Chapter 108: The world trembled; a discerning eye recognized a gem...
The news that the deposed crown princess had been summoned by His Majesty caused a great stir.
The residence of the Second Grand Secretary Gao Qiu.
“Master, since the Crown Princess was deposed, no matter how outstanding the First Princess and the Fifth Princess are, His Majesty has never established an Eastern Palace again. Does this move indicate that His Majesty intends to reinstate the deposed Crown Princess?” Zhao Xi, the Censor of the Censorate, paced back and forth anxiously.
Gao Qiu received the accounts from Keyinglou yesterday; profits were down by more than 50% compared to previous years, and he was quite worried. It wasn't like this before; that Xu You was truly incompetent, unable to even manage a small restaurant!
She listened to her apprentice's guess, but didn't take it seriously. She picked up the tea beside her, drank it down, and let out a sigh of relief. She then instructed Zhao Xi, "Why are you in such a hurry? What's so strange about a mother seeing her daughter?"
Zhao Xi didn't believe it: "It's just a meeting, it has nothing to do with establishing an heir?" They were from the Fifth Princess's faction. If the deposed Crown Princess were reinstated, all the effort she had put into building connections would be in vain, and she might even be expelled from the center of power. How could she not be anxious about this?
This matter concerns her future and cannot be ignored! No! She had to take action. "Master, I will first go and discuss this with the Fifth Princess." With that, she took a few steps to step out of the room.
"Hey, you idiot, come back!" Gao Qiu reached out and called her back. "Don't let your impatience disturb His Highness's peace of mind."
Seeing that Gao Qiu had something to say, Zhao Xi walked up to her and said, "Please enlighten me, esteemed teacher."
I've tried teaching you so many times, but you still can't teach me properly!
Gao Qiu was furious at the sight of his apprentice. He slapped her and cursed, "Idiot!" How could Zhang Shu, that crazy woman, teach her apprentice so well? One person could subdue five ministers, all of whom were cowardly old turtles. And all she had under her tutelage was this reckless fool.
She exhaled hot breath through her nostrils angrily, "From now on, you'll practice thirty large characters for me every day. Come see me when you've finished. You said you're impatient and irritable, and your writing is crude and uncouth; no matter how many times I teach you, you can't change!"
Zhao Xi chuckled awkwardly and shrank back a little.
"Since His Majesty has so ruthlessly stripped her of her feathers and cut off her left and right hands, there is absolutely no turning back. You fool, stop speculating. The plan now is to help the Fifth Prince defeat the First Prince and move into the Eastern Palace!"
Zhao Xi suddenly realized, scratching his head, "Your teacher is right. Then, shall we hold back for now?"
"It concerns the selection of the heir apparent. The first to step forward will suffer the consequences. Let's wait and see what the Crown Prince does. It was she who ordered the Grand Secretary Zong to be denounced earlier, thus removing the deposed Crown Princess's right-hand man. If the deposed Crown Princess were to rise to power one day, she would be the first to feel uneasy."
Zhao Xi understood. Her master's move was a classic case of the snipe and the clam fighting, while the fisherman benefits—truly ingenious! She nodded in admiration, "Then this disciple will take my leave."
Although this apprentice was a bit slow-witted, he was obedient and grateful, so Gao Qiu was generally satisfied. Putting aside his resentment towards Zhang Shu, he softened his expression and handed a letter to Zhao Xi.
"Go out later and give this letter to that young Master Zhang who's been getting all the attention lately."
Zhao Xi took it blankly, "Does Your Majesty also want to win over this person?" The news of Zhang Ting being scrambled for by the five ministers had spread throughout the court and the country. Everyone knew her 'prestige', and it was said that she was also deeply favored by the emperor and was about to rise to prominence.
Gao Qiu shook his head dismissively, then laughed, "She's one of us. You didn't know that?"
"His Majesty intends for the Eighth Prince to marry, and to marry a princess. Our Fifth Prince is the Eighth Prince's own sister."
"My actions are for the sake of Keyinglou. Since we are all in the same boat, I will entrust her with handling Keyinglou's poor management and give her 30% of the profits afterwards." It is said that Zhang Ting's daughter really has the ability to turn stone into gold. An ordinary restaurant that even had people's lives on it has become a living golden toad that generates wealth in her hands.
Gao Qiu was notorious both in and out of court for her love of money. She had practically lived a life obsessed with wealth. However, she was also deeply entrenched in power and had the backing of the Fifth Princess, allowing her to amass wealth without restraint. When the Grand Chancellor was alive, she still remembered to keep a low profile, but now that the Grand Chancellor was unjustly killed and the newly appointed Grand Secretary Xu Pin was also corrupt, she became even more unscrupulous in her greed.
Zhao Xi took the envelope and walked out. Gao Qiu's expression turned serious, and he called her back, saying in a deep voice, "Tell her that, out of consideration for our shared identity, I will not hold her accountable for that article on the cabinet's deliberations, but there will absolutely be no second time." His round, plump face was creased with wrinkles, and a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, ready to take a life in an instant.
The next moment, she transformed into a smiling face, her narrow eyes squinting into slits, her plump face displaying a warm expression that made one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze. "If you know what's good for you, when you get married, I will prepare a generous gift for you."
...
Upon receiving the news, the eldest princess Chen Li rushed to Xu Pin's residence in a panic.
She practically ran there, drenched in sweat, and gulped down the tea from the stone table.
After finishing her drink, she asked, "Grand Secretary Xu, what do you think we should do about this? The Empress Dowager... the Empress Dowager seems to favor the second son more?" Thinking of this, she became angry and slammed her hand on the stone table.
Just because the second son is the legitimate son and she is the illegitimate son, does she get all the benefits while she gets nothing? And I can only pick up what's left?
Xu Pin sighed, still sitting upright on the stone bench. "Your Highness, please calm down." He held a string of Buddhist prayer beads in his hand and carefully turned them over.
"Your Highness, please think about it. Was it you who carried out the massacre of your entire family three years ago, or was it me?"
Chen Li frowned and shook her head, looking at her with a puzzled expression.
"It was His Majesty himself who took action, sweeping away the entire Zong and Lin families with lightning speed, something unheard of since the founding of the dynasty. This shows His Majesty's determination, and that determination has been made for a long time." Xu Pin lowered his eyelids, as if muttering to himself, "How could he contradict himself?"
To be fair, Xu Pin did not resent Zong Xuanyue; on the contrary, he admired her character. Three years ago, he never imagined that he would climb to the top by stepping over her corpse and sit in the position of Grand Secretary.
Even her impeachment of Zong Xuanyue was merely an attempt to oust her and force her to join the Crown Princess's faction, hoping to secure a future for her descendants after His Majesty's passing. However, she never imagined that this would play right into His Majesty's hands, leading to the execution of the Zong and Lin families, and she became a treacherous minister reviled by the world.
Then he became completely bound to the eldest princess.
Chen Li stroked her chin and nodded, wanting to ask something more, when she saw one of Xu Pin's attendants rush over. Seeing her bowing and kowtowing in greeting, he was about to retreat.
With no major worries on her mind, Chen Li simply beckoned her over, saying, "If there's anything you need, just tell your master."
Xu Pin only glanced at her, seemingly acknowledging her arrival.
The attendant then approached with relief and greeted his master, saying, "Reporting to my lord, the arrangements you requested are complete, and the man will depart today."
Xu Pin nodded slightly and waved for her to leave.
Chen Li was still confused after listening to the conversation between master and servant. "Grand Secretary Xu, what are you trying to do?"
Xu Pin smiled faintly, his face amiable. "It's nothing. I just sent my men to investigate some secrets and teach those ignorant juniors a lesson."
Upon hearing this, Chen Li immediately lost interest. She sat lazily on the stone bench, idly fiddling with a tea set in front of her, and casually said, "Do you know that one from the Hanlin Academy? Apart from her great fame, there isn't a single noble person in the capital who doesn't know her."
Xu Pin lowered his gaze and said gently, "Is Your Highness interested? This woman is indeed quite capable."
"No. A newly appointed top scholar, a mere sixth-rank official, can only stretch out his arms a little. What can he do for me? I was just a little surprised to hear that the Empress Dowager favors Xiao Ba marrying him." Xiao Ba is as beautiful as a flower, and her second marriage is to a poor scholar from a humble background? It seems she's about to face hardship, yet the Empress Dowager is willing to do that. Tsk tsk.
Chen Li was lost in her thoughts when she suddenly heard a chilling voice beside her: "It's alright, it won't be like that for long."
She looked up in surprise, only to see Xu Pin smiling kindly, like a benevolent old man. Goosebumps rose on her arms, and a chill ran down her spine.
...
After finishing her shift today, Zhang Ting learned about the matter and, after a moment's thought, went to find her teacher.
Stepping into the courtyard, I saw the aunt and nephew playing chess under the shade of a tree.
Zong Suyi was wearing a light, misty blue robe today. The sun was hot, and there was an ice basin next to him, with two servants fanning them.
He seemed to be sensitive to the heat; a fine layer of sweat glistened on the tip of his high, straight nose. His delicate brows were slightly furrowed, and his eyes were fixed on the chessboard. However, his hand holding the white piece couldn't seem to bring it down, as if he was encountering a problem.
As time passed, the beads of sweat on his nose grew larger and larger, and he seemed to be holding his breath. While Zhang Shu was drinking tea, his pupils suddenly shifted, revealing a cunning look like that of a fox. He quietly put the previous white piece back and then placed the one in his hand.
After Zhang Shu put down the teacup and looked at the chessboard again, the situation had already undergone a dramatic change.
"Huh?" She rubbed her eyes in disbelief, wondering if she was seeing things. She was sure it wasn't this spot just now...
Zong Suyi, with her hands on her hips and a smile on her face, urged her triumphantly, "Auntie, it's your turn, hurry up and get off."
The servants beside them, who knew the truth, exchanged a glance and covered their mouths to laugh.
Zhang Shu scratched his head, observing the game. The situation was unfavorable to his side. "Sigh! Since that's the case, then I'll play here." He turned the tide once again, blocking Zong Suyi's path once more.
Zong Suyi: "..." The smile on his face froze instantly.
Zhang Ting leaned against the tree, watching with amusement in her heart, and burst out laughing.
Zong Suyi pouted and turned away, glaring fiercely at her. Her bright and lively eyes seemed to say, "How annoying, how dare you make fun of me."
Zhang Ting suppressed a laugh, straightened up, walked to his side, and affectionately ruffled his hair. Silly boy.
"Tsk, don't touch me like that!" Zong Suyi was about to remove her hand, but then another thought struck him, and his eyes lit up. "My wife, please help me turn the tables!"
"I've embarrassed you today, I've lost more than ten games in a row." Zong Suyi reached out and wrapped her arms around her waist, pouting with frustration and grievance.
Zhang Ting's lips unconsciously curled up, and she patted his thin shoulder, "Then get up and let your wife sit down."
Upon hearing this, Zong Suyi's face suddenly flushed red, and she softly replied, "Mm." She stood up reservedly, avoiding eye contact, seemingly lost in thought.
Zhang Ting was already used to his behavior, so she just smiled and shook her head, casually placing the sandalwood box on the table.
When it was Zhang Shu's turn: "..." Did she think she was dead? Could she just make a substitution at halftime?
Also, the young couple really don't treat her like an outsider.
Zhang Shugang picked up the black piece, but then he thought of Zong Suyi's tragic life and felt deeply guilty. He quickly threw the piece back into the chess box.
Poor Xiaoyi lost her elders' upbringing at such a young age. Oh well, why should she argue with a junior?
Zong Suyi was very grateful to Zhang Ting for saving him from dire straits. He stood behind her and massaged her shoulders and neck, occasionally asking her how much pressure she was applying, like a diligent and tireless bee.
Zhang Ting casually placed a white piece, comfortably squinting her eyes, and praised her husband for his intelligence and kindness.
Zong Suyi was overjoyed by the praise, blushed in front of everyone, and muttered softly, "I'm not that good..." but her hands worked even harder.
Zhang Shu snorted coldly. These two impolite little brats were showing off in front of her, a lonely woman. How rude of them!
She narrowed her eyes and quickly placed a black piece. Did she really think that changing players would turn the tide? She would teach them a lesson and crush them just the same way!
Zhang Ting followed closely behind the moment she placed her piece.
Zhang Shu glanced at the chessboard, raised an eyebrow, and looked at his young apprentice with some surprise. He'd never played chess with this little rascal before; he hadn't expected her to have some skill. But this time, her opponent was none other than the Go master Zhang Shu. Want to turn the tide? Such childish tricks!
Let her teach this little bastard a lesson and kill him without leaving a trace!
The master and apprentice were locked in a fierce battle, neither giving an inch, pressing forward relentlessly. The black and white stones were in constant flux, locked in a fierce struggle on the chessboard.
Zhang Shu suddenly noticed the sandalwood box beside his beloved disciple and frowned. "Did you return from meeting the Emperor today?"
"Yes." Zhang Ting replied with lowered eyes, then suddenly turned around and grasped Zong Suyi's hand. "You must be tired after all this time, my lord. I've sent some fabrics and jade pendants over; go and choose some. We'll have them made at Qingyi Pavilion in a few days."
Zong Suyi was delighted to hear this, as his family had limited funds and his wife was unusually generous.
His eyes seemed to sparkle like bright stars. He clapped his hands and laughed, then tapped Zhang Ting's nose. "Then my wife must help me win this round."
Zhang Ting smiled gently, her gaze warm and gentle, feeling a slight itch on the tip of her nose. "I know, go ahead."
After everyone else had left, only the master and apprentice remained in the courtyard. Zhang Ting then turned to face his teacher and said, "This wooden box contains a coral bracelet bestowed by His Majesty. According to Steward Xu, it is very much to His Majesty's liking." As he spoke, he placed another piece on the chessboard.
Zhang Shu nodded slightly, glanced at his apprentice opposite him, and clicked his tongue twice. Who wouldn't say that such an outstanding woman was breathtakingly beautiful and unparalleled? It was only natural that Emperor Chengtai felt a fondness for her.
Zhang Ting continued, "His Majesty requested that I write a memorial." He glanced over and said calmly, "I have agreed."
Zhang Shu sighed helplessly and placed a black piece. "I cannot disobey the imperial decree. I have no reason to blame you." He was just worried that his reputation would suffer in the future.
She picked up another black piece, held it in her hand, and pondered the game. "You've been too dominant lately." She placed her piece immediately after the white one. This created a mountain-like encirclement, completely trapping the white piece.
Zhang Shu smiled with satisfaction. "Sigh, these young people these days just need a lesson!" she thought. "She's about to win, hehe."
Zhang Ting, however, calmly placed a chess piece elsewhere. "Yes. But I never expected such a situation. Fortunately, I am still in the Hanlin Academy."
"It's good that you know how to assess the situation and use retreat as a strategy." Zhang Shu looked at her, who had landed in that corner, scratching her head with a frown. What was she up to? Had the little girl panicked because the situation had turned one-sided?
Zhang Shu hesitated as he continued to place his pieces, staring suspiciously at her face, sensing that something was amiss.
Zhang Ting then told her some bombshell news: "His Majesty summoned the deposed Crown Princess today."
Zhang Shu was startled and suddenly staggered to his feet, almost knocking over the chess box beside him. "What did you say?" The deposed crown princess was summoned by His Majesty? This was a bolt from the blue.
As the teacher was in shock, Zhang Ting heard a faint sound of footsteps on branches and leaves behind her. She turned her head slightly and saw a small glimpse of a misty blue hem of clothing flashing by the door.
She sighed softly to herself, deciding not to hide it from him anymore.
Zhang Shu calmed down, sat back down on the stone bench, his expression solemn, and said frankly, "There is absolutely no possibility of reinstatement. Your Majesty's actions are either to kill or to release."
Zhang Ting lowered his eyes and nodded, "They will probably be released, but they will still be imprisoned until death."
"Xiao Ting, where do you think His Majesty would place them if they were released?"
Zhang Ting gazed intently at the chessboard, holding a white piece in deep thought. "Releasing her back is naturally because I want her to live. Aside from Yingchuan Prefecture, there are still royal families and clans who will protect her and can protect the royal bloodline. I don't think about any other place."
Zhang Shu rubbed his forehead and finally sighed, "Good." The deposed crown princess was somewhat willful, but she could get her old friend to agree to let her daughter marry the prince, so her character was definitely acceptable. At least she wouldn't treat the common people like pigs and dogs, slaughtering them in good years and eating them in bad years.
Zhang Ting faintly heard footsteps moving, which grew farther and farther away until they disappeared from her ears. The person was gone.
Her eyelids were half-closed, and she felt a vague sense of worry.
What is Xiaoting thinking about?
Zhang Ting was immediately brought back to her senses, raised her head and smiled, "No. I was just thinking about how the two officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Revenue seemed to be particularly enthusiastic towards me."
"Well, I don't know the specific attitudes of those two gentlemen towards you, so I won't make any judgments, lest I interfere with your decision," Zhang Shu said, fiddling with the black pieces in the chess box.
"Before this game is over, let me talk to you about the factions in the imperial court."
Zhang Ting spoke gently and respectfully, "Please enlighten me, teacher." But his moves were ruthless and merciless, surrounding and killing the black pieces without leaving any room for maneuver.
Her move truly troubled Zhang Shu. He scratched his head, making his silver hair a mess. This young woman has no sense of restraint; she's practically disrespecting her master, deliberately trying to teach her elders a lesson!
After sighing countless times, Zhang Shu slowly placed her piece. By now, she no longer had the same confidence and determination she had at the beginning. She prayed to God to help her win by a narrow margin, so that she could at least save face in front of her apprentice.
"The court factions are divided into the righteous stream and the corrupt stream."
Zhang Shu's expression held a hint of nostalgia. "When I was still an official in the court, the Qingliu faction was led by the Grand Chancellor. The Ministers of Rites, Justice, and Revenue all belonged to this faction. Oh, back then, the Ministry of Personnel was also under the Grand Chancellor's command. So all four ministries belonged to the Qingliu faction, which severely suppressed the Tuoliu faction. But ever since she... passed away, the leader of the Qingliu faction has become the Minister of Rites. The Ministers of Justice and Revenue seem to have become loyal subjects, only obeying His Majesty's orders."
"As for the corrupt officials, there are the Minister of War, the Minister of Works, and the current Minister of Personnel. The Minister of War is the aunt of the deceased Third Princess and is extremely hostile to the deposed Crown Princess. The Minister of Works, Qiu Mu, has become Xu Pin's lackey, biting whoever he is told to. As for the head of the Ministry of Personnel, he is Xu Pin, and the second-in-command is her apprentice, Song Yin, who was appointed Prefect of the Capital three years ago."
"I'm sure you know something about it. The Qingliu faction doesn't easily side with the royal family and is irreconcilably opposed to the Zhuoliu faction, looking down on each other. Right now, within the Zhuoliu faction, the eldest princess has Xu Pin, the prime minister, standing behind her; the fourth princess is weak and can't even protect herself, so no one is betting on her; the fifth princess is deeply favored by the emperor, and behind her is the Grand Secretary and the second prime minister, Gao, who is strategizing for her."
The master and apprentice each held a black and white piece, secretly competing with each other, neither giving an inch.
Zhang Ting rested his chin on his hand, then suddenly frowned and said, "Prime Minister Gao?"
"What? You know her?" Zhang Shu stared at the distressing chessboard, his heart heavy, and took a deep breath.
"Before the provincial examination, I ran a restaurant that was quite profitable. However, in the first year, I partnered with Prime Minister Gao and gave her 30% of the profits. After the examination, I stopped managing these affairs. I heard that the Gao family's appetite grew bigger and bigger, and they directly demanded 70% of the profits."
Zhang Shu wasn't surprised at all, and even scoffed, "That Gao Qiu is such a greedy devil, and her methods are ruthless. It's better to provoke a gentleman than a villain. If nothing serious happens, it's better to suffer a little loss at her hands." She patted her beloved disciple's hand, somewhat worried, "It's better than being haunted by a little devil."
My apprentice is upright, kind, and compassionate, like a pure white snow lotus. Having never experienced the darkness of officialdom, how could he possibly deal with these cunning old devils?
Zhang Ting frowned and placed the last white piece, obediently agreeing, "Yes." Kyoto is truly treacherous and fraught with danger; how can a pure and innocent girl like her survive?
The master and apprentice finished their casual conversation, and the game of chess came to an end.
The entire chessboard resembled an ancient battlefield, with two armies clashing amidst swirling clouds and thunderous roars. The mighty soldiers faced a life-or-death struggle, and in the end, the dust settled in a flash. Zhang Ting won the game by defeating Zhang Shu by four pieces.
Zhang Shu was somewhat disheartened after losing the game, feeling that she was truly getting old. Although it was embarrassing, she looked at the board again and again, admiring it so beautifully! Even though she lost, she lost with honor and dignity!
After years of seeking defeat in solitude, she finally achieved perfection, and the victor was none other than her disciple. Is there anything more fortunate in the world?
Zhang Shu pieced together his shattered pride, stood up, patted his beloved disciple on the shoulder, and suddenly sighed, "Fortunately, Xiao Ting, you are my disciple."
After saying that, she realized it wasn't right and repeated, "Xiao Ting, you were born to be my disciple." Otherwise, if she had lost to someone else's disciple today, she would have been so angry that she wouldn't have been able to sleep for a long time! She wouldn't even want to drink anymore.
Thank goodness, thank goodness.
It's all thanks to my keen eye and the initiative. But ultimately, it's still her doing, hehe.
Zhang Ting was extremely skilled at Go in her past life, and meeting her teacher today was a worthy opponent. In addition, she had promised Zong Suyi to help him save face. If she lost, wouldn't that kid laugh at her in bed for days? He would call her useless and incompetent!
Just kidding, how could we lose in this situation?
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