Floating life reflects two lotuses

As night fell, the princess's residence fell into a deathly silence. The days of confinement had made the entire mansion feel as if it were covered in ice. The maids walked slowly, their breathing almost inaudible, for fear of disturbing any whispers they shouldn't know.

In the study, the candlelight flickered gently in the breeze, making Xiao Jinlian appear even more aloof. She leaned over her desk, her brows slightly furrowed, her fingers lightly tracing the parchment scroll, the coldness emanating from her fingertips making her expression increasingly solemn.

"Silan." Her voice was low and calm, yet it held a hint of something unfathomable.

“This servant is here.” Silan immediately stepped forward.

"How's it going?" Xiao Jinlian looked up, her gaze sharp as a blade.

Silan lowered her head and said, "Princess, rest assured, I have passed on all the details of breaking the formation to the Imperial Censor through my informant. He has promised to speak out with other officials in court, pointing out that there are many rumors today that the concubines in the harem are using witchcraft to persecute the Princess and undermine the royal dignity."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinlian's lips curled into a faint, cold smile, tinged with sarcasm: "Very well. Father may not completely trust me, but Consort Yan's relentless pressure has already aroused his concern. His wariness of her may be deeper than his punishment of me."

She slowly stood up and gracefully walked to the window. Her fingers gently lifted a corner of the curtain, and she gazed through the night at the boundless starry sky, her eyes shining with a deep light.

In her mind, Chu Wanlian's voice, tinged with worry, drifted over: "Jinlian, won't this make Father Emperor even more suspicious of you? After all... Consort Yan hasn't truly revealed her true colors yet."

“To escape, we must create an even greater threat.” Xiao Jinlian’s tone was calm, as if she had already made up her mind. “Consort Yan is skilled in witchcraft, which is her fatal weakness. Even if Father Emperor dotes on her, he cannot sit idly by.”

Her gaze was deep and unfathomable as she slowly spoke: "Did the intelligence you sent mention the origin of Consort Yan's witchcraft?"

Silan nodded and immediately added, "Yes, I also attached clues about the core of the formation. The Imperial Censor understands that this matter involves a wide range of people and dares not take it lightly."

“Very good.” Xiao Jinlian narrowed her eyes slightly, her tone revealing a meaningful coldness. “Witchcraft is a royal taboo. If this matter gets out, no matter how much Consort Yan tries to deny it, she will not escape scrutiny. As for me, I am merely ‘sharing the burden’ for Father Emperor.”

Chu Wanlian's voice rang out again, tinged with a complex emotion: "Are you trying to use someone else to do your dirty work? But what if Father Emperor gets angry..."

"So what if he's angry? His anger will definitely be directed at Consort Yan." Xiao Jinlian smiled coldly. "She broke this taboo, so she's destined to bear the consequences. As for Father Emperor's treatment of me—" She paused for a moment, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, "My daughter's punishment is a family matter, but Consort Yan's immorality is a national disgrace."

Silan, who was listening nearby, was shocked. She looked up at Xiao Jinlian with deep awe and unease in her eyes: "Princess, are you really sure that the Emperor will change his target because of this?"

“As the ancients said, the way of imperial power is to maintain stability above all else.” Xiao Jinlian turned around, her gaze so sharp that no one dared to look directly at her. “Father has always valued the dignity of the royal family. He will not easily let go of anything that might endanger the foundation of the royal family. Even if he dotes on Consort Yan, she is still just a concubine, not an irreplaceable figure.”

The candlelight in the study flickered slightly, and the once timid and submissive Xiao Jinlian seemed like a completely different person.

"What's next?" Silan asked in a low voice, a hint of unease in her eyes. "Is there anything else we need to do?"

"Let's wait and see." Xiao Jinlian's voice softened, but still carried an undeniable air of authority. "The situation has been set. Now, let's see if the Imperial Censor can take charge of this. We'll just wait for the outcome."

She paused, then added, "However, we can't be too passive. Have someone keep a close eye on the situation and report to me immediately if there's any sign of trouble."

"Yes, Princess." Silan responded and withdrew, and the room returned to calm.

Xiao Jinlian withdrew her gaze and sat back down at her desk. Outside the window, a breeze blew by, lifting a corner of the curtain, and starlight gently fell on her face, giving her a cold and beautiful glow.

"Chu Wanlian," she called softly, her voice tinged with weariness, "Do you think I was too cruel?"

Chu Wanlian was silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "No, this is the Xiao Jinlian I know."

Outside the window, the night wind gradually rises, dispelling the silence and slowly revealing the hidden undercurrents in the distance.

Inside the imperial study, sunlight streamed through the high windows, casting dappled shadows and a somber atmosphere tinged with a chilling oppressive atmosphere. The emperor sat upright on his dragon throne, his eyes slightly narrowed, his fingertips tapping on the secret memorial presented by the Grand Censor before him. The crisp sound echoed throughout the hall, like an invisible warning.

"The imperial harem used witchcraft to set up an array, intending to disrupt the royal reputation..." He read the words from the memorial in a low voice, his brows gradually furrowing, and anger gradually appearing in his eyes. He raised his eyes, his sharp gaze falling directly on Consort Yan below him, his tone as cold as ice: "Consort Yan, how do you intend to explain this array?"

The court officials held their breath, fearing to provoke the emperor's wrath. Consort Yan lowered her head slightly, gently smoothing her sleeves with her jade-like hand. Her face still held a dignified smile, but a dark glint flashed in her eyes.

“Your Majesty,” she raised her eyes, her gaze gentle, “I know nothing about this matter. If there is indeed such a thing as a formation, I’m afraid someone is using my name for ulterior motives. I implore Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and clear my name.”

Her tone was gentle, her words impeccable, skillfully avoiding direct accusations and subtly steer the conversation toward "someone else." However, this phrasing did not quell the emperor's anger. He slammed his hand on the table, causing the memorial to tremble slightly, and the hall fell silent.

"Investigate thoroughly? If it really is someone else, then why are there so many rumors about formations circulating in your palace? Consort Yan!" The Emperor's voice was deep and authoritative, radiating an undeniable coldness. "Do you know how important the royal reputation is? If someone hadn't reported this matter, I would still be kept in the dark!"

Consort Yan's body stiffened slightly, then she lowered her head obediently, her voice still steady: "Your Majesty, please investigate. I had absolutely no intention of practicing witchcraft. There are many conspiracies and tricks in this world. I am willing to accept a thorough investigation to prove my innocence."

Her voice was gentle yet firm, seemingly indicating that she was fearless and genuinely open. However, the emperor's doubts were not completely dispelled. He slowly leaned back on his dragon throne, his gaze sweeping among the officials before finally settling on the chief eunuch standing to the side.

"Issue my decree." The emperor's voice was cold and calm, like a dull knife cutting into Consort Yan's face. "The confinement order is lifted immediately, but if the Princess breaks her promise again, I will not let her off lightly."

"As for you, Consort Yan... Copy Buddhist scriptures a hundred times in the Buddhist hall, calm your mind and reflect on your mistakes, then come and tell me what you have realized!"

Consort Yan's figure trembled slightly under everyone's gaze, then she calmly bowed and said, "Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty..."

The emperor narrowed his eyes slightly, lowered his head, and opened the memorial again. His voice carried an undeniable air of authority: "Very well. Now that I have spoken, I hope that everyone in the harem will reflect on their actions. Do not let such absurd matters reach my ears again!"

Inside the hall, the air seemed to freeze. The court officials exchanged glances, their eyes filled with complex emotions. Consort Yan, under the watchful eyes of everyone, slowly withdrew, her gaze lowered, yet unable to conceal the turmoil within her. Once outside the hall, a barely perceptible cold smile played on her lips, a flash of icy light passing through her eyes: "What a splendid coup..."