Chapter 7: A Lead from the Cold Palace

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Encounter in the Imperial Garden: A Clever Foil Unveils a Hidden Conspiracy

Night draped over the palace, the imperial garden filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers, yet it could not mask the undercurrent of tension that rippled through the air.

Feng Ruqing walked alone, her heart heavy with sorrow. The haunting image of her sister's tragic death lingered relentlessly in her mind. She must unearth the true culprit to bring peace to her sister’s spirit.

The garden was picturesque, with artificial hills and flowing streams, pavilions and towers, yet danger lurked in every corner.

She carefully scrutinized her surroundings, hoping to detect the slightest clue.

Suddenly, a fragrant breeze swept past, and Feng Ruqing keenly sensed someone approaching. Without betraying any reaction, she continued forward, feigning ignorance.

In the next moment, a figure abruptly collided with her; a silk handkerchief slipped from the person’s grasp and fell into the clear pond water.

“Aah!” A delicate cry pierced the night. Bai Zhi staggered back a few steps, her eyes instantly reddening with tears. “Your Majesty the Empress, what do you mean by this?”

Feng Ruqing furrowed her brows, her gaze icy as she fixed Bai Zhi, who stood there looking pitiful and wronged, tears welling in her eyes as if she had suffered a great injustice.

“Lady Bai, I have not touched you,” Feng Ruqing said coldly, a warning laced beneath her words.

“Your Majesty, what do you mean by that? Do you imply I’ve deliberately fallen to slander you?” Bai Zhi’s voice trembled, appearing even more fragile and helpless.

At that moment, Liu Zhaoyi arrived with a group of consorts. Seeing the scene, she immediately fanned the flames. “Your Majesty, as Mother of the Nation, how can you treat Lady Bai this way? She is the Emperor’s favorite!”

The other consorts chimed in, condemning Feng Ruqing vehemently.

“Exactly! The Empress has gone too far!”

“Lady Bai is delicate; how could she withstand such a harsh shove?”

“The Empress must be jealous of Lady Bai’s favor, pushing her on purpose!”

Whispers and accusations swirled, placing Feng Ruqing at the center of a storm.

Eunuch Zhang and several young palace attendants hurried over, their faces darkening as they took in the situation. They quietly observed Feng Ruqing’s demeanor, guessing at the Emperor’s thoughts.

Feng Ruqing faced the accusations unflinchingly. She cast a cold glance over the crowd and finally fixed her gaze on Bai Zhi, a barely perceptible cold smile curling her lips.

“Lady Bai, your acting skills are truly improving.”

Bai Zhi’s face stiffened; a flicker of panic flashed in her eyes before she resumed her pitiful guise.

“Your Majesty, what are you saying? I don’t understand…”

“Do you?” Feng Ruqing’s tone was icy, tinged with sarcasm.

She bent down slowly and retrieved another silk handkerchief from the ground — one that belonged to Bai Zhi.

A sudden breeze rustled the leaves around the garden, as if trembling in anticipation of the conspiracy about to be exposed.

She held up the handkerchief for all to see, revealing a smudge of mud identical to that found by the pond’s edge.

Gasps swept through the crowd; the air seemed to freeze, with only Feng Ruqing’s cold voice echoing through the garden.

“This…” Bai Zhi’s face turned ashen; her gaze darted nervously, avoiding Feng Ruqing’s piercing eyes.

Liu Zhaoyi quickly stepped forward to smooth things over.

“This… this doesn’t prove anything. Perhaps Lady Bai accidentally…”

“Liu Zhaoyi,” Feng Ruqing cut her off sharply, fixing her with a steely stare, “are you truly defending her?”

Liu Zhaoyi’s heart skipped a beat, and she dared not speak further.

Silence fell. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Feng Ruqing’s next move.

Instead of rushing to defend herself, Feng Ruqing calmly watched Bai Zhi’s performance, an unexpected stance that silenced the murmuring consorts.

Doubtful eyes flickered between the Empress and Bai Zhi.

Is the Empress afraid of being exposed?

“Your Majesty,” Eunuch Zhang cautiously spoke, “if I may…” He carefully read the mood, reluctant to draw conclusions prematurely.

A cold smile appeared on Feng Ruqing’s lips; her gaze was sharp as a blade, locked on Bai Zhi.

“Lady Bai, if I pushed you, where are the signs? Your clothes are neat, your hair intact — does this look like someone who was roughly shoved?” She paused, pointing to the handkerchief floating in the water. “Also, the position where this handkerchief fell does not match the direction you said you were pushed. Do you really think no one in this palace can see through such a clumsy trick?”

The crowd followed her finger and indeed noticed the discrepancy; the handkerchief’s location by the water did not align with Bai Zhi’s story.

If Bai Zhi were truthful, the handkerchief should have fallen closer to the artificial hill.

Bai Zhi’s face turned even paler, shocked that Feng Ruqing had seen through her scheme at a glance.

She forced herself to remain composed, biting her lip as tears welled.

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“Your Majesty, I... I truly did not do it on purpose... I just stumbled…”

“Stumbled?” Feng Ruqing pressed relentlessly, her voice cold. “I believe you deliberately set a trap to harm me.”

Bai Zhi trembled, unable to meet Feng Ruqing’s gaze.

The surrounding consorts began whispering doubts about Bai Zhi’s words.

Seeing the tide turning, Liu Zhaoyi hurried to Bai Zhi’s defense.

“Your Majesty, perhaps there’s a misunderstanding…”

Feng Ruqing interrupted icily, “Misunderstanding? This is clearly a deliberate scheme to sow discord!”

Her gaze swept over the crowd and finally settled on Liu Zhaoyi.

“Liu Zhaoyi, since you are close to Lady Bai, are you involved in this as well?”

Liu Zhaoyi’s face changed; she quickly denied, “Your Majesty, I am innocent! I just…”

“Just what?” Feng Ruqing advanced, her presence intimidating. “Trying to use this as an opportunity to strike against me?”

Liu Zhaoyi shuddered, silent.

The atmosphere grew tense, the air thick with unease.

Then a sharp voice broke the stalemate: “The Emperor has arrived—”

Everyone immediately knelt and bowed. Bai Zhi seized the chance to cast a tearful, pleading look at the newcomer. “Your Majesty, please defend me…”

Feng Ruqing stood straight and composed, showing no sign of submission.

She fixed a cold glare on the Emperor, a hint of steel flashing in her eyes. “Your Majesty, your arrival is timely. I was about to inquire who among the harem is stirring trouble…”

Emperor Ji Ran, dressed in bright yellow dragon robes, strode forward with imperial authority etched in his features. Seeing Bai Zhi kneeling, he quickly helped her up, asking softly, “Beloved, what has happened? Who dares to harm you?”

Bai Zhi, her eyes swollen from crying, sobbed, “Your Majesty, I… I accidentally bumped into the Empress and fell into the water. Yet the Empress claims I did it deliberately...”

Ji Ran’s gaze shifted to Feng Ruqing, filled with suspicion and displeasure.

“Empress, explain this.”

Feng Ruqing remained upright, unafraid, her tone icy. “Your Majesty, truth and falsehood will judge themselves. I have a clear conscience.”

“Clear conscience?” Ji Ran sneered. “Your stubbornness only fuels my doubts.”

His eyes fell on the silk handkerchief in Feng Ruqing’s hand. “Is this your so-called evidence?”

Without a word, Feng Ruqing handed the handkerchief to a palace maid behind her and motioned for another maid to be brought forward.

The maid knelt trembling, pale and shivering.

“What is your name? What is your role with Lady Bai?” Feng Ruqing’s tone was cold and commanding.

“I… I’m Xiao Cui, Lady Bai’s maid…” Xiao Cui’s voice was barely audible.

“Explain this handkerchief,” Feng Ruqing’s gaze pierced through Xiao Cui as if reading her soul.

Xiao Cui trembled violently, unable to meet Feng Ruqing’s eyes.

Feng Ruqing sneered, producing Xiao Cui’s jade pendant coldly. “Is this yours?”

Xiao Cui’s face blanched, terror filling her eyes. “This… this…”

“This pendant was found behind the artificial hill in the garden, stained with a special fragrance identical to that used by Lady Bai. This fragrance is a hallucinogen. Why do you think it was there?”

Shaking uncontrollably, Xiao Cui collapsed. “I… I deserve this… Lady Bai ordered me…”

“Impudence!” Ji Ran shouted angrily, glaring fiercely at Bai Zhi. “Lady Bai, do you have anything to say for yourself?”

Bai Zhi’s face drained of color, her lips quivering, yet no words came.

She had not expected Feng Ruqing to see through her plot and find a key witness.

Xiao Cui shakily produced a small porcelain bottle. “This… Lady Bai gave this to me, telling me to…”

Feng Ruqing took the bottle, uncapped it, and sniffed; a pungent scent filled the air.

She handed it to Ji Ran. “Your Majesty, this is the proof.”

Ji Ran’s face darkened; weariness for the palace intrigues filled him. The one he favored was so cruel. Anger gave way to helplessness at the tangled web of court rivalries.

“Lady Bai,” Ji Ran said coldly, disappointment heavy in his voice, “you have deeply disappointed me…”

Bai Zhi collapsed to the floor, despair in her eyes. She knew it was over.

Feng Ruqing watched her disgrace with a faint, cold smile. This was only the beginning…

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The truth revealed, all eyes turned to Bai Zhi, now filled with contempt and scorn.

The consorts who had once flattered her now wanted nothing to do with her, fearing her misfortune would taint them.

Ji Ran, furious beyond words, pointed at Bai Zhi and scolded sharply, “I have favored you so much, yet you dare commit such venomous acts! Guards, confine Lady Bai to the Cold Palace. Without my decree, no one is to visit her!”

Liu Zhaoyi was struck dumb, not daring to breathe.

She had sought to use this chance to bring down Feng Ruqing, only to backfire disastrously.

Frustration filled her heart, but she dared not show it.

As Bai Zhi was dragged away, a flicker of regret crossed her eyes—she should not have acted so recklessly.

Feng Ruqing scanned the gathered crowd, her tone cold and warning. “I will not tolerate a repeat of today’s events. Should anyone dare to plot against me again, they will answer to me!”

Her formidable presence cowed all, the consorts bowing their heads, unwilling to meet her gaze.

Feng Ruqing knew this affair would only deepen Ji Ran’s suspicions of her.

But she did not care.

Her purpose in entering the palace was not to vie for favor, but to uncover the truth behind her sister’s death and exact revenge.

Her eyes swept over every corner of the imperial garden; she felt it held hidden clues.

Before her sister’s tragedy, she had visited this garden…

Could this be where it all began?

As night deepened, the garden fell into stillness.

Feng Ruqing walked alone along the cobblestone path, studying the surroundings.

The artificial hills, flowing water, flowers, and trees appeared serene, yet seemed to conceal deadly secrets.

Suddenly, she paused, her gaze resting on a plum tree not far away.

Beneath the plum tree lay scattered withered petals.

They looked strangely familiar…

She stepped closer, crouching to examine the petals carefully.

Suddenly, her pupils contracted sharply, her face paling.

These petals were from her sister’s favorite red plum blossoms!

“Could it be…” Feng Ruqing whispered, a foreboding feeling rising in her heart.

At that moment, a shadow darted out from behind the artificial hill, swiftly approaching her.

Alert, Feng Ruqing lifted her head, her eyes sharp as blades, meeting the intruder’s gaze.

“Who goes there?!”

The figure said nothing, suddenly striking out with a palm aimed at Feng Ruqing’s face.

She dodged deftly, countering with a palm strike to his chest.

The attacker groaned, staggering back, clutching his chest, terror flashing in his eyes.

Moonlight revealed his face clearly.

“It’s you…” Feng Ruqing’s voice was cold, edged with deadly intent.

“Your Majesty Empress, spare me…” the man trembled, pleading bitterly.

“Speak! Who sent you?”

He hesitated, then shook his head. “I… I cannot say…”

“You refuse?” Feng Ruqing sneered. “Then don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

She was about to strike when a voice called out from afar, “Stop!”

Feng Ruqing turned to see a palace maid running toward her in panic. She whispered a few words in Feng Ruqing’s ear.

Feng Ruqing’s expression changed sharply. “What did you say?!”

The maid’s voice was low, audible only to Feng Ruqing. “Cold Palace… there’s a clue…”