Chapter Nine: Revealing True Feelings

In a teahouse not far from the Prince of War’s estate, the sounds of street vendors crying their wares echoed from below. The teahouse itself was bustling with a steady stream of patrons. In a private room on the second floor, Shen Yi and Liu Ruyan sat opposite each other, while their two maidservants waited outside the door.

After pouring a cup of tea for Shen Yi, Liu Ruyan smiled and said, "Sister, do have a taste. The proprietor says this is a fresh batch of Maojian tea!"

Shen Yi took a small sip and had to admit that it was indeed excellent tea. Even for someone like her, who generally disliked tea, the fragrance was enticing and the aftertaste pleasantly sweet.

Looking at Liu Ruyan, Shen Yi spoke directly: "Sister Ruyan, I doubt you came to see me today just for a simple cup of tea, did you?"

Liu Ruyan replied, "You are right. I did not come just to drink tea with you; I wanted to know how the Prince of War is recovering from his injuries."

Shen Yi felt a flicker of suspicion. Could it be that Xiao Huaijin’s assassination attempt was linked to the Duke Liu estate?

As Shen Yi pondered, Liu Ruyan continued, "Sister, please do not overthink this. The reason I ask about the Prince’s condition is entirely out of concern for you."

"Oh? How so?" Shen Yi had never expected that Liu Ruyan’s inquiry would be for her own benefit. What had she done to deserve such kindness?

Liu Ruyan explained, "Think about it, sister. Now that Jiang Nansheng has married into the estate and become the Princess of War, your life in the household will likely become even more difficult. Furthermore, with the Prince injured, Jiang Nansheng, who possesses medical skills rivaling the finest imperial physicians, will surely use this opportunity to heal him and draw closer to him. If she succeeds, you will never have another chance."

Shen Yi feigned deep thought before nodding. "You make a valid point, sister. So, what should I do?"

Liu Ruyan asked, "How are the Prince's injuries currently?"

Shen Yi decided to deceive Liu Ruyan by claiming Xiao Huaijin’s condition was grave, hoping to uncover the true motive behind Liu Ruyan’s visit. "The Prince is still unconscious. Fortunately, Jiang Nansheng is treating him. Although I dislike her, I must admit her medical skills are extraordinary. I expect he will wake up before long."

Liu Ruyan said with feigned regret, "Does this not mean the credit for saving the Prince will once again be claimed by Jiang Nansheng alone?"

Shen Yi gave a bitter smile. "Who can blame me when I know nothing of medicine?"

At this, Liu Ruyan offered a mysterious smile. "What if—and I say 'what if'—I had a way for you to save the Prince before Jiang Nansheng does?"

Shen Yi pretended to be moved. "Are you serious, sister?"

Liu Ruyan took a small box from her pouch and handed it to Shen Yi. "Sister, this pill is called the Purple Gold Pill. There are only three in the world, and my father managed to obtain one. I am bringing it out today to give to you, so that you may save the Prince."

Shen Yi was inwardly shocked. It was the Purple Gold Pill. In the original novel, Shen Yi had been deceived by Liu Ruyan into feeding this pill to Xiao Huaijin bit by bit, slowly poisoning him. It was only after Jiang Nansheng discovered the truth that Shen Yi was expelled from the estate. After being cast out, Shen Yi had defected to the young Emperor, eventually meeting her end on the executioner’s block.

She never expected that Liu Ruyan would now urge her to have Xiao Huaijin swallow the entire pill at once. If he did, he would likely drop dead instantly rather than succumb to chronic poisoning. It seemed the assassination attempt on Xiao Huaijin truly was connected to the Duke Liu estate.

Taking the pill, Shen Yi said with a complex expression, "Sister Ruyan, I truly do not know how to thank you."

Liu Ruyan smiled and shook her head. "Sister, there is no need for that; this is what I ought to do."

Shen Yi understood that in her heart, Liu Ruyan was likely cursing her as a fool. Yet, Shen Yi insisted on expressing her gratitude.

After some thought, Liu Ruyan said, "If you truly wish to help me, then once the Prince recovers, please ensure he stands by my side and helps me become the Empress. That would make today’s gesture worthwhile."

Without hesitation, Shen Yi agreed. She then pushed open the door and returned to the estate with her maid, Liu'er.

In Xiao Huaijin’s study, Chong Ming was reporting on the meeting between the two women. However, because the maidservants had been guarding the door, Chong Ming had no chance to eavesdrop. Xiao Huaijin held a cup, his brow furrowed.

Just then, Shen Yi’s voice came from outside. "Brother Jin, may I come in?"

Xiao Huaijin glanced at Chong Ming, who leaped out the window. This fluid movement suggested it was a frequent occurrence. Xiao Huaijin then called out to the door, "Come in."

Shen Yi lifted her skirts and entered. Seeing her, Xiao Huaijin’s face softened into a slight smile. "Yi'er, is there something you need?"

Shen Yi spoke up: "Brother Jin, I suspect the attempt on your life was linked to the Duke Liu estate!"

Xiao Huaijin looked at her in surprise—not because he didn't already know about the connection, but because she was telling him. After all, she had just met with Liu Ruyan, and he had even had Chong Ming keep a close watch on her.

"Yi'er, do you know what you are saying?"

Shen Yi replied solemnly, "I know exactly what I am saying, Brother Jin. I can guarantee you that the Duke Liu estate is absolutely involved in this!"

After a moment of hesitation, Xiao Huaijin said, "Tell me what you have discovered."

Shen Yi did not hesitate to recount everything that had transpired during her meeting with Liu Ruyan. "Brother Jin, think about it. If the Duke Liu estate were not behind this, why would Liu Ruyan be so eager to show concern for your condition, and why give me this Purple Gold Pill, claiming it could save you?"

Shen Yi took the box containing the pill from her sleeve and placed it on the table before him.

Xiao Huaijin breathed a sigh of relief, looking at Shen Yi with satisfaction. She truly was the girl he had watched grow up, and her heart was still with him. To Xiao Huaijin, whether Shen Yi was on his side was more important than the assassination itself—the inscrutable mind of this "dog of a man."

He walked over to her and looked at her tenderly. "Yi'er, I have long known that it was the Duke of Liu who dispatched the assassins to kill me. The Duke is the younger brother of the Empress Dowager, and she is the one who killed my mother. It was only a matter of time before we stood on opposite sides of a life-and-death struggle."

"Originally, I did not want to drag you into this. But since you grew up in the Prince of War’s estate, you bear its mark. It is time you knew the truth."

Shen Yi suddenly understood why Xiao Huaijin was planning a rebellion. A debt of blood for a mother’s life is an irreconcilable enmity. Since ancient times, the filth of the imperial house made it difficult to discern right from wrong. But if Xiao Huaijin were to kill the Empress Dowager, how would the young Emperor react? He would be avenging his mother, but he would also be killing the Emperor's own mother—could a ruler simply allow such a thing? What then would become of the majesty of the Son of Heaven?