Chapter 28
Shao Sizhi began to ask about her past more frequently, seemingly in casual conversation.
Describe what her childhood home looked like, her mother's temperament and preferences, and ask her which other relatives her maternal grandparents had.
The questions were trivial and random, as if they were just a passing fancy of concern.
Qi Nian'an responded each time, telling herself to answer carefully and patiently, making the false answer seem reasonable, or at least without any flaws.
The barrier between them, which had been somewhat dissolved by their promise of a lifetime of being one person for life, is now reforming, becoming thicker and colder than before.
That person would still come to the palace and would still listen to her, but that atmosphere of complete trust, even with a hint of dependence, had disappeared.
The subtle observations and probing were gradually eroding Qi Nian'an's rationality, a process that was suffocating.
"The honeymoon period is over, that's normal. You two should argue. Once you're done, you'll find the world is vast. He started suspecting you of being a spy just because of a few outrageous marketing posts?"
"Even if you really are, he can't just suspect you so easily. Besides, you saved him before, really."
Li Xiaoran's attempts to persuade them to break up have made her lose all sense of reason.
Qi Nian'an spoke up, wanting to say that sometimes, Shao Sizhi would look at her for a long time, and that gaze was no longer one filled with love or admiration, but rather more like examining a precious object full of mystery, trying to find out the possible flaws or hidden dangers inside.
Okay, maybe it's not a treasure, just a suspicion.
Consort Ning clearly noticed this subtle change as well.
She came more frequently, and her words became more clearly defined.
Sometimes, she would even naively bring up certain anecdotes about loyalty and origin, not directly targeting Qi Nian'an, but every word seemed to be a silent footnote to the pervasive rumors.
The Imperial Palace seemed to be shrouded in an invisible low pressure.
The palace servants became even more cautious in their actions.
When Li Xiaoran arrived, she couldn't help but lower her voice to comfort An'an: "Are you alright, An'an?"
"This palace smells like death. Why don't you come stay at my place?"
Qi Nian'an sat by the window, gazing at the withering grass and trees in the courtyard, her expression calm and undisturbed.
She gently stroked the warm rim of the teacup, the soil in her heart that had briefly warmed because of Shao Sizhi's promise was rapidly freezing and cracking.
Shao Sizhi...you really doubt me?
All those days and nights spent together, those whispered sweet nothings, all those promises he made... could they all be defeated by a few baseless rumors?
How ridiculous!
Qi Nian'an tugged at the corners of her mouth, wanting to laugh, but found her eyes stinging first.
She blinked hard, forcing the wetness back.
What is this? Heartbreak? A wave of self-mockery washed over her.
Am I crazy to talk about trust and exclusivity with a feudal emperor?
He was originally the master of the three palaces and six courtyards, and suspicion and checks and balances were instincts ingrained in his bones.
How could she be so naive as to think she would be the exception?
Qi Nian'an, oh Qi Nian'an, looking at her somewhat pale face in the bronze mirror, she thought, "You really think you're something special? You think you're unique just because you've received a few days of favor? Now look at you, rumors have spread, the favor is gone, is the next step to be banished to the cold palace?"
"A concubine abandoned in the cold palace..."
She murmured those four words to herself, feeling utterly ironic.
After all that arduous journey and all that trouble, is this how it all ends?
A surge of intense resentment and anger rushed to his head.
On what grounds?!
Why should she endure such an unjust accusation?
Why should I wallow in self-pity like a prisoner awaiting sentencing?
I'm going to ask him!
This idea started growing wildly.
Go find him right now and ask him face to face! Ask him if he really believed those lies, ask him if those promises were all broken, ask him what he really considers her to be!
The impulse was so strong that it almost drove her to rush out of the palace gates immediately, to rush to him regardless of everything, to tear through the veneer of calm, and to force him to give an answer.
She turned abruptly, her skirt swirling in a sharp arc, and took a step towards the palace gate.
The fire burning inside her chest was making her feel pain in her internal organs.
"Nian'an! What's wrong?"
Li Xiaoran was extremely grief-stricken behind her, her voice filled with concern for herself.
But... what happens after you ask?
My footsteps stopped abruptly just before they reached the threshold.
If he admits it, then he's just suspicious of her. So what? What can you do?
Wouldn't her questioning now be nothing more than humiliating herself? Wouldn't it trample on her last shred of dignity?
To question her would only put her in an even more humble and pathetic position.
Like a resentful woman begging for pity.
No... I can't go.
Qi Nian'an bit her lower lip hard and tasted a hint of blood.
The sharp pain cleared her confused mind somewhat.
She can't afford to make a fuss.
She knew that once the rumors breached her defenses, she would face utter ruin.
She must not panic, she must not lose her composure, and she must not rush to defend herself.
She must be more composed and cautious in her words and actions than ever before.
These days, I feel like I'm dancing on a knife's edge, every step filled with unknown dangers and bone-chilling cold.
The occasional scrutinizing gaze from Shao Sizhi was the source of this chill, making her heart shiver more than any open attack.
"It's okay, An'an, it's okay."
Li Xiaoran patted her from behind, saying, "You have me. No matter what, you have me."
The air was filled with the fragrance of incense. Qi Nian'an was somewhat uneasy, her fingertips unconsciously tapping the table, as if something was lurking in the shadows.
"Your Highness, a message has arrived from Consort Ling." Yi Xing's voice interrupted her thoughts as she presented a delicately folded piece of stationery.
Qi Nian'an took it, unfolded it, and saw that it contained a message written by Li Xiaoran using the code they had agreed upon, interspersed with a few subtle complaints about Consort Ning's recent activities.
The contents were nothing special. She quickly glanced at them, then casually put them aside and instructed Yixing, "Put them away and handle them according to the usual procedure."
Yi Xing responded with a "Yes," carefully tucked the letter into her sleeve, and was about to turn around to deal with it.
Qi Nian'an remembered something and called out to her, "Oh right, go find that new jade tea set we got a few days ago. He'll be able to use it when he comes later."
"Yes, this servant will go right away." Yi Xing curtsied and hurried towards the storeroom.
As Yi Xingfang left the palace gate, a third-class palace maid carrying a tray of fresh fruit entered from outside.
The two bumped into each other lightly at the threshold.
"Oh dear!" the palace maid exclaimed, tilting the tray in her hands and spilling the plump grapes all over the ground.
Yi Xing was also knocked off balance, and the floral note in her sleeve fluttered down.
"This servant deserves to die! This servant deserves to die!" The palace maid's face turned pale, and she apologized repeatedly, hurriedly squatting down to pick up the fallen fruit and the fluttering letter.
In the midst of this brief chaos, a small, exquisite sachet embroidered with strange bird and animal totems slipped silently from her sleeve and mingled among the fruit and papers.
She quickly picked up the letter and respectfully handed it back to Yixing. With her other hand, she swiftly clutched the sachet back into her hand, as if afraid of dropping something again. She lowered her head and said in a fearful tone, "Sister Yixing, please forgive me. I didn't mean to. I'll clean up the floor right away."
Yi Xing frowned slightly, took the letter and examined it carefully. Seeing that it was undamaged and the maid looked frightened, she assumed it was an accident and simply said, "Be more careful next time. Hurry up and clean it up."
After saying that, he turned and hurriedly headed towards the warehouse.
The palace maid bowed her head and responded repeatedly. Only after Yi Xing walked away did she slowly raise her head, a fleeting, almost imperceptible smug look flashing in her eyes.
Then, he reverted to his timid demeanor and deftly cleaned up the mess on the ground.
She clutched the sachet with exotic symbols tightly in her hand and hid it back in her sleeve.
Almost at the same moment, Shao Sizhi, who had finished reviewing memorials in the Imperial Study, was strolling towards the Imperial Garden, hoping to refresh himself with a walk.
As we passed a rugged artificial hill, the hushed voices of two eunuchs could be heard from behind the rocks. Their conversation was intermittent, yet every word was clear:
"...Have you heard? The people around Consort Chen seem to be quite concerned about the rotation of troops stationed at those passes in the northern border..."
"Really? Why would Your Highness care about this?"
"Who knows... Perhaps... he was inquiring for some lord? Alas, but we servants dare not speculate, for that would be a capital offense..."
The sound stopped abruptly, as if someone had suddenly noticed someone approaching.
Shao Sizhi abruptly stopped, his relaxed expression instantly replaced by icy coldness.
The head of the guards behind him reacted extremely quickly; with just a glance, two guards pounced on the back of the artificial hill like cheetahs.
However, they only caught two unfamiliar eunuchs, who were trembling like leaves, insisting that they were just taking a break there and had not discussed anything.
coincide?
One time might be a coincidence, but these repeated occurrences, with such clear direction and precise timing, have gone beyond the realm of mere coincidence.
Shao Sizhi stood with his hands behind his back, gazing intently in the direction of the Imperial Palace. The setting sun cast a long, dark shadow behind him.
He recalled the note with strange writing, the whispers in the palace about spies, and the suggestive words...
An indescribable sense of unease and suspicion, like vines, quietly crept into his heart.
A storm is brewing.
The Imperial Study was brightly lit, yet it seemed to be filled with an inescapable gloom.
Shao Sizhi tapped the exquisitely crafted sachet lightly with his fingers, his gaze sharp as a knife, as if trying to see right through it.
He recognized the totem on the sachet; it was extremely similar to the enemy's mark mentioned in the border report.
The eunuch's unintentional words precisely struck a nerve with him, which had been particularly sensitive lately due to the border situation.
He did not immediately fly into a rage, nor did he summon Qi Nian'an for questioning.
The emperor's paranoia and suspicious nature led him to habitually remain silent and observe until the evidence was completely conclusive.
But this silence itself is an attitude.
That evening, he did not go to the Imperial Palace, nor to any other concubines, but instead went to the Lanyue Pavilion where Consort Ning resided.
He didn't stay overnight, but just sat and drank a cup of tea, asked Ning Yuran a few questions about her family, and before leaving, he gave her a jade ruyi with a warm and smooth texture and auspicious meaning.
This move was like a boulder thrown into the turbulent lake of the inner palace!
At a sensitive time when Consort Chen was suspected of treason, His Majesty went to the palace of Consort Ning, who was at odds with Consort Chen, and even gave her a reward!
The reassurance and message conveyed are self-evident.
The news spread like wildfire throughout the six palaces, and naturally reached the Imperial Palace very quickly as well.
Qi Nian'an was sitting in front of the dressing table, with Yi Xing helping her remove her hairpins and jewelry.
Her hand holding the jade comb paused almost imperceptibly.
The bronze mirror reflected her still stunningly beautiful face, with exquisite eyebrows and eyes, and a lovely lip color.
However, those eyes, which always shone with a languid, cunning, or sharp light, were now visibly covered with a thick layer of frost, exuding a chilling aura.
She didn't speak, but continued to slowly comb her cascading black hair.
The hall was silent except for the soft sound of a jade comb brushing against hair and the occasional popping of candle flames.
The air seemed to freeze, so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
Yi Xing could feel that the coldness emanating from the Empress was more bone-chilling than ever before.
Qi Nian'an looked at herself in the mirror, her heart filled with coldness.
She knew this day would come, but she never expected it to come so quickly and so ruthlessly.
Sachets? Interested in military affairs?
That's a brilliant tactic.
Shao Sizhi's silence and the jade ruyi he gave Ning Yuran were more disheartening than any direct rebuke.
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