Outside the intricately carved wooden windows of Qingxuan Palace stood rows of graceful pear trees. Though their blooming season had passed, and the delicate blossoms were gone, one could still glimpse the tender green fruits shyly nestled among the lush leaves.
Inside, a breathtakingly beautiful figure leaned gently against the bed, her eyes dazedly fixed on the pear trees beyond. In those mesmerizing eyes, no one could tell whether she felt sorrow, anger, resentment, or pity.
Soft pink veils fluttered gracefully in the breeze, their gentle elegance playing with the air, yet none within the room were in the mood to admire them.
Kneeling across the floor were numerous servants, each bearing platters of exquisite delicacies. Yet the young woman merely gazed blankly out the window.
How many days had passed like this? Ever since the princess returned from the Prime Minister's residence, she had remained in this state. She neither cried nor raged, spoke not a word; whatever was fed to her, she swallowed without protest, barely chewing.
Xiao Lian dared not offer anything too hard or too much, and could only gently bring a bowl of ginseng soup to her lips, choking back sobs as she murmured, "Princess, please… have some ginseng soup…"
Yan Ruxuan's gaze remained transfixed beyond the window. Her lips parted instinctively, swallowing the contents without thought.
After a few mouthfuls, Xiao Lian dared not feed more. No matter how much she gave, the princess would obediently eat—only to vomit it all moments later.
That once radiant face was now gaunt, skin clinging to bone.
Handing the bowl to a maid behind her, Xiao Lian turned—only to realize the Empress Dowager had been standing silently behind them all along.
Startled, Xiao Lian immediately dropped to her knees and greeted, "May the Empress Dowager be blessed with eternal peace and health."
Ignoring the kneeling servants, Yang Zhilian gently touched Yan Ruxuan's pale, withered face, her heart wrung with unspeakable pain.
This was her only daughter, the child she had treasured and protected for years. How had she become so fragile, so broken?
Drawing her daughter into her arms, Yang Zhilian whispered with anguish, "Xuan'er, what do you want? Just tell me. Whatever it is, Mother will make it happen!"
She wants to marry Lou Xiyan, doesn't she? If that's the only way to bring her back to life—even if it means forcing him—then so be it! He will marry her!
But Yan Ruxuan didn't respond, her eyes still vacant, staring past everything and everyone.
Seeing her like this, Yang Zhilian clutched her shoulders, voice breaking as she scolded, "Why are you so foolish?! Hurting yourself like this only brings pain to your mother!"
No matter how she shook or called to her, Yan Ruxuan remained motionless, like a lifeless puppet.
Holding her frail daughter, Yang Zhilian looked toward the fading blue horizon. Tears slid silently down her cheeks.
Heavens, why do you torment me so? I have already lost a son—must you take my daughter as well?!
What grudge lies between our family and the Lous? First Lou Suxin… now Lou Xiyan!
I hate them!
In the deserted Xixia Palace, Yang Zhilian sat solemnly upon the main seat. Beside her, Xiao Lian stood with head lowered.
"What exactly happened? Xuan'er was only at the Prime Minister's for one day—how could she return like this?!"
Her voice was cold, utterly unlike her usual gentle self.
Xiao Lian fell to her knees, choking out, "Empress Dowager, please uphold justice for the Princess. Prime Minister Lou has gone too far!"
So, it is Lou Xiyan after all.
Yang Zhilian gritted her teeth inwardly, though her voice remained calm. "Speak freely."
Xiao Lian pondered briefly. It was because of Lou Xiyan that the princess had become like this—she couldn't let him off lightly. But he was the Chancellor of the Empire and the nephew of the Eastern Empress Dowager. Even if she accused him, would the Empress Dowager be able to punish him?
He cherished that Qingling woman so much—fine, then she would make her disappear! Let him feel the agony of loss!
With her mind made up, Xiao Lian lowered her head and began to sob, "After Your Majesty left, Prime Minister Lou took Qingling back to the Moon-viewing Pavilion. They knew full well the Princess was staying in the Star-picking Pavilion, where one could clearly see the lotus pond in front of the Pavilion. Yet they deliberately stayed outside, flirting in plain view. That woman even looked smug about it. The Princess broke into tears that very night."
She paused deliberately, glancing up to gauge Yang Zhilian's expression. It remained grim, though not visibly worse. Her voice was cold, "Continue."
Still not angry?
Xiao Lian bit her lip and pressed on, distorting the tale further. "That night, the Princess had a terrible nightmare and woke up sobbing. I ran to the Pavilion to ask the Prime Minister to come. But Qingling refused to let him go. We waited for ages before he finally appeared—only to tell the Princess he would not marry her, that he only loved Qingling. He shattered her heart… In the past, he would never have uttered even a harsh word to her."
Finally, Xiao Lian collapsed to the ground, kowtowing as she cried, "Your Majesty, it's that woman's manipulations that turned the Prime Minister against the Princess! Please, grant justice for her sake!"
Yang Zhilian's eyes narrowed. Qingling never seemed the scheming type—had she misjudged her?
Regardless, Lou Xiyan's favor toward her was undeniable. Someone like that should not be allowed to live.
Even though the decision was made in her heart, Yang Zhilian only said mildly, "You say she's arrogant, relying on Lou Xiyan's affection, disregarding all others. But should anything happen to her, Lou Xiyan will not let it rest."
This maid is loyal to Xuan'er—but whether she can be used, depends on her wits…
Was that… a hint?
Sensing an opportunity, Xiao Lian cautiously replied, "No one would intentionally harm her, of course… But in this world, accidents are inevitable."
At last, a smile tugged at Yang Zhilian's lips. She nodded lightly and murmured, "Indeed… accidents cannot always be avoided."
Ever since Yan Ruxuan had moved out of the Star-picking Pavilion, Zhuo Qing had moved back in.
Gu Yun had gone to suppress bandits, the case was closed, and life had returned to its dull rhythm.
She lay in her soft bed, unwilling to get up, staring blankly at the gauzy canopy.
How was she supposed to live from now on? Passing her days admiring flowers, playing chess, chasing butterflies, composing poems?
Just the thought made Zhuo Qing chuckle.
She was no demure young mistress—such a life wasn't meant for her.
Lost in her whimsical thoughts, a sudden frantic knocking startled her!
Zhuo Qing frowned. No ordinary maid would dare knock like that—and it couldn't be Lou Xiyan. Who could it be?
Throwing off the covers, she walked to the window. Through the thin paper screen, she saw a group of women standing outside.
The ones at the back held trays, though she couldn't see what they carried.
Leading them… was Lou Xiyu?!
Puzzled, Zhuo Qing still opened the door and asked, "What are you doing here so early in the morning?"
Lou Xiyu strode in arrogantly, and the women behind her followed suit.
With a wave of her hand, several women in their thirties rushed forward, grabbing at Zhuo Qing's clothes.
She had been wearing only a thin nightdress, and their tugging nearly exposed her.
Clutching her collar, Zhuo Qing cried angrily, "Hey! What do you think you're doing?!"
The women ignored her, still pulling at her garments.
At her limit, Zhuo Qing seized the wrists of two women and growled coldly, "Touch me again, and I won't hold back."
The two yelped in pain, and the others stepped back in fear, no longer daring to approach.
Shaking them off, Zhuo Qing stormed up to Lou Xiyu, glaring furiously as she demanded, "You'd better explain yourself—otherwise, don't blame me for what happens next!"
Lou Xiyu flinched slightly but held her ground. "I'm here for two reasons! First, you weren't home a few days ago, but my brother has publicly declared that he will marry you. I don't know why he's in such a rush, but he's assigned me—unluckily—to handle your wedding garments."
She hadn't wanted to deal with Zhuo Qing at all. This sort of thing was more appropriate for her stepmother anyway…