Screams of agony echoed. Even the Empress Dowager paled, for the plate before her held not a dish, but the severed head of the Head Eunuch, Li Lin!
The severed head was frozen in an expression of sheer terror, as if subjected to unimaginable torture. Blood streamed from its orifices, its visage grotesque and terrifying.
"Guards, quickly! Remove this filth!" Consort De shrieked, summoning servants to carry away the head. Li Lin and Xu Ruhai were the Empress Dowager's right and left hands, their formidable martial arts prowess serving as her shield. Yet, they had both been murdered in succession!
"What are you waiting for? Take it away!" Consort De shielded her eyes with her sleeve, unable to bear the sight.
"Wait!" The Empress Dowager stopped the eunuchs. Gazing at Li Lin's unseeing eyes, she trembled uncontrollably. "Who? Who could have done this?"
"Mother..."
"Investigate thoroughly! This Empress Dowager wishes to see who dares to repeatedly assassinate my people!"
"Mother, Eunuch Li was highly skilled and within the deep palace. For a thief to kill him, they must be from within the palace," Consort De stammered, still shaken. "I wonder if Yi'er will be alright."
"Someone from within the palace? This Empress Dowager will see if they are truly so audacious!"
At Prince Qi's estate, Nangong Yi was engrossed in official documents. With the Crown Prince under house arrest, his duties had been divided between Nangong Yi and Prince Chu. Their alliance would dissolve once the imperial decree to depose the Crown Prince was issued.
"Your Highness," Zhou Kang announced as he knocked and entered. "Do you require dinner?"
A sinister smile played on Nangong Yi's lips. "I imagine the palace's dinner is quite sumptuous. I wonder if Mother Consort and Imperial Grandmother are enjoying it."
Zhou Kang lowered his head, offering no response.
"Any news from the General's estate?"
"Our informant saw Princess Yongning leaving the State Preceptor's manor. She appeared to be injured," Zhou Kang chose his words carefully.
Nangong Yi frowned. "Injured? Who did this?"
"We do not know. Our people cannot enter the State Preceptor's manor."
"Could it be someone from the State Preceptor's manor?" Nangong Yi put down his brush. "Is she severely injured?"
"I questioned the imperial physician who attended to Princess Yongning. He stated the injuries were not minor, and that Princess Yongning's face was scratched."
Nangong Yi stood abruptly. "I am going out."
As Princess Qi arrived, she caught sight of Nangong Yi's retreating figure. She attempted to follow, but by the time she hurried out, Nangong Yi had vanished.
"Princess Consort."
"Zhou Kang, why are you not attending to His Highness?"
"His Highness forbade it," Zhou Kang replied respectfully. "His Highness will likely not return for dinner tonight. Princess Consort, you should go and dine."
"Did something happen?"
"Many things have occurred today. Which matter is Princess Consort inquiring about?"
"Where has His Highness gone?"
"Forgive me, Princess Consort, but I cannot divulge His Highness's whereabouts," Zhou Kang stated calmly. "Princess Consort need not worry, His Highness will not be in danger."
"Is that so?" Du Yulan sighed, a hint of disappointment in her voice. She had believed that after their marriage, their relationship would grow closer, but it was not so. A chasm seemed to lie between them, a distance she could not bridge no matter how hard she tried.
"It is cold, Princess Consort. Please return to your chambers."
Du Yulan turned away, concealing the dejection in her eyes. They had a long future ahead, and surely, one day, His Highness would return to her side.
Shuiyue Cottage was remarkably peaceful. Xiao Man, wrapped in a thick cloak, was warming some wine. It was wine she had hidden away. Because of her injuries, her maids had forbidden her from drinking, but tonight, she craved a drink.
Xiao Man retrieved the warmed wine pot, poured herself a cup, and downed it in one go. "This year's freshly brewed osmanthus wine is indeed delicious."
"You are injured, why are you drinking?" Nangong Yi's voice cut through the air. Xiao Man turned, spotting Nangong Yi standing outside the window. Snow was falling, and he stood there, his emotions obscured.
Xiao Man rose and walked to the window. "Why have you come?"
Nangong Yi's gaze fell upon Xiao Man's face. A scratch marred her otherwise smooth, jade-like complexion, a starkly noticeable blemish. Nangong Yi reached out as if to touch the wound on her face, but hesitated, afraid of causing her pain. "Who injured you?"
"Myself," Xiao Man replied softly. "I accidentally injured myself in my sleep."
"Lies. How can someone cut themselves in their sleep?" Nangong Yi's voice rose in exasperation. "Why do you always injure yourself?"
"It was an accident. I've warmed some wine; would you like a cup?" Xiao Man asked with a smile, perhaps this would be the last time they shared a drink.
Nangong Yi pondered for a moment, then climbed through the window and sat at the table, picking up the wine pot. "This little bit of wine is not even enough for me to drink alone. You shouldn't drink anymore."
"That won't do," Xiao Man snatched the wine pot back. "We haven't had a drink together in a long time. Let me have two cups today. Perhaps there won't be such an opportunity to drink again."
Nangong Yi drank cup after cup. The osmanthus wine was mellow and fragrant, its aftertaste sweet, a subtle osmanthus aroma filling his senses, making him feel light-headed.
"Rumble, rumble." Before he had finished a few cups of wine, Nangong Yi's stomach growled with hunger.
Xiao Man couldn't help but smile at the sound. "You haven't had dinner?"
Nangong Yi looked at Xiao Man's smiling face, his own blushing slightly. "I was busy coming to see you and forgot."
"Perfect. The kitchen has fresh lamb. I'll treat you to a lamb hot pot," Xiao Man immediately rose to prepare the ingredients. The cold weather was ideal for hot pot, and since both she and Nangong Yi enjoyed spicy food, she prepared a fiery mala hot pot.
"The dishes are here," Xiao Man said as she returned with the hot pot, but two other people were now in her room: Nangong Yu and Wen Mohan.
Seeing Xiao Man carrying the hot pot, Wen Mohan quickly stood up to take it from her, placing it on the small red clay stove on the table. "Why didn't you let the maids do this?"
"Today is Winter Solstice. I'll let them rest early. I'll go get two sets of bowls and chopsticks," Xiao Man turned and went out again, returning with two sets of cutlery.
The four of them sat around the table. A hint of smugness flickered in Nangong Yi's eyes. The hot pot was spicy, and Nangong Yu could not tolerate spicy food at all.
"Fourth Brother, can you handle spice? If not, perhaps you should return to your estate and have some clear soup," Nangong Yi said provocatively.
Nangong Yu picked up his chopsticks and, with a calm expression, began to cook the lamb slices. Xiao Man, relieved, warmed two more pots of wine. As soon as she sat down, Wen Mohan had already placed some cooked lamb slices into her bowl.
"You have injuries and cannot eat too much spicy food. I've rinsed this in warm water. Try it."
"Thank you." Xiao Man picked up the cooked meat, about to eat it, when she noticed the other two were staring intently at her, or rather, at the meat on her chopsticks. Xiao Man popped the meat into her mouth, chewing slowly and deliberately. "Eat up, everyone. Why are you all looking at me? Do you think you won't be hungry if you just watch me eat?"