Fish Meat – Chapter 208
by Little PandaThe Fifth Year of Zhao Wu
Jointly Chasing The Lost Deer (4)
The Imperial Seal was much lighter than Wei Tingxu had imagined. She had thought it would take all her strength to lift it, but unexpectedly, she grasped the perfectly square Heshibi [和氏璧 | héshìbì | a legendary jade disc, often incorporated into the Imperial Seal] with a single hand.
Wei Tingxu’s hand was slightly smaller than the average woman’s, yet it could completely envelop the dragon coiled atop the Imperial Seal.
Xiaohua spread paper on the desk. The Imperial Seal, dipped in dark ink, was pressed firmly onto the paper, stamping out eight characters: “Receive Mandate from Heaven, long life and eternal prosperity.”
Wei Tingxu meticulously examined the eight characters, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. A moment later, a satisfied smile faintly emerged on her face.
“It is time for our true Dragon Emperor to ascend the throne.”
Just as Liu Wenxing and Wang Shou were locked in a bitter dispute, even resorting to arms, over who was the legitimate ruler, a bizarre rumor emerged from the otherwise tranquil Pingcang.
The new emperor had already received the Imperial Seal in Pingcang and ascended the throne with the support of the Wei family of Pingcang and the Zhangsun family of Dongchun.
Ascended the throne?
This sudden move by the two families baffled all the feudal lords. Whether they belonged to the Zhiqiu faction or the Nanyang faction, whether they were self-proclaimed kings or rebels from Chongjin, all eyes turned to Pingcang. Everyone wanted to know who the new emperor was and what tricks these two families were playing.
Li Yanyi’s paternal cousin, Li Min, a prince with more authority than even the Geng family and the most influential, personally arrived at the Wei residence in Pingcang with tens of thousands of cavalry and infantry troops, surrounding the residence and adopting an aggressive stance.
“This Prince does not wish to deploy troops,” Li Min declared, swaggering as he sat on the high chair in the east side of the Wei residence’s front hall. “However, this matter concerns the fate of the nation and, even more so, the honor of the Li family. This Prince has no choice but to intervene. Today, this Prince lays down his words: bring forth the Imperial Seal and return it to the Li family, and this Prince can pardon your crime of deceiving the emperor. Otherwise… hmph.” Li Min casually grabbed a bunch of grapes and tossed them into his mouth, chewing vigorously.
Wei Jing’an and other members of the Wei family lined up in the hall. Wei Tingxu, due to a leg injury, could only sit in a four-wheeled cart. Servants knelt in the courtyard, showing considerable respect to Li Min. However, Wei Tingxu still had to speak her mind. She pushed her cart forward and just as she began to speak, uttering the words, “Your Highness,” Li Min impatiently let out an “Ai!” and waved his sleeve dismissively at her, saying:
“Have your family’s steward come out and speak. What business does a woman have interfering in this matter?”
Wei Jing’an slightly raised his head, his gaze sharp, but he refrained from speaking.
Wei Tingxu, displaying no anger, maintained the proper etiquette and calmly explained, “My father has passed away, and my mother is in poor health, currently recuperating elsewhere. I’m afraid she is unable to meet Your Highness. I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness.”
Li Min clicked his tongue and said to Wei Jing’an, “And you? Are you, a grown man, just standing there as a backdrop? What kind of behavior is this?”
Wei Jing’an silently recited the “Great Compassion Mantra” [大悲心陀羅尼經 | Dàbēi Xīntuóluóní Jīng | a Buddhist mantra] in his heart, acting as if he hadn’t heard Li Min’s words. Wei Tingxu explained, “This matter of the new emperor’s ascension was orchestrated entirely by this official. My second elder brother is unaware of it. Is there anything improper about this official explaining the situation to Your Highness?”
Her tone was courteous, but her words were not so gentle. Li Min abruptly turned towards her, his slightly graying beard twitching as if blown by the air of disdain escaping his nostrils. He was about to open his mouth, but Wei Tingxu spoke before him, continuing, “Does Your Highness simply desire proof that the new emperor is the legitimate heir? Then this official shall present the evidence for Your Highness’s inspection. Xiaohua.” Wei Tingxu stared at Li Min, not yielding an inch.
“Yes.”
Xiaohua carried a wooden tray forward. On the tray was a rectangular object covered with black silk. Seeing its shape, Li Min immediately stood up, his eyes fixed on it.
Xiaohua, with considerable poise, presented the object before Li Min. He reached out to lift the silk, then hesitated, withdrawing his hand as if stung.
Wei Tingxu smiled and said, “What’s the matter? Doesn’t Your Highness want to see it? Why do you not dare to look?”
Li Min roared, “Audacious!”
“Not as audacious as Your Highness, who dares to question even the Son of Heaven! If what lies beneath this black silk is indeed the Imperial Seal, how will Your Highness explain yourself?” A fiercely burning brazier beside Wei Tingxu cast a strange light on her face.
“You… you shrew! How dare you speak to this Prince in such a manner!”
“Your Highness repeatedly calls me a shrew. Are you showing contempt for an official personally appointed by the late Emperor? Or does Your Highness simply look down on the idea that a woman can also serve as an official, even as emperor? The late Emperor’s remains are barely cold, yet Your Highness speaks such reckless words here. This official can tolerate hearing them, but if the Emperor were to hear them, I fear it would not bode well for Your Highness.”
Li Min forced down his anger and sat back on the high chair, his gaze fixed on Wei Tingxu. “This Prince has long heard that Wei Zizhuo of Pingcang has a sharp tongue and abilities beyond the ordinary. Seeing you today, you indeed live up to your reputation. Very courageous, daring to place such a high hat on this Prince…” Li Min suddenly leaned forward and ripped away the black silk. “You think this Prince doesn’t dare?!”
The black silk fell to the ground. Li Min and the soldiers he had brought with him stared wide-eyed and gasped in unison.
On the wooden tray, a jade dragon, vividly carved and almost appearing to take flight, rested atop the Heshibi. The jade shone with a lustrous, blue-green sheen. Surrounding it were carvings of dragon patterns, floating clouds, and surging waves, exquisitely crafted. This object, typically a personal possession of the emperor, now lay before the eyes of these ordinary mortals, truly a sight to behold. As if facing a real dragon, they involuntarily prostrated themselves in worship.
Li Min’s gaze was glued to the seal. “You… this… could this be real? Wasn’t the Imperial Seal lost during the fall of the city?! How did it end up in your hands?!”
“The late Emperor, knowing that national calamity was imminent, entrusted secret agents to protect the Imperial Seal and the imperial edict, sending them far from Runing. When the appropriate time came, it would naturally be given to the new emperor.”
“So, you actually found the Imperial Seal and the edict? What did the edict say?! How dare you conceal the imperial edict, do you know…” As Li Min was reprimanding her, another Wei family servant brought forward a wooden tray and placed it beside Wei Tingxu. This tray had no black silk covering. Li Min saw a rolled-up scroll – the imperial edict.
Wei Tingxu unfurled the edict with its back towards Li Min and calmly looked at it. Li Min yelled, “Audacious!” and lunged forward to seize it. Wei Tingxu’s grip loosened, and the edict fell into the brazier, instantly consumed by flames.
Li Min was dumbfounded. He couldn’t believe Wei Zizhuo would dare to act so boldly!
“Retrieve the edict for this Prince!” Li Min shouted. Soldiers immediately rushed forward, kicking over the brazier and frantically beating at the flames with their clothes. By the time the fire was extinguished, the edict’s characters were illegible.
Li Min was furious and was about to order an attack on the Wei family. However, Wei Tingxu said, “Your Highness, calm yourself. This official merely burned a meaningless personal letter.”
“Meaningless? Are you saying this wasn’t the late Emperor’s edict?”
“No, it was indeed written personally by Li Yanyi.”
“What do you mean?” Li Min felt a sense of foreboding upon hearing her directly address Li Yanyi by name. He suspected this matter was not as simple as he had thought.
“Your Highness is Li Yanyi’s paternal cousin. Back then, you were highly favored by Emperor Ming. Surely you are also aware of the Ruan Family Secret?”
At the mention of the “Ruan Family Secret,” Li Min felt as if struck by lightning. His voice dropped to a near whisper. “The secret… how do you know about the secret?! Could it be… in your possession?”
Wei Tingxu simply smiled without responding.
The new emperor was a descendant of Prince Rui, a ten-year-old boy named Li Feng [李封 | Lǐ Fēng].
Li Min personally opened the Ruan family wooden box. The box was covered in crisscrossing marks from countless knife cuts and axe blows. After a hurried glance at the contents, Li Min quickly averted his gaze.
He had to see him; he had to see this descendant of “Prince Rui”—no, he should say, the true descendant of Emperor Ming.
Wei Tingxu asked him to wait a moment, saying she would inform the emperor. However, the enthronement ceremony a few days prior had left the emperor exhausted and he had caught a cold. The emperor was still young and likely lacked the strength to receive the prince’s obeisance.
Li Min remained silent.
He would never have imagined that Wei Tingxu had actually found the Ruan Family Secret! This secret document, which should have vanished completely with the extermination of the Ruan Clan, shouldn’t even exist!
Li Min had been twenty years old when Emperor Ming had purged the Ruan family, and he had played a significant role in that affair. Regarding the threat contained within the Ruan Family Secret, although he hadn’t learned the full truth directly from Emperor Ming, he understood most of it. He knew how important it was—important enough to drive Emperor Ming to a frenzy in his desire to see it destroyed.
At this moment, Li Min had sheathed all his aggression, simply waiting for Wei Tingxu’s reply.
“Your Highness…” one of Li Min’s soldiers whispered in his ear, seemingly puzzled by his apprehension. Was it merely because of the Imperial Seal? That thing could be a fake. Even if it were real, the edict had been destroyed, so how could they prove that the person supported by the Wei family was the legitimate heir?
Li Min didn’t move a muscle, completely ignoring him.
A moment later, Wei Tingxu returned, saying that the emperor was unwell and declined to see him.
Li Min didn’t argue, saying that he only wished to see the emperor from a distance.
He had assumed Wei Tingxu would continue to refuse, but she surprisingly agreed.
Li Feng, dressed in elaborate dragon robes, was sitting in the main courtyard of the Wei residence. His small body swayed slightly with each light cough. He drank his medicine without a frown, tilting his head back like an adult and swallowing it all in one gulp.
According to Wei Tingxu, Prince Rui, Li Xu [李蓄 | Lǐ Xù], had impersonated his twin brother, Li Ao [李翺 | Lǐ Áo], and, fearing that those close to Li Ao would recognize him, fabricated a case to massacre the Eastern Palace [東宮 | dōnggōng | the Crown Prince’s residence]. Many in the Eastern Palace were either deposed or killed. One of Li Ao’s concubines was already pregnant when she was exiled; no one knew, not even she herself, until later. With great difficulty, she gave birth to the child, who survived the chaotic times, married, had children, and eventually fathered Li Feng. This Li Feng was the grandson of Li Ao, the rightful heir to Da Yu’s throne.
Li Feng possessed a piece of ancestral jade that could prove his identity. It was a personal belonging of Li Ao, gifted to the concubine. She had secretly taken it out of the palace as a keepsake, and it had been preserved until now.
“What scheme does your Wei family have?”
“What is Your Highness saying? The rightful Da Yu lineage has been usurped for decades. Now that the true dragon has returned, it is a blessing for Da Yu. Does Your Highness wish to continue down the wrong path?” Wei Tingxu said. “Or does Your Highness wish to remain a pawn of Li Xu, who committed the ‘switching the prince with a civet cat’ [Límāo Huàn Tàizǐ | refers to a deceitful substitution, often of an heir]? This matter will soon be announced to the world, and the Ruan Family Secret will restore justice to the true descendants of Emperor Ming. Right and wrong are self-evident. When that time comes, both the Zhiqiu and Nanyang factions will be at their weakest, perhaps even becoming targets of condemnation. Your Highness, you should consider this carefully.”
Li Min departed without any declaration. He couldn’t bring himself to submit to a woman, especially one outside the Li family.
However, this woman was right. Once the Ruan Family Secret was revealed to the world, neither Li Xu nor his successors, Li Ju and Li Yanyi, would be worthy of the ancestral temple. There would undoubtedly be a complete upheaval and restoration of the rightful lineage. The Zhiqiu and Nanyang factions would be nothing; even the Empress Dowager Geng’s position would likely be untenable.
The most significant and grandest reshuffling of power in Da Yu history was about to begin. He indeed needed to choose his side quickly.
After returning to his fief, Li Min expected the Wei family to try and win him over. However, the Wei family didn’t seem to consider him that important. They dedicated themselves to spreading the Ruan Family Secret and the story of how Prince Rui had murdered his elder brother, usurped the throne, and become suspicious of his close aides, disseminating every detail of the Ruan family affair. Even the leader of Chongjin perused the scandal of the Da Yu imperial family with great interest.
The constant friction and warfare in Da Yu ceased for a whole month because of this incident. Prince of Lin’an [臨安王 | Lín’ān Wáng], Li Min, was the first to acknowledge the new emperor. His stance became a weather vane. Wang Shou, the former head of the Nanyang faction, took the lead in capturing Li Jia and presenting him to the new emperor as a gesture of loyalty, prompting many of his followers to switch allegiance.
The new emperor, still a child and unwell from his cold, could only issue decrees and bestow rewards through the Wei family.
After Li Jia was delivered to Pingcang, he was taken into the custody of the Wei family. All unrelated persons were forbidden from entering Pingcang territory, with any violation considered treason. Li Min, Prince of Lin’an, was appointed Grand General and granted a fief. Wang Shou was also bestowed a noble title. Many aristocratic families, worried about their future, flocked to the new emperor, pledging their full support to the legitimate ruler—although they all understood that they were, in fact, pledging allegiance to the Wei and Zhangsun families.
Liu Xingwen, backed by the Geng family, still insisted that Li Rong was the rightful heir. He claimed the Ruan Family Secret was a fabrication, the story of the switched prince a cleverly crafted lie. Who could prove something that happened so long ago? As for the Imperial Seal, any skilled craftsman could forge one. What could an object no one had ever seen truly prove?
At that time, there were four other powerful figures: the Yao family of Nanya Commandery, the Pang family of Hetian Commandery, the Yan family of Jingji Commandery, and the Zhen-Guan faction of Huaiyang Commandery. They had declared independence and shown no intention of submitting.
Wei Tingxu wrote an earnest letter, this time truly sending it south, informing Zhen Wenjun that her mother had been rescued safely and that there was another very important matter to discuss.
She hoped to cooperate with Zhen Wenjun, dividing their forces to attack Runing from two directions and reclaim the capital!
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