Chapter 17: Each with Their Own Thoughts (2/2)
Ye Tianxiu cheerfully nodded in agreement.
***
Over these days, the state of affairs in Chang’an gradually pacified. However, hidden waves surged violently in the dark. At first light, Li Hanyou had entered the palace to pay a formal visit to the Noble Consort Ji. Within Noble Consort Ji’s chambers, the two sipped tea. Li Hanyou’s state of mind was not fixed, while Noble Consort Ji’s expression was tranquil and calm. After the two had chatted vacuously for quite some time, Li Hanyou could not help but ask, “Martial Aunt, it originally was understandable for Master to come assume control. However, Hanyou did not know a single thing about what was going to happen in Chang’an last night. Martial Aunt, please tell me … is Master dissatisfied with Hanyou?”
Noble Consort Ji smiled faintly and replied, “You’re overthinking matters. These years, you have done well. If the Sect Master truly felt that you have done wrong, she would absolutely not have let you off easily. It is only that it is inappropriate for you to get involved in this matter. Although you are a disciple of the Internal Hall, you are now married to Qin Qing. With this, you have nominally become an External Hall disciple. As a result, it isn’t appropriate for you to get involved. To the Fengyi Sect, it is far more important for you to preserve your current honored position than any action that you may do.”
Sighing, Li Hanyou expressed, “That day when the Sect Master arranged for me to be wed to Qin Qing, to speak the truth, I was unwilling. Martial Aunt, I truly wish to become the successor of Master’s legacy. But …”
Although Li Hanyou did not speak any further, Noble Consort Ji was very clear as to the meaning behind her words. The authority of the Fengyi Sect Master could not be resisted. Moreover, under the pressure of riches and honor, glory and splendor, how many could resist such allure? While gently fanning the circular fan in her hand, Noble Consort Ji gracefully soothed, “In reality, there is no need for you to become too worried. Although there is no chance for you to become the next Sect Master, the Sect Master’s intentions are quite clear. The decisions of the Fengyi Sect of tomorrow will not be made by the future Sect Master alone. Ziyan’s martial arts cultivation is the highest and she is the most loyal to Senior Apprentice Sister. In addition, the majority of the military force developed by the Fengyi Sect rests in her hands. But because of her cruel and savage reputation, thus there is no hope of her becoming the Sect Master. Your Second Apprentice Sister Xiao Lan and Fifth Apprentice Sister Qin Zheng are both married and have lost the qualifications to become Sect Master. Although your Third Apprentice Sister Feng Fei is somewhat renowned in jianghu, there is no way for her to dominate the outstanding heroes of the lands and can only serve in a supporting role. Your Fourth Apprentice Sister Liang Wan’s mind has been damaged. Your Seventh Apprentice Sister is too cavalier and reckless, and cannot be granted heavy responsibilities. There is only your Sixth Apprentice Sister Ling Yu and Eighth Apprentice Sister Yan Wushuang, one elegant and exquisite, the other a beauty surpassing all. Their martial arts are also superb. They conform the most to the Sect Master’s criteria. However, there is no need for you to worry. According to the present circumstances, Ziyan will take a supervisory role. We disciples in the court will naturally become a faction. Feifei, Yu’er, Xiaotong, Wushuang will become a faction. No one will be able to take arbitrary action.2 Only you have sufficient ability to have Lan’er and Zheng’er listen to you. Why are you afraid that you won’t be able to compete against those Internal Hall disciples?”
The more she listened, the greater the joy that Li Hanyou felt. She replied, “Many thanks to Martial Aunt for your advice. I hope that Martial Aunt will continue to advise me.”
Noble Consort Ji smiled. “You are exceptionally intelligent. What are you confused about? As long as you do not reveal a hint of dissatisfaction, Senior Apprentice Sister will not abandon you. The turmoil this time was not our doing. As a result, we would naturally be able to speak justly and forcefully.”3
Somewhat hesitantly, Li Hanyou inquired, “But this disciple has heard that Eldest Apprentice Sister planned the assassination of Zheng Xia? What can we do if this information were to spread?”
“What are you afraid of?” asked Noble Consort Ji with an icy smile before she continued, “Not only were you not involved, even if you were the assassin, there would be no need to worry. Wasn’t the reason the Sect Master agreed to allow the Freezing Moon branch’s people to slaughter the Prince of Qing’s subordinates was to use them to cover up our assassination attempt on Zheng Xia? If all of the Prince of Qing’s subordinates die, it is likely that everyone will suspect our involvement. However, suspicion is not enough. Who doesn’t know about the mutual animosity between the Prince of Qing and us? As long as we do not directly go to kill the Prince of Qing, the Emperor will not blame us. Besides, there is no evidence pointing to our involvement. Who will suspect that our real target was Zheng Xia?”
“It is truly difficult to know Sect Master’s thoughts,” replied Li Hanyou with a sigh, “At present, this disciple does not understand why we attempted to assassinate Zheng Xia.”
“Alas, Senior Apprentice Sister had no alternative,” answered Noble Consort Ji with a sigh. “Zheng Xia’s personality is stern and unyielding. This time, the Emperor is of mind to let the Crown Prince off after he returns. Like last time, Zheng Xia will inevitably and bluntly criticize the Crown Prince’s misconducts. Against reason, the Emperor greatly respects that Zheng Xia. If he is permitted to remonstrate before the Emperor, it is likely that the Crown Prince’s position as heir apparent will be unable to be preserved. For our ultimate objective, we can only sacrifice Zheng daren. It is only a pity that we did not succeed. However, he will not have the opportunity to shake the Crown Prince’s position this time.”
Smiling, Li Hanyou declared, “It is the Freezing Moon branch that was the most foolish, becoming our shield.”
***
“It isn’t clear who is being foolish,” stated Lu Jingzhong evenly, as he gently rocked the open folding fan.
Sitting across from him was the Minister of Rites, Xiahou Lan. He replied, “Junior Apprentice Brother, you should not underestimate the enemy. You know full well how difficult the methods of the Fengyi Sect Master are to deal with. In the past, many members of our Scorching Sun and Freezing Moon branches died at her hands.”
Lu Jingzhong’s expression became solemn. “Senior Apprentice Brother, I know full well how formidable this woman is. However, it is impossible for her to eradicate us. Although His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince, cannot be considered as shrewd, he knows enough to safeguard against the Fengyi Sect. What’s more, the animosity between him and the Fengyi Sect is already quite deep. I am fully confident that we are able to make claims as an equal before the Fengyi Sect Master.”
“Junior Apprentice Brother, after the conference twenty years ago, the number of talented individuals within our Freezing Moon branch have dwindled away,” replied Xiahou Lan with a sigh. “There is no way for us to withstand any further losses.”
Lu Jingzhong icily retorted, “Senior Apprentice Brother is an Elder of the Freezing Moon branch and naturally cherishes one’s own plumage. However, I, Lu Jingzhong, received my master’s teachings thirty years ago. Although I do not know my master’s current position within the branch, the present situation is of my own making. I would absolutely not permit anyone to snatch it away.”
Smiling wryly, Xiahou Lan returned, “I am also unclear about this matter. But from what my deceased master told me, our Freezing Moon branch has been passed down for seventeen generations. There were several instances when the inheritance was lost, but in general, the succession has been continuous. My deceased master once claimed that the Devil Sect inevitably has another branch charged with the task of ensuring the continuation of its legacy. My deceased master even suspected that this responsibility was given to the long-heard of, but never seen, disciples of the Concealed Star branch. My deceased master’s inheritance was somehow luckily able to survive through the ages without interruption. Although there were some things that he did not understand, there were some things that my deceased master was very clear about. Every single generation of Freezing Moon branch disciples, adept at schemes and plots, have not met with a good end. That is why I have prevented Yuanfeng from becoming involved in the Devil Sect’s affairs at all costs. However, you have always been unwilling to let him off. This time, you even sent him to kill the Prince of Qing’s subordinates. Do you truly wish to oppose me till the very end?” As he asked the last question, the urge to kill flashed across Xiahou Lan’s eyes.
“Senior Apprentice Brother, you can conceal yourself in the court,” replied Lu Jingzhong calmly. “However nephew is still young. Possessing such character, ability, and wisdom, how can you allow him to be mediocre and complacent, and do nothing? Besides, since ancient times, how many of those possessing wisdom and bravery have been willing to live comfortably without purpose? Since he has such talent, then he must have his own position in this world. If not for ambitions and arrogance, how could the Freezing Moon branch’s inheritance been passed down for so long without interruption? Everyone knows that after each conference, there will be a bloody slaughter for twenty to thirty years, and only one or two individuals have the qualifications to obtain riches, honor, and power. And yet, no one has ever renounced this opportunity. Who does not wish to support a wise liege to unify the world and have one’s portraits be honored for the rest of time?4 Moreover, that individual has the ability to become the Sovereign of the Freezing Moon branch. With the Sovereign’s pendant, one will be able to acquire the help of the Concealed Star branch and have the opportunity to take a look at the original Hidden Talisman Classic.5 Alas, over these last thousand years, only the Thirteenth Generation Ancestor became Sovereign.”
Fascinated, Xiahou Lan stated, “Moreover, that Sovereign reappeared half a year after he mysteriously disappeared, dying perfectly satisfied with a smile on his face. Unfortunately, he did reveal a word about what he had witnessed.”
“I am willing to die for the opportunity to take a peek at the Hidden Talisman Classic in this life,” proclaimed Lu Jingzhong, a look of fanaticism flashing across his eyes.
Xiahou Lan peacefully said, “That’s right. I once had the same thoughts. The Ancestor’s knowledge was as deep as the ocean, only passing along seven-tenths of what he had learned and was already able to allow the Freezing Moon branch to survive to this day. I was once willing to pay any price, to make any sacrifice, in order to take a look at the Ancestor’s works. However, at present, I am completely discouraged and only wish to spend the rest of my life in peace. Therefore, it is best if you do not involve Yuanfeng.”
“Does Senior Apprentice Brother think that this was my idea?” asked Lu Jingzhong, a hint of ridicule flashing across his eyes before he continued, “Nephew’s intelligence is outstanding and you have even passed along all of our teachings to him. At present, he is filled with the impetuousness of youth. How is he willing to bend his head to another? Senior Apprentice Brother, it would have been fine if you had not educated him and taught him the sword. It is too late now.”
Xiahou Lan’s expression changed. It was some time before he replied, “What you say is true. It is truly too late.”
Footnotes:
风声鹤唳, fengshengheli – idiom, lit. wind sighing and crane calling; fig. to panic at the slightest move, to be jittery
独断专行, duduanzhuanxing – idiom, lit. to decide and act alone; fig. to take arbitrary action, a law unto oneself
理直气壮, lizhiqizhuang – idiom, lit. in the right and self-confident; bold and confident with justice on one’s side; to have the courage of one’s convictions; just and forceful
画影凌烟, huayinglingyan – idiom, lit. to have one’s portraits hung in the Lingyan Pavilion (凌烟阁); fig. to be honored through the histories; this is a bit of an anachronism as the Lingyan Pavilion was a pavilion where Tang Taizong, Li Shimin, hung the commemorative portraits that he commissioned to honor the twenty-four officials for their service and contributions to the Tang Dynasty
The Hidden Talisman Classic (陰符經, Yinfujing) is the name of a Daoist scripture associated with Chinese astrology and internal alchemy, and is also the name of a Chinese feng shui text and a military strategy manual.