Chapter 097: The Second Prince Returns to the Capital

“It's simple. You take your own life and pin it on Liu Li.”

Consort Dowager Shu glanced at the Empress Dowager, then forced back every word she had wanted to say.

“What is it? You cannot bear to be the villain?” The Empress Dowager’s voice turned cold. “I’m telling you, I have no patience left to coax you. Why shouldn’t I simply go and intercept the Second Prince on his way back from White River?”

“No, no, I can do it!”

Seeing the grief-stricken face of Consort Dowager Shu, a faint smile appeared on the Empress Dowager’s lips.

“Now that’s better. I’ve been quite generous to all of you, haven’t I? You may even choose your own manner of death. Is that not a great kindness?”

Consort Dowager Shu nodded, then sank to her knees before the Empress Dowager and clutched at her sleeve in supplication.

“I beg you, please let me see my son once. I only want to look at him properly and speak with him. I swear I will not reveal a single word, nor will I say a single ill thing about you!”

“So at last you’re willing to beg me? For all these years in the harem, you never once came to me, and now you ask me for mercy?”

“Everything before was my fault. Put it all on me if you like. But the Second Prince is innocent, and he has never offended you. For the sake of the fact that neither he nor I have ever angered you, please let us mother and son meet just once. I’m begging you!”

“Then tell me—do you want the Second Prince to live out his years in peace, or do you want to see him one last time before you die?”

Consort Dowager Shu froze, staring at the Empress Dowager in terror, no longer daring to speak.

At this, the Empress Dowager could not help but laugh.

“Very well. For the sake of how happy you’ve made me today, I’ll be a little more lenient. You may see the Second Prince, but only from afar. No close conversation.”

Consort Dowager Shu nodded so hard it was almost frantic, looking at the Empress Dowager with bright, grateful eyes.

“When may I see him?”

“Tomorrow, then. He’ll be back tomorrow. Tomorrow night there will likely be a banquet. That will be your chance to frame Liu Li.”

“Tomorrow night?” Consort Dowager Shu was so shocked she sank to the ground. It took her a long while to recover. She had to do it tomorrow?

The Empress Dowager helped her to her feet and smiled.

“Consort Dowager Shu, what is it? Is there a problem with tomorrow night?”

“Tomorrow night will likely be rather chaotic. If I am to ensure the framing succeeds, then I cannot be distracted...”

“Fine.” The Empress Dowager nodded. “Then I’ll let you see the Second Prince before tomorrow night. How about that?”

Joy and disbelief flooded Consort Dowager Shu’s face. She hurriedly expressed her thanks.

“Tomorrow morning, you should be able to see the Second Prince. Once he has explained himself in court and I have said a few words on his behalf, the Emperor will forgive him. Then, when he comes out of the court hall, you can stand on the city tower and look at him.”

Consort Dowager Shu nodded. “All right.”

“But I’m afraid you’ll become too excited, so I’d better take you there myself.”

The Empress Dowager smiled with hidden meaning to herself.

With an opportunity this good, of course I must appear righteous and benevolent. I can use it to win over your son. I cannot let all the good reputation go to the Emperor. Hmph, Consort Dowager Shu, a dying woman like you will never understand my painstaking intentions.

The Imperial Sun Palace was utterly still, both inside and out.

Blinking, rubbing her sore shoulders, Snow had a long exhale, and the half-awake, half-dreaming haze gradually filled the blankness in her mind.

“Little dove, you’re awake?”

The voice in her ears pricked at her heart. Snow immediately opened her eyes.

“You... you? I...?”

Liu Li smiled gently.

“Don’t worry. No one knows.”

Snow stared for a moment at the handsome young man beside the bed, then looked around the room.

“Th-this is your place?”

“Yes, my place.” Liu Li’s smile remained soft. His gaze fell to the line of her collarbone. “There’s no scar. Rest assured.”

Snow froze, then flushed as she looked down at herself. Like a startled cat, she yanked the covers over herself in a hurry.

“What are you looking at?”

Liu Li only smiled and said nothing. He returned with a bowl of medicinal soup.

“I don’t know whether you’re afraid of bitterness, but I brewed this myself. It isn’t hard to drink.”

“You brewed the medicine?” Snow stared at him in a daze, then suddenly exclaimed, nerves rising in her voice. “Ah! Did you also apply medicine for me? Healing wounds like this is something only you mortals would do. I... I...”

“What? There are no side effects.” Liu Li understood what she meant, but he could only pretend not to. Only then could he make her relax a little.

“R-really?” Snow lowered her head, thinking to herself: thank goodness, it seems he doesn’t know. Then, then it should be fine, right? I’m healed, after all.

The disciples of Mount Tianshan did not use mortal medicines when injured; ordinary wounds would usually heal themselves. Snow was able to accept mortal medicine because she was different by nature, though most people attributed it to a half-mortal bloodline.

That was what Snow feared. If Liu Li learned of it, would he not realize she was the daughter of Master Yu? After all, among mortals there were many who were curious about the Kunlun Sect, and many who knew its name.

But Liu Li had known all along. That was why he had insisted on keeping Snow and had treated her wounds without the slightest hesitation. With the aid of the miraculous medicine, her injuries had healed even faster, and by this morning there was already no trace left.

Liu Li nodded and, while Snow was still lost in thought, handed her the bowl. Watching her drink it all mechanically, he could not help smiling.

“Very obedient.”

Snow frowned; the bitterness spread across her tongue, yet it did nothing to wake her senses.

Seeing this, Liu Li smiled faintly to himself.

She’s still the same foolish girl. When she’s thinking, she forgets everything around her. She’s drinking bitter medicine with her brows all furrowed, and still she remains lost in thought. Don’t worry. I’m only doing this for your own good. Since you slipped down the mountain in secret, how could I let you go back injured?

Snow looked at Liu Li in confusion for quite a while before understanding what he meant.

Before she could answer, she cast a spell to form a mirror and carefully examined herself.

“Good.” Snow finally relaxed. Looking like this, no one should notice anything when she returned.

“Mhm.” Liu Li set the bowl aside, picked up a plate of pastries, and offered it to her. “Is it bitter? Would you like some hibiscus cakes?”

Snow came back to herself and indeed found a strange blend of tastes lingering in her mouth.

“Your medicine is really awful.”

Liu Li smiled lightly. “The more bitter it is, the better the medicine.”

Snow wanted to say something, but she did not wish to upset him, so she changed the subject.

“Are you all right? That arrow seemed to have poison. Was someone really trying to harm you?”

“I’m fine.” Liu Li smiled. “A little flesh wound is nothing compared to...”

“Cough cough!” Snow cut him off with an artificial cough. “How did things go yesterday?”

“Quite well. I just need to keep up appearances for a few more days. I’m nowhere near as quick to recover as you are.” He spoke lightly, as though joking. He did not want to talk about anything else, unwilling to let her feel even the slightest discomfort.

As for that cold-iron arrow, Liu Li had already understood its purpose. He could only hope that the Second Prince, Liu Zhong, shared the same thoughts as he did, and that no rift would arise between them.

“You should be more careful from now on. I won’t dare go down the mountain rashly for a while. But the Northern Hua palace is full of dangers. In the shadows there are not only schemes of the heart, but also strange and inexplicable things.”

“Thank you for the reminder. I’ll be careful.”

“Then, since I’ve been staying with you ever since I arrived, doesn’t that count as neglecting my duties? Or rather, as delaying many things? Won’t the Empress Dowager be angry?”

Liu Li shook his head and replied softly, “It’s nothing. You needn’t worry. Outwardly, I’m only a sick man, so no one says anything. To follow my mother’s wishes, I’ve arranged a banquet to welcome Second Brother back. It’s only a small gesture of goodwill.”

“A banquet?”

“Yes, a banquet to welcome him home. Is there a problem?”

Snow shook her head. “No, I was only asking. Since the Second Prince has returned to the capital, go and attend to your affairs. It seems morning court will begin soon, and you mustn’t go drag yourself there while tired.”

Liu Li looked at Snow and, knowing she was about to leave, said no more.

“All right. You must take care of yourself too.”

The morning air was cool and thin, carrying the scent of early autumn.

The royal court of Northern Hua remained as magnificent and solemn as ever, with its red bricks, green tiles, towering beams, and carved pillars.

There was moisture in the air; the morning mist had cast a veil over the great halls, and the stone slabs, steps, pillars, eaves, and roof tiles were all covered in a fine bead of dew, waiting only for the first shaft of sunlight to lift it away.

How many autumns had passed? How many summers? Day and night often blurred together, meals were often missed. At last, after all this time, Consort Dowager Shu had endured her way through. After twenty years, she had finally stepped out of the deep palace and climbed the city tower for the first time.

Every step seemed to require thought, each pace heavy, yet her heart was strangely light. Death itself did not frighten her as much as seeing her son did. Her thoughts were wholly filled with the hope of seeing him, and she felt no fear at all of what awaited her tonight.

Consort Dowager Shu knew she was going to die, and she knew she had no choice but to do this. Her opponent was too formidable. She did not even have the possibility of making a desperate final gamble. Hope was too faint. She had given up. She only wanted her son to live well.

Standing on the tower and waiting for a long while, Consort Dowager Shu finally saw the officials emerging from court. Not long after, the Empress Dowager hurried over. She had come earlier than planned, worried that Consort Dowager Shu would not be able to recognize which man was the Second Prince.

Watching the crowd surge below, Consort Dowager Shu sighed softly.

“So many people.”

The Empress Dowager smiled and pointed at a young man.

“Your son has truly become more and more outstanding. Though dressed in plain clothes, he still cuts a fine figure, and he’s even carrying the sword bestowed on him by the late Emperor.”

Consort Dowager Shu nodded and at last found her son.

There were two men in plain dress, one carrying a knife, the other a sword.

The man holding the sword was in his early twenties, handsome and graceful, tall of build, and strikingly similar in appearance to the late Emperor. This was the son Consort Dowager Shu had dreamed of day and night, the Second Prince of the imperial house of Northern An.

If the Empress Dowager had not arrived in time, perhaps Consort Dowager Shu would not have recognized him at first glance before the others had already hurried out of view. It was only a hurried glimpse, a gaze that could rest upon a person for merely a minute, and yet it already carried the longing and contentment of a lifetime.

“My imperial son truly is handsome, upright, and poised, just like his father.”

The Empress Dowager looked at Consort Dowager Shu with a smile that was not quite a smile.

“Of the three princes, which one does not resemble the late Emperor?”

“The Second Prince is gentle and good-natured. He would never compete with the First Prince, nor would he stand in the way of the Empress Dowager’s splendid future. I hope Your Majesty will keep your promise and spare his life, allowing him to live out the rest of his years in peace!”

“Of course. So long as you keep your promise, the Second Prince’s fate is, after all, entirely in your hands.”

At morning court, winds shifted and clouds churned. A deep unease spread through everyone’s hearts, heavy and enduring, impossible to dispel.

The Second Prince, Liu Zhong, had hurried back to the capital and no longer looked at all like a man who had returned under imperial summons. His brows were full of vigor and arrogance, and his words carried confidence and indignation.

Although the Empress Dowager had spoken on Liu Li’s behalf and pleaded for Liu Zhong, she was in truth the greatest force stirring the court and driving a wedge between the brothers. After several exchanges, Liu Zhong seemed even more displeased, though he had become far more restrained.

To outsiders, it appeared as though the Empress Dowager and her son were trying to crush Liu Zhong’s spirit. No one understood how much Liu Li cherished the fraternal bond he shared with Liu Zhong. Of course, Liu Zhong himself understood even less, for after all, it was the Empress Dowager who had helped him return to the capital.

After the court session ended, Gao Hai brought Steward Liu over.

“Steward Liu, what do you seek from me?”

Steward Liu hurried forward and grasped Liu Li’s hand.

“Since the matter of the Duke’s Residence, I have not remained at your side. Have you handled the world of men and the affairs of state well?”

“Of course I have. Steward Liu, please rest and recover in peace.”

Steward Liu shook his head and sighed sorrowfully.

“Last night I dreamed that something great had happened in the palace. Your Majesty, you must be cautious. Do not step into a trap. I see nothing good in the Second Prince or the Consort Dowager Shu. I think tonight’s banquet had better be canceled.”

Gao Hai agreed wholeheartedly.

“I support the recommendation. Your Majesty, perhaps you should not go.”

“How could that be? The banquet was prepared by me and is to be hosted by me. How could I fail to attend? I have no urgent business; how could I decline? If I do not go, Second Brother may think I care too deeply about that cold-iron arrow and am only feigning illness. That is not what I wish him to believe. Besides, tonight I can see Second Brother reunited with Consort Dowager Shu. Such a happy occasion is worth witnessing.”

“I understand Your Majesty’s intentions, but others may not think so. The Second Prince does not seem very warm toward you, and instead he has grown rather close to the Empress Dowager. I fear something may happen. Consider it carefully, from beginning to end.”

Liu Li nodded and replied gently, “Thank you for your concern, Steward Liu. Please continue to recover well. I’m truly not used to your absence at my side; you must hurry back.”

“I’m old now, and there are many things I can no longer do as I once did. But my heart is clear, so you must heed advice when it is given.”

“Of course. I will handle everything properly and remain vigilant at all times.”

Steward Liu nodded with relief, though worry still lingered in his heart.

Empress Dowager, for the sake of how filial and righteous the Emperor is, please do not scheme against him. As for power and position, no one is competing with you.