Chapter 298: Personal Palace Tour
Right after meeting Liu Guiya, Yihao broke the door off its hinges with his newfound, uncontrollable strength. As such, he was banned from leaving his room and forced to stabilise his new foundation while Mingshen left the Imperial Palace to track the trails of the brainwashing hairpin seller. Anji learned the Emperor was busy offering incense to his ancestors at the ancestral hall in his monthly routine, while the Empress was praying for them at the small temple at the back with the monks. It was a common routine the royal couple performed to show their devotion to the country and its people. As the ritual was symbolic, it took an entire day, and Liu Guiya was usually free from annoying imperial duties, as consorts are not allowed to participate in the ancestral prayers.
Sitting in the palanquin with the bored Noble Consort, Anji wondered who was humouring whom.
"... and this is one of the best scenic spots. That pavilion is famous for being secluded and a romantic spot for the hottest palace romance between maids and eunuchs!"
Unable to speak up, Anji smiled politely and wondered why she was telling a ten-year-old such things. Personally, Anji was uninterested in romance. She was simultaneously too young and old for it. However, it seemed as if Liu Guiya was a huge fan of romance gossip. Unlike Hong Nian Niang, who was a fan of the adult version of romances, Liu Guiya had the giddy heart of a young girl when it came to love stories. It was no wonder they became sworn sisters.
To hide the fact that Anji was given a detailed map of the Forbidden City for her personal tour, they had to remain in the palanquin with sheer curtains. If not for Noble Consort Liu’s loud voice and dramatic stories, it might have looked odd for such a palanquin to visit these random places. Liu Guiya definitely was a master at what she did, and Anji was thankful for such a capable ally.
While she acted as a curious child, occasionally asking questions and pointing out things, Anji was actually steering the direction of this personalised tour. Liu Guiya played along well and fawned over her like an overly enthusiastic aunt, commanding the palanquin to show Anji the sights whenever her cute niece asked.
From the eastern to the western yard, from the inner court to the outer court, they visited every single palace and all four gates. Even the emperor’s throne room and residence were not out of reach for the esteemed guest.
By the time evening rolled by, Anji had covered the majority of the palace. Yet, she could not trace any hints of that ominous energy.
Exhausted by a fruitless trip, Anji returned with Liu Guiya to her palace. The palanquin carriers must have been terribly exhausted after carrying them everywhere all day, so the Noble Consort gave them extra money and a week off to recover.
"Is it alright to only eat vegetarian food?" Liu Guiya asked. "I know growing children should eat a lot of meat, but whenever there is ancestral worship in the palace, everyone eats vegetarian meals. I could still sneak you chicken drumsticks if you want! The Emperor and Empress won’t mind at all."
As Yihao was still forced to remain hidden and recuperate, and Mingshen was gone from the palace, only Anji was available to join Noble Consort Liu for dinner with the royal couple. Truthfully, she was not a picky eater.
"As long as there is food, Anji will gratefully eat. Father and Mother raised me not to be picky with food because the farmers worked hard to grow it."
Anyone’s heart would have melted if they heard what Anji said. Part of Liu Guiya thought it was a shame the Empress were not around to hear it. Another part of the Noble Consort thought it was a good thing. If the Empress heard it, she might truly consider adopting Anji into the Imperial Palace for real, especially when Anji was pretending to be her niece.
By the time they were ready for dinner, the Emperor and Empress were already there. Once again, Anji noticed how the royal meals are a private affair. Previously, she thought they were more lavish, and royalty had banquets for every meal. In reality, this royal couple could not be more humble.
"Oh, Anji is here, the Empress greeted warmly with a large smile. "Come, join us. The chef makes amazing vegetarian meals here that even the monks praise. Do you eat spicy food? The mapo tofu is amazing. Otherwise, you can try the stuffed eggplant mushroom if you don’t handle spices well."
Overwhelmed by the hospitality, Anji nodded and thanked the Empress as food started piling in her bowl even before she could sit. However, she froze in her steps when she was about to greet the Emperor.
Noble Consort Liu halted half a step behind Anji before she could bump into the child, who suddenly froze.
"What’s wrong?" she asked and glanced down, only to recognise those molten golden irises.
The look on Anji’s face and the change in eye colour were enough to startle even royalty. Although Anji did not say anything, a horrible feeling grew in Liu Guiya’s gut.
"It’s the ancestral hall," Anji whispered. "I found it."
For a moment, Liu Guiya did not understand what Anji was referring to. However, the conversation from earlier played back in her head, and suddenly, all the pieces fell into place.
Snapping her neck to look at the Emperor, Liu Guiya’s eyes widened in disbelief. How could Anji sense it when she could not? She was a Heavenly Core cultivator, and this young child was no stronger than a Strengthened Core cultivator. Was it the strange sight skill? What did she miss?
While Liu Guiya spiralled into a black hole of questions, Anji’s heart raced. Luck must be on her side. Although she did not know what was poisoning the Emperor, she knew now what Song Min was targeting.
"Pardon me for being bold, Your Majesty. However, can you tell me what is being hidden in the ancestral hall? It is of utmost importance. The reason behind your nightmares and illness lies there. And, if I may be presumptuous to make a leap in judgment, so are the assassination attempts."
There was not a trace of joke or lie in Anji’s voice, and the adults felt a chill in their bones. Whatever Anji saw was most certainly not a good thing.
