The winter sun hung weakly in the sky, casting a pale glow over the Grand Eldest Princess's mansion. Inside the main hall, Nalan Yan sat upon the high seat, her silk robes flowing like water.
Nalan Wenzheng walked forward and bowed deeply. "Long live Your Highness."
The young empress had forced him to take leave from court. With no other choice, he had come to report everything to Nalan Yan in her fiefdom.
"The wind inside the palace has changed," he said in a low voice. "The young empress has grown wings… and now she acts like a little demon, sucking the blood of anyone who dares to oppose her."
Nalan Yan gave a light laugh and snorted. "Perhaps she is right, you are old now, long past the time to retire. As the powerful prime minister, how could you have been defeated by a little girl?" Her tone then turned cold. "Then get rid of her, and make sure you do not fail again."
Nalan Wenzheng let out a long sigh, then bowed once more. "As you command, Your Highness." He turned and left the hall. The cold wind of Jing'an brushed against his robes as he stepped outside.
Nalan Yan was the only daughter of Emperor Nalan Yanchi of the previous dynasty. From a young age, her beauty had been famous throughout the capital. Even Grand Emperor Jingwen had once wished to take her as his consort.
But the harem was ruled by Empress Dowager Xianrong, Li Jun's mother, a fierce and proud woman who refused to allow any concubine to enter the palace, even though she could not bear a son.
Out of deep love for his wife, the Grand Emperor gave up the idea of marrying Nalan Yan. Instead, he declared her his sworn sister and granted her the noble title of Grand Eldest Princess, along with a fiefdom in Jing'an. All to preserve peace within the newly established dynasty.
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The sound of a ledger snapping shut broke the silence in the imperial study. Li Jun placed it down, her brows knitting together. Captain Wei had handed it to her moments ago, and inside she found that every month, a large sum of money from Wen Jiabao's private treasury was being sent to an unknown person named Yan Yu.
Who is Yan Yu?
Before she could think further, hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor.
"Your Majesty! Bad news…"
The young eunuch Xiao Diaozi stumbled into the study, breathless, before dropping to his knees.
"The entire Wen Jiabao family… has been murdered."
Li Jun's eyes widened.
"Commander Shen has already ordered the palace gates closed," Xiao Diaozi continued. "The killer will not be able to escape."
Li Jun's mind raced. If a murderer could enter even the Imperial Prison so easily, what did that mean for her own safety?
"Tighten the guards… and tell Shen Yuqing to stay with me," Li Jun ordered.
Xiao Diaozi bowed and left to carry out her command.
Clicking her tongue, Li Jun muttered under her breath, "Tch. There are so many guards in the palace, why must my Qing'er personally take action?"
Her gaze drifted toward the door. "Hong Yi… where is my dinner?"
Hong Yi stepped forward nervously.
"Go to the imperial kitchen and check. I'm hungry. Can't you see I'm getting thinner and thinner?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," the maid replied quickly before hurrying out.
Inwardly, Hong Yi screamed, I don't understand this empress… she was unhappy when she was chubby, and now that she's thin, she still complains. Her moods are getting harder and harder to predict and to serve!
A shadow moved swiftly across the palace courtyard under the cover of night. Dressed in black from head to toe, the intruder slipped past the watchful eyes of the guards. His movements were silent, like smoke carried by the wind.
An eunuch turned the corner, humming softly to himself, when a sudden blow landed on the back of his neck. He collapsed instantly. The man in black undressed the unconscious eunuch and quickly changed into the plain eunuch robes, hiding his true identity.
Just then, a voice called out. "Hey! Help me bring dinner to the Empress in the imperial study!" Hong Yi stood a few paces away, holding a tray.
She handed him the tray. "I will return shortly."
Hong Yi, in a hurry to relieve herself, dashed toward the toilet, leaving the fake eunuch to deliver the food on his own.
The fake eunuch took the tray and following her instructions. Along the way, he asked where the imperial study was.
Inside the imperial study, Li Jun was deep in conversation with Shen Yuqing, they discussed the recent assassination. Both women were strikingly beautiful in the flickering candlelight.
The intruder's eyes gleamed as a vile thought took root in his mind. He closed the door and began arranging the dishes neatly on the table. At the study desk, the Empress and Shen Yuqing were busy with their discussion, not sparing him a glance.
His fingers slipped into his sleeve and pulled out a small packet of fine red aphrodisiac powder. Moving quickly, he sprinkled it into the soup. "Hehe…" he let out a lewd chuckle.
"Your Majesty, the food is ready," he said respectfully.
"Okay, Qing'er, let's eat first," Li Jun replied, walking toward the table.
But as she stopped in front of the fake eunuch, her eyes narrowed dangerously, making him stiffen. The air suddenly felt heavy. His heart pounded. Had he been discovered?
The Empress's gaze grew sharper, her lips pressing into a thin line.
"Yo–Your Majesty… is something wrong?" the fake eunuch asked, trying not to stutter.
Li Jun leaned closer, her expression serious. "Where… is my roast duck?"
The fake eunuch froze.
"I always have roast duck on this day of the week," the Empress continued, tapping the table. "Don't tell me the imperial kitchen forgot it again."
The man in disguise swallowed hard, unsure whether to feel relieved or insulted.
"Forget it," Li Jun huffed, plopping down into her seat. "Bring me the soup first… though I'm still angry about the duck."
Shen Yuqing's hand shot out, catching Li Jun's wrist just as the spoon was about to reach her mouth. "Wait, this food hasn't been tested for poison,"
"Oh, it has already been tested earlier," the fake eunuch chimed in quickly.
Shen Yuqing grew suspicious of the eunuch serving their meal. His face was unfamiliar, and she kept observing him, unaware that the Empress had already finished half a bowl of soup.
"Your Majesty…! you mustn't eat the food before it's tested by me or Hong Yi!"
The young Empress gave a pout, then smiled stubbornly. "I'm starving. See? I'm still alive and perfectly fine."
The Empress took another mouthful of the steaming soup. She chewed slowly, swallowed, and… nothing happened.
Shen Yuqing could only press her lips together, holding back her words. The fake eunuch, watching from the side, felt his confidence crumble. Why is there no reaction? Did I get the wrong powder?
"Come, you eat too… this soup tastes very good," the Empress said, pushing the bowl toward Shen Yuqing.
Shen Yuqing nodded and took it without suspicion. The soup was delicious and flavorful, and she continued. After the third spoonful, an odd heat began to stir in her chest. She reached for her neck, frowning, as a thin sheen of sweat formed on her skin.
The fake eunuch was still in doubt when Shen Yuqing's cheeks suddenly flushed crimson. Her posture swayed, and her breathing grew uneven.
"Qing'er? What's wrong?" Li Jun set down her spoon, sensing that something wasn't right.
Shen Yuqing gritted her teeth, gripping the edge of the table. "This… soup…"
Realization struck Li Jun like lightning. Her eyes narrowed at the "eunuch."
"What did you put in the soup?!" she barked.