Another five days passed, and the case of Chen Qi’s assassination was concluded.
Prince Jinnan, along with the Crown Prince, several other princes, and various high-ranking officials, knelt in the hall, silently enduring the emperor’s wrath. Before leaving the hall, he couldn’t help but glance at Prince Shengxiang.
Prince Shengxiang kept his head down, his face devoid of much expression, as if resigned to his fate.
Was it really Fourth Brother’s doing?
Prince Jinnan found it hard to believe. It wasn’t that he doubted Fourth Brother’s capability to harm their own kin, but given the current climate of fear, would Fourth Brother really be so rash as to eliminate Third Brother’s offspring at this time?
Although the Crown Prince was out of favor, he still held the status of the firstborn and had not been deposed. Would Prince Shengxiang really make a move now? And not even against Prince Pinghuai himself, but merely his offspring?
Indeed, ever since winter began, the emperor had frequently summoned several heirs to the palace, with a strong undertone of appraisal. Although Chen Qi had been praised by the emperor on several occasions, it wasn’t to the extent of being extraordinarily outstanding.
The more Prince Jinnan thought about it, the more it seemed like a setup.
Unconsciously, he glanced at the Crown Prince. His eldest brother had been appointed Crown Prince since childhood, but in recent years, he had not been favored by their father. The Crown Prince’s position was indeed precarious. He wasn’t a particularly clever person; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been caught up in the turmoil of succession. But… Prince Jinnan shook his head.
All of this was just his conjecture. He looked up at his father on the dragon throne. If he could see something was amiss, would his father be unaware? Prince Jinnan didn’t think he was smarter than his father.
If his father…
Prince Jinnan shivered, thinking of something that made his spine go cold.
Even though they were father and son, and brothers, living in the royal family meant always being cautious, truly walking on thin ice.
As he left the palace, Prince Jinnan walked along the quiet palace path. He squinted slightly, looking at the flags fluttering in the wind, and made up his mind—he would enter the palace again tomorrow and request permission to leave the capital for his fief.
Many things were shrouded in a thick fog of mystery. Since he couldn’t see through them, he would rather stay away for the time being.
He had already considered requesting to go to his fief before the end of the year, but now that his princess was so severely injured, it was not suitable for long journeys. However, at this moment, staying away from the capital seemed to be the safest choice.
—
Chen Qi’s injuries had mostly healed. He walked back and forth in the courtyard, and upon hearing that his father had returned, he hurried to ask about the outcome.
“He was sent to his fief.” Prince Pinghuai patted his son’s shoulder. “For all the suffering my son has endured, simply sending him to his fief is too lenient!”
He sighed again, lamenting, “Your Fourth Uncle must have been blinded by power, losing his sense of brotherly love. Although he has forgotten our familial bonds, as his brother, I still remember them. Letting him go this time is a gesture of the bond we once shared.”
Chen Qi frowned and asked in confusion, “Was it really Fourth Uncle’s doing? I thought it was a slanderous act by the Crown Prince or Prince Jinnan…”
Prince Pinghuai looked at his son, who was as tall as himself, and said, “Your grandfather personally inquired into this matter; how could there be any false accusations? Blame it on the allure of power that caused your Fourth Uncle to lose his heart and his mind!”
Chen Qi lowered his head and sighed softly.
“Alright,” Prince Pinghuai patted his son’s shoulder again, “Your injuries have not yet fully healed. The winter cold is harsh; don’t stay in the courtyard too long. Go back inside.”
“Yes,” Chen Qi agreed. He didn’t return to his room immediately but stood aside, watching his father walk away. Only after his father’s figure disappeared behind the ornate stone gate did he slowly withdraw his gaze. He frowned, his eyes heavy with thought, unsure of what he was contemplating.
—
The Crown Prince, Chen Lu, was indeed inferior to his three younger brothers in many aspects. Upon returning to the Eastern Palace from the Purple Dragon Hall, he immediately summoned several advisors, including his eldest son, Chen Xun.
Chen Lian, being younger and having an elder legitimate brother, was not usually involved in such discussions.
At this moment, Chen Lian was sitting on the railing of the covered corridor, gazing in the direction of his father’s study. He swung his legs, the embroidered boots occasionally brushing the snow-covered foliage.
Before long, he saw Changchun, the eunuch, hurriedly entering his father’s study. The swinging of his legs ceased involuntarily.
Changchun had only been tasked with one thing recently, and Chen Lian was aware of it.
“Have they found her?” Chen Lian chuckled softly. “Perhaps I’ll have a new stepmother soon.”
Moments later, the advisors began to leave the Crown Prince’s study one by one, even Chen Xun exited, leaving only Changchun inside.
Changchun, beaming, spoke in a flattering tone, “Efforts have paid off, the person has been found!”
“Oh?” The Crown Prince was overjoyed and immediately set down his teacup. “Have they really been found? Tell me, where is this woman destined for greatness?”
Changchun’s smile froze for a moment before he continued, “The birth details match perfectly, even down to the exact time of birth! However… this woman is already married…”
“So what if she’s married!” The Crown Prince was clearly unconcerned. He was only interested in the woman who could help him ascend to the throne.
Changchun knew the Crown Prince’s intentions well, but the woman’s marriage was indeed peculiar. He lowered his voice a bit and said, “She… married the heir of An.”
The Crown Prince was stunned.
“She is the Yous’ daughter, personally betrothed by the Western Empress Dowager to the heir of An!”
After delivering the message, Changchun carefully observed the Crown Prince’s expression. After a long silence, the Crown Prince finally said, “So what if she is my nephew’s wife?”
Even if she were a concubine, he would seize her if she could help him attain the supreme position of emperor.
Chen Xun exited his father’s study and, from a distance, saw his younger brother leisurely sitting on the railing. He walked over to Chen Lian, standing beside him, one hand behind his back and the other brushing some snow off his brother’s shoulder. He smiled and asked, “Why are you sitting here?”
Chen Lian stopped swinging his legs and said, “Some people are cunning, while others rely on the dubious words of soothsayers.”
“What?” Chen Xun frowned.
“Nothing. I’m hungry. Let’s go eat!” Chen Lian jumped off the railing, smiled at his brother, and turned to run off.
Chen Xun watched his brother’s retreating figure and couldn’t help but glance back at their father’s study.
—
At this moment, You Yuji was sitting by the window, personally making knee pads for her younger brother. Zhenxu and Lady Jing were sitting not far from her, also making cotton clothes for You Jiamu. Even Chunxing was quietly sewing clothes nearby. Chunxing spoke less and less, but she stayed by You Yuji’s side more and more.
You Jiamu, at his age, was about to leave the capital to go to war. You Yuji was filled with a thousand worries and reluctance. But with You Jiamu’s stubborn nature, You Yuji didn’t think she could persuade him to stay. Even if she forcefully tried to keep him, she suspected he would sneak out of the capital.
She couldn’t very well tie him up.
“Sister, why didn’t you call me to help?” Cuiyu walked in with a cheerful smile and naturally picked up the half-sewn clothes from the table, found a place to sit, and started sewing.
“I remember you don’t like needlework,” You Yuji said with a smile.
Cuiyu casually asked, “Why do you say that, sister?”
“Didn’t you refuse several times when we were sewing wedding clothes for Yingying’s sister?” You Yuji replied softly.
Cuiyu was startled, almost pricking her finger with the needle. She nodded absently, brushing off the topic without saying more.
As it got darker, Chunxing and Cuiyu finally left Tanxiang Yingyue.
However, the cotton clothes You Yuji was making for You Jiamu were still unfinished. After dinner, she lazily leaned against the beauty couch by the window, working on the final stitches of You Jiamu’s clothes.
Tomorrow was the day the army would leave the city, and she had to stay up late to finish.
Si Que emerged from the bathing chamber, glancing at You Yuji by the window. He took a glass lamp from the tall stand and placed it on the three-legged table beside the beauty couch. Then, he dragged a nearby standing lamp closer to You Yuji.
—Doing needlework by lamplight at night is always straining on the eyes, so it’s best to have a few more lamps.
After arranging everything, Si Que climbed onto the beauty couch where You Yuji was sitting. He lazily occupied the other end of the couch, beckoning Baisui over to his lap. As he slowly petted Baisui, he admired the beauty illuminated by the lamplight.
The light from the glass lamp fell on You Yuji’s face, adding a touch of warmth to her fair cheeks.
Si Que’s gentle strokes on Baisui’s back gradually slowed.
You Yuji had thought she was almost done, but the seemingly small amount of work just wouldn’t end. She inadvertently looked up and found Si Que watching her.
You Yuji was startled for a moment. She curved her lips into a gentle smile and said softly, “I still have a bit more to finish. You go to sleep first.”
She leaned forward slightly, her fingertips lightly brushing Si Que’s hand before pulling back.
Si Que nodded, his gaze following her hand as it withdrew.
Though he agreed, he made no move to get up and go to bed. You Yuji yawned softly and continued sewing.
She didn’t know when she had fallen asleep.
The next morning, Baisui nudged her hand with its head, waking her up. You Yuji opened her eyes to find herself lying on the beauty couch with a thin blanket covering her. She turned her head and realized she had been using Si Que’s legs as a pillow.
He was still asleep, the cool, clear morning light casting a soft glow on his pale face.
You Yuji gazed at Si Que’s long, dark eyelashes for a moment, unable to suppress a smile.
The clothes she was making for You Jiamu were beside her. She carefully sat up, trying not to make any noise that might wake Si Que. She picked up the clothes and examined them. Thankfully, only a bit of work on the cuffs remained. Without even washing up, she finished the stitching and carefully sewed a protective charm onto the lapel.
Finally, it was done.
You Yuji stretched lazily, the loose neckline of her robe slipping to one side, revealing her fair shoulder. She moved her legs off the beauty couch, lazily adjusted her clothes, and glanced back at the sleeping Si Que.
Before going to freshen up, she leaned down and lightly brushed his long eyelashes with her fingertip. When she moved to do it a second time, her wrist was caught by Si Que.
“Sister,” he murmured sleepily, his eyes still closed.
“Did I wake you?” You Yuji asked, her eyes smiling as she leaned down and kissed his closed eyes gently.
When she pulled back, Si Que opened his eyes.
Si Que didn’t let go of her wrist. You Yuji said softly, “Sleep a bit more. I need to take these clothes to Jiamu.”
Si Que still didn’t release her, frowning as he asked, “When will you make clothes for me, Sister?”
You Yuji thought for a moment and said, “Hmm… I’ll make them for you when I get back. There’s still some fabric left from yesterday.”
“Oh.” Si Que let go of her wrist.
You Yuji bent down to put on her shoes, picked up the cotton clothes from the table, and headed out. As she was leaving, she heard Si Que’s lazy voice behind her.
“What will you make for me?”
You Yuji smiled and said, “Hmm, there’s not much fabric left, just enough to make a bellyband for you.”
Si Que’s sleep-filled eyes suddenly snapped open, looking at You Yuji. She was already stepping out the door, turning to close it. Through the narrowing gap, she gave him a playful wink.
Hmph.
Si Que sat up with a cold expression.
“Meow,” Baisui stretched lazily from the corner.
The meow caught Si Que’s attention, and he glanced coldly over. Baisui, in the middle of a big stretch, froze in place and quickly jumped off the beauty couch, scurrying away.
—To prevent being discarded.
You Yuji smiled as she walked out of the inner room, handing the clothes she held to Zhenxu, instructing her to pack them along with the other garments they had finished the day before. Then she hurried to freshen up and change clothes, skipping breakfast in her haste to catch the army’s departure from the city.
