In a dimly lit courtyard, Zhao Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression rising and falling like a fleeting firework. He approached Yuanxi with hands behind his back, his gaze filled with inquiry.
Suddenly, the surroundings seemed to quiet down. Yuanxi felt her heart leap to her throat, her palms sweaty. Just as she was about to flee in panic, Zhao Yan exhaled softly, his face returning to a calm smile. “Why would my cousin ask such a question? What purpose do you think I could have?”
Yuanxi rubbed her sweaty palms uncomfortably and forced a smile. “I am just an ignorant woman, speaking nonsense out of anxiety. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”
She hastily walked past Zhao Yan but heard him speak softly from behind, just loud enough for her to hear. “I didn’t expect you to be so insightful. No wonder I’ve heard that since marrying into the Chongjiang family, His Highness has shown great favor to the new Lady. Well, this is an unexpected delight.”
Yuanxi furrowed her brows, unsure of the meaning behind his words. Nevertheless, she had obtained the answer she sought and was relieved not to have angered the monarch. Before he changed his mind, it was best to leave.
She hurriedly made her way back, the sounds of music and fireworks filling her ears. After what felt like a long journey accompanied by distant laughter and the crackling of firecrackers, she finally slowed her pace and sighed heavily.
These past few days, she had harbored a suspicion: did His Highness keep her and the princess here solely because of Empress Dowager’s illness? Hence, she had taken the risk to test His Majesty’s true intentions. Though he hadn’t directly responded, she had gleaned the answer from his expression. Indeed, their confinement had a deeper purpose. But what was it? Did he intend to use them to threaten Audu?
In the distance, the sound of firecrackers disrupted her thoughts, stirring her restless heart. After much hesitation, she made a decision: she must find a way to save herself. Waiting passively would only risk endangering Audu further.
Upon returning to the Fuye Pavilion, the princess had finished her meal and was sipping tea leisurely. Seeing Yuanxi finally return, she glanced at her with a hint of mockery. “I feel like I’m sitting on pins and needles every day, itching to fly back to the Marquis’ Mansion. But look at you, enjoying the fireworks.”
Yuanxi’s expression remained indifferent, but her heart felt heavy, making it hard to breathe. At this moment, she couldn’t be bothered to explain herself any further. Just as she was about to retire to her room, something occurred to her. Turning to the princess, she asked, “Do you want to go home, Auntie?”
The princess found the question ridiculous. “Don’t tell me you don’t want to go home?”
Yuanxi walked slowly to her side, staring at her earnestly. “Then please give me all your valuable possessions. I will find a way for us to escape.”
The next day, a palace maid from the Yikun Palace arrived at the Fuye Pavilion with a food box, smiling at the guards. “His Majesty specially ordered this, saying it’s for the two ladies in the house to nourish themselves.” After confirming the food was safe, the maid was allowed inside.
Seeing no one else around, the maid approached Yuanxi and placed the food box down. From her robes, she pulled out several books and handed them to Yuanxi, lowering her voice. “These are the books Madam requested. Please be careful and don’t let it cause trouble.”
Yuanxi smiled at her and reassured her. “Even if His Majesty asks, I will say I brought them myself and won’t mention a word about you.” Her smile was trustworthy, and the maid, feeling relieved, left the room casually.
As soon as she left, the princess walked over and glanced at the books on the table, scoffing. “I traded my jewelry for these few books?”
Yuanxi’s mood, however, was quite good. She looked up and smiled. “Don’t underestimate these books, Auntie. If used properly, they can not only save the Empress Dowager but also save us.”
The princess rolled her eyes but said no more, only urging Yuanxi to find a solution quickly before leaving with two palace maids to stroll in the garden.
Closing the door behind her, Yuanxi carefully inspected the books in her hands. According to the imperial physician, the Empress Dowager would be poisoned upon contact with orchids, a rare and peculiar condition. However, Yuanxi remembered reading about a similar case in a detective novel. In that case, a farmer’s wife suddenly fainted in her courtyard, covered in a rash. Despite the efforts of many doctors, she passed away after lying unconscious for several days. During the autopsy, the coroner attributed her death to a strange illness, but the county magistrate, not believing it was without cause, investigated further and discovered that the farmer’s wife had been allergic to ginger since childhood. Her husband deliberately mixed ginger pollen into her tea, causing her to faint, and then secretly placed ginger flowers in her pillow, exacerbating her poisoning until she died.
Continuously flipping through the books, Yuanxi became deeply engrossed. It wasn’t until after lunch that a palace maid informed her, “Madam, there’s a gentleman from the Luo family asking to see you. He says he brings a message from your father.”
Yuanxi’s heart raced. Why would the young master visit? And why would he bring a message from her father?
She bit her lip, momentarily unsure of how to respond. Finally, she made up her mind and decided it wouldn’t be wise to meet the young master inside. It might displease the princess and provide fodder for gossip. “Ask him to wait; I will come out shortly.”
Standing up, she adjusted her appearance slightly and opened the door to find Luo Yuan standing in the courtyard, admiring a blooming plum blossom. Upon hearing her approach, he turned and bowed politely. “Lady Xiao, it’s been a while.”
Yuanxi looked at the familiar, handsome face of Luo Yuan and felt her eyes well up with tears. Whenever she encountered difficulties in the past, her first thought was to seek help from the young master. He was, in her mind, the most capable person in the world. No matter what happened, there was always a solution as long as he was around. But now, even amidst her difficult circumstances, she had learned not to rely on anyone. Seeing him again, she suddenly realized how uncertain life was, and how what heaven gave, it could also take away.
Noticing her standing still, Luo Yuan called out, “Lady Xiao?”
Yuanxi snapped out of her reverie and quickly replied, “Earlier, you mentioned that His Highness had a message from my father. What message is that?”
Luo Yuan said, “The Prime Minister has been deeply concerned about Madam’s situation, but he couldn’t visit personally. Therefore, he sent me as a messenger to inquire: Is Miss Xiao safe within the palace? Coincidentally, I had an audience with His Majesty today and took the opportunity to convey the Prime Minister’s sentiments. His Majesty, being understanding, permitted me to deliver the Prime Minister’s message.”
Yuanxi felt a surge of emotion. Did her father send the young master to convey his concern? Or was he worried about her? However, after calming down, she couldn’t help but find the young master’s words somewhat strange. Her father had never been so straightforward in expressing his emotions in front of others, not even to his favorite eldest daughter. Moreover, it was just a casual inquiry. Why would Luo Yuan go through the trouble of coming to the palace to convey it?
She bit her lip, momentarily unsure of how to respond. When she looked up, she saw Luo Yuan still waiting for her reply, his eyes flickering with another meaning. Yuanxi’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly focused on his lips. Indeed, she saw him mouth the words, “Come here.”
Yuanxi understood immediately and said, “There is indeed something I wish to convey to my father, but it’s not suitable to discuss in public.” She walked a few steps closer to Luo Yuan, keeping her voice low. “Has something happened?” Then she quickly stepped back, keeping her gaze fixed on his lips. But Luo Yuan merely shook his head slightly and said, “Luo understands. I will ensure it reaches Madam.” With that, he turned and left, as if he had only come to deliver a message.
Yuanxi stood still, trying to conceal her astonishment. She couldn’t understand the purpose of Luo Yuan’s visit and why he would convey a message to her father. Had he already joined her father’s faction? Various doubts lingered in her mind, but to avoid arousing suspicion among the palace attendants, she had to pretend everything was normal as she returned to her room. After pondering quietly for a long time, she couldn’t make sense of it all and had to give up, returning to her books.
Meanwhile, Luo Yuan left the Yikun Palace boarded a green official sedan chair, and headed to a theater in the East District. After alighting, he entered a private room. The room was filled with the aroma of tea, and a man in a purple robe was focused intently on the performance of “The Battle of Mount Dingjun” on stage.
Luo Yuan closed the door and respectfully sat down beside the man. “Master Xia.”
Xia Mingyuan turned his head. “Have you seen her?”
Luo Yuan nodded. “As you instructed, I requested an audience with His Majesty, and he indeed allowed me to see Miss Xiao.”
Xia Mingyuan’s expression was complex as he asked, “And then? What did she say to you?”
Luo Yuan respectfully took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and said, “We met in the courtyard, surrounded by many palace attendants, so it wasn’t convenient to talk much. However, she discreetly passed me a note when she came close to me and whispered for me to make sure it reached Xiaodu.”
Xia Mingyuan’s face changed, and he quickly took the paper from him. On it was indeed Yuanxi’s handwriting, hastily scribbled with a few words: “Go along with it, don’t worry.”