Chapter 58 Fox Zhang
There was a brief silence in the palace.
The Emperor of Tianshui sat upright on a high platform, the tassels on his head swaying. He lowered his eyes, his gaze slowly sweeping across the old ministers standing on either side and his silent sons, finally landing on Zhang Yun, who stood beside them.
The emperor's voice fell from afar: "Zhang Qing, please tell me how I should decide."
The emperor's words were like a drop of water falling into a lake, creating ripples. The officials, holding their tablets, appeared respectful and well-behaved, but their eyes were fixed on Zhang Yun without any expression.
All the people present were foxes, but this young one had the smoothest fur and was so slippery that it left no trace.
Over the years, as the various princes were granted titles and released from the palace, the conflict between the Wang and Feng factions grew in scope and embroiled a wider audience. To protect themselves amidst this turbulent vortex, most in the court could only grit their teeth and choose a side, risking the consequences of forming a clique for personal gain. With so many members and so widespread, the entire court, both civil and military officials, had become accustomed to blending in, and no longer considered it a problem.
But Zhang Yun, a commoner, suddenly achieved imperial success. His skills, courage, vision, and determination were all ruthless! He had the audacity to reject the olive branches offered by the Wang and Feng factions. While the people of Bianliang lamented his stubbornness and arrogance, he turned and climbed the tree of the Prince of Yan's palace, quickly establishing a firm foothold in Bianliang City.
His Majesty was reluctant to appoint a crown prince, and was subtly displeased with the Wang and Feng factions, who were nagging him over this point. Zhang Yun, unaffiliated with any faction, presented himself before His Majesty as a loyal and devoted minister concerned for the country and its people. Over the years, his favor had only grown, and his ascent through the ranks had been astonishingly rapid.
But His Majesty's question at this time... I wonder what his intention is. Is he trying to push Zhang Yun out to neutralize the Feng and Wang factions, or to force Zhang Yun to take sides, or is he just asking casually?
Zhang Yun allowed the numerous gazes, both overt and covert, to pierce him with composure. He took two steps forward, stepped out of the ranks, and stood between Grand Tutor Wang and Prime Minister Feng. He bowed to the emperor and spoke forcefully, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, sending an envoy to Liao to protect the peace of the border alliance between our two countries is the best policy at this time."
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the people around him varied. Prince Yong's bodhisattva-like smile grew even more mellow, while the Prince of Qin's wolfish eyes darkened, a hint of venom in their eyes. Many people, even while listening to Zhang Yun, glanced at Zhao Xuanxu, intentionally or unintentionally.
After all, in everyone's eyes, Zhang Yun was Zhao Xuanxu's man. Zhang Yun's actions could not be without the intention of the Prince of Yan.
The emperor sat up straighter and squinted at the man he had personally chosen as the top scholar. "Why do you think so?"
"Since ancient times, wars have brought suffering to the people. When two countries go to war, nine out of ten houses are often empty, leaving the people in dire straits." Zhang Yun said slowly, "Tianshui is a prosperous place for merchants. Aside from salt and iron, all other trades do not compete with the people for profit, and many people are wealthy. Negotiating peace with Liao may require paying appeasement money, but the people's continued prosperity and wealth will not destroy the foundation of Tianshui. Therefore, I believe that if we want to make a quick decision now, we should send our guards north to stabilize the situation. In the future, we can settle people and cultivate land to strengthen the border to prevent future wars."
Zhang Yun spoke beautifully. Although he supported Grand Tutor Wang's plan, he did not completely dismiss the intentions of Prime Minister Feng and his generals.
The emperor was clearly pleased to hear this. A smile spread across his face, and he uttered two "good"s in quick succession. Just as the King of Qin frowned and began to speak, he raised his hand to stop him. He then concluded, "Zhang Qing is absolutely right. For the sake of the people, I truly do not wish to see Tianshui engulfed in war. Well, let this be done, no further discussion! Instruct the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites to select the envoys."
Zhang Yun lowered his eyes, stretched out his arms, and bent down to respond.
Compared to the group of ministers who stood aside with their heads down and dared not look directly at the emperor, Wen Yao stood upright in the corner, looking up at the emperor, and understood the thoughts of everyone in the hall.
Judging from the emperor's expression, he must have long favored Taishi Wang's method of sending people to appease Northern Liao. Pulling Zhang Yun out was simply to avoid being seen as favoring Wang's faction.
She suddenly found the drama between the emperor and his subjects rather amusing. Even now, the emperor was still playing both sides and raising the flag. He even talked about considering the people for the better, but it was clear that he had suffered too many defeats at the hands of the Northern Liao in his early years and was afraid of fighting.
With this finalized, the small court meeting at the Yonghe Palace quickly concluded. Song Mingde led the emperor out through a side door. The Grand Tutor, Prime Minister, Prince Yong, and Prince Qin, who were standing at the front, also left one after another. Officials below them left in twos and threes.
"Commander Wen." Zhang Yun took two quick steps and called out to Wen Yao. Even though he had been pulled out by the emperor to shield him from the arrows, he still wore a smile. His fox eyes curved, and he turned back into the carefree young man who had squatted under the eaves with Wen Yao, rubbing peanuts. He asked with concern, "I heard you were injured yesterday too. How is your injury? Is it serious?"
"It's fine." Wen Yao didn't care: "It's just a superficial wound."
Zhang Yun: "That's good, that's good."
The three of them walked out together. When they were a little further away from the people around them, Zhang Yun suddenly asked Wen Yao, "Commander Wen, regarding what happened in the Yonghe Palace just now, in your opinion, should we send envoys to negotiate peace or guard the border and prepare for war?"
"Are you still asking?" Wen Yao glanced at the fox in official uniform. "The emperor has already said that this matter cannot be discussed further."
"Hey, asking in private doesn't count."
"I think what you said just now is very good." Wen Yao said seriously: "Compared with those two groups, you have no basis or evidence. You can't go wrong by saying what the emperor wants to hear."
Zhang Yun blinked and sighed, "Commander Wen saw through it!"
Wen Yao shrugged and smiled, "After you finished speaking, the emperor bared his teeth and laughed. It's so obvious that it would be a miracle if you couldn't see it. Just now, among the people in the hall, tell me if there was anyone who didn't see that you were playing along with the emperor?"
Zhang Yun smiled and said, "Do you think I am a sycophant for trying to please the emperor?"
"Why do you call yourself a traitor? Don't you have a point?" Wen Yao said, then suddenly stopped and looked at the clear white sky above him, which was surrounded by towering palace walls on all sides. After a moment of silence, he said, "Bei Liao has never been afraid of going to war with Tianshui. After Yelu Huishi's death, if we don't send people to appease Bei Liao and give them face, they will probably attack immediately. Sending envoys to Bei Liao is necessary, and so is garrisoning the border and cultivating land in preparation for war. Bei Liao and Tianshui will go to war sooner or later, and that day won't be too far away."
Wen Yao didn't know much about the events between Tianshui and Beiliao, but she knew one thing with absolute certainty: Lou Chengyi had returned to Beiliao. Once he entered the capital, he would undoubtedly resort to fomenting chaos, paving the way for his own ascension to power. Not to mention, he maintained numerous spies and agents in Bianliang. Given these circumstances, what could be more effective in boosting his ascent than a battle between Beiliao and Tianshui?
No, Wen Yao couldn’t think of it.
Zhang Yun didn't know about Lou Chengyi yet, but he agreed with what he said, nodding his head in agreement, his smile growing more genuine. It wasn't until he glanced over and saw Zhao Xuanxu, who was growing increasingly impatient as he watched him and Wen Yao chatting, that he smiled, bowed, and gracefully left.
Wen Yao was puzzled: "Why are you asking so many questions without any reason?"
Zhao Xuanxu said, "Don't worry about him."
After saying this, His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan, who had been dressed up all morning, naturally reached out to pull Wen Yao's sleeve. But before his fingers touched the fabric, another shout came from behind them.
"Commander Wen! Please stay!"
The voice was sharp and long, giving Wen Yao goosebumps. She turned and saw a white-bearded eunuch holding a dustpan, his face filled with joy. He led his men two steps away, stopped, saluted, and said, "Commander Wen, His Majesty has just ordered you to go to Yunjin Pavilion."
Yunjin Pavilion?
Wen Yao didn't know where this place was, and raised his eyebrows in surprise as he looked at the eunuch who was delivering the message.
The eunuch smiled, beaming with joy. "During breakfast today, Concubine Su suddenly felt unwell, and the imperial physician was summoned to see her. But when the imperial physician felt her pulse, he discovered she was pregnant! Just as Your Majesty left the Lama Temple, someone was waiting at the door to announce the good news. Things haven't been peaceful lately, but the Red Pavilion traitor has been apprehended, and a heir has been born. This is truly auspicious news!"
Hearing this, Wen Yao was also shocked. She had never expected Su Yi to be pregnant so soon. Her impression of Su Yi was only a shallow shadow, lingering on the girl who went to Bianliang alone in the chaotic Qiongyu Tower to seek justice for her father.
"Ah, that's good news." Wen Yao bowed to the eunuch and said, "Excuse me, Eunuch, Concubine Su is pregnant. Why did His Majesty summon me?"
The child is not hers, and she is not the child's father. If anyone should go, it should be the emperor.
"Ouch." The eunuch hurriedly returned the greeting, bending down even further. "Commander Wen, you may not be aware that the Taoist priests in the Great High Mysterious Palace have just created a miraculous elixir. Your Majesty is interested in Taoism and has been accompanied by Eunuch Song. Concubine Su has a close relationship with Commander Wen. Upon hearing that Commander Wen had entered the palace, she specifically instructed the messenger to ask Your Majesty to see you."
Oh, it turns out the child’s father is not in a hurry and is using her as a raft.
Wen Yao understood and looked at Zhao Xuanxu.
After reaching adulthood, the princes were always cautious with the young concubines in the harem. But Zhao Xuanxu had no concerns, standing closely behind Wen Yao as if he was going to follow. Only when he met Wen Yao's gaze did he reluctantly let go of her hand and said considerately, "Go ahead, Yao. I'll wait for you in the carriage."
"Yes." Wen Yao said to the eunuch, "Then I'll trouble you to lead the way."
Su Yi, now a concubine, lived in a side hall of the palace called Yunjin Pavilion. Within the palace walls stood a massive kapok tree. When Wen Yao arrived, she saw two palace maids leading the imperial physician out of the courtyard.
The eunuch smiled and said, "Your Majesty still cares about Concubine Su, and the medicinal herbs he gave her have been delivered. Commander Wen, we have arrived at the destination. I will escort you here and then take my leave."
Wen Yao didn't think her pregnancy was a sign of Laozi's concern. The emperor preferred to go and see the alchemists rather than come to visit. She watched the eunuch leave in silence, then turned and entered the Yunjin Pavilion.
Su Yi was sitting in the flower hall. The moment she saw Wen Yao, she immediately dropped her hand, her hair, adorned with pearls and jadeite, swaying slightly. She excitedly walked out, her elaborate light green palace dress in hand. "Miss Wen is here! Which eunuch brought you here? Hong Shu, go and send some silver."
The palace maid behind her nodded in response and chased in the direction the eunuch had just left.
"Miss Wen, come and sit over here." Su Yi walked over quickly, holding Wen Yao's wrist tightly, and turned to the people beside her and said, "Go and get the snacks I made. Then everyone, step back, step away. I have something private to say to Miss Wen."
Her enthusiastic reaction was somewhat unexpected. She walked over to the table, sat down, looked around at the elegant and warm decoration, and said, "It seems like you are living well here."
She said it unintentionally, but when Concubine Su heard it, her eyes, which were smiling just now, suddenly drooped, and her eyes quickly turned red and two pools of water gathered, and a few tears fell from her cheeks.
Wen Yao was shocked and couldn't sit still anymore. He looked at her and said, "You, why are you crying?"
Su Yi shook her head: "Miss, life in the palace is all about showing off to outsiders, but only you yourself know the bitterness inside. Now everyone in the palace thinks that I have His Royal Highness Prince Yan behind me, so they give me some face. The Imperial Concubine has also restrained herself a little, so I am not having such a hard time as I did a while ago."
Her expression and words were heartbreaking. Wen Yao didn't know how to comfort her. After a moment of silence, he said hesitantly, "This child—"
"I had such great difficulty in getting this child." Speaking of the child, Supin finally stopped crying and smiled again: "Now I am finally not alone in this palace."
The door opened, the beaded curtain rolled up, and a palace maid arrived, carrying delicate, pink pastries. She placed them gently on the table. Concubine Su pushed the plate and said softly, "These pastries from Pingjiang Prefecture are homemade. They can't compare to those from the kitchen. Miss Wen, please try them."
Her words were truly modest. The pastry before her was first-rate, both in appearance and in its soft, sweet, and sticky flavor. But after Wen Yao ate two, she felt an inexplicable ache in her stomach and couldn't eat any more.
She stopped eating and looked at Su Yi: "The Queen specially called me here just to treat me to some snacks?"
"Of course not." Concubine Su looked at her and smiled, her hand caressing her belly again. "I called Miss Wen here this time mainly to discuss things with her. The child's future name will naturally be decided by the Ministry of Rites, but as for a nickname, why don't you pick one for me?"
Wen Yao was caught off guard, his hands trembling, and he immediately said, "This is inappropriate."
"What's wrong with that? If you hadn't saved me, there would be no Su Yi in this world, and no child. You are my benefactor, and also his benefactor. There's no way you can be wrong about this." Supin became excited again, leaning forward, and said sincerely, "Miss Wen, please don't refuse."
Wen Yao stared at Su Bin, then suddenly suppressed all his expressions and said, "I don't like people to go around me. If you have something to say today, just say it."
If it were in the past, Wen Yao would have listened to Su Bin's words and would not have thought much about giving a nickname to a younger generation. But now the situation is different, and she can't help but think more.
Ever since entering the palace, Concubine Su had been trying every possible means to contact her. Or rather, she'd been trying every possible way to use her as a connection to Zhao Xuanxu. Granted, unless Zhao Xuanxu truly dared to rebel, he wouldn't have been able to ascend to the throne. Regardless, Zhao Xuanxu was now a powerful prince. With Zhao Xuanxu's name, Concubine Su, without the support of her maternal family, would likely have a much easier time in the palace.
Therefore, Wen Yao thought that the letter she sent and the words she said before were all understandable.
But today, Wen Yao was sitting here listening to Su Bin talking, and he keenly sensed something else in it.
Supin slowly let out a breath, her expression suddenly calming down. At this moment, she looked completely different from the panicked orphan girl in Qiongyu Tower.
She pursed her lips, stood up calmly and suppressedly, then lifted her skirt and knelt down in front of Wen Yao without hesitation.
Wen Yao was startled, but reacted quickly and firmly grasped Su Bin's arm before her knees touched the ground, pulling her up. "What are you doing?"
"I want to make a bet." Su Bin stared at Wen Yao, her slender white fingers exerting unusual strength, grabbing Wen Yao's wrist like a drowning man grabbing a piece of driftwood: "Miss Wen, I want to make a bet."
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