Chapter 95
The Seventh Princess and her children wept bitterly, the servants cried along with them, and the baby in the princess's arms also began to wail.
The sound of weeping echoed from the earthen wall, moving all who heard it to tears.
The officials and soldiers looked at each other, not daring to speak.
Since arriving in exile, the Seventh Prince had been living in constant fear, waking up from nightmares almost every night. Whenever he heard that an envoy had arrived from Chang'an or Luoyang, he would tremble with fear. He had attempted suicide several times, but was dissuaded by his wife.
Wei Mingsu was one of the murderers who forced the former Yong King to commit suicide. He came to Xiangzhou on a secret order, just like the King of Hell coming to claim his life. The Seventh Prince was so frightened that he jumped into the river. No one was surprised. Their dilemma was: should they send someone to the river to save the Seventh Prince immediately?
The Seventh Prince was, after all, the son of the Empress and the late Emperor, a noble and precious son of the emperor. He jumped into the river to commit suicide, and no one could stand by and watch him die.
But if the Seven Kings are still alive, and they save them... how do they explain this to the Queen?
Wei Mingsu's visit to Xiangzhou was likely for the same purpose he had when he went to Bazhou to see the Prince of Yong: to deliver poisoned wine.
Therefore, rescuing the Seven Princes might go against the Emperor's will and offend Wei Mingsu.
Who would dare offend the ruthless official whom the Queen values and trusts?
However, if Wei Mingsu doesn't save the Seventh Prince, and the Seventh Prince dies in the river, he can achieve his goal of forcing the Seventh Prince to his death without lifting a finger. He can also pin the blame for the Seventh Prince's death on everyone else, conveniently charge them with negligence in guarding the body, and take the opportunity to kill them to silence them!
Unaware of Wei Mingsu's purpose, the crowd dared not rescue the Seventh Prince, yet could not abandon him to his fate. Caught in a dilemma, they exchanged glances, unsure of what to do, and dared not utter a sound.
Wei Mingsu remained calm and asked the servant who brought the news, "Where did His Highness the Seventh Prince fall into the water from?"
Everyone was stunned, and some couldn't help but show their indignation: The Seventh Prince was, after all, the late emperor's son. Wei Mingsu was of lowly status and gained the empress's favor by slaughtering members of the imperial clan. Relying on the empress's support, he was so arrogant and domineering. The Seventh Prince had already committed suicide, yet he faced the orphan and widow without changing his expression or feeling any remorse. He only knew that he wanted to see them alive or dead. He was truly cold-blooded and ruthless.
The old servant, head bowed and weeping, paused, tears streaming down his face, looking bewildered. He whispered, "By the wooden bridge... His Majesty saw the boat on the other side dock and jumped into the river..."
Wei Mingsu turned around and glanced at Tong Jin.
Tong Jin immediately led his entourage to the wooden bridge on the riverbank, took off his outer robe, and jumped into the river to rescue the Seventh Prince.
The officials came to their senses and quickly ordered the soldiers to help: since Wei Mingsu had already sent people to rescue the Seventh Prince, whether he was really rescuing him or just putting on an act, they no longer needed to be in a dilemma; following his lead was the right thing to do.
"You're a bad person! You killed my father!"
Amidst the mournful cries, a resentful cry suddenly rang out. A child kneeling beside the princess rose from the ground, his face streaked with tears, and rushed toward Wei Mingsu.
The Seventh Princess, who was crying while holding her children, was horrified. She dropped the baby in her arms, got up, grabbed the child, and covered his mouth.
The child struggled incessantly, but the Seventh Princess held him down tightly, and the mother and child fell at Wei Mingsu's feet.
The Seventh Princess shielded the child with her own body, tears streaming down her face as she trembled.
The crowd looked at the pitiful mother and child, feeling a deep sadness and sighing with sorrow.
At this moment, a soldier ran over quickly and reported to Wei Mingsu: The Seventh Prince had indeed jumped into the river, but he did not sink. He floated for a while before being rescued by his comrades.
The crying, both inside and outside the wall, immediately ceased.
The princess screamed, released her son, scrambled to her feet, pushed aside the soldiers, and stumbled towards the riverbank.
With their own thoughts, everyone quieted down and looked at Wei Mingsu.
Wei Mingsu remained calm, showing no anger or disappointment at discovering that the Seventh Prince had jumped into the river but had not drowned, nor any other expression. He instructed his attendants, "His Highness the Seventh Prince has fallen into the water and been frightened. Go and fetch a physician."
The crowd couldn't tell whether he had come to kill the Seventh Prince or not, and they didn't know whether to be happy or worried.
The soldiers carried the seven kings back to their rooms.
The Seventh Prince had been soaking in the river for half a day, caught a chill, and suffered from a cold. After being rescued, he vomited incessantly, had a persistent high fever, and lay in bed, pale-faced and with his eyes...
&
Wu Shen murmured, "Mother wants to exterminate us all, she wants to kill us brothers... one after another... it's my turn... it's my turn..."
"My lord, shut up!"
A flash of shock and anger crossed the princess's eyes. She coldly stopped the Seventh Prince from talking nonsense, raised her head, and nervously glanced at Wei Mingsu, who was standing to the side talking to the doctor.
Wei Mingsu glanced at the Seventh Prince, his gaze cold and aloof, the silver strands at his temples beneath his turban flashing with a chilling light.
The princess trembled slightly with fear, her heart filled with growing anxiety.
The seventh prince was in a daze, talking nonsense.
The next day at noon, the Seventh Prince regained consciousness.
The princess served the seventh prince his medicine, and a servant entered the room to announce that Wei Mingsu had arrived with his entourage.
The Seventh Prince turned pale and looked at the Queen in horror.
He had seen Wei Mingsu in Chang'an before, but he didn't know him. The officials around him were all from aristocratic families, so why would they remember a lowly and insignificant official?
Later, the Crown Prince died, and news of the deaths of members of the imperial clan and relatives followed one after another; they all died at the hands of Wei Mingsu.
The Seven Kings remembered the name Wei Mingsu perfectly.
Wei Mingsu was the butcher's knife his mother used against the Li family's descendants, his death warrant.
The Seven Kings were filled with fear.
Hearing that Wei Mingsu was coming, closing his eyes and jumping into the river was his last act of courage. He had become a prisoner, and even someone of Wei Mingsu's background could terrify him. He dared not resist, dared not escape, and could only cowardly await his death.
Thinking of his mother in Luoyang, the Seventh Prince couldn't help but feel fear.
My mother is like a mountain, not the graceful and elegant green mountains of Xiangzhou surrounded by water, but the majestic and towering mountain range of the north, tall, magnificent, solemn, and uniquely supreme.
When the late emperor passed away, the seventh prince ascended the throne in front of his father's coffin, naively believing that he had become an emperor, able to overcome the mountains blocking his way, create a new world, and truly grasp power.
At that time, he was ambitious. Thinking of the achievements of his grandfather and father throughout their lives, he couldn't wait to break free from his mother's control. So he relied on his wife's family to promote loyal ministers, cultivate confidants, and strengthen his own power.
The Seventh Prince believed that, in accordance with the late Emperor's will, he honored his mother as Empress Dowager. He would consult her on all matters of state and military importance. As Empress Dowager, second only to the Emperor, no woman could hold a more prestigious position. Even if his mother harbored any dissatisfaction, it wouldn't threaten his throne. Once he was powerful enough, he wouldn't have to depend on his mother's approval.
He underestimated his mother, her ambition, and her decisiveness. Eager to cultivate his own confidants, he promoted his wife's family against the advice of the regent, offending him. His mother immediately exploited this, conspiring with the regent to depose him.
That day, the mother suddenly summoned all civil and military officials and the Northern Army to hold an early morning court session in the main hall. The prime minister stepped forward and read out the mother's edict. Before the Seventh Prince could react, the ministers had already pulled him off the throne, and the Northern Army escorted him to a separate garden for confinement.
In this coup, the mother deposed the seven princes without shedding a drop of blood.
The seven princes were terrified.
His mother was a master of political maneuvering, dignified and resolute, decisive and ruthless. She had participated in court politics for decades, and although she never held the title of emperor, she was already an emperor in reality. He was too young and easily exposed his ambition and cunning. Even if he became emperor, he would only be a stepping stone for his mother.
As members of the royal family died one by one, the Seventh Prince felt that the mountain range in front of him was too magnificent, and he would never be able to cross it.
My mother could kill the former crown prince, and she could kill him too.
Outside the door, the footsteps of Wei Mingsu and his entourage could be heard.
The Seventh Prince recalled his life. For the first twenty years, he lived a life of luxury and even became the emperor. After being deposed, he was forced to wander and his wife and children suffered with him. His family was in danger of dying like the former crown prince at any time. He couldn't help but burst into tears, his throat choked with sobs.
The princess also cried sadly.
Before the couple could even exchange a few words of farewell, footsteps approached the door, and Wei Mingsu walked in.
The seven princes, filled with unease, rose from their beds and knelt facing the direction of Luoyang, kowtowing and weeping as they said, "Your Majesty, you have seen through our schemes! The traitors have rebelled and are plotting..."
Shaking the dynasty's foundations and the state of the nation, and
The guilty party has nothing to do with it!
He hated those rebels; why were they recruiting soldiers in his name? He could never win against his mother in this lifetime, and he dared not challenge her authority again.
The princess also knelt down, tears streaming down her face, saying that those who rebelled in the name of restoring the seven princes were traitors and everyone had the right to kill them. She and her husband were loyal to the Empress and the rebellion had nothing to do with them.
Wei Mingsu glanced indifferently at the Seventh Prince and his wife, and gestured for the Princess to leave.
The Seventh Prince remained silent, and the Princess Consort, helpless, could only retreat with tears in her eyes. She did not go far, but stood guard at the door—she was worried that Wei Mingsu would harm her husband.
Wei Mingsu's entourage did not send her away.
A glimmer of hope arose in the princess's heart: it seemed that Wei Mingsu had not come to kill the Seventh Prince.
From inside the door came Wei Mingsu's cold voice.
He took out several pieces of yellow paper and asked the Seven Kings if there was any connection between them and the names recorded on the paper.
The princess's heart sank.
The seven kings knelt on the ground and wept loudly, saying that since arriving in Xiangzhou, they had not seen any other outsiders besides the envoy.
Wei Mingsu listened quietly to the Seventh Prince's defense. When the Seventh Prince cried and could not speak, he did not offer any words of comfort. When the Seventh Prince pleaded, he did not make any promises. He simply wrote down the Seventh Prince's answers indifferently.
Indifferent, cold-hearted.
The princess stood guard outside the door, her fingernails digging into her flesh.
The Empress sent Wei Mingsu to Xiangzhou not to kill the Seventh Prince.
Wei Mingsu's interrogation was a test, a warning, and also torture.
The Empress had spies everywhere in Xiangzhou. She knew better than anyone whether the Seventh Prince had participated in the rebellion. Not trusting him, she sent people to interrogate and torture the Seventh Prince, warning him that even if he really had rebellious intentions, he would be too scared to back down.
The princess breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a bitter taste in her mouth.
Her husband was a noble prince, the crown prince appointed by the late emperor, and the rightful emperor. Yet now he was being interrogated by a lowly person and had to endure such humiliation... This mere Wei Mingsu could control the life and death of their entire family.
The princess dug her nails even deeper.
Tolerate.
We can only endure it.
...
Lu Huaying waited at the post station for two days.
Everyone at the post station knew where Wei Mingsu had gone, so no one dared to complain that he had delayed their journey, nor did anyone dare to inquire about the news.
Two days later, Wei Mingsu returned.
The sound of horses' hooves came from outside the gate.
Everyone was terrified and hid behind the curtains on the second floor, watching the direction of the main entrance.
Wei Mingsu rode a black horse and entered the post station surrounded by his entourage. His expression was the same as usual, except for some fatigue.
Everyone looked behind him.
There was no coffin.
The orphaned mother and her children did not return with them.
No one was wearing mourning clothes.
It seems the Seventh Prince is not dead.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
When Lu Huaying heard that Wei Mingsu had returned, she hurriedly lifted the curtain and went downstairs.
Wei Mingsu walked into the lobby.
The bustling hall suddenly fell silent, and everyone turned their heads in unison, staring at the wine bowls in front of them.
Not a single gaze fell upon Wei Mingsu.
Wei Mingsu walked in amidst the stiff and awkward atmosphere and went up the stairs.
"Prefect Wei".
A voice came from above.
Wei Mingsu raised his head.
Lu Huaying was coming down the stairs when she saw him coming up. She stopped and looked at him with concern in her eyes.
Pei Jingyao and the Chai family's servants from Xiliang
Follow behind her.
She had originally planned to return to Luoyang with Chai Yong.
Wei Mingsu lowered his eyes, remained silent, and walked directly past Lu Huaying to the second floor.
Lu Huaying watched his retreating figure, her brows furrowing slightly.
That evening, Wei Mingsu did not go downstairs.
When the officials of Xiangzhou learned that he was going back to Luoyang, they came to see him off. One of them, a clerk, knew Duan Sanlang and took the opportunity to inquire about the Seventh Prince.
The official told Duan Sanlang that the Seventh Prince had attempted suicide but failed and was interrogated by Wei Mingsu.
Afterwards, he was frightened again, which worsened his condition, and he is still unable to get out of bed.
Everyone was furious.
The following day, the group set off, heading northeast.
Wei Mingsu did not change the route again.
They were finally about to return to Luoyang, but the atmosphere in the group did not ease. The Seventh Prince reminded everyone of the death of the former Crown Prince.
The closer they got to Luoyang, the more officials knew Wei Mingsu. Apart from a few who fawned over him, most people avoided him from a distance. There were even those who were not afraid of death, whose faces changed immediately upon hearing his name, and who began to curse him.
One day, the group saw a water source and stopped to rest. Lu Huaying took her water bag to the riverbank, where Pubu came over and whispered to her, "Third Sister, Luoyang is not Xizhou. Governor Wei's reputation is known to everyone in the capital. I must take the liberty of advising you, but before you return to Luoyang, you'd better sever ties with Governor Wei."
"Even if you don't think about yourself, you should think about your sister-in-law and the Lu family."
After saying that, Pubu left.
Lu Huaying frowned.
She didn't need to distance herself from Wei Mingsu... In fact, after leaving Xiangzhou, Wei Mingsu didn't say a word to her, he rarely showed up, and she could hardly see him.
The stream babbled, and the sounds of laughter and conversation drifted from upstream.
Lu Huaying looked up.
On the riverbank, Pei Jingyao, Duan Sanlang, and the ten warriors of Yuxi sat together chatting and laughing. Downstream on the opposite bank, Wei Mingsu was also filling his water bag with water, accompanied only by his companions and attendants.
The two rivers are clearly distinct.
Lu Huaying emptied the water from her water bag, jumped to the other side, and walked towards Wei Mingsu.
Tong Jin hesitated for a moment, then stopped Lu Huaying: "Is something the matter?"
Lu Huaying smiled and said, "Can't I come over if there's nothing wrong?"
Tong Jin also laughed, but dared not move aside, and turned to look at Wei Mingsu.
Lu Huaying shook her empty water pouch, walked over, squatted down next to Wei Mingsu, and began filling it with water.
Wei Mingsu did not look up.
"What's up?"
He asked.
The question was the same as Tong Jin's, but the tone was completely different.
Tong Jin was just asking casually, but Wei Mingsu's tone was: If there's nothing else, don't bother me.
Lu Huaying suspected that she might not see him again after arriving in Luoyang.
She asked softly, "Are we friends?"
Wei Mingsu looked at his water pouch and said calmly, "Yes."
Lu Huaying breathed a sigh of relief. Wei Mingsu had been cold towards her these past few days, and she was really afraid he would say something more than just two words.
"Although I have been in Xizhou for the past few years, I know that the situation in the capital is treacherous... You are deeply involved in it, so you should make plans as soon as possible."
She whispered.
Wei Mingsu: "Hmm."
Lu Huaying filled her water bottle, looked up at his face, and, remembering how weak he had looked not long ago, couldn't help but ask, "Is your injury any better?"
Wei Mingsu lowered his head and said, "It's scabbed over."
Lu Huaying felt relieved that he looked better than he did in Xiangzhou. Afraid of disturbing him by saying too much, she picked up her full water bag and left.
Wei Mingsu picked up the water bag.
The container was already full of water.
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