paramount

Lady Ye's slap landed with full force, leaving Ji Xiang dumbfounded.

"Fool!" Lady Ye trembled with rage, scolding loudly, "Did you obey him? Did you write that letter to deceive your brother?"

Ji Xiang covered his face, head lowered, not daring to defend himself. Lady Ye lamented bitterly: "Heaven is blind to give birth to such a coward! Can't you see they intend to kill your brother? Couldn't you have told them you wrote but he refused? Do you think they'll spare us if you comply? Without Prince Wu, we're doomed. Don't you understand!"

Already frail, Lady Ye's outburst triggered a fainting spell. Panicked, Ji Xiang and the maids rushed to revive her, eventually succeeding.

Drenched in sweat, Ji Xiang knelt before her bed: "Forgive your unworthy son for failing to cure your illness and making you angry. I am truly unfilial!"

Lady Ye, tearful, leaned against the pillows: "I'd rather die than witness your downfall!"

Ji Xiang and the maids wept, envisioning their impending doom.

Knowing further complaints were futile, Lady Ye feared Ji Yi, impulsive as he was, might rush back upon receiving the letter. However, years of tempering by Chi Ying had made him more composed, able to discern the plot behind the letter. If Lady Ye knew this, her anxiety might lessen.

From Yan Prefecture to the capital, even riding fast, it would take a month. With Chi Ying unable to ride and carrying luggage, it would take forty days. Ji Yi remained anxious, fearing bad news before reaching the capital.

On the third day entering Gan Prefecture, a messenger caught up with a letter from Bai Lianzan. Chi Ying read it aloud, detailing arrangements in Yan Prefecture post-departure. Regarding Nü Yue, Bai Lianzan suggested spreading rumors of her suicide, keeping her imprisoned temporarily, deciding later whether to execute or exile her.

"Mr. Bai instructed the servants to spread the rumor of Nü Yue's mysterious death, but we should pretend ignorance. This way, the emperor's spies will confirm her success without harming her family."

Chi Ying explained, then looked at Ji Yi, who seemed lost in thought: "Your Highness, what are you thinking?"

Ji Yi rubbed his temples: "Nothing, just eager to reach the capital and settle things once and for all."

Understanding his lingering doubts about Duan Fei's possible involvement, Chi Ying reassured him: "Whether true or false, worrying won't change facts. Prepare for the worst. Remember, our enemy is the emperor, not your mother."

Ji Yi appeared unconvinced but nodded: "Let's rest, we need to travel tomorrow."

On March 7th, the carriage finally reached the outskirts of the capital. Ji Yi suggested paying respects to the emperor first, but Chi Ying insisted on going directly to Drunken Butterfly Mountain, arguing that since the letter mentioned only Lady Ye's illness, they should maintain secrecy. Visiting the palace prematurely could be seen as having ulterior motives, complicating matters.

After a brief argument, Ji Yi agreed to follow Chi Ying's advice. Afraid of potential ambushes, he dismounted and walked cautiously, despite the tranquil March scenery.

Assassins weren't expected; killing Ji Yi here would provoke public outrage. Thus, Chi Ying wasn't worried.

The palace guards were lax, easily bribed. Claiming to be Lady Ye's nephew, Cao Qian bribed them with silver ingots, gaining entry. Sending someone with Ji Yi's letter to the palace, they waited nervously.

Lady Ye was napping, Ji Xiang dozing off, when a eunuch burst in excitedly: "Your Highness, Prince Wu and Princess have arrived!" Both woke up, Lady Ye rising shakily: "Truly?"

Footsteps approached, Ji Xiang stood up, overwhelmed. Lady Ye commanded: "Help me up!"

Ji Yi hurried inside: "Hua Yu, how is Mother?"

Before Ji Xiang could answer, Lady Ye called out tearfully: "Yi-er!" Ji Yi rushed inside, ignoring Ji Xiang.

Chi Ying greeted Ji Xiang politely, then joined him inside. Ji Yi knelt beside the bed, holding Lady Ye's hand, comforting her gently.

"Chi Ying greets Your Highness," Chi Ying bowed, "Given your condition, please avoid excessive sorrow. You must recover for the sake of the future."

Lady Ye looked at her with guilt: "Chi Ying..."

Chi Ying smiled: "We brought medicinal herbs from Yan Prefecture. We intended to buy more but had to leave hastily. Your health is paramount."

Lady Ye, tears streaming, squeezed her hand: "Thank you, Chi Ying."

The Empress Dowager urged them to hurry up and leave, taking only what was stored in the mansion. If it wasn't enough, she would write a letter back home to have more sent over. Ye Shi nodded gratefully, "I treated you so badly before, yet you are so thoughtful. I truly... Your father would be very relieved to see such a good girl as you married to Ji."

After the emotional reunion, Ye Shi remembered the severity of the situation and immediately pushed Cui Yi, "You must go now! Don't let the Emperor know you were here, hurry!"

"Mother, calm down!" Cui Yi held her shoulders firmly, "I've already sent someone to inform my brother about my return. Don't worry; he won't dare to harm me easily with tens of thousands of citizens and officials watching in the capital. He won't act rashly. You need to rest and try not to get too excited."

Ye Shi was filled with regret, "How can he not dare? What is there that he wouldn't do? Shuyao is the best example, and Qingyu was forced to commit suicide by poisoning. He's the Emperor now, not the Crown Prince anymore. There's nothing he wouldn't dare to do. You shouldn't have come back at all! It's all my fault for not stopping Xiang'er, making you take such a huge risk coming back."

Cui Xiang, who was eighteen years old this year, had already undergone his coronation ceremony as a royal son. However, he was still just a half-grown boy. Seeing his mother crying so heartbrokenly, his guilt and remorse deepened, and he started wiping away tears beside her. Chi Ying saw this and quickly handed him a handkerchief, "Seventh Brother, don't cry. Your crying will make Mother even sadder. You have your reasons, don't blame yourself. No one blames you."

Cui Yi turned and said, "Huaiyou, go outside. Don't cry in front of Mother. Chi Ying, take him out and get him cleaned up." Though Chi Ying was only a few months older than Cui Xiang, having lived over twenty years and being a mother herself, she looked like an elder at this moment. She agreed while leading Cui Xiang to the outer room, calling a maid to bring water to wash his face, leaving Cui Yi alone with Ye Shi inside.

Cui Xiang washed his face with a hot towel and asked in a muffled voice, "Second Sister-in-law, are we doomed this time?"

"No, don't exaggerate," Chi Ying smiled and sat beside him, "Don't think too seriously about this. Whether or not you wrote that letter, the Prince would have returned anyway."

Cui Xiang asked doubtfully, "Why return?"

Chi Ying replied with a smile, "To pay respects to your late grandfather—the former Emperor. When he passed away, he was in Gan Prefecture and couldn't come back to mourn. He has always wanted to return and often mentioned it to me. So, don't take all the blame on yourself, okay?"

Her words made Cui Xiang feel better. His eyes were red, and his nose twitched. Chi Ying thought of shifting his attention and gathering more information about recent events in the capital, so she asked, "We can only proceed step by step and be cautious. Can you tell me what happened in the capital and the palace during the past year or so?"

Cui Xiang appeared somewhat wooden, likely from crying, and asked blankly, "What happened? There were many things, should I mention everything? I'm not sure about some things."

"No, just pick what you think is important. For example, anything related to your brothers or if any princesses got married, whom they married, or if the Emperor took any minister's daughter as a concubine."

Cui Xiang showed a thoughtful expression, seemingly unsure where to start. Chi Ying didn't rush him, allowing him time to organize his thoughts.

After a while, Cui Xiang took a breath and began speaking. Chi Ying listened intently.

However, she was completely stunned by the first thing he mentioned.

Cui Xiang said, "Last November, Empress Zhangsun gave birth to a little prince for Brother."