
The arrival was Princess Lianyue.
This princess had considerable standing. Though only two or three years older than the other women, her status was even more formidable than Lian Xin’s, for she was the former emperor’s eldest daughter, Lian Jie’s older sister, and the former emperor’s most beloved princess. Though Xiao’an and her mother had great conflicts, she also quite liked this knowledgeable, well-mannered, and humble princess, even allowing her most cherished nephew Huo Chang’an to marry her.
The princess regularly entered the palace with Huo Chang’an to pay respects to Xiao’an. All the palace women and the former emperor’s sons held her in great respect and affection. That day at the execution ground, she had also accompanied Murong Xi and Lian Xin, only with her face covered by a veil so the common people didn’t recognize her.
Murong Xi’s eyes flashed fiercely as she suddenly pointed at Wuyan: “I’ve always treated you well. His Majesty favors you, and I never said a word, yet today you treat me this way.”
Though recently she’d occasionally had to ask Huo Chang’an to deliver messages, when Lianyue was present, Wuyan absolutely never went to Xiao’an’s quarters, avoiding this woman whenever possible. Though the old matter had passed several years ago, she feared that upon seeing her, she still wouldn’t be able to resist wanting to kill this woman who had once been close to her.
Her whole body trembled slightly as she clenched her hands: “In that case, what does the Princess think should be done? Let Gu Shuangcheng’s hands be ruined, so that when His Majesty blames us, it damages his favor toward Consort Xi instead?”
Lianyue shook her head, her beautiful eyes gently surveying her as she said softly: “Miss Shuangcheng’s matter should end here. Though Lianyue speaks as a petty person, I only hope Sister Xi can understand that in this rear palace, just because you treat others kindly doesn’t mean they’ll treat you the same way. Not just in this palace—the same is true throughout the vast world.”
“Sister Xi, do you know that if there were interests at stake between you and me, I might harm you too,” she continued, slowly turning to Murong Xi.
Murong Xi was startled, then nodded coldly: “Sister speaks truly. Sister’s frankness is admirable. Wei Wuyan—”
She stared coldly at Wuyan: “I finally understand why you earn His Majesty’s favor—because you truly have ‘heart.'”
In just a few sentences, she obliterated all of Wuyan’s years of effort to maintain good relations with Murong Xi and secure a place for herself. Lianyue was indeed Lianyue. Wuyan’s whole body shook, yet she smiled movingly. The silent Gu Shuangcheng by her side suddenly gripped her injured hand tightly with her own wounded one. Gu Shuangcheng knew what she wanted to do, but she couldn’t.
Steeling her heart slightly, Wuyan shook her off forcefully. Gu Shuangcheng cried out in pain and indeed released her grip.
Wuyan stepped forward and swung her hand toward Lianyue’s face.
As for what consequences would follow this slap, she left it to fate.
Lianyue was slightly startled but didn’t retreat.
Wuyan saw hidden amusement at the corners of her eyes. As Murong Xi and Wei Wuxia shrieked in alarm, a gentle breeze swirled beside her. Her hand, about to land on Lianyue’s face, was forcefully caught. The palm that gripped her was unusually rough yet unusually strong, nearly breaking her hand.
She stared blankly at the man before her, all the turmoil in her heart nearly spilling out, making her want to scream aloud.
How many men could freely enter and exit this rear palace?
This man in a gold-embroidered white robe with a jade-inlaid brocade belt was one of them.
“May I ask what Consort Wei intends to do to Huo’s wife?”
The man—Huo Chang’an—asked her coldly, dark eyes burning with fierce light.
Lianyue said softly: “Chang’an, it’s my fault. Consort Wei hoped to gain more favor before His Majesty and set a trap for Sister Xi. I couldn’t help but say a few words.”
“Exactly. Cousin, Sister Lianyue reminded Xi’er, and naturally Wei Wuyan didn’t want to hear it. Relying on His Majesty’s usual favor toward her, she actually wanted to strike Sister.” Murong Xi spoke with righteous indignation, though not without sarcasm.
Wuyan saw Huo Chang’an’s gaze grow darker, the fierceness in his eyes deepening. He gripped her wrist tightly, his words cutting into her heart like knives.
“Consort Wei, Huo knows His Majesty favors you, but Huo also wants you to know—Lianyue is my wife. If you bully her, Huo Chang’an would rather face punishment than seek justice for her first.”
Wuyan smiled. Of course she knew—he was a hero. The Murong family’s military forces were originally under his command. At merely eighteen, he led great armies to defeat the fierce sea pirates of the Bin region and pacify dangerous border conflicts. But this former lover, who had once tenderly kissed each of her fingers, this noble marquis to whom she’d pledged her heart under clear stars and bright moon, this young hero who’d said he’d cherish and protect her no matter what she did wrong—he was now another woman’s husband.
At this moment, her eyes brimmed with heat, yet she still asked proudly: “So what if I am bullying her? Is Marquis Huo going to break Wuyan’s hand?”
Wei Wuxia hesitated slightly, her lips moving but ultimately saying nothing, not daring to speak further due to Murong Xi, Lianyue, and Huo Chang’an’s anger.
Gu Shuangcheng stepped forward, slowly extending her own hands—swollen, red, and raw, with some areas already festering and seeping blood and pus. She said: “Marquis Huo, all the fault lies with Gu Shuangcheng. Consort Wei was only trying to help out of kindness.”
Lianyue came forward, shaking her head: “Chang’an, enough.”
Huo Chang’an’s brow suddenly furrowed as he slowly released his grip, but still stared at Wuyan, speaking each word with stern coldness: “This time we’ll let it pass. There won’t be a next time.”
“Others’ affairs have never concerned me, whether they’re humiliated or whatever,” he continued, his fierce gaze sweeping over Gu Shuangcheng before finally settling back on Wuyan’s face. “But if it’s my people… you’d better conduct yourself properly.”
Wuyan smiled faintly, saying nothing as she supported Gu Shuangcheng and departed with slightly unsteady steps.
Some things, once changed, remained changed—she’d understood this long ago.
Reaching a quiet spot, Gu Shuangcheng stopped first and said hoarsely: “I’ve implicated you. Today’s kindness—I will certainly repay it someday.”
Wuyan shook her head: “I’ve already summoned the imperial physician to wait in your quarters. Miss, hurry back to apply medicine. For a young lady, having scars on her hands would be unfortunate.”
Gu Shuangcheng looked deeply at her once, then turned and left.
Wuyan watched her retreating figure and said: “From today’s events, Miss appears to be a very intelligent person, and I sense something different from what I’ve seen before.”
Gu Shuangcheng had walked several steps when she suddenly turned back, her gaze brilliant. For an instant, Wuyan felt a sense of dazzling splendor as she heard her say: “Wuyan, you’re a kind person, but kind people often cannot hold onto their own things.”
“Wuyan isn’t kind. Does Miss Gu also intend to become a villain?” Hearing her suddenly address her as “Wuyan,” Wuyan was slightly startled, then smiled and asked: “Does Miss have something you want? Wealth and honor, or what?”
“Everyone likes wealth and honor, but as for me, I…”
Gu Shuangcheng also smiled, her eyes holding a weariness beyond her years, yet also a gleam of brightness. In the end, she said nothing and disappeared from Wuyan’s sight.