Embedded Files
Psst! We're moving!
At the third watch of the night, the time when people are most drowsy, Wu Rui’an led Di Jiang and Wen Yao into the eastern wall of the Wu Royal Mansion during the guards’ shift change.
The three of them crouched their bodies and cautiously avoided the patrolling personnel to finally reach the scene of the crime — a rockery beside the lake in the back garden.
In fact, Di Jiang had already cast an invisibility spell on the three of them. They could see others, but others couldn’t see them. Wu Rui’an, unaware of this, remained extremely cautious throughout.
Di Jiang and Wen Yao silently watched his efforts without revealing the truth.
After arriving at the pavilion in the center of the lake, they concealed themselves in the darkness. From here, they could vaguely see a pavilion ahead of the rockery with two guards standing outside. Although only their backs were visible, they could see the bloodstains inside the pavilion.
Twelve words came to Di Jiang’s mind: swift swordplay, decapitation, one strike to kill.
“Such skill!” Di Jiang silently praised.
“What did you say?” Wu Rui’an asked doubtfully.
“I was praising the murderer; his skills are indeed remarkable.” Di Jiang’s face showed sincerity, but Wu Rui’an felt a chill run down his neck.
Ordinary women would have screamed and covered their mouths upon seeing such a scene, right?
Her nerves must be made of steel.
Wu Rui’an sighed and said, “What should we do next?”
“Summon the soul.”
Di Jiang softly uttered the two words, causing Wu Rui’an to shiver all over again.
He nodded slowly and said, “Master Di, please proceed.” He then moved aside to give Di Jiang more space behind the rockery.
Di Jiang muttered incantations that Wu Rui’an didn’t understand. However, when she recited the words “Yisi year, seventh month, ninth day, third watch”, he understood.
This was the birthday data of Princess Tianxiang that she had previously obtained from him.
After finishing the summoning incantation once, a gust of cool wind swept around her.
“Swish—” the sound of the wind howled past, swirling up leaves and dust. The eerie wind was especially chilling at the crime scene.
“Is everything alright?” Wu Rui’an tightened his clothes, looking very frightened.
“With Master here, no problem!” Wen Yao was excited, eager to see Princess Tianxiang’s spirit. She couldn’t wait to find out who the real culprit was!
However, after a long while, there was still no other movement in the air.
The wind continued to blow, but it was just the sound of the wind passing through the rockery cave.
Not even a ghostly shadow of Princess Tianxiang appeared.
Di Jiang frowned and recited the spell twice more, but the result was still ineffective.
“Master, what’s wrong?” Wen Yao asked.
Wu Rui’an chuckled dryly and said, “Could it be that the soul-summoning spell failed?”
“It doesn’t make sense…” Di Jiang stroked her chin, pondering the meaning behind it.
“Could it be because Princess Tianxiang is a Hu person, so our Xuanwu Kingdom’s birth date system doesn’t work on her?” After saying this, Wen Yao received a glare from Di Jiang.
“The soul-summoning spell works regardless of where someone was born. Birth dates correspond to nine palaces and twelve grids, representing a person’s fate and cannot be wrong,” Di Jiang thought for a long time before continuing, “Unless, you gave me the wrong birth date.”
“Impossible! On the red marriage letter sent by the Turks, written in black ink, it clearly states Yisi year, seventh month, ninth day, third watch!” Wu Rui’an was very certain, which made Di Jiang fall into deep thought again.
“If that’s the case, then there’s only one possibility,” Di Jiang thought for a moment and said, “The deceased isn’t Princess Tianxiang. Someone switched her with another, making her a scapegoat.”
“What!?” Wen Yao was greatly shocked and hurriedly asked, “She’s not Princess Tianxiang? Then who is she?”
Wu Rui’an furrowed his brows, his expression somewhat strange. After Di Jiang glanced at him, he said, “I personally investigated; she is undoubtedly Princess Tianxiang.”
“Why?”
“Hu people have a special scent. Her smell is identical to the princess’s. Not to mention her clothing and accessories, even the bone bracelet on her wrist matches Princess Tianxiang’s. That bone bracelet is made from the skull of the first wolf she killed herself, and it can’t be removed, let alone worn by someone else.”
“You know her quite well.” Di Jiang spoke softly.
Wen Yao pouted and humphed, “After all, she was once the prince’s fiancée.”
“...” Wu Rui’an shrugged, remaining silent.
He felt that saying more at this point might have the opposite effect.
He couldn’t figure out the personalities of these master and servant duo.
...
Meanwhile, deep within the palace compound in the northern part of Taiping Prefecture, Chen Zhao had been reviewing memorials in her bedroom for several hours until just now, finishing the last scroll.
After writing the final vermilion comment of the day on the memorial, she finally exhaled deeply.
She walked to her bed and had the maidservants help her change.
An Suyun carefully arranged her dragon robe. Just as she took off the outer garment, she heard Chen Zhao say, “I didn’t see Qionglin today. Could he be sulking with me?”
“...” An Suyun hesitated to speak.
“What? Is there another reason?” Seeing her silence, Chen Zhao urged, “Where is he?”
“He... is still standing outside the Taiji Palace.”
“What?” Chen Zhao turned back in astonishment, stunned, “Do you mean he has been standing out there for an entire day?”
“Yes.” An Suyun lowered her head and averted her eyes.
Chen Zhao suddenly remembered her imperial decree from the previous day: “Remove Jiang Qionglin’s clothes and throw him in front of the Taiji Palace for public display! Without my order, do not show mercy!”
What heart-wrenching, excruciating harm that must have been!
Chen Zhao was extremely anxious, not even bothering to take the imperial carriage. She picked up her dragon robe and ran barefoot out of the Qinzheng Hall towards the square in front of the Taiji Palace.
...
In front of the Taiji Palace, a naked man stood facing away from Chen Zhao, braving the wind at the foot of the steps.
His figure was thin, his left hand holding his right arm. His hair, after a day of wind and sun exposure, had become tangled strands. He looked lonely and desolate.
He slightly lowered his head. Even though Chen Zhao couldn’t see his eyes, she could read from his silhouette that he exuded profound despair and helplessness.
Chen Zhao removed her cloak and quickly descended the steps, draping her cape over him.
Her right hand embraced his shoulders, finding them scorching hot.
His body burned to the touch.
“Qionglin...” Chen Zhao’s heart was anxious, but she didn’t know where to start. After a long while, she finally said, “I’m sorry, it’s my fault...”
Jiang Qionglin stiffened all over, turning his head to meet Chen Zhao’s concerned face. Looking down, he saw her dragon robe draped over him.
At that moment, he suddenly felt drained of strength.
He endured mockery and scorn all day just to appease Chen Zhao.
He waited so long and finally received her forgiveness.
“You’ve forgiven me at last.” Jiang Qionglin smiled faintly, his eyes dim but without any resentment.
He exhaled deeply, suddenly feeling unable to muster any more strength. Then, his vision went dark, and his whole body went limp, collapsing onto Chen Zhao.
“Quick! Summon the imperial physician!” Chen Zhao was frantic, as if losing her most precious possession.
These were the last words Jiang Qionglin heard before losing consciousness.
Chen Zhao helped him onto the imperial carriage and returned to her chambers, ignoring the servants’ advice and directly placing him on her dragon bed.
After diagnosing him, the three attending imperial physicians concluded. Chief Physician Zhang said, “Lord Jiang caught a slight cold, externally cold internally hot. Bleeding will help him recover. Please move him to the side chamber so the bloody smell won’t taint Your Majesty’s bedroom.”
Chen Zhao shook her head in refusal, “Just bleed him. I’m not afraid of any bloody smell.”
“This...” Zhang hesitated briefly but finally nodded, “Your humble servant obeys your command.”
With no choice, the physicians treated him in front of the empress and promptly withdrew.
During this time, Jiang Qionglin kept muttering in his sleep, “Go away! Don’t touch me… Get away—!”
Chen Zhao couldn’t clearly hear what he was saying, but she could see him constantly frowning, his hands occasionally flailing in the air or tightly clutching the blanket.
At this moment, he seemed to be in hell, constantly being burned, fried, and roasted…
Chen Zhao looked at his pale face, her heart filled with immense guilt.
She sat by the bedside, holding his hand, gently comforting him, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
On his eyes, long lashes trembled slightly, and tears glistened at the corners, occasionally rolling down his cheeks. Such a pitiful, distressed beauty would evoke sympathy and pity in anyone who saw him.
Not long after, the physician sent over a large bowl of ginger tea, instructing the maidservant to have Jiang Qionglin drink it.
“Let me do it.” Chen Zhao took the bowl from the maid and spooned the tea, feeding him sip by sip.
Jiang Qionglin was delirious with fever, unable to swallow.
After several attempts, Chen Zhao found he wouldn’t open his mouth. So, she lowered her head, drank a mouthful herself, and fed it into his mouth.
The nearby maidservants widened their eyes at the sight but quickly lowered their heads discreetly.
Chen Zhao’s favor towards Jiang Qionglin wasn’t a recent occurrence, but she had never been so intimate in front of others before. Her actions now were due to her extreme anxiety… Jiang Qionglin’s status was evident.
Chen Zhao stayed awake all night. After the usual morning court session, she rejected some important matters from key ministers and immediately returned to her chambers.
At this time, Jiang Qionglin was about to drink his second bowl of medicine.
Jiang Qionglin was still unconscious. Chen Zhao took the medicine bowl, intending to feed him as she did the previous night. Unexpectedly, just as she touched his lips, he slightly opened his eyes.
A flash of confusion passed through his eyes, followed by surprise, then fear.
He abruptly pushed Chen Zhao away.
Caught off guard, Chen Zhao fell seated on the bed, dropping the medicine bowl, which shattered on the ground.
“You’re awake?” Chen Zhao was overjoyed, not blaming him for his disrespect. Instead, she happily approached him, placing her hands on his shoulders and embracing him.
“Thank goodness, you’re fine.” Chen Zhao’s joy was heartfelt, and the heavy burden on her heart finally lifted.
After regaining awareness, Jiang Qionglin immediately realized his situation. He quickly lowered his head, kneeling on the bed and bowing deeply, “Your humble servant pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty, forever and ever—”
“No need for formalities,” Chen Zhao exhaled deeply, waving her hand, “There’s no one else here.”
Seeing this, An Suyun immediately dismissed all the serving maids in the palace.
The vast bedroom was left with only Chen Zhao and Jiang Qionglin.
“Qionglin, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to… I just…” Chen Zhao stopped referring to herself as ‘朕 (imperial I)’. At this moment, she wanted to be Yuehua in his heart.
Jiang Qionglin looked confused.
Chen Zhao looked at his vacant eyes, truly filled with disappointment. Yet, his eyes remained clear and bright, beautiful like a painting.
Looking into such eyes, she choked up even more.
No matter how she apologized, it probably couldn’t mend the disappointment in his heart, right?
If she told him now, “I forgot you in front of the Taiji Palace,” wouldn’t it hurt him more than saying, “I was just extremely angry”?
“Your Majesty, your humble servant is tired and wishes to rest.” Jiang Qionglin slowly said.
He wasn’t lying or being coy; he was genuinely exhausted, his body weary.
Reluctantly, Chen Zhao released him, saying, “We’ll talk another day.”
“Another day?” Jiang Qionglin was surprised, questioning.
“Today, my beloved minister feels unwell, and I won’t force you.” A hint of disappointment flashed in Chen Zhao’s eyes, which Jiang Qionglin noticed immediately.
Having wandered through brothels for so long, how could he not understand the desire in her eyes?
“Does Your Majesty require this lowly servant’s attendance?” Jiang Qionglin frankly asked, “Even if I feel unwell, as long as Your Majesty desires, I will satisfy you.”
“No… I don’t mean that,” Chen Zhao waved her hands repeatedly, feeling helpless in response to his words. After a moment, she said, “What I mean is, I will compensate for the harm you suffered, hoping you can forgive me.”
“This humble servant dares not,” Jiang Qionglin lowered his head, slowly saying, “You are the Empress. Life and death, giving and taking, are at your discretion. This lowly official dares not complain.”
“...”
Chen Zhao deeply sighed and said, “Rest. I’ll come to see you later. Remember to drink the medicine.”
After Chen Zhao finished speaking, she left, opening and closing the palace door.
The distance a door separates is more than just heaven and earth.
For someone like him, even falling into the mud is his deserved fate.
As Jiang Qionglin thought this, waiting until Chen Zhao was far away, he stepped down from the dragon bed...
Google Sites
Report abuse