The Golden Hairpin

"Come, let me show you a play. A play... one you wouldn't expect. After watching it, you'll surely feel even more depressed, but you definitely won't want to miss it."

Ah Shi froze instantly, his mouth hanging open as he pointed at himself. "Me?"

"Yes, you. Or rather, your accent," Huang Zixiang took the book Gui Nei Jing from Zhou Ziqin's hands and placed it in front of him. "Please read out all the medicinal names in this prescription."

Ah Shi stared blankly at the people around him. Seeing the officials from the Dali Temple nod, he nervously began reading one by one: "White Vine, Asarum, White Foot (Atractylodes), Spikenard, White Add (Silkworm), Lotus Plumule, White Poria, White Aconite, White Bletilla, Coix Seed..."

The listeners still hadn't grasped the implication when Huang Zixiang raised her hand to stop him. "Wait, please read this medicine again."

Her finger rested on the two characters for "Angelica Dahurica."

Ah Shi opened his mouth and read again: "White Bletilla..."

"Did everyone notice? Ah Shi has some pronunciation issues. Earlier, I already observed that when he says 'time,' he pronounces it as 'sime'; when he says 'continuously,' he pronounces it as 'conbinuously'—so I paid attention to one particular medicine here: Angelica Dahurica."

Huang Zixiang's finger tapped the prescription where "Angelica Dahurica" was written, then raised it for everyone to see. "Ah Shi just read it twice. I believe everyone heard clearly—just as I suspected, his pronunciation was consistently 'White Bletilla.'"

Zhou Ziqin and the Dali Temple officials immediately understood, their eyes widening in shock as they turned to look at Zhang Xingying.

Zhang Xingying's face stiffened instantly, a slight twitch passing through his muscles.

Huang Zixiang slowly closed the Gui Nei Jing in her hands, holding it firmly as she asked in a deliberate, clear voice: "Second Brother Zhang, you claimed you never memorized this prescription and never saw the one used to prepare the medicine. Therefore, what you should have heard was 'White Bletilla.' So why, when you testified that you were present at the time, did you say you heard him pronounce it as 'Angelica Dahurica'?"

Zhang Xingying stood there dumbfounded, his face turning from pale to ashen, yet he couldn't utter a word.

Zhou Ziqin stood rigidly in the hall, staring at Zhang Xingying in disbelief. "Second Brother Zhang... how do you plan to explain this?"

The Dali Temple officials exchanged glances with the bailiffs, and four of them quickly moved to surround Zhang Xingying, ready to restrain him if necessary.

But Zhang Xingying seemed oblivious, still standing there in a daze, his expression shifting as he desperately searched for words—yet none came.Huang Zixiang spoke slowly, "Second Brother Zhang, let me recount what happened yesterday. After I left the pavilion at the Zongzheng Temple in Xiuzheng Lane, you followed me, waiting for an opportunity to strike. At that moment, since I needed to buy medicine for Prince Kui, it played right into your hands. You led me to the familiar Duanrui Pharmacy and took me to the medicine preparation room. The room was filled with the scent of herbs, and you silently drugged me without a trace of suspicion. Then you went out to chat with someone, creating an alibi for yourself. Since everyone else was busy, you chose Ashi, someone you weren’t familiar with. After some back-and-forth conversation, you waited for him to recite a prescription—one you already knew. After hearing the first few ingredients, you recognized the formula. Meanwhile, the unfortunate Aqi happened to enter the preparation room to fetch something. Seizing the moment, you slipped in, killed him, and placed the murder weapon in my arms before quickly returning—all while Ashi was still reciting the prescription, completely unaware that you had slipped behind the medicine cabinets, gone to the preparation room, and come back!"

Zhang Xingying’s face turned ashen. His tall frame, usually imposing, now seemed unsteady as he swayed slightly.

The officers beside him immediately pushed through the crowd, and the onlookers hastily scattered, eager to avoid any involvement.

Huang Zixiang stared at him, her voice clear, firm, and utterly certain: "Second Brother Zhang, you never imagined that killing someone would be so difficult. What should have been a flawless plan was ruined because you happened to pick Ashi—because he happened to speak haltingly. That one misstep exposed your scheme completely!"

"I shouldn’t have… overcomplicated things."

Zhang Xingying finally spoke, his voice slow and strained. His gaze fixed on Huang Zixiang, but it was as if he were staring at his mortal enemy, his eyes bloodshot and filled with fury: "I should have done what I originally planned—killed you outright."

The venom in his voice sent a chill down Zhou Ziqin’s spine, making him exclaim in alarm, "Second Brother Zhang, what… what are you saying!"

Huang Zixiang, however, did not respond. She merely lifted her chin slightly, her eyes unwavering as she met his gaze with stubborn defiance.

"I was such a fool. Why did I hesitate at the last moment? I was going to kill you right there in the preparation room. After all, I had an alibi—even if I were suspected and questioned, I might have gotten away with it…" He gnashed his teeth, his face twisted with regret as he roared, "But I worried that since I came with you, I’d be the prime suspect! So I left you there, trying to create an alibi…"

Huang Zixiang closed her eyes and turned her head away from his hate-filled glare. Her chest heaved violently, but her throat felt parched, unable to utter a single word."I was chatting with Ashi, waiting for my chance. When that prescription I was forced to memorize by my father came up, I knew my opportunity had arrived... But at the same time, I noticed Aqi had slipped past the medicine cabinet and entered the compounding room. At that moment, I nearly gave up, thinking my fleeting chance would vanish—who knew when Aqi might emerge? I feared I wouldn’t be able to kill you..." His expression was frenzied, as if descending into madness. The four bailiffs nearby rushed to restrain him. Yet Zhang Xingying seemed oblivious, still shouting at Huang Ziyao, "Right then, a thought flashed through my mind—if I couldn’t kill you myself, someone else would! As long as I framed you, you’d end up behind bars, and justice would take its course! Let’s see how you’d dare dream of saving Prince Kui, that traitor to the Tang!"

Listening to his furious accusations, Huang Ziyao felt an unbearable pain in her eyes, as if the burning agony in her chest had seared into them. Something was welling up, threatening to spill over. Staring at the now-feral Zhang Xingying before her, she asked with difficulty, "Brother Zhang, we’ve known each other for so long, shared hardships, even life-and-death situations... You’ve always helped me, even saved me in Shu. Why are you doing this to me now?"

"For the sake of the realm! For the Great Tang!" he roared like a madman, his voice piercingly clear. "Huang Ziyao! You and Prince Kui are two of a kind! As a guard in his household, I know better than anyone else—after being possessed by Pang Xun, Prince Kui conspired to overthrow the Tang, plotting rebellion! I’ve witnessed your crimes firsthand, but as a lowly man, my voice couldn’t expose your treachery to the world!"

She shut her eyes tightly, taking deep breaths. Though she fought to hold back her tears, she couldn’t stop her body from swaying or her arms from trembling violently. She leaned back against the wall, barely keeping herself from collapsing.

Around them, murmurs spread like wildfire. The scandal involving Prince Kui’s household had everyone buzzing, each person weighing Zhang Xingying’s words.

The bailiffs struggled to restrain the enraged man, but his towering frame made it impossible to fully subdue him—they were nearly thrown off. The four of them had no choice but to pin him down and shackle him.

Pinned to the ground, Zhang Xingying’s eyes burned crimson as he glared fixedly at Huang Ziyao. His voice was hoarse, yet he still managed a ragged shout: "Huang Ziyao! You and Li Zi, Prince Kui, conspired to rebel and plunge the realm into chaos—you’ll die wretched deaths! What do I care for my worthless life? Even if it costs me everything, I’ll make sure the world knows your crimes!"

The officials of the Dali Temple paled, too terrified to let him continue. They hastily ordered his mouth gagged.

But all they heard was Zhang Xingying’s cold laughter before black blood suddenly gushed from his forced-open mouth. His eyes remained locked on Huang Ziyao, wide and unblinking, as if his gaze alone could pierce her like a blade. Yet slowly, a film of death dulled those eyes. His body soon slumped, collapsing heavily onto the courtroom floor—motionless.The constables had barely managed to restrain him, and now, seeing him suddenly collapse, they were still shaken. Someone cautiously nudged him with a foot. When he remained motionless, they crouched down to check his breathing, then turned him over in shock.

Zhou Ziqin rushed forward, cradling him and calling out repeatedly, "Brother Zhang! Brother Zhang!"

His face was dark purple, devoid of breath.

Zhou Ziqin held him for a long time in stunned silence before finally looking up at Huang Zixia and murmuring, "Brother Zhang... took poison and ended his own life."

Huang Zixia leaned against the wall, her vision clouded with darkness, unable to see or hear clearly. She only managed a vague "Hmm," remaining motionless where she stood.

Seeing her lack of reaction, Zhou Ziqin added, "Just like Old Man Lü... he bit into a poison wax pill hidden in his mouth. I never imagined he would resort to this."

Only then did Huang Zixia seem to snap out of her daze, murmuring, "Old Man Lü? Lü... Dìcuì?"

Zhou Ziqin opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say or how to respond. He remained silent for a long while.

Zhang Xingying’s body grew colder in Zhou Ziqin’s arms.

Both he and Huang Zixia had only one thought in their minds—

What would become of Dìcuì?

A quiet afternoon in Puning Ward.

Under the old locust tree, a group of women sat as usual, sewing and gossiping. A few cats and dogs tussled in the warm sunlight. The New Year had just passed, and the children still had some candy in their pockets, laughing and playing games of knucklebones and shuttlecock, wagering their sweets.

Zhou Ziqin and Huang Zixia arrived at Zhang Xingying’s home. Through the bare hibiscus hedge, they could see the neatly tended courtyard inside, the clear water channel beneath the grapevine, and a few withered but still standing calamus plants.

Zhou Ziqin asked cautiously, "Miss Huang, will someone from the Dali Temple come here soon to inform them?"

Huang Zixia nodded slightly and said quietly, "They should. Once my suspicion is cleared, the case records will be sent to his family."

"Uncle Zhang... what will he do?" Zhou Ziqin frowned in distress.

Huang Zixia stared blankly at the neatly trimmed hibiscus hedge, lost in thought and saying nothing.

"So... are we really going in to break the news to them?" Clearly, Zhou Ziqin didn’t want to be the bearer of such tidings.

Huang Zixia hesitated for a moment before replying, "Otherwise, I’m afraid that when the Dali Temple officials arrive, Dìcuì might not react in time, and things could go wrong."

Zhou Ziqin was startled. "Dìcuì?"

Huang Zixia nodded and went to knock on the door. Zhou Ziqin hurriedly tugged at her sleeve. "Tell me, what’s going on? Why bring up Dìcuì all of a sudden?"

"After we discovered Dìcuì’s whereabouts and told Brother Zhang, we never saw her again, right?" Huang Zixia gazed at the closed door and said slowly, "Besides, if she wasn’t with Brother Zhang, how would she have known we were in danger?"

"Are you saying that Brother Zhang had already reunited with Dìcuì as soon as he returned to the capital? But... he just never told us?""Mm, so when we told Zhang Erge about Dicui's whereabouts, it was just to let them be on guard and keep her hidden. That's also why we could never find Dicui afterward no matter how hard we tried."

As they were speaking, an elderly voice called out from inside the courtyard, "Who is it?"

Zhou Ziqin quickly raised his voice and replied, "Uncle, it's me, Zhou Ziqin. Zhang Erge brought us to visit you a few times before. Do you remember?"

"Oh, Young Master Zhou." Old Man Zhang cheerfully came to open the gate. When he saw Huang Zixia, he didn't recognize her as the Yang Chonggu who had visited before. Zhou Ziqin simply said, "This is also a friend of Zhang Erge's."

"Oh, please come in, both of you." Old Man Zhang smiled and ushered them into the courtyard. Glancing toward the house, he prepared to make tea. Huang Zixia spoke up, "Uncle, don't worry. Zhang Erge told us about Dicui. We know she's here."

"That boy... still so straightforward," Old Man Zhang said with slight embarrassment, chuckling. "But this also shows you're his closest friends. Naturally, he trusts you enough to tell you."

Since that was the case, he no longer hid anything and invited them inside to sit down. He called upstairs, "Dicui, Zhang Erge's friends are here. Come down and help make some tea."

"Coming right away." She descended immediately. Seeing them seated in the main hall, she gave a slight bow, then turned somewhat awkwardly toward the kitchen to prepare the tea.

Old Man Zhang sat down across from them with a smile and asked, "Xingying should still be on duty at the Kui Prince's residence today, right? What brings you two to see him?"

Zhou Ziqin faltered at the question, at a loss for words, and could only look helplessly at Huang Zixia.

Huang Zixia gazed at Old Man Zhang, unsure how to broach the subject either. After a long pause, she could only say, "Uncle, how has your health been lately? You seem to be in good spirits."

"My health is alright. This illness of mine was truly severe before—medicine three times a day, freshly brewed each time, simmered for two full hours, and taken on schedule. I had no hope of ever recovering. But after Dicui came, she woke up before dawn every day to brew my medicine, unfailingly serving me three doses daily. Even I got tired of drinking it, but she patiently coaxed me into taking it. After a few months, I gradually started improving." Old Man Zhang looked toward the kitchen and sighed. "After she fled the capital that time, she came back soon after—worried that no one would brew my medicine and my illness would relapse! Tell me, how could I turn such a good girl away? Even if it meant risking my whole family, I had to keep her! But at the time, Xingying had already left for Sichuan to search for her, and we couldn't notify him. We only told him the good news after he returned."

Listening to his words, Zhou Ziqin and Huang Zixia exchanged glances, neither knowing how to bring up the matter. Zhou Ziqin's eyes reddened, and he bit his lower lip hard, afraid he might burst into tears if he spoke.

Noticing their odd expressions, Old Man Zhang grew puzzled. Seeing Zhou Ziqin's demeanor, he sensed something was amiss and was about to ask when Dicui came out with the tea tray. He held his question and instead served tea to everyone.

After everyone had taken a few sips, Old Man Zhang finally asked, "By the way, Young Master Zhou, about that matter I asked you last time—did you look into it for me?"Zhou Ziqin quickly nodded. "Uncle, are you referring to that painting? I did inquire about it—I asked acquaintances to search through the evidence rooms of the Dali Temple, the Ministry of Justice, and the Jingzhao Prefecture, but they all said it wasn’t in their possession."

Old Man Zhang could only reply, "It must be somewhere. We’ll just have to keep looking."

Seeing the topic had shifted, Huang Zixiao asked, "Uncle Zhang, could you tell us more about your experience entering the palace to diagnose the emperor back then?"

"Oh, speaking of that—it was the most glorious moment of my life..." His wrinkled face immediately lit up with pride. "I remember it was early March in the sixth year of the Huichang era. At dusk, just as I was about to close the clinic, someone suddenly came to see me. I noticed it was an elderly eunuch with a pale, beardless face, and I found it strange—eunuchs should be treated by the imperial physicians in the palace. Why would he come to me? But when the eunuch spoke, I was both shocked and overjoyed—"

Zhou Ziqin knew it must have been a summons to the palace, but his thoughts were too scattered to respond, so he simply waited for Old Man Zhang to continue.

Unfazed by his silence, Old Man Zhang cheerfully went on, "The eunuch told me that my old friend Xu Zhiwei had served as an imperial physician for many years. At the time, His Majesty had mistakenly taken elixirs and had been drifting in and out of consciousness for months. Since Xu Zhiwei wasn’t specialized in such cases and I had extensive experience with poisoning and paralysis, he recommended me to try treating the emperor."

Zhou Ziqin asked, "So, Uncle Zhang, you must have performed brilliantly in the palace and successfully revived the late emperor, which is why he bestowed that imperial inscription upon you?"

Old Man Zhang hesitated slightly before replying, "Well... to be honest, I likely only managed to rouse His Majesty briefly. After that, I left."

"Likely?" Zhou Ziqin echoed.

Old Man Zhang sighed and tapped his head. "Old age has muddled my memory. Especially about that day—perhaps I was too overwhelmed at the time, so now when I try to recall it, everything feels hazy, like a dream. I can’t remember clearly."

Huang Zixiao said, "Just tell us what you do remember."

"Hmm... At the time, I administered acupuncture with great caution. I didn’t dare to apply needles to points like Linqi, Tianchong, or Fengchi. Only after twelve needles did His Majesty finally wake up..."

Zhou Ziqin blinked. "Then... you remember quite a lot, actually."

Old Man Zhang stroked his beard proudly. "This is my expertise, of course I remember. When His Majesty opened his eyes and saw me, Eunuch Wang beside him announced that it was my acupuncture that had revived him. His Majesty nodded slightly. Another eunuch then led me away to receive my reward and told me to wait nearby in case I was needed again. So I waited outside with a group of others, thinking to myself—His Majesty had just woken up, yet it seemed only Eunuch Wang remained inside to attend to him..."

Huang Zixiao asked, "Among those waiting outside, was there a Monk Mushan?"

Old Man Zhang slapped his forehead. "Ah, yes, there was a monk, but he only passed by me briefly before entering the hall immediately. I found it odd—even the princes were waiting outside, so why was a monk allowed in first?"

"And then?" Zhou Ziqin pressed."Not long after that master went in, several princes were also summoned inside. I was still waiting when the eunuchs said my presence was no longer needed, so I had to leave. The Daming Palace is truly vast. An old eunuch led me out, and as we walked, I admired the surrounding palace buildings. Just as we reached the palace gate, Zhiwei was waiting for me. We talked for a while, and then someone came with gifts, saying they were bestowed by His Majesty," Zhang's father said excitedly. "The silks and treasures bestowed need no mention, but I never expected—just after waking, His Majesty personally painted a piece of imperial calligraphy for me. It was an incomparable honor! Even Zhiwei said that in all his years serving as an imperial physician, he had never seen anyone receive such favor... What a pity, though. The moment I received the painting, I heard someone running up behind us, loudly announcing to everyone that the late emperor had passed away... Ah!"

Zhou Ziqin wanted to ask what the late emperor looked like, but Huang Zixia shot him a glance. He then remembered the purpose of their visit today, and his mood grew heavy again. He silently looked at Huang Zixia, who understood his meaning and spoke instead, saying, "Uncle Zhang, life is like grass and trees—fleeting in the end... Please don’t grieve too much."

"The late emperor passed away over a decade ago—why would I still be grieving?" Zhang Weiyi replied dismissively before suddenly remembering and asking, "The two of you came here today to see Xingying, didn’t you? His return time is uncertain. Maybe you should try looking for him at Prince Kui’s residence?"

"No... no, Uncle. Actually, we came to tell you..." Zhou Ziqin stammered, giving Huang Zixia a meaningful glance and signaling for her to step aside with him. In a low voice, he asked, "Perhaps... we could keep it hidden for now? At least until Uncle Zhang has fully recovered?"

Huang Zixiao frowned slightly and said, "But the officials from the Dali Temple will be here soon. Do you really think we can keep hiding this?"

Zhou Ziqin hesitated, but before he could respond, a loud banging suddenly came from outside—someone was pounding on the door. "Anyone home? Is anyone there?"

Old Man Zhang quickly answered and moved to open the door.

Huang Zixiao raised her hand to stop him, then turned and whispered urgently toward the inner room, "Miss Dicui, go upstairs quickly."

Dicui, who had been inside, acknowledged and hurried upstairs.

Old Man Zhang looked puzzled. "What's the matter? The neighbors often visit, but they wouldn't barge into our inner quarters."

Huang Zixiao's mind was in turmoil. Trembling, she said, "Uncle Zhang... life and death are beyond human control. Please... please try to bear it."

Old Man Zhang gave her a confused glance, not understanding her meaning, and reached out to open the door.

Outside stood two clerks in official uniforms. Seeing him, they asked, "Are you Zhang Xingying's family?"

Old Man Zhang nodded anxiously. "What... what about my son?"

"He's dead. The body is at the South City Morgue. Go identify and sign for it."

Their tone was cold and official, their words blunt and merciless. Old Man Zhang stood frozen in the doorway, staring blankly at them, forgetting even to take the document they held out. "What?"

The two clerks shoved the paper into his hand. "South City Morgue. Go within the next two days—either you or someone else from the family. We need to close the case."

Old Man Zhang remained motionless, his face turning ashen. Concerned, the clerks glanced inside. "Old man, is there anyone else at home? We've delivered the notice. Make sure you go soon. We'll take our leave."

Still rigid, he muttered, "How... how did he die?"

"He framed someone for murder. When the truth came out, he killed himself out of guilt. Not a good end. Go claim the body." With that, they turned and left. A crowd had already gathered outside the gate, whispering and pointing at the Zhang residence upon hearing of Zhang Xingying's crimes.

Seeing the commotion, Huang Zixiao quickly shut the door and steadied Old Man Zhang, calling urgently, "Uncle Zhang, Uncle—"

Before she could finish, his body stiffened and collapsed. Huang Zixiao, being a woman, couldn't hold his weight and was forced to brace against the door with a heavy thud.

Zhou Ziqin rushed forward to help, but Old Man Zhang was already gasping his last breaths. Dicui, who had seen the commotion from the upstairs window, stumbled down in tears, collapsing to her knees beside him, wailing as she clutched his arm.

Huang Zixiao stood silently, her shoulder throbbing from the impact against the door, but she said nothing, lost in thought.

As Dicui's sobs grew hysterical, Zhou Ziqin grew uneasy. "Miss Lü, don't grieve too much... There's nothing we can do..."As he spoke, he cautiously tried to pull the paper from Old Man Zhang's hand, but the sheet was clenched so tightly that he couldn't budge it an inch. Seeing Dicui sobbing uncontrollably, he quickly raised his hand to shield the paper and shot Huang Zixiang a meaningful glance.

Suppressing the sharp pain in her shoulder, Huang Zixiang knelt down discreetly, preparing to block the paper with the hem of her clothes. But Dicui bent down instead, grasping Old Man Zhang's hand and staring at the document. Her voice trembled almost beyond recognition: "Is this... Second Brother Zhang... dead?"

Knowing Dicui had already overheard the news upstairs, Huang Zixiang could only nod and reply softly, "Yes..."

"I knew it... The day he prepared those poison wax pellets for himself, I knew he'd end up just like my father..." Dicui murmured through her torrential tears, slowly releasing Old Man Zhang's hand. She tried to support him, but her frail frame could never lift his weight.

"Let me," said Zhou Ziqin, scooping Old Man Zhang up and carrying him inside. Huang Zixiang checked his pulse—weak but stable—and finally relaxed. "It's just a sudden shock to the heart. Rest will help him recover."

Dicui gazed at Old Man Zhang and burst into fresh wails.

Zhou Ziqin hesitated several times before finally asking, "Earlier, at the alley entrance—did you write the character 'escape' for us?"

Dicui nodded, covering her face as she wept. "Ever since returning from Shu, I could tell something was wrong with Second Brother Zhang... He'd sigh all night, sitting alone in the courtyard until dawn. Nothing I said comforted him. He found some poison wax pellets among my father's things and hid them secretly. And... he once took me out, using me as cover to speak privately with a young boy."

Zhou Ziqin frowned. "A boy? What could be so unsettling about talking to a child?"

"Because... I heard that boy say, 'The Duke wants Huang Zixiang... to stop interfering.'" Dicui pressed her hands harder against her face, sobbing wretchedly. "I know Huang Zixiang is Eunuch Yang... I didn't know what to do. Xingying wanted to kill her, but I remembered how Eunuch Yang once whispered that single word 'escape' in my ear—the word that saved my life after my father died... So I thought... I thought I must return that warning to her..."

Though Huang Zixiang's face was completely disguised with makeup, these words pierced her heart. She turned away, murmuring hoarsely, "Huang Zixiang... is deeply grateful for Miss Lü's kindness."

Zhou Ziqin sighed and pressed further: "That boy—did you catch his name? Who was really behind pushing Second Brother Zhang to kill Huang Zixiang?"

"I don't know... The boy was quite delicate-looking. He kept cracking melon seeds while saying such cruel things, completely indifferent... I was terrified. I begged Second Brother Zhang to stop, but he just looked away and said, 'You wouldn't understand.'"

Silence filled the room, broken only by Dicui's faint, desolate voice floating through the air: "I don't understand... How could the people who once sat in that little courtyard eating my pastries, laughing together—how could they not have been friends? And now... it's come to this..."Zhou Ziqin wanted to comfort her, but before any sound could escape his lips, they trembled uncontrollably, his eyes brimming with tears, rendering him speechless.

Huang Zixia clenched her lower lip tightly, refusing to let her tears fall, equally silent.

Only the faint, fragile murmur of Dīcuì could be heard: "Now... my father is gone, Second Brother Zhang is gone too... what should I do..."

A jolt of alarm shot through Huang Zixia, and she immediately urged, "Miss Lü, you mustn’t think of giving up! Second Brother Zhang is gone... but Old Zhang’s illness has relapsed. You must... take care of yourself and look after him!"

Dīcuì’s face was ashen as she lowered her gaze to Zhang’s father lying there, tears streaming down her cheeks. After a long silence, she closed her eyes, nodding slowly before shaking her head.

Huang Zixia couldn’t decipher her meaning, but her own mind was in turmoil. She could only instruct Zhou Ziqin to head to the West Market to find Zhang Xingying’s elder brother, then repeatedly urged Dīcuì to take care of herself and Zhang’s father. When Zhang Xingying’s brother and sister-in-law returned, she reminded them to watch over Dīcuì closely.

Though Zhang Xingying’s brother and sister-in-law were also overwhelmed with grief, his elder brother hurried to the southern city morgue to identify the body. His sister-in-law clung to Dīcuì, staying by her side as they brewed medicine and tended to the stove. Only then did Huang Zixia and Zhou Ziqin feel slightly reassured before taking their leave.

On the way back, both walked in silence—even Zhou Ziqin, usually talkative, kept his head down without a word. When they parted at the street corner, Huang Zixia glanced up at him and saw tear stains covering his face.

She wanted to offer him comfort, but then felt the cold wetness on her own cheeks.

Wordlessly, she turned and entered Yongchang Ward. In a secluded, sunless corner, her legs finally gave way, forcing her to lean against the wall, struggling to steady her breathing.

She raised a hand to cover her face, wiping away the half-dried tears. The shaded brick wall was icy, untouched by sunlight. The northern wind cut like a knife, stinging her damp eyes until the world before her blurred.

She didn’t know how much time passed before her breathing steadied, allowing her to walk step by step back to the Wang residence.

Inside the gates, beyond the entrance screen, a young man lounged in the sunlight, cracking melon seeds. His delicate, soft features were nestled in a fluffy fox-fur coat, glowing with youthful radiance under the sun.

It was the same indolent youth she had encountered during her visit to Eunuch Wang’s quarters.

Huang Zixia stared at him from the dim entrance hall, a bone-deep chill rising within her, every hair on her body standing on end.

Noticing her, the young man casually brushed off the melon seed shells and stood. "Miss Huang," he said, "Eunuch Wang has been waiting for you."

In the corridor where countless small fish swam, the heated floors kept them lively even in the depths of winter. Their shimmering golden and red scales cast eerie reflections in the rippling water.

Those reflections danced across Wang Zongshi’s face as he slowly turned toward her at the sound of her approach. The shifting light from the colorful fish made his pale features even more inscrutable.

Only when he stepped out from under the corridor, his face illuminated by daylight, did Huang Zixia feel herself exhale slightly, the suffocating pressure in her chest easing just a little.Wang Zongshi walked toward her, a faint, almost imperceptible smile on his face, his voice slightly cold: "On such a chilly day, Miss Huang still insists on wandering about. Youth truly brims with vitality."

Huang Zixiang gave him a slight bow. "There have been some recent complications. I presume the Chief Eunuch has already heard of them from Yunzhi?"

At the mention of "Yunzhi," Wang Zongshi's expression softened slightly. He spoke leisurely, "Indeed. I heard you were entangled in a murder case. Yunzhi discussed it with me. I told him not to worry—to let you handle it on your own. And as expected, Huang Zixiang is still Huang Zixiang. You resolved it effortlessly."

Huang Zixiang lowered her head silently and murmured a soft "Yes."

"I truly didn’t misjudge you. Even in my prime, I lacked your decisiveness," Wang Zongshi said, a thread of icy amusement in his voice, slow and deliberate, matching the eerie pallor of his face. "Swift and ruthless—even toward an old friend, you struck without hesitation, a fatal blow. Leaving no chance for those who would harm you."

Huang Zixiang felt a wave of nausea rise in her chest, yet countless emotions clogged her throat, leaving her unable to vent them. She knew it wasn’t as he described, but Zhang Xingying’s death, Zhou Ziqin’s silence, Dici’s tears—these people she had once treated with sincerity were now forever changed because of this incident.

She didn’t know if, in their hearts, she had become Zhang Xingying’s murderer. In the choice between life and death, she had chosen to save herself, forcing Zhang Xingying to his end.

But these thoughts flashed through her mind like a blade slicing across her heart—too fast for blood to even drip. She lifted her head to meet Wang Zongshi’s gaze and said, "Whether he was Zhang Xingying or an old friend of mine is irrelevant. Whether I was the one framed is insignificant. Huang Zixiang seeks only the truth, regardless of who is involved."

Wang Zongshi let out a cold chuckle. Seeing her composed expression, he said nothing more, merely gesturing for her to take a seat in the hall. After tea was served and they were left alone, he finally spoke: "Zhang Xingying’s death is of little consequence. After all, even Prince Kui is now under surveillance at the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs. Who would spare a thought for a mere personal guard of the prince’s household?"

Huang Zixiang nodded silently. "But he and I were once close. Why he would be incited to turn against me is still a matter worth investigating."

"Is the reason behind it so hard to guess? You’re investigating Prince E’s death—naturally, there are those who don’t want you uncovering the truth and saving Prince Kui. So, they sought to eliminate you first to cut off the threat."

Hearing his dismissive tone, Huang Zixiang clenched her hands. Her nails dug into her palms, the slight sting the only thing keeping her composure as she replied softly, "Yes... I suspected as much."

His gaze swept over her face, noting her impassive expression before he picked up his teacup. "Early this morning, news arrived. I deemed it too significant to entrust to messengers, so I came personally to inform you."

Huang Zixiang understood this was the purpose of his visit. "What is it?" she asked.Wang Zongshi lowered his gaze to the tea leaves floating in his cup, his voice soft: "Yesterday, we received a secret report from the north. Li Yong, the Military Governor of Zhenwu, has been fortifying defenses without authorization, disregarding court orders. There are signs of restlessness in the north."

Huang Zixiao pondered briefly before replying, "Li Yong, the Military Governor of Zhenwu—wasn't he originally a merchant from Chang'an? After several ups and downs, he now commands Zhenwu Army. Quite bold of him to dare expand his military camp without permission."

"Indeed. If even he has such audacity, how can the other military governors remain content? At best, they might act more slowly, with smaller movements, or with greater skill in deception. Don't you think so?" Wang Zongshi looked at her with a faint, ambiguous smile.

Huang Zixiao nodded silently. The emperor was gravely ill, the crown prince too young, and Prince Kui, who had once kept the military governors in check, had suddenly fallen from power. The governors only needed someone to take the lead, and the rest would follow suit. Now, the first had appeared.

Noticing her unsettled expression, Wang Zongshi said leisurely, "For Prince Kui, this matter is truly a double-edged sword. What do you think?"

Huang Zixiao nodded again. "Yes. Whether it's good or bad depends entirely on His Majesty's will."

If the emperor sought to use Prince Kui's influence to pacify the military governors, then even under the weight of his current accusations, Li Shubai could swiftly regain his former authority.

But if the emperor saw this as Prince Kui manipulating the military forces, fearing the young crown prince would be overshadowed by his powerful uncle, he might act to eliminate the greatest threat to the new emperor's throne. In that case, not only would Li Shubai fail to reclaim his past glory, but his very life might be in peril.

Huang Zixiao felt her chest tighten, her breath growing unsteady. "Your insight is keen, and you are His Majesty's most trusted confidant. Do you know his true intentions?"

"The heart of a ruler is ever inscrutable, let alone to a mere eunuch servant like myself?" Wang Zongshi's lips curled in self-mockery. "But a decision will be made within days. All you need to do is wait here patiently."

"Yes," she murmured in response.

Wang Zongshi seemed about to say more when footsteps sounded outside—light, skipping steps, like those of a carefree youth. The young man who had been cracking melon seeds knocked and entered, hurrying to Wang Zongshi's side to whisper something in his ear.

Wang Zongshi lifted his eyes to glance at Huang Zixiao before slowly setting down his teacup. "So soon?" he asked quietly.

The youth nodded.

Turning back to Huang Zixiao, Wang Zongshi said, "Come. I'll take you to see a show."

Baffled, she instinctively asked, "A show?"

"Yes. One you'd never expect. After seeing it, you'll surely feel even more depressed, your spirits lower—but you won't be able to resist watching."