Moonlit Reunion [子夜归]

Chapter 3

Wu Zhen was promptly sent out of the hall by the Empress, her sister's parting words echoing in her ears: "Go home and prepare for your wedding."

She shrugged, grabbed her horsewhip, and strolled away, lost in thought as she walked. Passing through a long corridor, she unexpectedly encountered the Emperor. He was holding several sheets of paper, muttering to himself, completely absorbed in whatever he was reading. A dozen eunuchs and palace maids trailed behind him, their heads bowed in silence.

Wu Zhen paused, bowed, and called out, "Your Majesty." The Emperor, hearing her voice, finally pulled his gaze away from the music score in his hands and looked at her. Noticing her mixed-gender attire, he chuckled but said nothing, instead asking kindly, "So it's you, Second Lady, here to see the Empress?"

Wu Zhen replied, "Yes, just came from her quarters."

The Emperor waved the stack of papers in his hand with a hint of mystery. "Second Lady, do you know what this is?"

Wu Zhen caught on. "Is it Your Majesty's latest composition?"

The Emperor laughed heartily, clearly pleased. "Indeed! Even the Consort Mei says it's good, and I'm rather satisfied as well. Once the musicians in the Apricot Garden learn it, we'll put together a musical performance. Then, I'll have you come enjoy it with us!"

The Emperor's friendliness toward Wu Zhen stemmed partly from her being the Empress's younger sister and partly from their shared love of music and dance. The Emperor greatly valued her discerning taste, and this wasn't the first time he'd invited her to the palace to appreciate the arts.

After a brief conversation, the Emperor hurried off, heading in the direction of the Apricot Garden, where the musicians and dancers performed. Wu Zhen continued down the corridor; if she wanted to leave the palace and return to the Duke of Yu's residence, she should head toward Xufeng Gate. Instead, she made her way to Jianxing Gate, crossed a spacious marble-paved plaza, and went toward Taiji Palace.

Since the Emperor and Empress had relocated to the Daming Palace, many offices had also been gradually moved there. However, some offices had extensive archives that were too cumbersome to move, and as the Emperor rarely used them, they were simply left at Taiji Palace. For example, several bureaus of the Ministry of Justice remained there, along with their officials.

Mei, the man assigned to her, was the Section Chief of the Ministry of Justice. To see him, she would naturally need to go to Taiji Palace.

Wu Zhen was known as an idler and had wandered around both the Daming and Taiji Palaces so often that she knew all the paths by heart. Before long, she was near the Ministry of Justice offices. However, as an idle noblewoman, it wouldn't be appropriate for her to barge in casually—especially since both her father and sister had warned her earnestly not to startle this Young Master Mei.

With that in mind, Wu Zhen glanced around and noticed a small, unused pavilion nearby. She quickly ducked inside. A moment later, the crimson door creaked open a sliver, but instead of Wu Zhen, a gray tabby cat with amber eyes and soft, fluffy fur slipped through. The tabby squinted against the blinding sunlight, then leapt gracefully onto the pavilion roof before darting toward the Ministry of Justice offices like the wind.

The pavilion where the tabby cat had appeared was now empty, save for a crimson round-collared robe and a horsewhip that Wu Zhen had left on a beam above.

A few clerks from the Ministry of Justice were taking a break in the corridor, chatting animatedly about the women in the entertainment district. They didn't give a second glance to the tabby cat strolling along the eaves, casting a calm, watchful eye over her surroundings.