Green Mountain-Chapter 507 - 377: No Turning Back

She should do something as well.

The Empress stood under a mulberry tree, looking up as the sunlight filtered through the leaves onto her face: "Today, when I saw you climb the stone steps, I became a bit bewildered, as if it were twenty years ago when I first encountered your father at Zhengyang Gate."

Bai Li was taken aback.

The Empress’s words suggested a deep acquaintance with Prince Jing, yet she had never heard anyone mention it before.

Yuan Jin, hearing this behind them, promptly handed over the golden silk hook as a reminder: "Empress, it’s time to pick mulberries."

But the Empress ignored her and continued her own reflections: "You don’t actually look alike, nor do you share the same temperament, but for some reason, I felt a bit disoriented just now."

Yuan Jin’s expression changed, and she turned to dismiss the palace female servants: "Go pick mulberries nearby, and don’t come back without my permission."

The Empress continued, "That year he returned from the South after quelling a rebellion, and we were a group of young girls waiting at Zhengyang Gate for him. I still remember, I wore a white flower hairpin that day, it was when I looked my best. But in the blink of an eye, he’s gone, and even I am growing old."

Bai Li said nothing, understanding that these words were not meant for her ears.

The Empress caressed the mulberry tree: "Look, there’s the word ’Jing’ on the tree, which I carved secretly when I was a child without understanding. Now, the bark has grown over, blurring the name. When I was fifteen, I followed my mother to the Ancestor Silkworm Altar to pick mulberries. I’ve been coming every year. Back then, I watched others worship the Silkworm God, but now it’s my turn. Year after year, the Ancestor Silkworm Altar stays the same, but the people who come to pick mulberries are different."

At this point, the Empress gently stroked Bai Li’s cheek: "How pitiful. They’re so heartless to throw you into a place like Jingyang Palace. Those ’big men’ only have eyes for the kingdom and society, always sacrificing one thing or another every day. They wouldn’t love others, nor do they even love themselves."

Bai Li lowered her eyelids.

The Empress softly laughed: "Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you from now on. Though I may not be able to reverse your father’s verdict, easing some of your hardships won’t be difficult. From now on, we shall accompany each other in the deep palace, as Kunning Palace is not far from Jingyang Palace."

Bai Li quietly responded: "Thank you, Empress."

At this moment, Lin Chaoqing hurried over, stopped by Yuan Jin ten paces away: "What is it, speak."

Lin Chaoqing bowed and clasped his fists: "Report to the Empress, the Sacrificial Official at the Ancestor Silkworm Altar has died from poisoning. I am incompetent and did not notice the clues sooner..."

The Empress was unconcerned, speaking casually: "Lord Lin need not be anxious. Those bold enough to commit such acts would surely have made thorough preparations before doing so. Rest assured, I never expected you to actually find any solid evidence."

Lin Chaoqing said solemnly: "I am ashamed. I will imprison the others in the Imperial Prison and ensure they won’t be released. This will show others the consequences of slandering you, making them hesitate to act rashly."

The Empress chuckled: "Why bother? They’re all just pawns with no control over their fate. I don’t wish to create senseless bloodshed; let’s release them."

Lin Chaoqing insisted: "Empress, you may want to spare their lives, but Lord Prime Minister and Lord Wu Xiu won’t agree."

The Empress was disinterested: "If I have no say, then do as you all see fit."

Lin Chaoqing was stunned: "Empress, I didn’t mean it that way."

The Empress waved her robe sleeve: "Withdraw."

After Lin Chaoqing departed, she smiled at Bai Li and said: "See, even as Empress, there are many helpless situations. It’s not just me; even Your Majesty shares the same fate."

Bai Li quietly spoke: "The Crown Prince is already heir apparent, why does Consort Xue still hasten to harm you?"

The Empress smiled as she helped arrange Bai Li’s hair: "In Jingyang Palace, you remain in the dark, unaware that the Crown Prince’s current situation isn’t good. Xue sister likely feels anxious. Coincidentally, Your Majesty has grown distant from me now, so she intends to take the opportunity to eliminate the Crown Prince’s sole competitor."

The Empress casually remarked: "But she ultimately hasn’t grasped Your Majesty’s true intentions. Your Majesty has long suffered from outside family influence; the more distant he is from me, the less hopeful the Crown Prince becomes."

Bai Li listened silently, learning quietly.

The Empress patted her head: "What are you learning these trivial matters for? Let’s return to the palace."

Bai Li wondered: "Empress hasn’t picked the mulberries yet."

The Empress playfully said: "I’m tired of acting, let’s skip the performance this year. I don’t have the power to reduce taxes or promote people’s welfare, so if harvest fails this year, surely I won’t be blamed?"

Bai Li was stunned.

The Empress pulled Bai Li and walked out: "Don’t worry, everyone thinks I should be in a rage right now, but no one would say anything if I take it easy."

...

...

Noon.

Chen Ji stood before the Ancestor Silkworm Altar, rubbing the plain silver hairpin hidden in the crevices of his arm armor, silently waiting.

Earlier, he heard a commotion from the Ancestor Silkworm Altar and saw Jiefan Guard escorting over thirty eunuchs away from the altar, while a corpse covered in a white cloth was carried out. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

What happened? Was there a plot against the throne or deliberate disruption of the ceremony?

Jiefan Guard kept their mouths shut.

Just then, the rattling sound of the Empress’s golden token approached, and the sacrificial ceremony, which was supposed to end by evening, unexpectedly concluded early.

Chen Ji stepped aside to watch as the Empress exited through the gate and boarded the phoenix carriage.

Joining her in the phoenix carriage were Bai Li and Wu Yun.

Chen Ji pondered their figures as they boarded, unable to understand how, within a morning, the Empress and Bai Li had grown so close.

Wu Yun suddenly meowed.

Chen Ji initially furrowed his brows, then relaxed, reassured that things were fine.

But now that Bai Li was beside the Empress, how could he give her the silver hairpin? It seemed he would have to wait for another opportunity.

While he was contemplating, the palace female servants lowered the silk curtains around the phoenix carriage, blocking external gazes, and the procession began moving slowly.

Chen Ji was about to mount his horse to escort them when he heard someone call out: "Chen Ji!"

He turned around reluctantly: "Third Miss Qi."

Qi Zhaoning approached with a smile: "We’ve known each other for so long, why don’t you call me Zhaoning?"

Chen Ji cupped his hands: "Does Third Miss Qi have something to instruct me?"

Qi Zhaoning extended her hand: "Give it to me."

Chen Ji was puzzled: "What?"

Qi Zhaoning brought her palm towards him, blinking playfully: "My sister and I spotted your carriage at Tianbao Pavilion the other day, why act coy."

He shook his head: "Apologies, Third Miss Qi. I merely went to Tianbao Pavilion to check on my family’s estate, not to purchase anything."

The Tianbao Pavilion was originally a gift from Mrs. Liang on the day their betrothal was agreed upon, so he wasn’t lying.

But just then, Qi Zhenzhuo suddenly reached for Chen Ji’s arm armor: "Master, don’t be coy. I’ve seen you fondling that hairpin the whole way."

Chen Ji’s hand swiftly grabbed Qi Zhenzhuo’s wrist, facing him calmly.

Qi Zhenzhuo awkwardly said: "Isn’t that hairpin tucked in your arm armor? The girl already asked, what are you waiting for, Master?"

He truly believed this hairpin was for Qi Zhaoning, unaware of the change on Chen Ji’s face.

From afar, Li Xuan shouted: "Chen Ji, Qi Zhenzhuo, quickly mount your horses and escort the Empress back to the palace!"

Chen Ji turned to leave, but Qi Zhaoning suddenly remarked: "Your carriage driver told me you went to Tianbao Pavilion to pick a gift for me today, hand it over."

Chen Ji suddenly realized, recalling that the Qi sisters spoke with Si Caogui at Tianbao Pavilion, and his excuse used on Si Caogui was genuinely believed.

Qi Zhaoning teased: "What, did your driver lie to me? Then I shall seek him out for a reckoning!"

Chen Ji deliberated for a while, finally extracting the plain silver hairpin from his arm armor: "I indeed bought a hairpin for Third Miss Qi, but seeing the court ladies’ luxurious adornments today, this plain silver hairpin seems unfit. Third Miss Qi, perhaps I should exchange it for something better at Tianbao Pavilion, and deliver it to Qi Mansion tomorrow..."

Qi Zhaoning interrupted him, taking the silver hairpin from his hand: "No matter, I like whatever you give."

Chen Ji was about to speak again when Li Xuan urged him: "Quickly, the procession is moving on!"

He took a deep breath, turned, and mounted his horse.

Qi Zhaoning glanced down at the hairpin in her hand, rubbing the tiny engraved words "year after year" and "year by year."

She clenched the hairpin in her hand, looking up at Chen Ji’s retreating silhouette as he spurred his horse onward, the hairpin piercing her palm until it drew blood.