Crown Prince, Crown Prince
Yin Li stayed in the East Palace under the name "A Li". Gao Xi seemed to have no reservations about her "trust", and even entrusted her with the task of sorting out some of the East Palace documents. However, he left subtle marks at the key points of each document.
Yinli sneered inwardly upon realizing this, but became even more obedient on the surface. She handled the documents meticulously every day, and her notes were clearly organized, leaving Gao Xi with no way to find any fault with her.
One day, Gao Xi dismissed everyone except Yin Li and handed her a sealed letter with wax seal: "Deliver this letter to Consort Li in the inner palace. Remember, you must give it to her personally and not through anyone else."
Yin Li took the secret letter, her fingertips touching its unusually cold surface, and alarm bells rang in her mind—Consort Li had long been out of favor and lived in the cold palace, so why would Gao Xi suddenly want to communicate with her?
As she approached the Cold Palace, just as Yin Li had predicted, several dark figures were lurking in the shadows. She deliberately slowed her pace and "accidentally" dropped the secret letter at a corner. As she bent down to pick it up, the shadowy followers couldn't resist showing themselves and snatching it away.
Yin Li was prepared; the silver needles hidden in her sleeve shot out instantly, striking the leader's knee. Just as the two sides were locked in a stalemate, the Eastern Palace guards "coincidentally" arrived and subdued the assassins.
"Take them back to the East Palace for rigorous interrogation," Yin Li said coldly. She knew this was another test from Gao Xi, and that these assassins were deliberately arranged by Gao Xi to both test her skills and use her to "clean up" the palace's spies.
Upon returning to the East Palace, Gao Xi was surprised to see her safe return with the secret letter. He then smiled and said, "Ah Li is indeed quick-witted."
However, these assassins were incredibly stubborn and refused to confess who was behind it.
Yin Li curtsied and said, “Your Highness, I have a solution. These people are agile, but they have hemp ropes tied around their waists, which are commonly used by street ruffians. Why not hand them over to the Prefect of the Capital for investigation? Perhaps we can start by investigating their identities.”
She deliberately pointed out the contradictions in the assassin's identity, implying that Gao Xi's "pawns" were not clever.
A hint of approval flashed in Gao Xi's eyes, but she quickly changed the subject: "No need. I have my own way of getting them to talk."
By the way, did Consort Li say anything?
"Your Highness, after receiving the secret letter, Consort Li only said 'I understand' and did not say anything more." Yin Li concealed the detail that Consort Li secretly slipped her a jade pendant engraved with the character "dragon" when she received the secret letter—she was not sure whether the jade pendant was Consort Li's way of showing goodwill or another trap set by Gao Xi.
A few days later, Gao Xi suddenly said to Yin Li, "Granny Liu has been frequently visiting the Imperial Household Department recently. It is said that she is looking for an ancient book that records palace secrets. That book may contain clues to secret edicts. You need to sneak into the Imperial Household Department for me and steal the book out."
Yin Li's heart skipped a beat. The Imperial Household Department was heavily guarded, and Granny Liu was already on guard. Sneaking in now would be tantamount to walking into a trap. She hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Highness, the head steward of the Imperial Household Department is Granny Liu's cousin. If we force our way in, we will surely be discovered."
"Why don't we use someone else to do our dirty work? We'll have someone spread rumors that Granny Liu is hiding palace secrets and has ulterior motives, which will lead His Majesty to send people to search the Imperial Household Department. Then we can take the opportunity to search for ancient books."
Gao Xi looked at her, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "Good idea. Ah Li, you're becoming more and more to my liking." Although he adopted Yin Li's suggestion, he secretly sent another palace maid to deliberately leave traces pointing to Yin Li when spreading the news.
Upon hearing the news, the Emperor was indeed furious and immediately dispatched the Imperial Guards to search the Imperial Household Department. In the chaos, Yin Li "coincidentally" found an ancient book in Granny Liu's study. Just as she was about to leave, the commander of the Imperial Guards suddenly appeared with his men: "You audacious palace maid, how dare you steal palace secrets! Seize her!"
Yin Li's heart sank, realizing she had fallen into Gao Xi's trap. She didn't resist, but instead held up the ancient book, saying, "Commander, this was ordered by His Highness the Crown Prince to find, not to steal."
If you do not believe me, sir, you may accompany me to the Eastern Palace to verify with His Highness the Crown Prince.
As the Imperial Guard commander hesitated, Gao Xi arrived just in time, his face cold and stern: "Commander, this is my will, and has nothing to do with her. The ancient book contains evidence of Liu Mama's collusion with foreign enemies, and I will present it to His Majesty immediately." With one sentence, he not only extricated Yin Li from the predicament but also confirmed Liu Mama's guilt, while firmly grasping the ancient book in his own hands.
Afterwards, Yin Li looked at Gao Xi and said calmly, "Your Highness, you deliberately put me in danger so that you could use the Imperial Guards to eliminate Liu Mama's supporters and seize the ancient books for yourself, right?"
Gao Xi remained noncommittal, only smiling and saying, "Ah Li, in this palace, to survive, you must be more ruthless and cunning than others. Since you chose to cooperate with me, you should understand this principle."
Yin Li sneered inwardly, but on the surface she showed a submissive expression: "This servant understands. However, this servant hopes that if Your Highness has any plans in the future, you can inform this servant in advance, so that this servant can cooperate more smoothly." She knew that Gao Xi's intelligence and cunning far exceeded her imagination, and cooperating with him was no different from dealing with a tiger.
But she had no choice but to proceed cautiously in this dangerous game, looking for an opportunity to fight back.
The jade pendant given to her by Consort Li might be the key to breaking the deadlock.
Since the incident at the Imperial Household Department, Yin Li has become even more wary of Gao Xi, always trying to avoid being alone with him. But Gao Xi does not do as she wishes, keeping her by his side every day under the pretext of "cultivating tacit understanding," and teasing her in various ways.
One morning, Yin Li served tea to Gao Xi as usual. Just as she handed the teacup to him, she heard him slowly say, "Ah Li, your tea-making skills are getting worse and worse. This tea is bitter and astringent. It's not even as good as the tea brewed by the eunuchs in the East Palace."
Yin Li tightened her grip on the teacup, suppressing her anger, and said in a low voice, "It is because this servant is not skilled enough. I will definitely practice more in the future."
Gao Xi, however, persisted, raising an eyebrow and saying, "Practice more? I think your mind isn't on that at all. You're always distracted, thinking about some national affairs?" His use of "national affairs" was clearly sarcastic, but it cleverly avoided speculating about her personal character.
Yin Li panicked and quickly said, "Your Highness is overthinking it, this servant wouldn't dare." She knew that Gao Xi was deliberately testing her, but she couldn't refute him, so she could only silently endure it.
But Gao Xi's "teasing" went far beyond that. At a palace banquet, several princesses deliberately made things difficult for Yin Li, forcing her to perform a dance.
Yin Li was not good at singing and dancing, and was at a loss when Gao Xi suddenly spoke up: "My sisters seem to be in high spirits, but A Li is my personal maid, not an entertainer. If my sisters' interest is not diminished, how about I play a tune on the zither for you to enhance your enjoyment?"
His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. He did not directly reprimand the princesses, but instead shifted the focus away from Yin Li in a more dignified manner, preserving Yin Li's dignity while also giving the princesses a way out.
As Yin Li watched Gao Xi's retreating figure, a strange feeling welled up in her heart—although he was sharp-tongued, he always managed to help her in times of crisis in a way that respected her dignity.
After the palace banquet, Yin Li thanked Gao Xi, but he scoffed, "You think I did this to help you? I just can't stand them using their power to bully others and losing face for the royal family."
Yin Li lowered her head and stopped speaking. She knew Gao Xi was stubborn but soft-hearted, but she dared not think any further and could only keep her gratitude in her heart, continuing to keep her distance from him.
But Gao Xi seemed to see through her thoughts and became even more persistent in "pestering" her. He would deliberately make her accompany him to review memorials, but when she dozed off, he would gently poke her forehead with a brush.
He would stand by and criticize her calligraphy practice, saying that her writing was "lacking in style and like something a little girl would write." But when she was discouraged, he would secretly write a calligraphy copybook for her. When she was sick, he would scold her for being "useless and unable to take care of her own health," but he would personally stay by her bedside, brewing medicine for her and tucking her in. He would also make a point of avoiding her so that she could rest in peace.
Yin Li gradually realized that she could no longer ignore Gao Xi's presence. His sharp tongue was like a disguise, beneath which lay a delicate concern and a quiet respect. He never looked down on her because of her status as a "palace maid," but instead often discussed cases with her and even listened carefully to her opinions.
One day, Gao Xi arranged to meet Yin Li in the Imperial Garden. She initially wanted to refuse, but he forcibly dragged her there under the pretext of "new clues about Granny Liu." In the Imperial Garden, the moonlight was bright, and the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers. Gao Xi looked at Yin Li, his usual teasing expression suddenly vanishing, and his tone became serious: "Yin Li, I know you're avoiding me. Do you think I'm only approaching you to use you in my investigation?"
Yin Li was startled, not expecting him to ask so directly. She avoided his gaze and said in a low voice, "Your Highness is the Crown Prince, and I am just a palace maid. I dare not have too many expectations."
"A palace maid?" Gao Xi chuckled self-deprecatingly, but did not step forward, maintaining a polite distance. "Do you really think I can't tell who you are? Yin Li, the head of the Yin family. I knew from the first day you infiltrated the East Palace."
Yin Li froze, her face turning deathly pale: "You...you knew all along?"
"Otherwise, do you think you could have stayed in the Eastern Palace for so long without being exposed with your little tricks?" Gao Xi's eyes were deep. "The reason I didn't expose you is to see what you're really up to. Also... to see if you're someone I can truly admire."
He used the word "appreciate" instead of "take care of" or "like," which made Yin Li breathe a slight sigh of relief.
“I admit that I did have designs on you at first,” Gao Xi said frankly. “But now, I’m serious about you. I admire your wisdom and resilience. I know you have your concerns, burdened by the blood feud with the Yin family. But I can help you, not as the Crown Prince to order you around, but as an ally, fighting alongside you.”
Looking into Gao Xi's sincere eyes, Yin Li felt a wave of unease. His honesty and respect caught her off guard. He didn't force her, he didn't pressure her, he simply extended an invitation for equal cooperation.
“Your Highness, thank you for your frankness and kindness.” Yin Li composed herself and curtsied. “But investigating the secret edict and avenging the Yin family is my own business, and I want to accomplish it on my own. I appreciate Your Highness’s kindness.” Her refusal remained firm, but her tone held a greater degree of respect for him.
After saying that, she turned to leave without waiting for Gao Xi's reaction.
"Yinli." Gao Xi called out to her, his voice calm and without anger, "I won't force you. But I hope you remember that the gates of the Eastern Palace will always be open for you. If you need help, you can come to me anytime."
Watching Yin Li's resolute figure disappear into the night, Gao Xi felt no anger, only a soft sigh, a hint of appreciation and helplessness flashing in his eyes.
He knew that to win over this proud and resilient woman, he couldn't rely on power, but only on patience and sincerity.
In the shadows not far away, a pair of eyes took in everything, a meaningful smile playing on their lips.
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