Chapter 129 Don’t be afraid, Ah Wan, I’ll hold you tighter

Reinforcements had arrived on Suzaku Street, and the rebels were like caged beasts. Cheng Xianzhi glared coldly, looking down from above, "Even if Duke Jiang is brave and skilled in fighting, he might be able to defeat a thousand-man army!"

"You soldiers are all men of steel, yet now you bear the stigma of traitors for the selfish interests of some. The homes of the people you defended at Shanhaiguan are now ruins beneath your feet. If your parents knew that the men you sent to defend Dalan were used as weapons against your own people, wouldn't they be ashamed or humiliated?"

"Everyone, the crime of usurping power committed tonight is an infamy that will be infamous for eternity. With 30,000 reinforcements behind you, and one step forward, you're the Imperial Guard. You're at the end of your rope. Do you really want to swear allegiance to such a disloyal and unrighteous person until death?"

Jiang Haiyi and the others were veterans who had followed for many years. They were so majestic in guarding the border. No one wanted to be a rebel and be cursed for eternity. There was already a commotion among the crowd.

"My wife is still waiting for me to come home after completing my mission."

"My eighty-year-old mother is old and can no longer see. She is waiting for me to return home to take care of her after I retire from the army this year."

"My children are three years old this year and have never seen their biological father..."

“…”

"If you are willing to repent, I, in the name of the imperial teacher, can petition His Majesty to consider the situation for you and spare you the responsibility of rebelling and forcing the emperor to abdicate." Cheng Xianzhi's best strategy is to win the battle. However, he does not want to waste time fighting. The situation in the palace is unknown, and mutual destruction is not the goal. He must fight quickly and decisively.

"Cheng Xianzhi," Jiang Haiyi's hoarse voice echoed through the snowy night, the wind and snow filled with the smell of blood. "Do you think you can shake this army with just a few words? How naive!"

"The Duke has evil ambitions. Rebellion is not the right path. If you persist in your wrong course, the road ahead will be a purgatory for you!" Cheng Xianzhi raised his sword and gave the order again.

The battle situation changed rapidly, and both sides were unwilling to retreat. Between the brandishing of swords and dodging, there was another movement. The reinforcements pouring in from outside the city caught the rebels off guard.

Jiang Haiyi was exhausted in the melee, Cheng Xianzhi's long sword was against his neck, his armor was stained with someone's blood, and a knife wound on his cheekbone was glaring, making his cold face even more fierce. His deep eyes stared into the night, as sharp as a nighthawk.

"I told you, Jiang Haiyi, you have no way to retreat!" Cheng Xianzhi retracted his sword swiftly. The soldier stepped forward to hold Jiang Haiyi, and his armor and spear fell into the snow.

"The rebel leader Jiang Haiyi has been killed!" With Cheng Xianzhi's loud voice, the rebels laid down their weapons and surrendered.

At this time, Han Zhou rushed to Zhuque Street. Cheng Xianzhi saw him in the firelight and knew that it was successful. He was about to rush to the palace.

"Sir, I have fulfilled my mission." Han Zhou stared at the captured Jiang Haiyi.

Cheng Xianzhi turned his horse around and said, "Han Zhou, escort the rebels. I will go ahead. The rest of the imperial guards will follow me into the palace to capture the thieves!"

"Yes! Governor!" The imperial guards rubbed their black armor and stepped into the blood-stained snow with their boots.

The houses were covered with a layer of white, and the wind and snow became more severe.

The rebels were still fighting in the palace. Lu Tingwan took Xie Zhao to Jinhua Palace. Empress Dowager Jiang was sitting at the dressing table, looking terrifyingly calm. In her hand was a golden hairpin left for her by the late emperor. It was a gift from the late emperor when she first entered the palace. Lu Tingwan seldom saw her wearing it.

Outside the palace, there was a raging fire and the screams were deafening.

The imperial guards were surrounding the Jinhua Palace. Lu Tingwan entered alone and saw the figure in the candlelight. In an instant, she saw the traces of time. She said softly, "Your Majesty, the rebels are besieging the palace. Guards have been sent to Guangling Palace. Your Majesty will be fine for a while."

"Is the little emperor crying?" Queen Mother Jiang was extremely calm.

"Shouldn't Your Majesty ask where these rebels come from?" Lu Tingwan took the gold hairpin from her hand and skillfully pinned it on her.

"The old people in the palace have superb craftsmanship, but I only like your unique style." Queen Mother Jiang looked at herself in the bronze mirror, her white hair made more obvious by the golden hairpin.

"The rebels who infiltrated the palace have all been surrounded and killed by the Imperial Guards. Right now, Duke Jiang is probably trapped in a cage on Suzaku Street."

"As for Gongsun Yin's family, as well as the youngest son of the Jiang family, they are all being taken from Jingzhao Prefecture to Hanzhang Palace. Your Majesty will have to leave soon."

"No hurry!" Queen Mother Jiang said leisurely, pointing to the box under the makeup box, "Bring it to me."

That was the Empress Dowager's imperial decree. Lu Tingwan picked it up and placed it on the dressing table.

Queen Mother Jiang: "Open it!"

She was alert at first, and after thinking for a while, she opened the treasure book. There was a stack of letters on it. After Lu Tingwan flipped through it, she realized that the evidence of the exchanges between the Jiang and Lu families that she had been looking for for a long time had been kept in the treasure book.

She had painstakingly searched for evidence for two years, and now it was presented so easily. "The evidence originally pointed to the Lu family, and the late emperor concluded the Lu family was guilty overnight, confiscating the entire house and convicting them without any trial. The evidence was sent by the empress dowager, who personally identified it, right?"

"Weren't you holding the Lu family's incriminating evidence in your hands?" Queen Mother Jiang stared at her in the mirror. "You couldn't hand over that thing, and I came to your aid. Didn't that solve your problem? It's not pleasant to sacrifice one's own family for the sake of justice."

"My father served the Jiang family loyally for many years, why did he abandon it in one day?"

"Lu Mingqian failed to obtain the position of Shangshu, and the post of Zuo Pushe was vacated by Cheng Xianzhi. I will not keep useless people, so it is natural to abandon a discarded child. What other reason do you need?"

Lu Tingwan's tone gradually became stronger. "When you handed over all the evidence, did you ever consider that my sister was still pregnant with the blood of the Jiang family?"

Even though Jiang Yanli lost Lu Tingwu, he would still have another wife. The Jiang family was at its peak, so it would be easy for him to choose another marriage. However, Queen Mother Jiang would not have expected that Jiang Yanli would become so crazy.

She chuckled, "To those who achieve great things, what does a mere bloodline mean?"

"What's a bloodline worth?" Lu Tingwan sneered. "Jiang Qingsheng was beheaded at Shanhaiguan, and Jiang Haiyi couldn't swallow this humiliation, which fueled his evil ambitions. The Queen Mother aided and abetted the tyrant, opening the southeast gate to let the rebels into the palace, using the emperor to control the princes. She was targeting Gongsun Yan, the child left by Gongsun Xue and Jiang Qingsheng. The Queen Mother is a foresighted person who has witnessed the ups and downs of the court for many years. How could she not see what Jiang Haiyi was planning?"

"I live for the glory of my family. Everything I do is for the Jiang family. Since I was a child, my elders have taught me that women are born useless. Why should women be labeled useless and pave the way for men?"

"I was unwilling to accept this and insisted that they see the uselessness of women. Therefore, my father asked me to enter the palace, intending to bring glory to the family. I was reluctant, but I agreed and never let the family down. I pleased the late emperor and received his permission to rule from behind the curtain. If I say that the glory of allowing women to rule will be lost, it will eventually be gone."

Queen Mother Jiang saw clearly that she had her own plans for Jiang Haiyi to agree so quickly when he came to Jinhua Palace to conspire against her. She wanted to give it a try. This was the last time she would do it for the Jiang family, regardless of success or failure.

Lu Tingwan was still puzzled, "My father's crimes were exposed, why did he never mention the Jiang family and willingly take all the blame?"

"Because of you!" Queen Mother Jiang pointed at the person in the mirror.

"I?"

"The Lu family is abandoned, and the emperor wants to punish them. How could he not know who is behind this? But the Turks are invading Shanhaiguan, and we need to rely on my brother's troops. Can the late emperor shake the power of the Jiang family?"

"The late emperor has valued Cheng Xianzhi for many years and has secret spies all over Kyoto. Does he really not have any leverage over the Jiang family?" said Empress Dowager Jiang.

"Lu Mingqian didn't mention the Jiang family in prison, and the emperor could turn a blind eye to it because I promised Lu Mingqian that if anyone from the Lu family could survive this crime, I would never stop them."

Lu Tingwan became more and more puzzled, and her expression was full of confusion. Lu Mingqian originally thought that it would be Lu Tingwu who would stay, but on the execution ground, that person was Lu Tingwan.

Later, when Cheng Xianzhi tried to keep someone in front of the emperor, Empress Dowager Jiang did not stop him, which was also one of the reasons.

"I am no match for you. Lu Mingqian made you his pawn just to make the Lu family rise to prominence. But you didn't. If I had been as decisive as you back then, I wouldn't have been trapped in the struggle for imperial power for decades, and I would have lost sight of my former self." Queen Mother Jiang stood up and looked at her with admiration, as if she saw herself when she had just entered the palace.

"I am willing to keep you by my side to serve me. Everyone thinks I want you to be my spy, but they are all wrong."

Queen Mother Jiang saw her former self in Lu Tingwan, and she wanted to prove how far Lu Tingwan could go if she chose this path.

"As for Cheng Xianzhi, he must be a man of great talent. The current situation is inevitable. But have you ever considered who gave you the information that the Jiang family had unjustly abandoned the Lu family?"

"What does your Majesty mean?" Lu Tingwan suddenly became cautious.

"Cheng Xianzhi is a lone wolf treading on power. He wants both power and love. How can you have both in this world? And yet he gets them both? Ridiculous." Queen Mother Jiang gazed out at the plum blossoms in full bloom in the snowy night outside. "He risked his life to protect you in front of the emperor, so naturally he wanted you to stay in Kyoto. He paved the way for you to enter the palace. Every step you take in Kyoto from now on was meticulously planned by him. Do you want to take this path or not?"

Daylight had arrived outside! Lu Tingwan was suddenly lost and suddenly realized something!

It turns out that everything he heard in Weiyang Tower was intentional!

The Clivia in Jinhua Palace is lush and evergreen, and Queen Mother Jiang takes good care of it.

"Your Majesty, please!" Lu Tingwan served for the last time as the Palace Master Lu.

Xie Zhaohou was outside Jinhua Palace. He was relieved when he saw her come out and confirmed that she was safe and sound.

"Minister Cheng is already waiting in Hanzhang Palace. Jiang Haiyi and Gongsun Yin have both been executed!" Xie Zhao was a strong man and had to bend down when talking to her.

Lu Tingwan nodded to Xie Zhao and said, "Let's go to Hanzhang Palace."

All the officials gathered in Hanzhang Hall. Cheng Xianzhi looked outside the hall. The little emperor rubbed his sleepy eyes, wondering why the gentleman was wearing military armor and had blood on his face.

A faint light shone on the main hall, and the imperial guards were lined up outside the hall. Lu Tingwan bathed in the first rays of morning sun and stepped into the Hanzhang Hall.

When Cheng Xianzhi saw her, his originally sharp gaze withdrew a little, and his gaze on her also softened.

Lu Tingwan looked indifferent, with Queen Mother Jiang's words still lingering in her ears. She saw the injuries on Cheng Xianzhi's face, and her suspicions temporarily turned into pity. She wondered if he was injured.

She approached step by step, Xie Zhaolie behind her, watching her walk toward the high palace before finally stopping. Queen Mother Jiang showed none of the dejection of a defeated opponent, but instead remained composed, still the same dignified and untouchable empress dowager who looked down upon the civil and military officials of the Hanzhang Palace.

Only the hair on the temples has turned white.

The emperor was young and inexperienced, and Empress Dowager Jiang was suspected of treason. In the end, Cheng Xianzhi and all the officials decided to execute all the members of the conspiracy. The imperial guards who entered the Gongsun Mansion and the Jiang Mansion were just like those who entered the Lu family two years ago.

Dalan is about to usher in a new spring.

Cheng Xianzhi acted on behalf of the emperor and the case of treason was settled. Lu Tingwan no longer needed to serve in Jinhua Palace. She walked out of the high walls of the palace and only took the Clivia with her when she left Jinhua Palace.

Snow fell in Yansheng Hall. Cheng Xianzhi leaned against the couch, warming himself by the fire and looking through the little emperor's recent homework. Lu Tingwan leaned against the windowsill. The winter plum blossoms were growing well. When he looked up, he saw snow falling, covering the plum blossoms with a layer.

"Ah Wan, it's cold, don't stand by the window all the time or you'll catch a cold."

"There is a lock here. The wind can blow in, but people can't go out." Lu Tingwan's voice was sad.

Cheng Xianzhi put down his homework, walked to the windowsill, put his arms around her waist from behind, and pulled her to his chest.

"Awan?" Snow flakes drifted in and landed on Cheng Xianzhi's sleeves.

"What did you say just now?" The cloak wrapped around her.

Lu Tingwan looked back and as he turned around, his fingertips landed on the scar on his cheekbone. The scar seemed to carry the bloody storm in Kyoto, fading away with time.

"Cheng Xianzhi, I say, Kyoto is so cold." The fragrance filled her cheeks. Cheng Xianzhi held her fingertips and gently embraced her in his arms.

"Don't be afraid, Wan. I'll hold you tighter. You won't be cold if you stay close to me." He coaxed her.

Lu Tingwan chuckled, "Is this how the Grand Tutor coaxes the little emperor?"

When Cheng Xianzhi saw her smile, he smiled too.

"It's been snowing these past few days. If you're stuck indoors, Ah Wan, would you like to come with me to the palace? Let's go see him in Guangling Palace."

"Okay." Lu Tingwan rested her chin on his shoulder and rubbed her cheek against the warmth of his neck.

Cheng Xianzhi held her in his arms, feeling incredibly real. "When the weather clears up in a few days, I'll take you somewhere, okay?"

"But are we going to leave Kyoto?" Lu Tingwan straightened up his limp body and instantly became energetic.

"Not really," Cheng Xianzhi stroked her head, "but I'm sure you'll be happy."

She held her face in her hands and smiled faintly. When she had nothing to do, she always liked to look out the window. When Cheng Xianzhi asked her, she said that snow scenes were rare and she just liked to watch them.

It doesn’t snow in Jiangling, and I wonder if I can see such a snowy scene in the future.

The snow stopped on the day Lu Tingwan entered the palace, and snow piled up outside Guangling Palace. After the little emperor finished his homework, he pulled Lu Tingwan to play snowballs with him. They both looked at Cheng Xianzhi, and only ran out to play after he nodded.

The snowballs he kicked up fell all over his hair, and the fur collar of his fox fur coat hid a lot of snowflakes. Cheng Xianzhi stood under the eaves, listening to the laughter, a smile on his lips.

This journey was too lonely, but with Lu Tingwan, he no longer felt the pain. He was trapped in that promise and walked forward alone, wanting someone who could keep him warm, and wrap himself tightly in a black cloak to protect him from the wind blowing from under the eaves.

Han Zhou held his sword in his arms, and the black-armored imperial guards behind him stood in a solemn manner. He leaned forward and said, "Sir, thank you for your audience, General."

Cheng Xianzhi's eyes followed the beautiful figure in the snow, and the palace maids who were serving him were also affected. Snowballs hit everyone indiscriminately. Lu Tingwan was stunned for a moment, and Li Hongzhi also flashed an apologetic look. Seeing the palace maid smile, the two of them laughed too.

However, the snowball in Lu Tingwan's hand, which she had been kneading for a long time, was really thick. She raised the snowball in her hand and threatened, "Your Majesty, please hide quickly."

Li Hongzhi was frightened and wanted to hide in the snow pile. Lu Tingwan wanted to tease him, but the snowball he threw hit Cheng Xianzhi under the eaves directly. Everyone, including the little emperor, was still in shock.

Fearing that the Grand Tutor would be angry, they paused for a long time, and everyone looked at each other. Xie Zhao happened to come over and saw the scene.

Lu Tingwan smiled awkwardly and put his fingertips together, feeling apologetic.

Cheng Xianzhi brushed the remaining snow off his cheeks and smiled indulgently, "Sure enough, your accuracy is still a little off. It seems General Xie's archery skills aren't very good either."

Seeing that he was not angry, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Li Hongzhi took the opportunity to throw the snowball in his hand, but unfortunately he did not have enough strength and only threw it at Lu Tingwan's waist. He also fell into the snow and got a mouth full of ice chips.

The palace maids hurried to help him, but Lu Tingwan just burst into laughter. The little emperor didn't want anyone to help him and stood up by himself.

Xie Zhao smiled, understanding the meaning behind Cheng Xianzhi's words, "Madam, you are aiming very carefully, and you will never miss a shot."

"A letter arrived from the northwest: the Turks have withdrawn their troops, and the rebels have been killed. Shanhaiguan cannot remain without a general for a single day. Is Xie Zhao willing to take command of the Shanhaiguan navy?"

Being transferred from the northwest to Shanhaiguan was both a promotion and a challenge. Taking over the army that had been trained by Jiang Haiyi for several years, re-selecting generals, and taming such an army were not easy tasks, but Cheng Xianzhi trusted him, just as Lu Tingwan had always trusted Xie Zhao.

Xie Zhao knelt on one knee and said, "I have fulfilled my mission, but what about the northwest?"

"I have my own choice for the Northwest."

"Awan said she hasn't seen you for a long time." Cheng Xianzhi's gaze fell back on her and he waved to Lu Tingwan.

Lu Tingwan stopped fighting and ordered the palace servants to take Li Hongzhi back to the palace to rest.

She lifted her skirt and trotted up the stairs, calling Xie Zhao, who responded with a smile.

Seeing the snow on her temples, Cheng Xianzhi stroked her cheek and straightened her hair, his eyes full of love: "Are you tired of playing?"

Lu Tingwan stood next to him.

"What's the matter?"

"Didn't you say you wanted to see Xie Zhao?" Cheng Xianzhi lowered his voice. Lu Tingwan seemed to sense jealousy and pretended to change his position, moving from the right to the left, standing between the two of them.

"Yes, Xie Zhao, have you finished your official duties?"

"Um."

Cheng Xianzhi had official business to attend to, so he asked Han Zhou to accompany him. He also told Lu Tingwan, "I'll pick you up at Guangling Palace at twilight hour."

Lu Tingwan responded and stepped onto the city wall with Xie Zhao. Facing the north wind, Xie Zhao said, "Minister Cheng asked me to go to Shanhaiguan to guard it."

Lu Tingwan was not surprised. She had brought up this matter when they were sleeping together last night, and it coincided with Cheng Xianzhi's thoughts.

Chen Feng, the commander of Guanzhou, was originally from the northwest. Cheng Xianzhi had other motives for sending troops to support the northwest. After Xie Zhao was recalled, Chen Feng naturally took over the defense of the northwest.

He had another candidate for Shanhaiguan, and that was Xie Zhao.

"That would suit you better!" Lu Tingwan said, "Can the Sunset Bow be drawn in the northwest?"

"The setting sun gallops across the yellow sand, its hooves trampling the ground like gold. The setting sun bow can shoot a hundred miles, so it can be pulled far."

Lu Tingwan smiled. "The young emperor has just ascended the throne but is unable to manage affairs. Dalan's internal troubles have just been resolved. It's not that Cheng Xianzhi doesn't have someone to use, but who is the most suitable? It must be General Xie Zhao."

"If you say it's okay, it must be okay." Xie Zhao said, "How about it? But have you decided to stay in Kyoto from now on?"

Lu Tingwan shook his head, "Do you still remember what I said to you at Qingyao Mountain?"

Cheng Xianzhi was busy with court affairs, and there were some things that Lu Tingwan should have explained to him earlier.

Xie Zhao understood clearly, "You will always be Jiang Yanli, you will always be yourself!"