’Even though His Highness has fallen, at least someone still remembers our old ties. That’s enough.’ A gentle yet desolate smile graced her lips as she looked in the mirror.
Suddenly, a thought struck her, and a look of grim determination flashed in her eyes.
’If the day ever comes for His Highness... then I will simply follow him.’
’If we cannot be together in life, then we shall be together in death. The Crown Prince saved my life once, and now someone connected to him has saved it again. It is only right that I repay him with it, accompanying him to the Yellow Springs so that he will not be lonely in the afterlife.’
As this thought took root, a strange sense of calm washed over her, without a trace of fear.
’She no longer thought of the Palace power struggles, the rivalries between Princes, or the rise and fall of great families... She only wanted to quietly accompany him on this final journey, and even continue walking with him in the world below.’
"Mo’Er, you’re awake?" A voice, clear and cold as striking jade, came from outside the door.
Pan Mo turned her head to see the Crown Prince Consort, Yun Liyue, gliding into the room.
The morning light poured in from behind her, enveloping her in a hazy, golden halo.
Today, she wore a long, moon-white palace gown embroidered with plum branches in Silver Thread. The hem of her skirt trailed behind her, sweeping the floor like flowing clouds as she walked—a breathtaking sight.
Her long hair was gathered into a dignified updo, adorned with a single hairpin carved from mutton-fat jade into the shape of a plum blossom. A delicate tassel of tiny pearls hung from the pin, swaying gently with her every step.
Her beauty was of an exceedingly cold and noble sort. Her eyebrows were gently curved, and her eyes were like the moon reflected in a Cold Pool.
She had a straight nose and lips the pale color of new cherry blossoms, pink and moist.
Her skin was fair and translucent, as if carved from the finest cold jade, completely devoid of any worldly air.
Standing there, she was like a Moon Palace Fairy descended to the mortal realm, her cold brilliance so intense that one dared not look at her directly.
"Sister Yun, you’re here." Pan Mo hurriedly rose and curtsied.
Yun Liyue quickened her pace to support her. Her cool fingertips brushed against Pan Mo’s warm wrist, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. "How has your health improved so much?"
"Yes, it really has improved a lot." Pan Mo nodded and told Yun Liyue what had happened last night.
Yun Liyue listened quietly, ripples of emotion disturbing the calm of her cold eyes.
She, of course, knew who the mysterious master Pan Mo spoke of was—the same person who had repeatedly saved her from peril and gifted her the original manual for the Sword Control Skill.
That person claimed to have past ties to the Crown Prince’s Mansion and owed her own master a favor, so they were here to repay a debt. They had already helped many of the old retainers of the Crown Prince’s Mansion.
"Your health improved before because someone secretly gave you an Elixir. I suspected it might have been them, and now it seems I was right," Yun Liyue said slowly, her voice laced with an imperceptible, complex emotion.
She paused, looking at the devotion and gratitude for the Crown Prince in Pan Mo’s eyes, and sighed inwardly.
’This foolish girl... she must be attributing this kindness entirely to the Crown Prince.’
’But what about the Crown Prince? That old man in Wenhua Hall, lost in drunken debauchery night after night... is he truly worthy of her devotion? Is he worthy of mine?’
It wasn’t that Yun Liyue had never had her doubts; in fact, she had suspected many times.
She had also wondered, ’Could the mysterious master be the Crown Prince himself, or someone acting on his orders?’
After all, the timing of their appearances was too coincidental, and their knowledge of the old affairs of the Crown Prince’s Mansion was too intimate.
But every time the thought arose, she forcibly suppressed it. It was impossible.
The Crown Prince had been deposed for decades. His Cultivation was destroyed, his meridians had withered, and his body was like a lamp with no more oil—not far from death.
Even if he had secretly recovered a little, how could he possibly possess such elusive skills and such unfathomable Cultivation?
Besides, if he truly had such abilities, why would he have feigned madness for decades, enduring the scorn of the world?
"It must be one of the old retainers from the Crown Prince’s Mansion, someone who also knew my master. They must feel grateful for past kindnesses and wish to see His Highness off on his final journey." Yun Liyue said this to Pan Mo, but also to herself.
She spoke these words with a measure of calm, but a trace of bitterness welled up in her heart.
The Crown Prince of the past—brilliant, benevolent, and magnanimous—had certainly been worthy of such loyalty. Back then, many powerful masters had followed him willingly.
But the man he was now had none of that former charm. Every time she went to Wenhua Hall and saw his state of debauched stupor, she felt a pain like a knife twisting in her heart, leaving her at a loss for words.
Pan Mo suddenly grasped her hand, her eyes shining with anticipation. "Sister Liyue, let’s go see the Crown Prince, shall we? I want to thank him personally, and thank the master connected to him. We haven’t seen His Highness in so long."
Yun Liyue froze, her first instinct to refuse.
She knew better than anyone what kind of place Wenhua Hall had become. There were far too many women there.
But seeing the healthy blush on Pan Mo’s pale face and the pure gratitude and devotion in her eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to say no.
’Fine, we’ll go. Let this girl see for herself. It might shatter her foolish fantasies and stop her from doing something stupid later.’
Yun Liyue nodded. "Alright. But you must Promise me, no matter what you see, you won’t be too heartbroken."
Pan Mo nodded emphatically, but her eyes were already filled with hopeful longing.
At 7:45 AM, the summer sun’s scorching power was already on display, and its intensity was still climbing.
Before Wenhua Hall, two slender figures stood side by side, each a beauty capable of toppling nations.
Pan Mo had changed into a goose-yellow ruqun embroidered with an intertwined lotus pattern, over which she wore a sheer, moon-white, half-sleeved jacket. Her hair was styled in a simple double-coiled bun, adorned with a pair of small pearl flower ornaments.
She had deliberately applied a light layer of powder and rouge to conceal her sickly pallor. But having just recovered from a long illness, her figure was still frail. Standing in the sunlight, she resembled a tender willow branch that might snap in the wind, possessing a delicate, moving beauty.
Yun Liyue still wore the same moon-white palace gown, but she had added a thin silk cape of the same color. The edge of its hood was trimmed with snow-white fox fur, making her face appear even colder and more like snow, bringing a hint of coolness to the sweltering summer heat.
She stood perfectly straight, gazing at the familiar palace before her, her eyes as still as water, revealing nothing of her thoughts.
The main gates of Wenhua Hall were wide open. Even before they drew near, a warm gust of wind hit them, carrying a mixture of alcohol, cosmetics, and sweat. Woven into it was the coquettish laughter of women, the decadent strains of string and wind instruments, and the crisp clinking of cups.
So early in the morning, and the elder Crown Prince was already indulging in his dissolute pleasures.
The Palace Attendants guarding the hall were stunned to see the Crown Prince Consort and Second Class Attendant Pan, then hurriedly bowed. "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince Consort. Greetings, Second Class Attendant Pan."
Yun Liyue gave a faint nod. "Is the Crown Prince awake?"
The Palace Attendant looked troubled and stammered, "His Highness... His Highness retired late last night. He is currently having his morning meal. Perhaps you could wait a moment."
A morning meal, he’d said, but the sounds coming from within the hall painted a very different picture.
Yun Liyue didn’t ask any more questions, nor did she wait. Taking Pan Mo’s hand, she walked straight into the hall.
The moment they stepped inside, a wave of heat and cloying fragrances washed over them, so thick it was almost suffocating.

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