Chapter 108: Oh No, I've Become a Stand-in!

As the incident fermented, the atmosphere within Qianqing Palace became increasingly eerie.

Those Ivory Tablet Grand Eunuchs, usually so arrogant, tucked their tails and pulled in their necks, terrified of provoking this master.

Just past noon this day, the Wanli Emperor walked into the palace in a huff.

As soon as he sat on the dragon throne, he puffed and panted like two water buffaloes, exhaling two streams of white vapor.

After taking several deep breaths in succession, he held his forehead with one hand and pointed at Wei Qing with the other, barking: "Go, bring Zhang Yunxiu to me. I want to ask him who gave him the guts to go into a temple to investigate a case."

Just a moment ago, his mother, the Empress Dowager, had summoned him to Cining Palace and given him a thorough dressing-down.

He was sitting in the palace, yet the blame had fallen from the sky.

Upon asking, it turned out the Embroidered Uniform Guard had charged into Zhaoning Temple and turned the place upside down. Most infuriatingly, these fellows even claimed they were acting under his own orders—this was a case of faking an Imperial Edict! The Wanli Emperor stewed in his frustration for a long time before Wei Qing finally brought Zhang Yunxiu to Qianqing Palace.

Just as Zhang Yunxiu was about to pay his respects, the Wanli Emperor's face burned red, and he pointed at Zhang Yunxiu, asking: "Zhang Yunxiu, when did I ever tell you to go into Zhaoning Temple to investigate a case?"

"Speak! If you don't make it clear, don't blame me for having you caned!"

Exchanging a glance with Wei Qing, Zhang Yunxiu said unhurriedly: "Your Majesty, you have forgotten. Three days ago, I submitted a memorial to you."

"Yes, there was such a thing," the Wanli Emperor nodded, then added, "But that was to discuss how many ships you would build next year, how many soldiers you needed, and to go out to sea to make money for me. When did I ever agree that you could go to Zhaoning Temple and use force against those monks?"

"Your Majesty, it is like this," Zhang Yunxiu said with a thick skin, explaining in detail, "That day, when I said how many Warships, how many small boats, how many soldiers, and how many laborers were needed, you grew impatient listening, and before I could finish reading the rest, you agreed to it all."

"You slippery fellow, you dared to trick me into a trap."

The Wanli Emperor clapped his hands and laughed, the anger on his face dissipating by more than half.

"Your servant... your servant had no other choice. Besides, Your Majesty's golden words, once spoken, naturally cannot be taken back." Zhang Yunxiu gave a sheepish smile and took the opportunity to step two paces toward the Emperor's seat.

"Fine, fine. You've already gone in, can I really make you pull out?" The Wanli Emperor waved his hand, leaning forward to ask, "Is that lecherous monk really deserving of death?"

"I have already found a witness, and this is their testimony," Zhang Yunxiu said, taking a confession from his bosom.

The Wanli Emperor beckoned, and Wei Qing, who was to the side, stepped down the dais, took it from Zhang Yunxiu's hand, and delivered it to the Wanli Emperor.

The Wanli Emperor snatched it, scanned it roughly, and a nameless fire suddenly flared up.

He knitted his brows, gritted his teeth, and cursed: "What a bald donkey of a monk! 'Amitabha' on his lips, but behind the scenes, he does nothing but lewd and illicit deeds!"

"Your Majesty, now as long as we find that woman, the case can be closed, and at that time, we will surely be able to clear Zhao Yong's name," Zhang Yunxiu struck while the iron was hot, continuing, "If even a single Zhaoning Temple can have such vermin, then in a world as vast as this, there must be many more. I request that Your Majesty examine the monks of the realm; all those who are unqualified should be forcibly ordered to return to secular life."

At this, the Wanli Emperor hesitated.

Punishing one person, he had some confidence, but punishing all the monks in the world? Wouldn't that be going against his mother, the Empress Dowager? "Your Majesty..."

Zhang Yunxiu was about to say more, but the Wanli Emperor waved his hand as if shooing a fly, urging: "Enough, you go down first. Go find that woman. As long as she is found, I will certainly clear Zhao Yong's name."

"Your servant obeys the decree," Zhang Yunxiu said heavily, stepping back and exiting the palace.

The sky cleared slightly, and the warm sunlight fell from the dome, spilling onto the accumulated snow to form dappled, scattered spots of light.

Zhang Yunxiu walked with a light step, quickly exiting the palace gate.

Half a month passed in a flash. The bulk of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was mobilized, casting a net around the capital for half a month, yet they simply could not find a trace of that woman.

Zhang Yunxiu found himself in a bind.

Without the principal party, the testimony in his hand had become a useless burden.

At noon this day, the two brothers sat together in the Embroidered Uniform Guard office, having taken their seats as host and guest.

Zhang Jianxiu frowned and sighed: "It's damn strange. This woman has just vanished into thin air."

"I went to check the recent files of the Shuntian Prefecture, and there haven't been any women reported missing lately either."

"Is it possible she isn't from Shuntian Prefecture?" Zhang Yunxiu asked suddenly.

"That is possible," Zhang Jianxiu nodded, then smiled bitterly and said, "If she isn't from Shuntian Prefecture, then the scope is vast. Even if we run our legs off, we won't find that woman."

"Then, based solely on Huixin's testimony, can we prove that Zhao Yong acted with cause?"

"With the principal party absent, it's tough."

"But it can still save his life, can't it?" Zhang Yunxiu asked.

"His life can probably be saved. Besides, I heard from the head eunuch at Cining Palace that the tone from Empress Dowager Li has softened quite a bit. It seems our testimony from the monk Huixin has had quite an influence on Empress Dowager Li," Zhang Jianxiu nodded and said.

"That's good. Save his life first; in any case, there are still two months."

Zhang Yunxiu let out a long sigh of relief, his tense spirit relaxing significantly. Zhang Jianxiu nodded and suggested: "That's true. You should hurry back and get some rest, too. We can talk about whatever else tomorrow."

The two discussed the case a while longer, then went their separate ways.

After leaving the Northern Suppressing Faction, Zhang Yunxiu did not return to the University Scholar Mansion, but instead headed straight for Zheng Xi'er's residence.

By the time he arrived, Zheng Xi'er had already changed into a snow-white swan-down cotton robe, standing at the doorway with a smile.

"Young Master."

"Have the kitchen prepare two hot dishes; I'll have a good rest today," Zhang Yunxiu said, his footsteps not stopping as he headed straight for their bedroom. Zheng Xi'er gave a few instructions and followed closely behind.

Entering the bedroom, Zheng Xi'er skillfully removed Zhang Yunxiu's outer garments and brought him his loungewear.

Taking the clothes and changing, Zhang Yunxiu sat down on a dark round wooden table. Zheng Xi'er blinked her apricot eyes and said with a giggle: "Young Master, it's been a while since you came to see Xi'er." "I've been too busy lately," Zhang Yunxiu replied, rubbing the bridge of his nose, full of exhaustion.

Zheng Xi'er stopped acting spoiled and simply walked gently behind her lover, moving her jade hands to massage his shoulders.

Zhang Yunxiu closed his eyes tight, his face full of enjoyment.

"Young Master, is there something bothering you lately? Can you tell Xi'er?" Zheng Xi'er glanced at Zhang Yunxiu's profile and asked softly.

"Forget it, I won't say. I'm tired," Zhang Yunxiu shook his head.

"Alright, since Young Master doesn't want to say, then Xi'er won't ask," Zheng Xi'er smiled beautifully, taking the opportunity to press her body against Zhang Yunxiu's back. At this, Zhang Yunxiu felt a wave of warmth and softness against his back.

Even the woman's fragrant breath puffed against his neck.

In an instant, Zhang Yunxiu's face flushed red.

Zheng Xi'er curled her lips, her pair of jade hands beginning to caress Zhang Yunxiu's back, a seductive sound emerging from her jade lips: "Young Master, is Xi'er's massage comfortable enough?"

"Alright, alright, sit back down. Let's just talk."

"Alright."

Zheng Xi'er sat opposite Zhang Yunxiu. As the two met each other's gaze, Zhang Yunxiu felt as if a ball of fire was shooting at him from Zheng Xi'er's eyes.

Unable to withstand this woman's gaze, Zhang Yunxiu changed the subject and said, "By the way, Xi'er, I heard from Zhang Fu that our business has been doing even better this month than last. You truly deserve the credit for this."

"It is all thanks to the Young Master's guidance; Xi'er dares not claim the credit," Zheng Xi'er shook her head.

"Then, how are your father and younger brother doing? They have been here for a while now, but I haven't met them yet. How about we all meet up another day?"

"Many thanks for your concern, Young Master. They are both doing well; Xi'er has arranged for them to work at a cloth shop."

Following this, the two exchanged questions and answers for over a dozen turns. Zhang Yunxiu ran out of things to say and laughed at himself, "I had thought of myself as quite talkative, but I never expected you, girl, to have a tongue as if it were greased—so smooth and so fast."

"Does the Young Master like it?"

Zheng Xi'er asked.

Zhang Yunxiu smiled, hesitated for a long time, and finally spoke of the trouble he had recently encountered.

In truth, Zheng Xi'er had known about it for a long time, but since Zhang Yunxiu did not bring it up, she did not want to press him too much.

Once the words fell, Zheng Xi'er lowered her head to ponder for a moment, then suddenly raised her beautiful head and said, "Young Master, Xi'er has thought of a way."

"Let's hear it?"

"Xi'er can certainly say, but since Xi'er has helped the Young Master with such a big favor, the Young Master must reward Xi'er well."

"Alright, stop keeping me in suspense, just say it."

Zhang Yunxiu smiled and nodded. Zheng Xi'er stood up, her eyes fixed on Zhang Yunxiu, and said, "Since you haven't been able to find that woman after searching for so long, it means she must have been hidden away by someone."

"Hidden in a place where you could never find her."

"Isn't that just stating the obvious?"

Zhang Yunxiu glared and muttered.

"Since she can't be found no matter what, isn't it up to the Young Master to say who she is?" Zheng Xi'er smiled charmingly and stated her solution directly.

Hiss. That's right!

He could completely find a substitute for that woman. Since that woman had been hidden by someone, the woman in his hands would be the "real one."

If the person who hid that woman wanted to expose him, they would have to produce the woman.

If they couldn't produce her, hehe, then the person in his hands would be the real one.

After thinking of this, Zhang Yunxiu felt a sudden sense of clarity.

"Xi'er, you really are my female strategist!" Smiling, he pulled the beauty into his arms and planted a fierce kiss on her soft, pink cheek.

Zheng Xi'er raised an eyebrow, her delicate hand taking the opportunity to hook around Zhang Yunxiu's neck, and she breathed like an orchid, "Xi'er doesn't want to be the Young Master's female strategist; Xi'er wants to be the Young Master's little woman."

"Rest assured, you won't be able to run away tonight," Zhang Yunxiu chuckled.

"Mm," Zheng Xi'er blushed and nodded.

"Go wash up first. I need to discuss some matters with Han San in a moment. After you finish washing up, wait for me here," Zhang Yunxiu instructed, then walked quickly out of the bedroom.

Summoned by Zhang Fu, Han San arrived through the wind and snow.

Before he could offer a salute, Zhang Yunxiu waved his hand and ordered, "Starting from tomorrow, take some men to secretly search Hebei. Find a reliable woman and bring her back to the capital."

"Understood," Han San cupped his hands and responded respectfully.

"Be discreet in your actions. Once you find a suitable woman, do not linger and return quickly. This woman must be sharp-witted; try your best to ensure no one can spot any flaws."

*'Young Master... Is the Young Master planning to pass off the fake as the real one?'*

"Yes, I intend to pass off the fake as the real one," Zhang Yunxiu clapped his hands, stared at Han San, and said in a low voice, "Regardless of whether that woman has run to the ends of the earth or has been hidden by someone, this move of mine is meant to force her out."

Han San also felt the plan was feasible, so he accepted the mission and strode away.

(End of chapter)