Chapter 1: Should the Closet Be Opened or Not?

Chapter 1: Should the Closet Be Opened or Not?

If Zhao Changnian had known that freeloaders would face such dire consequences, he would never have come today.

"Search over there!"

"Yes, sir!"

The sound of hurried footsteps and the guards' angry shouts grew louder from outside. Changnian held his breath, remaining still in the corner closet.

"There's no one here."

"Have we checked the inner chambers?"

"Sir, we can't enter without an imperial edict."

The captain of the guards panicked, "If we don't find the assassin, both our heads will roll!"

A guard hesitated before suggesting, "Duke Guo is just over there. He has permission to enter the Eight Treasure Pavilion. Should we ask for his help?"

Upon hearing this, Chang Nian's vision turned black.

If someone else were to catch her here, she might still have a chance to talk her way out of it. But if Duke Yu Jiangbai discovered her, she would truly be unable to defend herself.

She was truly innocent! Today was the Empress Dowager's grand birthday celebration, and as the least noticeable imperial descendant in the palace, she had only wanted to sneak in for some delicious food. Who knew that even going to the restroom would lead her to stumble upon a murder scene?

She hadn't seen the assassin's face at all, but when she realized what was happening, the Chief Jailer was already lying on the ground with a hole in his chest, staring blankly in her direction with unseeing eyes.

From any angle, she looked like the culprit.

When the guards rushed over, Chang Nian instinctively darted into the Eight Treasure Hall. Usually, guards weren't allowed in there, so she thought she might escape trouble. Little did she know, she had just entered the gates of hell!

Should she try to escape through the window now?

The idea popped into her mind, and Chang Nian reached out to push the cabinet door open.

However, just as she cracked it open, a familiar voice sounded from outside, "Hm? What's this?"

The captain of the guards stood behind Ye Jiangbai with a bowed back, looking conflicted as he said, "We've searched everywhere else, but we can't enter this inner chamber. With the banquet in full swing, I dare not disturb His Majesty. May I trouble you to…"

Indicating towards the inner chamber, he spoke.

From the crack in the cabinet door, Chang Nian caught a glimpse of Ye Jiangbai, dressed in a deep blue court robe that shimmered with a lustrous sheen. He slightly rolled up his sleeves, and a hint of intoxication could be seen in his eyes. "What audacious thief dares to intrude upon the Eight Treasure Hall?"

With that, he lifted his robes and stepped inside.

Chang Nian's heart pounded like a drum, and she nearly screamed in terror. She barely managed to suppress the urge, hastily closing the cabinet door and covering her mouth with her hand, her knuckles turning white.

It was all over now. The peaceful and smooth life she had enjoyed for the past decade was about to come to an end.

Ye Jiangbai was the Duke of State, appointed by the eight most senior officials in the court. His power and influence were immense, but more importantly, he was notoriously difficult to deal with. Trying to gain favor from him was no less challenging than ascending the throne itself. If he saw her here, he would undoubtedly have her immediately escorted to the Office of Rites.

If it were any other prince, her mother could cry and plead before the emperor, and after a few hours locked up in the Office of Rites, she would return to the palace. But for someone like her, whose mother had long passed and father didn't care, the outcome of entering that place was uncertain – life or death.

Footsteps sounded outside the cabinet, the sound of cloud boots treading on the brocade carpet, muffled yet heavy. With a sense of helplessness, Chang Nian closed her eyes, only to hear the sounds even clearer.

Ye Jiangbai brushed aside the hanging curtains dividing the space.

He opened two low cabinets beside him and then closed them again.

She then reached for the cover of the desk nearby.

And then...

He stood up and walked straight towards the cabinet where she was hiding!

"Clang."

The copper ring on the cabinet door was gently tapped, producing a resonant sound against the wooden surface. To someone inside, it was like a thunderbolt striking close by.

Chang Nian's body jolted in shock. She instinctively tried to cover her mouth, but her fear was so overwhelming that she failed to hold back the air in her chest, resulting in a loud—

"Burp!"

The person outside paused, seemingly in disbelief, then tapped the copper ring again.

"Burp!"

Chang Nian crouched inside the cabinet, clutching her throat as if she wished to strangle herself. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop the unstoppable burps. They came in a fierce, rhythmic pattern. If one listened carefully, they could even harmonize with the distant drumming and music coming from the grand Qingsheng Palace.

Baskets brimming with longevity fruit, burp, bearing auspicious mist. Fresh longevity flowers inserted, burp, on the lotus platform.

A moment of silence lingered outside the cupboard door, followed by what sounded like a chuckle.

Chang Nian was overwhelmed with sorrow and indignation! One would die sooner or later, but why did fate have to make her lose face so utterly before her end?

A warrior may be killed, but never humiliated!

Fuelled by her anger, Chang Nian kicked the cupboard door, hoping to salvage some dignity with a fearless gesture.

However, the door remained shut after her kick.

"Duke?"

The chamberlain's concerned inquiry echoed from outside the hall.

Ye Jiangbai placed his hand against the cupboard door and calmly replied, "I'm here."

"Is everything all right within the chamber?"

Feeling the agitated cabinet, Ye Jiangbai replied calmly, "No, I searched the entire inner chamber and didn't see anyone. Perhaps they fled elsewhere."

Huh?

Zhao Changnian was stunned, his foot suspended in mid-air, his entire being frozen.

"This... I'll trouble Your Grace, Duke. My subordinates and I will search towards the Unharm Gate again."

The captain of the guards showed no suspicion and immediately bowed outside the room. The sound of clashing armor followed, indicating that he had led his men to search elsewhere.

Silence descended upon the Bao Ba Hall, not a single sound to be heard.

What's going on? Ye Jiangbai knew there was someone in the cabinet but didn't expose them? Zhao Changnian couldn't wrap his head around it. Pinching his own thigh and biting his tongue to ensure he wasn't dreaming, he reached out to open the cabinet door.

"Today is the Empress Dowager's grand birthday. The incident of the prison historian's murder will be reported three days later," Ye Jiangbai's voice suddenly sounded outside the cabinet, grave and deep. "By then, I hope His Seventh Highness will turn himself in."

Oh, so it was because of the Empress Dowager's birthday that he wasn't taking action today.

Chang Nian nodded in understanding.

Hmm? Wait?

She was going to turn herself in?!

With wide eyes, Zhao Chang Nian finally realized that Ye Jiangbai must have seen her all along. He hadn't exposed her immediately because she couldn't escape anyway! But she wasn't the murderer; at most, she was an eyewitness. Why would she need to turn herself in?

Pushing open the cabinet door, Chang Nian opened her mouth, ready to explain.

However, the inner chamber was empty; Ye Jiangbai had already vanished.

He'd left too quickly!

With aching legs, Chang Nian's tears threatened to fall. She was just someone living off others, waiting for death. Why did such a calamity befall her?

...

In the Daqing Palace, music and drums filled the air as it was time for the princes to present their birthday gifts. Hong Ti, a palace maid, stood anxiously by the side entrance, scanning the area. Spotting Chang Nian from afar, she hurried over to meet her.

"Ancestor, where have you wandered off to? Didn't you say you'd be back in a moment?"

With her head drooping, Chang Nian spoke with a lack of energy, "I've encountered some trouble, Hong Ti..."

"Follow me first, we mustn't delay any further!" Not in the mood to listen to her explanations, Hong Ti half-supported and half-pulled her towards the inner palace, "All the princes have arrived, except for you. If you don't go to present your respects soon, you'll surely face punishment!"