Fish Meat – Chapter 141
by Little PandaThe Second Year of Zhao Wu
Morning Like Blue Clouds (5)
Wei Tingxu is still alive. They’ve already sensed the danger and are rushing to Runing with all their might. They’ll arrive in no more than three days.
The spy who silently rushed into Geng Bai’s mansion in the dead of night was drenched with the smell of rain. Geng Bai sat at his desk, quietly polishing a peacock jade paperweight (a decorative stone used to hold papers down). Upon hearing the spy’s report, he seemed to have expected it, letting out an “ah” before dismissing him.
“It seems this Wei family witch is cleverer than we imagined.” Courtier You, kneeling at his side, was pouring tea, adding some dark red powder into the freshly brewed tea.
Geng Bai glanced at him sideways: “Hmph, the witch uses dark magic. They say Xie Fuchen broke her legs in Rangchuan, yet somehow she can stand again now.”
The powder was made from ground night lotus cores, which when added to tea makes the fragrance more intense. Geng Bai put it in his tea every time, having become a habit he couldn’t break. Courtier You was an observant person, remembering Geng Bai’s preferences after seeing them just once.
“Such a thing actually happened?” Left Minister Luan Jiang, sitting on the other side holding his wine cup, froze, as if hearing something unbelievable.
Geng Bai blew on the paperweight in his hand, breathed on the intricate peacock design and wiped it again, making it exceptionally clear: “Minister Luan used to be the governor in the south, so naturally you don’t know about the affairs in Runing. This witch has been causing chaos in Runing for a long time, quite famous indeed.”
Luan Jiang asked again in horror: “Could it be that this Wei witch knows dark magic to regenerate bones and bring the dead back to life?”
Geng Bai put down the peacock and stroked his graying beard: “I think this Wei witch probably died back in Rangchuan, and now she’s a monster possessed by evil spirits, coming to seek revenge against Da Yu, bringing disaster to the world.”
“Ah…” Courtier You let out a deep sigh, “Who knows if Her Majesty has been bewitched by her dark magic, actually treating her as a confidant, even more as her beloved companion. Frightening and tragic! This witch not only knows dark magic, but also has several skilled pests around her. It seems impossible to keep her outside Da Yu’s borders now. They say once she returns, Her Majesty will promote her rank and title, which goes against the late Emperor’s final decree – a truly treasonous act. Ah, Her Majesty is so foolish.”
These words from Geng Bai and Courtier You left Luan Jiang’s mind in chaos. He had been transferred from the local government to the capital for less than half a year and knew little about the central affairs. He had hoped to assist the Son of Heaven in creating a prosperous era, never expecting such a witch to exist in court.
“But,” even though only the three of them were in the room, Luan Jiang still didn’t dare speak loudly, “isn’t Her Majesty also a woman? How could she be seduced by a witch?”
Courtier You laughed: “Oh Minister Luan, Minister Luan, you’ve really been in Yixiu for too long, you don’t even know about Her Majesty’s preference for women.”
“Her Majesty? You mean, the current Son of Heaven? The Empress?”
“Exactly. Otherwise, why do you think Her Majesty wants to clear out all the palace eunuchs and replace them with her female army? It’s to make it convenient for her to gather honey (metaphor for romantic encounters).” Speaking of this, Courtier You sighed repeatedly, “If it weren’t for the Empress Dowager’s protection, even this old body who has served in the palace for nearly thirty years would be driven out, facing a bleak future.”
It was as if a great door opened before Luan Jiang’s eyes, revealing things he had never imagined.
“They say that Wei witch is incomparably beautiful, that anyone who sees her, man or woman, becomes completely bewitched. Minister Luan, think about it, how could such a person exist in this world?” Courtier You asked him, “Any normal person would have both admirers and critics, how could everyone be enchanted by her? Minister Luan, if this isn’t dark magic, then what is it? How could Her Majesty violate ancestral teachings, how could she want to become someone cursed by generations as disloyal and unfilial? It must be this witch secretly using magic to bewitch Her Majesty.”
Though unaware of the Son of Heaven’s secrets, he had heard about her desire to appoint female officials. At the time, Luan Jiang was puzzled why the Son of Heaven would do such absurd things against public opinion right after ascending the throne. So it turns out there was such a witch causing chaos.
“Such an evil creature must be killed without delay!” Luan Jiang declared with righteous indignation.
“Don’t rush, Minister Luan.” Geng Bai said, “This old man has already set up a Hongmen Banquet (reference to a historical trap-feast, meaning a deadly trap), just waiting for the witch to deliver herself.”
“But,” Courtier You said quietly, “with Her Majesty’s protection, it might not be easy for the Imperial Uncle (title for the emperor’s maternal uncle) to take that witch’s life.”
Geng Bai: “Her Majesty left Runing early this morning.”
Luan Jiang and Courtier You both exclaimed “eh” at the same time: “How could Her Majesty leave the capital so easily? Where did she go?”
Geng Bai smiled mysteriously: “Since ancient times, one can’t have both the kingdom and a beauty (referring to a classic dilemma between love and duty), most emperors choose to protect their realm to avoid a bad reputation. But as a woman, Her Majesty ultimately can’t let go of romantic sentiments. Oh no, I should say woman-to-woman sentiments. Women only care about feelings, basically having no view of the bigger picture, and that’s exactly where they fall short compared to men. With just a little guidance, she rushed off to fight an underestimated enemy. Hmph hmph hmph.”
“So the Imperial Uncle had it all planned!” Courtier You suddenly stood up, prostrating himself in worship, “Da Yu has weathered many storms over the years, and now that we finally have a chance at prosperity, we absolutely cannot let it be ruined by a mere witch! Please, Imperial Uncle, save Her Majesty and save Da Yu! Only the Imperial Uncle can save the fragile Yu dynasty!”
Seeing Courtier You’s streaming tears, Luan Jiang was also overwhelmed with emotion and couldn’t help but kneel down as well.
Geng Bai personally helped them up: “Why must you both say such things? Although I am the Imperial Uncle, I am also a subject of Da Yu. Eliminating evil and punishing wickedness is the duty of every Da Yu subject, so why must you bow to me? Please, rise quickly.”
The three of them used cursing the witch as drinking snacks and drank together until late night.
After Luan Jiang went to sleep in the guest room, a group of men in black entered the Imperial Uncle’s mansion through the back door. Geng Bai and Courtier You met with them in the study.
The men in black reported that Her Majesty’s private carriage had left Runing and headed north, and they would continue following, reporting back immediately if there were any changes.
Geng Bai instructed: “If Her Majesty tries to return to Runing, you must delay her at all costs. She absolutely cannot return within three days. If she must return, it can only be after this old man has taken the witch’s head!”
Finally about to return to Runing, Zhen Wenjun was already covered in wounds and utterly exhausted.
She deeply missed the spacious pool at the Wei mansion. After returning home, she definitely wanted to swim back and forth with Zizhuo in it, and then have several days of proper, peaceful sleep.
Still more than a hundred li from Runing, Li Yanyi’s Moon-Chasing soldiers had already joined up with them.
The Moon-Chasing soldiers led Zhen Wenjun and her group toward Runing, clearing the path for them, saying Her Majesty had already prepared a grand feast for them, just waiting for their arrival to begin. After entering Runing city, they led them toward the south of the city.
“Why are we heading in this direction?” Zhen Wenjun asked, lifting the curtain from inside the carriage, “Aren’t we going to the Forbidden Garden?”
The Moon-Chasing soldier replied: “These past few days there’s been constant heavy rain, and they’re performing heaven-worship ceremonies in the Forbidden Garden. Fearing it would clash with the welcoming feast for the ladies, they moved the banquet to the Huanhuan Pavilion.”
“I see, then please trouble the lady to lead the way,” Zhen Wenjun said.
“No need for such courtesy, my lady.” The soldier’s smile vanished without a trace the moment she turned her head, replaced by murderous intent in her eyes.
The soldiers surrounding Zhen Wenjun’s carriage all had weapons hidden in their waistbands and sleeves.
Once they were brought to Huanhuan Pavilion, only poisoned wine and executioners awaited them.
The main gates of Huanhuan Pavilion were wide open to welcome the carriages.
Servant girls stood in a line on both sides of the door, while silk and bamboo instruments played together with continuous song and dance, creating quite a lively scene.
Wei Tingxu slowly walked forward under her guards’ escort.
The executioners hid behind screens on both sides of the banquet. If the witch noticed something wrong with the poisoned wine and didn’t drink it immediately, the executioners would rush out to take her life.
However, the executioners were curious. It was said this witch was extremely beautiful, with a face like an immortal or ghost that would steal anyone’s soul who looked upon it. This story had been passed around, becoming more and more mysterious, and before their ambush, the executioners were warned never to look at the witch’s face when attacking, but to remain resolute and behead her with one strike of the axe. If they saw her face, the witch’s evil magic would take their lives.
The more they were told this, the more curious the executioners became about what the witch actually looked like.
Peering difficulty through small gaps in the screens, they saw the leading woman had a jade-like face with crimson lips and an elegant bearing, quite different from the rumored fox-spirit who bewitched rulers. Instead, she had a striking heroic air that made the executioners uncertain whether they could match her, wondering if their axes could really take her head.
But beautiful she truly was.
The executioners gulped, growing increasingly nervous.
Geng Bai and Courtier You stood on the distant Chunxiao Tower watching Huanhuan Pavilion. Though far away, Chunxiao Tower was Runing’s tallest building, often used for surveillance, perfect for viewing all of Huanhuan Pavilion.
“They’ve gone in,” Courtier You faced Geng Bai while looking sideways at Huanhuan Pavilion. From their position, they could see both the witch and the eager executioners.
The witch sat at the side seat on the east and asked: “Why isn’t Her Majesty here?”
The Moon-Chasing soldier replied: “Her Majesty is tied up with state affairs but is hurrying here. Lady, you’ve had a tiring journey. This is welcoming wine personally bestowed by Her Majesty.” The Moon-Chasing soldier waved, and a row of servant girls floated out from behind the screens with wine cups, each bowing before them to present the cups.
The Moon-Chasing soldier said: “Please.”
Geng Bai and Courtier You both craned their necks waiting for the witch to lift the wine cup.
The witch picked up the wine cup and brought it to her lips.
Geng Bai and Courtier You almost held their breath, just waiting for her to swallow.
Unexpectedly, the wine cup merely brushed past her lips, and the witch didn’t drink.
“With Her Majesty not yet here, how can I drink first?” The witch slammed the wine cup on the table with a loud “bang,” startling the executioners behind the screens who almost rushed out with their axes. The lead executioner forcefully pushed them back, warning them with a fierce glare that “the music is the signal to kill the witch” – the music hadn’t yet changed to “Plotting Among Bamboo” (name of a musical piece), so the executioners couldn’t appear rashly!
Geng Bai leaned forward with both hands on the wooden railing, something making him quite uneasy.
“What’s wrong, Imperial Uncle?”
Geng Bai let out a long “hmm,” both hesitating and pondering.
“Has Courtier You noticed? When this Wei Tingxu entered the pavilion, her steps were strong and nimble, but why are her steps so steady?” Geng Bai asked, “Wasn’t she disabled in her legs?”
“This…” Courtier You was stunned by the question, “Didn’t Imperial Uncle say her legs had been healed?”
“Even if healed, after being damaged for so many years, it’s impossible to move normally right away – there should be some traces left. But look at this person, their lower body is remarkably stable, more like a military general who leads armies into battle.” As Geng Bai said this to himself, he suddenly shuddered and cried out “This is bad!”
“What’s wrong, Imperial Uncle?”
“Is Courtier You still dreaming?” Geng Bai pointed at the person in Huanhuan Pavilion and exclaimed, “That person can’t be the witch Wei Zizhuo!”
“What? It’s not her?” Courtier You was completely bewildered, “But our people went to welcome Wei Zizhuo early on, and their carriages were carrying treasures from the Liuhuo Kingdom, how could there be a mistake?”
“What?” The witch looked at the shattered wine cup on the table and then at the Moon-Chasing soldiers, smiling, “Her Majesty hasn’t arrived, but everyone else is here. Why don’t you quickly have the people behind the screens come out to meet their death?”
At these words, the Moon-Chasing soldiers immediately turned to look at the musicians. The musicians understood, and their fingertips danced wildly across the strings, suddenly playing a stirring piece “Plotting Among Bamboo,” its rapid tempo stirring people’s hearts! At that moment, the executioners knocked down the screens and rushed out!
Geng Bai and Courtier You watched as the supposed witch slapped the table and spun up from her spot, drawing a long sword from nowhere. Her sword techniques were too fast to see clearly, and the first executioners to reach her had already fallen.
“It’s ruined, it’s all ruined!” Geng Bai struck the wooden railing in extreme frustration.
“This- this isn’t the witch!” Courtier You finally understood, “Where did the witch go!”
The person in Huanhuan Pavilion indeed wasn’t Wei Tingxu whom they wanted to kill, but Zhen Wenjun! Zhen Wenjun, along with Zuo Kunda and others, had turned the entire Huanhuan Pavilion upside down. When the women disguised as Moon-Chasing soldiers tried to escape, the quick-handed Zhen Wenjun pulled them back, demanding, “Who ordered you to do this? Speak!”
“The Wei woman is a lewd and vile witch, anyone has the right to execute her!” That woman showed no fear, loudly cursing.
Zhen Wenjun, enraged, slapped her face hard. The woman smiled coldly with blood at her lips, then bit down hard, breaking a poison sac in her mouth, dying instantly from the poison.
Zhen Wenjun should have been able to stop her but was half a beat too slow, feeling great regret when she saw blood flowing from the woman’s airways.
The Path of Ten Thousand Directions hadn’t made her sharper but rather duller, Zhen Wenjun resigned herself to this fact, though somewhat happily.
Only those who live constantly in hardship maintain their sharpness and vigilance – she and the “witch” had been living very happily.
But there was something she didn’t understand. Wei Tingxu had helped Li Yanyi with disaster relief and fought in the northern frontier, establishing countless military achievements, and now risked her life to reopen the Path of Ten Thousand Directions – these were all great deeds benefiting both country and people. Why did no one in the end want to see her achievements, but instead labeled her as “lewd and vile”? It was truly baffling, both laughable and infuriating.
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