Chapter 217 The Storm Is Brewing
Dou Wenyi didn't know where Pei Siyan went that night. Next, the emperor issued an order to confiscate the property of the Duke of Mu, to intimidate the officials.
Those nobles who owed money went to the Ministry of Revenue overnight to repay their debts. The Ministry of Revenue scraped together enough grain and fodder, and Pei Siyan led the army to Jinxia Pass, leaving the vast Eastern Palace suddenly quiet.
Although Consort Zhang pushed Emperor Muzong to Chongzheng Hall every day, his imperial authority was greatly diminished.
A heavy, oppressive atmosphere hung over Tianning City, and the struggle between powerful families and the imperial court was becoming increasingly fierce.
Undercurrents are stirring, and a storm is brewing.
Yin Congjian was busy supplying the army day and night, while Shen Yanzhou commanded the entire Imperial City Guard, remaining vigilant against the retaliation of powerful families.
With the Lunar New Year approaching, Dou Wenyi took Cuizhi back to the Dou family home.
As soon as she stepped off the carriage, a cold arrow shot towards her. Fortunately, the guards were prepared and cut the arrow in half with a single stroke. The assassin died instantly, and his body was quickly dragged away from the scene.
Dou Wenyi had encountered them several times before. Those assassins were all deadly assassins who could be killed without anyone noticing. The masterminds behind them were either the wise king or the meritorious families of Tianning City who harbored ill intentions.
She remained unfazed, having long been accustomed to this type of assassination attempt.
The Dou family members who were waiting for her at the door were almost scared out of their wits.
Madam Gu's face was deathly pale, and her voice trembled, "My God! That was close! Yi'er... are you alright?!"
Dou Wenyi remained calm and composed, saying in a soothing tone, "Mother, I'm fine."
Madam Gu reached out to shake her hand, but she subtly stepped aside and ordered loudly, "Help everyone move their things inside."
The guards of the Eastern Palace hurriedly carried all the New Year's gifts inside.
Madam Gu maintained a stiff smile. "Yi'er, it's good that you're back. Why did you need to bring so much stuff?"
"It's mainly for my grandmother," Dou Wenyi replied casually, and then followed the others into the main hall.
Hearing her answer, Madam Gu felt very bad, but thinking back on everything that had happened, she realized it was too late to regret it.
But she knew better than to lose her temper, after all, Dou Wenyi was no longer the daughter she could scold at will.
After exchanging pleasantries, Dou Wenyi distributed the things she had brought back to each room.
Dou Bochang, beaming, laughed and said, "Yi'er, now that you're here today, are you spending New Year's Eve at home too?"
Before she could finish speaking, Old Madam Dou frowned and interrupted, "Shut up! The East Palace is so deserted. Is it not allowed for Yi'er to live at home from today onwards?"
Dou Wenyi couldn't help but laugh. "Grandmother, I also want to stay at home, but as you all saw, it might not be very convenient for me to stay here."
The Imperial Guards of the Eastern Palace stood guard day and night like an iron barrel. Unless the rebels stormed into Tianning City, no other bandits could do anything to her.
"These desperados are truly outrageous!" said Madam Dou angrily.
Dou Bochang couldn't help but sigh, "Alas, these people have been living in peace for too long and don't appreciate their blessings."
He had firsthand experience of the turmoil in the court. Because the Crown Prince was busy fighting, the officials of all ranks in the court were having a hard time. Some even privately claimed that the wise prince was the righteous army.
I wonder how long this war will last!
As everyone was chatting animatedly, the gatekeeper brought over several visiting cards.
Madam Gu carefully examined the invitations, her surprised gaze falling on the invitations from the Marquis of Yongchang's residence and the Duke of Anguo's residence.
Ever since Dou Mingxiu broke off his engagement with the Shen family, they have been anxious about his marriage, as they have no suitable girls. Both families were originally meritorious families, and their status was no less than that of the Shen family. They both had daughters of marriageable age.
The purpose of this visiting card is self-evident.
Her face beamed with undisguised joy. "Yi'er, if the third young lady from the Yongchang Marquis's mansion comes tomorrow, please help your mother take a close look."
"Okay." Dou Wenyi replied perfunctorily, then took her grandmother's hand and went to Shouhe Hall.
"Yi'er, isn't this the first assassination attempt like today?"
Dou Wenyi answered truthfully, "Yes, I encountered that a while ago too."
"It must have been really tough on you. Tianning City is in such chaos, you must know what it's like outside for the Crown Prince, all swords and spears..."
"Grandmother, don't worry, good people are always blessed."
Old Master Dou gripped her hand tightly, his withered hand clenching it, and sighed deeply, “Yes, you are all destined for good fortune!”
"Grandma, do you want to go back to your hometown for the New Year?"
Dou Wenyi felt somewhat unfilial after saying this. In this freezing weather, her grandmother was quite old and it was not suitable for her to travel a long distance.
However, because of the Crown Prince's position, she had to be on guard.
Old Madam Dou patted the back of her hand, "At my age, why would I be afraid of these demons and monsters? Don't worry, what storms hasn't your grandmother weathered?"
Dou Wenyi knew this would be the outcome, and said with some helplessness, "I knew you wouldn't agree, Grandmother. The situation is dangerous now, you have to be on high alert. How about we go to the estate to hide for a while? Like, to avoid attracting attention?"
Old Madam Dou said with a loving expression, "Alright, I'll do as you say. This old woman will stay at home and not go anywhere, is that alright?"
See? Grandmother is pretending to be confused again. Deep down, she's just as stubborn as I am.
She enjoys living with her family, enjoying the lively atmosphere. It's obvious that it would be nearly impossible for her to persuade the Dou family to leave Tianning City, this place of trouble, and return to their hometown for the New Year.
Forget it, I'd better secretly send guards to protect my grandmother.
Dou Wenyi seemed to be deep in thought. "When did the Yongchang Marquis's Mansion become so close to our Dou family? Does Mother want to arrange a marriage between us?"
A look of disdain flashed in Madam Dou's eyes. "She has high standards. She wouldn't even look at an ordinary family. With Dou Mingxiu's meager abilities, he still wants to marry a noblewoman. Isn't he just benefiting from your influence?"
Dou Wenyi frowned. She had just returned home when the Marquis of Yongchang's residence sent her an invitation. They must be keeping a close eye on her every move.
Whether such a shrewd and calculating family truly wanted to pledge allegiance to the Crown Prince or was merely testing the waters remains to be seen.
This problem didn't bother her for long. The next day, the Marquis of Yongchang's family came to visit. To her surprise, in addition to the Wei family, Princess Fu'an also came to visit.
"Wei Ruoxuan is my friend. As soon as I heard she was coming to visit you, I wanted to join in the fun. By the way, my mother wanted to ask you about the arrangements for New Year's Eve. The palace banquet on New Year's Eve will still be in charge of by my mother."
Princess Fu'an spoke sincerely.
Logically speaking, although she and Pei Siyan did not hold a grand wedding, they had long been recognized as a couple by everyone because of the "lucky marriage" arrangement.
On New Year's Eve, she should have accompanied the Crown Prince to the palace to pay respects to the Emperor, watch the exorcism ceremony, and attend the New Year's Eve banquet. Although Pei Siyan was not present, and it was wartime, Emperor Muzong was in poor health, so many things should have been simplified.
Why did the eldest princess send her to ask this question?
Dou Wenyi smiled faintly, "I don't understand these things either, I will listen to Consort Shu."
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