As the moonlight began to rise and the sun's warmth had yet to fully fade, the silver orb unveiled its gentle grace. Nightfall descended upon Huanyang City, stripping away the day's clamor and chaos, yet still revealing the city's profound heritage and unique regal majesty as the foremost city of Qiongyue. On the road to the Imperial Palace, sedan chairs and carriages passed one after another in a grand procession—an unmistakable sign of the night's opulent palace banquet.
Among the many carriages, one stood out strikingly. Woven of the finest dark crimson silk threaded with gold, its body was embroidered with flowing cloud motifs in gilded thread. Four uniformly coated steeds pulled the shining golden yoke. Yet it wasn't the opulence that drew gazes—but the fact that every carriage which passed it instinctively slowed, none daring to ride abreast. The reason? The man within: the Prime Minister of Qiongyue, second only to the emperor—Lou Xiyan.
"Are you sure this is going to work?" Zhuo Qing muttered uneasily, tugging at the awkward hat on her head while glaring at Lou Xiyan, who sat reclining, eyes closed in serene repose. The legend had it that this plain ash-grey robe was the uniform of the lowest-ranking eunuchs in the palace. Its appearance was tolerable, but the cumbersome hat pressed down uncomfortably. One upside—her face was nearly fully obscured beneath the wide brim, rendering her features indistinct.
Lou Xiyan chuckled softly, opening his eyes and gently pulling her hand away from the hat. Smiling, he said, "Don't worry. Once we're inside the palace, I'll have a young eunuch escort you to your sister's courtyard. On an occasion like tonight, your sister likely won't attend. You two can speak freely. When the banquet ends, I'll send someone to fetch you."
He was dressed with exquisite formality today—a light blue robe lined in silver, a men's garment embroidered with silver ripples, complemented by a crown of purple-gold. The ensemble elevated his already handsome features and refined temperament, though a faint trace of weariness lingered between his brows.
"Lou Xiyan, thank you," Zhuo Qing said sincerely. Qingfeng's identity was little more than a gift, yet he had gone to such lengths for her. She couldn't help but admire the grace and magnanimity of this man.
The sentiment, however, lasted barely a second.
The next moment, Lou Xiyan curled his fingers around hers and said with a soft laugh, "If Feng'er would call me Xiyan, it would bring me far more joy than a simple 'thank you.'"
Was that... flirting?
Zhuo Qing cursed inwardly and jerked her hand away, flashing a mischievous smile. She reached out and patted his cheek like one would a puppy, teasing, "Be a good little Yan-Yan, now. Don't push your luck!"
If it came down to nauseating nicknames, she wouldn't lose to anyone. Little Yan-Yan—
Lou Xiyan's face froze instantly.
Across from him, the carefree girl was laughing so hard she nearly fell over. The corners of his lips curved slightly, a trace of indulgence he himself didn't notice. In this world, perhaps only she dared jest with his name in such a way.
"Master, we've arrived at the palace gate," came Mo Bai's low voice from outside.
"Mm," Lou Xiyan responded lightly. He gestured for Zhuo Qing to remain silent, and she, catching the cue, nodded knowingly, stifling her laughter.
The guards at the palace gate recognized the Prime Minister's carriage and dared not delay. The vehicle paused briefly before slowly proceeding into the palace grounds.
Once past the walls, a hush fell over the surroundings. Footsteps passed by the carriage from time to time, but all were soft and subdued. Zhuo Qing could clearly sense the shift in atmosphere—oppressive and heavy. Life within these palace walls was far from easy. She silently hoped the person she was about to meet was Gu Yun, though part of her simultaneously wished it wasn't.
The carriage rolled on and finally came to a halt.
"Master, Xiao Liuzi has arrived," Mo Bai announced once more.
Lou Xiyan lifted the curtain and stepped out first. Zhuo Qing followed, lifting her robes and leaping down directly.
He shook his head with a smile—was this really a young lady of the prestigious Qing family? He had never seen a noblewoman behave so unceremoniously.
From the nearby grove emerged a figure in grey, bowing low. His voice, sharp and youthful, offered a deferential greeting: "This humble one greets the Prime Minister."
The sky was too dark to see his face clearly, and he remained half-bowed. Judging from his voice and figure, he couldn't be more than ten-something years old.
Lou Xiyan, holding Zhuo Qing's hand, leaned down and instructed, "Take her to Qingling's courtyard and keep watch outside. When the banquet ends, escort her to the northern palace gate."
"Prime Minister…" Xiao Liuzi's voice trembled as he prostrated himself.
Lou Xiyan's eyes gleamed subtly—he had already sensed that something had changed. Holding Zhuo Qing's hand more tightly, he asked, "What happened?"
Still kneeling, Xiao Liuzi stammered, "Last night, Lady Qing attended to His Majesty and incurred his wrath. She has been demoted to a palace maid. This evening, she was taken away by the Internal Affairs Bureau."
So Qingling had already been granted the title of Meiren—a beauty—but had somehow offended the emperor on the very night she served him? Thinking of Gu Yun's skills and temper, Zhuo Qing felt a chill run down her spine.
"Where is she now?" she asked urgently.
Xiao Liuzi dared raise his head only slightly—just enough to see that this youth's hand was tightly held by the Prime Minister, a clear sign that this was someone not to be trifled with. Bowing lower in fright, he stammered, "I don't know, truly, I don't."
Lou Xiyan waved a hand gently. "You may go. Tell Chief Steward Fang to investigate what happened and where Qingling is now."
"At once!" Xiao Liuzi scrambled up and vanished like a puff of smoke.
Turning to Zhuo Qing, Lou Xiyan saw her brows knit in deep worry. Mistaking it for concern over her sister, he gently patted the back of her hand, comforting, "Don't worry. By tomorrow, we'll know her whereabouts."
All Zhuo Qing could do was nod. If even Lou Xiyan couldn't find her, then she had no hope of doing so on her own.
Glancing down at her odd attire, she gave a wry smile. "What now?"
Lou Xiyan's eyes lifted slightly as he chuckled lowly, "How about I let you experience Qiongyue's imperial palace banquet for yourself?"
Since Qingling couldn't be found, leaving her alone in the palace wasn't an option. Keeping her by his side was the wisest course.
"Eh?" Zhuo Qing looked bewildered. She had never had much interest in grand banquets...
But Lou Xiyan wasn't truly asking her opinion.
With a glance at the guards beside him, he said to the slimmest among them, "Take off your robe."
"Yes, sir." The guard obeyed instantly, deftly removing his outer garment and respectfully handing it over.
Shoving the clothes into Zhuo Qing's arms, Lou Xiyan led her to the carriage and smiled, "Go change."
With no better plan, Zhuo Qing climbed back into the carriage. If nothing else, she could at least see what an imperial banquet looked like.
She hastily changed clothes and yanked off the stifling hat. Emerging again, the robe hung loosely on her. Lou Xiyan reached out and naturally rolled up her sleeves. Mo Bai's dark blue eyes flickered momentarily with an unreadable emotion, but it vanished as quickly as it came.