Chapter 231: The Scheme
Empress Dowager Cheng Qing’s ability to emerge as the ultimate victor from the treacherous palace struggles during the Former Emperor’s reign was by no means comparable to that of an ordinary woman.
Her summoning of Wang Bo’an at this moment was by no means without purpose.
What if she intended to harm Xue Sui?
With a little manipulation, someone could die silently in prison, without a trace, and then a simple excuse could be fabricated, confirming a suicide due to guilt. The unsolved cases of poisoning Consort Xiao and Lu Xi would then have no witnesses…
This outcome would preserve the royal family’s reputation and silence public gossip…
No one would delve into the truth.
By then, no matter how many grievances Xue Sui had, no one would pursue the truth.
With this thought, Li Zhao suddenly spoke, his voice as cold as an ice-bound river in the twelfth lunar month.
“Change my clothes and prepare the carriage. I need to go to Zichen Hall to see His Majesty.”
Mei Ruhui was startled, “Your Highness, seeing His Majesty at this hour…”
“Imperial Father’s insistence on bestowing marriage is merely to force me to make a choice.” Li Zhao turned, his fingertips brushing over the marriage contract spread open on his desk, and suddenly let out a cold laugh, a fierce aura flashing in the corner of his eye.
“Since that is the case, I shall comply with his wishes and agree to this marriage—”
“Your Highness, it is right to think so.” Mei Ruhui nodded slightly and replied in a low voice, “The forces of the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion can indeed be relied upon.”
Li Zhao suddenly turned his head, “How could I possibly wait to be slaughtered?”
Mei Ruhui’s heart leaped in alarm.
Ever since Li Zhao learned of the bestowed marriage, he had remained silent, confining himself to his study to analyze the situation.
His sudden agreement to the marriage now, and the calmness in his eyes, was even more terrifying than his anger—
It was a deathly stillness before a storm, a desperate ruthlessness.
“I cannot wait seven days.”
Mei Ruhui’s heart trembled violently, suddenly realizing something, “Your Highness means…”
“Ye Xiao…” Li Zhao suddenly spoke, “Go investigate Chen Gui, the deputy warden of the Ministry of Justice’s Northern Prison. I recall the concubine he newly took in last month was the niece of the steward nanny from the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion.”
He then looked at Mei Ruhui, his voice as light as a feather falling on snow, “Go find a delicate human skin mask, and then find an autumn execution female prisoner with a similar build.”
Mei Ruhui was so frightened his heart trembled.
“Your Highness, are you planning to… to break into the prison?”
–
Within the palace walls, new candles were lit on the Bronze Sparrow candlestick in Jiaofang Palace.
Empress Xie meticulously combed her dark hair in front of the Rhombus Mirror. As the comb passed through her hair, she suddenly stopped, staring blankly into the bronze mirror—
Amidst her dark hair, there was a conspicuous strand of silver.
She had actually grown white hair…
“Your Ladyship, Madam of the Duke of Zheng has submitted a memorial of thanks.” Aunt Yu entered, holding a vermilion lacquer tray, on which a gold-dusted paper slip still carried the faint scent of magnolia.
“She says she is grateful for the grace and virtue of the Heavenly Family, and the Guo family will not fail to live up to expectations, serving the court with all their might…”
Empress Xie raised her hand, plucked off the white hair, and placed it on her dressing table.
“This marriage for the Crown Prince is ultimately difficult for him. I only hope he can understand my motherly intentions…”
“Your Ladyship, the Crown Prince just went to Zichen Hall to pay his respects, and Princess Tuya was dancing…” Aunt Yu placed a jade hairpin in the Empress’s hair, her tone laced with worry.
“This servant heard from the Crown Prince’s eunuch that His Highness waited for the duration of a stick of incense before being summoned by His Majesty.”
Empress Xie sneered at the bronze mirror.
“Change my clothes. I shall go and take a look…”
Inside Zichen Hall, candlelight slanted through the carved lattice doors, casting dappled shadows on Emperor Chong Zhao’s desk.
“Does the Crown Prince know why I am so eager to arrange this engagement for you?”
“I report to Imperial Father.” Li Zhao bowed, deliberately lowering his voice, making it sound more like the awkwardness of a young man, “Your Son understands Imperial Father’s good intentions. Third Miss Guo is virtuous and gentle, and the Duke of Zheng’s Mansion is a pillar of the state. This marriage is a fortunate event for the state and for the royal family.”
Emperor Chong Zhao looked up and saw the shadow cast by his son’s lowered eyelashes beneath his eyes, as if hiding countless worries. He was still young, and his reluctance was written all over his face—
But this appearance of forbearance was exactly like his own in those years.
He suddenly let out a cold laugh, “Fortunate? I think you are afraid I will use the head of the Xue family to force your compliance, aren’t you?”
The air in the hall suddenly turned cold.
Li Zhao’s heart tightened, but he maintained a respectful and obedient expression on his face.
“Why would Imperial Father say such a thing? Your Son has no…”
“Enough!” Emperor Chong Zhao slammed the table, shaking the wolf hair brushes on the pen holder to the ground. “The case of Consort Xiao has not yet been resolved, and you are already rushing to compete with Prince Duan for her. Now you suddenly agree to the marriage. Don’t think I don’t know what you are plotting…”
“As sons grow up, they marry; as daughters grow up, they wed. What intentions could there be?”
Before he finished speaking, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall.
Empress Xie, wearing a peony-embroidered jacket and skirt, entered with a gentle smile, bringing with her an autumn breeze carrying the scent of osmanthus.
A young palace maid followed behind, head bowed, carrying a gold-painted lacquer plate. In a celadon bowl on the plate floated round osmanthus wine dumplings…
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger.”
She personally held the small bowl of dumplings and pushed it towards Emperor Chong Zhao.
“The Crown Prince is young and impetuous; his actions are bound to be hasty. He used to indulge his whims, but now that he understands what is important, Your Majesty is displeased?”
Her words left Emperor Chong Zhao speechless, and he could only lower his head and pick up a dumpling.
The sound of the porcelain spoon stirring was exceptionally clear in the silence.
Emperor Chong Zhao scooped up a spoonful and, after a long pause, brought it to his lips.
The amber-colored broth spread across his tense face. When he spoke again, his tone suddenly softened.
“Only the Empress truly knows my taste. The soft and glutinous texture of the wine dumplings has not changed in so many years.”
Empress Xie’s lips curved into a smile, “I heard that military reports from the Western Frontier have arrived in the capital. I guessed it must be good news, so I specially prepared a late night snack…”
As she spoke, she scooped another bowl and handed it to Li Zhao.
The swirling steam, carrying the scent of osmanthus, slowly diffused the tense atmosphere in the hall.
Emperor Chong Zhao glanced at it.
“Lu You’an sent a swift report of victory. The Daliang Army has recaptured a hundred li of lost territory, captured over two thousand people, and forced the enemy to flee overnight…”
Empress Xie’s lips curved slightly, “He is indeed a brave and skilled general, possessing courage and strategy. It was truly a waste of his talents to have been Imperial Son-in-law to Ping Le before…”
The porcelain spoon tapped against the rim of the bowl with a crisp sound.
Emperor Chong Zhao suddenly slammed the bowl down heavily.
“Matters of marriage cannot be easily calculated for their benefits and drawbacks.”
With that, he cast a displeased glance at Li Zhao.
“Since you have agreed to the engagement, you must show sincerity. Yesterday, the Duke of Zheng vehemently criticized the Ministry of Revenue for withholding military pay in the Imperial Court, not even sparing Prime Minister Xiao’s face. A sharp blade can support half your sky, but it can also become a guillotine hanging over your head. With the slightest mistake…”
He paused meaningfully, “It will be a fatal disaster.”
Li Zhao: “Your Son understands.”
Empress Xie looked at her son’s upright figure, unconsciously twisting a handkerchief with her fingertips, her eyes churning with affection and helplessness.
This marriage was, after all, a transaction weighed by pros and cons.
And the most helpless thing in the world was to know that drinking poison was like quenching thirst, yet still have to smile and drink this cup of poisoned wine.
“Prepare well, and do not worry your mother.” Emperor Chong Zhao added.
“Your Son obeys.” Li Zhao lowered his eyes, concealing his emotions, his back held perfectly straight.
As he exited the hall, dusk had deepened.
A flock of grey sparrows flew over the glazed tiles. He couldn’t help but recall the damp and musty environment of the Ministry of Justice prison.
How would Xue Ping’an endure this long, dark night in that sunless, cold dungeon?
A bitter sensation rose in his throat.
“Wait for me…”
–
In the dead of night, with the north wind howling, the Ministry of Justice prison was silent.
Xue Sui, using the faint light filtering through the gaps in the wooden bars, played a game of chess on the ground with Xiao Zhao using grass stems to pass the time.
The time spent finding joy in hardship was not as difficult as Li Zhao had imagined…
Suddenly, from the end of the corridor, Qian Shi’s deliberately raised voice was heard.
“Officer, this aged Huadiao wine paired with braised pork knuckle is the best for dispelling cold and warming the stomach. This humble woman specially prepared it. Would you do me the honor of tasting it…”
Jinshu, beside her, cleverly slipped a piece of silver into the jailer’s hand.
The jailer weighed it in his hand and smiled broadly.
“Hurry up! Don’t miss the patrol time…”
“Yes, yes, yes… absolutely!”
Qian Shi carried the food box and rushed to the wooden bars. As the jailer unlocked the door, she rushed in and hugged Xue Sui’s frail body, trembling uncontrollably.
“Sixth Sister, you have suffered… How is your body? Are you still coughing?”
Jinshu silently placed the bundle on the ground, her suspended heart sinking as if doused in cold water.
Xue Sui gently patted Qian Shi, smiling to comfort her.
“Aunt, please don’t worry, I am doing well.”
Only then did Qian Shi secretly wipe away her tears, and with trembling hands, she opened the food box and scooped up a bowl of smooth porridge. “Quick, taste this. Third Aunt specially simmered this yam and millet porridge with an old hen. It nourishes qi and blood, and is not greasy at all. You are quite weak, so it’s perfect for you.”
Xue Sui took a sip from Qian Shi’s hand.
Her eyes were fixed on the osmanthus leaf crisp sprinkled with powdered sugar in the food box.
Qian Shi quickly handed it to her again, coaxing her like a child, “Eat a little less of this, be careful not to get a sugar rush…”
Xue Sui took a big bite with great satisfaction, the crisp flakes falling onto the front of her prisoner’s uniform.
She licked her lips contentedly and suddenly chuckled, “Aunt, your cooking must be magical. It’s so crisp it crumbles and so sweet it touches the heart, even more authentic than the Imperial Kitchen’s…”
“At a time like this, you’re still teasing me…” Qian Shi chided, her eyes filled with unresolvable worry.
Xue Sui smiled and comforted her for a few sentences, then looked at Jinshu.
Seeing this, Jinshu’s eyes turned red, and she made a gesture.
Qian Shi immediately understood and hurriedly covered her mouth with a handkerchief, “Quickly say what you need to say. I’ll go and bribe the jailers outside.”
She then led the maid, carrying the bamboo basket, out.
Qian Shi had always been astute and smooth, exceptionally tactful, and knew how to handle things.
Jinshu looked back with relief before lowering her voice, “Miss, two more bodies were found in the moat…”
