Chapter 96 Xue Lanyi became his Achilles' heel
The heavy words were about to leave her lips when Mu Qinghong choked on the word "elder sister".
He had no bargaining chips except for his older sister.
Mu Qinghong's eyes darted around, her expression tense, but she dared not speak again and could only wait for Wei Zhang to express his opinion.
Wei Zhang, however, sat there leisurely, saying nothing, neither punishing Mu Qingyun nor paying attention to Mu Qinghong.
This ambiguous attitude made Mu Qinghong feel even more uneasy.
He was afraid of being abandoned, and he made wild guesses. Wei Zhang hadn't done anything yet, but he had already scared himself out of his wits.
Outside the window, Xue Lanyi's heart was in her throat.
She didn't understand what Wei Zhang was going to do.
Logically speaking, with Shen Jinglan guilty of serious crimes and the young emperor seriously ill, they should no longer pose a threat to Wei Zhang.
Wei Zhang never wasted his time on useless things.
Why did he go to such lengths to bring Mu Qinghong here?
Was it just so that Mu Qinghong could watch him crush the young emperor and the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard under his feet?
Wei Zhang obviously wouldn't do something so pointless.
So, what was his purpose in bringing Mu Qinghong here and forcing her to break down her psychological defenses?
Xue Lanyi couldn't help but take a step forward, getting even closer to the window crack.
After witnessing Mu Qinghong's mental breakdown, Wei Zhang lightly tapped the table with his fingertips.
Ripples spread across the blue and white porcelain cup.
"Since you are so indignant, then you shall deal with them yourself."
These words were spoken to Mu Qinghong.
Mu Qinghong was momentarily stunned, speechless. She pointed at the poisoned tea, then at the two people on the ground.
Wei Zhang meant for him to kill the young emperor with his own hands?
this……
In that case, wouldn't Mu Qinghong be committing fratricide and usurping the throne?
Mu Qinghong shook her head repeatedly and backed away.
Wei Zhang tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, unhurriedly.
Thump—
Thump—
Thump—
The light, crisp sound seemed to strike human bones, sending shivers down one's spine.
Xue Lanyi felt a chill run down her spine and took a half step back as well.
Clearly, this was Wei Zhang's purpose in bringing Mu Qinghong to the Imperial Study.
Wei Zhang will not allow Mu Qinghong to succeed to the throne cleanly; he wants his hands stained with his sister's blood and his body covered in stains.
Only those who are unclean will be easier to control in the future.
Wei Zhang measured every step with such precision.
He was like an emotionless machine; even though the young emperor spoke with such deep emotion, he still intended to use the young emperor's life to tarnish Mu Qinghong's path to the throne.
How insidious!
Did he truly lack any shared hardships with the young emperor and Shen Jinglan?
Obviously, yes.
However, in his heart, affection was no match for power.
If he wouldn't even spare the young emperor and Shen Jinglan, how could he possibly spare Wei Xuan?
He had long hated Ah Xuan.
Xue Lanyi felt utterly hopeless, her hands clenching her sleeves tightly, perhaps subconsciously hoping for a miracle to happen inside the hall.
But after a long while, she only heard the dull thud of two people falling to the ground.
The young emperor and Shen Jinglan fell silent.
Soon, the sound of shattering cups and saucers was heard again, and Mu Qinghong gave a strange laugh.
He killed his half-sister.
Everything returned to calm, and all emotions were hidden in a dark cloud.
Dark clouds spread across the sky above the Imperial Study, obscuring the sunlight.
A muffled clap of thunder sounded from the horizon.
Xue Lanyi's shoulders trembled, and her thoughts were thrown into disarray.
She was thinking about how to persuade Wei Zhang to release Ah Xuan.
Then I wondered if Ah Xuan had also been cruelly poisoned to death by him.
No way.
No way.
She shook her head absently, muttering to herself.
When Qingyang arrived, he saw a person staggering barefoot among the chrysanthemum bushes in the distance, his arms flailing haphazardly in mid-air.
The woman walked further and further away.
Her pale yellow dress was torn by the flower branches, trailing on the ground, but she was completely unaware as she gradually disappeared into the depths of the chrysanthemum terrace.
Qingyang's eyelids twitched, and he was about to chase after them to find out what was going on when the door to the Imperial Study opened.
Wei Zhang strolled out the door and wiped the tea on his hands with a silk handkerchief.
Qingyang then turned his gaze away, walked to Wei Zhang's side, and handed Wei Zhang a clean handkerchief.
Wei Zhang was always like this; after dealing with troublesome matters, he would repeatedly wipe his hands and thumb ring clean.
He took out the thumb ring, carefully wiping it as he instructed Qingyang, "His Majesty has passed away. Have someone clean this place thoroughly."
Qingyang glanced back through Wei Zhang's wide collar.
In the darkened room, the young emperor and Lord Shen lay lifeless in a pool of blood, embracing each other.
Mu Qinghong was kneeling on the ground, muttering to herself over and over again, "It's not my fault, it wasn't me, it has nothing to do with me..."
This prince was pampered since childhood. Even when he fled, his eldest son would take the lead and carry the knife for him. He has never killed anyone.
Moreover, the person he killed was someone he was related to by blood.
Fear is inevitable.
However, the words he spoke didn't sound like those of a man.
Qingyang muttered to himself, shook his head, and then cupped his hands and asked Wei Zhang, "Lord Shen, should we throw him into the mass grave?"
According to his methods of handling prisons, treacherous officials who held the lives of hundreds of people in their hands would be thrown into mass graves.
As for the young emperor, he was the emperor, so naturally he should be given a grand funeral and buried in the imperial mausoleum.
The "going home" she mentioned is impossible.
From the moment she stepped into the inner palace, there was no turning back.
Where does a home come from for someone who walks on the edge of a cliff?
Wei Zhang slowed his wiping motion, his fingertips caressing the shimmering gold patterns on the ring.
After a moment, he hummed in agreement, then left silently without looking back.
The weather today is unpredictable. It was sunny and bright this morning, but now a cold wind is blowing, and there is a strong sense that a storm is brewing.
Qingyang glanced at the dark clouds rolling in all directions and hurriedly followed. "Tonight, Master will definitely be keeping vigil. I'll send someone back to the manor to fetch a hand warmer and a cotton robe. Does Master have any other instructions?"
"There's no need to go back to the mansion."
As Wei Zhang strode along, he said, "I'll have to take Madam home later anyway, so I'll give her a ride then..."
Halfway through my sentence, a familiar yet unfamiliar word slipped from my lips.
Wei Zhang paused, and Mu Qingyun's last words suddenly echoed in his ears: "Sir has a family now, and Sir cherishes this family very much, doesn't he?"
yes.
He would also blurt out that he wanted to go home.
Even though this family is in turmoil and vulnerable, people still need a place to belong.
After considering this, Wei Zhang's eyes softened slightly. He remained silent for a moment, then said, "Bury Shen Jinglan at the Summer Palace."
"As for Mu Qingyun..."
Wei Zhang turned back to look at the people embracing in the imperial study, and said, "Bury them in the northern hills of the imperial mausoleum."
Beishan Mountain faces south and stands in the distance, overlooking the Summer Palace.
Qingyang knew that when his master first sought refuge with Shen Jinglan and Mu Qingyun, he had actually been subjected to a lot of tests and humiliations.
He knelt down step by step in front of Mu Qingyun before slowly standing up.
He harbored the desire to avenge his previous humiliation, but ultimately managed to save some face.
Qingyang even saw a hint of envy on his grandfather's face.
A young couple, from a wild and unruly girl who was trampled on by everyone, to a powerful emperor and minister above all others, and finally to falling back into the dust.
What a life of ups and downs!
Fortunately, no matter what happened, they were always together, which is something to be envied.
Qingyang knew what his master was thinking and comforted him, "Since Madam is willing to ride with you today, she must have accepted you. The good days for you and Madam to last a long time are coming soon."
When Wei Zhang walked out of the side hall, Xue Lanyi did say that she was willing to stay by his side.
Regardless of her initial intentions for staying, Wei Zhang could sense the sincerity in her words.
Thinking of her burning gaze, Wei Zhang felt a tingling sensation well up in his heart, and a slight smile appeared on his usually icy lips.
His thin lips moved slightly, his voice stiff, "May I... touch her?"
Wei Zhang's "touching" refers to a kiss or a hug.
A few days ago, the imperial physician repeatedly reminded the lady not to agitate her further.
The master had no experience with romantic love, and even though he was careful to keep his distance, he still managed to nearly make his wife jump off the star-gazing tower.
The master was completely out of ideas, so he had no choice but to consult Qingyang.
He dared not touch her, yet longed to touch her. Beneath his calm and aloof exterior lay a heart that was in turmoil, unsure of where to find peace.
His hand, hidden beneath his sleeve, unconsciously twirled the ring, awaiting Qingyang's reply.
"S-Sir!"
At this moment, a guard suddenly rushed over in a panic.
Upon seeing Wei Zhang, his legs went weak, and he collapsed at Wei Zhang's feet.
The guard was so frightened he could hardly breathe, stammering, "Madam, she escaped through the back window!"
Wei Zhang paused, the hint of naivety he had unintentionally revealed earlier being completely overshadowed by his overwhelming aura of power.
The guards, terrified in his shadow, kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "We were ordered by the Duke to stand guard ten paces away from the side hall, but who knew... who knew that the Madam would jump out of the back window!"
"You failed in your duties and now you're blaming your master?" Qingyang sneered.
Upon further reflection, the platform outside the back window is more than a person's height and connects directly to a chrysanthemum grove in the backyard.
So, the woman who was chattering away among the chrysanthemums just now...
Qingyang's pupils contracted, and he grabbed the guard, "Hurry up and find the madam! Expand the search along the Chrysanthemum Garden!"
Wei Zhang realized something and looked in the direction of the chrysanthemum bushes.
Amidst the lush flowerbeds, there is a winding path worn smooth by countless footsteps, like a slightly tipsy person staggering.
Clearly, Xue Lanyi saw something outside the study, which triggered her hysteria again.
It's unclear whether she witnessed Mu Qingyun's death or Mu Qinghong's madness.
Or perhaps they saw him forcing Mu Qinghong and her brother to kill each other.
Wei Zhang, who had always acted with integrity, suddenly felt a sense of unease.
His expression grew increasingly serious.
The imperial physician repeatedly warned Xue Lanyi that she should not see blood or be stimulated. Now that she has witnessed this scene, she wonders how much her condition will worsen.
Qingyang knew the situation was serious and quickly prepared to lead a search party.
"Qingyang." Wei Zhang called out to him, his voice slightly hoarse. After a moment's thought, he said, "Take my token and order the Imperial Guards to search the palace for the person. Also... lock the palace gates immediately and do not allow anyone to enter or leave."
At this moment, the officials who were waiting outside the Imperial Study came upon hearing the news.
These people were all Wei Zhang's confidants, but upon hearing this, they were all in an uproar.
Know that the bell tower has already tolled its death knell.
Right now, officials from Shengjing are all heading to the imperial city to pay homage to the late emperor. Wouldn't closing the city gates at this time provoke public outrage?
"My lord, you mustn't! Closing the city gates now will surely spread rumors and be detrimental to you!"
"The young emperor died young, and with the palace closed to the public, it's hard to guarantee that the people won't speculate. Your Excellency should think it over!"
His trusted ministers all bowed with their hands clasped.
Wei Zhang glanced at them, but his gaze finally settled on Qingyang. "Go and do it."
"grown ups……"
What else did everyone want to say?
Wei Zhang turned around and walked toward his ministers.
His figure was tall and slender like a pine tree, casting a long shadow that loomed over everyone, leaving them speechless.
They all remained silent, heads bowed, and stepped aside to make way for each other, waiting on either side.
Wei Zhang did not linger; as he passed the guard, he casually uttered, "Execute him."
"My lord, have mercy on me, my lord, have mercy on me..."
The guard screamed like a madman, but Yingqi covered his mouth.
The sounds behind Wei Zhang gradually faded away until there was complete silence.
He walked into the chrysanthemum patch.
Originally, they wanted to find some trace of Xue Lanyi in the flower bushes, but the path was crooked and the cold, hard official boots followed the path she had taken, turning left and right with her steps.
Wei Zhang saw Xue Lanyi's perspective.
From her perspective, the road ahead was shaky, and the surrounding buildings were no longer magnificent, but rather stood like giant beasts on both sides, as if they were about to crush her.
She could only run to the left and then crash to the right, stumbling and falling repeatedly, trying to grasp at a hope that was impossible to hold onto in mid-air.
Her world was in chaos, as if it were about to collapse at any moment.
However, even living in such a strange and monstrous world, she still tried to support Wei Zhang with her frail body.
She was like a swallow flying at low altitude.
As the storm approached, she flapped her wings, repeatedly picking up dry twigs and yellow mud, flying against the gale to the beams to build a small, precarious home.
The wind grew stronger and stronger, and the little nest was blown to pieces.
In the past, Wei Zhang could bring peace to this family with just a wave of his hand or a flick of his sleeve.
He didn't.
So their home was smashed to the ground, and she was bruised and battered. She didn't want this home anymore; she wanted to fly away.
Wei Zhang had no idea where she had flown to at that moment.
He felt lost, walking through the chrysanthemums, braving the drifting wind and rain.
At the end, there was only a vermilion palace wall, and no trace of Xue Lanyi.
On the wall, at a height of about one person, there are marks where the vermilion lacquer has been smashed.
Below, crimson blood continued to meander and flow.
When Qingyang arrived, the crimson stain came into view.
Clearly, someone has bumped their head against the wall here, it's unclear whether it was intentional, unintentional, or if someone forced them to slam their head against it.
But one thing is certain: the impact was very severe.
Qingyang felt uneasy.
These are turbulent times. The news of the young emperor's death has just been made public, and many people with ulterior motives want to take advantage of the situation to cause trouble.
It is unknown whether someone will kidnap the lady, or even... harm her, to threaten Wei Zhang.
Moreover, the lady is currently delirious and unable to protect herself.
Even if she had the ability to protect herself, she had little will to live, and her disappearance now would have unimaginable consequences.
Qingyang dared not delay any longer and immediately organized people to search for the items.
The imperial city was vast, with countless nooks and crannies, and the Imperial Guards, along with the soldiers of the dukes' mansions, filled the palaces.
Even as night fell and the moon rose high in the sky, the drizzling rain withered and broke the chrysanthemums in the garden, but there was still no news of Xue Lanyi.
In the previous dynasty, the Qianqing Palace, where the young emperor's body lay, was deserted. There was no mourning, no chanting of scriptures; it was eerily quiet.
In the inner palace, strings of torches moved through the various palaces and halls, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
Why are the ministers not anxious?
One by one, they followed behind Wei Zhang, wiping sweat in panic. "Grand Tutor, Grand Preceptor... they've been waiting outside the palace for four hours. If the palace gates aren't opened soon, I'm afraid... I'm afraid..."
"The General of Suiyuan falsely accused the Emperor of murdering the monarch. He dared not face the questioning of the ministers and officials, so he locked the palace gates, saying he was going to smash the gates and rush into the imperial city."
If things escalate to the point where the officials forcefully breach the city gates, then the nature of the situation will change.
The Duke of Wei, by using the emperor's name, will soon have his position firmly established among the people.
How could the court officials not be anxious?
For a full four hours, Wei Zhang stood with his hands behind his back in front of that blood-stained red wall.
On the seemingly endless city wall, a single dark shadow lingers for a long time.
"My older sister is a strong-willed person, so I don't think she would be as suicidal as my aunt or grandmother."
A timid voice sounded beside me.
Wei Zhang glanced at Mu Qinghong, sensing the hidden meaning in his words.
At this moment, Wei Zhang had no time to ponder the meaning behind his every word.
He needed to understand Xue Lanyi through others, as his knowledge of her was too limited.
This realization made him feel even more depressed.
He raised his hand, waving the crowd away, and asked Mu Qinghong, "What do you want to say?"
As the rain subsided, only Wei Zhang, Mu Qinghong, and Yue Niang, who had rushed over out of concern, remained.
Mu Qinghong looked around to make sure no one was watching before lowering her voice and saying, "My sister's hysteria is a disease that has been passed down through generations. Not only my sister, but also my sister's mother, my sister's maternal grandmother, and even... my mother, all suffer from this disease."
Wei Zhang's hand, hidden in his sleeve, curled into his palm.
Earlier, the imperial physician had said that Xue Lanyi's illness was congenital, and that it was only due to her wandering and displacement that the hidden ailment was triggered.
This statement corresponds exactly to what Mu Qinghong said.
When Mu Qinghong mentioned her mother, a look of sadness appeared on her face.
"My brother-in-law should also know that my maternal grandmother died at the age of forty, my aunt died at the age of thirty, and my mother also died a year after my aunt's death. Although the Zhao family has not made the cause of death public, how come all the women died young?"
Wei Zhang frowned slightly.
Mu Qinghong continued, "To be honest, brother-in-law, the Zhao family has searched for famous doctors and consulted all sorts of fortune tellers because of the early deaths of all the women in the family. However, even the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, after calculating the fate of the Zhao family, concluded that the Zhao family's destiny is incomplete, their lifespan is decreasing, and they will die within ten years, with each generation shorter than the last."
The women of the Zhao family all have their lifespan shortened by ten years in each generation.
Not long ago, when Xue Lanyi fled to Peach Blossom Valley, she celebrated her twentieth birthday, which was the year predicted by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to lead to her premature death.
Wei Zhang looked at Mu Qinghong with suspicion.
He doesn't believe in fate or destiny.
Mu Qinghong hesitated for a moment, then steeled himself and bowed deeply, saying, "Because the Zhao family's daughter suffers from a hidden illness, she receives extra care at home. My maternal grandfather, uncle, and my father are all gentle and kind people, but even with such excellent care, my mother and aunt still couldn't outlive their mothers, let alone my elder sister..."
"alright."
Wei Zhang interrupted him, his voice steady, yet with a hint of unease.
The other women in the Zhao family had smooth lives, but they too could not escape the onset of hysteria.
Not to mention that Xue Lanyi had a life full of hardships and had never received any help.
Wei Zhang didn't want to listen to these absurd theories anymore, but Mu Qinghong's words reminded him.
Xue Lanyi must have loathed the late emperor, so it's impossible for her to go to places related to him.
So it's very possible that after the hysteria attack, she thought of her mother and went to the place where her mother had once rested and recuperated during her pregnancy.
At least there are still some memories of the deep bond between mother and daughter in that place.
"Which palace did Yiyi's mother live in before?"
"Xicui Palace, but after my aunt passed away, that place was deserted for decades and no one approached it. My elder sister..."
Before he could finish speaking, Wei Zhang turned and left.
Yue Niang quickly lifted her skirt and followed.
Mu Qinghong stopped her, "Yueniang, don't go!"
"There's been no news from my sister for four hours. What if something bad happens to her..."
In fact, back in Peach Blossom Valley, Yue Niang had witnessed Xue Lanyi's hysteria episodes twice.
Once their thoughts become chaotic, they're capable of anything, like climbing into the attic or jumping out of a window.
In Peach Blossom Valley, they never dared to leave Xue Lanyi alone.
With the passing of Xie Qingyun, Lu Lin, and the young emperor, her illness must have become even more severe.
Seeing the bloodstains on the vermilion wall, how could Yue Niang not worry? She grabbed Mu Qinghong and chased after them together, saying, "If the Duke of Wei bullies my sister again, at least we can stand up for her."
"What skills do you have? What kind of backing do you have?"
Mu Qinghong blurted it out.
As soon as he finished speaking, he realized that he had spoken without thinking.
He held Yue Niang's hand tightly, not letting her leave, saying, "Don't worry."
After hesitating for a moment, seeing that Yue Niang still hadn't given up on following her, he lowered his voice and said, "Sister, sister is fine, she's staying peacefully in Aunt's courtyard."
How did you know?
Yue Niang turned around and looked at Mu Qinghong.
The moment their eyes met, Mu Qinghong's gaze flickered.
Yue Niang then remembered that when everyone was searching for Xue Lanyi at noon, Mu Qinghong was sitting with his knees drawn up in a corner of the attic corridor, silently observing.
Yue Niang thought Mu Qinghong was tired and scolded him.
Now it seems that Mu Qinghong clearly knew where her older sister was at noon.
He knew it but didn't say anything; instead, he made some pronouncements from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to frighten everyone.
"Ah Hong, what exactly do you want to do?"
In the past, Mu Qinghong was closest to her elder sister.
During our escape, I would call out for my elder sister in my dreams every night.
Now, knowing that his elder sister is seriously ill, he leaves her alone in the desolate palace.
Yue Niang couldn't understand Mu Qinghong, so she shook off his hand and went to see what was going on.
As soon as their hands separated, Mu Qinghong quickly hugged her, "Yueniang, don't go! Please don't go!"
His body felt cold, and he rested his chin on Yue Niang's shoulder, pressing tightly against her.
After a long silence, she suddenly said in a cryptic tone, "Didn't Yue Niang say that the Duke of Wei would die a horrible death?"
"What does this have to do with my sister?" Yue Niang asked, feeling a little suffocated, and nudged him.
It can't be pushed.
Mu Qinghong looked over Yue Niang's shoulder and gazed at Wei Zhang as he walked away into the distance.
If you want someone to die a horrible death, first of all, that person has to be a human being.
A person with feelings and ties.
Once there are bonds, there are weaknesses, and he is no longer immortal.
In Mu Qinghong's memory, the Duke of Wei was always aloof and arrogant, manipulating people's lives at will.
He had never seen the Duke of Wei's back view so hurried.
He panicked.
They will be saved.
Mu Qinghong suddenly chuckled.
The sound was short and eerie.
The Moon Maiden felt goosebumps all over her body as she listened, and looked at him with suspicion.
His face was still as fair and round as ever.
However, five scratches appeared on his neck, from which blood was slowly flowing.
Blood seeped into large patches of the inner garment from the collar of the undergarment.
The white undergarment was bright red.
Five claw marks couldn't possibly have caused so much blood; clearly, he had been fighting with something, and his body was covered in other people's blood.
So hot and vivid, it was clearly a wound that had pierced through the internal organs.
Moon Maiden's pupils dilated, as if she wanted to say something.
His lips twitched and twisted as he muttered to himself, "He deserves to die a horrible death, it's all his fault..."
A gust of cold wind swept past from behind, casting shadows of trees onto Mu Qinghong's face, flickering in and out of focus.
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