Chapter Fifty-Six: Reunion

Page 1 of 3

When you hear someone announce the death of another person in front of you, what do you feel? Do you react as if hearing of an enemy’s demise—laughing wildly, running about, drinking in celebration, hosting a grand feast and loudly proclaiming, “I’ve waited for this day, this person is finally dead”? Or do you respond as you would to the death of a friend—broken by grief, weeping until your clothes are soaked and your face is drawn, mourning for days, asking again and again, “Why did you have to leave us?”

As for Luo Wensheng, who was neither an enemy nor a friend, not even an adversary, if one must assign him a place, perhaps he was merely an acquaintance, a passerby whose existence brushed against their own. And so, Feng Xiaoli’s reaction upon hearing the news was one of indifference—a faint, detached expression that seemed to say, “What does this person’s death have to do with me?” Only to realize, quite suddenly, that it did matter, after all. For Xiang Lian, trouble had arrived.

Zilin cast her a glance that spoke, “You’re only realizing this now?” The news had indeed come abruptly, and no one could have been prepared. Even Zilin herself had been stunned into silence upon hearing it, taking a moment to accept that Luo Wensheng was dead and Xiang Lian was now in danger.

“How could it happen so suddenly? By rights, the poison in Luo Wensheng’s body had not yet reached his bloodstream. By my estimation, he would have needed more time before succumbing to it. How could such a thing have happened?” Feng Xiaoli reacted fiercely, overturning the table and sweeping teacups to the ground, where they shattered into countless fragments. Her brows arched high, her eyes wide with disbelief, as though a fire had erupted within her.

“I suspect there is a traitor among the imperial physicians, or perhaps one of the accompanying doctors. Someone must have added medicine while tending to Luo Wensheng, accelerating the poison’s spread into his blood and hastening his death. I never imagined their reach would be so long,” Zilin analyzed the situation. As things stood, it would be difficult for Xiang Lian to escape blame, and there remained the question of who would decide her fate.

“I can’t believe they’ve lost their patience!” Feng Xiaoli’s eyes shimmered as if on the verge of tears. “Does Wanqing know?”

“She should by now. I’ve already sent word to her. Such news cannot be kept from her—just as I could not keep it from you.”

Perhaps even she herself couldn’t accept it; who was to say that Yue Wanqing would be able to? Yet, for once, Feng Xiaoli was mistaken. When Yue Wanqing heard of Luo Wensheng’s death, she remained perfectly composed, as if she had received the most ordinary of tidings—her eyes clear and serene, without a ripple of emotion.

Perhaps it was because she had long known this would be the outcome. No matter how hard she tried, she could not prevail against them, nor escape from their grasp, and so she had learned to accept the results they imposed.

The bright moon hung in the sky, casting its cool, gentle light. What was once pure and beautiful now seemed harsh and piercing.

After a while, Yue Wanqing’s personal maid, Luo Yu, hurried in, bursting through the door with a gasp, her face flushed from running. She uttered only one sentence: “Miss, a message from the palace—Her Highness Xiang Lian requests your presence.”

Page 2 of 3

As soon as the words left Luo Yu’s lips, Yue Wanqing sprang to her feet and, passing her by, sped toward the palace, not bothering to mount a horse but instead using her lightness skills to fly ahead.

Luo Yu saw only a fleeting shadow, a blur of motion, and in the next instant, Yue Wanqing had vanished from sight.

Oh, Miss, wait for me!

The guards at Qiande Gate had been instructed not to hinder Yue Wanqing and to allow her unimpeded passage, so when she swept through the gate with her martial skills, the guards pretended not to see.

Yue Wanqing learned that Xiang Lian was now imprisoned in the dungeons. The drainage there was poor, and, after days of heavy rain, the place was a mess, water rising past the waist. Gritting her teeth and ignoring her own exhaustion—her head spinning and her body unsteady—she forced herself onward toward the cells.

Xiang Lian, I hope you are safe.

The dungeon was indeed heavily guarded, with soldiers visible at every turn and royal shadow guards lurking unseen. Approaching Xiang Lian was nearly impossible; any misstep could end with Yue Wanqing imprisoned herself.

The stench was overwhelming, the hygiene appalling. Yue Wanqing could see dead rats floating on the water’s surface. Her eyes tightened, her expression grew grave. How could anyone live in such conditions? This was torture. Whatever her crime, Xiang Lian was still of noble birth. How was she to survive this?

“Miss Wanqing, please be careful. After the recent rains, the dungeon is flooded. It’s easy to slip and get hurt—several of the brothers have been injured already. Please, take care!” The guards were unaccustomed to delicate ladies entering the prison, and if anything happened to this one, their own lives would be in jeopardy.

Yue Wanqing nodded, indicating she understood. She asked, “Where is Xiang Lian? Take me to her.”

“Oh, you mean Princess Xiang Lian? Please follow me. She is a high-profile prisoner and is kept deeper inside.” The guard stepped into the water, which came up to his waist, and struggled forward against the current, soon disappearing from view.

Yue Wanqing was in no hurry. Surveying the facility, she touched her toes to the surface and, using her skill, glided ahead, quickly overtaking the guard and landing lightly on a smooth stone just above the waterline.

Page 3 of 3

A delighted voice suddenly called out, “Wanqing, is that you?”

There could be no doubt—it was Xiang Lian. Following the sound, Yue Wanqing saw Feng Xiaoli and Xiang Lian standing together on another slick stone. Feng Xiaoli supported Xiang Lian and beckoned for Yue Wanqing to join them.

When Yue Wanqing reached them and saw Xiang Lian’s wan and weary face, the emotions she had long suppressed broke free. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Xiang Lian, I’m so sorry. I’m sorry you had to suffer.”

“It’s all right, Wanqing. Truly, I’m fine. Rather than lingering in Huai Capital in humiliation, it’s better to experience this and be freed from everything,” Xiang Lian replied weakly.

“Let me see—let me see if they’ve tortured you. Let me take a look!” Yue Wanqing said, reaching out to check Xiang Lian’s body.

Xiang Lian gently stopped her, giving her a reassuring look and a faint smile, shaking her head.

“Wanqing, I really am all right. They haven’t tortured me. The guards here have been kind enough to give me a stone to stand on, so I don’t have to stay soaked in the water.”

Feng Xiaoli watched Xiang Lian, feeling that something essential was missing. Was it the carefree spirit she had when they first met?