Phoenix Cries Return to Court

Zhaohua Pavilion has recently become a place that everyone in the Minister's mansion fears and avoids at all costs.

Because Lady Wen had contracted smallpox, everyone in the Minister's mansion was in danger.

He Guangzheng specifically ordered a secluded path to be opened up on the west side of Zhaohua Pavilion, exclusively for the servants on duty inside the pavilion to buy groceries and go out to get medicine.

Meanwhile, Huan'er, Tao Qingqing's trusted maid, has become completely addicted to the card table ever since she won a fortune at the "gambling den" in the woodshed that night.

He received the reward money from Tao Qingqing every day, but had no intention of keeping watch. Every night, he would go straight to the woodshed, and in the morning he would basically spend his time catching up on sleep under the shade of the trees outside Zhaohua Pavilion.

In order to convince Tao Qingqing that she had indeed fulfilled her duties, Huan'er would deliberately embellish her reports each time, describing Zhaohua Pavilion as a "hell on earth."

"Miss, you have no idea how terrifying Zhaohua Pavilion is. All day long, there are Wen's coughs and painful groans, as well as the strong smell of medicine. Every now and then, the nannies bring out several basins of filthy clothes soaked with pus and blood. The other day, I tried to get close to one of the nannies, and she quietly told me that Wen's whole body is now covered with red pustules, which are festering and oozing pus. It's quite a horrifying sight, and it looks like she won't last much longer."

She spoke vividly, but fearing that Tao Qingqing might become suspicious, she added, "This servant has been guarding outside the pavilion until late at night every day, not missing the slightest sound, and indeed I haven't seen anything unusual. It seems that Madam Wen is truly terminally ill and no longer able to cause any trouble."

Tao Qingqing had been hoping for something to happen to the Wen family sooner, and after hearing Huan'er's words, her guard gradually lowered.

Remembering the dangers of smallpox, he was even more unwilling to be associated with this bad luck. Gradually, he simply stopped asking questions and only instructed Huan'er to check on him occasionally and report back immediately if anything unusual happened.

Lin Xihe's days gradually became much more comfortable.

Now that she had all the indentures of the people in the courtyard under her control, she was certain they wouldn't cause any trouble, so she could come and go in disguise every day without worry.

The days passed by.

……

After a light spring rain, the weather was cold for a few days, and then suddenly it warmed up.

Inside the East Palace.

A stack of books lay open on the desk. Lin Xihe sat upright in a rosewood armchair beside her, wearing a lake-blue floral dress with a beaded tassel around her waist. Her black hair was loosely tied up, and a white jade hairpin was inserted in her hair, making her temperament even more aloof.

But at this moment, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes were filled with gloom. She frowned and stared at the man in front of her who was scratching his head and cheeks like a monkey while looking at his book.

Fu Chen rested his chin on one hand and held a calligraphy brush in the other, leaning against the table with his eyes darting around as if the slightest sound could steal his soul.

There was a copy of "Three Words and Two Slaps" in front of him, but his mind had already flown out the window. He would sometimes bring the brush to his nose to smell it, and sometimes he would poke the black characters on the page with his fingertip.

Lin Xihe watched all this, seething with anger, and finally couldn't help but sigh, saying helplessly, "Stop dawdling there!"

She stepped forward slowly, suppressing the urge to strike, and said in a gentle voice, "Come, Your Highness. Let's practice this calligraphy first, calm our minds, and then we can write the essay."

Fu Chen took the calligraphy copybook and sighed inwardly. Finally, he didn't have to use his brain anymore, and he felt much more relaxed.

Lin Xihe was about to say a few words of advice when she saw a servant rushing in.

"Your Highness, the Junior Grand Secretary requests an audience."

Fu Chen's eyes lit up, and he was about to throw down the calligraphy brush in his hand when he was startled by Lin Xi and a sharp glare, and he shrank back.

"Your Highness, I presume the young Grand Secretary isn't here to see you. You should focus on your writing. Make sure you finish practicing this calligraphy before I return."

Lin Xi hurriedly said a few words and went out to greet him.

She knew that Shen Jueyan's visit must be because there was progress in the Dongzhu case.

Shen Jueyan was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe today, with dark cloud and crane patterns embroidered on the collar, a jade belt around her waist, and her black hair tied up high with a jade hairpin.

Judging from her figure, she seems even thinner now.

Upon seeing Lin Xihe approaching in a hurry, he looked grave and quickly went to greet her.

"But is there any progress in the Dongzhu case?" Lin Xihe asked anxiously.

Shen Jueyan nodded.

The two then moved indoors for a detailed discussion.

Shen Jueyan got straight to the point, saying, "The source of the powder has not yet been determined, but the lead used in the shot put came from lead mines under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War in the suburbs of Beijing."

It turns out it really is connected to the Ministry of War!

Thinking of this, Lin Xihe's heart sank, and he said thoughtfully, "This matter is tricky. The Ministry of War is in charge of all the weapons and armor in the country, and lead mines are of paramount importance, as they are related to the manufacture of military equipment. If we investigate in the name of the Cabinet, we will definitely alert the enemy."

Shen Jueyan nodded. "That's exactly what I considered, which is why I rushed here."

"So what does the young Grand Secretary mean..." Lin Xihe raised his eyes, and as their eyes met, a thought struck them, and they instantly understood.

Just as the two were about to discuss further detailed countermeasures, a series of snores broke the silence in the hall.

Lin Xihe took a deep breath, suppressed her anger, and strode into the inner room.

Seeing this, Shen Jueyan quickly followed.

Fu Chen was lying on the desk, his head resting on his arm, a trace of drool on the corner of his mouth, fast asleep.

The calligraphy copybook she had personally handed him was still neatly placed aside, without a single character written on it.

Lin Xihe was so angry she laughed. She slowly walked out of the room, quietly called over a palace servant, and gave him a few instructions.

Before long, several palace servants quietly entered, carrying hemp rope, jade thread, and small awls.

Lin Xi gave a wink, and the palace servants understood. They cautiously stepped forward and surrounded Fu Chen.

After a series of swift actions, the palace servants quietly retreated to the side.

Lin Xihe walked slowly to the desk, looked at Fu Chen's peaceful sleeping face, cleared her throat, and coughed loudly twice.

Fu Chen suddenly woke up with a start. He blinked groggily and was about to stand up.

First, his scalp tightened, and then, with a flick of his wrist, the jade thread wrapped around his wrist was pulled tight, causing the silver awl on his hem to sway gently. The cool tip of the awl brushed against his side, and a tingling, stinging pain spread from his waist to his abdomen.

Lin Xihe smiled faintly, took a board of thick iron nails from the palace servant, and placed it not far to Fu Chen's left.

The dense array of iron nails pointed upwards, gleaming coldly.

Now, if he tries to fall asleep right away, those nails will pierce his face.

Fu Chen froze, looked around, and when he realized his situation, the sleepiness on his face vanished instantly.

Lin Xihe smiled at the person in front of her and said leisurely, "Since Your Highness is so sleepy, I can only help you to refresh yourself and put into practice the ancient teaching of 'hanging your head from the beam and pricking your thigh with an awl'."