123 The Lingbo Palace (2)

"Why are you here?" Faced with Yun Qing's sudden appearance, my heart, which had yet to settle, leapt into my throat once more.

How was "little me" supposed to come up with a reason to convince her? This place was too close to Lingbo Palace. Perhaps Yun Qing had sensed someone tailing her and was lying in wait. Or perhaps she had remembered something left undone, turned back toward Lingbo Palace, and happened to run into me.

In any case, my appearance was highly suspicious. How could I possibly fabricate a seamless excuse?

"Little Xiao-zi." Just as I was wavering in my heart, someone called out to me.

I turned and was surprised to see Long Zhan.

"Oh, it's Auntie Yun Qing."

Yun Qing nodded slightly. "So it is Lord Long."

"Little Xiao-zi, didn't I tell you to wait for me for a moment? Why have you wandered all the way here?"

I immediately replied, "I was suddenly struck by a need to relieve myself, and in my haste, I lost my way. That is how I came to run into Auntie Yun Qing."

Yun Qing looked puzzled. "Little Xiao-zi, you were with Lord Long? How is it that you two..."

Yes, I wanted to ask that, too.

Long Zhan said with a calm, unruffled expression, "Once the guards finish their patrol, there is a time for a late-night snack. Little Xiao-zi came over specifically for that."

Long Zhan, how could you say that with such a straight face?

I had to play along. "Auntie Yun Qing, please forgive me. I had a bit once before and found it quite good. His Majesty is at Cuiwei Palace today, so I am not needed for service. I was hungry and had a bit of a craving, so I had to come find Lord Long. Please, Auntie, do not tell the Empress about this."

Even if Yun Qing remained skeptical, she could find no flaws in the story.

Before she could respond, Long Zhan asked, "I wonder, Auntie Yun Qing, why are you here?"

I inwardly admired Long Zhan's cleverness. I had been unable to find an excuse, but his arrival had turned the tables. Yun Qing’s presence here was illicit to begin with; now that she was the one being questioned, she was the one in a tight spot.

Actually, it did not matter what excuse she gave. What mattered was that she would no longer dwell on my presence, as she would be too busy trying to brush us off to stay any longer.

"Actually, I..."

"Lord Long, shouldn't the snack be ready by now? I'm famished. Auntie Yun Qing, would you like to join us?" I intentionally interrupted her, a gesture letting her know I was providing her an out.

Yun Qing said, "I won't join you. Little Xiao-zi, finish your meal and return to rest early; there is much to do tomorrow. Lord Long, I shall take my leave."

"Farewell, Auntie!"

Once she was gone, before I could even speak to Long Zhan, he patted me on the head. I shrank back, saying, "I truly owe you, Lord Long. You arrived at the perfect time!"

"I saw you sneaking toward Lingbo Palace earlier and meant to call out to you, but then I saw Auntie Yun Qing. What were you doing here in the middle of the night?"

"To tell you the truth, I don't even know why I came," I said. "Do you believe me, Lord Long?"

Long Zhan smoothed his sleeves. "Why wouldn't I? You’ve always been one who can’t sit still. You followed Auntie Yun Qing here, didn't you?"

I was startled, but then relaxed. "You are clever, Lord Long. I did follow her. But I saw nothing inside that palace."

"Is it that you saw nothing, or that you were too scared to see anything?"

Seeing his teasing tone, I complained, "Why don't you try it yourself, Lord Long? In this pitch-black darkness, what could one possibly see?"

Long Zhan chuckled softly. "I thought you were fearless, yet here you are, trembling. Is there a ghost in that palace?"

"Perhaps there is. If you don't believe me, go take a look."

"Alright, what exactly are you hoping to find in this palace?"

Seeing that Long Zhan had turned serious, I said, "I don't know. I just have a feeling that something is strange about this place. But it is night, and truly, I can see nothing."

Long Zhan replied, "I've passed this place on patrol many times and never noticed anything amiss. If you really want to see, tomorrow at the hour of the Rooster (5:00-7:00 PM), I will divert the patrol team and accompany you inside to investigate."

"Lord Long, I can go in by myself..."

"And if you go alone, aren't you afraid of meeting more ghosts?"

"..."

"Let's go."

"Where to?"

"To get that late-night snack."

"Lord Long, I thought you were joking, I didn't expect you to be—a-choo!" I couldn't help but sneeze.

"Are you chilled?" After asking, Long Zhan draped his cloak over my shoulders.

"Lord Long, it won't look good if someone sees."

"Those who see are my own men; it doesn't matter."

In the end, I was indeed taken for a snack, but instead of food, I was given a bowl of hot ginger soup.

Before the soup arrived, I chatted with him. "The Empress Dowager and the consorts have gone to Yunfeng Temple to pray. Are there Imperial Guards protecting them?"

"I sent Liang Zhenwu to lead a squadron to accompany them," he replied.

"Oh. I wonder if the Crown Princess went along as well."

Realizing I shouldn't have mentioned Han Feiyue, I quickly added, "I was just speaking idly; please pretend you didn't hear that, Lord Long."

"The Crown Prince did not go, and neither did she. There is no need to be so deliberate."

I smiled, and just then, a guard handed me the bowl of ginger soup. Holding it, I felt a warmth spread through my heart.

Long Zhan urged me, "Drink it quickly. Go to sleep once you're done; you should be fine by tomorrow morning."

"Thank you, Lord Long." I downed the soup in one go.

The next day, at the hour of the Rooster, I met Long Zhan at the entrance of Lingbo Palace.

He pushed the doors open and gestured for me to enter, then closed them behind us. Truth be told, being with Long Zhan made even the act of trespassing feel calm. With his martial prowess, keen vigilance, and quick wit, there was no need to worry about any problem we couldn't solve.

The place was desolate, filled with the aura of decay. Weeds grew wild, and doors and windows lay askew. I walked a few steps but realized the object I had tripped over the previous night was gone.

"Is something wrong?" Long Zhan turned, seeing me standing still.

I shook my head. "Nothing. Just remembered the wild cat I bumped into yesterday."

We walked deeper inside. Spiderwebs hung everywhere, and pillars lay toppled in all directions; it felt as if the entire palace might collapse at any moment. After a full circle, we found nothing.

Once outside, Long Zhan circled the palace once more before coming over to me. "Looking at this place, there are no signs of anyone living here. If Auntie Yun Qing came here, it’s likely she was just hiding some personal treasure."

Palace maids and eunuchs often hid their private savings; some in positions like hers could even afford to purchase properties outside. Long Zhan's analysis was not without reason, but would Yun Qing only hide money here?

It seemed there was nothing to find, so I said, "Lord Long, it seems there is nothing special here. Let's go."

"Hm."

We exited Lingbo Palace, but I remained puzzled. I took one last look back before leaving with Long Zhan. The sobbing I heard last night was definitely human, and it sounded like a woman. Furthermore, I had definitely stepped on something, yet today it was gone. Someone must have cleaned it up. Could it be that Yun Qing had been uneasy and returned to scrub away any traces?

On the way, Long Zhan asked, "Do you still feel unwell today?"

I smiled and shook my head. "Thanks to that bowl of ginger soup, I slept soundly and feel perfectly fine today."

"It was just a bowl of soup, yet you speak as if it were a heavenly elixir," Long Zhan chuckled.

"If it keeps me from catching a cold, then it is a heavenly elixir."

"If you truly wish to thank me, then cook me a meal."

At his words, I stopped and said, "Actually, Lord Long, the meals before were not cooked by me."

"Oh?"

"I don't have that skill; they were actually..."

"Little Xiao-zi, you truly have no sincerity in your gratitude," he interrupted.

"Then how would you have me thank you, Lord Long?"

His lips curled, and he looked at me seriously, his voice gentle. "If I asked, would you do anything I requested?"

"Lord Long, gratitude is one thing, but taking advantage of a situation is not right."

"Truly, no sincerity at all."

I had no choice but to say, "Just say the word, Lord Long, and I will do my best."

"Then..." Long Zhan raised his hand, moving it slowly toward my face. I had no idea what he intended. Finally, his hand stopped just inches away, only for him to clench it into a fist and pull it back. "Keep it as a debt for now. When the time comes for me to collect, don't you dare go back on your word."

With that, he walked forward.

I hadn't taken more than a few steps behind him when he suddenly stopped. With his broad frame and the cloak he wore, and the significant height difference between us, my view was completely obstructed. I didn't know why he had halted.

Then, I heard him bow. "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

I immediately knelt behind him. "This servant greets Your Highness."

Jiang Yun stepped forward, noticing me. "Oh, it's Little Xiao-zi and Lord Long. How did you two come to be together? Did you just run into each other?"

"Your Highness is correct," I said. "We happened to cross paths. This servant is returning to Cuiwei Palace, and Lord Long is heading to the Hall of Mental Cultivation."

"I see. Carry on, then. Lord Lian, this way! My mother should still be in the Imperial Garden; shall we go admire the flowers and share some tea?"

"I shall follow Your Highness's lead."

Only then did I notice a young man beside Jiang Yun, who looked to be in his early twenties, with delicate and handsome features.

Long Zhan and I stepped aside to let them pass.

Once they were out of earshot, I asked, "What position does that Lord Lian hold? He looks quite young."

"He appears to be Lian Fei, son of the Minister of Rites, Lian Qi. He doesn't hold any significant office, just a sinecure. Why are you interested in him?"

"Just a passing question," I said. "Lord Long, thank you for today. I shall return to my palace now."

"Very well!"