Chарtеr 379: Тhе Bronze Sраrrow of Сhang'an 33
Тhаnks tо Lаi Luоzhi's аdept mаneuvering, his influence in the соurt grew еver strоngеr. Сhаncеllоr Zhаng, nоw аdvanсed in yeаrs, wаs graduаlly sidelined bу Lai Luozhi. Мoreоvеr, with Сrоwn Рrinсе Li Chong first dеtаined in thе innеr сabinеt and thеn trаnsferred tо thе Judiciаl Affairs Burеau, the Li faсtiоn hаd beсome a mеrе shеll of its fоrmеr sеlf.
Рrinсеss Chаоyаng sharеd the samе ambitiоns аs thе Emрrеss. Неr appоintment as regent further сonvinced hеr of the Еmprеss's fаvor tоward her.
The deposing of the Crown Prince had removed a major obstacle. However, the Zhou clan remained a formidable force. She had no choice but to follow the Empress's old path—winning over Lai Luozhi to clear the way for her smooth ascension to the throne.
Lai Luozhi made many promises, but with the Empress still alive, he dared not move against the Zhou bloodline. Yet, on the surface, he now stood second only to the sovereign, commanding ten thousand beneath him. In the shadows, the Fire Moth Party controlled influence everywhere. It was no exaggeration to say that the entire Great Zhou was firmly in his grasp. Merely elevating Chaoyang or Yong'an to the throne no longer satisfied him.
Are kings and nobles born to their stations?
But how could he legitimately claim that position for himself?
The night was deep, yet he remained seated at his desk, pondering this very matter.
Soon, he thought of someone. Just then, a voice announced from outside the door that Princess Yong'an had arrived.
"Heh heh heh, speak of the devil. It seems Heaven truly aids me."
Lai Luozhi rose, straightened his robes and headpiece, and went out to greet her.
The political situation was treacherous, and Yong'an could wait no longer. She was, after all, His Highness the Prince of Ying, personally enfeoffed by Her Majesty. At that time, her prominence far surpassed Chaoyang's by an immeasurable degree. Yet now, with the Empress claiming illness and directly appointing Chaoyang as regent, she was completely excluded.
"She was just putting on a show for the world. Now that she's dying, she can't even be bothered to pretend," Yong'an thought bitterly, unable to reconcile the years of apparent closeness that had been false. "All these years, I never held her matricide against her. I treated her extremely well, even sought out male consorts to gift her, swallowing my pride and enduring humiliation. And what did she do? She merely feigned a kind face to placate me all these years, keeping me in check. Now she discards me without a second thought. Once Chaoyang ascends the throne, where will that leave me?"
Yong'an was accustomed to presenting a gentle, radiant face to the world, but now, consumed by rage, she could not even muster the effort to pretend.
After listening to her complaints, Lai Luozhi merely lifted his eyelids slightly, a faint smile curling at the corners of his mouth. "What matter brings Your Highness to seek me out?"
Yong'an was well aware that Lai Luozhi was no longer the man he once was, and she held no advantage whatsoever. However, she knew many of his secrets—this was her bargaining chip.
"We have collaborated for so many years, especially in the Shen Manor case. It was executed flawlessly."
Lai Luozhi gave a contemptuous smile. "Indeed, it was only possible with Your Highness's excellent cooperation."
Yong'an's expression stiffened slightly, but the bearing of a royal descendant remained. Unwilling to be looked down upon by Lai Luozhi, she declared, "Minister Lai surely understands that without my substantial assistance back then, you alone could never have accomplished the Shen Manor affair."
"Do not forget, what Her Majesty the Empress Mother ordered back then was a slight punishment, not extermination."
As the last two words fell, Lai Luozhi abruptly sat up straight, his pale face tense, narrowing his eyes at Yong'an. "Your Highness should choose your words carefully."
"Hah, there is no need for such formality, Minister Lai," Yong'an replied, utterly unfazed, before turning to the matter at hand. "The court is in chaos now—the perfect time to act. Minister Lai should not grow complacent with the status quo. If another ascends the throne someday, they will surely settle accounts for your crimes."
"They probably still don't know about Minister Lai's... astonishing preferences."Lai Luozhi's knuckles turned white where his thumb ring pressed, clearly struck by Yong'an's words: "What does His Highness the Prince of Ying intend? I, Lai, will cooperate as needed."
Before Yong'an could speak further, Lai Luozhi preemptively reminded her: "Among the Zhou clan, Zhou Changqing (Zhou Zhao's nephew) may be insignificant, but Zhou Xian (Zhou Zhao's elder brother) is not so easily dealt with. I fear they too are plotting rebellion."
"Hahaha, do I need you to tell me that?" Yong'an fiddled with her jade cloud hairpin, letting out a cold laugh. "They know full well why the Empress supports them. They know she would never pass the throne to them, and they know that once the Empress passes, they will lose their greatest backer, awaiting only the crime of clan extermination."
"Over all these years, the sins they've committed are no fewer than yours, Minister Lai."
Unfazed by Yong'an's mockery, Lai Luozhi replied calmly: "Their clan's extermination is their affair. What does it have to do with me?"
Yong'an believed this. Lai Luozhi's methods were formidable—what ruler would kill a useful hound?
Not wanting to waste words, Yong'an stated her purpose directly: "I sought you today to discuss matters."
As Lai Luozhi leaned forward, Yong'an caught a faint whiff of Hundred Minds Incense. Frowning, she retreated slightly, gathered her thoughts, and laid out her plan.
Lai Luozhi listened quietly, offering no response for a long while. Yong'an grew impatient: "Minister Lai, we are on the same boat now. What do you mean by this? Thinking of jumping ship early?"
With a sudden smile, Lai Luozhi reassured her: "Nothing of the sort. This humble official merely wishes to consider all aspects thoroughly."
He then pointed out several flaws in the plan. Yong'an's heart raced with belated fear: "Minister Lai thinks more carefully indeed. Then it is settled. The day after tomorrow, after the court assembly, I will invite Chaoyang to discuss matters with the Empress—a perfect opportunity to act."
"No," Lai Luozhi narrowed his eyes, his gray pupils darkening. "Your Highness should not go. The Empress is wary of you. It is better for this humble official to go. Coincidentally, I have other matters to discuss with Her Majesty. If she agrees, all is well. If not... then we shall help her ascend to paradise sooner."
Lai Luozhi spoke these words without blinking, utterly cold-blooded.
Witnessing this, Yong'an couldn't help but wonder: This man is so ruthless and ungrateful, disregarding the Empress's patronage. Can he truly be trusted as an ally?
Once she ascended the throne, her first act would be to eliminate this man before her.
When Yong'an returned to her princess manor, her consort Yu Chi Yang was unexpectedly still awake. The couple had long been estranged in all but name. For years, Yong'an had stayed in her paramours' quarters, while Yu Chi Yang kept several concubines. They coexisted without disturbing each other.
Thus, seeing Yu Chi Yang waiting for her late return, Yong'an almost doubted she was dreaming.
Yu Chi Yang wasted no words, pushing a document on the desk toward her and stating flatly: "This is a divorce agreement. Tomorrow, please grace the court with your presence to finalize it. Henceforth, we part ways amicably, each to our own happiness."
Yong'an had not expected such boldness from Yu Chi Yang. She raised an eyebrow: "Have you learned something?" To bring up divorce at such a critical juncture.
Yu Chi Yang did not answer, merely rising and heading toward the side chamber. Yong'an picked up the divorce agreement and examined it closely. It spoke no ill of her, and the calligraphy was vigorous and powerful—bearing the ruggedness expected of a military man, yet possessing great beauty.
It was as if Yong'an were seeing this husband of hers—rumored weak and incompetent, relying on ancestral inheritance for his title—for the first time. But she had more pressing matters at hand, leaving no time for deeper reflection.The next day, Yong'an sent someone to the court for the formalities. Each signed their own name, and the separation was considered complete. Yu Chi Yang immediately moved out of the princess's residence and returned to his own Right Martial Marquis General's Manor.
The division of belongings was clear-cut, and since the two had not borne any children over the years, the separation was truly clean, swift, and without any lingering complications.
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