Xiao Jian knew that he and Xiao Yanzi didn't have much time left, so he kept it brief and told Xiao Yanzi that when she came of age and left the palace, she could go to Dali to find their uncle and aunt.
Uncle and Aunt will treat Xiao Yanzi like their own daughter. They told Xiao Yanzi to stay away from Ziwei and not to be swayed by Ziwei's instigation.
Xiao Jian now realizes that he has a lot to tell, but there isn't enough time.
An incense stick had burned out, and Xiao Jian wiped away Xiao Yanzi's tears. Then, smiling, he told Xiao Yanzi to walk forward and not to look back.
Having seen Xiao Yanzi, Xiao Jian had no regrets, nothing more. He lay down on the straw mat beside him, quietly waiting for time to pass.
Looking out from that small window in the prison, although it was a world of ice and snow and all the leaves had fallen from the trees, birds were still building nests in them.
Thinking about how ridiculous I've been all these years, a wave of sadness washed over me. If only I could have let go, if only I could have investigated back then, would things be different now? But alas, there are no "what ifs."
Xiao Yanzi, her eyes red as she walked out of the prison, knelt down before An Ke with a thud. An Ke moved aside, unwilling to accept such an inexplicable kneeling.
"This servant thanks Princess Yong'an for allowing me to see my brother again," Xiao Yanzi said in a hoarse voice. She had almost given up hope. Now, she had a new hope: to return to Dali and live a good life in place of her brother.
"Get up, go back to Shufangzhai." An Ke waved her hand, feeling a little tired. "If Xia Ziwei does anything unusual, I hope you can keep your head in check."
Xiao Yanzi respectfully kowtowed three times to An Ke, and then said, "It was my fault before, I offended the princess in every way. I want to thank the princess for not pursuing the matter." After kowtowing and speaking, Xiao Yanzi walked away alone.
Anke looked at the sudden heavy snowfall and reached out to catch the snowflakes that were about to fall on her hand. "Xingxing, let's go too."
Baoyue Tower
Hanxiang is praying for her Hui people, hoping that Allah will bless them.
Upon hearing Jin Lingzi say that Princess Ziwei had come to pay her respects, he was momentarily stunned. This Ziwei seemed to be the one she and Xiao Yanzi had sent to meet Meng Dan.
Hanxiang only learned later that only Ziwei was the emperor's adopted daughter, while the one named Xiaoyanzi was not.
Hanxiang, supported by Yinlingzi's hand, slowly stood up and sat gracefully on the soft couch beside her. Then she asked Jinlingzi to let someone in.
When Ziwei entered, she saw Consort Xiang, now appearing as a dignified and favored concubine, a far cry from the refined elegance she had when she first arrived. A hint of disdain flashed in Ziwei's eyes. She already had a childhood sweetheart, yet she was presented as a gift, and now she could brazenly and comfortably be her father's favored concubine.
It's clear that their relationship wasn't as strong as the one between him and Er Kang.
"Princess Ziwei has arrived. Jinlingzi, please offer her a seat and tea." Hanxiang greeted her politely as usual. After all, this was her Baoyue Pavilion, and she was already the Emperor's favored concubine, so she should maintain a proper attitude. She couldn't give others any reason to say that her Baoyue Pavilion lacked any manners or etiquette.
Ziwei also bowed to Hanxiang according to the rules, but her bow was very perfunctory. Then she walked straight to the side, glanced at the people around Hanxiang, and dismissed Jinsuo, who was following her.
Hanxiang pretended not to understand and remained silent, instead asking with a charming smile, "May I ask what brings Princess Ziwei to my Baoyue Tower? The maid beside you looks unfamiliar; isn't she the Little Swallow?"
Ziwei twisted her handkerchief fiercely in her hands, her heart twisted with rage, yet she had to maintain a calm facade. "Little Swallow needs to learn the palace rules, so I've left her at Shufangzhai. Consort Xiang, Ziwei has something to discuss with you; may I ask that you dismiss your attendants?" Even a noblewoman like her was starting to manipulate her.
Hanxiang wanted to know what Ziwei wanted to say to her, so she waved her hand, and Jin and Yinlingzi excused themselves to go check on the nobleman's medicinal meal and left.
"Can Princess Ziwei speak now?" Jin Lingzi closed the door of Baoyue Tower before leaving.
"Hanxiang, do you know that Mengdan has been thrown into prison?" Ziwei decided to test Hanxiang's attitude first, so she asked an unrelated question in a nonchalant manner.
Hanxiang tightened her grip on the teacup, leading Ziwei to mistakenly believe that Hanxiang was unaware of the situation and must be extremely anxious upon hearing that Mengdan was now in prison.
He unconsciously curled the corners of his lips, feeling that he had now won over Hanxiang.
Hanxiang was only slightly surprised, but didn't feel any unexpectedness whatsoever. Although Hanxiang still had some feelings for Mengdan, they could never go back to the way things were before.
They should both look forward; it is Mondan who is stuck in the past, stubbornly clinging to it.
Moreover, Princess Yong'an had already sent someone to tell her about Meng Dan's imprisonment. She also revealed their entire plan in detail; it turned out that he not only wanted to kidnap her, but had even participated in the regicide.
From that moment on, Hanxiang felt that the Mengdan of today was a completely different person from the Mengdan of the past. The one of the past was the boy she once loved, while the one of today was merely someone controlled by her own resentment.
Hanxiang couldn't plead for him, after all, they had no relationship now. She only prayed last night that the Emperor would allow Mengdan's body to return to his hometown after his death. The Emperor had already granted her request.
Hanxiang also had Yinlingzi find out about the other matters. It turned out that even the consort of the current Princess Ziwei, Fu'erkang, had been involved in this matter, and had even personally taken action in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Although he didn't harm the Emperor, the nature of the crime was different. Being sentenced to death was entirely deserved. Even if he was just a cook, so what? His diligence in the imperial kitchen would demonstrate his integrity and loyalty to the Emperor.
Besides, he had already married the emperor's daughter, what more could he ask for? Wouldn't his life be smooth sailing from now on? Yet he still chose to take the risk, ultimately because of his greed and unwillingness to accept defeat.
"Oh, really? I didn't know that." Hanxiang knew that Princess Yong'an had been troubled by these matters recently, so she wanted to find out more about the situation for the princess, in order to repay the princess for her guidance and help in the past.
Ziwei exaggerated, saying, "Yes, in prison, you're always hungry and cold, and even the jailers give you the cold shoulder. It really feels like an eternity inside." Ziwei sighed as she spoke.
Although Hanxiang was a little annoyed, she could still listen to it as if the story was being told to her.
"So, Princess Ziwei has come to ask me to do something today?" Hanxiang wasn't stupid; otherwise, Anke wouldn't have been able to enlighten her so easily back then.
Ziwei hadn't expected her hint to be so successful. A surge of joy welled up within her. "Don't you want to avenge Meng Dan? He'll be executed in just a few days."
"But what can I do? I can't go to the prison to save him, nor can I rush to the execution ground to save him. As for the revenge you mentioned, who should I turn to?" Hanxiang shook her head, feigning sadness.
A hint of disdain flashed in Ziwei's eyes. She felt that Hanxiang's feelings for Mengdan were just lip service. When faced with a real situation, she would just shake her head and say that she didn't know anything.
"Of course you can't go to the prison to save him, but you can avenge him," Ziwei coaxed Hanxiang, leading her to follow her words like a poisoned apple tempting someone to eat in a fairy tale.
"Then what should I do?" Hanxiang felt a little tired and just wanted to get rid of Ziwei as soon as possible.
"I heard that you have been the Emperor's favorite recently." Ziwei had made thorough preparations before coming. She had visited Yanxi Palace before, but the palace was closed, and it was said that the Empress was unwell, so she did not want to disturb her too much.
After much thought, the only option left was to go through Hanxiang. After all, she was just the Emperor's daughter, and her time in and out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation couldn't be too long. Besides, there were imperial guards outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and people inside to serve her.
But the Emperor's favorite concubine was different. After all, how could anyone be there when the Emperor was sleeping? This led Ziwei to set her sights on Hanxiang.
"It's just that the Emperor visits occasionally because of the connection between the Qing Dynasty and the Hui people." Hanxiang waved her hand, but she would never dare to call herself the Emperor's favorite concubine.
“Why are you being so modest? In the past month, Father Emperor has only entered the inner palace a total of 20 days, and more than 10 of those days were spent at Baoyue Tower.” Ziwei stared intently at Hanxiang as she spoke, word by word.
She really had no other choice; this was the only path she could take, and this matter had to be accomplished.
At that time, it will have nothing to do with her. In any case, everyone in the palace thinks she is a weak and delicate Princess Ziwei, and no one will associate this matter with her.
By then, Er Kang will have gotten his revenge, but it won't cause her any trouble.
"Princess Ziwei, please speak frankly. What do you want me to do? Do you mean to beg the Emperor to spare Meng Dan's life? Although I am not a citizen of the Qing Dynasty, I have been learning the etiquette and rules of the palace these days, and I know that someone who wants to kidnap a concubine will not let it go easily." Hanxiang did not reveal that she knew about Meng Dan's involvement in the regicide.
"Of course I'm not asking you to beg Father Emperor, after all, it was Father Emperor who issued the decree to execute Meng Dan." Ziwei's eyes suddenly sharpened, and thinking of Erkang yesterday, she abruptly closed her eyes.
Father Emperor, how cruel you are! You knew that Erkang and I were in love, yet you still wanted to execute Erkang, showing no concern for your daughter whatsoever.
Ziwei thought to herself that her father, the Emperor, would definitely not tell Hanxiang about such a thing. After all, Hanxiang didn't even know that Mengdan had been imprisoned.
Just as Ziwei had predicted, Hanxiang made the corresponding expression, her face showing shock and fear, and she kept muttering, "No, how could this be?"
Ziwei offered some words of comfort and advice, but there was a strong undercurrent of provocation in them. Hanxiang pretended to wipe away her tears, almost losing control of her expression.
"I really didn't expect it to be the Emperor." Hanxiang looked heartbroken, as if she was seeing the Emperor for the first time.
Although Ziwei was also in the palace, she had been confined to Shufangzhai these days. How could she know that Hanxiang had been learning these methods from the ladies of the palace, observing their moods and using them to her fullest extent?
After all, fighting against the ladies in the palace is much more difficult than their petty squabbles.
Ziwei was now convinced that Hanxiang must harbor deep hatred for the Emperor, otherwise she wouldn't be so heartbroken. "So now is the time for you to pull yourself together and avenge Mengdan."
"I want to avenge him, but how should I do it? Poison him? But the Imperial Hospital has all the records, and even if I wanted to get these medicines, they wouldn't give them to me." Hanxiang thought Ziwei wanted her to poison the Emperor, since the Emperor always dined at Baoyue Tower whenever he stayed overnight.
Ziwei's eyes suddenly sharpened, but then she realized she had lost her composure and quickly adjusted her expression. "Of course, you can't go to the Imperial Hospital to get medicine. These imperial physicians are all under the Emperor's command, so why would they sincerely help you? If you want revenge, you can only do it yourself."
Hanxiang pretended to listen attentively, but Ziwei leaned closer to her and whispered a few words. These few words made Hanxiang's eyes widen in surprise.
Hanxiang truly hadn't expected that Ziwei, who appeared so delicate and weak, could be so vicious. This was her own father! Didn't everyone in the palace say that Princess Ziwei had traveled a long way to find her father? Yet now she was so ruthless as to commit patricide?
Is it really just for Fu Erkang? Is it really worth committing regicide and patricide just because of Fu Erkang?
Hanxiang's eyes were filled with shock, and she unconsciously leaned back, as if only by leaning against the soft cushion behind her did she feel safe. The Ziwei in front of her was like a femme fatale from a story.
Previously, she had been playing the fool, using her beauty to lure her prey, and then revealing her true nature once the prey was hooked, swallowing them whole with her gaping maw. This reminded Hanxiang of snakes, and her hair involuntarily stood on end.
"In short, this is your only chance to avenge Meng Dan. If you've made up your mind, you can have Jin Lingzi inform me at Shufangzhai, and I will naturally cooperate with you." After saying this, Ziwei stood up. "I've said everything. Whether you want revenge or not is up to you. Ziwei will take her leave now."
Before Hanxiang could react, Ziwei opened the door and left Baoyue Tower with Jinsuo.
Hanxiang was still a little dazed, feeling that she hadn't recovered from the cold gaze of Princess Ziwei.
Upon seeing this, Yinlingzi rushed in with some concern and asked her princess in English what the princess had just said.
After all, Hanxiang's face was pale, and her eyes revealed a hint of fear.
Hanxiang quickly calmed down.
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