Silence.
A silence like night.
So still that a thin sheen of sweat beaded on the old eunuch’s forehead. Only then did the Dunhuang Emperor lift his eyes, a faint cold smile on his lips. “Summon him!”
“Summon His Highness the Crown Prince for an audience!” As if granted salvation, the eunuch raised his voice, secretly drawing in a long breath.
Before long, the Crown Prince entered the little tower, still wearing that refined, gentle smile, warm as spring sunshine—only his footsteps were somewhat disordered. “This son greets Royal Father!”
“What has you in such a panic?” The Dunhuang Emperor looked at the Crown Prince, his blue eyes沉静, his expression unreadable.
“Someone broke into Aofeng Palace at night and nearly took Fourth Brother’s life. This son suspects…”
“Go on.” The Dunhuang Emperor frowned.
“Yes. This son suspects the assassin is hiding within the palace. Otherwise, how could he be so familiar with the terrain, coming and going as if through an unguarded place?”
“An unguarded place?” The Dunhuang Emperor’s face instantly chilled. His lips pressed together cruelly. “Che’er, We command you to seize this person within ten days. Take him alive!”
“Yes! This son obeys!” Having achieved his purpose, Yelü Siche cast a deep look at the woman whose back was turned as she played the qin, then clenched his teeth, bowed, and withdrew.
After the Crown Prince left, the Dunhuang Emperor coldly knit his thick brows and summoned his personal eunuch. “Ronggui, go to the Zhuangyuan Estate and see whether Minister Ning has returned from Liao City.”
“Yes, this old servant will go at once!”
“Wait!” The Dunhuang Emperor’s thin lips curved faintly, his large hand tightening around his cup. “If Minister Ning is not there, immediately invite the Third Prince here. We have not seen Xiao’er for so many days, and We miss him greatly. Presumably Consort Yu does as well?”
The woman playing the qin turned her head, smiling sweetly, yet every word was edged with mockery. “Your Majesty separated us for years, and now you ask whether this consort misses him or not?”
“Tingyu.” The Dunhuang Emperor sighed deeply, seeming full of affection. “Before, We feared Xiao’er’s foolishness would frighten you.”
“And now?” The woman curved her lips; she bore a three-tenths resemblance to Yelü Qianxiao.
The Dunhuang Emperor leaned down and bit those tender pink lips, holding them between his teeth, laughter and killing intent mingling in his smile. “Now, if he is no longer foolish, then it is time he met you!” With that, he swept Consort Yu up by the waist and strode toward the ornate couch, losing himself in fierce intimacy.
Outside the tower, cicadas cried again and again. Yelü Siche glanced at the wine-and-gold splendor of Tingyu Pavilion; his warm, gentle smile vanished, leaving only a faint hatred behind.
Mother, Mother, the man you fell in love with would never spare you another glance.”
“Even if your imperial son is honored as the Crown Prince, so what?”
“I am nothing more than a chess piece.”
“Master.” The black-faced guard rubbed his hands,
not knowing how to comfort his Crown Prince.
Yelü Siche lifted a hand, his gentleness returning. “Investigate the assassin according to His Majesty’s decree!”
“This subordinate is dull-witted and truly does not know where to begin.” Aofeng Palace had not left even the slightest clue behind; how was he supposed to proceed?
“Yang Hu, do you truly think this Crown Prince’s aim is to catch that little brat of a thief?” Yelü Siche smiled coolly, teeth white and eyes bright. “Send more men to guard Zhinuan Palace. Even if there is no assassin, you will make one appear.” That fool had relied on Father Emperor’s favor to cling to life until now. At the end of every month, he was certain to enter Ziluan Hall—treatment even the Crown Prince had never received. He would like to see just how far Father Emperor would tolerate this man!
Night was still night, the moon still the moon, at Zhinuan Palace on the far western side.
A black shadow broke in through the window, light as a black feather. His feet landed in the grass. He unfastened the cloak draped around him and burned it to ashes.
A large hand brushed his side waist unintentionally. His back suddenly stiffened, and then he let out a cold laugh, savoring only two words on his tongue.
Mo Bei, Mo Bei, Mo Bei.
Your thieving skills are truly remarkable.
Stretching lazily, Yelü Qianxiao raked his long hair into disarray and buried his whole face in the grass heap, feeling only that a soft, fragrant scent still lingered on his fingertips...