Fish Meat – Chapter 197
by Little PandaThe Fourth Year of Zhao Wu
Secrets in the Sleeve (17)
Huff…
Huff, huff, huff…
Li Yanyi clearly heard her own rapid breathing, all other external sounds seemed distant, as if submerged in deep water, her ears filled with seawater. Though Empress Dowager Geng anxiously inquired from such close proximity, the words were indistinct.
“Huaichen!” Empress Dowager Geng’s gaze was drawn to something, crying out. There was an unfamiliar warmth on the lips, as if liquid was flowing. Li Yanyi wiped beneath her nose, finding thick blood once again.
The palace eunuchs behind Empress Dowager Geng turned pale with fright. The Empress Dowager roared: “Why haven’t you called for the Imperial Physician yet?”
“Yes, yes!” As the eunuchs were about to seek the physicians, Empress Dowager Geng grabbed one of them, her face red with urgency.
“If everyone runs away, who will care for the Emperor! Are you trying to anger this grieving one to death? Quickly, return Her Majesty to the palace!”
As the eunuch moved to carry Li Yanyi on his back, she covered her nose and waved her hand, suddenly becoming calm:
“No need, We can walk Ourselves.”
“Huaichen, are you, are you alright? Don’t frighten Mother.”
The sharp pain in her chest began spreading to other parts of her body following the bout of blood vomiting. If before it felt like swords cutting at her heart, now those blades seemed to flow with her blood throughout her body. Boiling water seemed to stagnate in her brain, her throat tasted of blood, and her eyes felt as if burned by two balls of fire. Yet the emotions that had been choking her thoughts and driving her to madness and irritability seemed to have drained away with the blood.
At this moment, she was in her clearest state of mind in days.
Just as Li Yanyi tried to speak, another violent fit of coughing seized her, making her unable to stand, her whole body swaying precariously.
From chin to chest, she was stained red with her own blood. Empress Dowager Geng supported her, at a loss for what to do. She knew Huaichen disliked those palace eunuchs, never allowing them near, let alone carry her.
Empress Dowager Geng looked at the helpless palace eunuchs, who neither dared approach nor retreat, caught in an impossible situation.
Palace Attendant You emerged from the room, while the accompanying palace eunuchs closed and locked the door from outside.
“What about the corpse?” the palace eunuchs inquired.
“Leave it there,” Palace Attendant You said, “After tonight, who will care about such matters?”
Palace Attendant You and the palace eunuchs traversed through the hougong [後宮 | hòu gōng | imperial palace’s inner quarters], heading toward the entrance.
In peaceful times, everyone in the hougong wore standardized gentle smiles, speaking insincere words to those coming and going, hoping that tonight they might be summoned for shiqi [侍寝 | shì qǐn | serving the emperor in bed]—only imperial favor could distinguish one from the chaos of the inner palace.
The young men and women all harbored their own schemes. Palace Attendant You passed by them, noting their expressions and faces with interest, imagining how wonderful these beautiful faces would look in despair.
The bloodied blade was still warm.
The mourning procession had been completely slaughtered, corpses piled like a small mountain. Guang Shaoling led people in examining the bodies one by one, holding torches to their faces.
“Not this one, not this either!”
These were indeed Wei household servants, Guang Shaoling was certain, but after examining half the corpses, they hadn’t found a single Wei family descendant, let alone Wei Tingxu herself. She wasn’t in Wei Tingxu’s imperial carriage either.
As Guang Shaoling grew increasingly alarmed while searching, Lin Ding asked: “Still nothing?!”
Guang Shaoling shook her head.
“Diaohulishan [調虎離山 | diào hǔ lí shān | luring the tiger away from the mountain], we’ve been tricked!”
At Lin Ding’s shout, Guang Shaoling finally realized they’d been deceived. The Wei family’s initial mourning procession was merely a decoy!
Lin Ding immediately ordered the troops to split into three groups for pursuit! They didn’t know how far the Wei family had fled, only hoping that carrying elderly, children, and women would slow them down!
The Imperial Guard moved swiftly, quickly spreading a search net around Runing City, but Guang Shaoling remained stationary.
She looked back at Runing City in the deep night, where torch lights pierced through the darkness from the city walls, faintly visible as spots of fire.
All the Zhuiyue Army had been drawn away from the palace. The palace eunuchs, panting heavily, finally found the imperial physicians. The three physicians, all in their sixties, were still sleeping in the dead of night when the young, strong palace eunuchs dragged them up to run frantically, not daring to stop even as their vision darkened.
“The Empress Dowager… it’s the Empress Dowager!” the palace eunuchs suddenly shouted. The physicians looked ahead, thinking their old eyes were deceiving them—how could they be seeing the Empress Dowager carrying the Emperor on her back? Beside her was a thoroughly embarrassed and helpless palace eunuchs.
“How dare you! Allowing the Empress Dowager to carry the Emperor!” the physicians berated that palace eunuchs.
The palace eunuchs stammered, unable to speak.
“Enough talk, quickly help take the Emperor down!” Empress Dowager Geng’s high hairpin was askew, her face flushed red, her voice emerging from deep within as if about to give out. Several people hurriedly helped Li Yanyi down. By then, Li Yanyi had lost consciousness. Seeing the Emperor’s ashen face and blood-covered body, the physicians exchanged glances, afraid to move her much.
“How is the Emperor?!” Empress Dowager Geng, face and back covered in blood, was in complete disarray but had no time to care about her appearance. The physicians’ expressions were peculiar, increasing the Empress Dowager’s anxiety as she grabbed them demanding answers.
“Your humble servant cannot make a definitive judgment yet. Let us first return Her Majesty to the sleeping palace for a detailed examination before reporting to the Empress Dowager. The night wind is evil and cold, we cannot linger. Let us hurry.”
Li Yanyi hadn’t regained consciousness when brought to the Xiashou Palace. Empress Dowager Geng wanted to find someone to help, but the entire Forbidden Garden was like a dead city, without a single soul in sight. Where were the female soldiers who usually followed Li Yanyi? Where was Guang Shaoling! Where had they all gone?
Empress Dowager Geng looked at the palace eunuchs beside her and then at the imperial physicians busily examining the Emperor, but there was no one to question. She suddenly thought of Wei Lun’s death and the Wei family’s return to Pingcang for mourning—could Huaichen have seized this opportunity to mobilize all palace forces against the Wei family?
Wei Lun’s death, the Wei family’s mourning journey, Huaichen’s sudden blood vomiting… these series of events seemed to have no obvious connection, yet the Empress Dowager, having spent so many years in the imperial family, was all too familiar with the atmosphere of conspiracy.
This time, the feeling of unease was distinctly different.
To enter the Court of Judicial Review, one had to pass through a narrow alley.
The alley’s construction was quite ingenious, with countless secret doors on both sides. If anyone attempted a prison break, they would have to retreat through this alley, where soldiers could ambush from the hidden doors—very advantageous for capture.
Upon the Emperor’s order, all guards in Runing had been withdrawn, but one place remained heavily guarded, specifically ordered by the Emperor to maintain security no matter what—the Court of Judicial Review.
Inside the court stood a tall building, from which Lin Qi could overlook most of Runing.
Tonight, the capital was excessively quiet, so quiet it made him uneasy.
“How is the one surnamed Zhen?” Lin Qi asked as the jailer entered.
“The previous torture was enough for her; she’s currently unconscious.”
“Was she searched? Are you certain she has no weapons?”
“Yes, it’s been confirmed.”
Lin Qi nodded with a “hmm.”
“So… what do we do next?”
“What to do? Naturally, nothing. Remember that woman who walked boldly into the Court of Judicial Review earlier? Her relationship with the Emperor runs deep—a single word from her could have your head rolling.”
The jailer fell silent. Another person squeezed in, saying something had happened in the Forbidden Garden—the Emperor had been attacked and was in critical condition.
“What! How could this happen!” Lin Qi immediately descended, seeing Palace Attendant You and a palace eunuchs standing anxiously in the courtyard.
While walking, Lin Qi called out: “Palace Attendant You! The Emperor was attacked? Who has such dog-guts [狗膽 | gǒu dǎn | extreme audacity] to attempt assassinating the Emperor!”
Palace Attendant You’s hands were clenched together, his features scrunched up: “This official doesn’t know, I just received the news and came seeking help! Today, for some unknown reason, there isn’t a single guard in the palace. Those villains must have gotten wind of this and seized the opportunity while the Forbidden Garden was empty to attempt Her Majesty’s life!”
“You’re saying assassins have already infiltrated the palace?”
“The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review still has leisure to ask so many questions!” Palace Attendant You grew agitated, “Her Majesty’s life hangs by a thread—every moment’s delay pushes Her Majesty closer to danger! If anything happens to Her Majesty, all our heads will roll!”
Palace Attendant You’s sharp words made the six hundred guards in the Court of Judicial Review tremble with fear. They quickly formed ranks and prepared to head to the Forbidden Garden.
Lin Ding led the Imperial Guard in pursuit for quite some time without seeing anyone. The sky above was silent as void, and no news came from the other search parties. Strange, Lin Ding pondered on horseback—there were only three roads suitable for carriages, other routes were impassable. They were professionally trained combat troops, how could they fail to catch up with a mourning procession carrying entire families?
Lin Ding halted the troops and looked around.
Where had the Wei family gone? Could they have vanished into thin air?
“General.” An Imperial Guard soldier uncertainly looked skyward, riding closer to Lin Ding, “General, look… what’s that?”
Lin Ding looked in the direction indicated. As the dark clouds dispersed and the bright moon reappeared, strange black shadows moved slowly among the brilliant stars. Lin Ding was amazed. All soldiers looked up—there wasn’t just one shadow, but nearly ten floating in the night sky, occasionally flashing with fire, like giant kongming lanterns [孔明燈 | kǒng míng dēng | sky lanterns], drifting further and further away.
When the clouds fully dispersed, Lin Ding clearly saw the true form of the black shadows—above was a massive sphere, and below it hung not only fire but also a basket.
“There are people up there!” called out a soldier with keener eyesight.
People?!
Sounds of amazement arose from the ground as Lin Ding too was drawn to this rare spectacle.
“I remember now!” an old soldier said, “In the eleventh year of Shenchu, Runing experienced a rebellion. Yes, when that old traitor Xie Fuchen rebelled and fought his way into Runing City. At that time, these strange spheres descended from the sky bringing a group of female soldiers, instantly turning the tide! They’re identical to these ones!”
“Female soldiers?”
“Reporting to General, it’s said these strange spheres come from the Zhangsun family, created by the current Maritime and Terrain Commander Zhangsun Ran as mechanical devices.”
“Zhangsun Ran?!” Hearing this name, Lin Ding finally understood—the vanished Wei family was aboard those strange spheres!
“Archers!” Lin Ding shouted. The archers quickly formed ranks and drew their bows. Lin Ding pointed at the spheres, “Fire!”
Wei Jingtai lay prone at the edge of the vine-woven frame, looking down. With a “whoosh,” countless arrows shot up from the ground, fierce in their approach, yet the arrows couldn’t even touch the sphere’s edge before falling away. Even Runing’s finest arrows couldn’t affect them in the slightest.
“Ah Liao, your flying divine sphere is truly formidable! Letting these villains see but not reach us! How satisfying!”
Standing among the group of female soldiers, Ah Liao couldn’t help but protest: “…It has its own name, it’s not called a flying divine sphere.”
“Then what’s it called?”
“It’s called Dongyuan Twelve Street Third Ward Six Gates Wan Bihe Pool Ah Zheng Original Copyright Number Nine Xiangyue Sheng!” Ah Liao blurted out in one breath.
Wei Jingtai: “…”
Ah Ran saw her mother constantly looking back toward Runing City, eyes full of worry. She stepped forward to hold her mother’s hand, glancing back at her father’s corpse lying flat on the mat, face covered, wanting to offer comfort but not knowing how. For her heart too was equally lost. The feeling was like returning to the year her elder brother died. The sense of helplessness was similar, yet different. That year was a dead knot, but today felt more like cutting through a tangled past, stepping toward an entirely new realm…
Lin Ding watched helplessly as the strange spheres drifted further away, refusing to give up, leading his troops in continued pursuit.
These spheres rose with fire—they must land eventually. Once they touched ground, they would strike immediately!
“Fool, this Commander isn’t just capable of flying.” Ah Liao pressed two fingers to her lips and whistled. All the women in the Xiangyue Sheng prepared as they watched her pull a wooden lever, opening a mechanism at the basket’s bottom. Countless spheres ignited the moment they left the Xiangyue Sheng, becoming fireballs that crashed toward the ground, trapping the pursuing army in a sea of flames.
Lin Ding barely escaped the inferno with his life. Dark clouds again covered the moon, the sparks in the sky grew dim, quickly disappearing from view.
Lin Ding spat viciously, too exhausted to continue pursuit. When attempting to lead the remaining forces back to Runing, he discovered many had deserted. With the mission unfulfilled, returning to Runing meant certain death. These soldiers, understanding imperial ruthlessness, fled rather than return to their doom. Lin Ding cursed bitterly at their retreating figures before leading the remaining loyal troops back to the city.
…
Blood dripped down Zhen Wenjun’s hand as the Golden Cicada Knife slowly ground against the iron grate—just a little more.
Her fingers were long and nimble. The Golden Cicada Knife, hidden between her fingers, hadn’t been discovered. When the cell was empty, she began cutting, preparing to escape.
Where was Ah Mu? Also in the Court of Judicial Review?
Why had Ah Mu become like that? Manipulated by others, truly becoming a different person as Xiao Xiao had said.
Something was wrong—the patrol that should have come hadn’t appeared despite the time. This was the perfect opportunity to find Mother and leave this place!
“Wait.”
As the Court of Judicial Review guard army was about to head to the Forbidden Garden to protect the Emperor, Lin Qi stopped them. Palace Attendant You, who had already turned to leave, looked back strangely. Lin Qi returned his gaze unflinchingly:
“Forgive me, Palace Attendant You, but Her Majesty instructed this official that regardless of what happens, who comes, or what is said, we must not dispatch troops! Violators are to be killed without question!”
Palace Attendant You made an “Oh?” sound: “So even with the Emperor’s life at stake, you refuse to provide protection? Lin Qi, do you want everyone in the Court of Judicial Review to accompany you in death?!”
The soldiers exchanged covert glances, not understanding why the situation had suddenly become a standoff between these two.
Lin Qi confidently made a composed salute: “With imperial orders, one cannot disobey. Palace Attendant You should not trouble this official. However, I’m curious about that palace eunuch behind you—his stable stance and veined hands suggest he’s not an ordinary eunuch but a martial arts expert. Are all those around Palace Attendant You such well-concealed masters?”
Lin Qi’s words struck like thunder from clear skies, exploding everyone’s attention toward that palace eunuch. The palace eunuch had been keeping his head down behind Palace Attendant You, silent. In the dim lamplight his face was barely visible, but his basic form was clear enough.
Just as everyone’s gaze concentrated on the palace eunuch, he vanished instantly. Lin Qi screamed in agony, struck squarely by a punch. As stars flashed before his eyes, a blade appeared at his throat—his captor was that palace eunuch! His movements were incredibly swift!
Wei Jing’an threw his head back, the palace eunuch’s hat falling to reveal his handsome face. One arm locked across Lin Qi’s throat, the other holding the blade ready to sever Lin Qi’s head. Having suppressed himself for so long, he could finally show his true face, shouting with satisfaction:
“Those who want to live, make way for your lord! Otherwise, I’ll use this head as a wine cup!”
When Wei Jing’an picked up the wine cup containing poison, he noticed three characters carved on it—”Follow me.” His gaze shifted, meeting Palace Attendant You’s eyes.
Wei Jing’an turned and threw the cup at the palace eunuch, striking him directly, instantly knocking him unconscious.
“Second Young Master, quickly don his clothes and follow me!” Palace Attendant You gripped his hand, whispering.
Wei Jing’an hadn’t expected such a turn of events. He swiftly changed clothes and left the inner palace openly and properly.
The soldiers, seeing their commander’s life in enemy hands, dared not act rashly.
Lin Qi shouted in rage: “What are you waiting for! Just these two ruffians, what’s there to hesitate about! Kill them!”
At that moment, barely audible footsteps approached from behind, and a group wearing black night-walking clothes suddenly appeared, engaging in mortal combat with the Court of Judicial Review soldiers.
“Tingxu!” Wei Jing’an immediately spotted Wei Tingxu among the crowd.
“Too few secret guards, afraid we can’t hold long! Reinforcements will arrive soon, we must act quickly! The cell keys are on him!” Wei Tingxu, difficultly protected out of the chaos, found the keys on Lin Qi and rushed toward the death cells.
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