Who is that person?
It's late at night.
The Prince Duan's residence was so quiet that the sound of candles burning could be heard. Yan Shu sat alone in front of her dressing table, her fingers unconsciously tracing the half-jade pendant.
The jade is top-quality Hetian jade, warm and smooth to the touch. But for some reason, as I touched it, a chill crept up from my fingertips.
The scene from the palace banquet flashed before my eyes again—one person collapsed to the ground, while another stood up…
These images flashed by, yet they felt like icicles piercing my heart.
"This jade pendant..." she murmured to herself, her fingertips resting on the dragon's eyes.
Suddenly, a sharp pain struck!
It wasn't the pain in her head, but in her chest. It felt as if an arrow had pierced through her, the pain making it hard for her to breathe.
Her vision blurred again, and she saw that figure again, this time more clearly. It seemed like she had been hit by something and fallen to the ground, while the person standing there... that figure seemed very familiar...
"Ah!" she gasped, nearly dropping the jade pendant.
Then, more images came through—
In the modern laboratory, wearing sterile gloves, she perused the "Archaeological Excavation Report of the Tomb of Prince Duan, Yuan Che." The appendix clearly stated: "[Jade ring with dragon pattern (fragment), unearthed from the coffin, broken, only half remaining...]"
Another blurry photocopy of "Collection of Lost Medical Cases from the Dayong Palace" flashed by, the words circled in red pen glaringly obvious: "[Princess Duan died due to weakness after a miscarriage, coupled with an incurable heart ailment...]" This was information she had seen in modern times, so why did she recall it again?
Miscarriage? They had a child that never came into the world...
Cold sweat trickled down her forehead as she gripped the jade pendant tightly.
But this jade pendant is like a key, unlocking the floodgates of memory time and time again.
Footsteps came from behind.
Yan Shu hurriedly wiped away the cold sweat and stuffed the jade pendant into her sleeve. When she turned around, she already looked calm.
"Your Highness."
Ling Yuan's gaze lingered on her face for a moment. The candlelight was dim, but he could still see her pale complexion.
"Are you feeling unwell?" he asked briefly.
"I'm just a little tired." She lowered her head.
He didn't ask any further questions, and walked to the window to gaze at the night. His back was straight, yet exuded a sense of detachment.
Yan Shu watched his retreating figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
This man was both her husband and a figure in that enigmatic period of history. She knew his fate, but she couldn't see the path leading to it.
"His Majesty was very satisfied with the plan you presented at the palace banquet," he suddenly said.
"Your Majesty, I have simply read a few more miscellaneous books."
"Hmm," he responded, then fell silent.
This kind of silence is the most agonizing. Even though you're in the same room, it feels like you're separated by a thousand miles.
She knew what he suspected—why would a daughter of a prime minister be so knowledgeable about military and political affairs? Why would a sheltered young woman lose her composure when touching the jade pendant?
But she couldn't say anything.
She's said to be from a thousand years in the future? She knows his mother's entire clan will be exterminated? They all end up dying?
He would just think she's crazy.
"It's getting late, let's get settled." He finally turned around, his tone still calm.
Yan Shu silently blew out the candle.
In the darkness, the jade pendant emanated a cool warmth from within her sleeve. She knew that this was more than just a piece of jade; it was the key to unlocking the truth.
Those fragmented memories, those ambiguous images, all point to a terrifying truth—historical records have concealed too much. Her "death from illness," and Lingyuan's "dying in despair," are probably not so simple.
The next afternoon, when Chun Tao brought tea and snacks, she saw that the woman was still staring at the jade pendant in a daze.
"Your Highness, you've been looking at this jade pendant all morning."
Yan Shu snapped out of her reverie and looked at the patterns on the jade pendant: "Chun Tao, how many things do you think a piece of jade can remember?"
Chun Tao blinked: "Jade is just jade, what can it remember?"
She smiled but didn't say anything.
Jade itself doesn't remember things. But the person who wears it will.
Why did she see those images when she touched it? The person who had fallen, and the person standing not far away... Although she couldn't see their faces clearly, they felt strangely familiar.
My head started to ache again.
This time, it wasn't just pain, but also an indescribable sadness that welled up from the bottom of her heart, making her feel suffocated.
"Your Highness? You don't look well."
"It's nothing," she waved her hand, "I'm just a little tired."
Chuntao looked at her worriedly: "Shouldn't we ask the imperial physician to take a look?"
"No need," she immediately refused. "I'll just rest for a bit."
Some secrets are meant to be kept to oneself. Some roads are meant to be walked alone.
She carefully put the jade pendant close to her body; the cool touch brought her back to her senses.
The road ahead is difficult, but she must keep going. To find out the truth, and also for... the person she's started to care about.
Outside the window, the sky was gradually darkening. Another day had passed.
In this secluded mansion, every day felt like walking on thin ice. The jade pendant in her hand could be a talisman for protection, or it could be a death warrant.
She sighed softly.
This road is still long.
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