If successful and safe: “Already took it this morning.”
If trouble arose: “Will take it tonight after returning.”
But Yang Fu’s answer wasn’t either of their prearranged responses.
Most likely the princess had fallen under Li Huan’s control, this sentence perhaps even answered by Prince Yan himself.
Xiang Cao said those Nan Chu spies who assassinated Li Huan had been sent to the Ministry of Justice—they’d captured someone alive. She didn’t know how many among them knew she, Qun Qing, was hiding within the Six Offices. If anyone confessed, her death was only a matter of time.
Had she known this outcome, she shouldn’t have agreed to Yang Fu, shouldn’t have let the princess take such risks.
She must preserve the princess before being exposed herself.
Qun Qing folded the letter and placed it in Princess Bao’an’s jade pillow when hurried footsteps suddenly came from behind. The hall doors burst open as Xiang Cao stammered: “Qun—Qun Siji, Eunuch Liang who serves His Highness Prince Yan has arrived.”
Behind her, an inner attendant in a date-red robe strode into the hall. Eunuch Liang’s gaze fell upon her with a sharp expression: “By decree of His Highness Prince Yan—”
Xiang Cao prostrated herself. Qun Qing stood with hands lowered to receive the command. Eunuch Liang withdrew from his sleeve a piece of white silk covered with writing, glanced at her, and announced in a high, affected voice: “Qun Qing, Rank Six Compiler of the Shangyi Bureau, suspected of treason and attempted assassination of an imperial prince, is summoned to Jinglian Pavilion for questioning.”
These unfamiliar words crashed down. Xiang Cao’s body shook like a sieve, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at Qun Qing as if not recognizing her.
Qun Qing’s face paled. She stared fixedly at that decree, feeling as if she stood on a lone boat leaking from all sides: “Subject Qun Qing declares this a grave injustice. One dwelling in the inner palace, not at court, who cannot even see His Highness Prince Yan’s face in daily life—what treasonous acts could be committed? Please, Eunuch, clarify.”
While her mouth stalled for time, her mind turned the decree over and over, trying to find some flaw. Treason, assassination of an imperial prince, Jinglian Pavilion, Jinglian Pavilion…
Something was wrong. Prince Yan should currently be at Liangyi Hall—why would he summon her to distant Jinglian Pavilion for questioning? These two locations were practically at opposite corners of the palace.
Eunuch Liang: “This servant wants to ask you—you’re a compiler of palace regulations for the Shangyi Bureau. On duty days, you shouldn’t be at the Crown Princess’s sleeping chamber. Don’t you know the Crown Princess is confined and cannot receive guests?”
Xiang Cao wanted to speak but stopped. Qun Qing said: “The Shangyi Bureau, on Her Majesty the Empress’s orders, teaches the Crown Princess inner palace etiquette on the second and third of each month. Zhu Shangyi delegated this task to me. Since she hasn’t countermanded it, I continue fulfilling my duties. Eunuch may verify this with Zhu Shangyi.”
Eunuch Liang laughed twice: “This servant needn’t verify with anyone—Siji’s words are already full of holes! Lessons for nobility begin early morning and end after one hour, absolutely cannot drag past noon. Moreover, the Crown Princess went to Liangyi Hall early. You didn’t take your leave but stayed alone in Luanyi Pavilion teaching to empty air? Or perhaps,” Eunuch Liang narrowed his eyes, “you were hiding here acting as military advisor behind the Crown Princess?”
As his words landed, Qun Qing’s expression remained unchanged: “Eunuch Liang, I did indeed finish teaching this morning. But the Crown Princess, distressed by her confinement, insisted I play chess with her. Midway through the game, His Highness Prince Yan suddenly requested the Crown Princess go to Liangyi Hall to copy scriptures.”
She slowly shifted aside half a step, revealing the chessboard on the table. “The Crown Princess couldn’t bear to abandon this game and ordered me to guard the board until her return to continue. Eunuch Liang, while the Crown Prince remains unconvicted, the Crown Princess remains the future nation’s mother for one more day. I’m merely a minor sixth-rank official—how dare I offend her? If you were in my position, Eunuch, how would you refuse?”
Eunuch Liang craned his neck. On the chessboard, black and white stones were densely arranged in a deadlocked killing game. Beside it sat cold teacups and half-eaten pastries, making truth difficult to discern.
The notion that these two young women, usually having nothing to do with each other, spent their days plotting national rebellion together—it did seem absurd.
Eunuch Liang felt both embarrassed and annoyed: “This servant merely relays the command. Qun Siji wastes words with this servant to no purpose—hurry and depart.”
Xiang Cao’s hands and feet were ice-cold as she lay on the ground in silent stillness. She remembered when the princess left, there was clearly no chessboard on the table, nor those refreshments…
More terrifying still—Qun Qing dared so boldly defy Prince Yan’s decree. Wasn’t she afraid of being beaten to death? Xiang Cao mustered all her courage, trembling as she reached for Qun Qing’s hem, but unexpectedly she suddenly moved forward, leaving Xiang Cao sprawled on the floor.
“With slight inquiry, Eunuch can learn that Qun Qing has been conscientious in the Six Offices, every action according to palace regulations, precisely to maintain an official’s good reputation. Without stating reasons, His Highness Prince Yan shouldn’t rashly suspect, sullying my reputation and also sullying the Crown Princess’s reputation.” Qun Qing had slowly advanced toward Eunuch Liang. With phoenix eyes and thin lips, her face appeared cool and pale, yet the slender neckline beneath her chignon possessed a kind of solitary, upright curve. When she assumed an official tone, she carried some authority.
Her gaze fell directly on the silk in Eunuch Liang’s hand—that piece seemed casually torn from a sleeve, its edges rough. After staring awhile, she suddenly snatched it away. Eunuch Liang jumped in alarm: “What are you… How dare you!”
“Since the second year of Shenglin, there has been a decree informing the Shangfu Bureau that mulberry silk clothing, hats, scarves, and silks must not be given to His Highness Prince Yan, precisely because His Highness develops hives and itching from silkworm silk. Around His Highness, probably not even a single silk article can be found—how could he use it to write a decree?”
Qun Qing rebuked: “Eunuch Liang, you’re the bold one. At whose command do you falsify an imperial prince’s decree? Can he endure severe punishment for you, lose his head for you?”
Though not loud, this voice brought instant silence to the hall. Xiang Cao was dumbstruck. Eunuch Liang, unable to explain himself, revealed a trace of panic in his eyes.
There’s still hope… Like a drowning person catching a breath, Qun Qing spread the silk to examine it carefully. Just now when the silk was backlit, viewed from behind there were indeed characters. This closer look reassured her further. The silk bore neither Li Huan’s handwriting, nor was its content remotely what Eunuch Liang had proclaimed as the “decree.”
Qun Qing focused her gaze, then suddenly felt coldness creeping from her back to her tailbone. The characters on the silk were beautiful, drawing out wanton claws and fangs:
“Siji’s dutiful diligence puts me to shame.
Princess Bao’an’s fortune or calamity depends upon you.
Having seen this letter, Qun Siji is well. I anticipate our meeting.”
The writer of this silk letter spoke with a smiling tone, addressing her directly.
Connecting this to the previous scene, it seemed he had predicted she’d detect flaws in the decree and seize the silk to examine it, deliberately arranging this grand yet absurdly ridiculous charade for her.
Had she panicked and exposed herself, she would have already been captured just now!
Eunuch Liang’s voice sounded nearby: “To speak truthfully, Siji, this servant acted at the command of Chief Administrator Lu of Prince Yan’s mansion. This servant is guilty and will accept punishment afterward. Please, Siji, show forbearance.”
Lu Huating—this name was even more terrifying than Prince Yan’s name.
Every time, he gave her this same spine-chilling sensation.
This man was a strategist in Prince Yan’s mansion, extremely cunning. With his assistance, Prince Yan could ascend so rapidly. She and Lu Huating had clashed covertly several times. Each time she sought revenge against Li Huan, she failed precisely because Li Huan had Chief Administrator Lu beside him.
Lu Huating was like a snake lurking in darkness, waiting to strike, following any thread relentlessly. Several times he nearly bit back at her, so that this name pressed on her heart like a mountain, becoming her nightmare.
At this moment, holding the silk, Qun Qing broke out in cold sweat, her heart lodged in her throat pounding wildly—all instinctive bodily reactions.
Previously Prince Yan was in the light while she remained in shadow, an inconspicuous hidden agent among the courtiers. Now Lu Huating summoned her by name—there was the absurdity and terror of having her veil torn away, exposed before others.
In this instant, Qun Qing felt with absolute clarity that he had discovered her identity. One song had ended, victory and defeat decided. The plan had failed!
“Princess Bao’an’s life depends upon you…”
Those serpent-like characters coiled on the paper. The princess’s life, rather than falling into Li Huan’s hands, was grasped in Lu Huating’s palm.
Li Huan still harbored lustful desires that hindered him regarding the princess. What did Lu Huating have? He struck without mercy. Long ago he’d wanted to kill Princess Bao’an, only restrained by Li Huan’s obstruction.
These years as Prince Yan’s influence grew daily, Lu Huating’s power also soared. He acted with impunity. Previously he’d killed many against Prince Yan’s wishes, yet in the end, Li Huan still chose to protect him.
For an emperor, after all, beauties were easily obtained, good generals difficult to find.
Qun Qing suppressed her trembling hands, touching her sleeves and collar: “Please wait a moment, Eunuch. Allow me to change clothes.”