Chapter 134 Assassination
Knowing that the Empress had lost power and that the Attendant-in-Ordinary had lost his virtue, the various nobles and officials were eager to seize power, sending men and women to the palace to compete for fame and fortune.
Unexpectedly, this led to Consort Yuan gaining favor with the emperor.
Fortunately, others entered the medical field and became the first batch of "horse bones" (a metaphor for unsuccessful attempts).
The fact that things have progressed so smoothly is largely due to the fact that these young men all come from prominent families. One's position determines one's perspective and policy.
Amidst the rosy dawn and morning mist, apricot blossoms filled the branches. These young men and women, selected from noble families of the previous dynasty, came together to the apricot grove for a banquet.
Everyone was labeled as a disciple of the emperor.
This is undoubtedly fresh, rare, and makes one feel proud.
Guan Zhiwei was gentle and kind, and treated people with respect, chatting with them about everyday things.
They suddenly realized that His Majesty was different from the rumors. The rumored His Majesty was bloodthirsty and murderous, but the real His Majesty was gentle and refined, eloquent, and wise in his speech.
"When ministers are law-abiding, junior officials are honest, official positions are in order of merit, and the relationship between ruler and minister is upright, the country will prosper."
"The time has come for the ruler and his ministers, and the trees are still cherished by people. I hope that you will display your talents and establish immortal achievements. We, the ruler and his ministers, will know and help each other. One day, these apricot trees will be remembered for eternity because of you."
Guan Zhiwei spoke eloquently, a pleased smile on her face. Everyone who was looked at by her couldn't help but blush and feel their hearts pound.
It wasn't romantic love, but rather an irresistible urge to follow her in undertaking great endeavors and to save the entire nation.
That exhilarating passion constantly stimulated my brain; this kind of joy is incomparable to anything else.
—Your Majesty, you need me!
Their expressions betrayed their thoughts.
Gao Huan sat with his ministers, watching the excited young men and women, and sneered inwardly: "So naive, they can't handle any setbacks."
If you believe the emperor, you wouldn't have enough lives to die.
He was inwardly grumbling when suddenly a chill ran through him. Guan Zhiwei's gaze fell on him, and she smiled slightly. He felt as if ants were crawling all over him, making him restless and uneasy, fearing that she might cause trouble.
She didn't say anything, she just smiled and looked at him.
That smile was warm, like a gentle breeze smoothing out the wrinkles on a person's body.
Gao Huan was gradually soothed by her smile, and just as her heart was settling down, she spoke.
"To eliminate the corrupt and promote the virtuous, to hate evil and love good, and to rejoice in the company of a few, is also a day's advantage."
Upholding righteousness, combating evil, and hating wickedness as if it were an enemy—compared to everyone here, you certainly have a unique perspective!
In front of all the court officials and newly promoted ministers, Guan Zhiwei did not hesitate to praise Gao Huan.
Gao Huan sat there pretending to be calm and collected, letting people look him over. These gazes were filled with curiosity, disdain, and longing, almost as if they were peeling him apart.
If he doesn't stir up some hatred, His Majesty will feel restless.
He glanced at His Majesty helplessly.
Her Majesty winked at him; it was noisy all around, but she remained quiet.
Gao Huan blocked out the noise around him, remaining silent amidst the commotion. He thought, "I am different from everyone else. Even if His Majesty belittles me, I am the only one who receives this kind of treatment."
I am special.
Just then, a voice suddenly rang out: "The Empress has arrived!"
Zhi Junyuan was dressed in a striking red robe, so vibrant it looked as if he were covered in blood, and he carried a sword in his hand.
Everyone's pupils contracted; the memory of his father leading troops into the palace and threatening the nobles was still vivid in their minds.
Is he also plotting a rebellion?
Although surprised, they didn't react much, because His Majesty was sitting up there.
When it comes to assassination attempts, who can outmaneuver His Majesty?
Guan Zhiwei remained calm and asked, "Your Majesty, what are you doing?"
Zhi Junyuan remained expressionless, his voice slightly hoarse: "I heard that His Majesty is hosting a banquet for those selected for the imperial concubine selection at Xinglin, so I have come to perform a sword dance for His Majesty to add to the festivities."
Guan Zhiwei nodded: "Then I'll have to trouble you."
"Serving His Majesty is no hardship at all." Zhi Junyuan forced a smile, but ultimately failed to produce one.
He began to practice swordplay.
The room was filled with the intoxicating fragrance of apricot blossoms, but then he swept his sword across, instantly waking everyone up.
The sword light was dazzling, and the dance was graceful and agile, just like an eagle in flight.
The sword's momentum was like a thunderbolt, yet when it was sheathed, it resembled the gathering of rivers and seas.
His thin and aloof appearance made him seem to be one with the sword.
The cold-gleaming blade of the sword silently spoke of hatred: "Give me your life!"
Guan Zhiwei admired his graceful demeanor, but suddenly noticed that the direction he was pointing his sword was a bit off; the sharp blade, carrying a cold wind, was aimed directly at her chest.
She picked up the wine glass and smashed it.
The sword deviated two inches, but still pierced the burning hot chest.
Gao Huan felt a gust of cold wind before his eyes, a sharp pain in his chest, and a mouthful of blood gushed out. His vision blurred: "You...kill me?"
"Protect the Emperor! Protect the Emperor!" Liu Zhihua shouted, but the soldiers had not yet surrounded the area.
Guan Zhiwei had already leaped up and jumped out from behind the table. She strode over to Zhi Junyuan, snatched the sword from his hand, and snapped it in two.
She shouted angrily, "Empress, you are the Empress of the nation, yet you dare to kill a minister of the state in broad daylight!"
Zhi Jun glanced at the broken sword, the tears welling in his eyes as sharp as the sword itself, filled with unyielding spirit: "Your Majesty, how exactly did my father die!"
Guan Zhiwei remained expressionless: "He came to force the emperor to rebel, but was killed by a hail of arrows. What happened?"
"But I heard he was killed by Gao Huan and torn apart by five horses!" Zhi Junyuan gritted his teeth, and a trickle of blood slowly flowed down his lips.
Guan Zhiwei was silent for a moment, then sighed softly: "I wanted to preserve your father's body intact, but Gao Huan wouldn't allow it, saying it was to serve as a warning to others. He has a point; I am the king, and I must accept the advice of my subjects."
Zhi Junyuan shouted, "The hatred for my father is irreconcilable!"
The enemy of one's father is an irreconcilable enemy; the enemy of one's brothers is an enemy one should not turn against; the enemy of one's friends is an enemy one should not go to the same country.
Can a feud be avenged after nine generations? It can be avenged after a hundred generations.
"Your father is disloyal and intends to rebel and overthrow the imperial power! Although you are filial, loyalty should come first!"
Chen Wen shouted sternly, "Your Majesty! He must not be let off lightly!"
"Your Majesty, please punish him severely!"
"Your Majesty, please depose the Empress!"
"I second that proposal!"
Such voices rose and fell.
Guan Zhiwei's face turned ashen: "Guards! The Empress has gone mad! She murdered a minister in court! Tie him up and take him back to the palace! I will discuss the matter with the ministers before deciding on a course of action!"
The soldiers swarmed forward and captured the man.
Zhi Junyuan didn't struggle; he just stared intently at Guan Zhiwei. He used self-harm to see if she felt any reluctance.
Guan Zhiwei didn't even glance at him. She turned around, picked Gao Huan up, and carried him back into the palace.
She ordered the palace maids to prepare hot water and some rare medicines.
In fact, Gao Huan had already woken up during the return journey, but it was still necessary to create the impression that he was seriously injured and rescued by the Emperor. After this rescue, everyone should have no doubt that the Emperor was a divine physician.
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