Chapter 17 Yu Xi (Seventeen) Secret Letter
Lin Jiaojiao put down the bowl of millet porridge that had already gone cold after she had only taken a few sips of it. The water droplets condensed on the wall of the bowl were just like her cold and anxious mood at the moment.
She walked to the window and looked at the sky outside which had completely darkened. Sparse lights were lit in various places in the royal court, but they could not dispel the heavy haze that shrouded the palace. In the distance, the suppressed sobs of the palace maids and the heavy footsteps of patrolling soldiers could be heard faintly, adding a bit of desolation to the approaching doomsday.
Wanyan and the other girl curled up on the couch, wrapped in thick animal skin mattresses. Miss Yan drank warm porridge in small sips. Her mood seemed to have stabilized a little, but her big eyes were still moving restlessly.
Lady Wan sat silently, her eyes fixed on Lin Jiaojiao's straight back, with a barely perceptible hint of inquiry and dependence.
Lin Jiaojiao took a deep breath. The cold air stung her lungs, but she forced herself to suppress the turmoil in her heart. She turned around, her eyes sweeping over Chun, Wan, and Yan, and finally landing on the silent figure in the corner - Doctor Zhao had quietly come to the side hall at some point and was standing quietly in the shadows, like a stone statue blending into the darkness. He had obviously heard the wind as well.
"Doctor Zhao." Lin Jiaojiao's voice was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable determination. "I have a favor to ask of you."
Zhao stepped forward and bowed slightly: "I am here, please give me your orders, my lady." His voice was still calm, but his eyes, like deep pools, seemed to flash with a very faint ripple in the dim light.
Lin Jiaojiao walked up to him, looked him straight in the eye, and spoke clearly, word for word, "I want to... deliver a secret report to His Majesty. This is a matter of great importance, concerning the survival of the royal court and the safety of His Majesty. However, I..." She paused, her voice carrying a hint of just the right amount of helplessness and honesty, "I am illiterate and cannot write. Therefore, I need the help of a medical officer to carve this secret report onto bamboo slips."
Zhao's gaze suddenly focused. He stared at Lin Jiaojiao intently, a complex mix of emotions swirling in his calm eyes—surprise, inquiry, understanding, and a hint of... an indescribable solemnity. He clearly understood the weight of this "secret report."
"Your Majesty... obeys your command." Zhao did not ask any more questions, but responded in a deep voice. He walked to the simple wooden table. Chun had already cleverly prepared a small bundle of thin, shaved bamboo strips and a bronze carving knife that was polished to an extremely sharp edge and shone with a cold light.
Zhao picked up a piece of bamboo, his fingers slender and steady. He felt the cold touch of the carving knife, and he lowered his eyes slightly, waiting.
Lin Jiaojiao took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. She began to organize her words in her mind, carefully considering each word. The system also provided her with considerable help, such as translating her vernacular into a way that she could now understand.
She did not directly accuse Sikou, but instead turned her attention to Sikou's accomplice or superior, Zhao Liang. She knew very well that with her current identity and evidence, it would be too risky to directly attack Sikou, but Zhao Liang was notorious and would be more likely to arouse Xia Jie's anger.
She spoke, her voice low but remarkably clear, with a strange penetrating power, each word like a bead of ice falling to the ground:
"Your Majesty, your concubine, Mo Xi, weeps and bows before you, Your Majesty:
Your Majesty is away on a campaign, and I, your concubine, am ensconced in the inner palace. I dare not trouble Your Majesty with trivial matters. However, the treacherous Zhao Liang has taken advantage of Your Majesty's absence on the battlefield, disregarded Your Majesty's orders, and is causing chaos within the palace!"
Zhao's wrist was extremely steady. The carving knife made a subtle but clear "rustling" sound as it moved across the bamboo. He carved very quickly, with a precise blade. The handwriting was simple and powerful, synchronized with Lin Jiaojiao's voice. He was like a most sophisticated recorder, recording her every word and every sentence exactly as it was.
Lin Jiaojiao continued:
"First, the food and fodder stored in the treasury should have been fully supplied to the royal army, but Zhao Liang relied on his favor to become arrogant and secretly intercepted it and enriched himself, causing the soldiers on the front line to starve and the army's morale to fluctuate!" She had asked Ku Ding to secretly count the accounts before and knew that there was indeed a deficit, and now she was just blaming Zhao Liang for it.
Zhao's carving knife exerted a little force on words such as "withholding" and "embezzling", and bamboo chips flew everywhere, leaving deep marks.
"Secondly, spreading rumors to shake the morale of the army. Your Majesty is mighty and powerful. Although he has suffered a small setback, he will surely defeat the enemy! However, Zhao Liang has ulterior motives. He spread rumors of your defeat inside and outside the royal court, saying that the Shang army is unstoppable. He wants to surrender the city and seek peace to protect himself!" These were the original words of Sikou. As for who was behind the scenes, it was naturally Zhao Liang, who was close to him.
Zhao frowned slightly, and the carving knife paused for a moment on the words "want to surrender the city and seek peace to protect oneself", and the blade went deeper.
"Third, he is sowing discord between the king and his ministers, and plotting evil. Zhao Liang often gathers people in secret rooms, slandering the king's divine authority and defaming loyal officials. He deserves death!"
Lin Jiaojiao deliberately mentioned Shi Hu's name. Shi Hu was a military general left in the royal court by Xia Jie. Although he was not a confidant, he was loyal and reliable. Putting him against Zhao Liang could better highlight Zhao Liang's "evil" intentions. At the same time, this was also a kind of protection for Shi Hu.
"I, your humble servant, originally did not wish to speak, but I am concerned about the king's foundation and the safety of his officers and men. I am afraid that if this beast is not eliminated, it will become a great threat. Therefore, I am risking my life to make this statement in secret, and I humbly beg for your wise judgment!
I, your humble servant, pray for the king day and night in the deep palace, hoping that the king will return triumphantly soon!
The guilty concubine, Meixi, bows again in fear.
At the end, the signature was "The Guilty Concubine Meixi". Lin Jiaojiao's voice had a just right trembling and humility, making her seem extremely pitiful and loyal.
The carving knife passed over the last piece of bamboo, leaving behind the clear characters "妺喜". Zhao put down the carving knife, carefully stacked the carved bamboo slips in order, and tied them tightly with a thin hemp rope. His movements were steady and precise, without a trace of redundancy.
The entire side hall was silent, with only the rustling sound of the carving knife scratching across the bamboo strips and Lin Jiaojiao's clear voice echoing. Wanyan and the other girl held their breath, and Chun nervously clenched the corner of her clothes.
Zhao's silence and concentration invisibly added a heavy weight to the tense atmosphere.
Lin Jiaojiao looked at the bundled bamboo slips as if she were looking at a thunderbolt about to explode. She took a deep breath and turned to Zhao: "Thank you, Doctor."
Zhao handed the bamboo slips back to Lin Jiaojiao with both hands, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment. In those deep, pool-like eyes, a complex mix of emotions seemed to flash across his face—inquiry, solemnity, even... a hint of indescribable worry? But in the end, he simply nodded slightly and said nothing more.
Lin Jiaojiao took the bamboo slips, feeling a slight heaviness in her hand, the coolness of the bamboo and the roughness of the carvings. She turned to Chun, "Chun! Quietly call General Shi Hu over! Remember, avoid everyone! Especially... the Sikou people! Enter through the corner door of the back hall!"
"Yes!" Chun nodded vigorously and slipped out like a nimble civet cat.
At the same time, deep in the royal court, in Zhao Liang's luxurious secret room, the atmosphere was completely different. Zhao Liang's fat body was sunken in a soft couch covered with brocade, one hand holding the enchanting beauty, the other holding a golden cup, his eyes hazy with drunkenness.
Sikou Zhao Qian pushed the door open and walked in, his face full of flattering smiles: "Sir! Great joy! The fish... has taken the bait!"
"Did that old fellow Kuding agree?" Zhao Liang's triangular eyes lit up.
"Agreed!" Zhao Qian said proudly, "I used a little trick and he obeyed obediently. His dirty deeds are easily found out! How dare he disobey? Hehe..."
"Very good!" Zhao Liang put down the golden cup. "Where's the stuff? Is it hidden?"
"Don't worry, sir!" Zhao Qian patted his chest. "Ku Ding has already secretly transferred most of the existing food, medicine, cloth, and the batch of 'tribute' that was to be shipped to Nanchao to the place we designated overnight. It's in the cellar of the abandoned Yuwang Temple outside the city. No one has noticed!"
"Good! Well done!" Zhao Liang rubbed his hands excitedly, "Then...what about that person?" A lustful gleam flashed in his eyes.
"Prince Concubine Mei Xi?" A sinister glint flashed in Zhao Qian's eyes. "As for her... I have already made arrangements. Ku Ding's confidants have already infiltrated the palace maids serving in her side hall. Her every move is under our control. We just need to wait for the right time..." He made a gesture of wiping his neck, "or... just 'invite' her over!"
"Hmm..." Zhao Liang touched his chin, "She must be alive! She must be alive! That beauty... Tsk tsk, it's such a pity to kill her like this, before offering her to King Tang... hehe..." He let out a sigh.
Zhao Qian quickly agreed, "Your Excellency is wise! However... that rude man Shi Hu... seems to be quite protective of the Princess Yuan, and that Doctor Zhao is always hanging around her. These two... are a bit of a nuisance."
"Shi Hu? Just a reckless man!" Zhao Liang said disdainfully, "Find an opportunity to transfer him away, or... just kill him! As for that medical officer..." A murderous gleam flashed in his eyes, "Find a reason to lock him up! Once the matter is done, we'll deal with them together!"
"Excellent advice, sir!" Zhao Qian flattered. "I'll arrange it right away! Also... there are several gatekeepers on the city defense side. I've already sent people to contact them and promised them generous rewards. It shouldn't be a problem. Once the Shang army arrives, we can work together inside and outside to open the city gates!"
"Good! Good! Good!" Zhao Liang uttered the three "good"s in quick succession, his face flushed with joy. "Zhao Qian! If this succeeds, you will be the most meritorious official of the new dynasty! You will enjoy endless wealth and glory!"
"It's all thanks to your support, sir!" Zhao Qian bowed deeply, his eyes flashing with fanaticism.
The two men laughed low and triumphantly in the secret room.
In the side hall, Shi Hu was quickly brought in quietly by Chun. He was dressed in military uniform, with a solemn expression on his face, and knelt on one knee: "I, General Shi Hu, pay my respects to the Princess Yuan!"
Lin Jiaojiao handed him the bundled bamboo slips without further ado. Her voice was extremely low, carrying an unprecedented solemnity. "General Shi Hu! This item concerns the survival of the royal court and the safety of the king! I order you to select a confidant who is absolutely loyal, agile, and familiar with the route to Nanchao. Take this secret information and travel day and night to personally deliver it to the king! Remember! Avoid everyone! Especially... Sikou Zhao Qian and his followers! Anyone who tries to stop you... will be killed without mercy!"
The last four words were like ice beads falling to the ground, carrying with them a chilling murderous intent.
Shi Hu's entire body trembled. He took the bamboo slips with both hands. They felt slightly heavy in his hands, with the coolness of the bamboo strips. He felt the heavy weight of the trust. He raised his head and met Lin Jiaojiao's eyes burning with the flames of determination. A surge of blood instantly rushed to his heart. He knelt on one knee, holding the slips in both hands, and said in a sonorous and powerful voice: "I obey your command! As long as I am alive, the letter is with me! Even if I die... the letter will reach the king! Please rest assured! I... guarantee it with my own head!"
After saying this, he said no more, hid the bamboo slips close to his body, bowed deeply to Lin Jiaojiao, turned around and strode away, his burly back carrying an expression of unyielding determination.
Watching Shi Hu's disappearing back, Lin Jiaojiao's tense nerves relaxed a little. A huge feeling of fatigue came over her. She sat down with the help of the table, picked up the bowl of cold porridge, and drank it in small sips.
After sending the letter, she looked out the window at the dark night sky. Xia Jie... I hope your knife... is sharp enough and fast enough!
Shi Hu returned to the barracks quietly and immediately summoned his most trusted deputy, Black Hawk.
Black Hawk has a thin build, dark skin, and eyes as sharp as an eagle. He is particularly good at stealth and tracking.
"Black Eagle!" Shi Hu took out a bamboo slip and solemnly handed it to him. "This is a secret report from the Princess Yuan! It concerns the survival of the royal court! You must set out immediately, take a shortcut, and travel day and night. Be sure to deliver it to the king personally! Remember! Stay away from everyone! Especially the Sikou people! If anyone stops you... kill them without mercy!"
Black Hawk took the bamboo slips and nodded vigorously: "Don't worry, General! As long as the person is alive, the trust is there! Even if the person is dead, the trust still exists!" He hid the bamboo slips close to his body, changed into night clothes, took a short knife and dry food, sneaked out of the barracks like a ghost, crawled out of the royal court through a dilapidated drainage culvert, and disappeared into the vast night.
The horse's hooves were wrapped in cloth and made only a very slight muffled sound when they stepped on the cold ground. Black Hawk lay on the horse's back and galloped towards Mingtiao.
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