A’Luo watched Qinglei carefully. Having confessed her mutual affection with Zili, though Qinglei had half-expected as much, she still couldn’t help her shock. “You’ve secretly pledged yourself to the Prince of Li? If your hearts belong to each other, why haven’t you gone to the border town to be with him?”

“How could Zili possibly afford to offend Chancellor Gu? How could I possibly go to the border now to be with him? Sister, have you lost your senses?” A’Luo answered with a faint smile.

“Zili? How intimately you address him — I imagine even the Princess Consort of Li herself hasn’t called him that so fondly.” Qinglei sighed. “I truly never saw that the Prince of Li had also given his heart to you. So it was the Prince of Li playing that flute in the Chancellor’s bamboo grove all along. We truly misjudged — we thought it was you and the Seventh Madam. I won’t tell anyone, but knowing Wang Yanhui’s mind, she’s likely already suspected the Prince of Li.”

A palace attendant came to relay word that the Crown Princess invited them all to dine together. A’Luo thought, once this trap was set, there was no going back now. For the moment there seemed to be no danger, though it was hard to say what would come later. She was very curious now to see how Wang Yanhui would react. Suddenly, A’Luo thought, she was rather like someone testing out a drug — through Wang Yanhui’s reaction, she might glean something of the Eastern Palace’s true plans.

Over the meal, A’Luo ate with relish. Finishing, she sipped her tea and said with a smile, “Hasn’t Your Highness always wanted to hear A’Luo play the zither? Truth be told, I’ve rarely touched the instrument these past three years — I hope I don’t disappoint you.”

What should she play? A’Luo’s eyes turned, and the piece “Autumn Waters” flowed clear and cool from her fingers, carrying more lingering tenderness than before, and less of that former sense of boundless freedom.

Wang Yanhui clapped in praise. “After all these years, to hear ‘Autumn Waters’ again! Prince Pingnan must be utterly captivated.”

Still testing her? A’Luo pouted. “What does he understand? How could he possibly appreciate music the way Zili does?” The words were out before she could stop them — she gasped, “Ah!” and clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes flashing with panic.

Wang Yanhui laughed softly. “The Prince of Li, is it? His flute playing is unmatched — I’ve faintly heard it drifting from the Jade Glass Palace at night, moving anyone who hears it. So it’s the Fourth Prince who holds Younger Sister’s heart.”

None of the three noticed that the Crown Prince had already been standing outside the door, utterly transfixed. His face was written over with grief and sorrow, loss and resignation. He stood tall in the night shadows, wanting to laugh yet unable to, his deep eyes dark as night, thick with an unresolvable ache. At that banquet, he had found Gu Tianlin’s cool, orchid-like elegance graceful. But when he heard “Autumn Waters,” he had been utterly captivated by the boundless, soaring spirit within the melody, convinced that only a woman with such an open, unguarded heart could truly be his soulmate. Life within the palace walls was fraught with peril at every step; since childhood he had disciplined himself rigorously, sparing no care in his studies of both scholarship and martial arts. Heaven only knew how deeply, in his heart of hearts, he envied the warmth of an ordinary household. If he could have a woman like that by his side, wouldn’t even life within the palace hold some bitter sweetness?

The more self-controlled a person, the more they long to break free. He had, without hesitation, chosen Qinglei. She was beautiful, gentle, and utterly devoted to him. That was how he had come to accept it. His mother had insisted he marry his own cousin, Grand Commandant Wang’s daughter, Yanhui, and he had accepted that too. As he saw it, the throne was something he must obtain, or else all his years of effort would come to nothing, his ambitions unfulfilled. With a principal consort capable of helping him ascend the throne, and a beloved consort at his side as well, he had thought such a match already perfect, without regret.

But only today had he finally confirmed it — the one whose heart soared with the vastness of autumn waters and open skies was her? Her beauty left him dazed, her music left him shaken. And yet, every single time, he had missed his chance. Now, not only did she not wish to marry the already-betrothed Prince Pingnan, her heart belonged to his own fourth younger brother instead.

His fists slowly clenched, a wave of resentment rising within him. He was the Crown Prince, rightfully the next ruler — no matter how well he handled state affairs, no matter how much praise he earned, those eyes never held any warmer regard for him. Zili was merely an idle prince, never involved in important state matters, handling only trivial affairs — yet even the smallest gesture from him earned no praise from Father, while his eyes were always full of tenderness. It wasn’t that Father didn’t love him — but that overflowing tenderness had never once been given to him. Even in marriage, Zili had received an imperially bestowed wedding no less grand than his own.

How was he inferior to Zili? In appearance, both were equally handsome. In talent, the ministers held him in genuine admiration. In accomplishment, was he not equally skilled in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting? Why would the woman playing the zither in that room deceive him with her music, her starlit eyes turned toward Zili instead? Had he known at the flower banquet who was playing, she would already be his consort!

He had just returned from the Jade Dragon Palace — Prince Ning gravely ill, and he had spent day and night attending at his bedside in devotion. And what was Zili doing? No need to ask — he was working hard to integrate himself into the Right Flank Army, ready to raise troops against him the moment Father passed. A vicious killing intent surged through the Crown Prince’s heart. Once he became ruler, Liu Fei, what could you possibly use to contend with me! If you dare to steal Prince Pingnan’s woman, you’ve already lost this fight before it even begins. The Crown Prince let out a hearty laugh and strode into the hall. “What’s brought such joy? What’s the happy occasion?”

The three quickly rose from their seats to bow. The Crown Prince waved a hand. “We’re all family here — no need for such formalities!”

Wang Yanhui said with a hand over her mouth, laughing. “However shall we handle this? Our little sister here doesn’t want to marry Prince Pingnan after all — turns out she’s taken a fancy to the Fourth Prince instead!”

The Crown Prince raised his eyebrows in feigned astonishment. “My, however will Prince Pingnan swallow that? Sister, when did you and my fourth brother…?”

A’Luo quickly lowered her head, putting on a troubled, downcast expression.

The Crown Prince pondered for a moment. “Prince Pingnan, Liu Jue… ah, he’s stubborn by nature, always been headstrong from childhood… I doubt he’ll simply let this go without a fight!”

As he spoke, his eyes flicked rapidly toward Wang Yanhui twice, then glanced at A’Luo’s lowered head. Wang Yanhui said gently, “But a forced match is never a sweet one — look how distressed our little sister is over this. Why doesn’t Your Highness step in as a mediator? Ah, this is a tricky matter indeed.”

A’Luo racked her brain for some tragic memory to summon, her thoughts drifting to how Liu Jue might react upon hearing this news — a sheen of tears rose to her eyes, and she gazed sorrowfully toward the Crown Prince.

Liu Jian heard, deep within, the sound of something made of glass shattering — crisp and clear, its shards flying and piercing straight into that most tender, vulnerable place. A single pang jolted him back to his senses, and he suddenly noticed his hand had already half-reached out. He hastily withdrew it, clasping it behind his back, and said slowly, “Brother-in-law shall certainly see this wish of Younger Sister’s fulfilled.”

He paused, frowning slightly. “Speaking of my fourth brother — I happened to run into Chancellor Gu just now. He mentioned that, hearing Younger Sister was a guest here, he hoped she might find time to visit the Prince of Li’s residence — his wife would like to see her as well.”

Gu Tianlin? Why would the Crown Prince want her to go to the Prince of Li’s residence? Was he trying to confirm her connection to Zili? A’Luo smiled. “It’s been so many years since I last saw Sister Tianlin — I wonder if she’s still as lovely as ever.”

That night, in the Crown Princess’s chambers, Wang Yanhui sat lost in thought. After a long while, she spoke. “If Chancellor Li agrees to call off the engagement, he’ll be at odds with the Anqing residence — is he really not afraid of that? I have my doubts.”

The Crown Prince said, “I just went to see Qinglei. She says it’s most likely true — before entering the palace, she often heard flute and xiao music echoing from behind the residence in harmony, and only now realizes it was Zili playing. Qingluo ran away from her engagement three years ago. Knowing Chancellor Li’s temperament, he likely won’t call off the engagement outright, but he won’t rush to marry Qingluo off either — the old fox is waiting to see how things play out, keeping his options open on every side!”

Wang Yanhui suddenly asked, “How is Father today?”

“He coughed blood, half-unconscious.”

“Your Highness, I’ve already discussed matters thoroughly with my father. We’re keeping close watch on movements in the west — the Fourth Prince is bound to return to Fengcheng. The Eastern Route Army and Fengcheng’s city defenses must be ready at all times. I estimate we have no more than ten-odd days left.”

The Crown Prince let out a long sigh. “With all sides so evenly matched, this will be a difficult battle to win.”

Wang Yanhui said with a soft laugh, “Don’t forget — old and cunning as Prince Anqing is, with no troops in hand, he’s little different from a toothless tiger. As long as we can confirm the connection between the Fourth Prince and Li Qingluo, Prince Pingnan, out of regard for the old prince and stung by this humiliation, won’t even need our help — as long as he stays his hand, we’ve already won. And should Prince Pingnan choose to act, then let him fight the Fourth Prince first. Only, I don’t feel entirely at ease — this business of Li Qingluo wanting to break off the engagement right at this moment keeps nagging at me.”

The Crown Prince said bitterly, “True or false, keep her in the palace either way.”

“No — let her go to the Prince of Li’s residence. I very much want to see how she gets along with her ‘Sister Tianlin.’ And have someone keep a close watch on her besides — such chances to leave the palace won’t come so easily again after this. Let’s see what she does.” Wang Yanhui wasn’t fully convinced of A’Luo’s true stance. It looked genuine enough, plausible enough — and yet, the beauty Li Qingluo had blossomed into after three years already felt somehow unreal. What other unreal things might there be, hidden beneath the surface, that wouldn’t be so surprising after all?

Leaving the palace and returning to the Chancellor’s residence, A’Luo turned over everything that had happened at the Eastern Palace again and again in her mind. The letter would likely be seventy percent believed, thirty percent doubted. She would have to be careful not to let anything slip when she saw Gu Tianlin either. And she absolutely could not risk contact with Prince Anqing again. Best to visit the Prince of Li’s residence and then go straight home and stay put. If she were summoned into the palace again, how would she manage to decline? A’Luo thought, this gamble had grown far too large. If she wasn’t careful, she might well lose her life over it.

Furious, she thought — Liu Jue, if anything happens to me, you’d better drag that old fox of yours along and go smash your heads against a wall together!

A’Luo dressed simply and left the residence without bringing Liu Ying along. “Liu Ying, your master here is off to see her romantic rival — no need to follow. Just draw me a good map of the palace grounds instead — might come in handy someday if I ever need to make a run for it!”

Liu Ying had already heard everything about the Eastern Palace from A’Luo, and lowered his head with a smile. “Yes. I wish the young miss and the Princess Consort of Li a warm and harmonious meeting, and sisterly affection ever after!”

A’Luo glared at him. “Aren’t you worried Prince Pingnan will be jealous?”

“My master is you! Besides, after twenty-some years of him bullying me, a bit of jealousy would do him some good!” Liu Ying said with a laugh, thinking to himself — how could he possibly be jealous? His heart wouldn’t turn sour at all, only ache! And who knew what kind of tantrum his master would throw at the old prince once he got back and found all this out.

An attendant led A’Luo into a side chamber. The moment she stepped through the door, she froze.

“This is a portrait the prince secretly kept of me.” Gu Tianlin gazed at it, entranced. “At first glance I was overjoyed, thinking he cherished me this deeply in his heart — but at second glance my spirits sank straight to the bottom. Third Miss, so it’s you.”

She turned to look at A’Luo. “The Chancellor’s maidservant from the flower banquet — clever girl, recognizing me. So you were the Chancellor’s Third Miss all along.” She let out an almost inaudible sigh. “I searched for a long time before learning that these bright, glistening eyes in this portrait of me, which the Prince of Pingnan painted, are yours.”

A’Luo, for a moment, had no idea what to say. Liu Jue had once mentioned painting a portrait of Gu Tianlin, and that without meaning to, he had painted her eyes into it. When he’d told her that, it hadn’t struck her much — but seeing it now, a mixture of sweetness and bitterness welled up, and she found herself deeply moved.

Gu Tianlin had already walked up close to her. “Your eyes are very beautiful. Actually, it’s not just your eyes — you truly are a beauty. Back then, your fringe covered half your face, so I never noticed. Even so, the prince was utterly captivated. Three years — do you know, he never once came back to see me the whole time he was at the border!” She tried her best to keep her voice steady, but couldn’t quite suppress the tremor that slipped through.

“Sister Tianlin, this portrait was painted by Prince Pingnan, and later, after you married the Fourth Prince, he felt it wasn’t proper to keep your portrait in his residence, so he sent it back. It wasn’t that the Fourth Prince wanted to see those—those eyes.” A’Luo answered instinctively, not wanting to see her so upset.

“Yes, it wasn’t him who painted it originally. But even so, why is it that standing right in front of him, alive and real, no matter how gentle he was with me, I still couldn’t feel his heart?” The calm, quiet way she said it struck A’Luo like a shock. Gu Tianlin was a woman deeply in love too!

A’Luo said nothing. There was really nothing left for her to say now — Zili and she had already been confirmed as a couple in Gu Tianlin’s mind. Some things weren’t meant to be explained just yet; some words weren’t fit to say to her right now either. Her purpose here was already achieved; staying longer would only cause Gu Tianlin more pain, watching her. “Sister Tianlin, the Fourth Prince is truly a good man — you must trust him, he’ll treat you well. I should go now.”

Gu Tianlin said softly, “He’ll be back soon. If you truly wish it, I won’t object to you coming into this household.”

A’Luo fell silent for a long moment, then smiled. “I like you, Sister Tianlin. And — I like Elder Brother very much too!” She didn’t dare linger any longer, afraid that staying too long might make her let slip something she shouldn’t say to Gu Tianlin. In her heart she thought, so he’s coming back soon? Fengcheng is only going to get more lively from here.