THE FLOWER PALACE'S SECRET

Chapter 50: Refusing to Become Fragile

Slender.

That term was apt to describe the current Qin residence. After the death of Shen Yanzhia, the Qin residence was like an abandoned building in the crowd. Servants and administrators move, but everything is like an impenetrable shadow. No one knew where Shen Yanzhia was going.

Lin Zian's days became gloomy. The man no longer showed a smile to anyone who happened to cross paths with him. In fact, he would only come out of the Eastern Pavilion when there was truly important business.

Inside his room, Lin Zian was unceasingly looking at his wife's painting that he had secretly painted. Losing Shen Yanzhia was his own folly, as he was unable to exchange positions with the woman. Lin Zian also unceasingly told his subordinates to seek Shen Yanzhia's place of exile.

He did not have the courage to meet with the Queen Mother and Prince Yun. Lin Zian did not know what he had to say to the two people. If one day they asked where Shen Yanzhia had gone, Lin Zian really could not answer her, because even himself did not know where the woman had gone.

Concubine Duan was truly outrageous. How dare the female fox to remove Shen Yanzhia from her sight and from the sight of the Queen Mother. Had the Emperor been healthy and Lin Yang been easy to find, they would definitely not have accepted Consort Duan's actions.

"Young Master, Detective Tang has come to meet you," Xu Chi shouted from behind the door. Lin Zian immediately reorganized his heart and mind. She mustn't look chaotic in front of Tang Yin.

In the gazebo where the two used to gather, Lin Zian informed him that he found evidence of corruption of the ministers and Prime Ministers. He also told Tang Yin that the death of the previous Crown Prince and Emperor was not purely a death by war, but rather a poison that made both bodies weak to the point of not being able to survive the battle. The man who had just lost his wife also said that the person who poisoned them was unknowingly the current Emperor.

Tang Yin was certainly very surprised by Lin Zian's words. Unexpectedly, the truth was revealed faster than he had imagined.

"Wangye, I've been investigating the man you ordered me to investigate. The Prime Minister's wealth has increased significantly over the past two years. But, from where he got the money, I can't be sure yet. Apparently, this person had indeed been corrupting for a dozen years. I also found evidence that some of the missing military funds went into the Prime Minister's treasure chest."

"investigate again. Don't miss a single clue."

"Wangye, regarding the poison that the Emperor had unknowingly given to the late Crown Prince and the previous Emperor, I think someone must be behind him. This man borrowed your father's hand to get rid of the Crown Prince and Emperor."

"I remember, wangfei once said that the person who killed my uncle and grandfather was named Situ Ting Yue. I don't know if this is all related or not."

Lin Zian sighed. This research is getting more complicated. The more clues, the more mysteries there are to solve. More and more names of the people involved revealed his identity.

The greater the danger that lurks.

The move that Lin Zian had to take right now was to find out who Situ Ting Yue was and who was the one who used the Emperor's hand to poison the late Crown Prince and the previous Emperor. If these two men are found or known, the way of truth will become brighter.

"Wangye, we agreed to postpone the investigation until the peace marriage is done. Why did wangye change his plans?"

"I'm afraid we don't have much time left."

Tang Yin knew Lin Zian was keeping something from her. He knew that Lin Zian was trying hard to cover up the grief that was somehow caused due to what was in front of him. His master is acting strong, but his heart is also fragile.

"Where is wangfei?"

Lin Zian was fixated for a moment.

"He's... He's out of town."

"Without a servant and no escort?"

"If you're done, I'll return to the East Pavilion."

Tang Yin's guess was correct. Lin Zian did not answer his question. The man was hiding something. But, Tang Yin couldn't force Lin Zian to tell him either. The man's mood was not good. If forced, Tang Yin was worried that it would have a bad effect on the investigation that was nearing completion.

The man resigned. Before reaching the gate, he looked around. He really hoped to see a woman who managed to make his heart moved but could not be achieved. Honey, she had to be disappointed that the woman wasn't around.

After Tang Yin's departure, Lin Zian actually returned to the Western Pavilion. He immersed himself into the books that Shen Yanzhia often read while the woman was still here.

Lin Zian missed Shen Yanzhia. She missed her sweet smile. He missed the crimson face of Shen Yanzhia when angry. He missed Shen Yanzhia's warmth which made him feel like the luckiest man in the world. Lin Zian really missed that girl.

...***...

His heart was broken when he saw the woman who was his role model lying weakly helplessly on his luxurious bed. The radiant face he used to see when he came here was now so white as without blood. There was no smile full of dignity on the old woman's lips.

"How is he doing?"

"Wangye, I've already given him the medicine. Your Majesty only needs to rest for a few days," Mi Shaoshi replied as he tidied up the medicine bowl and washcloth. The servant then came out leaving the Queen Mother and Lin Zian.

His heart strength was tested again. These two miserable circumstances that happened in a row made Lin Zian almost go crazy. The two women he loved so dearly made his whole life like he was bobbing in the open ocean. Lin Zian was like a human in the middle of a lost desert.

"An'er," the Queen Mother called him soft.

"Your Majesty, I'm here" said Lin Zian as he held the cold hand of the Queen Mother.

"Is Zhi'er back?"

"I mean Your Majesty?"

"Concubine Duan, Consort Duan must have made things difficult for you."

Lin Zian looked down deeply. As hard as she tried to hide Shen Yanzhia's departure, the Queen Mother would definitely still know about it. Even in this palace, the walls and floors became sharper his hearing and vision. Lin Zian felt unable to say anything. He really doesn't know how to deal with the Queen Mother.

"I know you're worried about me. An'er, relax. I'm just tired."

The Queen Mother wiped the tears that had descended on Lin Zian's cheeks. His heart also ached as he knew Consort Duan sent Shen Yanzhia away without his knowledge. He was also saddened when he heard that Lin Zian had always locked himself in his residence after Shen Yanzhia left.

But, beyond all that, Empress Dowager did not know the reason Consort Duan sent Shen Yanzhia out of the capital. He only knew the reason Consort Duan did so was because of his personal grudge.

"Continue mission. You can't be weak. An'er, so many people out there are waiting for your fall."

The Queen Mother's words were right. Lin Zian could not be weak. He must stay strong. His shoulders should be straight. There should be no mistakes or weaknesses. Lin Zian believed in destiny. The pain of Shen Yanzhia's departure and the declining health of the Queen Mother would definitely pay off with something happy

Lin Zian could not be fragile. There's a lot of things he has to finish. He still has to reveal the truth and tell the world that this country is filled with dirty rats that do not know themselves. Lin Zian still had to capture an unforgivable criminal who had eliminated the previous Crown Prince and Emperor. And more importantly, Lin Zian still had to save Shen Yanzhia whose whereabouts were unknown.

"Your Majesty, do you think I'll make it?"

"The An'er I know is a tough guy who doesn't know the word surrender."

The Queen Mother gently stroked Lin Zian's head.

"Trust yourself."

Lin Zian could not help but cry. The Queen Mother, although weak, was still able to strengthen the healthy Lin Zian. In the midst of his illness, the old woman did not lose her spirit and virtue. He instead displayed a radiant face whose arrival was unmatched.

The Queen Mother made Lin Zian ashamed of herself.

"Your Majesty, I'll make it."

Lin Zian hugged the weak body of the Queen Mother. He refused to be fragile. Lin Zian refused to be weak!

...***...