“Though he’s dead, it still cannot resolve the hatred in your heart, can it?” Imperial Noble Consort Wu straightened her body to look at her. “You might as well say you also want to hate me.”

These words already revealed several traces of accusatory sharpness.

Ni Su took a step back and bowed again. “This commoner has never thought thus. Whoever is guilty, whoever receives punishment—this commoner never inquires about any other unrelated people or matters. Having obtained this justice, this commoner’s heart is always grateful for His Majesty’s grace.”

She had already retreated outside the curtain. Imperial Noble Consort Wu heard her mention His Majesty, and though her face without makeup showed no apparent emotional change, her voice carried a cold tone. “That Young Mistress Ni can think this way is for the best.”

The edict to execute Wu Jikang was issued by His Majesty. If Imperial Noble Consort Wu persisted in clinging to this matter now, it would carry suspicion of disrespecting His Majesty’s decree.

“Your Ladyship, actually this commoner has one more matter. After much consideration, I still wish to speak of it to Your Ladyship.”

Ni Su lowered her head.

“What matter?”

Through the curtain, Imperial Noble Consort Wu spoke lightly.

Ni Su didn’t request that she dismiss those around her. Only after the palace maids on both sides raised the curtain did she step forward a few paces. Before these several maids serving the Imperial Noble Consort closely, she spoke directly. “Does Your Ladyship still remember—several months ago, Censor Jiang investigated officials and discovered a white jade horse trampling flying swallow in the Wu residence?”

Imperial Noble Consort Wu had been distressed these recent days over her family’s downfall and her father’s madness. Ni Su’s sudden mention of this was like being pricked by a needle. “What are you trying to say?”

She remembered that at the time, she was in the palace, only hearing that her father at home had no one to care for him and was mentally confused, while she herself suffered His Majesty’s cold treatment, not knowing how many days and nights she had secretly wept.

“This commoner doesn’t intentionally mention Your Ladyship’s family matters, but that day, outside the Wu residence, when the Night Investigation Bureau took your father away, two silver needles were dropped.”

“What silver needles?”

“At that time, your father’s graying hair hung in disarray. This commoner remembers very clearly—those silver needles fell from his hair.”

Ni Su’s description of Wu Dai’s hair immediately brought tears to Imperial Noble Consort Wu’s eyes. How many years had she been in the palace without opportunity to see her father? She remembered that before she entered the palace, her father’s hair was still black.

Imperial Noble Consort Wu suddenly stared at the woman before her. “You’re saying—why would there be silver needles in his hair?”

“Those are silver needles used for acupuncture. This commoner comes from a family of apricot grove physicians. Our family possesses a unique skill called ‘Golden Needle Acupoint Piercing.’ This commoner knows well that if acupuncture methods are used properly, they benefit people. If used improperly, they cause endless harm.”

“This commoner speculated at the time that Your Ladyship’s father’s madness might be due to improper acupuncture by a physician, causing blood stasis in his brain. If the stasis doesn’t disperse, then mental clarity is lost.”

Though Imperial Noble Consort Wu lived deep in the palace and couldn’t see her father, after regaining favor she had requested Imperial Medical Bureau physicians to treat him. She understood very clearly in her heart that the blood stasis this woman spoke of matched what the physicians had said.

But she didn’t know it was caused by silver needles.

“If Your Ladyship doesn’t believe me, you can certainly inquire with Deputy Commander Zhou Ting of the Night Investigation Bureau. When I found those silver needles, I handed them to him.”

Ni Su calmly observed Imperial Noble Consort Wu’s expression, then continued, “Please think, Your Ladyship—could this merely be coincidence, an accident?”

“You…”

Imperial Noble Consort Wu’s hand pressed against the brocade bedding tightened. “What do you mean?”

“This commoner is merely an outsider. I’ve only told Your Ladyship some things this commoner witnessed. As for other matters, this commoner knows nothing.” Ni Su lowered her eyes, speaking calmly. “The reason this commoner tells Your Ladyship these things is solely to prove to Your Ladyship that you are Her Ladyship, and I absolutely harbor no disrespect.”

Whether the silver needles or the madness—all were Wu Dai’s desperate survival stratagems. This point Ni Su had already penetrated when following Xu Hexue to investigate Manyu Money House.

But these things, Ni Su wouldn’t tell the Imperial Noble Consort.

Imperial Noble Consort Wu had been in the palace for many years. It was hard to say that before her father retired from office, she hadn’t covered up incidents for him or plotted something. Even if she only knew a bit of her father’s dark secrets, she would start from these silver needles and begin suspecting the intentions of everyone who had profitable connections with her father.

Exactly who—who didn’t dare kill her father, yet wanted to silence him?

These things, Ni Su left for the Imperial Noble Consort to ponder herself.

It would be best if they tore at each other.

Tan Guangwen’s death left Ni Su feeling deeply helpless, but she felt she must do something, even if she only possessed this small measure of strength.

Ni Su always maintained proper measure, never overstepping. She repeatedly expressed gratitude to His Majesty and respect for Her Ladyship, also very carefully asking the attending palace maids about the Imperial Noble Consort’s daily food and even medications. Finally she only said the prescriptions used by the palace physicians were excellent—she dared not add superfluously or act presumptuously.

When the Imperial Noble Consort couldn’t force her to write a prescription, she had palace maids press down on her shoulders and make her kneel outside the hall.

The sky was overcast. Heavy snow came rushing down, falling on Ni Su’s temples and neck. Palace maids on the steps watched her. Though their expressions showed reluctance, they still wouldn’t permit her to move.

Ni Su knelt for two hours. Snow pellets falling on the ground could no longer melt, grain by grain interweaving on the wet floor tiles into a pure white expanse. Her knees were nearly numb, her entire body cold to the bone.

A series of complicated footsteps approached. Ni Su responded sluggishly for a moment but dared not turn her head. She only saw the palace maids and eunuchs in the corridor all bow in unison.

“Why is someone kneeling here?”

Liang Shenfu, the Palace Attendant Director, saw with sharp eyes the figure ahead with thin snow piled on her body. Emperor Zhengyuan, whom he supported, wore a fur-lined cape. He raised his eyes to follow Liang’s gaze.

Vermillion robe hems fell before Ni Su’s eyes. She didn’t raise her head.

“You’re not a palace person?”

This deep voice descended.

“This commoner Ni Su pays respects to His Majesty.”

Ni Su’s voice had been frozen hoarse.

Emperor Zhengyuan found this name somewhat familiar but couldn’t recall it immediately. Liang Shenfu at his side immediately reported carefully, “Your Majesty, this is that Young Mistress Ni who returned from Yongzhou.”

Only then did Emperor Zhengyuan remember that today he’d agreed to the Imperial Noble Consort’s request to have this woman enter the palace to examine her pulse. “Why are you kneeling here?”

“Her Ladyship’s pulse is stable, only with some spleen and stomach weakness. This commoner believes that the Imperial Medical Bureau has already gathered Great Qi’s best physicians. Their prescriptions—this commoner has examined them and they are all excellent. Therefore, this commoner did not write another prescription for Her Ladyship.”

Ni Su only answered thus.

“Your Majesty, she is also that woman who beat the Denunciation Drum on Double Ninth Festival, crying injustice for her elder brother Ni Qinglan.” Liang Shenfu moved close to Emperor Zhengyuan, speaking in low tones.

“So it’s you.”

Why she was kneeling here—Emperor Zhengyuan instantly understood in his heart. “The Imperial Noble Consort acted improperly in this matter. How can she make you kneel here just because you didn’t write a prescription? Liang Shenfu.”

Now that Great Qi and Danqiu were once again at daggers drawn, Emperor Zhengyuan had just commended this woman who went to the battlefield in Yongzhou and treated soldiers and civilians. Yet the Imperial Noble Consort immediately had her kneel here in punishment—this truly shouldn’t be. Hearing His Majesty call him, Liang Shenfu immediately summoned two young inner attendants to help Ni Su stand.

“In bitter cold and freezing weather, send her to warm herself.”

Emperor Zhengyuan’s spirit was already poor. Not wishing to linger outside, he turned to see the Imperial Noble Consort emerge fully dressed without a cloak, and frowned. “How can you disregard your own health like this?”

The Imperial Noble Consort, delicate as a willow, lowered her head in the corridor. “Your Majesty…”

Palace maids from the hall emerged, hurriedly wrapping thick cloaks around the Imperial Noble Consort.

“This commoner dares,”

Emperor Zhengyuan was about to proceed forward when Ni Su suddenly spoke. “To request one grace from His Majesty.”

“Speak.”

Emperor Zhengyuan’s gaze returned to her. Snow still on her body, not yet brushed away. Snowmelt soaked her temples, dripping steadily.

“This commoner has heard that among the Imperial Medical Bureau, the physicians treating the imperial consorts possess exceptional ability. This commoner practices medicine with focus on gynecology. However, this commoner’s years are still young with various insufficiencies. If I could receive guidance from the honorable physicians, I would die without regret.”

Ni Su bowed deeply, speaking earnestly.

Emperor Zhengyuan probably hadn’t expected this woman’s requested grace to be only this matter. His eyes showed slight surprise. “I didn’t expect that you, a woman, would be so studious.”

“Since it is so, I grant you access to the Imperial Medical Bureau.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Liang Shenfu and others clustered around the emperor moving forward. Only then did Ni Su dare raise her head. She saw that emperor wearing the great cape extend his hand to embrace the Imperial Noble Consort’s shoulder as the two entered the hall together arm in arm.

“Young mistress, what are you still looking at?”

The inner attendant left behind by Liang Shenfu saw her staring at the Chaoyun Hall entrance and spoke out.

She was looking at the law.

That law which would restore justice to her elder brother, yet couldn’t restore justice to Xu Hexue and the Jing’an Army.

“No need to trouble the inner attendant. This young woman won’t go to the side hall to warm herself. I’ll leave the palace now.”

Ni Su said.

“Can your legs and feet manage?” The young inner attendant looked down at the traces of wet snow on her skirt from kneeling.

“Yes.”

Ni Su curved her pale lips slightly.

Returning to South Sophora Street was already noon. She dragged her painful, cold legs and just stepped over the threshold when she heard a cry of alarm. “Young Mistress Ni, what happened to you?”

Ni Su looked up—it was actually Young Mistress Zhang.

The first young woman to come requesting her to diagnose her mother’s illness after she obtained justice for her elder brother.

“Sister A’Xi!”

Cai Chunxu had just lifted the curtain to come out. Seeing her in such a disheveled state, she immediately stepped forward with Young Mistress Zhang to support her. “What happened?”

Ni Su’s entire body was terribly cold. Cai Chunxu hurriedly stuffed her own warming pouch into her hands.

“Miss Ni…”

Qingqiong quickly poured a bowl of hot tea for her.

Only after drinking the hot tea did Ni Su feel somewhat better inside. “Sister Cai, Young Mistress Zhang, why have you come?”

“My mother’s illness has greatly improved. I wanted to come thank you, but the medical hall was closed. Today I heard about the sign replacement and opening here, so I came.” Young Mistress Zhang explained.

“Her Ladyship made things difficult for you? You’re frozen like an ice sculpture—no matter how we try, you won’t warm up.” Cai Chunxu shouted toward the curtain screening the back corridor. “Yuwen! Yuwen, quickly bring a charcoal brazier! And hot water!”

“I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”

Ni Su smiled slightly.

“Young Mistress Zhang has happy news?” She saw the invitation on the table.

Young Mistress Zhang’s cheeks flushed red. She hummed softly in acknowledgment, then said, “I’m getting married, in the next few days. Today I came especially to bring you the invitation, Young Mistress Ni.”

“I will definitely attend.”

Ni Su nodded.

Young Mistress Zhang didn’t stay long. Leaving the wedding cakes she’d brought, she quickly departed.

In the back courtyard, craftsmen were still working. Cai Chunxu had servants go to a tavern to buy wine and food for Qingqiong and the craftsmen. The fodder had also been replaced with better quality by Cai Chunxu’s people.

Ni Su was supported by Cai Chunxu to walk to the bottom of the covered corridor. “Sister Cai, since I’ve returned, I should properly visit you first. Yet you came first and took care of my household so properly… Thank you.”

“Let’s not speak such distant words between us.”

Cai Chunxu put her arm around her and led her inside.

Yuwen and the others had already cleaned the bedroom—it was Xu Hexue’s room. Only then did Ni Su remember that in order to speak with Xu Hexue, she had told Yuwen she wanted to move to this room.

Fortunately, Xu Hexue’s clothing was all locked in the cabinet. The items he used were very few—only that paper kite still placed on the desk. Ni Su sat on the bed’s edge, hardly daring to look toward the writing desk.

“How did it swell like this?”

Yuwen removed her shoes and socks, rolling up her pant legs to reveal her knees swollen red and terrible.

“Her Ladyship punished you with kneeling?”

Cai Chunxu bent down to examine her knees. “She really is taking private revenge! Clearly her younger brother committed evil deeds. How could she…”

“My lady, you absolutely mustn’t say such things.”

Yuwen was badly frightened, hurriedly tugging at Cai Chunxu’s sleeve.

Cai Chunxu fell silent, watching as Yuwen placed Ni Su’s feet in the basin of hot water. Only then did she have Yuwen leave first. Afterward she sat beside Ni Su. “Sister A’Xi, did Her Ladyship only punish you with kneeling?”

“Not only that. She wanted to find breaking points in my words showing disrespect to her or to His Majesty but couldn’t. However, if I had written her a prescription and there were any errors in it, even with ten mouths I couldn’t explain clearly.” Ni Su touched the medicine basket at her waist. “Starting from A Zhou’s incident, I’ve already witnessed the danger within. So I refused to death to write a prescription. That’s why she punished me with kneeling.”

“Her Ladyship is now with child—His Majesty’s only heir. If she’s determined to punish you, you definitely won’t survive…” Cai Chunxu broke out in a cold sweat. “Sister A’Xi, today you truly escaped death.”

“I’ve been away from the capital for so long. I don’t know how the Imperial Noble Consort suddenly became pregnant?”

Since Prince An died young, His Majesty had never had another heir. How could it be that just at this juncture when the Wu family fell into ruin, the Imperial Noble Consort became pregnant?

“I heard that Duke Lu invited the famous physician Zhang Jian for His Majesty.” Cai Chunxu socialized in poetry societies with officials’ wives—learning such matters wasn’t difficult. “You must have heard of Zhang Jian’s great reputation? After treating His Majesty’s health for only a few months, it seems truly effective.”

But the officials’ wives only knew this much.

Ni Su had naturally heard the name Zhang Jian. He was a famous physician who roamed the four directions, a divine healer worth a thousand gold and difficult to find. No illness lacked a solution. If Zhang Jian had obtained an heir for His Majesty, then… what about Prince Jia?

Ni Su suddenly looked up. “Sister Cai, is Prince Jia still in the capital now?”

“Yes.”

Cai Chunxu nodded. “However, Prince Jia’s current situation probably isn’t very good…”

Now that His Majesty had blood offspring of his own, how should Prince Jia, this adopted son, position himself?

Ni Su suddenly fell silent. Cai Chunxu examined her carefully at this moment, discovering she’d grown even thinner than before. “Sister A’Xi, actually I came today with another matter I wanted to ask you.”

Ni Su knew what she wanted to ask. “Marshal Miao Tianning was indeed killed by Tan Guangwen. This matter—I heard it personally with my own ears in Yongzhou.”

Cai Chunxu’s throat caught. After a moment she spoke. “My uncle and aunt have been so distressed over this matter these recent days they can’t eat. We all thought Uncle died defending the city, killed by barbarians. Who knew… it was that heaven-damned Tan Guangwen!”

“Sister A’Xi, I heard that in Yongzhou you even went to the battlefield and treated soldiers and civilians there?”

Cai Chunxu gripped her ice-cold hands. “In this world, how could there be a woman like you? My heart deeply admires you…”

Ni Su’s hands were enveloped by her warm palms. Not knowing why, Ni Su suddenly couldn’t suppress the soreness at the bridge of her nose. She suddenly threw herself into Cai Chunxu’s embrace.

“Did you suffer much hardship in Yongzhou?”

Cai Chunxu was momentarily stunned, reaching out to touch her damp hair. “I haven’t even asked you—what did you go to Yongzhou to do?”

“Looking for someone.”

“Did you find them?”

“Yes.”

“Is it Brother Qingqiong?”

“No.”

Cai Chunxu lowered her gaze. “If not him, then who? Why don’t I see the person?”

Ni Su bit down hard, holding back tears.

Her silence made Cai Chunxu seem to sense something. She tried asking, “Was it a very important person?”

Ni Su’s head pressed against her embrace, voice hoarse:

“Yes. Very important.”

Cai Chunxu stayed until the sky turned dark before leaving. The feed troughs in the courtyard had been completed, along with a proper stable to shelter Shuangge and Little Jujube from wind and rain. Qingqiong busily fed them fodder. From inside the room, Ni Su could vaguely hear him muttering to the two horses, not knowing what he was saying.

Having just applied medicine to her legs, she busied herself lighting the room full of candles and lamps. She also placed that beast pearl on the offering table piled with dried fruits. She knelt on the prayer cushion, hands together. “Lord Tubo, this is the beast pearl you gave me. I don’t know if you can hear me speak. If you can, please accept these offerings. I beg you—let Xu Zi…”

She paused. “Let Xu Hexue suffer less. Is that acceptable?”

“You made me the one to summon his return to the mortal world. Today, as a summoner, I beseech you—forgive his helplessness. At least while the world’s justice and law don’t yet favor him, don’t let him work so hard both before death and after.”

“I’m willing to make offerings to Lord Tubo for life. I beg the netherworld, beg the heavens—treat him kindly.”

Ni Su bowed down, kowtowing.

Inside the room, bright candles shone like daylight. Ni Su embraced the medicine basket and fell deeply asleep on the bed. At night the wind and snow grew heavier, with occasional snorting sounds from Shuangge and Little Jujube.

The standing incense on the offering table burned through its last section. A gust of wind from somewhere blew down the incense ash. That beast pearl lay quietly among a pile of offerings.

Ni Su slept deeply. The medicine basket she held in the crook of her arm—the white luminescent light jumped and floated, then suddenly disappeared.

Heavy snow fell all night. The palace eaves and palace lanes all accumulated thick layers. Palace people busily swept snow. Zhou Ting, wearing scarlet official robes and a long-winged hat, passed through the palace lanes and entered Qinghe Hall to pay respects to his sovereign father.

“I heard that Minister Huang’s second son lost his wife three years ago and still hasn’t remarried?”

Before Zhou Ting entered the inner hall, he heard from within the curtain Emperor Zhengyuan’s voice with slight coughing.

“Indeed so.”

Another elderly voice answered respectfully.

Before entering the hall, Zhou Ting had asked the inner attendants outside Qinghe Hall. He knew the one currently seeing His Majesty inside was Western Residence Minister Huang Zongyu. But why would His Majesty suddenly inquire about Huang Zongyu’s second son?

Zhou Ting suddenly recalled the plaque Huang Zongyu had sent to South Sophora Street.

Could it be…

Zhou Ting’s heart tightened.

Almost as his attention wavered, Huang Zongyu had already emerged from inside. Zhou Ting glimpsed that purple robe hem and bowed. “Minister Huang.”

“Deputy Commander Zhou, go on in.”

Huang Zongyu said casually, then lifted his robes and walked outside the hall.

Zhou Ting collected his emotions and walked into the inner hall. He saw His Majesty leaning back on the bed. He bowed deeply. “Your subject Zhou Ting pays respects to His Majesty.”

“I remember Minister Zhou Wen was refined and upright.” After a bout of coughing, Emperor Zhengyuan was somewhat breathless. “You’re his son, yet you don’t much resemble him.”

“Your subject is ashamed, unable to match my father.”

Zhou Ting said with lowered head.

“You’re not necessarily inferior,”

Emperor Zhengyuan caught his breath, speaking lightly. “I read Han Qing’s memorial. He said that when Tan Guangwen repeatedly delayed military operations while engaging reinforcements from Danqiu’s Nanyan tribe, you broke through from Yongzhou to provide support, giving them the opportunity to resolve that fierce battle.”

“I’ve actually always been very curious—your father Zhou Wenzheng possessed such great talent. Why didn’t you follow the civil path but instead willingly serve under Han Qing?”

“Your subject once served in the Court of Judicial Review when young. Criminal law resides in my heart. But your subject believes that Great Qi’s civil officials have already reached their peak. Your subject entered the Night Investigation Bureau because it is Your Majesty’s Night Investigation Bureau. Being within it, your subject doesn’t only work for Esteemed Envoy Han—I also share Your Majesty’s burdens.”

These words expressed a subject’s sincere loyalty.

Great Qi didn’t lack civil officials, and Zhou Ting’s aspirations didn’t lie there either. He was willing to control criminal law for the emperor, dispose of criminal officials, uphold the law. But the further he walked this path, the more confused he became.

The law he believed in was that even the Son of Heaven who violated law should be treated the same as commoners.

The actual law was that the sovereign stood above the law.

Just like Zhang Jing’s death. Just like Tan Guangwen’s death.

Those people wouldn’t give Tan Guangwen the opportunity to reveal the truth behind Mount Mushen before His Majesty. Even when Han Qing instructed him to escort Tan Guangwen back to the capital, he also said it would be absolutely impossible to overturn the case relying on Tan Guangwen alone.

Emperor Zhengyuan stared at him, lips curving. “My Night Investigation Bureau?”

It was both inquiry and warning.

“Your Night Investigation Bureau.”

Zhou Ting respectfully responded. “Your subject is willing, like my father, to offer brain and liver to the ground for Your Majesty, to repay this profound grace.”

——

Light snow fell again. Qingqiong dressed very heavily. In winter he was often stiff and cold, his spirits poor. To make himself feel better, he swept snow in the courtyard.

Suddenly hearing the sound of the door opening, he turned his face to see Ni Su run out holding her medicine basket. She first looked around in all directions, her expression gradually shifting from expectation to disappointment.

“General Xu, he…”

Qingqiong noticed there was no luminescent light flickering in her medicine basket.

Ni Su pressed her lips together, holding the medicine basket and standing dazedly under the covered corridor. Knocking sounds came faintly from ahead. Qingqiong reacted and went to open the door.

Cai Chunxu didn’t bother greeting Qingqiong, rushing urgently toward the back corridor. “Sister A’Xi! Something’s happened!”

“I knew that Minister Huang wouldn’t suddenly be willing to inscribe characters for you!”

Ni Su was still confused when Cai Chunxu grabbed both her hands. “He clearly has ulterior motives! I only just arrived at the poetry society today when I heard the sisters there saying that the Imperial Noble Consort met Minister Huang’s wife the day before yesterday. It seems she intends to arrange a marriage for his second son!”

“What does arranging marriages for them have to do with anything?” Qingqiong didn’t understand.

“Brother Qingqiong, don’t you understand? I think Her Ladyship wants to betroth Sister A’Xi to that Huang Li!” Cai Chunxu was extremely anxious. “That Huang Li is already over thirty years old! His wife died three years ago. Though he still hasn’t remarried, he already has several children! Moreover, people outside say his health is poor and his temper bad—beating and cursing people is commonplace. If Sister A’Xi is betrothed to him, isn’t that pushing her straight into a fire pit!”

“Ah? What can we do about this?”

Qingqiong immediately lost his composure. “How can His Majesty betroth Miss Ni to such a person!”

“I fear that in His Majesty’s eyes, this is a good match. What is the Huang family’s standing? Sister A’Xi is an orphaned young woman…” Cai Chunxu’s curved, delicate brows clouded with worry.

Ni Su sat on the corridor chair. The cold wind blew, making her increasingly clear-headed. She placed the empty medicine basket to one side, pressing down on her throbbing temples. “The noble lady won’t let me go—these are simply her methods.”

“Since she cannot criminalize me, she uses marriage as chains for women to confine me to death.”