Novel Name : The Enchanting Empress Dowager Is Really Poisonous
The Enchanting Empress Dowager Is Really Poisonous Volume 2 Chapter 7 - The Death of Qiuxin! Leng Jiu Sets a Trap!
Volume 2 Chapter 7 - The Death of Qiuxin! Leng Jiu Sets a Trap!
Leng Jiu didn’t know why Leng Yue told her this news, but to her, it was indeed good news. Without seeking out Mo Zhai and the others, she directly changed her clothes and returned to the palace. If she could really find the Qianying Guards, they would be more useful than anything else. Moreover, she was very curious about how these ancient black secret guards would compare to modern special forces. It was rare for something to pique Leng Jiu’s interest, and her eyes lit up because of it.
After returning to the palace, Leng Jiu changed her clothes and, for once, did not collapse lazily onto her seat. Instead, she sat upright, resting one hand on the desk, her index finger tapping the surface repeatedly. It was clear that her mood was somewhat unsettled, like a wolf that had spotted its prey, thinking about how to bring it down.
Ziyu naturally noticed the difference in Leng Jiu today. She didn’t understand what good fortune had befallen her but seeing how deep in thought Leng Jiu seemed, she didn’t dare to disturb her.
After a long while, Leng Jiu’s finger finally stopped tapping, and she lowered her gaze slightly. “Ziyu! Bring Qing Ling to me!”
“Yes!” Ziyu responded and went to fetch Qing Ling. After bringing Qing Ling in, she heard Leng Jiu say, “Go stand guard at the door. Do not let anyone in!”
Ziyu nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty!”
Once Ziyu had left, Leng Jiu looked at Qing Ling with a gaze that was both oppressive and intimidating. “When I entered the palace and stayed by the old emperor’s side, you were always there?”
“Yes.”
Leng Jiu suddenly thought of something, and her brow twitched. “And you were the one who substituted for me during those nights?”
Qing Ling’s rigid face finally showed some movement, but she still calmly replied, “Yes.”
Leng Jiu looked at her, opened her mouth as if to ask something else, but suddenly held back. She waved her hand. “You may go.”
Qing Ling found it strange but didn’t ask further, lowering her head as she left.
Leng Jiu propped her head on one hand, returning to her usual lazy demeanor. However, at this moment, she was far from relaxed, her mind awash with countless thoughts, all racing nonstop. She originally wanted to pry some information out of Qing Ling, as she had been by Leng Jinghua’s side the longest and knew the most secrets. But seeing her expression and recalling her personality from their last interaction, Leng Jiu quickly determined that Qing Ling was unaware of the matter. If Qing Ling knew, she wouldn’t have had that kind of expression.
If even Qing Ling didn’t know, then who would? Lu Chang? Leng Jiu shook her head, dismissing the thought. If even Qing Ling didn’t know, there was no way Leng Jinghua would let a mere eunuch know. If Lu Chang knew, he wouldn’t have remained so calm.
Could it really be out of her hands? Leng Jiu shook her head, not believing it. As the saying goes, flies don’t hover over seamless eggs. Long Yi’s suspicion of Leng Jinghua was understandable, given that he truly didn’t know. However, the fact that the old emperor’s men were still watching Leng Jinghua indicated that there was indeed a problem.
Her red lips curled slightly, full of interest. “I thought you were just a pitiful woman, but it seems you’re not so simple after all. Interesting, this is getting fun.”
Leng Jiu suddenly thought of Long Yueli. She had never understood what was on her that could attract his attention. Now, it seemed it might be related to the Qianying Guards. But what did he want? The guards, or something else?
Leng Jiu curled her fingers, just about to tap them again when she stopped. “Ziyu!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“Bring Du Heng to me!”
“Yes!”
Du Heng arrived shortly after. “Greetings, Your Majesty!”
Leng Jiu beckoned him over. “Come closer.”
Du Heng obeyed, cautiously moving closer. “What are your orders, Your Majesty?”
Leng Jiu lifted the cup lid, dipped her finger in water, and wrote four characters on the table: “Investigate this person. I want to know everything from the time she entered the palace to her death.”
This was the first time Leng Jiu had asked him to investigate something so significant. Du Heng nodded seriously. “Don’t worry, Your Majesty! I will do my best!”
“Go then!”
Leng Jiu closed her eyes and pretended to nap for a moment. Suddenly, she opened them and said, “Zi Yu! Bring me a cloak.”
Zi Yu followed orders, retrieved a cloak from the wardrobe, and looked at Leng Jiu. “Is the Empress Dowager going out?”
Leng Jiu massaged her forehead. “It’s been a while since I last visited the Imperial Garden. I think I’ll take a stroll.”
Zi Yu walked over and draped the cloak over Leng Jiu’s shoulders as she stood up, smiling. “Indeed, the Empress Dowager hasn’t been out for a long time. A walk would do you good.”
Leng Jiu curved her lips in silence, shook out her cloak, and headed toward the door. When she reached the palace gate, she suddenly asked, “Where is Lu Chang?”
“Eunuch Lu has been out for a while. He instructed me to keep watch but didn’t say where he was going.”
Leng Jiu raised an eyebrow. “Has he been going out often lately?”
Zi Yu thought for a moment. “Pretty much! Since the Empress Dowager hasn’t summoned him, Eunuch Lu has barely been around. I thought the Empress Dowager had given him some task.”
Leng Jiu brushed her hand over the pattern on her sleeve and asked no more. “Let’s go.”
As soon as Leng Jiu arrived at the Imperial Garden, she saw Qiu Xin tending to a flower pot. A ginkgo tree was growing in it, and Kano was jumping around on the tree, playing happily. Zi Yu noticed as well and smiled. “Since the Empress Dowager slapped Noble Consort Hua last time, everyone knows that Qiu Xin is your person, and no one dares to hold Kano anymore. Now, anyone who sees them in the Imperial Garden walks around them.”
Leng Jiu turned and walked in another direction. “Tell that girl Qiu Xin to be more restrained and not too indulgent.”
Zi Yu nodded at her words. “She’s only so bold because of your favor. I’ll remind her.”
Leng Jiu looked ahead. “Being pure and innocent is good, but in this palace, being too naive can cost you your life, no matter how much protection you have.”
Zi Yu naturally understood and nodded heavily.
Even in autumn, the Imperial Garden was in full bloom. Thanks to careful cultivation, flowers that shouldn’t have been blooming in this season were in full display. The peonies and chrysanthemums were the most vibrant, with a few crabapple trees also about to bloom. Some maple trees had been transplanted, adding to the autumn atmosphere.
Leng Jiu hadn’t walked far when she heard the laughter of women. She passed a rock garden and saw a group of palace women sitting together, laughing and talking. One woman was surrounded by the others, and Leng Jiu found her face somewhat familiar.
Zi Yu stepped forward and whispered, “Empress Dowager, the woman in the center is a new concubine named Yang Lian. Half a month ago, she served the Emperor and was given the title of *Meiren* (Beauty). Yesterday, the imperial physician confirmed she is pregnant. Last night, the Emperor promoted her to Noble Lady Lian. This is the first time since the selection process began that a concubine has become pregnant, so the Emperor is taking it seriously.”
Leng Jiu watched the woman, surrounded and radiating happiness, bend down to pick a chrysanthemum. She squeezed it in her hand until the flower petals scattered. “Promoted twice in less than half a month—how many people must envy her?”
“Usually, serving the Emperor is followed by a title. Her father is a fifth-rank official, not a court official but a local governor. Being titled *Meiren* is normal, and it makes sense to promote her for carrying a child,” Zi Yu explained.
Leng Jiu dusted the petals off her hands. “That’s where you’re wrong. If her promotion were just for serving the Emperor, even a title like *Zhaoyi* or *Jieyu* wouldn’t draw this much jealousy. But she was promoted for carrying a child. The Emperor has dozens of concubines, but only Consort Li is pregnant. The palace also has Noble Consort Hua, Consort Hui, and over ten others of higher rank, yet none of them are pregnant. And yet, she is. Do you think her promotion won’t make others jealous?”
Zi Yu understood now. The jealousy wasn’t about the title; it was about her pregnancy. She had heard before that the women in the palace would resort to any means to suppress others. She feared this child wouldn’t be easy to deliver—if it could be kept at all. After all, it had only been half a month. Forget giving birth; even carrying it further might be a challenge.
Leng Jiu walked in another direction and found a pavilion to sit in. It was quiet here, with no one else around.
Zi Yu stood by her side and ordered some snacks and tea to be brought. As she turned, she noticed a hurried figure that looked familiar but uncertain. She glanced at Leng Jiu, who had closed her eyes, and decided not to speak, suppressing her curiosity.
After sitting for a while, Leng Jiu returned. When passing by the place where she had seen Qiu Xin, she noticed a crowd gathered. Leng Jiu said to Zi Yu, “Go and ask what’s going on.”
Zi Yu walked over, pulled aside someone on the outer edge of the crowd, and asked something. Her face suddenly went pale, and she pushed through the crowd. A moment later, she staggered back to Leng Jiu, her face filled with panic. When she reached Leng Jiu, her eyes were red and swollen, and her voice choked with emotion. “Empress Dowager! It’s… Qiu Xin. Qiu Xin has been murdered!”
Leng Jiu stiffened instantly and stepped forward, looking at the crowd. She said in a low voice, “All of you, get out of my way!”
One person didn’t react immediately and turned around impatiently, but seeing Leng Jiu, they quickly knelt in fear. “Greetings, Empress Dowager!”
“Greetings, Empress Dowager!”
A group of people quickly knelt down, but Leng Jiu didn’t even glance at them. She kicked aside the nearest one and strode inside. The crowd hurriedly made way for her.
As Leng Jiu approached the corner, she saw Qiu Xin. The girl, who had been so innocent just moments ago, playing with Kano, now lay on the ground, her eyes wide open in terror. Blood was still gushing from the wound on her neck; she had clearly died only recently. Leng Jiu’s gaze shifted to the side where Kano lay on the ground, evidently struck, though its belly was still moving—showing it was still alive.
Her eyes returned to Qiu Xin, and Leng Jiu sighed slightly, closing her eyes. “Summon the head of the Imperial Guard for me.”
“Yes!” The nearest person quickly accepted the order and left.
Leng Jiu waved her sleeve. “Find a stretcher and have her body carried to the Imperial Garden for me.”
“Yes!”
A moment later, Leng Jiu was seated in the center of the garden, with Qiu Xin’s body placed not far in front of her. A group of concubines had come to see what was going on. Upon seeing the dead body, they all turned pale with fright, yet none dared to leave.
Not long after, Lin Feng, the head of the Imperial Guards, arrived, accompanied by Long Yi.
“Greetings, Your Majesty!” The group of concubines knelt, but Leng Jiu didn’t even look at Long Yi.
Long Yi glanced at Qiu Xin’s body on the ground and walked toward Leng Jiu. “What happened here?”
Leng Jiu raised her eyes. “Shouldn’t that question be directed to the Head of the Guard? There’s a murderer with a weapon in the inner palace—he should be the one who knows best.”
Hearing this, Lin Feng quickly knelt down. “Rest assured, Empress Dowager! I will thoroughly investigate this!”
“Investigate? When will you start?”
Lin Feng lowered his head. “Right away!”
“If you’re starting right away, why are you still kneeling here?”
Lin Feng immediately stood up and turned to leave, but Leng Jiu’s voice rang out again. “Immediately seal off the Imperial Garden and the four inner gates. No one is allowed to leave. Investigate everyone who has entered the Imperial Garden recently. Arrest all the personnel for me!”
Lin Feng looked toward Long Yi, clearly waiting for his approval.
Long Yi glanced at Qiu Xin’s body on the ground and nodded slightly. Though the death of a palace maid wasn’t usually a major event, her being murdered in the palace was indeed serious.
Soon, the Imperial Garden was sealed, with guards posted at all four gates. Then came the list of everyone who had entered the Imperial Garden.
Leng Jiu sat quietly, waiting for an hour from the time Lin Feng left until the list was delivered. Yet she showed no sign of impatience.
The group of concubines stood with aching feet, but none could leave.
Leng Jiu slowly flipped through the list, page by page, reading carefully. At last, her gaze lingered on one name before moving on. She then handed the papers to Long Yi. “I’m not skilled at investigating cases; it’s better for Your Majesty to handle this.”
Long Yi looked at the papers in his hand—ten sheets with hundreds of names. Going through each one would take forever. “I don’t think we’ll find anything in a short time. How about we leave it to Lin Feng to investigate slowly and let you know as soon as there’s news?”
Leng Jiu glanced at Lin Feng, clearly not convinced, but she said nothing more. She stood up. “So be it. Give this girl a proper burial.”
With that, she didn’t look at Qiu Xin on the ground or at anyone else, and left with Zi Yu.
Back at Weiyang Palace, Zi Yu could no longer hold back her tears. She rubbed her eyes vigorously, but the tears wouldn’t stop. Finally, she knelt in front of Leng Jiu and pleaded, “Empress Dowager, you must seek justice for Qiu Xin! She can’t die in vain!”
Leng Jiu sat down and spoke calmly. “The Imperial Garden is so large, with hundreds of people, from concubines to sweeping servants—how could we possibly find the culprit? If someone dared to kill Qiu Xin, they won’t just sit idly by. Even if we do find someone, it will likely be just a scapegoat.”
Zi Yu, heartbroken, looked at Leng Jiu. “Are we just going to let it go? Qiu Xin was only sixteen—how could someone be so cruel?”
Leng Jiu handed her a handkerchief. “I also want to find out, but this kind of thing can’t be resolved quickly. We can only wait. Sooner or later, the culprit will slip up, and the truth will come to light.”
Zi Yu knew she couldn’t force the issue, so she cried her heart out and didn’t bring it up again.
Kano, who had been knocked unconscious, was uninjured. Once it woke up, it was still lively, but without Qiu Xin to play with, it bounced back to Leng Jiu. However, it didn’t seem as spirited as before.
“Empress Dowager, Consort Hui and a few others have come to see you. Shall I summon them?” Lu Chang approached Leng Jiu and asked.
Hearing this, Leng Jiu turned her head, but before she could speak, Kano suddenly bristled and started squeaking angrily at Lu Chang. It was the first time Leng Jiu had seen it so agitated.
Leng Jiu raised her hand to stroke its fur. “What’s the matter? Did you eat something bad?”
Lu Chang smiled at Kano. “It’s probably shaken by today’s events and doesn’t want to see strangers.”
Hearing this, Leng Jiu’s eyes flashed slightly as she turned to Lu Chang. “Did you visit the Imperial Garden today? Did you see anyone suspicious?”
Lu Chang replied calmly, “In response to the Empress Dowager, I saw no one. I went to the kitchen to see a couple of old maids who entered the palace with me. After that, I returned and didn’t expect something like this to happen to Qiu Xin.”
Leng Jiu said nothing further. “I don’t want to see anyone today. Send them away.”
Lu Chang kept his head bowed. “Yes!”
After Lu Chang left, Leng Jiu looked at the dazed Zi Yu. “What’s the matter?”
It took Zi Yu a moment to snap out of her shock. She rushed over to Leng Jiu, too agitated to know where to begin.
Leng Jiu patted her shoulder. “It’s alright. I’m here. Speak.”
Zi Yu took a couple of deep breaths, then leaned in to whisper in Leng Jiu’s ear. “I… I saw a shadow in the Imperial Garden coming this way. I think it was Eunuch Lu!”
Leng Jiu petted Kano, her brow slightly furrowed. “When?”
“It was just after the Empress Dowager had sat down in the pavilion. I had sent someone for snacks and tea, and when I turned around, I saw a figure hurrying this way. But because it was far away, I wasn’t sure. The person’s clothes looked like Eunuch Lu’s, and they were heading in the direction where Qiu Xin was found. I was puzzled at the time, but since you were resting, I didn’t mention it. The more I think about it now, the more likely it seems!” Zi Yu finished in one breath, gasping and shocked.
Leng Jiu lifted her gaze. “Perhaps you’re right.”
A group of people knelt down with a loud rustling noise, but Leng Jiu didn’t even glance at them. She directly kicked the nearest person aside and walked forward, causing the crowd to quickly make way for her.
Leng Jiu walked to a corner of the wall and saw Qiu Xin. Just a moment ago, Qiu Xin had been innocently teasing Kano, but now she lay on the ground, eyes wide open in terror. Blood was still seeping from her neck, indicating that she hadn’t been dead for long. Leng Jiu’s gaze shifted slightly to the side and saw that Kano had been beaten and was lying on the ground. However, its abdomen was still rising and falling, showing that it was still alive.
Returning her gaze to Qiu Xin, Leng Jiu sighed softly and closed her eyes. “Go and summon the commander of the Imperial Guard for me!”
“Yes!” The nearest person quickly took the order and left.
Leng Jiu waved her hand dismissively. “Find a stretcher and carry her body to the imperial garden.”
“Yes!”
A moment later, Leng Jiu was sitting in the middle of the garden, with Qiu Xin’s body laid out not far in front of her. A group of concubines had followed and, upon seeing the dead body, turned pale with fear, but none of them dared to leave.
Soon, Lin Feng, the commander of the Imperial Guard, arrived, bringing Long Yi with him.
“Greetings, Your Majesty!” The concubines knelt down, but Leng Jiu didn’t even spare Long Yi a glance.
Long Yi looked at Qiu Xin’s body on the ground and stepped toward Leng Jiu. “What happened?”
Leng Jiu lifted her eyes. “Shouldn’t you be asking the commander? How could such a villain with a weapon appear inside the palace and attack someone? He should know best.”
Hearing this, Lin Feng hurriedly knelt down. “Rest assured, Your Majesty! I will thoroughly investigate this matter!”
“Investigate? When?”
Lin Feng lowered his head. “Immediately!”
“If you’re going to investigate now, why are you still kneeling here?”
Lin Feng quickly stood up and was about to leave when Leng Jiu’s voice rang out again. “Seal off the imperial garden immediately, along with the four gates of the inner palace. Do not allow anyone to leave. Investigate who has recently entered the imperial garden. Arrest everyone for questioning!”
Lin Feng looked at Long Yi, clearly waiting for his permission.
Long Yi glanced at Qiu Xin’s body on the ground and nodded slightly. Although the death of a palace maid wasn’t a big deal, being murdered within the palace walls certainly was.
The imperial garden was quickly sealed off, and the four gates were heavily guarded. Then, a list of everyone who had entered the garden recently was compiled.
Leng Jiu sat quietly, waiting an entire hour from the time Lin Feng left until the list was brought to her. Yet, she showed not a trace of impatience.
The group of concubines was starting to feel pain in their feet from standing, but none of them could leave.
Leng Jiu slowly flipped through the list, page by page, carefully examining each name. Eventually, she paused at one name before moving on. She then handed the list to Long Yi. “I’m not skilled at investigating cases. I’ll leave this to Your Majesty.”
Long Yi looked at the stack of papers in his hand—ten pages long, with hundreds of people to scrutinize. How long would it take to complete this investigation? “I doubt we’ll find anything soon. Let Lin Feng handle it, and he can report back to you as soon as there’s any news.”
Leng Jiu’s eyes flicked over to Lin Feng, clearly unconvinced, but she didn’t press the matter. She stood up. “Very well, have this girl buried properly.”
Without another glance at Qiu Xin’s body or the crowd, she left with Zi Yu.
Back at Weiyang Palace, Zi Yu couldn’t hold back her tears any longer and started crying uncontrollably, wiping her eyes but unable to stop the tears. Finally, she knelt before Leng Jiu, pleading, “Your Majesty, you must seek justice for Qiu Xin. She can’t die like this, without explanation!”
Leng Jiu sat down and said calmly, “The imperial garden is so large, with hundreds of people ranging from concubines to old maids sweeping the floors. How could we possibly find the culprit? The person who dared to kill Qiu Xin certainly won’t sit back and wait to be caught. Even if we eventually find someone, it will just be a scapegoat.”
Zi Yu looked at Leng Jiu sorrowfully. “Are we just going to let it go? Qiu Xin was only sixteen. How could someone be so cruel?”
Leng Jiu handed her a handkerchief. “I also want to find the truth, but such matters can’t be resolved quickly. We can only wait. Eventually, the truth will come to light.”
Zi Yu knew she couldn’t force the issue, so after crying sadly for a while, she didn’t bring it up again.
Kano, who had been knocked out but unharmed, woke up as lively as ever. Without Qiu Xin to play with, it returned to Leng Jiu, though it seemed less spirited.
“Your Majesty, Concubine Hui has brought a few concubines to visit you. Should I allow them in?” Lu Chang approached Leng Jiu and asked.
Upon hearing this, Leng Jiu turned her head. Before she could respond, Kano suddenly bristled, glaring at Lu Chang and squeaking loudly. This was the first time Leng Jiu had seen it so agitated.
Leng Jiu reached out to stroke its fur. “What’s wrong? Did you eat something bad?”
Lu Chang looked at Kano and laughed. “It might be upset after what happened today and doesn’t want to see strangers.”
Leng Jiu’s eyes flashed, and she turned to Lu Chang. “You were in the imperial garden today. Did you see anyone suspicious?”
“Your Majesty, I didn’t see anyone. I went to the kitchen to visit a couple of old maids who entered the palace with me. After that, I came back, unaware of what happened to Qiu Xin,” Lu Chang replied calmly.
Leng Jiu didn’t say anything more. “I don’t want to see anyone today. Send them away.”
Lu Chang lowered his head. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
After Lu Chang had left, Leng Jiu turned to the still-stunned Zi Yu. “What’s the matter?”
It took Zi Yu a moment to recover from her shock. She rushed to Leng Jiu’s side, clearly distressed and unsure how to begin.
Leng Jiu patted her shoulder. “It’s alright. I’m here. What is it?”
Zi Yu took a deep breath before leaning in to whisper in Leng Jiu’s ear. “Your servant… your servant saw a shadow heading this way while in the imperial garden. It looked like Steward Lu!”
Leng Jiu stroked Kano’s fur, her brows furrowing slightly. “When was this?”
“It was just after Your Majesty had sat down in the pavilion. I ordered some snacks and tea, then turned and saw a shadow quickly heading this way. But because it was far away, I wasn’t sure. However, the person was dressed like Steward Lu, and they were coming from the direction where Qiu Xin had her accident. I was a bit suspicious at the time, but since you were resting, I didn’t mention it. But the more I think about it, the more it seems possible!” Zi Yu said all in one breath, then took a deep gulp of air, her face filled with shock.
Leng Jiu raised her eyes. “Maybe you’re right.”
Zi Yu, disregarding protocol, tightly grasped Leng Jiu’s hand, clearly frightened by this first experience of such an event. “Your Majesty! What should we do now?”
Leng Jiu patted the back of her hand. “It’s not the right time yet. What you need to do is act as if you’ve noticed nothing.”
Zi Yu shook her head. “I can’t do it. I keep thinking about how Qiu Xin looked before she died. I can’t pretend I didn’t notice anything!”
Leng Jiu pinched her cheek gently, speaking seriously. “If you want to survive in the palace, you must learn to hide all your emotions. I know you’re sad and want to avenge Qiu Xin, but you can’t do anything on your own. What you can do is protect yourself. If you can’t, you might be the next one to die!”
Zi Yu bit her lip, looking at Leng Jiu, then finally nodded tearfully.
Leng Jiu smiled at her. “Wipe your tears and wash your face. Looking like this, you can’t be my head maid!”
Zi Yu left and returned much calmer, though still sad. When she looked at Lu Chang, she didn’t show any sign of suspicion.
Leng Jiu glanced at her before saying to Lu Chang, “I’m hungry. Prepare the meal.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Qiu Xin’s death was put aside like that. Lin Feng investigated for three days but found nothing, which didn’t surprise Leng Jiu. For her, it would’ve been more surprising if something had been discovered. However, she now had a new understanding of her head eunuch. She recalled asking him why he was loyal to her, and now she found the thought amusing.
After three days, Du Heng finally returned to report to her. Long Yueli was the youngest son of the late Emperor. His mother, Consort Hua, was the legitimate daughter of the Hua family, a prominent martial arts clan known for their expertise in light-footed skills and concealed weapons. The Hua family was primarily led by women and had little involvement with the imperial court, with no precedent for marital alliances. However, the late Emperor once saved the life of the Hua family’s patriarch, so when the Emperor requested a Hua daughter as a consort, the patriarch could not refuse. As a result, he selected the family’s only legitimate daughter.
It was said that Consort Hua was not only the heir to the Hua family but also the most beautiful woman in the martial world, with a face like a celestial being. However, bound by her father’s command and the Emperor’s kindness, she had no choice but to enter the palace as a concubine. The Emperor was indeed infatuated with her; as soon as she entered the palace, she was conferred the title of Shufei. At that time, the Emperor was over fifty years old but still robust. After taking in Shufei, he ceased to take any more concubines and spent every night in her quarters, lavishing her with unprecedented favor.
A year after entering the palace, Consort Hua became pregnant. The Emperor was overjoyed and, despite opposition from his ministers, conferred her the title of Guifei. After ten months, she gave birth to a son, Long Yueli. The Emperor adored Long Yueli and granted him a noble title at birth, selecting the most prosperous region in the south as his fief. He also elevated Consort Hua to the status of Madam, giving her the same honor as the Empress, though she did not ascend to the position of Empress herself—an unparalleled event in history.
Unfortunately, this bliss did not last long. Before Long Yueli turned five, the Emperor passed away, and the Crown Prince ascended the throne. Consort Hua was honored as the Empress Dowager. It was said that she was so heartbroken over the late Emperor’s death that she fell into deep sorrow and passed away within a year. Strangely, after her death, the entire Hua family disappeared from the martial world overnight, leaving no trace behind.
Du Heng had gleaned this information from the elderly maidservants in the palace. After Consort Hua’s death, the palace underwent a purge by the previous Emperor, and many people were replaced. Those who remained only knew the surface details, and since more than twenty years had passed, much of the information had faded and become unclear.
Leng Jiu didn’t blame him; uncovering this much was already an accomplishment. Secrets of the royal family from two decades ago were not easily unearthed.
Recalling the day she saw Long Yueli at Nanshan, Leng Jiu sighed and decided to let the matter rest. She assumed that he wouldn’t appreciate someone digging into his secrets, and since she wasn’t overly curious, she chose to drop the investigation.
While she let go of the matter regarding Long Yueli’s mother, there was still one thing that Leng Jiu remembered clearly.
The next day, Leng Jiu left the palace again. However, this time she didn’t have Qing Ling disguise herself as her; instead, she left the palace as she used to. Sure enough, just as she reached the palace gate, the people who had been tailing her before followed her again.
Leng Jiu raised an eyebrow with a mischievous smile but said nothing as she made her way to Mo Zhai’s courtyard. After circling around the courtyard a few times, she entered the neighboring house and found Mo Zhai in a hidden room. Leng Jiu called him out, her eyes gleaming, “Help me catch two rats!”
Leng Jiu didn’t know how skilled Mo Zhai was, but she knew he was definitely better than the people following her. A moment later, Mo Zhai returned, dragging two people in with him. Leng Jiu had them tied up in the dark room, stripped of their outer garments, and removed the poison from their mouths before splashing them awake with water.
When the two opened their eyes and saw where they were, they realized they had been caught. They were tied up tightly, with the poison removed from their mouths. In a final act of desperation, they prepared to bite their tongues and commit suicide, but before they could do so, someone pinched their mouths shut and tied straps around them, preventing them from biting down.
Leng Jiu clapped her hands and laughed lightly, “Your master is truly amusing. Each time, only one person is sent, and after two deaths, they still haven’t changed their approach. I don’t even know what to say!”
Leng Jiu walked over to the table, where Mo Zhai had ‘borrowed’ some torture tools from the yamen. There were no large instruments, just small knives and clamps, which didn’t look particularly intimidating. She picked up a blade, weighed it in her hand, and checked the edge. It was sharp enough, so she was barely satisfied.
With the blade in hand, she walked over to the two men. “Come on, tell me who your master is, or at least who your superior is!”
She then slid the blade across the exposed skin of one of them. “I know you’re not afraid of death, so I won’t kill you. But I have a rather unpleasant hobby—I like to cut people’s flesh off piece by piece. You might call it ‘lingchi,’ though my technique is much better than that of a regular executioner. I can cut each piece to the same size, with consistent thickness, creating something that’s quite aesthetically pleasing.”
Mo Zhai, standing in the corner, twitched his eyelid. He didn’t recognize this woman!
The two men listened to Leng Jiu’s words, clearly skeptical. They knew who she was and assumed she was just trying to scare them. They even felt a bit of contempt for Leng Jiu—after all, she was just a woman.
“Ah!” Suddenly, one of them let out a cry of pain, his entire body tensing up. The other man, startled, looked over and saw that Leng Jiu was holding a bloodied piece of flesh on the knife, while a chunk of flesh was missing from the first man’s chest, now bleeding profusely. Not only were the two captives shocked, but even Mo Zhai was taken aback. He then let out a small sigh, pulling down his eyelids; he should never have doubted that she could do something like this.
Leng Jiu placed the piece of flesh onto a prepared tray. It was a neat square, and very precise.
Under the terrified gaze of the two men, Leng Jiu once again approached. She twisted the blade in her hand and swiftly cut another piece of flesh from the other side of the man’s chest. Ignoring his cries of pain, she placed the second piece on the tray, arranging it with satisfaction as she observed the two equally sized pieces of flesh. Then, she walked over once more.
The man, now missing two chunks of flesh, was a bloodied mess. His face turned bright red as he gritted his teeth, sweat pouring down like rain. When Leng Jiu’s blade touched his body again, he shuddered all over, his face full of fear.
Leng Jiu gently wiped away the blood from his body, then let the knife glide over his skin. “Where do you think I should cut next?”
He shook his head violently in terror, his face full of pleading. Who could bear to watch their own flesh being sliced off piece by piece?
Leng Jiu’s knife paused at his abdomen, curving into an enticing smile that resembled the allure of a demonic poppy, too frightening to look at directly. “I’ll give you one chance. Remember, just one, and it’s your last one. If you tell me what I want to know, I’ll give you a quick death. But if you can’t, I’ll carve you up piece by piece. Believe me, it won’t just be three thousand cuts—I’ll make sure you watch as your flesh is sliced off until the moment I decide to end your life.”
He nodded vigorously, no longer pleading for survival, only wishing for a quicker death.
Leng Jiu untied the cloth gagging his mouth and took out a towel to wipe the blade in her hand. “I know your master is Long Yi. Say something useful!”
Any last trace of hope he had was shattered by Leng Jiu’s words. Resigned, he said, “My master ordered me to watch you and report everything you did after leaving the palace. That’s all I know; I was only following orders.”
Leng Jiu wasn’t surprised. “And when the last two men didn’t return, he didn’t suspect anything?”
“My master has already sent people to investigate. He knows it has something to do with General Leng, but I don’t know the details.”
Leng Jiu chuckled. “Since you were somewhat honest, I’ll spare you further trouble.”
But as she spoke, the blade in her hand turned into a dart and flew through the air, piercing his throat with perfect precision, killing him instantly.
Leng Jiu walked over to the table and picked up another knife, leisurely approaching another person. “Eunuch, I’m very fair. You can choose to speak by nodding your head, but if you choose not to, I wouldn’t mind slicing up that not-so-fat flesh of yours. How about it?”
When the man heard her call him “Eunuch,” he shuddered all over. Recalling the fate of the man beside him, he nodded frantically, terrified at the thought of losing chunks of his own flesh.
Leng Jiu removed the cloth from his mouth. “Speak!”
“I…” He had just opened his mouth when he suddenly tried to bite down on his own tongue. Unfortunately, he forgot that Mo Zhai was standing right next to him. How could he allow him to succeed? In the blink of an eye, Mo Zhai was in front of him, prying open his mouth so he couldn’t bite down.
“Heh!” Leng Jiu didn’t even blink, smiling harmlessly. “Did you really think I’d let you die so easily?”
Facing her terrifying gaze, Leng Jiu’s smile grew even brighter. “I wasn’t planning on doing anything to you, but now, you’ve made your choice!”
He shook his head violently, filled with regret, but Leng Jiu never gave anyone a chance to regret. Mo Zhai raised his hand and dislocated his jaw. Leng Jiu found a long iron spike from among the torture tools and quickly drove it through his fingers and toes, using the same method as throwing darts. Her aim was flawless!
“Aaahhh…” The piercing scream was deafening. Blood dripped from his fingers and toes, splattering on the ground with a sickening sound.
Leng Jiu observed his painful expression before elegantly pulling out each spike, one by one. The man convulsed violently, but his martial skills kept him conscious, forcing him to endure the agony.
After removing all twenty spikes, Leng Jiu wiped her hands with a handkerchief and looked at him. “Well? Ready to talk?”
“I… I’ll talk…”
Leng Jiu found a place to sit and listened attentively.
“I… I’m under Eunuch Fu’s command!”
“Who is Eunuch Fu?” Leng Jiu couldn’t recall anyone by that name.
The man was surprised by her question, but he had no time to ponder it. “Eunuch Fu was the head eunuch serving the late emperor. After the emperor’s death, he moved to a residence in the northern part of the city. However, Eunuch Fu didn’t retire; he continued to order us to monitor the palace, especially Weiyang Palace. I don’t know why, but it seems he was following the late emperor’s orders to find something related to the empress dowager!”
He struggled to finish this explanation, nearly out of breath.
Leng Jiu raised an eyebrow. “And what’s your connection to Lu Chang?”
“He’s Eunuch Fu’s adopted son. Most of the palace staff follow his orders!”
“Was he the one who ordered you to follow me?”
“Yes!”
Leng Jiu tossed the handkerchief aside and stood up. “That’s enough.”
With that, she turned to leave. Mo Zhai raised his hand and shattered the man’s heart with a single palm strike, then followed Leng Jiu out.
Leng Jiu left the dark chamber and stood in a spot bathed in sunlight. Before her was a cluster of blooming white daisies. She plucked a few and brought them to her nose, inhaling their scent before tossing them aside. Sensing someone approaching from behind, Leng Jiu didn’t turn around and simply said, “If you want to ask something, ask now. You only get one chance!”
Mo Zhai remained silent for a moment before finally speaking. “You are the current empress dowager, General Leng’s sister!”
Leng Jiu chuckled. “Since you’re already certain, why bother asking me?”
Mo Zhai stared at the side of her face, his eyes blazing. “General Leng commands the southwestern army. Among them is an elite unit of eagle soldiers…”
Before he could finish, Leng Jiu cut him off. “You want to borrow soldiers?”
“Yes!” Mo Zhai admitted frankly, knowing the strength of that eagle unit. If he could borrow those soldiers, he could avenge his past wrongs!
Leng Jiu turned her head, her face full of mockery. “If Leng Yue deploys soldiers without authorization, it’s a crime punishable by death. What makes you think he would risk such a crime to lend you soldiers?”
Mo Zhai’s momentary excitement was doused like cold water. He realized how foolish his earlier thoughts had been. “I was too impulsive just now!”
Leng Jiu lowered her gaze, looking off into the distance. After a moment, she silently turned and walked away.
Leng Jiu had originally intended to return directly to the palace, but midway, she changed course and headed to the general’s residence. She searched Leng Yue’s room for a long time but didn’t find what she was looking for. Finally, her gaze fell on a handkerchief on the table. She wrapped Leng Yue’s comb in the handkerchief, placed it in her bosom, and then left for the palace.
She returned to the palace as quietly as she had left, though some people who were keeping watch noticed.
“Zi Yu!” As soon as Leng Jiu entered the palace, she looked utterly exhausted and collapsed into Zi Yu’s arms.
Zi Yu helplessly supported Leng Jiu’s body and helped her to the soft couch. “Your Majesty, what did you do today to get this exhausted?”
“Robbed someone!” Leng Jiu laughed lightly, then spread her arms. “I don’t feel like moving. Help me change clothes!”
Zi Yu had no choice but to fetch some clothes for her. As she untied the palace maid’s robes, something suddenly fell from Leng Jiu’s bosom with a crisp ‘plop’. Zi Yu looked down curiously. “Something fell!”
She bent down to pick it up, but Leng Jiu was quicker, snatching the item and placing it to the side. “Don’t touch anything! Just help me change clothes.”
Noticing the change in Leng Jiu’s expression, Zi Yu dared not ask what it was and quickly helped her change. As soon as they were done, Leng Jiu shooed Zi Yu out of the room. Left alone, Leng Jiu fussed about in the room for a long while before finally calling Zi Yu back in, leaving her utterly bewildered.
That night, Leng Jiu went to bed early, dismissing all the palace staff, even sending away Zi Yu, who usually stayed by her side. She paced around the room in a mysterious manner before finally going to sleep.
As the moon rose high in the sky, and when it was certain that everyone in the room was sound asleep, a shadowy figure emerged from the bushes outside, carefully opening the window and slipping inside. The figure scanned the room, then began to search, rummaging through everything with extreme caution, making no noise. Yet, no matter how thoroughly he searched, he couldn’t find what he was looking for. At that moment, a voice, calm and composed, sounded from the darkness, as if it had been waiting for a long time: “Looking for this, Eunuch Lu?”
The shadow froze, then slowly turned around. In the dim light, the pale face of Lu Chang was revealed.
Having served in the palace for many years, Lu Chang wasn’t easily rattled. Seeing the object in Leng Jiu’s hand, he chuckled. “So, the Empress Dowager has been acting all day just to deceive me. You really gave this servant a hard time!”
“If I didn’t put on a show, how else could I lure you in?” Leng Jiu, wearing only her undergarments, slowly stood up and began to unwrap the cloth bundle in her hand with a smile. “I never knew that my brother’s comb would be so important to you, Eunuch Lu. What should I say to that?”
“Since Your Majesty has already seen through me, I suppose you’re not just here for a chat?” Lu Chang responded calmly, still smiling.
“I wouldn’t want to be, but there’s something I must ask you.”
“Please ask, Your Majesty. I will answer truthfully.”
Leng Jiu tossed the comb aside and coldly asked, “Did you kill Qiuxin?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, it was me.” Lu Chang remained completely composed, showing no fear or tension at being caught.
Leng Jiu looked at him. Although she had already guessed it, hearing the confession from his own mouth still felt different. Thinking of that innocent girl, Leng Jiu rubbed her temples. She didn’t care to ask why he had killed Qiuxin; she didn’t feel like saying much. She simply called out, “Qingling! Come out!”
Qingling emerged from behind the screen, accompanied by two men dressed in black. Their presence was subdued, and they quickly drew long swords, placing them at Lu Chang’s neck before taking him away.
Qingling approached Leng Jiu and handed her a ring. “This was left by the General. He instructed me to give it to you when you need it. It can command the thirty hidden guards stationed at the General’s residence.”
Leng Jiu took the ring. It was an eagle-wing ring, and she remembered that Leng Yue wore a similar one on his right hand, except that his was the right wing, while this was the left. Stowing the ring away, she said, “Alright, go and rest.”
Qingling hesitated for a moment before finally asking, “How does Your Majesty intend to deal with Eunuch Lu?”
After a moment of thought, Leng Jiu replied, “Imprison him at the General’s residence. Publicly, we’ll say he disappeared. As for the reason, let Lin Feng investigate. He won’t find anything anyway.”
“But Zi Yu wanted to avenge Qiuxin. I thought you’d kill him for revenge, given how much you cared for Zi Yu and Qiuxin,” Qingling remarked, surprised that Leng Jiu seemed to be letting him off.
Leng Jiu chuckled coldly. “An eye for an eye is the natural order, but Lu Chang still has some value to me. Killing him just to avenge a maid would be a waste.”
Qingling was puzzled. “But he’s already exposed. What value does he have?”
Leng Jiu didn’t offer an explanation. “He’ll be useful in some way. Don’t ask too many questions. You may leave now.”
“Understood!”
After Qingling left, silence returned to the room. Leng Jiu picked up the comb again, shook it off, and placed it on her dressing table. She found it amusing that a simple comb had lured Lu Chang into her trap. But one day, she would find the item needed to command that hidden force. That treasure was something she was determined to obtain!
Taking out the ring Leng Yue had left her, she compared it in her hand before slipping it onto her middle finger—it fit perfectly. But she didn’t keep it on. With such a clear connection to Leng Yue, how could she dare to wear it? Not only had Leng Yue informed her about the Shadow Guard, but now he had also given her his men. What was his true intention?
She pondered for a long time without finding an answer and eventually gave up, putting the ring away. Returning to bed, she thought, at least tonight she could get a good night’s sleep!
—
**Author’s Note**
This chapter was a bit dull. I’m not sure what to say, so feel free to find your own points to critique!
Leng Jiu didn’t know why Leng Yue told her this news, but to her, it was indeed good news. Without seeking out Mo Zhai and the others, she directly changed her clothes and returned to the palace. If she could really find the Qianying Guards, they would be more useful than anything else. Moreover, she was very curious about how these ancient black secret guards would compare to modern special forces. It was rare for something to pique Leng Jiu’s interest, and her eyes lit up because of it.
After returning to the palace, Leng Jiu changed her clothes and, for once, did not collapse lazily onto her seat. Instead, she sat upright, resting one hand on the desk, her index finger tapping the surface repeatedly. It was clear that her mood was somewhat unsettled, like a wolf that had spotted its prey, thinking about how to bring it down.
Ziyu naturally noticed the difference in Leng Jiu today. She didn’t understand what good fortune had befallen her but seeing how deep in thought Leng Jiu seemed, she didn’t dare to disturb her.
After a long while, Leng Jiu’s finger finally stopped tapping, and she lowered her gaze slightly. “Ziyu! Bring Qing Ling to me!”
“Yes!” Ziyu responded and went to fetch Qing Ling. After bringing Qing Ling in, she heard Leng Jiu say, “Go stand guard at the door. Do not let anyone in!”
Ziyu nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty!”
Once Ziyu had left, Leng Jiu looked at Qing Ling with a gaze that was both oppressive and intimidating. “When I entered the palace and stayed by the old emperor’s side, you were always there?”
“Yes.”
Leng Jiu suddenly thought of something, and her brow twitched. “And you were the one who substituted for me during those nights?”
Qing Ling’s rigid face finally showed some movement, but she still calmly replied, “Yes.”
Leng Jiu looked at her, opened her mouth as if to ask something else, but suddenly held back. She waved her hand. “You may go.”
Qing Ling found it strange but didn’t ask further, lowering her head as she left.
Leng Jiu propped her head on one hand, returning to her usual lazy demeanor. However, at this moment, she was far from relaxed, her mind awash with countless thoughts, all racing nonstop. She originally wanted to pry some information out of Qing Ling, as she had been by Leng Jinghua’s side the longest and knew the most secrets. But seeing her expression and recalling her personality from their last interaction, Leng Jiu quickly determined that Qing Ling was unaware of the matter. If Qing Ling knew, she wouldn’t have had that kind of expression.
If even Qing Ling didn’t know, then who would? Lu Chang? Leng Jiu shook her head, dismissing the thought. If even Qing Ling didn’t know, there was no way Leng Jinghua would let a mere eunuch know. If Lu Chang knew, he wouldn’t have remained so calm.
Could it really be out of her hands? Leng Jiu shook her head, not believing it. As the saying goes, flies don’t hover over seamless eggs. Long Yi’s suspicion of Leng Jinghua was understandable, given that he truly didn’t know. However, the fact that the old emperor’s men were still watching Leng Jinghua indicated that there was indeed a problem.
Her red lips curled slightly, full of interest. “I thought you were just a pitiful woman, but it seems you’re not so simple after all. Interesting, this is getting fun.”
Leng Jiu suddenly thought of Long Yueli. She had never understood what was on her that could attract his attention. Now, it seemed it might be related to the Qianying Guards. But what did he want? The guards, or something else?
Leng Jiu curled her fingers, just about to tap them again when she stopped. “Ziyu!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“Bring Du Heng to me!”
“Yes!”
Du Heng arrived shortly after. “Greetings, Your Majesty!”
Leng Jiu beckoned him over. “Come closer.”
Du Heng obeyed, cautiously moving closer. “What are your orders, Your Majesty?”
Leng Jiu lifted the cup lid, dipped her finger in water, and wrote four characters on the table: “Investigate this person. I want to know everything from the time she entered the palace to her death.”
This was the first time Leng Jiu had asked him to investigate something so significant. Du Heng nodded seriously. “Don’t worry, Your Majesty! I will do my best!”
“Go then!”
Leng Jiu closed her eyes and pretended to nap for a moment. Suddenly, she opened them and said, “Zi Yu! Bring me a cloak.”
Zi Yu followed orders, retrieved a cloak from the wardrobe, and looked at Leng Jiu. “Is the Empress Dowager going out?”
Leng Jiu massaged her forehead. “It’s been a while since I last visited the Imperial Garden. I think I’ll take a stroll.”
Zi Yu walked over and draped the cloak over Leng Jiu’s shoulders as she stood up, smiling. “Indeed, the Empress Dowager hasn’t been out for a long time. A walk would do you good.”
Leng Jiu curved her lips in silence, shook out her cloak, and headed toward the door. When she reached the palace gate, she suddenly asked, “Where is Lu Chang?”
“Eunuch Lu has been out for a while. He instructed me to keep watch but didn’t say where he was going.”
Leng Jiu raised an eyebrow. “Has he been going out often lately?”
Zi Yu thought for a moment. “Pretty much! Since the Empress Dowager hasn’t summoned him, Eunuch Lu has barely been around. I thought the Empress Dowager had given him some task.”
Leng Jiu brushed her hand over the pattern on her sleeve and asked no more. “Let’s go.”
As soon as Leng Jiu arrived at the Imperial Garden, she saw Qiu Xin tending to a flower pot. A ginkgo tree was growing in it, and Kano was jumping around on the tree, playing happily. Zi Yu noticed as well and smiled. “Since the Empress Dowager slapped Noble Consort Hua last time, everyone knows that Qiu Xin is your person, and no one dares to hold Kano anymore. Now, anyone who sees them in the Imperial Garden walks around them.”
Leng Jiu turned and walked in another direction. “Tell that girl Qiu Xin to be more restrained and not too indulgent.”
Zi Yu nodded at her words. “She’s only so bold because of your favor. I’ll remind her.”
Leng Jiu looked ahead. “Being pure and innocent is good, but in this palace, being too naive can cost you your life, no matter how much protection you have.”
Zi Yu naturally understood and nodded heavily.
Even in autumn, the Imperial Garden was in full bloom. Thanks to careful cultivation, flowers that shouldn’t have been blooming in this season were in full display. The peonies and chrysanthemums were the most vibrant, with a few crabapple trees also about to bloom. Some maple trees had been transplanted, adding to the autumn atmosphere.
Leng Jiu hadn’t walked far when she heard the laughter of women. She passed a rock garden and saw a group of palace women sitting together, laughing and talking. One woman was surrounded by the others, and Leng Jiu found her face somewhat familiar.
Zi Yu stepped forward and whispered, “Empress Dowager, the woman in the center is a new concubine named Yang Lian. Half a month ago, she served the Emperor and was given the title of *Meiren* (Beauty). Yesterday, the imperial physician confirmed she is pregnant. Last night, the Emperor promoted her to Noble Lady Lian. This is the first time since the selection process began that a concubine has become pregnant, so the Emperor is taking it seriously.”
Leng Jiu watched the woman, surrounded and radiating happiness, bend down to pick a chrysanthemum. She squeezed it in her hand until the flower petals scattered. “Promoted twice in less than half a month—how many people must envy her?”
“Usually, serving the Emperor is followed by a title. Her father is a fifth-rank official, not a court official but a local governor. Being titled *Meiren* is normal, and it makes sense to promote her for carrying a child,” Zi Yu explained.
Leng Jiu dusted the petals off her hands. “That’s where you’re wrong. If her promotion were just for serving the Emperor, even a title like *Zhaoyi* or *Jieyu* wouldn’t draw this much jealousy. But she was promoted for carrying a child. The Emperor has dozens of concubines, but only Consort Li is pregnant. The palace also has Noble Consort Hua, Consort Hui, and over ten others of higher rank, yet none of them are pregnant. And yet, she is. Do you think her promotion won’t make others jealous?”
Zi Yu understood now. The jealousy wasn’t about the title; it was about her pregnancy. She had heard before that the women in the palace would resort to any means to suppress others. She feared this child wouldn’t be easy to deliver—if it could be kept at all. After all, it had only been half a month. Forget giving birth; even carrying it further might be a challenge.
Leng Jiu walked in another direction and found a pavilion to sit in. It was quiet here, with no one else around.
Zi Yu stood by her side and ordered some snacks and tea to be brought. As she turned, she noticed a hurried figure that looked familiar but uncertain. She glanced at Leng Jiu, who had closed her eyes, and decided not to speak, suppressing her curiosity.
After sitting for a while, Leng Jiu returned. When passing by the place where she had seen Qiu Xin, she noticed a crowd gathered. Leng Jiu said to Zi Yu, “Go and ask what’s going on.”
Zi Yu walked over, pulled aside someone on the outer edge of the crowd, and asked something. Her face suddenly went pale, and she pushed through the crowd. A moment later, she staggered back to Leng Jiu, her face filled with panic. When she reached Leng Jiu, her eyes were red and swollen, and her voice choked with emotion. “Empress Dowager! It’s… Qiu Xin. Qiu Xin has been murdered!”
Leng Jiu stiffened instantly and stepped forward, looking at the crowd. She said in a low voice, “All of you, get out of my way!”
One person didn’t react immediately and turned around impatiently, but seeing Leng Jiu, they quickly knelt in fear. “Greetings, Empress Dowager!”
“Greetings, Empress Dowager!”
A group of people quickly knelt down, but Leng Jiu didn’t even glance at them. She kicked aside the nearest one and strode inside. The crowd hurriedly made way for her.
As Leng Jiu approached the corner, she saw Qiu Xin. The girl, who had been so innocent just moments ago, playing with Kano, now lay on the ground, her eyes wide open in terror. Blood was still gushing from the wound on her neck; she had clearly died only recently. Leng Jiu’s gaze shifted to the side where Kano lay on the ground, evidently struck, though its belly was still moving—showing it was still alive.
Her eyes returned to Qiu Xin, and Leng Jiu sighed slightly, closing her eyes. “Summon the head of the Imperial Guard for me.”
“Yes!” The nearest person quickly accepted the order and left.
Leng Jiu waved her sleeve. “Find a stretcher and have her body carried to the Imperial Garden for me.”
“Yes!”
A moment later, Leng Jiu was seated in the center of the garden, with Qiu Xin’s body placed not far in front of her. A group of concubines had come to see what was going on. Upon seeing the dead body, they all turned pale with fright, yet none dared to leave.
Not long after, Lin Feng, the head of the Imperial Guards, arrived, accompanied by Long Yi.
“Greetings, Your Majesty!” The group of concubines knelt, but Leng Jiu didn’t even look at Long Yi.
Long Yi glanced at Qiu Xin’s body on the ground and walked toward Leng Jiu. “What happened here?”
Leng Jiu raised her eyes. “Shouldn’t that question be directed to the Head of the Guard? There’s a murderer with a weapon in the inner palace—he should be the one who knows best.”
Hearing this, Lin Feng quickly knelt down. “Rest assured, Empress Dowager! I will thoroughly investigate this!”
“Investigate? When will you start?”
Lin Feng lowered his head. “Right away!”
“If you’re starting right away, why are you still kneeling here?”
Lin Feng immediately stood up and turned to leave, but Leng Jiu’s voice rang out again. “Immediately seal off the Imperial Garden and the four inner gates. No one is allowed to leave. Investigate everyone who has entered the Imperial Garden recently. Arrest all the personnel for me!”
Lin Feng looked toward Long Yi, clearly waiting for his approval.
Long Yi glanced at Qiu Xin’s body on the ground and nodded slightly. Though the death of a palace maid wasn’t usually a major event, her being murdered in the palace was indeed serious.
Soon, the Imperial Garden was sealed, with guards posted at all four gates. Then came the list of everyone who had entered the Imperial Garden.
Leng Jiu sat quietly, waiting for an hour from the time Lin Feng left until the list was delivered. Yet she showed no sign of impatience.
The group of concubines stood with aching feet, but none could leave.
Leng Jiu slowly flipped through the list, page by page, reading carefully. At last, her gaze lingered on one name before moving on. She then handed the papers to Long Yi. “I’m not skilled at investigating cases; it’s better for Your Majesty to handle this.”
Long Yi looked at the papers in his hand—ten sheets with hundreds of names. Going through each one would take forever. “I don’t think we’ll find anything in a short time. How about we leave it to Lin Feng to investigate slowly and let you know as soon as there’s news?”
Leng Jiu glanced at Lin Feng, clearly not convinced, but she said nothing more. She stood up. “So be it. Give this girl a proper burial.”
With that, she didn’t look at Qiu Xin on the ground or at anyone else, and left with Zi Yu.
Back at Weiyang Palace, Zi Yu could no longer hold back her tears. She rubbed her eyes vigorously, but the tears wouldn’t stop. Finally, she knelt in front of Leng Jiu and pleaded, “Empress Dowager, you must seek justice for Qiu Xin! She can’t die in vain!”
Leng Jiu sat down and spoke calmly. “The Imperial Garden is so large, with hundreds of people, from concubines to sweeping servants—how could we possibly find the culprit? If someone dared to kill Qiu Xin, they won’t just sit idly by. Even if we do find someone, it will likely be just a scapegoat.”
Zi Yu, heartbroken, looked at Leng Jiu. “Are we just going to let it go? Qiu Xin was only sixteen—how could someone be so cruel?”
Leng Jiu handed her a handkerchief. “I also want to find out, but this kind of thing can’t be resolved quickly. We can only wait. Sooner or later, the culprit will slip up, and the truth will come to light.”
Zi Yu knew she couldn’t force the issue, so she cried her heart out and didn’t bring it up again.
Kano, who had been knocked unconscious, was uninjured. Once it woke up, it was still lively, but without Qiu Xin to play with, it bounced back to Leng Jiu. However, it didn’t seem as spirited as before.
“Empress Dowager, Consort Hui and a few others have come to see you. Shall I summon them?” Lu Chang approached Leng Jiu and asked.
Hearing this, Leng Jiu turned her head, but before she could speak, Kano suddenly bristled and started squeaking angrily at Lu Chang. It was the first time Leng Jiu had seen it so agitated.
Leng Jiu raised her hand to stroke its fur. “What’s the matter? Did you eat something bad?”
Lu Chang smiled at Kano. “It’s probably shaken by today’s events and doesn’t want to see strangers.”
Hearing this, Leng Jiu’s eyes flashed slightly as she turned to Lu Chang. “Did you visit the Imperial Garden today? Did you see anyone suspicious?”
Lu Chang replied calmly, “In response to the Empress Dowager, I saw no one. I went to the kitchen to see a couple of old maids who entered the palace with me. After that, I returned and didn’t expect something like this to happen to Qiu Xin.”
Leng Jiu said nothing further. “I don’t want to see anyone today. Send them away.”
Lu Chang kept his head bowed. “Yes!”
After Lu Chang left, Leng Jiu looked at the dazed Zi Yu. “What’s the matter?”
It took Zi Yu a moment to snap out of her shock. She rushed over to Leng Jiu, too agitated to know where to begin.
Leng Jiu patted her shoulder. “It’s alright. I’m here. Speak.”
Zi Yu took a couple of deep breaths, then leaned in to whisper in Leng Jiu’s ear. “I… I saw a shadow in the Imperial Garden coming this way. I think it was Eunuch Lu!”
Leng Jiu petted Kano, her brow slightly furrowed. “When?”
“It was just after the Empress Dowager had sat down in the pavilion. I had sent someone for snacks and tea, and when I turned around, I saw a figure hurrying this way. But because it was far away, I wasn’t sure. The person’s clothes looked like Eunuch Lu’s, and they were heading in the direction where Qiu Xin was found. I was puzzled at the time, but since you were resting, I didn’t mention it. The more I think about it now, the more likely it seems!” Zi Yu finished in one breath, gasping and shocked.
Leng Jiu lifted her gaze. “Perhaps you’re right.”
A group of people knelt down with a loud rustling noise, but Leng Jiu didn’t even glance at them. She directly kicked the nearest person aside and walked forward, causing the crowd to quickly make way for her.
Leng Jiu walked to a corner of the wall and saw Qiu Xin. Just a moment ago, Qiu Xin had been innocently teasing Kano, but now she lay on the ground, eyes wide open in terror. Blood was still seeping from her neck, indicating that she hadn’t been dead for long. Leng Jiu’s gaze shifted slightly to the side and saw that Kano had been beaten and was lying on the ground. However, its abdomen was still rising and falling, showing that it was still alive.
Returning her gaze to Qiu Xin, Leng Jiu sighed softly and closed her eyes. “Go and summon the commander of the Imperial Guard for me!”
“Yes!” The nearest person quickly took the order and left.
Leng Jiu waved her hand dismissively. “Find a stretcher and carry her body to the imperial garden.”
“Yes!”
A moment later, Leng Jiu was sitting in the middle of the garden, with Qiu Xin’s body laid out not far in front of her. A group of concubines had followed and, upon seeing the dead body, turned pale with fear, but none of them dared to leave.
Soon, Lin Feng, the commander of the Imperial Guard, arrived, bringing Long Yi with him.
“Greetings, Your Majesty!” The concubines knelt down, but Leng Jiu didn’t even spare Long Yi a glance.
Long Yi looked at Qiu Xin’s body on the ground and stepped toward Leng Jiu. “What happened?”
Leng Jiu lifted her eyes. “Shouldn’t you be asking the commander? How could such a villain with a weapon appear inside the palace and attack someone? He should know best.”
Hearing this, Lin Feng hurriedly knelt down. “Rest assured, Your Majesty! I will thoroughly investigate this matter!”
“Investigate? When?”
Lin Feng lowered his head. “Immediately!”
“If you’re going to investigate now, why are you still kneeling here?”
Lin Feng quickly stood up and was about to leave when Leng Jiu’s voice rang out again. “Seal off the imperial garden immediately, along with the four gates of the inner palace. Do not allow anyone to leave. Investigate who has recently entered the imperial garden. Arrest everyone for questioning!”
Lin Feng looked at Long Yi, clearly waiting for his permission.
Long Yi glanced at Qiu Xin’s body on the ground and nodded slightly. Although the death of a palace maid wasn’t a big deal, being murdered within the palace walls certainly was.
The imperial garden was quickly sealed off, and the four gates were heavily guarded. Then, a list of everyone who had entered the garden recently was compiled.
Leng Jiu sat quietly, waiting an entire hour from the time Lin Feng left until the list was brought to her. Yet, she showed not a trace of impatience.
The group of concubines was starting to feel pain in their feet from standing, but none of them could leave.
Leng Jiu slowly flipped through the list, page by page, carefully examining each name. Eventually, she paused at one name before moving on. She then handed the list to Long Yi. “I’m not skilled at investigating cases. I’ll leave this to Your Majesty.”
Long Yi looked at the stack of papers in his hand—ten pages long, with hundreds of people to scrutinize. How long would it take to complete this investigation? “I doubt we’ll find anything soon. Let Lin Feng handle it, and he can report back to you as soon as there’s any news.”
Leng Jiu’s eyes flicked over to Lin Feng, clearly unconvinced, but she didn’t press the matter. She stood up. “Very well, have this girl buried properly.”
Without another glance at Qiu Xin’s body or the crowd, she left with Zi Yu.
Back at Weiyang Palace, Zi Yu couldn’t hold back her tears any longer and started crying uncontrollably, wiping her eyes but unable to stop the tears. Finally, she knelt before Leng Jiu, pleading, “Your Majesty, you must seek justice for Qiu Xin. She can’t die like this, without explanation!”
Leng Jiu sat down and said calmly, “The imperial garden is so large, with hundreds of people ranging from concubines to old maids sweeping the floors. How could we possibly find the culprit? The person who dared to kill Qiu Xin certainly won’t sit back and wait to be caught. Even if we eventually find someone, it will just be a scapegoat.”
Zi Yu looked at Leng Jiu sorrowfully. “Are we just going to let it go? Qiu Xin was only sixteen. How could someone be so cruel?”
Leng Jiu handed her a handkerchief. “I also want to find the truth, but such matters can’t be resolved quickly. We can only wait. Eventually, the truth will come to light.”
Zi Yu knew she couldn’t force the issue, so after crying sadly for a while, she didn’t bring it up again.
Kano, who had been knocked out but unharmed, woke up as lively as ever. Without Qiu Xin to play with, it returned to Leng Jiu, though it seemed less spirited.
“Your Majesty, Concubine Hui has brought a few concubines to visit you. Should I allow them in?” Lu Chang approached Leng Jiu and asked.
Upon hearing this, Leng Jiu turned her head. Before she could respond, Kano suddenly bristled, glaring at Lu Chang and squeaking loudly. This was the first time Leng Jiu had seen it so agitated.
Leng Jiu reached out to stroke its fur. “What’s wrong? Did you eat something bad?”
Lu Chang looked at Kano and laughed. “It might be upset after what happened today and doesn’t want to see strangers.”
Leng Jiu’s eyes flashed, and she turned to Lu Chang. “You were in the imperial garden today. Did you see anyone suspicious?”
“Your Majesty, I didn’t see anyone. I went to the kitchen to visit a couple of old maids who entered the palace with me. After that, I came back, unaware of what happened to Qiu Xin,” Lu Chang replied calmly.
Leng Jiu didn’t say anything more. “I don’t want to see anyone today. Send them away.”
Lu Chang lowered his head. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
After Lu Chang had left, Leng Jiu turned to the still-stunned Zi Yu. “What’s the matter?”
It took Zi Yu a moment to recover from her shock. She rushed to Leng Jiu’s side, clearly distressed and unsure how to begin.
Leng Jiu patted her shoulder. “It’s alright. I’m here. What is it?”
Zi Yu took a deep breath before leaning in to whisper in Leng Jiu’s ear. “Your servant… your servant saw a shadow heading this way while in the imperial garden. It looked like Steward Lu!”
Leng Jiu stroked Kano’s fur, her brows furrowing slightly. “When was this?”
“It was just after Your Majesty had sat down in the pavilion. I ordered some snacks and tea, then turned and saw a shadow quickly heading this way. But because it was far away, I wasn’t sure. However, the person was dressed like Steward Lu, and they were coming from the direction where Qiu Xin had her accident. I was a bit suspicious at the time, but since you were resting, I didn’t mention it. But the more I think about it, the more it seems possible!” Zi Yu said all in one breath, then took a deep gulp of air, her face filled with shock.
Leng Jiu raised her eyes. “Maybe you’re right.”
Zi Yu, disregarding protocol, tightly grasped Leng Jiu’s hand, clearly frightened by this first experience of such an event. “Your Majesty! What should we do now?”
Leng Jiu patted the back of her hand. “It’s not the right time yet. What you need to do is act as if you’ve noticed nothing.”
Zi Yu shook her head. “I can’t do it. I keep thinking about how Qiu Xin looked before she died. I can’t pretend I didn’t notice anything!”
Leng Jiu pinched her cheek gently, speaking seriously. “If you want to survive in the palace, you must learn to hide all your emotions. I know you’re sad and want to avenge Qiu Xin, but you can’t do anything on your own. What you can do is protect yourself. If you can’t, you might be the next one to die!”
Zi Yu bit her lip, looking at Leng Jiu, then finally nodded tearfully.
Leng Jiu smiled at her. “Wipe your tears and wash your face. Looking like this, you can’t be my head maid!”
Zi Yu left and returned much calmer, though still sad. When she looked at Lu Chang, she didn’t show any sign of suspicion.
Leng Jiu glanced at her before saying to Lu Chang, “I’m hungry. Prepare the meal.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Qiu Xin’s death was put aside like that. Lin Feng investigated for three days but found nothing, which didn’t surprise Leng Jiu. For her, it would’ve been more surprising if something had been discovered. However, she now had a new understanding of her head eunuch. She recalled asking him why he was loyal to her, and now she found the thought amusing.
After three days, Du Heng finally returned to report to her. Long Yueli was the youngest son of the late Emperor. His mother, Consort Hua, was the legitimate daughter of the Hua family, a prominent martial arts clan known for their expertise in light-footed skills and concealed weapons. The Hua family was primarily led by women and had little involvement with the imperial court, with no precedent for marital alliances. However, the late Emperor once saved the life of the Hua family’s patriarch, so when the Emperor requested a Hua daughter as a consort, the patriarch could not refuse. As a result, he selected the family’s only legitimate daughter.
It was said that Consort Hua was not only the heir to the Hua family but also the most beautiful woman in the martial world, with a face like a celestial being. However, bound by her father’s command and the Emperor’s kindness, she had no choice but to enter the palace as a concubine. The Emperor was indeed infatuated with her; as soon as she entered the palace, she was conferred the title of Shufei. At that time, the Emperor was over fifty years old but still robust. After taking in Shufei, he ceased to take any more concubines and spent every night in her quarters, lavishing her with unprecedented favor.
A year after entering the palace, Consort Hua became pregnant. The Emperor was overjoyed and, despite opposition from his ministers, conferred her the title of Guifei. After ten months, she gave birth to a son, Long Yueli. The Emperor adored Long Yueli and granted him a noble title at birth, selecting the most prosperous region in the south as his fief. He also elevated Consort Hua to the status of Madam, giving her the same honor as the Empress, though she did not ascend to the position of Empress herself—an unparalleled event in history.
Unfortunately, this bliss did not last long. Before Long Yueli turned five, the Emperor passed away, and the Crown Prince ascended the throne. Consort Hua was honored as the Empress Dowager. It was said that she was so heartbroken over the late Emperor’s death that she fell into deep sorrow and passed away within a year. Strangely, after her death, the entire Hua family disappeared from the martial world overnight, leaving no trace behind.
Du Heng had gleaned this information from the elderly maidservants in the palace. After Consort Hua’s death, the palace underwent a purge by the previous Emperor, and many people were replaced. Those who remained only knew the surface details, and since more than twenty years had passed, much of the information had faded and become unclear.
Leng Jiu didn’t blame him; uncovering this much was already an accomplishment. Secrets of the royal family from two decades ago were not easily unearthed.
Recalling the day she saw Long Yueli at Nanshan, Leng Jiu sighed and decided to let the matter rest. She assumed that he wouldn’t appreciate someone digging into his secrets, and since she wasn’t overly curious, she chose to drop the investigation.
While she let go of the matter regarding Long Yueli’s mother, there was still one thing that Leng Jiu remembered clearly.
The next day, Leng Jiu left the palace again. However, this time she didn’t have Qing Ling disguise herself as her; instead, she left the palace as she used to. Sure enough, just as she reached the palace gate, the people who had been tailing her before followed her again.
Leng Jiu raised an eyebrow with a mischievous smile but said nothing as she made her way to Mo Zhai’s courtyard. After circling around the courtyard a few times, she entered the neighboring house and found Mo Zhai in a hidden room. Leng Jiu called him out, her eyes gleaming, “Help me catch two rats!”
Leng Jiu didn’t know how skilled Mo Zhai was, but she knew he was definitely better than the people following her. A moment later, Mo Zhai returned, dragging two people in with him. Leng Jiu had them tied up in the dark room, stripped of their outer garments, and removed the poison from their mouths before splashing them awake with water.
When the two opened their eyes and saw where they were, they realized they had been caught. They were tied up tightly, with the poison removed from their mouths. In a final act of desperation, they prepared to bite their tongues and commit suicide, but before they could do so, someone pinched their mouths shut and tied straps around them, preventing them from biting down.
Leng Jiu clapped her hands and laughed lightly, “Your master is truly amusing. Each time, only one person is sent, and after two deaths, they still haven’t changed their approach. I don’t even know what to say!”
Leng Jiu walked over to the table, where Mo Zhai had ‘borrowed’ some torture tools from the yamen. There were no large instruments, just small knives and clamps, which didn’t look particularly intimidating. She picked up a blade, weighed it in her hand, and checked the edge. It was sharp enough, so she was barely satisfied.
With the blade in hand, she walked over to the two men. “Come on, tell me who your master is, or at least who your superior is!”
She then slid the blade across the exposed skin of one of them. “I know you’re not afraid of death, so I won’t kill you. But I have a rather unpleasant hobby—I like to cut people’s flesh off piece by piece. You might call it ‘lingchi,’ though my technique is much better than that of a regular executioner. I can cut each piece to the same size, with consistent thickness, creating something that’s quite aesthetically pleasing.”
Mo Zhai, standing in the corner, twitched his eyelid. He didn’t recognize this woman!
The two men listened to Leng Jiu’s words, clearly skeptical. They knew who she was and assumed she was just trying to scare them. They even felt a bit of contempt for Leng Jiu—after all, she was just a woman.
“Ah!” Suddenly, one of them let out a cry of pain, his entire body tensing up. The other man, startled, looked over and saw that Leng Jiu was holding a bloodied piece of flesh on the knife, while a chunk of flesh was missing from the first man’s chest, now bleeding profusely. Not only were the two captives shocked, but even Mo Zhai was taken aback. He then let out a small sigh, pulling down his eyelids; he should never have doubted that she could do something like this.
Leng Jiu placed the piece of flesh onto a prepared tray. It was a neat square, and very precise.
Under the terrified gaze of the two men, Leng Jiu once again approached. She twisted the blade in her hand and swiftly cut another piece of flesh from the other side of the man’s chest. Ignoring his cries of pain, she placed the second piece on the tray, arranging it with satisfaction as she observed the two equally sized pieces of flesh. Then, she walked over once more.
The man, now missing two chunks of flesh, was a bloodied mess. His face turned bright red as he gritted his teeth, sweat pouring down like rain. When Leng Jiu’s blade touched his body again, he shuddered all over, his face full of fear.
Leng Jiu gently wiped away the blood from his body, then let the knife glide over his skin. “Where do you think I should cut next?”
He shook his head violently in terror, his face full of pleading. Who could bear to watch their own flesh being sliced off piece by piece?
Leng Jiu’s knife paused at his abdomen, curving into an enticing smile that resembled the allure of a demonic poppy, too frightening to look at directly. “I’ll give you one chance. Remember, just one, and it’s your last one. If you tell me what I want to know, I’ll give you a quick death. But if you can’t, I’ll carve you up piece by piece. Believe me, it won’t just be three thousand cuts—I’ll make sure you watch as your flesh is sliced off until the moment I decide to end your life.”
He nodded vigorously, no longer pleading for survival, only wishing for a quicker death.
Leng Jiu untied the cloth gagging his mouth and took out a towel to wipe the blade in her hand. “I know your master is Long Yi. Say something useful!”
Any last trace of hope he had was shattered by Leng Jiu’s words. Resigned, he said, “My master ordered me to watch you and report everything you did after leaving the palace. That’s all I know; I was only following orders.”
Leng Jiu wasn’t surprised. “And when the last two men didn’t return, he didn’t suspect anything?”
“My master has already sent people to investigate. He knows it has something to do with General Leng, but I don’t know the details.”
Leng Jiu chuckled. “Since you were somewhat honest, I’ll spare you further trouble.”
But as she spoke, the blade in her hand turned into a dart and flew through the air, piercing his throat with perfect precision, killing him instantly.
Leng Jiu walked over to the table and picked up another knife, leisurely approaching another person. “Eunuch, I’m very fair. You can choose to speak by nodding your head, but if you choose not to, I wouldn’t mind slicing up that not-so-fat flesh of yours. How about it?”
When the man heard her call him “Eunuch,” he shuddered all over. Recalling the fate of the man beside him, he nodded frantically, terrified at the thought of losing chunks of his own flesh.
Leng Jiu removed the cloth from his mouth. “Speak!”
“I…” He had just opened his mouth when he suddenly tried to bite down on his own tongue. Unfortunately, he forgot that Mo Zhai was standing right next to him. How could he allow him to succeed? In the blink of an eye, Mo Zhai was in front of him, prying open his mouth so he couldn’t bite down.
“Heh!” Leng Jiu didn’t even blink, smiling harmlessly. “Did you really think I’d let you die so easily?”
Facing her terrifying gaze, Leng Jiu’s smile grew even brighter. “I wasn’t planning on doing anything to you, but now, you’ve made your choice!”
He shook his head violently, filled with regret, but Leng Jiu never gave anyone a chance to regret. Mo Zhai raised his hand and dislocated his jaw. Leng Jiu found a long iron spike from among the torture tools and quickly drove it through his fingers and toes, using the same method as throwing darts. Her aim was flawless!
“Aaahhh…” The piercing scream was deafening. Blood dripped from his fingers and toes, splattering on the ground with a sickening sound.
Leng Jiu observed his painful expression before elegantly pulling out each spike, one by one. The man convulsed violently, but his martial skills kept him conscious, forcing him to endure the agony.
After removing all twenty spikes, Leng Jiu wiped her hands with a handkerchief and looked at him. “Well? Ready to talk?”
“I… I’ll talk…”
Leng Jiu found a place to sit and listened attentively.
“I… I’m under Eunuch Fu’s command!”
“Who is Eunuch Fu?” Leng Jiu couldn’t recall anyone by that name.
The man was surprised by her question, but he had no time to ponder it. “Eunuch Fu was the head eunuch serving the late emperor. After the emperor’s death, he moved to a residence in the northern part of the city. However, Eunuch Fu didn’t retire; he continued to order us to monitor the palace, especially Weiyang Palace. I don’t know why, but it seems he was following the late emperor’s orders to find something related to the empress dowager!”
He struggled to finish this explanation, nearly out of breath.
Leng Jiu raised an eyebrow. “And what’s your connection to Lu Chang?”
“He’s Eunuch Fu’s adopted son. Most of the palace staff follow his orders!”
“Was he the one who ordered you to follow me?”
“Yes!”
Leng Jiu tossed the handkerchief aside and stood up. “That’s enough.”
With that, she turned to leave. Mo Zhai raised his hand and shattered the man’s heart with a single palm strike, then followed Leng Jiu out.
Leng Jiu left the dark chamber and stood in a spot bathed in sunlight. Before her was a cluster of blooming white daisies. She plucked a few and brought them to her nose, inhaling their scent before tossing them aside. Sensing someone approaching from behind, Leng Jiu didn’t turn around and simply said, “If you want to ask something, ask now. You only get one chance!”
Mo Zhai remained silent for a moment before finally speaking. “You are the current empress dowager, General Leng’s sister!”
Leng Jiu chuckled. “Since you’re already certain, why bother asking me?”
Mo Zhai stared at the side of her face, his eyes blazing. “General Leng commands the southwestern army. Among them is an elite unit of eagle soldiers…”
Before he could finish, Leng Jiu cut him off. “You want to borrow soldiers?”
“Yes!” Mo Zhai admitted frankly, knowing the strength of that eagle unit. If he could borrow those soldiers, he could avenge his past wrongs!
Leng Jiu turned her head, her face full of mockery. “If Leng Yue deploys soldiers without authorization, it’s a crime punishable by death. What makes you think he would risk such a crime to lend you soldiers?”
Mo Zhai’s momentary excitement was doused like cold water. He realized how foolish his earlier thoughts had been. “I was too impulsive just now!”
Leng Jiu lowered her gaze, looking off into the distance. After a moment, she silently turned and walked away.
Leng Jiu had originally intended to return directly to the palace, but midway, she changed course and headed to the general’s residence. She searched Leng Yue’s room for a long time but didn’t find what she was looking for. Finally, her gaze fell on a handkerchief on the table. She wrapped Leng Yue’s comb in the handkerchief, placed it in her bosom, and then left for the palace.
She returned to the palace as quietly as she had left, though some people who were keeping watch noticed.
“Zi Yu!” As soon as Leng Jiu entered the palace, she looked utterly exhausted and collapsed into Zi Yu’s arms.
Zi Yu helplessly supported Leng Jiu’s body and helped her to the soft couch. “Your Majesty, what did you do today to get this exhausted?”
“Robbed someone!” Leng Jiu laughed lightly, then spread her arms. “I don’t feel like moving. Help me change clothes!”
Zi Yu had no choice but to fetch some clothes for her. As she untied the palace maid’s robes, something suddenly fell from Leng Jiu’s bosom with a crisp ‘plop’. Zi Yu looked down curiously. “Something fell!”
She bent down to pick it up, but Leng Jiu was quicker, snatching the item and placing it to the side. “Don’t touch anything! Just help me change clothes.”
Noticing the change in Leng Jiu’s expression, Zi Yu dared not ask what it was and quickly helped her change. As soon as they were done, Leng Jiu shooed Zi Yu out of the room. Left alone, Leng Jiu fussed about in the room for a long while before finally calling Zi Yu back in, leaving her utterly bewildered.
That night, Leng Jiu went to bed early, dismissing all the palace staff, even sending away Zi Yu, who usually stayed by her side. She paced around the room in a mysterious manner before finally going to sleep.
As the moon rose high in the sky, and when it was certain that everyone in the room was sound asleep, a shadowy figure emerged from the bushes outside, carefully opening the window and slipping inside. The figure scanned the room, then began to search, rummaging through everything with extreme caution, making no noise. Yet, no matter how thoroughly he searched, he couldn’t find what he was looking for. At that moment, a voice, calm and composed, sounded from the darkness, as if it had been waiting for a long time: “Looking for this, Eunuch Lu?”
The shadow froze, then slowly turned around. In the dim light, the pale face of Lu Chang was revealed.
Having served in the palace for many years, Lu Chang wasn’t easily rattled. Seeing the object in Leng Jiu’s hand, he chuckled. “So, the Empress Dowager has been acting all day just to deceive me. You really gave this servant a hard time!”
“If I didn’t put on a show, how else could I lure you in?” Leng Jiu, wearing only her undergarments, slowly stood up and began to unwrap the cloth bundle in her hand with a smile. “I never knew that my brother’s comb would be so important to you, Eunuch Lu. What should I say to that?”
“Since Your Majesty has already seen through me, I suppose you’re not just here for a chat?” Lu Chang responded calmly, still smiling.
“I wouldn’t want to be, but there’s something I must ask you.”
“Please ask, Your Majesty. I will answer truthfully.”
Leng Jiu tossed the comb aside and coldly asked, “Did you kill Qiuxin?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, it was me.” Lu Chang remained completely composed, showing no fear or tension at being caught.
Leng Jiu looked at him. Although she had already guessed it, hearing the confession from his own mouth still felt different. Thinking of that innocent girl, Leng Jiu rubbed her temples. She didn’t care to ask why he had killed Qiuxin; she didn’t feel like saying much. She simply called out, “Qingling! Come out!”
Qingling emerged from behind the screen, accompanied by two men dressed in black. Their presence was subdued, and they quickly drew long swords, placing them at Lu Chang’s neck before taking him away.
Qingling approached Leng Jiu and handed her a ring. “This was left by the General. He instructed me to give it to you when you need it. It can command the thirty hidden guards stationed at the General’s residence.”
Leng Jiu took the ring. It was an eagle-wing ring, and she remembered that Leng Yue wore a similar one on his right hand, except that his was the right wing, while this was the left. Stowing the ring away, she said, “Alright, go and rest.”
Qingling hesitated for a moment before finally asking, “How does Your Majesty intend to deal with Eunuch Lu?”
After a moment of thought, Leng Jiu replied, “Imprison him at the General’s residence. Publicly, we’ll say he disappeared. As for the reason, let Lin Feng investigate. He won’t find anything anyway.”
“But Zi Yu wanted to avenge Qiuxin. I thought you’d kill him for revenge, given how much you cared for Zi Yu and Qiuxin,” Qingling remarked, surprised that Leng Jiu seemed to be letting him off.
Leng Jiu chuckled coldly. “An eye for an eye is the natural order, but Lu Chang still has some value to me. Killing him just to avenge a maid would be a waste.”
Qingling was puzzled. “But he’s already exposed. What value does he have?”
Leng Jiu didn’t offer an explanation. “He’ll be useful in some way. Don’t ask too many questions. You may leave now.”
“Understood!”
After Qingling left, silence returned to the room. Leng Jiu picked up the comb again, shook it off, and placed it on her dressing table. She found it amusing that a simple comb had lured Lu Chang into her trap. But one day, she would find the item needed to command that hidden force. That treasure was something she was determined to obtain!
Taking out the ring Leng Yue had left her, she compared it in her hand before slipping it onto her middle finger—it fit perfectly. But she didn’t keep it on. With such a clear connection to Leng Yue, how could she dare to wear it? Not only had Leng Yue informed her about the Shadow Guard, but now he had also given her his men. What was his true intention?
She pondered for a long time without finding an answer and eventually gave up, putting the ring away. Returning to bed, she thought, at least tonight she could get a good night’s sleep!
—
**Author’s Note**
This chapter was a bit dull. I’m not sure what to say, so feel free to find your own points to critique!
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