Fish Meat – Chapter 239
by Little PandaThe Ninth Year of Shunde
Like Snapping Dried Twigs and Pulling Up Rotten Wood (6)
Xiao Xiao was overjoyed to be reunited with her Ah Mu and Ah Po. She brought out wine she had hidden away for years and personally went up the mountain to hunt game to accompany it, laying out a sumptuous feast. Wherever she went, people were there to assist, giving her the air of a local landowner. Guan Xun and Jiang Wang also came for the gathering. Zhen Wenjun saw that apart from the deepening wrinkles at the corners of their eyes, the two had barely changed; instead, they seemed to possess a sharpness honed sharper with time.
Zhu Maosan took up his knife and returned to his old trade, personally slaughtering several pigs. The lively evening meal stretched late into the night.
Though young, Xiao Xiao had an astonishing capacity for alcohol. Two jars of wine only brought a faint flush to her cheeks; her speech remained clear, her eyes bright, showing no signs of impairment. The next day, she rose earlier than anyone, ran 10 li up the mountain and climbed several hundred steps, returning drenched in sweat to swim two laps in the pool, emerging clean and refreshed.
Zhen Wenjun rather envied Xiao Xiao; she was young, after all, at her peak in every aspect. But Zhen Wenjun herself, plagued by old injuries from years of warfare, was physically far worse than before. Previously, no matter how severe the injury or how much blood she lost, a sound sleep and a full meal would mostly set her right. Now, many days of recuperation merely loosened her muscles and bones.
“Ah Mu, don’t worry, you’re still young,” Xiao Xiao said. “Besides, you still have me!”
Zhen Wenjun truly needed her.
Geng Bai was dead, but the remnants of the Geng Clan forces still occupied their fiefdom, and the various Princes of the Li Clan were also stirring restlessly.
The major powers from the early Shunde period—the Yan Clan, the Pang Clan, and the Zhiqiu Faction—had vanished, but in turbulent times, there was never a shortage of ambitious individuals.
Secret reports arrived from spies in various commanderies: Prince Lin’an, Li Min1, and Prince Hengshui, Li An2, were already secretly recruiting soldiers and buying horses. These princes were watched day and night by secret envoys sent by the Son of Heaven, fearing the possibility of rebellion, so their forces could not possibly be kept out in the open. The spies had only detected the slightest signs of trouble3, with no concrete evidence. Acting now would likely alert the enemy4. With the central government unstable after the recent major war, it was not a good time to make a move.
But civil war was not far off.
Zhen Wenjun felt fortunate that she had taken the risk years ago to send Xiao Xiao to Huaiyang for training. Her growth over the years had exceeded expectations. Even if civil war came, Zhen Wenjun would not have the slightest fear.
Huang Bo and Lin Mu had accompanied Zhen Wenjun to Huaiyang. While waiting for Ah Mu, the three of them had once disguised themselves and entered Nanya to gather intelligence on the Yao Clan and analyze the situation regarding the Path of Ten Thousand Directions. After days of investigation, they discovered that Nanya had 150,000 troops and was colluding with pirates along the eastern coast, cutting off the maritime passage of the Path of Ten Thousand Directions for all but Yao Clan use. Xiao Xiao had killed one of Yao Lin’s Di sons5, and the Yao Clan hated her so much they wished they could tear out her tendons and peel off her skin, eagerly seeking a chance to attack and occupy Huaiyang.
There was another, more crucial piece of news—the Yao Clan was also searching for Yao Maolin; no one knew where she had gone. Yao Lin was frantic with anxiety, terrified she might have met a cruel end6.
Zhen Wenjun sent an express letter back to Runing, informing them of Nanya’s movements and the Yao Clan’s strength. By this time, it was already the ninth year of Shunde.
The Quanxuan7 had concluded. The results would be announced during Ji Chun8, the third month of spring. All officials of the fifth rank and above in the entire Da Yu empire, including the newly appointed high officials, would attend the Guilan Banquet9.
While Yao Maolin spent sleepless night after night in Dewang Tower, anxiously awaiting the Quanxuan results, Wei Tingxu had already obtained the roster.
Wei Tingxu, wearing a simple crown and an amaranth-red official robe, sat within the Council Court.
Several ivory-white court tablets10 stood vertically in a wooden frame on the upper right corner of her desk, densely packed with memoranda written in Situ Wei’s own hand. As Wei Tingxu was looking through the Quanxuan roster, she heard familiar footsteps. Looking up, she saw Zhangsun Wu and her third older brother, Wei Jingtai, approaching side by side.
“Oh?” Zhangsun Wu recognized what Wei Tingxu held. “Situ Wei is truly one step ahead.”
Wei Tingxu said, “I heard that before me, someone strongly advocated for the Yao Clan’s Di daughter to enter service. Do either of you know who this person is?”
Wei Jingtai shook his head, but Zhangsun Wu smiled without speaking.
“Does Zhanying know the inside story?” Wei Tingxu asked him.
“If even Situ Wei doesn’t know, how would your subordinate11 find out? However, I can make a guess. This person must have thought along the same lines as Situ Wei.”
After pondering for a moment, Wei Tingxu smiled. “Although we may have chosen the same tribute for the celestial sacrifice, our objectives differ.”
Zhangsun Wu said, “A pity for this young lady of the Yao Clan, so young…” It was merely a jest; Zhangsun Wu always speaks without filter, and Wei Tingxu had never been angered by him. But today, placing the word “pity” before a member of the Yao family earned him a venomous glare from Wei Tingxu, sharp enough to nearly blind him. Zhangsun Wu tapped his own head with his fan and apologized very sincerely to Wei Tingxu:
“Zizhuo, I misspoke. I offer my apologies.”
Zhangsun Wu certainly knew what a great trauma the failure at Yanxing had been for Wei Tingxu. Her hatred for the Yao Clan would never change, no matter how many years passed. He shouldn’t have joked about it.
After the apology, Wei Tingxu said no more. Zhangsun Wu only breathed a sigh of relief once he had walked out of the Council Court.
Recalling Wei Tingxu’s terrifying gaze just now, Zhangsun Wu gave a wry smile. “Fortunately, Zizhuo and my interests diverge. If not, and we had actually become husband and wife, I fear I would have suffered greatly. Zixi, how have you survived living under the same roof as this sister of yours for so many years?”
Wei Jingtai asked, “So who exactly also marked Yao Maolin for selection?”
Zhangsun Wu: “…”
Wei Jingtai: “Huh?”
Zhangsun Wu tapped his palm with his fan. He recalled how, during Wei Jing’an’s wedding, a friend had consoled him: even if Zilian was married, didn’t he still have a younger brother? He looked similar too; why not pursue him, give it a try, maybe something would come of it? He had actually entertained the thought, but now, facing Wei Jingtai’s serious yet bewildered expression, Zhangsun Wu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“Well, this matter is somewhat complicated,” Zhangsun Wu said. “Is the Zhonglang Jiang12 free tonight? Perhaps we could discuss it further at my residence?”
Before the Guilan Banquet was held, Zhen Wenjun brought Ah Mu back to Runing and met Yao Maolin in person in front of Yijing Garden.
From both her conversation and reactions, it was evident that Yao Maolin was not an exceptionally clever person. Wei Tingxu had long ago arranged for a lady of similar age to befriend Yao Maolin at Dewang Tower, managing to extract every detail of her admiration for Zhen Wenjun, making it perfectly clear.
At the Guilan Banquet, Yao Maolin personally witnessed an intimate moment between Zhen Wenjun and Wei Tingxu. Overcome with sadness, she fled the scene13. Afterward, for more than ten days, she was distracted and distraught14, in utter agony15. General Zhen’s image constantly wandered through her mind; the more upset and heartbroken she felt, the more she thought of her. Initially, her feelings for General Zhen were merely admiration for a hero, but after Wei Tingxu’s provocation, she cared even more. Gradually, through her own contemplation, this feeling changed in nature16.
As a newly promoted high official, Yao Maolin had to attend court. At the morning audience held every three days, she would see Zhen Wenjun. Within the Houjun Pavilion, no matter where General Zhen stood, Yao Maolin could find her figure. Over time, she could even distinguish General Zhen among the crowd of officials just by the sound of her footsteps.
General Zhen had indeed noticed her. Besides lending a helping hand at the Guilan Banquet, preventing a tragedy, she had also spoken to her a few times during the morning audiences. Each time, she spoke with a smile, leaving Yao Maolin’s heart stirred, unable to control her feelings.
Knowing General Zhen would attend the summer imperial salon17, Yao Maolin had long been searching the major shops in the capital for suitable attire. She meticulously dressed herself up solely hoping General Zhen might spare her an extra glance at the salon.
Having spent a fortune on a Hundred Birds Ruyi18 gauze skirt, Yao Maolin was about to head out excitedly when someone called her name.
“Maolin.”
Yao Maolin turned around, the look of longing and joy completely vanished from her face. Feeling guilty, she said, “Jiejie…”
Yao Zhaoyi, escorted by two Yao Clan guards, slowly approached Yao Maolin. She was still seated in a four-wheeled chair, her upper body limp and leaning crookedly, requiring two wooden supports fixed under her armpits to maintain her posture. Yao Zhaoyi was only thirty, yet her hair had already turned white, and her gaze towards Yao Maolin was exceptionally sharp.
“Jiejie, please don’t scold me.” Yao Maolin knelt before her, looking somewhat aggrieved. “Ah Fu and Second Brother came a few days ago and already gave me a harsh scolding. Please save your energy, Jiejie. Don’t upset yourself and harm your health.”
Yao Maolin smiled sweetly, hoping only to escape this ordeal.
Although Yao Zhaoyi’s face was grim, she didn’t actually intend to scold her.
“Dressed like this, where are you planning to go?”
“There’s a salon at Yijing Garden today, all high officials. I want to show my face, make connections with useful people!”
“Useful people? Or is it to find Zhen Wenjun?”
Yao Maolin didn’t dare make a sound.
Yao Zhaoyi recalled the events of the past, grinding her teeth in hatred. “I’ve always been unwilling to tell you too much, only wanting you to grow up safely and happily, not wanting you to be drawn into the complex and dangerous factional strife. I never expected… After all these years of never mentioning it, just wanting you to grow up happily, you actually ran off to Runing alone without a word to participate in some Quanxuan? Do you know what kind of place Runing is?! This is the Wei Clan’s territory! She could crush you to death with just a flick of her finger!”
Yao Maolin broke out in a cold sweat hearing this, but her youthful temperament made her unwilling to easily admit defeat. “But Runing isn’t solely controlled by that villain! Otherwise, how could I, a Di daughter of the Yao Clan, have been selected for the upper ranks? The central government is currently thirsting for talent19, naturally needing capable people! The Son of Heaven might not like being suppressed by the Wei Clan either! I knew you, Ah Fu, and Ah Mu wouldn’t agree to me entering service, so I didn’t say anything. But watching helplessly as the Yao Clan is encroached upon year after year by those wicked scoundrels, how could I hide away justifiably at home anymore? I also want to contribute my part to the Yao Clan!”
Yao Zhaoyi’s face flushed red with anger, and she coughed repeatedly. Yao Maolin quickly poured water for her sister to drink.
Yao Zhaoyi caught her breath and said, “You simply don’t understand how cunning and formidable Zhen and Wei are!”
Yao Maolin grasped Yao Zhaoyi’s hand and said earnestly, “Jiejie, I’ve thought it through these past few days.”
Yao Zhaoyi waited for her to speak.
“You don’t understand General Zhen. General Zhen fought in the northern frontiers for years, disregarding her own life and death for the people of Da Yu. She is a good official.”
Yao Zhaoyi was truly about to die of anger. She waved her hand, unwilling to say more to her.
“It’s true, Jiejie!” Yao Maolin pulled her back. “Tell me, who else today can contend with the traitorous Wei Clan? Only General Zhen! To check the Wei traitor, General Zhen sacrifices herself, putting on an act with her. General Zhen, she…”
“Do you know why I am sitting here, destined to spend the rest of my life with a four-wheeled chair?” Yao Zhaoyi interrupted her younger sister’s impassioned speech.
Yao Maolin froze.
“It’s because of Zhen Wenjun. It was a trap set by Zhen Wenjun and Wei Tingxu that severed my spine and cut short the rest of my life.”
Yao Maolin felt as if struck by lightning, nearly collapsing to the ground.
“No… How could it be…”
“Even if Zhen Wenjun drove away the Hu bandits, even if her relationship with Wei Tingxu is enigmatic20, the fact remains that these two are colluding evildoers21. If I had known earlier that you were coming to the capital for the Quanxuan, I would have told you these things long ago, let you know that the General Zhen you admire is no different from the Wei traitor. What they are both coveting is the empire of Da Yu!”
Yao Maolin stood up, stepped back, looking at her older sister as if she were a stranger.
After a long moment, Yao Zhaoyi finally caught her breath, only to hear Yao Maolin say:
“Isn’t our Yao Clan doing the same?”
Yao Zhaoyi: “What did you say?”
“Jiejie clearly heard me, yet you insist I repeat it. Our Yao Clan is also coveting the Yu imperial throne, so what right do we have to criticize others?”
Yao Zhaoyi stared at her younger sister in disbelief, at this sister whose gaze had become completely profound, as if she had transformed into another person.
Yao Zhaoyi pushed herself up abruptly and slapped Yao Maolin across the face—a loud “slap!” echoed. Yao Maolin had been doted on since childhood and had never been treated like this. She covered her quickly swelling cheek, waves of grievance surging up, wetting her eyes.
“Sooner or later, you will bring ruin upon the entire Yao Clan!”
Yao Maolin bit her lip until it was blood-red. Ignoring her sister, she walked around her and stormed out the door.
Yao Zhaoyi coughed violently from anger, nearly vomiting mouthfuls of blood.
Zhen Wenjun, oh Zhen Wenjun, using the same treacherous scheme for the third time after so many years!
Wei Tingxu put down her brush, stood up to stretch, pushed open the window support, and gazed at the brilliant sunset in the distance. Between her fingertips, she twirled a thin wooden sliver. Six dots were marked on it. At first glance, the dots seemed randomly placed, but they actually formed a secret message, meaning Yao Zhaoyi had secretly entered the capital.
She must think this is just resorting to old tricks again.
Wei Tingxu smiled. She feared Yao Zhaoyi was in for a disappointment. She had grown tired of petty tricks like sowing discord.
This time, she would settle all accounts.
Footnotes
- 李敏 | Lǐ Mǐn
- 李岸 | Lǐ Àn
- 风吹草动 | fēng chuī cǎo dòng | Lit. “wind blows, grass moves”; Any sign of disturbance or suspicious activity.
- 打草惊蛇 | dá cǎo jīng shé | Lit. “beat the grass and startle the snake”; Acting rashly and alerting the opponent prematurely.
- 嫡 | Dí | Refers to the child of the primary wife, holding higher status than children of concubines.
- 惨遭毒手 | cǎn zāo dú shǒu | Lit. “miserably encounter a poisonous hand”; To be murdered or cruelly harmed.
- 铨选 | quánxuǎn | The official selection process for government posts.
- 季春 | Jì Chūn | Third month of spring in the traditional lunar calendar.
- 桂蘭宴 | Guìlán Yàn | Cassia Orchid Banquet.
- 朝笏 | cháohù | Tablets held by officials during imperial audiences, often used for notes.
- 下官 | Xiàguān | Lit. “lower official”; A self-deprecating term used when addressing a superior official.
- 中郎将 | Zhōngláng Jiàng | A mid-level military command title.
- 夺路而逃 | duó lù ér táo | Lit. “seize the road and flee”; To run away hastily.
- 魂不守舍 | hún bù shǒu shè | Lit. “soul not guarding its dwelling”; Describes someone absent-minded, restless, or deeply upset.
- 痛苦万状 | tòng kǔ wàn zhuàng | Lit. “ten thousand forms of pain”; Experiencing extreme suffering or anguish.
- 变了味道 | biàn le wèi dào | Lit. “changed flavor”; The feeling or nature of something has altered, often negatively.
- 雅聚 | yǎjù | An elegant gathering, often for literary or artistic pursuits.
- 如意 | Rúyì | A curved decorative object, often made of jade, symbolizing good fortune.
- 求贤若渴 | qiú xián ruò kě | Lit. “seeking the worthy like thirsty”; Eagerly seeking capable individuals.
- 扑朔迷离 | pū shuò mí lí | Lit. “buck rabbit hops, doe rabbit’s eyes are blurred”; Describes something confusing, complicated, and hard to understand.
- 狼狈为奸 | láng bèi wéi jiān | Lit. “wolf and bei act traitorously together”; Describes people (often officials) colluding for nefarious purposes. The ‘bei’ is a mythical creature said to need a wolf to walk.
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