Fish Meat – Chapter 166
by Little PandaThe Fourth Year of Zhao Wu
Double Silk Net (1)
Geng Bai stood before Changning Palace, the Empress Dowager’s sleeping quarters, covered in sweat.
The Empress Dowager was taking her afternoon nap. He had been waiting there for one shíchen [two hours] when he saw Wang Guniang [wáng gūniang, respectful title for palace lady] coming out. He immediately went forward to ask, “Has the Empress Dowager awakened from her nap?”
Wang Guniang nodded and said, “The Empress Dowager is awake, but her chronic headache has flared up again. She wishes to rest quietly. Please return home, Imperial Uncle.”
Geng Bai anxiously asked, “Is her condition serious? Has the Imperial Physician been summoned?”
“We always have medicine prepared for such occasions, Imperial Uncle need not worry.” She hesitated briefly, then continued, “Imperial Uncle, this old servant has no right to speak, but I came from the Geng family and have served the Empress Dowager until today. I don’t wish to see the tragedies recorded in history books befall our Geng family. Since Her Majesty’s assassination attempt, the Empress Dowager’s headaches have persisted for three full days, leaving her sleepless at night, worried about both Her Majesty and the Geng family’s safety. Though you are Her Majesty’s maternal uncle who watched him grow up, you must never forget that you are still his subject. You must not create conflicts with the Emperor over immediate interests. For the Geng family’s continued prosperity and glory, Imperial Uncle should know when to step back.”
Geng Bai’s face turned pale: “Are these the Empress Dowager’s words?”
Wang Guniang shook her head without saying more and turned to leave.
Earlier that morning at court, Luan Jiang had submitted a passionate memorial regarding Zhen Wenjun’s release, becoming extremely agitated.
“How can we brush off an assassination attempt on the Emperor so lightly? The captured rebels’ confessions were vicious and cunning, even slandering the Geng family by claiming they conspired with the Lanwan rebels to attempt assassination! How could this be possible? If not for Geng Yu’s timely arrival to protect Her Majesty, the consequences would have been unthinkable! If the Geng family were truly responsible, why would Geng Yu rush to save the Emperor? Isn’t this self-contradictory? This matter clearly shows someone colluding with rebels to frame others, leading to the Emperor’s whereabouts being leaked and nearly resulting in disaster! In this case, Central Army Commander Zhen Wenjun is the most suspicious – whether it’s her failure to properly protect Her Majesty or her subsequent emergence from the Imperial Prison without a scratch, both prove she has powerful allies protecting her. If we rashly let this go, wouldn’t it discourage truly loyal ministers?
After his impassioned speech, Luan Jiang further impeached Tingwei Guan Xun for abusing the law out of personal favor, claiming he was her ally, and requested the Emperor to punish him.
Luan Jiang claimed he heard that Zhen Wenjun had done favors for Jiang Wang. During her imprisonment, not only was she spared from severe interrogation, but she was even well-fed and treated comfortably, without even basic questioning. This completely disregarded Da Yu’s laws and showed contempt for the Emperor! If everyone in court made judgments based on personal relationships, what would become of court discipline? Where would the law stand? This would be the beginning of state rifts, when purple and red corrupt the imperial crimson!
As Luan Jiang spoke passionately with spittle flying, before Li Yanyi could speak, the accused Guan Xun calmly stepped forward and said:
“If the Vice Minister is so certain about Commander Zhen’s treasonous crimes, then you must have solid evidence. Why not present it to me for review?”
Luan Jiang snorted coldly: “As Tingwei, investigation and judgment are your duties – how could I do your job? Her Majesty’s movements that day were highly secretive, how could ordinary rebels track her? Zhen Wenjun was in charge of Her Majesty’s schedule! Even without investigative experience, I know she must be involved! Is this common knowledge something you, after years as Tingwei, can’t figure out without my prompting?”
Facing Luan Jiang’s aggressive questioning, Guan Xun showed no sign of anger and nodded:
“The Vice Minister is correct – without an informant, the Lanwan rebels couldn’t have discovered Her Majesty’s whereabouts so easily. However, the collaborator was not Commander Zhen. When Her Majesty was attacked that day, it was Commander Zhen who fought desperately to defend her before Geng Yu arrived. If we’re discussing merits, Commander Zhen should receive the highest honors. Following the Vice Minister’s own logic, Commander Zhen couldn’t possibly have attempted regicide. Every word I speak is supported by witness testimonies from those present, not baseless claims. If the Vice Minister suspects me of favoritism, present evidence rather than making unfounded accusations!”
Luan Jiang immediately shifted his angle of attack: “Everyone in the central government knows that entering your Imperial Prison means being flayed alive even if you survive. Even Duke Wei had his kneecap cut off by you back then. Yet somehow Zhen Wenjun emerged completely unharmed. Well, well, who would have thought the Tingwei was such a gentleman who shows mercy to beautiful women? I stand corrected.”
The previous night, Geng Bai had kept Luan Jiang up for discussion, carefully instructing him on how to defend the Geng family in today’s morning court. Nothing else mattered – he just needed to keep pressing hard against Zhen Wenjun and Guan Xun.
As Luan Jiang’s words grew more twisted and agitated, Wei Tingxu, who had been observing and understanding his tactics, calmly spoke:
“How can the Vice Minister be so certain that Commander Zhen left the Imperial Prison unharmed, without torture marks? Perhaps you suggest she should strip for inspection after leaving prison? Commander Zhen deserves merit for saving Her Majesty, yet instead of receiving rewards, she suffers false accusations from your nonsense. Vice Minister, isn’t it your actions that truly discourage loyal ministers? You even tarnish Her Majesty’s reputation for unclear rewards and punishments. Speaking of ulterior motives, none could surpass yours – perhaps you should be the one visiting the Imperial Prison.”
As Luan Jiang was about to speak, Wei Tingxu suddenly turned to his background: “I hear you were once the Magistrate of Hui County?”
Seeing her sudden change of topic, Luan Jiang didn’t take the bait and kept quiet.
“The Imperial Uncle promoted you all the way to the capital. He was truly your patron. No wonder you turn a blind eye and falsely accuse the loyal – all just brown-nosing to please the Imperial Uncle.”
Luan Jiang hated being called a brown-noser most of all, and Wei Tingxu’s words enraged him: “You shameless witch, spewing lies! A woman’s heart is the most poisonous – who’s really plotting everything behind the scenes? You know best, Wei Tingxu!”
The term “witch” was bad enough, but “a woman’s heart is the most poisonous” made everyone in court break into a cold sweat for Luan Jiang. He must have been truly agitated to inadvertently insult the Emperor as well.
Li Yanyi frowned and interrupted them: “Enough, stop arguing. Zhen Wenjun’s merit in protecting me is fact, Minister Luan must not make baseless accusations. As for how the Lanwan rebels learned of my movements, I have already found clues and am investigating. A conclusion will come in the next few days. I will not spare any traitor, whether Imperial Uncle or common official – whoever breaks the law will be executed! Your quarreling gives me a headache. If there’s nothing else, you’re all dismissed.”
After morning court ended, Luan Jiang hurriedly walked toward the Forbidden Garden exit, where Geng Bai’s carriage waited outside the main gate.
Just as Luan Jiang got into the carriage and made eye contact with Geng Bai inside, suddenly Guang Shaoling, Commander of the Inner Zhuiyue Army, stopped the carriage. She bowed to the Imperial Uncle at the front of the carriage and said Her Majesty had summoned him.
Geng Bai’s heart pounded, but he had no choice but to get out of the carriage and go with her.
As soon as Geng Bai entered the Imperial Study, before he could complete his bow, an object flew toward his head. He dared not dodge and had to take the hit. Only after it struck his head and fell to the ground did he see it was a case file.
Li Yanyi, without any preamble and completely different from his composure in Taiji Hall, pointed at him and shouted: “Look at this carefully!”
Geng Bai hurriedly picked it up. As he read, his face grew paler and his cold sweat increased. Upon finishing the last word, he immediately prostrated himself, crying out his innocence. He said the Geng family never dared harbor any treasonous thoughts, and that the Lanwan rebels’ confessions were all slander!
Li Yanyi scolded: “What is the Geng family? Imperial relatives! The Empress Dowager’s maternal clan! If you truly kept to your place, how would others have the chance to frame the Imperial Uncle?! You know in your heart how much you were involved in this! Don’t say I’m not giving you face – if not for you being my uncle, the Geng family wouldn’t have enough heads to chop off!”
Geng Bai: “Your subject…”
Li Yanyi: “Don’t say you wouldn’t dare! You ‘wouldn’t dare’ yet colluded with Xie family remnants. If you had dared more, I would already be dead by your hand! Would you then ascend the throne as emperor?!”
Geng Bai pressed his face almost to the ground: “Even in death, I would never dare harbor such thoughts! Your Majesty, please see clearly!”
Li Yanyi picked up a teacup from the table to calm herself, and after a long while, walked over to help Geng Bai up, speaking earnestly:
“Uncle! You must understand my difficult position. The reforms I’m implementing now do indeed hurt some of the Geng family’s interests. But the Geng family is the Empress Dowager’s maternal clan – aren’t you my relatives too? How could I truly let the Geng family suffer losses? This case file stops here with me. I hope Uncle can understand my intentions. Don’t focus only on these minor profits – everything must prioritize Da Yu’s welfare! Don’t let others find opportunities to exploit – the Geng family should be my strongest support.”
Geng Bai quickly knelt to express gratitude: “The entire Geng family swears absolute loyalty! We will not fail Your Majesty’s great expectations today!”
Li Yanyi nodded: “Let Geng Yu go out to gain some experience. Uncle, you must not spoil him anymore.”
Geng Bai: “Yes!”
Li Yanyi: “One more thing – Luan Jiang was right, the assassination attempt on me was no small matter. Someone must be held responsible. Uncle should know what to do.”
“This…” Geng Bai looked up, saw the murderous intent in Li Yanyi’s eyes, and quickly lowered his head, responding, “Your elderly subject understands.”
“Also, one more thing.” Li Yanyi didn’t understand why Geng Bai, who usually only caused verbal trouble, suddenly became so aggressive as to attempt assassination for merit. Upon questioning, she learned someone had been instigating him.
“Lord Yunmeng, Fang Huaiyuan?” Li Yanyi knew this person. “Wasn’t he Xie Fuchen’s strategist? How did he end up at your residence?”
Geng Bai had to reveal his inner thoughts. He saw Wei Tingxu as a thorn in his side, and naturally, Xie Fuchen’s strategist also hated Wei Tingxu. He had thought Lord Yunmeng wouldn’t deceive him, but after things were exposed, Fang Huaiyuan was the first to flee, leaving no trace. Now he wondered about that man’s true intentions.
Li Yanyi hadn’t expected her casual question to reveal such a strange point.
Lord Yunmeng?
After leaving the Imperial Study, Geng Bai tried to see the Empress Dowager but was turned away and scolded by Wang Guniang, completely deflating his anger – this was what happened earlier.
Two days later, led by Geng Yu, they impeached Luan Jiang for conspiring with Xie family remnants to commit treason. Wei Tingxu also presented discovered letters and secret correspondence between Luan Jiang and Xie family remnants during morning court. When Luan Jiang, shocked at becoming a scapegoat, cried injustice, Guan Xun presented the Lanwan rebels’ confessions. Everything fell into place with solid evidence.
Without even an interrogation process, Luan Jiang was convicted of treason, his entire clan executed.
Meanwhile, former Commander Xiao Nan suddenly died of dysentery.
Li Yanyi couldn’t let people know that Xiao Nan was a Xie family remnant who conspired with the Imperial Uncle to assassinate the Emperor. Otherwise, court officials would petition for investigation into the backgrounds of all Zhuiyue Army members, damaging its foundation and letting opportunists question the imperial guard’s legitimacy. Moreover, if investigation began, Commander Zhen Wenjun’s true identity might be exposed, which would be troublesome for Li Yanyi.
So from Xiao Nan’s arrest and interrogation in the Imperial Prison to her “death from illness,” nothing was made public. Everyone knew she disappeared, but very few knew her true fate.
As Guan Xun removed his official robes at home, while Jiang Wang helped him change, he sighed: “My hands are now thoroughly unclean.”
As the fourth year of Zhaowu approached, Geng Bai’s eldest son Geng Yu obediently went to the Northern Frontier as Bo Qin’s deputy commander. Geng Bai stopped his impeachments and ceased troubling Wei Tingxu, temporarily becoming a docile housecat.
For her merit in protecting the Emperor and as compensation for her imprisonment, Li Yanyi personally appointed Zhen Wenjun as Commander of the Zhuiyue Army, making her Da Yu’s youngest Commander ever.
Wei Tingxu was promoted to Secretary Supervisor for eliminating traitors, becoming head of the Secretariat.
Li Yanyi reorganized the Zhuiyue Army, with Ah Xin shouldering the responsibility of selecting new members. This naturally proceeded quietly and secretly.
Empress Dowager Geng had known about Ah Xin’s return to Runing. She had previously sent assassins to kill Ah Xin while still in the Northern Frontier. Now with Ah Xin in Runing, it was like stepping on the Empress Dowager’s tail, making her bristle with anger – her fury could be sensed from miles away.
The Empress Dowager Geng sought out Li Yanyi many times, but each time she managed to avoid her, leaving her empty-handed. Several times she tried to enter Taiji Hall directly to find Li Yanyi – after all, she had spent the most time there and could tell if she was inside by whether the Zhuiyue Army stood guard outside. But unexpectedly, Zhen Wenjun stopped her. As Commander responsible for Li Yanyi’s safety, Zhen Wenjun had authority to execute first and report later if anyone tried to enter Taiji Hall without the Emperor’s permission.
Empress Dowager Geng flew into a rage, berating Zhen Wenjun: “You dare block me!”
Zhen Wenjun knelt and said softly, “Please, Empress Dowager, don’t make things difficult for your humble subject.”
In this matter, Zhen Wenjun was justified by any standard. Since Li Yanyi’s ascension, Empress Dowager Geng had completely relinquished power and no longer ruled from behind the curtain. Almost all officials who knew of her former regency had been replaced in just four years. The Empress Dowager no longer held the crucial position she had when controlling Emperor Huai. Now she was merely an elderly lady living within the palace walls, rarely seen except in people’s gossip.
Empress Dowager Geng knew Zhen Wenjun was Li Yanyi’s personally promoted confidant. If she deliberately troubled Zhen Wenjun, people might speculate about mother-daughter discord. Even without such speculation, continuing to make a scene would only damage her dignity as an elder. As Empress Dowager, she couldn’t quarrel with a loyal official doing their duty, so she could only leave with pent-up anger.
While the Empress Dowager’s fury blazed, Li Yanyi dutifully came to pay respects. Before the Empress Dowager could express anger, Li Yanyi presented two children, having them kneel and call her “Imperial Grandmother”.
This sweet “Imperial Grandmother” instantly extinguished the Empress Dowager’s recent anger. She looked at the two pristine children, then at Li Yanyi’s composed smile, in disbelief.
The two children, one boy and one girl around five or six years old, were adorable and innocent, yet carried the unique nobility and cleverness of the imperial family. They respectfully performed their prostrations. Empress Dowager Geng recognized these children – they had previously paid respects on her birthday. Among the many imperial clan children who came to pay birthday respects, only the exceptional ones left an impression on the Empress Dowager, and Li Yanyi’s choices were without fault.
Li Yanyi explained that Mu’er and Gong’er were selected from the imperial clan as heir candidates. They would be her imperial children, carefully nurtured, and eventually one would be chosen as Crown Prince to inherit the throne.
Empress Dowager Geng hadn’t expected Li Yanyi to quietly adopt two children without telling her mother, clearly not wanting her nagging. Now that it was already done, it served two purposes. First, it removed a long-standing thorn between mother and daughter, showing compromise. Though she still hadn’t established an empress, she now had imperial children. The Empress Dowager couldn’t press for an immediate appointment of Crown Prince, since Li Yanyi had just ascended the throne, wasn’t yet forty, and was in good health – there was time to wait until the children grew up. Secondly, Li Yanyi also clearly demonstrated her stance: she wouldn’t be controlled by others, wouldn’t do what she didn’t want to do, and would present accomplished facts rather than discuss beforehand. Just like these two adopted imperial children – Li Yanyi had selected them herself before informing the Empress Dowager, and regardless of the Empress Dowager’s feelings, the choice was made, made by Li Yanyi herself.
Empress Dowager Geng helped Mu’er and Gong’er up, examining them carefully. One boy and one girl – Li Yanyi truly wouldn’t give anyone any leverage to criticize.
Seeing the Empress Dowager’s delighted expression as she took the children to Yijing Garden to view flowers, Li Yanyi, having settled this matter and placated her mother, finally breathed easier and strode toward Taiji Hall.
She had delayed the heir issue hoping to obtain Changge Kingdom’s female-to-female procreation technique to practice with Ah Xin. Her hopeful expectations turned out to be just Wei Tingxu’s strategy. Having lost hope in the female procreation technique, Li Yanyi decided to settle the heir issue quickly to silence the Empress Dowager, leaving other matters until after resolving the important Haina reforms and Wanxiang path initiatives.
Ah Xin secretly selected strong women for the Zhuiyue Army – some from the slums whom Ah Xin saved by providing food, others from Li Yanyi’s clan with martial abilities or potential. Before selecting anyone for the reserve force, Ah Xin personally investigated their backgrounds – even slightly suspicious candidates were rejected. Once selected, Ah Xin subjected them to hellish training, cultivating them to death-warrior standards.
No one was more qualified than Ah Xin to build and train the new Zhuiyue Army, and now she was Li Yanyi’s most trusted person.
While Ah Xin gradually replaced the Zhuiyue Army’s personnel, new Commander Zhen Wenjun donned her official robes embroidered with brilliant full moons, adjusted her official cap, and spread her arms, the wave patterns on her sleeves so lifelike they seemed to carry ocean mist.
Wei Tingxu fastened her golden belt and bamboo moon insignia, unable to hide her smile while admiring Zhen Wenjun’s heroic bearing.
Zhen Wenjun felt inexplicably shy, perhaps due to her promotion, or perhaps because their wedding date was finally set.
The same-sex marriage law had been drafted, needing its first couple to implement and promote it. Li Yanyi personally chose their date.
Next year, the eighth day of the second month of Zhaowu’s fourth year, was deemed an auspicious day for marriage.
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