Chapter 068: The Palace In The Depths Of Night

At this moment, all eyes in the hall were on the palace maid.

For those who knew that the emperor held the power of life and death since entering the palace, it was a powerful deterrent and terror. Everyone could see the color drain from her face, and her hands, tightly pressed against the ground, clenched as if she were in a great struggle.

She kowtowed to the ground in panic: “Your Majesty, no one instructed me. I saw that Miss Jiang, a mere companion reader, after entering the palace, slandered and incited the princess, deceived His Highness, and always wanted to be different from other companion readers. We served diligently, but the princess said we did not serve well and complained about the Internal Affairs Office’s harsh treatment. In a moment of resentment, and hearing rumors of Eunuch Wang leading an investigation, I came up with this plan to frame her. I beg Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager for forgiveness…”

“Crash!” All the items on the carved lacquered table were swept to the ground!

Shen Lang, who had experienced palace intrigues, could see that the maid was lying and was furious: “Nonsense! Still harboring evil intentions at this time! Wang Xinyi, drag her to the palace gate and beat her until she tells the truth!”

Wang Xinyi was about to obey.

The Empress Dowager Xiao frowned, glanced at the maid, raised her hand slightly, pressed her temple, and sighed softly.

Wang Xinyi immediately stopped.

Shen Lang looked at her: “Mother, is there something wrong?”

The Empress Dowager said: “Beating and killing at the palace gate in the middle of the night, do you want the entire palace to hear her screams? How will the concubines, palace maids, and eunuchs sleep? Just thinking about it gives me a headache. We haven’t found out who is behind this, but now that we have a lead, it’s only a matter of time before we get to the bottom of it. If you want to interrogate her, don’t do it at the palace gate. Send her to the Department of Punishments.”

Jiang Xuening felt it was ironic: suddenly, they couldn’t stand the sight of beating and killing? Not long ago, the old witch had waved her hand to have her dragged away for interrogation, saying the same thing as Shen Lang. How quickly she forgot? Zhang Zhe frowned slightly and glanced at the Empress Dowager.

Shen Lang realized: “I was careless, forgetting that Mother is still recovering and needs rest. Wang Xinyi, send this maid to the Department of Punishments and have them interrogate her tonight.”

“Yes.”

Wang Xinyi, half a master to Zheng Bao, had long become a sly old fox. He lifted his wrinkled eyelids and looked at the maid with some pity, then waved his hand.

The guards immediately came up and took the maid away.

A cloth was immediately stuffed into her mouth, and she was dragged out without making a sound, her eyes wide with terror.

Shen Lang looked down at Jiang Xuening from above and said, “Minister Jiang has served the country and the court diligently. Although today’s incident has its reasons, it has caused Miss Jiang some grievance. Wang Xinyi, tomorrow you will personally go to the Internal Affairs Office and arrange for a reward to ease her mind. Once the Department of Punishments has interrogated the maid and found the truth, justice will be served.”

Jiang Xuening replied, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace.”

However, she had a premonition that this matter would end here and that she would likely not receive the justice promised.

The maid was taken to the Department of Punishments for interrogation, which would not yield results immediately.

The Kunning Palace was the Empress Dowager Xiao’s residence, and she needed to rest.

At this moment, there were eunuchs and palace maids, external officials summoned to investigate, and companion readers from Yangzhi Zhai, making the scene chaotic. Shen Lang said, “Today’s matter is concluded. Everyone, withdraw.”

Everyone responded in unison and left.

The outermost eunuchs and palace maids left first, followed by the companion readers from Yangzhi Zhai, and finally Chen Ying and Zhang Zhe.

As soon as they left Kunning Palace, everyone surrounded Jiang Xuening.

Fang Miao kept patting her chest, “That scared me to death!”

Zhou Baoying looked at her with admiration, “Sister Ning was amazing in the hall!”

Even You Yue couldn’t help but say, “You really have no regard for your life…”

Chen Shuyi said coldly, “Everyone else is fine, but you alone suffered. It shows that you don’t know how to conduct yourself, or else who would hate you enough to frame you?”

Yao Rongrong looked at this person and that person but didn’t dare to speak.

Yao Xi looked listless.

Xiao Shu glanced at her, frowned slightly, and reminded everyone, “Let’s talk when we get back to Yangzhi Zhai. After such a big incident, if you can’t keep your mouth shut, who knows if trouble will come from it in the future?”

Everyone fell silent.

Jiang Xuening kept her head down and didn’t speak from beginning to end. Hearing this, she just looked up at Xiao Shu.

She had something on her mind.

After taking a few steps, they ran into Shen Jie and Shen Zhiyi, who were hurrying towards Kunning Palace.

Shen Zhiyi looked flustered. Seeing them from a distance, she quickened her pace and asked Jiang Xuening, “Ningning, are you okay?”

It was clear she had heard the news.

Shen Jie followed behind, looking at Jiang Xuening with some concern: “Is Miss Jiang alright?”

The siblings spoke almost in unison.

Jiang Xuening originally wanted to say something comforting, but now she didn’t know what to say. She could only reply dryly, “It was a scare, but I’m fine. Everything is alright.”

Shen Zhiyi finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Shen Jie still looked worried. Remembering the events outside the palace tonight and Yan Lin’s instructions, he wanted to speak to Jiang Xuening alone but decided against it due to the many people around.

Shen Zhiyi turned to Xiao Shu and asked, “Is the emperor here?”

Xiao Shu observed the siblings’ hurried appearance, as if they had sneaked out of the palace and just returned. She replied, “His Majesty arrived half an hour ago and is still here, likely talking with the Empress Dowager in Kunning Palace.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhiyi lifted her skirt and quickly headed towards Kunning Palace.

Shen Jie sighed heavily, ultimately not speaking to Jiang Xuening, and hurried to catch up with Shen Zhiyi.

Jiang Xuening looked back and saw the siblings, one tall and one short, walking down the long palace path. They happened to meet Chen Ying and Zhang Zhe, who were coming out.

The two stopped to greet them.

Shen Zhiyi and Shen Jie returned the greeting hurriedly and left.

Yangzhi Zhai was located to the south, closer to the outer court, so Chen Ying and Zhang Zhe’s direction out of the palace was the same as the companion readers returning to Yangzhi Zhai. However, to avoid suspicion, they took a slightly longer route at the fork.

Jiang Xuening stood still, looking at that path.

Fang Miao asked curiously, “Miss Jiang?”

Jiang Xuening listened to the clear and resonant voice in her heart. As it stirred her emotions, she suddenly made a decision and said, “If it weren’t for Lords Chen and Zhang today, I, Jiang Xuening, would have lost my life. I must thank them. You all go ahead.”

Fang Miao’s eyes widened.

Everyone else looked surprised.

Yao Xi was stunned and looked up at her!

But Jiang Xuening didn’t look at anyone’s expression, nor did she explain herself. She turned and walked directly towards the path Chen Ying and Zhang Zhe had taken.

The others were left looking at each other in confusion.

Chen Ying and Zhang Zhe had left later and were walking slowly, so she quickly caught up.

The young eunuch holding a lantern to light their way was the first to see her.

Then Chen Ying and Zhang Zhe noticed her.

Jiang Xuening stood behind them, bowed, and said, “Thank you, Lords, for saving my life. I have come to personally thank Lord Zhang.”

Chen Ying raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: “Thanking Lord Zhang? Then it seems I have nothing to do with it.”

He was always sharp.

Having previously received a reminder from Xie Wei, he knew that this Miss Jiang was somewhat special. Considering that he was just there to go through the motions, he wasn’t at all displeased by Jiang Xuening’s words. With a smile, he said to Zhang Zhe, “Lord Zhang, you stay and chat. I’ll wait up ahead.”

Zhang Zhe remained silent.

Chen Ying had already turned and left with the young eunuch.

At this moment, Jiang Xuening felt it was very much like her previous life.

Except that back then, the one who tactfully left was Xie Wei.

Zhang Zhe, in his official robes with wide sleeves, stood with his hands folded in front of him, looking at her.

The surroundings were somewhat dark, and his figure was also shadowed.

Seeing Chen Ying leave, Jiang Xuening took a step towards Zhang Zhe. Unexpectedly, a stone brick, usually flat but now slightly raised, caught her toe.

In her haste, she couldn’t react in time.

She lost her balance and fell forward.

At that moment, Zhang Zhe heard his heart telling him not to get involved with her; however, his hand instinctively reached out and caught her.

His fingers, with distinct joints and calluses from years of writing, were strong and firm.

The faint warmth of his palm could be felt through her clothing.

Jiang Xuening almost fell into his arms.

Her forehead accidentally bumped into his sharp, angular chin, which was hard and a bit painful.

Zhang Zhe didn’t use any fragrance; there was only a faint scent of soap on his sleeves.

She held her forehead in a daze, and when she looked up into his dark eyes, she felt a strong aura enveloping her, making her face flush. Realizing this, she quickly stepped back to maintain a proper distance.

In her previous life, she had been reckless, always teasing Zhang Zhe whenever she had the chance, wanting to see him embarrassed. Later, she respected and loved him, but didn’t dare to touch him. In this life, she didn’t want to leave a bad impression on Zhang Zhe, making him think she was a frivolous person who threw herself at men.

She was glad the young eunuch had taken the lantern, making the light dim. Otherwise, her blushing face would have been hard to hide. She steadied herself and said, “I was distracted today and didn’t watch my step. Thank you, Lord Zhang.”

The sweet, soft fragrance suddenly moved away.

Zhang Zhe’s fingers felt empty, a cold wind passing through them. He slowly clenched his hand and lowered it, saying, “It was nothing, just my duty. No need to thank me.”

This sounded very familiar.

He really was the same as in the previous life.

But this was not the previous life.

She had not hurt him, nor had she caused him harm or led him into imprisonment, nor had she caused his widowed mother to suffer and die. Everything could be a new beginning, and she had not married Shen Jie, nor did she want to be the empress again.

Jiang Xuening carefully hid all her secrets deep in her eyes, not letting them slip out. She looked at his figure and said, “The palace is dangerous, full of schemes. Even Minister Chen was just going through the motions today, but Lord Zhang was willing to find out the truth and clear my name. That is far better than those who just occupy their positions without doing anything.”

Zhang Zhe remained silent.

After a long time, he said, “I am just an outsider. Miss Jiang, being in the midst of it all, must be very careful in the future.”

He even addressed her as “Miss Jiang” at this moment?

Jiang Xuening thought he was truly humble.

She said, “Of course, I still have to stay in the palace for a while. I’m terribly afraid of dying, so how could I let them harm me easily?”

“……”

Zhang Zhe’s fingers, hanging by his side, quietly clenched.

She was afraid of death and pain.

At that moment, surrounded by the palace, the former empress standing before him must have had immense courage to sacrifice her life to save his.

She had no defenses against him.

Zhang Zhe suddenly feared that if he stood there looking at her for too long, he would waver in his resolve. He lowered his eyes and said, “It’s good that Miss Jiang is cautious. It’s late, and it’s not appropriate for me to stay in the inner palace. I will take my leave.”

Jiang Xuening felt a sense of emptiness in her heart.

But then she thought, seeing him was already very good, and she shouldn’t ask for more.

So she smiled and watched him leave.

Unexpectedly, after taking two steps, Zhang Zhe stopped.

Jiang Xuening blinked, “Lord Zhang?”

Zhang Zhe turned slightly to look at her, seeming hesitant to ask, but finally said, “I heard that Miss Jiang and Miss Yao had a dispute over me while serving as companions to the princess. Miss Yao tried various means to break off the engagement. Is this true?”

“……”

Their dispute in Yangzhi Zhai had already spread and reached Zhang Zhe?

Jiang Xuening was stunned.

Then she thought, indeed, there are no walls that don’t leak. It’s not surprising that it spread. But now that Zhang Zhe was asking, should she answer?

Yao Xi had indeed tried various means, even attempting to slander him.

But she had her own motives. If she told him, it would seem like she was tattling.

What if she concealed it?

The person asking her this question was Zhang Zhe.

Jiang Xuening ultimately couldn’t lie to him, but for some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to say “it’s true.” Perhaps it was because a certain guess and hope in her heart made it beat wildly, making her forget what to say.

Seeing her expression, Zhang Zhe said, “I understand.”

Jiang Xuening was startled: “But Miss Yao no longer thinks that way. If Lord Zhang has read her reply, you should know. Why are you still asking?”

Zhang Zhe lowered his eyes and said simply, “To break off the engagement.”