Thinking deeper into it, both Shao Yao and the Divine Physician had said that the Emperor’s health had declined to the point where even bedchamber relations were a strain — yet Hao Yue had managed to conceive, and in such a short time of receiving imperial favor…
A fine sweat broke out on Hua Zhi’s forehead. But once the thought surfaced, it took root in her heart like a seed, and no matter how she tried to turn her mind elsewhere, it always circled back to that same point.
If that were truly the case, the Imperial Noble Consort’s attitude would make perfect sense — her deliberate provocations and her constant clashes with Hao Yue were all a cover she was providing for the two of them. If the stakes weren’t high enough, how could she bring herself to do such a thing? After all, her husband’s woman had become involved with her own son — even if one could get past the moral transgression, getting past it in one’s own heart was another matter entirely.
If the three of them had joined forces…
Hua Zhi spread out paper and lifted her brush, but in the end she set it back down. She could not leave anything in her own handwriting. If her side lost, a handwritten document would be a death sentence — at that point, saving one person at a time would have to be enough; she could not drag everyone down with her.
The lamp in the room burned through the entire night without being extinguished, and the entire Shizi Manor remained awake as well.
Chen Qing did not return until dawn.
“I’ve found out everything. The Fourth Imperial Prince has been held in especially high regard by the Emperor over these past few months — his visits to the palace far exceed what they used to be. Some days he enters the palace three or four times; other times he stays for half a day; and he has even been kept overnight in the palace by the Emperor’s own invitation. One of his advisors left the capital five months ago and has not been seen since — his whereabouts are still being investigated.”
Pausing briefly, Chen Qing continued: “Noble Consort Xu’s maternal brothers have likewise been frequently leaving the capital these past few months. Each time they return, they send things into the palace for Noble Consort Xu.”
“Do we know what they send?”
“It is said to be something for nourishing the body. At present, those under my command cannot enter the palace, so we have been unable to verify it precisely.”
Hua Zhi was not sure whether it was simply that the less she knew the more she wanted to know, or whether she felt instinctively that this particular detail mattered greatly — in any case, she could not let it go. Since it remained unclear for now, she could only set it aside for the moment. She gestured for Bao Xia to stand watch at the door, then stepped close to Chen Qing and spoke her suspicions in a low voice.
Gu Yanxi trusted Chen Qing, and so she trusted him too.
Chen Qing’s eyes went wide with shock, his face filled with disbelief. How — how could this be possible? A consort and an imperial prince? This — this was enough to overturn the heavens!
“This is only my conjecture. There is no evidence yet — it will need to be confirmed by you and your people.”
Chen Qing glanced back toward the outside of the room. Dawn was nearly breaking. “I will immediately begin investigating in that direction.”
“You understand how grave the implications are — do not lose your footing. If evidence is found, the deadlock will be broken.”
“Yes. The Fourth Imperial Prince’s household has people arranged there by the Shizi — First Young Miss, rest assured, nothing will be exposed.”
Hua Zhi gave a small nod. “Please make one more trip — to the Zhu Family, to the Duke of Anguo’s residence, and to the Sixth Imperial Prince’s household. Inform them of the situation in the palace. Do not mention the matter of the Fourth Imperial Prince and Hao Yue yet — wait until it is confirmed before acting on it. Tell Xiao Liu that any words spoken into his ear at this time must be carefully sifted before he can believe them. After that, go ahead and submit a name card requesting an audience.”
“Yes.”
“Also, assign a few more people to be at my disposal.”
“Every person in the Shizi Manor is at your command.”
Hua Zhi raised an eyebrow.
Chen Qing smiled slightly. “The Shizi gave instructions long ago — you are the future Shizi’s consort, and all should show you the same respect they show the Shizi.”
Hua Zhi pressed her lips together, turned away. “Go and attend to your duties. We must bring this situation to an end as quickly as possible.”
“Yes.”
Looking around the room at its elegant furnishings, Hua Zhi picked up one item at random and turned it over — and was not at all surprised to find the palace’s mark engraved on the bottom. She genuinely believed the Emperor had once held Gu Yanxi in great affection. Why would he not? Gu Yanxi was obedient, filial, without ambition — and he was capable, extraordinarily useful. She herself would have doted on such a young person.
But that kind of affection came with conditions attached. If the day came when he was no longer quite so obedient, the so-called affection would become a cage to confine him. The Emperor used these very objects as a constant reminder to Gu Yanxi — a reminder that it was because of a woman that he had grown distant from his own imperial uncle.
And yet — what uncle who truly loved his nephew would not wish to see that nephew find someone genuine, settle down, and have children? Gu Yanxi was already twenty-five. In a world where becoming a father at twenty was entirely common, to leave him unmarried and simply let things be — was that true affection? Was it not simply a fear that once he had a family of his own, his attentions would no longer be as devoted as before?
When all was said and done, it was nothing more than selfish possessiveness at work.
“Gu Yanxi…” Hua Zhi murmured his name softly, then turned and walked to the doorway, pushing it open. Wind carrying the weight of rain swept over her, stealing away the warmth from her body. His past was beyond her reach — but his present, and his future, she would protect. This was her man. Anyone who wished to bully him would have to knock her down first.
The servants waiting outside the door bowed to her in silence.
“Count the people in the Shizi Manor. Without my orders, no one is to leave the manor — no one, without exception.”
The senior attendant nearest to Hua Zhi started slightly. She had been a handmaiden who accompanied the former Princess Ling Wang as part of her dowry, and over the years had made the Shizi Manor her home, managing the inner courtyard with meticulous care. Even the Shizi treated her with a measure of particular regard.
Ordinarily, matters of serving and attendance no longer required her personal involvement — but upon learning that the First Young Miss of the Hua Family was coming, she had insisted on taking charge herself, all so she could see this young woman up close.
She had waited, along with the Princess, for so many years — however many years the Princess had waited, she had waited just as long — and at last, at long last, the Shizi had his smile back. When she next saw the Princess, she would finally have something to account for.
But she had not imagined that the young woman who could make the Shizi smile would be so… so sharp. Like a blade drawn from its sheath.
Perhaps her gaze had been too fixed and intent, for Hua Zhi glanced over at her. She hastily lowered her head and dipped into a curtsy.
Hua Zhi, assuming the woman thought she was suspected of something, offered a light explanation: “The matter is of grave importance. To keep Yan — to keep the Shizi from drawing trouble upon himself, you will all have to bear a little inconvenience for now.”
The servant hastily bowed. “We would not dare object. We will go and see to it at once.”
“Wait — are there people who regularly deliver provisions to the manor?”
“Yes, there are regular deliverers.”
“Replace them with reliable people and have them take over. Watch for anything unusual on the other side.”
The servant acknowledged this, then hesitated before asking: “First Young Miss, do you suspect someone in the manor has been selling information to our enemies?”
“I only need to ensure there are no irregularities over the next few days. As for whether someone has been selling information before now — that is something for you to determine.”
The servant acknowledged the instruction, and seeing that there were no further orders, withdrew. Another person immediately stepped into his place, ready at any moment to receive further commands.
Hua Zhi moved to the room next door and, hearing sounds of activity from within, called out before entering: “Has the Elder been awake long?”
The door was opened from inside; a servant stood respectfully to one side. “The Elder invites you in.”
When Hua Zhi entered the room, she found the Divine Physician already there as well. Strips of cloth stained with blood were set aside in a neat pile — the sheer number of them alone was enough to tell how severe the injury had been.
“Is the Elder feeling somewhat better?” She gave a curtsy.
Gu Yelin, resting half-reclined against the headboard, smiled. “Not dead yet.”
The Divine Physician had the least patience for this kind of half-alive talk from his patients and gave a soft snort, taking over the exchange: “No, not dead — but if he doesn’t rest properly, the quality of living won’t be much better. If he doesn’t want to lose the use of his legs entirely in the future, he should stop putting on a brave face.”
Hua Zhi was taken aback. “It’s that serious?”
“Don’t let that untroubled look of his fool you. The injuries are far worse than you might imagine.” The Divine Physician shook his head, deciding it would not do to go into detail with a young woman present, and instead spread out paper and brush to write a prescription — a different herb would need to be substituted in yesterday’s formula.