Chapter 44

A flash of panic crossed Lou Xiyan's calm face, his brows furrowed tightly. Gone was his earlier readiness; he remained silent, the premonition in his heart making him anxious and uneasy. Sure enough, a weight landed on his shoulder as a large hand pressed heavily upon it, and Yan Hongtian's laughter, filled with a mix of excitement and mockery, sounded in his ear: "It is rare for you to say you like something; this is truly interesting!"

Although he had always wanted Qing Ling, she was, after all, just a woman. If Xiyan liked her, it would be no harm to give her to him. However, he was quite interested to see what the usually detached and cold Xiyan would look like when he liked a woman.

Outside the palace hall

It was nearly midnight, and the moon was hazy. Without the magnificent and noisy banquet, even the inner palace could not resist the erosion of the night. The desolate moonlight, hidden by precious trees, remained only as mottled traces. The crisp night wind was a bit chilly, but it served to clear one's mind.

Before the inner hall, two women with similar figures and appearances looked at each other. One looked agitated, her eyes full of sorrow, while the other appeared somewhat awkward.

"Sister, do you... really not remember me?" Looking at the sister she hadn't seen for half a month, Qingfeng felt as if her heart were being torn apart. The eyes looking back at her were bright and calm; she could no longer see the faint doting and warm affection of the past.

"I..." Zhuo Qing opened her mouth to say something, but in the end, it could only be reduced to three words: "I'm sorry." Occupying someone else's body was not her intention, but it was an unchangeable fact.

Responding to Qingfeng, Zhuo Qing was more worried about Lou Xiyan inside the room. Not being able to hear any sound meant she didn't know what was happening inside, and Zhuo Qing's heart was in a state of turmoil.

Looking at Gao Jin, who was guarding the hall door, Zhuo Qing was somewhat puzzled. He hadn't handed them over to the guards but instead let them stand in a corner to wait, which was why they had the opportunity to speak. Was this an intentional act on his part or an unintentional oversight?

"It is I who am sorry to you. If I hadn't insisted on taking my own life, I wouldn't have caused you to not even remember who you are." Her sister's coldness toward her was the result of her own doing. But thinking of the bewilderment and helplessness Qing Ling felt when she woke up, Qingfeng felt another wave of self-reproach. Having lost her memory, how terrified she must be?!

Zhuo Qing came back to her senses. The woman before her no longer had the stubbornness and cold pride she had shown in the hall earlier. The constant self-reproach was more than Zhuo Qing could bear to watch, so she comforted her softly: "Don't blame yourself too much. What's done is done. The important thing is that I am still living well now, aren't I?" Although she was no longer the original person.

Qingfeng still kept her head down. Thinking of the foolish act of suicide she had once committed, Zhuo Qing reminded her again: "But you must never do something like suicide again. Only the weak choose to escape and surrender. You shouldn't be that kind of person."

Only the weak choose to escape by taking their own lives, is that so? So the integrity and backbone she had always pursued were actually manifestations of cowardice!

Slowly raising her head, Qingfeng stared in the direction of the inner hall and replied coldly: "Don't worry, I won't take my own life again, because the ones who deserve to die are not us!" It was the foolish emperor in Haoyue who caused the death of their parents, the culprit inside that hall!

The hatred erupting from her bright eyes made Zhuo Qing slightly startled. The murderous aura on Qingfeng made her very uneasy, but fortunately, it was only for a very brief moment before she returned to normal.

"By the way, have you seen our little sister?" Since she could even enter the imperial palace, it should be easier for her to see the little sister, right?

Zhuo Qing shook her head: "No."

Somewhat disappointed and worried, Qingfeng sighed: "That General Su doesn't look like a good person either. I'm worried that our little sister will be bullied by him; she is still so young."

"Rest assured, as a general, it is normal for Su Ling's personality to be cold and silent. Although he cannot be counted as a scholar-general, he is not a brute either." From their brief interaction in the great hall, she actually thought Su Ling was quite decent; he possessed the spirit of a warrior without losing the demeanor of a civil official. He hadn't said much all night, yet he was attentive to everything.

Such a man would not, and would disdain to, make things difficult for a woman—unless, of course, that woman was even more ferocious than the man, which would be a different matter entirely.

Qingfeng was not as optimistic as Zhuo Qing. Qing Mo was timid by nature; usually, they were the ones protecting her and helping her make decisions. Now that she was alone, what should she do?! Why was their fate always controlled by others?!

Taking a deep breath, afraid that her eldest sister would worry, Qingfeng suppressed the raging anger in her heart and said as calmly as possible: "Later, if Prime Minister Lou can persuade the Emperor to take you away, you must follow him immediately. It is better than both of us being locked up. Also, do not come into the palace to see me again in the future."

"Why?" She was not Qing Ling and had not intended to enter the palace again anyway, but because Qingfeng had specifically instructed her, Zhuo Qing felt something was wrong.

Qingfeng was slightly startled. Had her sister noticed something? Telling herself to stay calm, Qingfeng shook her head gently and explained with a deliberately casual tone: "Because the Emperor has ulterior motives toward you. If you get out, it is better not to come back and walk into the trap. You don't need to worry about me; I will take good care of myself. If your health recovers, just have someone bring me a message."

No, her eyes were flickering and her expression was forced; she must have other plans in mind. Not knowing what she was actually planning, Zhuo Qing could only warn: "Qingfeng, whatever you do, remember to think thrice before acting. Acting on impulse never brings any benefits."

Zhuo Qing's sharpness and keenness surprised Qingfeng. Was this person really her sister? Could amnesia really change a person so much? Was this change good or bad?

While Qingfeng was still in doubt, that alarming male voice from inside the hall sounded again: "Come, bring them both in."

Gao Jin looked at them, and the two did not make things difficult for him, obediently walking toward the inner hall.

Upon entering the hall, Zhuo Qing immediately noticed that the atmosphere was somewhat off.

Yan Hongtian's complexion was no longer dark, and there was even a suspicious hint of a smile between his brows. The way he looked at her had also become increasingly strange, giving her more goosebumps than his earlier, pure possessiveness and anger.

Meanwhile, Lou Xiyan's expression remained indifferent, his brows filled with helplessness. What exactly had they just discussed?

"Qing sisters, regarding the matter of you swapping identities, I will naturally give you a conclusion after I have verified it clearly. Given that Qing Ling may have lost her memory, there are extenuating circumstances in this matter. I permit the Prime Minister to take you back to the Prime Minister's Mansion for custody. Until the truth is clear, you are not to leave the mansion."

Yan Hongtian actually agreed to let her return to the mansion with Lou Xiyan?

What on earth was going on? What had Lou Xiyan done to be able to change Yan Hongtian's decision?!

She was very curious.

Looking at Qingfeng, Yan Hongtian snorted coldly: "As for Qingfeng, even if it was truly a mistake by Haoyue officials that led to the wrong person being sent, you were of sound mind and still impersonated another after entering the palace. You have committed the crime of deceiving the Emperor. From this moment on, you are to be thrown into the Heavenly Prison until the truth of the matter is clarified, at which point you will be sentenced accordingly."

Thrown into the Heavenly Prison!

Qingfeng seemed to have been prepared for this. She took a deep breath and stood proudly, neither begging for mercy nor crying out.

It was called the Heavenly Prison; it was definitely not a good place! Although she had no sisterly affection for Qingfeng, she admired her in her heart. Was there really no way to save her? As Zhuo Qing pondered, Lou Xiyan's clear, gentle voice sounded low: "Your Majesty is wise. This subject takes his leave."

"Hmm." With a light wave of his hand, Yan Hongtian actually did not make things difficult for them.

"Let's go." Pulling Zhuo Qing's hand, Lou Xiyan shook his head at her gently. Zhuo Qing understood; she could not act rashly. It was already not easy for Lou Xiyan to rescue her. Looking back one last time at the thin woman standing straight in the great hall, she happened to look back as well.

Giving Zhuo Qing a faint smile, Qingfeng turned her head away resolutely, no longer looking at her. She needed to bear the coming events alone.

Yan Hongtian, you had better not let me live, otherwise—

Zhuo Qing was led away by Lou Xiyan, her mind filled with the image of Qingfeng's smile, as brilliant and fleeting as fireworks. For the first time, Zhuo Qing deeply realized that in this strange world, there were too many things one was powerless to change.

The carriage finally left the imperial palace and headed straight for the Prime Minister's Mansion. The carriage speed was somewhat fast, and it was slightly bumpy.

Inside the carriage, Zhuo Qing looked at Lou Xiyan, who had been deep in thought since getting on, and felt a bit guilty. If it weren't for her, he wouldn't have had to offend Yan Hongtian; after all, he was the Emperor.

Zhuo Qing sighed softly: "If you want to ask something, just ask."

Lou Xiyan came back to his senses, looked at her, and smiled lightly: "You have lost your memory; if I ask you, can you still answer?"

"I... cannot." She had too many things she could not explain to him. Lou Xiyan shrugged gently, wearing an expression that said, "If that's the case, why ask?" and was about to turn his head away when Zhuo Qing called out again: "Lou Xiyan, I have a question I want to ask you."

Lou Xiyan looked at her quietly, waiting for her to ask.

"How long will Qingfeng be locked up? According to your understanding of Yan Hongtian, how will he deal with her?" That smile Qingfeng had when they left always made her heart uneasy. If something happened to her, she wouldn't be able to rest easy.

"A round trip to Qiongyue takes at least half a month. If the matter is cleared up, she could be released after half a month. As for what punishment she will receive, I do not know." Yan Hongtian always acted according to his mood; he didn't know what his mood would be like then. Perhaps Qingfeng would die, perhaps she would be given away, or perhaps she would continue to be kept in the palace.

How terrifying it must be to stay in prison for half a month. Zhuo Qing hesitated for a long time before saying: "I know this request is difficult for you, but I still have to say it."

Seeing her troubled and apologetic look, Lou Xiyan already knew what she was going to say and replied with a faint smile: "I will do my best to ensure she has a better time in the Heavenly Prison."

Lou Xiyan's thoughtfulness made her grateful: "Thank you."

Shaking his head gently, Lou Xiyan replied: "I might not necessarily be able to help; after all, she is in the palace."

Taking a deep breath, Zhuo Qing said in a low voice: "I am thanking you for bringing me out of the imperial palace." Facing a man like Yan Hongtian required too much courage, and she admitted that she was a little afraid. When Lou Xiyan held her hand and left, her heart beat very fast—perhaps because of being moved, perhaps because she had escaped danger, or perhaps, she was falling for him.

Seeing Lou Xiyan looking preoccupied, Zhuo Qing tactfully closed her mouth, leaned her head against the carriage window, and closed her eyes to rest, no longer disturbing him.

Deep purple gauze curtains hung in layers outside the screen. The night wind blew slowly, raising layers of ripples. A faint scent of incense permeated the room, and the "dong-dong" sound of a wooden fish being struck echoed in the deep night, exceptionally clear. One could vaguely see a woman kneeling on a brocade cushion inside the curtains, one hand lightly striking the wooden fish while the other fingered the sandalwood prayer beads in her hand.

An old nanny stood before the light gauze, hesitating whether she should enter. After wavering for a long while, she still didn't dare to make a sound. Just as she was about to turn and retreat, a slightly impatient female voice sounded: "What is it?"

The old nanny hurriedly stepped forward and replied respectfully: "Today, the Emperor and the Prime Minister had a dispute."

The woman's eyes were slightly closed, and she asked in a low voice as if she didn't care: "What was it about?"

"About a woman."

The hand striking the wooden fish stopped in mid-air, and the woman's eyes, which had been slightly closed, slowly opened. She asked with interest: "Who has such great charm?" A flash of surprise and curiosity crossed her eyes, but more of it seemed to be joy.

Not daring to hesitate for a moment, the old nanny recounted what she had found out: "It is the woman sent by Haoyue. Tonight, the Prime Minister brought that woman to the palace banquet. She stole the spotlight, and the Emperor took a fancy to her. After the banquet ended, in the inner hall, the Emperor flew into a rage several times. It is said that it was because the wrong person was sent into the palace; Qing Ling, who was supposed to be sent into the palace, was sent to the Prime Minister, and the one currently in the palace is the younger sister."

There was such a thing? Then was the Emperor furious because he had already taken a fancy to Qing Ling, or was he just using the situation as an excuse to vent? The woman sneered; indeed, even heroes have trouble passing the trial of beauty.

"Continue."

"Later, the Emperor and the Prime Minister had a secret talk for nearly half an hour, though no one knows what was said. However, in the end, Qing Ling was taken away by the Prime Minister, and her younger sister, Qingfeng, was locked in the Heavenly Prison." That was all she could find out. The old nanny stood silently outside the curtain, waiting for the person inside to give further orders.

After a long time, the woman finally spoke, saying only faintly: "You may withdraw." The old nanny did not dare to linger and quietly retreated.

A moment later, the "dong-dong" sound of the wooden fish rang out again, and the woman closed her eyes once more. Only, the faint, elusive sneer at the corners of her mouth was so incompatible with the Zen-like Buddhist hall and the steady sound of the wooden fish.

(End of chapter)