When Zhao Xun received news that the soldiers had withdrawn, he hurried back and found the room’s lights still extinguished.
Earlier, to prevent the mother and son from being discovered by the soldiers, he had personally led them to a secret chamber beneath the inn, instructing only the tavern keeper to handle matters here.
Now, seeing no movement from within the room, he dared not push the door open rashly. Instead, he cupped his hands outside the door and said, “Esteemed guests, the searching soldiers have all departed.”
A heavy sound of a stone chamber opening came from inside, accompanied by a muffled thud, as if something had collided heavily with the stone wall.
Zhao Xun stood outside with his hands cupped, perplexed but not daring to show curiosity. He simply waited silently for a summons from within.
After a while, the door finally opened. He discreetly glanced inside, noticing that Marquis Wu’an and Cloud Banner General appeared normal, though the Marquis had donned a mask, presumably for convenience when returning later. The Cloud Banner General’s expression seemed somewhat stern and cold.
With just that glance, Zhao Xun quickly lowered his head again and said, “There’s half a quarter-hour until the fifth watch. As per the Marquis’s earlier instructions, a carriage has been prepared at the inn’s entrance.”
As he spoke, he signaled towards the door with his eyes. Immediately, a maidservant entered carrying clothing, which she respectfully placed on the table before quietly retreating.
Zhao Xun said, “These are the clothes prepared for the Marquis and the General.”
In front of others, to avoid revealing Fan Changyu and Xie Zheng’s identities, he always addressed them as “esteemed guests.” Only when alone did he use their official titles as honorifics.
After Zhao Xun withdrew, Xie Zheng stripped off his outer robe, picked up the clothes from the tray, put them on, and fastened the leather belt, considering himself changed. He glanced at Fan Changyu and tactfully said, “I’ll wait for you outside.”
After the door opened and closed again, Fan Changyu picked up the other set of clothes from the tray and ground her back teeth.
That man was like a dog!
As they were kissing, he started using his teeth on her body, as if he couldn’t devour her whole.
As she removed her outer robe and changed into the guard’s uniform, the flickering candlelight illuminated a patch of porcelain-like skin below her neck. The two red marks on her collarbone were particularly eye-catching. Further down, another mark was half-hidden by the collar of her undergarment, inevitably inviting imagination about whether similar marks might be found on the skin completely covered by clothing-
Throughout the journey back to the Memorial Institute, Fan Changyu feigned sleep in the carriage, not giving Xie Zheng a single glance even as they approached the main gate.
Xie Zheng watched her distant figure blend in with the guards from the carriage, his lips curling into a silent smile.
It seemed he had truly angered her this time.
But since their separation at the countryside estate last time, they hadn’t met again until yesterday. The little favor he’d taken seemed far from enough to him-
After a night of playing thief, Fan Changyu returned, briefly washed up, and went straight to bed. When she woke again, it was nearly noon.
After finishing a combined breakfast and lunch, a messenger came from Tang Peiyi, saying there was an urgent matter requiring her presence.
Fan Changyu changed into clothes suitable for receiving guests and went to Tang Peiyi’s courtyard.
Upon entering, she discovered that He Xiujin and Zheng Wenchang were also present, though all their faces looked grim.
Seeing her arrive, Tang Peiyi instructed, “Bring a seat for General Fan.”
A servant in the room brought a chair and placed it next to He Xiujin. After Fan Changyu sat down, she asked, “Has something happened at court again?”
Tang Peiyi slammed his hand heavily on the table and said angrily, “Wei Yan is utterly outrageous! Yesterday, he had a key suspect beaten to death in broad daylight, and last night he dared to raid the prison cells of the Court of Judicial Review to rescue someone! Does he think this empire belongs to the Wei family now?”
Fan Changyu, who was drinking the tea a servant had just served, nearly choked upon hearing this. She coughed several times before regaining her composure.
Faced with the gazes of Tang Peiyi, He Xiujin, and Zheng Wenchang all fixed upon her, Fan Changyu felt a pang of guilt. She then heavily put down her teacup and, with an honest expression, said, “That’s too much indeed!”
The three men finally withdrew their gazes.
He Xiujin noticed the faint dark circles under Fan Changyu’s eyes and suddenly asked, “Did General Fan not sleep well last night?”
Fan Changyu, being poor at lying, picked up her teacup again to drink as a cover and said, “Mm, I was reading a military book before bed. I didn’t understand many of the attack strategies and got so engrossed in studying them that I lost track of time.”
Hearing this, He Xiujin grew even more curious: “What military book could have captivated General Fan to such an extent?”
Fortunately, she had genuinely read those military books Xie Zheng had given her recently. So now she could say without blushing or her heart racing, “I’m embarrassed to say, it was ‘Master Wei Liao’ annotated by the Duke of Weiguo from the previous dynasty.”
Although Xie Zheng had added many new insights to those annotations.
He Xiujin said “No wonder” and smiled, saying, “The ‘Master Wei Liao’ annotated by the Duke of Weiguo is now a unique copy. It’s no surprise General Fan would forget food and sleep upon obtaining such a treasure.”
Fan Changyu wasn’t very familiar with the origins of these military books and tactics. She hadn’t realized that the book Xie Zheng had casually given her was so precious. Surprised internally, she repeatedly said “I’m unworthy” to appease He Xiujin.
Fearing he would continue questioning, she quickly turned to Tang Peiyi and asked, “Has it been confirmed that Wei Yan’s men broke into the prison? Was this matter discussed in the morning court session today?”
Unexpectedly, upon hearing her questions, Tang Peiyi turned his head away and sighed heavily.
Zheng Wenchang, sitting nearby, said, “The Court of Judicial Review, together with the Five Wards Commandery’s men, searched through the night but found no evidence. This morning, the son of Minister Han was found hanged in his room with his tongue cut out and eyes gouged. Minister Han wept bitterly in the Hall of Golden Chimes, begging His Majesty for justice, saying his son must have been killed by Wei Yan because he argued with Wei Xuan a few days ago. However, without evidence, they couldn’t charge Wei Yan with the crime.”
Fan Changyu’s expression immediately changed.
She had learned about Wei Xuan’s altercation with Minister Han’s son, resulting in a severe beating, when Zhao Xun reported to Xie Zheng last night.
But she hadn’t expected Minister Han’s son to be found hanged in his room last night with his tongue cut out and eyes gouged.
Such brutal methods – was Wei Yan declaring to the entire court that his power as Prime Minister was far from over?
Tang Peiyi smiled bitterly and said, “The imperial power of Da Yin has long been in name only… The current Emperor… Alas…”
Although he didn’t say more, everyone present knew what he left unsaid.
Qi Sheng was merely a puppet placed on the dragon throne by Wei Yan. He still relied on Wei Yan to help him keep the throne, so how could he punish Wei Yan?
He Xiujin, remembering his father’s death, unconsciously clenched his fists on the table: “If the Li family truly found a descendant of the Chengde Crown Prince…”
Tang Peiyi immediately interrupted him: “Zifu.”
Zifu was He Xiujin’s courtesy name. He closed his mouth and said no more.
Even if the one sitting on the dragon throne was just a monkey, as long as he wore those dragon robes, plotting against him would be a grave offense punishable by the execution of nine generations of one’s clan.
Tang Peiyi changed the subject: “Alright, this contest with Wei Yan isn’t over yet. War has been intense these past few years, and the national treasury is depleted. The palace has announced that the victory celebration will be combined with the New Year’s banquet. None of you should go out today. Later, people from the palace will come to measure you for tailoring.”
On the way back, Fan Changyu was deeply worried.
When Xie Zheng was helping the Li family impeach Wei Yan, he said that Wei Yan must have kept some tricks up his sleeve. Now, at this critical juncture, he dared to directly order his subordinates to kill the son of a third-rank official in the court. His actions could be described as both ruthless and arrogant.
Was he confident that the Court of Judicial Review couldn’t obtain evidence to convict him, or had he truly become so arrogant that even if the Court had witnesses and physical evidence, he wouldn’t care?
If it was the former, it meant Wei Yan still had some scruples in his actions.
If it was the latter… after lying low for so long, whatever Wei Yan was planning was truly terrifying.
Zheng Wenchang, who left a step behind her, called out, “General Fan, please wait.”
Fan Changyu temporarily set aside her thoughts and turned back to ask, “Does General Zheng have something to discuss?”
Zheng Wenchang was taciturn but hardworking. Among He Jingyuan’s disciples, his talents weren’t considered the best, but because of his diligence and upright character, he was highly regarded by He Jingyuan.
He said somewhat shyly, “I hope I’m not being presumptuous, but I’d like to borrow General Fan’s copy of ‘Master Wei Liao’ annotated by the Duke of Weiguo for a day.”
Fearing that Fan Changyu might not have finished reading the precious book and be reluctant to part with it, he quickly added, “Even borrowing it for one night would be fine. I’ll copy it and return it to General Fan first thing in the morning.”
With him putting it this way, Fan Changyu had no reason to refuse.
She said, “Alright, I’ll have someone send the book to General Zheng’s quarters when I return. There’s no need to rush to return it; take your time copying it.”
Unique copies were precious, and it was common for people of the time to copy books for circulation and reading.
Hearing Fan Changyu’s words, Zheng Wenchang felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his heart. He expressed his thanks and returned with a beaming face.
Fan Changyu went back, found the book in her room, and had Xie Wu deliver it to Zheng Wenchang.
Just then, the palace matrons arrived to measure her for tailoring court robes. Fan Changyu spread her arms, allowing them to use soft measuring tapes, but she noticed this was different from when ordinary tailors measured her for clothes.
The Imperial Wardrobe matrons measured with utmost precision, from her forehead down to her ankles, even measuring around her ribs.
Fan Changyu guessed that measuring her ankles was for making official boots, but why measure her head? She was a military official and didn’t need to wear an official hat.
Being straightforward, Fan Changyu immediately asked.
The matron in charge of measuring, though stern-faced, dared not put on airs in front of Fan Changyu, a third-rank military official. She respectfully replied, “General, we also need to tailor a set of second-rank conferment robes for you. The head measurement is for making the phoenix crown.”
The headpiece that went with the conferment robes for a Titled Lady was indeed a phoenix crown adorned with pearls and jade.
If Fan Changyu were still an unmarried lady, the Emperor wouldn’t have conferred this title on her. But because of her previous fake marriage to Xie Zheng, which was recorded in the Ministry of Revenue’s documents, and her admission of having a husband in the Hall of Golden Chimes, she was additionally granted this title.
Understanding the purpose of the measurements, Fan Changyu asked no more questions and continued cooperating with the matron’s measuring.
After each measurement, the matron would quietly instruct a maidservant beside her to record it on paper.
Chang Ning, accompanied by Madam Zhao, watched from the side, her eyes bright with excitement and her face flushed.
After the palace staff finished taking measurements and left, she ran over and buried herself in Fan Changyu’s arms: “Are they making new clothes for Big Sister?”
Fan Changyu said, “They’re court robes.”
Chang Ning didn’t quite understand. She clung to Fan Changyu’s waist, looked up, and continued asking, “What are court robes?”
“They’re the clothes worn when meeting the Emperor.”
Chang Ning made an “oh” sound, then asked, “Can Ning’er see the Emperor too?”
Madam Zhao laughed and said, “You silly girl, saying such foolish things. How could just anyone see the Emperor? Only high officials can see him.”
Chang Ning made a disappointed “oh” sound, then immediately asked, “Can Ning’er become a high official?”
Fan Changyu crouched down, patted her head, and said, “Not now, but if Ning’er studies hard, by the time you grow up, perhaps women will be able to enter official service too.”
Having come this far, besides wanting to uncover the truth behind the Jinzhou incident and clear her grandfather’s name, Fan Changyu also wanted to add a clause to the Da Yin Code allowing women to inherit their parents’ property and establish their households.
What had nearly driven her and Chang Ning to desperation back then was the attempt by Fan Da’s family to seize the house left by her parents, relying on the law.
She was resilient and could weather many hardships, stumbling through all the pitfalls along the way. But in this world, many orphaned girls couldn’t make it through.
Chang Ning seemed encouraged by Fan Changyu’s words and immediately started clamoring, “Big Sister, Big Sister, please hire a teacher for Ning’er! Ning’er wants to study!”
When Fan Changyu had free time, she could teach the two little ones herself, but when busy, she naturally couldn’t manage it.
Thinking that the palace wouldn’t reassign them for a while, she said, “Alright, I’ll hire a teacher for you tomorrow.”
Chang Ning’s smile nearly split her face as she tugged at Fan Changyu’s sleeve, “Big Sister is the best!”
Seeing Chang Ning bouncing off to tell Yu Bao’er this good news, Fan Changyu shook her head and smiled.
Just then, Xie Wu returned from delivering the book. Fan Changyu said to him, “Xiao Wu, keep an eye out for suitable tutors in the capital. I want to hire a private teacher for Chang Ning and Bao’er to teach them reading and writing for now.”
After a pause, she added, “There’s no need to hire those famous scholars with profound knowledge. The children are still young; hiring such teachers would be a waste of their talents.”
Xie Wu acknowledged everything, but his expression was somewhat peculiar.
Only then did Fan Changyu notice the book in his hand. She asked in confusion, “Didn’t General Zheng want it?”
Xie Wu said, “It’s not that. When the young master of the Li Grand Tutor’s family gifted you several annotated military books, you rewarded them to your subordinate generals to read. This book had been passed to General Zheng, and when I went to deliver the book just now, General Zheng had me bring this military book back, saying he was returning it to you.”
Fan Changyu frowned slightly. She had almost forgotten about Li Huai’an gifting her military books.
Those few books had indeed been given to her subordinates as rewards, but Zheng Wenchang, being straightforward, probably felt uneasy about borrowing another book from her and decided to return this one.
Fan Changyu didn’t think much of it and said, “Alright, just put it on that shelf over there.”
Xie Wu walked in with the book and glanced at the books Fan Changyu often read on the shelf, which included the Four Books that Xie Zheng had initially annotated for her, as well as the military books he had annotated later.
Xie Wu hesitated for a moment, then chose the most corner position and placed the military book annotated by Li Huai’an there-
In the blink of an eye, the day of the New Year’s banquet arrived.
Each day, Fán Chángyù continued to hear from Táng Péiyì about the ongoing disputes between the Wei faction and the Lǐ faction in the court, with both sides stubbornly arguing without end.
However, following the shocking death of the son of Minister Hán, no one dared to openly criticize Wèi Yán, whether in the court or among the common folk.
Xiè Zhēng was busy preparing for the palace banquet that evening, planning a covert exploration of the Cold Palace and the retrieval of the steward from the Dàlǐsì. During this time, he was also secretly tracking the movements of Tào Tàifù, leaving him with little opportunity to breathe. Various factions were closely watching, and he only managed to slip into the Jìnzòuyuan to see Fán Chángyù once, bringing her a dagger capable of cutting through iron as a gift.
On the night of her entrance to the palace, Fán Chángyù felt an odd sensation as her left eyelid twitched persistently.
With Xiè Zhēng preoccupied with numerous plans for New Year’s Eve, Fán Chángyù was anxious about any unforeseen events. Before leaving, she strapped a small bone knife to her left thigh and the iron-cutting dagger to her right, thinking that even if trouble arose, she would have a weapon for self-defense.
After she prepared a large red envelope for both Cháng Níng and Yú Bǎo’ér, she climbed into the carriage to the palace, her heart racing under Cháng Níng’s eager gaze, accompanied by Táng Péiyì and others.