Chapter 304: Life-Taking
Lu Mansion.
Snow fell in the courtyard, and all was silent.
Old Duke Lu leaned against a carved corridor pillar, gazing at the honeysuckle vine by the wall of the west cross-courtyard, almost frozen, his fingers stroking a black gold dagger with a rolled edge—
It was a spoil of war that Lu You’an had brought back from the Western Frontier years ago, said to have been captured from an enemy chief.
The blood groove on the dagger’s edge, under the dim yellow light, gleamed with a cold, eerie sheen.
“Old Duke, it’s late and the dew is heavy, you should go back inside.”
The steward approached, holding a hand warmer, his voice kept very low, tinged with worry.
“Wait a little longer.”
Old Duke Lu did not turn around, a hoarse sigh escaping his throat.
The family letter, sent by express courier from Chishui Pass two days ago, still lay on his desk.
Lu You’an’s words were all good news and no bad, but next to his usual signature seal, there was a faint cinnabar thumbprint.
That was his grandson’s usual secret signal—
He must be in danger and unable to speak freely.
“Go and spread out the map.” He turned, his voice deep and slow.
This former Prime Minister, who had served two dynasties and weathered the storms of officialdom, had an unshakeable worry etched on his brow.
“And bring the Double Lion Jade Belt that His Majesty personally bestowed when the young master won first place in the imperial examination. Consort Li is pregnant, and the whole world is celebrating; I, too… should go to the palace to offer congratulations.”
The steward hesitated to speak.
Ever since Lu You’an was stationed at Chishui Pass, the Lu Mansion had become a target for the undercurrents in the capital…
The court was in turmoil, and His Majesty was also anxious.
At this time, saying anything in the palace would not be well-received.
“Old Duke, the young master is both wise and brave; he will surely be fine. I see the sky, it looks like it’s going to snow heavily. You must take care of yourself…”
The steward tried to comfort him, but before he could finish, he saw Old Duke Lu suddenly slam his palm on the corridor pillar, his gaze sharp as lightning, his voice carrying immense power.
“While the sons of the Lu family are fighting and bleeding on the frontier, how can I live in peace in the capital? If we cannot withstand even this little storm, then the plaque of ‘Loyalty and Integrity Family’ should be split and burned for firewood!”
The night wind suddenly swept into the main hall.
The plaque of “Loyalty and Integrity Family” hanging high above clanged.
The steward fell silent, lowered his head, spread out the map, and said no more.
Old Duke Lu stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the map, his gaze suddenly falling on the winding Yun Lu Mountain.
The northern foothills and the entrance to the underground river were clearly marked.
North of the mountain lay the famous—Old Mausoleum Swamp.
He raised his hand and pointed, drawing a thin, slanted line…
More than thirty years ago, in this dense forest, the Former Emperor had used a sudden downpour and the resulting mountain flood to set a trap, luring Xiao Chong into a deadly formation.
And now, the suspicious current Emperor was then just a young Imperial Prince accompanying the Emperor…
Watching the blood water flood the wilderness, tears streamed down his face.
He never thought that the boy who couldn’t bear to see blood back then would learn to wield the butcher’s knife, striking at his own kin and loyal subjects…
—
A small courtyard by the river in Shangjing.
The secret room was deep and dark, the lamp flickering.
Tianshu carefully ground several medicinal materials into powder, poured them into a celadon bottle, and scraped it with a pestle, making a rustling sound.
“The plague in the Western Frontier has flared up again.” Yaoguang repeatedly wiped the thin-as-cicada-wing short knife in his hand with a cloth piece dipped in strong liquor.
The blade was sharp, reflecting his handsome eyebrows.
“This morning, we received intelligence that Xiao Yan, that old fox, issued a secret order. Assassins pursued Lu You’an’s personal guards and almost succeeded at Falling Eagle Gorge…”
Tianshu’s hand paused.
“We need to pay extra attention to Thirteen these days. Shui Yue Nunnery… is no longer peaceful.”
Yaoguang nodded, “Yes. Li Huan’s men have been watching closely lately, making it difficult to contact her. However, Li Zhao’s actions on the Imperial Street are quite interesting… Is he truly afraid of being implicated with the Old Mausoleum Swamp and jeopardizing his position as Crown Prince, or is he advancing by retreating, drawing a line with Thirteen to protect her life…”
“No matter how he schemes, Li Zhao’s move is risky.” Tianshu’s gaze was solemn.
Yaoguang flicked his wrist, and the short knife “zinged” precisely back into its sheath. He looked up at Tianshu.
“Hmph! Xiao Song, that old dog, wants to use this opportunity to eradicate the remnants of the Old Mausoleum Swamp, but he doesn’t know we are one step ahead. We have already transferred the witnesses and evidence. What they have arrested and sent to the Ministry of Justice prison are just some unimportant commoners. They won’t find any hard evidence and will only earn infamy…”
Tianshu put down the porcelain bottle and walked closer to the desk.
He silently picked up a prescription and studied it intently.
Ever since Xue Sui was severely weakened after curing Li Zhao of the gu, Tianshu had been studying pharmacology daily, trying to strengthen her foundation and prolong her life.
At the same time, he often cast hexagrams using the I Ching to divine her fate and fortune.
But each time the results came back, they made him sweat profusely…
“Junior Sister Thirteen, can… can her body still hold up?” Yaoguang’s throat tightened. Thinking of Xue Sui the last time he saw her, so pale as if she would shatter at a touch, the cynicism in his eyes faded, replaced by heaviness.
“The Crown Prince is currently unable to look after himself, and Prince Duan’s faction is pressing step by step. With her current frail health, navigating between them, she must not truly become a fish on someone else’s chopping block…”
Tianshu gently closed the medical record, his movements precise.
“She is using her sickly body as bait; we cannot lag behind her.”
“The Crown Prince has his plans, Thirteen has her obsessions. Each follows their own path, acts according to their own will. As for you, Senior Brother…”
Yaoguang picked up a celadon medicine bottle and shook it, sighing softly.
“Why trap yourself in the past affairs of the Old Mausoleum Swamp? Master intended to fulfill it back then, why not…”
Tianshu looked up and interrupted him, “Thirteen has her own path, not arranged by Master, nor by you or me.”
Yaoguang picked up a celadon medicine bottle and shook it.
“Senior Brother, do you remember how Thirteen looked when she first touched a dagger in the training ground of the Old Mausoleum Swamp back then?”
Tianshu was silent.
Yaoguang raised his eyebrows, “She almost sliced off half of Senior Brother’s finger.”
Tianshu said, “It was her first time; she didn’t know her own strength.”
“Oh, she’s very clever.” Yaoguang suddenly burst into laughter, “That year, Master had us compete in skills, secretly selecting Imperial Envoys. She stuffed pebbles into my boots, nearly killing me… Was that not despicable, not shameless?”
Tianshu snorted softly.
The two fell silent for a moment.
Back then, reeds covered the mountainsides of the Old Mausoleum Swamp. Master taught them martial arts and medicine, honing their ten skills. Junior Sister Thirteen was always the most special among the many senior brothers and sisters. She appeared delicate but was extremely resolute, possessing astonishing resilience.
She would not compromise.
And she would not admit defeat easily…
“No matter how heavy the snow, it will eventually melt.” Tianshu picked up tweezers and carefully placed the powder into another porcelain bottle, his voice low but clear.
“Let her do as she pleases; I will cover for her.”
—
Xue Sui returned to Shui Yue Nunnery the next day around noon; the heavy snow had stopped.
Shui Yue Nunnery was covered in a thick layer of silver, the world a picture of purity.
The plum trees outside the monastic room had bloomed, their sparse shadows casting a faint fragrance, adding streaks of vibrant red amidst the pure white, striking and solitary.
“Young Lady, the weather is getting colder and colder. Your hands must be frozen stiff! Quickly drink a bowl of ginger soup to ward off the chill.”
Jinshu brought in a bowl of steaming ginger soup and placed it on the corner of the table.
“Ru Yi went to the market to buy New Year goods and hasn’t returned yet…”
“It’s fine, she’s clever; she won’t freeze.” Xue Sui took off her plain cloak dusted with snowflakes, her tone calm, betraying no emotion.
“That’s true…”
Jinshu smiled in agreement and added, “Master Huiming just sent a young nun to say that the sutra banners, ritual implements, and offerings for the Baohua Palace Prayer and Blessing Ceremony have all been counted and are ready. She asked if you could go and take a look when you have time, to see if anything is missing or if there’s anything that needs special attention. Master specifically instructed that palace rules are strict, and Consort Li is now as precious as a golden jewel, so not a single detail can be overlooked…”
Xue Sui’s eyes flickered almost imperceptibly as she picked up the ginger soup and took a small sip.
“I understand.”
Xiao Qing’er’s promotion to Consort Li had caused a stir, with news about her spreading like wildfire. Even in the quiet Shui Yue Nunnery, whispers could occasionally be heard.
For her, Baohua Palace was a Dragon’s Pool and Tiger’s Den.
“Young Lady…” Jinshu looked at her calm profile, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Xue Sui seemed to read her mind and calmly changed the subject, “I’m fine. When I came in just now, I thought I saw Old Man Wang from the foot of the mountain?”
Jinshu nodded in affirmation, “Yes. Old Man Wang is grateful for your kindness in treating his mother’s chronic illness, so he specifically brought some homemade cured meat to express his thanks. Two wind-dried chickens, a piece of prime pork belly, and some dried persimmons and chestnuts… It’s just right for you to nourish your body.”
“You all eat. Steam some millet rice for me and cut a small plate of pickled cucumbers; keep it simple.”
As Xue Sui spoke, her gaze fell on the plum trees outside the window, “This snow won’t stop for a while, and the cold will be even heavier at night. Have the kitchen boil more ginger and date soup and send some to each room, especially to Master Huiming and the elder aunts…”
Jinshu nodded.
“Young Lady is thoughtful. This servant will go and give the orders.”
As they were speaking, hurried and light footsteps were heard from outside, accompanied by Ru Yi’s slightly breathless, clear voice.
“Young Lady, this servant is back!”
Jinshu hurried out to meet her. Ru Yi’s head and shoulders were covered in snowflakes, her basket was heavy, her nose was frozen red, but her eyes shone brightly.
“You’re back, quickly come in and warm yourself by the fire. It’s such a snowy day.”
Jinshu took the things from her hands, chiding her with a smile.
“You bought so much; aren’t you afraid of getting tired?”
“Not tired, not tired.” Ru Yi stamped the snow off her feet and skipped into the room, going to the charcoal stove and placing her frozen hands on it, breathing on them and rubbing them.
“The market was so lively, they were selling everything. It’s just that the snow has melted a bit, making the roads muddy and difficult to walk.”
She looked up again and said, “Young Lady, this servant also happened to meet Eunuch Lai from the Eastern Palace…”
