It seemed Wei Shufen wasn't the only one with such thoughts. When Zheng Guanyin left the hall, Wei heard Li Yuangui's voice emerge from behind the large screen:
"Yingniang, among the five daughters of the late Prince Xiyin living in this temple, I recall one was born to Consort Zheng?"
"There is," Chai Yingluo replied. "Consort Zheng—our eldest aunt—gave birth to two sons and one daughter during the WuDe era. The daughter is fifth in line, now ten years old, residing with her in the main chamber of the western courtyard. Ah, if not for this last thread of bloodline, she might have long since..."
Only ten years old... That seemed too young. And the youngest at that. Even if Yi Niang had died violently, if the Chai family sought another marriage, would it really fall to the fifth young lady?
Yet it wasn't impossible. Yi Niang had been betrothed to Chai Zhewei when she wasn't even ten. Moreover, a daughter born to the principal wife held a different status. If the Chai family valued that, they might indeed bypass the three elder sisters and directly designate the fifth daughter as Zhewei's next bride.
Li Yuangui's voice carried a thoughtful tone:
"Consort Zheng claimed she was praying in this hall all last night, which isn't far from the eastern wing. When the nurse went to fetch her ceremonial robe from the western courtyard, was there no one else in the hall?"
Meaning Zheng Guanyin could have slipped out unnoticed, gone to the eastern wing to kill Yi Niang, then returned stealthily to continue her prayers as if nothing had happened.
"It's possible," Chai Yingluo mused. "But I was near the temple entrance all last night. Though I didn't pay particular attention to our aunt, whenever I entered to fetch items, I saw her kneeling devoutly before the Buddha. For her to slip out and back unnoticed... While not impossible, I find it hard to believe."
Besides, Zheng Guanyin's frail, delicate appearance hardly seemed capable of strangling a young girl and effortlessly hoisting her body with a noose.
Speculation about the former Crown Prince's wife ended there. The rustle of skirts sounded beyond the screen as attendants announced the arrival of Consort Yang, Princess of Hailing.
In her fifteen years, Wei Shufen had never seen such a beautiful woman.
No—that wasn't entirely accurate. She'd glimpsed her outside Li Yiniang's chamber last night, but in the dim light and distracted state, the elaborate pheasant robe had obscured her. She knew they'd crossed paths, but retained no impression.
Today, as the consort glided within the screen, it seemed the entire temple brightened instantly.
Also a disgraced former consort, and with a close relative newly dead in her quarters, Consort Yang naturally wore no heavy makeup. In fact, her attire nearly mirrored Zheng Guanyin's—a simple wooden pin holding a low, loose bun, no hair ornaments, face free of powder, plain linen jacket over a plain high-waisted skirt, an old satin shawl draped about her arms as she moved gracefully forward. Yet her arched brows like spring mountains and luminous eyes like clear sunset, her radiant snow-white skin illuminating the chamber—
Both had lived secluded in this abandoned temple within the forbidden garden for nine years. Both were courteous, humble, and soft-spoken. Where Consort Zheng inspired pity mixed with uneasy inscrutability, Consort Yang was... well, at the very least, Wei Shufen found herself gaping openly, forgetting even her own need to hide from view.
Truly, a peerless beauty capable of toppling cities and kingdoms.Wei Shufen did not consider herself an unsophisticated country girl. Born and raised in the capital Chang'an, she had accompanied her mother to visit noble families in recent years. Especially after joining the Female Academy at the Purple Void Monastery, she had seen many beautiful noblewomen come and go, including the late Empress who had once visited with palace attendants. Among them were numerous stunning beauties. Even Chai Yingluo, the Master of the Purple Void Monastery, could be considered a rare beauty. Yet when Consort Yang of Hailing appeared, Wei found herself overshadowed like a soot-stained kitchen maid in comparison... how utterly depressing.
Consort Yang exchanged greetings with Chai Yingluo, then politely inquired after Prime Minister Wei and Prince Wu beyond the screen. Her voice was mellifluous and sweet beyond description. Watching her gracefully kneel on the bed, straighten her skirts, and gather her silk scarf before her—every movement impeccable yet naturally exuding a honeyed languor—even Wei Shufen felt her heart stir.
Suddenly she understood why stern scholars like her father constantly preached about "maintaining boundaries between men and women," and why that main screen separating inner and outer quarters existed. Even as an innocent maiden, she found herself dazzled by this great beauty. If those foul men outside could see Consort Yang's charm, they'd surely lose all composure and make fools of themselves... Ahem.
Remembering that one of those "foul men" was her own father, Wei straightened up and regained some composure. Chai Yingluo addressed Consort Yang as "Aunt Fourth" and began politely questioning her.
Indeed, what the High Truth Master said was true. Yi Niang was the former Crown Prince's daughter but not born to Consort Zheng. There were no issues on this eastern side of the compound. In fact, Yi Niang spoke more casually with this aunt and they appeared closer.
A suicide note? No, completely unaware of such a thing. Did Yi Niang write one? Ah, how could the child have been so desperate... No, there were no signs beforehand. Yi Niang wasn't lively or mischievous, but always calm and composed. No one bullied her—as the eldest among eleven sisters, she received much consideration. Ah, the poor girl, why would she want to die...
Yesterday's events? High Truth Master, weren't you present throughout? Oh, to inform Lord Wei and Prince Wu... Yesterday morning, the household learned the Empress would be visiting...
Consort Yang appeared far more cooperative than Consort Zheng, at least with her vivid expressions—her delicate frowns and smiles were captivating. Unfortunately, after listening for some time, she revealed no more information than Consort Zheng had. The account continued until the Empress's departure, when both consorts were instructed to don pheasant robes to make the bridal send-off more ceremonious. After returning to her eastern chamber to dress, night had already fallen when she emerged with maids to return to the main hall. Passing the eastern annex, she noticed the room dark and silent with no one about, which struck her as odd. She called out "Yi Niang" by the window...
"She still didn't answer—no movement at all inside," Consort Yang lightly covered her mouth with her scarf, growing tense. "I called twice more and sensed something wrong, so I had the maids push open the door to look. Just then Yi Niang's nurse hurried over, saying Sister-in-Law had sent her—the groom's party had arrived outside urging the bridal preparations, wanting to know Yi Niang's status. The two entered together, knocked on the inner chamber, and when there was no response, pushed open that door to look inside..."
There they saw the bridal-gowned maiden, swaying gently from the roof beam."Both of them were terrified, screaming nonstop. I went into the room to look and was also stunned. I came out and leaned against the wall, unable to move. The screams drew many people, and the rest... you all know what happened."
After finishing her exhausted account, Consort Yang's pale cheeks flushed red again as she covered her mouth with her scarf, as if still recovering from the shock. She had been taken as the principal consort by Prince Qi, Li Yuan-ji, during the early WuDe Era, making her likely over thirty years old—old enough to be Wei Shufen's mother. Yet the girlish demeanor she inadvertently displayed made Wei Shufen want to pat her head and comfort her.
"So, Fourth Aunt, you were among the first to discover Yi Niang's passing," Chai Yingluo mused. "When you came out from the eastern courtyard gate and passed by the eastern wing, did you see anything unusual? Or notice anyone behaving strangely?"
Before answering, Consort Yang hesitated visibly but still shook her head. "No."
"Truly nothing?"
"No," came the gentle yet firm reply.
This wasn't right. Wei Shufen, hiding behind the portable screen, recalled what she had witnessed the previous night. When Consort Yang and her maid emerged from the eastern courtyard gate, they had clearly been discussing something unusual they had seen. The maid had mentioned seeing something big, while Consort Yang vehemently denied it and even threatened to punish the maid. Then, as if to change the subject, the two women turned toward the eastern wing to check on Yi Niang.
At the time, Wei Shufen had been concealed in the darkness, while Consort Yang and her maid carried lanterns. From a distance, they might not have noticed her, believing no one had witnessed their exchange. But Wei Shufen had seen it all—though it didn’t matter now. Her father was seated in the hall, and even with eight times her courage, she wouldn’t dare step forward now to expose Consort Yang’s lie.
The men outside the screen pressed a few more times, but Consort Yang only shook her beautiful head. After all, she held the title of a commandery princess consort, a status too distinguished to interrogate aggressively. In the end, they allowed her to bow gracefully and withdraw.
"Yingniang," Li Yuangui spoke up after the beautiful woman had left, "Fourth Sister-in-law seemed hesitant. I suspect she saw something but refused to say."
"There’s nothing we can do. She’s a commandery princess consort—we can’t exactly torture her for answers," Chai Yingluo replied helplessly.
Wei Shufen thought for a moment, then peeked out from behind the screen’s drapes toward Chai Yingluo. She pressed a finger to her lips, signaling silence.
Her hiding spot wasn’t far from the screen, and the female Taoist noticed her immediately, frowning in surprise. Chai Yingluo mouthed soundlessly, "Why are you still here?" Wei Shufen exaggerated her lip movements in response:
"Question her maid."
After several repetitions, Chai Yingluo understood. Meanwhile, behind the screen, Wei Zheng had already begun speaking. "We can revisit Consort Yang’s matter later. I’ve heard Princess Linfen’s nurse has been detained? That woman must know many secrets—"
"Lord Wei, wait," Chai Yingluo interrupted smoothly. "Consort Yang may refuse to speak, but she might not be the only one who witnessed something unusual. She had a maid with her—why not summon the maid first to clarify this matter before questioning the nurse?"
Consort Yang’s personal maid, A Luo, was quite pretty but seemed somewhat slow-witted.
Kneeling before the screen, she took a deep breath, her voice already trembling with tears:
"This servant didn’t see anything... High Truth Master, please spare A Luo."
Hey, no one even told you why you were summoned yet.Wei Shufen looked at Chai Yingluo and saw that the female Taoist, who had somehow become the presiding judge, also wore an expression of being torn between laughter and tears. Well, that saved a lot of unnecessary talk. Chai Yingluo cut straight to the point:
"Last night, after you finished dressing Lady Yang in her pheasant robe and were walking from the courtyard to the eastern wing, who exactly did you see? If you don’t speak, you won’t be going back—you’ll come with us right now."
"Go... where?"
The maidservant asked, trembling with fear. The female Taoist smiled without answering, her face as radiant as a flower. Even Wei Shufen couldn’t help shivering at the sight.
"Lady, spare me... Immortal Master, spare me..." The maidservant, naturally more aware of the stakes, pressed her hands to the ground and burst into genuine tears. "The mistress gave strict orders last night—anyone who dares to speak nonsense will be beaten to death on the spot... This servant saw nothing..."
"Oh, afraid to die?" Chai Yingluo continued to smile, raising a finger to point beyond the large screen. "Do you know who’s out there? The Star Lord of Celestial Authority descended to earth, Chancellor Wei, who has come by imperial decree to personally investigate this case. Lord Wei carries the Son of Heaven’s edict, granting him the authority to execute first and report later. Taking your worthless life wouldn’t even make him blink—kill you now, bury you now. Guards—"
Servants inside and outside the screen responded in unison. A Luo let out a shriek, prostrating herself on the ground, trembling uncontrollably.
"Immortal Master, spare me! I’ll speak! I’ll speak... This servant... This servant didn’t see clearly... That... That wasn’t a living person..."
Not... a living person?
"Then it was a dead person? There was another dead person outside the eastern wing?" Chai Yingluo frowned. "Or... did you see a ghost?"
Amid A Luo’s reluctant sobs, Wei Shufen heard someone beyond the screen exhale deeply—it didn’t sound like her father’s voice.
"I don’t know what it was... This servant’s eyes must have deceived me... It was just a shadow, gone in an instant..."
"A shadow? What kind of shadow?—Don’t think you can fool me. Whatever scared you so badly, you must have recognized whose shadow it was!"
The maidservant raised her head, her tear-streaked face filled with despair.
"This servant must have been mistaken... That figure... was so tall... and broad..."
"Tall and broad?" Chai Yingluo paused, her expression turning peculiar. "Did you think you saw the ghost of your former master, Prince Qi—the Prince of Hailing?"
A Luo wept and kowtowed, refusing to say another word.
This maidservant was no youngster—she had likely served Consort Yang since the WuDe Era. Wei Shufen suddenly remembered that this Temple of Common Vocation was originally the residence of Prince Qi. A Luo must have been accustomed to seeing her former master moving about the courtyard. She also vaguely recalled hearing someone mention that the original Prince Qi, Li Yuan-ji, was skilled with the horse lance, towering in stature and strong enough to match ten men...
Tall and broad indeed...
Chai Yingluo sighed and dismissed A Luo. The maidservant was sobbing so hard she could barely stand, clearly terrified out of her wits. Someone would have to carry her away.
"Xin Zhi... it was you lurking near the eastern side of the Buddha Hall last night, wasn’t it?"
Chai Yingluo asked with a sigh. A deep, powerful voice responded from behind the screen:
"Huh? Oh... right. I climbed over the wall to welcome the bride. Brother Chai ordered me to lie in wait outside the eastern wing. If he couldn’t get through the courtyard gate no matter what, I was to charge into the eastern wing and seize the bride, drawing attention away from the gate. But... I didn’t actually go through with it."
That’s not the point... It’s your tall, broad figure that scared all the women half to death.
"Xin Zhi," Li Yuangui suddenly spoke from beyond the screen. "If I’m not mistaken, Consort Yang, Princess of Hailing, is your cousin, isn’t she?""Yes. Lady Yang and I share the same grandfather—her late father was my fifth uncle. Her life has been pitiable, orphaned from a young age and raised by my father until her marriage."
At the Purple Void Monastery, Wei Shufen had overheard some gossip about the former Prince Qi—how he was known for his cruelty and lust. After the Tang dynasty was established, when selecting consorts, he had specifically demanded to marry the then-renowned "Number One Beauty of Chang'an's Noble Houses"—none other than the Lady Yang they had just seen. Truly, the reputation was well-deserved.
Come to think of it, someone had also remarked back then that the Yang family—particularly the lineage of Yang Xiong, Prince Guan of the former Sui dynasty—must have worshipped some deity, given how every man and woman born into their family over two generations was strikingly handsome or beautiful. The former Princess Consort Yang was breathtakingly gorgeous, while her younger uncle Yang Shidao was a tall, elegant gentleman whose charm stood out even in troubled times. The Supreme Emperor had been so captivated upon their first meeting that he first appointed him as a personal guard, then married his own daughter to him, making him a royal son-in-law. Even Yang Shidao's son, Yang Xinzhi, had grown into such a robust and likable young man, always trailing behind his lord Prince Wu, overshadowing the scrawny Li Yuangui by a wide margin...
Wei Shufen was lost in these wandering thoughts when footsteps sounded again beyond the side screen. This time, it was a woman with her arms bound behind her back, her hair and clothes disheveled, being pushed forward by two serving girls. She knelt directly on the floor—it was Yi Niang's lifelong nurse, HeBa, who had swallowed the crucial jade ring as evidence.
The atmosphere in the hall immediately grew tense and solemn.
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