After disembarking from the boat, Mo Zi had intended to leave alone, but the Empress insisted that Tenth Madam accompany her out of the palace, with Yan’er seeing them off.

Halfway along the route, a young eunuch under Eunuch Liu’s command came forward with several others and knelt before them. “Hearing that Official Mo Zi was in the palace, this humble servant specially came to relay a few words from His Majesty. His Majesty says this is merely a casual inquiry, so there’s no need to kneel to receive it. Also, Miss Yan’er, please return—we servants will escort the two young ladies back to their residences.”

Naturally, Yan’er didn’t insist. She curtsied slightly to Mo Zi and Tenth Madam before departing.

“What does His Majesty wish to ask?” Mo Zi inquired as she walked.

“His Majesty is concerned about Her Majesty the Empress’s health, but has been occupied with state affairs these past days and unable to come see her personally. Hearing that Her Majesty the Empress invited a young lady from her natal family to converse today, he assumes her spirits have somewhat improved, so he sent this servant to ask Your Excellency: was the boat excursion pleasant? Is Her Majesty the Empress’s spirit well?” the young eunuch relayed.

Mo Zi replied, “Her Majesty the Empress is in mourning for His Highness the Crown Prince and shows no smile. We merely chatted about family matters—it cannot be called pleasant, though her spirits are indeed good. Please convey this to His Majesty, Eunuch.”

The eunuch respectfully lowered his hands. “His Majesty also says that though Your Excellency no longer moves about the court, your official rank remains. Should you have memorials or petitions to present, you may submit them directly.”

“I thank His Majesty for his grace.” Mo Zi speculated this might be because he wanted to hear her account of the assassination incident.

The young eunuch escorted Mo Zi and Wang Tenth Madam onto the palace carriage.

Wang Tenth Madam sat across from Mo Zi, breaking the silence that had lasted throughout the journey. “His Majesty truly holds Official Song in high regard.”

Mo Zi smiled faintly. “It’s acceptable.”

Seeing her restrained and unassuming manner, Wang Tenth Madam appreciated her even more. “Don’t take Her Majesty the Empress’s words to heart. In Qirui’s view, Official Song is worthy of any man.”

“Having ability and competence doesn’t equate to status and position. For a woman to be capable is not as good as having good parents. Her Majesty the Empress’s guidance isn’t entirely wrong—princes and nobles are truly not suitable marriage choices for me. Even with an imperial decree protecting my dowry, it cannot protect me for a lifetime.” Mo Zi had a very favorable impression of Wang Tenth Madam, so she spoke a few honest words. “I just truly don’t understand why Her Majesty the Empress summoned me to the palace.”

“It was because of my Eighth Sister.” At the mention of Eighth Madam, Wang Tenth Madam’s expression dimmed slightly. “She… she knew that His Highness the Crown Prince was with you at that time. She had originally intended to personally ask you about the circumstances of that day, but somehow ended up not saying a word. I suppose her heart is truly too pained, and moreover, asking wouldn’t change anything—the dead cannot return to life.”

“That Princess Zhen maintains widowhood for His Highness the Crown Prince is truly lamentable.” Unable to produce insincere words of praise, Mo Zi expressed her feelings tactfully.

Wang Tenth Madam’s gaze suddenly burned intensely, but then, as if realizing her impropriety, she quickly lowered her eyes. “Lamentable? Xirui has heard so many laudatory words, yet only Official Song dares to go against the grain. Here, let me thank you on behalf of my pitiful sister. What choice did she have? Although the grand wedding ceremony hasn’t yet been held, her betrothal to the Crown Prince was decided two years ago. In everyone’s eyes, she’s already the Crown Prince’s consort. Now that the Crown Prince is gone, the nominal relationship remains. If she doesn’t maintain widowhood, could His Majesty possibly allow her to choose another man for marriage? Moreover, who would dare marry her? To put it this way—whether voluntary or not isn’t something Sister alone can decide.”

Wang Xilan’s widowhood wasn’t voluntary. Mo Zi learned this but wasn’t surprised. After all, she was a woman just past twenty years of age, preparing to spend the coming decades in solitude. But her sacrifice preserved the Imperial family’s dignity and brought glory to her natal family. As for how much scheming the Wang family invested to enable the Emperor to issue a decree allowing them to adopt a son and even grant him the surname Wu—the fact that they could achieve this goal was what truly surprised her. During her brief time as an official moving about court, she had encountered quite a few factional divisions among the court’s powers. Yet the Wang family maintained an extremely low profile, seeming to belong neither to Prince Li’s faction nor to the faction of the senior ministers. She had only begun to understand this maternal family clan because of the protective assignment Xiao Wei had undertaken.

“A woman’s fate—before marriage, follow the father; after marriage, follow the husband; after the husband’s death, follow the son. It’s never in our own hands.” The carriage stopped. Looking through the gap in the curtain, Mo Zi saw they had already exited the palace gate.

“We can only strive to secure good husbands for ourselves and raise good sons, to make our future days somewhat easier.” At this point, Wang Tenth Madam smiled at Mo Zi. “I say ‘we,’ but that doesn’t include Official Song. Official Song is intelligent and perceptive, broad-minded—you seem different from what we ordinary young ladies seek.”

Mo Zi pressed down with her heel, preparing to alight from the carriage, but hearing this, she said, “Tenth Miss judges wrongly. On this point, Mo Zi is no different from other women—I also long for a peaceful life with a good husband and good children. If there must be a difference, perhaps it’s that while everyone else studies needlework, I prefer carving wood. It’s just a difference in interests and hobbies.”

Wang Tenth Madam covered her mouth and laughed. “You’re truly interesting. I hope we can become friends.”

Though not friends now, they were actually blood-related cousins. Mo Zi smiled without saying more, watching as Wang Tenth Madam boarded the Wang family carriage that had been waiting outside the palace gate. That carriage appeared completely unremarkable, yet was made of extremely precious fragrant black sandalwood—truly the mark of genuine wealth, so unassuming, so composed.

“Mo Zi.” The one who came to fetch her was actually Wei Jia.

Zan Jin drove the carriage.

“Ah—this is the difference.” Mo Zi shook her head.

Not understanding, Wei Jia asked, “What difference?”

“The difference between Wang family’s Tenth Miss’s escort arrangements and mine.” Mo Zi said.

Wei Jia glanced at the Wang family carriage. “The one who came to fetch the Wang family young lady is merely a sedan bearer, at most with an added maid. But the one who came to fetch you is the son of the Nation-Stabilizing General, with an unparalleled master driving the carriage. Indeed, a world of difference.”

Mo Zi laughed at his words. “This young lady is shallow—my apologies, my apologies. But why are you the one who came?”

“When you had Miss Luo Ying deliver a message to Yang Ling’s place, I happened to be there. He was promoted by Minister Yuan, and now that Minister Yuan is being blamed from all sides, it’s not very convenient for him to appear publicly, so I came instead.” Wei Jia, like Xiao Wei, was one of the Emperor’s favored generals. “What did Her Majesty the Empress want with you?”

“To exchange a few words, eat two bites of leaves, drink one cup of clear water.” Mo Zi summarized.

Wei Jia gaped, his eyebrows contorting. “That’s it?”

“That’s it. As for how many meanings she wanted to convey to me within all that, it’s purely private matter—I must decline to disclose. What about you? I didn’t know we were so close that you’d specially come to fetch me.” Mo Zi countered.

Wei Jia’s round eyes rolled as he looked at her. “Those words really wound me. At the very least, I was once your cousin.”

“Because I know you never visit the Three Treasures Hall without purpose. How about this—I’m so hungry my eyes are blurring. Find an eatery and let me eat my fill, then you can discuss your business. If I can help you, you treat; if I can’t help you, I’ll pay my own way.” Without waiting for Wei Jia’s agreement, Mo Zi had Zan Jin drive the carriage to the South Market.

In a small restaurant, with one large bowl of white rice, one dish of braised beef, and one plate of stir-fried greens, Mo Zi ate with great relish.

Wei Jia watched with envy and called for wine. After tasting it, he stuck out his tongue. “If the wine tastes like this, how good can the food be? I don’t know how you can eat it so contentedly. I told you to switch to a grand tavern—why didn’t you want to? I’m treating.”

“As long as it fills me up, that’s fine. Besides, I may not be able to help you with your business, so in the end I’ll still have to pay my own bill.” She ate with relish but unhurriedly, savoring the taste carefully—it was actually quite good. “Hurry up and tell me, what is it? Please don’t make me guess.” She wasn’t stupid, but when everyone refused to speak plainly, she didn’t have that kind of time.

“Where is Yang Qiao?” Straight to the point.

“Didn’t you come from Yang Ling’s place? Didn’t you ask him?” Finally anxious, are we?

“He said his younger sister returned to their hometown. I don’t believe it. Her official registry still remains with the Ministry of Personnel, and the memorial requesting to resign from office hasn’t been approved by His Majesty yet. She couldn’t possibly have left the capital.” Wei Jia wasn’t so easily fooled—he was quite sharp.

“Since you’re so certain, with Young General Wei’s capabilities, can’t you find her?” One question after another, all because both Yang Ling and Yang Qiao siblings had asked her to keep it secret.

“I can’t find her.” Wei Jia was frustrated. “She’s a young lady—if she’s staying in someone else’s inner residence, how can I search? Mo Zi, tell me. I don’t understand—I want to marry her, I’m able to marry her, so why does Yang Ling obstruct me at every turn? He even hinted that his parents, to keep Yang Qiao close to her maternal family, would help find her a match in the same city. It’s driving me mad.”

“You’ve been back for nearly a month, and you’re only anxious now?” A bit late.

“It’s only been a month. I had to talk to my parents first. Who knew that Assistant Minister Yang would retire to his hometown, sell his residence, and with matchmakers having no place to propose? Then I asked my parents to approach it through Yang Ling’s side, and the court had all these incidents. The Crown Prince died, all officials are in mourning—marriages can’t be discussed. If I hadn’t been preoccupied with this in my heart and took the opportunity to mention it to Yang Ling today, I wouldn’t have known that Yang Ling has absolutely no intention of betrothing his sister to me.” Originally full of confidence, although he hadn’t spoken directly to Yang Qiao on the boat, he thought he’d been obvious enough in his behavior, and that Yang Qiao should have already secretly given him her heart. Who knew that when he finally planned to settle the matter, he discovered everything had changed.

“Perhaps you two aren’t fated.” When kinship and romance are in conflict, any decision becomes extremely painful, and wavering drives one to collapse. She didn’t want to see Yang Qiao collapse.

“Whether we’re fated or not isn’t for you to say.” Wei Jia was an archer—once the arrow was nocked, there was only one target. “Even you’re obstructing us, aren’t you?”

Mo Zi sighed. “I’m only respecting Qiao Qiao’s decision. In any case, marriages can’t take place during this period, so take your time and think it through clearly—don’t be impulsive. On the boat, you two were pretending to be husband and wife. Perhaps because of that, you developed feelings for Qiao Qiao. Maybe after separating for a while, your feelings for her will fade.”

Wei Jia looked quietly at Mo Zi.

Mo Zi felt uncomfortable under his stare, thinking to herself that his good eyesight was indeed formidable.

“What do I have to do for you to tell me?” Wei Jia spoke each word deliberately.

“…” Mo Zi wanted to say she didn’t know.

“What if I trade you information? How about that?” Interlacing his fingers, the small clay wine cup pressed into his palm and shattered. “Information about what concerns you most.”

Yuan Cheng’s whereabouts!

Mo Zi’s gaze instantly sharpened. “You can’t possibly know where he is.”

“Just last night, I played a game of chess with him. Although more and more people are denouncing him, he remains calm and composed, not at all worried that His Majesty might throw him into the imperial prison at any moment.” His palm was cut, but Wei Jia didn’t feel the pain. “I’m under His Majesty’s secret orders to guard him under surveillance. Everyone I’ve arranged is absolutely reliable.”

Mo Zi looked at those drops of blood and gently shook her head. “Although I very much want to know his whereabouts, I cannot trade using Yang Qiao, nor can I trade using His Majesty’s trust in you. Wei Jia, we’d better each rely on our own abilities.”

This meal—she’d pay her own bill.