Chapter 79 Yang Guifei (IX) Cutting Grass

Before the morning mist had dissipated, Lin Jiaojiao was awakened by the sound of a zither. She walked to the west wing and saw Ling sitting in front of a seven-stringed zither, his fingertips clumsily plucking the notes of "Bamboo Catkins". The sound was intermittent, but revealed a sense of seriousness.

"Why are you up so early?" Lin Jiaojiao walked over with a smile and gently held his hand from behind. "Press the strings lightly, otherwise the sound will be too hard."

Ling turned around, a hint of a smile in his eyes. "I want to learn it soon so I can play it with you in the future. Oh, and Zhao Heng just sent me a message. Yesterday, the court officials delivered all the tribute horses from the Western Regions to the Eastern Palace. Emperor Xuanzong only asked, 'Which one does the Crown Prince like?' He didn't even look at them."

Lin Jiaojiao felt relieved and sat down next to him. "It seems he really doesn't doubt you and is slowly giving you more power."

"It's only temporary." Ling's eyes darkened. "Li Linfu's remnants remain. Although Cui Lin has been arrested, his followers are still operating in secret, looking for an opportunity to overturn the verdict. Furthermore, someone recently sent some precious treasures to Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, and also stated that they want to come to the capital to meet him. I wonder what their intentions are."

Lin Jiaojiao picked up the rice paper on the table. On it was the new piece she had written last night, "Mountain in the Mist." The melody was more soothing than "Bamboo Catkins," carrying the hazy feeling of mountain mist. "This is the sheet music I wrote last night. I'll have your people deliver it to the palace music bureau later, saying it's a newly collected folk song. Have them play it for Emperor Xuanzong. If he finds it pleasing to the ear, he'll be even less suspicious of us."

Ling took the rice paper and brushed his fingertips over the musical notes on it. "Okay, I'll have Zhao Heng deliver it personally to ensure nothing goes wrong. Don't get too bored in the other courtyard. There's an open space in the backyard. If you want to plant some flowers, I'll have someone send you some seeds."

After breakfast, Ling rushed back to the East Palace to handle government affairs.

Lin Jiaojiao held the music score of "Mountain in the Fog" and walked to the backyard. There was indeed an open space there with a small pond next to it. The water in the pond was clear and reflected the shadows of the bamboo forest.

She squatted in the open space, drawing the outline of the flower field with branches, thinking to herself: After Ling takes full power, they may be able to plant osmanthus flowers here, like the courtyard of Shouwang Mansion, with fragrance filling the whole yard in autumn.

As she was painting, the head guard of the other courtyard came hurriedly over and said, "Crown Princess, we just spotted a few suspicious individuals down the mountain. They seemed to be trying to find out where the other courtyard is. We've driven them away. Please don't leave the other courtyard for the time being, or you'll be in danger."

Lin Jiaojiao's heart tightened: "Is it Li Linfu's people?"

"We're not sure yet, but judging by their attire, they don't look like ordinary civilians," the captain of the guards said. "His Royal Highness has already instructed us to step up our security. Don't worry."

Lin Jiaojiao nodded and returned to the main room. It seemed that the remaining forces of Li Linfu had not given up, and Ling's struggle in the court was not over yet. She picked up the music score of "Mountain in the Mist" and checked it carefully to make sure there were no flaws before asking the guards to hand it to Zhao Heng.

At that moment, Ling was sitting in his study in the Eastern Palace, reviewing the memorials submitted by the court officials. The "Application for Disaster Relief Grain Funds," submitted by the Minister of Revenue, lacked Emperor Xuanzong's official seal, simply stating, "Your Highness, please make your decision." The "Border Defense Report," submitted by the Minister of War, also specifically noted, "Your Highness, upon review, may implement."

A sneer appeared on Ling's lips. In just one year, the court officials had already tacitly accepted that he was the actual ruler. The nominal emperor, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, had long been sidelined.

"Your Highness," Zhao Heng walked in, holding Lin Jiaojiao's music sheet in his hand, "The Crown Princess's music sheet has been sent to the music studio. The owner of the music studio said that this piece is very suitable for playing for Your Majesty. It will be performed in the palace this afternoon. In addition, the envoy is still in the capital and said that he wants to meet you. I wonder if you would like to see him?"

Ling put down the memorial, his eyes sharp: "Yes, why not? I want to see what tricks he wants to play. Let him wait in the side hall of the East Palace. I will go to see him after I deal with the memorial."

Zhao Heng agreed and said, "We've collected all the evidence of Cui Lin's corruption, including several of Li Linfu's followers. Should we present it to His Majesty now?"

"Wait a little longer," Ling said. "We can present it to His Majesty when he's in a better mood after listening to 'The Mountain in the Mist'. That way, he'll be more likely to agree to deal with Cui Lin and won't doubt our intentions."

In the afternoon, news came from the palace - Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was very satisfied with the performance of "Mountain in the Mist". He also rewarded the owner of the music hall and said, "You should find more such good songs in the future."

Ling knew that Lin Jiaojiao's music score worked. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang had become completely immersed in sensual pleasures and paid less and less attention to court affairs.

He walked into Xingqing Palace with evidence of Cui Lin's corruption.

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was sitting in the courtyard drinking with his beauties. When he saw Ling come in, he just waved his hand and said, "Mao'er is here? If you have anything to say, just tell Gao Lishi. I'm listening to music."

Ling sneered inwardly, but feigned respect on the surface. "Father, I have an important matter to report. Cui Lin has been corrupt and abused his power, embezzling relief funds. He has also colluded with Li Linfu's followers, with ulterior motives. I have gathered evidence, and I ask Your Majesty to deal with it."

Emperor Xuanzong impatiently took the evidence, glanced at it, and threw it to Gao Lishi: "This is a trivial matter, you can handle it yourself, don't bother me."

Ling felt relieved and bowed to retreat. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang had completely stopped caring about state affairs and his power was already consolidated.

After returning to the East Palace, Ling immediately ordered Cui Lin and all the accomplices involved in the case to be arrested and put in jail.

When the news reached the capital, the court officials were in an uproar. Those who had been loyal to Li Linfu pledged their loyalty to Ling, fearing that they would be implicated.

Ling knew that he had completely eliminated the remaining forces of Li Linfu, and no one in the court dared to oppose him anymore.

In the evening, Ling rushed back to the villa. Lin Jiaojiao was waiting for him in the courtyard, holding a bowl of hot soup in her hand: "I heard that you dealt with Cui Lin today. Are you tired? Drink some soup to warm yourself up."

Ling took the bowl of soup and took a sip, feeling the warmth flow down his throat. “Everything has been dealt with. Li Linfu’s followers have all been eliminated. No one in the court dares to oppose me now.

I also met with the envoy. He wanted me to support him in expanding his military power, but I disagreed and simply said, "It's up to the Emperor to decide." This temporarily reassured him."

Lin Jiaojiao sat beside him, looking at his exhausted appearance, feeling a little distressed: "Don't be too tired, you can take your time to deal with the affairs of the court, don't exhaust yourself."

"It will be soon, Jiaojiao." Ling held her hand, his eyes determined. "Soon, I will be able to make Emperor Xuanzong of Tang 'seriously ill'. When I ascend the throne, I will be able to marry you openly and honestly, and I won't have to let you hide in the other courtyard anymore."

Lin Jiaojiao nodded and leaned on his shoulder - she knew that day was not far away.

At night, Lin Jiaojiao sat in front of the piano and played "Mountain in the Mist" for Ling. The piano sounded soothing, like the mist in the mountains, gently enveloping the courtyard.

Ling sat beside her, listening quietly and occasionally adding more tea for her. The moonlight from the window poured in, falling on them like a layer of gentle gauze.

Lin Jiaojiao knew that they were about to win this game of power.

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang's debauchery and Li Linfu's downfall became stepping stones to their success.

As long as they wait a little longer, until Zero has complete control over everything, they will be able to break free from all constraints, truly be together, and live the life they want.

Far away in Xingqing Palace, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was still enjoying himself with his beauties and listening to the performance of "Mountain in the Mist". He had no idea that his imperial power had been completely hollowed out by his own son and that his dynasty was about to welcome a new master.

The night in Chang'an City is still prosperous, but no one knows that a revolution that will change the fate of the prosperous Tang Dynasty is quietly brewing.