How could he look at her with such pitiful eyes? No, she must not soften her heart—he was a fox. Drawing a deep breath, Zhuo Qing averted her gaze and replied, "You have Mo Bai by your side.""Lou Xiyan said with feigned sincerity, 'He's off duty tonight.'"Zhuo Qing rolled her eyes sharply. Mo Bai was never far from him, especially when he was ill—how could he possibly take a leave? Such a flimsy excuse! Outside the door, Mo Bai stood with a heavy heart, feeling utterly redundant. Did her words mean she wanted him to vanish tonight?
Seeing his pale face yet steady hand resting on her waist, Zhuo Qing smiled softly, "Then what do you want?""Stay with me." Lou Xiyan blurted out, then immediately felt his request was presumptuous. Surely, this couldn't mean what she was thinking? She couldn't be blamed—for a modern woman, the implication was unmistakable.
Zhuo Qing stared at him, stunned. Lou Xiyan sighed gently and said, "Rest assured, I only want your company. Before our wedding night, I will not cross any boundaries.""Are you certain?" Zhuo Qing raised an eyebrow."I promise." He spoke earnestly and released his grip to prove his sincerity.
Zhuo Qing groaned inwardly—she feared he might not keep that promise! She took a deep breath, slipped off her shoes, and climbed onto the bed, curling up on the inner side. Gazing at Lou Xiyan still seated at the edge, she said, "Sleep now."
Lou Xiyan finally came to his senses and lay down dumbfounded. Zhuo Qing turned her back and whispered softly, "Good night," before closing her eyes peacefully.
Her side-lying posture accentuated her graceful and alluring figure, her long, silky hair cascading like seaweed beside her, a faint fragrance lingering in the air. Lou Xiyan's hoarse voice murmured back, "Good... night..."
Truly a self-inflicted torment... would he be able to sleep tonight?
In the shadowed cell of the Ministry of Justice's prison, only a few torches along the corridor flickered with crackling flames. Under the dim red glow, two women sat facing each other with icy gazes.
"What do you want to say to me?" Gu Yun asked calmly. Earlier, during their confrontation, the other woman had whispered into her ear, "I have something to say to you alone," which explained her visit.
Qu Xin leaned against the stone wall, humming lightly, "Rest assured, I'm not here to plead for mercy. I know full well what I have done—murder deserves retribution, no complaints. But I am not resigned. My brother was wrongfully accused. I implore you to help uncover the true mastermind behind this."
"You can be sure, so many have died over this matter. I will never let the true culprit go unpunished."
Though the murderer was found, she refused to stop. After staring into Gu Yun's resolute eyes for a long moment, Qu Xin drew a meticulously folded note from her black outfit and handed it to Gu Yun.
Gu Yun took it, curious, "What is this?"Qu Xin explained, "I could have killed Yang Lu any time, but I chose to marry him to uncover his puppeteer. Yet over the years, except for Li Zhi, he never met with suspicious figures, and his most prized possession is this note."
Gu Yun unfolded it—dense writing filled the paper, repeating phrases like "left, right, left, right, forward, backward" endlessly. It was indecipherable. Was this a coded cipher, perhaps requiring knowledge of the Five Elements, Bagua, or mystical arts to decode?
"I discovered this note a year ago but still cannot understand its meaning. I hope you might decipher it."
Having studied it in vain, she pinned her hopes on the clever and perceptive woman before her. Gu Yun was baffled as well. Maybe Qing could help—her mother was a professor of classical Chinese studies and might understand it.
"Go now." Gu Yun looked up to see Qu Xin already lying on the stone bed, unwilling to converse further. Gu Yun had nothing more to say, nor could she console her. Her only hope was to solve the case swiftly.
Before the prime minister's residence stood a sleek azure carriage, guarded by over a dozen armed attendants—tall, muscular men with sharp eyes that bespoke their prowess. A crowd had gathered outside, with Lou Xiyan and Lou Muhai at the forefront, flanked by Lou Xiwu and Xue Xianxin.
Compared to Xue Xianxin's joyful excitement, Lou Xiwu appeared bored, even irritable.
An elderly maid approached the carriage and gently lifted the curtain. A pair of well-cared-for hands reached out, and she hastened to assist the passenger.
The Empress Dowager stepped out gracefully, exuding an aura of noble authority. Adorned with minimal jewelry, her exquisite dark purple robe accentuated her dignified presence.
Following her was Princess Yan, dressed in a soft yellow gown that enhanced her delicate beauty. Two nimble maids supported her, shielding her weary appearance with a sheer veil and a wide-brimmed hat that concealed her face.
Lou Xiyan frowned at the fragile figure before her—how could she have worn herself so thin in just half a month?
Through the veil, Yan Ruxuan searched for the gentle man she had followed for years. Today, her mother told her that Yan Ge had come to the palace late last night for her and invited her to recuperate at the prime minister's residence. She could hardly believe her ears—she thought he no longer cared for her, but evidently, he still did.
"Long live the Empress Dowager! Blessings to the princess!"
The customary formal greeting was exchanged. Yet, given the Lou family's prominence and the setting, the Empress Dowager waved it off with a smile, "No need for formalities outside the palace."
She then greeted Lou Muhai warmly, "General Lou, long time no see. You still look robust."
Lou Muhai laughed heartily, "You flatter me, Your Majesty. Time spares no one; I'm not as vigorous as before."
The Empress Dowager sighed softly, "These days belong to the young. Xiyan is truly a pillar of the nation. You should consider enjoying a peaceful life."
Her eyes briefly flicked to Lou Xiyan standing nearby. Lou Muhai forced a bitter smile—he feared he would never enjoy such tranquility.
As a concubine, his chances to see the Empress Dowager were scarce. The moment she stepped down, Xue Xianxin hurried forward, fawning and taking the Empress Dowager's other hand.
Lou Xiwu rolled her eyes—no backbone, no backbone at all!
The Empress Dowager patted Xue Xianxin's hand, "Xianxin, since Xuanner will be staying at the residence, please take good care of her."
She actually remembered her name! Overjoyed, Xue Xianxin eagerly replied, "Your Majesty flatters me. The princess coming here is our fortune. I will see to it she regains her strength and grows plump and healthy."
"That's good."
Lou Xiwu, bored, lowered her head, wishing the tiresome exchange would end soon. Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager stepped in front of her, lifted her chin, and smiled, "This is Xiwu, isn't it? It's been ages since you last visited me. You've blossomed into a fine young lady—truly radiant."
Embarrassed, Lou Xiwu took a hesitant step back, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
She never liked the Empress Dowager, despite her constant smile.
Yan Ruxuan's frail form tugged at Lou Xiyan's heart. He had always regarded her like a sister. Seeing her thus filled him with guilt. Quietly, he said, "The Cuixin Garden has been prepared. It's serene and peaceful—perfect for recuperation. The princess must be tired from the journey; she should rest there."
The Empress Dowager, as if just recalling, smiled, "I've been so caught up in conversation, but Xiyan is ever considerate."
The Cuixin Garden lay deep in the prime minister's backyard—elegant and tranquil, yet not the Empress Dowager's preferred choice. When they passed the Zhaxing Pavilion, she suddenly stopped, whispering, "Zhaxing Pavilion—what a fitting name."
Without waiting for anyone, she stepped inside. Lou Xiyan's eyes gleamed as he followed calmly.
After surveying the courtyard, the Empress Dowager beamed, "This place is excellent. There's a lake out front with fresh lotus blossoms."
Most importantly, it was adjacent to Lou Xiyan's Lan Yue Tower—close enough to embody the saying "a pavilion near the water enjoys the moon first." This should be Xuanner's residence.
Approaching Yan Ruxuan, the Empress Dowager asked gently, "Xuanner, with your beloved lotuses here, do you like this courtyard?"
Yan Ruxuan looked up and saw the nearby pavilion—Lou Xiyan's Lan Yue Tower. The proximity thrilled her, yet she replied demurely, "Mother's arrangement is my wish."
Nodding approvingly, the Empress Dowager smiled at Lou Xiyan, "Xiyan, forget Cuixin Garden. Let Xuanner live here."
Lou Xiyan's expression remained composed, though Lou Xiwu muttered beside him, "Someone already lives in that courtyard."
Though Qingling was detestable, compared to Yan Ruxuan's feigned aloofness, she was more bearable.
"Xiwu." Xue Xianxin shot Lou Xiwu a sharp glare—what a rude girl! If she angered the Empress Dowager, could she handle the consequences?
"Is that so?" The Empress Dowager frowned lightly but sighed, "I hadn't thought of that."
It was obvious who already occupied the place—and today, the Empress Dowager intended to claim it!
Xue Xianxin hastened to flatter, "Your Majesty, the princess prefers it this way. We can have that person move out. Naturally, the princess's wishes come first."
That insufferable Qingling would finally have her power diminished!