The women in Chunhe Palace were idly chatting. On the surface, they appeared close and friendly, but in truth, each harbored her own thoughts.
No wonder Li Fuxiang didn’t want to linger there and had left early.
However, Gao Yuexing enjoyed the lively atmosphere.
The tangled and enigmatic schemes no longer made her feel weary. On the contrary, she vaguely sensed a feeling of excitement.
She knew someone in the shadows was constantly watching her every move, waiting to pounce and deliver a fatal blow, wishing for her death and her eternal downfall.
Likewise, Gao Yuexing was already on guard.
She didn’t want to die.
Not only did she want to live, but she also wanted to drag those hidden in the darkness into the sunlight, exposing their true faces.
The outcome was still uncertain—who would triumph in the end remained to be seen.
Li Fuxiang had gone to Qianqing Palace.
When the emperor finished court, a young eunuch stepped forward to report. The emperor, originally intending to head to the Imperial Study, stopped in his tracks and turned back toward Qianqing Palace.
Coincidentally, at the same time the emperor finished court, the tea in Chunhe Palace had also gone cold.
Lu Weixiao was the first to rise and take her leave.
Consort Xian sat high in her seat of honor.
Gao Yuexing escorted her sister-in-law out the door and watched as she followed the guidance of the palace attendants and headed out of the palace.
Just as Lu Weixiao was walking away, attendants from Qianqing Palace came running in this direction. Gao Yuexing glanced up at the sun and estimated that the emperor must have concluded his court session. Sure enough, the attendant, hunched over and smiling, stopped before Gao Yuexing and said, “Greetings to Princess Consort Xiang. His Majesty requests your presence in Qianqing Palace.”
Gao Yuexing nodded and followed.
The attendants of Qianqing Palace were not like those of other palaces. Gao Yuexing regarded them with a higher level of respect. Despite their youth, they carried within them countless secrets that could not be revealed.
Gao Yuexing attempted to strike up a conversation. “If I recall correctly, your surname is An?”
The young attendant didn’t turn his head but shifted slightly to the side, continuing his brisk pace as he replied, “Your memory is excellent, Princess Consort Xiang. I serve at the outer gates of Qianqing Palace and haven’t had the chance to meet you properly a few times.”
This was a polite remark.
Those stationed at the outer gates of Qianqing Palace were the ones who saw everyone coming and going and were often tasked with casual instructions.
Gao Yuexing lowered her gaze slightly and said, “Eunuch An, I’d like to ask you about something.”
Eunuch An let out an exaggerated “Oh!” and said, “You’re too kind, Princess Consort. Palace matters hardly need to be inquired about.”
Gao Yuexing said, “What I want to know is an incident from over twenty years ago.”
Eunuch An respectfully replied, “Princess Consort must be joking. I’m not much older than you.”
The attendants at the gates of Qianqing Palace naturally had tight lips.
Gao Yuexing understood that every word she spoke to him today might be relayed verbatim to Xu Xiude’s ears.
Xu Xiude’s ears did not belong to himself but were grown for the emperor.
However, since Gao Yuexing dared to ask, she did not fear the emperor knowing.
Gao Yuexing said, “Over twenty years ago, Consort Meng gave birth to Prince Xin, but from what I’ve observed over the years, their relationship as mother and son doesn’t seem particularly close… I’m a bit curious. It has indeed been a long time. If Eunuch An doesn’t know the details, could you perhaps find another way to inquire?”
Another way…
An event from twenty years ago.
To uncover the truth, one would need to seek out those old retainers from that time.
Prince Xin was born in the princely residence. Back then, the late emperor was still alive, and the current emperor had yet to ascend the throne.
At that time, among the attendants serving beside the emperor, the only one who came to mind was Steward Xu Xiude.
Eunuch An’s mind churned with tumult.
The Princess Consort of Xiang had always been a clever person.
When dealing with intelligent people, one needed to exercise utmost caution. Every word they spoke might carry meanings beyond the surface.
The Princess Consort wanted him to find someone to investigate the events of those years. Inevitably, this would lead to Xu Xiude, and if Xu Xiude found out, it meant the emperor would know too.
…
Eunuch An gradually came to a realization.
—Could it be that the Princess Consort of Xiang intended to use their mouths to subtly bring up these matters with the emperor?
Ahead, the outline of Qianqing Palace was already visible.
Eunuch An cautiously said, “I reckon that those who know about those old events are now all close confidants of the emperor.”
Gao Yuexing nodded in satisfaction. “Hmm—”
Eunuch An felt a wave of relief.
The Princess Consort merely wanted him to pass along a word to someone above—not too difficult.
The warm chamber of Qianqing Palace had been preserved.
It remained exactly as it was when Li Fuxiang had left it all those years ago, unchanged in the slightest.
The emperor found Li Fuxiang napping in the warm chamber and woke him up, asking if the young couple had eaten breakfast yet. Learning they had not, he sent someone to Chunhe Palace to invite Gao Yuexing over.
When Gao Yuexing entered, she knelt to pay her respects to the emperor. As she rose, she noticed two family letters she had sent back, placed conspicuously beside the emperor.
The emperor glanced at her with a smile, waved his sleeve, leaned back in his chair, and said, “There is no empress in my harem. In the future, when the Eastern Palace is established and a crown princess is appointed, all matters of rank and propriety should follow the crown princess. With a rightful position, actions will become much more convenient.”
Gao Yuexing replied dutifully, “I have no desire for power. Your Majesty need not rush.”
There were still unfinished matters waiting for her to address. Gao Yuexing had no intention of locking herself in the deep palace prematurely to clean up the emperor’s messes.
Once Gao Yuexing arrived, Xu Xiude ordered breakfast to be served. Turning around, he spotted Xiao Anzi peeking around the doorway. Annoyed, he stepped out and smacked him on the head, scolding, “A grown man, and still so careless in your actions!”
The outer gates of Qianqing Palace were staffed entirely with servants personally promoted by Xu Xiude.
Xiao Anzi quietly relayed what Gao Yuexing had said on the way to Xu Xiude, adding, “I really don’t dare make a decision on my own, so I thought I’d ask Master Xu for guidance.”
Xu Xiude’s thoughts were straightforward.
Gao Yuexing’s words to the servant clearly pointed her suspicions toward Consort Meng Zhaoyi.
However, making an unsubstantiated accusation was tantamount to tarnishing someone’s innocence.
Thus, she had chosen this indirect approach, merely to ensure they were aware of her suspicions.
As for the matter Gao Yuexing wanted to investigate, Xu Xiude planned to devise a way to deliver the information to her after reporting to the emperor.
With a wave of his hand, Xu Xiude dismissed Xiao Anzi, who left without a word.
—
After breakfast, the emperor subtly inquired about Li Fuxiang’s plans now that he had returned to the capital.
The emperor was hoping Li Fuxiang would spend more time in the palace keeping him company.
Unexpectedly, Li Fuxiang showed no regard for his father’s hopes and, instead, cheerfully rattled off a list of places he wanted to visit for fun.
The emperor held a cup of his prized imperial Longjing tea, yet he could no longer savor its delicate fragrance. Instead, all he could taste was bitterness. “So, you’re saying there’s nothing fun in the palace?”
Li Fuxiang replied, “I’ve been playing in the palace for over a decade. What could possibly be new or fun for me?”
The emperor was rendered speechless.
Taking advantage of their distraction, Gao Yuexing quickly finished her tea. She was quite fond of the flavor of green tea. With a glance, she signaled the maidservant by her side to take away the empty cup. Then she spoke up: “There’s fun to be had in the palace, of course!”
She poked Li Fuxiang with her finger and said, “If you’re bored, why don’t you ask the emperor for an edict to renovate your old residence, the Xiaonan Pavilion?”
The emperor had always avoided the subject of that place, but he couldn’t let the Xiaonan Pavilion remain neglected forever.
After all, it was within the palace grounds, and the area was nearing the point of becoming a desolate graveyard. The Astronomical Bureau had even raised concerns several times, stating that it was affecting the feng shui of the imperial city.
In the harem, no one dared mention or touch the subject out of fear of provoking the emperor’s wrath. Only Li Fuxiang had the ability to speak on this matter.
Over the years, the emperor hadn’t voiced his thoughts on it, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t considered it.
The Xiaonan Pavilion would need to be renovated sooner or later.
But how it would be renovated was still something he was undecided about.
No matter how it was fixed up, it wouldn’t change the fact that it was the place where Li Fuxiang had been imprisoned for ten years—a place tied to the emperor’s irreparable mistakes.
The emperor turned to Gao Yuexing. “What ideas do you have? Let me hear them.”
As a princess consort, there were some things Gao Yuexing deemed inappropriate for her to say directly.
So, she shifted her gaze to Li Fuxiang and said, “Your Highness, haven’t you already thought this through?”
Li Fuxiang stared back at her, utterly confused.
How had he already thought this through?
No one had even mentioned this to him before!
However, Gao Yuexing’s gaze remained frank and unflinching, making people uneasy. If Li Fuxiang had even a shred of doubt in his own resolve, he might have started to question his own memory at this moment.
But Li Fuxiang was utterly confident in his mind—absolutely not!
Gao Yuexing raised an eyebrow and said, “Hmm?”
Li Fuxiang felt her hum carried a faint sense of threat. Reluctantly swallowing his annoyance, he thought for a moment and casually replied, “Isn’t it close to the Eastern Palace anyway? If it’s such an eyesore to the emperor, just tear it all down and merge it into the Eastern Palace.”
Indeed.
The emperor might find the place unpleasant, but Li Fuxiang felt indifferent about it—or even carried a trace of sentimental attachment. After all, it was the courtyard where he had grown up.
Gao Yuexing asked, “Does His Majesty think that’s feasible?”
The emperor pondered for a moment and then nodded. He turned to Li Fuxiang and said, “Your idea isn’t bad. Speaking of which, the Eastern Palace has been left unused for so many years. Back then, I asked Prince Xin to help renovate it once, but that child was too earnest. He merely assigned a few servants to clean the floor tiles inside and out. If I intend to put it to use now, it truly needs to be properly refurbished. Fuxiang, you’ll take care of this matter.”
Gao Yuexing had managed to secure this task for Li Fuxiang—a job that required no effort and could win favor. Yet, Li Fuxiang felt no joy at all. He was going to be stuck in the palace again.
Without needing to guess, Gao Yuexing knew exactly how he felt. Casually, she added, “If you find it boring, I can come and keep you company.”
Often, the most casually spoken words reveal the truest feelings.
Hearing this, the emperor glanced at her, faintly sensing something amiss, but no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t pinpoint the issue and let it go.
After breakfast was cleared away, the couple left the palace.
—
Immediately after, Xu Xiude reported Gao Yuexing’s thoughts to the emperor.
The emperor asked, “Meng Zhaoyi?”
Xu Xiude nodded.
The emperor clearly hadn’t considered this possibility. “That can’t be.”
Xu Xiude replied, “That’s what the princess consort said. This servant doesn’t understand the reasoning behind it either.”
The emperor stood up and paced a few steps. “Back then, Consort Hui was conspiring with others to take Prince Xin’s life. Could Meng Zhaoyi really harm her own son?”
Xu Xiude remained silent for a long time.
The emperor, expecting a response, glared at him.
Xu Xiude finally lowered his voice and spoke softly into the emperor’s ear: “It’s true that the traitors back then wanted Prince Xin’s life, but Your Majesty, wasn’t Prince Xin perfectly fine and didn’t die? The one who died was Consort Xu’s child.”
Despite Xu Xiude’s usual tone being indistinguishable from that of an ordinary man, there was something inherently lacking in him from birth. When he lowered his voice to speak, it sent a chilling sensation creeping up one’s spine.
The emperor couldn’t suppress the shock of such an unimaginable notion. His expression turned icy in an instant.
Xu Xiude had already taken several steps back, standing silently with his hands folded, as if nothing had just occurred.