Chapter 137

After unfolding the letter and reading its contents, Fan Changyu’s brows gradually knitted together.

The Grand Princess had been helping investigate matters concerning the Sixteenth Prince. However, the prince had died many years ago, and Consort Jia had followed the late emperor to the grave shortly after her son’s death.

The palace she once occupied had long since been given to one of Qi Sheng’s favored consorts. The palace servants had also been replaced generation after generation.

Finding someone who knew the truth from back then was exceedingly difficult.

After many days of secret investigation, the Grand Princess finally discovered that an elderly palace maid working in the Cold Palace had once served in Consort Jia’s residence.

However, seventeen years ago she had supposedly gone mad and had been driven to the Cold Palace to fend for herself.

The Grand Princess’s people spent many days bringing her food and clothing, gradually making contact with her.

They subtly realized that the supposedly insane maid was only pretending.

Yet she was extremely cautious and refused to lower her guard.

Eventually, they found an opportunity to ask about the Sixteenth Prince.

The old maid became visibly agitated.

Pretending to babble like a lunatic, she muttered:

“They died… they’re all dead… I’ll die too…”

“Wei Yan had an affair with an imperial consort. Anyone who knows will die…”

The Grand Princess’s people could not get any further information.

Before they could continue questioning her, the matron in charge of the Cold Palace entered the courtyard.

Everyone in the palace was sharp and suspicious by nature.

When people from the Grand Princess’s faction suddenly began visiting the Cold Palace every few days and bringing fine food and clothing to a mad palace maid, it naturally aroused suspicion.

The Grand Princess’s people gave the matron a generous bribe and claimed that they had merely happened to pass by the Cold Palace.

Seeing the madwoman eating a bowl of spoiled food that had already gone rancid, they had felt pity and decided to help her a little.

Although the matron did not pursue the matter further, caution dictated that the Grand Princess’s people avoid returning to the Cold Palace for the time being.

After finishing the letter, Fan Changyu looked at Xie Zheng.

“Our first priority is figuring out which imperial consort Wei Yan was involved with.”

Xie Zheng knew exactly what she was thinking.

After the deaths of Crown Prince Chengde and the Sixteenth Prince, Wei Yan had supported the completely powerless Nineteenth Prince’s ascension to the throne.

The most suspicious person was naturally the Nineteenth Prince’s mother.

“It couldn’t have been the little emperor’s mother,” Xie Zheng said.

“The emperor’s mother was merely a palace maid who was favored by the late emperor while he was drunk. She died from complications during childbirth after giving birth to him.”

The greatest reason Wei Yan had supported Qi Sheng’s ascension was likely because the boy had been young and lacked maternal relatives, making him easy to control.

That left only one breakthrough.

The mad palace maid in the Cold Palace.

His eyes were as cold as winter snow.

“I’ll personally infiltrate the Cold Palace.”

Remembering the towering palace walls she had seen outside the Meridian Gate when she entered the palace to receive her title, Fan Changyu said:

“The palace is heavily guarded. Entering without an imperial summons won’t be easy.”

“I heard General Tang mention that a victory banquet will soon be held in the palace.”

“Why don’t we investigate the Cold Palace then? It would avoid alerting the enemy.”

Concerned for Xie Zheng’s safety, Xie Zhong nodded as well.

“General Yunhui is right. Your Lordship should make preparations first and wait until the banquet day.”

After considering it for a moment, Xie Zheng slowly nodded.

Without another word, he turned and walked into the courtyard.

Fan Changyu watched his lonely, distant figure and a trace of worry surfaced in her eyes.

Previously, she had still felt that Wei Yan’s role in orchestrating the Jinzhou massacre remained uncertain.

But with the revelation that he had secretly been involved with an imperial consort, the matter seemed all but confirmed.

In the past, she had believed Wei Yan was simply Xie Zheng’s enemy.

Tonight’s visit to the Xie family cemetery had made her realize that Xie Zheng’s feelings toward Wei Yan were far more complicated.

With every layer of truth uncovered, it was as though a blade pressed against his heart was being driven one inch deeper.


—

After all their running around, it was already late into the night.

None of them had even eaten dinner.

Xie Zhong ordered the kitchen to prepare a meal.

Zhu Youchang’s old ailments had flared up, and he had already gone to sleep.

Only Fan Changyu and Xie Zheng remained to eat.

However, after returning to his room, Xie Zheng never came back out.

He merely instructed the servants to see that Fan Changyu was properly settled.

Xie Zhong ordered a separate meal delivered to Xie Zheng’s room.

It was returned untouched.

Knowing Xie Zheng’s temperament, Xie Zhong sighed helplessly and dismissed the Blood-Clad Cavalryman carrying the food.

“General, please eat. Let the Master have some time alone.”

Fan Changyu remembered the lonely figure she had seen standing before General Xie and Madam Xie’s grave.

“I’ll take it to him.”

A trace of surprise flashed through Xie Zhong’s eyes.

Thinking of all the special treatment Xie Zheng showed her, he smiled in relief.

“Then I’ll trouble you, General.”

Faced with Xie Zhong’s knowing gaze, Fan Changyu quickly picked up the food tray and hurriedly asked where Xie Zheng’s room was, hoping to hide her embarrassment.


—

The moon was bright and the stars sparse.

Lanterns hanging beneath the eaves cast shadows of bamboo across the door and stone steps.

Balancing a carved wooden tray in one hand, Fan Changyu raised the other and knocked on the door.

From somewhere deep within the room came Xie Zheng’s cold and impatient voice:

“I already said I don’t want food. Leave.”

“It’s me,” Fan Changyu replied.

The room fell silent for quite some time.

Then his low, cool voice sounded again.

“The door isn’t locked.”

Fan Changyu pushed it open.

At first glance, she didn’t see anyone in the outer room.

Only the faint sound of water came from the bathing chamber.

She had intended to comfort him a little.

Now, however, she suddenly felt somewhat awkward.

Keeping her back turned toward the bathing chamber, she said:

“I’ll leave the food on the table.”

“Remember to eat after you’re done washing.”

No answer came.

Even the sound of water stopped.

Puzzled, Fan Changyu worried something might have happened and called out again.

“Xie Zheng?”

Still no response.

Frowning, she stared toward the bathing chamber.

“If you don’t answer, I’ll call someone in here.”

At last, a low, slightly hoarse voice came from within.

“Pass me the clean clothes by the bed.”

A faint blush immediately spread to Fan Changyu’s ears.

“I’ll ask Uncle Zhong to bring them.”

Loud splashing suddenly came from inside the bathing chamber.

“Forget it,” he said.

“I’ll come get them myself.”

A dull thud followed.

Then came the sharp sound of pottery shattering.

Even through the curtain, Fan Changyu could smell alcohol.

Why was there alcohol in the bathing chamber?

Worried that Xie Zheng had gotten drunk and slipped while getting out of the bath, she no longer cared about propriety.

Afraid he might be injured by the broken shards, she hurriedly lifted the curtain.

“Are you alright?”

The moment she saw the scene inside, she completely forgot where to put her hands and feet.

The weather had grown colder, and the entire bathing chamber was filled with hazy steam.

Xie Zheng leaned against the edge of the bath.

His refined face looked gloomy and faintly intoxicated.

A patch of skin on his shoulder and back had turned red from impact.

His handsome brows were knitted impatiently, clearly having struck the edge of the tub when he fell.

A shattered wine jar lay beside the tub.

Judging by the amount spilled, most of it had already been consumed.

Nearby sat another empty wine jar.

He had actually drunk two jars.

From the smell, it was strong burning liquor.

No wonder he looked somewhat drunk.

Seeing that he wasn’t injured, Fan Changyu finally relaxed.

But his current appearance…

was simply too alluring.

His half-bound hair had mostly come loose and was damp with water, clinging to the clearly defined muscles of his shoulders and back.

Beauty and raw strength coexisted within him.

He easily brought to mind a powerful beast of the wilderness—dangerous, graceful, and untamed.

Tiny droplets of water clung to his long lashes.

Near his neck and shoulder was the bite mark she had left earlier before departing.

For a brief moment, it gave her the absurd illusion that this fierce and beautiful beast could actually be tamed.

Even knowing it was entirely inappropriate, Fan Changyu felt all the heat rush into her face.

She immediately turned around.

“I… I’ll go get Uncle Zhong…”

Before she could take a step, his low voice sounded behind her.

“No need.”

Xie Zheng pressed a hand to his aching forehead.

The irritation on his face deepened.

Blessed with such exceptional looks, even his angry expression was strikingly handsome.

“I can manage myself.”

The water rippled.

Bracing himself against the edge of the bath, he forced himself upright.

But his balance was clearly unsteady.

He nearly fell again.

Fortunately, Fan Changyu heard the commotion and caught him in time.

Feeling more than half his weight leaning against her, she gritted her teeth.

“I’ve never met anyone as stubborn as you!”

Since he wasn’t wearing anything, she kept her chin lifted high and didn’t dare look around.

A droplet fell from the damp strands hanging over his forehead and landed on her neck.

The cool sensation made her instinctively shrink back.

Remembering that his clothes were still outside, she pressed a hand against his shoulder and tried to guide him back into the bath.

“Wait here for a moment.”

“I’ll get your clean clothes.”

The half-drunk man lowered his gaze and stared at her red lips moving as she spoke.

It was unclear whether he had heard a word she said.

The moment she turned to leave again, he simply pulled her straight into his arms.

Water from his body quickly soaked through her clothing.

Fan Changyu’s heart instantly leaped into her throat.

Yet he merely buried his face in the crook of her neck.

After a long moment, he spoke hoarsely.

“Ah Yu…”

“I only have you left.”

It was the first time anyone had ever called her that.

The intimate nickname left Fan Changyu at a complete loss.

They were standing too close.

His body was burning hot.

She felt heat and numbness spread from her neck to half of her ear.

A strange sensation rose within her.

It was like standing atop a cloud, floating weightlessly.

After remaining stiff for quite some time, she finally raised a hand and gently patted his back.

“I’m always here.”

The skin beneath her palm was uneven.

She could clearly feel the raised ridges of countless scars.

Remembering the one hundred and eight lashes Xie Zhong had mentioned, something flickered in her eyes.

Softening her tone as though coaxing a child, she said:

“Sit down.”

“I’ll help wash your back.”

Under normal circumstances, Fan Changyu would never have volunteered such a thing.

Xie Zheng seemed as though he might actually obey.

The alcohol had dulled his thoughts.

A faint redness lingered at the corners of his eyes.

His usually cold features now carried a dangerously seductive beauty.

Yet some fragment of sobriety seemed to remind him of something.

He caught her hand and lifted it to his lips, pressing a kiss against it.

“Next time.”

Then he shook his head slightly, trying to ease the pounding ache caused by the alcohol.

Attempting to stand on his own, he braced himself against the bath once more.

But before he could move, Fan Changyu firmly pushed him back down by the shoulder.

She had already moved behind him.

And finally saw his back.

Even though the wounds had long since scabbed over, countless scars still crisscrossed the skin.

Fan Changyu froze.

Only now, seeing them with her own eyes, did she truly understand what Xie Zhong had meant when he said there hadn’t been a single patch of uninjured flesh left.

She had treated his back wounds before.

Back then, he had been as ragged as a stray dog wandering the streets.

Even then, his injuries had not been as horrifying as they were now.

She could scarcely imagine what he had looked like when those wounds were fresh and bleeding.

Her heart twisted painfully.

The long scar slashing diagonally across his entire back was from the blood sacrifice he had once performed to awaken the blade.

The wound had reopened countless times.

The scar was especially broad and terrifying.

When her fingertips brushed across it, they trembled involuntarily.

Her throat tightened.

In a hoarse voice, she asked:

“How much longer were you planning to hide all these injuries from me?”