Speak plainly

Liangzhou, vast but sparsely populated due to its desert landscape, posed significant challenges. Desert conditions were unpredictable, especially with shifting sand dunes. Once lost, finding one's way out became nearly impossible.

Worse than death was waiting for death, and getting lost in the desert often meant precisely that.

On the night the allied forces withdrew, a fierce snowstorm struck, reducing visibility to near zero. Cui Yi, enraged, led his troops into the blizzard, vanishing without a trace. Bai Lian dispatched thousands to search, but most disappeared as well.

The storm subsided after three days, revealing a desolate, snow-covered plain. The allied forces had vanished, leaving only seven thousand Anti-Rebellion troops stranded.

Without the emperor, soldiers feared execution for failing to protect him. Bai Lian, advocating restraint, faced potential execution for treason. Despite continuing searches, Bai Lian wrote a confession and sent it to the capital.

Chiying received the grim news, summoning key figures to discuss the situation. They decided to keep the news secret to prevent chaos and rebellion.

Chiying, distraught, sought advice from Zhong Yuanshan: "What should we do?"

Chiying, overwhelmed, replied, "I don't know..."

Zhong Yuanshan advised: "This matter must remain confidential. Otherwise, the civil officials will exploit it."

Chiying nodded, her voice hoarse: "I've already warned the palace staff. The empire His Majesty fought for cannot crumble under my watch."

Everyone remained silent, hoping Bai Lian's searchers would find Cui Yi.

"Zhong Yuanshan sighed, 'Liangzhou is a thousand miles away from the capital. Even if we have the heart, we are powerless. The Emperor is blessed with good fortune and should be fine. What we need to do is stabilize the court and prevent those with ulterior motives from taking advantage of the situation.'"

Cheng Fengyi said, "In the vastness of Huayu Palace, there are many people and mouths. Even if you order them not to speak, it's hard to ensure that they understand the gravity of the situation and don't inadvertently leak information."

Yang Qiong sighed deeply, "It's harder to guard against people's words than to prevent floods. If the lower ranks want to spread rumors, no one can stop them. Since we can't stop them, we might as well not bother. Instead, we could create another event to divert everyone's attention, which might work."

The three nodded in agreement, but what could be more significant or eye-catching than the emperor disappearing?

Zhong Yuanshan stood up and said, "Since we need to keep this from others, we must act without drawing attention. We've been in the palace for too long and may attract suspicion. Let's return first. If there's any new development in Liangzhou, Her Highness can send someone to inform us. After I return, I will increase surveillance on those unstable elements in the court and strengthen the palace's defenses. Lady Yang, please take care of Her Highness and the prince and princess."

Yang Qiong, who had taken over as Commander of the Dragon Guard after marrying the princess, naturally agreed immediately. Both bowed and left, leaving Cheng Fengyi to accompany Chiyung to avoid her being alone and anxious.

That night, Cheng Fengyi stayed in the palace, sleeping in the same bed as Chiyung.

"Do you believe in fate?" Chiyung asked softly after Xiaoqiu extinguished the lamp and left. She curled up under the quilt, filled with anxiety.

Cheng Fengyi smiled, stroking her hair, "Some people say their rise to power was destined, while others say their downfall was inevitable. Fate is something you shouldn't believe in. Your future depends on your actions now. If you strive, even bad luck can change. But if you just sit back and wait, will fortune really fall into your lap?"

Chiyung lay in the dark, her eyes full of unshakeable worry. "But sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we only change the process, not the outcome. How do we explain that?"

Cheng Fengyi smiled, "Until the very last moment, how do you know the outcome? Whether it can be changed?"

Chiyung felt bitter but couldn't reveal her past life to her. She knew that winter was a critical time for Cui Yi. If he didn't survive, all the efforts of the past six years would be in vain. She had changed the process but not the outcome, and the sorrow at the end of this life would be greater and deeper than before.

"Sister, I have an idea," she said.

"What?"

The next morning, Chiyung dressed in formal attire and heavy makeup, then drove to a forgotten corner of the vast, empty palace—the Yan Shou Palace.

After Cui Jie fled the capital, his mother Rong Shi was captured by Cui Yi and confined to Yan Shou Palace, cut off from the Rong family for a year. She wasn't mentioned during Cui Yi's coronation, and Chiyung had never visited her. However, when Cui Yi went missing, Chiyung considered going to Liangzhou herself and remembered the former empress dowager.

Rong Shi received a maid's salary and had only one servant. Chiyung expected her to be depressed after losing her status, but upon entering Yan Shou Palace, she saw her playing in the snow with her maid, looking radiant despite her age.

"The women of the Rong family are indeed more ruthless and resilient than men," Chiyung thought.

A maid noticed Chiyung at the door and hurriedly greeted her. Rong Shi straightened up, watching with a faint smile.

"It's been a year. How are you?" Chiyung approached gracefully, surrounded by attendants.

Rong Shi smiled nonchalantly, "Women in the palace are always at the mercy of circumstances. How can we talk about being well or not? You're now a royal concubine, visiting me with such fanfare. Surely, you didn't come just to ask how I am. Speak plainly."

Chiyung handed her a hand warmer, but Rong Shi refused, saying, "Only cold-hearted people need warmth. My heart died long ago. I feel no cold, so I don't need these things."

Chiyung nodded silently and invited her inside to sit.

The once-glorious Empress Dowager wore plain old cotton clothes, sitting opposite Chiyung on a cold couch. A maid was boiling water outside, so Chiyung spoke directly, "Do you remember two years ago, in similar weather, you had me brought to Huayu Palace and wanted to adopt me as your daughter?"

"That was so long ago. An old woman like me wouldn't remember," Rong Shi replied casually.

Chiyung, undeterred, continued, "I didn't understand your intentions then, but later, when the former emperor summoned me to Wansheng Palace and gave me a bowl of safflower, I suddenly understood."

Rong Shi remained expressionless but narrowed her eyes slightly, deepening the wrinkles around them.

"In this palace, men have their ambitions, and women have their ambitions. Men reach the pinnacle by ascending the throne, but women aim higher. Above the Empress is the Empress Dowager, and above her, the Grand Empress Dowager. No matter how many times the rulers change, a cunning woman stands firm like a pine tree."

"The former emperor was your son. You know better than anyone how ruthless he was. He couldn't tolerate you interfering as Empress Dowager. And you—didn't want to be controlled by your son. So, you thought of me."

Hearing this, Rong Shi chuckled lightly, "Changsun Chiyung, you're indeed clever, far surpassing your sister. Even a fool like Cui Yi has become what he is today under your guidance. If you had married Cui Jie, perhaps we'd all be better off."

Chiyung smiled faintly, "Impossible. You're mistaken."

Chiyung meant that if she had married Cui Jie, they would have died faster and more tragically. But Rong Shi misunderstood, laughing, "You clearly see through Cui Jie's true nature. Naturally, you wouldn't marry him. I was just speculating. Don't take it to heart."

"Speak. Did something happen to Cui Yi?"

Chiyung took a sharp breath, feeling a stabbing pain in her side. She knew Rong Shi was smart. From her not persecuting Cui Yi after becoming Empress Dowager, it was clear she understood balancing power. By keeping Cui Yi alive, she could control Cui Jie. If Cui Jie wanted to eliminate Cui Yi, he needed the Rong family's support, thus controlling her son.

Unfortunately, Emperor Jingzong's foolishness led to Cui Yi's exile to Yan Prefecture, ruining Rong Shi's carefully laid plans. If not for Cui Yi's rebellion later, Cui Jie would have eliminated her.

Rong Shi smiled, showing interest, "The Rong family has fallen. You seek my help because I'm the late emperor's mother. What use do you have for me? What do you want me to do, and what can you offer?"