138 There Is a Key in Everyone’s Hear (1/2)

Chapter 138: There Is a Key in Everyone’s Heart

Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Five days prior, Wu Zhu entered the palace for the last time and confirmed that the key was hidden somewhere in Hanguang Hall. Therefore, it was the first location Fan Xian investigated. Perhaps because of the long period of peace, Hanguang Hall, which was inhabited by the empress, was quiet and tranquil. The palace girls were all asleep, and the young eunuchs were starting to get drowsy.

A faint fragrance wafted by. Whether eunuch or palace girl, they all drifted off into a deep slumber.

In the dim light, Fan Xian walked along the dark corners and entered the empress’s sleeping quarter. Seeing the extraordinarily elegant bed in the distance, he frowned slightly. On the bed lay an old lady; could that be the empress?

There wasn’t much for Fan Xian to exclaim, nor would he humor his own delusion of doing something which might change history. He walked forward calmly to the side of the bed. He was not even looking at the most powerful woman in the world.

Keep calm. That was the most important thing that Wu Zhu and Fei Jie had taught him.

The imagined hidden guard did not appear. Fan Xian was prepared for some unseen master lying in wait to protect the royalty.

He didn’t think too much about where in Hanguang Hall tone could hide valuables. He slid under the empress’s bed without much hesitation. He closed his eyes and began to touch the wooden floor beneath the bed. The floorboards were made from high quality timber, but his current actions were strange.

A short while later, he opened his eyes in the darkness. There was a glint of absurd joy in his pupils.

Back in Danzhou, he had hidden his nameless skill-book under his bed boards; in The Deer and the Cauldron, Mao Dongzhu hid forty-two scriptures under the darkness of her bed. As it turned out, the empress of Qing followed suit.

The current situation showed the limits of human creativity and imagination.

Putting just a little force into his dagger, Fan Xian dug the blade in from the side. The tip made no sound as it pierced the wood. The empress turned and said something in her sleep, but Fan Xian pretended not to hear and continued expressionlessly. Soon, the lattice came off, although he dared not to disturb it with his hand. With his superhuman night-vision, he was easily able to see it.

There was only a white cloth, a letter, and… a key.

Looking at the shape of the key, Fan Xian frowned slightly, making a strange expression. Ignoring the white cloth and the letter, he took the key and slipped out.

Moments later, he appeared again under the palace walls.

He climbed into the carriage. Looking at Wang Qinian, he said lightly, ”I need speed.”

”Yes sir.” Wang Qinian didn’t know the details of the plan. He only knew that he had to pick up Fan Xian, and then go meet the ”other person”.

”I hope nobody knows I’m in this carriage.”

”Sir, rest assured. This carriage was borrowed from the Privy Council. No one would dare to stop it, so no one will find out.”

”Very good.” Relaxing a little, Fan Xian half-sat down. First, he had pretended to be a drunken, poetic maniac, and then he was snaking into the palace at night. Both were severely taxing to his mind.

The carriage stopped somewhere Fan Xian did not recognize. The two silently got out. Putting on their headcovers again, they walked down to a chamber underground. Wang Qinian said in a muffled voice, ”Sir, this is the locksmith Suo Jiang.”

Standing in front of them was a small wooden table. On it were many unrecognizable metal tools gleaming under the light. The owner of the tools appeared to be an honest, middle-aged man. His face was dark tan and he had a hearty smile.

Locksmith was a profession, and it was also a title. But this Suo Jian didn’t just stop there—”Suo Jiang” literally meant ”locksmith”. From his name alone, one could see his level of craftsmanship.

Fan Xian nodded and said to Wang Qinian, ”Wait outside.”

And so, Wang Qinian excused himself. He knew that there were things he would never know, and not knowing would ensure his safety.

”This involves the survival of the nation. By the authority of the Overwatch Council, I ask you to serve your country.” Fan Xian said calmly through his headcover.