Chapter 4: Chapter 104: Unease

In the early morning, the usual clear skies had been replaced by a continuous, gloomy rain that had fallen since midnight and showed no sign of stopping.

Qin Hanxue stretched her limbs and looked out the window just as Qinghan and Lvxin happened to open the door and enter.

"Miss, you're awake? This morning, the Young Master said he was going to the Imperial Palace with the Master, and he even asked me to ask if you were going?" Qinghan placed the basin of water onto its stand.

"Did he say what it was about?" It was so early in the morning, yet the two of them were as energetic as if they were going to collect a debt. It was raining outside, and they insisted on going to the palace at a time like this—could something have happened?

"I don't know, but seeing how worried the Young Master looked, I fear he is merely forcing a smile... Lvxin even said her eyelid has been twitching all morning!" Qinghan spoke seriously, her hands continuing her chores.

"An eyelid twitching just means you didn't sleep well yesterday; don't guess blindly." Qin Hanxue spoke leisurely while changing her dress. However, this matter was indeed not simple. Today happened to be the third day mentioned by that man in white. Could there be a connection between these two things?

"Qinghan, Lvxin, let us go to the palace to see for ourselves."

"Mm..." Qinghan looked worried. Seeing the Young Master's expression this morning and the content of his conversation with the Master, she feared this matter had something to do with the Lord... and today happened to be the day of the Lord...

Qin Hanxue took in the whole scene. She didn't ask further, but she had guessed about seventy to eighty percent of it.

After tidying her dress and finishing her grooming, she followed the two maids out the door. The carriage was already waiting outside. Just as she was about to board, Qin Tianao walked up to her—a rare occurrence—and gave a few instructions, "Xue'er, no matter what happens, do not speak carelessly."

Qin Hanxue naturally felt that this matter was not simple. Since even Qin Tianao took it so seriously, she had no intention of prying further. She nodded and boarded the carriage.

***

The Imperial Palace

It remained as grand and magnificent as ever, yet today it was weighed down by a layer of gloom. Whether it was due to the rain or not, the entire palace felt like a Shura Hall, as if the very air were permeated with an oppressive, somber scent.

Rainwater slid down the edges of the umbrellas, dripping crisply onto the ground...

The path from the palace gate to the main hall seemed much longer than usual. Every drop of rain felt as if it were counting a heart-pounding rhythm, and every splash of water kicked up by each step bloomed with a bewitching, flamboyant splendor...

Qin Hanxue felt an inexplicable sense of trepidation. She cast a faint glance at the unnaturally anxious Qinghan and squeezed her hand tightly, as if to comfort her.

Qinghan raised her eyes, a strange light flickering within them, and forced a smile. Lvxin was utterly confused but did not pry.

*

"Commoner Qin Tianao greets the Emperor and the Empress!"

"The eldest son of the Qin family, Qin Yufeng, greets the Emperor and the Empress!"

"The fourth daughter of the Qin family, Qin Hanxue, greets the Emperor and the Empress!"

The Emperor said with a smile, "All rise. There are no outsiders here, so there is no need for such formality." He paused for a moment, glanced at Qin Hanxue, and then smiled at Qin Tianao. "Early this morning, you sent someone to the palace to ask me to summon Mo'er. What is the meaning of this?"

Only then did Qin Hanxue notice that Chen Qimo was sitting beside Consort Hao, his gaze burning intensely.

Her lip twitched. It seemed the Emperor thought she, Qin Hanxue, was unwanted and had come to the palace to play matchmaker for his son? Damn...

"Your Majesty!" Qin Tianao had just stood up, but at this moment, he and Qin Yufeng knelt down together again! He hesitated to speak...

"Your Majesty, we have come today to report regarding the matter of the Hua family's sole survivor from twenty years ago..." Qin Tianao continued.

Qin Hanxue was also thoroughly startled! Early in the morning, Qin Tianao had sent someone to the palace to ask the Emperor to summon Chen Qimo, and now he mentioned the Hua family...

The Emperor was startled. Having guessed a portion of it, his expression showed a hint of thin anger, but he suppressed it and asked, "Have you found that Hua family survivor?"

"Forgive me, Your Majesty! Please allow this commoner to speak plainly... That survivor of the Hua family from twenty years ago is none other than the current Third Prince—Prince Mo!!"