The woman claimed the infant was her granddaughter, pitifully recounting how her son and daughter-in-law had died, leaving her and the granddaughter dependent on each other. After suffering a natural disaster, they were forced to leave their hometown. The woman’s health was poor, and she soon passed away.
Before dying, she entrusted a female infant and a dark, shiny token to my mother, begging her to take care of both.
This infant was me.
My parents honored the woman’s request and raised me as their daughter. Since the token was engraved with a yao flower, my mother named me “Yao.”
After the woman’s funeral, my father passed the imperial examinations and joined the Hanlin Academy as a junior scholar. My parents then moved from their rural home to the capital, Yan Feng.
“Where is this token now?” I asked urgently. It must be the phoenix black gold token from the Southern Rui that the Eastern Palace mentioned.
My father, surprised by my calmness, frowned at my mother, who appeared guilty.
“A Yao, your parents have let you down,” my father sighed. “This token was originally around your neck. Later, fearing you might lose it, your mother put it away. Unexpectedly—”
“Ah Yao,” my mother finally said, holding my hand, her eyes filled with tears. “It’s all my fault!”
I shouldn’t have gambled… I lost my mind and something so important. I’m sorry to you…”
She wailed uncontrollably, muttering curses at the heartless person.
That black gold token was lost by Mother as a gambling chip. That person saw its value and set a trap for her. Later, when Mother tried to redeem it with money, he claimed to have sold it to someone else.
I comforted her, saying I would find a way to retrieve it. Miao Yin sensed something was amiss and asked if the token was related to my birth parents. After a moment’s thought, I pulled them into the room, ensuring no one was listening, and shared everything the Eastern Palace told me—my background, the secret of the black gold token, and the Eastern Palace’s threats.
The four of us turned pale, exchanging bewildered looks.
Father sighed, “Twenty years ago, the palace coup in Nan Rui was grand and spectacular. Everyone thought it was a change of dynasties, but who would have thought…”
“A-Ah Yao, what do you plan to do?” Mother asked, her voice trembling.
“We’ll delay as long as we can,” I said, knowing we had no better option. With our limited power, escaping was impossible; we could only wait for an opportunity.
“Ah Yao is right,” Miao Yin quickly recovered.
“Since the Emperor and Eastern Palace plan to use us to threaten Ah Yao, we’re safe for now. We can stall for time. If necessary, Ah Yao can pretend to agree, and once you go to Nan Rui, another way will surely emerge.”
My elder brother looked gloomy. “Why should Ah Yao bear this? The royal family is despicable!”
This reminded me of something. I pulled Mother close and asked, “Mother, do you remember when you lost the black gold token?”
Mother pondered for a while. “It seems to be… four years ago.”
A chill ran through me. Four years ago was when I first met the Third Prince, Summer Zichen, during a commission for a highly-priced portrait. The identity of the person who paid for the portrait had remained unknown, even to Chen Hua.
If the Eastern Palace’s words are true, the black gold token must be in the Third Prince’s hands, indicating our “chance encounter” was orchestrated.
That “gentle and pure” Third Prince was likely just my imagination.
I shook my head and smiled bitterly. How could royal family members be as simple as they appear? His approach to me was probably for Nan Rui. If he hadn’t been sent to Xi Liang as a hostage, he might have succeeded, and I would have remained unaware, thinking I’d found a good husband.
No.
Even if he hadn’t left, An Jin would have found a way to thwart his plans. An Jin had countless tricks; how could the Third Prince resist?
At this thought, the corner of my mouth curved slightly. My family looked at me with strange expressions, probably thinking I had gone mad, alternating between sadness and joy. My younger sister, who was with Grandfather, came to tell us that the doctor had finally arrived.
The Eastern Palace acted swiftly, sending an imperial physician. After examining Grandfather’s pulse, he pulled me aside and said, “Your father’s condition is beyond help. He has little time left. Please prepare yourself.”
Although I had anticipated Grandfather’s poor health, the physician’s words were like a thunderbolt. “How could this be? Grandfather has always been fine, just with an eye condition…”
The physician seemed surprised. “Does my lady not know that your father suffers from wasting disease?”
My mind went blank. Wasting disease? How had we not noticed?
The physician shook his head and sighed. “Your father’s eye condition is a symptom of wasting disease. Now the condition has worsened, causing heart pain. Even if Bian Que were alive, he could do nothing.”
I will report his condition to the Prince, who will likely help with the funeral arrangements. My lady, please be strong and take care of yourself.”
“How long does Grandfather have?”
“At most three days.”
Long after the physician left, I stood motionless. My heart was panicked, but I didn’t know what to do. Grandfather was dying, An Jin’s fate was unknown, and my mother-in-law was missing. What should I do?
An Jin wanted me to protect my family, but how could I save Grandfather from this fatal illness? I hugged myself, wanting to cry but unable to shed tears.
Mother came out, and seeing my state, understood most of it. “Go and see him. Ah Yao, this is all fate…”
Fate? Why must a good person like Grandfather have such a fate?
Grandfather lay on the pillow, emaciated. I sat beside him, holding his hand, softly calling, “Grandfather.”
He opened his eyes after a long time, seeming to try to see me clearly but ultimately failing, offering a weary smile. “It’s getting dark early.”
I felt my nose sting, swallowing back tears. “Grandfather, are you feeling better?”
He closed his eyes, trembling as he covered my hand and patted it gently. “Ah Yao, I’ve known about my illness for a long time. To spare you worry, I kept it hidden with Doctor Liu. Now, it’s… don’t be sad. What must come, will come.”
Miao Yin and my younger sister were softly crying behind me. I tried to keep my voice from breaking but ultimately failed.
Father-in-law was still smiling.
His face was ashen, yet he smiled serenely, as if he were amidst green mountains and clear waters, leisurely fishing in the wind.
“Don’t be sad. People must go through this journey, only…” He furrowed his brow slightly.
I knew he still wanted to see Mother-in-law and An Jin one last time.
I burst out the door, disregarding my tears and disheveled appearance, lunging at the red-robed guards, pleading: “The Emperor or the Crown Prince, anyone! Call them here! Otherwise…” I pulled out my hairpin and held it to my throat. “Otherwise, I’ll die right here!”
The red-robed guards’ expressions changed. Since I held significant value to the King of Qi and the Crown Prince, they could not disregard my safety.
The King of Qi himself came to see me.
“My father-in-law is dying,” I said coldly, my tears dried and face tight. “He wants to see his wife one last time.”
“I’m afraid this matter…” The King of Qi, amiable yet helpless, replied. “I’m not even sure where your mother-in-law is now.”
I glared at him, disregarding etiquette. “Stop with this nonsense! If you won’t let Mother-in-law come, I will—”
The King of Qi smiled: “Commit suicide? That’s fine, you can go ahead and die.”
I stood frozen.
“It’s just that if you die, your entire family will be buried with you,” the King of Qi chuckled, his gaze like a poisonous thorn. “My lady, you understand what’s at stake.”
