Chapter Thirty-Three: The Unexpected

“So late at night, inviting Your Majesty—would that not disturb the imperial rest? I believe the matter is not so simple.” Eunuch Mingde heard Hanyue’s words and shook his head ever so slightly. Hanyue was young and inexperienced, but he himself was not. Having served in the palace for many years, he was well-acquainted with the character of every official and thoroughly versed in all the palace’s protocols. If it were not an urgent matter, no official would dare come at such an hour.

“Very well, have him wait in the side chamber of my sleeping quarters. I will go at once.” Upon hearing Eunuch Mingde’s words, Feng Yewu’s brows knitted together in concern. She quickly urged Hanyue to help her prepare.

Reading the expression on Feng Yewu’s face, Hanyue immediately understood this was no time for jest and hastened to tidy up Feng Yewu’s appearance.

Moments later, Feng Yewu arrived at the side chamber, where the Prime Minister had already been waiting for some time, his face clouded with distress.

“What is it, Prime Minister? Tonight should have been your daughter’s joyful wedding night. Why do you look so sorrowful?” Feng Yewu’s voice was calm as she inquired, for she did not believe the Prime Minister was merely grieved at parting with his daughter. If this were truly such a trivial matter, the Prime Minister would be unworthy of his post.

“Your Majesty, I fear my daughter was not destined to become a royal consort.” At Feng Yewu’s words, the Prime Minister collapsed, unable to contain his grief, and sobbed uncontrollably upon the floor.

“What has happened? Bring a seat for the Prime Minister. Compose yourself and tell me the reason for your sorrow.” At the sight of the Prime Minister’s misery, Feng Yewu sensed something grave had occurred. Her first thought was of Prince Pingyi—could he have acted against the Prime Minister’s daughter?

“Your Majesty, after attending the banquet with my daughter, we returned home in high spirits,” the Prime Minister began, struggling to compose himself as he accepted the chair Hanyue brought. After steadying himself, he continued, “Upon our return, I immediately set about arranging her dowry and readying her trousseau. Just as all was nearly prepared, my daughter was suddenly stricken with unbearable pain and died of illness.”

“Died of illness?” Feng Yewu was taken aback. She had seen the Prime Minister’s daughter at the banquet—though she had not observed her closely, her bearing and countenance in no way suggested lingering sickness. That she should perish so suddenly seemed too great a coincidence.

“Did you have anyone examine her? Was it truly illness?” Feng Yewu pressed the Prime Minister for confirmation.

“At first, I could not believe it either,” the Prime Minister replied. “When my daughter fell ill, I summoned physicians at once. Their verdict was indeed death by illness.” He, too, had found the circumstances suspicious; otherwise, he would not have waited so long before seeking out Feng Yewu. Countless coroners had examined the body—all agreed she died from heart failure, a natural malady.

“Had your daughter ever suffered from such complaints before? Any signs or symptoms?” Feng Yewu felt there was something out of the ordinary and asked after the young woman’s health.

“My daughter has always been carefully cherished, treated as a precious jewel. She has had every comfort, and her health has always been robust. I have never noticed any illness,” the Prime Minister replied after a moment’s thought.

“If she was never ill before, why did this episode of pain prove fatal?” Now Feng Yewu was certain—the Prime Minister’s daughter’s death was no accident. Yet, seeing the man’s heartbreaking sorrow, she believed that, no matter what connections the Prime Minister might have had with Prince Pingyi, he would never sacrifice his own child. Besides, in this arranged marriage, the Prime Minister had been the most delighted of all.

Could it truly be Prince Pingyi’s doing? The more Feng Yewu pondered, the more she sensed dark undercurrents at work. After consoling the Prime Minister as best she could, she returned to her chambers.

“Your Majesty, about the Prime Minister’s daughter…” Hanyue, seeing Feng Yewu’s troubled countenance, could not help but ask. She had accompanied Feng Yewu to the side chamber and heard the whole account. Though she was but a palace maid and powerless to help, a thought occurred to her—someone else might be of assistance.

Lu Jue.

With the matter unresolved, Hanyue wished to offer her suggestion. “Your Majesty, you find this affair suspicious as well, don’t you?” Feng Yewu, lost in thought, answered absently without expecting much insight from the maid.

“I am but a humble servant, skilled only in attending to daily needs, not in matters of life and death. But there is someone, I think, who may help Your Majesty.” Hanyue seized the opportunity to speak.

“Someone? Who?” Feng Yewu, head aching from worry, asked with genuine curiosity.

“Master Lu Jue.” Hanyue smiled slightly, voicing her thought.

“Ah, I had quite forgotten! Go and summon Master Lu at once.” Feng Yewu slapped her forehead, suddenly enlightened. Her own status made it difficult to investigate the body directly, but Lu Jue was another matter. She hurriedly sent Hanyue to fetch him.

As it happened, Lu Jue was just leaving his quarters when he encountered Hanyue. After a brief exchange, he followed her to the palace.

“Your Majesty, Master Lu has arrived,” Hanyue announced before taking her place at the door. Though she did not fully understand the situation, she knew instinctively that it was no simple matter. She stood guard, ensuring no interruptions.

“Your Majesty, I have already heard the details from Hanyue,” Lu Jue said respectfully, indicating his understanding.

“What do you make of it?” Feng Yewu, her brow furrowed, asked, seeking his counsel.

“In my opinion, Your Majesty, this matter cannot be separated from Prince Pingyi,” Lu Jue replied forthrightly.

“That is my own suspicion as well,” Feng Yewu nodded, signaling Lu Jue to continue.

“If I may, Your Majesty knows of Prince Pingyi’s involvement yet lacks evidence. That, I believe, is the true source of your distress.” Each of Lu Jue’s words struck at the heart of Feng Yewu’s concerns. Unconsciously, she found herself relying more and more on him.

“Indeed. The Prime Minister had already sought several opinions before coming to me—all declared it a death by illness.” Feng Yewu sighed softly. The event had come so suddenly, and the perpetrator’s methods were so covert.

Lu Jue fell silent, considering the situation, before suggesting, “Does Your Majesty wish for me to re-examine the cause of death?”

Feng Yewu nodded, then walked to the candelabrum, turning to gaze at Lu Jue. As the candlelight flickered within the chamber, it seemed even the moonlight itself was set aflame.