LF Chapter 51

Chapter 51: Justifiable Cause

The carriage swayed unsteadily on the bumpy official road, but Yan Wanzhi’s gaze scrutinizing Jiang Yinghua remained steady.

Jiang Yinghua’s heart pounded. She had clearly had this person wrapped around her finger, watching her closely, so how had she discovered the abbot’s abnormality? Her face remained composed as she batted her large eyes and acted coquettish, while in her mind she repeatedly calculated. After thinking it over, she realized only Your Majesty had mentioned once that the abbot looked familiar.

Now that she thought about it, those words were somewhat far-fetched and inexplicable. Could it be that her elder sister recognized the person’s identity and was trying to make things difficult for Yan Wanzhi? But Yan Wanzhi definitely wouldn’t have had the time to investigate these things recently. Therefore, Jiang Yinghua’s eyes darted around, planning to play dumb to the end.

“Explain what? Is the Abbot Master bothering you? He’s a renowned high monk, famous across the land. Did I invite the wrong person?” Jiang Yinghua waved her hand, brushing away Yan Wanzhi’s fingers, pinching them forcefully as she threatened, “You’re rebelling against me? You dare bully me? If you touch my chin again, I’ll bite off your claws.”

“If you don’t want Your Majesty to chop off your claws, then keep making things up,” Yan Wanzhi retorted, pulling back her fingers, folding her arms, and simply turning her head away from her.

Jiang Yinghua fell silent, and Yan Wanzhi didn’t speak either, her expression growing increasingly unpleasant. After a long while, Jiang Yinghua finally gave in, picking up a strand of hair and brushing it against Yan Wanzhi’s earlobe. “Are you really angry?” Yan Wanzhi secretly thought the tactic was effective, but her expression remained full of annoyance, moving further away and lowering her gaze in silence.

Jiang Yinghua sighed in a seemingly disappointed manner, arrogantly pointing outside the carriage. “Then you can silently watch the show. If Your Majesty really punishes me, you can also watch the show with your arms crossed, just don’t panic. From now on, without my orders, you don’t need to say a single word. I don’t want a block of wood being an eyesore, you, go outside.”

Jiang Yinghua thought to herself, ‘Little rascal, I can’t deal with you? You clearly want to know, trying to trick me with such a trick, dream on.’

Yan Wanzhi was suspicious. Why didn’t it work again? If I get off, will she regret it and call me back? Oh well, forget it, this ancestor wouldn’t.

Thinking of this, Yan Wanzhi sheepishly moved back, softly advising, “My Prince, please send that great Buddha away, how about changing to another abbot? Don’t become a thorn in Your Majesty’s side, you won’t be able to handle it.”

“He’s just a person who has left the secular world, do you have to doubt him like this? I already told my elder sister, I invited him openly and honestly, how can I send him away? Furthermore, a straight body doesn’t fear a crooked shadow, I haven’t done anything wrong, I’m not sending him away, not sending him.” Jiang Yinghua seemed to have anticipated that Yan Wanzhi wouldn’t leave, and her explanation was already prepared.

“You’re being unreasonable, then I can only go to the Buddhist temple and reason with the Abbot Master. Since he’s an enlightened monk, he’ll naturally be easier to talk to than you.” Yan Wanzhi didn’t take it seriously, her eyes firm, wanting to use provocative words to force Jiang Yinghua to submit.

For no other reason than the Abbot Master’s secular identity was originally the third son of the former dynasty’s Duke of Dingguo’s mansion. Because he understood military strategy and possessed exceptional talent, he often frequented the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace. At that time, the Crown Prince was Jiang Yinghua’s father.

However, misfortune befell them. The Duke’s heir listened to slander and became estranged from the then-Emperor. As a local garrison general, he made a grave mistake, which implicated the entire Duke’s mansion. This master was originally on the list for exile and military service, but the Crown Prince had a close personal relationship with him and pleaded for an imperial decree to keep him in the capital. This person, mindful of his family’s decline, refused to linger in a place of sorrow and directly left, entering the monastic life at a young age.

It was precisely because of this person’s special relationship with the late Emperor and his exceptional military talent that Your Majesty reminded Yan Wanzhi. Yan Wanzhi originally thought that Jiang Yinghua had accidentally invited such a person, but her words just now clearly admitted that she knew this person’s identity.

When Jiang Yinghua was born, this person had already been a monk for many years, thousands of miles away from the capital. How did she know this person, and how did she get him to agree to her request? Yan Wanzhi felt frightened just thinking about it.

Jiang Yinghua listened to Yan Wanzhi’s forceful words, her phoenix eyes narrowed, and she hooked her lips, squeezing out a sentence from between her teeth, “You really listen to Your Majesty’s words, huh? Good, very good. You go, if you dare to go, I’ll send someone to catch you back, break your legs and keep you in the manor.”

“How dare you, are you crazy?” Yan Wanzhi looked at Jiang Yinghua’s appearance, which didn’t seem like a joke, tilting her head in surprise and questioning in a suppressed voice.

Jiang Yinghua lost her temper, grabbing Yan Wanzhi’s ear, softly hissing, “See if I dare, it’s only been a few days since I last disciplined you, and you forget yourself after seeing Your Majesty? Whose person are you? Don’t you know in your heart? Or are you regretting biting the grass by your nest again, huh?”

“Your person, I’m your person, alright? I just like you, this weed that can’t be chewed through, quickly let go, it hurts.” Yan Wanzhi’s body was already leaning into Jiang Yinghua’s arms, reaching out randomly to pry Jiang Yinghua’s hand away, trying to save her ear.

“Perfunctory. Weren’t you very tough just now? Weren’t you suspecting me and wanting to interrogate me?” Jiang Yinghua pinched her ear and spun her around. Although she had a smile on her face, the force was real.

“I was wrong, okay? Good Hua’er, please be merciful, I won’t ask anymore, I’ll listen to you, hiss… I’ll go back and kneel on pebbles to apologize, my lady, calm your anger, I can’t take it anymore… hiss ah…” Yan Wanzhi held her voice, not daring to cry out in pain, forcing herself to endure until her eyes turned red.

“That’s more like it.” Jiang Yinghua contentedly released her hand. Yan Wanzhi hurriedly tried to run away, thinking that Jiang Yinghua was a bad person with domestic violence habits. Jiang Yinghua slapped her back into her arms. “Where are you running? Just stay here, shut your mouth, I don’t want to hear you nagging.” Although the words were harsh, her hand diligently rubbed her ear, gently blowing air on it from time to time.

“Let’s make a rule for when we’re alone, don’t talk about official matters, okay?” Jiang Yinghua looked at Yan Wanzhi, who was lowering her eyes in silence in her arms, thoughtfully opening her mouth. “I won’t do things randomly, can you trust me? I still want to grow old with you, how could I gamble with my life?”

Yan Wanzhi had been with her for many years and knew Jiang Yinghua’s firm resolve. She lay on her lap, letting her rub her, and retorted like a wronged little wife, “I’ll listen to you, I can’t beat you, and I can’t talk back, what else can I do but listen to you?”

Jiang Yinghua chuckled, “You make it sound like I bully you so much, you’re acting aggrieved, Scholar Yan, Sister Yan, aren’t you ashamed?”

“It’s you who’s bullying me, stop trying to deny it.” Yan Wanzhi wanted to look up and roll her eyes, but her head was pressed down by Jiang Yinghua’s claw again.

After bumping along for most of the day, once they entered the city, Jiang Yinghua reluctantly let go of Yan Wanzhi. They tidied their clothes and adjusted their expressions, sitting properly.

The two got out of the carriage one after the other, and before they even entered the manor, they saw Cao Song waiting outside, making Jiang Yinghua feel a deep headache.

“Your Highness, the main courtyard and main hall have already been arranged properly, all your belongings have been moved over. Should dinner be prepared in the main hall?” Cao Song was full of smiles, speaking slowly and methodically, always with a soft, smiling expression, making it impossible to find fault with him.

“Mm, arrange it as you see fit, thank you for your hard work.” Jiang Yinghua didn’t stop, only responding with a sentence, then bypassed the screen wall and walked towards the inner courtyard, turning her head as she walked and saying, “Scholar Yan will dine with me tonight, I have important matters to discuss.”

After these words were spoken, Cao Song understood. In the evening, he prepared the food and led the servants out. This time’s test showed that this person had some sense.

“Wanzhi, do you think this person can be used by me? Have you investigated his background?” Jiang Yinghua looked at Cao Song’s retreating figure, her eyes slightly narrowed, and asked in a deep voice.

“He’s a close attendant by Your Majesty’s side, I don’t have the guts to investigate. This person has lived in the deep palace for a long time, so he naturally knows how to advance and retreat. He’s placed himself in the Prince Zhao Manor, he should know how to conduct himself. You don’t need to worry too much, just keep him around. If you’re not used to using him, then I know Mo Wuming’s background well, I don’t know if you’re willing to trust him?”

Yan Wanzhi looked at the person standing by the window, got up, and served Jiang Yinghua two dishes. “Come back and eat, it won’t taste good if it gets cold later.”

“If you hadn’t said it, I would have forgotten about this person. Call him to see me another day, why do you trust him so much?” Jiang Yinghua turned around and sat at the table, seeing that the dishes in the plate were indeed to her liking, thinking that Yan Wanzhi was usually very attentive.

Yan Wanzhi said indifferently, “He saved my mother’s life, he can be considered half a benefactor.”

Yan Wanzhi spoke sincerely, and seeing that she had mentioned her deceased mother, Jiang Yinghua, fearing that she would be saddened, didn’t ask any further questions.

The days passed relatively peacefully for half a month, as usual, without much disturbance. Just as Jiang Yinghua intended to return to her old ways and scavenge some silver to replenish her private treasury, Yan Wanzhi rushed over with an urgent secret report from the capital, “Something has happened in the capital.”

“What is it? Don’t be coy, speak directly.” Jiang Yinghua slammed the table and stood up, calculating the days. Your Majesty should have just returned to the capital, how could something have happened?

Yan Wanzhi handed the secret report to Jiang Yinghua, explaining, “Seven days ago, Consort Ying suddenly passed away, dying suddenly without illness. After Your Majesty returned to the capital, she immediately blocked the news, claiming to the outside world that the Consort had died of illness, wanting to investigate the cause. But this matter spread like wildfire, directly reaching Prince Yong’s manor in the Western Frontier. It seems that someone is secretly manipulating this, determined to cause chaos.”

“These bastards!” Jiang Yinghua cursed angrily. After Marquis Xiangling’s mansion fell, Your Majesty still treated his mother’s consort kindly for Prince Yong’s sake. Now that the Consort had died suddenly, how could Prince Yong sit still? Wasn’t this just stirring up trouble?

“Has Third Brother made any moves?” Jiang Yinghua frowned deeply, asking Yan Wanzhi with a serious expression.

“For the time being, I’ve only heard that Prince Yong has requested to return to the capital, there are no other movements.” Yan Wanzhi blurted out without thinking.

“Prepare the ink for me, I want to write a letter to Third Brother. I won’t be at ease if I don’t advise him, his feelings for the Consort are too deep.” Jiang Yinghua’s concern came from the bottom of her heart.

Yan Wanzhi raised her hand to stop her, “Your Highness, calm down. Have you thought about it? If this is orchestrated by Prince Yong himself, your letter will be useless at this time, and you’ll only get yourself into trouble.”

Jiang Yinghua stared at Yan Wanzhi, “I won’t tell you what kind of person Third Brother is. Do you think a person who was protected with his life by his birth mother since childhood would use his mother’s life to achieve his own schemes?”

“Your Highness, people’s hearts are unpredictable. Even if you don’t believe it, it’s better to wait until you calm down before discussing it, okay? If he’s confused, impulsiveness at this time is useless, you won’t be able to persuade him; if he’s reasonable, he doesn’t need your persuasion, he also knows that the overall situation is important, wait for a fair judgment.” Yan Wanzhi had long discovered that Jiang Yinghua cared too much about emotions. The more this was the case, the more she forced herself to remain calm when it came to emotional issues, acting as Jiang Yinghua’s half-sober mind.

Hearing these words, Jiang Yinghua sat back down somewhat dejectedly, pondering for a long time. “I’ll listen to you. If there’s any news, be sure to inform me as soon as possible. Third Brother, he, he has a quick temper, I’m afraid he’ll do something stupid that he’ll regret.”

“Don’t worry, I was afraid you’d be worried, that’s why I rushed to tell you. If I had known you’d be like this, I wouldn’t have said anything. How about I arrange the exploration and defense for you?” Yan Wanzhi poured her a cup of hot tea, stuffed it into her hand, and tentatively opened her mouth.

“Mm, you go arrange it, I’m not in the mood.” Jiang Yinghua took a sip of hot tea, sending a look of help to Yan Wanzhi.

“Calm down and think carefully, don’t mess around, I’m leaving.” Yan Wanzhi worriedly instructed again before leaving.

Prince Yong hurriedly submitted a memorial requesting to enter the capital, while Your Majesty urged the authorities to find out the cause as soon as possible, temporarily suppressing the memorial without replying. The Consort’s status was honorable, and an autopsy was not allowed, but Your Majesty secretly sent people to investigate. The Consort had faint bloodstains in her nostrils and earlobes, so she must have died of poisoning.

All the attendants at the Consort’s place of cultivation were sent to the Yeting Prison, and with the palace’s methods, getting them to talk was only a matter of time.

However, it never rains but it pours. Faster than the news of Your Majesty approving Prince Yong’s return to the capital was Consort Ying’s handwritten suicide note, in which she righteously accused the current Emperor and Empress Dowager of being intolerant of her and her son. First, they removed the power of Marquis Xiangling’s family, and even imprisoned Prince Yong’s children in the deep palace as hostages, and then plotted to poison her to death.

The person was already gone, don’t ask if the letter was forged, now it was impossible to verify anything. The world says seeing is believing, and Prince Yong’s pair of children had indeed been living in the palace for over a year. Whether it was a rumor or sowing discord, the mixture of truth and falsehood was enough to confuse people.

This time, the court was completely passive. After learning of this, the court officials strongly advised Your Majesty not to allow Prince Yong to return to the capital. Once Prince Yong saw the Consort’s body, it would confirm the poisoning. No need to ask who poisoned her, as the Emperor and Prince Yong’s elder sister, Your Majesty would be unable to defend herself, Prince Yong wouldn’t believe it.

On the other hand, the Empress Dowager felt that it was more stable to summon him back to the capital. The matters of a family should be resolved behind closed doors, and it would be best if they could be explained clearly. After all, what was said in the letter was true, Prince Yong’s pair of children were still in the palace, and he would have some concerns, so he wouldn’t act recklessly.

Therefore, Your Majesty finally adopted the Empress Dowager’s suggestion and issued an edict to the Western Frontier, summoning Prince Yong’s family back to the capital to hold a funeral for the Consort.

The edict was issued, and Jiang Yinghua in the Northern Frontier also received the news. She gripped the letter, praying in her heart that Third Brother must return safely to the capital.