Su Tiyue soaked in the water for quite a while. Xiao Heye remained silent for a long time, merely lowering his head and meticulously cleaning the wounds on her body.
Su Tiyue knew he had immense power and could accomplish anything, but she couldn’t help asking, “How does the Chief Seal Keeper plan to handle the aftermath?”
Xiao Heye’s gaze rested steadily on the wound on her shoulder. His movements were gentle as he said, “What’s so difficult about that? This servant will quietly dispose of Prince Rong’s body tonight without anyone noticing. As long as he doesn’t die in this servant’s South Garden or within the palace… this matter won’t be traced back to Your Ladyship.”
The method was simple and crude, but it seemed to make sense.
Su Tiyue couldn’t help but silently marvel in her heart: indeed, with great power, one could do as they pleased.
Such a trivial matter was nothing more than a wave of the hand or a blink of an eye for Xiao Heye.
Perhaps because it was winter, the water temperature dropped quickly.
Su Tiyue’s wounds were almost cleaned.
Xiao Heye straightened up, respectfully extended his hand to help her out of the bathtub, wrapped her in a thick towel warmed by the charcoal fire, and patiently dried the remaining water droplets from her hair.
Then he helped her put on the loose sleeping robe.
Su Tiyue sat quietly and obediently on the soft couch, the sleeping robe half-worn and half-draped, revealing her smooth back as she allowed Xiao Heye to stand behind her and apply medicine.
Whether it was because she had just finished bathing or because of the intimate gestures between them, Su Tiyue’s cheeks flushed with heat.
After applying medicine to the wounds on her back, Xiao Heye thoughtfully pulled up the sleeping robe, then walked in front of her, knelt on one knee, dipped his finger in some ointment, and gently applied it to the scars on her neck, shoulders, and chest.
She looked at his flawless face, her delicate brows slightly furrowed. “The Chief Seal Keeper need not do this.”
Su Tiyue hadn’t expected him to kneel. How could she, of all people, deserve to be served like this by such a powerful figure who held sway over the court?
“What does Your Ladyship mean by that?” He glanced up at her. Her face was too clear and captivating, gentle yet enchanting—one more look would haunt anyone’s thoughts.
Xiao Heye snapped back to attention and continued focusing on applying the medicine for her.
Su Tiyue swallowed hard, mustered her courage, and gently grabbed his wrist, preventing his hand from moving. “The Chief Seal Keeper holds a high position and great power. I truly dare not let you serve me…”
Since entering the Yelan Pavilion, everything had been personally handled by Xiao Heye—bathing, dressing, and applying medicine. Could it be that such a vast place as the Yelan Pavilion had no servants at all?
Su Tiyue even thought that having a palace maid or eunuch serve her would be better, but she least wanted that person to be Xiao Heye.
He smiled, his expression calm. “Your Ladyship, this servant wanted to remind you earlier.”
“You are the master, and I am the servant. In front of this servant, Your Ladyship should refer to yourself as ‘this palace,’ not ‘I.’”
“Serving the master is this servant’s duty.”
Speaking of this, Su Tiyue felt deeply moved. Having been in the palace for so long, she still wasn’t quite accustomed to this form of address. To avoid misspeaking and giving others a reason to criticize her, she spent most of her time hiding in the small Jinxiu Palace, rarely venturing out. As a result, newly arrived eunuchs and palace maids didn’t even recognize which palace she belonged to.
Su Tiyue nodded and said, “Understood. I will…” She paused, then corrected herself:
“This palace will remember in the future.”
She was truly obedient and well-behaved, which pleased him greatly.
Xiao Heye gave a slight nod and stood up, capping the ointment jar before handing it to her:
“This servant has arranged for a sedan chair. Your Highness should return and rest well. Apply this medicine once in the morning and once in the evening—do not forget.”
“Thank you, Chief Eunuch Xiao.”
Su Tiyue adjusted her sleeping robe and had only taken a few steps when he called out to her: “Wait.”
Su Tiyue turned back, looking at him with confusion.
He retrieved a dark blue cloak and wrapped it tightly around her petite frame. Xiao Heye lowered his voice to remind her: “Your Highness, keep a close watch on those around you. Otherwise… this servant could discipline them for you if necessary.”
After speaking, Xiao Heye cast a thoughtful glance toward the door.
Waiting outside was Su Tiyue’s personal palace maid, Liu Wan.
Su Tiyue nodded and said, “Thank you for the reminder, Chief Eunuch Xiao. However, Liu Wan and Qing Wu are both personal maids I brought from my family’s residence into the palace. I trust them.”
Hearing this, Xiao Heye had no choice but to set aside any further thoughts. Given his usual methods, Liu Wan would certainly not be allowed to remain under any circumstances.
Liu Wan had been waiting by the sedan chair outside for a long time. When she saw Su Tiyue emerge from the room, the furrow in her brow finally eased.
But when she noticed that Su Tiyue was wearing a fresh set of clothes from head to toe and caught sight of Chief Eunuch Xiao standing at the doorway with an inscrutable expression, her heart tightened abruptly… A terrible suspicion surfaced in her mind, but she dared not speak of it. Instead, she lowered her head and hurried forward to help Su Tiyue into the sedan chair.
The sedan chair swayed as it departed from Yelan Pavilion.
Everyone said that Xiao Heye wielded immense power, held life and death in his hands, controlled the court, formed factions for personal gain, engaged in corruption and perversion of justice, and framed loyal officials. He was labeled a treacherous minister and an evil demon.
It seemed as though every derogatory term in the world was heaped upon him. Even her father, Su Sui, had repeatedly warned her before she entered the palace never to provoke Xiao Heye, the Chief Seal Keeper of the Directorate of Ceremonies.
From the very beginning, Su Tiyue knew he was no good man.
But in the depths of the imperial harem, who could remain a good person forever?
Though the thought of personally killing Prince Rong still sent shivers down her spine, Su Tiyue had never regretted it.
Though delicate as a tender flower, if anyone crossed her bottom line, she would not let the matter rest.
Her younger sister, Su Nianyue, was her bottom line. Her family was her bottom line.
Only after Su Tiyue stepped out of the sedan chair and entered the gates of Jinxiu Palace did the tense expressions on both their faces gradually soften.
Liu Wan supported her, gripping Su Tiyue’s slender, icy fingers with concern. “Your Highness, did Chief Eunuch Xiao give you any trouble?”
Su Tiyue extended her other hand and gently patted the back of Liu Wan’s hand, reassuring her: “No.”
“But this servant still feels uneasy. Rumors say Chief Eunuch Xiao is ruthless and cunning. The trouble we’ve stirred up this time is no small matter. Will he truly help?”
“To be honest, I’m not entirely sure either. But since things have already come to this, rather than living in fear day after day, it’s better to face each day as it comes. We’ll deal with challenges as they arise. Liu Wan, no matter what, I will do my best to protect the Su family and protect all of you.”
Hearing this, Liu Wan’s eyes instantly reddened. “Your Highness, whether in life or death, this servant will always stay by your side.”
Su Tiyue nodded and said, “Liu Wan, this matter is of great importance. The fewer people who know about it, the better. Qing Wu is not as cautious and meticulous as you. She is straightforward and quick-tempered, prone to acting on impulse…”
“This servant understands what you mean, Your Highness.” Liu Wan gently took Su Tiyue’s hand, leaving the rest unsaid, as there was no need to finish.
At that moment, both of them knew in their hearts that after tonight, everything would be different.
Night fell, and it began to snow again.
Su Tiyue had nightmares all night, waking up startled several times.
Early the next morning, Qing Wu went to the Imperial Household Department to fetch some charcoal and, in the process, brought back shocking news.
“I heard that Prince Rong was assassinated last night at the Spring Breeze Pavilion. He had several wounds on his body, and his death was gruesome, too horrible to look at.”
As soon as she entered the room, Qing Wu eagerly shared the gossip she had just heard.
Su Tiyue sat upright in front of the dressing table, silently gazing at her reflection in the bronze mirror, feeling a chill in her heart.
Liu Wan stood behind Su Tiyue, helping her comb her long hair. Without turning to look at Qing Wu, though her mind was filled with thoughts, she merely replied calmly, “Is that so? Then the city outside the palace must be in chaos.”
“Definitely. I heard the Emperor is taking this case very seriously and has handed it over to Chief Eunuch Xiao of the Directorate of Ceremonies, ordering him to catch the murderer within three days.”
“I’ve heard Chief Eunuch Xiao is incredibly capable and deeply trusted by the Emperor. With him handling the case, it should be solved soon, right?” Liu Wan pretended to speak casually as she carefully selected a hairpin for Su Tiyue, finally choosing a white jade hairpin and gently inserting it into the middle of her bun.
Qing Wu casually picked up a peach pastry from the table and stuffed it into her mouth, speaking with a muffled voice, “Chief Eunuch Xiao has already sent people from the Eastern Depot to investigate. Those from the Eastern Depot have always been domineering and reckless. I’m afraid Yong’an City won’t be peaceful now.”
Qing Wu’s eyes shifted, and she added in a low voice, “But it doesn’t matter. It’s better that Prince Rong is dead… This is what they call, ‘retribution will come in due time.'”
Upon hearing this, Liu Wan immediately turned her head and glared fiercely at Qing Wu, scolding, “Qing Wu, don’t speak carelessly. You might cause trouble for Her Highness.”
Qing Wu realized her slip of the tongue and lightly patted her own mouth, then cautiously glanced at Su Tiyue, who remained silent.
Su Tiyue pursed her lips but did not blame Qing Wu for her careless words. For now, she only hoped this matter would pass quickly and the case would be closed soon. That way, Su Tiyue could return to her peaceful life.
So, Xiao Heye hadn’t lied to her. He really had gotten Prince Rong out of the palace.
Su Tiyue finally breathed a sigh of relief. Since the Emperor had entrusted the case to him, things would be much easier.
But if, as Qing Wu had just said, the Eastern Depot would stop at nothing to capture the murderer, it wouldn’t be impossible for Yong’an City to be turned upside down. In that case… what about the Su residence?
The Spring Breeze Pavilion was a well-known pleasure house in Yong’an City. Prince Rong, like the current Emperor, was a lecherous and lustful man, so it was no surprise that he died there.
However, Su Tiyue also remembered that her good-for-nothing second brother’s favorite place to visit was the Spring Breeze Pavilion. To be safe, she definitely needed to write a letter home to remind her father to keep a close eye on her second brother these days and prevent him from causing trouble at the Spring Breeze Pavilion. Otherwise, he might run into people from the Eastern Depot and bring misfortune upon himself.
She turned around and said to Qing Wu, “Go prepare paper and a brush. I need to write a letter home.”
“Yes, Your Ladyship.” Qing Wu stood up and went to the adjacent study.
Su Tiyue lowered her head and smoothed the strands of hair on her shoulders. As she raised her hand and touched the jade hairpin in her hair, she suddenly remembered something alarming.
The silver hairpin from last night was missing!
She hurriedly rummaged through the jewelry box on the dressing table but found nothing…
Su Tiyue stood up and quickly walked to the soft couch. She lifted the pillow and brocade quilt, searching carefully, but still found nothing…
“Liu Wan, have you seen the silver hairpin from last night?” she asked anxiously, her voice trembling.
Mentioning the silver hairpin, Liu Wan naturally understood its importance. She lowered her head and thought carefully. “Your Ladyship, I remember you weren’t wearing that hairpin when you returned last night. Could it be…?”
Hearing this, Su Tiyue also recalled that she had left in a hurry last night and seemed to have left it behind in Xiao Heye’s room.
Su Tiyue pressed a hand to her pounding chest and said, “Liu Wan, I need to go to the South Garden again.”