Lady Gao was making winter socks for Ye Xian. His hands and feet easily got cold, so the winter socks needed to be made thick. She also used fine, tight stitches when finishing the edges, making them exceptionally beautiful and neat.

Lady Gao placed the finished winter socks in a bamboo basket and raised her head, feeling a soreness in her neck. A nearby maid quickly helped massage it.

“Is he still copying books in the study?” Lady Gao asked.

The maid respectfully answered, “Yes, he’s still copying. The Young Master’s bookboy brought over a box of fortune oranges and dried persimmons, saying they were sent from the Gu family.”

Ye Xian had been confined here for several days now. Lady Gao wouldn’t allow him to step outside the courtyard gate. Li Xianhuai and others had requested to see Ye Xian several times, but Lady Gao had turned them all away. Ye Xian was the heir of the Marquis of Changxing, their master, but he was also her son and had to obey her discipline.

Looking at the continuous autumn rain outside the latticed windows, Lady Gao felt some pity for Ye Xian. The study only had one chaise lounge. When she last went to see him, Ye Xian, with his tall frame, was curled up on the chair with only a thin quilt covering him. The study windows were open, making the room very cold. After returning to her room, she had a maid bring over a hand warmer and cotton quilt…

After contemplating for a long time, Lady Gao finally had the maid put away her things, preparing to go see Ye Xian.

Meanwhile, Ye Xian took out the note under the fortune oranges, opened it for a quick look, then crumpled it into a ball and placed it in his sleeve.

Zhishu whispered, “Guard Li said it was delivered by express horse, and the news would probably spread within an hour. The Marquis has already entered the palace and likely won’t return until the afternoon. There’s been no movement from Master Xiao in the side chamber…”

Ye Xian remained silent.

The note contained only four characters: “Died at Si hour.”

These four characters conveyed incredibly complex information. The current Emperor’s health had been poor for years due to excessive drinking and women. Recently he had been bedridden with a serious illness, which allowed Minister Zhang to reorganize the court and eliminate opposing factions. But regardless, his death came too suddenly. And it came at a time when the Marquis of Changxing’s household faced both internal and external troubles—truly adding frost to snow.

With the Emperor’s death, the obituary would be posted at the Fengxian Hall at noon. The capital would be placed under martial law, with drums and bells silenced. Officials would gradually enter the palace in mourning clothes to pay respects. The entire city would observe twenty-seven days of mourning, with the whole country observing thirteen days.

This was indeed a good opportunity… Ye Xian thought about Prince Rui’s conspiracy to rebel. If he wanted to make a move, he should act while officials and third-rank and above imperial appointees entered the palace to mourn. During this time, the palace would be most chaotic with all sorts of people coming and going.

After pondering for a moment, he told Zhishu, “Tell Li Xianhuai to send people to watch Prince Rui’s mansion. Also, if even a servant boy tries to leave Xiao Qishan’s place, have him secretly detained and interrogated…”

Zhishu acknowledged the order. As he was walking out with the basket, he happened to meet Lady Gao coming to see Ye Xian. He smiled and bowed in greeting.

Lady Gao glanced at the basket in his hand.

Zhishu opened it for Lady Gao to see: “…My Lady, these are Tangqi fortune oranges from this year, along with dried persimmons and longan. Would you like to try some?”

Lady Gao was no longer suspicious and told him to hurry along: “…These things are either too heating or too cooling. Bring fewer of these to the Young Master in the future!”

Zhishu smiled awkwardly, as these items were merely a cover… He bowed and left.

Lady Gao entered the study and saw that Ye Xian was indeed diligently practicing calligraphy. She had the maid place a bowl of Chinese cabbage, honey dates, and lamb lung soup on the small table nearby. Ye Xian paid his respects to her and continued writing. Seeing Ye Xian writing like a child, with each stroke precise and neat, his handwriting elegant and graceful, Lady Gao said, “…You’ve been practicing all morning, drink the soup before continuing.”

Ye Xian had already smelled the lamb lung in the soup, which he disliked for its strong odor. “I’m not thirsty, Mother. Don’t worry.”

Just as Lady Gao was about to say something, a maid came to report that the chief steward from the outer court needed to see her on an urgent matter.

Lady Gao’s heart tightened. The chief steward normally only reported to the Marquis of Changxing. Coming to her meant something momentous had happened. She instructed Yuqin to supervise Ye Xian drinking the soup and hurriedly left with her maids and servant women.

News of the Emperor’s death soon spread throughout the nobility circles in the capital. When the obituary was issued at the Fengxian Hall at noon, it confirmed the matter.

The entire Yanking, from royalty and nobility to officials and commoners, quickly learned of this event.

The Emperor’s death was a national mourning.

Lady Feng ordered people to quickly make mourning clothes and hemp shoes. Meanwhile, Gu Deyuan and Gu Dezhao hurriedly changed into mourning attire and took a carriage to the palace.

Soon after, the Fifth Mistress was summoned by Lady Feng.

Lady Feng had her sit on the arhat bed and held her hand while speaking: “…Things in this world are so unpredictable! The Emperor’s death is too sudden. I don’t know how people in the palace are faring. Your mother holds a first-rank imperial appointment and will certainly have to enter the palace to mourn. I think the Marquis of Changxing’s household lacks someone in charge. Perhaps you should go back to check, and also ask someone to report back to me, to ease this old woman’s mind…”

The Fifth Mistress understood that Lady Feng wanted her to go back to gather information. To see if the Emperor’s death would affect the Marquis of Changxing’s household or their Gu family. She rose and bowed: “Mother, please don’t worry. I’ll go check right away.”

Jin Chao stood by without saying anything. She wanted to prevent the Fifth Mistress from returning. In the coming days, the Marquis of Changxing’s household would be in complete chaos. Even Ye Xian would need half a year to clean up the tangled forces in the mansion—how much more dangerous would it be for the Fifth Mistress!

Lady Feng couldn’t hide the worry on her face. Whenever an emperor died, how could there not be turmoil?

The Fifth Mistress quickly packed her necessities and returned to the Marquis of Changxing’s mansion. Lady Feng couldn’t even focus on the account books and said to Jin Chao, “…Come for a walk outside with me.” Jin Chao agreed and supported Lady Feng’s hand as they left the study.

She felt Lady Feng needn’t worry so much. Affairs of the court would be handled by Second Master Gu, and Lady Feng only needed to take care of the inner household. However, she didn’t say this, instead discussing the varieties of chrysanthemums planted in the jars. Lady Feng gradually relaxed as she listened and even praised her: “…Even I didn’t know all that!”

After Jin Chao had served Lady Feng for several days, Lady Feng was very pleased with her. This daughter of Gu the Third wasn’t as arrogant as she had thought. She conducted herself appropriately, worked diligently, remained silent when she shouldn’t speak, and never shirked responsibilities. How could someone with such a character have such an unsavory reputation in outside rumors?

Lady Feng couldn’t understand it, but she gradually warmed to Gu Jin Chao, even giving her a basket of pomegranates from Huaiyuan that Fifth Master Gu had sent her.

Jin Chao gazed at the clusters of yellow chrysanthemums in full bloom, her mind still on the palace coup.

“When autumn comes in the ninth month on the eighth day, my flowers bloom after all others die…” It was indeed the right time.

Officials who had entered the palace gradually emerged, returning by evening. Tomorrow they would officially enter the palace to mourn. After the Marquis of Changxing returned to the mansion with Lady Gao, he had just removed the black headband when he asked her what she had said when meeting the Imperial Noble Consort.

The Imperial Noble Consort was the Marquis of Changxing’s sister.

Lady Gao’s expression was solemn as she whispered to the Marquis, “Although His Majesty had established the Empress’s third son as Crown Prince, the Crown Prince is only ten years old. Even if he ascends the throne, he will be controlled by Zhang Julin. The Imperial Noble Consort is worried for the Empress. Moreover, His Majesty had many consorts during his lifetime. Apart from the Empress, Imperial Noble Consort, and Worthy Consort who have children, the others will inevitably face burial with him… She is also grieving.”

After thinking for a moment, the Marquis of Changxing said, “When you enter the palace tomorrow, go see the Empress as well. With me suppressing Zhang Julin, he wouldn’t dare to truly control the Emperor to command the nobles.”

The Empress and Imperial Noble Consort had always maintained a good relationship.

Though they were both of the highest earthly status, the Empress was just a woman, and the Crown Prince was still a child. Such a widow and orphan would be helpless in the current situation, at the mercy of others.

The couple then discussed Ye Xian’s matter, and Lady Gao mentioned Gu Jin Chao: “…Going to a maiden’s bedchamber, he is truly improper. These days I’ve confined him to practice calligraphy. What kind of person is this Gu family’s eldest young lady… he showed no restraint at all!”

The Marquis of Changxing was also troubled by his only son’s character. “He has always been like this, accustomed to willfulness. He should indeed be properly disciplined.”

As they were speaking, a maid came to report that Guard Liu had urgent news. The Marquis straightened his clothes and went to the flower hall to meet him.

Liu Zhou also brought Master Wei, both with faces as grave as frost: “…My Lord, there’s movement at Prince Rui’s mansion!”

The Marquis’s expression turned serious. They had waited so long, “Prince Rui has finally lost his patience?”

Liu Zhou nodded and continued, “A team of guards secretly left Prince Rui’s mansion in the evening and went to the Western City Military Bureau. We followed and discovered that Prince Rui brought heavy troops from East Ring Mountain into the palace. They’ve already passed through Chengtiamen Gate, and by now have likely entered Wumen Gate…”

The Marquis of Changxing flew into a rage, “The Emperor has just died, and he already dares to bring imperial guards into the palace. Is he trying to force a coup!” He exhaled and asked Liu Zhou, “Has the old Marquis been informed?”

Master Wei replied, “Yes, the old Marquis said he would come over immediately.”

Upon hearing this, the Marquis nodded and said, “Go invite Master Xiao over.”

Xiao Qishan arrived quickly and after listening, his expression wasn’t good either.

“If Prince Rui succeeds in this coup, the Marquis of Changxing’s household will likely be implicated… However, in my opinion, the troops Prince Rui brought weren’t elite forces. At most, they can handle the Imperial Guards and Military Bureau, but the Imperial Bodyguards have many skilled fighters. Prince Rui probably can’t overcome them. What’s concerning is if he has some hidden advantage we don’t know about…”

Xiao Qishan spoke with hesitation.

After listening, the Marquis coldly said, “I’ve fought on battlefields for so many years, charging into enemy lines. If we’re going to fight, let’s do it decisively! Prince Rui is nothing but a waste raised in the imperial city, yet he wants to lead people in a coup! Let’s see if he can get past me!” He said in a deep voice, “Master Wei, immediately gather the Iron Cavalry from Desheng Gate to accompany me into the palace!”

The old Marquis had just arrived and, hearing his son’s words, frowned, “Bursting into the imperial palace like this, aren’t you afraid of being criticized?”

The Marquis of Changxing addressed him as “Father” and said, “At this moment, son cannot worry about such things.”

The old Marquis snorted coldly, then told Liu Zhou, “While the Marquis takes the Iron Cavalry to the imperial city, quickly go invite Minister of War Zhao Yinchi to bring military banners and mobilize the Five Army Camp and the Three Thousand Camp.”

Zhao Yinchi was once the old Marquis’s deputy. Later, he earned merit by suppressing the Japanese threat and, being skilled in military command, became Minister of War at over fifty years of age. The old Marquis invited Zhao Yinchi not only to assist the Marquis of Changxing but also to establish legitimacy for him, preventing future criticism from imperial censors for entering the palace without permission.

Liu Zhou acknowledged the order and left.