You are more worried after hearing this from Fu Heng. You feel like you are walled in and cannot find a way out. You don't know how to help Yin Zhen. The Fourth Prince has helped you and saved you many times, so you cannot ignore him. Moreover, this is likely related to you, so you cannot help but to be worried.
Xiu Ying: (But the Emperor probably probably doesn't want to see me. What should I do?)
Maybe start with those close to him? You do not panic after coming up with an idea. Instead, you go into the kitchen and come out two hours later with a box of food. You then proceed to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Hu Ling: [Surprised] My Lady? Greetings. Are you here to see His Majesty? Please wait while I report to His Majesty.
She notices the box of food and naturally thinks you've made some snacks for the Emperor. You smile and stop her.
Xiu Ying: I'm here to see you, not to see His Majesty.
Hu Ling: [Eyes wide open] Me? My Lady, what is it?
You hold up the box of food and gesture toward the tea room. Hu Ling smiles and gestures for you to go in first.
Xiu Ying: I don't want to disturb His Majesty because there are a lot of things going on recently. It's getting cold and I wanted to make him some healthy snacks, but I've never tried and I don't want His Majesty to taste anything bad.
Xiu Ying: [Winks] So I decided to ask you to try them for me.
Hu Ling: I see. But there are plenty of people you can ask, my Lady.
She opens the door to the tea room and you step in. You look around, feeling both familiar and strange at the same time.
Xiu Ying: You have served His Majesty for many years, so you must know what he likes. That is why I am here. Am I interrupting something?
Hu Ling: No, not at all. But this tea room is small and messy. May we go to the Phoenix Hall? I feel very bad.
Xiu Ying: I used to be in here all the time, so I don't mind at all. Please, sit! You can be at ease with me/
Hu Ling: [Eyes twinkling] You are indeed different, my Lady.
The burning coals are keeping the tea room warm. Hu Ling fills your cup with hot tea and finally sits down after you told her to repeatedly.
Xiu Ying: Give my new snacks a try.
Hu Ling: [Takes a bit] Is there turnip in here? It tastes good. The sweet and savory are in the right balance, so I think His Majesty would love it.
Xiu Ying: I will make some more and take it to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, then.
Hu Ling: This is not the only thing my Lady is here for, is it?
Xiu Ying: I do have something else. I heard that the Crown Prince had an argument with His Majesty the other day. Were you there?
Hu Ling: So it's about the Prince? I was not in the Hall and did not hear the conversation.
Xiu Ying: The Crown Prince has helped me several times before, so I am worried when I heard that he's under house arrest.
Hu Ling: I see, so that's why you want to know more, my Lady. His Majesty did say something, but I am not sure how to tell you.
She hesitates but you ask her what it is. You want to know more so you can help Yin Zhen.
Hu Ling: His Majesty does not like the fact that the Prince is close to you. My Lady, do not think too much. His Majesty is invested in the Prince, so naturally he has more things to consider.
You knew that the Emperor didn't like how close Yin Zhen is to you, but you still feel sad when you hear it from Hu Ling.
Xiu Ying: Keep going.
Hu Ling: [Sighs] My guess is that the Prince is being punished by His Majesty because of you.
Hu Ling: The best way for you to help him is to stay away from him.
The room falls into silence after she finishes talking. You are unable to speak for a while as a thousand things race through your mind. You look up and see Hu Ling looking anxious.
Xiu Ying: [Smiles] You are right. If His Majesty doesn't like it, then I should stay away from the Crown Prince.
Hu Ling: I beg you to forgive me for saying these things. It is just that I can see it clearly from His Majesty's perspective. The Crown Prince is a good heir with a bright future.
You walk out of the warm tea room into the stinging cold. A thing sheet of snow has turned the ground to white. You snap out of it from the cold, and see that Hu Ling still looks scared. It must have taken her a lot of courage to say those things.
Xiu Ying: [Comforts] You have been serving His Majesty longer than I have, so you must know him well. I can understand why you said what you said.
Hu Ling: I thank you for your kind words, my Lady. You have been good to me, and I was afraid that what I said would make you feel bad. But please understand that I did this not only for the Crown Prince, but also for you. I hope that everything goes well.
Xiu Ying: I know what I need to do.
Hu Ling: I will not tell His Majesty of this visit.
After thanking Hu Ling, you leave the Hall of Mental Cultivation. It starts to snow on the way back to Phoenix Hall. A maid wants to hold an umbrella for you, but you decline with a small smile. Right now you just want to walk in the snow by yourself, even if it means you will be covered in it.
Xiu Ying: [Mumbles] Days like these make the Forbidden City even more desolate.
As you walk, scenes from this life and your past life flash before your eyes. The question buried in your mind surfaces again. In your previous life, if it weren't for you, the former Crown Prince would not have ascended. And the one most likely to take the throne would have been Yin Zhen.
Xiu Ying: (He missed the throne because of me last time, And this time...)
You hold out your hand and let the snow fall onto you palm. You exhale and make up your mind.
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