LF Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Feigning One Move While Preparing Another

The Zongzheng Temple under the cover of night was exceptionally quiet. The moon was bright, the stars were few, and the evening wind rustled.

Jiang Yinghua, having caused enough trouble, stopped making a scene, but her mind was filled with repressed thoughts.

She secretly resolved that if she ever regained her freedom, she would never be so foolish again. She should be more circumspect in her actions and not sacrifice herself for the matters of the court. She would be content to act as a minor official making a living under the supreme imperial power.

If the sky fell, there would be taller people to hold it up; what did it have to do with her?

As long as Your Majesty was on the throne, she would be safe, no matter how unruly she was. If one day Your Majesty could not sit securely on the throne, then she would have no chance of survival. Why hadn’t she understood such a simple principle before?

She should have been content to be a carefree and idle young wastrel. Why had she believed that person’s sob story?

Oh, right, and there were the people around her.

Yan Wanzhi was merely a sharp sword in Your Majesty’s hand, wholeheartedly safeguarding Your Majesty’s interests and desires for power. But Jiang Yinghua had been foolish, growing closer and closer to her, her heart filled with growing affection and a vague, inexplicable sense of attachment—truly foolish.

Jiang Yinghua had used her trusted confidants to commit murders in the Northern Territory. That Your Majesty was able to find out about it could only be due to reports from the Secret Intelligence Agency.

That day, Jiang Yinghua had wanted to hear Yan Wanzhi’s explanation. If she had said even one word of defense, Jiang Yinghua would have believed her. But that person stubbornly reiterated her principle of only following orders.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yinghua felt her heart split in two, both halves filled with misplaced affection, and she couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. In the moonlight, she looked at the hideous scar on her back, her cold fingertips tracing it, and warm tears rolled down, falling to the ground in disarray.

Several days later, Yan Wanzhi, travel-worn, returned to the capital on imperial orders, bringing with her the news of the great victory at Fanyang, for which Your Majesty had been eagerly waiting.

Upon hearing that the military governor was already on his way to the capital under escort, Your Majesty was overjoyed, repeatedly saying “Good!”

That day happened to be the tenth day of the twelfth month. The entire Tai Zhang Palace was filled with joy. The palace kitchens prepared steaming dumplings to reward the palace staff, celebrating the victory in the Northern Territory.

Yan Wanzhi, attending Your Majesty, could not bring herself to be happy. She had known for some time that Jiang Yinghua had been placed under house arrest by Your Majesty upon her return. Although she was in the Northern Territory, her heart had already flown to the capital. At the moment, her eyes were filled with suppressed struggle. She wanted to intercede for Jiang Yinghua, but she felt that her position was not suitable for causing trouble.

After all, the moment she received Your Majesty’s edict in the Northern Territory, she had already realized that within the Secret Intelligence Agency, there was another force that did not belong to her, held in Your Majesty’s hands and scattered around Jiang Yinghua.

In other words, Your Majesty was wary of Yan Wanzhi and also wary of Jiang Yinghua. Yan Wanzhi suddenly felt a chilling sensation enveloping her, her whole body turning cold. Truly, the imperial heart was difficult to fathom.

Her absent-minded gaze was blank. Your Majesty glanced at her and noticed her strangeness.

“Scholar Yan, you have worked hard on this trip to the Northern Territory. Do you have anything you want to say to me?” Your Majesty asked softly, sitting on the throne.

Suddenly being addressed, Yan Wanzhi quickly gathered her scattered thoughts, cupped her hands, and said, “The results of the investigation of all matters in the Northern Territory have been written in full in the memorial. Please review it, Your Majesty.”

Your Majesty casually picked up her memorial, quickly scanned it, curled the corners of her mouth, and asked with a smile, “Scholar Yan doesn’t think something is missing from her task?”

Yan Wanzhi had expected this and was startled. She hurriedly got up and knelt in the center of the hall. “Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”

“Since when have you become so close to her that you dare to cover up for her?” Your Majesty slammed the memorial heavily on the desk and questioned her coldly.

“I dare not. I beg Your Majesty to see clearly. At that time, the war situation was urgent. I was temporarily concerned about Prince Zhao’s safety and only focused on leading troops to seek reinforcements, which delayed the report. Once your Majesty’s decree entered the camp, I no longer needed to report.” Yan Wanzhi explained in fear and trepidation.

“Oh? So it has become my fault. Hehe, rise.” Your Majesty chuckled, seemingly not caring, and casually turned the page.

Yan Wanzhi knew that Your Majesty was not such a careless person, but she also understood that the past could not be undone. She might as well be bold once, seize the opportunity, and speak up, rather than asking about it abruptly. “Your Majesty, Prince Zhao, she, she is injured. Do you know?”

Upon hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Your Majesty’s phoenix eyes, and her tone was indifferent. “Scholar Yan is concerned about her?”

“Your Majesty, Prince Zhao is straightforward and speaks rashly. Her words in anger should not be taken seriously. You…”

Yan Wanzhi didn’t know where she got the courage from, but she seized the opportunity to plead for her.

“Do I need you to tell me what kind of temper my sister has?” Your Majesty interrupted Yan Wanzhi’s words coldly.

“I misspoke. Please calm your anger, Your Majesty.” Yan Wanzhi hurriedly apologized.

“Forget it. Since you are thinking of her, come here tomorrow to take something and visit her on my behalf.” Your Majesty did not get angry but instead issued a gracious order in a gentle tone.

Yan Wanzhi was a little surprised and joyfully thanked her for the favor, and was so excited all night that she couldn’t fall asleep.

The next day, Yan Wanzhi entered Chengming Hall as ordered to retrieve the item from Your Majesty.

Your Majesty took out an imperial edict and handed it to Yan Wanzhi, signaling her to open it and examine it.

Yan Wanzhi took it, glanced at the edict, suddenly understood, and revealed an “I see” expression on her face.

Your Majesty said softly in front of her, “I have prepared some food. Take it with you later and have a drink with her.”

“I obey.” Yan Wanzhi carefully put away the edict again, handed it out, wanting to return it to Your Majesty.

Your Majesty did not accept it and instructed, “Keep this edict safe.” Then, she took out a brocade pouch from her wide sleeve. “Along with this, be sure to settle it properly for her.”

Yan Wanzhi reached out and took it. “I will remember.”

Your Majesty waved her hand at a close attendant. The person gave Yan Wanzhi a pill and said, “Scholar Yan, you have to take this.”

Yan Wanzhi was stunned for a moment. She reached out to take it and was about to put it in her mouth when Your Majesty stopped her with a smile. “I didn’t tell you to eat it now. Eat it when you go to the Zongzheng Temple.”

Yan Wanzhi awkwardly withdrew her hand.

“I want her to endure humiliation and bear the burden, and work hard to survive. Even the best jade must be polished. It will only become harmonious after the edges are smoothed. How should you persuade her? Do you know?” Your Majesty paced slowly, looking at Yan Wanzhi.

Yan Wanzhi lowered her eyes and pondered for a moment. “I will certainly not fail my mission.”

As the sun set and the moon rose, Yan Wanzhi, carrying the token bestowed by Your Majesty, entered the heavily guarded Zongzheng prison.

She was led by someone to Jiang Yinghua’s room. To be precise, in this vast Zongzheng prison, Jiang Yinghua was the only prisoner.

She gently pushed open the door. The furnishings in the room were very simple, nothing more than a table, a chair, and a bed. Jiang Yinghua was straightforward and spared the table and chairs, slumped on the ground in front of the window, raised her eyes, and looked at the night outside through the sealed window.

A head of green silk scattered over her shoulders, obscuring her delicate face. Under the wide robe, the outline of her figure could be faintly seen, as if she was a little weak.

Seeing her like this, a trace of heartache appeared in Yan Wanzhi’s eyes. She still remembered the first time she saw her in the Prince Manor, her eyes sparkling, her eyes bright and kind, dignified, proud, and graceful. That was how she should be.

Jiang Yinghua naturally heard the movement. She only thought it was a guard coming to deliver food, so she naturally wouldn’t take a look or say a word.

Yan Wanzhi closed the door. Jiang Yinghua even spared the candles. The room was dark, relying entirely on a little light from the moon. Yan Wanzhi put the food box she brought on the ground, groped for the fire starter, and lit the candle in front of the table.

The sudden light entered Jiang Yinghua’s eyes, and she scolded in a cold, hoarse voice, “Impudent! Get out!”

Upon hearing this, Yan Wanzhi hurriedly bowed and saluted. “Your Highness, it is I. I am here to visit you on Your Majesty’s orders.”

Jiang Yinghua was stunned for a moment. After struggling for a long time, she couldn’t overcome the expectation in her heart. She got up, looked back at the person, and the look in her eyes was very complicated.

The moment the two looked at each other, Yan Wanzhi couldn’t help but her eyes turned red.

On Jiang Yinghua’s face, there was nothing but sadness and sorrow. In just half a month, she had tormented herself into a gaunt state, her cheeks sunken, her eyes were dark and swollen, and the color on her lips gradually disappeared.

“What are you doing here?” Jiang Yinghua asked blankly.

“Your Majesty ordered me to bring you some food.” Yan Wanzhi’s voice trembled a little.

Jiang Yinghua glanced at the delicate food box, which was out of place in this room, and said coldly, “Now that you’ve delivered it, leave.”

“I, I also brought you a chess manual. And some good news, Fanyang has been victorious.” Yan Wanzhi didn’t want to leave and said tentatively.

Jiang Yinghua turned back again, not looking at her or speaking.

“Your Highness, why do you need to suffer so? I brought wine and meat. It would be good if you ate some.”

Seeing that she was unmoved, Yan Wanzhi went directly to the table and placed the steaming food on the table, and a fragrant aroma filled the air in an instant. Most importantly, there was a pot of wine. The strong aroma of wine assailed the nostrils.

Jiang Yinghua had been craving wine for a long time. Even though she knew it was useless to drown her sorrows in alcohol, she still wanted to drink.

Yan Wanzhi knew that the food in the prison was thin and bland. Jiang Yinghua was used to being pampered and should be missing this food.

But that person was still unmoved.

Yan Wanzhi waited for a long time. Seeing that the heat from the dishes had dissipated, Jiang Yinghua still maintained the posture of huddling in front of the window, with her back to her and not saying a word.

Yan Wanzhi boldly stepped forward, took off her thick cloak, and put it on Jiang Yinghua’s shoulders. “If Your Highness is upset, is it okay to take it out on me?”

Jiang Yinghua raised her hand and brushed off the cloak, her voice very soft. “Leave.”

“I won’t leave.” Yan Wanzhi stubbornly stood by her side and picked up the cloak. It had just fallen to the ground and was already dirty. She naturally wouldn’t put it on her again, so she simply threw the object aside.

Jiang Yinghua glanced at her, raised her foot, and walked towards the bed. With her back to the person, her body tilted and she was about to fall asleep.

Yan Wanzhi waited aside. After about half an hour, Jiang Yinghua finally gave in and asked in a slightly nasal tone, “What day is it today?”

“The eleventh day of the twelfth month.” A hint of joy flashed in Yan Wanzhi’s eyes, and she quickly responded.

Hearing this, the person on the bed suddenly sat up. If you looked closely, you could still see her red and swollen eyes.

Jiang Yinghua slowly walked to the table, looked at the table full of delicacies, which were all to her liking, but she only felt as if she was a lifetime away. She raised her hand and overturned the plates and cups on the ground, leaving only a pot of wine.

She sat casually on the ground, raised her head, and asked Yan Wanzhi, “Today is my birthday. Would you like to stay and have a drink with me?”

Yan Wanzhi was surprised. It was her birthday? No wonder Your Majesty had prepared so much food.

Yan Wanzhi was stunned for a moment, then quickly sat down at the table and picked up a wine glass to pour wine.

Jiang Yinghua held her hand. Yan Wanzhi shuddered. Jiang Yinghua’s hands were too cold.

Taking the wine pot, Jiang Yinghua poured half a glass of wine for Yan Wanzhi and handed it over. She hugged the wine pot and drank. She took a sip of wine into her stomach and murmured, “You do as you please. Don’t talk. Just keep me company for a while.”

Yan Wanzhi was about to respond when Jiang Yinghua raised her hand and gestured for her to be silent. She smiled and drank the wine by herself. Before long, there wasn’t a drop left in the pot.

Yan Wanzhi was ordered to come here to appease her, but she didn’t expect Jiang Yinghua to be so decadent that she couldn’t even find a chance to speak.

She was thinking about how to find an opportunity to speak when Jiang Yinghua’s fingertips had already landed on the half glass of wine in front of her. “Don’t rob me,” she said, and with a wave of her hand, she didn’t even let go of this sip.

After drinking this pot, Jiang Yinghua was already a little drunk. With her hand supporting her head, she complained, “Why couldn’t you bring two more pots?”

As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Yinghua’s eyes were blurred, she shook her head twice, and with a tilt of her head, she fell unconscious on the table.

“She drank too quickly.” Seeing that she had lost consciousness, Yan Wanzhi stepped forward, raised her hand, gently straightened her hair, and said to herself with pity in her eyes.

After tidying up Jiang Yinghua’s clothes, Yan Wanzhi cleaned up the mess on the ground and then retreated.

Subsequent matters were naturally arranged properly by someone.