Chapter 151: Which Day Is the Imperial Uncle Not Busy?

That night, the Emperor continued to stay in Fengyi Palace.

The next day there was a grand court assembly, and Xiao Jieyun woke at the first moment of the yin hour.

He moved extremely lightly, just about to rise, when Murong Jin beside him also stirred, mumbling with lingering sleep: "Your Majesty, I will attend to your rising..."

"No need," Xiao Jieyun supported her shoulder, gently pressing her back into the warm quilt, "It's still too early; go back to sleep."

Murong Jin obeyed and lay down, soon falling asleep again.

Eunuch Cheng had already led a few little eunuchs waiting quietly in the outer chamber; hearing the movement, he waved his hand.

The little eunuchs entered holding hot water and neatly pressed court robes, bowing as they began to wash and dress the Emperor in silence.

Everything proceeded in orderly fashion.

Eunuch Cheng picked up the elaborate and solemn court robe, carefully dressing the Emperor in it.

As he turned to fetch the jade belt, the wide sleeve inadvertently brushed against the everyday attire the Empress had prepared to wear, hanging on the nearby rack.

With a "pa" sound, a square piece of paper folded several times, small enough to fit in the palm, slipped from the sleeve of the Empress's everyday attire and fell onto the polished gold brick.

Eunuch Cheng's hand paused, then he immediately bent down to pick it up.

The note had no envelope, and the paper was quite ordinary.

Xiao Jieyun glanced at it, then extended his hand toward Eunuch Cheng without a word.

Eunuch Cheng felt an inexplicable tightness in his chest, respectfully placing the note into the Emperor's hand.

Xiao Jieyun unfolded the note and quickly scanned the writing.

His expression gradually darkened.

Although the chamber was warm as spring, Eunuch Cheng suddenly felt a chill run down his back.

Xiao Jieyun clenched the note tightly in his palm, then turned and strode out with purpose.

Eunuch Cheng hurriedly followed, holding the jade belt.

After court, in Zichen Hall.

Xiao Jieyun sat alone behind the imperial desk.

This morning's note lay flat on the desk.

Eunuch Cheng stood with hands lowered behind the Emperor, his breath held lightly.

After a long while, Xiao Jieyun handed the note back to him: "Take a look."

Eunuch Cheng's heart jumped as he took it.

It was actually the Empress Dowager's handwriting!

"I am trapped in Shoucheng Palace, suffering greatly. The last message you sent was extremely useful; if such information arises again, it must be sent promptly. Remember, winning over the sovereign's heart is crucial. Do not rush; plan slowly, awaiting the future."

"Your, Your Majesty..." Eunuch Cheng's voice trembled.

The Empress actually had private dealings with the Empress Dowager!

This is a major offense against the Emperor's taboo.

Xiao Jieyun's voice lacked any warmth: "Investigate immediately."

"I need to know how this came into the Empress's hands."

"Yes! This old servant will go at once!" Eunuch Cheng, feeling as if pardoned, carefully placed the note back on the desk and swiftly withdrew from Zichen Hall, bowing low.

Not even half a day later, Eunuch Cheng returned.

"Your Majesty, I report," he knelt on the ground, his voice heavy, "This servant's preliminary inquiry shows that the Empress's garments are all uniformly washed and scented by the Laundry Bureau before being returned."

"Within the Laundry Bureau, aside from a few officials, the rest are miscellaneous low-ranking palace maids and eunuchs, with frequent turnover."

"Those on duty today might be reassigned elsewhere tomorrow."

"If someone wanted to smuggle private items this way, it would likely only take a little money to accomplish."

"The note bears no date; perhaps the person handling it doesn't even know for whom they are acting, making it even harder to trace now."

He paused, lowering his head further: "If we want to immediately pinpoint the exact person responsible, I fear... it will not be easy."

Xiao Jieyun slowly leaned back against the chair and closed his eyes.

In the following days, Xiao Jieyun never set foot in the inner palace.

Inside Fu Ning Palace.

Consort Hui leaned sideways on the beauty couch by the window, gently playing with the orchid in the vase.

Yunxi entered the hall and whispered a few words into her ear.

"It seems the Emperor has indeed grown suspicious." Consort Hui's lips curled into a smile as she rose leisurely, went to the dressing table, and tidied her hair before the mirror.

"Yunxi, take the freshly made golden-thread bird's nest soup from the small kitchen and deliver it to Zichen Hall."

"Report to Your Majesty, saying that Fu Ning Palace has prepared tonight the plum blossom dumpling soup and wine-braised white fish that Your Majesty usually loves; if You have time, please do honor us with Your presence."

"Yes, Madam." Yunxi understood, bowed, and withdrew.

Consort Hui gazed out the window, her smile deepening.

The next day, inside Fengyi Palace.

Xiao Jin and Xiao Lin were there, playing with Tuan Tuan around a snowball, teasing it with a grass stalk.

The children's clear laughter floated within the hall.

Murong Jin sat on the nearby warm couch, smiling as she watched the children play, yet a faint worry lingered in her brow.

Si Yu stepped forward, changed her tea to a hot cup, and whispered in her ear: "Madam, the Emperor last night stayed at Fu Ning Palace."

Murong Jin's worry deepened; she gave an indistinct "hmm" and said nothing more.

She could not understand why the Emperor, who had been affectionate just days before, suddenly seemed like a different person, not even stepping onto her palace grounds.

The sky grew ever darker, low leaden clouds pressing against the palace walls and eaves.

Murong Jin softly said, "The sky looks bad; it seems the weather will change."

Jin'er, Lin'er, head back early today; don't let your mother consort worry.

Upon hearing this, Tuan Tuan immediately volunteered: "I'll send them back in the little dog cart!"

Murong Jin nodded: "Take it slow on the road, don't delay, and come back early."

"Got it!" Tuan Tuan drove the little dog cart, rushed out of Phoenix Etiquette Palace, and sent both princes back.

Huh, why haven't I seen Imperial Uncle for several days?

Go check on him!

"Big Wolf! Let's go! Let's go to Zichen Hall to find Imperial Uncle!"

Big Wolf let out a low growl, familiar with the way, ran into the courtyard of Zichen Hall.

"Imperial Uncle! I'm here!" Tuan Tuan jumped off the cart and jogged all the way to the main hall's door.

Eunuch Cheng heard and hurried out to meet him; His Majesty was displeased over the Empress's affair and likely did not wish to see anyone from Phoenix Etiquette Palace.

"Little Princess, His Majesty is busy right now; come another day."

Tuan Tuan tilted her head and looked at him: "Gramps, when is Imperial Uncle not busy?"

Eunuch Cheng: "......"

Tuan Tuan shouted loudly: "Imperial Uncle! I've come to see you!"

Xiao Jieyun sighed and said loudly: "Let her in."

Tuan Tuan happily ran inside and flung herself into his arms: "Imperial Uncle! Why haven't you come to see me? I've been missing you!"

Xiao Jieyun smiled slightly, bent down, lifted her up, and let her sit on his lap: "I also miss you, little Tuan Tuan."

Tuan Tuan looked puzzled: "Then why don't you come?"

Xiao Jieyun paused: "Recently court affairs have been many; if you want to see me, come directly to Zichen Hall."

Tuan Tuan pouted: "You don't have any snow tuan here, only these books!"

She raised her little hand and flipped through the piles of memorials on the imperial desk.

A slip of letter slid out and fell onto the desk.

"Huh, how is this different from those books?" Tuan Tuan picked up the slip of letter.

Eunuch Cheng's heart leapt—this was exactly the slip that had fallen from the Empress's sleeve!