Not As It Seem

The morning sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow across the landscape.

The mansion was enveloped in an unusual silence, perhaps due to the absence of Xuanwen, who hadn't visited in quite some time.

Xuanwen found herself relaxing as she gazed at the tranquil pond before her. Just as she began to think that the peace might last, someone entered her field of vision. It was Liu Yang, the eldest son of her Uncle Liu Tao, a man renowned for his scholarly achievements.

"Well, well, who do we have here? I never would have guessed you'd be out here, enjoying the beauty of life. You're usually locked away in your room, scheming or squabbling with Xuanqing. What's the matter, little cousin? Are you feeling worn out?" Liu Yang remarked as he settled down beside her.

Xuanwen took a moment to assess Liu Yang, noting his blue attire and the fan obscuring his face, which gave him the appearance of a typical pampered young master. In the novel, Liu Yang was more of a background character, having failed the imperial examinations multiple times, leading many to deem him a disappointment. His younger brother, Liu Yao, was expected to inherit the Liu family legacy since both Xuanwen and Xuanqing were girls, and their father had no sons. Consequently, the heirship fell to Liu Tao and his sons.

Xuanwen's parents placed their trust predominantly in Xuanqing, often overlooking Xuanwen.

As Xuanwen shook her head, she reflected on Liu Yang's rather unfortunate circumstances. Not only was he seen as a failure, but his family also showed little support for his aspirations to become a storyteller.

"What are you staring at?" Liu Yang inquired.

With a light chuckle, Xuanwen replied, "Ah, it's cousin Liu Yang! May I ask what brings you here? Shouldn't you be studying for the imperial examination? I'm certain that if you fail again, Aunt Xu will have quite the reaction."

"You—" he sighed, "Never mind, I'm not in the mood to argue with you," Liu Yang responded.

"Then what's your purpose here?" Xuanwen pressed.

Clearing his throat, Liu Yang said, "I met someone not too long ago."

"Oh? And who might that be?" Xuanwen asked, intrigued.

"Su Huian. Do you know her?" Liu Yang inquired.

Xuanwen turned her gaze from Liu Yang to the pond, replying, "Yes and no. We're more like acquaintances. Why do you ask?"

Liu Yang stood to follow her, "Well, she has been inquiring about you ever since you left. Did you two have a falling out or something?"

"No, but do you know why she's looking for me?" Xuanwen asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Not exactly. She was asking about your whereabouts, when you would be returning, people you've met, all sorts of things," Liu Yang explained.

Xuanwen turned to him, "She asked you that? When did this happen?"

Liu Yang crossed his arms defensively, "Not too long ago."

Xuanwen pressed further, "How did you come across her?"

Liu Yang broke into a slight sweat, "I— I was outside, alright? I was hanging out with some friends."

"So you met her at a brothel? (shakes her head) Aunt Xu will be even more disappointed," Xuanwen teased.

"You—" he interrupted, lowering his voice, "don't tell anyone about that," he glanced around nervously to ensure no one had overheard.

In the original novel, Liu Yang was one of the many admirer of the female lead Su Huian.

Xuanwen giggled, "Liu Yang, you have feelings for Su Huian, don't you?"

"I do not! She's just an ex-classmate," Liu Yang stammered.

Xuanwen smiled as she walked toward the hall, "Oh, I believe you."

"I really don't!" Liu Yang insisted, chasing after her.

Abruptly, Xuanwen halted as Bai Wei approached, accompanied by someone else.

Liu Yang caught up to her and stopped as she did, glancing ahead, "Bai Wei? Lord Tao?"

Xuanwen greeted her cousin with a smile, "Brother Bai Wei."

She then scrutinized the individual behind Bai Wei, who appeared perplexed.

"Miss Xuanwen, do you not remember me? We've met a few times," Tao Weimin said.

Xuanwen remained silent, her expression thoughtful.

Tao Weimin scratched his head in confusion, "I'm Tao Weimin, the son of Minister Tao and a friend of Bai Wei."

Tao Weimin? So, he's aligned with the crown prince.

Xuanwen smiled politely, "Greetings, Lord Tao. My memory has been rather foggy in recent months; I hope you can forgive me."

Tao Weimin looked bemused but smiled to convey that it was no trouble at all.

Xuanwen quickly excused herself from the conversation.

"Xuanwen, you've changed so much since that carriage incident," Liu Yang remarked.

Incident? Xuanwen chuckled inwardly. It was no mere accident; someone had deliberately tampered with the carriage. She knew well who was responsible. The original Xuanwen had been gravely injured in that incident and had fallen into a coma for an extended period. Perhaps her soul had surrendered, which this Xuanwen was able to take over her body.

"Instead of probing into my affairs, perhaps you should concentrate on preparing for the imperial examination. (glancing behind him) Aunt Xu!" Xuanwen said playfully.

Upon hearing his cousin call for his mother, Liu Yang dashed away in a hurry.

That was quite the quick getaway; Aunt Xu wasn't even really there—Xuanwen had merely been joking.

As she reached her room, she let out a sigh.

Tao Weimin, a friend and subordinate of the male lead Jianyu, was merely a supporting character who met an unfortunate end while fulfilling his duties. But what were Bai Wei and Tao Weimin doing here?

**Minister Liu Boyou's Study**

"Greeting, Minister Liu," Weimin said respectfully.

Liu Boyou gestured for them to take a seat.

"Bai Wei, how is your mother faring? I heard she had fallen ill," Liu Boyou inquired.

Bai Wei responded, "Uncle, my mother is doing well now; there's no need for concern."

Liu Boyou nodded thoughtfully. "What brings you both here today?"

Tao Weimin smiled, "Minister Liu, I'd heard the Yiting case was in your hand. Would it be possible for me to review them?"

"The Yiting case? (pausing to think) Sure, I'll have my people send the documents over shortly," Liu Boyou replied.

Tao Weimin expressed his gratitude, "I appreciate it, Minister Liu."

Liu Boyou smiled in return.

As Tao Weimin and Bai Wei exits into the hall, Bai Wei asked, "Weimin, why are you interested in the Yiting case?"

Weimin explained, "Renshu wanted to examine it; he suspects it might have some connection to his current investigation."

"Why didn't he just come himself?" Bai Wei queried.

Weimin shrugged, "Haven't you heard? His mother is trying to arrange a match for him with Minister Zhao Kaiyuan's daughter. He's probably busy avoiding her."

Bai Wei nodded in understanding.

Weimin then inquired, "I have something to ask—are the rumors true?"

Bai Wei looked puzzled.

"The rumor that your cousin is now over the crown prince?" Weimin clarified.

Bai Wei replied, "I don't know."

"And how is it that she didn't recognize me? I'm always by His Highness's side," Weimin remarked, somewhat incredulous.

Bai Wei regarded Weimin, "Why don't you go ask her, then?" he suggested as he walked ahead.

"Aren't you her cousin?" Weimin called after him.

Bai Wei paused, "I'm not particularly curious. I heard she had a carriage accident while on her way to the temple to pray. She was in a coma for three days, but other than that, I don't have any more information."

"An accident?"

Bai Wei nodded.

**Su Mansion**

Voice chattering.

Su Huian sat in the grand hall of the Su manor, her gaze distant as the celebration of Su Zian's return unfolded around her. The air was thick with laughter and conversation, yet she found herself lost in thought. She had lived this moment once before, but back then, she had been ignorant of what was to come.

Now, she knew better.

Before her regression, this was the turning point. Su Zian, the eldest son of the Su household, would soon be summoned to the palace, honored with the title of marquise, and tasked with overseeing Princess Zhou Luli. It had seemed like a grand opportunity at the time—an elevation in status, a show of imperial favor. But now, Su Huian could see it for what it truly was: the first step toward destruction.

The Su family had never been a major power in the imperial court. Their father, Su Honghui, was a retired general, respected but politically unremarkable. The Su household was neither particularly strong nor particularly weak, which made it all the more puzzling. Why were they been framed for treason? Who would've gain from such atrocity?

Su Zian, for all his indifference toward her, had not abandoned the family when the accusations came. Huian still remembered the sight of him standing bloodied in the courtyard, sword in hand, refusing to run as imperial soldiers surrounded them. He had declared their innocence to his last breath.

Perhaps, like her, he had been tricked.

Su Huian's fingers curled around the fabric of her sleeve as she observed her brother from across the room. He sat near their father, answering questions about his time in Guizhou with his usual composure. He was a man of discipline, his expression unreadable, but she had seen his fate once before—seen the way he had fought, the way he had died.

She exhaled slowly.

Su Huian had never felt a deep attachment to the Su family. They had not abused her, but she had always been an outsider. Perhaps it was because her mother had been nothing more than a maid, someone her father had unknowingly taken to bed in a drunken stupor. Still, she could not say she was completely indifferent—after all, they had raised her, if only to a certain extent.

Just then, a familiar voice called out to her.

"Sister Huian."

She turned to see Huang Lan, her aunt's daughter, approaching with a warm smile. Huian returned the gesture as Huang Lan gracefully took a seat beside her.

"I heard you've been to the Huajing Department a few times," Huang Lan said, her tone light with curiosity.

Huian nodded in acknowledgment.

"Did you perhaps ever meet the Crown Prince there?" Huang Lan asked.

Huian nodded again, but a flicker of unease passed through her. Before her regression, Huang Lan had been one of the candidates for Crown Princess. She had entered the palace with high hopes, only for tragedy to follow—her death had been ruled a suicide, but the more Huian thought about it, the more doubts surfaced. What if it had never been suicide to begin with?

"Huian? Sister Huian, are you listening?" Huang Lan's voice pulled her back to the present.

Huian blinked and forced a small smile. "Apologies, I was lost in thought. You were asking about the Crown Prince?"

Huang Lan nodded, lowering her voice slightly. "Yes. What is he like?"

Huian studied her cousin's expression—there was anticipation, perhaps even a hint of admiration. In her past life, Huang Lan had entered the palace with high hopes, and yet, something had happened to shatter them.

"The Crown Prince…" Huian hesitated before choosing her words carefully. "He is composed and intelligent, but difficult to read. He does not speak more than necessary, and he never lets his true thoughts show."

Huang Lan frowned slightly, as if expecting a different answer. "Then… is he kind?"

Huian's grip on her sleeve tightened. Kind? That was not a word she would have ever associated with the imperial family. But rather than answering directly, she turned the question around.

"Why do you ask, Sister Lan?"

Huang Lan's cheeks colored faintly, and she lowered her gaze. "It's nothing… I was only curious."

Huian hummed in response but did not press further. She had seen this scene before—Huang Lan, full of hope, speaking about the Crown Prince. And yet, in the end, her cousin's fate had been a tragic one.

Huian returned to her room, her mind still clouded with lingering worries. She sat by the window, absently rubbing her hand.

"The marks have completely disappeared now," she murmured, exhaling softly. 

Just as she reached out to close the window, a shadow moved. Before she could react, someone leaped in.

Huian instinctively stepped back, her hand moving toward a concealed dagger, but then she recognized the intruder.

"Tao Weimin?" she said, eyes narrowing. "What are you doing here?"

The man straightened, brushing the dust off his dark robes with an air of nonchalance.

"If I recall correctly," Huian continued, regaining her composure, "the case has already been closed. So why are you sneaking into my room like a common thief?"

Weimin smirked. "The case may be closed, but that doesn't mean we stop working. Tomorrow, come to Huajing—I need you to examine a body."

Huian frowned. "You could've sent a letter. Do you have any idea how improper it is to barge into a lady's chambers at this hour?"

Weimin crossed his arms. "I thought it would be better to come in person. A letter could take too long, and who knows if someone might tamper with it? There are enemies everywhere, you know."

Huian let out a sharp breath. "I don't. Now get out." She pushed him toward the window, intent on shoving him out.

Just as she was about to shut the window behind him, Weimin popped his head back in, startling her.

"You'll be there tomorrow, right?" he asked, his tone light but his gaze sharp.

Huian glared at him, irritated. "Yes. Now leave!"

Weimin, unfazed, tilted his head. "Want me to send a carriage for you?"

In response, Huian slammed the window shut in his face.

For a moment, there was silence outside. Then, quiet breathing, followed by the soft rustling of fabric as Weimin vanished into the darkness.