The itinerary for the prayer ceremony had long been finalized. Originally, after today's prayers concluded, they were to depart directly for the imperial retreat from Xiangguo Temple early the next morning after preparations. However, no one anticipated that His Majesty's prayers would be met with misfortune, and with rumors spreading like wildfire outside, he was unwilling to leave the temple at this time.
For one, an abrupt departure would disgrace Master Xuqing and damage the temple's reputation and patronage, while also appearing undignified for a sovereign. For another, His Majesty could not leave in a fit of pique, as it would only reinforce the perception that heaven had forsaken him. With recent whispers of his fratricide and usurpation still circulating, he would never allow anyone to connect the two incidents and exploit them.
All of this was within Shen Xihe's expectations, as it was she and her husband who had tampered with the incense. But it came as a surprise to Noble Consort Rong, who had assumed they would depart the next morning and had planned her scheme for that very night.
Missing this night meant missing the best opportunity to undermine Shen Xihe's authority over the palace. During this visit to Huguo Temple, all matters concerning the female retinue—accommodations, meals, safety, and more—were under Shen Xihe's purview.
There were countless ways to sabotage such arrangements. Shen Xihe had no intention of diverting numerous agents to monitor Noble Consort Rong's people, as doing so would expose her own spies in the palace. One must not forget that behind Noble Consort Rong stood His Majesty, who was eager to uncover Shen Xihe's hidden cards and swiftly clip her wings.
Shen Xihe disliked being passive; she preferred to seize the initiative. Moreover, when dealing with those whose interests directly conflicted with hers, she favored decisive strikes over protracted entanglements.
As she stroked Duanming's fur, she reflected that she was no cat—she took no pleasure in the meaningless thrill of toying with prey.
If Noble Consort Rong dared to make a move, she had better be prepared to face the consequences.
The moon climbed above the willow branches, bathing Xiangguo Temple in a blend of candlelight and lunar glow, while cicadas chirped incessantly.
Shen Xihe's room had gone dark. As they were in sacred grounds, even she and Xiao Huayong, though married, slept in separate quarters. The courtyard housed not only them but also Li Yanyan and her husband. With limited monastic rooms available, officials had sought lodging outside.
Hidden spies observed the extinguished lights in Shen Xihe's room and promptly reported back. Noble Consort Rong, her hair undone, sat in the dim chamber, half her face cast in moonlight reflected on a bronze mirror, her gaze sinister: "Proceed as planned."
This was Shen Xihe's first time managing palace authority. Key areas required trusted personnel to guard them—such as the temple's kitchen. From that day until the next morning's meal, all vegetarian dishes and pastries served to the nobility were of utmost importance. Unwilling to expose her palace operatives, Shen Xihe assigned Ziyu to oversee the kitchen.
Ziyu had previously been in charge of the Eastern Palace's culinary affairs. Anyone who had thoroughly investigated Shen Xihe's attendants would know that her maids were cunning and skilled, difficult to outmaneuver or subdue—all except Ziyu, who was the easiest to target.Ziyu was dutifully overseeing the kitchen when she suddenly heard a familiar cry. Turning around, she spotted Duanming's figure. She called out to the cat, and Duanming came running toward her. Fortunately, there were some small fish crisps in the kitchen. She brought them over to feed Duanming, but just as she extended her hand, a sharp whistle sounded. Ziyu's attention was instantly diverted, and in that split second of distraction, the "Duanming" before her suddenly bared its sharp claws and scratched her arm fiercely.
"Ah—" Ziyu gasped in shock and pain as Duanming swiftly fled.
She took a step to chase after it but then remembered Shen Xihe's instructions and retreated to guard the kitchen. She grabbed a fire-tending eunuch and ordered, "Go find the female historian Zhenzhu by the Crown Princess's side. Tell her Duanming is acting strangely."
The cat looked identical to Duanming, and Ziyu didn't immediately suspect it was an imposter. She only thought someone had tampered with Duanming and hoped the Crown Princess would be cautious and not let the cat get too close.
The eunuch obeyed and left. Ziyu sat down.
On a summer night in the capital, even the wind was dry and hot. This oppressive heat seeped into Ziyu's body, making her feel unbearably uncomfortable. Fine beads of sweat broke out on her skin, and the scratched area began to itch. Looking down, she saw a patch of red swelling.
She stood up to call the guards at the door but felt dizzy as soon as she rose. Her vision grew increasingly blurred until she collapsed. Though she fell, she didn't lose consciousness. Like a fish stranded on the shore, she lay weak and parched, her lips moving soundlessly. Soon, a shadowy figure quietly approached, lifted her without a sound, and carried her away. The eunuch who had gone to deliver the message returned with Zhenzhu, but neither of them saw Ziyu.
Ziyu was carried all the way to the firewood shed, where a thin monk with greasy stains around his mouth was waiting. The person who brought her set her down and said, "Her Ladyship sends you a gift. Since you've tasted meat, why not try the flavor of a woman too?"
Tears welled in Ziyu's eyes as she lay powerless. She heard the footsteps of her captor fading away and the door of the shed closing.
Just as the thin monk crouched beside Ziyu and reached for her clothing, something struck his back, freezing him in place. Immediately, two figures dropped lightly from the roof, carrying a black cloth sack.
Inside the sack was an unconscious woman. The newcomers were none other than Jiuzhang, under Xiao Huayong's command. Jiuzhang pulled out a palace maid from the sack—she was Noble Consort Rong's female historian.
Unlike in the palace, the personal maids brought by the imperial consorts couldn't all remain by their sides to serve. They were housed together in one room. Shen Xihe had deliberately arranged for Moyu to share quarters with them, making it easy to render everyone unconscious, kidnap Noble Consort Rong's female historian, and swap her for Ziyu.
Meanwhile, an assassin broke into the meditation chamber where the Emperor was resting. The assassin's arrival was extremely peculiar—somehow evading layers of guards and slipping silently into the chamber. He even launched a fatal strike at the Emperor. Though the Youning Emperor woke alert and dodged quickly, the sword still grazed his shoulder, splattering blood across the curtains.
"Guards—!" the Youning Emperor shouted, swiftly avoiding the assassin's second thrust.The guards on duty outside and the palace attendants were all startled, quickly kicking the door open and rushing in. Liu Sanzhi swiftly dashed towards the Youning Emperor, barely managing to intercept the sword that had already reached within two inches of the emperor’s brow. With a lift and a twist of his horsetail whisk, he entangled the assassin’s blade, forcing the assassin to retreat. Immediately, the assassin was surrounded by the surging guards.
"Take him alive!" the Youning Emperor commanded sternly.
With the emperor’s order, the guards dared not strike to kill. The masked assassin in black was highly skilled, and for a moment, they could not subdue him. Deliberately, the assassin aimed his vital points at a guard’s blade. The guard, strictly adhering to the imperial command, immediately withdrew his weapon, only to be kicked aside by the assassin. Seizing the opening, the assassin broke through the encirclement, leaped into the air, and vanished into the darkness.
This was not the imperial palace. Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong were not far from the Youning Emperor. Upon hearing that His Majesty had been attacked, they hurried over.
As they left the courtyard, a shadowy figure stealthily slipped inside.
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