97 Farewell, Moonlight

“A beauty?” Li Yihe knew nothing about the politics of the previous dynasty. Having lived in the imperial harem, she rarely had contact with her family. If not for her brother, she would have had to learn today’s news from Li Banshuang’s lips instead, which inevitably brought a wave of disappointment to her heart. Brother Canghai was going to take another consort? And this beauty was yet another threat to her?

“A Dong girl?” He Meiru blinked. From the name alone, this woman was clearly from a foreign tribe, not one of their Han women. It was said that women from those tribes could all charm men. Li Banshuang hadn’t even bested one, and now here came a Dong girl. It was unclear whether this Dong girl would become friend or foe in the future.

He Meiru and Li Yihe exclaimed simultaneously.

“Consort Ru has long managed the affairs of the harem, but many things today will still require your hands,” Yan’er said, putting down her words as if ready to become a hands-off overseer.

“Consort Yan, rest assured, I will handle everything properly and not disgrace the honor of our Haokun Kingdom,” He Meiru said effortlessly, well accustomed to managing such minor matters.

“I’m a bit weary today, Bi’er, let’s return to the palace,” Yan’er rose without looking further at He Meiru and Li Yihe, leaving behind a noble silhouette.

They had been inside the palace for over a month, and none of them had even touched the emperor’s side. Now another beauty had arrived. The grand reception by Canghai, with the harem fully mobilized, showed that the Windhowl Kingdom’s tribute beauty was given full respect. Yet, no one knew how these women would suffer from all the scheming ahead.

Yan’er maintained a calm smile. These matters were not important to her; let the women fight and scheme. Her focus now was rescuing Pan Yueyang. Thinking of Pan Yueyang, a shadow of gloom darkened Yan’er’s heart.

She still loved Pan Yueyang; otherwise, how could the news of his survival move her so deeply? Yet, Canghai’s words today were a clear reminder—he knew in his heart she no longer held the man. Still, he made her his woman. Did Canghai truly care for her, or was it merely about possession and conquest?

Calming herself, Yan’er became confused about her future. She was no longer anyone to Pan Yueyang. If Yueyang were saved, what would become of her? Where could she go? In this vast world, she suddenly realized she had no place to call home.

Zizhan—thinking of her son, whom she had only held for two short months—where was he now? Was Mu Bai taking good care of Zizhan? Mu Bai had promised to bring Zizhan to see her within five years. She had to endure these five years.

Five years—such a simple number to hear, yet with the precarious position of the harem and her life always at the mercy of Canghai, five years seemed a formidable challenge.

Early the next morning, Yan’er rose with dark circles under her eyes, unable to sleep well through the night, perhaps also because someone was missing by her side.

“Your Highness, it’s time to get ready,” Bi’er said with concern. Since yesterday, Yan’er had returned gloomy and downcast, and her spirit had not improved. Her heart was full of worry.

“Today the beauty from Windhowl Kingdom enters the palace. Let’s go early to the emperor’s study,” Yan’er decided to seize the chance to visit the study again.

Today, Yan’er abandoned her usual simple attire and carefully dressed herself splendidly. She looked far more radiant, hoping to mask the exhaustion of a sleepless night.

“Your Highness is dressed so magnificently today. The woman entering the palace must show you great respect,” Bi’er observed Yan’er’s intention and carefully styled her hair, highlighting her alluring charm to perfection.

Yan’er said nothing. With Bi’er, she boarded the sedan chair and went directly to the study. The emperor was already in the court, so few people remained there—only guards outside the door and a duty eunuch. Yan’er waved her hand, and the eunuch, about to bow, froze mid-motion.

Everyone was accustomed to Consort Yan’s daily visits to the emperor’s study, naturally no one stopped her. Yan’er pushed open the door and locked herself inside. Once the corridor fell silent, she slowly approached the wall and softly called, “Yueyang? Yueyang?”

Immediately, the sound of iron chains being pulled came from the wall. Yan’er’s heart tightened—if her guess was right, Yueyang was bound by thick iron chains inside.

“I know you’re in there, Yueyang,” Yan’er said quietly, not knowing how to face Pan Yueyang. Fortunately, a wall hid her from his view, sparing her from showing such vulnerability.

“No matter how much you despise me, now I only hope to do something for you. Will you answer me?” Yan’er’s voice wavered with faint mist. She knew Yueyang was well aware of what happened last night. How could such a proud man care about a fickle woman like her?

“No need,” Pan Yueyang’s cold voice came faintly through the stone wall.

Yan’er’s heart leapt. Yueyang was indeed behind the wall—this made things easier. “Yueyang, Mu Bai will soon come to the palace. I know you despise a woman like me. Our ties are over. For your own sake, for Mu Bai’s, and for Zizhan’s—I will definitely rescue you. Can you hear me?”

Suddenly, silence fell beyond the wall. Even the sound of chains being dragged ceased. Yan’er waited a long moment but received no answer from Pan Yueyang. Growing anxious, she approached the armrest and tried to press a mechanism she suspected was there.

She looked at the wall again, uncertain if this was the secret trigger, or what might happen upon pressing it. She had pondered this for a very long time last night. No matter what, she had resolved to act. Closing her eyes, she pressed hard on the blood-red jewel.

The wall trembled slightly and slid open from one side. Yan’er opened her eyes and exhaled deeply in relief. Thankfully, nothing unexpected occurred—no sudden barrage of swords that might have ended her and the rescue attempt.

Peering inside the small chamber revealed a cramped space barely two meters wide, holding only a wooden bed. Pan Yueyang, disheveled, used his hand to shield his eyes from the sudden light, obscuring his face from Yan’er.

“Yueyang?” Yan’er rushed to the bed and pulled away his hand.

Pan Yueyang’s usually proud and elegant face was covered with a dark beard matted from confinement. He still wore the black battle clothes from the campaign, but the dried blood mixed with dirt made them filthy and foul-smelling. He pushed Yan’er away; he least wanted her to see him like this.

“Listen to me, Yueyang. I don’t have much time. Mu Bai will come to meet me sooner or later. You must trust me—I will rescue you!” Yan’er steadied herself. She couldn’t afford to linger in the study. She had come only to confirm the secret chamber’s existence, that Yueyang was inside, and to deliver a clear message.

“Get lost,” Pan Yueyang’s voice was void of any emotion.

“Fine, I’ll go. But I will rescue you!” Yan’er knew this was no moment for sentimentality. She stood and closed the secret door behind her.

Suddenly, Pan Yueyang seemed to realize something and turned his face toward her, more radiant than ever. “You’re beautiful. Remember, if Canghai knows I am truly awake, he will transfer me elsewhere. I won’t stay here forever. Next time you open this door, it might be Canghai’s assassins waiting for you. They won’t show you mercy.”

Yan’er nodded heavily. There was no time to digest his words now. “I remember,” she said. She pressed the mechanism again, and the wall slowly closed. Turning around, she looked back with pity at the man who had once been so distant and mesmerizing.

Composing her emotions, Yan’er calmly left the study. At the door, she saw the duty eunuch still standing guard zealously. “I guess I got used to coming here daily. Today I forgot the emperor would receive the Windhowl envoys directly after court. Bi’er, you were careless not to remind me when I arrived at the study.”

Hearing the consort’s reprimand, Bi’er immediately knelt, “Your Highness, forgive me. I deserve this. I even muttered this morning, but as soon as I stepped out, I forgot.”

She slapped herself twice.

“Enough, get up. It’s not too late to go now. But next time, be more cautious on duty. Otherwise, I won’t keep you in my palace to eat your monthly allowance for nothing,” Yan’er said sternly, casting a sharp glance at the eunuch by the door. Bi’er helped her up, and they left the study.

The journey from the study to the palace’s east gate was long. Sitting in the sedan chair, Yan’er pondered Pan Yueyang’s words. She realized he was indeed a brilliant strategist. Given Canghai’s suspicious nature, once he knew Yueyang was fully awake, he would transfer him elsewhere. Having found this secret chamber herself, it was easy to imagine that next time she opened it, it might be Canghai himself waiting inside. Yan’er sighed deeply.

But judging from Yueyang’s words, he had long been awake, only feigning unconsciousness. The question remained: how to notify Mu Bai to come for her?

As they arrived at the east gate, Yan’er saw Canghai and the harem women already waiting. She quietly stepped down from the sedan chair, wanting to avoid giving others any reason to gossip about her delayed arrival.

But fate was unkind. He Meiru’s sharp eyes spotted her immediately. She nudged Wu Ling’er beside her.

“Why is Consort Yan so late? We were all worried she might have overslept,” Wu Ling’er blurted out as usual.

Canghai looked at Yan’er with disdain.

“I couldn’t sleep all night and felt sluggish this morning. I hope the emperor will pardon me,” Yan’er said without acknowledging the petty women, walking straight to Canghai’s side. Li Yihe reluctantly made space.

“You must have too many worries on your mind,” Canghai said, not looking at her.

“No, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty,” Yan’er replied evenly, avoiding his gaze.

The Windhowl Kingdom envoys had arrived—the eunuch loudly announced to Canghai on the city tower as the grand procession approached.