Fish Meat – Chapter 143

The Second Year of Zhao Wu

Morning Like Blue Clouds (7)

When Wei Tingxu first stood with the hundred officials in the Houjun Pavilion to enter the Taiji Hall, the officials who had been pestering Li Yanyi for a long time to withdraw the appointment decree for Xie family’s Ah Xin finally realized that this was the emperor’s true intention!

These people were mostly Geng’s confidants, who had received many favors from Geng Bai, and now they were willingly used by Geng Bai. They all knew that Geng Bai hated treacherous officials who harmed the country and despised the Wei family, so they quickly submitted another petition opposing women entering official positions. They based their argument on violating ancestral teachings, saying Wei Tingxu was a woman, and a young woman at that, only twenty-three years old, how could she take on the important position of Minister of Finance? Even if she opened up the Path of Ten Thousand Directions, it was absolutely unacceptable… They went on ranting like this for the entire morning court session.

Sitting on the dragon throne, Li Yanyi and Wei Tingxu, who stood silently beside her, had already anticipated their excitement. This time, the two of them didn’t plan to say anything during the morning court, just watching these high-ranking officials from noble families perform. As spit flew and sweat soaked their collars, Li Yanyi and Wei Tingxu admired how these people could speak non-stop without preparation. Zhangsun Yao, known for his sharp tongue and mind in the Da Yu court, only listened and didn’t speak; today, he had no intention of engaging in the debate. Even Wei Lun had his eyes half-closed, perhaps asleep.

“You’re all right,” Li Yanyi suddenly interrupted with a strong voice. She didn’t even know where the person she interrupted had reached in their speech. “My dear officials, you’re very right.”

The officials looked at each other, surprised.

“Minister Wei is indeed too young. Although she opened up the Path of Ten Thousand Directions, bringing vast wealth to Da Yu, she’s still only twenty-three years old. I agree with what you all say. Let’s do this: Minister Wei, I know you’ve studied the classics of various schools since childhood and are well-versed in history. Why don’t you start as a fifth-rank Secretary first?”

Wei Tingxu showed no dissatisfaction and bowed in acceptance.

Left Deputy Minister Luan Jiang was among them, and he felt uncomfortable no matter how he looked at Wei Tingxu. This woman shouldn’t be here; this enchantress standing among the officials seemed out of place and incompatible. How could Her Majesty turn a blind eye and deaf ear for her sake, willing to be criticized just to ensure her entry into officialdom? It’s infuriating! If this continues, evil people will prosper while the loyal and virtuous will have no way out! Once the Wei family becomes powerful, they might even shake the Li family’s rule! How could Her Majesty be so foolish?

“Your Majesty!” Just as Luan Jiang stepped forward to speak, Li Yanyi started coughing violently.

Zhangsun Yao and Wei Lun timely stood up to say that Her Majesty was working hard, with heavy state affairs and daily diligence, causing her health to suffer. They hoped Her Majesty would prioritize her dragon body and rest more.

After a good bout of coughing, Li Yanyi finally caught her breath. Thinking about it, she agreed and dismissed the morning court.

Luan Jiang had a belly full of words he wanted to say but didn’t get the chance, shaking his head at Li Yanyi’s retreating back.

To help Wei Tingxu smoothly enter official service, Li Yanyi was going to send the army deployment tally to the northern frontier along with appointing Ah Xin as the Jianyuan General. Luan Jiang and other senior officials strongly opposed this. At first, they used the same old tired argument that women couldn’t be officials. Li Yanyi had been sick of this for a long time. When it was mentioned again, her brow twitched, and Zhangsun Yao directly stood up to refute:

“Why can’t women be officials? Could it be that you think women can’t govern Da Yu well? Are you doubting that the Emperor is unfit to sit on this dragon throne?”

No one expected Zhangsun Yao to turn the conversation towards the Emperor. If they continued down this path, they might offend the Emperor and the current Da Yu regime, so they could only change the subject of attack.

But Luan Jiang didn’t give up. The words he didn’t get to say last time, he was determined to spit out completely today. Everyone had changed the topic, but Luan Jiang forcefully brought it back.

Ah Xin’s identity was too easy to criticize. Not mentioning her female identity, just the fact that she was the daughter of a criminal official made her unsuitable to be a general. Wouldn’t it be like putting a sheep in a tiger’s mouth? Luan Jiang earnestly said: “The Xie family has committed treason. Even if Your Majesty is grateful that Xie’s Ah Xin once saved your life, sparing her life is already heavenly grace. How can such important military power be given to her? If one day Xie’s Ah Xin wants to avenge her father, and opens the northern frontier gates for the deep hatred of her whole clan, letting the Hu people come south, what should we do then?”

“If that’s the case,” Li Yanyi naturally continued the conversation, “then I will bring Ah Xin back to Runing, so she doesn’t have to suffer at the frontier.”

Only then did Luan Jiang suddenly realize that the back-and-forth of the past few days was actually Li Yanyi’s delaying tactic.

Luan Jiang raised his head and seriously looked at the young empress on the throne.

The female emperor’s eyes showed a hint of smugness. Luan Jiang sighed in sorrow, the Son of Heaven had actually used her intelligence on such useless private matters that did nothing for the country.

When court was dismissed, Luan Jiang felt a cold glare among the crowd. He glanced to the side and saw it was Zhangsun Yao staring at him.

Hmph, evil flatterer, not worth mentioning.

Luan Jiang met Zhangsun Yao’s gaze, straightened his chest, and walked out of the Taiji Hall with utmost openness.

Although the Son of Heaven was diligent in governing, she was not clear-headed, not astute, and couldn’t tell loyal from treacherous. It’s feared that the 200-year-old empire of Da Yu might truly be ruined in her hands.

Sigh…

Luan Jiang walked out of the Taiji Hall and looked at the bright and clear sky, unable to hold back his old tears. When others asked why he was crying, he choked up and couldn’t speak.

Actually, Li Yanyi had always hoped for Ah Xin to come back, not wanting her to suffer in the Northern Frontier. War is so dangerous, swords and blades are blind, and the Hu tribe is extremely fierce. Even with the highest martial arts skills, there’s always a chance of being defeated. If she got hurt or even lost her life, what should be done?

Two years ago when Ah Xin left for the north, she understood. After all, the entire Xie clan was executed, leaving only her alive. How could she face others’ gossip if she stayed here? Even if she didn’t care what others said, how could she face herself? Only by leaving could she temporarily ease the pain.

But as time passes, some things should be let go.

This time, giving Ah Xin the title of “Jianyuan General” was to pave the way for Wei Tingxu to enter government service, but in the end, this matter would come back to Ah Xin. Li Yanyi’s original intention was also to use this chance to make the officials say, “A criminal’s daughter can’t guard important border areas” on their own. Once the officials spoke up, Li Yanyi could rightfully call Ah Xin back.

She felt that today, two years later, she and Ah Xin only needed a step down (a way to save face), and now this order was that step.

The step was set up, and Li Yanyi had reached out her hand, just waiting for Ah Xin to come down.

Although the wooden box Ah Liao brought back from the Changge Kingdom still couldn’t be opened, she had already told Ah Liao to open it using any means necessary. Li Yanyi had already thought about it; the secret technique for two women to have a child together definitely wouldn’t be simple and would need both of them to work on it together. She was waiting for Ah Xin to come back so they could practice it together.

Li Yanyi’s complicated plan, all in all, could be considered successful.

Although there was still some gossip about Wei Tingxu entering government service, the officials knew Li Yanyi was determined to protect Wei Tingxu, and they valued their heads, so they didn’t dare say much. And Ah Xin’s return to Runing was now justified.

But after the imperial order was sent to the northern border, there was no news, and Ah Xin didn’t come back from the northern border.

Li Yanyi was a bit unhappy.

Although her life hadn’t always been smooth sailing, she had mostly gotten what she wanted, but Ah Xin was the only one she still couldn’t hold tightly in her hand.

In the past, when they were young, their competition had some charm, but now Li Yanyi had become the emperor, the Son of Heaven. Who would dare not follow an order from the Son of Heaven? Those who don’t obey will be beheaded; this was a rule everyone knew.

Ah Xin simply ignored it.

Ah Xin was humiliating the Emperor in this way.

Li Yanyi hadn’t slept well for several nights, tossing and turning in bed thinking about Ah Xin, the woman she had obtained countless times, yet who had slipped through her fingers just as often. She thought about the feeling of having her underneath her, repeatedly unable to fall asleep.

She wanted to catch her, possess her, grip her soul, and never let her escape from her hands again.

The opening of the Path of Ten Thousand Directions shocked the court and the common people, and could be called an unprecedented achievement. Additionally, with the visit of the ruler of the Liuhuo Kingdom, the two rulers personally signed a contract to jointly open the Path of Ten Thousand Directions, with the first order being a massive deal worth 100 million taels of silver. Li Yanyi was beaming with joy and pride, temporarily pushing aside the bitterness caused by Ah Xin.

Empress Dowager Geng heard that Li Yanyi’s appetite had been poor recently, eating very little of the meals sent by the imperial kitchen, only having appetite for soups and broths but nothing else.

Concerned about her health, Empress Dowager Geng came to Xiashou Palace to visit her. When the Empress Dowager arrived, Wei Tingxu was placing small red flags on a sand table. The Empress Dowager gave her a cold look with an unfriendly expression when she entered. Wei Tingxu was quite perceptive and didn’t linger, putting down the chess piece, bowing to the Empress Dowager, and withdrawing.

Li Yanyi enthusiastically led Empress Dowager Geng to the sand table, gesturing at the various cities built with sand on the table, telling the Empress Dowager about the wealth the Path of Ten Thousand Directions would bring to Da Yu.

“Mother, your child is happy in her heart. Just after ascending to the throne, I’ve achieved this unprecedented feat. Not to mention that upstart Li Ju, even Father Emperor never had such an achievement. Who in this world would dare say that I, Li Yanyi, am unfit to sit on this throne as a woman?” With the long-empty national treasury finally having silver to fill it again, Li Yanyi was like a farmer who had suddenly become rich overnight, slightly carried away with pride.

Empress Dowager Geng said: “My Huaichen is clever and capable. I’ve always said you were the most suitable person in the Li family to sit on this throne…”

“Naturally.” Li Yanyi said, “I am the purest blood of the Li family, the true dragon of Da Yu.”

After praising Li Yanyi, Empress Dowager Geng started talking about Li Yanyi’s shocking words in court these past few days, saying that even if Wei Tingxu should be rewarded, she shouldn’t be given an official position, yet was granted a marquis title.

Li Yanyi gathered the joyful atmosphere between mother and daughter, then sat down behind the table in the hall with a gloomy face, uttering two words: “Why not.”

Empress Dowager Geng brought up the late Emperor Ming’s last wish again, saying that women cannot hold official positions, and that allowing Wei Tingxu to enter officialdom would be going against Emperor Ming’s last wish. Wouldn’t that give you the bad reputation of being unfilial?

Li Yanyi snorted coldly: “Now I am the Emperor of Da Yu, who dares not obey the Emperor’s decree?”

“Emperor Ming is your father by emotion and your ruler by reason. If you disregard the late emperor’s wishes like this, won’t it make everyone in the world follow your example? You’ve just achieved a little merit and you’re already so arrogant, how can this be fortunate for Da Yu? How many people are gossiping about this behind your back? How painful it is for me as a mother to hear these things. Huaichen, can you understand?”

Li Yanyi didn’t speak. Empress Dowager Geng said: “I won’t say much about the Wei family matter, you know what’s going on. As for Xie family’s Ah Xin, she absolutely cannot be summoned back.”

Li Yanyi’s eyelid twitched—sure enough, it all came down to this!

“Huaichen, now Mother Empress only has you. All these years, have I ever said anything about how you play around? But now you’re the Emperor, you can’t be willful anymore. You can’t let the Li family line end!”

After pondering for a moment, Li Yanyi said something Empress Dowager Geng never expected: “Mother Empress, if Huaiyu were still alive, would you still think I’m the most suitable person to sit on the throne? Does Mother Empress think I’m not as good as Huaiyu in addressing you as Mother Empress?”

Empress Dowager Geng’s face changed: “Is the Empress Mother your enemy? Your brother’s death has always been a pain in this grieving one’s heart, how can you use this to stab your mother’s wound!?”

Li Yanyi suddenly stood up, all the recent frustration exploding in this moment, she shouted at Empress Dowager Geng: “Mother Empress, don’t forget! Now this widowed one (humble way for a ruler to refer to themselves) is the Son of Heaven of this Da Yu! This widowed one is the unquestionable ruler of this world! Whether in court or within the palace, no one can sway this widowed one!”

Empress Dowager Geng was stunned, she didn’t expect Li Yanyi to treat her like this.

“This child minister (humble way for children to address parents) is not that useless Li Ju, there’s no need for Mother Empress to worry and instruct about everything. Is Mother Empress tired? Someone come, escort Mother Empress back to the palace to rest.”

“Yes!”

The Zhuiyue soldiers guarding the door stepped forward to take Empress Dowager Geng away. Eunuch You immediately rushed up, using his feather duster to fan them away, shouting: “What are you doing, what are you doing, this old body is here, who dares to move the Empress Dowager! You, you, are you rebelling?”

“Your subject wouldn’t dare.” The Zhuiyue soldiers stepped back, but showed no sign of respect or fear, several pairs of eyes staring at Empress Dowager Geng like wolves and tigers.

Empress Dowager Geng felt utterly disheartened, with tears in her eyes she could say no more, and hurriedly left under Eunuch You’s escort.

Li Yanyi sat behind the desk, overwhelmed with worry, silent for a long time.

What plunged her into complete anxiety was a letter handed up by Ah Lie three days later.

Ah Lie said this letter appeared early in the morning at Huaichen Mansion, with a begonia flower on top. Ah Lie knew Li Yanyi always carried begonia, so she guessed this letter was for her.

Ah Lie didn’t know who this letter was from, but she recognized the handwriting on it, which was from Wei Tingxu, with whom she had written countless secret letters.

This was Wei Tingxu’s handwriting, Li Yanyi recognized it.

“The daughter of the Xie thief is completely under my control, Father can rest assured.”

This letter wasn’t for Li Yanyi. The edges of the parchment looked a bit worn, this letter was somewhat old, it was an old letter.

It was clearly written by Wei Tingxu to his father Wei Lun.

Xie thief? Seeing these two characters, the first person Li Yanyi thought of was Xie Fuchen. Did “daughter of the Xie thief” refer to Ah Xin? No, when did Ah Xin come under Wei Tingxu’s control?

A scene quickly flashed through Li Yanyi’s mind.

Back when Xie Fuchen led troops to attack Huaichen Mansion, he had said these words to Ah Xin in a fit of rage:

“You and your sister, each with a sword, perfect for ending this old man’s life! Come on!”

Ah Xin had a sister, which even Ah Xin herself didn’t seem to know much about.

“Using my daughter to kill me, you and Wei Tingxu are truly birds of a feather, using exactly the same methods!”

Xie Fuchen also left these words at that time. Using the same methods? It means Wei Tingxu was also using Xie Fuchen’s daughter to kill him. At that time, Li Yanyi didn’t know why he mentioned Wei Tingxu, but now looking at it, it coincidentally matches this strange letter.

Did Wei Tingxu really plan such a thing?

She never mentioned it to her.

Li Yanyi held both sides of the letter with her hands, deep in thought.

She looked up and saw a giant old tree. This tree was planted in her family’s courtyard to provide shade, and without realizing it, the tree had grown taller and denser, sprouting many small branches she didn’t even know about. Some mysterious leaves were hidden deep inside, and she found it difficult to pluck one to see it clearly.

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