Chapter 139

Xiao Jingyuan said nothing; at this moment, getting Shen Shuangning out of the palace is the top priority—only when she is safe can he relax and deal with the consort.

"Follow me later, keep your head down, don't speak." Xiao Jingyuan lightly grasped her wrist and said in a low voice.

Shen Shuangning nodded lightly.

Now the night is deep, the palace gates are already locked; as an outsider official, Xiao Jingyuan certainly must not let anyone discover his presence in the inner palace.

After leaving that room, Zheng Mao led the way ahead, Xiao Jingyuan and Shen Shuangning followed behind, and thus they all exited the Splendid Palace, heading along Gong Qiang toward the West Hua Gate.

Just as they turned a corridor, they unexpectedly encountered the empress's procession!

Zheng Mao's face slightly changed, he stepped back one step, silently blocking the two behind him.

A procession slowly approached; palace maids carried goat-horn lanterns at the front, the empress leaned wearily against the backrest, hand supporting her forehead, eyes closed, resting her spirit.

Kang Shouyi walked respectfully to the side, vigilantly scanning the surroundings.

The group was mighty, numbering several dozen, walking silently along the quiet palace path, making no sound except the faint rustle of clothing.

Shen Shuangning's heart leapt to her throat; she dared not lift her head.

Xiao Jingyuan beside her, however, remained calm and composed; even deliberately hunching his body could not conceal his tranquility.

Sensing her tension, he furtively squeezed her wrist.

Shen Shuangning felt somewhat relieved.

The darkness was a natural cover, blurring their figures into a single shadow.

Kang Shouyi saw the people on the palace path and recognized the leading eunuch as a trusted aide of the Consort of the Splendid Palace.

As for the two eunuchs behind Zheng Mao, Kang Shouyi merely glanced at them casually and paid no further attention.

When the empress's procession drew near, Zheng Mao first lowered himself in salute, and Xiao Jingyuan and Shen Shuangning followed by bending at the waist.

Without waiting to speak, Kang Shouyi raised his hand and flicked his whisk, signaling them to be silent and not disturb the empress.

The three were glad to keep quiet.

Palace attendants carried the phoenix palanquin without stopping, while Kang Shouyi stood motionless before the three.

Shen Shuangning kept her head lowered, cold sweat practically trickling down her back.

Soon after, Kang Shouyi asked in a low voice, "Lord Zheng, why are you here at this late hour?"

Since Zheng Mao belonged to the consort, Kang Shouyi naturally paid him extra attention.

Kang Shouyi held a higher rank than Zheng Mao, so his routine questioning demanded an answer.

Fortunately, Zheng Mao had a countermeasure ready; he replied, "The consort, now with child, sleeps restlessly and gets hungry at night, so she specially ordered me to fetch a bowl of lotus-seed soup from the imperial kitchen—I was just about to go."

This route indeed passes by the imperial kitchen.

Everyone knows the newly promoted consort in the palace is meddlesome, especially loving to torment the servants, so even unreasonable demands become reasonable when attributed to her.

Kang Shouyi gave it no further thought, said a couple more lines, and walked away.

Seeing him depart, Zheng Mao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then glanced back at the two behind him and whispered, "Let's go."

Xiao Jingyuan was about to lift his foot when his sleeve was seized by a hand.

He lowered his eyelids and saw Shen Shuangning's face pallid, her expression quite uneasy.

Everything's fine now—why does she look like that?

Xiao Jingyuan unconsciously lowered his voice: "What's wrong?"

Shen Shuangning was afraid because she recognized Kang Shouyi as the person who had conversed with Xie Yan in the dense forest during the spring hunt!

Earlier, Kang Shouyi had deliberately lowered his voice, which was exactly the same as that black-clad figure that day—no wonder she had felt a sense of familiarity back then, though she dared not confirm it.

The instant she recognized him now, Shen Shuangning felt a chill run down her spine.

She wanted to tell Xiao Jingyuan her discovery right away, but mindful of Zheng Mao's presence, she had to swallow it back, shaking her head and saying, "Nothing......"

Xiao Jingyuan saw that she had something to say, but did not press her now, saying, "We'll talk outside."

Shen Shuangning suppressed her unease and nodded.

With Zheng Mao providing cover, there were no further obstacles, and the two left the palace smoothly.

Not far outside the palace gate stood a carriage; Qing Yun sat on the driver's seat, and upon seeing two silhouettes—one tall, one short—approaching in the moonlight, he leapt down immediately.

He respectfully said, "Young Master."

He also glanced at the petite "little eunuch" beside him and smiled, "Miss Four, I hope you're well."

Before Qing Yun could even finish half a grin, his master gave him a cool, icy glance.

Qing Yun shuddered, instantly wiping his smile, thinking mutely: Even a smile isn't allowed? The young master isn't a vinegar jar—he's a vinegar sea!

Shen Shuangning had her mind on other matters, so she didn't notice, merely nodding at Qing Yun.

Xiao Jingyuan first climbed into the carriage, then with a long reach he scooped up Shen Shuangning's slender waist and easily lifted her aboard.

"Return directly to the Duke's residence," he ordered.

Qing Yun climbed onto the driver's seat, replied "Yes," raised his whip, and the wheels began to turn, gradually leaving the imperial city behind.

Qing Yun deliberately slowed the horses' pace, proceeding steadily toward the Duke's residence.

Inside the carriage burned a glazed lamp; Xiao Jingyuan, without a word, took a medicine bottle from the case, pulled her hand over, and carefully applied the ointment.

Shen Shuangning paid no heed to the wound on her hand, even casting aside Lan Xiang; her mind was filled now with Kang Shouyi, Xie Yan, and that empress who rules the world!

She then spoke anxiously: "Do you still remember during the spring hunt when I told you I saw Xie Yan talking with a mysterious person?"

Xiao Jingyuan grunted an acknowledgment, saying, "I remember. What's up?"

Shen Shuangning lowered her voice involuntarily: "That person is the empress's attendant, Lord Kang!"

Xiao Jingyuan furrowed his brows: "Are you certain?"

Shen Shuangning nodded firmly: "It's him indeed!"

Xiao Jingyuan's expression grew grave; he remained silent, as if pondering something.

Shen Shuangning glanced at the carriage curtain, then leaned close and whispered in his ear: "You should know, in my previous life, the empress and Prince Rui harbored disloyal intentions, plotting rebellion!"

When Prince Rui was mentioned, Xiao Jingyuan's expression flickered slightly, and he lifted his gaze to stare at the woman standing close by.

The man's expression was too deep, making it impossible to tell what emotion he felt, which left Shen Shuangning somewhat uncertain.

She then asked doubtfully, "You haven't forgotten, have you?"

Shen Shuangning knew she had been reborn after death, while Xiao Jingyuan had only dreamed of his past life; since it was a dream, it might not be complete.

Just as she was suspicious, Xiao Jingyuan said, "I know."

Upon hearing that, Shen Shuangning was about to say something when Xiao Jingyuan raised his hand, took off her hat, brushed her slightly disheveled hair behind her ear, and then said solemnly:

"I will investigate this matter myself; just pretend you don't know. Also, regarding Lord Kang's affair, do not tell anyone. Remember, anyone."

Shen Shuangning also understood this matter was of great importance and could easily bring disaster, so she said, "I won't say anything."

Xiao Jingyuan continued to apply medicine to her wound.

After a moment, he asked, "Have you decided to marry me?"

Shen Shuangning startled, then softly answered 'yes,' and quickly added, "It's a transaction, a false marriage."

Xiao Jingyuan smiled, then acquiesced, "All right, whatever you say goes. Then I must hurry back to prepare the betrothal gifts and propose."

Shen Shuangning's mind was in turmoil, and she remained silent.

Not long after, the carriage stopped in front of the Duke's residence.

Lady Liu had not slept, her hair still unbound, and she sat waiting anxiously.

She, who had originally held little hope, suddenly learned from an old servant that the Fourth Miss had returned, and at once she was both startled and delighted, rushing out immediately.

The lights in the inner court were switched on almost instantly.

Only when she saw Shen Shuangning standing alive before her did Lady Liu's heart, which had been suspended all day, finally settle, and without asking why she wore a eunuch's attire, tears streamed down her face.

Seeing this, Shen Shuangning felt heartache: "Mother, I'm fine; I've made you worry."

Lady Liu shook her head, choking up, "As long as you're all right, as long as you're all right."

After mother and daughter chatted for a while, Lady Liu suddenly seemed to recall something, looked behind her, but found nothing.

"Where is the Heir, Your Highness?" Lady Liu asked urgently.

Xiao Shizi saved my daughter; he ought to be properly thanked!

Recalling the Xiao man's earlier demeanor, Shen Shuangning lightly coughed and said, "The Heir... still has pressing matters to attend to, so he returned first."

Lady Liu let out an "oh" and asked no further.

Shen Shuangning still had a doubt: how did Mother know it was Xiao Jingyuan who rescued her?

In Lan Xiang's view, Xiao Jingyuan had come by during the day, but she had driven him away in anger, apparently leaving him temporarily unable to do anything to her.

With the hostage in her hands, the other side, no matter how anxious, dared not act rashly.

Putting herself in his shoes, Xiao Jingyuan should have come the next day to discuss things amicably, and Lan Xiang had already prepared to receive him.

But who would have thought that, that very night, the other side silently "abducted" the person!

The next day, the room where Shen Shuangning had been imprisoned held only a few women's garments; the place was already empty.

When the news reached Lan Xiang's ears, she was applying makeup before the mirror; hearing it, she violently flung her hairpin onto the dressing table, and the mirror cracked with a 'clang,' spreading like a spiderweb.

"With so many people, you can't even watch over a lowly wretch! Useless! Useless! What good are you?!"

She shrieked sharply and immediately ordered that the eunuchs on night duty last night be dragged out and beaten to death.

Soon, wretched cries came from the courtyard, yet no one dared to plead for mercy.

Zheng Mao, though as a trusted aide he received only twenty lashes, also feigned illness early, hiding in his room to recuperate and avoid the ensuing disaster.

He knew that this Noble Consort was about to suffer great misfortune.

The Bureau of Brocade Palace had the Empress's spies; such a major disturbance naturally reached the Empress's ears at once.

The Noble Consort only wanted to contend with the Empress's palace, but the Empress's plans were grand state affairs, so she hardly regarded these petty squabbles.

However, the Empress was fully aware of the Noble Consort's covert actions.

"You mean the Heir of the Prince Yan's mansion went personally to Brocade Palace yesterday for Shen Shuangning, and even fell out with that woman?" Empress Wang paused her trimming of the flower branches, lost in thought.

Kang Shouyi replied, "Absolutely certain; Miss Shen Fourth was originally confined in Brocade Palace, but this morning she was gone—she must have been rescued last night. Isn't the Noble Consort furious to death?"

The Empress said nothing.

Kang Shouyi then immediately recalled another matter.

"During the previous spring hunt, when Miss Shen Fourth went missing, this Xiao Shizi spared no effort, leading men into the dense forest to search, giving us a chance to assassinate him; but unfortunately... the Junior Tutor Pei interfered, allowing him to escape."

When Pei Zhi was mentioned, Kang Shouyi hated him so much his teeth itched.

Empress Wang naturally knew of that assassination attempt, but she did not realize the underlying reason involved Shen Shuangning; after a moment's thought, she understood and smiled, saying, "Even heroes find it hard to pass the beauty's gate."

Upon hearing that, Kang Shouyi also suddenly realized: "Miss Shen is Xie Lin's beloved; I originally thought Xiao Shizi acted thus out of consideration for Xie Lin, but I never expected he also......"

Kang Shouyi's eyes shifted, full of malice: "Since she is Xiao Jingyuan's weak point, why not seize her and take the opportunity to eliminate him!"

Empress Wang gave him a cold glance and sneered, "In this world, only women would be foolish enough to sacrifice everything for love; where are the men who would live or die for love?"

"You have served me for years, yet this is the best you could come up with; I am truly disappointed."

Kang Shouyi felt ashamed, almost burying his head in his chest: "Please, Empress, give me guidance!"

Empress Wang did not look at him, merely snipping the most beautiful crabapple blossom with her scissors, holding it in her palm, and said with an inscrutable expression, "Isn't the Junior Tutor Pei by the Crown Prince's side also fond of Shen Shuangning?"

Spies of the Empress are spread throughout Jingcheng; this cannot be hidden from her.

Upon hearing that, Kang Shouyi first startled, then the names Xiao Jingyuan, Pei Zhi, Shen Shuangning... turned in his mind, and he immediately wore an expression of sudden enlightenment!

"Your meaning is... to let the Crown Prince and Xiao Jingyuan fall out over Miss Shen Fourth?"

Exactly! Xiao Jingyuan and the Crown Prince have long been at odds politically, merely keeping to their own spheres; but Pei Zhi is the Crown Prince's left and right hand. If we could use a woman to stir up a feud between Pei Zhi and Xiao Jingyuan, they would have a chance to reap the benefits as the fisherman!

This plan is a hundred times more clever than his crude notion of "taking hostages"!

"Empress, you are wise! This servant is dull and failed to see this layer!"

After punishing a crowd of people, Lan Xiang's anger not only did not subside, but flared even fiercer.

With a bang, the Noble Consort smashed another expensive vase.

After wasting so much effort, she had detained Shen Shuangning, yet not only failed to achieve any of her goals, she ended up offending Xiao Jingyuan—how could Lan Xiang not be angry and resentful?

Palace maids knelt in a heap, going 'hula-la', and nobody dared to make a sound.

Lan Xiang was unwilling to accept this; she planned to send assassins to the Duke of the State's mansion, then kidnap Shen Shuangning and take her to a remote wilderness to threaten Xiao Jingyuan—she would absolutely not allow him to present the evidence in his hand before the Emperor!

Lan Xiang made up her mind and immediately shouted in exasperation, 'Zheng Mao! Zheng Mao!'

After she shouted several times, a eunuch trembled and replied, 'Noble Consort, Eunuch Zheng has been beaten with the bastinado and cannot get out of bed.'

Lan Xiang then recalled that she had just had Zheng Mao beaten twenty times with the heavy board, and feeling a bit regretful, she was now thinking about who to assign to handle this matter.

Just then, a eunuch came running in panic, tripped and fell with a 'plop' onto the floor, nearly rolling to Lan Xiang's feet and even biting his tongue.

"My lady, my lady, the Heir of Prince Yan has arrived, and moreover......"

Before the little eunuch could finish, Lan Xiang sprang to her feet and laughed angrily: 'Good! He actually dares to come to Jinxiu Palace—a mere outside official, daring to sneak into the Inner Palace at night to abduct someone, utterly lawless! I will certainly have him brought before the Emperor to answer for his crime!'