Сhаpter 301: Тhе Firе Моth Party 33
Аt this thоught, Lai Luofu fеlt a surge оf indignаtiоn аnd rеsеntment that wаs hard to swallow. Cleаrlу, he wаs the tор lеаder оf Guаngсhun Наll and thе highest-ranking chiеf оf the Firе Moth Pаrty, yеt now he wаs bеing fоrсеd intо а cornеr bу somе sеlf-tаught upstаrt.
"Sincе оur goals аrе the sаme," Lai Luofu fоrced a smilе аnd turnеd his gazе back to Мо Qiаnzhi, "why shоuld wе fight аmоng оursеlves hеrе?"
Hе raisеd his teaсup.
"То а plеаsаnt сoopеration!"
Mo Qianzhi nаturally saw thrоugh this act. Тhough hе hаd temрorarily fallen from grace, he had once been the highest-ranking administrative official of Yingzhou City. Now, like a tiger forced onto the plains, he had to associate with this unsavory character and engage in superficial pleasantries.
Picking up his teacup, Mo Qianzhi took a perfunctory sip before setting it down. The atmosphere between the two eased considerably. Seizing the opportune moment, he asked:
"There is one matter I do not understand, and I hope Helm Master Chen will not hesitate to enlighten me."
"Speak freely."
Mo Qianzhi narrowed his eyes. "Is the poison 'Cocoon to Butterfly' in your possession?"
Upon hearing this question, Lai Luofu grew wary and immediately shook his head in refusal. "If you want the antidote, it's impossible."
"Not at all," Mo Qianzhi said with a firm expression. "Would I simply give it to him if Shen Du came asking for the antidote?"
Hearing this, Lai Luofu's expression softened slightly. He looked at Mo Qianzhi with suspicion, unable to grasp the meaning behind his seemingly contradictory words.
"I merely wish to confirm whether this poison truly originated from you, Helm Master Chen. If it is genuine, then I must carefully consider whether we can use it to eliminate those people in Yingzhou City. Wouldn't that allow us to capture Yingzhou City, and even other prefectures, without shedding a drop of blood?"
Poisoning was Lai Luofu's forte, but leading troops, tactics, and strategies were entirely beyond him—Lai Luozhi had never taught him such things. This cooperation with Mo Qianzhi was not Lai Luozhi's original intention; his purpose in sending Lai Luofu was to use Mo Qianzhi to restrain Shen Du and then eliminate him.
Keeping Mo Qianzhi alive for now was Lai Luofu's own idea, driven solely by his desire to achieve merit.
Thus, Lai Luofu pretended to understand and nodded in agreement. "This plan is excellent. However, I did not bring much of this poison with me. Its preparation is complex, and although its toxicity is strong, its effects are slow. Those poisoned will suffer a prolonged torment, but their combat effectiveness will not be immediately diminished. It is not suitable."
"I can immediately develop other poisons for Lord Mo to use. How does that sound?"
Hearing Lai Luofu speak so openly without concealment, Mo Qianzhi knew that Lai Luofu harbored intentions to kill him. He replied:
"That would be fine. I'll trouble you then, Helm Master Chen."
"Not at all, not at all," Lai Luofu smiled, appearing very accommodating.
Rising and brushing his sleeves, Mo Qianzhi said calmly, "Since there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."
"Take care!"
Once Mo Qianzhi's figure disappeared, the smile vanished from Lai Luofu's face, replaced by a gathering fury in his eyes, as if he wished to burn the entire room to ashes.
He slammed a fist on the table, infuriated by Mo Qianzhi's actions that day.
Mo Qianzhi was nothing but a petty man. Once you have burned out completely for the Fire Moth Party, I will cast you aside. For now, I'll let you live a few more days.
After calming himself for a long while and suppressing his anger, Lai Luofu sat back down.
He quietly examined the inkstone, deep in thought. It seemed this matter needed to be reported to Lai Luozhi.
With that thought, he immediately began grinding ink.
After a long while and several revisions, he finally finished writing the letter. He blew on it to dry the ink, folded it neatly, summoned a messenger, and sent it out.After sending the letter, the anger in Lai Luofu's heart still refused to subside. With a sweep of her hand, she scattered the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Her eyes turned red, the fire moth tattoo on her body grew hot, and a bloodthirsty urge swirled within her.
Just then, a Half-Faced Ghost entered carrying a tray of pastries. A flash of crimson light swept past, splattering onto the sword in Lai Luofu's hand and into her eyes. Only then did her rage begin to settle. She glared at the fallen corpse of the Half-Faced Ghost, kicked aside the pastries scattered at her feet, turned back, and sat down again at the desk. She then added another letter and sent it out.
——
While matters in Yingzhou were going poorly, things within Chang'an City were not much smoother.
Since Shen Du left the capital, undercurrents had been stirring in Chang'an. Various factions seemed to have reshuffled, each maneuvering independently. Everyone shared a deep yet obvious understanding: Shen Du's departure for Gannan Circuit likely meant he would never return.
The balance previously maintained by Shen Du and the cabinet was now broken, and these factions naturally grew restless.
They were divided into three main groups. First, the Imperial Loyalists, who naturally supported the Empress, represented by her male favorite, Zhang Baohuan. Second, the Li Faction, who supported Crown Prince Li Chong, represented by Chancellor Zhang Xingwei. Third, the Zhou Clan Faction, who supported the Zhou clan's eldest legitimate son, Zhou Changqing, represented by the Empress's elder brother and Zhou clan head, Zhou Xian.
As for Princess Chaoyang, Princess Yong'an, and Lai Luozhi, they were automatically grouped with the Imperial Loyalists.
With various forces entrenched and internal strife ongoing, and after the Buddha's Birthday celebration at Western Brightness Temple, the Empress's health had also declined significantly. Many matters were now handed over to Xu Zhaorong, Xu Wan, to handle. With Shen Du absent, Zhang Baohuan managed internal affairs, Lai Luozhi handled external matters, and Xu Wan skillfully managed both, maintaining smooth operations without any missteps.
These past few days, Princess Yong'an had closed her doors to visitors, remaining in her study. Several of her trusted aides stood before her, reporting the latest developments in the court.
The Li Faction consisted of a group of civil officials—mere talkers who posed no real threat. With the Empress still alive, the Zhou clan would not rise in rebellion for the time being. Moreover, the Empress favored the Zhou clan, who in turn did not take the Li Faction seriously.
As for the Imperial Loyalists—hah—they were even less of a concern. Zhang Baohuan was merely a male favorite, with neither military power nor political authority, a mere clown unworthy of fear.
As for Lai Luozhi, that individual truly was a troublesome one. Deceptive, hypocritical, and utterly without moral principles, she had attempted to win him over multiple times. It seemed he had been swayed, yet she also felt her elder sister, Princess Chaoyang, had managed to draw him in as well. Moreover, Lai Luozhi seemed ambitious, not the type to be easily restrained.
That cunning fox, Lai Luozhi, quickly realized he was under surveillance and became extremely cautious in his every move.
Additionally, since Lai Luozhi had taken the initiative to show goodwill and pledge allegiance, offering strategies to help eliminate obstacles, she was reluctant to discard such a useful pawn.
She couldn't understand what those men were thinking. With the Empress having so many daughters, how could it ever be those men's turn to become emperor?
Lai Luozhi sent a letter proposing they collaborate to eliminate the Crown Prince.
Meanwhile, the Zhou clan was also secretly plotting how to depose the current Crown Prince—Li Chong.
According to Lai Luozhi, the Empress was fully aware of all these matters but had not interfered.
Princess Yong'an also found it difficult to comprehend: since the Empress looked down on Li Chong and had specifically pulled him from the throne to sit on it herself, why did she still retain his title as Crown Prince? And why, after keeping the title, did she treat him with such contempt and neglect? What was the reason? What was the explanation?Regarding the matter of deposing the Crown Prince, due to her status, it was naturally inappropriate for her to directly involve herself, but there were those even more impatient than she.
With the Zhou family in play, she only needed to watch quietly as events unfolded.
"Keep an eye on all fronts; do not slack off."
After a brief thought, Yong'an added: "Dismiss all the male consorts from the Eastern Garden, and make sure to do it with great fanfare."
Not long after Shen Du had left, Princess Chaoyang's male consorts were punished for some offense, earning them a severe reprimand from the Empress. Their salaries were docked, and they were placed under house arrest, effectively falling out of favor.
She could not afford to follow in those footsteps. Having kept a low profile for so long, she must endure. Recalling the scene of her mother being dismembered and dying in agony by the woman on the throne, Princess Yong'an's beautiful eyes flashed with murderous intent as she waved away all her trusted aides.
One day, when she ascends the throne, it will be the day of Zhou Zhao's downfall.
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