The Crown Prince’s death shocked both court and countryside. The announcement was made throughout the Great Zhou, and the entire nation mourned. On one hand, the officials’ peace faction and war faction engaged in heated discussion in court over Daqiu’s atrocities. On the other hand, united in purpose, they all petitioned His Majesty to establish his younger son as Crown Prince.

Those officials who had originally been waiting to see Mo Zi’s downfall also had no time to gloat over her exit from the stage, because somehow they learned that Yuan Cheng had been accused of being the mastermind behind the Emperor’s assassination. They immediately rose up to attack him en masse, all demanding he be severely punished. Within two days, the Yuan family’s cemetery at West Mountain Quanzhong was discovered by the Capital Guards, and they surrounded and destroyed the assassin village Jiao Niang had established. All those assassins testified to the relationship between Jiao Niang and Yuan Cheng. Under interrogation by the Ministry of Justice, Jiao Niang and another surviving assassin stubbornly refused to let go of Yuan Cheng, confessing in complete detail without even requiring severe torture. After several more days, no one in court stood in Yuan Cheng’s position to speak for him—if not viciously hostile, they were coldly indifferent. The Ministry of Justice requested to interrogate Yuan Cheng, believing that both material and witness evidence were complete, waiting only for the criminal’s oral confession and signature.

But the Emperor withheld these memorials and said nothing about this matter.

Yuan Mansion used to receive visits from high officials and nobles coming and going. Now, although it wasn’t surrounded and confined by soldiers, the area before the gate was desolate as wind and rain. Who knew how many eyes were secretly watching closely, waiting for the people inside to lose patience, which could add another charge to Yuan Cheng’s crimes.

On this day, the rain finally stopped. Half a sun emerged from the clouds. The main gate that had been silent for so long was knocked upon. It was a senior eunuch from the palace, bearing the Empress’s decree to bring Mo Zi into the palace.

“Eunuch, I wonder—what urgent matter does Her Majesty the Empress have in summoning me?” Mo Zi asked.

The senior eunuch’s surname was Gao. Perhaps because he had always served palace consorts, his voice was particularly shrill. He glanced at her sideways with some arrogance. “Once you enter the palace, you’ll naturally know. Quickly follow this servant.”

Luo Ying wanted to follow but was blocked by Eunuch Gao. “Her Majesty the Empress has summoned only you alone into the palace. The maid is excused. Are you afraid there’s no one in the palace to attend you?”

“Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch. However, may I change my clothes?” Unable to guess the Empress’s intention in seeing her, Mo Zi wanted to make some arrangements.

Eunuch Gao originally refused, but Luo Ying stuffed a banknote into his hand. He glanced at it as if unintentionally, then tucked it into his sleeve. “Having just passed the Crown Prince’s great mourning, it would be good to change into something plain and simple. But don’t take too long—Her Majesty the Empress is waiting.”

Mo Zi acknowledged this and returned to her room to change.

“Five hundred taels of silver—he took it quite comfortably, but couldn’t be coaxed into saying a single useful word.” Luo Ying snorted coldly, then continued, “Miss, what should we do this time? It’s not just anywhere—the imperial palace has strict security. If it really is a life-or-death moment, it would be easy to decide. With mine and Zan Jin’s martial skills, we could definitely rescue you, even if it causes a commotion.”

“Right now I can’t fathom the Empress’s intentions. Don’t be too nervous. After I leave, you go tell Yang Ling—just in case.” Mo Zi changed into a plain light grayish-green dress.

Luo Ying nodded in acknowledgment.

Eunuch Gao led Mo Zi through the main southern gate. The one conducting inspections at the gate was actually Geng Wo, which put her somewhat at ease.

“How is Miss Mo Zi entering the palace today?” With Yuan Cheng in trouble and Hua Yi dismissed, Geng Wo had been transferred back by the Emperor. In other words, Yuan Mansion was in a situation where it wasn’t openly monitored, yet couldn’t act rashly.

Eunuch Gao seemed unaware the two were acquainted and was slightly surprised. “Her Majesty the Empress wishes to see Miss Mo Zi.”

Geng Wo looked at the palace token and said nothing more, stepping aside.

As the carriage drove in, Mo Zi lifted the curtain to look back, meeting Geng Wo’s gaze directly. His lips moved—those were the two words “rest assured.”

Mo Zi knew her luck wasn’t too bad after all.

Entering the inner palace, she got off the carriage to walk, following Eunuch Gao to a jade-green lake where she saw an exquisite painted pleasure boat waiting at the shore with a boarding ladder.

“Miss Mo Zi has arrived.” Eunuch Gao announced.

At the head of the ladder appeared a woman with delicate features, dressed in palace attire with a coarse hemp outer garment. She glanced at Mo Zi. “Miss, please come up. We’ve been waiting only for you before we can set off.”

Mo Zi boarded the painted boat and saw Eunuch Gao standing respectfully with hands hanging down, remaining on shore with a group of young eunuchs.

“May I ask how to address you, Miss?” The painted boat was a double-deck type—exquisite from afar, luxurious up close, fully displaying imperial nobility.

Mo Zi saw through the openwork windows of the boat the high-piled cloud-like coiffures, their figures swaying gracefully. She wasn’t worried about what she was about to face, only thinking that if she could get through this, she might be able to take the opportunity to inquire about Yuan Cheng. These past days, with no bad news but also no good news, made her feel as if he had vanished.

“This servant is Yan’er, a palace maid of Her Majesty the Empress.” Yan’er wasn’t as arrogant as Eunuch Gao. Her smile was sweet and her tone gentle. “Miss Mo Zi need not be nervous. It’s been raining continuously lately, and with the Crown Prince’s matter, Her Majesty has been worried and depressed. Now that it’s finally cleared up, she wants to find someone to talk with.”

“Recently, how many people in the capital are in good spirits?” Mo Zi said.

“Exactly. Though Her Majesty is still very sad, she’s at least come to terms with it somewhat and wants to talk with people. It’s always better than keeping everything bottled up inside.” Yan’er answered gently.

“Besides Her Majesty the Empress, who else is inside? I don’t usually go out much and know only a limited number of ladies from various families. Could Miss Yan’er tell me first, to avoid losing propriety later?” Mo Zi saw several figures inside.

“Apart from Her Majesty the Empress, there are the two Princesses Anming and Changming, as well as two young ladies from Her Majesty’s natal family.” Yan’er counted them out for Mo Zi.

“Thank you for informing me, Miss Yan’er.” Mo Zi thought of her own connection to the Wang family and thought to herself—this has turned into a family gathering.

“You’re welcome. Miss Mo Zi, please enter.” Yan’er lifted the silk curtain for her.

As soon as Mo Zi entered, she curtsied to the Empress in the main seat. “Mo Zi pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty take care of your phoenix body.”

The Empress’s voice was slightly hoarse. “Lady Official Song, you may dispense with ceremony. Please sit.”

Mo Zi lowered her head and retreated to the last seat, only then raising her eyes to look. The Empress and Miss Wang the Eighth wore coarse hemp garments—that is, the mourning clothes for the severest grade. The two princesses and Miss Wang the Tenth also wore appropriate mourning attire. She secretly congratulated herself for having changed into fine hemp clothing in time.

Palace maids passed around small dishes. Light and plain vegetables and rice, green and white in color, with only clear water to drink. No music could be heard, no fragrance of flowers—the boat was decorated coldly.

The Empress didn’t move her chopsticks, saying, “During the mourning period, everything is kept simple.”

“Mother Empress, I heard from Father Emperor that you’ve decided to observe three years of mourning for the Crown Prince?” Princess Anming asked.

“That’s correct. I plan to move to the Empress Dowager’s palace in a few days to eat vegetarian meals and chant Buddhist scriptures with her, praying for blessings for the Great Zhou. So while Xi Rui came to see me today, I’ve called you all and Xi Lan to talk. Once I move, there probably won’t be such opportunities for three years.” The Empress’s complexion was pale, having lost considerable weight.

“A mother observing the severest mourning for three years for her eldest son is indeed national law, but the imperial family is already an exception. As Empress and head of the inner palace, how can you abandon your duties? Father Emperor asked us two sisters to persuade you properly. Whether or not you observe the full three years, your maternal love for the Crown Prince has already earned praise from all under heaven. Please follow palace protocol—three months. Changming and I will accompany you in eating vegetarian meals and copying Buddhist scriptures.” Princess Anming earnestly tried to persuade.

“Mother Empress, if you observe three years of mourning, will you not manage our marriage matters either? That won’t do.” Changming was more willful and direct.

“Changming, mind your words!” During the mourning period, one couldn’t speak carelessly.

Changming wrinkled her nose. “Mother Empress just favors Crown Prince Brother.”

Miss Wang the Tenth then said, “Her Majesty the Empress setting an example for national law—Xi Rui admires this greatly. But what Princess Anming said is also correct. There’s a saying that when the family is peaceful, the nation is stable, and all under heaven is at peace. The inner palace is His Majesty’s home. When the inner palace is peaceful, the nation is peaceful. These years, Her Majesty has managed the household so well—it would be difficult to find someone else as capable as Your Majesty. Moreover, three years is not short when you think about it. Please consider carefully, Your Majesty.”

Mo Zi thought to herself—what’s going on? They called her here as an audience member for how long to observe mourning?

Actually, among these people, the one she paid most attention to was the prospective Crown Princess Wang Xi Lan. This woman who had been betrothed but became a widow before she could marry had reportedly already vowed before the Crown Prince’s memorial tablet to remain chaste for life. This behavior earned praise from both the Emperor and Empress. To compensate her, the Crown Prince was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince Zhen with five cities as his domain, and Wang Xi Lan became Princess Zhen. And for Wang He, who had raised such an excellent daughter, he was given an extremely great favor—the Wang family could select one male descendant to be adopted by Princess Zhen as her son, granted the surname Wu, to eventually inherit the prince’s title.

Now, what Mo Zi saw were only eyes filled with grief yet helpless.

“Lady Official Song.” The Empress called her name.

Mo Zi was hungry. Originally she had no objection to eating vegetarian food, but encountering a group of people who only talked and didn’t eat left her only able to watch dryly.

“This painted boat came from your shipyard, didn’t it?” The Empress asked.

“That’s correct.” So her function wasn’t just as an audience member, but also to serve as a distraction to change the topic.

Miss Wang the Tenth was genuinely surprised. “Miss Mo Zi even has her own shipyard?”

“This Lady Official Song is quite remarkable. Not only does she shoot arrows with perfect accuracy, she can also carve wheels, sculpt birds, and build ships. Both hands draw bows simultaneously—she’s simply capable of anything. Even Father Emperor thinks highly of her, appointing her as Chief Director and bestowing upon her the title of Grand Master Craftsman. People call her the Great Zhou’s First Lady Official. Compared to her, all other women are stupid, dull, and useless.” Princess Changming’s words were full of sarcasm.

She was a princess—absolutely entitled to be arrogant. Mo Zi quickly said she didn’t dare accept such praise, but only answered Miss Wang the Tenth’s question. “Strictly speaking, the shipyard isn’t mine—I only managed affairs there. However, ever since His Majesty employed me, I handed the shipyard over to others to manage. This painted boat was built for the palace before I was appointed to office.”

“How old is Lady Official Song this year?” The Empress’s conversation jumped around a lot.

“Twenty.” Starting to approach thirty.

“Your age is already not young. Have you been betrothed?” The Empress asked again.

“Mother Empress, you’ve forgotten—Father Emperor allowed her to choose her own marriage match. She can marry whoever she wants. No matter how old she is, it doesn’t matter.” Princess Changming stirred things up again.

Mo Zi didn’t know when she had offended this golden branch and jade leaf. Using as calm a tone as possible to avoid conflict, she said, “In reply to Her Majesty the Empress, I have not been betrothed.”

“Although His Majesty permitted you to choose your own marriage match, this palace sees that Lady Official Song is quite intelligent and should know what kind of person you can marry and what kind you cannot. I wonder if this palace speaks correctly, Lady Official Song?” The Empress looked at Mo Zi, her expression composed and leisurely.

Mo Zi found this very inexplicable—out of nowhere bringing up her own marriage matters. With a stiff smile, she said, “Your Majesty speaks correctly. In any case, one must still consider whether families are well-matched. Mo Zi’s parents are both deceased with no illustrious family background. Even if His Majesty permits me to choose my own husband, Mo Zi will only select someone suitable.”

Princess Anming interjected, “Mother Empress, really—you told Changming to mind her words, yet you’re concerned about Lady Official Song’s lifelong matters. Under mourning period, we’d better not speak of such things.”

So the Empress changed the topic, turning to ask Miss Wang the Tenth about her natal family’s affairs, and didn’t say another word to Mo Zi alone.