Wаnwаn hаd grоwn uр expеriеncing manу things, yet shе hаd аlwауs bеen well-рrotected. Of cоursе, she hаd her shаrе оf sоrrows, but thеу wеrе thе melаncholy оf уouth, rаrely leаving deeр scars. Тhus, shе rеmаinеd рurе and kind-heаrtеd, almоst withоut аny сunning.
While Wаnwаn was worrуing аbout Еmpress Zhaо, Tong Huаn hаrbоred dоubts about the situаtiоn. Shе tugged аt Wаnwаn’s slееvе and whisреred, “Оld Cоnsort Zhaо is truly ресuliar. Instеаd оf rеturning to her quartеrs after being wronged, whу did she go to thе Golden Рaviliоn? Dоes shе need beautiful scenery to accompany her tears? With so many people in the palace today, Your Highness must be cautious. In my opinion, we should go to the Palace of Heavenly Purity first. Once the banquet is over, we can visit her at the Chirping Phoenix Palace tomorrow.”
The eunuch leading the way overheard this. He glanced back at Tong Huan and said, “Auntie, there is no principle in this world that justifies ignoring someone in distress. Empress Zhao is currently in a state of despair. If you ask Her Highness to visit her tomorrow and something happens tonight, would your conscience be at ease?” Then, turning to the Princess Royal with an apologetic smile, he added, “This matter originally has nothing to do with me. I was merely entrusted with a task. Your Highness, with your compassionate heart, saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda. If you are willing to go, I will lead the way. If you are unwilling, I will simply report back.”
Wanwan felt somewhat hesitant, but she also worried that refusing this request would lead to endless awkwardness in future meetings. After weighing the situation repeatedly, she considered that within the heavily guarded imperial palace—where she had lived since birth and never encountered any danger—merely visiting the Golden Pavilion shouldn’t be anything to fear.
She pressed Tong Huan’s hand gently and said, “Since someone has been sent to invite me, I should at least go and see. If it’s nothing serious, I’ll just offer a few words of comfort.” Glancing toward the Palace of Heavenly Purity, she added, “The banquet is about to begin. It would have been better to enjoy crabs in the garden, but now… I’m afraid the Empress Dowager will look for me and blame me later. Go ahead and inform Mama Zhang. If the Empress Dowager asks, she’ll have an answer.”
Tong Huan hesitated, looking at her. “How can you go alone?”
Wanwan smiled. “Where is this? It’s not some chaotic place outside. Who in the palace doesn’t know me? Just go and deliver the message, then come back to meet me. That way, I’ll have an excuse to leave if I get held up. It’s tiresome to be stuck somewhere, wasting time and energy.”
The Golden Pavilion was not far ahead, adorned with flowers and plants—a place where palace ladies enjoyed chrysanthemums. Along the winding corridor, palace lanterns were scattered at intervals, casting a bright and open light. In such an illuminated place, there was no room for hidden filth or wrongdoing. Tong Huan felt she might have been overly worried and agreed before turning toward the Prosperous Ancestral Gate.
As for Wanwan, she remained immersed in the sadness from earlier. She was a proud person who didn’t want others to see her distress. Having Tong Huan by her side every step of the way honestly made her uncomfortable. Seizing this opportunity to send her away allowed Wanwan to calm her emotions.
The eunuch walked ahead, holding a lantern. The moonlight, clear as silk, illuminated the path beneath her feet. She called out to him, “I can go alone from here. You may attend to your duties.”
The young eunuch quickly replied, “Your Highness, please be careful on your way. I shall take my leave.”
Wanwan stood alone on the bluestone path for a moment. Autumn had arrived before the Mid-Autumn Festival. While the days still felt warm, the nights were beginning to carry a chill.The weather was slightly cool, but not as chilling as her heart. Her mind was filled with the lingering scent of Auspicious Brain and the hem of a skirt from the room behind Pure Residence. How many secrets were hidden in that standing cabinet? She had barged in without thinking, surely startling them.
Really, she rubbed her face, feeling both sorrowful and somewhat amused. Xiao Duo, such a domineering person, had found a good match in Yin Lou. When it came to persistence, Yin Lou claimed second place, and no one dared claim first. If they truly stayed together, they were indeed a perfect match. This was for the best. Yin Lou was part of the Forbidden City and would remain here in the future. And herself? She was destined to leave. With Yin Lou by his side, Xiao Duo would never be lonely again.
This vague affection was utterly insignificant. In truth, she didn’t quite understand what love was. Perhaps she felt possessive toward anyone who treated her well. She only dared to secretly imagine his features in her heart, and when facing him, she lacked even the courage to look at him a moment longer. How could that be considered love?
Yin Lou was different. Now that the clouds had cleared, she realized Yin Lou’s earlier melancholy had a reason. Xiao Duo showed no outward signs of distress, but his smiling eyes carried sorrow, all for Yin Lou’s sake. So, in matters like this, there was no first-come-first-served. What did it matter that she had known him for so many years? The most pitiful part was that in his eyes, she might forever remain an immature princess. Her affection was nothing more than a childish joke to him.
She sighed and looked up at the moon in the sky. The heavens were clear, without a trace of clouds. After so many years, it was rare to have such a Mid-Autumn Festival night, such a beautiful evening. Those in love should be reunited. As for herself, perhaps she just needed to wait a little longer. Eventually, she would meet someone worthy of entrusting her life to.
Gathering her thoughts, she ascended the steps. The Golden Pavilion was not the colloquial name for the two gilded bronze pavilions in front of the Palace of Heavenly Purity. This pavilion was built behind Rain Flower Pavilion, spanning the long corridor between the Hall of Precious Splendor and the Hall of Central Harmony. It had burned down over a decade ago and was later rebuilt in the style of the Golden Hall of State, with four encircling pillars and a circular pyramidal roof, more elaborate than ordinary garden pavilions. To think Empress Zhao had chosen such a poetic place for her sorrow. Wanwan walked along the corridor, seeing only a profusion of rare chrysanthemums in full bloom, but no sign of Empress Zhao.
She stopped, surrounded by silence. The Eunuchs on duty stood far away by the door, motionless as mountains. She called out, “Sister-in-law Zhao,” but unfortunately, there was no response. She must have already left. Wanwan felt a bit annoyed. She had been specifically summoned here, only to find no one. Why was everyone like this today?
Her irritation grew. From now on, she wouldn’t let anyone fool her again. As she turned to leave, a person emerged from somewhere, wearing a humble smile and bowing to her from a distance.
Wanwan couldn’t help but frown. What kind of play was this? It seemed Empress Zhao hadn’t given up and had arranged this intentionally.
She took a step back, intending to return to the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Unexpectedly, the man quickly approached. The lamplight illuminated his features—fairly handsome, but with an air of humility emanating from his entire being.
Unpleasant, even repulsive to her. But since he was now before her and dressed in the official robes of the imperial court, she had to show some courtesy.She tucked her hands into her sleeves, looking at him with a hint of arrogance. "The inner palace is a restricted area. How can an outsider wander here freely? Where do you serve that you don’t even understand such basic rules?"
He likely hadn’t expected her to be so blunt, showing a momentary look of surprise before quickly regaining his composure. With a smile, he replied, "Your Highness, Princess Chang, has misunderstood. Today, by the Emperor’s decree, the entire palace, except for the Eastern and Western Six Palaces, is open without restrictions. The Golden Pavilion has always been a place for officials to admire the flowers, so my presence here is hardly inappropriate." He glanced at her and bowed again. "It was my abruptness that startled Your Highness. You asked where I serve—I am Zhao Huanzhi, Counselor of the Provincial Administration Office. Empress Rong’an, Empress Zhao, is my elder cousin. Surely Her Majesty has mentioned me to Your Highness?"
Just as expected—Empress Zhao had been intent on matchmaking, and today she had finally seized the opportunity. Matchmaking itself was not inherently wrong; with the Zhao family’s decline looming, seeking a princess as a lifeline was understandable. But she should not have deceived her with empty words. As the Princess Royal, her status was clear—she was no village woman to be summoned at will. For Empress Zhao to disregard palace decorum and assume such a role was truly degrading and contemptible.
Feeling insulted, her expression grew even colder. Unwilling to engage further, she said icily, "A banquet is being held at the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Councillor Zhao should hurry there. The palace has its own rules; even with the Emperor’s decree, certain proprieties must be observed. And one more thing—please convey a message to Old Consort Zhao: the palace has changed hands. She should reflect on herself. Instead of lamenting her misfortunes all day, she would do better to keep to herself and avoid missteps, lest her end become too disgraceful."
After all, she was a Golden Branch and Jade Leaf, and these words struck even Zhao Huanzhi with some force. Yet, no matter how noble a woman might be, she was still just a woman. Without the support of others, alone, she was merely a teenage girl—how much intimidation could she truly muster? Before coming, they had discussed this: fearing her pride and aloofness, Empress Zhao had advised her cousin to be even more forceful. "She is, after all, a girl, and her reputation matters. She likely won’t dare make a scene. And if she does, all the better—once the deed is done, even if she were the Monkey King, she couldn’t escape our grasp."
With such guidance, Zhao Huanzhi’s courage swelled. As she turned to leave, he seized her arm—a grip she would never forget. How many in this world could claim such intimate contact with a princess? Her early autumn gown was thin, and the delicate, fragile outline hidden beneath the sleeves felt soft and fine to his touch, utterly unlike the common women he had known. Relishing the moment, he suddenly grew nervous, fearing she might cry out and bring risk upon himself. Yet, as Empress Zhao had predicted, she remained silent, only flushing red and whispering harshly for him to let go.
Drunk with audacity, with a celestial beauty in his grasp, he cared little for her status. His smile turned almost sinister. "Why must Your Highness be like this? Strictly speaking, we are relatives. We even played together as children—have you forgotten?"
Wanwan trembled with rage, grinding her teeth as she hissed, "How dare you! If you do not release me this instant, I will have your entire family wiped out!"But the other party didn't take it seriously at all. Instead, he curled his lips into a smile: "I have no other intentions, Your Highness. I just have a few words I wish to say to you. Please don't rush to leave—I'll let go right away." Though he said this, his hand slid up her arm and pressed against the hollow of her neck.
Wanwan had never encountered such a situation before. Even among those she interacted with day and night in Cultivating Virtue Palace, aside from Tong Huan, no one else was allowed to get close to her. What kind of person was this Zhao Huanzhi, daring to lay hands on her like this! She wanted to call for help, but the Empress Dowager was not open-minded. What if she thought a girl's reputation was ruined and, deciding to break the pot since it was already cracked, actually betrothed her to the Zhao family?
She found herself in a desperate situation, trapped between a rock and a hard place. At the moment, everyone was in the Palace of Heavenly Purity accompanying the emperor to admire the moon, and likely no one could help her.
Just as she was on the verge of panic and despair, the pressure on her neck suddenly vanished. That man surnamed Zhao was yanked up, tossed over the railing in the blink of an eye, and slammed heavily onto the white marble platform beneath the corridor.
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