Chapter 201: From Ancient Times, the Passionate Only Have Regrets Left; This Regret...

Chapter 201: From ancient times, those with deep affections only leave behind lingering resentment; this resentment...

Ji Wuci's expression was cold. He didn't even glance at her before striding away.

"Your Highness..." Ji Wujiu called out, "There's something else, perhaps Your Highness would be interested?"

Ji Wuci stopped in his tracks but didn't turn around. "What is it?"

"When His Highness was young, he was cared for by Concubine Shu and raised in Jiuhua Palace. Does Your Highness remember the small, round, black box that Concubine Shu treasured most?" Ji Wujiu's tone held a hint of curiosity.

Ji Wuci remained silent.

Ji Wujiu continued, "That black box was placed in the innermost drawer of the dressing table. His Highness never opened it. On the day Concubine Shu passed away, when we were tidying up her belongings, I saw her clutch the black box tightly. After she breathed her last, her grip loosened. Her hand was still on the box when the maids finally managed to get it away. When I looked inside, I found..."

Ji Wujiu smiled, a touch of melancholic sadness in her voice. "I found a small, intricate wooden sword carved by His Highness as a child, and a lock of hair, presumably His Highness's. There was also a letter, but it wasn't addressed to His Highness. It was a deathbed letter to the Empress Dowager..."

Ji Wuci's knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists.

Ji Wujiu continued, "Concubine Shu mentioned in the letter that she was carrying a secret order. She was acting under the Empress Dowager's instructions to keep an eye on His Highness. If His Highness showed any hint of rebellion or went against the Emperor, she was to send the signal to the Empress Dowager. If His Highness became a threat, she was to act quickly. And if His Highness ever looked into his past... if he discovered the truth about Concubine Mu's death, she was to ensure that truth remained buried."

"The truth about Concubine Mu's death..." Ji Wujiu paused, watching Ji Wuci's rigid back. "Did His Highness think Concubine Mu died naturally? She passed away right before His Highness's eyes, didn't she? Concubine Shu even forced His Highness to watch the entire process. Why would she do that?"

Ji Wuci trembled slightly.

"Perhaps, there was another reason for Concubine Mu's death." Ji Wujiu's voice was soft, almost a whisper. "For example, she was killed."

Ji Wuci turned around abruptly, his eyes filled with icy fury. "Ji Wujiu! You!"

Ji Wujiu smiled faintly, her eyes wide and innocent. "What did I do? Did I say something wrong?"

Ji Wuci stared at her intently, his chest heaving. After a long moment, he turned and walked away.

Ji Wujiu watched his receding figure until it disappeared from view. Only then did the smile vanish from her face, replaced by an expression of cold indifference.

The sun had set, casting long shadows across the palace grounds. The sky was a deep, dark blue.

Ji Wujiu walked through the gardens, her footsteps echoing softly in the quiet evening. She paused beside a stone bench, her gaze fixed on a cluster of plum blossoms.

The wind rustled through the leaves, and the petals of the plum blossoms drifted down like snowflakes.

Ji Wujiu reached out and caught a falling petal. Its delicate texture against her skin felt strangely distant.

She looked up at the moon, a pale crescent in the darkening sky.

A long sigh escaped her lips.

She sat on the stone bench, the cold seeping through her thin robes. The night deepened, and the palace was bathed in a soft, ethereal glow.

Ji Wujiu remained there for a long time, lost in thought. The air was filled with the scent of plum blossoms, a fragrance that was both sweet and melancholic.

After a while, she stood up and began to walk again, her steps slow and measured. The palace seemed vast and empty in the moonlight.

She passed by the Pavilion of Serene Harmony, where she had spent countless hours studying with her tutors. The windows were dark and silent.

She continued on, her path leading her towards the outer courts. The sound of guards on patrol echoed in the distance.

Ji Wujiu walked until she reached the gate, where a sedan chair was waiting. She entered the chair, and the bearers lifted it, carrying her out of the palace grounds.

As the sedan chair moved through the streets of Chang'an, Ji Wujiu gazed out at the city lights. The bustling markets and vibrant energy of the city seemed a world away from the quiet solitude of the palace.

She felt a sense of detachment, as if she were observing everything from a distance.

The sedan chair finally stopped outside her residence. She stepped out, her feet touching the familiar ground.

Her attendants bowed their heads in greeting. Ji Wujiu nodded in return and walked towards the entrance.

As she entered the main hall, she saw her younger brother, Ji Wuyan, sitting by the fireplace, reading a book. He looked up and smiled as she entered.

"You're back," he said, his voice warm and welcoming.

Ji Wujiu smiled back. "Yes, I'm back."

She sat beside him, and he closed his book, his attention solely on her.

"How was your day?" he asked.

Ji Wujiu hesitated for a moment, then replied, "It was... eventful."

Ji Wuyan raised an eyebrow, a curious glint in his eyes. "Eventful? Tell me everything."

Ji Wujiu recounted the events of the day, starting with her visit to the Empress Dowager and ending with her encounter with Ji Wuci. She spoke in a calm, measured tone, but her words were laced with a subtle undercurrent of emotion.

Ji Wuyan listened attentively, his expression shifting from concern to understanding.

When she finished, he reached out and gently took her hand. "You've been through a lot," he said softly.

Ji Wujiu nodded, her gaze fixed on his hand.

"But you are strong," Ji Wuyan continued. "You will overcome these challenges."

Ji Wujiu looked up at him, a grateful smile on her face. "Thank you, Wuyan."

He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I'm always here for you, A'Jiu."

They sat in silence for a while, the only sound the crackling fire in the hearth. The warmth of the fire, combined with her brother's comforting presence, brought a sense of peace to Ji Wujiu's troubled heart.

Later that night, as Ji Wujiu lay in bed, she thought about Ji Wuci's reaction to her words. His fury, his shock, his pain – she had seen it all in his eyes.

She knew she had struck a nerve. The truth about Concubine Mu's death was a closely guarded secret, one that Ji Wuci had never been allowed to uncover.

And now, she had planted a seed of doubt in his mind. A seed that would grow and fester, eventually leading him to question everything he thought he knew.

A faint smile played on Ji Wujiu's lips.

She closed her eyes, the image of Ji Wuci's face imprinted on her mind.

From ancient times, those with deep affections only leave behind lingering resentment. And this resentment... would eventually consume them.

She drifted off to sleep, the scent of plum blossoms still lingering in the air.

The next morning, Ji Wujiu woke up early. She dressed in a simple silk robe and went to the garden.

The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden glow over the dew-kissed flowers.

Ji Wujiu walked among the flowers, her fingers lightly touching the delicate petals. The garden was her sanctuary, a place where she could find solace and peace.

She spent the morning in the garden, tending to the plants and enjoying the tranquility of nature.

In the afternoon, she received a visitor. It was Concubine Wei, who had come to express her gratitude for Ji Wujiu's help.

Concubine Wei was a beautiful woman, with a gentle demeanor and a kind smile. She had been the Emperor's favorite concubine for many years, but her position had been threatened by the machinations of the Empress Dowager and her allies.

Ji Wujiu had intervened on her behalf, using her influence to protect Concubine Wei and her son, the Emperor's favored son.

Concubine Wei expressed her heartfelt thanks, her eyes filled with sincerity.

Ji Wujiu accepted her gratitude with grace, assuring her that she was happy to help.

As they spoke, Ji Wujiu subtly steered the conversation towards the Emperor and the political situation in the court. Concubine Wei, trusting Ji Wujiu completely, shared her insights and concerns.

Ji Wujiu listened carefully, absorbing every word.

Later that evening, Ji Wujiu attended a banquet hosted by the Empress Dowager. The atmosphere was tense, as the various factions vied for power and influence.

Ji Wujiu moved through the crowded hall with ease, exchanging pleasantries with the guests. She observed the interactions between the courtiers, gathering information and assessing the political landscape.

She saw Ji Wuci at the banquet, his expression still troubled. He avoided her gaze, and she made no attempt to approach him.

The banquet continued late into the night. As the guests began to depart, Ji Wujiu lingered, speaking with a few trusted allies.

She discussed the recent events and the potential implications for the future. Her words were carefully chosen, her tone measured and insightful.

Her allies listened attentively, their respect for her evident in their expressions.

Finally, Ji Wujiu left the banquet hall. The moon was high in the sky, casting a silvery light over the palace.

She walked back to her residence, the events of the day replaying in her mind.

She had made progress. She had sowed the seeds of doubt, strengthened her alliances, and gathered valuable information.

The path ahead was still long and challenging, but Ji Wujiu was determined. She would navigate the treacherous waters of the court, protecting herself and her loved ones, and ultimately achieving her goals.

As she entered her residence, she saw that Ji Wuyan was still awake, waiting for her.

He smiled as she entered, his eyes filled with warmth and concern.

"How was the banquet?" he asked.

Ji Wujiu smiled back. "It was... interesting."

She sat beside him, and they talked for a while, sharing their thoughts and concerns.

The night was quiet, and the air was filled with the comforting presence of family.

Ji Wujiu knew that no matter how difficult the challenges she faced, she would always have her brother by her side. And that, she thought, was a treasure more valuable than any power or influence.