A Dream of Justice: The First Lady Constable | Chapter 44 | Whispers of Peace | Novela.app

Ming Hua picked up a cloth and wiped his mouth, glancing at me sideways. "It would be even better if there were some wine." I nearly choked on my food. "You... drink? How old are you?" Ming Hua curled his lip again, seemingly too lazy to answer. His expression made me uneasy. "Your brother gave strict orders," I said. "You are not allowed to drink." "Why?" he asked defiantly. "No 'why' about it," I continued, keeping my face stern. "No alcohol until you're eighteen." Ming Hua’s eyes darted around, a trace of disdain surfacing once more. "You really are making a fuss over nothing. What’s so special about wine? I’ve even been to pleasure houses for drinks." Once again, I nearly choked. Seeing my expression, Ming Hua burst into a laugh. "Fine, I won't drink. There’s no good wine here anyway." He leaned his small face closer, grinning. "Stop scowling. You look just like my wet nurse; that old woman nagged me day and night. I finally escaped her, so don't you start scaring me too." I shook my head. "In the future, you—" Before I could finish, he leaned in again, his face practically stuck to mine. "I actually have good news for you," he whispered playfully. "My brother said that when you hear this, you'll be overjoyed." "Go on then. What news could possibly make me 'overjoyed'?" I said, swatting his small hand away. Ming Hua’s hand crept back up, hooking around my arm. Like a kitten, he lazily rested his head against me. "The war is likely almost over." My hand trembled, and my chopsticks hit the table with a sharp *clack*. "What did you say?" Ming Hua rubbed his head against my arm, finding a comfortable angle. "My brother said the person you’re waiting for will be back soon—Xi Xia, who are you waiting for, anyway?" For a moment, my heart surged like a tide, leaving me speechless. Though my mind was still filled with half-doubt, my heart was already brimming with an unbelievable ecstasy. Was what he said... true? "What else did your brother say?" I asked, quickly shaking his shoulder. "How does he know it's almost over?" Ming Hua was already starting to doze off against my arm. Being rudely shaken awake made him quite grumpy. He grumbled a few times before mumbling sleepily, "He said... something bad happened in the Great Chu court... they can't keep fighting..." His voice grew fainter and fainter until the last few words were unintelligible. What "bad thing" could have happened to make them stop the war? Why hadn't we heard even a whisper of news? If it were true, then... Ming Shao really was coming back. I wanted to press him further, but looking down, I saw that Ming Hua had already fallen asleep in my arms. In sleep, Ming Hua looked like an angel. He was so peaceful he seemed untainted by the world. What was I to do with such a sweet, angelic child? Should I send him back to the courier station? Or take him straight home? He had traveled to Zhongjing all alone; leaving him by himself at the station seemed too pitiful. He wasn't like an official returning to report on his duties; there shouldn't be any major issue if he didn't stay at the station before his imperial audience. After much thought, I decided to take him home first. As we boarded the carriage, his foot bumped against the door. He opened his eyes blearily, and seeing it was me, he seemed reassured. He looped his arms around my neck and fell back asleep. That one unconscious gesture made a sudden wave of tenderness wash over my heart. I leaned down and pressed a light kiss on Ming Hua’s forehead. He carried the fresh scent unique to children—like sunlight, dew, and grass, things unpolluted. It stirred an instinctive urge to protect him. I had never felt such a maternal pull even toward Min Yan; perhaps subconsciously I knew Min Yan’s growth was planned by his parents, whereas at this moment, the child in my arms had no one to trust but me. I untied my cloak and carefully wrapped it around him. When the carriage reached the Ji Manor, Xiao Hei went to lead the horses. I carried the boy directly back to my quarters. Ying Xue helped me spread the bedding and gently removed his outer robe and boots. Just as I had settled him, Min Zhi arrived. Min Zhi’s gaze moved from Ming Hua to my face, and he shook his head in disapproval. "You’re always inviting trouble." I put a finger to my lips, signaling him to speak softly. I quietly lowered the bed curtains, left a single candle in the corner of the room, and led Min Zhi out to the parlor. Ying Xue was preparing hot tea for us, her eyes darting toward the inner room with a look of curiosity. Min Zhi’s gaze returned thoughtfully from the bedroom. "This must be Prince Xian’s younger brother. Since when did you get so close to those brothers?" My mind was still reeling from the explosive news Ming Hua had dropped. Ignoring his question, I asked directly, "Are we about to have a truce with Great Chu?" Min Zhi startled, his eyes flickering toward the bedroom. "He told you that?" I nodded quickly. "You’re on good terms with the Seventh Prince. Have you heard any rumors?" Min Zhi hesitated, then lowered his voice. "So far, it’s all just talk. I heard their King is ill. But whether there will be a ceasefire is still up in the air..." At least it wasn't groundless. I breathed a sigh of relief. From Qizhou to Zhongjing, a fast horse would take at least a month and a half to two months. By that calculation, if Ming Shao were to return, it would be at least... "Xi Xia," Min Zhi’s voice interrupted my scattered thoughts. "I heard some other things from Ming Yi. About you. Do you want to hear them?" I had no patience for his cryptic way of speaking. "It doesn't matter to me whether I hear it or not, as long as you can keep it in." Min Zhi sighed, his face losing its usual playful expression. "Does the Crown Prince intend to transfer you to be an Inner Court Guard?" I looked up at him. This wasn't exactly a major affair; had the whole world found out? "So it's true?" Min Zhi’s brows furrowed slightly. "He heard a few hints from the Grand Tutor. Did you refuse?" I remained silent, looking at Min Zhi with confusion. Since the Crown Prince had asked for my opinion privately, he shouldn't have intended to make it a forced decision. Besides, a lateral transfer between low-ranking military personnel wasn't exactly a state secret. Min Zhi looked at me with deep meaning. I couldn't help but sigh. "You’re all guessing there’s some romantic entanglement, aren't you?" Min Zhi wanted to laugh but held it back. "That was the initial guess. But then I thought, if His Highness really took a fancy to my sister, he wouldn't need to go through such trouble. That man’s mind is meticulous; I can't fathom his motives. But from what Ming Yi implied, the Prince seems to value your talent, yet because of the Ming Sect, he doesn't quite trust you." I knew all of this. After a moment of thought, I looked up and asked, "Do you know about the jade pendant the Crown Prince gave me?" Min Zhi nodded. "I only know that the pendant was a relic of the late Empress Duanshu. As for any other inside story, Ming Yi either doesn't know or knows but can't say. In any case, be careful." I didn't speak. Perhaps when my Master arrived, I could ask her. It was definitely related to the Ming Sect; the question was exactly what the connection was. "Third Sister," Min Zhi sighed, adopting the persona of a concerned elder brother. "When Ming Shao returns, you should just honestly get married and focus on raising children. The official world is a circle of intrigue; it’s no place for a woman to linger." I rolled my eyes at him. "Nagging like an old woman. Let me ask you, who is Yingluo?" Min Zhi’s face suddenly flushed. He stammered for a moment but couldn't get a word out. In truth, I only knew that Yingluo was the name of a courtesan; I’d heard that he and Ming Yi often went to the Waterfront Pavilion to hear her play the zither. That was all. I had brought up her name just to change the subject, never expecting this reaction. Suddenly, I began to worry for him. Had he... actually lost his heart to her? If that were true, the road ahead of him would not be an easy one. *** Early the next morning, I helped the young lord Ming Hua wash and dress. I fetched some of Min Yan’s clothes for him to change into, then sent him back to the courier station to wait for the palace attendants. When I arrived at the Ministry of Justice, Luo Guang was in the courtyard talking to an Inner Court Guard dressed in white armor. Seeing me, Luo Guang seemed to relax and called out, "Xi Xia, we have a mission." The guard in white armor had been scrutinizing me with an evaluative gaze since I entered the gates. He looked to be in his thirties, radiating competence and sharp wit. Judging by his thick knuckles, he was clearly a seasoned martial artist. Just as the thought crossed my mind, his hand flicked, and his longsword cleared its scabbard, a canopy of sword-light descending toward my head. I raised my silver blade to block the strike, shifting my body to shed the scabbard. Though his swordplay lacked killing intent, it was incredibly sharp. He didn't seem to be using his full strength; if I wasn't mistaken, this was a test. And what I loathed most were such tests—as if I were a head of cabbage at a market stall, being pinched and prodded to see if I met the standard. With a crisp *clang*, blade met sword, the vibration numbing my palm slightly. The guard retreated two steps, his face turning a shade paler. The look in his eyes changed, suddenly becoming solemn. After a brief breath, his sword bloomed into a flurry of strikes aimed straight for my face. My curved blade slid up the length of his sword, and with a forceful flick, a loud *clatter* echoed as the longsword flew from his hand, embedding itself upright in the brick crevice near Luo Guang’s feet. I stepped back. When I looked at him, his expression had turned very calm, though a thin trail of blood trickled slowly from his palm. He didn't speak. I glanced at Luo Guang, whose seemingly calm expression held a hint of unease. The guard in front of me clenched his fists and charged again with a roar. Since he was unarmed, I had no choice but to toss my blade to Luo Guang. In hand-to-hand combat, my best skill was grappling. When his fist swung toward my shoulder again, I seized him a second before impact, swiftly darted to his side, and used his own momentum to hurl his massive frame over my head. He had used too much force, and the recoil against his own body meant the fall must have been heavy. He struggled on the ground but couldn't get up. Luo Guang threw my blade back to me and hurried over to help him up, beginning to scold me. "Xi Xia, you really... look at what you've done..." The guard leaned on Luo Guang as he rose, a faint smile touching his lips. "Don't blame Officer Xi; I struck first. I am Shen Pei, Commander of the Inner Court Guards." The name Shen Pei sounded familiar... but before I could place it, he spoke with professional gravity. "By order of the Crown Prince, Luo Guang and Xi Xia of the Ministry of Justice are temporarily reassigned as Inner Court Guards. Report to the Inner Court immediately." I startled and turned to look at Luo Guang, who seemed perfectly at ease with the situation. As if reading the confusion in my heart, Shen Pei smiled slightly. "Rest assured, Officer Xi. Once the task is finished, you will both return to your respective posts." When he put it that way, I truly became curious. What kind of task required both Luo Guang and me to be roped in? The newly formed squad consisted of twelve people, all said to be elite picks from the Imperial Guards. When we gathered, the training focused on the layout of the Forbidden City, the defensive positions of various areas, and how to quickly rendezvous with the Inner Court Guards. Most of this training revolved around Rentai Hall. After a few days, we knew every swallow’s nest in Rentai Hall by heart. By then, the news had spread: an envoy from Great Chu had indeed arrived to negotiate peace. "The envoy is the famous Great Chu general, Meng An," Shen Pei said, pacing slowly back and forth before us. "They will arrive in Zhongjing before the New Year. Their retinue, as far as we know, consists of about sixty people. After they arrive, the Crown Prince will host a banquet in Rentai Hall. Your mission is to prevent any unforeseen incidents and defend the security of the palace." To put it plainly, our role was to protect the royal family—likely out of fear that assassins might be hidden among the envoys. Because I couldn't leave the palace during these days, I didn't know how Ming Hua was doing. I heard that because he was young and had no manor in Zhongjing, the Crown Prince had kept him by his side. The busy days flew by. Seven days before the New Year, the Great Chu envoys finally arrived in Zhongjing. *** My armor was a shimmering silver-white, designed to be easily identified by allies at night. The inner layer was made of supple leather, with high-carbon steel plates protecting vital areas. The helmet bore a beast motif and was adorned with a bright red tassel, looking very formidable. This set of armor had been specially altered by the Bureau of Clothing to fit me properly. I hid a throwing knife in each of my boots and carefully tucked the rest into my wide belt. I tied my hair back in front of the mirror and donned the helmet. Looking myself over, I felt that I truly looked like a warrior. Since the Crown Prince was hosting the banquet today, both of his consorts would attend. I wondered if Wu Xiu would be startled to see me like this. As for Consort Han, this would be my first time meeting her. I was truly curious to see what kind of woman she was. Standing under the wide eaves of Rentai Hall, I could see the layers of palace walls in the distance. The golden glazed tiles shimmered under the setting sun, their magnificence radiating imperial dignity and majesty. In the hall behind us, palace maids and eunuchs moved like flowing water, making final adjustments for the upcoming banquet. Shen Pei led the guards inside for one last routine inspection. Luo Guang and I stood to the right of the hall doors. From this angle, we could observe everyone entering, whether from inside or outside the hall. Officials began to arrive one after another, all dressed in formal court robes, seemingly striving to display the elegance of the Celestial Empire's officials before the envoys. As the last glow of twilight faded, several golden carriages adorned with tassels stopped at the foot of the Rentai Hall steps. From the first carriage stepped Crown Prince Ming De. He wore a black robe embroidered with five-colored thunder-beast patterns and a golden crown. His aura was steady, carrying the weight of royal authority. He stood below the carriage and looked up slightly, his gaze sweeping over Luo Guang and me. For a fleeting moment, he seemed lost in some distant thought—but it was only a moment. He regained his usual composure and, with hands behind his back, slowly ascended the steps. Consort Han and Wu Xiu followed closely behind him, one on each side. Consort Han appeared to be a very serene woman. Her features weren't exceptionally striking, but her eyes betrayed a very shrewd intelligence. Wu Xiu kept her head lowered in a proper manner, her jewel-encrusted attire making her look as exquisite as a porcelain doll. I had been thinking of how to surprise Wu Xiu, but neither of them even noticed me. The hall behind us went quiet for a moment, followed by the sound of officials greeting the Crown Prince. Before the commotion could settle, another person I recognized appeared in the lantern light at the foot of the steps. He wore a magnificent silver robe and walked with an elegant, powerful stride, like a leopard leisurely crossing its territory—relaxed, yet containing a hidden, unreleased strength. On his face, which looked as if it were carved from fine stone, a pair of deep green eyes shimmered with an inner light. His hair was bound with an emerald that matched his eyes, emitting a cold, ghostly glow in the dark night. His silver robe cast a hazy aura in the lantern light, making him look like a mysterious demon lingering in the night. His cold gaze fixed on me with focused intensity, inadvertently revealing a trace of curiosity, like a child who had discovered a fascinating new toy. Luo Guang and I exchanged a glance, neither of us understanding why Feng Tong would appear in such a place. I shifted my gaze away from him, letting it fall back to the new figures appearing at the bottom of the steps. Several eunuchs were leading a group of men and women dressed in strange attire up the broad steps of the hall with formal ceremony. These must be the envoys of Great Chu. At the sight of them, my heart couldn't help but quicken its beat. *** ### Glossary Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation --- | --- | --- 仁泰殿 | Rentai Hall | Hall of Benevolent Peace; a major ceremonial hall in the palace. 沈沛 | Shen Pei | Commander of the Inner Court Guards. 蒙安 | Meng An | A famous general and envoy from Great Chu. 司衣处 | Bureau of Clothing | The imperial department responsible for garments and armor. 临水阁 | Waterfront Pavilion | A high-end establishment/teahouse where courtesans perform. 璎珞 | Yingluo | 1. A character's name (courtesan); 2. A type of ornamental fringe or tassel. 大楚国 | Great Chu | The rival/enemy state currently at war with the protagonist's empire. 内廷侍卫 | Inner Court Guards | Elite guards responsible for the safety of the inner palace and royals.