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墨書 Inktalez
"Your servant pays her respects to Her Majesty the Empress."
In Kun Ning Palace, Liu Ying bowed respectfully. The Empress set down her teacup and gestured for her to rise. "I heard you just returned from Tianshi Market Camp Howl?"
"Yes. I was ordered by Master Xu to return to the capital to report on the military affairs at the border."
"Oh?" The Empress looked at her meaningfully. "Do you know anything about the Xu family?"
Liu Ying's heart sank, but she maintained her composure. "Your servant does not know."
"Playing dumb is not wise." A sharp voice interrupted. Madam Chu stepped out from behind the screen. "My lady is a match chosen by the Empress Dowager, yet you took this opportunity to seduce Master Xu. How bold of you!"
Just as Liu Ying was about to respond, footsteps approached from outside the hall. Luo Yunzhi hurried in. "Your Majesty, what are you saying? Liu Ying and Master Xu are both carrying out orders; how did it become a private affair in Madam Chu's mouth?"
"You!" Madam Chu's face turned pale with anger.
The Empress gently stroked her teacup. "Luo Yunzhi is right. Xu Yuan was personally sent by me to the Northern Frontier, and Liu Ying is the official envoy of Qintian Observatory. It's inappropriate to slander them like this."
"But..." Madam Chu tried to argue.
"Enough." The Empress interrupted her. "You may leave now."
Once Madam Chu stormed out in frustration, the Empress turned to Liu Ying. "Now, tell me about the situation at Tianshi Market Camp Howl."
Liu Ying knew this was the main topic. "Your Majesty, there have indeed been unusual movements at Tianshi Market Camp Howl. I discovered that it seems related to an old case from twenty years ago."
"Twenty years ago?" The Empress furrowed her brow. "Is that related to the Great Fire?"
Liu Ying was secretly alarmed: The Empress knew about this matter too?
"Your Majesty," Luo Yunzhi suddenly spoke, "it seems that the Xu family has also been investigating this matter recently. I heard they sent someone to Fen Yang Village."
The Empress's eyes flickered. "So they want to use this marriage..."
"Not just that," Liu Ying interjected, cupping her hands in respect. "I also discovered a strange phenomenon. Every time it reaches Three-quarters into the Hour of the Rat, there are unusual occurrences above Tianshi Market Camp Howl. And during this time..."
"It coincides with when Xu Mansion caught fire twenty years ago." The Empress picked up where she left off. "Interesting. Bring me that box."
Before long, a palace maid presented a Sandalwood Box. The Empress opened it herself and took out a jade pendant.
Liu Ying's pupils constricted: This jade pendant looked exactly like the one she held in her hand!
"Do you recognize this?"
"I dare not make rash claims." Liu Ying's heart raced. "I just feel that this jade material seems familiar."
"Oh?" The Empress cast a meaningful glance at her. "This jade is called 'Tianshixue', a specialty of the Northern Frontier. It is said that only the the Yu Family can craft it into such a crystal-clear form."
Liu Ying felt a jolt in her heart. The the Yu Family again!
"Alright." The Empress put away the jade pendant. "You may go now. Remember, some things do not require clarification."
As she exited Kun Ning Palace, Luo Yunzhi grabbed Liu Ying's arm. "Sister, I've already had someone keep an eye on the Xu family. They've been frequently visiting the Empress Dowager's quarters lately; I fear they have ill intentions."
"Thank you." Liu Ying smiled. "What about you? Any news regarding young master Zhang?"
Luo Yunzhi blushed. "Don't mention it. My father insists that we must wait until this matter is resolved before he will say anything."
Just then, a commotion arose in the distance. The two turned to see Madam Chu speaking with a young eunuch, looking quite pleased with herself.
"This is bad." Luo Yunzhi whispered. "That person is close to the Empress Dowager."
Liu Ying's mind raced. "Luo Yunzhi, do you remember a rumor we heard in the palace years ago?"
"What rumor?"
"It was said that in her youth, the Empress Dowager had an engagement with a general from the Northern Frontier. After that general died in battle, the Empress Dowager..."
Luo Yunzhi's eyes brightened. "I understand now! I'll take care of it right away!"
As night fell, Liu Ying stood alone atop the Qintian Observatory. Tonight was the night of Three-quarters into the Hour of the Rat, and the stars in the Tian Shiyuan twinkled as if whispering secrets.
"Miss." A Fu rushed over. "I've just received a secret letter from Master Xu. It says that Southern spies have been discovered at the border, suspected to be connected to the Xu family!"
Liu Ying gazed at the horizon. "This game of chess is finally coming to an end."
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