Undercurrent

The assassination of the Duke of Zhenguo was like throwing a huge rock into the stagnant surface of the imperial court lake, causing ripples to spread layer by layer, affecting countless hidden veins under the water.

Inside Kunning Palace, candles lit brightly. Lu Qinglan dismissed her attendants, leaving only Fu Yu by her side. She spread out a sheet of plain paper, picked up her brush, dipped it in ink, but the tip of her pen hovered for a long time, without writing a single word. Wei Zheng's assassination, Xiao Jingche's probing, the court officials' impeachment... all signs pointed to an invisible web tightening, targeting her tacit connection with the border commanders.

"Fuyu," she said in a low voice, remarkably clear in the silent hall, "Have the people we've planted among Marquis Jingnan's former subordinates reported anything unusual recently?"

Fu Yu pondered carefully before replying, "Your Majesty, there haven't been any significant changes. After the fall of Marquis Jingnan, his former subordinates scattered like monkeys. While there are some occasional complaints, few have achieved significant success. It's rather..." She paused, as if weighing her words, "It's rather the young generals Your Majesty has recently promoted, especially Zhao Kai, the cavalry captain in charge of the Northern City Military Department. They have no prior contact with the Duke of Weiguo's Mansion, yet they are unusually active in this impeachment."

"Zhao Kai..." Lu Qinglan softly repeated the name, her mind racing through his background. Born into a humble family, he was exceptionally promoted by Xiao Jingche due to his accumulated military achievements, a pawn in the Emperor's quest to break the nobility's monopoly on military power. He possessed immense courage, yet was also easily manipulated. "He's a 'good dog,' eager to demonstrate his loyalty." A hint of coldness curled the corners of her lips. "The higher he leaps, the deeper the whip behind him becomes hidden."

She put down her pen, tapping her fingertips lightly on the table. "'Ninth Brother'... If this is truly the work of 'Ninth Brother', his intention is far more than simply sowing discord between the Emperor and Empress. Who stands to gain the most from an unstable border? The covetous Northern Di? Or... certain individuals within the court seeking to capitalize on military achievements or the chaos?"

Memories of past lives flooded back, many blurred fragments connecting at this moment. She recalled several minor and minor skirmishes along the border during Xiao Jingche's early years on the throne, all of which were repelled by Wei Zheng's troops. However, throughout, a force within the court hampered the supply of food and military supplies. Back then, she and Xiao Jingche were still in their honeymoon phase, so she didn't delve into the details, dismissing them as ordinary bureaucratic evasion. Thinking about it now, she feared that "Ninth Brother" had already extended his tentacles into the military by then.

"Have our men keep a close eye on Zhao Kai and anyone close to him in the military. In particular, investigate any unusual recent dealings between them and the officials in charge of military supply allocations at the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War," Lu Qinglan instructed. If "Ninth Brother" intended to frame her and disrupt the border, the best way would be to tamper with the military supplies and then provide evidence of her collusion with Wei Zheng.

"I understand," Fu Yu replied, then presented another secret report. "Your Majesty, there's also news from Lord Han. He's been secretly investigating, following Ling Fengjing's lead, and has discovered that over the past six months, several shipments of goods, disguised as caravans, have ended up in Beidi territory. While the disguises were clever, in some cases, the Beidi merchants responsible for these shipments appeared to have close ties with... certain imperial merchants in the capital."

"Imperial merchants?" Lu Qinglan's eyes glared. Imperial merchants directly served the inner court, with complex connections involving members of the imperial clan, nobles, and even the imperial harem. This pool of information was deeper than she had imagined.

"Yes. Lord Han doesn't dare to alert the enemy and is still investigating in secret."

Lu Qinglan pondered for a moment and said, "Tell Han Mingyuan to put this matter on hold and focus on clarifying the deployment of the capital's garrison, especially the movements of His Majesty's personal guards. As for the imperial merchants... I will take care of it myself."

She needed a knife, a knife that could both sever the evil hand reaching out for military supplies and muddy the waters, allowing the Nineth Brother's forces to surface. And she had already prepared this knife.

The next day, a seemingly ordinary audience with the harem, led by the Empress, took place in Kunning Palace. Several princesses of the imperial clan, as well as wives of noble families, renowned for their virtue and well-established in Jiangnan, were invited. Over tea and casual conversation, Lu Qinglan casually mentioned, "I've recently been reading the Treatise on Salt and Iron, and I've come to appreciate the importance of smooth trade routes for both the nation and its people. I've heard that the journey north from Jiangnan silk and tea is arduous, with frequent banditry. This results in damaged goods, high prices, and a heavy burden on the people. It's truly worrying."

A princess consort interjected, sighing, "Your Majesty is kindhearted and considerate of the people. Indeed, the northern trade routes, while nominally maintained by the government, are in reality... alas, with layers of checkpoints and various factions entrenched, it's actually worse than in previous years."

Lu Qinglan took a sip of tea and said slowly, "Since that's the case, why not find another way? I've heard that some guilds of commerce have organized their own guards and united with multiple merchants to work together, with quite good results. Although the court has regulations, if it benefits the country and the people, some flexibility is acceptable. Your wives' families all have deep roots in Jiangnan. If you can take the lead in promoting this and integrating trade routes, it will not only benefit the people's livelihood, but also relieve Your Majesty of his worries, and your merits will be immeasurable."

Her words were gentle, but they nailed the point. Integrating trade routes meant redistributing interests, inevitably impacting the forces that currently controlled the northern trade routes, particularly those imperial merchants secretly colluding with the Northern Di. Her encouragement of the Jiangnan forces to move north was intended to muddy the waters, revealing the hidden forces in the struggle for profit.

The ladies were all smart people and could understand the queen's intentions by listening to the music. Although they might not fully understand the queen's deep intentions, they also knew that if this matter was accomplished, it would be of great benefit to their families, and they all expressed their willingness to try their best.

After seeing off the ladies, Lu Qinglan stood alone in the corridor, gazing at the gradually withering begonias in the courtyard. Sunlight filtered through the sparse branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground, a play of light and darkness that mirrored the treacherous political situation.

She knew that this move, while seemingly a minor one involving merchants, actually targeted the financial resources and structures of "Ninth Brother"'s power. The other party would not sit idly by. A counterattack would soon follow.

And she is ready for battle.

At the same time, in the imperial study.

Xiao Jingche listened to the secret guard's report, his face dark. "Has the Queen been meeting with ladies from Jiangnan frequently lately to discuss trade routes?" He drummed his fingers on the imperial desk, his tone unremarkable.

"Yes. The Queen encouraged the merchants of Jiangnan to unite and form a Chamber of Commerce to ensure smooth trade routes."

"Oh," Xiao Jingche sneered, "She does care about the people's livelihood." The unhappiness of being constrained grew stronger. Lu Qinglan's reach stretched further and further. Border generals, court censors, and now even the trade routes and grain transport were being manipulated! What exactly was she trying to do? Create a kingdom within a kingdom that would obey her orders?

"What's going on at the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion?" he asked.

"The Duke of Wei's injuries are no longer serious, and he has closed his doors to visitors, but the security within his mansion has been significantly increased. Furthermore, our people have discovered that several groups of unidentified experts have been secretly protecting the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. Their style... doesn't sound like military personnel, but more like the ways of the martial arts world."

Jianghu tactics? Xiao Jingche's brow furrowed. Could Lu Qinglan actually mobilize Jianghu forces? How much hidden power did she possess that he didn't know about? This feeling of being out of control made him extremely uncomfortable.

"Keep a close eye on them. Also, find out who is behind those memorials impeaching Wei Zheng's former subordinates." He needed to know, besides Lu Qinglan, who else was taking advantage of the opportunity to stir up trouble.

"As you command."

After the secret guards withdrew, Xiao Jingche rubbed his brow wearily. He had been on the throne for only a few years, but he felt even more exhausted than when he'd fought for the throne. Within, the Empress's power was too great to be shaken off; outside, his "Ninth Brother" was lurking in the shadows, eyeing him covetously. The borders were also in turmoil. His role as Emperor was truly unbearable.

He recalled the night before he ascended the throne, when Lu Qinglan snuggled in his arms, eyes sparkling, and said, "Jing Che, from now on, I will share this vast country with you."

Sharing the burden? Now it seems that what she wants is probably far more than just "sharing the burden".

A feeling of betrayal and conspiracy spread quietly in his heart. He must take back the power as soon as possible, whether it was from the Queen or from the mysterious "Ninth Brother".

The breakthrough might lie in this chaotic situation. He glanced at the report on the Northern Di people's unusual movements on the Dragon Case, his eyes gradually becoming sharp and cold.

The storm is brewing, and the wind is already blowing in the building. The rift between the emperor and the empress, torn by the power struggle, is inevitably evolving into a bottomless chasm.