In this world, the cycle of life and death knows no respite.

Today, the temperature in Guangling dropped, marking the arrival of the frost season. When Xu Guiyi awoke in the early morning, her hands and feet were still icy cold. Xiyue, who attended her during her morning toilette, naturally noticed, and so she specially instructed the kitchen to prepare a nourishing medicinal dish to promote circulation.

While Xiyue waited in the kitchen for the dish to finish cooking, she overheard the matrons in the courtyard discussing the latest happenings in the city and listened in. It turned out that one of the kitchen matrons, who had gone out early to buy vegetables, heard rumors among the townsfolk: an actor from the White Crane Troupe had suddenly vanished two nights ago and had not yet returned—truly a strange affair...

After Xu Guiyi obediently finished her medicinal meal, Xiyue relayed the news to her. As expected, Xu Guiyi listened anxiously and asked, “Isn’t the White Crane Troupe the one led by Master Qi? Right under the feet of the Son of Heaven—who would dare act so brazenly?”

Before Xiyue could respond, Madam Wu entered just then. “Your servant greets the Crown Princess.”

Xu Guiyi rose swiftly, reaching for Madam Wu’s hand. “Madam, do you know anything about the Ningdu Prince’s residence and the White Crane Troupe?” Madam Wu was renowned for her many ears and eyes; though she spent years within the inner court, she knew every blade of grass and leaf in Guangling.

For a long time, Xu Guiyi suspected Madam Wu was the Empress’s finest informant outside the palace.

Madam Wu gently soothed Xu Guiyi’s anxious heart, sighing, “I have already heard. After the Ningdu Prince’s birthday festivities ended, Master Qi returned to the White Crane Troupe, but vanished the following night and has yet to be found.”

“Madam, do you think this matter... could it be...”—related to the Ningdu Prince’s residence?

Madam Wu shook her head, her expression mournful. “One is a highborn lady of the princely estate, the other but a drifting actor—worlds apart. She should never have encountered His Highness Prince An.”

No, it shouldn’t be this way. Xu Guiyi shook her head desperately. “Madam, clearly Prince An is more at fault. Years ago, Xianle left Guangling—she meant to let go.”

“But now she has returned. She was never meant to come back.” Madam Wu’s breath caught, her voice rising slightly.

“So... she must die?” What kind of reasoning was this? Xu Guiyi’s voice was barely a whisper.

Madam Wu gripped Xu Guiyi’s icy hands, trying to warm them. “Crown Princess, take heart. Master Qi is merely missing—she may not be dead, perhaps only hidden somewhere, or... sent out of Guangling.” In any case, her fate would not be easy.

“If you truly wish to know, wait a little longer. Prince An entered the palace last night; news may emerge by afternoon,” Madam Wu said gently.

“Prince An entered the palace? How fares he now?” Xu Guiyi’s gaze was cool and uncertain.

Madam Wu lowered her eyes and spoke softly. “On the second day after Master Qi disappeared, the White Crane Troupe appealed to Prince An’s residence. He visited the Ningdu Prince’s residence twice, personally led searches, but found nothing.”

“Last night, Prince An entered the palace to seek an audience with His Majesty, petitioning for divorce from Princess An. His Majesty refused, punishing him to kneel in the Hall of Baohua all night.”

Xu Guiyi: “...Prince An...” Prince An truly has a rebellious streak!

Xu Guiyi suddenly recalled that day in the rear courtyard of the Ningdu Prince’s residence, when Nangong Mingchen said that Prince An and the Crown Prince were much alike. She hadn’t understood then, but now, thinking carefully, they were indeed similar.

Royal princes, yet neglectful of their inner chambers—a grave failing. After hearing Noble Consort Nangong’s report, His Majesty was greatly enraged.

Meanwhile, Xu Guiyi was discussing Qi Xiangsi’s disappearance with Fu Lanchen, wondering if there was any way to find her. Wei Yuan suddenly entered, reporting that Prince An had been detained at the Court of Justice.

Xu Guiyi clicked her tongue—would the emperor truly disgrace his own nephew for the sake of the noble consort’s niece? The emperor always favored outsiders.

“What of the Empress? Did Prince De and Princess De enter the palace?” Fu Lanchen spoke rapidly, frustrated that his current confinement prevented him from entering the palace himself.

Wei Yuan replied swiftly, “His Majesty’s decree came suddenly; by the time the Empress arrived, it was too late. Prince De and Princess De had a fierce argument with the Ningdu Prince and Princess in the Palace of Tai Ning...”

Xu Guiyi paused in surprise. “What about Princess An? Where is she now?”

Wei Yuan thought for a moment. “She had been staying at the Ningdu Prince’s residence, but it seems she returned to Prince An’s residence today.” She was sitting calmly in Prince An’s residence.

“Father would not punish Prince An severely... would he?” Xu Guiyi hesitated. Fu Lanchen had never concerned himself with such matters, but Xu Guiyi’s constant reminders piqued his curiosity.

“It’s hard to say.” Fu Lanchen’s face was grave. He gestured for Wei Yuan to leave. “In two days, the Crown Princess must enter the palace to greet Father and Mother; you may ask Mother then—she should know the whole story. After all... for an event that could divide the Nangong family and Prince De’s residence, my mother would not miss it.”

Hearing Fu Lanchen’s nonchalant tone, Xu Guiyi sighed in alarm. “Your Highness, that is your mother—mind your words!”

Two days later, Xu Guiyi followed custom and entered the palace to pay her respects. The Empress was in the rear hall, arranging flowers and savoring tea. As Fu Lanchen had predicted, her mood was indeed excellent.

No one knows a mother better than her child.

Xu Guiyi rolled up her sleeves, smiling as she took over the task from Aunt Siqi, pouring the Empress a cup of hot tea, and said gently, “Mother, His Highness the Crown Prince is worried about Prince An, so he sent me to ask what Father intends to do with Prince An?”

She made a show of using Fu Lanchen as her shield—after all, he couldn’t enter the palace to see the Empress for now. This made the Crown Prince in Yonghui Tower sneeze for no apparent reason.

The Empress was in high spirits, regarding Xu Guiyi with benevolent eyes and a gentle smile. “Silly child, what’s there to worry about Prince An? Even if your father punishes his own son, he won’t do much to Prince An—at most a brief confinement, perhaps docking his stipend.”

Really?

Xu Guiyi carefully probed, “Has Master Qi truly died? I heard her perform at the Ningdu Prince’s residence last time—she was extraordinary. I wanted her to sing for you and Aunt, too.”

The Empress’s face lit up with laughter. “Good child! Is Qi Xiangsi’s singing really so remarkable?”

Xu Guiyi nodded eagerly. “Very much so, truly. It’s a pity... such marvelous artistry may never be heard again.” She herself couldn’t tell whether she mourned Qi Xiangsi’s art or pitied her fate.

The Empress snorted, tapping Xu Guiyi’s forehead. “Who says Qi Xiangsi is dead?”

“Master Qi is still alive?” Xu Guiyi was overjoyed, then felt she’d behaved too excitedly, so she calmed herself under the Empress’s gaze, who simply regarded her daughter-in-law as kind-hearted and did not question further.

The Empress, holding her hot tea, blew gently before sipping. “If she were dead, Prince An wouldn’t be in the Court of Justice. It’s to protect her that Prince An angered your father. He... is much like the Crown Prince, stubborn to the core!”

Xu Guiyi laughed softly, then suddenly felt her throat blocked, unable to speak. She recalled Nangong Mingchen’s words at the Ningdu Prince’s residence, echoing the same sentiment.

In the eyes of the emperor and empress, masters of intrigue, a single human life seemed insignificant compared to the towering authority of the throne.

Yet, the Crown Prince and Prince An refused to conform. They cared for lives more than the cold supremacy of imperial power.

Outside the hall, the wind blew endlessly; inside, incense wafted in gentle coils.

The wind rang the bells, touching the hearts of old friends. The Empress’s expression was mournful, her voice cold. “The story of Prince An is a long one—it began over twenty years ago. You young ones wouldn’t know. All these years, Prince An has been a thorn in His Majesty’s heart—whether the late Prince An, or the Prince An now in the Court of Justice.”

Long at the emperor’s side, life and death never cease. Xu Guiyi spent a day in the palace with the Empress, finally hearing some tales of the late Prince An.

Emperor Huiyuan had many consorts, fathering ten princes and five princesses. The current emperor was neither the eldest nor born of the principal wife, yet ultimately claimed the throne, naturally arousing resentment among his brothers.

“Back then, His Majesty had just ascended, and the court was turbulent, far from today’s peace...” Royal brothers often contended, and eliminating rivals was commonplace.

Xu Guiyi had not witnessed the fierce struggle for succession, but observing the present royal family, she saw that apart from the chronically ill Prince Huai, none of the emperor’s brothers seemed to die a natural death. Even if she were slow-witted, she understood, but dared not comment.

“Prince De and Prince Jiancheng are a generation removed from His Majesty. Prince Huai, though his true brother, lived mostly on his estate. To prove his loyalty, he left his heir in Guangling, living cautiously for years.”

Xu Guiyi’s mind raced, her gaze clear and calm as water. “But the father of Prince An was the emperor’s own full brother.”

“Yes, when the late Prince An lived, His Majesty treated him more generously than any other brother. But he erred, and ruined his life...” The Empress took Xu Guiyi’s frail hand and whispered, “Child, have you ever heard of Prince An’s mother?”

Xu Guiyi shook her head. The late Prince An’s death was already royal scandal—who would dare discuss his mother?

The Empress’s vermilion lips parted, her words unveiling the past.

“Prince An’s mother was a dancer surnamed Lu, sold to a brothel at ten, of ignoble origin—a famed courtesan, much like Qi Xiangsi, both beautiful and disastrous.”

Xu Guiyi pursed her lips and smiled faintly, her gaze cold as frost. Since ancient times, beauty was a perilous title—adored in peace, blamed in turmoil.

Who is right, who is wrong, the world does not care; who may be bullied, the world sees clearly.