There should be a deep scar on my left scapula, shaped like a butterfly.
This injury was caused by Chu Huaixu falling from a tree when he was a child and getting hurt by pebbles on the ground.
The stone pierced his waist, causing him to bleed profusely. The little nobleman was terrified and wailed under the tree, refusing to leave no matter who tried to persuade him.
The news quickly reached the ears of the late emperor. Without saying a word, he abandoned his important officials and personally carried the young concubine back to his palace. He also ordered the entire Imperial Medical Academy to treat her injuries.
That night, the young concubine developed a fever due to excessive fright. The late emperor was furious and had several eunuchs and palace maids who were present flogged. He also ordered the century-old tree to be cut down.
Fortunately, the little one was not really hurt, and by the next morning, the fever had subsided. However, the wound later scabbed over and formed a scar.
The late emperor was very displeased and ordered the Imperial Medical Academy to find a way to remove the scar.
But the scar was so deep that everyone racked their brains and tried all sorts of methods, but to no avail. The late emperor was so angry that he almost threw the head of the academy out of the palace.
It was Chu Huaixu who went to plead for him, saying that his scar was actually quite beautiful, like a butterfly spreading its wings, and that he liked it quite a bit, begging his grandfather not to be angry.
The late emperor then took pity on the head of the academy and spared the eunuchs and palace maids.
The Empress Dowager was so impressed by this incident because she was one of the palace maids who served Chu Huaixu at the time.
She had only been in the palace for half a year at that time. Because of her good looks and quick hands and feet, she was assigned to serve by the side of a minor noble lady.
It was because she was often by the side of the young noblewoman that she had the opportunity to be noticed by the late emperor, receive his favor, and become pregnant with his child, transforming from a palace maid whose life was less than grass into a mistress.
But now, this person's back is clean, and the scar has disappeared.
If this person is indeed Chu Huaixu, then how did he remove that scar? Even the entire Imperial Hospital couldn't accomplish it; who could possess such supernatural power?
But if this person really isn't Chu Huaixu, is there really anyone in this world who could look so much like him?
"Cough cough cough...Does Your Majesty have an answer in your heart?" Huaiyue turned around, stood still, but her clothes were still hanging at her waist.
Song Ting was so anxious that she wished she could get up, cover the person completely, and gouge out everyone's eyes.
But at this moment, he could do nothing; his right hand trembled slightly.
The atmosphere was tense. Everyone was waiting for the Empress Dowager's decision.
After a moment's thought, the Empress Dowager made up her mind: "Take the man away first, and let the Emperor decide his fate after we return to the capital. As for Lord Song, he deceived his superiors and showed no respect for hierarchy. After we return to Chang'an, he will be confined to his quarters for three months and fined a year's salary as punishment."
With witnesses and physical evidence, it should have been a sure thing. Even if we couldn't capture Song in one fell swoop, we should at least have dealt him a heavy blow.
But no one expected that their Empress Dowager would be so muddle-headed, able to take on such a big matter so lightly.
A year's salary deduction is practically the same as no deduction at all. Does Song Ting lack that little bit of money?
That's truly a woman's kindness; nothing can be accomplished that way.
Zhang Bingzhi was extremely unwilling: "Your Majesty..."
The Empress Dowager stopped him from continuing: "Grand Secretary, you need not speak any further. I am tired and wish to rest. You may all leave."
There was no place specifically for detaining suspects in Baima Temple, so Huaiyue was placed under house arrest in her original room, guarded by guards outside.
Huaiyue rarely went out of her room; she preferred to stay inside and enjoy herself.
If he hadn't been acutely aware that a knife was hanging over his head, everything would have seemed largely unchanged.
"Hiss..." Huaiyue touched his face, which was burning hot. He sat in front of the bronze mirror and looked at himself from left to right. Five finger marks were clearly visible on one side of his face, which was red and swollen.
He kicked the corner of the table twice in displeasure, flipped the bronze mirror over and onto the table, rushed to the window and shoved the paper window open with most of his body sticking out, shouting, "Is anyone there?!"
The first thing that responded to him was a long sword. Yang Zhaowen warned him expressionlessly, "Go in."
Huaiyue rolled her eyes, increasingly annoyed, and reluctantly stood back, leaning against the window.
"This official has such an air of authority, threatening people with swords at the drop of a hat. In my opinion, you are not suited to follow that pedantic old man Zhang Bingzhi."
"They seem to share the same odious tastes as our commander, who is surrounded by wooden figures like him."
He was always sharp-tongued, and Yang Zhaowen couldn't argue with him, so he tried to close the window. But Huaiyue wouldn't allow it and pushed him away, saying, "Don't rush to close it, I haven't finished talking yet!"
Yang Zhaowen's tone was icy, clearly indicating his unwillingness to engage with him further: "Is there anything else?"
"Look at my face..." He showed his face, which had been swollen from Song Ting's beating. "I make a living by my looks. If I'm beaten like this by the Commander and my appearance is ruined, how am I supposed to live?"
Yang Zhaowen's gaze swept quickly across his face: "..."
"Hey, are you mute?" Huaiyue crossed her arms. "At least find me some medicine to apply to my wounds. I haven't been convicted yet. Maybe I'll be the commander's wife in the future."
"You may not know this, but I'm a very petty person. If you don't find me the medicine, I'll hold a grudge and come after you later."
"...It was Lord Song who hit you," Yang Zhaowen said speechlessly.
Huaiyue laughed loudly: "My lord, you are indeed very clear-headed, but don't forget, who put the things in my room?"
Unfazed by the long knife in Yang Zhaowen's hand, he leaned out and grabbed the man's collar. "Although Huaiyue is a lowly person, she believes herself to be innocent. You should know better than I what those paper figures are all about."
“Huaiyue’s death is no loss, but Commander Song is a mad dog, don’t you think—” He looked past Yang Zhaowen, narrowed his eyes, and drew out his words, “—Lord Song…”
Yang Zhaowen turned around abruptly and realized that Song Ting had been standing behind him at some point.
Huaiyue released his grip and lazily leaned back against the window. Song Ting glanced at his face without changing his expression, his face dark and menacing: "Open the door."
“That’s probably inappropriate. Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has ordered that no one is allowed to see the suspect without permission,” Yang Zhaowen said firmly.
If Huaiyue's crimes are confirmed, even Song Ting, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, will suffer. At this critical moment, everyone avoids him like the plague. They would rather fly past his door than come to see him.
So everyone knew perfectly well who this "anyone" was referring to.
Song Ting completely ignored him: "My affairs are none of your business. Get out of my way!"
Yang Zhaowen: "Please do not make things difficult for me, Commander."
Song Ting's voice was as cold as ice: "I said, move aside."
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