Black Myth: The Legend of Tianpeng Seeking Demons

The vermilion palace walls appeared particularly majestic in the sunlight. Zhu Rong walked along the wide palace path leading to the Vermilion Bird Gate. Today, she wore a light pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), the hem of which was embroidered with delicate peonies that swayed gently with her steps, further highlighting her elegance and beauty. However, her mood at this moment was completely at odds with the bright spring sunshine; her heart was filled with trepidation and unease.

The emperor issued an imperial edict yesterday to reward her publicly, which should have been a great honor, but Zhu Rong had a vague feeling that there might be an unknown danger hidden behind it.

"Xiaobai, do you think Consort Wu Hui might be plotting something bad again?" Zhu Rong asked Xiaobai in a low voice through the jade pendant.

"Hmph, that old hag has always seen you as a thorn in her side, how could she possibly let you go so easily?" Xiao Bai's voice carried a hint of disdain. "But don't worry, with me here, she won't succeed!"

Although Zhu Rong had received Xiao Bai's assurance, she still felt uneasy. She knew that the inner palace was a place fraught with danger, and a single misstep could lead to utter ruin.

Upon arriving at the Vermilion Bird Gate, Zhu Rong saw the emperor already seated on the dragon throne, surrounded by civil and military officials and concubines, each with a respectful expression on their face.

"Consort Zhu, receive the imperial decree!" Gao Lishi's shrill voice rang out, echoing across the square.

Zhu Rong took a deep breath, suppressing her nervousness, and gracefully walked to the emperor, kneeling down to pay her respects.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Consort Zhu, with her beautiful appearance and outstanding talent, is hereby bestowed with one hundred taels of gold, ten bolts of Shu brocade, and one bushel each of pearls and agates as a reward." Gao Lishi read the imperial edict.

"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty!" Zhu Rong kowtowed in gratitude.

Just as she was about to get up, Consort Wu Hui suddenly spoke up, "Your Majesty, although Consort Zhu is favored by you, she is still new to the palace and not familiar with palace etiquette. Today, when she received the imperial decree, she was dressed in a pink dress. What kind of decorum is this?"

Zhu Rong was startled. She then noticed that all the other concubines were dressed in simple, elegant clothes, while she alone wore a bright pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress). She immediately realized she had fallen into Consort Wu Hui's trap!

"Xiaobai, what should we do?" Zhu Rong asked anxiously in her heart.

"Don't panic, you silly pig," Little White said calmly, "Have you forgotten the poems you learned before?"

A sudden inspiration struck Zhu Rong; she remembered a line from a poem by Bai Juyi that could be used to resolve the current crisis.

She raised her head and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Your Majesty is right; I am indeed not yet familiar with palace etiquette. However, I recall a poem that says, 'Her face is like a lotus, her eyebrows like willows; how can one not shed tears at such a sight?' I am wearing a pink dress today precisely to complement this springtime scene and to express my respect and love for Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty and Your Majesty will not take offense."

Upon hearing Zhu Rong's explanation, the emperor laughed heartily and said, "My beloved consort is right. I love your genuine nature! There's no need to be bound by those formalities."

Consort Wu Hui's face turned ashen. She hadn't expected Zhu Rong to be so clever, resolving her predicament with a poem.

"Your Majesty, I..." She wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by the emperor.

"Alright, that's enough for today," the emperor said. "I'm tired. You may all leave."

Zhu Rong left the main hall with the other concubines, but she remained uneasy. She knew that Consort Wu Hui would not let her off easily; this struggle had only just begun.

Back in her room, Zhu Rong handed the gifts to the palace maids to put away, then sat wearily in front of her dressing table, looking at herself in the mirror, her heart filled with helplessness and worry.

"Xiaobai, what should I do now?" she asked in a low voice. "Consort Wu Hui will definitely not let me off the hook."

"Silly pig, don't worry," Little White said, "I'll help you figure something out. Remember, you're Pigsy, fearless and invincible! Even when facing Consort Wu Hui, you can't back down!"

Zhu Rong nodded. She knew that she couldn't always hide under Xiaobai's protection; she had to learn to face challenges on her own.

Just then, soft footsteps sounded outside the door. Zhu Rong looked up and saw Yang Guifei walking gracefully towards her, a hint of worry on her face.

"Rong'er, are you alright?" Consort Yang asked with concern. "I heard that Consort Wu Hui made things difficult for you in court today, and I was very worried."

Zhu Rong felt a warmth in her heart; Yang Guifei's concern comforted her greatly. "Your Majesty, I am fine. Thank you for your concern."

Consort Yang held Zhu Rong's hand and sighed softly, "Rong'er, I know you are a good child. Don't be afraid, I will help you."

"Your Majesty..." Zhu Rong was moved to tears.

Consort Yang looked at Zhu Rong with a firm gaze: "I have already spoken to the Emperor. I believe he will see the truth and will not let you suffer any injustice."

Yang Guifei's visit gave Zhu Rong great encouragement, but the crisis was not over. That very night, hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

"Consort Zhu, something terrible has happened!" Han Shiya rushed in, flustered. "You...you've been accused of theft!"

Zhu Rong's expression changed. "Theft?"

"It's...it's Consort Wu Hui's personal maid, saying you stole her jade bracelet!" Han Shiya said. "Now, the guards have surrounded you!"

Zhu Rong's heart sank; she knew she was truly in danger this time...

Zhu Rong's room was instantly surrounded by guards, each holding a long halberd, their faces serious, completely blocking the room.

The head of the guards, with a stern face and sharp eyes, stepped forward, bowed to Zhu Rong, and said in an icy tone, "Noble Lady Zhu, I apologize, but someone has accused you of stealing Consort Hui's jade bracelet. Please come with us."

Zhu Rong's heart raced, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her palms. She knew this was a trap meticulously planned by Consort Wu Hui, designed to banish her to the Cold Palace.

"I...I didn't steal anything!" Zhu Rong suppressed her panic and tried hard to remain calm. "Someone must be framing me!"

The captain of the guards said expressionlessly, "Whether she is guilty or not is for His Majesty to decide. Please cooperate with our investigation, Consort Zhu."

Zhu Rong tried to explain, but the guards forcibly took her out of the room.

"Xiaobai, what should I do? I've really been wronged!" Zhu Rong anxiously called out to Xiaobai in her heart.

"Silly pig, don't panic! I know you didn't steal anything!" Little White's voice echoed from the jade pendant. "The most important thing now is to find evidence to prove your innocence!"

“But where am I supposed to find the evidence?” Zhu Rong said in despair. “This is clearly a trap set by Consort Wu Hui; how could she possibly have left any evidence?”

"You idiot, have you forgotten you still have me?" Little White said. "Trust me, I'll definitely help you find the evidence!"

Zhu Rong was taken by the guards to the Yeting, a place specifically for imprisoning palace maids who had made mistakes. The environment was dark and damp, and the air was filled with a musty smell, making people feel depressed and suffocated.

“Consort Zhu, please wait here for a moment,” the captain of the guards said. “We will investigate the truth as soon as possible and give you justice.”

After saying this, the guards withdrew, leaving Zhu Rong alone in the cold room.

Zhu Rong leaned weakly against the wall, her heart filled with despair. She didn't know how to clear her name, nor what fate awaited her.

"Xiaobai, what should I do?" she asked desperately.

"Don't worry, silly pig," Little White's voice rang in her ear, carrying a hint of comfort, "I've found some clues, listen to me..."

Xiao Bai told Zhu Rong what it had seen through its "Eye of Insight." It turned out that Cui'er, Consort Wu Hui's personal maid, out of jealousy of Zhu Rong's beauty and talent, conspired with Gao Lishi to steal Consort Wu Hui's jade bracelet and hid it in Zhu Rong's room, intending to frame her.

"So that's how it is!" Zhu Rong exclaimed in sudden realization. "I knew it! How could I possibly steal anything? They must have framed me!"

“Now we know the truth, but we still need to find evidence to prove your innocence,” Xiaobai said. “Where did Cui’er hide the jade bracelet?”

Zhu Rong carefully recalled the scene of the guards searching her room, and suddenly, she remembered a pot of peonies on her dressing table.

“Xiaobai, I remember now, Cui’er was playing with that pot of peonies in my room back then, could it be…” Zhu Rong said.

"Very likely!" said Xiaobai. "You idiot, go check that flowerpot!"

Zhu Rong quickly went to the potted peony and examined it carefully. She noticed that the bottom of the pot seemed a little loose. She pried it open, and a hidden compartment appeared at the bottom, revealing a beautiful jade bracelet—the very one that Consort Wu Hui had lost!

"Found it! I found the evidence!" Zhu Rong was overjoyed. "Xiao Bai, thank you!"

"You idiot, don't be too happy yet," Xiao Bai reminded him. "You still need to figure out how to get this evidence to the Emperor."

Zhu Rong understood that she couldn't go out yet, otherwise she would be seen as fleeing to avoid punishment. She had to find a way to get the message out.

At that moment, she suddenly thought of Han Shiya.

"Xiao Bai, I've got an idea!" Zhu Rong said. "I can have Shi Ya help me deliver the message to the Emperor!"

Zhu Rong wrote a secret letter detailing the events, and then secretly handed it to Han Shiya, who had come to visit her.