Every time Wei Shubin closed her eyes, she could see that basin full of bloody water—washed from her face and body.
After she and Chai Yuluo descended from the watchtower, they returned to the Da’an Hall. The female Taoist priest hurried first to check on the Emperor Emeritus. Fortunately, although the old man was breathing faintly and barely conscious, his pulse remained stable. Four or five Imperial physicians were attending to him, and the person in charge had been changed to Imperial Consort Yu Wen—temporarily appointed by Crown Prince Li Chengqian after he arrived at Da’an Palace.
The two women then went to the side hall to wash up and change clothes. When Wei Shubin looked in the mirror, she screamed in fright, thinking she had seen a ghost. However, after washing herself clean, she discovered she was barely injured, with only minor scratches. In comparison, Chai Yuluo’s injuries were far more severe.
She had engaged in hand-to-hand combat with a strong man and was knocked through the air into a wooden pillar. Though she hadn’t felt much at the time, she now discovered that the tiger’s mouth of her sword-wielding hand was split open and bleeding and her back had begun to ache. When she removed her clothes for Wei Shubin to examine, there was indeed a large bruise on her fair skin, which would likely turn purple-black later.
These were just external injuries that could be treated with medicinal ointment. Chai Yuluo’s chest was also becoming increasingly painful; she said “every breath feels like being stabbed with a knife.” Following her instructions, Wei Shubin gently pressed her fist against her back and listened carefully for any internal sounds, but couldn’t detect any unusual noises. “Hopefully the internal organs aren’t injured,” the female Taoist sighed as she put on a clean undershirt. “It hurts just to speak… how troublesome.”
Their original clothes were too soiled to keep, and the replacement garments brought by the serving maids were all palace servant and female official attire. The two women hurriedly washed up and dressed their wounds, making themselves look presentable. Chai Yuluo was taller than average women and had broader shoulders, so others’ clothes didn’t fit her well, clinging tightly and emphasizing her curves. She added a light half-sleeve outer garment for better coverage.
They hadn’t slept for a day and a night, had escaped death, and were overwhelmed with shock, exhaustion, and pain. They should have found a warm, safe place to get some proper sleep, or at least eat some hot food… but that was just wishful thinking. Crown Prince Li Chengqian was still waiting for their report.
The thought of facing the Crown Prince made Wei Shubin nervous. She had never met Li Chengqian face-to-face before—it would have been improper for the Crown Prince to summon an unmarried noblelady. But with last night’s chaos at Da’an Palace, emergency measures had to be taken, regardless of propriety.
And it wasn’t just about last night’s chaos… While dressing, Chai Yuluo’s fine brows were furrowed. When the serving maids were far enough away, she whispered to Wei Shubin: “When we see the Crown Prince, speak only of those matters, nothing else. Especially don’t mention the case of Sister Yi from Gangye Temple… ugh…”
She pressed her hand to her chest, drawing in a sharp breath, her face contorted in pain. Wei Shubin went to support her, feeling sympathetic:
“Sister Yu, don’t speak anymore. I’ll answer the Crown Prince’s questions.”
Chai Yuluo nodded, trying not to move her muscles, and whispered her caution: “Remember that blood jade ring… the one we handed to the Empress… The Crown Prince might harbor deep resentment toward us because of it… we must be careful…”
How could she forget? That ancient jade ring that seemed to have absorbed the blood of Li Wanxi and her nursemaid brought doom and misfortune wherever it appeared. Two lives lost, the Empress falling ill, the Crown Princess severely injured, the Seventeenth Princess missing… If that object truly belonged to Li Chengqian, what exactly was he planning?
Filled with doubts, Wei Shubin followed behind Chai Yuluo as they walked to the East Chamber for the audience. A palace servant guided them in, and after performing their courtesies, the two women knelt in formal positions. Wei Shubin didn’t dare raise her head to meet Li Chengqian’s gaze, keeping her eyelashes lowered as she quietly waited for the Crown Prince to speak.
The silence in the chamber lasted longer than she had expected. Finally, Li Chengqian spoke, his voice cold and harsh:
“I don’t have time to beat around the bush. Taoist Master Chai, you know what you need to say. Don’t harbor false hopes.”
“Your Highness, please forgive us,” Wei Shubin responded, “The Taoist Master has internal injuries and cannot speak easily. I, Wei, humbly await Your Highness’s questions.”
Li Chengqian turned his gaze toward her as if just noticing her presence.
“Lady Wei, your father Minister Wei is known for his uprightness and integrity, respected throughout the court and by common people. I have always shown great respect to your father.” His tone was quite impatient, completely at odds with his choice of words. “I’ve long heard that the Wei clan of Julu is a prestigious family of Hebei, known for their pure traditions and literary heritage. I’ve also heard something of the circumstances that led Lady Wei to enter the Zixu Temple. After all this time, any misunderstandings and grievances should have dissipated. It is improper for an unmarried lady to reside long-term in a Taoist temple; the palace’s inner chambers are even less suitable for an outsider of pure background to stay. You should return to Zixu Temple to pack your things, and I will have someone escort you back to your family estate.”
He might as well have openly said “Stop meddling and get out of here,” Wei Shubin thought. She had been somewhat timid at first, but being rebuked by the Crown Prince made her face flush, and her spine straightened as she blurted out a retort:
“I, Wei, though unworthy, previously requested before the Emperor to serve in diplomatic marriage, and was granted Imperial approval. The Empress also permitted me to temporarily reside at Zixu Temple, to serve the country…”
Her collar was suddenly tugged, and she turned to see Chai Yuluo giving her a warning look, clearly disapproving.
“This humble one… begs to ask Your Highness… how are the Crown Princess’s… injuries?”
The female Taoist’s voice was very weak, and one could hear she was enduring great pain. Wei Shubin closed her mouth and realized she was being stopped from directly confronting the Crown Prince.
Though she had spent some time with Chai Yuluo, she could sense that despite the Taoist’s humble words, her entire posture was tense, in a state of sharp combat readiness. Similarly, Li Chengqian, seated in the superior position, was equally alert and cutting:
“Su Shi’s life is not in danger. The Taoist Master need not trouble herself about it.” His gaze then fell on Chai Yuluo’s linen-wrapped hand, his lips curling slightly. Wei Shubin could almost hear his unspoken words: “You, female Hua Tuo, should take care of yourself first.”
Hearing news of her friend Su Lingyu, she had initially felt relieved, but the tense atmosphere before her made it impossible to relax. These two cousins, one seated and one kneeling, glared at each other, the room filled with thick hostility.
Strange, they seemed to harbor some deep-seated grudge…
Wei Shubin suddenly recalled a conversation she had with Taoist Jingxuan days ago while organizing old texts at Zixu Temple. That day, when the Prince of Yue’s mansion had sent over some medical books, after the handover and thanks were complete, Jingxuan specifically reminded her that “in the future, when people from the Prince of Yue’s mansion come asking for books, it’s best if the young lady refuses.” When she naturally asked why, the senior Taoist dismissed the servants and mysteriously told her it was because of some gossip from the Eastern Palace.
“The Taoist Master is deeply trusted in Lizheng Hall, and whatever she says, her uncle and aunt are willing to listen,” the middle-aged Taoist said proudly, deliberately lowering her voice. “If she associates more with the Prince of Yue, and happens to mention the Fourth Prince a few times in casual conversation, the Crown Prince’s side becomes uncomfortable. Ah, they’re both young lords of seventeen or eighteen, born of the same mother, yet still competing with each other…”