Chapter 74

Chapter 74: The Death of Qiu Xin! Leng Jiu Sets a Trap! (Part 2)

Leng Jiu wasn't sure what motivated Leng Yue to share this information with her, but it was undeniably good news. Instead of seeking out Mo Di, she changed her clothes and returned to the palace. If she could indeed find the 'Thousand Shadow Guards', it would be invaluable. She was curious how these ancient secret guards compared to modern special forces units. Rarely did anything spark Leng Jiu's interest like this, her eyes shining with excitement.

Back in the palace, Leng Jiu changed her attire. Uncharacteristically, she sat upright, not slouching like her usual self. Her finger rhythmically tapped on the desk, betraying her unsettled mind, reminiscent of a wolf contemplating its prey.

Zi Yu noticed Leng Jiu's unusual demeanor, wondering what good news she had encountered. However, seeing her deep in thought, Zi Yu dared not disturb her.

Eventually, Leng Jiu stopped tapping her fingers and lowered her gaze slightly, "Zi Yu! Fetch Qing Ling for me!"

"Yes!" Zi Yu immediately went to fetch Qing Ling, returning with her and then received another order from Leng Jiu, "Stand guard at the door. Don't let anyone in!"

Zi Yu nodded in acknowledgment, "As you command!"

Once Zi Yu had left, Leng Jiu turned her intense, intimidating gaze to Qing Ling, "When I was in the palace serving the old emperor, were you always there?"

"Yes!"

A thought struck Leng Jiu, her brows twitching slightly, "Did you also replace me in serving the emperor's chamber?"

Qing Ling's stoic face finally showed a flicker of emotion but remained calm as she answered, "Yes!"

Leng Jiu, about to ask something more, suddenly fell silent and waved her hand, "You may leave."

Qing Ling, feeling somewhat puzzled, didn't ask any questions and left with her head bowed.

Leng Jiu leaned her head on her hand, appearing languid, but her mind was anything but idle. Numerous thoughts whirled through her head incessantly. She had intended to extract some information from Qing Ling, who had been closest to Leng Jinghua and likely knew the most secrets. However, judging by Qing Ling's demeanor and from their previous interactions, Leng Jiu immediately concluded that Qing Ling was unaware of these matters. If she had known, her reaction would have been different.

If even Qing Ling didn't know, then who else might? Lu Chang? Leng Jiu shook her head, dismissing the thought. If Qing Ling, who was always by Leng Jinghua's side, was clueless about this, it was unlikely that Leng Jinghua would have confided in a eunuch like Lu Chang. If he had known, his reaction wouldn't have been so composed.

"Could it really not be in her possession?" Leng Jiu shook her head, unwilling to believe it. As the saying goes, 'A fly does not bite a seamless egg.' It made sense for Long Yi's men to suspect Leng Jinghua, as he genuinely didn't know. But if the remnants of the old emperor's forces were still watching Leng Jinghua, there must be a reason.

Her lips curved slightly, her interest piqued, "I originally thought you were just a tragic woman, but now you seem far from simple. It's fascinating, and that makes it all the more intriguing!"

Leng Jiu suddenly thought of Long Yue Li. She had never understood what about her caught his attention. Now, it seemed likely tied to the 'Thousand Shadow Guards.' But what did he want? The guards, or something else?

Just as Leng Jiu was about to continue her contemplations, she paused and called out, "Zi Yu!"

"Your servant is here!"

"Summon Du Heng!"

"Yes!"

Du Heng soon entered, "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager!"

Leng Jiu beckoned him, "Come here!"

Du Heng glanced at her, then cautiously approached, "What are your orders, Your Highness?"

Leng Jiu lifted the lid of a cup, dipped her finger in water, and wrote four characters on the table, "Help me investigate this person. I want to know everything from her entry into the palace until her death!"

This was the first time Leng Jiu had asked him to investigate such a significant matter. Du Heng nodded solemnly, "Rest assured, Your Highness! I will do my utmost!"

"Go ahead!"

Leng Jiu closed her eyes as if resting for a moment, then suddenly opened them, "Zi Yu! Bring me a cloak!"

Zi Yu fetched a cloak from the cupboard, looking at Leng Jiu, "Are you going out, Your Highness?"

Leng Jiu rubbed her forehead, "I haven't been to the Imperial Garden for a while. Let's take a walk!"

Zi Yu approached, waiting for Leng Jiu to stand before draping the cloak over her shoulders, smiling, "Indeed, Your Highness. It's been a long time since you went out. It's good to take a walk!"

Leng Jiu curled her lips silently, shook her cloak, and walked towards the palace gate. Suddenly, she asked, "Where's Lu Chang?"

"Eunuch Lu left a while ago. He instructed us to watch over things carefully but didn't say where he was going."

Leng Jiu raised an eyebrow, "Has he been going out frequently lately?"

Zi Yu pondered, "Quite often. Since Your Highness hasn't summoned him, he's rarely here these days. I thought Your Highness had assigned him some tasks."

Leng Jiu ran her hand over the pattern on her sleeve, not inquiring further, "Let's go."

As Leng Jiu arrived at the Imperial Garden, she saw Qiu Xin by a flower pot planted with a ginkgo tree. Kano was jumping around on it, playing merrily. Zi Yu, noticing this, smiled, "Ever since Your Highness slapped Consort Hua, everyone knows Qiu Xin is your person. Nobody dares to touch Kano now. People in the garden give them a wide berth."

Leng Jiu turned to walk in another direction, "Tell Qiu Xin to be careful not to be too indulgent."

Zi Yu nodded in response, "She does rely on Your Highness's favor. I'll remind her."

Leng Jiu observed ahead, "Innocence is good, but being too naive in the palace can be fatal, even with protection."

Zi Yu understood and nodded earnestly.

The Imperial Garden in autumn was a riot of color, with meticulously cultivated flowers blooming out of season. Peonies and chrysanthemums were particularly vibrant, and some crabapple trees were also budding. Even maple trees had been transplanted to add a touch of autumn.

Leng Jiu hadn't walked far when she heard the laughter and chatter of women. Coming around a rockery, she saw a group of court ladies, with one woman in the middle, looking vaguely familiar.

Zi Yu stepped forward, "Your Highness! The lady in the middle is a new favorite, Yang Lian. She was recently promoted to a 'Beauty' after serving in the emperor's chamber half a month ago. Just yesterday, the royal physician confirmed her pregnancy, and last night the emperor promoted her to 'Noble Lady Lian.' This is the first time in a long while that a lady in the selection process has become pregnant, and the emperor places great importance on it."

Leng Jiu, observing the woman surrounded by others, exuding happiness, plucked a chrysanthemum and crushed it, petals falling to the ground: "Promoted twice in less than half a month. That's bound to incite jealousy."

"Normally, a promotion follows serving in the emperor's chamber. Her father being a fifth-rank official from a provincial government, not the imperial court, her initial promotion to 'Beauty' was routine. But being further elevated to 'Noble Lady' for her pregnancy is quite exceptional."