Chapter 13: The Complaint

“Qingyu!” Xiao Huaqing called out, noticing Luo Qingyu staring intently in the direction Lin Yue had left. A flicker of displeasure crossed his eyes.

Luo Qingyu quickly turned back and said respectfully, “Young Master, I’ll help you untie the bindings right away.”

Xiao Huaqing nodded. Once freed, he rubbed the sore spots where he had been beaten, grimacing in pain.

Lin Yue had been too ruthless. He said, “That shameless woman has been deceiving me all along. She knew everything but still dared to play innocent in front of me.”

“You saw it just now—she even pretended to have twisted her ankle. It’s utterly disgusting.”

“Young Master...” Luo Qingyu hesitated, then stopped.

Xiao Huaqing frowned. “What is it now? We grew up together. If you have something to say, just say it—I never doubt you.”

Hearing this, Luo Qingyu quickly responded, “I did notice the princess consort’s ankle was indeed swollen; it didn’t seem feigned.”

Xiao Huaqing was momentarily stunned but then, seeing Luo Qingyu defend Lin Yue, grew displeased. “So what? She deserves it. What does it have to do with me?”

“Don’t ever mention her in front of me again—it’s bad luck!”

Luo Qingyu hurriedly agreed, though his mind was troubled. How could Xiao Huaqing hear the princess consort’s innermost thoughts?

It seemed he would have to investigate tonight. The princess consort’s behavior today had been highly unusual—she appeared utterly unconcerned about the young master.

Could it be... that the princess consort was possessed by some evil spirit?

At that thought, Luo Qingyu’s eyes narrowed sharply. “Young Master, please don’t go out yet. I’ll first check on the princess consort’s whereabouts, make sure she’s asleep, then come to fetch you.”

Without waiting for a response, he locked the dungeon door and left.

Xiao Huaqing ran to the door, pounding on the bars. “Qingyu, what are you afraid of with that woman? Let me out first, I—”

But the only answer was the sound of footsteps fading away.

Meanwhile, in the main residence.

Just as Lin Yue returned, Aunt Zhang greeted her joyfully. “The Empress has sent a surprise for the princess consort. Would you like to see it?”

“What’s all this secrecy about?” Lin Yue asked, puzzled.

Aunt Zhang led the princess consort to a quiet corridor and whispered, “It’s the Shadow Guards.”

“Shadow Guards?”

“Shh, speak softly. No one outside can know.”

Lin Yue’s eyes shone like stars in the dark night.

The Shadow Guards—silent as shadows, never asking for anything, only receiving monthly pay—were reliable, discreet, and always on call.

“Where are they? I must meet them!”

Hearing this, Aunt Zhang promptly led Lin Yue to a small courtyard behind the main hall. As they opened the door, two tall, sharp-eyed men dressed entirely in black stood there, their aura cold and commanding.

When Aunt Zhang lit the lamp inside, the young men’s resolute and handsome faces came into view.

About twenty years old, with sharp features and stern expressions, their eyes radiated the keen sharpness of expertly trained secret agents.

Lin Yue asked, “Did the Empress send you to me?”

The two Shadow Guards immediately knelt. “We serve under Master Xu’s command but will obey the princess consort’s orders from now on, never to betray her.”

Aunt Zhang quickly explained, “The Empress wrote to the Duke of Jin’s residence to send them to you.”

So the credit clearly belonged to the Empress.

Lin Yue understood—this was perfect timing, especially since she had been worried Aunt Wang might poison her while she slept.

Now with secret guards, she could rest easier.

“Do you have names?” she asked.

In unison, they replied, “Please grant us names, mistress.”

This meant from now on, these two were hers alone, no longer affiliated with the Duke of Jin’s residence.

Lin Yue smiled secretly, delighted. Pointing to the Shadow Guard on the left, she said, “You shall be called ‘Bright Moon.’”

Then to the one on the right, “You will be ‘Star.’”

“As for your specific duties, I will decide later.”

At that moment, Bright Moon looked up and said, “We can deliver messages, kill, and rescue.”

Though she didn’t know why their former master insisted they emphasize ‘delivering messages’ first, hearing it now, Bright Moon seemed relieved.

Only after completing the last order from their former master would they fully obey the princess consort.

Star also repeated, “Delivering messages, killing, rescuing, and secretly investigating—these are the Shadow Guards’ basic skills.”

Hearing this, Lin Yue immediately thought of Xiao Jingyun.

But if her men acted recklessly, Xiao Jingyun might not trust them.

Thinking of the calm and composed Official Bai, perhaps he could be trusted.

Lin Yue said at once, “Understood. You may withdraw now.”

Bright Moon and Star quickly melted into the shadows. Aunt Zhang extinguished the lamp and helped Lin Yue out.

Nearby, Luo Qingyu stood frozen, watching the scene.

The Empress and the Emperor had sent people to the prince’s residence—could it be they intended to target the prince?

No, he had to report this to Official Bai!

...

“Official Bai, there’s trouble.”

“The Empress sent Shadow Guards to the princess consort’s side.”

Luo Qingyu arrived at Official Bai’s residence, eager to report.

Unexpectedly, Official Bai calmly stood, closed the door, and said, “I know.”

Luo Qingyu was shocked. “You know?”

Official Bai nodded. “It seems the princess consort did go to the palace to lodge a complaint.”

Luo Qingyu nearly bit his tongue; he wanted to ask if it was possible the princess consort had been replaced.

“Do you think they would harm the young master or the princess consort?” he asked.

Official Bai’s face darkened with displeasure. “What nonsense is that? The prince is away at war. Even if the palace harbors dissatisfaction, now is not the time to act.”

“Besides, Xu Changdong is the prince’s deputy general. The prince has always supported the crown prince. Why would the Empress go against him?”

“If they anger the prince, no one would know how Xu Changdong met his end.”

Luo Qingyu wanted to suggest the princess consort might have been swapped but, hearing Official Bai’s words, became cautious.

Without solid evidence, it would be hard to convince anyone.

If even Official Bai thought so, it would be even tougher with the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.

He resolved to secretly monitor the princess consort and consult Official Bai once he had concrete proof.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside. A servant said, “Official Bai, Aunt Qin from the princess consort’s side has arrived.”

Official Bai glanced at Luo Qingyu, who quickly slipped into the inner chamber.

Official Bai opened the door to welcome Aunt Qin.

Without wasting words, Aunt Qin produced a letter. “This is from the princess consort to the prince, asking Official Bai to send it.”

“She said Official Bai must write a return letter and tell the prince to remember to reply. If Official Bai fails, it means the letter never reached the prince, and Official Bai must be held accountable.”

“Also, Official Bai shouldn’t try to deceive the princess consort—the prince’s handwriting is unmistakable to her.”

Hearing this, Official Bai quickly took the letter. “Please tell the princess consort I dare not fail and will ensure the letter reaches the prince.”

Aunt Qin nodded and soon left.

Luo Qingyu emerged to see Official Bai had opened the letter, but his twitching eyelids betrayed a complicated expression.

Curious, Luo Qingyu asked, “What did the princess consort write?”

Official Bai folded the letter. “Nothing much—just a complaint.”

“A complaint?”

“Yes, she said the young master bullied her.”

Luo Qingyu was speechless. Who was it that just whipped the young master?