Gao Yuexing voiced the most horrifying suspicion in her heart: “Could it be that she’s not their biological child?”
Mentioning the possibility of a mix-up in bloodlines, Gao Yuexing exchanged a glance with Li Fuxiang. Perhaps no one understood the bitterness of such a situation better than the prince in front of her.
But Li Fuxiang shook his head: “In the inner quarters of a Vice Minister of Personnel, without countless eyes watching their every move, if he suspected his bloodline to be in question, he could simply investigate it, close the doors, and deal with it privately. It wouldn’t have spread to the point where the entire city knows.”
Gao Yuexing suddenly recalled the death of Li Fuqiu.
In the vast imperial palace, he had vanished silently from Jingmen Palace, only for his body to be carried out in broad daylight months later.
Even the Emperor hadn’t dared to reveal his true identity to the world.
The identity stolen from Li Fuxiang could never be returned.
Thus, the Emperor had always harbored guilt toward him.
Gao Yuexing said, “Indeed… The Chen family’s behavior always gives me a feeling that they tried their utmost to hide something, but in the end, they couldn’t keep it under wraps. The tragic death of Miss Chen made it impossible for them to safeguard their secret, leaving it exposed under the clear light of day. What on earth could they have to hide?”
The more Gao Yuexing thought about it, the deeper her thoughts spiraled, unable to pull herself out.
At that moment, Li Fuxiang reached out and fiddled with the silver ring on her ear.
Gao Yuexing snapped back to reality abruptly. “What is it?”
Li Fuxiang looked at her. “You were so engrossed in your thoughts.”
Gao Yuexing replied, “I can’t figure it out.”
Li Fuxiang’s gaze always seemed to carry a pool of water under moonlight, likely inherited from his biological mother. She remembered that the Emperor had once described the late Zheng Yungou as resembling the moon over a desolate desert.
When Gao Yuexing traveled to the western frontier, she finally had the chance to witness that legendary sight. The moon she had seen in the deep courtyards of the capital always hung hazily in the night sky, high and distant. But in the western desert, amidst the sea of wild tea, the crescent moon at night seemed to scrape against the vast, boundless Gobi Desert. Surrounded by misty clouds, it exuded a cold, ethereal beauty. It appeared so close to the people, yet no matter how desperately one chased it, it remained out of reach.
Suddenly, a sharp pain came from her earlobe.
Li Fuxiang was tugging at her earring again.
Gao Yuexing erupted in anger, “What are you doing? Can you not stop already?”
Li Fuxiang leaped up and ran, staying far away as he retorted, “I’ve called you several times, and you ignored me.”
He had the audacity to act aggrieved.
Gao Yuexing pointed to the chair opposite her. “Come here.”
When Li Fuxiang approached, he said, “Your eyes are so beautiful.”
Gao Yuexing was just thinking to herself, ‘How could they compare to yours…’ when she heard Li Fuxiang say, “Like the abyss I saw when passing by Tieshui Cliff.”
The infamous Tieshui Cliff, a fortress that had served as a battleground on the western front of the Great Xu dynasty more than once. Looking down from the cliff, not only were the walls sheer and bottomless, but there was also an unshakable scent of blood that seemed to be infused into the wind, chilling to the bone.
His words made her sound like a bloodthirsty executioner.
Gao Yuexing began searching everywhere for a mirror.
In Li Fuxiang’s small chamber, there was no such thing as a mirror.
Gao Yuexing leaned over the copper basin by the window, studying her reflection in the water. When she was younger, living in the palace, she often overheard palace servants whispering about her, saying that despite her young age, her gaze was far too mature for a child.
At the time, her soul didn’t truly belong to someone of that age, so she never took those idle comments to heart.
But now, she was fully grown.
It seemed some things were truly engraved into one’s very bones, unchanging even with the passage of time.
Li Fuxiang actually thought she looked beautiful.
Gao Yuexing was taken aback, surprised to realize he appreciated this kind of demeanor. She reached out and tapped his chin, teasing, “You like enchantresses? Aren’t you afraid one will devour you?”
Li Fuxiang’s brows and eyes curved into a smile. “I’m right here with you.”
After some playful banter, Gao Yuexing, worried that the conversation might derail further, pushed him away. Her gaze returned to the blueprint of the Chen residence on the table before her, along with the case files.
She opened them and said, “According to the clues my father uncovered, it’s noted that on the afternoon of the day Miss Chen died, she visited Qingliang Temple?”
Li Fuxiang echoed, “Qingliang Temple?”
Gao Yuexing replied, “I’ve also been to Qingliang Temple before.”
Li Fuxiang remarked, “Two years ago, the place where Miss Chen supposedly fell into the water was at the foot of the mountain where Qingliang Temple stands.”
Gao Yuexing slowly said, “But, Your Highness, a person falling into water doesn’t always mean they slipped.”
Her words trailed off softly, almost like a murmur. If one didn’t listen closely, they might miss it.
Li Fuxiang’s smile gradually faded, replaced by a more serious expression.
Gao Yuexing continued, “Don’t forget, when I left the palace back then, I was unconscious and unable to speak. Both the palace and my family publicly claimed that I had fallen into the water.”
Furthermore, she had been forced to feign amnesia to lower the vigilance of those involved, ensuring her safe departure from the palace and return home.
Recalling the blade-free conspiracy from years ago, Gao Yuexing said, “When I woke up back then, I found myself still in the palace. I dared not touch anything that was brought to me. If I hadn’t kept my mouth shut tightly, I doubt I would’ve lived long enough for my father to come and take me home.”
Li Fuxiang’s gaze immediately turned sorrowful.
Gao Yuexing reached out to console him, gently stroking his face. “Don’t look like that.”
Li Fuxiang responded firmly, “I will pull out those two nails one day. Believe me.”
She understood the meaning behind his words and smiled knowingly. “Alright.”
Just as they were speaking, footsteps could be heard outside. Gao Yuexing noticed that the sound was unusual—there seemed to be many people, moving back and forth. Her alertness spiked. She raised her index finger, signaling for silence.
Gao Yuexing tilted her head, listening intently.
The scattered, hurried footsteps stopped just outside the chamber door.
She could hear the faint creak of the door shifting. The door was unlatched and could be opened with a simple push.
Li Fuxiang looked at her and asked, “Who is it?”
Gao Yuexing already had a good idea.
In the Gao household, few dared to go against Gao Jing’s arrangements.
The person outside didn’t manage to enter the room. A guard leapt down from the eaves, blocking the doorway, and knelt on one knee. “Madam.”
It was Gao Yuexing’s mother who had arrived.
Madam Gao’s voice remained calm and gentle, showing no hint of anger as she asked, “Who has been arranged to stay in this room?”
The guard had excellent skills but was not one of Gao Jing’s trusted aides. Instead, he was an imperial Jinyiwei guard sent by the Emperor. Madam Gao found his face unfamiliar but didn’t dwell on it.
The guard, unwilling to reveal his identity, considered himself a member of the Gao household while stationed there. He replied, “A guest invited back to the residence by the master.”
This vague explanation didn’t satisfy Madam Gao. She asked further, “What sort of esteemed guest would require my daughter to personally entertain them?”
Her tone carried a dangerous edge. The guard dared not argue, bowing his head but steadfastly guarding the door.
Madam Gao, though known for her good temper, was unyielding on this matter. “Half of this household belongs to me. No matter who it is, anyone daring to target my daughter will receive only two words from me—absolutely not.”
Inside, Gao Yuexing gave Li Fuxiang a light pat and whispered, “My mother is upset. I need to go out. Wait here for a while. I’ll ask my father if we can get permission to investigate Qingliang Temple.”
Not wanting a confrontation between her mother and the guard, Gao Yuexing didn’t delay, opening the door and stepping out. She shut the door firmly behind her, leaving no gap.
Madam Gao’s gaze swept past her daughter’s shoulder but saw nothing inside. With anger barely concealed, she looked at her daughter and said, “If it’s a female guest, wouldn’t they be hosted in the front hall? Who is inside?”
Gao Yuexing chose her words carefully. “An old acquaintance from my childhood.”
Madam Gao considered the term, “Old acquaintance.”
Gao Yuexing, showing filial consideration, said, “Mother, the heat today is stifling. Staying out too long could make you ill. Let me escort you back.”
Seeing her daughter’s obedient demeanor, Madam Gao couldn’t bring herself to scold her, despite her lingering frustration.
A group of maidservants stood behind Madam Gao. As Gao Yuexing approached, they naturally stepped aside. Taking her mother’s arm, Gao Yuexing said, “Let’s go back, Mother.”
Madam Gao eventually sighed. “Your father has become more and more careless, saying nothing to me about these matters. Men call their wives ‘inner ones,’ and we women call our husbands ‘outer ones.’ There is a clear division between inside and outside. When your elder brother reached the age for schooling, I handed him over to your father for his education. Similarly, your elder sister was always raised by me, with your father rarely intervening. But when it comes to you, everything is so unusual.”
Noticing that Gao Yuexing remained silent, Madam Gao muttered to herself, “I’ll have to ask your father properly when he returns.”
Gao Yuexing glanced at the sky, estimating that her father would likely return soon. Madam Gao had already arranged for dinner and sent someone to wait for him in the front hall.
Entering the house, Gao Yuexing saw her elder sister and younger brother.
Although she had been home for several days, Gao Mingdong, her four-year-old brother, still acted like a mouse encountering a cat whenever he saw her. He kept hiding behind their elder sister, Gao Yuemin, sneaking peeks at her.
Gao Yuexing wasn’t skilled at interacting with children. After staring at her little brother for a while, she recalled Li Fuxiang’s description of her earlier that day.
Was she really that frightening?
Not wanting to coddle him today, Gao Yuexing directly reached out and grabbed the little boy, pulling him out from his hiding spot.
Gao Mingdong, a chubby and cleanly groomed little dumpling, waved his plump, lotus-like arms. “Ah! Help, help, help me—Mother, Sister!”
Madam Gao walked in and, seeing them playing around, turned and left again.
When Gao Mingdong realized he couldn’t rely on his mother, he teared up and turned to his eldest sister for help.
Gao Yuemin, as expected, couldn’t bear it any longer. “Ah Xing, what are you doing?”
Gao Yuexing held onto his collar, refusing to let go. “I want to ask him why he keeps hiding from me.”
Gao Yuemin reasoned, “Isn’t it normal? You’ve been away from home for so many years. He was born after you left and has never met you…”
Gao Yuexing lowered her head, forcing Gao Mingdong to look her in the eyes. “Am I that scary?”
Terrified, Gao Mingdong blurted out everything in his heart. “I don’t want to play with you. They said you’re a ghost and that you’ll drag me to the underworld with iron chains!”
…
Gao Yuexing stared at him, frowning, but before she could say anything, Madam Gao briskly entered the room. Though she had been outside, she had been paying close attention to the children’s commotion. More cautious than Gao Yuexing herself, she asked, “They? Who? Who told you such things?”
Gao Yuemin’s expression also darkened as she silently fixed her gaze on the boy.
Surrounded by the three women, Gao Mingdong instinctively leaned toward his mother. Seeing no smile on her face, he timidly dared not lie and answered, “A pretty older sister.”
Madam Gao frowned. “And who might that be?”
At this moment, Gao Yuemin spoke up, “Mother, during the spring and summer, when the flowers are in full bloom, it’s the season for young ladies to visit one another. We’ve had no shortage of guests in our home lately. Several madams often bring their daughters along during their visits.” Taking Gao Mingdong’s small hand, she coaxed him gently. “Mingdong, don’t be afraid. Tell your eldest sister who said this to you. What’s her surname? What does she look like?”
Gao Mingdong blinked and finally turned his gaze to Gao Yuexing, pointing at her. “Second Sister. She’s about the same height as Second Sister.”
By this, he meant someone of a similar stature to Gao Yuexing.
Gao Yuexing wasn’t particularly tall, but among the young ladies of the capital, there wasn’t much variation in height for those her age.
After scrutinizing his memories carefully, Gao Mingdong thought for a moment and gestured with his hand, adding, “A little shorter.”
Shorter than Gao Yuexing—it became much clearer.
Gao Yuemin began to calculate in her mind. “Not long ago, after His Highness Prince Xiang returned to the capital but before Ah Xing came home, two young misses of the Chen family accompanied the Chen family’s matriarch to visit our grandmother at the villa. Mingdong and I happened to be there at the time and played with them for half a day.”
Gao Yuexing added, “Someone shorter than me should be the second miss of the Chen family, correct?”