Chapter 44: The Imperial Edict

Hao Mengye pinched the letter paper in his fingers and pondered for a moment.

"Someone come, prepare the first squad. Tonight at the Hour of Hai, we go to the South Residence!"

Hao Mengye looked back at Yu Sangsheng. "If we catch the person tonight, Miss Yu, you can rest easy and restore this painting here."

"Thank you, Commander Hao," Yu Sangsheng said. "Please, Commander Hao, pass a word to the Second Young Master Su and ask him to do as he promised me."

Hao Mengye nodded and turned to leave. Yu Sangsheng let out a breath and chuckled self-deprecatingly.

The Suppression of Heresy Tower, a place everyone avoided like the plague, had unexpectedly become a temporary sanctuary where she could relax.

Su Huaishan and the others were waiting outside. Su Yanshu lowered his voice and asked, "Second Uncle, why did you suddenly return?"

Just as Su Huaishan was about to speak, Hao Mengye emerged with Su Dingqin.

In this short span of time, Su Dingqin had also suffered greatly. His body bore dozens of whip marks—neither more nor less, exactly double the number he had inflicted upon Yu Sangsheng.

His chest had been scorched by a hot iron, the fabric fused with his flesh and skin; every movement made him hiss with pain, and one of his arms was dislocated.

He had heard of the horrors of the Suppression of Heresy Tower, but having never experienced it firsthand, he could never have imagined that this place was even more terrifying than the slaughter of a battlefield.

It was practically like hell.

Upon emerging and seeing Su Huaishan, Su Dingqin's eyes nearly grew moist.

"Second Uncle."

Seeing his miserable state, Su Huaishan's brows arched like blades. "Commander Hao, how can you treat my nephew like this? He holds military merits for the state!"

Hao Mengye's smile was faint and cold. "General Su is truly worthy of the Su family. The people of the Su family all seem fond of hanging the words 'military merits' on their lips."

His tone suddenly turned icy. "Military merits represent loyalty to the Emperor and are the proper attitude for a military general! They are not a shield for committing crimes. Among the criminals sentenced to death in the Suppression of Heresy Tower, from imperial princes and noble relatives down to officials of the third to fifth ranks, which of them has not rendered service?"

Su Huaishan was choked into silence. Su Yanshu looked past Su Dingqin, but did not see Yu Sangsheng.

He asked anxiously, "Commander Hao, where is Sangsheng?"

"Miss Yu must remain for two more days. There are some things I still need to ask her," Hao Mengye glanced at him, "such as the matter of her injuring Princess Rongyang at the hunting grounds last time."

"That matter is already in the past, why bother to—"

"Since the Young General is here, you should take your people back first. This time, it is out of regard for General Su," he looked at the corpse on the ground, "I must investigate this person thoroughly. The Young General had best not leave the estate; if anything arises, I will still need to question you."

Su Dingqin lowered his gaze, clenched his teeth, and nodded with bitter reluctance.

The Crown Prince, who had remained silent on the side, spoke in a slow voice, "Commander Hao, Miss Yu is, after all, a delicate woman. She has also received personal instruction from the Empress and has already reformed. Why not hand her over to Us? We will take her back and let the Empress scold her a few words."

"For such a trivial matter, how could We dare trouble Her Majesty the Empress? The Suppression of Heresy Tower is more than capable of dealing with a woman."

Fire flared in the Crown Prince's heart, yet he was utterly helpless. Naturally, he could not simply break in and snatch the person away.

He could only temporarily suppress his churning desires and think of another way once he returned.

Su Yanshu and Su Huaishan took Su Dingqin and returned to the Su Estate.

"Second Young Master," Hao Mengye called out to stop him. "Miss Yu said that she has fulfilled what she promised you, so please honor your promise to her as well."

Su Yanshu was stunned. A promise? What promise? After thinking for a moment, he remembered.

It was Grandma Wu.

Displeasure welled up in his heart. What time was it? Instead of thinking about how to explain things to the Marquis of Kong, he was still dwelling on a lowly old hag.

Yu Sangsheng did not sleep at all during the first half of the night, staying busy with several lamps lit.

Jin Baobao sat beside her on a small stool to keep her company, and within a short while, her head was bobbing like a chick pecking at rice.

"Baobao, go to sleep."

Jin Baobao rubbed her eyes. "No, I want to stay with the Young Miss."

Seeing her so sleepy that she could barely keep her eyes open, Yu Sangsheng smiled rarely. At this moment, Jin Baobao looked like a chubby little cat that was dead on its feet from exhaustion yet stubbornly refused to sleep, determined to stay by its master's side.

Jin Baobao wiped her face, stood up unsteadily, and went to the washroom to splash water on her face.

Yu Sangsheng stretched her shoulders and continued working.

Shortly after, Jin Baobao came running back in, her voice filled with joy.

"Young Miss, Young Miss!"

"You're amazing! They've brought that person back from the South Residence."

As her voice trailed off, Hao Mengye also walked in.

"Miss Yu has not slept yet? Just as you said, the person was at the South Residence," Hao Mengye gave a slight nod. "Regarding this matter, I consider myself to owe you a favor."

It had nothing to do with the Commander-in-Chief.

This young woman was clever, calm, able to endure hardship, and skilled at making demands. It was best if such a person did not get entangled with the Commander-in-Chief.

He was relatively cold and direct, so it was better for him to shoulder everything.

"You flatter me. Being able to help Commander Hao is my honor."

Though she said this, Yu Sangsheng secretly made a mental note. The favor of the Grand Commander of the Scarlet Dragon Guards could not be wasted in vain; it had to be saved for a critical moment.

"Get some early rest. I will try to secure a few more days for you."

As soon as he left, Jin Baobao closed and bolted the door.

"Young Miss, time for sleep!"

Against all odds, Yu Sangsheng had a very good sleep inside the Suppression of Heresy Tower.

Early the next morning, various breakfast dishes filled the small table. Jin Baobao ate like a hamster, and infected by her, Yu Sangsheng ended up eating two extra small steamed buns.

Lowering her gaze to look at the porridge in her bowl—later on, she would buy a small courtyard. In spring there would be flowers, in summer there would be rain; she would restore paintings and work, Grandma Wu would do needlework to pass her twilight years, and Jin Baobao would practice martial arts and eat her fill. Such a bustling, ordinary, and warm little life.

As for Qi Mubai, a smile surfaced in her eyes. When he returned from his official duties, they would quietly chat for a while, just like before—sitting idly under the trees in spring and summer, picking fruit, brewing wine, and building snowmen in autumn and winter.

"Young Miss, what are you smiling at?" Jin Baobao asked with curiosity.

Yu Sangsheng picked up a bun for her. "Nothing, smiling at how cute you are."

"Well, of course," Jin Baobao accepted the compliment without a shred of modesty.

Just as they were talking, Hao Mengye arrived.

The smile faded from Yu Sangsheng's face as she keenly sensed a change in the atmosphere. Hao Mengye had even changed into his official robes.

"Commander Hao, what has happened?"

Hao Mengye said in a deep voice, "There is an imperial decree from the Empress summoning you to the palace."

Yu Sangsheng's face turned pale, her eyes widening slightly. The chopsticks slipped from her hand and clattered to the floor, yet she remained utterly oblivious.

Jin Baobao grabbed her arm. "Young Miss, don't be afraid. I will go with you."

Hao Mengye barked coldly, "Absurd! What kind of place do you think that is?"

"Miss Yu," he stepped forward, "do not panic. I will take you."

As the Commander of the Scarlet Dragon Guards, he was permitted to carry a saber within the palace precincts, and the inner court was no exception.

Yu Sangsheng knew that this was the absolute limit of what Hao Mengye could do.

She took a deep breath. "Thank you."

If the Empress wanted to see her, no one could stop it.

She didn't even need to guess to know that the Crown Prince must have mentioned her to the Empress upon his return.

He was clearly targeting her on purpose.

Yu Sangsheng turned around and picked a yellow fruit from the fruit basket.

This yellow fruit was larger than the ones she usually saw, fragrant and enticing. Held in her hand, it felt plump, moist, and heavy.

A flash of puzzlement crossed Hao Mengye's face. Clearly, she had looked terrified just moments ago—how could she still have the leisure to eat this?

However, he asked no further questions.

A carriage had already been prepared outside. Hao Mengye mounted his horse and rode alongside it.

Yu Sangsheng listened to the sound of the carriage wheels; each revolution felt like it was grinding over her heart.

As they drew near the palace gates, Hao Mengye lowered his voice. "Miss Yu, we are almost there."

There was no response from inside.

"Miss Yu?"