Chapter 29 (1/2)
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Blizzard In The Capital
One hand lightly propping up her cheek, one hand holding a book, Gui Wan pa.s.ses time in a bored manner. The doors makes a “gazhi” sound, she raises her head, Ling Long pushes the door opens and enters, footsteps seeming a little hurried, walking up to the low table, half lowering her body, whispering into Gui Wan’s ear.
“De Yu gong-gong?” Speaking with slight surprise, Gui Wan places the book aside, looking towards the doors, she deeply ponders. The Head Eunuch within the palace is requesting an audience outside the courtyard right now?
Nodding at Ling Long, seeing her leave the room in very hasty steps, Gui Wan braces herself, standing up, she gazes out of the window. These days, the inner courtyard of the Prime Minister Estate is as calm as ever, only the calm and joys of the servants in this courtyard is real, hers is actually half real, half fake, she understands that muddled thoughts are mixed within, only by being like this, is she able to spend day after day under the dark waves.
De Yu coming right now, what matter could it be for?
“Madam.” This refined and polite voice is the same as always.
Thoughts drifting too far, Gui Wan turns around, a person is already standing by the doors, of tall and slender stature, in a long royal blue robe, thin autumn air hung on the body, looking just like a gentleman from generations of a scholarly family, how is anyone to tell he is actually the current fair-headed one within the palace?
Upon a closer look, he may be containing a smile as he stands there, but that face is slightly pale, worries hanging between his brows.
“Gong-gong……” Gui Wan firstly sits beside the low table, Ling Long is nimble minded, and had already brought a seat over from the side, allowing De Yu to sit down, before his body is steadied, a cup of green tea with clean air overflowing, entangled with a shallow fragrance, is already handed over next to De Yu’s hand.
De Yu accepts the hot tea, but his lips does not touch it, with a turn of his arm, he places it back onto the low table, slightly lowering his head, appearing to want to speak but finds it difficult to open his mouth. After a long while, finally unable to resist this exceptional silence, parting his lips, hoa.r.s.eness carried under his voice: “Madam, do you by chance know of the Shu Clan?”
Again with the “Shu Clan”…… “What makes gong-gong interested in this prominent family from the south?” Not answering and questions back, probing at De Yu’s underlying tone.
Shaking his head, taking the tea, he downs it all in one, after clearing his throat, De Yu finally speaks: “Perhaps Madam is not aware, the formidability of this Shu Clan,” Speaking up to here, perhaps he does not know how to describe it properly, he pauses for a moment, attracting the doubtful looks in Gui Wan’s eyes, organising his thoughts, he continues to speak: “His majesty has once left the palace for a day, it was precisely on the day of the herbaceous peony flower fair in the Prime Minister Estate, only returning to the palace at sunset, following him back, was also an additional person. His majesty summoned him to talk for an entire day, ever since then, this person has been secretly suggesting schemes for his majesty, should there be tasks that his majesty cannot do himself, it will be done by lending this person’s hand. His presence elusive, even gaining his majesty’s amnesty, I spent a great amount of time before I was able to discover, he is a descendant of the Shu Clan, heard he is called Shu Yu Hai.”
Hearing this name, Gui Wan’s heart is overcome with a chill, knitting her brows, “Shu Yu Hai?”
The descendants of the Shu Clan, one in the Prime Minister Estate, one in the imperial palace, conducts tasks stealthily, the deep meaning behind this unpredictable, look like it is their ambitious hearts thriving, coming here prepared. Lou Che should have picked out this point, the Emperor is no idiot either, just that the stakes at play here are unclearly intertwined, they both want to make use of the Shu Clan, occupying such high positions, there are many things to let go of because of this, to have the Shu Clan, those shady dealings that are not to be known to others, can be done with the lending of their hands.
One person’s capabilities has its limits, an entire clan’s capabilities is infinite.
“Gong-gong coming here today, is it because of this Shu Clan matter?”
De Yu lifts his eyes, suddenly springing up from the chair, with a “putong” sound, he was kneeling before Gui Wan, across the low table, Gui Wan was slightly surprised, hastily standing up herself, wanting to reach out to help him up, but was pressed back with those deeply heavy eyes. De Yu’s expression reveals solemnity, bleak and chilly from a distance, upon closer inspection, it is practically weighed down with a huge boulder, hundreds and thousands of pounds heavy.
“Madam, it is all my fault, failing to discipline the little eunuch’s mouth to be sealed tight enough, disclosing your matters to Shu Yu Tian, this Shu Clan is cunning, heart set on seeking power, I am only afraid they will turn their attention towards you, after thinking it over and over again, I just keep feeling this is not right, thus specially coming here today to confess my sin.” Once his words were spoken, he lowers his body, kneeling before the low table without producing a sound. The Shu Clan’s movements are much quicker than he has imagined, Shu Yu Tian directly speaking to Lou Che is already a matter that happened a few days ago, this point, De Yu naturally does not know of.”
Gui Wan was firstly a little shocked, and then leisurely smiles, “Gong-gong needs not be like this, this world holds so many sets of lips, one cannot manage them all, a little eunuch’s mistake, has nothing to do with gong-gong.” Sending an eye signal to Ling Long, Ling Long immediately steps forward to help De Yu up.
Who knew De Yu would continue to kneel there without the slightest intention to move, only bitterly smiling. Due to the loneliness of being alone in the palace, he wanted to dispel such feeling without much thought, one day, after getting drunk, he had let slip a few matters concerning the Emperor and Gui Wan, this was all heard by a little eunuch, only then did the information happen to be leaked to Shu Yu Hai. After this, he fell under immense regret, although secretly sending the little eunuch who leaked the information to his death, he cannot possibly recover an established fact. Unfortunately these words, he could only simmer in his heart, how could he possibly dare to tell Gui Wan this?
Seeing him kneel on the ground, unwilling to get up, Gui Wan also felt she committed wrong, it was her who single-handedly pulled De Yu into this complicated vortex, causing him to act in spite of himself, following her through the ups and downs, right now, for the sake of her benefits and her safety, he has actually come here to ask for forgiveness, how could this possibly not shake her heart? Actually finding herself speechless in this precise moment, after a while, Gui Wan stands in front of De Yu’s body, lowering her body to pull up his arm, “Gong-gong, exactly is it I who owe you more, or is it you who owe me more? You kneeling here like this, is it to make things clear between us?”
De Yu was slightly stunned, and only then did he stand up, lifting the huge rock from his heart, worries alleviating, taking a few steps back, glancing towards Gui Wan a few times, after a while, the tea has gradually cooled down, he speaks up: “Madam, may you pay more heed towards the Shu Clan, I am unable to stay any longer, and shall be taking my leave now.”
Knowing that he holds a special ident.i.ty, indeed inconvenience for him to be staying here, Gui Wan nods her head, watching him respectfully bow towards her, the very moment he turned around, she could not hold back from calling out: “De Yu gong-gong.”
“Madam has other commands?”
“Did gong-gong secretly slip out of the palace today?”
Hearing those words, De Yu’s body slight freezes, warm currents running through the pa.s.sages to his heart, knowing this phrase of Gui Wan’s is spoken in concern towards his safety, afraid that he will attract troubles due to leaving the palace without permission, with his back facing Gui Wan, he is still able to see, right now, her shallow smile like the curve of the new moon, eyes like the night, hiding the intoxicating effect of alcohol, brilliant like the stars.
“May Madam rest a.s.sured, leaving the palace today is for official business, there will not be any blunders.” Without turning his head back, he throws aside these words, and leaves just like that, just like how he came, grazing into the twilight, Ling Long hastily follows after him. Right now, not one of them knew, De Yu’s secret visit today, will be the last time he sees Gui Wan, leaving without turning his head back like this, in later days, actually became a regret.
Waiting till that figure completely disappears from sight, Gui Wa withdraws her line of sight, sitting back in her original spot, heart feeling a little uneasy, she stands up, pacing back and forth in the room two times, yet the unease in her heart grew increasingly heavy. Looking ahead into the future and thinking back to the past, he carefully thinks, sounding a soft sigh, she takes hold of a brush, writing two letters on the low table.
The first letter, is written to San Niang, the letter ordering for her to keep a close eye on the southern Shu Clan, should the Shu Clan have any movements that targets the Prime Minister Estate, may San Niang overcome the Shu Clan with all her might.
The second letter, is written to her older brother Yu Yan He, Jin Yang is very close to the foundations of the southern Shu Clan, in the letter, Gui Wan requests her older brother, when the Shu Clan’s power grows too large, without any hesitation, to directly press forward into the enemy’s lair, it is of utmost importance to eradicate the Shu family.
At this time, Gui Wan has already seen through the Shu family’s cunning means, wanting to gain advantage in between the dispute between the Emperor and Lou Che, using this opportunity, to form a stepping stone for the clan to stand above.
The dispute between the Emperor and Lou Che, she hides her understanding and acts like the fool, because this is a men’s world, this round of disputes, does not allow for others to intervene. She can only silently accompany Lou Che, in his spare time, a game of chess, a cup of tea, clear breeze widespread, accompanying her husband with a graceful smile.
Under this calm surface, she does not allow for anyone to obstruct or even harm the Prime Minister Estate’s interests from the shadows, even if she only sees a little warning sign, she must still seize and eliminate the dangers before it occurs.
Looking at the letters, ink yet to completely dry, she gently folds them, placing them into the envelope, holding it to the side of the candle, she watches as the candle wax drip by drip seals the opening, her anxiety, her melancholy, also seems to have been sealed within the hot wax.
Even if Gui Wan is this bright and intelligent, she would not have imagined, these two letters were still a step too late.
The changes through history will never come to a pause, even if one is to exhaust every scheme in their mind, with the lack of right timing and right location, in the end, it will only be greatly difficult to succeed. Just one light scribble of words in history, will bring endless poignancy and helplessness, and just how many pairs of naked eyes are slowly brewing such efforts that will always remain inferior, be it the loyalty of De Yu’s unannounced visit, the scheming of Gui Wan’s letters at night, or the composition of Lou Che’s mapped out strategies……
In the heaven’s recording of the fourth year, during mid-autumn, the luminance of the moonlight spills across the entire land, it was at the same time Gui Wan’s letters were sent out of the Prime Minister Estate, did a major event that will later change the outcome of this political dispute take place elsewhere.
Heaven’s recording of the fourth year, late fall, below Xia Xiang City Gates.
As night falls, the dark skies lightless, wind howling past, bringing a rustling chill, a man dressed in thick layers of silk clothing stands at the city gates, his s.h.i.+vering body make a turn with every few pacing, constantly rubbing his hands, as he occasionally hazes out towards the main road, faint white breath visible as he exhales.
“Lord Advisor, they’re coming, they’re coming!” Slightly weak and dim light quickly approaches, a city gate guarding soldier jogs up, the lantern in hand flickering, such sight appearing distantly void and unreal within the darkness.
Hearing the little soldier’s words, the advisor’s spirits were lifted, straightening his body, gaze locked in front. Sure enough, shortly after, the sound of rumbling carriage can be heard approaching, he heads straight to the bottom of the city gate in waiting. The advisor hurriedly walks forward in welcome, bowing his body, “Your honour, you had made a long journey.”
“Advisor Zhang, during the time I was away, was everything fine in the city?” The curtains are lifted, a slightly plump figure hops off the carriage with the support of the soldier, fur coat wrapping the body, face filled with signs of fatigue, right hand rubbing at his sore neck, left hand holding a box made from pear wood.
“Your honour, all has been well.”
“En.” As the governor of Xia Xiang, his first phrase is but customary words. Xia Xiang is a wealthy town in the southern area, a peaceful and happy society, he would not think that anything big will happen here, he vaguely sounds a reply, stepping off the carriage, he instantly senses the biting chill, muttering: “The weather this year really is unusual, already this cold at this time.”
The little city gate guarding soldier goes to park up the horse carriage, the advisor closely following after the governor, lightly asking: “Your honour, meeting with Prime Minister Lou this time you entered the Capital, is presumably a great gain?”
“En, the matter is urgent, tensions are running high during this time in the Capital, Lord Prime Minister’s side is hastening to press on.” Towards his own trusted advisor, the governor sees that no one is around, and speaks frankly, “Lord Prime Minister wants the southern region to join hands and form a unanimous opposition, then the central academy plans will be unsuccessful, if we let his majesty successfully establish the central academy, only using those close ministers, then what good will we still be able to reap? You see, this is Lord Prime Minister’s handwritten letters, wait till tomorrow morning, before we give it to the other ministers to look over.” A chubby hand lightly patting the box, the governor was somewhat proud.
He is one of Lou Che’s most trusted official in the southern region, gaining deeply high regards, close to the south, thus serving under Prince of Nan Jun, and under Lou Che’s care in the Capital, in recent years, has helped Lou Che consolidate southern forces, thus gaining a lot of merit, flushed with success, prospering in officialdom, naturally of a wide and fat body figure, upon smiling, the meat on his cheeks will even tremble.
“Your honour is wise, the day Prime Minister Lou alone gains all power, shall be the day your honour soar into the skies, this little one will require a lot of guidance and help from you ah.” Lips filled with compliments, the advisor and governor sharing knowing smiles.
The two people head towards city gates, the governor rambling about things he has encountered in the Capital: “Must say that this Capital City is better than Xia Xiang in all aspects, but the beauties of this Capital City ah, not gentle enough, how could they compare to the grace and pa.s.sion of Xia Xiang women ah?” Words coming to a pause, he sees that the advisor is eagerly listening in, and once again speaks, “Having said that, there is one exception–– Prime Minister Lou’s madam, that is but a dear little lamb ah……a peerless beauty, but only such beautiful woman, is able to match up to Prime Minister Lou ah.” Catching that one glimpse in the courtyard that day, separated with too big of distance, he had not even managed to get a clear look of what Madam Lou looks like, but that elegance of hibiscus containing dew, even if that figure stood amongst the cl.u.s.ters of flowers, it still made people feel bedazzled, a stunning glimpse, difficult to forget.
The two people chatting and laughing, walking past the city gates, the advisor looks back, about to order the soldiers to close the gates, when a burst of hurried horse hooves rapidly approaches, the soldiers stops what they are doing, advisor and governor turning around, eyes met with only the rising of dust, and one galloping horse arrives below the city gates, within the darkness, the dim lantern is unable to clearly light up the person on the horse.
“Who is Governor of Xia Xiang, Prime Minister Lou has a message.” The person on the horse loudly shouts out.
The governor is stunned, he had only just arrived himself, and behind Prime Minister Lou’s messenger follows after, could there be new instructions? Not daring to display the slightest neglect, he walks up front, “What does Lord Prime Minister has to instruct?” Seeing the person on the horse beckon him forward, he knows it must be a secret message, cannot be heard by others. Nervously smiling as he approaches, the person on the horse immediately dismounts, leaning towards him; the governor’s mouth drops, raising his head to take a close look of the person, his face instantly pales: “You––––”
The advisor waits by the side of the city gates, watching the governor slowly walk over, speaking in private with that messenger, body is even shaking, seeming to be laughing. His body shrinks back, patiently waiting, but after waiting for a while, the governor is still maintaining that posture, heart hit with a chill, he jumps up in anxiety, just about to shout out, but suddenly sees that the governor’s body is already slowly falling, the messenger squats down, taking the pear wood box from the governor’s hands. The advisor’s heart rapidly beats, deep within this dark night, he seems to be able to hear his own heartbeat, pointing towards the governor’s location, he loudly cries out: “a.s.sa.s.sin, an a.s.sa.s.sin––––”
The two city guarding soldiers upon hearing his cries, pulls out the swords from their waist side, unfortunately it is too late now, the messenger is as quick as lightning, the soldiers did not even manage to see his face, and had already died under his dagger. The advisor witnesses the entire scene, voice stuck in his throat, unable to utter a sound, legs turning numb, he kneels before the city gates, to no avail, his eyes is met with a flash of light……