Scattered beside the freshly turned mound of earth were scorched bamboo leaves, their veins coated with dark red crystals, as if blood and pine resin had been melted together.
Everyone’s gaze continued to rise, and then, a suppressed gasp shattered the deathly silence of the bamboo grove.
Embedded deeply into the trunk of a sturdy tree was half a palm print, its five fingers distinctly human in shape, yet the lines of the palm were seared with burn marks.
When Su Yao heard that Shenxing Si had discovered something unusual in the bamboo grove of Leng Gong, her vision darkened and her legs went weak.
She and Lu Chuyao had buried Eunuch Hai’s body here together. Now that the bamboo grove had been found suspicious, it seemed only a matter of time before the body was discovered.
Uncontrollably, terrifying consequences of being found out kept flashing through her mind:
Being dragged to Shenxing Si for severe interrogation, enduring all kinds of inhuman torture, and finally meeting a gruesome end.
Lu Chuyao would also be implicated, his bright future utterly destroyed…
Fear surged like a raging tide, completely drowning her, leaving her nearly suffocated.
Nanny Chang hurried in, muttering, “What strange times these are! Someone actually dared to set a fire in the palace—a capital offense of grave disrespect!”
Su Yao abruptly looked up, her voice unconsciously rising: “A fire?”
Nanny Chang nodded repeatedly, her expression grave: “Yes, I heard they even found a bloody handprint. Who knows which foolhardy soul did it.”
Su Yao’s heart sank heavily. Her first thought was of Lu Chuyao.
What if that was Lu Chuyao’s palm print? What if, while moving the body, blood had accidentally stained his hand, leaving behind this damning evidence?
Her heart instantly leapt to her throat, pounding wildly.
Suppressing the fear within, she tried to keep her voice steady: “Have they identified whose palm print it is?”
Nanny Chang shook her head helplessly and sighed: “Not yet. That person is lucky—still not caught. If caught, they’ll surely face severe punishment. This is a major incident that disturbed His Majesty!”
“And in the grove… was anything found?” Su Yao didn’t even realize her voice was trembling badly.
“Nothing. The ground there had been loosened, but they dug up nothing at all. No one knows what’s going on.”
Nothing?
How could Eunuch Hai’s body not be there?
Upon hearing this news, she should have felt relieved, but instead, she was filled with even greater shock.
That fear grew even more intense.
That night, when all was silent, Su Yao’s door was suddenly knocked upon.
“Who is it?”
Su Yao sat up abruptly, asking warily.
“It’s me.”
Su Yao recognized Lu Chuyao’s voice. Her heart tightened, assuming he had also come because of Eunuch Hai’s missing body.
She quickly threw on her outer robe and hurried to open the door.
The two hurried to a secluded spot.
Su Yao lowered her voice, speaking anxiously: “Brother Chuyao, how can you be so bold, daring to enter the palace at this time? If discovered, everything would be over!”
Lu Chuyao’s expression was grave: “I heard the body is missing.”
Suddenly, he reached out and grasped her trembling shoulders, his hands applying slight pressure. “Shenxing Si dug three feet deep, turned that entire area over, and only found half a burnt horsetail whisk. Nothing else.”
Upon hearing this, Su Yao’s legs went weak, and the small of her back slammed heavily against the stone well curb, producing a dull thud.
The well water reflected her face, pale as paper and drained of all color, along with the lotus jade pendant hanging from Lu Chuyao’s waist.
Yesterday, when burying the body, this pendant had fallen onto the fresh soil, stained with blood. She remembered it clearly.
Instinctively, she reached out to wipe it, as if trying to erase this terrifying memory, but Lu Chuyao caught her wrist.
“Don’t be afraid.”
Lu Chuyao’s fingertips were scorching hot, carrying a blazing warmth. He gently brushed away the bamboo leaves by her temple, his movements tender: “Sister Ayao, I am here for this matter. Rest assured, even if I have to risk my life, I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Before his words faded, the sound of clashing metal weapons came from beyond the bamboo grove.
Su Yao peered through the bamboo shadows and met a pair of ice-cold eyes.
The golden thread patterns on Lu Huaijin’s black python robe shimmered faintly.
The veins beneath Lu Chuyao’s jade crown throbbed visibly: “Father…”
Lu Huaijin’s voice was colder than the well water. His gaze swept over the bruise on Su Yao’s wrist before quickly shifting away. “Chuyao, it’s getting late. You should leave the palace.”
“I still have a few words I want to say to Sister Ayao.”
“Watch your words.” Lu Huaijin cut him off.
He turned to Su Yao and said, “Miss Su, my son and I have some matters to discuss privately. Would you mind stepping aside?”
Seeing his gloomy expression, Su Yao gave a slight nod and hurried back to her room.
Once she was out of earshot, Lu Huaijin spoke: “Speak. What exactly happened?”
Lu Chuyao lowered his head slightly, avoiding Lu Huaijin’s sharp gaze, silently pondering how to begin.
After a moment, he mustered his courage and said: “Father, this matter isn’t Sister Ayao’s fault. It was that old eunuch, Eunuch Hai—he actually tried to take advantage of her…”
Lu Huaijin raised an eyebrow: “So, she killed Eunuch Hai? And you, you intend to protect her?”
“If this is discovered, I will take the blame for her. The Empress Dowager is wise and just; she will surely uncover the truth and clear Sister Ayao’s name.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Huaijin let out a derisive chuckle, his laughter filled with mockery: “You? If you weren’t my son, Lu Huaijin, who in this palace do you think would believe a word you say?”
“Father… you have to help me…”
Lu Huaijin frowned slightly, his expression grave: “Eunuch Hai served the late emperor; he has deep roots and intricate connections within the palace. No one can predict how much trouble his disappearance might stir. I’ve made arrangements for you. Return to Jingzhou first to lay low. Once this matter blows over, I’ll arrange for your return.”
“Why must I leave? If I go, what will happen to Sister Ayao? How can I bear to leave her here alone?” Lu Chuyao’s emotions flared as he took a step forward, staring directly at Lu Huaijin.
“Lu Chuyao! Both you and I know that only by leaving can this turmoil be temporarily quelled and she be better protected. Your staying here will only put her in greater danger. Shenxing Si is not to be trifled with. Once they catch a lead, neither of you will escape.”
Lu Chuyao’s eyes reddened slightly. He gritted his teeth, his heart torn with conflict.
His hands clenched into fists, knuckles whitening from the force, as he weighed the pros and cons of staying versus leaving.
He knew well that Lu Huaijin’s words held truth, but how could he willingly leave Su Yao like this?
“I… I don’t want to go.” Lu Chuyao choked out, lowering his head, unable to meet Lu Huaijin’s eyes.
“Nonsense. Then let her be taken away by the Shenxing Si for investigation.” Lu Huaijin’s voice suddenly rose, clearly tinged with anger.
Lu Chuyao, frantic with worry, retorted loudly, “Father! How could Sister Yao endure their harsh interrogations and torture? No, I must take her with me.”
“She is now under the Empress Dowager’s command. How could you possibly take her away? You are becoming more and more unruly!”
Lu Chuyao wanted to argue further, but meeting Lu Huaijin’s sharp gaze, the words on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back.
His shoulders slumped slightly, as if all his strength had been drained.
In the end, led by Chang Ting, he left the palace, looking back with every step.
Su Yao huddled in the darkest corner of the room.
The lotus jade pendant that Lu Chuyao had slipped into her hand before leaving pressed uncomfortably against her palm.
As the water clock dripped into the hour of Xu, the door was suddenly flung open…