Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C129

More than just injured; she was injured quite a bit.

Her originally snow-white and tender skin was now covered with patches of green and purple. Her arms, back, waist, legs, and even feet bore marks. Some were still red, while others had already turned into bluish-purple bruises.

Especially on her back, there was a bluish-purple patch the size of an adult man's palm, with faint broken skin oozing blood.

Emperor Qianwu felt a fire rising in his heart, and the person in his mind didn't stop, clamoring for death, death, death, death, death, death!

As if that wasn't enough, 'he' became agitated and fought with him for control of his body, leaving Emperor Qianwu struggling and somewhat flustered.

With great difficulty, he suppressed 'him,' and then he used his fingers to touch her injuries, one by one.

She couldn't help but feel the pain, and tears welled up in her eyes again. She gasped softly, saying it hurt, looking both pitiful and lovable.

He coaxed, "You need to feel carefully to know if any bones are injured."

Indeed, he not only touched but also asked her what kind of pain it was, as pain on the skin and pain in the bones were different.

[Could you be gentler? Can't you see she's crying?]

[She's already in so much pain. Why are you asking her what kind of pain it is? How could she distinguish between the two?]

[You're not as good at feeling for injuries as I am. Let me do it.]

Emperor Qianwu held back and said, [You are good at it, but can you control your hands and feet?]

[Why can't I control my own hands and feet?]

He simply switched to 'him,' but as soon as 'he' started, she gasped even louder and shrank back, trying to hide.

Ji Yang immediately stopped and switched back to him.

Emperor Qianwu said, [I told you, you're clumsy.]

[Wushuang is mine. Don't think I don't know you lust after her body.]

Emperor Qianwu's expression was gloomy. Seeing that 'he' didn't dwell on it, he knew that 'he' had probably just said it casually, without much thought.

Having finally confirmed that there were no bone injuries, only superficial wounds, Mei Wushuang was already overwhelmed with fright and utterly exhausted. She fell into a deep sleep, and even in her slumber, she clutched at the corner of his robe, refusing to let go.

Helpless, Emperor Qianwu could only allow her to sleep on his lap, covering her with his cloak. He then summoned Li Xin and Lu Xiuping.

As Lu Xiuping entered, the first thing he saw was the half-hidden mass of raven hair upon His Majesty's lap.

He dared not look further and hastily knelt down, following Li Xin.

Li Xin clasped his fist in salute and said, "This case occurred within the jurisdiction of the Eastern City. We, your subjects, have failed in our duty!"

Emperor Qianwu waved his hand dismissively. "Enough. Spare me these useless words."

Only then did Li Xin speak. "The incident occurred near Anhua Temple. This area has many temples, and many secluded places. The bandits took advantage of this to drive the carriage there to commit their crime. Because we have not yet questioned the Madam about the details, we temporarily lack useful information. However, the carriage belongs to the Duke Zhao's Mansion."

He paused, then added, "Furthermore, Madam was found by Vice Envoy Lu, who also dispatched men to locate the scene of the crime."

Li Xin's words were clearly intended to help Lu Xiuping gain merit. Lu Xiuping immediately recounted the situation in detail.

Previously, Lu Xiuping had felt that Li Xin was too rigid in his work, forcing him to patrol the streets. But now, he sincerely felt that patrolling the streets was a good thing; patrolling the streets could also bring merit.

For scions of noble families like him, their status seemed lofty, but unfortunately, there were many children in the family, and only a rare few could catch His Majesty's eye. Now, he was one of those rare few.

"Just now, this Emperor asked her, and the assailant who died was the coachman," Emperor Qianwu said after listening.

Just now, while tending to her injuries, he had also inquired about what had happened. Although she was overly frightened and somewhat incoherent, she had managed to explain the general situation.

Emperor Qianwu was grateful that the other party's methods were extremely clumsy, actually using the coachman to commit the crime.

Precisely because of this, the loyal maidservant was able to use the terrain to fight the assailant, even entangling him until she smashed him from behind with several stools, killing him on the spot.

At the same time, he also felt remorseful for his own negligence. He had not sent anyone to protect her, only thinking of giving her status and favor, making others afraid to touch her, believing that his accumulated power was sufficient. He had already cleaned up the previous dynasty and the inner palace, but he had forgotten that there would always be fools who recklessly provoked the tiger's whiskers.

Li Xin's expression turned serious, and he said, "This subordinate will immediately send men to the Duke Zhao's Mansion."

Emperor Qianwu nodded. "This case does not need to be handed over to the Capital City's Magistrate office, nor does it need to be handed over to the Court of Judicial Affairs. You will investigate it."

"Yes."

***

The midday sun hung high.

Usually, after lunch, it was time for a midday nap, but the arrival of men from the Five Cities Military Commission disturbed the entire Duke Zhao's Mansion.

Although the newcomers did not surround the entire mansion, they were exceptionally impolite upon arrival. First, they closed all the gates, then sealed the stables, and summoned the servants for questioning.

If it had only been men from the Five Cities Military Commission, it would have been one thing, but it was Li Xin who came.

This was a man openly known to be a confidant of His Majesty.

During the palace coup of that year, Li Xin had rendered meritorious service, which was how he ascended to the position of Deputy Commander. Seemingly, the position of Deputy Commander of the Eastern City Military Commission was inconspicuous, but everyone knew that the person behind him was His Majesty, His Majesty's eyes and ears in the outer city, making him the de facto leader of the Five Cities Military Commission.

So, what good could come of his visit?

Only after questioning did he learn that Mei shi had been attacked and nearly killed, and the incident occurred in the Zhao family's carriage, with the assailant being a Zhao family coachman.

Zhao Rui was completely stunned.

Fortunately, he did not lose his composure and immediately asked if Lady Fengtian was safe.

Li Xin glanced at him and said, "The Madam's life is not in danger, but she has suffered serious injuries."

Zhao Rui breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that she hadn't died. If she had... he dared not think further. He immediately put on an act of allowing the Five Cities Military Commission to investigate as they pleased. Then, he found an excuse to leave, and only after he went down did he reveal his exasperation, summoning all those he thought might have been involved for questioning.

In the end, even Zhao Rui was unsure if anyone in his household had taken action.

The first suspect was Chen shi, followed by Zhao Jianzhi and Chen Yunshang. Actually, it was mainly Chen Yunshang. Zhao Rui feared that this woman might be consumed by jealousy and act without considering the consequences.

But when he summoned them, they all protested their innocence, claiming they wanted to act but lacked the courage.

Chen Yunshang, weeping bitterly, said, "If she was murdered, and it was our aunt and niece who did it, Uncle, please be discerning. Who would be foolish enough to act in their own carriage? Wouldn't that be a blatant admission of guilt?"

Zhao Rui also knew this principle, but he was flustered, and he had little faith in the intelligence of his wife and niece.

At this moment, the Housekeeper ran in and said, "The men from the Five Cities Military Commission sought out Zhuzi, only to find that Zhuzi had been knocked unconscious and tied up at home. It seems the thief deliberately impersonated the coachman. This humble one has also examined the corpse, and the thief is not from our mansion."

This was good news.

For ordinary families, this would at least temporarily clear their name. But the Zhao family was no ordinary family. They already had old grievances with the current Emperor, and now such a thing had happened. If someone were to interfere and frame the Zhao family, or if His Majesty wanted to take the opportunity to punish the Zhao family...

In short, Zhao Rui thought of many things and was temporarily at a loss. He could only have someone bring silver and silver notes, hoping to smooth things over and then act according to circumstances.

Zhao Rui's worries were not unfounded.

Often, the execution of a command from above is left to those below.

And whether the person involved can find solace depends entirely on the actions of those little devils below. They don't need grand schemes; simply seizing an opportunity to make things difficult is enough to cause suffering.

Although, on the surface, it seemed the Zhao family wasn't responsible, they did have a motive.

In light of this, Li Xin ordered that the Zhao family was temporarily forbidden from freely entering or leaving their home. Considering the Zhao family's reputation, and not wanting the matter to become a city-wide scandal, he didn't order the mansion sealed. Instead, he sent several squads from the Five Cities Military Commission to guard the gates, preventing anyone from entering or leaving.

Li Xin believed he had handled the matter quite appropriately, but little did he know that this action caused the Zhao family considerable hardship.

A large mansion with hundreds of people required a substantial amount of food and drink daily. Normally, someone would be sent out specifically for purchasing supplies, but now, with everyone confined, that was halted.

At first, there were vegetables to eat, but later, even vegetables became scarce. They had to bribe the soldiers guarding the gates. The soldiers, after receiving silver, would allow one or two people to leave, but only after subjecting them to all sorts of difficulties and humiliations.

Knowing the Zhao family's predicament, these soldiers showed no mercy in exploiting them.

They accepted the silver but only fulfilled half of their promises. If questioned, they would use the excuse that they were acting under orders from above. The Zhao family didn't dare to confront the soldiers, fearing they might become impulsive and attack, falsely accusing them of resisting orders, leaving them with no recourse for justice even in death.

This was the plight of a phoenix fallen into the mud, worth less than a chicken. Having offended the Emperor, the most exalted of men, no one needed to deal with you personally; the little devils below were enough to cause endless misery. Everyone dared to take advantage, and no one cared.

Chen shi, who used to scold Mei shi daily for being shameless and pretentious, stopped after eating plain congee for two days. Now that the entire household was confined within the mansion, with no way to cry to the heavens or beg from the earth, she finally understood the benefit of keeping her daughter-in-law at home.

Just as the Zhao family was plunged into anxious unease, Wushuang was recuperating in Rouyi Hall.

She was overly frightened and, after returning to the palace, had the imperial physician prescribe medicine. After resting well for two days, she finally regained some vitality, but she was still frequently startled awake at night, needing to be held. Moreover, whenever she thought of Meifang, she would dissolve into tears.

After a few more days, she recovered slightly and began to inquire about who was behind the attempt on her life.

When this matter was mentioned, Emperor Qianwu's expression turned unpleasant.

Besides the Five Cities Military Commission investigating, he had also secretly ordered his own investigation, but they had yet to find the real culprit.

The assailant left no clues, from the body to the clothes worn, to the weapon used. He was just an ordinary person. A portrait had been posted in the name of a notorious thief, with a substantial reward offered, but no one had been able to provide useful information.

The case had become a mystery. The only connection was the Zhao family, but the Zhao family's coachman had indeed been knocked unconscious at home, and this person had deliberately impersonated him.

"It shouldn't be the Zhao family."

By now, Wushuang had come to understand the Zhao family somewhat. Zhao Jianzhi had not responded to the divorce matter, clearly indicating he did not want a divorce.

Why not divorce? The reason was obvious. How could the Zhao family ruin her temporary shelter?

She was merely stating a fact, but in Emperor Qianwu's ears, it became that she was intentionally pleading for the Zhao family.

"Are you pleading for the Zhao family?"

Wushuang was stunned. She didn't quite understand his thoughts. If he was annoyed by the mention of Zhao Jianzhi, she could understand it as a man's natural disposition, but why was he also annoyed by the mention of the Zhao family?

"It's not beneficial for the Zhao family to attack me."

She thought she was telling the truth and explaining that she was not pleading for the Zhao family. Who knew that he would immediately darken his face, stand up, and leave?

He didn't go far, just went to sit in a large chair not far away.

She watched him from afar, seeing his eyes half-lowered, unable to discern his expression. She felt a little flustered and a little aggrieved.

These past few days, she had been injured, and he had been quite affectionate towards her. He personally applied and administered the medicine, and they slept in the same bed at night. The two of them already had that kind of relationship, and the care and application of medicine were especially tender and intimate, adding a bit of indescribable sweetness.

But everything had been fine, they were just talking, and then his face changed again.

Wushuang immediately felt that the ruler's emotions were unpredictable. She could never figure out his thoughts and could only carefully coax him. Thinking about her own experiences, the fright she had suffered, and the death of Meifang, she felt an added sense of self-pity.

There was also a strange anger in her heart. She didn't go over, lowering her eyes and saying, "This concubine has stayed in the palace for quite some time. It's not appropriate to stay here all the time. It's time to leave the palace, so as to avoid the officials criticizing Your Majesty."

A soft cracking sound rang out. Emperor Qianwu raised his eyes to look over, then suddenly shifted his gaze, abruptly raising his hand and throwing the object in his hand to the ground.

She didn't know what he had thrown, only hearing a few crisp sounds as it landed. Wushuang was startled, and tears were already glistening in her eyes.

Fusheng heard the commotion and hurriedly walked in.

"Your Majesty?"

"Send her out of the palace."

Everything had been fine, what was going on? Fusheng was completely bewildered.

Wushuang didn't say anything, lowered her head, gave him a slight bow, and then went down.

Saying she was leaving the palace, how could it be so simple?

The Zhao family was still sealed up, wasn't it necessary to lift the seal? Madam had been recuperating in the palace these past few days, the food, clothing, and medicine she needed to drink and apply also had to be taken away.

That's right, she also needs to bring a few palace maids. Now that her personal handmaidens are gone, how could she possibly be without attendants? Since someone wants to harm Madam, she must also bring some guards.

Emperor Qianwu, in his anger, dismissed it with a single sentence.

Fusheng, however, couldn't just ignore the matter and send her out of the palace. What would happen if something went wrong?

In short, after all the commotion, by the time Wushuang left the palace, she not only had two carriages accompanying her, but also several palace maids and more than a dozen guards.

As this grand procession left the palace, the many concubines of the harem finally breathed a sigh of relief.

As for the Zhao family, they were overjoyed to suddenly see the soldiers withdraw. Only after inquiring did they learn that Madam was returning to the mansion. Of course, not the Zhao family's Madam, but Lady Fengtian.

Regardless of the Zhao family's state of mind, Wushuang returned to her residence after many days of separation. Seeing everything as it was, yet not as it was, a particular sense of sorrow welled up in her heart.

Then, thinking of their previous quarrel and his angry expression, she felt a sense of bewilderment in addition to her sorrow.

The palace maid who came with her was the one who always attended to her, named Linglong.

Linglong's efficiency was beyond question. Without Wushuang needing to say much, she organized everything in the small courtyard in a logical and orderly manner.

When it was time for dinner, Wushuang had no appetite. After Linglong's persuasion, she ate a few bites and then rested.

Before going to sleep, she had to apply medicine. Looking at the bruises on her arm, and then at the familiar medicine bottle in Linglong's hand, Wushuang seemed to think of something, and her expression became slightly gloomy.

At this moment, a commotion arose outside the door.

Linglong turned to see what was happening, and a gust of wind accompanied that tall figure as he walked in.

Wushuang was stunned on the spot, looking at him in his black robe.

"Your Majesty, why have you come?"