The chill in the air had grown even sharper. Today was the day the Xiongnu and Yan Chi had agreed to send their respective hostages back home.
Outside the usually quiet and secluded Xiwan Palace, row upon row of escorting soldiers stood at attention.
Inside the palace, a figure in bright yellow and another in white were each holding black and white stones, engaged in a “close and difficult” game of Go.
On the surface, Yun Yaoyao looked cold and solemn. In her heart, however, she had already cursed Huyan Mu and every member of his family back in the Xiongnu for the third time.
Before setting off, Huyan Mu had inexplicably insisted on playing a game of chess with her.
Yun Yaoyao might have been an expert at Gomoku and Ludo, but she had never played Go in her life!
Thus, afraid of giving herself away, Yun Yaoyao had insisted on placing only three stones. She called it “the way of the board mirrors the way of life”—three stones represented three pieces of advice, the earnest instructions, hopes, and concern a father would leave for his son before the boy went on a long journey.
Yun Yaoyao placed the first stone. “This first stone stands for ‘calm.’ The Xiongnu will be fraught with danger. No matter what situation you find yourself in, I hope you can remain composed, adapt to circumstances without losing your principles, turn danger to safety, and overcome every crisis.”
Yun Yaoyao placed the second stone. “This second stone stands for ‘self-reflection.’ Your father… blah, blah, blah…”
Yun Yaoyao placed the third stone. “This third stone stands for…”
After placing all three stones, Yun Yaoyao withdrew her hand.
Holding a white stone, Huyan Mu tilted his head and looked at the board, which revealed practically nothing of a proper game, then smiled.
He had indeed only wanted to confirm something by suggesting the game, but his opponent had skillfully evaded him.
That no longer mattered, however. He was certain that the soul inhabiting the body before him was no longer Tu Shanjin’s.
“Your Majesty, three days ago, I said there was a question I wanted you to answer. I’m going to ask it now.”
Yun Yaoyao nodded.
A smile curved Huyan Mu’s lips, and his voice was clear, gentle, and guilelessly innocent. “The you sitting here with me now—what is your name?”
The instant those words fell, a sharp glint flashed through Yun Yaoyao’s eyes. She swiftly concealed the danger in her expression and said, “You spent so long with the Empress Dowager. Surely you know my true name?”
As soon as she said this, Yun Yaoyao’s expression changed again.
That was it. Now she knew how she had been exposed.
Before Yun Yaoyao appeared, Huyan Mu had never met or interacted with Tu Shanjin. But he had lived with the Empress Dowager for so long.
Every word and action of the Empress Dowager’s had already woven a complete image of Tu Shanjin in his mind.
An ordinary person, upon meeting the real individual and discovering that he differed from their expectations, would simply assume that seeing was believing—or that people could change. After all, how could anyone imagine something as preposterous as souls switching bodies?
But Huyan Mu was Huyan Mu: obsessive and dark, yet also guilelessly pure. At times, he could see straight through to the essence of things, and once he had made up his mind, he clung to it without wavering.
Huyan Mu still wore an innocent, harmless smile. As their gazes met, both understood what the other meant.
There was no point in hiding or deceiving each other anymore. Huyan Mu had already become a crucial link in Yun Yaoyao’s plans. Besides, once he returned to the Xiongnu and investigated what had happened in the Yan Chi imperial palace, he would be able to figure it out anyway.
“Yun Yaoyao.” Yun Yaoyao looked at him. “My name is Yun Yaoyao.”
“Yun… Yaoyao…” Huyan Mu murmured the name softly, savoring each syllable. “It’s very pretty.”
He asked nothing more. Setting down the chess piece in his hand, he rose and walked outside.
When he passed the Empress Dowager, who was swaying gently on the swing, Huyan Mu bent down and plucked a fallen leaf from her hair. With a smile, he said, “After today, years may pass before we meet again. Mother, let go of the past and take some time to appreciate the days that lie ahead.”
With that, Huyan Mu continued toward the exit, calling out as he walked.
“Your Majesty, to be honest, some of the things you’ve done these past few days have been clumsy, childish, and downright laughable. Next time you use such tricks to deceive someone, remember to make your lie more convincing.”
“Still, you did bring a little amusement to my dull life. I’ve grown tired of the Yan Chi imperial palace. It’s time I went to spend some time in the Xiongnu royal court.”
“What do you think? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to drag them down into decay and stench along with me?”
“Hahaha…”
As he pushed open the palace doors, Huyan Mu paused. He turned back and cast a deep look at the figure seated in the pavilion, then curved his lips into a smile.
Yun Yaoyao, the next time we meet, I look forward to seeing your true face.
The doors of Xiwan Palace closed.
In an instant, Xiwan Palace returned to its former quiet. Yun Yaoyao found that she was already somewhat unaccustomed to it.
The palace maid who had been responsible for serving Huyan Mu in Xiwan Palace looked rather lost. Mustering her courage, she approached Yun Yaoyao and asked, “Your Majesty, the hostage’s belongings are still here. What… what should this servant do with them?”
The maid’s words pulled Yun Yaoyao back to reality. She asked instinctively, “He didn’t take his belongings with him?”
The palace maid shook her head. “No… Actually, he did take one thing—the rattle Your Majesty gave him before.”
Yun Yaoyao froze for a moment, then burst out laughing.
That sharp-tongued brat. She had thought her efforts to reform him had had no effect at all. In the end, hadn’t he still been moved by her “blade of familial affection”?
Yun Yaoyao rose and walked outside, ordering, “Leave everything where it is. Keep his room exactly as it was.”
“Huh?” The palace maid looked up, then hurriedly lowered her head. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
After leaving Xiwan Palace, Yun Yaoyao returned to her sleeping quarters and changed her appearance.
She bound her chest tightly with strips of gauze, dusted a little powder over her healthy, full lips, and drooped her brows and eyes by three parts. In an instant, she looked like a frail patient still recovering from serious injuries, and she headed for the Xuanzheng Hall.
The Xuanzheng Hall was still far from peaceful.
Prince Ze’s faction had already been caught between the attacks of the other two factions, standing alone and unsupported. After the Yan family’s attempt to assassinate the Emperor yesterday, they had lost their final hope.
Everyone in court knew that the Yan family was finished. Before long, the heads of the entire Yan clan would be neatly displayed along the city walls.
As for the truth behind the attempted regicide, anyone with a sound mind could guess it: Prince Ze must have been the one pulling the strings from behind the scenes!
If the assassination had succeeded, Prince Ze might truly have managed to make a comeback. But now that it had failed, he had instead handed His Majesty a perfectly legitimate reason to execute him!
Prince Ze was about to go from an eunuch prince to a headless prince!
Thus, the moment Yun Yaoyao arrived, several officials submitted their resignations. All of them belonged to Prince Ze’s faction and were preparing to flee.
Yun Yaoyao swept her gaze over the court. The remaining members of Prince Ze’s faction had already switched sides and attached themselves to other powerful patrons.
Prince Ze’s faction had been completely toppled!
Yun Yaoyao was in an excellent mood. On the nth day of cleaning up the court, there was one less rat in the grain storehouse!
But just as one matter settled, another arose.
Tomorrow was the day General Ning Shoujiang would return to the imperial city. The suspicion that he had betrayed the country and sold out a city had yet to be cleared.
Ning Shoujiang’s return would determine the future of the Ning family, the Ministry of War, and the armies stationed at the border. It involved the interests of far too many people.
And whenever interests were at stake, how could the officials in court restrain the agitation in their hearts?
Pairs of shrewd eyes shifted restlessly as the officials prepared to rush to the Emperor’s feet and present their petitions.
Who would have thought that Yun Yaoyao had anticipated their anticipation and interrupted them before they could even begin?
“As for the Yan family’s attempted assassination of the Emperor, I have already uncovered the truth. It will be announced tomorrow!”
“As for whether Ning Shoujiang colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country, I will personally conduct his trial tomorrow. I will certainly give all the people of Yan Chi an answer they can accept!”
Xiao Wuzi swept his whisk across the air and called out in his shrill voice, “Court dismissed!”
The ministers who had been itching to stir up trouble were left with their objections lodged halfway up their throats, unable to spit them out or swallow them down. In the end, they had no choice but to withdraw.
Before leaving Xuanzheng Hall, Yun Yaoyao exchanged a glance with Ning Shouli, who was standing not far away. He gave her a slight nod.
Seeing this, Yun Yaoyao finally relaxed.
She stretched her back. Her mind was already brimming with another ten or eight recovery plans, so she decided to go check on Consort Tu.
But the moment she arrived at Yun Ning Palace, she saw Du Luoling, her face alight with excitement, just about to leave.
Du Luoling gave her a bow and happily said, “Your Majesty, Consort Miao kicked me just now! It was only a little movement in his ankle, but that’s still a wonderful sign!”
Yun Yaoyao was curious. “What did you do to make him kick you?”
Du Luoling looked a little embarrassed. She leaned close to Yun Yaoyao’s ear and whispered a few words.
Yun Yaoyao’s pupils widened. She nodded approvingly. If she hadn’t been trying to maintain her character, she really would have praised Du Luoling for being a genius!
“Reward her!”
Du Luoling grinned so widely that her mouth nearly split in two. “Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“After I’ve had lunch, I’ll come over again. I’ll definitely make sure Consort Miao wakes up soon!”
Yun Yaoyao hurried into Tu Shanjin’s room. Though he was still unconscious, there was no hiding the resentment plastered across his face. She became even more delighted.
He could even display his emotions now. Perhaps he really would wake up tomorrow!
But after enjoying herself for a while, Yun Yaoyao suddenly wondered whether provoking him like this might make him sick from anger.
A woman’s body couldn’t handle too much stress. It was bad for the mammary glands.
Wait—his mammary glands!
Yun Yaoyao hurriedly pulled back the quilt and began tugging at Tu Shanjin’s clothes.
Her frantic movements made Niu Xiu’er’s lips tremble uncontrollably from the side.
What a… beast Your Majesty was!
The consort was still unconscious, and Your Majesty was already trying to engage in lewd activities in broad daylight!
Niu Xiu’er was furious and embarrassed, but there was nothing she could do. Afraid she might develop eye problems from witnessing such a scene, she finally stepped back and closed the door.
Yun Yaoyao earnestly examined the white-faced doughball before her, pinching here and pressing there. Only after confirming that there were no lumps did she let out a sigh of relief.
She failed to notice that the person lying on the bed had quietly turned scarlet at the tips of his ears.
The next morning, at the imperial palace’s main entrance, Xuande Gate, the Grievance Drum—which no one had struck in an entire year—suddenly rang out with earth-shaking force.
Bang!
“Your Majesty, I, your minister Ning Shoujiang, have been wronged! I beg Your Majesty to uphold justice!”
Bang!!
“Your Majesty, I, your minister Ning Shoujiang, have been wronged! I beg Your Majesty to uphold justice!”
Bang!!!
“Your Majesty, I, your minister Ning Shoujiang, have been wronged! I beg—Your Majesty, uphold justice!!!”
