Yan Sui's eyes were as clear as a mountain stream, purely reflecting Qin Guan's face. Qin Guan saw her own momentarily stunned expression, and by the time she regained her composure, Yan Sui had already grabbed her sleeve. "Who is it? Can you tell me? I promise I won't tell anyone."
Qin Guan pressed her lips together, her face slightly pale, while Yan Sui widened his eyes insistently, as if demanding an answer.
Qin Guan sighed. "I don't know yet."
Yan Sui frowned deeply, his tone tinged with grievance. "Will you lie to me?"
Qin Guan was taken aback, then shook her head with difficulty. She didn't want to deceive Yan Sui, but some lies were unavoidable...
After studying Qin Guan for a moment, Yan Sui lowered his head. "Alright, I believe you."
Qin Guan gently brushed the top of Yan Sui's head. "Enough snow play for now. It's chilly outside—let's go back to the Warm Chamber."
Yan Sui mumbled an "Mm" dejectedly and followed Qin Guan toward the main hall. Upon entering, they unexpectedly saw Yan Li, who had arrived unnoticed while they were farther away. Spotting Qin Guan, Yan Li smiled. "Good thing you're here to keep him company. This little fellow always mopes whenever Grandmother falls ill."
Yan Sui currently relied entirely on the Empress Dowager's protection in the palace—without her care, he'd likely be neglected beyond recognition.
Mammy Chen emerged from the Warm Chamber and announced, "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager hasn't woken yet."
Hearing this, Yan Li and Qin Guan weren't in a rush to enter. Yan Li glanced at Qin Guan and asked, "Is everything alright at the Marquis' estate?"
Qin Guan sighed. "My uncle is wise enough to understand the gravity of the situation." After a pause, she added, "By the way, what about the former staff from the Eastern Palace and Kunning Palace..."
Yan Li shook his head. "They've all been sent to the Imperial Punishment Office."
The Imperial Punishment Office again... Qin Guan narrowed her eyes. Few who entered that place ever emerged alive, especially since the Crown Prince and Empress's secret flight likely involved treason.
The atmosphere grew heavy instantly. Yan Li stood silently beside Qin Guan while Yan Sui clung tightly to her hand. Qin Guan looked down and gave him a faint smile, which eased his tension slightly. Shortly after, Yan Li suddenly remarked, "I haven't seen Seventh Brother these past two days. What's he been up to?"
Qin Guan collected her thoughts and shook her head. "I'm not sure. Probably busy with official duties."
Yan Li chuckled. "True. With the Minister of Justice on sick leave, Seventh Brother is single-handedly managing the entire ministry. By year's end, Minister Song will likely retire, and His Majesty will probably appoint Seventh Brother as Minister to lead the Justice Ministry. He'd become the youngest minister in the Great Zhou dynasty!"
Though Yan Li spoke enthusiastically, Qin Guan found no joy in it. Had Prince Rui not met with misfortune, Yan Chi might have taken that position...
"Everything depends on His Majesty's decision," Qin Guan said calmly.
Yan Li turned to study her. "Qin Guan, don't you want Seventh Brother to stay in the capital with you?"
Qin Guan's heart skipped a beat as she met Yan Li's gaze, but finding his expression frank and without accusation, she asked, "Why do you ask?"Yan Li said leisurely, "The Empress Dowager has long said that if we don't keep Seventh Brother in the capital, given his temperament, he would surely go to the battlefield. But you know how it is on the battlefield—swords and arrows have no eyes. Though Seventh Brother is brave and skilled in combat, I don't want him to take such risks."
Qin Guan replied helplessly, "I hadn't thought that far. Everything depends on his own decision."
Yan Li sighed, "Seventh Brother holds you in such high regard. If you asked him to stay and serve as an official in the court, he would surely agree."
Qin Guan looked deeply at Yan Li for a moment, "If that were possible, of course it would be good."
Yan Li glanced at the dejected Yan Sui, patted his head, and said, "The Empress Dowager's health is declining day by day. Now with all these troubles, I only hope for her recovery, for Seventh Brother to remain in the capital, and for everyone to be well."
He murmured softly, but Qin Guan could only smile bitterly in her heart.
That secret had not yet been revealed to the world. If Yan Li knew the truth...
"If that were possible, of course it would be good..."
As they spoke, movement came from the Warm Chamber—the Empress Dowager had awakened.
They hurried into the Warm Chamber to pay their respects.
Waking to see so many people present, the Empress Dowager showed some delight, yet her gaze drifted absently to Yan Li's face as he entered, as if seeing someone else through him. She didn't even acknowledge Qin Guan and Yan Sui's greetings...
Qin Guan, sensing something amiss, called out, "Empress Dowager?"
Mammy Chen, standing nearby, also grew slightly pale, "Your Majesty?"
This finally snapped the Empress Dowager out of her reverie. She looked at the others and sighed, "Ah, I was lost in thought. For a moment, it seemed as if Yan Li's father had returned. I must have been mistaken, mistaken. Come, come, everyone sit."
The Empress Dowager's mental state was worsening; she was even mistaking people again, just as she had at the beginning of the year. This discovery naturally worried everyone deeply.
Leaning against her pillow, the Empress Dowager glanced intermittently at Yan Li, Yan Sui, and Qin Guan. She caught fragments of Yan Li's words, responding occasionally, but clearly struggled to focus. Qin Guan grew increasingly anxious. After waiting a moment longer, she checked the Empress Dowager's pulse. Mammy Chen was beside herself with worry but dared not show it in front of the Empress Dowager. As soon as Qin Guan finished, she hurriedly pulled her aside.
"Your Highness, how is she? The Empress Dowager seems to have reverted to how she was at the beginning of the year."
Late last year was when the Empress Dowager's illness was at its worst. During the New Year, she hovered between life and death, saved only by Qin Guan's medical skills.
Now, Mammy Chen seemed to be witnessing the Empress Dowager's confused state from late last year again.
Qin Guan frowned deeply, "I had hoped to avoid prescribing strong medicine for the Empress Dowager, but now it seems unavoidable. I will change the prescription, and her diet must be adjusted as well. She must eat properly. If that fails, I will have to resort to needle therapy, though it would be too painful for her now."
Tears welled in Mammy Chen's eyes as she listened. Qin Guan could only comfort her, "Don't worry, Momma. These days, ensure the Empress Dowager avoids any agitation. No matter what happens outside, it's best not to inform her. Let her rest peacefully."
Mammy Chen nodded repeatedly. If Qin Guan said this, the Empress Dowager's condition must be severe. Could it be that she wouldn't make it through this winter?!When Qin Guan entered again, she saw the Empress Dowager holding Yan Li's hand and saying, "Your father loved swords and blades the most—he's been fond of them since childhood. You, however, don't care for such things. Although your father had a bold and fiery temperament with a warrior's spirit, he unexpectedly took a liking to your mother. Though your mother came from a military family, your maternal grandmother was the daughter of the great Confucian scholar Lin Youdao from the two lakes region. After your grandmother married into the Fu Clan, she raised your mother meticulously from a young age, teaching her every manner and behavior according to the standards of noble young ladies from the Jiangnan region. The rules and etiquette there are even stricter than here in the north. Your mother was gentle in demeanor and beautiful in appearance—the moment your father laid eyes on her, he fell for her. As for talents like music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and song, your mother was second to none in the capital. Your father once said she seemed like a figure who had stepped right out of a painting..."
Leaning against the pillow, the Empress Dowager spoke as if telling a story. Yan Li listened with a faint smile, while Yan Sui sat obediently beside them.
From this perspective, Yan Li and Yan Sui looked even more alike.
Yan Han admired figures like Princess Consort Gong, and wasn't Consort Jin also a gentle and talented woman from a scholarly family?
Qin Guan glanced at Yan Li, then at Yan Sui, feeling a pang of discomfort in her heart. When she looked at the Empress Dowager, her heart grew even more troubled. The Empress Dowager's health couldn't withstand the slightest disturbance now; if she were to learn that secret at this moment, even if Qin Guan exerted all her efforts, she might not be able to save her.
The Empress Dowager recounted some past events in detail, and Yan Li listened attentively. After a while, the Empress Dowager waved Qin Guan over. "Wan Yatou, were the paintings Yan Chi took last time enough? I've acquired some more fine items here. I'll have Mammy Chen fetch them for you."
Qin Guan hurriedly replied, "Has Your Majesty forgotten? My dowry is already prepared. I lack nothing at the moment.The Empress Dowager looked puzzled and turned to Mammy Chen, who smiled and said, "Her Majesty is just concerned and always wants to bestow gifts upon the princess." A couple of days ago, while organizing the storerooms, we found several unopened pieces of purple and white jade here—all of exceptional quality. Her Majesty immediately said to keep half for the Yongning Princess and send the rest to you."
Touched, Qin Guan quickly declined, "There's no need, no need. If the dowry becomes too lavish and surpasses my eighth sister's, it wouldn't be proper."
The Empress Dowager then added, "Aren't you fond of paintings? I still have a few here. Would you like them?"
Qin Guan smiled wryly and replied, "Not this time. Please keep them all. You can bestow them upon me another day..."
Yan Li chuckled beside them, "Imperial Grandmother, why don't you ever reward me? What kind of paintings do you have here?"
The Empress Dowager laughed, "What would you do with them? You're not getting married. They're all antique paintings, along with some early works by the Emperor. They've been stored in my warehouse and haven't been sorted yet. It was your seventh brother who reminded me last time that I ought to organize things here."
Yan Li looked at Qin Guan and asked, "Did you see the paintings Seventh Brother brought back last time? If you're not satisfied, why not pick a couple more?"
Qin Guan declined with a smile, "I'd love to take them all, but I'm afraid others might say Her Majesty favors me too much, and that wouldn't be good. Her Majesty should keep these treasures for Yue Ning or bestow them upon me another time."Last time Yan Chi sought out the painting albums was to investigate the reason why Consort Jin had been viewing the Emperor's paintings before the incident. At the time, they selected two pieces but found nothing conclusive. Although the Empress Dowager had now offered her the paintings, Qin Guan had already learned the truth from the dagger and naturally wouldn't accept the Empress Dowager's reward—even if these paintings included works from before the Emperor's ascension. Though neither Qin Guan nor Yan Chi had explicitly stated the need for caution, Qin Guan had already subconsciously grown wary.
Hearing this, Yan Li didn't press further and instead requested a painting from the Empress Dowager for herself. Unable to refuse Yan Li, the Empress Dowager had no choice but to indulge her.
They spent the afternoon with the Empress Dowager, and as the sun began to set, Qin Guan took her leave. Seeing her rise, Yan Li also bid farewell. As they exited the main hall and reached the entrance, they spotted a young eunuch whispering something to Mammy Chen, whose expression was extremely grim.
Exchanging a glance, Qin Guan and Yan Li approached together. Yan Li asked, "What happened?"
Turning and seeing Qin Guan and Yan Li, Mammy Chen immediately dismissed the young eunuch. "Your Highness, County Princess, it's a matter concerning Changxin Palace."
At the mention of Changxin Palace, Yan Li's frown deepened. "Consort Feng? What is it? What's wrong?"
Mammy Chen looked troubled. "This isn't something I should be telling you, but since you move about the palace, you'll find out sooner or later. It's just... Consort Feng has recently fallen ill."
Unaware of the rumors about possession and hauntings, Yan Li said helplessly, "If she's ill, summon the imperial physicians. Why report to you? With Her Majesty's health declining, should she be bothered with whether Consort Feng is sick or not?"
Mammy Chen smiled bitterly. "It's not that simple, Your Highness. Consort Feng is ill, but Prince Cheng believes it's not an illness—he thinks she's been possessed. Today, he invited occultists from the Imperial Observatory to perform a ritual at Changxin Palace. You know how much the Empress Dowager dislikes such practices, which is why the palace maid came to report."
"Instead of seeking medical treatment, he invites occultists?! Since when did Prince Cheng start believing in such things?!"
Mammy Chen sighed helplessly. "I heard imperial physicians were summoned, but they couldn't identify the problem. They only said the Consort was excessively anxious, prescribed medicine, but it had no effect. No one knows what she's worried about—it's as if she's become a different person. She used to frequent Chongzheng Hall often, but these past days, she hasn't gone once. On top of that, she suffers from sleepless nights, nightmares, and fears someone means her harm. No wonder Prince Cheng suspects something unnatural—it is rather peculiar."
Yan Li narrowed her phoenix eyes. "What did the occultists say after performing the ritual?"
Mammy Chen shook her head. "They couldn't say anything. After all, it's Changxin Palace—they wouldn't dare speak recklessly."
As if she'd become a different person...
Previously so fond of visiting Chongzheng Hall, yet suddenly stopping...
Sleepless nights, nightmares, fear of being harmed...
Qin Guan's brow furrowed repeatedly upon hearing this. Feng Lingsu's condition closely resembled Consort Jin's distress before the incident. Since Consort Jin's anxiety stemmed from learning that secret, could Feng Lingsu have discovered it too? Qin Guan hurriedly asked, "When did the Consort's illness begin?"
Mammy Chen thought for a moment and said, "It should be... after the Fifth Princess's wedding!"On the day of the Fifth Princess's wedding, Qin Guan did not attend the ceremony in the palace. However, it was heard that the Emperor had released the Crown Prince and the Empress to escort the bride. Because of this, when the news reached the Marquis's residence, Hu Shi initially thought the Empress and the Crown Prince were about to see their fortunes turn. Yet, it turned out the Emperor had only intended for them to participate in the wedding procession.
That day, the Empress left Kunning Palace, received the farewell rituals, and ascended the high tower. By protocol, she would have crossed paths with Feng Lingsu. Could it be that...
Qin Guan felt a flicker of suspicion but dared not confirm it. If Feng Lingsu were to find out about this, what benefit would the Empress actually gain?
Unable to unravel the puzzle, Qin Guan, as she often did when faced with difficult thoughts, felt the urge to see Yan Chi. Just as she resolved to do so, she turned and noticed Yan Li also deep in contemplation. Catching her gaze, Yan Li said, "The Empress Dowager dislikes such matters. It's enough for Mammy Chen to be aware of this news—we must not let the Empress Dowager know. Mammy, send someone to Changxin Palace and use the Empress Dowager's token to issue an order: henceforth, no public rituals are to be held at Changxin Palace."
Hearing Yan Li's instructions, Mammy Chen felt as if Prince Gong had matured considerably. Though his tone was calm, it carried an undeniable authority. Mammy Chen promptly acknowledged the order.
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