The maid had only just finished speaking when the expressions of those in the room all chilled. Bi Yushuang's fingers unconsciously tapped against the table, making a soft pattering sound. Assuming that it had been that she'd been too hasty on the way here, leading the Envoy's people here, Liang Jiwen's gaze immediately concentrated on Tao Li and He Miao. But Bi Yushuang only lightly raised her hand, and said to the maid, "Let's go and meet the guest in the front courtyard." "A Shuang—" Liang Jiwen raised a hand, about to obstruct her, but before she'd even finished speaking, she was cut off by Bi Yushuang. "Set your mind at ease and stay here; when is there ever such a coincidence? You're being as guilty as a thief." Bi Yushuang turned her head to look at her, and saw that Liang Jiwen's complexion was as pale as a sheet of paper, and the panic in her eyes was even harder to mask. But when she realised that Bi Yushuang was l...

Two pairs of eyes stared at each other, but the imperial study was incredibly tranquil. It was as if the two people were squaring off, waiting for the other to speak first. In the end, it was Xun Zhu who broke the silence, gathering up her courage to say, "Bixia, the Princess has arrived." Jiang Changbai sighed, clearing her throat, and said, "Bring her in, then." "Understood." In the end, the strange atmosphere in the imperial study was broken. Liang Jiwen had something on her mind, and having been so suddenly summoned by Jiang Changbai, she assumed that her own actions had been exposed, and as such, she trembled with trepidation, and anyone could tell her nervousness. But when Jiang Changbai saw this scene, she ascertained that, after returning from the relay station that day, Liang Jiwen hadn't told her everything. As a result, the sense of oppressiveness suddenly rose, and Jiang Changbai sat back into her chair, looking down on Liang Jiwen from on ...

A jump in time, and the yinshi [1] gong had just sounded; Jiang Changbai, attired neatly, was sitting in a side hall in the depths of the Palace. The early autumn morning was a bit chilly, and the breeze that swept through the corridor made the asparagus ferns rustle. The head spy, attired in inky, close-fitted clothing, knelt before Jiang Changbai, forehead pressed against the gold-threaded velvet rug. "Reporting to Bixia, last night at three quarters past zishi, this subject saw the Regent enter the relay station." Jiang Changbai's hand paused, and the next moment, she set the cup of still steaming tea onto the desk. Her expression was filled with a ferocity, the pressure such that even the candle flames darkened a degree. "Explain carefully." The spy's throat bobbed, and cold sweat rose on her forehead without her realising it. "You said that, without your permission, no one was allowed into the station. This subject and a few sisters have been hidd...

The autumn arrived earlier at the Western border than it did in the capital; in the capital, there still remained some of the warmth of the summer, but the atmosphere of the Western border already carried the nip of chill. The grit was swept about by the whistling North wind, roiling over the endless steppes. Even the grasses with more tenacious life bowed their heads, the heavens pressed extremely low, as if about to pelt down at the very next moment. Though it was midday, the skies were still dim. There was only a few muddy, copper lights, which were cast upon the tents. The was the border between the Great Li and Shejin. With the years of disturbances by Shejin, the commoners who'd originally lived here had all already moved to places closer to the interior, and for dozens of years, it had been desolate and unpopulated. But since Jiang Changbai had ascended the throne, she'd sent troops to set up camp here, and gradually, some commoners who'd found it impossible to make ...

Hearing this, Su Ya's pupils suddenly shrank, and only now did she realise that the features of the person before her were incredibly similar to those of the younger sister she'd chosen to send to the Great Li to form a marriage alliance. But the cheeks of the person before her were full, and her skin was a healthy light brown—how did she resemble at all the thin figure from three years ago, who didn't speak and always shrank into the shadow of the wall, eyes lowered? "Liang Jiwen?" Su Ya asked, disbelievingly. Only now did Liang Jiwen smile. "So Wangjie does recognise me." Su Ya had never purposefully scrutinised this younger sister of hers; residing together in the Shejin Royal Palace for so many years together, her impression of Liang Jiwen was only that of the day she'd left the Palace. At the time, she'd laughed at Liang Jiwen for being foolish, that, being about to step into the lion's den, she'd still smiled so happily. At the tim...

Hearing this, Liang Jiwen startled, feeling as if her eardrums were practically being shattered by the hammering of her heart. Why would Jiang Changbai suddenly summon her? Could it be that Xie Qianbing had revealed what they'd talked about that afternoon to Jiang Changbai? But— Liang Jiwen clenched her hands, her fingernails practically biting into the flesh of her palms. The sound of the hour travelled from outside Rongfan palace, twilight encroaching on the window lattice, and casting scattered shadows beneath Qing Huai's palace attire. At this moment, Qing Huai was standing with her head bowed, and the silver ornaments in her hair shone faintly with a white light. Liang Jiwen looked at Qing Huai from the corner of her eyes, and suddenly remembered the way she'd looked the countless times she'd seen her before It had been like now as well. With Liang Jiwen not showing the intent to leave, Qing Huai finally couldn't help but urge, "Dianxia, please follow afte...

The early autumn afternoon was still hot, the sun hung high in the heavens, but it was, in the end, clearly in slight decline. Xie Qianbing's residence wasn't much more luxurious than Lin Yingqing's, and in the courtyard, not even an ornamental Taihu boulder could be found. Liu Zihe had been shackled and jailed, and Xie Qianbing took the position of Minister of Appointments without need for doubt. In this time, it could even be said that the Xie residence's door was as busy as a marketplace, every person with some power extending their hands. But she wouldn't see a single one. Those people gradually realised that she was an impassable road, and withdrew their cordiality. But the Xie residence had only been peaceful for a few days when another unexpected guest visited. "How is it that Dianxia has the time to find me today?" Xie Qianbing was a bit puzzled, but she still courteously poured a cup of tea for Liang Jiwen. Liang Jiwen didn't have a title of n...