"Support me as I walk." Yan Wanqing took a deep breath and instructed, while Cong Ge's eyes reddened, steadying her as they slowly moved forward.
The pair had only walked a short distance when they were stopped by a maid.
"Commandery Princess, my master invites you."
Garbed in a plain green dress without a single embellishment, the maid presented herself with a casual grace akin to delicate wisps of kitchen smoke.
However, upon seeing her, a flash of murderous intent streaked through Yan Wanqing's eyes.
The maid was none other than Mo Shan, the most concealed blade by Xiao Hongshen's side.
In her previous life, it had been this very blade that loosed the final arrow that ended her life.
"What insolent behavior, miss. To invite our young mistress, you should send an invitation in advance, not stop people on their way," Cong Ge said with wide, indignant eyes, well aware that their mistress needed to return home promptly for rest.
However, Mo Shan paid no heed to Cong Ge, standing meekly in the middle of the path.
Yan Wanqing knew she was waiting for her response and let out a light chuckle.
She had originally brought along both Cong Ge and Cong Huan, but now only Cong Ge remained at her side, while Cong Huan was nowhere to be found. Presumably, she had gone to relay information.
But this was precisely the intention behind bringing her out.
"Southern Mountain plum banquet, beneath the Bodhi Tree," were the few words Yan Wanqing uttered before she stepped forward. This time, Mo Shan did not block her path, stepping aside, her voice deep and steady, "The master will surely arrive as promised."
Yan Wanqing did not linger, walking towards the palace gates with Cong Ge's support; their carriage awaited there.
"Why so silent?" Yan Wanqing, catching a glimpse of Cong Ge's furrowed brow, found it amusing.
Noticing her mistress teasing, Cong Ge replied, "Mistress, it must be that Cong Huan..."
"I know," Yan Wanqing remained unperturbed.
"Mistress knows, then why—" Cong Ge abruptly stopped, her eyes widening as she looked at Yan Wanqing, "Mistress, did you do it on purpose?"
Yan Wanqing didn't respond to the question but instead remarked, "Cong Ge, the scent of the plum blossoms is indeed overwhelming, but their color is rather subdued."
At her words, Cong Ge turned to gaze at the yellow branches peeking from the palace gate, their fragrance filling her nostrils, accompanied by Yan Wanqing's emotionless voice.
"The paleness bores me, evoking no joy in my heart."
...
Once outside the palace gate, Cong Ge spotted Cong Huan from afar, feigning sleep against the carriage, and her face instantly clouded over.
"That shameless wench, she even has the nerve to sleep," she muttered angrily.
Yan Wanqing, knowing Cong Ge's abhorrence for evil, patted the back of her hand.
Unable to hold back, Cong Ge strode over and shoved Cong Huan forcefully.
Cong Huan almost tumbled off the carriage from the push, seething with anger, she immediately complained to Yan Wanqing, "Mistress, look at what Cong Ge is doing—"
Yan Wanqing gave her a indifferent glance, her calm gaze carrying an overwhelming authority.
Cong Huan's face paled, her litany of grievances stuck in her throat.
Seeing this, Cong Ge sneered disdainfully, "Really, someone who's all too familiar with slacking off. Had a comfortable nap? Such a shameless creature, don't block the lady's way to the carriage, get lost!"
Never having been treated this way, Cong Huan's eyes brimmed with tears, looking pitifully at Yan Wanqing, who seemed not to have seen her at all as she lifted the curtain and entered the carriage.
How could this be?
The Yan Wanqing of the past had always doted on her, saving her shares of treats, standing up for her against Cong Ge's scolding, and never tolerating her tears. But when had Yan Wanqing changed?
Was it since the last time she passed a message to the seventh prince? But she did it for Miss's sake. Miss has aged, and her health has declined. The seventh prince is both handsome and admirable, and speaks with gentleness. Miss truly doesn't see the good before her.
"What are you standing around for, drive the carriage." In a moment, Cong Ge, with a dazed pretty face, lifted the curtain and scolded Cong Huan.
Cong Huan had no choice but to hold back her breath, whip the horses, and drive the carriage out of the palace gate.
"Miss, please lower the curtain quickly. Your cold has just gotten better, you shouldn't be exposed to the wind."
Yan Wanqing watched as the towering palace slowly receded in view, a meaningful gleam appearing at the corner of her eyes, then slowly she lowered the curtain.
Some have national grudges and familial hatreds, others have enduring love for their children, all are human, it's all a matter of choice.
She had already made her words crystal clear this time; she could do no more with a clear conscience.
The carriage passed through the bustling market, where the noise was deafening, so they could only proceed slowly.
Yan Wanqing lifted a corner of the curtain and looked out. It was nearing noon, and under the warm sun, the scent of food was everywhere, the air filled with the mundane world's hustle and bustle.
In her previous life, she was so caught up in various plots and machinations that she had no time for these things.
"Miss, would you like to get out and take a walk?" Cong Ge asked softly.
Yan Wanqing shook her head: "Forget it." With an empire still unsecured, she had no interest in worldly affairs.
Cong Ge saw her pale face and felt distressed and anxious. As expected, as soon as they arrived at the residence, Yan Wanqing collapsed.
There was chaos in the Lotus Garden as everyone scrambled about. After a great deal of effort to send the Imperial Physician away, the garden became quiet. Then news came from the palace that the Noble Consort had sent some tonics.
Hearing the movement in the front courtyard, Yan Wanqing woke from her nightmares in a daze.
"Awake?"
As she opened her eyes, she saw Madam Sun sitting by her side.
With a dry throat, Yan Wanqing called out "Mother," and Madam Sun's eyes immediately reddened.
"Why did you enter the palace today?" Madam Sun asked slowly. The room was silent except for the crackling sound of the candle burning.
Yan Wanqing diverted her gaze: "…Why does mother ask?"
The fingertips of Madam Sun, holding her prayer beads, turned white, and she sighed deeply: "You have always been decisive, but the more you are like this, the more I fear something will happen to you. What exactly did you discuss with the Noble Consort in the palace today?"
"Mother already knows, why ask your daughter?" Yan Wanqing replied, somewhat defiant.
To say that Madam Sun found the words heard from the Hidden Guard unbelievable would be an understatement, but now, seeing her daughter's expression, she was even more on pins and needles. After a long while, she managed to say: "…All of this is speculation! Do you realize the position of the Yan Family right now? The things you said could bring ruin to the Yan Family, and even the Sun Family could be implicated!"
Yan Wanqing's pale lips twisted into a bleak smile. How she wished all the calamities from her previous life were just her imaginings, but they were not. The extermination of the Yan and Sun families was a fixed fact. Every action she took now was to salvage the situation.
"Mother, do you believe me?" Her eyes reddened as she looked at her mother.
Madam Sun's lips trembled, and the two women looked at each other in silence.
According to the Yan Family's ancestral teachings, she was not supposed to inquire about what Yan Wanqing had done in the palace from the Hidden Guard, but there's an understanding between mother and child. Since her recovery from the chill, she had become much gloomier. As her mother, Madam Sun was not blind and could tell.
She had been distressed when her daughter fell ill upon returning from the palace today, so she had inquired with the Hidden Guard, only to discover that it was such a shocking secret!
Now, even the prayer beads in Madam Sun's hand could not soothe her.
"What do you plan to do next?" Madam Sun asked with a hoarse voice.
The corners of Yan Wanqing's eyes were bloodshot, her voice hoarse: "Mother, just trust me and don't ask too many questions."
"Do you want to replace the people in your courtyard?"
"No need, even if I change them, others will be planted among us. I have a rough idea of whose spies are in the courtyard," Yan Wanqing didn't want to bother: "To feel at ease, one must rid the nest of all rats cleanly."