Chapter 9
In the palace.
Song Zhao imprisoned several hundred people from the Shangjing Palace, questioning them thoroughly, including several palace servants who had delivered the goods. The three officials had died at a private banquet, where they had drunk the Xiang wine bestowed upon them by Xue Yi. The Xiang wine had undergone rigorous screening before being stored in the palace, ensuring its quality; it was unexpected that it would encounter problems here.
“Think carefully again, has anything unusual happened recently… Have you seen anyone you haven’t seen before, or anyone suspicious?” Song Zhao said.
"Oh! My lord, please spare us! We've been working from dawn till dusk, from transporting the wine to registering it, we've never been careless! We've never made a mistake in all these years, I'm sure someone has tampered with it! You ask us... we really don't know anything!" The palace servants who transported the goods spoke earnestly, and their stories were almost identical when questioned.
“Of course someone has tampered with it,” Song Zhao said. “That’s why I’ve come here. You are all key figures who have clues. I urge you to think carefully… This matter concerns lives. Perhaps a few clues can unravel the mystery.”
“This…” The kneeling palace servants looked at each other, and one of them suddenly remembered something, “Speaking of suspicious people… I have seen one.”
"The night before the delivery of Hunan liquor... right behind the kitchen, we seemed to have bumped into someone. It was too dark then, and I only remember that the person had a fierce and hideous face, and a sinister aura, just like... just like..." The palace servant thought for a long time, then saw the Asura demon mask pasted on the opposite side of the cell and couldn't help but say, "That's right, definitely! It's him!"
"Exactly the same as that vengeful ghost... It must be here for revenge. Perhaps those adults who lost their lives had their souls taken by this vengeful spirit. That makes sense!"
Despite such absurd remarks, Song Zhao calmly asked, "Did you see what that Asura demon looked like?"
As he spoke, Song Zhao unfolded the portrait, "Is this the person?"
The portrait depicts a young man. His face is fair and handsome, his temperament calm and serene. His brown eyes are slightly turned to the side, and the red plum blossoms on his shoulder shine brightly. The beauty is as dazzling and radiant as the moonlit terrace, so dazzling that several people are dazzled.
A moment of silence fell over the air.
Although the palace servants couldn't remember Shura's face, they could tell it wasn't him and wondered what Song Zhao meant.
"My lord... I am but a humble scholar. May I ask which celestial being has descended to earth?"
Song Zhao: "The Asura face you spoke of, is it not this person?"
"This..." the palace servant hesitated, "Although I am not good with eyes, I can still distinguish between ghosts and gods. I understand what you mean. You think it is the face of Asura... then it is the face of Asura. I am mistaken, perhaps it is this person."
The area around the restaurant was bustling. Lu Xuejin, accompanied by Ziyan, Tengluo, and Murong Yue, strolled around several times until they had shaken off their guards. Only then did they step into the restaurant.
Murong Yue realized what was going on and asked, "Are you meeting someone today?"
“If you wish to see an old friend of mine, Your Highness may have met her. Her name is Wei Ning; has Your Highness heard of her?” Lu Xuejin said.
"..." Murong Yue was silent for a moment, then turned his head and asked, "Is it my elder sister's old friend? That Wei Ning?"
“Indeed,” Lu Xuejin sighed. “Princess Minglie and Wei Ning were of similar temperament. After the princess passed away, Wei Ning did not leave the house for several months… I haven’t seen her for quite some time either.”
Murong Yue: "Although I am far away from my elder sister, she often writes to me and mentions Wei Ning several times in her letters."
"...She's here."
They were on the second floor. At the entrance on the first floor, a woman entered. The woman had black hair and dark eyes, her long hair tied up in a bun, and a black gauze dress that accentuated her slender figure. She wore a bamboo hat that covered half her face, only revealing her beautiful, willow-leaf eyes. The black wristband on her wrist was very conspicuous, making her easily recognizable in the crowd.
Lu Xuejin recalled that Xue Yi was always sick when they were children, and he often worried about it. As a child, Wei Ning promised that if Xue Yi passed away prematurely, she would wear mourning clothes for him for three years. Now, Wei Ning wears mourning clothes, but for someone else.
“…Changyou?” Wei Ning went up to the second floor, called out to someone, and then paused when he saw the young man next to Lu Xuejin.
"You are... Ninth Prince?" Wei Ning slowly removed his veil, revealing large burn scars on his cheeks.
The burns were shocking. Lu Xuejin's gaze lingered for a moment, and she couldn't help but ask, "It's only been a few months... what happened?"
“My father has been preparing for my marriage lately, which I suppose is Xue Yi’s idea. He couldn’t wait to find a wife for me as soon as he ascended the throne… that’s just like him.” Wei Ning was still staring at Murong Yue when he said to Lu Xuejin, “Don’t worry about me. I’ve had my face slashed, so this matter will be dropped. Xue Yi should wait… he better not live to see the day I go to assassinate him.”
As he spoke, Wei Ning's tone softened considerably, "Qing'er's younger brother has grown so much... How has he been doing in Lidu these past few years?"
"She always wrote to mention you... saying that Ninth Brother was so adorable, and she couldn't bear to let go of him once she held him. Now so many years have passed in the blink of an eye, time really flies."
Murong Yue replied, "Miss Wei... I'm doing well lately, thank you for your concern. I'm also very happy to see you."
"When I see you, I always think of Qing'er. She and I are like sisters, and she is my only confidante in this world. Ninth Prince... if you ever need my help in the future, I, Wei Ning, will go through fire and water without hesitation." Wei Ning said, cupping his hands in greeting.
"What are you saying?" Lu Xuejin stopped him, her brows furrowing slightly. "There's still a long way to go. What could His Highness possibly need you to risk your life for? Anyone who didn't know better would think you were saying goodbye."
Wei Ning's words left Murong Yue unsure how to react. Seeing the young man looking at him, he said to Murong Yue, "Ninth Prince... please wait for me a moment. How about it?"
Murong Yue nodded. Looking at the boy's obedient appearance, his heart softened. Before leaving, he looked at the boy with reluctance.
He and Wei Ning entered the entrance hall one after the other.
Wei Ning asked from behind him, "Why didn't you let him come along?"
“He is still young, and I don’t know what he’s thinking. I don’t want to get involved with him,” Lu Xuejin replied.
Upon hearing this, Wei Ning's eyes flickered, and he said to him, "If you agree, I will go and perish together with Xue Yi tonight. I don't care who becomes emperor... The score between him and me is too deep to settle; only death can put an end to it."
"..." Wei Ning was straightforward and, in his youth, the most opinionated of the three. He was easily angered but also the most soft-hearted. Xue Yi understood this well and turned a blind eye to Wei Ning's actions. He wasn't sure if Xue Yi was acting out of affection or because he knew Wei Ning well and was confident in his judgment.
“His life or death is none of our business, Wei Ning. The most important thing for you right now is to calm down. Calmness breeds wisdom. If we can’t stay calm and are influenced by him, we will fall into his hands,” Lu Xuejin said.
“It is hard to remember the death of an old friend for long,” Lu Xuejin stepped forward slightly, lifted Wei Ning’s bamboo hat, his brown eyes calm and clear, “You should look ahead.”
"At the spring hunt banquet, I will have someone escort Cui Ruhao out of the palace. He is a man of great talent and ability, so you must ensure his safety. I will need your assistance at that time."
"Three officials died today. If it wasn't you who did it, perhaps Xue Yi would have become suspicious. Now Song Zhao has already suspected me. Although I didn't do it, the deaths of these three people are of great benefit to us. I will probably not be able to see you again when I return to the palace. If you need to send a message... give it to Tengluo."
“…Meng Chang?” Lu Xuejin said a lot, but Wei Ning did not react.
He looked at the person in front of him and noticed that Wei Ning's eyes were red. Wei Ning rarely shed tears in front of him. As soon as he took out his handkerchief, Wei Ning grabbed his hand.
“Changyou… how could he do such a thing? Qing’er clearly did nothing to offend him. Why did he have to take her life? Even if he despises Qing’er… Qing’er’s crime doesn’t warrant death.”
Wei Ning held his wrist tightly, and the piece of mourning cloth brushed against his wrist. He looked down at it for a long time.
Perhaps... it's simply because she was a princess of the previous dynasty. Naturally, she cannot be allowed to stay.
"..." Lu Xuejin said, "Meng Chang, you don't need to blame yourself... It has nothing to do with you. I understand that you are unwilling. If you can't forget her, you should follow her last wishes."
"No matter what, I'm still here. Never again speak of taking life lightly. Wei Ning, you must live on." He helped Wei Ning up, clasped his hands in Wei Ning's, and conveyed warmth and faith.
Outside the room, Murong Yue and Tengluo were together. He would occasionally peek inside, keeping an eye on what was happening.
"Have they known each other since childhood?" he asked.
“Young Master and Miss Wei have known each other since childhood; they are close friends,” Tengluo said, holding a lot of pastries that Lu Xuejin had bought for him. She picked them up, looked at them in the distance, and then hummed a little tune as she put them back.
Murong Yue: "I heard he has an older brother, and the three of them grew up together?"
Tengluo didn't react for a moment. How could she not know that her young master had other brothers and sisters? Then she thought for a moment, and perhaps he was referring to the Emperor. Since her young master was willing to talk about it, she immediately became quick-witted and replied, "You can ask him yourself."
Murong Yue: "..." What do you need to ask him himself? What is it that you're ashamed to tell others?
He had already noticed that Tengluo was usually long-winded and always gave him perfunctory answers when it came to serious matters.
"Not blood brothers?" he asked.
“Your Highness, have you never heard of my young master’s reputation in Lidu? His talent and character are known throughout Shengjing, but I suppose it hasn’t reached Lidu yet,” Tengluo sighed.
Murong Yue recalled that when the late emperor was alive, he and his mother had spoiled and doted on him. He never cared about the affairs of the capital while he was away, spending his days frolicking in the military camp until he received the imperial decree to be appointed Crown Prince before returning to the capital. Now he felt a little regretful; if he had come sooner, he could have seen Lu Xuejin sooner.
He wanted to know about their relationship, which seemed quite close. He knew nothing about their past, especially their youth. The more he thought about it, the more it felt like a thorn was lodged in his heart.
A short while later, the person came out. Wei Ning left first, hurriedly departing while wearing a bamboo hat.
When the young man returned after seeing the person off, he saw him and, seeing that he was silent, the young man approached him.
Lu Xuejin's eyes reflected his image, and she asked with concern, "What's wrong... You missed your elder sister while I was away?"
Upon hearing the young man's voice, the thorn in his skin recoiled, though a lingering unease remained. He shook his head; the young man's concern stirred something within him. He tried to suppress it, forcing a calm facade.
He instinctively reached out his hand, waiting for the young man to lead him, but the man didn't. He looked down at his empty palms, unconsciously radiating a gloomy aura.
A youthful voice drifted from ahead.
"It's almost time to return to the residence. Your Highness, would you mind sleeping with me tonight?"
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