Chapter 143
Only after they got on the carriage, Xie Qi whipped the horse whip, and drove away from the bustling city did Aunt Zhao breathe a sigh of relief.
Fan Changyu was confused and asked, "Auntie, what is going on?"
Aunt Zhao said with some guilt: "Changyu, I am confused and may have caused you trouble."
She told him about the dispute she had with someone in front of the cloth stall. She was so ashamed that she didn't dare to raise her head. "I heard those women talking about that nonsense. They said the hairband I received belonged to Miss Li. I couldn't help but speak out. I didn't expect it to turn out like this..."
She clasped her hands in her sleeves and tightened them again and again, then looked at Fan Changyu and said, "I heard that officials are easily impeached. This... this won't make people impeach you or say you're right, right?"
Carpenter Zhao was also afraid that his wife's behavior would bring trouble to Fan Changyu, so he pointed at Aunt Zhao and scolded her, "You, you are already old, why are you arguing so quickly?"
Aunt Zhao felt guilty and said nothing even when her husband scolded her.
Fan Changyu said, "It's not a big deal. Don't blame yourself, ma'am. It's just that it's unnecessary. Don't argue with others about such things in the future."
The emperor, Wei Yan, and even the Li family had already known about her relationship with Xie Zheng. When the news spread that Xie Zheng had gone into the city to receive a woman's hairband, they could all guess that it was her.
As for other things, she and Xie Zheng would get married sooner or later, so it didn't matter if the people knew about it.
Perhaps the more troublesome thing is her status as a widow. There will inevitably be people who think that she is not worthy of Xie Zheng.
But those who think she is not worthy of him, even if they know that the man she married was Xie Zheng, will still think she is not worthy of him.
In the past, Fan Changyu might have felt a little nostalgic.
But after being tempered on the battlefield for so long, she has become indifferent to life and death. If she is still afraid of what others say, then she is really going backwards.
After hearing Fan Changyu's words, Aunt Zhao finally put her heart back into her stomach. She kept saying, "No, no, I won't do it again in the future."
The carriage drove smoothly back to the Jinzouyuan. Changning saw that Uncle Zhao and Aunt Zhao were not talking much. She sat in Fan Changyu's arms and asked, "Sister, is my brother-in-law also going to the palace to receive the emperor's reward?"
She remembered that her sister followed the generals into the city that day.
Fan Changyu nodded slightly and replied, "Of course I want it."
Those officials in the capital who were above the fifth rank were required to see the emperor every day.
Unless the emperor gave prior instructions, ministers summoned back from outside the capital only needed to stay in the Jinzouyuan or go to the government office to handle official business.
Fan Changyu, Tang Peiyi and other generals who had just come down from the battlefields in the northwest were currently being assigned to idle positions. It was estimated that the emperor would be able to decide on a good place for them after the new year.
But now the situation in the court is very strange. The one sitting on the dragon throne has had no real power since he ascended the throne. Except for those who are loyal ministers, the court officials' respect for the royal family is superficial. Behind the scenes, they rely on Wei Yan or the Li family and are divided into factions.
The young emperor's political performance was mediocre, but his ambitions were great. He had previously tried to win over the Li family in an effort to overthrow Wei Yan, but he acted too hastily. Before Wei Yan fell, the Li family saw the knife that the young emperor had placed on their necks, causing the Li family to turn to cooperate with the emperor's eldest grandson, Qi Min.
The young emperor can only turn back to seek protection from Wei Yan. The outcome of the struggle between the Wei and Li factions will probably be decided in the case of Wei Yan's collusion with anti-bandits, which is being tried by the three courts.
In order to find out what the Sui family did in the Jinzhou case that year, Fan Changyu often went to the Dali Temple to listen to the trial, trying to find clues about Wei Yan's collusion with the counter-thieves and his design of the Jinzhou tragedy that year.
However, the review process of the three courts is extremely slow, and it may take one or two months to conclude the case.
The variables on the dragon throne will remain unknown in a few months.
Chang Ning's eyes lit up when he heard what Fan Changyu said: "Then what will the Emperor give to my brother-in-law?"
This question caused Fan Changyu to fall into a brief contemplation.
Xie Zheng was granted the title of marquis at the young age, and his military achievements were second to none in the entire court. The last time she went to the Golden Palace with Tang Peiyi to meet the emperor, the emperor hinted that he would reward Xie Zheng with nine gifts (cì).
The court officials were silent.
She found it strange at the time, and after returning to the Imperial Court, she asked Tang Peiyi what the Nine Sacrifices were.
Tang Peiyi replied in a thoughtful manner, "Since ancient times, the emperor would only bestow the Nine Gifts upon his subjects when there was nothing more to bestow. These gifts included carriages and horses, crowns and robes, music and hangings, steps, axes, bows and arrows, and other nine items, which symbolize the supreme imperial power. However, those who were bestowed the Nine Gifts throughout the dynasties were all treacherous and treacherous subjects who did not have a good end."
The current court is divided between the Li Party and the Wei Party.
Did the emperor's words that day mean that he wanted to push Xie Zheng to the forefront and let Wei Yan and Li Taifu deal with Xie Zheng?
Fan Changyu inevitably felt a little worried. She helped Changning straighten his collar and said, "How would I know what the emperor wants to reward me with?"
Changning was obviously not very satisfied with this answer. She buried her head in Fan Changyu's arms and pouting.
The long wind occasionally lifted a corner of the car curtain. Fan Changyu patted her on the back, his eyes passing through the car window in the direction of the imperial palace, his brows slightly furrowed.
-
The imperial palace.
"Announce, Wu'an Marquis Xie Zheng is here to see you—"
The summons came from the long palace corridor, and echoed countless times between the ten-foot-high city platforms on the east and west sides of the Yanzhi Tower, with a thick and majestic sound.
The Jinwu Guards, wearing armor and carrying swords, stood in two rows in front of the Meridian Gate, with cold and solemn expressions.
The sun was high in the sky, and the glazed tiles on the roof of the hipped hall were coated with a layer of gold by the sunlight.
Xie Zheng, dressed in military armor, walked slowly into the palace gate that was wide open like a beast's mouth, his black cloak fluttering behind him, seemingly dragging a trail of blood and murderous aura on the ground.
His eyebrows were casual yet slightly cold, and the unicorn head on his shoulders was swallowed in the scorching sun with ferocious eyes. It was originally a auspicious beast, but it seemed to have gained a sense of hostility and evil after drinking human blood for a long time on the battlefield, making people dare not look directly at it.
The red walls and golden tiles on both sides of the palace road seemed to have lost their usual solemnity and splendor in that instant, and crouched humbly before him.
When Xie Zheng walked up to the Golden Palace, all the civil and military officials in the court looked at him sideways as he entered the palace.
The position of the head of the military officers was still vacant for him. Standing on the left at the head of the civil officials, Li Taifu, glanced at Xie Zheng and slightly frowned his wrinkled brows.
The wolf cub that Wei Yan raised by his side finally grew up. In terms of his madness and methods, he was no less cruel than Wei Yan when he was young.
He withdrew his gaze, held the tablet in his hand, and continued to look straight ahead.
Xie Zheng ignored all the gazes and looked up at the young emperor sitting on the throne. Qi Sheng's eyes met his and the smile on his face became a little stronger.
Xie Zheng's lips twitched in a mocking tone, and he was too lazy to even kneel down. He just leaned forward slightly, clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, I am your humble servant."
He had been granted the title of marquis, so he no longer needed to call himself a general when he met the emperor.
Qi Sheng was afraid of him, but secretly hated him so much that he gritted his teeth. He tried to maintain a smile on his face and said, "Thank you, my dear, for getting up quickly."
Then he looked at the civil and military officials of the Manchu court and said: "Thank you, my dear minister, for you are the pillar of the great dynasty. I have specially permitted you to wear a sword and shoes to the palace, enter the court without a queue, and make compliments without naming your name."
This was the privilege he granted Xie Zheng when Xie Zheng was conferred the title of marquis. It can be said that from that time on, he was planning how to alienate Wei Yan and Xie Zheng, the uncle and nephew.
The civil and military officials standing on the left and right sides did not dare to say anything about Yu Qisheng's words.
Qi Sheng looked at the silent court, and his resentment towards the decline of imperial power grew even stronger. However, he had no other choice but to look at Xie Zheng with a fake smile and said, "This time, in suppressing the rebellion of Chongzhou, you, dear Lord Xie, escaped death by a hair's breadth, and you are the first to make a contribution. Fortunately, Beiting has been stable until now because of your defense. I now specially grant you nine gifts."
As soon as he stroked his palm, a eunuch placed the rewards that had been prepared long ago on a tray covered with yellow silk and brought it to Xie Zheng.
Xie Zheng glanced at the various exquisite objects held by the eunuchs, and his eyes became even colder. He still leaned forward slightly to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."
-
The court meeting finally ended safely. The Wei Party did not dare to say much during the whole process because Wei Yan had claimed to be ill and had not attended court for many days, and they were well aware of Xie Zheng's temper and methods. However, the Li Party was very wary of Xie Zheng.
But since Li Taifu had not spoken, his subordinates did not dare to provoke Xie Zheng.
Only the eunuchs who carried the trays to deliver the gifts to Xie Zheng were still shaking with their hind legs.
Tutor Li, his eldest son, and several of his trusted disciples were the first to leave after the court session was dismissed.
His eldest son Li Yuanting saw that everyone around him was his own people, and he was still at the Jinshui Bridge, so he couldn't help but ask Li Taifu: "Father, the power of Wu'an Marquis is now greater than that of Wei Yan. As long as he doesn't leave the capital, our plan..."
Although he was angry, Li Yuanting did not dare to continue speaking.
The crane-patterned official robe on Li Taifu shone brightly in the sunlight. Compared to his eldest son's impatience, he walked at a leisurely pace, with a calm expression, "Why are you in such a hurry? Everything will work out when the time comes."
As soon as he finished speaking, a casual yet oppressive voice suddenly came from far behind him: "Master, please stay."
Li Taifu paused, turned around and looked at the young Marquis Wu who was walking slowly towards him on the white marble steps, and asked without revealing the truth, "I wonder if you have any advice for me, Marquis?"
Xie Zheng twitched his lips slightly: "I can't ask for your advice, but I have something I want to give to you, Master."
As he approached casually, the group of civil officials surrounding Li Taifu became nervous and swallowed subconsciously.
Maybe it was because the psychological suggestion was too strong, so that they felt as if a faint smell of blood was hanging over them when Xie Zheng approached. The timid ones even turned pale.
Li Taifu looked normal. He looked at Xie Zheng with his old and bright eyes and said, "I have little personal relationship with the Marquis. I wonder what the Marquis has to give me?"
Xie Zheng stopped three steps away from Li Taifu. When he raised his hand, a jade pendant tied with a red rope fell from his hand and dangled in the air. There was a word "An" engraved on the jade pendant.
When Li Yuanting saw the jade pendant, his expression changed drastically: "This... this is Huai'an's jade pendant!"
As soon as Xie Zheng loosened his grip, the jade pendant nearly fell to the ground. Fortunately, Li Yuanting was quick and grabbed the knot in time.
Xie Zheng said casually: "The jade is returned intact to Zhao."
Li Yuanting was so anxious that he shouted at Xie Zheng: "What have you done to my son?"
Xie Zheng raised his eyes coldly, glanced at the Minister of Revenue and said slowly: "Didn't I say that the jade will be returned intact to Zhao?"
Li Yuanting was so anxious that his face turned red, but Xie Zheng ignored him and turned to look at Li Taifu. His eyes were shone with sunlight, making it harder to tell what was going on. "The things have been returned. I will go first."
As soon as Xie Zheng left, Li Yuanting could not help but say to Li Taifu: "Father, Huai'an fell into Xie Zheng's hands. What does he mean by this?"
Taifu Li looked at the young Wu Hou's receding back, a gleam of light flashed across his old eyes, and he said, "He is threatening me."
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