Fan Changyu unfolded the letter and read its contents, her brows furrowing involuntarily.
The Princess Imperial had helped investigate matters concerning the Sixteenth Prince, but he had died many years ago. Imperial Consort Jia had also passed away shortly after the Sixteenth Prince’s death, following the late Emperor. The original palaces were now occupied by Emperor Qi Sheng’s favored consorts, and the palace staff had been replaced several times over. Finding someone from that time who knew the truth proved extremely difficult.
After many days of covert investigation, the Princess Imperial discovered an old palace maid serving in the Cold Palace who had once attended to Imperial Consort Jia. However, she had gone mad seventeen years ago and was banished to the Cold Palace to fend for herself.
The Princess Imperial’s people approached the deranged maid over several days, bringing her food and clothing. They discreetly observed that the maid seemed to be feigning madness, but she remained vigilant and refused to let her guard down.
When the opportunity arose, the Princess Imperial’s people inquired about the Sixteenth Prince. The maid became visibly agitated and, under the guise of her insanity, blurted out: “Dead, all dead, I’ll die too… Wei Yan had an illicit affair with an imperial consort, anyone who knows must die…”
Before the Princess Imperial’s people could probe further, the matron in charge of the Cold Palace entered the courtyard.
Everyone in the palace was shrewd. The Princess Imperial’s people suddenly frequenting the Cold Palace and bringing gifts to a mad maid would arouse suspicion in anyone.
The Princess Imperial’s people offered substantial bribes to the Cold Palace matron, claiming they had passed by chance and, seeing the mad maid eating rotten food from a bowl, took pity on her and decided to help.
Although the Cold Palace matron didn’t pursue the matter, the Princess Imperial’s people didn’t dare return to the Cold Palace to gather more information for some time, just to be safe.
Fan Changyu turned to Xie Zheng and said, “For now, we need to figure out which imperial consort Wei Yan had an affair with…”
Xie Zheng knew what she was suspecting. After the deaths of Crown Prince Chengde and the Sixteenth Prince, Wei Yan supported the Nineteenth Prince, who had no power base, to ascend the throne. The Nineteenth Prince’s birth mother was the most suspicious.
He said, “It couldn’t have been the young Emperor’s birth mother. She was just a palace maid who was favored by the late Emperor when he was drunk. She died in childbirth after giving birth to him.”
The main reason Wei Yan supported Qi Sheng’s ascension to the throne was likely because he was young and had no maternal relatives, making him easy to control.
The only breakthrough left was the mad maid in the Cold Palace.
His eyes were as cold as snow as he said, “I’ll infiltrate the Cold Palace myself.”
Fan Changyu recalled the towering city platform over ten zhang high that she had seen outside the Meridian Gate when she entered the palace to receive her title. She said, “The imperial palace is heavily guarded. It won’t be easy to enter without a summons on ordinary days. I heard from General Tang that there will be a celebratory banquet in the palace soon. Why don’t we explore the Cold Palace then? It will also avoid alerting our enemies.”
Xie Zhong, concerned for Xie Zheng’s safety, nodded and said, “The Cloud and Mist General’s thoughts are thorough. Marquis, please make some preparations first and go on the day of the palace banquet.”
Xie Zheng considered for a moment, then slowly nodded and walked into the courtyard without a word.
Fan Changyu watched his lonely, aloof figure retreat, a hint of worry appearing in her eyes.
She had originally doubted whether Wei Yan had single-handedly engineered the Jinzhou tragedy, but with the addition of his illicit affair with an imperial consort, it seemed to be an indisputable fact.
In the past, she had thought Wei Yan was simply Xie Zheng’s enemy, but tonight’s visit to the Xie family cemetery made her realize that Xie Zheng’s feelings towards Wei Yan were quite complex.
With each step deeper into uncovering the truth of the past, it seemed like pushing a knife lodged at his heart one inch further-
They had been busy until late into the night, and Fan Changyu and the others hadn’t even had dinner yet.
Xie Zhong ordered the kitchen to prepare a meal. Zhu Youchang had already retired due to his old ailment, so only Fan Changyu and Xie Zheng were left to dine. However, since returning to his room, Xie Zheng hadn’t come out again, only instructing his subordinates to take good care of Fan Changyu.
Xie Zhong ordered a servant to deliver a portion to Xie Zheng’s room separately, but it was returned untouched.
Understanding Xie Zheng’s temperament, Xie Zhong sighed helplessly and dismissed the Blood Robe Cavalry who had delivered the food. He said to Fan Changyu, “General, please eat. Let the master be alone for a while.”
Fan Changyu remembered the lonely figure of Xie Zheng standing before his parents’ graves when she had rushed to the cemetery. She said, “I’ll take it to him.”
A flash of surprise crossed Xie Zhong’s eyes, but recalling the many special considerations Xie Zheng had shown her, a relieved smile appeared on his face. “Then I’ll trouble the General.”
Faced with Xie Zhong’s knowing gaze, Fan Changyu quickly asked where Xie Zheng’s room was to hide her embarrassment after picking up the tray of food-
The moon was bright and the stars were sparse. The lanterns under the eaves cast shadows of bamboo on the door and stone steps.
Fan Changyu looked at the warmly lit room, holding the carved wooden tray with one hand, and raising the other to knock on the door.
From inside, Xie Zheng’s cold and impatient voice came from a distance: “I said no need to send food. Withdraw!”
Fan Changyu said, “It’s me.”
The room fell silent for a while before that cold, hoarse voice continued: “The door isn’t bolted.”
Fan Changyu pushed the door open and didn’t see anyone in the outer room at first glance. Only faint sounds of water came from the washroom. She had originally wanted to come and comfort Xie Zheng with a few words, but now she suddenly felt a bit awkward. Turning her back to the washroom, she said, “I’ll put the food on the table for you. Remember to eat when you’re done washing.”
There was no response from the washroom, and even the sound of water had stopped.
Puzzled and worried that something might have happened to Xie Zheng, Fan Changyu called out again: “Xie Zheng?”
Still no response.
Fan Changyu turned her head and glared in that direction, saying, “If you don’t answer, I’m going to call someone to come in and check!”
Finally, a low, mellow, and slightly hoarse voice came from inside: “Help me bring the change of clothes by the bed.”
A faint blush colored Fan Changyu’s ears. She turned and said, “I’ll go ask Uncle Zhong to help you.”
The sound of water splashing loudly came from the washroom, and the person inside said, “Forget it, I’ll come out and get it myself.”
This was followed by a muffled thud, then the sound of something ceramic breaking. Even through the cloth curtain, Fan Changyu could smell alcohol.
How could there be alcohol in the washroom?
Worried that Xie Zheng might have fallen while drunk as he got out of the bath, and fearing he might cut himself on the broken porcelain, Fan Changyu didn’t hesitate. She quickly lifted the curtain and went in: “Are you alright?”
Seeing the situation inside, Fan Changyu suddenly felt at a loss for what to do with her hands and feet.
The weather had turned cold, and the entire washroom was filled with a layer of misty vapor. Xie Zheng was leaning against the edge of the bath, his handsome face gloomy and slightly flushed from drink. A red mark on his shoulder and back showed where he had bumped himself. His elegant brows were slightly furrowed in irritation, evidently from his fall against the edge of the bath.
Outside the bath, a wine jar lay shattered. Judging by the amount of spilled wine, most of it must have been drunk by Xie Zheng. Another empty wine jar lay on its side nearby.
He had drunk two jars of wine. Judging by the smell, it was strong liquor. No wonder he looked somewhat drunk.
Seeing that he wasn’t injured, Fan Changyu’s heart settled somewhat, but his appearance… was far too alluring.
His long hair, half-tied, was mostly wet from the water, clinging to his shoulders and back where the muscle contours were clearly defined. The coexistence of handsomeness and strength easily brought to mind a fierce beast in the jungle, dangerous yet graceful.
His long lashes were like fans, with tiny water droplets clinging to them. On his shoulder, near his neck, there was still a tooth mark she had left before going out, suddenly giving the illusion that this temperamental, beautiful wild beast could be tamed.
Even knowing it was inappropriate, Fan Changyu felt heat rushing to her face. She quickly turned her back: “I… I’ll go call Uncle Zhong…”
She had just taken a step when a hoarse voice sounded behind her: “No need.”
Xie Zheng pressed his faintly throbbing temples, the irritation on his face increasing. Even with such a fine appearance, his angry expression was extremely attractive. He said, “I can manage.”
The water rippled as he supported himself on the edge of the bath, trying to stand up forcefully. However, his posture was unstable, and he nearly fell again. Fortunately, Fan Changyu heard the movement and supported him in time.
Feeling most of his weight pressing against her, Fan Changyu gritted her teeth in frustration: “I’ve never seen anyone as stubborn as you!”
Because he wasn’t dressed, Fan Changyu tried to keep her head up, not daring to look around.
Water droplets from Xie Zheng’s wet bangs fell onto her neck, the cool sensation making her instinctively shrink her neck.
Fan Changyu remembered that his clothes were still outside. She rubbed his shoulder, trying to push him back into the bath. “You wait here first, I’ll go get you clean clothes.”
The half-drunk man slightly lowered his head, staring at her moving red lips, unsure if he had heard what she said. When she turned to leave again, he simply pulled her into his embrace.
The water droplets on his body soaked through Fan Changyu’s clothes. Her heart leaped in an instant, but he only buried his face in the crook of her neck, and after a long moment, said hoarsely, “A’Yu, I only have you left.”
This was the first time anyone had called her by such an intimate name. The overly familiar address left Fan Changyu at a loss for how to respond.
They were too close, and his body was scorching hot. Fan Changyu felt her neck and half her ear burning and tingling. A strange feeling rose in her heart as if she was walking on clouds, light and dizzy.
Fan Changyu remained stiff for a long while before finally reaching out to pat his back, comforting him: “I’ve always been here.”
The skin of his back that her palm touched was not smooth; she could feel the slight ridges of scars.
Remembering what Xie Zhong had said about the one hundred and eight lashes he had received, Fan Changyu’s eyes flickered, and her tone became coaxing: “Sit down, let me wipe your back for you.”
This was something Fan Changyu would never voluntarily offer under normal circumstances. Xie Zheng seemed to be about to obey and sit down. Due to the alcohol, his thinking had become slow. The corners of his eyes carried a hint of redness, and his usually cold face even exuded a bewitching charm. But some remaining sobriety seemed to remind him of something. He took Fan Changyu’s hand and kissed it, saying, “Next time.”
Then he shook his head slightly, feeling the alcohol-induced pain, and tried to support himself on the edge of the bath to stand up. However, Fan Changyu forcefully pressed down on his shoulders. She had moved behind him and saw his back, still covered in crisscrossing scars even though they had healed.
Fan Changyu froze.
Seeing those twisted, overlapping whip marks with her own eyes, she finally understood what Xie Zhong meant by “not a piece of good flesh left.”
In the past, she had also applied medicine to the wounds on his back. At that time, he was as wretched as a stray dog on the street, and the injuries on his body were not as horrific and dense as they were now. Fan Changyu could hardly imagine what he must have looked like when this body full of wounds was freshly bloodied.
Her heart ached terribly.
The diagonal sword wound that spanned his entire back was from when he had cut himself to consecrate his sword with blood. It had split open countless times, leaving an especially wide and horrifying scar.
When Fan Changyu’s fingertips touched it, they couldn’t help but tremble slightly.
Her throat tightened as she asked hoarsely, “How long were you planning to hide these scars from me?”