Chapter 295: Suspicion Deep as the Sea
The next day, in the Eastern Palace study.
As the night deepened, the incense ash on the bronze brazier had accumulated half an inch.
Li Zhao dismissed his attendants, leaving only Mei Ruhui by his side.
Spread on the table were Guo Pi’s secret letter and several anonymousletter of complaint (anonymousletter of complaint) sorted from the Exposure Box (corruption reporting box).
“Your Highness,” Mei Ruhui stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said in a low voice, “Ma Yuankui, gravely wounded, did not survive. Before his death, he accused Princess Ping Le and Xiao Song of colluding to swap military pay documents… This is his dying statement, recorded and signed by his confidant.”
Li Zhao took the testimony and scanned the blood-written fingerprints.
“Take these—”
His fingertip brushed over the creases of the paper, his voice calm, with an undeniable chill.
“Along with the evidence gathered by the guards of the Six Palaces, compile and transcribe them. Tomorrow morning, at court, I will present them to His Majesty myself.”
“Your Highness, Guo Pi’s secret letter mentions the old mausoleum swamp incident and even implicates His Majesty…” Mei Ruhui looked troubled.
“If Your Highness makes a move now, I fear it will enrage His Majesty and rekindle the idea of changing the Crown Prince…”
“At this point, there is no turning back.”
Li Zhao raised his eyes, the candlelight reflecting in them like a deep pool.
“My Father has long suspected me. Early this year, under the guise of an investigation and reform, he dismissed officials from the Eastern Palace and rotated the commanders of the three camps in the Capital Region. Recently, he allowed Prince Duan to interfere in the Ministry of Justice, and then, under the pretext of guarding, he transferred the commanders of the Left and Right Imperial Guards… All of these actions were aimed at weakening my influence. Even if I were to dismiss my advisors and stay indoors, the position of Crown Prince would eventually be usurped by him through Prince Duan…”
His tone grew sharper, like metal striking stone.
Mei Ruhui took a deep breath.
“Your subordinate obeys! I will handle it properly!”
“Furthermore—” Li Zhao slowly turned, gazing at the deep night outside the window, and added:
“Send someone to keep a close watch on the Lu Mansion and Shui Yue Nunnery. Since Ping Le’s people dared to harm the Lu family’s child, they will not give up easily. As for Miss Xue Liu… make sure she is well looked after, and no accidents occur.”
“Yes!”
–
Shui Yue Nunnery.
East Wing monastic room.
Ru Yi rushed in from outside, her face pale, her breathing rapid and uneasy.
“Miss, it’s bad! Someone from the Xue Mansion has arrived, saying that the Old Madam has suddenly fainted and is asking you to return to the mansion quickly…”
Xue Sui’s heart sank.
“I understand.”
She put down the teacup in her hand, her voice still steady, but her movements to rise were quicker.
“Prepare the carriage, we’re going to the Xue Mansion.”
–
The Xue Mansion was in chaos.
Old Madam Cui lay in bed, the strong medicinal smell mixed with incense, almost solidifying in the air.
A doctor with white hair and beard was quietly discussing something with Xue Qingzhi.
Madam Qian, Madam Fu, Xue Yue Lou, and other female members of the Xue family were gathered by the bedside, their eyes red and swollen from crying, their faces filled with panic.
Upon seeing Xue Sui enter in her monastic robes, the women’s gazes were complex.
Only Madam Qian, as if seeing a savior, immediately stepped forward.
“Sixth Miss, you’ve finally arrived…”
She grabbed Xue Sui’s hand, her voice choked with sobs.
“The Imperial Physician said that the Old Madam is suffering from acute anger affecting her heart, phlegm obstructing her senses, coupled with old age and frailty, and invasion by wind evil. I fear… I fear it is critical…”
Ever since Xue Qingzhi resigned from his post to avoid disaster, and Xue Qinglian died in the mansion without any explanation, the Xue family had been accumulating too much fear and unease…
Madam Qian rambled on, pouring out the accumulated oppression of the mansion in recent days and the rumors from the outside world to Xue Liu.
Xue Sui said nothing and sat down by the bedside.
She examined the Old Madam’s complexion and pupils, then gently placed her hand on the withered, pale wrist, concentrating on taking her pulse.
“The pulse is deep, fine, slippery, and rough, indeed indicating phlegm and blood stasis obstructing the meridians and weakening of the heart pulse…”
She asked, “Before the Old Madam fainted, was there anything unusual? Did she say anything? Whom did she see?”
Madam Qian wiped her tears. “She was fine at breakfast, reciting scriptures in the Buddhist hall. Later, the steward handed in an invitation, saying it was from the Empress Dowager in the palace, a casual inquiry about the Xue family’s recent situation, and a concern for the child raised by Fourth Sister… After the Old Madam read it, her expression changed, and she didn’t say anything, only sighed, saying, ‘The tree desires stillness, but the wind does not cease.’ And then… and then she…”
She didn’t dare to explicitly state that the Old Madam collapsed shortly after reading the invitation, but the implication was clear.
The court situation was so tense, and the Xue family, as in-laws of Prince Duan and the maternal family of the Princess Consort Duan, were already on edge.
The Old Madam was deeply worried, and any slight disturbance could become the last straw that broke the camel’s back.
“I have seen Grandmother’s prescription. For now, let’s follow the prescription given by the Imperial Physician.”
Xue Sui stood up and said calmly, “Third Aunt, have someone record the Old Madam’s diet for the past few days. I will send someone to invite Doctor Shu. The Old Madam’s previous medication from him was quite effective…”
Madam Qian agreed repeatedly.
Xue Qingzhi escorted the Imperial Physician to the outer room. He glanced at her from behind the curtain and opened his mouth as if to say something, but finally frowned.
“If you truly care about Grandmother, you should move back soon, attend to her morning and evening, and serve her medicinal soup, to fulfill your filial duty.”
“As a son, shouldn’t Master Xue be serving by the bedside to fulfill his filial duty?”
“You…” Xue Qingzhi was speechless, choked by her retort.
Seeing her sidestep and leave resolutely.
Xue Qingzhi’s face turned ashen with anger, but he had to suppress it.
Xue Sui paid him no further mind. After leaving Shou’an Hall, she immediately instructed Jinshu to invite her Senior Disciple Brother for a discussion at Sang Liu Courtyard.
Before she could leave, Xiao Zhao returned in a hurry.
“Miss, I went to deliver pastries to Princess Wen Jia and found the Five City Military and Horse Department sealing off the streets. The people outside are all whispering and gossiping…”
–
Prince Duan’s Mansion, Ting Yu Xuan.
The heavy brocade curtains blocked out the clamor of the outside world.
Li Huan stood by the window with his hands behind his back, watching the banana leaves in the courtyard sway helplessly in the strong wind…
The aggressive presentation of evidence by Li Zhao in the Golden Palace today, the Emperor’s obscure and suspicious gaze, and the ubiquitous, persistent corruption reporting boxes…
Each one was like a heavy boulder, pressing down on his heart.
Making it impossible for him to relax even a little.
Two people sat on the guest seats below.
On the left was Liu Yin, a middle-aged scholar with a long beard, dressed in a green robe, with a refined appearance. On the right was a thin old man in a Daoist robe, with bright, sharp eyes…
These two were Liu Yin, Li Huan’s most trusted retainer, and the Daoist Qing Yangzi.
Qing Yangzi was skilled in astronomy and prophecies, and proficient in unorthodox arts.
At this moment, he was warming several ancient tortoise shells by the brazier, his voice carrying a deliberate mystique.
“This humble Daoist did not sleep all night. I saw the light of the Emperor star in the Ziwei constellation dimming, with signs of instability, while the Tai Bai star in the west shone brightly, its radiance like blood, encroaching upon the central palace and directly threatening the Emperor’s seat. This is… Ziwei falling, Tai Bai rising, a sign of war, slaughter, and great misfortune! It portends a son overthrowing his father and sovereign…”
Li Huan turned abruptly, a sharp glint in his eyes.
“Is this true?”
“The celestial phenomena are clear. How dare this humble Daoist speak falsely?”
Qing Yangzi stroked his beard, appearing confident.
“In my humble opinion, this omen perfectly matches the Crown Prince… who relies on his military achievements and acts with extreme cruelty. This is a warning from heaven.”
Li Huan’s movement of turning the jade thumb ring paused.
Liu Yin had already taken over the conversation.
“I have also been in the marketplaces and residential areas recently and heard some rumors, as well as children’s rhymes circulating, saying—the old mausoleum swamp water is red as blood, and the Eastern Palace’s golden seal has fallen into the dust…”
Qing Yangzi nodded, “The Crown Prince is arrogant and tyrannical. These are signs of using military achievements to build momentum for usurpation…”
Li Huan rebuked, “Do not speak nonsense.”
Liu Yin paused, then bowed deeply, “Your Highness, heaven’s will is revealed. At a time when the state is in peril, Your Highness should follow heaven’s will and respond to the people, to share the burden with the Father and Sovereign, and to eliminate harm for the realm.”
He did not finish his words, but the sharp glint in his eyes pointed in the direction—to use celestial phenomena to depose the Crown Prince.
Li Huan paced with his hands behind his back, shaking his head.
“My Father has always been wise. If I rush things, he will only suspect me of framing the Crown Prince. Not only will it harm the harmony of heaven, but it will also damage brotherly affection…”
“Your Highness is benevolent, your subordinate understands. But if the Crown Prince is immoral, he will surely be abandoned by heaven…”
Liu Yin and Qing Yangzi exchanged glances and spoke in unison.
“This is heaven’s will, not man-made.”
Li Huan pondered for a moment, then slowly sat down, rubbing his throbbing temples, his brow furrowed with struggle and helplessness.
When he looked up again, his dark eyes held a decision.
“Then let us act according to heaven’s will.”
The two advisors rejoiced slightly and bowed in unison.
Li Huan waved his hand, changing the subject.
“Has there been any progress in the investigation of Xue Liu and the old mausoleum swamp?”
Liu Yin shook his head slightly, “It’s strange, we’ve been investigating for months, and it’s still stalled. However—”
His eyes flickered.
“From old palace archives and scattered surviving files, we have found some clues… In the past, when the Grand Ancestor raised his army, there was an elite personal guard under the Great General Who Guards the Nation Xiao Song, specializing in surprise attacks. Before Xiao Song’s main force was annihilated, they were ordered to escort grain and fodder away from the camp, and happened to be outside the depths of the old mausoleum swamp. After Xiao Song’s entire army was wiped out, this personal guard disappeared without a trace…”
He paused, lowering his voice.
“This humble one boldly speculates that the remnants of the old mausoleum swamp are related to this elite personal guard. Miss Xue Liu’s insistence on investigating the past of the old mausoleum swamp is not merely for personal revenge, but likely to gain power and vindicate the wronged souls of the old mausoleum swamp. And the Crown Prince’s full support for her… is certainly not as simple as clearing corruption. His intentions are punishable, Your Highness!”
Qing Yangzi nodded in agreement.
“This woman, Xue Liu, is truly a source of disaster. What Daoist Master Ling Xu said back then, now it seems every word has come true. She is the root cause that will trigger the ‘Tai Bai rising’ and sow chaos in the imperial court…”
Li Huan’s heart sank.
If Xue Sui is the descendant of a general who died in the old mausoleum swamp…
Then Li Zhao’s relentless efforts, even daring to confront his Father, are truly courting death.
The scales of victory and defeat in the struggle for the succession have already tipped…
“To be so mad for a woman, the Crown Prince is truly foolish…”
He sighed deeply and rose from the table.
He did not notice a slender figure standing stiffly outside the door of Ting Yu Xuan, her face ashen, the ginseng soup she was holding almost spilling like wine…
“Who?” Li Huan’s sharp, alert shout instantly came from within the pavilion!
Xue Yuechen was so terrified that her hand trembled, and the tray along with the carefully brewed bowl of ginseng soup crashed to the ground with a “clang.”
The scalding soup and porcelain shards scattered.
Li Huan strode out, glanced at the guards on duty, and looked at Xue Yuechen with an unreadable expression.
“Princess Consort, why are you here so late at night?”
Xue Yuechen felt a chill rush from the soles of her feet to the top of her head, her heart pounding as if it would leap out of her chest…
“Your Highness, I heard you had not yet retired, so I wanted to bring some soup…”
Li Huan lowered his gaze, “There is no need for soup, you may withdraw.”
Xue Yuechen curtsied and walked a few steps away, then turned back.
“Today I received news that my maternal grandmother is ill and beyond medical help, and my sisters have all returned to the mansion to attend to her. I also wish to return tomorrow morning to visit…”
“That is as it should be. Princess Consort, please do as you wish.”
Li Huan tapped his fingers on the jade belt at his waist, nodding gently.
The door closed silently again.
Xue Yuechen felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar.
What should she do?
Li Huan was her husband, but he never trusted her, nor would he protect her wholeheartedly in a life-or-death situation.
The Xue family was her support, but it was already in precarious straits, barely able to survive.
If Xue Liu was truly a descendant of the old mausoleum swamp generals, would it implicate her maternal family and lead to them being accused of colluding with rebels…
If that were the case, how would Li Huan treat her, whose maternal family had fallen from power?
She regretted it somewhat, wondering why she had listened to Master Jing Kong’s advice and let Xue Liu acknowledge her ancestors and return to Shangjing, thus inviting a wolf into the fold…
Li Zhao: Readers, I don’t have many opportunities to perform, but I’ve done my best. Do you support me?
Xue Sui: …One slap each, for Your Highness.
