Chapter 211: Planning Under the Lamp, Warming the Heart
In the warm room of Shufangzhai, the silvery charcoal in the brazier still burned brightly, casting dancing flames on everyone's face. Outside the window, the night grew darker, and occasionally a breeze blew, bringing a few soft tinkles of the copper bells on the eaves, further accentuating the stillness of the room.
Xiaoyanzi watched Ziwei swallow the Tremella soup. The paleness on her face finally faded a little. She breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the soup off her sleeve with her hand. She smiled nonchalantly and said, "Look at my memory. I was so busy talking that I spilled the soup."
Yongqi was wiping her cuffs with a handkerchief. He glanced up at her, his tone doting, "You're the one who's so clumsy." His fingertips touched her warm wrist, and the irritation he'd felt over the rumors subsided. "Don't worry, I'm here. I won't let you or Ziwei suffer any harm."
Ziwei leaned against Erkang, his hand tightly clasped around hers. The warmth from his palm steadily came over her, gradually calming her flustered heart. She watched Xiaoyanzi and Yongqi bickering, her lips curled up slightly as she whispered, "I know everyone will help me, but...if this rumor gets to the Queen Mother's ears, I'm afraid it will upset her."
"The Empress Dowager is sensible and won't easily believe such nonsense." Erkang comforted him softly, turning his gaze to Yongqi. "But we must always be on guard. We must quickly find out who is behind this and put an end to these rumors."
Yongqi nodded, frowning slightly. "I think this was most likely done by someone in Concubine Gao's palace. They've had bad intentions in the past. But now we have no evidence. If we rashly go to the Emperor to complain, it will only make us look like we're making a big deal out of nothing."
Xiaoyanzi clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white, her eyes gleaming with stubbornness. "If there's no evidence, then find it! I don't believe they can hide their tracks so well! That old thing, Nanny Li, failed to tamper with the Shouping last time, so she's sure to leave some holes this time!"
"How do you plan to find him?" Yong Qi looked at her worriedly. "The palace is different from the outside. There are eyes everywhere. I can't be as reckless as before."
Xiaoyanzi rolled her eyes, leaned close to Yongqi's ear, and whispered, "I'm good at Qinggong. I'll go hang out outside her palace at night and maybe hear something. My brother said that a person with a guilty conscience can't sleep well at night!"
"No!" Yongqi objected immediately, his voice rising a few degrees. "It's too dangerous! Concubine Gao's palace is heavily guarded. If you go alone and get discovered..."
"I'll go with her." Xiao Jian, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up. He sat in a corner, his dark figure looking exceptionally calm under the light. "I happen to be in the palace these days, so I'll go with her to see her at night. With me around, nothing will happen to her."
Ziwei hurriedly said, "Brother Xiao Jian, you must also be careful. If you really can't find out, don't force it." Although she was afraid, she also knew that this was a good way to find out the truth, so she could only repeatedly remind him to be careful.
Erkang pondered for a moment and said, "I'll go to the Ministry of Personnel tomorrow to see if I can find out where Nanny Li has been recently. As for those eunuchs and palace maids who spread rumors, there's always some clues." He looked at Ziwei, his eyes gentle but firm. "Don't worry, I will definitely clear your name."
Ziwei looked at him and nodded vigorously, the worry in her eyes gradually replaced by trust.
Xiao Dengzi and Xiao Wenzi were listening anxiously. Xiao Dengzi couldn't help but say, "Princess, brother, we can help too! I'll go ask the eunuchs in the Imperial Garden. They're very well-informed!"
Little Mosquito also quickly raised his hand: "I... I'll go to the teahouse at the palace gate and wait. Those eunuchs and palace maids love to chat there. Maybe I can hear something! Good boy, long and loud, I promise to prick up my ears and listen!"
Xiaoyanzi burst out laughing at his amusement, and the solemn atmosphere dissipated a lot. "Okay! Then you two will be responsible for investigating the periphery. Remember, don't reveal your identities. If you hear anything, come back and report it immediately!"
"Yes! We guarantee to complete the mission!" Little Stool and Little Mosquito straightened their backs, like soldiers who had received military orders.
Yongqi felt relieved when he saw Xiaoyanzi's smile. He ruffled her hair and said softly, "Alright, it's getting late. Let Ziwei rest early and don't let her get sick. We'll investigate the rumors slowly. We'll find a way."
"Yes!" Xiaoyanzi nodded heavily, turned around and helped Ziwei stand up, "Sister, I'll take you back to your room to rest. Don't think too much, we're here for you."
Ziwei Hui held her hand, her palm warm: "I know, with you here, I'm not afraid of anything."
Erkang stood up, straightened the collar of Ziwei's cloak, and said softly, "I'll take you to the door."
Looking at Ziwei and Erkang walking away together, Xiaoyanzi couldn't help but wink at Yongqi: "Look at the two of them, they are really inseparable."
Yongqi smiled and scratched her nose: "It's mutual. Don't you stick to me every day?"
"Who's clinging to you?" Xiaoyanzi blushed, slapped his hand away, turned around and ran to her room, "I'm going to bed! I have to get up early tomorrow to investigate the case!"
Yong Qi looked at her running away and shook his head helplessly, but his eyes were full of tenderness. Xiao Jian walked over to him and patted his shoulder: "Don't worry, I will keep an eye on her tonight."
"Thank you, Brother Xiao Jian," Yong Qi said sincerely. "She's impatient, so thank you for your concern."
Xiao Jian nodded, looking at the dark night outside the window, his eyes becoming sharp.
The charcoal fire in the warm room gradually waned, leaving only scattered sparks. Xiaodengzi and Xiaowenzi cleared the table, quietly discussing their plans for tomorrow. Moonlight streamed in through the window lattice, casting a faint shadow on the ground. Though shrouded in gloom, the night in Shufangzhai remained warm and cozy thanks to the mutual support. Everyone knew that the road ahead might be bumpy, but as long as everyone worked together, no obstacle was insurmountable.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
