Ultimately, this was a contest of power between the elite, a struggle that did not necessarily have to end in war.
In short, the case had to be investigated and accountability assigned. The crucial point was how that accountability would be determined, a matter only the Sage could decide.
With a soft click, the Sage dropped a black stone onto the chessboard. "I recall Minister Xie mentioning that the day the Seventh Prince returns in triumph will be the day the empire's heart is won and the people's hearts are won."
"Indeed!"
"It seems the time is now opportune."
Xie Jia Yan rose and cupped his hands in a bow. "Your Sage Majesty is wise."
When the Sage instructed Uncle Gu to investigate this case, had he already made his decision then?
Then why did the Sage wish to keep him here and ask for his opinion?
The Sage smiled and gestured for him to sit. "Let us continue our game."
By the time Xie Jia Yan left the Taiji Hall, the rain had stopped. The dark clouds had dispersed, leaving a clear, azure sky dotted with a few wisps of clouds.
Xie Jia Yan looked back at the Taiji Hall, still majestic and magnificent. Despite his perceived heartlessness, that man was a good emperor.
...
Upon returning to her manor, Yu Ming Yue went directly to Madam Cui's courtyard. She recounted the previous night's harrowing events with a lighthearted smile. Her maids, Chi Dan and Chi Hua, struggled to suppress their tears.
As servants, they had been protected by their young lady in a critical moment. They felt useless and resolved to wake up half an hour earlier each day to train with Zhu Yu, so they could better protect their lady in the future.
Madam Cui already knew the details, but she feigned ignorance to spare her daughter worry.
Madam Cui reached out and beckoned her closer. Yu Ming Yue leaned into her mother's embrace, and Madam Cui gently stroked her daughter's hair.
She had once longed for her daughter to grow up and be sensible. Now that she was sensible, understanding, and composed in her actions, Madam Cui found herself worried.
As a mother, she wished for her daughter to be outstanding but not overly conspicuous.
Although she did not wish for her daughter to marry too early, it would be more secure to have her engagement settled sooner.
Yu Ming Yue had dinner in the Qingfeng Courtyard and played with Liu Lang for a while before returning to her own chambers.
"Does my lady wish to bathe first?" Chi Hua inquired.
Yu Ming Yue shook her head. "No need. Go and call your brother over."
"Now?"
"Yes!" Yu Ming Yue stated concisely.
Seeing Yu Ming Yue's urgency, Chi Hua dared not delay and hurried home to find her brother. To her surprise, Li Fu had not yet returned home at this hour.
"This ungrateful child! Ever since he started working for the Sixth Lady, he's become even more unruly. He didn't come home yesterday; who knows where he's been gallivanting. If he delays the Sixth Lady's business, I'll beat him to death when I find him," Li Fu declared, brandishing a stick as he left.
Chi Hua did not know why her lady was looking for her brother, but given the urgency, she dared not delay and rushed back to report.
"My lady, please rest assured. As soon as my father finds my brother, he will bring him to see you. My lady may punish him severely to teach him a lesson," Chi Hua said, kneeling carefully.
Though she feared her brother would be punished, she did not dare to make excuses for him.
"Get up. I have no intention of blaming your brother. I am concerned that he might be in danger."
Despite Li Fu's unruly nature, he was always reliable. Normally, he would be waiting in the courtyard for a summons as soon as she returned home, but he was not there today.
She worried that Li Fu might have met with an accident after reporting the news to her that day.
Hearing Yu Ming Yue's words, Chi Hua also became very worried. "My lady, please rest assured. My brother has always had excellent luck since childhood. He can always turn misfortune into good fortune, and he is tough. Nothing will happen to him."
Chi Hua's words were meant to comfort Yu Ming Yue, but also to comfort herself.
She still vividly remembered everything from the previous night. Those rebels were ruthless killers who were capable of massacring entire villages. If her brother had encountered them... Chi Hua dared not think further.