Fish Meat – Chapter 191
by Little PandaThe Fourth Year of Zhao Wu
Secrets in the Sleeve (11)
The common folk of Runing city were still in their dreams while the blazing sun had already risen early in the sky, radiating waves of heat.
The sound of bells and drums carried from the Forbidden Garden, and no matter how hot the day, the court officials had to don their elaborate and heavy official robes while waiting at the Houjun Pavilion for the opening of the Taiji Hall doors.
Today was especially hot, and all the officials in the Houjun Pavilion were sweating, their official robes clinging to their skin, some already soaked through with sweat forming dark circles on their backs.
Everyone was wiping away sweat, eager to enter the cool Taiji Hall—except for Wei Tingxu.
Wei Tingxu not only wasn’t sweating, but her bloodless face carried a deep chill. Though she wore a smile and was said to be quite gentle, for some unknown reason, this young lady always emanated an aura that made people hesitant to approach her for conversation.
Zhangsun Yao came to inquire after her, having heard about her recent accidental fall into the water, wondering if her health had improved.
Originally thinking she would need at least a month of bed rest to recover, Wei Tingxu had been taking the medicine prescribed by Zhen Wenjun regularly during this time and had shown improvement, with her coughing frequency notably reduced. However, her qi and blood still needed more time to fully recover.
As the two were speaking in hushed tones, a bout of coughing came from nearby. Wei Tingxu turned to look as Zhen Wenjun walked up the stone steps, covering her face with her sleeve as she coughed repeatedly.
After paying her respects to Zhangsun Yao, Wei Tingxu walked toward Zhen Wenjun: “Has the General caught a chill?”
After two more coughs, Zhen Wenjun managed to stop, lowering her sleeve to reveal a slightly flushed face: “There’s been a severe cold going around the capital lately, I’ve just caught a bit of it.”
“Did you catch this chill from saving me that day?” Wei Tingxu pressed.
Just then, Guang Shaoling opened the doors to the Taiji Hall, letting the hundred officials enter.
“The Secretariat Supervisor need not concern herself with such a small matter.” Zhen Wenjun walked past her, and Wei Tingxu followed inside.
During morning court, Li Yanyi first addressed the matter of Zuo Yun’s retirement due to illness.
“The position of Left Minister is extremely important and cannot remain vacant. My beloved ministers, do any of you have recommendations?”
Li Yanyi’s voice echoed through the vast Taiji Hall, and naturally, everyone present heard it, yet no one stepped forward to respond.
Those who could stand in the Taiji Hall participating in morning court, who could see the Emperor’s true countenance, were all officials who had navigated the political waters for many years and knew well how difficult it was to gauge the Emperor’s mind. Such an important position as Left Minister would surely only be filled by the Emperor’s trusted confidant, and the Emperor likely already had someone in mind. This question was merely to gauge everyone’s opinions. Under normal circumstances, no one would recommend themselves—in Da Yu, modesty was a virtue, and the central government wouldn’t produce such brazen individuals; it was always about families with shared interests recommending each other.
Everyone understood the Emperor had plans already, and this call for recommendations was merely to understand who was aligned with whom’s interests—just a probe.
No one wanted to be the first bird to stick out its head.
The Emperor’s suspicion was one thing, but there was something even more important.
Zuo Yun had barely taken office before mysteriously contracting a strange illness, forcing him to return home for treatment. Some who had visited him had witnessed firsthand this strange illness where he couldn’t wake up no matter what. Suddenly, rumors that Zuo Yun had been cursed spread like wildfire throughout Runing.
Who could have targeted Lord Zuo? Who was the mastermind behind this? No one dared speak that person’s name, all fearing they would become the next sacrifice.
Though unspoken, everyone knew in their hearts.
“Your Majesty.”
That person who struck fear into everyone’s hearts stood up. Her voice wasn’t particularly loud, yet it made everyone in the hall shudder.
“Your Majesty, this humble official believes there is one person suitable for this high position.”
Li Yanyi remained silent, not even offering the customary pleasantries between ruler and subject.
Wei Tingxu was not deterred by this awkwardness, kneeling as she said: “The person this humble official recommends is none other than the current Grand Master of Ceremonies, Bo Lan, who has achieved great merit in establishing the Path of Ten Thousand Directions.”
Behind the imperial screen tassels [垂旒 | chuí liú | hanging ornaments on the emperor’s crown], Li Yanyi narrowed her eyes, her fingers gradually pressing harder on the dragon throne, almost prying off a piece.
The court officials were puzzled—Bo Lan was someone the Emperor had been vigorously promoting, becoming Grand Master of Ceremonies before forty, a feat achieved by very few throughout Da Yu’s history. More importantly, Bo Lan was Wei Tingxu’s greatest opponent right now, so why would she recommend her strongest enemy?
When Li Yanyi had initially given Bo Lan full authority over the Path of Ten Thousand Directions, removing Wei Tingxu, the original meritorious official, from the project, observers thought the Emperor had been too harsh, expecting the Wei family to retaliate. Unexpectedly, the Wei family made no moves, and this young First Female Official of Da Yu actually obediently went to compile histories, truly puzzling everyone.
Bo Lan had stolen her achievements, yet now she was recommending Bo Lan for Left Minister? If Bo Lan truly ascended to the position of Left Minister, wouldn’t that leave the Wei family with no path to survival?
Everyone knew the Emperor wanted to use the Bo family to suppress the Wei family, yet she still dared to take this risk.
She actually dared.
Seeing Li Yanyi remained silent, Wei Tingxu pressed further, listing several candidates from the central government most suitable for the Left Minister position. Counting through them all, they were all from the Bo family, and among the Bo family, Bo Lan was likely the Emperor’s favorite.
Wei Tingxu and Zhangsun Yao led more than forty high officials in kneeling, strongly recommending Bo Lan. The show of force was tremendous, making Li Yanyi’s ears ache.
Bo Lan, who had been standing to the side, previously exhausted and secretly yawning, immediately shed his listless demeanor, his hands clasped so tightly together they nearly drew blood.
“Your Majesty!” Bo Lan couldn’t hold back any longer, pushing forward to the spot closest to Li Yanyi, drawing a deep breath to speak, but Li Yanyi slowly raised her hand, signaling him to be silent.
Something was terribly wrong.
Bo Lan swallowed back what he wanted to say, prostrating himself on the ground as sweat dripped everywhere.
*
Li Yanyi had intended to appoint Bo Yuan as Left Minister, but in the end, she couldn’t make that final stroke of the brush.
The oil lamp was nearly burnt out, but she didn’t call anyone in to replace it, doing it herself instead.
The night was deep, and she remained in the Imperial Study, alone, not wanting to speak or see anyone. Li Yanyi had shut herself away.
Leaning tiredly against her chair, pinching the bridge of her nose, Li Yanyi closed her eyes as wisps of gauze seemed to descend from the sky, surrounding her. Pushing aside the layers of curtains, Li Yanyi just wanted to find a clear path—she was even certain that if she could tear away these bewildering veils, she would surely find the way forward.
But what if there really was a trap ahead?
As she walked forward, suddenly the curtains were swept up by a great wind, and in a moment of dizziness, she saw an endless abyss half a step away.
What if?
Once failed, it wouldn’t be just her death alone. It would be the Li family, the Geng family, and all those who had sacrificed everything to help and support her until today. Wei Tingxu would show no mercy, and what would be buried would be the Li dynasty’s two-hundred-year legacy.
How could she become a ruler who loses their kingdom? How could she leave behind a legacy of mockery for ten thousand years?
Li Yanyi knew she had nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine chances of winning, and Wei Tingxu was betting on that last remaining possibility.
Betting on her hesitation, betting that she wouldn’t dare to act.
Li Yanyi opened her bloodshot eyes, hollow and exhausted. Everything in the room had become very blurry, and she knew that after not sleeping for a day and night, both her eyes and the rest of her body were reaching their limits.
She still couldn’t collapse or rest, because she hadn’t yet found a safe place for her suspended heart to settle.
Li Yanyi composed herself and spread out the documents again.
Her desk was piled with dossiers and family backgrounds of various central government officials; she needed to find someone among them whom she could use.
She could only rely on herself, not trusting anyone else. Anyone could be a Wei family spy.
Her fingertips swept over countless names, reading and analyzing character by character, line by line, scroll by scroll, until daybreak. Li Yanyi, who hadn’t closed her eyes for twenty-four hours, suddenly felt a pain in her fingertip as a drop of fresh blood fell onto the documents.
Her finger had been pricked by an unpolished bamboo splinter, but the pain actually helped restore some of her alertness.
Documents were scattered all over the floor, nearly burying her.
Such a grand nation, two hundred years of dynastic fortune, the most exalted ruler! Yet she had not a single person she could use.
As this thought arose, a feeling of despair spread through her four limbs and hundred bones, leaving her without strength to read anything more.
Throwing down her brush and kicking over her chair, when she stood up, the ache in her legs and dizziness nearly made her fall. She barely managed to support herself as she walked outside.
There was sunlight outside; she knew she needed to bask in it, needed to walk in the garden.
As she opened the door to walk out, she caught someone sitting at the entrance in her peripheral vision. Li Yanyi thought she was seeing things, but when she looked back, the person sitting at the door was actually Ah Xin.
Ah Xin sat with her head lowered and eyes closed, seemingly asleep.
Li Yanyi’s heart skipped a beat as she stepped forward and gently tapped her shoulder. She opened her eyes.
“When did you return? Why didn’t you come in if you’ve been outside the door all night?” Li Yanyi’s gaze lingered on Ah Xin’s face.
“I just returned last night. Knowing you were dealing with some matters, I didn’t want to disturb you.” Ah Xin noticed Li Yanyi’s haggard appearance and wanted to reach out to touch her swollen eyes, but suddenly remembered that the person before her was no longer her lover but the exalted Emperor, and her hand stopped mid-motion.
Li Yanyi noticed her hesitation and actively took her hand, pressing it to her own cheek.
“Your palm is injured.”
“Ah Lie told me about Zuo Yun’s sudden illness and retirement. I guessed there were changes in the central government, so I hurried back to Runing.”
Li Yanyi spread open her palm and, without warning, tears as large as beans fell one after another.
Ah Xin hurriedly said: “It’s just that I forgot to wear gloves in my haste and the reins chafed my skin. Once bandaged and treated with medicine, it will heal quickly. Your Majesty needn’t concern yourself with such a minor injury.”
Li Yanyi gripped her hand tightly, her already reddened eyes becoming even redder after crying: “Ah Xin, I know your suffering… All these years I’ve wanted to make it up to you, but I’ve found that after ascending to the throne, I don’t even have the ability to be good to you anymore. Am I unworthy of being Emperor?”
Ah Xin’s spirit stirred as she straightened her posture: “Why would Your Majesty say such things? Even if Zuo Yun has left, Your Majesty can still reorganize the Ministry of State Affairs, don’t because of one person…”
Li Yanyi shook her head: “It’s all too late.”
Ah Xin didn’t understand.
“The Wei family has two hundred and fifty thousand troops hidden in Dai’an Prefecture, two hundred li from Runing.”
Ah Xin was greatly shocked but dared not make too much noise: “Two hundred and fifty thousand…”
“Yes, two hundred and fifty thousand, and this is just the preliminary investigation. The actual number might be even greater. Now with internal troubles and external threats, the Wei family will surely wait for the Chongjin Army to advance south before making their move amid the chaos. With two hundred and fifty thousand troops, they could swallow Runing in an instant.”
“Even with so many troops, where would the provisions come from?”
“Zhen Wenjun has them. Those two have never broken their connection.”
Ah Xin: “…”
“Moreover, I suspect Wei Lun’s serious illness is fake. Once the Chongjin Army breaks through Mengliang and reaches Guanyang, Wei Lun might well rise again to command the Wei family forces. And we can’t ignore the Zhangsun family—that Zhangsun Ran is impossible to read, and the Heaven’s Army Divine Box was both a provocation and a warning. I feel she hasn’t even shown all her capabilities yet. They have made the most thorough preparations, while I don’t even have a single person I can trust.”
“Your Majesty, even if the Chongjin army breaches the passes, the Wei family could only dispatch troops to protect the throne. If they attempt rebellion, wouldn’t they fear retribution from the realm’s nobles? What excuse could she have to harm you?”
“She has one.”
Ah Xin didn’t understand.
“Remember the secret scroll of the Ruan family I told you about? I always thought it only recorded matters that Emperor Ming feared, things that wouldn’t affect today’s court. Unexpectedly… that scroll contained information that could completely destroy the Li family!”
Li Yanyi had never been at ease about the scroll’s contents. She had tried to open the wooden box before, but it was too sturdy to break open. When Wei Tingxu said she would try to open it, Li Yanyi let her, while having Ah Yin track matters related to the scroll.
Yesterday, after morning court dismissed, while Li Yanyi was preoccupied with the Bo family, Ah Yin presented the secret of the scroll—the secret of Prince Rui’s cat-for-crown-prince substitution [貍貓換太子 | lí māo huàn tài zǐ | idiom meaning to substitute something fake for real].
Upon reading it, Li Yanyi felt the world shatter, nearly collapsing.
“I knew I was Father Emperor’s first child. If not for the distinction between male and female, how could the crown prince position have gone to another?” Li Yanyi looked at the blazing sun, laughing bitterly. “Who knew, I’m not of the proper line either, I am that Prince Rui’s…” At this point, Li Yanyi couldn’t continue. The cornerstone maintaining her imperial dignity deep in her heart crumbled; her dignity was completely gone.
“I too am a descendant of usurpers, whether male or female this empire has nothing to do with me! Heaven’s cycle of karma—back then my father stole someone else’s throne, and now my throne is coveted by others. Could this be retribution?”
A pair of gentle arms encircled her as Ah Xin embraced her from behind.
“If none of this had happened, we would now be daughters of two noble houses. Even if we were profligate and without grand ambitions, at least we would have mountains and waters as companions, pledged to each other. Admiring flowers in spring and moon in autumn.”
Li Yanyi closed her eyes as tears fell continuously.
She had indeed imagined the life Ah Xin described—beautiful, the most beautiful of all the lives she could imagine.
But it didn’t exist.
Never existed before, doesn’t exist now, and could never exist in the future.
Opening her eyes, it was still the familiar world full of dangers.
“I am already in this position, with no way to retreat. No matter what, We [royal self-reference] must fight Wei Zizhuo to the death.”
Just as Li Yanyi deeply felt that Wei Tingxu’s machinations were extremely strange, leading people unknowingly to the heart of the trap where one wrong step could shatter them completely, the situation suddenly took a dramatic turn due to two events.
Bo Chishen unexpectedly dealt a crushing defeat to the Chongjin army, reclaiming nearly two hundred li of territory in the north, winning several major victories in succession.
Just as Li Yanyi’s spirits were lifted by this news of victory, word came from another direction.
Wei Lun’s illness had worsened again, and he had entered his final moments, likely unable to last more than a few days.
Wei Lun was finally going to die!
Li Yanyi couldn’t quite believe heaven would help her so greatly at this time—could it be Wei Tingxu’s scheme?
Li Yanyi needed to personally investigate the truth at the Wei residence.
LP: I never really felt that Wei Tingxu hate’s Li Yanyi.
I have the naive thoughts that if Li Yanyi steps down, pretend to die, go to places far from Da Yu with Ah Xin, maybe Wei Tingxu won’t need to kill her.
0 Comments