Inside the Huaqing Courtyard, the lights burned as bright as day.
This courtyard had originally been set up for the female guests of the palace banquet.
It was spacious and expansive.
Corridors surrounded it on all four sides.
Dozens of long tables were arranged in the courtyard, displaying an array of exquisite pastries and seasonal fruits.
According to the customs of previous years, at this time, after Her Majesty the Empress finished her opening pleasantries, everyone would be free to roam. They would gather in small groups to catch up and chat, or mingle to build connections, enjoying a truly relaxed and carefree atmosphere.
This was a unique rule exclusive to the Great Qian Dynasty.
It was said that Empress Ma, the founding empress who fought alongside the Great Ancestor to conquer the world, despised tedious formalities the most. She once said, We women of the inner chambers work ourselves to the bone managing the household all year round. It is rare for us to gather, so why bother with all these empty formalities? Eat what you want, drink what you want, and speak your mind—is that not more comfortable? It is just an evening banquet, why make it so complicated!
The Great Ancestor held immense respect and awe for his first wife.
If Empress Ma said one.
He absolutely dared not say two.
Thus, the rule of the buffet-style women's banquet was established from then on!
Through several generations of emperors, no one dared to change it. During the Great Ancestor's reign, a few pedantic courtiers had submitted memorials, claiming this practice violated etiquette and damaged royal prestige.
Barely two days after the memorials were submitted.
Those men took sick leave with bruised and swollen faces—whether they had been beaten as a warning or suddenly achieved enlightenment on their own was unknown. In short, from then on, no one dared to utter a single word of objection.
Because everyone knew.
If you angered the Great Ancestor, Empress Ma might help talk him down; but if you angered Empress Ma, the Great Ancestor would be the first to grab a knife and hack at you. So, even if you had complaints, you had to swallow them!
The current empress, Lady Qin, also had a lively disposition.
She was extremely satisfied with this rule.
At the palace banquet every year, she only needed to say a few polite words before casting off the heavy burden of her phoenix crown and ceremonial robes. She could then chat with a few familiar noblewomen, or admire the flowers and moonlight alone under the corridor, stealing a rare moment of leisure.
It was just a pity—
This year's leisure was destined to be ruined.
At this moment, the open space in the center of the courtyard, which should have been filled with cheerful laughter, was packed with a dark crowd of people.
Noble ladies and young misses were huddled together, their expressions varying. Some were panic-stricken, some feigned calm, some gripped their handkerchiefs tightly, and others bit their lips hard. All the usual pleasantries, comparisons, and showing off were now completely swallowed by fear.
Everyone's gaze involuntarily turned toward the same direction—
The tightly shut courtyard gates.
The vermilion gates acted as a silent barrier, blocking out the clamor from outside. Yet, that blocking was nothing more than self-deception. The faint shouts of battle, the harsh clashing of swords, and the intermittent screams echoing from beyond the courtyard walls constantly reminded everyone present—
Outside, a slaughter was taking place.
Someone was trying to break in.
Empress Lady Qin stood in the very center of the crowd, shielded at the front by dozens of fiercely loyal eunuchs and imperial guards. She wore a dark purple phoenix robe, her hair swept up high and adorned with pearls and jade.
Her imposing presence and regal bearing helped keep the panicked crowd somewhat composed.
However, at this moment, beneath the calm surface of her well-maintained face hid a turbulence that others could not read—she had already sent out five messengers.
The first sneaked out through the side door, with no news returned.
The second vaulted over the back wall, disappearing without a trace.
The third, the fourth, the fifth...
Not a single one had returned.
Lady Qin lowered her eyes, her fingertips tightening slightly before slowly relaxing.
She knew very well in her heart.
The entire palace had likely fallen into chaos.
The Crown Prince's plot to rebel must have been planned for a long time. Since he dared to strike during the palace banquet, he must have made foolproof preparations.
Although this Huaqing Courtyard was where the female dependents were gathered, to think the enemy would spare this place—
Lady Qin's lips curled slightly, the arc chillingly cold.
Impossible.
The Crown Prince had always maintained a facade of respect toward her, an empress who was even younger than him, but she knew perfectly well what he was like behind her back. If he wanted to seize the throne, the safest approach would be to strike at both places simultaneously.
Control the Emperor and the courtiers on one side, and control the Empress and the female dependents on the other.
This might seem to divide his forces, but even if something went wrong on one end, the other could serve as a bargaining chip.
Therefore, she did not act rashly.
She did not know how many people were outside, nor how many imperial guards the Crown Prince had incited to defect. Rushing out blindly would merely be courting death.
It was better to hold their ground.
Although the Huaqing Courtyard was no fortress, it had reasonably sturdy gates and dozens of eunuchs and imperial guards loyal to her. As long as they could hold out until the battle was decided, until reinforcements arrived...
Lady Qin's gaze slowly swept over the faces of the anxious female guests.
Then.
It landed on a specific direction in the crowd.
Over there, the Old Madam of the Weiyuan Marquis Manor sat upright in a chair.
Her wrinkled face revealed no expression. Her back was perfectly straight, and her hands were folded over her knees, gripping a red sandalwood walking stick.
Standing beside the Old Madam was a young woman.
Dressed in a pale lotus-colored jacket, her hair swept up high, her features were gentle and serene. It was the young girl from the Shen family who had married into the second branch. Standing beside the Old Madam, her eyes were slightly lowered, showing no emotion on her face. She only occasionally looked up at the courtyard gates, her gaze calm and focused.
Lady Qin's gaze paused on her for a moment.
The Pei family truly had good luck.
To have picked up such a granddaughter-in-law was a real blessing for them. If it had not been for this alert young girl from the Shen family, the Huaqing Courtyard would likely be a river of blood today...
...
An hour ago.
Inside the Huaqing Courtyard, it was at its liveliest.
Empress Lady Qin had just finished her opening pleasantries, and the crowd had scattered into twos and threes as usual. They either leaned against the corridors chatting or gathered around the tables sipping tea.
Shen Ninghuan followed beside the Old Madam, listening as the elder exchanged greetings with a few familiar noblewomen. But suddenly, she gently tugged at the Old Madam's sleeve.
It was not that she intentionally wanted to interrupt the pleasantries.
It was just that at this moment.
She had something far more critical to tell the Old Madam.
The source of this deadly matter was two eunuchs standing not far away.
The two stood on the inner side of the courtyard gates. They were young, perhaps in their early twenties, with fair complexions. Wearing uniform green-grey robes, they kept their heads bowed in a submissive posture, looking no different from the other eunuchs.
Yet Shen Ninghuan could hear them—
She could hear the turbulent thoughts swirling in their minds.
Almost, almost... Everything will begin in just a moment...
His Highness the Crown Prince's plan will finally... today...
When the action starts later, we must ensure the courtyard gates remain wide open so His Highness's men can enter smoothly...
If we can achieve this great merit, our futures will be boundlessly bright...
Shen Ninghuan lowered her eyes, her fingertips tightening slightly.
She understood perfectly.
The Crown Prince was going to make his move.
Today, at this very palace banquet.
And the Huaqing Courtyard where she stood was also his target.
Shen Ninghuan took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. Her heart was racing, but her mind was turning even faster—
This kind of matter was beyond the ability of a junior like her to handle.
When facing a crisis, one must distinguish the gravity of the situation and know one's own limits. Handling what you can is being independent; but for what you cannot handle, you must immediately pass it to someone who can.
If the sky falls.
Let the tall ones hold it up.
And right beside her, there happened to be someone tall enough to shoulder the burden.
The Old Madam was conversing with an elderly titled lady. Her expression was calm, and she smiled warmly as they exchanged ordinary pleasantries. However, Shen Ninghuan's movements caused her to swiftly bring the conversation to a halt.
After wrapping up the topic with a few words, she waited for the titled lady to turn and leave before slightly turning her head. Her gaze fell on her face: "Huan'er, what is it?"
The Old Madam's voice was not loud, but it reached Shen Ninghuan's ears with absolute clarity.
Shen Ninghuan curtsied slightly and said in a low voice, "Grandmother, your granddaughter-in-law has something to tell you."
The Old Madam looked at her.
A flash of shrewdness, imperceptible to others, flickered in those wrinkled but clear eyes. The matter this granddaughter-in-law wanted to discuss was likely no small thing, and it was urgent.
Otherwise, she would not have been in such a hurry to interrupt her conversation with other elders.
"Speak."
Shen Ninghuan did not hesitate.
She took a step closer, lowered her voice, and spoke quickly yet clearly, enunciating every word, "Grandmother, I just noticed that those two eunuchs are acting quite suspiciously. I fear something major is going to happen at today's palace banquet."
Upon hearing this, the Old Madam fell silent for a moment.
Her mind raced like lightning.
Eunuchs acting suspiciously? A major event about to happen? The empress was in full charge of the women's banquet, so everyone present should be her people. If these two eunuchs were acting strangely, they were undoubtedly plotting against the empress.
A major event detrimental to the empress.
Then it could only be...
"Come, I will take you to pay respects to Her Majesty the Empress."
The Old Madam did not ask any further questions, nor did she hesitate in the slightest. Gripping her walking stick tightly, she walked with steady steps toward the empress's direction.
Shen Ninghuan followed by her side.
She also asked no questions, said nothing more, and revealed no unusual expressions, as if they were merely walking over to exchange a few pleasantries with the empress in a normal fashion.
Empress Lady Qin was standing under the corridor, chatting idly with several titled ladies.
From afar, she saw the elderly figure walking toward her. The pace was not fast, but it was steady, every step planting firmly on the ground.
The Old Madam of the Weiyuan Marquis Household.
Xiao Jiu was still entrusted to their estate. Was she coming over now to take the opportunity to discuss Xiao Jiu's current situation, or was it something else? Lady Qin's heart stirred slightly, but she remained composed on the surface, merely greeting with a smile, "The Old Madam is here? Please, come here."
The Old Madam approached.
She curtsied slightly.
Lady Qin hurriedly reached out to support her, "There is no need for such formalities, Old Madam."
The Old Madam straightened up.
Then, she raised her head and looked at Lady Qin. Her gaze was as calm as water, and when she spoke, her voice was not loud, but it reached Lady Qin's ears with absolute clarity:
"Your Majesty, I have a matter to report."
The smile on Lady Qin's face faded slightly.
She looked at the Old Madam, then at the quiet young woman standing beside her. Then, she gave a slight nod and dismissed her attendants.
"Please speak, Old Madam."
The Old Madam did not beat around the bush.
She relayed exactly what Shen Ninghuan had said to the empress.
Finally, she added, "Your Majesty, this granddaughter-in-law of mine has always been steady and never speaks of baseless things. Since she noticed something amiss, there must definitely be a problem. If Your Majesty trusts this old woman, please make preparations early."
Lady Qin listened.
She fell silent for a moment.
She looked at the Old Madam, and then at the young woman beside her, whose eyes remained lowered and whose expression was tranquil.
The legitimate daughter of the Shen family, Shen Ninghuan.
The matter of the swapped marriages.
She had naturally heard of it.
At the time, she even felt it was a pity. A perfectly good legitimate daughter had her marriage stolen by her younger sister and was forced to marry into the second branch. Second Master Pei was the first to discover Xiao Jiu's illness, so looking at it now, it wasn't a mistaken marriage after all.
Both husband and wife were intelligent.
Lady Qin withdrew her gaze. She did not ask how Shen Ninghuan had noticed it; everyone had their own secrets. Nor did she ask Shen Ninghuan to produce any concrete evidence, because she knew that simply taking down those two eunuchs first would reveal the truth of everything else.
"Men."
Lady Qin spoke, her voice not loud, but carrying the unique authority of someone who had long held a high position.
Several trusted eunuchs quickly gathered around.
Lady Qin's gaze swept over the two eunuchs standing with their heads bowed just inside the courtyard gate, and she slightly raised her chin.
"Take down those two."
The action was swift.
So swift that the two eunuchs did not even have time to react.
When they were pinned to the ground, the expressions on their faces were still dazed. They cried out, "Your Majesty, spare our lives!" and "This servant is wronged!" But the fleeting flash of guilt in their eyes could not escape Lady Qin's notice.
Lady Qin did not waste words with them.
She only said one word.
"Interrogate."
The old momo beside her, who had followed her for twenty years, possessed very ruthless methods. In less than the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, the two eunuchs confessed everything—
The Crown Prince.
A palace coup.
Hanguang Hall, Huaqing Pavilion, none could escape.
Lady Qin listened.
She revealed no panic on her face; panic could not solve problems.
She merely calmly issued orders: Send people to deliver messages, go from different directions, as many as can get out; everyone else, stand by on the spot, defend the courtyard gates to the death, and do not act rashly.
Then, she gathered all the female guests in the center of the courtyard.
She said only one sentence: "There are evildoers causing chaos outside, everyone please wait here. As long as my people are here, no one will be allowed to step even half a pace through these doors."
No one dared to ask what the matter was.
No one dared to make a sound.
They just huddled together like a flock of frightened lambs, staring intently at the tightly shut courtyard doors, at the backs of the eunuchs and imperial guards defending them, and at the unknown, approaching terror.
Meanwhile, the Old Madam sat upright in her chair.
Her back was straight.
Her hands were folded together.
The red sandalwood walking stick lay across her lap.
On that wrinkled face, no expression could be seen, and she seemed entirely unafraid. Shen Ninghuan, however, could confirm that the Old Madam was indeed not nervous, because she could hear the incessant muttering in her heart.
"Old man, oh old man, is there really something wrong with the place you were buried back then?"
"Why hasn't the Marquis Household had a moment of peace this entire year?"
"First the heir caused such a scandal, then the Ninth Prince faked his death to enter the estate, and now even attending a palace banquet leads to encountering a coup..."
"In a few days, it will be the end of the year."
"It's already the end of the year, so why do things keep happening one after another?"
"Could it be that there's truly a problem with the feng shui?"
"If we can make it back safely in one piece tonight, I must definitely find a master to go and take a look for you..."
The Old Madam calculated in her heart, but her face remained as calm as still water. The female guests beside her looked at her demeanor and couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.
She was, after all, an Old Madam who had been to the battlefield.
This level of composure.
It truly wasn't something ordinary people could compare to!
...
The sounds of shouting and killing outside the courtyard walls were getting closer and closer.
At first, the sounds were only faint, making it hard to tell if they were real or imagined. But gradually, the thunderous noise grew clearer and more imminent.
The piercing clash of swords, the screams, the furious roars, the sound of running footsteps, and the chilling, dying wails...
All the sounds mixed together, like a pot of boiling water, getting hotter and more turbulent, until finally—
"Bang!"
The courtyard doors were struck heavily.
The sound sent a tremor through everyone's hearts.
Behind the door, the few imperial guards pressed their weight desperately against the heavy wooden panels, their jaws clenched tight and veins bulging on their foreheads.
Crash!
Another heavy blow.
The door groaned under the overwhelming pressure. Through the cracks, the restless shadows of the mob outside were faintly visible, the gleaming edges of their blades glinting under the torchlight.
Crash! Crash! Crash!
Blow after blow.
Faster and faster.
Heavier and heavier.
The women of the household were deathly pale. Some bit their lips hard, some clutched their handkerchiefs in a white-knuckled grip, while others simply squeezed their eyes shut, muttering under their breath—whether praying to the heavens or whispering something else entirely, no one knew.
The old madam, however, rose to her feet.
Her grip on her walking stick tightened ever so slightly, and the base of the cane lifted a silent inch off the floor.
Another violent collision rocked the outside.
The courtyard doors shuddered violently, the gap between them splitting wider. The grotesque, snarling faces of the attackers became visible through the crack, along with the sharp tips of swords thrusting straight through the opening—
In the depths of the old madam's eyes.
A sudden, razor-sharp glint flashed...
