Chapter Forty-Six: Dealing with Concubine Rong

As expected, there was a trace of a smile in Yue Wanqing’s eyes.

“Wanqing offers her thanks to Your Majesty the Empress in advance. I only worry that His Majesty might grow distant from you or blame you because of this matter. If that were to happen, it would truly be too much for me to bear!” Joy flashed across Yue Wanqing’s face, but was soon shrouded with gloom.

“That will not happen. His Majesty and I share a deep bond; he would not blame me so easily,” Empress Yuanmin replied with a gentle smile.

“That is a relief.”

Empress Yuanmin took a sip of the warm tea Chun Tao handed her, cleared her throat, and continued, “You both know that Xiang Lian was originally a hostage from Tianshang, but over the years, I have always regarded her as my own daughter. I bore two sons for His Majesty, but I have always wished to give him a princess. Yet, all these years, I have borne no more children. My wishes are one thing, but reality is another. Xiang Lian is a hostage, so I could never treat her as well as I wished, and could only offer her help in secret.”

“Now, with this calamity upon Xiang Lian, all I can do is sit idly by, unable to lift a finger to help her. You must understand what this feels like—watching one’s own daughter suffer torment and being powerless to intervene. If I could, I would gladly bear this punishment in her place.”

Tears streamed down Empress Yuanmin’s face. Hearing this, Yue Wanqing’s eyes reddened uncontrollably, her voice breaking with grief: “Xiang Lian is innocent. I could never believe her capable of such a crime.”

“I am utterly helpless now. All the evidence points to Xiang Lian as the poisoner. Even His Majesty forbids me from involving myself. All I can hope for is that Xiang Lian survives this safely and can return to her former life—nothing more.”

Empress Yuanmin was on the verge of fainting. Feng Xiaoli and Yue Wanqing realized they should not linger and urged the Empress to rest, promising to visit her again soon.

The palace guards, recognizing the two from earlier, stepped aside just as before, allowing them passage. Their expressions remained heavy—with joy at having seen the Empress, but regret at being unable to help Xiang Lian.

The sky was a dull gray, as if a heavy rain were about to fall.

Yue Wanqing murmured to herself, “The Empress is kind, at least she brought us into the palace. Yet after seeing her, I do not even dare face His Majesty. I feel almost guilty, afraid he might scold the Empress because of us.”

Feng Xiaoli stopped in her tracks, her gaze heavy and fixed upon Yue Wanqing, who looked back in confusion.

“Wanqing,” she said, enunciating each word, “she never once said she believed in Xiang Lian’s innocence.”

With just those words, Feng Xiaoli said no more.

Wanqing, who was usually so clever, had become strangely dull-witted when it came to Xiang Lian’s troubles. If the Empress truly meant to help, how could she not believe in Xiang Lian? She claimed to treat Xiang Lian as her own daughter, but what mother would not shield her child, no matter what wrong they had done, instead of sending her away? Was this not something you understood, Wanqing?

“It’s not that I don’t know—it’s that I simply cannot bring myself to believe it. Xiang Lian’s life has been bitter, and all I can do is try my best to help her. But it’s almost laughable; I have no power at all and still delude myself that I might help. Ali, what should I do?” Yue Wanqing’s voice trembled.

Feng Xiaoli did not answer. She looked up at the sky, where dark clouds were swallowing the white, and a fine rain began to fall. Just as she thought—change was coming, and the rain had begun.

“Wanqing, let’s go home.”

From the moment they were barred at the Qiande Gate, Feng Xiaoli knew she would not see the Emperor. Even if the Empress sent Chuntao to bring them in, the palace was filled with shadow guards. A single report and the Emperor could evade them at will. The palace was vast—she was truly tired.

So, let us return home.

Xiang Lian, at least up to this point, my conscience is clear.

They rode back on horseback. The rain had driven most vendors from the streets, sending them home. Yue Wanqing did not return with Feng Xiaoli but parted ways at a crossroads, explaining she was going to the Prime Minister’s residence. The Prime Minister’s and Prince Chun’s mansions lay at opposite ends of the city; traveling between them would take time.

The rain grew heavier, showing no sign of stopping. Feng Xiaoli dismounted, and upon turning, saw Fei Rong still kneeling in the rain. Feng Xiaoli handed her horse to a guard by the gate, who immediately led it to the stables.

Fei Rong knelt without moving, rainwater streaming down her face like crystal beads tracing graceful arcs. Her clothes were soaked through, clinging uncomfortably to her body.

Feng Xiaoli passed her by as if she were invisible.

If she wished to kneel, let her; it was none of Feng Xiaoli’s concern.

Seeing that Feng Xiaoli had no intention of acknowledging her, Fei Rong cried, “Miss, Fei Rong truly knows her mistake. Please, punish me!”

Feng Xiaoli looked down with a half-smile, half-sneer. “Fei Rong, how could I bear to punish you? You’re one of the foremost shadow guards of the prince’s residence. It must be hard for you to serve at my side. Since that is your duty, then do it well. Protecting Prince Chun’s residence is your responsibility. The wind and rain are fierce out here. You’d best return quickly.” With that, she strode off.

“Miss! Miss—” Fei Rong’s eyes widened in desperation. Without thinking, she grabbed Feng Xiaoli’s leg, her body trembling uncontrollably.

Why was she shaking? From fear—fear of Prince Chun, fear of Feng Xiaoli.

Who would have thought that Feng Xiaoli, known for her gentle nature, would one day turn her wrath upon Fei Rong?

Was this truly the end for her?

She truly regretted her actions—regretted them bitterly. Yet in this world, there is no medicine for regret. With sharp eyes, she spotted the prince’s carriage, marked with the insignia of the residence, returning. Her body slumped in despair; all hope seemed lost.

For with Prince Chun’s return, her doom was sealed.

Prince Chun alighted from the carriage and, seeing Feng Xiaoli standing in the rain without an umbrella, hurried to her side, opening one above her. “Why are you still outside in this rain? You’ll catch cold—it won’t do you any good.”

Seeing the determined look in his eyes, she nodded. After such a long ride, she was weary. She would return and rest.

Once Feng Xiaoli departed, Prince Chun’s expression shifted instantly. With a wave of his hand, two masked shadow guards leapt down from either side. Their martial skills matched Fei Rong’s, and though their faces were concealed, Fei Rong turned ashen at the sight. Having served as a shadow guard for so long, she knew all too well what their appearance meant.

She looked up at the sky once more. Indeed, she would not live to see tomorrow’s sun.