Chapter 24: Prepared for Everything (2/2)
Although we could only wait and see how the situation would develop, I still had Xiaoshunzi transmit my order. The entire Secret Camp was mobilized, ready to respond to any changes at any moment. I was not worried about this. They were all experts who could respond readily to any situation. Moreover, I gave the Prince of Yong’s household command pendants, allowing them to move as they pleased.
Firmly clenching my fists, I reminded myself that I needed to believe in myself. Even if the situation were to suddenly change, I would be able to remedy the situation or turn the tide.8 Moreover, I could not identify any flaws in the arrangements that the Prince of Yong and I had made.
***
Within the Roosting Clouds Nunnery, Fan Huiyao stood with her hands behind her back under the moon. Behind her, standing on both sides, were her trusted disciples—Wen Ziyan, Xiao Lan, Feng Feifei, Xie Xiaotong, Yan Wushuang, and Li Hanyou. Aside from the insane Liang Wan, the wounded Ling Yu, and Qin Zheng accompanying the imperial procession, everyone else was present. Behind these disciples stood a hundred swordswomen. All of them wore snow-white clothing. These women were the core force that the Fengyi Sect Master had painstakingly trained, all of them adopted by the Fengyi Sect Master at a young age. The Moon Heart Sutra that they trained in was missing a key component, leading them to become emotionless and desireless, their hearts as cold as ice. In their eyes, there were only loyalty and slaughter.
It was a good while before the Fengyi Sect Master spoke in a neutral voice, “The Autumn Hunt is when we will act. This operation must be successful, otherwise my Fengyi Sect will be consigned to eternal damnation.”
Wen Ziyan callously replied, “Master, do not worry. All of the proper arrangements have been made. If we still do not succeed, then it will be because destiny was against us.”
“I have never believed in destiny,” expressed Fan Huiyao grimly. “Ziyan, remember, although I cannot participate personally, all of you have to work together sincerely. Hanyou and Xiaotong, you two will be responsible for the Emperor. When the time comes, Qin Zheng will listen to your orders. Xiao Lan and Feifei, you must cooperate with the Crown Prince to suppress and eradicate all those who oppose him. Ziyan and Wushuang, you two will be responsible for besieging and annihilating the Prince of Yong’s faction. This seat still has to take care of that meddling busybody, True Compassion, and cannot go with you.”
Everyone kneeled with one knee on the ground, proclaiming, “Disciples obey.”
Fan Huiyao did not indicate for them to rise, continuing, “There is someone else who will cooperate with you. He is an honorary disciple that this seat took.”
When she finished speaking, a man walked out from a room within. When the gaze of Ziyan and others fell upon his uncovered mask, all of them revealed looks of astonishment.
Fan Huiyao distantly stated, “He is a Protector of the Fengyi Sect. This time, you must listen to his suggestions.”
Wen Ziyan and the others swiftly understood something that they had been puzzled about for some time. However, they did not express this understanding, only showing their respectful and solemn agreement.
Gazing out upon the vast and indistinct landscape veiled by the night, Fan Huiyao spoke again, “No matter how the Prince of Yong and his subordinates try to guess, they will not be able to anticipate this seat’s arrangements. Humph! Do they really think that this seat does not know of their desire to compel the Crown Prince to rebel? Only the Crown Prince and Lu Jingzhong would believe that the Emperor is preparing to depose the Crown Prince. How can they forget that this seat has had dealings with Li Yuan for so long? I understand Li Yuan’s personality. Although he already has the intent to depose the Crown Prince, he has yet to come to the final decision. However, this will be fine. If Li Yuan wavers, it will undeniably be detrimental to our interests. Further, even if the Crown Prince is successful in his rebellion, there will be no end to the troubles. In the future, he will be forced to rely even more heavily upon our sect. All of you, listen up … after this operation succeeds, our Fengyi Sect will be the behind-the-scenes master of Great Yong. Therefore, all of you must do your utmost.”
Wild ambition welled up in the eyes of Wen Ziyan and others. As women, they were about to complete an undertaking that no one else had been able to accomplish. Was there anything else that could fill them with more pride and arrogance?
***
Within the Prince of Qi’s residence, behind multiple layers of screens, Li Xian languidly laid on a soft couch. His expression was completely aloof and detached. Uneasy, Qin Zheng walked over, holding a bowl of ginseng soup. She stated, “Your Imperial Highness, please take some ginseng. Tomorrow, you will set out to take part in the Autumn Hunt. It is best if you turn in early.”
Li Xian gazed at Qin Zheng. With a smile of ridicule, he replied, “Good! Princess of Qi, you are truly formidable. With one bowl of medication, you leave me without the strength to even truss a chicken. It seems that you are truly loyal and devoted to your sect and have forgotten the Confucian moral injunctions for women.”9
Shedding tears, Qin Zheng cried, “Your Imperial Highness, your servant is truly acting for your benefit. Before, although your servant approached Your Imperial Highness under orders, your servant has always treated Your Imperial Highness with wholehearted sincerity. However, I cannot rebel against my master. Moreover, she is correct. If the Crown Prince were to ascend to the throne, then Your Imperial Highness would be able to reach the highest position in court. Your servant and our child will be safe and sound. If the Prince of Yong were to ascend to the throne, not only would the lives of your servant and our child be in danger, even Your Imperial Highness would be harmed by the Prince of Yong sooner rather than later. If not for Your Imperial Highness’s sake, your servant would never harm you.”
Li Xian laughed agonizingly. “Am I really so duplicitous? Although I am scolding you, I also hope that you succeed, otherwise, our entire family will truly journey together to the underworld.”
Moved, Qin Zheng murmured, “That won’t happen, that won’t happen. We will definitely succeed. Master definitely will not fail.”
Li Xian sighed. Would it really be so easy? He suddenly recalled that thin, weak, and scholarly face.
It was impossible to know how many found it difficult to sleep on this night.
Footnotes:
浩如烟海, haoruyanhai – idiom, lit. vast as the open sea; fig. extensive (library)
不胫而走, bujing’erzou – idiom, lit. to get around quickly even though it doesn’t have legs; to spread like wildfire
浑金璞玉, hunjinpuyu – idiom, lit. unrefined gold and unpolished jade; fig. a diamond in the rough
胸无城府, xiongwuchengfu – idiom, lit. having nothing hidden within the bosom; fig. open and candid
对答如流, duidaruliu – idiom, lit. able to reply quickly and fluently; having a ready answer
里应外合, liyingwaihe – idiom, lit. to act in concert within and without; fig. to act together
不知所措, buzhisuocuo – idiom, lit. not knowing where one had gone wrong; fig. embarrassed and at a complete loss
力挽狂澜, liwankuanglan – idiom, lit. to pull strongly against a violent tide; fig. to try hard to save a desperate crisis
三从四德, sancongside – the Confucian moral injunctions are namely: to obey in turn, three men: father, husband, and son, and adhere by the four virtues of morality (德), charm (容), courtesy in speech (言), and proficiency in needlework (功)