Chapter 3, the startling dust returns, swirling through the chaotic autumn.

The Snow Palace has always been simple and unadorned, unlike other places where flowers and trees flourish abundantly. However, its lofty and unique charm is also renowned within the palace. How could it have become so desolate and forlorn?

I turned to Yu Wenxie and smiled gently, saying: "Yu Wen Er Ge, I hope I didn't hurt you just now"

Xiao Caiyi saw my persistence, and a few fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He sighed and said, "Hmm, Princess Xueqing should be doing well. It's just that Yang Shufei is a bit too stubborn, which is also... quite pitiful."

Regardless, Yuwen Zhao still had his reservations. Why must I endure to such an extent, even to the point of having to bow to that once lowly minister who used to grovel at our feet, while I hold the esteemed title of princess?

"What happened to Second Sister?" I asked cautiously, unconsciously squeezing the plum blossom tea cake in my hand until it became misshapen

At that moment, Xiao Caiyi was at a loss for words, only murmuring: "At least, the Suzhou army is our own. Aunt, the Xiao family will always support the Great Yan."

He respectfully bowed to his mother, took a few steps back, and quickly left.

Ke Xiao Cai Yi is currently engaged in a life-and-death struggle with Yu Wen Xie! The glimmering blade seems ready to pierce a transparent hole in the opponent at any moment

My mother's autumn water-like pupils suddenly appeared deep as a pond, so straight that it seemed she could see into my heart, and then she said: "You can try it too"

My mother frowned at me and said, "What about you? Have you had enough of the fuss?"

I was even more suspicious in my heart, but I simply followed his words and said: "What is there to see in the Lotus Shadow Pool? That pool of lotuses probably has even had its leaves pulled out. I might as well go find Xueqing to keep me company."

After the snow fell to the ground, faint shadows began to appear. My heart raced as I cautiously lifted the snow curtain

The mother's gentle eyes, soft as water, suddenly hardened like ice, coldly fixing their gaze on Xiao Caiyi, and she exclaimed: "What did I tell you? I instructed you not to bring Qi Qing around recklessly, yet you stubbornly brought her to this place of turmoil!"

Mother listened quietly to Xiao Caiyi's words, then coldly laughed: "So, Yi'er, please tell me, among those many generals with real power, who will save us from peril? Who is willing to return the vast lands of Dayan to us?"

Mother supported Aunt Xi, who suddenly stood before us. Her voice, though calm and unhurried, was accompanied by a loose strand of hair that had fallen from her temple, clearly indicating that she had come in quite a rush

Aunt Xi embraced my shoulders, half coaxing and half persuading: "Little ancestor, at least eat a little. Otherwise, if the Empress finds out, who knows how much worry she will have to endure."

As the shadow of a person rushed out from beside her, Xiao Caiyi had already thrown a punch, striking directly at that person's eye

Xiao Caiyi pulled me back, hiding me behind her, and said to my mother: "Aunt, although Yu Wenzhao holds great power in the capital, he is not the only one with influence across the nation! The Jin state has long been dissatisfied with Yu Wenzhao's monopolization of power. During the reign of the late emperor, they raised the banner of 'Clearing the Court' and started a rebellion in Jinzhou. Prince Liu Wang Huangfu Junzhuo, the late emperor's eldest son, seeing Yu Wenzhao's regicide and his holding of the young emperor, has also raised troops in Liu Province. Additionally, there are rebels like Jia Dong and Bai Fuwei, who have risen from the common people and are active in Cangzhou and Mingzhou. Due to the internal turmoil in the court, they have not been dealt with, and their power has grown. Furthermore, our Xiao family in Suzhou commands tens of thousands of troops and is not to be underestimated. Not to mention the various border regions, including the northern Heihe and the western Anxia, which have always respected the court, especially Heihe's Khan Qinli, who married the Grand Princess Yaqing three years ago and has shown exceptional concern for the court. If it were not for the trump card of Junyu, Yu Wenzhao would not have been able to use the emperor to command the lords; he would have likely been hunted down with nowhere to hide, let alone be as arrogant as he is today."

I grasped my mother's hand and pleaded with her for confirmation: "Mother, we will definitely be able to save our second sister and prevent her from being bullied again, won't we?"

This has always been my home, when did it become a place where we depend on others? I want to laugh, but as I open my mouth, tears roll down instead

I thought for a moment and felt tired of staying indoors. Stretching lazily, I said: "Alright, I will have something to eat and go see my second sister. Please prepare some delicious snacks for me, and I will eat them together with my second sister later."

Hearing his mother's voice, Yuwen Xie felt a twinge of hesitation and quickly stepped back a few paces. However, Xiao Caiyi was relentless, catching up and striking twice more with her sword. It was only when their mother sharply called out to stop that she ceased her attack, holding her sword and stepping aside, glaring at Yuwen Xie with a look that still suggested she wanted to devour him.

Xiao Ru nodded hesitantly, just about to get up, when a mournful wail, piercing like that of a ghost, echoed beside her

Xiao Ru stopped her hands, covering Xue Qing with a brocade blanket, and suddenly knelt down before me, crying out: "Third Princess, Third Princess, please save our princess! Please save our princess! If this continues, she will not survive! She will not survive!"

Her expression was desolate, yet her gaze held a sharpness akin to a nail and a pain that simmered like boiling water.

But I understood it very quickly, just the next day

I flew out the door, eager to rush to the back palace to investigate the situation. However, as soon as I stepped outside, I collided solidly with someone. Before I could react, my chest was grabbed, followed by a lewd laugh: "Which palace is this girl from? She is truly beautiful!"

In the Snow Palace, the noble Consort Shu has already passed away, and only Xueqing, who is two years older than me, remains. What is a grown man like him doing in this palace? Thinking of that sudden, reaching hand and that lewd expression on his face, I cannot help but tremble, wishing to immediately pull away and distance myself from this person, yet at the same time yearning to fly to Xueqing's side to see if she is well

Is she still alive? With such a commotion outside, there isn't even a maid to come out and inquire!

As I watched them grappling, I suddenly realized that this person looked very familiar. Upon further reflection, I vividly recalled that he was Yu Wenxie, the second son of Yu Wenzhao. He and his elder brother, Yu Wenhong, often appeared in the Zhaoyang Hall, but I had deliberately avoided them and had not encountered them directly, having only seen their profiles from a distance a few times

I was sweating anxiously, when I heard my mother's gentle voice: "Yi'er, Xie'er, what are you two making a fuss about? Stop it now."

Yang Shufei brought Xueqing to reside in the Huixue Palace, which is not far from the Zhaoyang Hall. Taking a small path to traverse, the scenery is reminiscent of last year's autumn landscape, with fallen leaves being swept away at any moment, interspersed with many evergreen trees, thus not appearing desolate. Even the small path paved with multicolored pebbles in the woods looks neat and pleasant.

Yuwen Xie clearly realized my identity and chuckled awkwardly, saying: "Your Majesty, it is a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding! This humble minister merely happened to stroll by the Xue Palace and did not expect Princess Qi Qing to suddenly rush out from the side, and in a moment of distraction, I accidentally bumped into her"

I wish to spend a little more time with Xueqing, wanting to call back my original second sister with my own lips. But my mother does not allow it. She wiped her tears and softly said: "Let's come to see her again when she feels better"

But Xiao Caiyi held me back and said with a smile, "Qiqing, how about we go to the Lotus Shadow Pool? It's close to the Chrysanthemum Terrace, and all kinds of chrysanthemums are in full bloom there."

"It's nothing, she is perfectly fine." Aunt Xi has skillfully concealed all her emotions, adopting a calm and carefree expression.

A sharp cry, akin to that of an injured beast, suddenly pierced the air, its long, trailing note dragging hauntingly through the atmosphere. Startled, I nearly jumped up, every hair on my body standing on end. It took me a while to realize that it was the voice of my second sister, Xueqing.

I hope, I hope... The tears of my mother finally fell, each warm drop seeping into my neck, merging with my sweat that fluctuated between cold and hot.

I am not hungry. I reached out to the window and picked a yellow leaf. The golden hues in the sky appear splendid, yet each yellow leaf bears a visage of withered age, with the darkened leaf stem resembling protruding veins and the curled edges of the leaves resembling drooping wrinkles

I turned around and saw my mother, her eyes glistening with tears as she gazed at the snow scene, her voice choked with emotion as she murmured: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, in the end... I cannot even save your daughter!"

Her maid, Xiaoru, was using hot water to cleanse her of filth, wiping and shedding tears at the same time. The snow-white towel was stained with the dirtiest murky white and the purest rosy red.

Rather than humiliation, it is more accurate to describe it as shock. I never dreamed that such an event would occur. Standing woodenly at the door, I protected my chest with my arms, my mouth agape and unable to speak

I pushed him aside and laughed, saying: "Brother Yi, Yu Wen Er Ge must have done it unintentionally; I was just walking too fast earlier."

I do not know where the phrase 'Yang Shufei is pitiful' originated from, my heart racing, and I dare not inquire further. I can only keep recalling Yang Shufei's calm and composed demeanor in the face of change, secretly thinking that if my mother, who is not as wise as she, can still ensure the safety of our family, then Shufei should be even more adept at handling such matters.

My mother has passed away, and I still do not understand some things, feeling somewhat indignant.

Upon turning back, the snow情 is buried within the brocade quilt, convulsing and screaming, yet still not a single tear is shed

Yu Wenxie appeared to be in his twenties, born into a family of generals. He had followed his father for a long time on the battlefield, and his skills were naturally exceptional. Xiao Caiyi, only sixteen years old, was not a match for Yu Wenxie in terms of strength or swordsmanship. However, he seemed to be extremely enraged, with his eyes reddened and a nearly terrifying grimace on his face, unleashing desperate moves. Meanwhile, Yu Wenxie's lower body was somewhat unstable, and his movements were slightly sluggish, resulting in a standoff.

Xiao Caiyi silently gazed at the coffin, took two steps back, dragged a mat over, and respectfully bowed three times before sorrowfully saying: "On the second day after the palace was breached, the rebels... Yu Wenzhao and the others came to persuade Concubine Yang to submit to the Yu Wen family. However, Concubine Yang faced them with a cold glare, angrily denouncing Yu Wenzhao and his father for their wolfish ambitions, their ingratitude, and their disgraceful behavior. As a result, Yu Wenhong imprisoned Princess Xueqing and her mother together in the Returning Snow Palace. Upon hearing this, my aunt also once pleaded with Yu Wenzhao, who specifically visited the Returning Snow Palace to meet with Concubine Yang. However, after he left, he ordered her to be hanged."

But my mother's next words made my blood run cold: "No matter what the future holds, we must live well in the present, and we can only compromise. Qi Qing, from now on, every time you see Yu Wenzhao, you must smile at him, do you understand? Smile at him! Even your younger brother has learned to read his expressions; you should understand too, right?"

The door to the room stood wide open. Even before stepping inside, faint sounds of low sobbing and calling could be heard.

Xiao Caiyi fell silent for a moment, then raised her head: "Such a significant upheaval in the capital, my grandfather and father must have already been aware and made preparations. I will also return to assist them, sooner or later leading troops to invade the capital, using swords and iron horses, to establish Cousin Junyu as the true emperor!"

"But you have lost a lot of weight recently, Qiqing sister." Xiao Caiyi sat beside me, watching the falling leaves without showing any impatience. Instead, she gently persuaded me, "It seems that there aren't many people outside today. Let's eat something and go for a walk."

Xiao Ru then rushed to her mother, grasping the corner of her crimson and gold robe, weeping bitterly: "Your Highness, you cannot say that you cannot save the Second Princess! If you cannot save her, who else can? If the princess continues to be tormented like this, she will surely die! That Yu Wen, Yu Wenxie, is a beast, a beast!"

That dignified and graceful Snow Princess, that elegant and beautiful Snow Princess with a captivating gaze

I have finally realized that I can be considered fortunate. At the very least, I am still standing here in good health, receiving my mother's meticulous care, the attentive service of the palace maids, and the comprehensive protection provided by Yan Yuanfeng and Xiao Cai.

Xiao Caiyi hesitated for a moment, but I quickly seized her hand and we rushed out together

"Why should she be hanged? Isn't the harem under my mother's control?" I was in tears, yet I also realized how naive my question was. The nominal empress or dowager empress, having long been unable to protect herself, how could she possibly safeguard the other concubines?

Mother smiled sadly: "Suxzhou, Suxzhou a thousand miles away, can it save us?"

I looked around my room, adorned with gold and inlaid with jade, resplendent in its five colors, and I distinctly remembered that time when, in a moment of whimsy, I declared that I wanted to rearrange my room according to my own temperament. My father immediately agreed without hesitation. The expression of indulgence and affection is vividly etched in my mind. With the Burmese jade, the coral from the East China Sea, the He Shi Bi, and the pearls of the Sui family, all that the world has to offer could be brought to me with just a word from my lips, as if mountains and seas were piled before me. So I raised my head and, with a sharp tone from my throat, proclaimed: "I am the third princess of the Great Yan, the Phoenix Princess! I am the Phoenix Princess!" With the Burmese jade, the coral from the East China Sea, the He Shi Bi, and the pearls of the Sui family, all that the world has to offer could be brought to me with just a word from my lips, as if mountains and seas were piled before me. So I raised my head and, with a sharp tone from my throat, proclaimed: "I am the third princess of the Great Yan, the Phoenix Princess! I am the Phoenix Princess!"

Xiao Caiyi showed no signs of weakness, her face filled with anger as she drew her sword to confront her opponent. As they exchanged blows, they fiercely battled each other, and the intensity of their techniques clearly indicated that both were harboring murderous intent.

His features are quite well-defined, yet I always feel as if his gaze upon me suggests that my clothing is entirely transparent, which is utterly distasteful. However, I quietly retreat to my mother's side, making an effort to maintain a polite smile on my face

The woman lying naked on the bed, devoid of life, with a pale complexion, high cheekbones, eyes like dead fish, a body once pure now ravaged, and ubiquitous bruises of blue and purple. Is this my sister?

Although this person is extremely disgusting, especially when thinking of the claws of Lu Shan just now, I feel like I could vomit blood. However, my mother is too cautious and would never openly confront him. Although Xiao Caiyi wants to avenge me, she may not be able to kill him; even if she did kill him, it would inevitably lead to Yuwen Zhao taking her life in return. Moreover, the deceased Shufei and my sister Xueqing, whose fate is unknown, all serve as reminders that I must not act recklessly, I must not act recklessly, endure, endure, endure

As I rushed through the corridor, my peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the half-open door of the side hall. Under the dim light of two white candles, there lay a black coffin, resting upon two long benches

Unable to see her tears. That vacant gaze fixed on the tent, devoid of sorrow or joy, hatred or anger, even pain has become a luxury

The path was desolate, with not even a single palace maid or eunuch in sight. Only the whispering of the swaying bamboo could be heard, softly rustling in the tranquility. Evergreen wisteria climbed nearly the entire wall, its deep green foliage adorned with clusters of dark purple fruits hanging down. A subtle fragrance wafted through, drifting among the weeds and stones, yet it created a chilling and ominous atmosphere

I strive to digest the current state of the world as I perceive it, with fervent passion surging within me

As I turned back, I happened to catch a glimpse of the lingering anxiety and indignation in Aunt Xi's expression

"What happened to the noble consort?" My gaze wandered, and suddenly I turned around to look at Xiao Caiyi. They must all know, but they just won't tell me. I am a blind person with my eyes open, a deaf person with my ears wide open.

Perhaps I should also try to save myself

The character "忍" has a knife above it, cutting through the heart, lungs, and intestines. Yet I must still endure the hatred while wearing a smile, watching my mother gracefully and gently say to Yu Wenxie: "Xie'er, you too, running around for no reason again. Just now your father was looking for you, saying he needed to see you, and he even asked you to go to Zhaoyang Palace for a full shrimp banquet at noon."

I feel as though I am walking on the edge of a cliff, where the flowers bloom profusely above, and the spring scenery is boundless. Below lies an abyss of ten thousand fathoms, unfathomable. A single misstep could lead to catastrophic consequences, resulting in utter destruction.

My second elder sister

For a moment, my mother's complexion turned pale, and then she sneered: "Girl, without the skin, where will the hair attach? Where is the Shun'an Emperor now? Even your mother's brother is just a pitiful creature living under someone else's roof. Do you still not understand this?"

I walked anxiously in the hall, tentatively calling out: "Noble Consort, Second Sister! Second Sister..."

Xiao Caiyi's treasured sword remained unsheathed for a long time, as she fixed her gaze intently on his retreating figure. Seeing him go further away, she immediately said: "Aunt, this person truly intends to be frivolous and pursue romantic entanglements!"

I pulled Xiao Ru close, my eyes wide with misty tears, gripping her thin arm tightly, and said word by word: "Xiao Ru, remember, we will definitely save Princess Xueqing! We will! Once Second Sister regains her senses, you must tell her!"

I was filled with doubt, hastily swallowing two pastries without taking the time to drink tea, and then I instructed the maid to pack the hot pastries into two food boxes, taking Xiao Caiyi along as I went out

I? I can also give it a try? To try to save my own sister?

I shook my head vigorously and said, "I do not wish to cause a disturbance; I only want to see my sister."

Xiao Caiyi spoke eloquently, and I found my mind in turmoil. I suddenly realized that I had always been short-sighted, confined to a narrow view, spending my days in the perfect palace surrounded by admirers. I had only known that the world belonged to the Huangfu family, yet I was unaware of the numerous conflicts that had arisen within their realm, and even less did I know that the mountains and rivers of Dayan had become so fragmented.

Yuwen Xie was momentarily taken aback, hurriedly walked up to me, performed a deep bow, and smiled, saying: "Just now, it was Yuwen Xie who was careless while walking, and I am here to pay my respects to the princess!"

Xiao Caiyi's face turned red again as she pointed her sword at Yuwen Xie and said, "This person is too rude, actually being so frivolous towards my sister Qi Qing!"

Xiao Caiyi's expression changed slightly; she raised her head to glance at Aunt Xi, then quickly buried her head down again

I could hardly breathe. As I turned around to push the door open, through the eerie light filtered by the bamboo shade, in front of the feeble and pale candlelight, on the simple wooden spirit tablet, it was clearly engraved with the words "The Spirit Tablet of the Late Mother, the Yang Clan of the Huangfu Gate"

Sweat gathered in my palms, I ignored Xiao Caiyi's calls and rushed into the hall like the wind

"Second Sister!" I shouted, forcefully pushing aside Xiao Caiyi's hand that was blocking me, and rushed towards the inner hall

Without waiting for them to speak, I had already dashed towards Xueqing's room

Xiao Caiyi was taken aback when I unexpectedly spoke up for Yuwen Xie

My mother hurried into my room, dismissed the servants, and left only my aunt Xi, who had raised me, along with the books and Xiao Caiyi. She pointed at my nose and scolded me: "Qiqing, after all this time, I always thought you had matured, but you are actually so foolish! Yu Wenzhao holds the military power, and both inside and outside the capital, the court is filled with his minions and followers. What do you think you are, daring to slap him in the face like that? Are you really tired of living?"

My tears flowed down in torrents

Xiao Caiyi exclaimed: "Collision? Is there such a collision as yours?" He was once again swinging his long sword

However, that night I was severely reprimanded by my mother for my stubbornness

And what about my second elder sister? I recalled the tragic and desperate scream from earlier, took a step back, and widened my eyes. Could it be that they are executing my sister?

Do not mention the royal family, do not mention titles, only the surname of the husband and the surname of the wife, just a few simple and lonely words, yet they strike like a heavy hammer on my chest

How should I leave the edge of this deadly cliff

I have always found the room, with its snowy ambiance, to be stark and unadorned. Today, as I stepped inside, it felt even colder, akin to a snow cave, causing me to involuntarily shiver

I reminisced about my sister, who once had a skin as smooth as ice and a smile as charming as a beautiful flower. I carefully traced the scars with my fingers, and suddenly, I collapsed by the bed, weeping uncontrollably

Xiao Caiyi's lips trembled, as if she wanted to say something, but ultimately held back, casting a silent glance at me before she sheathed her sword

Yuwen Xie felt quite uncomfortable and hurriedly said, "Once again, Your Highness, I apologize for the trouble caused! I shall go find my father right away"

The gate of the Snow Palace was half ajar, which surprised me a little. I pushed the door open and walked forward along the white stone path, stepping on the fallen leaves.

The man could hardly believe that someone in the palace would dare to strike him. Covering his injured eye, he glared angrily at Xiao Caiyi. Seeing that Xiao Caiyi had no intention of stopping, he raised his fist to strike again, only then realizing the gravity of the situation. He swiftly sidestepped, and with a loud "clang," drew the sword from his waist, aiming it directly at Xiao Caiyi, shouting, "You bold dog servant, do you not know who I am? Do you wish to die? I shall grant you that!"

Still empty and desolate. A layer of dust covers the tables and chairs, and occasionally, a teacup from a past meal is placed on the table, with the dark remnants of tea forming a thick film on the surface. Moreover, one cup has toppled over onto the blue-green patterned carpet, spilling tea and staining a large area with a deep brown color. The four walls are adorned with ancient-style landscape paintings, painstakingly copied by Yang Shufei herself, now scattered on the floor, the once pristine white rice paper has turned a dull gray.

Regardless of whether Xiao Caiyi killed Yuwen Xie or Yuwen Xie harmed Xiao Caiyi, the consequences would be dire. I was anxious and hurriedly signaled to the little palace maid who accompanied me: "Quickly go find the Empress! Hurry!"

The young palace maid, trembling, turned and ran, but stepped on her own skirt and fell heavily to the ground, letting out a cry of despair. She hugged her head, appearing to believe that someone had pushed her down, and curled up in fear, no longer daring to take a step forward.

I languidly recline in my room, resting my chin on my hand, gazing at the falling leaves outside. The gentle autumn sunlight filters through the shade, casting flickering golden light upon the window frame. The room is filled with the delicate fragrance of the second brew of Biluochun tea, infused with lotus dew; a dozen exquisite pastries are arranged on a long table adorned with redwood carvings of bats and auspicious patterns, having already been replaced for the third time, still steaming and appearing delectable.

The mother's expression changed slightly as she turned to look at Yu Wenxie and smiled, saying: "Xie'er, this is a misunderstanding, isn't it? Qiqing is my daughter, and she is just like your sister, isn't she?"

"Yi'er, did I not tell you to take good care of your sister in the Zhaoyang Palace while she recuperates? Why have you come here to cause trouble?" Mother approached Xiao Caiyi and asked sternly