Since Yan Huai had given the order, people from inside and outside the Plum Garden gathered. Yan Huai supported the Empress Dowager as they walked at the front, while other ladies and young misses followed behind. As they walked, Yan Huai spoke quietly with the Empress Dowager. After a short distance, the Empress Dowager looked back, “Why haven’t Little Nine and Nine Girl returned yet…”

While Qin Yan and others had arrived, including Yan Che who followed behind the Empress, there was still no sign of Qin Wan and Yan Sui. Yan Huai smiled, “Mother, please don’t worry. It’s broad daylight, and Little Nine is probably just playing around. They can head directly to the Tianyin Platform later. There’s no need to worry…”

The Empress Dowager sighed, “Little Nine has a weak constitution; I hope she doesn’t catch a cold.”

Yan Huai quickly reassured her, “That won’t happen. Please don’t overthink it.”

The Empress Dowager shook her head, and Yan Huai pointed to the plum forest in the distance, “You haven’t been out much lately. Fortunately, the flowers in this grove are still in full bloom. In a few more days, they might wither.”

Raising her hand with a smile, she said, “This is all thanks to Nine Girl. Otherwise, how would I have the chance to come out and enjoy the snow and flowers?”

Yan Huai found these words quite reasonable, especially knowing that Nine Girl had helped significantly in solving the latest case. He silently praised Qin Wan, “That girl is indeed remarkable. Last time when I asked what reward she wanted, she said she hadn’t thought about it yet…”

The Empress Dowager smiled, “She saved my life; this reward cannot be small.”

Yan Huai nodded, “Indeed, whatever she asks for, I will grant it.”

Their voices weren’t particularly quiet, and those around them heard clearly. Everyone took note of how Qin Wan’s status had become extraordinary. Zhao Shuhua looked around and, seeing Yan Che but not Yan Qi, asked Noble Consort Su, “Sister, where has Prince Cheng gone?”

Feng Ling Su responded indifferently, “I don’t know where he went. He’ll probably be here soon.”

Yan Huai turned back to look, confirming that Prince Cheng wasn’t in the group. He frowned slightly and looked further back, seeing some ladies still slowly walking their way before turning his gaze away. Just then, a young eunuch suddenly emerged from a side path ahead. Feng Ling Su’s eyes brightened, “Fu Shun, where are you going?”

The eunuch, dressed in palace attire, had been walking so hurriedly that he hadn’t noticed the large group behind him. When he turned around and saw the Empress Dowager and Emperor leading the group, with all the other nobles behind them, he immediately panicked and fell to his knees.

He was holding a black sandalwood brocade box, trembling as he paid his respects, “Greetings to the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, the Empress, Noble Consort, and all the nobles—”

His words were filled with panic, causing even Yan Huai to frown. He examined the young eunuch and asked with furrowed brows, “You’re one of Prince Cheng’s people? Where are you rushing to?”

“This servant… this servant…”

Fu Shun’s words were evasive, causing not just Yan Huai but also the Empress Dowager to sense something amiss. “Today is the Lantern Festival Palace Banquet. Why aren’t you properly attending to your master? Where is Prince Cheng?”

At the Empress Dowager’s question, Fu Shun bowed even lower, becoming more nervous.

“My master is… is… is…”

With both Yan Huai and the Empress Dowager questioning him yet receiving such vague responses, Yan Huai immediately showed signs of anger. “Whatever We and the Empress Dowager ask, you should answer directly. With such unclear speech, could it be your master is doing something unseemly?”

Hearing this, Feng Ling Su quickly stepped forward, “Fu Shun, speak up!”

Fu Shun hastily kowtowed, “Reporting to the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty, Prince Cheng is at Tianyin Platform… This servant… this servant was fetching something to bring over there.”

“Fetching something?” Yan Huai frowned. “What thing?”

Today was the Lantern Festival Palace Banquet, and Tianyin Platform was where they would watch performances. What could Prince Cheng need?

Not just Yan Huai, but everyone behind him was staring at the brocade box in Fu Shun’s hands. At an ordinary palace banquet, Prince Cheng had created such a situation, making the contents of the box instantly intriguing to everyone.

“It’s… it’s a gift…”

Fu Shun dared not withhold an answer this time, but his words made everyone suspicious. Feng Ling Su asked curiously, “A gift? What gift?” She glanced in the direction Fu Shun had been heading, “Where exactly is Prince Cheng now?”

Fu Shun’s face showed renewed tension at these questions, “His Highness is… is at Tianyin Platform… this gift… naturally… naturally is a gift to be given…” As he spoke, he gently opened the box, revealing an exquisitely beautiful red jeweled hairpin…

Fu Shun’s broken speech made even a fool suspect something was wrong. Moreover, the gift was not only precious but meant for some young lady. Given that today’s Lantern Festival Palace Banquet was explicitly for selecting brides for the Crown Prince and Prince Cheng, what was the purpose of Prince Cheng preparing such a gift now?

Zhao Shuhua laughed first, “This hairpin is truly beautiful. Who has Prince Cheng prepared it for?”

Fu Shun quickly shook his head, “This servant doesn’t know… Earlier, His Highness said he would wait for someone at Tianyin Platform, then ordered me to fetch the prepared gift…”

These words caused an immediate stir among the crowd. Prince Cheng was waiting for someone and preparing to give a gift – this indicated that Prince Cheng had already chosen his future princess, but who could it be?

Zhao Shuhua smiled at Feng Ling Su, “Sister, do you know who it might be?”

Feng Ling Su smiled, “Prince Cheng has grown up; he doesn’t tell me everything. I only know that he seems to indeed have someone in mind for his primary consort, and it appears the feeling is mutual.”

Zhao Shuhua’s eyebrows rose high, though her face remained neutral while she inwardly sneered. Feng Ling Su had played her part well – while everyone was still wondering who Prince Cheng was waiting for, she had already mentioned their mutual feelings. Now everyone had preconceptions, and when they reached the Tianyin Platform and saw Qin Wan, even if she denied it, people would think she was just being shy.

Zhao Shuhua let out a light snort and glanced at Fu Shun in the distance. Even the servants had been arranged perfectly. Thinking of this, Zhao Shuhua couldn’t help but speculate – Prince Cheng and his mother had planned everything meticulously, and the fact of Qin Wan and Prince Cheng’s feelings for each other would be hard to deny. She wondered what scene they would witness later. If Prince Cheng was simply standing openly with Qin Wan, it would be difficult to find fault. Should they just watch Qin Wan become Prince Cheng’s consort?

Zhao Shuhua frowned and looked at the Empress Dowager. If Qin Wan was unwilling and the Empress Dowager protected her, it would be best to provoke conflict between the Empress Dowager and Feng Ling Su’s mother-son pair. If Qin Wan couldn’t explain herself and both Empress Dowager and Emperor agreed, then she would have no choice but to become the primary consort!

Feng Ling Su’s desire to both win over Qin Wan and gain the Duke of Wei’s military power was simply impossible!

Having made up her mind, Zhao Shuhua decided to add fuel to the fire, “Both have feelings for each other?” Her tone showed surprise but with an undercurrent of amusement. “Sister, why didn’t you tell me earlier? It’s wonderful when lovers can be united. If today… Prince Cheng ends up dissatisfied…”

Feng Ling Su smiled, “Sister, don’t worry. The list includes more than one person. There must be someone Prince Cheng truly likes.”

Zhao Shuhua nodded with a smile, “That would be excellent…”

Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager frowned slightly. Today was the Lantern Festival Palace Banquet, and the ladies outside didn’t know Prince Cheng already had someone in mind. Now hearing this, many would surely be disappointed. Moreover, Prince Cheng secretly meeting another lady was inappropriate. “Although marriage requires choosing a good match, Prince Cheng’s behavior today shows a lack of proper etiquette.”

Yan Huai glanced at Feng Ling Su, “Indeed, it’s against protocol. If Prince Cheng has someone in mind, why didn’t he come to make the request himself?”

Zhao Shuhua quickly intervened, “Mother, please don’t be angry, and Your Majesty, please don’t blame him. Prince Cheng is young and passionate, naturally unable to contain his emotions in such matters. If the young lady returns his feelings, isn’t it a beautiful thing?”

Feng Ling Su’s heart skipped a beat. Zhao Shuhua’s emphasis on “if the young lady returns his feelings” made her very uneasy.

Yan Huai turned to Fu Shun, “Where exactly is Prince Cheng?”

Fu Shun hastily replied, “At the Floating Fragrance Pavilion in Tianyin Platform.”

While the Tianyin Platform was for watching performances, the Floating Fragrance Pavilion was a flower hall. In summer, it served as a retreat for the imperial family to escape the heat and admire flowers. However, in winter, few people visited this place, making it quite secluded. Upon hearing this location, Yan Huai’s frown deepened, and he immediately said, “Lead the way. I want to see what game he’s playing.”

Fu Shun hesitated briefly, but with the Emperor giving the order, how could he refuse?

Fu Shun quickly stood up, nervously clutching the box as he led the way. This development sparked great interest among the following crowd. Besides Qin Wan, several noble young ladies who had fallen behind were not in the group. People began counting and suspecting each person they knew. Though not the Crown Prince, Prince Cheng was still an imperial prince – while not guaranteed the throne, there was always a possibility. Gaining Prince Cheng’s favor would be fortuitous indeed, but who could it be?

Among the crowd, Madam Yu felt uneasy because Feng Chen Bi was missing.

But thinking further, Madam Yu shook her head. It couldn’t be Feng Chen Bi. While adding familial ties was traditionally favorable, Madam Yu knew clearly that Feng Chen Bi hadn’t impressed Noble Consort Feng. Moreover, Noble Consort Feng had long decided that Feng Chen Bi’s marriage would be under her control – at minimum to a prince’s heir, if not a powerful general with military authority, thus securing allies for Prince Cheng. Though missing out on a royal marriage was regrettable, Madam Yu dared not defy Noble Consort Feng. The entire Duke’s mansion relied on Noble Consort Feng and Prince Cheng, and Noble Consort Feng was very clear-headed about this—

And Prince Cheng certainly looked down on his cousin.

Thinking of this, Madam Yu sighed, glancing around, assuming Feng Chen Bi had simply lost track of time while playing somewhere. With this thought, she looked back at Fu Shun’s retreating figure, wondering who would receive Prince Cheng’s prepared gift.

Everyone followed Fu Shun toward the Floating Fragrance Pavilion, located on the western side of the Tianyin Platform. They walked along the corridor directly westward. While the performance stage at Tianyin Platform was already set up, everyone’s minds were on Prince Cheng’s intentions, and judging by the Empress Dowager and Emperor’s demeanor, if they discovered Prince Cheng’s affair, the primary consort might be decided then and there.

As they approached the Floating Fragrance Pavilion, they hadn’t encountered a single person along the way. Such quietness indeed made it perfect for a secret meeting. Zhao Shuhua spoke softly, “Your Majesty, with so many people going together, won’t it be embarrassing for Prince Cheng?”

Yan Huai snorted, “After doing something like this, what’s there to be embarrassed about…”

The Empress Dowager, having walked all this way, had lost her earlier anger. Noting the considerable number of followers, she smiled, “Enough, Your Majesty needn’t be angry. It’s good that the children have found someone they fancy. When we look later, please don’t get angry.”

The Empress Dowager’s amused tone added some entertainment to their journey. Feng Ling Su quickly said, “Thank you for your understanding, Empress Dowager. The younger generation’s marriages are quite troublesome nowadays. Isn’t it perfect if they’ve made their own choices?”

After speaking, Feng Ling Su cast a gentle look at Yan Huai, as if saying that she and Yan Huai were mutually in love, which explained their years of lasting affection. Seeing her look, Yan Huai’s anger seemed to dissipate.

Though the Great Zhou wasn’t extremely strict about male-female interactions, such a private meeting on this occasion was still inappropriate. However, hearing the imperial family speak thus, others dared not comment.

Walking behind Zhao Shuhua, Yan Che’s frown deepened. Since Fu Shun’s appearance, he had felt uneasy. He knew this couldn’t be a coincidence – Fu Shun could have taken many routes to Tianyin Platform, why did they happen to encounter him? He knew Prince Cheng’s current deep interest in Qin Wan – was this a trap set by Prince Cheng and his mother?

Yan Che wasn’t certain at first, but after hearing Zhao Shuhua’s words, his doubts vanished. He could see Zhao Shuhua was fanning the flames again. His fists clenched within his sleeves, not knowing exactly what kind of trap Prince Cheng had set. Would he use the most despicable methods? Could Qin Wan already be…

At this thought, Yan Che couldn’t help stepping forward, “Mother—”

He called out softly, but the next moment, Zhao Shuhua’s cold gaze fell upon him. Though just for an instant, it felt like ice water dumped over Yan Che’s head. He suddenly realized he could offer no resistance, and only pressed his lips together without speaking further. Just then, everyone reached the steps of the Floating Fragrance Pavilion.

The Floating Fragrance Pavilion was built on a high platform. Though it was winter, the inside was still lush with greenery. Without flowers, it had become a quiet place. The Empress Dowager and Yan Huai walked in front. Reaching the entrance, they saw no one in the courtyard, but looking up, they glimpsed shadows moving behind the closed doors of the flower hall—

Yan Huai frowned and waved to those behind him. Having come this close, he still worried about Prince Cheng losing face, so he only supported the Empress Dowager toward the flower hall entrance. Feng Ling Su and Zhao Shuhua stood in place, both calmly watching the main door of the flower hall. Soon, Yan Huai and the Empress Dowager reached the entrance. Yan Huai pushed, and the main door opened.

The next moment, a woman’s startled cry came from inside—

Before anyone could identify the voice, Madam Yu in the crowd swayed. The next instant, the Empress Dowager at the door smiled instead of showing anger, turning deliberately to look at Feng Ling Su, “If Noble Consort wished to strengthen family ties, why didn’t you say so earlier?”

At these words, both Feng Ling Su and Zhao Shuhua looked puzzled.

Feng Ling Su lifted her skirts and hurried toward the flower hall entrance, with Zhao Shuhua following. When they reached the door and looked inside, they saw Feng Chen Bi standing beside Yan Qi with a flushed face. On the table beside her were several black chess pieces. Feng Ling Su’s eyes widened in disbelief, and looking at Yan Qi, she saw him standing straight but with a face alternating between pale and dark as if he’d swallowed a fly—

Feng Ling Su ground her teeth. How could this happen?

……

……

Qin Wan emerged from the narrow alley, but instead of returning toward Chaolu Palace, she walked toward the more distant Imperial Garden. Bai Ying, however, hadn’t emerged from the alley for a long while, her whereabouts unknown.

Qin Wan looked around, and seeing no one nearby, walked faster. Soon she reached the side of a rockery. At this hour, the Imperial Garden was empty, and since Nurse Su had already searched here for Yan Sui earlier, she wouldn’t return now. She needed to wait – wait for Bai Ying to complete her orders, and during this time, she couldn’t appear in anyone’s sight.

Qin Wan looked down; the black chess piece was no longer in her palm, but the fresh scent of lotus seeds lingered. Though faint, lotus seeds could be used as medicine, and she couldn’t mistake it.

She wouldn’t go to Tianyin Platform now, but whether this plan would succeed depended on Bai Ying’s speed.

Thinking of this, Qin Wan clenched her fist. She had merely been treating the Empress Dowager, never intending to enter the Eastern Palace or the royal family. Yet why did these people insist on drawing her into their schemes? First, the Crown Prince’s presumptuous misunderstanding, and now Noble Consort Su and Prince Cheng had designs on her, while the Empress was the one pushing things forward. She certainly didn’t believe her medical skills and appearance were exceptional enough to cause such contention among various parties. She understood this was a power play, and she was merely a convenient chess piece.

On an occasion like today, if something happened, Prince Cheng as an imperial prince would suffer no damage to his wealth and glory even if at fault. But she was different. Despite her reputation as the Little Medical Immortal and the Empress Dowager’s trust and favor, she came from ordinary origins. Reputation and favor were intangible – her title as Little Medical Immortal certainly added to her prestige, but how much slander could it withstand? And the Empress Dowager’s favor, setting aside her ability to treat the Empress Dowager’s illness, how many misunderstandings could it survive?

Qin Wan pulled at her cloak’s collar, her mind clear despite the bone-chilling cold throughout her body.

She didn’t want to enter their game, yet they insisted on drawing her in. Since that was the case, how could she sit idle and await destruction?

Whatever Prince Cheng’s scheme, she shouldn’t be the one bearing the consequences… Compared to her, surely others would be more willing to meet with Prince Cheng. Since that was the case, she might as well do someone a favor…

Qin Wan’s eyes were steady, but waiting was always anxious. Bai Ying’s mission would take at least the time of an incense stick, or up to half an hour. She had to wait here for quite a while. Just as she was thinking this, the sound of hurried footsteps suddenly rang out, accompanied by the voices of two eunuchs—

Qin Wan frowned, quickly considering where to hide. She wasn’t familiar with the Imperial Garden, and as she hesitated, her wrist was suddenly grabbed. The next moment, she found herself pulled against a broad chest. The person, understanding her thoughts, took her directly behind some greenery. Qin Wan felt darkness fall – she hadn’t known there was a hidden cave in this rockery.

The next instant, Yan Chi spoke softly, “You sent Bai Ying to deliver a message to Feng Chen Bi?”