No one knew what had happened in Zhaoyang Palace that day, but the estrangement between the Emperor and Empress was obvious.
Three months passed. Xue Liulan never set foot in Zhaoyang Palace again. Murong Jin never left. All questions were blocked by the tightly closed vermilion doors.
"Is Her Majesty there?" Little Dingzi called out nervously through a crack in the gate.
The servants had been dismissed. Only one maid remained with the Empress.
Little Dingzi was baffled. He had thought the Emperor wouldn't leave her like this. But since that day Xue Liulan had stormed out, face livid, he hadn't mentioned her name once. It was as if she had ceased to exist.
Footsteps. The gate opened a crack. A strange face peered out.
"Eunuch Ding? What is it?"
Little Dingzi sized her up. Fifteen or sixteen, unfamiliar. He knew every maid in the palace.
A terrifying thought struck him. Did something happen to the Empress?
Seeing his suspicion, the maid smiled. "You're here to see Her Majesty?"
"Yes. Tell her Little Dingzi begs an audience." His palms were sweating. If the Empress was in danger, this maid wouldn't let him in. What then? Call the Emperor? Would he even care?
The maid glanced back, then turned to him. "Her Majesty won't see you. Just tell me."
"I must tell her personally." His voice went cold. Something is wrong.
Before she could react, he slammed his shoulder into the door with all his might.
"Ah!" The maid shrieked, flying backward and landing hard on the flagstones.
Little Dingzi grabbed the doorframe to steady himself. He had acted on impulse. If this girl was dangerous enough to subdue Murong Jin, he had just walked into a trap. And now, no one could warn the Emperor.
"What's going on?" Murong Jin's calm voice drifted from the courtyard.
Little Dingzi looked up and froze.
She stood there, sword in hand, frowning at him in confusion.
"He nearly killed me!" The maid scrambled up, glaring at Little Dingzi. She ran to Murong Jin. "I told him no, but he… he smashed his way in!"
Murong Jin glanced at the girl's bruised arm, a faint smile touching her lips. She turned to Little Dingzi. "What earth-shattering event made the cautious Little Dingzi so reckless?"
"This…" He stammered.
Her smile faded. She sheathed her sword and walked up to him. "Is something wrong with Xue Liulan?"
"Ah? No! No! The Emperor is fine!" He waved his hands frantically.
Then he realized how that sounded. He's fine without you.
"I mean… no, he's not fine. I mean…" He babbled, sweating under her gaze. "Oh, Your Majesty, spare me!"
She chuckled. "I haven't said anything yet."
"Exactly. You tripped over your own tongue," the maid chimed in.
Little Dingzi shut his mouth. Who is this girl? The Empress had kept her alone. She must be special.
"Alright, Ning'er. Go inside." Murong Jin waved her hand. "Little Dingzi wouldn't come unless it was important."
"Fine." Ning'er turned, then stopped. "Your Majesty, my master said you must take your medicine on time. If you don't recover, the Grandmaster will blame my master, and my master will blame me."
"I know. Just a moment." Murong Jin replied meekly.
"Promise?" Ning'er glared.
"I promise." Murong Jin tilted her head, smiling.
"Okay. You're the Empress and a General. You can't lie to a little girl." Ning'er huffed and went inside, closing the door firmly.
Little Dingzi stared, jaw dropped. Murong Jin? Obedient? To a maid? She had never been that docile with the Emperor!
"Speak. What is it?" Her smile was tinged with a sigh.
"Um… The Emperor has a guest from afar. He wants you to take care of her for a few days." He scratched his head.
She stared. "What kind of guest? Why me?"
"A woman." He hesitated.
"A woman. So, a new concubine?" Her face was impassive.
"Your Majesty is wise." He breathed a sigh of relief.
"Who is she?"
"The sister of the Duke of Jin. Former wife of Gongzi Suyi of Yin. Princess Jingxiang."
Murong Jin's expression shifted. A woman connected to two of the four great vassal states. No wonder Xue Liulan had said he would soon uproot Guo Shangzhong.
She donned a cloak and followed Little Dingzi to the Imperial Garden.
Plum blossoms bloomed in the snow. Xue Liulan sat in the pavilion. A woman stood on the path below.
She stood quietly, seemingly blind, her hands in her sleeves. She curtsied. Xue Liulan walked down to her, speaking softly, a lazy smile on his face, eyes full of admiration.
"The Empress arrives!" Little Dingzi shouted.
Xue Liulan looked up. Murong Jin walked toward him, bowing her head. "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Before he could speak, she turned to Xu Wan'er. "Princess Jingxiang?"
"Wan'er greets the Empress." Xu Wan'er curtsied.
Murong Jin smiled, taking her hand. "No need for ceremony."
"She will stay in your palace," Xue Liulan said, his gaze fixed on Murong Jin. She was thinner. His heart ached. Then he saw her hand. A red welt across the back, scabbing over.
"I will take my leave." She nodded to him and led Xu Wan'er away.
"Your hand," he blurted out.
She paused, but didn't turn. "It's nothing."
His brow twitched. He said nothing more, watching them disappear.
Since he had made his choice, he had to see it through.
Three months ago. Murong Jin had drawn her sword on him, but ended up hurting herself. She couldn't plunge the cold steel into his chest.
He had stood by her bed, looking down at her.
"I promised I wouldn't kill your father. I promised I wouldn't slaughter your clan. Murong Jin, I ask you only this: Do you trust me?"
She lifted her head, her gaze firm.
"Yes."
"Good. From the moment I walk out of Zhaoyang Palace today, we are strangers. We do not cross paths."
Her heart seized. She stood up, staring at him.
"What… what do you mean?" Her voice cracked.
He narrowed his peach-blossom eyes and smiled lightly.
"This time, I want you to stay out of it."