Chapter 16: News

Chapter 16: News

Rong Bi was confined in a secluded chamber, guarded by attendants at the door. However, she knew that the Imperial Guards had visited, searched the place, and then left. Something had transpired, Rong Bi inferred from the hushed whispers of the guards as they brushed past her. They were searching for an important fugitive.

But who dared to conduct such a bold search at the Princess's residence in the dead of night? Had something gone awry? Would the Princess inspect the contents of the inner treasury? And would she still punish Rong Bi?

Lost in her chaotic thoughts, she eventually succumbed to exhaustion, curling up in a corner and falling asleep.

The next day, and the day after that, she seemed forgotten, locked away in the quiet chamber. No one interrogated or communicated with her, except for those who brought food and water. She was utterly ignored.

Three days later, the Princess finally summoned her.

Princess Yi Yang's face bore a faint trace of fatigue, her usual resilience seemingly vanished. After gazing at Rong Bi for a moment, she spoke, "Mother Hua has taken her own life by poison."

Rong Bi's expression remained stoic. She had expected Mother Hua's demise the moment she revealed that secret. Neither the Princess nor Empress Luo would spare her.

Princess Yi Yang said, "There were too many incidents the previous night. In short, the Imperial City Military Patrol suddenly surrounded the Princess's residence, claiming they were searching for a fugitive. The captain of the patrol immediately headed for the storeroom."

Rong Bi's expression finally changed.

Princess Yi Yang continued, "Do you know what Mother Flower had hidden in there?"

Rong Bi shook her head. However, she was aware of the previous dynasty's witchcraft scandal. Princess Yi Yang smiled slightly. "An old imperial robe."

The private manufacture or storage of an imperial robe was tantamount to treason, especially for the elder sister of the Crown Prince. Rong Bi was startled and looked up, only to meet Princess Yi Yang's sharp gaze. It turned out that her earlier exhaustion was just a facade.

Princess Yi Yang spoke slowly, "Father's old imperial robe, which Mother would have kept when she was alive, somehow ended up in my dowry without a sound. It had been secretly stored in the inner treasury of the Princess's residence – the Palace Dressing Bureau would surely have records. After Empress Luo entered the palace, she replaced all the personnel in the six bureaus. But it's certain that this robe must have had a file in the Palace Dressing Bureau. Someone must have taken note during the inventory and decided not to retrieve the old robe that had been left outside. They then silently bought off key individuals to mix this robe into my dowry, bringing it to the Princess's residence and waiting silently for the moment when the Crown Prince would grow up but his power had yet to fully mature, dealing him a fatal blow."

Princess Yi Yang watched Rong Bi, who seemed to be in a daze, with great interest. "So, you truly didn't know what Mother Flower had placed there?"

She found the situation amusing, but her heart remained deadly serious.

This was a deadly trap from which there was no escape, if not for this maid's sudden revelation.

In the past few nights, she and her brother had narrowly escaped death. She hadn't slept much, instead meticulously recounting and inspecting every corner of the Princess's residence after the Military Patrol left. She had also informed Duke Ding's residence to carry out a thorough investigation. Even Crown Prince Yuan Jun had rushed back to the palace overnight to check all his belongings again.

Moreover, the betrayal of Nurse Hua had sent shivers down their spines, making them doubt even their closest confidants.

But this maid, no matter how one looked at it, should not have been involved in such a deep conspiracy. Though Nurse Hua was dead, the matter was undoubtedly classified. Rong Bi and Yuan Jun had investigated her background extensively but still couldn't figure out how she, who was initially just a negligible pawn in this game, came to know such a deeply hidden secret. If Empress Luo knew that this maid was privy to this secret, she would never have assigned her to Prince Yuan Jun's side.

Rong Bi took a deep breath and said, "This servant is skilled at guessing hidden meanings."

"I've been adept at interpreting people's expressions and thoughts since I was young. When Nurse Hua first met me, she seemed distracted and asked what purpose the Empress had for sending me. At that time, both the princess and the prince were suspicious of me. As your trusted wet nurse, Nurse Hua should have been wary and hostile towards me. Instead, she treated me with respect and fear, as if she was certain that I was sent by Empress Luo to monitor her tasks. She vaguely mentioned the storehouse and always appeared anxious and lost whenever she did so."

Princess Yi Yang's expression turned cold.

Rong Bi continued, "Princess must be wondering now how Empress Luo, who planned this deadly plot for years, could allow a mere pawn like me to ruin everything? Especially since I was discarded and given to you, Princess?"

A slight change crossed Princess Yi Yang's face.

Rong Bi asked, "Was it just a coincidence?"

"How could this servant possibly predict that Prince Yuan Jun would use the game of Hidden Hook to send me to Third Prince? And why did I insist on staying by Princess's side?"

Princess Yi Yang fell silent. After a moment, she said, "When the Troop and Horse Department was searching, I ordered all the servants to stay in their rooms and not wander around. She didn't know that they found nothing, yet she still chose to commit suicide by poison—she must have believed that my death was certain this time."

Rong Bi whispered, "She likely has family members held captive by Empress Luo. Your Highness might want to investigate that angle."

Princess Yi Yang remained silent for a long while before looking at her and saying, "If the Empress knew you were not only beautiful but also intelligent, she probably wouldn't have chosen you."

Bowing her head without a word, Rong Bi replied, "This servant only seeks to protect myself and return home safely."

With a meaningful tone, Princess Yi Yang said, "With your beauty and wit, don't you aspire to become the future emperor's companion, or even the mother of the next crown prince? With your capabilities, attaining the rank of a noble consort would be within reach."

Rong Bi lowered her eyelashes. "This servant is aware of my station and only wishes to leave the palace safely and return home." She was already discarded by Empress Luo; it was impossible for her to leave the palace unscathed. If she returned now, death awaited her. In this vortex of survival, these two siblings were her last hope.

Princess Yi Yang gazed at her intently, her thoughts swirling in confusion. At times, she sensed strategy in Rong Bi's actions, and at others, naivety. Eventually, a clear notion emerged: there were few reliable people around, and this woman could be useful. With her grace and talent, it all depended on whether her brother valued her enough.

With a complicated expression, she said, "Stay by my side for now. If you prove loyal, there will be rewards for you."

Rong Bi felt a slight relief. As a mere ant, her life hung by the whim of those in power.

After exposing such a harrowing imperial secret, it would be understandable if the noble wished to silence her. For those in high positions, self-preservation often relied on proving one's usefulness.

But then Princess Yi Yang added, "You... don't hold any grudges. It was my fault and the prince's. We... have lost our conscience after spending too much time in this ruthless place. You saved us, and I'll make amends. From now on, I won't doubt you anymore."

She abruptly turned and prostrated herself deeply before Rong Bi, "In the end, my conscience cannot rest easy, filled with guilt. This bow is my apology to you." Her previous decisiveness and cold-heartedness were clearly replaced by these sincere words, stirring a slight emotional response in Rong Bi. The resentment he had been harboring was overshadowed by sympathy, and he hurriedly returned the gesture, "Princess, there's no need... I understand that I am indeed suspicious. Your Highness and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince are in a difficult situation, suspicion is only natural. I merely wish to survive."

The atmosphere at the residence of the Eldest Princess seemed to have returned to tranquility.

However, the servants in the princess' household all sensed the subtle changes. It started with the unusual search of the premises, which left all the servants on edge.

Suddenly, the Eldest Princess' wet nurse, Mama Hua, fell gravely ill and passed away. The princess was deeply saddened and generously rewarded her family, providing her with a grand funeral.

Rumor had it that Rong Mei, who had angered the Eldest Princess, had been released and promoted to become the princess' senior maid, still overseeing the meals but with an increase in her monthly stipend. Rong Shi Gong originally received her monthly allowance from the palace, but the Eldest Princess ordered the household to provide her with another one.

Despite this, a dark cloud of unease now hovered over the entire princess' residence. Visitors were scarce, and almost all social gatherings were forbidden. Most of the people in the household moved cautiously, with some already seeking alternative paths. The Eldest Princess allowed them to leave, either by purchasing their freedom or returning to Duke Ding's residence.

Surprisingly, not a single one of the young, handsome male attendants in the princess' employ had left. They continued their daily training, flattering the Eldest Princess each day, their youthful vitality and vibrant faces lifting the gloom in the residence.

On this quiet day, an unexpected guest arrived at the desolate gates.

Changyuan Zheng, the third-ranked scholar.

Zheng Changyuan arrived with a carriage full of extravagant gifts, resembling offerings for the Mid-Autumn Festival in autumn: giant fish, crabs, and exotic fruits from overseas. These were extremely rare and fresh finds in the capital, and the resources required to transport them must have been immense.

He remained elegantly dressed, exuding charm and grace. Princess Yi Yang had arranged a sumptuous feast, and now, by the waterside arcade, another banquet was set up to entertain and express gratitude to Zheng Tanhua.

After several rounds of wine, slightly tipsy, the Princess dismissed everyone except Rong Bi, who was deftly picking the crab meat. With a smile, she asked Zheng Tanhua, "Now that my residence is avoided by all in the capital, I assume there's a reason for Scholar Zheng's visit today?"

Zheng Tanhua glanced at Rong Bi and chuckled. "Nothing too significant. A while back, my family sent some seafood from the coast, and along with it came an amusing anecdote. Since Princess is interested in idle chatter, I'll share it with you."

Princess Yi Yang smiled gently. "The Zheng family, the maritime lords and kings of the harbor, surely know tales that are fresh and extraordinary."

Zheng Tanhua laughed, his eyes and cheeks tinged with a rosy hue, looking utterly debonair. "Has Princess heard of the term 'Divine Courtesan'?"

Princess Yi Yang lifted her gaze, her curiosity piqued. "What is a Divine Courtesan?"