Chapter Forty-Three: Masters Clash

The sun was sinking in the west, and the wintry dusk swept over the Forbidden City, bringing with it a chill in the air. The snow and wind seemed to intensify, as Pei Xiunian raised a crimson oil-paper umbrella and walked through the imperial gardens alongside the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager blinked and glanced again at the jade bottle in her hand. The patterns on its surface were exquisitely carved with dragons and phoenixes, unmistakably the highest imperial standard in the Great Zhou, and the pills inside were clearly no ordinary concoction. The indignation and resentment simmering in her heart inexplicably melted away at this moment. She simply put the bottle away, gave a faint humph, and knocked away Pei Xiunian’s hand, which had encircled her waist without permission, scolding with feigned annoyance, "You’re getting far too familiar."

She lifted her gaze. Now that winter had set in, the plum blossoms planted in the courtyard were in full bloom, their color a vivid contrast to the drifting snow. White radiance spilled into the pond, sending ripples across the water and reflecting the just-risen moon.

At this very moment, lanterns began to glow across the city. The pond’s surface became a mirror, the ripples catching the scattered lights like drifting fireflies. From this angle, the brilliantly lit Forbidden City behind them seemed to rest within a world of mirrored blossoms and moonlit water.

Pei Xiunian shifted his gaze to the Empress Dowager at his side and murmured, "It truly is magnificent beyond compare."

The scene before them was indeed worthy of such praise. Every corner of the imperial gardens was tended with the utmost care, and on an ordinary day, its beauty would be enough to lift anyone’s spirits. With the added touch of snow, moonlight, and lanterns—and not to mention such a stunning woman beside him—what more could one ask for?

Though Pei Xiunian was well aware that this Empress Dowager was in truth a sorceress from the demonic sect, he could not deny her breathtaking beauty. Her golden silk robe hugged her figure perfectly. He had to suppress the thoughts that came with strolling beside such a beauty, reminding himself repeatedly that she was a dangerous enchantress of the Yao Guang Sect.

Yet this “enchantress” lens he forced upon himself only made the Empress Dowager appear all the more bewitchingly alluring.

The ambiguity in Pei Xiunian’s earlier words did not escape the Empress Dowager, and she wondered if, perhaps, the boy was finally developing some filial affection for her. But she let the matter rest, simply pressing her lips together. When they reached the path leading out of the imperial gardens, she finally admonished him in a soft voice, "First you deliberately provoked me, then insisted on keeping secrets. You’ll be the death of me one of these days, you little rascal."

Pei Xiunian smiled. "Aunt Meng, there are too many eyes and ears in the palace. One careless word and who knows how many will overhear. One cannot be too careful."

She folded her arms, frowning slightly. "But I remember you possess cultivation; can’t a practitioner shield their voice or transmit sound in secret?"

He could, but not at his current level. Inwardly, Pei Xiunian scoffed—what use was it for a demoness like her to pretend ignorance about the art of cultivation? Out loud, he replied, "Even so, it’s bitterly cold outside. If Your Grace were to catch cold, how could I bear the blame?"

"At least you still have some conscience left…" The two of them wandered the brightly lit Forbidden City as if in casual conversation. The Empress Dowager’s high-heeled palace shoes crunched softly on the thin layer of snow. After a quiet moment, she asked, "Why did you rush off to the Wen Zong Pavilion so urgently after returning to the palace earlier today?"

Pei Xiunian replied mysteriously, "I’ve discovered a tremendous secret."

As they discussed this, they arrived at Chengqian Palace. Before the Empress Dowager could finish her exclamation, Pei Xiunian had already slipped away toward his own quarters, ignoring her attempt to hold him back. She could only stamp her feet in the snow and hurry after him.

Under the lanterns outside the courtyard, a young maid was already waiting in the snow. Upon seeing them approach, Xiao Qin—no, she was now Lu Qinyue—didn’t care how much snow had accumulated on her hair; she hurriedly bowed, "Welcome back, Your Grace. Welcome back, Your Highness. The banquet is ready."

Upon seeing her again, Pei Xiunian felt no particular emotion—perhaps because the unspoken truth between them had yet to be revealed. His face remained as calm as ever, as if nothing had happened. "No need to wait for us outside next time, it’s far too cold. You’re my only maid, after all."

Xiao Qin nodded gently, sidestepping the Empress Dowager’s narrowed gaze before running ahead to open the palace doors.

Inside Chengqian Palace, the braziers burned bright and warm, banishing any trace of the chill. Xiao Qin quietly helped the nominal “aunt and nephew” shed their outer garments, served them hot tea, and then obediently withdrew from the chamber.

Pei Xiunian lifted the copper lid from the table. In all his days back in the capital, not a single meal had repeated itself—truly, the nobility lived in extravagant luxury. His gaze fell on the steamer of piping hot soup buns, and he felt a wave of warmth. It seemed Xiao Qin had still queued up to buy them herself—was this truly the so-called saintess of the demonic sect?

The Empress Dowager could contain herself no longer. She coughed, cast a sidelong glance at Pei Xiunian, and then, feigning indifference, asked, "So what is this secret you’ve uncovered?"

Pei Xiunian looked directly at her and said cheerfully, "If Aunt Meng wishes to know my secret, should we not be honest with each other?"

For the Empress Dowager of Great Zhou, “honesty” was hardly a good word. Her brows arched, and she slipped her left hand into her sleeve, hesitating. "What, do you not trust me?"

Pei Xiunian raised his teacup. "Surely you wouldn’t expect me to give something for nothing, Aunt. There must be an exchange—have you found out who was behind the attack on me in Hangzhou, as I asked?"

Three probing questions in a row—her throat stung from his barrage and she had to sip some tea before she could respond, but Pei Xiunian cut her off again, declaring:

"In fact, I already have a lead on the mastermind behind the assassination attempt in Hangzhou."

He paused, searching the Empress Dowager’s face for a reaction but found none, so he continued, "It was none other than my dear royal brother—Li Yan."

"Oh?" The Empress Dowager’s slender brows knitted in mild surprise, but her composure quickly returned as she said calmly, "If it was him, then I can’t say I am surprised."

Pei Xiunian detected another layer of meaning. "Because he once brought down the eldest prince?"

The Empress Dowager’s eyes widened a fraction. "Is this suspicion of yours the result of your research in the Wen Zong Pavilion today?"

Now that she knew his true identity, there was no way she would reveal anything about such matters that he could not possibly know. Pei Xiunian let the topic drop and said, "What matters now is the second prince, who is soon to return to the capital. I hope you can lend me a hand, Aunt Meng."

She sighed, propping her head on one hand. "How could a frail woman like me possibly meddle in such a dangerous struggle for succession?"

Perhaps in other dynasties this would be true, but the Empress Dowager of Great Zhou could hardly be powerless in such affairs. She was simply trying to use his own “exchange” against him.

A smile flickered in Pei Xiunian’s heart. Unbeknownst to her, this was the very bait he had laid, and now the fish had finally bitten. He said, "Have you heard the rumors in the palace today? They say the Empress Dowager is personally recruiting the Third Prince for her own ambitions, her intentions as plain as day…"

The Empress Dowager tilted her head thoughtfully, ladled a spoonful of soup, and nodded, "I have heard such talk."

Pei Xiunian smiled. "That is why I deliberately contradicted you before the other princes today—to set Father’s mind at ease."

"Why?" she asked, swallowing the rich, fragrant soup, her eyes tinged with uncertainty.

Pei Xiunian answered resolutely, "Because I intend to pledge my loyalty to Father!"

"You—!" The Empress Dowager was visibly taken aback. "What did you say?!"

"If that were truly my intent, why would I invite you to dine with me tonight?" Pei Xiunian soothed his indignant aunt. "Aunt Meng, there’s no need to be alarmed."