Chapter 43 The Rain Keeps Falling The Rain Keeps Falling

The officials immediately returned to normal and continued to discuss matters.

These were all minor topics, praising the peace and prosperity of Da Qi to whitewash reality. In truth, the inside had been hollowed out by corruption and was in a precarious state.

Yue Shen propped up her head, lazily yawning, her almond eyes drooping sleepily.

Yu Ye whispered beside her: “This Rong Fei really has skills. This is just her first time serving in bed, and Her Majesty is already uninterested in the morning court. What will happen in the future?” Qin Qing took it all in, the corner of his mouth curling up disdainfully, his eyes revealing a hint of interest.

Lan Xuezhao?

The person sent by the King of Dian was indeed interesting.

The officials buzzed on for a while, Yue Shen listening while yawning repeatedly, and after a long time finally asked: “Anything else?” Her eagerness to end court and snuggle with her beauty was evident.

Those below said nothing, so Yue Shen hurriedly stood up: “If there’s nothing else then let’s end court. What do you think, Father Empress?” Qin Qing sat leisurely behind the beaded curtain, nodding unhurriedly. The soft light reflected on his smoothly contoured profile, exquisitely beautiful.

“Oh right.” Yue Shen had walked half a step, then suddenly retreated.

“That Qiu Shuzhi, she rendered meritorious service in protecting the imperial carriage. I want to reward her. What should I give?” Yue Shen frowned slightly, the phoenix hairpin by her temples swaying gently, reflecting her bright almond eyes like snow: “Let’s appoint her as Upper Cavalry Commander.”

Yu Ye’s eyes widened.

Upper Cavalry Commander? A fourth-rank official position, but a ceremonial military post. Only a title without real power, with less authority than even a Qianhu.

Yu Ye inwardly cursed, this trick of apparent promotion but actual demotion was played quite skillfully.

“That’s fine.” Qin Qing’s expression was indifferent, but his eyes revealed a hint of languid nonchalance.

Yu Ye was shocked. It was one thing for Yue Shen to propose reducing Madam Qiu’s power, but why did the Empress Dowager go along with it?

Yue Shen smiled with satisfaction, her almond eyes bright: “Since Father Empress also agrees, draft the edict immediately.” Yue Shen dismissed the morning court, and the officials left one by one, leaving the vast Fengtiandian Hall permeated with cold.

“Empress Dowager, Her Majesty’s proposal is clearly meant to demote Madam Qiu’s position and strip her of power. Why did you still agree?” Qin Qing lowered his eyes lazily: “Isn’t being an Upper Cavalry Commander good?”

“But that’s just an empty title without real power.”

Qin Qing stood up leisurely, his smile weary yet arrogant: “Whether there’s real power or not is up to this grieving one to decide.” It’s good to go to the Yulin Army too. Staying in the imperial guard means she can often enter the palace, so he can see her daily, not having to lick loneliness while gazing at the high walls of the Forbidden City, without even the right to be jealous knowing she’s gone to the pleasure houses to enjoy herself.

Yu Ye was slightly stunned, so this was the Empress Dowager’s intention.

With the imperial edict issued, Qiu Shuzhi consciously packed her things and prepared to leave. She had only stayed at the Shuntianfu for a few months, just starting to sort out many old cases, and now had to leave before even settling in.

Gu Zheng didn’t show up, probably hiding in his room laughing at her now.

After all, Upper Cavalry Commander was a famously empty title. With her departure, some at Shuntianfu were happy and some were sad, while others felt it was a pity and spoke up for her, as she was one of the few at Shuntianfu who actually did real work.

However, Qiu Shuzhi didn’t feel that becoming an Upper Cavalry Commander was a bad thing.

Anyway, Gu Zheng was always trying to trip her up, there would inevitably be a day she couldn’t guard against it, so it was better to leave early.

Moreover, with Da Qi in this state, something was bound to happen sooner or later. Even if Upper Cavalry Commander was just an empty title, being able to get into the army might not be a bad thing.

Qiu Shuzhi pondered in her heart whether the little emperor had the same idea.

The people in officialdom were all shrewd, and everyone knew when there was even the slightest movement, let alone Shuntianfu which could be considered a place where power intersected in the capital.

Yesterday the little emperor favored Rong Fei, and today anyone with even a bit of connection knew about it, all rushing to report the good news to Jiang Si.

But none of this had anything to do with her. She calmly packed her things and left Shuntianfu.

The next day.

She rode her horse to report to the Yulin Army. The Yulin Army was the emperor’s imperial guard, deriving its name from the meaning “wings of the nation, as lush as a forest”.

Today’s Qiu Shuzhi wore a light red outfit, her hair tied up in a high ponytail, with loose strands hanging by her temples. She had shed her gentle and calm scholarly air, appearing more like a general in her prime.

When she arrived outside the military camp, she saw the guards standing crookedly, and inside the camp there was no sign of training. Instead, groups of three to five were sitting on the stands gambling, and even male prostitutes were openly coming and going.

The military flags were tattered, the troops scattered, and morale was lazy. Where was the former appearance of “wings of the monarch”?

Qiu Shuzhi felt pained. In the past, the Yulin Army positions were hereditary, and every soldier was an elite warrior. How unlike now.

She stood at the entrance of the camp for quite a while before a guard slowly came over: “Which official’s son are you? Do you have a report to enter the Yulin Army?” “Madam Qiu!” Ji Mei ran over excitedly.

Qiu Shuzhi was quite surprised: “Ji Mei? How did you get into the Yulin Army?” “Madam, you don’t know, since I went with you to Yanshun County last time and rendered some service, the higher-ups transferred me to the Yulin Army.” Ji Mei smiled shyly: “Actually, I benefited from your influence. I haven’t even gone to your residence to thank you yet.” Qiu Shuzhi patted her shoulder lightly: “What are you saying, with your martial arts skills, entering the Yulin Army was only a matter of time.” Ji Mei’s lips curled up slightly: “Yesterday I heard you were being transferred to the Yulin Army, so I’ve been waiting at the camp entrance since early morning.” “Sister Mei, who is this?” Seeing Qiu Shuzhi and Ji Mei chatting so happily, the guard’s attitude instantly changed.

Ji Mei’s expression changed, and she shouted: “Quickly kneel down, this is the newly arrived Upper Cavalry Commander Madam Qiu!” The Upper Cavalry Commander and the Yulin General jointly supervised the army. Although one was an empty title and the other had real power, both positions were at the top of the military. How dare a mere guard offend her.

She hurriedly knelt on the ground: “I didn’t know the Upper Cavalry Commander had arrived. Please forgive me, Madam.” Qiu Shuzhi waved her hand kindly: “Stand up.”

Yanshun County had made Ji Mei very respectful towards Qiu Shuzhi. She accompanied Qiu Shuzhi: “Madam, let me take you to see the General.” On the way to see the General, Qiu Shuzhi surveyed her surroundings. The lax military discipline made her feel worried.

Some of these idle soldiers didn’t even bother to wear armor, some simply closed their tents and slept soundly, with snoring sounds occasionally heard. Acts that would have been punishable by beheading in the past were now commonplace.

“Don’t worry Madam, you’ll get used to it.” Ji Mei smiled bitterly.

Seeing Qiu Shuzhi’s tightly furrowed brows, she knew she couldn’t stand these people’s slack behavior. But she didn’t know that Ji Mei had come all this way like this. Not just the Yulin Army, but all the military camps in the capital were more or less the same.

They would only put on a show when patrolling the imperial city at night, but even that was just for show. After all, those in the palace were all nobles, and offending any of them could cost one’s head.

Qiu Shuzhi followed Ji Mei to a large tent.

“Madam, the General is inside. Please go in.”

Qiu Shuzhi smiled slightly: “Thank you.”

As soon as she entered, she smelled a cheap perfume. The fat-headed General was embracing his favorite male companion lovingly.

This was no military camp, it was clearly a brothel.

Her heart sank as she lowered her eyes and bowed: “Upper Cavalry Commander Qiu Shuzhi greets the General.” The favorite peeled a grape and placed it mouth-to-mouth into the General’s mouth. Qiu Shuzhi lowered her head, the scene too unbearable to watch directly.

General Li Mian smacked his lips a few times and said with a mouthful: “No need for formalities, Madam Qiu. Now that you’ve joined the Yulin Army, we’re all family.” “Do you have any martial arts skills?”

Qiu Shuzhi kept her head lowered from beginning to end: “In reply to the General, this humble official learned some martial arts from a master since childhood.”

Before the Qiu family fell from grace, they had spent a high price to hire a martial arts teacher for her. Later when the family declined, she still didn’t slack off on what she was supposed to learn.

If she didn’t have some martial arts skills, she wouldn’t have dared to protect the emperor in front of the imperial carriage at that time.

The General laughed loudly: “That’s good then. Pick a team of men yourself, and lead me on the imperial city patrol tonight.” “This humble official has just arrived and fears it would be inappropriate to lead the team guarding the forbidden palace.” “What’s inappropriate about it? You’re the Upper Cavalry Commander, it’s your job.” As he spoke, the favorite suddenly let out a cry, then blushed: “You naughty thing!” “This humble official obeys the order.” Qiu Shuzhi estimated that if she stayed any longer she would witness a live spring scene, so she hurriedly retreated.

Walking out of the large tent, Qiu Shuzhi felt relieved.

Ji Mei came forward and asked: “Madam, did the General say anything to you?” Qiu Shuzhi smiled leisurely: “Are you willing to follow me?”

Although the Yulin Army was in disarray, Ji Mei remained as before. Such talent was hard to come by.

Ji Mei’s eyes lit up: “Of course this humble official is willing.”

“Then hurry up and pick a team of men you trust. We must be in high spirits for tonight’s city patrol.” “Yes, Madam!”

A long-absent excitement flashed in Ji Mei’s eyes. She had waited so many years, transferred through military camps for decades, with her skills having no place to be put to use. One superior after another ate until they were fat-headed, but none had any real ability. After being pent-up for so long, she had finally met Qiu Shuzhi. She immediately became energized and selected several people from the army who, like her, were full of ambition to join Qiu Shuzhi’s team.

At nightfall, the palace gates were closed, and no one was allowed in or out except the Yulin Army.

The cold night wind whistled, and a light rain had already started falling in the night sky. Fortunately, the rain was not heavy. The palace lanterns lit up small patches of light and shadow, illuminating the entangled fine rain.

Qiu Shuzhi wore a long sword at her waist. Worried that the rain would get heavier, she had instructed the Yulin Army to wear bamboo hats in advance. Officials on both sides held night lanterns to light the path ahead.

When they reached the Imperial Garden, they could faintly hear sounds of laughter and cursing, especially a man’s voice that was delicate to the bone. The officials on both sides listened until their ears tingled – this voice was more enchanting than even the boys in brothels.

As the procession drew closer, the lights in the Imperial Garden grew brighter, and the figures in the garden became clearer.

Lan Xuezhao wore Miao ethnic clothing, with a captivating teardrop mole at the corner of his eye and an alluring smile.

“Your Majesty, come quickly!” He giggled coquettishly, hiding his bare feet in the peony bushes. Silver bells hung from his wrists and ankles, chiming with each step.

Yue Shen wore a bright red robe adorned with golden ginkgo leaves. A red silk ribbon covered her eyes, making her fair skin appear even whiter and her aura more alluring.

She groped around with both hands, her lips curling up: “Where did you run off to? Don’t let me catch you, or you’ll be in for it!” Qiu Shuzhi was surprised at how different Yue Shen was from usual.

She was always pursing her lips, gloomy like an old woman. How unlike today when she was so carefree and lively.

At 16 years old, she already had three thousand concubines in her harem, each one beautiful and charming. She was truly a model of female supremacy.

However, tonight she was here to patrol and shouldn’t disturb the little emperor’s activities. She lowered her head and prepared to silently pass by.

Lan Xuezhao stood in the flower bushes watching Qiu Shuzhi, twirling a white peony in his hand. Under the lamplight, the petals were snow-white and translucent, accentuating the alluring teardrop mole at the corner of his eye.

Seeing Qiu Shuzhi trying to leave quietly without a sound, he smiled coyly, took off the bells on his wrist and threw them at her feet.

The silver bells chimed crisply. Qiu Shuzhi looked at him in the flower bushes in surprise. Lan Xuezhao’s eye corners were flirtatious, his smile revealing a hint of craftiness: “Your Majesty, I’m over here!” Yue Shen, her eyes still covered, was unaware and rushed over following the sound of the silver bells, laughing: “Caught you!”

Yue Shen’s arms embraced very closely. Having grown up pampered since childhood, her skin was even more delicate than a man’s, like tofu that would break at a touch. Her arm strength was also small, softly hugging Qiu Shuzhi’s waist, just like a little kitten.

Yue Shen was shorter than her by a bit. When she hugged Qiu Shuzhi, her face was right against her chest, and with such force, she almost sank into it. And her still-developing body also rubbed against her through the thick ceremonial robes, making the tips of Qiu Shuzhi’s ears turn slightly red.

“Your Majesty, you’ve caught the wrong person.” Qiu Shuzhi lowered her head and said softly.

She shielded Yue Shen’s forehead with one hand to block the fine, dense rain, while her other hand reached behind her head to untie the red silk ribbon.

As the light gauze fell away, Yue Shen’s round almond eyes stared at her without blinking, gazing at her, whom she hadn’t seen for a long time, with innocent clarity.

Whether it was due to the glow of the lanterns, Qiu Shuzhi felt that the little emperor’s baby-fat face seemed somewhat red.

The tender moment lasted only an instant. Yue Shen’s expression quickly changed as she pushed her away, wiping her hands with a look of disgust: “How unlucky!” The little emperor was indeed a national first-class face-changing artist, her emotions rising and falling with perfect control, even fooling the Yulin Army behind her.

Lan Xuezhao ran out from the flower bushes holding a white peony, his jade feet touching the ground, as white as accumulated snow.

“Your Majesty, you caught the wrong person. Tonight you must listen to your attendant,” he said coquettishly, leaning against Yue Shen.

Yue Shen’s eyes were full of tenderness: “Alright, I’ll do as you say, whatever my beloved consort says goes.” Lan Xuezhao gently tugged at Yue Shen’s clothing, his gaze falling on Qiu Shuzhi: “Your Majesty, who is this?” “This is Qiu Shuzhi, the Upper Cavalry Commander. Don’t mind her,” Yue Shen impatiently embraced Lan Xuezhao’s slender waist and said in a low voice: “Beloved consort, let’s go to the bedchamber.” Lan Xuezhao lowered his head shyly.

As the little emperor embraced her consort and gradually walked away, the Imperial Garden instantly became desolate.

Ji Mei felt indignant on Qiu Shuzhi’s behalf: “Madam, how could Her Majesty treat you like this?” “Do not discuss Her Majesty,” Qiu Shuzhi tilted her head slightly, letting the fine rain fall on her face. The reasons behind this couldn’t be explained to outsiders.

Ji Mei immediately closed her mouth.

She felt the fine rain falling on her face, from intermittent to increasingly urgent, as the rain grew heavier.

“This is bad, we didn’t bring bamboo hats or raincoats. We’ll have to patrol in this heavy rain,” said a Yulin Army soldier.

“Madam Qiu—” A familiar voice came from afar. Chang’an, leading a group of Imperial Guards, came carrying a large bundle of items.

“Young Master Chang’an, what’s this?”

“The rain has gotten heavier, and we Imperial Guards had extra bamboo hats and raincoats. Seeing you and the Yulin Army getting rained on, we brought them over.”

Ji Mei opened her eyes wide in surprise.

As confidants of the emperor and empress dowager, the Imperial Guards had always looked down on the Yulin Army, considering them just a bunch of people who only knew how to walk back and forth. The Yulin Army also despised the Imperial Guards, privately calling them notebook-keeping tattle-tales. In short, the two groups couldn’t stand each other. It was unexpected that today the Imperial Guards would take the initiative to show goodwill. It was truly rare.

Qiu Shuzhi looked at her nearly soaked troops behind her and smiled as she accepted: “Then many thanks to Young Master Chang’an. I will certainly come to return them tomorrow.”

Chang’an politely replied: “No need, no need.”

But in his heart, he thought, you’d better come quickly, and come alone, or else His Highness will wear out his eyes waiting at Fengyang Pavilion.

From the moment Qiu Shuzhi led the Yulin Army into the imperial city, she hadn’t escaped the eyes of the Imperial Guards. As soon as the light rain started, Yue Guanyi couldn’t sit still and prepared to go out personally to deliver an umbrella and raincoat to Qiu Shuzhi.

It was only Chang’an’s desperate efforts to stop him that prevented him from leaving Fengyang Pavilion, after all, nighttime was different from daytime.

Even though Yue Guanyi had immense power, he was still an unmarried man. It wasn’t appropriate for him to meet outsiders at night. If word got out, it would be bad for both His Highness’s and Qiu Shuzhi’s reputations.

After smilingly seeing Chang’an off, Qiu Shuzhi put on a bamboo hat. Ji Mei whispered as she approached: “Madam, could this be the Crown Prince’s intention?”

Others might not know, but Ji Mei deeply remembered the incident in Yanshun County where the unapproachable and fierce Crown Prince had cooked soup for her with his own hands.

“Shut up,” Qiu Shuzhi gripped her sword hilt tightly. “Let’s continue patrolling.”

The heavy rain poured down. Palace servants all sat under the eaves to avoid the rain, but the Yulin Army couldn’t. Their iron boots stepped on the bluestone slabs, crushing the rain as they advanced.

The bamboo hat covered half of Qiu Shuzhi’s face, her affectionate eyes hidden in the shadows. The lower half of her face was indistinct in the rain – her straight, delicate nose, thin lips like peach blossoms, and the superior, exquisite line of her jaw made the palace servants turn their heads and excitedly whisper among themselves about when the Yulin Army had acquired such a handsome guard.

In Qingning Palace, Qin Qing wore a long robe and stretched his hand out the window, feeling the coolness of raindrops falling on his palm.

The night was already damp and cold. Wearing armor and being rained on, she must be uncomfortable.

“When will she come?” Qin Qing leaned against the doorway. Outside the eaves, the heavy rain formed a curtain of water mist, making it impossible to see clearly outside.

Yu Ye held an umbrella: “Based on the usual timing, she should be here soon.”

The Yulin Army had always been on duty patrolling the palace, with patrols changing every two hours to ensure the safety of the imperial city.

Qin Qing walked towards the door, and raindrops blew into the room with the wind.

“Empress Dowager, it’s better to wait inside. The rain is heavy, be careful not to catch a cold,” Yu Ye hurriedly said.

Qin Qing opened an umbrella, his gaze fixed outside: “She’s still out there in the rain. I’m just getting splashed by raindrops. What does it matter?”

Yu Ye’s eyes wavered. The Empress Dowager had been eagerly waiting at the door for so long, but what could be done?

Qiu Shuzhi was followed by a large group of Yulin Army soldiers. Even if they met, they could only exchange a few polite words of greeting. It was impossible to say any heartfelt words, let alone show intimate gestures between lovers. After all, Qiu Shuzhi was an outside official, and her every move was watched.

The uniform footsteps of the Yulin Army gradually approached through the sound of rain. Qin Qing tidied his clothes and stood under the eaves holding an umbrella. The heavy rain had soaked the hem of his clothes and the tips of his hair. As the cold wind blew, his clothes fluttered, and his frail, thin body seemed as if it might ascend to heaven at any moment.

“This humble official greets the Empress Dowager,” Qiu Shuzhi led the Yulin Army to kneel on one knee together. Water flowed down from her shoulders; her clothes under the armor must be soaked through.

Qin Qing didn’t speak. As long as he didn’t open his mouth, the Yulin Army had to remain kneeling, their eyes fixed on the ground at their feet, unable to look elsewhere to avoid offending the noble consorts of the inner palace.

Although the Yulin Army’s discipline was lax, no one dared to violate this iron rule that could cost them their lives at any time, especially when facing the current Empress Dowager, the most powerful man in Da Qi. They didn’t have the courage to raise their heads.

Qin Qing moved the umbrella towards her, shielding her from the invading downpour, while half of his own body was drenched by the rain.

“Madam Qiu, are you accustomed to being the Upper Cavalry Commander?” he asked calmly, his tone showing no unusual emotion.

But his fingers mischievously lifted her chin, forcing her to raise her head and look at him.

“Thank you for your concern, Empress Dowager. This official has become familiar with the affairs of the Yulin Army.”

Her rain-soaked face was revealed. Wind and rain brushed past her hair tips, and a raindrop flowed along her soft, beautiful contours from the corner of her eye down to her chin, finally dripping onto Qin Qing’s fingertip. She stood in the rain mist with an elegant posture, a hazy and enchanting beauty.

He lowered his eyebrows and smiled, taking out a handkerchief from his sleeve and gently wiping the rainwater from her face. A faint sandalwood scent dispersed in the rain.

Qiu Shuzhi’s eyes revealed a hint of surprise, but with the Yulin Army around her, she could only hide it without speaking.

“It’s good that you’re accustomed. Tonight’s sudden downpour must have been hard on you, Madam.” The faint sandalwood scent lingered around her as Qin Qing spoke the most proper words while his hands performed the most ambiguous actions.

“It’s not hard. This is what we should do,” Qiu Shuzhi leaned back slightly, trying to avoid the fingers moving lightly across her face.

This was still in the palace, with dozens of Yulin Army soldiers kneeling around. Where did Qin Qing get such courage? Was there anything he wouldn’t do?

“The Yulin Army is Da Qi’s elite force. Da Qi is truly fortunate to have you,” Qin Qing chuckled softly, pulling at her collar to prevent her from moving away. Behind him was the faint candlelight emanating from Qingning Palace, his eyes full of intense interest.

“The Empress Dowager flatters us,” she lowered her gaze, avoiding his eyes.

Suddenly, Qin Qing bent down. Raindrops scattered from the umbrella’s edge, splashing up. The sandalwood scent pressed down like a mountain range. Qiu Shuzhi, kneeling on one knee, almost weakened, fortunately caught by Qin Qing grabbing her collar. He took the damp handkerchief and, bit by bit, stuffed it inside her collar. His rain-dampened knuckles brushed across her chest, the coolness seeping into her bones.

“All of you may rise. Tonight has been hard on all the soldiers. This grieving one has already ordered ginger soup to be prepared. When you’re off duty, each of you drink a bowl to ward off the cold.”

The Yulin Army soldiers behind were somewhat excited, shouting long live the Empress Dowager and thanking him for his kindness. Only Qiu Shuzhi, with the handkerchief pressing against her heart inside her clothes, couldn’t speak.

“Madam Qiu—” he called softly.

“This official is here.”

Qin Qing held the umbrella, the heavy rain like a pearl curtain reflecting his composed smile: “You should drink more too.”

Qiu Shuzhi lowered her head, her voice seeming hoarse.

“Thank you for your concern, Empress Dowager.”