This was the eighth day since Yan Lingshuang left for her political marriage.
Yan Zhouheng still hadn’t adjusted to the fact that his elder sister was now married off far away.
When Consort Ning came to see him, he was lost in thought.
"Heng'er," Consort Ning smiled gently. "Your father mentioned you’ve been studying diligently lately. It’s been days since I last saw you… What’s the matter?"
She sat beside him and took out the pastries she had brought.
"You don’t seem happy. Is the Grand Tutor’s assignment too difficult?" She soothingly stroked his cheek. "I brought your favorite hibiscus cakes. Would you like some?"
Yan Zhouheng snapped out of his daze and obediently took a bite.
"I’ve troubled Mother," he said, handing her his completed assignments. "I’ve already finished all the work the Grand Tutor assigned."
Consort Ning examined them carefully, pride flickering in her eyes.
Her Heng'er had been personally tutored by the Grand Tutor. When the time came for him to inherit Great Yan, it would undoubtedly be far better than leaving it in the hands of that Yan Zhaoning!
Speaking of Yan Zhaoning… A trace of impatience flashed in Consort Ning’s eyes.
That wretched girl just wouldn’t die!
After a moment’s thought, she patted Yan Zhouheng’s head, offered a few more words of concern, and hurried back to her own palace.
Yan Zhouheng remained distracted.
In the past, his mother had forbidden him from getting too close to his elder sister… Later, his sister had given him a cat, but before long, Consort Ning discovered it and ordered him to get rid of it, lest he neglect his studies for mere amusement.
After that, the cat had been kept in his sister’s palace, and he would occasionally visit to see it.
But now, both his sister and the cat were gone.
…
Consort Ning returned to her palace, and before long, Eunuch Lü arrived.
His expression was grim—clearly, the outcome had not gone as expected.
"It seems the Emperor truly treasures his daughter. He even arranged for a highly skilled shadow guard to accompany Yan Zhaoning on her journey," Eunuch Lü said, a trace of ruthlessness in his eyes. "The men we sent have all disappeared. Most likely, that shadow guard eliminated them."
Consort Ning embraced him from behind, her gaze equally vicious. "We underestimated her… But now that we’ve missed this opportunity, it’ll be a long time before we get another chance."
Eunuch Lü’s eyes gleamed. "How long can we wait? She and that Prince of Tianqi will have to hold their wedding eventually."
Consort Ning paused and looked up at him. "You don’t mean…"
Eunuch Lü lowered his gaze. "I’m not greedy. Either one of them dying will suffice."
If Yan Zhaoning died, that would be ideal.
But if the Prince of Tianqi died, Tianqi would never let it go. As the Crown Princess of Great Yan, Yan Zhaoning would inevitably be held accountable.
"In the coming days, make time to prepare more potent poisons," Eunuch Lü murmured.
Consort Ning nodded, though she seemed regretful.
"With Lingshuang gone, I no longer have anyone to test the drugs on."
"What’s so difficult about that?" Eunuch Lü said dismissively. "Just pick any eunuch or maid to test them."
Consort Ning shook her head. "None of them compare to Lingshuang… But fine, I’ll do my best."
Sima Qing was destined to become the royal consort.
Jiu Yue spent two days coming to terms with this absurd reality.
After hiding in the palace under the pretense of illness for two days, news from the princess’s estate reached her.
"Your Highness, the royal consort insists on seeing you," Uncle Fu reported.
Jiu Yue propped her chin on her hands and replied flatly, "Tell him if he keeps making noise, he can go back to Tianqi and complain there."
Uncle Fu: "…Understood."
Lianqiao timidly interjected, "Your Highness, His Majesty ordered you to keep a close eye on him and ensure he doesn’t escape. How can you tell him to leave?"
Jiu Yue, momentarily irritated: "…"
She took a deep breath and called Uncle Fu back. "Never mind. Just tell him I’m recovering from an injury and will visit him in a few days."
Uncle Fu: "Understood."
After Uncle Fu left, Jiu Yue rubbed her face mournfully, suddenly missing Nangong Xun, who was far away in Tianqi… She’d gladly pay five hundred taels for one of his disguises now! Seriously!!!
But here in Great Yan, she couldn’t find a craftsman skilled enough on such short notice.
After a moment’s thought, she stood up and stormed off to find Wu Liang.
Maybe he had connections.
…
Princess’s Estate.
When Uncle Fu relayed the message, Sima Qing wasn’t surprised.
"In that case, Her Highness should focus on recovering," he said, rising gracefully. Then, turning to Uncle Fu, he asked politely, "I’ve been in Great Yan for some time now but have yet to experience the local customs of the capital. Would you be willing to accompany me on an outing?"
Uncle Fu: "…Of course, Your Highness. This way, please."
Sima Qing smiled faintly. "Much obliged."
Uncle Fu didn’t dare refuse.
After spending these past few days with him, he’d gotten a sense of the royal consort’s temperament.
He was surprisingly easygoing—he hadn’t complained even when given a room in the servants’ quarters.
The only problem was his mouth.
Moreover, he was stubborn. If things didn’t go his way, he could stand at the door and spout sarcastic remarks all day—which was precisely why Uncle Fu had been willing to deliver his messages to the Crown Princess in the palace.
If he didn’t, the royal consort would nag him to death.
So when Sima Qing made this reasonable request, Uncle Fu naturally obliged.
Though the Emperor had confined him to the princess’s estate, it wasn’t a strict house arrest—he was still allowed out under supervision.
By mid-morning, the streets were bustling with activity. Despite having stayed in the servants’ quarters for days, Sima Qing’s enthusiasm remained undimmed.
Even Uncle Fu could sense his good mood.
They wandered through the busiest district of the capital until Sima Qing finally stopped at a shop called "Treasures of Wonder."
Uncle Fu assumed he wanted to buy something… but instead, Sima Qing summoned the shopkeeper.
After a brief discussion, the shopkeeper led Sima Qing into a private room, leaving Uncle Fu clueless about his intentions.
"Don’t worry, honored guest. Our shop will ensure you’re well taken care of," an attendant said cheerfully, guiding Uncle Fu to a neighboring room. "It’s windy outside. Why not try our tea and pastries? Everyone says they’re the best!"
Uncle Fu nervously nibbled on the pastries, occasionally craning his neck to check on the other room, afraid Sima Qing might slip away.
But Sima Qing had no intention of escaping—he was engrossed in sketching a design.
Meanwhile, the attendant who had greeted Uncle Fu now stood behind him, speaking in a familiar tone.
"Your Highness, must this mask really be made of pure gold?" The speaker was none other than Mei Wuchang.
Sima Qing meticulously adjusted the details before handing over the blueprint with satisfaction.
"Yes, solid gold," he said, suppressing a cough, his hoarse voice still brimming with delight. "Have it made as soon as possible, then arrange for it to be delivered to the Great Yan palace."
Mei Wuchang scratched his head and took the design to Qiu Dongfang.
"I thought the Prince was forced into this marriage. Why does it seem like he’s taking the initiative?" he muttered.
"Exactly," Qiu Dongfang whispered back. "I thought once he arrived in Great Yan, he’d order us to hunt down that grave robber at all costs…"
"Yet he’d rather hide in the firewood shed of the princess’s residence than come out to see us. Now that he’s finally emerged, he insists on making masks instead. I truly understand His Highness less and less."
"Indeed, even Mo Jin and the others have stopped searching for the tomb raiders..." Mei Wuchang sighed, dejected. "It seems His Highness has given up on recovering Jiu Yue’s body."
Qiu Dongfang let out a regretful sigh. "It doesn’t make sense. His Highness clearly cared deeply..."
The more they spoke, the stranger it all seemed.
Yet, no matter how they puzzled over it, they couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was amiss.
