The palace practice of companion eating had long existed. Some masters even legitimately bestowed palace maids to eunuchs, though most were cases where they “were mutually attracted and admired each other”—nothing particularly special. However, seeing Baihe fall to such a state truly made people sigh endlessly. The noble young ladies covered their faces one after another, showing extremely sympathetic expressions.
The Empress’s face showed great regret: “Perhaps Noble Consort De didn’t know you were living such a bitter life. She has always been kind-hearted and shouldn’t turn a blind eye to death—”
Baihe shook her head continuously: “This slave begged Noble Consort De, but she simply wouldn’t listen. She even said this slave didn’t know what was good for her, saying following Zhou Xiang was this slave’s fortune!”
The Empress seemed shocked: “Noble Consort De actually knew? She refused to help you?”
Baihe was extremely grief-stricken: “Yes. Chief Steward Zhou has such favor before His Majesty—he’s a first-rate favorite. Noble Consort De bestowed me to him precisely to win him over, make him obey her every command! But I truly cannot live any longer. Rather than die at his hands, I’d rather risk death to seek justice for myself!”
Seeing everything proceeding smoothly according to plan, the Crown Prince was secretly pleased, though his face frowned: “If you truly have grievances, why didn’t you come report to my mother Empress? She is the mistress of the six palaces.”
Baihe cried sorrowfully: “Zhou Xiang is extremely sinister. He threatened that if I revealed half a word, he’d find an excuse to beat this slave to death. This slave truly didn’t dare speak! However, yesterday this slave unfortunately overheard the conspiracy between Her Majesty and him. Figuring that after today would be my death date anyway, rather than that, better to speak everything at once, only begging His Majesty’s mercy to give this slave an intact corpse!”
The more everyone listened, the more horrified they became—they simply couldn’t believe their own ears. How could such a thing be possible? Within the imperial palace, this chief eunuch was truly too willful and unrestrained!
The Emperor was obviously also furious to the extreme, demanding: “What exactly did you hear!”
Baihe cried with tears streaming down her face, her voice choking: “This slave… this slave heard—”
Tuoba Yu suddenly stood up, loudly saying: “Father Emperor, will you also believe a palace maid’s words? She must have been bought by someone! Please do not believe her nonsense!”
The Crown Prince immediately frowned: “Seventh Brother, I know you care about your mother consort, but naturally Father Emperor will decide everything. You should listen to the end first!”
Tuoba Yu wasn’t speaking for his mother—rather, he believed Noble Consort De wouldn’t do such a foolish thing. She already knew the Emperor’s favoritism toward Noble Consort Lian, and moreover, Noble Consort Lian was someone he himself sent into the palace, very helpful to his own great cause. Turning against her would bring no benefits whatsoever. Though Noble Consort De had previously had considerable conflicts with her, it hadn’t reached a life-or-death stage. Even less necessary to poison at such an occasion. Noble Consort De acted impulsively out of maternal love, true, but she hadn’t reached such a degree of stupidity!
The Empress gave a cold laugh: “Baihe, why don’t you continue speaking?”
Baihe’s tears continued streaming down: “Yes. Last night Zhou Xiang got drunk and came back talking nonsense, saying Noble Consort De ordered him to find an opportunity to poison Noble Consort Lian—”
Hearing this, Noble Consort De was greatly shocked, saying sternly: “What nonsense are you spouting? When did I ever do such a thing? Just one drunken remark—can that be brought to such an occasion as evidence?”
Baihe gritted her teeth, then took a small porcelain bottle from her bosom: “This slave is not talking nonsense. This slave has material evidence! This item was obtained from Zhou Xiang’s person—it’s precisely the mixture of the two poisons the Imperial Physician just mentioned. If Your Majesty doesn’t believe it, you can certainly test it. This slave is merely a lowly palace maid. Such priceless items, if not bestowed by masters, even selling this slave couldn’t afford them. Please investigate clearly, Your Majesty!”
Correct—both Crane’s Crest Red and Partridge Frost were extremely rare palace-prohibited items, absolutely not something an ordinary palace maid could possess. This palace maid’s words struck the Emperor’s thoughts sentence by sentence. Dark fire flickered faintly between his brows: “Good! Good! Noble Consort De, you have such audacity!”
The Empress also deliberately lamented: “Sister Noble Consort De, you’ve truly gone too far. How could you do such a thing? Even if you’re jealous of Noble Consort Lian’s favor, you shouldn’t forget she carries dragon seed in her belly. Doing this—doesn’t it mean you won’t even spare His Majesty’s child?”
Noble Consort Lian was even more furious, her face pale. She knelt at the Emperor’s knees, tears uncontrollably streaming down: “Your Majesty, you must seek justice for this subject. Otherwise, in this palace, this subject no longer dares to stay!”
The muscles on the Emperor’s face unconsciously twitched, like the bulging veins at his temples, demonstrating his fury from the bottom of his heart. The Crown Prince added a timely sentence: “The hearts of rear palace women are truly too vicious. Father Emperor, if you don’t severely punish, I fear henceforth the rear palace will never have peace!”
Li Weiyang’s expression contained a trace of coldness, only revealing an imperceptible smile when her gaze met Noble Consort Lian’s.
Seventh Prince Tuoba Yu crawled on his knees to below the steps, saying word by word: “Father Emperor, your son dares to stake his life guaranteeing that Mother Consort would never do such a thing. How she has treated you ordinarily, how she has conducted herself these twenty years—Father Emperor, you know best. Haven’t you always said Mother Consort is a gentle and kind person? Why listen to a palace maid’s words and so simply believe Mother Consort is guilty?”
Noble Consort De similarly had tears streaming down, her expression overwhelmed with sorrow: “Your Majesty, this subject is truly innocent. Originally it was out of goodwill that I had Zhou Xiang care for Baihe. Who knew Baihe would actually be bought by someone to frame this subject? This subject feels so wronged in her heart. Really don’t know what I did wrong to be framed like this—”
Noble Consort De did indeed intend to use Baihe to win over Zhou Xiang, but that was also Baihe’s fortune. Being beaten and scolded—so what? Could that justify betraying one’s master? To actually say she poisoned Noble Consort Lian—would she be so stupid as to act this way before everyone’s eyes? This kind of thing—no need to think to know who was framing her. If she fell into misfortune, Seventh Prince would naturally suffer great damage. The biggest beneficiaries weren’t Noble Consort Lian, but the Empress and Crown Prince! Such poisonous scheming!
“Ha ha ha…” The Emperor suddenly erupted in bone-chilling laughter. “Did all beloved ministers hear? This is truly a textbook case of ‘no silver here three hundred taels’! Noble Consort De, you claim over and over you’re innocent. Then I ask you—Zhou Xiang is the chief eunuch by my side. Why would you be so kind for no reason to bestow your personal attendant palace maid to him? Could it be they were mutually attracted? Or did you already have ulterior motives long ago? Today you poison Noble Consort Lian and the flesh and blood in her belly. Tomorrow will you be preparing to kill me and install your own son as Emperor?”
“Your… Your Majesty…” Noble Consort De knelt on the ground, tongue-tied.
“Someone!” At the Emperor’s call, several Imperial Guards entered from outside the hall. “First detain Noble Consort De. After investigating her crimes thoroughly, decide on punishment!”
Several Imperial Guards swarmed forward, half dragging, half pulling Noble Consort De out of the great hall. Seventh Prince Tuoba Yu was about to plead, but the Emperor coldly snorted: “Could it be you’re truly in collusion with your mother?”
Tuoba Yu was immediately shocked. From the father Emperor who had always doted on him, he now only saw incomparable coldness and chill. He suddenly realized that this father Emperor who had always been gentle and kind to his mother consort, full of praise for himself, was a man who turned ruthless without sentiment. He fundamentally wouldn’t consider any marital affection or father-son affection. In his heart and eyes, there was only his throne. Noble Consort De having her personal palace maid and the chief eunuch by his side become companion eaters had already committed a great taboo, arousing his suspicion. This way, everything would become uncontrollable. The Emperor would naturally suspect Noble Consort De’s purpose and conveniently implicate Tuoba Yu as well… Such a plan must be the work of the Crown Prince and Empress, because they were the beneficiaries.
Tuoba Yu raised his eyes, glancing at the Empress whose gaze contained hidden triumph. He couldn’t help lowering his head: “Father Emperor, your son doesn’t dare.”
The Emperor gave a cold snort: “Good. Also take Zhou Xiang and Baihe all away, detain them separately, don’t allow them to coordinate testimony. After the banquet ends, have the Minister of Justice personally interrogate! Must investigate this matter thoroughly and clearly!”
Tuoba Yu returned to his seat, but saw Li Weiyang across from him with that extremely calm gaze. Her eyes held no sympathy, only mockery. He immediately understood her meaning: All this is what you brought upon yourself. If you had ruthlessly eliminated Tuoba Zhen and the others early on, if you hadn’t shown womanly benevolence before, today Noble Consort De wouldn’t be framed by the Empress and others. It’s your own mistake. You harmed your mother consort. Your indecisiveness and momentary mercy caused everything to evolve into today’s result.
Only at this moment did Tuoba Yu feel Li Weiyang’s intelligence and foresight. She refused to give enemies the slightest opportunity. Even if it meant killing them all, even if it meant hands full of blood, she would still win victory, because she deeply understood that as long as you gave the other party a chance to catch their breath, they would pounce like wolves to bite through your throat. Tuoba Yu felt difficulty breathing. The hand gripping his wine cup was even trembling. He didn’t dare raise his head to look at the Emperor’s stern gaze, because if he showed even a bit of dissatisfaction, it would bring catastrophic disaster to Noble Consort De.
There was still a chance, still a chance! Father Emperor was only detaining Mother Consort. Weiyang would certainly have a way to save Mother Consort! As long as he asked her, there would definitely be a method! Tuoba Yu’s eyes still held hope, and he simultaneously looked toward Li Weiyang, his gaze full of pleading.
Sun Yanjun was full of sympathy, whispering: “Look at Noble Consort De—so pitiful. Just moments ago she was high and mighty, now she’s fallen to prisoner status. Who knows what treatment she’ll receive? Truly too tragic!”
Li Weiyang gave a cold laugh, radiance overflowing from her eyes, saying lightly: “Many things are people’s own choices. If she hadn’t harbored ulterior motives in ordering Baihe to become companion eaters with Zhou Xiang, Baihe wouldn’t harbor resentment from abuse, much less betray her own master before everyone’s eyes. Do you think betraying one’s master has any good outcome? If she hadn’t been pushed to the extreme, she wouldn’t do such a thing. Of course, this also required others’ instigation and bribery, but what made her risk her life to make this decision—the true source still lies with Noble Consort De. She pushed the weakness by her side to the enemy. She herself created opportunities for others.”
Enemies wouldn’t show mercy. They would seize every possible opportunity to attack you. Until you were beaten down, they still wouldn’t let you go—they would keep choking your neck until you completely stopped breathing.
When Li Weiyang said this, her expression was extremely calm, as if discussing how the weather was nice today, whether tomorrow would be sunny—such topics. However, Sun Yanjun showed an extremely surprised expression. She said in a low voice: “You’re saying Noble Consort De was framed by someone?”
Li Weiyang laughed: “Or what did you think? Noble Consort De has been in the palace so many years—would she easily be toppled by such a small matter? Capsizing in the gutter isn’t because of anything else, but because opponents blocked off your path in advance.”
Sun Yanjun was even more astonished: “You clearly know the truth, yet why didn’t you say anything just now?”
Li Weiyang smiled: “At today’s banquet, I’m not the only one who knows the truth. But the key to the problem isn’t what the truth is, but rather the imperial decision. Whoever His Majesty likes is innocent and blameless. Whoever His Majesty believes is the victim. Whoever His Majesty dislikes will suffer misfortune. The principle is just that simple. I think today’s Seventh Prince finally understands this point too.”
Sun Yanjun was dumbfounded: “Tuoba Yu?”
Li Weiyang blinked, her eyes showing a trace of smile: “Victors become kings, losers become bandits. Someone in his high position previously had no personal experience. Only by letting him personally witness what terrible consequences his momentary soft-heartedness caused will he know he was completely wrong.”
Sun Yanjun didn’t know what to say. She wanted to say Li Weiyang was somewhat too cruel, but a voice in her heart was saying—Weiyang is right. If you’re too lenient toward your enemies, you’re being cruel to yourself.
Seeing that scene just now, all the ministers’ faces showed great trepidation. In the entire great hall with so many people, there was actually silence like crows and sparrows.
Seeing the hall calm down, the Emperor said coldly: “Perhaps the ministers feel today’s events were sudden. Actually not so. I have felt Noble Consort De secretly stirring up trouble for a long time, and her intent to harm Noble Consort Lian has also been ongoing. Today it merely erupted all at once. This is also good. Whether rear palace thorns or front court traitors, I won’t spare any of them.” With that, he paused with seeming intention, observing the ministers’ reactions. He saw the ministers all slightly lowering their heads. Only the Crown Prince raised his eyes to look at the Emperor, his expression showing a kind of alarmed unease. The Emperor gave a cold laugh: “Crown Prince, do you feel anything inappropriate or erroneous in what I just said?”
“Father Emperor, your words just now were sentence by sentence accurate. Many court ministers have long seen that today’s Noble Consort De has become too vicious. Your son proposes that her crimes must be fully declared to the world so everyone will be convinced and the rear palace will have peace.”
The Emperor gave a cold laugh: “Do as you say then.” With that, he waved his robe sleeves, first leaving his seat, not even greeting the Northern Desert Fourth Prince who had been watching Great Li’s palace internal strife with great interest.
Li Yuanheng appeared very excited. In their Northern Desert, women similarly competed for favor jealously, though most resolved it through fighting. Such scheming was rare. He could see that today’s Noble Consort De was the biggest loser, but looking at it, the winner wasn’t necessarily the triumphant Empress either! Instead, it was that constantly gentle and weak Noble Consort Lian who both gained sympathy and elevated her favor even higher.
The Emperor had left, so the other consorts departed one after another. The Empress glanced at Noble Consort Lian, smiling: “You were frightened today.”
Noble Consort Lian said gently: “Thank you, Your Majesty, for seeking justice for this subject.”
The Empress smiled slightly, walking away supported by a female official’s hand.
Before the palace gates, Sun Yanjun had just boarded her carriage. Bai Zhi was about to help Li Weiyang when suddenly she heard rapid footsteps pursuing from behind. Li Weiyang didn’t need to look to know who it was. She stopped her movement, turning around—it was indeed Tuoba Yu.
Li Minde watched from afar, but his lips contained a trace of cold smile, remaining impassive.
Tuoba Yu’s face was full of anxiety. Though he knew there were too many eyes at the palace gates, he couldn’t care about much. Fortunately, at this moment, rain threads were beginning to fall from the sky. People were busy boarding carriages and mounting horses. Countless canopies and bamboo umbrellas opened—for the moment, no one noticed this corner. Tuoba Yu nodded toward Li Weiyang. Li Weiyang understood his meaning, said nothing more, and walked with him to a relatively secluded corridor, only then stopping: “There’s no one here now. Your Highness, if you have something to say, speak. I still need to hurry back to the manor.”
Looking at Li Weiyang’s expression, Tuoba Yu’s heart already understood quite a bit—today’s everything, actually she knew it all! Suppressing the stifled breath in his chest, he just stared fixedly at her: “You… are still angry?”
“What am I angry about?” Li Weiyang showed a surprised expression, raising her head to look directly at him.
“My mother consort was repeatedly rude to you before, yet you never held it against her. I beg you, for my sake, help her escape this predicament this time.”
“You want me to help your mother consort escape predicament?” Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows.
“Yes.”
“On what basis!” Li Weiyang sneered. “Noble Consort De is so noble—I’m afraid she can’t tolerate a little woman like me going to rescue her! Seventh Prince, you think saying a few nice words will make me extend a helping hand. Have you thought about why I should help you? From the time you didn’t listen to my advice, I feel our cooperation ended!”
Finishing, she turned to leave. Tuoba Yu immediately blocked her path: “Don’t go—hear me out!”
Li Weiyang stood coldly still. Tuoba Yu gritted his teeth, couldn’t help saying: “…Mother Consort’s faults, I’m willing to bear entirely. Falling to this state today is all my fault. If I could have made up my mind earlier, Mother Consort wouldn’t have been framed by others. So you’re right—I have no qualification to ask you to do things for me.”
Li Weiyang merely looked at him coldly, not moving her eyebrows even once.
“I know making you trust me now is absolutely impossible, so I’m willing to use all my property to exchange for Mother Consort’s life.” Tuoba Yu’s jet-black eyes in the night seemed to carry countless complex emotions. He liked Li Weiyang and deeply understood this woman. She never discussed feelings with him—she only discussed transactions. If paying with his property could exchange for Mother Consort’s life, everything was worth it.
Li Weiyang sneered: “You think I covet that bit of money?” Money was something you couldn’t bring when born, couldn’t take when dead. Tuoba Yu’s gold, silver, and jewels couldn’t save Zhang Defei from disaster, and for her, Li Weiyang, they had no great use either. Not worth her risking giving advice to save someone. Without further discussion, she was about to lift her foot again. Tuoba Yu said: “What you said that day was like several slaps across my face. I’d never heard such things… Blaming or hating anyone is useless—it’s all my own fault! Weiyang, this time I’m begging you—”
“Move aside.” Li Weiyang’s gaze grew colder. “Seventh Prince should use that sentiment on someone else early—I can’t bear it—”
In his urgency, Tuoba Yu called out: “Weiyang!” This call was extremely mournful, carrying one hundred twenty thousand parts guilt, regret, and endless sorrow.
Li Weiyang’s footsteps, which had already been about to leave, suddenly stopped. She turned around, seriously looking at Tuoba Yu, yet not knowing what she was looking at. Her heart was ice-cold and merciless. She could watch Noble Consort De suffer misfortune with open eyes. No—or rather, Noble Consort De falling to this state was something she and Noble Consort Lian had pushed along together, because she was tired of Noble Consort De’s condescending attitude and deliberately wanted her to taste the feeling of having nothing. Of course, when she watched Noble Consort De fall into the abyss, it represented that she had already completely abandoned Tuoba Yu as an ally. However, at this moment, seeing him like this, Li Weiyang suddenly thought of herself in the Cold Palace, once desperate.
Watching relatives lose their lives because of one’s own stupidity and cowardice—that kind of pain was absolutely not something ordinary people could endure. Tuoba Yu had never experienced it. When this kind of pain suddenly arrived, it would be all the more vivid. Similarly, hatred toward the Crown Prince and Tuoba Zhen would certainly ignite in his heart. This hatred would ultimately push him toward a completely different path from before. Thinking this, Li Weiyang suddenly smiled: “Do you truly want me to save your mother consort?”
Hope kindled in Tuoba Yu’s eyes. He involuntarily walked forward two steps: “As long as you’re willing to agree, I can exchange with everything!”
Li Weiyang’s smile deepened: “I only have one method. But truthfully speaking, if used poorly, this method not only won’t succeed but will become Noble Consort De’s death warrant. Are you willing to take the risk?”
Tuoba Yu had never felt such gratitude. He nodded quickly: “I trust you!”
Noble Consort Zhang De was placed under house arrest by the Emperor. Tuoba Yu used every means possible to accomplish what Li Weiyang had him do, then nervously stood outside Xuande Gate, anxiously awaiting the outcome.
The Emperor was currently in Noble Consort Lian’s palace. At this time, a eunuch walked to the Emperor’s side, reporting: “Your Majesty, Noble Consort De sent a female official to deliver a box, saying it’s to be presented to Your Majesty.”
“Noble Consort De?” The Emperor unintentionally questioned back.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The eunuch respectfully answered.
The Emperor said coldly: “Remove it.” Just then, Noble Consort Lian said softly: “Your Majesty, this subject was momentarily indignant earlier. Thinking now, after all, this subject didn’t truly suffer harm. Noble Consort De must regret her actions. Look—should we show leniency? Or at least look at what’s in this box first.”
The Emperor sighed, grasping Noble Consort Lian’s hand: “Ultimately you’re the sensible one. This Noble Consort De has disappointed me too greatly. If not for the fact that she bore Seventh Prince, I absolutely wouldn’t give her another chance.”
At this time, the eunuch had already seized the opportunity, presenting the box with both hands to the Emperor. The wooden box was very exquisitely made—purple sandalwood, even gold-traced. The Emperor only vaguely found it familiar. Thinking carefully, it resembled the jewelry box he had bestowed to Noble Consort De when she first entered the palace. Not expecting she had kept it until now, his heart immediately softened somewhat. He muttered to himself: “Perhaps I was too hasty today. Could I have wronged Noble Consort De?”
Noble Consort Lian smiled slightly, saying calmly: “Your Majesty speaks correctly.”
With a “snap,” the wooden box opened. At this moment, everyone else simultaneously held their breath. Noble Consort Lian suddenly saw the Emperor sitting there rigidly, face ashen gray, eyeballs not even turning, like a wooden puppet. Noble Consort Lian couldn’t help being curious. Thinking Noble Consort De had packed something remarkable, she leaned over to look—it was merely a knot formed from red silk ribbons in a peach shape. The two knot patterns curved and spiraled, loop interlocking with loop, woven both firmly and fully, clearly in the shape of a lovers’ knot, yet cut into two pieces in the middle.
“Oh my, it’s a lovers’ knot! However, why was this lovers’ knot cut apart—” Noble Consort Lian seemed three parts puzzled.
A lovers’ knot was a token expressing mutual love between men and women. Though Noble Consort De dwelt in the rear palace, she and the Emperor naturally had their own story. When Noble Consort De first entered the palace, the Emperor had been quite fond of her for several years, even personally weaving a lovers’ knot with her as a love token. However, unexpectedly, now seeing this lovers’ knot, it had already been cut apart by Noble Consort De. Dark qi flashed faintly between the Emperor’s brows. She’s threatening me—my actions have chilled her heart, so she wants to completely sever ties with me! Such audacity! Thinking this, he suddenly waved his hand, throwing the box to the ground.
“Pass my decree—immediately summon Noble Consort De for audience!” The Emperor coldly ordered, but his face showed not the slightest sentiment.
Noble Consort De was doomed! On Noble Consort Lian’s face appeared an expression both like regret and like something long expected. Human fate was so subtle? Noble Consort De’s life and death actually hung on a small lovers’ knot!
That night, the Emperor harshly rebuked Noble Consort De without listening to any explanation, even making her kneel in the rain the entire night. Noble Consort De, whose personality was originally quite proud—how could she endure such treatment? She truly felt excessively wronged, even more unable to understand how the lovers’ knot sent according to her son’s instructions could become fragments… After returning, she used wine to swallow down a gold ingot, swallowing it together into her stomach. When Tuoba Yu learned of this matter, he knelt at the palace gates for a full day before the Emperor allowed him to summon the Imperial Physician. However, at this moment, Noble Consort De was already barely breathing. The Imperial Physician kept saying: “Too late… too late…”
Hearing this, Tuoba Yu nearly fainted on the spot. He could only forcibly endure enormous grief watching the dying Noble Consort De, yet couldn’t speak a single word. Because Noble Consort De swallowed white wine and gold together into her stomach, she died from the agonizing pain of abdominal distension and weight. When she stopped breathing, even her eyes hadn’t closed—she died extremely tragically.
Tuoba Yu had just emerged from the imperial palace. When mounting his horse, he unexpectedly didn’t step firmly on the stirrup. His foot slipped, and his entire person fell down, unconscious.
When the news arrived, Li Weiyang was writing characters. Hearing of this matter, her brows furrowed, then she stopped her brush.
“How could this be?” A trace of confusion appeared on her pure white face.
Today, Li Weiyang wore a light jade-green silk folded satin jacket and skirt. The layered skirts spread out like flowing water, seemingly rippling with glistening waves. At this moment, Li Minde’s gaze inadvertently rested on the creases at her sleeve opening. After casually reaching out to smooth them, he said indifferently: “What’s wrong? Beyond your expectations?”
“I told Tuoba Yu to have his mother consort send something from old times to the Emperor, making him recall former sentiments, remember Noble Consort De’s past gentleness, charm, virtue and dignity. Though it wouldn’t immediately free Noble Consort De from predicament, at least it shouldn’t add frost to snow. How could it suddenly provoke the Emperor’s fury? This—is truly unusual.”
Li Minde smiled: “Your method originally wasn’t wrong. It could make the Emperor remember past affections. Unfortunately—”
Li Weiyang raised her eyes to look at him: “From your tone, it seems you know some inside information.”
Li Minde’s smile deepened: “Call it inside information, yet not really. I just know a bit more than you. Though news was blocked after the incident, it’s impossible not to leak anything at all. Reportedly that night, Noble Consort De sent the lovers’ knot according to your instructions. Who knew someone secretly tampered with it, cutting the perfectly good lovers’ knot to pieces? What do you think the Emperor thought after seeing it? Any man would feel Noble Consort De was ungrateful and harbored resentment, right?”
Li Weiyang said curiously: “Tampered with by someone? The Empress?”
Li Minde merely revealed a faint smile, saying leisurely: “Of course. The Empress, the Crown Prince—merely puppets being manipulated. Behind them, that person has been secretly observing all along.”
Inexplicably, Li Weiyang sighed: “It’s Tuoba Zhen.”
Li Minde’s voice lowered: “What, unable to save Noble Consort De—very unhappy?”
Li Weiyang was startled, then laughed: “She was originally a person destined to die. I merely gave Tuoba Yu an opportunity to recognize this clearly. From the moment I gave this advice, I already said acting rashly was very dangerous. Of course, if he didn’t act, death was equally certain.”
“I thought you—” Li Minde curved his lips, self-mockingly smiling. “Were helping for Tuoba Yu’s sake.”
Li Weiyang’s smile remained constant, clearly truly unconcerned: “Whether Noble Consort De lives or dies has no bearing on the overall situation. I actually don’t care. I only care what Tuoba Zhen’s next move will be.” Saying this, she suddenly paused, looking at Li Minde with a half-smile: “However, what surprises me is that you even dared burn the Auspicious Hall, then afterward could emerge from the palace completely unharmed. Truly not simple.”
Li Minde smiled heart-stirringly: “Don’t underestimate my connections within the palace…”
“So what all have you learned?” Li Weiyang had long known Li Minde had vast supernatural powers, but hadn’t expected he also had such eyes and ears in the palace. Thinking this way, it was equivalent to Great Li’s palace court having Yuexi’s spies. This wasn’t strange—various nations mutually dispatched secret agents, lying dormant for decades. However, for the Yuexi Emperor to even hand over such spy lists to Li Minde showed how much he cherished this son.
“I know Jiang Hua secretly colluded with the Empress and Crown Prince, wanting to put you to death. But they were too naive. With just their third-rate tricks, there’s no way to prevent any whisper from leaking. From the moment Jiang Hua invited the Northern Desert prince into the palace, I noticed something wrong, yet deliberately held back my forces, letting them run wild. Because only appearing at the most critical moment, making them fail at the brink of success, could I see their faces vexed enough to vomit blood…” Li Minde’s smile appeared especially kind, yet made Bai Zhi and Mo Zhu nearby exchange glances.
Appearing at the critical moment, beating the opponent into complete defeat—what kind of mentality was this? Seemed somewhat… twisted.
So from the Northern Desert Fourth Prince’s appearance, he had already suspected… Now it was Li Weiyang’s turn to mock herself: “I thought my intelligence was well-informed, yet even things Noble Consort Lian didn’t know, you had already guarded against in advance.”
Li Minde gazed at her, softening his voice: “You’re wary of Tuoba Zhen, so you don’t dare plant too many eyes and ears in the palace. Your main intelligence source is Noble Consort Lian. But sometimes, the Emperor doesn’t necessarily completely trust her either. At such times, other personnel must be deployed.”
Li Weiyang smiled. Those eyes were like clear crystal. Beneath the crystal, flowers seemed to quietly bloom. She thought—compared to Li Minde, she was still too cautious and careful. If not for him setting fire to the Auspicious Hall, she would probably have to expend considerable effort to shake off that Northern Desert Fourth Prince.
However, Li Minde lowered his head on his own, pointing at her calligraphy: “Everything improves with perseverance. Look—at the beginning, your characters were truly ugly. Now haven’t they greatly improved?”
Li Weiyang: “…” Could you be slightly more subtle?
Li Minde merely smiled, bright eyes brilliant as stars, gentle smile warmly affectionate: “I’m telling the truth.”
Li Weiyang was speechless for a long while. Though Li Minde was male, when he smiled, his eyes would become two curved hooks, sufficient to stir anyone’s heart, making her originally want to refute yet unable to refute. Lowering her head to carefully examine her own characters, she couldn’t help sighing: “Trying to draw a tiger but ending up with a dog—my calligraphy ultimately won’t succeed.”
In this world, not everything could be changed through effort. For instance, Li Weiyang’s calligraphy was beyond hope. Having written for so many years, there still wasn’t much progress. Forget achieving fame—she couldn’t even compare to ordinary boudoir daughters. Truly regrettable and lamentable. She couldn’t help feeling very disappointed. Putting down her brush, she said to Bai Zhi: “Alright, put it away.”
Li Minde, watching her disappointed appearance, smiled: “Today is Life Release Festival. Want to go out and see?”
Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows: “Life Release Festival?” Yes, today was the annual Life Release Festival. How had she forgotten this matter? In Great Li folk custom, every year the sixteenth of the second month was designated as Life Release Festival. On this day, every household would release some animals at special release locations—either suburbs or release pools—counting as merit.
“The Old Madam said this year she won’t go watch the merit release, but has already prepared birds for release, saying she’s asking you to go release them on her behalf.” Only now did Bai Zhi relay what Nanny Luo had specifically come to say earlier.
Li Weiyang nodded, looking at Bai Zhi reproachfully: “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”
Bai Zhi felt quite wronged. Just now seeing Miss so focused and dedicated to writing characters, she momentarily didn’t dare interrupt.
“Go prepare the carriage. We won’t go far—release the birds and return.” Li Weiyang said thus.
Hearing this, Bai Zhi and Mo Zhu knew they could go out. Both were immediately delighted, hurriedly going to prepare the carriage. In less than half an hour, everything was ready. Li Weiyang sat in the carriage, looking at the row of birdcages behind the carriage cushions, couldn’t help laughing: “What’s gotten into the Old Madam? Ordinarily she carefully nurtures these birds—now releasing them all?”
This time, Old Madam Li released a total of eighteen birds. Besides the six birdcages in this carriage, the black-canopied carriage behind held twelve more. These birds were originally all hung by the Old Madam beneath the corridor. Many had been raised for several years. Ordinarily, each of these birds cost dozens of taels of silver—rare varieties extremely difficult to find outside. Yet now they were all to be released. Truly too regrettable.
“Fourth Brother caught a slight chill and has been coughing. The Old Madam feels sorry for him. She says if she releases more lives, accumulates more hidden virtue, heaven will sense her sincerity and allow Fourth Brother to recover soon.” Li Minde said with a smile. When speaking, his pupils showed a faint amber color, making one’s heart palpitate.
Li Weiyang’s mood gained that bit of warmth: “With her elderly care and protection, Minzhi can also be happy.”
“Right. Even without the Old Madam, there’s still Li Xiaoran. For that final bit of bloodline, he’ll also protect Fourth Brother well, not letting anyone harm him.”
“But… he still has one more son.” Li Weiyang suddenly said this.
Li Minde smiled: “From the moment you forced Jiang Hua to reveal Li Minfeng’s location, he was already dead.”
“Dead?” Li Weiyang was startled, then said: “But the people I sent couldn’t find him, indicating on this issue, Jiang Hua told lies.”
“No—half truth, half falsehood. Following the direction he indicated, I searched for a long time, spending a month before finding the person. However, I didn’t kill him. The one who killed him was himself.” Li Minde said this, his gaze falling on her face like a breeze skimming water’s surface.
“What does this mean?” Li Weiyang couldn’t help frowning.
“It means he hid day and night, anxious and restless, finally contracting an epidemic. When my people arrived there, he had already stopped breathing.” Li Minde said emotionlessly, merely calmly stating this fact.
Li Weiyang was somewhat unexpected, also somewhat surprised, ultimately transforming into a faint smile: “This way is very good.” Only one Minzhi remained by Li Xiaoran’s side, forever only Minzhi. To let his bloodline pass down, even risking his life, he would cultivate Minzhi into talent.
“This way, you don’t need to do anything more for Fourth Brother.” Li Minde added, his face carrying a trace of strange smile.
Li Weiyang looked at him, inexplicably feeling somewhat confused. This confusion made her normally ice-cold face show a trace of unease normal for this age. Li Minde’s smile deepened, yet he made no explanation whatsoever for his words.
The carriage stopped beside the capital’s tallest Wangxiang Tower. Li Minde had specifically reserved a quiet private room here. The servants all went to release birds. Even Bai Zhi and Mo Zhu ran off chasing after them, wanting to release little birds. Li Weiyang leaned against the corridor, sitting and watching their joyful appearance, couldn’t help smiling slightly. Many people below were releasing lives. Li Weiyang’s gaze fixed on one young lady among them. That young lady, before everyone’s eyes, broke open a large longevity peach. From inside actually flew out a small bird, fluttering its wings open, flying toward the sky. Everyone looked up at the sky, all clapping and calling it wonderful.
Li Weiyang watched that young lady—only seventeen or eighteen years old, wearing a wide long robe, shoulders draped with cloud collar, feet in red boots. Her attire looked completely different from capital people. Just as she looked toward the other party, the other party also noticed her, raising her head to smile slightly at her, revealing a mouthful of bright shining teeth.
Li Weiyang suddenly stopped smiling, because she clearly saw that beside that young lady also stood a person—precisely the Northern Desert’s Fourth Prince Li Yuanheng. At this moment, he too was gazing upward with piercing eyes—