Chapter 26: Murder

Chapter 26: Murder

The palace gates swung open, and a gust of cold wind blew in, making Qiu Shuiyi shudder.

The group walked into the hall, the cold wind whipping at them.

The woman at the forefront wore a rattan-yellow *juyi* gown with *ruyi* patterns. A gold-inlaid jade and ruby five-tailed phoenix hairpin was pinned in her hair, its tassels swaying gently with her steps, shimmering brilliantly, a picture of lavish splendor.

Her hands were folded gracefully at her waist, her every movement exuding nobility.

Qiu Shuiyi knelt down with Madam Mei.

"We pay our respects to Your Majesty."

"Please rise, everyone."

Empress Yu sat upon her throne, her expression gentle.

Qiu Shuiyi sat back down and discreetly observed the Empress from the corner of her eye.

She appeared slightly older than Madam Mei, with dignified and elegant features, possessing an aura of incomparable nobility.

Perhaps due to overwork, there was a faint crease between her brows.

Empress Yu said softly, "Today is the New Year's banquet. There is no need for formality; everyone, please be at ease."

"The Empress is right," a voice chimed in. "Our husbands can serve His Majesty so diligently thanks entirely to your support, dear ladies. At today's banquet, everyone must not stand on ceremony. Eat, drink, and be merry."

Qiu Shuiyi looked toward the voice.

It was a woman dressed in begonia-colored palace attire.

Around twenty years old, she possessed an exceptionally charming, coquettish beauty. Her fox-like eyes seemed to hold hooks, and with a light smile, it sent a tingling shiver through anyone she looked at.

Her hair was adorned with numerous hairpins, dazzling and splendid at first glance.

As her words fell, Empress Yu's face stiffened for an instant, a flash of displeasure quickly passing through her eyes.

Qiu Shuiyi whispered to Meng Qinruo, "Sister Meng, who is that?"

Meng Qinruo glanced over and quickly averted her gaze, her voice very low, "That is Consort Hong."

"Consort Hong has been in the palace for three years, the Emperor's favor never waned. It is said that even Her Majesty the Empress must avoid crossing her."

So it was her.

In the original story, Emperor Tianhong brought back a woman from the common folk, immediately conferring upon her the title of *Jieyu* upon entering the palace.

This *Jieyu* had a fiery and straightforward temperament, deeply favored by the Emperor. She rose all the way to the position of Consort and even bore him a child.

Emperor Tianhong had difficulty conceiving an heir. When Consort Hong became pregnant, he was ecstatic and once declared that if she gave birth to a prince, he would be granted the position of Crown Prince from birth.

Unfortunately, when Consort Hong was eight months pregnant, she took a bad fall.

Both mother and child perished.

Deeply stricken, Emperor Tianhong, in his disillusionment, ultimately decided to appoint the male lead, Zhou Yundun, as Crown Prince.

"Consort Hong is right," Empress Yu raised her cup. "As the new year approaches, I wish you all fortune in the new year and that all your endeavors go smoothly."

The ladies in the hall quickly raised their cups in response.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After a cup of wine was drunk, music from string and wind instruments suddenly swelled from outside.

Empress Yu smiled, "His Majesty and the lords have begun their banquet; let us begin ours as well."

She gave a slight nod to a palace attendant, who immediately summoned song and dance performances.

From beginning to end, she never directly glanced at Consort Hong, whose expression had turned unpleasant.

Qiu Shuiyi lowered her head and took a small sip of wine.

It seems that, regardless of whether there are children or not, the strife among the consorts in this palace never diminishes.

"This wine may not be strong, but it is still wine. Be careful you don't get drunk," Meng Qinruo advised.

Only then did Qiu Shuiyi realize she had unconsciously drunk a small jug of wine.

She hurriedly put down her cup and chuckled lightly, "It's fine, my alcohol tolerance is quite good."

In her previous life, under great pressure, Qiu Shuiyi would sometimes buy wine to drink alone.

After many such occasions, her alcohol tolerance improved.

Meng Qinruo poured her a cup of tea, expressing doubt, "Really?"

"Of course."

Qiu Shuiyi straightened her back proudly.

However, she was soon proven wrong.

She had forgotten that in the first sixteen years of this life, her family wasn't wealthy, and her grandfather particularly disliked drinking. Therefore, this body, from birth until now, had almost never touched alcohol.

Having just drunk some, her body quickly reacted.

Her cheeks flushed, her face felt hot, and her head became dizzy.

Coupled with the incessant music in the hall, Qiu Shuiyi's head ached.

Feeling stifled in her chest, Qiu Shuiyi whispered to Madam Mei, "Mother, I'm going out for a walk."

Madam Mei was talking to a lady beside her. Hearing this, she asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just feel a bit hot and want to go out for some air." Qiu Shuiyi tried her best to appear normal.

Madam Mei examined her carefully for a moment and, seeing she was alright, said, "Go ahead."

Meng Qinruo asked, "Do you want me to accompany you?"

"I'm just going to get some air for a while," Qiu Shuiyi shook her head and smiled, "I'll be back soon."

Once outside the hall, the cold wind blew, instantly clearing much of the fog in her mind.

The robust laughter of men rang in her ears.

At today's New Year's banquet, Emperor Tianhong and the ministers were outside, while the Empress and the titled ladies were inside, clearly separated.

Pulling her cloak tighter around herself, Qiu Shuiyi glanced around and turned onto a small path.

The scenery along the way was pleasant, and before she knew it, she had gone quite far.

Worried she might not find her way back, Qiu Shuiyi looked around, hoping to find a young palace maid to lead her back.

As her gaze shifted in a certain direction, a slender figure in jade-green robes appeared in her vision from behind a rockery.

Her eyes lit up, and she took a couple of steps forward.

Drawing closer, a soft, gentle, honeyed female voice murmured.

"Our last meeting was so brief, I haven't had the chance to thank you, Your Highness."

"It was merely a small effort, not worth mentioning."

Another voice, a man's, was gentle yet distant. Hearing it, Qiu Shuiyi felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

Through a gap in the rockery, a face as lovely as a lotus flower came into view.

The woman was beautiful. Her palace maid attire did nothing to hide her graceful figure; instead, it accentuated a delicate, fragile beauty.

Her face flushed, she held out an exquisitely embroidered pouch with slender fingers, offering it gently.

"What may have been a small effort for Your Highness was a matter of life and death for this humble servant. Your Highness may not know, but at that time, Eunuch Lin was forcing me to become his... his... 'companion'."

She uttered the last word very softly. As if recalling the peril of that moment, the blush faded slightly from her face, and her eyes glistened with tears. "Had I not chanced upon Your Highness that day, I would have long since thrown myself into a well, becoming nothing but bleached bones at the bottom of a dry well. How could I be standing here now?"

"Ever since that day, whenever I recall Your Highness's noble bearing, A-Yun could not sleep day or night." A-Yun lifted her face, her eyes filled with hope.

"A-Yun's heart... has already been given to Your Highness. Could Your Highness... possibly... take A-Yun with you to your residence?" A-Yun whispered timidly, appearing utterly bashful. "A-Yun would be perfectly content just to stay by Your Highness's side, serving you as a personal maid."

Her face was flushed crimson, like a pure white flower tinged with rosy clouds, adding a touch of radiant beauty.

Listening to this heartfelt confession, Qiu Shuiyi herself was almost moved. Yet, the man opposite A-Yun remained silent.

Who could be so heartless?

Just as she wondered, she heard the man speak. "My apologies, but this prince is already betrothed."

A-Yun's eyes instantly reddened. "Your Highness, A-Yun does not seek any status, I only beg..."

"My betrothed comes from a noble family, cherished and pampered since childhood. If, after our marriage, she were to learn that I kept a maid by my side who harbors feelings for me, one can only imagine her heartache." The man interrupted A-Yun, his voice gentle yet resolute. "I am sorry. I have no wish to grieve her, so I cannot grant your request."

"Your Highness..."

A low sob began to permeate the air. A-Yun wept, her tears falling like pear blossoms in the rain, a pitiful sight indeed.

A figure brushed past her, walking away without the slightest hesitation.

A face as flawless as jade flashed by for an instant.

Qiu Shuiyi's mouth fell open in surprise.

It was actually Shen Yuchao?!

In her dazed state, she saw a flash of venom appear in A-Yun's eyes. The woman discarded the pouch in her hand and drew something from her sleeve.

A glint of silver flashed. Qiu Shuiyi's muddled mind couldn't react in time, and she was unable to cry out a warning.

A-Yun raised a dagger, thrusting it fiercely towards Shen Yuchao's back, aiming for his heart.

Just as the blade was about to pierce his flesh, the tall figure ahead suddenly pivoted. With one swift motion, he struck A-Yun's wrist, seized the dagger, and sent her flying with a kick.

A-Yun crashed heavily against the rockery, blocking Qiu Shuiyi's line of sight.

She stood there, stunned.

In her ears, Shen Yuchao's voice remained as gentle as spring water.

"You wished to kill me?"

Clutching her severely aching chest, A-Yun drew a sharp, pained breath. In response, she let out a cold, mocking laugh. "Yes. I've wanted to kill you for a long time."

"But I never expected you, you bastard, wouldn't take the bait. To think you'd stay chaste for your betrothed. How profoundly devoted."

A-Yun's eyes were filled with scorn. "Just like your late father."

*Crunch—*

The sound of a dry twig being crushed underfoot.

Moon-white robes gradually drew nearer.

Shen Yuchao toyed with the dagger in his hand.

"My father's devotion—shouldn't it be praised by the world? Why does your tone drip with such mockery?"

The sharp edge of the dagger pressed against A-Yun's cheek, tapping it lightly a couple of times.

A smile touched Shen Yuchao's lips. "You are one of *that bitch's* people?"

The term "bitch" rolled off his tongue without a hint of vulgarity.

Instead, it was A-Yun who was provoked, her face contorting with rage, her icy gaze fixed hatefully on Shen Yuchao.

"Shut up! Who are you to insult my master?"

"You forget, I am the one with the most right."

Shen Yuchao let out a soft chuckle.

With a twist of his wrist, A-Yun screamed.

A palm-length gash was carved into her lovely cheek by the dagger.

Blood welled up and poured forth, streaming down her pale face, disappearing into her collar.

Only the blood-soaked neckline bore a dark, wet stain.

Shen Yuchao leaned down, lowering his voice beside A-Yun's ear. "Do you know what I usually do with people sent by *that bitch*?"

A-Yun clutched her wound, blood staining half her face.

With a low, muffled laugh, Shen Yuchao continued, "I order my men to slice the flesh from their bodies, piece by piece. These people, who swear loyalty to their master, don't last more than three days. They all end up weeping and begging for mercy."

"I, in my kindness, seeing their genuine agony, would gift them a ravenous dog."

"The dog, starved for three days, would devour them clean within moments, efficiently sending them to meet King Yama."

As he finished speaking, A Yun clenched her teeth, her body trembling uncontrollably.

"Scared?" Shen Yuchao straightened up, letting out a long, soft sigh. "Pity. Too late now."

A Yun's eyes reddened. Barely holding back her fear, she lunged forward, her voice trembling as she cried, "I'll kill you, you bastard!"

Dozens of silver needles shot from her sleeve.

The smile in Shen Yuchao's eyes chilled for an instant. His dagger flashed, deflecting the needles and sending them flying back.

A Yun froze mid-motion.

A red mark appeared on her fair neck.

She swayed, a fierce grimace frozen on her face, her lips working soundlessly before she collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Completely still.

The commotion startled Qiu Shuiyi, who instinctively crouched down.

She hadn't heard what Shen Yuchao whispered into A Yun's ear—only A Yun's cry of "bastard" rang out clearly, throwing her into confusion.

She had thought she'd stumbled upon a confession scene, but it turned out to be an assassination.

Cupping her face in her hands, Qiu Shuiyi stared blankly into the void.

It was never wise to witness a murder. She'd better wait until he left before making a move.

With that thought, she glanced back to see if Shen Yuchao had already gone.

Just as she stood up, an arm suddenly snaked around her waist.

A hand covered her mouth, and a clear, melodious voice whispered, low as a breath in her ear.

"Don't move."