He looked up, thoughtfully observing the figures of Yunyi and the others. A nearby Imperial Guard said softly: “Strange, why did Princess come out from this gate? Feixiang Hall isn’t on this side.”
Another Imperial Guard casually replied: “What’s strange about that? When Princess leaves the palace, she needs a written order from Her Majesty the Empress. This gate is closest to Her Majesty the Empress’s Fengyi Hall. She probably took the written order and came directly from Fengyi Hall. However, why did Princess bring three palace maids today? When I’ve seen Princess leave the palace before, she always brought only two people.”
Her Majesty the Empress… Pei Qiantong silently repeated these four words. In the next moment, his originally doubtful gaze suddenly cleared—he finally remembered where he had smelled this fragrance before. It was actually her!
Thinking of this, Pei Qiantong quickly caught up with Yunyi. “Princess, please wait!”
Yunyi’s pupils contracted slightly, but she said calmly: “What is it? Does Minister Pei have other business?”
Pei Qiantong said respectfully: “This subordinate suddenly remembered something, so I boldly request Princess to stop.”
Yunyi’s heart jumped, but she said indifferently: “What is it?”
Pei Qiantong looked at the figure standing at the back: “This minister remembers that when Princess left the palace in the past, she always brought only two palace maids. Why this time did you bring three people?”
This meddlesome Pei Qiantong!
Yunyi cursed silently in her heart and said: “I want to buy some things and worried that Ruyi and the other couldn’t carry them all, so I called… Axiu to help.” After randomly making up a name, she said with lowered eyes: “Since when do I need to report to Minister Pei how many people I bring when leaving the palace?”
Pei Qiantong smiled slightly: “If it were truly just bringing one extra palace maid out of the palace, naturally there would be nothing wrong. But if you’re trying to deceive people, that won’t do.” While speaking, he had already walked in front of the palace maid that Xiao Shi was disguised as and cupped his hands: “This minister pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress.”
Yunyi was shocked and pale. What she feared most had still happened. Ruyi forced herself to remain calm and said: “Minister Pei really loves to joke. How could Axiu be Her Majesty the Empress?”
Pei Qiantong didn’t pay attention to her and looked at the figure with lowered head: “This minister has had the honor of seeing Her Majesty the Empress several times. Her Majesty is divinely beautiful, unmatched by anyone. His Majesty treasures Her Majesty, so he bestowed upon her Baiyue fragrance made by ancient methods—only ten taels per year. In the entire harem, only Her Majesty has this honor. By coincidence, this minister was responsible for presenting this year’s Baiyue fragrance to Her Majesty, so I know something about its scent.”
Hearing this, Xiao Shi sighed deeply. She thought that as long as she removed her hairpins and changed clothes, she could deceive people, but she forgot about the fragrance absorbed into her body. It was this oversight that allowed Pei Qiantong to see through her identity.
Xiao Shi raised her head: “Minister Pei has such delicate perception.”
“Her Majesty flatters me. It was just a coincidence.” Speaking thus, he probed: “I wonder why Her Majesty the Empress is dressed this way?”
Xiao Shi’s mind turned quickly: “This palace heard from Jinyang that the people in the city are suffering from severe famine, even eating their own children. I felt very sad, so I wanted to leave the palace to see for myself.”
Pei Qiantong quickly glanced at her and Yunyi: “I see. Actually, the situation in the city is now under control, and the famine has been alleviated considerably. Your Majesty and Princess need not worry too much.”
Xiao Shi followed along: “If that’s the case, then this palace is relieved.” Speaking thus, she said to Yunyi: “You go with Jixiang and the others. When you return, tell this palace about the situation outside.”
Yunyi knew that Xiao Shi wanted her to leave the palace before Pei Qiantong became suspicious, but how could she abandon Xiao Shi and leave alone? Just as she was thinking of a solution, Pei Qiantong said: “Reporting to Your Majesty and Princess, although the situation outside the palace has improved somewhat, there are still unruly people causing trouble. I’m afraid Princess might be harmed. This minister thinks it’s better not to leave the palace for now.”
Xiao Shi was secretly anxious: “There are guards secretly following. Even if there really are unruly people causing trouble, nothing will happen.”
“It’s better to be safe than sorry. Princess is of noble blood and cannot be harmed in the slightest. Don’t you agree, Your Majesty?” Pei Qiantong’s words left Xiao Shi unable to agree or disagree.
While she was in difficulty, Yunyi said: “Minister Pei speaks reasonably. I won’t leave the palace for now.” Speaking thus, she took Xiao Shi’s hand: “Mother Empress, let’s continue playing chess. This time, your daughter will definitely beat you.”
Seeing that Yunyi had already spoken, Xiao Shi could only nod helplessly and return to Fengyi Palace with her. After they walked away, Pei Qiantong slowly put away the smile on his face and turned toward Chengxiang Hall.
Throughout the country, fires of war were rising everywhere. Even in Jiangdu, people wanted to raise troops and rebel, competing for the imperial throne. Yet Yang Guang still indulged in wine and pleasure daily, lost in gentle embraces.
“What do you want to see me about?” Yang Guang was displeased at having his pleasure interrupted.
Pei Qiantong lowered his head: “Reporting to Your Majesty, this minister just encountered Princess Jinyang near the palace gates. She was about to go out.”
Yang Guang said impatiently: “I once granted Jinyang permission to leave the palace. What’s strange about that? Making a big fuss over nothing. Get out immediately.”
Pei Qiantong secretly sneered. This Yang Guang was already at death’s door but still completely unaware, casually shouting at him like training a dog. Hmph, let him be proud for two more days. After everything is prepared, I’ll take his dog life!
He concealed his killing intent well and said: “If it were just Princess alone, it wouldn’t be strange. But besides Ruyi and Jixiang, there was another person traveling with Princess.”
Yang Guang embraced the concubine beside him and casually asked: “Who?”
“Her Majesty the Empress!” Hearing these four words, Yang Guang’s body stiffened. He immediately pushed away the concubine beside him and stared intensely at Pei Qiantong: “What did you say?”
“Her Majesty the Empress disguised herself as Princess’s palace maid. If this minister hadn’t recognized the scent of Baiyue fragrance and stopped them, Your Majesty would probably have left the palace by now.”
Yang Guang’s face turned ugly: “Disguised as a palace maid… why would she do this?”
“This minister also asked Her Majesty the Empress. Her Majesty said she heard that famine in the city was severe, so she wanted to leave the palace to see for herself. Under this minister’s persuasion, Her Majesty has now returned to Fengyi Palace.” His answer made Yang Guang breathe a sigh of relief. Fortunately… fortunately Weiyang hadn’t left. He didn’t dare imagine life without Weiyang.
After calming his panic slightly, Yang Guang said coldly: “Zheng Ying, immediately summon Jinyang to see me. Immediately!”
“Yes.” After Zheng Ying left, Pei Qiantong also withdrew from Chengxiang Hall. Standing under the eaves, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It seemed as if the scent of Baiyue fragrance still lingered around his nostrils.
Empress Xiao… truly a rare beauty. Although Princess Jinyang resembled her in appearance, she lacked that mature charm. After he killed Yang Guang, this beauty would be his. Just thinking about it made his bones go soft.
After forcefully suppressing that evil fire, Pei Qiantong led his people to patrol various places. Imperial Guards kept coming toward them—some were on patrol duty, others had finished their shifts and were returning to the Imperial Guard camp to rest.