Chapter 26 It is imperative to confirm Princess Yuhe's affair...
well.
Unfortunately, we missed such a great opportunity.
Jiang Fushi lay on her back on the bed, tears silently sliding down her temples.
Is it possible that she will never be able to escape from this cage in her lifetime?
The more she thought about it, the more depressed she became, and she couldn't help but cry quietly.
The princess's chaotic heartbeat, mixed with her suppressed sobs, clearly reached Zhan Xiao's ears, who was hiding in the shadows.
He unconsciously furrowed his brow, a sense of inexplicable irritation washing over him.
Is the princess so heartbroken because of her lover whom she has never seen?
The night was deep.
Zhan Xiao left the princess's bedchamber and walked into the depths of the dense forest.
A black falcon circled several times in the air before swooping down with precision. He extended his arm, covered with a leather wrist guard, to bring it to a stop and retrieved a small scroll of paper from the copper tube in the falcon's leg.
Unfold the paper; it bears Yunniang's handwriting:
"Once the princess's entourage returns to the capital, come to the tavern immediately. Your new identity is ready to help you officially infiltrate the princess's residence."
...
Jiang Fu's poems cannot be allowed to lament the passing of spring or the coming of autumn.
Every day at Chenshi (7-9 AM), she had to get up, dress in plain clothes, and go to the ancestral hall where the spirit tablet of Empress Zhaohui was enshrined. Amidst the chanting of the officials and the rising smoke of incense, she performed the grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows.
Afterwards, they knelt on the prayer mats and recited the Rebirth Mantra and the Peace Sutra for the royal family members. They could only rest for a while at noon and have a vegetarian meal. In the afternoon, they had to continue copying the scriptures in the quiet room, stroke by stroke, without making any mistakes, until their wrists ached and their fingers went numb, and the sun began to set.
The sixth day of guarding the tomb.
After days of sitting and copying, Jiang Fushi was so tired that her fingertips were trembling slightly. She was able to get up from the futon with the help of Qingdai and Zisu on either side.
After having dinner at the Zhai Palace in the evening and resting for a while, she planned to take a leisurely walk to aid digestion.
Many ginkgo trees were planted in the corner of the courtyard. In late autumn, the golden fan-shaped leaves had fallen to the ground, leaving only the strong branches reaching towards the sky.
Jiang Fushi stood on the steps leading to the side hall, looked around, and saw that dusk was falling, the patrolling guards had just changed shifts and left, and there was no one around for the time being.
Suddenly, her heart skipped a beat.
Then, taking a deep breath, his legs gave way, and he pretended to slip and tumble down the steps.
"Your Highness!"
Her actions terrified Zisu and Qingdai, who turned pale and rushed forward to help her up.
As Jiang Fushi stood up, she quickly scanned the shadows under the eaves and the high corners of the roof to see if there was anyone there, but she found nothing.
She let Qingdai brush the dust off her dress, and looked around at the palace servants who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion, their faces filled with fear.
Could it be that because there are other people present, the other party judged that she was not in danger, so they held back?
Perhaps.
After all, she was almost eaten by a tiger back then. If it weren't for that critical situation, that person probably wouldn't have shown up at all.
Just as I was pondering this, an unfamiliar voice rang out.
"Your Highness, are you alright?"
Jiang Fushi looked up and saw a young man dressed as a guard. He should be a guard of the imperial mausoleum. He was wearing standard armor, but his face was quite fair and handsome, and he had a scholarly air about him. He didn't seem like a warrior who had been on duty here for many years.
"Your Highness, please be careful. These stone steps are covered in moss and are very slippery," the guard continued, then he and Qingdai respectfully escorted her back to her room, one on each side.
Although it was just an act, Jiang Fushi still twisted her ankle when she fell, and a sharp pain shot through her. Rongrong hurriedly went to find medicine.
As she sat on the edge of the bed, her doubts deepened.
With only one day left, the fasting period at the imperial tombs will soon come to an end.
For the past six days, everything has been so calm that she can hardly believe it. The Empress really hasn't done anything?
This is definitely not her style; beneath the calm surface, there is likely a raging storm brewing.
The seventh day.
Jiang Fushi completed her morning prayers and scripture copying as usual. At noon, she claimed that she hadn't slept well the night before and was feeling unwell. She then used the excuse of wanting to quietly read scriptures in the sunlight in the courtyard to send all the maids away.
She came to the courtyard alone. There was a crystal-clear stream in the backyard of the Zhai Palace.
She pretended to lean over the stream to retrieve pebbles, but accidentally fell in and was instantly soaked in the icy water. To make it more realistic, she even swallowed some water and struggled in the water.
Jiang Fushi cried for help with all her might, trying her best to sink her body into the water, waving her hands on the surface of the stream, her eyes fixed on the shadows of the trees on the bank.
Zhan Xiao, hidden in the shadows, watched all of this.
He was almost certain that this was another test from the princess.
Yesterday she fell down the stairs and I didn't intervene, but today...
Just as he was hesitating, a guard stepped ahead of him and jumped into the stream without hesitation.
Jiang Fushi was stunned. Why was it him who came?
It's that fair-skinned guard from yesterday...
Could he be the one secretly protecting her?
Her clothes were soaking wet and clung to her body. Jiang Fushi instinctively crossed her arms to cover herself, but the guard's gaze seemed to sweep over her disheveled figure almost imperceptibly.
She was somewhat annoyed.
It shouldn't be him.
That night, the man removed her outer garment, but his behavior was restrained. Her inner garment remained intact and did not overstep any boundaries, so he must have been a gentleman. He was worried that if the maid discovered that she was dressed as a man, she would not be able to explain herself, so he resorted to this tactic.
Moreover, the other party is highly skilled in martial arts and can fight tigers with his bare hands, which makes him seem much stronger than this pale-faced man who only knows how to fawn over others.
Soon, Qingdai and the others arrived after hearing the news and hurriedly helped her back to her room to change her clothes and warm up.
Jiang Fushi paid a heavy price for this immersion in water. With winter approaching and the temperature already cold, the cold water caused her to immediately develop a high fever.
Qingdai felt sorry for her and brought her many quilts, wrapping her up in them to keep her warm.
Jiang Fushi was confident that she had performed very successfully, but she even caught a cold herself, and that person still did not show up.
Either he has already left and is no longer by her side.
Alternatively, this person may have an unavoidable reason for not being able to appear in front of her.
She simply couldn't understand who this person could be.
Who would risk their life to protect her like that?
Does she deserve to do this?
This series of questions was like a persistent fog over her mind, making her restless and preoccupied with the matter day and night.
"Your Highness, are you feeling better?" Rongrong asked, her voice trembling with tears, as she changed the cold cloth from her forehead. "You must take care of yourself. The task of guarding the tomb is already arduous and exhausting, and now you've caught a cold..."
Jiang Fushi looked at her and suddenly asked, "These past few days, have you smelled anything different on me, or in this room? For example... the scent of a man?"
Rongrong was startled.
"Your Highness, what... what are you saying? What man's scent?" She leaned closer, lowering her voice anxiously, "Your Highness, have you noticed something amiss? Has a thief broken into your home? This servant will go and report to the guard captain immediately!"
"No!" Jiang Fushi quickly called out to her, "I was just... just talking nonsense while I was sick. Please don't make a fuss about it, lest it cause unnecessary trouble."
Rongrong's nose was so sensitive that she could even tell what kind of medicinal herbs were mixed in the incense, yet she couldn't detect a trace of unfamiliarity on her.
How could that person... act so flawlessly, leaving no trace?
Rongrong let out a long sigh of relief.
"You really frightened me." She patted her chest, still shaken. "Your Highness is unmarried; your reputation and innocence are more important than anything else."
Jiang Fushi certainly understood this principle.
If people knew that she had been stripped of her outer garments by a man and sent back in the middle of the night, she would probably either have to cut off her hair and become a nun, or... she would have to end her life with a white silk ribbon to save face for the royal family.
Just as we were resting, Zisu came in through the felt curtain and reported, "Your Highness is ill. The official in charge of the imperial mausoleum said that the afternoon's lessons will be waived. Your Highness should rest well in your room."
Jiang Fushi nodded weakly, which was taken as an agreement.
And so evening came.
After tonight, we can descend the mountain and return to the princess's residence tomorrow.
Gazing at the bright moon outside the window, she was filled with disappointment and resentment at her plans falling through.
She was so close to escaping.
Is this fate?
The moon's pale light was silent and could not answer her question.
Jiang Fushi sighed softly and blew out the candle.
It's the last night. If the Queen really makes a move on her, this is her last chance.
After thinking for a while, before going to sleep, she took out the silver needles and placed them in the most convenient spot under her pillow.
The silver needles were soaked in anesthetic; the amount was small, but enough to slow a person's movements.
It was late at night.
A side gate on the west side of the Zhaigong Palace was gently pushed open, and several people dressed as imperial eunuchs quietly opened the courtyard gate, letting the pale-faced guards in.
The leader lowered his voice and said, "The princess has already rested. Proceed as planned."
The pale-faced guard nodded, a resolute glint in his eyes. He then took the small ingot of gold offered to him, quickly stuffed it into his pocket, and turned to stealthily head towards the princess's bedchamber.
He immediately tried to step forward to stop her, but the Empress's men were prepared and had already silently surrounded the princess's bedroom.
If we force our way through at this moment, we will inevitably expose our identity and push the situation in an uncontrollable direction.
no way.
Zhan Xiao had no choice but to suppress the urge to attack. He flew to the roof like a wisp of smoke, lay prone, lifted a tile, and stared intently at what lay below.
Jiang Fushi was fast asleep.
Suddenly hearing the door open, she thought it was a maid getting up in the middle of the night, so she turned over and tried to go back to sleep.
But the footsteps went straight to her bedside.
She turned around as if sensing something, only to find a dark figure standing at the head of her bed. Judging from the figure's movements, it seemed that he wanted to untie her clothes, but had not yet succeeded.
"Ah!" Jiang Fushi screamed in surprise.
The pale-faced guard immediately covered her mouth and whispered a threat in her ear: "If Your Highness doesn't want to be ruined, then obediently submit to me, and we'll make love. Wouldn't that be more enjoyable?"
Jiang Fushi was both shocked and furious. She struggled fiercely and suddenly reached under the pillow with her right hand.
A muffled groan was heard!
The pale-faced guard clutched his neck and stumbled backward, knocking over the pear wood dressing table behind him. Porcelain bottles and rouge boxes on the table shattered on the floor.
Jiang Fushi threw away the silver needles in her hand, picked up the dagger under her pillow, and held it horizontally in front of her.
She finally understood.
This is the Empress's trump card, intended to leave her speechless and utterly disgraced!
This plan was extremely insidious. She never expected that the Empress would dare to do such a despicable thing in the imperial mausoleum!
They want to ruin her reputation and falsely accuse her of having an affair with a guard!
She was almost certain that the outside was swarming with the Empress's men. As soon as she made a fuss or the guard gave a signal, they would rush in to "catch her in the act," grabbing her and the pale-faced guard together without a second thought, and then exaggerating the truth and twisting the facts.
What do we do now? What do we do now?
In the blink of an eye.
Jiang Fushi made a snap decision and took the initiative. Taking advantage of the pale-faced guard's sluggish movements due to the anesthesia, she grabbed the celadon candlestick on the table and smashed it on his head with all her might!
She immediately rushed out of the room, shouting in a terrified, tearful voice, "Thief! Thief has broken in! Help!"
As expected, the courtyard was full of people Jiang Fushi didn't recognize; judging from their clothes, they were the attire of imperial palace attendants.
It turns out, these were all the Empress's spies!
She absolutely could not let them succeed; she had to seize the initiative!
Soon, Liu Zi and the others arrived after hearing the call.
Jiang Fushi quickly hid behind Liu Zi, since Liu Zi had been by her side the whole time. At this moment, apart from the few people she had brought with her, she had no one else she could trust.
Qingdai first wrapped her in a thick cloak, then carefully examined her to see if she was injured. Seeing that she was unharmed except for being a little frightened, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Before long, the pale-faced guard was dragged out of the room by two guards. Blood was streaming from his head, and he was unconscious.
Upon seeing this, one of the imperial eunuchs hurriedly asked, "What... what's going on? Why is this person in the princess's room?"
Jiang Fushi gave him a cold glance and said sternly, "This villain sneaked into my palace in the dead of night with the intention of committing a crime! Liu Zi, take him away and keep him under strict guard until he is interrogated!"
Upon hearing her words, the Empress's men panicked and quickly said, "Your Highness, please calm down! It would be more appropriate to hand such thieves over to the imperial mausoleum guards!"
Jiang Fushi sneered: "Since I was attacked, I should handle it myself. What, are you trying to overstep your bounds?"
The man then said, "This servant dares not! However... according to regulations, if something happens inside the imperial mausoleum, it should be handled by the mausoleum guards..."
Qingdai stepped forward and interjected at the opportune moment: "Your Highness recently had a gold-inlaid jeweled rhombus-shaped mirror stolen from your room, which is likely the work of this villain! This is Your Highness's private property, so it is only right that Your Highness personally investigates and recovers it!"
"I am a princess of the current dynasty. Do I not even have the authority to deal with thieves and investigate lost items?" Jiang Fushi said with an imposing air, her gaze sweeping over the crowd like a blade.
The man was intimidated by her imposing presence and was momentarily speechless.
Things took a turn for the better than they had anticipated.
They never imagined that they would be discovered by the princess halfway through their journey, and that she would turn the tables on them.
Now that the person has been caught red-handed, the initiative is entirely in the princess's hands.
If this guard wakes up and can't withstand the interrogation, it will implicate the Empress, and they will all lose their heads!
Thinking about this, I couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.
"Liu Zi," Jiang Fushi ordered in a deep voice, "lock this villain up in a separate room. You personally lead the guards to watch over him and make sure he lives. Don't let him die 'accidentally'."
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Liu Zi immediately ordered two trusted men to bind the unconscious guard tightly and escort him directly to an empty storeroom on the west side of the Zhai Palace.
Seeing the princess's decisive and firm stance, the spies planted by the queen looked at each other in bewilderment, and no one dared to speak up to stop them. They could only watch helplessly as the prisoner was taken away.
...
The room was in a mess.
Qingdai tidied up the overturned tables and chairs, helped Jiang Fushi sit down, and said in a voice still full of lingering fear, "That thief was too audacious to dare to break into the princess's bedchamber!"
Zisu nodded repeatedly, her face pale.
Rongrong, worried that Jiang Fushi might have caught a cold from the fright, quickly brought her a clean handkerchief, some calming soup, and a hand warmer.
Jiang Fushi picked up the hot water in front of her and took a few sips, barely managing to suppress her shock.
It was truly a close call. If it weren't for her keen hearing and for being prepared, and for her decisive counterattack with silver needles and candlesticks... she would probably have already lost her virginity. If this matter were to reach the capital, she would immediately become the laughingstock of the entire city and would never be able to face anyone again.
She had initially thought that the Empress would at most make things difficult for her in terms of etiquette and rules, but she never expected that the Empress would be so unscrupulous as to try to completely destroy her.
Why did the Empress hate her so much?
Does she think that returning to the palace as a princess who has been living among the common people will threaten Yuyao's position?
Or was she afraid that one day she would regain favor with her father and shake the foundation of her Cao family?
So now we're going to completely crush her into the mud, never to rise again?
As her thoughts drifted to this point, Jiang Fushi's gaze gradually turned cold.
If the Empress is so ruthless, don't blame her for being cruel and retaliatory!
She will definitely hold onto this life and fight back fiercely against the Empress, never again becoming a coward.
Not long after, Liu Zi returned to report after making the arrangements.
Jiang Fushi nodded: "You must keep a close eye on this person and don't let anyone get close."
Understanding the implication, Liu Zi clasped his hands in a respectful gesture and said solemnly, "This humble general understands. Reliable people have been arranged to guard the princess's room in shifts around the clock, ensuring that no villains have any chance to take advantage. In addition, this humble general has also dispatched another team to personally guard outside the princess's room, in case there are any other unforeseen circumstances."
Qingdai added, "We servants also take turns keeping watch in the princess's room at night, never closing our eyes."
Seeing everyone's reaction, Jiang Fushi felt somewhat relieved.
She lay down, exhausted. She was already feeling a bit cold, and after the fright and struggle, she felt weak all over and her forehead was burning hot.
Looking at the bright candlelight that had been relit in the room, her heart sank a little.
At such a dangerous moment, that person didn't appear, so they must have really left.
Although she didn't know why he saved her that night, the realization still brought a sense of indescribable loss to her heart.
Seeing her furrowed brows and restless sleep, Qingdai gently comforted her, "Sleep peacefully, Your Highness. Your belongings are all packed, and we can set off for the capital tomorrow."
Jiang Fushi managed to close her eyes with a sigh of relief under Qingdai's comforting words, and drifted off to sleep, filled with fear of the long night ahead.
Around midnight, a panicked shout pierced the night sky, instantly waking Jiang Fushi from her half-asleep state.
"Quick, over here, over here! Water! Go get some water!"
"..."
The commotion immediately alerted the guards stationed at the door, who returned after investigating.
"Your Highness, the warehouse guarding the thieves is on fire!"
"What!" Jiang Fushi exclaimed in shock. Without even putting on her shoes, she rushed barefoot to the door.
Zisu picked up her shoes and ran after her, saying, "Your Highness, be careful not to catch a cold!"
As soon as she stepped outside, flames shot into the sky and thick smoke billowed from the warehouse in the distance, sending a chill down Jiang Fushi's spine.
She was both anxious and furious as she watched the palace servants frantically trying to fetch water to put out the fire.
how so?
Why did it have to catch fire at this critical juncture?
Jiang Fushi was so startled that she was wide awake. She stared intently at the raging flame, her nails digging deep into her palms.
Half an hour later, Liu Zi returned covered in dust and reported: "Your Highness, please do not worry. I have investigated the situation. It was probably caused by the dry weather, the old warehouse, and the careless use of lights that caused the fire. The thief has been moved to another safe place."
It's good that you're still alive...
Jiang Fushi breathed a sigh of relief, sat down in the chair, and pondered for a while.
There's no such thing as a coincidence. It must have been the Empress's doing, using the pretext of a fire to actually silence witnesses!
No, this can't go on.
She had to strike first, otherwise things might get complicated.
Jiang Fushi immediately instructed Qingdai to prepare paper and pen, and to write down in detail the events of the night, such as the intrusion of thieves and the mysterious fire in the storeroom. She then instructed Liu Zi to step forward and take out her princess token.
"Once the curfew ends at dawn, you must immediately arrange for a reliable person to carry my imperial token and send this report directly to the palace by express courier, making sure it is personally delivered to His Majesty's personal attendants."
Jiang Fushi's gaze was resolute as she surveyed everyone in the room.
"All of you, listen up! The storeroom where the thieves are hiding and my own palace are to be guarded only by our own people. No imperial attendants are allowed to approach. At dawn, immediately prepare the ceremonial guard and set off back to the capital."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The group accepted the order and went about their business. Silence returned to the room, broken only by the occasional soft popping of the candlelight, which flickered the bed curtains.
Lying in bed, Jiang Fushi tossed and turned, feeling anxious and uneasy, unable to fall asleep at all.
The Empress's faction was clearly intent on silencing them, and she couldn't sit idly by. This time, she was determined to seize the opportunity and deliver a heavy blow. Her past forbearance had come to an end!
If we can't use the white-faced guard as a clue to find the witnesses and evidence sent by the Empress and expose their conspiracy, the Empress will become even more unscrupulous in the future, thinking that we are weak and easy to bully. She will be even more ruthless next time and leave no room for maneuver.
Therefore, we must take advantage of this opportunity to go down the mountain to safely deliver the person to the Emperor. Even if we cannot bring down the Empress immediately, we must first use the Emperor to suppress the Empress's arrogance and make her temporarily restrain her schemes against us, so that we can buy ourselves some breathing room.
I didn't sleep a wink all night.
As dawn broke, Jiang Fushi got up to wash and dress.
At the beginning of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the princess's entourage was ready to descend the mountain. The pale-faced guards were tightly bound, their mouths gagged, and Liu Zi personally escorted them onto an inconspicuous green-covered carriage.
Before getting into the carriage, Jiang Fushi glanced at the pale-faced guard and saw that although he was pale, he was safe and sound, which reassured her.
As long as there are witnesses, even if he remains silent now, he will surely not be able to withstand the severe torture during the joint trial by the three judicial authorities in the capital and will implicate the Empress.
The carriage bumped along the way, and Jiang Fushi, who already had a cold, felt even more dizzy and feverish.
"Cough...cough..." she coughed weakly, leaning against the soft pillow.
Qingdai looked distressed and kept wiping the cold sweat from the princess's forehead with a damp handkerchief. Seeing that the princess's complexion was getting worse, she lifted the curtain and instructed Rongrong, "Your family used to be in the medicinal herb business. Do you know any massage techniques to relieve discomfort? Quickly help Her Highness feel better."
Rongrong quickly replied, "This servant knows a little bit and is willing to try for Your Highness."
After she got into the car, she massaged Jiang Fushi's temples and Fengchi acupoints with just the right amount of pressure.
Jiang Fushi felt her tense headache ease slightly and breathed a sigh of relief. She knew that her illness was caused not only by a cold but also by the shock and exhaustion of the past few days, and that it wouldn't get better anytime soon. It would be better to get more sleep and rest.
The journey back to the capital from Qishan would normally take nearly a day. Due to Jiang Fushi's illness, the group's progress has been slow; it is now late afternoon, and they have not yet reached the designated midway station.
Qingdai looked out the window at the sky and said worriedly, "Your Highness, it's getting dark soon, your health..."
"No, no, let's continue." Jiang Fushi forced herself to sit up straight and refused, "The escort is of utmost importance, and I absolutely cannot delay at this moment."
She hurriedly opened it to check, only to find a single eight-character imperial edict: "I have already received your message. Return to the capital immediately to meet the Emperor."
At this point, Jiang Fushi finally felt a little relieved.
"Pass down the order: rest at the forward post station for an hour, feed the horses, and then return to the capital overnight."
Liu Zi accepted the order, and the group sped off toward the nearby post station.
Upon arriving at the post station, Jiang Fushi did not enter her room. Instead, she sat on the veranda of the courtyard where the carriage had stopped and asked the pale-faced guard about his condition once more.
"If Your Highness is still worried, you may come with me to see for yourself," Liu Zi said.
Jiang Fushi nodded and followed Liu Zi toward the place of imprisonment.
The doors and windows of the separate room were tightly closed, and four guards stood with their hands on their swords, looking vigilant, indicating a heavily guarded situation.
She was relieved and turned back to where she was resting.
Rongrong asked the post station for hot water and brewed the medicine for her directly on the small stove in the corridor. Qingdai then instructed the post station to prepare some hot porridge and dishes for dinner.
"Your Highness, you have been unwell these past few days and your health has been greatly depleted," Qingdai said worriedly as she pulled her cloak tighter around her. "After you return to the palace, you must have the imperial physicians take good care of you."
Jiang Fushi forced a smile but did not reply.
Night fell, and a chilly autumn wind blew in. She shivered and couldn't help but think of that mysterious person again.
Her gaze unconsciously swept around, and all she could see were familiar palace servants and guards.
A thought suddenly occurred to her: Is it possible that the person was someone close to her?
However, that person's skills were so agile and extraordinary that, apart from Liu Zi, there was no other person with such outstanding martial arts skills by her side...
That's all...
Since that person was unwilling to show himself to her, no matter how hard she searched, it would be in vain.
Just as the princess and her entourage were having a hurried meal in the lobby of the post station.
A man dressed as a waiter, carrying a food tray, walked brazenly toward the room where the pale-faced guard was imprisoned and said to the guard at the door, "Sir, this is the food for the one inside."
As was customary, the guards at the gate tested the food with silver needles to confirm it was not poisoned before waving them away.
The waiter lowered his head and eyes, then pushed open the door and entered.
Upon entering, he immediately saw the pale-faced guard who was tied to a chair, head bowed, and on the verge of death.
The waiter's humble expression instantly transformed into icy killing intent.
He bolted the door shut behind his back, quickly took out a rope he had prepared beforehand from his waist, threw it neatly onto the roof beam, tied a knot, then put the rope around the pale-faced guard's neck and forcefully dragged him off the chair.
After dinner, when it was time to rest, Jiang Fushi ordered the team to set off immediately.
As usual, Liu Zi went to interrogate the prisoner. When he pushed open the door of the side room, he saw that the pale-faced guard was hanging from the beam, his eyes wide open and his body already cold.
When the news reached Jiang Fushi, she was just about to board the car.
"Dead?" She paused, her heart sinking.
Liu Zi said with a solemn expression, "Yes, he hanged himself, probably to escape punishment."
Jiang Fushi's eyes flashed.
If he was trying to commit suicide out of fear of punishment, why wait until now? He had the opportunity to kill himself in the storeroom last night. And why did he choose this crucial moment, just before his audience with the emperor, of all times?
"Take me to see this."
Liu Zi turned pale with horror: "Your Highness, that's a filthy corpse, it might offend you!"
Jiang Fushi's face turned cold, and her tone was resolute: "Lead the way!"
Liu Zi dared not persuade him any further and could only step aside to lead the way.
Upon arriving at the room, Qingdai, Zisu, and other maids stood at the doorway, not daring to approach. Jiang Fushi walked straight in, and a guard holding a torch quickly lit the way for her.
The pale-faced guard's body had been laid down, flat on the ground, his face bluish-purple, with deep ligature marks on his neck revealing flesh. She crouched down to examine him closely, prying open his tightly clenched fingers, and saw a few strands of rough, dark blue hemp fibers remaining between them.
"Who has been in this room tonight?" she asked without turning her head.
The guard standing nearby hurriedly knelt down: "Your Highness, only one waiter who delivered food went in, about half an hour ago."
Jiang Fushi suddenly stood up: "Seal off the post station immediately and chase after them! The person who delivered the food is the murderer!"
She pointed at the corpse on the ground and said sternly to Liu Zi, "The corpse has crisscrossing ligature marks on its neck, and there are still fabric fibers left from the struggle between its fingers. It must have been forcibly strangled and then disguised as a suicide!"
These words shocked everyone present.
Although she was anxious and angry, Jiang Fushi quickly suppressed her surging emotions, regained her composure, and ordered, "Immediately notify the local government to come and investigate. Until then, do not touch anything in this room, and preserve all traces!"
Liu Zi knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in apology, and said, "This humble general has failed in his duty, please punish me, Your Highness!"
Jiang Fushi looked at him with a complicated expression, which eventually turned into a soft sigh.
"This is not your fault; the enemy is too cunning. Get up; we will need your help in the future."
She looked up and gazed in the direction of the capital.
The Empress's methods are truly terrifying; she must have made thorough preparations long ago, even planting assassins at the post stations along the way.
This time, she made a wrong move.
She wearily rubbed her throbbing temples and, with Qingdai's help, turned and left.
This time, the carriage entered the capital city without any surprises.
The carriage did not return directly to the princess's residence, but was led by a small team of palace guards and entered the palace through a side gate.
Jiang Fushi was somewhat surprised. Qingdai helped her out of the carriage, where she saw that the second-class eunuch in charge of the Emperor's court was already waiting quietly by the palace road.
"Your Highness, His Majesty has instructed this old servant to wait here. Please come with me to the palace to meet the Emperor immediately."
Jiang Fushi's heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to stay alert and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Father-in-law."
Under the cover of night, the palace resembles a lurking beast, its eaves and brackets silhouetted against the cold moonlight. Palace lanterns hanging in the corridors sway in the night breeze, casting flickering halos on the ground, further emphasizing the profound mystery of the Forbidden City.
After a long day of travel and a terrifying experience at the post station, Jiang Fushi was at her limit. Her whole body ached, her forehead was burning hot, and she could barely stand. She was only able to stand by sheer willpower.
The sedan chair stopped outside the East Warm Pavilion of the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Eunuch Zhao Quan was already waiting at the door. Upon seeing her arrival, he nodded slightly, then turned and went inside, calling out:
...
Inside the warm pavilion, the lights were bright, and the emperor sat behind his desk, his expression unreadable.
Jiang Fushi knelt down according to etiquette, her voice hoarse: "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
"Rise, take a seat." The emperor's gaze lingered on her pale face for a moment, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger. "You were frightened by the matter of the imperial mausoleum."
After expressing her gratitude, Jiang Fushi sat down sideways and lowered her eyes, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Father. I am fortunate to have your great blessing and protection, which allowed me to escape danger. However... the criminal who framed me was silenced on his way back to the capital."
The emperor gently placed a report on the table. "According to the report, there were no signs of a struggle at the scene. Why do you insist that it was a cover-up, rather than that he knew his crime was serious and committed suicide out of fear?"
Jiang Fushi calmly replied, "Your Majesty, although I was frightened, I also noticed a few suspicious things. There was nothing under the prisoner's feet when he died. Given the height of the beams and pillars at the scene, how could he have ended his own life? Therefore, I deduced that someone must have killed him to silence him and staged the scene."
The Emperor nodded slightly: "I will investigate this matter with all my might. Anyone who plots to harm the imperial heir deserves to be punished."
"Your guards were inadequate, nearly causing a major disaster. Liu Zi is demoted but retained in service, to atone for his crimes through meritorious service. I will assign a team of guards from the Imperial Guard to your princess residence to protect you."
Jiang Fushi immediately rose from her seat and bowed deeply: "Your subject kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your great kindness! With the elite guards bestowed by Your Majesty, your subject can feel at ease. However... the duties of the Imperial Guards are heavy, and your subject is apprehensive, daring not to handle daily trivial matters all the time. I humbly request Your Majesty to allow your subject to recruit one or two personal guards to accompany you in handling mundane affairs on a daily basis. In this way, you will not fail Your Majesty's grace, and you can also achieve both goals."
The emperor said calmly, "Granted."
"Thank you for your grace, Father Emperor."
As Jiang Fushi left the warm pavilion, the night wind, carrying a chill, swept over her, leaving her drenched in cold sweat.
Today's events have given her a thorough understanding of the Empress's methods.
Meticulous and insidious, he cuts off his own tail to survive without hesitation if his first move fails; he is truly ruthless and terrifying.
Just now, in front of her father, she wanted to speak several times, but in the end she swallowed her words back.
Although she knew that the Empress was behind it, she had no evidence. If she directly accused the Empress, she would not only fail to bring down the Empress, but would also be accused of falsely accusing her stepmother.
She could no longer sit idly by and wait for her fate.
Although the people her father sent were elite, they were ultimately not her trusted confidants.
She needs someone she can completely trust, someone she can entrust her life to.
Upon returning to the princess's residence, Jiang Fushi's tense nerves relaxed, and her feigned frailty collapsed instantly.
The imperial physician examined the patient overnight and prescribed a formula to calm the nerves and reduce fever.
Qingdai stayed by the bedside, looking at the princess's flushed face, her heart ached and tears streamed down her face. Rongrong busied herself preparing medicine and serving water.
Zhan Xiao silently approached the princess's window. The candlelight illuminated her haggard face. He took a deep look at her, and after confirming that there was no danger around, he disappeared into the darkness. He made his way to the back alley of the Worry-Free Tavern, and skillfully climbed through the window into the secret room on the top floor of the tavern.
Yunniang had already prepared warm wine and was waiting inside. When he appeared, she poured him a full cup: "Judging from your travel-worn appearance, how is the Princess's residence?"
Zhan Xiao did not take the cup of wine. He stood steadily in the shadows, his voice calm and unwavering: "The princess was frightened and caught a cold, but her life is not in danger. This incident was orchestrated by the Empress."
Upon hearing this, Yunniang's eyes flashed with surprise, but she quickly calmed down: "The current empress comes from the Cao family of the Duke of Jingguo. Originally, the Sheng Dynasty only had one princess, Yuyao. The existence of Princess Yuhe was like a thorn in her side. It is understandable that the empress hates her and wants to get rid of her as soon as possible."
However, the palace intrigues were none of their concern; they only needed to complete their master's tasks.
Yunniang said no more, took out a document from her sleeve and pushed it onto the table: "This is the new identity the tavern has prepared for you. Your resume is clean, and you have been a镖师 (bodyguard/escort) for seven years, which is enough to deal with any questioning."
“But the time is not right yet,” she said, her tone becoming more serious. “The princess is ill and living in seclusion, so you cannot appear before her for the time being, lest it be too abrupt and arouse her suspicion. The tavern will keep an eye on the princess’s residence. Before you officially infiltrate the princess’s side, familiarize yourself with this identity and be ready to act at any time.”
Zhan Xiao glanced at the document but didn't say anything.
"By the way, you can fill in the name on the document yourself." Yunniang pointed to the blank space: "During this period, I will have 'Moon Shadow' temporarily take over the protection of the princess."
Moonshadow is one of the tavern's top assassins, and she is one of twin sisters.
The elder sister, Yue'e, excels at disguise and infiltration, while the younger sister, Xing'e, is skilled in sniping with concealed weapons. With them taking turns keeping watch in the shadows, absolute safety can be guaranteed.
After giving her instructions, Yunniang turned around and went downstairs to greet the tavern guests.
The candlelight flickered, and Zhanxiao remained alone in the secret room, picking up his brush and writing two words on the document: Zhanxiao.
...
Phoenix Palace.
A bodyguard strode in, and the Empress quickly dismissed her attendants, asking urgently, "How is it?"
The guard knelt on one knee and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, everything is in order. All leads have been completely cut off and will not be traced back to Your Majesty."
The Queen's tense shoulders relaxed slightly, and she let out a long sigh of relief.
Granny Sun, who was standing to the side, cautiously stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "This old servant heard that His Majesty summoned Yuhe?"
"That is indeed true," the guard replied. "At the end of the 7 PM hour, His Majesty summoned Princess Yuhe alone in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. The two spoke privately for nearly a quarter of an hour. It should be that His Majesty personally inquired about the imperial mausoleum and the post stations."
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty," the guard said in a low voice, "everything has been taken care of. Whatever Princess Yuhe said to His Majesty is just empty talk and will not have any real impact on Your Majesty."
The empress's face was full of exhaustion and disgust.
“That bastard…” she almost squeezed out the words through clenched teeth, “How come she’s always so lucky? Every time she manages to escape death and turn danger into safety. I really underestimated her.”
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