Chapter 030 – Summon the Empress

Chapter 030 - Summon the Empress

Qin Yuanting was lying on the bed resting when the door suddenly burst open. "Commander!"

His eyes snapped open, and his feet slipped into black boots. He quickly wrapped himself in the clothes hanging from the screen, fastened the leather belt, and buckled it swiftly.

The metallic sound of the belt rings clashing echoed as Qin Yuanting put on his hat and gripped the sheath of his embroidered spring knife in one swift motion.

His subordinate always admired Qin Yuanting's fluid movements, but seeing him frown in displeasure, he finally regained his composure.

The subordinate clasped his hands and knelt on one knee before Commander Qin: "Today, the results were posted. Master Fu topped the autumn examinations and was viewing the imperial list when someone with a knife rushed out to assassinate him. Xiao Wu blocked Master Fu, and we, the Jinyiwei, moved to apprehend the attacker. However, the person turned and fled, shouting that Master Fu is our Lord's nephew and accusing the exams of being unfair."

Qin Yuanting grunted. Although he did not particularly like Fu Jiaze, he knew the young man's talents well. The Jinyiwei had specifically intervened in the imperial examinations to ensure fairness in the capital, never expecting someone to bring up the relationship between his godfather and Fu Jiaze to accuse the exams of being rigged.

"Send a message to my godfather," Qin Yuanting said. "Master Fu has been frightened. Let him return home first; we will handle the rest."

"But that might not be possible," the subordinate replied. "Although most of the candidates have left, those remaining heard that Master Fu is the Lord's nephew and are discussing exam fraud. The Northern City Military Command has already detained Master Fu. Third Prince is also present, insisting on a thorough investigation and public trial."

Qin Yuanting's brow furrowed deeply. Since the incident at Princess Mingrui's banquet, his godfather had been mentally prepared for this day. He never expected it to happen now, especially with Third Prince involved.

Is Third Prince trying to strengthen his claim to the throne or aiming to bring down the Lord?

Qin Yuanting thought quickly and instructed, "Send an urgent message. Ensure the Lord is prepared."

Regardless of Third Prince's intentions, this situation would be challenging. A fleeting thought crossed Qin Yuanting's mind: if not for Fu Jiaze being his godfather's nephew, none of this would have happened. First, his godfather intervened in court affairs for Fu Jiaze's fiancée's family, and now he must find a way to clear Fu Jiaze of the cheating scandal.

The crimson sleeves of his flying fish robe billowed as he rode his horse, surrounded by guards shouting, "Jinyiwei on official business! Clear the way!"

The sudden sound of galloping hooves and the guards' shouts made the crowd part to make way.

The crimson figure flashed past, leaving the people wondering what had happened. Which noble family was being raided by the Jinyiwei?

They soon arrived at the Northern City Military Command. Wen Hui and Lin Yingxue were consoling the tearful Fu Wanan, but she continued crying, ignoring them.

Lin Yingxue heard the commotion and saw Qin Yuanting. She immediately said to Fu Wanan, "Look who's here. Isn't this your brother?"

Lin Yingxue remembered meeting Fu Jiaze for the first time alongside Qin Yuanting. Since Qin Yuanting was Fu Bin's godson, he must have been looking after the Fu family these days. Perhaps Fu Wanan was more familiar with Commander Qin.

Fu Wanan was unfamiliar with the term "sister-in-law," even though her mother said she could trust Lin Yingxue. But Qin Yuanting was very familiar to her, having seen him every other day recently.

Qin Yuanting was also her elder brother, so Fu Wanan rushed over.

Seeing Fu Wanan run towards him, Qin Yuanting dismounted and took a few quick steps forward. He resisted the urge to step back and let the girl throw herself into his arms.

Fu Wanan's body trembled from crying too long, and her voice was hoarse as she looked up at Qin Yuanting. "Brother Qin, Mother and Brother were taken away. I'm scared."

Her tears soaked through Qin Yuanting's inner robe, making him feel uncomfortable.

The last time someone threw themselves into his arms was during a raid on a brothel. A courtesan had been dragged away in the chaos, and he had killed the troublemaker. The courtesan then threw herself into his arms, trembling just like Fu Wanan.

That courtesan had a slender figure and smelled of incense, while Fu Wanan had a faint scent of milk.

Qin Yuanting wondered why he was comparing the two but quickly dismissed the thought. He awkwardly patted Fu Wanan's back. "Don't cry. I know about this."

Qin Yuanting thought, why did Fu Heng also get caught up in this mess?

People nearby began whispering: "See? Before that lady was taken away, she told the girl to go with her sister-in-law. Now, seeing the Jinyiwei, she ran straight to him. That lady must be the Lord's sister."

"You're crazy! Knowing they're related to the Lord, you still dare to gossip? Afraid the Jinyiwei won't act?"

"What's there to fear? The exams are the foundation of the nation. Third Prince promised a thorough investigation. What's there to worry about? Maybe there won't be a Lord anymore, just a eunuch, and the Jinyiwei will be disbanded!"

"Hugging so tightly, are they betrothed? How can the girl be so shameless, hugging in broad daylight? Even if her husband is a Jinyiwei officer, she shouldn't do this in public."

Qin Yuanting's hand rested on Fu Wanan's back, while the other held his knife. He glanced at the crowd, and their murmurs ceased under his gaze.

Wen Hui and Lin Yingxue approached. Lin Yingxue apologized, "Mrs. Fu entrusted Fu Wanan to me, but she kept sobbing until she saw you."

Qin Yuanting acknowledged her words and tried to gently push Fu Wanan away, but she clung to him like an octopus, her red, teary eyes staring at him.

Fu Jiaze was indeed his godfather's nephew, but without any blood relation. This girl in his arms was truly his godfather's niece.

Qin Yuanting had no choice but to let her cling to him and asked, "Why was Mrs. Fu also arrested?"

Lin Yingxue explained, "After someone shouted about exam fraud, others came to arrest Master Fu. Third Prince appeared and promised a thorough investigation. Then someone accused Mrs. Fu of using her brother's influence to seize their wealth and asked Third Prince to intervene."

Qin Yuanting asked, "Do you know the identity of the accuser?"

"It was Mrs. Fu's former husband, Tian Youliang."

/

When Fu Bin received the news, he was delivering newly tributed glass screens to the Empress's palace.

He first learned that Fu Jiaze had been arrested, followed by his sister. Hearing about Third Prince's involvement, his eyes flickered as he looked towards Luanfeng Palace.

"I understand." Fu Bin dismissed the messenger, showing no change in expression, and continued delivering the screens to the Empress's palace.

Empress Jian Yunyao was reading a novel, finding it rather dull. Seeing Fu Bin approach, she set aside the book and examined the screens.

"Beautiful, but wouldn't it be better used elsewhere?"

Fu Bin looked at Jian Yunyao, hesitating.

Jian Yunyao noticed his expression and smiled. "What's wrong? Is there something you want to say?"

Fu Bin spoke softly, "I mentioned earlier that my nephew participated in the autumn examinations and ranked first today."

After the banquet at Princess Mingrui's, Fu Jiaze urged his uncle to reveal their relationship to the Empress. "If no one uses our connection against us in the exams, it's fine. But if they do, we'll need the Empress's support."

Without Fu Jiaze's insight into the Emperor and the Fourth Prince's minds, Fu Bin might not have acted as requested. The Emperor and Empress's relationship was strained, and the Emperor often showed disdain for the Empress. Fu Bin thought that if not for the Empress's warrior brother, she might have been deposed. As for himself, he was the Emperor's most trusted servant, even commanding the Jinyiwei. He wondered if he should bypass the Emperor and speak to the Empress.

Because of the incident with Wen Hui, Fu Jiaze demonstrated his ability to gauge people's intentions, ultimately convincing Fu Bin to follow his nephew's advice. Unconsciously, he spoke about his connection with Fu Jiaze to the Empress.

Jian Yunyao looked at Fu Bin with a half-smile and asked, "What’s the matter? What happened?"

Fu Bin lifted his robe and knelt before Jian Yunyao. "Empress, my nephew is unparalleled in his talents and has a natural gift. He doesn’t need to cheat to win; I had the Jinyiwei guard the examination hall out of fear that there might be cheating in the capital city. Now someone is deliberately slandering him."

Jian Yunyao looked at Fu Bin and suddenly said, "Is it the Third Prince who intervened?"

Fu Bin was startled and bowed his head. "The Third Prince, upon hearing rumors of unfairness in the imperial examinations, declared that he would investigate the truth."

Hearing this, Jian Yunyao pondered many things. The child she had raised under her care was finally showing his ambition, aiming for that position. However, he did not realize that Emperor Chengde had his own considerations.

If she were unaware of this, it would be one thing, but now that she knew, she had to make a statement. It was also an opportunity to warn the Third Prince and prevent him from becoming a target for the emperor.

Jian Yunyao stood up and extended her hand to Fu Bin. "Is His Majesty in the study?"

Fu Bin took Jian Yunyao’s hand. He had held the hands of other favored concubines, all of which were delicate and soft. Only the Empress was different; her hand was not soft but had a thin layer of calluses, reminding him of Fu Jiaze. His nephew, skilled with the bow and arrow, also had calluses on his fingers from drawing the bowstring.