19: After the ordeal
“The one I found at the southern cliff of Mount Jiunu today was precisely the third young lady of the Zhou family. Commander Lu was also present. Both young ladies were escorted back to the lodge by the Imperial Guards. There was no one else.”
Su Zhuoguang surveyed the crowd, his detached gaze carrying an indisputable authority. “Is there anyone who still has doubts?”
In one corner of the lodge, amidst the shifting figures, Qiao Shilian saw her parents and eldest brother beside Su Zhuoguang as he arrived.
It seemed Su Zhuoguang had already explained the course of events to the Qiao family.
“Lianlian…”
Qiao Shiqing spotted Qiao Shilian’s battered and bruised state in an instant. His heart ached, and he nearly rushed forward, but his mother, seeing her daughter’s pitiful condition, staggered in shock, so he quickly moved to support her instead.
Qiao Qingsong remained outwardly calm. He calmly moved past the surrounding onlookers and directly placed himself protectively in front of Qiao Shilian. Facing Qin Shuo, he bowed and was about to speak when an announcement made the entire crowd hastily kneel.
“His Majesty has arrived—”
The emperor gestured for them to rise. Seeing Qiao Qingsong remain kneeling, he asked, “Minister Qiao, what is the meaning of this?”
Qiao Qingsong bowed his head and spoke slowly, “Your Majesty, my daughter encountered assassins in the hunting grounds today and went missing. She escaped together with the young lady of the Zhou family, yet it has been falsely rumored that my daughter eloped with a man.”
Qiao Qingsong bowed again, his words measured and firm. “My daughter has suffered greatly, and her innocence has been slandered. This humble official earnestly implores Your Majesty to uphold justice for my daughter!”
Lu Sheng stepped forward at the appropriate moment. “Reporting to Your Majesty, the disappearance of an official’s daughter within the imperial hunting grounds falls squarely under the Imperial Guards’ responsibility. Therefore, we did not relax for a moment, increasing manpower and eventually finding the second Miss Qiao. From what this official witnessed, Miss Qiao was with the third Miss Zhou from beginning to end, with no other person present.”
Lu Sheng glanced at the two injured young women and continued, “Moreover, both young ladies sustained injuries. When I led the troops to find them, I happened upon an assassin attempting to harm the second Miss Qiao. I have now brought the assassin’s corpse back for identification and investigation.”
Unexpectedly, Zhou Shu suddenly knelt. “Your Majesty, I am Zhou Shu of the Zhou family. I am guilty.”
The emperor was somewhat surprised. “Of what crime are you guilty?”
Zhou Shu declared clearly, “Today, to participate in the forest hunt competition, I disguised myself in men’s attire, which is the crime of deceiving the emperor. The reason Miss Qiao was misunderstood as eloping with a man is precisely because of my male disguise, creating this groundless story. Unwilling to see Miss Qiao slandered because of this, I hereby plead guilty.”
The moment Qiao Shilian saw Zhou Shu kneel, she knew she intended to take the blame.
It seems the situation she feared most has still come to pass.
Anxious to plead for her, Qiao Shilian also knelt and kowtowed. “Your Majesty, I am of shallow knowledge. I am unaware if there is any rule forbidding women from participating in the forest hunt? The late Emperor specially established this grand ceremony at Mount Jiunu precisely to caution the people of our time and inspire concern for the nation. Miss Zhou, as a woman, is no inferior to men. She participated in the forest hunt competition with a heart to serve the country. Her spirit is commendable. If a crime must be assigned, I beseech Your Majesty to show leniency.”
Behind them, the second son of the Zhou family, seeing Zhou Shu plead guilty, had already paled. He hurriedly moved forward to plead for his younger sister but was pulled back by his eldest brother. The second son followed his brother’s gaze and finally saw Ji Chen slowly stepping to Zhou Shu’s side.
A faint smile touched Ji Chen’s lips as he addressed the emperor. “In my humble opinion, a woman like Miss Zhou, whose courage rivals that of men, should serve as an inspiration for self-reflection among the gentlemen present here today. Miss Zhou also saved Miss Qiao, who was in danger. If she were to be convicted for such a minor matter, I would have to stand up for Miss Zhou’s injustice.”
The emperor nodded. The sequence of events was now clear. He turned his gaze to Zhou Shu. “When the late Emperor established the grand ceremony of the forest hunt, there was indeed no rule explicitly forbidding women’s participation. It has been many years since I’ve seen a heroine like Miss Zhou. I quite admire it. However, regarding today’s matter…”
Qin Shuo, seeing the emperor’s thoughtful expression, immediately understood. “Imperial Father, the fact that assassins infiltrated the hunting grounds today shows utter contempt for the court and is extremely detestable. Your son is willing to share Your Majesty’s burden. Please leave this matter for your son to handle.”
How could the crowd not understand Qin Shuo’s intention? Since he was actively seeking to take charge of this case, given his favoritism towards Qiao Shilian, no one would even think of trying to implicate Qiao Shilian in the matter.
Qin Shuo was determined to secure the authority to preside over this case.
He had just seen the indifference in Qiao Shilian’s gaze towards him, the mockery growing heavier in her eyes. He suddenly panicked. Had he known the person with her was Zhou Shu, why would he have pushed her to such an extreme?
All of this was merely a misunderstanding.
He thought that as long as he managed to clear Qiao Shilian’s name, uncovered the truth for her, found the real culprit, and vented her anger, Qiao Shilian would feel grateful to him and reconcile with him.
As for the position of Crown Princess, his Imperial Father was a reasonable man. Once this matter blew over, he would still want her!
The emperor glanced at Qin Shuo and granted his request. “Very well, I shall leave this matter to the Crown Prince. It is getting late; I shall retire.”
Soon, the officials dispersed. Fang Yaoyao, knowing she was in the wrong, hadn’t dared to utter a word since the emperor’s arrival. Having barely endured until the crowd dispersed, she hurriedly slipped away with her tail between her legs. Qiao Shilian did not stop her. Since Fang Yaoyao hadn’t succeeded this time, perhaps she could be followed to find out who was really behind this.
Zhou Shu, still injured, was taken back to her room by her brothers. As she left, Qiao Shilian saw the eldest Zhou brother give Zhou Shu, for sneaking into the hunt, and the second brother, for helping conceal it, a thorough dressing-down on the spot.
Qiao Shilian helped her father, who had been kneeling for a long time, to his feet. A wave of sourness washed over her heart. If Father had been like this in her past life, would she have died so miserably? She harbored resentment and grievances, but ultimately, because this flesh and blood came from her parents, and for over a decade of nurturing and loving care, it was difficult for her to truly hate them.
Once a rift arises, it inevitably creates a knot in the heart that’s hard to untie. These past days living with her parents, she could only force herself to act as if nothing was wrong. Outward harmony but inner discord—unbeknownst to others, the one who suffered most was herself.
Su Zhuoguang stepped forward, glancing at the guilt on Qiao Qingsong’s face, and said with a nonchalant tone, “Prime Minister Qiao, I have some matters here requiring me to take Miss Qiao to His Highness the Crown Prince for further inquiry. Please return to the lodge to rest first.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Qiao grew concerned for her daughter. “But Lian’er…”
Lu Sheng explained from the side, “Ah, it’s like this. Miss Qiao was found by myself and the Young General Su together. Now His Highness the Crown Prince is taking full charge of the matter, so Miss Qiao needs to be asked for some more details. There’s no need to worry about Miss Qiao’s safety. Once the questioning is finished, I will personally send someone to escort Miss Qiao back.”
The Qiao family could only relent. After Qiao Shiqing expressed concern for Qiao Shilian’s health a few more times, he returned to the lodge with his parents.
Qin Shuo was about to step forward to show Qiao Shilian concern when he saw Su Zhuoguang subtly move past Qiao Shilian’s side, shielding her behind him.
Su Zhuoguang said, “Your Highness, today the Imperial Guards captured a suspicious person.”
Mindful that Lu Sheng and others were still present, Qin Shuo asked with forced patience, “Oh? Is this person also related to Shilian’s matter?”
Lu Sheng gestured, and his subordinates brought forward a bound man. “When the Imperial Guards found Miss Qiao today, we noticed this person lurking suspiciously nearby. The place where Miss Qiao was located is the remote southern cliff of Mount Jiunu, where few people go. This man was captured while trying to flee in a panic after the assassins died. I found him suspicious, so I brought him back.”
Qiao Shilian looked closely. The bound man was none other than Luo Qi, the Crown Prince’s close guard.
Only then did she understand how Su Zhuoguang had found her: he had secretly followed Luo Qi to the southern cliff and discovered the cave.
At this moment, Luo Qi crawled towards the Crown Prince’s feet, wailing incessantly. “Your Highness… Your Highness, save me, I’ve been wronged… I went there to find Miss Qiao, who would have thought the Imperial Guards would slander me, treating me as if I were in league with the assassins.”
Ji Chen stepped closer and sighed heavily. “This Luo Qi has served Your Highness diligently all these years. For you to slap such an accusation on him right away is truly wronging an innocent man.”
Luo Qi seemed to have found a lifeline. “Lord Ji speaks the utter…”
Before he could finish, he saw Ji Chen’s smile widen. In a leisurely tone, Ji Chen said, “Why not bring him to the Censorate? Let this official help clear Your Highness’s guard’s name.”
Luo Qi: “…”
His face drained of color. If he really went to the Censorate, wouldn’t he be skinned alive? Everyone in the capital knew that the Deputy Censor-in-Chief’s interrogation methods were extremely ruthless. No wrongdoer had ever escaped from his hands; he was called the “Living King of Hell.”
Qiao Shilian’s eyelids twitched. Whether it was her imagination or not, this Ji Chen seemed like a smiling fox. She always felt there was something unnerving about that smile.
But seeing Qin Shuo had not yet expressed his stance, she preemptively bowed to Ji Chen. “I trouble Lord Ji then.”
“In that case, after returning to the capital, have Huai’an take him to the Censorate.” Qin Shuo, who was already pondering how to make it up to Qiao Shilian, naturally had no objections to her decision.
Just a guard. Could he compare in importance to pleasing Qiao Shilian?
Afterwards, Qin Shuo still wanted to force Qiao Shilian to stay and talk, but Su Zhuoguang interjected, “Commander Lu was entrusted by the Qiao family to escort Miss Qiao back immediately after the questioning.”
Lu Sheng felt a chill down his spine, wondering how he had managed to offend these two big shots.
But he had no choice but to brace himself and, under the Crown Prince’s increasingly displeased gaze, smile awkwardly. “Your Highness… Prime Minister Qiao specifically reminded me several times before leaving. Miss Qiao has just been through an ordeal and probably needs to rest early.”
“Your servant girl takes her leave.” Qiao Shilian bowed with a somewhat indifferent demeanor before departing.
Qin Shuo was left clenching his fists, rooted to the spot, so angry he gave Luo Qi on the ground a hard kick.
Amidst the fading noise, Qiao Shilian walked silently on the path back to her room, with Su Zhuoguang keeping pace beside her.
Following far behind were Lu Sheng, dragged along by Ji Chen. The Imperial Guard Commander was very curious about why Ji Chen seemed so excited watching the two figures ahead.
“Here.” Su Zhuoguang suddenly handed over an oil-paper-wrapped piece of sweet cake.
Qiao Shilian took the cake in a daze. Having not eaten all day, she was indeed hungry, but with events unfolding one after another, she hadn’t had the chance to get a meal.
She ate it slowly, chewing carefully. Drifting in thought, she suddenly noticed Su Zhuoguang watching her. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she tried to change the subject.
“Where were you hiding this cake earlier?”
“… I had Ji Huai’an carry it.”
So he had noticed she hadn’t eaten.
The sweetness melting on her tongue grew stronger. Qiao Shilian felt that Su Zhuoguang wasn’t as aloof as she had imagined. At the very least, he had never doubted her and had always stood by her side.
Suddenly, a breeze stirred. With her cheeks still full, Qiao Shilian saw Fenglai land steadily in front of Su Zhuoguang and say in a low voice, “Master…”
Su Zhuoguang’s gaze was heavy, as if saying: You’d better have a good reason.
Fenglai felt helpless interrupting at such a time and was already prepared for a scolding.
Gritting his teeth, Fenglai said, “It’s… General Su is looking for you…”
Remembering Fenglai’s earlier mention of the Su family’s house rules, Qiao Shilian took over the conversation. “In that case, Young General Su, please return.”
Su Zhuoguang: “…”
Is she that eager to send me away?
After Su Zhuoguang left, Qiao Shilian, escorted by the Imperial Guards, reached the corridor outside her room. Before entering, she called out to Ji Chen, “Lord Ji, please wait a moment.”
Ji Chen turned back. “Miss Qiao.”
Qiao Shilian said, “I venture to ask Lord Ji about something.”
Ji Chen smiled, playing with his fan. “Please speak, Miss Qiao. Huai’an will certainly tell you everything I know without reserve.”
She pondered for a long while. “What does the Young General Su… like?”
After returning to the capital, she would definitely have to send a token of thanks to the Su family. And when giving gifts, it’s best to cater to the recipient’s tastes.
Hearing this, Ji Chen’s eyes lit up. There really was something between them! Miss Qiao was asking about Fubai’s preferences!
“Fubai… he’s a rather dull person; there’s nothing he particularly likes. However, I once discovered a little secret of Fubai’s.”
“What is it?” Qiao Shilian asked curiously.
**