Chapter 14: She Has Arrived, She Has Arrived

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Feng Ruqing’s sedan chair came to a halt before the gate of the Cold Palace. Before she could speak, a sharp command cut through the air: “Halt! Who goes there?” Two guards, each wielding a long halberd, blocked the path.

Feng Ruqing lifted the curtain of her sedan chair, her icy gaze sweeping over the two men as she said coldly, “I am to enter.”

The guards exchanged looks. One mustered courage and said, “Your Majesty the Empress, by imperial decree, no one is allowed to enter the Cold Palace without permission.”

Before he finished speaking, Eunuch Zhang stepped out from the Cold Palace, a sycophantic smile playing on his lips. “Oh, isn’t this the Empress? So late at night, what brings you to this forsaken place?”

Feng Ruqing looked at him frostily. “My affairs are none of your concern. Step aside.”

A flicker of contempt flashed in Zhang’s eyes, but his smile remained fixed. “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I am only carrying out orders. The Emperor has declared the Cold Palace forbidden ground. No one dares to defy his edict.”

“The Emperor?” Feng Ruqing’s eyes darkened. She knew this matter was linked to Ji Ran. “I wish to see the Emperor.”

“His Majesty is overwhelmed with state affairs and has no time to see you,” Zhang said sarcastically. “Your Majesty the Empress, please return and spare me from difficulty.”

Feng Ruqing’s anger surged within her; this was clearly Ji Ran’s deliberate provocation. She clenched her fists, suppressing her fury. “I will say this once more: step aside!”

Zhang’s smile remained, but he showed no intention of yielding. “Your Majesty, you make it difficult for a humble eunuch. I am but a lowly servant who cannot disobey the Emperor’s orders.”

He deliberately emphasized “lowly eunuch,” his tone dripping with mockery.

Taking a deep breath, Feng Ruqing’s cold gaze seemed to freeze Zhang in place. Then, drawing on the authority of the Empress, she said, “I am the sovereign of the harem. How dare a lowly eunuch speak to me this way? I come today out of concern for the Emperor. If some misfortune in the Cold Palace affects His Majesty, can you bear the responsibility? If you deny me entry now and something happens later, you will be the first I call to account.”

Frightened, Zhang dared not obstruct further. Feng Ruqing strode directly into the Cold Palace.

She traced the wall of the Cold Palace with her hand, finally discovering a small, hidden door in a secluded corner.

Dust coated the door, showing it had not been used for a long time.

Feng Ruqing pushed it open with effort, a harsh creak slicing through the silence.

The Cold Palace was suffused with a decaying stench, overgrown with weeds and desolation. She carefully avoided the tangled undergrowth, searching every corner meticulously.

Suddenly, among a pile of tattered clothing, she found a secret compartment.

As she opened it, a chilling breath washed over her; the diary inside seemed to emit a cold, spectral glow.

Reaching out to take the diary, she felt as if invisible hands tried to restrain her. Her hand trembled slightly but remained resolute as she grasped the diary.

Opening it, she saw pages densely covered in elegant handwriting.

Most entries were mundane, but a few phrases caught her attention:

“She came… she’s coming again…”

“She frightens me…”

“She forces me…”

The words were fragmented and vague but radiated deep fear and unease.

Feng Ruqing’s heart tightened; the diary’s owner clearly knew something. But who was this “she”?

She flipped further, and on the last page, a phrase appeared: “White… white… flower…”

White flower? An image flashed in Feng Ruqing’s mind—Bai Zhi! Bai Zhi favored wearing white flowers. Could it be…?

Feng Ruqing snapped the diary shut, a glint of frost in her eyes.

She was nearly certain her sister’s death was tied to Bai Zhi.

At that moment, hurried footsteps approached rapidly.

Feng Ruqing quickly hid the diary in her sleeve, her gaze wary toward the Cold Palace entrance.

“Who’s there?” a sharp voice called out. “Who’s inside?”

It was Bai Zhi.

Feng Ruqing concealed herself behind the ruined walls, watching coldly as Bai Zhi, accompanied by Ji Ran and a group of guards, stormed into the Cold Palace.

Bai Zhi’s face was anxious as she pointed toward Feng Ruqing’s hiding place. “Your Majesty, I witnessed the Empress unlawfully entering the Cold Palace. She surely has sinister intent!”

Ji Ran’s expression darkened, his gaze slicing through every corner of the Cold Palace like a blade.

He strode up to Feng Ruqing and said harshly, “Empress, how dare you defy my orders!”

Feng Ruqing stepped out slowly, calm and unruffled, a trace of mockery playing on her lips. “Your Majesty, why speak so? I only came out of concern for dangers hidden in the Cold Palace, to lighten your burden.”

“To lighten my burden?” Ji Ran sneered. “I think you harbor ill intentions!”

Seeing this, Bai Zhi hastened to add fuel to the fire. “Your Majesty, the Empress has behaved strangely of late. I fear…”

She hesitated, eyes full of worry.

Feng Ruqing scoffed, cutting her off: “Lady Bai need not worry. All I do is for the safety of the Emperor and the harem.”

She produced the diary from her sleeve, waving it before Bai Zhi with a cold smile. “Lady Bai, do you think you can deceive everyone? The contents of this diary all point to you. Do you still deny it?”

Bai Zhi panicked and tried to snatch the diary, but Feng Ruqing deftly avoided her. The surrounding guards and palace maids looked on, some startled, others fearful, some secretly observing.

Bai Zhi’s face instantly turned pale. She forced calm and said, “Your Majesty, this diary is of unknown origin. Perhaps someone is deliberately framing me…”

Feng Ruqing laughed coldly. “Framing? Lady Bai, why so nervous? If you have nothing to hide, what fear could there be?”

Ji Ran’s eyes flicked between Feng Ruqing and Bai Zhi, suspicion deepening in his heart.

He said gravely, “This matter is serious. I will order a thorough investigation.”

Clutching the diary tightly, he cast Feng Ruqing a complex glance.

“Your Majesty is wise,” Feng Ruqing bowed slightly, a faint, barely perceptible cold smile curving her lips.

Bai Zhi’s face was deathly pale, her body trembling slightly. She bit her lip hard, a flash of venomous resentment in her eyes.

Ji Ran turned to leave but suddenly paused, looking back at Feng Ruqing. “Empress, you’d better…”

He stopped short and said no more, striding away.

Feng Ruqing watched his departing figure, her gaze colder still.

Turning, she met Bai Zhi’s panicked eyes, a cold curve forming on her lips: “Lady Bai, the real show has only just begun.”

Back at the Fengyi Palace, Feng Ruqing immediately summoned her trusted aides. “Watch Bai Zhi’s every move closely. Report any anomalies to me at once.”

She knew tonight’s actions had thoroughly enraged Bai Zhi, who was bound to strike back.

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At dawn the next day, Feng Ruqing went to the Imperial Study to request Ji Ran thoroughly investigate the Cold Palace diary.

Though Ji Ran harbored suspicions about Bai Zhi, he hesitated due to years of familiarity.

Seeing this, Feng Ruqing presented all her evidence systematically and analyzed the stakes involved.

Ultimately, Ji Ran was persuaded by her clear reasoning and solid proof, ordering a full inquiry.

Upon hearing the news, Bai Zhi’s face drained of color.

She had not expected Feng Ruqing to be so audacious as to bring this matter before the Emperor.

Fear and anger churned within her, yet she forced calm and sought a countermeasure in secret.

Feng Ruqing watched Bai Zhi’s distressed demeanor and sneered inwardly.

She knew she had taken a step closer to the truth. Yet she also understood that powerful forces behind the scenes would not let her go easily. The path ahead would be fraught with danger.

With the Emperor’s permission secured, Feng Ruqing remained vigilant.

She knew this was merely the first step of a long journey; the true enemy still lurked in the shadows.

She strengthened the defenses of Fengyi Palace and quietly deployed an elite troop, ready to respond to any emergency.

She understood she must proceed cautiously to ultimately uncover the truth and avenge her sister.

Late at night, Feng Ruqing stood alone by the window, gazing at the pitch-black sky, her eyes resolute and steely.

Suddenly, a black messenger pigeon landed on the windowsill, bearing a note.

Feng Ruqing unfolded it; only a few brief words were written: “Beware Bai Zhi. She means to harm you.”

Her eyes narrowed sharply as she crushed the note into dust, a cold smile curling her lips.

“Looks like tonight will be a sleepless one…” she murmured, a hint of killing intent flashing in her eyes.

She moved to her dressing table, opened a secret compartment, and withdrew a sharp dagger, gripping it tightly.

“Cui’er,” Feng Ruqing called softly, “prepare hot water; I am going to bathe.”

Cui’er responded and left, while Feng Ruqing concealed the dagger in her sleeve and turned toward the bath chamber.

Amid the rising steam, no trace of relaxation appeared on Feng Ruqing’s face; instead, her vigilance sharpened.

She knew a fierce battle awaited tonight…

Outside, faint footsteps approached…

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