breaking Dawn
Jingzhe's movements are as swift as the wind and as secretive as a shadow.
But within two days, an astonishing piece of news spread quietly like wildfire in certain specific circles in the capital - a small bag of white powder of unknown origin was found in the private storehouse of the Third Prince's most beloved concubine Liu. It had a strange fragrance and after being identified by "interested people", it was found to be exactly the same as the rare medicinal herb "Ningluhua" stolen from the Imperial Hospital!
Almost at the same time, the Crown Prince's spy planted in the Third Prince's mansion also "appropriately" reported this discovery, adding fuel to the fire.
Inside the Eastern Palace, Crown Prince Xie Wuchen was stunned at first when he heard the news, then he flew into a rage and smashed the glass cup next to him on the spot!
"What a Xie Wujiu! What a Third Imperial Brother!" His face was ashen, his eyes burning with anger of betrayal and provocation. "So it was you who was behind this! You colluded with the imperial physician, framed me, and even wanted to get your hands on the Qingling Grass?! You're so bold!"
All his previous doubts and anger seemed to have found a perfect outlet. Compared to the precarious Jing Palace, the increasingly powerful Third Prince, who had been vying for the throne, was naturally a greater threat! Lin Qingyan? Just a pawn being used! The real culprit was Xie Wujiu!
"Come here!" the Crown Prince ordered sternly, "Keep a close eye on the Third Prince's residence! Also, investigate the Imperial Hospital thoroughly! See how many more traitors there are!"
Suddenly, undercurrents surged within the capital, with all pressure and criticism shifting from Prince Jing's residence to the Third Prince's faction. Within the court, and within and beyond the capital, the two factions engaged in an even more intense struggle, attacking each other openly and covertly, with impeachment memorials pouring onto the emperor's desk.
The Prince Jing's residence, on the brink of the storm, gained a rare respite. Although the guards outside the residence had not been withdrawn, their surveillance had clearly relaxed, and the suffocating sense of urgency had quietly eased.
The crime that Lin Qingyan was framed for became less "important" after the Crown Prince shifted his focus. Although he was still imprisoned in the Sky Prison, at least his life was no longer in danger for the time being.
In the east wing of Jinglan Courtyard, with the reduction of external pressure and the continuous gentle nourishment of "Medicine Rhythm", Xie Wuqi's condition finally saw a decisive improvement.
That morning, when the rising sun shone through the window lattice and filled the room, Xie Wuqi's eyelashes, as thick and long as crow feathers, trembled slightly for a few times, and then slowly opened.
The phoenix eyes that were once filled with scarlet and madness, and once as silent as the abyss, now still carried the weakness and confusion of someone who had just woken up from a serious injury, but the underlying color was a long-lost clarity and depth that belonged to him.
He woke up.
Jingzhe, who was standing by, rushed to the bedside almost instantly, his voice trembling with disbelief: "Prince! You...you are awake?!"
Xie Wuqi's eyes were a little dazed, and after a moment's adjustment to the light, they slowly focused and saw Jingzhe clearly. He opened his mouth, but his throat was so dry that he couldn't make a sound.
Jingzhe hurriedly and carefully helped him up and gave him some warm water.
As the warm water moistened his throat, Xie Wuqi took a deep breath, feeling the pain within him, though still weak, no longer being torn apart by the violent toxins. A flicker of extreme surprise flashed in his eyes. He clearly remembered the bone-eating, heart-searing sensation before he passed out from the poison. He also remembered how, before his consciousness faded, a strange, cool, and peaceful force seemed to constantly pull at him, preventing him from falling completely into darkness.
Is it... that flower? That woman named Xu Xianyue?
His eyes subconsciously searched the room, but he did not see the cold figure. Instead, he saw the "Medicine Charm" beside the pillow, which was still emitting a crimson, white and green halo.
He reached out his hand, his fingertips gently touching the soft, strangely rhythmic petals. A gentle breath flowed quietly along his fingertips, soothing his still aching meridians.
"Your Highness," Jingzhe saw his eyes fall on the velvet flowers, and hurriedly reported in a low voice, "You were unconscious for these days, thanks to Miss Xu... If it weren't for the velvet flowers she made, I'm afraid..." He didn't say the rest, but the meaning was self-evident.
Xie Wuqi remained silent, caressing the velvet flower that had saved his life, his eyes dark and indistinct. The woman he had once viewed as a pawn, even despised, actually possessed such incredible abilities?
"What's the situation outside?" He withdrew his hand, his voice still hoarse, but it already carried the majesty of Prince Jing.
Jingzhe quickly recounted in brief what had happened during this period, including the prince's rebellion, the siege of the mansion, Lin Qingyan's imprisonment, and how Xu Xianyue designed to divert the trouble, disrupt the situation, and ultimately force the prince to shift his target, giving the palace a chance to breathe.
Xie Wuqi listened quietly, with no expression on his face. Only when he heard how Xu Xianyue used velvet flowers to soothe his poison, how he paid out of his own pocket to stabilize his servants, and how he calmly planned to draw the prince's attention to the third prince, did a very complex glimmer flash across his bottomless eyes.
Thrilling and thrilling at every step.
He hadn't expected so many unexpected events to unfold outside during his coma. Even more unexpectedly, that seemingly aloof, weak, and uncontested woman had single-handedly managed to stabilize the palace amidst this turbulent tide, even indirectly triggering a storm within the court.
"Lin Qingyan..." He whispered the name, a trace of guilt and determination flashing in his eyes, "How is he now?"
"There is no danger to his life for now, but he is still in the Heavenly Prison." Jingzhe replied.
Xie Wuqi nodded and didn't ask any more questions. He knew that rescuing Lin Qingyan would require both timing and leverage. Now that he was awake, it was time to settle some accounts.
"Change clothes." He lifted the quilt and tried to get out of bed, but his body became weak and he almost fell down.
Jingzhe quickly supported him: "Your Highness! Your injuries have not healed yet, and the poison has not been completely eliminated. You need to rest!"
Xie Wuqi steadied himself, feeling the weakness draining from his body, and frowned. He glanced at the "Medicine Rhyme" beside his pillow and said to Jingzhe, "Go get Miss Xu."
He needed to see her. Now.
Jingzhe took the order and left.
In the West Wing workshop, Xu Xianyue had just finished shaping a new "Medicine Rhythm" flower. This velvet flower was more delicate than the previous one, its rhythm more harmonious. As she was examining it carefully, the Waking of Insects arrived.
"Miss Xu, the prince has woken up. Please come over."
Xu Xianyue paused, looked up, a hint of surprise flashing across her eyes, and then she regained her composure. She had woken up earlier than she had expected.
She put down the velvet flower in her hand, straightened her wrinkle-free hem, and followed Jingzhe out of the workshop with a normal expression.
In the east wing, Xie Wuqi had already sat up, leaning against the pillow. Although his face was still pale, the phoenix eyes looking at her were as sharp as before, with scrutiny, exploration, and a hint of complex meaning that she could not understand.
Xu Xianyue walked to a place three steps away from the bed and stopped, nodding slightly: "Your Highness." His tone was indifferent, and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry.
Xie Wuqi looked at her. The sunlight outlined her thin silhouette. She stood there, calm and unperturbed, as if his awakening or not had little to do with her. This detached attitude made him feel inexplicably irritated.
"Thank you for your hard work during this period." He spoke, his voice still hoarse.
"It's my job." Xu Xianyue's answer was exactly the same as when he said it to Jingzhe.
Xie Wuqi choked. He paused, his eyes falling on her bare hair, then glancing over her fingertips, which were stained with a few traces of paint. Suddenly, he asked, "What's the name of that flower?"
Xu Xianyue raised her eyes and met his gaze: "Yao Yun."
"Yao Yun..." Xie Wuqi repeated in a low voice, his fingertips twirling unconsciously, "Yi Yao Wei Yun... what a good name." He raised his eyes, locking his gaze with her deeply, "Xu Xianyue, who are you?"
He had asked this question more than once, but this time, it carried a completely different weight.
Xu Xianyue met his gaze without dodging: "I am Xu Xianyue, a craftsman who can make velvet flowers." Her answer remained the same as before.
Xie Wuqi looked at her steadily for a moment, and suddenly, a very faint but genuine smile appeared at the corner of his lips. The smile dispelled the usual hostility and coldness between his brows, and actually revealed a rare handsomeness.
"What a craftsman." He stopped asking questions and said, "I already know about Lin Qingyan's matter. I'll deal with it when I feel better."
"It's good that Your Highness knows what's going on." Xu Xianyue was not surprised.
"I will remember your kindness." Xie Wuqi looked at her with a serious tone.
Xu Xianyue simply smiled faintly, a smile that was cold and distant: "Your Highness, there is no need to remember my kindness. I saved you, and I saved myself. Between us, we only get what we need."
Her words, like a bucket of cold water, doused the inexplicable emotions that had just risen in Xie Wuqi's heart. Each took what he needed... what a good answer.
His face darkened, and the calm before the storm reappeared in his eyes.
Xu Xianyue seemed not to notice and knelt slightly: "If your Highness has nothing else to say, Xianyue will take his leave."
After saying this, she stopped looking at him, turned around, and left the east wing calmly as when she came.
Xie Wuqi watched her resolute back disappear at the door, and the hand holding "Yao Yun" tightened unconsciously.
Each taking what he needs?
What Xie Wuqi wanted, he never failed to get.
Whether it is this world or... people.
The sunlight filtered through the window lattice, casting a mosaic of light and dark on his pale face.
A new round of game seems to have just begun.
This time, the person on the other side of the chessboard was no longer the crown prince, nor the third prince.
But it was the one holding a velvet flower, cold and aloof, as if he would ascend to heaven at any time - Xu Xianyue.
Dawn has come, but the night is not over yet.
The real contest may have just begun.
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