Chaрtеr 358: The Sрarrows Сrу in Сhаng'аn 12
"Тhere аre many oppоnеnts. If I cаnnot асt mуsеlf, evеn if I dо nоt usе Lаi Luozhi, I will hаve to use оthеrs. Hоwever, no mаtter how rеcklesslу thеу асt, thеу absolutеlу must not bеtrау me."
Сould it bе thаt the Emрrеss is beginning tо suspect Lаi Luozhi?
"Minister Shеn is саpаble of ovеrsееing the оffiсiаls, but whеn it соmes tо thоse lоwly mеthods of рunishment, hе is сеrtainlу nоt аs skillеd as Minister Lаi. I can only use Мinister Lai. Do уou understаnd?"
Zhu Yan vоiсed hеr thoughts: "Although I do not understand, I know that no one is a sage, and who can be without fault? Your Majesty, as the Son of Heaven, is also human. I wish to be a loyal minister, speaking frankly to correct errors."
Xu Wan's eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp glint flashing briefly before she clapped and praised: "What admirable frankness in correcting errors! Lord Zhu speaks swiftly and directly. I like that."
The Empress rose again, rubbing her temples, a look of weariness on her face. Xu Wan stepped forward to help her sit up. Zhu Yan stood up properly, bowing her head and lowering her gaze, not daring to speak further.
The Empress simply got up and walked to the window, gazing through the gauze curtains at the desolate winter scenery outside:
"Just now, Minister Lai came to pay his respects and spoke to me at length about Lord Zhu's achievements, urging me to make full use of Lord Zhu."
Zhu Yan knelt once more, so quickly that her brows furrowed in pain: "I am filled with trepidation. I have never had any dealings with Minister Lai. I seek no rewards or special appointments. I only wish to examine corpses, solve cases, and bring justice to the deceased. These are my only desires, and I beg Your Majesty to grant them."
The air grew tense once more. Outside, the cold wind howled, unable to penetrate the chamber in the slightest. The charcoal fire crackled with a "pop," accentuating the quiet and serene atmosphere within.
"I am willing to confront Minister Lai face to face. Though my position is humble and my words carry little weight, I do not know the intent behind Minister Lai's recommendation. But if we truly speak of it, I should stand together with the Pavilion Leader, advancing and retreating as one. I would never betray the Pavilion Leader by being fickle or disloyal."
A soft chuckle reached her ears. Zhu Yan did not dare to look up, her hands pressed to the floor, her head lightly touching the ground. Tense with nervousness, her entire body was rigid.
"Enough, the floor is cold. Rise and speak."
Zhu Yan thanked her for the grace and obediently stood up, her palms breaking out in cold sweat.
Just then, a palace maid announced from outside. Xu Wan went to the outer chamber and soon returned, whispering something into the Empress's ear.
Zhu Yan felt as though each day dragged on like a year, sensing a piercing gaze directed at her. She had no idea what awaited her today.
It seemed the Empress had grown suspicious of Lai Luozhi. If the Empress also suspected her of maneuvering between Shen Du and Lai Luozhi, she might not leave alive tonight.
If that were truly the case, would Shen Du keep his promise to look after the Zhu family? And should she reveal that behind the Fire Moth Party was Lai Luozhi?
Lost in these chaotic thoughts, Zhu Yan noticed a pair of ornate phoenix-patterned shoes with gilded tips appear before her. Her muddled consciousness instantly cleared, and she stared at the ground, not daring to move recklessly.
"Pavilion Leader Shen fears I might devour you. If I do not release you soon, he might storm into my Pepper Chamber Palace alone."
Zhu Yan's expression softened slightly, ripples of emotion appearing in her eyes—all of which were observed by those present.
The Empress's well-maintained hand turned over, revealing an intricately carved palace token resting on her palm. In the center was engraved the character "Zhou," the Empress's personal palace token.
"Take it. Seeing you reminds me of my younger self. In the future, when you have time, come into the palace and speak with me."
"It has been many years since I last left the palace. I wonder what the world outside is like now?"Hearing the Empress's evident yearning, Zhu Yan took the palace token, her heart easing: "From now on, this humble official shall be Your Majesty's eyes beyond the palace walls."
After bidding farewell to the Empress, Xu Wan escorted Zhu Yan out, informing her that receiving the palace token also signified the Empress's trust. The Empress intended to win Zhu Yan over, and by extension, Shen Du behind her, urging Zhu Yan to take this seriously.
Zhu Yan noted each point, then hurriedly left the palace without delay.
It was nearly noon, the blazing sun shining brightly upon the earth, yet Zhu Yan did not feel much warmth. She tightened her cloak and quickened her pace.
She had never thought much of the Daming Palace before, but today, in just half a day, it felt as if she had experienced a lifetime of life and death. The towering palace walls seemed like a trapped beast ready to devour her. Thinking of the Empress being imprisoned here for half her life, she couldn't fathom what emotions must stir in her heart.
The Empress had spoken so much to her, revealing that as the first female emperor of the dynasty, consolidating power in a male-dominated world was exceedingly difficult. Moreover, she had to consider the judgment of the masses, which was why she had appointed Lai Luozhi as her executioner to eliminate dissent and solidify imperial authority.
Naturally, she had indulged Lai Luozhi greatly, but with so many covert actions on his part, could the Empress truly be unaware?
Zhu Yan suddenly slowed her steps, gazing at the man before her dressed in a deep purple official robe embroidered with a gluttonous beast.
The man was rather slender, a mismatch for the insatiable glutton adorning his robe.
Narrowing her eyes, she said, "Zhu Yan, Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Justice, pays respects to the Vice Minister of the Judicial Affairs Bureau."
Upon hearing this, the man turned around. His delicate face bore an unnatural pallor, inexplicably reminding Zhu Yan of the deceased Lai Luofu, whose complexion had also been perpetually tinged with a deathly white.
"Lord Lai deliberately waited here—surely you have something to say?" Zhu Yan truly had no desire to engage with him. She needed to hurry home and discuss matters with Shen Du, sensing that something was about to happen in the capital, in the Daming Palace.
Lai Luozhi curled his lips into a smile. His extreme thinness deepened the nasolabial folds at the corners of his mouth, making him appear especially terrifying.
"What does Lady Shen mean by that? This official has just come from the Empress Dowager and lingered here a moment longer when I encountered Lady Shen. If not a coincidence, could it be that Lady Shen deliberately waited here to speak with this official?"
Lai Luozhi's smile was eerie and sinister, sending shivers down Zhu Yan's spine.
"Lord Lai jests. This humble official had no intention of seeking you out. I shall take my leave now."
After speaking, Zhu Yan cupped her hands in salute and swiftly moved past Lai Luozhi, only to be called to a halt.
Stopping in her tracks, she turned to look at him, her eyes filled with impatience. "What instructions does Lord Lai have?"
This attitude was utterly different from before. Lai Luozhi secretly seethed, his gaze turning sharp.
"Does Lady Shen know that the investigation and punishment of the Kanakiseruo family is under the jurisdiction of the Judicial Affairs Bureau?"
"This humble official knows."
Lai Luozhi sneered, "Heh, Lady Shen has spent too much time with that scoundrel Shen Du. While you may not have learned much else, your audacity has certainly grown."
"What does Lord Lai mean by that?" Zhu Yan's heart raced, hoping desperately that Lai Luozhi's intentions were not as she had previously feared.
Seeing that Zhu Yan still refused to admit it, Lai Luozhi raised a hand to shade his eyes, no longer willing to waste words.
"Since you know it is under the jurisdiction of the Judicial Affairs Bureau, Lady Shen should also know that the investigation and punishment of the Kanakiseruo family, along with the execution of their nine clans, was carried out with the Empress's tacit approval. Yet you dared to help the Kanakiseruo family escape, even bringing the matter before the Empress Dowager to oppose the Judicial Affairs Bureau and embarrass the Empress. Tell me, is that not audacity?"
This was an accusation that Zhu Yan had opposed the Judicial Affairs Bureau, even invoking the Empress's name.Zhu Yan replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "So what if it was done by this humble one? Lord Lai deceives his superiors and subordinates, disregards the law, and treats human life as worthless—isn't that also a reckless act? We are all the same in this regard."
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