Chapter 73: Leaving the Palace

Could it be, A Cheng, that the person you love is actually my Imperial Brother?

Though Li Youqing had grown up without ever needing to do household chores, she genuinely knew how to make dumplings.

When the late Empress was still alive, she once hosted a palace banquet. To add some fun for the usually repressed imperial consorts, she organized a cooking competition. Each consort would personally prepare a dish for the Emperor, but the order was randomized and submissions were anonymous. The Emperor would then personally select the dishes that best suited his taste and award first, second, and third prizes.

Li Youqing clearly remembered that the winner that year was the dumplings made by the Empress.

Not only the Emperor, but she and her Imperial Brother also loved eating them dearly. She had even pestered the Empress to teach her some skills.

Today was New Year’s Eve. Though she couldn’t recreate the exact flavor from those days, she believed she could still bring some comfort to her Imperial Brother.

Some things belong exclusively between two people. Even if one of them is gone, these things don’t disappear.

She didn’t want to complain, regret, or dwell in nostalgia. She hoped to transform these precious memories buried in her heart into her own strength.

She could use this strength to warm herself, and also to do what she could for her Imperial Brother.

White steam continuously rose from the pot as the dumplings floated up one after another. The white dough wrappers looked beautiful, and the small kitchen was filled with fragrance.

The palace maid scooped up the dumplings and, following Li Youqing’s instructions, packed them in a food container, not forgetting to place soy sauce and vinegar in the second layer.

“Deliver these to Prince Rui.” Nowadays, he probably knew her every move like the back of his hand. If that man found out she was sending dumplings to her Imperial Brother, it might actually harm him instead.

After the palace maid left, she had Zisu pack another portion, saying it was for her mother to taste as well, and the two of them departed.

Most of Xuan Rui’s spies in the palace were planted by the Sima Family. Li Youqing changed into a maid’s uniform similar to Zisu’s and smoothly made her way to Changxin Palace without any obstacles.

A young man stood at the entrance, his posture upright as he watched the snow from the corridor.

When the man turned around, Li Youqing couldn’t help but be startled.

Wasn’t that Pei Ya, the Emperor’s trusted eunuch?

In Li Youqing’s memory, his back had never been so straight before.

“This servant pays respects to the Third Princess.” Against the snowy backdrop, his delicate features appeared even more refined, his eyes deep like the ocean.

Yet they were also like vultures on the vast grasslands, sharp and intimidating.

“Who exactly are you, and what are you doing here?” Li Youqing stopped and scrutinized him from head to toe.

“This servant is merely the most insignificant person.” Pei Ya replied briefly, then stepped aside, making a gesture inviting her inside: “The Crown Prince is inside. Please enter, Your Highness.”

Li Youqing exchanged a glance with Zisu, no longer concerned with this eunuch.

Changxin Palace no longer maintained its former grandeur. They proceeded all the way to the inner hall without seeing a single attending palace maid.

Everything was in disarray, presenting a scene of decline. Through the moon-white gauze curtains, Li Youqing saw a tall, thin figure. She hurried forward a few steps and called out anxiously: “Imperial Brother.”

The other person’s back stiffened, his body trembling slightly, but he didn’t turn around.

Zisu stepped forward to draw aside the curtains, placed the food container on the table, and said respectfully: “Your Highness, these are dumplings made by the Princess herself.”

A breeze swept through the hall, the young man’s figure appearing solitary and desolate. After waiting a long while, he still did not turn around.

Li Youqing surmised that at this moment, her Imperial Brother must least wish to face her, so she did not force the issue.

She took a deep breath and said, “In my heart, Imperial Brother will always be the best elder brother. In the long days to come, I hope Imperial Brother can set his mind at ease. Youqing will also strive to ensure Imperial Brother lives well.”

The curtains fluttered, seemingly carrying that person’s emotions with them, layer upon layer obscuring the view before her eyes.

Even the sunlight here appeared exceptionally dim. Li Youqing suddenly recalled the exceptionally beautiful moonlight she had once admired with Imperial Brother. Now, that moonlight flickered faintly, as if about to vanish completely from the world.

A sudden emptiness filled her heart, and she wanted to walk over to see Imperial Brother.

She had only taken a few steps forward, her hand just touching the curtain, when that person promptly called out to stop her: “Don’t come over.”

“Don’t come over… younger sister. From now on, there’s no need to expend any more thought on me. It’s enough that we each live peacefully.” The familiar voice, cool and gentle like moonlight.

“No… why would Imperial Brother say such things? Youqing will work hard from now on to take good care of Imperial Brother.” The feeling of panic continued to grow. Just as she was about to take that step, Li Jing coldly instructed Zisu: “What are you standing there for? Take the Princess back at once.”

Zisu also knew this visit was highly improper. Seeing the young Princess becoming agitated, she hurried over to persuade: “Your Highness, there will be plenty of time in the future. Let’s return for today, otherwise it wouldn’t be good if Prince Rui finds out.”

After speaking, she glanced guiltily at the former Crown Prince.

Li Jing shook his head and revealed a self-mocking smile.

Only when the sound of footsteps gradually faded away did he turn around, his complexion ashen, his hand slowly rising to touch the white hair at his temples.

How could he let her see him like this?

Walking to the table, he sat down and opened the food container. The aroma of dumplings filled his nostrils—it was a familiar scent.

Memories of staying up late on New Year’s Eve together and eating dumplings rushed over him just like this fragrance.

Li Jing picked up a dumpling with his chopsticks and took a bite. The filling was good quality, but it fell apart with just one bite—it seemed she had indeed made them herself.

But he was no longer the only one who could eat dumplings made by her hands.

Someone who could only be retained through power—even if he tore his heart out and gave it to her, she couldn’t be kept.

He opened the second layer of the food container and saw soy sauce and vinegar. Smiling slightly, he dipped the dumplings and ate all eight on the plate.

·

This was not merely a New Year’s Eve banquet—it was also the first public appearance of the Fourth Prince since being established as Crown Prince.

The white-haired Emperor Jian had already become a puppet. After sitting at the head of the hall for a while, he was supported away by two eunuchs.

In the first seat on the left at the head of the hall sat Prince Rui, with the Crown Prince directly across from him.

Li Youqing sat beside The Eldest Princess, feeling her constantly casting malicious glances, making her entire being uncomfortable.

“Imperial Sister, I didn’t know you had such skillful methods, bewitching Prince Rui so completely,” Li Xuanyi sneered sarcastically. “To think my mother saved your life back then—turns out you’re nothing but an ungrateful wretch who, even grown up, still sides with the birth mother who never raised you.”

“Sister, this turnip cake is quite good. Would you like a piece?” Li Youqing feigned nonchalance, picking up a piece of turnip cake with her chopsticks and offering Li Xuanyi a faint smile. Noting the other’s expression resembled someone who had swallowed a fly, she took a delicate bite and praised, “The imperial chefs’ skills in the palace are becoming increasingly refined.”

The hall was filled with music and dance, yet every seated guest harbored their own hidden agendas.

Surprisingly, Consort Shu—who typically reveled in such attention-grabbing occasions—was notably absent.

Li Youqing’s mind remained preoccupied with her Imperial Brother. He appeared utterly dejected, a stark contrast to his former self.

Indeed, anyone who had suffered such a dramatic fall from grace—plummeting from the clouds into the mud—would likely react similarly.

From his perspective, she had betrayed him.

The one now shining brightly in the Crown Prince’s seat was her own full-blooded younger brother, whom she believed possessed both talent and capability to shoulder great responsibilities.

Her heart held no bias toward either side—fate had already made the choice for her.

Just then, a young palace attendant approached and whispered by her ear, “Your Highness, Consort Shu has sent me with a message. She feels lonely in the palace and wishes for your return to accompany her in counting down the New Year.”

“Inform Mother that I shall return immediately.” Li Youqing glanced toward Xuan Rui, who was surrounded by officials in the distance, then rose to take her leave from the Eldest Princess. “Sister, I must return to keep Mother company. I beg your leave.”

The Eldest Princess snorted coldly, downing her wine cup in one gulp.

“Traitorous wench,” Li Xuanyi muttered, her eyes following Li Youqing’s retreating figure with venomous intensity.

·

“It’s cold outside, Princess. Best not catch a chill. Let us wait indoors until the carriage arrives.”

Zisu peered into the vast darkness, puzzled by the absence of their carriage.

“Your Highness, look—there’s the carriage Consort Shu sent for you.” The attendant bowed obsequiously while guiding her forward, explaining, “Given the New Year’s Eve banquet tonight, the drivers likely assumed you’d remain for two or three hours and sought warmth elsewhere. They won’t return immediately. Consort Shu anticipated this and specially dispatched the carriage.”

“Is Mother unwell? She’s summoning me back so early.” Li Youqing, who had no desire to remain at the banquet anyway, compliantly boarded the carriage.

As the carriage began moving, the young attendant’s voice faded into the night.

A growing unease gripped Li Youqing. She lifted the curtain—only for darkness to engulf her vision.

The howling wind and Zisu’s startled cry were the last things she heard before sinking into unconsciousness.

She never knew how she was smuggled out of the palace right under Xuan Rui’s nose.

When she awoke, she found herself in a crude room, the hard bed planks aching her bones.

Standing beside the bed was a familiar face staring at her with pure hatred.

“A Cheng, was it you who abducted me?” Li Youqing sat up, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Jin Cheng stood clad in white, haggard and gaunt, his eyes sunken deep after mere days.

“Third Princess, why did you betray us? Why—” Jin Cheng’s voice trembled with unstable emotion, bordering on tears.

Li Youqing knew exactly what he referred to. “Since ancient times, royal succession has followed the rule of victors and vanquished. My fourth brother, though young, surpasses the former Crown Prince in both talent and virtue. Your loyalty should lie with Daliang, not with any single individual. Why cling so stubbornly to the outcome?”

Jin Cheng had not expected her to change her expression so quickly. At this moment, the resentment in his heart reached its peak, and he blurted out without thinking, “If he hadn’t been bewitched by you, how could things have come to this? I only regret not marrying you sooner, to cut off that wild man’s delusions.”

Bewitched by her… regretting not marrying her sooner?

Li Youqing stared at him in shock, the confusion in her heart growing larger. Deliberately provoking him, she said, “Yes, I returned precisely to bewitch Imperial Brother, so that Fourth Brother could ascend to the position of Crown Prince. Father Emperor is not my biological father, but my younger brother and I share the same mother. Only by doing this can I secure a lifetime of safety, wealth, and honor—”

Slap! A sharp slap landed, and Li Youqing covered her cheek, the pain bringing tears to her eyes.

“How could you be so heartless and ungrateful, when the Crown Prince has always kept you in his thoughts?” Jin Cheng’s face flushed crimson with rage, his chest heaving violently. He said bitterly, “If I had known this earlier, I would never have brought you back to the capital, no matter what.”

“This princess never imagined that you were so eager to ask Father Emperor for my hand in marriage just to prevent me from being with Imperial Brother.” Li Youqing sneered, lifting her head to meet his gaze. “Could it be, A Cheng, that the person you truly love is actually my Imperial Brother?”

Li Youqing had spoken thoughtlessly, but in the next moment, she saw a look of panic on his face, as if his secret had been exposed. Even his lips turned pale and bloodless.

How could this be—

Just then, the door to the room was suddenly pushed open, and a tall, upright young man walked in. It was none other than Pei Ya, the chief eunuch by the Emperor’s side, whom she had encountered earlier that day at the entrance of Changxin Palace.