Fish Meat – Chapter 89
by Little PandaThe Ninth Year of Shenchu
Conspiring for Power (2)
“You know about Master Wei’s matter too, right?” When mentioning Wei Lun, Li Yanyi was also very pained, “Now, we urgently need to clear Wei Situ’s name. Xie Fuchen has already taken the position of Grand Marshal, holding military power, and the Shangshu Ling has also fallen into Yan Zhen’s hands. Despite my and the Empress Mother’s efforts to stop it, it was too late. Xie Fuchen has come with great force this time, and everything seems to have been well-planned in the northern border. Upon returning to Runing, we were caught off guard. Many people around me have been secretly harmed, with few usable people left, but fortunately, Zizhuo, you have returned safely.” Li Yanyi looked at her with concern, “Is your injury still okay? Zizhuo, your leg is inconvenient, yet you stepped forward during my crisis. I am very moved but also do not want you to take such risks again.”
Wei Tingxu smiled and shook her head: “This little injury is not a problem. As long as Your Highness is safe, the people of Da Yu have hope. Being able to share Your Highness’s worries is Zizhuo’s honor.”
It seems that Wei Tingxu’s risk-taking was indeed very successful. Li Yanyi, feeling tender, took the opportunity to examine Wei Tingxu’s various wounds and the terrifying purple-black bruises on her leg, all of which were genuine and not feigned. Moreover, this time they faced Xie family strategist Yan Ye, with Xie Fuchen long wanting to kill Wei Tingxu. Yet, to protect Li Yanyi, Wei Tingxu risked herself alone. It’s important to know she isn’t like ordinary people; she cannot even walk, and falling into the Xie family’s hands would mean certain death. Despite the imminent danger, she still did this.
Such sincerity is hard to fake. Seeing Li Yanyi moved, Zhen Wenjun had to wonder if usually being scared too many times by Wei Tingxu led to overestimating her, thinking she had no other purpose, and this was just an ordinary minister saving the lord scenario… right?
“Just regarding this kidnapping incident, Zizhuo has some thoughts and isn’t sure if it’s appropriate to say.”
Wei Tingxu was uncertain about whether it was the right time to speak frankly, and Zhen Wenjun thought about it and understood that she wanted to discuss the matter of Ah Xin.
After Li Yanyi sat back at the desk, it was clear from her expression that she already knew what Wei Tingxu wanted to say.
“I’ve already said, it was my carelessness that allowed the old thief to exploit the gap this time. After dealing with him for so many years, I thought I knew his limits. Although he has treated Ah Xin fairly well, he always considered Ah Xin and my past a shame for the Xie family, so he never used Ah Xin as bait. This time, I naturally thought it wouldn’t be Xie Fuchen causing trouble and assumed it was truly Ah Xin coming to Runing, so… Xie Fuchen has become shameless enough to start using Ah Xin, and his sense of shame has completely been lost on the road to seizing power.”
So that’s why, no wonder Li Yanyi would easily attend the meeting, Zhen Wenjun silently thought, it seems like they benefitted by chance. — Although in the end, it didn’t succeed.
Li Yanyi actually knew in her heart, and Wei Tingxu didn’t really speak out. After all, trust had just been rebuilt, and to rashly touch Li Yanyi’s sensitive issues might backfire. After all, no one in this world truly wants to hear unpleasant loyal advice, and in most cases, there is no choice but to listen. Wei Tingxu reckoned that Li Yanyi knew in her heart and understood where her vulnerabilities lay. Today Xie Fuchen could use Ah Xin as bait and almost took her away, tomorrow he might lock Ah Xin away to let her die. Even if she could overcome all interference from Ah Xin and finally ascend the throne, how should she deal with the Xie family and Xie family’s legitimate daughter Ah Xin upon ascending the throne? Not to mention Ah Xin, once Li Yanyi ascends the throne, Xie Fuchen’s whole clan, protégés, and in-laws would all have to die. This is not a matter of whether Li Yanyi is willing or not; if he doesn’t die, public anger will be hard to quench, and if he doesn’t die, there will still be a chance for retaliation. Li Yanyi, no matter what, must kill all related to Xie Fuchen, let alone his own daughter.
Zhen Wenjun didn’t know whether Li Yanyi had ever imagined such a scenario: sacrificing countless people, treading over corpses to reach the throne, with one hand holding the empire and the other a lover, how should she choose? This old topic is not new, but it remains difficult to resolve.
There is a fear that one day Li Yanyi will have to personally kill Ah Xin; she knows this day will inevitably come. Therefore, Wei Tingxu doesn’t need to point it out and risk her disgust, but also cannot remain silent, as it might seem neglectful. Mentioning it briefly is the best choice.
Wei Tingxu has always been a very measured person.
“By the way, Sister Wenjun.” Li Yanyi suddenly changed the topic and brought up Zhen Wenjun, “Didn’t you say before that you found a hidden strategy in Zizhuo’s written letter? Zizhuo, your sister is indeed impressive.” Li Yanyi spiritedly praised Zhen Wenjun in front of Wei Tingxu, commending her “water demon” strategy as very effective, which brought the victory Li Ju had in hand back to a balanced state.
“Sister Wenjun has a lively mind, both wise and brave. Her merits will become clearer to Your Highness with more time.” Wei Tingxu asked Zhen Wenjun with interest, “Your Highness said you found a hidden strategy in the letter? Is this true?”
Li Yanyi was also very concerned: “Since we are all here today, let’s settle on the next step of the plan.”
Zhen Wenjun originally wanted to say, “Actually, elder sister has long since planned everything,” but held back the words at the last moment, deciding not to say them. Although this is a fact, Li Yanyi also understands in her heart, but if she really spoke the words, their implication would change. Zhen Wenjun suppressed these words and did not express them, taking out the copy of the letter she always carried.
The three of them gathered together, and Zhen Wenjun explained her understanding. The more Li Yanyi listened, the more amazed she became. She knew Wei Tingxu was meticulous in thought, yet did not expect that when she laid out the plans, she could foresee matters that might happen so far into the future.
While Zhen Wenjun was analyzing, Wei Tingxu sat quietly to the side, listening, occasionally coughing, seeming very uncomfortable but always holding herself strong. Whenever she heard Zhen Wenjun articulate her intentions, she would smile.
“Is it like this?” Zhen Wenjun finished speaking and then somewhat anxiously looked at Wei Tingxu, waiting for her to point out flaws and unreasonable aspects.
Unexpectedly, Wei Tingxu slightly tilted her head, revealing a very satisfied smile, and praised her: “Younger sister has expressed all my thoughts completely, even mentioning some aspects I hadn’t considered. Younger sister’s growth is astonishing. Wenjun is really very impressive.”
It’s uncertain whether it was due to being unwell, but Wei Tingxu’s eyelids drooped a bit, and her speaking voice was very soft, as if out of breath. Coupled with her unreserved praise, at this moment, both Wei Tingxu’s voice and smile were extremely sweet.
Zhen Wenjun took a deep breath — Zhangsun Wu is truly fortunate.
“Your Highness, how is the family lord’s current situation in the imperial prison?” Mentioning her father, Wei Tingxu was still very worried, “Family lord is a weak scholar, he absolutely will not confess, but I also fear he cannot endure Guan Xun’s interrogation methods.”
“If Zizhuo is not assured, I can indeed take you to the imperial prison to see Master Wei. However… it is still better for Zizhuo not to go.”
“Your Highness is afraid I will see the family lord’s miserable state and become radical and impatient?”
“Let me put it this way, Master Wei’s ten fingers are already crippled, and his left kneecap has been cut off. He hasn’t been allowed to sleep for three days, and his condition is very bad. I indeed fear that you will become impatient after seeing him.”
“Your Highness, since our Wei family vowed to serve you, we have already put life and death aside. I believe the family lord also once told Your Highness that if it reached a critical moment, you need not consider his life and death. The family lord is like this, and so is Zizhuo. Therefore, Zizhuo set this scheme to pull Li Ju in, aiming at all costs to strip his power. Now, the matter of Hong Ai’s treason implicates the family lord, and Your Highness suppressing it is not necessarily a good thing. If Hong Ai, as a foreign national father-in-law, is not eliminated, Li Ju will have the power to counterattack. Once the Feng family gives birth to another prince, Li Ju will have even greater odds of success. Your Highness, seizing power requires not being soft-hearted, regardless of to whom.”
Wei Tingxu’s words struck Li Yanyi’s heart, not only secretly touching on the words “Ah Xin” in her heart but also urging her to use her own father as a step to climb higher, pulling the emperor down in one move.
“Xie Fuchen is cunning and sly, and this time we don’t know if Zizhuo’s plan will succeed. Li Ju will certainly try every means to save Xie Fuchen and Feng Kun. If Xie Fuchen is given another chance to strike back, no one knows what strange move he will make. Your Highness should be prepared for the thing we have long planned.” Wei Tingxu said, “This time, we must strike at the heart of the matter, and Your Highness must also be ready to go to the northern border to kill enemies.”
Wei Tingxu’s remark made Zhen Wenjun very curious. This bold Wei Zizhuo actually even calculated to involve the Eldest Princess, wanting her to go to the northern border to kill enemies?
Li Yanyi laughed heartily: “I have long been waiting for Zizhuo to say this! A few years ago, that small battle to repel the Hu bandits was not satisfying. After learning military strategy for more than twenty years, I finally have a larger territory to put into practice! Zizhuo, Wenjun.” After laughing, Li Yanyi solemnly said, “Now, I only have you two.”
When coming out of the front hall, Zhen Wenjun saw that Lingbi had already helped her pack all her luggage into a bundle. She carried one, and Xiaohua carried one. Seeing them come out, Lingbi smiled and said:
“Little naughty monkey, let’s all go home together now.”
The four people were reunited again. Except for Xiaohua, who had a much prettier face but still not a good expression, the others were all quite happy.
Upon boarding the Wei Mansion’s carriage, Wei Tingxu was too tired to sit, so Zhen Wenjun let Wei Tingxu lie flat to rest, and the three of them went outside the carriage.
Zhen Wenjun, riding Yunzhong Feixue, followed beside the carriage. Lingbi, sitting on the carriage frame, carefully scrutinized her and sighed: “The child changes really fast; just two months without seeing, have you grown taller again? Now you should be taller than me.”
Zhen Wenjun was very proud: “That is natural; two months ago, I should have already been taller than you.”
“Hey, given a pole, you climb really fast!”
“By the way,” Zhen Wenjun rolled up her sleeve and showed the iron wrist guard to Lingbi, “I still haven’t thanked Elder Sister Lingbi for the life-saving grace yet! This wrist guard really saved my life; if not for it, I fear I would already be dead.”
“You were assassinated? Do you know who the other party is?” Lingbi asked worriedly.
“Yes, it happened when I was helping the Eldest Princess spread rumors. I don’t know who the other party is; they aren’t considered a peerless expert, yet even Lin Yue and I couldn’t kill them.”
“Who is Lin Yue?”
Zhen Wenjun, at her question, seemed to have something stuck in her throat. The carriage had just turned out from the bustling market into the alley entrance, and the surroundings immediately quieted down. Lingbi’s question was not quiet, and Xiaohua and several guards sitting obliquely in front on the carriage all turned to look at Zhen Wenjun.
Zhen Wenjun blushed, raised her leg to gesture to Lingbi: “Why are you shouting? This is our boudoir close friends talking intimate words, how can we let others hear!”
“Okay, I was wrong.” Lingbi quickly apologized, “Who is Lin Yue?”
Zhen Wenjun: “…”
On the way back to the Wei Mansion, Lingbi was like a ghost doll stuck to Zhen Wenjun, only asking the four words “Who is Lin Yue.” When asked where the kitchen is, she answered with these four words, and when asked where the stable is, she still responded with these four words. Zhen Wenjun only wanted to jump up and smash her head.
“Don’t bother me anymore.” Zhen Wenjun wanted to drive her away, “I need to help my elder sister prepare medicine! You must not be here in the way; if you delay my elder sister’s illness, what will we do!”
“Who is Lin Yue?”
Zhen Wenjun: “…”
With difficulty, Zhen Wenjun got rid of Lingbi and, taking the medicine, almost collided directly with Xiaohua when stepping out the door.
“You want to find the lady?” Xiaohua’s appearance now was considered to be coordinated with her delicate, pleasant voice.
“Mm, I need to deliver her medicine.”
Zhen Wenjun thought Xiaohua would say, “Give me the medicine, I’ll deliver it,” but unexpectedly, she only lightly responded with “Mm” and followed behind Zhen Wenjun to Wei Tingxu’s room door, yet did not want to go in.
“You are staying here?” Zhen Wenjun was curious.
“Mm.” Xiaohua was always taciturn. Zhen Wenjun thought it was because of her appearance inferiority that made her not love to speak, but even after her face was restored, she was still like this.
“Xiaohua’s poison hasn’t been truly removed, only temporarily alleviated.” Upon entering the room, while helping Wei Tingxu change the medicine, Zhen Wenjun casually mentioned Xiaohua’s situation, and Wei Tingxu told her, “I asked Zhong Ji, who said the ghost dove’s poison is indeed dangerous. She has used every method but still finds it hard to suppress the ghost dove’s explosive toxicity. Finally, with Xiaohua’s own consent, she used a method only roughly recorded in ancient medical books to take a risk and try, which temporarily suppressed it. However, Xiaohua’s current appearance is not her true appearance. Her features and current appearance are completely different.”
Truly strange and unusual, Zhen Wenjun was surprised: “Completely different? How can this be?”
“Zhong Ji said the ghost dove is called ‘ghost dove’ precisely because its stealthiness is unpredictable. It can completely change a person’s appearance, and even if suppressed, the toxin remains active in Xiaohua’s body. As long as there is a little toxin, it will affect her appearance. Now she has indeed become more beautiful, but this face still does not belong to her. More worrying is that Zhong Ji said the toxin is most uncontrollable; the more it is suppressed, the more likely it is to produce severe consequences. Once the toxin erupts, not only her appearance but even her life cannot be preserved. Xiaohua worries I am at the most critical moment, and she cannot continue to be controlled by the toxin. Wanting to protect me, she refused Zhong Ji’s conservative treatment and did not want to lie in bed passing the days. The current situation is what she herself hopes for.”
“That is to say, now the ghost dove’s poison is only temporarily suppressed, and it is unknown when it will relapse. Once it relapses, Xiaohua’s life certainly cannot be preserved, right?”
Wei Tingxu nodded.
Although on the way to Wei Tingxu, Xiaohua created many obstacles for her, now hearing that she hovers on the brink of life and death, Zhen Wenjun did not feel a hint of happiness.
She so wishes to have a follower as loyal and capable as Xiaohua. Such a beautiful thing is rare to encounter. Only someone like Wei Tingxu has the charm to make capable people dedicate their wisdom and loyalty to her.
After helping Wei Tingxu change her medicine, Zhen Wenjun used the method Doctor Xu had previously taught her to help relieve the soreness in her waist and legs. As soon as she applied a little pressure, Wei Tingxu couldn’t help but let out a sound, saying it was a bit painful.
Zhen Wenjun quickly took the opportunity to say, “I remember last time I also gave elder sister a massage, but lost control and used too much strength, and Xiaohua even hit me once for that. At that time, elder sister’s leg had feeling, right? It was more painful than this, and you didn’t cry out. Not to mention when Yan Ye hit you, you didn’t even move.”
“Wasn’t that because I had no other choice and had to do it? Now that it’s explained, I don’t need to pretend. Is younger sister blaming me for deceiving you for so long and taking revenge on me?”
“How dare I take revenge on elder sister,” Zhen Wenjun said, “by the time Young Master Wu comes to find trouble with me, how can it be resolved?”
“Young Master Wu?” Lying on the soft couch, Wei Tingxu turned her head, slightly frowning, “You mean Ah Liao’s brother, Zhangsun Wu?”
“Yes, exactly, your future husband.”
Zhen Wenjun waited to hear what Wei Tingxu would say, to see how she would defend herself. But in fact, not leaving people shocked is not her style. Without any defense, Wei Tingxu just lightly said “oh” and remarked:
“Zhan Ying is also twenty-three this year, right? Since I left Pingcang, I’ve rarely met him; I saw him once the year before last, and he’s indeed getting better looking.”
Zhen Wenjun: “… So, elder sister, when do you plan to get married?”
“This matter is not urgent. It’s not too late to marry after the overall situation stabilizes… hmm, younger sister, your strength seems to be a bit heavy again. Younger sister…”
Zhen Wenjun said “okay, I will lighten up,” but actually applied more and more pressure, wishing she could pinch Wei Tingxu to death on the spot.
Wei Tingxu was really in severe pain and turned back, looking at her with an aggrieved expression: “Younger sister, it’s too painful.”
“Is it?” Zhen Wenjun said, “I haven’t even used my strength yet.”
After the Dragon Boat Festival, the rain in Runing continued without end.
At the entrance of Anshou Palace in the Forbidden Garden, there was a pool, and during the rainy season, the pool was full of water with lotus flowers blooming brightly. Rainwater flowed from the green tiles above, along the channels, into the ditch, rushing away. A withered, thin hand pushed the window open, revealing a terrified eye looking outside.
“Li… Li Yanyi, is she coming again? Listen to this sound; it’s Li Yanyi!” Feng Xiyi leaned on her just-coiled hair bun, which was again bumped crooked by the step shake. She lay on the windowsill with her buttocks sticking out, like a timid mouse, lacking any bearing of an empress who rules the world. The newly arrived servants, Tenghua and Shuangxi, holding a fox fur shawl and embroidered jade Qiqiao cotton shoes, wanted to put them on her. Feng Xiyi had originally been sitting obediently on the high chair, but suddenly the rain outside poured harder, drenching something that made a “bang” sound. Feng Xiyi immediately jumped up, and Shuangxi’s hand, holding rouge, didn’t manage to pull away in time, smudging a long red streak from her mouth corner almost to her ear. Feng Xiyi ran barefoot to the window.
“Empress!” The two chased her to the window, with Feng Xiyi muttering words they could not understand. As they were about to approach, Feng Xiyi suddenly turned around, waving the golden dagger in her hand at them. Tenghua and Shuangxi were frightened and screamed, and Feng Xiyi pointed at them and said:
“Li Yanyi! You killed my child, and now you want to harm my father! Give your life!” Saying this, she chased after them with the dagger. Tenghua and Shuangxi were so frightened they ran out of Anshou Palace and bumped directly into Li Ju.
“Bold! How dare you be disrespectful in front of the Emperor! If you injure the Emperor, how many heads do you have? Anshou Palace is the Empress’s resting palace, how can you run wild here!” The little eunuch following Li Ju pointed at the two and continuously scolded them. They immediately kneeled down and begged for mercy.
Li Ju heard Feng Xiyi’s voice inside the hall and had no time to deal with these two maids, leaving them behind as he quickly walked into Anshou Palace.
Feng Xiyi was still shouting Li Yanyi’s name. Li Ju walked up to hold her, and the little eunuch shouted:
“Your Majesty, no! The Empress has a knife in her hand!”
Li Ju didn’t listen to him at all, and he grabbed Feng Xiyi into his arms, comforting her by saying: “Dear, don’t be afraid, I am here, I am here to protect you.”
Feng Xiyi indeed gradually calmed down from her initial frantic shouting. The little eunuch approached to see and exclaimed, “Oh dear,” then shouted: “Quickly summon the imperial physician! Your Majesty is injured!”
Tenghua and Shuangxi quickly responded: “Yes!”
Li Ju held onto Feng Xiyi’s dagger, afraid she might wave it wildly and injure herself. This hold naturally spilled a lot of blood.
Feng Xiyi finally let go of the dagger, and Li Ju took it and handed it to the little eunuch: “Do not shout loudly, I have said many times, except for the empress, no one is allowed to speak loudly in Anshou Palace. Violators will be beheaded, have you forgotten?”
The little eunuch, with weak legs, quickly knelt down, quietly begging for mercy, and Li Ju, annoyed, told him to get out.
The newly appointed imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Institute arrived very quickly, but Li Ju did not let them in.
Li Ju stayed alone with Feng Xiyi and told her: “Li Yanyi is not here; I am here, and that vile person doesn’t dare to come.”
After inhaling Furong Powder, Feng Xiyi felt much happier and was no longer afraid. She just held Li Ju, wanting him to favor her. Li Ju, just by smelling the scent of Furong Powder, became somewhat excited, raised his spear, and charged with vigorous thrusts. Feng Xiyi, satisfied, then drowsily fell asleep. When Li Ju wanted to tidy her messy hair, he discovered she had grown many white hairs.
Li Ju’s heart ached unbearably. Li Yanyi actually dared to trespass Anshou Palace, kill his imperial son, and harm his empress. If this resentment is not vented, he is unworthy to be the emperor!
Just as Li Ju wanted to pressure Guan Xun to quickly convict Wei Lun, he suddenly received a joint memorial from Zhangsun Yao and more than twenty important officials, with the object of impeachment being Xie Fuchen.
Court struggle and impeachment are indispensable; today you impeach someone, and tomorrow he comes with a battle manifesto. Everyone wants to place charges on political enemies; it’s very normal. On Li Yanyi’s side, only the Minister of Finance, Zhangsun Yao, remained as an important official. Led by Zhangsun Yao, targeting Xie Fuchen is a matter of course. Li Ju didn’t even have to think to know they would do this. A pile of memorials was handed to him, and he didn’t even look.
He only cared about how to take down the Minister of Justice. As long as he could get the snake head token, if the Ministry of Justice was under his control, Li Yanyi’s last hope would be gone. At that time, the Minister of Justice would be appointed by his people, and everything would be according to his word. The Minister of Justice would only be a titular head, but acting according to the late emperor’s will, what could Empress Dowager Geng say?
“Guan Xun is easy to deal with, leave it to the old minister.” Li Ju thought of Xie Fuchen’s promise to him and couldn’t help but smile. Xie Fuchen never disappointed him, but Li Ju really couldn’t think of what handle could be used against Guan Xun. This man, whether in public or private, is like a fortress without flaw; otherwise, if a loophole was found, he would have been convicted long ago.
A flash of lightning split the night sky of Runing, and the heavy rain continued.
The ministers waiting for the morning court were all holding hu boards in the Houjun Pavilion, waiting for the big doors of Tai Ji Hall to open.
Someone already noticed that Minister of Justice Guan Xun did not appear there.
Could it be that he took leave?
This matter led to heated discussions among the ministers. It was known that since Guan Xun took the position of Minister of Justice, he had never once been absent from the morning court, so his absence today was indeed something new. Could it be that the interrogation was too exhausting and he fell ill?
“Enter the hall!”
In the wind and rain, the eunuch lengthened his voice, strenuously shouting as he watched fewer and fewer ministers brave the rain to enter Tai Ji Hall, then heavily closed the hall door.
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