Before her death, Empress Zhilan had made both allies and enemies in the imperial court. While most loved her gentle and kind nature, others hated her for that same reason.

Shen Qingyue made a point of writing down the list of those who had been on their mother’s side.

If she was going to expose Shen Lihua in court, she needed ministers that would join forces with her. More voices to stand against the injustice that Empress Lihua had done over the years.

The sun had just taken its position in the sky when she and Shen Lieyin made their way to the inner city where the nobles and court ministers lived.

If she could get their support, it would make it easier to rally her case to the Emperor. Because Qingyue knew without doubt that most of the ministers were on Empress Shen Lihua’s side.

They couldn’t go against her alone.

Minister Yu Zanzhou was in charge of state affairs and logistics. Qingyue still remembered how he often met with her mother when she was a kid.

If anyone would be willing to work with her—it had to be Yu Zanzhou.

"Do you think Yexue would be awake by now?" Lieyin asked as she followed Qingyue at a reasonable pace.

"There’s no need to worry. It’s a good thing you stopped her when you did." Hiding Ru Yi away in Yexue’s chamber was becoming a hassle the longer the maid stayed.

The maids at their residence might’ve been selected carefully by Qingyue herself, but she didn’t trust easily. Her entire plan would be ruined if any of the maid grew a loose mouth.

And in Qingyue’s world, betrayal was the only sin that couldn’t be forgiven.

Shen Lieyin nodded to herself. "Are we really handing the maid over to Zhao Chen?"

There was a thug at the corner of Qingyue’s lips. "No. She’s the only key to getting rid of him completely. And it’s time I make him have a taste of what it means to want something so much but never be able to reach it." She said the last part more to herself.

Lieyin shook her head. She’d never been able to understand what Qingyue was thinking most of the time, but she supported her nonetheless.

There was a guard standing in front of Yu Zanzhou’s house. He bowed the moment he saw the sisters.

He led them to the reception hall and bowed again. "I’ll even inform the minister of your arrival."

Shen Qingyue nodded while Lieyin looked around, noting down all the lavish decorations on the walls and shelves.

"Are you sure he’ll agree to help us?" Lieyin asked Qingyue, "If he refuses and he runs to Lihua, it could cause problems."

The stoic expression on Qingyue’s face didn’t waver. "We won’t know until we talk to him. Besides, if he wants to keep his position in court then he knows not to cross us." Qingyue would wield her power to the very max if she had to.

It wasn’t long before Minister Yu Zanzhou joined them. On his face was that practised polite smile that all officials had, a mask always set in place.

He gave a half bow. "To what do I owe this honourable visit?" he asked, before gesturing to a maid to serve them tea.

"How long did you know our mother for?" Qingyue wasn’t in the mood for the petty pleasantries.

There was a brief twitch in Yu Zanzhou’s face. "I knew the late Empress before she ascended the throne. Why do you ask?"

"This is about her murder." Qingyue’s lips were set in a hard line. "I was hoping you’d give us more insight on what happened that night, seeing that we were too small to remember the event."

"There’s no need to dig into an old wound that’ll be unpleasant to your ears," Yu Zanzhou said. "I’d rather not be a source of displeasure to your highness."

Qingyue knew his words were baseless, he had no real concern for them. If anything he seemed to be hiding something.

"I insist," Qingyue pressed on, "I won’t hold you accountable if I find any of it offensive. Besides, it will be considered an opposition to the throne if you do not give me the answers I seek."

Yu Zanzhou’s jaw ticked, how dare she force his hand?

"The tragic event was caused by a group of bandits just like the records say," Yu Zanzhou said, "it was an unfortunate turn of events that the late Empress fell by their sword."

If Qingyue closed her eyes for a long time, she could still hear the screams that night. Those weren’t bandits, they had killed like trained assassins.

"And if I were to tell you that it was a direct attack on my mother?" Qingyue’s voice remained leveled.

"No one would’ve dared to attack the Empress then."

"But if someone had?"

Yu Zanzhou hesitated. "Then they’d have to be executed for treason. But this was years ago, there’s no way to open an investigation now. The case has already been closed."

"And if I tell you I already found the person behind it? Will you support my mission to punish this person for their crimes?"

The tension growing in Yu Zanzhou’s shoulder was evident. "Your highness, while this is admirable, it might disrupt the peace and harmony the empire has had the opportunity to nurture these past years. Bringing the case up alone will disturb the balance of the court."

Qingyue’s voice turned low, the tone even more threatening. "So, you’re saying you will not get justice for the late Empress who you were well acquainted with?"

Yu Zanzhou shook his head. "I’m saying this humble official fears that he has no authority to intervene in this matter. If you’re sure of what you’re saying, then you should present it in court."

"To think that my mother trusted you," Shen Lieyin accused him of total cowardice. "We’ve already put in the work by finding out the truth. All we need is for you to speak up in court—"

Qingyue put her hand on Yexue’s arm.

"Are you not even curious to know who the culprit is?" Qingyue raised a brow, "You didn’t even ask."

Yu Zanzhou chose his next words carefully. "I did not want to cross my boundaries, your highness, for fear that you would mistake my curiosity for incompetence."

Qingyue smirked.

Well played.

She’d thought he’d jump at the opportunity to find the truth, and help them for their mother’s sake. It seemed like she was wrong.

"You’re incompetent indeed," Qingyue muttered, then plastered a smile on her face. "I thought you were at least a true friend to my mother, seems like I was wrong about you."

There was no response this time.

Yu Zanzhou’s face remained blank. "I’m sorry that I couldn’t be of help, your highness."

He bowed, and even that felt like an insult to the authority the sisters held.

Shen Lieyin was about to lash out when Qingyue shook her head. He was the first on her list, she still had more ministers to visit. One refusal wasn’t going to quench the fire blazing inside of her.

-

-

Qingyue was starting to lose hope by the time she’d crossed out all but one name on her list. Everyone of them had hesitated...stepped back in fear. And she hadn’t even mentioned that it was Empress Lihua yet.

Bunch of cowards.

A polite nod. A few careful words. Then dismissal. That was all the ministers had in their arsenal.

For a moment Shen Qingyue and Lieyin stood side by side without a word.

Lieyin tightened her sleeves, nails pressing into her palms as if pain might anchor her to all that had transpired.

"They should all be stripped of their titles," she finally hissed.

Qingyue remained calm, the tornado of emotions in her only swirling in her gaze. "They’re afraid." But not of them.

As if the sisters were nothing.

Qingyue exhaled slowly, her gaze lingering on the path before her. Just days ago the ministers would’ve lowered their postures, eager to align themselves with imperial blood.

Their names had inspired fear, their lineage enough to bend anyone to their will. That was how fast the tide had changed immediately the late empress was mentioned.

Was there more to the story?

Only one man remained—Minister Cui Mingde.

"Can’t we just do this ourselves?" Lieyin asked, her frustration seeping through. "After all, the three of us standing together should be enough."

"It’s not about being enough," Qingyue answered, "if they don’t stand with us now, what’s the assurance that they will in the future."

What would happen when they took back their power to the throne? Every ruler needed the support of their ministers. Which was why Shen Qingyue was starting to feel like they’d failed even before the battle started.

"Let’s go," she motioned for Lieyin to follow as she walked to Cui Mingde’s residence.

He was in the courtyard having tea when they came in.

Cui Mingde was about to bow when Qingyue waved him off, she’d had enough for the way. Without waiting for him to at least offer tea, she repeated the words she’d said half a dozen times.

They’d found their mother’s killer, they wanted to seek justice—with his help.

He opened his mouth and the sisters braced themselves for another rejection.

"How sure are you that you have the right culprit?" Cui Mingde asked instead, "to carelessly accuse someone of treason is more grave than the treason itself."

"Wait..." Lieyin looked at Qingyue. "You’ll help us?"

Cui Mingde pulled at his beard out of habit. "Your mother is the sole reason I became a minister despite not having a noble background. I owe everything I have to her. You can consider this as paying back the debt I owe her."

Qingyue almost smiled. At least they now had someone on their side.

"But—"

They held their breaths.

"I need concrete evidence. We cannot accuse someone of such a heavy crime without proof. If you can give me that, then I’ll help you."