Chарtеr 303: Тhе Firе Мoth Pаrtу 35
Zhоu Zhао nodded, feеling rаther troublеd. She set dоwn thе jаdе роrcelаin cup, no longer in the mооd to сontinuе drinking.
Zhаng Ваohuаn knеw thаt аlthоugh the Еmpress clаimеd illness аnd did not attend сourt, her hеart was аlwауs рrеосcupiеd with stаte аffаirs. Sеeing thе Emрrеss in low spirits, hе рluckеd a blooming lоtus flower and gеntlу tuсked it intо her hair. Hоlding а mirrоr befоrе hеr, hе smilеd sоftly, likе а spring brеezе.
In the mirror, thе womаn роssessеd thе grасe of a рhoenix and the еlegancе of a drаgon, hеr bеautу unparalleled and her nobility beyond compare. Yet, a few strands of white hair had appeared at her temples, fine lines had formed at the corners of her eyes, and her gaze carried the weight of years. After all, she was no longer the youthful woman she once was.
Zhou Zhao raised her hand to touch her face and forced a smile. "It is lovely. The lotus is delicate and beautiful, but perhaps it would suit Chaoyang better."
Zhang Baohuan grew anxious. "Your Majesty must not think that way. Your Majesty will reign for ten thousand years, and in Baohuan's heart, you have always been the finest."
Pouting slightly in displeasure, he added, "It is my fault. This lotus is unworthy of Your Majesty. Only the king of flowers, the peony, is fit for Your Majesty."
"The peony," Zhou Zhao sighed, her thoughts drifting far away. "The peonies of Luozhou are truly the finest."
"What a pity. Like me, their blooming season has passed."
Zhang Baohuan slapped himself across the face, leaving a clear five-fingered mark on his fair complexion. Startled, Zhou Zhao grabbed his hand in anger. "What are you doing, striking yourself for no reason? It pains my heart."
"If Your Majesty's heart aches, then I feel no pain," Zhang Baohuan looked up with a smile, his eyes glistening like morning dew. "It is my fault for causing Your Majesty sorrow. This is my punishment."
Zhou Zhao stood up, pulling Zhang Baohuan to sit beside her. She tilted her head and gazed at him for a long moment before taking his hand in hers.
Zhang Baohuan's face stung with pain, but seeing Zhou Zhao's spirits lift, he felt quite pleased. He sat quietly beside her, not daring to speak further.
The early autumn wind swept through the pavilion like a swing, lifting the curtains to reveal the two leaning against each other.
As Zhou Zhao applied ointment to Zhang Baohuan's face, she casually remarked, "You mentioned Zhang Xingwei earlier. Do you have any good ideas?"
Zhang Baohuan's large, watery eyes shifted thoughtfully as he slowly replied, "Prime Minister Zhang is a senior minister. Even during Emperor Gaozong's reign, he was a trusted and capable advisor at court, excelling in both governance and strategy. His character is noble and upright, and Emperor Gaozong appointed him as the Crown Prince's Tutor to instruct the Crown Prince. He shares a deep bond with the Crown Prince. Now that Your Majesty has deposed the Crown Prince, Prime Minister Zhang is naturally displeased."
Zhou Zhao nodded, for this was precisely what troubled her now. "But I cannot reprimand or punish him. What am I to do when he kneels and submits petitions before the court day after day?"
Though the Empress appeared deeply troubled, Zhang Baohuan understood the calculations in her heart and continued accordingly:
"Your Majesty's painstaking efforts are unknown to them. The Crown Prince is now in a weakened position, and Your Majesty took this measure only to protect his life. They do not understand and thus make such a fuss."
"Why not heed Xu Zhaorong's advice and simply select a satisfactory candidate to settle the matter, putting an end to their ambitions?"
As for who should be chosen, Zhang Baohuan dared not say. It was not his place to speak, nor would the choice fall upon him, and he had no such intentions anyway.
Zhou Zhao naturally understood Zhang Baohuan's meaning, but this was not what she wished to hear. "Given the current situation, is there a temporary solution?"
Zhang Baohuan saw things clearly. He rose and knelt down.
"I do have a humble plan."
It was true that the Empress had deposed the Crown Prince, but she had no intention of appointing anyone else. She merely wished to use his words to achieve her goal.
Zhou Zhao looked at him, signaling him to speak."Your Majesty has been troubled by the Crown Prince's affairs and plans to rest at the Luozhou Palace. Princess Chaoyang can be appointed to handle court affairs in the interim. When Princess Chaoyang attends court, those officials surely will not dare to trouble her."
Zhou Zhao's face lit up with delight as he nodded in approval. "Excellent. Let it be so. Summon Xu Zhaorong to the Zichen Hall."
"Yes!"
—
The next day, the Empress once again claimed illness and did not attend court. The ministers, assuming it would be like the previous days, prepared to withdraw early. Unexpectedly, Princess Chaoyang appeared in court robes, seated to the left of the dragon throne, with Xu Zhaorong assisting on the right. Zhang Baohuan was nowhere to be seen.
Thus, the ministers harbored new calculations in their hearts, yet none dared to bring up the matter of deposing the Crown Prince.
And so, the matter passed.
After court adjourned, Lai Luozhi could hardly conceal his joy. With the Crown Prince now deposed and the Empress entrusting Princess Chaoyang with managing court affairs, the Crown Prince's path to recovery was effectively blocked.
Regardless, one obstacle had been removed.
Upon returning to his residence, a secret letter arrived from Princess Yong'an's residence, once again mentioning the matter of cooperation. Recalling Princess Chaoyang's demeanor earlier that day, Lai Luozhi felt indecisive. Betting on the right side would be fortunate, but betting wrong could cost him his head.
Ah, if only he could sit on that throne himself—then he could act as he pleased.
Soon after, a letter from Gannan Circuit also appeared on his desk. Preoccupied with Princess Yong'an, Lai Luozhi felt a sudden pang of anxiety upon seeing it.
His situation was already precarious; there must be no further mishaps in Yingzhou.
Unfolding the letter, a familiar yet jarring name caught his eye.
"Mo Qianzhi," he muttered the name repeatedly.
During the purge of the Shen family, this man had been spared punishment due to his brief tutelage under Shen Shijie, minimal involvement, and clean background. Yet, fearless of death, he had persistently proclaimed the family's innocence, even crawling on his knees from Vermilion Bird Street to plead before the Empress, leaving behind the scourge that was Shen Du.
Later, the Empress, admiring his courage, not only pardoned him but personally granted him a spot in the imperial examinations. Mo Qianzhi achieved the top scholar rank and was appointed Magistrate of Chang'an, his future promising.
At that time, Lai Luozhi had already sent agents to gather evidence of Mo Qianzhi's crimes. Yet, Mo Qianzhi had no dark history or criminal evidence to be found. But what was the Judicial Affairs Bureau if not a place where evidence could be manufactured to bring someone down? Such tasks were second nature to him.
Just as he was about to act, the Empress ordered Mo Qianzhi transferred to Yingzhou, demoted to the position of Sima.
The demotion from Magistrate of Chang'an to Sima before even assuming office became the talk of the town, and Lai Luozhi lost his chance to act, forced to watch as Mo Qianzhi departed for Yingzhou.
All these years, had Mo Qianzhi not submitted memorials to the capital requesting the Judicial Affairs Bureau investigate the "Half-Faced Ghost" in Yingzhou, the Empress might have forgotten him entirely.
Yet, puzzlingly, the Empress did not involve the Judicial Affairs Bureau. Instead, she sent Shen Du and that insignificant Zhu Yan to Yingzhou to thoroughly investigate the "Half-Faced Ghost."
This led Lai Luozhi to suspect whether the Empress had detected the connection between the Fire Moth Party and himself. However, the Empress trusted him as much as ever, and now had even ordered Princess Chaoyang to place full trust in him.
But as long as Shen Du remained alive, Lai Luozhi could find no peace.
Thus, seeing the name "Mo Qianzhi" again, Lai Luozhi's vindictive nature stirred. He picked up his brush, ready to send orders to have Mo Qianzhi dealt with.But he quickly dismissed this thought, all because he glimpsed the content at the end of the letter, then fell silent.
Mo Qianzhi had joined the Fire Moth Party? And become Lai Luofu’s right-hand man? And even raised troops to attack Yingzhou City?
This…
Truly, it was very much like Mo Qianzhi.
Realizing something, Lai Luozhi swiftly disposed of the letter, picked up a brush, and hastily wrote a few lines.
Mo may be kept if useful; if useless, kill him. As for Shen, ensure he never returns—use any means necessary.
After sealing the letter, Lai Luozhi personally selected several capable subordinates and sent them to Yingzhou to ensure nothing went wrong.
He was certain that if Shen Du survived this time, the outcome would be a fight to the death.
After sending the letter, Lai Luozhi sat in his seat, deep in thought. The Empress had suppressed the news of Mo Qianzhi’s rebellion, the Crown Prince had suddenly been deposed, and Princess Chaoyang was being supported to govern—just how was this chess game meant to be played?
His expression turned fierce. No matter how it was played, there could only be one outcome in the end.
“There’s no other way. If I don’t take that position, once you pass away, it will be my death.”
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