“Emperor, your subject and consort failed to teach them strictly enough and willingly accepts punishment. I beg the emperor to bestow a sentence.” This move was especially effective. The son of heaven’s favor was the best “death-exemption token” in the world, but Jia Yinger had underestimated someone’s abilities.
“Indeed, noble consort, you are truly self-aware. The emperor should punish you properly; otherwise, it would be unfair, and what would become of the Six Palaces’ order? Since noble consort has pleaded so earnestly, an appeal whose sincerity can be witnessed by Heaven and earth must not be disappointed.”
Gu Hanjue’s words nearly made Jia Yinger faint from anger. Who could have known that he would have such thick skin and actually continue along with her words?
When it came to refined elegance, no one in the world could surpass Gu Hanjue. If no one told them he was Prince Bianjian, no one would ever imagine that he was an eunuch.
Yet when it came to shamelessness, there were likewise few people in the world who could surpass him. He clearly had an upright and pure appearance, but somehow he was so infuriating that people gnashed their teeth.
At the end, Gu Hanjue paused, then glanced sideways at Jia Yinger kneeling on the ground. “Given noble consort’s character, all of this could never have been ordered by noble consort. Naturally, noble consort must also sincerely accept punishment. Am I right, noble consort?”
After Gu Hanjue finished speaking, everyone began to suspect Jia Yinger and Consort Li.
If the two maidservants truly had such intentions, they still could not have acted openly in the most inappropriate place, while she had even led everyone to suspect that the empress was behind it.
But Jia Yinger also possessed a good reputation. The image she had always established outside the palace was virtuous and proper, and she did not seem like someone capable of doing such a thing. Moreover, Gu Hanjue’s Methods had always been ruthless, and those two maidservants also seemed somewhat unwilling…
Everyone harbored all kinds of guesses, but in the end, no one could see through the twists and turns of the inner palace and inner court.
“I…” Jia Yinger was left speechless, choking with anger.
She was even secretly relieved that those two palace maids were already dead, leaving no witnesses left alive. Otherwise, with Gu Hanjue’s Methods, he might have discovered something.
Jia Yinger steadied her breathing, then said firmly, “I beg the emperor to punish me.”
Consort Li, standing nearby, was also adept at reading the situation. She knew that she absolutely could not evade responsibility at this moment. The meaning behind Gu Hanjue’s words was clearly for them to be sensible, so how could she fail to understand?
“Your subject and consort is willing to accept punishment,” Consort Li said unwillingly.
Chu Yinheng knew he could no longer shield Jia Yinger, but he still had to go through the motions.
“The two of you failed to discipline them properly and must be punished. Your stipends are docked for one year. Reflect on your mistakes during this period.”
Hah! What favoritism!
Jiang Yiyun glanced indifferently at the two people on the ground. Knowing that she would be unable to bring them down this time, she wondered inwardly: If she had been the one to make a mistake today, what punishment would she have received?
Whipping? Demotion? The cold palace? In any case, she certainly would not have been let off as lightly as they were.
After this incident, the palace banquet could not continue, and everyone departed awkwardly.
Chu Yinheng was furious, so he turned and left in a grand procession without waiting for Jia Yinger.
Gu Hanjue walked over to the dazed Jia Yinger and Consort Li, then turned slightly toward them and said with a faint smile, “Thank you, both imperial consorts, for your generous hospitality today. My brothers were exceedingly satisfied with the ‘treatment’ from the two imperial consorts.”
At that moment, a flower petal drifted down onto his shoulder. He extended his hand, raised a slender finger, and gently flicked it away. His movement was refined yet brisk.
“It is a pity that I am an eunuch and cannot appreciate the imperial consorts’ kindness. If the two imperial consorts have similar hospitality next time, remember to mention it beforehand so that my brothers may receive it on my behalf. Then I can also be a little… gentler when I act.”
He left with a soft laugh, leaving the two women trembling faintly behind.
Jiang Yiyun had keen hearing and heard Gu Hanjue’s words as she departed. It was not difficult to realize that Gu Hanjue had also known of the two women’s scheme in advance. Such a formidable Enemy made her feel lingering fear.
After returning to the palace hall, she could not suppress her unease. Recalling the bloodstained silk handkerchief in Gu Hanjue’s hand, she felt even more frightened. Given Gu Hanjue’s abilities, tracing it back to her did not seem difficult.
After only a brief period of silence, she suddenly called, “An Luo.”
“An Luo and An Xiao went to monitor the movements of those two treacherous consorts. Princess, is there anything you wish to instruct your subordinate to do?”
An Jue emerged from the shadows.
Whenever Jiang Yiyun had something to do, she usually gave her orders directly to An Luo. Since she was a young woman, communicating with another woman was more convenient; she could give any instructions directly without needing to avoid sensitive matters.
An Jue and An Xiao normally guarded only the perimeter, but their abilities were no weaker than An Luo’s. Unless An Luo was absent, they were changing shifts, or An Luo permitted it, An Jue would only approach the room slightly.
“During the previous assassination attempt against Gu Hanjue, I accidentally dropped a personal silk handkerchief, and that scoundrel has now obtained it. Given his abilities, he will presumably be able to trace the handkerchief’s origin after some time.”
“Princess, do you want your subordinate to sever the connection between the silk handkerchief and our Chenli Hall?”
An Jue was the most outstanding among the shadow guards. His thoughts were exceedingly meticulous, unmatched by anyone, and his reactions were swift and his insight penetrating.
“We absolutely cannot leave clues for the other party. That much is true, but we do not necessarily need to sever the connection.”
Jiang Yiyun tapped her fingertips against the teacup and said indifferently, “If we sever it, that will only make people more suspicious. It would be better to muddy the waters and make it impossible for the other party to see clearly.”
An Jue asked, “Create multiple clues?”
“Exactly. But no matter how chaotic the clues become, there still has to be an outcome. First, let him spend some effort finding a false answer. People with overly complicated minds are prone to suspicion; afterward, give him a sudden revelation and let him discover another true false answer. That way, the muddy waters will remain impossible to see through.”
An Jue’s perpetually icy expression displayed a rare reaction after hearing this, as if he understood and yet did not understand.
Jiang Yiyun smiled, then began to offer him some guidance…
She was confident that she could make Gu Hanjue shift his target. Years later, when she recalled what she had done, she felt somewhat self-mocking, but she did not regret it.
…
In a deep, hidden chamber, Gu Hanjue leaned against the couch. He was waiting for news, and he waited patiently. He had confidence in himself, as well as in his subordinates.
Some time ago, he had believed that the woman who had once shared physical intimacy with him was born in the pleasure district, so he had expanded the search to the entire capital city.
He would not let go of anyone connected to this silk handkerchief. Its material, craftsmanship, color and condition… Even searching for a needle in a haystack was not difficult for him. Yet after investigating for a long time, he had not found the slightest clue.
Now, after searching everywhere without success, the person he wanted to find had turned out to be right under his nose, within this desolate imperial palace.
He looked forward to finding that woman, yet did not know what he would do after finding her. Kill her? He truly found himself reluctant. That woman was too captivating, making it genuinely difficult to let her go.
Give her a formal status? He feared that would be difficult. That position could not be given to anyone, because there was still another “existence” in his heart.
At last, the answer arrived. He Opened his eyes and saw a white-clad man approaching with a gentle smile to report to him: “lord, there is an answer, but it cannot quite be considered an answer.”
“Oh?” Gu Hanjue narrowed his smiling eyes slightly and asked in confusion, “Gu Luo, since when did you start speaking in riddles?”
This white-clad man named Gu Luo was elegant and gentle, just like him, but possessed slightly more steadiness and slightly less cold allure.
“After searching and investigating, your subordinate has confirmed that the woman from that night was Noble Consort Li?”
Gu Hanjue’s brows furrowed slightly, an uncommon occurrence. “Jia Yinger?!”
Gu Luo smiled. “That is correct.”
“But what if I tell lord that the clues also point directly to Consort Li? Would lord believe me?” Gu Luo asked with a smile.
Gu Hanjue considered it, then said, “That is somewhat too unbelievable. Presumably, the woman from that night took care of matters in advance and led us to shift our target to Consort Li.”
“And that woman is Jia Yinger.” Gu Luo was utterly certain.
“How can you tell?”
Gu Luo said unhurriedly, “Based on your description of that woman, she is vastly different from Consort Li in character. Even if she had changed her appearance, her expression and bearing are not something Consort Li could imitate.”
“She is indeed quite calculating, but her conduct behind the scenes clearly marks her as a treacherous villain. Moreover, she fears death and craves survival. How could she be that woman? No matter how skilled she was at disguise, I still would not believe it.”
After listening to Gu Luo’s detailed explanation, Gu Hanjue gave an alluring smile. “Continue.”
Gu Luo cleared his throat and continued, “Although Noble Consort Li is also sinister, no matter what, she has the bearing to hold her own in public. Though the two belong to the same type, there is still an enormous difference between them.”
“The medicine lord received that day… ahem… that method was rather similar to that day’s… ‘Bird-catching.’ The only person who would dare use this trick repeatedly is Noble Consort Li.”
“That makes sense. Continue.”
Gu Luo continued, “Where this silk was produced, when it was sent into the imperial palace, who distributed it, whose hands it passed through, how much each person used, what they made with it… Everything was recorded in detail. After the clues from every side were layered together, we finally reached the conclusion that the woman was either Consort Li or one of Consort Li’s subordinates. But this result emerged too perfectly, too naturally. Noble Consort Li, meanwhile, has absolutely no connection to this silk handkerchief, and her suspicion was cleared away far too cleanly.”
Gu Hanjue smiled without speaking, quietly waiting for the other man to continue.
“When your subordinate sent people to retrieve the textile records, they discovered that a maidservant from Noble Consort Li’s palace was behaving suspiciously. Taking advantage of the absence of witnesses, she secretly exchanged the register. That book must have contained the truth; otherwise, why would she have secretly replaced it? She then found a secluded place and burned it. However, before it was destroyed, the shadow guards exchanged it back while she was not paying attention.” Having finished speaking, he handed over the register.
Gu Hanjue took it and read through it for a long while. Then he gave an alluring smile but said nothing.