QYT - 22

Cao Kunde held his horsehair whisk and looked at Qingwei leisurely.

After a moment, he smiled, “Who knows?”

He turned back and continued to lead the way, his tone unhurried. “Five years ago, he was injured under the Xijintai and brought back to the palace for treatment. The Empress Dowager took pity on him and treated him like her own nephew, which is nothing special. However, the Jiang family is, at the end of the day, a family of scholars. Jiang Zhunian is currently only a sixth-rank compiler. As for Jiang Cizhou, he has no scholarly title. According to the rules, based on his family’s favor, he should at most be given a minor position. But look at his current position: he is the Deputy Commander of the Xuan Ying Division.”

Cao Kunde sneered, “What kind of office is the Xuan Ying Division? It’s an office for the emperor’s close subjects! Even if it has declined and fallen, if the emperor values it, it will rise again in a few years. Even with the Empress Dowager’s favoritism and the emperor’s grace, this young master of the Jiang family, sitting in this position, cannot convince everyone. It was originally thought that the emperor would appoint a commander to keep him in check, but after all this time, the emperor hasn’t made a move and just lets him be the head of the Xuan Ying Division. So people in the palace are guessing, is this young master Jiang really the young master Jiang from before? Think about it, five years ago, he wasn’t even a man yet, just a half-grown boy. In five years, it wouldn’t be difficult to swap a person behind that mask.”

After hearing Cao Kunde, Qingwei pondered for a moment and said, “In the few days I’ve been married, he has been drinking himself into a stupor every day. Last night, he couldn’t resist going to He Hongyun’s estate, where it seemed he took a fancy to a courtesan. He seems no different from the rumored playboy. Perhaps the emperor appointed him to the Xuan Ying Division just out of pity for his injury at the Xijintai?”

She then added, “However, I have taken note of your advice, Godfather. I will keep a close eye on him in the coming days, and if there is anything unusual, I will inform you immediately.”

Cao Kunde was the Grand Director of the Directorate of the Imperial Household, and he spent most of his time with the emperor. His temporary assignment to the Xikun Palace today was to avoid suspicion, so it was not appropriate to talk too much with Qingwei on the way.

Soon, they arrived at the Xikun Palace. Cao Kunde smiled amiably and called out in a low, gentle voice, “The young madam of the Jiang family has arrived.”

Jiang Cizhou was waiting on the bridge in the garden. Upon hearing this, he strode over, naturally took Qingwei’s hand, and led her to the Empress Dowager to pay their respects.

The Empress Dowager was once again feeding fish in the Carp Viewing Pavilion, with He Hongyun still by her side. After receiving Qingwei’s bow, she smiled and said, “Ziling said you were feeling unwell these past two days and have been resting at home. Are you feeling better?”

Qingwei was flattered and curtsied, “Thank you, Empress Dowager. I am not unwell. I just caught a bit of a chill last night, but I am much better now. Thank you for your concern.”

The Empress Dowager would know that Jiang Cizhou had come home late from drinking last night. Qingwei’s words had a hint of grievance, and the Empress Dowager understood perfectly. She turned to blame Jiang Cizhou, “You, too, are a married man now. You should be more considerate of your wife.”

Jiang Cizhou bowed, “Your Majesty’s lesson, Ziling has taken it to heart.”

Qingwei didn’t know why the Empress Dowager had summoned her to the palace. The robbery at the Zhuning estate last night was Jiang Cizhou’s personal matter. If the Empress Dowager wanted to show concern, it shouldn’t have been for her. Surely she wasn’t here to be told to keep Jiang Cizhou in line? The Empress Dowager didn’t seem to have that intention.

Qingwei was given a seat and listened to the Empress Dowager, He Hongyun, and Jiang Cizhou talk about old trivial matters in the pavilion, all while pondering to herself.

They talked for a long time today, until the moon was high in the sky, when a young eunuch came over and called out, “Empress Dowager.”

The young eunuch said, “Reporting to the Empress Dowager, His Majesty says he will be resting in the Wende Hall today.”

The Wende Hall was the study of the current Jianing Emperor.

The Empress Dowager asked, “Did he say why?”

“His Majesty only said that there were too many memorials and he had to review them late into the night.”

The Empress Dowager said, “I understand, you may leave.” Then she sighed leisurely.

Qingwei couldn’t understand the Empress Dowager’s reaction, but He Hongyun and Jiang Cizhou, who were frequent visitors to the palace, understood perfectly.

Today was the first day of the ninth month. According to custom, the emperor should rest at the empress’s Yuande Hall on the first and fifteenth of every month. The current Jianing Emperor and Empress Zhang were childhood sweethearts who had married after growing up. By all accounts, their marriage should have been harmonious, but for some reason, they had gradually grown distant. The Empress Dowager had tried to bring them together several times, both overtly and covertly, with little success.

However, the affairs of the emperor and empress were not for outsiders to meddle in. Seeing that the Empress Dowager was upset about this matter, He Hongyun got up first to take his leave, leaving with Jiang Cizhou and Qingwei.

Leaving the Xikun Palace, He Hongyun asked Jiang Cizhou, “By the way, Ziling, you said last time that you planned to host another banquet and wanted to borrow a few performers from me. When will you need them?”

Jiang Cizhou thought for a moment and said, “Three days from now. I’ll reserve a table at Donglaishun then.”

He Hongyun said, “Alright, I’ll make the arrangements.”

He said he was borrowing “performers,” but in reality, he was borrowing “courtesans.” He had changed the name out of consideration for Qingwei’s presence.

Qingwei understood but said nothing.

It was late at night, and a cold wind blew through the path. He Hongyun felt a bit cold and realized he had forgotten his light cloak. He asked Liu Chang, his attendant, and Liu Chang said, “I didn’t see you with a cloak when we left. You probably forgot it at the Xikun Palace.”

He Hongyun slapped his forehead. “Look at my memory. Ziling, you go on ahead. I have to go back.”

With that, he turned around and headed back the way he came.

He Hongyun returned to the Xikun Palace but did not stay in the garden. He was led by a young eunuch into the inner hall of the Xikun Palace.

A small stove had been lit in the inner hall, and its warmth dispelled the cold of the autumn night. He Hongyun held up the hem of his robe and quickly came before the Empress Dowager’s phoenix throne, bowing, “Aunt.”

The Empress Dowager was holding a painting and examining it carefully under the lamp. After a while, she put the painting aside and said unhurriedly, “She does look a bit like her.”

The painting showed a beautiful and clean female face with a high nose bridge and slightly upturned eyes.

He Hongyun said, “This painting was drawn from memory. The matron at my estate said that the female thief who broke into the estate yesterday was even more beautiful than the one in this painting. I had no other choice but to come to you for help, Aunt.”

The female thief who had broken into the estate yesterday had snuck in with the courtesans from the Shifang Pavilion. He Hongyun had the people at his estate check the list of courtesans and found that the one missing was the one whose name was stamped with a peach blossom seal.

The female thief was beautiful and clean-looking, and several matrons in the Fengcui courtyard had an impression of her, which led to the painting He Hongyun now held.

The courtesans from the Shifang Pavilion had not had any mishaps during their escort, which meant that the female thief could only have come from the Xuan Ying Division.

If it wasn’t for Wei Jue locking up other female prisoners in the copper prison, there was only one other possibility: another woman had appeared at the Xuan Ying Division office yesterday.

He Hongyun then sent people to inquire and, sure enough, someone told him this morning that the young master of the Jiang family’s new wife had gone to the Xuan Ying Division yesterday to deliver lunch.

He Hongyun wanted to see Qingwei to confirm if she was the female thief from yesterday, but for two reasons. First, his father had repeatedly reminded him not to provoke the Jiang family. He was worried that if he was wrong, he would offend Jiang Cizhou. Second, Jiang Cizhou’s new wife had a facial condition and always wore a veil. She wouldn’t easily reveal her true face unless a superior summoned her.

He Hongyun felt that the female thief had broken into the Fuxia House and that he shouldn’t be careless. After much thought, he decided to turn to the Empress Dowager for help.

The Empress Dowager said, “The person you wanted to see, I summoned her here. You’ve seen her. What do you think? Is it her?”

He Hongyun hesitated for a long time. “The spots are too eye-catching. I’m not sure if it’s her. I’m afraid only the matron at the estate can identify her. However, I think she looks like her.”

The Empress Dowager said leisurely, “Then you can go and investigate yourself.”

She actually didn’t like how He Hongyun was spending all his time on that estate. Seeing him put away the painting, she said, “It’s September already. How is the task the emperor gave you a few days ago coming along?”

“I have already contacted several medicine merchants. We will be able to gather all the medicinal materials within a month.”

The Empress Dowager was a little relieved by this. “You did a good job during the plague in Qingzhou, which is why you were promoted. But it’s been five years, and you haven’t made any progress in your position at the Ministry of Works. Now, the emperor has given you the same task. This is your opportunity. Don’t disappoint him.”

He Hongyun said, “I understand, Aunt.”

He had returned to get the painting and quickly took his leave of the Empress Dowager. Once out of the Xikun Palace, he unrolled the painting and looked at it carefully again, becoming more and more suspicious of Qingwei.

His attendant, Liu Chang, who was holding a lantern, asked, “Fourth Young Master, should we interrogate the matron of the Shifang Pavilion when we get back?”

Mei Niang was the only person who had contact with the female thief yesterday. The fastest way to find out the female thief’s identity was to interrogate Mei Niang.

He Hongyun, however, shook his head after hearing this.

Jiang Cizhou had given Mei Niang to him, stating that he wanted to see Mei Niang’s “Plum Blossom Dance” when the first snow of winter arrived. If he tortured her and left her incomplete, even if she performed the “Plum Blossom Dance,” it wouldn’t be as beautiful.

Moreover, He Hongyun knew why Mei Niang was in the copper prison. There were eighteen kinds of torture in the copper prison, and Wei Jue had not been able to get the whereabouts of Xue Changxing out of her, which showed that the matron was a tough nut to crack. To get something out of her, he couldn’t use torture. He had to use a scheme.

With this in mind, He Hongyun said, “Jiang Ziling is hosting a banquet at Donglaishun in three days. Who have you arranged to go?”

Liu Chang said, “Didn’t Young Master Jiang only ask for Miss Fudong?”

“No,” He Hongyun said. “Pick a few courtesans from the Shifang Pavilion and have Mei Niang take them to go with Fudong.”

If Jiang Cizhou’s new wife was indeed the female thief who broke into the Fuxia House, and her first attempt failed, she would definitely come again. After yesterday’s experience, she should know that his Zhuning estate wasn’t easy to get into. Now, Mei Niang was her only contact at the Zhuning estate. If she could see Mei Niang, she wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

Luring the snake out of its hole. One try would tell all.

Liu Chang also understood. “I understand. I will secretly send a few people to keep a close eye on Mei Niang.”

“Remember not to give Mei Niang any hint. Just tell her she’s going with the courtesans to serve wine at the banquet,” He Hongyun instructed. “Also, tell Fudong about this and have her keep an eye on Mei Niang too.”

“Miss Fudong?”

“She traveled thousands of miles to the capital. Wasn’t it to show her loyalty to me? I’ll give her a chance.”

The path from the Xikun Palace to the Xihua Gate was long, and as it was late at night, the autumn dew had turned to frost, making the palace path difficult to walk. Jiang Cizhou held Qingwei’s hand, walking slowly for nearly an hour before they reached the palace gate. The young eunuch leading the way thought to himself that new marriages were truly sweet, and the ancients had not lied to him. Even the usually wild Young Master Jiang could be so gentle and affectionate with his wife, it was truly enviable.

Derong was already waiting at the palace gate. Jiang Cizhou got into the carriage first, then turned around and extended his hand. “My wife.”

Qingwei nodded and placed her hand on his palm. “Thank you, my lord.”

As soon as the carriage curtain fell, the two of them immediately let go of each other.

Jiang Cizhou leaned against the carriage wall and closed his eyes to rest. He hadn’t slept at all last night, and today he had to deal with the Empress Dowager in the palace. He was utterly exhausted.

Qingwei hadn’t slept much last night either, but she was a little better than Jiang Cizhou. At least she had been able to zone out for a while while sitting in the Carp Viewing Pavilion, which counted as some rest.

Qingwei hadn’t been zoning out for nothing. She had probably figured out why the Empress Dowager had summoned her to the palace.

It was likely that when He Hongyun was investigating the courtesans of the Shifang Pavilion, he had become suspicious of her, and someone had remembered what she looked like, so he had her summoned for a meeting.

Qingwei didn’t know if He Hongyun had already confirmed that she was the female thief, but that wasn’t what worried her the most right now. She had finally gotten the clue about the Zhezhiju from Mei Niang, but now the Zhezhiju was empty. She had to find a way to see Mei Niang again.

She couldn’t go to the Zhuning estate for now, but in three days, Jiang Cizhou was hosting a banquet at Donglaishun, and He Hongyun had said he would send courtesans?

Qingwei looked around. The “Autumn Dew White” she had bought from Donglaishun this morning was still in the carriage. In the corner, there was a cabinet with wine vessels inside.

Qingwei called out, “My lord.”

Jiang Cizhou’s eyes were closed. He “hmm”-ed.

Qingwei took the “Autumn Dew White” and poured a full cup of wine. “I saw that you liked this ‘Autumn Dew White’ last time, so I made a special trip to buy a pot today. You haven’t had any wine all day. Are you craving it?”

With that, she held the cup out to him.

Jiang Cizhou opened his eyes and stared at Qingwei. After a moment, he smiled. “Someone who offers kindness for no reason has ulterior motives. Do you want to go to Donglaishun with me?”

Qingwei’s hand froze in mid-air.

He could infer so much from a single detail and was so sharp. It was no wonder Cao Kunde was suspicious of him.

When they left the Xikun Palace, he walked so slowly just to calculate how long He Hongyun had stayed in the Empress Dowager’s palace, hadn’t he?

He probably also guessed why the Empress Dowager had summoned them today.

But the wine had already been offered, and she couldn’t take it back now. Since he saw through her so clearly, she couldn’t hide it from him. After all, the banquet at Donglaishun was not without danger, and He Hongyun might have some kind of scheme for her.

Qingwei said, “Whenever you go out to drink, you always get completely drunk. Drinking is bad for your health. If I’m with you, I can not only take care of you but also help you drink.”

Jiang Cizhou smiled and said, “That wouldn’t be good. At a banquet with singing and dancing, and many beauties, if my wife is by my side, I’d feel constrained. Not to mention picking flowers, the thought of even looking at them wouldn’t be pleasant.”

Qingwei immediately said, “You don’t have to mind me, my lord. If you see a beautiful flower you like, just go ahead and pick it. I will not interfere.”

“Since you say so—” Jiang Cizhou reached out to take the wine, his fingertips about to touch the cup, when he suddenly reached back and grabbed Qingwei’s wrist, pulling her toward him. Qingwei, who had a favor to ask of him, was a step too slow in blocking him. Jiang Cizhou produced a fan from somewhere, wrapped his arm around her back, and pressed the fan handle against her back, trapping her in front of him.

There was only a cup of swaying “Autumn Dew White” between them.

Jiang Cizhou looked at Qingwei, his voice very soft. “You dare to go to a banquet at Donglaishun?”

“I have to go even if I don’t dare,” Qingwei said.

The carriage was dark, but his gaze was like a fire. Qingwei couldn’t look at him directly and averted her eyes. “Besides, didn’t you say yesterday? From now on, I should tell you where I want to go and what I want to do in advance. I’m doing as you said. If anything happens, it will not be your fault.”

The intoxicating aroma of “Autumn Dew White” wafted between them.

Jiang Cizhou said, “Since you are so determined, it seems I can’t stop you.”

“If you are determined to stop me, even if you cancel the banquet, I have no other choice. Whether I can go or not is entirely up to you. Please give me a definite answer.”

“If I cancel the banquet, what will you do? Will you charge into the lion’s den again?”

Qingwei was silent.

Jiang Cizhou smiled, reached out, and touched her left arm. “My wife, does it still hurt?”

Qingwei knew he was asking about her injury.

But it took her a moment to realize that this was a negotiation.

He would take her to the banquet at Donglaishun, but only if she admitted that she was the female thief who had broken into the Zhuning estate yesterday.

Qingwei thought, “Why should I?”

He was repeatedly trying to expose her, yet he wanted to keep himself completely hidden. How could he get away with that?

Qingwei didn’t know how much Jiang Cizhou knew about her, but did he not have any weaknesses?

If they were to admit it, they should both admit it, or neither of them would.

It was late at night. Derong, who was driving outside, heard a soft voice from the carriage.

“What are you talking about, my lord? I’ve been staying at home obediently these past few days and haven’t gone anywhere. Where would I have gotten hurt?”

“Where else would you want to go, my wife? You’ve been toiling away for several nights in a row, and I haven’t had a single good night’s sleep.”

“Isn’t it because you’re holding back and making me curious? Besides, did you let me go after I let you go? You didn’t close your eyes all night last night, and neither did I, didn’t I?”

“You’re always so distant, my wife, and it makes me sleepless all night. If this continues and I can’t hold on, we might both suffer, and the consequences could be dire...”

Derong’s mind went “boom.” His hand trembled, and he almost drove the carriage into a ditch.

This, this, this...

He had only come home a little late. There was no need to be so desperate!

They say that newlyweds are inseparable, but he never expected that someone as pure and detached as the young master would also fall into the trap of common desire!

Inside the carriage, Qingwei’s elbow was against Jiang Cizhou’s shoulder, and the handle of Jiang Cizhou’s fan was propping up her jaw. Both of them were trapped by the other and couldn’t move.

Qingwei’s patience was about to run out. “Are you taking me or not?”

Jiang Cizhou’s tone was cold. “What’s in it for me if I take you?”

Qingwei stared at him intently. “I’ll let you have a good night’s sleep tonight.”

Jiang Cizhou thought for a moment, then let go. “Deal.”