Feng Lingsu stood pale and motionless before Kunning Palace. She had just fallen asleep when the great fire broke out last night. The sudden commotion startled her awake, and for a moment, she feared her secret would be discovered. But then she learned that Kunning Palace was on fire.
When she first heard the news, Feng Lingsu knew the Empress was planning something. For a brief moment, she even thought the Empress might try to kill the Emperor. But in the end, all she knew was that the Empress and the Crown Prince’s family had vanished without a trace.
Feng Lingsu was thunderstruck. The Empress had left and in such a decisive manner. Far from feeling happy, she felt as though she had lost an ally, and a sense of desperate isolation overwhelmed her. Looking at the charred roof of Kunning Palace before her, Feng Lingsu never imagined she would develop such feelings toward the Empress.
She had always disliked the Empress—disliked that woman who thought herself above others, disliked how she never sought the Emperor’s favor all these years. Among the palace women, who didn’t care about the Emperor’s preferences? Who could truly remain above it all?
Yet the Empress was different from everyone else. Though she never sought favor, she firmly held her position as Empress, as if she truly stood apart from the world.
Feng Lingsu could never be like the Empress. She had to work a hundred times harder to please the Emperor. She often flaunted the Emperor’s favor, but no one understood the deep fear in her heart, because… only she knew how empty that favor truly was.
The Emperor spent many nights in Changxin Palace, yet he rarely touched her. Though the Emperor liked sweet foods, he ate less and less of the desserts she made. The Imperial Kitchen still kept several Shu region cooks. He used to greatly enjoy playing chess with her and praised her refined taste, but for many years now, he never touched the game. She had found it strange, but who could have guessed? People change, and since she had committed herself to the Emperor, how could she harbor such deep suspicions about him?
Yan Qi was already past twenty, and she had been Imperial Consort in the palace for twenty years. Having come this far, what other choice did she have? She had no Northern Garrison Army to rely on, so what difference did it make even if she knew?
Feng Lingsu suddenly hated the Empress for telling her these things… if she hadn’t known, she would still be the high and mighty Imperial Consort.
Bao Die was frightened by Feng Lingsu’s expression and said softly, “Your Grace, let’s leave. This area has been sealed off. The Emperor must be furious, and staying too long might invite gossip. The Empress has chosen a path to her destruction. This means our Young Lord now has a chance.”
Feng Lingsu blinked and turned to look at Bao Die with vacant eyes.
A chance? No, Feng Lingsu shook her head. Yan Qi was even less suited to be Emperor than Yan Che. If Yan Che could be brought down, how could Yan Qi possibly ascend to the throne?
Feng Lingsu suddenly saw through everything. Her heart felt lost and terrified. It seemed as though only a single bone was holding her body upright. She swayed, and Bao Die quickly stepped forward to support her. “Your Grace, what’s wrong? Shouldn’t you be…”
Shouldn’t she be happy?
Bao Die looked at Feng Lingsu in complete confusion, feeling that Feng Lingsu had been possessed these past few days.
In the past, whenever the Empress had even a minor ailment, Feng Lingsu would laugh coldly three times. Now that the Empress had left the palace so recklessly, shouldn’t Feng Lingsu be hosting a celebratory feast? Why did she look so terrified?
Bao Die dared not ask more. Feng Lingsu weakly ordered, “Summon the Prince of Cheng for me!”
Returning to Changxin Palace in her sedan chair, Feng Lingsu felt increasingly dizzy, but she held on, determined to wait for Yan Qi.
Fortunately, Yan Qi arrived quickly. Today, he appeared more spirited than ever before!
But when he saw Feng Lingsu, Yan Qi’s brows furrowed deeply. “Mother, what’s wrong with you? This illness has dragged on for too long!”
Feng Lingsu raised her hand, gesturing for Yan Qi to sit, then signaled Bao Die to leave. Bao Die nodded and departed, leaving mother and son alone.
Feng Lingsu took a deep breath before saying quietly, “What did your fa… His Majesty asks you to do?”
Yan Qi didn’t notice Feng Lingsu’s strange choice of words and simply said, “The Empress and Crown Prince have fled the palace, and we still don’t know what they’re planning. If there’s any movement in the north, they won’t escape the charge of treason.” Yan Qi gave a cold laugh. “But don’t worry, Mother. Since they dared to leave the palace, they can’t escape this crime.”
Feng Lingsu’s heart skipped a beat. “Qi’er, do you believe what Mother tells you?”
Feng Lingsu’s tone suddenly turned serious. Yan Qi raised an eyebrow. “What do you want to say, Mother?”
Feng Lingsu took a deep breath, hesitating several times before saying, “Qi’er, give up the struggle for the position of Crown Prince. These days, whatever your father asks you to do, just do it. After a while, submit a memorial to your father requesting a fief and leave the capital… “
Yan Qi’s mouth fell open in shock. After a long moment, he said, “But… Mother, what do you mean?”
Feng Lingsu’s breathing became rapid. “Don’t ask why. Trust Mother, I won’t harm you. Stop competing for the succession. Ask for a fief and be a prince there with Chen Bi. Let your father decide the capital’s affairs himself. Let whoever wants to compete for it do so.”
Yan Qi looked at Feng Lingsu in disbelief. “Then… Mother, what about you?”
Feng Lingsu paused. “I… I will naturally stay in the palace.”
As she finished speaking, a chill ran up Feng Lingsu’s spine. Yan Qi found it incomprehensible. He studied Feng Lingsu carefully for a moment before saying reassuringly, “I’ll think this over carefully. Mother, did you take your medicine today?”
Feng Lingsu waved her hand—whether she had taken her medicine was no longer the most important issue.
Seeing Feng Lingsu like this, Yan Qi’s brows furrowed even more. “Mother, please focus on treating your illness first. I will consider this matter carefully.”
Feng Lingsu quickly added seriously, “Qi’er, you must do as I say!”
Yan Qi nodded somewhat helplessly and stood up. “I understand. Please rest now.”
Feng Lingsu nodded, and Yan Qi strode out.
After leaving the main hall, Yan Qi looked at the snow on the palace’s glazed roof tiles. His brows furrowed for a moment, then he suddenly turned to Bao Die who was standing guard outside. He beckoned her over, walking a few steps away. “Has the Imperial Consort shown any unusual behavior these past few days?”
Bao Die looked up at Yan Qi. “Your Highness noticed it too?”
Yan Qi frowned. Bao Die quickly responded respectfully, “Even if Your Highness hadn’t asked, this servant wanted to discuss it with you. Her Grace has indeed been acting strangely these past few days… First, she fell ill in an odd way, and then she seemed extremely frightened all the time, though we don’t know what she feared. These days, Her Grace cannot sleep, having nightmares every night. Moreover, she no longer visits Chongzheng Hall and spends each day after waking to stare blankly out the window… Your Highness, do you think Her Grace might be possessed?”
Not just Bao Die, but now even Yan Qi suspected that Feng Lingsu might have lost her mind or become possessed.
After thinking for a moment, Yan Qi said, “Immediately summon the Imperial Physician to examine Mother properly. Make sure she takes her medicine. If there’s no improvement tomorrow, inform me at once. Then I’ll visit the Imperial Observatory.”
Bao Die knew Yan Qi shared her suspicions and immediately nodded.
Changxin Palace belonged to Feng Lingsu, and if anything happened to her, there was still Yan Qi to support it.
Bao Die was completely obedient to Yan Qi.
In Shoukang Palace, Qin Wan’s heart grew heavy as she listened to Yue Ning’s words.
Meanwhile, Yan Li was speaking with Yan Sui. Seeing both women’s troubled expressions, he walked over and asked, “What’s wrong? Is Grandmother’s health…”
Qin Wan waved her hand. “No, the Empress Dowager is very weak, but there’s still hope if she takes her medicine properly.”
Yan Li looked at them puzzlingly. “Then what were you discussing?”
Yue Ning gave a bitter smile. “It’s about the Kunning Palace incident.”
Yan Li sighed but said nothing. Yue Ning continued, “The Empress Dowager values the Crown Prince most highly. The Crown Prince taking such a step must surely break her heart. I still can’t understand it—the Empress’s actions are too risky. The city gates are now closed; they cannot possibly leave the capital.”
Qin Wan’s heart pounded like a drum. This must be why the Emperor had summoned the Qin father and son into the palace.
The capital was vast, but with the Emperor ordering a search, it would be extremely difficult for the Empress and her group to leave without a trace.
Qin Wan looked at today’s gloomy sky. The Empress had left the palace last night, and the Emperor must have reacted swiftly. In such a short time, where could the Empress have hidden with the Crown Prince and Qin Chaoyu?