Impératrice douairière Xiaoxuan

Chapitre 188

Su Zui finally arrived late, around midnight.

"Your mark is so small, like a mosquito bite, who can see it?" he complained first, sitting down by the charcoal brazier in the dark, the dim light of the charcoal fire reflecting on his face, creating a play of light and shadow.

Zhan Zhao had no time for small talk and immediately asked, "Do you remember when you came here you told me that you saw one of Yelü Hongji's confidants in town, and judging from his build, he looked like a woman?"

“Yes, I remember.” Upon hearing this, Su Zui’s expression turned serious.

"I think I saw the person my elder brother was talking about today."

Su Zui was silent for a moment before asking, "Then, did you see her face clearly?"

“I saw it clearly,” Zhan Zhao said in a low voice. “Her appearance and demeanor are extremely similar to those of Madam Fang, who died three years ago.”

Su Zui sighed, as if she had been waiting for him to say this: "It really wasn't my imagination. I felt the same way when I saw her in town."

"Why didn't you say so sooner, brother?"

"Firstly, I wasn't entirely sure, and secondly, I didn't know much about her background. That's why I had to come here to verify it."

"Are you afraid she'll do something to me?"

"It's hard to say." Su Zui was also clueless about this matter. "Have you ever seen her by Yelü Hongji's side before? But didn't you notice?"

Zhan Zhao shook his head: "No, her size and appearance are not those of a person from beyond the Great Wall. If Yelü Hongji had such a person by his side, I would know it."

Su Zui thought for a moment: "Yelü Hongji went hunting with Xiao Guanyin, so it's impossible that he brought other women with him."

"I will try to find out her identity and background again."

"Be very careful. She looks so much like Madam Fang, so they are probably related by blood. Even if she is not a master of poison, she probably can use poison. You must be very careful."

“I know.” Zhan Zhao was not thinking about his personal safety. “I think if she really is related to Madam Fang, then it is very likely that she was sent here from there. At least, we have a clue to investigate this matter.”

"Don't be too happy yet," Su Zui said. "This matter may just be a coincidence. In any case, we should proceed with caution and avoid alerting the enemy. Also, given your identity, it won't be easy for you to inquire about Yelü Hongji's affairs. You must not give yourself away."

Zhan Zhao smiled slightly, his voice steady and calm in the darkness: "I understand, brother, don't worry."

Volume 3, Chapter 30

Mo Yan giggled all day, but finally calmed down on the second day. Probably due to the effects of the tonics Ning Jin had sent, she started getting out of bed. She first wandered around the tent a few times, but still felt stuffy, so she simply slipped out of the tent.

Although she longed to see Zhan Zhao, she knew she absolutely could not go to him. She also considered asking Su Zui some questions, but after thinking it over, she felt it was inappropriate. So she could only wander slowly around the camp alone, wearing a cloak.

After walking for a while, she ran into Zhao Yu's maid carrying a pot of hot water. She quickly stopped her and asked, "Is the princess still asleep? If she is awake, may I come in?"

"Come with me." The maid seemed worried.

Mo Yan didn't quite understand, so he followed behind her and headed towards the large tent where Zhao Yu was staying.

Upon entering the tent and passing the screen, Mo Yan couldn't help but exclaim softly when she saw Zhao Yu, "Princess, why do you look so pale? Did you catch a chill last night?"

"What are you shouting about? Don't make a fuss."

Zhao Yu gently scolded her, then propped herself up. The maid quickly helped her up and placed several soft cushions under her so she could lean against them.

"Princess, is your illness worse again?" Mo Yan asked with concern as she approached.

"It's nothing. I ate some heavy meat and drank some wine yesterday. I haven't eaten like that in a while, so I guess my stomach can't handle it," Zhao Yu said casually. She glanced at Mo Yan and asked curiously, "Why aren't you grinning like an idiot today? Have you had enough?"

Mo Yan smiled and nodded repeatedly: "I've laughed enough, I've laughed enough."

"What exactly is this joyous occasion?"

"Princess, the most important thing right now is to go find the tortoise." Mo Yan changed the subject with a smile, then frowned as she looked at Zhao Yu's sickly appearance, "But can you still walk?"

"I can't go out today." Zhao Yu was quite self-aware. "But I asked my little uncle to help me find that person. I don't know if he found him yet."

As the two were talking, someone outside announced that Ning Jin had arrived, and Zhao Yu hurriedly instructed them to invite him in.

"Found him! Found him! Guess who it is? He's right under our noses!" Ning Jin exclaimed as he strode in. Seeing Zhao Yu behind the screen, seemingly unharmed, he called out, "Zichu, call him in."

Mo Yan peeked out, glanced at the person who had come, and then with a bright smile, withdrew.

"Who is it?" Zhao Yu asked curiously.

Mo Yan didn't answer, but gestured with her lips to let her listen. Sure enough, an unusually loud, aged voice rang out: "This old servant greets the princess!"

It's him!

Zhao Yu and Mo Yan exchanged a smile, both thinking to themselves, "Why didn't we realize it was him sooner! We went to all that trouble to look for him."

“He’s our stableman, and he’s really hard of hearing. If you want to ask him questions, you’ll have to put in some effort,” Ning Jin said from the outer room.

Zhao Yu had a maid help him put on his outer robe, then ordered the screen to be removed before saying to Ning Jin, "Little Imperial Uncle, thank you. I will question him slowly."

Ning Jin then noticed Zhao Yu's pale face and shook his head, sighing, "I heard you vomited when you came back yesterday. You must have drunk too much. These Liao people really drink alcohol like water. I've seen enough of them. I still feel dizzy."

Zhao Yu smiled slightly: "Then you should go back and rest first, little royal uncle. I can ask him with Xiao Qi by myself."

Upon hearing this, Ning Jin glanced at Mo Yan: "It's good that you can get out of bed now. Did they prepare the medicine they sent for you?"

"It tastes really bad, but it's quite effective," Mo Yan said with a smile. "Thank you, Your Highness."

"That's good."

Ning Jin nodded, then told Zhao Yu not to overwork himself, before leaving the tent.

Leaving Mo Yan behind, Zhao Yu dismissed the other maids and then said to Su Zui, "Get up quickly. Your legs are not good, so don't kneel for too long."