Snow was falling heavily, mixed with raindrops scattering from the sky. The wind grew fiercer, causing the grass and trees to sway wildly. The once-bright sky seemed to have transformed into a pool of thick ink, its colors shifting and changing.
Jiang Si pushed open the window, allowing the wind to blow in and lift her snow fox fur cloak. She gazed absent-mindedly at the black curtain of sky and the swirling snow and rain. In her previous life, she had already been far away in the Southern Frontier at this time. Only after experiencing it personally, did she realize that the weather on the winter solstice of the 19th year of Jingming was like this.
The fierce wind and heavy snow were not unusual, but the sudden darkness of the sky as if it were night was strange. No wonder so many things happened in the temporary palace on Cuilo Mountain on the outskirts of the capital.
Light footsteps approached.
“My Lady, the wind is strong by the window. Be careful not to catch a chill,” A-Man said, reaching out to close the window, and shutting the wind outside.
Jiang Si turned and walked towards the table. A-Qiao immediately handed her a cup of hot tea that had been prepared earlier. Jiang Si took it, warming her hands that had been chilled by the wind.
“My Lady, are you worried about the Prince?” A-Man asked straightforwardly.
Jiang Si held the hot tea without speaking.
A-Man hurriedly comforted her, “Don’t worry, the Prince won’t get cold. I saw that his quarters have everything he needs, and they even lit the floor heating.”
“Mm, when the wind and snow stop, have someone send some mutton soup to the Prince,” Jiang Si said, taking a sip of hot tea and placing her hand on her lower abdomen.
The fetus was not yet three months old, and her belly was still flat, but she could already clearly feel the presence of that little life. Jiang Si occasionally thought that this child seemed to have come a bit too early. The storm in Great Zhou had just begun, and the bloodshed and cruelty were still hidden behind a veil of warmth and joy. It would only get more difficult from here on. For at least the next three or four years, those caught in the royal whirlpool could not expect to live peacefully. Thinking this way, she felt very sorry for this child.
Although Jiang Si didn’t speak, A-Qiao and A-Man could sense their mistress’s heavy mood. They exchanged a glance.
“Oh my, is the little master missing his father?” A-Man leaned in, deliberately trying to cheer Jiang Si up.
Jiang Si pulled back from her thoughts and smiled.
The maid guarding the door reported, “Cousin Dou has arrived.”
“Please show her in.”
The thick cotton curtain was lifted, and Dou Shuwan, dressed plainly, entered.
“How are you feeling today, Princess Consort? Are you still experiencing nausea?” Dou Shuwan asked with a smile as she approached, carrying a small basket.
Seeing Dou Shuwan, Jiang Si’s smile became more genuine. She greeted her, “It’s windy and snowy outside. Why did you come at this time, Cousin?”
Having lived in the Prince’s mansion for over two months, the initial unfamiliarity and probing between the two had faded, and they had become quite close.
In dealing with people, Jiang Si didn’t put much thought into it, adhering to the attitude that with kindred spirits, a thousand cups of wine are too few; with those who don’t click, half a sentence is too much. If they got along well, she would maintain a good relationship; if not, she wouldn’t waste time pretending.
Dou Shuwan was steady and knew her boundaries, while also being intelligent. It was quite comfortable to be around her.
“Staying alone in my room is not as good as coming to chat and do some needlework with the Princess Consort,” Dou Shuwan said, taking out needles and thread from her small basket and beginning to embroider flowers on shoe uppers.
There was already a finished tiger-head shoe in the small basket.
Jiang Si picked up the tiger-head shoe, finding it extremely cute. She praised, “Cousin, you have great skill. But it’s dark outside today, and the light isn’t good. Why don’t you just keep me company and chat? Be careful not to strain your eyes.”
A-Qiao, quick-witted, lit a few more lamps upon hearing this.
The room immediately brightened up.
“I’m used to it, it’s no trouble,” Dou Shuwan said, her hands not stopping as she chatted casually with Jiang Si, her expression serene.
In this comfortable and peaceful atmosphere, Jiang Si’s mood eased.
The ink-black clouds that covered the sky seemed to be slowly moving from the city towards the outskirts, and the sky over Cuilo Mountain darkened later than in the city.
Just as the revelry in the temporary palace was at its height, everything suddenly plunged into darkness.
The screams of the dancing girls, the clinking of cups, and the sound of heavy objects falling – various noises intertwined in the suddenly sightless environment, bringing a wave of panic to those engulfed in darkness.
The imperial guards standing in the corners silently moved forward, surrounding Emperor Jingming in the center. Even in darkness, these elite guards could instantly react to protect the emperor. As for the others, they were left to fend for themselves.
“Light the lamps quickly!” someone shouted.
It had been daytime, and the hall had many large windows open, so no lamps had been lit originally.
After some rustling, finally, one lamp was lit.
People could finally barely make out each other’s faces.
Among them, Zhen Shicheng’s expression was grave, as if he sensed something.
“Your Majesty, are you alright?” Countless concerned voices rose, covering other sounds.
One lamp after another was lit, and the great hall regained its brightness.
Emperor Jingming sat upright in his original place and waved his hand. “Fear not, ministers. We are fine.”
The officials showed relieved expressions. If something had happened to the emperor, the heavens of Great Zhou would truly have changed, and they would all face certain death. It was good that the emperor was safe, very good indeed.
Just as everyone was breathing a sigh of relief, a scream rang out.
Emperor Jingming frowned and looked over.
Duke Kang, his expression panicked, pointed at the ground, his voice trembling, “Duke… Duke An—”
Only then did people notice someone lying on the ground not far from Duke Kang. Those nearby could see at a glance that it was indeed Duke An.
Duke An lay motionless on the ground, a bloody hole in his chest. Blood slowly spread from beneath him, engulfing a dagger that had fallen by his side.
The crowd couldn’t help but burst into an uproar.
Emperor Jingming, sitting far away with his view blocked by the crowd, couldn’t see anything and urgently asked, “What has happened?”
The officials parted to reveal the scene inside.
Just then, the sky outside that had suddenly darkened brightened again. Although the wind and snow continued, the light in the hall improved greatly.
Emperor Jingming, with his good eyesight, only needed one glance before standing up abruptly and calling out, “What’s wrong with Duke An?” Without waiting for an answer, he shouted again, “Zhen Shicheng!”
Zhen Shicheng stepped out from the crowd, quickly walked to Duke An, and bent down. After a moment, he straightened up and reported to Emperor Jingming, “Your Majesty, Duke An is completely dead.”
The officials who heard this felt their mouths twitch.
Zhen Shicheng’s description was too blunt. What did he mean by “completely dead”? Couldn’t he use a more tactful expression?
Zhen Shicheng didn’t care what others thought and added, “Stabbed in the heart, instant death. I examined the direction of the dagger’s entry. It wasn’t suicide.”
The officials silently rolled their eyes. Duke An was living well, why would he commit suicide?
Zhen Shicheng stroked his beard. Not jumping to conclusions was a necessary skill for investigators. These people didn’t understand a thing.
“Continue, Minister Zhen,” Emperor Jingming said, having regained some composure. He didn’t look at anyone else, focusing only on Zhen Shicheng.
Anyone could flatter, but when it came to solving cases, he only trusted Zhen Shicheng.
Feeling this trust, Zhen Shicheng suppressed his emotions and said, “The murderer must have acted when the hall suddenly went dark just now.”