Chapter 52 Chapter 52 The Queen Only Loves Lanxiang
Xun Yang and the imperial physician were treating A Zheng in the inner room, while Shangguan Xu and Xu Qing'an were waiting outside.
"How was your interrogation?" Shangguan Xu suddenly asked while waiting.
Xu Qing'an knew that she was asking about the shipowners who had been arrested, but for some reason, he felt that her tone was a little cold, and she seemed a little anxious about the matter.
Xu Qing'an said gently, "That's about it. Those guys are living a life of luxury. With a little effort, we can basically recruit everyone we can."
Shangguan Xu looked at him with cold eyes: "Did Su Wang ask them to do this?"
If I remember correctly, this seemed to be the first time she called Su Wang by his name in front of him.
Xu Qing'an didn't delve into the reasons for the moment and replied, "No, they arranged all this themselves."
"You believe it?"
"certainly."
Xu Qing'an added, "But their reason for attacking me is strange. They said they wanted to kill me because they learned that I was behind the Jiangnan incident. This reason is indeed believable, but who told them this?"
"Actually, this matter has been suspicious ever since Lord Shangguan was imprisoned. Initially, I thought something went wrong with the Jiangnan incident, and Prime Minister Su was aware of the hidden forces behind it. That's why he targeted those close to the Empress as a retaliation and a warning."
"However, judging by the subsequent progress of Jiangnan affairs, it seems they were completely unaware of our intentions. In fact, long before the Jiangnan incident began, Your Majesty and I devised a plan to divert the blame eastward to avoid Prime Minister Su's wrath. Therefore, even if he wanted to investigate the Jiangnan incident in detail, he would not be able to uncover any clues in such a short time, let alone those ship merchants."
Shangguan Xu listened and continued, "So, the information those ship merchants received was deliberately leaked to them. The person who leaked the information had no evidence. He was just looking for a reason to provoke those ship merchants to attack you."
"That's right," Xu Qing'an sighed. "But this was also something I had anticipated. After all, I've already established my stance, and that's why I've become a thorn in the side of some people."
Seeing that she pretended not to notice the helplessness and teasing in his eyes, Xu Qing'an raised an eyebrow and continued, "What I really can't understand is... why, when the plan hadn't been exposed, Prime Minister Su still took action against the Empress without leaving any room for maneuver? Could it be..."
He turned his head slightly and looked up at A Zheng's room.
"Maybe it has something to do with A Zheng." Shangguan Xu had no intention of hiding anything. She had called him here today to talk about A Zheng. "A Zheng's memory has recovered a little. She said that it was Su Wang who harmed her family."
"Su Wang sent people to wipe out her entire family."
Xu Qing'an's eyelids suddenly twitched.
No wonder she was so cold today, calling Su Wang by his full name without any hesitation.
Xu Qing'an said calmly, "So, her identity was exposed to Prime Minister Su? And Prime Minister Su wanted to eliminate her completely, which led to what happened before?"
First, he discovered that the person who was supposed to die was not dead and was kept by Shangguan Xu. In order to prevent the secret from being leaked, Su Wang's first thing was to kill A Zheng. Shangguan Xu had been with her for so long that even if she didn't discover anything, it was a provocation and potential threat to him. Therefore, he would not let Shangguan Xu go. However, his previous plan to suppress Shangguan Xu was blocked by Shangguan Li.
This way, everything makes sense.
Shangguan Xu only said, "By the way, I told you before about that ship merchant who was acquainted with A Zheng. Please re-examine him."
"Now that I think about it, his purpose for attacking A Zheng should be different from his purpose for attacking you. He must have attacked A Zheng at Su Wang's behest, and he should also know something about A Zheng's past, so I want you to do something for me."
She stared over, meeting his dark eyes. "Please help me check A Zheng's identity."
Xu Qing'an tilted his head. "I'm helping Her Majesty investigate? Doesn't Her Majesty have a group of spies under her command?"
Shangguan Xu said, "Now that A Zheng's identity has been exposed, Su Wang will definitely be watching my every move. If my people take action, I'm afraid they will encounter many obstacles."
"What about His Royal Highness Prince Feng?"
"He feels the same way as me. He helped me with my brother's problem last time, and Su Wang will definitely be more cautious of him. So, you are the most suitable person to investigate A Zheng's identity now."
Shangguan Xu looked at him with hope and said, "I know you must have a way. Whether you want to recruit people specifically for this matter or you already have other channels, I can help you with anything you need during this process."
She added, "Although she has remembered some of the past, it is still unknown when she will be able to recover all her memories. However, Su Wang has already threatened to kill me because of her. Therefore, I urgently need to know the grudges and entanglements between her and Su Wang. Only in this way can I come up with a good strategy in advance when dealing with Su Wang and avoid being passive."
She spoke with great sincerity and seemed to really want to make this cooperation happen.
However, Xu Qing'an hesitated for a moment and then said, "May I ask Your Majesty a question first? Is Your Majesty's action intended to help A Zheng escape danger, or is it simply to increase your leverage against Su Ying?"
Seeing the doubt on her face, he curled his lips and explained, "If it's the latter, then I don't think your Majesty's method is the best. The best method would be..." Under her gaze, he enunciated each word clearly, "Your Majesty, hand this Lady A Zheng over to Prime Minister Su, and tell him that everything that happened between you and A Zheng was due to you being deceived. Now that you know they have an old grudge, you hand her over personally, demonstrating that you have no intention of interfering in their affairs. Such sincerity may earn Prime Minister Su some forgiveness."
"And this way, Your Majesty will have time to investigate whatever she wants. Anyway, Ah Zheng has already told Your Majesty the clues to her life story. If Your Majesty wants to dig deeper into her life story and use it for her own purposes, it doesn't really matter whether she's there or not. It would be better to use her as a means of smoothing over the relationship between you and Prime Minister Su. It would be a delaying tactic."
Shangguan Xu's expression gradually changed from confusion to surprise. She frowned. She felt that he was really ruthless and once again witnessed his cruelty.
She looked at his facial expression. Although he was smiling, she felt that the only warmth in his face was the redness on his cheek.
However, since he had something to ask of him, Shangguan Xu couldn't get angry. He just smiled and suppressed his anger, saying, "Isn't what Mr. Xu said too naive?"
"If I hand over A Zheng and show weakness, will that reduce his fear of me? He's already wanted to kill me. My brother was imprisoned because of him, and he even nearly lost his life. Such things have already happened. Do you think he will really let me go just because of A Zheng, and think that I will just pretend that the past never happened?"
Having said that, she took a deep breath, thinking of some of the things he had said and done before, and thought that people like him might not need so-called family affection or friendship.
She added a few more words from his perspective, "And my desire to know A Zheng's life story isn't just to avoid being passive, but rather to find an opportunity to take the initiative. Think about it, he sent people to kill A Zheng's entire family because they knew a secret that could threaten him. If we uncovered that secret, wouldn't that give us the upper hand in future conflicts with him? And by colluding with you, could your ambitions be swiftly realized?"
Xu Qing'an lowered his eyes for a moment, then raised them again: "So? Which of the two do you prefer, Your Majesty?"
What he was asking was whether she investigated A Zheng's background in order to help A Zheng escape danger or to increase her own bargaining chips.
Shangguan Xu originally thought that if she brought up his ambition, he would agree to help her, but she didn't expect that he was still obsessed with this issue.
She could only answer, "Both." She was worried that his questioning was because he was still considering the feasibility of handing Ah Zheng over, so she immediately added, "Besides, Ah Zheng is already an orphan. I can't bully her anymore."
Xu Qing looked at her for a moment with his quiet and deep eyes.
He said, "Okay, Your Majesty, I will do my best to fulfill your request." He smiled softly, "Actually, Your Majesty, you don't need to tell me so much. Just tell me your answer in the end. Ah Zheng is someone Your Majesty values and is close to you. I will definitely help Your Majesty take good care of her."
Shangguan Xu took a while to react, but he didn't expect that this reason could convince him.
Xu Qing'an didn't notice her surprise and continued, "As for what Her Majesty said about assisting me during the investigation... things haven't even begun yet, and I'm not sure what problems we'll encounter. I'll come back to Her Majesty when you need me."
After he finished speaking, Xun Yang and the imperial physician came out from the inner room one after another.
Xun Yang bowed and said, "Madam Zheng's condition has stabilized. Your Highness, there is no need to worry anymore."
Shangguan Xu asked, "Why has A Zheng's injury been recurring recently? She was clearly almost recovered before, but recently she has become noticeably weaker."
Since this morning, after A Zheng finished telling Shangguan Xu about her past memories, she fell into a deep sleep again and could not be woken up even if she was called. Also, because she had used the medicine given by Xun Yang and had Xun Yang give her acupuncture before, the imperial physician was afraid of the drug conflict when he came, so he did not dare to give A Zheng more medicine. He only alleviated her discomfort and suggested Shangguan Xu to invite Xun Yang for treatment.
Xun Yang: "Perhaps she's been thinking too much lately, which has drained her energy. Adding to the serious injury she suffered earlier, her body couldn't hold up for a while. However, I just gave her acupuncture to calm her mind and allow her body to recover. I also informed the imperial physician of the prescription I gave Madam Zheng. He will prescribe the medicine accordingly, so there's no need to worry about the drugs conflicting with each other."
The imperial physician also said, "Yes, Your Majesty. Doctor Xun has already taught you the method to treat Madam Azheng's amnesia. I will also be able to diagnose and treat Madam Azheng's symptoms in a timely manner."
Shangguan Xu was a little surprised when he heard this. After all, medical skills were studied by various schools and factions from generation to generation and were regarded as a secret that was not to be passed on and was the magic weapon for establishing a school and faction. Now Xun Yang was so generous as to teach it to others.
She was naturally grateful to Xun Yang, but then she thought again: Xun Yang and Xu Qing'an had a close relationship. Could his attitude also be related to Xu Qing'an? After all, Xu Qing'an had just said that he would definitely protect those close to her who she valued.
But now was not the time to think about these things. She first thanked Xun Yang, and then asked the imperial physician to take good care of A Zheng's condition in the future.
"Your Majesty." As soon as she finished speaking, Qinghe entered the palace and announced, "Master Su is here."
"Su Xubai?"
"yes."
What is he here for?
Shangguan Xu and Xu Qing'an, who heard this, fell silent at the same time.
——
Su Shang was waiting in the main hall. When he saw Shangguan Xu coming, he was about to greet her, but he saw a man following her.
Xu Qing'an greeted him.
Without waiting for Su Shang to ask, Shangguan Xu said, "Why is Xu Bai here? Did you have something to discuss in the inner court?"
Su Shang smiled and said, "No. I just saw the palace eunuch asking Lord Xu for a doctor, and I thought maybe Your Highness was unwell, so I thought of coming to see Your Highness."
The situation was urgent just now. The eunuch asked Xu Qing'an for a doctor in front of so many people. After hearing this, Xu Qing'an hurriedly got on his horse and rode back to the mansion. Such a big situation could not be concealed even if he wanted to.
Shangguan Xu said truthfully, "It wasn't me, it was A Zheng. She had some health problems, and Xu Qing happened to have a doctor at home who could treat her, so we asked him to help us invite her into the palace."
Su Shang looked at Xu Qing'an, who raised his eyebrows slightly and smiled faintly at him.
Su Shang lowered his eyes and looked back at Shangguan Xu: "Is A Zheng's condition so complicated? Even the imperial physicians in the palace are helpless. What is the situation now? I also know a few experts. Why don't I invite them over and have them take a good look at Empress A Zheng?"
Shangguan Xu: "No need, the doctor at Xu Qing's house has helped A Zheng stabilize her condition."
Xu Qing'an suddenly said at this moment, "By the way, Your Majesty, although Ziyang just informed the imperial physician of the prescription he had previously prescribed, knowing the prescription alone is not enough when it comes to medical skills. After I return, I will ask him to write down his Chinese medicine theory and how to treat Madam Azheng's illness at each stage. I will then present it to Your Majesty, so that the imperial physicians can understand Ziyang's previous methods and cooperate in helping Madam Azheng recover."
Zi Yang is Xun Yang's courtesy name.
Shangguan Xu tilted his head slightly towards him and said, "Okay, after you give it to me, I'll pass it on to the imperial physician."
Xu Qing'an responded with a smile.
Su Shang watched from the side with a cold expression.
——
Su Shang's visit was for no important matter, and Shangguan Xu would not keep him for long. Xun Yang had also given instructions, so they all left the palace together.
Before leaving, Su Shang still insisted on saying a few more words to Shangguan Xu, so when he walked out of the hall, he was several body lengths away from Xu Qing'an.
A breeze blew by, and Su Shang felt a familiar fragrance coming from the front and permeating his nose.
When he turned the corner, he saw the sachet on his waist, the same one he had noticed earlier on Neichao.
He fixed his eyes, raised his head and called out to the person walking in front of him.
"Master Xu."
Xu Qing'an stopped and looked back in response.
Su Shang exchanged glances with him, then returned his gaze to the sachet around his waist. He asked, "Master Xu, have you been wearing a sachet lately?"
Xu Qing'an followed his gaze, lowered his eyes, and said casually, "Oh," and smiled, "Yes." He held up the sachet on his waist and said, "I've been wearing it for a while."
Su Shang asked curiously, "I remember Lord Xu didn't seem to have this habit before?"
"Yes," Xu Qing'an admitted. "I didn't have any particular favorite fragrances before, so I never wore a sachet. But this was a gift from the Empress Dowager, so I naturally can't let her down."
The light in Su Shang's eyes dimmed, and he pondered, "Is this Lanxiang?"
Xu Qing'an exclaimed in exaggerated surprise, "Master Su is so amazing! He can even smell this. It is indeed the fragrance of orchids. It seems that Master Su is also a person who can appreciate fragrances."
He smiled and said generously, "Does Lord Su like this incense? The Empress Dowager has given me a lot of it. Why don't I ask her for a reward and ask her to allow me to share some of the incense with Lord Su. After all, the incense given by the Empress Dowager must be excellent, and Lord Su can also wear it and use it."
"No need." Su Shang turned his head and looked into the distance, saying coldly, "I don't really smell the fragrance of orchids."
"Oh... that's such a pity. Lord Su can't stand the fragrance of orchids, but the Empress Dowager loves orchids alone." Xu Qing'an lowered his eyes, full of regret.
Su Shang couldn't help but frown and turned back: "No way." He pulled the corners of his lips and smiled, unwilling to be outdone. "From what I know, Her Highness likes many fragrances, and the scent of peony flowers should be her favorite." Xu Qing'an was calm and replied in a gentle voice: "Yes, but after all, the fragrance you use on yourself is different from the fragrance you like to smell from other places."
He hinted at something, and Su Shang's face turned even darker.
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