Inside the Qiwu Palace.
A-Yuan listened to the message relayed by her spies planted outside the imperial bedchamber, a cold smile curving her lips. Xiao Chengkang, sitting under the lamp, carefully fastened a specially made silver ring—capable of absorbing and decomposing various common toxins—on A-Yuan's wrist.
“Father’s heart is becoming more and more skewed,” A Yuan said softly, her eyes showing no pride, only calmness.
“The Lin family has thrown itself into disarray, and it is their own fault.” Xiao Chengkang’s voice was calm and even. “The next step is to shake her foundations.” He unfolded a piece of paper, on which were listed several names—all important henchmen that Empress Lin had planted in the court and the army.
"These are all names collected by the Shadow Guards. It seems the Lin family can't wait any longer," Xiao Chengkang said to A Yuan in a low voice, his expression rather grave.
"Kang Kang, I... I'm afraid you'll get hurt. I know everything that happened at the banquet. Thank you for your hard work!" A Yuan reached out and held Xiao Chengkang's hand, her face filled with worry and affection, afraid that something might happen to Xiao Chengkang in Xiling Kingdom.
The two held each other's hands tightly, their eyes burning with love.
But beneath the surface of the deep palace at night, an even more turbulent wave is brewing.
In Jiangnan, at Chrysanthemum Manor, which belongs to the Prince Jing's Mansion.
Autumn colors are in full bloom, and chrysanthemums are in full bloom all over the mountains and fields, golden, snow-white, and crimson... like an overturned palette, dazzling and beautiful. The air is filled with the refreshing fragrance of chrysanthemums.
Shen Yuewei stood amidst a sea of golden "Imperial Robe Yellow" flowers, a delicate little bamboo basket slung over her arm, carefully selecting the most fully bloomed blossoms. Xiao Chengjing stood beside her, hands clasped behind his back, watching his wife's focused profile. Sunlight bathed her, gilding her with a soft golden edge, and the lingering melancholy between her brows seemed to be somewhat softened by the vibrant life and the busyness in her hands.
"What are you going to do with these? There are plenty of the finest Hangzhou chrysanthemums in the village," Xiao Chengjing asked gently.
Shen Yuewei picked a large, golden chrysanthemum and carefully placed it in her basket, saying softly, "Old Mo said that this 'Imperial Robe Yellow' chrysanthemum is slightly cold in nature and can dispel wind-heat, soothe the liver, and improve eyesight. I want to pick some and take them back with some goji berries and cassia seeds, dry them, and make chrysanthemum pillow stuffing. It will be good for Chen Feng and the others to use, as it will help them recover from their injuries and calm their minds. Kang'er... he has always liked the fragrance of chrysanthemums, and he sleeps more soundly." Mentioning her son, her voice lowered, carrying a barely perceptible sob.
Xiao Chengjing understood. She wasn't just picking chrysanthemums for the wounded; she was clearly pouring her endless longing for her son and her restless worry into each chrysanthemum she had picked and carefully prepared. He stepped forward and gently put his arm around his wife's shoulder: "Alright. I'll pick some with you. Pick a lot, make some for everyone in the palace. Kang'er... he will surely return safely, and when he does, he'll sleep soundly with the chrysanthemum pillow you made."
Shen Yuewei leaned on his shoulder, gazing at the boundless sea of flowers before her, feeling her husband's strong arms and silent comfort. Her eyes shimmered with tears, which finally turned into a long sigh, merging into the rich fragrance of chrysanthemums in the autumn breeze. Longing, like the chrysanthemums covering the mountain, bloomed silently, endlessly.
What Shen Yuewei didn't know was that in the distant Xiling Palace, the lights in Qiwu Hall remained burning all night.
A-Yuan and Xiao Chengkang sat facing each other under the lamp, before them a complex military and political map of Xiling and secret reports marked with evidence of the crimes of Lin's cronies.
The clarion call for counterattack is about to sound, marking the beginning of its most powerful chapter.
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