Chapter 8: Those Within the Palace Cannot Be Rescued Carelessly

“Why are you still standing there? I already told you I’m your second aunt. What else do you want?” Lin Yue said irritably, watching as Xiao Huaizheng straightened his clothes and strutted over.

[The young man takes after his father in looks—refined and upright—but beneath that facade lies a ruthless heart that drove his own father to death.]

[Yet his mental resilience seems weak; otherwise, how could he have been abandoned and ultimately killed by Huo Renli due to overwhelming guilt, never even becoming emperor?]

[As for Huo Renli, he deceived the young crown prince into believing he was a spy planted by the crown prince, ultimately rising to become the most powerful eunuch in the Great Wei. Only after the crown prince’s death and his own failed usurpation was he gruesomely executed by Xiao Huaiqing, revealing his true nature to all.]

Suppressing the shock and confusion within, Xiao Huaizheng stepped forward and bowed. “Second Aunt, please do not be angry. I was terrified after falling into the water just now and did not mean any offense.”

“Is this your first time entering the palace? When I went to see Huaqing before, I met you once. Don’t you remember?” Lin Yue noticed a flicker of doubt in Xiao Huaizheng’s eyes and her interest piqued.

“If I didn’t remember, how would I have come to save you, you fool?”

[And with a mind like yours, you think you’re avenging your mother and sister, yet you don’t even know how they died?]

[Also, Huo Renli’s kindness toward you is driven by his lust—he sees you as a substitute for your mother!]

[Tsk tsk, such a big fool.]

Lin Yue finished speaking and turned to leave immediately, unwilling to linger even a second more.

Xiao Huaizheng was left stunned, watching her retreating figure without following. Right now, his only thought was to return and uncover whether Huo Renli had indeed deceived him—and whether the man coveted his body.

Suddenly recalling, every time he bathed, Huo Renli personally guarded him and even washed his back—especially in childhood...

Clenching his fists, a shadow of menace crossed Xiao Huaizheng’s eyes. If Lin Yue’s words held truth, Huo Renli would wish for death but find none.

After both had left, Xiao Jingxian emerged from the cave with Zhou Dahai.

Learning that his unfilial son Xiao Huaizheng intended to rebel, Xiao Jingxian’s anger flared uncontrollably. Hearing that his son had been deceived and ultimately killed only deepened the shame he felt for the royal family.

Watching his son’s departing back, Xiao Jingxian was more determined than ever to dig this tunnel.

No matter what, he must seize the initiative quickly and never allow this unfilial son to succeed!

Humph!

---

Passing through the front courtyard, Lin Yue spotted a young eunuch pressed to the ground, beaten nearly to death.

Resolutely, she withdrew her gaze. No matter what, she could no longer intervene recklessly.

One could not just rescue anyone in the palace; if this was a villain, she could not afford the consequences.

Just as Lin Yue prepared to leave, the Empress stepped out anxiously.

“Sister-in-law, please don’t take offense. It’s not that the Empress is cruel, but this young eunuch... he was uprooting the grass here.”

So now you’ll save him, right?

The Empress’s eyes sparkled with hope.

But Lin Yue only glanced at the guilty-looking eunuch and said, “He deserves the beating.”

“Ah?” The Empress was stunned.

“But he only pulled out one blade,” the Empress protested.

Lin Yue replied, “All the more reason to beat him. If he pulls out only one, what about the rest of the grass? Should they be allowed to live in groups?”

“Well said, Sister-in-law. Truly the mother of the nation.”

The Empress was speechless. Didn’t she want to accumulate merit?

Yet, if you don’t want it, I do!

As Lin Yue turned to leave, the Empress followed, tearfully gesturing discreetly to the executioners to stop soon.

After all, accumulating merit was good, but causing harm was not.

Meanwhile, the Empress began to wonder if Lin Yue sensed such staged acts, which might explain her refusal to save.

Perhaps she should arrange more genuine deeds in the future—only then could her son and grandson’s lives be secured.

Ah... such worries.

The Empress accompanied Lin Yue on a stroll through the Pine Moon Hall. Deng Wei brought the study’s key, but Lin Yue no longer wished to read.

Inside the main hall, she found it unusually spacious, with a washroom connected to the lotus pond just outside.

On the painted folding screen depicting distant mountains and vast landscapes, water buffalo and children played innocently, full of youthful vigor.

The signature at the bottom was none other than her nominal husband, Xiao Jingyun’s brushwork.

This touched Lin Yue deeply. It seemed her husband not only fought for the country but also yearned for a peaceful refuge in his heart.

---

Sensing Lin Yue’s thoughts of Xiao Jingyun, the Empress teased, “Missing your husband? Jingyun has been talented in both literature and martial arts since childhood, handsome beyond compare. How many noble ladies must have dreamed of marrying him?”

“Now that he’s in your hands, you must hold onto him tightly.”

Lin Yue smiled softly.

[She was still pondering how to send Xiao Jingyun intelligence, careful not to be discovered by Mu Lixin, lest he act prematurely and spoil the plan.]

The Empress suddenly recalled that both the emperor and Xiao Jingyun had used carrier pigeons for communication, but at some point, the pigeons began to get lost.

This happened every year, but curiously, since the start of the year, none of the pigeons sent out had returned. Surely, Mu Lixin was behind this.

She wondered if the Duke’s private spies could still be used; if so, messages could be sent directly to Lin Yue.

Lost in thought, the Empress soon escorted Lin Yue back to the Palace of Longevity and Health and sent messengers to inquire at her natal home.

Back in the Palace of Longevity and Health, Lin Yue lay idly on a cushioned chair, restless over the sins she had committed.

She resolved to leave the palace tomorrow; no matter what, accumulating merit was paramount.

[System, when will I inherit the original’s memories? Otherwise, if I meet Xiao Huaiqing tomorrow and he kills me in a fit of possession, won’t that be a huge loss?]

System: [Normally, you must exchange merit to gain them. But since you’ve already sinned, a shadow of misfortune lingers around you. I’ll lend you a wakefulness pill first. Once taken, you will know all that the original experienced in this world—even events from her time in the womb. From there, you’ll have to adapt as things unfold.]

Lin Yue: [...]

As a refreshing clarity spread through her body, Lin Yue not only recalled all the original’s past but also understood why she had fallen for Xiao Huaiqing.

He had blamed the original for seducing him after mistakenly accusing her of being the fiancée. Though the original was at fault, it was clearly Xiao Huaiqing’s own romantic entanglements.

No wonder, after her death, he showed remorse and guilt.

What an absolute scoundrel!

Scoundrel? Who?

The Empress Dowager, freshly washed, entered the room, intending to sleep beside Lin Yue.

Perhaps in their dreams, they could cultivate immortality together—it would be wonderful.