Fish Meat – Chapter 175
by Little PandaThe Fourth Year of Zhao Wu
Double Silk Net (10)
Held in Ah Mu’s embrace, Zhen Wenjun wept without restraint.
For nearly ten years, she had grown up alone in a perilous environment, surviving countless brushes with death to reach this day.
Never did she imagine that one day she would reunite with her mother – she was no longer alone.
Ah Qiong couldn’t hold back her tears either, stroking Wenjun’s back as tears fell steadily.
After crying for a long while until her eyes were swollen, releasing years of pent-up grievances, Zhen Wenjun finally pulled away from her mother’s embrace with eyes she could barely open, managing a slightly embarrassed smile.
Ah Qiong carefully studied her daughter’s face and sighed: “You look exactly like I did when I was young… you’ve grown so tall, become such an adult.”
Ah Mu’s words made Wenjun’s nose sting with emotion again, but she was tired of crying and didn’t want to continue, so she held back her feelings and chuckled: “Of course – when I was separated from Ah Mu, I was only a twelve-year-old child. Now I’m already twenty-one.”
“I regret that I couldn’t be by your side during your younger years, witnessing your growth. What’s worse, I caused you to fall into danger – I’ve truly failed you.”
Zhen Wenjun hugged her mother and shook her head: “During those ten years of imprisonment, you were the one who truly suffered, Ah Mu.”
“Back then…”
“I’ve already investigated what happened back then.”
Zhen Wenjun’s determined gaze brought comfort to Ah Qiong. Her daughter had grown up healthy despite the harsh environment – all the crises and tribulations had shaped her, making her sharper and more composed than most young people.
Once the initial awkwardness of their years-long separation passed and conversation began to flow, mother and daughter talked from daylight until dark.
Zhen Wenjun had so much to tell her mother – about her experiences over the years, about everything that happened after they were captured in Suichuan, about how she killed Fang Huaiyuan with her own hands. She spoke of learning about the Ruan family’s catastrophe, discovering her true identity, and learning about the mighty civilization and magnificent city that once existed on the distant Gulun Grasslands. She had even returned to their ancestral lands.
She didn’t shy away from discussing her relationship with Wei Tingxu, as it was impossible to unravel this intricately connected conspiracy without addressing Wei Tingxu, the most important puppet master behind it all.
“When I was first imprisoned, I didn’t know who my captors were. I thought Fang Huaiyuan was sent by the imperial family, since the matter of the secret scroll had always been a thorn in the Li family’s side. When Fang Huaiyuan approached me, probing whether I was Ruan Ah Qiong, I knew the inevitable had come. Initially, when Xie Suishan allowed refugees into the city, I anticipated the nomads would cause chaos and planned to fake our deaths and escape during the turmoil. Unfortunately, Fourth Aunt’s death disrupted my plans. To protect your life, I traded the secret scroll with Fang Huaiyuan, hoping to temporarily escape danger before finding another opportunity to leave. Looking back now, it was a case of ‘the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind’ [่ณ่ๆ่ฌ้ป้ๅจๅพ | tรกnglรกng bว chรกn huรกngquรจ zร i hรฒu | idiom meaning someone schemes but is themselves schemed against]. Fourth Aunt’s death was likely Fang Huaiyuan’s doing.”
Ah Qiong sighed and continued, “It wasn’t until later, on the boat, when Xie Taihang used me to coerce you into becoming a spy for the Xie family, that I realized things weren’t so simple. Otherwise, why would Fang Huaiyuan go to such lengths when he could have directly threatened your safety? If he wasn’t sent by the imperial family, then whoever was behind him must have been seeking the secret scroll to overthrow the dynasty. Having hidden in Suichuan all these years, I’ve lost touch with Runing’s current situation and couldn’t guess which power stood behind Fang Huaiyuan. I only knew they wanted to use you for some reason, so as long as I didn’t reveal the scroll’s location, you might remain safe for one more day. Who would have thought the scroll that caused the Ruan family’s extinction would also become our final lifeline?
“However, I never expected Fang Huaiyuan to be Wei family’s man. Zixiu was a practical person, yet his sister harbored such ambitious aspirations – it’s quite surprising. It’s a shame about Zixiu’s talent, dying so young. Had he lived, Da Yu wouldn’t have been so helplessly defeated by Chongjin in those years.”
From her mother’s tone, Zhen Wenjun realized she seemed unaware of the true cause of Wei Jinghe’s death. Telling her might cause her grief and self-blame, but learning the truth from others later would be even more painful.
Holding her mother’s hand, Zhen Wenjun gradually revealed everything that happened after their seclusion in Suichuan – how Wei Jinghe was tortured to death, and all the suffering Wei Tingxu had endured.
“So I was indeed the cause of Zixiu’s downfall…” Ah Qiong’s face turned pale, and she kept her eyes tightly shut for a long while before sighing mournfully. “When news of Zixiu’s death reached Suichuan back then, I worried that I might have brought him misfortune. But I thought, given Li Xu’s suspicious nature, if he had doubted anyone, their fate would have been like the Ruan family’s. The Wei family remained intact, so I assumed he truly died of illness. Zixiu’s death shook the entire nation – many lamented that Yu would never have another great general. Indeed, his death marked the end of Yu’s military might. After him, when barbarian raiders ravaged the borderlands, no one could stand against them. From Li Xu to Li Ju, even while in Qixian, I heard of many shameful incidents of ceding territory and forming marriage alliances. Had Zixiu or the Ruan family still been around, how could those barbarians have grown so bold? But alas, they’re all gone… Whether dying on the battlefield or being massacred after defeat, in times of war, it’s always the common people who suffer most. I always thought Zixiu died of illness – I never imagined he was actually killed by Xie Fuchen.”
Zhen Wenjun poured her a cup of hot tea, trying to comfort her.
When Ah Qiong raised both hands to accept the tea, Zhen Wenjun noticed her remaining fingers couldn’t close properly. Even holding a small teacup was unstable, trembling with any effort. The backs of her hands and finger joints bore indelible scars – marks left by the finger press torture.
Seeing her daughter notice this, Ah Qiong didn’t try to hide it: “Now it’s not just my legs – these hands are basically useless too. At first, Fang Huaiyuan was brutal, but later he suddenly stopped the torture, as if he’d received orders. Not only did the severe interrogation stop, but I was even moved to a pleasant place with warm climate and scenic views, with two servants attending to my daily needs. They sent various medicines and books for my treatment and entertainment – their attitude completely changed. I thought the mastermind had developed new tactics, trying to lower my guard with comfortable living, but even until Li Yanyi rescued me, Fang Huaiyuan never tortured me again. I suspected then that they started treating me well because of you, but I never imagined it was because Wei Tingxu had developed feelings for you.”
Zhen Wenjun just listened, saying nothing.
“I remember Wei Tingxu as a child – I actually held her several times when she was little. Back then, Zixiu would often bring her to the literary gatherings to show off his youngest sister. Though she was tiny, she could already recite poetry and play the zhu, a clever, sweet, and innocent child. I remember she loved sweets – I used to carry a packet of candy, and whenever she saw me, she would follow me everywhere, impossible to shake off.”
Ah Qiong spoke at length about Wei Tingxu’s childhood, about the Wei family affairs, and even mentioned Xie Fuchen – the man who once captured her heart only to break it for a lifetime.
“When Li Xu first summoned him to the capital, he was full of aspirations for governing the nation. He truly was a talented scholar skilled in both civil and military affairs, but alas… I despised him back then, but after all these years, he too has returned to dust, meeting his deserved fate. Li Xu is dead, the entire Xie clan has been exterminated, and my hatred should be buried with them. However, the ripples from those years continue to affect us today, taking Zixiu’s life and changing both yours and Wei Tingxu’s destinies – this is not what I wanted to see.”
Zhen Wenjun stared intently at her mother’s face, marked with scars and wrinkles. Yes, this was her true mother, not the “Female Asura” others spoke of – the one who supposedly surpassed three armies in bravery and would kill even Buddha if encountered.
Time and circumstances had softened her mother. With Emperor Ming’s death and the Xie family’s downfall, perhaps the spirits of the tragically murdered Ruan clan and other innocent victims could finally find some peace.
Zhen Wenjun knew that hatred only dragged one into hell. She somewhat envied her mother’s magnanimity, though she couldn’t achieve such forgiveness herself yet.
“Don’t worry, I won’t force you to think like me,” Ah Qiong saw through her daughter’s thoughts. “You have your own perspective on the world. Whatever you choose to do, I won’t interfere – I’ll only support you fully. After all, you’re already far more capable than I ever was.”
“Ah Mu, don’t say that… When Ruan Ah Qiong dominated the political landscape, I wasn’t even born yet.”
Ah Qiong smiled and said: “Ruan Ah Qiong? She died long ago. Now I’m just your mother. Not being able to stay by your side and protect you as you grew up is my life’s greatest regret. I hope to spend my remaining years accompanying you, caring for you, until the day I die.”
The mother and daughter seemed to have endless things to discuss, almost forgetting about Xiao Xiao until she knocked on the door, reminding Wenjun of her presence.
Xiao Xiao entered carrying food and wine, saying she worried they might be hungry and had specially brought it from the kitchen. Zhen Wenjun felt somewhat guilty about letting such a young child carry dishes – she still wasn’t used to having a child around and often forgot about her presence.
As Xiao Xiao set down the food and wine and turned to leave, Zhen Wenjun called her back: “Don’t go, stay and eat with us.”
Xiao Xiao responded sweetly and sat down immediately. As Zhen Wenjun distributed bowls and chopsticks, Ah Qiong remarked:
“This child doesn’t look like she’s from Da Yu.”
“She isn’t,” Zhen Wenjun said. “She’s the last child of the Gulun Grasslands.”
Ah Qiong seemed to take a great liking to Xiao Xiao, enjoying watching her dance with swords and sticks, praising her as having natural talent for martial arts. With proper training, she said, the child would surely become a military talent.
Xiao Xiao also loved being with Ah Qiong, abandoning Zhen Wenjun at night to squeeze into Ah Qiong’s bed to sleep beside her. Ah Qiong told her stories, just as she once did for young Alai.
Zhen Wenjun was still on marriage leave and hadn’t returned to court, giving her time to accompany her mother and sort through her thoughts.
Ah Xin visited several times, bringing plenty of food and clothes, but would try to leave after brief greetings. Ah Qiong would hold her back, urging her to stay longer:
“You’re not going to the Forbidden Garden anyway, and with the Emperor confined to the palace, you’d just be alone at home. Why not stay and chat more with Alai?”
Zhen Wenjun never expected her mother to be so warm towards Ah Xin – even after all she’d been through, she had never shown such enthusiasm toward Ah Xun. After Ah Xin stayed for several meals with the three of them and the child, Zhen Wenjun realized her mother was trying to subtly extract information about Li Yanyi’s thoughts through Ah Xin.
Whether Ah Xin noticed Ah Qiong’s subtle probing or not, she remained tight-lipped about anything concerning Li Yanyi, claiming ignorance. After two failed attempts, Ah Qiong stopped asking.
After all, it was Emperor Ming, the current Emperor’s biological father, who had exterminated the entire Ruan clan. While Zhen Wenjun hadn’t experienced it personally, merely hearing about it filled her with grief and anger – let alone Ah Qiong, who had barely survived it all.
When Zhen Wenjun asked for her thoughts, Ah Qiong said:
“Li Yanyi rescuing me from Wei Tingxu was clearly meant to curry favor with you. Based on your account of Fang Huaiyuan being forced to appear on your wedding day, this was all orchestrated by Li Yanyi. She had been watching Fang Huaiyuan for some time, wanting to use me to drive a permanent wedge between you and Wei Tingxu. When the Ruan family incident occurred, Li Yanyi was still young, and given that she obtained her position as Emperor through extraordinary means, Li Xu would never have told her about the secret scroll. Even if she’s heard something about those events, she likely only knows half the story.”
Zhen Wenjun said: “So, rescuing Ah Mu from Wei Tingxu was her way of winning me over. If there truly was a secret scroll in our Ruan family’s possession capable of overthrowing the Li dynasty, she needed me to discover that my bedmate was behind everything before Wei Tingxu could obtain it. Once I discovered the truth, I would inevitably turn against her. Then she could apply both kindness and pressure – in my isolated position, if I wanted revenge against Wei Tingxu, I would need to rely on her imperial authority. Whether using me to eliminate Wei Tingxu or keep her in check, everything would be under Li Yanyi’s control.”
“Alai, what are your thoughts?”
Outside the window, early spring was showing its first signs – ice and snow were gradually melting, tender buds growing, as the new year approached.
“Whether being used by Wei Tingxu or becoming Li Yanyi’s blade, it’s all just being at others’ mercy. If we don’t want to continue being meat on someone else’s chopping block, we must become stronger ourselves. We can’t run anymore – even if we fled to the ends of the earth, as long as the Li family rules this kingdom, the matter of the secret scroll will never end. We descendants of the Ruan family will forever be thorns in their sides. Once the Wei family loses power, we’ll suffer the same fate again. Ah Mu, don’t worry about what comes next – your child will handle it. You’ve suffered enough and should enjoy some peace now.”
“You and Wei Tingxu…”
“Ah Mu, no need to say more. Your child knows what to do.”
Li Yanyi sent many tonics and dispatched imperial physicians to treat Ah Qiong. There were numerous visitors to the Jixue Mansion.
Ah Qiong didn’t refuse, merely offering quiet thanks for everything.
On the last day of her marriage leave, Guang Shaoling came to Jixue Mansion seeking Zhen Wenjun, saying the Emperor had summoned her to the palace.
Zhen Wenjun changed into her official robes and went to the Forbidden Garden with Guang Shaoling. As soon as Li Yanyi saw her, she asked about her mother’s health and whether she was adjusting well to life at Jixue Mansion.
Zhen Wenjun expressed her gratitude, saying everything was fine and thanking Her Majesty for her concern.
Li Yanyi mentioned that Ah Xin, knowing her sister’s desperate longing for her mother, personally led the rescue of Ah Qiong despite the dangers. The Wei family was formidable, and even Ah Xin suffered several injuries.
“She was injured?” Zhen Wenjun said. “She never mentioned it.”
“Ah, that’s just how Ah Xin is – not good at expressing herself, but she truly sees you as her own sister. You’re her only blood relative now,” Li Yanyi sighed. “Who would have thought you were a descendant of the Ruan family? Back then, the Ruan family case shocked the entire court. I was still young, but I witnessed its tragic aftermath. The Ruan family was falsely accused by villains, and Emperor Ming always regretted this. Rest assured, I will definitely clear the Ruan family’s name.”
Zhen Wenjun’s lips curved slightly as she bowed in gratitude.
Li Yanyi changed the subject to Wei Tingxu: “We thought Zizhuo was truly sincere toward you, never imagining such unspeakable secrets lurking behind. If I hadn’t coincidentally learned of this matter, who knows how much more suffering the Ruan family would have endured. You’ve been wronged all these years, sister – I should really teach Zizhuo a lesson. However… you and Zizhuo are now the first exemplary couple I’ve established. You’ve just had your grand wedding, and many eyes are watching you both. I have numerous plans that require your joint efforts to implement. My beloved official must endure a bit longer and not act rashly.”
Zhen Wenjun’s brows tightened: “Your Majesty means…”
“It’s inappropriate for you to leave your newlywed residence right after marriage. This could give ammunition to those with ill intentions, potentially hindering my plans to reform the Imperial Academy. You must have calmed down somewhat during these days at Jixue Mansion – it’s time to return.”
Zhen Wenjun immediately replied: “Your Majesty, even with various reforms needing implementation, this humble official must first establish military merit to gain greater prestige and authority. With the Lanwan rebels undefeated within our borders and the nomadic tribes watching like tigers eyeing their prey, if both strike at once, the central government may struggle to resist!”
As Li Yanyi raised her hand to refuse, Zhen Wenjun declared loudly: “This official volunteers to suppress the rebels and eliminate these villains! I beseech Your Majesty’s approval!”
Li Yanyi had secretly returned her mother to her – it was like delivering a harsh blow to Wei Tingxu through a silk veil [้็ๅฑค็ด | gรฉ zhe cรฉng shฤ | metaphor for indirect action].
Neither Li Yanyi nor the Wei family were ready to truly tear through that paper-thin facade and take action.
Li Yanyi wanted to drive a wedge between her and Wei Tingxu while simultaneously using their same-sex marriage to promote reforms. Zhen Wenjun also needed to leverage both sides’ power to grow stronger, but having just delivered a metaphorical sword thrust to Wei Tingxu, she didn’t want to immediately play this act, or even see Wei Tingxu.
Moreover, Zhen Wenjun’s pursuit of military achievements wasn’t just about gaining authority. Only with military merit could she justify promotions and strengthen her power base [่ฑๆปฟ็พฝ็ฟผ | fฤngmวn yวyรฌ | lit: to grow full plumage; fig: to build up strength].
The major conflict with the northern nomadic tribes hadn’t yet reached full-scale war, and whether Li Yanyi would wage that war remained uncertain. The current opportunity for military merit lay in suppressing the “Zhuxie Cult” [่ช ้ชๆ | zhลซ xiรฉ jiร o | name of rebel group, lit: “eliminate evil cult”].
Zhen Wenjun presented her case convincingly, and after some consideration, Li Yanyi granted her permission.
Zhen Wenjun had prepared herself for two years of warfare before returning to Runing to scheme, but unexpectedly, her troops devastated the rebels, crushing them completely. In just three months, she completely eliminated the Zhuxie Cult – these fighters weren’t even half as tough as the Chongjin army, leaving Zhen Wenjun utterly disappointed.
Upon receiving news of the victory, Li Yanyi issued an imperial edict calling her back to the capital, arranging a grand feast to celebrate her success.
When she returned to Runing, it wasn’t even past mid-spring.
At the victory celebration feast that had been prepared, she inevitably encountered Wei Tingxu.
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