Chapter 82 - 75: Honored Through Her Son

After the sudden celestial phenomenon that erupted from the Library Pavilion, countless Jianghu people throughout the Imperial City were trying to find out what had happened that day.

Some claimed the old ancestor who guarded the Imperial Palace’s Library Pavilion had achieved a breakthrough, triggering a resonance between heaven and earth.

Others said it was because a supreme treasure was hidden within the Library Pavilion, and the celestial phenomenon was a disturbance caused by its emergence.

In short, all manner of rumors filled the air; everyone had a different theory.

Because of this, the usually quiet Imperial Palace became uncharacteristically bustling.

...

「Dayan Imperial Palace, West Mansion Hall.」

Ever since she had personally witnessed the celestial funnel resembling a waterspout form above the Library Pavilion a few days ago, Ye Xuan had been absent-minded in everything she did.

She had already sent the Chief Eunuch, Lou Qixiang, to the Library Pavilion to gather information several times.

But the Grand Elder had issued an order before entering the pavilion: no one was to come within several hundred meters of the Library Pavilion. Violators would be killed without mercy.

Since Lou Qixiang couldn’t even get close, he naturally couldn’t gather any information.

Such a strict lockdown was rare, even for the Imperial Palace. It was a measure only taken when something major had occurred.

But the Library Pavilion was already a heavily guarded, critical site for the Imperial Family.

’What other major incident could have occurred?’

Ye Xuan had been too worried to eat or drink for days, mulling over this question endlessly.

Seeing her so distraught, the Palace Maids and eunuchs attending to her daily needs all wore worried expressions.

They knew, of course, what was worrying Ye Xuan.

The Twelfth Prince had been cultivating in the Library Pavilion for many years. With such a major incident occurring there, he was most likely involved.

It was only natural for Ye Xuan, his mother, to be worried.

After several days of this anxious waiting, a Palace Maid finally couldn’t help but offer some comfort. "Your Highness, it is time for your meal. The Prince is the Child of Destiny, acknowledged by the old ancestor himself. Nothing will happen to him so easily. Please don’t worry so much!"

Seeing the Palace Maid’s worried expression, Ye Xuan could only force a smile. "What are you saying? My mind was just wandering for a moment. Leave the lunch here; I’ll eat it in a bit. All of you, return to your duties."

Although she did her best to act as if nothing was wrong, everyone present was an old retainer who had served her since her days in the Hall of Harmony. They knew each other far too well.

Her anxious state couldn’t possibly fool them.

But since Ye Xuan had denied it, they couldn’t press the matter any further.

The Palace Maid bowed and presented the lunch, but she did not withdraw.

Instead, her face etched with worry, she said, "Your Highness, the Empress sent a messenger just now. She’s inviting you to the Plum Garden this afternoon for some flower viewing. How should I respond?"

The Ye Xuan of today was a far cry from her former self.

Not only had she been named the Pure Consort with her own residence, but every few days, female members of the Clan Relatives would visit, sent by those hoping to curry favor with her.

Within the Harem, she was subtly beginning to rival Empress Li’s influence.

Naturally, Empress Li could not tolerate this.

For years, she had been scheming in the shadows, trying to get rid of Ye Xuan.

However, Li Chang’an had already arranged for Lou Qixiang to act as Ye Xuan’s overt bodyguard, while also secretly dispatching the "old man" to ensure his mother’s safety.

Furthermore, like Li Chang’an, Ye Xuan rarely ventured out. Coupled with the fact that all the maids and eunuchs in her West Mansion Palace were trusted confidants, Empress Li’s repeated attempts to make a move against her were all in vain.

Of course, if Empress Li were truly determined, it was highly likely she could succeed. With the power she secretly commanded, she could eliminate the former palace maid, Ye Xuan, if she were willing to pay any price.

The problem was, Ye Xuan wasn’t her real threat—Li Chang’an was. This left Empress Li in a difficult and frustrating position.

Hearing the Palace Maid’s words, Ye Xuan frowned. "Tell her I am feeling unwell today," she said. "I will join the Empress for flower viewing some other time."

Normally, Ye Xuan wanted nothing to do with Empress Li.

After all, her reputation preceded her.

Empress Li was renowned in the Harem for her immense power.

Although Ye Xuan now held a certain status in the Harem, she was under no illusions about her own position. Her nobility came entirely from her son. She was nowhere near qualified enough to go head-to-head with Empress Li.

The Palace Maid seemed to have expected this reply, but her expression, far from easing, grew even more troubled.

Ye Xuan noticed her strange reaction.

Just as the maids and eunuchs who had served her for years knew her well, she knew them. Seeing the maid’s hesitant expression, she said sharply, "What is it? Spit it out!"

At her urgent questioning, the Palace Maid’s expression grew more conflicted. After a long silence, she finally braced herself and said, "Her Majesty the Empress said... she said that if you wish to know what truly happened at the Library Pavilion a few days ago, you shouldn’t be so quick to refuse..."

At those words, Ye Xuan’s eyes flew open. She shot to her feet, her chest heaving. "What does that mean? The incident at the Library Pavilion... was it her doing?"

As she spoke, her voice trembled uncontrollably.

As a Consort who had started out as a mere palace maid, Li Chang’an was, in a sense, her only pillar of emotional support in the Imperial Palace.

Now, this message from Empress Li had clearly targeted Ye Xuan’s greatest vulnerability, throwing her into a complete panic almost instantly.

She couldn’t be blamed for jumping to such conclusions. After all, based on everything she knew, the possibility that the Empress had harmed Li Chang’an was not small.

Or to put it another way, in the entire Harem, Empress Li was likely the only one with both the ability and the motive to carry out such a plot.

The Palace Maid looked pained but could only shake her head. "I... I don’t know... But the Empress surely has ill intentions with this invitation. It could be a trap. You must think twice before acting!"

Ye Xuan was no fool; she could sense the danger.

But this concerned Li Chang’an, so she couldn’t afford to hesitate.

After pacing back and forth in the courtyard a few times, Ye Xuan abruptly declared, "Go fetch Eunuch Lou. Tell him I have an urgent matter to discuss with him!"

"Also... send word to the wives of a few Clan Relatives. Tell them the Empress has invited me to view the flowers in the Plum Garden, and ask them to delay their visit to the West Mansion for a few days."

’No matter what the Empress’s objective is, I have to go and find out the truth!’

However, just as Ye Xuan steeled her resolve and prepared to head to the Plum Garden, a figure appeared in the courtyard. His aura was completely restrained, and his every movement was like that of an Exiled Immortal gracing the mortal world.

His gaze swept over the surrounding Palace Maids and eunuchs, all of whom wore tense expressions as if facing a formidable enemy.

A rare smile touched Li Chang’an’s lips. "Mother," he said, "the mansion seems quite lively today. Did something happen?"

Upon seeing him, Ye Xuan froze for a moment. Then, the icy resolve on her face melted away, replaced by joyous relief. "Chang... Chang’an, are you all right? It’s good that you’re safe. It’s good that you’re safe!"

Saying this, she hurried over, grabbing his hands and looking him over from head to toe.

Although mother and son made time to see each other occasionally, they had spent far more time apart than together over the years. Combined with how rapidly Li Chang’an had grown, Ye Xuan hadn’t even recognized him at first glance.

Nearby, when the Palace Maids and eunuchs saw who it was, their alarm turned to delight. If not for the vast gulf in status that now separated them, they would have likely crowded around him already.

Li Chang’an greeted each of them in turn.

Though these Palace Maids and eunuchs were of low status, they had shared a special bond with him in his youth. Li Chang’an was no cold-hearted man. Now that he had the ability, he sent a strand of his own vital energy into each of them as thanks for their years of care.

After he had done this, Li Chang’an’s expression grew serious. His gaze fell upon Lou Qixiang, who had just rushed over. "Eunuch Lou, what happened?"

Lou Qixiang had just been summoned back from the Library Pavilion.

Feeling the profound, abyss-like aura emanating from Li Chang’an, Lou Qixiang broke out in a cold sweat, even though the pressure wasn’t directed at him.

’How terrifying!’

’The Prince’s aura... it’s as if one of the Ancient Gods and Demons has been reborn into the world!’

He didn’t dare hide a thing. He immediately fell to his knees, kowtowing repeatedly like a pestle grinding garlic. "Your Highness, this servant deserves death! I deserve death... My abilities are limited, and I have allowed Her Highness to suffer many grievances over the years."

Besides being Ye Xuan’s personal guard, Lou Qixiang was also the de facto chief steward of the West Mansion Hall. He was perfectly aware of everything that had happened recently.

He quickly explained the whole series of events to Li Chang’an.

Hearing the explanation, Li Chang’an snorted. "Inviting my mother to the Plum Garden to view the flowers? Very good. It seems Empress Li has some refined tastes."

He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Since Empress Li has such refined tastes," he continued, "I don’t think you need to be in a hurry to refuse, Mother. Why not see what game she’s playing?"

As he spoke these words, killing intent blazed like a wildfire in his heart.

In the past, he had ignored Empress Li and the Eldest Prince because his own power was not yet fully established. Making a move against them could have triggered unpredictable consequences.

But now, things were completely different.

’If Empress Li had known her place and not come looking for trouble, she might have been allowed to live a while longer.’

But not only had she failed to restrain herself, she had even courted death by targeting his mother. She had undoubtedly touched one of the few reverse scales Li Chang’an possessed in this life!

Hearing the undisguised killing intent in his voice, Ye Xuan grew fearful that he would directly confront Empress Li. She hurriedly tried to soothe him, "As long as you are safe, Mother is content. As for the Empress’s invitation... we can just send Qing’Er to refuse it. You’ve only just returned after so long; there’s no need to fly into a rage over this."

Li Chang’an glanced at his mother and smiled. "Mother, you don’t need to worry about me. I am the Child of Destiny, acknowledged by the old ancestor himself. If you can’t trust me, can’t you at least trust the old ancestor?"

In his mother’s eyes, no matter how powerful he became, he would always be her child. Therefore, Li Chang’an wisely chose to use the old ancestor as his backing.

Sure enough, after she heard him bring up the "old ancestor," Ye Xuan’s tense expression eased considerably.

However, her tone was still laced with hesitation and nervousness. "Chang’an," she said, "even if you have the Elder’s support, the Empress is not someone to be trifled with. Perhaps we should wait a little longer, until you’re older..."

Empress Li was the greatest variable standing between Li Chang’an and the throne. Ye Xuan wasn’t naive enough to believe that the Empress would spare them if they simply stayed out of her way.

It could be said that the enmity between their two factions ran deep, and their conflict could only end when one side was destroyed.

She simply felt that Li Chang’an was still too young to be a match for Empress Li and the entire Li Family that stood behind her.

Li Chang’an said nothing, instead turning to look at Lou Qixiang, who was still kneeling nearby.

How quick-witted was Lou Qixiang? He took the hint at once and hurriedly added, "Your Highness, this... this is the old ancestor’s will!"

Only then did Ye Xuan’s doubts finally vanish.

...