Chapter 19 (5,000 words) Yizhen, your hand touches...
"Of course I miss Yizhen too, but I have something important to do now." Yin Xing responded with a hot face, feeling a little embarrassed.
After all, the two of them went boating together yesterday. Calculating the time, they have been apart for less than 24 hours.
"Really? Have some tea first," Xuan Yizhen said to himself, his eyes casually glancing at the scrolls stacked on the desk, one of which bore the Dali Temple seal. He placed the porcelain teacup in front of Yin Xing. "So what are you doing here in such a panic?"
Seeing Xuan Yizhen so kindly offering him tea, Yin Xing relaxed and took a sip before responding, "Yizhen, the Dali Temple's archives caught fire today. All the evidence from the fireworks incident on the Third Princess's boat was destroyed, and two officials were burned to death."
"It's dry and it's inevitable that this kind of thing will happen. If you're scared, just take a few days off and recuperate."
"No, I smelled a very strange grease smell at the fire scene, and it was also on Wu Sicheng!"
It is difficult for Yin Xing to describe that peculiar smell. It is smelly but not particularly strong, and fragrant but a bit pungent. Different people have different feelings about the same smell.
This is like the exhaust gas from cars on the side of the road. Some people feel nauseous when they smell it, while others feel intoxicated. So Yin Xing didn't know how to describe it to Xuan Yizheng in detail.
Xuan Yizhen raised his hand and gently tapped the tip of Yin Xing's upturned nose. He said softly, "Your nose is so sensitive. Could it be that you belong to a puppy?"
"No way, Yizhen, please don't make fun of me." Yin Xing blinked her round eyes and looked at Xuan Yizhen's jade-white cheeks. Perhaps it was a slight blush from bathing, the whiteness was tinged with red, making her look even more gentle and charming. But her dark eyes seemed to be covered with a cold mist, ethereal and empty, as if she didn't care about anything else. Such different temperaments blended into one, mysterious and strange. Hesitantly, he asked, "Yizhen, do you think Wu Sicheng is a bad person?"
"Who knows? Maybe you're too timid, so you misunderstood Wu Sicheng."
"So, should we inform Wu Sicheng about this picture of the cruise ship wreckage tomorrow?"
Xuan Yizhen blinked her beautiful eyes, her expression calm. Her gaze fell on the back of Yin Xing's hand, following the red silk ribbon dangling from her wrist. She said slowly, "Don't you know that it is a serious crime for an official to secretly take the archives' scrolls and physical evidence to the Dali Temple?"
Hearing this, Yin Xing's heart skipped a beat. He looked at the heavy pile of scrolls, his face puffed up with worry, and muttered, "I didn't think so much before. What should I do now?"
On weekdays, it is hard to say whether Yin Xing's situation in the Dali Temple is that he has no obstacles or no one pays attention to him.
In short, Yin Xing can basically go wherever he wants, even in important places like the archives, and he can enter and exit freely. But when he thinks about it carefully, it seems a bit unreasonable.
Seeing this, Xuan Yizhen raised his hand and gently poked Yin Xing's warm and soft cheek, playing with her with interest, and said softly: "Why don't you give the scroll to me to deal with, so that no one will find out."
"No, I can't trouble Yizhen. I'd better take him back to the Dali Temple quietly tomorrow and talk to Chang Shaoqing. Everything should be fine."
"Since you've decided to do so, then it's up to you. But don't talk about Wu Sicheng's affairs lightly."
"Yeah, I know, so I only told Yizhen." After saying that, Yin Xing's face flushed a little, but he didn't avoid Xuan Yizhen's actions. He puffed up his cheeks and let her poke and play with him, mumbling, "But I always feel that the fireworks accident on the Third Princess's cruise ship must have been caused by sabotage."
After he finished speaking, the slender, straight jade fingers that were caressing his cheek paused slightly. Xuan Yizhen lowered his eyes to look at Yin Xing and asked nonchalantly, "Really? Why do you guess so?"
"I can't really explain why, but we saw the boat explode violently in the middle of the fireworks display that night. Normally, if there was a problem with the fireworks, it wouldn't take quite some time for it to go wrong."
"Is it possible that there are quality issues with different batches of fireworks, which is why there are some delays?"
Yin Xing gently grasped Xuan Yizhen's cool, soft hand against her cheek, his fingertips touching the red silk ribbon around her wrist. He sighed softly, "Perhaps, but judging by the images of the salvaged cruise ship wreckage, the most serious damage to the entire ship is the internal keel structure, which has practically shattered into pieces. However, the railings on the deck where the fireworks were stored are surprisingly intact. Therefore, the Dali Temple was able to salvage a lot of evidence, such as guardrails and masts, downstream from the lake."
Xuan Yizhen let Yin Xing hold his palm, his eyes falling on the scrolls placed aside. He spoke slowly, "Normally, there would be cargo in the cabin. Perhaps they were transporting fireworks to extend the duration of the fireworks display. As a result, the candle flame accidentally fell, causing a violent explosion from within, which then spread to the deck."
"That's right, maybe that's it!"
"Silly! If that's the case, then why would anyone go to the trouble of burning the evidence in the Dali Temple archives?"
Yin Xing's smile gradually faded as he looked innocently at Xuan Yizhen, who looked so peaceful and gentle. He felt like he was being teased for simply following her words.
Xuan Yizhen's eyebrows arched slightly, a faint smile reflected in her clear and beautiful eyes, like a flickering candlelight or the twinkling stars, mysterious and ethereal, pure and ethereal. She said calmly, "It seems you can't complete this so-called simple task. It would be better for you to be transferred to the Shanglin Garden Supervisor as soon as possible and take charge of the royal gardens, tending to the flowers and plants. It's leisurely and simple, I think it suits you very well."
Yin Xing looked at Xuan Yizhen's smiling eyes and felt that she was so beautiful that it made him blush. He ignored her teasing and said helplessly, "Yizhen, please stop teasing me. Perhaps the most important thing for this case is to ask the Third Princess about the production of fireworks. After all, she was the one who said with certainty that there was another culprit."
"But it's said that the Third Princess refused to explain the origin of the fireworks, so we can't find out what went wrong, so this matter has become a dead end."
"Indeed, I heard from Wu Sicheng that the Dali Temple Minister also assumed the same idea. It seems that the Third Princess is hiding a secret."
After he finished speaking, Yin Xing lowered his eyes to look at the silk ribbon knot on Xuan Yizhen's wrist. It was exactly the same as when he tied it. Worried that it would obstruct her meridians and blood vessels, he raised his hand to untie the knot for her.
Xuan Yizhen looked at Yin Xing's actions in confusion and asked, "What's going on?"
Yin Xing explained, "Yizhen, you have to untie the red silk knot before going to bed, otherwise your hands will become numb and uncomfortable."
Then Yin Xing gently rubbed the hideous red mark on Xuan Yizhen's wrist with his fingertips, thinking that she must have never untied the red silk.
In the silence, the night breeze gently swayed the candlelight. Xuan Yizhen did not reject Yin Xing's action. His eyes silently fell on her fair cheek and he spoke slowly: "This is not a serious injury. Why are you so worried?"
"Yizhen, don't underestimate it. If a person's meridians and blood vessels are not flowing for a long time, this hand may become disabled." Yin Xing explained earnestly, looking up to meet Xuan Yizhen's calm eyebrows, which seemed to be indifferent, but also seemed to be confused and puzzled, which was difficult to distinguish.
"Is that so? Then rub it more."
"Okay, but Yizhen needs to be careful next time, otherwise it will be very worrying."
Xuan Yizhen did not answer immediately. His gaze fell on Yin Xingcheng's bright eyes, and he said thoughtfully: "Xing'er, if you move into the other courtyard, you don't have to worry about me."
After she finished speaking, Yin Xing looked at the serious Xuan Yizhen. Her expression was calm and peaceful, her beautiful eyes were focused and honest, but her gentle words seemed to indicate that she was controlling herself.
The night wind made a few strands of Xuan Yizhen's black hair dance, and a faint fragrance floated over. Yin Xing's heart beat faster, thinking that the gentle knife's lethality was well-deserved!
However, before Yin Xing could respond, he caught a glimpse of the terrifying female official in charge entering the room and was immediately speechless.
This female official in charge left a very bad impression on Yin Xing. He always felt that she had a lot of control over Xuan Yizheng, including herself in terms of her interactions with others.
"My lord, it's getting late. You should go to bed early." Lady Ji stepped forward and called out in a deep voice.
Xuan Yizhen noticed Yin Xing's reservedness, tilted his head to look at the female official who had entered the pavilion, then withdrew his hand and said calmly, "It's late tonight, Young Master Yin, go back and get some rest."
"Okay." Seeing this, Yin Xing had no choice but to retract his hand. He didn't want to stay any longer, so he stood up and left, holding the heavy scroll in both hands.
After coming out of the pavilion, Yin Xing walked up the stone steps, turned his head to look back at Xuan Yizheng and the female official in charge who were still sitting in the pavilion high up, and felt worried.
This stern female official in charge is inexplicably scary.
Xuan Yizheng won’t be bullied alone, right? Yin Xing looked back every few steps, feeling hesitant.
Maybe I should move into the villa earlier, maybe I can help Xuan Yizheng.
Not long after, Xuan Yizhen watched Yin Xing's thin figure disappear from the pavilion. His expression suddenly became cold and silent. He sipped from the teacup with his fingertips and said nonchalantly, "Aunt Ji, is there something wrong?"
Lady Ji replied sternly, "My Lord, you haven't appeared at any meetings in ages, but now, since the appearance of this son of the Marquis of Xizhou, you've been moving around too much. Aren't you afraid of causing trouble?"
"Aunt Ji, didn't you realize that the changes have already begun for many years?"
"I don't know what the master means."
Xuan Yizhen stood up and gazed towards the vast starry sky. The flickering light reflected in his dark eyes. He said calmly, "Since the document appointing Yin Xing as the Junior Minister of the Dali Temple was issued, the balance that had lasted for several years has been completely shattered. With tigers and wolves fighting each other, how can we remain in peace in one corner forever?"
Lady Ji looked solemnly at Princess Zhang Hua's face and expression, not daring to be careless. "This old servant thought that even if the son of a mere Marquis of Xizhou were sacrificed, it would be nothing more than this. Your Majesty should still..."
The words stopped abruptly, and Lady Ji was stunned, unable to believe it, while all the guards and maids around her knelt down to pay homage.
In the darkness, Xuan Yizhen stood tall and alone, his dark eyes desolate and ethereal. His jade-white fingertips grasped the round bone talisman with red and blue interwoven flying feathers dangling from it. His clear and moist voice spoke casually, "Aunt Ji is already old. Could it be that she doesn't recognize this talisman passed down through generations as the head of the Wanqi family?"
"How did you come into possession of this?"
"It's rumored that this talisman was carved from the skull of a sacred bird worshipped by the Wanqi clan, and was inlaid from two pieces. When my mother married into the capital, she split the talisman in two to prevent any accidents. Aunt Ji was then ordered to hide this half of the talisman deep in the Wanqi clan's secret place, is that correct?"
The night wind, mixed with the warmth of the summer night, silently brushed across Lady Ji's cheek, but only brought endless coldness.
That half coin had been hidden in Wanqi's territory for many years, and its location had never been known to anyone, let alone stolen quietly.
Unless Princess Zhang Hua has completely mastered the secret codes of the Wanqi family and her influence has penetrated deep into the Wanqi territory, she could not have made such a move under the nose of Lady Ji.
"You are right. For many years, I have sent my relatives to guard this half of the talisman with their lives, and I have been looking forward to you returning to the Wanqi family to hand it over to the original owner."
"What a great way to return the property to its rightful owner! I heard Aunt Ji has a new granddaughter, she's so cute and lovely. I guess all the relatives are hoping for her to survive, right?"
The expression on Lady Ji's face changed slightly. She could only kneel down and bow, saying, "Please let your Majesty know."
Xuan Yizhen lowered her beautiful eyes to gaze at Lady Ji, then lightly stepped forward and said in a gentle voice, "Then please, Aunt Ji, please do not act rashly against Yin Xing. That grand boat cruise and fireworks display is far from over; on the contrary, it is the beginning of all the struggles. If you become too arrogant, you could easily suffer a fatal blow like my mother did back then, and even nearly destroyed the Wanqi family."
"I understand, my lord. Please let my relatives go." Lady Ji responded with a trembling heart, secretly marveling that Princess Zhang Hua actually knew about the crisis back then, but she was only a child at that time.
The night breeze rustled the branches and leaves throughout the garden. Xuan Yizhen placed his hand on Lady Ji's arm, helping her to her feet. His voice was so soft that it seemed as if it would be blown away by the wind at any moment. He said slowly, "Don't worry, they are safe now. However, their future depends on Aunt Ji's performance. After all, there is still much to learn and ask for advice."
His words were as calm and gentle as ever, but there was endless coldness in Xuan Yizheng's eyes and expression, like a beast lurking in the dark abyss, making people dare not look at it.
After a long time, everyone followed Xuan Yizheng and left.
Female official Ji stood alone under the night sky for a long time before she came to her senses. Her eyes were too similar to those of Empress Wanqi when she fell ill that year.
But Princess Zhanghua was more ruthless and cruel than Empress Wanqi, and also more talented. Female official Ji thought that several years of training in etiquette and rules would allow her to devote herself wholeheartedly to the Wanqi family.
But now, Lady Ji feels that Princess Zhang Hua will destroy the Wanqi family, or use the power of the Wanqi family to turn the world upside down.
And all this may be due to the incident caused by the son of the Marquis of Xizhou who broke in that night.
Princess Zhang Hua has always lived in seclusion, never asking about any decision, let alone interfering with choices. Most of the time, she is like a docile puppet.
But when Lady Ji recalled the terrifying look on her face before, she felt that everything over the years was just an illusion.
The Third Princess had provocatively invited the young master of Xizhou to her boat party, so perhaps Princess Zhanghua was involved in the incident.
Lady Ji looked solemn, not daring to think too deeply about whether her decision was right or wrong.
The night was long and the sky was getting light. Most of the officials in the Dali Temple were aware of the fires in the four archives last night.
As soon as the emperor ordered a thorough investigation, the evidence of the boat accident was burned. No one is a fool, and no one would believe that there was no traitor.
Walking around the office building, Chang Tonghai looked at Yin Xing who was carrying out the heavy scroll and asked cautiously, "Did you go to the archives yesterday?"
Yin Xing replied nervously, "The closing documents require data and evidence, so I went to the archives to get the scrolls for reference. But then there was a fire yesterday, and officials were killed. So, I was so frightened that I forgot to explain."
"Did you notice anything unusual in the archives?"
"No, the lights inside the archives are far away, and it's dim and hard to see clearly."
Seeing this, Chang Tonghai responded without asking any more questions: "Then go ahead and get busy."
Yin Xing breathed a sigh of relief and asked hesitantly, "Chang Shaoqing, can I continue to look at this scroll?"
After saying this, Chang Tonghai thought that this young master of Xizhou was a bit clueless. Even the court officials were avoiding him, yet he was still so stubborn as to write the closing document. He could only wave his hand and say, "Okay, take it."
How much use can this picture scroll of physical evidence of the cruise ship wreckage have? The focus of the accident was obviously a problem in the production of fireworks.
"Thank you, Shaoqing Chang." Yin Xing responded with a curved eyebrow, holding the heavy scroll in both hands, and stepped away.
At noon, the officials took a short break for lunch. Yin Xing specially put together three long tables to unfold the scroll, and his eyes fell on the detailed drawing of the wreckage of the cruise ship.
Although the wreckage of the cruise ship was broken into pieces, the objects that were found were basically marked with size and classified by number, from the number of keels of the ship to half a railing. The records of the salvage work were very rigorous.
Perhaps because most of the wood is too large and cannot be stored for a long time due to being soaked in water, it is painted in great detail, and some of the carved patterns are copied one by one.
Yin Xing was dazzled by what he saw until his eyes fell on a piece of window wood engraved with exquisite patterns and blurred characters in between, like some kind of trademark.
At this moment, a figure quietly fell from the window of the office, staring at Yin Xing with a faint gaze.
In the afternoon, Yin Xing rode alone through the streets and came to the bustling market town of the capital. He walked and stopped, looking at the many wooden shops, his eyes falling on the different styles of merchant flags and icons.
Suddenly, many hidden arrows flew in the wind, and the secret guards following Yin Xing threw darts to quietly block them.
Unexpectedly, an arrow missed and cut the rope that bound the thin bamboo wood, and suddenly it tilted towards him!
"Run!"
The horses neighed, the crowds roared, and the scene was in chaos. Yin Xing was distracted for a moment and did not hold the reins tightly. He fell to the ground and immediately felt a burning pain in his arm.
In the dusk, Yin Xing rubbed medicinal wine on his arm in the courtyard pavilion, grimacing in pain. Seeing Manager Xin enter, he hurriedly said, "It's nothing serious, just a minor accident. Don't worry, tell the princess."
Manager Xin couldn't say anything, he just nodded and raised his hand to pack up the medicine. He thought to himself that those accompanying secret guards couldn't have been silent. Unless there was a sneak attack by a master, the master would probably have known about it by now.
The night silently enveloped the house and yard. Yin Xing wrote a letter and released a carrier pigeon as usual, and went to bed a little earlier than usual.
At midnight, in a drowsy state, Yin Xing vaguely felt a cool and soft touch on the back of his hand. He opened his eyes drowsily and saw Xuan Yizhen sitting beside him on the couch. Her beautiful face was hidden between the night and the moonlight, like a mountain spirit or ghost trapped in the mist, eerie, beautiful and cold.
I must be dreaming, Xuan Yizheng would not appear at this time.
Thinking this way, Yin Xing bravely hooked his fingertips around Xuan Yizhen's cool hand, gently held it against his face, and murmured sleepily, "Yizhen, your hand is very cool, it feels so comfortable to touch."
After he finished speaking, Yin Xing closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep. The faint sweet fragrance of herbs lingered around his nose, making him sleep better.
In the silence, Xuan Yizheng lowered his eyes to look at the scarlet blood on the gauze wrapped around Yin Xing's arm, and lightly touched her stretched crescent brow with his fingertips. His movements were clumsy but gentle, but there was a cold light flashing in his eyes, full of cold murderous intent.
At this moment, a group of secret guards were kneeling outside the water pavilion. Manager Xin recalled the killers who had died of poisoning that he had checked before, and couldn't help frowning.
Although the deaths of the first two prospective princes-in-law were bizarre and difficult to investigate, the means this time were too clumsy.
Daring to so blatantly murder Princess Zhanghua's people in the capital is undoubtedly a provocation to the Wanqi family.
It seems that the situation in the capital is becoming more and more complicated and dangerous, but Princess Zhang Hua has already ordered a city-wide wanted order tonight, so I think she will definitely not give up.
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