461: Night Visit to Chang Le Palace

The night was deep. The Mysterious Clarity Master, dragging his weary body, stepped into the Imperial Study once more.

He reported the affairs of the Ministry of Rites and the Xia Family to Li Xuan. Li Xuan listened, remained silent for a long time, and then waved his hand, dismissing him.

The Mysterious Clarity Master did not leave; instead, he turned and hurried toward the side hall where Situ Jun was staying.

Inside the side hall, candlelight flickered.

Situ Jun was sitting by the window, flipping through a yellowed ancient book.

The ancient book was filled with obscure and difficult-to-understand runes, yet he read it with great interest, his demeanor relaxed, as if the monstrous waves stirred up in the outside world by a single word from him had nothing to do with him.

Hearing footsteps, Situ Jun did not raise his head, saying lightly:

"You're here. It's been more than an hour."

"Master."

The Mysterious Clarity Master bowed, his voice carrying a hint of fatigue, yet full of respect:

"Master, please forgive me. I was exhausted running around this afternoon and could only send a quick voice transmission to you. However, the matter has been initially settled. The selection for the New Empress has been changed to Liu Airu, the announcement has been issued, and the Grand Ceremony will proceed tomorrow as scheduled. The Xia Family has also been appeased; Xia Guanglin dares not utter a single complaint."

Situ Jun hummed, his gaze still fixed on the ancient book, his tone calm and unruffled:

"What about Xia Wei?"

"Noble Consort Xia... Miss Xia Wei is currently still in Ninghua Palace. Her emotions are unstable; she has been crying all afternoon."

The Mysterious Clarity Master said cautiously, afraid of angering Situ Jun.

Situ Jun paused the hand flipping the book and finally raised his head.

His gaze was profound, like an ancient well, making it impossible to see clearly.

"I will take her away after the Grand Ceremony," he said lightly. "Before that, take me to see her first. Don't let anything happen to her. This Innate Spiritual Physique is hard to find."

"Yes." The Mysterious Clarity Master quickly agreed.

He hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and whispered:

"Master, besides Xia Wei, this old servant also discovered someone whose Physique seems extraordinary. She is the widow of the Marquis of Zhengdong, Jiang Wanlian."

Situ Jun finally raised his eyes, glanced at him, and a hint of interest flashed in his eyes:

"What is special about this woman?"

The Mysterious Clarity Master quickly recounted, word for word, what he had previously told Li Xuan regarding Jiang Wanlian's fate hexagram, "Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate, Heavenly Phenomenon," and added:

"This woman possesses stunning beauty, gentle elegance, and charm. She single-handedly supports the declining Marquis's Residence, managing the Family perfectly. Both her Heart-Nature and capabilities are top-notch. Her destiny is incredibly noble, and if she obtains an Opportunity, she might become extraordinary. This old servant believes this woman may also be connected to Master..."

Situ Jun's finger gently tapped the tabletop, making a "thump-thump" sound.

He fell silent for a moment, and a hint of a smile flashed in his eyes:

"Your Divination Technique is somewhat extraordinary. To be able to glimpse the fortune of others, Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate, Heavenly Phenomenon... intriguing."

He raised his eyes to look at the Mysterious Clarity Master, his tone carrying a hint of approval:

"Since she is connected to me, pay closer attention to her in the future. If she truly can be of great use, as you say, I will credit you with a major service."

"Yes! This old servant understands!"

The Mysterious Clarity Master was delighted and quickly bowed in response.

It seemed Master had also developed an interest in Jiang Wanlian.

In this way, his previous minor mistakes could be considered redeemed by this service.

If he could find a Dao Companion for Situ Jun, his position in Situ Jun's heart would certainly become even more secure.

"Let's go."

Situ Jun put down the ancient book, rose, and walked out. The Mysterious Clarity Master quickly followed, leading the way for him.

The moonlight was like water, spilling onto the glazed tiles of the Imperial Palace, reflecting a cold, clear light. Two figures, one in front and one behind, walked toward Yaohua Palace.

The deep palace was silent, with only the rustling of the wind through the treetops and the faint sound of music drifting from afar... The night was like thick ink, rendering the entire Tianqi Imperial Palace still and noiseless.

The palace walls were towering. The glazed tiles reflected a cold, desolate light under the hazy moonlight. Even the footsteps of the patrolling Imperial Guards were muffled, lest they disturb the boundless night.

At this moment, Changle Palace still had a single lamp lit.

The window paper was cast in a warm yellow by the candlelight, and a frail silhouette clung to it, trembling slightly, as if it would dissipate with a gust of wind.

The palace maids and eunuchs guarding the outer chamber stood respectfully with lowered heads, their breathing light and slow. They dared not glance even slightly at the silhouette on the window out of the corner of their eyes.

A series of extremely light footsteps approached from a distance. The Mysterious Clarity Master, dressed in a plain Daoist robe with a posture as straight as a pine, guided the black-robed Situ Jun slowly into the sleeping quarters.

The evening wind carried a few dry leaves from the corridor, brushing past the hems of their robes, yet not making a sound.

The palace door was not closed, merely left ajar with a crack.

A faint scent of pear blossom incense, mixed with a woman's suppressed sobs, quietly wafted out, wrapping around one's nose, carrying an indescribable sense of grievance and sorrow.

Situ Jun stopped outside the threshold, his gaze passing through the crack and falling inside the hall.

The candlelight flickered, the light and shadows dimming and brightening, illuminating the figure curled up by the soft couch.

Xia Wei was dressed in a plain palace gown made of the finest Cloud Brocade, but it was now crumpled and clung to her body, making her complexion appear even paler.

Her long, dark hair was scattered over her shoulders, stained with tears, sticking strand by strand to her cheeks. Those apricot eyes, which usually sparkled and could make an Emperor unable to look away, were now filled with boundless fear and sorrow, like a fawn cornered by a hunter.

Hearing the footsteps, she suddenly raised her head. Beneath her messy hair, her swollen eyes met Situ Jun's profound gaze. Her body trembled again, and she instinctively shrank back, pressing her spine against the cold couch pillar, her fingertips desperately clutching the corner of her gown, forming deep wrinkles.

"W-what are you two doing here?"

Her voice was hoarse and dry, as if rubbed by sandpaper, carrying a heavy nasal sound, and the end of her words trembled slightly, utterly broken.

The Mysterious Clarity Master stepped forward, about to offer comfort, but was stopped by Situ Jun raising his hand.

That hand, clearly jointed, pale and slender, carried an undeniable pressure with just a slight lift.

"You should go back first."

Situ Jun's voice was low, carrying an unquestionable power.

"Yes."

The Mysterious Clarity Master bowed in response. As he retreated two steps, he thoughtfully pushed the partially closed palace door slightly open, then slowly closed it again, blocking out the faint light from outside.

Afterwards, he turned and waved his hand at the palace servants and eunuchs guarding the corridor, signaling them to retreat thirty meters away and not approach.

Only the two of them remained inside the hall.

Situ Jun walked in slowly. His black robe brushed over the golden bricks on the floor, stirring up a slight cool breeze that caused the candlelight to sway again.

He did not approach the soft couch but sat down on a rosewood chair not far away, his posture relaxed, as if he were a guest in his own residence.

He raised his hand and poured a cup of cold tea, his gaze calmly resting on Xia Wei. That gaze was profound like an ancient well, without the slightest ripple, yet it seemed capable of discerning all the secrets hidden deep within one's heart, containing no sense of coercion, but rather a tranquility born of comprehension.

"Do you hate me?"

Situ Jun looked at her and spoke lightly, his tone revealing neither happiness nor anger.

Having said that, he reached for the Zisha Teapot on the table, poured himself a cup of hot tea, and slowly took a sip. The rising steam blurred the emotions in his eyes.