Chapter 545: When the Map is Unrolled, the Dagger is Revealed |
Inside Palace of Earthly Tranquility, the Empress was still pouring for herself and drinking by herself.
She sat beside the desk shallowly sipping, drinking very slowly.
According to agreement, after Xu Xi sent Bai Li exiting Black Tortoise Gate he would return to Palace of Earthly Tranquility reporting safety. She must wait until Xu Xi personally from his mouth told her Bai Li had already exited the palace, to only then be able to set down her heart entering sleep.
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But she hadn't yet waited arriving at Xu Xi, first waiting arriving at Wu Xiu and the Trouble-Resolving Guards coming over.
The Empress turned her head watching Wu Xiu hurriedly and hastily coming over. And the Trouble-Resolving Guards behind Wu Xiu's back by no means entered Palace of Earthly Tranquility. Scattering arriving at Palace of Earthly Tranquility's four perimeters, taking this place completely encircling and surrounding it.
Wu Xiu an isolated single person stood securely outside the main hall's door sill. Flipping open his Official Robe's clothing hem kneeling going down: "Inner official Wu Xiu, kowtows meeting the Empress."
The Empress didn't let Wu Xiu rise his body. Merely with a calm and indifferent expression saying: "Lord Wu did sufficiently proper Propriety strictures. Thinking it coming is possessing important matters seeking this Palace?"
Wu Xiu knelt prostrating upon the ground: "Empress. This inner official received line-reports, there are people desiring to mutually assist Zhu Baili escaping the palace prohibitions. Just recently this inner official headed to Jingyang Palace investigating and inspecting. Hearing the Empress took her inviting her arriving within Palace of Earthly Tranquility... This inner official solely feared wicked people for the sake of robbing and taking away Bai Li, inside Palace of Earthly Tranquility creating chaos. Immediately rushed coming over to investigate and inspect. Seeing the Empress lacks hindrances, this inner official simply sets down his heart."
Wu Xiu voiced loudly saying: "This woman is precisely the descendant of criminal subjects. His Majesty commanded her inside Jingyang Palace to deeply submerge her heart cultivating Dao. Also is hoping she accumulates merit and piles up virtue, melting and resolving her own body's receiving burdens (karmic burdens). According to His Majesty's intention decrees. This woman ought to lengthy reside in Jingyang Palace is proper. Unfitting to again inside Palace of Earthly Tranquility linger and linger. Requesting the Empress to hand out this woman. This inner official this exact moment simply will take her bringing her back to Jingyang Palace to go."
The Empress by no means moved to anger. But instead conversely spreading her face (smiling) said: "Since it is His Majesty's intention decrees. Then simply take her bringing her back to Jingyang Palace right. However Lord Wu wait down a moment. Just recently this Palace carelessly didn't pay attention taking wine water knocking and flipping it upon her body. She at this momentary session is precisely inside the western warm pavilion changing clothes. Waiting until she tidies up properly, simply being brought away by Lord Wu is good?"
Wu Xiu knelt prostrating upon the ground. Acknowledging it down without even lifting his head: "This inner official complies with the decrees."
Time passed dot by dot (bit by bit). The Empress unchanging expression and voice (calmly) drank wine dragging out and delaying time. She dragging Wu Xiu an extra single incense stick's worth of time (30 mins), Bai Li simply possessed an extra single fraction of life opportunity (chance of survival).
But Wu Xiu actually also didn't rush or press. A single appearance of Calm and Composed kneeling outside the vermilion-red colored door sill. His waist and back never once trembling a single fraction. As if the winning ticket was held within his grasp.
Inside the Empress's heart arose suspicious doubts. Not knowing where Wu Xiu's winning calculations came over from.
Gradually. Outside the palace possessed messy and disordered footsteps sounds. The Forbidden City also awakened coming over. There were people lifting up lanterns inside the palace roads going back and forth piercing walking. Yet secretly making no sound. These people from beginning to end never once entered Palace of Earthly Tranquility. Deliberately dodging avoiding Palace of Earthly Tranquility's everything entire.
The Empress couldn't restrain herself looking toward outside the hall. Wishing to look to see whether or not Xu Xi had returned. But she tardily lacked waiting arriving at Xu Xi's figure. Outside the hall only possessed grey-white moonlight. Still possessing golden-colored glazed tile hip-roofs.
Is it because Xu Xi seeing Trouble-Resolving Guards sealing and locking down Palace of Earthly Tranquility dared not approach near?
Or is it possessing an accident occurring?
The Empress's heart slowly sank entering the valley bottom.
Precisely at this time. Outside the palace rang out the voice of the small eunuch beating sounding the watch drum: "North Star Precisely Positioned!"
It was the Zi hour (11 PM - 1 AM).
From outside Palace of Earthly Tranquility transmitted over chaotic and messy footsteps sounds. Very many people came.
The Empress slowly lifted up her wine cup. Sending it arriving beside her mouth covering and obscuring her expression.
Wu Xiu suddenly said: "Requesting the Empress to treasure and value your phoenix body. Do not again excessively crave the cup (drink too much) anymore."
The Empress didn't heed it. Continuing to lift her cup.
But Wu Xiu turned the edge of his words (shifted the topic): "This inner official actually can anew accompany the Empress dragging a momentary session. Merely no matter how much longer you drag. The person you wish to send also cannot be sent out. The matters that ought to occur also always universally will occur."
The Empress's cup-lifting hands paused in mid-air: "Lord Wu what intention is this?"
In the next moment, Noble Consort Xue leading a crowd of female maids and eunuchs appeared at Palace of Earthly Tranquility's doorway. The other party tonight wore a full set of nine-bird Pheasant Robes. Atop her head wearing a nine-bird pheasant crown. As if she was about to attend a grand ceremony awaited for many years.
When the Empress saw clearly the people behind Noble Consort Xue's back, she suddenly and abruptly rose her body. Her wine cup falling dropping upon the ground shattering turning into white porcelain.
She imposingly caught sight of, behind Noble Consort Xue's back two short and sturdy old maids escorting under guard Bai Li who originally ought to have departed. Still possessing a single small eunuch then dragging the Faint Breath Xu Xi.
How could it be?
Ought not Bai Li before the third quarter of the Hai hour (10:45 PM) simply have departed the palace prohibitions, how could she fall into Noble Consort Xue's hands? Why does Noble Consort Xue wear a single set of grand attire, as if early on possessing preparations?
If it was Bai Li at Black Tortoise Gate being intercepted and stopped by people. Noble Consort Xue again why delayed arriving at the Zi hour to only then come meet her?
Inside this single shichen's (two hours) time. Exactly what occurred?
Noble Consort Xue arrived before the Empress's face. Using rouge dotting out a peony flower between her brows exceptionally dark red.
She smilingly asked: "Heard elder sister took this woman inviting her arriving within Palace of Earthly Tranquility. How come she was grasped by people at Black Tortoise Gate? Never expected this woman purely cultivating in Jingyang Palace, actually cultivated turning into a Practitioner. Grasping her still spent quite a good bout of effort."
The Empress deeply, deeply inhaled a breath of air: "Release opening her."
"Complying with the decrees." Noble Consort Xue slightly lifted her hands. The old maids loosened open Bai Li.
The Empress waited for Bai Li to arrive beside her own body. Immediately gripping Bai Li's wrists. Taking her pulling her arriving behind her own back sheltering and protecting her.
Noble Consort Xue as if lacking matters faintly smiled: "The Empress matters arriving at now completely still shelters and protects this named criminal subject's daughter. Truly a beautiful person possessing a kind heart. Of course, you are the Six Palaces' main master. Inside this rear palace wishing to shelter and protect whoever universally works... However tonight still possesses bystander (other) matters. Must handle them properly everyone to only then be capable of peacefully setting down our hearts sleeping."
The Empress gripped tight Bai Li's wrists. Calmly asking: "What matters?"
Noble Consort Xue calmly and indifferently said: "This woman hooking and connecting with Directorate of Imperial Clothing recording eunuch Xu Xi. Faking dressing as Directorate of Imperial Clothing attendant Wang Wenbiao. Intending and desiring to escape the palace prohibitions. She and Xu Xi have already been found. But that Wang Wenbiao actually still cannot be seen lacking traces and shadows. Thinking it coming he is still hiding inside the palace prohibitions. Must search and search for it to be proper. Other places universally have already been searched over. None. Only remaining your Empress's Palace of Earthly Tranquility."
In the next moment, Wu Xiu to the Trouble-Resolving Guards cast a single eye expression (shot a glance). The Trouble-Resolving Guards swarmed like bees stepping forward.
Aunt Yuanjin flashed her body blocking before the door sill. Saying in a cold voice: "Wishing to search Palace of Earthly Tranquility. Let me look who dares? Universally do not wish to live anymore?"
"Aunt Yuanjin wants to resist the decrees?" Noble Consort Xue slowly and methodically from within her robe sleeves extracted a single folding ochre-yellow colored document: "Reverently receiving His Majesty's hand-written decrees. Extensively searching the palace prohibitions, find Wang Wenbiao!"
The Empress stood blankly upon her original spot. No wonder Noble Consort Xue dragged arriving at the Zi hour to only then appear. Originally the other party after grasping Bai Li by no means rashly came to Palace of Earthly Tranquility. But instead went to Renshou Palace requesting decrees.
Noble Consort Xue seeing the Empress blankly standing upon her original spot. Simply on her own initiative stepped over the tall, tall, vermilion-red colored door sill. Taking the ochre-yellow colored Emperor Ning's hand-written decree setting it inside the other party's hands: "Empress please pass your eyes over it."
The Empress loosened open Bai Li. Lowering her eyelids for a long, long time without speaking. Noble Consort Xue also didn't rush or press. Now the Emperor's hand-written decrees are present. Whoever also cannot resist the decrees hindering or blocking. The winning ticket is held within grasp.
A long time later. The Empress suddenly softly spoke saying: "He actually permitted you all to search my sleeping palace."
Noble Consort Xue stared blankly for a bit. Semming as if feeling she herself heard wrongly: "The Empress says what?"
The Empress pulled Bai Li slanting passing a single step. Again softly speaking saying: "Search right."
Bai Li watched the Empress's side face outlines being electroplated upon a single layer of silver-colored shining radiance by the moonlight. Her eyelashes lightly trembling.
At this time, Trouble-Resolving Guards surged coming toward inside Palace of Earthly Tranquility. Aunt Yuanjin turned her head looking toward the Empress: "Empress you cannot. You go find His Majesty speaking clearly of this matter."
The Empress lightly shook her head: "Let them search."
Aunt Yuanjin hesitated for a moment. Ultimately also allowing open the path.
The Trouble-Resolving Guards surged heading toward inside Palace of Earthly Tranquility. Falling short of half an incense stick's (15 mins) time. Simply possessing people inside the western warm pavilion shouting loudly: "Found him."
The Empress turned her head looking over. Yet seeing Trouble-Resolving Guards escorting under guard a single named male whose entire face was blood walking out of the western warm pavilion. The male's brow center was sliced open a single line of a cut. As if opening a third single eye. Blood flowing down from amidst it.
Noble Consort Xue looked at the blood gourd-resembling male. Disgustedly saying: "How come he was made turning into this set of appearance? Take his face wiping it clean."
Trouble-Resolving Guards took the blood stains upon the male's face wiping it away. The Empress yet subconsciously with Aunt Yuanjin mutually looked for a single glance. Simply because this male was by no means Wang Wenbiao. Also no longer anew with Bai Li possessing an eight fractions resemblance.
But inside that western warm pavilion. Clearly only hiding Wang Wenbiao a single person. Now actually changing appearance. Aunt Yuanjin desired to verify his body. But hadn't yet waited for her to arrive before the Trouble-Resolving Guards' faces... yet seeing Wang Wenbiao vomit out a mouthful of black blood. His breath and aura suddenly severing and cutting off completely.
Committed suicide?
A death warrior?
At this time, a single Trouble-Resolving Guard looked toward Wu Xiu: "Milord. This lowly official has seen Wang Wenbiao. But this person and Wang Wenbiao's grown appearance are distinctly, utterly lacking identity. He is not Wang Wenbiao."
Noble Consort Xue feigning surprise said: "Not Directorate of Imperial Clothing attendant eunuch Wang Wenbiao? Then how could the Empress's Palace of Earthly Tranquility within possess other (different) males?"
Aunt Yuanjin's complexion universally changed. Not good!
Noble Consort Xue slowly and methodically said: "Since this person is not Wang Wenbiao. Then he could be what single directorate, what single division's eunuch? Do people possess catching sight of him?"
Trouble-Resolving Guards cupped fists saying: "Replying reporting to Noble Consort. Have not seen him."
Noble Consort Xue was even more surprised: "Couldn't be a male from outside the palace right? Verify his body."
Aunt Yuanjin just about to hinder and block. Yet being checked and halted by the Empress. She said with a condensed voice: "Empress. There is fraud. Cannot let them simply like this verify his body!"
The Empress softly said: "Late already. He still identical to back then those years. Knowing what I mind the most... Let them go right."
Aunt Yuanjin stood blankly upon her original spot.
...
...
Noble Consort Xue cast an eye expression toward Wu Xiu. Wu Xiu toward the Trouble-Resolving Guards lightly waved and waved his hands: "Drag heading to a remote spot verifying his body. Do not dirty noble persons' eyes."
The Trouble-Resolving Guards took the male corpse hoisting it heading to the western warm pavilion stripping down his trousers. And afterwards shockingly saying: "This... this person actually hasn't purified his body (wasn't castrated)!"
Noble Consort Xue covered upon her mouth, staring difficultly able to put trust in it looking toward the Empress: "Elder sister actually inside Palace of Earthly Tranquility hid a male!"
The Empress lacked panic and surprise. Merely spreading her face smiling saying: "This Palace finally thinks through to understand. No wonder it was that coincidental, capable of finding a single person resembling Bai Li eight fractions. No wonder Bai Li universally was intercepted and stopped by you all before Black Tortoise Gate. Also no wonder Lord Wu Xiu held the winning ticket in grasp. Originally you all starting from the single beginning precisely were rushing this Palace coming."
This is a trap (setup loop).
The Empress once spoke. Using the Hu Family acting as a leaning mountain (backer). So long as she didn't humiliate the Heavenly Family's majestic dignity, violating the Ancestor's Propriety strictures. Nobody additionally could take her doing what. Her opponents were also crystal clear. Therefore they prepared for her a single dead trap.
When someone discovered the Empress looking among the folk people for a person resembling Bai Li's appearance. They simply guessed what the Empress wanted to do. And afterwards quietly burying down foreshadowing traps. Merely waiting for tonight When the Map is Unrolled, the Dagger is Revealed.
Tonight every single step universally was the Empress herself walking inside. Wu Xiu and his peers clearly knowing where Bai Li was. Yet still feigning ignorance going to Jingyang Palace. Step by single step investigating searching arriving at Palace of Earthly Tranquility. Taking every single step universally making it solidly secure down to earth. Even if possessing people knowing this was a pitfall trap they set for the Empress. They also couldn't grasp upon handles (leverage).
Waiting until everything was steadily secure. Noble Consort Xue only then went to Renshou Palace requesting bringing the Imperial Edict.
But what the Empress and Aunt Yuanjin solely uniquely couldn't think through to understand was... Wang Wenbiao this eunuch who purified his body. How did he turn into another distinct male who hadn't purified his body. Is it altering one's appearance (disguise)? But what altering appearance could even fake a single person's body shape and figure. Capable of taking an unpurified male falsely disguising him turning into a purified eunuch?
The Empress turned her body stroking and stroking Bai Li's cheeks: "Holding apologies oh. This time it is this Palace implicating you. Failing to be able to send you out."
Bai Li crying spoke saying: "It is not so, it is not so."
The Empress again softly said in a low voice: "Just recently when they grasped you, did they injure arriving upon you?"
Bai Li hastily and hurriedly shook her head: "Have not."
The Empress "En" acknowledged a single sound. Turning her head looking toward Wu Xiu: "You all don't yet possess the qualifications to deal with this Palace. This Palace wants to see His Majesty."
Wu Xiu departed away. A moment later going and repeatedly returning. Cupping his hands saying: "Replying reporting to the Empress. His Majesty has rested."
(End of this chapter)