The Golden Hairpin

The doors and windows of the room were tightly shut, creating an uncomfortably stuffy heat in the summer air. Inside, rows of shelves were lined with various chests and boxes, clearly serving as the princess's private storage.

Luopei walked to a corner shelf, crouched down, and pulled out a chest from the bottommost level. Then, using the key she had just been given, she unlocked it.

Inside was a small box, about a foot square. Luopei lifted it out and opened it.

The interior was lined with purple velvet, but now, it lay empty.

"Two days ago, after having that ominous dream, the princess personally placed the Nine Phoenix Hairpin in this box. She watched as we put the box into the chest, locked it, and then placed the key in the small drawer by her bedside. She then ordered us to bring it here," Luopei recounted, her expression still agitated. "Chuizhu and I carried the chest here ourselves. We thought the bottom corner would be the safest spot, so we placed it there. At the time, several others, including Zhuiyu, were with us. Everyone saw us carry the chest in and place it in this exact spot. After we set it down, we all left. But this morning, the princess said she felt uneasy and handed us the key from her bedside, asking us to bring her the Nine Phoenix Hairpin. When Chuizhu, Zhuiyu, and I came here and opened the chest, Chuizhu took out the box and screamed—it was completely empty!"

Huang Zixiang and Li Shubai exchanged a glance, frowning slightly.

"The guards came immediately. We and everyone in Qiyun Pavilion were searched, and every room in the pavilion and the entire residence was thoroughly inspected. But the Nine Phoenix Hairpin was nowhere to be found—as if... as if it had truly been... taken back by Consort Pan..." Luopei said anxiously. "Isn't this just too bizarre? The Nine Phoenix Hairpin isn't some tiny trinket—it's a large hairpin carved with nine phoenixes! How could anyone have silently taken it out through both the chest and the box?"

In each other's eyes, Huang Zixiang and Li Shubai saw the same thought—that eerie talisman. The one from Xuzhou, similarly stored within two layers of secure locks.

Could there truly be methods in this world to take objects from afar or cast spells through barriers?

Unaware of their exchanged glances, Luopei continued fearfully, "As soon as the princess heard the news, she fell ill again. Your Highness knows—since childhood, the princess cannot handle shocks or extreme emotions. Otherwise, she suffers sharp pains in her chest. The death of Wei Ximin already unsettled her, then the injury to the consort during the polo match frightened her again. And last night... she heard news that..."

Here, Luopei seemed to suddenly realize her slip and quickly looked up to gauge their reactions.

Huang Zixiang said, "Last night? You mean Sun Laizi's death? We already know about that. There's no need to hide it.""It was... just that we heard the news that Sun the Pockmarked had died... and people on the street are saying he was killed by the vengeful spirit of that Di Cui girl," Luopei said nervously. "I don't know why the princess had that fit as soon as she saw Di Cui appear that day... She—well, it was her own fault for not avoiding the princess in time, which made the princess angry. She said the girl was unlucky and ordered us to drive her out, never to enter the mansion again..."

Huang Zixiang asked, "Did she actually offend the princess?"

"No, not at all. We were all there. She just happened to cross paths with the princess, and as soon as the princess saw her, she suddenly had that fit—clutching her chest in pain and leaning against Chui Zhu." Luopei recalled the scene with some sympathy. "The princess only said to drive the girl out, but who knew Wei Ximin would end up doing that to her..."

Huang Zixiang frowned slightly. The imperial consort Wei had previously claimed that the girl had accidentally stepped on the princess's shawl, provoking her anger...

Between these two accounts, whose version was more credible?

Luopei continued, "So in truth, what happened to that girl had nothing to do with the princess... But now two people connected to her have died under strange, inexplicable circumstances. I think the princess might be deeply unsettled by it. On top of that, the Nine Phoenix Hairpin has gone missing. The princess was so furious that her old illness flared up again. This time, it hit her like a landslide. Even the Noble Consort brought several imperial physicians from the palace, but there's been no improvement. All of us in the princess's household are beside ourselves with worry..."

Listening carefully, Huang Zixiang asked, "Have you investigated everyone who entered or left this storeroom yesterday?"

"After the Nine Phoenix Hairpin was placed in the storeroom yesterday, no one went in or out."

"What about the two eunuchs guarding the door? Have they been questioned?"

"Yes, they were searched immediately—their persons and their quarters—but nothing was found. While they could have conspired to steal it together, the princess had extra guards posted outside her chambers recently because she's been sleeping poorly. The eunuchs at the storeroom door were constantly under the watch of nearby guards, attendants, and maids—they had no chance to enter."

Huang Zixiang paused in thought, then crouched to examine the chest.

It was an ordinary camphorwood chest, painted red with black lacquer designs of auspicious patterns. The interior was plain wood. She tapped every corner of the inside but found nothing unusual.

Next, she picked up the small box and inspected it carefully. It was a sandalwood case, exquisitely carved with seasonal flowers—clearly meant to hold something precious.

She scrutinized the box inside and out but found nothing amiss.

"What about the key? Did the princess always keep it with her?"

"Yes, it was always in the drawer by her bed. The princess has been restless these past few nights, so we've been stationed outside her chamber in shifts—several of us at all times. If anyone had entered her room, we would have seen them."

"What about the windows?" Huang Zixiang pressed.

"Sir, you jest. The Cloud Perch Pavilion is built on a high platform. The windows of the princess's chambers, the side rooms, and the storeroom are all several zhang above the ground. Who could possibly climb up and break in through a window to steal something?"

Hearing this, Huang Zixiang walked to the window, pushed it open, and looked down.The high platform towered in the air, offering a panoramic view of the entire princess's residence and even a portion of Yongjia Ward. Below the platform, layers of pink silk tree blossoms spread out like rippling waves, creating an undulating sea of color. Amidst this pink expanse, the Qiyun Pavilion stood like a celestial mountain from the Penglai Isles, its lofty structure reaching into the clouds, breathtakingly beautiful.

The only way to ascend such a high platform was via the external staircase, which hugged the platform's side and zigzagged upwards with three turns.

Li Shubai asked, "Princess Tongchang has always been delicate and frail since childhood. Why would she choose to live in such a high place? Climbing up must be exhausting."

"The princess fears both heat and cold. This place is breezy in summer, bathed in sunlight all day in winter, and being elevated, it has less dampness. The princess took a liking to it at first sight. As for the stairs, if she's tired, she can simply be carried up in a sedan chair."

Huang Zixiao nodded and gestured for Luopei to pack up their belongings. The three of them exited the side chamber.

Li Shubai stood on the open ground in front of the pavilion, gazing down below, while Huang Zixiao went inside to see Princess Tongchang. Upon entering, she found the princess already resting in bed. Layers of gauze curtains hung down, adorned with gold and silver tassels woven into auspicious knots. The four corners of the ivory mat were weighed down by carved jade weights depicting celestial musicians.

Chuizhu stood up to greet her and led her to the outer chamber before speaking in a hushed voice, "The princess couldn't sleep last night and is exhausted today. Before resting, she instructed that you may investigate freely within the residence to recover the Nine Phoenix Hairpin..."

At this point, Chuizhu lowered her lashes, her eyes moist with unshed tears. "The princess is overly attached to it. Though the Nine Phoenix Hairpin is a rare treasure, it's still just a hairpin. No matter how we try to console her, she insists that her fate is tied to it. She's convinced that if Consort Pan has taken the hairpin, she... she will follow Consort Pan in death..."

Huang Zixiao nodded and said, "I understand. You must remain vigilant these days, after all..."

After all, she still remembered the drawing she had seen at Zhang Xingying's home. Apart from the first two scribbles that had already come to pass, only the third remained.

If Princess Tongchang were to become the final victim depicted as the phoenix swooping down, given the emperor's deep affection for her, it would undoubtedly stir up a massive storm in Chang'an, one that would be difficult to quell.

Chuizhu turned and went back inside to attend to the princess. Huang Zixiao walked over to Li Shubai's side and noticed him staring intently at a particular spot in the silk tree grove.

Before she could get a clear look, Li Shubai had already turned and started descending the stairs.

In that fleeting glance, she saw Yu Xuan standing beneath the silk trees, holding something motionlessly in his hand. But the distance was too great—she couldn't discern the expression on his face nor identify the object in his grasp.

Li Shubai had already descended the steps. Huang Zixiao forced herself to turn away and followed him down from the Qiyun Pavilion.

As they made their way down the platform's staircase, during occasional turns, she caught glimpses of Li Shubai's profile—stern and composed.

Uncertain whom his demeanor was directed at, she hesitated when Li Shubai suddenly spoke, "So it seems that breaking into the treasury to steal and then opening that box to remove its contents without leaving a trace is virtually impossible?"

Huang Zixiao nodded. "There must be a way. We just haven't discovered it yet."

"Could this method also apply to my talisman?" Li Shubai stopped mid-step and turned to look at her.On the steps, the long wind flowed past them. His gaze fixed on her, studying her for a long while before he finally said, "You're keeping something from me."

Huang Zixiang looked at him in surprise, unsure which matter he was referring to.

"For example, when Princess Tongchang's Nine Phoenix Hairpin was stolen, you seemed more concerned about her safety—what makes you think her premonition is correct, that the hairpin truly has something to do with her life?"

Realizing he was referring to this, Huang Zixiang secretly sighed in relief and quickly replied, "This matter—I was just about to seek Your Highness's opinion on whether we should pay a visit to Prince E."

Li Shubai raised an eyebrow slightly. "What does he have to do with this?"

"After that polo match—the one where Consort Wei met with misfortune—because Prince Zhao wanted to eat gulouzi , we went to Zhang Xingying's home together. There, we saw a painting enshrined in his family's hall, said to be an imperial brushwork gifted to Zhang Xingying's father when he entered the palace to diagnose the late emperor. Prince E had an extremely strong reaction to the painting at the time and seemed unsettled afterward."

"What does this painting have to do with the case?"

"The painting, supposedly from the imperial brush, has three unevenly distributed scribbles. The first depicts a man struck by lightning, burning to death; the second, a person dying in an iron cage; and the third, a phoenix swooping down from midair to peck a person to death."

Li Shubai frowned slightly. "So, based on the deaths of the first two, you think Princess Tongchang might be... the third?"

"Yes. At the time, I didn't pay it much mind, but now it seems this painting may have a significant connection to the case."

Li Shubai turned and began descending the steps, musing, "Is that painting truly from the imperial brush?"

"I don't know. But the texture of the painting resembles Shu County's yellow hemp paper—thick and smooth, truly resembling imperial use. However, I have little experience with palace artifacts and cannot say for certain."

"Shu County's yellow hemp paper is used in the palace for writing. If it were for painting, the late emperor generally preferred Xuan paper or white hemp paper. Why would he use yellow hemp paper?"

Huang Zixiang shook her head. "The painting resembles scribbles—three ink blots. Who knows whose hand it came from? Moreover, it seems the painter merely doodled casually. The so-called three deaths are merely our own interpretations after staring at it for too long."

"Stay in the princess's residence and investigate further. I'll have the Dali Temple retrieve that painting to verify whether it's truly from my father's hand." With that, Li Shubai turned to leave.

The sound of orioles singing reached their ears, their calls as smooth and rounded as pearls.

Li Shubai glanced up at the treetops. Two orioles perched on the branches, singing to each other, occasionally brushing wings. As they hopped, clusters of silk tree blossoms fell like velvet, creating a scene of serene beauty.

His gaze followed the falling blossoms and settled on her face again. Seeing her catch one of the blossoms with a preoccupied expression, he asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Huang Zixiang pondered before answering, "The three cases we've encountered so far all have some distant yet close connection to the princess's residence. Two people have died, the consort is injured, and yet we still have no leads... I fear that if we don't solve this case soon, and if something truly happens to the princess, the situation may spiral out of control..."Li Shubai said calmly, "I know. There's no need for you to be anxious. If it really comes to it, Cui Chunzhan will naturally help you clean up the mess."

Huang Zixiang silently sympathized with the young minister Cui in her heart and nodded.