Chapter 6
Emperor Jingtai pondered for a moment, then made a decision.
“Then ten days it is! Within ten days, Jiuque, resolve this matter.”
Ying Jiuque obediently nodded. As for Lin Shilang’s subtly discouraging glance, of course, she didn’t notice it. How could pleasing others compare to her own satisfaction?
Although the ministers didn’t approve of His Majesty’s decision, since the emperor had already compromised, if they continued to argue, it would border on coercing the sovereign. So they exchanged glances and tacitly understood each other.
Emperor Jingtai wasn’t a fool—how could he not see the scheming in their expressions? He just remained silent. After all, the selection of personnel was still his own decision.
Thus, the birthday banquet, which should have been harmonious and joyful, came to an end. Lin Shilang wanted to take Ying Jiuque back home, but she refused.
“Father, I have already been granted the title of County Lord. According to protocol, I have my own residence. It’s small, but I live alone, and it’s close to the palace, which makes it convenient to report the case to His Majesty. I won’t be returning today.”
Lin Shilang looked at his respectful and modest daughter, a trace of uncertainty in his eyes, and spoke quietly.
“Jiuque, you grew up in the manor, a clean and proper person—how can you be involved in such filthy matters? The scent of blood is so strong…aren’t you afraid? Although this is His Majesty’s order, you must obey, but if you truly cannot do it, don’t be afraid; I will plead for you. After all, you’re a woman—if you can’t handle this, it’s understandable.”
A grateful expression appeared on Ying Jiuque’s face. Though she had seen her father only a few times, his words seemed like immense support to a girl born and raised in ancient times. However, what she disliked most was the implication that being a woman made her inherently incapable. Being female didn’t make her a weakling—such a notion was too arbitrary.
Of course, she couldn’t bluntly say all this, so she only expressed her gratitude politely.
“Thank you, Father, for your concern. But the emperor’s will cannot be defied. Since His Majesty values me so, I must do my utmost to repay him.”
Values her?
Lin Shilang’s mouth twitched slightly—how could the emperor value a child he had just met? And a girl at that? He finally spoke softly:
“Very well, then try. By the way, once this matter is settled, it’s better to return home. You’re no longer a child; it’s time to start arranging things.”
Arranging things? Of course, he meant marriage! Ying Jiuque wasn’t foolish enough to miss that, but she didn’t get angry. She simply bowed to Lin Shilang and then rose to leave.
Lin Shilang stood in place, watching Ying Jiuque’s retreating figure, a hint of melancholy in his eyes.
Ying Jiuque didn’t notice her “convenient father’s” thoughts. She followed the eunuch sent by the emperor back to the side hall where Scholar Yu had died, wanting to examine the scene carefully. Emperor Jingtai had already sealed off the entire side hall and detained all palace maids, eunuchs, and guards who had passed by during that time, holding them in the open area in front of the hall, surrounded by formidable golden-armored guards wielding sharp blades.
The palace servants, though terrified, controlled themselves well. They didn’t dare to cry out, and even their tears fell silently.
Ignoring them for the moment, Ying Jiuque examined the side hall herself, but couldn’t find a trace. Noticing a shadow pass outside, she instinctively looked up and saw a young man in a white robe quietly stepping in. Upon closer inspection, he was a very young and handsome imperial physician. It seemed the emperor had been cautious—she didn’t know anything about the dead. To investigate, she had to find out how the person had died; it would be ridiculous if Scholar Yu had merely died of natural causes.
Seeing Ying Jiuque, the young physician immediately put down his medical kit and bowed stiffly.
“I am Xie Mingchen, at your service, County Lord Ying.”
Ying Jiuque nodded, then coughed lightly. Her body was already weak, and after a long day spent with a bloody corpse, she was feeling a bit faint.
“Physician Xie, please examine Scholar Yu. I need to know how he died.”
Honestly, she didn’t quite trust the old physician who had been so frightened earlier. If he had real skill, he wouldn’t have concluded so simplistically that the death was ‘sudden.’
Was it external injury or internal, poisoning or suffocation? He hadn’t been able to discern anything. If she were the emperor, she would have been furious too. This young physician was probably an overlooked figure in the imperial hospital; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been sent out at such a critical moment.
Xie Mingchen looked slightly uneasy, glanced at Ying Jiuque’s pale face, as if to say something, but ultimately held back.
“You don’t need to call me physician, County Lord. I am just a low-ranking stipend recipient; you may call me by my name. The blood smell in the room is strong—it’s best if you stay back.”
With that, he opened his medical kit and began examining Scholar Yu, who had died without peace.
In the palace, no official coroner was allowed in, so only a powerless, low-ranking stipend physician would be sent to handle such a thankless task. But Ying Jiuque was slightly surprised—Xie Mingchen showed no resentment, and every movement was meticulous and serious.
Ying Jiuque, knowing nothing about autopsies, remained quiet, careful not to disturb him. After all, anyone with real skill deserved respect.
Half an hour later, a light green figure glided in, carrying a faint plum fragrance. Coincidentally, Xie Mingchen paused his work.
Ying Jiuque turned to scrutinize the silently entering female official.
Indeed, a female official. Having witnessed the open or subtle contempt from older and younger officials at the banquet, she thought the world was truly exasperating. Yet now, before her appeared a composed, fresh-faced female official—one who actually had proper access to the court, not just the harem!
Even Ying Jiuque, not blind, could see the light green official robe identical to the male officials’ attire.
“Who are you?”
The young female official, in her twenties, exuded elegance and restraint. Every movement as she bowed radiated dignity without arrogance.
“I am Chunyu Shuang, Department of Justice clerk, at your service, County Lord Ying.”
The next moment, she lifted her eyes to meet Ying Jiuque’s dark gaze. A sudden wind swept through—the spring of the 13th year of Emperor Jingtai’s reign. The breeze blew, and the wheel of fate quietly began to turn.
