Chapter 21

Although Yiling was still angry, she finished the bowl of roasted lamb in front of her.

The satisfaction from the food diluted her anger. After spending some time in the cold breeze under the corridor, she was no longer as agitated.

What were a few harsh comments anyway? Sooner or later, Xie Hengzhi’s pathetic life would be in her hands.

By then, she’d have him kneeling before her, begging for mercy from this so-called useless, pampered noblewoman.

Ah, such a scenario seemed distant and out of reach, but it was still delightful to imagine.

Clinging to this beautiful yet distant dream, Yiling retired early that night.

Having been on edge for days, unable to sleep well, tonight was finally a chance for a peaceful rest.

Thus, when Xie Hengzhi returned to their chambers that night, Yiling was already fast asleep on the inner side of the bed.

The room was entirely unlit, but fortunately, the moonlight was bright.

Xie Hengzhi didn’t bother to relight the lamps. Guided by the moonlight, he stepped into the room, his footsteps muffled by the thick, soft carpet.

As he approached the bed, just as he was about to take off his outer robe, he suddenly heard the person on the bed murmur his name softly.

Xie Hengzhi turned to look. Under the faint moonlight, Yiling’s face was indistinct, but there was a clear smile on her lips as she mumbled, “Xie Hengzhi… Lord Xie… Where do you think you’re running off to this time?”

“…”
Xie Hengzhi pursed his lips, his face a picture of silent exasperation.

That night, Yiling did not get the peaceful sleep she had hoped for.

She had finally dreamt of avenging her great grudge. In the dream, Xie Hengzhi, shackled and humiliated, was fleeing in panic while she, wielding a sharp sword, cornered him step by step.

Just as she was about to deliver the final blow, someone suddenly nudged her head lightly, waking her up.

Still groggy, Yiling didn’t even open her eyes, eager to reconnect with her dream.

The dream did continue, but instead of vengeance, she saw the tragic sight of Yiyun being tortured—Xie Hengzhi didn’t kill him but had him strung up and roasted over a fire, turning him over and over as if to cook him alive.

Yiling wanted to rush forward to save him, but for some reason, she couldn’t move. She could only watch helplessly as Yiyun fainted from the torment, the scent of roasting meat wafting to her nose.

It smelled far too good, comparable to the roasted lamb she had eaten earlier.

Before dawn the next day, Yiling woke up early.

However, her heart was still racing, and the image of Yiyun’s suffering lingered in her mind.

She gazed around in confusion, as though still trapped in the dream.

After washing up in a daze, Yiling sat at the Eight Immortals Table in the outer room, where Mallow had already prepared breakfast.

Glancing over the table filled with exquisite dishes, Yiling noticed a bowl of dark soup among them.

She frowned and asked, “Why has medicine been prepared again?”

“Madam, this is Shangqing Tea, not medicine,” replied Mama Cao. “The master specifically instructed it to be prepared for you today.”

“Him?”

Yiling narrowed her eyes warily, examining the tea closely. “Why would he suddenly make tea for me?”

“Well…”

Mama Cao wasn’t entirely sure herself but relayed Xie Hengzhi’s words verbatim. “The master said it’s excellent for clearing the liver and relieving heat, and he advised you to drink more of it.”

“?”

“I don’t have excess heat to relieve,” Yiling retorted.

Despite her words, she still picked up the bowl and took a sip.

Though the tea’s appearance wasn’t appealing, it tasted refreshing and subtly sweet.

Yiling couldn’t help but think of Xie Hengzhi.

Tsk, it didn’t suit him at all—like gold-plated garbage, nice on the outside but rotten inside.

As she was musing, the sound of cool footsteps suddenly approached from behind.

Turning with the tea bowl in her hands, Yiling saw Xie Hengzhi, already dressed in court attire and clearly prepared to enter the palace.

When he sat down at the table, Yiling sipped her tea a few more times, stealing glances at him repeatedly.

But today, Xie Hengzhi seemed completely oblivious, eating his breakfast in silence, as if blind to her hints.

Left with no choice, Yiling finally spoke up. “About the tablet incident, how do you plan to handle it?”

“‘How do I plan to handle it?’”

Xie Hengzhi didn’t even look at her as he replied, “Was I the one who destroyed the tablet?”

“Ah, you don’t need to be so distant about it.”

Yiling blinked innocently, sizing him up. “I already explained last night—it was out of jealousy that I acted so foolishly. Isn’t the root cause ultimately you?”

Xie Hengzhi picked up his porcelain bowl, sipped some porridge, then cast her a chilly glance.

He didn’t even bother to fake a smile this time, his lips curving into a mocking smirk.

Yiling knew full well how weak her excuse was, but she didn’t care. She leaned in closer to him instead.

“The tablet was an imperial gift. While Lord Yi and Mrs. Xue wouldn’t dare make a fuss, how do you plan to explain this to His Majesty?”

Pausing, she added, “And… what about the incident at the Hall of Harmony? It’s been put on hold for now, but once His Majesty returns, how will you talk your way out of it?”

Yi Ling was no longer worried that Xie Hengzhi would lose his life because of this, but surely… He wouldn’t get away without some suffering, right?

“If His Majesty harbors resentment toward you because of this, then I would be a truly great sinner.”

Her tone was blatantly insincere, so much so that even the maids standing nearby twitched at the corners of their eyes.

Xie Hengzhi, however, remained unfazed. After leisurely chewing and swallowing the food in his mouth, he finally looked up and said unhurriedly, “If you’re so worried about me, then accompany me into the palace later.”

Yiling blinked. “What?”

“Last night, His Majesty decreed that you are to enter the palace and meet him,” Xie Hengzhi said calmly. “You’ve been in capital for so long and still haven’t gone to the palace to express your gratitude.”

Yiling couldn’t quite process this arrangement and stammered, “But isn’t His Majesty in seclusion?”

“The harsh winter has aggravated His Majesty’s old illness, so he came out of seclusion last night,” Xie Hengzhi replied, his tone carrying a hint of something deeper. “He wishes to meet the great literary talent of the Shang family.”

Yiling’s heart sank, and her face turned pale.

Meeting the Emperor would undoubtedly mean she had to once again play the role of Shang’s daughter. If His Majesty decided to exchange a few verses of poetry with her, she couldn’t possibly pretend to faint in front of him, could she?

This trip to the palace felt completely different from the last two times.

Walking beside Xie Hengzhi, Yiling was naturally unafraid for her safety. Yet the thought of facing the Emperor filled her with a deep-seated unease.

Even though she hailed from a prestigious family, the awe and reverence for the imperial household were still ingrained in her bones. Many people went their whole lives without ever glimpsing the Emperor’s face.

Moreover, Emperor Renle had not attended court for years. Even high-ranking officials like Minister Yi rarely had the chance to see him, making him increasingly enigmatic in the eyes of others.

The long corridor seemed to stretch endlessly, and even Yiling’s steps carried an air of restraint.

Xie Hengzhi, however, did not speak to her. He led her straight to the main hall of Taiyi Palace, pointed to a spot under the corridor, and then pushed the door open, entering alone without a backward glance.

Yiling stopped under the corridor, not daring to look around. She could only steal glances at this mysterious Taiyi Palace out of the corner of her eye.

It was nothing like the solemn and majestic imperial chambers she had imagined. It looked like… a Taoist temple?

A sharp voice suddenly interrupted Yiling’s thoughts.

“Mrs. Xie, you shouldn’t just stand there,” said an attending eunuch, bringing over a cushioned stool. “Please sit and wait.”

Yiling glanced at the chair and shuddered. She waved her hands frantically.

“No need, no need. I should stand while waiting for His Majesty’s summons.”

Sitting on a chair in front of the Emperor’s door—did she have a death wish?

The eunuch hesitated, looking inside for guidance, and then said hesitantly, “But Lord Xie instructed.”

“Ignore him,” Yiling interrupted firmly. “It’s proper for me to stand.”

Seeing her resolve, the eunuch had no choice but to leave the chair nearby without pressing further.

The cold wind howled, biting like frost.

Even though Yiling was wrapped in a thick sable cloak with a fur collar, she felt as small and fragile as a drifting snowflake in front of the grand palace.

Taiyi Palace remained eerily silent, and no one came out to summon her.

The dim, gray sky occasionally revealed faint, gloomy light. From time to time, deer scurried across the space in front of the hall, disappearing into the bushes with rustling sounds, making the already cold Taiyi Palace feel even more eerie.

Yiling grew increasingly uneasy and could only clutch her hand warmer tightly, stomping her stiff feet quietly.

“Mrs. Xie, His Majesty’s old illness flared up last night, so he’s likely taking his medicine now.

Please wait a little longer,” the eunuch said diligently. “Is your hand warmer cold? Shall I get you a new one?”

Yiling didn’t move, completely missing his offer to exchange her hand warmer.

Why would His Majesty need Xie Hengzhi to attend him while taking medicine?

She hadn’t heard of Xie Hengzhi taking on the role of a personal eunuch.

Just as she was muttering to herself, a familiar figure came sprinting toward Taiyi Palace.

When Yiling saw who it was, her expression froze.

Princess Yu’an also caught sight of Yiling. She came to a screeching halt, nearly losing her balance.

The palace maids and eunuchs rushed to support her, but Princess Yu’an twisted her head to glare fiercely at Yiling.

What was she doing here, at dawn, in this bone-chilling cold?

In the next moment, Princess Yu’an seemed to understand and turned to ask the eunuch, “Is Xie Hengzhi inside?”

The eunuch dared not answer and simply bowed.

The princess grew even more agitated. Shaking off those holding her, she rushed to the hall doors and pounded on them. “Father! Father! Your daughter requests an audience!”

The surrounding maids and eunuchs turned pale, hastily stepping forward to stop her.

“Princess! Princess! His Majesty is unwell and is currently—”

Before they could finish, Princess Yu’an shoved the doors open and barged inside.

Everyone froze, unsure whether to follow her in or remain outside.

Only Yiling felt her heart start to pound wildly.

When enemies meet, their eyes blaze with anger. Now that both were in front of the Emperor—his most beloved daughter and his most trusted confidant—who would prevail?

Would they come to blows on the spot?

Despite her fear, Yiling couldn’t suppress her curiosity. She crept closer to the doors, straining to listen.

But for some reason, the furious Princess Yu’an went completely silent after entering the hall, as if the palace had swallowed her whole.

Taiyi Palace returned to its earlier deathly silence.

Yiling’s heart sank, a growing unease gnawing at her.

What was happening inside?

She edged closer step by step, hesitant to press her ear against the paneled door. She leaned slightly to—

Crash!

The sound of something shattering rang out, making Yiling leap half a step backward in fright.

Clutching her chest, still shaken, she stared wide-eyed at the tightly shut doors of the hall.

Who did this bowl hit?

Yiling turned to look at the eunuchs standing outside, trying to read something in their expressions. But they all kept their eyes on the floor, as if they didn’t dare show any curiosity.

Another long silence passed, and after about fifteen minutes, the cold and solemn palace doors were finally pushed open.

Princess Yu’an walked out with a face ashen like death, her movements disoriented, stumbling as she went.

When she saw Yiling standing before the hall, her face turned even paler, and she hurriedly ran away as if she had seen a ghost.

Yiling:?

What’s going on?

Yiling had considered countless possible outcomes for this confrontation, but she never expected Princess Yu’an to run out in such a state, as though her soul had left her body.

Still staring at Princess Yu’an’s retreating figure, she heard a eunuch quietly say, “Madam, His Majesty has summoned you in.”

Yiling’s heart tightened.

She finally covered her still-warm hand warmer and lowered her head, walking inside.

With an eunuch leading the way, Yiling didn’t dare look up, so she didn’t see the full decorations of the hall. She only noticed the blue bricks on the floor and the circular patterns within the square, which didn’t even compare to the luxurious soft carpets of the Xie family.

But despite its simplicity, Yiling felt something was off.

It wasn’t until she stepped onto a large Tai Chi Bagua formation that she abruptly stopped.

At the same time, her gaze lifted slightly, and she saw the grayish-blue robe hanging down from the bed.

It wasn’t a dragon robe; it looked more like a Taoist robe.

Yiling’s head tightened, and she immediately kneeled.

The scene with Princess Yu’an made her uneasy about everything in this hall, but after all, she had been raised as a lady for twenty years, so she still managed to maintain a dignified posture.

But it was only a posture.

The words she originally intended to say vanished from her mind, and she blurted out, “This humble woman greets His Majesty. May His Majesty live long and prosper!”

Unexpectedly, her flattery hit the mark.

Before she could raise her head to glimpse His Majesty’s face, she heard a voice: “Reward.”

The tone was long, hoarse, and weak, like a puff of dust hanging in the air.

Yiling didn’t feel any joy from the reward; instead, she nervously kowtowed.

“This humble woman thanks His Majesty for your great favor.”

As expected, a eunuch presented a translucent jade ruyi.

Yiling took it and could feel His Majesty’s lingering warmth on it.

It seemed like His Majesty had casually handed her the jade ruyi he was playing with.

Yiling kowtowed once more before hearing Emperor Renle say, “Rise.”

She tightly gripped the jade ruyi and stood up, but her eyes immediately searched for Xie Hengzhi’s figure.

She saw him standing to the side of the throne, tall and poised, holding a pair of fragrant chopsticks and placing small pieces of incense into a mica plate in the incense burner.

As if sensing her gaze, Xie Hengzhi calmly looked back.

Their eyes met, and when Yiling saw his calm and composed gaze, she finally relaxed and accepted the Emperor’s scrutiny without worry.

Perhaps Xie Hengzhi’s calmness gave Yiling the courage, as she secretly looked up at the person on the throne.

Emperor Renle was reclining on the bed, one leg bent, his posture relaxed and casual, wearing an ancient Taoist robe that gave him an air of celestial elegance.

But he looked much older than Yiling had imagined. Although he had just turned fifty last year, he seemed to have the face of a withered old man. His dry and sparse hair was loosely tied in a mixed knot, and several strands of silver hair fell at his temples, making him appear even more frail.

Yiling hadn’t expected the supreme ruler of the world to be so decrepit. Lost in thought, she suddenly heard him ask, “I hear from Princess Yu’an that you cut the memorial tablet of the Yi family in half?”

Yiling’s fingertips trembled, almost losing her grip on the jade ruyi.

So Princess Yu’an had come to report her actions!

“Yes, yes… Your Majesty, please forgive me!”

Upon admitting it, Yiling, who felt insignificant, apologized again.

She lowered her head, unable to see Emperor Renle’s expression, but she heard him ask, “Do you know that it was a gift from the Emperor?”

Should she lie and say she didn’t know?

Yiling dared not.

She grated her teeth and nodded.

“I know.”

“Then why did you destroy it?”

Emperor Renle spoke slowly, his voice soft, asking, “Who gave you the courage?”

A fine sweat seemed to trickle down her temples.

Yiling remained silent for a long time, then suddenly raised her hand and pointed at Xie Hengzhi.

“It was him.”

Xie Hengzhi:…

The Hall of Taiyi suddenly became so silent that Yiling’s heavy breathing seemed to echo.

At this point, all she could do was hope to survive this ordeal.

Emperor Renle indeed looked at Xie Hengzhi in surprise.

“Oh? This happened?”

In the brief moment of silence, Yiling quickly thought about how to continue attacking Xie Hengzhi after he denied it.

Just say he forced me…

“It was my idea.”

Xie Hengzhi suddenly spoke.

Yiling raised her head in shock, looking at Xie Hengzhi in confusion.

He actually admitted it so easily?

“Although a woman’s marriage follows her husband, her biological parents also have the grace of raising her.”

Xie Hengzhi said, unflinchingly, “It’s only natural that Minister Yi wanted to keep his daughter’s memorial tablet. And Mrs. Xue wanted to bring her daughter-in-law home, which is also understandable. So we simply split it in two, one half for each family, to be fair.”

Yiling: Huh?

Isn’t that a bit far-fetched?

Unexpectedly, Emperor Renle smiled after hearing this.

“Minister Xie’s reasoning is sound. This truly is an ingenious solution.”

“Others wouldn’t have thought of such a creative way.”

Yiling: Huh??

Then, Emperor Renle waved his hand at the two of them.

“Never mind, you two go ahead. I need to recite my duties to the real person now.”

Yiling: “Huh???”

Every step after leaving Taiyi Palace felt like Yiling was walking on clouds, so light and unreal.

She had barged into the princess’s chambers at night, destroyed royal gifts, and yet not even a scolding came her way.

Yiling glanced down at the green bricks on the ground.

At this rate, she felt like she could turn the imperial palace into her own home.

The two walked side by side through the desolate palace corridors. Occasionally, eunuchs or servants passed by, their footsteps muffled as if the ground were cushioned with cotton, not a sound to be heard.

Yiling hesitated, glancing frequently at Xie Hengzhi.

He kept his gaze straight ahead, but in the end, he couldn’t resist her persistent stare.

“If you have something to say, just say it.”

Yiling: “…So, I’m really fine?”

Xie Hengzhi replied nonchalantly, “I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”

Yiling asked again, “What about Princess Yu’an? She came to complain today, and in the end, His Majesty scolded her instead.”

Xie Hengzhi gave a soft “Hmm.”

After hearing this, Yiling’s gaze toward him changed slightly.

She always felt that His Majesty’s trust in Xie Hengzhi had surpassed the ordinary bond between monarch and subject.

“You…”

Yiling leaned a little closer to Xie Hengzhi and whispered, “What kind of spell did you cast on His Majesty?”

Xie Hengzhi glanced at her, replying in a serious tone, “I only gave him some potion to confuse his mind.”

His tone was so earnest that Yiling almost believed him.

“With such power, why don’t you have His Majesty pass the throne to you?”

Xie Hengzhi countered, “So, you want to be empress?”

Yiling: “?”

She thought she had already spoken too boldly, but Xie Hengzhi was even more audacious.

“If I wanted to be empress, would you lead a rebellion?”

Xie Hengzhi lowered his eyes, gazing at the sparkling jewels in Yiling’s hair. His eyes reflected their brilliance.

He wanted to smile, but instead, he said with a straight face, “Our relationship isn’t that deep yet, is it?”

Yiling: “…”

Then what are you saying?