Xiao Yuhuang finally raised her eyes. She did not look at the Fourth Princess, but gazed at me from afar. Her eyes were as calm as ever, yet carried an invisible strength, as if saying: do not be afraid.
I steadied myself, set down the teacup, lifted my gaze to meet the Fourth Princess's probing look, and spoke evenly: "The Fourth Highness is joking. The Third Highness is benevolent and considerate of her ministers—this is her virtue. Yuzhi is flattered and only grateful." I attributed everything to the imperial princess's "benevolence," neatly dissolving the ambiguous accusation.
The Fourth Princess was about to say more when she was interrupted by a low, slightly hoarse voice:
"The Fourth Imperial Sister truly has leisure to spare, always fond of meddling in others' affairs."
Everyone followed the sound and saw that the Eighth Princess, Xiao Linyue, had appeared at some point. She held a wine cup in her hand, her steps slightly slowed by her injuries, yet her bearing was undiminished. She walked straight to our table, her gaze pausing on my face for an instant before turning to the Fourth Princess. Her tone was flat, yet heavy with pressure. "The bones of the soldiers of the northern frontier are not yet cold. Court and country alike should be thinking of how to serve the state. If the Fourth Imperial Sister truly has idle time, she might as well read a few more military texts and listen less to baseless gossip."
The Fourth Princess was choked into alternating red and white, forcing a smile. "The Eighth Imperial Sister is right. I accept the lesson."
Xiao Linyue ignored her and turned to me instead.
"Su gongzi," she said, her voice somewhat gentler than before, "are you feeling any better?"
I rose and saluted. "I trouble the Eighth Highness with her concern. Yuzhi is passable."
"Passable?" She raised a brow slightly, her eyes sweeping over the cup of ginseng tea before me, then flicking toward the distant, downcast Xiao Yuhuang. The corner of her lips curved into a faintly inscrutable arc. "When I was in the northern frontier, I once found several stalks of 'Chiyang Grass' atop a snow mountain. It is said to have remarkable effects in dispelling cold and strengthening the body. When I locate it, I will have someone deliver it to your residence."
Another gift of medicine! And this time she spoke as "this prince" (she had already been enfeoffed), her tone even more direct, leaving almost no room for refusal.
Father hurriedly rose. "Your Highness's favor is too great; we dare not accept it! My son's illness is chronic—how could we presume to trouble Your Highness to seek such a rare thing—"
"Su furen need not decline," Xiao Linyue cut him off, her gaze still fixed on me. "Your young master's life-saving grace—this little medicine is nothing."
The words "life-saving" were spoken clearly, neither light nor heavy, yet enough to make the father beside me shudder all over. He turned sharply to look at me, his eyes full of shock and questioning. I met his flustered gaze and gave a nearly imperceptible shake of my head, forcing a thin, reassuring smile, signaling him not to pursue it here.
And at the far end of the hall, in a corner no one noticed, Xiao Yuhuang's jade cup was nearly embedded in her palm. Her fingers were drawn taut, bloodless with force, yet the fine wine within did not ripple in the slightest—only reflecting her suddenly icy eyes, and the turbulent, barely restrained storm surging deep within.
Amid this standoff, the female emperor seated high upon the throne suddenly spoke again, her voice not loud, yet carrying clearly through the entire hall:
"Chancellor Su."
Mother immediately rose. "This minister is present."
"Your Yulang," the emperor's gaze fell upon me with a lofty scrutiny, "I find him composed in bearing, unlike an ordinary boudoir-bred young master. Just now, several imperial daughters debated the matter of the northern frontier, yet I have not heard his view. Su Yuzhi—tell Us, what do you think of this matter?"
With a buzzing sound, my mind went utterly blank.
Her Majesty… was questioning me publicly, at this very moment?
Father was so startled he nearly lost his composure; Mother's pupils tightened as well. The entire hall fell silent. All eyes, like converging beams of light, fixed firmly upon me.
Xiao Linyue halted her steps and turned back toward the throne, her brow knitting slightly. Xiao Yuhuang snapped her head up, for the first time revealing clear worry in her eyes.
The Fourth Princess, meanwhile, wore an undisguised, anticipatory smile, waiting for the spectacle.
I knew this was an extremely dangerous test. Answer well, and there might be no merit; answer poorly, and it would be utter ruin—especially when I had just been drawn into the focal point of the open struggle between two imperial princesses.
Taking a deep breath, suppressing the tightness in my chest and the itch in my throat, I slowly rose, stepped to the center before the tables, and bowed deeply toward the throne.
When I lifted my head, my face already bore the flawless deference and calm befitting a young master of the Su family.
"In reply to Your Majesty," my voice rang clear and steady in the silence, carrying a youth's pure clarity, softened just enough by frailty, "Yuzhi is young and long confined by illness, utterly ignorant of military and state affairs. How would I dare to rashly comment on imperial decisions or border warfare?"
I began with humility and retreat, citing youth and weakness—the safest opening.
The female emperor's expression did not change. She only said coolly, "No matter. I grant you pardon. Treat it as idle talk—speak your thoughts."
Idle talk? Before the Son of Heaven, where is there true idle talk?
I paused slightly, as if pondering earnestly, then spoke slowly, my voice still low but clear enough for those in front to hear. "Though Yuzhi is dull, he knows that 'war is a matter of the state.' The security of the northern frontier concerns the realm and the common people. Just now, hearing the high discourse of the various Highnesses: the Eighth Highness is brave and resolute, willing to enter danger herself to uncover the truth—her loyalty and valor inspire admiration; the Third Highness thinks deeply, focuses on institutional roots, and seeks long-term stability—her wisdom and foresight are equally thought-provoking."
I praised both sides evenly, without bias.
"However," I continued, my tone still respectful, "in Yuzhi's foolish view, whether it is investigation and purging, or reform and renewal, the ultimate aim is the peace of the northern frontier and the livelihood of its people. Perhaps… the two are not strictly opposed?" I raised my eyes, looking clearly toward the throne, with a sincerity appropriately youthful and unworldly. "If reform can provide a smoother path for investigation and cleansing; and the results of investigation can clear obstacles for new reforms… the two may complement each other and achieve twice the result with half the effort. Yuzhi speaks rashly—I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
I proposed no concrete plan—only cast a "seemingly naive" conciliatory notion, framing Xiao Linyue's "investigation" and Xiao Yuhuang's "reform" as mutually reinforcing. This both catered to the emperor's likely desire for the appearance of sisterly harmony and courtly consensus, and deftly avoided the risk of taking sides.
When I finished, I lowered my head again, awaiting judgment.
The hall was silent.
The female emperor regarded me for a long while, then suddenly let out a soft laugh, unreadable in intent. "Chancellor Su, you have raised a fine son. Though he lives within the inner chambers, he has some insight—not like ordinary men who know only romance and pleasure."
Mother hurriedly bowed. "Your Majesty overpraises him. My son speaks in ignorance and presumption; we are deeply fearful."
"Enough," the emperor waved her hand. "Today is a banquet—we will not discuss this further. Su Yuzhi, your health is weak. Return to your seat."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." I secretly exhaled and obeyed, returning to my place. My back was already soaked through with cold sweat.
After this exchange, the atmosphere of the banquet grew even stranger. The looks cast toward me became increasingly complex—scrutiny, curiosity, wariness, and… undisguised interest.
Xiao Linyue gave me a long, deep look. She said nothing more, only raised her cup toward me in acknowledgment, drained it in one go, and turned away.
Xiao Yuhuang's gaze followed me until I was seated. The worry in her eyes gradually settled, transforming into a deeper emotion I could not understand.
By the time the banquet ended, I was utterly exhausted, forcing myself to keep my spirits as I joined the others in seeing off the imperial procession.
In the carriage home, Father's face was extremely grim. He hesitated again and again, wanting to speak. Mother remained silent, her brows tightly knit.
I knew what they were worried about. After tonight, the name "Su Yuzhi" would no longer be merely that of the sickly young master of the Chancellor's residence. My response before the throne, and my entanglements—impossible to sever—with two imperial princesses, had already pushed me, and the Su family with me, onto the edge of a raging storm.