Chapter 33 Partners (Bonus Chapter)
Emperor Yuanjing coughed up blood and went to recuperate. Although the news was kept under wraps, it was still leaked by someone with ulterior motives.
Ling Wei was ordered to arrange for the Empress's confinement. Immediately, the Fengzao Palace was surrounded by people sent by the Censorate and the Ministry of Justice, and the atmosphere was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
Ling Wei allocated manpower, arranged duty shifts, and checked the entry and exit of goods. Everything was done in an orderly manner, completely in a businesslike manner.
As evening fell, Princess Xiao Yue of Ruian rushed over upon hearing the news.
She obtained permission under the pretext of visiting her father's illness and also took the opportunity to visit the Empress, who was under house arrest.
Inside the palace, the Empress seemed to have aged considerably overnight. Upon seeing the princess, tears streamed down her face before she could even speak: "A-Yue, I am innocent... Bihe has served me for over ten years, how could she... how could she harm me like this..."
Xiao Yue held the Empress's hand and comforted her gently, "Mother, rest assured, the innocent will be proven innocent. Father was just angry for a moment. Once the truth is found, he will naturally clear your name. Please take good care of yourself."
Her tone was gentle, but her eyes were calm and sharp as she quickly scanned her surroundings.
As she left, Xiao Yue paused slightly as she passed Ling Wei, who was guarding outside the palace.
She didn't look at Ling Wei, but casually instructed the palace maid beside her, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for Ling Wei to hear: "Take good care of the Empress Dowager's daily life. These are extraordinary times, and all her food and supplies must be handled with extra care. We must not allow any mistakes to happen, understand?"
The palace maid quickly agreed.
"The Empress Dowager is definitely innocent. Once the truth comes out, we will make sure that the person who is causing trouble in the dark has nowhere to hide."
Ling Wei lowered her eyes, but her mind was perfectly clear—the princess's words were actually meant for her.
This was a reminder that someone might take advantage of the Empress's confinement, and that she should keep a close watch and help the Empress if necessary.
"Yes, Your Majesty, we will do our utmost to ensure Your Majesty's safety," Ling Wei replied with a slight bow and a steady voice.
Xiao Yue nodded slightly and left as if nothing had happened.
As night deepened, Ling Wei was exhausted both physically and mentally from the events of the day, and her sleep was restless.
She didn't know how much time had passed when a very soft knocking on the window startled her awake.
She sat up abruptly, still sleepy, her eyes looking somewhat dazed towards the source of the sound.
The window was silently pushed open a crack, and a tall, slender black figure nimbly swung into the room, bringing with it the chill unique to an autumn night.
It was Xie Zhuo.
He was dressed in all black, and the tips of his hair seemed to still be damp with the cool dew from outside.
His usual arrogance was replaced by a deep sense of urgency. He didn't even wait for Ling Wei to fully wake up before stepping forward, his posture more humble than she had ever seen: "Sir Ling, I apologize for disturbing you."
Zhuo, I have something to ask of you.
The Xie family contacted the Empress and learned from her that their attempt to find out the Emperor's whereabouts must have been a setup.
Because the jurisdiction of the trial had been transferred elsewhere, the Xie family was completely in the dark and could not even get a single piece of real information.
At this anxious juncture, the Empress mentioned Ling Wei, because Ling Wei had been promoted by her, and because Ling Wei had secretly helped her during her confinement, she firmly believed that Ling Wei could help her.
"Your aunt praised your photographic memory. Tonight, during the shift change, there was only a very short gap... Zhuo, please help me, cousin, to write down the key statements. The Xie family will never forget this kindness!"
Ling Wei didn't hesitate for long. She nodded, her voice still hoarse from just waking up: "Cousin, there's no need for that. The Empress has been kind to me, and you... you saved me too. It's my duty to do this."
A look of surprise flashed in Xie Zhuo's eyes, and his tense jawline relaxed slightly: "Thank you!"
Time was of the essence, so Ling Wei immediately stood up.
She was still wearing her undergarments, and Xie Zhuo immediately turned his back to her.
Ling Wei's movements as she dressed were somewhat slow and dazed from just waking up. After she finished dressing, she only mumbled, "...Let's go."
Xie Zhuo said in a low voice, "I'm sorry," and then stepped forward and carried the person directly on his shoulder.
"Huh?!" Ling Wei instantly snapped out of her daze and exclaimed softly.
Xie Zhuo felt a little uncomfortable from the pressure in her stomach, but she moved extremely quickly, silently slipping out of the window and lightly touching the ground with her toes, disappearing into the deep night.
The night wind rushed towards her, and Ling Wei could only subconsciously clutch the fabric of his clothes on his shoulders and back.
...
On the way back after finishing her business, Ling Wei refused to carry the load.
Although Xie Zhuo's lightness skill was excellent, she still felt bumpy and her stomach was being pushed against her, making her really want to vomit.
So Xie Zhuo had no choice but to carefully pick her up horizontally. Her head rested unintentionally against the crook of his neck, and her warm breath brushed against his skin.
Xie Zhuo's body stiffened slightly, but his steps became more steady.
Back in her room, Ling Wei immediately laid out paper and prepared ink. Relying on her powerful memory, she wrote down everything she had just seen, word for word.
Xie Zhuo stood quietly to the side, his gaze involuntarily falling on her.
Look at her lips, slightly pursed in concentration; look at her hair, bathed in the soft glow of candlelight; and the golden butterfly hair ornament that trembled slightly with her writing movements.
...
However, although the first confession that was retrieved pointed out the contradictions, it still lacked the most crucial physical evidence.
After several investigations, the Xie family finally identified a suspicious pattern mark, which Ling Wei needed to confirm and accurately memorize.
So Xie Zhuo visited again late at night.
This time, he easily climbed through the window.
Inside the room, Ling Wei, fully clothed, was taking a nap on the table. These past few days, she had been under intense pressure from both open and covert attacks against the disgraced empress. In addition, the Xie family had maintained contact with her and seemed to anticipate his possible return, so she did not fall into a deep sleep.
Hearing the noise, she groggily raised her head, her eyes still sleepy.
Upon seeing it was him, she instinctively stretched out her arms wearily in Xie Zhuo's direction and mumbled weakly, "...Let's go."
That posture was just like a child lying in bed on a winter's day, waiting to be picked up, completely trusting and without any guard.
Xie Zhuo: "..."
He had prepared a whole host of explanations and pleas, but they were instantly choked up by this incredibly natural action.
His heart skipped a beat, and his ears burned uncontrollably.
He stepped forward, bent down, and gently lifted her from the chair, holding her securely in his arms, whispering, "...Okay."
The embrace was more stable than last time, and I was more... used to her presence.
Ling Wei found a comfortable position in his arms, tilted her head, snuggled against his chest, and then fell asleep peacefully again.
Xie Zhuo held the person who had fallen asleep instantly in his arms, feeling that complete trust and reliance. He took a deep breath of the cool air carrying the faint fragrance of her hair, and used his lightness skill to silently blend into the night.
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