Chapter 200 Junior Sister, what is the most important thing for a staff officer?

The atmosphere in Yilanxuan Study was quiet for a while.

Comforted by his wife and children, Su Xian, the patriarch of the Su family, wiped the redness from the corners of his eyes with his sleeve and turned to his two advisors, urging them to ask:

"Mr. Yuan, Miss Xie, why are you silent?"

His former image as a wealthy man leisurely fishing in public was completely gone. His face was full of sorrow and sadness, and he seemed somewhat lost. Only now, with his calm wife and daughter behind him, did he manage to calm down and regain some of the imposing manner of Prince Li.

The fact that the Su family invited them here so quickly means they must be people they know well and trust.

If it weren't for someone like Mr. Yuan, a stubborn old scholar who resigned from his official post to follow his master and serve only one master.

If it weren't for someone like Xie Lingjiang, who was sent by the corresponding Confucian faction behind him to protect Su Fu's safety as a precaution, then...

However, this also suggests that Wei Jisi, the Prince of Wei who went to the palace in Luoyang to file a complaint, was indeed making a false accusation.

In this critical moment, the Su family searched far and wide but only managed to find two people for a secret meeting.

He has no ambition whatsoever.

Okay, even if there are, there certainly won't be many.

Otherwise, have you ever seen such a shabby startup team?

Xie Lingjiang couldn't help but glance at Su Xian again.

Uncle Su was indeed wronged; the grand birth ceremony was simply a show of affection for his young daughter, Guo'er.

She, who often drinks fish soup and maintains proper table manners, deeply understands Uncle Su's contentment and easygoing lifestyle.

What? You're asking what "maintaining table manners" means?

To put it simply, as long as Xie Lingjiang is invited to the Su family's dining table and sits down to eat with them, the bowl of hot fish soup in the center of the table will not accidentally spill onto Su Xian's hat.

This is called maintaining table manners. When there were outsiders present, Aunt Wei was very warm and familiar, and the Su family's bowls were very well behaved and did not fly around.

It's the same principle as when the Su family father and son warmly invited Ouyang Rong to stay for dinner.

"Your Highness, I have something to say..."

Between the two, Yuan Xiangshan spoke first, bowing tremblingly.

Upon seeing this, Xie Lingjiang remained silent and stepped back slightly.

After listening for a while, she realized that this elderly Mr. Yuan was only saying comforting words and expressing his loyalty, stating frankly that he was willing to share life and death with her.

Xie Lingjiang's lips twitched involuntarily.

However, it's also clear that Mr. Yuan's silence just now wasn't intentional or to keep things a secret, or perhaps he had concerns like she did.

Rather, it's that he genuinely lacks strategic thinking.

Yuan Xiangshan was just a low-ranking official in charge of rites. Even if he was the kind of person who cheered on his outspoken senior brother, he hadn't even reached the rank of vice minister before he resigned from his post. He didn't seem like a pragmatic "Wei Junjie" at all, and he lacked experience in political struggles.

Xie Lingjiang remained silent because she was observing how the Su family members reacted to the crisis.

This was also a seemingly insignificant little thing that Xie Xun entrusted to her; the father and daughter exchanged letters regularly.

Sitting at the head of the study were Uncle Su, Su Dalang, Aunt Wei, and Su Guo'er.

Xie Lingjiang's eyes, framed by her long, curled eyelashes, silently scanned the area.

When her gaze fell on the two men, her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Actually, Su Dalang was alright. Being kind and virtuous is not all bad; it means he could listen to the advice of capable and virtuous people.

The main problem is Uncle Su, who's easily startled by anything...

She shook her head slightly, and when her gaze fell on Aunt Wei and Su Guo'er, her eyes lit up.

But his brows furrowed even more.

Xie Lingjiang glanced at Su Guo'er, who was sitting quietly.

This younger sister of the Su family, in her father's words in a letter home, had three kinds of "qi" (vital energy).

From a distance, it exudes an air of nobility.

Upon closer inspection, it exudes a sense of tranquility.

When in danger, there is a murderous aura.

This is still just a young lady who has lived in seclusion in an ancient town for a long time and has just come of age. Who knows what will happen if she goes to the bustling capital of Luoyang?

Xie Lingjiang suddenly recalled the vigorous handwriting at the end of one of her father's letters: "Though the tiger and leopard foal is not yet fully grown, it has the spirit to devour cattle; though the swan's fledgling is not yet fully fledged, it has the heart to explore the four seas."

“Father has always been very good at judging people. Except for the eldest brother back then, when he heard about him and met him, he knew him as if he were a different person.”

Xie Lingjiang murmured to herself.

In fact, in Xie Lingjiang's eyes, who is also a woman, it is not unacceptable for women to be outstanding, after all, not every man is as capable as her senior brother.

In the past, during the Da Gan and Da Zhou dynasties, there were indeed powerful and outstanding female nobles who participated in politics.

However, Xie Lingjiang also knew in her heart that in the minds of her father, and even many civil officials, the situation in the imperial family should not be like this...

Su Guo'er, who had been silent, suddenly turned her head to look.

Xie Lingjiang withdrew her gaze, keeping her eyes straight ahead.

In the open space ahead, Su Xian and Yuan Xiangshan supported each other, saying something so moving that the former emperor and his minister wept, wiping their eyes with their heads down.

"This old minister was born to be Your Highness's man, and will die to be Your Highness's ghost. When the palace maids from Luoyang arrive, this old minister is willing to follow the example of the musician and the Prince Xiang, and cut open his heart and liver to present to Emperor Wei, to prove Your Highness's innocence!"

Mr. Yuan said, his neck stiff, his face flushed, and spittle flying everywhere.

Su Xian and Su Dalang were deeply moved, and the latter quickly stepped forward to plead with them to stop.

"Teacher, why go to such lengths!"

Wei Mei, Xie Lingjiang, and Su Guo'er all turned to look.

The story of the musicians and Prince Xiang that Mr. Yuan mentioned refers to the time when Prince Xiang, who had just been imprisoned in the palace, was falsely accused of treason by a villain instructed by the Wei family.

Empress Wei then dispatched cruel officials to investigate and torture him in an attempt to extract a confession. However, among the palace servants, a musician surnamed An stepped forward and, in front of thousands of palace servants, disemboweled himself to show that Prince Xiang had no intention of rebelling. The suspicious Empress Wei was deeply moved and stopped doubting him, thus saving Prince Xiang from death.

Upon hearing this, Su Xian was so moved that tears streamed down his face. He raised his hand to cover his face, revealing that his sleeve was soaked.

Su Guo'er suddenly said in a clear voice:

“Father, Mr. Yuan, there’s no need to be so pessimistic. The situation might not be so bad. Grandmother was just sending a gift, and we don’t know for sure. Perhaps there are other ways.”

"I think Sister Xie is very calm and composed. Sister Xie, what do you think about this matter?"

She suddenly turned her head and asked a question, and everyone followed her gaze to Xie Lingjiang.

Xie Lingjiang glanced at Su Guo'er, her heart pounding slightly.

Her composure and calmness were taught by her senior brother, not because she had any brilliant strategies.

The eldest brother once said:

"Junior Sister, you can't be this impulsive. Sit down and drink this cup of tea. Do you know what's most important for a strategist?"

"Is it because he comes up with brilliant plans and strategizes for his lord?"

"No, it's about maintaining composure even when Mount Tai collapses before you. Even if you have to run away the next moment, you have to put on airs and slowly finish your tea. Only in this way can you run faster."

"..."

Teaching you everything will only harm you, Senior Brother… Master Xie sighed inwardly, but he did think that Senior Brother was quite suitable to be a strategist and advisor. It would be great if he were here now.

No one knew the regret she felt.

Inside the study, under the watchful eyes of various people, Xie Lingjiang sat upright, her right hand gripping the letter from Luoyang. She twitched her sleeve and, having no other choice, spoke in a deep voice:

“Uncle Su, the letter sent by His Highness Prince Xiang did not mention His Majesty’s mood or anger regarding the birth ceremony.”

She paused halfway through her sentence, mimicking her senior brother's cryptic manner, and nodded like a riddle teller:

"This is actually the best news. If His Majesty were truly angry, he wouldn't be so nonchalant."

Everyone listened in stunned silence.

Su Guo'er couldn't help but interject, "So it turns out that Sister Xie also understands my grandmother's temperament."

Her gaze fell on Xie Lingjiang's calm and composed expression, and she asked again, "Did Uncle Xie say anything to Sister Xie in their letters?"

Xie Lingjiang shook her head and lowered her voice:

"The rebellion in Yingzhou has just been quelled. As you all know, the Wei family members have not performed well... His Majesty's prestige has been greatly damaged. If he chooses to take action against you at this time, it would be unreasonable and not just a matter of taking advantage of some great victory."

She raised her head slightly, holding the letter between two fingers, and gestured:

"In other words, Uncle Su, you have unknowingly passed through the most dangerous time. Now that someone from Luoyang has come, do not panic."

This well-reasoned and logical reasoning brought a sigh of relief to the people in the room.

At that moment, a fearful voice suddenly rang out:

"But the Wei clan has an even greater motive to eliminate us completely! During the rebellion in Yingzhou, the Wei clan members performed poorly. Seeing that the Empress Dowager is wavering, the Prince of Wei and the Prince of Liang might take a desperate gamble and, while their power is still intact, target the remnants of our Li clan. They are already coming for us, and even the Prince of Xiang in the capital might not be able to protect himself..."

Su Xian closed his eyes, his whole body trembling slightly, as if he was recalling something, or perhaps a nightmare that had haunted him for many years had returned once again.

Wei Mei couldn't help but reach out and grasp the cold, pale hand in front of her.

Dalang was still young then, and Guo'er hadn't been born yet, so they probably didn't feel it deeply. But she knew clearly that the series of events that Qilang experienced when he was deposed from the throne had cast a shadow on her heart that hadn't faded even after more than a decade.

On some nights, when Wei Mei woke up, she often found her husband, Qi Lang, trembling and talking in his sleep, begging for mercy.

Su Xian's lips trembled slightly as he said:

"The letter also mentioned that the informants of Prince Xiang and his men discovered that the Wei clan seemed to have also sent people to Longcheng along with the palace servants sent by the Empress Dowager... If those two princes of the Wei clan had nothing to do, why would they send people here? Could it be that there are treasures in Longcheng? Or are they also here to deliver birthday gifts to Guo'er? But it's clearly their slanderous words spread by the Empress Dowager!"

Xie Lingjiang paused, thought for a moment, and nodded slightly, as if that made sense.

Xie Lingjiang glanced at Uncle Su without showing any emotion, maintaining a calm expression, and opened her mouth as if to speak.

Su Xian walked to the door, put his hand on the door frame, and stared blankly northward:

"I have already relinquished the throne, yet you won't even let me be a leisurely prince in the remote Jiangnan region."

"It was clearly someone else who rebelled, yet you immediately suspected your son, who was far away in Jiangzhou, and sent palace servants to imprison him day and night. After finally suppressing the rebellion and withdrawing the troops, you did not send a single word, but instead issued an edict to demote him to a commoner and confine him to this desolate place."

"Perhaps these flesh and blood relatives who have been carried for ten months are just outsiders in the Empress Dowager's heart, while the Wei family nephews are your family."

He chuckled repeatedly, tilting his head back and murmuring:

“A fortune teller once said that I resemble Emperor Taizong, Changle resembles the Empress Dowager, and Prince Xiang resembles the most noble… You have always favored Changle since childhood and are even closer to Prince Xiang. You have neglected me the most and have been critical and dissatisfied with your daughter-in-law Mei Niang and your eldest grandson Fusu. You have even openly told those around you that Fusu looks a lot like your elder brother who was deposed as crown prince by you.”

"Mother, Mother, do you despise my family so much? You don't even look at your granddaughter who may resemble you even more than Chang Le?"

"Haha, now that the Wei family has offered their advice, did you send a palace servant with a pot of poisoned wine? Or a white silk ribbon? Or a blank imperial edict with no words to say? So that we, this eyesore of a family, can leave with some dignity?"

These words, containing grievances between mother and son and royal secrets, quietly echoed in the air. Outsiders such as Xie Lingjiang and Mr. Yuan remained silent, not daring to discuss these matters casually.

Wei Mei, Su Dalang, and Su Guo'er listened in growing increasingly silent.

Su Xian stood motionless in front of the gate, gazing northward with a sorrowful expression:

"All I want is to be a carefree, wealthy old man, to spend time with my wife and children and make up for lost time with them, to live a peaceful and comfortable life. What imperial sword, what ancestral legacy, what the country and its people—I've said I don't want any of it… Why won't you even give me this much… Why, why is this happening…"

"Seventh Brother, why say such discouraging things! How can you face Emperor Taizong and Emperor Gaozong in the afterlife?" Wei Mei stood up and retorted.

Su Xian hung his head dejectedly and muttered, "It's because my descendants are useless..."

“Uncle Su, there’s really no need to be so pessimistic.” Xie Lingjiang stopped herself in her tracks. “Right now, His Highness Prince Xiang clearly has the upper hand. Logically speaking, the situation should only get better, as long as we can hold on until…”

Su Xian shook his head and interrupted:

"What if we can't get through this? Putting aside the unknown palace servants sent by the Empress Dowager, who else is Wei Shi targeting if not me? The Empress Dowager even tacitly approved of this, which is the most disheartening thing."

“My dear niece, send a letter back home and tell your father to warn Prince Xiang to be careful. Send us away. The Wei family’s final target is him. What do you mean by having the upper hand? If the Empress Dowager insists on having the Wei family inherit the throne, can Prince Xiang stop her?”

His voice was weak and feeble: "Haven't these kinds of headstrong acts happened enough? So many voices of dissent were raised back then, and what happened in the end? Have you forgotten how the cruel officials and female qi practitioners purged the court together? Even Master Di was demoted to a county magistrate. What difference would it make if it happened again?"

Xie Lingjiang fell silent immediately and shook her head:

"If the Wei family dares to make a move, I'll take you into hiding for now. We can come back when the situation improves. I'll write to Father and the others now to ask for their instructions. I just don't know who the Wei family will send, or if any of them will be Qi cultivators. As for the palace servants they send..."

She lowered her eyes to a line of text on the letter and read it softly:

"'Those who left the palace are of unknown origin, a sixth-rank palace maid,' the words are somewhat vague... Does this sixth rank refer to an official position, a Qi cultivator, or both?"

Xie Lingjiang wasn't very clear about the system of female officials in the Great Zhou Dynasty, but she knew that there were tens of thousands of palace maids in the deep palace of Luoyang who were nameless and faceless. Many of them had started practicing Qi cultivation from a young age. The Empress Wei selected those with the best talents to serve as her female officials. Although they were unknown, they were a group that should not be underestimated.

Looking at the now quiet room, Xie Lingjiang suddenly said, "Actually, if there were someone here, they might have a solution. They have the most solutions."

Su Guo'er asked on behalf of her father, "Who?"

Xie Lingjiang replied without batting an eye: "My senior brother, he'll definitely succeed."

Su Guo'er was slightly taken aback. Su Xian hesitated for a moment, but still said, "Please come quickly."

"I can go and invite him, but there's one condition: Uncle Su must do my eldest brother a favor right now... that way it will be easier for me to go and invite him."

Xie Lingjiang's eyes flickered slightly. She turned her face away and waved her sleeve.

"My senior brother is no ordinary person."

Su Xian smacked his lips slightly, while everyone else displayed various expressions.

(Sixth day of abstaining from pornography)

(End of this chapter)