In his impression, Zhaoyi Lan had always been the gentle woman who played the guqin and looked up with a faint smile — what could have happened to drive her to commit murder?
“Have Zhaoyi Lan locked up for now,” the Emperor said after a moment of silence. “We’ll interrogate her tomorrow morning.”
“Yes.” Eunuch Qin acknowledged.
The palace at night could not remain peaceful. Before Zhaoyi Lan had even reacted, she saw her own palace surrounded on all sides by the Imperial Guards.
She grew somewhat panicked, and couldn’t even get anyone to report to Consort Hui — all she could do was slip silver to someone to ask what was happening. “What’s going on?”
“Consort Hua was attacked and is still unconscious.”
Her heart sank. Zhaoyi Lan frowned. “What does that have to do with this palace? Why lock this palace up?”
The guard glanced at her, shook his head, and said nothing more.
Meanwhile, Consort Hui had received the news and let out a long sigh.
“This servant guessed right after all.” Shanzhu frowned. “Consort Hua really isn’t one to be trifled with — she still didn’t die even from that, and dragged Zhaoyi Lan into it too.”
“The Emperor cherishes her from the bottom of his heart,” Consort Hui said heavily, eyes closed. “No consort in the harem has hidden guards by her side — not even this palace does. Yet she has so many following her. This Hua Chun is different from any favored consort before her.”
Shanzhu grew a little anxious. “Then what should we do?”
“Abandon the pawn to save the general.”
Opening her eyes, Consort Hui glanced at the cloisonné bracelet on her wrist, turned it a couple of times, and said quietly, “I’d originally hoped Zhaoyi Lan could stage a brilliant comeback, but she couldn’t escape this calamity — there’s nothing to be done about it now.”
Shanzhu felt it was such a shame. “You just secured her a reward — it’s all been wasted for nothing.”
“It’s not entirely wasted,” Consort Hui said, curving her lips. “Given how good this palace has been to her, with her temperament, she’ll take this matter on herself and won’t drag this palace down with her.”
That made sense too, Shanzhu nodded.
Hua Chun had another nightmare, dreaming that someone grabbed a handful of ash and flung it violently at her eyes, after which her eyes hurt endlessly; when she opened them again, she could see blue sky and white clouds, but could no longer see anything in the dark of night.
“Mistress, don’t be afraid, this servant has lit the lamp for you,” someone comforted her gently, taking her hand to show her the brightly lit Prime Minister’s residence. “From now on, every evening this servant will light the lamps for you in advance.”
There was sound, but even so, once night fell she still couldn’t see anything at all.
Feeling a little like crying, Hua Chun rubbed at her eyes for a long while, and just as she felt helpless, her hand fell into a warm palm.
“What did you dream about?” a voice asked beside her ear.
Her thoughts returned to her, and she opened her eyes, looking at the bright surroundings, and then at the Emperor beside her who had finally let out a breath of relief. She said, aggrieved, “I dreamed I went blind!”
Yuwen Jie frowned, reached out to pull her closer, and said, “Open your eyes, don’t move.”
Hua Chun obediently opened her eyes wide.
“A bit red, but going blind is out of the question — just some dirt got in,” he said. “Don’t scare yourself.”
Nodding, Hua Chun reacted for a moment, then said “Oh,” and sat up. “Why am I here?”
Wasn’t she going to the lotus pond? Then she’d crouched by the pond for barely any time before losing consciousness.
“You were drugged with a sedative,” the Emperor said. “If not for the hidden guards and Qing Niao, I’d be fishing a corpse out of the lotus pond right now.”
Shivering lightly, Hua Chun pouted. “That’s quite the thrill. Did they catch the culprits?”
“Caught them — said they’re from Zhaoyi Lan’s palace. I’ve already had Zhaoyi Lan placed under house arrest.” Turning over, the Emperor said, “It’s still the middle of the night — you can go back to sleep.”
Already the middle of the night? She glanced up at the pitch-black window and, pursing her lips, obediently curled back into the Emperor’s embrace. Perhaps it was because of his tall, sturdy build, but lying in his arms gave her a special sense of security, as if the sky could fall and he’d still hold it up. She soon drifted into a sweet dream.
Watching her eyes close, Yuwen Jie lowered his head and gently pressed a kiss to her eyelid, light and infinitely tender.
Such beautiful eyes — how could they possibly go blind?
Early the next morning, Hua Chun organized the confessions of the two eunuchs and, bringing Huo Zichong along, went to Qinghe Hall.
Consort Hui hadn’t slept well; the shadows under her eyes were quite heavy. Seeing them arrive, she forced a smile. “Something’s happened again? This palace just knew it — this harem won’t stay peaceful for long.”
Hua Chun stepped forward to pay respects and handed the confessions to her. “Consort Hui, please take a look. Zhaoyi Lan attempted to harm this concubine — the evidence is conclusive.”
“This palace already knew last night.” Consort Hui said with a face full of grief. “It was this palace’s own misjudgment — thinking she was gentle and sensible, never expecting her heart to be so vicious. Since there’s already evidence, then in accordance with palace rules, let her pay with her life.”
Hua Chun raised an eyebrow. “Your Highness, this concubine did not actually die, so according to palace rules, Zhaoyi Lan should be locked in the cold palace, but need not pay with her life.”
Everyone was stunned. Consort Hui looked at her in surprise. “Consort Hua isn’t angry?”
Even if palace rules didn’t necessarily require Zhaoyi Lan’s death, given Consort Hua’s current level of favor, having nearly been murdered, she should surely be angry enough to demand a life for it — yet here she was pleading for mercy on the woman’s behalf?
“This concubine is very angry, since after all, this concubine has no feud with Zhaoyi Lan,” Hua Chun said with a smile. “But it occurred to this concubine that Attendant Nie’s death is quite similar to what happened to this concubine — this concubine feels there must be more of a story behind it. Rather than indulge a moment’s satisfaction by killing her outright, it would be better to stay calm and investigate Attendant Nie’s case further.”
Consort Hui was startled and frowned. “Where did Consort Hua learn about the matter of Attendant Nie?”
Hua Chun smiled. “His Majesty mentioned it offhand one day, saying this concubine resembles Attendant Nie in some ways, so this concubine looked into it and learned she was a consort who died wrongfully.”
“Why must you take on such a matter yourself?” Consort Hui frowned. “The Emperor won’t be pleased with you meddling in affairs that don’t concern you.”
“Your Highness worries too much,” Hua Chun said. “His Majesty said that if this concubine can find out the truth, he’ll even reward this concubine with a gold chain.”
Everyone fell silent. Huo Xianrou nearby laughed and said, “His Majesty and Consort Hua really do know how to have fun, treating a murder case like a bet — aren’t you afraid Attendant Nie won’t rest in peace beneath the nine springs?”
Tilting her head, Hua Chun said, seeming to suddenly understand, “Oh right, this concubine has heard people say that those who died wrongfully, if their old case is overturned, will rise up from below to thank their benefactor, and also seek out their enemies to settle scores.”
At these words, the consorts present all shrank back a little, somewhat afraid. Consort Hui’s expression darkened further. “Enough with such nonsense — talk like this isn’t allowed in the palace.”
“Oh? But that’s what people say among the common folk, and there have even been those who’ve encountered it,” Hua Chun said with an innocent expression. “Anyway, this concubine isn’t afraid — if she comes looking, then it’ll be a perfect chance to ask her exactly how she died…”
“Enough!” Consort Hui frowned, looking at her. “This palace will let it go this time, considering you’ve only just entered the palace and don’t yet understand the rules, speaking without thinking. Mention ghosts and spirits again, and you’ll be dealt with according to palace rules!”