As dawn broke, Feng Ling Su opened her eyes to find the space beside her empty. She reached out to touch where Yan Huai had slept—the spot was ice cold, causing her heart to chill. Feng Ling Su withdrew her hand and gazed at the bed curtains, waiting a moment before calling out. The servants who had been waiting outside entered to attend to her. After washing and dressing, Feng Ling Su’s face resumed its usual expression of elegant nobility.
Bao Die stepped forward and softly reported, “Your Highness, when His Majesty left this morning, he heard that Consort Wan was feeling unwell. He sent over the premium bird’s nest that was usually delivered to you to her instead.”
Feng Ling Su’s brows furrowed, and after a moment, she let out a cold laugh. “What has the Eighth Prince been doing lately?”
Bao Die snorted, “He’s studying with the Ninth Prince under the tutors. The instructors at the Imperial Academy say the Eighth Prince is slow-witted, not nearly as clever as the younger Ninth Prince.”
Feng Ling Su’s eyes narrowed. Bao Die’s words had struck another sore spot. After her, only two people in the palace had been particularly favored: the deceased Consort Jin and Consort Wan from the Song Duke’s family. Consort Wan had entered the palace earlier and had previously lost a child, but eventually gave birth to the Eighth Prince.
Unlike Consort Jin, Consort Wan came from an aristocratic family and was clever enough to know how to survive longer in the palace. All these years, even with a prince, she never drew attention to herself.
But Consort Jin was different—she was younger than Consort Wan and more beloved by the Emperor. The Emperor’s attitude toward her resembled how he had treated Feng Ling Su back in the Prince’s mansion days. Feng Ling Su could never swallow this bitter pill!
“If it’s been sent, then it’s been sent. Such trivial matters need not be brought to my attention!” Feng Ling Su’s tone was venomous. Bao Die steadied herself, not daring to say more. Her mistress’s temperament was truly unpredictable. If she didn’t report such matters and her mistress found out later, she would surely be punished for withholding information. Yet reporting it now earned her mistress’s displeasure for being talkative.
As Bao Die pushed down her concerns, Feng Ling Su suddenly narrowed her eyes and asked, “You say the Ninth Prince is quite clever?”
Bao Die nodded, “Yes, that’s what the Imperial Academy tutors say.”
Feng Ling Su gave a sardonic smile, “He always seemed like a closed-mouthed gourd, barely able to string together a complete sentence. Who would have thought that at such a young age he’d already learned to keep things hidden? Though it’s a pity that no matter how clever he is, it won’t do him any good.”
Bao Die laughed along, “Indeed, with Consort Jin gone, only the Empress Dowager looks after him now.”
When Feng Ling Su heard the words “Consort Jin,” she felt a blockage in her chest. All these years, she had indeed been the most favored consort in the palace, but… Feng Ling Su pressed her lips together, “What is the Prince of Cheng doing?”
Bao Die quickly replied, “His Highness the Prince of Cheng has been busy investigating the case of the Prince of Jin’s mansion these past few days.”
Feng Ling Su waved her hand, “Go call Chen Bi in, I have something to instruct her about.”
Bao Die promptly complied. Feng Ling Su played with the rouge on her fingernails, and when she closed her eyes, she could only think of the cold silk bedding beside her. She took a moment to compose herself, taking a long while to dispel the stagnant air in her heart.
—
When the imperial edict arrived at Prince Gong’s mansion, Yan Li couldn’t react for a moment. Upon learning the edict’s purpose, Yan Li hurriedly said, “My mother is still in the prayer hall, I’ll go fetch her—”
Yuan Qing quickly interjected, “Your Highness need not disturb the Princess Consort. This edict can be received by Your Highness alone. The investiture is set for three days hence. As it concerns the conferment of a Prince’s title, the Ministry of Rites has prepared a small ceremony. You and Prince Chi will be invested together.”
Yan Li accepted the edict and nodded, “Yes, I understand.”
Yuan Qing smiled, “Your Highness must remember to enter the palace to express gratitude. This is a grace bestowed by both His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress.”
Yan Li smiled and sincerely expressed his thanks again. Yuan Qing, hearing this, left with a broad smile.
After Yuan Qing departed, Yan Li stood holding the dark-colored edict for a moment before turning around. He walked along the quiet paths of the mansion toward the small prayer hall. Outside the hall, the Princess Consort of Gong was wearing plain hemp Buddhist robes while copying sutras.
Many years had passed, and Yan Li had indeed been waiting for this day. When the edict arrived, he felt an indescribable excitement in his heart. However, seeing the Princess Consort’s serene demeanor, the words that nearly burst from his lips were forcibly suppressed.
The Princess Consort heard Yan Li’s approach but finished writing her sentence before stopping. She looked up, “What is it?”
As she spoke, she noticed with a slight delay the imperial edict in Yan Li’s hands.
She hadn’t seen such a thing in twenty years. The last time was the edict when Prince Gong’s rebellion failed, and they were escorted back to the capital from Luo Province. Since then, she had lived in Prince Gong’s mansion without stepping outside, until a few days ago when Yan Lin passed away—that was the first time she had left this small courtyard.
“Mother—” Yan Li indicated the edict in his hands, “His Majesty wants me to inherit the title.”
The Princess Consort’s finger holding the brush trembled, but her gaze showed bewilderment. Soon, her pupils quivered slightly, and she looked at Yan Li as if wanting to say something but holding back. Yan Li had come specifically to inform the Princess Consort and gauge her reaction. Seeing she had something to say, he waited expectantly. After a long while, the Princess Consort lowered her eyelashes and sighed very softly.
“Since the edict has been issued, we should follow his wishes.”
Yan Li pressed his lips together, feeling something strange about the Princess Consort’s demeanor but not knowing why. Over these years, as Princess Consort remained confined and devoted to Buddha, not only did outsiders not know what she was thinking, but even he as her son couldn’t understand her thoughts. Yan Li only said, “This time, Seventh Brother and I will receive our titles together. There will be a ceremony in three days.”
The Princess Consort kept her eyes lowered, her expression quickly returning to normal. Though her gaze fell on the sutra, her brush remained still. After a while, she asked, “You mentioned last time… that Yan Chi is engaged to the Ninth Miss of the Qin family?”
Yan Li nodded, “Yes, she is now Princess Yongci.”
The Princess Consort made a sound of acknowledgment, “I see.”
With these words, the Princess Consort had nothing more to say. Yan Li gripped the edict tightly and, seeming unsure, asked, “Mother, what do you think is His Majesty’s intention? Why would he suddenly let me inherit the title?”
The Princess Consort raised her eyes to look at Yan Li, and after a long while, a faint and ethereal smile appeared at the corner of her lips, “It’s just a title. The edict has been issued, what can we do? Having an extra title might not necessarily be a good thing.”
The Princess Consort seemed to be speaking to Yan Li, yet also seemed to be talking to herself.
Yan Li suddenly felt the edict in his hand inexplicably heavy. Soon after, the Princess Consort resumed writing the sutra. The room was surrounded by bookshelves filled with rolls of sutras that had been offered to Buddha, all written by the Princess Consort over the years. This seemed to have become her only obsession in the world. Yan Li knew about his father’s rebellion and knew that many people died in that battle. His mother seemed to be atoning for his deceased father’s sins…
“I understand. Nothing will change with the inheritance of the title. I understand Mother’s meaning.”
The Princess Consort’s brush paused briefly, then she merely made a sound of acknowledgment and said no more.
The season had already turned to late autumn, and the small prayer hall felt particularly cold and desolate. Yan Li turned to leave, only instructing the old nursemaid by the Princess Consort’s side to add braziers in the prayer hall. After the nursemaid agreed, he walked out. The mansion seemed especially desolate and dreary in autumn. Holding the heavy edict, he suddenly felt somewhat lost.
—
No one had expected the Emperor to bestow titles on both Yan Chi and Yan Li at once.
Especially regarding Yan Li—everyone had thought there would never be another Prince Gong in this world.
Back then, Prince Gong’s rebellion was an act of treason. The current Emperor Yan Huai had been rescued from among the dead. It was said that at the time, Yan Huai had dozens of severe wounds all over his body, having nearly bled to death. After returning, it took all the imperial physicians two full months to save his life, and then half a year of recovery before he could walk again.
After such a life-and-death ordeal, one can imagine Yan Huai’s hatred for Prince Gong’s line. Afterward, Prince Gong’s line was indeed almost eliminated. Prince Gong’s Fu clan and those who participated in the rebellion met bad ends. Only the Princess Consort and Yan Li, mother and son, survived.
Their survival was thanks to the Empress Dowager’s intervention, and it was also seen as a gesture of benevolence from the new Emperor. Everyone had thought Yan Li wouldn’t survive to adulthood, and that Prince Gong’s mansion would eventually fade into obscurity. Yet unexpectedly, not only did Yan Li grow up safely, but he would now inherit a title. Prince Gong! From now on, Yan Li would be Prince Gong—wouldn’t these three words disturb the Emperor?!
When the news spread, most people were surprised and bewildered. Some said it showed the Emperor’s mercy, others attributed it to the Empress Dowager’s concern for Yan Li, and some suggested the Emperor had grown softer with age… Regardless of the explanation, this matter stirred up waves of discussion both inside and outside the court. Only Zhao Shu Hua showed no surprise when she heard of the imperial edict.
Yan Che sat in the main hall of Kunning Palace, frowning, “Yan Chi’s case is understandable, but Yan Li… Father Emperor went to Shoukang Palace last night and issued the edict this morning without consulting anyone.”
Zhao Shu Hua gave a cold laugh upon hearing this, showing not anger but rather a cold indifference as if she had expected it.
“You still don’t know what kind of person your Father Emperor is.”
Yan Che was puzzled, “Does Mother also think Father Emperor has grown soft toward Yan Chi and Yan Li?”
“Soft-hearted?!” Zhao Shu Hua retorted as if she had heard a joke, even letting out a light laugh. “No, never associate those words with him, nor harbor such illusions. Your Father Emperor is not one to grow soft-hearted, not toward anyone. That’s why Mother has always told you to hold firmly onto what you have now.”
Yan Che noticed that lately, Zhao Shu Hua’s hostility toward the Emperor had been growing stronger. He wondered if she had discovered something, then said, “With Yan Chi inheriting the title, there will likely be more resistance from Shuoxi. We don’t know what his plans are now.”
Zhao Shu Hua narrowed her eyes, “Let’s set Shuoxi aside for now.”
Yan Che hesitated to speak further. Zhang Kai De had already returned; he was the best candidate. If they didn’t seize this opportunity, Shuoxi would fall into the Prince of Cheng’s hands—the worst possible outcome in his view.
Zhao Shu Hua immediately knew what he was thinking. “Don’t fight for Shuoxi now. I know Yan Qi has already begun making moves, but don’t forget who the Emperor sent to Shuoxi as imperial envoys, who was sent to clean up the aftermath.”
“Lin Xu Gui? And Yu Wen Xian? And Ge Yang?”
The Emperor had sent several waves of people to investigate the Shuoxi army, the Northwest Transport Commissioner, and to handle the aftermath. These people were now all in Shuoxi, either in Liang Province or among the Shuoxi army. They all had one purpose: to maintain stability and control power. Yan Che’s pupils contracted, “Mother means…”
Zhao Shu Hua gave a cold laugh, “You can contend with the Prince of Cheng, but for now, don’t contend with your Father Emperor.”
Yan Che felt a chill in his heart, understanding Zhao Shu Hua’s words perfectly. Earlier, he had been scolded by the Emperor just for recommending Zhang Kai De. If he continued, it wouldn’t stop at mere scolding. Yan Che felt a frightened aftershock. He had only seen the Prince of Cheng as a threat; though he had some guesses about the Emperor’s intentions, he wasn’t as certain as his mother.
“Yes, son understands…”
Zhao Shu Hua sighed. Sometimes, she wished Yan Che had not only steadiness but also some of Yan Qi’s cunning and viciousness. “Yan Qi hasn’t given up on last year’s matter—that’s what we need to guard against. As for Shuoxi, let him fight for it. Though your Father’s Emperor allowed Yan Chi to inherit the title, it doesn’t mean he’ll give up Shuoxi. Whether Yan Chi’s inheritance is good or bad isn’t for you to consider.”
Narrowing her eyes, Zhao Shu Hua continued, “After all, your uncle’s demise was an opportunity that couldn’t be engineered.”
Yan Che’s brow suddenly twitched, “Mother, you…”
Zhao Shu Hua looked at Yan Che meaningfully, “Did you think your uncle was simply assassinated without cause?”
Yan Che’s expression darkened, his brows furrowing, “Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t have been, but…”
“Come with me.” Zhao Shu Hua suddenly stood up and turned toward the inner chamber.
Yan Che quickly followed, looking puzzled. He watched as Zhao Shu Hua walked to her dressing table and took out a letter from an unremarkable jewelry box. “This is a letter your grandfather sent back a few days ago. Take a look.”
Yan Che’s pupils dilated before he took the envelope. He even instinctively looked back, as if fearing someone might burst in. His maternal grandfather was the commander of the Northern Army, and even with this connection, private correspondence between him and Zhao Shu Hua as Empress absolutely could not be known to the Emperor. Yan Che quickly unfolded the letter.
After reading it, Yan Che’s expression changed dramatically. “How is this possible?!”
Zhao Shu Hua narrowed her eyes, “Before Yan Chi returned, the Rong people had already stopped launching attacks. After spring, internal conflicts arose among the Rong, with the Chidan tribe and the Black River tribe fighting each other. Later, the Chidan King emerged victorious. He was the second son of the old Rong King, who relied heavily on him. It was he who sent a peace petition to Prince Rui, along with substantial tribute.”
Yan Che’s lips pressed into a sharp line, “But… Uncle Rui didn’t report it to the court.”
Zhao Shu Hua shook her head, “Because he knew it was a Rong trick. They had made similar peace offerings many times before. They have an inherently violent and bloodthirsty nature—peace offerings were always just delaying tactics. The Zhou people had suffered from this before. Your uncle wouldn’t believe it. Their most treacherous move was sending this state letter not to the capital, but to your uncle personally. If you were your uncle, would you report this letter or not?”
Yan Che was momentarily speechless. The court had never received word of this matter. Yan Lin had led Shuoxi for many years and indeed enjoyed autonomy over the Shuoxi army. Usually, without military affairs, the capital and Shuoxi were separated by thousands of miles, and the capital did not know what happened in Shuoxi.
The Rong’s peace petition wasn’t sent to Yan Huai in the capital, but to Yan Lin, suggesting that in the Rong people’s eyes, Yan Lin was the true king of Great Zhou. Regardless of whether the Rong’s desire for peace was genuine, this action placed Yan Lin in an extremely dangerous position. If this matter were reported to the court, wouldn’t everyone know that the Rong recognized Yan Lin as the Zhou king?!
Yan Lin neither trusted the Rong’s peace offering nor wanted this matter to escalate, so he concealed it.
This state letter arrived in April, and in the following May, taking advantage of the Rong’s internal instability, Yan Lin sent elite troops to kill over ten thousand of the Chidan King’s left-wing forces, dealing another heavy blow to the Rong. But, this matter, which seemed to have been quietly buried, had still reached Yan Huai’s ears…
This was a blatant slap in the Emperor’s face.
It was the simplest and most foolish provocation, but for someone sitting on the throne, even while seeing through the enemy’s malice, it would leave an indelible shadow in their heart. Any ruler would realize that on the Shuoxi plateau, Yan Lin had become the actual power holder, and seeds of doubt had long been planted, now growing into towering trees.
The impact of this incident was contained to the smallest possible range, with few even in the Shuoxi army knowing about it. But it was like a thorn lodged in the Emperor’s heart—how could this thorn be removed?!
Yan Che’s expression changed several times, “So… so that’s how it is…”
Zhao Shu Hua took the letter, lit a fire stick, and burned the letter to ashes before Yan Che’s still-shocked eyes.
“From now on, forget this letter. You only need to know your Father Emperor’s determination. Before you have enough power, it’s not good to clash with him directly. For now, Great Zhou is still his Great Zhou.”
Zhao Shu Hua instructed in a gentle voice. This was the safest method she could think of, but inexplicably, Zhao Shu Hua felt an ominous premonition, as if with the arrival of early winter, some danger was approaching her and Yan Che.