Story of Yanxi Palace, Chapter 65: Dragon Sons and Dragon Grandsons

Zhenzhu sucked in a sharp breath and stared at Wei Yingluo in disbelief.

Fuheng fixed his gaze on Yingluo and asked gravely, “Yingluo, I don’t believe what others say. You tell me yourself. Do you—want to kill me?”

Wei Yingluo scoffed with icy disdain. She walked quickly to the Empress, picked up the teacup in front of her, and drank it all in one gulp.

Fuheng rushed forward in an instant, seizing her wrist tightly. “What are you doing?!”

Wei Yingluo smiled faintly, pushed his hand away, and turned the empty cup bottom-up for everyone to see. “Proof enough for you now?”

Fuheng’s heart eased at once. The Empress smiled and said, “There was no need for that. I never doubted you.”

Wei Yingluo felt a warmth in her heart. She nodded and said:

“Thank you, Your Majesty. Last night, Noble Consort Hui summoned me to Chuxiu Palace and ordered me to poison you. She told me that my sister A-Man was defiled by Fuheng, and that in order to cover up the crime, you expelled my sister from the palace and sent someone to assassinate her!”

The Empress clenched her fists, her face clouded with anger.

“Yingluo, I have never done such a thing! And I firmly believe that Fuheng is absolutely not that kind of person!”

Wei Yingluo gave the Empress a gentle smile.

“Your Majesty, I am not blind—I can distinguish right from wrong. You have taught me calligraphy and painting with such wholehearted dedication, far beyond the bounds of master and servant. Even if I were completely unable to tell right from wrong, I wouldn’t simply believe whatever anyone tells me.”

Consort Chun sighed of relief and said apologetically:

“It was I who wrongly blamed you.”

The Empress asked with concern:

“Yingluo, why didn’t you tell me about this matter earlier?”

Wei Yingluo was silent for a moment before replying:

“This is a personal vendetta. I didn’t dare disturb Your Majesty.”

The Empress disagreed.

“But I could have helped you investigate—”

Wei Yingluo shook her head firmly.

“Thank you for your kind intentions, Your Majesty, but Yingluo has her own ways of finding the true culprit. I still have duties to attend to—please allow me to take my leave first!”

Fuheng quickly spoke up:

“Your Majesty, I also have matters to attend to. I beg your leave!”

With that, he immediately hurried after Yingluo.

Consort Chun watched as Wei Yingluo and Fuheng left the hall one after the other. Turning back to the Empress, she said gravely:

“Your Majesty… Wei Yingluo acts impulsively and unpredictably. A person like her… it would be best not to keep her close, lest she become a source of endless trouble in the future!”

The Empress tilted her head slightly, clearly unconvinced.

“Consort Chun, it is true that Yingluo’s temperament can be somewhat extreme, but since she has been studying and practicing calligraphy with me, she has gradually become much steadier. I believe her nature is upright and she clearly distinguishes right from wrong. She should be properly guided and cultivated. Moreover, regarding this matter, my conscience is clear—why should I send her away?”

Consort Chun still wanted to persuade her:

“But—”

The Empress waved her hand.

“No need to say more. My mind is made up.”

Wei Yingluo strode quickly into the courtyard. Fuheng caught up, reaching out to take her hand, calling her name in a low, pleading voice:

“Yingluo…”

Wei Yingluo turned around and flung her court sash into his face, furious.

“And now you still dare to say this has nothing to do with you!”

Fuheng caught the sash. His expression shifted several times before he finally asked:

“Yingluo… do you believe I did it?”

Wei Yingluo’s face was cold.

“If I truly believed it was you, would I still be standing here wasting words with you?”

Fuheng’s expression immediately softened, and he said happily:

“Thank you for believing in me.”

Wei Yingluo, however, turned her face away and said:

“Even if it wasn’t you, you’re not entirely innocent. A jade pendant might be lost by accident, but a court sash is something you never part with—how could it just happen to end up in the Imperial Garden unless you were undressing? My guess is that on the tenth day of the first lunar month, someone put on your clothes and entered the Imperial Garden! If it had been an ordinary palace guard, there would have been no need to change clothes. The very purpose of changing clothes was to avoid the patrolling guards! Therefore, that person must have been a member of the imperial clan attending the banquet at Qianqing Palace! As for the little eunuch Noble Consort Hui found—he was too afraid of the imperial bodyguard’s reputation to get close and never actually saw who it was! So she conveniently led me to believe that the owner of the court sash was the murderer!”

Fuheng’s expression grew tense. He immediately grasped Yingluo’s hand and said urgently:

“Enough, Yingluo!”

But Yingluo shook off his hand and stared straight at him, as though trying to peer into the depths of his heart. She asked:

“With your current power and status, you don’t even take Prince Yi seriously—let alone an ordinary member of the imperial clan! I really wonder: who exactly is this person that you would protect him at the cost of your own reputation?”

Fuheng shook his head.

“Yingluo, I’m not protecting him—I’m protecting you.”

Yingluo gave a scornful laugh.

“Protecting me?”

Fuheng’s voice turned hoarse.

“If you keep investigating, it will drag in more grudges and enmities. I don’t want you to encounter any danger.”

Wei Yingluo took a deep breath and said:

“Fucha Fuheng, I’ll ask you just one question: who exactly is this person?”

Fuheng gazed at her steadily, his eyes filled with pain and guilt. He said:

“I’m sorry.”

Wei Yingluo turned and walked away.

It felt as though she were lost in a thick fog. She had once thought there was someone in the mist she could hold hands with and walk together, but in the end, she was alone again. Wei Yingluo wandered forward aimlessly until someone called out to her: “Yingluo, where are you heading in such a hurry?”

She snapped back to reality and saw Desheng and others passing by, carrying stacks of tea trays and other items. She forced a smile and replied, “I’m going to the Imperial Household Department to collect something. And you—why are you rushing around with so many people?”

Desheng smiled and said, “His Majesty suddenly felt like it and decided to hold a tea banquet at Chonghua Palace, inviting the Princes and Prince of Third Rank to join him for tea. This servant is hurrying over to make preparations!”

Wei Yingluo’s heart stirred. She asked, “Princes and Prince of Third Rank?”

Desheng nodded. “Yes! Anyone who can attend a tea gathering at Chonghua Palace is someone of prominent status among the imperial clan! Ah, I can’t chat any longer. Please give my regards to Her Majesty the Empress—tell her this servant will come pay respects another day!”

Yingluo nodded with a smile and watched Desheng leave. She murmured to herself: “Chonghua Palace…”

Inside Chonghua Palace, the hall was filled with the Emperor’s descendants and the sons of phoenixes—yet no matter how noble their blood, they were still human, and humans cannot avoid gossip and chatter.

Yunxi ate a grape and sighed. “Prince Yi has already fallen into misfortune, so how is Hongzhou still doing so well?”

Hongzhan looked baffled. “What do you mean Fifth Brother can’t be doing well?”

Yunxi said mysteriously, “You really haven’t heard? Hongzhou had a coffin made. He had his wives, concubines, and servants wail and mourn for him as though he were already dead—while he himself lounged there with his legs crossed, sitting in the main hall, laughing heartily while listening to everyone sob and cry. Don’t you think he’s gone mad?”

Suddenly a burst of loud laughter came from outside the door. A man’s voice rang out: “There’s no one in the world who lives to a hundred—why should anyone be so superstitious about it!”

Everyone was startled. Hongzhou strolled in, fanning himself elegantly with a folding fan, looking completely at ease.

Hongzhan asked in surprise, “Fifth Brother, did you really have a coffin made for yourself?”

Hongzhou grinned and replied cheerfully, “I just wanted to get a head start on enjoying the honor that comes after death! And while I was at it, I wanted to see who would cry the hardest and who truly cared about me!”

Fupeng slammed his wine cup down on the table, about to scold Hongzhou—when suddenly Hongli’s voice cut in: “Is everyone here?”

The room instantly fell silent. Everyone stood and bowed in unison: “This servant pays respects to Your Majesty.”

Hongli waved his hand with a faint smile. “Today is a family banquet. Everyone here is close kin by blood—there is no need for so much formality. Take your seats.” Then he turned to Hongzhou and asked gently, “Have you caused trouble again?”

Hongzhou put on an innocent smile. “How could I, Imperial Brother? Your little brother has always kept your words in mind—working diligently and behaving properly!”

Everyone else wore expressions of clear disbelief. Hongli noticed but only smiled slightly and said, “Serve the tea.”

The tea trays were brought forward, and each member of the imperial clan was given a cup, accompanied by steamed buns and pastries.

Hongzhou lifted the lid of his teacup, let out a surprised sound, and asked, “What is this?”

Hongli answered, “Snow water steeped with plum blossoms, pine nuts, and finger citron, blended with Longjing tea. It is called Three Purities Tea.”

Everyone raised their cups and tasted it, their faces showing appreciation.

But Hongzhou hesitated and said, “Imperial Brother, I’ve heard that mixing pine nuts with finger citron can easily produce poison!”

Hongli laughed. “And where did you hear such nonsense?”

Hongzhou laughed heartily a couple of times and replied, “Yesterday, while I was lying in the coffin, Lord Yama himself told me!”

Hongli shot him a glare and scolded, “Just drink your tea quietly!”

Hongzhou grinned, grabbed his cup, and downed it in one gulp.

Moments later, his face turned deathly pale. His lips trembled uncontrollably, and his whole body began shaking as though he had caught a violent chill.

Hongzhan was startled. “Fifth Brother, what’s wrong with you?”

Hongzhou’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed straight backward onto the floor.

Hongzhan rushed forward and forcefully pushed Hongzhou. Hongzhou kept convulsing. Everyone looked on in shock and suspicion. Hongli suddenly stood up.

Hongzhan panicked and cried, “Could it really be that mixing pine nuts and bergamot is poisonous? Quick, spit it out!”

Everyone was terrified. One after another, they frantically tried to gag themselves, desperately attempting to vomit up the tea they had drunk. Fupeng dramatically pounded his own chest. Yunlu pressed hard on the base of his tongue and—with a retching sound—spat out the tea and snacks in a gush. Yunxi went even further, shoving a spoon straight down his throat.

Hongli, on the contrary, remained calm. He didn’t even lift an eyelid, quietly sitting there eating steamed buns.

In the midst of all the chaos, Hongzhou suddenly sat bolt upright, his face full of bewilderment. “What’s wrong with all of you?”

Yunlu raised his head, incredulous. “Weren’t you poisoned to death—?”

Hongzhou flashed a mischievous grin. “The Three Purities tea tasted so good that I lost myself for a moment and nearly had one of my old epileptic fits! What’s the matter with all of you? Did you have fits too?”

Fupeng exploded in fury. “Hongzhou, you were clearly toying with us on purpose! Your Majesty, Hongzhou’s behavior is utterly outrageous—you cannot let this go unchecked!” With that, he charged forward, ready to throw a punch.

Hongli barked sharply, “Everyone, sit down!” The whole group froze.

Forced back to their seats, they all glared at Hongzhou with resentment. Hongzhou fanned himself leisurely, sweeping a smug gaze over them.

After the banquet ended, everyone left Chonghua Palace. That night, a torrential downpour began. Hongzhou walked ahead, while the others trailed behind, muttering angrily under their breath.

Suddenly, the man who had been leading the way—Hongzhou—whirled around with an ominous look. “What nasty little scheme are you all plotting now? Planning to tattle to His Majesty about me, aren’t you!”

Fupeng was just about to speak when his eyes suddenly widened in terror. He shouted loudly, “Look!”

Hongzhou sneered disdainfully. “I’ve played this old trick myself ages ago. Trying to scare me? In your dreams!”

Hongzhan, trembling all over, stammered, “Fifth Brother, no—it’s not that!”

Hongzhou frowned and turned back. Just then, a flash of lightning illuminated the palace wall. The shadowy figure of a palace maid appeared faintly upon it. In the instant Hongzhou’s eyes widened, the maid twisted her head around. Her long, disheveled hair covered her face, making her features indistinct—yet she lifted her lips in a faint, eerie smile directed straight at them.

Hongzhan turned and bolted. The others didn’t even think—they dropped their umbrellas and fled for their lives into the pouring rain.

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