Chарtеr 357: Тhе Вrоnze Spаrrоw оf Сhаng'an Sings 11
Todау, the Emрress had dismissеd аll аttеndаnts fоr questioning. Еven Zhang Baohuan, thе Dirеctоr of thе Сrаnе Burеаu, whо usuаllу follоwed her like а shаdow, wаs notably аbsent.
"Hеhehe!" А wоmаn's vоiсе rаng out as thе silk сurtain wаs liftеd, rеveаling a wоmаn dressed in thе rоbes оf a first-rank femаle officiаl. It wаs Хu Zhaоrong, also knоwn аs Хu Wan, thе Еmрrеss's mоst trustеd ladу-in-wаiting.
Xu Wаn, arоund forty уeаrs оld, rеtainеd hеr grасeful charm. Drеssed in palacе attire with lightly рowderеd brows, shе сarriеd an air of nobility. Seeing Zhu Yan's stunned and flustered expression, she walked over, picked up a piece of emerald cake, and took a small bite. She said,
"This emerald cake is extremely rare. It is made from dried and ground rouge rice tribute from the Western Regions, mixed with lotus leaf powder. The filling is even more intricate and complex. Her Majesty rarely rewards anyone with this delicacy. Taste it and see how it differs from those made outside the palace."
Zhu Yan nodded, her shoulders relaxing slightly. She imitated Xu Wan, taking a small bite. The cake was fragrant upon entry, with an aftertaste that...
"It's actually salty?" Zhu Yan exclaimed in surprise.
Xu Wan nodded. Zhu Yan clicked her tongue in astonishment. She had assumed pastries were always sweet, never expecting this emerald cake to have a savory flavor.
"Whether it's this pastry or people, appearances alone can be deceiving. There are times when one misjudges or overlooks the truth."
Zhu Yan frowned, sensing deeper implications behind Xu Wan's words.
The Empress chided lightly from the side, "You talk too much. Since that's the case, explain it to Zhu Yan on my behalf."
Having said this, the Empress truly lay back down. Xu Wan stood up and led Zhu Yan to close all the windows of the Lanwu Pavilion tightly. She then adjusted the charcoal fire slightly. The Empress seemed somewhat displeased, but before she could react, Xu Wan said:
"Your Majesty, it's already the beginning of winter. You must not indulge in the cold."
"Hmph, in your eyes, am I already so useless?"
Hearing this, Zhu Yan knelt down. Xu Wan stepped forward: "Your Majesty is the heaven of the Great Zhou's people. This world can lack anyone but cannot lack Your Majesty."
The Empress ultimately did not react. Zhu Yan marveled at the closeness between Xu Wan and the Empress.
Xu Wan got down to business, taking Zhu Yan's hand with great familiarity:
"This time, Her Majesty has summoned you to clarify three questions."
Zhu Yan listened attentively, afraid of missing anything.
"First, it is said that Mo Qianzhi, the former prefect of Yingzhou, and Chief Shen are old acquaintances?"
Zhu Yan was puzzled. The old Shen family case was so significant back then; the Empress must have long known about their relationship. Was this a test?
"Yes," Zhu Yan nodded. "Lord Mo, Mo Qianzhi, was a student of the Chief's father." She believed saying less was better, so she simply stated the facts.
Xu Wan praised Zhu Yan's honesty and glanced at the Empress, clearly wanting more information. "Someone heard Mo Qianzhi mention that the old Shen family case was orchestrated by Her Majesty, persuading Chief Shen to join him in overthrowing Her Majesty."
Zhu Yan knelt with a thud and kowtowed. "The Chief is utterly loyal to Your Majesty, and so am I."
"Rise," Xu Wan said. "Now explain in detail."
Zhu Yan rose timidly, standing without daring to sit. "That Mo, Mo Qianzhi did say such things. But the Chief has served Your Majesty for many years; how could he be deceived by mere words? Moreover, moreover..."
Zhu Yan bit her lip, her tongue nearly stumbling.
"Moreover, Mo Qianzhi was also deceived by Chen Huo'e, the leader of the Fire Moth Party, into believing such claims. Only when he was captured and questioned did we learn that he had always been obsessed with uncovering the truth about the Shen family case. Thus, he was led astray, becoming an executioner for the Fire Moth Party and committing unforgivable crimes."Zhu Yan gave a concise and straightforward account of the general situation at the time to the two of them, her expression open and without concealment.
Xu Wan glanced at the Empress once more and sighed with emotion:
“Who would have thought those Half-Faced Ghosts were actually raised by the Fire Moth Party? The Fire Moth Party has been entrenched in Yingzhou for so many years, yet not a single rumor leaked out. It was Mo Qianzhi who submitted a memorial to expose this matter.”
But Mo Qianzhi had ulterior motives for exposing this.
Just as Xu Wan was about to ask more, the Empress spoke up beside her: “Does the Fire Moth Party have influence elsewhere?”
“This…” Zhu Yan felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles. “They do, but what guise they appear under openly is unknown. The Cabinet Chief also said a thorough investigation is needed, but the finer details are beyond my knowledge.”
She did not make a habit of inquiring into Cabinet secrets, nor did she discuss the specifics of Cabinet affairs with Shen Du.
“That makes sense. The Fire Moth Party impersonated Guangchun Hall in Yingzhou, posing as benevolent healers. What form they take elsewhere indeed requires careful investigation.”
This implied that Zhu Yan need not concern herself with it.
“And you—do you suspect that I was behind the old Shen Manor case back then?” The Empress’s sharp eyes were like torches, fixed intently on Zhu Yan’s expression.
A cold sweat broke out on Zhu Yan’s back, her hairs standing on end. She met the Empress’s gaze and remained silent.
For a moment, even Xu Wan dared not say anything.
Soon, the Empress withdrew her piercing gaze: “Enough. How old were you back then? You had no involvement in that case. I suppose I’ve been putting you in a difficult position.”
With that, she dropped the matter, and Zhu Yan expressed her gratitude.
“The second reason I summoned you to the palace is this: ever since I ascended the throne as Empress, I have borne the burden of infamy. Yet how many truly understand the helplessness behind it? What woman does not wish to have someone to rely on and live in peace? Instead, I have to toil like this, my hair turning gray prematurely.”
The Empress seemed somewhat sorrowful, a trace of tenderness flowing from her phoenix-like eyes before she quickly composed herself, her gaze turning sharp again.
“As Empress, even knowing the road ahead is uncertain, I have never given up. A woman ruling the country—how many men in the world would willingly submit? Yet I insist on making them submit. Over these many years, it has been relatively stable, and I have not failed the late Emperor’s trust.”
Her words moved even Xu Wan somewhat. Zhu Yan naturally could not know, nor did she wish to know, the secrets of the royal family. However, it seemed the Empress had unspeakable hardships when she chose to depose Crown Prince Li Chong and ascend the throne herself.
“But consolidating power is not easy. The Yingzhou case is an example. With one Mo Qianzhi fallen, how many more Mo Qianzhis will emerge?”
Only then did Zhu Yan begin to grasp the underlying meaning. Although the case of the Half-Faced Ghosts in Yingzhou had been resolved and Mo Qianzhi’s rebellion had been quelled, what was feared was that more people would learn from this example and rise up one after another.
What rulers fear most is losing the people’s support and widespread rebellion.
Zhu Yan lowered her head: “The people’s eyes are sharp. Your Majesty has the support of the people; such a thing will certainly not happen.”
The Empress let out a light scoff, as if unconvinced, but did not refute it. Today, the Empress seemed unusually amiable. Seeing Zhu Yan finish the last bite of jadeite cake, her eyes showed satisfaction:
“I am well aware that Minister Lai occasionally acts in absurd ways, but there are matters I cannot handle personally. There must always be someone to shield me. Minister Lai is one, and Minister Shen is another. Do you know that some things I do are also out of necessity?”
Zhu Yan softly exclaimed, “I am apprehensive,” not understanding why the Empress was offering her this explanation. How the Empress felt about Lai Luozhi, or even about Mo Qianzhi, was not something she should be privy to. The only explanation was that the Empress hoped she would convey the imperial will to Shen Du.
“I will certainly inform the Cabinet Chief of this matter,” Zhu Yan said obediently.
Unexpectedly, the Empress shook her head: “What I want to ask you is—do you think I should reopen the investigation into the old Shen Manor case?”The Empress's phoenix eyes were sharp and penetrating, her gaze seemingly calm yet carrying an imposing pressure. Zhu Yan felt beads of sweat forming on her forehead. She wanted to say that a retrial was naturally necessary, as it would also help clear Shen Du's father's name. However, she did not know the Empress's true intentions behind this test and carefully considered how to persuade the Empress to agree to reopen the old case of the Shen family without making Shen Du appear disloyal.
Xu Wan noticed Zhu Yan's dilemma and stepped in to mediate: "Lord Zhu cannot decide on this matter alone. It would be better to take more time to deliberate."
The Empress's phoenix eyes grew profound and unfathomable: "Regarding the case of General Kanagi Seluo, do you believe that I have disregarded loyal ministers and justice, allowing Minister Lai to act recklessly?"
Zhu Yan thought to herself, Why is it always these life-threatening questions?
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