Chapter 71: Chapter 71: The Green Jade Ring, the Sovereign’s Clear Heart
At his words, Ji Qingwu’s breathing quickened, her chest rising and falling unevenly.
The fabric of her nightgown brushed against the tip of his nose.
Their eyes met. She was the first to look away, her gaze dropping, her lashes trembling almost imperceptibly.
His gaze was so invasive it felt little different from being stripped bare.
Emperor Wu Su carried her straight into the inner chamber.
With his free hand, he lifted the thin bed curtains and gently placed her on the bed.
Ji Qingwu lay on her back, her dark hair fanned out across the bed. Her skin was pale and translucent, her eyes shimmering softly.
Just as she braced herself for what he might do next, Emperor Wu Su’s gaze shifted to the inner side of the bed.
Ji Qingwu turned her head to follow his gaze and couldn’t help but smile. The little girl’s chubby arms and legs were sticking out, but a long, crimson scarf was carefully draped over her belly.
A sweet smile graced her small face, lost in some beautiful dream.
The atmosphere softened instantly.
Emperor Wu Su’s eyes fell upon something by the little girl’s pillow, and his long brows arched.
Ji Qingwu saw what it was and immediately snapped her head back.
Jiu Jiu had a bedtime ritual. She had to touch the jade pendant she had worn since she was a baby. Sometimes, she would even stick her little bottom in the air and have an intimate chat with the Koi Carp Pendant.
The "evidence" was now presented glaringly before the Emperor.
Just like that, Ji Qingwu’s secret was completely exposed.
Emperor Wu Su shot her a meaningful glance. Then, he began toying with the five-color thread at his waist, from which hung a jade pendant identical to Jiu Jiu’s, dangling it back and forth before her eyes.
Ji Qingwu grabbed the satin quilt and pulled it over her head. She simply couldn’t face this mortifying situation.
With a sweep of his large hand, Emperor Wu Su tore the quilt away and tossed it aside.
He traced the contours of her face with his thumb and murmured, "You think you can hide and pretend nothing has happened?"
Determined to avoid his gaze, Ji Qingwu covered her face with her hands.
He seized her hands, enveloping her soft, delicate fingers within his palm.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
Emperor Wu Su watched in amusement at her petulant display, her eyes closed and a blush creeping up her graceful form.
Just then, the sound of a rooster crowing came from outside.
Confusion flickered through Ji Qingwu’s mind. Neither Wutong Garden nor the greater Ji Mansion kept chickens. Where could that sound be coming from?
The sound made Emperor Wu Su’s brow furrow.
"Remember, you still owe Us an answer. Our patience is not infinite."
She was still wondering about the strange noise.
He kneaded her lips, reminding her, "Did you hear?"
Only after seeing Ji Qingwu nod obediently did he straighten up. But he remained standing by the bed, his eyes fixed on her for another moment before he took a jade ring from his sleeve and placed it by her pillow.
His voice seemed much softer, and he spoke rather quickly.
"We bought this on the road tonight. The quality seemed decent, so We’re giving it to you."
This time, before she could reply, the rooster’s crowing outside grew louder, as if urging him on.
Emperor Wu Su turned and strode away.
Once his tall, imposing figure had vanished, Ji Qingwu sat up, clutching the brocade quilt, and picked up the green jade ring from her pillow.
Her heart jolted.
The ring was crafted from green jade, with no carvings or patterns. Yet, its luster alone revealed the stone’s immense value.
It was certainly not something bought casually from a roadside stall.
A jade ring. A jade return.
The meaning was clear: to use the ring to reverse a break, to recall one who has grown distant, to begin anew.
Emperor Wu Su hadn’t come in the dead of night to punish or tease her.
He had lowered himself to come here for one purpose... to seek peace.
The jade was a clear testament to the Emperor’s intentions.
His furious outburst in the teahouse’s private room tonight had frightened her. This jade ring was a silent apology.
Ji Qingwu clutched the green jade in her palm. It was still warm from the Emperor’s body.
Outside, the sky was no longer pitch-black but was beginning to turn a hazy gray.
Duan Mingfeng had been waiting at the gates of the Ji Mansion for some time. After the Emperor emerged, he drove the carriage, speeding all the way to Phoenix Palace.
Emperor Wu Su changed into his ceremonial robes and went to hold morning court.
Though he hadn’t slept all night, the Emperor was in high spirits, his expression relaxed. The officials at court felt the lighter mood and relaxed as well.
After listening to a few ministers present their memorials as was custom, he asked in a deep voice, "Do Our ministers have anything else to report?"
The officials lowered their heads in silence.
Li Yuzong raised his horsetail whisk and announced loudly, "Present your memorials or court is dismissed."
Suddenly, an Imperial Censor rushed forward. Several people tried to stop him, but he moved too quickly, throwing himself onto the stone floor of the Golden Throne Hall and shouting, "This humble servant is willing to risk death to make this plea!"
For an Imperial Censor to be prepared to die for his cause, the matter had to be of grave importance. The entire court was in an uproar.
Emperor Wu Su said impassively, "Speak."
After kowtowing, Wang MinDa said sorrowfully, "The former imperial censor, Lord Yan Zongrang, was brutally murdered by villains several days ago. But no one dares to take the case. This servant begs Your Majesty to find the perpetrator behind this crime."
Yan Zongrang had recently been demoted by the Emperor and exiled to a barren mountain. As a disgraced official, his case should not have been brought up at morning court, but Wang MinDa could not bear to see his former colleague die in vain.
Emperor Wu Su remained silent.
The court was already divided into two factions. One side, composed mostly of the upright officials from the Imperial Supervision Office and the Ministry of Justice, supported a thorough investigation. The other, led by Prince Yong, was vehemently opposed.
They argued that Yan Zongrang was a disgraced official, making his case even less significant than a common murder. They suggested a subordinate branch of the Imperial City Department could handle it, and that it was not worthy of mobilizing the three high courts.
Emperor Wu Su adjusted his sleeves, watching with detached leisure as they debated in the hall.
Just as the atmosphere grew heated, he spoke. "Li Aiqing, what are your thoughts?"
The officials fell silent.
Li Chengxun, who had been assigned to the Imperial Supervision Office, stepped forward in his crimson official robes.
After bowing, he said, "This humble servant believes that Yan Zongrang’s death is a small matter, but we cannot allow it to bring shame upon the court. Rumors are already spreading through the city’s streets and alleys."
"What rumors?"
Li Chengxun hesitated. "Rumors are rumors because they lack factual basis. This servant fears they would defile Your Majesty’s ears."
A sharp glint flashed in Emperor Wu Su’s eyes. "They are saying that We sent someone to kill him."
Hearing the Emperor guess correctly in an instant, Li Chengxun dropped to his knees. "Please quell your anger, Your Majesty! They are all baseless rumors."
Seated high upon the Dragon Chair, Emperor Wu Su took in the expressions of every official.
He said in a low voice, "Are you willing to take this case?"
Li Chengxun’s heart trembled. He was new to the Imperial Supervision Office and needed a major case to establish his footing and make a name for himself.
He said with conviction, "This humble servant will not fail this mission."
After the court session was dismissed.
The Chief Eunuch, Li Yuzong, hurried off to summon Lu Juan and Wei Chi Lianping to the Diligent Governance Hall.
The two men stood in the hall and exchanged a look.
Wei Chi Lianping spoke first. "That old stubborn fool Yan Zongrang may have been infuriating, but he was also a rare, honest official. To be murdered out of revenge so soon after his demotion... who could be so bold?"
Lu Juan gazed at the Dragon Pillar before him and speculated, "There must be something strange behind this case. I imagine the Emperor has summoned us for this very reason."
The two waited for a short while before Emperor Wu Su entered the hall.
He had changed into a moon-white informal robe embroidered with dragons and clouds, which perfectly matched the jade ornaments hanging from his waist.
