Chapter 311: The Clouds Are Thick and the Rain Pours, We Have Come for Shelter
"Which member of the Wei Family?"
Lu Juan dared not raise his head, nor did he dare to answer. Any answer could be his last.
In a momentary lapse, he hadn’t mentioned Ji Qingwu by name, but he had mentioned the Wei Family.
Zhao Mingyan glared at him, the look in his eyes suggesting that to claim Ji Qingwu was part of the Wei Family would be a crime against the heavens.
Lu Juan explained, "I was referring to the Song family causing a scene at the Wei Family’s gate. The two families had a dispute, which even disturbed Madam Wei."
After a long moment, Zhao Mingyan finally said, "Be seated."
Lu Juan sat down, stealing a glance at the Emperor’s expression.
’I only mentioned it in passing, implying Fifth Missy was part of the Wei Family, and Emperor Wu Su is already this displeased.’ He couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat for Wei Ting.
’After all, Wei Ting had taken advantage of the chaos to force a marriage with Fifth Missy.’
’While I know Emperor Wu Su isn’t a muddle-headed or tyrannical Emperor, if I were in his shoes and someone forcefully married Qingrong, I can’t say I wouldn’t lose my mind.’
Lu Juan picked up the teacup from the square table and took a sip of ginger tea.
’I wonder what awaits Wei Ting when he returns to Lin’an. Can he truly withstand the Emperor’s wrath?’
Zhao Mingyan sat down again and asked, "How was the matter resolved?"
The oppressive aura lessened by half. Lu Juan said, "By the time I arrived, the dispute had been settled. I happened to see Song Wei, bare-headed and barefoot, in the middle of apologizing to Qingwu."
As he answered carefully, he earned another sidelong glance from the Emperor.
Lu Juan realized something was wrong and corrected himself, "...in the middle of apologizing to Fifth Miss Ji."
"Your Majesty didn’t get to see it, but Song Wei looked so pathetic, furious but not daring to say a word. It was a far cry from the arrogance he showed when he brought his men to cause trouble at the clinic. Fifth Missy had him completely under her thumb."
Lu Juan felt a sense of gratification as he spoke of it.
"I do think Fifth Missy has become a bit tougher than she used to be."
Ji Qingrong was always worried that her sister’s gentle nature would make her easy to bully, and she often mentioned it to Lu Juan. Now, it seemed, there was no need to worry.
Zhao Mingyan’s brow twitched, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly.
In truth, the Emperor had long since received a secret report from Si Hai and knew what had happened, but he still wanted to hear it again from Lu Juan.
Zhao Mingyan tossed a memorial from the large desk to Li Yuzong.
In a steady voice, he said, "Yu Wen Tianqing is still hiding in the old residence in the suburbs. Duan Mingfeng has already sent people to watch him closely. The evidence of Su Fengyue’s treason and collaboration with the enemy is still missing the most crucial piece."
’The most crucial piece... that must be the correspondence with Xijin.’
Lu Juan took the memorial from Li Yuzong, scanned it briefly, and asked, "Has Your Majesty sent a Hidden Guard to search the Su family?"
"It’s been searched, but we found nothing."
"That wily old fox Su Fengyue hides things very well. If he hadn’t personally seen Your Majesty so heavily injured this time, and also received reliable news from Xijin, he would never have given himself away so badly."
Lu Juan said, "Should we have Mr. Duan go check the Prime Minister’s Mansion again at night? Mr. Duan’s Qinggong is superb, and the Duan family is skilled in the Tracking Technique."
Duan Mingfeng’s skills were formidable, but quite a few people in Lin’an City knew of his unique techniques, making him easy to identify.
Zhao Mingyan said, "No need. I will go to the Prime Minister’s Mansion myself."
Lu Juan said in surprise, "I implore Your Majesty to reconsider! It is not advisable for Your Majesty to show your face at this time."
’He knows he shouldn’t, yet he’s going to do it anyway. If someone in the Su Mansion discovers him, isn’t the Emperor just putting himself in danger again?’
Zhao Mingyan said, "After nightfall tomorrow, you will keep Su Fengyue occupied in the palace. I will go to the Su family’s residence to probe for information."
"Your Majesty, you should still..." Lu Juan didn’t finish, suddenly realizing something.
It wasn’t just Ji Qingwu who was changing; Emperor Wu Su’s way of doing things was changing too.
Zhao Mingyan said, "I will arrange for a thousand elite soldiers to lie in wait outside the Prime Minister’s Mansion. If I find concrete evidence, I will send word to you. You are to arrest and detain Su Fengyue immediately."
Lu Juan no longer tried to dissuade him. He bowed his head and clasped his hands, saying, "Yes, I accept my orders."
’To make an emperor known for his forbearance become so impatient, to make him risk his own safety once again...’
Lu Juan could think of only one reason.
He left Zhaoyang Hall. The rain outside had lessened considerably. Li Yuzong ordered someone to bring him an umbrella.
Slanting threads of rain were blown in under the umbrella by the wind.
Lu Juan walked to the palace gates, his half-dry robes once again soaked by the rain. He had intended to return to the Marquis Mansion, but he turned and went back.
’Since Emperor Wu Su has decided to make his move, a great storm is bound to break out tomorrow night. I must also do my part to uproot the network of power hiding under Prime Minister Su’s protection.’
At the thought of the lists of names and evidence to be compiled, Lu Juan’s blood suddenly boiled with excitement.
The guards at the palace gates saw Mr. Lu toss his umbrella aside and walk back into the palace against the rain, filled with an unstoppable momentum.
*
The night rain was cold and chilling.
The doors and windows of the room were shut tight, yet a damp, cool breeze still seeped through.
Ji Qingwu suddenly woke for some unknown reason. She felt a draft on the sole of her foot and realized her right foot and calf were resting outside the brocade quilt.
The strange thing was, her right foot wasn’t cold. In fact, her left foot, which was under the covers, felt even colder.
Ji Qingwu felt something was wrong. She quickly huddled back into the quilt, tucking the edges of the blanket firmly under her feet and around her sides.
Lan Zhi was sleeping in the side room with Jiu Jiu. ’I should bring the warm little girl back and tuck her into my own quilt for warmth.’
Acting on the thought, Ji Qingwu was about to turn and sit up when she was suddenly pressed back down.
She blinked her large eyes, not understanding the sudden turn of events.
Something was pressing down on her, and she couldn’t move her arms or legs.
The pressure, heavy as a boulder, made her gasp. ’Am I awake or not? This feels like sleep paralysis.’
The damp scent of agarwood lingered at the tip of Ji Qingwu’s nose. Her nose twitched, and her eyes brightened.
She called out softly, "Your Majesty?"
Her sweet breath tickled Zhao Mingyan’s ear. Even in the dark, he could see the flash of light in her eyes.
He said in a low voice, "Why aren’t you sleeping properly?"
Ji Qingwu struggled a little, pulled her arm free, and said, "I should be asking Your Majesty that question. It’s the middle of the night and it’s raining. Why have you come to the Wei Family instead of sleeping?"
A warm palm touched her right cheek.
Zhao Mingyan asked, "Does it hurt?"
Ji Qingwu blinked slowly, her lashes rising and falling. She understood what he was asking about.
"It doesn’t hurt."
Zhao Mingyan said, "Nonsense."
The flame on the bedside candleholder flared up as if hit by a gust of wind, and Ji Qingwu’s gaze was instantly drawn to it.
Zhao Mingyan cupped her chin and began to examine it meticulously.
For some reason, the corners of Ji Qingwu’s lips turned up, and her eyes grew even brighter.
"My body is a gift from my parents. It was just an accidental scrape. It’s all better now, it doesn’t hurt at all."
Of course, Emperor Wu Su knew the injury on her face was from being accidentally scraped by Mrs. Qiao’s sleeve. Otherwise, Mrs. Qiao wouldn’t still be safe and sound in the Ji Family.
Ji Qingwu’s eyes darted about. "Didn’t Your Majesty say we would meet again before the mark disappeared? It’s not time yet."
"I’m checking on it."
Emperor Wu Su made a show of parting her collar.
Ji Qingwu clutched her inner robe shut and said hurriedly, "It’s still there, it’s still there! I saw it before I went to sleep."
Afraid he would actually check, she asked again, "Why did Your Majesty really come here?"
"The clouds are thick and the rain is heavy. I came to take shelter from the rain."