Man-eating birds 8
"Where to?" Xie Mowen asked, trying his best to keep his voice down.
After listening to the conversation between Jiang Yangze and Jiang Zeyan, Xiao Congzhi's face darkened. He pursed his lips and remained silent, then pulled Xie Mowen away.
The two hurried to the banquet hall.
Seeing Xiao Congzhi's heavy expression, Xie Mowen dared not say anything and quietly waited for Xiao Congzhi to come out of his thoughts.
After a while, Xiao Congzhi reached out and touched the water in the teacup with his finger, then wrote the name Jiang Zeyan on the table.
“Jiang Zeyan is clever in that his words and actions don’t reveal his stance,” Xiao Congzhi said, his throat dry and his voice strained.
Xie Mowen poured another cup of tea and pushed it over, nodding in agreement, "Yes."
“If his stance is on Jiang Yangze’s side, then his actions make perfect sense, and the strategy he offered is a good one for the current situation. You know the purpose behind my performance these past few days.”
Xie Mowen nodded. "Yes, it makes it seem like you're not someone who's been planning this all along, but rather someone who's been forced to start winning over the court officials by the events of the past few days."
"I did this because I was afraid that if Jiang Yangze saw the situation getting out of control, he would go into hiding, which would be difficult to deal with. My backup plan was to have Sun Rang push for the matter of assuming personal rule, and then have him quarrel with Jiang Yangze on some pretext, so that he would go and pretend to be on good terms with the Crown Prince, and then charge him with treason. But Jiang Zeyan's plan was brilliant. If Sun Rang brought it up and Jiang Yangze agreed, then my next act would be impossible."
Xie Mowen's expression gradually darkened. He stared at the half-dried words on the table and slowly said, "Not to mention that his plan is not limited to this."
"Yes. They went along with my wishes in court politics, which put me in a great mood. They took the opportunity to suggest that I take a few concubines or that I should take at least a few myself. I certainly couldn't refuse."
“Once you have children, they can… be like the late emperor.” Xie Mowen said, taking Xiao Congzhi’s hand.
"Although you and I know we won't have this child, who in the entire palace believes that we are truly in love?"
"Moreover, no matter how many concubines you take in, you can't escape the fact that, from an outsider's perspective, even if you and I have some affection for each other, it can't compare to the endless stream of beauties."
Xiao Congzhi sighed, “The brilliance of this plan lies in the fact that whether I have been planning it for a long time or it is just a whim, my original plan will be disrupted.”
Xie Mo asked, "Could he still be on your side?"
“If it were me, it would make sense too. Based on just one thing, I currently lack someone to help me keep Jiang Yangze in check, and every word he said today was aimed at calming him down.”
Xie Mowen looked puzzled.
"The Prime Minister wields immense power, and even the most heinous crime of executing nine generations of his family might not be enough to bring him down without causing future trouble. Only the crime of plotting against the emperor and murdering the ruler can sway public opinion and gain the trust of the people. Therefore, Jiang Yangze cannot see through me and must remain in hiding to protect himself. Jiang Zeyan first explained that my actions were due to the Empress Dowager's slip of the tongue and the Khitan uprising, then explained why people like Sun Rang were swayed by me, and then suggested that it is better to guide than to suppress, making it seem as if making a few decisions would make him happy. In that case, if I were to bring together court officials to discuss politics, Jiang Yangze would not be suspicious."
Xie Mowen pondered for a moment, then asked uncertainly, "In other words, his move also seems to have created a condition for your subsequent actions."
Xiao Congzhi slowly nodded.
"But why is he on your side? He served under Prime Minister Jiang in his early years, and apart from being a bit cleaner, he's no different from people like Tao Ran and Feng Jue."
Xiao Congzhi pursed his lips, stared at Xie Mowen for a long time, and then hesitated before saying, "Because of my mother's letter."
"He's the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel that your mother mentioned in her letter, the one she wanted to be your tutor?"
"Um."
"This... Congzhi, you..." Xie Mowen was reluctant to say more, so he simply pulled the person into his arms and held him, saying softly, "Then I'll have someone go and investigate his background again."
"My mother left me twelve letters, but she only mentioned this one person in kind."
"Assuming he was a spy planted by your mother among Jiang Yangze's people, let's not even talk about how he could have gone for over twenty years without leaving a trace. Besides, Jiang Zeyan entered the court before your parents met him, and he was already a member of Prime Minister Jiang's faction when your mother came to Yidu. That... is not feasible. I think your mother might just appreciate his scholarship."
"There is another strange thing. As for why he attacked Yu Anzhu at this time, his reason was not bad. He offered a plan first, and after the situation stabilized, Jiang Yangze might not refuse to promote him. If he was someone left by my mother, this opportunity would be to see from Sun Rang that I had a plan and wanted to take the lead in time to help me succeed."
"That's far-fetched, Xiao Congzhi. We knew that Sun Rang hadn't shown any signs of anything that day."
“If Jiang Zeyan has truly been lying low for so many years, just to unleash his power one day, then his ability to judge people must be exceptional. Sun Rang has a strong personality, and his willingness to back down is suspicious…” Xiao Congzhi looked up and nuzzled Xie Mowen’s neck, saying coquettishly, “Xie Mowen~”
Xie Mowen stared into Xiao Congzhi's eyes for a while, sighed deeply, and asked with a bitter face, "Does Your Majesty intend to take a risky move?"
"Um."
Xie Mowen kissed Xiao Congzhi's nose and asked earnestly, "You know that if you're wrong, it wouldn't be a complete waste of effort, but what about Prime Minister Jiang..."
Xiao Congzhi reached out and pressed his finger against Xie Mowen's lips, kissing him as he breathed out, "I know. If we go together and still can't see through this person, then kill him. We'll think about how Jiang Yangze will suspect us another day."
"good."
In the dead of night, the Jiang residence was deserted. The thin moonlight shone down, and the weather was freezing cold. Jiang Zeyan actually set up a small table in the courtyard to warm wine and admire the moon.
When Xiao Congzhi stepped into this tranquil place, he couldn't help but slow his breathing.
Upon hearing the commotion, Jiang Zeyan rose, knelt down, and performed a grand salute, saying, "Long live Your Majesty."
"You expected me to come tonight?"
Jiang Zeyan did not get up, but respectfully replied, "He may come, or he may not. It depends on whether His Majesty has seen Congxi's message and whether His Majesty is willing to take the risk."
Xiao Congzhi turned his head to look at Xie Mowen beside him. With just this one sentence, they still couldn't trust Jiang Zeyan. This man was too smart, too good at pretending, and knew too much.
However, their arrival in the dead of night was already a form of exposure.
There's nothing that can't be discussed openly.
"Congxi is my mother's name."
"She found the jade-like stone herself by flipping through a book."
"You..." Xiao Congzhi's gaze darkened slightly. Even Old Master Xiao and Xiao Hezhang might not be aware of such details. Just who was Jiang Zeyan...?
“Congxi is my friend. We have known each other since childhood and are childhood sweethearts.”
Xiao Congzhi took a few steps forward and sat on the stone bench where Jiang Zeyan had warmed the wine. This was the only place to sit in the large courtyard. Xie Mowen stood silently behind Xiao Congzhi, his hand on his knife.
Xiao Congzhi casually raised his hand and said, "Get up."
Jiang Zeyan slowly stood up, gathered his sleeves, and stood in front of Xiao Congzhi with his hands at his sides.
"You knew my mother left a message?"
“Since she has made the arrangements, she will surely try to leave a message. However, the situation was too chaotic twenty years ago. Whether the message can reach His Majesty is entirely up to fate.”
Xiao Congzhi gave a wry smile. "In that case, it's too cold for you to suffer, Jiang Aiqing. Just say what you have to say."
Jiang Zeyan paused for a moment, then asked hesitantly, "Does Your Majesty not trust me?"
Xiao Congzhi shook his head, "Past events cannot be taken seriously."
"Yes." Jiang Zeyan sighed slightly. "Then I will speak frankly. How to judge this depends on Your Majesty's opinion."
"Twenty-three years ago, I was ranked third in the imperial examination and subsequently became a disciple of the Prime Minister, obtaining a position in the Ministry of Personnel. I had no interest in the previous dynasty's struggle for the throne until Congxi came to Yidu with the late Emperor. Given the situation at the time, the late Emperor could only conspire with Prime Minister Jiang. Therefore, Congxi tried every means to secure a position with the Prime Minister, and that's how she came to me."
"I consider Congxi and I to be bosom friends. A scholar would die for one who understands him, so of course I was willing to get involved in this treacherous situation for her. However, after the late emperor ascended the throne, Prime Minister Jiang could not bear to see Congxi give birth to the imperial heir. He used some unknown method to make Congxi die mysteriously. He originally wanted to deal with Your Majesty, but after the late emperor found out, he sent you to the Empress Dowager's palace... which was the Empress's palace at the time. Prime Minister Jiang was afraid of harming the Empress and gave up his plans."
"The late emperor reigned for eight years with all his heart and soul, but as time went on, the prime minister realized that the late emperor was not easy to control, so he had the idea of establishing a young regent. The late emperor died under mysterious circumstances, just like Congxi did back then."
"For so many years, I have remained in seclusion, only because Congxi left me with the words to wait for the right time to assist her son in taking power and ruling in his own right."
“Your Majesty, a few days ago, Minister Sun from the Ministry of Justice came to see me, and I sensed something was amiss. After that, you made a series of moves, and I thought the time was probably right.”
"Drag Yu Anzhu down, and he will be able to speak to Prime Minister Jiang. In recent years, Prime Minister Jiang has demoted most of the late emperor's old ministers, but it is not necessarily a bad thing that they are scattered in various places. In recent years, I have formed a one-way network with them, and not one of them has changed their minds or betrayed their cause. They are all old ministers who were entrusted with the care of the young emperor by the late emperor."
After Jiang Zeyan finished speaking at length, Xiao Congzhi remained silent for a long time.
A long, long time passed, and the wind in the courtyard grew even cooler.
Xiao Congzhi asked casually, "When was my mother granted the title of Consort Shu?"
Jiang Zeyan froze, and upon hearing the question, he closed his eyes tightly. When he opened them again, he could see a red hue through the thin moonlight. He was no longer as calm and composed as before, and replied with difficulty, word by word, "It is a posthumous title."
Xiao Congzhi closed his eyes briefly, his expression revealing nothing, still calm and cold. He stood up and casually waved his hand at Jiang Zeyan, "Send that list to the palace. You can see it clearly, so I won't say anything more."
Jiang Zeyan immediately knelt down to express his gratitude.
Therefore, they did not see that Xiao Congzhi was actually being helped away by Xie Mowen.
The two didn't return to the banquet hall immediately, because Xiao Congzhi clearly needed to rest. They turned into a dark alley, where Xie Mowen pinned Xiao Congzhi against the wall and held him tightly.
"Did you believe what he said?" Xie Mowen asked.
Xiao Congzhi's voice was very soft and weak, "Once we get the list, we'll check it one by one. If it's correct, then what he said is true."
Xie Mowen coaxed her and asked again, "Then what's wrong with you?"
“If what he said is true… then my mother did not marry into the Eastern Palace when she came to Yidu with the late emperor, but became a strategist.”
"So you asked that question?" Xie Mowen suddenly felt a sense of unease.
"Yes. But with me... if I want to be legitimate, my mother can't hide the fact that her death was because of me."
"Yes, please!"
Xiao Congzhi buried his face in Xie Mowen's neck, his breathing growing heavier. "Mother was certain I would succeed to the throne, anticipated the late emperor's early death, and deduced that the court would be controlled by Prime Minister Jiang. She planned this far-reachingly because... because..."
"I won't say anymore, Congzhi, I won't say anymore." Xie Mowen patted Xiao Congzhi on the back of the head, gently repeating each sentence.
"From the moment I came into being, everything has been for this day."
Xie Mowen hugged Xiao Congzhi even tighter with heartache. Although he knew that all of this was fate playing tricks on him, he just couldn't bear the thought that his Congzhi had to shoulder the responsibility of the people and the weight of his parents' lives before he was even born.
Back then, the court was in chaos. The late emperor and Xiao Congxi were at their wits' end and could not find a way to achieve a prosperous and peaceful era under the leadership of Prime Minister Jiang. At this time, the good news came unexpectedly, which was also a turning point.
Xiao Congzhi rested in Xie Mowen's arms for a long time before slowly lifting himself up. Xie Mowen cupped Xiao Congzhi's face and kissed him, whispering, "Congzhi."
Xiao Congzhi forced a smile, looked up past Xie Mowen at the gradually brightening sky in the distance, and said slowly, "Since I can see it clearly, I can understand it. It's just that I only realized the deep kindness of my parents now, which is a bit of a regret."
Xie Mowen kissed Xiao Congzhi's eyes again.
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