38. Is this the Imperial Palace of the Linyan Kingdom?

The Imperial Palace of the Linyan Kingdom

Yue’er and the others continued walking until they reached a set of stone steps. Ascending them, they found the exit covered by a thin stone slab. Feishu gently pushed the slab aside, climbed out to survey the surroundings, and, seeing no one, beckoned the others to follow. Once they emerged, they found themselves in a dilapidated palace. It appeared to have been abandoned for years; weeds grew in wild tangles, and though the structure itself was vast, it lay in ruins, stripped of its former grandeur.

“Where are we?” Yue’er asked, bewildered. “Is this the Imperial Palace of the Linyan Kingdom?” Despite the decay, the layout clearly betrayed its regal origins—a fact Yue’er recognized, having spent several days within palace walls herself.

Feishu smiled and said, “This is not just any palace; it was the residence of a favored concubine from the previous reign.” The group stared at him, baffled, wondering how he could possibly know such a thing. But having grown up in the palace, such intrigue was second nature to Feishu. He walked over to a plum tree that still thrived amidst the neglect and remarked, “This concubine must have loved plum blossoms. She must have had a son, and someone must still cherish her memory, otherwise, who would tend to this tree? And she must have been on terrible terms with the current Empress Dowager of Linyan.” Feishu understood all too well the methods women used to vie for favor within the palace walls.

Haiming asked in confusion, “Lord Xuanyuan, how do you know all this?” Why was he unable to see what Feishu saw?

Feishu explained with a faint smile, “Only a woman of rank—a consort or higher—would inhabit such a vast palace. Why has it fallen into this state? The answer is that she offended those currently in power. And who holds power in the palace if not the Empress Dowager? If a woman in this palace could incite such hatred in the Empress Dowager, it could only be a favored concubine from the past. The Empress Dowager must have been less favored than this woman, harboring a grudge so deep that she forbade anyone from maintaining these grounds.”

Feishu was intimately familiar with such cruelty. His own mother, having lacked favor and died young, had left him to be raised by the then-noble consort—the current Empress Dowager. Later, after Xuanyuan Ren ascended the throne, Feishu had witnessed firsthand how the Empress Dowager dealt with the concubines of the previous reign: forcing them out of their proper quarters and into the servants' quarters, forbidding anyone from tending to them, and ensuring their sons met tragic ends, often through exile to remote lands. Perhaps that concubine had truly wounded the Empress Dowager’s pride.

Haiming asked again, “Then how do you know she had a son?” He could not fathom why Feishu was so well-versed in the secrets of the palace.

Feishu countered with a smile, “Who do you think dug this secret passage? Isn't the answer obvious?” Haiming finally understood. It was likely the concubine’s son who had dug the tunnel, which explained its existence perfectly.

Yue’er interrupted, reminding them, “Stop speculating about the owner of this place. We are here to find the Prince and the others, not to tour the ruins. Let’s think of a way to get out without revealing our identities!” They could not stay here forever; if they failed to leave, their journey would have been in vain. Everyone began to rack their brains for a plan.

Chen Gui suggested, “I will go and steal a few sets of eunuch or guard uniforms for us to change into. Once we’re out, we can figure out the next step.” Everyone agreed, and Chen Gui set off, confident that his light-foot skills would keep him undetected.

Yue’er worried deeply about Zhao Chengxian and the others. She wondered how they had managed to slip out. Zhao Chengxian’s noble bearing was nothing like that of a low-level eunuch; would their true identities be discovered? If they were caught, even Xuanyuan Ren would not be able to save them. After all, sneaking into a foreign palace under disguise was an act of dishonor, and Xuanyuan Ren would never admit to knowing them, let alone intervene. If exposed, certain death awaited them.

Chen Gui soon returned with the clothes. While the others discussed their next move, Yue’er quietly took a set and found a secluded corner to change. Catching a glimpse of herself in the eunuch’s attire, she recalled the two times she had disguised herself to leave the palace in the past, and she could not help but shake her head with a wry smile. Once everyone was prepared, they decided to split up to avoid suspicion, agreeing to meet back here at nightfall. Yue’er and Chen Gui formed one pair, Yuan Bin and Ying Hua another, and Feishu and Haiming the third, ensuring that everyone had a companion to look after them.