Chapter 73: Knowing Full Well

Li Yunli entered the palace gates early in the morning.

According to protocol, since she was summoned by the Empress Dowager, an inner court eunuch was assigned to guide her. Even though Li Yunli was a royal princess familiar with the palace layout, this rule could not be bypassed.

The eunuch leading the way was quite young, around fourteen or fifteen years old, and walked briskly with a bowed posture.

Following behind, Li Yunli noticed that the young eunuch seemed to be in a hurry for some reason.

She had entered the palace early, and there was plenty of time. Even though walking was required after passing through the gates, there was no reason for such urgency.

As they passed through a long, secluded corridor, the young eunuch’s pace quickened even more.

Li Yunli’s expression turned cold. “What’s the rush? Speak plainly.”

The eunuch trembled, nearly in tears, and suddenly dropped to his knees before her.

“Y-Your Highness, I’ve been busy with tasks all morning and haven’t had a chance to relieve myself…”

Being young and inexperienced, the eunuch realized he had lost composure in front of a noble and didn’t dare to get up, shaking with fear.

Li Yunli glanced down at him.

So he just needed to use the restroom?

She had come alone, though secret guards were following her in the shadows. Even if this young eunuch were bold enough to try something, he wouldn’t dare harm her within the palace walls.

And judging by his demeanor, he genuinely seemed desperate.

Perhaps he was being bullied while serving in the palace.

Li Yunli softened her tone. “Go ahead.”

The young eunuch kowtowed in gratitude, knowing the princess could find her way, and withdrew after expressing his thanks repeatedly.

However, once he left, Li Yunli found herself at a loss after walking to the end of the corridor.

The palace was a maze of high walls and dark green tiles—where was she supposed to go next?

Stopping at a crossroads, she took a deep breath.

Since arriving in this world, she hadn’t expected to make such a mistake today.

But she wasn’t one to dwell on problems. Since she was already here, she decided to go with the flow. Glancing up at the sun, she roughly determined her direction and chose a path.

She didn’t feel the slightest bit nervous.

Today, it was the Empress Dowager who was feeling guilty. Knowing Li Yunli had entered the palace, she would surely send someone to find her if she didn’t show up on time. Even if she took the wrong route, it wouldn’t be an issue.

Besides, she had a general idea of the palace’s layout. As long as she kept to the right direction, she wouldn’t stray too far.

But after walking for a short while, she passed through an arched gate and found herself in an open space filled with lush greenery.

Had she wandered into the Imperial Garden?

Li Yunli frowned as she surveyed her surroundings. The area wasn’t very large—calling it the Imperial Garden seemed like an exaggeration.

She suddenly realized that coming without a maid had been a mistake.

Turning around, she hesitated.

Everyone in the palace knew her. If she asked a maid or eunuch for directions, they would immediately sense something was off.

As she pondered her next step, a voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Greetings, Your Highness. What brings you here today?”

Following the voice, Li Yunli was surprised to see a familiar face.

The man wore a lotus-patterned crown and a hairpin, his tall frame poised as he properly saluted with a folding fan in hand.

It was Wuyou.

Li Yunli was taken aback. She never expected to run into him here.

“This is your place?”

A Daoist priest from the Astronomical Bureau—what was he doing with his own space in the palace?

Wuyou smiled. “The late emperor was devoted to Daoism and granted me this place for secluded cultivation.”

“I wasn’t looking for you,” Li Yunli said, her tone distant. “I was invited into the palace today and just decided to take a walk.”

Unexpectedly, Wuyou chuckled softly and, seeing her turn away, stepped in front of her.

“How interesting. Since Your Highness has returned from Yongzhou, you don’t wish to see me?”

Li Yunli glanced at him.

“I admit the silk pouch you gave me months ago was somewhat useful, but it didn’t resolve my doubts as you claimed. I don’t believe in superstitions. Farewell.”

“Your Highness.”

Wuyou called out, raising his fan slightly to cover his lips.

“It’s rare that Your Highness isn’t curious, but I must ask—can you rest easy knowing an outsider slumbers beside your pillow?”

Li Yunli froze.

She was becoming more convinced that this Daoist priest truly knew something.

Yet she was a firm materialist. Though she occasionally wavered—especially after realizing she had transmigrated into a novel and that Qingnian and Yun Chu were from her past life—she remained rational. She refused to believe fate could be foretold.

The way Wuyou spoke, as if he held the script to her life, meant one thing—he must be a transmigrator like her.

Shaking off the thought, she smiled playfully.

“What exactly are you implying?”

Wuyou sidestepped the question. “The friendship between Jingkong, the little monk, and Your Highness saved Yongzhou from disaster because you made different choices upon waking. You stopped the Marquis of Yongcheng and the Wurong tribe. But can Your Highness be just as confident about your own future?”

Seeing that he refused to speak plainly, Li Yunli didn’t humor him. She turned on her heel.

“Speak clearly or don’t speak at all. I have matters to attend to—I don’t have time for riddles.”

Without a pause, she walked away.

Wuyou’s temple twitched.

He hadn’t met someone so uninterested in his words in years.

At this point, even a stubborn ox would have shown some curiosity. Yet this princess dismissed him so easily?

“Your Highness!”

Wuyou raised his voice. Seeing that she truly had no intention of stopping, he finally relented.

“Turn around, and I’ll tell you.”

Li Yunli stopped.

Turning her head slightly, she asked, “Let me guess—‘heavenly secrets must not be revealed’?”

She looked mischievous, a clear threat—if he didn’t explain, she would walk away.

Wuyou sighed in defeat. “I’ll be frank.”

“Good.”

Li Yunli smiled and returned.

From the moment he had addressed her as “Your Highness” instead of his usual casual tone, she knew he wouldn’t hold back his words today.

Sitting down at the stone table, she gestured for him to speak.

There was no tea served. Wuyou sat across from her and got straight to the point.

“Over a decade ago, my master was ordered to divine Your Highness’s fate. He claimed your three souls and seven spirits were incomplete, making you unsuitable to be raised beside the late emperor. That was why you were adopted by the Prince of Jin.”

Li Yunli remained silent.

Wuyou continued, “Before you left the capital, my master divined your fate again at the Bai Guo Banquet. He drew the ‘Li’ hexagram and declared that your soul was whole once more—that your lost soul had returned.”

Li Yunli frowned slightly.

She had experienced this firsthand, but at the time, she assumed the old state priest had merely been saying what the emperor wanted to hear.

Wuyou’s gaze was piercing.

“Does Your Highness believe in those two divinations?”

Li Yunli’s heart wavered.

She never believed in fate, yet she couldn’t ignore that the supposed “lost soul” returned at the exact moment she transmigrated.

If this were true, did it mean she was the original owner’s missing soul?

That idea was utterly ridiculous.

She refused to accept it.

She didn’t want her love for Yun Chu to be tainted by guilt, atonement, or obligation.

“Let’s leave it at that.”

Wuyou smiled.

It seemed he had been too impatient. The time wasn’t right yet.

As she walked away, Wuyou called after her.

“If Your Highness ever has questions, I will be here—ready with wine to welcome you.”

Li Yunli’s smile was faint.

“Someday, perhaps. Someday.”