Sixty. The Accusation

Pei Xiunian did not answer the question directly, instead replying with four words full of meaning: "There is always a future."

Tonight, having exchanged cards with the Empress Dowager, he was now fully aboard this ship of thieves, but it was far from a true alliance of hearts—at best, they were fellow travelers bound together by circumstance. What the future held, no one could say; truly, there was always a future.

His repeated hesitations and wavering were now impossible. With Emperor Zhaoning arranging matters as he had, all of Pei Xiunian’s thoughts of stepping back were utterly dispelled. Today he had been fortunate enough to resolve the crisis, but luck of this sort would not always be on his side, and this time, much of it was likely due to the Chief Fatekeeper’s goodwill.

Pei Xiunian was wary of such kindness. Those who orchestrate and manipulate events would never show favor for no reason. As the saying went: every gift from fate has long since had its price marked in secret.

He did not want to be anyone’s pawn, nor did he have time to dwell on these things. The matter of Emperor Zhaoning’s alchemy was pressing. The next time he set foot on Mount Renhuang, he would surely notice something amiss.

Suspicion would naturally fall upon him, and the emperor’s next moves would only become more sudden and unpredictable.

And if Zhaoning were to summon him again, Pei Xiunian truly did not know how he ought to face him. He could already imagine how the emperor would explain things: if, by chance, this third prince were to die in the plot, it would suit the emperor’s purposes perfectly, and what need would there be for explanations to the dead?

He might even kill two birds with one stone, using the incident as a pretext to move against the great noble families.

But if, as now, Pei Xiunian emerged unscathed, the emperor would have another justification at the ready. He could say: "Your father did this to help you win the Empress Dowager’s trust, resorting to such measures for the sake of our great Zhou’s enduring future. Endure it for now, my son, for the greater good."

Endure, my foot... Pei Xiunian would turn away and become a steadfast supporter of the Empress Dowager.

Yet if the emperor truly offered such an explanation, there would be nothing he could refute. Dealing with Emperor Zhaoning really was like bargaining with a tiger—only this emperor was more ruthless than any beast. He truly intended to refine pills of immortality, whereas even a tiger would not eat its own cubs…

Pei Xiunian glanced sideways at the Empress Dowager, still walking beside him, and asked in curiosity, "Madam, have your inner wounds healed so quickly? Are you not afraid of rumors, walking with me through the deep palace at night?"

The Empress Dowager flicked her brocade sleeve, and a fine dusting of gold powder fell to the ground. The sparkling dust glimmered in the moonlight for a moment before fading away on its own—just enough to see him safely back to his quarters.

Meng Qingyuan pursed her lips and snorted, "Since there is nothing between us, why do you care? I am the Empress Dowager—when has it ever been cause for gossip for me to walk freely in my own palace for a breath of fresh air?"

Pei Xiunian found her words amusing. She was sharp-tongued, yet generous with her stardust. He couldn’t be bothered to argue, so he simply looked up at the sky.

The stars shone brightly overhead, clear and resplendent. A gentle breeze drifted by—such a clear, mild night was truly rare in the depths of winter.

He glanced again at the Empress Dowager, who insisted there was nothing between them yet walked shoulder to shoulder with him. There were still traces of weariness on her face, her lips pale and dry, making her appear somewhat fragile.

At last, he asked, "Is there truly no way to cure your old illness, Madam?"

Once a grand master of the Ninth Realm, who could overturn the heavens with a wave of her hand, she had been brought to this state. Naturally, the Demonic Sect’s leader must harbor deep resentment toward the court of Zhou.

The great conflict between good and evil could not have been fanned and fueled without the court’s involvement.

He could understand the Empress Dowager’s eagerness to place her own people, to seize the throne, to install spies—it was like painstakingly raising a character to nearly the highest level, only for some bratty relative to delete it in a moment of carelessness…

And not only did the brat show no remorse, but before leaving, he broke a few of your "worthless plastic figurines" in your room as well…

After a moment of silence, the Empress Dowager sighed, "At present, there is no cure. But the Dao is endless—perhaps one day I will achieve sudden enlightenment and be freed from these old afflictions. There is no need to dwell on the past; we must look forward."

What’s done cannot be changed, but what is to come can still be pursued—such truths she understood, and faced them with serenity.

Understanding is not difficult; what is hard is truly living by that understanding.

Anyone else, faced with such a fall from grace, might spend a lifetime trapped in regret. But Meng Qingyuan could truly break and then remake herself—it was no wonder she had reached the Ninth Realm.

Pei Xiunian was about to speak when she continued, "But before that, accounts must be settled."

Bathed in cold moonlight, her expression was calm, her gaze unwavering.

Pei Xiunian glanced at her; both of their motives were mature and clear—he sought survival, she sought vengeance. Such great ambitions naturally made them allies.

The Empress Dowager turned to him, speaking seriously: "I forgot to mention earlier, but the next court assembly is already scheduled. In a few days, you will have to show your mettle. It will be your first time attending—be cautious in all things."

Pei Xiunian nodded lightly, then asked, "Madam Meng, what do you suspect regarding court matters? For instance, the one who colludes with demons—could the loss of Xiangyang, so soon after the prince set out, also be the emperor’s doing?"

After careful thought, the Empress Dowager shook her head gently. "It is unlikely Emperor Zhaoning would personally consort with demons. If I have guessed his method of seeking immortality correctly, what he desires is to refine the dynasty’s fate into an elixir. The invasion of Qingqiu damages the nation’s destiny, so naturally he would not have caused it… I will send someone to investigate further."

Pei Xiunian bowed his thanks: "Thank you, Madam Meng."

She found his obsequiousness both exasperating and amusing—so quick to change his tune?

"And now you call me 'Madam Meng' again?"

As if just remembering something, she warned, "I heard you rode in the same carriage with the young Fatekeeper of the Imperial Astrological Bureau. Why was that? That institution is unfathomable—best to keep your distance in the future."

Pei Xiunian explained, "I only asked about cultivation matters. After all, the techniques come from the Chief Fatekeeper, and since Ning is the deputy, she likely knows much about them."

The Empress Dowager snorted, "Asking a mere Fifth Realm girl about the Dao? Besides, she’s hardly reliable…"

She continued with great seriousness, "If you have questions about cultivation, just come to me. Remember, my child, when you’re out in the world, friends can give you a helping hand, but only your aunt can give you a good few hands…"

Pei Xiunian nearly choked on her words and was about to retort when a distant voice interrupted: "Welcome, Empress Dowager. Welcome, Third Prince."

As their steps came to a halt, the Empress Dowager realized they had returned to Chengqian Hall, and the stardust’s effect had faded at just the right moment.

Pei Xiunian did not pursue the conversation further. He turned to the quiet maid waiting at the door and said softly, "Xiao Qin, didn’t I tell you not to wait outside for me?"

"There’s no snow tonight… besides, I don’t catch cold so easily…" Xiao Qin bowed her head, not daring to meet the Empress Dowager’s gaze, then added, "Your Highness, the banquet is still hot…"

As she raised her head, she caught sight of the bandaged wound on Pei Xiunian’s shoulder and exclaimed, "Your Highness, what happened?"

The Empress Dowager answered first: "He was injured by a puppet’s concealed weapon during today’s Shenji Camp incident. Keep his food light for the next few days. Let him rest first—I’ll tell you what medicines he needs."

Xiao Qin’s brows drew together. Something serious must have happened tonight.

Had Pei Xiunian uncovered something about the Empress Dowager? Where should her loyalties lie?

It couldn’t have been a wound from the Shenji Camp—she had checked him when he returned to the palace earlier. So how did he come away from the Empress Dowager’s quarters with an injured shoulder?

That couldn’t possibly be from a scratch…

Still, she nodded and opened the doors to Chengqian Hall. After Pei Xiunian closed the door behind him, Xiao Qin finally met the Empress Dowager’s gaze.

She bowed and said sweetly, "Madam."

Meng Qingyuan looked at her, arms crossed, and casually cast a silencing spell before saying, "You must have something to tell me?"

Xiao Qin stepped forward, her voice small and plaintive as she complained, "Madam, he… His Highness frightened me. When he returned tonight, he kept speaking of Lu Qinyue… I think he may already suspect my identity. Madam, what should I do now?"