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Jiang Qionglin had already delayed his arrival due to drinking at Jian Su Medical Hall. Now, being delayed by Noble Consort Shu’s maid, he arrived at the Qinzheng Hall a full hour late.
Inside the Qinzheng Hall, Empress Chen Zhao sat alone under a solitary lamp, reviewing piles of memorials that formed small mountains before her.
The flickering candlelight accentuated her furrowed brows, making her appear deeply troubled.
Jiang Qionglin stood by the door, quietly watching, unknowingly becoming entranced.
Until Su Yun returned with tea and saw him by the door, she coldly asked, “What is Lord Jiang doing standing by the door?”
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhao looked up and saw Jiang Qionglin in white robes leaning against the door, his eyes dreamy, otherworldly.
“Minister looks best in white.” Chen Zhao’s mood brightened upon seeing him. After praising him, she beckoned him over, “You’ve come just in time. Your eloquence and literary talent are excellent. Come help me see if what I’ve written is appropriate.”
“This lowly official obeys your command.” Jiang Qionglin approached and stood before the throne.
“Why stand so far?” Chen Zhao patted the side and pointed to the dragon chair, “Sit beside me.”
“This lowly official dares not.” Jiang Qionglin bowed respectfully. When he looked up again, Chen Zhao’s previous joy had vanished, replaced by a gloomy expression.
With no choice, Jiang Qionglin stepped onto the throne but only stood by the Empress’s side, never daring to break protocol.
Chen Zhao knew he was cautious and respectful, so she let him be. She handed him a yellow memorial, saying, “To express condolences and apologies, I decided to personally write a letter to the Turkic Khan. Take a look at what I’ve written.”
Jiang Qionglin took it and began reading word by word.
Chen Zhao had reviewed memorials all night and finally got a moment to rest.
Chen Zhao sighed deeply, rubbing her temples. At this moment, she faintly smelled a light gardenia fragrance in the air.
She sniffed carefully and realized the scent came from Jiang Qionglin.
“Your Majesty’s words are apt and sincere, making it an excellent piece. However, this minister feels that the word ‘worry’ is inappropriate. ‘Worry’ represents anxiety and concern. We should assure the Turkic Khan that we have full confidence in resolving this case, not worry or anxiety...” As Jiang Qionglin spoke, he glanced at Chen Zhao and noticed she wasn’t focusing on the memorial.
“What are you looking at, Your Majesty?” Jiang Qionglin asked, puzzled.
“Where did you go earlier?” Chen Zhao ignored his question and coldly asked.
Seeing her displeased face, Jiang Qionglin recalled rumors about Chen Zhao and Noble Consort Shu’s long-standing discord. He regretted mentioning his visit to Ban Yue Palace and changing clothes.
“This minister was splashed with water by a servant in Ban Yue Palace. Noble Consort Shu kindly gave me some clothes. I didn’t mean to delay; I wanted to see Your Majesty as soon as possible. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”
Deciding not to hide the matter, Jiang Qionglin knelt down and kowtowed, “This lowly official passed through Ban Yue Palace and was splashed with water by a servant there. Noble Consort Shu graciously provided me with clothes. I didn’t intend to delay; I only wished to see Your Majesty sooner. I beg Your Majesty’s mercy.”
“You are quite honest,” Chen Zhao said grimly, calling out, “Guards—remove Jiang Qionglin’s clothes and throw him in front of the Taiji Palace for public display! Without my order, do not show mercy!”
“Please forgive me, Your Majesty!” Jiang Qionglin trembled, sweating profusely, but Chen Zhao showed no leniency.
An Suyun ordered the guards to drag him away.
“Your Majesty—” In desperation, Jiang Qionglin grabbed Chen Zhao’s ankle.
Chen Zhao’s face darkened as she kicked him away without a glance, then instructed the maidservant, “Go check who the servant was in Ban Yue Palace who splashed water. Once found, execute them immediately.”
“Yes.” An Suyun nodded, ordering the guards to take him away.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty! Spare me, Your Majesty! Your Majesty—!”
Jiang Qionglin’s cries were soon shut out as the doors closed, and Chen Zhao heard no more.
The guards brought Jiang Qionglin to the front of the Taiji Palace and stripped him of his clothes.
He stood naked except for his undergarments.
He stood like this outside the Taiji Palace for an entire night.
The slave mark on his back stood out starkly.
Even worse, the Empress’s anger hadn’t dissipated overnight. Even during the morning court session the next day, she still hadn’t forgiven him.
Before the morning court, palace maids and eunuchs arrived early for routine cleaning, but today they had an additional spectacle.
Naked Jiang Qionglin hugged himself, standing in the open square like a tree without branches, exuding desolation and bleakness.
There was also a hint of sensuality.
He was indeed a beauty, even more so without clothes.
His well-proportioned lines, pale thighs, and delicate pale face were beautiful from any angle.
He stood there conspicuously alone outside the Taiji Palace, gradually drawing the attention of the officials arriving for the morning court.
Some sympathized, some disdained, but most insulted and cursed him.
Especially the military officers close to Wu Rui’an, who said every vulgar thing imaginable.
“Even though Jiang Qionglin became the top scholar, he can’t erase the slave mark on his body. Did you see his white buttocks? He still looks like a prostitute!”
Jiang Qionglin shivered.
Throughout the half-day, despite the chilly northern winds, he didn’t feel cold. But the chill in his heart seeped from head to toe.
Moreover, a deep sense of shame penetrated his bones.
Like in Huan Yi Pavilion, being stripped naked for everyone’s amusement.
No, this situation was even worse.
If he had always been just a plaything for others, perhaps it wouldn’t hurt so much. But he was once a noble son, fallen from grace, favored by the Empress, participated in the imperial examination again, and won the top honor. He had paraded through the streets, attended the Qiong Lin banquet, and been respectfully addressed as “Vice Minister of Dali Temple, Lord Jiang.”
But all this was given by her.
One word from her could elevate him to great heights.
One word from her could also send him crashing to the depths of hell.
Beautiful like shattered porcelain, everything collapsed and fell apart at this moment.
...
The evening of the second day, Jian Su Medical Hall.
Wen Yao excitedly returned from outside, screaming as soon as she entered, “Master! You must save Lord Jiang!”
“What happened now?” Di Jiang frowned.
Beside her, Wu Rui’an also looked puzzled, “Jiang Qionglin is a favorite of the Empress. With her protection, who would dare say anything bad about him?”
“But it was the Empress herself who ordered him to stand in front of the Taiji Palace last night, without clothes!” Wen Yao’s anxious expression showed she wasn’t lying.
“What?!” Both Di Jiang and Wu Rui’an were shocked.
After confirming Wen Yao’s words several times, Di Jiang asked, “Did they mention the reason?”
“Rumors say that last night, Lord Jiang returned home late. The Empress urgently summoned him several times, but he couldn’t reach the Qinzheng Hall on time. It’s said... it seems he was caught in bed with Noble Consort Shu, which is why he appeared naked in front of the Taiji Palace, standing for public display.” Wen Yao truthfully reported.
“Last night... wasn’t it when we drank until late?” Di Jiang pondered.
“Exactly! How could Lord Jiang possibly be with the Consort last night? He must have been framed! Perhaps the Consort, lonely in the palace, actively seduced him. To punish him like this is too harsh. How can he live with this? How can he hold his head high again?” Wen Yao pouted, clearly dissatisfied.
After Wen Yao finished, Di Jiang wore a solemn expression, and even Wu Rui’an fell silent for a while.
A long while later, Wu Rui’an said, “I’ll testify that he was with me last night!”
“Your Highness!” Wen Yao’s face lit up with gratitude.
Hearing this, Di Jiang couldn’t help but chuckle.
“What are you laughing at?” Wu Rui’an asked.
“Do you plan to return as a prisoner? You can barely protect yourself, how can you save him?” Di Jiang sighed and seriously said, “You and Jiang Qionglin have long been at odds, known by all the civil and military officials. If you testify for him now, it might be used against you, suggesting ulterior motives.”
“Why?” Wu Rui’an was stunned.
“Is it hard to understand?” Di Jiang sighed, “Everyone knows he’s one of the three officials investigating Princess Tianxiang’s headless case. Given your situation, it’s best not to get involved with him.”
Wu Rui’an thought for a long time and found he couldn’t refute her. He collapsed onto the stool, helplessly saying, “Then what should I do now?”
Di Jiang thought for a moment and said, “Investigate Princess Tianxiang’s headless case thoroughly, then live peacefully as the carefree prince. It’s not too late to save him then.”
“Where to start?” Wu Rui’an was stunned, “Dali Temple and Jingzhao Prefecture worked together but found no clues. How can we find out?”
“If they can’t find the murderer, let’s ask Princess Tianxiang herself.” Di Jiang smiled slightly, half her face hidden in the darkness beyond the candlelight, her expression inscrutable.
Wu Rui’an shuddered, his face troubled. After a while, he said, “Master Di’s meaning is...”
“The master’s meaning is obvious; she can commune with spirits!” Wen Yao eagerly interrupted.
“Just you talk too much,” Di Jiang glared at her, then gracefully smiled at Wu Rui’an, “It’s roughly that meaning.”
“Is this true?” Wu Rui’an doubted.
“Absolutely true.” Di Jiang had confidence in this.
“Are there any conditions?”
“It’d be best to see the body or visit the crime scene.”
After Di Jiang finished speaking, Wu Rui’an fell into a long silence. After a while, he said, “This kind of thing should be handled by the National Master, but recently he’s locked himself in the Mingjing Pagoda, letting no one in or out. Otherwise, we’d have asked him to investigate long ago...”
“Now isn’t there me?” Di Jiang smirked confidently, “Communing with spirits isn’t difficult, is it?”
“But exposing you to such a bloody scene, I can’t bear it...”
“What’s unbearable about it? Our master has seen even more horrifying scenes!” Wen Yao excitedly exclaimed.
Wu Rui’an swallowed, recalling the decomposing corpse discovered in the bamboo grove and her spending days in the cellar filled with bones without losing her mind. Di Jiang shouldn’t fear blood and corpses.
“Alright... I’ll take you there later tonight.” Wu Rui’an wiped his sweat and finally nodded.
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