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    I Am Fish Meat

    Fish Meat – Chapter 172

    by Little Panda

    The Fourth Year of Zhao Wu

    Double Silk Net (7)

    β€œWenjun, what happened?” Sister Ah Ran asked anxiously as she walked against the crowd, β€œWas Tingxu assassinated?”

    Zhen Wenjun didn’t even look at her, turning back to leave. After a few steps, something crossed her mind, and she threw down the sword in her hand with a β€œclang”.

    β€œWenjun?”

    Wei Jing’an and Zhangsun Wu, their faces flushed from drinking, exchanged glances before stepping forward to examine the β€œassassin” who had been beaten to death. While Zhangsun Wu didn’t recognize the face, Wei Jing’an let out an intrigued sound. Though the person’s features were unrecognizable, the sword lying on the ground caught Wei Jing’an’s interest.

    He picked up the sword and examined it carefully as Zhangsun Wu came closer, the two standing side by side.

    β€œWhat are you looking at, Zilian?” Zhangsun Wu asked.

    β€œThis sword… it looks like it belongs to the Wei family?”

    β€œOh?”

    β€œIt’s an old Wei family sword. Outsiders wouldn’t notice, but this blade’s design…” Wei Jing’an flicked it with his finger, β€œOnly the Wei family’s craftsmanship could achieve such hardness and elegance.”

    β€œSo,” Zhangsun Wu glanced at the corpse and whispered in Wei Jing’an’s ear, β€œThis person is from your Wei family?”

    Wei Jing’an’s ears grew hot from his breath and remained silent. At this moment, the Wei family matriarch hurried over with a group of servants, heading toward the main courtyard of the newlywed’s quarters. Zhen Wenjun walked back into the main courtyard and closed the door behind her. As the matriarch tried to push it open, Ah Liao stopped her.

    β€œAuntie, don’t disturb them.” Ah Liao held her arm, almost pressing her full weight onto the Wei family matriarch, forcing her to step back, β€œIt’s their wedding night, and the newlyweds are having their private time. Why would auntie want to intrude?”

    β€œBut wasn’t there talk of an assassin? I don’t know if my Tingxu is alright…”

    β€œDidn’t Wenjun already deal with the assassin? What’s there to worry about with Wenjun present? Besides, even if Tingxu has any minor injuries, Wenjun can treat them. Let’s not disturb them.”

    Ah Liao’s words made sense, but the matriarch was still worried and walked to the courtyard gate, raising her voice: β€œTingxu, are you alright? Let Mother take a look at you?”

    After a moment of silence in the courtyard, Wei Tingxu’s voice came through: β€œMother, don’t worry, I’m fine. Go to bed early.”

    The entire Wei household finally relaxed upon hearing Wei Tingxu’s voice. She added: β€œYou all go back first, I want to spend some time alone with Wenjun.”

    The Wei matriarch was still concerned, so Ah Liao whispered in her ear: β€œThey know what they’re doing. Auntie, please go back first. I’ll stay here with the ladies.”

    Wei Jing’an noticed his mother’s reluctance to leave and felt uneasy.

    Last time when Father was gravely ill, he had called him and Zizhuo into the room to tell them about Zizhuo’s carefully cultivated plan of many years. Father, feeling his time was short, hoped Wei Jing’an could help his sister. Wei Jing’an was amazed by the plan’s scope, knowing his sister was formidable, but overthrowing the Li dynasty was no child’s play and required caution.

    Zhen Wenjun’s position in this scheme was crucial, and bloodshed on the wedding night could spell trouble. If fighting broke out, his delicate mother wouldn’t be able to withstand a single blow – would he then prioritize killing enemies or saving people?

    β€œYes, Mother, please go rest assured. I’ll stay here with Ah Liao and Zhanying to watch over Sister. Everything will be fine,” Wei Jing’an also came forward to persuade her.

    On this wedding day, Wei Lun had become drowsy after just a bit of wine and couldn’t continue hosting guests. The Wei matriarch had taken charge afterward, drinking quite a bit herself, and was already dizzy and tired before Zhen Wenjun’s return, now barely able to stand. Just then, a servant came to report that Master Wei had awakened and was coughing severely, finally prompting the matriarch to reluctantly hurry back.

    Wei Jing’an instructed the servants to properly collect the corpse, not to dispose of it directly, but to first place it in the Wei mansion’s cellar.

    The servants efficiently cleaned up the corpse and swept away all traces of blood from the courtyard, leaving no evidence behind.

    Ah Liao pressed herself against the courtyard gate to listen for any movement inside. Ah He and Ah Xu saw Wei Jing’an and Zhangsun Wu returning with the Wei family servants, and they smiled somewhat awkwardly at them, patting Ah Liao.

    β€œShh.” Ah Liao held up a finger, gesturing for them to be quiet.

    Why couldn’t they hear any sound from inside?

    When Zhen Wenjun returned to the courtyard, Wei Tingxu was still lying in the snow, which had already covered her with a white blanket.

    Wei Tingxu lay with her eyes open, staring at something unknown.

    β€œWhere is my mother?” Zhen Wenjun stood before her and asked.

    After a while, Wei Tingxu said: β€œShe’s in a safe place.”

    β€œIf that wooden box is opened, how will you deal with my mother and me?”

    Hearing this question, Wei Tingxu sat up with a smile.

    The snow fell from her body, though some snowflakes still clung to her hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes.

    She just smiled, without answering.

    Zhen Wenjun asked her third question: β€œWhat must I do for you to return my mother to me?”

    Wei Tingxu stood up unsteadily. Her wound was painful but not fatal, and in the freezing cold, she wasn’t bleeding much. However, every word she spoke pulled at the wound, and even each breath caused her pain.

    β€œOpen the wooden box, and I’ll return your mother to you.”

    Zhen Wenjun glared at her with such intensity her eyes seemed to bleed. Wei Tingxu’s eyes were weakly half-open, her expression somewhere between a gentle smile and a mockery.

    Zhen Wenjun turned back to enter the room and brought out the wooden box. Using the Golden Cicada Knife, she probed the box’s seam, which was perfectly fitted. With a gentle turn, there was a β€œsnap,” and the box opened. Inside was a small, carefully rolled parchment scroll, bound tightly to the bottom of the box with a golden thread.

    β€œThe Secret Scroll you wanted.” Zhen Wenjun aimed the opened box at Wei Tingxu, letting her see its contents. β€œWhere is my mother?”

    Wei Tingxu said nothing, only extending her hand.

    Zhen Wenjun silently cursed β€œshameless”, and threw the box to her.

    Wei Tingxu caught the box, unrolled the parchment inside, and read it completely in front of Zhen Wenjun. Zhen Wenjun couldn’t discern the contents from Wei Tingxu’s expression, only noticing the stark blood at the corner of her mouth.

    Wei Tingxu rolled the parchment back up, gripped it in her hand, and looked toward the horizon.

    β€œDo you know why Yunmeng came to find me today? My orders to him were never to return to the Wei family.”

    Zhen Wenjun’s eyelids twitched, her heart already filled with foreboding.

    β€œYour mother has been taken.”

    β€œYou!” Zhen Wenjun exploded in anger, stepping forward to grab her collar.

    Wei Tingxu watched the enraged Zhen Wenjun without any intention of dodging.

    β€œOriginally, Ah Juan was the liaison between Yunmeng and the Wei family. She would meet with Yunmeng at the beginning and middle of every month without fail. At the beginning of this month, Ah Juan didn’t show up, and by mid-month she still hadn’t appeared. Yunmeng sensed danger and wanted to quickly relocate your mother. Unexpectedly, just as they were about to move, the entire operation was busted. Your mother was taken away, and Yunmeng fought to return with the news, only to die by your hand.”

    Zhen Wenjun nearly ground her teeth to pieces. Just as she was about to speak, Wei Tingxu pressed her blood-stained finger against her lips, making a β€œshh” gesture, her eyes turning toward the direction of the door.

    Zhen Wenjun understood her meaning – she was warning that β€œthe walls have ears”.

    Wei Tingxu rose slightly on her toes, leaning close to her ear: β€œThank you for showing mercy and sparing my life.”

    Zhen Wenjun pushed her away, and just then Ah Liao suddenly knocked hard on the door:

    β€œSister Wenjun! How’s your hand injury? And Tingxu! I’ve called for a doctor to examine both of you!”

    Ah Liao’s words left Zhen Wenjun feeling utterly exhausted. She glanced at the Secret Scroll clutched tightly in Wei Tingxu’s hand, gave a cold laugh, and didn’t ask for it back.

    Moving away from Wei Tingxu, she walked to the courtyard gate and opened it. Ah Liao, who had been leaning against the door, nearly fell into Zhen Wenjun’s arms.

    β€œShe’s seriously wounded,” Zhen Wenjun said to the awkwardly smiling Ah Liao and the glaring Wei family members. β€œGo check on her.”

    Ah Liao noticed the blood on Zhen Wenjun’s hand: β€œYou’re injured too, come, let’s go dress the wound.”

    Zhen Wenjun ignored her, trying to leave through the crowd when Ah Ran suddenly appeared and grabbed her, asking in confusion:

    β€œTonight is your wedding night, Wenjun, where are you going?”

    Before Zhen Wenjun could speak, Wei Tingxu’s voice came from the courtyard:

    β€œHer Majesty has given orders. Let her go.”

    Ah Ran was greatly puzzled, letting out a confused β€œAh?” Wei Jing’an stepped forward to pull his sister back, giving her a meaningful look. Ah Ran, unaware of Wei Tingxu’s plans, remained completely bewildered.

    After killing Fang Huaiyuan, Zhen Wenjun’s strength had nearly dissipated, her muscles, which had been trembling with anger, slowly recovering.

    She returned to the Zhuo Jun Mansion, stepping over the frost-covered moss that had turned a dull grey. Her hurried footsteps crushed the moss that would have been poetically beautiful in spring. She quickly crossed the bridge, beneath which the pond had frozen over, with a few withered stalks frozen in the ice like straws.

    β€œAh Mu!” Xiao Xiao spotted Zhen Wenjun from afar, put away her horse sword [mǎ dāo – type of cavalry sword], and ran quickly to embrace her.

    β€œWhere were you going?” Zhen Wenjun saw she was fully dressed and armed, clearly prepared to go out.

    β€œI heard the shouting next door and knew something had happened. I was worried about Ah Mu’s safety. But Ah Mu told me not to go, so I was hesitating.”

    Xiao Xiao’s worried eyes sparkled with brightness, moving something in Zhen Wenjun’s heart. She stroked her head and said: β€œGood child, I’m fine. Come.”

    β€œWhy did you come back?”

    Xiao Xiao learned language quickly, though sometimes still struggled to express herself clearly. Zhen Wenjun went back to her room to change out of her wedding dress, retied her hair, washed off her makeup, pulled out a cloth, hastily packed some clothes and money, then told Xiao Xiao: β€œGo pack your belongings.”

    β€œAre we leaving?”

    β€œYes, we’re leaving.”

    Xiao Xiao was overjoyed, happily responding and quickly bringing two pieces of clothing. Zhen Wenjun saw these were the clothes she had brought from the Gulun Grasslands to the Central Plains.

    β€œThey don’t fit anymore, don’t bring them.” Zhen Wenjun tossed the clothes aside.

    β€œI don’t like the others either.”

    β€œI’ll buy and make new ones for you. Don’t bring useless things.”

    β€œAlright! Ah Mu, where are we going?”

    β€œFirst, we’ll find an inn to stay, then we’ll look for a new place together.”

    As Zhen Wenjun led Xiao Xiao out, passing by the stable, they heard a long neigh behind them – it was Xiaoxue.

    Xiaoxue watched Zhen Wenjun from the stable, neighing anxiously and stamping its hooves.

    Zhen Wenjun’s steps faltered, her nose stinging with emotion. She tightly hugged Xiao Xiao with one arm, trying to force out her sadness. Without looking back, she quickly left through the main gate of Zhuo Jun Mansion.

    A carriage was waiting at the gate, with someone expecting her.

    Zhen Wenjun stopped cautiously, protecting Xiao Xiao behind her.

    A tall figure descended from the carriage, lifting the black gauze veil, revealing Ah Xin.

    β€œI have a private residence in Runing. If you don’t mind, you can settle there first.” Ah Xin’s voice was gentle and sincere, though the swiftness of this invitation made Zhen Wenjun clearly sense an attempt to curry favor.

    Li Yanyi’s news traveled fast indeed.

    Zhen Wenjun expressed her thanks and boarded the carriage with Xiao Xiao.

    The coachman cracked his whip, and the carriage, bearing a passage permit [tōng guān fΓΊ – official travel document], galloped through Runing in the deep night.

    Ah Xin sat facing Zhen Wenjun and Xiao Xiao. No one spoke for a while, leaving the carriage compartment quiet and awkward.

    β€œIs this your daughter?” After searching long for a topic, Ah Xin finally found something to say.

    Zhen Wenjun didn’t even lift her eyelids, merely letting out a vague β€œmm” from deep in her throat as a response. She was too exhausted and just wanted to sleep.

    Xiao Xiao and Ah Xin stared at each other, making it even quieter.

    Ah Xin cleared her throat seemingly casually, scratched her face, and sat up straight.

    When Ah Ran and the others entered the courtyard, they only saw faint traces of blood on the ground, unsure if it was from the assassin.

    The inner room’s light was on, and when Ah Ran wanted to enter and knocked repeatedly, they only heard Wei Tingxu’s weak voice calling β€œAh Liao.”

    Ah Liao pushed open the door to find Wei Tingxu lying on the bed, looking extremely pale.

    β€œMy dear mother!” Ah Liao cried softly, β€œHow did you end up like this! Who did this to you? Was it the assassin?!”

    Wei Tingxu smiled faintly and shook her head.

    Ah Liao sat beside her and lifted the blanket to look at the wound. A rough sprinkling of medicinal powder covered it, but it was still clearly severe.

    β€œCould it be… Wenjun?”

    Wei Tingxu recalled Wenjun’s parting words:

    β€œYou broke my mother’s three fingers, deceived me for years – this sword strike is my repayment. From now on, we are strangers.”

    Wei Tingxu didn’t answer Ah Liao’s question, only asking: β€œHas Wenjun left?”

    β€œYes, she left, seemingly back to Zhuo Jun Mansion.”

    Wei Tingxu nodded slightly and said: β€œIt’s fine, I’m alright… go comfort my father and mother, they must be frightened.”

    β€œAlright.”

    After settling matters, Ah Liao called her Qingluan Maiden [qΔ«ng luΓ‘n niΓ‘ng zǐ – title of respect for a female physician] Ah Wu to examine Wei Tingxu’s wound. Ah Wu, skilled in medicine, had helped Wei Tingxu recover the use of her legs before Zhong Ji treated her. After examining the wound, Ah Wu was amazed that the sword strike had so precisely avoided vital points – only a supreme martial artist with medical knowledge could have achieved this.

    Ah Wu prescribed medicine and treated the wound, not leaving until late into the night.

    Ah Liao didn’t want to leave either, but Wei Tingxu said she wanted to be alone.

    Ah Liao knew when Wei Tingxu refused so decisively, it was a dismissal.

    β€œI don’t know what happened between you and Wenjun, but if you need me, call anytime, and I’ll appear immediately!”

    Wei Tingxu weakly opened her eyes and smiled at Ah Liao: β€œThank you, Ah Liao.”

    β€œWe are green plums [childhood friends] who grew up together, no need for such formalities.”

    After Ah Liao left, Ah Zhu and other servants stood guard at the door, wanting to enter but not daring to.

    Wei Tingxu was exhausted after taking the medicine but found it hard to truly sleep due to the pain.

    In her troubled state, she thought of Wenjun. When she discovered everything, did she feel this kind of pain too?

    That step… he had survived after all.

    After an unknown time, a strange fragrant incense wafted in from outside the window. By the time Wei Tingxu noticed, it was too late – her consciousness quickly faded as she fell into a black dream.

    The guards and Ah Zhu at the door had all fallen unconscious from the incense.

    With a slight squeaking sound, the window was opened.

    Wei Tingxu didn’t wake up.

    Zhong Ji slipped in through the window and walked to Wei Tingxu’s bedside, watching her.

    After confirming she was truly unconscious, she drew out the knife from behind her back.

    Just as the knife was about to slice Wei Tingxu’s throat, the main door suddenly opened. Zhong Ji startled and looked toward the entrance.

    Xiaohua stood at the doorway, catching her breath.

    β€œI’ve temporarily held back the Shadow Guards… if you want to live, get out right now!”

    LP: My babies!!!

    TOC

    3 Comments

    1. _kalyndale
      Aug 14, '25 at 3:19 PM

      In this ruthless game of schemes and lies, who will emerge as the victor? I wonder if anyone of them will even live in the end..

        Awaiting moderation.
    2. Monsi
      May 23, '25 at 9:01 AM

      Man, I don’t think I can handle reading this anymore 😭😭😭😭

        Awaiting moderation.
    3. kairyou
      Mar 31, '25 at 5:11 PM

      noooooo broo that’s heartbreaking

        Awaiting moderation.
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