Chapter 102 Let's go eat. Does Lord Huan know how to tell fortunes? ...
The carriage stopped at the palace gate.
Yu Nie bent down and got out of the carriage, and Cui Wei stepped forward to help her out.
With the funeral arrangements still busy, she left Song Ai at the facility.
Those who came with her were all people close to her.
After all, Huan Xun's matter involved the gentry and Yan Yue, and Gu Xiangzhi was the second-in-command of the Imperial Horse Administration, a special position.
Even though she wasn't exactly a politician skilled in political maneuvering, she knew that if Gu Xiangzhi came to the palace with her, he would inevitably be targeted.
Even without Gao Chou's previous framing of him, he and the gentry were originally in an adversarial relationship.
The Imperial Horse Administration was established by the imperial power to counterbalance the excessive power of powerful families.
From the moment the Imperial Horse Administration was established, it could never stand on the same side as the aristocratic families, unless Yan Yue, a nobleman from a humble background, dared to rebel.
When she left, Gu Xiangzhi had actually considered coming to the palace with her, but she didn't want to drag him into this conflict openly, so she stubbornly refused him in the end.
They traveled all the way to the Taiji Hall, but Huan Xun was nowhere to be seen, either inside or outside the hall.
Yu Nie went forward to inquire with the guards on duty outside the palace and learned that the emperor had summoned him to the East Pavilion.
Because she was not very familiar with the palace paths, she asked a palace maid to guide her. Also, thinking that she should not attract attention on this trip, she asked the other servants to wait outside the palace gate, and only took Cuiwei and Sui En with her to go to the East Pavilion with the palace maid.
When Lu Jinshi learned of Huan Xun's accident, he wanted to come along, but in the end, he was restrained by Huan Xun's insistence that he stay at Hongzheng Pavilion no matter what.
He knew his master's character well; he was always a man of his word, and his orders were never disobeyed.
Remembering that Xie Cheng was still at Jiheng Mansion, he suppressed his anxiety and chose to stay at Hongzheng Pavilion to wait for further news.
The Dongguan Pavilion and the Taiji Hall are separated by a distance that is neither too far nor too close.
Having not eaten for a long time and having knelt for a long time before, Yu Nie's face was even paler than before, completely devoid of color.
As she approached the East Pavilion, she saw Feng Changshi standing guard outside the gate.
Upon seeing her approach, Attendant Feng immediately went to greet her.
After exchanging greetings, he asked with a hint of doubt, "Your Highness, what brings you here? Do you have important business to discuss with His Majesty?"
Feng Changshi was a favorite of the emperor, and even many ministers had to be polite to him and dared not show him the slightest disrespect.
People often say that "pillow talk" is the most powerful, as it can subtly influence people's hearts.
Although Feng Changshi was not a concubine in the harem and could not whisper in the emperor's ear, he was by the emperor's side every day, and his words and actions could reach the emperor's ears. The weight and influence of his words were no less than that of so-called "pillow talk".
Yu Nie forced a kind smile, showing no airs of a princess, and explained her purpose for coming.
She asked, "I wonder how Lord Huan is doing inside? May I go in and take a look?"
"Oh, Princess..." Upon hearing her words, Attendant Feng quickly led her to a place further away from the door.
"Why do you want to get involved in this mess? You've only been back in Jian'an for a short time, and there are some things you don't know yet. It's not that I'm being nosy, but I have to give you a few words of advice, Princess."
"His Majesty dislikes the empress's interference in the affairs of the court. You'd better not ask. You should go back now."
Emperors have always preferred to hold absolute power, so it is not surprising that Zhao Yunfu made such a rule.
She did not steer the conversation toward the conflict between the aristocratic families and Yan Yue, but calmly said, "Attendant, I have not come here today to inquire about court affairs."
As she spoke, she asked, just like any ordinary woman concerned for her beloved, "I just wonder... how is Lord Huan doing right now?"
“As you know, Attendant, I was praying for the country and my family in Shuoyang before I returned to Jian’an. It has been less than two months since then, so I really don’t know much about the affairs of the court.”
After she finished speaking, she couldn't help but glance inside the East Pavilion, her eyes filled with worry.
However, after a moment, as if afraid of losing his composure, he withdrew his gaze and lowered his eyes.
"Moreover, Lord Huan has been kind to me. He stood up for me at the star-gazing banquet, and you, Attendant, saw it with your own eyes."
"Now that he is in trouble, how can I pretend not to know and stand idly by without asking any questions?"
Hearing her words clearly and logically, and after thinking about it again, Feng Changshi realized that with her current power base, she really didn't have the ability to stir up trouble in the court, and his concerns were largely relieved.
He subconsciously turned around and looked into the doorway behind him. He could vaguely hear loud arguments coming from inside. With such loud noises, one could guess without listening closely that the situation inside the pavilion must be tense.
Turning back to her, Feng Changshi sighed, "Your Highness, you heard the commotion inside. It's not that I'm stopping you from going in, but given the current situation, His Majesty is too preoccupied with state affairs to have any time to see you."
After saying that, he seemed to soften his heart and changed the subject: "But since you came here specifically to inquire about Lord Huan's situation, I might as well tell you the truth."
He took a half step forward, lowering his voice as if afraid of being overheard: "Commander Yan's command error in this battle is a foregone conclusion, and he will certainly be punished. Considering that his adoptive father has been fighting on the front lines for many years and is already old, Junior Tutor Huan has petitioned His Majesty to take the blame on his behalf."
Yu Nie already knew these inside stories before entering the palace.
What she cared about most at that moment was the emperor's final attitude.
He then pressed on, his tone barely concealing his urgency: "Then His Majesty... has granted permission?"
"His Majesty has not yet made a statement."
Feng Changshi added: "In my opinion, suffering some physical pain is a minor matter. The most troublesome thing right now is that someone has impeached Lord Huan in front of His Majesty, saying that he knew about the war in the northern frontier but did not report it."
"Knowing but not reporting?" As soon as she uttered those four words, her heart sank. Did Huan Xun know about Yan Yue's battle plan in advance?
However, Jian'an and the northern frontier battlefield are thousands of miles apart, and the battlefield situation is constantly changing, so the battle deployment will inevitably be adjusted in real time. Even if Huan Xun had a communication tool as swift as a falcon, it would be impossible for him to keep track of Yan Yue's every decision at all times.
Where does the claim of "knowing but not reporting" come from?
Feng Changshi's words quickly confirmed her guess.
"The people who impeached him said that although he was in the capital, he had corresponded with Governor Yan and must have known about this operation beforehand."
"To say that he is a veteran who has just returned from the battlefield, knowing that the operation is risky, yet not stopping it, shows a lack of consideration for the court, and his intentions are despicable. Moreover, his adoptive father is the commander-in-chief of this operation, and His Majesty kept him in Jian'an so that his adoptive father could fight well."
"Now that such a tragedy has occurred, if we do not severely punish this adopted son, remove him from his post, and confiscate his family property, we may not be able to control the generals in all directions in the future."
"Not only that, they also said that he squandered money and indulged in debauchery at the most extravagant restaurant in Jian'an, and accused him of secretly embezzling military funds from the northern frontier. They demanded that the Censorate thoroughly investigate the matter. If the embezzlement is true, according to the law, he will probably be exiled."
Yu Nie frowned: "Impeach him for knowingly failing to report and embezzling military funds. Is there any evidence?"
Upon hearing her question, Feng Changshi chuckled, as if laughing at her naivety.
“The princess is simple-minded…” he said meaningfully, “but you must know that not everything in this world requires evidence, and not everything that has evidence can be punished accordingly.”
She had never been deeply involved in the intrigues of political struggle before, and was unaware that "slander" was a common tactic used here to retaliate against political enemies.
This operation was not a childish joke, but rather a presumption of guilt based on the "rumor-based reporting" system.
Court officials could impeach officials based on rumors, and such impeachments did not even require preliminary evidence.
But once such attacks are investigated, it will be their domain, and it's hard to predict what will happen to Huan Xun then.
After saying that, he advised her, "I know that the princess is concerned about Lord Huan, but now is not the time to plead for him. You should go back first."
Hearing that he was in such a perilous situation, Yu Nie had no reason to turn around and leave.
She thought she had to see the emperor and not let him listen to the one-sided story of the gentry.
She said, "If someone can be imprisoned and convicted based on mere speculation, then can't she also point out that these court officials are attacking Huan Xun without evidence in order to consolidate their own power and for their own selfish interests, attempting to disregard the safety of Beiye?"
“It is true that Commander Yan made a mistake in command, but he is still fighting a bloody battle in the northern frontier. Huan Xun is his only adopted son. He is risking his life for the court outside, while they are trying to harm his adopted son in the capital. Aren’t they afraid of demoralizing the army? If they lose the battle and suffer a great defeat because of this, who will take the responsibility?”
"Oh dear, Your Highness!" Attendant Feng hurriedly looked around. "You mustn't say such things carelessly; some things are best left unsaid..."
He wanted to persuade them again, but the door of Dongguan Pavilion suddenly opened, and people came out one after another, making the atmosphere in the corridor tense.
Among that group of people, Yu Nie's eyes widened as she caught sight of the figure she was currently worried about.
Before Feng Changshi's admonition could even finish, she had no time to listen. She hurriedly lifted her skirt and walked briskly toward the man.
Cuiwei and Sui En exchanged a glance and followed her very slowly.
Meanwhile, the members of the noble families, such as Gao and Wang, who had previously participated in the discussion, had already left the East Pavilion and did not run into her directly.
Huan Xun, dressed in court attire, stopped in his tracks as his gaze swept across the corridor.
Seeing this, Feng Changshi wisely refrained from disturbing them and quietly turned around and went into the pavilion.
Yu Nie was hurrying towards him, and Huan Xun did not linger there.
He took a few steps forward to meet her until she stood firmly in front of him.
The two were only half a step apart.
She looked at him, her eyes filled with undisguised concern, and asked, "How is it? Has His Majesty listened to those people? Is he planning to punish you?"
Gazing intently at the undisguised anxiety on her face, his sharp jaw softened slightly, and the corners of his lips lifted almost imperceptibly.
He answered truthfully, "No, everything is still unknown, and the specific punishment for me will be discussed later."
After saying that, he looked at her with a smile: "They won't succeed so easily, and I won't die so easily either. Don't worry."
“Don’t say such unlucky things like ‘die’…” She seemed particularly sensitive to this ominous word: “Don’t say such unlucky things in the future.”
Most people in Beiye are Buddhists and are very superstitious about creating negative karma through speech.
But he understood that she didn't say those things for that reason.
He always believed that life and death were in his own hands, and wealth and honor were his own, and he never had any taboos.
Even so, he still said, "Okay, I promise I won't say it again."
Then he asked, "Why did you suddenly come to the palace?"
Yu Nie recounted what she had heard about him being in danger.
Upon learning that she had come specifically for him, his eyes flickered slightly, and it seemed as if glaciers were melting in his cold, hard gaze.
He gazed at her, his eyes sweeping over the reddened corners of her eyes, and couldn't help but say, "Your eyes are so red from crying, and your face is completely pale. From yesterday to today, you haven't touched your medicine or food."
"Lord Huan, are you perhaps a fortune teller? How could you guess so accurately? My princess hasn't eaten or drunk anything for a day and a night. She was on her way to look at the burial site for Daoist Ah Hui, but upon hearing that you had something to do, she immediately turned around and came to the palace," Cuiwei, who had followed her, replied.
From noon yesterday until today, he hasn't been at Hongzheng Pavilion. Not only Cuiwei, but Yu Nie also didn't expect him to know these things.
"I don't know how to tell fortunes, I'm just good at guessing." His gaze briefly swept over Cuiwei before returning to her.
Given her stubborn nature and reluctance to listen to others, he could guess without asking her in detail.
Then, he naturally said, "Let's go."
Yu Nie was taken aback, and subconsciously asked, "Where are you going?"
"I'll take you out to eat." He said calmly, "You haven't eaten or drunk anything for a day and a night. Even a tough wild leopard couldn't endure that."
"But...aren't you worried about yourself?" Faced with such a big incident, she couldn't understand why he seemed so unaffected.
Even though a knife was clearly hanging over his head, he seemed to be completely oblivious to it.
He replied, "Worrying is useless. When the time is right, it will naturally be resolved."
He prepared to lead her away: "The most important thing now is to eat and drink well, so that we can have enough energy to hunt."
She wanted to ask more questions, but the place was inappropriate, so she swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue, nodded silently, and decided to leave the palace with him first.
Just as they turned to leave, Feng Changshi called out urgently from behind, "Princess, please wait! His Majesty requests your presence."
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Author's Note: I'm running out of time, I'll revise this at noon.
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