Soon after handling the woman’s funeral, my father passed the imperial examinations and entered the Hanlin Academy as a junior scholar. So my parents bid farewell to their rural relatives and the family moved to the capital, Yan Feng.
“Where is this small token now?” I asked urgently.
My father looked somewhat surprised, probably not expecting me to remain calm upon hearing this incredible life story, but instead anxiously asking about the token’s whereabouts. He frowned, giving my mother a reproachful look. My mother continued to lower her head, her features twisted together, seemingly very guilty.
“A Yao, your parents have let you down,” my father sighed heavily. “This token was originally hanging around your neck. Later, when you grew older, your mother was afraid you might lose it while playing, so she put it away. Unexpectedly—
Ah Yao.” Mother finally raised her head, holding my hand, her eyes filled with tears. “It’s all my fault!
I shouldn’t have gambled, shouldn’t have been consumed by gambling… I lost my mind and lost something so important… I’m sorry to you…”
She began to wail uncontrollably, muttering curses at the heartless person.
That black gold token was actually lost by Mother as a gambling chip. It seemed that the saw the black gold token and knew it was valuable, deliberately setting a trap for Mother to fall into. Later, when Mother tried to redeem it with money, that claimed to have already sold it to someone else.
I quickly comforted her, saying it was fine and I would find a way to retrieve it. Miao Yin sensed something was amiss and curiously asked if this token was related to my birth parents. After a moment’s thought, I pulled them into the room, ensuring no one was listening, and repeated everything the Eastern Palace had told me – my background, the secret of this black gold token, and the Eastern Palace’s threats.
Father sighed, “Twenty years ago, the palace coup in Nan Rui was grand and spectacular. Everyone thought Nan Rui was about to change 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 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…”
The physician seemed surprised. “Does my lady not know that your father suffers from wasting disease?”
My mind went blank. Wasting disease? It was a chronic condition that couldn’t be contracted overnight. How had we not noticed?
I will report his condition to the Prince, who will likely help prepare 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.”
Grandfather lay on the pillow, emaciated. I sat beside him, holding his hand, softly calling, “Grandfather.”
He opened his eyes after a long time, seemingly trying to see me clearly but ultimately failing. “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. Now, it’s… don’t be sad. What must come, will come.”
Miao Yin and my younger sister were already 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 could smile serenely, as if he were in the midst of 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 one last time, still wanted to see An Jin one last time.
I burst out the door, not caring whether my face was covered in tears and looking disheveled, and lunged at the red-robed guards, frantically grabbing them and shouting: “The Emperor or the Crown Prince, anyone! Call them here! Otherwise…” I pulled out the hairpin and held it to my throat. “Otherwise, I’ll die right here!”
The red-robed guards’ expressions changed in unison. Since I still held significant value to the King of Qi and the Crown Prince, they would never disregard my safety.
This time, the King of Qi himself came to see me.
“My father-in-law is dying,” I said coldly. Tears had dried on my face, making it stretch tight. “He wants to see his wife one last time.”
“I’m afraid this matter…” The King of Qi remained amiable, his face full of helplessness and apology. “In fact, I’m not even sure where your mother-in-law is now.”
I glared at him, no longer caring about etiquette. “Stop with this nonsense! Your Majesty, if you still won’t let Mother-in-law come to see Father-in-law’s last moments, 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.”
