The one eavesdropping behind the vines was actually Shaoning!
Even Feng Zhiwei froze in place.
Her first reaction was to destroy the anklet in her hand, but seeing Shaoning’s eyes fixed intently on it, she knew it was already too late.
In Shaoning’s heart, she must surely believe the anklet had been secretly collected by Wei Zhi during their romance. She pretended not to know, but certainly harbored mysterious joy in her heart, imagining her lover playing with this intimate personal item of hers by moonlight and lamplight, endlessly indulging in romantic fantasies.
Until this moment, when those rippling romantic thoughts were shattered by a shocking thunderbolt.
Qian Yan didn’t recognize Shaoning. He only saw a young eunuch staring almost rudely at the anklet, and though he couldn’t see Feng Zhiwei’s expression, he quickly withdrew his hand and rebuked in a low voice: “Who are you! And…”
Shaoning suddenly walked over.
When she took her first step, she still seemed unsteady, but from the second step onward she became stable. Not only stable, but she walked faster and faster. Before Qian Yan could finish his sentence, she had already walked straight up to him.
Watching her expression, Feng Zhiwei’s heart suddenly skipped a beat, and she instinctively reached out to pull her back.
But it was already too late.
Shaoning suddenly pulled out a knife from her robes and stabbed it into Qian Yan’s chest!
Blood spurted forth!
Splashing all over Feng Zhiwei’s hands.
Qian Yan’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Shaoning. He opened his mouth to say something but ultimately couldn’t speak. With a heavy gasp, he fell backward.
Feng Zhiwei caught him and turned sharply to stare at Shaoning.
But Shaoning didn’t look at her at all, didn’t even look at Qian Yan. Very calmly, she wiped the bloodied knife on the nearby vines and returned it to her robes.
“Clink.”
The blood-splattered anklet fell from Qian Yan’s loosened fingers, the sound like a steel nail, crisply hammering into one’s heart.
The anklet fell right at Shaoning’s feet.
She looked down, regarding the anklet with an almost alien expression, looking at those gold threads and tourmalines that had once clung closely to her skin, worn day and night at the most precious and protected part of a woman’s body.
The exquisite trinket remained brilliantly radiant, like that night of intimate closeness when her heart bloomed just as brilliantly, ready to soar.
That night in the bedchamber, her lover’s fingers had gently caressed her ankle. Where his fingers passed, the anklet fell from her foot like a flower leaving its branch. She knew, yet tenderly lay among the brocade bedding with a smile, saying nothing. In the darkness her skin was white as snow, her black hair cascaded like clouds—she too was on cloud nine.
And now…
A smile emerged at the corner of her lips—not desolate, not angry, not sad, but lightly mocking, faintly cold.
Like a night-blooming cereus in full bloom at midnight, caught by frost.
Then she slowly extended her foot.
Slowly, forcefully, resolutely.
She crushed the anklet.
The gold threads and tourmalines made faint cracking sounds beneath her thin-soled boots, instantly ground to dust. Still she wouldn’t stop grinding, grinding, grinding…
Who knows how long passed until the tourmalines were completely pulverized into powder mixed with the dirt, no longer recognizable. Only then did she slowly withdraw her foot, raise her head, and gaze at Feng Zhiwei holding Qian Yan.
Feng Zhiwei’s face was also pale, one hand pressed on Qian Yan’s wound, eyes fixed tightly on Shaoning, waiting for her to likewise suddenly pull out a dagger without warning and give her such a strike.
Or to rush forward fiercely, pouring all her resentment like a flood upon her head.
But Shaoning looked at her and suddenly smiled.
It was still that same joyful, brilliant smile she usually wore, the smile that made her heart bloom just from seeing Feng Zhiwei.
She smiled happily at Feng Zhiwei, came forward affectionately, grasped Feng Zhiwei’s arm, rested her head on her shoulder, and said softly: “Tomorrow I’ll be leaving the palace. I wanted to see you once more in the palace, and how fortunate to run into you here. Are you… happy or not?”
She glanced at Feng Zhiwei with a smile, her thick eyelashes curving upward, looking at her eyes full of delight.
Not seeing the blood on the ground, not seeing Qian Yan whom she had stabbed to near death, right there in Feng Zhiwei’s arms.
Feng Zhiwei stood frozen.
Even her bones felt rigid.
Against her shoulder was soft jade, warm fragrance, and soft skin. Shaoning’s noble magnolia fragrance wafted over—penetrating to the bone with its fragrance, yet she felt—penetrating cold to the bone.
She turned her neck, feeling her own bones making uncontrollable creaking sounds as she turned. With some difficulty she looked down at Shaoning, meeting her crystal-clear eyes.
This was the only way Shaoning didn’t resemble her—those eyes, transparent and bright, like perfectly polished crystal that reflected the finest thoughts within one’s heart.
Yet at this moment, the thoughts in those crystal pupils—even the brilliantly talented Feng Zhiwei could finally not read them, or rather, could read them but because she could, felt infinitely chilled, so cold she’d rather not understand.
Was there something inherently shocking in the blood of the Ning imperial clan—this obsessive devotion, this calm madness?
“Seeing you once, I’m satisfied too,” Shaoning continued without waiting for her answer. “After leaving the palace, I’ll have another identity, another world. Wei Zhi, you should know Father Emperor’s intentions—I belong to you. You must treat me well.”
Feng Zhiwei seemed to hear yet not hear, pressing tightly on Qian Yan’s chest as hot blood gushed forth, unable to warm her fingers.
After a long while she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. That breath was full of the smell of blood, carrying a heavy rusty scent that forced its way into her throat, choking enough to make one cough.
Yet in the end she only calmly opened her mouth.
She said:
“Yes.”
Shaoning’s figure disappeared step by step behind the flower hall’s artificial hill, just as when she came.
Feng Zhiwei stood in the flower hall holding Qian Yan.
“Bang.”
In the distance, enormous fireworks boomed, brilliant displays shooting up from the ground straight into the clouds. Gold, red, and green silk streamers stretched long, scattering stars like rain. The newly successful examination scholars facing away from them raised their heads and cried out in delighted exclamation.
Only she stood alone beneath the fireworks, solitary and cold.
The wind through the three-sided open hall lifted her hair, the ends still stained with Qian Yan’s blood.
After a long while she opened her eyes, hearing hurried footsteps. A young eunuch covered in sweat passed by. Feng Zhiwei called out to him.
The eunuch was somewhat impatient at first, but turning and seeing Feng Zhiwei, immediately changed to a fawning expression and trotted over. Seeing Feng Zhiwei covered in blood and Qian Yan in her arms, he opened his mouth wide in an “ah” and froze there.
“Find a way to go to Haoyun Pavilion and ask Prince Chu to come to the garden,” Feng Zhiwei instructed him.
The young eunuch had been in the palace for some time and knew what things should be seen and what shouldn’t. Today’s matter was the kind that would bring bad luck if seen. Not daring to make a sound, he wiped his sweat and hurried off.
Feng Zhiwei brought Qian Yan behind the artificial hill and did simple treatment on his wound. This place was secluded—no one had come even now. But Emperor Tiansheng would arrive soon. She had to find a reason to take Qian Yan away.
That one stab from Shaoning hadn’t struck accurately. In her great shock, her heart was in turmoil and her hand was unsteady, missing the heart. Qian Yan could still be saved, but he had to leave the palace now.
Soon Ning Yi arrived in haste. He knew that unless it was a desperately difficult matter, Feng Zhiwei would never send someone to notify him like this. So when he came, he brought no attendants and went straight to the flower hall. Seeing Feng Zhiwei covered in blood behind the artificial hill, his expression immediately changed.
After that change, he rushed over, raised his hand to take Feng Zhiwei’s pulse, and said in a deep voice: “Is it serious? What happened? I’ll immediately send you back—”
His slightly urgent words stopped as he finally saw Qian Yan.
“What happened?”
Feng Zhiwei’s gaze fell on the ground where the tourmalines had been crushed and only the gold threads remained. She raised her chin slightly and said: “Ni Wenyu’s privately hidden anklet of Shaoning’s was found by his mother who came looking for her son. Qian Yan intercepted it and brought it to ask me about it, but was… seen by Shaoning.”
Even Ning Yi drew in a sharp breath. Without Feng Zhiwei continuing, he already understood everything. Looking at Qian Yan’s wound, deep enough to see internal organs, he could fully imagine the hate and ruthlessness of the person who struck in that moment.
The two exchanged glances, both feeling shocked about Shaoning for the first time.
“You must quickly take him out of the palace,” Ning Yi was also not someone who would waste time sighing in amazement. He immediately sent someone to Haoyun Pavilion to fetch the casual robes he kept in the palace. He had Qian Yan and Feng Zhiwei quickly change behind the artificial hill, covering the bloodstains. Then Feng Zhiwei jumped into the water with a splash.
At that moment the fireworks rose again, the noisy sounds accompanying the ceremonial music, covering all sounds from this side. Feng Zhiwei jumped in and climbed out dripping wet, wringing her collar in the night wind. Ning Yi looked at her with concern and said: “Go back and make a bowl of ginger soup, don’t catch cold.” While saying this, he wiped much of the blood from Qian Yan’s chest onto his forehead, making it look like a head injury.
Feng Zhiwei managed a smile and said: “It’s fine.” Ning Yi helped Qian Yan up, supported her with one hand, and walked outward.
Once the three reached the crowd, everyone looked over in shock. Ning Yi said to Hu Shengshan who hurried over: “Grand Scholar Hu, please tell His Majesty shortly that Marquis Wei accidentally fell into the water just now. The new examination scholar Qian Yan went in to save him. The person was rescued, but he himself hit the artificial hill stones by the lake and fainted. We’ll do simple treatment at Haoyun Pavilion first and await His Majesty’s decree.”
“I think Marquis Wei should just go back, no need to wait for any decree.” Hu Shengshan glanced at Feng Zhiwei who was sneezing continuously. “His Majesty is very pleased with you and counting on you. He won’t quibble over anything and will certainly want you to return home to rest, including this new examination scholar—all may go back without concern.”
Feng Zhiwei found this statement odd—what did he mean by “counting on you?” But this wasn’t the time to ask. With everyone’s eyes sweeping over, it was really uncomfortable. She quickly left Qionglin Garden in haste. Without going to Haoyun Pavilion, they went directly out of the palace and back to the estate, handed Qian Yan to Zong Chen for treatment, and sent someone to the Qian estate to notify them that Qian Yan was very drunk and wouldn’t return that night. They didn’t stop until the fourth watch.
After the fourth watch, she checked on Qian Yan’s injuries. Though severe, his life was saved. While thinking about how to handle the aftermath of this matter—the new examination scholars would soon have their court examination and official appointments, how could Qian Yan’s severe injuries be dealt with—while also thinking she still had to attend court at the fifth watch, she climbed into bed and slept for a while. Yet it seemed like sleeping yet not sleeping, her mind full of chaotic, jumbled images. One moment it was Shaoning’s clear delicate laughter, gracefully leaning against her. The next moment it was the dark depths of Jingshen Palace, naked men and women entangled on her bed. Then the gentle Shaoning leaning against her suddenly changed expression and pulled out a dagger to stab viciously into her heart… She shuddered violently and woke with a start. Opening her eyes, she saw the window paper showing pale white, and insistent knocking sounds arose.
“My lord, His Majesty has sent someone with a decree—”
The steward’s voice carried some anxiety. Feng Zhiwei steadied herself, got up, dressed properly, opened the main gate, set up the incense table, and received the decree. Emperor Tiansheng used last night’s “drowning incident” to lavish comfort, rewarding countless fine medicines, cloth, brocade, satin, gold, silver, and various novel tributes. He also praised her for presiding well over the spring examinations, selecting a group of talented individuals for the nation, and promoted her from Third Rank Marquis to Second Rank Marquis.
Receiving the decree, Feng Zhiwei wondered what Emperor Tiansheng was playing at. As Minister of Rites, presiding well over the spring examinations was her duty, not a reason for promotion. Recently she hadn’t established any merit. All her methods against the Second Prince were behind-the-scenes participation that couldn’t be brought forward, and Emperor Tiansheng might not even be clear about them. So why? Had he finally remembered to comfort her for that prison disaster some time ago?
Though puzzled, she couldn’t ask. After receiving the decree she still had to enter the palace to give thanks, so she had to rush to the palace again.
Emperor Tiansheng received her at Haoyun Pavilion. Ning Yi and others were there, looking like they hadn’t slept all night. Though the old emperor’s face was full of smiles, he couldn’t hide his weariness. Feng Zhiwei’s heart tightened—had something else happened?
“The spring examinations must have tired you.” Emperor Tiansheng looked at Feng Zhiwei almost kindly. Looking at this sanctimonious old fellow, Feng Zhiwei’s mind flashed to that scene of Noble Consort Qing wrapped around him in the Eastern Pool. Her heart filled with faint mockery, but her mouth immediately expressed full devotion to serving the country loyally unto death and so forth. Just as she was speaking smoothly, she suddenly saw Ning Yi across from her slowly stirring his tea bowl lid, his gaze sweeping over her body, seeming to smile yet not smile. His fingers holding the teacup hooked and made a motion as if opening something.
Feng Zhiwei froze, her mouth beginning to stumble. “This is this subject’s duty, I absolutely dare not… absolutely dare not…”
Ning Yi’s little finger flicked up, smiling as he hooked again.
Feng Zhiwei suddenly understood—he was mimicking the gesture from that day in the Eastern Pool when he’d opened her bellyband!
In a flash she turned red as a cooked shrimp.
This scoundrel was actually openly flirting in the grand central hall of state affairs, right before the Emperor himself!
“Absolutely dare not…” She got completely stuck.
Everyone in the room looked at her strangely—Wei Zhi’s quick wit was known throughout the court. Usually only he left others speechless, never had he stuttered while speaking. What was wrong with him today?
In her panic and helplessness, Feng Zhiwei had to leave her seat and kowtow. “This subject absolutely dares not accept such generous rewards without the slightest merit!”
Kneeling on the ground, she glared fiercely at Ning Yi—you made me lose face and had to refuse the promotion I’d already received.
Ning Yi smiled slightly as he drank his tea, acting as if nothing had happened.
Emperor Tiansheng paused, then smiled broadly. “Wei Zhi, I know you’re apprehensive, but you deserve this reward. It’s good for young people to be cautious, but you needn’t worry too much about consequences.”
“Your Majesty.” At this point Feng Zhiwei’s heart had actually settled. She wanted to test the emperor’s current attitude toward her, so she kowtowed and said: “This subject is young with shallow knowledge, meager talent and scant virtue. Even if I have some small merit, it’s only due to Your Majesty’s wise protection and my colleagues’ strong support. Our dynasty has been established for over ten years with over a thousand officials. This subject is already the first anomaly. Your Majesty has repeatedly bestowed generous rewards. This subject is already ashamed beyond measure. Such rapid promotion may harm my fortune. I request Your Majesty withdraw the marquis title and save it as room for this subject’s future advancement.”
These words were actually a very clear reminder—achievements shocking the lord, excessive favor and glory, rewards with nothing left to give—these were the greatest taboos for rulers toward their subjects. If Feng Zhiwei, already in high position, also coveted power and position, Emperor Tiansheng with his suspicious nature would inevitably develop reservations.
Emperor Tiansheng paused, a trace of hesitation flashing through his eyes for an instant, then he smiled and said: “You’re only a Second Rank Marquis so far, which isn’t much. I’m not a stingy emperor. You just go ahead and establish merit—I’ll have rewards for you. In my great Tiansheng, if I can’t even reward an important official like you who combines civil and military talents with a mere marquis title, wouldn’t the neighboring kingdoms laugh at us? This matter needs no further discussion.”
He spoke decisively. Feng Zhiwei couldn’t insist further and got up to sit back down. She thought to herself—the old fellow was putting one high hat after another on her today. What was he trying to do?
Remembering that phrase “neighboring kingdoms laugh at us,” she suddenly recalled a piece of information Zong Chen had once provided her, and her heart jolted. She vaguely guessed something.
It couldn’t be…
“Wei Zhi.” Before her thoughts finished turning, Emperor Tiansheng was already speaking. “I called you here about something.” As he spoke, he passed over a gold-embossed letter.
Feng Zhiwei took it, opened it to look, and found it was an invitation from the Regent of Xi Liang for Emperor Tiansheng, for his birthday celebration.
Her pupils contracted—Xi Liang had actually split off from Tiansheng in the past. The now-deceased old emperor Yin Zhiliang had originally been a beloved general under Emperor Tiansheng. Because of this, relations between Tiansheng and Xi Liang were extremely poor with almost no contact. Tiansheng kept the borders at Minnan and Longbei facing Xi Liang tightly guarded. However, this generation of Xi Liang had just experienced upheaval—Yin Zhiliang had died, the emperor was young, and the Regent held great power. This Regent apparently practiced a policy of expanding power domestically while making friendly connections with foreign countries, repeatedly showing goodwill to neighboring kingdoms. In the past, Tiansheng as a great power would naturally disdain to respond. But now Tiansheng’s national strength had declined toward weakness after years of internal strife, and the Changning Fief between Minnan and Longbei was restless. Emperor Tiansheng was probably afraid that refusing Xi Liang would make them turn to collude with Changning instead, bringing him trouble. So he was preparing to accept Xi Liang’s gesture of goodwill.
Feng Zhiwei showed a bitter smile—being shown this at this time, the meaning was obvious.
No wonder there were rewards and high hats—turned out he wanted her to take another risk.
Sure enough, she heard Emperor Tiansheng say with a smile: “Wei Zhi, you just said you hadn’t established the slightest merit and had no ladder for advancement. Now here’s an opportunity. The Regent of Xi Liang’s fortieth birthday—he’s invited our country to observe the ceremonies. You once served as envoy to Nanhai and are familiar with that region. You’ve always been magnanimous and steady. I’m thinking of making you chief envoy to Xi Liang. I believe with your abilities, you’ll certainly be neither humble nor haughty, both overawing the Xi Liang barbarians while not diminishing the prestige of our great Tiansheng.”
Both befriend a longtime enemy nation AND overawe barbarians without diminishing prestige—you think I’m a god!
Feng Zhiwei was full of complaints inside, but at this moment could say nothing. No wonder these people had been so mysterious a few days ago. No wonder Old Hu said something about “counting on you.” They’d long ago made their plans. Emperor Tiansheng was obstinate and arbitrary. If he’d set his mind on her, no one could change the result.
She could only kneel to receive the decree, express gratitude, and pledge loyalty. Emperor Tiansheng looked at her with satisfaction and said: “On the surface you’re serving as envoy to Xi Liang, but you also have another task—keep a close eye on the Changning Fief for me. I suspect there’s probably some collusion between Changning and Xi Liang. Be careful.”
You know Changning and Xi Liang are colluding, two enemies watching like tigers and wolves, and you still send me? Feng Zhiwei’s fingers clenched soundlessly as her face smiled with dignified serenity. “Your Majesty rest assured, this subject will definitely guard the southwestern gateway for you. Whatever claws reach out, I’ll chop them off.”
Emperor Tiansheng smiled contentedly and said: “No need to be too alarming. Just provide some constraint. I trust you have good judgment.”
Feng Zhiwei lowered her eyes, thinking coldly—the so-called envoy mission was just an additional task. What really mattered was investigating the Changning Fief’s movements, right? This way, this envoy mission would be quite dangerous. Xi Liang had no diplomatic relations established and was still an enemy nation—a tiger. Changning was nominally a vassal state but had long harbored different intentions—a wolf. With this wolf and tiger entrenched in the southwest, very likely already exchanging secret signals, and she still had to walk right into their den!
Looking at it now, this Second Rank Marquis title really was too cheap!
Feng Zhiwei suppressed her anger and withdrew resentfully. As she left, she brushed past Grand Eunuch Jia, hearing him ask Emperor Tiansheng in a low voice: “Your Majesty… Noble Consort Shu’s father has been imprisoned for involvement in the Unnamed Greenwood case and her mother died long ago. Should we notify other relatives to enter the palace…”
“No need! Send the corpse directly out of the palace!” Emperor Tiansheng’s response could be heard even through the screen, full of teeth-gritting viciousness.
Feng Zhiwei’s foot, poised on the threshold, paused.
Noble Consort Shu was dead.
This consort who had colluded with the Second Prince and played a role in Shaoning’s loss-of-virtue case had lost everything with one mistake, burying her family’s glory and sending off her own life as well.
But why today?
Did Shaoning do it?
After what happened yesterday, once Shaoning returned to the palace and thought it over, she would certainly figure out what happened that night—like who instigated her to secretly meet Wei Zhi in the middle of the night.
Once she figured it out, she naturally wouldn’t let Noble Consort Shu off.
But Feng Zhiwei hadn’t expected Shaoning to act so quickly. She probably knew she was leaving the palace, and after leaving, it wouldn’t be easy to take revenge on Noble Consort Shu deep in the palace. So she simply acted that very night.
Shaoning’s ruthlessness and decisiveness had always been stronger than her own brother’s. Her interactions with Feng Zhiwei were only softer and more shy due to girlish feelings. When she really acted, Feng Zhiwei suspected she might not be as ruthless as Shaoning herself.
Feng Zhiwei faced the sunlight streaming toward her, squinted, swallowed a sigh in her heart, and walked out the door.
She left the palace and immediately saw a plain-colored carriage stopped beside her sedan chair. Several eunuchs waving whisks came forward and said quietly: “Marquis Wei, His Majesty commands you to escort the Princess to the Imperial Temple.”
Feng Zhiwei was silent for a moment, then nodded. Passing the plain carriage, she bowed slightly and saw a bit of broken glass glinting by the carriage side.
Her gaze swept over the glass, then turned away as she entered her own sedan chair.
The Imperial Temple was not far from the Wei estate, almost across the street. When the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Works, and Ministry of Rites jointly supervised construction, they relocated all the civilian residences around the original Imperial Temple and specifically built a small street. Who knows if it was to facilitate the Princess seeking Buddhist instruction from Marquis Wei during her retreat or what, but that very quiet street with no other people led directly to the back gate of the Wei estate.
On the day the Imperial Temple was completed, Feng Zhiwei had shaken her head and smiled bitterly at that peculiar street, thinking Emperor Tiansheng was quite a character—appearing to maintain propriety on the surface while harboring somewhat absurd and perverse tendencies underneath. This Imperial Temple, to clear-eyed observers, was plainly a place for him and the Princess to conduct their affair, wasn’t it?
“Princess, we’ve arrived at the Imperial Temple. Do you need to exit the sedan?” she inquired through the curtain.
She thought Shaoning would come out, but after a moment of silence in the sedan, Shaoning said: “No, carry me directly inside.”
Feng Zhiwei’s gaze flashed as she watched the four sedan bearers switch the carrying poles to different shoulders and lift it up.
“Without the Princess’s summons, this outer official dares not enter the temple.” Feng Zhiwei stepped back and tested with another sentence.
Inside there was another moment of silence, then Shaoning made an “mm” sound.
Feng Zhiwei smiled and stepped back, watching the sedan enter the gate. She returned to her own estate, then immediately exited through the back gate, crossed that quiet little street, and reached the Imperial Temple’s back gate.
The Imperial Temple had many shade trees transplanted. She went through the trees, located the Princess’s back courtyard by position, crouched on the roof, and waited.
In less than a quarter hour, sure enough she saw the Princess’s sedan arrive. The guards were left early at the second gate, the maids were left outside the moon gate to await service, and the sedan bearers carried the sedan directly into the inner courtyard before withdrawing.
Now only that sedan remained in the courtyard, standing quietly in the thick afternoon shade.
After a long while, the sedan curtain lifted and Shaoning emerged.
Feng Zhiwei didn’t move.
Shaoning emerged and reached out beside the sedan. A hand slowly extended out and rested in her palm. The two hands clasped.
Feng Zhiwei’s eyes contracted.
As white as Shaoning’s, meticulously maintained hands.
Who could make Shaoning personally offer support?
Feng Zhiwei was actually startled—she’d earlier seen that broken glass which looked like palace attendants’ items. Shaoning as a lay practitioner didn’t wear jewelry, and there were no other palace attendants in the sedan. Though it could have been accidentally dropped by someone else, meticulous as she was, she’d still harbored suspicions. Later seeing the sedan bearers frequently switching shoulders—with Shaoning’s weight, it didn’t seem enough to tire the bearers to this extent. That’s why she’d followed and waited. Now there really was someone else in the sedan. But this person’s identity seemed beyond her imagination.
That person exited the sedan, black hair piled high, clothing loose and flowing. Because her head was half-lowered, only a section of her pale white neck showed. Feng Zhiwei didn’t recognize who it was at first glance and froze.
She watched Shaoning support her, smiling: “Be careful.”
That person smiled gracefully, raising her hand to smooth her hair—a simple gesture done with great charm. Feng Zhiwei’s heart jolted and she finally recognized who it was.
It was actually Noble Consort Qing.
Both times she’d seen Noble Consort Qing, she’d left an impression of an alluring figure. It was rare to see her in such plain, languid makeup—no wonder she hadn’t recognized her at first glance.
In the scattered sunlight, Noble Consort Qing patted Shaoning’s hand affectionately and said: “No need to be so careful. It’s only been a little over a month.”
Shaoning smiled and helped her inside. Feng Zhiwei moved extremely slowly to the eaves and hung herself upside down.
Noble Consort Qing’s figure was faintly reflected in the window. Those clothes had absolutely no waist, floating and swaying there. Though very elegant, they concealed all feminine lines.
She supported her waist and slowly sat down. Shaoning leaned against the table and said: “I have several trusted palace attendants who left the palace with me. I’ll assign a few to serve you. Rest assured, they’re definitely reliable.”
Noble Consort Qing smiled but said: “You needn’t assign that Nanny Chen of yours to me. She’s someone you’re used to using. I don’t need many people on my side. I brought my own people who will enter unobtrusively in a couple days as lay practitioners. Won’t be conspicuous.”
Hearing this, Feng Zhiwei felt something wasn’t quite right. She also wondered why Noble Consort Qing would leave the palace when she was doing fine there. Did Emperor Tiansheng know? He probably did—otherwise with all Shaoning’s audacity, she wouldn’t dare abduct his favorite consort out of the palace. But being so secretive about it—why?
“I’m troubling you. That place in the palace is just too gloomy. The Imperial Observatory calculated that I must move to a clean, quiet place to be well. Thinking it over, only your place is suitable.” Inside, Noble Consort Qing smiled.
“What trouble are you talking about? Last night… didn’t you also help me?” Shaoning patted her hand, her gaze sweeping over her belly with a trace of cold smile at the corner of her mouth. “Rest assured, I’ll take good care of you.”
Last night…
Feng Zhiwei’s brow furrowed.
No wonder Noble Consort Shu could die so quickly—so Noble Consort Qing also had a hand in it.
Inside, Noble Consort Qing stood up, pounding her lower back, turned to smile at Shaoning—a smile blooming with countless charms.
“Princess, even for your sake, I’ll treasure this body of mine.”
Shaoning gazed at her… abdomen. After a long while she extended her hand and slowly caressed it. Noble Consort Qing didn’t object, looking down with a mix of mystery and pride.
Shaoning’s movements were very slow, her gaze distant and empty. For a long time, she said quietly: “…How timely you’ve come… I seem to see new hope… I’ll watch you be born… I’ll protect you as you grow… I’ll always accompany you until you defeat your wolf-like brother… Be good… wait for me…”
She showed a strange and desolate smile.
“…My brother.”
Feng Zhiwei returned to her estate heavy with thoughts. As she turned a corner on the small street, she suddenly collided head-on with someone.
She looked up and found it was precisely the person she least wanted to see at this moment. Her heart jolted, but she immediately pulled out a smiling face and said: “Your Highness, what a coincidence.”
“Not a coincidence.” Ning Yi looked at her carefully. “I was specifically waiting here for you. Shaoning didn’t make things difficult for you, did she?”
Feng Zhiwei paused, only now understanding the reason for his presence here. Her heart warmed slightly, and this time her smile was more natural as she shook her head.
“That’s good.” Ning Yi seemed very busy. His large sedan was stopped not far away. “I came to see you and must return to Luo County immediately. His Majesty’s traveling palace has begun construction and there’s much to handle. I’ll add more guards around Shaoning. Fortunately you’ll soon be serving as envoy to Xi Liang, which happens to keep you away from her. By the time you return, she’ll probably have thought things through.”
He rarely spoke at such length. Feng Zhiwei listened with slight stirring in her heart. After hesitating a long while, she said: “I…”
Ning Yi smoothed her hair and smiled: “The traveling palace will be on the shore of Li Lake—by the mountains, near the water, open and expansive. Once it’s completed, I’ll take you to see it.”
Feng Zhiwei smiled and said: “Good. The two of us will tour the traveling palace before His Majesty does.”
Ning Yi’s lips curved slightly, his gaze tender as he looked at her. Suddenly he said: “There are many local specialties in Luo County. Is there anything you’d like to eat? I’ll bring it back for you.”
Feng Zhiwei’s mind was somewhat distracted. She said carelessly: “I’ve eaten everything over these years, can’t think of anything good anymore… I still remember when I was small on my birthday, my mother made wisteria cakes… especially fragrant and soft. One bite and your whole mouth filled with the fresh fragrance of wisteria…”
She suddenly stopped, her eyes darkening layer by layer.
Ning Yi pressed his lips together and said nothing. He only said: “I’m leaving. In seven days when you depart the capital, no matter how busy I am I’ll rush back to see you off. This journey is dangerous—I’ll have Ning Cheng go with you.”
“No need.” Feng Zhiwei immediately refused. She knew Ning Cheng’s position beside Ning Yi. Talk of protection was actually false. Ning Yi’s limited peace of mind and ease all came from the carefree yet utterly loyal Ning Cheng. He was Ning Yi’s source of joy, irreplaceable by anyone.
But Ning Yi had already smiled, suddenly pushing her and pressing her into a corner dead-end.
Caught off guard, Feng Zhiwei was firmly pressed against the wall, trapped between his arms and the wall. Before she could react, darkness fell before her eyes. Magnificent, cool fragrance enveloped her and her forehead felt warm and damp-soft as Ning Yi’s lips gently pressed down.
He kissed her forehead in a gesture like worship—like wind worshipping distant mountains, snow worshipping the ten-thousand-mile ice lake, rushing forward without hesitation, throwing itself in without reservation, lingering tenderly and slowly.
Feng Zhiwei’s thickly fluttering eyelashes swept against his cheek, the slight tickle exchanged for his low laugh. Somewhat reluctantly he moved his lips away, his slender fingers lightly scraping her nose. His burning breath sprayed against her neck. “…I wish you could be strong and brave, needing no protection, yet also hope you could be soft and dependent, able to be kept by my side.”
Feng Zhiwei smiled lightly. “What a contradictory wish.”
Ning Yi sighed and slowly lowered the arms framing her. He looked at her deeply once more, then turned and left.
One sentence drifted like a sigh on the wind.
“Who says it isn’t…”
The afternoon sunlight stretched people’s shadows long. Finally turning the street corner and disappearing from view, Feng Zhiwei stood staring at his retreating back, her raised hand frozen in midair.
It was a gesture of summoning, yet from beginning to end, there was no call voiced aloud to match it.
Six days later, all matters were settled. The envoy delegation to Xi Liang would depart the capital tomorrow.
After consideration, Feng Zhiwei decided to leave Zong Chen behind. She was different now from before. The situation in the imperial capital also needed constant monitoring. Zong Chen and his organization forever hidden in darkness had their own mature channels for gathering intelligence.
As for Gu Nanyi—was there even a need to ask? As soon as the news came out, two bundles were already packed—one large and one small, for Young Master Gu and Young Master Gu’s little miss.
Feng Zhiwei had no intention of stopping them. Those two couldn’t be stopped by anyone anyway.
This day she returned from court and told those who were going to start early tomorrow to sleep early. Then she dragged her weary body to prepare for bed.
Her bedroom was in the back courtyard, an independent compound with its own small kitchen that had never been used for cooking. She passed by the kitchen door quite casually and suddenly stopped.
There was actually a light on in the kitchen. The door was open a crack and low voices came from inside.
“Like this… seventy percent flour… right… add lard and sugar… Your kneading technique isn’t right… let me do it…”
“No need.” Pale and cool, a voice familiar enough to recognize in dreams. “I’ll do it myself.”
A faint fragrance drifted out—soul-stirring and dreamlike. Years ago in the shabby house in the small courtyard of the Qiu estate, someone had lovingly prepared it by hand. Now it belonged to heaven and earth, a fragrance that could never be pursued again.
She leaned against the wall, frozen in place.
From the crack of the door showing light, someone heard the sound and turned.