The Double

Chapter 223: Transgression

In November, Yanjing City welcomed its first snowfall.

The snow wasn't heavy, yet the weather had turned bitterly cold. Word had it that the mountains to the east were already snowed in, making the paths impassable, and hunters dared not venture into them. Still, some risked their lives for survival, driven by the prospect of earning a hundred taels of silver by selling a white wolf pelt to wealthy ladies during this season.

For the sake of livelihood, people would do just about anything.

The palace walls and eaves outside the imperial compound were blanketed in a layer of white snow. Though not as thick as in the depths of winter, the silver-clad scenery was beginning to take shape. The newly recruited young eunuchs and palace maids found it all quite novel. While sweeping snow in the courtyards, they couldn't resist stomping their feet in it. Sometimes, during breaks when no one was around, they would roll snowballs and playfully toss them at each other, finding simple joy in these moments.

The older attendants, however, lacked such high spirits. In winter, people often grew more sentimental, as if all hope had faded. Watching these new maids, they could only shake their heads and sigh. Here today, gone tomorrow—every year, new faces entered the palace, and every year, some never left. Unseen beneath the pure white snow lay countless nameless bones. The palace may appear magnificent, but it was fraught with peril. For these servants, the greatest fortune was to survive their years of service, be released from the palace on schedule, marry, raise children, and live out their days in peace.

In the Cining Palace, the sound of Buddhist sutras being chanted had become less frequent lately. The cold was likely to blame—the Empress Dowager would sit in the hall copying scriptures, but before long, her hands and feet would grow stiff. The maids would hurriedly bring hand warmers for her to hold.

"Age is catching up to me," the Empress Dowager sighed. "My hands and feet are always cold these days."

"Perhaps the hall is too chilly," Meixiang replied. "This servant will have more heating vents added shortly."

The Empress Dowager smiled faintly but said nothing, merely pressing her fingers to her temples with a slight frown. Meixiang asked, "Would Your Majesty like to rest in the bedchamber for a while?"

"Very well," the Empress Dowager replied. Meixiang assisted her to the bedchamber as instructed, but upon reaching the doorway, the Empress Dowager froze and suddenly said, "Meixiang, guard the entrance. Do not let anyone in."

Without questioning why, Meixiang nodded and withdrew. Only then did the Empress Dowager turn her gaze to the person inside.

Seated by her bed was a man, his hands braced behind him and his legs crossed over a chair. Accustomed to luxury, her bedding was the finest and softest, yet his weight had sunk a deep indentation into it, creating a rather absurd sight.

"Have you lost your mind? How dare you come here?" the Empress Dowager said calmly, struggling to conceal the shock in her eyes.

The man was middle-aged, with a resolute and handsome appearance, carrying a rugged, carefree charm uncommon in Yanjing. In response, he merely chuckled dismissively and said, "Rongjia, it's been a long time."

The Empress Dowager trembled slightly. "Rongjia" was her maiden name. So many years had passed—even the late emperor had never addressed her so intimately during his lifetime. Yet this man, whether she was the young lady of the Lin family, the crown princess, the empress, or even now, the Empress Dowager, always called her "Rongjia."

This man was Yin Zhan.

The Prince of Xia, brother of the late emperor, the renowned Zhaode General, had boldly intruded into the Empress Dowager's bedchamber and addressed her with such familiarity.The Empress Dowager's decades of serene composure finally showed a crack, even revealing traces of tension.

"Don't worry," Yin Zhan said, "When I came to see the Emperor and then came to you, no one noticed. You should trust in my abilities. Roujia, you're still as cautious as ever."

The Empress Dowager said coldly, "After all, decades ago, I already caused a great disaster due to carelessness."

Yin Zhan remained silent for a moment before saying, "That's all in the past."

"Not for me," the Empress Dowager said calmly. "I've been practicing vegetarianism and chanting Buddhist scriptures for decades precisely to atone for the sins of that year."

"Oh?" Yin Zhan laughed, "I thought you were praying for me, wishing me Ping An."

His words were utterly flippant, making the Empress Dowager frown. She said, "I don't understand, why have you returned?"

"Roujia," Yin Zhan put away his smile, "You always refuse to speak your true feelings. The purpose of my return is the same as your purpose all these years, isn't it?"

The Empress Dowager said, "I have no purpose."

"You must have seen Zhili," Yin Zhan interrupted her. "He looks very much like you."

The Empress Dowager's body suddenly trembled uncontrollably. The composure she had maintained from the beginning completely collapsed at this moment.

"Zhili, he is..."

"He is your child," Yin Zhan said gently. "All these years, I've taught him well. He's outstanding, just a bit soft-hearted. This is unfavorable," a troubled expression appeared on his face, "It's an obstacle to what he needs to do in the future."

"Why are you telling me this," the Empress Dowager sneered, "Even if he is mine... he cannot see the light. Since you've already remarried, you should live your life peacefully."

"So you're angry with me because of this matter." Yin Zhan instead seemed somewhat pleasantly surprised and smiled. If his family or his wife, Yan Ze, saw this expression, they would surely be astonished. He was resolute and rugged, free and untamed, but only lacked tenderness. It was because he had used all his tenderness on the person before him.

"When the late emperor was wary of me, I had no choice but to marry. It wasn't just for me, but for you and for Zhili," Yin Zhan said. "After Zhiqing was born, the late emperor's concerns were dispelled. I never touched her again, Roujia," he stared into the Empress Dowager's eyes, "There has never been anyone else in my heart."

The Empress Dowager turned her head, trying to avoid his gaze, but instead met her reflection in the bronze mirror nearby. The woman in the mirror was no longer the charming and captivating beauty of years past. How many years had passed? Her appearance had gradually aged, even a few white hairs had appeared in her hair. She was no longer as young as before. Time's ravages on beauty are always merciless, and among them, it's even crueler to women than to men. Yin Zhan had become more mature and more captivating than before. Standing beside him, no one would think they were a good match.

The palace had finally transformed her into an unfamiliar appearance.

"I don't want to hear this," the Empress Dowager said. "If you came to reminisce, please leave. I made it very clear back then that we should never meet again in this lifetime. It seems you didn't take my words to heart.""Back then, circumstances forced my hand. I've been planning for twenty years precisely for this moment," Yin Zhan said. "Roujia, even now, you still hold me in your heart, don't you? Even if you could bear to part with me, you could never bear to part with Zhili. You haven't seen him for so many years - he has always believed his birth mother died long ago. If I were to tell him his true identity..."

"No!" the Empress Dowager interrupted sharply. "Don't tell him."

"You know this is impossible, Roujia," Yin Zhan said. "He should learn to accept his fate. He should also be reunited with his birth mother. Don't you want to hear him call you 'Mother'? Zhili is kind-hearted - he wouldn't hate anyone, and he wouldn't want to see you sad."

The Empress Dowager's shoulders trembled.

Having lived in the palace for so many years, she appeared detached from worldly affairs yet managed to firmly maintain her position as Empress Dowager. To be precise, even during the late emperor's reign, she had steadily maintained her position as empress, conducting everything flawlessly.

The Empress Dowager was the daughter of the Lin family. In her youth, she was the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Fengcheng. Renowned for her gentle and virtuous nature, at sixteen she was betrothed by the emperor to the crown prince, becoming the crown princess.

Entering the deep palace was like plunging into an ocean - from then on, her former love became a stranger. The Empress Dowager also had such a former love, none other than the crown prince's half-brother, then still a prince - Xia Junwang Yin Zhan.

One day when Lin Roujia went up the mountain to pray at a temple, she encountered bandits. Coincidentally, Yin Zhan was nearby and saved Lin Roujia's life. Grateful, Lin Roujia bandaged the injured Yin Zhan. The two young people developed special feelings for each other. She was moved by Yin Zhan's bravery and might, while he adored her delicate gentleness. The Marquis of Fengcheng believed it would be improper for word of his daughter's attack to spread, so the matter was kept quiet. All the Lin family servants present at the time were dealt with. Thus, no one knew about this past incident. To outsiders, Lin Roujia and Yin Zhan remained unrelated individuals.

But emotions grow without needing any particular environment - affection is simply affection. Sometimes, just a fleeting glance, over time, can develop into a powerful obsession. Yin Zhan originally intended to send someone to propose to the Lin family, but before he could, news of the imperial betrothal arrived.

Lin Roujia became the crown princess.

Such is life - always filled with various imperfections. Lin Roujia thought that perhaps Yin Zhan would remain her lifelong, unfulfilled obsession. She decided to let go of this youthful romance and focus on being a proper crown princess.

She performed excellently. When the emperor passed away and the crown prince became the new emperor, she became empress, and even gave birth to a young crown prince.

Those were Lin Roujia's happiest days after entering the palace. The Marquis of Fengcheng was very pleased, frequently having Lady Lin visit the palace to speak with their daughter. The entire Lin family took pride in Lin Roujia. Her siblings benefited from her status, and the emperor - because she had borne the crown prince first - showed special concern for this eldest son, often visiting Cining Palace during his free time, which delighted Lin Roujia most of all.

With three palaces, six courts, and seventy-two concubines, the emperor couldn't favor just one woman - especially as empress, she needed to be virtuous and magnanimous, free from jealousy. But in her heart, Lin Roujia remained just an ordinary woman who couldn't bear being neglected. Therefore, the attention she received because of her son became especially precious to her.Then, one after another, more princes were born in the palace. Consort Liu gave birth to the second prince, Noble Consort Xia bore the third prince, and there were also new beauties and concubines. The emperor doted on Consort Liu, admired Noble Consort Xia, and treated the second and third princes well. Fortunately, the crown prince had been raised under the emperor's personal guidance, and the emperor's deepest affection remained with him.

After Noble Consort Xia gave birth to the third prince, she passed away shortly after. The emperor placed the third prince under the empress's care. On the surface, Lin Roujia treated the third prince kindly, but in reality, she detested him. She feared the child might develop ambitions he shouldn’t have—aspiring to compete with the crown prince—and couldn’t help but guard against him at every turn. After all, the crown prince was Lin Roujia’s last hope.

But heaven cruelly snatched that final hope away from her.

The crown prince died at the age of five.

Lin Roujia nearly went mad, teetering on the brink of insanity. She adamantly insisted that the third prince was behind it, reasoning, "If both princes were playing together in the imperial garden, how could only the crown prince meet with misfortune?"

The emperor tried to console her, but Lin Roujia wished for the third prince’s immediate death. Then the imperial physicians arrived, examined the body, and with testimonies from palace servants, confirmed that the crown prince had died from a congenital heart condition—a sudden cardiac failure. The third prince was innocent.

Lin Roujia was on the verge of collapse. She knew that with so many witnesses, the physicians wouldn’t lie, yet this was not the answer she wanted. If the third prince wasn’t to blame, she had no one to direct her hatred toward, and she felt she would die from the despair.

After the crown prince’s death, the emperor was initially very considerate toward Lin Roujia, indulging her every whim. However, an emperor’s patience has its limits. As Lin Roujia remained perpetually gloomy, over time, the emperor grew reluctant to visit Kunning Palace. In the ruthless struggles of the palace, retreating even a single step could lead to a catastrophic fall. For instance, the second prince’s mother, Consort Liu, began to stir with ambition at this very moment.

If the second prince were made crown prince, Consort Liu would become the mother of the heir apparent, and it would only be a matter of time before she replaced the empress. The empress grew anxious, but Fengcheng Bo reassured her, telling her not to fear—she still had the third prince. This third prince resembled his late mother, Noble Consort Xia, in temperament: intelligent and knowing when to advance or retreat. He could certainly be of use. No matter what, having already lost one crown prince, she absolutely could not afford to lose her position as empress as well.

Lin Roujia felt as if Fengcheng Bo’s words had awakened her to a profound truth. She resolved to protect her position and leave no opening for others to exploit. She began treating the third prince with renewed gentleness, raising him as if she were his loving mother. The third prince did not disappoint her expectations, growing sharp and addressing her as "Mother Empress" with apparent affection. It almost made people forget how, just a few years earlier, the empress had wished for his death over the crown prince’s demise.

At times, Lin Roujia would watch the scene of her and the third prince playing the roles of loving mother and devoted son, and silently mock herself, feeling it was nothing but a performance between two hypocrites. She missed her deceased son more than ever and grew cold-hearted toward the emperor’s indifference.

It was at this moment that Yin Zhan, returning triumphant from battle, made his appearance.Since Lin Roujia became the Crown Princess, Yin Zhan had left Yanjing City for the frontier. Lin Roujia could only learn of his news through the palace servants' victory reports. But as time passed, she became engrossed in political intrigues and forced compromises, her life undergoing tremendous changes, until she cast all these matters aside. Yin Zhan seemed like a distant, illusory shadow to her. When she learned he was returning, she remained calm, believing that after so many years, meeting Yin Zhan again would be like encountering a stranger.

She didn't know whether she had overestimated her resolve or underestimated her lingering feelings, but when she finally saw Yin Zhan, she suddenly realized that thousands of days and nights had not eroded her emotions for him. Yin Zhan remained exactly as she remembered, even more captivating than before. Yet now he was married—she knew his wife, a gentle and virtuous young lady reminiscent of her former self. Looking at her own transformed self, Lin Roujia felt too altered to face him.

But Yin Zhan stormed into her palace chambers.

Risking discovery and execution, he charged in recklessly, just as he had when they first met—when he'd protected a stranger without hesitation, even at the cost of injury. He breached her bedchamber and her long-parched heart.

Yin Zhan understood all her resentments, her pain, her fury. With overwhelming intensity, he soothed the wounds and emptiness of those years. Their passion became uncontrollable, like a dying ember suddenly fed with kindling, blazing brilliantly into an all-consuming inferno.

Neither could stop the flames from spreading, even knowing the ultimate consequence would be eternal ruin. Like walking a tightrope, they reveled in the danger, unwilling to halt. It felt worth dying for.

Yin Zhan confessed that his marriage was merely arranged by his parents, devoid of love. In his heart, across all lifetimes, there was only one woman he would ever love: Lin Roujia.

After years of feigning dignity and virtue for a man she didn't love, Lin Roujia finally felt truly cherished in Yin Zhan's presence. This realization drove her to madness and recklessness. She even bore him a son.

Yin Zhan gave the boy his family name, and even his deceased wife became a casualty of their secret.

She betrayed her husband; he betrayed his closest friend. In their immorality, they found ultimate ecstasy—but ecstasy is never eternal.

Eventually, the Emperor caught wind of rumors. Yet their concealment was so thorough that without evidence, he simply transferred Yin Zhan to Yunzhong with an official decree.

Yin Zhan departed with seeming nonchalance. Before leaving, he even remarried, and his new wife soon became pregnant. His departure was rushed, without a single word to Lin Roujia, who harbored bitterness for years. She believed she had been abandoned once more, yet refused to accept it.Ever since the Crown Prince ascended the throne as the Hongxiao Emperor and she became the Empress Dowager, she had secluded herself daily in the Cining Palace, copying Buddhist scriptures. For years, she had disciplined herself to conceal her emotions, but when this man—the one who had been entangled with her for half a lifetime—risked breaking into her bedchamber, she sorrowfully realized her heart still stirred for him. The scriptures had been utterly useless; he effortlessly ignited her frenzied emotions, leaving her beyond redemption.

"You've confused me, Yin Zhan," she said softly. Her tone, devoid of its usual formality, softened like that of Lin Roujia from years past. "If I wish to do something, I will do it myself. I don’t understand why you’ve come here like this."

"When I left back then, it was too rushed. The Emperor had spies everywhere in the palace. If I had come to bid you farewell, we would have been discovered. I didn’t want to implicate you, Roujia," he replied gently. "You’ve suffered all these years."

Tears nearly fell from Lin Roujia’s eyes. She turned away and said, "Yin Zhan, it’s not suffering—it’s exhaustion."

After a moment of silence in the chamber, he spoke again, "I thought you might resent me for not saying goodbye last time, so before I leave now, I must bid you farewell properly."

"Farewell?" The Empress Dowager turned to stare at Yin Zhan, her voice shifting. "Where are you going?"

"I have something to do, Roujia," Yin Zhan rose and approached her. The Empress Dowager subtly stepped back, but he pressed his hand on her shoulder, looking down at her. She appeared especially petite beside him. He continued, "There are unresolved matters from the past. If these troubles aren’t dealt with, you and Zhili will face hardship. I am your man, Zhili’s father—it’s my duty to handle this."

The Empress Dowager sensed something ominous in his words and grew inexplicably tense. Abandoning all pretense of restraint, she asked, "What exactly are you planning to do?"

"See," he smiled, seemingly pleased by her reaction, "you still care about me after all."

"You’ve seen Ji Heng’s son, the current Duke Su," Yin Zhan said. "He’s targeting me."

The Empress Dowager’s body trembled violently. Even after over twenty years, the mere mention of that name still filled her with dread.

"That Ji Heng..." she murmured, "I don’t understand. All these years, I’ve wanted to kill him, but..." She shook her head. "I couldn’t do it."

No matter how resourceful she was, she remained a woman confined to the palace. Ji Heng was no ordinary man—killing him was no easy task. Despite her attempts over the years, she had never succeeded.

"I don’t actually want to kill him," Yin Zhan explained, "but he already knows. His goal is to kill me, and if I don’t eliminate him, he will harm Zhili. Roujia, I cannot let that happen. Ji Heng’s son is nothing like him—Ji Heng was upright, forthright, and magnanimous, but his son is ruthless and scheming. He takes after his mother."

The Empress Dowager shuddered once more, unable to suppress her trembling.Yu Hongye—this name had once been her nightmare for a long time. She would not deliberately think of this person, but this person would always intrude into her mind uninvited.

Her intelligence, her cunning, her boldness, and also her anger and despair, her curses and disbelief.

The Empress Dowager abruptly closed her eyes.

"Roujia, don't be afraid. I returned precisely to resolve this matter. Ji Heng has long been planning this. From the very beginning, when he supported Prince Cheng, it was to force me to return. Even if I didn't step forward this time, he would have targeted you." Yin Zhan said, "Roujia, we have no other choice. Are you afraid?"

He stared at the Empress Dowager.

A smile instantly surfaced on the Empress Dowager’s face—one tinged with a hint of scorn and mockery, finally bearing some resemblance to her true self. She said, “From the moment I was born until now, I’ve never had any other choice. You ask me if I’m afraid? Many years ago, I already understood—what use is fear? Go now.” She lowered her head. “I’ve long known this day would come. Go and slaughter all those people. The world will be yours, and I will be yours. If you die, I will die with you.”

Yin Zhan chuckled softly. “I won’t die.”

The Empress Dowager gazed at his face. “Remember your words.”

Yin Zhan kissed the Empress Dowager. She stood rigidly, and after he left, Meixiang pushed the door open and found the Empress Dowager slumped in her chair, her face deathly pale.

“Your Majesty,” Meixiang hurried over to support her, but before she could reach her side, the Empress Dowager waved her hand, signaling her not to approach.

She pressed a hand to her chest, where her heart was racing wildly.

She had told Yin Zhan she wasn’t afraid, but how could she not be? They were like cornered rats—dark, wretched, waiting for an opportunity to strike. Years ago, that intoxicating pleasure had sown the seeds of calamity. Those seeds had lain dormant for so long, and now, the time had come for them to erupt.

No one knew how it would end.

…

Yin Zhan left Cining Palace. He took a detour, unnoticed. Officially, he had entered the palace to see the emperor, but in truth, he had come to see Lin Roujia. Yet, he couldn’t do so openly—he couldn’t bring trouble upon her.

As he rounded the palace corridors, heading toward the exit, a figure approached from the opposite direction, blocking his path.

The man was dressed in crimson robes, the edges embroidered with black butterflies. Black boots and a silver belt accentuated his striking, almost bewitching appearance. He held a folding fan, which he never parted with, even in winter. His eyes were captivating, and he gazed at Yin Zhan with a faint, teasing smile. “Prince of Xia.”

“Duke Su,” Yin Zhan halted.

He studied Ji Heng. Back in the day, Ji Mínghán had been renowned in Northern Yan as a handsome man, while Ji Heng’s mother was famously known as a peerless beauty, worthy of the title “enchantress.” Now, it seemed Ji Heng not only inherited his temperament from Yu Hongye but also her dazzling, striking features. As for Ji Mínghán, he bore little resemblance.

“You and your father are nothing alike,” Yin Zhan remarked.

“But I take after my mother,” Ji Heng replied with a smile. “Yin Zhili, on the other hand, doesn’t resemble his mother much.”

Yin Zhan laughed heartily. “Human appearances can’t be explained by mere resemblance or lack thereof.”

“Prince of Xia speaks wisely,” Ji Heng said lightly. “Given how well you knew my parents, it’s no wonder you were friends back in the day.”

Yin Zhan felt a pang of complexity. He and Ji Mínghán had indeed been sworn brothers, once sharing a deep mutual respect. Back when Yu Hongye encountered trouble in the house of pleasure, Yin Zhan, aware of Ji Mínghán’s feelings for her, had stepped in to help her more than once. He and Ji Heng’s parents had truly been friends—sincere and genuine ones. If not for the twists of fate, Ji Heng should have called him “Uncle,” and he should have addressed Ji Heng as “nephew.”

Instead, here they were, with Ji Heng speaking to him in a flippant, equal, and subtly disdainful tone. Ji Heng looked down on him, and Yin Zhan was left with a tumult of mixed emotions."Indeed." Yin Zhan smiled. "If your parents were still alive, they would be very pleased to see how you've turned out."

"Not everyone has the good fortune of being a prince's heir." Ji Heng replied with a smile.

Yin Zhan's expression changed. On the surface, Yin Zhili's birth mother had passed away, yet Ji Heng insisted on speaking this way... He truly knew.

Though mentally prepared, hearing Ji Heng say it still made Yin Zhan's heart skip a beat.

"General Zhaode need not be nervous." Ji Heng looked at him leisurely and spoke calmly, "Returning what is owed is only natural, and paying with one's life for murder should be the same. No one, whoever they may be, can escape. Isn't that right?"

His final words cut through the air, his cruel smile sending chills down one's spine.

Two consecutive emperors were cuckolded... How terrifying.

(End of Chapter)