Ruling over the Court Arc
Abandoned Empress 08
Xin Lan thought she had resolved some matters and could finally have a peaceful sleep, but Zero Nine brought her unexpected news.
Zero Nine: Sister Lan, Concubine Man has run away.
Xin Lan: Huh?
Zero Nine: She’s on the move, destination unknown. But considering her martial arts skills, she probably can’t fly over the palace walls.
Xin Lan: Won’t the Emperor be furious?
Zero Nine: He’s furious indeed, ordering the Imperial Guards to conduct a search.
Xin Lan: How did she manage to get out?
In theory, Concubine Man was under house arrest with Imperial Guards stationed at the entrance. So how did she escape, from the rooftop perhaps?
That seems unlikely. Concubine Man’s lightness skills haven’t reached that level yet, otherwise she wouldn’t have trouble getting over the palace walls.
Zero Nine: She tricked one guard into fainting, then let another one in, and took him down too. That’s how she made her escape.
Beautiful and delicate women always manage to catch people off guard, especially when someone like Wu Yanqing isn’t easily swayed by their beauty. Even if she’s a beauty, he won’t hesitate to take action.
Never underestimate a strong and confident woman; she always has unexpected moves up her sleeve.
Concubine Man headed towards the palace walls, her bothersome skirt already torn apart, exposing her legs without a care. She was determined to escape from here.
Unfortunately, her secret passage hasn’t been completed, and she’s unaware of the whereabouts of the underground tunnels beneath the Wu Kingdom’s palace. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so restricted.
She gathered her inner strength and attempted to leap onto the roof, but failed.
Originally, she had only learned the basics and had neglected practice for several years. Just knocking out those two tall and strong guards had already drained a considerable amount of her energy.
With no other options, she had no choice but to hide for the time being.
However, if she couldn’t leave and remained hidden here, it was only a matter of time before she would be discovered.
Like a trapped animal, Concubine Man cautiously concealed herself within the palace.
Xin Lan listened to Zero Nine’s relayed information, observing coldly from the sidelines.
She summoned Chun Yue and whispered to her.
Chun Yue nodded, indicating her understanding.
Chun Yue stepped back, and outside the door, Si Tong tugged at her sleeve, whispering in her ear.
“Chun Yue, what did our mistress tell you?”
Chun Yue briefly explained to her.
“Oh, you see, our mistress just happened to call me instead of you. She’s playing favorites.”
After all, Chun Yue had been serving her for several years, so it was only natural for her to be called upon for tasks.
“I was simply waiting by the door this time. You can wait there next time, and our mistress will surely call for you.”
Chun Yue, being observant, had already noticed that their mistress didn’t have any particular favoritism. For trivial matters, it was whoever happened to be closer that would be called.
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“Well, I’ll give it a try next time.”
With a smiling face, Si Tong glanced towards the door and then sat back down.
“It’s nothing major, just the Imperial Guards conducting a search.”
Concubine Man was never in the Jade Moon Palace to begin with, and Xin Lan had no secrets here. She allowed the Imperial Guards to search openly and without hesitation.
She just sat down and asked who they were searching for.
“Concubine Man has been confined, but she managed to escape unauthorized. We have been ordered to capture her.”
“I didn’t see anything.”
“Boss, this servant seemed to have caught a glimpse of someone just now, but I’m not sure if it was Concubine Man. The figure seemed to be a woman, not dressed like a palace maid, and she was running fast. I only managed to see her back,”
Chun Yue hesitated, her words filled with uncertainty.
“But did you see which way she went?”
Chun Yue pointed in a direction, and the Imperial Guards headed off in that direction.
The grand doors of the Jade Moon Palace closed once again, and as the footsteps faded away, tranquility returned to the night.
Si Tong and Chun Yue brought warm water, and Xin Lan undressed and immersed herself, beginning her bath.
As for Concubine Man’s situation, she cared little at the moment. Taking a bath was a more pressing matter, and if there were any developments, Zero Nine would inform her.
The water in the tub was warm, soothing against her skin. Xin Lan let out a gentle sigh as her fair and slender fingers played with the water, submerging her neck and allowing her dark tresses to float.
Just as she was almost finished bathing, Zero Nine informed her that Concubine Man had been captured.
Following the direction indicated by Chun Yue, the Imperial Guards quickly located the person. They surrounded her, making it impossible for Concubine Man to escape, and brought her before the Emperor.
Wu Yanqing waved off the others and, with only the two of them remaining in the hall, descended from his elevated position. He looked down at the disheveled Concubine Man, who had fallen to the ground.
“I have underestimated you. You possess the ability to escape. But since you dared to flee, it means the child in your womb is a bastard, am I not mistaken?” he said.
Wu Yanqing lifted Concubine Man’s chin with two fingers, observing the hatred in her eyes.
“Do you hate me? What right do you have? In these years you’ve been in the palace, I have treated you well, showering you with affection and favor. Yet, how have you treated me?”
Wu Yanqing’s voice turned icy cold as he recalled taking the antidote to nurture his body, yet someone within the palace had tampered with it, leaving him infuriated.
He couldn’t fathom how he had wronged this beauty. He had showered her with affection and rewards, but she had dared to tamper with his essence, seeking to end his lineage and overthrow his reign. She had even targeted his other concubines, displaying such maliciousness.
“Now that it has come to this, Your Majesty need not pretend.”
Concubine Man brushed off the dust from her body, her face devoid of the previous pitiful gaze and misty disposition, replaced instead with a sense of cunning.
“Truly, you are a cold-hearted woman,” sighed Wu Yanqing, as his fingers grazed Concubine Man’s face. “What correspondence have you had with the Daqing Kingdom?”
“I won’t utter a single word to you.”
“Why be like this? After all, we are husband and wife. You should feel ashamed before me. There’s no need for you to put on the act as if I owe you something. I don’t wish to resort to violence against you, but if you continue to remain silent, those punishments will be inflicted upon you, one by one.”
Wu Yanqing thought he had treated this woman well. Despite her betrayal and unfaithfulness, he still spoke to her kindly. Unfortunately, she remained ungrateful.
“Reluctant? When have you ever been reluctant? In your eyes, every woman is only valued for the extent of their usefulness. Has Xin Lan ever owed you anything? Yet, look at her pitiful fate now. Such an Emperor, what right do you have to pretend to be affectionate in front of me?”
Concubine Man wasn’t defending Xin Lan; she had simply reached a point where she didn’t care anymore.
There was a momentary tumultuous expression on Wu Yanqing’s face, prompting someone to come in and take Concubine Man away.
Xin Lan listened to their conversation and couldn’t help but find it amusing.
It’s like the pot calling the kettle black; nobody is clean.
However, in the case of Concubine Man, she did indeed wrong Wu Yanqing, just as Wu Yanqing wronged the original host.
According to the laws of Wu Kingdom, becoming a female prisoner was not a favorable outcome.
Becoming a female prisoner was even more miserable than the women in the brothel, at least they received payment for their services.
For unfaithful female prisoners, the methods of torture were exceptionally cruel.
Xin Lan had no interest in knowing what awaited Concubine Man in her future; she could easily guess.
She had no sympathy either; it was simply an eye for an eye, a life for a life.
The principles of justice were clear, and retribution was undeniable.
Concubine Liu was innocent, yet she could only forever sleep in the cold ground.
It was pitiful for both Concubine Liu and Consort Xi’s unborn child, who would never see the light of day.
The next evening, Xin Lan left the palace once again.
Qu Zhi’an was efficient and quickly helped Xin Lan scout several pharmacies.
Acquiring an existing pharmacy would be much more convenient than starting a new one since they already had a supply of goods. However, the downside was evident. If there was profit to be made, they wouldn’t sell it to others. Those reputable but lower-end herbal medicine shops would only be sold if the owners were in dire need of money.
If she wanted to open a new store, she had to find the right connections. The location and type of building were important considerations. It would require a significant amount of money and time to transform it into what she desired. However, Qu Zhi’an knew that Xin Lan was not willing to wait.
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She only wanted to confirm whether Xin Lan intended to make money or had other motives in opening the store.
Clearly, if her goal was to earn money, she wouldn’t target a herbal medicine shop. Choosing a teahouse or tavern would be more lucrative.
Xin Lan was delighted to hear about available herbal medicine shops that were up for sale. She wanted one for her own purposes, not for business. The less conspicuous, the better.
Qu Zhi’an paused for a moment, her gaze deepening as she looked at Xin Lan. When she met her eyes, that hint of darkness vanished abruptly.
“Very well, I will handle it tomorrow. The money you gave me yesterday is sufficient. How about we go together and take a look today?”
Xin Lan agreed eagerly, accompanying Qu Zhi’an in the dim light of the night.
She knew that Qu Zhi’an understood her thoughts, which led her to find a place that perfectly suited her preferences.
Qu Zhi’an saw through it but chose not to reveal her understanding. By keeping it unspoken, they could maintain a delicate balance, able to advance or retreat if needed.
As Xin Lan laid eyes on the herbal medicine shop, she was thoroughly satisfied. The location was not excessively remote, and the size was just right. The owner had run it poorly and had plans to leave the capital, making it available for sale.
After inspecting the herbal medicine shop, the two of them slowly walked back.
It wasn’t too late yet, but the streets were already devoid of people.
Only a few hurried figures could be seen, as Xin Lan and Qu Zhi’an walked alongside them or brushed shoulders, silently moving forward.
“Yan Yan has done me a great favor. I will definitely express my gratitude with a gift in the near future.”
As they continued their walk, the moonlight gently illuminated their path, casting a contemplative atmosphere over them.
“There’s no need to be so polite. It’s just a small favor, no need to specially offer any gift.”
Qu Zhi’an initially wanted to suggest having tea together, but considering Xin Lan’s identity, it’s probably only convenient for her to come out at night. However, tea houses are mostly closed in the late evening, and going to a tavern might not be a good idea either, as who knows what might happen if they get drunk. Besides, she doesn’t know if Xin Lan is good at drinking. So, she had to give up on that idea.
“This won’t do.”
Xin Lan shook her head. She didn’t like taking advantage of others. If Qu Zhi’an helped her, she must repay the favor.
However, she hadn’t thought of a suitable gift yet. She didn’t have any rare or interesting things around her, and if she had to buy something with money, not only did she not have enough funds, but Qu Zhi’an was born into a wealthy family and had seen everything beautiful.
“Alright, even if you want to give a gift, it’s not the right time. Let’s discuss it when you’re convenient.”
Qu Zhi’an’s eyebrows curved, a relaxed and joyful smile on her face. However, the implication in her words had changed. She no longer intended to let go of this favor.
Qu Zhi’an was a shrewd businessperson. The first time she genuinely declined, but since Xin Lan insisted on being polite, she silently made a note in her mind. Miss Xin owed her a favor.
She had a feeling that it would come in handy in the future.
Xin Lan, on the other hand, had no idea what Qu Zhi’an was thinking in her heart, but she couldn’t help but think that this person was really quite nice.
However, it would probably be a long time before she became “convenient,” and she might still need this person’s help.
Qu Zhi’an might have an idea of what she wanted to do, but she didn’t know the specific steps she intended to take.
As Xin Lan left Qu Zhi’an’s place, she felt a heaviness in her heart.
That almost melancholic feeling seemed to arise from nowhere and quietly dissipated when she closed her eyes.
Not even two days later, the Imperial Guards suddenly surrounded the Xin residence and began searching inside.
The suddenness of this situation was like thunder, catching people off guard.
When Zero Nine told Xin Lan about it, she was casually eating melon seeds.
Upon hearing this news, she calmly continued cracking another seed.
She knew that the Emperor would definitely take advantage of the situation. The idea of him learning the truth and clearing her of any wrongdoing was simply impossible.
After the Imperial Guards finished searching the Xin residence, they found two letters containing conversations between Xin Sheng and Concubine Man. The evidence of treason and collaboration with the enemy was clearly written in black and white.
There’s no need to mention that these letters were definitely forged by the Emperor. Even the current head of the Xin family, Senior Minister Xin Sheng, is well aware of this matter.
Ever since Concubine Man was thrown into the dungeon, he sensed that something was amiss.
During the previous dynasty, even if someone heard rumors, no one dared to ask the Emperor directly about what mistakes Concubine Man had committed. After all, Concubine Man was a princess through a political marriage, not the daughter of any minister’s family.
It was the Emperor himself who brought it up in court, speaking of a conspiracy in Daqing Kingdom and insinuating that Concubine Man had ulterior motives. At that time, some officials joined in the condemnation. In the end, the Emperor said something with deep meaning, implying that someone had dared to form a connection with Concubine Man, although he didn’t reveal who. But Xin Sheng always felt like he was being watched.
As long as one conducts themselves properly, Xin Sheng had nothing to fear since he had not done anything wrong. However, what he feared was being forced to betray his country.
And as expected, the day finally arrived.
He had been on guard at home, fearing that something messy would be planted inside. However, during the search by the Imperial Guards, they could easily present anything they found on him as if it were discovered in the house.
Therefore, the Senior Minister remained calm and composed. When the Emperor arrived, he knelt down and pleaded his innocence, giving the impression that he was wholeheartedly devoted to the Emperor.
Even his family members cried and lamented, openly stating that their lord always returned home promptly after morning court sessions and never delayed in the palace until the Emperor dismissed him. The people wailed with swollen faces.
Indeed, the Senior Minister knew how to maintain a good reputation for himself. Over the years, he had managed to avoid being caught in any corruption scandals. Of course, he couldn’t possibly be as clean as he appeared on the surface. He was just good at pretending, meticulously covering his tracks.
Not fearing that the Emperor would misunderstand Senior Minister’s actions, but fearing that the Emperor did it deliberately – that was the concern. And indeed, the Emperor did it intentionally.
The Emperor himself knew it, Senior Minister knew it, and those who could see through the situation knew it even better.
Xin Lan finished cracking a handful of melon seeds as her younger sister, Xin Long, tearfully arrived at the door.
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Xin Long was still young after all. Upon hearing that something had happened to the Xin family and that their grandfather had been imprisoned, she couldn’t receive any news from home, so she hurriedly came over in a fluster.
“Aunt, they all say that Grandfather…” She choked up before she could even finish her sentence, and tears started to flow.
“Don’t cry, Long’er. You’re already the Empress, so you can’t be so unstable. Ming Xiang, wipe away your mistress’s tears.”
Xin Long sniffled, but seeing Xin Lan sitting calmly in the main seat, seemingly unaffected even in the face of an imminent crisis, she regained her composure.
“Long’er, I hope you can understand that our Xin family is like a thorn in the Emperor’s flesh. If he doesn’t remove it, we won’t have peace in our lives. You need to learn to be smarter and not always act foolishly.”
“But… but Mother told me to please him, and I did, but why…”
“Some things will never change no matter how hard a person tries. Even if you put in all your efforts to please him, if he doesn’t accept it, what can you do?”
“Does that mean our family is… is in trouble?”
“Don’t jump to conclusions. Even if something really happens, you mustn’t panic. Father surely has a backup plan. You go back home and wait. No matter what happens, stay calm.”
Xin Lan initially thought about acting upset if the Emperor came to find her, hoping to evoke some sympathy from him. But upon reflection, she realized it was unlikely. A man like him could never possess such emotions.
Xin Long came in crying and left with a mournful expression.
As expected, on the second day after Senior Minister Xin was thrown into prison, government officials came to kneel and plead for mercy.
The Emperor burned with rage and refused to relent.
Having finally caught such an opportunity, how could he let go so easily?
In the Imperial Study, Qiu Peizhen and Qu Zhi’an stood together as the Emperor asked for their views on the matter.
Qiu Peizhen was straightforward. He was not pleased with the powerful presence of the Xin family in the court. However, since the Xin family had no apparent wrongdoing or absurd actions, Qiu Peizhen objectively stated that there was only a 50% chance that Senior Minister Xin had actually committed such acts.
After all, Senior Minister Xin had already reached the pinnacle of power. What purpose would he have in betraying the country?
The country is not so easily changed hands. If Senior Minister Xin truly committed such acts and caused a change in dynasty, he would not maintain his current position. Unless he intends to ascend the throne himself.
However, that is highly unlikely. Initiating a rebellion requires a good reputation. Attempting to seize power without a well-known cause would not only likely fail, but also lead to infamy for generations. A cunning person like Senior Minister Xin would never cut off his own path in such a way.
Therefore, Qiu Peizhen expressed his belief that it was absurd to think that the letters were found in the Senior Minister’s residence. However, he wasn’t foolish and noticed the change in the Emperor’s expression.
He stated that if it was indeed Senior Minister Xin who did it, severe punishment should be administered without leniency.
At the moment the incident occurred, Qu Zhi’an understood what was happening in her heart.
In this self-directed drama, Qu Zhi’an understood that the crime of treason would lead to the punishment of nine generations, which meant that Xin Lan would also be implicated.
However, Qu Zhi’an and Senior Minister Xin were not in the same camp, and she couldn’t defend him in any way.
“Zhi’an, it’s your turn to speak.”
“There’s no smoke without fire. The fact that incriminating evidence was found in the Senior Minister’s residence must have a reason behind it. Your Majesty possesses keen insight and will surely not make a wrong judgment.”
Qu Zhi’an maintained a composed expression and spoke in line with the Emperor’s sentiments.
As she said that, she felt somewhat numb inside.
She never expected that one day she would become someone who could lie without changing her expression. Seeing the satisfied expression on the Emperor’s face, she even felt like laughing.
“It seems that Zhi’an truly understands my heart. Those individuals couldn’t even wait a day after Left Minister’s imprisonment before coming out and pleading with me. If one didn’t know, they would think they were the courtiers of the Left Minister.”
The Emperor snorted coldly, while Qiu Peizhen and Qu Zhi’an remained silent.
Qu Zhi’an and Qiu Peizhen left the hall together. When they were outside, Qiu Peizhen quietly congratulated Qu Zhi’an.
“Huaicheng, what is there to congratulate me for?”