Chapter 23: A Subtle Ache

Shen Ahua watched the chaos unfold before her eyes, wanting to rush forward and pull Lu Qingqing away, but Shen Jin held her tightly.

“If you’d known it would come to this, why did you do it in the first place? If anything happens to Sister Qingqing, I’ll never let you off!”

The emperor was soon alerted and hurried over. The moment he arrived, seeing everyone gathered outside the dilapidated palace hall, his expression turned grim.

“What are you all doing here?”

“Your Majesty, please summon the imperial physician first. Someone’s been injured,” Shen Ahua stepped forward, her gaze darkening, though she did not miss the flicker of panic in the emperor’s eyes.

As if some shameful secret lay hidden within these ruined walls.

Shen Jin’s expression was thunderous. “Summon the imperial physician!”

It was as if he saw no one else, not even caring for the emperor’s dignity. The entire scene was in utter disarray.

Lu Qingqing was taken inside by the imperial physician, with Shen Ahua following close behind. Jiang Jiuyue was also properly attended to.

Shen Jin knelt before the emperor.

“Minister Shen, in light of your meritorious service at the border, I am willing to be lenient. But that woman’s audacity, trespassing into the inner palace, is a crime I cannot overlook.”

The emperor clenched his hands tightly. Learning that the search had turned up nothing, he seemed even more resolute.

Shen Jin’s face shifted through a storm of emotions, his eyes fixed on the hall, waiting for any news of Lu Qingqing.

“I understand. I will bear all the punishment for Yueyue’s actions.”

The emperor sighed. “Even heroes cannot resist the charms of beauty. I see, Minister Shen, you are a man of deep feeling, but to be so manipulated by a woman...”

The emperor sighed repeatedly, lamenting that a man like Shen Jin would not go far, for he carried a fatal weakness within him.

Shen Jin’s tone grew colder. “Your Majesty, I have always honored my promises. Yueyue has done much for me these years.”

With a clatter, the cup beside the emperor fell to the ground and shattered into pieces. The elderly eunuch by his side, quick-witted, stepped forward to offer a fresh cup of tea, easing the tension between sovereign and subject.

Shen Jin must have been muddled to speak of Jiang Jiuyue’s deeds on his behalf—wasn’t that just handing the emperor a weapon against him?

“If that is so, then out of consideration for you, Minister Shen, take him away. Fifty strokes, half a year’s salary docked, and without my express command, he is not to leave the capital.”

Shen Jin paused for a moment. He understood the emperor’s mind well enough but accepted the decree nonetheless.

“This is the punishment for trespassing in the inner palace. But Miss Jiang’s offenses go far beyond.”

With a wave of the emperor’s hand, a young eunuch hurried over with the collected evidence—papers stained with Lu Qingqing’s blood, making for a ghastly sight.

Shen Jin stood frozen.

“See for yourself, Minister Shen. Such callous disregard for life, attempting to murder your wife—your Miss Jiang is certainly ruthless.”

The emperor’s authority pressed down, forcing Shen Jin to read every word. He gripped the papers tightly, and after a long silence, finally spoke.

“Yueyue could never commit such a vicious act. There must be some misunderstanding.”

“Black and white evidence, and the palace maids have confessed. Still, since this concerns your household, I’ll give you time to investigate thoroughly.”

“Yes.”

Shen Jin’s body trembled uncontrollably, his eyes haunted by the sight of Lu Qingqing’s blood.

But even after a long wait, the imperial physician did not emerge.

Meanwhile, inside, Lu Qingqing had long since recovered. Her sudden fainting was due to a surge of anger and poor rest, nothing truly serious.

“My constitution is peculiar. He probably thought I was at death’s door.”

“He’s still worried about you,” Shen Ahua sighed, muttering, “Fate toys with us all.”

“Hush,” Lu Qingqing had no patience for such idle talk. She knew only that Jiang Jiuyue had handed her a perfect opportunity to present all the evidence to the emperor.

Though Lu Qingqing could not understand why Jiang Jiuyue had been in such a place at that hour.

“Don’t worry. The emperor will see justice done for you.”

“Perhaps,” Lu Qingqing replied, not holding out much hope. Her only aim was to let the matter become known, to plant a thorn in Shen Jin’s heart—

One that could never be removed, buried deep and aching, always.