Chapter 42
In the early spring, the capital was full of spring. Early in the morning, there was an endless stream of people entering and exiting the city gates. A black carriage entered the city from the north gate. The driver of the carriage raised his waist token to the guards at the city gates. The guards who were about to go forward to check immediately retreated respectfully. The carriage sped towards the Prime Minister's residence.
Inside the carriage, Gu Yun looked at Suling who was leaning against her and advised in a low voice, "I'll go see her myself. You should go back to the residence and rest." She wanted to come back, but Suling insisted on coming back with her. He even said that the doctors in Mao City were not skilled enough and wanted to go back to the capital for treatment. After being tormented for a few days, his wounds were a bit inflamed. When this man was stubborn, even eight oxen could not pull him back.
Rushing day and night for a few days was indeed very tiring, but Suling still raised his spirits and asked, "Do you want me to arrange for you to enter the palace?"
After thinking about it, Gu Yun shook her head and replied, "Not yet. Let me ask what happened first."
The carriage suddenly stopped. Gu Yun lifted the curtain and looked out. The carriage stopped in front of the Prime Minister's residence. Suling understood that she was anxious to know what happened, so he did not say anything else. He said in a low voice, "Go."
Lifting the curtain, Shun Yun did not forget to instruct before getting off the carriage, "When we return to the General's residence, immediately invite a doctor to treat your wounds. Do you understand?"
Suling smiled and nodded. Only then did Gu Yun feel relieved and get off the carriage.
Gu Yun walked to the front of the Prime Minister's residence. A man dressed as a servant welcomed her. Gu Yun said, "I want to see my elder sister."
"Miss Qing, please come in." He did not even need to announce before inviting her in. It could be seen that Qing had already instructed him. This also showed that the matter was urgent.
The servant brought her to Lan Yue Lou. When she entered the courtyard, she saw Zhuo Qing sitting on a stone bench by the lake. Her eyes were looking at the distant horizon. She seemed to be in a daze, but also seemed to be thinking about something.
Gu Yun walked behind her. Without greeting her, she asked, "What happened?"
Zhuo Qing was startled. She turned around and saw Gu Yun standing behind her with a cold expression. Yun's complexion was very bad, her face was tired, this whole journey must be very tiring. Patting the stone stool next to her, Zhuo Qing answered in a low voice: "The news that came out from the palace said that the child started to have a fever on the second day of the I month, the high fever did not subside, seven days later, he died of illness."
Sitting down beside Zhuo Qing, Gu Yun asked in a deep voice, "Did he really die of an illness?" There must be something suspicious about this. If he died of an illness, Qing wouldn't have called her back so anxiously.
"After I received the news, I immediately entered the palace. By the time I arrived at Clear Wind Hall, the child was already dead. Usually, a baby with a high fever was most likely to suffer from pneumonia. The medical conditions in this era were too poor. It was not impossible for pneumonia to lead to acute respiratory failure and death. By the time I arrived, the corpse was already cold. His face was dark red and his lips were dark purple. It did look like he had died of acute respiratory failure. However, I also noticed that the child's hands hung naturally and loosely at his sides, and according to the maid who was with the child at the time, she didn't hear the child's rapid breathing or crying. It didn't seem right that the child had died so silently. Death caused by acute respiratory failure is very painful. The child should be struggling and crying with all his might. He shouldn't be so calm.
"You're saying that the child might not have died of an illness!" Sure enough, there was still a problem.
Zhuo Qing shook her head helplessly. "I don't know. The child was too young and it could have been caused by other complications. Right now, we can't do any pathological tests and we can't dissect the corpse. I can't come to a conclusion as to the cause the child's death."
"Where is the child's corpse now?"
"It's been more than half a month. A child who died prematurely would not have a grand funeral. He was buried in the royal cemetery five days ago."
Gu Yun frowned, "The matter hasn't been investigated clearly. How can the child be buried so hastily?"
Zhuo Qing rubbed her forehead that had been faintly aching for the past few days. She sighed, "All the imperial doctors said that the child died of an illness. During those few days, the child indeed had a high fever. Every year, countless babies die of high fever in Qiong Yue. From their point of view, this matter is already very clear.
Knowing that Zhuo Qing was under a lot of pressure, Gu Yun softened her voice and asked, "Are there any other findings on the corpse?" Currently, there was no evidence. She only hoped that there would be some clues left on the corpse.
"I only had time to do a preliminary examination. The Empress Dowager, Emperor, Empress and the imperial concubines all came. I had no chance to get close to the child's corpse. If Qing Feng did not immediately send someone inform me after discovering the child's death, I reckon that I wouldn't even see the corpse. Actually, even if I did a thorough examination, it wouldn't be of much use. Unless I did an autopsy. "But this was an impossible matter. Not to mention that she did not have any evidence in her hands, even if the child's death was suspicious, the Imperial Family would not allow someone to dissect a Prince.
The child died so suddenly that Gu Yun's heart was in a panic when she heard the news. Thinking of the person who was the saddest in the Palace, Gu Yun worriedly asked, "She, how is she now?"
Zhuo Qing shook her head and sighed, "Very bad." In half a month, she had lost so much weight that she did not even look human anymore.
"I want to see her."
Zhuo Qing nodded her head and got up to say, "Yan Hongtian said that he sympathized with Qing Feng's pain of losing a child and allowed me to enter the Palace once every three days to accompany her. Today I can enter the Palace. Let's go together."
"Okay."
Zhuo Qing had Yan Hongtian's token in her hands and both of them successfully entered the Palace. When they walked into Qing Feng Hall, they saw a baby's cradle under a big tree in the courtyard. Qing Feng, who was dressed in plain clothes, was half kneeling beside the cradle with her long hair undone. Her eyes were staring straight at the small cradle with a dull expression. There was only a maid, Fu Ling, accompanying her by her side.
Seeing them coming. Fu Ling slightly bowed as if she was afraid of startling her and used a very soft voice to say, "Your Ladyship, Lou Furen and Miss Qing have come to see you."
She was completely different from half a month ago. Her chin was thin, her eyes were lifeless, her complexion was pale and her body was frail. She looked as if she would faint at any time. A burst of sadness welled up in her heart as Gu Yun called out softly, "Sister."
After a long time, Qing Feng slowly turned her head back and her blank eyes stayed on Gu Yun's
face for a long time before she seemed to recognise who she was. She calmly said, "You are back. Have a seat." Her hoarse voice was very weak and was almost blown away by the wind. She did not cry or make a fuss but allowed herself to sink into endless grief and ignored everyone and everything around her. Gu Yun softly advised, "A dead person cannot be brought back to life. Restrain your grief and do not ruin your own body."
Qing Feng acted as if she did not hear anything and continued to stare at the child's cradle without blinking. Her lips would occasionally raise into a smile but that smile was full of bitterness.
Gu Yun's heart suddenly lit up with a ball of fire. Who was so vicious that they did not even let off a baby?! To torture a mother to this extent! If it was really a homicide, she wanted to seek justice for
that child.
"Come over here for a while."
Fu Ling did not understand why Gu Yun wanted to call her but Qing Feng did not stop her. She could only follow Gu Yun to the other side of the courtyard before the two of them stood still. Gu
Yun asked in a deep voice, "Who was the first to discover the child's death?"
Fu Ling was startled and softly replied, "BbS.jooyOO.nET is this servant."
"Tell me everything that you know on the day of the incident again. Think carefully before you speak and do not leave out any details."
Fu Ling hesitated for a moment before she slightly turned around and looked at Qing Feng who was not far away. Gu Yun turned sideways to block her line of sight and softly said, "Speak the truth."
Gu Yun's voice was not loud but there was an imposing manner that made one not dare to disobey
After thinking for a long time, Fu Ling then softly replied, "After the full month banquet, the Third Prince caught a cold and kept on having a fever. The Imperial Physician would enter the Palace every day at Sishi (modern timing: 9 am) to treat the Prince. That morning, before Sishi (modern timing: 9 am), Imperial Physician Hu came..."
"Don't say anymore. Withdraw." Fu Ling only said one sentence and was harshly reprimanded by Qing Feng. Fu Ling was so frightened that her expression slightly changed and she quickly
withdrew.
Qing Feng's face was ashen and her expression was no longer numb, as if she was suppressing some kind of clear emotion. Gu Yun walked in front of her and asked, "Why did you not let her
speak?"
Turning her head to the other side, Qing Feng did not dare to meet Gu Yun's eyes and softly replied, "My Imperial Son has passed and I do not want to mention these things again."
Her obviously perfunctory and evasive words made Gu Yun feel even more suspicious and probed, "If he did not die of illness, you do not intend to pursue this matter?"
Suddenly raising her head, Qing Feng stared at Gu Yun with a deep pain in her eyes and her hoarse voice sounded mournful and heart-wrenching. "How do you want to pursue this matter? All the Imperial Physicians said that my Imperial Son died of illness, who would I pursue this matter
with? Even if he did not die of illness, the matters of the Inner Palace would not be managed by the Ministry of Justice. In the end, it would I fall to Lou Suxin and Xin Yuening to investigate! The person is already dead, what is the use of investigating clearly!"
She was too agitated that her weak body could not take it and started to cough. She clutched her
chest and turned her back as she said in a tough tone, "The child has already been laid to rest. You do not need to care about this matter anymore. I am very tired, you all can leave."
Zhuo Qing and Gu Yun looked at each other and did not agitate her any further as they left Qing
Feng Hall together.
Gu Yun said with a dignified expression, "Qing Feng should know that there is something fishy about this matter and there must be some clues but she does not want us to participate.
Zhuo Qing clearly saw through it and sighed softly. "This matter is very different from the previous
cases you investigated. It is not only a murder case but also involves a lot of power struggles. Yan Hong Tian is not a fool. He already has two sons who died young, why is it that he did not ask about
it until now. The balance of power and interest is much more complicated than what we imagined. In short, you must not act rashly."
Gu Yun naturally understood the meaning behind Zhuo Qing's words and could not help but curse,
"So troublesome!"
Zhuo Qing patted Gu Yun's hand and said in a low voice, "I know that you are a person who clearly distinguishes right from wrong and everything should be either black or white in your heart. However, the Inner Palace is a grey area. You cannot be too clear about anything and cannot be
too muddle-headed. When I first met Qing Feng, she was very stubborn. Now, she has gradually understood how to live in the Inner Palace. We cannot ignore this matter but we cannot interfere with it openly. Since she does not want us to interfere, then we will observe in secret and find an opportunity to help her. With her temperament, she will not let this matter go.
There were many eunuchs and palace maids coming and going in the huge In Palace but it was
so quiet that it was as if there was no one there. They all walked at the same pace and had the
same expression. They always kept their heads down and did not dare to make a sound. This Inner Palace was gorgeous and rich with the world's most precious treasures and supreme power. However, it was so cold that it did not have a trace of humanity. The oppressive atmosphere made it
difficult for people to breathe. Gu Yun was silent for a long time before she finally nodded, "Alright.
We will do as you say."
She believed in law and justice, but she could never understand politics.
Gu Yun and Zhuo Qing went to visit Qing Feng once every three days. She was still the same as
before, staring at the cradle for an entire day. However, her mind was gradually becoming clearer and she would sometimes say a few words to them. Gu Yun did not provoke her again but she still privately questioned the eunuchs and palace maids in Qingfeng Hall.
The Inner Palace was indeed a terrifying place. It made people cautious and cautious. No matter
what Gu Yun asked, the answer she received was that the servants did not know anything.
In Soaring Clouds Pavilion, Yi Yun was thinking about Qing Feng's matter and forgot to apply
strength to the hand that was bandaging Suling's wound. Suling sucked in a breath of cold air. Was she changing the dressing or was she trying to murder him!
Gu Yun came back to her senses and smiled apologetically. "I didn't do it on purpose! But the speed
at which your wound is healing is too fast. "When he returned, he was still sickly and listless. In
less than ten days, his wound had already healed very well and his complexion had returned to normal.
What kind of words were these? Su Ling coldly snorted and said, "Do you wish for my injuries to
heal a bit slower?" The injuries this time were indeed healing faster than usual. He himself also
didn't know what was going on.
Lightly coughing, Gu Yun flatly denied, "Of course not, I'm just envious."
"Miss Qing." A young general's voice came from outside the courtyard.
"Come in."
The young general entered the courtyard and said clearly. "There is a man outside who wishes to
see you. He says that he is the person you are looking for."
The person she was looking for? Gu Yun was confused. Who was she looking for? She exchanged glances with Suling. The words "how would I know" were clearly written on Suling's face.
"Invite him in." Gu Yun was too lazy to guess. She would know what was going on when she saw
the person.
After bandaging Suling's wound, Gu Yun walked out of the courtyard. The young general was leading a man in. Gu Yun secretly sized up the person who came in. He looked to be in his thirties, had a medium build and an extremely ordinary appearance. It was the type of appearance that one
would forget after a glance. If it wasn't for the arrogant aura he exuded that made it hard for people to ignore him, she would have thought that he was just an unremarkable passerby.
Gu Yun hesitantly asked, "You are?" She did not remember knowing this person and did not know
when she had looked for him.
While Gu Yun was sizing up the man, the man was also sizing her up. The difference was that Gu
Yun was reserved while the man was very arrogant. His gaze lingered on her face for a long time
before he coldly asked, "You're the one who wants to treat your face?"
Yue Sheng would rush to the General's residence so quickly because he was curious. He was
curious about what kind of woman would make that cold brat beg him again and again. The woman in front of him looked very ordinary. He did not know what Ao Tian was thinking.
Treat his face? Gu Yun widened her eyes and said in surprise, "You're Ao Tian's master?" Impossible. At most, he looked like Ao Tian's older brother. How could he look like a master? She
heard that Ao Tian was adopted by his master when he was young. She had always thought that
this kind of otherworldly expert would have the image of an immortal like Su Qing. How could Ao Tian's master be like this? On second thought, it was said that the Ghost Doctor's disguise technique was very good. Gu Yun guessed that he must have changed his appearance. Her
reaction just now was a bit too extreme. Gu Yun smiled apologetically and said, "Your disguise technique is really superb."
Yue Sheng raised his cold eyebrows, "Who told you that I changed my appearance?"
No disguise? Gu Yun wanted to ask. How did he maintain his appearance? Although she had been
criticizing him in her heart, she did not say much. She was worried that her words would accidentally anger this expert and make him leave in a fit of anger.
"The wound isn't too deep. It'll heal in a month." It was obvious that she had scratched herself on
the scars on her face. She probably did not make the decision back then, so the two scars were not
difficult to treat
Gu Yun said, "You've misunderstood. I want you to treat my sister."
Yue Sheng's face darkened when
person."
heard her and said coldly. "I only know how to treat one
Yue Sheng emphasized it deliberately. Gu Yun was baffled and replied, "I know." She did not dare
to expect him to treat a few people.
"Other than me, no one else in this world can treat a wound like this."
What a conceited person. Gu Yun could not take it anymore and agreed, "That's great."
After talking for a long time, she didn't seem to understand what he meant. Yue Sheng snappily
said, "If you help her treat her, your face will never recover. Even if that brat pleads for you again, I won't do it."
Gu Yun was stunned. So, this was why he had been beating around the bush. Gu Yun smiled generously and said, "Don't worry. You just have to treat my sister. You don't have to worry about
my face."
Gu Yun talked for a long time outside. Suling was worried about her, so he put on his outer robe and walked out of the courtyard.
Yue Sheng took a look at Suling and glared at Gu Yun. He hissed, "How dare you give him my
pills? You don't know how to cherish it! "There were only a few pills refined in ten years and she
actually used them to treat such a minor injury! He was so pissed!
He only took a glance at Suling and knew that she gave the pills sent by Qian Jing to Suling. She
was indeed a Divine Doctor. Her reputation was well-deserved.
Yue Sheng got angrier and angrier as he thought about it. He said angrily. "Let's go."
"Where to?" God, this expert's thinking was too fast.
"To treat your face." He could leave as soon as possible after she treated his face. Otherwise, he
would be angered to death by her.
Treat it now? Gu Yun's face stiffened. From the beginning to the end, it was her and Qing Feng's
wishful thinking. She heard that it was Qing Feng's idea to scratch her face. She might not be willing to let someone treat her. Besides, she was in such a bad mood right now. She probably didn't have the mood to treat her face. If they suddenly brought her over, it was possible that Qing Feng would drive them out in a fit of anger. Gu Yun coughed lightly and said with a smile, "You must
be tired after coming all the way here. Why don't you rest first? It won't be too late to go in two
days."
Gu Yun wanted to calm him down first, but Yue Sheng didn't buy it. He said impatiently. "Why are
you talking so much nonsense! You can either go now or ask someone else. You can choose for
yourself."
Gu Yun anxiously said, "Go now!" She couldn't let him go no matter what!
But she didn't have a token. How could she bring him into the palace? Turning around, Gu Yun
whispered to Suling. "I'll bring him over first. Ask Uncle Ming to inform Qing Ling to meet me at the
palace gate." Gu Yun suddenly thought of something and asked, "Can I casually bring a man into
the palace without Yan Hongtian's consent?"
Of course not. In the imperial harem, men couldn't casually enter and leave. Even if it was an important official of the imperial court, he could only enter when summoned. Suling thought for a moment and sighed, "You guys go to the palace gate. I'll enter the palace now and explain to the emperor." Back then, the emperor wanted the three sisters of the Qing family. Wasn't it because of recover, he probably wouldn't stop them from
their beauty and talent? Now that he had a chance treating Qing Feng's face.
"Alright."
Gu Yun and Zhuo Qing met at the palace gate, but because they were bringing Yue Sheng along.
the palace gate imperial bodyguards stopped them. After being in a deadlock for half a sichen (1
sichen = 2 hours), a small eunuch ran out from the palace and whispered a few words in the
guard's ear. The guard finally let them go. When they arrived at Qing Feng Hall, it was already
afternoon.
Qing Feng seemed to be in good spirits today. When she saw them come in, she was about to speak to them. But when she saw the man behind them, Qing Feng asked cautiously, "Who is he?"
Zhuo Qing and Qing Feng were closer. Gu Yun indicated for her to speak. Zhuo Qing walked to
Qing Feng's side and carefully replied, "He's a doctor."
Qing Feng's expression immediately changed. She coldly replied, "I'm fine. I don't need a doctor.
Let him go."
Zhuo Qing looked at Gu Yun with a headache. When the two of them were still thinking about how
to persuade Qing Feng, Yue Sheng coldly snorted, "Both of you are quite stubborn. It's easy for you
to make me leave. But if I leave, your pretty face can't be saved."
What did he mean? Qing Feng looked at Zhuo Qing and Zhuo Qing suspiciously. Zhuo Qing softly
explained, "We asked him to come because we want to treat your face. Although it's fine to have a scar on your face, but......"
They thought that Qing Feng would flip out. Who knew that she would sweep away her anger and
ask seriously, "Can he really treat my face?"
Zhuo Qing immediately nodded, "En."
"Alright, then treat it."
Qing Feng's straightforwardness made Zhuo Qing and Shun Yun somewhat stupefied. However, a
flash of darkness in Qing Feng's eyes did not escape Yue Sheng's eyes. Interesting! Yue Sheng
smiled and said, "Your face's injury is more serious than theirs. If you want to treat it, you will have to suffer a bit." This woman was more ruthless than her sisters. The two deep scars erased seventy
to
eighty percent of her stunning beauty. Now that she wanted to treat it, it was definitely not just to get back her stunning face.
Qing Feng expressionlessly replied, "As long as it can be treated, I can endure any kind of
suffering."
"Good!" He liked this kind of woman who would do anything to achieve her goal. Not only would he
treat her face, he would also make her more beautiful than before!
"What kind of suffering?" A domineering male voice with a bit of coldness came from outside the
courtyard.
"Long live the Emperor. Long live the Emperor." Yan Hongtian had just stepped into Qingfeng Courtyard when the eunuchs and palace maids were already kneeling on the ground. Qing Feng
bowed, Gu Yun and Zhuo Qing also awkwardly followed suit. Yue Sheng was still standing at the side, as if he had no intention of bowing.
"You can treat her face?" His dark eyes swept over Yue Sheng's ordinary face. Just this sentence
that was neither light nor heavy already made people feel a sense of oppression.
Yan Hongtian had always been temperamental. Zhuo Qing and Gu Yun began to worry for Yue Sheng. Yue Sheng's expression was normal as he coldly replied, "As long as I want to treat it, let alone this kind of small injury, even if her entire face is rotten, I can still give her a new one. However, within the three months that I will treat her face, other than me and her personal maid,
she can't see anyone else. If she can't do it, then there's no need to treat her face."
Yan Hongtian's dark eyes darkened as he snorted, "Including zhen?"
"Of course."
Qing Feng also broke out in a cold sweat for Yue Sheng. According to Yan Hongtian's personality.
he definitely wouldn't let people who disobeyed him have an easy time. She had already
experienced it many times when she had just entered the palace. Sure enough, Yan Hongtian coldly laughed, "Alright, zhen promises you. From today onwards, no one is allowed to step into Qingfeng Hall within three months. If you can't treat her face after three months, zhen will take your
life. "Yan Hongtian flicked his sleeves and left after saying this.
Yue Sheng's face didn't have a trace of fear. Looking at Yan Hongtian's cold and ruthless back, he
sneered, "The evil aura is too strong. No wonder the heirs in her life are so thin."
"You two should leave too." Yue Sheng waved his hand at Gu Yun and Zhuo Qing as he chased them out of Qingfeng Hall.
Half a month passed and Gu Yun didn't enter the palace again. She had been secretly searching for
clues related to the child's death. When she really investigated, she discovered that the palace was
a sturdy castle. It was very difficult to find a breakthrough. Everyone inside was a schemer who was good at hiding and scheming. Gu Yun had investigated cases for so many years, but this was the first time she felt defeated.
"What are you thinking about?" Her waist suddenly tightened and a familiar male voice sounded in
her ear. He seemed to be used to putting his arm around her waist when he had nothing to do. At
first, it was very awkward, but now he seemed to be used to it. Unwilling to talk too much about the
investigation, Gu Yun casually replied, "Nothing. I'm just looking forward to a miracle in three
months."
Suling smiled and said, "Next month, when we come back from the sacrificial ceremony, you will be
able to see your sister. There will definitely be a miracle." Usually, he only thought that she had a
good relationship with Qing Ling, but it turned out that she was also quite concerned about Qing
Feng's matters.
"Next month?" Gu Yun's heart suddenly jumped, "Then won't it be in a few days?"
"Yes, so you can prepare."
Gu Yun's expression didn't look right. Suling asked in a low voice, "Why are you not happy? Aren't
you
very
interested in the clan emblem?"
Yes, the Eight Trigrams plate. She would be able to see the Eight Trigrams plate soon. She should
be happy, but why was her heart so terrified? Gu Yun still lowered her head slightly. Suling thought
that she had lost interest in the sacrificial ceremony again, so he said with a smile, "It's spring now,
and the scenery in Feng Mountain is also very beautiful.
I
accompany you for a walk."
His pampering tone and cheerful laughter made her heart ache. Gently breaking free from Suling's
hand, Gu Yun said softly. "I want to go and tell my sister. After all, I won't be in the capital for a long
time."
Thinking that she was in a hurry to say goodbye to her sister, Suling didn't take it to heart. He smiled and said, "Okay, go."
Gu Yun didn't ride a horse. She walked all the way to the Prime Minister's residence. When the
gatekeeper saw her, he automatically invited her to the Flower Pavilion. In the unfamiliar environment of the Prime Minister's residence, Gu Yun felt a little more at ease. She didn't know
how long she sat there, until Zhuo Qing's puzzled voice came from behind, "What's wrong? Are you in a bad mood?
Gu Yun lamented, "In a few days, I'll be going to the sacrificial ceremony with Suling. If there are no
accidents, we should be able to see the Eight Trigrams plate."
So that's why. Zhuo Qing smiled in understanding and asked, "Then you're not happy. Are you
worried that you can go back or that you can't go back?"
"I don't know." If it was in the past, she would be very excited to have a chance to go back. But
today, when she heard Suling talk to her about going back to the sacrificial ceremony, she panicked
for no reason
Looking at Zhuo Qing, Gu Yun asked in a low voice, "Do you still want to go back?"
Zhuo Qing shook her head and replied with a smile, "I've already made my choice. There are
people here that I can't bear to part with."
She seemed to be more and more reluctant to part with Suling. In fact, she didn't want to go back
Was that so?
Zhuo Qing considerately didn't press her. She held Gu Yun's slightly cold hand and said with a
smile, "Yun, no matter what decision you make, I'll support you. No matter if we can meet again in
the future, you'll always be my best friend."
Gu Yun glared at Zhuo Qing and scolded in a low voice, "Please, don't make me cry."
Zhuo Qing replied with a serious face. "You're touched, right? I just want to see you cry!"
"Go to hell!"
The sadness faded in the laughter. Yes, no matter if they could meet again in the future or whether
they were in the same space-time, it was enough that they had each other in their hearts.