The moonlight was like water, the cold air like frost.
Hua Zhuyu followed Huangfu Wushuang along the lake shore covered with thin ice, crossed the rainbow bridge, and arrived at the rear palace.
Huangfu Wushang had not been on the throne long and had taken few consorts. Apart from Dan Hong, who remained free due to Hua Zhuyu’s influence, the others without family backgrounds had been demoted to the cold palace by Huangfu Wushuang, while two daughters of court officials had been sent home. Since Huangfu Wushuang had just ascended the throne and hadn’t yet selected consorts, the rear palace was essentially empty. Especially at night, the layers of buildings were all dark and somber, but one palace was brilliantly lit and splendid, even brighter than Cining Palace where Empress Dowager Nie resided.
Hua Zhuyu didn’t understand why Huangfu Wushuang was bringing her to the rear palace. Could that person be a woman?
Huangfu Wushuang walked directly toward that palace with his hands behind his back, Hua Zhuyu following closely. Arriving at the palace gate, she looked up at the plaque above the palace entrance and saw several elegantly written characters: Qifeng Palace.
Seeing these three characters, Hua Zhuyu’s heart suddenly jumped.
Qifeng Palace—traditionally the residence of the emperor’s empress.
So the woman living here must be someone Huangfu Wushuang considered worthy to be his empress. And as far as Hua Zhuyu knew, there was only one such person—Grand Tutor Wen’s daughter, Wen Wan.
Hua Zhuyu’s heart was filled with uncertainty. Seeing young eunuchs standing at the palace gate, she raised her whisk and called loudly, “His Majesty arrives!”
The young eunuchs at the palace entrance immediately knelt en masse. Huangfu Wushuang hummed softly and walked in with his hands behind his back.
Following Huangfu Wushuang, Hua Zhuyu quickly entered the palace courtyard. In the yard, all the attending palace maids and eunuchs heard of the emperor’s arrival and knelt in a black mass. Hua Zhuyu hadn’t expected there would be so many palace servants here.
Glass palace lanterns hung throughout the corridors and under the eaves, illuminating the courtyard brilliantly.
The ground was covered with unmelted thin snow, apparently left unswept for some reason. An old plum tree stood with accumulated snow on its branches, blooming with crystal-clear flowers that filled the air with subtle fragrance.
Beneath the plum tree, a woman was dancing gracefully in the falling snow.
With each turn of her head and spin of her body, every movement was extraordinarily moving. Her pink dress hem fluttered in the wind, her sleeves extending freely.
Even that tree full of plum blossoms couldn’t match a fraction of her grace.
This woman was none other than Grand Tutor Wen’s daughter, Wen Wan.
Hua Zhuyu stared at her in a daze, her heart somewhat confused.
Wen Wan must have returned recently, or she wouldn’t have heard no word of it.
So Jin Se’s pendant had been brought back by Wen Wan. She had given the pendant to Xiao Yin, and Wen Wan was by Xiao Yin’s side, so it would be easy for her to learn that Xiao Yin had a lost sister, and obtaining the pendant wouldn’t be difficult.
But how did Wen Wan learn that Jin Se was a Northern Dynasty princess? She clearly remembered that when meeting Xiao Yin, even she had thought Jin Se was dead and hadn’t told Xiao Yin that Jin Se was his sister.
Wen Wan should have heard her call “His Majesty arrives,” but she seemed immersed in her dance, neither coming to pay respects nor stopping her dance.
A young palace maid said quietly, “Your Majesty, shall this servant inform Miss Wen?”
Huangfu Wushuang waved his hand and softly shushed, “No need!”
Hua Zhuyu accompanied Huangfu Wushuang standing in the courtyard waiting. The night wind blew coldly, filling their robes with ethereal chill.
Wen Wan’s slender waist twisted gracefully, then she suddenly collapsed as if exhausted onto the pale fallen snow. Her pink dress spread out like a flower blooming in the cold night.
Huangfu Wushuang’s expression changed slightly. He stepped through the snow and quickly walked over, lifting the fallen Wen Wan into his arms. He asked softly, “Wan’er, what’s wrong?”
Wen Wan nestled in Huangfu Wushuang’s embrace and slowly raised her head, her dignified and gentle face showing a trace of surprise. She slowly pushed away from Huangfu Wushuang to kneel in obeisance, but Wushuang quickly stopped her, saying softly, “Wan’er needn’t be so formal.”
Wen Wan’s vermillion lips parted slightly as she said calmly, “Please forgive Wan’er, Your Majesty. I was dancing and didn’t realize when Your Majesty arrived.” Her beautiful voice was melodious as a warbler’s song.
Huangfu Wushuang chuckled, “Wan’er, why did you think to dance in the snow? You must be frozen.”
Huangfu Wushuang took Wen Wan’s hand with a beaming smile, “Wan’er, let’s go inside. I’ll warm wine by the fire to warm you up.”
Wen Wan smiled softly and replied, “Very well!”
Before leaving, she glanced at Hua Zhuyu, her autumn-clear eyes containing a trace of cold anger.
This glance sent sudden chills through Hua Zhuyu’s heart.
Last time in the Northern Dynasty, she had captured Wen Wan and brought her before the two armies. She had even pressed her spear tip into Wen Wan’s chest to threaten Xiao Yin into sparing Jin Se. Though she had bent the spear tip beforehand and shown mercy, having no intention of taking her life, how could Wen Wan know this? Even if she knew, she would probably still hate her, since she had indeed truly injured Wen Wan.
Wen Wan definitely hated her—this was beyond doubt.
Hua Zhuyu couldn’t help but smile bitterly. The people she had offended seemed to be growing in number. Especially today in court, she had probably offended Ji Fengli’s entire faction. Those Tiger Roar Battalion brothers who had lived and died with her on the battlefield probably all hated her now.
“Isn’t this the battlefield’s mighty Chief Bao? Wan’er still remembers clearly and unforgettably Chief Bao’s fierce bearing before the armies that day!” Wen Wan said word by word.
“Oh?” Huangfu Wushuang raised his eyebrows with great interest, walking hand in hand with Wen Wan toward the hall while asking, “How fierce was Little Bao’er on the battlefield? Wan’er, tell me about it.”
Wen Wan smiled charmingly, “Certainly, if Your Majesty wants to hear, Wan’er will tell you.”
Hua Zhuyu followed the two into the hall, where warmth greeted them—completely different from the world outside. She helped Huangfu Wushuang remove his fox fur cloak, and a young palace maid took it and hung it on a clothes rack behind the screen.
Huangfu Wushuang walked leisurely to sit on the soft couch by the fire. Wen Wan also walked over slowly, and the two sat by the fire chatting intimately while young palace maids attended with tea and pastries.
Hua Zhuyu stood beside the screen.
The scene before her always felt unreal.
She was certain Wen Wan had previously loved Ji Fengli. This could be heard in the qin and flute duet they had performed at the night banquet in Prince Kang’s residence. Moreover, for Ji Fengli’s sake, she had repeatedly refused marriage proposals from Crown Prince Huangfu Wushuang.
If she hadn’t been captured by Xiao Yin to the Northern Dynasty, Wen Wan would most likely have married Ji Fengli. But now, Wen Wan had brought back Jin Se’s pendant from the Northern Dynasty, pushing Ji Fengli into the Ministry of Justice prison.
Hua Zhuyu understood clearly that her hatred for Ji Fengli had penetrated to her bones, so she wholeheartedly wanted to bring him down. But Wen Wan was different—she loved Ji Fengli after all. How could she deliberately frame him?
One must know that treason was a monstrous crime, certainly punishable by death. Though Ji Fengli hadn’t been convicted yet, how would Huangfu Wushuang spare him? Even if Wen Wan no longer loved Ji Fengli, could she bear to watch her former beloved imprisoned and beheaded?
Hua Zhuyu felt a chill slowly rising in her chest, gradually spreading to her limbs. Despite the spring-like warmth indoors, she was cold to the bone.
“Ah? Is this true?” Huangfu Wushuang’s voice suddenly rose, clearly extremely shocked.
Hua Zhuyu’s heart jumped. She looked over with raised eyebrows to see Huangfu Wushuang asking with a solemn expression, “Wan’er, have your injuries healed?”
Wen Wan’s dark eyebrows furrowed slightly as she said calmly, “They’ve long since healed—Your Majesty needn’t worry. However, Chief Bao was truly ruthless that day, showing no mercy at all. That silver spear pierced to Wan’er’s heart, causing such pain that I fainted immediately. Chief Bao becomes like a bloodthirsty wolf on the battlefield, completely merciless. At the time, she thought Wan’er had defected to the Northern Dynasty and ordered people to stuff dirty cloth in my mouth, making me unable to eat for several days afterward.”
Hua Zhuyu couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows, listening with a calm expression to Wen Wan’s recounting of her violent acts. Wen Wan was trying to get her in trouble!
Huangfu Wushuang’s sword-like eyebrows slowly knitted together. He glanced at Hua Zhuyu with surprise, “Little Bao’er, is what Wan’er says true?”
Hua Zhuyu frowned and walked slowly before Huangfu Wushuang, “It’s true. This servant did indeed injure Miss Wen.”
Huangfu Wushuang stared at Hua Zhuyu unblinkingly, his eyes dark and filled with intimidating pressure.
Hua Zhuyu felt chilled by his gaze. She still remembered when she was a qin player at Zuixian Workshop, Wen Wan had accidentally heard her music and went home to practice until her fingers bled. For this, Huangfu Wushuang had captured her to the Eastern Palace and cruelly forced her, disguised as a man, to become a eunuch. And this time, she had pressed the spear tip to Wen Wan’s heart—she truly didn’t know if this little demon king would kill her in anger. After all, Wen Wan was the apple of his eye.
Hua Zhuyu wasn’t afraid of Huangfu Wushuang, but she absolutely couldn’t fall out with him at this time.
She looked up to meet Huangfu Wushuang’s gaze, “However, Your Majesty might not know the circumstances then. This servant was truly forced by the situation and had no choice. Knowing Miss Wen was Your Majesty’s beloved, this servant had no intention of taking Miss Wen’s life.”
After a long while, Huangfu Wushuang finally sighed heavily and said with narrowed eyes, “Little Bao’er, if you hadn’t rendered great service, I would never forgive you easily. Now withdraw—both Wan’er and I don’t want to see you.”
Upon hearing this, Hua Zhuyu’s lips curved in a faint smile. Huangfu Wushuang had indeed matured, no longer as violent and murderous as before.
“Why don’t you get lost!” Seeing Hua Zhuyu still hadn’t left, Huangfu Wushuang suddenly shouted coldly.
Hua Zhuyu quickly bowed and was about to withdraw. Just as she reached the screen, she heard Huangfu Wushuang’s words: “Don’t come to serve for the next few days—I don’t want to see you these days! Remember, if you ever harm Wan’er again, I won’t show mercy!”
Hua Zhuyu’s lips curved in a bitter smile as she said calmly, “This servant obeys! However, I also hope Miss Wen will be magnanimous and not hold grudges against this servant.” With that, she turned and withdrew.
Outside, the cold air was oppressive.
Hua Zhuyu strode forward, her steps becoming increasingly urgent until she finally couldn’t help but run. After leaving Qifeng Palace, with the brilliantly lit palace growing more distant behind her, she finally slowed her pace.
For some reason, her heart ached. Who was she grieving for?
Before her eyes, she saw alternately the bloody execution ground, the life-and-death battlefield combat, and the bloodless struggles within these deep palace walls…
She didn’t know how long she had walked along the palace pathways before suddenly stopping. Looking up, she found she had somehow arrived at Dan Hong’s Yongtang Palace. She slowly pushed open the door and entered, signaling the gatekeeper eunuch not to announce her, and went straight inside.
Dan Hong was still awake. Seeing Hua Zhuyu enter, she quickly brewed tea and brought it over.
Hua Zhuyu took the teacup, sipped it slightly, and gazed at the flickering candlelight on the table, suddenly asking, “Dan Hong, that secret letter written by Ji Fengli’s subordinate that day—how did you obtain it?”
Dan Hong frowned, “I secretly infiltrated the former Emperor Yan’s study to get it.”
“Did you succeed smoothly?” Hua Zhuyu asked calmly.
Dan Hong nodded, “The defenses were very tight, but fortunately I wasn’t discovered. General, is there something wrong with that letter?”
Was there something wrong?
Hua Zhuyu walked to the window with her hands behind her back. In the quiet night sky, the cold moon drifted, obscured by heavy clouds, as if avoiding the world’s turmoil.
Though she couldn’t be certain, she suddenly felt that things might not be as they had investigated. She sensed that overwhelming fog was descending upon her, blurring her vision and bewildering her heart…
Near New Year, the palace was filled with festive atmosphere everywhere. Hua Zhuyu walked alone beside the Lianyan Pool covered with thin ice, leaving the palace’s bustle and celebration behind her. Only here seemed somewhat peaceful.
She hadn’t served in Huangfu Wushuang’s palace for two days. He said he didn’t want to see her, and she was happy to have the leisure. The little demon was currently angry—if she went, she would only receive punishment for nothing. More importantly, recently she somehow had no mood to serve on duty.
In the distance, lanterns moved toward her across the Lianyan Pool bridge, coming closer and closer. The lanterns’ faint light illuminated the bright yellow dragon robes of the leading figure, with a golden dragon embroidered in flight.
Unexpectedly, it was Huangfu Wushuang. She wondered whether to avoid him, since Huangfu Wushuang had said he didn’t want to see her. As soon as the thought arose, she walked toward a side path.
“Yuan Bao!” A cold shout filled with anger made Hua Zhuyu quickly stop and slowly approach.
“This servant didn’t see the imperial procession passing and asks Your Majesty’s forgiveness!” Hua Zhuyu quickly bowed and knelt.
“Didn’t see?” Huangfu Wushuang’s voice drifted down from above, carrying both playfulness and suppressed anger.
Hua Zhuyu’s heart immediately tensed—the little demon was truly angry.
“This servant remembers Your Majesty saying you didn’t want to see Yuan Bao, so I avoided you, fearing Your Majesty would be angry to see this servant,” Hua Zhuyu said slowly with lowered head. It was clearly he who said he didn’t want to see her.
Huangfu Wushuang snorted displeasedly, staring at Hua Zhuyu with pursed lips. After a long while, he waved his sleeves, “You seem to wish I didn’t want to see you.”
Hua Zhuyu’s dark eyebrows furrowed. They say the emperor’s heart is hard to fathom—serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. Following his words, she had instead displeased him.
Watching the young emperor’s face grow increasingly dark, his sharp gaze pressing down on her with intimidating force, Hua Zhuyu felt coldness gradually rising from her spine. She wondered silently whether he was about to move against her. They say when the birds are gone, the good bow is put away. She had helped him ascend to the throne, and now Ji Fengli had been brought down—would he perhaps…
Just as the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, with a “puchi” sound, Huangfu Wushuang couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.
Hua Zhuyu looked up at him in surprise, seeing him grinning with joy, and felt somewhat annoyed.
“Little Bao’er, on the battlefield, were you really like a bloodthirsty wolf? Really that fierce?”
Only then did Hua Zhuyu remember—this was Wen Wan’s assessment of her that night. She couldn’t help but frown and said slowly, “On the battlefield, if one isn’t fierce, one can be killed at any moment.”
“Well said, Little Bao’er. Actually, I’m not angry. For some reason, I can’t get angry with you. Very well, continue your duties these coming days. Without you, I feel very uncomfortable,” Huangfu Wushuang said slowly.
“Yes!” Hua Zhuyu nodded.
Huangfu Wushuang suddenly waved his sleeves, “All of you withdraw. I have words for Little Bao’er alone.”
All the attendants immediately retreated far away.
Huangfu Wushuang walked to stand beside Hua Zhuyu and suddenly asked in a low voice, “Little Bao’er, there’s something I’ve long wanted to ask you.”
“What is it?” Hua Zhuyu was somewhat puzzled—when had Huangfu Wushuang become so hesitant?
“I vaguely heard that the Left Prime Minister treated you very well. You don’t have feelings for him, do you? Originally I didn’t believe it, but these past few days, you seem to be in poor spirits. Is it because of the Left Prime Minister’s matter?”
“No!” Hua Zhuyu answered decisively without a moment’s hesitation. “Your Majesty, whoever told you this is spreading rumors to harm Little Bao’er. Little Bao’er and Ji Fengli have irreconcilable hatred—how could I feel that way about him? Moreover, though Little Bao’er is a eunuch, I’m still male. Someone who envies Your Majesty’s favor toward Little Bao’er is trying to sow discord.”
Hearing Hua Zhuyu’s indignant words, Huangfu Wushuang immediately felt relieved and raised his eyebrows, “Little Bao’er, I believe you. Rise. Since that’s not the case, tomorrow you’ll accompany me to the prison. With you, my little wolf, by my side, I won’t be afraid! Come, follow me back to the palace!”
The Ministry of Justice prison was the most heavily guarded jail in the capital. It was said that even if an insect flew in here, it could never fly out again.
Upon entering the Ministry of Justice prison, one immediately felt gloomy, cold breath rushing toward them. Though it was daytime outside, inside felt like hell. Probably because Ji Fengli was imprisoned here, security was even tighter.
The Ministry of Justice officials guarding the prison clearly hadn’t expected Huangfu Wushuang to come today. Frightened, they tremblingly ordered prison guards to hang lanterns throughout the corridors, which immediately brightened.
Huangfu Wushuang snorted coldly and walked forward along the corridor with his hands behind his back. Following Huangfu Wushuang down the corridor, Hua Zhuyu felt bone-piercing coldness—this place was more sinister and cold than the Internal Punishment Court where she and Huangfu Wushuang had once lived.
Finally, they reached a prison cell. By the light of the corridor lanterns, they could vaguely see someone lying inside.
“Open the door,” Huangfu Wushuang ordered coldly.
The prison official quickly took out keys and opened the heavy iron door. Huangfu Wushuang walked slowly inside, with Hua Zhuyu following.
The lantern light illuminated the stone platform in the corner.
Ji Fengli lay on the stone platform in prison clothes, with thin metal chains hanging from his body. Hua Zhuyu followed the metal chains with her gaze and saw they locked his limbs, passed through his shoulder blades, and were finally nailed into the Tanzhong acupoint on his chest.
The Tanzhong acupoint was a crucial point for martial artists to circulate their qi. Nailing this point sealed his internal energy. Locking both shoulder blades restricted his external skills. His peerless martial arts were now completely useless. The current Ji Fengli was equivalent to a cripple.
Hua Zhuyu had never expected Huangfu Wushuang to be so ruthlessly merciless. She still remembered when she first entered the palace and played chess with Huangfu Wushuang. At that time, she had said that one could judge character through chess—his killing was exquisite, his decisions swift and decisive, his mind broad and deep, with great spirit, destined to be a wise ruler. She had meant to praise Huangfu Wushuang, not knowing he was using Ji Fengli’s moves, so her praise had actually been for Ji Fengli. Upon hearing this, Huangfu Wushuang had picked up a chess piece with a violent expression, scattered the deadlocked game into chaos, and sneered, “No matter how good your chess skills, you can’t escape my fatal strike.”
From that moment, Hua Zhuyu knew Huangfu Wushuang hated Ji Fengli. Now, this was his fatal strike, wasn’t it?
His treatment of Ji Fengli clearly showed he knew Ji Fengli’s martial arts were exceptionally high.
At this moment, Hua Zhuyu suddenly understood why Ji Fengli had initially hidden his martial arts. Perhaps he had long foreseen this day and concealed his abilities to leave himself a way out, guarding against opponents sealing his internal energy and martial prowess if captured. This way, he might have a chance to escape. It could be said that Ji Fengli was indeed thorough in his planning.
If he hadn’t saved her on the battlefield, his martial arts wouldn’t have been exposed, and perhaps he wouldn’t be in this state now. Speaking of which, his current situation was somewhat related to her.
Thinking this, Hua Zhuyu’s gaze wandered over Ji Fengli’s body, and suddenly she didn’t know where to look. His entire body was too horrible to behold.
Hua Zhuyu quickly looked away, focusing on a point on the wall.
The cell was silent as death. She seemed to hear her own breathing becoming increasingly rapid, with a strange feeling—part pain, part sorrow—spreading bit by bit through her heart.
She didn’t want to look, yet couldn’t help herself. After a while, she slowly moved her gaze back.
Weak, dim light flowed slowly through the room. Ji Fengli lay motionless on the stone platform, his long hair disheveled and covering half his face.
“Ji Fengli, His Majesty has come to see you. Why don’t you rise to pay respects!” the prison official shouted coldly with intimidating force. If this had been the former Left Prime Minister, he would never have dared speak so harshly.
Ji Fengli lying on the stone platform raised his long eyelashes slightly and slowly opened his eyes, revealing a pair of clear, refined eyes. Now, of his entire body, only these eyes could hold one’s gaze.
He slowly turned his head. His formerly flawlessly handsome face appeared extremely pale in the dim light, his forehead covered with fine beads of sweat, as if enduring severe pain. His gaze swept over Huangfu Wushuang with calm composure, his lips slowly curving in a smile, “So His Majesty has arrived. I wondered why no one dared come here these past few days. Your Majesty honors us with your presence—please forgive Ji for being unable to pay proper respects.”
He slowly moved his arms, and the shackles on his body immediately rustled—the sound of shackles striking each other and grinding against bone. Hearing this, Hua Zhuyu felt as if her own shoulder blades were aching. However, apart from slightly furrowed brows and sweat beading on his forehead, Ji Fengli’s lips still curved in that peerlessly graceful smile, as if his flesh and blood were made of wood.
“Oh? Eunuch Bao has come as well,” Ji Fengli’s voice drifted over, gentle as wind.
Hua Zhuyu turned her face with difficulty, focusing on the smile at Ji Fengli’s lips—a mocking, disdainful smile. He seemed to have guessed long ago that Hua Zhuyu would definitely come with Huangfu Wushuang. He looked at her sideways with a half-smile, “Seeing Ji in this state, I wonder if Eunuch Bao is particularly satisfied?”
His tone carried unprecedented indifference, no longer the gentle way he once called her “Bao’er.”
His entire being emanated an aura of alienation, with a sense of keeping people at a thousand li distance, making one feel inexplicably fearful.
Hua Zhuyu felt her breath catch in her chest. She clenched her fists and slowly forced a smile, saying slowly, “Indeed, seeing the Left Prime Minister brought to this day naturally makes me extremely happy.” She didn’t know how awkward her smile looked, nor did she know why her heart ached beyond words when she should have been joyful at achieving her goal.
Ji Fengli suddenly looked up and laughed heartily. Hua Zhuyu had never seen Ji Fengli laugh so openly. His smile was extremely brilliant, like an udumbara flower suddenly blooming in the dark night, beautiful to the extreme, seeming to evoke the night’s charm and the moon’s pure radiance.
Huangfu Wushuang grew somewhat annoyed and shouted coldly, “Ji Fengli, what are you laughing about?”
Ji Fengli’s smile froze, his eyelashes fluttered, and he said slowly, “Nothing—just laughing at myself.”
Huangfu Wushuang’s expression darkened slightly. He walked before Ji Fengli with his hands behind his back and said with narrowed eyes, “Little Bao’er, the Left Prime Minister seems to have not yet paid respects to me. Go help him.”
Hua Zhuyu’s heart chilled, knowing Huangfu Wushuang would torture and humiliate Ji Fengli, but not expecting him to make her do it. She forcibly suppressed her turbulent emotions and slowly walked over.
Ji Fengli watched from the side as Hua Zhuyu approached step by step, his phoenix eyes narrowing as he stared at her coldly. Under such a gaze, Hua Zhuyu felt coldness slowly rising from her heart.
She walked before him with a cold smile at her lips and reached out to grab the front of his clothing.
With their eyes meeting at such close distance, each other’s emotions were clearly visible.
Ji Fengli’s appearance was originally handsome and elegant, his phoenix eyes deep as dreams under thick, long lashes. Hua Zhuyu stared into his deep eyes and became somewhat lost. These bottomless pupils seemed to contain a surging power that would instantly draw her in.
“Little Bao’er…” Huangfu Wushuang hummed softly.
Hua Zhuyu’s mind focused, and she said coldly and cruelly, “Ji Fengli, you also have such a day? How wonderfully satisfying!”
She suddenly yanked hard, and Ji Fengli fell from the stone platform.
The shackles on his hands and feet clanged loudly. When the chains were pulled, Ji Fengli inevitably endured bone-scraping, tendon-grinding pain. He gasped coldly, cold sweat pouring from his forehead. “Good… good…” He glared at Hua Zhuyu, his gaze instantly becoming still as stagnant water.
Hua Zhuyu met Ji Fengli’s gaze, a cruel smile constantly hanging at her lips.
Ji Fengli breathed heavily, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, while blood also slowly seeped from his shoulder blade area.
Hua Zhuyu slowly walked over and grabbed his collar, lifting him from the ground. The moment she approached him, that faint bloody smell and the sound of iron chains rubbing made her vision blur. Deep in her heart, it felt as if a knife was constantly stirring, blooming with a pain suddenly crushed to pieces. This pain made Hua Zhuyu dizzy in waves—she didn’t know when she had become so fragile that she couldn’t bear to see blood.
“Little Bao’er, what’s wrong?” Huangfu Wushuang stared at Hua Zhuyu’s deathly pale face and asked worriedly. His voice was extremely gentle—to others, it appeared deeply affectionate.
Hua Zhuyu supported herself against the wall with one hand while pressing her chest with the other, saying softly, “The air in this prison is too foul, too bloody.”
Ji Fengli’s mocking voice came from beside her: “What? Even Eunuch Bao, who has seen so much blood, has a day of being frightened by it?”
“Your Majesty, it’s too stuffy here. This servant needs to go out for fresh air,” Hua Zhuyu said quietly.
Huangfu Wushuang frowned, “Very well, as you wish. Since Little Bao’er is uncomfortable, I’ll accompany you back immediately.”
“Guard him well. If anything goes wrong, I want your heads!” Huangfu Wushuang gave his orders menacingly, then turned to support Hua Zhuyu as they slowly walked along the corridor toward the exit.
“Your Majesty, no need! This servant can walk alone!” Hua Zhuyu frowned and avoided Huangfu Wushuang’s support.
“I insist on helping!” Huangfu Wushuang began acting childishly, saying stubbornly.
Hua Zhuyu sighed softly, vaguely hearing the heavy iron door of the cell behind them slam shut with a clang that made her heart tremble slightly. She let Huangfu Wushuang support her and walked out as if in a dream.
Ji Fengli lay on his side on the ground, watching Hua Zhuyu and Huangfu Wushuang disappear along the corridor until the iron door closed. Only then did the smile that had been hanging at his lips slowly freeze, a sharp gleam flashing through his deep eyes.
When they entered the prison it had been dusk; when they emerged, night had already fallen.
Huangfu Wushuang boarded his carriage while Hua Zhuyu rode alongside on horseback. This time Huangfu Wushuang had left the palace in simple dress, so the procession wasn’t large, with not many accompanying Imperial Guards, though each was a master.
The group left the Ministry of Justice prison area and soon reached the bustling Zhuque Avenue. Near New Year’s Eve, the street’s night market was extremely lively. The people of Yu Capital, unaware of court changes, were all immersed in New Year joy.
Walking slowly through the crowded street, every face they encountered seemed to wear a joyful smile, yet before Hua Zhuyu’s eyes, the sinister terror of the prison cell kept appearing.
She felt somewhat confused and dazed, suddenly thinking that perhaps she shouldn’t hate. Hatred only made her heart become dull, cold, heartless, and unable to distinguish right from wrong…
That night, Hua Zhuyu didn’t bring An and quietly left the palace alone for the residence in An’he Lane.
Ping was reading when he heard movement and suddenly looked up. Seeing it was Hua Zhuyu, joy flashed in his dark eyes as he said warmly, “On such a deep night with slippery roads, why did the General come personally? You could have sent scouts to relay any message.”
Hua Zhuyu walked quickly before him, looked around, and asked, “Where’s Kang?”
“Resting in the inner room,” Ping put down his book and went to the inner room to drag Kang out.
Kang had been sleeping and was quite resentful at being suddenly awakened by Ping, but seeing Hua Zhuyu, his dark eyes immediately brightened, “The General has come?”
Hua Zhuyu nodded slowly and asked, “Ping, has the Orphan Army been fully assembled?”
Ping nodded.
“The tasks I’m assigning you today must not be known by anyone, including An and Tai in the palace. Ping, quickly send someone to Eastern Zhao to see whether the troops Tai brought are really the Wing Prince’s soldiers. Kang, personally go to Liang Zhou. That day, I buried the Marquis’s remains in the wilderness, planning to move them back when our great revenge was achieved. Go there for me and temporarily move the Marquis’s bones to Liang Zhou. Remember, the Marquis’s right arm bone was broken—don’t make a mistake!”
Both men nodded in surprise. Kang asked hesitantly, “General, why do these things now?”
“Not just these things—there are many more to do. Ping, you stay and secretly send people to search for the Left Prime Minister’s betrothed. Remember, as soon as there’s news of her, report to me immediately,” Hua Zhuyu gave her orders with a grave expression.
“General, why use the Orphan Army? Why not have An quietly bring Imperial Guards to investigate? That way we wouldn’t fear exposing the Orphan Army,” Kang asked puzzledly.
Hua Zhuyu shook her head, “Though Imperial Guards aren’t afraid of exposure, they’re too conspicuous. Moreover…”
Hearing Hua Zhuyu’s arrangements, Ping raised his eyebrows and gasped, “General, do you suspect that things aren’t as we investigated, but rather…”
Hua Zhuyu slowly nodded, “Ping, in the coming days, I’ll quietly place several Orphan Army members in the palace. I’ve also bought off several working officials in the court, which will make some things easier. Remember, in the future, besides An’s people bringing you messages, I’ll also send Orphan Army members.”
Both men nodded. Hua Zhuyu gave them various other instructions, and seeing the night was late, returned to the palace.