Fish Meat – Chapter 88

The Ninth Year of Shenchu

Conspiring for Power (1)

Not to mention people of the same age, even the many doctors of the Hanlin Academy might not have the great opportunity to possess the entire Buddhist texts, each family’s classics, and rare books. Wei Tingxu was almost obsessed with reading, forgetting even to eat and sleep. Seriously injured and bedridden, unable to go anywhere, she could nevertheless roam the long river of history through the contents of books, visiting any moment that decided the course of later history.

            

She read through the official and unofficial histories of all dynasties, witnessing the rise and fall of each era, the struggles between monarchs and ministers, and the rivalries among colleagues. She saw how a commoner could start an uprising, conquering all around to become an emperor, and witnessed how lonely his shadow stood on a high platform. She observed the explanations of the sages and masters of each family about the world, nobility, and human nature.

Whenever she encountered something she didn’t understand, Wei Tingxu would have Lingbi and Xiaohua take her to Master Chongguang to solve her doubts.

Master Chongguang was not only a great contemporary martial arts master but also an erudite and learned sage. His mother, a talented woman fallen into humble circumstances, gave birth to him in a temple and then left. In his youth, Master Chongguang traveled extensively and read widely. Now, over seventy and unable to travel, he returned to the temple to serve as abbot, overseeing the scripture library and answering the doubts of young monks.

            

Wei Tingxu loved to chat with him, always gaining unexpected insights from their conversations. No matter how long she talked with the master, he was always very patient, never disliking her for being a child or for asking childish questions.

But even with Master Chongguang’s patience, Wei Tingxu still had many doubts she couldn’t resolve.

“Then just go out and take a walk, go see the world, look at people’s lives, listen to their troubles, and maybe then you’ll understand.”

            

“But I can’t walk, my leg is broken.” Wei Tingxu tugged at the skirt covering her leg.

“Walking doesn’t necessarily rely on two legs, but on this.” Master Chongguang pointed to his own left chest. His thick white eyebrows almost covered his eyes, and his white beard concealed his mouth. Although his expression was hidden, his gentle smile could be felt.

“Do you really want to go out and walk?”

            

Ah Liao often came to see her; during that period, Wei Tingxu only met with this childhood friend. Ah Liao frequently brought small toys and snacks to visit Wei Tingxu. Having vaguely learned from her parents about what Wei Tingxu had encountered, Ah Liao would buy an extra of any new and interesting items she saw, saving them to bring to her when visiting the temple. After the incident, Ah Liao noticed that her friend’s personality had changed, no longer as lively as before, always burdened with worries. At this time, Ah Liao’s sweet-talking and girl-pleasing nature found its use.

Lingbi and Xiaohua noticed that every time Lady Ah Liao came, faint laughter could be heard from the scripture library, something they couldn’t provide.

At only eleven or twelve years old, Ah Liao was very attentive to Wei Tingxu, always trying to make her laugh when playing together, and very carefully maintaining propriety, avoiding topics that would upset her.

            

Now that Wei Tingxu had finally swept away some of her gloom and wanted to go out, Ah Liao should have been happy, but she was extremely reluctant.

“What if you go out and bad people bully you again, what will you do?” This was the first time Ah Liao indirectly mentioned the incident in a long time. Speaking of it and thinking of the scars on Wei Tingxu’s body, she began to cry herself.

“Why are you crying?” Wei Tingxu, sitting in the four-wheeled cart, said surprised, “Aren’t I living well? If bad people dare to come, let them try. I’m not the person I used to be.”

            

“Have you become very formidable?”

“…” Ah Liao’s words really left Wei Tingxu unsure how to respond.

“Anyway, it’s not like we won’t meet again. Aren’t you in Dongchun? I will also go to Dongchun, and then I will visit you.”

            

“Then it’s agreed.” Ah Liao extended her little finger to make a pinky promise with her.

Wei Tingxu found her childish, but in the end, she still hooked her finger with hers.

“Will you bring me a gift?” Ah Liao asked.

            

“What gift do you want?”

“Bring me back a pretty young lady.”

Wei Tingxu: “…”

            

Wei Tingxu finally decided to go out and had the courage to meet strangers.

After learning of his daughter’s idea, Wei Lun let Xiaohua and Lingbi accompany her wherever she wanted to go and dispatched guards to protect her secretly. But he could not go. He had to stay in Runing, stay by the emperor’s side, and continue to handle affairs for him.

The pain of losing his son he certainly had not forgotten, and the matter of his daughter being imprisoned and abused he could not erase from his heart. Yet, the more it was so, the more he had to stay. He never mentioned his son’s death in front of the emperor, and both he and the emperor knew well who was behind the scenes directing the matter. However, he chose silence and endurance.

            

The emperor saw that even after his legitimate son died, he could still stay and work hard for him, understanding that Wei Lun was showing loyalty to protect the Wei family clan. Since Wei Jinghe was already dead, the Li dynasty no longer faced a threat, and with Wei Jinghe’s mouth closed, that secret was perhaps known to no one anymore. The emperor temporarily put his mind at ease but never intended to promote Wei Lun during his lifetime.

When the young emperor Li Ju ascended the throne, Empress Dowager Geng, listening to politics from behind the curtain, urgently needed to cultivate a batch of confidants for her own use. It was at this time that Wei Lun finally truly welcomed an opportunity.

Wei Lun rose step by step, and in the fourth year of Shenchu, he took office as Situ, ranking among the Three Dukes.

            

Meanwhile, Wei Tingxu, accompanied by Lingbi and Xiaohua, traveled through all forty-eight counties of Da Yu. After listening to the joys, angers, sorrows, and happiness of the people under heaven, the growth of her experience and her increasingly strong and rich heart finally accumulated enough strength for a counterattack. She had her mother give her the courtesy name Zizhuo and found the ambitious Li Yanyi, intending to serve under her. At fourteen, she began to be active under the name Wei Zizhuo, the youngest child of the Wei family, and with one strike, she eliminated the Xie family alliance’s Cao family, gaining great fame.

Xie Fuchen did not know that this Wei Zizhuo was the young lady he had once abused and nearly killed; he thought she was the Wei family’s never-seen younger son.

“Afterwards, it’s the matter you know about,” Wei Tingxu said up to this point when the east was already white. She lay covered in clothes, emitting a strong smell of medicine. She lay on the edge of the soft couch, letting her long hair hang outside, soaking just right in the water bucket Zhen Wenjun brought.

            

Zhen Wenjun used soap pods to slowly wash away the blood and dust from her hair, then massaged her scalp with ginger juice, and finally applied tree oil for nourishment. It took several buckets of water to wash away the dirt. After pouring out the water, Zhen Wenjun returned to find Wei Tingxu asleep.

Not wanting to wake her, Zhen Wenjun sat on the edge of the soft couch. Despite being very tired, with her eyes sore and swollen, extremely uncomfortable, she felt no sleepiness at all after listening to Wei Tingxu’s past.

This direct conflict with Yan Ye made Wei Tingxu recall the darkest moments of her life. Zhen Wenjun did not know how she, as a child, resolved these things, but it certainly took a lot of mental effort. This matter would not be easy for anyone.

            

Being locked in a dog pen, being bitten and scratched by fierce dogs, explains her fear of dogs.

Because her big brother was betrayed by the person he trusted most, she hates traitors.

The matters of this world are such; there is no inexplicable love, even less inexplicable hate. Wei Tingxu kills without blinking and can apply inhumane “wheel punishment” on a spy. These are the fruits sown by Xie Fuchen and the former emperor. The Wei family clan became the “treacherous ministers” supporting the Grand Princess, probably harboring a deep hatred towards the Li family heir.

            

This time, Wei Tingxu did not even schemingly ask her why she appeared in Qinfeng Pavilion, nor did she mention anything she did in Runing. Luckily, she did not ask, otherwise, Zhen Wenjun might truly have had no energy to cope.

Slowly falling down, Zhen Wenjun lay on the blanket under the soft couch and fell asleep. She was too tired and needed a long sleep to recover her energy.

What to do about Ah Mu, what to do about Wei Tingxu.

            

How to deal with the Xie family, how to cope with Xiaohua…

Everything will wait until I wake up to be addressed.

Zhen Wenjun was sleeping on the ground, and at the time of sleep, she simply didn’t have time to care whether it was cold or not, especially with the heat of the Dragon Boat Festival. She simply did not expect to be awakened by the cold wind.

            

She had forgotten to close the window.

Zhen Wenjun, supporting her aching body, stood up to close the window lattice, staggered back, and when she wanted to return to the carpet, she heard Wei Tingxu lightly hum.

It seemed like sleep talk, but also like unbearable pain-induced moaning. Zhen Wenjun stepped forward and asked her:

            

“Sister, are you still okay?”

Wei Tingxu stretched her body upward, uncomfortably opened her eyes, and saw Zhen Wenjun in the morning light.

“Pain…” she seemed both asleep and awake, pulling Zhen Wenjun closer, burying her face into her bosom.

            

Zhen Wenjun did not dare to move, afraid that any movement would press on her wound. She persisted like this for a long time until she confirmed Wei Tingxu was asleep, then she wanted to move her body to leave.

She moved twice but still could not break free from Wei Tingxu’s arms, her neck still firmly encircled.

With her arms propped on either side of Wei Tingxu’s body, her waist was twisted, causing pain all night, and it took great effort not to collapse entirely. Seeing Wei Tingxu seemed unwilling to release her, Zhen Wenjun surrendered and had to lie beside her.

            

Wei Tingxu turned over as she lay down, the movement tugging at her wound uncomfortably, and she lightly called out “pain,” making Zhen Wenjun’s face feel somewhat warm. She calmed herself down a bit, pulled the blanket over to cover Wei Tingxu well, who shrank her shoulders and sank entirely into the soft blanket.

Zhen Wenjun liked watching her quietly fall asleep; it was a kind of obedience that was impossible when she was awake.

She raised her hand to touch Wei Tingxu’s head, and Wei Tingxu withdrew her hand back, hooking her finger.

            

So cute.

Zhen Wenjun had never thought she would one day use the word “cute” to describe Wei Tingxu.

Wei Tingxu hooked her hand between her collarbones and pressed it, then did not move again. The two of them slept face to face like this until the afternoon.

            

Sunlight shone in through the window. Wei Tingxu, afraid of the cold, liked basking in the sun, so her room had especially good light permeability. To ensure sunlight could directly shine onto her bed, Wei Lun even specially adjusted the layout of the Wei Mansion.

Zhen Wenjun was awakened by the sun, waking up hot and sweaty. She dazedly opened her eyes and saw Wei Tingxu staring at her eyes at close range, which startled her.

“Sister, you… awake?” Zhen Wenjun’s head felt like it was splitting with pain. She didn’t know if it was from overusing her brain in the fight with Yan Ye or the result of catching a draft last night.

            

“Younger sister is more capable than I imagined.”

Putting on an airs tone and a hard-to-guess smile appeared together, Zhen Wenjun was still slightly dazed.

“Following the Eldest Princess for not even two months, you’ve already become a popular person by her side. Even Yan Ye knows your name and knows you are hiding in a room at Qinfeng Pavilion.”

            

Alright, as soon as she wakes up, the “interrogation” starts. Zhen Wenjun secretly disdained in her heart, as last night’s cute Wei Tingxu was gone. She had turned back into the “Wei Tingxu” whose words were filled with hidden barbs and unknown traps.

“Thanks to sister’s blessing.” Zhen Wenjun had long anticipated that Wei Tingxu would ask her these questions and had prepared her answers. “Wenjun used some little cleverness to help Her Highness with some small favors. Whether I am popular or not, it is all to ensure sister does not lose face.”

Wei Tingxu was just about to speak when Zhen Wenjun quickly sat up and answered first: “Luckily, for Her Highness’s matters, I borrowed Lin Yue’s token to go to the black market. After arriving at the black market, I inadvertently discovered traces of the Xie family, specifically that Yan person. When he approached the Teng brothers, who specialize in kidnapping, I felt something was not right. I found out they agreed to meet at Qinfeng Pavilion, so I quietly hid inside, planning to secretly ambush them in the room to find out what dealings they exactly have.”

            

Wei Tingxu: “Younger sister’s courage is getting bigger and bigger.”

“To do big things for sister, one must be bold and careful to succeed. I just hid in the room planning to see what unspeakable dealings the Xie family old thief had, and unexpectedly, I saw you, sister. Sister, would you say I am your lucky star?”

It had been a long time since she had pretended to be cute so hypocritically, but Zhen Wenjun still did it skillfully.

            

“Naturally, younger sister has always been my lucky star. Without you, younger sister, there would not be my today.”

Zhen Wenjun was choked by her words for a moment. Who could disagree? If it were not for her designing this trap, how would Wei Tingxu have fallen into Yan Ye’s hands and suffered such a great wrong? Thinking of the previous instances of “instant karma,” Zhen Wenjun’s butt already had the illusion of pain before being spanked.

“Why I would be kidnapped, presumably Lingbi has already told you.”

            

“Yes.” Zhen Wenjun observed Wei Tingxu’s expression and the atmosphere in her words, which seemed not to doubt what she had just said, and her heart slightly relaxed. Knowing Wei Tingxu’s past and understanding her hatred for traitors, she knew she could not easily reveal her true identity now.

At this time, a knocking sound came. It turned out her mother, elder sister, Xiaohua, Lingbi, Doctor Xu, Zhong Ji, and the doctor from Wei Mansion were all outside, having guarded for half a day. Her mother was concerned about her injury but understood her very well, knowing she does not like her scars to be seen, so every time she needed treatment, they had to obtain her consent when she was awake.

“Tingxu, are you awake? Let the doctor take a look at your injury,” her mother said from outside.

            

Zhen Wenjun looked at Wei Tingxu, waiting for her to speak. Wei Tingxu lifted the blanket and looked at her legs. The legs, which were originally recovering well, were now severely injured again. Fortunately, she could still feel pain, indicating that there was still hope for these legs. She tried to lift them, and the pain made cold sweat break out, but the fact that they were not broken was a good thing.

Wei Tingxu did not directly let the doctor come in to see her injury. She pondered for a moment and then said, “Let Doctor Xu and Zhong Ji come in.”

This was indeed beyond Zhen Wenjun’s expectations.

            

She had been hiding the fact that her legs could stand to make her perceived enemies complacent. Yan Ye, who witnessed her stand up, was already dead, and besides Zhen Wenjun, there was no one else, so this secret naturally needed to be kept. Even the doctor from Wei Mansion she did not trust, yet she would trust Zhong Ji. But thinking about it, it makes sense; Xiaohua’s appearance had completely changed, presumably because the detoxification was successful, and perhaps in Wei Tingxu’s heart, some doubts about Zhong Ji had already been dispelled. Trusting Zhong Ji is easy to understand, but how to explain Doctor Xu? She always kept Doctor Xu close but never let him approach, and now at such an important moment, she let him near the truth. It is unclear what Wei Tingxu’s intention is.

Doctor Xu and Zhong Ji entered the room. Walking behind Zhong Ji, Doctor Xu secretly looked around the room. This behavior was caught by Zhen Wenjun, arousing suspicion and dislike. Zhong Ji, however, walked straight to Wei Tingxu’s soft couch and kneeled, very politely waiting for the master to speak first.

Doctor Xu had not yet had time to speak when Wei Tingxu lifted the blanket, moved her legs to the ground, gritted her teeth, and stood up.

            

Zhen Wenjun saw her shaky appearance and quickly stepped forward to support her. Zhong Ji and Doctor Xu were both very surprised:

“Lady, are your legs… healed?” Doctor Xu and Zhong Ji said together.

Wei Tingxu did not directly answer their question but said, “Come help me see if this time’s injury has affected the bone.”

            

“Yes.”

Doctor Xu and Zhong Ji together helped examine her. Zhen Wenjun seemed to understand that this time’s injury required more than just snake bone grass; she needed a doctor to prescribe the right medicine. Doctor Xu’s reputation in bone setting is well-known, and originally he was kept by her side because of his skill in this area. Wei Tingxu wants Doctor Xu to help her treat her leg injury but also suspects their master-disciple identity. In Wei Mansion, they naturally dare not act rashly, but information is easy to grasp. Hiding is not as good as openly informing them of her leg’s condition. Her leg’s condition, besides herself, is probably only known to Zhen Wenjun and this master-disciple pair in this world. They certainly understand Wei Tingxu’s identity and know how revealing her condition outside would be treated. If this matter were spread, enemies would be more fearful of Wei Tingxu, and Wei Tingxu would also know the spies are this master-disciple pair.

Or… Wei Tingxu turned her head and looked at Zhen Wenjun: “Younger sister, help me back to bed.”

            

Zhen Wenjun understood the meaning in her eyes, smiled slightly, and helped her back.

Good, back to the familiar scheming against each other, starting again to carefully analyze Wei Tingxu’s expressions and words.

Last night, Wei Tingxu did not call the doctor, presumably not wanting to make decisions while in a confused state. After sleeping, although the pain did not ease, the decisions made could both defend and attack, very appropriate. She indeed is a very enduring person.

            

After a night’s rest, Zhen Wenjun’s mind also cleared up a lot. Taking advantage of the time while Wei Tingxu was treating her injury, she sat beside her, seemingly checking the wound but actually thinking about how to proceed next.

Not knowing how Xiaohua will handle the aftermath, Zhen Wenjun’s human skin mask is still left in Qinfeng Pavilion. Given Xiaohua’s meticulous nature, she should not overlook the mask, but it doesn’t matter, as Xiaohua did not witness the whole process of the event. She can completely blame the mask on others, like the Teng brothers or Yan Ye and others.

Without a token, Xiaohua might not be able to enter the black market and might not have seen the process of Zhen Wenjun hiring the Teng brothers to kidnap Li Yanyi. However, sending a message to the Xie family is not certain. At that time, Zhen Wenjun, before sending a secret letter to Yan Ye, first sent one to Wei Tingxu, and the letter to Yan Ye also used character verification. Even if Xiaohua went to the post station to search, she might not find any useful clues. The only possible flaw is the recipient “Master Ju’an of Dongchun County.” Xiaohua might send someone to investigate, but would Yan Ye be so foolish as to hang a name connected with a spy on the doorplate, allowing the adversary to easily find out? Zhen Wenjun thinks he should have everything covered. The most important thing is, given Xiaohua’s dislike of her and her loyalty to Wei Tingxu, if she had any leverage, she would certainly tell Wei Tingxu at the first opportunity. Zhen Wenjun still remembers Xiaohua’s hesitant speech during their meeting yesterday. She doesn’t know what Xiaohua is wary of, and it’s difficult to ask directly. Even if assuming the worst, Wei Tingxu might already know she is the spy sent by the Xie family, but didn’t kill her on the spot and is even very close with her. What does this explain? It explains that Wei Tingxu recognizes her value and even wants to use this value to counter the Xie family.

            

Zhen Wenjun is willing to be Wei Tingxu’s chess piece; as long as she can topple the Xie family, she is even willing to immediately expose her identity for Wei Tingxu’s use!

Thinking of this, Zhen Wenjun’s heart surges with emotion, and she tries to suppress her feelings to make herself calmer.

On the Xie family side, she must write an exculpatory letter for Yan Ye’s death, saying she already kidnapped Li Yanyi, but Yan Ye was silenced by the guards who came later for Li Yanyi. This matter she cannot control, so she temporarily admits fault, hoping Xie Fuchen does not harm her mother. Xie Fuchen will not believe this letter, and Zhen Wenjun does not need him to truly believe it; she just needs to show her willingness to continue being a spy.

            

The assassination of Li Yanyi failed, and Zhen Wenjun is most afraid that Xie Fuchen will kill her mother to punish her. She must think of a strategy to 100% stabilize Xie Fuchen. Now she is beside Li Yanyi and heavily relied upon, perhaps a situation Xie Fuchen did not expect. She is a chess piece, and isn’t Yan Ye one as well? Xie Fuchen has many strategists; why would he care who killed one of them? He cares about benefits, and now Zhen Wenjun’s role is perhaps the most significant among all his spies. Xie Fuchen is very likely to keep her and continue using her.

Whether she thinks correctly on this matter still needs time to verify. If she can find her mother before this, it would be the best result.

And the Teng brothers are really too dangerous; if traced to them, many matters will be exposed. These two people cannot live. But how can Zhen Wenjun kill them? With her own strength, wanting to kill them is not impossible, but with Wei Tingxu back, it is difficult to avoid Wei Tingxu’s eyes to act alone to kill. Continue to hire killers? That way still leaves traces.

            

Remember Bu Jie said in a letter he would come to Runing to meet her, that would be very good. At this time, she really needs a loyal helper. From Bu Jie’s proactive reporting and full effort to help her find her mother, it is clear he is earnestly doing things; this person can be used.

Doctor Xu, after checking Wei Tingxu’s legs, did not dare to speak too absolutely, only said her legs still need recuperation, and he will prescribe medicine and also teach Zhen Wenjun massage techniques and acupoints.

She let Doctor Xu say this to the mother and elder sister outside, meaning in his words is that her injury only needs recuperation and medicine to heal, not considered a big issue.

            

“What do you want to do again?” Ah Ran understands her too well; she says this just to go out.

“Elder sister indeed understands me; I need to visit the Grand Princess.”

“But you are injured so severely, and after only one night’s sleep, you want to go out? What if something happens?”

            

“This matter is more important than my injury. Lingbi, Xiaohua, prepare the horse.”

Lingbi and Xiaohua both showed difficult expressions, but being glared at by Wei Tingxu, they had to obediently go.

“Forget it, forget it, let her go.” Mother waved her hand, “Our youngest is destined to be different from us.”

            

Pushing Wei Tingxu’s four-wheel cart, they took her to Huaichen Mansion. When Li Yanyi saw her, she immediately came up, bent down, holding her hand, and said very emotionally:

“This time, it’s really thanks to Zizhuo! If you hadn’t stood up, I’m afraid I would already be beheaded. This was my mistake; mentioning Ah Xin made me lose control. Zizhuo, your face… is it alright?”

Zhen Wenjun watched as Li Yanyi’s tears fell; her voice and hand were both somewhat trembling, and it did not seem like false emotions.

            

Looking at Wei Tingxu holding Li Yanyi’s hand, a thought like a spear pierced through Zhen Wenjun’s mind, making her suddenly realize.

Perhaps the accidental meeting at the restaurant was real, but what happened afterward was not out of control, but within Wei Tingxu’s plan.

Zhen Wenjun certainly remembers why she was sent by Wei Tingxu to Li Yanyi’s side; it was because the two fell into a scheme of sowing discord, one of Wei Tingxu’s means of allegiance. Her decision made at the moment she discovered someone wanted to kidnap Li Yanyi was another means to make Li Yanyi believe her.

            

The game she set up always needed to be dismantled to the end to reveal the mystery inside, Zhen Wenjun knew this early on, but still, she was surprised when she realized it again.

More terrifying is, if everything truly was within Wei Tingxu’s plan, then how did she calculate she could avoid this disaster?

What chance of success did she calculate? Was it successfully sowing discord among enemies, or Lingbi and Xiaohua arriving in time?

            

Or even Zhen Wenjun herself always hiding in the dark?

In her plan, it could not possibly be that suddenly standing up and stabbing was the only chance of success. As smart as Wei Tingxu is, she would not do something without assurance.

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