Chapter 36
It was late at night. Jiang Huan leaned against the window, looking at the deserted garden, plucking the strings of his zither intermittently.
Ever since the palace was sealed, Yaoyue Tower had lost its former bustling nightlife. Zhao Congyun and Jiang Huan's relationship was known to everyone in the capital, but with the emperor's stance uncertain, no one wanted anything to do with Zhao Congyun.
"Auntie, aren't you going to sleep yet?" Little Anian asked, yawning.
Jiang Huan's thoughts were interrupted, and the sound of the piano suddenly slipped. She didn't get angry, but smiled and waved: "Be good, go to sleep first."
Ah Nian was very well-mannered and bowed respectfully: "Good night, Auntie."
When the small footsteps faded away, Jiang Huan said calmly to the window: "Alright, come out."
A dark shadow quietly jumped in, it was Yue Mingming.
Jiang Huan was not surprised, but said, "I thought it would be Uncle Dong who came."
Yue Mingming explained, "Uncle Dong was injured a few days ago when he was leading the Qilin Guards, so I'll take over this trip!"
Jiang Huan's attitude was not enthusiastic. He just said, "Since you are here, why don't you say hello to Anian? She seems to be thinking about you."
"Really?" Yue Mingming was somewhat touched, but he said regretfully, "I'm afraid I'll scare her. Besides...it's better not to let her know about the adults' worries."
Jiang Huan glanced at her sideways: "I haven't seen you for a few days... You seem to have become more clever... Your Qinggong skills are not bad either."
Yue Mingming didn't know how to respond to this. He smiled awkwardly and took out a bag of amber walnuts from his arms. "I brought this specially for Anian. Please help me pass it on tomorrow... This is freshly fried with osmanthus sugar. Children will love it!"
Jiang Huan sneered: "The palace is sealed, and he is imprisoned in the palace with his life or death uncertain. You still have the mind to do this."
It sounded like a mockery, but it also had a hint of approval in it.
Yue Mingming wondered if she was overthinking it. She wasn't entirely sure about Jiang Huan, so she casually said, "Life must go on... Sister seemed to know I was coming, but what did she guess?"
Jiang Huan's mouth curled up: "How much do you guess? Why don't you tell me first?"
Yue Mingming then told her about Xing'er and Zhao Congyun's suspicions. Jiang Huan listened quietly and asked with a sigh, "...Is he okay?"
Yue Mingming was startled, then immediately realized who Jiang Huan was asking about. He quickly said, "It's okay... Sister, don't worry too much about him. He's a man who always finds a way."
As she said this, her heart actually ached. The word "okay" wasn't really modesty. That day when they rushed out of the secret room, Zhao Congyun called in the Qilin Guards to apprehend the assassin, and Yue Mingming took advantage of the chaos to escape. Later, she learned from Li Pingru that Zhao Congyun's method of attracting the emperor's attention was to burn down the Yongshang Palace!
In order to make Emperor Zhaoming believe that it was a killer who set the fire, he himself was injured in the fire. This life-threatening trick really worked. When Emperor Zhaoming saw his brother who had escaped death, he was shocked and frightened. He not only moved Zhao Congyun to a place near his own bedroom and sent people to protect him strictly, but also allowed the imperial physician to go to treat him.
Queen Li did not dare to act rashly for the time being. Meng Xun died tragically in the fire. It seemed that someone took the opportunity to silence him, but the killer disappeared afterwards.
Yue Mingming inquired carefully about Zhao Congyun's injuries. Li Pingru did not see them with his own eyes, but he sent someone to convey the message that "it's nothing serious."
But Yue Mingming didn't believe it - it would be very tragic to make the moody Emperor Zhaoming feel sympathy.
Jiang Huan stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly said, "You know, the prince once promised me that the will would one day protect Yaoyue Tower. I never thought it would be used on you... Since he broke his promise, now that he's in trouble, I can choose to stay out of it."
"Huh?" Yue Mingming had no idea there was such a thing, and felt ashamed. He also heard that Jiang Huan was going to refuse, so he changed his words and said, "In that case... I've got your message. It's up to you to decide whether to help or not... I'll be leaving first."
"Wait a minute." Jiang Huan stopped her and chuckled, "Do you have the courage to go somewhere with me?"
Yue Mingming’s first reaction was that he couldn’t go!
Who knows if this woman will hold a grudge against her and Zhao Congyun because of the will and turn against the Queen?
Jiang Huan saw her hesitation, but he didn't rush her. He even patiently trimmed her nails: "Take your time to think about it. It's still early before dawn!"
Yue Mingming asked weakly, "Sister, can you tell me where it is?"
Jiang Huan's eyes flickered: "I can't... wouldn't it be boring to say it?"
Yue Mingming was speechless.
If Zhao Congyun and Dong Shu were around, they would definitely not agree to this dangerous request, but Yue was obviously not good at making plans before taking action, and his curiosity was too strong, so he nodded in a daze.
A smile appeared in Jiang Huan's eyes: "Wait a moment." She said lightly, turned and went into the inner room. When she came out again, she was wearing a neat nightgown, like a cunning and light black cat.
Yue Mingming was stunned. She had never thought Jiang Huan could perform Qinggong, and she had never thought someone could look so good in a nightgown! Then she looked down at herself. She was wearing the same outfit, but why did she look more like a crow?
"Follow me closely. I won't wait for you." After giving a simple instruction, Jiang Huan jumped into the darkness. Yue Mingming was confused, but still followed him happily.
*
Jiang Huan's lightness skills were outstanding, and he was far ahead, and he really didn't wait for her. Yue Mingming gritted his teeth and took a deep breath, sweating profusely, so as not to lose him.
After walking for a quarter of an hour, Jiang Huan led Yue Mingming to a high wall. Yue Mingming looked at the layout of this mansion and found that it was comparable to the royal palace. He felt something was wrong.
"This is it, the Prince's Mansion." Jiang Huan said.
The emperor's uncle... could it be Li Pingru's mother's family?! Isn't that Queen Li's territory?
Yue Mingming's face turned pale: "Sister, why did you bring me here?"
"To meet someone." Jiang Huan smiled slightly: "Why... don't you dare to go in? It's still not too late to leave now."
Yue Mingming was very susceptible to provocation. She thought to herself, "I've already broken into the Imperial Palace, so why should I be afraid of your little uncle's mansion?" She said nothing more and nodded to Jiang Huan, "No problem!"
Jiang Huan chuckled, flipped over the high wall, and soon arrived at a secluded courtyard in the back garden with ease.
There was only one house with a light on in the yard. The two of them approached quietly. Yue Mingming was about to break a window to take a peek, but unexpectedly Jiang Huan pushed the door open and walked in.
"...You're crazy, sister..." Yue Mingming stuttered in fear, but before she could finish her words, she stood there in a daze.
A familiar person was sitting in the room.
Her maid, Xing'er.
"Why are you here?!" Yue Mingming and Xing'er shouted at the same time. Yue Mingming was just surprised, but Xing'er looked at Jiang Huan angrily.
"Wait... do you know each other?" Yue Mingming noticed something was wrong. "What's going on? Xing'er, shouldn't you be locked up with the others? Why are you in the Prince's Mansion?"
She actually thought of an answer, but she just didn't want to believe it.
Xing'er and Jiang Huan exchanged a deep glance, and Jiang Huan smiled. "It doesn't matter if you hate me... She'll find out about these things sooner or later. You always say she's been so kind to you and you don't know how to repay her. I think it's better to tell her the truth. You've been planning this for a long time, determined to succeed. Don't you still feel guilty about it?"
Xing Er said proudly, "Of course I have no regrets. If I were to choose again, I would still do the same thing!"
She glanced at Jiang Huan and said, "You didn't bring her here to be a lobbyist, did you? Are you still not giving up?"
Jiang Huan didn't deny it. Without waiting for an invitation, he took a seat and greeted Yue Mingming, saying, "This story is a long one, and it's even darker outside, so don't just stand there like an idiot. How about coming in and listening over some tea?"
Yue Mingming had no desire to drink tea, but she was afraid of being discovered, so she carefully closed the door and whispered, "Okay! Xing'er, tell me!"
Xing'er bit her lip, not knowing how to start.
Jiang Huan laughed as he watched from the side. "Just now I was praising you for being prudent, but now you're being silly again... Why are you being so careful? Can't you see there's not even a guard in this courtyard? She may live in a remote place, but look at the food and daily necessities in this house. It doesn't look like she's holding servants or prisoners at all."
"This was originally her residence." Jiang Huan suddenly stopped smiling and said, "Madam Yue, this 'little maid' of yours has always belonged to Queen Li."
The house was silent.
Although Yue Mingming had already guessed it, her mind went blank for a moment when Jiang Huan suddenly revealed it.
After a long silence, Yue Mingming asked, "...When did it start?"
"Always." Xing'er turned her head away and didn't look at her.
"So you conspired with Li Pingru, and she used a cruel trick to send you to the ginseng garden?"
Xing Er scoffed, "Who the hell is she? How dare she conspire with me? This was arranged by Empress Li. She knows nothing and only believes in superstition. She thinks I'm a jinx and sent me to bring you down."
Yue Mingming's breathing stopped.
The person in front of him was no longer the servile and submissive little girl. Her cold and sneering expression actually had some of the aura of Queen Li.
Yue Mingming couldn't help but ask, "Xing'er...are there any truths in what you said to me?"
Xing'er finally turned around, a trace of guilt flashing in her eyes: "Is there any point in trying to tell the truth from the false at this point?"
She paused. "Madam Yue, you protected me when everyone else looked down on me. You never treated me like a slave, and you always cared for me wholeheartedly... I remember all the kindness you've shown me! But it's too late. My life and property have long been given to someone else. I swear to live only for her in this life. I will repay your kindness in the next!"
Yue Mingming couldn't believe it: "The 'she' you're talking about is Queen Li?"
"Of course not!" Xing'er sneered. "I joined forces with that bitch, and we each took advantage of what we needed. In fact, she's one of my enemies, but... I hate others more than her."
Yue Mingming said sincerely, "Xing'er, I treat you well because I truly like you and care about you, not because I expect anything in return! Now I just want you to explain clearly why you lied to me, and what exactly you and Queen Li were planning to do."
She immediately thought of the worst possible scenario: "You sneaked into the ginseng garden to harm the prince?"
"That's right." Xing'er smiled, but her eyes flashed with crazy hatred. "The emperor has no sons, only Zhao Congyun as his brother. I want them to kill each other! I will get rid of Zhao Congyun first, and then let the emperor watch his bloodline end before his own eyes, leaving his great empire without an heir!"
"I want him to live in regret for the rest of his life. I want him to die with the deepest fear!"
“…………”
Yue Mingming felt a chill down her spine. She took a deep breath and asked in a trembling voice, "Xing'er, what exactly happened in Youzhou's Xinghua Tower back then? Is the 'she' you're talking about the emperor's favorite woman back then?"
Even Jiang Huan looked at her in surprise when she said this. Before Xing'er could say anything, she responded first, "You guessed right... 'Her' name is Jiang Rao, and she's my biological sister."
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