Chapter 230: Chapter 230: Probably Lost My Mind (Bonus)
At 7 a.m., the comforting warmth of sunrise began to spread.
Shen Hua, in anguish, pressed against her forehead. She lay uncomfortably on the couch, having not slept all night.
Yesterday, when Cui Yun sent her back to the East Courtyard, the vase was not retrieved. Cui Yun sternly admonished her afterwards, not allowing her to touch it. She was left to sulk in her temper.
That night, the girl tossed and turned, and finally lay rigidly on the couch, gazing straight at the canopy above. Sleep had completely forsaken her, leaving her even more alert.
Xie Xun’s medicine pills were indeed effective; at dawn, the effects of the alcohol dissipated, and Shen Hua’s consciousness gradually cleared.
Her body was feverish, but not as hot as the burning shame on her face. The events of last night replayed vividly in her mind.
Last night, she was desperate yet bold in displaying her undergarment.
Shen Hua bit her lower lip, her eyes misted over with tears. Annoyed, she banged her head against the bed frame.
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah! What had she done!
So ashamed that even her toes curled up.
With a ’creak’, someone pushed the door open. Shen Hua stiffened and faced the wall.
Ningzhu, carrying the washbasin for morning ablutions, entered: "Lady, what are you doing?"
Shen Hua, barely audible: "Repenting."
Ningzhu hurried to console her: "This isn’t worth anything, Lady, why should you care?"
"It’s just a roast chicken, Sister Yingwu won’t take it to heart. Just relax, Nanny Cheng had the kitchen’s purchasing woman buy two plump chickens early in the morning. We’ll stew them ourselves, one for you, Lady, to nourish your body, and one as compensation to Sister Yingwu."
Yicui’s culinary skills were naturally impeccable. Yet, Shen Hua was so stunned that she didn’t absorb a single word.
"Shall this servant assist the Lady with washing up?"
Shen Hua remained motionless. Not knowing how much time had passed, the girl’s pupils shifted, and after a moment’s hesitation and in utter weakness, she called out: "Ningzhu, what would you do if one day, your undergarment was accidentally seen by a man?"
Ningzhu’s hand trembled, almost spilling the basin.
"Such an incident would be truly embarrassing."
"A girl’s private item, how could it be seen by others? Even by accident it’s not permissible; reputation is of utmost importance. If it were me, feeling too ashamed to live, I’d find a crooked tree and end it all with a piece of white silk."
Shen Hua: "Well... there’s no need for that."
"I think it was an unintentional mistake."
Ningzhu shook her head: "Not to hide from the Lady, years ago in my hometown there was a girl whose undergarment was stolen. She was the daughter of a gentry, who placed great emphasis on these intricate traditions and etiquette."
The theft of an undergarment is enough to unsettle anyone. Clearly it was the work of a rogue. But such matters are difficult to investigate.
"We thought it was just gone, but after several days, that undergarment was hung on a tree, scrutinized by passersby. Fortunately, there were no identifying marks embroidered on it and it couldn’t speak to identify its owner. Yet, humiliated, the girl hanged herself at home that very day."
"This shows it’s not a trivial matter!"
The girl’s beautifully trimmed nails dug into the wall. She buried her head lower and lower in embarrassment. Then she heard Ningzhu ask in confusion, "Lady, why do you suddenly ask about this? Could it be that someone..."
"No!"
Shen Hua: "...I’m just worried because you’re still young."
"Lady, rest assured, I wouldn’t let anyone deceive me," the young girl assured.
"But... what if you were the one deceiving someone?"
"Absolutely impossible. I’m not sick, how could I go mad?"
"But what if?"
Ningzhu: "Then the only option would be death to prove my innocence!"
Shen Hua felt even more pained.
"Right, Lady, early this morning, Ji Qing arrived at the East Courtyard holding a gift box, saying it’s the birthday gift the Marquis made up for. Ji Qing also brought a message."
"Lady, you may have the rest of the items, however, that vase is of special significance to the Marquis, I fear it cannot be gifted."
Shen Hua: ...
————
At that moment, just after the morning court, Cui Yun was detained by Emperor He.
Emperor He was clad in bright yellow dragon robes, his every word and action exuded authority and dignity. He sat on his elevated throne, leaning ever so slightly forward.
"I am aware of the situation concerning Zhou Zhangping."
Cui Yun was dressed in a red robe, with eyebrows stretching into his temples, his aura thin and noble.
"Although the Minister of the Ministry of Justice has his biases, he can also be considered kind-hearted. He was a close courtier by the late Emperor’s side. After my accession to the throne, he remained utterly loyal. In this matter, I really do not wish to dispirit an old minister."
"As for you, you really handle matters too strictly by the book."
Cui Yun’s expression remained calm and waveless.
"There is still something strange and questionable about this case."
Emperor He: "Even if he is detained, he is a Magistrate. The Ministry of Justice will not force him into a confession through torture."
"Weizhen, I dreamt about your father last night. He was the minister I trusted the most. He seemed to resent me in the dream. I sent you to the Ministry of Justice, and over these years, your personality has become increasingly aloof. It’s toughest to discern human hearts in the officialdom. Like him, you adhere to the rules in your actions, but often, such behavior is the very thing that offends others the most."
What he said couldn’t have been more heartfelt.
Cui Yun slightly lowered his gaze and then respectfully clasped his hands: "It troubles the Emperor to be concerned, which reflects my own shortcomings. If it were not for the Emperor going through all the difficulties to promote me despite numerous obstacles, Marquis Yangling Mansion would not be as it is today."
This pleased Emperor He to hear.
"There is one more matter for which I have kept you today."
He spoke seriously: "Xiao Wu is returning to Shengjing tomorrow. The Crown Prince is busy, and out of all the princes, Ji Ge is the most idle. I intend to let her personally welcome him on the outskirts of the city."
He had apparently forgotten about Ji Teng.
"I originally intended to send Xie Xun for this task, but alas, he is severely injured, and his recovery has been unseen for some time. I want you to make a trip to Duke Fu’s Mansion on my behalf."
Cui Yun accepted the order: "Your servant obeys."
After leaving the Imperial Palace, the expressions on Cui Yun’s face varied, but he couldn’t help finding humor in it internally.
Emperor He was nearly spoon-feeding him the rationale. When he treated Cui Yun, it was with a kindness akin to that of an elder, yet it was also undeniably intentional.
Kind-hearted, late Emperor, old minister.
Bringing up these three aspects made Cui Yun seem cold-hearted and ruthless in contrast. Yet, the rule that the Three Law Departments should check and balance each other was established by the Emperor and can just as easily be overridden by the Emperor’s word.
Cui Yun leaned back in the carriage and closed his eyes.
His visit to Duke Fu’s Mansion was like going through the motions.
When Xie Xun saw him, he showed no surprise. The harsh winter in the borderlands was severe, and in comparison, the chill of Shengjing’s winter was nothing. Inside the room, a small charcoal brazier burned, and he was barely draped in an overcoat, making no pretense in front of Cui Yun.
"Marquis Cui, how about a game of chess?"
Before long, Cui Yun held a white piece in hand. His gaze fell upon the chessboard, yet his thoughts scattered in all directions.
The girl’s frown and smile, charming and delightful.
Last night when he sent her away, she clutched the red glazed porcelain willow leaf vase, her voice protesting, "Mine, mine, mine!"
Absolutely shameless.
Yet...
The initial interest in Shen Hua was simply because she was so similar to Xue Tuan.
Those arrogant, disdainful, aggrieved behaviors along with all her small actions and habits...
Now reflecting on it, the details Cui Yun once overlooked had become the reason he tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.
"Are you going to continue playing? You’ve barely made any moves on the chessboard, but you’ve been lost in thought several times. Could it be that a major case has occurred at the Ministry of Justice again?"
Cui Yun looked up.
"Do you believe that there are such things as spirits and monsters in this world?"
Xie Xun raised his eyebrows in surprise: "You don’t seem to have been drinking."
Cui Yun: "I read through many bizarre and uncanny records last night. There was mention of the term ’possession’."
This was met with silence from Xie Xun.
Even Cui Yun felt ridiculous and laughable mentioning such matters, his voice slightly hoarse.
"Perhaps I’ve gone mad."