1
If Zhao Changnian had known that freeloading a meal would come with such severe consequences, she would never have come today.
“Search over there!”
“Yes, sir!”
The chaotic sound of footsteps mixed with the angry shouts of the guards grew closer and closer. Holding her breath, Zhao Changnian shrank in the corner of a cabinet, not daring to move an inch.
“Nothing here.”
“Have you searched the inner hall?”
“Sir, we cannot enter the inner hall without imperial orders.”
The captain of the guard grew anxious. “If we don’t find the assassin, all our heads will roll!”
The guards hesitated for a moment, then said, “The Duke of Fuguo is right over there. He has access to the Eight Treasures Hall. Why don’t we invite him over?”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Changnian’s vision went dark.
If someone else caught her here, she might be able to talk her way out of it. But if Duke of Fuguo Ye Jiangbai caught her, she would truly be unable to defend herself.
She was utterly wronged! Today was the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet. As the most insignificant imperial descendant in the palace, she had only come to sneak some good food. Who knew that stepping out to relieve herself would lead her straight into a murder scene?
She hadn’t even gotten a clear look at the assassin’s face. But by the time she realized what was happening, all that was left was the prison warden, lying there with a gaping hole in his chest, his eyes wide open in death—staring right in her direction.
From every angle, she looked like the killer.
When the guards gave chase, Zhao Changnian had bolted into the Eight Treasures Hall without a second thought. Normally, ordinary guards couldn’t enter this place, so she thought she’d be safe. But who knew she had stumbled straight into the jaws of hell!
Maybe she should climb out the window now?
With that thought in mind, Zhao Changnian reached out to push open the cabinet door.
But just as she cracked it open, a familiar voice sounded from outside. “What is it?”
The captain of the guard stood half-bowed behind Ye Jiangbai, speaking with difficulty. “We’ve searched everywhere else, but this inner hall is off-limits to us. The banquet is still in full swing, and I dare not disturb His Majesty. I can only trouble you to…”
He pointed toward the inner hall.
Through the crack in the cabinet door, Zhao Changnian saw Ye Jiangbai wearing deep blue court robes, the satin fabric gleaming. He casually folded his sleeves, a hint of drunkenness in his eyes. “What thief is so bold as to dare break into the Eight Treasures Hall?”
With that, he flicked the hem of his robes and strode inside.
Her heart pounded like a drum. Zhao Changnian nearly screamed from sheer terror but somehow managed to stop herself. She hastily pulled the cabinet door shut, clamped a hand over her mouth, and watched her knuckles turn white.
It’s over, it’s over. Her easy, peaceful life of over a decade had just come to an end.
Ye Jiangbai was the Duke of Fuguo, personally recommended by the eight founding elders of the court. His power and prestige went without saying, but what made it worse was that he was notoriously difficult to deal with. Getting a favor from him was harder than ascending the throne itself. If he spotted her here, she’d be immediately arrested and taken to the Imperial Clan Court.
If she were any other imperial child, she could at least have her mother go cry and make a scene before the Emperor. After a few hours in the court’s custody, she’d be back in the palace. But for someone like her—with a mother who died young and a father who couldn’t care less—once inside, she couldn’t even be sure if she’d come out dead or alive.
Footsteps sounded outside the cabinet door. Cloud-patterned boots fell on the brocade carpet, muffled and heavy. Zhao Changnian cowardly squeezed her eyes shut, but the sounds only grew clearer—
Ye Jiangbai brushed aside the curtains hanging at the partition.
He opened two low cabinets and closed them again.
He lifted the cover off the nearby desk.
And then…
He rose and came straight for the cabinet she was hiding in!
Clang.
The bronze ring on the cabinet door was lightly tapped, striking the wood. Inside, it sounded like a thunderbolt.
Zhao Changnian jolted in terror, instinctively trying to cover her mouth. But she was far too frightened—her breath hitched, and instead, she let out a loud—
“Hic!”
The person outside paused, as if in disbelief, then tapped the bronze ring again.
“Hic!”
Zhao Changnian crouched inside the cabinet, strangling her own neck, wishing she could just kill herself right then and there. But no matter how hard she squeezed, she couldn’t stop the hiccuping. The hiccups came fiercely, crisp and rhythmic, and if you listened closely, they could even harmonize with the drum and music drifting over from the Daqing Palace.
“May the birthday fruits fill the tray—hic!—bringing auspicious mist. May the birthday flowers be newly placed—hic!—upon the Lotus Terrace.”
Outside the cabinet door, there was a moment of silence. Then, it seemed as if someone let out a quiet laugh.
Zhao Changnian was absolutely filled with tragic indignation! Die early, die late—she was going to die anyway but why did she have to humiliate herself so thoroughly before dying?
A scholar may be killed, but not humiliated!
Her temper flaring, Zhao Changnian kicked the cabinet door, hoping to salvage some dignity with a grand, fearless gesture.
But the door didn’t open.
“Duke of Fuguo?”
The captain of the guard’s worried voice came from outside the hall.
Ye Jiangbai pressed his hand against the cabinet door and answered calmly, “I’m here.”
“Is anything amiss inside the hall?”
Feeling the restless vibrations of the cabinet door, Ye Jiangbai replied without so much as a change in expression, “No. I’ve searched the entire inner hall and haven’t seen a trace of anyone. Perhaps the culprit has fled elsewhere.”
What?
Zhao Changnian was dumbfounded. Her foot hung in mid-air, and she was completely frozen.
“I see… Thank you for your trouble, Duke of Fuguo. I will take my men and search toward the Wuyang Gate.”
The captain didn’t suspect a thing and immediately bowed outside the hall. Then came the clinking of armor, as if he had led all his men away.
The Eight Treasures Hall fell silent. Not a sound remained.
What was happening? Ye Jiangbai knew someone was inside the cabinet, yet he didn’t expose her? Zhao Changnian couldn’t make sense of it. She pinched her own thigh, bit the tip of her tongue, and after confirming she wasn’t dreaming, reached out to push open the cabinet door.
“It is the Empress Dowager’s birthday today. The matter of the Warden’s death will be held back and reported to His Majesty after three days.”
Ye Jiangbai’s voice suddenly sounded from outside the cabinet, grave and low. “By then, I hope Your Highness, the Seventh Prince, will turn yourself in.”
Oh, so it was only because of the Empress Dowager’s birthday that they weren’t pursuing it today.
Zhao Changnian nodded in understanding.
Hmm? Wait?
She turns herself in?!
Her eyes wide, Zhao Changnian finally realized what was happening. Ye Jiangbai must have seen her long ago. The reason he didn’t expose her immediately was simply because she couldn’t escape anyway! But she wasn’t the killer at all—at worst, she was just a witness. So why did she have to turn herself in?
She shoved the cabinet door open and opened her mouth to explain.
But the inner hall was empty. Ye Jiangbai was already gone.
He left way too fast!
Dragging her numb and aching legs, Zhao Changnian felt tears welling up. She was just someone who wanted to coast through life doing nothing. Why did she have to suffer this calamity out of nowhere?
…
The drums and music were still playing joyfully in the Daqing Palace. The princes were already presenting their birthday gifts to the Empress Dowager. The palace maid Hongti stood anxiously by the side entrance, looking around. When she spotted Zhao Changnian returning from afar, she hurriedly rushed over.
“Your Highness, where did you go? Didn’t you say you’d be back in a moment?”
Zhao Changnian hung her head, utterly feeble. “I’ve run into a bit of trouble, Hongti…”
“Please come with me, Your Highness. We’re going to miss something important!” Hongti had no mind to listen. Half-supporting, half-dragging her, she pulled Zhao Changnian toward the inner hall. “All the other princes have already arrived. You’re the only one missing. If you don’t go present your gift soon, you’ll surely be punished!”
**