Chapter Sixty-Eight: The Ambition of the Third Prince

At last, the morning court session had come to an end.

Pei Xiunian rubbed his brow and looked up at the sky. It was precisely midday, and the winter sunlight remained rather dazzling. He followed after his second imperial brother, a man he had not seen in many years.

These two imperial princes, both in their prime, walked side by side along the vermilion-walled imperial path. Every official they passed paid them the utmost respect.

Once they entered the imperial gardens, few officials were to be seen. Instead, clusters of rare blossoms and hardy trees suited to the winter season flourished in abundance before them.

To be honest, walking shoulder to shoulder with another man amidst the wind, flowers, snow, and moonlight of the garden struck Pei Xiunian as somewhat strange. Was there truly not a single competent sister among the imperial scions of Zhaoning?

"Brother recalls that you, Third Brother, have studied the classics for over a decade, and today was your first time attending court. How did it feel?" The Second Prince was the first to break the rare tranquility. His question held no trace of rivalry; it was, instead, a genuine inquiry, almost like an elder brother showing concern.

Pei Xiunian remained cautious at heart but answered truthfully, "There are so many rituals at court, and everyone present is of the highest rank. I was a little nervous, to be frank."

Li Yan glanced at him and smiled. "That is understandable, since it was your first time. What impresses me, however, is how calmly you managed to win over so many allies in court..."

Was this an interrogation?

Pei Xiunian laughed and waved a hand, feigning ignorance of courtly intrigue. "It was just luck. I still lack experience. If I had agreed to the Ministry of Rites' proposal, I suppose I wouldn't have been impeached today."

The Second Prince chuckled. "Court politics are never that simple. What surprises me is why Lady Changle would go out of her way to support you."

"Though I have not mingled with the noble families of the capital for years, I still remember how tightly knit and vengeful they can be. I suspect this Yu Hongdou is not as simple as she appears, and you ought to be careful."

What is there to guard against with that foolish fox Su Zhiqiu? Even if she returns in full force, would it matter... If anyone should be watched closely, it is you.

Even if the great clans reach for the throne, none have the menace of this renowned imperial brother before him.

Pei Xiunian was about to offer a compliment when the Second Prince asked, "What are your thoughts on the death of Fifth Brother? It's a shame I had yet to return to the capital and know little of what transpired."

So this was what he truly wished to ask.

"I heard that you and Fifth Brother were close. Such a sudden loss—my condolences, Brother."

Pei Xiunian wore a look of somber sympathy, then tested the waters, "I do not believe Fifth Brother's death was as simple as a poisoning by the Demonic Sect. Perhaps one of our brothers, long coveting the throne, made such a move during this succession struggle. But why do you bring this up with me?"

This was hardly a revelation. Anyone in the capital aware of the Fifth Prince's death could have guessed as much. What Pei Xiunian could not understand was why the Emperor had announced the Fifth Prince's death at court. Did this mean his macabre alchemy would pause for now?

The two of them passed a fish pond. Despite the freezing weather, the red carp swam merrily in the water.

"Because..." The Second Prince was frank. "It could not have been you. At your peak, you had no need to sabotage yourself and ruin your prospects. It must have been someone else. Do you know of any secrets?"

Li Yan seemed eager to investigate, though Pei Xiunian knew well enough who the real culprit was—the Emperor himself. Still, after some thought, he replied, "I heard that the night before he died, Fifth Brother dined with the Fourth Prince. After returning to his chambers, he was poisoned and died. But that is merely palace gossip; the truth remains unknown."

A flash of coldness seemed to pass through Li Yan’s eyes, but he only said, "Thank you, Third Brother. I shall take my leave for today."

"Safe journey, Brother." As he watched his elder brother’s hurried departure, Pei Xiunian felt a strange sense of unease, though he could not say why.

Was he afraid Pei would record their conversation with a talisman? Yet there had been no sign of spiritual power. In the end, Pei Xiunian shook his head, picked a flower, and made his way with practiced ease through the imperial gardens toward Weiyang Palace.

—

Arriving through the snow, Pei Xiunian found the palace gates tightly shut. After planting the flower in the courtyard, he knocked softly.

The door opened a crack; Su Lan let him in before withdrawing herself.

Pei Xiunian closed the doors firmly behind him and saw, behind the sheer curtains, the Empress Dowager sitting on her bed, her form obscured and ethereal.

He busied himself with brewing tea to warm his hands, remaining silent until the Empress Dowager could endure it no longer. Her voice was cold and clear, "Do you know why I summoned you today?"

"I do," Pei Xiunian replied, cradling his cup. "It's about Yu Hongdou."

"Indeed." The Empress Dowager nodded. "You do realize she is the daughter of a noble house, not someone to be underestimated, do you not?"

She drew back the curtain, revealing a breathtaking figure and eyes smoldering with a hint of anger. "This Yu Hongdou is surely not as harmless as she appears, and yet you allow her to serve as your maid. If you’re not careful, all could be lost. How can I possibly feel at ease sending little Qin to Yangzhou?"

Pei Xiunian sighed. "Dear sister, you know she is the daughter of a powerful family. With her words coming to that point, if I refuse again, I would leave the Yu family no dignity at all. Never mind keeping the Divine Engine Battalion safe; I might find myself unable to take a single step in the future."

"As for Yu Hongdou, no matter her abilities, she is a maid, not a concubine. She cannot wander the palace freely. Once the Heart-Guarding Mirror is repaired, there will be nothing to fear from her."

In truth, Pei Xiunian knew his actions were not entirely prudent.

Yet he still could not bring himself to reveal Su Zhiqiu’s true identity to Meng Qingyuan. No matter how close their titles—be it aunt and nephew or sister and brother—might sound, both understood they were far from true intimacy.

For now, they walked the same path out of necessity, but true knowledge of each other was still distant.

The Empress Dowager, exasperated, crossed her arms, her figure formidable. "I truly do not understand what makes the Divine Engine Battalion so important to you."

Pei Xiunian knew the source of her frustration—it was not jealousy, but his lack of thorough planning. A demoness of the Demonic Sect was unlikely to be jealous, and besides, things had not reached that point.

He interlaced his fingers, his gaze passing over the snow-capped peaks, and spoke with sudden seriousness, "Aunt Meng, how many forces in court can we truly trust?"

Meng Qingyuan’s eyes lingered for a moment; she understood well what he meant. This concerned the "Plucking Stars and Seeking the Moon" they had spoken of.

But who truly yearns to pluck the stars or reach for the moon? That was not the issue.

What mattered was that such ambitions could never be realized by one person alone.

How many would truly follow, heart and soul?

Though she commanded the most powerful cultivators at court and wielded authority over two mighty institutions, the number of those absolutely loyal was scant—so few, in fact, that even "a handful" was an overstatement.

Within the Forbidden City of Zhaoning, the Empress Dowager’s position was scarcely more secure than Pei Xiunian’s own isolation.

This was the true reason they had exchanged tokens of allegiance.

After a long pause, the Empress Dowager murmured, "Not many."

"Our time is running out as well." Pei Xiunian sipped his tea, its fragrance deep and faintly bitter. His tone grew distant. "At the beginning of next month, the Emperor will again ascend the mountain to refine his elixirs. Before then, I must kill Li Yan."

The Empress Dowager’s gaze remained calm. After a long silence, she finally replied, "Very well."