"Your Highness, you must be very careful. I feel this summons from the Imperial Observatory is ill-timed," Ji Wuran said.
Xue Xingyue glanced at Ji Wuran and asked, "Are you saying Xue Tianyue is planning something?"
Ji Wuran replied, "I cannot say for sure."
This strong sense of unease made him feel uncomfortable.
"I understand. I will be vigilant," Xue Xingyue said.
"Your Highness, there have been some developments regarding the late Emperor's passing."
Upon hearing Ji Wuran mention her Imperial Brother, Xue Xingyue's eyes lit up, and she anxiously asked, "What exactly happened?"
Ji Wuran explained, "I found an old palace attendant. She was present when the late Emperor passed away. She said that Consort Jia and Xue Tianyue entered the late Emperor's chambers and even argued with him. After Consort Jia and Xue Tianyue left, the late Emperor could no longer be saved and passed away."
Xue Xingyue trembled. Even though she suspected this outcome, she still found it hard to believe. "So, you're saying my Imperial Brother was actually murdered by Consort Jia and Tianyue?"
Ji Wuran did not answer directly, but Xue Xingyue knew that was the truth. She had known it for a long time but was unwilling to admit it.
"Your Highness..." Seeing Xue Xingyue lost in thought, Ji Wuran could not help but call out to her.
Xue Xingyue shook her head. "I am fine."
She would be fine. If something happened to her, who would avenge her Imperial Brother?
"I shall take my leave. If Your Highness requires anything, please seek out Imperial Aide Li at the Directorate of Laundry."
Xue Xingyue was slightly taken aback. She looked up at Ji Wuran, surprised that he could still place people in the palace at this time.
It seemed she had never truly investigated Ji Wuran's background.
When had Ji Wuran first appeared in her life?
She didn't know, it felt as if he had always been present at some point.
The next day,
Xue Xingyue was summoned to the Empress Dowager's chambers by a palace maid.
"This servant greets Her Majesty the Empress Dowager," Xue Xingyue bowed.
The Empress Dowager did not comment on her current male attire, nor did she seem inclined to expose her.
"His Majesty arrives!" As a sharp voice announced from outside, Xue Xingyue's expression sharpened.
Soon, a figure clad in imperial yellow appeared at the doorway. The young man strode with an imposing air, approaching step by step.
Looking at the young man, Xue Xingyue felt a sense of disorientation, as if transported back to the past, to the boy who used to call her aunt and follow her around.
If her Imperial Brother were still alive, if none of this had happened, how wonderful it would be if she and Xue Tianyue could return to their past.
But there were no 'ifs,' and no 'pasts.' The young man before her was the murderer of her Imperial Brother.
Thinking of this, Xue Xingyue clenched her fists within her sleeves, forcing herself not to react.
She knew that Xue Tianyue had many hidden guards. If she showed any untoward behavior, she would likely be killed as an assassin.
"Mother," the young man addressed the Empress Dowager respectfully.
The Empress Dowager glanced at the young man wearing the dragon robe and nodded. "Does Your Majesty have business with this humble Empress Dowager?"
Upon hearing this, the young man chuckled. "It's just that Mother has detained the people of Duke Meng here. Since Duke Meng finds it inconvenient to ask Mother for them, I have come personally to request their release."
The Empress Dowager looked at the young man and said coldly, "Tell him to speak to me himself. Your Majesty, you are the Emperor of all under heaven; such a trivial matter should not warrant your presence."
The young man was slightly taken aback, then replied, "Mother is right. However, since I am here, I hope Mother will grant me some face and allow me to take them away."
The Empress Dowager sighed. "Very well, take them."
The young man quickly bowed. "Thank you, Mother. I shall not disturb you further. I take my leave!"
As the young man walked out, after a considerable distance, he realized no one was following and asked, "Not leaving?"
Xue Xingyue could only grit her teeth and follow Xue Tianyue out of the Empress Dowager's chambers.
The young man remained silent throughout the journey. Only upon arriving at Xingyue Hall did she realize—though others might not know, she was well aware that this was where she, as Princess Xingyue, used to reside.
The young man sat in the main seat, took a sip of tea, then suddenly put down the cup and asked in a chilling tone, "Who are you?"
Xue Xingyue knelt on the ground and replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this humble one is called Xiao Yue. I used to be someone by General Xie's side."
"Xie Yunliu?" the young man uttered the name.
Xue Xingyue remained kneeling motionlessly. The young man observed her for a long moment before saying, "Meng Jiangming is quite attentive to you. Do you know that?"
"This humble one is fearful. May Your Majesty judge justly!"
The young man seemed to find it uninteresting and suddenly waved his hand. "You may withdraw. He will be here to pick you up soon."
Xue Xingyue breathed a sigh of relief and rose to leave.
"Wait..." Xue Tianyue suddenly called out to her.
"Does Your Majesty have any further instructions?" Xue Xingyue turned back and asked respectfully.
Xue Tianyue stood up and walked towards her. It was then she realized that Xue Tianyue had grown taller than her.
The boy she once knew had grown up.
"Did Xie Yunliu ever mention Princess Xingyue?"
Xue Xingyue's heart skipped a beat, but her expression remained unchanged. "This humble one has never heard General Xie mention her. My status is too low to be close enough to serve the General."
"I see," Xue Tianyue said indifferently.
Xue Xingyue walked out of Xingyue Hall and finally breathed a true sigh of relief.
Unbeknownst to her, the young man watched her until she had completely left Xingyue Hall before retracting his gaze. He then spoke into the shadows, "How is it? Can you ascertain anything?"
A figure emerged from the shadows and bowed to Xue Tianyue. "Your Majesty, it should not be her."
"Should not?" Xue Tianyue looked at the man and asked word by word.
The man immediately knelt on the ground. "Your Majesty, the Emperor Star is dim, and a new star is rising. This only indicates that someone is obstructing Your Majesty's Emperor Star. However, it is possible that the obstruction is not a person."
"Are you implying that my reign is illegitimate?"
"Your Majesty, this humble one does not mean that."