Shui Wen hurriedly brought over the spittoon and knelt to attend to Cui Jin'er. Cui Jin'er spat out some of the tea she had just swallowed, and Shui Wen handed her a handkerchief. The room was in utter chaos. Through her tears and sobs, Cui Jin'er caught sight of Shui Wen and grasped her arm, saying, "This girl has a sturdy constitution. Perhaps I should recommend her to Prince Zhao as a secondary consort."
Startled, Shui Wen nearly dropped the spittoon and retreated behind Ye Jiao, who had already stepped forward to support Cui Jin'er. "Come rest in my chamber," Ye Jiao urged as she helped Cui Jin'er into the inner room. Cui Jin'er found a noble consort's couch and collapsed onto it, continuing to weep and wail, "It's my own narrow-mindedness. Seeing you all stirred up feelings I cannot explain. Fourth Sister-in-law, you are the one I envy most. Even without mentioning the child, Prince Wei adores you dearly and never strays. I..." She trailed off, about to vomit again, prompting Ye Jiao to swiftly escort the Princess of Wei out.
"Sister Yan," Ye Jiao said hesitantly, "why don't you rest in the warm chamber for a while? Once I've comforted the Princess of Zhao, we can dine together." Yan Shuangxu had no heart for rest. She looked remorseful and murmured, "It's my fault for speaking unwisely and upsetting the Princess."
"It's not your fault," Ye Jiao replied, linking arms with her. Instead of heading to the warm chamber, they walked straight out, only realizing after passing through the embroidered flower gate, "Ah! How did I go the wrong way?"
"No mistake at all," Yan Shuangxu refused to return, "If Princess Zhao sees me at dinner, she'll only be more upset. I'll return first. Please help soothe her for me. If the Empress hears about today's incident, I'll surely be blamed."
Ye Jiao saw Yan Shuangxu into the carriage before returning to her own residence. Passing briskly by the glazed screen, she opened the door to find Cui Jin'er seated at the table, nibbling on dried apricots and sipping fruit tea while shelling sunflower seeds.
"No more vomiting?" Ye Jiao asked.
Cui Jin'er lifted her face with a mischievous smile. "Your Sister Yan is truly maddening! Every conversation revolves around her son—sometimes distant, sometimes clingy—she's utterly baffling."
"She's gone now," Ye Jiao glanced at her swelling belly and squinted with amusement, "What would make you feel better? I'll have the maid prepare it for you."
"Nothing will help," Cui Jin'er said, raising her fruit tea. "Just give me a big handful of those candied tangerines Prince Chu gifted you."
"All yours," Ye Jiao chuckled, "Might as well package Prince Chu up and take him along too."
Cui Jin'er raised a finger to her lips in a shushing gesture. "Don't let him go tearing apart Prince Zhao's mansion. Your prince is a benevolent yet unyielding Buddha—who dares provoke him?" She then rose, clasped her hands in mock solemnity, and took a few playful steps, causing Ye Jiao to burst into laughter.
Upon Yan Shuangxu's return to the manor, Li Chen frowned after a mere glance. "Trouble?"
Sitting on the bed, Yan Shuangxu gently massaged his shoulders, shaking her head. "No, only that I mentioned the child and upset Princess Zhao to tears."
Li Chen's brow furrowed deeply, his face cold as frost. His fingers tensed sharply before relaxing after a moment. "Princess Zhao is not one to be overly sentimental. You and she often discussed the child; she would merely leave in displeasure. Why is she so distraught this time?"
"Perhaps I spoke too much," Yan Shuangxu replied softly, lifting his waist to urge him to lie on his side. Li Chen faced away from her and asked again, "Anything else unusual?"
"There is one matter," Yan Shuangxu said, "Since the High Ancestor's reign, commoners were forbidden to wear yellow garments. Years later, except for the royal family, no one was allowed yellow fabrics. Yet today, I saw Ye Jiao carrying a yellow pouch."
"A yellow pouch?" Li Chen abruptly grasped her hand and asked, "How large?"
Yan Shuangxu looked puzzled and suddenly anxious. "I couldn't see clearly; about the size of a palm. Ye Jiao picked it up from the ground and slipped it into her sleeve."
"Any writing on it?" Li Chen inquired further.
After a moment's thought, she said, "There seemed to be a black character, crumpled—like '弓' (bow)."
"'Bow'?" Li Chen suddenly sat up, fixing Yan Shuangxu with a grave gaze. "Are you certain?"
"I..." Yan Shuangxu hesitated, but Li Chen loudly summoned a servant. "Come close." He whispered into the servant's ear, who nodded and hurried off like lightning.
Though Yan Shuangxu did not understand, she was deeply unsettled.
"Your Highness..." she nervously asked, clutching the bedpost, "Is the 'bow' character significant?"
Li Chen inhaled deeply, bracing himself for what lay ahead. "It's not the 'bow' that matters, but the 'fu' emblem of the Twelve Ornaments."
Realization dawned on Yan Shuangxu. "'Fu'—two back-to-back bows. Could Ye Jiao have stolen something from the palace?"
"She's no thief," Li Chen pondered. "It must have been a gift from the Emperor himself."
"What's inside?" Yan Shuangxu pressed, feeling the truth within reach. "Could it be an imperial edict? A decree of succession?"
"Impossible," Li Chen scoffed. "Look at the Chu King's maternal clan—would the Emperor simply hand him the throne? No, His Majesty merely finds him useful, using him to temper the Crown Prince's temper like a whetstone. Once the Crown Prince is sharp enough, he will ascend."
Yan Shuangxu wanted to ask more, but Li Chen patted her hand. "I cannot be certain yet. When we receive news from the palace, I will inform you."
Having served the Emperor closely for years, Li Chen knew where such treasures were kept. He never imagined the Emperor would entrust one to Ye Jiao. So then, who is she meant to confront? A cold sweat broke across his back as if an invisible net tightened around his heart, squeezing his very veins. This information was too critical to waste.
"Princess," Li Chen gently held Yan Shuangxu's hand, "You should visit the Duke of Anguo's estate more often."
Women were easier to manage. Unlike Li Ce, whose flawless conduct left no openings.
"I will," Yan Shuangxu obediently nodded, "For you—and for Hua Ge'er."
"And for yourself," Li Chen reminded her, "Our families are allied because we share ambition. If you do not wish to be subjugated, you must rise to the pinnacle."
The pinnacle—imperial supremacy, ruling the world with disdain.
"Why are your eyes red?" Li Jin'er returned to the manor and was likewise noticed by Li Jing.
"I cried," she said, dabbing her face with a damp cloth, feeling aggrieved.
"Who made you cry?" Li Jing struggled to rise, his voice fierce, "You are the Emperor's legitimate daughter-in-law, the Crown Prince's sister-in-law, and my Princess! Who dares wrong you?"
Cui Jin'er recounted the day's events, relieved, "Thankfully Jiao Jiao was there, or I would have been exposed."
"Let them expose us!" Li Jing wanted to stomp in fury. "I want to see who dares scheme against me, make me suffer ten years of bitter medicine, yet fail to give me a child!"
"Don't say that," Cui Jin'er covered his mouth, "The medicines we took were prescribed by the imperial pharmacy's doctors. I remember several times even Mother herself personally instructed. You should blame no one—not even the medicine. If Mother hears this, she will be heartbroken."
Li Jing's anger remained, but he fell silent, sighing deeply.
"In the capital, we have Father and Mother, Second Brother and Xiao Jiu, delicious food and drink, even the beauties of Drunken Spring Pavilion—the finest in all Tang. But..." He hesitated, then said, "If a fine girl like Jin'er can be bullied here, perhaps we should move to the frontier, where we can live freely without disturbance."
"Abandon the beauties?" Cui Jin'er teased.
"No," Li Jing replied, "I'll take Xiao Jiu and his wife. Tomorrow, I'll tell him."