Lin Wanyi nodded, her gaze falling on Xin Jiuwei's hands: "I heard you were injured, so I came to see you." Her tone remained cool, yet carried the concern of a healer.
She carefully examined Xin Jiuwei's burns, her movements gentle and efficient: "It's not too serious. Apply the medicine on time, don't get it wet, and it will be fine in a few days." She retreated Xin Jiuwei's wound, applying the ointment she had brought, and the cooling sensation instantly relieved the burning pain.
"Thank you very much, Miss Lin," Xin Jiuwei said sincerely.
Lin Wanyi packed her medicine box, glanced at Xin Jiuwei, and said with a hint of understanding in her cool eyes, "I have heard about the palace banquet today. You did very well."
She paused, lowering her voice slightly, "Princess Yongjia is under house arrest, and Liu Yiyi has entered the Imperial Clan Court. In the short term, no one should dare to easily touch you again. But the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease. You must be careful." After saying this, she did not linger any longer, picked up her medicine box, and took her leave.
Not long after Lin Wanyi left, Chen Qing arrived. He brought Xiao Xun's orders, as well as a team of capable guards.
"His Highness has ordered that, starting today, additional guards be deployed to protect Jingyuan. No one may enter without His Highness's written order or Miss's permission."
Chen Qing's voice was measured and firm, "Furthermore, His Highness instructed me to convey to Miss..."
He paused, seemingly considering his words, "Miss handled today's matter appropriately. His Highness will have people investigate Qi Huaiyu thoroughly."
"Well handled"... Xin Jiuwei pondered these four words in her heart. This was Xiao Xun's evaluation, cold, objective, and devoid of any emotional color.
As for "thoroughly investigating Qi Huaiyu," it's more like a notification, a warning—he's got his eye on Qi Huaiyu, and also on the unspeakable deep-seated hatred between her and Qi Huaiyu.
"Please convey to Your Highness that Jiuwei understands," Xin Jiuwei replied calmly.
Chen Qing bowed and withdrew. Soon, Xiao Xun's personal guards filled the Jingyuan Garden, forming a heavily guarded, exquisitely designed cage.
It was late at night.
Xin Jiuwei sat alone by the window. The ointment on the back of her hand emitted a cool fragrance, relieving the pain in her skin, but it could not soothe the turmoil in her heart. The cold moonlight outside the window shone into the quiet courtyard.
She opened her palm, looking at the congealed bloodstains she had drawn on her hand. She had won today's battle, clearing her name and making her enemy pay the price. But her victory had been so hard-won, every step fraught with danger. Xiao Xun's actions were both the fulfillment of the contract and a demonstration of his control. The medicine he offered was a safeguard for a pawn, a silent reminder—her value, her weakness, were firmly in his hands.
And Qi Huaiyu… this name, like a leech, was once again on Xiao Xun's radar. Xiao Xun's "thorough investigation" was like a sword hanging over her head. How could she conceal the secret of her rebirth under Xiao Xun's scrutiny? And how could she use Xiao Xun's power to completely eliminate Qi Huaiyu, this major threat?
Exhaustion washed over her like a tide. Xin Jiuwei buried her face in her cold palms.
Princess Yongjia was confined to the inner palace, and Liu Yiyi was thrown into the cold and gloomy prison of the Imperial Clan Court. The storm that Xin Jiuwei had personally ignited seemed to have subsided for the time being.
However, Jingyuan did not regain its tranquility; instead, it was shrouded in a deeper, invisible pressure.
The additional guards dispatched by Xiao Xun stood like a silent iron wall, their strict defenses blocking any prying eyes from the outside world, and also preventing Xin Jiuwei from trying to probe the outside world. This was a form of protection, but also a declaration—she was still in control.
Xin Jiuwei's days appeared peaceful on the surface. She diligently took her medicine and tended to her injuries, while also poring over the gossip Xin Kui had painstakingly gathered about the northern border's produce and military supplies. The burns on the back of her hand, thanks to the ointment left by Lin Wanyi, gradually subsided, leaving only faint pink marks. While her physical wounds healed easily, the tension in her heart only tightened further.
After delivering the medicine at the palace gate that night, Xiao Xun never set foot in Jingyuan again. Only Chen Qing would come every day to routinely report some trivial matters or convey a brief instruction or two from Xiao Xun, mostly concerning the household accounts or the exchange of gifts, cold and rigid, devoid of any warmth.
Xin Jiuwei knew he was waiting. He was waiting for the results of the Imperial Clan Court's interrogation of Liu Yiyi, and also... for the results of his investigation into Qi Huaiyu. He was like a patient cheetah, lurking in the shadows, waiting for his prey to reveal a weakness.
Xin Kui's injuries had completely healed, and the hideous scar had become a silent badge of honor. She became even more silent and vigilant, her eyes sharp as a hawk's, constantly watching for any movement inside or outside Jingyuan. Several times she wanted to risk going out again to find out about Qi Huaiyu, but Xin Jiuwei sternly stopped her each time.
"Miss, are we just going to wait here like this?" Xin Kui whispered unwillingly, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the short dagger in her sleeve.
Xin Jiuwei put down the briefing on the price of coarse hemp in the Northern Territory and looked out the window at the gray sky. The chill of late autumn was already penetrating to the bone. "Wait." Her voice was soft, yet heavy. "To move now would be to walk into a trap. Xiao Xun's eyes are fixed on this place, and also on every possible clue that might be related to Qi Huaiyu. If we make a move, we'll deliver that clue right to his doorstep." She turned to Xin Kui. "He wants to find Qi Huaiyu more than we do. Finding Qi Huaiyu will allow him to uncover more of what he wants to know, about me, and about... other potential threats. Let him go find him."
Xin Kui's eyes sharpened; she understood Xin Jiuwei's meaning. Using someone else to do the dirty work. By leveraging Xiao Xun's power to investigate Qi Huaiyu, they only needed to obtain the results at the opportune moment. However, this was tantamount to seeking help from a tiger, a risky endeavor.
A few days later, an unexpected opportunity arose—the royal autumn hunt.
An imperial edict was issued to demonstrate royal authority and dispel the gloom brought by the recent loss of the Empress Dowager. The Emperor ordered an autumn hunt to be held at the Royal Western Hunting Grounds, and commanded all adult princes, members of the imperial clan, and sons of meritorious officials to participate. As the "prospective Sixth Prince's Consort," Xin Jiuwei was also among those accompanying the emperor.
"Autumn hunt?" Xin Kui frowned. "Miss, could this be another trap? Although Yongjia is under house arrest, the Second Prince is still here..."
Xin Jiuwei looked at the meticulously worded imperial edict, her fingertips tracing the cold paper.
“It’s a trap, but also an opportunity.” A sharp glint flashed in her eyes. “Yongjia has suffered a setback, Liu Yiyi is imprisoned, and the Second Prince’s faction has been temporarily thwarted. They will certainly not be willing to give up. The autumn hunt is crowded with people and the terrain is complex, making it the perfect time for them to strike again. Similarly, for us, leaving Jingyuan, this ‘cage,’ and escaping the watchful eyes of countless people in the capital, may also be a good opportunity for us to contact the outside world and obtain information. More importantly,” she paused, “Xiao Xun will definitely come along. It’s safer under his watchful eye. Let him see what he wants to see.”
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