LF Chapter 41
by VolareA drunken Yan Wanzhi lost all awareness, falling into a deep slumber. Jiang Yinghua, feeling sympathetic, had her stay at her manor.
The next morning, a messenger from the palace arrived at the Prince Zhao Manor in a flurry, urgently seeking Yan Wanzhi, who was temporarily residing there. Seeing the inner attendant’s anxious demeanor, Jiang Yinghua quickly sent someone to awaken Yan Wanzhi.
Shortly after, standing in the corridor, Jiang Yinghua saw Yan Wanzhi walking over, adjusting her official hat. When the woman saw her, she seemed about to step forward to offer a salute, but Jiang Yinghua, knowing Your Majesty was eager to summon her, waved her hand, signaling her to enter the palace as soon as possible.
Jiang Yinghua could guess why Your Majesty wanted to see her without even asking. Yan Wanzhi was ostensibly her Senior Clerk, but privately she was still the Secret Service Commander. The task Your Majesty assigned likely couldn’t be separated from the surging undercurrents in the capital.
Yan Wanzhi’s words yesterday made Jiang Yinghua vaguely aware that, regardless of whether her third brother was aware, the Xiangling Marquis household had entertained delusional thoughts, harboring unwarranted ambitions to seize power. Now that Your Majesty was nearing forty and had no son, the position of heir was vacant. With the realm newly stabilized, it was no wonder these people were restless, calculating their future bets on a prosperous and peaceful era.
In fact, even Jiang Yinghua vaguely felt that perhaps Your Majesty would, in recent years, choose one of her third brother’s offspring to adopt, thus settling the heir apparent and appeasing the people and the court.
Last year, Prince Yong’s consort, located in the Western Territory, gave birth to a small imperial nephew, but due to the conditions in the Western Territory, the infant passed away. Upon hearing the news, Your Majesty ordered people to bring Prince Yong’s consort and her two young children back to the capital to recuperate.
This Mid-Autumn Festival, Prince Yong was guarding the border and did not return to the capital. Prince Yong’s consort submitted a memorial, claiming that her young daughter had caught a cold, so she remained in the Prince Manor and did not attend the palace banquet.
Claiming illness to avoid court attendance was a tactic Jiang Yinghua had used to death. Jiang Yinghua did not know if Prince Yong’s consort’s memorial was true, but in her heart, she preferred to believe that everything was based on factual conclusions. Whether Your Majesty detained the Prince Consort and her children in the capital, or the Prince Consort and her children claimed illness and did not come out, she hoped that everything was as harmonious as it appeared on the outside.
Jiang Yinghua had nothing to do at the manor, and there was no urgent news from the Northern Territory that needed her attention recently. Therefore, she simply pulled a table into the courtyard, enjoying the cool autumn breeze, holding a fishing rod, and staring blankly at a pond of autumn water. Naturally, after half a day, not a single fish bit. Jiang Yinghua belatedly realized that she hadn’t put on any bait.
Even the most greedy fish wouldn’t bite a sharp hook, unless the fish was blind.
After noon, Jiang Yinghua returned to the main hall, feeling listless. Just as she stepped into the study, intending to find a storybook to read, the steward came to announce that the Scholar Yan had arrived and was requesting an audience outside.
Jiang Yinghua calculated the time; this person should have just been released from the palace. She thought since she had sought herself so urgently, she must have something to explain. Thinking this, Jiang Yinghua came out of the study and said to the steward, “Tell him to come in. Also, tell the kitchen to bring some food.”
The steward bowed and acknowledged, then hurriedly retreated. Jiang Yinghua instructed the maid to brew tea, and she sat down early next to the small table, waiting.
A moment later, Yan Wanzhi, still wearing her official robes, entered the hall. Jiang Yinghua greeted her to sit down, poured her a cup of hot tea, and looked at the person in front of her, softly saying:
“Scholar Yan, you’ve worked hard. What news are you in such a hurry to tell me? I hope it’s good news, not something that will cause a headache.”
Yan Wanzhi did not bother with formalities. She had discussed things with Your Majesty for a long time, and her mouth was already dry, and she was so hungry that her chest was pressed against her back. She took the teacup and drank it quickly, before slowly opening her mouth:
“It should be good news. Does Your Highness know the interesting thing about the morning court session today? The Assistant Minister of the Department of State Affairs, Xue Gong, actually beat his son into a semi-paralyzed, broken-legged cripple himself.”
“In ancient times, there was Lian Po carrying thorns to apologize. Now, there is Assistant Minister Xue beating his own son. In this case, it seems that Your Majesty has to gloss over this matter.” Jiang Yinghua said with a sneer, not without ridicule.
Yan Wanzhi put down the teacup and poured herself another cup before opening her mouth: “What Your Highness said is true. After such a commotion, Your Majesty can’t say anything more and has to turn the page. But after the court session adjourned, Your Majesty left me behind. Your Highness, with your wisdom and intelligence, naturally understands the key to this.”
“Oh? In that case, you must be working hard. I wonder how long this matter will delay you?” Jiang Yinghua’s eyes turned slightly, and she asked with a gentle smile.
Yan Wanzhi’s fingers stroked the teacup, and she lowered her eyes and chuckled: “Your Majesty indeed doesn’t intend to let it go easily. The downfall of the Xiangling Marquis household is just waiting for a more suitable opportunity. But this matter needs to wait. It’s too obvious to act now, so there’s no need to rush.”
Jiang Yinghua understood. This was in line with her older sister’s cautious, thorough, and vengeful nature, one who did not tolerate even a grain of sand in her eyes.
“What about the Lou family?” Jiang Yinghua’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and she took a light sip of the clear tea, suddenly thinking of the bird that stuck its head out that day.
“Lou Official has been fined a year’s salary, and the Eldest Princess took the initiative to request a demotion in title. It won’t affect the overall situation much; it’s just a minor punishment.” Yan Wanzhi lowered her eyes and mentioned it casually, as if she had never taken these two to heart. Perhaps it was because of Lou Wanwan’s matter three years ago that Yan Wanzhi, once bitten by a snake, was intentionally not wanting to mention these two.
Jiang Yinghua heard this, but she had a different opinion.
Although the Suning Eldest Princess’s move was impulsive, what kind of person was Your Majesty? Even she, her own younger sister, was frightened and coaxed. Now, her aunt was directing her Prince of the Concubine to turn against her for the sake of her own children. Your Majesty would certainly not let it go easily. The current forbearance was probably just a superficial effort. The person probably still had some value; it was not cost-effective to get rid of them now.
Let’s wait and see.
“Today Your Majesty asked, according to my suggestion, should I let you stay in the capital to remotely lead the military power of the Northern Territory, or send you back to the official residence in the Northern Territory?” Yan Wanzhi’s lips curved, and she looked playfully at Jiang Yinghua, who was deep in thought.
“Oh? I hope Scholar Yan did not disappoint me.” Jiang Yinghua’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a subtle hint of danger.
“Naturally, I said that you are precious and noble, and should stay in the capital for honorable retirement, serving Your Majesty and enjoying the virtue of filial piety.” A playful look flashed in Yan Wanzhi’s eyes.
Jiang Yinghua glanced at her, and then laughed loudly: “Well said. So, what did Your Majesty say? When will I be allowed to return to the border army?”
“The date is set for the tenth day of the tenth month.” Yan Wanzhi stood up and replied with a cupped fist.
“Very good. Scholar Yan, you have made a great contribution this time. When I return to the Northern Territory, I will reward you handsomely. You have worked hard today. I have prepared some food for you; please sit down first.” Jiang Yinghua saw that the maid outside had already set up the table, and she led the person towards the table.
Seeing a table of hot and fragrant food, Yan Wanzhi’s hungry stomach couldn’t help but growl a few times. Jiang Yinghua heard a series of sounds and sat on the main seat with a deep smile, “You’re so hungry, you don’t have to waste my breath, right?”
Yan Wanzhi naturally wanted to eat, but she thought that eating someone’s food makes one soft-spoken, and some ugly words had to be said first. Therefore, after thinking for a moment, Yan Wanzhi first bowed her hands, then mumbled hesitantly: “Your Highness, I have one more thing to say. I think it’s better to let you know first.”
“What else is there? Don’t beat around the bush.” Jiang Yinghua leaned against the carved chair back, looking anxiously at Yan Wanzhi.
“After the court session ended today, Your Majesty called on several chief executives, the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court, and me to discuss your placement. To get the imperial decree allowing you to return to the north, it was, it was exchanged for three years of your salary.” Yan Wanzhi responded stammeringly, her voice getting smaller and smaller, until it was almost like a mosquito buzzing.
When Jiang Yinghua heard this, the smile on her face gradually solidified. After pursing her lips, she suddenly smiled again, but this smile looked a little eerie.
Three years’ salary, just from the court’s allocation, was thirty thousand taels of silver, plus countless silks and satins. If you count the taxes from the fief, the estates under her name, it would be more than one hundred thousand taels.
Even if Jiang Yinghua was rich and generous, she would feel very distressed to offer so much money all at once.
Yan Wanzhi saw her face was unhappy, her smile gloomy and terrifying, and she hurriedly made a hasty bow in panic. She didn’t dare to eat this meal: “Your Highness, please calm down. This, this was also a last resort for me. It’s getting late today, and I don’t dare to disturb Your Highness’s meal and rest. I’ll take my leave first.” After saying that, she lifted her foot and was about to slip away.
Looking at the guilty look of the person trying to escape, Jiang Yinghua’s phoenix eyes narrowed, and she scolded in a cold voice: “Stop!” Yan Wanzhi seemed to be frozen by the tone wrapped in three thousand ice knives, and she really didn’t dare to take another step forward.
“Scholar Yan has always been eloquent, and she recklessly promised the money. It seems that she has been lazy. It doesn’t matter. Anyway, you are the Senior Clerk of the Prince Manor, so I will record this debt in your name. Now you owe me tens of thousands of taels, so what’s the difference between this meal? Come and sit down.” Jiang Yinghua sat upright in the main seat with a calm expression, staring at the person with unkind eyes, and slowly opened her mouth.
Yan Wanzhi was really wronged. Deducting Jiang Yinghua’s salary was instructed by Your Majesty.
Yan Wanzhi did have other reasons to help Jiang Yinghua mediate in the imperial court, but due to Your Majesty’s pressure, she had to act as ordered. Now this overbearing and willful little ancestor actually put this debt on her head. Who could she reason with?
“Are you dawdling?” Jiang Yinghua saw that the person was not moving, and ten thousand years of cold ice spewed out of her mouth.
Yan Wanzhi had never heard Jiang Yinghua talk to her so coldly. Her heart was in a mess, and she sat down especially obediently, picking up ivory chopsticks at random, as timid as she could be. During the meal, Jiang Yinghua didn’t move at all, like a Buddha statue, her eyes like mountain eagles searching for prey, staring straight at Yan Wanzhi.
Yan Wanzhi had to bite the bullet, bury her head and scrape the white rice, not even daring to pick up the dishes nearby.
After she ate a bowl of white rice, Jiang Yinghua finally moved her body, but she raised her hand and pushed a bowl of white rice under her nose to Yan Wanzhi, “Eat it all, don’t waste it. Now I have to live frugally, and the Scholar should be more sensible. If you can’t eat this dish, I will order someone to bring it to your manor.”
Yan Wanzhi really couldn’t figure out this person’s strange temper. She had never been so unreasonable before, but recently she didn’t know why, she was always making things difficult for her. A bowl of white rice was already bland and tasteless, and if she had another bowl, as a dignified third-rank official, she would burst her stomach because of white rice. Wouldn’t that make people laugh their heads off?
“Your Highness, I really can’t eat anymore. Can I take this meal back to my manor?” Yan Wanzhi blinked her eyes, really unwilling to eat anymore, so she asked.
“No.” Jiang Yinghua leaned against the chair, looking at the swaying branches outside the hall, and replied casually.
Yan Wanzhi stared at the white rice in front of her, drawing it out for a full half an hour before swallowing these annoying grains of rice. Secretly grumbling that she wouldn’t eat a single grain of white rice for the next half month.
Jiang Yinghua was not in a hurry and was not annoyed, just sitting there accompanying her.
Yan Wanzhi didn’t know that in the past few days in the palace, Jiang Yinghua had already been heavily plundered. She had some secret private property under her name. Others didn’t know, but the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty knew very well. It was left to Jiang Yinghua by the late Emperor before his death, two whole streets of shops, the income was quite considerable.
Jiang Yinghua was disobedient, so the Empress Dowager directly took away these industries, which was considered to have seized the lifeline of her excessive spending. Money was not only used for making trouble, but also for serious matters. Now that her private property had been confiscated and her salary had been confiscated, Your Majesty had clearly played a hand in drawing firewood from under the cauldron, making Jiang Yinghua completely silent and no longer had the capital to make trouble.
Looking at Yan Wanzhi’s aggrieved face, with her head lowered and not speaking, Jiang Yinghua secretly complained in her heart: This person is good in every way, but she is too obedient to her older sister in everything, and her loyalty is a bit stupid. I don’t know, what should I do with you?