Chapter 55 Sharpness She was almost drowning in this moment of tenderness…
The night was as dark as ink, and the midnight watchman's drum slowly faded away over Luoyang.
The Imperial Guards surrounding the Han residence received a secret order and withdrew most of them silently, leaving only a few to guard the main gates.
This was not mercy, but rather the emperor's final, cold gesture of decency bestowed upon a disgraced official.
Inside the mansion, a deathly silence reigned. Candlelight flickered in the study, illuminating the crimson-purple court robe bestowed upon Minister Han upon his investiture as Minister of War. Every crease was perfectly pressed, as if he were wearing it to attend an important court assembly.
On the desk, a sheet of plain paper was slowly unfolded. His hand, holding the brush, was remarkably steady, yet the ink seeped deeply into the paper.
"Liuyue and Lvliu, it is as if we are meeting in person upon reading this letter. I have many regrets in my life, but I miss you both the most... The Han family's century-old foundation has been destroyed in an instant, all because of a single wrong decision on my part. I hope you will take good care of yourselves, and not dwell on the past or grieve. If there is an afterlife, I hope we can continue our bond as father and son."
He put down his pen, slowly rose, and steadily tossed a piece of white silk over the roof beam. With his last glance, he looked out the window towards Liuyue's boudoir, tears streaming down his face, silently falling onto the cold floor tiles. He stood there quietly, as if listening to the last breath of this mansion, until his life faded away with the dying candlelight.
The next morning, the old steward opened the door to deliver water as usual, only to be met with this scene. The copper basin in his hands crashed to the ground with a "clang," splashing water everywhere, and a mournful wail finally broke the deathly silence of the Han mansion at dawn. The sound was shrill and desperate, startling the crows roosting under the eaves, which flapped their wings and disappeared into the gray sky.
When the news reached the palace, Jia Fengtian was having breakfast. The exquisite white jade bowl contained freshly cooked bird's nest porridge. The ivory chopsticks paused slightly upon hearing "Minister Han committed suicide," but then resumed their normal movements.
He slowly swallowed the congee in his mouth, his tone flat and indifferent: "He's a sensible person, after all."
He put down his chopsticks and gently wiped the corner of his mouth with a bright yellow silk handkerchief. "Issue an imperial decree: Minister Han has died suddenly from overwork. He shall be buried in accordance with the prescribed rites to show my heart." After a brief pause, his gaze swept across the gloomy sky outside the hall. "Furthermore, the Ministry of War cannot be without a commander for even a day. Effective immediately, Prime Minister Bai Moyuan shall concurrently serve as Minister and take charge of all affairs of the Ministry of War."
At this moment, inside the Bai residence, Bai Moyuan was practicing calligraphy in his study. The high-pitched voice of the imperial eunuch echoed in the courtyard. He knelt respectfully to receive the decree, his expression unchanged, but the fingers holding the imperial edict trembled slightly.
After dismissing everyone, he sat quietly in the armchair for a full hour. Outside the window, dusk deepened, casting a long shadow of him. The ink on the table had long since dried, yet he remained in the same posture, like a frozen statue.
"Father!"
Upon hearing the news, Bai Lian rode over immediately and saw Bai Moyuan's solemn figure as soon as she opened the door.
"I've heard about it..." Her voice was low, filled with suppressed urgency.
Bai Moyuan slowly turned around, his face showing deep exhaustion: "Yes, His Majesty's move, ostensibly a promotion, is actually a pampering that leads to destruction!" He raised his hand and gently stroked the bright yellow imperial edict. "Lian'er, you can see clearly that the Han family has just fallen, and His Majesty has stuffed this hot potato into my hands. He is putting our Bai family on the fire and making us the target of everyone's criticism."
"Father, please don't be anxious. Let's discuss this again when my brother returns," Bai Lian comforted Bai Moyuan. "There's always a solution."
-
The news that Bai Moyuan would concurrently serve as Minister of War was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, causing undercurrents to surge throughout the court and the country.
The once quiet Bai residence was suddenly bustling with activity. Carriages of all kinds lined up in front of the mansion, as various forces, both openly and covertly, came to make connections and test the waters. Even the servants in the mansion noticed the unusual activity and moved with considerable caution.
Bai Ziyuan felt this even more acutely in the army. His former colleagues, who used to call him brother, now had complex and unreadable expressions. Behind those seemingly warm greetings always lurked a subtle scrutiny and distance. Even the soldiers on the drill ground, when saluting him, had a strange look in their eyes.
That night, the doors and windows of the Bai family's study were tightly closed, but the candlelight shone brightly.
Bai Moyuan dismissed all the servants, leaving only Bai Lian and Bai Ziyuan by his side. The flickering candlelight cast their long shadows on the wall, swaying gently with the flame, conveying an uneasy atmosphere.
"Your Majesty is trying to make our Bai family follow in the footsteps of the Han family!" Bai Moyuan's voice was hoarse, sounding particularly heavy in the quiet night.
Bai Ziyuan clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, his face filled with resentment: "Father! Our Bai family has been loyal for generations, and Lian'er has risked her life for the Phoenix Dynasty. Why does His Majesty have to force us like this?!"
“It has always been the case that merits overshadow the ruler.” Bai Lian analyzed calmly, her eyes sharp as knives. “Now that Father has taken charge of the Ministry of War as Prime Minister, it seems like he is relying on him, but in reality, he is pushing us into the eye of the storm.” She stood up and paced slowly in the study. “At this moment, countless eyes are watching us, waiting to find fault with the Bai family. This is exactly what His Majesty wants. He intends to test us, and also to warn us.”
She stopped and looked at Bai Moyuan and Bai Ziyuan: "The most urgent thing is to show weakness to protect ourselves. Father, you should try to avoid the limelight for the time being. Brother, you also need to be careful in the army. You might as well take the initiative to return some less important positions to show that the Bai family has no disloyal intentions."
Bai Moyuan sighed deeply, his sigh filled with a profound sense of helplessness: "Lian'er is quite right... but this imperial decree has just been issued, and if we make any big moves, it will seem deliberate. This matter needs further consideration." He turned to Bai Ziyuan, "Ziyuan, you must be careful in the army, and remember to be patient and avoid rash actions. As for Shuli, let her take the child and accompany Rao'er back to her hometown for the time being."
-
Bai Ziyuan returned home late at night. He pushed open the bedroom door and saw his wife, Shuli, sitting by the window, clutching a silk handkerchief tightly in her hand, looking anxious.
Ever since she overheard Bai Ziyuan and Bai Lian talking one day and learned that Jia Xuanyu had appeared in Luoyang, Shuli has been filled with anxiety.
"You've heard about it?" Bai Ziyuan asked softly, sitting down beside her.
Shu Li raised her head, her eyes filled with struggle: "I know... Third Brother is back." Her voice trembled slightly, "He was so badly injured, and he must have suffered a lot over the years traveling to many places."
Bai Ziyuan held her cold hand: "Shuli, I know you're feeling bad. Xuanyu is, after all, your brother from the same mother."
“But I know he’s not the same Third Brother he used to be.” Shu Li’s tears finally fell. “After such a terrible ordeal, he’s probably changed drastically. I’m afraid, afraid he might do something even more extreme…”
Bai Ziyuan pulled her into his arms, feeling her slightly trembling shoulders: "That's why I want you to take the child and accompany your mother back to our hometown for the time being. The situation in the court is changing rapidly, and the Bai family is now at the center of the vortex. I can't let you take any more risks."
Shuli leaned against his chest, her tears soaking his clothes: "But if I leave, you'll be all alone here..."
“I am the son of the Bai family.” Bai Ziyuan gently stroked her hair. “Protecting my family is my responsibility. Only if you leave safely with the children can I focus on dealing with the current crisis without any distractions.”
The moonlight outside the window was desolate. Shuli looked at the sleeping child and finally nodded.
As the daughter of Lady Ga, she knew better than anyone the cruelty of royal struggles.
“Okay, I’ll pack my bags tomorrow,” she said softly, but a resolute glint flashed in her eyes. “But you must promise me that you will protect yourself no matter what. If… if it really comes to an unavoidable situation, don’t worry about my status.”
Bai Ziyuan pulled her into his arms, all his unspoken words condensed into that embrace. He couldn't help but sigh, in these turbulent times, even the closest couples were inevitably burdened by the current situation.
-
For several days in a row, the atmosphere in the Eastern Palace was very tense.
Jia Fengtian didn't delve into Han Liuyue's mysterious disappearance from the Cold Palace, but this unusual calm only made Jia Luolin more vigilant. He keenly sensed several unseen eyes around him. These shadow guards, like ghosts, silently lurked in every corner around him.
As night fell, Galo Lin went out to meet Bai Lian for a meeting. Under the hazy moonlight, he deliberately wandered through the streets and alleys, and after several twists and turns, he finally shook off the hidden sentries who were following him.
In the quiet room, Bai Lian had been waiting for a long time. She had changed into a simple and elegant dress, without any makeup, which made her appear even more aloof under the lamplight.
"General Bai." Galorin strode in and sat down opposite her.
"Your Highness." Bai Lian nodded slightly, her gaze briefly meeting his. In that instant, they both read solemnity in each other's eyes.
After a brief silence, Galo Lin spoke first: "The situation is urgent, so I have to bother you so late at night." He lowered his voice even further, "I have heard about Lord Bai's matter. Recently, many secret guards have appeared in the Eastern Palace. Father... his actions are becoming more and more frequent."
Bai Lian's expression was solemn, her fingertips unconsciously tapping lightly on the table: "The Han family is the beginning, and my Bai family will be next. His Majesty's actions suggest he is determined to purge his important officials." Even with her composure, her expression revealed a hint of fear and unease.
“Don’t be afraid, I’m here.” Galo Lin’s gaze was intense. He suddenly reached out and grasped her hand, which was resting on the table, with a firm grip. “I will never let the tragedy of the Han family be repeated in the Bai family.”
His fingertips were warm, and a reassuring strength emanated from his skin, promising, "I will never let you get hurt again."
Bai Lian's heart skipped a beat, a bittersweet feeling welling up inside her. She almost succumbed to this moment of tenderness, but reason quickly returned.
She took a deep breath and slowly, yet firmly, pulled her hand back.
“Your Highness,” she raised her eyelashes, her voice regaining its usual calmness, but her eyes were exceptionally firm, “the greater good is paramount. Right now, the most important thing is to deal with His Majesty’s relentless pressure, protect ourselves, and stabilize the court.” She paused, then added with emphasis, “No matter what, Bai Lian is willing to stand with Your Highness, overcome this calamity together, and safeguard the stability of the nation.”
Looking at her forced composure, Galo Lin felt a pang of pain in his heart, but also a deeper respect and determination.
He said softly but solemnly to Bai Lian, "Once all this is over and the dust settles, I will never let you down."
Bai Lian did not respond further, but gave him a deep look, her gaze complex and unreadable.
Suddenly, as if remembering something important, her tone turned serious: "By the way, a few days ago I happened to see the Third Prince coming out of the Imperial Study, looking quite smug. I'm afraid..."
“Hmm.” Jia Luolin frowned slightly. “My informants have also reported that Jia Xuanyu has been visiting the Imperial Study unusually frequently lately, which may indicate that he has reached some kind of agreement with Father.” He pondered, “That’s not surprising. I’m just afraid that he… has other ideas.”
His voice gradually lowered, tinged with an unspeakable sorrow. After all, he was his younger brother, by blood, and he truly did not want to take that step unless absolutely necessary. But Jia Xuanyu repeatedly challenged his bottom line, like a venomous snake poised to strike, ready to deliver a fatal blow at any moment.
Outside the window, a sudden night wind rose, rustling the leaves as if playing an unsettling melody for the turbulent political situation.
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