After finishing almost every food that has been served in front of him, Jin Qiu put his chopstick down and looked quite satisfied.
"I want to do my job as quickly as possible, so we should go now." Said the man as he looked at Song Yun, and then the three men went to the library, where most of the document has been kept.
The library was large with a lot of kind books and document arranged based on their date. And the more they walked inside, the more confidential the document they kept. And after walking for a while, Song Yun stopped in front a large bookcase and pressed one of the books. The bookcase moved aside with very loud sounds, showing a path to another room.
"I'm guessing that the palace would have some kind of secret room, but I would never expect the room would be within the library." Jin Qiu commented as he followed Song Yun inside. This room is not described inside the novel after all.
Pan Zhiqiang followed behind Jin Qiu and Song Yun. "Most of the document here are something that has connection with the Imperial Family and after what His Majesty did, he choose to keep everything in this room and told the warlords to take care of it." He explained. "So if in the future some information in this room leaked out, I can be sure that the culprit is you."
"Please stop it, Zhiqiang. We didn't come here to argue with Jin Qiu. We are told to assist him in his duty as the First Concubine. Or perhaps, you want to go against His Majesty's order?"
Hearing that, Pan Zhiqiang went silent. Jin Qiu also doesn't want to say anything. It's completely understandable for Pan Zhiqiang to hate him, and it's not like he can tell the man that he's not the original. He just needs to stay silent. Stay silent as long as Pan Zhiqiang not causing him any trouble.
Once they reached a vast room, Song Yun stopped and lighting up the light. Now Jin Qiu can clearly see the few documents kept in this secret room.
He walked to one of the document and took it out. It has blood stain on it. The sad things is, the document contain about Imperial Family register.
"Jin Qiu?" Song Yun called the concubine who seemed to get preoccupied with his own thought.
"Imperial Family..can you tell me about it?" Jin Qiu started and holds the document he took to Song Yun. "I entered the palace but I know nothing about this place. I want to know what exactly happened and I want to know about the Imperial Family. Of course, if you don't mind telling me about it."
"What are you trying to do by asking something like that?" Pan Zhiqiang asked warily.
"Nothing, really. I just want to know."
"But you-"
Song Yun raised his hand and stopped Pan Zhiqiang. "Zhiqiang, I think you should leave us alone for now."
"Song Yun!"
"I will take full responsibility of what will happen from now on. Trust me and leave us alone. Everything will be okay."
Pan Zhiqiang stared at Song Yun for a moment before he turns around and left the room without saying anything more. Jin Qiu felt quite amazed to see that. Between all the warlords, Song Yun might be the second weakest after the Imperial Doctor, but the man can control Pan Zhiqiang as good as the Emperor.
"You're really something." Jin Qiu commented.
"I'm sorry?" Song Yun tilted his head confusedly.
"Pan Zhiqiang is a really strong headed man, but it seems like you can talk him out. He listened well to your words."
Song Yun smiled and went to take all the document he needs to explain about the Imperial Family. "How strange for you to say something like that. You should've already know about the reason why warlords choose to be loyal to His Majesty, or perhaps…it's my mistake to think that you know about it. It doesn't look like you're lying now." Said the man as he placed all the document on the table. His eyes watching Jin Qiu's every movement and he didn't see Jin Qiu's movement as the movement of someone who's lying. "Okay, we should set that talk aside." He continued. "Here is the document that recording every birth of the Imperial Family. Though..you will never find His Majesty's name in it because the previous Emperor choose to erase him from the Imperial Family."
"I know about that. The previous Emperor sends him to the battlefield despite his young age, wishing that he would die there. But the battlefield only makes him stronger. He came back with his own army and he took over the palace easily. He killed every single member of Imperial Family."
Song Yun then stared at Jin Qiu without saying anything. The story of the Emperor killed his own family is well known to everyone in the Empire, but not with the fact that the previous Emperor send his own son to death.
"I learned my lesson ever since I entered the palace." Jin Qiu suddenly said, realizing that he might said something he shouldn't. "More than that story, I want to know if Ren Zhengsheng has younger brother or sister? I mean..one that's still a child. I want to know if he killed them or spare them?"
"His Majesty killed everyone."
Even children. That's what Jin Qiu thought even without Song Yun saying anything. It's the right thing to do. Children were always his weakness since long ago, even now, he felt slightly annoyed by the fact that Ren Zhengsheng choose to kill even the children. "Then did he make any grave for his family? If he did, I think the first thing I should do as his concubine is to visit that grave."
"Yes. Though His Majesty killed them all, it doesn't change the fact that they're his family and a part of Imperial Family, so all of them have been buried inside the Imperial Tombs. Do you want me to prepare your visit there? People rarely, no, no one ever come to that place ever since His Majesty ascended the throne, so I think we will need to check if that place is safe or not."
"Yes, please do. I will go there once you finished the preparation."
"Understood."
Song Yun then opened a painting and placed it in front of Jin Qiu. He felt something off from Jin Qiu so this time, he want to see the reaction that Jin Qiu will make once he see the painting.
"Oh..she's beautiful." Jin Qiu commented as he stared at the painting. "Who is this? One of Zhengsheng's sibling that he killed? Or someone who's supposed to be his wife?" Asked the man as he looked at Song Yun. Jin Qiu completely unaware about the identity of the woman within the painting. "What's wrong?" He asked again, noticed Song Yun's expression that looked slightly surprised.
"You really don't know her?"
"No. Maybe I know her before, but after I got the high fever that day, most of my memories disappeared and Zhengsheng already knew about it." Jin Qiu calmly lied towards the Imperial Advisor. Until he know what exactly happen, he will pretend that he lost his memories. Surely, Ren Zhengsheng would prefer to do something like that as well to prevent any trouble from happening.
Song Yun laughed for a bit and letting out a sigh. "She's the previous First Concubine, as well as the mother of His Majesty."
"So this woman is Zhengsheng's mother…? No wonder he's handsome. Surely he got that from his mother."
Watching such common reaction from Jin Qiu, Song Yun decided that he should stop trying to do anything and just follow whatever the Emperor ordered him to do. The Emperor told him to assist Jin Qiu in taking over his duty as the First Concubine, so that's what he will do. Just like a good teacher, he started to explain everything about the Imperial Family and everything that happened before Ren Zhengsheng becomes the Emperor. And once Jin Qiu learned about the Imperial Family, he started to learn about the palace system. How he should handle things. What should he do in case emergency happen. And what his responsibility as the First Concubine. Jin Qiu learned everything very quickly. He could even understand the palace account book that most of the bachelor thinks as hard. The two were so focused that they forgot about time. It was already evening when they stepped out of the library.
"That was a lot…" Jin Qiu cracked his neck and stretched his arms. "So tomorrow I just need to check the servant's quarter and make sure they know that I'm the one in charge now. Right?"
"That's right." Song Yun replied. "Are you going back to your room?"
"Yes, I will go back and get some rest. Perhaps I will ask the servant to bring me some liquor. Drinking after working all day is really nice, you know."
"Are you not going to His Majesty's room?"
Jin Qiu looked at Song Yun just as if the advisor said the most stupid thing in the world. "Why would I go to his room? If I go there, I won't be able to rest. What I need now is a good bath, good food, and good drink." He then started to walk. "I'm sorry to trouble you, Song Yun, and thank you for helping me today. I will see you tomorrow." He waved his hand and continued to walk.
"He changed…"
Song Yun turned around and saw Xiang Ru leaned to the wall with his arms crossed in front of his chest. All this time, Xiang Ru was the one who felt guilty for what happened to Jin Qiu.
"That's right, he changed." Song Yun replied with a smile on his face. "Though I don't know if that would be a good thing or not. Like you know, most of the warlords despised Jin Qiu for what happened at past. Unless some miracle happens, I doubt they will change their mind simply because Jin Qiu changed."
***
Happily, Jin Qiu throws himself on the bed and letting out a long and loud sigh. "What a tiring day…"
"Feeling tired already? As the First Concubine, you will have a lot to do. Well..if you really feel tired, then I don't mind to give your duty back to Song Yun and you can just stay by my side as my lovely concubine. You can enjoy all your time with playing games or anything that you like."
Jin Qiu frowned. He doesn't get up from the bed, but shifted to see that Ren Zhengsheng sat on the chair inside his room, reading something while enjoying a cup of tea. He doesn't want to go to the man's room, but the man came all the way to his room. Just how much longer will he get haunted by this man called as the Emperor? Can't he just be left alone?
"You shouldn't come into my room without permission." Jin Qiu complained.
"I'm the Emperor, so I don't see why I can't come to this place. Beside, you are my concubine. Wouldn't it be weird if I choose not to come here? You're the one who said that you want the servants to respect you."
"To hell about wanting to get respect. At this point, you simply enjoy your time to harass me by keep saying something like that, right?"
Ren Zhengsheng chuckled. He set the document down and walked to the bed, taking a seat beside it. "So how was your day? I heard from Zhiqiang that you insist to learn everything about the Imperial Family. I honestly think that's very suspicious, but I choose to let you be. What did you learn then? Did you find some way to bring me down or something?"
"You have a smile on your face and sweet tone, but your words like sharp needles."
"You think so?"
"Like I told you before, I know about this place through a book. But it's not like everything are explained in that book, so I need to know about what exactly happened. There might be some relation between me coming to this world and about what happened to the Imperial Family. And I..saw the painting of your mother."
"Did Song Yun showed that to you?"
"Yes. It seems like he want to confirm something and showed me her painting. I told him I don't remember anything and he looked slightly relieved. He didn't tell me about what happened to your mother though."
Ren Zhengsheng swiftly moved and now pinned Jin Qiu under him. He stared at the other male, who show no fear even in such situation. So strong, so beautiful, so brave. This is such an interesting Jin Qiu.
"You said you're not the original Jin Qiu, right? Then there's no need for you to know about what happened to my mother." He replied. His hand touched Jin Qiu's cheek. "I will protect you from anything and I will take care of everything. Just do whatever you want and I shall see the path that you created for yourself. If you convinced me enough, I might help you personally."
Jin Qiu slapped the Emperor's hand from his face and moved away from the man. "Stop touching me however you like when we're in private. Don't touch me unless I give you my consent or I might do something really crazy." He warned. It was actually his attempt to defend his mind from something that one would call as love. Ren Zhensheng in the novel is trash, a person that he want to step on, but the Emperor here is obviously very attractive and powerful. A type that Jin Qiu liked so much and he could already hear the alarm ringing inside his head, telling him to stay away from the man. "You can do whatever you want in public, but please avoid doing anything when we're alone. It seriously makes me feel uncomfortable."
"And what makes you think that I will do as you say?"
"It might be hard, very hard, but if you keep pushing me, I should just leave the palace and forget everything. You can take care on how to handle Jin Troop all by yourself."
And of course, that would fail terribly because Jin Troop will only cause a riot the moment they heard their commander ran away from the palace. And it will start another civil war within the Empire. Something that Ren Zhengsheng want to avoid no matter how hard it is.
"What a clever man." Ren Zhengsheng stood up from the bed. "Fine. I will try to avoid touching you as much as I can. And the reason I waited for you here is to give you another offer." He continued. "It's true that as the First Concubine, you can find information more easily, but there are informations you can't access even as the First Concubine, and I will help you with that."
"What's the price?"
Ren Zhengsheng gave the document he just read a moment ago to Jin Qiu. "One of my subordinate reported to me that one of the noble is playing around with his son. There's no proof, so I can't move personally because that subordinate is also my cousin and it will make the other nobles think I'm favoring my family. So your job is to get the proof I need to punish the noble and getting a solution for it."
"Hmm… I don't think that would be hard. Fine. I will take on the job. The more information, the faster I could find the way home."
"You're really persistent to go back to your world..Is it not good enough here? I will give you whatever you want. I will get rid of anyone for you. I'm sure you will-"
"Happiness doesn't always mean like that. At the moment, what you feel towards me is nothing but curiosity because the man who has been running after your love is now ignoring you. If you want to say sweet words, then you better say it with your heart. Who knows? Maybe I'll feel moved?"
Ren Zhengsheng stared at Jin Qiu for a moment before he started to laugh. What Jin Qiu said might be true. Everything he felt at the moment might be nothing more than a curiousity, but he still refuse to let go of Jin Qiu.
"Let's just think of it like that for now." Said the Emperor as he finished tying up his hair. "Let's go. I will introduce you to someone who will explain about the whole situation."
Without asking more, Jin Qiu followed the Emperor out of the room. Though the man walked a bit fast, Jin Qiu still able to catch up so that he walk beside the man. Walking behind someone is something he would never do after all.
Ren Zhengsheng and Jin Qiu walked side by side back to Lixue Palace. And one thing that he noticed is the stares given by the guards and servants who didn't expect a day would come where the Emperor and his First Concubine will walk together inside the palace.
Jin Qiu glanced at the Emperor for a bit.
From the side, he can see just how handsome and manly Ren Zhengsheng look. The man is like someone that come out of painting, is what the novel explained about the man. But seeing it in real like this make him think that the novel didn't do the justice.
Ren Zhengsheng is much more handsome than that and the man has the ability to be the ruler, to be the Emperor. Who said that Ren Zhengsheng became the Emperor by relying on violence?
'Fuck' He cursed inside his mind since he started to think about all kind of thing. He made a promise to himself that no matter what, he won't fall for the Emperor. Love will only cloud his desire to go back to his world after all.
"Is something bothering you?"
"No." Jin Qiu replied. "What makes you think like that?" He asked back while continuing to walk. His mind wandered off for a bit before.
"You looked like someone who have something inside his mind, so I'm just guessing it." Ren Zhengsheng replied. "We're here." He said again before looking to the place where a woman sat, surrounded by light smoke around her. A beautiful woman in dark blue clothes that showing off her pale shoulder. Her long black hair adorned with a golden hair pin that almost looked like a crown.
Usually, one would be mesmerized by her beauty, but Jin Qiu's focus went to the pipe she's holding. He never thought that in this world, there would be something like a cigarette or something like that. He will definitely need something like that so he won't get too stressed up. "The pipe that she's holding, can I also get something like that?"
"Why? You've never like smoking before."
Jin Qiu looked at the Emperor and raised an eyebrow. Again and again, this man seemed to forget that he and the previous Jin Qiu is not the same. Of course, sometimes they would have the same preference, but there's also some that different.
Good thing that the Emperor seemed to realize his mistake right away.
"I will have Song Yun prepare something like that later." Ren Zhengsheng said again. "Though I will have him choose the lightest one. Smoking is not good for your health. And also won't good if later you become the mother of my child."
"Wait, I think we need to make it clear now. I have no plan to become the mo-Wait, mother? What do you mean with mother? I'm a man, so there's no way I can-"
"Good morning, Your Majesty, Your Highness."
The woman from before bowed her head towards Jin Qiu and Ren Zhengsheng politely and gracefully. The typical noble woman in this type envinrontment. It made Jin Qiu completely forgot to ask the Emperor about what the man means with being a mother.
"I believe this is the first time we ever meet, Your Highness." Her attention now focused on Jin Qiu who stared at her. "I'm Shen Yue, the eldest daughter of Shen Family as well as the wife of Luo Hai." She introduced herself. "Forgive me if I happen to disturb your rest together with His Majesty, but this matter, I really can't discuss it with anyone else."
Jin Qiu looked at the Emperor and figured that the matter the man want him to solve is the problem that Shen Yue brought to the palace. "It's fine. You're the wife of Zhengsheng's vassal, so of course, we need to care for you."
"Thank you very much, Your Highness."
Ren Zhengsheng ignored the conversation between Jin Qiu and Shen Yue as he took a seat.
"I thought Luo Hai would be the one who come here and explaining everything to me, but I guess he's busy at the border?" Ren Zhengsheng started, his hand reaching for the empty cup of tea and he helped himself with filling it.
"That's right." Shen Yue replied. "If can, I don't want him to get involved in this matter because things might get complicated."
"Care to explain to me?" Jin Qiu suddenly ask. He feels stupid just listening to this two person without really understand about anything.
Ren Zhengsheng noticed Shen Yue's confused look. "Because of some things, Qiu er is losing some part of his memories, that's why sometimes we need to explain everything again to him. But don't worry, it's not like he become stupid or something like that."
"Hey, do you really need to say it like that?"
"That's the truth though." Ren Zhengsheng shrugged his shoulder.
Jin Qiu let out a sigh. He really want to punch this man or even strangle him, but what kind of punishment will he get from doing that? He can't waste his time for something like that. Now, there's a task that he need to handle.
"Can you tell me more about this matter?" He finally asked Shen Yue. "Forgive me, but like what Zhengsheng's said, I lost some of my memories so I will have to trouble you."
Shen Yue shook her head and smiled. "It's fine, Your Highness. I will explain everything from the beginning." She started. "A few days ago, I came to attend a party held by one noble at the capital together with my son. There, he received a fragrance sachet from the young master of that house and ever since that time, my son have been having a trouble sleeping at night and he would always be so moody that Luo Hai always scolded him. And right now, he is sick and can't even eat anything."
"If you know where this start, then you should just confront him and ask him about it, why do you need to come here to ask for help?"
"It's..."
"Because there's no poison found in the sachet so we can't do anything to him. Not to mention, the one who gave the sachet is the young master of Zhou Family." Ren Zhengsheng guessing.
"That's right, Your Majesty. It's Zhou Huizong."
Jin Qiu crossed his arms and thinking for a bit. The name Zhou didn't appear in the novel, but he feels like the name is very familiar.
"Zhou Huizong..what kind of noble is he?" Jin Qiu finally asked, though when he looked at Ren Zhengsheng and Shen Yue, he found that the two person stared at him. That's enough to tell him that he have some kind of relationship with this Zhou Huizong.
"I will only explain this once, so you better listen carefully." Ren Zhengsheng started and continued when he saw Jin Qiu's nod. "In this Empire, there are two family who have their own military power. It's Jin Family and Zhou Family. Though Zhou Family is not as strong as Jin Family, they can still be considered as strong, that's why Shen Yue doesn't want Luo Hai to get involved too much in the matter. And this Zhou Huizong is the commander of Zhou Troop as well as the next head of Zhou Family." He explained. "And as far as I know, he was once, tried to assault you."
The nod stopped as soon as he heard the last word. "Assault me? I'm a man and I'm a commander, how the hell did he assault me?"
"Are you sure that you want me to explain everything?"
No. Ren Zhengsheng's smirk was enough to let him know that he shouldn't listen to any explanation about this matter.
"Let's forget about that assault thing. Back to Madam Luo-"
"You can just call me Shen Yue."
"Fine, Shen Yue. So the reason you choose to come here for help is because you don't want Luo Hai get in fight with Zhou Family because if that's happen, there would be a civil war. A problem that should end become big and there could be many victim. Not only that, the enemies might think of this as chance and launch an attack."
Ren Zhensheng clapped his hand and smiled as he looked at Jin Qiu. He was quite amazed that Jin Qiu could deduct it so quickly like that.
"Since you understand, then this could end faster." The man said. "I want you to handle this matter. Of course, if you manage to take care of it cleanfully, I will give you the reward that I mentioned before and I will even assist you personally."
A way to go home is right in front his eyes, so there's no way he would refuse this. "Fine. I will take care of this, but you will have to let me borrow Song Yun and also, I want to select some people that will be loyal to me." Jin Qiu replied. "Take back all the servants you prepared for me. I don't need a lot people that I can't trust."
"Are you planning to make your own troop in the palace?"
"What if I say yes? Would you try to stop me?"
"No. I will tell you to do whatever you want. And go use Song Yun as much as you want. He's the best in this matter after all."
"I will do that even without you telling me. And since I've heard everything I need to know, I will go back to my room. I feel so god damn tired after reading all those documents for the whole day."
Ren Zhengsheng laughed for a bit. "Sure. Go back to your room and get some rest. You can start the investigation tomorrow."
Shen Yue stared at Jin Qiu and Ren Zhengsheng who seemed to have a very friendly conversation. She smiled knowing that what her husband said about the two is not wrong. Jin Qiu and Ren Zhengsheng is getting along with each other quite nicely.
❖
The next morning, Jin Qiu made all the preparation necessary and went out of the palace together with Song Yun. They need to start the investigation as normal as possible. Though, Song Yun advised him to not using any disguise and just walk around the town as First Concubine.
"Where do you plan to go?" Asked the man walking beside Jin Qiu.
Jin Qiu continuing to walk without looking at the two men who walked beside him. Song Yun and Pan Zhiqiang. He can understand why Song Yun needs to follow him. The Emperor himself told him that Song Yun is good in this kind of thing so it's better for him to bring Song Yun along if he wants to take care of the matter. But what about Pan Zhiqiang? Aside from being loyal towards the Emperor and being an excellent commander, what can the man do?
He didn't even ask Pan Zhiqiang to come with him. "I plan to go around the town for a bit and let myself be seen by those people."
"Are you saying that you will make yourself as bait?"
"Right. We don't have much choice but to do something like that. I will pretend to be that silly concubine who's madly in love with the Emperor."
Both Song Yun and Pan Zhiqiang looked to each other.
With everything that happened, Jin Qiu became quite famous. From the abandoned concubine, he became the most loved person of the Emperor. Making such person as bait is a good idea, but at the same time also bad idea, because anything can happen. And just when they're about to stop the man from doing such thing, their path blocked by two unfamiliar person.
❖❖❖