Chapter 134: "The Child in Your Womb Must Be..."
When Wen Yu entered the small Buddhist hall in Lingxi Palace, Empress Dowager Jiang was kneeling on a prayer mat in worship. The hall was filled with swirling incense smoke, its windows tightly shut, casting the interior in dim light.
She stood at the entrance, where a slanted beam of daylight from behind her stretched all the way to the prayer mat where Empress Dowager Jiang knelt. "Has Your Majesty summoned me because you've reconsidered Minister Qi's proposal from the court assembly?"
After the Mid-Autumn Palace banquet scheme and Dou Jianliang's betrayal of Liang Camp, even nominal courtesy felt excessive to Wen Yu. She no longer addressed Empress Dowager Jiang as "Mother Empress" in private.
Hearing this, Empress Dowager Jiang's brows furrowed deeply mid-prayer. Though her eyes remained closed, anger flickered across her face. She suppressed it, finished her worship, and allowed her attendant to help her rise. Only after settling on the sandalwood couch nearby did she cast a sidelong glance at Wen Yu. "You're quite skilled—you even managed to turn Qi Simiao to your side."
Wen Yu remained unruffled. "It's not that I'm particularly clever. It's simply that among all the self-serving officials at court, Minister Qi is one who genuinely cares for the people. Why deceive yourself, Your Majesty?"
Empress Dowager Jiang's face darkened. She slammed the armrest of the sandalwood couch. "Abandoning a century of Chen's legacy, and in your—a Liang woman's—words, it's for the benefit of Chen's people? What a glib, deceitful tongue you have!"
Wen Yu's gaze turned cold. "If Your Majesty is so confident in Chen's strength, by all means, continue advancing into Liang territory. Though the campaign in Liang will be arduous, our Liang army won't collapse easily. When military funds for Chen's troops in Liang run dry, I wonder—will you abandon those soldiers fighting bitterly in Liang, or risk peasant uprisings by imposing heavier taxes?"
Her tone was gentle as a breeze, yet carried a chilling undertone. "I must remind Your Majesty: this isn't the heartland of a century ago. If the tribes around Western Mausoleum and Southern Chen catch even a whiff of blood, they'll pounce and devour what little remains of Chen. If you and Chancellor Jiang still dream of preserving the royal bloodline by fleeing like your ancestors did, it would be a joke."
Empress Dowager Jiang's knuckles turned white where she gripped the sandalwood armrest. "Enough of your scare tactics! You swayed Qi Simiao not just with this 'people's welfare' banner, but also by using my son's heir, didn't you? But when the royalist ministers learn the child in your womb isn't of Chen's royal blood, let's see who still supports you!"
A faint smile touched Wen Yu's lips as she retorted, "I, too, am curious how the ministers will react when they learn that you and Chancellor Jiang eliminated all of the late king's heirs years ago and installed a eunuch on the throne all these years."
"You!"
The accusation was too vile. Despite her strong will, Empress Dowager Jiang snapped, "Wen Shi! Do you truly believe I can't control you?"
Zhao Bai and Tong Que, standing behind Wen Yu, tensed. Their eyes swept imperceptibly over the shuttered side chambers of the hall, muscles coiled like tigers ready to spring.
Wen Yu's tone didn't waver in the slightest. "Your Majesty is welcome to use whatever means you have against me."She lifted her eyes and calmly met Empress Dowager Jiang's gaze: "But if I were to die in your Chen Kingdom, the reputation of your Chen Kingdom colluding with Bandit Pei would be sealed. Dou Jianliang only defected to Pei Song and betrayed the allied forces upon your Chen Kingdom's instruction! The ministers of my Liang Camp would form alliances with tribes beyond the pass and even the Western Mausoleum to make your Chen Kingdom pay in blood!"
"If Your Majesty wishes to follow Dou Jianliang's example in surrendering to Pei Song, seeking refuge behind the pass, you would only be destroying your century-old foundation while adding infamy to your name."
Empress Dowager Jiang pressed her lips tightly together, her chest heaving violently—clearly enraged yet with no outlet for her fury.
Her earlier words had been merely a momentary outburst. She knew well she couldn't harm Wen Yu. Having paid such a heavy price to forge the alliance between the two kingdoms, causing enmity by harming Wen Yu now would truly be losing the bride while forfeiting the dowry.
Wen Yu seemed weary as well, lowering her long lashes: "The fact that I, Wen Shi Hanyang, still stand here shows my willingness to negotiate with your Southern Chen. Bandit Pei bears the blood debt of killing my father, mother, brothers, mentor, and nephews. All I seek in this desperate situation is to rebuild my strength to strike back at the Pei clan while protecting the people of both lands as much as possible."
Without waiting to see Empress Dowager Jiang's reaction, she turned and declared: "Regardless of whether Southern Chen agrees to Minister Qi's proposal today to appoint me as regent princess, I must return to Liang to take charge. Your Majesty and Minister Jiang may reconsider before my departure and give me your answer."
As Wen Yu neared the palace exit, Empress Dowager Jiang's voice sounded behind her—still stern, yet carrying a tone of resignation: "The child you carry must be of Jiang blood."
Descending the stone steps of Lingxi Palace, Wen Yu encountered Jiang Yu ascending in full imperial guard armor.
This was their first meeting since the Mid-Autumn palace banquet. Jiang Yu had been more distant than ever, retreating to the side upon seeing Wen Yu and bowing with clasped hands: "Seeing Your Highness off."
His gaze remained lowered, fixed on the ground before him.
Surrounded by Azure Guards, Wen Yu descended the steps without glancing sideways. Though the autumn wind rose again, it could scarcely stir her intricately crafted, heavy ceremonial robes. Only the golden phoenix hairpin in her chignon swayed slightly with her movement.
Not until Wen Yu had gone far did Jiang Yu straighten up to watch her retreating figure before continuing up the steps into Lingxi Palace. Finding the Empress Dowager seated on a cushion in the Buddhist hall, eyes closed and counting prayer beads, he called: "Aunt, you summoned me?"
Only after returning to Zhaohua Palace did Zhao Bai venture: "Your Highness..."
Wen Yu proceeded directly to her bedchamber, ordering: "Help me change."
"Tong Que, go to the Directorate of Ceremonial and deliver a message to Eunuch Li."
Two Azure Guards helped Wen Yu remove the heavy ceremonial attire and the jeweled hairpieces that complemented the robes. As her unbound black hair cascaded freely, she finally felt relief from the day-long scalp tension.
Rubbing her temples, she observed the everyday palace dress the guards brought forth: "Find me clothing suitable for leaving the palace."
Zhao Bai asked in confusion: "You're leaving the palace?"Wen Yu gazed at her reflection in the mirror: "Although the Empress Dowager has made concessions, she, the Jiang Family, and even the ministers of the royal faction may not truly accept me as the 'regent princess' of their Chen Kingdom. My foundation in Southern Chen is not solid, and this return to Liang will inevitably bring new complications. I must make preparations in advance."
She had agreed to the Empress Dowager's terms.
The Jiang Family was like termites gnawing at the roots of Southern Chen, but they had already grown powerful. Merely investigating the Ministry of Revenue's accounts and holding Dou Jianliang accountable for his rebellion was not enough to crush the Jiang Family in one fell swoop, especially with Empress Dowager Jiang maneuvering within the palace.
With a formidable enemy at hand, the only option was to make the Jiang Family restrain themselves temporarily and unite against the external threat—at least until she eliminated Pei Song—so they would not secretly undermine her.
Using a Jiang descendant as bait to stabilize the Jiang Family was the most cost-effective transaction.
However, having this bait did not guarantee that the Empress Dowager and the Jiang Family would not strip her of her regent authority in Southern Chen. She had to leave some contingencies in place before returning to Liang.
Upon hearing this, both Zhao Bai and Tong Que's expressions turned grave, fully aware of the urgency of the situation.
Tong Que asked, "What message do you wish me to convey to Eunuch Li?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized her mistake and hurriedly corrected herself, "No... isn't that Eunuch Li one of King Chen's people? I've had him watched for a long time, and he frequently visits Lingxi Palace. It seems he's also a lackey of the Empress Dowager's faction."
Wen Yu said, "He is a clever man. Since the Mid-Autumn palace banquet, he has been planning his own escape route."
—
One hour later, Zhao Bai, holding Wen Yu's token, drove a carriage openly out of the palace gate.
She often traveled outside the palace to handle affairs for Wen Yu. Since Wen Yu's arrival in Chen, every confrontation with Empress Dowager Jiang had ended in the latter's defeat. Moreover, Zhao Bai was known to have a temper, and the guards at the palace gate dared not provoke those close to the queen. They merely checked her waist token before allowing passage, often with an attitude that could even be described as respectful.
To avoid being followed, the mistress and servant switched carriages midway before heading to the Moonview Pavilion, the most renowned tavern in the royal capital.
Wen Yu, wearing a veiled hat, was courteously led by a waiter to a private room upstairs. After the waiter left, Zhao Bai knocked on the door. The owner of the room personally opened it—it was Fang Mingda.
After ushering them inside, he dispatched a sharp-witted servant to keep watch at the door. Returning to the room, he saw an attendant pouring tea for Wen Yu and hurriedly took over the task himself, his plump face beaming with a smile. "Having returned to Chen for several months, I am both surprised and apprehensive to suddenly receive Your Majesty's summons."
Wen Yu took the seat of honor without removing her veiled hat and did not touch the tea Fang Mingda had poured. She said, "I heard that Lord Fang has encountered some troubles recently."
After finishing the tea, Fang Mingda returned to his seat and grasped the implication in Wen Yu's words. He immediately began lamenting his plight: "The case of the corrupt eunuchs has implicated the embezzlement accounts in the Ministry of Revenue, causing turmoil in the court and beyond. It was inevitable that other departments would be affected, including the Ministry of Rites. As a minor official with little influence, I can only hope that the upcoming trial by the three judicial bodies will clear my name."
Investigating the Ministry of Revenue's accounts would inevitably involve examining transactions with the other five ministries. Fang Mingda held the position of Vice Minister in the Ministry of Rites, and since the Minister of Rites was an ally of Chancellor Jiang, he had no choice but to align himself accordingly.
However, aside from being tactful, he was also inherently cautious. He knew that the accumulated malfeasance in the Ministry of Revenue would one day be exposed, and he had to secure a way out for himself.However, his superior was insatiably greedy. If he didn't follow along to skim some profits, he would never be regarded as one of their own by his superior; instead, he would be viewed with suspicion. Thus, Fang Mingda did engage in some corruption, but the amount he embezzled, if investigated, would only result in his banishment to a remote region—not enough to cost him his official position.
But when the ministers of the Wang faction began auditing the accounts of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue, his superior framed him for multiple discrepancies, determined to make him the scapegoat.
Before the news of Dou Jianliang's betrayal reached Southern Chen, Fang Mingda was already overwhelmed with anxiety. During his suspension from office, he secretly visited the Jiang Family multiple times. However, the Wang faction ministers were clearly determined to deal a heavy blow to the Jiang Family this time, using the opportunity to purge a number of Jiang faction members.
After weighing the options, the Jiang Family had already abandoned the Ministry of Rites.
When Fang Mingda sought help from the Jiang Family, the only assurance he received was that his wife, children, and elderly mother would be protected.
Though the Jiang Family left the rest unspoken, Fang Mingda understood clearly: if he dared to reveal even a single word about the Jiang Family's affairs, his entire family would likely meet in the underworld before his testimony could even leave the prison.
To stay informed about the latest court developments during his suspension and devise a way to save himself, he spent half a month drowning his sorrows at Deyue Tower, ostensibly drinking but actually gathering intelligence.
When news from this morning's court session reached his ears, and Wen Yu's Azure Guard secretly notified him that Wen Yu wished to see him, Fang Mingda saw Wen Yu as his final lifeline.
Wen Yu said, "From what I know, many of the embezzlements in the Ministry of Rites were carried out by you, sir."
Fang Mingda immediately fell to his knees with a thud, kowtowing to Wen Yu and pleading, "Your Majesty, please see clearly! This humble official is truly wronged!"
A gentle breeze drifted through the window crack left ajar for ventilation, stirring the white veil of Wen Yu's hat. She spoke unhurriedly, "I do believe there is some truth to your claim of being wronged. After all, the amount embezzled by Minister Wu of the Ministry of Rites doesn't even compare to what you, Sir Fang, have taken."
Fang Mingda kowtowed several more times, his forehead already swollen and bleeding, and wept, "I beg Your Majesty to save this humble servant! All that happened during the mission to Liang to fetch the bride was truly not my intention—I was merely following the orders of Minister Wu and the Jiang Family..."
Wen Yu said, "I can protect you, but what can you do for me?"
Fang Mingda steeled his heart and pledged his loyalty, "If I can be of service to Your Majesty, I would go through fire and water without hesitation!"
Wen Yu replied, "Very well. Then you will remain in the Ministry of Rites, though your rank will be demoted by two levels, and you will be assigned to teach at the Imperial Academy."
Overjoyed, Fang Mingda hurriedly said, "This humble official thanks Your Majesty!"
Wen Yu interrupted him calmly, "I haven't finished."
Fang Mingda was taken aback.
Wen Yu continued, "I will protect you without letting the Jiang Family detect anything. After all, Minister Qi is not content to conclude the case with just you, a Vice Minister of Rites. I want you to serve as my eyes and ears within the Jiang faction and secretly cultivate scholars at the Imperial Academy who can be of use to me. Can you do that?"
Fang Mingda stammered in response, "I... I can do it. But... after my rank is demoted by two levels, I fear Prime Minister Jiang will no longer assign important tasks to me..."
Wen Yu said, "Lay low and focus on your teaching duties at the Imperial Academy. Once you have any information, report to me promptly."After the ministers of the Wang faction overthrew the Minister of Rites, the next person to occupy the position of Minister of Rites was bound to be a member of the Wang faction. Wen Yu arranged for Fang Mingda to take up a teaching position at the Imperial Academy, effectively helping him avoid the initial purge that would follow the new minister's appointment.
Meanwhile, the shrewd Prime Minister Jiang, upon realizing he still had a pawn in the Ministry of Rites that hadn't been completely eliminated, would certainly not let this piece remain idle. Instead, he would strategize on how to use this pawn to reclaim control of the Ministry of Rites.
Fang Mingda repeatedly acknowledged his understanding.
Wen Yu rose to leave, and he personally escorted her all the way to the entrance. Before Zhao Bai opened the door, Wen Yu said, "By the way, I have found you an assistant in the palace to prevent you from being tricked by the Jiang family into passing on false information. As for your family, I will also send people to protect them."
After expressing profuse gratitude and seeing Wen Yu off, Fang Mingda closed the door, cold sweat trickling down his back.
This Princess of Liang had truly mastered the art of balancing favor and intimidation.
What "finding an assistant in the palace to prevent him from being tricked by the Jiang family" was clearly a warning not to play any tricks, as she had other means to verify the authenticity of information.
As for sending people to protect his family, that was essentially holding his lifeline in her hands.
Leaning against the door and gasping for breath for a while, Fang Mingda finally resigned himself to accepting everything.
Although his life and family were still in someone else's hands, at least he had managed to save his life and, for the time being, didn't have to openly confront the Jiang faction.
Moreover, given the Princess of Liang's formidable tactics, it was possible she might emerge victorious in her struggle against the Empress Dowager and the Jiang faction.
If he could gain her trust and be put to important use, his official career might just have a promising future.
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