Chapter 100

Qingfeng Palace

Beneath red bricks and green tiles lay a small courtyard planted all over with white chrysanthemums. It was early autumn, and the white chrysanthemums had just sprouted new buds, looking particularly eye-catching amidst the still-verdant trees. The courtyard was not large, but it faintly exuded an elegance that faded into the breeze.

A large tree was planted in the courtyard, its shade covering nearly half the area. A simple swing hung from a thick branch, swaying from time to time with the autumn wind. Under the shade of the tree, a woman in palace attire lay on a silk-covered daybed, her eyes slightly closed and her expression calm. Her slightly protruding abdomen showed that the woman was six months pregnant. Two palace maids stood quietly behind her, their heads slightly lowered, their breathing cautious, not daring to disturb their mistress's peaceful dream.

A woman dressed in purple palace attire, whose status was clearly a rank higher than the other maids, hurried into the courtyard. She walked up to the woman, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke: "Mistress, the Prime Minister's Wife has entered the palace through the North Gate with a token."

When the Prime Minister's Wife appeared at the palace gate with a token, guards had already come to report it. The Prime Minister had just been imprisoned, and his wife had entered the palace to seek an audience; it was feared she could not be separated from this matter.

Qingfeng, who had been looking languid, suddenly opened her eyes. She propped herself up on the daybed and sat straight, urging, "Go quickly to meet her and bring her to Qingfeng Palace. Be careful not to let others see."

"Yes." Fuling bowed slightly and hurried away.

Qingfeng stood up, and the palace maids behind her immediately stepped forward to support her. She waved her hand to dismiss them. Qingfeng stared at the courtyard gate, her hands unconsciously clasped together.

Before long, Fuling led Zhuo Qing into Qingfeng Palace. Qingfeng immediately went up to meet her: "Sister!"

As soon as she entered the courtyard gate, Zhuo Qing saw Qingfeng. She was still as thin as before, making her protruding abdomen appear very prominent.

"Come with me." Holding her hand, Qingfeng brought her into the room.

The two entered the inner chamber. Qingfeng gave Fuling a look. Fuling nodded intelligently, gently closed the door, and quietly retreated.

"Sister, are you okay?" Her sister's eyes were slightly swollen, and her complexion was too pale. She had always been gentle and frail; how could she endure such a change? Holding Zhuo Qing's hand tightly, Qingfeng appeared somewhat agitated.

Patting Qingfeng's hand lightly, Zhuo Qing smiled faintly: "I'm fine."

Qingfeng was convinced that Zhuo Qing was deliberately hiding her sorrow. She sighed and comforted her: "Actually, you don't need to worry too much about Brother-in-law's case. Although Yan Hongtian is a tyrant, he is not a muddled emperor. Brother-in-law, as the Prime Minister, has always been his right-hand man. This case is truly suspicious; you might as well wait and see." Judging from Yan Hongtian's attitude last night, he did not seem to be troubled or furious about this matter. She always felt that there must be some hidden story here.

Zhuo Qing shook her head firmly and replied coldly: "I can wait, but Xiyan's body cannot. If he continues to live in that prison, I fear that by the time the case is cleared, he will have lost his life. This time, I don't want to sit and wait for death." She believed that this matter would eventually come to light, but she was unwilling to wait, especially after seeing Xiyan today!

Qingfeng was slightly startled. She had never seen such a persistent and determined light in her sister's eyes. In the past, she had always believed in fate; was it Lou Xiyan who changed her?

Confirming that she was serious, Qingfeng did not try to persuade her further and asked directly: "What are your plans now? What do you want me to do?" Since her sister had come to find her, she must have a plan.

Zhuo Qing's gaze swept over Qingfeng's slightly protruding belly, and the words on the tip of her tongue were swallowed back. She hesitated for a moment before saying: "I know that life in the palace is not easy for you. For what I am asking of you, you only need to do your best. If it really doesn't work, then let it be. The most important thing is to protect yourself."

Qingfeng felt a warmth in her heart. She never let go of Zhuo Qing's hand and smiled brightly, replying: "Don't worry, I will be careful. Tell me what you need me to do." She had once sworn that she would repay those who had shown her kindness, and she would definitely take revenge on those who had wronged her! Over the past six months, Lou Xiyan had helped her many times; she had not forgotten. No matter what request her sister made today, she would fulfill it!

Zhuo Qing leaned down slightly and whispered in Qingfeng's ear for a while.

Qingfeng looked at Zhuo Qing in surprise. She had originally thought her sister wanted to ask her to plead with Yan Hongtian; she didn't expect that she wanted to... Qingfeng's surprised eyes met Zhuo Qing's sharp gaze. That she actually had such a scheme was truly not the simple and gentle sister she remembered.

Zhuo Qing asked in a low voice: "Is it possible?"

Coming back to her senses, Qingfeng nodded and replied: "I will definitely get it done."

"Thank you." Zhuo Qing stood up: "Then I'll go first. Take good care of your health." She was very grateful to Qingfeng, but at such a sensitive time, the longer she stayed in the palace, the greater the impact on Qingfeng.

Qingfeng also stood up immediately, wrapping her arms around Zhuo Qing's shoulders and hugging her tightly. However, it was only for a very short moment before Qingfeng rationally let go: "You must take care, too."

The two smiled at each other; there was no need for more words.

Prime Minister's Mansion Study

"The rebels produced seven letters. Five of them bear the Old Master's seal, and two bear the Master's seal. The content mostly points to directing the rebels to recruit troops and buy horses in order to plot treason."

Although the midday sun was scorching, the atmosphere in the study felt very cold. The woman in the main seat had a chilling look in her eyes. Every time Mo Bai said another word, the woman's face grew colder.

"Besides the seals, has the handwriting been verified?"

Mo Bai replied in a deep voice: "It has been verified; it is not the handwriting of the Old Master or the Master. However, the ceremonial officials led by the Minister of Personnel Li Hongmin and the Censor-in-Chief Yang Zexi insist that treason is a crime that harms the nation and ruins the court's order, and it cannot be tolerated or handled carelessly. It was they who advocated for the Master to be imprisoned immediately."

Zhuo Qing took a deep breath, picked up the tea on the table, and took a small sip to suppress the anger in her chest. Zhuo Qing looked at Jing Sa and continued to ask: "What news is there from the Ministry of Justice?"

"Lord Dan has intensified the interrogation of the prisoners, but both of them insist that the mastermind is the Master."

"Clang!" The teacup was slammed heavily onto the low table. Zhuo Qing's hand holding the teacup was still trembling slightly from anger. Everything seemed to be working against her. Zhuo Qing waved her hand in annoyance and said, "You two may withdraw first. I want to be alone for a while."

"Yes." Mo Bai and Jing Sa retreated in silence.

In the quiet study, tea dripped onto the floor from the low table. Zhuo Qing rubbed her temples, her exhausted face full of haggardness.

Bai Yi walked past the study door but did not enter for a long time. He was still weighing whether this was her most helpless and vulnerable moment. Zhuo Qing's exhausted voice sounded low from within the study: "Bai Yi, come and sit with me for a while."

Bai Yi said "Oh" and walked into the study, sitting down on the chair next to Zhuo Qing, but he was in no hurry to speak.

A while later, Zhuo Qing, who had remained silent, closed her eyes slightly and said, as if to herself and as if with deep meaning: "I have witnessed the greed and shamelessness in human nature countless times, and I have prided myself on being noble and righteous. But at this moment, I am somewhat lost. Is principle more important, or is what one holds in one's heart more important? If I act without scruples for my own goals, how am I any different from them?"

What did she mean by this? Did it mean she was wavering? Bai Yi always felt something was wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He hesitated for a while before following her lead and saying: "Sister Ling'er, the imperial court is inherently a dangerous place. Sometimes, you don't want to harm others, but that doesn't mean others don't want to harm you. More often than not, for the sake of their own interests, no one cares about the life or death of others. This is the court, the place where Prime Minister Lou lives." It was also the place where he lived, but he could never tell her that last part.

Zhuo Qing suddenly opened her eyes, stared at Bai Yi, and asked coldly: "Do you really think so?"

Facing such a pair of clear eyes that seemed to be able to see through a person's heart, Bai Yi's heart actually began to pound. Secretly collecting his thoughts, Bai Yi replied as usual: "Yes, if you truly want to save him, you will always have to make some sacrifices."

Looking at him quietly for a long time, Zhuo Qing finally withdrew her gaze and sighed almost inaudibly: "Perhaps, you are right!"

Not until she looked away did Bai Yi secretly breathe a sigh of relief. What was wrong with him? It was just a woman's gaze, yet at that moment, he had actually panicked.

"I went to see Xiyan today. The prison was filled with dust, making it hard to breathe. His old illness has flared up because of it, and they even made him sleep on straw! I cannot let Xiyan continue to stay in such a place!" Zhuo Qing stroked her forehead and sighed, exhausted and lost: "Currently, the Ministry of Justice's investigation is at a standstill, and many officials in the court are relentless. I don't know what I should do now."

This is exactly the reaction of being at a loss and burning with anxiety that I wanted! Zhuo Qing's expected reaction instantly invigorated Bai Yi's previously distracted spirit. He was secretly delighted, but his face showed nothing. He even comforted her with a "hard-to-get" attitude: "I heard that Dan Yulan of Qiongyue is a master at solving cases. With some time, this case will eventually come to light."

Pausing for a moment, Bai Yi deliberately looked at Zhuo Qing and sighed with concern: "But now that the Prime Minister is in poor health, I fear he cannot wait that long."

Sure enough, as soon as his voice fell, Zhuo Qing's already anxious heart tightened even more. She urged: "This is exactly why I am so anxious! Bai Yi, what do you think I should do?"

The fish has taken the bait! Bai Yi pretended to think for a while before replying: "If you want to save the Prime Minister in the fastest way, you must divert the attention of those ministers. If you lead the fire toward Su Ling, the Prime Minister will become the victim and should be able to get out as soon as possible."

Zhuo Qing clearly did not agree: "Su Ling and Xiyan are in charge of civil and military officials respectively. Although they don't interact much on a daily basis, they are both officials in the same court, each serving their own duties. He wouldn't frame Xiyan; this reason is a bit far-fetched and not enough to divert the ministers' attention."

Bai Yi secretly raised an eyebrow. This woman really had some brains; otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered playing with her.

A simple smile appeared on his face as Bai Yi laughed: "Sister Ling'er, do you know what the most damning charge is for a general that would leave him unable to defend himself?"

"What?" Zhuo Qing asked.

"Colluding with an enemy country. With this charge, he would have a motive to frame the Prime Minister." Bai Yi tried to speak in a light and natural tone; this was his most effective weapon to make Zhuo Qing lower her guard.

"That won't do." Zhuo Qing shook her head decisively: "The charge of colluding with an enemy country would kill Su Ling, and besides, I couldn't possibly forge evidence of him colluding with an enemy country!"

Seeming to have expected her to say this, Bai Yi explained: "Sister Ling'er, don't worry. We are not trying to put General Su to death; everything is just an expedient measure. For so-called collusion with an enemy country, we only need to forge a few letters of close communication between Su Ling and another country. As for the evidence, I have a way!"

Zhuo Qing pressed: "What do you want to do?"

"I can have someone forge a few letters of correspondence. You find a way to stamp some of them with General Su's seal, and I will stamp the others with my own seal. Although it's not as convincing as the Father King's seal, we are not trying to put General Su to death, so my seal should be enough."

The important thing was how to get Su Ling's seal. He had spent so much effort to lure Qing Ling into doing this precisely because she might be able to get the seal through her sister!

Zhuo Qing lowered her head in thought and finally shook it: "I don't think this is appropriate. For one, you are still in Qiongyue. Once I submit those so-called pieces of evidence, you will be in danger. You are wholeheartedly helping me; I cannot harm you! Secondly, the General's Mansion seal is such an important thing; it's simply impossible to get it!"

"Letters of collusion don't need the General's seal, just the personal seal Su Ling uses daily." Bai Yi shrugged, still smiling easily with a carefree air: "During my time in Qiongyue, I've been well taken care of by you and the Prime Minister. I'm happy to help you. As for me, you don't need to worry. Once everything is ready, I will return to Liaoyue, and they won't be able to do anything to me. Furthermore, it's precisely because I'm staying at the Prime Minister's Mansion that it's easier for you to explain how these letters were found in my luggage. Anyway, by then I will have already left, and there will be no proof of death!"

"This... let me think about it again, let me think!" Zhuo Qing kept rubbing her fingers, showing her inner conflict and anxiety. Watching her pace back and forth in the study, Bai Yi's dark eyes flashed with a faint hint of triumph and joy.

She was already flustered and panicked. If he added a little more fire, he didn't have to worry about her not obeying! "Sister Ling'er, don't be anxious. If you think this method is not good, we can think about it slowly. Perhaps we can come up with other ways to save the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is a lucky man; he will definitely be able to hold on!"

Bai Yi grasped the one thing Zhuo Qing cared about most. Sure enough, as soon as he mentioned Lou Xiyan, Zhuo Qing, who had been wavering, gritted her teeth and said: "Let's do as you say! Write it now!"

Xixia Palace

In the small garden in front of the palace, the flowers had all withered, and only a few clusters of delicate yellow chrysanthemums were blooming in competition. A woman in dark purple plain clothes held a pair of scissors, carefully pruning the branches and leaves. The gentle smile on her face looked mild and loving.

An old nanny walked over with light steps and bowed behind her: "Mistress."

(End of chapter)