Fish Meat – Chapter 240

The Ninth Year of Shunde

Like Snapping Dried Twigs and Pulling Up Rotten Wood (7)

After Zhen Wenjun brought her Ah Mu back to Runing, a pile of matters awaited her handling. She had barely stepped foot into Zhuo Jun Manor and settled her Ah Mu in before she immediately went to the military camp without even managing a sip of water. She was gone for three days straight. It wasn’t until Wei Tingxu sent someone to the Ministry of War to find her, delivering the invitation token and clothing for the elegant gathering, that she remembered Wei Tingxu had indeed mentioned this matter previously.

            

What Wei Tingxu had sent over was a demure, quiet long dress with exquisite dark floral patterns. She had probably commissioned it from a renowned Runing tailor again, handmade. When worn, the two stood shoulder-to-shoulder, looking quite well-matched, drawing incessant whispers and suspicious glances from bystanders. Wei Tingxu enjoyed this kind of drama the most.

Since Wei Tingxu liked it, Zhen Wenjun did her best to cooperate.

She quickly bathed, combed her hair, and applied makeup. Her own technique for applying powder was somewhat rusty, resulting in a slightly uneven application. Zhen Wenjun called Lin Mu over to help.

            

Lin Mu, having spent years fighting campaigns abroad, didn’t apply powder either and was even more clumsy than Zhen Wenjun.

“What should we do?” Zhen Wenjun pondered whether to make a trip back to Zhuo Jun Manor. Just then, Zhangsun Wu came looking for her. Seeing his fair face and fresh lips, Zhen Wenjun felt as if she had seen her savior.

“Applying powder? You’ve certainly found the right person.” Zhangsun Wu was full of enthusiasm. He immediately moved a stool to sit in front of Zhen Wenjun, skillfully opened a wooden box filled with rouge and floral forehead ornaments​¹, his nimble fingers darting between the box and Zhen Wenjun’s face. In less than a quarter of an hour​², the masterpiece was complete.

            

“How is it?” Zhen Wenjun hadn’t seen her own reflection yet and asked Lin Mu, who was standing aside.

Lin Mu hesitated slightly, “The General looks good no matter what…”

Zhen Wenjun’s heart skipped a beat. It’s over. She immediately snatched a bronze mirror and held it up to her face, nearly crushing the mirror in her hand.

            

Who was this heavily made-up, garish enchantress!

“What’s with that expression? You’re actually dissatisfied?” Zhangsun Wu was displeased. “Which young lady who leaves my hands isn’t overjoyed, wishing they could run a lap around Runing to show everyone this year’s most fashionable makeup? Wenjun-meimei actually dislikes it! As gorgeous as hibiscus, as bright as peach and plum blossoms, isn’t it beautiful?”

Zhen Wenjun lowered the bronze mirror weakly. “Beautiful is beautiful, but… isn’t it a bit unsuitable for me? It looks more like something Ah Liao would wear for a tryst with some young lady.”

            

Zhangsun Wu spoke frankly, “I did indeed learn this makeup style from Ah Liao.”

Zhen Wenjun: “What did I just say!”

“General, General!” Huang Bu and several Centurions​³ rushed in hurriedly. Their gazes clearly swept past Zhen Wenjun’s face without lingering as they asked Lin Mu, “Where is the General!”

            

Lin Mu squinted, signaling with her eyes: Your head has already rolled.

Huang Bu let out an “Eh?” and asked Lin Mu, “Is there something wrong with your eyes?”

“Huang Bu,” Zhen Wenjun stood up. “Who has something wrong with their eyes knows it best themselves. What is it?”

            

Huang Bu and the Centurions jumped in fright, staring blankly at Zhen Wenjun for a long moment, forgetting even to salute. It wasn’t until Zhangsun Wu kicked the back of his knee from behind that he bowed with a red face, “Gen… General, the troop formations compiled earlier have been rehearsed and await the General’s inspection.” His words came out softly, not at all like a report, but rather like the shyness of a young gentleman meeting his betrothed for the first time.

Zhen Wenjun helplessly pinched the bridge of her nose. Zhangsun Wu quickly stopped her, “Don’t move, don’t ruin my exquisite work. Huang Bu, tell us about your General’s makeup. Isn’t it beautiful? How does it compare to her usual look?”

Huang Bu stammered, unable to speak, completely unsure how to answer in a way that would save his own skin.

            

Zhen Wenjun was amused by his predicament. “Alright, Jiling​⁴, I won’t make it difficult for you. Rise.”

Only then did Huang Bu and the others stand up.

“I’ll inspect the formations tomorrow. Today, there’s an elegant gathering I absolutely must attend, and I’m already running a bit late.”

            

Whatever Zhen Wenjun said, Huang Bu could only nod in agreement.

It was too late to change her makeup. Zhen Wenjun looked at herself in the mirror again. Perhaps it was just unfamiliarity earlier; looking closely now, her thirty-year-old self with heavy makeup didn’t seem discordant.

“Zizhuo will like it,” Zhangsun Wu whispered in her ear.

            

Zhen Wenjun arrived at Yijing Garden full of anticipation but didn’t spot Wei Tingxu at first glance. She tried to search for her in the crowd, but before finding the person in her heart, she was stopped by a female official.

“General Zhen, do you still remember this subordinate official?” The female official stepped forward very enthusiastically and grasped her hand. Zhen Wenjun silently withdrew it.

The person gave an awkward smile and continued, “This subordinate official was once a student at the Grand Academy and had the fortune of meeting the General once at Westwater Terrace.”

            

Zhen Wenjun stared at her face. She naturally remembered this person was called Ah Cang, one of the first batch of female students admitted to the Grand Academy during the Zhaowu era. It was said that a few from this batch did indeed become officials later on; perhaps this Ah Cang was one of them.

Seeing Ah Cang’s expectant look, Zhen Wenjun smiled faintly and shook her head.

Ah Cang looked slightly disappointed. “With beacon fires year after year, the General campaigning south and north, it’s normal not to remember this subordinate official… But this subordinate official has always remembered the General! This subordinate official and many female officials greatly admire the General’s deeds in expelling the Hu invaders. The tea is brewed, the refreshments are ready, awaiting only the General’s gracious presence!”

            

Zhen Wenjun smiled, remaining rooted to the spot.

Ah Cang seemed confused. “General?”

“Expelling the Hu invaders was not achieved by my strength alone. It wouldn’t be too late to invite General Huang and General Lin for a chat together in the future.”

            

Seeing she intended to leave, Ah Cang continued to block her. “Without General Zhen devising strategies within a command tent​⁵, even with a hundred General Huangs and a thousand General Lins, it would likely be difficult to resist the enemy. Please, General, grace us with your presence. Do not fail the expectations of the female officials.”

Zhen Wenjun gazed at her, pondering for a moment, then suddenly smiled. “Very well. But I must find my wife first. Have you seen Situ Wei?”

Hearing this, a trace of unease and panic flashed across Ah Cang’s face. Her eyes darted left and right—a subtle expression she might not have noticed herself, but it didn’t escape Zhen Wenjun’s gaze.

            

“What is it?” Zhen Wenjun asked her.

“Ah, Ah Cang was thinking, General Zhen and Situ Wei are truly like twin birds sharing wings or trees with interlocking branches​⁶, your affection is so deep.”

Zhen Wenjun narrowed her eyes and smiled. “Naturally.”

            

“Then it’s perfect,” Ah Cang’s expression firmed up. “As the foremost female official of Da Yu, Situ Wei’s official career path has been smooth, reaching the high position of one of the Three Excellencies at a young age. She is also a role model for female officials. Why don’t you both come together?”

Just as Zhen Wenjun was about to refuse, a splash of lotus-pink entered her vision. Turning her head, her gaze met Wei Tingxu’s smile.

“So Furen was here.” The long dress Wei Tingxu wore today was indeed very similar to Zhen Wenjun’s. Though the color was different, the details and dark floral patterns were full of thoughtful design. “You were quite hard to find. This is…”

            

Zhen Wenjun introduced Ah Cang to her. Wei Tingxu let out an “Oh.” “I remember you, Nanya Ah Cang. Are you currently serving in the Ministry of Revenue?”

Ah Cang bowed to her. “Replying to Situ Wei, this subordinate official currently holds the position of Chief Clerk of Expenditure in the Ministry of Revenue.”

After speaking, Ah Cang extended the invitation to them both again. The appointed place was the Hundred Flowers Pavilion in the west corner of Yijing Garden, somewhat far from the center of the elegant gathering, secluded​⁷.

            

Zhen Wenjun’s fingers tightened slightly around Wei Tingxu’s, sending her a warning—this Ah Cang was strange, it was best not to go.

Wei Tingxu, however, seemed not to notice and readily agreed.

Ah Cang immediately led the way for them.

            

The sounds of laughter and conversation from the elegant gathering faded behind them as the lights ahead grew dimmer.

Zhangsun Wu arrived a step too late, only catching the receding backs of Zhen Wenjun and Wei Tingxu.

Zhangsun Wu frowned. “Where are those two going? Absence makes the heart grow fonder, are they hiding away again? Eh? Ah Liao?”

            

He hadn’t seen his younger sister in a long time. He just saw Ah Liao’s figure flash through the crowd, seemingly spotting someone and quickly moving towards them.

What was going on tonight? One after another, they were all acting a bit strange.

Ah Cang walked ahead, her pace slightly quick. Wei Tingxu followed closely behind, showing no intention of slowing down. Zhen Wenjun held her hand tightly, vigilantly scanning their surroundings. Wei Tingxu’s thumb rubbed the back of her hand; she understood the meaning—it was to reassure her.

            

They arrived at a pavilion in the Hundred Flowers Garden where several female officials had been waiting for some time. Seeing Wei Tingxu and Zhen Wenjun arrive together, their expressions turned somewhat anxious and uneasy.

Wei Tingxu met everyone’s gaze as she walked into the pavilion, sitting down with Zhen Wenjun in the central position.

“Ah Qin! Ah Qin!”

            

Ah Liao pushed through the crowd, grabbing the arm of the woman ahead.

Amidst the astonished gazes of the onlookers, the captured woman turned her head, looking at Ah Liao in panic:

“Commandant Zhangsun…”

            

The fervor in Ah Liao’s eyes slowly subsided. She released the other person. “Apologies, I mistook you for someone else.”

Returning to the crowd, Ah Liao felt the sky spinning and the earth revolving.

Ah Xu was pregnant, and Ah He directly pointed to Ah Qin as the main culprit. Ah Liao went to ask them what exactly happened, but Ah He wouldn’t say, Ah Xu wouldn’t say, and Ah Qin said even less.

            

“If Ah Liao doubts me, I will simply leave Qingyuan.” Ah Qin, usually gentle, was actually strong-willed. After being accused, she immediately prepared her belongings and left, just like that. Not like a young girl throwing a tantrum and hiding, waiting to be found, but truly vanished. Ah Liao searched everywhere Ah Qin might have gone, even returning to Dongchun, but found no trace of her.

Ah Liao had always regarded her as a confidante, having spent these years constantly by her side. With her sudden disappearance, Ah Liao’s heart felt hollowed out, and she also didn’t know how to face the other young ladies of Qingyuan. She could only moor Qingyuan at Yishuijian and act alone.

For several months, Ah Qin’s whereabouts were unknown. Ah Liao was completely distraught​⁸, silent and withdrawn. Just now, in a daze, she thought she saw Ah Qin, but it turned out to be a mistake, making Ah Liao even more miserable.

            

Where on earth was Ah Qin?

Ah Xu’s belly grew bigger day by day; how was she to explain this to her?

At the elegant gathering, someone came up to chat with Ah Liao. She was listless, exchanged a few words perfunctorily, and then left Yijing Garden, heading alone towards the banks of the city moat.

            

A dark shadow followed behind, stopping and starting.

Preoccupied Ah Liao didn’t notice at all.

Yao Maolin arrived at the elegant gathering. Unable to find Zhen Wenjun, she asked around. Someone pointed her towards the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, and she groped her way there in the darkness.

            

Hundred Flowers Pavilion.

From the moment Wei Tingxu sat down, the female officials’ questions directed at her never ceased.

They started from her childhood, asking why she had assisted Emperor Min back then, and what reason made her determined to embark on an official career path. It was said she suffered abuse in her childhood, and this matter seemed related to Emperor Ming and the Xie family—was it true? And subsequently, the entire Xie clan was executed; could it be that she was pulling the strings behind the scenes? What interested them even more was whether the matter of regicide was truly her doing. Everyone called her a treacherous official; why was she willing to bear this eternal infamy​⁹ and not come out to clarify?

            

Facing the extremely impolite, frantic questioning from the young female officials, Wei Tingxu responded to each one with great patience. Zhen Wenjun grew increasingly angry listening, wanting to speak up for her but being pressed back down by Wei Tingxu’s hand under the table.

The matter concerning “regicide” amused Wei Tingxu.

Ah Cang asked, “Why does Situ Wei laugh?”

            

Wei Tingxu said, “Emperor Min’s death had nothing to do with me.”

Ah Cang pressed on, “Then where did the rumors originate? Does the Situ know, flies don’t bite seamless eggs​¹⁰?”

Wei Tingxu smiled, “This is the result of my clarification. No matter what I say, you all already have an answer in your hearts. Saying it is the same as not saying it, so why waste my breath.”

            

Ah Cang was effectively silenced by her words, looking troubled.

“However, Emperor Min was the descendant of a traitor. Even if her death truly was related to me, what’s the problem? Does Chief Clerk still feel sorry for a rebel, thinking the current Son of Heaven is unworthy of possessing the realm​¹¹, and that Li Xu’s descendant should ascend the throne instead?”

Ah Cang’s face changed. Just then, someone brought freshly brewed tea over:

            

“On such a hot day, let’s not talk about such troublesome things! Come, come, drink tea, drink tea!” The woman delivering the tea appeared to be thirty-five or thirty-six years old. As she bent down to offer the tea, lifting her hand, there was a sudden reveal of spring scenery, exposing an expanse of white chest.

Just as Zhen Wenjun and Wei Tingxu’s gazes were slightly drawn to this, the person’s fawning expression suddenly shifted, and she splashed the freshly boiled tea towards Wei Tingxu.

Wei Tingxu instinctively raised her hand to block, only to feel darkness engulf her vision as she fell into Zhen Wenjun’s embrace.

            

Ah Cang drew the dagger hidden in her sleeve for a long time and shouted, “Kill the treacherous official!”

All the female officials in the Hundred Flowers Pavilion drew their weapons and hacked towards Wei Tingxu.

Zhen Wenjun held Wei Tingxu tightly, stepped onto a stone bench, spun around, and kicked away the assassins rushing forward.

            

“Don’t let her escape!” Ah Cang threw the dagger towards Wei Tingxu’s back. Zhen Wenjun shouted, “Hold me tight!” Cradling Wei Tingxu with one arm, her other hand snatched Ah Cang’s dagger firmly in mid-air, and with a flick of her wrist, the dagger pierced through Ah Cang’s throat, killing her on the spot.

“General Zhen!” cried the woman who had splashed the hot tea. “Why protect a treacherous official! Could it be you’re in the same nest of snakes and rats with her, truly her accomplice!”

Wei Tingxu let them curse, lying steadily in Zhen Wenjun’s arms.

            

Zhen Wenjun didn’t waste words on them. Placing Wei Tingxu behind her, she asked, “Where are your shadow guards?”

“Tonight is just an elegant gathering, why would I need shadow guards? Besides, don’t I have you? Wenjun, I didn’t get a chance to say it earlier, you look truly beautiful tonight.”

Zhen Wenjun smiled, wiping away the water droplets that had sprayed onto her forehead, shielding her firmly behind her back. She addressed the assassins:

            

“Who wants to die? Come.”

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