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墨書 Inktalez
Lin Yuqian gently placed her delicate jade hand on her forehead, softly massaging her temples in an attempt to alleviate the wave after wave of dizziness crashing over her. It felt as if her head had been forcefully stuffed into two enormous water-filled watermelons, heavy and swollen, causing immense discomfort. The buzzing in her ears was relentless, like thousands of bees flapping their wings all at once.
"Inverse Light, oh Inverse Light, what is wrong with you? You seem so clever and sharp on ordinary days, yet every time a crucial moment arrives, you falter and drop the ball! What kind of nonsense are you up to with this broken system?" Lin Yuqian couldn't help but let out a deep sigh, her voice filled with profound helplessness and intense frustration.
"Look at the so-called clues you've given me; they're vague at best and downright ambiguous at worst, leaving me completely bewildered! I spent last night tirelessly chasing leads, my eyes darkened like a national treasure panda's from lack of sleep, only to end up with nothing useful. Can you believe how infuriating that is?" The more Lin Yuyue spoke, the more agitated she became, her chest rising and falling as if a fire of anger was burning within her.
However, at that moment, Inverse Light's voice remained cheerful and upbeat, like a newly learned parrot chattering endlessly in Lin Yu's mind, seemingly oblivious to how serious the situation had become.
"Hehehe, dear host, please don't be angry! Whatever you do, don't lose your temper!" Inverse Light said with a grin. "Actually, I'm doing this to help you hone your exceptional reasoning skills! Just think about it; you're usually so sharp-witted. How could this little puzzle possibly stump you? With your intelligence and effort, you'll surely find the correct answer this time, right?"
"Ha! You really know how to sweet-talk. Your words are as sweet as honey," Lin Yu replied with a roll of her eyes, clearly laced with sarcasm.
"Look at these so-called clues you've given me. Aside from revealing that the person who framed me is a court minister, what good are they? It's like asking me to fish out a needle from the vast ocean! There are easily over a hundred officials in this court—high-ranking ministers and lowly bureaucrats alike! How am I supposed to investigate each one? Am I supposed to interrogate them one by one like I'm questioning criminals? If that's the case, then this esteemed Consort would lose all face!"
"Oh dear host, please don't be so quick to anger! As they say, 'Haste makes waste!'" Inverse Light quickly interjected in an attempt to soothe her. His voice carried a hint of flattery.
"In fact, the truly useful clues have long been in your hands; you just haven't discovered them yet."
"Perhaps you should take a moment to calm down and think it over carefully. You might just have a flash of inspiration and figure out the key point," someone suggested.
Lin Yu couldn't help but let out a deep sigh, feeling a sense of helplessness wash over her. She thought to herself, "It seems there's no hope in relying on this guy. In the end, I'll have to depend on myself!" With that in mind, she once again pulled out the important clue that the system had provided earlier—the seemingly unremarkable ink painting.
In the painting, a majestic eagle spread its wide and powerful wings, soaring freely across the vast expanse of the sky like two enormous clouds.
Its posture was as agile as a dragon, each flap of its wings carrying the force of thunder;
its sharp, knife-like gaze looked down upon the earth below, as if everything in the world was under its control.
The entire scene was imposing and breathtaking.
However, this painting was not merely lifelike and aesthetically pleasing; it held deeper significance.
Standing before the painting, Lin Yu stared intently at it, her brows furrowed deeply as thoughts raced through her mind.
What hidden secrets did this eagle conceal?
Could it be connected to some high-ranking officials in the court?
Lin Yu pondered this question repeatedly, murmuring to herself, "Eagle... eagle... court officials..." Yet no matter how hard she racked her brain, she couldn't find the crucial clue.
Could this eagle represent the zodiac sign of some important figure?
But upon reflection, she dismissed that idea; she had never heard of anyone in the court being associated with an eagle.
Just as Lin Yu was lost in thought, a sudden sound of hurried and heavy footsteps echoed from outside.
The footsteps grew louder as they approached, sounding as if someone was rushing towards her.
Suddenly, a sharp voice rang out, "Your Grace, the Emperor has summoned you to court immediately! There must be no delay!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Yu's heart sank with a thud, and she inwardly cursed her bad luck. But in an instant, she thought to herself: This might be just what I need! Perhaps this is what they call "when you're dozing off, someone brings you a pillow"?
At that moment, an intense intuition surged within her—perhaps this urgent summons to the palace was precisely the opportunity to uncover the truth behind the painting! Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Lin Yu quickly walked towards the door.
She decided to take a gamble; if she lost, she would consider it a lesson learned! Carefully rolling up the ink wash painting and tucking it into her sleeve, she stood up, adjusted her dress, and with a hint of determination, made her way to the Golden Luan Hall.
Inside the hall, the atmosphere was solemn and oppressive, as if the air itself was thick with tension that made it hard to breathe.
Jiang Chen sat on the dragon throne, his expression dark and frosty as if covered in ice. His gaze was deep and piercing as it swept over the ministers standing below him, exuding an intimidating presence that sent shivers down their spines.
Lin Yu stepped lightly into the grand hall. Today, she had deliberately chosen a simple yet elegant dress; its understated color accentuated her ethereal grace, making her appear like a fairy untouched by worldly affairs. She approached the throne and gracefully bowed, her voice clear and melodious like a lark's song: "Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!"
"My beloved consort may rise," Jiang Chen replied in a deep voice that revealed no hint of his emotions. "I have summoned you today to inquire about an important matter."
"Your Majesty may ask; I shall speak without reservation," Lin Yu said with lowered eyes, though her heart raced like water splashing in a well—filled with anxiety.
"Regarding the assassination attempt in the palace that day, do you have any new leads?" Jiang Chen asked directly, his gaze fixed intently on Lin Yu.
Taking another deep breath to calm her racing heart, Lin Yu slowly replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, I have been tirelessly investigating these past few days without rest or peace. I have indeed discovered some clues."
As she spoke, she retrieved the ink wash painting from her sleeve, holding it delicately with both hands as if presenting a rare treasure to Jiang Chen.
"This is..." Jiang Chen took the painting from her hands, his eyes flickering with curiosity as he slowly unfurled it with gentle movements.
The moment the painting was fully revealed, gasps filled the hall as ministers exchanged whispers and murmurs among themselves, creating a cacophony of speculation.
In the painting soared a majestic eagle with sharp claws gripping a small exquisite jade pendant! The pendant was entirely emerald green and intricately carved; it was evident that it was no ordinary item.
The jade pendant was precisely the same as the one worn by the assassin on the day of the attack, identical in every detail.
"This..." Jiang Chen's expression changed dramatically, as if struck by lightning. He suddenly raised his head, his gaze piercing as he scanned the officials before him, seemingly trying to see through each one to find the mastermind behind this plot.
Lin Yu stood nearby, her demeanor calm. She pointed at the jade pendant in the painting and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I have seen this pendant on Minister Li. Moreover, I remember that Minister Li treasures this pendant greatly; he wears it close to him at all times, fearing it might be damaged."
Her words struck like thunder in the Golden Luan Hall, causing an uproar among the officials!
Minister Li? How could this be possible? Minister Li had served loyally for three reigns; how could he commit such treasonous acts?
Minister Li's face turned pale, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. His body trembled violently as if he were shaking grains. With a thud, he fell to his knees before Jiang Chen, crawling towards him while pointing at Lin Yu and hoarsely shouting, "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! I am wronged! I am wronged! You... you wicked woman, spouting false accusations! When have I ever worn such a jade pendant? You are framing me! I have been loyal to you; heaven and earth can bear witness!"
Lin Yu sneered, her eyes filled with disdain. "Minister Li, are you feeling guilty? At this point, the evidence is irrefutable. Do you still wish to resist? You truly are stubborn; you won't give up until you see the Yellow River or shed tears until you see your coffin! With your acting skills, you should perform on stage; it would be a shame not to."
Minister Li attempted to argue further, desperately struggling for a final chance. With tears and snot streaming down his face, he pleaded, "Your Majesty! I am truly wronged! I have followed you for many years; even if I have no achievements, I have put in hard work. You must believe me!"
He was interrupted by Jiang Chen's furious shout: "Enough! Li Aiqing, do you still dare to argue at this point?! What more do you have to say?!"
Jiang Chen's voice echoed like thunder in the hall, making people's eardrums buzz and causing tiles to rattle down.
"Guards! Take Minister Li away and throw him into the dungeons for strict interrogation!"
With Jiang Chen's command, two guards charged forward like wolves, disregarding Minister Li's cries and struggles as they pinned him to the ground, fastening cold shackles around his wrists and dragging him away.
The truth was revealed; the crisis was averted.
A heavy stone finally lifted from Lin Yu's heart. She let out a long sigh of relief, feeling much lighter as if she had shed a tremendous burden.
Jiang Chen rose from his dragon throne and walked over to Lin Yu. His gaze was filled with admiration and comfort, along with a hint of unnoticeable tenderness.
"Indeed, my beloved consort is exceptionally wise and possesses unparalleled intelligence. It is thanks to you that the truth has been uncovered so swiftly, resolving a significant dilemma for me. I am greatly relieved!"
"Your Majesty flatters me; I dare not take credit," Lin Yu humbly replied, a perfectly measured smile gracing her face. "I have merely fulfilled my duty. It is all due to Your Majesty's immense fortune that we have turned misfortune into good fortune and encountered blessings in times of trouble. I cannot claim the credit for such divine grace."
Hearing this, Jiang Chen's expression brightened, and he burst into hearty laughter, his voice booming with vitality. "What a splendid fortune! My beloved consort's words resonate deeply with me! Not only are you exceptionally wise, but your humility is truly rare!"
Then, the emperor spoke with authority in the court: "Come forth! Quickly convey my decree! Lin Guifei possesses outstanding talent and beauty, along with noble character and exceptional abilities; she is indeed a paragon of our dynasty. From this day forth, I hereby elevate her to the position of Empress Dowager and bestow upon her the title 'Hui.' This decree takes immediate effect; there must be no mistakes. So it is decreed!"
Upon hearing this proclamation, Lin Yu felt an overwhelming wave of joy surge within her, happiness flooding her heart like a tidal wave, almost causing her to laugh out loud.
However, the composure cultivated through years of palace life quickly reigned in her emotions, and she maintained a dignified smile on her face.
With graceful poise, she curtsied deeply and expressed her gratitude in a sweet yet solemn tone: "I thank Your Majesty for your great kindness! Long live the Emperor!" Her voice was like celestial music—melodious, sweet without being cloying, leaving listeners feeling refreshed.
After the court session concluded, Lin Yu walked lightly back to her own palace—Changchun Palace.
As soon as she stepped through the palace doors, barely having time to sip some water to soothe her throat, the cheerful voice of Inverse Light erupted in her mind like firecrackers: "Congratulations, host! You have successfully completed your task! Not only did you expose Minister Li's hypocritical true nature, but you also seized the opportunity for promotion. Truly a double blessing—how wonderful!"
"This time I owe it all to the clues you provided!" Lin Yu chuckled lightly, clearly teasing in her tone. "Though I must say, those clues were rather perplexing and could even be deemed unreliable!"
"But thankfully, it turned out to be a case of a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse—an unexpected success."
"However, Inverse Light," she continued seriously, "I must make it clear that next time you provide me with any so-called clues, could you please make them a bit more reliable?
Please don’t give me more of those flashy yet insubstantial things like this time.
My fragile little heart can hardly withstand such repeated turmoil!
I genuinely worry that my poor brain cells won't be enough to handle all the nonsense you throw my way!"
Hearing Lin Yu's continuous complaints, Inverse Light quickly smiled and said, "Hehehe, dear host, you can rest assured!
I promise you that I will never make the same mistake again!
Next time, I will definitely present you with a clear, straightforward clue that will be so simple and direct that you’ll understand it at a glance and be able to operate it right away!" As he spoke, Inverse Light even pretended to raise his hand, almost swearing to the heavens.
Watching Inverse Light's earnest demeanor, Lin Yu could only shake her head helplessly, thinking to herself: I can’t trust a single word from this guy! This broken system is more unreliable than depending on myself to figure things out slowly!
However, no matter what, this crisis had finally passed safely, which was both thrilling and ultimately a relief.
Now, the most important thing for her was to fully enjoy the esteemed treatment that came with being the Empress Dowager.
The endless wealth and luxurious food and clothing were enough to bring her joy just by imagining them!
At the same time, she decided to take this opportunity to calm down and seriously think about her next steps and direction... Suddenly, she recalled Jiang Chen's words in the court: "I believe there may be someone else secretly manipulating Minister Li."
So who could be behind all of this, operating from behind the heavy curtains?
This truly was a headache!
Just as one storm had settled, another challenge surged forth like a tide.
Who could this hidden puppet master be?
Thinking of this, Lin Yu couldn't help but furrow her brows, slowly closing her eyes as she began to concentrate deeply on her thoughts...
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