My father ordered me to kill the emperor, but His Majesty bestowed a princess upon me instead.

We changed horses six times.

Ah Liu vomited twice.

The third time I felt nauseous, there was nothing left to vomit.

He leaned against the car window.

"Young master."

"Um."

"I will never say I want to go back to Beijing quickly again."

"We're heading to Yong'an now."

"Same."

"How are they the same?"

"They're all in the car."

I think his mind went blank after vomiting.

When they arrived in Yong'an, Yi Pai had already arrived.

The address plate has arrived.

The clothing inspection form was actually half an hour later than ours.

It's not that the post horse is slow.

Every seal along the route must be re-registered.

Bai Zhi wasn't in a hurry at all.

"Playing cards and other paper."

She said, "That makes perfect sense."

It was brighter in front of the stone gate than last time.

There weren't enough torches.

Twelve lampshades were replaced.

The lamp oil was distributed in three batches.

Each batch was inspected by different people.

The physician said that after the door was opened, the people inside did not see any light for a long time.

Do not suddenly expose your eyes to light.

So the lampshade was peeled off layer by layer.

The air cannot be completely replaced all at once.

Two new ventilation pipes have been installed next to the stone gate.

One go.

One branch comes out.

Ah Liu stared at it for a long time.

"Medical Officer Song."

"Um."

"After the door opens, can't we just carry the person out?"

"no."

Why?

"The air inside is humid."

"It's dry outside."

"A person with a weak constitution might suddenly be unable to breathe when they come out."

Ah Liu immediately stepped back.

"Then the younger one shouldn't get too close either."

Physician Song examined him.

"Are you weak?"

"Weak-hearted."

The physician, Song, was too lazy to bother with it.

All six plaques were placed in front of the stone gate.

water.

fire.

medicine.

door.

grain.

Clothes.

Each card has a corresponding certificate next to it.

Not every book is complete.

The original document exists.

There is a copy.

There is testimony.

There are also empty spaces that need to be filled.

Angelica dahurica did not hide the empty space.

The medicine register still lacks the complete dosage for the late Empress's last three days.

The identity of the woman suspected to be He Xiuniang in the clothing tent still awaits final verification by her family.

The third Wei Zhi in the tent has not yet been found.

Of the forty-one Southwest soldiers who died in the fire camp, the true names of eighteen remain unverified.

The actual number of dead and injured in the 6,000 shi grain inventory cannot be accurately recalculated.

Several silver routes in Yongfeng's second vault in the account book have not yet been recovered.

The accounts are incomplete.

But I wrote down every single imperfection.

It's more effective to open the door than to pretend everything is complete.

The sound of Zhaoyue came from inside the stone gate.

"Read the water first."

Turn over the Angelica dahurica.

"Yongfeng Water Account"

"There is a way out for silver."

"Please leave your name if you receive this."

"Three unidentified silver routes are listed as pending investigation."

There was a knock from the inside.

Water is poured into the tank.

A click came from inside the stone gate.

It wasn't the kind of test sound you hear when you first get a license plate.

It's a true unlock.

Zhaoyue said: "Fire."

"Qingxia Military Camp"

"Military death is famous."

"The military pay has been allocated."

"Borrowing the identity of the Dead Army, number forty-one."

"Twenty-three have been verified."

"Eighteen remain to be investigated."

There was another knock from inside the door.

Fire plate placed in slot.

Next came the medicine.

"Changning Pharmacy".

"The medicine was signed by a living doctor."

"A true record of the patient's diagnosis".

"Old prescriptions and medical formulas can be preserved."

"Today's addition and subtraction must not result in death."

Medicine tablets are placed in the trough.

door.

"Entry and exit at the palace gates are at certain times."

"He who bears the command has a name."

"Those with the same name should be recorded separately."

"Oral instructions must not be based solely on clothing, face, and nameplate."

The doorplate is placed in the slot.

grain.

"Grain inspection at the warehouse."

"No empty contracts shall be verified."

"The 6,000 shi of grain from Jiangbei were transferred to the southwest."

"Shen Lie is responsible for obtaining the grain."

"Xiao Jingheng is responsible for sealing the accounts."

"Wang is responsible for borrowing grain through the system."

"Gu Qinghe wrote the transfer order."

"Not signed."

"It has happened before."

There was no sound from inside the stone gate for a long time.

I stood in front of the door.

I can hear myself breathing.

After a moment, the mother said:

"You read it correctly."

Grain is put into the trough.

The fifth lock click.

In the end, only the clothes were left.

Bai Zhi did not read the card first.

First, open the six-page garment inspection form.

"The queen's hospital gown."

"The original owner, the late Empress."

"Recipient: Princess Zhaoning, Xiao Lingyi"

"Re-examine the sealed garment, and examine it under the moonlight."

"It is suspected that the clothing was replaced in the warehouse managed by Meng Qiu in recent months."

"The person who carried out the changing of clothes is under investigation."

"Zhou Suniang was forced to wear the Zhaoning court dress."

"Live now."

"Suspected to be He Xiuniang, dressed in the late Empress's sick clothes and Zhao Ning's everyday clothes."

"To die now."

"Identity awaits final verification by family members."

She read each name.

It was very quiet inside the stone gate.

When she read the phrase "awaiting final verification by family members," the mother suddenly asked:

Why not?

I said, "It only heals old wounds."

"I haven't met with the family yet."

"What if her daughter doesn't acknowledge it?"

"Investigate again."

"What if it can't be found?"

"To be determined later."

"Even if they die, they'll stay?"

"Keep."

A very soft sound came from behind the stone gate.

"it is good."

Zhaoyue asked, "Whose hospital gown is this?"

Xiao Lingyi stepped forward.

"First Queen."

"Who will take it?"

"I."

"Who lost it?"

"Me and the Princess's Mansion".

"Who's going to die dressed like that?"

"Suspected to be He Xiuniang."

"Is it Zhaoning?"

"no."

"Who is the living imposter Zhao Ning?"

"Zhou Su Niang".

Is she guilty?

"Forced to change clothes."

Xiao Lingyi said, "The existing evidence is insufficient to convict her of murder."

There was silence behind the door for a moment.

Zhaoyue's voice trembled slightly.

"Your Highness."

"I am here."

"The Empress's clothes."

"You're back?"

"I'm back."

"Was it her fault?"

Xiao Lingyi looked at the stone gate.

"I wrote it too."

Place the clothing tag into the slot.

The last outer lock was released.

Click.

The sound was very soft.

But I felt the entire underground warehouse move slightly.

The stone gate remained closed.

The six outer locks have been removed.

There is also a crossbeam inside.

It's not an official agency.

It was left by someone inside the gate.

My mother asked me:

"One hundred and nine people in Qingxia."

"how?"

"Eight people returned to Qingfeng."

"The rest have already reported their original names."

Those who wish to return to their hometowns should do so.

"Those who wish to work, work."

"Thirteen men were admitted to the recruitment camp according to the formal conscription law."

"Give food to the nameless first."

"No military formation."

"A woman surnamed Wang?"

"Wang Heng".

"To live."

"He took responsibility for the debt under his own name."

"Shen Lie?"

I paused for a moment.

"I've met you."

"What did he say?"

"My father's orders remain unchanged."

"And you?"

"I won't listen."

A very soft laugh came from behind the door.

"Is he angry?"

"no."

"That makes me even more guilty."

I think so too.

Mother asked again:

"Where is the emperor?"

"To live."

"His medicine?"

"Stop the third dose."

"The physician who treats the dead is not allowed to prescribe any new remedies."

"Did he hand over the grain ration coupons?"

"Yes."

"Have you admitted your mistake?"

"I acknowledged part of it."

Is that enough?

"not enough."

"it is good."

After she finished asking the question...

Zhaoyue then asked Xiao Lingyi:

"Your Highness."

"Did you bring the princess mark?"

"no."

Why?

"There is a second Zhaoning in the capital."

"I'll leave the official seal behind."

"So, in what capacity are you standing outside the door now?"

Xiao Lingyi did not answer immediately.

She glanced at me.

"Xiao Lingyi".

The sound of a horizontal beam being dragged could be heard from inside the stone gate.

very slow.

a bit.

Another one.

Physician Song immediately ordered everyone to step back.

"Open one finger first."

"stop."

A crack appeared in the stone gate.

Moist air rushed out from inside.

It is not poisonous.

It smells like medicine.

It also has a very faint musty paper smell.

The Song physician removed only the first layer of the lampshade.

Let the light slowly enter.

A hand reached out from the crack in the door.

Very thin.

The back of his hand was almost bloodless.

There is a thick horizontal callus on the web of his right hand.

This is a legacy of long-term, unrealistic ambitions.

I have seen Bai Zhi's hands.

I have also seen the words on my mother's old accounts.

This cocoon is harder to teach than a nickname.

The door opened a little more.

I finally saw her.

My hair has turned a lot white.

Her face was so thin that she was almost unrecognizable.

But the eyes are the same as in the letter.

First, look at the person.

Let's look at the accounts again.

They only looked at me last.

"An'er".

I opened my mouth.

I prepared a lot of things to say.

He didn't utter a single word.

She looked at me for a moment.

"Thinner than your dad."

I finally regained my voice.

"The salary in the capital is not high."

She smiled.

It's very light.

It's a bit like how my father felt when he heard those words.

This makes me feel even more upset.

Physician Song forbade her to walk on her own.

Two female doctors pushed a soft chair into the doorway.

But the mother turned around first.

"First, help Zhaoyue."

Another woman sat by the wall inside the door.

Equally thin.

He was also holding a black wooden box in his arms.

When Xiao Lingyi saw her, her eyes immediately reddened.

"Aunt Zhaoyue."

Zhaoyue looked up.

I want to perform the ceremony.

As soon as she braced herself on the ground, Xiao Lingyi entered and helped her.

"Don't kneel."

Zhaoyue stared at her for a long time.

"Your Highness has grown up."

"Um."

"She doesn't look like an empress anymore."

Xiao Lingyi paused for a moment.

"What's different about it?"

"She always tries to make decisions for everyone."

Zhaoyue said, "Your Highness will now allow the dead to be examined."

Xiao Lingyi remained silent.

It just means it's being supported more steadily.

As my mother was carried out of the stone gate, her gaze remained fixed on me.

I sat beside the soft chair.

I want to reach out.

I don't know where to help you.

She noticed.

She took my wrist.

It wasn't a hug.

It wasn't touching her face.

Like when I was a child, they would grab me first if they were afraid I would get too close to the river.

Are you still afraid of water?

She asked.

"Afraid."

"it is good."

"Only when you're afraid do you look for a bridge."

My nose felt sore.

Ah Liu stood at the back.

He turned his head away.

This time it's probably not salt water.

After the two old men had both left, the stone gate was not closed immediately.

There are three sealed boxes inside.

The first one:

Original register of grain transport in Qingxia.

The second one:

Changning Medication Records.

The third one has no name.

Zhaoyue held on to it the whole time.

Xiao Lingyi asked, "What is this place?"

"The Hours of the Empress's Last Three Days"

"Where's the blood oath?"

"There was no blood oath."

Zhaoyue said, "On Her Majesty's last night, her hands could no longer hold the pen."

"That sentence, 'If you close the account again, I will die with my eyes open,'"

"She didn't write it."

Who wrote it?

"I have no idea."

"But the last words the Empress truly left behind."

"In this box."

The blood-written letter that the emperor had waited eleven years for was a fake.

The accountant's statement, intended to force him to stamp it, is also fake.

The real last sentence, however, was held by Zhaoyue inside the stone gate for eleven years.

I asked, "To whom is it written?"

Zhao Yue looked at Xiao Lingyi.

"This is not addressed to His Majesty."

"It's addressed to His Highness."

Xiao Lingyi's fingers trembled slightly.

"What did you write?"

Zhaoyue did not open it on the spot.

"Go back to Beijing."

"Let His Majesty be included as well."

"Madam Gu is also here."

"Lord Shen is also here."

"Open it in front of everyone."

The mother leaned back in the soft chair.

His face was pale.

The voice, however, was very steady.

"Don't be afraid."

"No one in there is innocent."

The stone gate finally opened.

They came out from inside.

They were not two innocent people waiting to be rescued.

They are two living people who can still tell you what they have done.