Chapter 3: In Peril

"Cheng Liuyi, stop acting," Cheng Liuyi spat through gritted teeth. "Deep down, you must be consumed by jealousy. Everyone in the capital knows how pathetic you were back then, running to Gu Mo’s home every single day to fawn over him, cooking and cleaning for him, only to have him ignore you entirely and throw you out. Your desperate behavior brought nothing but shame to the Imperial family."

"I cannot deny that your taste is excellent," Cheng Xueyang replied calmly. "He is indeed the official most valued by the Emperor, having been granted a title and rank while still in his prime."

"However, the man you cannot have is about to marry me. It is only natural if you are green with envy; I can understand that."

The winter sun hung softly in the sky. Cheng Xueyang stood in its glow, merely narrowing her eyes. "Are you finished?"

Cheng Liuyi was dissatisfied with her composure. "Keep pretending."

"If you enjoy eating flatbread so much, then take your time," Cheng Xueyang added with a faint curl of her lips. "As long as you don't mind that it’s leftovers."

"What do you mean by—"

Before Cheng Liuyi could lash out, a palace maid hurried over. "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager has had refreshments prepared and is asking for you."

"Hmph, just you wait. You’ll get what's coming to you today," Cheng Liuyi threatened before storming off, her face twisted in rage.

Cheng Xueyang paid her no mind; there had never been a kind word to be found on Cheng Liuyi’s lips.

Cheng Xueyang continued on to the Jingren Palace, the residence of the Empress. She had arrived at an inopportune moment, as the Empress was in the middle of scolding the Crown Prince.

"Is there anything in that brain of yours besides women and playing with birds? Can't you fill it with something useful? The Emperor praised the Prince of Jing again today. Do you even understand the meaning of 'staying vigilant in times of peace'?"

"Mother, you are just being overly cautious. I am already the Crown Prince; no one can take that away from me."

"You good-for-nothing! Someone, fetch the cane! I will beat some sense into you myself!"

As the Empress brandished the cane, the Prince scurried around the room. When Cheng Xueyang entered, he ducked behind her.

"Mother, your dignity, your dignity! We have a guest!"

The Empress looked at her foolish son with utter helplessness. Her father, the Prime Minister, had nominally retired to his hometown, but in reality, he had been forced out by the Emperor, who was systematically clipping the Crown Prince’s wings. It was only a matter of time before he was demoted. Her son was truly incompetent and lacked the heart for politics, yet he was the only son she had.

That wretched Consort Xiang—how did she manage to give birth to a son like the Prince of Jing, who excelled in both literature and martial arts!

The Empress lowered the cane and retreated to the inner chamber to let her maids tidy her appearance.

The Crown Prince breathed a sigh of relief and stepped out from behind Cheng Xueyang. "Oh, your timing was perfect—uh, who are you?"

He looked her up and down without a shred of decorum. "You look familiar, but I can't recall your name. Which imperial sister are you?"

Cheng Xueyang smiled politely.

"This is Princess Xuanyun, your Sixth Imperial Sister," the Empress said as she returned. "That will be all. You may return to the East Palace."

The Crown Prince left at once, clearly relieved.

"Xueyang pays her respects to the Empress. May the Empress enjoy eternal peace."

Cheng Xueyang bowed with impeccable grace.

The Empress sat on a daybed and waved a hand. "Rise. Grant her a seat."

A maid brought a chair to the open space before the Empress, and Cheng Xueyang sat only after thanking her.

The Empress had shed her earlier irritability, resuming the majestic air of a woman who ruled the inner court. "It was thoughtful of you, Princess Xuanyun, to visit me so soon after returning to the palace."

Cheng Xueyang did not care for small talk. "I have a request, Empress."

"If it concerns the grasslands, forget it."

The Emperor had already made up his mind, and she would not risk his disfavor for the sake of a powerless princess.

Cheng Xueyang pulled a sheepskin scroll from her sleeve. "I heard that the Empress has been suffering from insomnia lately. I have a remedy that might be of some use."

A maid handed the scroll to the Empress. After reading it, the Empress’s expression shifted; she gripped the scroll tightly and said coldly, "You have always been aloof, disdaining the petty conflicts of the palace, preferring to keep your distance. You seem different since your return. Speak—what is it you wish?"

It seemed the gift had been well-chosen; the Empress had relented.

"Remove me from the list of those to be sent for marriage alliances," Cheng Xueyang requested.

Half an hour later, Cheng Xueyang left the Jingren Palace and headed toward the Emperor’s Yangxin Hall.

Unsurprisingly, she was turned away at the door.

Cheng Xueyang waited outside the hall for two hours, and having done her due diligence, she turned and left. It was time for a meal, so she headed back.

Returning the way she came, she exited through the Shenwu Gate. As she reached Shenwu Street, her path was blocked.

"Mistress, I am not sure what has happened, but the road is congested."

"Take another route."

Changing routes meant circling the entire Imperial City to reach the Princess’s residence. The carriage traveled a short distance before stopping suddenly. It was deathly quiet.

"Song Hui, what is it?"

There was no response.

Cheng Xueyang’s heart sank. Suddenly, someone rudely ripped open the carriage curtain, and a burly figure squeezed inside.

Their eyes locked.

It was a Mongol man, dressed in traditional attire. Upon seeing Cheng Xueyang’s face, he paused, pulled a portrait from his robe, and compared it to her.

"You are not Princess Yunxiang?"

The man spoke fluent Han Chinese.

Cheng Xueyang glanced at the woman in the portrait—it was Cheng Liuyi.

She remained composed. "You have the wrong person, sir."

The man put the portrait away, but his interest in Cheng Xueyang had clearly peaked. "You are far more beautiful than Princess Yunxiang. How is it that I never heard there was such a stunning beauty in the capital?"

Cheng Xueyang sat straight in the carriage, her expression calm, though a thin layer of sweat had formed on her back. The grassland prince, Wugeshi, was a notorious lecher. With Song Hui silent, it was likely he had been dealt with. If Wugeshi were to act recklessly in this carriage, the consequences would be dire.

She forced herself to stay calm. She needed to stall for time; her hidden guards would arrive to save her soon.

"May I ask a question?"

Wugeshi, in high spirits, crouched before her, his large, rough frame looming with an oppressive air. "Ask."

"Who told you that Princess Yunxiang was in this carriage?"

Wugeshi laughed. "People at the post station said so. Since I couldn't get Princess Yunxiang, getting a great beauty like you is no loss."

Clearly, someone had set a trap to humiliate her, intending for Wugeshi to abduct Cheng Liuyi.

Suddenly, the sounds of fighting erupted outside. Sure enough, help had arrived.

"The entire world belongs to the Emperor, especially here within the Imperial City. If you leave now, I shall pretend this never happened."

Wugeshi was dismissive. "This place is remote. My grassland warriors are fierce and battle-hardened, unlike the pampered men of the Central Plains. Once your guards are dead, who will ever know what happened here?"

Cheng Xueyang pressed her red lips together. "You are certainly confident."

"I have that much confidence." As he spoke, Wugeshi reached out, intending to touch her face.

Suddenly, his hand froze in mid-air. His gaze shifted downward, and he saw a sharp dagger pressed against his throat, forcing him to halt his lecherous advance.

*Thump! Thump! Thump!*

Cheng Xueyang felt as if her heart might leap out of her chest. She stared in disbelief at the man standing behind Wugeshi.

How could it be him?