Volume One, Chapter 18: The Palace Search-Após a Morte Trágica e a Reencarnação, As Portas do Palácio Se Ajoelham Uma Após a Outra Pedindo Meu Perdão.(Um sonho da grua negra)

“She was furious and scolded me out of the room,” Pei Shangyan rubbed his brow. “I was just being foolish for a moment. Forget it, just pretend I never said anything.”
He patted Xiao Yichen on the shoulder and left.
Xiao Yichen didn’t reply, lost in thought.
Until a signal flare lit up the distant sky.
Something’s wrong?!
His eyes sharpened as he vanished into the night.

That day, Mu Yuanzhi spent the entire time holed up in Weiyang Palace, tinkering with her blueprints. The development of her new hidden weapon was stuck at a critical stage, so she made some other little gadgets to spark inspiration.
“What a unique teapot!” Hongdou’s eyes lit up. “Mistress, you’re a genius! How does this little figure move by itself?”
Mu Yuanzhi arched an eyebrow with pride and gestured to the teapot’s base. “There’s a mechanism inside. When tea is poured, the water flows back and drives the figure to walk across the desk.”
Hongdou stared unblinking as the figure stopped in front of her and poured tea. Most astonishingly, once it filled the cup to eighty percent, the figure stopped and returned to its original spot.
“Amazing!” she exclaimed in awe.
Satisfied, Mu Yuanzhi carefully packed the newly made fully-automatic teapot into a brocade box. “Great-grandmother’s birthday is coming up. Take this gift to her for me.”
As in previous years, Great-grandmother wouldn’t hold a banquet.
“I’ll go immediately,” Hongdou replied.
“Security in the palace is especially tight today. Hongdou, you might not be able to get into the Greater Moon Palace,” Linglong said, entering with some pastries.
Curious, Mu Yuanzhi asked, “What’s going on?”
Linglong explained, “Last night, the Minister of Punishments’ residence flooded, and the entire family of four died!”
“Father suspects arson?” Mu Yuanzhi inquired further.
“Apparently, Chancellor Xiao suspects it. The cabinet has taken over the investigation,” Linglong answered.
Mu Yuanzhi nodded. With the palace on high alert, the Empress Dowager’s quarters would be even more heavily guarded.

“No worries, Mistress. Let me handle it—I have a way!” Xiaonianzi volunteered eagerly.
He knew his mistress was isolated at the palace gates. If not for Madam Zhang by the Empress Dowager’s side stepping in last time, Weiyang Palace might have been neglected even longer. Making connections with the Empress Dowager was undoubtedly best!
“Be careful,” Mu Yuanzhi said as she handed Xiaonianzi the brocade box.
“Rest assured, Mistress!”
True to his word, Xiaonianzi smoothly slipped into the Greater Moon Palace and entrusted the box to Madam Zhang.
The Empress Dowager cast a glance at the box, continued burning incense with little interest, and asked, “Is this some rare herb or precious jewel?”
Opening the box, Madam Zhang shook her head. “Your Highness, it’s a strange teapot.”
“A teapot?” The Empress Dowager turned, curiosity flickering in her eyes after the incense was done.
A maid peeked inside and laughed, “This little figure is so adorable!”
Madam Zhang pulled out the instruction scroll, frowning. “Fully automatic teapot?”
“What does that mean? It can move by itself?” The maid was fascinated. “I heard Princess Yuanzhi is skilled at these things. This must be quite the novelty!”
The Empress Dowager took up the teapot, a rare smile playing on her lips, though she said, “Neglecting your proper duties.”
The clever maid followed the instructions carefully and soon knew how to operate it. She watched intently as the teapot spun and the figure poured tea automatically, excitedly exclaiming to the Empress Dowager, “Your Majesty, look! It’s marvelous!”
The Empress Dowager’s smile stretched nearly to her ears, but she quickly suppressed it with a cough. “Not bad. At least she put some thought into it.”
Madam Zhang, long unused to seeing the Empress Dowager so pleased, found her favor for Mu Yuanzhi unprecedented.
Unlike those who only gifted ancient ginseng or agate, this girl truly put her heart into it.
She knew the Empress Dowager loved the teapot despite her words.
Casting a glance at the corner where the glass Buddhist beads sent by Pei Yunxi’s messengers the day before were piled, the difference was clear.
She wondered how those outside could be so blinded by the young princess.

In Weiyang Palace, after dinner, Mu Yuanzhi was about to take a walk outside when she heard a commotion outside her chamber.
“What’s going on out there?”
Hongdou came rushing in, flustered. “Mistress, the imperial guards have surrounded our Weiyang Palace!”
What?!
Without hesitation, Mu Yuanzhi headed out.
The guards, black as night, held blazing torches. These elite warriors, rare in the capital, were tall and imposing, swords drawn and bristling with hostility, forming a human wall that sealed Weiyang Palace inside and out, ready to break in at a command!
Xiaonianzi and Linglong, unaccustomed to such a show of force, were at a loss in the courtyard. Only Xiaoyunzi shouted sharply, “How dare you! This is Weiyang Palace! What are you doing here?!”
“Since when does a lowly servant like you get to speak?” The leader of the guards, clad in black iron armor, strode forward, the clanking of his armor chilling all present.
Xiaoyunzi pressed her lips together, though her heart pounded wildly, reminding herself not to disgrace Weiyang Palace.
“He can’t speak. Can I speak?” Mu Yuanzhi stepped out calmly into the night breeze, her every movement radiating innate nobility, her cold voice edged with razor-sharp resolve.
The guard leader recoiled a step but quickly masked it by advancing again. He gave a casual bow, barely respectful. “Princess, please calm down. We are here on orders.”
With Mu Yuanzhi as their anchor, the two maids and the young eunuch straightened their backs, brimming with determination, standing guard like loyal protectors beside their mistress. Xiaonianzi, emboldened by Xiaoyunzi’s earlier stance, boldly retorted, “Whose orders?”
“Of course, imperial orders!” A clear voice rang out, and the guard leader stepped aside as Pei Shangling strode in, exuding a domineering aura. Behind him followed Pei Yunxi, trailing closely, and Xiao Yichen came along as well.
Mu Yuanzhi finally understood—it was Pei Yunxi causing trouble again.
Pei Shangling stood with hands behind his back, arrogant and imposing. “Search!”
“Wait!” Mu Yuanzhi met Pei Shangling’s aggressive gaze without a hint of retreat. “There must be a reason for searching the palace. You can’t just say imperial orders and demand to search my Weiyang Palace. I must refuse!”
Pei Shangling grew impatient. “This is for your own good. Last night, the Minister of Punishments’ residence was set aflame by thieves. The entire capital is under lockdown. Your little sister happened to see assassins sneaking into your Weiyang Palace. If you don’t want trouble, step aside obediently.”
“Chang Le Palace and Weiyang Palace are miles apart. How could your little sister so conveniently see assassins sneaking in here?” Mu Yuanzhi scoffed.
Pei Yunxi wore a worried expression. “Sister Yuanzhi, I know you misunderstand me, but this is a matter of life and death. You must not treat it lightly!”