That night, just after Ji Yuluo left, most of the Forbidden Army and the Jinyiwei in the palace were withdrawn. The reason was simple: the Jinyiwei had captured the assassin, who turned out to be Zhong Fu, the Chief Eunuch of the Inner Palace.
Zhong Fu was caught in his sleep, wearing a white nightgown and with disheveled hair. He cursed loudly, “This is outrageous! How dare you act like this in the palace! I am the Chief Eunuch of the Inner Palace, personally appointed by the Emperor. You dare to arrest me like this? This is insubordination! I demand to see the Emperor! I will report the Jinyiwei!”
Liyang was ordered to arrest him and followed at the end of the team with his sword.
Tonight, he had just started his duty at Chonghua Hall when he heard that the assassin had been caught. However, Liyang had been involved in the investigation from the beginning and did not suspect Zhong Fu at all. Moreover, Zhong Fu, with his delicate appearance, did not look like an assassin.
Liyang asked Nanyue beside him, “Is it really Zhong Fu? Do we have any evidence?”
Nanyue replied, “If the master says it is, then it is.”
Liyang immediately understood. This meant that even if there was no evidence, they would fabricate some. After all, the Jinyiwei had been investigating for so long without any results. Someone had to take responsibility to account to the Emperor.
There was a reason why Zhong Fu was chosen as the scapegoat in the vast palace.
Currently, among the twelve directorates of the palace, the Directorate of Ceremonies was the most powerful. Although each directorate had a Chief Eunuch, not all Chief Eunuchs were equal. Zhong Fu of the Inner Palace could not compare to Zhao Yong of the Directorate of Ceremonies.
But being oppressed for too long made some unwilling to accept their fate.
None of them had any real roots; who was nobler than whom?
Moreover, the Emperor did not favor Zhao Yong, and Zhong Fu, with his sweet tongue, had gained some favor, making him arrogant enough to criticize Huo Xian in front of the Emperor.
Imitating his master, Nanyue said with a hint of mockery, “Oh, let it be Zhong Fu. He’s too noisy and annoying.”
Nanyue’s imitation of Huo Xian’s tone was quite accurate, making Liyang laugh.
The Jinyiwei ahead transferred Zhong Fu to the dungeon. Liyang went to report to Huo Xian. Huo Xian, at Chonghua Hall, exaggerated the evidence of Zhong Fu’s assassination attempt to Emperor Shun’an. Hearing the Emperor’s anger and the sound of a cup being smashed, Liyang knew his master was about to come out.
Sure enough, shortly after, Huo Xian came out, lifting the curtain.
Liyang followed him into the office. Seeing Huo Xian changing into his regular clothes, he asked, “No need to guard the Emperor anymore?”
Huo Xian, tying his belt quickly, seemed to be in a hurry. He nodded and said, “Dismiss everyone. You’ve all worked hard. Take the brothers to Fuxing Pavilion for a good meal, put it on my tab.”
He patted Liyang’s shoulder as he spoke and was about to leave when Liyang quickly stepped forward, pulling out two sheets of paper from a stack of documents. “Master, these are the findings about the lady you asked us to investigate.”
Huo Xian paused, glanced back at the papers.
Two pages, very sparse.
Liyang rubbed his nose and said, “…This is all there is. The lady lived a simple life and rarely went out. She knew only a few people. After thorough investigation, nothing suspicious was found.”
Huo Xian took the papers, set down his sword, and sat on the edge of the table.
Liyang said, “Three years ago, she lived in the Ji household. Madam Ji didn’t like her and almost never took her out. Later, there were some conflicts, and Madam moved to Chengyuan Temple. She spent her days chanting scriptures and praying, almost like a nun with hair. The monks in the temple said that the eldest daughter of the Ji family was quiet and kind but didn’t like to talk. The one she interacted with the most was Master Jingchen. Master Jingchen was fond of her and, although she didn’t make her shave her head and become a disciple, treated her as a student and taught her. Hence, the monks said that she spent most of her time alone in the library reading medical books and did nothing else.”
Huo Xian glanced at the two-page document and read it through in one go.
From these few lines, he could almost paint a picture of a gentle and serene, well-mannered young lady. This was nearly identical to what Nanyue had investigated before.
But how could an ordinary girl possess martial skills? Who taught her, and how skilled was she? These details were not mentioned in the files.
Huo Xian trusted the investigative abilities of the Jinyiwei. The missing details were either deliberately hidden by someone or he was mistaken.
Liyang hesitated and said, “Master, since Master Jingchen is familiar with Madam, if you have any other suspicions, why not… inquire with her?”
Huo Xian paused for a moment and then said, “Master Jingchen has long since withdrawn from worldly matters, no need to disturb her.”
Liyang bowed his head in agreement and said no more.
Huo Xian lowered his gaze, staring at the ink characters on the paper. His eyes became sharp, and after a moment, he got up and left.
Nanyue quickly came in, grabbed his sword, and followed him out.
At the main courtyard of the Huo residence.
Biwu had been living comfortably lately. She was anxious about her lady marrying into the Huo family, but after coming here, she found it better than expected. The dreaded Lord Huo never stayed here overnight, so there was no need to be fearful. This life was much better than the previous one, where they had to endure cold and hunger while being wary of the madam’s beatings. It was like heaven.
The maids and servants in the main courtyard were respectful and kind. The kitchen stewardesses were also very amiable. Since her lady had been eating pastries frequently before the wedding, Biwu learned how to make them from the stewardesses.
The frosted cakes were ready.
Hongshuang hurried through the path and was stopped by Biwu. “Hey! Sister Hongshuang, just in time. Please take these cakes to the lady. I’ll go check if the firewood in the kitchen is out. It mustn’t catch fire.”
Hongshuang quickly agreed and walked briskly with the food box.
She pushed open the door to the inner room. Ji Yuluo had already taken off her hairpins and ornaments. She sat in front of the dressing table, her long hair draped over her shoulders, staring at the person in the mirror, lost in thought.
Hongshuang stepped forward and said, “Miss, I heard they caught the assassin in the palace. The Imperial Guards and Jinyiwei have withdrawn.”
Ji Yuluo was surprised. “Caught the assassin? Who was it?”
Hongshuang replied, “It seems to be an eunuch.”
Since leaving the palace, Ji Yuluo had been thinking about this matter. Huo Xian must have noticed something and was testing her. If he had already detected something amiss, he could have easily captured her in the palace tonight.
The Jinyiwei were best at extracting confessions through torture.
With her surname being Ji, if anything incriminating were found, Ji Chongwang would not only lose his official hat but also his head. Although Huo Xian had married her, with his skills, he could easily extricate himself from any trouble.
But not only did he let her go, he even fabricated a person to “take the blame” for her. Why would he do that?
Ji Yuluo raised her eyes to the bronze mirror, her snow-like eyebrows knitting slightly, as if asking the person in the mirror: What is he scheming?
At that moment, the door was suddenly pushed open with urgency. Biwu rushed in, her steps hurried and disordered. She ran up and said, “Miss! The young master has returned to the residence and said he will stay in the main courtyard tonight. Nanny Liu has already gone to prepare the bedding!”
Just as she finished speaking, Nanny Liu came in with the bedding, followed by Huo Xian, who walked in leisurely. The inner room suddenly became lively.
Ji Yuluo immediately stood up, casting a wary glance at Nanny Liu as she made the bed.
Hongshuang and Biwu both looked surprised.
Hongshuang was frightened, thinking about how to help her lady avoid this troublesome night. Biwu, on the other hand, was delighted. She had been worried that since her lady had not consummated the marriage with the young master, there might be a rift between them in the future. Once they consummated the marriage, they would truly be a couple and rightful masters of the household.
With different thoughts, Hongshuang and Biwu retreated.
Nanny Liu finished making the bed and respectfully left.
Half of the window was open, and the cool breeze blew on the red candles, casting flickering shadows on the wall that looked like a ghost with outstretched claws.
The two of them stared at each other in a long silence.
It was like a silent confrontation, and whoever gave in first would lose.
Ji Yuluo was tense, ready to face his questions or even defend herself against his actions. But in that stiff moment, the man opposite suddenly smiled.
He rubbed the back of his neck and rotated it, then walked over and spread his arms, saying, “The palace is indeed not as comfortable as home. Have someone prepare water; I want to bathe.”
Ji Yuluo was momentarily stunned, unable to react to his posture.
Huo Xian raised his eyebrows and urged, “What are you standing there for? Can’t you help me undress?”
Ji Yuluo hesitated for a moment, cautiously walking over. Her eyes fell on the belt around Huo Xian’s waist. It wasn’t his usual belt, but it was embroidered with gold thread and had a fine jade set in the center.
She stared at the belt, a hint of frustration unconsciously appearing in her eyes.
Huo Xian’s eyes glinted with amusement. Just as Ji Yuluo was about to reach out, he grabbed her hand first and looked down at her, saying, “If Madam can’t do it, no problem. I will teach you.”
Ji Yuluo looked up, frustrated, and said, “This belt is indeed difficult to undo. I’ll call a maid.”
She forced a gentle smile, and Huo Xian, seeing it, smiled back and said, “There are many days ahead. We can’t call someone every time. It’s simple as long as you’re willing to learn.”
Huo Xian guided her hand to his waist, teaching her while feeling her palm and fingertips.
There were no calluses typical of a martial artist, just smooth and soft skin like any other woman’s.
Huo Xian’s eyes lowered slightly. This didn’t necessarily prove anything; she might just not use heavy weapons like swords.
His gaze fell to the woman’s silver-embroidered shoes.
Practitioners of lightness skills often need to exert force from their toes for extended periods, leading to calluses, especially on the pads of their big toes.
The belt fell to the ground, and the robe loosened, revealing a white inner garment.
At this moment, a maid had prepared the bathwater. Just as Huo Xian was about to speak, Hongshuang entered, holding a bowl of dark medicine. She said, “Miss, you haven’t recovered from your cold; you need to take your medicine.”
Ji Yuluo exchanged a glance with Hongshuang, then coughed lightly into her hand and stepped back, saying, “Husband, please take your bath first. I am unwell and will sleep on the couch in the outer room tonight to avoid passing the illness to you.”
Huo Xian looked at her and said, “A cold?”
Ji Yuluo nodded, “Perhaps I caught a chill on the way back from the palace. I’ve been feeling dizzy and chest tightness, so—”
“It’s no problem.” Huo Xian’s expression was sincere. “As a husband, how can I sleep separately just because my wife has a minor cold? You should rest.”
After saying that, he took the medicine from Hongshuang, watching as Ji Yuluo drank it before heading to the bathroom.
Once the curtain fell, Hongshuang rushed forward, lowering her voice, “Miss, what is he planning?”
Ji Yuluo frowned, feeling a bitterness in her throat.
Seeing her silence, Hongshuang became more anxious. “Miss, while there’s still time, let’s leave!”
If anything went wrong, she would have to face the consequences herself!
Ji Yuluo glanced at her lightly and then looked out the window. “Do you think we can leave now?”
Hongshuang was nearly in a panic. “Then—”
Ji Yuluo pulled her down, signaling her to come closer, and whispered a few words in her ear. Hongshuang’s expression relaxed a bit, and she hurried away.
The charcoal fire was burning, but the cold wind continued to blow in, dispelling the warmth.
Ji Yuluo listened to the sound of the water in the bathroom, took a deep breath, exhaled slowly to calm herself, and walked over to the window, stepping on the bothersome belt on the floor. As she closed the window, the noise from the bathroom also quieted.
With a “swoosh,” the curtain was pulled open.
When Ji Yuluo turned around, Huo Xian had already stepped out, leaving a trail of water on the floor.
He was dressed in a thin, purple robe, loosely worn, lacking the sharpness he had when wearing his official attire with a sword. He looked more like a refined gentleman of romance.
Ji Yuluo thought that the rumors about Huo Xian’s love for beauties must be true; this was probably how he appeared when he entered the Western Courtyard at night.
Huo Xian first glanced at the bed, and seeing no one, he turned his gaze to her, asking kindly, “Aren’t you cold standing by the window?”
He wiped his hands with a cloth, walked straight to the bed, sat down, and patted the empty space beside him, saying, “Come here.”
