Chapter 20: Malicious Obstacles

Gu Mo’s eyes held a trace of desolation. “I am not worthy either.”

Wugexi retorted, “Then does the consort kept in the princess’s residence deserve it?”

Gu Mo snorted coldly. “He does not.”

Wugexi chuckled, “So His Highness is destined to live a lonely life?”

Gu Mo remained silent.

Wugexi drained his tea and rose. “I’m not one for beating around the bush. On our grasslands, if you want something, you fight for it. Only cowards keep backing down.”

Wugexi spurred his horse and left, no longer following the direction where Cheng Xueyang had departed.

If he kept chasing, Gu Mo, this quiet troublemaker, would surely come to interfere.

Gu Mo sipped his tea in silence. Even after finishing the pot, his chest felt heavy and stifled.

Setting down the teacup, he left.

Three days later, Cheng Xueyang received the imperial decree summoning her to the palace for an audience with the emperor.

Snow fell heavily that day, biting cold. Xiao Momo, who had accompanied her back from her fief, wrapped her in layer upon layer of clothing. The carriage was equipped with a warming brazier, and Cheng Xueyang cradled a quilted hot-water bag embroidered with delicate patterns. Wrapped in all this warmth, she felt cozy inside the carriage.

Stepping down, clutching the hot-water bag, she walked along the palace path. Xiao Momo held an umbrella over her to shield her from the snow, but the biting wind made her long for the warmth of the carriage once again.

After some time, they reached the Hall of Mental Cultivation, finally sheltered from wind and snow, the cold lessened.

The emperor was absent, so she was directed to wait in a side hall.

The side hall was freezing, like an ice cellar, with no preheated air.

Xiao Momo whispered reminders about the etiquette for the audience. After five years apart, she worried Cheng Xueyang might falter and anger the emperor.

Cheng Xueyang listened obediently, but inwardly thought it all futile. She knew well that no matter how well she behaved, it would make no difference why she had been summoned.

They waited from dawn until dusk, without stepping forward an inch or sipping a drop of water. The hot-water bag had long gone cold; now she was cold and hungry.

Xiao Momo repeatedly asked someone to prepare charcoal or hot tea for warmth, but was ignored every time, as if she were invisible.

She stopped murmuring about etiquette and simply hoped fervently to leave the palace soon.

Regaining favor was impossible now; survival alone was a blessing. She prayed not to die of hunger or cold.

The chief eunuch, He Gonggong, arrived to relay the emperor’s edict: “His Majesty is busy. Princess Xuanyun is to return tomorrow morning for the audience.”

Fine.

One day was not enough; the waiting would continue tomorrow.

A young eunuch carried a bright red lantern ahead, leading the way. Cheng Xueyang and Xiao Momo followed behind. Xiao Momo shivered as she held the umbrella against the falling snow.

The young eunuch quickly grew pale but dutifully led them on, though the path veered oddly.

This was clearly not the way out of the palace.

Cheng Xueyang and Xiao Momo exchanged a glance, silent, wondering what game was being played.

They came to the Imperial Garden, where, in the distance, the pavilion at West Hua Corner was brightly lit. Thick curtains shielded three sides of the pavilion, and a brazier burned warmly inside, making it a cozy refuge.

Inside sat a young maiden, her cheeks slightly swollen with baby fat, lending her a youthful innocence.

It was Princess Yunxiang, enjoying a sumptuous banquet within.

After a day of starvation and cold, a warm place with hot food was truly desirable.

Yet Cheng Xueyang found it childish. The palace maids and eunuchs waiting outside were nearly frozen stiff.

A princess of the realm, just to show off, cared nothing for her servants, leaving them to suffer in the wind and snow.

Xiao Momo sighed softly, “This cursed weather truly abuses people.”

Cheng Xueyang shook her head, “Be cautious with your words.”

The young eunuch leading them shivered, whether from cold or the sight of those outside the pavilion, unclear. He hastened from the Imperial Garden.

Afterward, he no longer took any detours but headed straight to the palace gate.

Before departing, he bowed to Cheng Xueyang. “Princess Xuanyun, forgive me. I only follow orders.”

Cheng Xueyang nodded slightly. “I understand when one is not their own master.”

The young eunuch nodded to Xiao Momo in farewell, then turned and left.

Outside the palace, the carriage waited, the hot-water bag still warm, along with steaming meat buns and hot soup.

Cheng Xueyang’s spirits lifted. She and Xiao Momo devoured the food and soup ravenously, finally feeling alive again.

She praised Song Hui, “Well done.”

Song Hui hesitated, wanting to say more but held back.

Was it really well done? He had been fed three times throughout the day each time a meal arrived, enjoying himself without complaint despite the long wait.

Yet seeing His Highness and Xiao Momo emerge, spirits flagging and trembling, devouring their food as if starved, he knew they had suffered inside while he merely awaited the next meal.

He felt a guilty conscience like never before.

Xiao Momo savored a bite and asked, “Was this sent by Miss Gu? I've tasted her buns before; the flavor is very similar.”

Cheng Xueyang could not discern, only knowing it was delicious and left her wanting more.

Song Hui nodded. “Yes, Miss Gu sent it. She knew Your Highness was summoned to the palace and prepared some food. She also had a warm snack for the journey out.”

Cheng Xueyang felt warmth bloom in her heart. Gu Anyu truly was a little angel.

At a street corner, a figure stood motionless, shoulders and head blanketed with thick snow.

Gu Anyu held an empty food box, worried. “Big brother, Sister Xue has come out. You should hurry home; this weather is too cold.”

He Xuan sheltered Gu Anyu with an umbrella, eyes fixed on Gu Mo, feeling a pang of unease.

Today, Gu Mo was forced to rest and barred from entering the palace, while the emperor summoned He Xuan, who spent nearly the entire day in the royal court.

After discussing the upcoming imperial examination, the emperor dragged him into a game of chess, as though the summons of Princess Xuanyun had never happened.

He Xuan truly had no heart for the game but could not refuse or show it. To serve the emperor was to live among tigers; no one knew when the tiger might bare its teeth. Caution was eternal safety.

Sadly, Princess Xuanyun was left sidelined, while He Xuan endured a day of chess like a prisoner.

In the last game, the emperor remarked mildly, “The chessboard changes endlessly, but the pieces in hand are always limited to the player’s control. If they slip beyond it, the game is lost.”

Such is the heartlessness of imperial rule.

Having served long, He Xuan understood well: preserving oneself is no easy feat.

Back at the princess’s residence, the household busily prepared warming ginger tea, herbal baths, and steaming meals, only settling late into the night.

Cheng Xueyang lay in bed, Xuanyun the sloth curled atop her, displeased. “Father said if mother returns by morning, we can go out to play tomorrow. If by noon, then only on New Year’s Eve. But if at night, we must wait until Father becomes top scholar to go out.”

What nonsense had Yun Huai’an been telling Xuanyun?

Cheng Xueyang stroked Xuanyun’s back gently. “Xuanyun, there are things I cannot tell you yet, but soon, you can go wherever you wish to play.”