“Since the Emperor and Eastern Palace plan to use us to threaten Ah Yao, we’re still safe for now. We can stall for time. If we can’t delay any longer, Ah Yao can pretend to agree, and once you go to Nan Rui, there will surely be another way.”
My elder brother looked gloomy. “Why should Ah Yao bear all this? The royal family is indeed despicable!”
This reminded me of something. I pulled Mother close and asked, “Mother, do you remember when you lost the black gold token?”
A chill ran through me. Four years ago was precisely when I first met the Third Prince, Summer Zichen. It was a commission for a highly-priced portrait that brought us together, but the person who paid generously to purchase the Third Prince’s portrait had never shown their face, not even Chen Hua knew their identity.
If the Eastern Palace’s words were true, the black gold token had somehow fallen into the Third Prince’s hands. This meant our “chance encounter” was carefully orchestrated.
I shook my head and smiled bitterly. How could royal family members be as simple as they appear? His approach to me was likely for Nan Rui. If he hadn’t been sent to Xi Liang as a hostage, he might have succeeded, and I would have remained blissfully 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 parents, elder brother, and Miao Yin looked at me with strange expressions, probably thinking I had gone mad, alternating between sadness and joy. At this moment, my younger sister, who was staying with Grandfather, came to tell us that the doctor for Grandfather had finally arrived.
The Eastern Palace acted swiftly, sending an imperial physician within moments. After examining Grandfather’s pulse, the physician pulled me aside and said, “Your father’s condition is beyond medical help. He has little time left. My lady, please prepare yourself.”
Although I had anticipated Grandfather’s poor health, the physician’s words were like a thunderbolt. “How could this be?” I couldn’t believe it. “Grandfather has always been fine, just with an eye condition…”
