Pu Zhu immediately connected this to the Crown Prince’s marriage discussions, suspecting this might be another round of assessment, and dared not be negligent. She immediately washed and changed her attire, boarded the palace carriage with the messenger, and entered the imperial palace.

She was extremely familiar with the palace grounds and knew that the Empress Dowager Chen’s residence, Jishang Palace, was located at the rear center north of the inner palace. She was escorted inside, but rather than being taken directly in, she was brought to Shihua Hall to the west of Jishang Palace.

This was a fairly secluded spot. She had rarely come here in her previous life and remembered it as a side hall that had been vacant for years.

The palace messenger led her in, leaving two palace maids at her side, then told her to wait while he went to make an announcement, and left.

Pu Zhu waited for a while, feeling a vague unease in her heart, as if something was not right. But being within the deep palace, she knew she could not walk about freely by even a single step. Just as she was wondering and suppressing her impatience, she suddenly heard a startled cry from outside the hall — it seemed to come from one of the palace maids — and rushed out to see that a masked man dressed as a palace guardsman had vaulted over the wall, leapt down, and was dashing rapidly toward her. He quickly closed the distance, reached into his person, produced a dagger, and drew it across the throats of the two palace maids who were crying out and fleeing up the palace steps.

Blood and gore erupted; the palace maids fell dead on the spot, blood spraying everywhere in a horrifying sight.

Pu Zhu was shocked pale with fright. By instinct she turned and fled back into the hall, intent on barring the door, but how could she outrun this person who had appeared so suddenly? She had not managed more than a few steps when he cut off her path of retreat. Then the dagger, still wet with the palace maids’ blood, was pressed against her throat.

‘If you dare make a single sound, I will kill you at once!’ the masked figure threatened in a low voice.

Pu Zhu looked at the horrific sight of the two palace maids collapsed on the steps below — like two chickens whose throats had been slit — and her limbs had already gone weak, leaving her barely able to stand, nearly collapsing to the ground.

‘Where is the Emperor? What is the way? Tell me quickly!’

The masked figure waved the dagger at her, eyes filled with savage intent.

Pu Zhu clenched her teeth, her heart torn in a storm of internal conflict, teetering on the edge between speaking and not speaking for a few breaths. Then, as the figure pointed the dagger closer still, nearly at her throat now, the forest-dark threat of death paradoxically brought her mind into sharp clarity.

This was far too strange.

In broad daylight, a brazen assassin had appeared within the imperial palace. And from what this assassin was saying, he intended to assassinate the Emperor.

Looking at the assassin’s attire, he appeared to be a Feathered Forest palace guardsman from the Office of the Imperial Household.

If this person had infiltrated from outside, gaining entry to the imperial palace would require passing through two checkpoints.

The first: the Northern Bureau Imperial Guards, who kept watch at the palace gates.

The second: the Feathered Forest palace guards, who garrisoned the inner court.

Both groups were entrusted with the Emperor’s personal safety, employed only from among loyalists, with no slackers permitted. In the past, even when the Prince of Liang had staged his coup, though he had prepared carefully and had even obtained Li Xuandu’s assistance to smoothly force entry into the imperial palace, the attempt had ultimately failed. Beyond the leaking of information, one important factor had been the rapid mobilization of the Feathered Forest palace guards, who had formed a powerful resistance.

A lone assassin today — how could he, carrying a weapon, have infiltrated the palace and penetrated this deep?

The other possibility: if this person was already a Feathered Forest palace guard, who had concealed himself here in advance. But if his intent was to harm the Emperor, he would certainly have used his position to thoroughly familiarize himself with the layout of the grounds long in advance. How could it be that when he was about to act, he should be as blind as if he’d never seen the place, still needing someone else to show him the way?

These doubts flashed through Pu Zhu’s mind like lightning. She still could not quite figure out the connection, but she had become entirely calm. She looked into his eyes and said: ‘I am a visitor from outside; I was brought here to wait for an audience. Even if you press me, it is useless — I do not know the way.’

The figure seemed to be taken aback, hesitated for a moment, and the hand holding the dagger slowly loosened its grip somewhat.

Pu Zhu added: ‘I do not know what you look like, and I do not care who you are. I offer you a word of advice — do not harm more people, and certainly do not plot rebellion. Go now while you have not yet been discovered. With good fortune, perhaps you can yet hide yourself and escape…’

That was naturally all nonsense.

As she spoke, she watched the man’s eyes, hoping to disperse his concentration, and when he was off guard, give him a fierce kick to the groin, seizing a chance to escape.

The most vulnerable part of a man’s body was the groin. A blow that connected could at minimum disable his resistance, and at maximum kill him on the spot.

This was a method of self-defense she had been taught by those around her during the chaos that had erupted in the capital in her previous life.

But oddly, Pu Zhu noticed the assassin kept turning his head, his gaze flicking toward the outside of the hall, as if waiting for someone to arrive.

Pu Zhu found this increasingly strange, and had a very strong feeling that the other party had no real intention of harming her.

She tried cautiously stepping back two steps; sure enough, the figure did not close in on her. He only gave her a glance, then suddenly sheathed the dagger, turned and exited the hall. In an instant, he vanished from sight.

The surroundings were utterly quiet. Aside from the nauseating smell of blood drifting in from outside on the south breeze, Pu Zhu had the sensation of having woken from a strange and terrible nightmare.

She steadied her nerves, and on weak legs made her way to the hall’s threshold. Looking at the two bodies lying in pools of blood on the steps below — alive just moments before — she suppressed a wave of nausea rising in her chest and was just about to call out when she saw Shen Gao appear, leading several palace attendants. The attendants quickly rushed forward and used cloth to wrap and carry away the palace maids’ bodies.

Shen Gao, as if nothing had occurred, walked straight toward her and smiled: ‘Young Lady, the Empress Dowager has been resting and has not yet awoken. Today’s audience is cancelled — perhaps another time.’

Pu Zhu understood at once.

What had just occurred was absolutely a deliberate arrangement. Looking at it now, it appeared to have been a test of her.

Since it had happened within the imperial palace, it must have been the Emperor’s bidding. Otherwise, would Shen Gao himself have the audacity to draw a blade and kill within the palace?

But she still had not quite worked out why the Emperor would test her in this way. Could it be related to the appointment of the Crown Princess?

In her previous life, she had never gone through such a strange and bloody test.

What exactly were the Emperor’s aims?

Her heart was full of doubt and confusion, but she could not ask aloud and could only respond in the affirmative.

Shen Gao then personally escorted her out of the palace, stopping at the palace gate before saying in a low, smiling voice: ‘Young Lady, what happened in the side hall just now was an incident. The assassin has been dealt with. There is no need for you to be frightened, and no need to speak of it. Do you understand?’

Pu Zhu responded quietly in the affirmative.

‘Very good. You have tired yourself — go rest well when you return.’

Shen Gao called out, and immediately palace attendants came forward, respectfully leading Pu Zhu to a palace carriage.

Shen Gao watched the carriage roll away, then returned before the Emperor and recounted every detail of what had just transpired, including every nuance.

‘Your Majesty, this young woman is indeed unlike ordinary women. She did not lose her composure when the incident occurred without warning — on the contrary, one could say she faced danger with calm, and she is genuinely shrewd. Observing her conduct at the time, she also appeared to have sensed the peculiarity of the assassin. Your servant believes she is truly a rare and useful person.’

The Emperor nodded slightly.

‘And the Prince of Qin? During his earlier trip to He Xi, was there anything unusual? How did he come to know the granddaughter of Pu Youzhi?’

Shen Gao said: ‘Your servant was just about to report to Your Majesty — word has also arrived from those investigating this matter. According to the account of the postal station official at Fulu Postal Station, the Prince of Qin lodged at the station house that night, and it was the young woman Pu Zhu and the old woman Ju A’mu who prepared his evening meal. The Prince of Qin, upon learning her identity, apparently took pity and gave a generous gratuity. This must be how the two of them came to know each other.’

The Emperor let out a sigh: ‘Our Fourth Brother — still the same as he ever was! Even in circumstances such as his own, he never forgot to take pity on such people and extend them kindness. At the beginning of this year, the rehabilitation of Pu Youzhi’s case had not yet occurred. Was he not afraid We would come to know of it?’

The Emperor’s tone was full of feeling, and it was impossible to tell whether this was praise or censure.

Shen Gao dared not respond immediately. He waited a moment before carefully saying: ‘In your servant’s view, for Your Majesty, this is actually a good thing.’

‘How so?’

‘Your servant dares not say.’

‘You are pardoned from punishment.’

Only then did Shen Gao say: ‘The Prince of Qin’s temperament, Your Majesty must know it. In his youth he was generous with money and bold in conduct, as well as arrogant and self-assured, putting no one else in his eyes. These years of ups and downs and tempering — if it were to make him into a person who suppresses everything and betrays nothing on the outside, with schemes hidden deep within, for Your Majesty that would be a bad thing indeed. For instance, this time — the Pu family’s young lady sought his assistance, wishing to be rid of Han Chijiao’s attentions, and he generously lent his aid. Regardless of whether there is any romantic feeling between them, this act accords with his consistent nature from his youth onward. This shows that even though the Prince of Qin has embraced Taoism and changed in these past years, his fundamental character has not greatly altered. Is this not a good thing for Your Majesty?’

The Emperor was silent for a moment, then sighed again: ‘When have We ever wished for estrangement between brothers, for mutual wariness? But human hearts are difficult to fathom — who is to say he is not deliberately performing this for Our benefit, so that We will not be on guard?’

Over these past years, based on reports from eyes and ears the Emperor had placed in Xihai Commandery, the Prince of Qin’s daily conduct had shown not the slightest abnormality, and he had never privately communicated with the Que people.

But was this truly the case, or merely appearance? The Prince of Qin’s methods were too deeply hidden to be detected, evading the notice of his informants entirely.

The Emperor could never be at ease.

‘Naturally. Your Majesty’s precautions are only right and proper. But does Your Majesty not now have the Pu family’s young woman?’ Shen Gao murmured.

The Emperor reflected for a moment, then finally made up his mind, and asked: ‘Has that matter been seen to?’

‘It has. As soon as the young woman left the Guo household, your servant sent people to attend to it. Your Majesty need not worry — it will not go wrong. The young woman and that woman have been companions for many years, close as mother and daughter, one might say.’

The Emperor said nothing more, and from the corner of his desk drew out the memorial listing the Crown Princess candidates. He took up his vermilion brush and, with one stroke, crossed out the three characters ‘Pu family daughter’ at the top.

At the Hour of the Rooster, within Penglai Palace, the elderly female official named Chen directed the palace maids to prepare the Grand Empress Dowager’s evening meal.

The Grand Empress Dowager was getting on in years, and over the past two years had taken only two meals a day, preferring a light diet with little meat. The elderly female official worried this was not good for her health over time, and every few days would instruct the food service to add some minced meat into the Grand Empress Dowager’s vegetable dishes. Fortunately, over the past month or two, ever since the little prince had arrived, the two ate meals together, and seeing the little prince gobbling down his food in large mouthfuls, the Grand Empress Dowager’s appetite had improved somewhat compared to before, which greatly heartened the female official.

The food service official had just handed out the evening meal, and the Chen female official was about to carry it to the sleeping chambers, when word came that the Emperor himself had come to wait upon the Grand Empress Dowager at her meal. She hastily went to the sleeping chambers — and indeed, the Emperor was already standing at the side of the food table, personally taking the dishes from the food boxes the palace attendants held and arranging them one by one on the table, his attitude reverent.

The Chen female official hurried over and helped serve as well.

The Jiang Empress Dowager invited the Emperor to eat with her; the Emperor declined. The Jiang Empress Dowager did not insist, ate a little, then bade the meal be cleared.

After the Chen female official cleared the food and led the attendants out, the sleeping chambers held only the Jiang Empress Dowager and the Emperor. The Jiang Empress Dowager smiled mildly: ‘Does the Emperor have more to say?’

The Emperor said: ‘Nothing can be concealed from Imperial Grandmother. Indeed, your grandson has come today, apart from waiting upon Imperial Grandmother at her meal, to share a piece of good news.’

‘What matter?’

‘It concerns the great life matter of Fourth Brother, Jade Unicorn!’

The Emperor’s expression was one of great joy. Without waiting for the Jiang Empress Dowager to ask, he continued: ‘Fourth Brother is also no longer young. He has drifted through his years and to this day has not established a household. Whenever your grandson thinks of it, his heart is filled with immeasurable guilt, and he knows Imperial Grandmother has been worried on this account as well. This is entirely your grandson’s lack of filial devotion. On this occasion with Fourth Brother’s return to the capital, it happens to coincide with the Crown Prince’s marriage discussions. Your grandson thought he should take advantage of this opportunity to give Fourth Brother’s situation some consideration. These past days, looking over all of them, among all the young women of the capital only the granddaughter of Pu Youzhi seemed worthy of Fourth Brother. The two of them are a pair of extraordinary talents — surely made for each other. Even more fortuitously, the Marquis of Guangping Han Rongchang personally attested to your grandson that Fourth Brother has tender feelings for the Pu family’s granddaughter. Is this not a match Heaven itself has brought about? Your grandson was overcome with excitement, and just a moment ago issued an edict of bestowed marriage, sending it to the Guo household. Thinking of Imperial Grandmother, he rushed here at once, to tell Imperial Grandmother the news first, so that Imperial Grandmother and your grandson may share in this joy!’

The Jiang Empress Dowager started slightly and slowly rose from behind the table.

The Emperor immediately stepped forward, extending his hand to support her arm: ‘Imperial Grandmother, are you not pleased? Such a perfectly matched pair!’

The Jiang Empress Dowager turned to the Emperor: ‘Did the Emperor just say the edict has already been issued? The Marquis of Guangping’s words — the Emperor is certain of them?’

The Emperor nodded: ‘Yes. At this moment the edict should have arrived at the Guo household. The Marquis of Guangping’s words were absolutely true. Your grandson sincerely wishes to bring Fourth Brother happiness. As for Fourth Brother, your grandson just now also sent someone to summon him — asking him to come to Imperial Grandmother’s palace as soon as possible. Your grandson intends to personally inform him of the marriage bestowed upon him and congratulate Fourth Brother in person!’