Chapter 4: Would Her Majesty Truly Be Willing to Let Go?

The temperature in the Hall of Grace had dropped. Although the underground dragon was burning fiercely, it brought no warmth. Wen Changying wiped away her tears and glanced out at the layers of imperial guards, feeling suffocated by the oppressive atmosphere.

She was still waiting for someone.

“Who is it?” Magpie hurriedly bent her knees. “The palace maids from the Hall of Grace were ordered to bring some food because the Crown Princess hasn’t eaten all day.”

A rustling sound followed.

When Magpie led someone into the hall, the tense emotions in Wen Changying’s heart suddenly loosened.

“How did you…”

In the letter, she had asked Master Duan to investigate outside and uncover the truth. Yet unexpectedly, Duan Tingbai had changed into a palace maid’s attire, his cheeks flushed red, his flirtatious peach blossom eyes smiling as he followed Magpie inside.

“Xiao Yingying,” the man teased with a mischievous grin, “I’ve told you many times, no matter how angry you are, don’t neglect your stomach.”

“Here, some lotus leaf chicken from outside the palace, have a taste.”

Wen Changying had grown accustomed to his irreverence and cut straight to what mattered most.

“Before Aye got into trouble, did he contact you?”

Duan Tingbai put away his smile and poured himself some tea.

“Do you want to hear the mountain of evidence?”

Wen Changying nodded.

“There’s testimony and physical proof. See for yourself.”

Duan Tingbai sighed, clearly prepared for this moment.

But just as Wen Changying reached out to take it, he suddenly withdrew his hand.

“Xiao Yingying, I must warn you. This is no ordinary case. If Aye wants to turn things around, it’ll be very difficult.”

“Perhaps the Crown Prince is right. You might try trusting him and wait for him to resolve this.”

“No!” Wen Changying snatched the evidence. “I trust myself more.”

She was unburdened, caring only for the honor of the Wen family and her brother. But Xie Genghe was different. In his position, he had to give up too much. Wen Changying did not want her brother to become a casualty of the court’s power struggles. This time, she had to seize the initiative.

Duan Tingbai organized the evidence.

Most of it came from those looking to step on the Wen family to choose sides. The hardest part was the testimony and physical proof.

Nearly a hundred soldiers guarding the provisions and armaments were killed, leaving behind a blood-written character “Wen.” The scene showed signs of burning. An old general who survived was rescued and immediately identified Wen Zaiye as the one who attempted to burn the granaries, and when that failed, started killing.

As for treason, letters and correspondence found in Wen Zaiye’s tent matched his handwriting and bore his personal seal.

After the incident, Wen Zaiye fled the city with dozens of men, including over twenty from the Wen family army he had brought.

That same night, the enemy launched a surprise attack, and Yan City was nearly lost.

“The night before, the Crown Prince examined the testimonies and evidence. It’s all true; there was no frame-up.”

“Xiao Yingying, have you decided what to do?”

Wen Changying put away the evidence, folding it at her waist.

“The military supplies and provisions are the biggest mystery.”

How could Aye and his thirty men have moved so much grain and weapons without arousing suspicion?

“Since you came to help me, you must also believe in Aye. Do you know anything?”

Duan Tingbai was candid. “A month ago, Aye asked me to investigate someone.”

“The Yan City commander, Feng Ji.”

Wen Changying frowned slightly. “Is there something suspicious about him?”

Duan Tingbai shook his head. “Nothing turned up, just some information about his background. Before I could reply to Aye, he got into trouble.”

It seemed a month had passed.

But it took ten days for news of Wen Zaiye’s desertion and transport of supplies to reach Bianjing.

So whether he sent another letter was no longer important.

Duan Tingbai took out another sheet of paper and handed it to Wen Changying.

She didn’t open it immediately, hearing Bi Gui questioning the guards about the hall’s situation.

She made a quick decision. “Please, sir, stay outside with my jade pendant and find the Wen family army’s deputy general, Zhuge Shi.”

Since Aye was on the run, his thirty men couldn’t possibly guard all those supplies.

He would surely find a chance to contact the Wen family army.

What Wen Changying needed now was a way to leave the palace.

Duan Tingbai was clever.

He understood what Wen Changying planned and asked no more, just leaving a water-stained character.

“Seven.”

The watermarks were barely dry when someone knocked on the door.

“Your Highness, the Empress Dowager has ordered me to move into the Eastern Palace. I have come to pay my respects.”

Cheng Yu’s voice had barely fallen before she pushed the door open.

Duan Tingbai quickly stood with Magpie, hiding behind a pillar.

The sliver of light from the door was sharp.

The woman wore a newly made palace robe, improperly styled as that of a consort. Her arched eyebrows and the small beauty mark under her eyes made her look bewitching.

Wen Changying silently tore off a chicken leg and took a bite.

“It seems the Crown Prince hasn’t taken out his anger on Your Highness, and there’s lotus leaf chicken from outside the palace to eat.”

Cheng Yu smiled lightly and bowed respectfully.

At that moment, Magpie led Duan Tingbai out.

Cheng Yu caught sight of the oddly shaped palace maid and frowned slightly.

“Stop.”

Magpie’s heart tightened.

Fortunately, Wen Changying covered for them.

She tossed the unfinished chicken leg at Cheng Yu.

“Such an attitude. You just arrived at the Eastern Palace and already want to control those around me?”

“What? Has Xie Genghe agreed to sign the separation agreement, making you the Crown Princess now?”

Cheng Yu’s breath faltered slightly but showed no displeasure.

She bowed respectfully. “I did not know.”

“The Crown Prince and the Empress Dowager only ordered me to move here to manage the Eastern Palace. Your Highness’s daily meals and attire are also arranged by me. If there is anything amiss, please do let me know.”

Wen Changying sneered.

Amiss?

Who in the entire imperial palace dared say Cheng Yu’s management was improper?

Wen Changying had been married into the Eastern Palace for seven years, and Cheng Yu had overseen things for five of those years.

The things Xie Genghe personally instructed were already mastered by Cheng Yu, leaving Wen Changying no chance to complain.

Look at that — even when sent to the Eastern Palace for official duty, Cheng Yu knew to first greet the imprisoned Crown Princess.

She was meticulous in her work.

“Since you already know it’s not proper, then kneel until you understand!”

Wen Changying returned to her room without seeing anyone.

She knew Cheng Yu wouldn’t kneel for long.

Within three quarters of an hour, Xie Genghe would have Bi Gui take her away.

Rather than argue again, Wen Changying thought it better to figure out how to make Xie Genghe release her.

Seven… exit?

After Magpie returned from escorting the visitors, she saw Wen Changying still writing.

She stepped forward. “Bi attendant has taken the lady-in-waiting Cheng away. I heard the Crown Prince summoned her.”

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince is so kind. Are you really willing to let Lady Cheng take your place?”

Finally, she voiced the question she had hesitated to speak that morning.

Wen Changying lowered her eyes.

Unwilling.

Yet even she was beginning to lose clarity on whether she missed the boy who once held her heart entirely, or the Crown Prince now weighing matters in this moment.

“Enough about him. Magpie, I need you to help me with something.”

Magpie hurriedly knelt. “I have served Your Highness since childhood. Please command me.”

Wen Changying helped her up and looked at the still-wet ink on the papers. She murmured,

“What if this is a grave offense against the imperial house?”

…