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墨書 Inktalez
At midnight, in the back garden, the old place, a matter to discuss.
—Cheng'er.
This was the content of the note in the emperor's hand. Xie Cheng was my aunt's childhood name when she entered the palace. I never expected someone would still remember it and use that title. In the palace, women's names gradually fade away, replaced by titles, and only those with a keen memory would recall them! This was also why I had Yun Ying deliver it to him through Consort Wang. However, it was not something I forged; it truly came from Xie De Fei. Since that day I caught them in Pingyi Palace, I knew Xie De Fei would be extra cautious to avoid giving me any leverage and would surely choose another meeting place.
Right now, I lacked everything except for money and gold and jewels casually tossed in the warehouse. I only spent a tiny fraction of it to bribe Xie De Fei's most trusted maidservant over the years, Xiao Zhao, who conveyed all their messages. In this palace, money can sometimes solve many problems.
Xiao Zhao handed me the original note, and I had someone simulate a copy to give to that man. Since he was accustomed to Xiao Zhao as a messenger, he showed no suspicion. I couldn't think of any unexpected outcomes; tonight's so-called back garden would surely be lively. I wondered if it was large enough to accommodate more people. However, I had Yun Ying add a little twist. Perhaps it would yield the results I anticipated.
“Xiao Quanzi, the Osmanthus Tree has been blooming for quite some time now.” I took a deep breath; at night, this Osmanthus Tree always released its fragrance continuously, rich and intoxicating.
The night had deepened, and feeling quite spirited, I prepared to take a nighttime stroll around the palace with Xiao Quanzi. Before leaving, I changed into a white silk nightgown and applied my favorite rouge on my lips. A bit innocent yet endlessly alluring.
After walking for a while, we encountered a group of eunuchs and palace maids hurrying down the corridor. Xiao Quanzi casually pulled one aside to ask what was happening. The person replied, “A big incident has occurred; Xie De Fei was caught meeting with a man.” Is that so? I smiled lightly; such plots are common on television but surprisingly easy to implement, especially since rulers of this era prefer seeing things unfold before their eyes. Moreover, the two were indeed involved in something scandalous. There would be no way to clear their names.
However, that was still far from enough.
We made our way to the emperor's resting place in the Imperial Hall. The hall was brightly lit; many must have been unable to sleep tonight. Some were trembling with fear, some were reveling in schadenfreude, some were unable to sleep due to being cuckolded, while others appeared as if they were watching a play.
Upon entering, I noticed people from various palaces had gathered. For the first time in so long, I saw Consort Li, who usually hid away in the palace. The Crown Prince stood beside his mother like an innocent child; when he saw me, a glint of mischief flashed in his eyes as he winked at me in greeting. I nodded slightly and chose not to look at him again. Since he chose this way to protect himself, I wouldn’t interfere. It had been a while since I visited my Yaya at Jiu Nian Xuan. Now she stood pale in a shadowy corner; seeing her looking thinner made my heart ache. After such a long time apart, I wondered how she had been.
Consort Huan must have been called here while reciting scriptures; she still held a string of prayer beads in her hand. When she saw me enter, she gazed at me deeply—how strange; we weren’t familiar at all. Although puzzled in my heart, I walked up to the emperor as if nothing were amiss and greeted him: “Firefly pays respects to Your Majesty and all esteemed sisters.”
Sima Rui smiled upon seeing me but sounded somewhat weary: “Consort, please rise.” He stood up to assist me.
I looked curiously at Xie De Fei, who knelt beside him, and innocently asked, “Your Majesty, what has happened?”
Upon hearing my question, Sima Rui's expression darkened, and he let out a light snort, seemingly unwilling to discuss it further.
I gazed around in confusion. At that moment, Consort Wang, who was sitting next to the Emperor, disdainfully remarked, "Hmph, it's just that some women behave improperly and were caught in secret meetings with men. They've brought shame upon our royal family."
The previously silent Consort Huan spoke up, "Until the matter is clarified, sister, do not jump to conclusions." Hearing her say this, Consort Wang huffed and fell silent. Although the Emperor never summoned her to his bedchamber, everyone knew she held a special significance for him, so it was best not to offend her.
"Your Majesty—" I knelt on the ground and pleaded, "Auntie would never do such a thing; she is not that kind of person. Please see the truth clearly."
The Emperor sighed, "Consort, I also believe Xie De Fei is not that kind of person. I will investigate the facts and handle this fairly." Suddenly, he commanded, "Take them to Sky Prison first." He then turned his attention to the two kneeling in silence and asked, "Do you have anything to say?"
I noticed that Xie De Fei's face was paler than usual, yet her expression remained indifferent without a trace of panic. Upon hearing the Emperor's words, she closed her eyes and said, "This servant has nothing to say."
Kneeling beside her, Shen Qing did not flinch under the Emperor's piercing gaze; instead, he expressed his shame: "I have let down Your Majesty's trust. I am willing to die; please spare Consort De. Everything is my fault."
Sima Rui's gaze turned cold as he replied icily, "Shen Qing, do you think you still have the right to negotiate with me?"
"Ah! Shen Qing—" A woman's voice suddenly called out. Realizing that it was my own voice breaking the silence as so many eyes turned toward me startled me.
"What is it, Consort?" Sima Rui looked at me with concern, but I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something in his gaze that I couldn't comprehend.
I widened my eyes innocently and said, "That name... I think I've heard Father mention it before. Auntie was childhood friends with Shen Qing before entering the palace—they were inseparable..." As I saw Sima Rui's expression grow increasingly grim, I quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, forgive me; this servant spoke out of turn."
"Childhood friends?" Sima Rui involuntarily glanced at Consort Huan, who smiled back at him. Watching their unspoken understanding and the warmth between them made my heart ache slightly; my smile became strained. He truly cared for her.
However, seeing their unwavering resolve even in the face of death made Sima Rui coldly declare, "Someone take them away."
"Yes, Your Majesty." A few guards entered and took the two away.
At that moment, Consort Huan suddenly stood up and bowed to the Emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, it is late, and you have had a tiring day. This servant takes her leave."
Seeing that Consort X had said this, the group of concubines present all stood up to bid farewell. I also rose to take my leave. Consort Wang hesitated, unwilling to depart. Just as I was about to leave, the Emperor suddenly said, "Xie Jieyu, stay. You will attend to me tonight."
"Yes, Your Majesty." A smile crept onto my lips as I had anticipated this. I had noticed the Emperor's gaze lingering on me for longer than usual. The sheer white fabric of my nightgown in the dim light, along with my crimson lips, held an irresistible allure.
Lying in bed, Sima Rui held me close and gently kissed my lips before letting out a deep sigh, murmuring, "I am so tired. I am disappointed in your aunt."
I softly comforted him, "Your Majesty, there must be some hidden reason for her actions. Otherwise, she would not have committed such a scandalous act."
"Let us hope so. Now sleep. I am exhausted tonight." With that, he tightened his embrace around me, and soon enough, I could hear his steady breathing.
I did not expect that this moment of negligence would alter my fate later on.
In the Sky Prison.
I looked around the filthy Sky Prison, filled with a foul stench and the echoes of prisoners shouting "Injustice!" and similar cries; it felt quite eerie. However, this atmosphere reminded me somewhat of the thrill of visiting an underground bar—exciting yet terrifying—as long as I wasn't trapped inside.
I walked to the two rooms specially prepared for my aunt and Shen Qing. Although they were not as comfortable as her usual quarters, they were much cleaner compared to where other prisoners stayed.
Shen Qing—I sensed something was off when I first saw him in my aunt's Pingyi Palace. I had never liked his gloomy demeanor; from the moment I encountered him with Brother Sima, I had never felt any fondness for him. Little did I know that my usually self-disciplined aunt would risk everything for him.
Their love was deeper than I had imagined. I thought that if caught, my aunt would shift all blame onto Shen Qing; instead, they shared the burden together. It turned out I had misjudged my aunt's ruthlessness and selfishness.
As I approached her cell, I took the basket from Xiao Quanzi's hands and said to my aunt, who was resting with her eyes closed inside, "Aunt, look what Firefly has brought you."
Xie De Fei opened her eyes, which were bloodshot, likely from a sleepless night.
She coldly replied, "What do you want?"
"I couldn't bear to see you suffering, so I asked the Emperor this morning to let Firefly come and see you."
"I don't need your false kindness." She sounded somewhat weary, but her innate pride remained intact. "Stop pretending, Xie Weiying."
I chuckled lightly, not angered at all, and lazily said, "This time, Aunt has truly misunderstood Firefly."
"I know exactly what you're thinking." She scoffed angrily. "That Old Buddy told you how to deal with us. Now that I'm in your hands, you can do whatever you want—kill me or torture me."
I stood up and gave her a cold smile. "What courage! Firefly truly admires it. But," I leaned closer to her face with a wicked grin, "do you think it ends here?"
In her eyes, which were filled with hatred and slightly reddened, I saw unwillingness. Yet I continued nonchalantly, "I wonder if Aunt's children—my lovely nephews—have another father, hmm?"
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