Chapter 43 Chapter 43 "You said you would only have me...
In the dim light, his scorching gaze enveloped her, but Shangguan Xu felt that his words carried a different meaning.
Don't lie to him this time?
Why did he say this so harshly? Even though she had been hypocritical with him many times in the past, from his tone she could hear that he didn't seem to be referring to those things at all, but rather a deeper and more distant resentment.
But she was sure that there was no entanglement between her and him that could reach this level.
So she answered very frankly: "Really not. What you just said is also what I don't understand."
"However, I do know who hurt A Zheng. It was one of those shipowners from Jiangnan."
"And that person was an old acquaintance of Azheng's. She had some impression of him when she first met him, but she couldn't recall many specific details about their past. So, she had been paying more attention to him recently. Who knew he had already set a trap to kill her?"
"Whether this is an old grudge or someone instigated it is unclear at this point. We can only investigate later."
Seeing that she had said so much to him, and that she looked into his eyes during every word without hiding anything, he couldn't help but smile.
Because of his forward movement, she was forced to lean back, and the clothes on her shoulders were a little loose. He saw it and reached out to help her pull it together.
Shangguan Xu's shoulders shrank subconsciously.
But he only said gently, "Your Majesty, I trust you. I have no other intention in asking that question. I simply feel that the current situation is urgent, and I am worried that the discrepancies in information between you and me will affect future plans. That's why I asked this. I hope your Majesty will not mind."
"Empress!" Qinghe suddenly called out from outside.
The two people in the room looked towards the door at the same time, then turned and looked at each other.
Xu Qing'an asked, "Should I withdraw?"
Shangguan Xu hesitated for a moment and said, "No need. Qinghe knows about us. She must have important news to tell me now. Maybe it has something to do with my brother. You might as well listen to it."
Shangguan Xu went to open the door.
Qinghe saw the door open and looked inside, only to see a figure following Shangguan Xu in the dim light. Although she could only see a vague outline, the cold light reflected in his eyes made her suddenly startled.
Xu Qing'an stared at her silently.
Shangguan Xu had indeed told her about Xu Qing'an, but she didn't expect to meet him tonight.
Fortunately, she had been with Shangguan Xu for many years and had experienced many ups and downs. She could just suppress such things in her heart and continue with a calm expression: "My queen, there is a message from the carrier pigeon in Luozhou."
As she spoke, she handed over the mailbox in her hand, and Shangguan Xu reached out to take it.
Before unfolding the letter, Shangguan Xu thought of someone behind him and looked back.
Xu Qing'an was only one step away from her. When he saw her looking at him, he raised his eyebrows and smiled at her.
Shangguan Xu thought to herself, he really doesn't shy away from people, he can be so calm in front of others. If she hadn't seen his sinister methods, she would probably think that he was determined to be a concubine who served others with his beauty because of his actions.
Qinghe came with a lantern, and Shangguan Xu slightly turned sideways, leaned towards Qinghe, and then unfolded the letter paper.
During this process, the written side of the letter was taken away from Xu Qing'an's sight. He looked at Shangguan Xu with his eyes as calm as water without blinking, waiting for her to finish reading the contents of the letter.
Later, he asked directly, "Judging from the Empress's expression, is there good news from Luozhou?"
Shangguan Xu finished reading the contents of the paper and folded the letter back. She raised her eyes and smiled from the bottom of her heart. "Thank you, Mr. Xu, for buying time for my brother." She nodded at the letter in her hand. "Things in Luozhou are already coming to light. We just need to follow the clues and collect the evidence. When the evidence is brought to the capital, my brother will be out of danger."
"So fast?" Xu Qing'an's brows twitched. "In just three days, Her Majesty's people have already found a way to break the impasse. They're truly faster than the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple."
Shangguan Xu: "The Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court are too strict about rules, so they can't speed things up. It just so happens that there are people in the court who are pressuring us from behind, so I need to make this matter bigger and delay the final judgment even longer."
Xu Qing'an: "So, Your Majesty has always wanted to have forces outside your court investigate this matter?"
Shangguan Xu did not deny it.
Xu Qing'an nodded, digesting the thought for himself. He then asked, "But I really don't understand. Is it easy for someone outside the court to do something like this?"
Shangguan Xu smiled and said without elaborating, "Of course I have to use some tricks."
She turned and asked Qinghe, "How was A Zheng when you came over?"
Qing He said, "Everything is fine. I slept soundly and didn't have the nightmares and night sweats I had a few days ago."
Shangguan Xu was relieved: "That's good. The next few days will be crucial, so I'll have to trouble you to take care of it."
Qinghe nodded and said that the words were too kind.
After the people left, Shangguan Xu closed the door. The person behind him asked, "Is the Majesty's maid seriously injured?"
Shangguan Xu looked disappointed. "Well, I almost lost my life."
Xu Qing'an sighed, "The person who did this was truly ruthless." He looked at her inquiringly, "But Your Majesty is so powerful. She can control matters in Luozhou, even if it's a hundred miles away. I imagine that with this happening right under your nose, you already have a plan for how to deal with it, right?"
He casually suggested, "Or perhaps the people Your Majesty has stationed in Luozhou are highly capable. Why not transfer them all back and help Your Majesty investigate what happened to that maid and the reasons behind it?"
Shangguan Xu turned to face the people in the room and remained silent for a moment.
She heard the tentative tone in his words, but pretended not to know as she walked to her seat and said, "The people of Luozhou have Luozhou's affairs to attend to, and I have my own plans for A Zheng's affairs. For now, the most important thing is to take care of her health."
Xu Qing'an nodded and agreed, "Madam Zheng's health is indeed the most important thing. Moreover, Madam Zheng's situation is even more special. Not only was she seriously injured, she also lost her memory... Does Your Majesty want Madam Zheng to recover her memory?"
Shangguan Xu sat down and looked around. Of course, she wanted A Zheng to recover her memory. This time, A Zheng suffered and many things were in a mess and she couldn't find a breakthrough. She thought that perhaps the source was in the memories that A Zheng had lost.
But Xu Qing'an's question was so strange that she couldn't help but ask back: "Xu Qing, do you have a solution?"
Xu Qing'an curled his lips. After talking with her for so long tonight, there was finally a sentence that connected with the thread he had laid.
He said, "Have you forgotten, Madam? I have a miracle doctor in my family. He cured me not long ago. Since he can cure such a stubborn disease as mine, I think he can also help Madam Zheng with her illness."
Shangguan Xu thought about it carefully. He had said before that a cure had been found for his congenital deficiency. Not only were his symptoms gone, but he could also live to be a hundred years old like a normal person.
Shangguan Xu: "How can I help? She's in a state where she can't move, and Da'an Temple isn't accessible to ordinary people. Could it be that the miracle doctor in your family, like you, possesses martial arts skills and can easily bypass the layers of defense outside Da'an Temple?"
Xu Qing'an laughed, "Your Majesty, you're joking. A genius doctor is busy studying medicine, so how could he have time to learn martial arts? I'm just asking to understand Your Majesty's opinion."
"Madam Azheng suffered external injuries. The imperial physicians around her are all experts in medicine, and the medicinal herbs in the palace are also excellent. So, those external injuries only require rest and recuperation. The only thing I can ask the family doctor to help with is probably Madam Azheng's amnesia."
"This symptom is difficult to diagnose, so there's no rush for them to meet. Your Majesty, please tell me about Madam Zheng's symptoms over the past few years. I'll relay this to your family's miracle doctor and ask if he has any clues before prescribing any medicine."
Shangguan Xu felt that what he said made sense. Even if he couldn't help A Zheng regain her memory in the end, it was always good to have a way to try.
She told him about A Zheng's symptoms in recent years.
After listening to this, Xu Qing'an nodded and said, "I've made a note of it. I'll pass it on to the miracle doctor as soon as I get back."
"Oh, right," Shangguan Xu reminded him, "News about Luozhou's situation will reach the capital in three days at the latest. You'll then act accordingly in the Ministry of Justice. The head of the Ministry of Justice is familiar with my brother, so he'll be able to help out a bit."
Xu Qing'an didn't rush to give an answer. He just sat next to her and tapped the table casually with his fingers.
He said, "Actually, ever since I spoke up for Lord Shangguan in the court, the officials have basically understood my position. So I wonder, do I really need to climb over the wall to see the Empress every night?"
Shangguan Xu understood the implication of his words: "You mean to say that from now on, whenever we meet, you must enter through the main gate without hesitation, regardless of day or night, and regardless of whether there are others around?"
Xu Qing'an asked, "Your Majesty, do you think it's inappropriate? Since I've already offended Prime Minister Su, there's no need for me to be so secretive with Your Majesty anymore."
"Okay." Shangguan Xu smiled, "If you want to do this, then do it. It just so happens that Prime Minister Su can't find an excuse to attack me. You can give him something to say that the current empress dowager is having an affair with a minister of the previous dynasty."
Xu Qing'an sighed, "Your Majesty, why are you speaking so harshly? It's not uncommon for empress dowagers to have favors. Besides, Your Majesty and I haven't reached that level yet. How can you even call us compromising?"
Shangguan Xu admitted, "Yes, those things did happen. Just look at Emperor Wu and Empress Xiao, who also had these rumors. But how could I compare to their power back then? How many of their officials dared to disobey them?" She chuckled. "If Xu Qing really has such an idea, that's fine. Come up with a shocking plan to remove Prime Minister Su from his position, so that the court will only know me as the Empress Dowager behind the curtain. Then, let alone meeting with me late at night, even if you wanted to stay overnight in Lizheng Palace, I'm afraid no one would dare to say anything."
"Staying overnight in Lizheng Palace..." Xu Qing'an muttered. He suddenly raised his eyes, his gaze as cold as ice. "If I help Her Majesty reach that level of status, will Her Majesty guarantee that I will be the only one staying in Lizheng Palace at night?"
Shangguan Xu felt disgusted by his words, but he had no choice but to flatter him: "Of course, who else can I choose?"
After he finished speaking, she heard him laugh for no apparent reason and then sigh deeply.
Xu Qing'an: "Your Majesty is truly sincere and affectionate. To hear your words is truly comforting." He turned his head, stared at her, and his voice deepened. "It's a pity that I can't experience the pleasure of spending time with you in Da'an Temple now."
Shangguan Xu clenched his fists, his face still as if saying, "That day will come sooner or later."
Xu Qing'an nodded repeatedly.
But when she saw that he didn't say anything, she thought he was satisfied with his conversation, and she couldn't help but frown, feeling a little more disgusted.
However, he just felt that his chest was filled with anger. When he opened his mouth, he could not utter a word except for breathing in and out.
He was really asking for trouble. If he had known her character, he wouldn't have asked that one question.
After a long pause, he finally calmed down and stood up. He said to Shangguan Xu, "I came here today to discuss an important matter with Your Majesty. Seeing Your Majesty's expression tonight, I know it's only a matter of time before Lord Shangguan escapes. Your Majesty, then, needs to plan for the next step."
"The incident with Lord Shangguan was just an incident, but it did serve as a warning to us all—Prime Minister Su has already seen through the Empress's intentions, and he will not allow her to become so powerful. And regarding this matter, when I met Lord Shangguan in prison, he revealed that what he encountered wasn't originally intended for him. The people who orchestrated it actually wanted to target the Empress, and Lord Shangguan merely blocked the attack for her. Or, in other words, they were using Lord Shangguan as a warning to her."
"In this case, Your Majesty, it's time to change your strategy. The previous strategy of lying low and sneaking through Chencang is no longer suitable for the current situation."
Shangguan Xu asked, "Do you want me to just go straight to severing ties with that person?"
Xu Qing'an: "Under the current circumstances, even if Her Majesty continues to pretend to be at peace with him, it's actually meaningless. If you think about it carefully, from the time I first took over the Ministry of Rites corruption case until now, Her Majesty has already manipulated the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Works, the Censorate, the Imperial Guards, and even the Jiangnan water transport. With so many changes, even if he doesn't notice anything at first, as long as he calms down and thinks carefully, he will find clues."
"The incident with Lord Shangguan reminds Your Majesty that he is not a kind person. He will show no mercy when he strikes. At the same time, it also tells Your Majesty how much you can withstand his counterattack." He lowered his eyes slightly and whispered tentatively, "If it weren't for this memorial from me, could Your Majesty still have saved Lord Shangguan as you wished?"
Shangguan Xu pondered.
Indeed, even if she could obtain evidence from Luozhou, the first obstacle she couldn't overcome was time. If time wasn't urgent, she wouldn't have made such a deal with the man before her. While she could still make a deal this time, what about next time? What would she offer next time? Or would she even have another chance?
She took the initiative to attack Su Wangxu.
Shangguan Xu said, "This matter requires long-term consideration. It's not appropriate to provoke my brother while he's still in prison. It won't be too late to take the next step after my brother and Zheng are both out of danger."
Xu Qing'an nodded. "Your Majesty's words make sense. Then I will wait until three days later, when the evidence Your Majesty has brought from Luozhou arrives in the capital, and then I will come to find Your Majesty." As he spoke, he suddenly remembered something and said with embarrassment, "I just don't know if Your Majesty will still be in Da'an Temple by then? If she has returned to the palace, then I..."
Shangguan Xu raised his head and jokingly said, "You're helpless once you get back to the palace? The Imperial Guards are both on guard, but Da'an Temple is here, so Xu Qing from Taiji Palace has no confidence?"
Xu Qingan laughed, "Your Majesty, you're teasing me again. The level of defense of the Da'an Temple's imperial guards cannot be compared to that of the Taiji Palace. Besides, the palace walls are so high that it would be difficult for me to climb them."
Shangguan Xu smiled softly and turned his head away, saying, "I should still be in Da'an Temple at that time. Ah Zheng's injury needs to be healed. I will return to the palace when she is able to get out of bed."
Xu Qing'an nodded and said with satisfaction: "Okay, then I have a plan."
As soon as he finished speaking, a gust of wind suddenly blew in from the window, blowing his hair and clothes. The letter paper that Qinghe had given to Shangguan Xu was placed next to Shangguan Xu's fingers. However, the letter paper was thin, and the wind blew it away and fell at Xu Qing'an's feet.
Shangguan Xu noticed it and immediately bent down to pick it up, but he was a step too slow.
The loosely folded note was blown open by the wind. When Xu Qingan picked it up, he immediately saw the contents of the letter. The lights were on in the courtyard tonight. When the lights were turned off, the fog drifted into the house. Although it was hazy, it was enough for people to see what was written on the letter.
"King Feng!"
After he saw the content clearly, he couldn't help but shout.
"Is the power of the Empress in Luozhou King Feng?"
Shangguan Xu's eyes dodged for a moment. She didn't want him to know her plan in Luozhou so early. However, the wind did not fulfill her wish and happened to blow the note to his feet.
However, when the evidence from Luozhou is brought to the capital, he will sooner or later find out that it was Prince Feng who was helping her behind the scenes.
Only then did Xu Qing'an realize why Chen Heng had discovered Shangguan Xu's dealings with the Anbei Protectorate when he was investigating Shangguan Xu's power in Jiangnan. The Feng King's fiefdom was in Fengzhou, which was adjacent to the Anbei Protectorate, so there was a connection.
But King Feng was his fifth brother, who had supported him and grown up with him since childhood and was both his brother and friend.
Xu Qing'an was in a complicated mood for a moment. He couldn't figure it out and didn't know what to think.
Why was his fifth brother connected with her? Was he deceived, or...
His eyes flickered and he didn't dare to think about it.
This trip back to the capital was a dangerous one. In order to avoid being noticed and to not implicate others, Xu Qing'an did not tell King Feng about his affairs.
Of the six sons born to the late emperor, the only one who seemed to be alive and well was his fifth brother, and his third brother, Prince Zhao, had also passed away under strange circumstances. Therefore, Xu Qing'an did not intend to reveal his news to Prince Feng until the situation was fully under control.
But now...
He actually had been in contact with Shangguan Xu.
If he was unaware of the truth and was deceived by her, he could just write a letter to remind her, but if... Xu Qing'an didn't dare to think about it anymore. He couldn't bear being betrayed by his closest and most trusted person again.
He closed his eyes and controlled his breathing.
Shangguan Xu was stunned for a moment after hearing what he said, but she adjusted herself in just a moment, feeling that this was not a big deal that could not be told. Now that he had seen it, it would be okay for her to explain it directly.
But his reaction was somewhat unexpected to her.
She spoke softly, "Yes, there must be someone in the court who wants to interfere and muddy the waters of Luozhou. If we wait for the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice to investigate, they'll be rushing there from the court, so I'm afraid they won't be able to get a thorough investigation. Prince Feng isn't in the capital, and he's the prince guarding the north. If we send his people there sooner, they might get more useful information."
Xu Qing'an's breathing grew heavier, his chest rising and falling noticeably. He opened his eyes and looked down at Shangguan Xu. "From Fengzhou to Luozhou, it's quite a distance. I'm afraid Prince Feng's men didn't come from Fengzhou?" He asked knowingly, "But they were involved in the Jiangnan incident? So, after the Jiangnan incident was over, they passed through Luozhou and came to help the queen?"
Shangguan Xu's expression remained unchanged as he frankly admitted, "Yes, they did come from Jiangnan."
Xu Qing'an was instantly enraged. He leaned over and pushed her onto the couch. "You said you would only have me!"
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