A Dream of Justice: The First Lady Constable | Chapter 65 | Shattered Insignia | Novela.app

I kept my eyes tightly shut, my entire body submerged in the warm water. A single blood-pear blossom brushed gently against my cheek before drifting away with the ripples. The steam was thick with the cloying fragrance of the flowers. The women of the palace believed these crimson blooms possessed life-preserving and beautifying properties. Su Fengjun often took it upon herself to steep them in my bathwater, but today, I had no heart to fret over such trifles. My mind was a tempest of a single thought: how to escape. The city gates were heavily guarded; leaving would not be easy. After much deliberation, the only viable route seemed to be the Xunfang River in the north. Though deep, the river wasn't overly wide; Eternal Love should be able to clear it in a single leap. On the far bank lay a mulberry grove, and beyond that was Qijia Village—far enough from the main roads and the city checkpoints that even if pursuers were sent, they wouldn't catch me immediately. But if I fled Zhongjing, where would I go? Two soft hands began to unbind my hair from behind, meticulously applying a sweet-scented medicinal paste and beginning a thorough wash. I let out a slow breath. If I simply vanished, what would become of my father and the others? The thought of my father’s shoulders trembling from his persistent cough brought a fresh pang of guilt to my heart. Moreover, the career I had spent my life taking pride in would be utterly ruined, never to be mentioned again. Warm water was poured slowly over my head, and my washed hair was coiled at the nape of my neck by those same gentle hands. "Master Xi?" Su Fengjun’s voice was as soft as a whisper to a sleeping babe. "Shall I add more warm water?" I shook my head. "Bring my clothes." Su Fengjun paused for a beat, then asked hesitantly, "Your voice..." My throat didn't feel particularly strange, yet after a single night, my voice had become low and heavy, sounding like an old woman suffering from a severe chill. Seeing that I didn't intend to answer, Su Fengjun moved quietly to fetch my garments. I added one instruction behind her: "Bring the black robe of the Ministry of Justice." Her footsteps faltered slightly, but she murmured an assent and hurried off. The black uniform with its red piping and collar trim remained as vivid as boiling blood. Suddenly, a memory of the first time I wore it to patrol the streets flashed before my eyes. That day, my young mother had tied a beautiful red silk ribbon into my ponytail. The sunlight had been so brilliant it was blinding; the sky above was the deepest blue, dotted with the whitest clouds. On both sides of the street, the onlookers had smiled at me—their kind expressions as dazzling as the sun, making it hard to keep my eyes open. I slowly fastened the red sash and meticulously tucked my silver blade into my waist. The woman in the mirror looked exactly as she did when she was a mere bailiff, yet at a glance, something was clearly different. A sudden jolt of shock struck my heart. I leaned in for a closer look and discovered that, somehow, overnight, streaks of grey hair had appeared at my temples. My fingers brushed aimlessly over those conspicuous patches of grey. I couldn't understand how aging could descend so abruptly, in the span of a single night. The eyes in the mirror were dull and sunken, stripped of their former luster. I had... truly aged overnight. My hands trembled as I pressed them against the bronze mirror, forcefully flipping it face-down onto the table. By the time I stepped out of the bedroom, Su Fengjun had already laid out breakfast. Perhaps sensing my foul mood, she was uncharacteristically silent, serving me quietly. After ladling my porridge, she suddenly stepped aside and bowed. "Su greets the Noble Consort Chen." The chopsticks in my hand paused for a moment, then I lowered my head and continued eating. A flash of a green skirt entered my peripheral vision, and my appetite vanished instantly. I set down my chopsticks and wiped my hands with a warm towel. As I turned to leave, Wu Xiu’s figure darted forward, her arms outstretched to block my path. I lowered my gaze, but the swell of her pregnant belly scorched my eyes. "Third Sister," Wu Xiu’s voice was plaintive. "Will you not even look at me?" I looked up at her. Her face was slightly pale, though her exquisite makeup remained flawless. As our gazes met, a flicker of shock crossed her eyes. "How... your hair..." I asked tonelessly, "Does Your Ladyship have any instructions?" The horror in Wu Xiu’s eyes deepened. "Your voice... you... what on earth happened?" I didn't answer, merely watching her silently. Ever since Wu Xiu became Consort Chen, she no longer needed my protection. In truth, my protection had always been an empty promise to her. She knew what she wanted and how to defend what was hers. She surely knew that without the support of her family, the favor she enjoyed was nothing but a reflection of the moon in water. My worries for my father and Minzhi suddenly felt much lighter. "Third Sister," Wu Xiu stepped forward to grab my hand. I retreated slightly, and she caught only air, a brief look of embarrassment crossing her face. It vanished in an instant, replaced by a forced calm and a particularly tender tone. "Third Sister, I know you have official business. I will only say a few words and then leave." She looked at me and continued, "That day... I lost my composure. You have always been broad-minded; surely you won't truly be angry over a few mindless words?" She waited, and seeing I still didn't speak, she went on, "After all these days, I’ve realized that we are sisters, after all. With you in the palace, I have an ally. It’s good for both of us, for the baby, and for the Ji family. Third Sister, we are of the same blood. From now on, we are truly one family, never to be parted again..." I frowned. Wu Xiu stepped closer, affectionately tugging at my sleeve. "Third Sister, when the baby grows up, you’ll teach him martial arts, won't you?" My heart stirred slightly, but she raised her wide sleeve to cover her mouth, giggling. "You didn't return last night, and the Emperor was so worried he didn't sleep a wink. Empress Han specifically brewed bird's nest soup and hurried over, only to be unceremoniously kicked out by the Emperor. You should have seen the look on her face—turning green and purple. It was hilarious." At this, she couldn't help but double over with laughter. She laughed for a while, then suddenly caught the look of pity in my eyes and froze. I gently pulled my sleeve from her grasp. "Third Sister..." Confusion appeared in her eyes, and her tone grew urgent. "You must think clearly. Even if you are showered with a thousand favors, surviving in this inner palace won't be easy with your straightforward personality. We must support each other to secure our place..." I cut her off. "Did you come all this way so early just to tell me this?" Her face darkened at the interruption, but she quickly suppressed her displeasure and forced a smile, waving to someone behind her. Two palace maids stepped forward carrying trays. Upon them sat two intricately crafted sandalwood boxes inlaid with gold. With a slightly haughty air, Wu Xiu opened them one by one. Resting on deep red velvet were ornaments of pearl and ruby, radiating a brilliant luster in the morning light. She smiled triumphantly, affecting a humble posture. "I specifically brought these jewels to add to your dowry, Sister." My mind suddenly flashed back to the Wu Xiu I first met—the one who reached out to wipe away my tears with a shy smile; the Wu Xiu who played "Moonlit Night on the Spring River" with me under the moon; the Wu Xiu whose eyes sparkled and cheeks flushed when she spoke of her beloved... Were they truly the same person? "Third Sister?" Wu Xiu’s soft call pulled me from my reverie. Looking into her expectant eyes, I felt only the weariness that follows the end of a play. "If Your Ladyship has no other business, I'm afraid Xi Xia has official duties and cannot keep you company." I paused, then added, "I urge Your Ladyship to act with caution from now on. Behind Empress Han stands the Empress Dowager, Chancellor Han Gao, and the entire Han clan." Before I could finish, I saw the short, stout figure of Eunuch Wang appearing at the end of the path through the open window. I hurried to finish my words. "Please remember, in this place where people are devoured without even their bones being spat out, favor is the most unreliable thing of all. If you think I am truly fortunate enough to have won the Emperor's love, you are mistaken." This was what I had wanted to say during our last argument. From beginning to end, what Ming De had shown me was nothing but exploitation and a strange collector’s whim. Like a spoiled child, he was determined to add a unique item to his toy box that he didn't yet possess. Could that truly be called "love"? I shook my head. I was not exceptionally beautiful, I was too tall, and my personality was far from gentle. I did not believe I possessed the charm to win his heart—if he even had one. "Third Sister!" Wu Xiu let out a shrill, desperate cry behind me. "Do you not intend to reconcile with me? Do you plan to just look out for yourself? You want to use this way to get revenge on me, don't you?!" Is that truly what she thought? My footsteps faltered, a sense of desolation slowly rising in my heart. With a *crash*, something shattered behind me. I didn't turn back, simply quickening my pace as I walked away. The streets leading from Nanhua Gate to the Ministry of Justice were lined with heavy guards. Judging by their uniforms, they were the men of Han Nian, the Commander of the Nine Gates. While these soldiers weren't exceptionally skilled, they had the advantage of numbers. If they truly surrounded me in layers, it would be a headache to deal with. Shen Pei was still the one escorting me. Based on my knowledge of them, if I could neutralize Shen Pei, the others wouldn't be too difficult to handle... Thinking of this, I couldn't help but steal a glance at him. To my surprise, he was looking at me too, his deep gaze holding not just scrutiny, but a faint, underlying unease. I quickly looked away. Could he have sensed something? The courtyard of the Ministry of Justice had hardly changed since I left. Luo Jin sat at the end of the row; he looked darker and thinner. Above him sat Han Nian, the Commander of the Nine Gates. Opposite that seat, at this time last year, the person sitting there had been Ming Shao. Ming Shao, who was to be married in three days... My gaze involuntarily fell upon the figure in golden armor beneath the bright yellow imperial parasol. Because of the distance, I couldn't see his expression clearly. But the moment I saw him, an uncontrollable surge of hatred erupted from my heart. I gripped my sword hilt, a desire for vengeance smoldering within me—a bloodthirsty heat that instantly alerted every cell in my body. My eyes began to uncontrollably scan the defenses around the imperial throne. I knew that behind the throne were two of Shen Pei’s squads, each consisting of about twenty men, all experts of the Imperial Guard. But he was facing the training grounds, and there were no guards directly in front of him. If I were fast enough, I should be able to reach him before the guards could charge... "Xi Xia!" That sudden shout instantly broke me into a cold sweat. Various thoughts flooded my mind: if the assassination failed, not only would I die, but the Ji clan would be executed to the ninth generation... If it succeeded, Ming Yi would be the next to take the throne. Without the support of maternal relatives, the deeply rooted Han family and Marshal Chu’s faction, who held military power, would surely clash. Chaos would ensue... "Xi Xia!" Shen Pei appeared before me like a ghost, his face full of inquiry. "What on earth happened to you? What happened last night? Why did you ask for my personal guards to escort you into the palace first thing this morning?" His words suddenly reminded me. From this morning's situation, Ming De had likely grown suspicious of me in secret. An assassination would not be easy. Though there were no guards in front of him, what if it were a trap? Despite the heat, a layer of fine sweat broke out on my forehead. Just as I was wondering how to respond, a eunuch came running over, shouting, "The Emperor summons Master Xi!" Shen Pei frowned. "For what?" The eunuch seemed quite intimidated by him, stepping back as he said, "The winner of the martial trial, Sun Xin, has challenged the winner of the previous year. The Emperor has granted it." I breathed a silent sigh of relief, bypassed Shen Pei, and followed the eunuch into the inner courtyard. In the center of the field stood the arrogant winner. Not yet twenty years old, he wore a pristine white robe. His expression suggested he held the entire world in contempt. Seeing me enter, he merely gave a haughty cupped-fist salute and said, "Master Xi, please." Before his voice had even faded, his longsword bloomed into a flurry of steel, thrusting straight for my eyes. I quickly stepped back, dodging this extremely disrespectful opening move. But he was clearly eager to take me down in the shortest time possible to establish his prestige. His moves grew increasingly ruthless, all aimed at my vital points. I parried his sword and swiftly raised my silver blade. The sword struck the blade with a *clang*, sending sparks flying. Behind the sword were a pair of young but dark, brooding eyes. I discarded the scabbard. At a time like this, for some reason, I suddenly thought: once this day passed, there would be only two days left until Ming Shao’s wedding... A surge of heat rushed up from my chest, straight into my brain, where it exploded into a buzzing swarm of sparks. And behind those blinding sparks, in the depths of that heavy night, there was a clear, surging tide of pain and despair. Sword light descended upon me, and I blocked it with my blade. But my restraint only encouraged his desire to toy with me. With a flash of his sword, he actually sliced off a lock of hair from my temple. That frivolous and insulting strike instantly ignited the fury in my heart. When Sun Xin’s sword lunged again, my silver blade swiftly entangled his. He tried to retreat, but it was too late. His sword was flicked away, and my blade, unable to check its momentum, slashed down toward his neck. A look of sheer terror suddenly filled Sun Xin’s eyes, and that look snapped me back to my senses. But the edge had already met his neck, and bright red blood was dripping down the blade. Sun Xin stumbled back a few steps and collapsed onto the ground. "Xi Xia!" someone barked at me. "A friendly spar between colleagues—how could you strike with such lethal intent?!" I looked down at Sun Xin’s wide, terrified eyes and the conspicuous bloodstains on his white robe, my mind alternating between a daze and clarity. He was just a young man wanting to join the Ministry of Justice. What was wrong with me? Why couldn't I control myself? I took a step back, then another. The silver blade fell to the ground with a *clang*. "Master Xi has been working hard for days and is exhausted; that is why such a mistake occurred..." The person speaking for me was Ming Yi. His eyes, so similar to Ming Shao’s, were as calm as still water, yet a single glance at them threw my mind into turmoil. "...Master Xi only returned at sunset yesterday..." I stared at Ming Yi’s eyes, and a flurry of chaotic images flashed through my mind: Ming Shao and I riding side-by-side across the boundless grasslands, the brilliant sun shining on his laughing face... Waking from a faint to see him curled in a chair, dozing, the candlelight casting gentle shadows on his cheek... Surrounded by dense foliage, Ming Shao wrapping me in his cloak, listening to the rustle of leaves and watching the sparse starlight above... Emerging from the water into the shimmering light, Ming Shao’s hypnotic gaze... In the cold, silent night, my back pressed against his chest, his warm breath stirring the fine hair near my ear... And now, all of it—I had lost it all. My hand slowly moved to my collar. With a *rip*, I tore off the red trim that signified my official rank. "Xi Xia!" Ming Yi’s cry had lost its composure. I placed the trim beside the silver blade, took another step back, and knelt. "For injuring a colleague by mistake, I should be dismissed and reduced to a commoner according to the law." The training field was silent—so silent I could even hear the faint cries of street vendors in the distance. After an unknown amount of time, Ming De’s majestic voice drifted from afar: "Granted." I kowtowed and slowly stood up. Before turning away, I couldn't help but cast one last look at the Seventh Prince, Ming Yi. That look of his—part shock, part regret—truly resembled Ming Shao. I withdrew my gaze with lingering attachment and walked quickly across the empty field of the Ministry of Justice. Eternal Love seemed to sense my mood, galloping toward me with unprecedented speed. Appearing alongside the horse were Shen Pei and a young guard whose name I didn't know. "Xi Xia!" Shen Pei blocked my path. "The Emperor has ordered us to escort you back to the palace." *** **Glossary**