As Xin Jiuwei stepped out of the car at the back door of Huichuntang, she heard a commotion inside. Old Zhou alertly pressed her down, saying, "Something's wrong."
Before the words were finished, the door was kicked open, and a group of soldiers escorted several young apprentices out. The leading officer shouted, "Huichuntang is colluding with traitors! Throw them all into prison!"
Xin Jiuwei and Lao Zhou quickly hid in a corner. It seemed that the Second Prince had already discovered Xiao Xun's connection with Huichuntang and was trying to cut off his escape route.
"What do we do now?" Old Zhou asked in a low voice, "If we can't get the snow lotus in, the Sixth Prince is in grave danger."
Xin Jiuwei looked towards the Xin residence, where a red lantern hung silently at its highest point, awaiting nightfall. She took a deep breath and made a bold decision.
"We're going to the birthday banquet."
Outside the Donghua Gate of the Imperial Palace, Xin Jiuwei clutched her palace maid's waist token tightly, her palms damp with sweat. Old Zhou had somehow managed to get their hands on the palace maid's attire and the token, which had actually allowed them to blend into the procession delivering congratulatory gifts to the palace.
"Remember, no matter what happens, don't look up, don't make a sound." Old Zhou lowered his voice and handed her the last basket of "gifts"—actually a food box containing snow lotus. "The birthday banquet is in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and the Sixth Prince's seat is the third one on the right."
Xin Jiuwei nodded almost imperceptibly, her heart pounding like a drum. The palace was even more heavily guarded than she had imagined, with sentries every five steps and guards every ten, and imperial guards protecting every corner. And most of these men had been bribed by the Second Prince.
The procession moved slowly forward, passing through palace gate after gate. At each gate, Xin Jiuwei could feel the scrutinizing gazes of the guards sweeping over her. She kept her head tightly down, afraid of being recognized. The disguise on her face could fool strangers, but it couldn't fool the Second Prince's henchmen who had seen her before.
In the square in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, officials had formed a long line to offer their congratulations. Taking advantage of the opportunity to present her gifts, Xin Jiuwei stole a glance into the hall—in the magnificent palace, the Emperor sat high on his dragon throne, flanked by members of the royal family and high-ranking officials. Her gaze immediately locked onto Xiao Xun, who sat third from the right.
He wore a dark blue brocade robe, his face as pale as paper, yet he maintained an upright posture. If Xin Jiuwei hadn't witnessed him coughing up blood, she would almost have been fooled by his composure. Xiao Xun toyed with a white jade wine cup in his hand, occasionally conversing quietly with the ministers seated next to him, as if he were merely a leisurely prince attending a banquet.
But Xin Jiuwei noticed that his gaze would sweep across a certain direction outside the hall every few moments—the direction where the Xin residence was located.
"Take that basket of gifts to the side hall!" A sharp voice suddenly rang in her ears. Xin Jiuwei trembled. Seeing that it was a head maid giving instructions, she quickly curtsied and took the opportunity to move towards Xiao Xun's direction.
Just as she was about three zhang away from Xiao Xun, a commotion suddenly arose outside the hall. The Second Prince strode in, surrounded by a group of guards, followed by Qi Huaiyu!
Xin Jiuwei immediately turned around, pretending to tidy up the food box, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst out of her chest. Qi Huaiyu was holding a carved wooden box, presumably the box containing the "evidence" used to frame the Xin family.
"Your Majesty, I respectfully wish you boundless happiness and longevity!" the Second Prince said in a loud voice, kneeling and bowing. "I present you with a pair of luminous pearls from the South China Sea as a token of my filial piety."
The Emperor smiled and raised his hand: "My son is very kind. Please take your seat."
As the Second Prince rose, his gaze swept over Xiao Xun, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes. Xiao Xun, however, acted as if he hadn't seen him, raising his cup to the Second Prince with a faint smile playing on his lips.
Taking advantage of everyone's attention being focused on the Second Prince, Xin Jiuwei quietly approached Xiao Xun. Just as she was about to reach him from behind, Xiao Xun suddenly raised his hand to signal a servant to refill his wine cup, his elbow "accidentally" knocking over the glass.
"This servant deserves to die!" Xin Jiuwei immediately knelt down, pretending to wipe away the wine stains, and took the opportunity to push the food box towards Xiao Xun.
Xiao Xun's gaze lingered on the top of her lowered head for a moment, then he said gently, "It's alright, get up."
His voice was hoarser than usual, yet it carried an unmistakable concern. When Xin Jiuwei stood up, she discovered that Xiao Xun had discreetly slipped the food box into his sleeve.
"Sixth Brother, you haven't looked well lately," the Second Prince suddenly spoke, his voice full of feigned concern. "Is it a relapse of your old illness?"
The hall fell silent. Everyone knew about the Sixth Prince's "assassination attempt and poisoning," but no one dared to mention it to the Emperor.
Xiao Xun coughed lightly: "Thank you for your concern, Second Brother. It's just a slight cold, nothing serious."
"Really?" The Second Prince's smile deepened. "I heard that Sixth Brother went to Lingyin Temple to pray for blessings a few days ago. I wonder what he prayed for?"
Xin Jiuwei stood frozen in place, neither daring to leave nor linger. Xiao Xun gently waved his hand under the table, signaling her to step back, and calmly replied, "Just praying for Father's birthday. But Second Brother has been frequently mobilizing the Imperial Guards lately; I wonder why?"
The Emperor frowned upon hearing this: "Oh? Is that so?"
The Second Prince's expression changed slightly, then he smiled and said, "Your subject is merely conducting a routine inspection to ensure the safety of the capital." He glanced meaningfully at Xiao Xun, "After all, there have been frequent rebellious activities lately."
Xin Jiuwei slowly retreated behind a pillar, her heart still pounding. The subtle, menacing exchange between Xiao Xun and the Second Prince was more chilling than any actual fight. She had to find a chance to tell Xiao Xun how to use the Snow Lotus, and about the astonishing discovery of her past...
The opportunity soon arrived. Midway through the banquet, the Emperor left his seat to change, and the officials dispersed to chat in small groups. Xiao Xun excused himself to get some fresh air and headed alone towards the garden behind the palace. Xin Jiuwei, making sure no one was watching, quietly followed him.
Behind the rockery in the garden, Xiao Xun stood with his back to her, his shoulders trembling slightly—he was coughing up blood! Xin Jiuwei, disregarding everything else, rushed forward to support him: "The snow lotus should be taken with yellow wine; it will temporarily alleviate the poisoning!"
Xiao Xun turned around, a trace of color returning to his pale face: "You shouldn't have come." He gripped her wrist tightly. "The Second Prince already suspects the Xin family and will make his move after the birthday banquet."
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