Chapter 144: Undercurrents
Consort Wan drank the medicinal soup and fell into a deep sleep again. Her long breaths were interspersed with faint wheezing sounds, and her brows were tightly furrowed, like withered grass huddled in the corner of the cold palace wall, exuding a sense of desolation.
Wen Jia picked up her mother’s withered, bone-thin hand and gently placed it back under the covers.
“Mother has spent her entire life far from her homeland, confined to the deep palace. Even in her dreams, she can hardly find peace.”
Xue Sui watched the bamboo curtains sway back and forth in the wind, her fingertips lightly playing with the tassel. “Does Your Highness wish to establish a firm footing among the noble ladies of the imperial clan and lend Consort Wan more dignity?”
“Me?” Wen Jia suddenly looked up. “What plans does Sixth Miss have?”
Xue Sui smiled. “Next month is the Empress Dowager’s birthday. All the noble ladies, both inside and outside the palace, will come to offer their birthday wishes… If you can win the Empress Dowager’s favor, how dare the noble ladies of the imperial clan slight you and your mother?”
Wen Jia’s fingertips paused slightly, and she smiled bitterly, shaking her head.
“Although I am called a Princess, within the imperial family, I have always been merely a decoration. The birthday gifts I presented in previous years were even mocked as shabby by the Palace Aide’s aunt when she cataloged them into the treasury. How could the Empress Dowager even glance at them…”
Xue Sui’s lips curved slightly upwards.
“Then this time, let them see.”
Wen Jia looked puzzled.
Xue Sui continued, “I heard that the Empress Dowager has been ill for a long time due to Prince Wei’s affairs. If Your Highness could embroider a medical sutra, secretly passed down from Xizi, as a birthday gift to pray for the Empress Dowager’s blessings, I believe it would surely please her…”
“But where would we get a secret medical sutra?” Wen Jia asked.
Xue Sui merely smiled without speaking.
Wen Jia understood her meaning, hesitated for a moment, and said softly, “With Fan Bing’s death, my heart has finally settled. I have endured so much hardship and disappointment with the mortal world. I only wish to spend the rest of my life with Niu Niu and Mother, living peacefully in the imperial palace, and no longer be entangled in the affairs of the imperial family…”
“Your Highness’s filial piety is commendable, but it is not yet time to fully enjoy the joys of family.” Xue Sui’s meaningful gaze swept over Consort Wan, who was sleeping soundly in the tent.
“If the Grand Princess could escort the coffin to protect the direct descendants of the Xiao Clan today, she could have Consort Wan sent back to the cold palace tomorrow.”
The daylight filtered through the bamboo screen, casting mottled shadows on the ground.
Wen Jia looked at Xue Sui’s calm and composed smiling face, a thin layer of sweat breaking out on her palms.
At this moment, the tassel rustled, and Dong Xu entered with small steps and bowed.
“Your Highness, Young Master Lu is waiting outside the Flower Gate, saying he has come to bid farewell.”
–
Beneath the ancient locust tree in the rear garden of the imperial palace, Lu You’an nervously rubbed the smooth jade pendant in his palm. Seeing Wen Jia approaching gracefully, he quickly stepped back three paces and bowed.
“Lu offers his respects and wishes Your Highness well.”
“You may dispense with the formalities.”
Wen Jia responded, her fingers unconsciously tightening. Her gaze fell on Lu You’an’s arm, which was bandaged. “Has Young Master Lu’s injury improved?”
Lu You’an said, “Thanks to Your Highness’s blessings, I am well. I am preparing to depart for the capital and have come to bid you farewell…”
Wen Jia had seen the mangled flesh and still felt lingering fear recalling it. However, she could not say much, only stating, “Since that is the case, please depart with peace of mind. I am deeply indebted to Young Master Lu for your righteous assistance this time. Wen Jia has no way to repay you, except to remember it in her heart…”
She bowed solemnly to Lu You’an.
Lu You’an quickly stepped aside to avoid the bow and returned the gesture with clasped hands.
“Your Highness flatters me. If this penetrating nail can offset some of my sins, it would be my good fortune…”
Wen Jia asked, “What sins does Young Master Lu have?”
Lu You’an’s throat bobbed slightly. The once brilliant Top Scholar now stammered before Wen Jia, his expression extremely unnatural.
“My refusal to marry back then was not because I looked down on Your Highness, but rather…”
“But because you dared not defy Ping Le, and dared not gamble with your family and future.” Wen Jia interrupted with a light laugh. “I understand, and I have no complaints. At this point, speaking of this is useless. Young Master Lu should focus on raising his children well and not get involved in such sordid affairs.”
Lu You’an lowered his head, and the jade pendant he held slipped back into his sleeve.
“Does Your Highness feel that Lu, living in seclusion at the academy, is incapable of great deeds?”
Wen Jia looked at the loneliness and dejection on his face, her heart filled with bitterness.
“The Lu family has served as upright officials for generations, with a profound family heritage. Young Master Lu is well-read and upright, most suitable for teaching the way of the gentleman.”
“I am humbled by Your Highness’s praise and dare not accept it.”
Lu You’an lowered his hands and retreated to the side of the stone path, bowing respectfully with a long clasp of his hands.
“The road ahead is long. Your Highness, please take care.”
“Take care.”
Wen Jia curtsied slightly and turned to leave.
A tear welled up in her eyes but ultimately did not fall.
Lu You’an looked at the jade pendant, which was damp with sweat from his grip, and sighed softly.
This jade pendant was originally given to him by his deceased grandmother, who told him to give it to his legitimate granddaughter-in-law in the future. But after so many years, it still hadn’t been given away…
“Young Master Lu, why don’t you come in for a seat.”
A crisp voice with a smile, Xue Sui had appeared nearby at some unknown time.
Lu You’an straightened his robes and bowed deeply to her.
“Your Highness’s reputation is paramount. I shall return to the capital now.”
“When Young Master Lu refused the marriage back then, did you consider her reputation?” Xue Sui’s eyebrows slightly raised. Although she was smiling, her tone was sharp. “Wen Jia dares to face her scars, yet you, a man of seven feet, are so hesitant?”
Emotionally, Xue Sui greatly wished for Lu You’an and Wen Jia to reconcile.
Lu You’an’s career had been bumpy, but his character was upright and honest, and he was deeply devoted to Wen Jia. As for the Lu family’s old Prime Minister, although he had long since retired to his fields, his influence remained, and his reputation for integrity was widespread.
Such a family would be a good match for Wen Jia.
Of course, she also had a selfish motive – Lu You’an and Wen Jia getting together would be enough to make Ping Le spit up three liters of blood.
As long as Ping Le lived, she would not have a single happy day.
There was no greater torment than to kill the heart.
Lu You’an was Ping Le’s unattainable desire, his bitter fruit that she could not swallow.
Lu You’an’s arm was wrapped in bandages, and his injuries had not yet healed, making him look very pale.
“I was foolish back then, and now I am even less worthy of a golden branch and jade leaf…”
Xue Sui’s gaze swept over the jade pendant half-hidden in his hand, and she chuckled softly. “Since you know you wronged her back then, why not try your best to make amends… and cherish the present?”
Lu You’an’s throat felt bitter, and he shook his head without speaking.
Xue Sui bowed. “Regardless, thank you for stepping forward this time, Young Master Lu. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to bring the truth to light. I only hope that once things settle down, it will not bring you any trouble.”
Lu You’an’s expression was calm. “My grandfather often taught the descendants of the Lu family to stand upright and be righteous, and not to fear slander. I have a clear conscience in accusing the Xiao Clan this time. If my grandfather knew, he would surely be pleased.”
Xue Sui nodded slightly. “The old Prime Minister’s noble character is admirable.”
Lu You’an bowed slightly and performed a deep courtesy.
“I have taken up too much of your time. I shall take my leave now. Farewell!”
Xue Sui watched his slender back, suddenly feeling that all the trees in the courtyard were desolate.
–
The twilight of the West Mountain Imperial Palace gradually deepened.
The scenery here was beautiful, with mist swirling, like a fairyland. If it were truly as Wen Jia said, to live here peacefully, far from disputes, would be quite good.
Unfortunately…
Xue Sui leaned against the carved wooden railing, her fingertips tracing an old scar on her wrist, unable to suppress the coldness in her eyes.
Xiao Zhao approached with a jade cup in her hand and said in a low voice, “Miss, the Crown Prince has sent someone for the third time, urging to know when you will return…”
“I know.” Xue Sui replied without turning her head, her voice clear and cold.
“Yes.” Xiao Zhao responded, then added, “But the Crown Prince…”
Xue Sui turned to look at her. Xiao Zhao swallowed her unfinished words and changed her tune. “Let this servant get you a cloak, Miss. The mountain wind is cool at night.”
Xue Sui nodded. “Consort Wan’s complexion has clearly improved these past two days. With the Imperial Physician and Wen Jia taking care of her here, I don’t need to worry too much. We will depart early tomorrow morning.”
Xiao Zhao glanced at her and secretly smiled.
“This servant understands. I will go and pack now.”
In front of the rhombus mirror, Xue Sui held a green jade hairpin and gazed at her reflection.
The entanglement on that stormy night unexpectedly surfaced in her mind—
Li Zhao’s hot breath, the scarlet tinge in his eyes when the Love Silk Gu acted up, and the bulge in his throat when he said, “If I die, you will be buried with me,” were all too clear.
From the day their fates were first intertwined, they had been bound by an unbreakable shackle, destined not to be lovers, but to face the coming storms together.
Xue Sui poked the face in the mirror and curved her lips.
The power struggles in the Imperial Court would not cease with Xiao Zhengyuan’s downfall and Xiao Jing’s exile—
The Emperor had given Li Zhao a hot potato. Investigating the Ministry of Revenue’s accounts for several years would not be easy.
Moreover, Li Huan had previously been investigating the Gold Department’s corruption case. Now that Li Zhao was to investigate the Ministry of Revenue, conflicts were inevitable.
Was it what Emperor Chong Zhao wanted, for the brothers to wrestle with each other?
That night, the side gate of the Princess’s Mansion was quietly opened.
A figure sneaked in.
The lamplight in Ping Le’s room flickered dimly. The sound of a teacup falling to the ground could be faintly heard, followed by her sharp, furious shout.
“Useless! Tell me, how could the Xizi people betray us?”
Gu Jie allowed the porcelain shards to cut his hand, and said hoarsely, “Princess…”
“Silence!” Ping Le, like a madwoman, threw another white porcelain cup at him. “Don’t call me Princess anymore! I am Li Yushu, Li Yushu!”
Broken porcelain lay scattered on the floor.
Gu Jie prostrated himself on the ground. “Princess, please calm your anger!”
After returning from Xuanzheng Hall, Ping Le’s temper had become increasingly erratic. She would smash things at the slightest provocation and fly into a rage at her subordinates. Especially when Emperor Chong Zhao did not come to the Princess’s Mansion to visit her, she became hysterical, tore off the bandage on her forehead, and cried, saying she was an abandoned child with no one to love her, and that people should not call her Princess anymore.
Gu Jie said, “It must be that the Crown Prince bribed the Xizi merchants and learned of our plan in advance…”
Ping Le was furious. “Bribed? How much money do they want that I wouldn’t give? Why would they refuse a large sum of silver and betray me to join the Crown Prince?”
Gu Jie flinched, not daring to meet her eyes.
“Perhaps… perhaps they used some trickery? After all, Sixth Miss Xue returned from the Old Mausoleum Swamp…”
“Shut up! Who allowed you to call her Miss? She’s just a lowly thing!”
Ping Le trembled with rage, her eyes wide open, as if fire were about to spew from them.
“You all think she’s exceptionally intelligent, don’t you? You also think she’s an important figure, right?”
She suddenly grabbed Gu Jie’s collar, lowered her head, and glared at him, her nails digging deeply into his neck, still gritting her teeth and exerting force. “I will surely tear Xue Liu into a thousand pieces, ruin the Crown Prince’s reputation, and make those Xizi people pay a heavy price for what they did that day… only then can my hatred be appeased!”
“And Lu You’an… who discarded me like worn-out shoes, ignored me, disregarded our marital bond, wrote a confession to add insult to injury, and made me lose all face. I will surely make him regret it, regret it…”
Gu Jie was pulled back and forth by her.
A piercing pain came from his neck. He did not struggle, but remembered Xue Sui’s words that day.
“Strike the snake at its seven-inch point. To make someone hurt, you must destroy what they cherish most…”
“Princess, please calm your anger.” His face turned red from holding his breath. He finally managed to gasp for air and said with difficulty, “That three thousand taels, I will find a way… to get it back.”
Ping Le became even angrier.
Her chest heaved violently, and she gasped for breath, glaring at Gu Jie.
“Do you think I, Li Yushu, care about that three thousand taels?”
Born into the imperial family, Princess Ping Le, whose wealth rivaled that of the nation, would not care about a mere three thousand taels. What she cared about was the humiliation she suffered in Xuanzheng Hall, in front of her Imperial Father and all the ministers, and the man who abandoned her…
And her cousin…
Her cousin Xiao Zhengyuan, who accompanied her to catch fireflies in the summer and build snowmen in the winter, who brought her all sorts of rare treasures to coax her and indulged her every whim.
Tears suddenly fell from her eyes. She slightly loosened her grip, her lips twisted by anger and crying.
“When will my third brother be executed?”
Gu Jie said, “The Ministry of Justice has set the date for three days later, at noon, and has requested His Majesty’s imperial decree.”
Ping Le collapsed onto the chair, weeping with grief.
Before, she had whatever she wanted. Now, she encountered obstacles everywhere, and could not even see her children.
Today, she sent someone to the Lu Mansion to visit her children, wanting to bring them to the Princess’s Mansion for a few days. Unexpectedly, she was refused entry by the Lu family’s Old Duke, who said the Lu family had severed ties with her, and the Lu family’s descendants did not recognize her as their mother.
“The child I carried for nine months, and the old scoundrel of the Lu family refuses to let them call me mother, wanting to break all ties with me…”
“Gu Jie…”
Ping Le, tears streaming down her face, suddenly turned around.
“Do you hate Li Yan?”
Gu Jie’s body trembled slightly.
He did not move, his head lowered, as if trying to suppress the surging emotions within him.
Ping Le gazed at the flickering candlelight on his handsome face, suddenly feeling a sense of daze.
Ever since the embarrassing incident on Prince Duan’s birthday, Lu You’an had been particularly cold to her. Even after their divorce, he refused to let her get close to him, nor would he share a room with her.
Driven by hatred, her heart was filled with sorrow. These days, she only wanted to seek revenge with all her might. It had been a long time since she had felt so restless and anxious, desperately wanting to find another secret outlet…
The wound on her forehead throbbed. The actions just now seemed to have drained all her strength. Her breathing was slightly hot, and her thoughts were a tangled mess…
After seeing blood, the toxicity of the Love Silk Lure raged, eroding her body and mind…
Ping Le inhaled deeply in hatred…
Her breathing became uncontrollably rapid, and her body became even more restless.
“Sit down and talk.”
Gu Jie bowed and retreated to the edge of the rosewood cushion, sitting down lightly. “When I learned that the child in Ying’er’s womb was not mine, I hated it…”
Ping Le stared at him intently. “And now?”
Gu Jie said, “I hate it even more…”
It was like having sand particles filling his throat from the wind and sand, dry and unable to be spat out or swallowed, stifling his heart. That feeling of indignation and helplessness was hard to describe.
His throat bobbed, and he frowned with a complex expression.
“Your Highness’s hatred is also my hatred.”
Ping Le gazed at him quietly for a moment, then suddenly smiled.
“Help me do something.”
Gu Jie’s eyes flickered, and he lowered his head, clasping his hands.
“I am at Your Highness’s disposal…”
Ping Le stared at his refined face, and under the pull of the Love Silk Lure’s toxicity, her hands unconsciously tightened their grip on her clothes. She said with torment and restlessness:
“Go to the Xiao Mansion and deliver a letter to the Grand Princess, telling her I wish to see my third brother one last time, and ask her to think of a way for me…”
Two chapters combined. Wishing you well~~
