Wedge

In the twenty-ninth year of Daliang, at the end of winter, snow covered the capital.

As the year came to a close, the vassal state of Chao Sheng in Daliang, Prince Pingguang, Jin Bingwei, was found to have embezzled and hoarded state tribute. At noon, the emperor issued a decree to announce to the world, calling for his punishment.

"The emperor has decreed that Prince Pingguang has embezzled and hoarded state tribute, a crime punishable by death. However, in consideration of the contributions of the Prince's household to the nation, his death penalty is commuted to exile in Jiangzhou. Without a decree, he shall never be allowed to return to the capital."

At dusk, the sky was as dark as a well, and it was bitterly cold. The elderly Prince Pingguang knelt outside the emperor's sleeping quarters for three full hours, to no avail.

After kowtowing, Jin Bingwei cried out, "Your Majesty, I am wronged!" His voice was deep and echoed for a long time.

Kowtowing again, with bloodstains on his forehead and lips turning purple, Jin Bingwei cried out once more, "Your Majesty, I am wronged!"

"Your Majesty, I—"

His voice abruptly stopped as the palace door was pushed open. Through the crack, a pair of slender white hands were seen, adorned in moon-white palace attire with trailing sleeves. The door opened slowly, and as the palace light shone through, a woman lifted her head slightly. Under the bright red headdress, only half of her face was visible, blurred in outline, yet captivating at first glance.

As she approached, the features of the woman became clear: her thin lips were rosy, her skin extremely fair, accentuating the emerald green pendant on her forehead. Her eyes were clear and gentle, with long lashes and deep black pupils that seemed to hint at a smile, as if filled with wisdom.

This was the first-rank national teacher of Daliang, only fifteen years old, yet wielding great power in the court. The rumors were true; she possessed an enchanting charm, as beautiful as a flower in the capital.

The palace attendants at the door quickly paid their respects, showing great reverence. "Respected National Teacher."

Xiao Jingxi nodded and, with her palace attire trailing in the snow, she walked slowly and deliberately towards the kneeling man.

"Wronged?" Her voice was clear and cold, like the night wind, causing Jin Bingwei to instinctively recoil.

"Feeling aggrieved and restless in your heart?" Without warning, the decree had buried the prosperity of the Pingguang Prince's household. How could he not feel wronged and aggrieved?

Jin Bingwei opened his mouth to speak, but Xiao Jingxi calmly continued, "Even if you feel aggrieved, endure it well while the Prince still has life."

She smiled slyly, her eyes gleaming like ancient jade.

Jin Bingwei was momentarily stunned, then his expression turned to shock. "It's you!"

"It's me." She looked down lightly, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. "I stole the seventy thousand tributes, delivered the stolen goods to the Pingguang Prince's household, and set fire to the mansion, framing you for embezzlement. Is there anything else you don't understand?"

Indeed, the calamity that befell the Pingguang Prince's household was orchestrated by someone with deliberate intent. No wonder the tribute went missing, no wonder the mansion was engulfed in flames, and no wonder the emperor turned a blind eye, allowing the Pingguang Prince's household to suffer unjustly. He should have realized long ago that only the national teacher, Xiao Jingxi, possessed such extraordinary abilities to manipulate the situation in Daliang.

Jin Bingwei glared angrily. "Xiao Jingxi, I have no grievances with you. Why do you want to frame me?"

"No grievances?" She chuckled lightly, raising her hand as snowflakes fell into her palm. In a casual tone, she said, "In the thirty-ninth year of Daliang, the virtuous consort Jin gave birth to a stillborn child. The investigation by the Pingguang Prince's household confirmed that it was the doing of the Empress Xianmin, and the Emperor sentenced the Empress Xianmin, surnamed Xiao, to death."

Daliang was only in its twenty-ninth year, with Emperor Shun in power, and the Empress Xianmin was from the Su family, the imperial clan. Where did the Xiao family's Empress Xianmin come from, and who was the virtuous consort Jin?

Jin Bingwei stared in disbelief. "What are you talking about? I don't understand a word."

Xiao Jingxi smiled faintly.

No grievances? No, it was a matter of blood debt.

In the previous life, in the thirty-fourth year of Daliang, Emperor Shun passed away, and the Crown Prince succeeded to the throne as Emperor Yuan. He honored Xiao Jingxi as the Empress, and in the thirty-sixth year, the daughter of the Pingguang Prince, Lady Jin, entered the palace as a consort. In the thirty-ninth year, the virtuous consort Jin had a stillborn child, and Emperor Yuan sentenced the Empress Xiao, Jingxi, to death.

Even if he didn't understand, in this life, she would not allow history to repeat itself.

"Don't kneel here any longer. Go back and prepare for the aftermath." She paused slightly, as if contemplating, then added, "In three days, I will send you on your way. At most, within half a month, a hundred and thirty members of the Pingguang Prince's household will accompany you, so you won't be alone in the underworld."

She took great pleasure in eradicating the roots.

Jin Bingwei's face turned pale, unable to hide his fear in his eyes. "If you dare harm my family, even if I become a ghost, I will not let you off."

She smiled and said cunningly, "Then come find me after you become a ghost."

With that, she brushed off the snow on her shoulders, adjusted her bright red headdress, and turned to leave. Suddenly, the kneeling Pingguang Prince lunged forward. "Xiao Jingxi, you wicked woman, you will not die a peaceful death—"

A dagger flashed from the sleeve of her official robe, and in a swift motion, it pierced towards the woman standing behind her.

The palace attendants exclaimed, "Respected National Teacher!"

The woman remained calm, tilting her body slightly as the blade grazed her cheek. Her headdress fell, revealing her waist-length black hair. She stepped lightly and brushed her sleeve, sending Jin Bingwei flying several meters away.

The attendants immediately ordered, "Quick, apprehend him!"

Jin Bingwei collapsed, making no attempt to resist.

"Respected National Teacher, are you injured?" The attendants hurriedly approached to check on her.

"I'm fine."

The attendants looked up, suddenly stunned, as they saw the bloodstains on her face gradually fade away until they disappeared, leaving her fair complexion as it was under the moonlight.

"A wicked woman?" Xiao Jingxi raised her hand, brushing her cheek. "Who says I'm not?" She turned and walked into the endless snow, her bright red cloak trailing on the pure white snow, exuding a bold and enchanting aura.

The attendants covered their mouths, finding it hard to calm down, recalling the various rumors about the respected National Teacher.

Enchanting and alluring, with eyes that bewitched, impervious to harm or death, she held a position of supreme authority.

In the palace, there is a rumor that the national teacher, Xiao Jingxi, dotes on a cat kept in the Star and Moon Pavilion, which is said to be a male cat named Xinghua.

Amidst the clouds and mist, the night is deep and quiet. Occasionally, as palace maids pass by the Star and Moon Pavilion carrying palace lanterns, they hear faint meowing.

"Meow."

"Meow."

The soft meows are from the cat.

Xiao Jingxi smiles and says, "Xinghua."

She lifts her palace dress and walks quickly across the marble steps, smiling gently as she looks at the little creature wagging its tail in front of the pavilion.

Xinghua, feeling the cold, curls up into a fluffy white ball. As Xiao Jingxi approaches, it raises its ears and wags its tail happily. Its light blue eyes, clear and spirited, are extremely charming.

"Meow."

Xinghua extends its delicate white claws and scratches Xiao Jingxi's dress. Its pure white fur blends with her moon-white attire. She leans in and picks up the little creature. "Xinghua, are you here to greet me?"

"Meow."

It shakes its head, seemingly not entirely satisfied with the name Xinghua.

Xiao Jingxi smiles and rubs Xinghua's head. "So obedient."

"Meow."

Xinghua enjoys Xiao Jingxi's affection and often snuggles into her arms, using its paws to lick her face, much to Xiao Jingxi's delight.

After watching for a while, Zixiang finally calls out, "Mistress, you've returned." Glancing at Xinghua, she can't help but feel that her mistress spoils the cat too much, allowing it to behave so recklessly.

"Zixiang, go to the kitchen and bring some apricot blossom cakes. I'm feeling a bit hungry." Xiao Jingxi picks up Xinghua and enters the main hall.

In the grand Liang Palace, apart from Zixiang and the two personal attendants, only Xinghua is allowed into the national teacher's sleeping quarters, known as the Warm Bedchamber.

"Yes, Mistress."

Zixiang glances at Xinghua, unable to contain her amusement. She remembers how her mistress once held a piece of apricot blossom cake and said to the cat that had intruded into the Star and Moon Pavilion, "This apricot blossom cake is delicious. From now on, I'll call you Xinghua."

"Dong, dong, dong."

At the third watch of the night, the wind disperses the clouds, and the moonlight pours into the hall, illuminating the lingering smoke from the incense burner.

On the white fox fur-covered bed, a white mist suddenly envelops the bed curtains. In an instant, the mist dissipates, and the white cat transforms into a human figure, gradually taking on the contours of a man.

The moonlight is hazy, and his face is captivating. His enchanting beauty is unparalleled.

The man, naked, sits in front of the bed for a while before casually draping a brocade screen over his shoulders, leaving his clothes half-open. He walks to the incense burner and burns some calming incense before returning to the bed.

"Aorao."

His voice is soft, low, and husky, adding a touch of sensuality.

Xiao Jingxi is not sleeping soundly, her brows furrowed, and fine beads of sweat on her forehead. The man gazes at her affectionately, and in his slightly light blue eyes, tenderness reflects.

"Are you tired? If you are, shall I take your place? I can do anything for you, even commit murder and arson."

The moonlight spills into the room, and the person in her dream gradually relaxes her frown.

"Aorao."

Xiao Jingxi, the national teacher, known as Aorao, is known to very few in the world.

"Do you like Xinghua so much? Do you also like me?" The man props his delicate chin and looks at her, murmuring, "Will you hold me in your sleep like you hold Xinghua?"

There is no response. She is deeply asleep, perhaps exhausted.

He leans in, gently caressing her face, his voice becoming softer, "If you're tired, shall I take your place? I can do anything for you, even commit murder and arson."

The incense burner emits a faint smoke, and she is startled from her dream.

Aorao, who is calling her Aorao? It sounds so desolate, so poignant, and so sorrowful.

Xiao Jingxi suddenly opens her eyes, sits up, and realizes she is covered in cold sweat. The hall door is tightly closed, with only a small paper window open, letting in a chill that envelops her fur coat. Xiao Jingxi calls out twice, "Xinghua, Xinghua."

"Mistress." Zixiang waits outside the hall and responds, "Xinghua may have run out of the hall. Shall I go and find it?"

"It's fine. You can go rest."

After being startled awake from her dream, Xiao Jingxi finds it difficult to fall back asleep. She puts on a cloak and walks to the window, gazing at the melting snow outside by the candlelight.

Aorao...

She dreamt of him. In this world, besides her deceased mother, there is only one person who would call her by her childhood name.

The memories she thought were long buried suddenly resurface with such force.

In the previous life, she was the abandoned empress of Daliang, and he was the aloof crown prince of the Qinnan Kingdom.

"Aorao, will you come with me to Xiling?"

"Aorao, will you be my wife?"

"Aorao, I'm so happy that you're finally mine."

"Will you hug me? Aorao, I'm cold."

"Aorao, don't die. Don't leave me."

"Aorao, I belong to you, living and dying with you."

"Aorao, don't be afraid. I'll go find you."

"Aorao, Aorao..."

She remembers him so clearly from the previous life. Xiao Jingxi smiles bitterly, tears welling up in her eyes, and she calls out in a daze, "Chuyu."

At the third watch of the night, outside the South Gate of the palace, torches suddenly light up, and the guards shout, "Who goes there?"

The carriage clattered closer, driven by a man carrying a sword on his back, and he announced, "To the Qinnan Prince's Mansion."

On the carriage, it was the Qinnan Prince's guard, Jinghua.

In the palace, only the Qinnan Prince's Mansion had the honor of allowing horse-riding and sedan-sitting. The guards quickly saluted, "I have seen the Prince of Changshan."

As the curtain fell, the scene inside was unclear, but the man's pleasant voice could be heard, "You may rise."

"Thank you, Prince," the guard immediately ordered, "Quick, open the city gate."

After the carriage of the Prince of Changshan had gone far, the guard who opened the city gate covered his mouth and asked, "Why does the Prince enter the palace just after nightfall and return at daybreak every day? Where do you think he spends the night? It seems quite mysterious to me."

The leader of the men glared, "Less talk and more work. The Prince of the Qinnan Prince's Mansion is not someone you can gossip about. Be careful of speaking carelessly and causing trouble."

The Qinnan Prince's Mansion held a large portion of the military power, and even the emperor had to be wary of it. The Prince of Changshan was the only son of the Qinnan Prince, even more precious than the legitimate princes in the palace. Moreover, the Prince of Changshan had an unpredictable temperament, and there were rumors that he was capricious and impulsive, even the princes in the palace had to avoid him.

"I'm just curious," the guard stopped, not daring to discuss the enigmatic and precious master.

A hundred meters away, the horse kicked up dust, and Jinghua, inside the sedan, couldn't help but lift the curtain and ask, "Prince, why do you go to the Moon and Star Pavilion every night?"

Chu You casually replied, "If she doesn't hold me, I can't sleep." He rubbed his forehead, feeling a bit weary, with a hint of fatigue under his eyes.

She, of course, referred to the Prince's mentor, A Rao Guoshi.

Jinghua asked again, "Prince, did you not sleep well?"

Chu You was somewhat annoyed, "If A Rao holds me, I can't sleep either."

Jinghua understood. If the mentor held the Prince, he would surely be restless, with his ears and tail constantly moving. However... Jinghua spoke frankly, "Prince, the mentor is holding the apricot blossom."

Chu You widened his beautiful eyes, "The apricot blossom is me, and I am the apricot blossom. When A Rao holds the apricot blossom, it is equivalent to holding this Prince." He was annoyed and glared fiercely at Jinghua, "If you speak nonsense again, I won't spare you!"

Jinghua lowered her head, "I spoke out of turn." Wasn't the Prince least fond of the name "apricot blossom"? It seemed not entirely so.

Jinghua lowered the curtain and calmly drove the carriage. Inside the sedan, Chu You soon fell asleep.

Well, the cat clan loved to sleep, and they were afraid of the cold, but the Prince liked to keep the mentor warm. It was truly a hardship.

The next day, the entire family of the Pingguang Prince's Mansion was exiled to Jiangzhou. Three days later, 131 people from the Pingguang Prince's Mansion died at the hands of bandits.

Jinghua heard of this and thought, "The Prince is aiding the tyrant."

At the end of the 29th year of Daliang, the hundred-year-old Pingguang Prince's Mansion collapsed overnight.

Half a year ago, the emperor appointed the seventh daughter of the Wenguo Duke's Mansion, Xiao Jingsi, as the first-grade national mentor and she moved into the Moon and Star Pavilion for only half a year, causing turmoil in the court.

In the summer of the 29th year of Daliang, the Wenguo Duke's Mansion, the peonies were in full bloom.