Chapter 332: Surging (3)

The flower hall fell silent again. If it were before, Qingfeng would have had the mood to play along with these harem consorts, but now she only wanted to stay by her son's side. When Beauty Yu had almost twisted her silk handkerchief to pieces without saying a word, Qingfeng's patience finally ran out. "Beauty Yu, you came over today—is there something you need?"

Beauty Yu's shoulders jolted, looking as if she had been frightened by Qingfeng. Qingfeng frowned slightly, and just as she was about to order her out, Beauty Yu finally spoke. "Beauty Yu came to disturb the Consort today because I truly have a request."

"Speak your mind." Qingfeng also wanted to know why she had come.

"Consort Hui..." Beauty Yu said two words, then seemed to feel it was inappropriate, thought for a moment, and continued: "Beauty Yu knows that Zhen Zhen made a mistake, and it is right for the Emperor to demote her and let her reflect in the Cold Palace. But she is my cousin, after all, and took good care of me in the past. Now that I see her suffering, I really want to help her. But I have been to the Cold Palace several times and was blocked outside the door by Wu'er, who said that harem consorts are not allowed to approach the Cold Palace privately, fearing it would implicate me. Beauty Yu does not fear implication; I only hope to see her once. She hasn't had any news since she arrived at the Cold Palace, and I am truly afraid something might have happened to her." As she spoke, Beauty Yu suddenly "thumped" to her knees, tears instantly streaming down her face. "I beg Consort Qing to allow Beauty Yu to visit her. I beg you!"

The person kneeling on the ground spoke with sincerity and cried like rain, but Qingfeng's expression grew darker and darker. Her originally gentle voice suddenly turned cold. "This consort and Zhen Zhen originally had some dealings, but last time she practiced witchcraft, almost implicating me in being misunderstood. Now you come to beg me again. If I were to agree, wouldn't it make people say that I still have dealings with Zhen Zhen? Besides, the Empress makes the decisions regarding harem matters. I cannot help you with this; go beg the Empress."

"But..." Beauty Yu still wanted to beg her, but Qingfeng had already stood up and said coldly, "Ruyi, see the guest out."

Ruyi, who had been guarding the door, walked up to Beauty Yu. She didn't have Fuling's courtesy and pulled Beauty Yu up from the ground, saying, "Beauty Yu, please."

In the midst of this pulling and tugging, Qingfeng had already entered the inner chamber. Beauty Yu stared fixedly at that cold, resolute back for a long time before lowering her teary eyes, bowing, and leaving the flower hall.

Ruyi sent the guest away and returned to the room, only to see Qingfeng had come out of the inner chamber again, standing by the wide-open window. The cold wind blew her unbound hair, and her bright eyes stared coldly at the withered begonia bushes outside the window. A cold, sharp expression she had never shown since giving birth returned to her face. Ruyi couldn't help but shiver, which made her come to her senses. She hurriedly walked over to close the window and said urgently, "My lady, you are still in your confinement month, and your body is weak. You cannot be in the wind!"

"Send someone to watch her." Zhen Zhen blocking people outside the door, whether out of distrust for Beauty Yu or protection, Qingfeng didn't want to investigate in detail. In short, the most important thing for her now was that absolutely no one could know about the existence of the child in the Cold Palace! Once this matter leaked out, she would be playing with fire.

The low voice sounded behind her, and Ruyi's heart jolted. She immediately replied, "Yes." These matters used to be handled by Fuling. She knew she could never replace Fuling in the mistress's heart, but as long as there was a chance to climb higher, she wouldn't let it go.

The residence of Xin Sui, the Imperial Censor and Admonishing Grand Master, was naturally large. Xin's sons each had their own courtyards and didn't associate much on ordinary days. On this day, Xin Yiheng was reading in his study when a loud shout came from outside the door.

"Xin Yiheng!"

The roar had just fallen when Xin Fucheng's sturdy figure appeared in his study, a cold sneer of wanting to hold him accountable still on his face.

Xin Yiheng raised his head slightly and glanced at him. "Second Brother, you've come. A rare guest indeed." He lowered his head and continued reading, his arrogance evident.

Being ignored like this, Xin Fucheng became annoyed. He slapped his palm onto the book Xin Yiheng was holding and roared, "Regarding the matter of handling Li Ming, I said I would handle it, but you insisted on showing off in front of Father, saying that since I am in the Ministry of Justice, it is not convenient for me to intervene directly, and it would be better for you to handle it. And look at the result now?!"

Pushing away Xin Fucheng's hand from the book, Xin Yiheng replied impatiently, "Isn't he dead?"

"Dead?" Xin Fucheng snorted coldly, looking somewhat gloating. "Li Ming is not only still alive, but he is also being held in the prison of the Ministry of Justice Mansion!"

As soon as Xin Fucheng finished speaking, he saw Xin Yiheng's face change drastically, just as he had hoped. "Impossible!" He had clearly arranged this matter properly. Li Ming was severely injured and hadn't been sent back to the Ministry of Justice prison. How... how could he still be alive?

"Impossible? Go check for yourself." Rarely seeing Xin Yiheng so panicked, Xin Fucheng finally felt triumphant and lectured, "It's all your doing; you don't do things cleanly at all."

Xin Fucheng spoke with certainty; he must have investigated thoroughly before coming to find fault with him. Li Ming was actually still alive. If they investigated the military grain case again, he would be a key witness. Although he didn't know much, it was hard to guarantee that Dan Yulan wouldn't follow the vine to find the melon... How would he explain this to Father then? Xin Yiheng was truly panicked. He grabbed Xin Fucheng's sleeve and asked hurriedly, "Second Brother, Dan Yulan is holding Li Ming in the Ministry of Justice Mansion. He wouldn't be wanting to re-investigate this case, would he?"

Xin Fucheng looked disdainful. He was young, so he was young; he was panicked over such a small matter. Shaking off Xin Yiheng's hand, Xin Fucheng replied, "What are you panicking about? There shouldn't be. There has been no news of a re-trial of this case in the Ministry of Justice."

If it wasn't for a re-trial, why would Li Ming be held in the Ministry of Justice Mansion prison? Why had he received news that Li Ming was dead? The more he thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong. Xin Yiheng said urgently, "This matter cannot be taken lightly. We should discuss it with Father before taking action."

"Coward." Xin Fucheng pointed at Xin Yiheng and laughed, scolding, "If this matter reaches Father again, wouldn't it make you look even more incompetent?" He hadn't suffered less from Xin Yiheng's arrogance on ordinary days, and today he wouldn't let go of this chance to ridicule him properly.

Xin Yiheng's dark eyes dimmed. He gritted his teeth fiercely, then slapped the large desk hard, cursing with regret, "Second Brother's lecture is correct! Actually, if it weren't for Eldest Brother letting me rush to do it, how would I dare to compete for this credit with Second Brother?"

"What? It was him?" Xin Fucheng, who had only been gloating, immediately jumped in anger. "I should have guessed he was playing tricks!"

Although Xin Fucheng was the second son, he was born of the primary wife and had always thought highly of himself. He had always been at odds with his eldest brother, Xin Ruozheng. Seeing Xin Fucheng take the bait, Xin Yiheng hurriedly continued, "Second Brother, you must find a way to help me. I will listen to you in the future. After this matter is successfully concluded, don't forget to put in a good word for me in front of Father."

Xin Fucheng was already burning with anger, and seeing Xin Yiheng lower his posture like this, he thought that although Xin Yiheng was the youngest son, he had always been favored. If he stood on his side in the future, he would have a better chance of dealing with Xin Ruozheng. After calculating in his heart, Xin Fucheng patted Xin Yiheng's shoulder hard and smiled. "Rest assured, I have my own plans. As your brother, I won't make things difficult for you."

"Thank you, Second Brother." Xin Yiheng bowed in return and laughed along with Xin Fucheng. Xin Fucheng had his own plans, but Xin Yiheng was even less of a fool. The military grain case had always been a thorn in Father's heart. This time, the matter had been botched, and he would inevitably be reprimanded. Since Xin Fucheng had delivered himself to his door, he couldn't blame him.

In the Imperial Study, Yan Hongtian was reviewing memorials, and Xiao Yu was boiling tea on the side. The Emperor didn't like to have fire basins in the hall for warmth, so every winter, the Imperial Study was always freezing. The freshly brewed tea would cool down quickly, so Xiao Yu could only guard the side and replace it with hot tea at any time.

After replacing the third cup and seeing Yan Hongtian hadn't taken a single sip, Xiao Yu sighed secretly. Sitting like this for a whole day wouldn't be good for his health, right? Xiao Yu looked up at Gao Jin, who nodded extremely quickly. Rolling his eyes at him, Xiao Yu walked behind Yan Hongtian with the new hot tea and snacks, saying softly, "Emperor, have some snacks."

Yan Hongtian nodded very slightly, and Xiao Yu and Gao Jin both breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing the Emperor was ready to have snacks, wanting him to rest longer, Gao Jin took out the things Fuling had sent over in the afternoon and said, "Emperor, this was sent by Miss Fuling."

Yan Hongtian glanced at it. It was a painting tube. He guessed it should be Qingfeng's new work. Yan Hongtian said casually, "Open it and take a look."

"Yes." Gao Jin took the rice paper out of it and unfolded it gently...

Yan Hongtian took a sip of tea, looked up, and was stunned for a moment. That was... what?

On the two-foot-square rice paper were two tiny, black handprints and footprints. Yan Hongtian stared at the rice paper for a good while before saying in an extremely light voice, "Bring... it here."

Gao Jin carefully placed the rice paper on the desk. Yan Hongtian stared at the little handprint for a good while before suddenly extending his own hand and placing it next to the little handprint. The large and small formed a sharp contrast. Yan Hongtian couldn't help but laugh; that tiny palm print wasn't even one-third the size of his palm.

Yan Hongtian held the painting and gestured with it, a smile always on his lips. Xiao Yu and Gao Jin looked at each other again, secretly admiring in their hearts—besides memorials, nothing else could make the Emperor focus for so long in the Imperial Study. Consort Qing had easily achieved it with just a few little footprints.

Seeing the faint creases on the rice paper, Yan Hongtian's brows furrowed slightly. "Gao Jin, take it to be mounted immediately."

"Yes."

Just as Gao Jin put the painting into the tube, Yan Hongtian added, "Wait, find the best technician; don't damage it."

"Yes."

Seeing the Emperor so excited, Xiao Yu smiled. "Emperor, should the evening meal be set in..." Qingfeng Hall?

Before Xiao Yu could finish, Yan Hongtian's deep voice interrupted her. "Set it in Ganyang Hall."

"Yes." Xiao Yu shrugged; she had asked for trouble. Yan Hongtian picked up the memorials again, his complexion no longer showing any excitement. Just when she thought it was all her hallucination, Yan Hongtian suddenly called out in a low voice, "Xiao Yu."

"This servant is here."

After waiting for a long time, Yan Hongtian didn't speak. Xiao Yu looked up curiously. Yan Hongtian's eyes were still fixed on the memorials, and after a long while, he asked, "That... is the finest June tea really that good to drink?"

Huh? It took Xiao Yu a good while to react. She had thought the Emperor was truly so focused, but it turned out he was still thinking of Consort Qing. Looking at the Emperor's serious appearance, Xiao Yu really wanted to laugh but didn't dare to make a sound. She coughed lightly and replied, "This servant will brew a cup now; the Emperor will know after tasting it."

Xiao Yu's shoulders, which wouldn't stop shaking, were obvious to anyone who wasn't blind. Yan Hongtian felt somewhat embarrassed, and his voice dropped a few degrees. "Brew it."

He hadn't visited her and the child for a long time. After the one-month banquet, he would go see the mother and child. Yan Hongtian tried to put his mind on the memorials, but his gaze couldn't help but fixate on his own large hand. So, a child's hand was really that small. Next time, he would compare them.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 333 =====