Chapter Thirty: To Capture, Let Go

After bidding farewell to Emperor Zhaoning, Pei Xiunian stepped out of the imperial study. Lanterns hanging from the vermilion palace walls cast a bright glow over the long avenue.

A young eunuch led the way ahead, while the patrol guards of the palace bowed respectfully as they passed Pei Xiunian, then continued on their rounds.

Pei Xiunian let out a quiet breath, feeling his steps lighten considerably.

The conversation with Emperor Zhaoning had not been as tense as he had imagined, largely because the emperor had yet to suspect his true identity.

In the feudal dynasty of the cultivation world, methods to verify one’s identity were not uncommon. Now that he had entered the palace, Pei Xiunian believed that as long as he maintained his composure and played the role of the Third Prince well, it would not be overly difficult.

Even if he faced impeachment, few would dare implicate the prince’s identity, an issue so closely tied to the royal bloodline and the emperor’s dignity.

Provided the spy from Qingqiu and the one within Great Zhou had not yet met, the situation remained uncertain.

He wondered how things were progressing on Qingqiu’s side, but for now, the outcome was unknown.

Now that Pei Xiunian had returned to the palace, he needed to investigate quickly. If he could obtain evidence before the traitor made their move, there would be nothing to fear.

“Your Highness, we’ve arrived at Chengqian Palace. I dare not disturb your rest further—your humble servant takes leave.”

Lost in thought, Pei Xiunian had already reached the residence of the Third Prince. He responded with an indifferent hum and entered the courtyard.

Under the moonlight, exotic flowers and rare trees were shrouded in a strange, pristine brilliance, and the breeze stirred ripples in the pond beside the pavilion.

Pei Xiunian's gaze drifted past the winter-blooming garden to the shadow near the purple-red carved window.

It was a woman, taller than Xiao Qin.

He stepped closer and saw that this palace maid’s attire was noticeably more ornate. Upon seeing him, the middle-aged maid offered a slight bow and said calmly,

“Your Highness, the Empress Dowager requests your presence.”

Pei Xiunian paused, not answering immediately, and instead asked, “It’s so late—has Her Majesty summoned me for something urgent?”

The maid bowed again, her tone steady: “It is not an official summons, nor is there urgent business. Her Majesty heard of Your Highness’s great victory at Yunchuan and wished to offer her congratulations.”

Hearing this, Pei Xiunian glanced up at the moon and finally replied, “Please convey to my Imperial Grandmother that her gesture is deeply appreciated, and I accept her kind intentions. Since there are no other matters, as night is already deep, it would not do to disturb Her Majesty’s rest. Let us speak another day.”

The maid seemed slightly taken aback, then bowed and withdrew, her tone unchanged: “I will relay Your Highness’s words faithfully. I take my leave.”

Page 2/3

“Wait.”

As the maid was about to leave the courtyard, Pei Xiunian called out to her again, “I have ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare a late-night meal. Please take it to my Imperial Grandmother—it’s just some pastries and soup, gentle on the stomach and rather nourishing.”

Upon hearing this, the maid turned and bowed respectfully, her voice soft: “Your Highness is thoughtful indeed. I shall deliver it personally.”

Pei Xiunian watched her leave before finally pushing open the door to his bedchamber.

Inside, the ceiling was supported by sandalwood beams, walls inlaid with rare pearls and jade served as lamps, ink-washed brocade hung as curtains, and gold-plated columns anchored the room.

Fragments of moonlight slanted through the carved windows, falling upon the fine sandalwood couch. Various cabinets and hanging scrolls lent the space a scholarly air, starkly different from the austere atmosphere of the Prince Qi’s residence.

After scrutinizing the room for a while, Pei Xiunian noticed Xiao Qin quietly standing by the door. When he looked her way, she offered him tea and asked cautiously,

“Your Highness, the Empress Dowager sent someone to wait for you—why did you decline her invitation? Did your conversation with His Majesty trouble you?”

Pei Xiunian took the tea, sipped it, and replied,

“The stir I've caused in Great Zhou is far greater than I expected, enough to draw attention. Now, after refusing the Empress Dowager’s meticulously timed invitation, even you suspect Father’s meeting with me went awry—imagine what she must think if she knows.”

Xiao Qin pondered as she deftly helped Pei Xiunian remove his outer robe. “Are you not afraid the Empress Dowager will simply withdraw her olive branch?”

“What is there to fear? People in her position tend to be aloof and proud.”

Seated in the grand chair, Pei Xiunian fingered two talismans in his cosmos pouch and smiled. “But since she sent a maid on her own initiative, she’s already tacitly accepted me into her faction. I may have shut her out tonight, but even if she wants to sulk, she must consider what would happen if I defected to Father and became his favorite son.”

What the Empress Dowager hoped to gain by involving herself in the succession struggle was unclear, but her participation was certain. With Pei Xiunian being such a prized asset, and after investing effort, would she simply hand him over to Emperor Zhaoning?

Unlikely.

Xiao Qin brought him pillows and cushions, marveling, “Doesn’t this mean Her Majesty feels all her efforts have been for naught?”

Pei Xiunian nodded with a smile, “Exactly.”

Xiao Qin wanted to ask why he was so adept at maneuvering, but dared not, pursed her lips, and remained silent.

Originally, Pei Xiunian had intended to use those two talismans as tokens to pledge allegiance to the Empress Dowager, but now the tide of opinion had turned, and she was the one courting him.

The balance between initiative and passivity shifted in an instant, and Pei Xiunian sensed the Empress Dowager surely wanted something from him.

Page 3/3

If so, then any slip on her part was fair game for him to exploit.

The Empress Dowager would not yield so easily.

In economic terms, this was sunk cost. More simply, it was the art of feigning indifference to lure the target.

Pei Xiunian lay back comfortably on the soft couch, hands behind his head, and declared with leisure,

“In no more than three days, the Empress Dowager will come to me in person.”

———

Within Weiyang Palace, atop the phoenix-embroidered bed behind parted curtains.

The Empress Dowager, flushed with anger, tossed aside the golden hairpin she had just placed in her bun, and pointed at the bowl of soup on the table, fuming,

“What is this? I ask you, what is this?!”

The middle-aged maid bowed respectfully. “Reporting to Your Majesty, this is longan and lotus seed soup. It strengthens the stomach, warms the blood, calms the mind—it was personally ordered by the Third Prince upon leaving the imperial study.”

The Empress Dowager pressed her hand to her forehead, reclining with a wry smile, “Su Lan, are you deliberately trying to infuriate me?”

Su Lan set the tray on the table, hastily replied, “Your servant would never dare.”

After calming herself, the Empress Dowager knocked the bed board emphatically and asked,

“What I want to know is—where is Nian’er?”

Su Lan bowed and faithfully relayed Pei Xiunian’s response.

The Empress Dowager, her brows like painted arches, pondered the words, picked out several key points, and thought for a moment, but still felt indignant.

Frowning, she waved her hand impatiently, “Out, out—everyone, leave! Su Lan, take these pastries and this soup away! I’d rather die than eat them!”

The Empress Dowager was nearly steaming with irritation. She thought of all her efforts—arranging offerings, preparing to rescue the emperor—only for Emperor Zhaoning, that crafty old fox, to snatch the prize at the last moment.

What had Zhaoning promised Xiunian? No, she must send someone to investigate tomorrow.

The more the Empress Dowager brooded, the more vexed she became. She bit her lip and stamped her feet atop the foot warmer. Seeing Su Lan about to carry off the tray, she called out,

“Wait—leave the bowl of lotus seed soup…”