Everyone pressed Suzhen for reasons, but she refused to speak. When they asked about her case, she only said she’d discuss it later. Everyone was quite frustrated. Just as Xiao Zhou was about to start cursing, Uncle Fu hurried in with a tense expression: “Someone from the palace has come, saying… the Empress Dowager has an imperial decree for Young Master!”
Everyone was very surprised to hear this. Anxiety welled up in Suzhen’s heart, and Xiao Zhou murmured, “Could requesting leave have caused trouble?”
Uncle Fu quickly led the person in.
The visitor was no stranger to Suzhen – it was actually the head female official by the Empress Dowager’s side, Sister Hong, who had met Suzhen once before and given her “advice.”
Sister Hong said flatly, “Chief Li, receive the decree.”
Suzhen naturally didn’t dare delay. She led everyone to kneel down with hands raised high, ready to receive the decree, but heard Sister Hong ask, “May I ask which one is Young Master Wuqing?”
This left everyone even more puzzled. Zhuiming and Tieshou both looked toward Wuqing simultaneously. Sister Hong glanced at the crutch in the corner, half-lowered her eyelids and said, “I heard Young Master Wuqing has a leg ailment, but he’s not using his crutch. This old servant’s eyes are poor – I didn’t recognize him.”
Though this statement seemed innocent enough, it made everyone very uncomfortable.
Not only was Suzhen secretly alarmed, even the slow-to-react Zhuiming was stunned. He and Tieshou had always respected Wuqing, and being straightforward people, they were about to blurt out “Don’t you know how to speak properly?” Fortunately, Wuqing reacted quickly and spoke first: “Wuqing greets Sister.”
Sister Hong, however, seemed not to have heard and opened the decree: “The Empress Dowager decrees that Chief Li bring Wuqing to the palace for an audience.”
“Your servant obeys.” Suzhen secretly glanced toward Xiao Zhou, but saw her shake her head, her eyes revealing a hint of gravity.
“This old servant will return to the palace first to report. Chief Li, please come quickly as well.”
After Sister Hong announced the decree, she didn’t exchange pleasantries. She stuffed it into Suzhen’s hand and led her people away, maintaining an attitude of keeping others at arm’s length throughout.
A female official’s attitude reflects the Empress Dowager’s attitude. As soon as Sister Hong left, everyone erupted in discussion. Suzhen immediately pulled Xiao Zhou aside: “What do you think is happening? This sister has never liked me before, but Wuqing saved the Princess’s life.”
Xiao Zhou shook her head, her expression even grimmer than Leng Xue’s had been: “I don’t know. The Empress Dowager’s thoughts aren’t something people like us can guess.”
Suzhen’s heart sank, but she put on a relaxed facade and took Wuqing’s arm: “Come, let’s go receive our rewards. Lian Yu rewards those who solve cases, the Empress Dowager rewards those who save the Princess.”
Wuqing was calmer than everyone else. He smiled slightly and took Suzhen’s hand: “Come, let’s go receive our rewards.”
“Cripple.”
Xiao Zhou’s voice came from behind. He turned to look, and Xiao Zhou’s brow was tightly furrowed: “Act according to circumstances.”
This was Suzhen’s first time entering the imperial harem and first time meeting the Empress Dowager alone. She felt very uneasy.
The Empress Dowager’s bedchamber didn’t contain only Xiao’an – Lian Yue, Murong Ai, Wuyan, and even Shuangcheng were there, apparently having come to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager. When she and Wuqing entered, Xiao’an was smiling and chatting with the others. Seeing Suzhen and Wuqing bow, the Empress Dowager smiled: “Oh, Chief Li has arrived. No need for excessive ceremony, rise.”
Suzhen thanked Xiao’an. As she raised her head, she saw Xiao’an’s gaze was profound, with no smile in her eyes. Startled, she quickly lowered her head. Xiao’an stared at her for a moment, then let her gaze fall lightly on Wuqing: “You are Wuqing?”
Wuqing nodded and said quietly: “Commoner Wuqing kowtows to the Empress Dowager.”
Xiao’an told him to rise, then instructed Sister Hong: “I heard Chief Li loves to drink a few cups. I have some aged wine here that tastes quite pleasant. Have someone bring a few jars for Chief Li and Young Master Wuqing to try.”
Both Suzhen and Wuqing quickly said “We dare not.” Suzhen heard Xiao’an’s voice was quite peaceful, seemingly with no intention to target Wuqing, and thought perhaps they had all been overthinking. She relaxed slightly.
Sister Hong seemed like a different person, respectfully saying: “Yes, this servant will arrange it immediately.”
“Chief Li, what is there you dare not do? In all of Minzhou, you moved about most freely.”
Someone interjected with an indifferent remark.
Though Suzhen’s gaze had been intimately acquainted with the floor since entering, she knew all too well who would dare to interrupt so casually in front of the Empress Dowager. Who else but Murong Ai?
“Oh?” The Empress Dowager raised her voice slightly, seeming somewhat puzzled: “What does Consort Ai mean by this?”
Suzhen thought this was bad and quickly replied: “Huaisu is of limited talent and learning. Unable to help, I returned to the capital first to handle official business.”
“Are there new cases in the capital?”
Xiao’an’s voice seemed merely curious, but Suzhen broke out in a cold sweat. What case did she have to share with Xiao’an? In front of this iron-blooded Empress Dowager, she couldn’t mention the Feng family case even if it killed her.
Just as she was anxiously wondering how to respond, she heard Wuqing say: “Thank the Empress Dowager for the wine. This wine has a wonderful fragrance even from afar – it must be of the finest quality. This commoner is truly blessed to taste such fine wine.”
“You do know wine.”
Sister Hong was leading eunuchs in procession. Whether Xiao’an had planned to let her off or Wuqing had diverted Xiao’an’s attention, Xiao’an gave a word of praise and stopped questioning Suzhen, only instructing the eunuchs to pour wine.
Suzhen breathed a sigh of relief and reached out to accept the wine handed by a eunuch, but heard Xiao’an say: “Speaking of which, I haven’t touched this Hundred Flowers Brew for a long time. This wine is unlucky.”
“When the late Emperor was still alive, he once kept a dog. This beast knew how to curry favor, so the late Emperor naturally doted on it. Though its temper was bad and it made a mess of the inner court, the late Emperor never punished it but found it amusing, even sleeping in the same bed with the dog. At that time, even several favored consorts couldn’t help being jealous. How ridiculous – people actually being jealous of a dog. But no matter how much the late Emperor loved it, it was still just a dog. Later, this dog tore up one of the late Emperor’s paintings – a painting that was the late Emperor’s most treasured possession. Afterward, the late Emperor said nothing and simply ordered people to beat the dog to death. The beast was quite wronged – it had only been attracted by a drop of wine on the painting, wine the late Emperor had been drinking while admiring the painting.”
Low female laughter came forth. Suzhen shuddered, nearly spilling the cup of wine in her hand!
If she couldn’t understand even this, she’d have lived in vain. Shocked to her core, she couldn’t help looking up, only to discover Xiao’an was staring at Wuqing with a half-smile. Indeed, you couldn’t guess the Empress Dowager’s thoughts.
The intended audience of that story wasn’t her – it was Wuqing…
She had truly overestimated herself. But this left her puzzled. Of course, she wasn’t the only one confused – Shuangcheng and the others clearly looked surprised as well. Wuqing was much calmer than she’d imagined, still maintaining his neither humble nor arrogant demeanor. Only when Xiao’an asked “Wuqing, you saved the Princess – what reward do you want?” did he furrow his brow, seemingly thinking seriously.
The more seriously he thought, the more anxious Suzhen became. Could one accept things from the Empress Dowager? Lian Xin had been saved – that was that! She signaled to Wuqing with her eyes, but Wuqing ignored her. He bowed low and said: “This commoner knows the rules of family and state. However, if I could receive the Empress Dowager’s grace, I hope my three brothers from the office and I could join the Six Doors Department. If we could also take on some small positions to serve the court, that would be even better.”
Suzhen thought it was over – this time there would truly be trouble!
Xiao’an seemed somewhat surprised as well, but she quickly laughed: “How rare that you have a heart to serve the court loyally. I am deeply gratified. I grant this request – I’ll appoint you as Deputy Commander of the Six Doors Department, under Chao Huang’s jurisdiction. Are you satisfied?”
Wuqing’s eyes lit up as he immediately knelt to express gratitude. Xiao’an asked again: “Is there anything else you want as reward?”
Her voice was solemn, as if she truly wanted to reward Wuqing with something else. Suzhen was shocked beyond measure – Deputy Commander was already second only to one person in the Six Doors Department!
Fearing Wuqing might ask for more, she was breaking out in a cold sweat. Fortunately, this time Wuqing said: “The Empress Dowager’s favor is profound – the reward just given is already immense imperial grace. Wuqing dare not ask for anything more.”
“I hadn’t expected that a small Criminal Investigation Bureau would be a place where dragons and tigers hide – all understanding people. Since you say this, I’ll listen accordingly. Don’t regret it later – I like to accomplish things in one stroke, and I won’t reward you with anything more then.”
Though her words sounded infinitely benevolent, the speaker’s eyes revealed hidden killing intent. Suzhen felt chilled and increasingly couldn’t understand. Just then, someone rushed in urgently without announcement. Everyone was startled. Suzhen looked and discovered it was Lian Xin, with two nannies behind her who couldn’t restrain her. They knelt in panic: “Empress Dowager, forgive us. The Princess said she wanted to find you, and we…”
“Enough,” Xiao’an waved impatiently and said coldly: “I know you can’t watch her – a bunch of useless people. Get out.”
The nannies fled as if granted amnesty. Lian Xin stood in the hall, looking at Wuqing, then at Xiao’an. Her eyes were red as she shouted at Xiao’an: “Mother, those mediocre doctors in Minzhou couldn’t cure Wuqing’s foot, but they said the imperial physicians in the palace could. Why won’t you let me bring them out to examine Wuqing?”
Xiao’an sneered: “This Wuqing saved your life. If the imperial physicians could treat him, why wouldn’t I let them? I asked long ago – his leg cannot be treated!”
Lian Xin shook her head desperately and said fiercely: “You’re lying! When I asked before, the imperial physician said it could be treated. How did it become untreatable after just a moment? I don’t care – I must cure him!”
Xiao’an flew into a rage, slammed the table and stood up: “Lian Xin, how dare you! Come, take the Princess back to her chambers. Without my permission, no one is allowed to let her out – violators will be executed immediately!”
Lian Xin was both shocked and angry. She glared fiercely at Xiao’an, then stared intently at Wuqing, saying hoarsely: “Cripple, don’t worry. I’ll definitely find a way to cure you. Mother, I hate you!”
The light dancing in her eyes showed clear affection. Suzhen had already guessed somewhat in Minzhou, and now understood everything in an instant. Her heart was filled with both surprise and complexity – surprised that Lian Xin seemed to truly love Wuqing, but complicated because she and Wuqing weren’t a good match. Deep down, she believed Wuqing deserved someone better.
Wuqing, however, acted as if he hadn’t seen anything, still standing with his crutch and looking straight ahead with a gaze as detached as if watching a play. Lian Xin’s hopeful anticipation slowly turned to disappointment. Soon, she was forcibly led away by several strong eunuchs.