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墨書 Inktalez
He stepped forward slowly, his gaze deep and penetrating.
"The Shuijing Shuangbi has reappeared after sixteen years. The prophecy of Tianji Pavilion has finally come to pass."
A jolt ran through my heart.
He could tell at a glance the origin of this sword technique!
What was more crucial was...
He referred to me as Luo Qingshui's daughter, not son!
"Your Highness seems to know quite a lot."
I held my sword across my chest, my voice remaining calm.
"Since you know my identity, why do you still keep me in your residence?"
He suddenly chuckled, though the mirth did not reach his eyes.
"Huaqing Pavilion, at the hour of the Rat. I will tell you the truth about the bloodbath at Luo Mansion."
The twin moons in the sky had already overlapped, casting a cold, luminous glow.
The jade pendant left to me by my father suddenly radiated warmth, its strange patterns flickering in and out of visibility under the moonlight.
What did the prophecy mean by "The Moon Wanes, Flowers Scatter, Intricate Mechanisms"?
Just as I was about to leave, I heard him softly say,
"Today, the first Shan Ying in the garden has bloomed. Would you like to take a look?"
I paused in my steps.
That was where we first met.
For eight years, every season when the Shan Ying bloomed, I would see a figure in purple standing beneath the tree, as if waiting for someone.
Yet I never stopped once.
"What's wrong?" he chuckled lightly. "Lady Luo doesn't wish to see it?"
I did not turn back.
"Your Highness is joking. What’s so special about a mere Shan Ying?"
"Indeed," his voice suddenly turned a bit melancholic. "It cannot compare to that one from years ago."
My heart skipped a beat.
That year, on the First Night of the Lunar Year, we met for the first time under the Mountain Cherry Tree. He wiped the cinnabar from my forehead and said, "This one is truly different; it blooms in winter yet is even more enchanting than those in spring." Looking back now, perhaps he was not just referring to that flower.
I calmly sheathed the Duan Hun sword, but my mind was racing with thoughts about this sudden invitation. The phenomenon of the dual moons made me vaguely sense that the Empress Dowager must have some plans in motion.
"No."
Xiao Yuyang turned to leave, his Purple Robe billowing behind him. "I am saving you. The Luo Family Fire is also part of the scheme. If you do not come tonight, you will never know who is truly using you."
Using!
That word sent a jolt through me. For eight years, I believed I was playing a grand game; could it be that the piece on the board was... myself?
Returning to my quiet chamber, I took out the ledger hidden in a secret compartment. Over the years, under the guise of being in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, I had secretly investigated all officials related to the Luo Mansion case. Every suspicious transaction of silver, every peculiar promotion of officials had been meticulously recorded by me.
As I opened the ledger, my fingertips trembled slightly. Eight years ago, that great fire did not only consume the Luo Mansion; nearly the entire western district of the imperial city turned to ashes. And the source of the fire... was clearly the Empress Dowager's Cining Palace. Just before tonight's dual moons shone together.
I removed the Silver Crown from my hair, allowing it to cascade down like a waterfall.
In the bronze mirror, a cold and delicate young girl’s face emerged, with a faint shadow of my Deceased Mother visible between my brows and eyes. I was still young when my mother passed away, and I only vaguely remembered her often gazing thoughtfully towards the western direction of the imperial city.
“Miss…”
A gentle knock sounded from outside the door, belonging to Xiao Yu. I quickly gathered my long hair back up and put the Silver Crown on again.
“Come in.”
My voice had regained its clarity.
Xiao Yu entered, holding a bowl of white fungus soup, her expression somewhat unusual. “I just received news that Consort Zhenbei has entered the city with an imperial decree, and the Empress Dowager’s confidante, madom Su, is also here. I also heard that there will be unusual activities at Tianji Pavilion tonight.”
My gaze darkened. An imperial decree! Tianji Pavilion! The Empress Dowager must be planning something under the guise of the Double Moons on the Same Night phenomenon!
I opened the Lunar Calendar on the table; today was the seventh day of the eighth month. Eight years ago today was the eve of the Luo Mansion massacre. Tomorrow marked the Anniversary of Death of the Former Emperor.
Every year at this time, the Empress Dowager would hold a Water-Land Dharma Assembly at Cining Palace to pray for the Former Emperor’s soul. All court officials were required to attend with their families.
“Continue,” I gestured for Xiao Yu to go on.
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