Chapter 87 Late-Night Secret Talk
After Lady Dongping left, the old lady took Ruan Bi to the ancestral hall to offer incense. She made Ruan Bi kowtow three times to the ancestors, and then she held a stick of incense and muttered something for a long time. Her voice was indistinct, but the gist of it was that she hoped the spirits of the ancestors in heaven would bless the Ruan family to prosper and flourish, and that the marriage between Fifth Sister and Gu Xiaobai would be smooth and harmonious.
After offering incense, he took Ruan Bi back to Chunhui Hall, took out a mirror case, and had her choose several pieces of jewelry, which he then sent to a jewelry store to be refurbished and redesigned. He also took out his collection of silks and satins, and selected two bolts of brightly colored Sichuan cotton to make clothes for her.
They were busy and flustered until the magistrate came to pay his respects after finishing his shift at the yamen, and only then did he send Ruan Bi back.
Seeing the old lady's beaming face, Ruan Hong was about to ask her something when she took the initiative to say, "Amitabha, the marriage between Fifth Sister and the eldest son of the Gu family is settled."
"Is it settled?"
"The Lady of Dongping Marquis came today and said that Princess Huiwen's idea is that since both children are still young, they should first have a small engagement on the sixth day of the twelfth lunar month, and then choose a wedding date after the grand engagement next year."
Ruan Hong nodded, showing no particular joy. He had never cared about this nominal daughter who had caused her father's death.
"If Lan'er knew, she would be overjoyed." Mentioning Ruan Lan, the old lady's joy faded, and she sighed, "I wonder how she is now?"
Ruan Hong calculated the time and said, "Mother, don't worry. Our people have probably already arrived in Guangzhou. We'll have news back in about half a month or twenty days."
"How can I not worry?" the old lady said with a sorrowful expression. "Lan'er's life has been too bitter. I regret that I married her off to Xu Yongruo. They live so far away, even if I wanted to take care of her, I couldn't. It's all my fault. How could I have been so blinded by greed back then?"
When Ruan Hong mentioned Ruan Lan, who had spent half her life wandering, he looked sad and said, "Mother, it's all my sister's fate. It's not your fault. Please don't blame yourself anymore. Let's bring my sister back first and treat her well."
The old lady nodded, but seeing that Ruan Hong still wouldn't leave, a hint of hesitation crossed her brow. "Hong'er, is something the matter?"
"Mother, there is something that is quite strange, and I would like to ask you for advice."
The old lady asked in surprise, "What is it?"
"This afternoon, Shen Yun sent someone to deliver a letter to me, inviting me to a gathering at Bai Fan Lou tonight."
Since Ruan Lan and Shen Yun divorced, the Ruan and Shen families have become enemies and have had no contact with each other in daily life. The old lady raised her sparse eyebrows and asked warily, "What does he mean?"
"I don't know. If it's for official business, there's no need to go to Bai Fanlou to talk. If it's for personal matters, I really can't think of any connection with him. I haven't agreed to attend the banquet yet, so I wanted to ask Mother's opinion."
The old lady pondered for a moment, then snorted coldly and said, "Go ahead, I want to hear what he has to say."
"yes."
Ruan Hong responded and left Chunhui Hall. He went to the outer courtyard first and sent a servant to deliver a message to Shen Yun. Then he returned to the main room of Xihe Courtyard, removed his official robes and hat, changed into a brown floral robe and a scholar's hat, and, accompanied by several servants, took a sedan chair to Bai Fanlou. It was already dark, and from afar, the four-story, five-story Bai Fanlou could be seen brightly lit, standing out among rows of dark, flat houses, like a crane among chickens, or a golden dragon soaring in the vast night.
It was the largest restaurant in the capital, and its prosperity and bustling atmosphere went without saying.
Upon reaching the gate, he alighted from the sedan chair, and a man dressed as a servant stood under the eaves to greet him. Ruan Hong recognized him as Shen Yun's personal attendant, so he instructed his attendants and sedan bearers to wait in the covered shed next to Bai Fanlou, while he himself, accompanied only by his personal attendant, followed Shen Yun's entourage to a high-class pavilion at the far end of the second floor. He lifted the beaded curtain, pushed open the door, and went inside. There he saw Shen Yun sitting alone opposite, also dressed as a scholar, in a blue robe and black hat, with a handsome, fair face and no beard. Although they often met, at first glance, he seemed like a complete stranger.
Shen Yun stood up, bowed, and said, "Brother Xiang Shan (Ruan Hong's courtesy name)."
He hadn't heard the title "brother" for over ten years. Overwhelmed with emotion, Ruan Hong bowed in return, saying, "Brother Tongwen (Shen Yun's courtesy name)."
The two looked at each other, both feeling a deep sense of regret.
The two men were once brothers-in-law and served in the same court. They often met to drink and compose poetry among the flowers, and their relationship was harmonious. Afterward, their families fell out and they had no further contact. Although they still served in the same court, to avoid suspicion, they would communicate through other people even when they had official business to discuss.
The sounds of string and wind instruments and the cheerful laughter of the prostitutes outside drifted in, making the quietness inside the small pavilion seem even more unusual.
After a long pause, Ruan Hong spoke up: "Brother Tongwen, you must have something to discuss with me today. Let's speak frankly."
"Nothing important." Shen Yun lowered his eyes and said softly, "I don't know why, but I suddenly dreamed about your sister last night, and I just wanted to ask... how she is?"
Ruan Hong frowned slightly. He didn't believe Shen Yun was the kind of person who was sentimental. This sentence was obviously an excuse, and he was a little displeased. He said in a curt tone, "What can she do? She is a widow now, and she has no children. You know that, brother."
"Her previous daughter..."
"The girl registered under my name is Wu Yatou, who was taken in as a lay disciple by Master Ziying a few months ago. This virtuous brother must know that as well."
"Yes, I know, I know everything. Even if my brother blames me, I know perfectly well." Shen Yun said, seemingly unable to bear the depression, and let out a long sigh.
Ruan Hong was kind-hearted, and upon hearing this, his tone softened. "These are all old stories; what's the point of dwelling on them?"
"I'd like to meet your fifth son, is that alright?"
Ruan Hong was slightly taken aback, then widened his eyes and asked, "What do you mean?"
"It was just a brief meeting, nothing more, so please don't be surprised, brother."
Ruan Hong looked at him with a puzzled expression for a long time, unable to figure out his intentions, and said, "I cannot make this decision myself; I must inform my mother first."
Shen Yun knew Madam Ruan's temperament well and knew he wasn't making excuses. He nodded and drank a cup by himself. A moment later, remembering that Ruan Hong hadn't touched a drop of alcohol, he quickly raised his cup and said, "Brother, I'd like to toast you."
Ruan Hong thought for a moment, then raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp.
Shen Yun smiled and said, "Brother, you drink as heartily as ever."
Ruan Hong shook his head and said, "How could it be the same as before? Now that I'm older, I have to consider the feelings of my wife and children, and take care of this whole family. How can I still feel the same way as Liu Ling, who drank a thousand cups without feeling ashamed?" As he spoke, he couldn't help but think of the difficulties he had faced supporting the family business after his father's death, and how it was precisely because of the falling out between Ruan Hong and Chen Yun that his father had become so depressed and died young. With a heavy heart, he cupped his hands to Chen Yun and said, "Prime Minister, although we were old acquaintances, we are now strangers. It's already a rare treat that we can sit together and have a drink today. I will reply to your request tomorrow. I will take my leave now."
The phrase "Prime Minister" clearly defined their positions. Shen Yun knew that a friendly reconciliation was impossible, so he nodded and said, "Brother, we have known each other for decades. Let's not talk about the past or who was right or wrong. Let me remind you, don't get too close to the Prince of Han anymore. A few days ago, an imperial censor impeached you for being unable to help the emperor or benefit the people, for holding a position without doing your job, and for colluding with the Prince of Han, forming a clique."
Ruan Hong was secretly surprised, but he didn't show it on his face. He clasped his hands in a fist salute to him and then left.
Shen Yun sat silently, drank half a pot of wine, and then returned to the Prime Minister's residence on Zhuque Street. Without changing his clothes, he went straight to the courtyard where his parents lived. Shen Mi and Old Madam Shen were still awake. Wearing their outer robes, they helped each other out of the bedroom and asked anxiously, "How is it?"
Shen Yun said, "When I asked to see his fifth son, Ruan Hong was very surprised, which shows that he knew nothing about it. It seems that this was not the work of the Ruan family."
Chen Mi stroked his sparse beard and said, "I told you long ago, the Ruan family doesn't have that much power."
Old Madam Shen asked, puzzled, "And who is that?"
Shen Yun said, "To be able to find the letters between my elder brother and the eldest prince, one must be a person with extraordinary connections. There shouldn't be many like that in the Great Zhou. I suspect one person..."
Shen Mi had already guessed who he was talking about. After thinking for a moment, he shook his head and said, "Impossible, impossible. When the First Prince and the Third Prince were fighting for the throne, he was in the Northwest, where the war was raging. How could he possibly take care of all the affairs of the court? Besides, what use is that girl from the Ruan family that he forced us to think?"
Madam Shen understood who they were talking about at this moment, and shook her head repeatedly, saying, "Yun'er, how could it be the Prince of Jin? He just saved you."
Shen Yun said, "Even the assassination attempt, I suspect was arranged by him, otherwise how could we not find a single clue? It is said that when he was in the Northwest, he recruited a group of talented people, many of whom were highly skilled in martial arts. However, after he returned to the capital, he did not bring these people back with him. I have not heard of them going there either; it's as if they disappeared into thin air."
Shen Mi shook his head and said, "Yun'er, you're overthinking it. His position is already second only to the emperor. What benefit would it bring him to arrange for someone to assassinate you? He even refused to see you when you came to thank him."
“The Prince of Jin is no ordinary man; he cannot be judged by the standards of ordinary people. His refusal to see him shows that he has no intention of associating with civil and military officials, which can also reassure the Emperor…”
"What is Your Majesty worried about?" Shen Mi interrupted him. "Emperor Xuanzong once told me privately that the Sixth Prince was cautious and honest by nature, with great talent and ambition, and had the legacy of Emperor Taizong. The country had a worthy successor. Unexpectedly, he had no interest in the throne and volunteered to join the army in the Northwest. Even if he wanted the throne, it would not fall into Your Majesty's hands. Does Your Majesty not know this? Besides, without him holding the Xingping Army, how could Your Majesty secure the throne? Although Prince Jin is young, he is exceptionally intelligent. Look at him after he returned from the Northwest. He keeps a low profile, never interferes in court affairs, does not associate with ministers, and instead spends his days with soldiers. You can tell that he has long been determined to be a loyal minister."
Shen Yun said respectfully, "Father's words are correct, but I really can't think of anyone else besides him."
"Human actions are always driven by purpose. Let's think about it again: who would benefit from recognizing the Ruan family girl?"
That's what they said, but four days have passed since they received the anonymous letter, and the three of them have thought about it a lot, yet they still can't figure it out. After a moment, Old Madam Shen patted the edge of the bed and said, "What kind of bad luck has our family been having lately? First I was assassinated, then you were assassinated, and now this anonymous letter has arrived..."
Shen Yun said softly, "Mother, don't worry. If it really doesn't work, I will first apologize to the Emperor and retreat in order to advance. Even if I am dismissed from my post, I will protect my elder brother."
“That’s not a good idea. If you plead guilty, the matter will be made public. Do you think the King of Han and his cronies will let our Shen family off the hook? Your dismissal is a small matter, but I’m afraid your elder brother will face imprisonment.” Shen Mi said, “In my opinion, if all else fails, we should just take that girl back.”
“This…” Shen Yun hesitated as he looked at Madam Shen.
Madam Shen smacked her lips and said reluctantly, "If all else fails, let's just acknowledge her. I've seen that girl; she looks somewhat like Xiu'er. Perhaps she really is our child. Fortunately, that girl is quite ambitious. I heard she's discussing marriage with the Duke of Dingguo's family. We won't lose out by acknowledging her. Besides, if an orphan of unknown origin can be recognized and brought back into the family, people will only praise our kindness."
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