Delving deeper into the matter, both Shaoyao and Miraculous Doctor Yu had mentioned that the Emperor’s health was failing—even marital relations were a struggle. Yet Haoyue had managed to conceive, and in such a short span of time after receiving his favor…
Fine beads of sweat formed on Hua Zhi’s forehead. Once this thought took root in her mind, it refused to fade. No matter how she tried to steer her thoughts elsewhere, they always circled back to this point.
If this were true, the Noble Consort’s attitude would make sense. Her deliberate provocations and her apparent discord with Haoyue were all a cover for the two of them. Unless the stakes were extraordinarily high, how could she go to such lengths? This was her husband’s consort involved with her son—even if they could bypass ethical boundaries, the psychological barrier would be immense!
If these three had joined forces…
Hua Zhi spread out paper and picked up a brush, but ultimately set it down again. She couldn’t leave any written records. If their side were to lose, such documents would become damning evidence. In that scenario, saving even one person would be an achievement—she couldn’t drag everyone down with her.
The lamp in her room remained lit all night, and the entire Heir Apparent Residence stayed awake as well.
Chen Qing did not return until daybreak.
“I’ve gathered the details. The Fourth Prince has been highly favored by the Emperor these past few months. His visits to the palace far exceed previous frequencies—sometimes three or four times a day, occasionally staying for half a day at a time. He has even been invited to stay overnight in the palace. One of his advisors left the city five months ago and has not returned since. We’re still investigating his whereabouts.”
After a pause, Chen Qing continued, “Consort Xu’s maternal brother has also frequently left the city in recent months. Each time he returns, he sends items into the palace for Consort Xu.”
“Do we know what was sent?”
“They’re said to be health supplements. Currently, we have no way to enter the palace and verify this thoroughly.”
Hua Zhi didn’t know whether it was the mystery that fueled her curiosity or her intuition that this detail was crucial, but she couldn’t let it go. Since there was no clarity for now, she had to set it aside. Signaling Bao Xia to guard the door, Hua Zhi approached Chen Qing and quietly shared her suspicions.
Yan Xi trusted Chen Qing, so she did too.
Chen Qing’s eyes widened in shock, his face full of disbelief. How… how could this be? A consort and a prince? This… this would turn the world upside down!
“This is merely my speculation, with no evidence. It’s up to you to verify it.”
Chen Qing glanced outside—dawn was approaching. “I will immediately investigate in this direction.”
“You understand the magnitude of this matter. Don’t lose your composure. If we find evidence, the scheme will collapse.”
“Understood. The Fourth Prince’s residence has people arranged by the Heir. Rest assured, Young Lady, there’s no risk of exposure.”
Hua Zhi nodded. “Take on the additional task of visiting the Zhu Family, the An Guo Duke’s Residence, and the Sixth Prince’s residence. Inform them of the situation in the palace, but withhold the matter of the Fourth Prince and Haoyue for now. We’ll address it once it’s confirmed. Tell Little Six that at this time, he must scrutinize every word whispered in his ear before believing it. After that, go and submit a request for an audience.”
“Yes.”
“Also, assign a few more people for my use.”
“Everyone in the Heir Apparent Residence is at your disposal.”
Hua Zhi raised an eyebrow.
Chen Qing smiled. “The Heir has long given orders—you are the future Heir Consort, and we must respect you as we respect him.”
Hua Zhi pressed her lips together and turned away. “Go attend to your tasks. We must resolve this situation as quickly as possible.”
“Yes.”Examining the exquisite objects in the room one by one, Hua Zhi casually picked one up. Unsurprisingly, the bottom bore the imperial seal. She truly believed the emperor had once cherished Yan Xi deeply—why wouldn't he? Yan Xi was obedient, filial, unambitious, capable, and extremely useful. Were she in the emperor’s position, she too would dote on such a junior.
Yet such affection came with conditions. If one day he ceased to be so compliant, that so-called affection would become a cage meant to confine him. The emperor constantly used this to remind Yan Xi—to remind him that it was because of a woman that he grew distant from his own uncle.
But what uncle who genuinely cared for his nephew wouldn’t wish for him to find true love, build a family, and have children? Yan Xi was already twenty-five. In a world where men often became fathers by twenty, allowing him to remain unmarried wasn’t true affection—it was fear that he might prioritize his own family over his duties.
In the end, it was merely selfish control masquerading as love.
"Yan Xi..." Hua Zhi murmured his name softly, then turned and walked to the door. As she opened it, a damp breeze swept in, chilling her warmth. She couldn’t change his past, but she would protect his present and future. This was her man—anyone who wanted to bully him would have to get through her first!
The servants waiting outside bowed silently upon seeing her.
"Take a headcount of everyone in the Heir Apparent Residence. No one leaves without my order—remember, no one, without exception."
The matron closest to Hua Zhi froze momentarily. She had been the personal maid accompanying the late Ling Wang’s bride, treating the residence as her home all these years and managing the household impeccably. Even the Heir treated her with some distinction.
Though she no longer needed to perform menial tasks, she had insisted on serving today upon learning that the Hua family’s eldest daughter was visiting—just to observe the young woman up close.
For as many years as the late princess had been gone, she had waited, hoping to see the Heir smile again. Finally, she could face the princess's memory with peace.
But she never expected the girl who brought back the Heir’s smiles to be so... sharp, like an unsheathed blade.
Perhaps sensing the intensity of her gaze, Hua Zhi glanced over, prompting the matron to quickly lower her head and curtsey.
Assuming the matron feared being suspected, Hua Zhi explained tonelessly, "This matter is critical. To prevent Yan... the Heir from being implicated, you’ll have to endure some inconvenience for now."
The servant bowed promptly. "I wouldn’t dare object. I’ll make the arrangements at once."
"Wait—are there regular suppliers who deliver provisions to the residence?"
"Yes, fixed vendors."
"Replace them with trusted personnel. Watch for any irregularities."
The servant acknowledged, then hesitated before asking, "Does the young lady suspect betrayal within the household?"
"My concern is ensuring no anomalies in the coming days. Whether there was prior betrayal is for you to determine."
The servant assented and withdrew when no further orders were given, another immediately taking their place to await commands.
Hua Zhi moved to an adjacent room and paused upon hearing movement inside. "Has the Elder awakened?" she inquired from outside.
The door opened from within, a servant standing respectfully aside. "The Elder requests your presence."
Entering, Hua Zhi noticed Miraculous Doctor Yu present as well, bloodied bandages piled nearby—the quantity alone revealing the severity of the injuries.
"Is the Elder feeling better?" Hua Zhi asked, curtsying slightly.Leaning against the headboard, Gu Yelin chuckled weakly, "I won't die."
Miraculous Doctor Yu hated hearing injured people make such careless remarks. He snorted lightly and interjected, "You won't die, but if you don't rest properly, you won't live well either. If you don't want to end up unable to walk in the future, stop acting tough."
Hua Zhi froze, "It's that serious?"
"Don't be fooled by his calm appearance. The injury is far more severe than you think." Miraculous Doctor Yu shook his head, not wanting to explain the details to a young lady. He unfolded paper and brush to write a new prescription—he needed to change one ingredient from yesterday's formula.
PS: Dear readers, be patient. We've come this far—if the story falls apart, who'll be more upset, you or me? Tying up all these loose ends is giving me a headache. If I could turn back time, I'd never have planted so many foreshadowings!
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