Early May.
After many days of low spirits in the governor's mansion, a turning point finally arrived, just after Cao Anmin had received acupuncture treatment.
After a long silence, the man carefully spoke, "Your son has been found."
Xia Yixin almost dropped the tray. She hurriedly put it down, her mind filled with "Holy crap, I'm doomed."
The Eastern Depot's methods far exceeded Xia Yixin's expectations.
Although she had only drawn a random person, she actually found a boy who looked similar and was about the same age within a month, and just delivered him to Cao Anmin today. Unfortunately, it was devastating news.
The boy's body was found in a mass grave 300 miles away from the capital. It seemed he had been robbed and murdered. The Eastern Depot also arrested the robbers, two hooligans from the city, and brought them back to the Eastern Depot.
The man holding the report was at a loss for what to do for the first time. He couldn't explain why Cao Anmin had been giving her the cold shoulder lately. Seeing her so respectful and cautious every day made him feel uncomfortable and inexplicably irritated.
This incident seems to have created a window of opportunity in their relationship.
The ventilation has been restored.
So after a night of agonizing, I decided to speak frankly.
He thought she would be excited and questioning, but he didn't expect to hear a calm response.
"Can I see him?"
He could hear the tremor in her voice, and involuntarily, his heart softened a little.
Actually, when Cao Anmin first spoke, she was momentarily at a loss for how to react.
The topic of crying is really difficult for her, but if you put yourself in her shoes, how should a woman react when she learns of her son's death?
Her mind raced. She was thinking about what she would do if something happened to Xia Mingyu, but for some reason, looking at the cold and aloof man opposite her, her thoughts drifted back to the time ten years ago when she saw Qi Yu die.
It felt as if all the body's heat had been absorbed.
That day, Xia Yixin went with him to see the boy's body. The situation was much better than she had expected. This unfortunate child was probably a runaway from a wealthy family who had met with misfortune. It really matched what she had made up.
He was placed in a fine coffin.
The carriage ride back took place late at night, and apart from the rumble of the wheels and the sound of the horses' hooves, it was completely silent.
Xia Yixin remained calm throughout, partly because she was afraid of appearing too genuine, and partly because she was thinking of Qi Yu and felt distressed.
The moment she closed her eyes, the image of that boy appeared in her mind. His obsidian-like eyes were filled with love and doting, and he earnestly said, "I only want you."
He may have had his schemes and tricks, but he gave her his sincere heart.
And she let him down.
Sometimes she wondered if things would have turned out differently if she had discovered it sooner, distanced herself from him, or rejected him more decisively. Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs".
A chill ran through her, and she unconsciously hunched her shoulders.
Suddenly, she felt a weight on her shoulder as an extra garment appeared on her body. The black outer robe was still warm and was quite large for her, almost covering her completely.
Xia Yixin snapped out of her daze and looked at the man beside her in surprise.
His voice was calm and resolute: "I will make those who killed him pay the price."
She sensed the reassuring tone in his words and felt a little guilty. "Thank you."
"This is something I promised you."
Along with his voice came the system notification: "Ding! Male supporting character's happiness value increased by 6%, total completion rate 10%. Congratulations, host, the male supporting character now completely trusts you."
She turned her head and saw him sitting upright, looking very businesslike. Although he was wearing a mask and she couldn't see his face, she sensed that something about him was different.
The next day.
After a night of careful consideration, Xia Yixin decided to resign.
After all, the "son" had been found, and the Li family's ancestral home was in Nanlin. In ancient times, people believed in burial for peace, and the act had to be convincing. She had to take the child's body back to the south for burial, so she had to leave the capital.
However, she will come back even if it's just to boost her happiness score, and she also needs to complete the final step in treating Cao Anmin's eye condition.
However, plans can't keep up with changes. That day, she received a letter from a teahouse—Shen Ruyu had agreed to the demands of various lords and was preparing to launch a palace coup with sixteen armies!
When she received the news, she gasped. It was as if everything was a replica of what happened ten years ago, except that Shen Ruyu was added.
She immediately sent Yingqi to contact Xia Mingyu, but before the two could make contact, an imperial decree was delivered to the Governor's Mansion.
The army returned to the capital.
It happened to be the Dragon Boat Festival in May, a time for family reunions. That evening, the head of the Eastern Depot was invited to the palace for a banquet, and he specifically mentioned that he wanted to meet "Madam Li".
Xia Yixin's heart sank slightly. Could it be that a palace coup was about to happen tonight?
But she didn't know how to bring this up with Cao Anmin in a reasonable way without arousing suspicion.
She secretly instructed Yingqi to contact the people from Beiwu who were following her, and she could only act according to circumstances.
That night, the palace was brightly lit.
Just like his grandfather, the young emperor indulged in debauchery and pleasure, and amassed a large collection of beautiful women.
That evening, the central palace, Hongyue Palace, where banquets were regularly held in the royal palace, was an open hall of 1,000 square meters with no obstructions on all sides. In the middle, there was even an ankle-deep pool filled with fine wine.
The steps rose in tiers, with the young Emperor Qi Lin at the very top, flanked by Minister Lin and Cao Anmin, and more than fifty civil and military officials of the first rank or above. Each official was surrounded by beautiful maids, and wine was served freely.
After the banquet began, it was bustling with activity, with people singing praises, dancing, and playing music – a truly lively scene.
In previous years, when banquets were held in the palace, although the atmosphere was one of singing and dancing, most officials were reserved and would occasionally glance at the head of the Eastern Depot to the right of the emperor. But today, the atmosphere was much more "enthusiastic".
Most importantly, their gazes were mostly fixed on the woman sitting to Cao Anmin's right.
The young emperor had seen her in person and wasn't curious, but it was the first time the officials had ever seen her.
Ordinary, utterly ordinary! Apart from her good figure, her features are even better than those of the maids in their mansion. What could possibly make the ruthless Chief Supervisor Cao like her?
Could it be that her voice is melodious?
However, they were soon disappointed by her hoarse voice when she answered His Majesty's question.
Cao Anmin actually liked this woman who was not good-looking, had a voice like a duck, and was a widow?
But then again, a widow and a eunuch are actually a good match. Besides, no one has ever seen Cao Anmin's face under the mask; some say it's incredibly ugly.
Regardless of what others thought, once the music and dancing started, everyone forgot their worries and began to drink and chat.
The clothes Xia Yixin was wearing were specially sent by Gui Ling through Cao Anmin. They were elaborate yet luxurious, yet understated. The plain color further accentuated her snow-white skin. Although her face was ordinary, she was still considered pretty and clean.
Before she arrived, he had arranged for her not to drink except when the emperor raised his cup. Now, after the young emperor had taken the initiative to drink three times, the dancers came up.
The banquet officially began.
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