Wang Zhong said, “Though Consort Cui is not particularly clever, she is truly beautiful.”
Dantai Ji remained silent for a long while, as though something had occurred to him. Then he asked, “Clerk Cui was promoted from Zhou County in Huangzhou. Was Lady Cui also assaulted by bandits in Zhou County?”
“That is correct.” After answering, Wang Zhong’s mind flashed upon someone. He glanced at the Emperor’s expression and cautiously continued, “It just so happens that our Consort Chen is also from Zhou County in Huangzhou. Her meeting with Your Majesty back then was truly a match made by Heaven!”
Dantai Ji rubbed the thumb ring in his hand, lowered his eyes, and said, “They are both from Zhou County, and their appearances are so similar. Have you found out where and by whom Lady Cui was harmed?”
Although Wang Zhong did not understand why the Emperor kept insisting that Lady Cui resembled Consort Chen—in his eyes, the two women bore no resemblance at all—he hurriedly replied, “This servant has not found out. The Cui family has deliberately kept the matter hidden.”
Dantai Ji rubbed his brows. “What of the man who impersonated her today? Question him.”
Wang Zhong studied Dantai Ji’s expression and hesitantly said, “That man has not come out since entering the Cui residence. According to Matron Fang, Lord Cui was furious that the man had deceived them and knocked him unconscious. He likely intends to interrogate him using private torture.”
A hint of displeasure flashed across Dantai Ji’s eyes. He lightly tapped the tabletop and remained silent for a long while before saying, “Tomorrow, the Cui family will release him. Once that man returns home, bring him back as quickly as possible. I want to question him myself.”
Wang Zhong looked surprised, but he still bowed respectfully. “This servant obeys!”
…
The Cui residence.
The rear courtyard remained brightly lit late into the night, especially the woodshed, from which muffled sounds occasionally emerged.
The noises did not cease until well past midnight.
Cui Yeping, Cui Huaihao, and Cui Huaiyi emerged from the woodshed together.
All three men looked equally exhausted. Dark circles showed beneath their eyes, and though their faces were tense, they could not conceal the fear in their expressions.
Cui Huaiyi suddenly stopped, clenching his fists. “That Zhao Jinsheng must have been deceiving us! Little Sister has not even entered the palace yet. How could a palace consort have gone to such lengths to harm her?”
He turned to return to the woodshed and question Zhao Jinsheng again, but his second brother, Cui Huaihao, stopped him.
“Third Brother! Zhao Jinsheng originally refused to say a word, even under threat. It was only after we threatened his children that he finally revealed what he knew. After what we just saw, do you really think he was lying?”
Cui Huaiyi’s face turned livid. “If that is true, how can Little Sister enter the palace? She has not even gone there, yet Consort Chen already wants to harm her. If she truly enters the palace, won’t she be devoured alive?”
“Be quiet! Stop spouting nonsense!” Cui Yeping raised his voice and reprimanded him. “Do you really think your sister is as foolish as you say, without the slightest ability to defend herself?”
“Today’s incident is not entirely bad. At the very least, the person who wishes to harm your sister has revealed her hand before Yin’er enters the palace. Once Yin’er is there, she can guard against Consort Chen in advance.”
Cui Huaihao nodded. “Father is right. This is not necessarily a bad thing.”
After hearing his father’s words, Cui Huaiyi felt that they made sense.
It was better to know sooner than later, and Little Sister would be able to take precautions. But why would Consort Chen target the Cui family? Why target their sister?
There were only five or six consorts in the palace. No matter how jealous Consort Chen was, she should not have acted against their family before their sister had even entered the palace. It was truly strange.
Cui Yeping lifted his head and gazed at the sky, his voice low and grave. “I know what concerns you. Our family has only just arrived in the capital, and we have no connection or personal grudge with Consort Chen. As for why she wants to harm our family, I fear we will only find the answer after Huaiyin enters the palace.”
Cui Huaihao asked, “Should we inform His Majesty that Consort Chen framed our sister?”
Cui Yeping replied, “Setting aside the fact that a mere official of my rank cannot simply request an audience with His Majesty, even if I could, how could we act recklessly? Consort Chen is His Majesty’s favored consort, and she has borne him a son and a daughter. Do you truly believe that, in His Majesty’s heart, the Cui family is more important than Consort Chen?”
Cui Huaihao and Cui Huaiyi’s expressions both darkened.
“What should we do with Zhao Jinsheng? He neither injured nor killed anyone. Sending him to the authorities would likely be inappropriate, but neither can we keep him tied up here. Are we really supposed to simply let him go?”
As the head of the family, Cui Yeping looked up at the sky once more, then turned his back to them. “Release him. If what he said today is true, then he is likely the one in real danger. We can use this to test his story.”
Cui Huaihao and Cui Huaiyi were stunned at first. Then, looking at their father’s back, they suddenly understood what he meant.
If everything Zhao Jinsheng had said was true, how could Consort Chen let him live once she learned that he knew the truth?
The two brothers exchanged a glance and nodded at each other. Before dawn, they escorted Zhao Jinsheng back to his home.
Early the next morning.
Cui Huaiyin was summoned by her father to the main hall, where he and her second and third brothers carefully recounted everything that had happened the previous night.
When she heard about Consort Chen, her expression froze.
Who was this Consort Chen? Why did she want to harm her—and the Cui family?
Cui Huaiyi asked, “Little Sister, do you know Consort Chen? Have you ever offended her?”
Cui Huaiyin hurriedly replied, “I don’t know her. I have never seen her before, nor have I offended any consort in the palace.”
Cui Yeping turned to his second son. “Huaihao, you went to investigate Consort Chen first thing this morning. Did you find anything?”
Cui Huaihao stepped forward and said, “I only learned that the palace’s Consort Chen is named Chen Ruyun. Before His Majesty married, he brought her into the princely residence. When the Eldest Princess was born, he made her his secondary consort. Chen Ruyun once saved His Majesty’s life.”
Cui Yeping’s expression grew solemn. “She saved His Majesty’s life? What connection does she have with our family?”
Cui Huaihao looked around at everyone before saying, “There truly is a connection. Consort Chen was born in Zhou County in Huangzhou!”
Cui Yeping’s eyes widened. “Zhou County! She is from Zhou County as well?”
Cui Huaihao nodded. “Without a doubt!”
Cui Huaiyi exclaimed in shock, “Zhou County is enormous, with more than a hundred thousand residents. Could we have offended this woman named Chen at some point? That makes no sense. Our family protected the people of Zhou County. The only people we offended were those who deserved punishment—criminals who had committed vile acts. How could we possibly have offended Consort Chen?”
Cui Huaihao ventured, “Perhaps there has been some misunderstanding?”
“I hope so.” As Cui Yeping spoke, he thought of something and turned toward his daughter, who had remained silent until then. “Huaiyin, what do you think?”
Cui Huaiyin raised her head, her eyes resolute. “Regardless of the reason, His Majesty has already issued the decree. It is only a matter of time before I enter the palace. Once I am there, I will investigate my grievance with Consort Chen thoroughly. But for now, we must remain vigilant. I am afraid Consort Chen will not let this go and may cause more trouble for our family.”
Cui Yeping said, “You are right. We must be more careful. At present, the most important matter is your eldest brother’s imperial examination. It would be best not to alarm him with this. Once his examinations are over, we will tell him everything.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
As they were speaking, a young servant suddenly rushed in from outside, saying that he had an urgent matter to report.
Only after the door had been closed did the servant speak. “My lord, Zhao Jinsheng is dead! Just moments ago, he went to the well to draw water and somehow fell headfirst into it! By the time they dragged him out, he was already dead!”
Everyone rose to their feet, their faces filled with shock.
Zhao Jinsheng was actually dead!
Clearly, someone had a guilty conscience and was trying to silence him.
Cui Yeping urgently instructed his children and all the servants in the household to remain extra vigilant over the next few days. If they encountered anyone suspicious, they were to inform one another immediately and under no circumstances take anything for granted.
After learning that Zhao Jinsheng was dead, Rong Yao ate another half bowl of rice and read one more book. She was certain the Emperor would be curious about why Zhao Jinsheng had died; she simply did not know whether he would be able to trace it back to Consort Chen…
At that very moment, outside Zhao Jinsheng’s home, Wang Zhong had personally left the palace in order to bring Zhao Jinsheng back for interrogation—to uncover the truth behind Lady Cui’s humiliation all those years ago and identify the master behind Zhao Jinsheng.
However, just as he arrived, he learned that Zhao Jinsheng was already dead.
After conducting a thorough investigation, Wang Zhong discovered that Zhao Jinsheng’s death had been neither an accident nor the work of the Cui family. The person behind it was actually connected to the imperial palace. He hurried back to report the matter to His Majesty and let the Emperor decide what to do.
