As the guests prepared to leave the palace after attending the banquet, Su Pan’er called out to Su Ke before departing.
"The Spring Imperial Civil Service Examination on the ninth day of the second month, do you truly intend to participate again?"
With a hint of amusent, Su Ke replied, "Didn’t Fourth Sister already know very well? Ke’er has worked hard for the Spring Examination for so long, naturally, there’s no reason to give up easily. Why does Fourth Sister bring this up again today?"
He had made up his mind about the Spring Examination, confident of his success.
Su Pan’er nodded, feeling sowhat tired: "You must be aware of last night’s events. The Imperial Court is in urgent need of a large number of talents for governing the country, and His Majesty cherishes talented individuals. If you do indeed pass the examination, what will you do then? Have you thought about that?"
Although Su Pan’er didn’t spell it out, Su Ke understood her implication.
"Following Fourth Sister’s line of thinking, what should Ke’er do?"
"That depends on your own plans. The court has frequent internal strife, and His Majesty has been vigorously addressing it of late. If you do manage to pass the examination during the Spring season, it would indeed be an excellent thing. However, it seems that no one has ntioned the recent fire at Liu Family’s Mansion anymore."
Why suddenly ntion the Liu Family’s Mansion?
Su Ke’s gaze flickered slightly, and then he understood.
The Ministry of Rites and Ministry of Revenue are both critical and lucrative positions, and those who sit as deputy ministers are no ordinary people. Previously, the offices were mostly held by mbers of the Liu Family and Jun Family. Now, with the Liu Family’s na being all that is left and the Jun Family severely weakened, the officials dead, injured, or exiled, there’s an urgent need for new blood...
"Fourth Sister can rest assured, Ke’er understands!"
Su Ke gave her a bow, conveying his agreent without a word.
Su Pan’er was pleased with this aspect of her brother, Su Ke, who was intelligent and considerate from a young age. If he truly had a long-term future, it would be a blessing for her, her child, and the Su Family."
After settling this matter, everyone bid their goodbyes and left the palace.
During their departure, Qin Yueshi ntioned marriage arrangents for her three nephews, which Su Pan’er rejected.
The situation at the Imperial Court was changing with every passing mont, and Su Pan’er wasn’t sure if Qin Yueshi had understood her hints.
anwhile, in the carriage on the return trip, Qin Yueshi also spoke of this with Qin Yu.
Qin Yueshi was not certain: "Listening to Third Brother’s wife, she seems to prefer postponing the children’s marriages for a while. Not to ntion the present chaos, but just considering yesterday’s casualties, uprooting one problem may reveal others. It’s better to wait a bit longer, to observe the changes. At least, let’s talk after the Spring Examination!"
"If that’s what Third Brother’s wife wants, just follow her wishes," said Qin Yu.
Qin Yu was deeply concerned about the assassination attempt on Su Pan’er earlier in the day: "You saw as well, those people actually dared to assassinate soone in the deep palace. If Third Brother’s wife weren’t skilled, it might have been more than a minor skin injury to deal with. You can imagine how tumultuous the current situation is. The children’s marriages are important, but not urgent within a month or two. Let’s wait a little longer."
Since Qin Yu agreed, Qin Yueshi naturally had no objections.
He forcefully pushed down the originally planned itinerary, wondering how to smooth things over with the other party.
After saying goodbye to her family, Su Pan’er also breathed a sigh of relief.
However, as she turned around, she saw Little Yanyan frowning at her. The serious expression on her face amused Su Pan’er.
"Why are you still standing there? Hurry back and rest; it’s already so late. Aren’t you tired from today?"
Joy instantly filled Little Yanyan’s eyes, "I am tired! That’s why Yanyan is waiting here for the Empress Mother. Once Empress Mother rests, Yanyan will go to rest."
"You little imp, I don’t need you to attend to here; just take good care of yourself first."
Shaking her head, Su Pan’er waved for the two nannies to take her down to rest.
Little Yanyan left the Warm Pavilion but couldn’t help turning her head back. Earlier, in the side palace hall, she had also sensed sothing odd. Although she didn’t know what exactly the Empress Mother was hiding from her, she noticed that sudden extra arrow!
The arrows used for Pitch-Pot are indeed arrows, but they are clearly made for the ga, with materials distinctly different from that peculiar arrow.
The newly appeared arrow fell to the ground, flashing a sharp gleam, icy and chilling, its cold light flickering, just like the arrows from the crossbows used in battle.
Even though she was only eight years old by virtual age, she had actually followed her father the Emperor and Empress Mother to the real battlefield, witnessing many things that female counterparts would not see in their lifetis.
Therefore, the instant she saw that arrow, she felt it was strange, and by the ti she reasoned out the possibilities, an inexplicable fear rose in her heart!
Thinking of the Empress Mother’s loving and protective heart, keeping such a major issue from her so that she could enjoy a happy birthday, made Little Yanyan’s heart heavy.
She turned her head back toward the direction of the Warm Pavilion, hating that she couldn’t grow up faster to share the worries and solve the problems for the Empress Mother. She didn’t want to hide on the sidelines like today, watching the Empress Mother handle everything. Such a feeling... it was truly annoying!
"That man was ruthless enough to hurt himself. When my n and I surrounded and pursued him, he struggled desperately and was harsh even toward himself. At the mont of his death, he threw a Thunderbolt Bomb at himself, blowing his body into pieces, and our leads in investigating the case were cut off. Later, considering that such Supplies as the Thunderbolt Bomb aren’t sothing ordinary people could obtain, we especially started investigating this side. Only when we did, did we find out the origin of the Thunderbolt Bomb."
A secret guard knelt on one knee before Qin Yi, ticulously reporting the follow-up on the chase after the assassin.
Su Pan’er’s entry startled the two n, and Qin Yi glanced at her but continued questioning without avoiding her presence.
"Who provided him with the Thunderbolt Bomb?"
Since taking charge in Shengjing, Qin Yi had early on entrusted the managent of gunpowder, a matter critical to national destiny, to designated individuals. Furthermore, these individuals had life-and-death camaraderie with him on the battlefield and would absolutely not allow such important items to be leaked outside. But the enemy had used a Thunderbolt Bomb, so how could he not be anxious?
"My investigation found that this Thunderbolt Bomb was derived from the formula for cannons and resembles the usual Thunderbolt Bomb used by the secret guards, but differs in certain aspects. It seems to be from the batch developed by Young Mister Qin’s people. Following the clues, my n and I traced it to Lord Liu. Back then, the only person who had access to the Thunderbolt Bombs and could successfully bring them into the palace was her!"
"I thus sent people to secretly investigate. Although they didn’t find the Thunderbolt Bomb, they detected the scent of gunpowder in the box from Liu Jieyu’s quarters."
Qin Yi took a deep breath and then exhaled long and slow.
Liu Jieyu had been punished last ti with "dical confinent" and hadn’t appeared since then, even during New Year, and now this incident had occurred.
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