The room was silent, so heavy that one could scarcely breathe.
Lin Yuanjin, groggy and muddled, was helped to the dressing mirror. She felt several pairs of hands busily fussing over her without pause. Only after she gathered herself did she open her eyes, just in time to meet the gaze of a maid beside her.
Yet the maid’s eyes flickered in panic, and she quickly lowered her gaze, stepping back a few paces.
She is afraid of me.
Lin Yuanjin withdrew her gaze and looked at herself in the mirror. Reflected at its side was Nanny Zhang’s kind face. She asked, “Nanny, have you perhaps instructed these newly arrived maids?”
“Indeed.” Nanny Zhang replied, “Those who would not obey have been dismissed. The newly arrived ones must naturally be loyal and compliant. By Your Highness’s side, there is no place for those harboring crooked intentions.”
“Nanny is considerate; there are always matters I cannot attend to.” Lin Yuanjin’s smile was full of trust. Her gaze rested on the green chrysanthemums by the window, yet her words were directed at the maids beside her. “Each of you need only perform your duties well. I will not punish you without cause.”
The maids beside her knelt down in a dark mass and responded in unison, “Yes.”
“Open the window,” Lin Yuanjin said softly.
Looking at the vivid blossoms outside, the suffocating tightness in her chest seemed to ease somewhat.
“The Crown Princess is kind-hearted, but she will not tolerate servants committing evil.” A voice came leisurely along with the sound of footsteps.
Lin Yuanjin’s gaze on the green chrysanthemums paused. Hearing this familiar yet unfamiliar voice, she rose to her feet. She saw the Crown Prince approaching, his features bright, his expression composed and smiling. He lifted her hand and helped her up. For no reason, her heart felt a little hollow.
The maids withdrew at the proper moment.
“The evening banquet is at dusk. How does Fuyi have the leisure to come seek this concubine now?” Lin Yuanjin raised a smile and looked at the Crown Prince with curiosity.
Since the wedding night, she had not seen the Crown Prince in person. Why had he suddenly shown himself today?
“Acts of factional strife are not uncommon. Only today is perilous, and the Crown Princess must cooperate.” The Crown Prince raised his hand, his fingertips lightly brushing her earring, smiling as he spoke to her, not concealing his intimacy.
He had already heard from Cui Yiyu about the words and actions of the two over the past few days. Though he knew it was forced by circumstances and there had been nothing improper, now that he saw his wife before him again, he still felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Yet the young girl was clear and luminous, her glances lively. The splendid garments she wore could not overshadow her delicate beauty; she was so clean and pure that it stirred the heart, making one fervently wish to stain her with other colors.
Thinking that his illness was about to be fully cured, that everything could return to normal, and that the unsightly substitute would no longer be needed, the smile on the Crown Prince’s face grew a few degrees more genuine.
Lin Yuanjin stared at his face, feeling that something was somewhat strange, yet she could not say what exactly was strange. She lowered her eyes in contemplation, appearing shy. “This concubine has listened to Fuyi and to Mother Empress’s teachings, and will not make any mistakes.”
She did not know what kind of relationship existed between the Empress and the Crown Prince, but regarding this matter, combining the information given to her by the Empress and Cui Yiyu, it was clear that the Pei family intended to use the Crown Prince’s illness to stage a drama at the banquet and bring him down.
Although the Empress and Cui Yiyu had not stated what the illness was, Lin Yuanjin saw that outwardly it appeared harmless, yet it was serious enough to affect the inheritance rights of the legitimate eldest son. Most likely, it was a hidden ailment of a man.
After all, in ancient times, to leave no descendants was unfilial—let alone within the imperial family.
Since the Pei family wished to use this to bring down the Crown Prince, the Cui family would naturally go along with the current, seizing the opportunity to make a move, eliminating political opponents in court—if they could cut one down, they would.
The Empress believed she had everything under control, and Cui Yiyu had also instructed her to remain quiet and protect herself, leaving everything to him. Yet tonight, Cui Yiyu would be the Crown Prince. Lin Yuanjin believed that as the one accused of having “fault,” he might have reason on his side, but his words would not necessarily be absolutely effective.
After all, the one they needed to persuade was not a fair and impartial judge, but the Emperor seated upon the throne.
What they needed to do was not to prove their innocence and then strike a fallen dog, but to make the Emperor believe that they were the victims, and thus have him take their side.
Seen this way, what Lin Yuanjin possessed at this moment was not her status as Crown Princess that was most valuable, but rather the Emperor’s protection of her—or, more precisely, his protection of her and the Crown Prince as a “young couple,” harmonious as qin and se.
The more Lin Yuanjin thought, the deeper her understanding grew, and she realized what she could do.
After all, if she protected the Crown Prince’s residence now, she would be protecting herself, and…
“If the banquet proceeds smoothly and the two of us return safely, I shall reward you generously.” The Crown Prince curled his lips, raised his hand, and lightly scraped his knuckle across the bridge of Lin Yuanjin’s nose. Seeing her dazed and innocent expression, he smiled, flicked his sleeve, and turned to leave.
Only Lin Yuanjin was left, looking at the Crown Prince’s departing figure in confusion. She did not even have time to pick up the train of thought that had been interrupted, her heart uneasy.
What was he so pleased about? And what reward was he going to give??
This ominous riddle accompanied Lin Yuanjin as she boarded the carriage entering the palace. Inside the carriage sat Cui Yiyu, head lowered as he read a scroll, seemingly having waited for quite some time.
“Your Highness said this morning that upon returning to the residence there would be a reward. This concubine is truly curious.” Lin Yuanjin spoke, looking at Cui Yiyu, asking directly.
A reward?
Cui Yiyu raised his eyes and quietly looked at Lin Yuanjin, a thoughtful expression appearing on his face.
The Crown Prince had not mentioned this matter to him. Perhaps he had not expected Lin Yuanjin to ask directly, or perhaps once they returned to the residence, the Crown Prince would no longer need him to act as a substitute.
But he still guessed at one possibility.
“When the time comes, the Crown Princess will naturally know.” Cui Yiyu faintly heard sounds from outside the carriage and revealed a slight smile. As always, the smile did not reach his eyes—hollow and lifeless.
The matter of the Crown Prince seeking a physician had been settled; the hidden operatives that should return had naturally all come back.
And his task would also formally conclude when tonight’s banquet ended.
Having said that, Cui Yiyu lowered his eyes to the scroll again and said no more.
Lin Yuanjin sensed Cui Yiyu’s attitude, felt his obvious distance and rejection, and gradually realized something.
Whether it was because the Crown Prince had not told Cui Yiyu or otherwise, at present he had already lost the right to speak even half a word more with her.
The carriage wheels rumbled on, and the unease in Lin Yuanjin’s heart grew stronger and stronger, as though some calamity beyond her control was about to occur, and she knew nothing about it.
This feeling persisted until dusk fell.
As the sun set behind the western hills, lights were lit within the imperial palace.
In Xuanyang Palace, lanterns blazed brightly. The orange-red firelight flickered and fell upon the carved beams and painted rafters, while winding golden lines reflected fine glimmers of light—elegant yet tinged with extravagance.
The Emperor and Empress sat upon the main thrones at the head of the hall.
“The Crown Prince and Crown Princess have arrived!” the eunuch at the entrance announced.
Cui Yiyu led Lin Yuanjin into this resplendent golden hall and came to a stop below the Emperor and Empress.
The ceremonial officer at the side called out loudly, “Prostrate and bow!”
Amid the music, the two of them knelt and performed the formal kowtow. Only after hearing “The rite is complete” did they rise, then, under the guidance of the attending eunuch, take their seats below the Emperor and Empress.
Next came the Second Prince, leading the younger brothers and sisters to pay their respects in succession to the Emperor and Empress, as well as to the Crown Prince and his consort. With a slight bow, he smiled and offered his congratulatory words: “Your foolish younger brother, Zhou Heng, is honored to witness elder brother’s elevation and investiture. Here, on behalf of the younger brothers and sisters, I offer congratulations to imperial elder brother.”
After that, civil and military officials entered the hall with their wives—civil to the left, military to the right, arranged by rank. A vast procession filed in, and together they performed kneeling rites, offering words of congratulations.
The previously empty hall was suddenly filled with people. After completing their rites, the officials and their wives took their seats in turn.
Palace maids filed in one after another, placing the prepared wine and delicacies upon the tables. As the music resumed, dancers entered as though stepping upon immortal clouds, and the atmosphere relaxed somewhat.
Cui Yiyu responded to the Emperor’s words, first dealing with the polite exchanges amid the clinking of cups. Seeing that there was, for the moment, no other disturbance, he then turned his eyes toward the quiet Lin Yuanjin beside him and asked in a low voice, “Are you feeling unwell?”
“No.” Lin Yuanjin slightly raised her head and shook it. “Your Highness need not worry about this concubine.”
Before entering the palace, she had already eaten a little—neither too much nor too little—just enough to get through the present.
“It will not take long.” Cui Yiyu lightly pushed the wine cup aside with his knuckle and took a cup of hot tea for Lin Yuanjin. His gaze upon her was calm and resolute.
In order to preserve the Emperor’s judgment, they would certainly not drag matters until after the drinking.
As one piece of music came to an end, the lavish silk-like clouds seemed to fall, and the dancers slowly withdrew.
A gap appeared in the center.
Lin Yuanjin lifted her eyes and happened to meet the Second Prince’s gaze. Seeing him smile meaningfully, he raised his cup slightly in their direction.
Laughter suddenly came from the seat of honor, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.
After all, the Emperor’s moods were the wind vane affecting the overall situation; no one failed to care.
They saw the Emperor casually wave his hand, looking down at the Crown Prince and Crown Princess with a sigh of emotion, smiling as he said, “Just a few days ago I told you that the matter of heirs is not urgent. Who would have thought that just now your Mother Empress would suddenly mention that, if the two of you were to have a son, given your beauty, she wonders whether he would be more handsome than the top graduate of this year’s examination.”
Lin Yuanjin raised her eyes, not feeling shy at all. She turned her head to glance at Cui Yiyu, then asked curiously, “Forgive your child’s curiosity. It is said one can see a child’s future at three years old. Does Father Emperor remember what the Crown Prince looked like in his childhood?”
The Emperor narrowed his eyes, as though recalling. “The Crown Prince resembles his mother; his appearance has indeed not changed.”
“Since Father Emperor says so, this child instead hopes the child will resemble the father.” Lin Yuanjin raised a bright smile. “This child also wishes to see what the Crown Prince looked like in his childhood.”
Cui Yiyu watched her quiet smile from the side, neither affirming nor denying.
“Childish.” Hearing this, the Emperor seemed somewhat amused and exasperated. He pointed at her from afar, yet there was not the slightest hint of displeasure in his brows.
It was as though he saw a magnificent scroll once unseen unfold before his eyes, each scene bringing comfort to the body and mind. After marriage, even the Crown Prince appeared more pleasing to the eye than before.
Suddenly, among those seated below, an official lifted his sleeve and stepped forward, cupping his hands before him as he steadied himself and spoke: “Forgive this subject’s rudeness in disturbing Your Majesty’s familial joy.”
Lin Yuanjin showed a look of astonishment, as though she had never expected a court official to interrupt their conversation. She immediately furrowed her brows and turned toward the source of the voice.
“This humble subject heard Your Majesty and the Crown Princess discussing matters involving the imperial heirs.”
