Chapter 315: Sharing the Moonlight

Chapter 315: Sharing the Moonlight

The Northern Pacification Office didn’t slow down for the Mid-Autumn Festival. With more officials being thrown into the imperial prison, the staff of the Northern Pacification Office moved so fast they could whip up a breeze.

He Qingxiao got the call and rushed to the palace.

Lately, the emperor and his ministers had been in constant touch, sometimes meeting two or three times a day. Emperor Xingyuan’s tone was a lot more relaxed, and after asking about the case as usual, he mentioned the purpose of summoning He Qingxiao to the palace.

"Xin Mu is keeping vigil at his mother’s tomb. Normally it’s fine, but today’s the Mid-Autumn Festival, and it’s just too desolate. Qingxiao, you’ve shared hardships with Xin Mu and have a good relationship. Go check on him for me."

He Qingxiao paused, caught off guard.

He wasn’t reluctant to see Xin You, but he was surprised by Emperor Xingyuan’s attitude toward her.

The emperor cared for Lady Xin more than he’d thought.

With six princes and three princesses in the court, Emperor Xingyuan didn’t strike the officials and nobles as a doting father.

Lady Xin held a special place in the emperor’s heart—this discovery made He Qingxiao happy for Xin You.

As the emperor’s confidant, he knew how crucial the emperor’s favor was.

Emperor Xingyuan, however, misunderstood He Qingxiao’s hesitation and said gently, "I know the Northern Pacification Office is swamped, but it can wait a day. I’ve seen your hard work, and it’s a good time for you to rest as well."

"Yes."

So He Qingxiao grabbed the gifts from Emperor Xingyuan and rode swiftly to the imperial tomb in light clothing.

The air was sharp with autumn, and the imperial tomb, nestled in the continuous mountains on the outskirts of the capital, was even more steeped in the season’s essence. Xin You, bundled in simple, heavy clothes, had just finished offering incense to Empress Xin and Aunt Xia, and stepped outside.

The area was silent, with endless rows of pines and cypresses stretching out. In the distance, layers of mountains were crowned by white clouds that covered half the sky.

Xin You stayed silent, and her followers, Qian Feng and safe and sound, were like shadows. Xiao Ba, bored out of his mind, perked up suddenly: "Master, look! Someone’s coming!"

Xin You glanced over and knew right away: "Lord He."

"Lord He’s here?" Xiao Ba leaned in, clapping, "It’s really him!"

As they spoke, a man and a horse approached.

Xin You walked quickly over, a smile unconsciously forming on her lips: "Lord He, why have you come?"

He Qingxiao arrived solo, hauling gifts and striding over: "His Majesty is concerned about Lady Xin and asked me to bring some things."

The imperial gifts weren’t about value or quantity, but their meaning. The two food boxes He Qingxiao brought were filled with fresh fruits and mooncakes, along with a pair of exquisite lanterns.

Xin You called out to Xiao Ba, who hurriedly took the things and went to put them away.

He Qingxiao first offered incense to Empress Xin, then walked with Xin You in the imperial tomb.

The imperial tomb was vast, empty, and quiet. The autumn wind recklessly lifted the hems of their clothes, and fallen leaves danced like withered butterflies.

He Qingxiao looked at the person walking beside him.

In the past month, he had been busy with the affairs of the Northern Pacification Office, and this was the first time they had met since that time. Lady Xin seemed even more serene, like a clear spring flowing from summer to autumn, gradually shedding its restlessness.

"Did Lady Xin not bring more people with her?" As they walked side by side, He Qingxiao’s tone was less formal than when Qian Feng and others were around.

"The imperial tomb is already guarded by government soldiers, and all matters are managed by specialists. There’s no need to bring more people." Xin You gently brushed off the fallen leaves on her sleeve, "When will Lord He return?"

He Qingxiao hesitated briefly before saying, "I’ll return early tomorrow morning."

Xin You’s eyes showed surprise: "Lord He’s staying over?"

He Qingxiao tried his best to appear nonchalant: "His Majesty wants me to stay with Lady Xin through Mid-Autumn before heading back."

Xin You looked down, her eyes following the leaves swirling in the wind, and silently swallowed the words that had reached her lips.

She had wanted to ask, "Is it just His Majesty’s order?" But then she thought better of it. For two people who couldn’t commit to each other, asking that would be pointless.

"It’s more fun with a crowd to enjoy the moon, but I’m afraid Lord He will have to endure eating vegetarian food with me."

He Qingxiao smiled: "I’m used to eating vegetarian anyway."

Xin You then inquired about the follow-up to Elder Deng’s case.

"This case has already dragged in hundreds, and it’s only growing."

After listening carefully, Xin You asked, "What did Deng Chongjing have to say about the 'Jun' mark?"

"He claimed he didn’t know," He Qingxiao paused, then added, "Even under torture, he stuck to his story. Given that Deng Chongjing quickly admitted to being the mastermind behind the snake poisoning attempt on you, he’s not exactly the tough type."

"So Deng Chongjing isn’t tied to Zhou Tong’s network."

Zhou Tong was the pawn who caused the death of Empress Xin, and the investigation had traced back to Lord Pei, but it was interrupted when Lord Pei was executed.

"Don’t worry, it’ll come out eventually," He Qingxiao’s words were not just empty comfort.

The officials His Majesty wanted him to investigate mostly came from powerful southern families. Most hadn’t been with Emperor Xingyuan from the start; they’d jumped on board once they saw he was gaining power. They had their share of political clashes, rivalries, and grudges, but they also shared common interests. These were interests they couldn’t just walk away from, as they were tied to centuries-old family legacies and countless descendants.

Now, Lady Xin was their shared enemy. As long as Lady Xin stayed in the game, they wouldn’t back down.

Night fell quickly, and unlike the vibrant and colorful palace, the imperial mausoleum was quiet and unadorned, with even the moonlight appearing more pure and cold.

Xin You offered her prayers to the moon, summoned Xiao Ba and the others to split the reunion cakes, and then climbed a high platform with He Qingxiao to quietly admire the moon.

A lone moon bathed the ground in a frosty glow.

He Qingxiao snuck a look at her as she gazed at the moon and suddenly remembered that day when she was feverish and murmured a line of poetry: "What a pity, the clear moon, with no one to lean on the tower together."

But that wasn’t the case. At least at this moment, this Mid-Autumn Festival, they were together admiring the moon.

The stress from endless arrests and interrogations melted away, leaving only joy and contentment.

The wind picked up, whipping their robes around and bringing a mountain chill.

"It’s getting chilly, let’s head back and turn in," He Qingxiao said, though he wished time could stop at this moment, his reason wouldn’t allow it.

Xin You hadn’t drunk any wine, nor was she feverish, and her reason was no less than the man beside her: "Yes, it’s time to rest."

As for where He Qingxiao would stay, there were many empty rooms, and Xin You instructed Xiao Ba to arrange it without further inquiry.

The next morning, Xin You saw He Qingxiao off, accompanied respectfully by the mausoleum supervisor. Before they had gone far, they saw a man riding a horse galloping towards them.

He Qingxiao slightly furrowed his brow.

The rider was from the Jinlin Guard—coming this early and in such a rush, something big must’ve happened.