Chapter 44 These Three Years Vanished Like Smoke

Shen Jinglan was somewhat displeased, but said nothing more. He bowed and stepped behind the young emperor, carrying a lantern to protect him.

Shen Jinglan and the young emperor walked one step apart, without saying a word.

In the darkness of night, the imperial city was deserted.

A single lamp, winding its way past vermilion walls and green tiles, through a labyrinthine corridor, leads towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The young emperor Mu Qingyun's pace quickened and became more hurried.

Upon arriving at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Mu Qingyun dismissed everyone, and only then did her stiff expression crack like ice.

"He killed his uncle! And you yourself have shady dealings with the rebels of the previous dynasty!"

What gives him the audacity to be so prickly and offer you advice? What's with all this talk of hierarchy and social status?

I want to kill him! I want to kill him to avenge my uncle!

As Mu Qingyun spoke, she rushed outside again.

Shen Jinglan quickly pulled him to the corner of the partition door, checked that no one was outside, and lowered her voice, "Your Majesty, please don't be impulsive. Wei Zhang dared to ask me to investigate thoroughly, so I'm afraid he is not the real culprit in the Prince Qi case."

Although Shen Jinglan still didn't understand what Wei Zhang intended to do.

But since he's not afraid of being investigated, he must have nothing to hide.

"Your Majesty, please give me a little more time, and I will definitely help you find out the cause of Prince Qi's death."

"And what about you? Ah Lan, what about you? Why did he say that about you? Didn't you say that Lord Wei is our friend?" Mu Qingyun looked up at Shen Jinglan.

In the past, Shen Jinglan always said that Lord Wei was a friend.

Wei Zhang is clever and can protect them.

Today, Mu Qingyun observed that Wei Zhang's attitude towards Shen Jinglan was often sarcastic or dismissive.

Where is the respect for friends?

"You are the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, why should you swallow your anger towards him?"

Shen Jinglan's throat moved, and he forced a smile: "I'm fine, and what he said is not wrong. His Majesty is the master, and the subject is the servant. Only by distinguishing between superiors and inferiors can we avoid being found out for our mistakes."

"What master and servant? No, you are mine..."

Before Mu Qingyun could finish speaking, Shen Jinglan quickly covered his mouth and scanned the surroundings warily.

"Your Majesty, you have been unusually cautious in your words and actions lately, after all..."

After all, the former crown prince's faction has been emerging one after another recently, and no one knows whether there are still people loyal to the former crown prince around them.

Their every move may be under someone else's surveillance.

Therefore, Wei Zhang's reminder was correct.

Shen Jinglan dared not mention the former Crown Prince Party to Mu Qingyun again, for fear of frightening him.

"In short, Your Majesty, please stay in the palace with peace of mind. I will take care of the rest."

Shen Jinglan released Mu Qingyun.

It was already past midnight; he shouldn't have stayed there.

He patted Mu Qingyun on the shoulder and prepared to leave.

Mu Qingyun grabbed his sleeve.

In the darkness, Mu Qingyun gazed at him with teary eyes.

"Alan, why... why are all the people of the former Crown Prince showing up? Why am I so entangled in all sorts of troubles lately, and why is everything going wrong?"

"Are we going to suffer retribution? Is the former crown prince going to come back and expose us?"

As Mu Qingyun spoke, fear filled her eyes, her gaze darted around, and her whole body felt icy cold.

Shen Jinglan stopped in her tracks and squeezed his hand.

"Qingqing, you must remember that you did nothing wrong and have not wronged anyone, so don't be afraid of anything, don't be afraid."

"But……"

Mu Qingyun was still afraid, and he suddenly threw himself into Shen Jinglan's arms, "Can you not leave tonight? Stay with me..."

Warm tears soaked Shen Jinglan's flying fish robe.

Shen Jinglan's eyes flickered slightly as he looked at the person whose shoulders were trembling. In the end, he pulled him into his arms and gently stroked his head.

The golden crown fell off, and a cascade of black hair spread out.

Her black hair reached her waist, which further accentuated the tear stains on her thin face.

With white lips and red teeth, she clearly had the delicate and innocent face of a young woman.

Back then, Mu Qingyun's mother, who was a maid, was forced to give birth to her and was then hanged for allegedly flattering the master.

Her mother worried that as a girl born into the imperial family but not favored, she would be bullied by eunuchs and guards, so she simply concealed her true gender.

She originally planned to stay at the Summer Palace for a few years until the emperor forgot about her, then fake her death to escape.

Who would have thought that the Mu family's struggle for the throne would result in both sides suffering heavy losses, leaving the imperial throne vacant, and only then did the officials remember that the Summer Palace still had this unique dragon vein.

Mu Qingyun had only two choices: either bear the crime of deceiving the emperor by concealing her true gender, or return to the palace to inherit the throne.

She had no choice but to return, and Shen Jinglan, who had always been by her side and had even secretly married her, also had to return with her to face the storms of the court.

She was just an innocent young girl, but now she has unexpectedly found herself in a high position, so it's normal for her to be afraid.

Shen Jinglan softened her voice: "Qingqing, you are the emperor, the supreme ruler. Those demons and monsters dare not approach you."

The person in his arms was still trembling like a leaf, sobbing uncontrollably.

Recently, Wei Xuan returned to the capital, and Princess Zhaoyang was brought back to life. It seems that the peace of the imperial city is being gradually broken by an invisible force.

A storm is brewing.

Mu Qingyun was so frightened that she became paranoid.

Shen Jinglan certainly wanted to stay with her, but how could he spend the whole night alone with the emperor?

He casually pulled down the gauze curtain, blocking the lattice window even more completely, then bent down and pressed his lips to the top of her head.

"Don't panic, little Qingqing, that's the greedy Moon Goddess. Qingqing cake, so fragrant..."

The man patted her back and hummed a familiar nursery rhyme in a voice so soft it could melt water.

A soft, gentle melody fell over Mu Qingyun's head, and she finally stopped crying and started laughing. "I... I'm not a child anymore, I don't need to be coaxed like this!"

Hearing the girl laugh, Shen Jinglan's face lit up as well. He cupped her face and wiped away the tears on her cheeks with his fingertips. "So, how does Qingqing want me to coax her?"

Mu Qingyun sniffed and pouted without saying a word.

How could she not know that allowing the Imperial Guards to stay overnight at the Hall of Mental Cultivation was too conspicuous and would lead to her death?

She shouldn't have let Shen Jinglan risk staying behind.

However, she didn't like the empty golden palace.

It's too cold.

She wanted to go back to the summer resort with him.

She placed her hand on his large palm, opened her mouth, but ultimately didn't say anything.

Now that he has taken the throne, there is no room for retreat.

They can never go back to the way things were.

Mu Qingyun lowered her eyelashes, forcing back the tears welling up in her eyes.

She tried her best, but she couldn't hold back her tears, which started flowing again.

Shen Jinglan's hand touched something wet, and a bitter look flashed across her face. She forced a smile and said, "I heard that Jin Yu Zhai has a batch of peach blossom rouge and snail ink. Haven't you always wanted them? I need to get in line early so they don't sell out again."

"Peach blossom rouge?"

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope appeared in Mu Qingyun's dejected eyes.

With teary eyes, she looked up at him and asked, "Is it the kind of rouge that you can apply to your face all day without it smudging, that has a faint peach blossom scent, and that tastes sweet and delicious?"

Mu Qingyun had never used that kind of rouge, but she had overheard the princesses and imperial concubines discussing peach blossom rouge many times.

She couldn't help but swallow, but then her eyes darkened again.

She never... used rouge.

She may never have the chance to use rouge again.

Her head drooped lower and lower.

Shen Jinglan saw through her thoughts, bent down even lower, and wiped away the tears on her face. "Don't worry, I've already learned how to apply powder and draw eyebrows. Tomorrow I'll go to the palace early to apply rouge to Qingqing."

"real?"

Mu Qingyun often watched the scenes of eyebrow painting in books and plays.

It would be wonderful if my husband could personally do my hair and makeup.

Mu Qingyun's face finally regained its joy, "Then I want to see you as soon as I open my eyes tomorrow."

"good."

"Also, when buying rouge, don't bring the Imperial Guards with you, or you'll scare the common people."

"good."

Shen Jinglan chuckled and pinched the tip of her nose. "Anything else, my Emperor?"

Mu Qingyun wrinkled her nose, then suddenly her eyes lit up as she took out a sachet from her loose, wide yellow robe.

"This is a talisman I got for you to keep you safe, and the sachet is something I secretly embroidered under the covers. I guarantee no one will find out!"

The young emperor raised his hand to swear an oath of death, then tied the sachet to Shen Jinglan's embroidered spring knife.

The dark black hilt paired with the pink, seashell-shaped sachet seems extremely mismatched.

It seems like it will never be a match...

Shen Jinglan stared blankly at the swaying sachet.

Mu Qingyun suddenly looked up and met Shen Jinglan's complicated gaze.

"Alan, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing."

Shen Jinglan snapped out of her daze and smiled, "It's beautiful."

The last two words were exceptionally gentle.

Mu Qingyun smiled too.

It was getting late, so he bent down and kissed Mu Qingyun's forehead to say goodbye.

Stepping out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, we entered a dark pavilion without palace lanterns.

He picked up the sachet, his scarred hands gently caressing the soft brocade.

This silly boy, doesn't he know that only the emperor can use brocade?

Where can I just give something away?

Shen Jinglan shook her head helplessly, her fingertips tracing the crooked embroidered words on the sachet. The front read "May good people live in peace," and the back read "May demons and monsters be banished."

May good people live a long and peaceful life...

Shen Jinglan stared at the six large characters, her eyes stinging with emotion.

"My lord, three hundred elite cavalrymen from the Northern Garrison have assembled outside the Donghua Gate!"

At this moment, a subordinate followed from the corridor behind him, cupped his hands, and reported, "May I ask what the operation is for tonight, sir?"

Shen Jinglan took the sachet off the hilt of the knife, looked at it one last time, and placed it inside her clothes, close to her heart.

Then he looked up at the myriad lights outside the imperial city.

Today is the Dragon Boat Festival, a day for family reunions to pray for blessings and ward off disasters.

It's a good day.

"Xie Qingyun, Lu Lin, and Zhou Yu are suspected of poisoning Prince Qi. The entire Xie, Lu, and Zhou families have been detained!"

Shen Jinglan spoke in a deep voice.

Just then, a Kongming lantern, meant for offering blessings, rose up before him, its dim light illuminating the sinister look on his face.

Didn't Wei Zhang tell him to investigate the Prince Qi case without restraint?

Then let's investigate thoroughly.

A few days ago, when he went to the painting shop to buy a book on women's makeup, he happened to get a painting of red plum blossoms.

The painting had faded and yellowed, and was not particularly eye-catching.

However, Shen Jinglan could tell that the scroll was made of Xuande porcelain blue paper, a type of paper exclusively used in the Eastern Palace.

In other words, the painting of red plum blossoms originated from the Eastern Palace, and the date on the painting was the day before Prince Qi died.

After Shen Jinglan bought the painting and studied it, he discovered that the poem inscribed on the painting was actually an acrostic poem, which read: "The Eastern Palace Inherits a New Heaven".

That year, the late emperor fell ill for no apparent reason and was advised to avoid metal and fire.

Unfortunately, the painting in the Eastern Palace features fiery red plum blossoms, bordered with gold leaf, and is intended to usher in a new era.

It was clearly an act of disobeying and cursing the emperor, with obvious intentions of rebellion.

It is likely that Prince Qi was killed and his body destroyed by the former Crown Prince's faction because he discovered evidence of the Crown Prince's faction's plot to rebel and rushed to the palace with the evidence that very night.

After extensive verification, Shen Jinglan confirmed that only Xie Qingyun, Lu Lin, Zhou Yu, and Xue Lanyi were drinking and painting at the East Palace that day.

Based on this evidence, it can be inferred that the murderer of Prince Qi is one of the five people: Xie, Lu, Zhou, Xue, and the former crown prince.

Shen Jinglan also found bloodstains on the scroll, as well as extremely deep dents on the scroll.

He had inflicted many tortures in the imperial prison, and one could immediately tell that the indentations on the scroll resembled human ribs.

It is highly likely that the murderer took this painting after poisoning Prince Qi, in an attempt to conceal evidence of treason.

However, he was discovered and chased by the people of Prince Qi's mansion. In his panic, the murderer fell while holding the scroll, and the scroll pierced his ribs, causing him serious injury.

The murderer likely still has old injuries from broken ribs.

Once these suspects are apprehended and thoroughly examined, it will be immediately clear who the murderer is.

"Not a single person, young or old, from the Zhou, Xie, and Lu families shall be spared. Those who resist shall be executed on charges of treason!"

Shen Jinglan led the Imperial Guards, drew his sword and bent his arm. The Embroidered Spring Blade slashed across his left arm, its silvery sheen like frost.

Hundreds of Imperial Guards, carrying torches, marched through the city at night, heading in a grand procession towards the bustling city center...

On the other side, in the interrogation room of the imperial prison, a flame flickered.

Wei Zhang sat in the armchair and glanced at the dying lamp.

Several mice were rustling and stealing lamp oil when they suddenly sensed a cold glint and scurried into a dark corner.

In such an important place as the interrogation room, the lamp oil was not replenished, and snakes and rats roamed freely.

"Shen Jinglan is getting more and more careless in his work."

Even though Wei Zhang was new to the place, he could tell that the prison was in disarray, lacking order and discipline.

“Lord Shen’s mind is not on the Imperial Prison, so naturally he neglects its management.” Qingyang knelt beside Wei Zhang, tending to the stab wound in his heart as he replied.

In fact, Lord Shen's mind was not on the imperial prison, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, or even the officialdom.

It seemed that he only did two things all day long: whether the emperor was well and whether the former princelings had been arrested and brought to justice.

"They say they've gone to raid the residences of the Zhou, Xie, and Lu families again."

Qingyang shook his head. "Enough, Your Highness, don't trouble others. It's more important to take care of your own injuries."

He applied medicine to the bleeding hole in Wei Zhang's ribcage, and the bleeding has only just stopped and has not yet scabbed over.

The dark clothes didn't reveal anything, but the inner garment was soaked with blood, so much so that a single hand couldn't cover it.

Logically speaking, even if Aunt Xue, a delicate young woman, stabbed Wei Zhang, it wouldn't have been a serious problem.

Unfortunately, she stabbed Wei Zhang in the spot where his ribs were broken.

That rib was missing when I was a child, and it is now extremely thin.

One hairpin blow and old ailments inevitably flare up.

Qingyang was somewhat worried, "It would be better to follow the doctor's advice, have him flogged and have his arm wrapped in white gauze..."

Wei Zhang lowered his hand, clearly indicating that he did not intend to listen to Qingyang's opinion.

He glanced at his chest and saw that the wound had been treated, then gathered his clothes and got up to leave.

Qingyang also knew that if the young master was sent back with a beating or wrapped up like a corpse after being poked by his aunt, he would inevitably be laughed at.

The prince naturally didn't want anyone to know that he had a weakness in his ribs.

But it was summer, and there were many snakes, insects, and rodents. If the wound got dirty in the cell, it would be difficult to treat.

"Young Master, why don't you return to your residence to rest?"

Anyway, his imprisonment is just an explanation to the outside world, and Shen Jinglan won't care where he lives.

People outside would have no idea where he went.

"At least it's more comfortable at home, and there are people to take care of me..."

Wei Zhang glared at him, then walked away without saying another word.

Qingyang scratched his head.

Why would someone insist on staying overnight in the imperial prison for no reason?

Wei Zhang walked back to the prison.

As soon as I came down the bluestone steps, I saw Xue Lanyi leaning against the prison bars, lost in thought.

Her long hair was loose, and her fair face was turned up to look at the skylight.

The bright moonlight shone through the window onto her face, making even the fine downy hairs on her cheeks clearly visible, revealing a rare gentle and peaceful expression.

Wei Zhang suddenly remembered that in the past three years, she had also leaned against the window, gazing at the moonlight and waiting for him.

She habitually tilts her head back slightly.

In this way, whenever Wei Zhang passed by the window, she could see him immediately, then her eyes would light up as she stepped forward, took his cloak, and ask him: "Are you cold or hungry tonight? Would you like to try on my newly made headband?"

Memories flooded his mind, and Wei Zhang's gaze lingered on her for a moment.

Xue Lanyi immediately sensed it, and abruptly turned her head, her eyes filled with deep vigilance.

His lips were tightly pressed together, and he remained silent, uttering not a single word.

The two men stared at each other for a moment, then Wei Zhang's eyes turned icy as he walked into the prepared cell next door with his hands behind his back.

He looked down at her through the bars, "Have you thought about how to admit your mistake?"

"I did nothing wrong!"

What's wrong with reporting a murderer and rescuing your loved one?

Xue Lanyi didn't know what to say to him.

Wei Zhang's expression darkened further.

Xue Lanyi knew that if she angered him, she might be tortured.

Will things be better if I try my best to please him?

Xue Lanyi no longer wanted to do things against her conscience.

Moreover, Zhou Yu's example serves as a precedent.

In recent years, Zhou Yu has been extremely obsequious and subservient to Wei Zhang and Shen Jinglan, enduring humiliation to survive.

But when have they ever let Zhou Yu go?

It is said that Shen Jinglan often instructed his subordinates to cause trouble for the Zhou family, either by verbally abusing and beating people without cause, or by smashing things up in the Zhou family mansion.

The gold plaque outside the Zhou Mansion's main gate is still covered with the urine of the Imperial Guards after they got drunk.

We can't wipe it yet, because if we do, the next thing to suffer will be the ancestral tablets of the Zhou family.

Therefore, admitting guilt is never the end, but only the beginning of humiliation.

Xue Lanyi did not want to live under Wei Zhang's humiliation every day.

She took a deep breath and held her fingers over the bars: "If you want your fingers twisted, then twist them."

At worst, I'll just suffer more punishment. Since I can't live anyway, the sooner I suffer, the sooner I'll be free. It's better than living in constant fear of the unknown.

Having considered this, Xue Lanyi felt much calmer, and her gaze towards Wei Zhang became more resolute.

Wei Zhang narrowed his eyes slightly.

She showed no remorse and kept staring straight at him.

The two remained locked in a stalemate, separated by only a step.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze, and all was silent.

Wei Zhang's hands, which were behind his back, were slightly clenched, and his eyes were filled with hidden emotions. His heavy gaze fell on Xue Lanyi's fingers.

It seemed even sharper than the blade of Guanyin's guillotine, as if it could cut off a person's fingers.

Xue Lanyi's fingertips trembled instinctively, but she did not retract them. Instead, she asked him, "When will you carry out the execution?"

Since Wei Xuan had already left, Xue Lanyi didn't want to have any more pointless entanglements with the person in front of her.

She loathed even the thought of sharing a prison cell with him.

Wei Zhang caught a hint of impatience in her eyes.

She wanted to break free from him and be free from his clutches.

But everyone suffers, so how can one be so easily freed?

She hasn't yet paid off the karmic debts of betrayal in this life.

Wei Zhang went a step further.

His tall figure loomed over Xue Lanyi like a dark cloud.

Xue Lanyi instinctively pulled her hand back, but in the end, willpower prevailed over instinct. She did not withdraw her hand, but instead closed her eyes slightly and raised her neck.

What a fearless look!

Wei Zhang bent down slightly, grasped her wrist, and slowly led her to the hidden compartment.

The chains began to retract again, and the sluggish mechanical sound echoed more clearly in Xue Lanyi's ears.

Squeak, squeak, up and down.

The sluice gate seemed to be chewing on something.

Xue Lanyi felt a sudden chill run through her body, her back stiffened, and she seemed to hear the sound of something being chopped off piece by piece.

The sound was getting closer and closer to her...

But after a long time, the expected pain did not come.

A burst of hot air sprayed and enveloped my fingertips.