Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 603

Chapter 603: Dyeing

When the sedan chair arrived at the Pei Mansion was gate, Xiao Zheng blocked it from leaving.

An Zhi, half-reclined in the sedan chair, spoke with a little effort, “Minister Xiao, you came in a flurry with your men to confiscate our property, but you did not find any gunpowder. You still have the nerve to stand guard at the Pei family’s gate? You’ve got some nerve.”

An Zhi showed no politeness whatsoever when speaking to Lin Fan’s men; she was ruthless. Regarding the confiscation, the Pei family was in the right.

Xiao Zheng was speechless. An Zhi, hearing no reply, was thinking of what to say when An Xu drew his sword first.

“If Minister Xiao also wants to lose an arm, then try stopping me again!” An Xu said bluntly, his sword pointing at Xiao Zheng.

Hearing her brother’s voice, An Zhi, fearing he might act impulsively, quickly said, “Minister Xiao, please step aside. The Emperor only ordered the confiscation of your property, but now that it’s finished, you should leave. If you are worried, you can report to the Emperor. Lin Fan has lost his left hand and is now crippled. The Imperial Guards will have to rely on you, so cherish your arm.”

Since the chief envoy was unavailable, the deputy envoy naturally took his place. An Zhi’s last words struck a chord with Xiao Zheng.

Xiao Zheng moved aside. “Madam of Pei can go out, but she needs to be accompanied by the Imperial Guards.”

“As you wish.” An Zhi was exhausted. She was going out of the city to see the Empress Dowager, and she was not afraid of the Imperial Guards following her. Having more guards would be beneficial; if someone tried to assassinate her, they would provide more protection.

She had not slept much last night, constantly thinking about what to do next.

As the sedan chair was lifted again, An Zhi and her entourage slowly left the Pei Mansion.

Because An Zhi had just given birth, the sedan chair bearers proceeded with extreme caution, none daring to be careless.

Once An Zhi left the city, Minister Xu and Yun Xingbang, stationed at the prison gate, received the news.

Yun Xingbang, puzzled, asked Minister Xu, “Minister Xu, the Empress Dowager hates Pei Que to death. Why would An Zhi go to the Empress Dowager now? Is she not offering her own head to the Empress Dowager? Has she lost her mind?”

Minister Xu was also somewhat confused by An Zhi, but he knew her somewhat. An Zhi going to the Empress Dowager could not be a simple plea for mercy.

Seeing Yun Xingbang’s surprised look, Minister Xu rolled his eyes and tentatively asked, “Has the Empress Dowager left any evidence in An Zhi’s hands?”

“What are you talking about? How could someone as noble as the Empress Dowager have any evidence in An Zhi’s hands, or anyone else’s?” Yun Xingbang exclaimed excitedly. “Alright, let’s go into the prison. It’s said that Pei Que was beaten to the point of near death, but he will not say anything more. Today, I will make him taste the power of the Yun family’s tortures!”

With that, Yun Xingbang ignored Minister Xu and headed towards the prison.

Meanwhile, An Zhi and her entourage arrived at the temporary palace and were initially stopped. However, after An Zhi produced a confession and had a guard take it into the palace, the Empress Dowager summoned An Zhi to enter after a while.

However, the Empress Dowager insisted that An Zhi enter alone, refusing to let the others accompany her.

An Zhi had just given birth a day ago. Although she could walk a few steps, it was so cold outside. If she walked from the palace gate to the Empress Dowager’s palace, An Zhi’s life would be ruined.

“Please trouble Eunuch Jinxi to go and inform them again that the person who recorded this statement is still alive. If Her Majesty the Empress Dowager wishes to see this person, I’m willing to allow them to reunite at the government office,” An Zhi said calmly from inside the sedan chair.

When Jinxi came out to deliver the message, the Empress Dowager was already furious. Although he did not know the specifics, he had a general idea.

Hearing Madam of Pei’s threat, Jinxi’s heart leaped into his throat. He said with difficulty, “Madam of Pei, since you are determined to see Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, you must be sincere. It’s only a quarter of an hour’s journey from the gate to the imperial bedchamber. Besides, when the Emperor arrives, he will also alight from his sedan chair. It’s not proper for you to carry the sedan chair in. Why do you not walk?”

Although Pei Que was to be beheaded on the fifth day, thinking of An Zhi and Pei Que in the imperial prison, he wanted to get Pei Que out as soon as possible.

Besides, they had already fallen out with the Emperor and his men so badly; they did not care about incurring further annoyance.

Just as her sister-in-law said, she had to protect herself first before she could protect others. So, she would alleviate as much of her pain as possible.

“Eunuch Jinxi, you’ve misunderstood. You can always ask the Empress Dowager if what I’m doing’s proper,” An Zhi coughed lightly, then added, “I think the Empress Dowager will understand that I just gave birth; after all, she’s kind-hearted and a very good person.”

Jinxi, hearing Madam Pei’s words, did not sound like a compliment, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go back to deliver the message.

After carefully relaying the message, Jinxi immediately shrank back, afraid to move.

“Smash!”

The Empress Dowager slammed her teacup down. “How dare she be so arrogant!”

“Your Majesty, then… will you see her, or not?” Jinxi asked.

“Pei Que’s in the imperial prison. If Pei Que dies, the Pei family will fall apart, and it will not be long before they are all defeated one by one.” The Empress Dowager was so angry her teeth ached. “An Zhi sees no way out, so she’s decided to be arrogant to the end. Let her in. I want to hear what she has to say!”

Jinxi replied, “Yes,” and turned to leave but was stopped by the Empress Dowager.

“Wait a minute,” the Empress Dowager said, raising her hand. “Gather all my guards. After An Zhi and the others come in, close the palace gates. The palace beams are old; I plan to dye them!”

Jinxi’s skin crawled. He knew his master was ruthless, but killing so many people at once was something he had never seen before.

But his master was his master, and Jinxi could only continue to deliver the message.

When Jinxi led An Zhi and her entourage to the entrance of the sleeping quarters, Huiping offered to help An Zhi inside, but An Zhi refused.

“Sister-in-law, stay here with my brother.” An Zhi patted her sister-in-law’s hand. “It’s windy outside; please be careful. Chunlan can help me inside.”

After falling into the water, Binglu had been running a fever, so Chunlan accompanied An Zhi.

An Zhi’s legs were weak, and she barely managed to get out of the sedan chair with Chunlan’s help.

As soon as she stepped out of the sedan chair, a cold wind blew, and An Zhi’s scalp instantly tightened.

“Cough cough.” An Zhi covered her mouth and walked forward.

After entering the inner palace, she felt much better.

“Your subject, Madam Pei-An, greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty live a thousand years.” From bowing to performing the full curtsy, An Zhi completed every step flawlessly.

The Empress Dowager did not respond.

An Zhi gently leaned against Chunlan, then looked up at the Empress Dowager. “When the late Emperor was on the throne, the death of the Crown Prince led to several princes vying for the throne. At that time, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager wholeheartedly supported the current Emperor, ultimately enabling him to successfully ascend the throne…”

After speaking only a few sentences, An Zhi ran out of energy and stopped to catch her breath.

The Empress Dowager glared at An Zhi, wanting nothing more than to rush down and strike her, but she restrained herself. She wanted to know just how much An Zhi and the Pei family truly knew.