The Golden Hairpin

The most powerful force in this world is enough to devour anyone without even leaving a bubble behind.

She followed Empress Wang back to Penglai Palace and bowed to take her leave.

Empress Wang, expressionless, motioned for her to withdraw, revealing no emotion whatsoever. It was as if she had merely taken Huang Zixiang for a stroll through the imperial gardens.

Huang Zixiang walked alone toward the palace gates under her umbrella. In the gloomy weather of mingling rain and snow, she turned to gaze at Hanyuan Hall in the distance. The twin phoenix towers of the imperial city rose through the clouds—Qifeng and Xiangluan Pavilions, like outstretched wings, flanked the majestic Hanyuan Hall, the grandest palace of the Tang Dynasty. Amid the dense snowfall, it appeared faintly visible, as if a celestial abode rather than a structure of the mortal world.

Her eyes settled on Xiangluan Pavilion. She imagined the arc of Li Run’s fall from its heights that night. Even if there had been wind, it couldn’t have carried a falling man away without a trace. The vast square beneath Xiangluan Pavilion was paved with blue bricks, covered in a thin layer of snow—how could someone who jumped down simply vanish?

She closed her eyes, recalling the scene she had witnessed that night—the darkness, the light snow, the flickering torches, the scattered slips of paper...

A slight chill touched her cheek—a snowflake had landed there.

Huang Zixiang opened her eyes blankly. Unable to solve the mystery of Li Run’s disappearance, she turned her thoughts elsewhere—what could possibly drive Prince E, who had always been closest to Prince Kui, to forsake his life and publicly accuse him?

Immediately, the image of the emperor’s sudden illness flashed before her eyes.

The emperor gravely ill, the crown prince still young, Prince Kui’s influence growing...

Her hand gripping the umbrella trembled slightly. Though she had long suspected the truth, now that the veil had been torn away, revealing the stark reality, she couldn’t help but feel fear.

The Daming Palace in the rain and snow blurred before her eyes, transforming into a mirage. The jade towers and jeweled pavilions on the surface dissolved into raging waves. The most powerful force in this world, no matter how dazzling and enchanting its exterior, concealed undercurrents strong enough to swallow anyone whole, without even a bubble rising to the surface.

"Zixiang, why are you standing here so long in this cold?"

A gentle voice came from behind—it was Wang Yun, who had been waiting for her. She turned and nodded silently, then walked out through the towering gates of Daming Palace under her umbrella.

Wang Yun handed her a fur muff and casually took the umbrella from her, holding it for her. "Warm your hands quickly."

Huang Zixiang tucked her hands into the muff, feeling the soft lamb’s wool inside, and for a moment, warmth spread through her chest as she glanced at him. The snow fell heavily now, the raindrops turning into sleet that drummed loudly against the umbrella. He looked down at her, oblivious to the thin layer of snow gathering on his right shoulder.

Walking on his left, Huang Zixiang lowered her head silently. Together, they left Daming Palace in the rain and snow and boarded the carriage.

The sound of hooves clattered urgently as they traversed the streets of Chang’an toward Yongchang Ward. Huang Zixiang lowered her voice and asked softly, "Do you know of soul-stealing sorcery?"

Wang Yun frowned slightly. "You mean that dark art that controls another’s will?"

Huang Zixiang nodded.

Understanding dawned on him. "You suspect Prince E was under someone’s control when he spoke those words publicly and jumped from Xiangluan Pavilion?"

Huang Zixiang nodded again. "You’ve been in the capital for a long time. Do you know anyone who practices such methods?"Wang Yun frowned and said, "This sinister technique originates from the Western Regions, which now seem to be embroiled in frequent conflicts, cutting off its source. Few have ever practiced this method, and currently, the only practitioner I know of is the old monk Mu Shan whom you pointed out in Chengdu last time. Beyond him, I truly know no others."

Huang Zixiao nodded. The current emperor had grown up secluded in the palace and lived a reclusive life even after being enfeoffed as a prince in the Yun Palace. It was highly unlikely he could have come into contact with such dark arts. Moreover, if someone skilled in such methods had been by the emperor's side, they would surely have been employed elsewhere long ago—otherwise, the emperor wouldn't have singled out Monk Mu Shan from among all the monks, whose only skill was soul-stealing.

But even if they did find someone proficient in soul-stealing, would the emperor really sacrifice one of his own brothers just to deal with Li Shubai? Prince E, Li Run, was the gentlest and most unambitious of all the brothers. Would he truly be chosen as the sacrificial lamb? Simply because he was closest to Li Shubai?

Huang Zixiao shook her head inwardly, finding these assumptions unreasonable. Her gaze turned to Wang Yun, only to find him already looking at her. In the confined space, their eyes met, and an awkward tension slowly began to form.

She lowered her head and deliberately changed the subject. "After Prince E jumped from the Xiangluan Pavilion, you were likely the first to arrive at the scene, weren't you?"

Wang Yun nodded, then added, "Why still address me so formally? Just call me Yunzhi—that's what my family and friends call me."

She silently lowered her eyes and gave a slight nod.

"Then... say it for me?" he teased.

Huang Zixiao hesitated for a moment before finally nodding slightly and softly calling out, "Yunzhi..."

Wang Yun noticed her bowed head, her face pale as a drooping white plum blossom after her illness. His heart stirred like rippling water, the faint waves reverberating through him, leaving his mind blank. Before he knew it, he had taken hold of Huang Zixiao's hand.

Her fingers twitched slightly in his grasp, as if trying to pull away. But he tightened his grip and whispered her name, "Zixiao."

She looked up at him, her lotus-bud face adorned with dewdrop-like eyes. Though her cheeks were faintly flushed, her gaze remained clear and pure, devoid of any romantic sentiment.

Her thoughts were not here, not with him.

Wang Yun felt the ripples in his heart instantly still. Silently, he released her hand and sat there without a word.

Huang Zixiao withdrew her hand into her sleeve, her fingers unconsciously clutching at her skirt.

"What did you want to ask?" Wang Yun finally spoke. "You want to know what I saw that night, to investigate Prince E's case with Eunuch Wang, to clear Prince Kui's name, don't you?"

"Yes," Huang Zixiao admitted without hesitation, leaving him momentarily stunned.

She looked up at him, a faint smile on her lips. "Didn't Eunuch Wang say it himself? A mere eunuch from the prince's household must avoid suspicion, but Huang Zixiao—daughter of the former Chengdu governor and betrothed to the eldest grandson of the Langya Wang family—has no such need."The chill in Wang Yun's heart finally dissipated at her mention of "fiancée." His brows relaxed as he gazed at her and asked, "Yet you remain determined to serve Prince Kui."

She nodded. "Even a drop of kindness deserves a fountain in return. Prince Kui has shown me great favor, and now that he faces difficulties, I would repay his kindness even if it meant gathering grass or holding a ring in my mouth."

Wang Yun said nothing more, merely nodding in response.

Just as the atmosphere in the carriage grew subtly tense, the carriage gradually came to a halt.

"What's the matter?" Wang Yun asked the driver through the carriage wall.

"The road ahead is slippery from rain and snow. A carriage has overturned, and people from the nearby ward are clearing the horses and debris. Please wait a moment, young master."

Wang Yun gave a quiet "Hmm" and looked outside to see they were right by the Taiqing Temple. Seeing the crowd wouldn't disperse anytime soon, he turned to Huang Zixia and said, "I think I hear the temple's bells and drums. Shall we go inside to see if they're holding a ritual?"

Huang Zixia alighted from the carriage and followed him into the Taiqing Temple. The Taoist priests, familiar with Wang Yun, greeted him warmly. "Young Master Wang, welcome! Please allow us to serve you some fragrant tea."

Wang Yun and Huang Zixia followed them into the warm pavilion—only to freeze in surprise.

Prince Kui, Li Shubai, was already seated there, sipping tea. It made sense; his carriage had left the Daming Palace just a step ahead of theirs. When the road became blocked, he must have been invited into the temple as well.

But now that they had run into each other, turning to leave would be awkward.

Wang Yun glanced down at Huang Zixia with a faint smile, then suddenly took her hand and led her toward Li Shubai. "Your Highness is also here today—what a fortunate coincidence."

Li Shubai didn't respond. His gaze remained fixed on Huang Zixia's face, not even sparing a glance at their joined hands. He stared at her, his expression unchanged, but the light in his eyes flickered unsteadily. Even for someone as unflappable as him, his wrist trembled slightly, causing the teacup in his hand to tilt and spill two drops onto the back of his hand.

He lowered his eyes, gently setting the teacup on the table before lifting his gaze to the approaching pair. His expression was so calm it seemed almost stiff. "Yunzhi, it's been a while. I trust you've been well?"

"By Your Highness's grace," Wang Yun replied, pulling Huang Zixia to sit close beside him. He then added, "This is my fiancée, Huang Zixia. I assume you know her and need no introduction?"

Li Shubai gave a cold smile, his eyes still locked on Huang Zixia as he said slowly, "Of course I know her. I once helped her solve the mystery of your cousin's disappearance, unraveled the case of Princess Tongchang's sudden death, and even took her south to Shu to clear her name and pay respects to her family."

Huang Zixia listened to his calm voice, but an ache spread through her chest. She could only lower her head, staring blankly at the teacup in her hands.

Wang Yun smiled faintly, unperturbed. "Indeed, we are deeply grateful for Your Highness's kindness in exonerating my fiancée, Zixia. Soon, we will return to Shu for our wedding. I’m not sure if we’ll have the chance to bid you farewell then, so let me take this unexpected meeting as an opportunity to thank you in advance."

He deliberately emphasized "my fiancée, Zixia," and Li Shubai was well aware of his intent. With another cold smile, Li Shubai turned his gaze to Huang Zixia. Seeing her silent and bowed head, a surge of blood rushed to his head, choking his breath and making his heartbeat falter for a moment."Why stand on ceremony?" Li Shubai leaned back in his chair and said slowly, "This prince also owes Huang Zixiao a great deal. At the very least, when someone attempted assassination and I was severely wounded on the brink of death, it was she who pulled me back from the gates of hell. Without her, I would no longer be in this world."

Hearing him mention the "assassination attempt," Wang Yun, who had been implicated in that very plot, immediately darkened his gaze. Though he maintained a perfunctory smile, an awkward atmosphere settled over the three of them.

"Moreover..." Li Shubai's gaze rested on Huang Zixiao as he continued leisurely, "Your fiancée once voluntarily entered my residence as a low-ranking eunuch to clear her name, with official documentation that remains recorded in the records of the Kui Prince's residence. Now I must ask Commander Wang—how do you intend to explain to me your marriage to a eunuch registered under my household?"

Wang Yun hadn't expected Li Shubai to raise such an issue and couldn't help but counter, "Your Highness means to say Huang Zixiao is still considered a eunuch of the Kui Prince's residence?"

"The signed register remains intact and has not been voided," Li Shubai replied indifferently.

"Yet the whole world knows she assumed the identity of a young eunuch to enter your residence only to seek justice for her wronged family. Now that the truth has come to light, why must Your Highness insist on holding her to that pretense?"

"The state has its laws, the household its rules. I believe every lawbreaker has their reasons, but if we cease to hold them accountable, how then do we maintain the strict discipline of the Kui Prince's residence? How does the court establish its authority and ensure its decrees are followed?"

Though both men maintained calm expressions and an air of civility, their verbal duel showed no signs of relenting. Huang Zixiao, acutely aware that this conflict stemmed from her, found herself at a loss and could only sit silently by.

Wang Yun asked helplessly, "Is Your Highness implying you intend to prevent my marriage to Zixiao?"

"Prevent? Not at all. This prince merely wishes to know how Yunzhi plans to marry away a eunuch officially registered in my household."

Seeing Li Shubai press forward without yielding, Wang Yun—though mild by nature—could no longer restrain himself and retorted, "Then how does Your Highness intend to force my fiancée to remain in your residence as a eunuch?"

Li Shubai glanced at Huang Zixiao and asked, "To my knowledge, there was once a dissolution of engagement between you two?"

Wang Yun also looked at Huang Zixiao with a faint smile. "Between lovers, separations and reconciliations are common. Between us, there was an engagement contract, then a dissolution, and now neither remains—who knows of such matters? So long as our hearts are aligned, all can be resolved."

Under their combined gazes, Huang Zixiao found herself at an impasse. After a long moment, she steeled herself, stood up, and said to Wang Yun, "I wonder if the road has been cleared yet. Let's go take a look."

Wang Yun smiled gently at her and cupped his hands toward Li Shubai. "Your Highness, forgive our rudeness. Zixiao seems reluctant to stay longer, so we shall take our leave."

Hearing him address her so intimately as "Zixiao," and seeing Huang Zixiao standing demurely behind Wang Yun—their striking appearances complementing each other like a pair of flawless jade—Li Shubai felt that burning surge in his chest rise once more, impossible to suppress.

He slowly stood and said, "With this dreadful mix of rain and snow, why must both of you go out to check? Eunuch Yang, could you not stay a moment longer to answer this prince's questions?"Wang Yun hesitated slightly upon hearing his words, then nodded to Huang Zixiao and said, "I'll go take a look. You stay here for a while."

Only Li Shubai and Huang Zixiao remained in the room. The sleet outside showed no sign of stopping. The wind blew in through the open door, bringing waves of cold.

Jing Heng, who was standing guard in the outer chamber, considered closing the door but ultimately decided against it.

Li Shubai and Huang Zixiao sat across from each other with a tea stove between them, the room heavy with silence.

Finally, she heard his voice, low and slightly hoarse: "Didn't I tell you? The Wang family is teetering on the edge, its downfall imminent. Why didn't you heed my warning?"

Huang Zixiao forced herself to remain composed, replying in the coldest tone she could muster: "Didn't Your Highness order me to leave? Now I've obeyed. As for where I go, why should you concern yourself?"

"There are countless broad roads in this world, and I even pointed out the most convenient one for you. Why must you insist on walking this single-plank bridge?" Li Shubai tapped his fingers lightly on the table, a hint of anger in his gesture.

"What's poison to you might be honey to me. It depends on one's perspective," Huang Zixiao murmured. "What's so bad about the Wang family? A centuries-old clan that has weathered countless storms. Even if there's danger, it's like a centipede that won't die even when cut in half. How could it be as dire as you claim?"

"Someone as perceptive as you must know how violent the coming storm will be. Yet you still throw yourself into the eye of it. Why?" He narrowed his eyes, studying her intently.

Under his piercing gaze, Huang Zixiao felt her thoughts scatter. She couldn't even muster the courage to meet his eyes, hastily standing up instead. "I... should go check on Wang Yun..."

His voice came from behind her. She didn't need to turn around to know he was approaching her step by step: "You're still stubbornly trying to help me, aren't you? You want to start with the Wang family, break this deadlock, uncover the truth, and clear my name. Isn't that right?"

He stood right behind her, so close. He leaned down slightly, his breath brushing against the nape of her neck, sending shivers down her spine. It was a mix of fear at impending danger and the tension of an unknown, tantalizing threat.

Her voice trembled as she weakly denied it: "No... It has nothing to do with you. I just... think Wang Yun... he's good."

His voice paused briefly before his breathing grew slightly ragged: "He's good, so the moment you left me, you rushed into his arms. So you're already living in the residence he prepared, riding in the same carriage, appearing hand in hand before me?"

A surge of turbulent emotions rose in Huang Zixiao's heart. She wanted to refute him but found she couldn't deny any of it. Everything he said was fundamentally true—he was merciless, striking right at the core.

Cornered by guilt, lacking words, and burdened by the feelings buried deep in her heart that she couldn't voice, Huang Zixiao's body finally began to tremble slightly. Her eyes reddened, her rapid breaths coming in choked gasps.

"Yes, I... will be with him, since you wouldn't understand anyway!" Summoning her last ounce of strength, she turned to face him, tilting her head up. She didn't even know what she was saying anymore, only gritting her teeth as she spoke: "I'll marry Wang Yun and live a happy, fulfilling life. I am me, and you are you. Huang Zixiao has nothing to do with Li Shubai!"He grabbed her shoulders firmly, his deep, dark gaze almost pulling her soul into its depths.

Before she could react, her body was abruptly yanked forward, crushed against his chest in a tight embrace. Before she could even process the shock and panic, the scent of agarwood from him filled her senses, leaving her mind blank in an instant. Her body felt as if it were plummeting from a great height, robbed of all strength.

He pressed her against the pillar behind her, leaning down to capture her lips in a kiss.

All the hurtful words—words that would wound him and herself even more—were trapped in her throat, unable to escape.

Her hands weakly rose to push against his chest, but her body had already lost all resistance, leaving her powerless as his lips moved over hers—rough in action, yet tender in touch.

Her body burned with a dizzying heat, her eyes involuntarily closing. She could hear his ragged breaths echoing in her ears. In her dazed state, she thought, How strange… This man, usually so cold and distant, was now just like her—his body feverish, his breathing erratic, his expression lost—all because of the intimacy between their lips.

It felt like both an instant and an eternity before he gently released her, his breathing still uneven as he stared at her intently. His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but no words came out.

Huang Zixiao raised her right hand, pressing the back of it against her lips as she lowered her head, avoiding his gaze.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging tide of emotions threatening to overwhelm him. It took a long moment before he managed to steady his breathing, his voice low and slightly hoarse as he said, "Wait for me in Nanzhao. I’ve already prepared the documents for you."

She leaned weakly against the pillar, shaking her head. "No."

His brows furrowed as he studied her in question.

The back of her hand brushed against her slightly swollen lips, her cheeks burning with heat. Covering her face, she whispered, "The Emperor is gravely ill. His condition is critical."

He frowned slightly. "How do you know?"

Huang Zixiao looked up at him, her blood still racing. Her voice was quiet and dry. "If the Wang family wills it, no secret in the palace can escape their notice."

"So?"

"So, I will use the Wang family’s influence to continue investigating the mystery of Prince E’s disappearance. And as for you, Your Highness… when I’ve already resolved to do something, please don’t stand in my way."

She met his gaze, the unwavering determination in her eyes making her shine like a radiant pearl. Standing before her, Li Shubai found himself momentarily dazzled, unable to look directly at her.

He sighed, stepping back two or three paces until he leaned against the window frame, though his gaze remained fixed on her. "And if I refuse?"

"No matter what you say or do, I will hold fast to my convictions without wavering," Huang Zixiao declared firmly. "And I know—the Prince Kui Li Shubai I know will stand as my steadfast support, helping me unravel every challenge."Li Shubai turned his gaze to the window, where the bitter north wind howled and raindrops mixed with snowflakes fell from the vast sky. The gray-black heavens appeared exceptionally distant and unreachable, the snowflakes melting before they even touched the ground, their icy chill rushing straight through the window frame.

Stirred by the cold wind, his eyelashes trembled slightly. His lips pressed tightly together, he silently watched the rain and snow outside without uttering a word.

"Ziyao." Someone gently knocked on the open door, their voice as tender as the warmth of early spring, as if it could melt the ice and snow in that very moment.

Huang Zixiang turned to see Wang Yun standing at the door, unaware of the situation, smiling as he said, "I just checked—the road is clear now. We can go back."

Huang Zixiang silently glanced at Li Shubai, whose gaze remained fixed outside the window, watching the relentless rain and snow fall without pause. He didn’t move, not even to spare her a glance.

She exhaled deeply, bowed silently to his profile, then turned and followed Wang Yun out.

Stepping away from the warmth inside, the cold wind struck her face abruptly. Instinctively, she turned away and closed her eyes.

Wang Yun looked back at her, noticing her eyes suddenly reddening, a faint mist forming over them. He paused, then asked softly, "Zixiang, what’s wrong?"

Huang Zixiang stared at the dense rain and snow against the gloomy backdrop, slowly raising a hand to cover her eyes as she murmured, "It’s nothing... the wind and snow are so strong, they’ve blurred my vision."

Wang Yun, busy with his duties, escorted her to the gate before leaving.

Alone, she wandered back and forth along the corridor filled with countless small fish, losing track of how long she had been pacing.

To prevent the fish from freezing in the water, the walls had heating channels connected to the kitchen, allowing slight warmth to keep the aquariums from icing over.

Li Shubai had once told her that fish were simple, oblivious creatures—no matter how deeply imprinted a memory was, after seven snaps of the fingers, they would cast it aside entirely, leaving no trace behind.

Clean, ruthless, cruel yet carefree.

Wang Zongshi had said, "May I be reborn as a fish, devoid of awareness."

Huang Zixiang drifted among them, the shimmering colors of the fish casting rippling reflections along the corridor, their glow flickering between light and shadow. She walked to the end and back to the start, pausing before the crystal bottle she kept at the corridor’s end. Inside, two Aga Shine fish occasionally brushed against each other before drifting apart. When they met again, would it be a brand-new encounter?

She pressed her forehead against the patterned tiles of the wall, the intricate carvings of tangled vines mirroring the chaos in her mind. She thought of Li Shubai—the strength of his arms when he held her, the scent of his agarwood perfume, the fleeting touch of their lips in that moment, dreamlike and unreal.

Her lips parted slightly as she whispered his name, but the sound vanished before it could escape. Leaning against the wall, she listened intently to the silence around her—only the rapid pounding of her own heart, the faint splashes of the small fish, and the soft rustle of falling snow and rain.

Perhaps it was the sleepless night, or perhaps her lingering illness from days prior, but as she forced herself awake the next day, the chills and fever seemed to worsen.

Though the servants in the residence were all deaf and mute, they attended to her with meticulous care, brewing medicine for her at dawn and preparing a light breakfast of congee with side dishes. She took a few sips of the Pinellia and Perilla congee, then looked up to see the garden outside bathed in brightness—the rain had stopped, and the overnight snowfall had blanketed the grounds in white.

As she absently held her bowl, staring at the snow, a sudden commotion erupted outside. Though the household remained silent, a voice shouted at the gate, "Chonggu, come out! I know you’re here! You told me to find you here last time!"Hearing the voice, Huang Zixiao couldn't decide whether to be annoyed or amused. It was truly remarkable how Zhou Ziqin's shouts could carry so clearly across two courtyards. She turned and signaled to the servant woman beside her to have the gatekeeper let Zhou Ziqin in.

Zhou Ziqin rushed in with lightning speed, bellowing, "Chonggu, what's going on? Why are there only deaf-mutes around you?"

Huang Zixiao remained perfectly composed. She took a bowl, filled it with porridge, and pushed it to the opposite side of the table, gesturing for him to sit. The moment Zhou Ziqin caught the aroma, he immediately sat down and devoured two bowls of porridge along with four spring rolls and a plate of sesame oil chicken shreds before patting his stomach and saying, "I already ate breakfast this morning, so I'll just have a little."

Seeing that he had completely forgotten why he came to see her, Huang Zixiao calmly lowered her head to sip her porridge and asked, "So, what's the matter? Did you find Dìcuì?"

"No, not a trace. It's so strange—Chang'an isn't that big. You and I have run into her twice in such a short time. But when we actually try to find her, with Wang Yun, Zhang Xingying, and me, plus the regular patrols of the Imperial Guards, someone should have noticed her, right? Yet there's been nothing. Don't you think that's odd?"

"What's so odd about it? The Emperor himself ordered Dìcuì to be tracked down. If she managed to evade capture, she must have her own methods," Huang Zixiao replied.

Zhou Ziqin nodded in agreement, then suddenly remembered something and hurriedly said, "Oh right, I came to see you today for a serious matter!"

"Go ahead."

Zhou Ziqin straightened up solemnly, fixing her with an intense stare as he pressed, "Tell me, why have you moved here? Weren't you always following Prince Kui?"

"Oh... because I was once betrothed to Wang Yun," she answered, her expression unreadable.

"Oh, right! I completely forgot about that," Zhou Ziqin said, smacking his forehead as he readily accepted her explanation.

Huang Zixiao set down her bowl. "Anything else?"

"Of course there is," he said, his expression growing even more serious, his eyes burning with intensity as he stared at her. "And explain this to me—weren't you always dedicated to solving the world's most difficult cases? Why do I get the feeling now that you're showing signs of wanting to 'retire into marriage'?"

The phrase "retire into marriage" struck her ears like a sudden blow. Huang Zixiao felt her heart lurch violently, a dull pain radiating from her limbs and gathering in her chest.

She tightened her grip on the ivory chopsticks, her nails digging deep into her palms, but her expression remained unchanged as she quietly replied, "How could that be? Even if I were to have a husband and children someday, I would still be Huang Zixiao. If I encountered an unjust case or a difficult problem, I would still do my best to uncover the truth."

"Really? If that's the case, then why are you hiding here, eating and drinking in comfort, completely ignoring the uproar over Prince E's case? The truth behind it is driving me insane!"

Huang Zixiao rubbed her forehead and murmured, "I've been ill lately."

"Oh... oh, right. Now that you mention it, you do look quite pale," Zhou Ziqin said, a hint of guilt flashing across his face. "My apologies, my apologies! As your friend, I didn't notice at all. Please don't hold it against me!"

Huang Zixiao nodded and forced a faint smile in his direction."Actually, I was planning to visit you at Prince Kui's residence today, but he's been refusing all guests these past few days—even me. When I asked for you, Jing Heng came out and told me you weren't at the residence and that he didn't know where you'd gone. On my way back, I remembered you mentioned living in Yongchang Ward, so I rushed straight here!"

Huang Zixiang asked, "What did you need me for?"

"Of course it's about Prince E's case! Don't you think it's mysterious and bizarre, with some hidden truth behind it? The thought of uncovering the truth has left me unable to eat or sleep. I feel like fate itself summoned me to Chang'an for this! It's as if the gods themselves whispered to me—'Zhou Ziqin, heaven has bestowed this great task upon you. You must solve the mystery of Prince E's suicide leap and the disappearance of his body.'" He clenched his fists against his chest. "I am the chosen one to crack this case! Well... along with you, of course."

Compared to his fervent zeal, Huang Zixiang remained calm. "Do you have any leads?"

"Of course—no. I wasn't even in the Daming Palace the day Prince E jumped," Zhou Ziqin admitted, deflated, but quickly perked up again. "But no matter! I've already visited Vice Minister Cui Chunzhan. Isn't he temporarily overseeing the Court of Judicial Review in Prince Kui's stead?"

"What did Vice Minister Cui say?"

"Well, the moment Prince E's case came up, he looked utterly defeated. You know how it is—there are no clues, just supernatural rumors. Where could he even start? He was completely hopeless. So when I offered to help investigate, he asked if I wasn't just specialized in examining corpses. With Prince E having ascended to immortality mid-air, how could I investigate? So I laid out eight possible theories and ten investigative methods... In the end, he wrote me a note to ask Eunuch Wang for permission to inspect Prince E's residence."

Huang Zixiang knew Zhou Ziqin's ability to pester was unmatched. She suspected Cui Chunzhan had been so overwhelmed he hadn't even processed the so-called theories and methods—he just wanted to write the note and send this nuisance on his way.

"Anyway, I got the note, but since Wang Zongshi is overseeing the case, our only hurdle now is finding Eunuch Wang... I hear he's rarely at the Shence Army headquarters. Where else could we look?"

"I'll handle it," Huang Zixiang said quietly.

Zhou Ziqin gave her a doubtful look. "Are you sure? I hear Eunuch Wang is a formidable figure—he doesn't even spare face for Prince Kui or the Langya Wang family at court. What identity could you use to get close to him?"

Huang Zixiang naturally knew that no one in court was aware of the relationship between the Langya Wang family and Wang Zongshi, so she didn't elaborate. "Just wait for me at Prince E's residence. Remember to borrow two sets of official robes for us—either from the Court of Judicial Review or the Ministry of Justice. I'll join you shortly."

An hour later, they reunited at the gates of Prince E's residence—Zhou Ziqin with Cui Chunzhan's handwritten note, and Huang Zixiang with Wang Zongshi's name card.

The residence was in disarray, its staff from guards to maids trembling at their arrival. Though everyone greeted them with forced smiles, the air of a house abandoned after its master's fall hung heavily over the entire estate.Huang Zixiang first went to pay her respects before the memorial tablet of Consort Chen. The offerings of incense and candles remained as usual in front of the consort's spirit, and everything in the hall was arranged exactly as it had been during her last visit.

Kneeling before the memorial, Huang Zixiang clasped a stick of incense between her palms and murmured a quiet prayer. Opening her eyes, she carried the incense to the tall censer in front of the tablet—its diameter at least a foot and a half wide—and inserted the incense into the ash.

With a faint snap , the incense stick broke in the ash. Huang Zixiang felt something hard beneath the supposedly soft ash, something that had caused the incense to snap.

Without changing her expression, she used the remaining half of the incense stick to gently brush aside some of the ash. Beneath the dark gray powder, a faint glimmer caught her eye.

She smoothed the ash back over to conceal the object beneath, then casually found a softer spot to insert the incense. Turning to the maids nearby, she asked, "Does Prince E come here daily to offer incense for his mother?"

The maids nodded in unison. "Yes, His Highness is deeply filial. The first thing he does every morning is come here to pay his respects, without fail."

"Was it the same on the day of his passing?"

"Yes, His Highness came early that morning to offer incense. Since it was the winter solstice, he arrived before dawn and shut himself inside the hall. We all waited outside the door. I remember... His Highness stayed inside for about a quarter of an hour before emerging."

"Indeed, we even remarked at the time how exceptionally devoted His Highness was, observing the solstice rites with such solemnity."

Huang Zixiang nodded and asked, "Who did Prince E recently receive as guests?"

"Our prince has always preferred quiet and rarely entertained visitors. After Prince Kui's visit last month, he stopped receiving guests altogether. Aside from those within the household, he had no contact with anyone."

Huang Zixiang paused slightly. "Did he never leave the residence either?"

"No," they all shook their heads firmly. "We servants even urged His Highness to go out for a change of scenery, but he grew increasingly despondent. At first, he would still stroll in the gardens, but later, he hardly even left his chambers except to come here."

"Before, though His Highness seldom went out, he would occasionally visit nearby temples to discuss Zen or share tea with the monks. But never had he withdrawn so completely... It seems he must have already made up his mind by then..."

As the maids spoke, they began to weep, their grief spreading until even the eunuchs nearby started sniffling.

Zhou Ziqin was helpless in the face of crying women and looked at Huang Zixiang in distress. She gave him a meaningful glance before saying, "We have been tasked with investigating this matter and will certainly provide Prince E's household with answers. For now, please step outside and allow us to thoroughly search the hall for any evidence related to the case."

The group obediently withdrew, and Zhou Ziqin closed the door behind them. Huang Zixiang had already returned to the censer, covering her nose and mouth with a handkerchief as she picked up the nearby phoenix-beak tongs to sift through the ash.

Beneath the soft ash, she uncovered the glimmering object—a dagger. She lifted it and tapped it against the rim of the censer, shaking off the loose ash to reveal a gleaming blade, its cold light piercing.

At the sight, Zhou Ziqin gasped in shock. "It's Gongsun Yuan's dagger!"The dagger was four inches long and one inch wide, its blade as thin as paper. However, it seemed to have been violently smashed—its body twisted, its edge curled—yet the cold glint of its steel remained dazzling, still too bright to look at directly.

Huang Zixiao gently placed it on the altar table and said, "Yes, it's identical to the dagger used by Gongsun Daniu in Shu."

"It's said to be forged from cold iron. Emperor Taizong had twenty-four such daggers made, but apart from the finest one, almost all have been lost. The only remaining one was supposedly bestowed upon Empress Wu Zetian..."

"Now that this dagger has been smashed beyond recognition, we can't tell if it's the same one Gongsun Daniu used to kill Qi Teng." As she spoke, Huang Zixiao used phoenix-beak chopsticks to sift through the ashes again, fishing out a tattered object.

It was a red silk thread, burned down to the length of a little finger. Its color was strikingly vivid—even covered in ash, once the dust was brushed away, it still gleamed a brilliant red.

Seeing Huang Zixiao still rummaging through the ashes, Zhou Ziqin grew impatient and said, "There's so much ash—how long are you going to keep digging? Let me handle it."

He lifted one leg of the incense burner and dumped its entire contents onto the ground, sending a thick cloud of dust billowing into the air.

Huang Zixiao sighed. "This is disrespectful to Consort Chen."

"Huh? Really? Well, Consort Chen has been dead for years—she won’t mind." With that, Zhou Ziqin grabbed a bamboo incense stick nearby and began poking through the scattered ashes.

Left with no choice, Huang Zixiao could only join him in the search.

Before long, all foreign objects had been sifted out: a dagger smashed beyond recognition; several remnants of red silk threads; and a few smooth shards of jade that, when pieced together, formed a complete bracelet.

"Doesn’t this look familiar?" Huang Zixiao picked up one of the jade fragments and handed it to Zhou Ziqin.

Zhou Ziqin marveled at the lustrous, translucent quality of the bracelet retrieved from the ashes. "What exquisite jade—I’ve never seen such beauty... Wait, no, no. Didn’t I once help you steal two bracelets from the Chengdu Prefecture evidence room? One was the twin-fish bracelet you shattered, and the other belonged to Fu Xinruan—its jade was truly unparalleled..."

As he spoke, he examined the fragment in his hand, then the others Huang Zixiao had pieced together into the shape of a bracelet. His eyes widened in shock. "Could this... be that very bracelet?"

"Mm." Huang Zixiao remembered clearly—when she and Li Shu Bai had returned this bracelet to Prince E, he had reverently placed it before his mother’s spirit tablet. Yet, in just a few days, the bracelet had turned into a pile of broken jade.

"Regardless, anything relevant to this case must be preserved." Zhou Ziqin, ever efficient at such tasks, immediately tucked all the recovered items into his sleeves and robe, where they remained surprisingly inconspicuous.