Volume 1, Chapter 29: A Matter of Life and Death (2/2)

Xiaoshunzi lowered his head to the ground. It was some time before he was able to speak, weeping, “How can this servant not listen to young master’s orders? If misfortune befalls young master, after I have killed Li An, I will return to Southern Chu and spend the rest of my life guarding young master’s grave.”

I quietly replied, “Many thanks to you. Actually, my chances of success are quite high. There is no need for you to feel bad. After we have overcome this obstacle, there will be nothing in this world that can fetter me. You can be a.s.sured that even for the sake of vengeance, I will not sacrifice myself.”

Xiaoshunzi fell silent and had no more words. I knew that he didn’t believe me. I was speaking the truth, though. I had never become crazy or frantic for the sake of vengeance.

Within his study, Li Zhi silently gazed at the silver pot on his desk. s.h.i.+ Yu stood in front of the table. Deeply worried and sick at heart, he said, “Why does Your Imperial Highness not use Great Yong’s secretly stored Mandarin Duck Pot and use this Concealed Sharpness Pot instead?”

Li Zhi softly replied, “Although the Mandarin Duck Pot secretly manufactured by the previous dynasty is reliable, Jiang Zhe is knowledgeable of the histories and adept at identification. He may recognize the Mandarin Duck Pot. This Concealed Sharpness Pot was delivered by this Prince’s subordinates in Southern Chu. It has an elaborate mechanism. There will absolutely be no loopholes. It is better to use this pot. The Soul Enrapturing Pill will not change the silver color of the pot. Jiang Zhe won’t be able to detect anything.”

s.h.i.+ Yu had followed Li Zhi for many years. He could clearly detect the sorrow in Li Zhi’s heart. He could not but blurt out, “Your Imperial Highness, just now, Guan Xiu and others came to report that Jiang Suiyun has stated that he will not serve the Prince of Qi for long. If Your Imperial Highness cannot bear to do this, then there is no harm in letting him off.”

Apathetically, Li Zhi inquired, “Is this what you really think?”

s.h.i.+ Yu wanted to say something, but hesitated. Eventually, he said, “This is all this subordinate’s mistakes, encouraging Your Imperial Highness to seek out talented individuals. But right now, Your Imperial Highness can neither pacify Southern Chu nor obtain a talented individual. This is all this subordinate’s doing. But if we do not kill that person, I’m afraid that this subordinate will never be able to be at peace.”

Li Zhi slightly sneered as he scoffed, “This has nothing to do with you. This Prince was too self-confident, believing that all of the world’s talents would willingly serve us. Let’s be done with it and give Jiang Zhe a farewell dinner in the front reception hall. Pity this exceptional and gifted scholar, from henceforth buried forever in the earth. This is this Prince’s sin and his misfortune.”

Not far from the residence of the Prince of Yong, a luxurious carriage waited peacefully. Within, Li Xian’s face was lit up with delight. Opposite him sat his consort, Qin Zheng. Today, she did not cross-dress, instead wearing a moon-white dress. She was an outstanding beauty. Callously, she griped, “It’s only that Hanlin Academic, Jiang Zhe. Why does Your Imperial Highness regard him so highly?”

A faint look of ridicule flashed across Li Xian’s face before he replied in a cordial manner, “That year, Zheng’er, your tongue was as sharp as a blade and was still unable to persuade the Prince of De. But this person only had to speak a few words to convince Zhao Jue. Reportedly, this man accompanied Zhao Jue to conquer Shu. I closely studied the plan Zhao Jue used to conquer Shu. He did not employ his usual style. It can be clearly seen that this Jiang Zhe is quite talented. Furthermore, I have loved this man’s elegant manner for quite some time. Even second brother attaches great importance to him. What’s inappropriate about me treating him thus? Not that I’m criticizing you, although Zheng’er, you are a talented woman of this era with family background, appearance, and talent all superior, your sole flaw is your temperament that lacks humility and tolerance. It’s not surprising as you are proud woman of the Heavens. However, this Prince will state this clearly: if you offend Sir Jiang, don’t blame this Prince for being ruthless.”

A scowl appeared on Qin Zheng’s face. Back then, she had received orders to approach the Prince of Qi. This Prince of Qi was an elegant young man, and also had a loose and casual character, quickly gaining Qin Zheng’s love. In Southern Chu, she had fallen into the Prince of Qi’s trap because of jealousy. After a night’s romance, she had become the Prince of Qi’s fiancée. But from then on, the Prince of Qi reverted to his old ways, not only visiting prost.i.tutes, but also engaging in falconry and hunting. Towards her, he seemed be keeping his distance, at times as sweet as honey, other times as cold as ice. Before she had even been wed and entered the prince’s household, there were already three or four children born of concubines. She could only blame herself for being infatuated and head over heels in love, and could not extricate herself. It was only until they were wed by imperial decree that she realized the truth. Although Li Xian seemed to respect her greatly, she was confined to the inner courtyard of the prince’s residence, while he lived shamelessly. She had even complained tearfully to her master and her father, but they all explained it away as the prince’s dissolute character, stating that she could only scrupulously abide by the womanly virtues, and apply gentle and tender fetters. Without any other choice, she could only turn a blind eye. But today, the Prince of Qi only intensified the aggravation, unexpectedly bringing her along to bow her head to a Southern Chu captive. Ultimately, after thinking it over, she was unwilling to fall out with the Prince of Qi. She could only endure and reply, “Your servant will do as you bid.”

Li Xian smiled unsympathetically. He understood this intelligent woman very well. She was proud and arrogant, and lacked tenderness. As a result, he did not make any excessive attempts to persuade her. However, he knew that Qin Zheng would not violate his commands. Seeing that it was approaching the stipulated time, Li Xian said, “All right, let’s go to the Prince of Yong’s residence.”

The front reception hall of the prince’s residence stood out, as it was not splendid and majestic like the typical halls in a prince’s residence. Instead, it was expansive and long, solemn and dignified. Today, Li Zhi was also dressed in plain, unadorned clothes. His heart was in mourning. Seeing Jiang Zhe, he froze, staring blankly. Jiang Zhe was also wearing plain, unadorned clothes, taking advantage of his delicate and scholarly demeanor. Combined with a slightly wan and sallow appearance, Jiang Zhe’s clothes only served to manifest his natural and poised bearing.

A burst of regret and pity filling his heart, Li Zhi’s gaze fell upon s.h.i.+ Yu. Because they were going to poison Jiang Zhe to death today, he had only brought along s.h.i.+ Yu to see Jiang Zhe off. s.h.i.+ Yu’s eyes were icy, as he shook his head slightly. No longer hesitating, Li Zhi stated, “Today, we are here to see Sir off. Knowing that Sir possesses a n.o.ble and moral character, therefore there is only a cup of fine wine to see you off. Sir must not decline.” So saying, s.h.i.+ Yu carried over a black wooden tray. On top was placed the Concealed Sharpness Pot and two silver cups.

When my eyes caught sight of the Concealed Sharpness Pot, I could not help but smile in spite of myself. I had personally designed this Concealed Sharpness Pot, selling it through the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets. In order to obtain a high price, only three had been manufactured. Every pot cost a thousand taels of gold. Who would have thought that I would run into my design here? The bottom of the pot was double-layered, large enough to hold an entire cup of poison. If one wanted to use this pot to harm someone, they only needed to fill the bottom of the pot with poison. When pouring the wine, one only needed to press the lotus engraving on the handle of the pot, and the poison at the bottom of the pot would flow along a hidden path to reach the spout. No one would be able to realize that poison was being used in this manner, not revealing a single thing even after killing hundreds or thousands of people. Of course, the poison cannot cause the silver pot to change color. This would prevent just any person from using the Concealed Sharpness Pot to harm people and would prevent the drinker from becoming suspicious. Unexpectedly, this Concealed Sharpness Pot was being used on my own self. Could this be considered as reaping what you sow?

Li Zhi picked up the pot and first poured a cup of poisoned wine before moving his thumb and pouring a cup of clean wine for himself. Replacing the pot on the tray, he picked up his own cup. With a forced smile, he stated, “Sir, please drink the entirety of this cup. From now on, I hope that Sir achieves meteoric success in your career.”

I picked up my cup of poisoned wine. I thought to myself, If I were to shed my blood, sweat, and tears for this man then I’m afraid that at the end, I probably would only receive this cup of poisoned wine. I gazed in the Prince of Yong’s direction, seeing his forced smile. I smiled unenthusiastically. Thinking of this person’s previous favor and generosity, I could not help but say, “With Your Imperial Highness’s renown, you should not be bothered by these trivial matters. From today onward, Your Imperial Highness need only train your troops externally and cultivate benevolent governance internally. Even though the Crown Prince will be afraid of you, he will not dare to lightly provoke Your Imperial Highness. As for other matters, there will be talented individuals who will advise Your Imperial Highness. Today, Zhe takes leave of Your Imperial Highness, and after today, no one knows when we shall meet again. I hope that Your Imperial Highness can soon unify the world, giving the world peace, and the common people happiness and peace. Even though Suiyun will be far away in the jianghu, I will pray that the Heavens bless Your Imperial Highness.”

These words that I had spoken came from the bottom of my heart. I really did not blame him. He wanted to kill me because I had pressed so harshly. Real dragons had scales that could not be touched, lines that could not be crossed. Thinking that I would never meet him again after today, I could not help say a few words that expressed my true feelings. I raised the cup. I could tell that there was poison in the wine. The “Subdue Ten Thousand Poisons Pill” that I had taken was also extremely poisonous, but it was capable of protecting the arteries and veins of my heart, and preserving my life. Tonight was the perfect opportunity to fake my death. I raised the cup and prepared to down the poisoned wine.

From the moment that I had taken the wine cup, Li Zhi’s heart was extremely disturbed and restless. He had never done this kind of thing, murdering a talented individual. Inevitably, he felt shame. Now hearing Jiang Zhe speak from the heart, his right hand, which had the power to determine life or death, unexpectedly began to tremble. Seeing Jiang Zhe preparing to drink the poisoned wine, his mind began to repeatedly roil over. Suddenly, he reached out with his hand and stopped the wine cup from touching Jiang Zhe’s lips.

I looked with confusion at Li Zhi’s hand that covered the wine cup. I looked at his pale white complexion, my heart chaotic. Although in the beginning, Li Zhi was only momentarily impulsive, he quickly calmed down. He took away the wine cup and softly said, “Although Sir is only a scholar, your vision and spirit is comparable to that of a warrior on the field of battle. We should use large cups, not these kinds of small silver cups. Someone come, bring my golden helmet.”

It wasn’t long before a servant waiting on Li Zhi brought the golden helmet from the armor set bestowed by the emperor. This time, Li Zhi did not employ the secret mechanism on the pot. Opening the lid, he poured the entire contents into the golden helmet. Holding it with both hands, he proclaimed, “Jiang Zhe, although you are gifted scholar from the opulence of Southern Chu, you have a will and characteristic that even surpa.s.ses that of the warriors guarding Great Yong’s borders. This Prince uses this golden helmet to bestow this wine, hoping that you will have a pleasant journey.”

At this moment, Li Zhi no longer had resentment or animosity in his heart, and was instead calm and gentle. In his mind, he thought, Being unable to gain Jiang Zhe’s service is due to my lack of virtue and talent. If I were to carelessly kill this innocent talented individual, even if I were able to gain the Imperial Throne, what right would I have to sit upon it?

Footnotes:

<ol><li>千钧一发, qianjunyifa – idiom, lit. a thousand pounds hangs by a thread; imminent peril; a matter of life or death</li><li>天下没有不散的筵席, tianxiameiyoubusandeyanxi – idiom, lit. all banquets must come to an end; all good things must come to an end</li><li>休戚相关, xiuqixiangguan – idiom, lit. to share the same interests; to be closely related, to be in the same boat</li><li>千里之堤，溃于蚁穴, qianlizhidi, kuiyuyixue – idiom, lit. an ant hole causes the collapse of a great dike; fig. huge damage from a moment’s negligence</li><li>借刀杀人, jiedaosharen – idiom, lit. to borrow another’s knife to kill someone; to attack using another’s strength, to get somebody else to do one’s dirty work</li><li>Silver is said to change color when exposed to poison. In modern science, we know that silver tarnishes upon contact with sulfur, denoting the presence of a.r.s.enic sulfides and warning of a.r.s.enic poisoning.</li><li>神魂颠倒, shenhundiandao, idiom, lit. spirit and soul upside down; infatuated and head over heels in love; fascinated, captivated</li></ol>