Chapter Six, the new strings on the zither stretch the old grievances

As midnight approaches, it is already time for rest, and the palace maid quietly lowers the heavy curtains outside the window

Lady Pei felt a bit embarrassed, turned her gaze with a smile, and then changed the subject, "My brother also has a nickname, which is even more interesting."

The moonlight, nearly at its zenith, streamed in through the small window, casting a chilling hue that illuminated the grim, cold stone walls of the prison cell.

In the evening of the Chengshu Palace, the exquisite palace lanterns illuminate the imperial table with a golden cup of amber wine, as the beauty pours it, releasing a fragrant aroma

"It is late, you should not go out anymore..." Ke Fei looked at Yun Huang, speaking as an ordinary mother would to restrain her young child, yet her tone was filled with timidity, even pleading. Yun Huang could not recall whether her mother had ever restrained her, only that she rarely displayed such a pleading expression.

Bestowed hanging, not self-hanging

Criminals like Guo do not have the right to choose death for themselves

In the distance, the sound of the midnight bell suddenly rang, it was already close to the hour of Hai. The girl kneeling on the ground trembled at the sound, suddenly raising her head, her pale and slightly greenish face streaked with tears, "Mother's time is running out, I beg the princess to show mercy, I plead with the emperor to spare my mother's life..."

"Yao Yao..." Yun Huang murmured, a fleeting smile of melancholy passing through her eyes, which soon returned to silence, her gaze deep and still like a bottomless pool. However, the long-lost "Yao Yao" caused the woman kneeling in supplication to be momentarily stunned, trembling as she pressed her forehead to the ground, her sobs growing ever more uncontrollable.

"A child of only a few years, you can kill if you wish, yet you incite the Emperor to slaughter two infants in front of the Xinyi Palace." Yunhuang furrowed her brows, casually pinching Huayao's chin, "Yaoyao, do you know what slaughter means?"

The three characters "Xin Yi Gong" caused Shao Huan to furrow his brow slightly, yet he did not raise his eyes and asked, "There is only one eldest princess in the palace, whom are you referring to?"

The Qin dynasty is notorious for its brutal punishments, with as many as nineteen types of execution methods. One such method, known as "pushing to death," involves placing a person inside a cloth bag, lifting it high, and then repeatedly slamming it to the ground, until the bones are crushed, the muscles are torn, the flesh is mangled, and the victim ultimately succumbs to death.

The crime of treason is punishable by death by a thousand cuts. Considering that she was once the mother of a nation, the Emperor has spared her from this cruel punishment and instead granted her three feet of white silk, to be sent on her way at the hour of the rat tonight. Hearing this news, Xingping, who lay on her sickbed, rushed into the palace and knelt before Yunhuang, pleading desperately. Yunhuang allowed her to kneel, neither angry nor dissuading her, calmly sitting at the table, focused solely on playing the zither.

Guo Hou emitted a hissing sound from her already hoarse voice, and a resentful, cold glare burst forth from the narrow slits of her eyes. Hua Yao, disregarding everything, cried out and lunged forward, but was firmly held back by Yun Huang, leaving her to struggle in vain.

However, Consort Pei did not notice the subtle change in his tone and continued to smile, saying, "Yes, later I heard that such a name is too heavy and can bring misfortune, so it was changed to Ling Wan." Rui is indeed an alternative name for the phoenix, and it is rather bold for the daughter of an ordinary official family to be given such a name. However, what Consort Pei was thinking was that, back then, her words had indeed come true; she had truly accompanied the true dragon and entered the royal family, which meant she had indeed become a phoenix.

The sound of the zither flows gently, accompanied by the faint, intermittent sobs of a woman, blending into the already melancholic tones of the instrument, echoing in the Magnolia Palace as night falls. The palace maid standing outside the curtain listens quietly, as if a chill has seeped through her garments, penetrating to her very bones, stirring an unbidden sorrow within her heart. It is likely that the poor woman is still kneeling in the hall, having done so for more than half an hour.

Hua Yao was frozen in place, as if a solid block of ice had been pressed down upon her. Dazed, she raised her eyes and saw Yun Huang in a gown that swept the ground, her arms adorned with ice silk, and her hair styled in a loose cloud-like bun secured with a jade hairpin, resembling a celestial maiden from beyond the world. Among the many imperial princesses, Yun Huang was always considered the most beautiful. The Empress had once said, "A woman who is too beautiful is close to being a demon," and she was likely referring to Yun Huang. Whether in the past or present, she remained as beautiful as ever, her voice as gentle as spring water, yet her gaze was as cold as severe frost. Hua Yao had never known that the submissive Princess Qingping could wear such a smile, which suddenly reminded her of the poisoned wine from that day.

The disheveled Guo has not eaten for two days, her prison clothes stained with blood, and all ten fingers swollen and deformed. The white silk is tightly wrapped around her neck, and she merely listens in a daze, showing no signs of struggle or fear, as if her soul has long since left her body

Guo's body trembled slightly as she raised her eyes to meet Yun Huang's cold gaze

This truly is a twisted fate, as it is rather unfortunate that her brother has taken a liking to the captured princess awaiting trial, and even compromised her purity on the journey to the capital. Fortunately, Princess Xingping has already been stripped of her title; had she held the status of a Grand Princess, even ten heads of Pei Lingxian would not suffice as a price to pay!

On the day of the palace's downfall, all the princesses and consorts were summoned to the central palace, where they wept as they drank poison, choosing to die alongside their sovereign. Not everyone faced death with equanimity; some sought to escape, like Princess Yangcheng, who struggled to break free from the grasp of the palace attendants but could not exit the jade steps of the central palace, where guards awaited with drawn swords. Huayao trembled as she watched the consorts and princesses consume the poisoned wine, its color vibrant and alluring, seemingly sweet, yet it was a heart-wrenching poison that went down like the smile of the phoenix before her.

Three streaks of blood immediately crossed over, and Yunhuang, startled, stumbled over a stone, falling to the ground. Linchuan laughed heartily, made a grimace, and jumped away. Changle picked up the cat, gently brushed away the bird feathers stuck to its mouth, yet did not even glance at Yunhuang, turning away directly. Moments ago, the chirping, adorable bird was left with only a few scattered feathers on the ground, some stained with blood. Yunhuang bit her lip tightly, wrapped the fiery wound with a handkerchief, but tears rolled down in large drops. Moments ago, the chirping, adorable bird was left with only a few scattered feathers on the ground, some stained with blood. Yunhuang bit her lip tightly, wrapped the fiery wound with a handkerchief, but tears rolled down in large drops.

However, the Empress was unwilling; she wanted to witness with her own eyes the women of the harem drinking the poisoned wine, one by one dying before her, before she would consider disguising herself to escape. If it were not for the urgent situation, where the accompanying guards forcibly took her away, the Empress would have even insisted on personally going to Xinyi Palace to execute Concubine Ke and Yunhuang. At that time, Huayao thought that she would probably never understand the Empress's hatred, nor comprehend why the women in the harem harbored such deep resentment.

Yunhuang took flight with the kite, but Huayao clutched her sleeve tightly, looking up at her with a face full of tears, unable to cry out. After enduring a series of upheavals, the originally delicate and beautiful girl had become thin and haggard, her ailing body struggling to endure the prolonged kneeling, now on the verge of collapse.

When mother and daughter met, there were no embraces or tears, no heart-wrenching cries; they were merely separated by a thick wooden cage. You looked at me with sorrow, and I gazed at you earnestly. Finally, the time had come; death approached in an instant, and even a fleeting glance was precious. Huayao crawled to the front of the cage, straining to reach her, while inside, Guo was desperately trying to lunge towards the bars. The white silk was tightly bound around her neck, pulling her from side to side, yet she paid no heed, exerting all her strength to reach out to Huayao. Huayao crawled to the front of the cage, straining to reach her, while inside, Guo was desperately trying to lunge towards the bars. The white silk was tightly bound around her neck, pulling her from side to side, yet she paid no heed, exerting all her strength to reach out to Huayao.

Yunhuang stared at her, momentarily lost in thought, as if she could see the little girl who pouted and gently blew on her wound... In the imperial garden that year, Chang Le and Lin Chuan chased after the lion cat raised by the Empress, following it all the way to a secluded spot behind the lake rocks, where they discovered Yunhuang lying there. In her palm, she cradled an injured little gray sparrow, feeding it crumbs of bread. Chang Le frowned as she looked at Yunhuang, about to turn away, but was stopped by Lin Chuan. The mischievous Lin Chuan whispered a few words to Chang Le, and the two of them laughed as they waved at Yunhuang. Hesitantly, Yunhuang approached, only to be suddenly snatched at by Lin Chuan, who took the little bird away... Lin Chuan laughed and ran off, calling out to the lion cat hidden in the flowers, tossing the injured little bird near the cat's mouth... In a panic, Yunhuang immediately lunged forward to wrestle with the cat for the bird. When animals protect their food, they can be quite fierce; the lion cat grabbed the bird and jumped up, swiping at Yunhuang's hand.

Although Princess Xingping is the daughter of the deposed Empress Guo, she still bears the surname Hua, and her veins flow with the same royal blood as the Emperor. In the past, when royal princesses were punished, they were at most confined and given a death sentence; there has never been a precedent for being demoted to a commoner's status. If she is to be demoted to a commoner's status, according to the rules, she should be sent to the music house, but it is unheard of for her to remain in the palace as a maid. It is rumored in the palace that Imperial Concubine Ke has an old grudge against the deposed Empress Guo. In these unpredictable times, with Empress Guo imprisoned in the heavenly prison, the eldest princess of Xinyi Palace holds more power than any of the six palaces. Princess Xingping is only sixteen years old, and if she falls into the hands of that person in Xinyi Palace, she is likely to never see the light of day again.

Hua Yao lay on the ground, no longer having the strength to struggle or cry, only gazing at her mother with tears in her eyes. Guo Shi trembled all over, gasping hoarsely, "Even if I, Guo Jun, am a thousand times wrong, Yao Yao has never wronged you. Your resentment should be directed at me; what skill is it to vent your anger on the innocent!" Yun Huang lowered her gaze at Hua Yao, shook her head and sighed, "Do you even understand the concept of innocence? If Yao Yao is innocent, then what about the daughter and young son of Crown Prince Huai? Are they not innocent as well?"

"Sister Yunhuang." A timid voice came from behind, as the young Xingping emerged from behind the lake stone, crouching beside Yunhuang. Gently blowing on her injured hand, he lifted his bright, sparkling eyes to look at her, saying, "If you blow on it, it won't hurt anymore."

"I know my crime," said Consort Pei, feeling embarrassed. In a moment of habit, she forgot that Princess Xingping had already been stripped of her title and relegated to a lowly status. Observing her hesitance, Shaohuan smiled in a way that was neither a smile nor a frown and said, "Are you speaking on behalf of Pei Lingxian?" His words revealed the truth, startling Consort Pei and leaving her in a state of confusion. She hurriedly knelt by the bed and said, "Your Majesty is wise. My elder brother acted foolishly in a moment of confusion; I hope Your Majesty will show mercy!"

Huayao fell to the ground as if in a daze, unable to shed any more tears

The sound of the zheng ceased, and Yun Huang lowered her gaze to look at her. She observed her delicate features, still bearing a hint of youth, yet her eyes were filled with sorrow and pain that belied her tender age. Seeing that Yun Huang finally reacted, she struggled to crawl forward on her knees, desperately clutching the hem of Yun Huang's garment, but could not utter another word; only tears rolled down her emaciated cheeks.

"Are you talking about Pei Lingxian?" Shaohuan played with the purple brush in his hand, seemingly more interested in Pei Lingxian. Pei Fei smiled and said, "He was frail as a child, and his mother feared she could not raise him well, so she gave him a feminine nickname, calling him Fang'er." Shaohuan recalled the tall and robust young general, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, adorned in a golden helmet and wielding a silver spear, riding a lion-colored steed, yet ironically named "Fang'er," and couldn't help but chuckle.

The night wind blows fiercely, stirring the jade hooks and pearl curtains, the pearls and jades lightly clink against each other, and a strand of zither music lingers behind the curtain

It is already the first watch of the Hai hour. The princess lightly flicked her sleeve, no longer casting a glance at her, and turned to enter the inner chamber to change her clothes

Four strong and robust old palace maids entered the prison cell, two of them holding down Guo, while the other two wrapped a white silk ribbon around her neck, each holding an end on either side, testing it to ensure it was suitable. There was still some time before the moment of execution; being a minute early would not do, and being a moment late would also not do.

Two sedan chairs have arrived outside the Xinyi Palace, one adorned with a curved golden umbrella draped in crimson silk and phoenix curtains, and the other covered with a cloud-patterned rosewood canopy and blue silk curtains

Guo's body trembled, and his lifeless eyes suddenly regained movement as he strained to turn his neck, gazing at the person outside the prison bars

Concubine Pei sighed, not out of concern for the young girl’s life or death, but rather out of frustration over the trouble her brother had caused—this unworthy scoundrel, stirring up such a mess and still insisting on seeking the Emperor's permission to marry Xingping. Concubine Pei bit her lip in silence, not daring to speak to the Emperor again. Shao Huan, noticing her vexed expression, casually remarked, "The person is no longer here with me. If you wish to plead on behalf of Pei Lingxian, it would be better to ask the Grand Princess." The Grand Princess—thinking of her flowing scarlet robes and her cold, distant gaze, Concubine Pei felt an inexplicable unease. She quietly raised her eyes and sensed an indescribable similarity in the expressions exchanged between the Emperor and the Grand Princess.

The long princess, dressed in plain attire and with her hair styled in a bun, sat gracefully behind the table, having played the zither for half an hour. A young girl in a blue dress, with her long hair disheveled, knelt on the ground, weeping as she bowed low, repeatedly knocking her head towards Yun Huang. Her voice had become hoarse from crying, her frail shoulders trembled incessantly, and she appeared on the verge of collapse, evoking sympathy from the palace maids around her. Only the long princess remained unmoved, her fingertips flowing with the zither's melody, the strings taut, the sound following her exquisite fingers, as if she had poured all her heart and soul into the strings.

She repeatedly refers to herself as a servant and calls her the eldest princess, no longer addressing her as Sister Yunhuang

The sound of the zheng resonates with weeping, one is desolate and cold, the other is heart-wrenchingly sorrowful

It was indeed the noble Consort Ke. Huayao bit her lip in a daze, gazing at that familiar figure, as if recalling the mad demeanor of Consort Ke from the past. However, the noble Consort Ke before her leaned weakly against the palace gate, and in her pair of sorrowful eyes, there was an unusual clarity. Yunhuang turned to look at her mother, and upon meeting her deep gaze, it felt as if a chill ran through her heart, as if she had been seen through completely.

"Yao Yao." Yun Huang slightly leaned forward, revealing a hint of a smile, "If you stop crying, we can still go to the dungeon and see her one last time. If you continue to cry, I will not take you, and she will depart alone, without anyone to see her off."

She knows nothing, yet seems to know everything. Sometimes even Yunhuang is perplexed about how much of her mother is mad and how much is clear-headed

Here, there are not as many rules as in the Queen's Palace. Shao Huan lazily leaned on the couch, sipping fine wine and embracing a beautiful woman. Concubine Pei had removed her long robe, wearing only a light gauze to cover her body, lying beside Shao Huan with her charming eyes. Noticing that he was in a good mood, Concubine Pei subtly inquired, "I heard that the Emperor has granted Princess Xingping to Xinyi Palace as a maid?"

Had I known this would be the case, I might as well have truly downed that cup of wine and departed cleanly with my father the emperor

The former Empress Guo has confessed to the crime of colluding with foreign enemies and has revealed the names of the two generals who assisted her in fleeing. In the more than two hundred years since the founding of this dynasty, Guo is the first empress to have undergone torture. Despite the severity of the Judicial Department, she managed to endure for three days. In the end, she was willing to confess, but with one condition: the pardon of Princess Xingping, granting her immunity from death

Just as she does not understand, why the gentlest and most submissive Sister Yunhuang would transform into the cold and unfeeling Princess Chang.

The men of the Pei family are heroes, and the women are charming; indeed, they are a lineage of talent. Shao Huan does not hesitate to offer words of praise, and Pei Fei is delighted to express her gratitude repeatedly

Seeing the Emperor smile without speaking, Consort Pei felt that it was an acknowledgment of her thoughts. She leaned close to his ear and whispered softly, "I prefer this nickname. Would it be alright for Your Majesty to call me Rui'er from now on?" Unexpectedly, the Emperor frowned and replied, "What does it matter what you are called? You are all the same."

As the two were finally struggling to reach each other, a slender hand, as delicate as jade, suddenly stretched out and swept the sleeves apart, separating them. Guo raised her eyes and, through the swollen slits of her eyes, strained to see, faintly catching a glimpse of Yun Huang's cold smile. Yun Huang looked down at her, a hint of a smile emerging, "Who among us is without parents or children? How does it feel to taste the bitterness of separation in life and death, the eternal farewell of flesh and blood, now?"

"Mother, you have misunderstood. Yunhuang has merely brought Yaoyao to see you off." Yunhuang spoke gently with a smile, "From now on, Yaoyao will be a maid in my palace, and I will surely treat her well for the rest of her life"

"I will be back shortly, you rest for now." Yunhuang always spoke to Consort Ke with gentleness and care, yet it was far from the way a daughter would address her mother. Consort Ke lowered her head, as if she wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

In the dimly lit corridor, someone gradually approached, two palace lanterns emerged from the thick darkness, illuminating a graceful figure. The person stopped at the foot of the door, standing in the shadow of the entrance without coming closer. Another figure stumbled out from behind her, and after taking just two steps, fell to the ground with a thud, kneeling down, hoarsely crying out, "Mother..."

Yunhuang was dressed in plain white garments, draped with a dark cloak on the outside, the hood pulled low to conceal her features. The ethereal Huayao was assisted by palace maids into the green silk shoulder litter. As the litter was lifted, it swayed slightly, causing Huayao to feel a momentary darkness, as if the sky had fallen and the earth had dimmed. Yunhuang coldly turned her head back from the front of the phoenix canopy shoulder litter, casting a glance at Huayao, her brows slightly furrowed. This gaze made Huayao shrink back even more, just at that moment, a timid call came from within the palace gates, "Yunhuang..."

The fair wrist glistening like snow, the red sleeves adding fragrance, Consort Pei lowered her head charmingly, allowing the Emperor to hold her hand and write the two characters "Ling Wan" on the mica paper. Shao Huan smiled leisurely, saying, "Beautiful and gentle, a lovely name." Consort Pei softly leaned into his embrace, lightly inhaling the faint, bitter fragrance of his clothing, and playfully said, "I also have a childhood name, originally called Rui Ying." Shao Huan's smile slightly faded as he replied calmly, "That name is not good."

Shao Huan, however, smiled, a faint light shimmering in his dark pupils. "Mutual affection is a beautiful thing; what is wrong with that?"

On the day when Lord Wen was executed by the staff, you forcibly brought my mother to witness the punishment, compelling her to see her white-haired old father bleed to death on the spot, leaving her in a state of madness ever since. Yunhuang's smile remained undiminished, yet the pressure of her grip intensified, the strength honed from years of archery applied to Huayao's shoulder. "I wonder how you will feel today, Huayao, as you see your way to the afterlife?" Guo's breath came in rapid gasps, her expression resembling that of a vengeful spirit, words bursting forth from between her teeth, "You promised not to harm my Huayao! You vile servant, dare you go back on your word!"

Concubine Pei felt a sense of relief in her heart, yet she was secretly alarmed, as she had not expected that the Emperor was already fully aware of everything. She feared that there was nothing that could be hidden from him. How infuriating it was that her naive brother truly believed that this matter was unknown to anyone, pleading with her to privately request the Emperor to grant him Xingping as a concubine.