Chapter 117 Chapter 117 Then I'll feed you and accompany you...
The two of them knelt facing each other in front of the table.
As the candlelight flickered, Xie Tingyu picked up the silver scissors and neatly cut off the curled up embers on the candle wick, and the originally dim light suddenly became brighter.
"Mother has been staying in Fengge for days, worrying about this matter."
She put down the silver scissors and whispered, "Actually, on the day of the coup, when I saw the emperor's chest wound and the bleeding was almost as severe as his heart, I knew she didn't have much time left."
Ji Lian stared at the flickering candlelight, her thick eyelashes casting a shadow on her lower eyelids. "When will Xun'er ascend the throne?"
“It’s hard to say for sure at this point.”
Xie Tingyu shook his head and said, "Only my brother was by the emperor's side during his final moments. Although there is only one legitimate heir left in the royal family, Xun'er is not even ten years old. I'm afraid the Ji clan members stationed abroad might become disloyal."
Ji Lian gently held her hand. "Xun'er is young, but with Grand Tutor Xie in charge of Fengge and you in charge of Sirong Mansion, the situation in the Great Zhou Dynasty will definitely not change due to the young ruler."
Xie Tingyu stared at Ji Lian. "But Mother seems to want my brother to rule the country from behind the scenes."
Ji Lian was stunned for a moment. "If your Majesty agrees, you will be the first empress dowager in the Great Zhou Dynasty to serve as regent during the reign of a young emperor. Although the Sima family of the previous dynasty had a young emperor, their biological father had already become a monk and had no intention of participating in politics."
Xie Tingyu rested his chin on one hand and smiled. "I don't think my brother is interested in this. Mother isn't the type to force others to do anything just for the sake of family prestige. I'm sure the idea of ruling from behind the curtain will come to nothing."
Ji Lian stood up, walked around the table, and sat down next to Xie Tingyu, wrapping her arms around her waist. "What about you? Have you ever thought about this? The Yuan family of Runan has been severely damaged by the campaign to purge the court. The nobles of Jiankang will surely follow the Xie family's lead."
Xie Tingyu looked back and simply said, "When I first heard the song, I didn't understand its meaning. But when I listened to it again, I became one with it."
"What?"
"I'm reminded of an old friend. She worked hard for the family. I didn't understand her then, but now I do."
Xie Tingyu gently pressed her cheek against his, sighing like melting spring snow. "I used to want to be a knight-errant, traversing the mists and waters of the nine provinces and seeing the mountains and clouds of the four seas, but now that's impossible."
She led him down to the embroidered quilt and pillow, muttering, "Maybe this is a boomerang."
The next day, it was still cloudy and rainy.
The servants came in one after another carrying toiletries.
Ji Lian carefully put on the crimson brocade jacket for Xie Tingyu, and then took out a black torn skirt, carefully tucked the hem of the brocade jacket into the waist of the skirt, and tied it tightly with a palace belt.
When Xie Tingyu was about to put on the sachet and gold hairpin, he raised his hand and said, "I'm going to see someone later, not to a banquet, so there's no need to be so formal."
Ji Lian pushed her back in front of the bronze mirror and combed her hair with a jade comb. "Who are you going to see?"
"Yuan Zhaoyun."
All the nobles who participated in the purge of the imperial court that day were detained in the Tingwei prison.
Among the more than one hundred noble families in Jiankang City, more than forty were involved in this incident, and most of them were prominent officials in the court and famous families in the south of the Yangtze River.
Many important matters at court still needed to be handled by these nobles; after all, the transfer of government had not yet been completed, and the emperor was still bedridden. After consultation, the ministers in the Fengge decided to postpone the punishment and ordered the jailers to transfer the piles of documents to the prison, allowing these handcuffed officials to continue reviewing government affairs behind bars.
When Xie Tingyu stepped into the cell, he saw Yuan Zhaoyun kneeling on a straw mat reviewing documents. Her head was wrapped in blood-soaked gauze and her prison uniform was stained with blood, but overall it was still clean.
Four armed jailers stood around watching over him, with Jiang Xiu, the Minister of Agriculture, who was also in shackles, sitting next to him. The two were passing the approved files to each other.
Yuan Zhaoyun held her back straight, completely absorbed in government affairs. Even when Xie Tingyu approached, she continued to write swiftly.
"Thank you, sir, for your safety!" The jailers saluted in unison.
Jiang Xiu paused, adjusting the shackles around his wrists, and bowed, "Thank you, sir."
Xie Tingyu nodded and said, "Please allow me to be alone with Yuan Da Si Nong for a while."
Everyone retreated in response, but the sound of dragging chains faded away, and in an instant, only two people were left facing each other in the cell.
Xie Tingyu lifted her skirt and knelt on the straw mat opposite Yuan Zhaoyun. She said slowly, "I see the Minister of Agriculture is imprisoned, but I don't see any resentment on his face."
Yuan Zhaoyun then put down his pen and looked up at Xie Tingyu. "The victor is the king and the loser is the bandit. If I had won that day, I wouldn't be here now. Since I'm going to do this, I've naturally thought of all the possible outcomes."
Her eyes were calm, as if unfazed. "Our Runan Yuan family once had a member skilled in physiognomy. She once read my fate and warned me not to be greedy, or I would suffer repercussions. My current situation has only confirmed her prediction."
"But his name is Yuan Tianluan?" Xie Tingyu asked.
Yuan Zhaoyun nodded, a look of doubt on her face. "You weren't even born when she left Beijing. How do you know her name?"
Xie Tingyu avoided answering and simply said, "I came here today because I really have something I want to ask the Minister of Agriculture."
Yuan Zhaoyun suddenly coughed twice, and Xie Tingyu stood up and asked the jailer for some clean water and handed it to him.
She stared at the haggard face and disheveled hair in the water, no longer as dignified as before. Suddenly she sighed, "What do you want to ask?"
"In the sixteenth year of Jian'an, during the reign of the previous emperor, two generals, Wang Zhuozhang and Wang Xuanji, died in battle."
Yuan Zhaoyun raised her hand to drink water and paused. It was as if two drops of thick ink suddenly fell into her eyes, quickly spreading out in her eyes and then sinking down heavily.
"A man named Ji Yao was captured in Pengcheng a few days ago. He was once a personal guard of Wang Zhuozhang. She confessed that before the expedition, the late emperor secretly ordered her to plot the murder of two generals."
Xie Tingyu spoke slowly, each word clear: "And the person who received this secret order at that time, besides her, was also Yuan Da Si Nong who is sitting in front of me now, but?"
The dusty past was suddenly revealed. Yuan Zhaoyun was stunned at first, then showed a sarcastic look, with no regrets on his face.
"It's me."
"I thought the Grand Minister of Agriculture would deny it."
Yuan Zhaoyun raised his head and drank the water in the bowl. "I am already dying, why should I hide it anymore?"
He then asked, "Why are you asking about old matters? Have you heard too many anecdotes about the Wang family at the Sirong Mansion and come here to find out?"
Xie Tingyu simply said, "I just wanted to ask if this is true, and I also wanted to know where the warrant is now."
Yuan Zhaoyun waved his hand, "The warrant has already been destroyed."
Xie Tingyu asked, "I see that the three of you serve in the same court, and you should have a sense of camaraderie. And the two Wang generals have all acted in ways that benefit the country and the people. Why do you envy them?"
Yuan Zhaoyun chuckled softly.
"Xie Qingyan has truly raised a good daughter. Sent to Shangqing Monastery for spiritual practice since she was young, she has forgotten even the most basic principles of the world."
She slowly stood up and looked up at the iron window. Half of her face was submerged in shadow in the slanting sunlight. "What does it have to do with me if they benefit the country and the people? If the Wang family of Langya hadn't fallen, how could the Yuan family of Runan have risen to prominence?"
"You are used to seeing the gentle breeze and bright moon in the Taoist temple, but you don't know the ups and downs of the imperial court."
She turned and stared at Xie Tingyu: "I don't hate Wang Zhuozhang, but I long to reach the top of the aristocratic family and make the Runan Yuan family admired by the people of Jiankang."
"and you……"
Xie Tingyu's eyes were clear, and he wasn't the least bit frightened by the outrageous words he had said. "Why not take this opportunity to purge the emperor's court and depose him as the new emperor? Why bother looking for a fool to fill the void?"
Yuan Zhaoyun laughed heartily. "Since ancient times, dynasties have come and gone. The Sima family declined and was replaced by the Ji family. But you see, the imperial family is as ever-changing as the sea, while the aristocracy remains as strong as a giant tripod. Moreover, those who kill the king will bear the infamy of the ages. How could I do such a losing business?"
As the laughter echoed through the prison, Yuan Zhaoyun suddenly began to cough violently, collapsing onto the straw mat. A rusty, sweet taste rose in his throat, and dark red blood splattered across the mat.
Xie Tingyu looked at her in dismay and said coldly, "Officials like you are a disaster for the people. Fortunately, you were completely defeated this time."
"You plotted to murder the two ladies of the Wang family for the sake of the Yuan family's honor. Now, for the sake of the Yuan family, you are plotting to purge the emperor's court. Have you ever thought about Lady Wangshu and Master Yuan?"
Yuan Zhaoyun wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his expression stern. "Prosperity is shared by all, and loss is shared by all. Although they didn't participate in this matter, they didn't stand with me at the critical moment. So, their ending should be like this."
"But they shouldn't be buried with your ambition."
Xie Tingyu threw down these words and turned to leave. After coming out of the Tingwei Prison, she stepped into the carriage and drove towards the palace.
There was a solemn silence in the palace, and everyone bowed their heads in silence.
The palace attendant of Penglai Palace saw the visitor and bowed, "Thank you for your well-being, sir."
White smoke curled up in the hall. Behind a bamboo curtain, Xie Helan, dressed in plain clothes, was discussing matters with Xie Qingyan. Suddenly, a figure swayed outside the curtain. The curtain opened slightly, and Xie Tingyu walked in, carrying the rain with him.
Xie Helan raised his eyes, a smile spreading across the corners of his eyes. "Why didn't you tell me before you came?" He saw her hair was wet, with water droplets falling on her clothes. "Why didn't you bring an umbrella before you came?"
"The rain isn't heavy."
Xie Tingyu bowed to the two of them and sat down in front of Xie Qingyan. "Mother, there are some things I want to discuss with you."
She took out a piece of letter from her bosom and handed it to Xie Qingyan.
"This is?"
Xie Tingyu said, "This is the urgent letter from Master Yuan, summoning Wangshu and me to Jiankang immediately. That's how I was able to rescue you on the day of the palace banquet. Mother, although Yuan Zhaoyun's crimes are unforgivable, I consider Wangshu's having once blocked a fatal blow for Your Majesty, and his recent contributions to suppressing bandits, pacifying the people, and recovering lost territory, and his contributions to the cause of the land, I beg you to spare their lives."
Her eyes were calm. "Now that most of the nobles implicated in the case have been brought to justice, the court is in need of new talent. Wangshu is a master martial artist, worthy of the important task, and Yuan Langjun is a skilled doctor who will serve the imperial court. I cannot bear to see such a precious pearl hidden in the dust."
Xie Qingyan unfolded the letter in astonishment. "After the incident, the siblings did indeed remain quietly in the garden, observing their duties. Meanwhile, many of the other families of the nobles involved escaped in the middle of the night and were captured."
Xie Helan also said, "Since Second Sister said so, I will also make a plea on Yuan Lang's behalf. I beg Mother to consider his service in delivering the message and show some mercy."
Xie Qingyan tucked the letter into her sleeve. "I thought you were asking for severe punishment." She picked up her teacup and took a sip. "When you were seriously injured, I haven't forgotten the kindness of the siblings in sending you medicine and consulting with you. Before you, Cui Yuanying and Wang Lanzhi had come to plead for mercy, both citing the Yuan siblings' contributions to the country during the Jiankang turmoil."
There was a hint of a turnaround in his words.
Xie Tingyu smiled and said, "Mother, although the local policy has been suspended, it is of great benefit to the country's financial management. When the new emperor ascends the throne, I hope you will allow me to go south again and continue this policy."
The three of them chatted for a while, and then Xie Tingyu stood up and said goodbye.
She still didn't hold an umbrella when she returned. Her hair was wet and stuck to her temples, and her clothes were soaked. When she stepped into Changhao Courtyard, she happened to run into Ji Lian who was returning from the main courtyard.
Xie Tingyu simply changed her clothes and took a quick bath before getting into bed. When Ji Lian looked back, she saw her curled up in the quilt, the exposed half of her face flushed abnormally.
He reached out and found his forehead burning hot. He reached under the quilt and held her hand, but it was very cold.
Ji Lian hurriedly asked someone to fetch a basin of hot water and boil ginger soup, and also specially called the doctor in the mansion.
He followed the doctor's instructions and repeatedly wiped her body with hot water. When the handkerchief slid to her chest, Xie Tingyu opened her eyes drowsily, her voice soft and hoarse: "Lianlian, don't take off my clothes while I'm asleep."
"What do you mean by stripping you of your clothes? I'm just trying to cool you down."
Ji Lian brought a bowl of pitch-black medicinal juice. Just by smelling the fragrance, Xie Tingyu felt so bitter that his tongue tip went numb.
Xie Tingyu huddled in the quilt, wrapped tightly around him. "Can I not drink? I'm in great shape."
"no."
Ji Lian spoke sternly, scooped up a spoonful and put it to her lips, "Be good and drink it quickly."
Xie Tingyu sighed, "Are you angry that I insisted you use a condom, so you want to torture me with every spoonful, making me cry?"
"What?"
Ji Lian's eyes dodged, "Xie Tingyu, don't talk nonsense!"
He carefully helped her sit up, put the edge of the bowl to her lips, and whispered: "Drink it, you will get better soon."
"I don't want to drink." Xie Tingyu turned his face away.
Ji Lian coaxed, "Good Tingyu, if you are really afraid of suffering, then I will feed you and I will suffer with you."
"That's all."
Xie Tingyu took the medicine bowl and drank it all, "I can't bear to see you suffer with me."
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The author has something to say: I really am itching to do something.
I finally released it from the review at 7 o'clock last night, but I corrected two typos and it was locked back. I was struggling to release it until after 10 o'clock this morning. I added more than 100 words to chapter 116, and it was directly written to 5187 = =
I really won’t change it next time, never!
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