Qun Qing followed Jin Zi before Consort Lü.

Consort Lü’s eyes contained fury as she listlessly rotated her teacup, as if her anger had not yet subsided.

Not knowing what she had just discussed with Lu Huating, the conversation had clearly not gone well.

Just as Jin Zi was about to lodge her complaint, Qun Qing looked at Consort Lü and spoke first. “Just now, this minister witnessed with her own eyes Your Ladyship’s palace maid actually allowing an external minister to take away palace documents—it was quite surprising.”

Seeing that Jin Zi had failed to drive Qun Qing away, Consort Lü was already vexed. Hearing these words, her eyes flashed sharply as she directly splashed the hot water from her cup onto Jin Zi’s face. “Treacherous creature!”

Jin Zi’s face was covered in water, yet she dared not move. After a long while, she began weeping quietly in grievance.

Consort Lü waved her hand to dismiss her, leaving only Qun Qing alone in the empty hall. “Miss Qing, you and I have met before, so there’s no need for empty formalities. Before you came, Minister Meng already spoke with me.”

Meng Guangshen had already made arrangements with Consort Lü—this surprised Qun Qing somewhat. Meng Guangshen had always wanted to remove her from the Crown Prince’s side and couldn’t possibly be paving the way for her. Either he wanted Consort Lü to watch her, or he wanted Consort Lü to drive her away.

If she couldn’t demonstrate her value, her days at Caihua Palace would not be pleasant.

Qun Qing said nothing more, merely looking at the seat where Lu Huating had been sitting. “What did Your Ladyship just discuss with Chief Administrator Lu that was so unpleasant?”

Consort Lü said, “It’s all because of the Eastern Hawk Workshop affair.”

Consort Lü’s brother, Marquis Lü of Ten Thousand Households, had invested in the Eastern Hawk Workshop. When the gambling den was raided, he lost everything.

“I have only this one brother. I won’t hide it from you—he invested his entire family fortune accumulated over the years. Now he needs me to support him. A few days ago, Mother wrote saying he carries a hemp rope around all day, threatening to hang himself.” Consort Lü said, “I wanted to ask Prince Yan’s mansion for some compensation.”

“What compensation?”

“A piece of land.” Consort Lü said, “That plot in the western suburbs of Chang’an—the Lü family has coveted it for a long time. If we could purchase it to establish property, then resell it to wealthy merchants, we could recoup our losses in two or three years. Unfortunately, at the beginning of the month, Lu Huating bought it first. I wanted him to transfer it at a low price, but he flatly refused.”

“That’s Prince Yan’s land.”

“If it weren’t for Prince Yan’s guards stationed there, I wouldn’t have bothered speaking with Lu Huating about it.”

Daring to compete with Prince Yan for land—Qun Qing didn’t know what to say. “Your Ladyship, Prince Yan’s mansion is not wealthy. This land may be a drop in the bucket for the Crown Prince, but for Prince Yan’s mansion it’s important property. How could it possibly be easily given away?”

Consort Lü said resentfully, “Back when Prince Yan was out of favor, I spoke so many good words for him. Now I want a little compensation, but Lu Huating won’t even discuss it—truly burning bridges after crossing!”

It was rare to see Consort Lü reveal such a fierce expression. It seemed Consort Lü had long been tempted, and Lu Huating’s refusal was merely the final straw breaking their alliance. “It’s just a piece of land. Wouldn’t it be bad to push Lu Huating too far? How about I speak to the Crown Prince about it?”

Consort Lü’s face showed worry. “Ceremony Assistant Qun, do you think if I turn to the Crown Prince, Lu Huating will be willing and won’t retaliate?”

Speaking thus, she gestured with her eyes toward the imperial concubine’s couch beneath the window. “I forgot to give the Ceremony Assistant a meeting gift. Please help yourself.”

Enticement and recruitment—Qun Qing was not surprised. What shocked her was that the imperial concubine’s couch was spread with many gold ingots, gleaming in the sunlight.

Consort Lü curled up barefoot in the thin fox fur blanket, her pure gold earrings and red lips adorning her simple smiling face with brilliant radiance. “My brother and I have known such poverty that we like to sleep surrounded by gold. His Majesty is fortunately tolerant of this small quirk of mine.”

Earlier, when Consort Lü smashed bowls with Emperor Chenming in the bedchamber, it had left a deep impression on Qun Qing. It seemed that indulgence taken to the extreme became, in the Emperor’s eyes, natural and uninhibited.

Qun Qing walked over and saw an open wooden chest on the floor. She casually picked it up, gathering the gold ingots from the couch one by one into the chest. Showing no intention of stopping, she even picked up one that had fallen on the floor.

Seeing her take away all the gold ingots without even leaving the chest behind, Consort Lü’s expression stiffened slightly. This chest of gold ingots was extremely heavy, normally requiring two palace maids to lift with effort. Yet Qun Qing, with her slender frame, could easily hold it in her arms.

Qun Qing glanced at the gold ingots in the chest, then thought of Li Xuan’s rewards. This substantial sum of money finally brought her some small comfort after returning to the palace.

Qun Qing calmly raised her eyes, seemingly completely oblivious to Consort Lü’s unpleasant expression. “Your Ladyship, I’ll do as much work as I’m paid. Dealing with Lu Huating is effortless for me.”

Qun Qing continued, “If Your Ladyship only considers how to break with Prince Yan’s mansion, simply have Marquis Lü invite Chief Administrator Lu to the mansion for tea during his rest days to discuss purchasing the land from him, then inadvertently let word slip to His Majesty.”

Consort Lü said, “His Majesty is most wary of princes, consorts, and their relatives forming connections. Wouldn’t this harm me?”

Qun Qing said, “Marquis Lü doesn’t involve himself in court politics. His innocent invitation would naturally not incur His Majesty’s blame. But Lu Huating, as Prince Yan’s strategist, shares fortune with Prince Yan. If he accepts the invitation, it means Prince Yan doesn’t know to avoid suspicion. Once His Majesty becomes suspicious, it will stick in his throat like a fishbone—docking three months’ salary won’t be a problem.”

“Fearing he’ll implicate Prince Yan, Chief Administrator Lu will certainly maintain distance from Your Ladyship henceforth and won’t entangle you.”

Consort Lü assessed her with a couple of glances, very satisfied, and drank a sip of tea. “I’ll consider it.”

—

Qun Qing found an excuse to leave Consort Lü’s palace. Not having walked far, she pulled out Juan Su who was hiding behind a tree. “Where is your Chief Administrator?”

Juan Su parted flowers and brushed aside leaves, leading her to a pavilion. This temple was used to store scripture scrolls and was full of the musty smell of old books. Qun Qing passed through rows of wooden shelves and saw Lu Huating. Sunlight shone on his face, seemingly brightening the dilapidated scripture repository somewhat.

Qun Qing demanded the document. “The documents from Consort Lü’s palace seem related to the Ministry of War.”

Lu Huating said, “That handwritten sheet was written by a Ministry of War official. The arrows used for the autumn hunt were cast by the Ministry of War, so it was separately noted.”

Before he could finish, Qun Qing said, “Give it to me. I’ll look at it myself.”

Lu Huating smiled. “Have you forgotten what we discussed in Xuzhou?”

His tone was polite, but his eyes held some coldness—he must still care about that splash of wine. Qun Qing also resented his repeated obstructions. Her delicate hands slowly pushed the scripture scrolls back on the shelf. “Doesn’t the Chief Administrator also want to deal with Prince Zhao? I have my own plans. Why make things difficult for me?”

“It’s you who is making things difficult for me.” Lu Huating said mildly, “Consort Lü enjoys His Majesty’s exclusive favor, yet you insist on helping the Crown Prince win her over. How is Prince Yan’s mansion supposed to manage?”

Qun Qing glanced at him. “‘Insist’? I only said not to kill Li Huan temporarily. I didn’t say I’d willingly watch Prince Yan ascend. The Crown Prince succeeding is legitimate and proper—what’s wrong with a benevolent ruler? If the Chief Administrator intends to usurp the throne, I haven’t said I won’t obstruct you. Since we’re mutually using each other, taking part of the benefits is sufficient. The Chief Administrator should be well-versed in this—no need for me to teach you.”

Lu Huating lowered his eyes to look at hers, momentarily speechless, merely curving his lips.

Truly a farmer and a snake. However, he disliked this lack of control.

“Last time, seeing you in such a pitiful state, I agreed to cooperate. To this day I don’t know whether you spoke truth or are using me. Not demanding proof makes me somewhat regret it.” Lu Huating said, “The ram’s-head sachet you showed me last time—could you leave it with me?”

Qun Qing paused, her gaze like a cold blade. “That’s my family’s keepsake, just like your mother’s osmanthus candy. How could I casually give it to anyone?”

Upon hearing this, Lu Huating’s expression remained unchanged. He actually drew something from his sleeve, leaning forward to tuck it into Qun Qing’s sleeve. “Why not? Before Mother passed, she sewed several bags to leave for my younger sister, but my sister was ill-fated. Unlike you, since I want blood for blood, I won’t futilely cling to sentiments.”

Touching the object in her sleeve—a bag completely full of osmanthus candy—Qun Qing froze. Lu Huating’s shadow had already departed. Seeing her reaction, he no longer mentioned the exchange.

After all, having taken something from someone, Qun Qing recalled Consort Lü’s resentful appearance today and kindly reminded him, “Consort Lü is arrogant in her favor, and the Lü family is insatiably greedy. The Chief Administrator used money to buy them off back then. Now you’ve raised a tiger that’s become a threat. It’s better to part amicably—don’t offend Consort Lü.”

Lu Huating’s eyebrow didn’t even twitch. Qun Qing wondered if this person knew fear at all and couldn’t help glancing at him.

Lu Huating also glanced at her. “Didn’t I already tell you? I’m accustomed to walking night roads.”

This person acted extremely. Having said this much, she said no more. Just then, sounds of fighting erupted as someone burst into the book repository. Both were startled.

Qun Qing turned to flee, but Lu Huating grabbed her shawl. Footsteps and voices had already entered.

Qun Qing only felt Lu Huating’s slightly cool fingers grip the back of her neck, pulling her loosely into his embrace, using his form to shield her. She merely let her stiff body slowly relax.

To outsiders, it appeared to be Lu Huating’s back standing between the bookshelves.

Lu Huating lowered his lashes. The pomegranate flower gold hairpin at Qun Qing’s temple was close at hand. He watched it for a while, then removed it, inconspicuously placing it in his sleeve.

The guards who burst in were blocked by Juan Su. They craned their necks to look several times before apologizing and leaving. Juan Su reminded, “Chief Administrator, they’re Prince Zhao’s guards. Since the Chief Administrator refused Prince Zhao’s invitation, people have been following you, probably trying to fabricate charges against you.”

Qun Qing knew that Li Pan inviting Lu Huating to serve at Prince Zhao’s mansion was merely a tactic to weaken Prince Yan’s power. Now that Lu Huating had refused, it meant Prince Zhao and the Crown Prince were about to formally break with Prince Yan, with Lu Huating being the first to face retaliation.

Fortunately, beneath various forces, she was still relatively free and could find ways to retaliate against Li Pan.

Just as she was thinking this, she heard Lu Huating’s cool voice sound by her ear. “His Majesty dotes on Prince Zhao. Prince Zhao and Minister Meng support each other with deep connections. His methods are ruthless. Before taking action, you’d best consult with me. As for other matters, do what you want—may the best person win.”

Qun Qing broke free of him, holding the document in her hand—she had taken the opportunity to extract it from his sleeve. Touching her head, the carefully crafted gold hairpin was gone. She couldn’t help saying, “The Chief Administrator keeping this object carries risk.”

Lu Huating’s expression didn’t change. “Something must be exchanged for my mother’s keepsake.”

Qun Qing turned to leave.

“Miss.” Lu Huating called out to her from behind. Qun Qing turned back. Lu Huating drew from his sleeve the arrow without an arrowhead. “If you feel the hairpin is too valuable, shall I return a gold ornament to you?”

Since they needed to investigate from this cold arrow, the arrow was also important evidence for her.

Qun Qing took the arrow, but Lu Huating didn’t release it. In the tug-of-war, his dark eyes smiled, gazing at her intently. “You won’t show me mercy, will you?”

Qun Qing said, “I won’t.”

Lu Huating smiled—radiant and dazzling—as if reassured, releasing his grip.

—

Before the investiture ceremony, Qun Qing returned once to Qingxuan Pavilion.

Before knocking, she still felt somewhat apprehensive. However, when Lan Yue embraced her in comfort, only gratitude remained in her heart.

In the inner hall, ceremonial robes for the investiture sent by the Palace Wardrobe Bureau were laid out. With the investiture ceremony approaching, Ruo Chan was busy altering the ceremonial robes. Seeing Qun Qing, she was so shocked she stopped moving.

Zheng Zhiyi stood up and grasped Qun Qing’s hand. Qun Qing busily tried to bow, but she forcefully held her wrist. “Why must you stand on ceremony with me!”

Qun Qing insisted on completing the bow. “This minister has never dared come see the Crown Princess because I failed to leave the palace, disappointing the Crown Princess’s intentions.”

“I’ve long known—it was Li Xuan’s fault, not yours.” Zheng Zhiyi led her to sit down, then pushed a full plate of grapes and tangerines toward her.

Facing Zheng Zhiyi’s concerned gaze, Qun Qing finally asked, “How have things been between the Crown Princess and the Crown Prince recently?”

“Still the same as before, except we argue much less.” Zheng Zhiyi calmly picked up a pear to bite. “A few days ago, I asked him if we should consummate the marriage, since Princess Yan is already with child. He asked me back if I was willing to consummate. I said I didn’t care either way—after all, I’d just have to lie there! After hearing that, without a word, he got out of bed to review memorials.”

Not expecting her to state this so bluntly, Lan Yue blushed and quickly called for her to stop. Qun Qing said, “So does the Crown Princess actually want to consummate or not?”

“I ask this not for other reasons.” Qun Qing said, “Next month is the investiture ceremony. After the investiture, your names with His Highness will be recorded in the precious册, with no room for reconsideration. If you regret it later, only bad things like demotion await.”

Zheng Zhiyi thought for a moment and said, “Miss Qing, I don’t care about consummating or not, but I want a child.”

This time, both Lan Yue and Ruo Chan looked over in surprise.

“Want a child?” Qun Qing was also somewhat surprised.

“Miss Qing, after you left, I read all the books in the cabinet.” Zheng Zhiyi said earnestly, “In the history books, empresses without children meet terrible fates. They’re belittled and humiliated by other consorts and ministers, and might even be deposed.”

“Moreover, I no longer have any family in this world. I can do without Li Xuan’s love, but I want a child of my own.”

Qun Qing knew she spoke the truth. For a moment, she didn’t know whether to feel gratified by Zheng Zhiyi’s growth or lament the cruelty of the deep palace.

“That day, Miss Qing gave me this position to save my life and gave me power so I could protect those I wish to protect. You’ve done enough. I should also grow up and plan for myself.” Zheng Zhiyi said, “Since I’m already in this position, I must find ways to live well. Miss Qing, don’t you agree?”

“You’re right.” Qun Qing said, “But if you have a child, you’ll be completely confined to the imperial palace. I fear the Crown Princess will feel stifled.”

Zheng Zhiyi knitted her brows in thought for a while, as if this was indeed a problem. “That doesn’t matter. If Great Chen’s fortunes stabilize in the future, I can often go hunting. Oh, and also, when Li Xuan becomes Emperor, if he dies early, being Empress Dowager would bring freedom…”

“Crown Princess!” Lan Yue cried out, jumping up to cover Zheng Zhiyi’s mouth.

The palace maids in the inner hall secretly smiled. Qun Qing’s heart also felt lighter. “This minister came today not only to see the Crown Princess, but also because I left something behind in my former side hall.”

Zheng Zhiyi said, “I’ve kept your residence for you. Have Lan Yue take you to retrieve it!”

While Lan Yue busily dusted with a feather duster, not paying attention to her, Qun Qing pushed open the window, placed her fingers to her lips, and an incredibly lifelike bird call flowed out.

Moments later, a skylark flew down from the trees and quietly slipped into Qun Qing’s sleeve. She also retrieved the wax pill she hadn’t yet collected.

Having taken her belongings, Qun Qing emerged and made another request to Zheng Zhiyi. “An eighth-rank Ceremony Assistant may have one small attendant. I currently have no one to help me. Could the Crown Princess lend me Ruo Chan and the ceremonial robes for a few days? I’ll personally alter these robes for you?”

Ruo Chan hadn’t expected that this trip would result in Qun Qing requesting her. She stood up in excitement.

Zheng Zhiyi said, “After you left, Ruo Chan has been dejected all day—her heart hasn’t been in Qingxuan Pavilion. Go, Ruo Chan, go be Miss Qing’s small attendant!”

Ruo Chan was extremely pleased, her smile overflowing from her face.

—

Ruo Chan was quick and efficient—the pavilion was soon tidied. She also took a duster from her bundle, saying happily, “Now I can pray for blessings for Sister again!”

Qun Qing touched the bag of osmanthus candy, feeling guilty that she had actually eaten someone else’s mother’s keepsake. She placed it on the cabinet and said to Ruo Chan, “Pray for blessings for this too.”

Ruo Chan stared at the osmanthus candy. “This… whose is it?”

Qun Qing picked up the handwritten paper to study it, saying after a while, “A lady I don’t know, and an infant girl.”

Ruo Chan nodded, obediently praying for blessings.

While Ruo Chan prayed, Qun Qing studied the handwritten paper. If it was as Lu Huating said, this was a record of arrows cast by the Ministry of War.

Qun Qing weighed the golden arrow in her hand. She hadn’t expected that these hunting arrows that appeared identical actually had different mysteries inside—their weights were different.

Different official positions corresponded to different weights.

Qun Qing produced a small copper scale—this was what Physician Li had given her when they parted, for weighing medicine.

She placed the arrow on one end, grabbed a handful of copper coins as counterweights, roughly weighed the golden arrow, and locked onto the corresponding name.

Assistant Director Xu.

Qun Qing’s gaze deepened. The “Tian” who had harmed her was indeed Assistant Director Xu.

Qun Qing then opened the wax pill to see what Fang Xie wanted to tell her after leaving the palace.

One was slightly larger. She quickly peeled open the wax pill with her fingers, feeling an iron triangular Soaring Serpent vermilion seal inside. She gripped it tightly in her palm until the edges caused slight pain.

This was “Tian’s” seal of authority.

During her desperate escape, she had spared Fang Xie and demanded “Tian’s” seal from him. Now that she had received this seal, it likely meant that Fang Xie had seized power and replaced Crown Prince Zhao?

Based on her understanding of Fang Xie, he must have other words for her.

So Qun Qing opened the other wax pills. What she saw made her expression turn solemn.

The note wasn’t written by Fang Xie, but by Wei Ran.

Wei Ran was her only close friend from girlhood. Because Mother wouldn’t let her make friends outside, the two occasionally secretly communicated through Shi Yu Ming, so she recognized Wei Ran’s handwriting.

Wei Ran wrote: “Liu Niang: That year I fled with Father to Nan Chu and had no news of you. Now Nan Chu’s internal chaos has been settled, and Ling Yunnuo has succeeded as ruler. Your mother was previously captured by Crown Prince Zhao, severely injured and unconscious. The new ruler granted special pardon, keeping your mother recuperating at my home. He showed kindness by letting me contact you—I don’t know if you are well?”

Qun Qing’s hands began to tremble.

A moment later, she crumpled the note into a ball.

Could Mother truly be alive, really in Nan Chu? Did the Meditation Master capture her to coerce her into serving him? But Fang Xie and the Meditation Master had already deceived her once—she wouldn’t easily take the bait.

Qun Qing harbored hope nonetheless. She took up a brush to reply, then below the note carefully sketched several birds in different postures.

This was a secret between Zhu Ying and her—one bird posture represented one commonly used character. If there was even one chance in ten thousand that Mother was truly alive, she would understand this secret script, while others would find it meaningless.

She would certainly be cautious and careful. After avenging Father and Brother, as for Nan Chu spies—they would only be used by her. Don’t even think of using her again.