Main story/16

## Chapter 16: Mole

Rewards  15
File:Cloud Sword.png Cloud Sword
File:Cloud Cap.png Cloud Cap
Rewards  30
File:Cloud Shoes.png Cloud Shoes
File:Cloud Robe.png Cloud Robe
Rewards  45
 Recruit Paper 8

## 16-1 Playact

When Chunxiang was scolding Honglian, you frowned. Though she was a suspect, Chunxiang had betrayed you for sure. How could she ask you to punish Honglian?

Weiyang
Chunxiang, shut your mouth! Our lady hasn't said anything. How dare you tell her what she should do?
Chunxiang
(Carefully) I am sorry, please forgive me! I am just too angry with her to keep my manners.
Seeing her crying face, you thought it was quite interesting. It seemed that everyone was able to lie here. Even a maid could do so without blushing.

Player
Alright, Weiyang stays, and the rest of you may leave. I wanna talk to Honglian.
Yaner was a little disappointed because you didn't let her stay. But she withdrew quietly. Now only three of you were in this room.

Honglian
My lady, I really didn't steal anything. Someone must try to frame me. Please trust me!
Her eyes turned red and knelt down to kowtow to you. She was frightened.

Choose an option
Help her stand up
*Cool +5*
You sighed and helped her stand up to sit on a stool.

Player
(Slowly) Silly girl, does your forehead hurt?
Honglian
(Sobbed) My lady…Do you believe me?
Player
If it was you who stole the kite, why didn't you get rid of it long ago instead of hiding it in your closet? It's weird.
Honglian
Yes, my lady. I have never betrayed you!
You took out your hanky and gently wiped out her tears. Her forehead turned red and her eyes were filled with tears. This poor girl won your sympathy.

Player
I believe you! But I wanna find out who is behind this and what they want, so you need to be the scapegoat these days, OK?
Honglian
As long as you believe me, I am willing to do anything for you, my lady!
With a cold look, you asked Xiao Shunzi to take Honglian into custody. Honglian was smart. She cooperated with you and cried.

## 16-5 Prepare Food

With a cold look, you asked Xiao Shunzi to take Honglian into custody. Honglian cooperated with you and cried, which was quite smart.

Weiyang
I didn't expect that Chunxiang, who looks honest and simple, would do such evil things.
Player
The empress can give her parents wealth and fortune, but she can also take it away. She has to be dutiful.
Weiyang
Luckily we have seen her strange behaviors long ago. Otherwise, Honglian may not be able to prove her innocence
Player
It's obvious who is the theft, but I don't understand why Chunxiang sets Honglian up at this moment.
Weiyang
The longevity banquet is approaching. Maybe there is some connection between the two things. Speaking of which, did the empress tell you anything, my lady?
Player
She and Lady Jiang forced me to be responsible for the food.
Weiyang
Yes, Honglian is good at cooking and very careful. Now she is set up. I am afraid that there are other dangers that are waiting for us.
Choose an option
Keep an eye on Chunxiang
Ask Honglian for suggestions
### Option A (16-5)

*Foxy +5*
Player
Even though the empress tried to set me up, she won't do it herself. You ask someone to keep an eye on Chunxiang. If she does anything bad, we must catch her on spot.
Weiyang
Yes, my lady. But don't you think it's too risky? Actually, we can send her into custody and let Honglian out.
Player
I don't break up with her so soon. Theyput a spy in myroom. If I erase her quietly, I will be the only one who bleeds.
Weiyang
If we can lure the empress in through Chunxiang, that will be great. If we fail, I will try my best to keep you safe.
Player
OK, you go and ask Honglian what we should be careful with food later. And we go to check all the ingredients in the royal kitchen this afternoon.
Weiyang
But the lost gift…
Player
Luckily she stole the gift you prepared. I plan to send the emperor something else. You know, I have been making it secretly.
### Option B (16-5)

Player
You go and ask Honglian what we should be careful with food later. And we go to check all the ingredients in the royal kitchen this afternoon.
Weiyang
What about Chunxiang?
Player
Even though the empress tried to set me up, she won't do it herself. You ask someone to keep an eye on Chunxiang, in case she does anything bad.
Weiyang
Yes, my lady, But don't you think it's too risky? Actually, we can send her into custody and let Honglian out.
Player
I don't break up with her so soon. They put a spy in my room. If I erase her quietly, I will be the only one who bleeds.
Weiyang
If we can lure the empress in through Chunxiang, that will be great. If we fail, I will try my best to keep you safe. But the lost gift…
Player
Luckily she stole the gift you prepared. I plan to send the emperor something else. You know, I have been making it secretly.

## 16-10 Emperor Visit

For the whole afternoon, you checked all the ingredients and other things in the royal kitchen. And you paid more attention to what Honglian mentioned. After you were done, it was getting dark.

Yaner
Are you tired? I have asked them to get dinner ready. Would you like to have dinner now?
Player
OK, I'm hungry. You tell them to serve the dinner.
Then the meal was served. Seeing the delicious dishes, you felt starving. And you, leaving rules and manners behind, began to gobble.

Yaner
(Couldn't help to laugh) My lady, slow down. You may choke yourself.
Last life, you suffered from starvation in the Limbo Palace, so you liked food very much now. When you were eating happily, a low laugh came in from the door. You looked over and saw the emperor.

Player
Your…Your Majesty! I…(coughed)
Emperor
No need to bow. You should swallow the food in your mouth. I just come by to see you.
Though you two were getting along well, you dare not step out of the line. You hurriedly swallowed the food and then bowed to him.

Emperor
(Smelt) What are you eating? You quite enjoy it!
Player
It's a folk dish called stewed mutton soup. I ate it a lot when I went outing with my parents during my childhood. Would you like to have a try?
Emperor
I had dinner already. But now I feel hungry when I see you.
Player
I ask them to bring you a pair of chopsticks. Tomorrow is your birthday. We can have longevity noodles tonight.
Hearing your words, Yaner smartly withdrew and told the cook to make longevity noodles. Now there were only you and the emperor in this room.

Emperor
Do you wanna send me just a bowl of noodles?
Choose an option
I've prepared another gift
A bowl of noodles is not enough?
### Option A (16-10)

*Sweet +5*
Player
Of course not! Your birthday is very important. It's you who helps me live a safe and stable life in recent months. So, to express my gratitude, I got the gift readylong ago.
Emperor
Really?
Player
You must be very busy tomorrow. Now that you are here, I wanna give you now.
You turned around and took out the gift you had prepared for almost two months from your closet. It was a set of pajamas that you made yourself.

Emperor
This is…?
Player
This is a set of pajamas I made by myself with high-grade silk from Southeastern China. It's soft and comfortable. If you wear the pajamas, you will sleep well for sure.
Emperor
(Stroked the pajamas) The embroidered dragon on the collar is exquisite, but the patterns on the cuffs are honeysuckles, right?
Player
Yes, nothing can be hidden from you. You sent me a honeysuckle ornament, so I wanna send something similar in return. It means that cold winter is about to leave and warm spring will come soon.
### Option B (16-10)

[Select]
A bowl of noodles is not enough?

Player
A bowl of noodles is not enough? The whole nation is yours, you can take whatever you want. I have nothing special, so, with a bowl of longevity noodles, I wanna say happy birthday.
Emperor
(Amused) You are the only one in the palace who can excuse herself for sending me no gift.
Player
You misunderstand, Your Majesty. It's you who helps me live a safe and stable life in recent months. So, to express my gratitude, I got the gift ready long ago.
You turned around and took out the gift you had prepared for almost two months from your closet. It was a set of pajamas that you made yourself.

Emperor
This is…?
Player
This is a set of pajamas I made by myself with high-grade silk from Southeastern China. It's soft and comfortable. If you wear the pajamas, you will sleep well for sure.
Emperor
(Stroked the pajamas) The embroidered dragon on the collar is exquisite, but the patterns on the cuffs are honeysuckles, right?
Player
Yes, nothing can be hidden from you. You sent me a honeysuckle ornament, so I wanna send something similar in return. It means that cold winter is about to leave and warm spring will come soon.

## 16-14 Know Him

Emperor
Cold winter is about to leave and warm spring will come soon. …I hope so.
When he was stroking the pajamas in his hand, he was in a trance. At that moment, you felt like you were getting closer to him than before. And you seemingly saw his ambitions hidden deep down. But it was just for a second. When he came back, he tried to keep others outside again.

Emperor
You send me pajamas! Are you trying to tell me that you haven't been bedded with me for days? Alright, I will stay over tonight.
Player
(Blushed) That's not what I mean! Your words will let people think that I am asking you to stay!
Emperor
(Leaned over) You send me such gift. Are you sure that's not what you mean?
Player
I dare not! I just wanna show my gratitude…
Emperor
Really? So I misunderstand you, right? You don't wanna me to stay?
Player
That's…That's not what I mean, either.
He was making fun of you. Now you stammered and blushed, he was amused. While you were chatting, Yaner was serving you longevity noodles. Then he began to eat the noodles.

Player
Please wait.
Emperor
Why. Because I made fun of you, you don't wanna me to eat your noodles now?
Looking around, you took a small lotus candlestick. You lit up a red candle and put it in front of the emperor.

Player
Of course not. When I celebrated my birthday in my childhood, my father said my wish would come true if I blew it out after | made a wish. You can try it, too.
He glanced at you and seemingly implied that how could you believe such kind of things. But seeing your serious look, he sighed and closed his eyes.

Choose an option
Ask him what wish he made
Don't ask him
### Option A (16-14)

*Swellish +5*
Probably it reminded you of your childhood. You felt relaxed and asked the emperor what wish he made after he blew the candle out.

Player
What wish did you make, Your Majesty?
Emperor
(Squinted at you) The empress dowager didn't tell you that you should never try to guess what I am thinking, did she?
Player
Even though you don't tell me, I know what you may be thinking.
Emperor
Really? Try me!
Player
(Made a bow with hands folded in front) You wish that all waters keep quiet and everyone lives in harmony.
### Option B (16-14)

Probably it reminded you of your childhood. You felt relaxed and quietly stared at the emperor who just blew the candle out.

Emperor
Aren't you curious about my wish?
Player
(Complacently) No need. I know what you may be thinking.
Emperor
Really? Try me!
Player
(Made a bow with hands folded in front) You wish that all waters keep quiet and everyone lives in harmony.

## 16-19 Another Wave

The emperor's birthday was named "Longevity Day", a day that was celebrated by the whole nation. On this day, all states held banquets to celebrate and everyone enjoy a three-day holiday.

Weiyang
In the past, the emperor often went to the empress's or imperial concubines' bedrooms on the eve of his birthday. But he stayed over at our Lingqi Palace. I am afraid that they will envy you.
Player
(Smiled) Why do I bother to care about them? Our top priority is to make sure that we won't make any mistakes.
Weiyang
Yes, my lady. Though many servants are helping with food, I have put some people in charge. They will be responsible for their own part. Even if something bad happens, you won't get involved.
Player
(Nodded) Well done!
When you were about to get changed after Weiyang helped to comb your hair, Yaner brought a strange maid in merrily.

Yaner
My lady, the clothes maid from Clothes Division comes to send your banquet dress!
Maid
Good morning, my lady. All states will send envoys to the longevity banquet and celebrate His Majesty's birthday. So he ordered us to make a banquet dress for every lady, And this is for you.
Choose an option
Don't disappoint the emperor
Check it over first
### Option A (16-19)

After spending a night with the emperor, you were very happy at the sight of the gorgeous costume. You dismissed all your maids and asked Yaner to help you put it on.

Yaner
(Happily) I went to take a look this morning, your dress is the most beautiful.
Player
(Confused) The dress is the art of work, but I feel something on my back.
Then you grabbed the dress unconsciously. Unexpectedly, there were dozens of needles in the dress which hurt your back.

Death
Caution will lead you to success.
### Option B (16-19)

*Innocent +5*
You loved new dresses of course. So you asked the maid to bring it to you. This was a high-grade work with high-grade materials, so you felt very happy. But when you touched the inside of the dress, your fingers were hurt so much. As you turned it inside out, you found several needles hidden in.

Yaner
Gosh! Why is your hand bleeding? Let me fetch you some medicine!
Yaner rushed to get you some traumatic. Looking at your bleeding fingers, you had a bad feeling. It was not a good sign to see blood in the morning.

Weiyang
Is this the dress you made? Why are there some needles in the dress? Now our lady gets hurt. You should spend your life in Yeting Palace.
Clothes Maid
Please forgive me, my lady! I…I don't know! I checked it before I leftour division. How could it be possible…
Weiyang
Are you trying to excuse yourself? It's because you are not serious enough!
The maid was young. She knelt down and begged for your forgiveness. Seeing her frightening look, you could tell that she didn't lie. So you were confused.

Player
(Thought for a while) Did you go to somewhere else before you came here?