Chapter 92, Secret Order.
Chapter 92
Shen Suining followed Xiao Huizi to the treasure pavilion.
Although the Treasure Pavilion was located within the Imperial City, it was quite a distance from the Shengping Tower where the banquet had just taken place. Along the way, Xiao Huizi led her ahead. When they arrived at the entrance of the Treasure Pavilion, Xiao Huizi signaled to the guards on duty to open the door, and then gestured "please" to Shen Suining.
The guards at the door, seemingly acting on orders, vanished after opening the gate. Shen Suining stepped into the treasure pavilion, gazing at the dazzling array of treasures and jewels, her heart unmoved. She asked in a calm voice, "What secret order is this time?"
Since Shen Suining agreed to be Li Bo's Shadow Envoy, he has only given her instructions in person once. Every secret order after that was conveyed through others, leaving no room for discussion. Sometimes she didn't even know why she had to do it, which made Shen Suining very unhappy. Although she had expressed her desire to meet Li Bo in person, Li Bo still refused to see her.
Sensing Shen Suining's emotional state, Xiao Huizi glanced at the door and said in a low voice, "Many imperial relatives entered the palace today, so His Majesty couldn't summon Madam He alone. He instructed me to tell Madam He that whether He Bufan can survive this year depends on whether Cui Rong can be found before the end of the year. So, Madam, more than half a month has passed, have you found any trace of Cui Rong?"
“Huadu is so big, it will always take some time to find someone. If Your Majesty is in a hurry, why not send more people?” Shen Suining replied tactfully.
After returning from Yunzhou, Shen Suining harbored resentment towards Li Bo and was unwilling to serve such a cold-hearted and incompetent ruler any longer. However, she never slacked off in searching for Cui Rong's whereabouts, though there was indeed no progress.
It wasn't just her group; there seemed to be other people searching for Cui Rong as well, but they found nothing, as if he had vanished into thin air.
Xiao Huizi had no suspicions about Shen Suining, only reminding her: "Nowadays there are city defense troops moving around all over the capital, so you should be careful to avoid them when you move around, to avoid trouble."
Shen Suining sneered, "The city's defenses are heavily guarded, so I will naturally be careful."
Xiao Huizi was silent for a while, then suddenly said, "Madam needs to move around the city often, why not ask the young marquis for the city's defense map? This would make things much easier for Madam in the future. Given the young marquis's affection for Madam, he probably wouldn't refuse if you asked."
Shen Suining sensed the probing intent in his words and secretly broke out in a cold sweat, but calmly replied, "He Hansheng has always been conscientious and clear about the difference between public and private matters. Your words not only insult him but also belittle me."
Xiao Huizi lowered his head to show his apology, and said nothing more, only urging Shen Suining to find Cui Rong as soon as possible.
Then Shen Suining casually picked out a glass lamp from the treasure pavilion, and Xiao Huizi called two palace maids to escort Shen Suining out of the palace.
Almost an hour had passed since the banquet ended, and the palace had returned to its usual tranquility. The Shengping Tower, which had been filled with singing and dancing just moments before, gradually fell silent in the night.
As Shi Chen Suining glanced at the scene, she exhaled a puff of white breath and suddenly noticed white, fluffy things falling from the sky. Looking up, she realized it was snowing again.
A palace maid led the way with a lantern, and she followed behind, her steps slightly hurried, afraid that He Hansheng was getting impatient waiting outside.
As Shen Suining walked to the palace gate, she saw her own carriage parked quietly there, the lanterns hanging on the roof looking particularly gentle in the silent night.
Upon discovering her return, Jiang Yuchu, who was sitting outside the carriage, said a few words, and the carriage curtain was lifted. He Hansheng got off the carriage, carrying a lantern, and walked towards Shen Suining.
The two palace maids who escorted Shen Suining out bowed to He Hansheng, handed the imperial glass lamp to Jiang Yuchu, and then withdrew.
The snow fell heavier and heavier. After looking at each other for a moment in the wind and snow, He Hansheng reached out and gently brushed the snow off Shen Suining's head and shoulders, and said, "Get in the car."
Shen Suining agreed with a "okay," and the two walked side by side to the carriage. He Hansheng helped her into the carriage first, and then handed the lantern in his hand to Jiang Yuchu.
It was a bit cold at night, and with the snow falling, Shen Suining's hands and feet were freezing cold as she walked. Fortunately, the charcoal stove in the carriage had never been turned off. As soon as she got in the carriage, she immediately went to the stove to warm herself, constantly breathing hot air into her palms.
After He Hansheng boarded the carriage, the two exchanged a glance before looking away from each other. Neither of them spoke a word, and the atmosphere was inexplicably subtle.
The wheels creaked and groaned as they rolled over the gravel road, and a silence fell over the carriage.
After a moment, both of them seemed to be getting impatient and spoke at the same time—
"Aren't you going to ask me what I just did?"
Is there anything you want to say to me?
After the words were spoken, both of them were stunned. Shen Suining opened her mouth, "He Hansheng, if you ask me, I will definitely not hide it from you. But if you ask me to say it myself, I don't know where to start."
After this year, Shen Suining will be twenty-two. For the previous twenty-one years, she had been living alone. She was used to bearing everything on her own. Suddenly having someone by her side to discuss things and share burdens with at any time was certainly a good thing, but she really didn't know how to take the initiative to tell him about her difficulties.
She feels embarrassed to confide in someone, even if that person is her husband, she can't bring herself to do it.
After another moment of silence, He Hansheng said softly, "I understand."
“I understand, Ningning,” he repeated, his voice gentle and low, as if he were also restraining something, forcing a smile. “If it’s not something I absolutely need to know, it’s fine whether you tell me or not.”
"What if... it's something you should know?" Shen Suining asked him. "If it's something related to you, but you know nothing about it, aren't you afraid that I'll mess it up and implicate you?"
"We are husband and wife, one body, so I won't use the word 'burden'."
Shen Suining's lips moved, "He Hansheng..."
"Shh-"
He Hansheng pressed his index finger to her lips, signaling her to be quiet. As their eyes met, his Adam's apple bobbed slightly. Then he pulled her hand and held it tightly in his palm.
“Just one thing, you must promise me,” he said, “don’t get hurt.”
"good."
He Hansheng finally smiled. He gently rubbed his chin against Shen Suining's hand, kissed her fingertips with extra care and affection, and followed her gaze, asking for her opinion: "Would you like to stay at home tonight?"
Shen Suining hesitated for a moment, but still replied, "Okay."
The snowfall on the winter solstice wasn't as heavy as the last one, but it fell faster. In the short time it took to get back to the Yong'an Marquis's residence from the palace, the eaves were covered in a layer of white, and people could clearly feel the cold when they got out of the carriage.
After the two returned to their residence, He Hansheng first escorted Shen Suining back to Tamei Garden, then arranged for someone to deliver the glass lamp that Li Bo had bestowed to the Pinghuai Marquis's residence. Finally, he went to sit with the Eldest Princess for a while. When he returned to his room, Shen Suining had already fallen asleep.
A small lamp was left on the bedside table. In the flickering candlelight, the outline of the woman inside the curtains could be vaguely seen. After confirming that she was there, He Hansheng felt much more at ease.
After a quick wash, He Hansheng quietly climbed into bed and slowly lay down on his side next to Shen Suining, facing her and gazing tenderly at her peaceful sleeping face.
But soon, within that tenderness and affection unique to this person, a few unspeakable emotions were hidden: worry, self-blame, and... a deep sense of powerlessness that he could not stand by her side as before.
"Hmm." Shen Suining turned over, half-closed her eyes, then quickly closed them again, adjusting her sleeping position. "Aren't you going to sleep yet?"
He Hansheng hesitated for a moment, then said, "I have something to tell you."
"Okay, go ahead," Shen Suining replied with her eyes closed, seemingly extremely sleepy.
There was no further response. In her dazed state, Shen Suining even wondered if she was hallucinating. She forced herself to open her eyes, frowned, and looked at He Hansheng, "Speak, I'm listening."
He Hansheng: "So sleepy, are you sure you can hear what I'm saying?"
Shen Suining rolled over and rubbed her eyes. "I'll do my best."
He Hansheng sighed softly. Although he knew she was too tired to remember what he said, he still told her, "The 'Beauty's Calamity' you smelled in the palace today was from Ouyang Lan."
Who is Ouyang Lan?
"The Crown Prince's father-in-law, the son of the previous prime minister, Ouyang Qi."
A hint of confusion appeared on Shen Suining's tired face. She asked, her mouth moving faster than her brain, "Wasn't the previous prime minister Uncle Xie?"
He Hansheng explained, "The previous prime ministers were two in office, one on the left and one on the right, with different responsibilities. After Mr. Xie stepped down, the current prime minister, Lin, partnered with Ouyang Qi. This year, Ouyang Qi also resigned, so the position of right prime minister is temporarily vacant."
Shen Suining said "Oh," and then continued.
"..." He Hansheng looked at her without saying a word.
After a moment, Shen Suining finally reacted and turned to face He Hansheng, "Why would the Crown Prince's father-in-law give someone this kind of drug at the palace banquet? Is he sick?"
“Ouyang Lan is arrogant and conceited. He has always acted recklessly because his father is the prime minister. Now that his daughter has become the crown princess, he is even more disdainful of everyone,” He Hansheng paused, “Aren’t you going to ask who this medicine was given to?”
“Of course it’s King Zhao.” Shen Suining replied without hesitation.
In her view, if Prince Zhao's achievements and abilities have surpassed those of the Crown Prince, the quickest way to bring him down from his pedestal is to ruin his reputation. Although Ouyang Lan's approach is foolish and insidious, the benefits would be great if it succeeded. After all, no matter the reason, a prince with flawed private morality cannot be respected.
But He Hansheng shook his head and denied it, saying, "It was given to Xu Zhen."
"You mean...that girl?"
"Um."
Shen Suining immediately sat up in bed, her anger clearly visible. She couldn't help but shout, "Calling him sick is too kind of him! You filthy bastard! You're not even as good as an animal!"
He Hansheng also sat up, wrapped the fallen quilt around her, and continued, "Although Ouyang Zhiqing was personally chosen by His Majesty and the Empress as the Crown Princess, the Crown Prince's original choice was Xu Zhen. Ouyang Lan was probably worried that the Crown Prince would still be hung up on Miss Xu, which would endanger the Crown Princess's position in the Eastern Palace, so he made this foolish move."
"Foolish thing," Shen Suining sneered, "A woman's status is something she has to earn herself. How could he use such a stupid and vicious method to harm someone? Isn't he afraid that his actions will make the Crown Princess unable to hold her head high in the future!"
In her excitement, Shen Suining's blanket slipped off her shoulder again, so He Hansheng simply reached out and grabbed it for her. "You just need to keep these things in mind. These days, whether it's the Empress Dowager, the Empress, or the Crown Princess who wants to see you, you should avoid them if possible. If you really can't refuse, you should wait for me to come with you."
"I understand." Shen Suining took the corner of the blanket from his hand and held it herself. She turned her face away and lay down again, but she couldn't fall asleep again.
She stared blankly at the ceiling for a while, then, as if thinking of something, suddenly asked, "He Hansheng, do you think this Ouyang Lan might be related to Sheng Qingge from three years ago?"
Why do you ask that?
“I guessed,” Shen Suining said truthfully. “The effects of ‘Red Beauty’ are extremely potent and unusual. Although there are explicit rules in the martial arts world that prohibit such drugs, after I was ambushed by someone back then, I privately investigated the origin of this drug. Its original formula should be a warming fragrance commonly used in Wan Hua Lou, called ‘Red Dust Intoxication’, and only Sheng Qingge has this formula.”
Hearing this, He Hansheng also fell into deep thought, "When Sheng Qingge was in Huadu, she did have dealings with many powerful and influential officials, but their private affairs..."
Before he could finish speaking, He Hansheng noticed that Shen Suining had turned to the side at some point, propping her head up with her hand and staring at him without moving. He coughed lightly and asked, "What's wrong?"
“Sheng Qingge is no ordinary courtesan,” Shen Suining reminded him. “As the behind-the-scenes owner of Wan Hua Lou, she has some skills and a temper. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have killed Song San Niang, who took her in, on a whim. The person who could push her to that point must be extraordinary. Look at the stupid things Ouyang Lan did today; he doesn’t have the brains to deal with Sheng Qingge.”
He Hansheng pursed his lips, said nothing, reached out and grabbed Shen Suining's other wrist, pulling her off the bed.
"What are you doing?"
Shen Suining was somewhat dissatisfied, but she still got up in compliance and casually put her hands on He Hansheng's shoulders, her posture lazy. "I'm very sleepy. Being able to chat with you so leisurely for so long is already my limit. I don't want to go back to the old things from three years ago."
He Hansheng picked up the blanket that had slipped off her and wrapped it around her, then pulled her closer to him and asked, "Are you still investigating who killed Sheng Qingge?"
"Do I have that much free time?" Shen Suining laughed, hooking her arm around He Hansheng's neck and tilting her head back. "The one who killed her wasn't her enemy in the martial arts world. If you want to investigate, you should investigate. I don't care."
"That's good."
Seeing that He Hansheng seemed to secretly breathe a sigh of relief, Shen Suining scoffed, "Can I lie down now? I'm so sleepy."
He Hansheng chuckled, "Of course."
He helped her lie down slowly, covered her with the blanket, and then lay down beside her, ready to fall asleep.
She must have been really exhausted. Not long after Shen Suining lay down, her breathing became steady and even. He Hansheng turned his head to look at her, thought for a moment, and moved closer to her. His forehead was almost touching hers, and their breaths mingled together. Only then did he close his eyes contentedly.
The heavy snow outside fell silently, covering the branches and the eaves were piled with a thick layer of snow.
In the dead of night, all was quiet, so quiet that you could almost hear the snow falling to the ground.
In the middle of the night, when a tree branch in the yard snapped with a "crack," Shen Suining opened her eyes, her gaze clear and bright, without a trace of sleepiness.
He Hansheng, who was beside her, was breathing evenly and remained in the same position as before he fell asleep, facing her. His other hand was on her waist at some point. He frowned whenever she made the slightest movement, as if he was about to wake up at any moment.
Shen Suining sighed and had no choice but to take out the sachet from her bosom and bring it to his nose.
A moment later, He Hansheng fell into a deep sleep. Shen Suining then got out of bed, casually sprinkled the medicinal powder from the sachet into the charcoal stove, quickly changed her clothes, opened the door, and went out.
With a creak, a cold wind rushed into the room through the door. The moment the door closed, He Hansheng, who was sleeping soundly on the bed, slowly opened his eyes.
He turned to look at the closed door of the outer room, his expression grave.
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