Chu Jiuling.
She wanted some people to know and call this name, like her sister and brother.
Yet unexpected people knew and called it, like Zhu Zan.
But there was one person she absolutely didn't want to hear this name from his mouth.
Miss Jun stood still without turning around, the footsteps behind her also halted.
No one spoke, nor did anyone move, the world momentarily froze.
The gaze behind her felt like a snake coiling on her back, not moving, only seeping an icy coldness.
What to do?
She once pretended to be Chu Jiuling to cover up the handwritten notes of her master buried from Lu Yunqi's discovery.
Now to prevent him from thinking she is Chu Jiuling, what should she pretend to be?
She heard incorrectly, didn't hear the Chu surname, only heard Jiuling, which is a name familiar to her, so she mistakenly responded.
She's been to this imperial palace once or twice, she has a good memory, so even without guidance, she can move as if it were flat ground.
As if it were flat ground.
The thought flashed, Miss Jun took off running forward.
Run out, run out from here, as long as she gets in front of people, there will be countless explanations, she must not fall into his hands.
There were no footsteps chasing behind, nor anyone blocking ahead, the palace gate was right in view, she could already see the Imperial Guard moving around, faintly hear the attendants outside the gate conversing.
But in the next moment, the sound of something breaking through the air came from behind, numbing the back of her neck.
This time, truly careless.
The last thought flashed through, Miss Jun let out a muffled grunt as her vision went dark and she stumbled forward.
She didn't fall to the ground, a Jinyiwei dashed out slantingly, knelt on one knee to securely catch her, and with one hand flicked a crimson cloak over her, covering her as he retreated.
The area in front of the palace gate returned to silence, passing eunuchs looked absent-mindedly over, seeing Lu Yunqi standing hands behind his back, his form hidden in the shadow cast by high walls, only the crimson cloak fluttering in the wind, they shivered, quickly turned away and hurried past.
.....
....
Ning Yunzhao involuntarily shivered, a 'pop' sound echoing at his ears.
The emperor slammed the memorial he was holding onto the table, the stacked memorials scattered immediately, the sound of papers crashing resounded inside the hall.
"I don't believe it!" the emperor yelled, his expression sorrowful and indignant, pointing at the two generals kneeling on the ground, "I don't believe what you said."
"Your Majesty, every word we speak is true," the two generals kowtowed, "May heaven strike us with thunder if we lie."
"Your Majesty, I know this matter is too shocking, both the former emperor and Your Majesty have trusted Duke of Chengguo so much, it's truly hard to believe, but the evidences and testimonies are all present, this is not a personal grudge or fabrication," Huang Cheng said, his expression equally sorrowful as he knelt down, "Please Your Majesty investigate thoroughly."
The emperor paced back and forth, terrified yet angry and unsettled.
"I don't believe it," he just repeated, "I don't believe these testimonies, don't believe these evidences."
He suddenly stopped.
"I want to hear Duke of Chengguo speak."
After speaking, he raised his hand.
"Lu Yunqi, call Lu Yunqi."
If he wants to hear from Duke of Chengguo and let Lu Yunqi ask, naturally it's about escorting him into the capital.
Huang Cheng was about to praise the emperor's wisdom but someone got ahead.
"Your Majesty." Ning Yunzhao turned and bowed, "I think it's inappropriate."
Not saying the word for wisdom?
Huang Cheng paused briefly, then sneered.
Indeed, relying on flattery to get here, won't be satisfied just with praising wisdom, see, now he starts saying what he wants.
But, young man, I was waiting for you to speak, do you think you can stop the emperor from facing Duke of Chengguo? You'll only show Your Majesty how your family and Duke of Chengguo are indeed in cahoots.
The emperor was seemingly surprised too, looking down at Ning Yunzhao.
"Your Majesty, I believe it's inappropriate to send Lord Lu," Ning Yunzhao said proactively before the emperor asked, his expression earnest and candid, "The Ministry of Justice should handle this."
Not persuasion? Huang Cheng slightly frowned.
The emperor's expression eased a bit.
"Ministry of Justice, wouldn't that be to ask for guilt?" he said, shaking his head, "I just want to question him first, I don't believe he's guilty."
"No, Your Majesty, if you don't wish to question his guilt, you must have the Ministry of Justice do it," Ning Yunzhao said, "If Lord Lu's Jinyiwei takes charge, it'll arouse public discussion, and even lead to rumors of fabrication."
Jinyiwei does not have a favorable reputation, but it's the most trusted by the emperor.
The emperor's expression showed hesitation.
"The accusation against Duke of Chengguo for treason is of great importance and will undoubtedly cause an uproar across the nation. I do not wish Your Majesty's evident trust and affection for Duke of Chengguo to be misunderstood by others," Ning Yunzhao said, stepping forward once again. "Your Majesty has a clear conscience regarding Duke of Chengguo; it remains to be seen whether Duke of Chengguo dares to face scrutiny in the Ministry of Justice without a guilty conscience."
Indeed, once this matter is announced, it will certainly cause a stir throughout the realm. In front of the entire nation, it's better to let someone else take the stage.
The emperor nodded.
"What Lord Ning says is very true," he said, taking a deep breath. "I trust him, and therefore it is even more necessary not to cover up anything; this is the true meaning of trusting him."
His gaze shifted to an official in the hall.
"Instruct the Ministry of Justice to accept the treason case against Duke of Chengguo Zhu Shan, accused by Wang Chong and Zhang Gui."
Although the official's expression was unpleasant and he clearly did not want to take on this unfortunate task, he had no choice but to bow and accept.
So they wanted the Ministry of Justice to handle the case. What difference would it make?
Whether the Jinyiwei or the Ministry of Justice makes the arrest, the outcome would be the same.
Huang Cheng glanced at Ning Yunzhao and halted his steps intending to intervene.
Does one really think the Ministry of Justice can be fairer than the Jinyiwei's prison? Such naivete.
The arrangements seemed to exhaust the emperor, who didn't want to utter another word.
"Before the Ministry of Justice conducts its investigation, you all are not to speak," he said, sitting down and holding his forehead. "I trust no one's words."
With that, he waved his hand.
All the officials bowed and withdrew in single file, their hearts unsettled and their expressions complex and bewildered, not seeing the emperor lifting his head behind them, his gaze falling on General Zhang Gui, who was leaving with his head lowered.
Zhang Gui seemed to sense something, and he turned slightly. Seeing the emperor's gaze, his expression wasn't as timid as before; instead, he bent even lower, almost in a bow, as if saluting or answering.
Everyone left, and the eunuchs cautiously closed the door to the hall. Only then did the emperor release the hand supporting his forehead, wiping away all traces of fatigue and grief from his face. He leaned back against the dragon chair, lifting his legs and kicking the scattered memorials off the table.
The sound of clattering echoed in the hall.
The eunuchs outside only thought the emperor was still in a temper, nervously lowering their heads and remaining silent.
The emperor leaned against the dragon chair, his expression indescribably relaxed.
"Ten years," he muttered to himself. "Duke of Chengguo has managed the northern lands for over ten years. Can't I do the same?"
His leg lightly shook on the table as if there was a delicate beauty playing the zither and singing in front of him.
"I made so much money; do you think I'm poor because I have so little left? Money is useless sitting there; money is meant to make more money. With money, things can be handled."
With a touch of anger in his voice, he spoke again and kicked the table hard, creating a resounding noise.
"Look at all I've done outside, how many people I've drawn in, how many relationships I've built over the years. Claiming I'm worthless, as if this realm was gained by a woman playing tricks in the harem!"
"Without money or people, how do I know when that dead spirit would act up, what that ghost does every day?"
"How can I enter the capital so few times yet move freely in many places?"
"Duke of Chengguo manages the northern lands securely, so how can I, with an imperial decree, just order the government soldiers there to withdraw?"
"Saying I'm worthless; this empire was won by this worthless person. You are the ones who are worthless, you are."
With another resounding crash, the table overturned, drowning out the emperor's muttering.
Meanwhile, Ning Yunzhao, having left Qingzheng Hall, had already dismissed this matter from his mind. Not discussing it with the other officials, he walked briskly toward the palace gates.
"Has Miss Jun come out?" he asked an Imperial Guard.
The guard nodded.
"She left half an hour ago," he said, his expression blank.
She's gone already. Ning Yunzhao looked toward the distance, seeing that the Jiuling Hall's carriage and retinue were indeed absent.
He didn't hesitate to mount his horse and head toward Jiuling Hall. Although it was not an appropriate time to go, he couldn't bother waiting for the right moment.
Yet seeing him come seeking, Seventh Chen jumped in surprise.
"Miss Jun hasn't returned yet," he said.
Hasn't returned? Ning Yunzhao's face changed at once, his heart sinking sharply.
Damn it.
.......
.......
Damn it.
Miss Jun woke slowly; although her mind was still disoriented, the first thought that crossed her mind was still: damn it.
Then she shuddered fully awake, realizing she was surrounded by darkness, and her body and limbs were bound.
Before she could adjust to the darkness, a flicker of firelight illuminated Lu Yunqi's porcelain-white face, looming close.
She lay on the plank bed, while he crouched beside her, peering down, holding a torch in one hand and a dagger in the other.
"Gongzhu," his voice was low and hoarse, his eyes flickering with firelight. "How did you hide within this person's body? Should I let you out?"