Chapter Seventeen: The Eastern Palace's Love Ordeal, Clouds Disperse and Moon Shines Bright

Li Chengyin stood silently by the study window, a figure as unyielding as a weathered sculpture, his posture tall and resolute like an ancient pine. No matter how fiercely the storms raged outside, they could not shake him in the slightest.

His deep, fathomless eyes resembled a cold, bottomless pool, quietly reflecting the sparse, twinkling stars in the night sky, as if silently probing the secrets of the mortal world. The interplay of starlight and the flickering candlelight cast mottled shadows across his stern face, sharpening the severity in his expression.

Yet beneath this rock-solid exterior, his heart was turbulent. The malicious rumors were like poisoned arrows, silently eroding the pure and beautiful bond between him and Xiaofeng, causing his heart to ache as if torn apart. Each breath brought with it a stabbing pain.

But at this moment, only an unwavering determination filled his heart—steadfast and immovable as a rock. He would never allow these vicious slanders to spread further. He swore to uproot the source of these lies with iron will, guarding his love for Xiaofeng even if the path ahead was strewn with thorns. He would never back down.

He resolved to become a keen hunter in the shadows of the palace. Those sneaky rumor-mongers would be his prey. He would personally tear off their false masks and expose their ugly faces hidden in darkness to the broad daylight, letting all see their filthy hearts.

Li Chengyin raised his long, powerful hand gently and waved it with an invisible authority, signaling Pei Zhao to assemble the men. Obediently, Pei Zhao moved with the agility of a leopard, disappearing swiftly into the night. Inside, the candle flames flickered gently in the breeze, casting wavering yellow shadows on the walls, like anxious ghosts troubled by the impending secret operation.

Li Chengyin stood tall with steady composure, his voice low and powerful like the heavy, distant toll of an ancient temple bell. Each strike carried immense weight; every word was clear and forceful, like war drums reverberating across the battlefield, revealing an unshakable resolve:

“Our actions this time must be executed with utmost caution, like cats moving stealthily in the dark of night—silent and careful, leaving no trace for the enemy to detect. Should we alarm the enemy prematurely, the entire mission would fail. Endangering our lives would be minor compared to harming innocents or shaking the foundation of the Eastern Palace. That would be an unforgivable crime.”

All present nodded solemnly and responded in unison, their fiery eyes meeting and silently pledging absolute loyalty to Li Chengyin. Like blazing flames, their courage and resolve burned bright and unquenchable, ready to face any danger without fear, even if it meant braving mountains of knives and seas of fire.

In the following days and nights, Li Chengyin and his trusted men moved like ghosts swallowed by darkness, silently navigating the labyrinthine corridors and courtyards of the palace.

They were tireless seekers, sparing no corner that might conceal a clue. Their search was meticulous, like a finely crafted comb, inching over every inch of palace ground.

Every servant’s quarters was quietly infiltrated, every suspicious item examined; every unused hall and side chamber was turned upside down; even the most splendid yet mysterious garden corners and secluded paths, seeming portals to unknown worlds, were scrutinized sharply like the gaze of a hawk.

Finally, after long and arduous searching, their persistent efforts bore precious fruit.

They discovered that the source of the gossip pointed faintly but unmistakably toward a group of former retainers of the deposed crown prince.

These men had once savored the sweet fruits of power, basking high above all like kings of the world. But with their fall from grace, it was as if they had plunged from the towering clouds into a mire, their former glory and status vanished like mist. Their bitterness grew like poisonous weeds flourishing wildly in the dark, nearly devouring their reason.

Secretly, they gathered like thieves and bandits, plotting in damp, sunless corners how to slander Li Chengyin’s reputation as part of their despicable, shameless revenge scheme, seeking to reclaim their place on the stage of power.

When Li Chengyin learned this, his brows furrowed deeply, a grave shadow passing through his profound eyes like storm clouds blotting out the sun.

He knew this would be a grueling, thorny battle. Though these remnants were fallen, trapped beasts fight desperately, clutching at straws as if drowning, fiercely resisting.

Any misstep could lead to disaster, dragging them into an abyss of no return. He had to tread carefully, advancing step by step, each move measured and deliberate, leaving no opening for counterattack, or else all would be lost.

Thus, Li Chengyin and his men, like a finely wound mechanism, intensified their efforts to gather evidence. They lay in wait day and night in places the remnants might appear, patient hunters, motionless despite insect bites, hunger, and fatigue.

Every secret meeting of the remnants was observed from the shadows. Their eyes strained to pierce the darkness and catch every subtle detail; their ears pricked to catch the faintest sound, imprinting every word and nuance onto their memory like an inscription carved in stone, forever unyielding.

Every note passed in secret was risked to be intercepted, the tiny handwriting treasured as precious clues, crucial chips in their battle for survival.

After days of exhausting pursuit, as if trekking through thorny brambles, Li Chengyin finally obtained decisive proof—a secret letter.

Under candlelight, the letter's paper glowed faintly yellow, as if bearing the weight and age of its hidden secrets. The dense script resembled a swarm of black ants crawling chaotically, yet each stroke was a sharp, glinting blade, detailing the remnants’ sinister plot and how they cunningly exploited Xiaofeng’s innocent kindness to fulfill their vile, shameless aims.

Li Chengyin clenched the letter tightly, his knuckles whitening as if to crush it in his palm. A raging fire blazed within him, like a dormant volcano suddenly awakened after a millennium, molten lava surging wildly, ready to erupt and burn away all evil and ugliness in the world.

He would never allow anyone to harm Xiaofeng even slightly—she was the softest, most precious part of his heart. Nor would he tolerate their attempts to destroy the sincere, deep love between them, which was as unchanging as the tides through endless ages, the only warmth and comfort amid the cold palace.

Under the hazy moonlight, clutching the letter, he hurried toward Xiaofeng’s chamber.

Moonlight spilled over him, casting a long, lonely shadow that seemed to trail his heavy yet hopeful heart along the silent palace path. His steps were urgent, but his heart swelled with guilt and worry, uncertain if she could bear the cruel truth.

Inside Xiaofeng’s chamber, the candlelight was dim, as if mourning the lady’s sorrow.

She sat quietly by the bedside, her posture fragile as a flower losing its support, about to collapse.

Her face was pale and haggard, like a delicate blossom ravaged by storms, its former beauty and vitality vanished, leaving only endless sadness and loneliness.

Her eyes, swollen and red from days of crying, resembled ripe peaches, filled with weariness and confusion, like a lost fawn wandering in thick fog, unable to find its way.

Hearing Li Chengyin’s footsteps, she lifted her head slightly. Surprise flickered in her eyes like ripples disturbing a still lake, soon replaced by a complex mix of hope and fear.

“Xiaofeng, I know the heavy doubts and endless pain in your heart. Tonight, I have come to lay bare all the truth before you.”

His voice was firm and powerful, like a beam of dawn piercing the darkness and dispelling gloom, shining straight into Xiaofeng’s heart, illuminating the corners shrouded in sorrow and confusion.

Her heart jolted sharply, as if gripped by an invisible hand, her pulse racing, almost leaping from her throat.

She stared at Li Chengyin, eyes filled with unease and hope, silently asking: What form would this truth take? Would it be light that banished darkness, or a nightmare plunging her into the abyss?

Li Chengyin stepped forward slowly, standing tall like a pine. He solemnly recounted every detail of the investigation’s findings.

His voice was steady and clear, each word like a stone cast into the turbulent sea within Xiaofeng’s heart, stirring countless waves.

He revealed the deposed crown prince’s faction’s conspiracies as a wise strategist exposing a brilliant yet treacherous game of chess—how they carefully plotted, spread rumors, and the despicable, devilish purposes behind it all, laid bare before Xiaofeng.

She listened quietly, her heart tumultuous as a raging storm, fierce winds howling and towering waves threatening to overturn her fragile soul’s vessel.

She was shocked by the complexity and venomous malice of the plot, as if trapped in a dark labyrinth with no way out.

More so, she was horrified to realize how close she had come to becoming an innocent victim of these schemes, like a naive lamb nearly devoured by wolves.

Guilt surged like a tide, overwhelming her until she could hardly breathe.

She realized how much pain and harm her baseless suspicions had wrought upon Li Chengyin—the invisible wounds now vivid before her eyes, bleeding profusely, as if countless sharp blades tore at her heart.

“Li Chengyin, I... I truly don’t know what to say. I wronged you, I...” Xiaofeng’s voice choked with sobs and trembled uncontrollably. Tears spilled again like broken pearls, cascading down and soaking the front of her garment, like blossoms blooming atop sorrow.

Seeing this, Li Chengyin felt a sharp pain, as if pierced deeply by a needle. He swiftly approached Xiaofeng, gently reaching out to hold her trembling hand.

His touch was soft yet firm, conveying endless strength and comfort, like the warm spring sun melting ice and snow.

“Xiaofeng, I never blamed you. I know you were swayed by these rumors because you care for me. But now, I only wish for you to trust me wholeheartedly. No matter what storms we face, I, Li Chengyin, will never betray you. I vow to live and die by your side, never forsaking you, like twin trees sharing roots, inseparable forever.”

Upon hearing this, Xiaofeng’s tears burst forth like a flood. She clasped Li Chengyin’s hand tightly, as if sending all her determination and trust through those fingers, binding their fates together, never to part.

“Li Chengyin, I believe you. From now on, I will never let these rumors poison our love again. I will do everything to atone for my past mistakes and rebuild a trust as solid as rock—a fortress restored after war, difficult but full of hope.”

Li Chengyin looked at Xiaofeng, a flicker of relief and emotion shining in his eyes, like finally glimpsing dawn after long groping in darkness. That light was warm and bright, dispelling all shadows and fatigue in his heart.

He knew the painful rift between them had begun to mend slowly, like ice thawing in early spring—gradual but hopeful, the flowing spring waters symbolizing their revived love and trust, endlessly flowing.

He gently tightened his embrace, drawing Xiaofeng close. Her tears soaked his clothing, but he cared not. Holding her tightly, he seemed to shield her from all the world’s malice and harm, treating her as the most precious treasure worth a lifetime’s protection.

“Xiaofeng, from now on, we will stand side by side, hand in hand, braving mountains of knives and seas of fire together, unafraid of any hardship or danger. We will overcome this thorny, rugged journey as one.”

Li Chengyin whispered softly in her ear, his voice tender yet resolute like a vow, echoing long in the quiet night sky, eternal as the stars that never fall.

From then on, Xiaofeng blossomed like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. Her hatred and doubt gradually faded, and she began to fully accept Li Chengyin. Their love, tempered by storms, shone more brilliantly than ever—like the brightest stars in the night sky, illuminating their path forward together.