Chapter 14: The Dragon Robe

Chapter 14: The Dragon Robe

A hint of reluctance appeared on Yuan Jun's face as he looked at Princess Yi Yang. "Sister."

The princess glanced at him. "I am the fish, and you are the knife; it's a matter of life or death for both of us."

In the palace, servants who damaged imperial gifts were beaten to death.

Rong Bi was a seasoned court lady, having witnessed countless executions as a means of intimidation. gagged and struck with canes until their bones were shattered, she had been terrified when she first saw such a scene as a young girl, and couldn't sleep soundly for half a year.

She had no time to think about her unattainable hometown, her saved-up wealth, or the brick-and-tile house and koi pond she had once dreamed of. Instead, she bowed deeply and spoke calmly,

"Princess, this servant has a secret matter to report, one that concerns the safety of both the prince and princess. Please dismiss all attendants so that I may speak."

Not even her voice trembled. After years in the palace, she had imagined this do-or-die moment countless times. When she chose the princess on the day of the Hidden Hook game, she had already embraced the possibility of bloodshed.

Princess Yi Yang was taken aback, then smiled. "Your mistake was unintentional. Don't worry, I will generously reward your family."

Looking down at the slender back and bowed neck of the young girl, Yuan Jun thought of a dying swan whose cry was filled with sorrow. He suddenly said, "Let her speak."

Princess Yi Yang glanced at Prince Yuan Jun and said with a smile, "You can all leave." Princess Yi Yang suddenly added, "Being a benevolent ruler is indeed essential, but first, you must become a ruler to have the right to speak of benevolence. Otherwise, a moment of mercy might lead to endless troubles. Most people remember grudges rather than kindness."

All the maidens bowed their heads and retreated quietly, leaving the courtyard in silence.

Prince Yuan Jun remained silent, only gazing at her intently. This was the art of being an emperor, concealing one's emotions and not revealing favoritism. Though he was only the crown prince, it was clear that he had received imperial education from a young age. He believed his expression should be indifferent, yet Rong Bi somehow sensed a profound compassion in the prince's eyes.

At the threshold of life and death, Rong Bi's mind drifted for a moment. Did this god-like man genuinely pity her for being on the verge of death?

Princess Yi Yang, however, assumed she was seeking a reward. Such a small pawn likely knew no significant secrets. With a beauty about to die, her brother might soften, so she would play the villain and generously reward her family. Smiling, she asked, "Go on?"

Rong Bi took a deep breath and spoke calmly, "Mother Hua, who serves by your side, is loyal to Empress Luo."

Princess Yi Yang was initially startled, then she chuckled. "Do you know that Mother Hua was the empress dowager's maid since childhood and became a palace lady after entering the palace? The empress dowager arranged her marriage, and after having children, she came back to nurse me. Her entire family, including her children, are born servants of the Shen family. Mother Hua has been with me longer than the empress dowager has—Are you trying to absolve yourself by falsely implicating others?"

Rong Bi's face remained composed as she lifted her gaze to meet Princess Yi Yang's. "There are hidden items in the residence's warehouse."

Princess Yi Yang was taken aback for a moment before responding, "What kind of items?"

Rong Bi said, "It's something that can take lives."

"Princess doesn't believe me? You can discreetly send someone to investigate, just not Mother Hua," Rong Bi suggested.

Yi Yang Princess chuckled. "How do I know you didn't send someone else to plant it and then frame my wet nurse?"

Rong Bi replied, "Why would I go through so much trouble and risk my life to harm another servant? What benefit would Empress Luo have from getting rid of the princess's wet nurse?"

The princess scoffed, but the crown prince suddenly spoke up, "Investigate it. Shen Anlin was with me today. Since it was late, I didn't ask him to come in for his respects. Let him lead the search. I'll go with you—seal all information, and regarding Mother Hua…"

Yi Yang Princess's face darkened, but she still rose and ordered her guards to come in and gag Rong Bi before dragging her away to be locked up. She also instructed them to apprehend Mother Hua.

Rong Bi was locked in an empty room with guards posted outside.

The princess's residence was put on high alert, tight security within and relaxed watch without, isolating everyone inside their quarters.

The storage rooms were heavily guarded, forbidding anyone from entering.

Inside the warehouse, Yi Yang Princess and the crown prince sat solemnly as Shen Anlin led his men, cross-checking the inventory ledger against the items in each chamber.

Shen Anlin was the nephew of the late Empress, making him a cousin to both the Crown Prince and Princess Yi Yang. He now held the position of captain in the Crown Prince's personal guard.

Princess Yi Yang said, "Go get some rest. I'll keep watch here."

The Crown Prince shook his head. She tried to reassure him, "Perhaps there's nothing to worry about. The storage room is stuffy and dirty. You've always been fastidious. That girl was probably just grasping at straws to save her life."

Yuan Jun remained silent. Yi Yang had consumed quite a bit of wine that night. Although she was now awake, she was still weary. Seeing Yuan Jun's determination, she fell quiet, sitting beside him in silence.

After another while of inventorying, they heard rustling sounds and saw dust rising. Yi Yang knew that Yuan Jun was suppressing his obsession with cleanliness to stay there, and she understood the gravity of the situation. She suppressed her curiosity and suspicions, allowing the investigation to proceed meticulously.

Just as they were going through the items, Shen Anlin suddenly emerged, his expression grave. "Your Highness."

Yuan Jun looked up. "Did you find something?"

Princess Yi Yang's heart raced. "What did you find?"

In a seemingly ordinary sandalwood chest, there were several old garments, each neatly folded.

Princess Yi Yang glanced at the paper seal attached to the chest. "This was brought out of the palace when I was married—it should contain some of Mother Empress's old garments."

Shen Anlin gently flipped through the contents and pulled out a light apricot-colored bundle from the bottom. A corner of the bundle had already been untied, revealing the matching fabric within.

Upon unfolding the bundle, a radiant golden robe shone under the candlelight.

Embroidered with mountain and sea patterns, adorned with sun and moon shoulders, nine dragons intertwined, and eight treasures as embellishments, it shimmered with a resplendent brilliance, symbolizing supreme power.

Both Princess Yi Yang and Yuan Jun's expressions changed simultaneously.

All of them turned pale, locking eyes for a long while. Shen Anlin whispered, "We must deal with this swiftly. It can't be seen by anyone."

Yuan Jun spoke gravely, "Cut it into pieces, burn it, and then continue the investigation to see if there's more."

Princess Yi Yang fixated on the dragon robe, her gaze unwavering for a long while before she spoke with difficulty, "There should only be one of these. The Imperial Palace's Bureau of Costume is meticulous about the dragon robes. I saw this one when I was young. Father Emperor, accompanied by Mother Empress and I, went on an autumn hunt. He accidentally tore it, and Mother Empress made him take it off so she could mend it. Not long after we returned to the palace, Mother Empress fell ill and passed away soon after. With the turnover of several Chief Court Ladies, this dragon robe probably remained here in Mother Empress's quarters without anyone inquiring about it. But when I was married, such an item would never have been included in my dowry."

Concealing an imperial robe is tantamount to treason, a crime that could lead to the total annihilation of the entire Duke Ding estate. Moreover, as the elder sister of the crown prince, she would inevitably be implicated, dragging the prince down with her.

So, how did this imperial robe quietly find its way into Princess Yi Yang's personal storeroom, where it remained hidden for years?

Yuan Jun held Princess Yi Yang's hand tightly, sensing its chill. He whispered, "Mother Flower."

Tears almost welled up in Princess Yi Yang's eyes. "She's always been in charge of this storage. It's impossible for Rong Bi to have entered. Only she could have had the chance to smuggle this item out of the palace and hide it here... They're waiting for the right moment, a moment when they can ensnare us all irrefutably."

Yuan Jun said softly, "We must remain calm to avoid alerting them." He then instructed Shen Anlin, who was standing by, "Put everything back where it belongs."

Princess Yi Yang scoffed, about to say something, but a guard suddenly entered. It was Yu Shi Liang, kneeling on one knee with an anxious look. "Princess, Captain Li of the Imperial City Cavalry has arrived with an imperial order. He says there's an urgent pursuit of an escaped criminal at night, claiming that there's evidence the criminal has fled into the Princess's residence. He requests permission to search the premises."

Yu Shi Liang whispered uneasily, "General Li mentioned that the criminal is extremely dangerous and might harm the Princess, so he specially sought an imperial edict to allow a search within the Princess's residence."

Princess Yi Yang lifted her head abruptly, locking eyes with Yuan Jun. She exclaimed, "Did news of our plans leak?"

After a moment of thought, Yuan Jun replied, "Li Kangliang—your father-in-law is indeed a direct disciple of the Luo family and a member of the Imperial City Cavalry. If he carries out this task, it will quickly draw the attention of the Commander of the Five Armies, who would then directly report to the emperor. It's a clever move."

Noticing his sister's anxiety, he reassured her, "I don't think the news has leaked. It seems part of the plan... As I'm here to pray at the imperial temple, it was the Empress who suggested it, and Father agreed. Knowing I would be visiting, she likely expects me to see our eldest sister."

Princess Yi Yang sneered. "Indeed, this would be the perfect opportunity to capture us all, even implicating the Crown Prince." Pondering for a moment, she added astutely, "The sudden palace relocation and tonight's events—something must have happened. The Empress Luo must have taken action."

The Empress Luo must have seized this moment to topple Yuan Jun. A heavy weight settled in Princess Yi Yang's heart as a servant rushed over with an urgent report. "Princess, Mother Flower has poisoned herself!"

Princess Yi Yang's expression drastically changed. The servant girl whispered, "When we went over, they said it was because something had gone missing in the estate, so all the servants were gathered for a search. Mother Hua just sat quietly, and no one noticed anything strange about her. After sitting there for a long time, when someone finally realized something was amiss, her body was already cold. It seems she secretly took poison."

Princess Yi Yang's face turned ashen. Yuan Jun said softly, "Let's just get through tonight first."

Yi Yang said, "You can't show yourself."

Yuan Jun replied, "They know I'm here, but it doesn't matter. With the crown prince present, they'll be more cautious and won't dare to act recklessly. Don't worry, big sister. Now that we've found that deadly item, everything will be fine."

He got up and whispered a few more words to Princess Yi Yang before they both left together.