Chapter 27 - 3#
Jingzhe encountered such a big event with Wude, but he didn’t specifically bring it up. It was only after everyone had dispersed that it was casually mentioned.
“Jingzhe, it’s normal for friends to give and take,” Huiping said earnestly. “We can’t always rely on you and give nothing in return.”
Jingzhe was in a daze. He didn’t expect that what he had just said to Zheng Hong would soon be used against himself.
…He didn’t think he was that kind of generous fool who only gave and never received, did he?
But Huiping was tired after all. He babbled a lot, but before he could finish, he talked himself to sleep.
Jingzhe covered him with a quilt, then moved to the doorway. After finishing the last bit of weaving, he looked at the item in his palm under the faint moonlight.
It was a small, delicate peace knot.
But this peace knot looked a little different from others. Usually, for a blessing, red thread should be used, but this one in Jingzhe’s hand, if seen in daylight, would be red and black intertwined.
If one looked closely under the sunlight, there might even be a faint hint of yellow in the black.
That was Jingzhe’s hair.
He subconsciously touched his own hair. After washing up, he had cut a portion of it in the room and brought it out.
Ever since he got that lock of Rong Jiu’s hair, Jingzhe felt that besides the things he had already made, he should give something else. But after much thought, there was nothing suitable.
Finally, he remembered his own hair.
Although it wasn’t soft, it was a bit frizzy and yellowish.
However, that had a different meaning after all.
He carefully made the item.
But after making it, Jingzhe felt a little strange.
He put away the peace knot, not planning to give it away immediately.
He just felt that if the two exchanged hair, it would have a deeper meaning.
“Tying hair together signifies husband and wife, with unwavering love.”
Jingzhe had heard this saying too.
…
In Qianming Palace, the lights were bright.
Tall lanterns illuminated the palace eaves and corridors, clearly showing the figures below.
Ning Hongru stood outside the hall, blocking the Minister of Justice and the Chief Minister of the Grand Court who wanted to enter, saying with a smile:
“Gentlemen, entering the palace late at night, you must have important matters. But His Majesty has already retired, so please wait.”
The Minister of Justice said loudly, “Chief Eunuch Ning, since you know that we are trespassing into the imperial court late at night, it must be for an important matter. How can you stop us and prevent us from seeing His Majesty?”
Ning Hongru could feel the spittle flying and subtly moved back a bit.
“Minister, this humble one, out of respect for your sincere loyalty to His Majesty, did not have the guards apprehend you when they reported your presence. But if you push your luck further, do not blame this humble one for being impolite.” Ning Hongru’s voice was still so gentle and calm. “Gentlemen should know what kind of crime it is to trespass without an imperial decree, right?”
The Minister of Justice, who had been very agitated just now, choked and couldn’t speak. The Chief Minister of the Grand Court dragged the excited Minister of War back, lest he say anything more unpleasant.
He knew that the steps under the palace corridor had been soaked with the blood of countless people, and he didn’t want his own corpse to become part of it.
The Chief Minister of the Grand Court said with a bitter smile, “Chief Eunuch Ning, don’t blame Minister Liu for being so agitated. The truth is… Nitta was ambushed and killed.”
Ning Hongru’s expression changed slightly. This name was indeed well-known.
Last year, several areas in the south suffered severe floods, and the people were displaced. After verifying, Emperor Jingyuan sent disaster relief silver.
However, less than half a year later, the reported news, though seemingly flowery, was problematic. Emperor Jingyuan sent people to investigate secretly, and after great effort, found Nitta.
Nitta had spent many years climbing to the position of governor. But he had also been in this position for many years.
Every three years, his assessments were all excellent.
Under his rule, the people seemed to live in peace and contentment, and everyone was prosperous.
But this time, disaster struck, and many of the deficits that were only on paper were exposed.
Whether it was the population, the land, or the severity of the disaster, everything was inconsistent.
Everything was fake.
At that time, when Ning Hongru saw the relevant documents, he couldn’t help but be surprised by this person’s ability.
This intricate scheme was so meticulously done that if it weren’t for this disaster, and the higher-ups sending people to investigate, Nitta, who had embezzled disaster relief silver to fill the void, might not have been discovered.
However, this disaster might not have been a warning.
Perhaps even heaven couldn’t stand it anymore.
Ning Hongru: “This news, did it just come back tonight?”
The Minister of Justice finally suppressed his anger and said stiffly, “Precisely. According to the date, Nitta’s escort team should have arrived half a month ago. But the person in charge waited and waited, and no one arrived. This official found it strange, so I specially sent someone to investigate quickly. As a result, at the post station, I happened to run into the soldiers who were coming to report.”
Those soldiers were from Yuzhou.
Yuzhou had many mountains and many bandits.
They often had headaches because of these bandits, but these bandits generally only robbed and did not kill. After all, they only sought wealth, and there was no need to take lives.
Not long ago, a merchant caravan in Yuzhou had to pass through a notorious mountain, but they passed safely, and nothing happened.
After that, there were several more such incidents.
It was as if the bandits on that mountain had all disappeared.
The government learned of this news and specially sent a team of soldiers to investigate. They were originally prepared for a conflict, but they didn’t expect that after circling the mountain several times, they didn’t even see a single person.
After a thorough search, they even found the bandits’ lair. There was no obstruction at all, which was too different from before.
There was nothing left in the bandit’s stronghold.
It was as if someone had just cleaned it out not long ago.
After that, they searched the entire mountain carefully again, and finally found the shattered prison cart and horses, as well as the escorting soldiers, at the bottom of a cliff.
The bodies were already rotten and unrecognizable, but counting the body in the prison uniform, along with the soldiers, the number matched exactly.
This was a prison cart escorting an imperial criminal!
Coupled with the fact that the bandit strongholds were empty and the bandits had disappeared without a trace, it was not difficult to conclude that the bandits had attacked the prison cart in the dead of night, and then, realizing they had committed a heinous crime, destroyed the bodies and fled in all directions to avoid being traced.
This news returned to the capital tonight, already late.
But the matter was urgent, which led to this late-night entry into the palace.
Attacking a prison cart, intercepting, or even assassinating an imperial criminal, was a serious crime. And it happened to be Nitta, a corrupt official whom His Majesty had ordered a thorough investigation of. This was no small matter.
This was the reason why the Minister of Justice was so agitated.
Ning Hongru was thoughtful, his gaze lingered on the Minister of Justice and the Chief Minister of the Grand Court for a moment, then slowly fell on the last person.
The Censor-in-Chief, Shen Zikun.
While the Minister of Justice and the Chief Minister of the Grand Court were speaking, he had been standing silently behind them. When he saw Ning Hongru’s gaze sweep over, he smiled slightly and said nothing.
Ning Hongru nodded to him, then said, “Since it is such an important matter, this humble one naturally cannot stop you. However… gentlemen should also know that after His Majesty rests, he can never be disturbed. If, at that time, His Majesty has a slight outburst, I hope you gentlemen will bear with it.”
He left these words with a smile and went in to report.
The Minister of Justice paused, then turned to look at the Censor-in-Chief, “Minister Shen, what does Chief Eunuch Ning mean by that?”
Shen Zikun smiled, “It means for us to be careful with our heads.” After that, he added, “It should be a kind reminder.”
Minister of Justice: “…”
Is this very kind?
Where is the kindness?
This sounds like a naked threat, a threat!
Unlike Ning Hongru’s calm demeanor outside, his actions after entering the hall were very cautious and careful. After making sure that he didn’t have even a trace of smell on him—he had checked himself and had Shi Lijun help him smell—only then did he dare to step into the inner hall.
What he said to the Minister of Justice outside was not to scare people.
After Emperor Jingyuan fell asleep, he really couldn’t be woken up.
The emperor’s sleep was short and infrequent. But if he fell asleep, it was very deep.
Therefore, no one could be left by his side when he was asleep.
No matter how deep his sleep, Emperor Jingyuan would naturally wake up if someone entered. And if he was not naturally awakened, but his sleep was disturbed by external forces…
At that time, Emperor Jingyuan would kill everyone close to him.
No matter who.
Every time Ning Hongru had to wake His Majesty, he only dared to push open the door of the inner hall, and then, standing closest to the door, he would boldly call out a sentence.
“Your Majesty, the Minister of Justice and several other officials request an audience, regarding… Nitta’s assassination.”
In the dark and silent hall, only Ning Hongru’s voice echoed.
After saying this, Ning Hongru kept his mouth shut, his ears keenly perked up, his body leaning against the door, ready to escape at the most dangerous moment.
The emperor would not be angry.
Even Emperor Jingyuan once commented, “I chose to keep you because I saw your timidity and your skill at escaping as advantages.”
Ning Hongru: “…”
So, this could actually be considered an advantage!
In any case, Ning Hongru’s advantage today was also steadily playing its role, narrowly avoiding the flying dagger.
He couldn’t help but feel a little smug in his heart.
It seemed that his footwork had not deteriorated yet.
While thinking this, Ning Hongru had already stepped one foot out of the hall, ready to run at any time.
After all, this was a very ominous sign.
But the hall became quiet again, and he stood stiffly at the boundary between inside and outside, unable to leave, yet forced to listen to the movements in the hall.
Afraid of being killed, and also afraid of not hearing Emperor Jingyuan’s instructions in time.
“Those who set foot in Qianming Palace tonight shall be executed without mercy.”
After a long time.
A cold, suppressed voice came from the hall.
Ning Hongru was startled and risked his life to plead.
“Your Majesty, the Censor-in-Chief is also among them.”
Others might be dispensable, but that was Shen Zikun!
Crackling, something shattered in the hall, making a loud noise. The cold voice actually burned with scorching heat.
“Get out.”
With just a single word, Ning Hongru quickly rolled out.
He didn’t just roll out himself, he also made those ministers roll out. See, what a kind person he was, risking his life to plead for them.
It would be strange if he didn’t extort them heavily.
When the Minister of Justice and the Chief Minister of the Grand Court left with ashen faces, the Censor-in-Chief Shen Zikun did not leave immediately. He looked at the plaque of Qianming Palace and said softly, “Your Majesty… is he well recently?”
If it were anyone else, Ning Hongru would naturally not answer.
But this was Shen Zikun.
He was also one of His Majesty’s few relatives.
Ning Hongru always knew that Emperor Jingyuan always had some tolerance for the Shen family.
Not much, but at this moment, it was enough to save lives.
Ning Hongru: “His Majesty is very well.”
He said this sincerely.
Compared to before, he was much better.
Shen Zikun sighed softly, “That’s good.” He bowed to Ning Hongru and, along with the two ministers, stepped into the wind and snow.
Ning Hongru tiptoed back. In the hall, candlelight had been lit at some point.
A very faint, almost imperceptible glow.
Emperor Jingyuan was awake.
Ning Hongru stood outside like a quail. Below him, Shi Lijun and others were also like this, silent and solemn like statues, not making any sound.
So quiet, as if they didn’t exist.
The howling cold wind was piercing, but in Qianming Palace, it was still warm.
A bean-sized lamp illuminated a small area.
Emperor Jingyuan was indeed awake.
His ink-like eyes under the firelight seemed to be filled with flowing venom, carrying a certain wild and rampant killing intent. The suppressed tyranny flowed between his brows, dangerously like a ghost.
The strong desire to attack and kill would make Emperor Jingyuan, in a semi-awake state, do wanton and crazy things. The crimson blood flowing from his fingertips would only be a decorative color.
On the wide and soft bed, several pieces of torn cloth were scattered.
They looked like a relatively silky material, but on them, there were crooked stitches, destroying their integrity.
However, no matter how much, it was not as brutal as the man’s violent tearing just now.
But after this strange act, Emperor Jingyuan actually suppressed the bloodthirsty desire that always got out of control too quickly. The violent impact, stirring in his body, somehow transformed into a more twisted and terrible demand.
The man’s face, hidden in the shadows, was sickly pale. His fingertips picked up a piece of torn cloth, and he stared at it for a long time, not knowing what he was thinking.
And then…
A sizzling sound of water, somewhat viscous.
Like being soaked in moisture, filled with a strange smell.
His breath seemed to boil.
It was another kind of strange desire.
On Helian Rong’s beautiful and elegant face, the crimson spreading from the corners of his eyes was like a burning flame. The whole person seemed to transform from a deadly evil spirit into a soul-devouring beautiful ghost. His eyes were as black and bright as the finest ink jade, yet they revealed a cunning bestiality.
He panted slightly, and between his crimson lips, someone’s name faintly appeared.
As if he wanted to eat him alive.
In the Zhidianjian, Jingzhe, who had been sleeping soundly, suddenly woke up.
Thump—
Thump—thump—
His heart was pounding frantically.
He covered his chest with numb hands and feet.
A sudden danger seized him, as if something ominous had quietly descended.
Was it… a nightmare?