Noble Consort Yu sent someone to poison Consort Shu, and was caught in the act—this was truly a rare drama.
Beneath the seemingly calm surface of the palace, undercurrents were already surging. The grass and trees near Noble Consort’s palace were filled with eunuchs and palace maids, all sent by various factions to gather information.
These frontline spectators watched as the Emperor entered the Noble Consort’s palace and closed the door, talking for a while. Then they waited under the scorching sun for quite some time, yet heard nothing.
Just as they were sweating profusely and fidgeting anxiously, they suddenly heard the muffled sound of porcelain breaking.
Here it comes!
The spectators stretched their necks to listen. Continuous jarring noises came from inside Noble Consort’s palace as if all vessels and objects were being destroyed one by one.
The sound of a door being kicked open.
They saw a person with disheveled hair walking out with large, swift strides, shouting hoarsely: “Come here!”
The eavesdroppers hastily pulled back their heads, cold sweat streaming down.
The Emperor’s black dragon robe was half-removed, hanging loosely on one shoulder, revealing his inner garment, his eyes wild: “Drag Consort Yu to the Cold Palace and lock her up!”
Consort Yu? The spectators secretly noted in their hearts.
Guards received the order and left, while a shrill female voice rose from Noble Consort’s palace: “I’d like to see who dares!”
Yu Wanyin was dragged out by the guards, her shoes fallen off, tear stains mottling her face, smearing her fresh makeup.
Xiahou Dan smiled coldly: “Who dares? Are you questioning me?”
Yu Wanyin didn’t show the slightest retreat, abandoning her usual coquettish and innocent manner, her phoenix eyes wide open, appearing aggressive: “Your Majesty, you will regret this.”
The spectators were almost frightened to death. Wasn’t this going too far?
Unfortunately, this time she could no longer win the Emperor’s favor.
Xiahou Dan staggered over, and kicked down a guard: “Who is the master here?”
Xiahou Dan: “Who!”
The guard knelt and said: “Your Majesty is the master.”
“Then when I say drag her to the Cold Palace, did you not hear?!”
Xiahou Dan personally supervised, watching Yu Wanyin being thrown into the Cold Palace, and ordered: “Nail all doors and windows shut, leave a team of guards to watch. Without my word, no one is to bring her food.”
For several consecutive days, no one delivered food.
Consort Yu’s fall from favor had become an undeniable fact and the eunuchs and palace maids who came to watch gradually dwindled. The few persistent ones later witnessed another good show.
The Cold Palace, long in disrepair, had a drafty hole in the main gate, with guards stationed outside.
On this day, a figure emerged from that hole.
The once beautifully rosy-cheeked Consort Yu had starved into an ashen-faced human husk, moving stiffly like a marionette to the hole, kneeling and kowtowing: “Good brothers, please, give me something to eat.”
The guards turned a deaf ear.
Consort Yu spoke again: “Please pass a message, tell them I was wrong, Wanyin was truly wrong…”
The guards still ignored her. Consort Yu knelt for so long that she seemed to have no strength to rise again, and fell headlong, lying behind the door.
After a long while, the Emperor’s trusted eunuch An Xian came and handed a broken bowl to the guard at the door.
The guard passed the bowl through the hole, saying: “Eat.”
The seemingly lifeless human husk on the ground moved again, struggling to hold the bowl, drank a few mouthfuls of cold, sticky porridge, thanked them with tears, and crawled back with the bowl.
Yu Wanyin carried the broken bowl into the room, casually tossed it aside, and wiped her face with disgust.
A maid had already prepared hot water: “Madam, please wash your face.”
Yu Wanyin washed off the death-like makeup on her face, revealing her rosy complexion underneath, and said listlessly: “Sigh, what shall we do today?”
The maid smiled: “Madam Bei sent some fruits and snacks, and a few books. Madam Bei asks you to be patient, the tunnel will take three to five more days to complete, and then His Majesty will come to see you. Until then, only Madam Bei’s skills can enter this place undetected.”
The maid: “Oh, and just now someone passed this from the backyard, probably by bribing the guards at the back door. The person also said that if Madam has any messages to send out, you can write them on a note and give it to him.”
She revealed a small package.
Yu Wanyin opened it to find some dried food and a jade turtle carving.
Prince Duan had finally made his move.
Shortly after Xiahou Bo had Yu Wanyin investigate that martial expert, he heard that Little Mei, who he had left as a spy, was dead.
There are no such coincidences in the world; it must have been Yu Wanyin’s doing.
His expectations for her had already dropped to freezing point.
Later he heard that Noble Consort Yu had been demoted to Consort Yu and confined due to harem rivalry—it all sounded staged. Xiahou Bo knew about Yu Wanyin’s special abilities, and so did Xiahou Dan. Putting himself in his brother’s shoes, no matter how incompetent the Emperor was, he wouldn’t abandon a prophet for the sake of romance.
But he wanted to see how she planned to continue her performance.
After Yu Wanyin was sent to the Cold Palace, his spies in the palace brought him firsthand information: that day the Emperor and Consort Yu had a big argument; the content was that Consort Yu urged the Emperor to eliminate Consort Shu, but the Emperor refused. Consort Yu claimed that she had dreamed Consort Shu would kill her entire family. The Emperor angrily accused her of making up lies and spreading falsehoods for the sake of favor. Finally, Consort Yu said something like “Without my abilities you are nothing” (the spy indicated they didn’t understand), causing the Emperor to fly into a rage and decide to abandon her.
This was somewhat unexpected for Xiahou Bo.
He knew that Consort Shu’s family had good relations with the Yu family in the past, but now that Magistrate Yu had been demoted, Consort Shu’s family was also gradually declining, and the two sides had developed some friction. Recently, the children of both families were competing for an official position, bringing the conflict into the open.
Xiahou Bo had people investigate, and Consort Shu’s family was indeed secretly plotting to eliminate the Yu family.
But one point: these plots were very covert, even he had to expend some effort to discover them. The Yu family had no awareness of them, and Yu Wanyin in the deep palace was even less likely to have heard.
So, did she see it with her divine vision?
Xiahou Bo waited for several days, sent some food in, and received a secret letter from her.
He had only read a few lines before laughing: “How daring she is.”
Yu Wanyin frankly admitted: Yes, I sent Little Mei to poison, precisely because I calculated she was your spy. If she had successfully poisoned, that would have been fine, but she was unfortunately discovered by Consort Shu and is now dead—all retribution for her secretly colluding with you behind my back.
Xiahou Bo recalled her angry shout at the lake and smiled: “This young lady is no ordinary creature. Interesting, most interesting.”
Prince Duan’s strategists dared not speak.
Usually when a man says a woman is “interesting,” it carries some imaginative thoughts.
But when Prince Duan said “interesting,” the meaning was complex. The full sentence could be “interesting, I must get her over here,” or it could be “interesting, I must have her killed.”
He seemed to have no tenderness in his heart, nor even hatred. To him, everything was a game of strategy. First, declare, then act; exhaust the enemy, fill ourselves; never shy from deception, win from a thousand miles away. He was the ideal operator: calm, ruthless, unwavering.
Sometimes this made them feel secure, other times it filled them with fear.
Xiahou Bo continued reading the letter.
Yu Wanyin stated that Xiahou Dan no longer valued her but feared others gaining her assistance, so he intended to imprison her until death.
She asked Xiahou Bo: Are you different from him? How can you prove it? If my prophecies occasionally err, will you also execute me because of suspicion?
Of course, Xiahou Bo would.
But he replied with a heartfelt letter, painting a picture grand enough to make even major corporate HR departments blush, and sent more food inside.
He didn’t rush to ask about the martial expert near the Emperor. He was waiting for her to submit proof of her loyalty.
Yu Wanyin delayed for two more days, performing the act of kneeling for cold porridge, and finally sent a new secret letter: “I have dreamed of that tall man, alone, riding to Zhangtai, going to that place of sensual pleasure. Before him is a high platform (she included a kindergarten-level illustration), seemingly listening to opera.”
Xiahou Bo didn’t fully believe her.
But for him, gambling involved no loss. At least the location she mentioned wasn’t in the palace but a brothel, a place where eliminating someone wouldn’t be difficult.
Xiahou Bo thus sent some spies to wait at several of the city’s red-light districts.
The tunnel was finally completed.
Xiahou Dan emerged from the tunnel covered in dust, first going to see Yu Wanyin: “You’ve lost weight.”
Yu Wanyin coughed: “No, I just haven’t removed all my makeup.” She had been confined with nowhere to exercise, lying around eating melon seeds and fruits all day, and had gained weight.
Xiahou Dan dusted himself off, and looked around: “Hot pot tonight?”
“Hot pot in this heat?”
“With iced mung bean soup, of course.”
“Not bad.” Yu Wanyin smiled. After smiling, she felt the conversation was like that of an old married couple who had been together for years, and her face warmed a little.
They say adversity reveals true feelings, and now she understood. After experiencing so much together, when she saw this person, she began to involuntarily feel a sense of security.
Until a clattering sound came from underground, and another dust-covered head emerged: “Cough cough… carrying a pot through a tunnel is difficult!”
Xiahou Dan: “Thank you for your trouble, put down the pot and you may leave.”
A Bai: “???”
A Bai didn’t leave.
Not only did he not leave, but he also brought Bei Zhou. The hot pot for two became a hot pot for four.
“Madam, eat this.” A Bai attentively cooked some mutton and placed it in Yu Wanyin’s bowl.
Before Yu Wanyin could stop him and thank him, another pair of chopsticks extended from the side, placing tripe on top of the mutton.
Xiahou Dan stared at her.
Yu Wanyin: “…”
Her impression of Xiahou Dan had been continuously improving. But she didn’t know what Xiahou Dan thought of her.
She guessed there was some affection, but he always acted so proper, as if harboring purely alliance and comrade feelings.
Until the fearless A Bai began to interfere, he seemed somewhat stimulated.
Yu Wanyin swallowed the tripe and slowly picked up A Bai’s mutton.
Xiahou Dan continued staring at her.
A Bai’s eyes also turned toward her.
Yu Wanyin paused, then slowly placed A Bai’s mutton in Xiahou Dan’s bowl.
Xiahou Dan: “?”
A Bai: “?”
Yu Wanyin: “By the way, Uncle Bei, A Bai, you’ve already heard the plan, right?”
Bei Zhou, who had been focused on eating, finally raised his head: “Don’t worry, I’ve been specially training this kid these past few days.”
A Bai pulled out a human skin mask from his bosom, put it on, and tied a black face cloth, smiling: “How is it?”
After the meal, Bei Zhou pulled A Bai to a corner, whispered for a while, and then started practicing moves.
Bei Zhou: “You blocked just now. These places can’t be blocked, practice more, you need to know it like the back of your hand.”
A Bai: “Did I block?”
Bei Zhou nodded, gesturing: “Your arm retracted.”
“Instinct, instinct,” A Bai said shamelessly. “Being too strong is troublesome indeed, it’s lonely at the top.”
Bei Zhou: “?”
Bei Zhou raised his palm: “Another round?”
A Bai quickly changed the subject: “Speaking of which, when will we catch Scarface?”
Xiahou Dan sat nearby, watching them like a martial arts movie: “No rush, wait until he leaves the palace himself.”
Bei Zhou relaxed his stance: “Daner, are you full? Uncle will cut some melon for you.”
“I’ll go,” Yu Wanyin entered the small, shabby kitchen behind the Cold Palace, picking up a watermelon soaking in ice water.
In the summer night, the heat had not yet dissipated, the overgrown courtyard filled with cicada songs, occasionally with fireflies passing by. As Yu Wanyin was cutting the watermelon into pieces and arranging them on a plate, A Bai slipped in: “Madam.”
“I’m not a Madam anymore.”
A Bai’s eyes lit up: “Wanyin?”
“…”
Yu Wanyin knew that jianghu people were unrestrained in their ways, and never took his slightly frivolous, playful flirtation too seriously. She casually handed him a plate of watermelon: “Thank you for your help.”
A Bai: “…”
Yu Wanyin began cutting a second plate: “Is your practice going well?”
“It should be mastered in three days.” A Bai held the plate and looked at her. “Wanyin, after this matter is completed, I’ll have to leave.”
Yu Wanyin was slightly stunned: “So soon? Aren’t you here on your master’s orders to protect His Majesty?”
“Prince Duan is watching, I can’t appear by your side anymore.”
Upon careful thought, Yu Wanyin realized this was indeed the case.
So this fellow had come to say goodbye. Yu Wanyin stopped her movements and adjusted her attitude: “Hmm, so have you decided where to go?”
“His Majesty has another task for me.”
“Task?”
A Bai winked: “I can’t say now, you’ll naturally know when the time comes.”
So it was a secret mission.
They hadn’t been together for long, yet Xiahou Dan trusted this person to such an extent. Yu Wanyin found it incredible.
She was thinking about asking Xiahou Dan later when she suddenly heard A Bai ask: “Or, would you like to leave with me?”
Yu Wanyin: “…What?”
“I’m asking if you want to leave with me.” A Bai shed his playful demeanor and spoke with utmost seriousness, enunciating each word.
In the dim, shabby room, his eyes shone like stars: “The first time I saw you, I knew you were a skylark from heaven, not meant to be trapped within these palace walls. Someone who can devise such plans must have such a lively spirit, so unrestrained. Such a person need only leave this place—the jianghu is vast, where could you not soar high?”
Yu Wanyin suddenly turned her head to glance at the door, lowering her voice: “Do you know where you are? You’re in the imperial palace, trying to run away with the Emperor’s woman?”
“No need to run away. As long as you nod, I’ll persuade His Majesty myself.”
Yu Wanyin was stunned: “You want to persuade him?”
“I have reasons he must accept.”
Yu Wanyin: “…”
This person must be mad.
Although she found it absurd, she was somewhat touched: “Regardless, thank you for saying these things.”
A Bai heard the rejection in her words and instantly deflated: “Don’t rush to answer, please.”
Yu Wanyin couldn’t help but laugh: “A Bai, a gallant young hero like you will surely meet a worthy companion.”
A Bai hung his head dejectedly: “Am I not good enough?”
“That’s not it…”
“If not with me, would you want to go out and see the world?”
Yu Wanyin opened her mouth and froze.
She recalled the beautiful dream she had when she first arrived, of escaping all this.
A Bai gripped her shoulders: “Wanyin, on my way to the capital, I witnessed sunset over countless mountains and vast fields of flowers like brocade. Think for yourself, what do you truly want from this journey through the world?”
He released her quickly, picked up the two plates of watermelon, and walked out.
Yu Wanyin remained where she was, dazed for a moment.
The lone smoke over vast deserts, camel bells on the Gobi, osmanthus in autumn, miles of lotus flowers—the world she missed in her past life, trapped in a cubicle, would she still have no chance to see in this life?
Yu Wanyin took a deep breath, and washed her hands, thinking she should return quickly, but unexpectedly, as soon as she stepped into the courtyard, she saw two figures standing side by side.
A Bai was standing with Xiahou Dan in the center of the courtyard, looking up and pointing at something: “Do you see it?”
Xiahou Dan was also looking up: “To the left of the moon?”
A Bai: “They’re almost forming a line.”
Yu Wanyin instinctively looked up too, but saw only a chaotic sky full of stars, unable to discern any particular pattern.
A Bai: “Think carefully about my master’s letter. The old man also asked me to convey another message: your meeting may not be a fortunate event.”
Xiahou Dan snorted: “You’re making this up.”
A Bai exclaimed angrily: “I wouldn’t dare joke about my master.”
Xiahou Dan: “If you covet Wanyin, just say so.”
Yu Wanyin: “…”
She wondered if she should retreat to the kitchen.
A Bai, with his martial arts training, had excellent hearing and detected the faint breath behind them, but pretended not to notice: “Even if not for yourself, think about her.”
Xiahou Dan was silent.
A Bai began giving examples: “What good is being Emperor if you can’t protect her from harm?”
Xiahou Dan: “That I can do.”
A Bai: “?”
A Bai rallied: “Can you take just one dipper from the three thousand weak waters for her?”
Xiahou Dan: “That’s also easy.”
A Bai: “?”
Behind them, Yu Wanyin held her breath, not daring to move. Her heartbeat was so loud she feared it would drown out the cicadas.
A Bai had intended to let Yu Wanyin see the ugly side of men, but never expected this fellow to answer thus. Exasperated, he said: “Even with all that, she’s still a bird in a cage, never able to experience the world freely and joyfully!”
“A Bai, the world isn’t entirely meant for play; she has her ambitions.”
A Bai was momentarily stunned.
Xiahou Dan continued gazing at the night sky with his hands behind his back: “You see her only as a small bird needing to be set free, yet fail to see her uprightness and nobility, bright as the moon, illuminating a thousand miles of azure sky.”
A Bai: “…”
A Bai tugged at him weakly: “Let’s go back inside.”
“But you’re right, it’s indeed difficult for her to be happy here,” Xiahou Dan said. “One day when she has fulfilled her ambitions and wishes to leave, if I am no longer around, you take her away.”
A Bai was on the verge of tears: “Please stop talking.”
Yu Wanyin remained standing in the courtyard until the night breeze cooled her cheeks, then returned to the room as if nothing had happened.
A Bai was fiercely sparring with Bei Zhou.
Xiahou Dan looked at Yu Wanyin: “Why were you gone so long?”
Yu Wanyin dared not meet his eyes: “Well, nature called.”
Prince Duan sent spies to various red-light districts in the city, keeping watch for several days. Finally, that evening, intelligence came: the tall, masked expert from the Emperor’s side had appeared at Yihong House. He wasn’t looking for girls but was listening to opera beneath the Penglai Stage.
This intelligence matched Yu Wanyin’s secret letter.
So Prince Duan’s assassins quickly gathered, blending into the perfumed crowd.
The so-called Penglai Stage was just an opera stage, but because it was set up in a pleasure house, unlike ordinary theaters, it was decorated with pink curtains and gauzy screens, with fragrant smoke drifting in the air. The performances weren’t proper operas either.
A group of leering spectators were cheering for the flower actor twisting with a serpentine waist, while a madam with a matchmaker’s mole moved through the crowd, collecting silver with a fawning smile.
The assassins looked around, quickly locating their tall target.
The leader made a subtle gesture, and everyone dispersed, disappearing behind the Ghost Gate.
This Ghost Gate was the entrance to the stage, separated by a gold-embroidered screen. The assassins hid there according to the plan, quickly changing into performer costumes.
The lead assassin, however, secretly crept behind the madam, pretending to be familiar with her, then suddenly revealed a short dagger from his sleeve, silently pressing it against her neck.
The madam’s face turned pale with fear, her voice trembling: “Sir, we can talk this through.”
The assassin leader: “Step aside with me.”
He dragged the madam to a deserted corner, and put away his dagger, first threatening then enticing her, slipping her a money pouch: “For the next act, let our people perform, don’t alarm the audience.”
The madam weighed the money pouch, and dramatically patted her chest, exclaiming: “Oh my, you frightened me! For such a small matter, sir, you only needed to say so, why threaten with a knife…”
The assassin leader impatiently said: “Stop wasting words, just do it.”
But the madam continued rambling: “It’s just that our Yihong House has its rules, you can’t simply barge in, for some details I must ask for your understanding…”
The assassin leader, accustomed to bloodshed, had no patience for this madam, thinking his threat hadn’t been effective enough, and threw a punch at her stomach.
Midway through the punch, he suddenly couldn’t advance another inch!
The madam had gripped his wrist with one hand, as if holding a sewing needle, even raising her fingers in a delicate orchid pose: “The customer is so fierce.”
The assassin leader: “!!!”
After a few moves, the assassin leader was pinned to the ground with his arms twisted behind him, unable to move.
The madam with the matchmaker’s mole effortlessly dislocated his jaw, inserted a pill into his mouth, then reattached his dislocated jaw, whispering in his ear: “This is poison. I have the antidote. You must do as I say, and only then can you come for it afterward.”
The assassin leader: “Who are you?”
The madam smiled: “Stop wasting words, just do it.”
Behind the Ghost Gate, the assassins had changed into performer costumes and were checking their short daggers when the assassin leader arrived, his face grim.
The assassin leader stretched out his hand, distributing a handful of short daggers to everyone: “Replace yours with these.”
An assassin asked confusedly: “Why?”
The assassin leader said coldly: “Orders from above, don’t ask, change them and get on stage.”
Everyone saw that the tips of these daggers glowed green, not knowing what deadly poison it was, assuming Prince Duan intended to use it against their assassination target. In the urgency of the moment, they had no time to think and habitually followed orders, replacing their weapons.
The gold-embroidered screen opened, and a new play began—”The Tale of the Fish Basket.”
A Bai sat below the stage, cheering along, slowly waving a folding fan, acting like a gentleman surrounded by beauties. But with his face covered, his true appearance couldn’t be seen.
In such a place of singing and dancing, even the opera was performed suggestively. The carp spirit, transformed into a beauty, with willow eyebrows and apricot eyes, sang with a voice like an oriole, swaying two steps east, two steps west, pretending to avoid pursuit by heavenly soldiers.
With urgent music, the heavenly soldiers appeared on stage. The carp’s spirit swayed to the edge of the stage, then leaped down, landing steadily below the Penglai Stage.
The audience erupted.
The carp spirit ran through the crowd with delicate movements, the heavenly soldiers giving chase with exaggerated gestures, and unknowingly approached A Bai.
A Bai seemed completely unaware, still cheerfully cheering.
In that critical moment, the carp spirit’s slender jade hand flipped, producing a short dagger from nowhere, suddenly stabbing toward A Bai!
A Bai opened his folding fan, almost instinctively raising his hand to parry. The dagger pierced through the fan surface with a tearing sound that startled the surrounding spectators.
The fan suddenly closed, firmly trapping the dagger, and producing a metallic sound.
A Bai held the fan in one hand and used the other with fingers together, striking like lightning toward the carp spirit’s vital points. The carp spirit chose to take his strike rather than retreat. At the same time, the pursuers arrived, assassins rushing at A Bai from all directions, their daggers gleaming ominously.
A Bai let out a great shout, sending the carp spirit flying with a palm strike, but could no longer escape the encirclement!
Blood stained the fan, splashing like crimson brocade.
An hour later, a trembling spy reported to Prince Duan: “All the assassins sent, annihilated!”
Xiahou Bo’s hand, raising a teacup, paused imperceptibly, yet he still elegantly took a sip: “Tell me.”
The spy: “When the fight broke out, everyone scattered. I hid behind a nearby pillar to watch secretly and saw that fellow surrounded by assassins, blood spattering three feet high!”
As the spy continued, he grew increasingly animated: “Daggers went in white and came out red, each strike cutting flesh, he was stabbed countless times, yet he simply wouldn’t fall! It was like one man guarding a pass, ten thousand unable to break through—he was already on his knees, yet still didn’t fall, killing the last assassin before finally laughing loudly several times and lying motionless—”
Xiahou Bo: “I sent you to report, not to tell stories.”
The spy kowtowed: “Not a single word of my report is exaggerated, my lord!”
Xiahou Bo gently put down his teacup, frowning: “What about the body?”
“After his death, the manager came and dragged away all the bodies, cleaning up the bloodstains too. I knew such places have a back alley for transporting dead bodies, so I went around to that alley and intercepted them, spent some money, and hid the body in a secret location. Would Your Highness like to see it?”
The masked expert’s corpse was a ghastly sight, its vital points almost reduced to minced meat.
Xiahou Bo examined it with an unchanged expression, reached out to remove the face cloth, and frowned at the face.
This man had a scar at the corner of his mouth, left by a sore, and looked somewhat familiar.
Xiahou Bo turned to ask the spy: “The person you saw at Yihong House, was it this man?”
The spy nodded repeatedly: “I’m very good at recognizing faces. Although he wore a mask then, his eyes and eyebrows were visible, and it’s this person.”
Xiahou Dan instructed his subordinate: “Investigate this man’s identity.”
He was about to leave when he paused again: “Also, carefully examine the assassins’ bodies and their belongings; nothing can be overlooked.”
Nothing unusual was found on the bodies or belongings.
The expert’s identity was quickly revealed: the Empress Dowager’s most powerful and ruthless secret guard, who specialized in killing those difficult to eliminate. He was already on Prince Duan’s faction’s blacklist.
This scarface indeed enjoyed listening to opera. That day, after completing a mission for the Empress Dowager outside the palace, he had detoured to Yihong House on his way back, ultimately meeting his end beneath the opera stage.
After hearing the report, Xiahou Bo smiled with slight interest: “The Empress Dowager’s capable right-hand man, protecting the Emperor by his side?”
Strategist: “Is the Empress Dowager showing goodwill toward the Emperor?”
Xiahou Bo: “Perhaps goodwill, perhaps surveillance. In any case, she indeed has hidden intentions that I haven’t discovered.”
Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager was smashing bowls in fury: “Without any reason, Prince Duan killed my guard?! I think he’s tired of living!”
Her confidant: “Shall we punish him for his crime?”
The Empress Dowager smashed another bowl: “All useless! If we could have punished him for his crimes earlier, how would he have become so arrogant until now!”
The battle of wits between Prince Duan and the Empress Dowager was approaching white-hot intensity.
Compared to the original story, the plot development hadn’t changed much. Although the Empress Dowager was fierce, her strategies and plans couldn’t match Prince Duan’s. She was already retreating step by step, showing signs of decline.
In other words, the fight between the snipe and the clam was approaching its end, and the time for Xiahou Dan to hide his capabilities was running short.
When Yu Wanyin returned to her room, she found something new by her pillow. She picked it up to examine it closely—a crude wooden carving with wings spread, neck extended in song. She guessed A Bai had carved a skylark.
Yu Wanyin gently traced the wood grain with her fingertips, turning to look at the narrow window of the Cold Palace.
Xiahou Dan followed her in: “What’s that?”
Yu Wanyin: “…”
Yu Wanyin quickly put down the skylark: “Let me explain.”
Xiahou Dan glanced at it: “A gift from A Bai? How thoughtful of him. Keep it.”
Yu Wanyin: “?”
Yu Wanyin was dissatisfied: “Just like that?”
“…What do you mean, ‘just like that’?”
Why pretend to be so magnanimous when you’re quite capable of jealousy? Yu Wanyin stared at Xiahou Dan with curiosity.
Having overheard his thoughts, pretending not to know became exceptionally difficult.
That night in the courtyard, her reluctance to leave was indeed motivated by ulterior motives—wanting to hear something from his lips.
She hoped he felt at least some of the same excitement and affection she did. Why not? They had fought side by side for so long, and with her current face, surely she had some charm…
She hadn’t expected Xiahou Dan to say those things.
Those… almost inconceivable sentences.
Though just fragments, she seemed to glimpse a boundless deep sea. She was confused, pleasantly surprised, and even felt a touch of awe.
But she couldn’t hide her happiness.
You think of me that way.
I want to hear you say it to me directly.
Xiahou Dan was bewildered by her stare and changed the subject: “Today the Empress Dowager found another excuse to challenge Prince Duan. It seems our plan was quite successful, thanks to your brilliant strategy.”
Meanwhile, at the city gate, a man and a woman were standing in line to leave the city, being inspected by guards.
The man was tall but hunched, with a dark complexion. Looking at his features alone, one could sense the earthy quality of someone who faces the soil and turns his back to the sky. Beside him was an older woman, similarly weather-beaten, carrying several cloth bundles.
The city guard: “Where are you going?”
The man replied in a rustic accent: “Came to the city with my ma to visit relatives, now we’re headed home.”
After passing through the gate, the two remained silent, moving along the main road with the flow of people.
After walking several miles, when no one else was around, the man finally straightened his back and stretched: “Ma, I’ll say goodbye here.”
The woman smiled: “Son, remember to dress warmly when you’re out alone.”
Though the words were affectionate advice, the tone was full of playfulness, and with that utterance came a deep male voice.
These two were, of course, Bei Zhou and A Bai.
A Bai took the luggage from Bei Zhou’s hand, casually throwing it over his shoulder. Despite wearing the farmer’s mask, his movements were graceful and dignified: “Thanks for your help.”
Bei Zhou expressed concern: “How are your injuries?”
“Nothing serious. I was wearing armor—just small wounds.”
The operation that day was, in essence, a bloody magic trick.
The first thing they did was assassinate the Empress Dowager’s scar-faced secret guard.
Scarface was normally cunning and suspicious. They secretly followed him for several days, finally catching him when he left the palace alone on a killing mission for the Empress Dowager. Like a mantis hunting a cicada, Bei Zhou was behind, intercepting and killing him in a dark alley.
Then Bei Zhou quickly disguised himself as a madam, smoothly entering Yihong House through a secret door. Having previously worked there as a madam for a long time, he played the role effortlessly. Being familiar with the manager and others, their coordination was seamless.
Meanwhile, A Bai first put on Scarface’s mask, then covered it with a black cloth, swaggering through Yihong House’s main entrance as bait, successfully attracting Prince Duan’s assassins.
Bei Zhou, hiding in the shadows, targeted the assassin leader first, forcing him to replace all weapons with ones they had prepared.
These daggers were specially made, of course.
Yu Wanyin knew Bei Zhou was a mechanical genius. She roughly explained the magic effect she had once seen, and Bei Zhou applied the principle to create the props. These daggers contained springs; the blade would retract when it touched something hard. Though appearing to stab into flesh, it retracted into the hilt.
The guard of the dagger also concealed blood pouches that would spray blood from the joint when squeezed.
In the heat of battle, with swift movements, even if the assassins noticed something strange, they had no time to think or react.
A Bai had been receiving special training for days, deliberately leaving several openings undefended, so that during combat he could perform convincingly. Even if Prince Duan’s spies were observed at close range, they would only see him struggling and severely wounded, ultimately perishing along with the assassins.
Of course, with so many assassins attacking at once, he inevitably suffered some minor injuries while dispatching them in such a short time.
After A Bai feigned death, the manager came forward to drag away the bodies. On the way to the back alley, they performed a sleight of hand, releasing A Bai and retrieving the prop daggers.
What Prince Duan’s spy ultimately retrieved was the real Scarface. The wounds on Scarface’s body were inflicted by Bei Zhou while he was still alive, imitating the methods of Prince Duan’s assassins with daggers. Even a coroner couldn’t detect anything unusual.
Thus, Prince Duan lost a batch of capable assassins and had to face the Empress Dowager’s fury and retaliation.
Yu Wanyin: “But you’re still the clever one. I only thought of having A Bai and Uncle Bei work together to perform magic, but you directly thought of redirecting trouble and eliminating Scarface in the process…” As she spoke, she found it strange, “How did you know the Empress Dowager had a scar-faced man whose build resembled A Bai’s? Even I, having read the original story, don’t remember such a character.”
That was natural because staying long enough would reveal secrets.
Xiahou Dan replied calmly: “My secret guards can’t eat for nothing; they must also monitor the Empress Dowager.”
“When did you send them?”
“I might have forgotten to tell you.”
“Hmm—?” Yu Wanyin suddenly moved closer to him, narrowing her eyes to examine him, “CEO Dan, there’s quite a lot you don’t tell me.”
Xiahou Dan was a head taller than Yu Wanyin. As she moved closer, she had to look up at him.
He heard the intimacy in her tone, pretending to be suspicious, just to make a joke.
Warm breath brushed against Xiahou Dan’s neck.
Xiahou Dan’s Adam’s apple moved once.
Yu Wanyin couldn’t help deepening her smile, wanting to tease him more, but saw him slightly lower his head, his expression very calm: “What do you mean?”
Yu Wanyin felt a trace of disappointment and stepped back: “For example, what was A Bai sent to do?”
Xiahou Dan: “…”
Xiahou Dan’s expression grew even more indifferent: “Don’t you want him to leave?”
The scenery beside the main road was desolate, with only wild grass swaying in the wind.
Bei Zhou: “Without horse or carriage, where will you go?”
The magic trick was over, but Prince Duan was meticulous and might not have completely abandoned his suspicions. For A Bai to maintain his false death, he had to leave the capital. Otherwise, with his tall, eye-catching build, if a spy spotted him, all their efforts would be wasted.
The Imperial Guard commander had already joined Prince Duan’s faction, and the guards at the city gates might have received orders to search for A Bai. Going alone would be too conspicuous, which is why he brought Bei Zhou as cover.
A Bai smiled: “I’ll stay with a farmer for a few days until I meet up with my companions and depart together.”
Bei Zhou: “…Companions? I didn’t know you had companions.”
A Bai merely smiled without answering.
Bei Zhou gave him a moderate pat: “You rascal, in just a few days you’ve gained His Majesty’s favor. What secret orders can’t even be told to me?”
“Ask His Majesty yourself.” A Bai passed the question to Xiahou Dan.
“Fine, I can’t help anyway.” Bei Zhou became serious, “His Majesty is in a dangerous situation now. You’re just starting; be careful in everything, think before you act, and don’t betray his trust. Take care of yourself, don’t make your master worry.”
A Bai was momentarily stunned, somewhat moved: “Senior Brother.”
He had completed his apprenticeship five years ago and had known Xiahou Dan for five years. Since then, he has been executing a long-term mission, advancing step by step, planning until now, with only small successes. This trip to the capital was also to finalize subsequent plans with Xiahou Dan.
But these things couldn’t be told to anyone, including this makeshift senior brother.
Bei Zhou smiled: “Hey, say that again.”
But A Bai refused: “Why does this feel so awkward… Wait until you change back to men’s clothing.”
Bei Zhou raised an eyebrow: “What’s wrong with my women’s clothing?”
“Huh?” A Bai wore an expression of being at a loss for words, “How to put it. Your original appearance is quite dashing and unrestrained, but with all this makeup… ahem.”
Bei Zhou inwardly spat a liter of old blood, but outwardly appeared unconcerned, waving his hand: “Get lost.”
Xiahou Dan said indifferently: “I just sent him to find medicine for my headaches.”
Yu Wanyin asked curiously: “Find medicine?”
All this mystery, just to find medicine?
“With his martial skills, isn’t it a bit wasteful to merely send him to find medicine?”
Xiahou Dan’s expression remained unchanged: “He’s from the jianghu, perhaps he has connections to obtain some special remedies.”
His gaze swept to the side, and Yu Wanyin didn’t need to turn around to know he was glancing at the skylark by the bed: “No need to be too sad about parting; there will be opportunities to meet again in the future.”
Yu Wanyin: “…”
She could smell it, that familiar sour scent.
A little jealousy enhances the flavor, quite nice.
Before she could formulate her lines, Xiahou Dan suddenly turned his head: “I just received a secret message from Wang Zhao. They expect to cross the border in a month, then take the route through Qiang country to enter Yan country.”
Yu Wanyin: “?”
Don’t change the subject like that!
“Qiang country is small; in another month they’ll have crossed it. So if all goes well, we should receive news from Yan country by autumn. I just hope the drought isn’t this year, otherwise getting Yan millet won’t help us plant in time.” Xiahou Dan’s brows were deeply furrowed, his face full of concern for the country and its people.
Continuing to probe about A Bai’s whereabouts might expose flaws.
So he must change the subject, he told himself.
Yu Wanyin was silent for several seconds before responding: “…Cen Jintian said, judging by this year’s rainfall, there shouldn’t be a drought.”
“That’s good.” Xiahou Dan gave her no opening, walking toward the tunnel entrance, “Speaking of Cen Jintian, I called them for a small group meeting, which should be starting soon. Would you like to join?”
Yu Wanyin looked at his back in confusion.
Previously, she hadn’t felt he was so unromantic.
“Wait.” Bei Zhou called to A Bai, “What do you think of Wanyin?”
A Bai looked embarrassed: “Must we discuss this?”
Bei Zhou: “That day when you spoke with His Majesty in the Cold Palace courtyard, I inevitably heard a few sentences. You urged Wanyin to leave with you, probably not just out of affection, right?”
A Bai sighed: “Do you remember my master’s letter?”
Bei Zhou’s expression changed slightly, murmuring: “Mars guarding the heart, five stars aligning… Is that truly the meaning?”
A Bai looked at him gravely.
Bei Zhou felt a chill down his spine, instinctively looking up at the sky: “And the four characters that followed, ‘extreme reversed to prosperity,’ what do they mean?”
“Not entirely clear, which is why fortune hangs by a thread.”
“There are things even your master doesn’t understand?”
“Master cast a life-and-death divination for His Majesty but didn’t tell me the result. He only said that the two of them have much karma entangled, like flowers seen through the mist, impossible to discern. But I guess that divination was extremely dangerous; since then, he’s been constantly worried, finally ordering me to leave the mountain.”
A Bai swallowed half of Wuming’s words without saying: Karma entangled, previous dust not in this world.
Those two people don’t originally belong to this world, so naturally they can’t be calculated.
A Bai recalled the scene from five years ago when he first met Xiahou Dan.
At that time, he was young and arrogant and held himself in high regard. Although he was sent by his master to assist the Emperor, he didn’t place much importance on the position of Son of Heaven.
When he snuck into the palace and saw the Emperor himself, he felt even less impressed: just a youth about his age curled up on a couch with closed eyes, beautiful indeed, but like a pale puppet with its soul removed, exuding an air of resignation to fate.
Seeing him sleeping so defenseless, A Bai couldn’t help but laugh softly: “My master spoke of you so mysteriously, I thought you were some wandering ghost.”
The youth, with eyes still closed, curled the corner of his lips: “You’d better not move.”
In an instant, A Bai felt a chill on the back of his neck. Because he heard the sound of a bowstring tightening somewhere behind him.
The youth calmly said: “If you move, the mechanism moves, and I’ll have to spend another month rebuilding one.”
A Bai didn’t dare breathe. The youth finally opened his eyes and looked at him. With that glance, the doll-like facade shattered to dust, and a cold snake flickered its tongue.
His eyes were so black they barely reflected light, set in that pale, bewitchingly beautiful face, like two entrances to hell opening amidst a scene of spring peach blossoms: “Your master was right.”
Later, he gradually came to understand Xiahou Dan and learned more of his story. The initial shock of their first meeting had gradually faded; he admired his patience, appreciated his hardships, and willingly ran errands for him.
But thinking back now, he could still vaguely recall the uncomfortable feeling then—an instinctive reaction to encountering something alien.
Strangely, Yu Wanyin didn’t trigger any similar feelings in him. Although she also came from another world, she was warm and harmless, as if she had never built walls around her heart in this life.
He could understand why Xiahou Dan would regard her differently.
But it was also because of that indelible shadow in his heart that he was even more unwilling to leave Yu Wanyin in the palace.
Not a word of these considerations in A Bai’s heart could be said to Bei Zhou.
Thinking of Bei Zhou’s protective care for Xiahou Dan, treating him as his own, A Bai suddenly felt a pang of sadness: “I’ve heard my master mention some things about you. What do you think of His Majesty?”
Bei Zhou: “As Nan’er’s child, naturally he’s good.”
But… he is not your old friend’s son, just a lonely soul from another world.
When you learn this in the future, will you be sad?
A Bai ultimately had to consider Xiahou Dan’s interests and couldn’t arouse Bei Zhou’s suspicions. He casually moved past the topic, exchanged a few more words of farewell, and then they parted ways.
Yu Wanyin’s confinement in the Cold Palace was like a corporate slave on a long vacation. No longer having to rise early to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, nor deal with endless palace intrigues and the elusive Prince Duan, she was living comfortably for once.
But corporate slaves never truly had vacations; small group meetings still had to be held.
Yu Wanyin didn’t want to miss them, but since ministers couldn’t come to the Cold Palace for meetings, she had to crawl through the tunnel to join them.
The tunnel had just been dug through, and the guards were still working to make it presentable. At present, people could only pass through by crouching and crawling on their knees, eating dust with each trip.
The other end of the tunnel exited beneath the dragon bed in Xiahou Dan’s imperial bedchamber.
When Li Yunxi first heard that Noble Consort Yu had been sent to the Cold Palace and was suffering greatly, he was deeply shocked.
Remembering Yu Wanyin’s kindness in saving his life, he had frowned deeply on his way to the palace, thinking of advising the Emperor, yet feeling that as a subject he shouldn’t comment on the inner palace affairs.
As he was torn between moral obligation and propriety, upon entering the imperial chamber, he was startled to see the woman who was rumored to be imprisoned to death sitting beside Xiahou Dan.
Yu Wanyin was dressed in the Cold Palace’s standard thorn hairpin and plain dress, wearing no makeup, with dirt on her face, looking so pitiable it could bring tears. Yet her face was calm as she dusted herself off, saying: “Don’t mind me, continue your discussion.”
Li Yunxi: “?”
Li Yunxi looked toward Xiahou Dan.
Xiahou Dan pushed the fruit plate toward her, then truly ignored her, saying calmly: “Let’s all speak.”
Li Yunxi: “?”
Li Yunxi looked at his colleagues beside him.
Cen Jintian and Er Lan each smiled, neither asking why she was there nor commenting on her appearance as if this scene were quite normal.
Cen Jintian had already begun his report: “After returning last time, I organized the expected yields of various crops during drought based on their varieties. Your Majesty can now check the granary reserves in each province to determine how to adjust relief during a drought…”
Yu Wanyin popped a piece of peach into her mouth, skillfully picking up a brush to take meeting notes: “Thank you for your hard work, Lord Cen.”
Cen Jintian bowed: “It’s all part of my duty.”
Li Yunxi: “…”
Perhaps he should also pretend nothing was amiss.
Regarding the Yan country matter, Xiahou Dan didn’t plan to place all his hopes on diplomacy.
The Yan people, living in barbaric lands, had always coveted the splendor of Great Xia. Naturally arrogant, they had reluctantly maintained peace through marriage alliances when Great Xia was strong. As soon as internal strife erupted in Great Xia, they immediately mounted their horses to invade.
In the original story, after Xiahou Dan’s death, the King of Yan took advantage of the drought to invade the Central Plains, fighting a great battle with Prince Duan.
If diplomacy failed, this battle was inevitable. They had to prepare early—relocating people to cultivate the wasteland, storing food, implementing the open-market border policy, and strengthening military readiness—lest they be left defenseless when the time came.
Cen Jintian said gently: “Since Your Majesty issued the decree to reduce taxes and rent while implementing the open-market policy, the people’s livelihood has greatly improved. As General You mentioned the other day, many Yan millet fields have been opened along the border. After planting for a few more seasons, even without purchasing seeds from Yan country, we might be able to handle a drought.”
At the mention of General You, Li Yunxi couldn’t help snorting: “The emperor is far away. That fellow’s words cannot be fully trusted.”
This General You commanded the Right Army, guarding the southern border, and should have been equal in rank to General Luo of the Central Army.
But unlike General Luo, who was like a god of killing, this man’s position was not earned through battlefield conquests but obtained through family connections.
The southern border had been peaceful for a long time, fattening this general to obesity. Recently, when he returned to court to report on his duties, he even endured several jeers from Xiahou Dan.
Xiahou Dan, playing the madman at court, had laughed strangely: “Looking at your face, I can tell the Right Army doesn’t lack military funds.”
The Empress Dowager’s faction of civil officials had hastened to laugh loudly.
General You completely lacked General Luo’s killing aura. The entire man was cowed and abashed. Even when ridiculed to this extent, he didn’t dare show anger, only mumbling a few useless phrases about “diligently training troops to serve the court.”
During his time in the capital, he had frequent contact with Prince Duan. The Prince of Balance offered olive branches equally to all three armies. General You accepted gifts secretly and performed duties stingily, offending neither side.
Li Yunxi couldn’t help advising: “Your Majesty, General You doesn’t seem like someone who can accomplish great things. With him stationed at the southern border, I fear trouble may arise.”
Even without him saying it, Yu Wanyin knew this man’s fate in the original story.
When Yan country invaded, General You was ordered to support the Central Army but fell after just a few rounds, even surrendering all weapons and supplies to the Yan army when he capitulated.
Xiahou Dan lazily said: “I don’t expect him to accomplish anything great. It’s just that with him occupying that position, neither I nor Prince Duan can command him, which isn’t a bad situation.”
Li Yunxi: “But the southern border…”
Xiahou Dan interrupted him: “Minister Li, don’t worry about others for now. Tell us about the recent situation in the Ministry of Revenue.”
Li Yunxi paused, somewhat dejected.
For a straightforward person like him to enter the Ministry of Revenue, it was evident he would only be marginalized. Currently, he is doing the laborious work of auditing registers.
The so-called auditing of registers involved tracking changes in population and land and compiling them into books to report to the court.
When Li Yunxi first took over this task and opened the Ministry of Revenue’s storeroom, he saw registers submitted from various regions over the years piled haphazardly, covered in a foot-thick layer of dust.
The official in charge even advised him: “Better leave quickly, the smell is strong.”
Furious, Li Yunxi buried himself in solitary hard work, organizing and proofreading volume by volume, and sure enough, discovered enormous discrepancies.
The most outrageous counties had submitted almost identical reports for several years, showing no increase or decrease in population, and no changes in land.
Coming from a poor remote area himself, Li Yunxi immediately understood what was happening.
Many places officially showed one household with one field, but in reality, the farmland had long been privately seized by the local wealthy gentry.
Xiahou Dan had previously ordered rent reductions, but these wealthy landowners re-rented the seized fields to farmers for cultivation, collecting rents several times what the court charged.
When Li Yunxi entered government service, he had already made a grand vow to do the dirtiest and most tiring work to repay his fellow villagers.
To clarify land ownership, he worked tirelessly, investigating from multiple angles, laboring for days, and finally organizing the new register for the first province.
The register was submitted but returned the next day for reworking.
Li Yunxi rescreened and rechecked everything, adding an extensive essay, and submitted it again, only to have it returned once more.
Li Yunxi was working on the third revision when his superior approached him with a fake smile, saying that seeing how hard he worked, they were thinking of transferring him to a local post.
Li Yunxi spent a sleepless night, finally hiding his work results and trying to submit a register almost identical to last year’s.
This time his superior was satisfied, patting his shoulder: “A teachable youth indeed.”
Thus Li Yunxi understood why his colleagues had been idle all these years—it was because no one dared to manage this matter.
In every province and county, not a single register was without numerous errors. Behind the local gentry were layers of officials, and behind the officials were imperial relatives.
If thoroughly investigated, few people within the Ministry of Revenue would be clean. Looking higher up, there was the Empress Dowager—who could investigate? Who would dare?
Li Yunxi couldn’t continue at this point, his chest so congested it felt like he was holding a mouthful of old blood.
At this moment, Er Lan gently said: “Brother Li, one must be flexible in handling affairs.”
Since gaining the Minister of Revenue’s appreciation, Er Lan had risen rapidly, truly soaring to the clouds. Recently, many tasks in implementing the open-market policy were under her practical supervision.
Li Yunxi, immersed in grief over the country’s impending ruin, heard this and exploded like gunpowder, giving her a cold look: “What brilliant insights does Brother Er have? Why not demonstrate for this humble official to learn?”
Yu Wanyin, taking notes, began to suppress her laughter.
Er Lan: “For instance, first have the farmers whose land was seized file an imperial complaint, then have a palace servant whisper in the Empress Dowager’s ear…”
She cleared her throat and began to demonstrate: “‘Sir, I hear that after the last inspection of the national treasury, the Empress Dowager has been keeping a close eye on the Ministry of Revenue. In my humble opinion, Her Majesty wants all officials to cough up their private funds. This rectification order is inevitable! Thinking about someone having to suffer then, I can’t even sleep.'”
Li Yunxi: “…”
Er Lan: “‘Better for us to proactively audit, maintaining control over standards, allowing everyone to save face. You can entrust this matter to me, how about it?’—That’s the general idea. Brother Li with your eloquence would surely express it more elegantly.”
Yu Wanyin laughed out loud.
She admired Er Lan more and more.
But Li Yunxi didn’t find it amusing: “If every step is taken in roundabout ways, and every matter handled corruptly, when will the world ever be clean and upright? With a venomous woman in power, not born in the time of an enlightened ruler, all our blood and sweat is merely wasted effort!”
His sharp words were aimed directly at Xiahou Dan, still dissatisfied with his weakness, unable to ease his frustration without a few barbs.
Xiahou Dan looked at him coldly, without the slightest reaction.
Yu Wanyin suddenly sneezed.
She had inhaled some dust while crossing the tunnel and had been feeling itchy, building up until this moment when she finally sneezed.
“Sorry,” she rubbed her nose.
Xiahou Dan turned his head to look at her, reached out his hand, and gently patted away a bit of dust from her hair.
Li Yunxi: “…”
What exactly had this woman experienced just now?
This sneeze blew away the tense atmosphere in the room. Li Yunxi suddenly came to his senses, confused—he had almost forgotten that this woman’s public image was supposedly that of a bewitching consort.
And Xiahou Dan? The legendary tyrant who buried people at the slightest provocation had heard his direct criticism so many times, yet far from showing anger, hadn’t even frowned once.
Er Lan, long accustomed to Li Yunxi’s temper, ignored him and began reporting her work.
Concerned that after layer upon layer of reporting, the memorials presented to the Emperor would be completely altered, she meticulously explained the progress of implementing the open-market policy.
Li Yunxi, holding his breath, heard her mention merchants eagerly transporting grain to exchange for salt licenses, and interjected: “Your Majesty, the profits from salt trade are enormous, so it’s natural for merchants to rush toward it.”
“Correct, and in the future, to seize monopoly rights, there will certainly be a collusion between officials and merchants, breeding corruption,” Er Lan nodded.
Li Yunxi paused.
He hadn’t expected Er Lan to continue this line of thought.
Xiahou Dan asked curiously: “Wasn’t the open-market policy proposed by Minister Li?”
Er Lan: “In all dynasties’ governance, flaws eventually emerge. There’s no perfect policy in the world. Today, the open-market policy benefits the people’s livelihood, but when its shortcomings become apparent, new policies should replace it.”
Li Yunxi: “By that time, Brother Er will be in a high position of power, I suppose.”
Er Lan smiled: “No, by that time, I should no longer be in court.”
Li Yunxi was stunned.
A faint loneliness flashed in Er Lan’s eyes: “By then, those in high positions should be people like Brother Li. And by then, the court will surely allow people like Brother Li to accomplish great things.”
Li Yunxi didn’t understand why she had suddenly said this.
But Yu Wanyin understood. Er Lan’s female identity couldn’t be hidden forever; eventually, political enemies would find excuses to accuse her.
Er Lan didn’t know that Emperor Xiahou Dan was already aware. Her entry into government service was probably just to accomplish as much as possible before being exposed.
Yu Wanyin looked at the sickly Cen Jintian, then thought of Wang Zhao who had gone alone to Yan country, and Du Shan who had been assassinated in the lake, feeling somewhat moved: “To have met all of you in this life, I should raise a toast.”
Cen Jintian: “Madam?”
Yu Wanyin sighed: “The world is like a long night; who can wave their arm and change the sun and moon? But working with all of you, even if we fall halfway, our path is not lonely.”
These words were originally meant for the ministers, but as they fell, Xiahou Dan gave her a deep look.
Before Li Yunxi took his leave, Xiahou Dan stopped him: “Continue organizing the registers, don’t tell anyone, and submit them directly to me.”
Li Yunxi was shocked: “Your Majesty?”
Xiahou Dan nodded, saying calmly: “There will be a time when they’ll be needed.”
Li Yunxi’s eyes filled with hot tears.
Yu Wanyin watched them leave, saying glumly: “Sigh, it’s precisely because of people like them that walking away feels so despicable.”
Xiahou Dan: “…”
That sentence meant she had been somewhat moved by A Bai’s words.
But after weighing everything, she was still bound and stayed behind.
Xiahou Dan was quiet for a moment, then smiled: “It seems I should thank these ministers.”
“Why?”
“For making our path not lonely.”
His meaning was hidden too deep. Yu Wanyin thought he was just discussing work and stretched casually, unconcerned: “Well, I should get back now…”
Xiahou Dan held her back: “Stay for a meal before you go?”
Just then, An Xian entered with his head lowered: “Your Majesty—” He caught sight of Yu Wanyin, froze for a moment, then meeting Xiahou Dan’s gaze, quickly lowered his head again, “Consort Xie requested an audience outside.”
Xiahou Dan had been openly neglecting Yu Wanyin recently and needed to put on a show of romance with Xie Yong’er, so he couldn’t refuse to see her.
So Yu Wanyin returned to the tunnel.
She crawled on all fours toward the Cold Palace, feeling strange as if she were sneaking away from an affair after being discovered by the primary wife.
This thought immediately disgusted her.
How was Xiahou Dan dealing with Xie Yong’er? The same way she dealt with Prince Duan?
Yu Wanyin also thought about all their recent small actions, wondering if palace intrigue expert Xie Yong’er had noticed any clues if she would report to Prince Duan.
She grew increasingly irritated, finally halted, arduously turned around in the passageway, and crawled back the way she’d come.
The exit under the dragon bed was concealed by floor tiles, which would only be revealed by activating a mechanism.
Yu Wanyin silently moved the floor tile aside a crack from below and listened to the activity outside.
Xie Yong’er was chatting leisurely.
Perhaps it was just imagination, but her voice today seemed sweeter than usual as if she were speaking in a pinched tone: “Your Majesty, please try the dishes this humble consort has prepared…”
Yu Wanyin heard the clatter of bowls and chopsticks and realized with a start that it was already dinner time.
Xie Yong’er alternated between serving dishes and encouraging drinks. The aroma of food and wine drifted through the crack, and Yu Wanyin’s stomach let out a plaintive cry.
It was so boring lying here.
By now, the maids in the Cold Palace had probably prepared dinner as well…
Though thinking this, her body refused to obey, remaining where it was.
For some reason, Xie Yong’er kept earnestly encouraging drinks. Not only plying Xiahou Dan with wine but also drinking heavily herself.
After several cups, her face was like a peach blossom, her eyes rippling with light, looking more charming than usual. One hand, soft as if boneless, touched Xiahou Dan’s wrist, caressing it gently.
Xiahou Dan withdrew his hand imperceptibly: “It’s getting late, my beloved consort has had wine today, you should rest early.”
Xie Yong’er laughed coquettishly, reaching for his shoulder: “Your Majesty, a day apart feels like three autumns. This consort’s heart greatly misses your sacred countenance, please let her look a bit longer.”
Xiahou Dan’s voice betrayed false emotion: “Speaking of which, I haven’t seen my beloved consort for a long time either.”
Xie Yong’er giggled softly, her voice gradually lowering, with only occasional explicit words coming through.
Xiahou Dan’s voice turned cold: “Beloved consort, I’ve already said, more than your body, I desire your heart.”
Xie Yong’er suddenly began to sob quietly.
Xie Yong’er: “Your Majesty is too kind, always indulging this consort’s petty moods. This consort… truly doesn’t know how best to show her affection…”
The bed frame creaked.
Yu Wanyin held her breath. Above her head, Xie Yong’er coiled around Xiahou Dan from behind like a snake, one arm wrapping around his waist, reaching toward a forbidden area.
That hand was caught.
Xie Yong’er, half-drunk, thought it was just flirtation and laughed, trying to break free. But unexpectedly, the more she struggled, the tighter the ice-cold fingers gripped her wrist.
“Your Majesty, you’re hurting this consort… Ah!” Xie Yong’er cried out in pain.
She hissed and froze, feeling as if her wrist bones were nearly crushed.
The drunkenness largely dissipated, she asked confusedly: “Your Majesty?”
Xiahou Dan turned to look at her.
The moment she saw his expression, a chill suddenly rose in Xie Yong’er’s heart.
All along, she knew Xiahou Dan’s character was that of a tyrant, but when this man faced her, he had always appeared infatuated, even somewhat humble—since she was unwilling to let him touch her, he truly never had.
To the extent that she gradually forgot his reputation for cruelty.
At this moment, however, she suddenly remembered it.
Along with it came the palace rumors, truth unknown: the Emperor’s years of cruelty toward his consorts stemmed from some unspeakable difficulty in bedroom matters.
Xiahou Dan’s tone was calm and even, yet somehow she heard a deathly murderous intent: “Beloved consort, you should return now.”
However, Xie Yong’er had reasons she must stay.
She bit her lip, revealing eyes on the verge of tears: “Your Majesty, do you despise this consort?”
Xiahou Dan: “Yes.”
Xie Yong’er: “…”
Xie Yong’er’s sobbing faded away.
In the dark tunnel, Yu Wanyin fell into contemplation.
In her memory, Xie Yong’er remained utterly devoted to Prince Duan until the end of the original story.
Had Xiahou Dan done something to Xie Yong’er recently?
Why had she suddenly changed her heart?
Yet from her tone, there seemed an element of playacting… Had Prince Duan sent her to perform?
As Yu Wanyin was lost in random thoughts, a slight movement came from above.
She suddenly came to her senses and turned to retreat.
But after crawling just a few steps, she heard the mechanism clicking and turning, with candlelight projecting from behind.
Xiahou Dan stared at the posterior before him for several seconds: “What are you doing here?”
Yu Wanyin: “…”
She felt she had never been more embarrassed in this life, and crawled a few more steps into the darkness, trying to hide like a thief covering his ears while stealing a bell.
Yu Wanyin said weakly: “Digesting after dinner.”
Xiahou Dan was silent for a moment, then asked: “Crawling through a tunnel to digest?”
Yu Wanyin had already given up on herself: “Yes, it helps burn calories throughout the body.”
From behind came Xiahou Dan’s low laughter. Very light, laughing twice before stopping, but the echo continued endlessly in the dark passage. Yu Wanyin distinctly heard the subtext: your little eavesdropping intention is exposed.
In her embarrassment, an inexplicable anger flared in her heart.
She now resembled a true cannon fodder woman—the kind in palace intrigue novels who fights over men and isn’t very bright.
Xiahou Dan coughed once and said seriously: “She’s gone, you can come out now.” Yet Yu Wanyin still felt that his voice carried laughter.
“Never mind,” she replied stiffly, “there are too many eyes around, it would be troublesome if I’m seen. I’d better go.”
“I won’t let anyone in.”
“It’s still not safe. Didn’t An Xian just see me? You should go back quickly, what if he discovers the tunnel?” Yu Wanyin continued crawling forward.
The candlelight from behind flickered weakly, trailing her shadow and winding into the darkness. Xiahou Dan didn’t follow, nor did he speak again. She turned a corner, and the light disappeared.
Yu Wanyin didn’t realize until she had returned to the Cold Palace and was halfway through dinner.
Xiahou Dan had entered the tunnel right after sending Xie Yong’er away—he had originally intended to find her.
Her chopsticks paused, and the shame instantly diminished by half, replaced by a softening of her heart.
But going through the trouble of crawling back now would be too strange. After all, fickleness is the most obvious sign of being lovesick.
She had been floating a bit lately. Her brain had limited capacity; if she carelessly used up CPU power, she’d be finished within three days.
Yu Wanyin spent the night alone in deep self-reflection.
The next day, Xiahou Dan didn’t appear.
The guards emerged several times, dumping cartloads of soil into her courtyard—they were diligently expanding the tunnel, and now half of it allowed people to walk upright.
Yu Wanyin watched the construction site for a while and gave the guards some melon slices.
Guard: “Thank you, madam.”
Yu Wanyin asked, as if casually: “Is His Majesty busy today?”
“There seemed to be an uproar at the morning court, perhaps some urgent matter awaiting His Majesty’s attention.”
Yu Wanyin was startled: “Why an uproar?”
“This servant doesn’t know.”
Counting the days, could it be that news from Yan country had arrived?
Yu Wanyin was restless. By sunset, Xiahou Dan still hadn’t appeared.
Was he tied up? Surely he wasn’t sulking… Yu Wanyin recalled last night’s conversation again, feeling a bit guilty.
Seeing that mealtime had passed, she finally couldn’t sit still and crawled down the tunnel to check.
The guards had already left; working at night would create too much noise and might be discovered.
The spacious passage was utterly silent. Yu Wanyin walked halfway carrying a lamp, her waist bending lower and lower until finally, she could only proceed on her knees.
Her steps hesitated.
She didn’t know if some unexpected situation had arisen at the other end. What if she emerged and was spotted by palace servants?
She had entered the Cold Palace precisely to put on a complete act, creating the illusion of a break with Xiahou Dan to gain Prince Duan’s trust. If the tunnel’s existence was exposed, all their previous efforts would be wasted.
While hesitating, a sound came from the far end of the darkness, and a small point of light appeared.
Yu Wanyin extinguished her palace lamp and held her breath, not moving.
The other side, however, had exceptional eyesight: “Wanyin? Come quickly, Daner is ill.”
Xiahou Dan slept restlessly, his breathing rapid, his brows tightly furrowed.
He was already pale by nature, but now even his lips were bloodless, making the shadows under his eyes appear even more pronounced.
Thinking back, Yu Wanyin realized his headaches had occurred after she had shown temper. She suspected these headaches might be related to emotions, though she felt that last night’s minor incident shouldn’t have caused this.
Bei Zhou worriedly said: “He collapsed as soon as he returned, and hasn’t even eaten.”
Yu Wanyin quietly asked: “I heard there was an argument at the morning court?”
Bei Zhou: “Yan country sent a document, saying that with His Majesty’s birthday approaching, King Zha Luo Wa Han of Yan wishes to send an envoy delegation to celebrate the occasion.”
Yu Wanyin’s heart suddenly raced.
It seemed Wang Zhao had succeeded.
He had not only persuaded the Yan King to negotiate peace but also managed to make the Yan country propose this matter on their initiative, himself remaining completely hidden in the shadows. When the news reached Great Xia, no one knew Xiahou Dan had a hand in it.
“Then who was arguing with whom?”
Bei Zhou frowned irritably, clearly uninterested in these factional struggles: “Daner mentioned something about Prince Duan supporting the peace talks because if the two countries aren’t at war, his troops won’t be tied up in the northwest, giving him more leverage against the Empress Dowager. What Prince Duan supports, the Empress Dowager opposes. All day today, the threshold of the imperial study has nearly been worn out from foot traffic.”
“The Empress Dowager’s people came to persuade His Majesty?”
“Prince Duan’s people came too. All wanting to use him like a fool. And he had to pretend to be a fool and deal with them one by one…”
Yu Wanyin sighed.
She had been overly self-conscious; Xiahou Dan had been worn down by work.
Bei Zhou brought over a bowl of porridge, looking worried at the unconscious Xiahou Dan. Yu Wanyin took the bowl from him: “Uncle Bei, go rest. I’ll handle this.”
Bei Zhou patted her shoulder and left.
Yu Wanyin sat on the edge of the bed, watching for a while, realizing she had rarely seen this man asleep. Whenever she fell asleep, Xiahou Dan was still awake; when she woke up, he had already gone to morning court.
Had his sleeping expression always been so… pained?
Yu Wanyin gently patted him: “CEO Dan, eat something before you sleep.”
Xiahou Dan didn’t respond.
“CEO Dan? Your Majesty?” Yu Wanyin moved closer and made a gesture she hadn’t anticipated.
Her palm touched Xiahou Dan’s face.
The next instant, his tightly closed eyes opened.
Yu Wanyin involuntarily shrank back, withdrawing her hand, like a herbivore instinctively sensing danger.
An ice-cold hand caught her wrist.
Those pupils swirled with darkness, their base color chaotic, no emotion remaining except a kind of madness.
The black eyes turned slightly, glancing at Yu Wanyin with murderous intent.
Yu Wanyin didn’t dare breathe.
As if a long time had passed, though perhaps only a moment, those eyes came into focus, blinked confusedly, and when they opened again, had regained some clarity.
Xiahou Dan released his force, his hand still loosely hanging on her wrist, asking hoarsely: “How long have I slept?”
“…Not very long. Get up and eat something?”
Xiahou Dan moved feebly. Yu Wanyin hesitated, then bent down to support him.
Xiahou Dan suddenly showed a trace of a smile: “Have you eaten?”
Yu Wanyin’s heartbeat hadn’t returned to normal. She lowered her head, scooped a spoonful of porridge, and passed it over. Xiahou Dan looked at her and opened his mouth to receive it.
Yu Wanyin: “Don’t worry about me, I’ll eat later. You…”
“Hmm?”
Yu Wanyin wanted to ask: Do you dislike being touched by me?
When this person was lucid, he seemed to enjoy being close to her, occupying her pillow, and letting her massage his temples.
Yet that reflexive reaction just now suddenly reminded her of what he had said to Xie Yong’er last night.
Was he not just rejecting Xie Yong’er? How could someone with an acting background be allergic to physical contact?