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Chapter 11: Revealing The Secret

“What is Liu Ji saying that I can’t understand?” 

Zhao Yan remained composed, displaying the trademark smile of the Crown Prince.

“When someone wants to avoid a question, they often throw out another question to distract. Refusing to answer and instead asking back, such a person is either hit where it hurts or has something to hide.”

Liu Ji rested one hand on the desk and said, “You don’t have to worry that I’m scheming against you. Without absolute certainty, I don’t have the guts to pierce through this layer of paper.”

So, the playful smile in Zhao Yan’s eyes faded slightly. Prince Su visited at night, unintentionally involving Liu Ji. She had anticipated such a result.

“But people with such similar appearances aren’t easy to find. Even the ‘shadow’ who died in place of the Crown Prince, their appearance and figure couldn’t match yours so perfectly. Only someone with blood ties can fulfill that role.”

With that, Liu Ji leaned forward slightly. “I guess you come from a thousand miles away in the southeast.”

A thousand miles southeast, just where the Huayang Palace is located from the capital.

She had underestimated the people around her brother, who shared his bed. Their keen intelligence far surpassed ordinary individuals’.

She had focused all her energy on dealing with Prince Su, never expecting to stumble upon a problem with an inconspicuous concubine…

No, was Liu Ji truly just a canary trapped in the backyard?

After only a moment of contemplation, Zhao Yan made a decision. If the other party had already shown their “weapon,” she saw no need to hide. Although Liu Ji seemed assertive, she harbored no hostility. What was truly terrifying was someone like Wen Renlin, who smiled while hiding a dagger up their sleeve.

With this thought in mind, Zhao Yan felt oddly relaxed, lifting her hand to lower the red-painted fork supporting the window pane.

As the window pane fell, it created a quiet space in the chilly night breeze. Outside, Liu Ying turned their heads at the sound, only to see Liu Ji sitting opposite the shadow of the Crown Prince, their figures indistinct, and unable to discern what they were saying.

Zhao Yan placed the red-painted fork across her knee, her timid expression dissipating, replaced by a gentle, lazy demeanor. Liu Ji’s words couldn’t be underestimated. Since she could see through the situation, perhaps others could too. The loopholes needed to be identified.

Zhao Yan carefully recalled, reflecting, “Was it my lack of enthusiasm towards you, or did I reveal something during our time together?”

“Your Highness, rest assured, you disguise yourself very well, others wouldn’t suspect a thing. The reason I can see the difference is merely thanks to… a secret agreement I made with His Royal Highness in private.”

Liu Ji picked up the wine jug brought by the Liu Ying and generously poured herself a cup, “This secret is unknown even to the Liu Ying, let alone a counterfeit like you.”

“In fact, since the journey back, I faintly guessed it would end up like this.”

With a cold sneer, Liu Ji, whether angry or mocking, tightened her grip on the wine cup and muttered to herself, “I’ve said it before, Zhao Yan will sooner or later dig his own grave.”

With that, as if making some decision, she lifted the wine in front of Zhao Yan, intending to drink it down.

Zhao Yan grabbed her wrist firmly. The spilled wine splattered, reflecting Liu Ji’s astonished eyes.

“What ‘outcome,’ what ‘digging one’s own grave’?”

Zhao Yan pursed her lips, her chest heaving. “Liu Ji, what exactly do you know?”

A moment of silence. The spilled wine trickled down the edge of the desk, leaving dark stains on the embroidered blanket. The air was thick with the smell of alcohol, and upon closer sniffing, a subtle bitterness could be detected.

Zhao Yan unconsciously tightened her grip on Liu Ji’s fingers and said in a solemn tone, “Has the Crown Prince encountered something? Tell me.”

Liu Ji’s expression was complex, only saying, “Your Highness, you should let me drink this cup of wine.”

Zhao Yan emphasized, “Tell me!”

The young prince in front of her was as slender as the Crown Prince, seemingly frail, but the determination in his beautiful peach blossom eyes was different from the Crown Prince’s.

Liu Ji’s eyes changed several times, then she turned away and pulled her hand from Zhao Yan’s grasp.

“The relationship between His Highness and me is not what you think.”

She said, “I lost a bet with him, so I promised to stay by his side. He provided me with shelter, and I helped him with his troubles. To put it frankly, it’s more like a mutually beneficial relationship.”

It sounded like Zhao Yan’s style.

Although her elder brother appeared weak and incompetent, he possessed enviable abilities. No matter what gambling game he played, he always won.

Whenever he saw his opponent lose miserably, he would still say gently, “You’re too kind.”

She had lost to him many times and would get angry, accusing him of bullying. But Zhao Yan would only look at her with curved eyes, smiling indulgently. It was obviously a pale and fragile smile, yet it felt as warm as a gentle breeze.

Now thinking back, these chaotic memories were some of the few sweet moments she had before she turned nine.

Zhao Yan snapped out of her thoughts. “So, did you start suspecting me when you pretended to be jealous of Liu Ying?”

Liu Ji nodded in agreement, continuing, “When we went to the Summer Resort, he found a lame excuse to send me away. Although I had some suspicions, I didn’t dwell on it. It wasn’t until later when I heard some rumors about the Eastern Palace being closed that I felt even more uneasy. Rushing back after handling some trivial matters, I found that all the attendants in the Eastern Palace had been replaced by strangers, confirming my suspicions.”

“Is that all?”

Zhao Yan remained skeptical, getting straight to the point. “What exactly did you agree with the Crown Prince?”

Liu Ji looked at Zhao Yan for a long time, then suddenly smiled, “I lied to you. If I didn’t say that, why would you have intercepted the poisoned wine for me?”

Zhao Yan also smiled, assured, “Your statement is the real lie.”

At her words, Liu Ji’s smile froze for a moment, and her playful eyes became more serious.

“You, did you really intend to drink the poisoned wine just now?”

Frowning, Zhao Yan asked, “What secrets do you and Zhao Yan hide that would make you willing to die?”

“If it’s a secret, why should I tell you?”

Liu Ji rested her arm on her raised knee, self-deprecatingly, “I won’t live through the night anyway. If I don’t take the secret to my grave, how can the Empress rest assured?”

Zhao Yan knew she wouldn’t reveal everything. Clever people wouldn’t throw all their cards at once; they always kept one in reserve.

“You won’t die,” Zhao Yan said.

Not only would she not die, but she also needed to be protected well, just like everything before her brother’s death.

Her eyes were clear, and after a moment’s thought, she made a decision, “I can use you.”

“Me?”

Liu Ji looked her up and down, her disbelief evident. How could a counterfeit like her dare to say such bold words when even the Crown Prince Zhao Yan couldn’t do something?

Remembering something urgent, Zhao Yan’s shoulder-rubbing movement paused, muttering to herself that it was bad.

She hastily straightened her robe and got up. Her body ached from sleeping on the desk, and she frowned, inhaling sharply as she took a few steps towards the palace door. Then, she turned back, approached Liu Ji, who was sitting on the edge of the bed with her legs crossed, and made a slight bow.

“Thank you for keeping my secret, and thank you for teaching me chess.”

She stood up straight, her eyes shining brightly in the dim darkness. “I will do everything in my power to protect you.”

Just like how her elder brother treated her. Without waiting to examine Liu Ji’s expression, she smiled slightly, pushed the door, and walked into the dim and chilly night.

Liu Ji got up from the bed, walked to the window, and tilted her head to look at the intersecting black and white chess pieces. The last move of the white pieces was extremely clever, forming the Yanwei Formation, like a golden dragon cutting through the encirclement of the black pieces, turning defeat into victory.

A thin light of dawn seeped through the window seams, shining on the finishing white piece, reflecting a dazzling light.

Liu Ji lightly touched the shining official piece with her finger, closing her eyes and murmuring, “I was one step too late, Zhao Yan.”

When Zhao Yan left the inner courtyard, she indeed saw the personal palace maid of the Kun Ning Palace standing in front of the sleeping hall.

Li Fu stood there, with an anxious expression, as if wanting to speak but hesitating. Zhao Yan’s heart sank, she quickened her pace up the steps and pushed open the door of the sleeping hall.

Inside the hall, the candles were lit, and Empress Wei sat in her bed, wearing a phoenix robe. By her side, Liu Ying knelt, her lips pale.

As the door closed behind her, Zhao Yan made a male gesture of respect and said calmly, “The son pays respects to Mother. At this hour, with the cold wind and heavy frost, why didn’t Mother send someone to inform me of your arrival?”

She deliberately imitated Zhao Yan’s expression and posture when speaking, but this bit of cunning could not escape Empress Wei’s eyes.

But this time, Empress Wei did not relent. Her face remained unchanged as she said, “You still remember to come back, Crown Prince?”

The word “Crown Prince” was pronounced with a suppressed anger, reminding Zhao Yan of her current status.

“It was my decision alone to pour out the poisoned wine, and I take full responsibility. It has nothing to do with Liu Ying.”

Zhao Yan looked at Liu Ying and said in a low voice, “As a palace maid of the Crown Prince, what’s wrong with obeying the Crown Prince’s orders? Get up.”

Liu Ying remained kneeling without moving, gently shaking her head towards her master. Zhao Yan pursed her lips and knelt down beside her, tucking her robe next to her.

“Liu Ji has already seen through my true identity.”

Before the shocked Empress and Liu Ying could react, she changed the subject, saying lightly but firmly, “But Mother, I want to keep Liu Ji.”

Empress Wei’s phoenix eyes were stern as she asked, “Do you know what you’re saying? The situation is already precarious, and keeping this person will only bring endless troubles!”

“I understand Mother’s concerns, but I disagree with Mother’s approach. Taking the overall situation into account, killing is not the only solution.”

Zhao Yan’s words were clear, “Mother, have you ever thought that if Liu Ji, as a trusted person of the Crown Prince, returns to the palace after several months of the Eastern Palace being closed, and then dies suddenly after encountering Prince Su’s night visit, wouldn’t it raise suspicions? Even if you handle it quietly and silence the attendants, wouldn’t Prince Su still be suspicious?”

Empress Wei frowned slightly.

Zhao Yan knew she was being listened to, and continued, “Even so, she cannot serve by your side. It’s just choosing the lesser of two evils. It’s about the fate of the country, and neither you nor I can afford to gamble.”

Seeing her mother’s serious expression but hearing her voice no longer as stern as before, Zhao Yan knew there was a slight chance of a turnaround.

Even if it was a glimmer of hope, she would fight for it.

Seizing the opportunity, after discussing the interests, she appealed emotionally, “Liu Ji, knowing that there were anomalies in the Eastern Palace, still returned without hesitation. Knowing that revealing my identity would bring danger upon herself, she still chose to be honest with me… This is enough to prove that my brother’s trust in her is worthwhile. Moreover, she and my brother are close, sharing interests, and she knows my brother’s literary and chess skills like the back of her hand. If we kill her, we may not find another satisfactory person.”

Empress Wei rubbed her throbbing temples with her fingers for a while before asking, “What do you mean?”

Zhao Yan calmly replied, “Liu Ji is useful to us. Please, Mother, spare her life for now and let her assist the Eastern Palace.”

“If she has ill intentions and leaks secrets…”

“If anything goes wrong, I am willing to take care of it myself and ask for Mother’s forgiveness!”

But at least, for now, Zhao Yan had fought for Liu Ji’s chance to live. Zhao Yan gently curled her fingers.

Empress Wei pondered for a long time.

In the silence, the sky outside gradually brightened, and the dim candlelight projected on the floor tiles was gradually replaced by a faint white light.

“Liu Ying.”

Empress Wei spoke up, rising from her seat and ordering, “Restrict Liu Ji to the Cheng’en Hall for now and forbid her from contacting any palace attendants. If there are any abnormalities, execute her without mercy!”

Liu Ying, despite the pain in her knees, hurriedly bowed and agreed. Without lingering, Empress Wei had to return to the Kun Ning Palace before daybreak.

Zhao Yan knew that Liu Ji’s life was temporarily saved. She couldn’t help but sit down on the floor tiles, sighing deeply.

One heart hadn’t fully settled, yet another was suddenly suspended.

The sky was already bright, and she still had to go to the Chongwen Hall to study.

Another disaster was looming. Feeling disheartened, Zhao Yan had to get dressed and washed, reluctantly preparing to face the treacherous Wen Renlin in the palace.

When she arrived at the Chongwen Hall, Wen Renlin had arrived first.

He was still dressed in a dark regular attire, holding a scroll in his left hand, sitting in the Grand Tutor’s chair, reading attentively. His right hand, covered in a wrist guard, reached forward slightly, casually rotating his long and powerful fingers on the charcoal basin, heating them.

Fortunately, apart from this charcoal fire, there were no other superfluous things in the hall. A faint warm fragrance brushed against her face, with just the right temperature, neither too cold nor too dry.

On the table in front of Wen Renlin, there was a chessboard with black and white pieces intertwined.

Zhao Yan plucked up the courage to take a closer look and realized that this chessboard looked familiar, as if it was the one she had ruined a few days ago when she pretended to faint.

Unexpectedly, Wen Renlin had memorized the entire chessboard and restored it perfectly!

Zhao Yan cleared her throat and reached into the chess pot to touch a white piece. With a soft click, she gently placed it at the upper right breaking point.

The Yanwei Formation was formed, and the white piece suddenly gained the upper hand. Wen Renlin raised his eyes from the scrolls behind him and saw that the endgame had been broken. His eyes couldn’t help but flicker slightly.

Zhao Yan showed a cautious smile and whispered, “Grand Tutor, my illness has already improved significantly.”

What a lie!

This Yanwei Formation was learned last night, following Liu Ji’s lead.

With just a light glance from Wen Renlin, Zhao Yan felt her whole body go numb, as if he had seen through her from head to toe.

He remained noncommittal, tapping the desk with his scrolls. “Come closer.”

Zhao Yan obediently sat behind the desk.

Wen Renlin added, “Closer.”

Zhao Yan hesitated for a moment, then scooted forward half an inch.

Wen Renlin raised an eyebrow.

This time, Zhao Yan didn’t dare to be evasive. She obediently leaned over the desk, halfway across the chessboard, getting closer.

Wen Renlin picked up a small porcelain jar prepared beside him, removed the lid, and picked a bit of ointment with his fingertip. His distinct knuckles were as pale as the frost, almost identical in color to the ointment.

As his hand approached, Zhao Yan closed her eyes as if trying to evade, her breath almost stopping. The next moment, she felt the cool and moist touch on her bruised forehead. Trembling, she opened her eyes and saw Wen Renlin’s exceptionally handsome face close by, his eyes half-lidded, casually applying the ointment for her.

When Wen Renlin raised his eyes, they met hers directly.

With her fingers clenched tightly in her sleeves, Zhao Yan struggled to suppress the urge to escape. She heard Wen Renlin casually asking, “Has the medicine for the Crown Prince been taken on time?”

“The medicine…”

Oh, that bottle of warm yang-tonifying pills?

Zhao Yan’s eyelashes flickered, feeling somewhat embarrassed. “Thank you, Grand Tutor, I will make sure next time.”

Definitely throw it away, Zhao Yan secretly vowed.

Who knows what Wen Renlin gave her? Only a fool would rush to take it. Not to mention, the medicine had no place in her hands.

Wen Renlin raised his eyes. The little prince obviously hadn’t slept well last night, his face pale as frost, with faint dark circles under his eyes.

He said, “The little prince, at such a young age, indulgence is not permissible.”

Zhao Yan nodded vigorously. “The Grand Tutor’s teachings are wise.”

Wen Renlin looked at her submissive appearance, a shallow smile appearing in his eyes. He withdrew his hand and said, “The Crown Prince should recite the ‘Crane Neck’ from the Xuan Nu Scriptures.”

Zhao Yan was about to nod in agreement when she suddenly froze.

What was the “Xuan Nu Scriptures”?

And what was the “Crane Neck”?

Seeing Zhao Yan’s bewildered expression, Wen Renlin narrowed his eyes slightly.

“Before learning about state affairs, every prince in the palace must study the art of imperial concubines. The Xuan Nu Scriptures is a must-read for everyone.”

Wen Renlin wiped the remaining ointment off his fingertip with a cotton cloth brought by the eunuch, his tone meaningful. “I saw the Crown Prince with his concubine last night. Surely he understands its essence and won’t fail to recite it, right?”

Zhao Yan was dumbfounded.

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