Winter brings opportunities
As the twelfth lunar month neared, the capital city was blanketed in a blanket of snow, quietly burying the bustle and bloodshed of the previous days. However, the cold could not freeze the surging undercurrents. The Qiu Sheng case implicated many, and the joint trial of the three courts implicated several mid- and low-ranking officials, causing a significant upheaval in the grain transport system. Ultimately, Qiu Sheng was sentenced to execution, his property confiscated, and his accomplices exiled or dismissed from their posts. However, the Seventh Prince, Xiao Jingche, was praised by the emperor for his "insight into current ills and vigorous rectification," greatly increasing his prestige within the court.
As the Lunar New Year approached, all the mansions were busy. The Lu Mansion was no exception. Mrs. Wang was busy preparing for New Year's gifts, sacrificial rites, and other matters, and she became increasingly reliant on Lu Qinglan. Many of the gifts sent to various mansions, especially those destined for officials close to the Seventh Prince or those recently established close to him, were entrusted to her for drafting or consulting. Lu Qinglan took this opportunity to mix in some of Yunshang Pavilion's humble yet exquisite embroidery, or some exotic southern finds acquired through the Shen Chong caravan, with the gifts, subtly strengthening ties while remaining discreet.
The Jinxiu Poetry Society held its final gathering before the Lunar New Year, a sort of year-end get-together. This time, the atmosphere was different. The newly joined noble ladies were almost fawning over Lu Qinglan, frequently mentioning their fathers and brothers' admiration for the Seventh Prince. Even the two princesses of the imperial clan lowered their guard somewhat, proactively discussing palace New Year customs with Lu Qinglan, subtly conveying their desire to establish a friendly relationship.
Su Yueming moved about with an impeccably gentle smile, meticulously arranging everything. However, Lu Qinglan keenly noticed that she had been exchanging glances with Miss Liu more frequently, and the notebook in which she recorded her poetry seemed thicker than before. Fu Yu, after a secret investigation, reported that Su Yueming had indeed, under various pretexts, privately contacted several of the palace's stewards and respected maids, inquiring about the goings-on in the various mansions' rear quarters, even including minor matters within the Seventh Prince's residence.
"Miss, do you want to warn her?" Fu Yu asked in a low voice.
Lu Qinglan shook his head, watching the snowflakes flutter outside the window. His tone was indifferent, "No need. Let her find out, let her manage. The more she knows, the more she thinks she has, and in the future... the harder she'll fall." Su Yueming was like a spider constantly spinning silk and weaving a web, unaware that she was weaving a larger web. All her actions were carried out with Lu Qinglan's tacit approval, even secret encouragement. These very operations would become the ropes that would eventually restrain her.
The person who caught Lu Qinglan's attention most was Lin Wanru. She broke her silence at the gathering and instead initiated a discussion with Wei Linlang about border defense. Her insights into food supplies and military deployments surprised Wei Linlang, who exclaimed, "I've found a soulmate." After the banquet, Lin Wanru deliberately stayed last, waiting until everyone had left before approaching Lu Qinglan and pulling a small, wax-sealed bamboo tube from her sleeve.
"Sister Lu," she said in a low voice, with a hint of determination, "This is... I happened to overhear my father talking with his staff outside our study. He mentioned some fragmentary information that might be related to... the Western Regions, and it seems to be related to a certain prince. I have little influence, so I don't know whether it's true or not, and I don't know who to pass it on to... Perhaps it can be useful to you, sister."
Lu Qinglan's heart trembled as she took the bamboo tube, still warm from Lin Wanru's body temperature. She didn't open it immediately, but instead gave Lin Wanru a deep look. Lin Wanru's actions were tantamount to betraying her family, revealing crucial information to her. How much determination and courage did this take?
"Sister Lin, you..." Lu Qinglan didn't know what to say for a moment.
Lin Wanru smiled, a smile that was bitter but also a hint of relief: "Sister, there is no need to say more. I just... don't want to be a pawn in a daze anymore. The blood of soldiers on the border should not be the price for some people to fight for power and profit. Sister is a person who does great things. These things may play their due role in your hands." After speaking, she knelt down and saluted, turned around and walked into the wind and snow, her back thin but straight.
Lu Qinglan clenched the bamboo tube tightly in his hand, feeling a mixture of emotions. Lin Wanru had finally chosen to break free from her shackles, even though the future was uncertain.
Back at Hengwu Courtyard, Lu Qinglan dismissed his attendants and carefully opened the bamboo tube. Inside was a small slip of paper, with a few scattered words and names scrawled in fine handwriting: "Prince An's Mansion," "Western Spices," "Purchasing by Manager Hu," "Secret Accounts," and "Introduction by His Highness the Third Prince."
Prince An! The Emperor's younger brother, usually idle and uninvolved in government affairs, is implicated? And even through the Third Prince's introduction? This information is shocking! If true, then the "royal relative" hiding in the shadows is most likely this seemingly indifferent Prince An! And what role does the Third Prince play in this?
Lu Qinglan lit the note in the candlelight and watched it dissolve into ash. The clues were becoming clearer, but also increasingly dangerous. Prince An, the Third Prince, the Western Regions… This web was larger and more hidden than she had imagined. She had to be more careful.
On the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, the Minor New Year, the annual gifts from the Seventh Prince's residence arrived, even more substantial than in previous years. Among them was a black fox fur cloak, its fur sleek and glossy, a rare treasure. Along with the gifts came a handwritten letter from Xiao Jingche. Besides the usual greetings and festive messages, the letter concluded with the following: "The wind and snow are very cold, please take care of yourself. The road ahead is long, and I wish to walk with you."
His words were subtle, yet they clearly conveyed his view of her as an indispensable partner, even... an ally. Lu Qinglan stroked the cool, smooth black fox fur cloak, a complex expression in her eyes. Xiao Jingche's reliance was what she desired, but it also meant a deeper bond and a more dangerous future.
She wrote back, thanked him for the reward, and also added a sentence at the end: "Although the wind and snow are cold, there will be sunny days. The road is long and arduous, so stay true to your heart." This not only responded to his invitation to "walk together", but also reiterated her independent position.
On New Year's Eve, the Lu family held a family dinner. Due to Lu Qinglan's status as the future consort of the prince, and the implicit benefits Lu Wenyuan had gained from his correct stance on the canal transport case, this year's dinner was particularly lively. Concubine Zhou remained under house arrest, and only Lady Wang, several concubines, and his brothers and sisters were present. Lu Wenyuan was in high spirits, drinking a few more glasses. His eyes were filled with relief as he looked at his eldest daughter, who was so composed and dignified. Even the usually timid Lu Qingyu, thanks to Lu Qinglan's subtle care, looked much better, occasionally even cracking a faint smile.
Lu Qinglan sat at the table, watching the seemingly harmonious scene unfold, his mind clear. Beneath this prosperity, how many hidden reefs and shoals lay? His father's joy, his family's glory, were all built on the foundation of a tiger's hide. One wrong step would lead to eternal damnation.
After the family dinner, she returned alone to Hengwu Courtyard. She had sent Fu Yu off to rest. The unswept snow in the courtyard shone with a cool, cool glow under the moonlight. She donned her black fox fur cloak and stood in the porch, her breath of white air instantly dissipating into the chill air.
Looking back on the past six months since her rebirth, she started from the inner house of the Lu Mansion, rescued her younger sister, suppressed her aunt; founded a poetry club, made friends with powerful women; planned Yunshang Pavilion, controlled the economy and information; promoted the canal transport case, helped Xiao Jingche establish his authority, and profited by hiding behind the scenes; she even traced the key clues to the cause of death in her previous life... Every step was like walking on thin ice, but she was cautious.
However, this is only the beginning. As the first volume, "Nirvana: Initial Awakening," draws to a close, she successfully confirms her rebirth, adjusts her mindset, and establishes her own hidden power, changing the fate of some of her family. But a greater storm awaits her in the second volume, "Accumulated Power: Undercurrent." The struggle for the throne intensifies, clues regarding the Western Regions and Prince An must be uncovered, Su Yueming's betrayal may be premature, Lin Wanru's position must be consolidated, and her partnership with Xiao Jingche must be redefined...
The road ahead is still foggy and full of dangers.
But her eyes were colder and more determined than the ice and snow under the corridor.
Only when winter comes do we realize that pine and cypress are the last to wither.
She, a phoenix reborn from the ashes, has already preened her feathers and accumulated strength. She only needs the spring breeze to spread her wings and soar high into the sky!
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