Thoughts on the Culprit

The death of Prime Minister Yao was known to all by now. Da Ying had been hiding in the crowd when the public execution occurred. Dressed in a pale gray male attire, she blended in with the people. Seeing Prime Minister Yao's suffering and end satisfied her but her true intention of coming out today was to see whether someone would come rescue him or not. If that person came to rescue him, she had hopes of finding out who was targeting her. Sadly, no one came. Even as Prime Minister Yao's head rolled off his neck from the sword's sharp blade, no one. There were no signs of anyone suspicious, as if his death didn't matter. She left disappointed. She became even more flustered when all four of her guards reported nothing suspicious. Da Ying only concluded one thing from this visit outside, whoever she was facing this time was much more ruthless and careful than Prime Minister Yao.

Mama Zhou was also brought back to the palace around the same time. Of course, "she" did not stay in the village where the real Mama Zhou lived but rather stayed in a remote area, practicing medicine. It was only a few days later did Zhang Man Xie find out that the empress was looking for "her". Zhang Man Xie was dressed in a dark blue tunic, with his in a neat bun, playing as Mama Zhou as she entered the empress's inner palace. He bowed in front of the Empress and greeted. "Her majesty has summoned for me?" Zhang Man Xie, still in disguise asked. The empress was leaning on her luohan bed. "Tell me everything, what happened in the last 5 years. How did you take 'care' of Da Ying?" the woman didn't even wait one second for Zhang Man Xie to adjust to the situation when two guards entered the room and stood behind Zhang Man Xie. He quickly bent down as if he was truly afraid and begged the empress to spare him. "Zhou Mama, if you dare lie to me, I'll send you to your death," the empress casually said as if killing Zhou Mama was nothing to her. All she needed to do was say one word and a person's life would be over. Zhang Man Xie started to speak…

Back at the Thousand Lotus Pavilion, Da Ying was thinking hard about the situation. If Da Ying could, she would take out General Ming, Deputy Sheriff Lou and Grand Duke Lui out all at the same time. But it was too much too complicated right now. They all had great influences in the court, there was no way she could kill all three at the same time. Da Ying planned on taking this time to investigate the Grand Duke but with this sudden intrusion to her court a few days ago, she had to stop and take that person out first. Take out the person who made contact with Prime Minister Yao before his death.

When she thought about it, Prime Minister Yao didn't seem like he knew anything about her intentions on getting her mother's name cleared. He only asked her who she was working with. If she suspected correctly, the most he would have gotten from the situation was that she was trying to gain power by helping his enemy take him down. Which meant that whoever came to her courtyard was looking for some sort of clue as to who is aiding her.

With her guess, she began to plan a scheme to lure that person out when a small bronze arrow shot into her room, hitting the wooden pillar across from her. A small note was stuck to the tip. Da Ying didn't scream or panic; she recognized the bronze arrow…Zhang Man Xie's.

Da Ying wasn't the only one thinking about the situation, Qin Xie De was engrossed in the situation too. An Du rushed back to report his findings to. "Something's happened; a bronze arrow was shot into gongzhu's room. Could it be a threat message?" An Du asked. Xie De squint his eyes as if angered by the news before replying. "Keep a close eye on her. Don't disclose your position unless Da Ying gongzhu is in danger. No matter what she says, kill!" An Du nodded his head, understanding the situation before leaving. "Could it be the empress?" he muttered to himself. Thinking back on everything he has seen; from Da Ying leaving Consort Yao's courtyard the day before Jie You agreed to marry Prince Xiao to witnessing her threaten Prime Minister Yao in prison. Remembering her words, "This debt everyone owes me must be repaid," he started to make a conclusion... Da Ying was colluding with an official to bring the Empress's power down. Did the empress know? If she did, then Da Ying would be in danger…

At night, An Du followed Da Ying all the way to the back of her flower garden. A man was standing there, with his back facing Da Ying. An Du grew more and more suspicious of the two when the young man bowed to Da Ying. This was no danger; it was a secret meeting he had just caught.

"Man Xie, what are you doing here?" Da Ying asked worriedly. Seeing that he was not in disguise but in a guards attire. "I just got back from the golden palace, that woman had people following me. I couldn't pretend anymore so I changed." Da Ying looked at him, making sure he wasn't harmed. "Are you alright?"

"I barely made it out alive. That woman was interrogating me, I was even afraid she would catch me lying," he placed his hand on his chest, acting like he had just lost his soul.

"What happened?"

"She suddenly started asking me about the last 5 years. Turns out, Consort Yao explained everything to the empress, including the blackmail. I suspect she asked me to come to confirm whether you are capable of taking Prime Minister Yao down or not. Which means that…" before Man Xie could finish his speculations, Da Ying finished it for him. "She hasn't confirmed anything yet. With your words, her suspicions will lessen." he pouted his lips at her, she was always good at painting the whole picture without him explaining it. He suddenly remembered something.

"Do you think anything will happen to you during Wen Wan's 16th birthday celebration coming up soon?"

"Since you are already here, stay,"

With this news, Da Ying confirmed two things; the empress did not have contact with Prime Minister Yao prior to his imprisonment and two, the person targeting her only thinks she's helping a higher power.