When princes entered the palace for court, they would be accompanied by a young servant.

Xie Shi’an, dressed in a young servant’s clothing, followed Prince Gongxi into the imperial palace. He waited outside the Golden Throne Hall the entire time. After court was dismissed, Prince Gongxi and the Crown Prince emerged from the hall together, so he followed behind Prince Gongxi and entered the Eastern Palace together with them.

“Yesterday I just received some new tea. Second Brother should have a taste.”

The Crown Prince ordered tea to be served and chatted with Prince Gongxi while drinking tea.

Xie Shi’an stood outside the door. Using the excuse of needing the latrine, he quietly slipped away to the back.

He changed into a young eunuch’s clothing in the privy before emerging.

Before coming, Prince Gongxi had already told him where the imperial concubine resided. Head lowered, he went the wrong way once before quickly finding the correct direction.

He walked to the palace hall entrance and said with his head down, “This lowly one just picked up this earring by the lake. It should belong to Imperial Concubine Wu. I trouble elder sister to deliver it to Imperial Concubine Wu.”

The gatekeeper palace maid took the earring and delivered it to the side hall where Xie Ping resided.

Xie Ping was having her bandages changed. The arm that had been bitten off was growing new flesh. It itched terribly every day, and when it itched, her heart filled with irritation, her face sullen.

At this moment, a young palace maid approached holding up an earring with both hands. “Just now a young eunuch said he picked up Imperial Concubine’s earring. Please examine it, Imperial Concubine.”

Xie Ping furrowed her brow.

She hadn’t dropped any earring.

She was about to speak.

Her peripheral vision swept past the earring and suddenly froze.

She stood up abruptly, her fingers trembling as she picked up the earring, struggling to part her lips. “That… young eunuch, is he still there?”

The palace maid replied, “When this servant entered, he hadn’t left yet. He likely wants a reward.”

Xie Ping swallowed a gulp of air and sat down heavily. “Have him come in.”

The earring she clutched tightly was a token of love her father had given her mother over ten years ago. This was the pendant her mother wore on her ears every day—she recognized it at a glance.

After mother died, the three siblings had divided mother’s belongings among themselves.

If she remembered correctly, this pair of earrings was in An’geer’s possession.

Before long, a young eunuch walked in with his head lowered, his head buried so low that his face couldn’t be seen at all.

Xie Ping said in a deep voice, “Raise your head.”

That face slowly appeared in Xie Ping’s field of vision.

As expected, just like the news she had heard, Xie Shi’an was blind in one eye. The remaining eye was even sharper and more profound than before.

Xie Shi’an also saw Xie Ping’s face.

This face was vastly different from half a year ago. Her cheeks had thinned, becoming quite pointed. Her eyes appeared larger, and a sorrow that hadn’t existed before gathered between her brows.

No wonder this Imperial Concubine Wu had been in the palace so long without anyone recognizing her.

“An… An’geer!” Xie Ping took a deep breath. “How did you come here? How did you know?”

Xie Shi’an pressed his lips together and said, “Yesterday I encountered mother, who is now Princess Consort Pingxi. She told me.”

Xie Ping’s fingers tightened.

Mother had promised to keep her secret one moment, then told Xie Shi’an the next.

Though Xie Shi’an was her blood brother, their positions were now different. She was afraid…

“Mother said she wanted me to pledge myself to the Crown Prince.” Xie Shi’an enunciated each word. “What do you think?”

Xie Ping’s fingers relaxed.

She suddenly understood mother’s intention.

As someone with no background, she struggled at every step in the Eastern Palace. If Xie Shi’an pledged himself to the Crown Prince, she would have assistance.

Mother wasn’t exposing her secret—she was finding her a capable assistant.

Indeed, though mother spoke cold words, in reality she still cared for her as before.

Thinking this, Xie Ping’s face revealed a smile. “I am now the Crown Prince’s savior. If I ask the Crown Prince to arrange a position for you, he certainly won’t refuse…”

Before she could finish speaking, Xie Shi’an interrupted her. “I won’t work for the Crown Prince.”

Xie Ping’s expression darkened. “Then what are you doing in the Eastern Palace?”

“The Crown Prince cannot possibly ascend to that position.” Xie Shi’an said. “Elder Sister, I’m considering your welfare by risking so much to come to the Eastern Palace.”

“The Crown Prince is the legitimate son of the rightful Empress, the heir personally designated by His Majesty. How can he not ascend to that position?” Xie Ping said coldly. “From your tone, you want to help Prince Gongxi take the throne?”

Xie Shi’an didn’t avoid the topic at all. “Elder Sister, I came today to ask you to serve as Prince Gongxi’s spy in the manor, providing him with information from the Eastern Palace.”

“What did you say? Are you mad?” Xie Ping lost her voice, then lowered it. “I’d have to be insane to betray the Crown Prince and turn to Prince Gongxi. I’ve worked so hard to reach this point—I absolutely won’t ruin my own future! Xie Shi’an, if you pledge yourself to the Crown Prince, I can give you a path forward. But if you insist on remaining obstinate, our sibling relationship ends here!”

“Elder Sister, perhaps you haven’t grasped the current situation.” Xie Shi’an pulled at the corners of his lips. “I’m not discussing this with you. I’m informing you.”

Xie Ping narrowed her eyes. “I am an imperial concubine of the Crown Prince. You are nothing. What right do you have to speak to me this way?”

“You’re not only the Crown Prince’s imperial concubine, but also Princess Consort An’jing.” Xie Shi’an’s face revealed a strange smile. “What would happen if the Crown Prince knew? What about the Empress? What about His Majesty?”

“You… you!”

Xie Ping was incredulous.

If the Crown Prince knew, he would no longer dote on her.

If the Empress knew, death would be her only path.

If His Majesty knew, her fate would be even more miserable…

“An’geer, you’re my blood brother!” Xie Ping’s voice trembled. “You cannot tell anyone about this!”

Xie Shi’an still smiled. “In this world, we don’t have many relatives left. Of course I won’t reveal Elder Sister’s secret. But please, Elder Sister, think of me too. Making a living under Prince Gongxi is truly difficult. I need Elder Sister as my spy. Elder Sister, I beg you, please help me, won’t you?”

His words clearly asked for help, yet his face showed not half a trace of a supplicant’s demeanor.

Xie Ping felt a deep chill.

She pressed her lips together. “Fine, I agree.”

Besides agreeing, did she have a second choice?

She could only stabilize Xie Shi’an first, then plan gradually.

Perhaps she could tell the Crown Prince that Xie Shi’an was threatening her, and have the Crown Prince deal with Xie Shi’an?

How exactly to scheme would require careful thought.

Xie Ping casually gave Xie Shi’an several pieces of broken silver. Xie Shi’an expressed thanks, then left.

Seeing Xie Shi’an return, Prince Gongxi finally stood up to take his leave, bringing Xie Shi’an out of the Eastern Palace.

“Your Highness, this humble one has confirmed it. The Crown Prince’s Imperial Concubine Wu is indeed this humble one’s blood sister, the former Princess Consort An’jing.”

“Wonderful, truly wonderful.” Prince Gongxi clapped his hands and laughed heartily. “Xie Shi’an, if not for you, how would I know such an interesting matter? Now there will be a good show to watch.”

Xie Shi’an lowered his head and said, “I’ve already persuaded her to gather information in the Eastern Palace for Your Highness.”

Prince Gongxi furrowed his brow. “The Crown Prince is foolish. The Eastern Palace has nothing worth gathering information about. It would be better to use this matter to control the Empress.”

Xie Shi’an’s heart sank.

If the Empress knew of this matter, Xie Ping would have no choice but death.

No matter what, Xie Ping was his blood sister. He didn’t want to see Xie Ping die like this…