Every time Wei Shufen closed her eyes, she could see that basin filled with blood-red water—washed from her own face and body.
After descending from the watchtower with Chai Yingluo, they returned to the Great Peace Hall. The female Taoist priest first hurried to check on the Supreme Emperor. Fortunately, though the old man lay weak and barely breathing, his pulse remained stable. Four or five imperial physicians attended to him, with Consort Yuwen—temporarily appointed by Crown Prince Li Chengqian upon his arrival at Great Peace Palace—overseeing matters.
The two women then went to a side chamber to wash and change. When Wei Shufen saw her reflection in the mirror, she screamed in fright, thinking she'd seen a female ghost. After cleaning up, however, she discovered she'd sustained only minor scratches with no serious injuries—unlike Chai Yingluo, whose wounds were far more severe.
Having fought hand-to-hand against a burly man, being knocked airborne to crash against a wooden pillar, Chai Yingluo initially felt fine. Only later did she realize the impact had split the sword-calloused flesh of her palm, leaving her hand bloodied, while her back began throbbing painfully. When she removed her clothes for Wei Shufen to examine, a large bruise already bloomed across her pale skin, likely to darken into purplish-black soon.
These were merely external injuries treatable with ointment. More concerning was Chai Yingluo's increasing chest pain, describing it as "like knives stabbing with every breath." Following her instructions, Wei Shufen lightly pressed a fist against her back while listening carefully—detecting no abnormal sounds. "Hopefully no internal injuries," the Taoist priest sighed, pulling on a clean undershirt. "Even talking hurts... what a nuisance."
Their original garments were too soiled to wear, so the serving girls brought replacement palace maid attire. After hurriedly washing, dressing wounds, and making themselves presentable, Chai Yingluo's taller, broader-shouldered frame strained against the borrowed robes, accentuating her curves until a lightweight half-sleeve overdress provided modest coverage.
Having gone a full day and night without sleep—surviving mortal danger while enduring shock, exhaustion, and pain—they desperately needed warm safety, proper rest, or at least hot meals... but such wishes proved futile. Crown Prince Li Chengqian awaited their report.
The impending audience with the heir apparent made Wei Shufen nervous. She'd never properly met or spoken with Li Chengqian before—summoning unmarried noble maidens violated propriety. Yet last night's chaos at Great Peace Palace necessitated bending formalities.
There was more than just last night's turmoil... As she dressed, Chai Yingluo's delicate brows remained furrowed. When attendants stepped away, she whispered to Wei Shufen: "When we see the Crown Prince later, stick to essential matters. Especially avoid mentioning Yi Niang's case at Temple of Common Vocation... ah—"
Clutching her chest with a pained inhale, she grimaced. Wei Shufen steadied her, heart aching: "Sister Ying, don't speak. I'll answer the Crown Prince's questions."
Nodding carefully to avoid aggravating injuries, Chai Yingluo softly added: "Remember that Blood Jade Ring... the one we delivered to the Empress... the Crown Prince may deeply resent us for it... be cautious..."
How could she forget? That ancient jade thumb ring, seemingly steeped in the blood of Li Wanxi and her nursemaid, brought ominous misfortune wherever it appeared. Two lives lost, the Empress taken ill, the Crown Princess severely injured, the Seventeenth Princess missing... If the artifact truly belonged to Li Chengqian, what sinister purpose could he have?With her heart full of doubts, Wei Shufen followed Chai Yingluo out the door on foot to attend the audience at the Eastern Pavilion. Palace attendants guided them inside, and after the two women finished their formal greetings, they knelt upright. Wei Shufen dared not raise her head to meet Li Chengqian’s gaze, keeping her lashes lowered as she quietly waited for the Crown Prince to speak.
The silence in the pavilion lasted longer than she had expected. Finally, Li Chengqian spoke, his voice cold and dry:
“This prince has no time for idle circles. High Truth Master Chai, you know what you ought to say. Do not harbor any illusions.”
“Your Highness, forgive me,” Wei Shufen interjected. “The High Truth Master has suffered internal injuries and finds it difficult to respond. This humble Wei is here to respectfully receive the Crown Prince’s inquiries.”
Li Chengqian’s gaze shifted toward her, as if only now noticing her presence.
“Wei Niangzi, your father, Chancellor Wei, is known for his loyalty and integrity, admired by both court and commoners. This prince has always held him in high regard.” His tone was impatient, mismatched with the words he spoke. “It has long been said that the Wei clan of Julu is a scholarly family of Hebei, upholding pure traditions and passing down poetry and rites. As for the reason Wei Niangzi entered the Purple Void Monastery, this prince has heard a thing or two. The misunderstandings and grievances should have dissipated by now. For an unmarried woman to reside long in a Daoist monastery is improper by ritual standards, and the inner palace is no place for an outsider of pure lineage to linger. You should return to the Purple Void Monastery, gather your belongings, and this prince will arrange for someone to escort you home.”
He might as well have outright said, “Stop meddling here and get lost,” Wei Shufen thought. Initially timid, the direct reprimand from the Crown Prince made her face flush with heat, yet her back straightened in defiance, and a retort spilled out:
“This humble Wei has been presumptuous, once volunteering before His Majesty to serve as an envoy for marriage alliance, graciously permitted by the sovereign’s golden words. The Empress also allowed me to temporarily reside in the Purple Void Monastery, to serve the nation with my—”
Her robe was suddenly tugged. She turned to see Chai Yingluo shooting her a disapproving glance.
“This humble Daoist… begs to inquire of Your Highness… how fares the Crown Princess’s injuries?”
The female Daoist’s voice was weak, clearly struggling through pain. Wei Shufen closed her mouth, realizing Chai Yingluo was stopping her from clashing head-on with the Crown Prince.
Yet, having spent some time with Chai Yingluo, she could sense that despite the humble words, the Daoist’s entire posture was tense, poised for sharp confrontation. And the Crown Prince seated above was equally wary and cutting:
“Su Shi’s life is not in danger, no need to trouble the High Truth Master’s concern.” His gaze then fell on Chai Yingluo’s bandaged palm, his lips curling slightly. Wei Shufen could almost hear his unspoken words: “This ‘Female Hua Tuo’ of yours should tend to herself first.”
Hearing news of her friend Su Lingyu, Wei Shufen had initially relaxed, but the tense standoff before her made it impossible to feel at ease. The two cousins—one seated, one kneeling—glared at each other, the room thick with hostility.
Strange. It seemed as if the two had some long-standing grudge…
Wei Shufen suddenly recalled a conversation she had overheard days earlier while organizing old texts at the Purple Void Monastery. That day, Prince Yue’s residence had sent over a batch of medical texts. After the exchange of pleasantries, Jingxuan Daogu had specifically warned her, “In the future, if anyone from Prince Yue’s residence comes seeking books, it would be best for Niangzi to refuse.” Naturally, she had asked why. The presiding Daoist had dismissed the attendants and mysteriously revealed that there had been some unsavory gossip from the Crown Prince’s Palace."The High Truth Master is deeply favored in the Hall of Established Governance. Whatever she says, even her maternal uncle and aunt are willing to lend an ear—that's truly remarkable." The middle-aged Taoist nun's deliberately hushed voice carried a note of pride. "If she interacts more with Prince Yue, she might casually mention the fourth young master a few extra times in idle conversation, which would unsettle the Crown Prince. Ah, both are young men of seventeen or eighteen, born of the same mother, yet these brothers still vie against each other..." #####TBC
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