The Golden Hairpin

Sometimes, if Huang Zifang hadn't appeared, many things might have turned out much better. But at other times, without her, perhaps some truths would never have come to light.

Huang Zifang had always been in good health, yet this time, she finally succumbed to a serious illness.

Even though she and Wang Yun were once betrothed, it would have been inappropriate for her to stay at his residence, especially now that their marriage contract was null and void—her annulment papers remained in Shu, clearly impossible to return to him, but Wang Yun didn't seem to mind.

He settled her in a mansion in Yongchang Fang, where the maids and servants attending to her were all kind-faced, nodding and smiling when they saw her, though none of them spoke.

Noticing her puzzlement, Wang Yun explained, "They're all deaf and mute. There's no need to speak with them."

She nodded, wondering to herself: Which part of the Wang family's property was this?

The Imperial Guards were constantly busy. After the incident with the Prince of E, the capital was under strict martial law, and the Imperial Guards were stationed at the palace walls around the clock. Wang Yun only managed brief visits before hurrying off again. She recuperated in the mansion until the snow had completely melted and the weather turned fine, finally feeling well enough to bundle up in thick clothes and venture outside for a walk.

Leaving the courtyard for the garden, she noticed large hollowed-out bricks along the corridor walls, sealed with thin, transparent crystal panes on both sides, filled with water and containing various small fish. As she slowly walked through the corridor, lush osmanthus trees lined her left, while fish swam and swayed along the walls to her right—beautiful yet eerily surreal.

Suddenly, she realized where this must be—none other than a mansion once owned by Wang Zongshi.

As she stared at a lone fish trapped within the crystal wall, a voice laced with amusement asked from behind, "Do you like it?"

Turning, she saw Wang Yun standing in the pale sunlight, watching her with a gentle smile on his lips.

She gave him a faint nod, mustering a weak smile in return.

Noticing her pallor and lingering poor health, he stepped closer to adjust her cloak, leaning down to say, "It's windy here. Let's find a sheltered spot to enjoy the sun."

Silently nodding, she walked with Wang Yun along the winding corridor. Casually, she asked, "Is this Wang Gonggong's residence?"

Wang Yun nodded. "He now lives near Jianbi Palace, closer to the Shence Army's garrison. This place has been empty, and it was his suggestion to bring you here temporarily."

Her tone was light and natural. "What exactly is the relationship between Wang Gonggong and you?"

Wang Yun paused briefly before answering, "He belongs to a branch of the Wang family. After his ancestors migrated out, that lineage was nearly wiped out by war. He was captured, castrated, and later sent to the palace as a eunuch. Eventually, he gained the late emperor's trust and took charge of the Shence Army's affairs."

The Langya Wang family had always prided itself on nobility and restraint, and Wang Zongshi, now a eunuch, naturally couldn't be openly acknowledged as part of the family. Over the years, though the Wang family's talents had dwindled, they still held a place in court—thanks not only to Empress Wang but also to Wang Zongshi's contributions. Yet they never spoke of this, and no one in court knew that the most powerful eunuch of the time actually hailed from the Langya Wang family.

Huang Zifang murmured softly, "This is the Wang family's secret. You didn't have to tell me.""Since you asked, you must know I would tell you," he said with a smile, gazing at her with indulgent affection in his eyes. "Besides, you're also a member of the Wang family—you ought to know."

She couldn't help feeling a bit guilty, biting her lip as she turned her head slightly away.

The Wang family's maids were clever and had already set up chairs by the cluster of red ardisia at the end of the corridor, placing a hand warmer nearby. The red ardisia had long borne fruit, and after the frost and snow, it appeared even more vibrant. The green leaves and red berries dotted with specks of white snow made the harsh winter seem almost charming.

Wang Yun carefully wrapped the gilded hand warmer in brocade and placed it in her arms, saying softly, "Tuck your hands in to keep warm—you mustn't catch another chill."

She nodded, nestling her hands inside the brocade.

The sunlight was warm, bathing her in its glow until she grew drowsy.

Wang Yun chatted idly with her, mostly about the flowers and plants in the courtyard. Eventually, she asked, "Don’t you have duties to attend to today?"

Only then did he reply, "Eunuch Wang mentioned he would visit later. I was worried you might feel uneasy meeting him alone."

Huang Zixiao closed her eyes and leaned back in the chair. "Not at all. Eunuch Wang is very kind."

Wang Yun merely smiled. Noticing her weariness, he stood and said, "Come, let’s see if he’s arrived."

They waited briefly in the inner hall before Wang Zongshi appeared, escorted by attendants.

The bright sunlight outside the hall shone upon him, glaringly intense, making Wang Zongshi appear even paler and colder—an almost ethereal figure untouched by the world.

As he entered, he raised a hand slightly, signaling for them to remain at ease, then turned to gesture to a young, delicate-faced eunuch behind him, who stepped forward with an offering.

"Yun mentioned you enjoy cherry pastries, so I had some specially prepared. Try them and see if they suit your taste."

Wang Zongshi spoke in a measured tone, personally dividing the pastries onto a plate and presenting it to her. Yet despite his cordial demeanor, an underlying chill lingered. Huang Zixiao avoided meeting his gaze, lowering her head as she replied, "Cherries at this time of year—how unexpected."

Wang Yun chuckled. "They were grown by the hot springs of Mount Li. By using black gauze barriers and lamps to simulate day and night, the cherry trees were tricked into blooming and fruiting out of season. Cherries are delicate, and even with swift delivery, many were lost along the way. Only a few remain edible."

Huang Zixiao exclaimed in surprise, "These are even more precious than Consort Yang’s lychees!"

Wang Yun nodded. "The finest lychees come from Luzhou in Shu. Next May, we can go there together. I hear the sight of lychees hanging from the trees is quite beautiful."

"Yes, green leaves and red fruit, like dangling jewels—almost too lovely to pick."

"You’ve been to Luzhou before?"

Huang Zixiao gave a slight nod. "Once, for a case that took place in a lychee orchard."

Listening to their exchange, Wang Zongshi interjected, "Miss Huang, how many cases have you handled so far?"

She thought for a moment before shaking her head. "Too many to count."

Wang Zongshi narrowed his eyes slightly. "But among them, aside from the one involving your family—which must have left the deepest mark—there’s likely another that stands out as the most perilous."

After a brief pause, Huang Zixiao nodded. "Yes. The disappearance of Wang Ruo."The case involving Empress Wang, the Prince of Kui's residence, and the Langya Wang family was a tangled web of intricate forces. Had it not been for their mutual struggles and entanglements, she would have long perished.

"You weren’t just lucky—you were discerning. Though you’ve never delved deeply into politics, your instincts are sharp. Most importantly, you possess a skill even the Prince of Kui cannot match. While he can instantly memorize all the convoluted threads of a case, you have the ability to swiftly pinpoint the most crucial detail, trace it to its source, and strike decisively," Wang Zongshi's voice was slow, still carrying that icy, detached tone—neither hurried nor sluggish, indifferent yet distant. "When I learned from Yunzhi’s father that you had exposed our decade-long scheme and emerged unscathed, I knew you were someone worth employing. Not because of your deductive reasoning, but because of your ability to leverage forces and maintain balance. You relied on the Emperor’s complicated feelings for Empress Wang to stabilize the scales, all while positioning yourself perfectly at the fulcrum, untouched. The Prince of Kui may have aided you, but ultimately, it was your innate instinct and acuity that saved you. Even at your age, I could not have managed that."

Huang Zixiao pressed her lips together, silent for a moment before raising her head with a strained smile. "You flatter me, Eunuch Wang. The truth is, at that time, I had lost all my loved ones and was numb with grief, so I acted recklessly, unafraid of death. I merely stumbled blindly—surviving was pure luck."

"In the world of officials, luck is also a skill. Though you offended our Wang family, when I discovered you were Yunzhi’s betrothed, Huang Zixiao, I still felt that encountering you was a stroke of fortune for our family today." A faint, elusive smile touched Wang Zongshi’s lips as he continued slowly, "Before Yunzhi left for Shu, I told him—if he couldn’t have you, he should destroy you..."

Wang Zongshi’s gaze shifted to Wang Yun. Wang Yun nodded, then hesitated. "But in the end, I couldn’t bring myself to oppose you... or harm you."

Countless shadows of the past flickered through Huang Zixiao’s heart. Remembering all that had passed between them, she knew his words were sincere, and a mix of gratitude and sorrow welled within her. After a long pause, she managed to say, "I know... I’ve always been indebted to your kindness, Young Master Wang."

Wang Yun shook his head with a smile. "Why speak so formally?"

After a pause, he asked, "Will you still involve yourself in Prince E’s case?"

Huang Zixiao lowered her head in silence. "The Prince of Kui once helped clear my family’s name. Though I’m no longer by his side, I still owe him a debt. If the opportunity arises, I should do my utmost to repay him."

Wang Zongshi smiled without comment.

Wang Yun, however, said, "His Majesty has entrusted this matter to Eunuch Wang. You should focus on recovering for now. Once you’re well, your assistance will be needed."

Only then did Wang Zongshi nod slowly. "Indeed. This case is of great importance, and His Majesty is deeply concerned. However, deduction and reasoning are not my strengths—I leave it all to you. Tomorrow, I will inform the Three Judicial Offices to formally assign the case to you."

She gave a slight nod, her gaze dropping to the glistening red cherry pastries in her bowl, their hue mirroring the two red beans on her wrist. Unconsciously, she withdrew her hand slightly, tucking the beads discreetly into her sleeve.Her chest was filled with a dense, swirling mist of gloom, and an inexplicable sorrow finally overwhelmed her. Her throat tightened with sobs, making it almost impossible to breathe.

Wang Zongshi observed her expression coldly and said, "Miss Huang, living alone here must be lonely. Young ladies usually enjoy little novelties, so I’ve specially prepared a small gift for you."

True to his love for fishkeeping, Wang Zongshi gifted her two small red fish, swimming in a crystal-clear glass bottle, their gauzy tails swaying gracefully—a pair of Agashini.

"These fish are extremely difficult to breed. The world knows nothing about hatching their eggs, which is why they are so rare. However, I learned a secret method from a high monk in India and managed to cultivate a batch," he said, handing her the glass bottle. He continued, "The Agashini are resilient. As long as they remain in water and are fed occasionally, they can live for a hundred years. You may keep them for fun, but their eggs are precious, and you wouldn’t know how to handle them. When they lay eggs, let me know, and I’ll come collect them personally."

Huang Zihuang accepted the bottle and stood to thank him, saying, "You truly are a fish enthusiast, Eunuch Wang."

Wang Zongshi watched the two small fish swimming in the bottle and murmured, "May I, in my next life, be like these fish—oblivious, without memory or recollection, living out a lifetime in shallow waters."

Huang Zihuang, after all, was young and had a strong constitution. Even though she had fallen ill from the cold, she recovered within a few days.

Though Wang Zongshi had gifted her the two small fish, Huang Zihuang wasn’t particularly fond of them, and the thought of spending her days indoors staring at them was unimaginable. Wang Yun, preoccupied with his duties, could only visit her briefly, leaving no time to take her out for a stroll.

Fortunately, with Wang Zongshi’s permission, she had been reviewing case files at the Three Judicial Offices. Yet, all the witness statements and descriptions matched what she had seen that night, yielding no new leads.

The only consolation was that the Three Judicial Offices still hesitated to challenge Prince Kui directly. Though the case had stalled, the prince’s situation remained stable for now. He had withdrawn from all affairs, keeping to himself and ignoring the outside turmoil. The court, uncertain how to proceed, was still deliberating, leaving the situation at a standstill.

One day, after returning from the Dali Temple, Huang Zihuang, dressed in male attire, walked slowly along the familiar streets of Chang’an back to Yongchang Ward.

As the year-end approached, the East and West Markets were bustling with crowds. Whispers of scandal had long spread throughout Chang’an, casting a heavy, oppressive atmosphere over every ward. Everyone was discussing the incident.

She stopped at a roadside tea stall for a drink and overheard countless versions of the tragedy where Prince Kui allegedly forced Prince E to his death. Some accounts were exaggerated, others speculative, but all agreed that Prince Kui must truly be possessed by Pang Xun, intent on overthrowing the Li-Tang dynasty.

One person whispered conspiratorially, "In my opinion, Prince Kui must be under some demonic influence. Otherwise, why would Prince E sacrifice his life to expose him?"

Another argued passionately, "Prince Kui is surely innocent! Over the years, he’s fought for the Li-Tang dynasty in Xuzhou, Nanzhao, and Longyou—hasn’t he?"

Yet another hinted at inside knowledge: "There’s more to this story, but I dare not speak of it—nor does the court. Do you know the most crucial detail of this incident? It’s that Prince E vanished into thin air mid-fall after jumping from the tower!"Thus, the debate over the mystery of Prince E's disappearance reignited among the crowd—whether it was the late emperor or the founding emperor who manifested, whether it was a release from the corpse or ascension to immortality, whether he had joined the ranks of the immortals or achieved Buddhahood in the flesh...

As the group argued heatedly, on the verge of coming to blows, Huang Zixiang settled the bill and stepped out of the tea shed.

Despite the cold weather, the Western Market bustled with people preparing for the New Year, a scene of lively prosperity. She wandered aimlessly, pausing now and then, and when she passed by Yi's Framing Shop, she glanced inside. The old man whose painting Zhou Ziqin had ruined was still dozing off, showing no signs of anything unusual.

Assuming his painting might have already been restored, Huang Zixiang was about to step inside to inquire when someone suddenly jumped out and clapped her on the shoulder. "Chonggu! I finally found you!"

The only person who could be this lively in such cold weather was, of course, Zhou Ziqin.

Huang Zixiang turned to look at him, somewhat incredulous. "Ziqin, how come you're always wandering around outside every day?"

Chang'an was so vast, yet she kept running into him every now and then.

Zhou Ziqin grinned triumphantly. "Of course, it's because I can predict things! A few days ago, I went to the prince's residence to look for you, only to hear you'd left. I really didn’t know where to find you. Then it occurred to me that you might come to check if that Zhan Ziqian painting could be restored, so I’ve been squatting here waiting for days! It was so boring, but I finally caught you!"

Huang Zixiang gave a wry smile. "What a coincidence." In truth, she had only stumbled upon this place by chance. While Zhou Ziqin was still basking in his self-satisfaction, she asked, "So, was the painting fixed?"

"Yep! A few days ago, when someone from Prince Zhao's residence came to collect it, I saw it—completely flawless, as good as new!"

"How long did it take?"

"Three or four days... On the afternoon of the fourth day, I saw Old Man Yi bring it out."

"Oh..." she murmured, then turned and continued walking ahead.

Three or four days—no one would dare take the talisman from under Prince Kui's nose and risk altering its markings over so many days.

Not far ahead was Lü's Incense and Candle Shop.

She looked up and suddenly spotted a familiar figure standing under a tree across from the shop.

Dicu.

She wore a veil hat, standing beneath the tree, stealing a few glances inside before turning and hugging the wall as she walked slowly away.

Huang Zixiang suddenly remembered—last time, she had seen Dicu here. Back then, she had thought it was just a fleeting glimpse of a girl who resembled her, a case of mistaken identity. But now, she was certain. Even with her face hidden beneath the veil, that figure was unmistakably Dicu.

Zhou Ziqin's eyes widened, and he whispered in her ear, "Don’t you think... that girl’s back looks a bit like..."

Before he could finish, Huang Zixiang had already quickened her pace and followed.

Dicu, aware she should conceal her movements, kept walking without pause, heading into the alleyways. When she reached a deserted alley, she was halfway down the path, and Huang Zixiang, standing at the entrance, called out softly, "Miss Lü."

Her body shuddered, and with a start, she bolted toward the far end of the alley.Huang Zixiang quickly chased after her, calling out, "Don't panic! I'm Yang Chonggu, the little eunuch from Prince Kui's residence. Do you remember me?"

Zhou Ziqin also shouted, "Yes, yes! I'm Zhou Ziqin! Zhang Er-ge's good friend. There's no need to be afraid!"

Dicu clearly heard them, but only hesitated slightly before continuing to flee desperately.

Huang Zixiang, still weak from her recent illness, could only manage a few steps before her breath grew ragged, her chest aching sharply. She had to lean against the wall to stop.

Zhou Ziqin had been about to keep chasing, but seeing her clutching her chest, pale and gasping, he grew concerned for her health and stopped beside her instead.

Dicu, who had already reached the end of the alley, slowed when she saw they weren’t pursuing her anymore. She glanced back, hesitated for a moment, then suddenly crouched down, picked up a branch from the ground, and scratched something forcefully onto the wall before running off again.

Huang Zixiang called out futilely, "Miss Lü!"—but Dicu didn’t look back.

Leaning against the stone wall, Huang Zixiang caught her breath before slowly making her way forward, step by step.

Zhou Ziqin had already reached the spot where Dicu had marked the wall and was studying it. When Huang Zixiang finally arrived at the alley’s end, she looked at the wall.

On the yellow mud-plastered surface, a pale mark had been scratched with the branch—a single character: North . At the lower left corner of the character was a "∟" symbol, enclosing the left and bottom sides of the character while leaving the top and right exposed.

"A half-enclosed 'North'—what does that mean?" Zhou Ziqin scratched his head in confusion.

Huang Zixiang stared at it, then picked up a branch and scraped the mark beyond recognition, nearly stripping away a layer of mud until nothing of the original remained.

Zhou Ziqin turned to her. "Chonggu, do you know what it means?"

She replied flatly, "Do you remember? Dicu comes from a humble family—she likely doesn’t know many characters."

Zhou Ziqin was baffled. "She doesn’t? But… didn’t she just write the character 'North'?"

Huang Zixiang ignored him and kept walking as if she hadn’t heard.

Zhou Ziqin grew anxious and hurried after her, grabbing her sleeve. "Whatever she wrote, this is a big deal! We have to tell Zhang Er-ge’s family right away! Come on, let’s go!"

Huang Zixiang glanced at him. "Do we need to tell them?"

"Of course we do! Zhang Er-ge has been going crazy looking for her. If we don’t tell him, how can we call ourselves his friends? No—even if we weren’t friends, any decent person would tell him!"

Seeing how worked up he was, Huang Zixiang could only relent. "Fine, let’s go."

Surprisingly, Zhang Xingying was home that day.

When he opened the door and saw them, his face lit up with surprise and joy. "Miss Huang! What brings you here? Why haven’t you returned to the prince’s residence?"

"Oh… I’ve had some matters to attend to," she replied vaguely. "But you—why aren’t you with His Highness today?"

"His Highness has been staying in the residence lately. He told us that since there’s nothing urgent, those of us with family in the capital could visit home whenever we wished."

"I see." Huang Zixiang and Zhou Ziqin followed him inside. The courtyard was neatly swept, the drainage ditch still clear. She changed the subject. "Your home is still so well-kept."

Zhang Xingying answered casually, "Yes, it’s always better to keep things tidy."

Huang Zixiang asked, "Your father isn’t in good health, and your brother and sister-in-law are always at the incense shop—so you’re the one cleaning?"Zhang Xingying opened his mouth, then said, "Yes, yes..."

Huang Ziyao glanced inside the house and asked softly, "How is your father's health?"

"Not bad. Though he can't fully recover, after resting for so long, he seems to be getting better." A bright expression finally appeared on Zhang Xingying's face.

"That's good. You must take good care of the elderly." Huang Ziyao sat down under the grapevine in the yard. The leafless vine was left with only a few twisting tendrils tangled on the bamboo frame.

Zhou Ziqin grabbed Zhang Xingying's hand and whispered, "Did you know? I just saw Dicui at the West Market."

Zhang Xingying was stunned, standing frozen for a long moment before hastily running to close the door. Stuttering, he asked, "Miss Huang and you... you saw Dicui?"

Zhou Ziqin nodded vigorously. "She probably worried we might reveal her whereabouts, so she ran away as soon as she saw me."

Zhang Xingying was dumbfounded. After a long pause, he slowly sat down and asked in a low voice, "So you... you don't know where she is either?"

"But she must be in Chang'an. I've seen her twice at the West Market now," Huang Zixia said.

Zhang Xingying quickly replied, "Then I... I'll go look for her."

Zhou Ziqin warned anxiously, "She's still someone the Emperor wants to punish. You must be careful. Even Prince Kui can't easily protect you now."

Zhang Xingying's face stiffened, and he could only nod repeatedly. "I understand. I'll go find her..."

After leaving Zhang Xingying's home, Huang Zixia and Zhou Ziqin parted ways at the crossroads.

Zhou Ziqin hurriedly asked, "Where are you staying now? If I need to find you, where should I go?"

Huang Zixia thought for a moment before finally admitting honestly, "I'm living in Yongchang Ward, in lodgings arranged for me by Wang Yun."

"Wang Yun?" Zhou Ziqin blinked in surprise, then relaxed with a relieved smile. "See, I knew Wang Yun wouldn't break off the engagement. After all, you two are still betrothed."

Huang Zixia gave a bitter smile and nodded vaguely. "Come find me if needed. It's the Wang residence by the fourth well in the ward."

After parting with Zhou Ziqin, she headed alone toward Yongchang Ward. But upon reaching the ward's entrance, she hesitated for a moment before changing direction toward Daming Palace instead.

Wang Yun happened to be at Daming Palace's gates that day. After making his rounds, he was about to return to his post when he spotted Huang Zixia approaching.

Dismounting, he walked toward her with a smile. "You look much better today. Found anything new in your investigations? Next time remember to bring someone with you."

"With you all here, Chang'an remains peaceful and secure. Why would I need an escort?" she replied.

Noticing curious onlookers behind them, Wang Yun gestured for her to follow him aside. "What's the matter?"

She looked slightly surprised. "How did you know I needed to talk?"

"You wouldn't seek me out without reason," he said, a shadow passing through his eyes before he smiled again. "Go on, tell me."

His smile stirred faint guilt in Huang Zixia's heart. Biting her lip, she asked, "Has His Majesty... given any new instructions regarding Princess Tongchang's case recently?"

Wang Yun considered this. "Since Princess Tongchang was buried, the palace has avoided mentioning the matter to comfort His Majesty. He should be recovering his spirits by now."

"I see..." Huang Zixia seemed thoughtful, then asked, "Has His Majesty mentioned anything about the murderer's daughter?"

"Not at all. But the imperial decree stands—the authorities will continue pursuing the matter."

Huang Zixia nodded silently. Reading her expression, Wang Yun lowered his voice. "You've seen Lü Dicui?"

"I'm not certain yet. But if you're patrolling the streets, could you keep an eye out for her?"

"Of course," he answered simply, without hesitation.Huang Zixiang looked at him gratefully and said softly, "Thank you."

"Why so formal?" He gazed down at her, his eyes filled with warmth.

Overwhelmed by guilt, Huang Zixiang could only lower her head, bid him farewell, and silently turn to leave.

Sometimes the world works in strange ways. Huang Zixiang could spot Di Cui twice in front of the incense shop, yet Wang Yun, Zhang Xingying, and Zhou Ziqin—despite their efforts—couldn’t find a trace of her anywhere in the capital.

"Then let’s stop searching. Finding her might not be a good thing—it could even bring trouble," Wang Yun said when he came to see her a few days later.

Huang Zixiang nodded. Noticing droplets clinging to his hair, she asked, "Is it raining outside?"

"Just a light snow—it melted on my hair." He brushed it off absentmindedly.

Watching the faint flurries outside, she stoked the fire in the brazier and said, "Why go out of your way to tell me this in such weather?"

"Because I wanted to see you," he replied with a smile, his gaze lingering on her. After a long moment, he added softly, "There’s been no progress in Prince E’s case either. You’ve been running between offices so much—I worry you’re overworking yourself. Don’t forget to rest."

Under his steady gaze, Huang Zixiang felt slightly flustered and averted her eyes to the crystal vase holding the pair of Agashini fish. "It’s fine. Sometimes I watch the little fish Eunuch Wang gave me."

"You don’t spend all your free time feeding them, do you? Let’s see if they’ve grown fat," he teased, lifting the vase to examine it. Then he turned to her with mock dismay. "Oh no, both the fish and you are so thin. Is it because of this endless snowy weather?"

Huang Zixiang couldn’t help laughing. "The snowflakes would protest—how is it their fault if the fish won’t grow?"

He chuckled, glancing between the fish and her. Watching the lingering smile on her face—the brightness in her eyes, the slight curve of her brows, the upward tilt of her lips—a faint sweetness welled in his chest.

Gently setting the vase down, he murmured, "Zixiang..."

She raised her brows slightly in question.

But he wasn’t sure what he wanted to say. It was as if he simply wanted to call her name, to see the way her gaze turned toward him.

After a long pause, he spoke somewhat awkwardly, "Actually, I didn’t come just to talk about Lü Dicui."

"Oh?" Huang Zixiang was surprised.

"The Empress wishes to see you."

"The Empress?" Her astonishment deepened. "What does Her Majesty require of me?"

"I don’t know. The Chief Lady-in-Waiting, Changling, relayed the message. The Empress asked me to bring you to her."

Amid the fine drizzle of snow, Huang Zixiang followed the palace maid up the steps of Penglai Hall in Daming Palace.

Empress Wang sat composed before an intricately carved screen depicting celestial mountains and pavilions, her gown of twilight purple interwoven with gold threads dazzlingly radiant. In all the realm, only she could carry such a majestic blend of gold and purple.

Once everyone had withdrawn, the vast hall held only the two of them, empty and silent. The incense curling from the gilded Boshan burner cast a dreamlike haze, veiling the Empress’s face as if behind clouds, making her features indistinct.

Then Empress Wang’s voice came, calm and devoid of emotion: "Huang Zixiang, congratulations on clearing your name and avenging your family."Huang Zixiang lowered her head and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty the Empress."

"I heard that during your trip to Shu, you also incidentally solved a case involving a courtesan from Yangzhou?"

Huang Zixiang replied in an unruffled tone, "Yes. A courtesan from Yangzhou's Yunsiao House, named Fu Xinruan, was killed by her lover Qi Teng after arriving in Shu. Her sisters Gongsun Yuan and Yin Luyi conspired to kill Qi Teng in revenge. Thanks to Landai's mediation, their lives were spared, and they were ultimately exiled to the Western Frontier."

"What a pity... The sisters were deeply devoted to each other. They could have lived peacefully after their revenge, and everyone would have been at ease. Why did you have to wade into this muddy water?" The Empress's voice carried a hint of coldness.

Huang Zixiang kept her head bowed, her slender waist straight and unwavering, and calmly replied, "Law and human sentiment—law comes first, sentiment follows. If there is injustice, the authorities will handle it. Why should private retribution be necessary?"

Empress Wang stared at her for a long time before slowly rising from her sandalwood couch. She stopped in front of Huang Zixiang and gazed at her intently. Huang Zixiang expected a reprimand, but instead, the Empress gave a light laugh and said, "But they were lucky to have you, weren't they? If you hadn't gone to Shu this time, do you think anyone would have sought justice for Fu Xinruan's death? And who could have unraveled the case of Gongsun Yuan and Yin Luyi's conspiracy?"

Huang Zixiang murmured, "Heaven's justice is clear; fairness will prevail."

"Sometimes, I think things might have been better if you hadn't appeared," Empress Wang circled around her and continued slowly, "But other times, without you, perhaps some truths would never come to light. And I—happen to need the truth sometimes."

Huang Zixiang bowed deeply to her and waited silently for her next words.

Empress Wang looked directly at her and said unhurriedly, "At the very least, you once preserved a skull for me, allowing that poor child to be buried whole."

The Empress's voice seemed to tremble slightly. Huang Zixiang looked up and saw a faint mist in Empress Wang's distant eyes, though it might have been an illusion on her otherwise serene face.

Before Huang Zixiang could discern it clearly, the Empress turned her face away. "Speaking of which, you excel at solving the most perplexing mysteries. And right now, the most sensational mystery in the capital is the suicide of Prince E, isn't it?"

Huang Zixiang nodded. "Yes... The strangeness of this matter is truly baffling."

"Though everyone in the capital is talking about it, I believe the only ones who might know the truth are Prince E himself—and perhaps you. After all, Eunuch Wang has taken on this hot potato now. He must give the Emperor an explanation." As she spoke, Empress Wang began pacing slowly to the side. Huang Zixiang hesitated, unsure of her intentions, but when the Empress continued walking without a word, she quickly followed.

After exiting the back door of Penglai Palace, they came upon a narrow, winding path stretching ahead. Changling stood waiting at the entrance, handing one umbrella to Huang Zixiang and opening another to shield Empress Wang.

Without even glancing at Huang Zixiang, Empress Wang lifted the hem of her skirt and walked forward. Huang Zixiang noticed the silver boots she wore beneath, realizing she had long prepared to take her out. Fortunately, Huang Zixiang had also worn short boots when entering the palace today, so she had no fear of the rain.The path of bluestone was strewn with a few withered leaves. In the imperial garden where rain and snow intermingled, the cold and damp had driven everyone indoors, leaving the path quiet and deserted. Huang Zixiang followed Empress Wang as they walked forward.

Until steps appeared ahead, and Empress Wang ascended them. Raising her head to look at the grand palace before her, Huang Zixiang realized it was the Zichen Hall. It was widely known that entering the Zichen Hall required passing through the eastern or western Shangge gates in front of the Xuanzheng Hall, hence gaining access to the Zichen Hall was referred to as "entering the cabinet." Unexpectedly, there was such a hidden path behind the Penglai Hall for entry and exit.

Empress Wang led Huang Zixiang to the inner hall's entrance, where Changling closed the umbrella and stopped. Without even glancing at Huang Zixiang, Empress Wang walked through a small door. Following her inside, Huang Zixiang found herself in a carved wooden partition with extremely simple furnishings—only a small couch, a low table in front of it, and writing tools placed atop.

Empress Wang sat on the couch, leaning back casually.

Seeing nothing else in the room, Huang Zixiang stood quietly by, maintaining her composure as the empress remained silent.

Suddenly, faint footsteps came from the other side of the partition, followed by Xu Fenghan's voice: "Your Majesty, Prince Kui has arrived."

The voice was so close it seemed right beside her ear. Startled, Huang Zixiang looked around, only to realize the sound came from next door.

The emperor's voice drifted over: "Let him in."

She quietly approached the carved partition wall and noticed thick, opaque brocade sandwiched between the carvings. It seemed the partition and the emperor's main hall were separated only by a layer of brocade and two layers of carvings, with no other barriers—no wonder the sound carried so clearly.

Huang Zixiang thought to herself: People often said the emperor was weak-willed and frail, with Empress Wang making most court decisions. It appeared the emperor had also authorized her to listen in on state affairs here at any time. But after Empress Wang was demoted to the Taiji Palace and later returned, the emperor must have grown wary of her. This cabinet now seemed long unused.

As she pondered, a familiar voice, clear and bright, came from outside: "Your humble brother greets Your Majesty."

Hearing his voice again after so long felt like a lifetime had passed, leaving her momentarily stunned.

Empress Wang glanced at her with a faint, mocking smile before closing her eyes to rest.

The voices of the emperor and Li Shubai came through clearly next door. After all, they were brothers, and after exchanging pleasantries, the emperor asked, "Seventh Brother... any leads on the matter so far?"

Li Shubai paused briefly before replying, "Your Majesty dispatched Wang Zongshi to investigate, and he came to question me. But I truly have no clues and thus couldn’t provide any useful information."

"Hmm..." The emperor mused for a moment before asking, "With rumors spreading like wildfire in the capital, casting you in a poor light, what countermeasures has Wang Zongshi proposed so far?"

Li Shubai said, "Eunuch Wang suggested I relinquish command of the Shenwu and Shenwei troops to silence public speculation."

At these words, the emperor fell silent, and the atmosphere grew awkward.Huang Zixiao felt a slight dampness of sweat in her palms. She pressed her forehead against the carved wooden partition, her thoughts racing. This matter was undoubtedly the emperor's doing. Now that Li Shubai had framed it as Wang Zongshi acting on his own, would the emperor reveal his true intentions at this moment? And did Prince Kui have a plan to extricate himself unscathed today?

But then again, why should she worry about someone as meticulous and infallible as Li Shubai?

Sure enough, the emperor eventually laughed it off, saying, "Such trivial matters can be discussed between you and Wang Zongshi. I won’t trouble myself with them."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Li Shubai replied. After a brief pause, he continued, "Although I have withdrawn from many major court affairs and now live a carefree life, I remain deeply concerned about the case of the Seventh Prince. After all, Wang Zongshi, though a trusted confidant of Your Majesty, has never held a judicial position before. Would it not be inappropriate for him to oversee this case?"

"I know. If we’re talking about such matters, that little eunuch Yang Chonggu by your side would have been the perfect choice," the emperor sighed. "But there’s no helping it—he was your subordinate, so recusal was necessary. Besides, the Court of Judicial Review and the Office of the Capital Governor are both closely tied to you, and no court official would dare recommend them. The Minister of Justice, Wang Lin, is preparing to retire due to his past involvement with the empress’s affairs—though I cannot openly punish him. As for the Censorate, those old men are all talk and no action; they’d be utterly helpless in such a situation. After much deliberation, I found no reliable high-ranking official in the court. That’s why I chose Wang Zongshi, who has little interaction with you. As a eunuch and inner court official, it also signifies that this is a family matter of mine."

"That is most considerate. Thank you for your trouble, Your Majesty," Li Shubai said, realizing from the emperor’s lengthy explanation that he had no intention of replacing Wang Zongshi. He changed the subject. "Has Chief Eunuch Wang sent anyone to investigate the Seventh Prince’s residence?"

"Most likely. Lately, this matter has weighed heavily on my mind, and my headaches have flared up, leaving me no time to inquire," the emperor replied with another sigh. "Of all my brothers, I held only you, the Seventh Prince, and the Ninth Prince in high regard. And now the Seventh Prince has… Ah, why would he take his own life? And why would he utter such shocking words before his death, implicating you, the Fourth Prince…"

Li Shubai said quietly, "There must be more to this, but the truth remains unknown for now."

"With time, the truth will come to light. I have not misjudged you. I only hope the world will one day see your true heart, Fourth Brother."

Li Shubai lowered his gaze to the golden tiles on the floor and could only say, "I am grateful for Your Majesty’s trust."

"However, I still have my concerns. Fourth Brother, the Shenwei and Shenwu armies have been garrisoned in the capital for three years now. According to regulations, they should be rotated. Recall how the Xuzhou troops mutinied out of homesickness after overstaying their term. Now that you are… indisposed—should we not find someone else to handle this matter properly?"

Here it was, the real purpose of today’s audience. Huang Zixiao, listening from the next room, understood that this was the true reason the emperor had summoned Li Shubai today. Now that the matter had been laid bare, what could Li Shubai do to refuse, no matter how unwilling he was?

Unconsciously, Huang Zixiao tightened her grip on the carved partition, feeling the sweat in her palms turn cold.Li Shubai's voice came unhurriedly: "Since Your Majesty is considering the peace and stability of the people, how could I dare to refuse?"

The emperor, who had been suppressing his voice, suddenly raised it slightly, revealing an uncontrollable excitement: "Fourth Brother, you truly agree?"

"Yes, Your Majesty's words are naturally not to be disobeyed," Li Shubai stood up and bowed to the emperor, "but I have an unseemly request."

"Fourth Brother, speak freely." The emperor, seeing him bow, stood up and gestured for him to rise.

Li Shubai looked up at him and said, "The Divine Martial Army and others were rebuilt by my order under Your Majesty's command. Now, changing its generals requires only Your Majesty's decree. However, I was twice assassinated in Shu, and even now in the capital, I feel as if tigers are lurking nearby, unable to rest easy. I beg Your Majesty to allow me to delay this matter for a few months. I will personally pacify the soldiers and wait until all is calm before making the transfer. What does Your Majesty think?"

The emperor's expression changed slightly, and just as he was about to speak, he suddenly clutched his chest in pain. His body, which had just risen, slumped back into the chair.

Li Shubai reacted swiftly. Seeing the emperor about to topple from his chair, he rushed forward to steady him. The emperor's breathing was rapid, his body trembling, his face deathly pale, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

Xu Fenghan, who had been standing by, hurried over, took a pill from a nearby drawer, dissolved it in water, and helped the emperor drink it.

Only after the emperor, holding his head, leaned back in the chair to steady his breathing did Li Shubai frown slightly and ask Xu Fenghan in a low voice, "His Majesty's headaches—why are they worse than before?"

Xu Fenghan bowed his head and sighed mournfully. "The imperial physicians are doing their best, and countless renowned doctors from the common folk have been sought, but none have found a miraculous cure."

Li Shubai asked, "How frequent are the attacks now? How often do they occur?"

Before Xu Fenghan could answer, the emperor spoke: "It's hopeless, just an old ailment. These headaches... even Emperor Wu of Wei suffered from them. Despite his great talents and martial prowess, in all the vastness of the world... who could cure him?"

Seeing the emperor endure the pain with a trembling voice, Li Shubai couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty must take good care of yourself. I believe that in this vast world, there must be a skilled physician like Hua Tuo with the art of rejuvenation. If Your Majesty orders the counties to seek specialists in headaches to come to the capital for consultation, a suitable remedy will surely be found."

The emperor clutched his head, moaning incessantly. After a long while, he spoke haltingly, "Enough, you may leave now."

Huang Zixiang glanced back at Empress Wang, who remained motionless on the couch, her eyes half-closed as she gazed out the window, her expression eerily calm, as if lost in thought. Only when she sensed Li Shubai's departure did Empress Wang rise, push open the partition door, and suddenly transform into a different person—staggering over to the emperor's side, embracing him tearfully as she cried, "Your Majesty, are you feeling better now?"

The emperor gripped her hand, gritting his teeth against the pain, but beads of sweat still rolled down his forehead. Empress Wang held him tightly, caressing his face as she cried, "Your Majesty, endure it a little longer... These useless imperial physicians, what good are they keeping them around!"

Huang Zixiang watched as Empress Wang then offered her own hand to the emperor's mouth, weeping, "Your Majesty mustn't bite your tongue, please bite my hand instead!"Beside her, Xu Fenghan quickly pulled her away, saying, "Your Highness is of noble birth, how could you allow yourself to be harmed? Biting this lowly servant doesn't matter..."

Huang Zijing stood quietly to the side, watching the tears on Empress Wang's face, feeling nothing but awkwardness.

The medicine the emperor had taken seemed to take effect. Though he still gripped Empress Wang's hand tightly, his labored breathing gradually subsided. Empress Wang and Xu Fenghan helped him sit up, adding another embroidered cushion behind him.

Only then did the emperor realize that in his uncontrolled state, his nails had dug deeply into Empress Wang's hand, yet she had endured the pain without a sound. He sighed, gently massaging her hand with both of his, then turned his gaze to Huang Zitang. After studying her for a long moment, he asked, "The person behind the empress... doesn't look like Changling and the others?"

Huang Zitang quickly bowed. Empress Wang said calmly, "She's a new maid from outside. I'm keeping her by my side to familiarize her with things."

"I see." The emperor asked no further and closed his eyes.

Xu Fenghan cautiously inquired, "Your Majesty, would you like to retire to the inner chamber to rest?"

The emperor nodded and lightly patted his own leg. Understanding the gesture, Xu Fenghan hurried forward to support him as they slowly moved toward the rear chamber. Though Xu Fenghan was relatively tall and sturdy, the emperor's robust frame made it difficult for him to assist alone. Empress Wang quickly stepped in to help, supporting him all the way to the rear chamber.

Huang Zitang felt a cold sweat begin to seep down her back.

She finally understood Empress Wang's purpose in bringing her here today.

The emperor's headache condition had become extremely severe. Not only was his vision impaired—unable to recognize someone like her whom he wasn't very familiar with—but even walking had become difficult. Yet this was being concealed from the eyes and ears within and outside the palace; likely only Xu Fenghan and Empress Wang knew the truth.

And the reason for keeping it secret was naturally because he still had matters to settle. With the crown prince still young, if the emperor were to fall seriously ill, the transition of imperial power would be precarious. And in the emperor's mind, who would pose the greatest threat to the throne?

As she pondered this, Empress Wang emerged from the rear chamber and said to her, "Summon all the attendants serving His Majesty. The emperor is resting now."

Huang Zitang acknowledged and quickly walked to the palace entrance to call in all the maids and eunuchs waiting outside. The sleet had not ceased, and the cold wind pierced through her clothes. The undried cold sweat on her body turned icy against her skin, making her shiver involuntarily.