LF Chapter 24

Chapter 24: The Gathering Storm

The duties of the Secret Service are such that you are within me, and I am within you, making it impossible to guard against. Yan Wanzhi’s task was indeed extremely difficult.

The attempted assassination using Jiang Yinghua’s hand exposed the imperfection of the spy network’s defenses. The Prince of Yun’an’s ability to plant spies was truly all-encompassing.

This enemy was far more difficult to deal with than previously thought; he was a master of playing dumb, feigning humility and incompetence.

Your Majesty originally intended to keep Jiang Yinghua in the capital for only three days before sending her back to camp as soon as possible. The Empress Dowager, however, was worried and ordered her to stay in the capital for a few more days to ease her mind and, incidentally, for the family to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival together and ease the tension between the three of them.

The cousin’s conspiracy, the mother’s coldness, the elder sister’s probing, the close aides’ betrayal.

It seemed that Jiang Yinghua was forced to grow up overnight.

Living in the Prince Zhao Manor, she no longer saw the usual hustle and bustle of wealth. Between the painted beams and carved pillars, it seemed to be filled with man-eating power desires and unease.

So, this was the world in the eyes of her father, brothers, mother, and elder sister?

After this incident, Jiang Yinghua wished she could think over every word she said several times in her mind.

She seemed to understand why Yan Wanzhi always looked so vigilant, why that person was usually taciturn, and a serious, dull, and uninteresting person.

Perhaps, after being immersed in a dangerous environment for a long time, prudence becomes an instinct.

On the evening of the incident, Yan Wanzhi brought people to the manor and carefully inspected the items and food in the residence. She told Jiang Yinghua that Hua Yan had obtained poison and hid it in a gem-embedded ring, and mixed the powder into the wine when she fetched it. Therefore, the plate of shortbread was not poisoned.

Jiang Yinghua looked at the remaining three jars of plum wine. Hua Yan and she had buried them together last year, originally intending to give one jar to her second brother, one jar to her mother, and one jar to her elder sister, and keep the rest for herself. Who knew that things would change, the person who buried the wine was gone, and one less person to drink it.

She personally poured out the wine, as if telling Yan Wanzhi, and as if telling herself: “From now on, I won’t drink anymore.”

That day, before Yan Wanzhi left, Jiang Yinghua called out to him: “The Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon. If there is any news about my third brother in the court, remember to tell me.”

Upon hearing this, a fleeting look of gloom flashed in Yan Wanzhi’s eyes, and then he bowed and replied: “Your subject has remembered.”

This little princess was thinking of her relatives far away on the frontier during the festive season of family reunion.

Truly a cold-faced, warm-hearted, sentimental person. Born in the pinnacle of power, in an imperial family, it is unknown whether it is a blessing or a curse.

On the way out of the mansion, Yan Wanzhi’s mind was filled with these messy thoughts. He didn’t know why, recently there were already enough worries, but he always thought of Jiang Yinghua, and once he thought of her, he couldn’t let go.

One evening, Yan Wanzhi went to the teahouse as usual to inquire about the information of the investigators. The servant said that a small merchant who had been following the army and horses in the Northern Territory for many years had come, saying that he had important information to report. After going to the Capital Magistrate, he was stopped by an informant and taken to the Secret Service for questioning.

Yan Wanzhi took the file of the interrogation and glanced through it casually. Between the lines, when his eyes fell on the signed name, Yan Wanzhi’s pupils suddenly dilated several times, and his heart beat wildly. He quickly asked: “Where is this person now? Take me to see him.”

“Sir, this person is temporarily detained in the Dali Temple Prison. The jailers are probably off work now.” The servant looked at the sky and looked embarrassed.

Yan Wanzhi deeply felt that he had lost his composure, sat down again, and tapped the file with his index finger, saying: “This clue must be followed up, and the person must be taken care of.”

On the way back to the mansion that night, Yan Wanzhi was absent-minded, “Is it really you? Uncle Mo, are you still alive?”

The next day after the court session, Yan Wanzhi hurriedly rode his horse to the Dali Temple Prison, bribed the jailer, and used the Secret Service token to take away the detained merchant named Mo Jiu.

The moment their eyes met, both of them were stunned for a long time, and tacitly remained silent, until Yan Wanzhi led the man to a forest on the outskirts of the capital, where they both stopped.

Mo Jiu was nearly sixty years old. He trembled his lips, bent his legs and knelt down: “Young Mistress, you are still alive. This old servant didn’t know and failed to protect you. This old servant deserves to die.”

Yan Wanzhi’s eyelashes were filled with tears. She hurriedly turned around and helped the man up from the ground. Regardless of etiquette, she threw herself into the old man’s arms and choked, “Uncle Mo, Uncle Mo, Yan’er can still see a relative. How have you been all these years?”

“On the day of the incident, the Marquis may have received some news and ordered this old servant to look for you. This old servant escaped a disaster because of this, but couldn’t find you. For three years, I wandered around Suzhou for three whole years, without any news at all, and thought you…” The old man choked and couldn’t speak.

After a while, Yan Wanzhi let go of the man, lowered her eyes, wiped the tears with her sleeve, and choked, “Uncle Mo, come home with me, is it okay to come home?”

“What is the identity of the young mistress now? Why is the jailer so respectful to you?”

The old man did not rush to answer Yan Wanzhi’s request, but asked about her identity with hesitation. In Mo Jiu’s impression, Yan Wanzhi was just the youngest daughter of the Marquis of Jiayi’s family, held in the palm of her hand, gentle and reserved, only fond of poetry and books and not of swords and soldiers.

“Uncle Mo, it’s a long story. Do you know Yan Wanzhi, the Imperial Scribe in the court?” Yan Wanzhi looked up and examined the person in front of her. The old man nodded and replied: “A talented young man, Your Majesty’s favorite.”

Yan Wanzhi gave a bitter smile, “It’s me.”

The expression on Uncle Mo’s face changed several times, and tears fell from his turbid eyes again: “You have suffered. In this case, I can’t go with you, if someone notices, it will harm you.”

“Your Majesty knows everything. My life was saved by her covering it up. I can settle you properly.” Yan Wanzhi couldn’t bear to part with this old man who hadn’t seen her for seven years, a former attendant of her parents in the Marquis’ mansion.

The master and servant argued back and forth for a long time. Mo Jiu told about the next four years, he had been traveling between the Northern and Western Territories in horse trading caravans, making a living and also inquiring about some news.

Back then, Prince Yong showed goodwill to the Marquis’ mansion and even intended to marry the eldest daughter as his concubine, but the Marquis refused. Not long after, the unfounded charge of treason was placed on their heads, and in one night, the renowned Marquis of Jiayi’s mansion was destroyed.

Mo Jiu was a close servant of the Marquis, but he was not clear about the reasons for this. He only vaguely felt that at that time, the late Emperor was seriously ill, and the Crown Prince was useless. Prince Yong was probably having Sima Zhao’s ambitions, framing this injustice. But, this was just speculation after all.

After all, on the day the Marquis’ mansion had the accident, Prince Yong had already gone to his fief in the northern border.

The current Emperor ascended the throne and changed his fief to the Western Territory, guarding the frontier. The reasons and clues for this became even more difficult to verify.

Listening to his account, Yan Wanzhi finally reluctantly decided to change his identity. It was inconvenient to stay in the capital’s mansion, but he could be placed in the Secret Service, at least someone she could trust and could protect him.

Time flies, things change.

On the twelfth day of August, after the morning court session, Yan Wanzhi came to the Prince Zhao Manor and said that Prince Yong had submitted a memorial to enter the capital some time ago. Your Majesty had already approved it, and he would be able to enter the capital in the next two days.

Jiang Yinghua was naturally happy, and the fatigue between her eyebrows lessened a bit.

In her memory, although this third brother was not born of the same mother, he had always treated Jiang Yinghua, the young sister, impeccably.

The eldest brother died early, the second brother died of illness, and now Jiang Yinghua only had this one brother.

On the fifteenth day of August, Jiang Yinghua, who had been lazy in the mansion for almost half a month, finally appeared and entered the palace early in the morning.

In accordance with the principle of celebrating the festival, Jiang Yinghua first went to the Empress Dowager to pay her respects. Before her butt had warmed the stool, she was summoned by Your Majesty.

When she stepped into Chengming Hall, Your Majesty and Yan Wanzhi were looking at a report marked urgent, 800 li, their expressions grave.

“Your subject greets…” Jiang Yinghua was about to salute, but Your Majesty waved her hand, “Forget it. Take a look at this.” She handed the report to Jiang Yinghua.

It turned out that in two prefectures in the Northern Territory, due to spring drought and summer floods this year, some refugees were born. Under the instigation of bandits, they mixed into a band of bandits. They made waves and dared to raise the banner that the current Emperor was a woman, violating the way of heaven, so they complied with the will of heaven and attacked the female thief, proclaiming themselves kings and disturbing the people’s livelihood.

These unruly people feared that the world would not be chaotic, and they were short-sighted, unaware of the depth of the sea. It was just that the reason for the rebellion was very annoying.

Jiang Yinghua sneered, “Your Majesty, it’s just a gang of bandits. Since they dare to speak wildly, how about letting me meet them? In their eyes, I should just be a young girl. If I defeat them, wouldn’t it be an interesting thing for the people to praise?”

Your Majesty’s face clearly showed an expression of “that’s exactly what I want,” but she pondered for a moment: “For the sake of prudence, I have ordered the spies to report again. If there is no mistake, you will send troops to conquer them.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Jiang Yinghua couldn’t hide her excitement. The setbacks of the past few days had exhausted her physically and mentally. Reflecting in the mansion for a long time was not as good as experiencing it herself.

“Hua’er stay and take over Yan Qing’s duties, Wanzhi, today you are allowed to return to your mansion for a rest, step down.” Your Majesty looked at Yan Wanzhi and ordered in a very gentle tone.

Yan Wanzhi did not hide his delight. Before bowing and retreating, he did not forget to say a few appropriate and beautiful words.

Jiang Yinghua watched from the side and felt very strange. When did this blockhead become enlightened, his mouth has become sweet.

As soon as Yan Wanzhi stepped out of the palace gate, Your Majesty said faintly from the throne: “What have you been busy with these days? What progress have you made?”

Jiang Yinghua shrank her fingers into her wide sleeves and stirred them uneasily.

From childhood to adulthood, she was most afraid of Your Majesty’s question. It used to be used for homework, but now it is used for court affairs, which is universally applicable, without any sense of disharmony.

“Your subject, your subject reads, reflects, and… um,” Jiang Yinghua stammered in response.

“Enough. Today is a festival, I’m too lazy to argue with you. If you really lead troops to suppress bandits, how many chances of winning do you have? I have ready-made old events here, come and tell me, how will you use your troops?” Your Majesty got up from the seat and pulled Jiang Yinghua to the sandbox. Instead of talking about empty words, it’s better to examine her personally.

The sudden examination swept away the pleasant feeling of the festival in Jiang Yinghua’s mind, and instead, she racked her brains to deal with the difficult problem of arranging troops.

There were countless questions in Your Majesty’s mind. After all, the entire Great Chu Records were engraved in her mind. One difficult problem after another was thrown out, and Your Majesty waited very seriously for Jiang Yinghua’s answer.

After all, she had always regarded the person in front of her as a child, and subconsciously wanted to protect her in the capital, under her wings, but the situation did not allow it.

In a blink of an eye, it was noon, and Jiang Yinghua’s stomach was grumbling, as if protesting against Your Majesty’s endless questioning.

Her inner clothes had already been soaked with nervous sweat, her nerves were tense, and she was very tired.

Your Majesty was really a difficult old pedant to deal with. Ordinary teachers would naturally show whether they were satisfied or annoyed. But this one, from beginning to end, was expressionless and silent. Over the past half day, Jiang Yinghua couldn’t figure out at all whether her elder sister was satisfied with her answer or suppressing her anger.

Until a palace servant hurriedly entered and came to report that Prince Yong and his family had entered the palace and were waiting outside the hall, requesting to see Your Majesty.

Upon hearing this, Your Majesty turned her head and glanced at Jiang Yinghua, “Today, I will spare you for the time being. Come out with me and meet the fifth brother.”

“Yes, thank you, elder sister.” Jiang Yinghua’s tense little face, twisted features, immediately melted away, and she stood obediently behind Your Majesty, looking expectantly in the direction of the hall door.

Prince Yong, Jiang Ningsu, led his princess and three children into the hall, paid a grand salute, greeted and congratulated, and then got up and sat down. Following the rules of family etiquette, Jiang Yinghua took two steps forward and bowed deeply to her brother and sister-in-law, calling out playfully: “Third brother, sister-in-law, are you well.”

The three little darlings then called out in a milky voice: “Aunt, may you be well.”

Jiang Yinghua rubbed one’s head and pinched the other’s face, and replied with great satisfaction: “Good kids. Remember to come to your aunt for red envelopes at the banquet later.”

Prince Yong was on the side, joking with Your Majesty: “Hua’er is still like this, even when she is a commanding prince, she is still like a child who can’t grow up.”

Your Majesty sat at the head, her eyes were light, and her tone was fairly gentle: “Yes, the late Emperor spoiled her.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yinghua pouted and glared at Prince Yong, “Why, did third brother eat too much sand from the Western Territory, and now he’s choking people when he comes back?”

Before Prince Yong could speak, Your Majesty sternly rebuked: “Presumptuous! Get out, I have something to say to your third brother.”

Jiang Yinghua suddenly realized that what she said just now was inappropriate. The Western Territory was the fief that Your Majesty personally changed, and in any case, Jiang Yinghua should not joke about this matter.

She felt guilty, bowed obediently, and retreated in a slump. Walking out of the hall, she couldn’t help but slap herself twice, this mouth was still not cautious enough.

However, taking advantage of the Mid-Autumn Festival reunion, Your Majesty really allowed this person to bring his family back to the capital. Jiang Yinghua was still a little surprised. After all, according to the rules of the country, the prince guarding the border could not easily return to the capital. Even if his family returned every year, it was difficult for the prince himself to return to the capital.

Perhaps it was because her third brother’s mother and concubine were still there, Jiang Yinghua thought to herself.

Having been driven out by Your Majesty, Jiang Yinghua mixed into the Empress Dowager’s palace to beg for a lunch, and then stayed there, refusing to return to Chengming Hall. It was not until the evening palace banquet that she appeared in front of everyone with the Empress Dowager.

During the banquet, Jiang Yinghua asked someone to replace the sweet and mellow grape wine and drank the bitter tea by herself.

Prince Yong was naturally clear that this sister was half a drunkard reincarnated. From the age of ten, she never left the wine pot. After the late Emperor was seriously ill, she was even more covered in alcohol, and it never dissipated. Today’s wine was specially brought by him from the Western Regions, but this little sister didn’t touch it at all.

Prince Yong moved closer to her seat and asked with a smile: “Where are the wine worms in your stomach?”

“They crawled to your place. I’m abstaining, I won’t touch it.” Jiang Yinghua was serious and raised a cup of tea to touch him.

Prince Yong took the opportunity to dodge: “Hey, I won’t touch you. Third brother brought you amethyst jewelry and auspicious qilin incense, and has ordered someone to send them to your mansion.”

“Thank you, third brother, let’s touch one, wine and water are the same, the heart is here.” Jiang Yinghua softened her temper rarely.

“As you wish.” Prince Yong raised his glass and drank it all.

Your Majesty took in this scene at a glance from the head seat. There were some inexplicable emotions in her phoenix eyes, and she stayed on Jiang Yinghua for a long time.