Da Li Temple - Chapter 18.1

Chapter 18.1
Caught A Cold

The moon was clear, with a few palace lanterns swayed. Wei Shu stood before the window, looking at a line of flickering firelight at a distance coming towards Chenghuan Hall. That was the Empress and Empress Dowager’s step carriage. Only a quarter of an hour ago, she had been carried down from the roof beams, crying and clamoring to kill herself to prove her innocence. This matter had finally alarmed the Empress Dowager. The last ploy had failed. So, of course, that group of people wouldn’t just let her off the hook. They wanted her to find a way to intervene in Su Moyi’s investigation. If she wanted to get close to Su Moyi, apart from the Emperor, it was through the Empress Dowager. However, no matter how much the Empress tried to persuade her, the Empress Dowager was unwilling to let loose on Su Moyi’s matter. The next plan, she only had to direct her show. When she heard the voice of the palace attendants’ greetings, she immediately lay back down on the bed.
??
After opening the door, the firelight inside the room became bright, reflecting Empress Chen’s swollen eyes from crying. Although the Empress Dowager’s expression was somewhat displeased, it was more of a pity.
??
“Imperial Grandmother ……,” Wei Shu called out in a trembling voice, her eyes reddening.
??
After all, she is the first granddaughter and a little girl who suffered and thus did something stupid, which is understandable. The Empress Dowager immediately softened her heart, walked to Wei Shu’s bedside, and sat down, touching her pale cheeks.
??
“How can you do such a stupid thing?” The Empress Dowager held her frail hand and said painfully, “If your father knew about this, he would probably have to say that you are ignorant.”
??
Wei Shu did not answer. Her beautiful eyes were misty, making people’s hearts ache.
??
The Empress Dowager had no choice but to reassure her, “The Emperor and Jingche will decide for you. Why do you have to make a fuss?”
??
When Wei Shu heard this, she could no longer hold back the tears in her eyes, rolling like beads on a broken string.
??
“It’s Shu’er who was capricious. Shu’er shouldn’t have caused Imperial Mother and Imperial Grandmother to worry. But Shu’er is so scared ……” She sobbed as if she was trying her best to suppress her emotions. Compared to the unbridled bawling, this fearful and aggravated appearance was even more heartbreaking, making people’s hearts and livers ache.

“Every night when I closed my eyes, I saw those sisters, laughing at me behind my back, saying I had lost my innocence, lost the royal prestige …… Shu’er went to the appointment because I liked Cousin. ” The little girl began to tear up again as she spoke and was soon sobbing hard.
??
“But what can Grandmother do about your cousin?” The Empress Dowager fished out a handkerchief and tenderly wiped her tears.
??
Wei Shu then aggressively hugged the Empress Dowager and buried her tear-stained little face in her chest, shaking terribly.
??
“Shu’er, Shu’er just wants a chance. If I can spend more time with Cousin, maybe Cousin will like Shu’er ……” The more the little girl cried, the sadder she became, and Empress Chen on the side, seeing her daughter like this, also began to wipe her tears uncontrollably.
??
Both mother and daughter were sobbing, and for a while, the Empress Dowager ran out of ways to comfort her, only patting Wei Shu on the shoulder and asking, “So what do you want?”
??
Wei Shu crouched on the Empress Dowager’s chest and cried.
??
The Empress Dowager sighed helplessly. It seemed that the little girl’s fondness for that little bastard was real. But with Jingche’s nature, unless he bites the bullet himself, he would only hurt her more deeply. They both were her beloved. Besides, she had intended to match the two up, and since the little girl was so determined, it might be a good thing. Since this was the case, the Empress Dowager held Wei Shu and said, “Imperial Grandmother may be able to help you.”

??*

Da Li Temple’s other courtyard.
??
After writing paperwork all morning, Lin Wanqing had only been lying for a while before she heard a sneaky knock from outside.
??
Five short and two long, followed by a shrill meow.
??
“…… “Lin Wanqing held the corner of her forehead, not understanding why someone chose to do justifiable things suspiciously. She got up and opened the door, and sure enough, she saw Liang Weiping with a food box in his hand.
??
He lowered his head silently and scurried towards Lin Wanqing’s house.
??
“What are you doing?” Lin Wanqing frowned and followed him.

Liang Weiping snickered and looked around, put his hand over his mouth, and whispered, “I’ll bring you medicine.”
??
Lin Wanqing was annoyed, snatched the food box in his hand, pulled a stool, and held him down, saying, “So you climb over the wall?”
??
Liang Weiping froze and said complacently, “How could I? I said I was looking for Lin Wanqing, Lin Recorder, and they brought me here.” He got up as he spoke and surveyed Lin Wanqing’s residence. He couldn’t help but admire, “Ay! This Da Li Temple, which is in charge of the world’s criminal affairs, is nice. You see! The beams of the rooms are all thicker than those of the Capital Government Office.”
??
Lin Wanqing drank the medicine while staring at him, “The way you were sneaking around outside, I’m afraid it’s going to make people misunderstand that you came to the Da Li Temple to rob.”
??
Liang Weiping choked and defended as if he was aggrieved, “Isn’t this the difference between men and women? I’m a big man, coming into a woman’s boudoir in broad daylight and closing the door. How am I going to explain if others see me?”
??
“……” Lin Wanqing was speechless, only wanting to quickly finish the medicine in her hand and send Liang Weiping away.
??
The small wooden door that had fallen into neglect was suddenly pushed open with a ‘squeak’ like fingernails scratching across a smooth stone wall. The light that penetrated the room from outside the door was blurred, and Lin Wanqing looked up at the sound. Her hand shook and spilled out the medicine she was carrying, scalding her so much that she nearly dropped the bowl.
??
“You, you ……” She sheepishly hid the medicine behind her, looked at the visitor, and asked, “Why did you guys come in without knocking?”
??
Ye Qing looked back and rubbed the back of his head while replying, “You didn’t close the door ……”
??
Lin Wanqing didn’t dare to raise her head. Her gaze then fell on the figure who wore a purple official robe with the gold-jade belt next to him. It was their first meeting after the thunderstorm that night.
??
Lin Wanqing blushed imperceptibly. Because only she knew that the strength, speed, and durability of this robust waist —
??
She froze and hurriedly shook her head to shake out all those shameful thoughts. However, Su Moyi on the side was unaware of Lin Wanqing’s mind. His black eyes only stared at Liang Weiping with an indescribably strange expression.
??
Liang Weiping was a timid person. Seeing Su Moyi’s cold face, his belly full of worry, his legs went soft, and he staggered back a few steps.

“What are you doing here?” Although Su Moyi’s face remained cloudy, his voice was sharp.
??
“I …… I ……” Liang Weiping was so frightened that he stuttered.
??
Lin Wanqing saw the situation and blocked in front of him, “He came to deliver medicine to me.”
??
Su Moyi’s piercing eyes moved to the medicine Lin Wanqing was carrying. He asked in a deep voice, “Lin Recorder is sick?” Saying this, he stretched out his hand to her.
??
Lin Wanqing had a jolt. Not caring about the medicine’s hot temperature, she immediately tilted her head back and drank it all. She was drinking it too fast, and the liquid spread over her nasal cavity, scalding her throat, and she coughed violently again.
??
However, Su Moyi’s hand stopped at the scarf on her neck, looking at her puzzledly. “The weather is already warm these days. Why is Lin Recorder still wearing a scarf?”