the night before the show
After a moment of silence, Sun's wife said without any room for argument, "I'll go with you."
A Qiu was originally following them at a distance. But her eyesight was excellent, and even across the Golden Bright Pool, she could see a faint light flickering in the half-hidden darkness of the Jixian Palace from a great distance.
An ominous premonition immediately rose in her heart.
As Xue Hongbi said, her dance costume was locked in a large nanmu wood box the night before the performance, and it was secured with a heavy brass lock. The box was so sturdy and heavy that it required two eunuchs to lift it.
When Xue Hongbi discovered it, the trunk had been forcibly split open and was in pieces.
Based on this alone, A Qiu can conclude that the person who did this must have been skilled in martial arts.
Even an ordinary geisha, wielding a large axe, would find it difficult to cleave such a massive nanmu wood box in half with several strikes. Moreover, most geishas simply wouldn't have access to an axe of that size.
It would be impossible for them to sneak in at night and wreak havoc in the Jixian Hall without attracting the attention of the guards and eunuchs on duty.
On the eve of the reincarnation of "White Silk" twenty years later, if the person still residing in the Hall of Heroes is that same person, then Sun Neiren and Xue Hongbi, who rush there now, will undoubtedly be in danger.
If a person can split open a large box silently and unnoticed, they can certainly split open a person or two as well.
In fact, according to A-Qiu's guess, the possibility of this happening is not very high.
Even if the culprit who destroyed the dance costumes twenty years ago still exists in the palace, he doesn't necessarily have to come here on the eve of the performance of "White Silk" like Xue Hongbi, waiting for something to happen.
However, as long as this possibility exists, she must not let her guard down.
With a thought, she immediately reduced her heartbeat and breathing to a minimum, used the "Earth Concealment" technique to blend into the darkness, then quickly passed the two people, crossed the Jinming Pond on a floating platform, and rushed towards the Jiying Hall.
The closer she got to the Hall of Heroes, the more uneasy she felt.
Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, which will be attended by all the civil and military officials of the previous dynasty, noble ladies, and concubines of the six palaces. Jixian Hall has already begun preparations, with tables, screens, bonsai, and artificial mountains all in place.
In particular, on the table in the center of the throne, there is a coral tree that is four or five feet tall, red as solidified fat, with branches and trunk as clear as jade. Beneath it is a long platter of precious pearls. The dancers all saw it when it was moved here from the Imperial Household Department this evening.
Now that these valuable items have been displayed, the palace should strengthen its defenses and have extra people on duty around the clock.
But from the moment she stepped onto the shore of Jinming Pond until she entered the main hall, she found the place deserted and devoid of any human presence.
On the Azure Crane Platform in the main hall, two pure white dragon and phoenix candles burned. Although the light was dim, it was enough to make Ah Qiu, who had just entered, completely visible.
If there are candles, then there must be people.
A-Qiu slipped behind the dragon pillar, carefully observing the surroundings while ensuring that every movement he made was hidden in the shadows where the light could not reach.
At the same time, use your hearing to listen to sounds near and far.
The water rippled gently, the night breeze caressed the scene, and the Hall of Heroes seemed to be enveloped in a vast silence.
This place has been the venue for all major song, dance, and banquet events since the Southern Dynasties 480 years ago. In other words, it has witnessed the splendor, joy, sorrow, and reunion of countless generations of actors and dancers on stage.
It also once attracted the attention of the power center in each dynasty.
However, probably no one thought that before each glittering, glamorous, and melodious dawn, darkness and struggle lurked.
The struggle between people is endless.
A-Qiu heard unusual sounds.
On the left side of the rear hall, where the dancers' dressing rooms should be, came the rustling sound of things being rummaged through.
A Qiu unconsciously clenched his fists and quietly sneaked towards the back hall.
Her unique "Earth Concealment" technique is unparalleled in its ability to hide one's tracks and conceal one's presence, allowing her to use the environment to deceive ordinary people and even martial arts masters.
However, "Earth Concealment" is not invisibility. It involves designing routes through terrain, blind spots, and blind spots in people's vision to travel in a roundabout way, but it is impossible to avoid direct, face-to-face gazes from passersby.
Therefore, when A-Qiu went around to the back hall and was caught off guard by a pair of eyes staring at her calmly in the darkness, she was completely stunned.
The lights were on in the geisha's dressing room. The rustling sounds continued.
A Qiu's attention was drawn to the sounds coming from the distant dressing room, so she overlooked the fact that someone was guarding the place.
Even in the darkness, to A Qiu's eyesight, Consort Chen, dressed in splendid robes, was dazzlingly beautiful, like a celestial being. The gemstones on the five-phoenix gold hairpin in her hair shimmered like starlight in the darkness.
The light and agile "Xiuyi" sword in her hand, renowned throughout the world, was now pointed at A Qiu's heart.
A Qiu hadn't expected to encounter a martial arts master, but she never imagined that the one guarding the place would be the most powerful person in the inner palace, the former head of the Flying Phoenix Four Guards, Consort Chen.
Last time in the ruined Qiwu Palace, Consort Chen used the Xiuyi Sword to resolve her deadly struggle with Chu Yuanyi, and afterwards she never mentioned it again, which can be considered a great favor to her.
At that time, Consort Chen turned her back to her, indicating that she did not wish to see or get to know her. Later, when they met again at the Music Bureau during the rehearsal of "White Silk," Consort Chen still showed no interest in her whatsoever. Therefore, A Qiu was unsure whether Consort Chen knew her or what her true attitude towards her was.
Whether as the head of the six palaces or a former member of the Flying Phoenix Guard, Consort Chen would never tolerate an assassin infiltrating the palace. Even considering the favors shown to Gu Yi and Chu Yuanyi, it was unacceptable.
This is probably why Consort Chen has always been unwilling to confront him directly. And if A Qiu had a choice, she would also not want to expose herself as a martial arts master to the former Flying Phoenix Guard in this way.
This amounts to a complete failure of the mission to enter the palace.
But now that the sword is pointed at his chest, facing this number one person in the Six Palaces face to face is unavoidable and leaves no other choice.
Left with no other choice, A Qiu immediately leaned backward, and at the same time, his right hand's five fingers bloomed like flowers, striking the paper-thin blade of the Xiu Yi Sword.
The "Xiuyi" sword trembled slightly, emitting a clear and distant dragon's roar, before being pulled back.
A fleeting look of surprise crossed Consort Chen's face.
A Qiu then realized that the technique she used to flick her sword with her fingers was the "Plum Blossom Style" from Chu Yuanyi's Wind and Thunder Slash. And the move of bending over and retreating quickly was actually the "Half Moon Bridge" from the White Silk Dance.
Consort Chen may not have realized from her martial arts background that she was an assassin. Although she was surprised by her quick reaction, she did not pursue her further.
She held her sword still, her expression alert, but not towards A Qiu; instead, she was listening to the sounds coming from the dressing room.
Sure enough, the rustling and rummaging in the dressing room stopped.
Then came heavy, drunken footsteps, staggering toward them. One step after another.
A Qiu was greatly surprised. Could it be that Consort Chen was here to guard the gate for someone else, preventing them from being disturbed?
As the footsteps drew closer, Consort Chen's expression turned solemn, and she gestured to A Qiu.
She was urged to leave this place immediately and not linger any longer.
Ah Qiu understood. Regardless of what Consort Chen was doing, her asking her to leave was out of kindness; otherwise, given her status, she could have simply killed her on the spot without giving any further instructions.
Without saying much, she bowed and prepared to leave.
At that moment, both of them heard the sound of clothes fluttering in the air coming from the outer hall.
Consort Chen's expression changed slightly, and A Qiu, without waiting for her instructions, leaped up to the top beam.
The person who came from outside made no attempt to conceal his presence, clearly indicating that he was also a person of high status in the palace and did not care about being discovered by others.
If A Qiu goes out now, he will definitely run into this person.
She crouched low on the ornately carved and painted golden dragon beam, reducing her heartbeat and breathing to almost imperceptible before looking down.
The Consort Chen below had regained her composure. She simply picked up a tinderbox from the side, lit a flame, and lit the oil lamp on the bronze candlestick.
Just as the lights came on, the person from the outer hall stepped into the hall.
The person waiting in the dressing room also stopped abruptly.
Consort Chen turned on the lamp with her back to the palace door, so A Qiu couldn't see her expression at that moment.
However, the person who came from outside the palace, just like A Qiu, stopped in his tracks and stood motionless in front of the door after only seeing Consort Chen's back.
When A-Qiu saw the human form, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
The newcomer, dressed in a yellow robe, exuded a relaxed yet lively air. His appearance was exceptionally beautiful, and his eyes darted around as if searching for someone or something. He was none other than Zhao Lingying, the Imperial Censor.
As for A Qiu's relief, it was because when she heard that someone had come from outside the palace, her first thought was for the safety of Lady Sun and Xue Hongbi, who were walking this way. However, at this moment, she was in dire straits herself and could not help them.
But since the visitor was Zhao Lingying, A Qiu was relieved. Firstly, she intuitively felt that although Zhao Lingying might have a ruthless side, none of the Flying Phoenix Guards were people who would indiscriminately kill innocent people.
Secondly, it is now common knowledge throughout the palace that Consort Sun and Xue Hongbi will be performing in "Bai Zhu" tomorrow night. The cast list has been submitted to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices by the Music Bureau, and both Chenghua Ling, An Daoling, and Gu Yi have personally approved it. Zhao Lingying has declared that she will not allow anyone to ruin "Bai Zhu," and she herself will not harm Consort Sun and Xue Hongbi at this critical juncture.
Zhao Lingying's clear, focused voice rang out leisurely in the hall: "Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet. It's the middle of the night, so why is Sister Lanxiu not keeping His Majesty company? What is she doing here at Jixian Palace?"
She glanced around and said casually, "This is the backstage area for tomorrow's performance. Could it be that Sister Lanxiu has forgotten something?"
She spoke but did not take another step forward, clearly wary of the warning that Consort Chen had lit the lamps just before she entered the palace.
In the flickering candlelight, Consort Chen turned to the side, the phoenix hairpin in her hair swaying and shining, making her radiant and noble. She calmly held the "Xiuyi" sword horizontally in front of her and said softly, "We have known each other for so many years, you should know that if I were to hide something from you, it would be better if you didn't know."
Zhao Lingying was about to speak with a smile when she heard a "clang" and the "Xiuyi" sword, as bright as autumn water, was drawn, pointing directly at the spot in front of her.
Consort Chen emphasized, "That is exactly the case right now."
Zhao Lingying's smile vanished. She stepped aside to avoid the sword intent aimed at her, and said calmly, "But I'm afraid I'm not the only one in the palace who cares about this matter. Just now at Jinming Pond, I reprimanded two instructors from the Music Bureau. In the middle of the night, everyone is rushing here instead of sleeping. Could it be that gold has been found here?"
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