Chapter 69: The Last Act of Mercy

Xiao Luzi, under the pretense of sudden death, was simply handed over directly to the steward eunuchs. He was just a lowly eunuch, a life so cheap that none would bother to care. I couldn’t help but wonder, if I had truly died that day, would my fate have been any different? Would I simply have ended up as a corpse abandoned in the wilderness?

Returning with Lanyan, we were to report back to Zhang Bitong. Lanyan was about to enter, but I stopped her, kneeling right at the doorway.

Zhang Bitong spoke, “Xiao Xiaozi, you did well to expose Xiao Luzi. I wronged you before—all because that wretched Xiao Luzi deceived me and led me to think you were the traitor. You’ve suffered much these past days. Do you bear any resentment towards me?”

I quickly kowtowed. “Your Highness, I am grateful—there is no time for resentment. I understand that, given the circumstances of that day, anyone would have believed I was the traitor. The evidence was stacked against me, and I could not refute it. Yet, Your Highness gave me a chance, allowed my name to be cleared, and for that, I thank you.”

A kindly expression softened Zhang Bitong’s face. “You have always known where your loyalties lie, and you have long been in my good graces. Were the bodies properly disposed of? No one asked any questions, I hope?”

I nodded. “Everything went smoothly.”

“Good. Xiao Xiaozi, you have rendered great service. Come inside to speak—no need to kneel out here.”

“I will remain outside to await your orders. After all, I just carried Xiao Luzi’s body. To be safe, I should keep my distance for now. I am fine, but Your Highness must not suffer any mishap. Soon I will burn some mugwort leaves and then bathe. If I remain well after a few days, I will return to serve you at close quarters.”

Zhang Bitong appeared satisfied and turned to Yunqing. “This Xiao Xiaozi is a talent worth cultivating. You should train him well.”

“Yes, Your Highness!” Yunqing replied, then turned to me and Lanyan. “You two should go bathe now. I will handle matters here.”

“Thank you, Auntie!”

I was about to withdraw when I heard Lanyan say, “Your Highness, although Xiao Luzi died suddenly, there is still someone else to consider!”

Zhang Bitong looked puzzled. “What do you mean? Speak plainly.”

“Yes,” Lanyan answered. “The day Xiao Xiaozi was falsely accused, it wasn’t just Xiao Luzi—there was also Hongxiu! Your Highness, she was so insistent in accusing Xiao Xiaozi. Perhaps she, too, was bribed and should not be taken lightly.”

Hongxiu. I had considered dragging her down as well; it would be all too easy to take my revenge now. But I could not let it appear that I was motivated by spite, nor seem intent on eliminating my enemies. My exposure of Xiao Luzi was made to seem accidental, not deliberate. If I were to point to Hongxiu myself, it would be too obvious, and once word spread, it would only harm me.

Yet now, with Lanyan raising the issue unexpectedly, it suited me perfectly. I didn’t need to destroy Hongxiu, but if she was implicated, so be it.

Zhang Bitong said, “You have a point. I nearly forgot about Hongxiu. Yunqing, summon her for me. I have questions to ask.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Yunqing left, returning shortly with Hongxiu in tow. Realizing why she’d been summoned, Hongxiu immediately fell to her knees beside me.

“Your Highness, I am innocent!”

Zhang Bitong sneered, “Innocent? I haven’t said a word yet, and already you plead your case? Are you confessing without coercion? Tell me, did that wretch bribe you as well?”

Hongxiu shook her head. “Please believe me, Your Highness, I accepted nothing. I only spoke the truth that day. I really did see Tan Pin’s maid Xiaojing approach Xiao Xiaozi. I dare not lie.”

Hongxiu had, indeed, not lied, but out of malice toward me, she claimed to have seen things she could not have. Given the way Xiaojing and I met, there was no way Hongxiu could have seen Xiaojing slip me a jade bracelet. She merely followed Xiao Luzi’s lead.

“At this point, still lying? A search will reveal all! Your Highness, allow me!” Lanyan volunteered.

“Very well, go ahead!”

“No, Your Highness, I beg you, I truly did not betray you!” Hongxiu wept and pleaded, but Zhang Bitong would not heed her.

Lanyan rose, shot Hongxiu a triumphant look, and went to search her room.

“Yunqing, go with her and see for yourself.”

“Yes!”

In a short while, we all gathered at the side courtyard. Lanyan went into Hongxiu’s room, but Hongxiu clung to her leg, begging, “Please, I beg you!”

“Hmph, if you’ve done nothing wrong, what are you afraid of?” Lanyan kicked her aside, sending her crashing into a pillar. Blood trickled from her brow, and her hair fell disheveled.

Lanyan entered and threw Hongxiu’s belongings to the ground, tearing them open one by one. She searched the entire room, finding only a few bits of silver, nothing more.

This result did not surprise me. I’d long suspected Hongxiu hadn’t been bribed by Lin Tanwei; her actions sprang from her own discontent toward me.

Yet, Hongxiu’s demeanor was not that of someone with nothing to hide. Clearly, something else was troubling her.

Thinking this, I examined the scattered belongings more closely. Beneath a garment, I caught sight of a corner of icy blue silk.

I stepped forward and pulled out the fabric.

“Stop!” Hongxiu suddenly shrieked at me, her face contorted with fury.

“What could be so precious?” Lanyan strode over and snatched it up. It was just a handkerchief, nothing special, save for a bloodstain on the blue silk.

“What’s so special about a handkerchief?” Lanyan twirled it in her hand. “Unless it belongs to your sweetheart?”

She might have a point. The handkerchief clearly meant a great deal to Hongxiu. She feared nothing else being found, only this piece of cloth.

“Since it’s nothing special, let’s give it back to her,” I said, having already memorized the pattern. There was no use keeping it.

“Did you find anything?” Yunqing asked from the side.

Lanyan sounded reluctant. “Auntie, nothing was found. Maybe she hid things elsewhere?”

“We’ve searched everywhere. Enough—bring her to Her Highness for judgment.”

“Yes!”

Hongxiu was dragged back to kneel outside Zhang Bitong’s chambers. Now, she neither wept nor protested her innocence.

“Even if nothing was found, that doesn’t mean she’s mine. I dare not repeat past mistakes. Yunqing, what do you think should be done?”

Yunqing was about to speak when I stepped forward. “Your Highness, I have something to say.”

“Xiao Xiaozi? What is it? Don’t worry, I will see justice done for you.”

“I know Your Highness will be fair. But this is not about justice for myself, but a fact. That day, Tan Pin sent Xiaojing to me to make it appear that I had betrayed you. I saw the jade bracelet, yes, but did not accept it. However, Xiaojing sought me out at the gates of Cuiwei Palace, right where Hongxiu could see. I believe Xiaojing did this on purpose—to have a witness who was not in Tan Pin’s employ. So, Hongxiu did not lie; she told only what she saw. Furthermore, Lanyan searched just now and found no gold or silver in her possession.”

Zhang Bitong looked puzzled. “She once harmed you, yet now you defend her?”

I answered calmly, “I defend no one. I only speak the truth.”

Zhang Bitong asked Yunqing, “What do you think?”

Yunqing replied, “I believe Xiao Xiaozi is not lying. There is no evidence Hongxiu was bribed by Tan Pin. Perhaps she is innocent. She should remain in the palace, but with Xiao Luzi’s incident in mind, Your Highness should be cautious. It would be best for Hongxiu to continue working in the side courtyard and not serve at the front.”

Zhang Bitong nodded. “That is prudent. So be it. Hongxiu, you may go.”

“Yes!”

“You two may go as well.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Lanyan and I returned to the side courtyard, where we found Hongxiu still kneeling, clutching the handkerchief. When she saw us, she quickly hid it away and began gathering her clothes. The garments, tossed into the snowmelt, were already soaked and filthy.

“Leave her be. She got what she deserved for betraying others at the crucial moment,” Lanyan said, heading inside.

I approached and squatted down.

“Get away from me. I don’t need your help,” Hongxiu snapped.

“You’re mistaken. I’m not here to help. I want you to know that if you harm others, you too will be harmed. Sister Hongxiu, do you really believe Xiao Luzi died of natural causes?”

Hongxiu looked up sharply at me, her hair falling in disarray across her face.

I stood and added, “Better air out your bedding, or you’ll catch cold tonight.”

Having startled her thus, I hoped she would henceforth be wary of me. This was my last time letting her go.

As I was about to enter the house, someone called my name. It was Jiang Xuan, standing not far away.

“Your servant greets the Ninth Prince.”

“Your servant greets the Ninth Prince,” Hongxiu echoed, turning to kneel before Jiang Xuan.

He glanced at the disheveled Hongxiu, then looked to me. “Xiao Xiaozi, come with me.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

I followed Jiang Xuan outside Cuiwei Palace. He asked, “Xiao Luzi is dead?”

“Yes. He died suddenly.”

“Right after your name was cleared.”

“Yes. I was lucky, all thanks to Your Highness.”

“You still say such things before me?” he said.

“I wouldn’t dare!”

“Congratulations,” Jiang Xuan suddenly said.

I looked up in surprise.

“Twelve days.”

“Pardon? I don’t understand.”

“It took you twelve days to clear your name, Xiao Xiaozi.”

For a moment, I didn’t know what to say. Jiang Xuan must have seen through everything. With someone like him, it was best to show no cunning at all.

“Your Highness is wise.”

“I am not wise—you are. It seems you were right not to stay in my palace. But let me give you a word of advice: in the harem, always remember to keep yourself in check. Now, return. I have a chess game with my third brother.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

I watched Jiang Xuan depart, then turned to see Lin Tanwei approaching gracefully.