Volume One, Chapter 10: The Initial Probe

When Zhang Zhixi arrived, Ning Yunshu was holding a palace maid’s face firmly with one hand, while forcing poison down her throat with the other.

The sunlight was scorching. Standing in its glare, her face was slender yet could not conceal her grace. But her phoenix-like eyes were as cold as a still pool, sending a chill through him.

Ning Yunshu released her grip and smashed the bottle on the ground. The sharp sound startled hundreds of palace attendants, who immediately lowered their heads, afraid they might be next.

The poisoned maid frantically tried to scratch her throat, attempting to vomit the poison.

“Enjoy the princess’s gift properly!” scolded Aunt Gui harshly. The maid stopped struggling, tears streaming silently, too frightened to make a sound.

“As a princess, you still go gossiping at Consort Xian’s place. The princess’s mercy in sparing your life is already generous!” Aunt Gui’s cold rebuke swept across the other attendants. “If anyone dares to speak nonsense again, they will all be silenced like her!”

The poison took effect; the maid collapsed in agony, clawing at her throat as if thousands of ants were tearing at her windpipe.

Ning Yunshu’s thick lashes cast shadows over her phoenix eyes. Her gaze darkened as she fixed on the maid, a faint smile playing at her lips. “Aunt Gui.”

“Yes, Princess,” Aunt Gui stepped forward.

“What is her name?”

“Your Highness, this lowly maid is called Ruyan.”

Ning Yunshu nodded thoughtfully. “Look at her crying so sorrowfully—truly pitiful.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Aunt Gui’s eyes before she quickly concealed it.

Just as Ning Yunshu was about to give further orders, she caught sight of a white figure standing beneath the ginkgo tree in the courtyard.

She fixed her gaze; their eyes met, and the smile at her lips deepened.

“When did Lord Zhang arrive?” She slowly descended the steps, and the palace staff hastily stepped aside to give way.

Zhang Zhixi stepped forward, bowing. “Greetings, Princess. This humble servant has just arrived.”

Ning Yunshu stopped before him. He lowered his head, his white robes immaculate, his black hair neatly tied, with a lock brushing his face.

The breeze was gentle and undisturbed. A faint scent, like pine and cypress ink, wafted from him on the wind.

That unique fragrance seemed to unlock buried memories; when Ning Yunshu smelled it, long-forgotten recollections came flooding back.

Seven years ago, the man before her had been nothing more than a minor official.

The role of a diplomatic envoy was arduous, following the marriage procession all the way to the Xiongnu lands and then returning the same way.

Having just entered the Ministry of Personnel as the top scholar, he was assigned this task.

He had accompanied her procession, always keeping a balanced distance behind her, calmly recording everything no matter the situation. It was impossible for her not to notice him.

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