Facing Yinzi’s round, soft cheeks and the faint milky scent, Yunxiu couldn’t help but laugh, her last trace of worry about startling her youngest son dissipating like smoke.
Before she could take the Eleventh Prince’s reddened little hands, a pair of larger hands reached over first, gently covering Yinzi’s face and rubbing softly between the palms. Kangxi massaged his son’s cheeks while asking tenderly, "Does it still sting?"
He then lowered his voice and instructed Liang Jiugong, "Fetch the cooling pain-relief ointment, as quickly as possible."
Liang Jiugong hastily acknowledged the order, rushing out to summon a young eunuch with urgent instructions. He let out a long breath of relief in his heart. Seeing the Eleventh Prince unharmed, he felt as if he had narrowly escaped disaster himself—so much so that he was tempted to donate a hundred taels of incense money to the Buddha in gratitude.
The maid named Chunlin had already been dragged away for interrogation. With Kangxi’s command of "Don’t let her die easily," the guards would not rest until they had peeled a layer of skin off her, regardless of whether the assassin was male or female. To uncover the mastermind and their accomplices, Kangxi also issued a secret oral decree, ordering the chief eunuch of the Punishment Bureau to assist.
The Punishment Bureau was a place that palace servants dreaded, a name that made them pale with fear. No one wanted to be accused and sent there. The eunuchs who worked there were seasoned veterans, accustomed to screams and bloodshed, their eyelids never so much as twitching at the sight. But with the Emperor’s decree, they now threw themselves wholeheartedly into their task.
A basin of cold water was splashed over Chunlin, and several matrons searched her clothes and body for any marks—yet no clues were found. When the dirty cloth gagging her mouth was removed, there was no hidden poison capsule tucked between her teeth for suicide.
They were in no hurry. Borrowing the roster from the Imperial Household Department, they skimmed through it and soon had a rough idea.
Chunlin’s original surname was Andala, from the Bordered Blue Banner’s bondservant lineage. She had entered the palace in the 25th year of Kangxi’s reign as a lowly sweeper. By the 26th year, her parents and elder sister had all passed away. With her delicate looks and submissive, cautious demeanor, she was transferred to the Imperial Treasury two years later. Because of her efficiency, she was later reassigned to serve in Yuqing Palace.
Her record showed no flaws whatsoever. But then again, a spy who had lurked undetected for years wouldn’t leave obvious traces.
A pity. No matter how tight-lipped she was, they had endless methods to break her. Even the most tightly clamped clam could be pried open.
Blinded by darkness, her eyes streaming blood, her body wracked with bone-chilling cold, Chunlin’s screams gradually weakened until she finally fainted. After hearing the guards’ explanation, the chief eunuch of the Punishment Bureau was stunned—this was the powder the Eleventh Prince had scattered?
He carefully dabbed a bit and brought it to his nose. An overpowering, nose-scorching chili scent assaulted him, mixed with a faintly acrid medicinal odor. It made him sneeze instantly, his eyes watering as tears nearly spilled.
"Marvelous," the chief eunuch murmured, his eyes gleaming. "Poison and spice blended together—now that’s truly vicious."
They say to strike a snake at its head and capture a thief by seizing their leader. The eyes, after all, were the most vulnerable part of the face.
The Eleventh Prince was truly remarkable.
The ointment was swiftly delivered to the chamber. Yunxiu took her son’s little hand and blew on it gently before applying the salve with meticulous care.
The Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze still deep and inscrutable, yet the look he directed at Yinzi was exceptionally tender. Softly, he asked how his son had dealt with the assassin and why his palms were red and stinging.
With his right hand coated in cool ointment, Yinzi could only move his left. After a moment’s thought, he clumsily untied the embroidered pouch at his waist, glanced at Yunxiu as if seeking permission, then smiled shyly and handed it to his imperial father like a treasured offering.
Kangxi opened it and saw a mixture of red and white powder. Just as he leaned in for a closer look, an intensely pungent, nose-burning aroma erupted, so strong that even Liang Jiugong, standing a zhang away, could smell it.
The chief eunuch thought in alarm—this scent was unmistakably chili powder.
Yunxiu had anticipated this day. If the Emperor questioned Yinzi about the pouch, she had no intention of stopping him. Yinzi was a good child who had never lied before. Even if he did, the composition of the powder could be easily verified, making any deception flimsy and pointless.
The powder had repelled the assassin, and the Emperor would not blame them for it—after all, it had saved the Eleventh Prince. But upon reflection, would His Majesty suspect her of hidden malice, sowing seeds of distrust?
Emperors were naturally suspicious, especially when the methods used were ruthless, starkly contrasting with her usual gentle demeanor.
Once she thought it through, Yunxiu no longer worried. The Emperor governed with wisdom and saw through the harem’s intrigues clearly. Though he favored her, he would never be easily deceived.
She spared no schemes for her children’s sake, willing to resort to any means. Could such a thing be concealed forever?
Even if the Emperor found out, she was unafraid. Not only did she have Yinzi and the child in her womb as talismans, but the tides of fate had already shifted greatly in this life. There was no need for haste or panic—only patience and steady progress.
Yinzi parted his lips, about to answer obediently, when Kangxi suddenly understood.
With a snap, he fastened the pouch shut and looked straight at Yunxiu, his heart swelling with pride. "Salt and chili? I had no idea Yinzi’s taste in food had changed. To remain calm in danger and use seasonings to escape—I never would have expected it."
He sighed in admiration. Even at Yinzi’s age, he doubted he could have been so quick-witted.
This flood of praise left the Eleventh Prince speechless. Yinzi glanced around, his cheeks flushing slightly, then quietly closed his mouth.
Yunxiu: "..."
Seasonings?
She took back her earlier thought. The Emperor might not be easily fooled by others, but he was perfectly capable of fooling himself.
The Noble Consort forced a gentle smile and took Yinzi’s left hand. Softly, she said, "Yinzi is still young—such praise might overwhelm him. The priority now is uncovering the assassin’s origins. I don’t wish to live in fear any longer."
A flash of ruthlessness passed through her peach-blossom eyes.
Hearing this, Kangxi nodded lightly, his pride fading into silence as he paced back and forth.
His eyes darkened, a storm brewing within. After a long pause, he said calmly, "Let’s see who dares to be so bold."
On the outskirts of the capital, in a dilapidated courtyard, a weathered pavilion stood with peeling paint.
Inside sat two women and a man, while another man leaned on a cane, his back turned to them on the steps.
The women wore plain Han-style dresses, the men in patched long gowns—their clothes were coarse and threadbare, barely presentable beyond cleanliness.
"Second Master Tong," the older woman said coolly, "your plan was supposed to be flawless. The Forbidden City is heavily guarded. Our sect spent years planting just Chunlin and Chunping inside—it was no easy feat."
At the mention of the palace, the younger woman’s face twisted with loathing. "What’s the point of drugging the Eleventh Prince?" she snapped. "We should’ve just slit his throat."
She sneered. "If you claim to have a blood feud with the palace, why focus solely on Noble Consort Yi? Targeting her does nothing for our cause. Chunlin should have seized the chance to assassinate the damned Emperor instead!"
The frail yet refined-looking man coughed lightly and smiled placatingly. "Chunlan, mind your words. Second Master Tong has his reasons for arranging things this way."
The hall had ordered her to obey Second Master Tong’s commands unconditionally. Though still somewhat resentful, Chunlan eventually quieted down, letting out a soft huff before falling silent.
Longkodo leaned on his cane, turning with difficulty as he shot Chunlan a venomous glare, the scar on his cheek twisting into something even more sinister. His voice was hoarse and grating. "Foolish woman. Do you think assassinating the Emperor is so easy? I will avenge Si'er’s death." Then his tone shifted. "Do you know what day it is today?"
"The Crown Prince’s wedding, and the Emperor’s most beloved Eleventh Prince just happened to vanish from the bridal chamber." Longkodo let out a rough chuckle, his murky eyes glinting with fervor. "Whether he falls into our hands or dies in that wedding bed, it’s a move that kills multiple birds with one stone—the benefits are endless."
He had given Chunlin a dual mission: if kidnapping failed, she was to eliminate the target without hesitation.
The refined man clapped his hands and looked up. "Precisely. However, Second Master, I have one concern—even if Yuqing Palace is in chaos, Chunlin and Chunping alone may struggle to escape."
Longkodo laughed heartily, baring his teeth. "No need to worry. We have powerful allies aiding us."
The older woman’s eyes flickered as she ventured, "Suo Etu?"
"Not him." The refined man shook his head gently. "Suo Etu wants to secure the Crown Prince’s ascension to the throne. Even if he dislikes the bride, he wouldn’t dig his own grave. The more authority the Crown Prince wields, the better for him, no?"
With that, he smiled and cupped his hands respectfully toward Longkodo. "A brilliant scheme, Second Master. Even as allies, Suo Etu could never have guessed that the dynasty we intend to overthrow is nothing like what he imagines."
Longkodo tapped his cane against the floor and gazed at the hazy mountains in the distance, smirking disdainfully without a word.
"Emperor Kangxi, Empress Dowager, Noble Consort Yi—do you like this gift I’ve prepared for you?"
