Chapter 201: Miss Yang’s Preparations
“I’m starting to not understand Miss Yang.”
Tao Hua sat at the desk, looking at Mo Zheng who had picked up the brush to practice calligraphy, and frowned as she said.
“Why did she get on Zhu Yunxiao’s carriage?”
As she spoke, she lowered her voice.
“Do you know? At that time, Jiang Rui saw it, and Miss Jiang’s face was so pale she nearly fainted.”
“She must have misunderstood.”
At this point, Tao Hua let out a soft exclamation and sat up straight.
“No, Miss Jiang would misunderstand you, after all, what a maidservant does is her young lady’s…”
She clicked her tongue twice.
“Next, Young Master, you have to deal with Miss Jiang’s tears.”
Hearing her say this, Mo Zheng had just finished writing a sheet of paper and smiled: “I’m a young lady now too.”
As she spoke, she raised her hand and pretended to rub her face twice.
“I can cry too.”
Tao Hua burst out laughing: “Alright, don’t let the ink smear your face.”
However, Young Master had disguised herself as a man from childhood to adulthood, and had indeed never cried.
Now that she had recovered her daughter’s body, she could cry freely. Tao Hua pursed her lips, her gaze softening.
Mo Zheng put down her hand and brush, and said softly: “According to Miss Yang’s account of that life, Zhu Yunxiao was involved in scheming events related to Miss Yang. To put it bluntly, it was fated to be unavoidable, and I think Miss Yang doesn’t want to avoid it either. Last time she died at Zhu Yunxiao’s hands, this time she definitely wants to take revenge personally.”
Tao Hua nodded, but…
“If she wants revenge, it won’t be hard this time. His Majesty listens to her every word; it’s just a matter of one sentence.” She said softly, “At that moment when she spoke in the carriage, I really thought she was going to kill Zhu Yunxiao. In the end, nothing happened, and she even took him to Dali Temple together…”
She looked at Mo Zheng.
“I don’t know what for.”
Although Yang Luo had the Emperor grant them secret guard identities for convenience when moving about outside, many Emperor-sent secret guards had also been added around Yang Luo, so they no longer needed to follow her every moment.
For example, entering Dali Temple.
So she didn’t know what Yang Luo had done or said in Dali Temple with Zhu Yunxiao.
Mo Zheng looked at her and smiled: “Sister Tao Hua, don’t worry.”
Tao Hua pursed her lips; Young Master knew what she was worried about.
She actually wasn’t worried about Miss Yang being harmed by Zhu Yunxiao; she was somewhat worried… about Young Master.
Young Master’s identity was from the previous dynasty’s imperial family.
Miss Yang also knew.
Miss Yang had previously been wary of the Emperor.
Now Miss Yang had acknowledged her family, and this Emperor father treated Miss Yang very well.
That father-daughter bond…
If Miss Yang told the Emperor about Young Master’s identity…
Mo Zheng was about to say something when birdsong came from her ear, and Tao Hua instantly stood up.
“She’s back,” Mo Zheng said softly. “We’ll know what she did right away.”
……
……
“Zhu Yunxiao was actually acting on orders from the Li Clan?”
As soon as Yang Luo entered the door, her brows and eyes lit with excitement as she shared this. Mo Zheng listened to her speculation and Zhu Yunxiao’s later admission, and nodded.
“So that’s how it is. It should indeed be like this. I had felt something off about his actions before; this clears it up.”
After speaking, she looked at Yang Luo.
“You suddenly thought of it, and then confronted him about it right there in the carriage? Weren’t you afraid he’d kill you?”
“Although there were many people around, you were alone with him in the carriage. If he made a move, you would still be in too much danger.”
“Miss Yang, although I know you’re not afraid of death, please don’t put yourself in danger because of rubble.”
Yang Luo understood that A Sheng was worried about her; her action this time had indeed been too sudden.
She hadn’t greeted Zhang Sheng You or Tao Hua and the others, so they didn’t know she was exposing Zhu Yunxiao’s true colors. If something really happened, they wouldn’t be able to rescue her in time.
“I know. I will definitely be careful. I’ve only just managed to survive this long,” Yang Luo said, explaining to Mo Zheng. “He’s a coward who would trade others’ lives for his future prospects but would absolutely never sacrifice his own. Even if he killed me then, it would be a dead end for him too, so he wouldn’t take the risk.”
At this point, she gave a self-mocking smile.
“In his eyes, I’m the rubble.”
Mo Zheng nodded and said no more.
“Of course, I do want him dead,” Yang Luo continued, her eyes carrying a hint of hatred. “But letting him die directly would be too easy on him.”
“So you plan to…” Mo Zheng took over. “Use him for what?”
Yang Luo looked at her: “Treat him as he treated others.”
……
…..
Outside the Capital City in a Daoist Temple, amid the afternoon spring light, Zhu Yunxiao walked in.
“Young Lord Zhu.” The temple guardian Daoist recognized him and hurried forward to pay respects. “Why are you here today?”
“Is Realized Wu here?” Zhu Yunxiao asked, handing over a prescription. “Last time he prescribed medicine for Madam Jiang, and it helped a lot. I’m here to request more.”
The Daoist took the prescription and glanced at it, smiling as he said: “Young Lord, please wait in the guest room. The Realized One is making rubbings of stele inscriptions with a few friends. I’ll go ask if it’s convenient.”
Zhu Yunxiao thanked him and, as instructed, entered a guest room. A young Daoist brought tea. Zhu Yunxiao sipped the tea while picking up a scripture book from the table to read. Soon, the earlier Daoist came to inform him, “The Realized One invites you.”
Zhu Yunxiao went to the backyard and directly entered a room. Lord Li and Li Xuan, wearing a cloak and a rain hat, sat inside, frowning displeasedly at him.
“Why did you come suddenly?” he said in a low voice. “Didn’t I say not to come to wherever I am? The seal token I gave you wasn’t for this purpose. If there’s something, just leave word at Bamboo Forest Temple.”
Zhu Yunxiao’s brows furrowed slightly: “It’s an urgent matter that must be told to you, my lord.” Without waiting for Li Xuan to speak, he continued, “I went to Dali Temple today.”
Li Xuan said flatly: “What use is consorting with maidservants all day?”
Although Zhu Yunxiao hadn’t mentioned who he went with, it was obvious that even while sitting in the Daoist Temple making rubbings, Lord Li knew.
Zhu Yunxiao didn’t mind his scrutiny and said in a low voice: “After the last assassination attempt, Miss Yang was frightened and goes nowhere except the National Academy and the Imperial City. She’s hard to meet. During that assassination, I saved this maidservant’s life, so she trusts me greatly, and Miss Yang trusts this maidservant greatly. Gaining the trust of servants puts the young lady’s movements in hand.”
Li Xuan glanced at him: “With Young Lord’s outstanding bearing and distinguished family background, it’s easy to make women fall for you.”
“Other women are one thing, but making a woman of princess status fall for you isn’t just about looks and family background,” Zhu Yunxiao said.
That was true; Zhu Yunxiao was indeed clear-headed. Li Xuan smiled.
“I’m not here to talk about that. This time I went to Dali Temple because the maidservant asked for my help, which allowed me to perceive something amiss,” Zhu Yunxiao continued. “Chai Du’s food, clothing, and daily needs are unrestricted.”
Li Xuan said flatly: “Even up to the moment of execution, the Emperor would treat this great brother-in-law well.”
“No, I think His Majesty no longer suspects Marquis Yichun,” Zhu Yunxiao said gravely. “The maidservant revealed it to me: His Majesty reached a transaction with Marquis Yichun. Chai Du will cede half of Gaoyang Army’s military power, and this so-called investigation of Gaoyang Army is actually to investigate the accomplices of the deputy general who accused Chai Du. The maidservant was indignant about this, so she had me go to Dali Temple to describe the assassin again, wanting Dali Temple to conclude it was Marquis Yichun’s doing.”
Marquis Yichun must already know someone is targeting the Chai Clan and would cede military power to prove his innocence. Li Xuan pondered; it was alright, not unexpected, and within expectations.
Zhu Yunxiao’s voice came to his ears.
“Also, when I went in, I saw Dali Temple clearing personnel and arresting an old menial laborer.”
What!
Li Xuan abruptly stood up and threw off his rain hat.
……
…..
“The servant from Ji Ying’s household who was helped by the old menial laborer to pass messages was executed; that was our idea given to His Majesty. The purposes were first to appease Marquis Yichun and lure Chai Du back, and second to steady the Li Clan.”
Yang Luo said.
Because Mo Zheng’s people had long ago investigated the old menial laborer in Dali Temple and traced the household servant behind him to the Li Clan.
At that time, they worried the Li Clan would silence the old menial laborer and his grandson, and they couldn’t take the old menial laborer away easily without alerting them, so Mo Zheng had Yang Luo give the Emperor this idea.
Of course, at that time, they still hadn’t told the Emperor about the Li Clan.
Now the Emperor knew, so keeping that old menial laborer was useless; he could be used as bait.
“You had Zhu Yunxiao leak this news to the Li Clan,” Mo Zheng said with an oh, looking at Yang Luo. “To force the Li Clan into action again?”
Yang Luo said: “Or rather, I want to strike at the Li Clan. When you told me those assassins in the Imperial Palace were also from the Li Clan, I didn’t want to wait any longer.”
She looked at Mo Zheng.
“This time, it’s my turn to strike at them.”
Mo Zheng understood: “What you wanted to tell me this morning was this, interrupted by Ling Yu?”
Yang Luo nodded and said softly: “A Sheng, all along it’s been you facing these dangers for me. This time, I want to counterattack myself. Can I?”
Mo Zheng smiled: “Of course you can.” She then raised her brow. “So this time, is Zhu Yunxiao going to be your guard?”
A Sheng was so clever; no schemes could be hidden from her. Yang Luo hadn’t intended to hide it from her.
“What kind of guard is he,” she said with a cold laugh. “I just don’t want him to die cheaply; make full use of him.”
After speaking, she looked at Mo Zheng.
“Moreover, with you here, I dare to boldly carry out this matter.”
Mo Zheng nodded: “Good, I’m here, so relax.”
Yang Luo smiled joyfully and gently let out a breath.
A Sheng’s heart was too soft.
For some things, a despicable villain like Zhu Yunxiao was more suitable.
