Only those who could move freely through the palace gates were capable of deceiving her—eunuchs, palace maids, consorts, or the ever-present imperial guards. In her terror, Consort Shun had already confessed—it was the guards. But what the Emperor wanted to know was: which guard?
After eight long years, she could only recall that his surname was Tian.
"That day, fire and thunder descended from the heavens..." Consort Shun murmured, her gaze locked onto Li Ce's face, as if only by doing so could she convince herself that the ordeal had passed, that she and her child were truly unharmed.
It was said that the lightning and flames reached Shoukang Palace, the residence of the late emperor's beloved consort. The once solemn and imposing imperial palace was plunged into chaos. Eunuchs and guards scrambled to extinguish the blaze, evacuate the nearby concubines, and rescue precious artifacts. The city's defense forces were even alerted, for fear that someone might exploit the confusion for mischief.
That night, Consort Shun, as always, took her calming medicine—but sleep eluded her. By the time dawn approached, the fire still raged. A eunuch brought back news: the imperial consort had not survived, her body reduced to charred remains. General Yan of the Yulin Guards had stormed into the inferno, managing only to rescue a single palace maid—and suffering severe burns on his arm.
Resigned, Consort Shun rose and began to wash. At that moment, the imperial guards knocked upon her gates.
"The guard's surname was Tian," she said, her tone distant, like one recalling a lifetime past. "They delivered three letters in succession."
The first declared that Li Ce had been buried in the imperial mausoleum. The second claimed that this was false. The third said he had fallen into a trap, torn apart by beasts, his body never recovered.
Because Li Ce had truly fallen into the imperial tomb once at the age of seven, she had believed the tale with little resistance.
"Your Majesty," she said, her voice trembling, "those three letters came no more than half an incense stick apart. You were in morning court. I sought an audience, but before I could reach you, they brought me his bloodstained robes. It was like thunder crashing down. I only wished it had been me who died... What happened after—I do not know."
What followed was madness. For eight years, her memory was a void. Though well cared for, she became the palace's joke—and missed her son's entire youth.
At thirteen, Li Ce stopped receiving the parcels and letters sent from the palace. He waited half a year. When he was finally allowed to return, he found that the mother who had once cherished him could no longer recognize his face.
He knelt in the Hall of Hantang for hours. His mother did not know him. Even the palace servants had all been replaced—as though someone wished to erase the past entirely.
The Emperor had returned to his spring-stool seat. His expression remained gentle, yet his eyes were cold and sharp, parsing her every word, reconstructing the events of eight years prior.
Behind him, Chief Eunuch Gao Fu stood with deference. The tea in his hands had long grown cold—each time he offered it, the Emperor declined. Eventually, he stopped trying, simply replacing it at regular intervals.
"The fire at Shoukang Palace began at dusk," the Emperor finally spoke. "It was the fifteenth—you would have been paying respects in the Empress's quarters. Did you see anyone on your way back?"
Consort Shun pondered, then said, "Upon hearing of the fire, I returned immediately. On the way, I passed several guards—they were speaking beneath the Vermilion Bird lantern at the corridor's turn."
"What were they saying?" the Emperor asked.
"I..." She struggled to recall, finally shaking her head. "I do not remember."
Fear and hesitation still lingered in her eyes. The Emperor, ever perceptive, did not press her further. He simply nodded.
"Today, your mind has returned. Xiao Jiu is at your side. Mother and son are reunited. Leave the events of eight years ago to me—I will uncover the truth and give you an answer."
As he rose, the servants of Hantang Hall quickly knelt to see him off. At the courtyard gate, the Emperor glanced at the disarray, then turned to Gao Fu.
"Leave this place as it is. Yunxue Pavilion remains vacant—send someone to prepare it and have Consort Shun move there."
Yunxue Pavilion was larger, more comfortable. A fitting place for mother and son to reunite and speak at length.
Consort Shun examined Li Ce's face with loving scrutiny, her emotions fluctuating between joy and sorrow. At last, her tears ceased, leaving behind only a smile at the corner of her lips.
"You've grown so tall," she said warmly. "But you're far too thin. The weather's cold—you're dressed too lightly."
"I'm not cold," Li Ce replied gently, half-kneeling before her, allowing her to tug at his robe and pat his shoulders.
"How have you managed these years?" she asked, her voice riddled with guilt. "It's all your mother's fault."
"It wasn't," Li Ce said. "I've been well. Even though you didn't recognize me, I came to visit every time I returned to the palace."
Tears welled up in her eyes again, but she forced a smile and changed the topic. "His Majesty said that girl is your fiancée? From which family?"
To give them space, Ye Jiao had already stepped aside into the courtyard, ordering a eunuch to return some farming tools.
"The daughter of the Duke of Anguo," Li Ce answered. "The second legitimate daughter."
"The Duke of Anguo?" Consort Shun's expression darkened. She remembered that household well.
Over a decade ago, the family had been implicated in Prince Chen's rebellion. Though the Emperor had spared them, the family head retreated from court, embracing the life of a recluse. Officials distanced themselves, and even their lands were seized in the chaos.
She wondered how that family of widows and orphans had survived—let alone what had happened that her son would marry their daughter.
"What is it, Mother?" Li Ce asked, noticing her expression.
"Ce'er," Consort Shun said gravely, "do you love her?"
"I do," he replied without hesitation. "It's not just love—I only regret I have so little to offer her. I ache with how much I care. With her, the sunrise is more beautiful, the sunset too. Winter loses its chill, and the nights are no longer dull."
A smile blossomed on Consort Shun's lips. She shook her head softly, the muscles in her face twitching from emotion. She rubbed her cheeks and said in a tender voice:
"At thirteen, your tongue wasn't half this sweet. I do not oppose your union. But I must tell you—most men in this world take many wives. If you marry a woman you do not love, taking concubines after is expected. But for a girl—it is a path from which there's no return. You must love and honor her, and treat her family with the same kindness."
"The Duke of Anguo's house has known hardship. Whatever her aunt's family may have done, it has nothing to do with her. Do not scorn them. Don't let your status as a prince make you arrogant. And besides—you ought to thank her family. Was it not she who cured your mother?"
Li Ce nodded obediently but could not help smiling. "Mother," he said, "many things have changed. The House of Anguo is no longer to be underestimated. Once I have time, I will tell you everything."
"Are you in a rush to leave?" Consort Shun asked, feigning annoyance. "I have nothing but time."
"Mother," Li Ce grew solemn, "word of your recovery may have already spread. Father is investigating what happened eight years ago. I too have found some clues. This is our chance—let him learn the full truth."
"You've discovered something?" she asked in disbelief.
"Not much," he admitted. "Only... was the plot you overheard about intensifying the fire, so that the commander of the guards would take the blame—and Yan Jide could be promoted in his place? Earlier, you didn't dare speak—was it because Yan Jide still holds his rank?"
She looked around, then gave a silent nod.
"Mother," Li Ce said gently, "I'm grown now. From now on, I will protect you—and the House of Anguo. You need not worry."
Then his tone dimmed.
"And—there's no need to look for your maid Shutang and Nanny Qiu. After you fell into madness, the Empress claimed they had failed in their duties and..."