Chapter 89: Some things, in the end, cannot be changed

After returning to Chang Le Gong, indeed there was no sign of Jing Yu.

The servants of Chang Le Gong must have heard the rumors early; now the atmosphere differs from usual, filled with a hard-to-bear oppression.

Shen Shuangning could do nothing, so she first returned to the side hall.

The sky had grown dark, lamps were lit everywhere in the palace, yet it was extremely still.

Even very late, Jing Yu still had not returned.

Shen Shuangning also hadn't slept much, and she had earlier instructed the servants in the side hall: if the Princess returns, remember to wake her.

Outside the window, thunder rumbled; Shen Shuangning woke again, she sat up from the couch, lifting her head of soft, silk-like long hair.

She rubbed her brow and asked, "A Heng, what time is it?"

A Heng had been keeping watch by the bedside without sleep; hearing this, she replied, "Miss, it is the third quarter of the Yin hour."

Shen Shuangning asked through the bed curtains, "Hasn't the Princess returned yet? Any news from Yi Kun Gong?"

A Heng bowed low and whispered, "The Princess is still at Yi Kun Gong and hasn't returned; I heard the Imperial Physician said her condition is critical—the Virtuous Noble Consort may not hold on......"

Although she had sensed it earlier, hearing this Shen Shuangning still couldn't help but start—has it come this quickly in this life?

Shen Shuangning couldn't sleep no matter what, she casually changed into outer clothes and prepared to go out; seeing the terrible weather outside, she turned back and told A Heng to take the umbrellas.

A Heng did as told, clutching two umbrellas and closely following behind.

Having gone halfway, sure enough a heavy rain began.

Logically one shouldn't wander about the imperial palace at night, but Shen Shuangning truly couldn't set her mind at ease about Jing Yu; the patrolling guards in the palace all knew her, so they turned a blind eye, only warning her not to go where she shouldn't.

The rain poured down, striking the glazed tiles with a crackling sound, yet it could not suppress the mournful cries drifting from Yi Kun Gong.

Jing Yu's temperament is now much steadier and stronger than before, but human hearts are flesh and blood; the heart-rending pain of losing a close relative cannot simply be endured by sheer will.

"Princess, where are you headed?" the palace maids cried, panting from pursuit, yet they could not catch up to her.

Jing Yu seemed not to hear; she herself didn't know where to go, only wanting to find a place to hide, to escape those heart-rending cries.

The former timidity and cowardice seemed to return to her, as if something had seized her hands and feet, her breath even constricted.

She staggered outward, icy rainwater trickling down from her hair bun, soon soaking her completely.

Her skirt dragged across the waterlogged stone slabs, as if weighed down by lead, firmly pulling at her steps, as though it wanted to drag her straight into the abyss.

She dug her nails hard into her own arm, the claws almost biting into her flesh, yet her mind involuntarily flashed back to the scene just moments ago——

The empress consort's thin, weak hand reaching out from behind the bed curtains, withered like deep‑autumn branches, yet gripping her arm with the force of an eagle's talons; the woman's voice hoarse as a broken gong, yet each word carried a poison‑tinged harshness:

"Jing Yu, remember, do not trust anyone—not even your father the emperor! Otherwise, you will end up like your mother......"

The rest of her words were cut off by a violent coughing fit, leaving only ragged, gasping breaths heaving within the curtains, as if she might breathe her last at any moment.

Whether it was the cold rain or the Virtuous Noble Consort's dying words that were too horrifying to ponder, Jing Yu could not help trembling all over.

The ground beneath her feet grew ever more slippery, the pooled water reflecting fractured light; the palace walls around her, seen through the rain, resembled a vast net—she had never felt so unfamiliar and terrified of the imperial palace where she had grown up.

Suddenly a thought she had never had before arose in her heart, growing wildly and filling her entire chest.

She wanted to escape this place.

But no matter which way she went, all she could see were palace walls as high as a cage.

This was obviously a place she knew exceedingly well; normally she could walk the palace corridors with her eyes closed, yet now she strained her eyes wide open, only to see a chaotic curtain of rain before her, unable even to distinguish east from west.

Jing Yu looked back—there was not a single person behind her.

Yet the weeping from Yi Kun Gong seemed to have grown legs, traveling along the rain threads through the walls, seeping strand by strand into her ears.

She suddenly became so frightened she crouched down, hands over her ears, letting out low whimpers.

In a daze, she seemed to hear someone calling her.

Again and again, the calls pierced the rain curtain, carrying a touch of urgency and a touch of familiar gentleness.

Only then did Jing Yu slowly lift her head, turning toward the sound.

In her blurred vision, a faint glimmer of light flickered deep within the rain curtain.

That glimmer was a warm orange‑yellow, shining out from an oil‑paper lantern, its halo blending into the impenetrable darkness like a star floating on water, drawing nearer and nearer……

That speck of light swiftly dispelled the surrounding darkness, and Jing Yu finally saw clearly where she was—she instantly turned ashen!

Just two more steps forward and she would fall into the water!

Jing Yu had somehow arrived at the edge of the lotus pond!

And with no one around and the rain pouring down, if she unfortunately fell in, even if she shouted for help, no one would hear her.

Jing Yu shuddered violently.

"Princess, how did you come to be here?" Shen Shuangning's urgent voice came from behind.

Hearing this, Jing Yu turned to see her holding an umbrella in one hand and a lantern in the other, her feet stepping quickly over the cobblestone path, her gaze fixed on her with concern.

Jing Yu opened her mouth, but could not utter a word; she then turned the corners of her lips down and threw herself into Shen Shuangning's embrace.

She burst into loud sobs.

Seeing Jing Yu run to the lotus pond, Shen Shuangning almost thought she intended to end her own life, and she herself was startled.

Fortunately it was a false alarm.

Shen Shuangning had her hands full, so she could only use the hand holding the lantern to lightly drape over her shoulders; any comforting words would be useless now, so she said nothing and let her cry.

Even before she arrived, she had already heard the news.

The Virtuous Noble Consort has passed away.

Shen Shuangning felt a tangle of emotions; she turned her gaze toward this quiet lotus pond and found it familiar.

Then she recalled: this was the night of the Lantern Festival when they first entered the palace, when Jing Yu had secretly pulled her here to release river lanterns in prayer for her mother.

Back then they were still unfamiliar with each other, and Shen Shuangning was especially wary of Jing Yu; even knowing Jing Yu's future would not be easy, she felt little, only wanting to keep her distance.

Who would have thought that only two months had passed since then, yet their bond had already deepened to this extent?

And she, Shen Shuangning, had already, at some point, unilaterally turned swords and spears into jade and silk with Jing Yu.

At this moment, only pity and endless lament remained in the heart; some things, in the end, cannot be changed.

Hope Jingyu does not walk the old path of the previous life, does not learn bad...... Shen Shuangning thought.

Not far away beside the artificial hill stood a tall, thin, gloomy silhouette, silently observing this scene.

The person standing here was no stranger, but Zhai Ji himself.

This person was placed under house arrest by the emperor; no matter how great the mistake, they remain of imperial blood. In such a special period, the emperor would also show some leniency, allowing them to see their mother one last time.

The Virtuous Noble Consort did not have to die so early; the Virtuous Noble Consort died to preserve that person's position.

"Your Highness, your mother has pleaded with your father the emperor; you need not leave the capital…… From now on, just be an idle prince, do not contend anymore, for you cannot win……"

Beside the ear, it seemed to still echo the faint, silk-thread-like voice of the woman inside the curtain just moments ago.

Zhai Ji closed the eyes, clenched the fists, and when they opened again, the surging emotions in the depths gradually sank, leaving only a profound, bottomless darkness.

The individual gazed toward the figure beside the lotus pond.

Upon hearing that the imperial younger sister could not bear the blow and had run out, even driving away all palace attendants, the person could not rest easy and thus left the Yikun Palace to search.

One unexpectedly encountered Miss Shen the Fourth on the way.

Seeing Miss Shen the Fourth holding a lamp, seemingly also looking for someone, yet Miss Shen the Fourth did not see the observer.

Zhai Ji had been following Shen Shuangning all the way here; this time, Zhai Ji harbored no ill intent. After all, last time it was merely a quarrel with Shen Shuangning, but Zhai Ji was instead outmaneuvered by Shen Shuangning's calm composure, which led to a series of troubles that left Zhai Ji frazzled.

Nowadays, Zhai Ji does not dare to lightly provoke Shen Shuangning; yet that vague, petty thought has not been completely dispelled.

Just then, by the lotus pond, Shen Shuangning was seen walking back side by side with Jingyu.

Although somewhat distant, making it impossible to discern Jingyu's facial expression, Jingyu seemed to have calmed down and was no longer throwing tantrums.

Zhai Ji could not help recalling the scene at Chang Le Gong when Jingyu, in order to shield an outsider, spoke harshly to Zhai Ji.

Thinking of this, Zhai Ji actually laughed out loud, feeling it absurd.

On the second day, white banners were hung early in the palace, and everywhere was changed to plain-colored curtains.

From high-ranking nobles down to palace maids and eunuchs, without exception they wore plain clothes; even hairpins and ornaments were replaced with silver, devoid of any pearl luster or precious aura.

In the main hall of Yikun Palace a spirit hall was set up, with white drapes hanging low, incense and candles intertwining; Daoist priests clad in ritual garments chanted sutras for blessings, to liberate the souls of the deceased.

Emperor Xuwen had already issued an edict to halt court for three days; outside the palace gates, noble ladies and wives of officials arrived in succession according to rank to mourn, guided by eunuchs to enter the hall and pay their respects.

The entire imperial city was immersed in a heavy gloom, even the daylight appearing much dimmer.

The Virtuous Noble Consort's coffin was to remain in the hall for seven days; the Virtuous Noble Consort's son and daughter needed to keep vigil day and night, so during these days Shen Shuangning could not see Jingyu.

Shen Shuangning routinely went to the Shu Zhai to listen to lectures, and in the afternoon to the training grounds to practice archery and horsemanship; previously Jingyu was always present, but this time only Shen Shuangning was alone.

These days the imperial palace was indeed extremely quiet, yet within that quiet a sense of oppression had added, still making people feel quite uncomfortable.

On the eve of the Virtuous Noble Consort's funeral, Shen Shuangning heard that Xie Lin had already returned to the capital, there to be welcomed and cleansed of travel dust by the heir of the Prince Yan's mansion.

On the day Xie Lin returned to the capital, Xie Lin was ordered to enter the palace to report on his duties; accompanying Xie Lin was Xiao Jingyuan.

After leaving the Imperial Study, it was already mid-afternoon, and the sun in the west cast a tranquil glow.

The two walked along the long vermilion Gong Qiang toward the palace gate.

Xie Lin was still wearing the light armor for going out, not yet having had time to take it off; the waist-worn sword had already been removed and handed to the palace attendants, revealing a neat wrist line, the complexion slightly deeper than before leaving the capital, and upon closer look a hint of stubble on the chin.

The youthful vigor in Xie Lin's brows and eyes had faded considerably, replaced by a few points of calm and solemn; yet when Xie Lin spoke, the voice remained clear and pleasant, like jade soaked in a spring's eye.

"Thank you earlier for delivering my message." Xie Lin naturally placed a hand on Xiao Jingyuan's shoulder and smiled.

Shen Shuangning had written only that one letter to Xie Lin: first, because delivering the letter required going through Xiao Jingyuan's hands, which Shen Shuangning found troublesome; second, for fear of delaying Xie Lin's official duties.

Thus Xie Lin had been away from the capital for a long time; aside from knowing that Shen Shuangning was serving as a companion reader in the palace, everything else remained completely unknown to Xie Lin.

However, with Xiao Jingyuan looking after things in the palace, Xie Lin still felt reassured.

Upon hearing Xie Lin's thanks, Xiao Jingyuan said nothing.

Xie Lin had long grown accustomed to Xiao Jingyuan's cold and taciturn demeanor toward anyone, and therefore did not think much of it.

Within the palace it was inconvenient to discuss official matters, so Xie Lin inquired about Shen Shuangning's recent situation.

Xiao Jingyuan, however, only gave a bland reply: "Shen Shuangning is all well; Xie Lin may rest assured."

Xie Lin originally wanted to ask for more details, even just what Shen Shuangning studied each day in the palace and whether things were going smoothly, but Xiao Jingyuan's light and offhand reply, like a soft yet sturdy piece of cotton, completely blocked Xie Lin's further words.

Xie Lin opened the mouth, but ultimately did not dare to pursue the question further.

Then, still smiling, Xie Lin shook the head and thought to oneself, "How foolish I am to ask Xiao Jingyuan what use it is."

The Xiao heir, burdened with myriad affairs, already does well to lend a hand when Shen Shuangning encounters trouble; how could the Xiao heir pay attention to the trivial daily affairs of a young lady?

It would be better to wait until seeing Ningning again, then ask Shen Shuangning.

Thinking of this, the longing in Xie Lin's heart due to prolonged separation actually grew even stronger than before.

Any woman passing by, even palace maids, would glance twice, hoping to chance upon someone.

Xie Lin indeed very much wanted to seek out Shen Shuangning, but Shen Shuangning's person was ultimately in the inner palace, while Xie Lin was merely an outer official; if one rashly requested an audience, not only would one fail to see the person, but might also bring criticism upon Shen Shuangning.

One could only suppress the surging longing.

Just endure a little longer, endure another three or four days, and one will be able to see Ningning.

Young people cannot hide their thoughts; Xiao Jingyuan took in Xie Lin's appearance of unrestrained anticipation, and Xiao Jingyuan could not help wondering—upon learning of Xie Lin's return to the capital, is Shen Shuangning likewise anticipating thus?

As soon as this thought arose, Xiao Jingyuan's chest felt as if struck by something, a dull discomfort.

Just then, not far away stood a familiar figure; upon turning the head to look this way, the eyes brightened.