Spring Remains the Same - Chapter 70

The Princess had not returned all night, yet this morning, not a whisper of it came from the palace. The high ministers of the court knew nothing of it, nor had the consorts in the rear palaces heard anything. It was clear the Emperor was intentionally concealing the matter, showing he did not wish for it to be known by the various princes or his officials. She was perfectly clear about what Her Highness had done; there was nothing that could have provoked the Emperor’s fury to the point of confining her. Thus, the source of the conflict was not in the court. If it was not a court matter, yet it made the Emperor keep his mouth shut, it could only be about Her Highness’s marriage.

A woman’s marriage concerned her entire life, as well as her reputation. Naturally, it was not something to be broadcasted about. The Emperor held affection for the Princess, and so he had suppressed the matter.

Her Highness was already eighteen, and her marriage was an urgent matter. Yet in the past, the Emperor had never pressed her so hard. There was no reason for him to suddenly make a move now, to the point of creating a rift with Her Highness. There had to be something else involved.

Wei Xiu’s mind raced. For a moment, she could not figure out what it was. It was true she had made preparations before coming to the capital, and her grasp of the situation was precise and flawless. However, the capital was filled with numerous figures and a complex web of factions. She could not attend to every single detail. She could only deduce what had happened in the palace based on the circumstances that had already revealed themselves.

What could have happened that would make Her Highness defy the Emperor, disregarding the distinction between sovereign and subject?

The Princess was not an impulsive person, nor was she one to act recklessly, arrogant from being favored. On the contrary, she was extremely adaptable and knew how to avoid direct confrontation. If her opinion differed from the Emperor’s, Her Highness would most likely concede and then seek to remedy the situation afterward, rather than argue with the Emperor to his face.

Even if it were about her marriage, and even if the Emperor disregarded everything and tried to force someone on the Princess, there was still room for maneuver. She could have agreed first to placate the Emperor, then found another solution later.

If that was the case, why on earth did the Princess defy the Emperor, enraging His Majesty to the point of being confined in the Hall of Containing Light?

Could it be…

Wei Xiu suddenly turned her head. The news from the palace was false. The Princess had never clashed with the Emperor, much less been confined by him in the Hall of Containing Light! Rather, the Emperor was intentionally keeping her in the palace and cutting off her contact with the outside world to facilitate his next move. If so, this matter was inextricably linked to the Princess!

Inside and outside the palace, everything was as usual, seemingly peaceful and serene, but the undercurrent hidden beneath was treacherous and dangerous.

Wei Xiu did not like to take risks in her actions, for her enemy was far too powerful. Before her wish could be fulfilled, she had to stay alive. But this time, it concerned the Princess, and she had no choice but to venture into danger.

The Chief Scribe saw her open her eyes, her gaze clear and lucid, and hurriedly asked, “Sir, do you have a plan?”

“I wish to enter the palace for an audience with His Majesty. I must ask you, my lord, to make the arrangements.”

The Chief Scribe was startled. The situation was unclear. To enter the palace rashly might allow one to gather some information, but it was tantamount to placing oneself in peril. Seeing Wei Xiu’s composed expression as she gestured for a nearby maid to fetch the cloak she wore when going out, he gritted his teeth and said, “This subordinate will go and arrange it at once.” In the end, the person he was loyal to was Her Highness. As long as it was for Her Highness’s benefit, all else could be cast aside.

With that, he rose and went out to make the arrangements.

The Chief Scribe was very reliable. In just an hour, everything was ready.

It was not difficult for the Princess’s residence carriage to enter the palace. Sitting in the carriage, Wei Xiu contemplated the recent events, breaking down every trivial matter piece by piece, meticulously considering how to deal with the Emperor.

When she arrived, the Emperor was reading a report from the border. He heard a palace attendant announce that Wei Xiu was outside the palace, requesting an audience.

The Emperor was startled, and the hand holding the brush trembled, smearing a thick dot of vermilion on the snow-white paper.

“So soon?” he muttered to himself. He turned to look at Dou Hui, his expression a mixture of shock and uncertainty.

Dou Hui was also astonished, saying blankly, “This… how long has it been?”

The Emperor was aware that someone from the Princess’s residence had entered the palace to gather information. By his calculations, it should have taken at least three to five days for the Princess’s residence to first notice something was amiss, then seek help from the princes and high ministers. When that failed, it would be time for Wei Xiu, this great talent hidden behind the scenes, to make her appearance.

As it turned out, the person who should have appeared last had arrived at the very beginning. The Emperor suddenly felt caught off guard.

The two looked at each other for a moment. Dou Hui said thoughtfully, “To come so quickly means she is anxious, unable to sit still. It seems this Sir Wei is very…”

Before he could finish, he met the Emperor’s cold eyes. Dou Hui quickly offered a fawning, apologetic smile and changed his words, “Your Majesty is brilliant and wise. What need is there for this servant’s prattling? I truly deserve death.”

The Emperor gave a cold snort. Not only did his expression not soften, but it grew even more somber. He lifted his chin and said, “Summon her.”

With that casual word, the call to summon her was passed down from within the hall, layer by layer, the echo lingering like a continuous thread. The solemnity of the Forbidden Palace and the dignity of the imperial family were evident.

Wei Xiu straightened her robes and followed the guiding official inside.

The Hall of Proclaimed Virtue was as spacious and magnificent as ever, its aura brilliant. But today, the atmosphere in the hall was heavy, as chilling as the glint of swords and shadows.

The Emperor maintained his courteous demeanor toward a worthy scholar. Before Wei Xiu could bow in obeisance, he said, “Sir Wei, dispense with the ceremony.” As he spoke, he even made a gesture as if to help her up.

Wei Xiu still completed the respectful bow before straightening up.

The Emperor smiled at her, as if the Princess were not confined in the palace and Wei Xiu’s visit was merely that of a young friend. When a palace maid served tea, he extended a warm invitation, “This tea was presented by the Imperial Grandson. Sir, please have a taste.”

Wei Xiu lifted the cup, slowly brushed aside the floating green leaves, took a small sip, and savored it carefully before saying, “Its color is clear and green, its taste is sweet and mellow, its fragrance is like an orchid, and its character is profound. It is indeed a rare and fine tea.”

Seeing her so composed, the Emperor’s deep gaze turned dangerous. When Wei Xiu set down the cup and looked up, he was smiling again, looking very approachable.

Wei Xiu’s brow furrowed slightly as she tentatively began, “To be frank with Your Majesty, Xiu has come today for the Princess.”

A look of realization appeared on the Emperor’s face, followed by a hint of melancholy and anger. Yet he tried his best to maintain a calm expression, as if he were greatly disappointed in Puyang but had to conceal it. Wei Xiu sat as if at ease, but in reality, she was observing the Emperor’s every expression, ready to react at any moment.

“Even if Sir Wei had not come, We would have had to summon you,” the Emperor said with a smile, as if speaking casually. “Puyang is in the palace and will not be leaving for the time being. We will have the authorities take over the Princess’s residence in a few days. I’m afraid Sir Wei will have to find a separate residence.”

Hearing the Emperor strongly imply that Puyang was being confined in the palace, Wei Xiu’s heart sank. But she quickly calmed herself to think. First, he had spread a rumor that the Princess had defied him and was being punished to confuse everyone in the residence. Now, he was suggesting to her face that the Princess had lost favor and that she should find another place to live. Could it be that the Emperor’s various actions were aimed at her?

She remained impassive, intending to probe further. “Did the Princess displease Your Majesty?” she asked strangely.

The Emperor’s smile faded, and his tone took on a hint of coldness. “How can there be discord between father and daughter?” He did not elaborate on this point and instead said to Wei Xiu, “Does Sir Wei have a residence in the capital? Speaking of which, the Imperial Grandson is in need of a tutor. If Sir Wei would condescend to accept, it would be for the best.”

The Imperial Grandson, Xiao Dewen, had recently been receiving a great deal of the Emperor’s attention. He was summoned to the palace every ten days to be questioned about his studies. As he was only eight or nine years old and had lost his father, everyone inside and outside the palace believed this was simply the Emperor looking after his eldest son’s orphan, and no one paid it much mind.

But the Imperial Grandson would eventually grow up and be able to attend court. With the Emperor’s favor, he might well wield great power in the future. To become his tutor and foster a master-student bond was clearly more beneficial than staying at the Princess’s residence.

If Wei Xiu truly had ulterior motives, how could she not be tempted? She would surely reveal her true colors.

The Emperor lifted his cup, not drinking, but gently swirling the floating leaves in his hand. Beneath his gentle gaze hid a cunning as sharp as a poisoned needle. He stared at Wei Xiu. The moment she showed any sign of being tempted, today would be the day she died!

A great scholar willing to offer advice to the court but disliking power was already strange and difficult to control, and yet he was having a private affair with the Princess. The Emperor could not help but suspect that he had seduced her with ulterior motives.

If she was a great talent, she should be treated with generosity and could be left for the new monarch. But if she had ulterior motives, then this root of trouble had to be eradicated early to prevent endless future problems.

The Emperor’s smile was very gentle, like that of an ordinary grandfather seeking a tutor for his grandson. Shadows flickered at the entrance of the hall. The Emperor glanced over, then looked back at Wei Xiu, who had her back to the door.

Outside the door, two squads of the Feathered Forest Guard were already waiting with drawn blades, ready to rush into the hall and seize Wei Xiu at the Emperor’s command!