Chapter 65

Chapter 65

Xu Yunqi was momentarily speechless.

Regardless, she had to find a way to treat him.

The man continued to nuzzle against her neck. As Xu Yunqi tried to shift away, he tightened his embrace. After much effort, she managed to reach the edge and grasp the cup of water. Just as she did, his scorching lips brushed against her cheek, and he skillfully captured her lips, allowing a swift tongue to slip in for a taste of sweetness. His breath came in rapid, stormy gusts.

Xu Yunqi squeezed her eyes shut tightly.

Of course, she wouldn't let him have his way.

Doctor Xu summoned her usual composure and courage. Reaching behind his head, she found the Tianchi acupoint on the back of his skull and pressed firmly. The man winced in pain, halting his actions. He lifted his gaze slowly, his hazy eyes filled with both hurt and doubt. Xu Yunqi paid no attention, seizing the opportunity to place the cup at his lips.

"Drink some water first."

Pei Muheng sensed a hint of coaxing in her gentle voice. Obediently, he lowered his head. Xu Yunqi helped him drink the entire cup, feeling relieved. As she turned to set the cup aside, Pei Muheng predictably leaned in again. This time, Xu Yunqi didn't give him a chance. Swiftly, she pierced his acupuncture point to render him unconscious.

Looking at the motionless man lying on top of her, Xu Yunqi let out a long sigh. She carefully rolled him off and began to administer acupuncture. Treating high fevers was Xu Yunqi's forte. For children, a few massage techniques would lower their fever within a short tea break. For adults, a quarter-hour of acupuncture was enough to alleviate the heat.

During the lull, Xu Yunqi called Huang Wei and instructed him to prepare clean clothes and bring a pot of warm water.

As dawn broke, a light snow had fallen during the night, dusting the courtyard with a thin layer of frost. Pei Muheng soon began to perspire profusely, his forehead steaming and his clothes sticking to his skin. Huang Wei helped him change, and after Xu Yunqi finished stitching, he asked Huang Wei to assist him in standing up and fed him a large cup of water. Beads of sweat covered his entire body. By the time they had cleaned him up, the sky was already bright.

The man on the bed finally fell into a deep sleep, his fever subsiding, leaving a cool sensation when touched. Xu Yunqi took his pulse and prescribed a remedy, instructing Yinxing to prepare the medicine.

"I'll rest in the back yard for a while. Let me know when he wakes up," Xu Yunqi told Huang Wei before leaving.

Yinxing went to fetch the herbs, while Xu Yunqi, wrapped in a cloak, made her way to the back yard alone. She followed the corridor out of the study's back door, descending a flight of steps onto a stone path that wound through the garden and woods.

To the west, near the water, there used to be a dense grove of slender bamboo that provided shade in summer. In late autumn, the bamboo had withered, leaving only a few lifeless stalks swaying aimlessly in the breeze. The cold wind from the pond rustled through the leaves, sending a chill down one's spine.

Two servants, tasked with taking the clothes from the study's back door to the laundry in the Qinghui Garden, walked along the stone path outside the bamboo forest. One carried a basket of clothes, the other a bucket of water. The trees concealed Xu Yunqi's figure, and they didn't notice her as they chatted casually.

"Third Master is really ruthless. To think he'd put ice in such freezing weather."

"I heard he got the ice from the Xun family's cellar next door."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yunqi was puzzled. Ice? Why would Pei Muheng need ice?

Recalling Pei Muheng's chillingly abnormal pulse, Xu Yunqi suddenly understood. Could it be that he had brought this illness upon himself?

What could have happened in the court that forced him to pretend to be sick?

Xu Yunqi could only interpret it as the Emperor's disdain for the Xi Palace, compelling Pei Muheng to temporarily retreat and stage a melodramatic sacrifice to avoid trouble.

She admired Pei Muheng's courage while at the same time feeling a pang of sympathy for him.

The entire Xi Palace's honor and disgrace rested on his shoulders; the burden was too heavy for him to bear.

Soon, the old woman continued, "To win the young madam's compassion, Third Master is risking his life."

Xu Yunqi's steps faltered, and she froze in place.

What did she mean by that?

How did this involve her?

The other woman chuckled, appearing nonchalant about such tactics, "A self-sacrifice, you see. It never fails to work. Even if the young madam has a heart of stone, it should melt by now. For Third Master to resort to this strategy, it shows how deeply he cares for the young madam."

The morning chill was biting, yet Xu Yunqi's cheeks were flushed with warmth, the redness lingering for a long while. Standing in the wind, she felt utterly disheveled.

If this were true, Xu Yunqi would be furious. As a physician, she despised anyone who took their health lightly. However, she quickly regained her composure.

Pei Muhang was not that kind of person. It must have been those two maids, ignorant of the complexities of court politics, who misunderstood the situation.

Upon returning to Qinghui Garden, Chen Momo had already set out the breakfast spread.

In no time, Yinxing delivered the freshly brewed medicine to Chen Momo, who then carried it to the main courtyard. Yinxing entered to join Xu Yunqi for the meal. In the palace, servants were forbidden to dine with their masters, but such rules never applied to Yinxing. For years, the two had relied on each other, often sharing meals and a bed when Pei Muhang was away.

Xu Yunqi had just finished eating when Yinxing sat down at the table. The young maid hastily devoured a few crystal dumplings, satisfying her empty stomach, before turning to Xu Yunqi and saying,

"Miss, I think there's something odd about Master's illness."

Xu Yunqi hadn't expected Yinxing to detect the issue so swiftly. "He fetched some ice and ended up making himself sick."

Yinxing was startled. "How could he do that to himself?"

Noticing Yinxing's raised voice, Xu Yunqi hurriedly hushed her. "Don't make a fuss. Third Master must have wanted to avoid the court, hence this scheme."

Ginkgo looked at her doubtfully, "Is that so?"

Recalling Huang Wei's words from the early morning, she said, "Since it's due to the court, there's no reason for Huang Wei to hide it from you. Besides, there was no need to be so harsh – he could have easily pretended to have a headache to get away with it..."

"Is His Majesty so easy to deceive?" Xu Yunqi asked.

Ginkgo fell silent. After they finished their breakfast, Ginkgo collected the utensils and took them out. Upon returning, she bowed before Xu Yunqi and said,

"Miss, is it possible that Third Master's illness is genuine, and his intention to seek your sympathy through this is also true? How many men have pretended to be ill in front of you over the years?"

Xu Yunqi was taken aback.

There were no shortage of men who feigned illness before her, but Pei Muheng was not one of them. If he were to go that far... Could he still be the brilliant and admirable Third Young Master under the clear moonlight?

Xu Yunqi shook his head.

Rising too early in the morning, she was now feeling somewhat drowsy. She returned to her canopy bed to catch up on sleep.

With eyes closed, the words of Pei Muheng echoed drowsily in her ear, "It is only at times like these that you deign to visit me..."

This was the same tactic employed by those young masters who feigned illness in front of her.

How could that be?

Xu Yunqi's sleep was far from peaceful. Her mind was muddled, as if engaged in an inner struggle. When she finally awoke, it was already the third hour of the afternoon. Rarely had someone disrupted her composure like this; it was a first for her.

After lunch, she went to Qinghui Garden to check on the patient. Pei Muheng was still sound asleep. Seeing that his breathing was steady, Xu Yunqi didn't intervene. But by evening, Huang Wei grew restless, fearing that Pei Muheng might have developed complications. In a panic, he rushed to Qinghui Garden to invite Xu Yunqi over.

"Madam, please take a look. Third Master has been sleeping too long."

In the past, Pei Muheng would sleep no more than three hours a day, going to bed at midnight and rising at dawn to attend court.

Xu Yunqi sat down to feel his pulse. Although it was somewhat weak, it remained generally stable.

"Some people are overly busy, always straining themselves. When they fall ill, it hits them like a mountain collapsing, and recovery is slow like unwinding silk. Just consider it his chance to rest."

Soon, the news of Pei Muheng's illness reached Empress Xihui, summoning Huang Wei for an inquiry. Xu Yunqi had no choice but to stay and tend to Pei Muheng.

At last, the person on the bed stirred.

Xu Yunqi noticed the signs of awakening in his gaze, and the tenderness on her face faded as she sat straight, remaining silent.

Pei Muleng's heavy eyelids slowly parted, revealing a blur before him. As his vision sharpened, the figure became clearer - a fair complexion, delicate features, and an unwavering composure that weathered any storm. It was the face he had yearned for day and night.

Pei Muleng's expression froze for a moment. His throat felt as if it were stuck, and after a long while, he managed to croak, "Yunqi?"

His face was unnaturally pale. The thin lids of his eyes lifted weakly, and his sharp brows seemed to have sheathed their edge. The disheveled tea-white robe draped over him, lending an air of fragile beauty to his entire being.

Xu Yunqi began to scold him, "If you were planning to fake illness, why didn't you discuss it with me beforehand? I could have devised a hundred ways to help without having you plunge into icy water on a chilly autumn day." She scowled and added, "Don't be so reckless next time."

Pei Muheng was momentarily taken aback, then couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.

After a while, he nodded slowly, as if something had just come to mind. He asked her softly,

"Was I so delirious from my illness that I did something to upset Yunqi?"

At his words, Xu Yunqi's cheeks flushed. Meeting Pei Muheng's dark gaze, she replied nonchalantly, "No," before handing him the prepared ginseng porridge. "Come, have something to fill your stomach. You still have to take medicine later."

Without hesitation, Pei Muheng followed her instructions. However, when the thick, black herbal soup was presented to him, he still couldn't help but frown.

He had trained in martial arts since childhood, seldom falling ill. When he did, a single nap would usually do the trick. He had never been fond of taking medicine.

Seeing him hesitate to drink a bowl of medicine, Xu Yunqi glared at him impatiently. "Who is Third Master? A man of great stature and strength. Why should you be intimidated by a mere bowl of medicine today? Drink it now."

Her words carried a noticeable spark of liveliness compared to usual.

It felt truly wonderful to be cared for like this.

He was right to pretend to be sick.

Pei Mucheng gazed at her deeply for a moment before obediently drinking it all down.

The bitterness lingered in his mouth, causing his handsome brows to furrow. Xu Yunqi kindly offered him a cup of tea to rinse his mouth. Taking the opportunity, Pei Mucheng washed his face and brushed his teeth, feeling much more refreshed.

After taking the medicine, Pei Mucheng broke into a sweat. Xu Yunqi was helping to expel the cold and cleanse his system.

"Change your clothes first."

With that, Xu Yunqi left the room, still holding the medicine bowl.

Pei Mucheng finished changing his clothes. When Xu Yunqi didn't enter for a while, he grew anxious and promptly rose from his desk, stepping into the outer room.

Xu Yunqi was seated at his desk, mixing medicines. Hearing the noise, she lifted her head to see Pei Mucheng leaning against the door frame, his tall figure appearing relaxed yet attentive as he gazed at her in a daze, still catching his breath.

Xu Yunqi frowned at him. "Why did you come out? You've just sweated, and now is when you're most vulnerable to catching a chill. Why aren't you lying down?"

Instead of moving, Pei Mucheng asked her with a hint of coyness,

"Will Yunqi be staying here with me tonight?"

It was an unusual tone for such a dignified and composed man.

Xu Yunqi choked on her words.

She had never heard this kind of request from this towering and steadfast man before.

After a moment of silence, Xu Yunqi ultimately relented, her heart softening. "Yes, go back and rest first." It was clear that she was reluctantly giving in.

Satisfied with her answer, Pei Mucheng returned to the inner chamber.

The expression was akin to that of a petulant child who had finally been soothed by an adult.

Xu Yunqi stared at his back for a while, feeling bewildered.

It was merely a cold, yet he seemed like a different person altogether. Xu Yunqi couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.

She quickly prepared some medicinal paste and placed it in a box before bringing it into the inner chamber.

Pei Muheng held a book in his hand, flipping through its pages. Upon seeing this, Xu Yunqi sighed and said, "You're in a weakened state, so you shouldn't overexert yourself."

She walked over, took the book away from him, and then sat down, giving orders. "Lie face down. I'll give you a massage."

Pei Muheng lay on the bolster, and Xu Yunqi pulled up his collar slightly, exposing his strong shoulders and neck. She then covered his lower body with a quilt and applied the medicinal paste onto his Dazhui acupoint and other areas. Rolling up her sleeves, she began massaging him.

Despite lying face down, Pei Muheng could still see her every move through the corner of his eye.

Xu Yunqi was as focused and diligent as always. Her touch was gentle yet firm, and she always found the right spots where he felt discomfort, kneading them away skillfully.

Though young, Pei Muheng practiced martial arts daily to keep fit. However, due to years of desk work, he had developed some issues in his cervical spine. Sometimes, falling ill wasn't all bad; it allowed underlying ailments to surface, providing an opportunity for experienced doctors to address these issues during recovery.

Xu Yunqi was precisely like that.

In the past, tasks like massage were left to Xing Yin or those medical attendants from the clinics. But since it was Pei Muheng, Xu Yunqi took on the task personally.

Pei Muheng was clearly pleased by this, but when he noticed the fine layer of sweat beading on Xu Yunqi's forehead, his smile vanished.

If not for him, why would she be working so hard?

He suddenly felt deep regret.

"Yunqi, don't trouble yourself. I already feel much better, and I should recover completely by tomorrow."

Xu Yunqi remained unperturbed. "You've been burdened with heavy thoughts for years. The Fengchi acupoint must be sore and swollen. You may not feel it now in your youth, but as you age, you'll be more prone to headaches."

That was how Empress Xi and the Emperor had developed their headaches.

Pei Muheng fell silent.

The charcoal brazier burned brightly in the room, casting a fiery glow on Xu Yunqi's features, making them appear even more captivating. Pei Muheng gazed at her without moving, his mind filled with countless thoughts. Why didn't she entrust herself to him? Apart from the pain caused by her troubled past, there was also his own fault. He hadn't done enough to make her feel at ease, to truly consider this place her home.

As night fell, Xu Yunqi administered another round of acupuncture to Pei Muheng. His organs felt as if they had been cleansed, leaving him feeling refreshed and invigorated. This time, he personally experienced the brilliance of Xu Yunqi's medical skills.

While Pei Muheng was in bliss, Xu Yunqi was somewhat weary. Seeing her fatigue, Pei Muheng extinguished the lamp, drew her into his embrace, and led her to the bed.

"Rest well for a while."

They slept until dawn.

Pei Muheng's arm lay across her waist, and she could sense the imminent intensity behind her. The temperature beneath the covers suddenly rose as his breath caressed the nape of her neck, sending shivers down her spine.

His lips found hers in a kiss that quickly sealed their lips together. He rolled over, changing their position, clearly in control and well-versed in how to bring her pleasure. Through their clothing, their bodies intertwined in an elusive dance. Xu Yunqi couldn't withstand it; turning her face away, she withdrew her tongue to catch her breath, whispering,

"Stop playing around."

Her voice trembled with desire.

Pei Muheng's dark gaze settled upon her, admiring the blurred outline of her form. In a low, alluring voice, he murmured, "You want this too, Yunqi..."

Xu Yunqi was also annoyed. She was finding it increasingly difficult to resist his allure.

"It's all because of you."

Never before had Xu Yunqi spoken to him in such a coquettish tone. Pei Muheng felt as if molten lava had been poured into his chest, leaving him burning with desire.

Realizing her slip, Xu Yunqi quickly regained her composure and said sternly, "Don't be silly. You're still weak. Let's talk about it when you've recovered."

She wasn't denying him; there was no need to rush.

As a doctor, Xu Yunqi couldn't afford to indulge in nonsense with a patient.

"I understand," the man replied confidently. He then withdrew slightly, his fingers lightly grazing her skin, stirring up ripples that spread across her body and into her heart. His soft kisses, hovering between intensity and tenderness, offered her just the right amount of care.

She climaxed swiftly.

The darkness that shrouded the room concealed any awkwardness or bashfulness.

Pei Muheng watched his composed wife cover her flushed cheeks before hurriedly sliding off the bed. As she dressed and fastened her buttons, she tried to maintain a calm voice and said,

"I'll prepare the medicine for you."

With a graceful departure, she left without turning back, vanishing through the door.

Pei Muhang's lips curved into a smile as he laughed softly to himself.

The biting cold wind couldn't dispel Xu Yunqi's agitation. She hurried back to Qinghui Garden, where Chen Momo bowed to her as she approached. Xu Yunqi gave a perfunctory smile and walked straight to the eastern annex and its canopied bed. She drew the curtains and buried herself in the quilts.

Between her and Pei Muhang, their conjugal duties had been numerous. She had always been open and candid, both for the sake of continuing their lineage and out of human instinct. This time was different from any other.

He was pleasing her, and only her.

She wasn't afraid of his arrogance, but of his humility.

Xu Yunqi's heart and mind took a long time to settle.

Chen Momo's voice came from outside, inquiring about breakfast. Xu Yunqi sat up again, taking a deep breath, then composed herself before responding,

"I'll have my meal here in Qinghui Garden. For Third Master, please send it directly to his study."

Nanny Chen muttered to herself, wondering about the previous night when Lady Xu had not returned home and instead spent the night in the study. Now, she had come back before dawn. Could it be that they had another disagreement? Looking at Xu Yunqi's gentle and bright expression, it didn't seem like they had fought, so Nanny Chen put her worries aside.

Poor Empress Xi, who frequently summoned Nanny Chen to advise her on how to reconcile this young couple, placed great pressure on her. Nanny Chen wished they would stick together every day and quickly produce an heir.

Xu Yunqi hadn't lied to Pei Muheng. She spent the entire morning mixing medicines. It wasn't her style to avoid him. At the beginning of noon, she appeared before him with poise.

Pei Muheng was already much better and sat behind his desk reading documents. A charcoal brazier was placed by his feet, while another one was near the monk bed, obviously prepared for her.

Seeing him occupied, Xu Yunqi didn't rush him. Instead, she placed the medicine bowl aside and sat on the monk bed by the fire. "I've prepared some medicinal paste for Third Master. We'll apply it to a few acupoints later."

From Pei Muheng's recent illness, Xu Yunqi had learned the ins and outs of his health and where his potential problems lay.

Pei Muheng's usual calm and reserved demeanor returned. The tall and handsome man sat diligently attending to official duties without looking up and said, "Wait a moment more, I'll be done soon."

This was a familiar sight for Xu Yunqi, and her heart settled. She sipped tea beside him, "No rush, we can apply it after lunch."

Neither mentioned the previous night's events, but an inexplicable intimacy seemed to flow between them.

Pei Muheng continued to read the documents sent by the Ministry of Revenue.

He moved like a skilled hunter, always maintaining perfect control over the tempo.

Neither can she be allowed to remain snugly ensconced within her turtle shell, nor can the line of what she can bear be crossed.

Progress steadily, knowing when to stop, is the path to longevity.

In the afternoon, Xu Yunqi assisted him in applying medicinal clay. After finishing, she took her tools and departed, saying, "Rest for a while. I'll bring you the medicine later tonight."

No sooner had Xu Yunqi departed than Pei Muheng welcomed a long-awaited guest.

It was none other than the Grand Secretary Xun Yunhe.

Ever since Xun Yunhe returned to the capital, Pei Muhang had sent word through his servants, requesting a meeting whenever the latter had time. Today, after having lunch at the Cabinet, Xun Yunhe, reminiscing about how long it had been since he last saw his daughter, planned to visit his residence. However, upon hearing that Pei Muhang was unwell, he used the pretext of paying a visit as an excuse to enter the Xi Palace.

Upon entering the study, Xun Yunhe glanced around and was somewhat disappointed not to see Xu Yunqi's presence.

"What matter do you have to discuss, Qingyu?"

With great respect, Pei Muhang invited Xun Yunhe to sit in the master chair, pouring him a cup of tea before taking a seat opposite him.

"It concerns Elder Master Zhang, Xu Yunqi's maternal grandfather."

Xun Yunhe was evidently taken aback. "Didn't Elder Master pass away?"

Pei Muhang's expression turned solemn as he shook his head. He then recounted Xu Yunqi's words to Xun Yunhe without leaving out a single detail, even sharing some of his own speculations.

Xun Yunhe's face paled in shock, turning alternately white and green. He remained silent for a long while.

Suddenly, he recalled an incident from the past. After he became engaged to Qingniang, when he told Elder Master that he would be going to the capital to take the imperial examination, the elder had jumped up in panic, refusing to give his consent. He insisted that Xun Yunhe choose between Qingniang and his ambitions. Xun Yunhe couldn't understand this at the time, not believing that there was any conflict between the two. Naturally, he refused to comply, and Qingniang stood by his side, causing Elder Master to storm off in anger.

After that, he rarely saw Elder Master Zhang. In truth, their interactions were limited, but he remembered that Elder Master had an extremely domineering temperament. It was because of this that Yunqi had been shaped into such an indomitable character.

This explained why Elder Master had been so strongly against him going to the capital.

But what pained him the most was, "Yunqi shouldered all of this alone for three years?"

He blamed himself and Elder Master Zhang even more. If Elder Master had considered him part of the family and they had worked together through thick and thin, he wouldn't have been separated from his daughter for 15 years, leaving her alone and vulnerable.

Xun Yunhe's face turned ashen, his fists clenched tightly, clearly still struggling to come to terms with the situation.

Pei Mucheng rose to bow respectfully, "Teacher, it was my fault that Xu Yunqi had to endure so much alone."

If he had treated her better, she would have surely opened up to him sooner.

Xun Yunhe shot back without any hesitation, "What else have you done wrong?"

Pei Mucheng was left speechless.

Although he had never officially acknowledged Xun Yunhe as his father-in-law, it seemed that Xun Yunhe was also dissatisfied with this son-in-law of his.

The two men fell into a brief silence.

Xun Yunhe took a deep breath to compose himself. "Right now, the most important thing is to find Father. I'll take care of this matter, you stay out of it."

The Xi Palace was currently in a precarious position, and Xun Yunhe would be more capable of handling the situation than Pei Mucheng.

However, Pei Mucheng shook his head. "Whatever concerns Yunqi concerns me. I cannot stand idly by."

Xun Yunhe was about to speak when Xu Yunqi's voice echoed from outside the corridor.

"Is there a guest in the study?" she inquired, having heard movement inside.

Having not seen his daughter for a long time, Xun Yunhe eagerly stepped out and called out to the graceful maiden standing at the end of the corner,

"An An..."

The thought of his daughter bearing so much alone stirred a tempest in his heart.

At that moment, he shared the same sentiment as Pei Muheng. If only his daughter could trust him, accept him, and let him shield her from life's storms.

Regrettably, all his words were in vain.

After a brief moment, the trio re-entered the study. Pei Muheng gave a comprehensive account of the situation.

Xu Yunqi sat on the Buddhist bed, remaining silent.

Xun Yunhe had composed himself, his mind racing with thoughts.

"The records of the Imperial Medical Academy need not be investigated. A fire ravaged them ten years ago, and the remaining copy is hidden within the palace, accessible only to His Majesty," Xu Yunqi was taken aback.

"Can we find out who started the fire?" he asked.

Xun Yunhe, seated on a grand armchair behind a northern screen, shook his head with a cryptic expression. "There's no need. I have a good idea who it might be."

Xu Yunqi and Pei Musheng exchanged a glance, both falling silent.

They had indeed speculated about the mastermind behind the scenes as a couple.

Xun Yunhe cut straight to the chase. "Thirty years ago, there were only three individuals powerful enough to force the head of the Imperial Medical Academy to take his own life: His Majesty, the Empress, and Consort Yan."

"First, we must rule out His Majesty. Yunqi has treated him, and he didn't harbor any suspicions. This suggests that he was unaware of the true circumstances surrounding Doctor Liu's death. Ah, yes," Xun Yunhe directed his gaze at Pei Musheng as he continued, "Doctor Liu's death was directly linked to your father. What does Prince Xi have to say about this?"

Xun Yunhe listened attentively as Pei Muheng recounted the events in detail, which he had clarified with Prince Xi the day before at the altar. He explained,

"My father recalled that he was playing in the imperial garden that day and distinctly remembered being hit by a pebble in his knee. As he stumbled forward, he accidentally collided with Doctor Liu, who then fell onto a Taihu stone by the roadside, resulting in a fatal heart attack."

"The person who did this must have been incredibly skilled. Somehow, my father's knee showed no signs of injury, leaving him unable to defend himself."

Nodding thoughtfully, Xun Yunhe responded, "Someone is trying to implicate Prince Xi in Doctor Liu's death. If I'm not mistaken, there must be more to Doctor Liu's cause of death than meets the eye, and Prince Xi is merely a pawn in the real culprit's scheme."

"Upon Doctor Liu's death, the young princess passed away immediately. Now, who stands to benefit the most from the loss of both the young princess and Doctor Liu?"

Pei Musheng narrowed his eyes and said, "Both Empress Concubine Yan and the Empress had motives to act."

Princess Bright Moon was the crown prince's own sister and the emperor's most beloved daughter. Known as the auspicious omen of Great Jin, as long as she lived, no one could shake the crown prince's position. Empress Concubine Yan had already given birth to Prince Qin, the second imperial son, while the Empress had yet to conceive the Twelfth Prince at that time. Logically speaking, Empress Concubine Yan would have had a greater incentive to act, to eliminate the crown prince's strongest support and frame Prince Xi, killing two birds with one stone to pave the way for Prince Qin. It seemed a very plausible scenario.

But Xun Yunhe shook his head. "The Empress also had a strong possibility."

Both Pei Musheng and Xu Yunqi turned to look at him.

"How do you deduce that?"

Xun Yunhe, being the Prime Minister, was more knowledgeable about past events than Pei Muheng. "Princess Bright Moon was under the care of Empress Concubine Yan at that time. It was said that she doted on the princess as if she were her own child. When the princess met with an accident, Empress Concubine Yan was the first to be suspected. The new empress had just entered the palace then. With Princess Bright Moon in her hands, Empress Concubine Yan held a trump card against the empress. Why would she let her die so easily?"

"It wouldn't have made sense for her to kill the princess at that time. The timing wasn't ripe for Empress Concubine Yan."

"Of course, this alone isn't convincing enough," Xun Yunhe raised his gaze slowly to look at the couple. "Intuition, my intuition tells me it has something to do with the empress."

Having served the emperor for many years, Xun Yunhe was well aware of the two main figures in the harem.

Empress Concubine Yan was bold and straightforward. She had never done anything sneaky in decades. Her methods of dealing with people were always open and aboveboard.

The empress, on the other hand, was entirely different. She was like a snake lurking in the depths of the palace, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Has the empress shown her true colors all these years? No, but her and Prince Twelve's positions had become increasingly secure.

It was not impossible for the empress to plan ahead and seize the opportunity to eliminate Princess Bright Moon, thus removing the support for both the crown prince and Empress Concubine Yan.

Right at that moment, Huang Wei reported that Wang Fan had returned.

Pei Muheng immediately summoned him in. Wang Fan exuded an icy aura, and his face was haggard, indicating that his journey had been arduous.

Xu Yunqi couldn't wait to ask, "Have you found any news about my maternal grandfather?"

Wang Fan shook his head guiltily,

"I didn't find Grandfather, but I did come across some information."

"What information?"

Wang Fan, unable to spare the time for formalities, looked at the three of them and replied,

"The river workers originally numbered around a hundred. They were imprisoned by the Tongzhou Prefecture's office for half a year before being sent to Youzhou as soldiers. Not long after they arrived in Youzhou, a few elderly workers couldn't withstand the harsh cold and passed away in the military camp. Out of concern, I even exhumed their graves. Four bodies remain, and one of them is an empty tomb."

Xu Yunqi was startled, "Do you know his surname or given name?"

Wang Fan answered, "His surname is Qiao, but we don't know his given name. Everyone called him Elder Qiao."

Xu Yunqi closed his eyes, collapsing onto a Buddhist couch. Tears shimmered in the corners of his eyes.

"It was him. He has used this surname before," Xu Yunqi responded promptly.

Wang Fan quickly suggested, "Could it be that the old master faked his death and escaped?"

Xu Yunqi shared the same thought.

"When did he supposedly die?"

"It's said that he passed away in early May. That would make it five months ago."

Xu Yunqi's heart sank further. "It's been five months. If it were really him, he would have sent some word to me, not vanish without a trace."

In the eyes of Xu Yunqi, the reason her maternal grandfather had sent the plea for aid to the Xiyi Palace must have been upon hearing of her betrothal to Pei Muheng. Given that her grandfather was aware of her presence within the Xiyi Palace, even if he chose not to appear himself, he ought to have conveyed some word or message.

"There's another possibility," Pei Muhang's brows were deeply furrowed.

"That would mean the person behind the scenes has discovered his presence and used a decoy to secretly remove him."

Xun Yunhe manifestly approved of this conjecture, "That possibility is indeed more likely."

Pei Muheng keenly sensed that the person who sent the river workers to Yunchou must be connected to the mastermind behind the scenes. He turned to Wang Fan and asked, "Who issued the order to send the river workers to serve in the military at Yunchou?"

This time, it was Xun Yunhe, not Wang Fan, who replied, "It was me."

The three of them were genuinely startled.

Pei Muheng immediately questioned, "Why did you do that?"

Xun Yunhe's mind was flooded with a familiar face.

It was an afternoon after the crown prince had been deposed. Xun Yunhe was alone in the cabinet when a man in a crimson robe approached him and handed over an imperial edict.

"Prime Minister Xun," the man had said, "Yunchou's defenses still need some work, especially on the city walls. I heard that Tongzhou's office has imprisoned about a hundred river workers. I wish to dispatch these men to Yunchou for military service and have them assist in digging the moat."

The proposal sounded logical, and Xun Yunhe didn't hesitate. He signed the transfer order on the spot.

Recalling the identity of the person, Xun Yunhe suddenly understood everything.

"Someone used me as a tool to achieve their objective."