The chess player is silent
Inside Kunning Palace, Lu Qinglan didn't shelve the irrefutable evidence of treason sent from the northern border. She knew that even the sharpest blade was useless if it remained sheathed. However, how to wield it required extreme caution and calculation. Should she simply throw the evidence at Xiao Jingche? No, that would only arouse the emperor's suspicions, leading him to suspect she was using it to eliminate dissidents. It might even alert the enemy and force the core members of "Ninth Brother" into deeper hiding.
She needed leverage and needed to let the evidence flow into the hands of those who should know in a seemingly "natural" way.
"Fu Yu," Lu Qinglan said softly, his fingertips slowly tracing across the table. "Take a copy of the copy of the rubbing, including the part about the promise to cede the three towns in Hexi, and the envoy's confession—which only mentions 'Ninth Brother' as a group of powerful individuals intent on disrupting the government, omitting the specific references to 'nobles in the palace' and 'military commanders'."
"My Lady, are you going to...?"
"Transcribe this," Lu Qinglan said with a deep gaze, "and let Prime Minister Gu 'accidentally' see it through the deepest nail we buried in Prime Minister Gu's mansion. Remember, make him think that he accidentally intercepted this important document concerning the national foundation through his own cleverness."
Gu Zhao, a powerful and influential Prime Minister who served through two dynasties, held a delicate position. He was loyal to the Xiao imperial power, yet he was also well aware of the flaws in the government. He admired Lu Qinglan's talents, yet was wary of her ambitions. With evidence so destabilizing that it could subvert the government "presented" to him, he would not sit idly by. Given his position and wisdom, he would naturally use his channels to verify the facts and weigh his advice to the Emperor. Having him, a "neutral" Prime Minister, initiate the proceedings would carry far more weight than having her, the Empress "in the vortex," bring about the situation, and would be less likely to backfire.
"I understand." Fu Yu understood and immediately went to make arrangements.
Meanwhile, at court, the nobles, temporarily frustrated by Wang Quan's downfall, were not silent for long, thanks to the covert promotion of Lin Wanru and the Cheng'en Mansion. They quickly found a new target: the position of Left Vice-Minister of the Imperial Censorate, vacated by Han Mingyuan's suspension, and the resulting power reshuffle in the Censorate.
Several officials from the noble faction jointly submitted a petition, recommending a censor known for his maturity and prudence, who had long been at odds with Lu Qinglan's faction. The upright censors, however, argued for their position and recommended Han Mingyuan's deputy, an official also known for his integrity.
The two sides argued endlessly in the court, attacking each other, creating a chaotic atmosphere. Xiao Jingche sat high on the dragon throne, observing the chaotic scene with a gloomy expression. He detested the nobles' cliques and was also dissatisfied with the aggressive "grouping" of the upright. This scene of disrupted balance and naked struggle between various forces made the emperor feel uncontrollable and irritated.
In the end, he adopted a conciliatory attitude and rejected the candidates recommended by both sides. He promoted an official with sufficient qualifications, a relatively simple background, and a seemingly neutral background to temporarily take over the post of Left Vice-Minister of the Imperial Censorate. Although this move temporarily calmed the quarrel, it left both sides dissatisfied, feeling that His Majesty was unfair.
After leaving the court, Xiao Jingche, feeling depressed, walked to the Imperial Garden to relax. When he reached a rockery, he vaguely heard two young eunuchs whispering in a corner.
"...Have you heard? Lord Han was suspended because he offended a noble in the palace..."
"Shh! Be careful with your words! Don't worry about your life!"
"What are you afraid of... It's all spread. They say it's because Lord Han investigated the case too harshly and implicated... that lady's family, so..."
"Is this true? Then Lord Han is being wronged..."
"Humph, in this palace, it's not so easy to distinguish right from wrong..."
The whispers faded away. Xiao Jingche stood there, his face livid. He knew exactly who the eunuch was referring to as "that lady." Lin Wanru! Was she the one behind Han Mingyuan's conspiracy? To exonerate her incompetent father, she dared to interfere in state affairs and confuse the public!
A wave of anger, a feeling of being fooled, surged within him. He had already harbored deep suspicions about Lin Wanru due to Liu Mingde's confession, and now, hearing these rumors, he believed them even more. He snorted coldly and walked away, his disgust for Lin Wanru and even the Cheng'en Mansion reaching its peak.
The source of these rumors was the subtle promotion of Kunning Palace. Lu Qinglan did not need to directly accuse him; she only needed to let the seeds of suspicion fall into the emperor's heart in the right environment and let them take root and sprout.
That evening, Prime Minister Gu Zhao sat in his study, his brow furrowed in thought as he stared at the "accidentally" obtained transcript. He remained silent for a long time. The contents were too shocking! Ceding territory? Seizing the throne through political chaos? This went far beyond ordinary factional strife; it was a heinous crime that would shake the very foundation of the nation!
He immediately used his secret channels to verify the situation, and within a few days, feedback began trickling in. There had indeed been unusual movements along the northern border. The Imperial City Bureau appeared to be secretly investigating an antique shop called "Rui Yu Xuan," which...had close ties to several nobles and even certain forces within the palace.
All the clues seemed to point to the contents of the transcript.
Gu Zhao knew this matter was of immense importance, and if mishandled, it would cause a devastating storm. He had to see the emperor, but he had to carefully consider how and what he said. He couldn't reveal the source of the information, and certainly couldn't let the emperor think he was participating in harem infighting or factional strife.
He drafted a memorial overnight, saying, "I have heard that there are unusual movements among the Northern Di people. There may be changes on the border. There may be undercurrents in the court that are in response to this. I beg Your Majesty to take notice." He subtly reminded the emperor of the possibility of a huge force in the court that may be colluding with the Northern Di people and has ulterior motives, and hinted that its roots were deep and its influence was widespread.
The players play silently, their moves leaving no trace. Lu Qinglan quietly manipulates the chessboard deep within the palace, while Gu Zhao cautiously sounds the alarm in the former court. And Xiao Jingche's suspicion and anger are already ignited. Beneath the seemingly calm surface, a massive whirlpool is rapidly forming, waiting for a chance to devour everything.
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