Rong Tan did have his attendants keep a close eye on Jia Weizhen’s movements, but ever since Jia Weizhen entered the Wu Mansion, he shut himself in his room all day, with A Ming personally delivering his meals and clothes. He was so secretive that no one could get a read on him at all.
He tried to subtly ask Wu Ciyun about it, but Wu Ciyun only responded vaguely, telling him to focus on his own duties.
Two days later, before dawn, Su Wuke sent people to quietly escort Wu Ciyun and her group out of Ning Prefecture, without notifying anyone in advance.
Not long ago, a Rui Prince’s Attendant had clashed with Wu Ciyun over the Ning Prefecture officials, and now took the opportunity to exaggerate things in a memorial to Prince Rui. Upon hearing the news, Prince Rui was furious and immediately sent an urgent Imperial Edict, rebuking Wu Ciyun for acting on her own and defying imperial will.
The attendant, feeling emboldened after receiving the edict, originally intended to go to Wu Ciyun and reclaim his lost dignity.
But when he arrived at the Wu Mansion, he found it already deserted.
After questioning the surrounding Imperial Guards, he learned that Wu Ciyun had left Ning Prefecture several hours earlier.
The attendant was so angry his face turned green, and could only rush to send another letter to Prince Rui.
In the twelfth month, Ning Prefecture and Wuzhou fell one after another.
The Imperial Court’s main forces were cut off from their Grain and Fodder, yet the King of Sheng indulged in pleasures and debauchery, even ordering the construction of a Zhaixing Terrace from which he could “pluck the stars with his own hand.”
Seeing this, the other prefectures and counties that had been wavering all switched sides.
Prince Rui and his allies in the Capital joined forces, and on the day before New Year’s Eve, led troops into the Palace, forcing the King of Sheng to abdicate.
The sycophantic eunuchs and traitors who once fawned at the King of Sheng’s side were executed and their families purged.
Fresh blood soaked the thin layer of new snow, and severed heads were prominently displayed at the street corners—their cheeks pale, eyes bulging, like evil spirits crawling up from Avici Hell.
From high-ranking Officials to ordinary citizens, all in the Capital felt a chill in their hearts. Every household kept their doors tightly shut, the only movement outside being the red lanterns swaying in the cold wind.
The carriage jolted violently as it rumbled down the main street.
Wu Ciyun caught a faint whiff of blood.
She lifted the curtain and glanced outside, only to find a frozen severed head had accidentally rolled beside the carriage.
Wu Mingzhu and Wu Liangyu, the siblings, had been dozing in Rong Tan’s arms, slumping this way and that. The jolt made them groggily open their eyes.
“Are we in the Capital already?”
Wu Mingzhu rubbed her eyes, yawned, and muttered, “Why are the roads in the Capital so bumpy…”
Wu Liangyu was quieter than his sister.
Curious, he tried to lift the curtain for a peek outside, but as soon as his hand reached out, Rong Tan pressed it back down.
“It’s very cold outside, be careful not to catch a chill.”
Rong Tan tucked the siblings’ cloaks more tightly around them and said gently, “There will be plenty of chances to see it later. Today doesn’t matter.”
Wu Liangyu nodded, half understanding, and obediently nestled under the cloak, saying no more.
“My lord, we’ve arrived.”
The coachman brought the carriage to a steady stop in front of a grand mansion.
Wu Ciyun stepped down and looked up at the signboard above the gate, where the words “Wu Mansion” were freshly inscribed in flowing calligraphy.
Servants and retainers, ordered to wait outside, greeted them.
The head steward, a middle-aged man, said eagerly, “My lord, everything in the residence has been prepared. You must be weary from your journey—why not rest first?”
This mansion had once belonged to Wu Xiang, who was executed along with his entire household.
It had lain abandoned for four years, shunned by others as inauspicious.
Now that it had changed hands, it would likely become lively again before long.
Wu Ciyun surveyed the familiar residence and calmly instructed Rong Tan, “Take Mingzhu and Liangyu inside first. If I return late, you don’t need to wait up for me.”
Rong Tan nodded silently and said softly, “Then come back soon. Today is New Year’s Eve, and we’re supposed to Stay Up to See in the New Year.”
Wu Mingzhu and Wu Liangyu huddled timidly behind Rong Tan, looking around curiously at the both strange and familiar surroundings.
This house was much larger than where they used to live, and there were several times more servants, all of whom looked icy and aloof.
Seeing the two were shy, Rong Tan quickly comforted them in a gentle voice.
The steward, quick-witted, had already heard that Wu Ciyun had brought her younger siblings back this time, and immediately mentioned that the residence had prepared all sorts of fruits, pastries, and toys for children.
Wu Ciyun told A Ming to stay and help Rong Tan handle household matters, then turned and boarded the carriage again, instructing the coachman to head straight to the Palace.
The King of Sheng had written an Edict of Self-Condemnation and abdicated.
Though the remaining loyalists in the court had not yet been purged, Prince Rui, per their agreement, supported the King’s not-yet-five-year-old son in ascending the throne.
Yet in his heart, he already regarded the throne as his own.
Upon learning Wu Ciyun sought an audience, Prince Rui was not surprised, and had the Chamberlain bring her straight to the imperial study. He sat firmly on the throne, looking down at her.
“Your humble servant greets Your Highness, and congratulates Your Highness on having your long-cherished wish fulfilled.”
Wu Ciyun’s manner was as respectful as ever, her etiquette flawless.
Prince Rui’s expression eased slightly at this.
To be fair, Wu Ciyun was indeed an excellent strategist. From being an ordinary prince to now holding great power, Prince Rui owed much to her.
He had originally planned to hold her accountable for the Ning Prefecture incident, but upon reflection, he realized he still needed her support for now.
So, he put on a gentler face and ordered the Chamberlain to grant Wu Ciyun a seat.
“I know why you’ve come today. Don’t worry, I will not go back on my word.”
Prince Rui stroked the White Jade Thumb Ring on his finger and said mildly, “You helped me accomplish great things. Though I wish to reward you, the situation is still unstable. Now, with all the rumors about you slaughtering officials in Ning Prefecture, others may seize upon your mistakes. After all, I am not yet the rightful Emperor. You’ll have to wait a bit longer.”
He paused, then added, “I had intended to grant you the hereditary title of En’en Marquis.”
Prince Rui’s words were veiled with meaning, and even the most unfeeling system could sense his intent.
By his implication, he had planned to reward Wu Ciyun, but she had defied him and thus lost that favor.
If Wu Ciyun still wanted to rise in rank, she would have to find a way to make amends and help Prince Rui secure the throne.
But Wu Ciyun’s expression showed not a hint of regret.
She lowered her eyes and said calmly, “Your humble servant has weathered many storms over the years. Now I only wish for my family’s safety and peace. Fame and fortune are as fleeting as clouds to me.”
Prince Rui’s face stiffened at her words.
He frowned at Wu Ciyun for a long moment, but seeing her unwavering indifference toward rank and wealth, he waved his hand and said coldly, “If that’s the case, you may go.”
Wu Ciyun accepted the order and left the imperial study under the Chamberlain’s guidance.
“Lord Wu, everything has been arranged. Please follow me.”
The Chamberlain rode ahead, leading the way.
The carriage left the Palace and drove into the night. It was New Year’s Eve, moonless, but the sky was clear and the stars especially bright.
The carriage entered a pine grove, where distant firelight flickered.
Wu Ciyun stepped down slowly, walking into the woods by the faint starlight.
The Chamberlain explained, “This is the ancestral tomb of the Wu Clan. His Highness ordered the bodies of the Wu Family gathered from the Mass Grave and buried here together.”
“Thank His Highness for me.”
Wu Ciyun looked at the newly erected tombstones beneath the pines and cypresses, her heart unmoved.
Four years had passed.
The corpses in the Mass Grave were probably long reduced to white bones.
Even if they could distinguish which were Wu family members, who knew how many wandering ghosts were buried among them?
The Chamberlain watched Wu Ciyun’s expression closely, then clapped his hands.
Immediately, Imperial Guards dragged forward a disheveled man.
The man seemed barely conscious, shivering and muttering over and over, “Don’t kill me, don’t kill me, don’t kill me…”
Wu Ciyun stared at his dragon robe for a long while before speaking slowly, “Your Majesty.”
Perhaps the title jolted his mind back to clarity.
The King of Sheng looked up in confusion.
The thick pine branches blocked the stars, but the firelight was bright, and he saw her face clearly.
That cold, luminous face had once enchanted his proud second daughter, Princess Zhaoning—he’d nearly issued an edict to grant them marriage.
“Wu Ciyun… you’re Wu Ciyun…”
A look of disbelief flashed across the King of Sheng’s face.
He was terrified, as if seeing a ghost crawl from the earth.
He tried to escape, but the guards yanked him back by the hair.
Wu Ciyun looked at his terrified face and said coolly, “Why is Your Majesty so surprised to see your humble servant? I thought you spared my life knowing we’d meet again one day.”
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