After nightfall, the palace became exceptionally quiet. Outside, the massive fire at Wangxing Tower in Cheng Wang’s estate had shaken half of the capital, but within the secluded chambers of the imperial harem, it had little impact.
At Fengxi Palace, Jin Zhi was dozing lightly on a small couch in the side room when sudden knocking at the door startled her.
“Who is it?” she called.
“It’s me, Jin Zhi.”
Recognizing the voice, Jin Zhi quickly got up, slipped on her cloth shoes, and lifted the curtain. A thin figure stood outside the door.
She frowned, keeping her voice low and displeased. “Haven’t I told you before? The Empress has been unwell lately and has difficulty resting. I told you not to disturb us at night.”
“It’s urgent,” the young eunuch said anxiously. “News just came from outside the palace. Cheng Wang was caught stockpiling military weapons and secretly recruiting soldiers, intending rebellion. He was caught red-handed by Marquis Yongxin and Director Xiao.”
“That’s impossible!” Jin Zhi’s expression changed instantly as she reflexively raised her voice. “How could Cheng Wang possibly rebel?!”
“It’s true! Marquis Yongxin found many prohibited items in Cheng Wang’s estate. After presenting them to the emperor, His Majesty was furious and had Cheng Wang and his son imprisoned.”
The young eunuch added hurriedly, “I also heard that Cheng Wang’s Grand Consort Dowager was murdered, and that Xie Yin isn’t even Cheng Wangfei’s biological son. His Majesty has already stripped him of his title and ordered the Privy Council to investigate further.”
“Cheng Wang’s estate is completely surrounded. It looks like the property will be confiscated. The only reason this hasn’t spread is because it’s still night. By morning, the entire capital will know.”
Jin Zhi paled, clutching her sleeve. The eunuch continued, his voice filled with concern, “The Second Prince was also involved tonight. It’s unclear how he ended up with Marquis Yongxin and the others. The Fourth Prince is already struggling because of the Lu family. If the Second Prince uses this to curry favor with His Majesty, it will make things even harder for our prince. Jin Zhi, you—”
He cut himself off, noticing that Jin Zhi was unresponsive, her head lowered and her face unreadable.
“Jin Zhi? Jin Zhi?” The eunuch called twice and lightly pushed her shoulder.
Jin Zhi gasped, as though startled from a trance. The eunuch frowned. “Are you alright? You seem distracted.”
Jin Zhi’s heart raced, her face ashen. Fortunately, the deep night and the rain concealed her turmoil. Standing in the shadows, she clenched her sleeve tightly, suppressing her panic, and forced herself to respond calmly. “Nothing. Our prince won’t lose to the Second Prince.”
She casually dismissed the concern but felt parched, eager to send the eunuch away. “I’ve heard about the Cheng Wang affair. You did well. Both the Empress and the prince will remember your contribution.”
“Now go and keep gathering information. Stay alert to any developments regarding Cheng Wang’s estate or the Second Prince, and report back immediately.”
As she spoke, Jin Zhi took a small, elegant silver bracelet from her sleeve and pressed it into the eunuch’s hand. “This is for you.”
Delighted with the reward, the eunuch beamed. “Thank you, Jin Zhi!”
“Go on, now. Keep working hard, and there’ll be more rewards in the future.”
“Yes, of course!” The eunuch tucked the bracelet into his sleeve and left happily. Once he was gone, Jin Zhi stumbled, nearly collapsing as her legs gave out beneath her.
She clutched the door frame, forcing herself upright, and took several deep breaths to steady her trembling limbs. After regaining some composure, she instructed the palace attendants to leave her alone, ensuring the area was clear, before quickly retreating to the inner chambers.
Inside, Empress Lu was still asleep. Ever since the Lu family’s troubles began, her restless mind had made sleep elusive. Even when she did manage to drift off, the slightest sound would wake her.
Jin Zhi had barely approached the bedside when her footsteps caused the Empress to open her eyes.
“Jin Zhi?” Empress Lu asked groggily, her hair disheveled and her tone laced with irritation. Waking so abruptly left her head pounding.
But before she could scold Jin Zhi, she noticed her maid’s pale face. Her expression softened into a frown. “Why do you look like that? What’s happened?”
“Your Majesty…” Jin Zhi’s lips trembled as she struggled to keep her composure. Finally, she blurted out, “Something has happened to Cheng Wang’s estate.”
The Empress’s hand, which had been rubbing her temple, froze. “What happened?”
“Cheng Wang was caught stockpiling military weapons and plotting rebellion. He was apprehended by Marquis Yongxin and Xiao Yan…”
Shocked, Empress Lu shot upright, her brows furrowing in disbelief. “What nonsense are you spouting? How could Xie Tianyu rebel?”
“It’s true. Cheng Wang’s estate is surrounded. He and his son are imprisoned. Furthermore…” Jin Zhi’s voice trembled. “Xie Yin’s true parentage has been exposed…”
The Empress’s sharp gaze pinned Jin Zhi in place. “What do you mean?”
“His Majesty knows that Xie Yin isn’t Cheng Wangfei’s biological son. He’s stripped him of his title and ordered the Privy Council and Xiao Yan to investigate further,” Jin Zhi stammered. “If Xiao Yan uncovers that Xie Yin is actually from the Lu family—”
“Silence!” Empress Lu’s icy tone cut her off.
Jin Zhi recoiled, trembling as the Empress fixed her with a frosty glare.
“Xie Yin is Xie Tianyu’s son,” Empress Lu stated coldly, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her heart. “He was raised by Xie Tianyu and Rong Yue for over a decade. Any baseless rumors about his parentage mean nothing without evidence.”
“But Your Majesty—”
The Empress interrupted sharply. “His Majesty has always disliked Cheng Wang. This is merely an excuse to humiliate him. Who can prove that Xie Yin isn’t a royal bloodline?”
Her expression remained composed as she continued, “Even if someone does uncover the truth and finds that Xie Yin isn’t Rong Yue’s son, it only proves that Xie Tianyu used another’s bloodline to deceive her. It has nothing to do with me or the Lu family.”
Jin Zhi hesitated, still pale and shaken. “But if Cheng Wang speaks—”
“He won’t,” the Empress replied icily.
For Cheng Wang, stockpiling weapons and secretly recruiting soldiers might cost him his life. Yet, if he implicated Xie Yin and revealed secrets that shouldn’t be spoken, his fate—and that of anyone associated with him—would be sealed.
No matter how little Cheng Wang cared for Xie Yin, he wouldn’t dare jeopardize his own bloodline.
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