Gao Yuexing stared at the shadows of the trees, trying to find the source of the voice, but he couldn’t see anyone.
Li Fuxiang nodded slightly. “Understood.”
Apart from the rustling of the wind, there was no other sound.
Confirming the surroundings were safe, Gao Yuexing said, “I never expected this. Consort Hui has always stayed out of palace affairs…”
Li Fuxiang replied, “She may stay out of them, but naturally, someone else handles them for her.”
Gao Yuexing remarked, “Imperial Physician Zhou is her man.”
Li Fuxiang said, “That Zhou in the Imperial Medical Bureau is well-known in the palace for being nosy. He has a pair of ears tuned to the slightest wind and insists on poking his nose into any commotion.”
He was Consort Hui’s informant.
What he knew was, in essence, what Consort Hui knew.
So well hidden!
Gao Yuexing asked, “What exactly does she want to do?”
Li Fuxiang said, “Her ambitions are too grand.”
That year, when Gao Yuexing was attacked in the palace, the implications revealed in the conversation between the two palace maids in the reed marsh had always lingered like a thorn in her heart.
One day, Gao Yuexing would pull it out completely; otherwise, she would never be at peace.
Li Fuxiang asked, “Xi Heng told me that when you fell into the water back then, it wasn’t an accident but because you stumbled upon someone’s conspiracy.”
Gao Yuexing said, “When did you find out?”
Li Fuxiang replied, “A long time ago.”
How long ago, he didn’t specify.
Gao Yuexing finally spoke of the past herself, saying, “From what those two maids said… the two consorts in the palace wanted to support an incapable child as a puppet, seize control of the court, and rule from behind the curtains. To achieve this, they colluded with Prince Wen, intending to assassinate the already-of-age Prince Xin at the Xiaoshan Palace, but they accidentally injured Li Fuyou instead.”
Because she had uncovered this secret, Gao Yuexing had nearly lost her life. However, before leaving the capital, she informed Xi Heng of the matter.
Only by ensuring that the Emperor was aware could she leave with peace of mind.
Gao Yuexing said, “So it was Consort Hui… Then who was the other person colluding with her?”
There wasn’t the slightest clue.
Mentioning Consort Hui inevitably brought up the late Li Fuqiu.
In the confession Li Fuqiu had presented to the Emperor, he had mentioned Consort Hui, but it had not aroused the Emperor’s suspicion.
Gao Yuexing said, “Li Fuqiu lived in Consort Hui’s Jingmen Palace and developed that kind of personality. I suspect it was deliberate on her part. After all, if she wanted to become regent in the future, the child she supported would have to be a useless figurehead.”
Li Fuxiang looked at her furrowed brows, barely resisting the urge to kiss away the ripples of worry between them. He struggled to restrain himself, his throat moving slightly as he said, “You’re still missing the most crucial point.”
Gao Yuexing snapped out of her daze and looked up abruptly. “What?”
Li Fuxiang said, “No matter who she wants to support, the Emperor has to die first.”
Gao Yuexing sighed inwardly at the grim reality and glared at him. “Watch your words!”
But she had to admit, Li Fuxiang had hit the most critical issue.
The Emperor was young, strong, and healthy. No matter how many children she raised in secret, it would all be in vain.
Gao Yuexing said, “Perhaps she’s planning to assassinate the Emperor?”
Li Fuxiang replied, “Can you think even bigger?”
Only Gao Yuexing truly understood his implication. She said, “Perhaps… Consort Hui is already fully prepared to stage a national mourning at any moment?”
Li Fuxiang smirked. “You’re so tactful with your words.”
Gao Yuexing retorted, “Be human for once—that’s your own father!”
Father or not, Li Fuxiang never cared for such scruples in his words.
Gao Yuexing found it hard to comprehend Consort Hui’s actions. She said, “The Emperor hasn’t treated her poorly. She has dignity, honor, and a peaceful life as a wealthy noblewoman in the palace for the rest of her days. What more could she want?”
Li Fuxiang looked at her and said, “If she were willing to lower her gaze, she might be easily satisfied. But if her eyes are fixed on the top, how could she be? Above her, there’s still the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the ultimate power.”
The Empress Dowager, as the Emperor’s birth mother, remained in the palace rightfully, enjoying the Emperor’s care and the respect of the court officials.
But Consort Hui, a mere concubine without children, should have been sent to a temple to live out her days in solitude. Only through the Emperor and Empress Dowager’s grace was she spared such humiliation and given a place to retire in comfort. She should have been bowing in gratitude to the Emperor for his benevolence.
What Consort Hui called her title of “consort” and “senior” was nothing but a tattered cloak stitched together from borrowed respect.
Consort Hui’s goal was clear: she wanted to raise a child to become Emperor. And as for herself, she wanted to taste the power of the Empress Dowager’s throne.
Gao Yuexing’s eyes turned sharp as she asked, “How did the former Empress Dowager die?”
Li Fuxiang said, “She passed away from illness.”
Her sudden question was abrupt.
Li Fuxiang asked, “What are you suspecting?”
Gao Yuexing said, “The former Empress Dowager and Consort Hui were close—everyone knew that. Tell me, if the Empress Dowager had known her sister harbored such ambitions, would she have allowed her to stay in the palace? The former Empress Dowager wasn’t very old, and her illness was rather unusual. I’m not certain of anything yet, but I need to see her medical records with my own eyes to settle my doubts.”
Li Fuxiang asked, “You’re planning to go to the Imperial Medical Bureau? Secretly?”
Gao Yuexing said, “I can’t hold back anymore. I’m going tonight.”
She turned and took a single step before Li Fuxiang grabbed her shoulder, holding her in place. He said, “I’ll go with you.”
Gao Yuexing said, “The guards at the Imperial Medical Bureau are no less vigilant. We’ll need someone to help us.”
Li Fuxiang replied, “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”
Gao Yuexing said, “Don’t make it too obvious; we don’t want to alert the snake by rustling the grass.”
Li Fuxiang nodded. “Understood.”
Halfway along, Gao Yuexing and Li Fuxiang changed their route. When they passed Chunhe Palace again, it was just as the grand palace banquet was dispersing—a rare event in the palace that only happened once every few years. Women were bustling around, chattering noisily, creating a chaotic scene.
Seeing this, Gao Yuexing and Li Fuxiang stopped at a distance and waited until the crowd at the palace gates had completely dispersed. Only then did they quietly choose an inconspicuous path to slip through.
On the way, Gao Yuexing couldn’t help but ask, “That Consort Wen Zhaorong, does she really look that much like Noble Consort Zheng?”
Li Fuxiang shook his head. “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never seen my mother, so I have nothing to compare with.”
Seeing Gao Yuexing’s troubled expression, Li Fuxiang offered, “If you truly want to know, I can ask General Zheng. His word is more reliable than anyone else’s.”
Gao Yuexing, however, was merely curious in the moment and not deeply obsessed. She said, “Let’s wait until there’s a chance.”
But after walking only a few more steps, she couldn’t hold back. “That Consort Wen Zhaorong… is she really pregnant?”
Li Fuxiang gave her a baffled look. “You’re the physician here—don’t you know?”
Gao Yuexing sighed. “Blame my lack of skill. Oh, the Chongyang Festival is coming up soon. Sister Yaonu should be bringing your medicine this year. I can ask her then.”
Gao Yuexing had left the Medicine Valley, taking a completely different path from her former senior brothers and sisters.
Even while in the mansion or the palace, she would often think of or dream about the carefree winds and radiant sunshine of those years in Medicine Valley. Then, standing amidst the high walls and grand courtyards, she would sigh deeply and steel her heart, reminding herself not to yearn for what was lost.
No matter how beautiful it had been, it was something she could never return to—a part of her life she was destined to leave behind.
There was no use in regret.
Gao Yuexing’s sudden silence made Li Fuxiang glance at her a few times, trying to please her.
He thought it was something he said that had upset her and, feeling wronged, muttered, “I really don’t know anything. That child isn’t mine…”
Gao Yuexing: “….”
The more he spoke, the more ridiculous it got.
She had no choice but to change the subject. “The gift I once entrusted to Yaonu to give you, do you still have it?”
She was referring to the miniature sand table modeled after the Xuancao Hall in Medicine Valley.
Of course, Li Fuxiang had kept it. “I know. That was where you lived in Medicine Valley. It’s beautiful,” he said. “Do you miss it? If you like, I can build a Xuancao Hall for you at the prince’s residence.”
Gao Yuexing laughed. “What I hold dear in my heart has always been only you. If you’re at the residence, why don’t you carve me a jade statue of yourself to keep me company?”
Li Fuxiang wasn’t particularly pleased with her response. “Aren’t I already by your side? Why do you need a jade carving?”
Gao Yuexing replied, “The more, the merrier, of course. I want one of you as refined and elegant, another as imposing and majestic. One of you at ten years old, and another of you at seventy or eighty.”
There were many other thoughts Gao Yuexing didn’t voice.
Of him, grown up, galloping through the mountains amidst fallen blossoms.
Of him, as a child, rolling on the bed, pouting and acting spoiled.
She wanted them all.
Following her train of thought, Li Fuxiang imagined his own statues scattered haphazardly all over their future home.
He couldn’t help but shiver, feeling an intense chill. It was downright horrifying.
No, absolutely not. He had to figure out a way to dispel her idea immediately.
Gao Yuexing had only been teasing him; after tossing out the casual remark, she didn’t bring it up again.
Fortunately, the two of them pressed forward without stopping and hurriedly arrived at the Imperial Medical Bureau. The guards at the gate were solemn and vigilant. Li Fuxiang led her around to the corner of a side wall.
He said, “We’ll climb over the wall. We’re safe here; no patrols come to this spot.”
Gao Yuexing raised her hand to measure the wall, which was as tall as two people. She realized it would be quite a challenge for her skill level.
Although she had trained her body alongside her senior brothers and sisters in Medicine Valley, as Xi Heng had once said, her physical aptitude was poor, and her innate limitations couldn’t be entirely overcome through effort.
Li Fuxiang said, “Step on me; I’ll help you up.”
Gao Yuexing glanced at his finely embroidered and elegant clothing and felt reluctant.
Li Fuxiang had no idea she was still caught up in such trivial thoughts. Seeing that the surroundings were quiet and no one was paying attention, but Gao Yuexing still hesitated, he simply reached out, wrapped an arm around her waist, and firmly lifted her onto his shoulder.
Caught off guard, Gao Yuexing swallowed the surprised yelp that nearly escaped her lips.
She found herself sitting atop Li Fuxiang’s shoulder.
In that instant, she suddenly realized that these seemingly slender shoulders, wrapped in wide robes, could provide her with such a solid and steady sense of security.
The young man was no longer who he used to be.
Li Fuxiang gave her another boost. “Up.”
Gao Yuexing, steadying herself against the outer wall, stood and carefully used his shoulder as a stepping stone to climb up to the top of the wall.
After ensuring she was safely up, Li Fuxiang stepped back, bounced lightly on his toes, and, using the protruding bricks at the wall’s base, vaulted up with ease. The hem of his dark cyan robe flared as he moved, and a flash of red beneath it swirled in the wind, resembling a butterfly spreading its wings.
He barely paused on the wall, his movements as fleeting as a dragonfly skimming the surface of water.
Gao Yuexing’s gaze followed him until their eyes met again—one above, the other below.
Li Fuxiang stood in the back courtyard of the Imperial Medical Bureau and spread his arms toward her. “Ah Xing, come down. I’ll catch you.”