Chapter 101: The Bargaining Chip
Yangzhou City.
Zheng Residence.
The Zheng father and son sat in the hall listening to music. Beside them, two beautiful maidservants in red and green were burning incense. The musician played a melancholic tune. Ning Yue sang, “The hibiscus blooms on the third day of the third month, my little darling…”
The silk handkerchief twirled alluringly in her hand.
The Steward strode in and bowed to the Zheng father and son, saying, “Master, Young Master, there is news from the Capital City: Feng Gao, Director Feng, is dead!”
Zheng Tai abruptly sat up, “Is it true?”
The Steward replied, “It is absolutely true. His Majesty has bestowed the noble title of Duke Zhongyi, and the funeral arrangements have already begun.”
Zheng Father stroked his beard and mused, “No wonder this morning I vaguely heard two magpies chirping; it was a premonition of such momentous good fortune.”
The handkerchief in Ning Yue’s hand suddenly dropped to the floor.
She listened to the news in a daze. That day, on Plum Blossom Ridge, Feng Gao had walked out of that small house without telling her where he was going. He had only promised to help her leave the Zheng Residence. But now, she had received news of his death.
Zheng Tai looked at the handkerchief on the floor, then at Ning Yue’s face, and with a smile, walked forward and delivered a kick to her chest. Ning Yue fell to the ground.
He placed his shoe on her face and said, “What, that eunuch merely held you in public, and you’ve developed feelings and loyalty? Who are you putting on this mournful act for?”
Ning Yue did not struggle, nor did she beg for mercy. She endured Zheng Tai’s brutality, a faint smile blooming on her lips. There was no hope left. She had no hope left. She could not escape this hellhole.
Zheng Tai cursed a few more times, waved his hand, and said, “Get out.”
Ning Yue calmly rose, smoothed her dress, and left.
A moment later, a servant boy from the back corner gate reported, “Reporting to Master, Young Master, Zhang Jing has arrived.”
The Zheng father and son exchanged glances and instructed the servant boy, “Bring him to the inner room. Remember, keep it discreet.”
“Yes.”
Zhang Jing was originally a eunuch who cleaned chamber pots in the Twelve Bureaus. He was clever, respectful, and eloquent. About a year ago, he was transferred to the Eastern Depot by Feng Gao. In April, when Princess Pingning was selecting an Imperial Son-in-law, Feng Gao was implicated and sent to the Imperial Prison. Many people became turncoats. Only he remained loyal to Feng Gao, risking his life to secretly deliver soup and water to the prison. After Feng Gao was released, he promoted him three ranks and kept him by his side, trusting him greatly.
No one could have imagined that he was Consort Zheng’s deepest pawn placed beside Feng Gao.
The time Zou Cheng incited Qin Mingxu to search Feng Gao’s official documents was merely a test of the relationship between Qin Mingxu and Feng Gao. It was Zhang Jing who sent the message, and only after Qin Mingxu actually searched the documents did they dare to proceed with exploiting Qin Mingxu. After Zou Cheng died at Cai Le Workshop, it was Zhang Jing who, through several “inadvertent” reminders, both overt and covert, convinced Feng Gao that Qin Mingxu was the killer.
Zhang Jing was an orphan with no parents or relatives. When Feng Gao first brought him to his side, he had investigated his background, and it was indeed clean. His tragic past, his meticulous nature, and his cautious personality all reminded Feng Gao of his own beginnings. Feng Gao had never suspected him.
This was his unique advantage.
At this moment, with his hat pulled low to conceal his face, he entered the inner room of the Zheng Residence through the corner gate. The Zheng father and son sat in formal postures, awaiting him.
After he performed his salutations, Zheng Tai said, “Feng Gao is gone, but the Eastern Depot remains. Rest assured, Her Ladyship still needs you, and the position of Director will be yours sooner or later.”
Zhang Jing thought for a moment and asked, “If I may be so bold, now that Director Feng is gone, how do the Maternal Grandfather of the Emperor and the Maternal Uncle of the Emperor plan to deal with Zhu Sangyu and the others in prison?”
Originally, using Tribute Wine as a pretext to trap Zhu Sangyu was intended to deal with Feng Gao. However, with the natural disaster of the avalanche and Feng Gao’s own quiet death, there was no longer a need to use Zhu Sangyu as a catalyst.
The Zheng father and son remained silent.
Zhang Jing said, “The person can be released.”
Zheng Tai quickly replied, “Released? A major case in the Imperial Palace involving Her Ladyship and the Prince, how can it be treated lightly?”
Zhang Jing smiled meaningfully.
Zheng Father coughed and said, “Tai’er, listen to Eunuch Zhang finish speaking.”
Zhang Jing said, “Her Ladyship wishes to change the Crown Prince. His Majesty’s favor is certainly not lacking, but what is lacking? The support of the court officials. There is a saying, ‘money makes the world go round.’ Don’t look at those scholars, full of benevolence and righteousness; how many officials in the world are not greedy? With substantial gifts sent out, there’s no worry that they won’t be tempted—”
As he spoke, he extended a finger and said, “Who is Zhu Sangyu’s husband? On the Grand Canal, at Wan Family’s Tiansheng Tower, he is the wealthiest man in Jiangnan. The issue with the Tribute Wine can be used to bankrupt him. With this money, how can Her Ladyship worry about winning over those officials?”
His words made the Zheng father and son beam with joy.
The day of changing the Crown Prince seemed to be just around the corner.
Zheng Father rose, picked up the wine pot, poured three cups, and personally lifted one to toast Zhang Jing.
Zhang Jing took the wine, and a flicker of doubt crossed his face.
Zheng Father noticed and asked, “Eunuch Zhang, what troubles you?”
“I am merely speculating. I am not entirely certain. Maternal Grandfather of the Emperor, Maternal Uncle of the Emperor, please consider my words as idle chatter.”
“Please speak.”
Zhang Jing hesitated and said, “Feng Gao’s death is certainly cause for joy, but I always feel something is amiss. Working closely with Feng Gao, I know his temperament well. He always leaves some room for maneuver in everything he does. But this time, he died so decisively, and several of his capable Execution Captains remain silent, not uttering a word…”
Zheng Tai laughed, “Eunuch Zhang is too accustomed to fearing him. His Majesty himself has confirmed his death, so how could it be false?”
Zheng Father, however, said gravely, “Eunuch Zhang means to say… Feng Gao might not be dead?”
Zhang Jing replied, “Before returning to the Capital, he used his Director’s order to summon a thousand Brocade Guards to Yangzhou to investigate the year-end Canal Transport taxes. Those Brocade Guards disappeared once they entered Yangzhou territory.”
Zheng Father said, “The Brocade Guards have always acted mysteriously, so that is not surprising. After they finish their task, they will return to the Capital to report to the newly appointed Director.”
Zhang Jing nodded.
Zheng Father pondered for a long time, stroked his beard, and said, “This matter cannot be taken lightly. Even if there is only the slightest possibility, we must be prepared. If he is truly alive, he will certainly make a move later, and we can guard against it.”
The three of them gathered again and talked for a good while, dispersing only in the evening.
When Zhang Jing left, he still exited through the corner gate, to avoid drawing attention.
Southern Metropolitan Region.
Qixia Post Station.
Qin Mingxu, with two porcelain dolls tucked in his embrace, sat down for a meal. After collecting the accounts in Fuliang, he had been rushing all the way here. There were still over two hundred li to Yangzhou. He would be able to see Sang Yu.
When he left, he had said that he would return when the moon was full in the twelfth lunar month. In just over twenty days, it felt as though the moon had been full many, many times. He was eager to return.
The pair of porcelain dolls in his arms were bought at the market in Fuliang. The dolls had dimples like a full moon at the corners of their mouths, resembling her so much. He had been delighted upon seeing them and held them tightly in his palm.
Her pregnancy was progressing, making movement difficult.
He wanted to return to her side sooner, to guard her, to hold her.
Every brief separation, the intense and surging longing reminded him of how much he loved her.
He ate a few hasty bites of the post station’s food and then set off again.
In the darkness, the horse neighed, and a figure agilely grabbed its reins, pulling it towards a desolate area.
“Who is it?” he demanded sternly.
They arrived at a grove, and the horse stopped. The person spoke, “It’s me.”
It was Feng Gao’s voice.
It had been a long time since they had spoken since their confrontational conversation in the Qin Manor garden.
“Something has happened in Yangzhou. Elder Sister is currently in prison. The Tribute Wine involves the safety of Consort Zheng and the Prince. Saving Elder Sister will not be easy; we need to plan carefully.” Feng Gao concisely explained the situation in Yangzhou.
Qin Mingxu suddenly lost control, “She’s in prison? With her condition, how can she endure it?”
Feng Gao told him about the avalanche at Dong’an Post Station.
Then, he said, “I cannot show myself now. There is something I need you to do.”
“What is it?” Qin Mingxu asked in a panic.
“I have evidence here of Consort Zheng harming the Crown Prince on the first day of the twelfth lunar month. Take it to the Zheng Residence and exchange it with the Zheng family. The matter of the Tribute Wine, while serious, can also be downplayed. I believe Consort Zheng can cover it up if she is willing to show leniency. When you negotiate with them, be mindful of your words, do not provoke them, and at the same time, make them understand that if they refuse to release Elder Sister, another copy of this evidence will appear before His Majesty within three days. Our only goal is to save Elder Sister.” Feng Gao said each word deliberately.
Upon hearing this, Qin Mingxu did not hesitate. He immediately took the few pages of letters and galloped towards Yangzhou.
Feng Gao said, “Do not let them know that I am still alive.”
Qin Mingxu nodded.
The night was like thick, unresolvable ink.
Qin Mingxu’s heart pounded rapidly.
The Buddha said that husband and wife are the karma of three lifetimes, the predestined connection of past lives.
Meeting is a debt; if not owed in the past life, one would not meet in this life. Meeting is to repay the debt, and love is to fulfill the connection.
He and she still had so many debts of longing to repay, so many affections yet to be fulfilled.
