Free Web NovelChapter 78: Chapter 78: The Wise Holy Emperor, Bewitched into a King Shang Zhou
Sanchuan didn’t answer.
Si Hai was long used to his cold demeanor. He sighed. "Can’t really blame you, though. A Hidden Guard can’t act unless a life is in danger. Besides, when you went to report, the Holy Emperor was in a meeting with several generals. He never allows interruptions then."
Emperor Wu Su was handling military intelligence from the Northern Border, a matter of the highest priority.
Sanchuan said in a low voice, "Don’t you ever say that again. Just remember, anything concerning Fifth Miss Ji inside is a matter of utmost importance. Any principle can be broken for her."
The words terrified Si Hai.
In the army, Emperor Wu Su was known for his strict discipline. Not a single rule of military conduct—not even a single word—could be violated.
Some troublemaking soldiers had tried to test him, but they were all beaten into submission with military rods.
Those who refused to submit were long since beaten to death.
The current Holy Emperor was just that kind of cold and dispassionate person. But it was precisely this cold, stern heart that had allowed him to claim the throne.
Si Hai had never met Ji Qingwu, but from Sanchuan’s description, this Fifth Miss Ji sounded like a vixen who could bewitch a man’s mind.
’What kind of sorceress must she be,’ he thought, ’to be able to bewitch our wise and mighty Holy Emperor into acting like King Shang Zhou? I’ll have to find a chance to get a good look at her later.’
Ji Qingwu didn’t wake until the afternoon.
Lan Zhi had been by her bedside since early morning, watching over her with a worried heart.
Seeing the turquoise bed curtains stir, a slender, pale arm stretched out. Realizing its owner was about to wake, Lan Zhi immediately called to her in a soft voice.
"Fifth Missy, Fifth Missy..."
Ji Qingwu’s mind was clear, but her body had yet to catch up. Her eyes still closed, she let out a soft murmur.
Her voice was thick with sleep. "What’s wrong?"
Lan Zhi was past her initial panic and could now calmly recount the morning’s "sights and sounds" that had sent the entire household into a state of terror.
"An imperial decree arrived for our household at dawn. The Third Young Master is in trouble and has been thrown in the great prison. Wutong Garden has also been placed under guard. Now, no one can get in or out."
Ji Qingwu opened her eyes. They were a little swollen from crying last night, and she squinted in discomfort.
She asked dazedly, "Does that mean we can still have breakfast? I’m hungry."
Lan Zhi’s expression was even more bewildered than hers.
Faced with such shocking news, her young miss was only thinking about whether there was breakfast. Even if she didn’t care about the Third Young Master, she should at least be concerned about the situation in Wutong Garden.
Ji Qingwu’s lips were dry. Her throat felt tight as she said, "I want some water."
Lan Zhi hurried to the table to pour a cup of water, handing the celadon teacup to her.
It was like sweet rain after a long drought. As Ji Qingwu drank the water, she couldn’t stop her face from flushing red.
Her lips, now moistened by the water, felt a little swollen. When she swallowed, the movement of her tongue sent a faint twinge of pain through it, and certain images uncontrollably surfaced in her mind.
Ji Qingwu switched to taking small sips.
She hadn’t touched a single grain of rice last night and had slept through breakfast. Having missed two meals, her stomach was now staging an "empty fort strategy." After a cup of water, she felt even more famished.
To her, there was nothing more important right now than filling her stomach.
Lan Zhi tied back the bed curtains and said worriedly, "How can you still be thinking about eating at a time like this?"
Ji Qingwu threw back the covers and sat up, saying calmly, "Whatever the imperial decree says, we just have to follow it."
It was Emperor Wu Su who had carried her back last night. When he placed her on the bed, he had instructed her again not to see anyone who came to call.
Later, as if he didn’t believe she could manage it, he said he would think of a way.
She hadn’t expected his solution would be to surround Wutong Garden.
When Ji Qingwu learned that Ji Changyan had been sent to the Imperial Prison, she understood why the Emperor had told her not to see anyone.
She had suddenly disappeared yesterday afternoon, and Ji Changyan had likely given the family some other explanation. But after a night had passed, she returned home safely, while Ji Changyan was thrown into prison.
Old Madam Ji and Ms. Wu would definitely come looking to "question" her.
Ji Qingwu placed the celadon cup on the stand by her bed, her expression serene and unhurried.
Seeing her lady so composed, Lan Zhi felt as if she had found her pillar of support and became less anxious.
She said, "It’s strange, though. Our courtyard isn’t lacking for food or drink at all; supplies are still being delivered as usual." The food containers just needed to be inspected by the two stern-faced men at the gate.
’As long as there’s no problem with the food, it’s fine.’ Ji Qingwu got up and went straight to the washroom, asking, "What’s for breakfast?"
"It’s already noon. The breakfast is still being kept warm on the stove in the small kitchen. If you’d like, this servant can bring you some porridge to tide you over. Lunch will be ready soon."
Ji Qingwu nodded. Right now, she could probably down two bowls of even plain congee.
By the time she finished washing up and changed into a light gauze skirt with a blue-hemmed, floral-patterned waist, Lan Zhi had pulled open the window screens. Outside, the sky was clear and the sun shone brightly, having risen to its highest point.
From the daybed in the side room, Ji Qingwu could see the two ramrod-straight silhouettes standing at the gate just by looking out.
Their postures alone exuded the air of martial arts experts.
Ji Qingwu felt even more at ease. She filled her stomach with winter bamboo shoot and triple-delicacy congee, accompanied by a few crystal shrimp dumplings.
The entrance to Wutong Garden remained quiet for the entire day.
After learning that Ji Changyan had been arrested, Old Madam Ji had immediately taken her two daughters-in-law to the palace to request an audience with the Empress Dowager.
Inside Cining Palace, the atmosphere was oppressive.
Shixi and Fanghua, the two head court ladies, had both been sent out of the hall and were waiting at the entrance.
The Empress Dowager’s expression was exceptionally foul. She stared at the black velvet carpet embroidered with characters for fortune, longevity, health, and peace, saying nothing.
Ji Changyan was Ms. Wu’s only son. She pleaded mournfully, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, Chang Yan is your nephew. You must think of a way to help him."
The Empress Dowager’s brows knitted together tightly, clearly deeply troubled by the matter as well. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
"This Dowager knows," she said. "But he has committed a grave error. The Imperial Censors have the right to supervise all officials. Although Yan Zongrang was demoted, his status is still special. Attacking a sitting Imperial Censor is a blatant disregard for the law. It has crossed the bottom line of those old men at the Imperial Censorate."
Old Madam Ji spoke carefully, "The chief investigator for this case is Lord Li. He’s Princess Qingyun’s Prince Consort, so he ought to do his part for the Ji Family."
The Empress Dowager slowly shook her head. "Even if Li Chengxun were willing to agree, it would be useless. According to the reports from the people This Dowager sent, the case has already been transferred from the Imperial Supervision Office to the Imperial City Department for handling."
"The Imperial City Department?!"
Ms. Wu went limp, nearly sliding off the red sandalwood chair.
The Imperial City Department is under the Emperor’s direct command, and its members are all his trusted aides.
Ms. Wu’s face was deathly pale. She said in terror, "When the Imperial City Department interrogates a prisoner, they end up dead or crippled! Our Chang Yan has always lived a pampered life. How could he possibly withstand that?"
Especially with that Vice Envoy of the Imperial City Department, Duan Mingfeng, who is like a malevolent demon.
She knelt in the middle of the hall, crying and begging, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager! Mother! You must save Chang Yan! You both watched him grow up..."
Seeing how dire the situation was, Old Madam Ji took a deep breath and voiced the suspicion she already held.
"Your Majesty, last night Chang Yan was taken away from the Yucui Building. Does His Highness Prince Yong know the inside story of this matter?"
The old madam knew her good-for-nothing grandson well. Although Ji Changyan was reckless and absurd, he didn’t have the guts to kill an Imperial Censor. She suspected it might have something to do with Prince Yong, with whom he was carousing.
The Empress Dowager’s expression turned displeased.
’So pleading has failed, and now you want to drag Prince Yong down with you?’
