Chapter Sixteen: Secrets of the Eastern Palace, Love Entangled in Doubt

The palace walls towered high, enclosing deep courtyards where whispers and rumors flowed like a secret undercurrent in the dark of night—silent and formless, yet possessed of a power capable of corroding the very marrow and searing the heart, slowly spreading and quietly eroding every soul within.

Xiao Feng, the beloved darling of the Eastern Palace, radiant like the warm spring sun, was not spared from the treacherous traps set by those with ill intent.

She was extraordinarily beautiful, her face resembling pear blossoms in full spring bloom—pure, flawless, and delicately tender. Her eyes were as clear as autumn waters, shimmering with waves of light, forever filled with curiosity about the world and deep affection for her beloved.

Yet now, that once-pure heart-mirror rippled with uneasy waves stirred by rumors carelessly caught by her ears.

It was an ordinary day; Xiao Feng strolled leisurely through the palace garden, where blossoms flourished and butterflies danced, but her heart was elsewhere.

Suddenly, whispers about Li Chengyin pierced her eardrums like sharp needles.

The palace maids huddled together, lowering their voices but unable to conceal the contrived mystery in their tone: "It is said that His Highness the Crown Prince’s complete exposure of the former crown prince’s conspiracy was not out of any sense of justice. The matter of Dan Chi was no different. Perhaps he harbors some unspeakable secret agenda himself."

Xiao Feng’s heart shrank instantly as if struck by a bitter gale.

Her thoughts drifted to Dan Chi, to the moment Li Chengyin’s eyes blazed with anger, and to his resolute demeanor that night—his gaze firm and profound, as if it could pierce straight into one’s soul, unraveling every secret.

Once, she had firmly believed that every act of his was for her sake, for the future they would build together.

But now, these rumors were like cruel barbs, mercilessly stabbing the softest, most unguarded part of her heart.

Nightfall, as dark as ink, slowly blanketed the entire palace. Yet the grand banquet inside continued as scheduled.

Brilliant lights sparkled like stars fallen to earth, illuminating the hall as brightly as daylight.

Strings of silk instruments played softly while dancers swayed gracefully, ribbons fluttering, weaving a dreamlike scene in which all were intoxicated by lavish revelry.

Only Xiao Feng’s heart was like a stormy sea, waves rising and falling, restless and unsettled. Her gaze, as if drawn by invisible threads, frequently sought out Li Chengyin.

He laughed and chatted effortlessly with the court ministers, every gesture exuding extraordinary composure and grace. His confident and elegant manner suggested the world lay entirely within his grasp.

Xiao Feng watched him, but her doubts grew wildly like untended weeds, flourishing ever more.

---

Li Chengyin’s brows were bold and spirited, yet in Xiao Feng’s eyes, this once captivating trait was now veiled in mist. She began to wonder secretly whether behind that charming exterior lay unknown secrets.

When the banquet ended, Xiao Feng followed Li Chengyin back to the Eastern Palace.

Along the way, her heart felt as if gripped by an invisible hand, tightening more and more.

Crossing the threshold, she could no longer hold back. Her voice trembled slightly, laced with a fear and hope she barely understood herself.

“Li Chengyin, is what they say true? Is there really some dark secret behind your uncovering of the former crown prince's conspiracy?”

Upon hearing this, a flicker of indescribable confusion and doubt flashed in Li Chengyin’s eyes. His face, illuminated by flickering candlelight, seemed ever more inscrutable—like a mysterious valley hiding endless stories and secrets.

“Xiao Feng, how can you believe such baseless nonsense?” His voice was low and rich, tinged with suppressed anger, as if wounded and disappointed by her doubt.

Tears glimmered in Xiao Feng’s eyes, reflecting the candlelight like shattered stars. Her voice grew more unsteady, nearly choking with emotion.

“If it’s not true, then why won’t you answer me clearly?”

Tears fell like broken pearls, dripping onto the delicate embroidered flowers on her garment, staining the vibrant patterns.

Seeing this, Li Chengyin took a deep breath, striving to calm the storm within. Yet the injustice of being falsely accused and the anger of unwarranted suspicion welled up like a volcano ready to erupt.

“Xiao Feng, I have always believed you are the one who understands me best, the one who trusts me most. Everything I do is to protect you, to defend the love between us. Yet I never imagined you would doubt me so easily.”

Pain briefly flickered across his eyes—a raw, piercing ache born from deep misunderstanding by one’s beloved.

Xiao Feng’s tears poured forth uncontrollably. With a sob in her voice, she cried out, “If it’s not true, then why can’t you explain it clearly to me?”

Her shoulders trembled as if crushed beneath an unbearable weight, bearing all the world’s pressure and sorrow alone.

Li Chengyin looked at her, overwhelmed by a profound helplessness. He parted his lips but found no words, unsure how to dispel the clouds of doubt in her heart or how to restore her trust.

Slowly, he stood and walked heavily toward her, reaching out to grasp her trembling hand, hoping to offer comfort and strength.

But Xiao Feng recoiled as if burned, fiercely pushing his hand away.

“I don’t want to hear it! I don’t want to hear any of your explanations!”

---

At this moment, Xiao Feng’s emotions completely unraveled. She turned and fled from the hall, leaving Li Chengyin standing alone.

He watched her retreating figure, long and forlorn in the candlelight, his heart overwhelmed by waves of sorrow and guilt crashing down like a tidal surge.

He could not understand why she so readily believed baseless rumors, why she refused even to give him a chance to explain.

He knew clearly that the once-solid trust between them had fractured shockingly at this moment.

Li Chengyin sat alone at his desk, clutching his brush tightly. The ink at the tip slowly dried, yet no stroke was made.

His heart overflowed with endless longing for Xiao Feng, tides of yearning crashing upon his chest.

Yet now he was lost, uncertain how to mend their broken bond.

His brows furrowed tightly, as if able to crush a fly, his eyes flickering with complex, inscrutable emotions—deep love entwined with Xiao Feng, yet also profound worry and unease over their precarious situation.

Meanwhile, Xiao Feng ran breathlessly back to her chamber, her tears soaking through her clothes. The cold dampness against her skin could not cool the fiery turmoil raging within.

Her heart was shrouded in thick fog—confused and anguished. She sank helplessly to the bedside, her mind blank, unsure how to face Li Chengyin or how to unravel the sudden, immense misunderstanding between them.

Slowly rising, she staggered to the dressing table. Her reflection was tear-streaked and sorrowful. The lively, radiant smile she once wore had vanished, replaced by profound sadness and grief—like a delicate flower battered by a storm, stripped of all vitality and bloom.

That night, within the Eastern Palace, two souls once deeply entwined wandered alone through endless depths of pain and confusion.

Though Xiao Feng’s heart remained tightly bound by longing for Li Chengyin, it was also ensnared by ghostly doubts and unease, unable to find peace.

Deep within, she knew she must summon tremendous courage to face the unknown and challenges ahead, to uncover the truth hidden behind the dense fog—only then could the once unbreakable bridge of trust between them be rebuilt.

As for Li Chengyin, his heart was filled with guilt toward Xiao Feng. He knew he could not sit idle; he must take real action to prove his innocence and find every means to win back her drifting heart.

In the deep silence of night, the countless palace lights gradually dimmed, leaving only the cold moonlight, like silver gauze, quietly spilling over the towering palace walls…