Chapter 107: Her Concern
Before Mu Chang arrived, he had already made two preparations. No matter which side between Yue Tang and Chu Ying lost, he had left a retreat for himself.
The Mu Family is implicated in Prince Duan’s death. In the murder case of Yue Tang three years ago, the Mu Family was almost invisible. Before Prince Duan’s cause of death is brought out for discussion, all current attacks on Mu Chang will only become handles for him to counter-accuse Yue Tang of slandering him.
Even if Yue Tang had thousands of questions in her heart, she could only suppress them.
Not to mention that he actually invited the Emperor!
The Emperor came and personally acknowledged her elder cousin in front of so many people. Thus, the fact that Princess Yongjia survived the murder case three years ago and returned became announced to the world.
The eunuchs and Ministry of Rites Officials each performed their duties: some went to the Ministry of Rites Officials’ mansions to deliver the decree, some went to Prince Duan’s Mansion to give orders, and others were assigned to the Imperial Clan Court to retrieve Yue Tang’s household registration file.
At this point, there was no reason to delay. Yue Tang must immediately be restored to her position as princess and enjoy the status and glory she rightfully deserved.
After all, if it were delayed even one step, wouldn’t it be worth pondering whether the Emperor truly valued this elder cousin who once shared the calamity fate with him?
Ready-made reputation, no one would not want to claim it, and the Emperor was the same.
Amid the bustling crowd coming and going, Yue Tang and Yan Bei had already exchanged several glances with each other.
Because the household registration file was still in Yue Tang’s own hands, Yan Bei called Wei Zhang to greet the Emperor together: “This is a major matter. I will personally go to the Imperial Clan Court to save the subordinates from making mistakes again.”
How could the Emperor suspect anything? He readily approved and was quite grateful that he was willing to go personally.
The eunuchs soon carried over a sedan and respectfully invited Yue Tang to enter the palace by sedan.
Yue Tang saluted the Emperor: “This subject daughter is filthy all over and originally should not appear in this state before Your Majesty. Please postpone the entry into the palace; after this subject daughter returns and cleans up, she will formally pay respects.”
For everyone to suddenly see someone they thought was dead come back alive was sudden for the Imperial Court; for Yue Tang, to have her identity suddenly exposed and pushed before the Emperor was also sudden.
She could no longer be pushed along.
Dou Yun had gone through this with Yue Tang and could somewhat guess what she was thinking, so he stepped forward to petition: “The matter is sudden. Please postpone it, Your Majesty, so the Imperial Court can prepare a response to the princess’s return.”
To the Emperor, Yue Tang might not be a deeply favored clan relative, but she was special—they were born in the same year, month, and day, and both were determined by the high monk to carry the calamity fate, so she naturally deserved a grand welcoming ceremony.
Upon first seeing her, the Emperor personally escorting her into the palace to meet the civil and military officials was part of the grand ceremony.
But Yue Tang refused.
The Emperor hesitated and looked toward Mu Chang.
Mu Chang said: “The princess’s concerns are reasonable. She has suffered much in these three years. The Ministry of Rites and Imperial Clan Court should properly prepare and select another auspicious day to let the princess enter the palace in glory.”
At this stage, he had completely succeeded.
But the image of Yue Tang bursting into the alley full of killing intent was still etched in his mind; he knew better than anyone that this girl was not someone who could be dealt with in a few moves.
Right now, it was best for him to quickly get everyone to leave this place and wrap up the matter.
The Emperor always listened to the Grand Tutor. He nodded: “The ins and outs of the Chu Family’s assault also need detailed investigation. That guard will escort the elder cousin back. Once I return, I will immediately issue a decree announcing the elder cousin’s return.
“Once the date is set, I will formally summon the elder cousin into the palace for conversation.”
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace.” Yue Tang bowed in thanks and added: “This subject daughter has been under Prince Jingyang’s care these days and specially stayed in Prince Jingyang’s Mansion. Prince Jingyang just left guards here, so no need to trouble Your Majesty to send more people.”
Surprise flashed in the Emperor’s eyes, but he quickly nodded in understanding: “No wonder this case was first raised by Prince Jingyang—it was my fault; I should have realized back then that it was the elder cousin avenging herself!”
He asked: “When will Elder Sister return to Prince Duan’s Mansion? Now that Uncle Prince is gone, Elder Sister should take charge of the mansion upon returning. According to rites, the Ministry of Rites should arrange some ceremonies.”
Yue Tang was slightly silent: “After packing up, it will be just one or two days before moving back. At that time, I will submit a memorial to report to Your Majesty.”
There was still Chu Yan in Prince Duan’s Mansion, and the Chu Family would soon be gone—it was time to go back and deal with her.
The Emperor nodded, thought for a moment, and couldn’t think of more for the time being, so he said: “Then I will return to the palace first and send an imperial physician to Prince Jingyang’s Mansion to treat Elder Sister’s wounds.”
Yue Tang did not need it but still thanked him and escorted him out of the alley all the way, watching him board the warm sedan.
The palace attendants followed the Emperor in a grand procession as they departed. Mu Chang followed behind, glanced back at Yue Tang after mounting his horse, then slowly withdrew his gaze and followed the procession away.
Another gust of wind blew through the blood-filled alley. The rain had long stopped, but the air was still damp, clinging tightly to the dust and sweat on their bodies.
Yue Tang’s gaze swept over the Imperial Guards handling the aftermath, then she strode out of the alley.
Dawn’s light had just cast upon the earth. Though the sky was still overcast, the outlines of horses and people on the road were clearly visible.
Yan Bei was waiting for her in the mansion.
Only after seeing the Emperor arrive and knowing Yue Tang would be safe did he feel assured to leave first.
The household registration file had already been taken from Lan Qin. If Yue Tang really needed it urgently, he would immediately deliver it to her.
But she returned herself.
He took her sword and wanted to lead her directly to Hua Qing Garden, but halfway he changed to holding her arm, half-pushing and half-pulling her inside.
Lan Qin had long prepared clean clothes and hot water. Xiao Huo guarded the stove, warming the food prepared for her.
Hua Lin came up carrying the medicine box, about to nag, but Yue Tang raised her hand to stop him: “The palace will send an imperial physician. Just apply some medicine for me; I don’t want others to know you’re here yet.”
She could not reveal all her trump cards to everyone; Hua Lin was too important to her and should be hidden if possible.
Seeing the caution in her words, everyone was stunned, and only now did they have the mind to bring up tonight’s events.
Wei Zhang, who had returned early with Yan Bei, had naturally already explained the sequence of events. What they cared about was the unexpected Mu Chang.
“This treacherous thief is truly so cunning!”
Xiao Huo was so angry he nearly crushed the soup bowl in his hand.
Yue Tang slowly ate her meal and said leisurely: “If I remember correctly, the Mu Family moved away from the Capital City one year before the Second Prince was born, and by the year we had our incident, it had been a full seventeen years.
“In these seventeen years, he schemed in Jiangling, knew the Capital City matters like the back of his hand, and could manipulate conspiracies from thousands of miles away to gain all this—he is definitely not simple.”
At this point, she paused briefly and continued: “Precisely because we saw his cunning tonight, in dealing with him next, we cannot seek speed but must seek stability.”
Everyone was furious, but hearing this, they all agreed in their hearts.
Wei Zhang looked toward Yan Bei reclining on the chaise: “Chu Ying’s corpse has been sent to the Bureau of Military Affairs for safekeeping. The captured Imperial Guards leader is also imprisoned. When does Your Highness plan to interrogate?”
Yan Bei leaned back on the headrest, fiddling with a hairpin Yue Tang had casually placed on the table, his gaze also on Yue Tang: “Did you discover anything on Chu Ying earlier?”
“Didn’t have time to look closely, only found something in his bosom. In any case, having the corpse in our hands first is useful.”
“Exactly,” Xiao Huo gritted his teeth. “The Chu Bandit is no pushover either. Last night’s events were a life-or-death game for him; he must have carried important things on him.”
So even Mu Chang couldn’t hold back earlier and tried to help the Imperial Guards leader seize the corpse.
Yan Bei stopped the hairpin between his fingers, stood up, and pulled on his cloak: “I’ll go to the Bureau of Military Affairs first, then to the Supreme Court.
“Chu Ying is dead; take down the Chu Family first.”
Yue Tang was returning to Prince Duan’s Mansion—this was an unchangeable fact. He must handle all these loose ends before then, letting her return to the mansion cleanly.
Yue Tang set down the bowl and saw him to the door. The morning light was brighter, clearly showing the faint stubble on his chin.
“Are you injured?” She scanned from his neck downward. “If wounded, rest first; the rest can be handled by Dou Yun.”
The Mu Family also wanted the Chu Family destroyed; from now on, there would be no Chu Family figure on the Imperial Court—it was set.
However, the Chu Family had held high positions for years with deep-rooted ties in the court. In the next two days, some people would surely jump out, requiring some handling.
Since their reunion, Yan Bei had never received such concern from her. He involuntarily puffed out his firm chest: “A few petty thieves, how could they harm this prince? I’m fine!”
Yue Tang said: “Good!”
She walked back under the threshold: “Wei Zhang, where are you injured? Later, I’ll have Hua Lin check with me.”
Yan Bei, descending the steps, turned back and slapped his forehead.
He had actually forgotten—she knew medical skill too!
He should have admitted to being injured.
……
This murder case alarmed the Imperial Guards and the Emperor. By this point, more than half the city had heard the news.
When the news spread that Chu Ying was killed on the spot and Princess Yongjia had returned from the dead, the remaining half were also shocked.
To the parties involved, it might just be a few deaths, but to others, it was earth-shattering! Second only to the palace coup three years ago.
Princess Yongjia’s return from the dead was surprising, but since she was just an Imperial Clan Princess and Prince Duan’s Mansion was nearly wiped out, the rumors of her revenge along the way sounded thrilling but hadn’t been seen with their own eyes, so most people were surprised briefly and then let it go.
Because the remaining matters were more worth attention.
As a pivotal force on the Imperial Court, the Chu Family’s collapse meant a change in the Imperial Court’s structure.
The Shen Family, which had fought them for years, now had one less fierce enemy and was undoubtedly the happiest.
Yan Bei currently showed no intent to seize imperial power, so next they only needed to focus on dealing with the Mu Family and the Emperor.
With the imperial seal handover less than a year away, such an event was undoubtedly good news for their contention for power.
With the Chu Family down, many officials closely following them would at least be implicated in part.
The vacancies created would surely be contested by the Shen Family and Mu Family. This meant the Imperial Court would be unsettled again.
So how to choose sides at this time?
After returning to the palace, the Emperor immediately issued a decree to the Three Departments and Six Ministries announcing Yue Tang’s return. Empress Dowager Shen, who had received the news before Yue Tang’s return, had been waiting early in the palace.
As officials from the Three Departments and Six Ministries arrived at Changchun Hall upon hearing the news, the Emperor, both sad and joyful, finished recounting the sequence. Listening Empress Dowager Shen looked gravely toward Mu Chang beside him.
But she said nothing and directly returned to her Yongshou Palace afterward.
Mu Chang stayed until the Three Departments and Six Ministries officials left before returning to the mansion.
In the gloomy morning light, Madam Mu and Mu Shuyun greeted him.
“Such a dangerous thing happened last night! Why didn’t you tell me?”
Madam Mu shed tears in lingering fear.
“Not telling you was precisely because it wasn’t that dangerous.”
Mu Chang curved his lips slightly, gently patted her back, took the chicken shredded porridge handed by Mu Shuyun and ate it, then went to the study.
Mu Shuyun looked at his back, turned to her mother: “Father’s steps are unusually hasty today, and there is some worry in his eyes.”
Madam Mu looked up: “Is that so?”
Then she said: “No matter, your father is infallible; nothing can stump him.”
Mu Shuyun withdrew her gaze, smiling as she hooked her mother’s arm: “Princess Yongjia shares the fortune of being born on the same year, month, and day as Cousin Emperor. Father personally protected her and brought her before Cousin, who must be very pleased.
“He loves the pastries Daughter makes most. Daughter will go to the kitchen now to make some and bring them into the palace to share Cousin’s joy.”
Madam Mu patted her hand, smiling very kindly.
Mu Chang entered the room; Lu Zhao was already there.
He came forward: “Grand Tutor has worked hard!”
According to the estimate before leaving, the battle should have ended quickly and he would return to the mansion. But it took a whole night, so there must have been variables.
Mu Chang stood in the room, exhaling heavily after a long while: “Fortunately, there was danger but no disaster.”
He sat down, lifting his bloodshot eyes: “That girl does have some real skill.
“She is desperate.
“Her people fight desperately for her too.
“Including Dou Yun, who just got the Imperial City Department history.”
Lu Zhao stopped before him: “No matter how formidable, she is just a woman and cannot enter the Imperial Court. The matter is over; Grand Tutor can rest assured.”
Dark light swirled in Mu Chang’s eyes as he slowly shook his head. “But by showing up tonight, I also exposed myself to her.
“Until I confirm whether the First Prince is alive or dead, I cannot rest easy.
“Yue Tang has no qualification to enter the court, but she has the ability to stir up storms.”
Lu Zhao paused, then bowed: “Understood. I will arrange for people to go back to the original site that year to investigate.
“If he fell into the water and was saved, he certainly would not have gone ashore more than three li away.”
Mu Chang picked up the tea: “Next, the Emperor will bestow her some favor; she will become a hot figure on the Imperial Court. For now, avoid her edge first, observe her carefully.
“Before figuring out her background, do not provoke her, much less give her any handles.”
“Yes.”
