Chapter 18: Taking the Blade.
Lingyi stayed at the estate for a few more days before returning to the city.
Upon entering the city, one sees white cloths hanging on the doors of every household, clearly indicating the regulations for national mourning.
She was terrified. When she asked, she learned that the Grand Secretary had passed away. Emperor Jiahe, mindful of his meritorious service, had granted him a state funeral and ordered him to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. For three days, the entire country was forbidden from drinking alcohol, holding banquets, or playing music.
At this time, the entire army of Jizhou was also lined up, and horns sounded in unison to send off the old chief minister.
Qin Hong was puzzled: "The imperial edict makes no demands on the army, why does Your Highness need to do this?"
Qin Shiyan sighed, "The former Grand Secretary was a minister of three reigns and tutor to two emperors. He was also a great Confucian scholar of our time, with students all over the world. Who in the world did not admire him? After the Emperor became obsessed with Taoist cultivation, he, in his sixties, became a pillar of the court and held it up until now. With such power and prestige, he neither formed factions nor showed favoritism. If it weren't for this, how could the Seventh Prince have stood on equal footing with the Crown Prince? With his departure, I'm afraid the court will be in great chaos!"
After leaving the prince's military camp, Qin Hong asked Qin Lie, "I've also met that old man. He seemed quite ordinary. Is he really as formidable as the prince described?"
Qin Lie said dismissively, "How brilliant could someone be to have raised such a foolish emperor as Emperor Jiahe? Or perhaps he's just a pedantic Confucian scholar who knows the emperor is incompetent but still insists on serving him faithfully. However, Father is right about one thing."
"What did you say?"
Qin Lie gazed towards the capital and said calmly, "The imperial court is about to descend into chaos."
Upon hearing of the passing of the former Grand Secretary, Lingyi recalled the words in the Sixteenth Princess's letter about how kind the former Grand Secretary had been to her, treating her like his own granddaughter.
Between the lines, Lingyi could sense the Sixteenth Princess's deep affection for the old Grand Secretary, which she greatly envied. —From childhood, although she had lost her mother and had Aunt Liu Cui to care for her, she lacked the Emperor's favor and had never experienced the kindness of a male elder. If someone had treated her that way, she would have considered him her own grandfather.
I imagine the sixteenth princess must be the same.
Upon returning to her residence, Lingyi wrote another letter, instructing the Sixteenth Princess to take heart in her grief so as not to harm the unborn child.
She wanted to write to the Crown Prince to ask about the situation, but it was always a taboo for the court for princes to associate with military generals. Therefore, when she left the capital, the Crown Prince did not even dare to send anyone to see her off, and there was no correspondence between them.
After thinking it over, she ultimately didn't mention the Crown Prince at all, but repeatedly and earnestly urged the Sixteenth Princess to take good care of herself.
Because of the sudden death of the former prime minister, Qin Lie returned to the city again midway.
After dinner, they went to the princess's residence and saw the princess making children's clothes. They asked and learned that the sixteenth princess was pregnant and the princess wanted to make some things to send over herself.
Qin Lie sat casually on the couch, saying, "Even if the old prime minister is dead, the Xie family won't lack these items."
There seemed to be a hint of sarcasm in his words. Lingyi explained softly, "I didn't have much to give, so I bought some fabric from other children's swaddling clothes to make a patchwork garment and send it over. I hope that Sixteenth Sister's delivery goes smoothly and that her child will be healthy and safe."
Qin Lie said, "They put so much effort into the unborn child, but only give their own spouse things they don't need."
This was clearly a sign of dissatisfaction, and Lingyi carefully considered the gifts she had given him.
He didn't actually smell good at using scented soap, bath beans, or breath fresheners.
Scented sachets, tassels... I've never seen him wear any scented sachets or jade pendants, nor did I need them.
Lingyi paused for a moment before saying, "But these are all I know how to do."
Her dejection made Qin Lie seem ungrateful—someone went to the trouble of making things for you, and you're picking and choosing.
So he casually said, "Since you know how to make clothes, why don't you make me a few outfits?"
Lingyi said, "Alright, we need to measure the dimensions first."
She wanted to call Mingzhu, who came from the Imperial Wardrobe, to take his measurements, but she was pulled into his arms. Qin Lie laughed and said, "Why let them have it? The princess can take the measurements herself."
Qin Lie stayed in the city for three days this time, and before leaving, he took with him a set of hastily made inner garments.
He returned several more times, eventually completing a set with some left over. Perhaps it was because the princess was patient and meticulous, making clothes that were comfortable and fit him well. Qin Lie liked to wear them, and if he had a favorite fabric or color, he would ask her to make another one.
June arrived in the blink of an eye, and Qin Lie returned to the prefecture for a few days, which was extremely rare for him, but he did not go to the princess's residence.
June 10th was the anniversary of the deaths of Qin Lie's elder brother and third uncle. The old lady, leaning on her cane, sat in a grand chair and watched the Qin family members offer incense and pay their respects.
Only the direct descendants of the Qin family and their spouses were qualified to enter the ancestral hall. They all held their breath and remained solemn and quiet.
After the younger generation finished their bows, the old lady slowly said, "For decades, the sons of the Qin family have protected our country, taking pride in dying on the battlefield, never fearing death. But my third son and eldest grandson died unjustly. They didn't die at the hands of the Xiongnu, but were betrayed by the court! Their tactics were flawless; they used themselves as bait to lure the Xiongnu to the city walls. The soldiers were brave and loyal. They survived for twenty days on five days' rations, but the court's reinforcements never arrived! All because... all because..." The old lady's eyes were brimming with tears, her voice hoarse, "All because of the Emperor's deadline!!"
"Our Qin family has done nothing wrong to the court, to the people, or to the Liu family! It is the Liu family that has let us down! Liu Chengyi thought that by killing those people there would be no way to prove anything, but little did he know that someone had already taken pity on our family's loyalty and couldn't stand his perverse actions, and had informed us of his secret order for reinforcements to build the Tower of Babel first!"
"It's a pity that he is the ruler and we are his subjects, unable to avenge our enemies. The chaos in Jiangnan is still raging, and the court is in turmoil. I know many people have contacted you in secret, but I want you to remember that the Qin family guards the border to protect the great land and its people, not the Liu family's throne! Who sits on the throne in the future is none of our business. Just one thing: as long as the Liu family sits on it, no one should think about the merit of following the emperor. Anyone who has any dealings with the Liu family in private may set up their own faction. My Qin family will absolutely not tolerate them!"
Everyone responded.
After everyone had left, the old lady kept Qin Lie behind and asked, "How is that princess now?"
Qin Lie said, "She spends all her time in the princess's residence and is quite well-behaved."
The old lady sighed, "Grandmother knows you've been wronged. I've heard you've been spending a lot of time in the study lately, not going into the backyard. Since Huiniang left, you've only had Concubine Sun by your side, and no one else has come in. I was saddened by Huiniang's passing, but life must go on no matter how sad it is. Even though you have both a son and a daughter, you still need to find someone who cares for you and understands your needs. If you meet someone you like outside, just tell me, and Grandmother will ask for her hand in marriage. Although the princess has taken the position of the principal wife, she can only be a concubine in our household, but we won't mistreat her. We'll treat her as the principal wife both at home and outside, and we won't neglect her in the slightest."
Qin Lie said, "Thank you for your concern, Grandmother, but I am not thinking about that right now."
The old lady wouldn't be fooled by his words and continued to persuade him: "These things should have been handled by your mother, but she has been despondent since your eldest brother died, so I, who am half-buried, have to take care of it. If you don't have someone you like for the time being, you can take your time to find someone. It's really not right that you only have one concubine, Concubine Sun, in your courtyard. Why don't you promote Chunying in your room to a concubine first? So that you won't be busy working outside all day and then come back to a cold and quiet house."
Qin Lie shifted the blame without any remorse: "Now that I'm serving in the military camp in Tongzhou, I really don't have the energy to think about these things. When I have more free time in the future, I'll have to trouble you, Grandmother. Compared to me, Qin Hong is already of marriageable age. Grandmother, have you found a suitable young lady for him?"
When the topic turned to Qin Hong, who was at odds with his stepmother, the old lady couldn't care less about him anymore. "That rascal, sigh, he'd rather go to the army camp than come home for the New Year. He's always listened to you since he was little, so you should try to persuade him more."
Qin Lie feigned regret: "It's a pity that my grandson is about to set off for Tongzhou, otherwise I would definitely drag him to find wives for you. Ten or eight a day would not be too many, twenty or so would not be too few, I guarantee I would find you a wife by the end of the year!"
"You! You're just trying to flatter me!" The old lady was both amused and exasperated by his words.
.
In the scorching heat of July, even though Jizhou is located in the north, the heat was unbearable.
Lingyi was sensitive to both cold and heat, spending all her time indoors and never even going out into the courtyard. Three ice basins were kept in her room, and she ate fruit chilled with well water every day. This caused Granny Zhao to nag her daily, asking when she would ever conceive if she ate so many cold and unhealthy foods without restraint.
One day at midday, a middle-aged man dressed as a merchant came to the princess's residence, forcing Lingyi to go out.
This shopkeeper, Chen, usually runs a jade business, but in reality, he is a spy planted in Chongzhou by the Crown Prince.
He came seeking help, carrying the crown prince's token.
Since the passing of the old Grand Secretary and the appointment of Prime Minister Cui as Grand Secretary, the Crown Prince has been suppressed at every turn. Fortunately, he has been able to barely hold on thanks to the support of Xie Yu, the current Vice Minister of Personnel, and his father-in-law, Grand Secretary Cui. However, a few days ago, the Seventh Prince suddenly volunteered to suppress the exhausted Prince Xiang. This mission will take him 40,000 troops. When he returns victorious, he will have both military merit and military power. How can the Crown Prince compete with him?
The Seventh Prince struck first, catching the Crown Prince off guard. Even though he knew this all along, the Crown Prince was skilled in literature but lacked military prowess, being utterly clueless about warfare. He was merely a figurehead, and it was lamentable that his subordinates, all left behind by the old Grand Secretary, were not a single capable military commander!
Therefore, the Crown Prince sent someone to persuade Lingyi to convince Qin Lie to petition the court to suppress the rebels. The Crown Prince was confident that the court would choose Qin Lie, a prince who had never fought in a war and a general who had won every battle.
Shopkeeper Chen earnestly said, "If the situation weren't so urgent, His Highness the Crown Prince would never have sent me to bother the Princess. The Seventh Prince is cruel and ruthless, and he has now become an irreconcilable enemy of His Highness the Crown Prince in the court. If he succeeds, we will be at his mercy, and His Highness the Crown Prince and the others will not even be able to save their lives!"
How could Lingyi not agree? But she hadn't seen Qin Lie for seven or eight days. Qiu Min went to find Qin Xiaoshan, only to learn that Qin Lie wasn't in the prefecture, and Qin Xiaoshan refused to reveal where he had gone. He only said he could deliver a message for the princess, and everything would depend on the general's decision.
Manager Chen said anxiously, "This round trip will take a lot of time. Time is of the essence, there's simply no time! Besides, if the prince consort doesn't agree, even if the princess tries to persuade him, it will probably be too late!"
Lingyi immediately ordered a sedan chair to be prepared, as she was going to the Prince's residence. Qiu Min said tactfully, "Princess, please reconsider. Last time, the Prince Consort had a falling out with you over this issue. If you go there like this, I'm afraid things will not end well."
Lingyi said, "My brother, the Crown Prince, has not only taken good care of me, but also saved my life. There are priorities, and I can't worry about that now!"
Seeing her determination, Qiu Min had no choice but to back down and arrange to meet Qin Xiaoshan himself to see if the princess could persuade him.
Qin Xiaoshan was Qin Lie's confidant, but this was the first time he had met this "mistress" who was in reality but not in name.
Upon seeing this, one couldn't help but sigh in admiration. With such beauty, it's no wonder the general slept in the study every night after returning to the city.
However, he still refused to reveal any information about Qin Lie's whereabouts.
Helpless, Lingyi threatened, "If you refuse to tell me, I will personally go to see the Prince and Princess to inquire. I am a princess betrothed by imperial decree; am I not entitled to know the whereabouts of my consort?"
Qin Xiaoshan thought to himself, "If you go to the Prince's mansion and reveal everything, I'm afraid the Qin family will be turned upside down."
There is another way: to imprison the princess silently in the princess's residence. Even if Qin Lie is not there, Qin Xiaoshan can do this himself with his token.
But......
Looking at the princess before him, who, though extremely anxious, could not conceal her stunning beauty, he recalled the general's previous actions.
Qin Xiaoshan pondered for a moment and said, "I will take the princess there."
When Ling Yi arrived, Qin Lie was sitting in the hall listening to Zhang Chaomin and Sun Yuebin's report.
When Zhang Chaomin was suddenly left in Ningzhou, he was truly uneasy. He was merely a county magistrate in Jizhou, and without being appointed by the imperial court, he was assigned to the duties of a prefect in Ningzhou, living in constant fear. Unexpectedly, he has become more and more energetic and motivated as he has been working, which is ultimately due to the contrast with his predecessor and the support of the people.
Although his abilities were average, he was diligent and upright, making him the most suitable person to manage the people's livelihood, which had been thrown into chaos by the White Lotus Sect.
Sun Yuebin, on the other hand, was shameless and ruthless. In just a few months, he had eroded nearly half of the six prefectures and seventeen counties of Ningzhou into his hands. He had previously recruited two thousand new soldiers, but now he had expanded to eight thousand.
It is truly a remarkable sight to be able to snatch food from the mouths of the White Lotus Sect and even swallow it.
The two men were filled with pride, both waiting for the general's praise and to solidify their official positions, lest they have power without recognition and one day have their achievements stolen by others.
Before the general could speak, a guard came in from outside, leaned down and whispered a few words in his ear. The general immediately frowned and walked out.
Qin Xiaoshan stood beside the carriage, his clothes soaked with sweat. But when he saw Qin Lie's expression after he came out, he immediately knew he had made a mistake. He felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, and knelt down with his head down, not daring to utter a single word in his defense.
Manager Chen was so intimidated by Qin Lie's sharp and piercing gaze that his legs went weak and he almost knelt on the ground. He barely managed to stand by holding onto the edge of the carriage.
Only Lingyi rushed over. After two days of bumpy travel in the carriage, and feeling dizzy from the heat, she didn't notice anything amiss. Upon seeing Qin Lie, she grabbed his sleeve, crying, "General! Save my Crown Prince brother!"
Women from the inner quarters interfering in politics has already violated Qin Lie's great taboo, let alone someone of Lingyi's status who secretly spied on his whereabouts and came looking for him.
Qin Lie's eyes were filled with icy coldness: "You're just this obedient?"
Lingyi was already struggling to hold on, and even saw double. She couldn't hear what he said, but when she looked up, she saw a pedestrian a few steps behind him suddenly pull out a sharp blade from his waist and pounce on him.
Qin Lie cannot die!
With only this thought in her hazy mind, in a flash, she moved behind him, opened her arms, and firmly protected Qin Lie.
The double images before her eyes became increasingly chaotic. Through the beads of sweat on her eyelashes, she saw several sharp blades stabbing towards her. Before she could even panic or feel afraid, the next moment, darkness enveloped her, and she lost all consciousness.
When she awoke again, she found herself in unfamiliar bed curtains and a ceiling. It wasn't as luxurious as the princess's residence, but it was spacious and clean. Her consciousness was still lingering on the moment the sharp blade pierced her. She instinctively reached up to touch her lower abdomen, finding no wound. She then touched her chest, arms, and waist; all were unharmed, and she felt no pain. Lingyi murmured, "Am I dead?"
"Almost there." Qin Lie's voice rang out from the other side of the room: "With your spineless frame, you dare to take a knife for me?"
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