Chapter 50 The Truth: Are You Really Willing to Give Me a Divorce Letter?
Feng Xin went to Zhichunli during the day and did not return after nightfall. Lu Tingwan was either lying or sitting all day long. His whole body seemed stiff and the pain in his body was not so obvious.
There was a desk beside the couch in the inner room, and Lu Tingwan arranged the medicine jars neatly. The early winter chill was penetrating, and the windows and doors were closed tightly. The cold wind blew in and the chill was unbearable. However, the house had been soaked in medicine for the past few days, and even though Lu Tingwan asked Feng Xin to light incense, it could not cover it up.
She didn't like the smell of medicine, so she asked Feng Xin to leave the door open. The inner room was covered with curtains and screens, and she would rather be cold than smell that smell.
Her jade fingers gently unbuttoned her collar. She moved slowly, and her clothes fell off, revealing her thin white back with her butterfly bones clearly visible. The candlelight shone through the screen, and the bloodstains on her back had formed a thin layer of scab. Even after applying medicine on it, there was still a tingling and itchy feeling.
Applying the medicine was the most difficult part. Previously, Feng Xin had to apply the medicine, but now she had to do it herself. Her vision was obstructed, and if she moved her arms too much, it would tear the wound. She could only apply it slowly by feeling.
Yansheng Hall was exceptionally peaceful, with the cold wind occasionally knocking against the dead trees. The moonlight quietly fell, and a tall pine tree streaked across the courtyard like the wind, standing under the eaves. It was so quiet that one could clearly hear the musings inside.
Through the screen, Lu Tingwan's figure was blurry. His footsteps were light, and Lu Tingwan did not notice anyone entering.
The hand that reached out to her back felt an unfamiliar chill, and she suddenly withdrew her hand, but accidentally pulled the wound again.
"Hiss..." Lu Tingwan was shocked and wanted to turn around, but was ordered by the man.
"Don't move." The clear voice was full of tenderness.
"You..." Lu Tingwan recognized the voice and was so panicked that she didn't dare to move. After a moment, she realized that her clothes were incomplete and her entire back was exposed, while Cheng Xianzhi was standing naked behind her.
She suddenly realized that she needed to look for her clothes, but she wanted to turn around but felt it was inappropriate, so she could only put one hand on her chest and grope around her waist with the other.
"I'm not in a position to see anyone right now. Please step back behind the screen before we talk." Her voice was full of urgency.
Cheng Xianzhi disagreed and showed no intention of leaving.
Instead, we should plan to move forward.
Lu Tingwan only felt the breath behind her getting closer and closer. She felt vaguely uneasy, and her mind was filled with untrue thoughts.
At this moment, Lu Tingwan suddenly stood up and was about to leave. A strong force pressed down on his shoulders, "Don't move."
Lu Tingwan sat back in his original position obediently, his body as stiff as an ice sculpture after a severe winter.
"You, don't think that I can take advantage of you because I have no ability to resist. I..."
"Why do you have to go to Hanzhang Palace to be whipped?" Cheng Xianzhi ignored her, picked up the jade piece used for applying medicine on the couch, dipped a little ointment in it, and moved gently, as if he was caring for a piece of jade.
The ointment was applied to the wound, and she unconsciously hunched her shoulders. Perhaps it was because she felt embarrassed to face him like this, but Lu Tingwan didn't feel any pain.
"How will the Queen Mother explain to you if you go to Hanzhang Palace to plead for me?"
Lu Tingwan lowered his eyes and slowly adjusted to the coolness behind him. "I don't need to explain to anyone, I just need to be true to myself."
She chuckled and said, "Don't think I went to Hanzhang Palace for you, Cheng Xianzhi. I just wanted to give justice to Uncle Zhou and his daughter, that's all."
"As for our promise, you have never broken it, and I will not allow the Queen Mother to use me to put you in trouble."
"What about you?" Cheng Xianzhi asked, the jade piece slowly moving down from the scar on his shoulder along his spine.
Lu Tingwan's back was stiff and the jade piece on her back was cold, but her whole body was hot, especially her cheeks, which were flushed and hot. Fortunately, he couldn't see it.
But her red earlobes seemed to betray her.
Lu Tingwan sneered: "Your Excellency, you don't think I'm doing this for you, do you?"
Cheng Xianzhi said, "According to your majesty's plan, Dalan's new laws will be announced to the world within half a month. By then, I will definitely take the position of Minister of State. Your father's hard work has been wasted, thanks to his good daughter."
"How can you speak like that, sir? Even if I didn't do this for you, I did help you out. It's really cruel to say such unconventional words right in front of me, just to kick you when you're down."
Cheng Xianzhi put down the jade piece, put on his clothes, and said calmly, "When I become the Minister, I will fulfill the conditions I promised you."
When Lu Tingwan heard the voice, the gloom was dispelled in the darkness, and the candlelight filled the entire room again, just like filling her heart that was trapped in the dim stone room and unable to fly out.
"Really?" She turned around to confirm again, staring directly into Cheng Xianzhi's eyes, trying to confirm the answer she expected from him, "Are you willing to give me the divorce papers?"
She seemed to have forgotten that the outer shirt was only draped over her back, leaving her undergarments half exposed, her breasts bulging and revealing a glimpse of her beauty.
Cheng Xianzhi glanced at her unintentionally and then looked away calmly, but Lu Tingwan, who had been staring at him, still saw him look away.
He did glance nonchalantly where he shouldn't have been.
Lu Tingwan seemed to realize something, hugged her arms to block it, and then turned sideways to carry him on her back.
A dry voice echoed, "Yeah."
Lu Tingwan was immersed in the joy of divorce and couldn't wait to tell the good news to Luo Yunchu.
The person behind him disappeared silently in Yansheng Hall, and Lu Tingwan didn't even know when he left.
Cheng Xianzhi was cleared of his grievances and continued to revise the law with full justification. Half a month later, Dalan's newly revised law was announced to the public, providing a basis for the heavy sentence imposed on Gao Heng, and his reputation among the people was restored to its previous state.
In Hanzhang Hall, Zhongshu Ling Gongsun Yin spoke freely, "Your Majesty, the Dalan laws have been revised, and the people are praising their achievements. Cheng Pushe and all the officials have worked tirelessly and tirelessly, and in just half a month, they have corrected the loopholes in our laws. This has not only simplified the procedures for people to appeal, but also made them more humane."
"The rumors circulating among the people that Cheng Pushe condoned his subordinates' abuse of power and perverted the law are a frame-up. Now that the Dali Temple has investigated, Cheng Pushe should be rewarded for his actions in revising the laws to benefit the people and the country."
Li Tingfeng waited for the court officials to propose something, and the Minister of the Central Secretariat followed suit. Empress Dowager Jiang acted as she had expected: "Cheng Pushe's revision of the law was meritorious, but the root of the matter was caused by Cheng Pushe and the Ministry of Justice. Their merits and demerits offset each other."
"But now that the laws have been improved, the people are in favor of it. My lord is a wise ruler who clearly distinguishes rewards and punishments. If I don't reward Cheng Pushe, it will go against the people's will." The Minister of the Central Secretariat continued.
Lu Mingqian asked, "Then according to what the Minister of the Central Secretariat said, how should Your Majesty reward Cheng Pushe to appease the people?"
Li Tingfeng said, "Yes, what does the Minister of the Central Secretariat think?"
"In my opinion, Cheng Pushe is a young and promising man, exceptional and distinguished. His previous work on the house tax case was a brilliant achievement, earning him considerable renown. Now, with the major revision of the law, his reputation has spread far and wide. The position of Shangshu Sheng in our dynasty has been vacant for years, with Cheng Pushe and Lu Pushe sharing the responsibility of overseeing the six ministries. While each of the six ministries has its own distinct functions and a clear division of labor, there is no single leader to direct and manage all of them. If we could promote a Shangshu to the position of Shangshu Sheng to oversee the six ministries, the directives from the Zhongshu Sheng and Menxia Sheng would be evaded when they reach the six ministries. To improve the efficiency of the six ministries and fulfill the emperor's will, I suggest promoting Cheng Pushe to the position of Shangshu Sheng, overseeing the six ministries and assisting the monarch."
"Cheng Pushe has just reached the age of twenty. Although he has made achievements, his qualifications are shallow. But if we talk about achievements, who among the officials in the court has not made any? Your Majesty's desire to reward his subjects is understandable. The Secretariat is a first-rank official position in our dynasty, in charge of the six ministries, and it is no joke. I think that with Cheng Pushe's aptitude, it is not too late for him to gain experience in the court for two years. Revision of the laws is for the benefit of the people. Your Majesty may as well reward Cheng Pushe with gold, silver and jewelry. As for the position of Shangshu, we still need to consider it in the long run." Queen Mother Jiang said slowly.
"At the beginning of the year, Your Majesty intended to select important officials in the court to serve as Shangshu concurrently. Since the beginning of our dynasty, we have never judged official positions by age, but by achievements and virtues as an official. Therefore, although Cheng Pushe is only in his early twenties, he does not act frivolously and has always been calm. He has been in charge of the Ministry of Justice for many years and has solved many cases. He is experienced in doing things and remains calm in the face of difficulties. He is a role model for young people. I would like to ask everyone here, who can achieve such achievements at the age of twenty?" The Zhongshu Ling spoke sincerely.
"If official positions and rewards were based on age, my Da Lan would have long been ill and beyond help. It is only right that the Queen Mother considers this, but if you stubbornly cling to old customs, Da Lan will remain inactive."
Queen Mother Jiang knew that recommending Cheng Xianzhi to the position of Shangshu Province had long been the plan of Li Tingfeng and Gongsun Yin, but she still remained calm.
"Does Your Majesty think so?"
"Rumors spread throughout the capital that Cheng Pushe framed someone, and the Dali Temple's investigation confirmed the suspicion. However, Your Majesty, the person who framed him was a wandering jianghu from the west side of the city. I truly don't know why this jianghu person would frame Cheng Pushe. Could it be that Cheng Pushe offended someone in the jianghu during his investigation, and is now holding a grudge and seeking revenge?"
Li Tingfeng was not in a hurry and said slowly, "After the Dali Temple interrogated that group of jianghu people, they found another hidden secret. Does the Queen Mother know what it is?"
The usually calm Queen Mother Jiang rarely wavered. The person behind the screen took a deep breath, frowned, and looked at the person on the dragon throne. Then he exhaled leisurely and calmly, saying, "Since there is a hidden truth, the Dali Temple will investigate further. I have lived in the deep palace for a long time, and I don't know why this quack would frame Cheng Pushe. I guess the Ministry of Justice has handled so many cases over the years that it is hard to say whether he has offended anyone. But now that things have come to this, there is no point in saying more."
Now that Li Tingfeng has said this, and today in Hanzhang Palace he proposed to let Cheng Xianzhi take the position of Shangshu, he has already come up with a sure-fire plan, and this trump card is to make the Queen Mother take a step back and willingly let Cheng Xianzhi take the position.
Li Tingfeng was planning every step carefully, and she felt relieved at this moment. From the very beginning, it was a trap set by them, but Queen Mother Jiang could not be sure where exactly it started.
Finally, Empress Dowager Jiang said from behind the screen, "As for who Your Majesty wishes to appoint as the Minister of the Secretariat, as long as the reward and the merit complement each other, I have no objection. The Emperor can make the decision himself."
Li Tingfeng's handsome face behind the pearl curtain smiled. "From today on, Cheng Xianzhi will be the Minister of the Six Ministries, in charge of the six ministries. All important officials in the six ministries will be under the jurisdiction of Minister Cheng. He has the power to appoint and elect officials of the sixth rank and above in the six ministries, and he will report directly to me."
Prince Hanzhang was completely silent. Lu Mingqian clenched his fists, his eyes fierce. Cheng Xianzhi stepped out and knelt on one knee. "Your humble servant obeys your command and will help your majesty resolve his worries and difficulties."
Queen Mother Jiang dragged her heavy phoenix robe back to Jinhua Palace. A low table was placed on the pearwood Luohan bed. Shopkeeper Hong supported Queen Mother Jiang and returned from Hanzhang Palace. All the way, he was thinking hard about where it all started.
Looking at the frowning Queen Mother Jiang, Palace Master Hong counseled, "Your Majesty is troubled by state affairs again."
"The Emperor has grown up," Empress Dowager Jiang pinched her forehead, "and dared to openly threaten me in Hanzhang Palace."
Palace Master Hong said, "Although Your Majesty is not the Empress's son, he has been raised by her since childhood. People say that the grace of raising a child is greater than the grace of giving birth to one. Your Majesty has always been respectful and filial to the Empress, and even consults her on important matters of state. How could he dare to openly confront her in Hanzhang Palace?"
Over the years, Li Tingfeng has formed his own army and has taken control of the military power of Kyoto. In the past, the power of the imperial guards was in the hands of the Jiang family, and then in the hands of Cheng Xianzhi. Li Tingfeng was unwilling to let the power be controlled by his relatives, so he took every step with caution.
"When the young eagle grows up and its wings grow stronger, it tries to break free, but it doesn't know that once it leaves the protective wall, it will be met with even more hunters lurking in the dark."
"He's certain I wouldn't dare ask the Dali Temple to investigate further. He must have known that the evidence accusing Cheng Xianzhi of abuse of power was instigated by me. The Emperor won't do anything to me, but he can use this opportunity to crack open the Jiang family's iron cage."
"Cheng Xianzhi is the Minister of Six Ministries. From now on, Lu Mingqian's authority will be reduced. This move is a victory for the Emperor. It's time for him to taste victory."
Queen Mother Jiang regained her composure, as if everything was under control. A hint of darkness flashed in her phoenix eyes, the calm anticipation of someone waiting for the show to begin.
"The Queen is teaching Your Majesty the way of ruler and subject. Your Majesty wants to break free from the shackles of the Jiang family, but you also have to enjoy the great achievements that the Jiang family has made for the country of Dalan."
"My brother has been sending battle reports back to the capital from Shanhaiguan. The Turks are attacking Shanhaiguan more and more fiercely, and banditry is rising in various cities. The court is now running out of troops. Since Cheng Xianzhi is being promoted to the Minister of Six Departments, it depends on whether Mr. Cheng, who has just been appointed as the Minister, can bring benefits to the court."
"It's winter now, and it's going to snow at Shanhaiguan. My brother's military supply report will arrive in Kyoto in the next few days." Queen Mother Jiang leaned against the Luohan bed, looking thoughtful.
The Turks should have retreated after winter, but for some reason they frequently harassed Dalan this year. If they win this battle, Jiang Haiyi will return to the court, and the situation in the court will take some turns. However, Queen Mother Jiang is not in a hurry.
"As for Lu Mingqian, he has no chance of becoming the Shangshu, and Lu Tingwan is unavailable. We need to give the Lu family a warning at the right time."
Although Lu Tingwan turned against Cheng Xianzhi, she still harbored hatred in her heart. Now that Cheng Xianzhi had been promoted to Shangshu, she had to hold on to Lu Mingqian even more firmly.
If it were in the past, Lu Tingwan would not have survived, but for Lu Mingqian's sake, she could temporarily spare her life. However, some of the things she had given her should be taken back if she was not competent. This was a warning to her.
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