Shiyiniang gave Zhen Jie’er a meaningful glance, signaling her to step aside for now. Afraid she might read too much into it, Shiyiniang leaned in and murmured a quick explanation. “Your father has returned at this hour — something must have happened. Let me go see.”

Zhen Jie’er, understanding, nodded. “Mother, please go quickly!”

Shiyiniang lifted the curtain and entered.

Xu Lingyi was already being attended to by Chun Mo and Xia Yi as they helped him into the dressing room to change.

Shiyiniang had someone brew hot tea, then seated herself on the large heated platform beside the inner chamber window to wait.

Xu Lingyi was quick — he had barely finished washing up when he came out dressed in a white silk inner robe, the front hanging open to reveal a broad, muscled chest.

He gave instructions to Chun Mo and Xia Yi. “You may withdraw — the Lady’s attendance is sufficient.”

The two of them placed a dark sapphire Ramie straight robe on the platform, curtsied, and withdrew.

Shiyiniang understood that he had something to say. She dismissed her own attendants as well and stepped forward to help him dress.

As he gazed at the glossy black hair before him, breathing in the faint and delicate fragrance that rose from it, Xu Lingyi felt his mind suddenly grow still. He was reluctant to break the quiet of this moment — yet he understood that time waited for no one. He deliberated briefly, then said with a trace of resignation, “The Fifth Prince passed away three days ago.”

The Fifth Prince had passed away — and three days ago at that. So what had transpired in these three days?

People instinctively fear the things they cannot see ahead of them.

Shiyiniang’s hands trembled, and she fumbled twice at the sash knot without managing to tie it.

“Is Her Majesty the Empress all right?” A young child had died — of course she would not be well. But her thoughts were in turmoil, and she instinctively asked in a low voice.

Xu Lingyi, watching her pale little hands quiver faintly, knew she was distressed. He gently wrapped her hands in his own. “She received the news only last evening. She cried through the entire night, and before dawn today she set out to return to the palace…” He then reassured her, “Don’t worry — I had word at the earliest moment and have already made arrangements…”

Yet at this moment, the truth of the matter was not what was most important. What mattered was how the Emperor had responded.

“What did His Majesty say?” She stood quietly as he held her hands, feeling the warmth from his palms slowly, steadily passing to her — she needed a moment to breathe, to gather the strength to face the storm that was coming.

A glimmer of admiration crossed Xu Lingyi’s eyes.

Women so often pursued details and lost sight of what truly mattered. Shiyiniang, however, had gone straight to the heart of the matter.

He found himself looking at her more carefully.

Gently arching willow-leaf brows, a delicate nose, straight and fine. A pair of eyes, bright and clear. Against her complexion, white as the first snow, they lent her face an expression of serene composure — he was reminded of warm jade: still and beautiful, smooth and gentle. Looking at her simply brought a sense of ease and pleasure, a quiet contentment.

In his reverie, he found himself pressing her hand more firmly in his palm, feeling the silken softness of her skin.

“His Majesty has issued an edict — the mourning rites are to follow the protocol of a prince’s funeral.” Xu Lingyi said quietly. “The Board of Rites is already deliberating the matter, and the outcome should be clear by tomorrow.” His voice fell abruptly silent.

There were times when an emperor resorted to a strategy of balance. Funeral rites on par with a prince did not necessarily mean the Emperor intended to pursue accountability — sometimes, it was simply a form of compensation.

The thought flickered through her mind, and Shiyiniang immediately realized that Xu Lingyi must still have more to say to her. This was not the time to play a guessing game — there was no room for it.

Shiyiniang asked directly, “What would you have me do, my Lord? Please say it plainly.”

Truly quick-minded…

Undisguised satisfaction crossed Xu Lingyi’s eyes. “I have submitted my name card to the Imperial Household Department — you will accompany Mother to the palace shortly to visit Her Majesty the Empress.”

Although the Empress and her brother had both returned from the Western Hills together, the distinction between ruler and subject still stood — it was not certain they would be able to meet freely at any time.

Shiyiniang turned this over briefly in her mind. “Is there any message you would like me to convey to Her Majesty on your behalf?”

“No need.” His wife’s response once more confirmed the impression he had formed of her. Xu Lingyi gave a slight nod. “Over all these years, the reason His Majesty has remained steadfast toward the Empress is twofold: first, the Empress has never interfered in affairs of state; second, she has always treated His Majesty as she would a husband — with reverence — rather than as an emperor — with awe. You must hold firmly to this, and must not allow the Empress to harbor any other notions. So long as His Majesty continues to regard the Empress as he does now, nothing will befall the Xu family. Do you understand?”

Shiyiniang nodded. “I understand. The situation is favorable to us at present, and if the Empress were to grow resentful, His Majesty’s sense of guilt would gradually fade.” Within, however, she had never felt so cold.

The Fifth Prince had died, and only his mother wept for him. Whatever tears others may have shed were drowned beneath the weight of survival and worldly ambition…

She withdrew her hand from his grasp and helped him into his outer robe. “When would it be best for me to set out, my Lord?”

The moment her hand slipped away, Xu Lingyi felt the emptiness in his palm — and a sudden, inexplicable sense of loss. Yet he had no wish to dwell on this strangely arising emotion. He had more important things to attend to.

“There is no knowing how long it will take before you can see Her Majesty.” His voice was very cold. “Eat before you go. What matters most now is to keep the Empress steadied — there must be no further incidents. Everything else, I will handle.”

His expression was stern, his gaze sharp and piercing — like a blade drawn from its sheath, radiating a cold light and the breath of killing.

Shiyiniang gave an involuntary shudder.

She realized for the first time — standing before her was a general who had commanded thousands upon thousands of troops, a soldier forged through the trials of life and death. Someone who, for the sake of survival, would not hesitate for a moment before cutting down whatever stood in his way.

…

Hearing of the Fifth Prince’s passing, the Grand Madam was far calmer than Shiyiniang had anticipated.

She closed her eyes, resting against the large bolster with an exhausted expression, a glimmer of moisture at the corners of her eyes.

The Third Lady, there to attend to dinner, stood behind the Grand Madam with an expression of undisguised fear, not daring to let out so much as a breath.

“Mother — this is something no one foresaw, and something no one wished to happen.” Xu Lingyi sat beside the Grand Madam and said in a low voice, “But fortunately, the First Prince and the Third Prince are well. In misfortune, there is at least this consolation.”

The Grand Madam said nothing.

Xu Lingyi looked toward Shiyiniang.

Shiyiniang quickly stepped forward and said in a low voice, “Mother — Her Majesty the Empress must be in great anguish. And the First Prince and Third Prince have just lost their younger brother — they cannot now also lose the Empress’s protection…”

The Grand Madam suddenly opened her eyes. Her gaze was sharp and incisive. In a measured, steady voice she said, “Serve the meal.”

The voice was entirely calm — entirely composed.

Both Xu Lingyi and Shiyiniang let out a breath of relief.

Some things, only the Grand Madam could say…

At a time like this, what was most dangerous was any impulsive action.

The Third Lady, hearing this, looked as though she had received a pardon; she ran off at a small trot to call the maids.

They ate a hurried meal. The Third Lady attended to the Grand Madam as she changed into formal ceremonial dress, and Shiyiniang went back to her own rooms to change into court attire and then returned. Together with Xu Lingyi, they accompanied the Grand Madam to the Buddhist hall.

After washing their hands and offering three sticks of incense, each bowing three times in respectful kowtow to the Bodhisattva, the Grand Madam clasped her hands together, knelt on the prayer cushion, and murmured her prayers. Only then did she rise and say, “Let us go.”

Shiyiniang respectfully said “Yes,” and took the Grand Madam’s arm. Xu Lingyi personally escorted them to the carriage.

At the Eastern Gate, they dismounted and had barely come to a standstill when an attendant eunuch came out to meet them. “Grand Madam — you have arrived!” He then paid his respects to Shiyiniang as well. “My Lady.”

Shiyiniang looked more carefully — it was Eunuch Lei.

His face wore an expression of deep grief. He received them with respectful courtesy and escorted the two of them to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility.

All along the way, they could see palace maids and eunuchs hanging white draperies.

When they reached the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, they found a great throng of palace maids and eunuchs standing in the courtyard. Seeing the visitors approach, a fair and plump eunuch immediately came forward to greet them. Even as he bowed in greeting, he said in a lowered voice, “His Majesty is inside. Please, Grand Madam and my Lady, wait a moment.”

“Thank you, Eunuch He.” The Grand Madam acknowledged him with thanks, and she and Shiyiniang stood and waited at the door.

Eunuch Lei brought over an embroidered stool. “Grand Madam, please be seated while you wait!”

The Grand Madam thanked him for the kindness but remained standing. “Protocol cannot be set aside.”

As they stood there, a small eunuch came out from the eastern warm chamber. “His Majesty summons the Grand Madam and Lady of Marquis Yongping’s household to enter.” He then bowed and invited the two forward. “Grand Madam, my Lady — please follow this servant.”

Eunuch Lei quickly moved to one side, attending to the two of them as they entered the eastern warm chamber.

Shiyiniang dared not look about. With downcast eyes, she supported the Grand Madam and followed her inside, then knelt in prostration alongside her.

A warm, composed male voice said, “Set out a seat for the Grand Madam.”

Shiyiniang, knowing the one speaking was the Emperor, became even more careful. She kept her gaze fixed directly on the dark red felt carpet at her feet, with its pattern of blooming red flowers.

A palace maid immediately brought forward an embroidered stool.

The Grand Madam said several times that she would not presume to sit.

“There are no outsiders here — Grand Madam need not stand on ceremony!”

The Grand Madam thanked him repeatedly, and then settled herself, only half-seated, on the embroidered stool.

Shiyiniang immediately moved to stand at the Grand Madam’s side from behind, when she heard Her Majesty the Empress’s voice. “We have troubled you too.”

“Your Majesty must take care of your health.” The Grand Madam said, her voice thick with grief — she could not go on.

Shiyiniang then heard the low, muffled sound of the Empress weeping.

“Ling Chen,” the Emperor said softly, coaxing the Empress, “You have been weeping for a full day and night. Be careful not to harm your eyes. The two princes still need your care, and the six palaces still need your guidance… and besides, the Grand Madam is here — if you grieve like this, the Grand Madam will grieve alongside you.”

Shiyiniang quickly took out her handkerchief and dabbed at the corners of her eyes — everyone was in grief, and to remain unmoved would not do. Compared to the death of a Fifth Prince she had never met, what she was truly anxious about was Xu Lingyi — she did not know what he intended to do, did not know whether the Xu family would pass safely through these crises.

The Empress gradually ceased her weeping at this.

“With the Grand Madam keeping you company, We shall return to the Qianqing Palace — there are still matters to discuss with the Board of Rites.” The Emperor said. Shiyiniang then heard the soft rustle of garments moving. “Do not rise.” The Emperor said again. “Rest and recover. I will come to see you again presently.”

Could it be that the Empress, overcome with grief, had already taken to her bed?

The thought flashed through her mind, and Shiyiniang quickly stole a glance in the direction of the voice.

Behind the bright yellow canopy embroidered with five dragons holding blessings, sure enough, the Empress lay reclined. A tall, well-built, and handsome man was tucking the covers around her.

“How can your concubine receive you lying down…” Before the Empress had finished, the Emperor had already let out a sigh. “Ling Chen, just this once… I, in my heart, truly…” Then he rose, and with swift strides walked out past Shiyiniang.

Only then did Shiyiniang dare raise her head.

She saw the Empress lying against the bolster, weeping softly.

The Grand Madam, seeing this, began to weep alongside her.

Shiyiniang quickly held out a handkerchief.

The Grand Madam took the handkerchief, and even as she wept, said in a quiet voice, “How pitiable the First Prince and Third Prince are — one racing anxiously along the road, the other able only to stand helplessly and watch his mother’s grief…”

—