The map Mu Yunyao had presented was like a massive stone pressing heavily upon the hearts of the Beijiang envoys. They secretly resolved to investigate whether the Dali Dynasty truly possessed a detailed map of Beijiang. Otherwise, once they returned home, they feared they would lose sleep for many nights.
Seeing the envoys’ uneasy expressions, the officials of the Dali Dynasty smiled faintly, their eyes full of pride. Their mutual dislike of Beijiang had lasted for years. Seeing the Beijiang envoys so unsettled made the officials feel they could enjoy an extra bowl of rice tonight.
The Emperor kept a pleased expression, and his smile only faded slowly after the banquet ended.
The officials departed one after another, and the Beijiang envoys were escorted out of the palace. Silence fell over the grand hall. Mu Yunyao glanced at Noble Consort Qi kneeling on the floor and quietly asked Grand Princess Yide, “Grandmother, should we withdraw first?”
“There’s no need. Stay and listen. Though these are old matters, much of the future will rest upon your shoulders. It is good to understand more.”
Noble Consort Qi knelt on the ground. The phoenix hairpin atop her head hung, its long tassels brushing the floor, their brilliance somewhat dimmed.
Yu Wang and Yu Wangfei knelt behind her with their heads down, not daring to speak.
The Emperor leaned against the dragon throne, his gaze unusually deep. “Wanyan, you’ve been in the palace for many years. I know you carry a knot in your heart, but I don’t think I’ve treated you badly.”
Hearing the Emperor call her by name, Noble Consort Qi’s shoulders trembled slightly. “Your Majesty has treated this consort very well.”
“Since you know this, then you should also understand the proper boundaries.” A trace of anger entered the Emperor’s tone.
Noble Consort Qi raised her head, tears streaming endlessly down her face. “Your Majesty, though Li Xiao and I once had a marriage agreement, we have never overstepped propriety. Your Majesty should know this better than anyone. If I had ever been disloyal to Your Majesty, my father would never have sent me into the palace.”
“The Duke of Wei’s loyalty is something I understand clearly. Naturally, I do not doubt him. As for you—if I did not trust you, would you still be kneeling here safely, shedding tears?”
Noble Consort Qi froze, her tears falling even more fiercely. “Your Majesty… this consort has failed you.”
She remembered the moment she had first entered the palace. The Emperor had been young then, his bearing spirited and noble beyond compare, yet his gaze was particularly calm and upright. He had told her, If you are unwilling, I will allow you to leave the palace after one year. Her heart had pounded wildly at those words. But later, he had been schemed against, and the two of them shared a night of intimacy. It was that single night that led to her conceiving Junyu—and so she remained in the palace for many years.
The Emperor let out a heavy sigh. “Wanyan, rise. You are now my Noble Consort and Junyu’s mother. You no longer have the freedom to act on impulse. I’ve had Wen Lixiao kept in the palace. You may see him one last time. After today, you must let go of the past. Don’t shed another tear for those old memories.”
He deeply loved the Empress and understood the pain of longing. It was because he measured others by his own heart that he had not been overly harsh.
Noble Consort Qi bowed deeply, kowtowing respectfully. “This Consort thanks Your Majesty for your kindness. However… it will not be necessary. Your Majesty has already said those matters belong to the past. Since they are past, there is no need to dwell upon them any longer. The glimpse earlier was already enough.”
In truth, she was a selfish woman. She could not cast everything aside for love alone. She had to consider the Qi family and plan for Junyu’s future. With so many matters weighing upon her mind, there was simply no room left to indulge in a love that was destined to bear no fruit.
Grand Princess Yide’s eyes shifted slightly, the tight line of her lips easing a little. Fortunately, Nobke Consort Qi had not allowed old emotions to cloud her judgment and do something that might harm Junyu. The Crown Prince of the Dali Dynasty was concerned about the empire’s fate. He must remain flawless. If the mother of a future Crown Prince failed to understand her place, the rear palace might once again accumulate another debt of blood.
Yu Wang and Yu Wangfei helped Consort Qi stand up.
The Emperor spoke again. “Yu Wangfei is with child—she should focus on proper rest. I will instruct the imperial physicians to care for you. Return first to Liyang Palace. Let Junyu escort Noble Consort Qi back.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After bidding farewell to the Emperor and the Grand Princess, Yu Wang supported Consort Qi as they headed toward the inner palace.
Mu Yunyao slowed her steps slightly, walking beside Yue Wang. As they exited the hall, the candlelight revealed what appeared to be bloodstains on the ground. She called Eunuch Li over.
“Eunuch Li, this blood on the floor?”
Eunuch Li glanced down and quickly ordered the attendants to clean it up. “Thank you for the reminder, Princess. The blood was left by that Qin musician earlier.”
“The Emperor previously said he would keep that musician in the palace. Where is he now?”
“Replying to Princess—just after leaving the hall, that musician vomited a mouthful of blood. We did not have time to report it, so we first summoned the imperial physicians. After examining him, they said he had been poisoned. He has already passed away. Since it is the New Year and we did not wish to disturb His Majesty with such ill news, we have yet to report it. This servant has been quite troubled over it.”
“Poisoned?” Mu Yunyao frowned. Thinking of Ling Wang’s furious expression earlier, a chill rose from the depths of her heart.
“Yes. The physicians said he had taken duanchang grass—‘heartbreak herb,’ a deadly poison. When it takes effect, the pain is unbearable, but if the antidote is taken in time, it will not be fatal. Unfortunately, though the physicians brought the antidote, the musician refused to take it and endured the agony until he died.”
Mu Yunyao exchanged a glance with Yue Wang, worry flashing across her eyes. “I understand. Thank you, Eunuch Li.”
“Princess is too courteous. This servant will take his leave.”
Seeing that Mu Yunyao’s expression remained troubled, Yue Wang took her hand and led her forward. “Yao’er, do you want to go see that Wen Lixiao?”
Mu Yunyao was taken aback. Hearing Yue Wang’s question, she hesitated. “Does Fourth Master wish to involve himself in this matter? It concerns the previous generation, and judging by the Emperor’s mood earlier, it might not be appropriate for us to interfere.”
Yue Wang turned to look at her. “Your expression looked troubled. I thought you were upset.”
Mu Yunyao burst into laughter. “Fourth Master is overthinking it. Seeing what happened today did leave me with many thoughts, but not enough to make me meddle in someone else’s affairs.” She had never been a particularly warmhearted person.
Yue Wang tightened his grip on her hand. “As long as you’re happy, it doesn’t matter—even if it means meddling.”
Mu Yunyao’s smile grew sweeter. She lifted his hand and slowly interlaced their fingers. “There are countless matters in this world. How could anyone manage them all? Being able to know and stay with Fourth Master without regrets is already enough for me.”
Yue Wang lowered his gaze to look at her. In his deep eyes, it seemed as though countless tiny stars were shimmering.
Mu Yunyao found herself staring, momentarily entranced. Seeing no one around, she quickly reached out and gave his face a playful stroke, grinning like a cat that had just stolen a bite of cream. “Fourth Master is truly handsome.”
Yue Wang’s ears turned red. Watching Mu Yunyao tilt her head with her eyes narrowed in delight, he suddenly thought that if she had whiskers at the corners of her lips, she would look exactly like the mandarin cat he once raised.
“Then I will only let Yao’er see me,” he said softly. “And Yao’er is only allowed to look at me.”
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