Summer of the tenth year of the reign of Emperor Fuxi of the Qian Dynasty.
Despite the sweltering summer heat, Wang Xiuxiu felt a chill rise from the soles of her feet.
On the Empress's birthday, the female members of the royal family gathered at the Yinghua Building Buddhist Hall in the palace to hold a prayer ceremony, praying for the Empress's longevity and good health.
Wang Xiuxiu stood on the high pavilion of the Prince's Mansion, gazing at the rows of houses in the distance.
As far as the eye can see, it seems like two completely different worlds.
To the east, a bustling scene unfolds, with vermilion gates and high walls stretching endlessly, and glazed tiles gleaming in the sunlight.
Under the sunlight, there are specks of light, which are the artificial hills and flowing water that adorn the area.
But to the west, the scene is quite different.
The low-rise houses are crowded together, and the streets and alleys are narrow.
The pedestrians were hidden under the low eaves, and although they couldn't be seen clearly, Wang Xiuxiu knew that everyone inside was hurrying along, not daring to slack off in the slightest.
Even so, life remained difficult.
An invisible boundary divides this city into two worlds: one side is prosperous and beautiful, while the other is dirty and impoverished.
Beneath this prosperity, countless people struggle for survival, their blood and tears hidden in the shadows.
Wang Xiuxiu gripped the railing tightly, her fingertips turning slightly white, as if she wanted to grasp something but was powerless to do so.
The wind lifted the hem of her clothes, carrying a hint of coolness and a touch of helplessness.
The sons of the wealthy in the capital, whose status and titles have been passed down through generations, are born into a life of luxury and raised in a golden palace.
But this brocade is woven by the hands of the people, and the golden palace is supported by the backbone of the masses.
They were high-ranking officials, pillars of the court, supported by the people, yet they were betrayed and became the ones who hurt them the most.
They should have been empathizing with the suffering of the world, but instead they colluded with the Golden Pavilion to wantonly abduct respectable women, just to satisfy their perverted desires.
The families of the victims have nowhere to seek justice.
Not only in the small city of Beijing, but also in the vast hinterland of Dagan, powerful families used their power and influence to monopolize land and trade routes, making the common people in the prefectures increasingly miserable.
They were like bloodsucking leeches, clinging tightly to the dynasty, draining the blood and sweat of the common people, yet they still called themselves refined gentlemen, enjoying endless wealth and glory.
The harm caused by powerful families is not only a shackle, but also a deadly blade.
"Xiuxiu? Xiuxiu?"
Wang Xiuxiu snapped out of her daze, and Su Yingxue was looking at her with concern. "What's wrong? You don't look well. Are you feeling unwell?"
"Sister, I'm fine. There's only one thing I need your help with."
"Between you and me, sisters, we don't ask for anything in return. What do you want me to do?"
---
Outside the Wenhua Hall, Wang Xiuxiu was staring down at the tips of her shoes.
After a long while, she looked up at the tightly closed palace gates, which were tall and majestic.
"Xiuxiu, go in. His Majesty summons you."
"good."
Wang Xiuxiu took a deep breath and stepped into the main hall. The overwhelming fragrance of ambergris made her feel a little dizzy.
The pearls adorning the shoes swayed gently with each step, casting dappled light and shadow on the gleaming gold brick floor.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects." Wang Xiuxiu bowed gracefully, her voice trembling slightly.
"Rise."
The voice was deep and authoritative, as if it came from a very distant place.
Wang Xiuxiu slowly rose, and only then did she dare to raise her eyes to look at the emperor behind the imperial desk.
He was dressed in a bright yellow casual suit, with a five-clawed golden dragon embroidered on his chest, its eyes gleaming.
His face was younger than Wang Xiuxiu had imagined, but his imposing presence was still quite strong, and a thin layer of sweat had already seeped out on Wang Xiuxiu's back.
"I heard from Princess Jing that you wish to see me?"
I think of those abducted women, their heart-wrenching cries, and their trampled dignity...
Wang Xiuxiu bit her lip, forcing herself to calm down.
"I have come today to report something to you."
Wang Xiuxiu heard her own voice echoing in the empty hall, "There is a brothel in the capital called Jinlou..."
"A brothel? You come to the Wenhua Hall to talk to me about brothels?" Lu Nancheng's gaze fell on Wang Xiuxiu, his tone puzzled.
"I know this is an overstepping of my bounds, but I have been wronged beyond measure and have no choice but to speak out to the Emperor."
"You certainly have a lot of guts. Speaking out against the heavens comes at a price." The emperor's voice remained majestic, but there was a hint of softening in his tone. "Last time, your idea solved a big problem for me. This time, I'll let you take a shortcut. Tell me, I'm listening."
Wang Xiuxiu truthfully reported how she discovered the Golden Pavilion and how she managed to find the clues.
"presumptuous!"
The emperor slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly, causing Wang Xiuxiu to kneel down in fright.
She could feel the emperor's anger; it was an invisible pressure that made it almost impossible for her to breathe.
Lu Nancheng realized that his actions had frightened people, so he slowly sat back on the dragon throne, his slender fingers gently tapping the armrests.
Those sounds seemed to strike Wang Xiuxiu's heart.
"Do you have any evidence?"
Wang Xiuxiu suddenly raised her head, "I have!"
After saying that, Wang Xiuxiu took out a blood-stained handkerchief from her sleeve.
"Bring it here," the emperor said.
Only then did Wang Xiuxiu notice that there was another person in the hall. He stepped out of the shadows and reached out to take the handkerchief.
His movements were extremely respectful, but the hand holding the handkerchief trembled slightly.
Before Wang Xiuxiu could notice his strange behavior, the eunuch lowered his head and turned around, his fingers gently tracing the embroidery on the handkerchief, as if confirming something.
The emperor took the handkerchief, carefully examined the markings on it, and a thoughtful look flashed in his eyes.
He looked up at Wang Xiuxiu, his gaze probing, and asked, "Did you ask me to write this? Or was it written in blood?"
"It wasn't my idea. The Golden Pavilion was heavily guarded. That girl was determined to die when she tried to escape. She wrote this letter in blood so that, if her escape failed, she could reveal the truth to the world!"
At this point, in a corner unnoticed by Lu Nancheng and Wang Xiuxiu, a barely perceptible look of shock and grief flashed in the man's eyes.
“Those women were so innocent! Some of them were only thirteen or fourteen years old when they were…” Wang Xiuxiu’s voice choked as she said this.
Lu Nancheng looked at the person in front of him, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
He had long heard that his sister-in-law was exceptionally intelligent, and seeing her today, he could confirm that her reputation was well-deserved.
Lu Nancheng pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "I will send someone to investigate this matter. You should go back and not interfere anymore."
Wang Xiuxiu felt relieved and quickly bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I obey your command."
The emperor waved his hand, signaling her to step down.
Wang Xiuxiu turned and left the imperial study, but her heart was still filled with unease.
She knew that although the emperor had agreed to the matter, the power behind the Golden Pavilion was not to be underestimated, and the matter was far from over.
---
Lu Nancheng sat at his desk, pondering who should handle the matter.
Several faces flashed through his mind, but he quickly rejected them.
Judging from Wang Xiuxiu's reckless actions today, it's clear that this matter involves far-reaching issues and is beyond her ability to resolve.
It seems we still need to send the secret guards to investigate.
"Li Dequan, Li Dequan! Are your ears plugged? Can't you hear me calling you?" Lu Nancheng's voice carried a hint of impatience.
Li Dequan quickly composed himself and said in a panic, "This servant deserves to die, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Lu Nancheng waved his hand, "Go and catch up with Princess Jing and the others. If anyone sees them, say that I sent them. It was Jingze who sent a message from Cangzhou."
"Yes, this servant will go right away."
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