Shao Yin was stunned, her hatred fading as she recognized Ning Wanwan’s sincerity.
They continued into the rear garden when a woman suddenly appeared from behind a tree along the path. Yuan Zhu stepped forward, demanding, “Who is it?”
The woman smiled at Ning Wanwan, bowing gracefully. “Han Shuya pays respects to the Princess Consort.”
Seeing the woman meant no harm, Yuan Zhu stepped aside. Ning Wanwan examined her—elegant and beautiful, with almond eyes and peach cheeks.
“Who are you?” she asked, certain she had never seen the person before.
“Shuya is the granddaughter of Left Chancellor Han Sui,” replied Han Shuya.
Han Sui’s granddaughter…
Fragments from her previous life suddenly became clear.
She realized that she and Si Zhan lived in a world that devoured others; even if they avoided harm, they would eventually be consumed. As his wife, she should support his decisions wholeheartedly.
Ning Wanwan smiled brightly, “Brother Zhan, go ahead. I and the child will always support you.”
Si Zhan pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly, “Thank you, Wanwan.”
After being cooped up in the mansion for some time, Ning Wanwan decided to visit her grandmother at the Ning Guogong Mansion. Since Si Zhan became an official, he had been coming home later, usually only for dinner.
On this day, when Ning Wanwan decided to return to the Ning Guogong Mansion, Si Zhan had not yet returned from court.
She asked Fu Yi to arrange the carriage, planning to travel light and return quietly. However, upon stepping outside, she saw the Yi Wang Mansion’s carriages, servants, and soldiers, numbering about a hundred. Yuan Zhu was following, and surprisingly, so was Yuan Bi.
“Yuan Bi, why aren’t you with the Prince?”
Yuan Bi’s expression was evasive. “The master said that the Princess might go out these days and ordered me to follow and protect her at all times.”
Although she was pregnant and needed to be careful, she felt the grand display unnecessary, especially since Si Zhan had left both Yuan Zhu and Yuan Bi with her, seeming like an overreaction. She couldn’t help but feel uneasy. “Has something happened in Biandu?”
“Nothing.”
Ning Wanwan frowned but didn’t inquire further. She had Yuan Bi send the soldiers and servants back, then traveled to the Ning Guogong Mansion with her brother and Fu Yi.
Upon returning, Old Madam Ning pulled Ning Wanwan to chat, lamenting how lonely the last New Year’s Eve was without her. She mentioned that Lin Yutong had drowned and that He shi had quickly died after hearing the news.
After lunch and some conversation, Ning Wanwan, feeling restless, returned to the Yi Wang Mansion while her grandmother took an afternoon nap.
Soon, the Lantern Festival arrived. Concerned about the crowds that might jostle Ning Wanwan yet knowing she loved watching lanterns, Si Zhan ordered the purchase of various lanterns from the market, decorating the entire Zhuohua Courtyard brightly.
Still feeling it wasn’t enough, he had a long table brought to the courtyard, set up with brushes, ink, paper, and tools for making lanterns, intending to create one himself.
Ning Wanwan sat under the eaves, sipping tea and watching Si Zhan standing under the bright moon, surrounded by lanterns. His presence stirred her imagination.
Si Zhan lowered his head, holding a brush with one hand behind his back, seemingly contemplating how to begin. Her lips curved in a smile.
Half an incense stick later, Si Zhan put down his brush and said, “It’s done, Wanwan, come and see.” He turned, walked a few steps, and extended his hand to her. She laughed and took it, standing up.
On the long table was a golden-speckled paper scroll depicting their journey – from childhood acquaintance, the message at Zishantang, gifting knee pads at Zhengyang Gate, the night lantern festival, to walking together while she was pregnant.
Ning Wanwan laughed, “You’ve drawn so much. Aren’t you afraid the lantern won’t fit?”
Si Zhan replied seriously, “Don’t worry, the lantern I make will definitely hold our family of three.” He then pulled out another sheet showing them playing with a child. Ning Wanwan looked carefully at the child’s attire and laughed, “How do you know it’s a son? What if it’s a daughter?”
“So I drew a daughter too,” he said, pulling out another sheet.
It showed Si Zhan holding a little girl with pigtails in one arm and Ning Wanwan in the other, a family of three looking up at the moon. Ning Wanwan loved this painting most, as it captured the peaceful years she had always longed for.
Si Zhan mentioned his lantern could hold all these pictures. He was creating a large circular revolving lantern to display his drawings. Just as it was nearing completion, a black shadow dropped from the sky. Yuan Bi, dragging a disheveled Wan Shun, knelt before the table.
Yuan Bi said gravely, “Master, something has happened!” Ning Wanwan’s heart skipped a beat, tightening her hand on her belly.
Crack— the bamboo strip Si Zhan was using to support the lantern broke. He frowned, asking, “What is it?”
With tears streaming down his face, Wan Shun cried, “Your Highness, the Pure Concubine is gone.” Si Zhan’s expression turned cold, “What happened?” Wan Shun continued, “Your Highness, the palace has changed. The Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince have jointly controlled the front hall. Right Minister Ling has taken control of the imperial guards and military affairs.”
Tonight, at the beginning of the hour of the rooster, a palace coup was launched, placing the Emperor and the Pure Concubine under house arrest. The Emperor was forced to write two edicts: one of abdication and another condemning Yi Wang as a traitor and ordering the destruction of his entire clan.
Crying again, he recalled that the Pure Concubine had said, “the real traitor is right in front of us,” before being strangled to death by the Empress Dowager in front of the Emperor. She had previously instructed that if anything happened to her, a way must be found to notify Yi Wang and tell him to escape quickly.
Si Zhan lowered his head, his face dark and gloomy. After a long pause, he asked, “What was the situation in the palace when you left?”
“The palace gates have been sealed by the Empress Dowager and Crown Prince. I escaped through a dog hole. The Emperor’s life and death are unknown.”
Si Zhan’s expression turned solemn. “Yuan Bi siblings, listen to my orders!”
Yuan Zhu and Yuan Bi cupped their fists and shouted, “Yes!”
“Immediately escort the Princess out of the city to Qian Nan.”
Ning Wan Wan, concerned, grabbed Si Zhan’s sleeve and asked, “What about you?”
Si Zhan turned and cupped her shoulders, speaking with seriousness: “This is an opportunity. If we seize it, we can turn the tables, so I want to stay and fight.”
Si Zhan embraced Ning Wan Wan tightly, his low voice carrying a hint of pleading, “Don’t cause trouble, be good. You’re now carrying our child, and it’s no longer just your fate. Do this for me.”
“…Okay.” Ning Wan Wan rested her chin on his shoulder and closed her eyes.
Si Zhan then asked, “Do you still have the smoke signal arrow that Mi Yue gave you last time?”
“Yes.”
“When the time comes, release it, and someone will escort you out of the city to Qian Nan.”
Ning Wan Wan looked at him with determination, “I can agree to leave the city, but you must promise me one thing.”
“Go ahead.”
“Take Yuan Bi with you, and come back alive.”
Si Zhan’s lips curved slightly, and he nodded heavily, “Okay, I promise.”
He paused for a moment before adding, “…I understand. The situation is unclear right now. Luhming Pavilion is temporarily closed. Take the remaining sisters and find a place to lay low.”
“Mm.”
When Mi Yue opened the door, she saw Ning Wan Wan in the courtyard and smiled, holding her hand while chatting about her belly without mentioning their previous conversation.
