Volume Four: Opulent Splendor Like a Dream, Waters Flow East
One Wave Not Yet Settled
Who, in the end, is the real undercover agent?
The guards of the Imperial Garden take two shifts daily, changing every six hours. At night, there are no fixed posts in the Imperial Garden, only mobile patrols, with most of the forces assigned to patrol the various grand palaces. After walking a round in the Imperial Garden, Liu Qianxun could make a rough guess, but obtaining a detailed map of the guard posts would likely be very difficult.
“Ye Ming! Stop right there!”
Liu Qianxun’s thoughts were interrupted by Bai Ruoxi’s call. Her voice was very distinctive throughout the entire palace, and everyone knew this young princess’s temperament, having long since grown accustomed to her ways.
Since Ye Ming entered the palace, each day had been spent accompanying Bai Ruoxi in and out of the various palace compounds, wandering to places Bai Ruoxi deemed “fun.” This also allowed her to learn about many palace affairs, and most importantly, to quickly determine escape routes for unexpected situations—the first thing an assassin and spy would reconnoiter.
“We’re done for today. I should return to Qixia Palace now,” Ye Ming said in her usual deep voice, always suppressing herself in a muffled manner.
“No, it’s still early. Let’s go play at Huaqing Pavilion,” Bai Ruoxi said, gently tugging on her arm. Time always seemed to pass quickly when she was with Ye Ming. Fortunately, Ye Ming didn’t neglect her in the palace. Although Bai Ruoxi wasn’t sure if this was because Ye Ming didn’t dare to be cold towards her in the palace or if there was another reason, she was happy as long as they were together.
One was passionate, the other slightly cold. Though their personalities were vastly different, they complemented each other perfectly. Bai Ruoxi was naturally kind-hearted and friendly to others, without the airs of a princess. Although occasionally willful and capricious, she was truly sincere towards Ye Ming. When she discovered delicious food in the Imperial Kitchen, she would bring it to Ye Ming before even Qin Junlan could taste it. When new fabrics arrived at the Imperial Wardrobe, she would think of making something for Ye Ming first. However, Ye Ming, having long roamed the jianghu, was unaccustomed to constraints and found it difficult to adjust to the palace’s delicate pastries or the restrictive silks and satins.
As they tugged at each other, Ye Ming’s brow furrowed into three lines, her expression resigned, but her body honest, allowing herself to be led without resistance. When pulling her along, she was always careful not to use too much strength, fearing that her martial arts-trained hands might inadvertently hurt Bai Ruoxi.
“Sister Xun’er?” Bai Ruoxi spotted Liu Qianxun first and immediately let go of Ye Ming, bouncing forward. “You should come out for a walk. It must be so boring always staying in Qixia Palace. The imperial palace is vast, with many places to explore. How about I take you next time?”
“You should just go with Ye Ming. I’ll pass,” Liu Qianxun replied, her demeanor calm and composed, forming a stark contrast to Bai Ruoxi.
Bai Ruoxi’s face flushed as she affectionately linked arms with Liu Qianxun and said, “I haven’t thanked you yet for allowing Ye Ming to play with me. But Sister Xun’er, the palace is full of complicated relationships. If you encounter any trouble or if someone offends you, you must tell me. I’ll have my Imperial Sister punish them with the paddle.”
“Thank you, Young Princess,” Liu Qianxun replied with a faint smile. This young princess was simple-hearted, yet she knew enough to warn about the complexity of human nature.
“Sister Xun’er, it’s getting late. Aren’t you going back to your palace? Or are you waiting here for Imperial Sister?”
“I’m heading back now,” Liu Qianxun turned and said to Yuan Xi, “You go back to Fengluan Palace to attend to your duties. I can return on my own.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“I’m coming too! I’m coming too!” Seeing that Ye Ming was about to return to the palace, Bai Ruoxi quickly clung to her, like a plaster she couldn’t bear to peel off Ye Ming’s body.
Seeing that Bai Ruoxi was about to follow them again, which would interfere with the three of them returning to the palace for a discussion, Mu Jin deliberately said, “Princess, the Empress Dowager has fainted. Don’t you want to go check on her?”
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“What? The Empress Dowager has fainted?” Bai Ruoxi was stunned for a moment. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t known about such a big event. Without another word, she took off running, dashing towards Fengqing Palace.
“She’s like a gust of wind, then a shower of rain,” Ye Ming said in a plaintive tone, but her eyes were full of tenderness, even longing.
Liu Qianxun observed everything. She knew that Ye Ming had developed feelings for Bai Ruoxi but was forcefully suppressing her emotions, compelling herself to remain rational.
In front of Qixia Palace, the sun had already sunk below the horizon. In the distance, the twilight was gradually fading, and the endless glazed tiles were losing their luster. In the corner of the red-lacquered main gate, an inconspicuous symbol caught Liu Qianxun’s attention. It was the message mark of the Shura Sect.
Liu Qianxun walked past without showing any reaction, not displaying any signs of abnormality. After nightfall, she had Ye Ming retrieve the message, but upon opening it, they found only a blank sheet of paper.
“How can this be?” Ye Ming was utterly astonished.
“Could it be a deliberate test for us?” Mu Jin also found it strange, turning the paper over several times but failing to discover any writing.
“Bring water and a candle,” Liu Qianxun said, sitting at the desk. “Mu Jin, keep watch outside the door.”
She remained cautious, always feeling that eyes were everywhere in the palace. She couldn’t estimate when Qin Junlan might suddenly appear, so she couldn’t afford to be careless. Being deep in the tiger’s den was even more dangerous than hiding in the Suyuan Tower.
She soaked the paper in water, then dried it over the candlelight, finally revealing a few imprinted characters. This was the Shura Sect’s highest level of secret communication method. To prevent intelligence from falling into enemy hands, Ling Yu had specially developed this wordless messaging technique, suitable only for transmitting brief information.
“What does it say?”
“Imperial Library Pavilion,” Liu Qianxun read before burning the paper. “Where is that?”
“The Imperial Library Pavilion is where the Emperor rests during the day, adjacent to the Imperial Study. It’s said that the Emperor often reviews memorials late into the night, and when tired, she retires to sleep in the Imperial Library Pavilion,” Ye Ming explained, having gained much useful information after following Bai Ruoxi for several days.
“The military deployment map should be kept in the War Council, so this must be the Emperor’s personal copy. However, not just anyone can enter the Imperial Study. To obtain this intelligence, one must either be on duty near the Emperor or have explored at night,” Liu Qianxun analyzed methodically, quickly recalling in her mind who could have access to the Imperial Library Pavilion and had entered or left Qixia Palace today.
“Generally, only those close to the Emperor can enter and exit Qixia Palace. The Emperor is accompanied by Li Yue and Yuan Xi. Today, the Wise King’s wife also came, with Huairou by her side. The eunuch from Fengqing Palace also visited today, and the newly promoted patrol captain, Chen Qing, often passes by,” Ye Ming said, also at a loss.
“Then let’s draw him out. Send a message saying we need the shift change schedule for the Imperial Guard,” Liu Qianxun decided promptly, realizing they must use message exchanges to find clues about Ghost Eye.
“Understood,” Ye Ming admired Liu Qianxun’s wisdom. She had known about the existence of the four secret spies for years in the Shura Sect but had never seen them. She always thought Liu Qianxun was the most profound person in the Shura Sect, but never imagined Ghost Eye would be so cautious. Few could make the Tower Master go to such lengths.
“Tell me in detail about the palace affairs you’ve learned recently,” Liu Qianxun was about to analyze the palace situation thoroughly with Ye Ming when she heard Mu Jin’s urgent whisper, “Tower Master, the Emperor is coming.”
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Liu Qianxun looked up, calm and composed. “You may withdraw now.”
Ye Ming immediately and silently left through the inner window of the bedchamber.
Liu Qianxun glanced at the table where the recently burned paper still emitted a faint smell. She acted decisively, removing her outer robe and pulling out her hairpin. Her three thousand strands of raven-black hair cascaded over her shoulders. She then took out a sheet of paper, spread it flat on the table, and wrote two lines with a brush.
Outside the ancient wooden door carved from purple sandalwood stood Qin Junlan. She didn’t rush in recklessly, but instead carefully asked, “Xun’er, are you asleep?”
“Not yet.”
The door slowly opened, and Qin Junlan entered with light footsteps, wearing a gentle smile. Her eyes, like stars, held only infinite tenderness.
“It’s almost time for the night watch. Why hasn’t Your Majesty gone to sleep yet?” Liu Qianxun put down her brush and went to greet her.
“I came to see you,” Qin Junlan noticed that Liu Qianxun seemed to be writing something and asked curiously, “What are you writing?”
“I was just about to write a letter to send to my mother,” Liu Qianxun made everything appear natural. Qin Junlan noticed what seemed to be burned letters in the porcelain basin on the table and glanced up at Liu Qianxun.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve written to my mother. I wasn’t sure what to say, so I wrote and burned one. This is already the second attempt.”
“Silly Xun’er, what could you possibly not be able to tell your own mother?” Qin Junlan glanced at the writing on the table, confirming it was indeed a greeting. She lowered her guard and pulled Liu Qianxun close, gently stroking her hair. “Xun’er, if I’m too busy to come see you, would you be willing to come to Fengluang Palace if I summon you?”
“How could I not be willing to accompany you?”
“That’s good. I have to review memorials in the Imperial Study every day. If you want to see me, you can come anytime.”
The Imperial Study? Wouldn’t that provide an opportunity to enter the Imperial Library Pavilion and search for the military deployment map? It seemed there would be chances in the future, but stealing something right under Qin Junlan’s nose would likely not be easy. Liu Qianxun felt she still lacked the right moment, but while pondering this, her mouth continued to respond fluently, “I’m afraid I might distract Yan’er.”
“I wish you would come and distract me for a while every day, so I wouldn’t find myself here at this late hour, unable to resist coming because I’m thinking of you and missing you.” Qin Junlan’s declaration made Liu Qianxun’s heart race. She looked at Qin Junlan, a wave of bittersweet emotion surging within her.
She slowly moved forward and embraced her tightly. “Yan’er~”
“Hmm~?” Qin Junlan wrapped her arms around her waist, her fingertips touching the soft hair cascading down to Liu Qianxun’s waist. The delicate, light sensation made her fingertips tingle.
“It’s nothing, I just wanted to call your name,” Liu Qianxun said, her eyes slightly closed, tightening her embrace around Qin Junlan.
At this moment, a complex emotion welled up in her heart – joy mixed with bitterness, guilt intertwined with a hint of reluctance. On one hand, she was betraying Qin Junlan, while on the other, she was accepting her tenderness and affection. What did this make her? She would truly become the femme fatale who would harm the Ji Kingdom for a thousand years, an indelible stain on Qin Junlan’s life.
Liu Qianxun felt afraid, afraid of the day when things would spiral out of her control. But now, with the arrow on the bowstring, she had no choice but to release it. She wanted to accelerate the process, complete her mission and retreat as soon as possible. Otherwise, she didn’t know if she would soften her heart due to Qin Junlan’s genuine feelings.
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“Silly girl~” Qin Junlan caressed her lovingly, as if cherishing the world’s most precious treasure, each touch of her fingertips careful and gentle. In this world, only Liu Qianxun could evoke the deepest tenderness in her heart, allowing her to temporarily set aside everything and return to tranquility.
Sometimes she wanted to be willful just once, to throw herself into Liu Qianxun’s embrace, to watch the sunset together hand in hand, to rise early and admire the morning sun together. Would it be so terrible to be so foolish just once? But in the end, it was only a fleeting thought. The weight on her shoulders, the rise and fall of the nation, the ambitious dream of unifying the world – these did not allow her to be immersed solely in romantic sentiments.
She had always believed that emotions could be controlled.
“I still have memorials to review. I’ll return to the Imperial Study now. Xun’er, I’ll come see you again tomorrow,” Qin Junlan said, forcing herself to leave with rationality, despite the reluctance in her heart.
“Respectfully bidding Your Majesty farewell.”
Treading in the moonlight, Qin Junlan didn’t stay the night, but left after a short while. Liu Qianxun’s emotions were complex. Brought into the palace, yet not asked to serve in bed – what exactly were Qin Junlan’s intentions? Liu Qianxun watched her departing figure, long and ethereal, feeling as if there was still a wide river between them. When would a bridge be built to connect them?
Only when there was complete trust without barriers would Qin Junlan touch her, she thought. She rolled up her sleeve, the chastity mark deeply imprinted on her arm, and her mood grew increasingly heavy.