In front of Kunning Palace, Feng LingSu stood motionless, her face pale as a ghost.
She had just fallen asleep when the fire broke out last night. Startled awake by the sudden commotion, she feared her secret had been discovered.
But soon, she learned it was Kunning Palace that was burning.
Upon hearing the news, Feng LingSu’s first thought was that the Empress was about to take action.
For a fleeting moment, she even suspected the Empress might attempt to kill the Emperor.
In the end, all Feng LingSu knew was that the Empress and the Crown Prince and his consort had vanished without a trace.
Feng LingSu stood thunderstruck. The Empress was gone—and in such a decisive manner. Instead of feeling any joy, she was overwhelmed by a sense of losing an ally. A desperate loneliness seized her.
Gazing at the charred roof of Kunning Palace, Feng LingSu never imagined she would one day feel this way toward the Empress.
She had always disliked the Empress—disliked that woman who carried herself as if she were above all others, disliked her unwavering refusal to compete for favor over the years. In the harem, what woman didn’t care about the Emperor’s preferences? Who could truly see through and rise above it all?
Yet the Empress was different from everyone else. She didn’t vie for favor, yet she held firmly to her position as Empress, as if she truly existed apart from the world.
Feng LingSu could never be like the Empress. She had to exert a hundred times more effort to please the Emperor. She often flaunted the Emperor’s favor, but no one understood the deep-seated fear in her heart—because only she knew how hollow that favor truly was...
The Emperor often stayed overnight at Changxin Palace, but he seldom touched her. Though he had a clear preference for sweets, he ate fewer and fewer of the pastries she prepared. Meanwhile, the imperial kitchens retained several chefs from Shu. He once enjoyed playing chess with her and praised her intelligence, yet for years, he never touched the chessboard. She had found it strange, but who could have guessed the reason? People change, she told herself. She had committed herself to the Emperor—how could she doubt him so deeply?
Yan Qi was already past twenty. She had been an imperial consort in this harem for two decades. Having come this far, what other choices did she have?
Without the Northern Garrison Army as her backing, what could she do even if she knew the truth?
Feng LingSu suddenly resented the Empress for revealing these things to her. If she had remained ignorant, she would still be the lofty imperial consort.
Bao Die was frightened by Feng LingSu’s expression and whispered cautiously, "Your Highness, let’s go. This place has been sealed off. The Emperor must be furious. If we linger, it may invite gossip. The Empress has chosen a path to certain death. Our prince now has hope."
Feng LingSu blinked and turned to look at Bao Die with vacant eyes.
Hope? No. Feng LingSu shook her head. Yan Qi was even less suited to be Emperor than Yan Che. If Yan Che could be overthrown, how could Yan Qi ever ascend the throne?
Suddenly, Feng LingSu saw everything clearly. Her heart was filled with confusion and terror, her body so weak it felt held up by a single bone. She swayed unsteadily, and Bao Die quickly supported her. "Your Highness, what’s wrong? Shouldn’t you be...?"
Shouldn’t she be happy?
Bao Die stared at Feng LingSu in utter bewilderment, feeling as though her mistress had been possessed these past few days.Normally, whenever Feng LingSu heard the Empress had a minor ailment, she would sneer three times coldly. Now that the Empress had left the palace so recklessly, shouldn't Feng LingSu be celebrating with a grand feast? Why did she look so terrified and fearful!
Bao Die didn't dare ask more. Feng LingSu weakly ordered, "Summon Prince Cheng for me!"
Returning to Changxin Palace in her sedan chair, Feng LingSu felt increasingly dizzy, yet she persisted, determined to wait for Yan Qi.
Fortunately, Yan Qi arrived quickly. Today's Yan Qi appeared more spirited and triumphant than ever before!
But the moment he saw Feng LingSu, Yan Qi frowned deeply. "Mother, what's wrong with you? This illness of yours has dragged on for too long!"
Feng LingSu raised her hand to signal Yan Qi to sit, then gave Bao Die a look to leave. Bao Die nodded and withdrew, leaving only mother and son in the room.
Feng LingSu took a deep breath before speaking quietly, "What has your fath... the Emperor ordered you to do?"
Yan Qi didn't notice the odd wording, simply replying, "The Empress and Crown Prince have secretly fled the palace. We still don't know what they plan to do. Once there's movement in the north, they won't escape the charge of treason." He gave a cold laugh. "But don't worry, Mother. Since they dared to leave the palace, this charge is inevitable."
Feng LingSu's heart skipped a beat. "Qi'er, do you believe what your mother tells you?"
Her suddenly serious tone made Yan Qi raise his eyebrows. "What does Mother wish to say?"
Feng LingSu took another deep breath, hesitating several times before speaking. "Qi'er, give up competing for the succession. These days, just do whatever your father the Emperor orders you to do. After some time, submit a memorial to your father requesting a fiefdom and leave the capital..."
Yan Qi's jaw dropped in astonishment. After a long pause, he said, "But... Mother, what do you mean by this?Feng LingSu's breathing became rapid. "Don't ask why. Trust your mother - I would never harm you. Don't contend for the throne anymore. Request a fiefdom, take Chen Bi with you and go be a prince in your territory. Let your father decide matters in the capital himself. Let whoever else wants to compete for the throne fight over it."
Yan Qi looked at Feng LingSu with utter disbelief. "Then... Mother, what about you?"
Feng LingSu paused. "I... I will naturally remain in the palace."
As she spoke these words, a chill ran up Feng LingSu's spine, but Yan Qi found it utterly baffling. He studied Feng LingSu carefully for a moment before comforting her, "I'll think carefully about this matter, Mother. Have you taken your medicine today?"
Feng LingSu waved her hand dismissively. Whether she had taken her medicine was no longer the most important issue now.
Seeing her like this, Yan Qi's frown deepened further. "Mother, please focus on recovering from your illness first. I will consider this matter carefully."
Feng LingSu urgently added with seriousness, "Qi'er, you must do as I say!"
Yan Qi nodded somewhat helplessly and stood up. "I understand. You should rest now."
Feng LingSu nodded, and Yan Qi quickly left.
Outside the main hall, Yan Qi glanced at the snow covering the palace's glazed tiles. He frowned for a moment before suddenly turning to Bao Die who was standing guard outside. He beckoned her over and led her a few steps away. "Has Her Highness shown any unusual behavior these past few days?"
Bao Die looked up at Yan Qi. "Your Highness has noticed it too?"Yan Qi frowned, and Bao Die quickly replied respectfully, "Even if Your Highness didn't ask, this servant intended to speak with you. Her Ladyship has indeed been acting strangely these past few days... First, she fell ill in a peculiar manner, then she appeared extremely fearful without knowing what she was afraid of. These days, Her Ladyship has been unable to sleep at night, plagued by nightmares every evening. That’s not all—she no longer visits Chongzheng Hall and spends her days staring blankly out the window after waking up... Your Highness, do you think Her Ladyship might be possessed by evil spirits?"
Not only Bao Die, but even Yan Qi now suspected that Feng Lingsu might be suffering from madness or possession.
After a moment of thought, Yan Qi said, "Send for the imperial physician immediately to examine Her Ladyship thoroughly. Make sure she takes her medicine. If there’s no improvement by tomorrow, report to me at once. I will then visit the Imperial Observatory."
Bao Die understood that Yan Qi shared her suspicions and nodded promptly.
The mistress of Changxin Palace was Feng Lingsu, and if anything were to happen to her, Yan Qi would be the one to rely on.
Bao Die obeyed Yan Qi’s every command without question.
At the Longevity and Health Palace, Qin Guan’s heart grew heavy upon hearing Yue Ning’s words.
Meanwhile, Yan Li was speaking with Yan Sui. Noticing the grim expressions on the two women’s faces, he approached and asked, "What’s wrong? Is it about Grandmother’s health...?"
Qin Guan waved her hand. "No, the Empress Dowager is indeed very weak, but as long as she takes her medicine properly, there is still hope."
Yan Li looked at them with confusion. "Then what were you discussing?"
Yue Ning smiled bitterly. "It’s about the matter at Kunning Palace."
Yan Li sighed but remained silent. Yue Ning continued, "The Empress Dowager cares deeply for the Crown Prince. Now that the Crown Prince has taken such a step, the Empress Dowager must be heartbroken. I still can’t understand why the Empress would take such a risk. With all city gates sealed, it’s impossible for them to leave the capital."
Qin Guan’s heart pounded like a drum—this was precisely why the Emperor had summoned Qin Shu and his son to the palace.
Though the capital was vast, with the Emperor’s orders to conduct a search, it would be extremely difficult for the Empress and several others to slip away unnoticed.
Qin Guan glanced at the overcast sky. The Empress had fled the palace last night, and the Emperor’s response would undoubtedly be swift. In such a short time, where could the Empress, along with the Crown Prince and Qin Chaoyu, possibly hide?
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