Outside Kunning Palace, Imperial Guards maintained their strict vigilance. Yun Yan hurried in from outside, her brows furrowed as she reported, “Your Highness, we cannot send any messages out.”
Zhao Shuhua’s serene expression gradually clouded over. It had been six days—six days of confinement in Kunning Palace. During this time, none of her messages could be sent out, nor could any news from Yan Che reach her. After six days, she remained unaware of the outside developments. A sense of unease grew in her heart. “Where is Wan Xi?”
“Master Wan has tried every possible method, but nothing works. Whether it’s the internal affairs office or the imperial kitchen, everything is under intense scrutiny. All our food and drink these past few days have been personally arranged by Master Yuan.”
Yuan Qing’s arrangements… Zhao Shuhua’s brows furrowed deeply, and after a moment, she clenched her fists.
Yun Yan glanced at the gloomy sky outside while speaking, “What exactly are His Majesty’s intentions? He didn’t let Prince Cheng succeed, nor did he charge you with any crime. He’s just keeping you confined here—what could be his plan?”
Zhao Shuhua pressed her lips together, her eyes full of contemplation. Initially, she had thought a few days of confinement would be harmless, but now it seemed far more complicated. That man was the Emperor of Great Zhou, and she knew his thoughts better than anyone!
Confining her in Kunning Palace—the most anxious person wouldn’t be here, but Yan Che outside!
Zhao Shuhua felt her heart tighten. “It’s fine, as long as the Crown Prince can maintain his composure—”
Yun Yan pressed her lips together and said, “I’m worried His Highness might become anxious. Usually, whenever the Crown Prince faces uncertainty, he comes to consult you. Who will he turn to now?”
Though Yun Yan’s words were somewhat presumptuous, Zhao Shuhua knew they rang true.
Yan Che relied on her, even depended on her. Despite being Crown Prince for a year, he still habitually consulted her on matters both large and small. This was extremely rare, yet also potentially fatal.
Zhao Shuhua’s heartbeat gradually quickened, and she suddenly felt restless.
She stood up and walked to the window, speaking coldly, “This won’t do. We must find a way to send messages out. It’s been six days now—ten days, we can wait at most ten days, or else the Crown Prince might do something unpredictable.”
She knew Yan Che too well. Though his temperament was remarkably steady, he had never faced any storms alone in all these years. Of course, she hadn’t given him the chance to. Previously, she had always been there to guide him, but now Yan Huai had separated them… Zhao Shuhua suddenly realized, that perhaps this was Yan Huai’s purpose.
While Zhao Shuhua was trying to find ways to send messages out, Yan Che was equally anxious to know her plans. However, despite numerous attempts, the Imperial Guards surrounding Kunning Palace remained impenetrable, showing no weaknesses.
In the Eastern Palace’s side hall, Yan Che’s face was frost-like. Tang Fu stood beside him with a worried expression, sighing, “Prince Cheng is still investigating. He’s turning the palace upside down, and who knows what harsh measures he might take next. Perhaps it would be better to let the Empress come out and confront him.”
Of course, confrontation was impossible, Yan Che thought to himself.
Song Xiwen had indeed died at his mother’s hands…
Although Song Xiwen’s body shouldn’t have appeared in Prince Jin’s rear courtyard, Yan Che currently had no energy to consider who was behind this plot and what their purpose might be. The Empress’s confinement was a signal, and as time passed, Yan Che grew increasingly uneasy.
“His Majesty said he would lift the Empress’s confinement when the time comes, but who knows how long that will be? Prince Cheng isn’t easy to deal with, and it’s unclear where His Majesty’s heart truly lies…”
Yan Che’s pupils contracted slightly. Yes, Father Emperor’s heart was the most crucial factor.
Yan Qi had made his move, but the Emperor had merely confined the Empress. On the surface, it seemed he was protecting the Empress with a light punishment, but what if the confinement continued to extend…
Yan Che sighed. The more critical the situation, the more important it was to remain calm.
“It’s alright. Father won’t let Yan Qi continue his investigation indefinitely.”
Tang Fu appeared panicked. “If only the Grand General were in the capital. Everything would be better if he were here.”
A flash of light crossed Yan Che’s eyes as he suddenly recalled the letter Zhao Shuhua had shown him days ago.
His maternal grandfather had guarded the northern border for many years and wasn’t aware of the capital’s news. If that day truly came…
This thought suddenly emerged but was quickly suppressed by Yan Che. He shook his head, firmly remembering the rule against private communication with the military. Seeing Yan Che’s fluctuating expression, Tang Fu said, “But Your Highness needn’t worry too much. I heard there’s been some trouble in Prince Cheng’s rear court these past few days. His household is in chaos—apparently, one of his concubines lost her child.”
Yan Che gave a cold laugh. Given Yan Qi’s promiscuous nature and the numerous beauties in his household, it would be strange if there weren’t any incidents.
Just as this thought settled, a eunuch announced from outside, “Your Highness, the Crown Princess has arrived—”
Yan Che raised his eyebrows. “I am about to handle state affairs. I won’t see her.”
Before he finished speaking, Qin Zhaoyu stepped in. The eunuch looked panicked and frightened. Yan Che frowned and waved him away. Qin Zhaoyu smiled sweetly, “Even if Your Highness is busy, you must take care of your health.”
Qin Zhaoyu carried a food box containing carefully prepared tonics, but Yan Che merely glanced at it. “I didn’t invite the Crown Princess in. You should remain in your quarters.”
Qin Zhaoyu’s smile cracked slightly, but she quickly composed herself and said, “I know Your Highness is troubled by Mother Empress’s situation. These past few days, I’ve been reciting the ‘Pure Heart Sutra,’ praying for Mother Empress while keeping myself calm.”
Yan Che raised his eyes to look at Qin Zhaoyu. She continued, “This is Mother Empress’s favorite scripture. Although I haven’t spent much time serving at Mother Empress’s side, I believe she is someone who would remain steadfast even if Mount Tai collapsed before her. Now that Kunning Palace is mired in trouble, it’s a test for both Mother Empress and Your Highness. His Majesty and Mother Empress are wedded husband and wife—he surely won’t mistreat her.”
Setting aside everything else, Qin Zhaoyu’s words did ease some of Yan Che’s anxiety. His expression relaxed slightly, though he thought to himself that being wedded husband and wife meant little—his father had shown unwavering favor to one another for these twenty years.
Qin Zhaoyu took out the tonics from the food box. “I just learned that the Ninth Concubine in Prince Cheng’s household has miscarried. Someone tampered with her pregnancy-stabilizing medicine, and she lost the child of nearly three months.”
The porcelain bowl emanated a fragrant aroma, but Yan Che remained unmoved. He raised his eyebrows, and Qin Zhaoyu continued, “Royal offspring have always been of utmost importance, and this would have been the first child of Your Highness’s generation. If nothing else, when the Empress Dowager learns of this, she will surely be heartbroken…”
Qin Zhaoyu smiled gently, her beautiful eyes fixed directly on Yan Che. He studied her gaze, sometimes wondering how she could maintain such a flawless facade. She was indeed one of the capital’s most outstanding noble ladies, but her current gaze, full of trust and gentleness, occasionally gave him the illusion that they shared an intimate relationship.
“In that case, you should inform the Empress Dowager of this matter.”
Yan Che’s command was very direct. Qin Zhaoyu smiled, “I shall obey.”
“If I remember correctly, Prince Cheng’s Ninth Concubine seems to be…”
Yan Che looked questioningly at Qin Zhaoyu, who gave a bitter smile. “Your Highness remembers correctly. Prince Cheng’s Ninth Concubine is indeed my cousin. She was forcibly taken by Prince Cheng initially, though she later willingly degraded herself. She has now been expelled from the Qin family.”
After this incident, Qin Shu had specially come to apologize. Yan Che pondered for a moment. “Though she became a concubine, she is still a daughter of the Qin family. Since such a thing has happened, you should send people to inquire after her.”
Qin Zhaoyu quickly understood Yan Che’s meaning and smiled in agreement. Seeing Yan Che’s cold expression, she didn’t say more and tactfully took her leave. As soon as she left the side hall, Qin Zhaoyu let out a long breath, and the smile disappeared from her face.
Mo Yun stepped forward, “Your Highness, did His Highness partake of it?”
Qin Zhaoyu knew without looking back that Yan Che wouldn’t have touched it. She shook her head, and Mo Yun became indignant, “Your Highness spent so much time preparing it, yet His Highness never accepts it. Isn’t this wasting Your Highness’s thoughtfulness!”
She then muttered, “His Highness always wastes Your Highness’s efforts…”
The bitter smile on Qin Zhaoyu’s face deepened. Even her maid could see clearly that Yan Che would never acknowledge how much she did for him, nor would he consider whether she was a qualified Crown Princess. He had no tenderness for her—bringing her into the palace was merely for show.
Why was everything so different from what she had imagined?
The Empress had liked and valued her so much; she thought Yan Che must have been willing too.
Qin Zhaoyu frowned, “What did that old nursemaid say last time?”
“Hm? Which nursemaid is Your Highness referring to?” Mo Yun didn’t immediately understand.
Qin Zhaoyu walked very slowly toward her quarters, “The one who served His Highness for many years. Was her surname Sun? Or Huang?”
Recognition suddenly dawned in Mo Yun’s eyes, “Your Highness must mean Nurse Huang. Nurse Huang said many things last time…”
Mo Yun didn’t know what exactly Qin Zhaoyu was asking about, but Qin Zhaoyu remembered. Nurse Huang was already in her sixties, originally the Empress’s wet nurse, later becoming the Crown Prince’s nursemaid during his childhood. Yan Che showed considerable respect for Nurse Huang. After discovering the Crown Prince’s coldness toward her, she had specially courted Nurse Huang’s favor. Being shrewd, Nurse Huang understood her troubles and told her that the previous Miss Shen had been the Crown Prince’s own choice—he had personally proposed taking her as his consort. The Crown Prince was a deeply affectionate person; to gain his favor, one must first win his heart.
Qin Zhaoyu smiled bitterly again. She had long ago investigated the Crown Prince’s previous engagement, but the results were disappointing. Miss Shen had rarely entered the palace, barely even leaving her home. There was no possibility of a private romance with the Crown Prince. So what had the Crown Prince seen in her? What circumstances had brought them together?
All this remained unknown, and Qin Zhaoyu couldn’t possibly ask.
“Prepare yourself, we’re going to Shoukang Palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.”
Qin Zhaoyu quickly composed herself. With the Empress confined, this was no time for idle thoughts.
…
In Prince Cheng’s mansion, Lady Yu, Duke Zhongguo’s wife, was holding Feng Chenbi while wiping tears, “Your Highness, Chenbi grew up with you. Though she may be prideful, she would never commit murder. How could you misunderstand her so?”
Listening to Lady Yu’s tearful pleas, Yan Qi felt his head about to explode. Dealing with Feng Chenbi alone was troublesome enough, and now he had to handle this old woman too. He felt his patience being visibly consumed. Lady Yu and Feng Chenbi’s crying buzzed like flies in his ears. His fist at his side slowly turned—he didn’t know if he might suddenly lash out. He didn’t hit women, but there were always exceptions.
“That cheap woman is just a concubine. It’s her fault for not reporting her pregnancy earlier. How can you blame Chenbi? That harlot seduced her way into the mansion, and who knows if she’s deliberately framing Chenbi? You know Chenbi’s straightforward and pure nature—how can you believe that woman’s words?!”
Lady Yu kept calling out “that cheap woman,” making Yan Qi’s ears ache.
Yet Lady Yu continued, “When the Duke learned of this, he was worried that you might misunderstand Chenbi. But your aunt knows you’re a wise man who won’t be fooled by such tricks. Chenbi, stop crying. His Highness is just scaring you, he’s not angry. These household matters occurred because of your poor management…”
Yan Qi wanted to laugh from anger. He had thought this crude-speaking aunt only knew how to cry and make scenes, but she was trying this approach. Someone thin-skinned might have fallen for it, but she had underestimated him. As Yan Qi’s impatience was about to overflow, he waved his hand, “First, help the Duke’s wife up, and the Princess Consort too.”
Feng Chenbi had been kneeling, and Lady Yu had been embracing her while crying. Now both were sprawled on the ground. The nursemaids immediately came forward to help them up. Lady Yu glanced at Yan Qi while wiping her tears, “Your Highness doesn’t understand—the inner court’s complexities aren’t as simple as court politics. Many things can’t be judged by appearances. Is Ninth Concubine in her quarters? Your Highness handles important matters; these things can be left to Chenbi, and if she can’t handle them, your aunt is here…”
As Lady Yu spoke with apparent sincerity, an attendant entered and whispered something in Yan Qi’s ear. Yan Qi’s expression instantly darkened. He gave a cold laugh while staring at Feng Chenbi and Lady Yu, his fierce gaze terrifying them. Yan Qi coldly asked, “Who went to the Duke’s mansion to leak information?”
At these words, a servant woman at the door immediately changed expression. Yan Qi merely raised his chin to signal, and the woman fell to her knees. Just as she was about to cry out to Lady Yu and Feng Chenbi for help, guards swiftly covered her mouth and dragged her away. Lady Yu’s face paled with fright, “Your Highness—”
Yan Qi looked at her, and Lady Yu’s words died in her throat. However, Yan Qi spoke slowly, “Two choices—”
At these words, Lady Yu immediately tensed. Yan Qi continued, “First, get out of my mansion right now.”
Lady Yu’s eyes widened, unable to believe Yan Qi would speak to her this way. But Yan Qi hadn’t finished, “Second, take her and my divorce decree, and get out together. Which do you choose?”
Yan Qi spoke unhurriedly, not even raising his voice, but his words made Lady Yu’s heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys tremble with fear, because when he said “divorce decree,” his eyes held anger that seemed ready to tear them apart.
After a long hesitation, Lady Yu quickly released Feng Chenbi’s hand. Feng Chenbi, her face streaked with tears, watched Lady Yu leave, then turned to meet Yan Qi’s coldly smiling eyes. “Pack up—we’re going to the palace—”