She knew the other party was deeply disappointed, so she allowed him to reprimand her at length.
She accepted this reprimand.
Seeing that she remained silent and that the respectful expression on her face had not changed, he said, “Hmph, you’re quite magnanimous—never arguing back even once.”
This was an abandoned corner of the imperial palace, where no one appeared throughout the year. It was only natural for security to be lax. He also knew that he had taken things a little too seriously, so he did not intend to press the matter further.
Seeing that the other party’s anger had subsided, Jiang Yiyun revealed a faint smile. “Master, disciple knows I was wrong. You are a senior, so don’t quibble with someone junior like me.”
It was rare to see her yield, so he naturally followed the opening to ease off, though his words remained merciless: “Remember this: if one day you grow tired of living, you needn’t trouble anyone else. Your master can do the job for you.”
Jiang Yiyun breathed a sigh of relief and lowered her head slightly. “Yes, disciple will remember.”
He was not wrong. The imperial palace was filled with hidden dangers and treacherous currents; aside from the son of heaven, no one’s downfall would be surprising.
One could rise swiftly to prominence today and be beheaded tomorrow.
The other party’s tone suddenly changed. “What were you thinking about just now?”
“Seeing that master had not arrived for a long while, I stared blankly at the sky. After all, within the imperial palace, such a mood and such moonlight are truly rare.”
The expression beneath the mask froze. “Once you leave the imperial palace, you may have freedom and possess whatever you wish. Why waste away here?”
Jiang Yiyun’s expression shifted slightly, and her gaze darkened. “Disciple... Disciple has something I cannot let go of... For now, I do not wish to leave.”
Obvious displeasure was concealed beneath the mask, making it impossible for anyone to detect.
“Is it for that emperor?”
Jiang Yiyun did not wish to continue this topic, so she changed the subject. “Master, what will disciple learn today?”
“Hmph! Judging by your reaction speed just now, you are truly inadequate.” With that, he assumed the posture of an instructor...
Her call of “master” had not been in vain. She gained a great deal from the very first lesson, and the other party clearly had no intention of concealing his skills.
Even after the midnight hour, the two remained immersed in it: one wholly engrossed and filled with delight, the other feeling as though he had obtained a priceless treasure and was deeply gratified.
As time passed, things began to feel somewhat off, and a strange atmosphere once again permeated the air.
The mysterious man personally instructed her, even guiding her through close-contact practice—body against body, hand over hand.
Every touch left Jiang Yiyun surprised and embarrassed, while the other party remained perfectly serious as he drew close to her.
It was merely instruction! That was how it should be; it was only natural. Thus, it was genuinely difficult for her to raise her guard.
Jiang Yiyun did not grow suspicious either, devoting herself entirely to martial arts and paying no attention to the other details.
Both possessed secrets and knew the other was holding something back, yet they inexplicably trusted each other.
Neither side understood the other very well, nor did either probe the other’s depths, yet they seemed like close friends who had known each other for many years and needed no words.
Regardless, both master and disciple were satisfied and had gained something.
The night was too deep, and the entire imperial palace had already “fallen asleep.”
Fresh blood flowed into Jiang Yiyun’s half-dead heart. Tonight was a good beginning for her. This master had appeared just when she was desperately in need of help, at precisely the right moment.
In the days to come, with such a master to keep her from being easily distracted, she would no longer have to think about the hatred that tormented her, or Chu Yinheng’s heartless abandonment...
Before long, the imperial palace’s “grand show” was about to begin again. Jiang Yiyun looked forward to Jia Yinger’s plan to kill two birds with one stone.
The weather was fair and bright, and the imperial palace was bustling once more. Jia Yinger attended in full finery, making all her early preparations worthwhile.
Wherever she appeared, there was bound to be a broad shoulder beside her for her to lean against—and that person was Chu Yinheng.
For some reason, the pair clinging so closely together no longer seemed as glaring to Jiang Yiyun. Perhaps she had grown used to it.
Today’s main character should have been the heavily pregnant Consort Chun, but without the emperor at her side, the overly vivid cosmetics on her face looked quite dull.
Without great imperial favor, no amount of adornment would be of any use.
The noble Prince Xuan, Chu Yexuan, was seated in a corner, drinking by himself and seemingly shutting out everything around him, displaying an air of transcendence and detachment.
Jiang Yiyun still attended in light makeup, which made her appear far too inconspicuous beside Jia Yinger.
After all, she was wearing a “false face”; what meaning was there in excessive embellishment?
After taking their seats, everything proceeded as usual. Jiang Yiyun was alone, while Chu Yinheng and Jia Yinger sat close together.
Gu Hanjue’s faint smile remained unchanged, but a chill showed through it. Only those familiar with him could discern the displeasure hidden within his smile.
Most of his gaze rested on Jia Yinger. Although Jia Yinger did not notice, she occasionally froze slightly.
Before coming here, she had encountered Gu Hanjue in the corridor. Since the bird-catching incident, although she had Chu Yinheng’s protection, she had been somewhat worried that this ruthless Prince Bianjian might seek revenge.
Yet when the two met today, the atmosphere was exceedingly harmonious—so harmonious that it felt strange.
After all, Gu Hanjue had actually bowed respectfully to her, even expressing concern and asking after her, to the point that she wondered whether she was still dreaming.
She could not understand it. When had this overbearing and cold Prince Bianjian changed his temperament? His behavior left her flattered and alarmed.
Afterward, she became extremely apprehensive, always suspecting that this was the calm before the storm.
As they passed each other, Gu Hanjue said gently, “imperial consort, take better care of yourself. Do not exhaust yourself.”
Jia Yinger thought he was alluding to what happened in the bedchamber and suddenly blushed.
Jia Yinger smiled awkwardly, then returned the salute. “This one thanks Lord Gu for your concern.”
Gu Hanjue leaned a little closer and said in a low voice, “imperial consort, remember to clean up thoroughly next time. Do not leave anyone evidence to use against you. This seat cannot always help you handle matters afterward, nor can every imperial physician be bribed by you.”
He chuckled and left gracefully, a trace of satisfaction lifting the corner of his mouth, leaving behind only a bewildered Jia Yinger.
She was not stupid either. After pondering for a moment, she suddenly understood that Gu Hanjue was referring to the incident in which Consort Chun had nearly suffered a miscarriage.
That day, she had given Consort Chun a vicious dose of poison. Mother and child would surely have Perished together, but Consort Chun had taken only a few mouthfuls of the miscarriage medicine before discomfort arose. Perhaps something she had eaten earlier had triggered morning sickness.
That interruption had given her a chance at survival. The morning sickness stopped, but the two mouthfuls of medicine she had swallowed still took mild effect and nearly caused a miscarriage.
At that moment, the imperial physician had arrived inexplicably quickly. Upon hearing of the unexpected turn of events, Jia Yinger had been extremely anxious, terrified that the medicine would reveal something amiss.
Later, the imperial physician’s diagnosis also produced an unexpected result for her: Consort Chun must have been careless when she went to the Imperial Garden that day and inhaled oleander pollen, allowing the matter to be settled.
From beginning to end, Jia Yinger had believed that the imperial physician’s diagnosis had been mistaken, or that it was merely a coincidence. Gu Hanjue’s “concern,” however, gave her the answer.
Clearly, he had already known about her poisoning at the time and had helped her clean up afterward.
Before one wave had settled, another arose. She had thought no one would ever learn of the matter, yet he had seen through it, making her even more terrified.
This Prince Bianjian had suddenly taken her side, leaving her restless and uneasy to this day. Even after the palace banquet began, her thoughts remained a confused mess.
Jia Yinger naturally did not know that Gu Hanjue had mistaken her for the woman from that day because of the silk handkerchief, and had therefore helped her.
“Something is wrong! Imperial consort, you’re bleeding!” A palace maid’s startled cry interrupted her thoughts and shattered the atmosphere of harmony and merriment.
Everyone’s eyes gathered on Consort Chun, while Jia Yinger smiled secretly, waiting for one person and one life to be lost, along with the other life she desired most.
“Summon the imperial physician.” Chu Yinheng was also startled by the sudden turn of events.
Everyone present changed color. Their faces were filled with concern, but whether their inner heart was truly as worried as their expressions made it impossible to say.
Jiang Yiyun said nothing as she lifted her wine cup, took a shallow sip, and waited for the grand show to begin.