Chapter 154: Clear Day Chapter 133: Anomaly Outside the City

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Protagonist:

Shaowei

Liu Qi

Four days later, the investigation and interrogation regarding the night banquet assassins had reached its conclusion.

Those assassins indeed came from the former Chu State, and the leader of the disturbance claimed to be a descendant of the Xiang Family. They had long been plotting; five years ago they intercepted and killed a traveling Hundred Entertainments Troupe from outside the capital, took their place, and came to the capital.

These people performed Hundred Tricks with great effort. At first they only performed at the mansions of powerful figures in the capital. Because they never made a mistake, they gradually gained fame, and from three years ago they began appearing at palace banquets.

In those three years, they never showed any abnormality. They endured humiliation and lay low for over a thousand days, only to wait for the best opportunity.

When Changling collapsed in the second month, the Emperor summoned the Princes to the capital, and they knew the opportunity had come. They resolved to launch a great massacre at the Fifth Day night banquet. If they could take the Emperor's life, all the better; even if they could not kill the Emperor, they would bloodbathe the clansmen and children of the imperial clan, thereby sowing discord and dividing the relationship between the Princes and the Court.

Such hearts deserved execution. The Emperor only rejoiced that no true great calamity had been brewed. This time there were casualties, but they were within controllable limits. Most of the imperial clan's children were merely injured or frightened and could still be placated.

As for who had meritoriously prevented this great calamity, the Emperor knew it better than anyone in his heart.

Before rewarding, these assassins deserving of ten thousand deaths had to be dealt with. Nine living mouths were still imprisoned in the Brocade Guard. Besides that, they had sent more than ten children out of the capital a day early, but they had already been caught back by the Brocade Guard.

Under interrogation and search, no traces of accomplices were found. These people, to conceal their identities and intentions, rarely associated with others, and their relationship network was not difficult to investigate.

In the great hall, dozens of ministers and officials were all present. After hearing the ministers' opinions, the Emperor looked at his two sons kneeling below at the side: "According to both of your views, how should they be dealt with to be most proper?"

Usually when ministers discussed affairs, Liu Qi was never present. This time, only because he had remained in the palace to fulfill filial piety after guarding the carriage until now.

Liu Cheng, as the heir, should naturally speak first. He recalled the many questions before his punishment that day. At this moment his expression was solemn, and his tone sounded unusually calm and forceful: "Replying to Imperial Uncle, according to this Child Minister's clumsy view, there is absolutely no possibility of leniency in this matter. These rebels and their descendants should all be executed, so as to awe those elsewhere who harbor treacherous hearts."

He gauged the Sovereign Father's intentions and gave an answer that could not be wrong under any circumstances. Naturally, there were not a few officials who expressed support and echoed him.

The Emperor also nodded, but still asked: "Liu Qi, what do you think?"

Liu Qi, with hands crossed and touching his forehead, answered: "Imperial Uncle, this Child Minister thinks that merely executing those assassins is not enough. They must be subjected to extreme punishment before the people to quell public anger and awe all quarters."

The youth's cold and harsh voice uttered the two words "extreme punishment," sending a chill down people's spines. The people in the hall then recalled how this Sixth Prince had shown no fear when personally slaying the assassins that night, as well as his previous act of slaughtering people at Zhu Zhi's villa, and could not help but feel this son was cold-blooded and unusually cruel, with a hint of harshness in his bones.

Before miscellaneous voices could arise, only the boy's voice continued: "As for those ten-odd children, this Child Minister proposes to issue an edict to spare their lives."

The Emperor looked at him: "Why?"

"When the former Chu State fell, these children were either in swaddling clothes or not yet born. They had no sense of homeland or national belonging toward the former Chu. Even if they harbor a shallow and ignorant hatred toward Great Qian, it is merely the result of being steeped in the words of their elders."

Liu Qi said: "Great Qian's rivers are vast and wide. Descendants of various former dynasties are distributed everywhere, destined to be impossible to kill completely. The current situation is not stable. If these young children are executed together, it may produce the result of 'when the lips are gone, the teeth will feel the cold,' instead arousing hatred and resentment, and giving those with treacherous hearts an excuse to cause trouble for no reason."

"Punish the troublemakers with extreme punishment, spare the young children. This is to announce to all quarters that those with treacherous hearts deserve ten thousand deaths, while the weak and young can also be tolerated. Great Qian's realm is vast; as long as they behave themselves, there will always be a place for them."

The youth's voice was clear, his narration distinct, without any feeling of pity, merely considering the pros and cons of the political situation.

The great hall was silent. Several gazes fell upon Liu Qi.

Yushi Daifu Tai Yan raised his white eyebrows after hearing this, as if he had something to say, but ultimately did not speak.

Everyone had their own thoughts. No one spoke in support of this Sixth Prince like they had supported Crown Prince Cheng. The Emperor did not immediately express his position either, merely giving a faint "Nodding."

Two days later, the edict to execute the assassins was issued. Nine assassins were publicly executed by waist-chopping, with the populace gathered to watch. The ten-odd children were spared death and made into official slaves.

This matter spread far and wide. Shaowei in the Shrine had naturally heard of it. And yesterday, when Quan Wa came from the palace to inquire about the flower fox's injuries, she quietly repeated Liu Cheng and Liu Qi's proposals in the hall.

Having lived two lives, Shaowei understood the difference. This time, to demonstrate both grace and might, the Emperor did not exterminate them to the last, but carried out public executions, issued edicts, and promoted the spread of this matter among the people.

In the previous life, presumably many imperial clansmen and ministers had died or been injured. The Emperor was furious and would surely have carried out a great bloodbath. Everywhere this would inevitably be regarded as a taboo, no one dared to discuss the assassination, and thus she knew nothing about it at the Feng Family Villa.

Changes were becoming more and more numerous. Shaowei, sitting cross-legged behind the table, looked thoughtfully at her own hands.

Outside the window, the cicadas cried louder than gongs and drums. Zhan Zhan on the mat slept more soundly than a domestic pig. Even when Yu Si Wu entered quickly with people, he did not wake this bird in the slightest.

It was originally that someone from the palace had come, bringing the Emperor's oral summons for an audience.

"Please have the Tai Puzhe change clothes." The messenger Yu Si Wu had a spirited look in his eyes. His words were concise and calm: "Enter the palace, receive the reward."

Shaowei's mind automatically converted it into another four words: Raising people, forging knives.

One Time Unit later, Shaowei, dressed in a Summer Vermilion Court Robe, knelt in the main hall of Weiyang Palace.

There was another person kneeling with her to receive the reward. This person was also dressed in a Summer Vermilion Court Robe. It was precisely the Sixth Prince Liu Qi, who had always been incompatible with the flower fox.

The disposition of the assassins was widely known, and rewarding those who guarded the carriage was inevitable. Liu Qi's act of guarding the carriage that night was seen by all, without doubt.

Yet no one knew where this Jiang Tai Puzhe's claim of meritorious service in guarding the carriage came from. Although asking heaven at Jiantai was indeed extraordinary, what did it have to do with guarding the carriage?

While the ministers harbored doubts, the Emperor at the head spoke personally: "You ministers do not know. On the Fifth Day night banquet, Jiang Qing originally proposed to hold it at Chengxiang Hall... later it was changed back to Cangchi Palace Garden. Originally the banquet was to be set at Wangcang Pavilion, but it was Jiang Qing who spoke up to remind, saying that during Driving Away Nuo he had a premonition, that poisonous spirits were rampant, fearing that confinement would produce Disorder. Therefore I ordered people to temporarily set the banquet outside the pavilion."

The Emperor said no more of the remaining words, but everyone in the hall belatedly felt alarm rising.

If they had feasted in the pavilion that night, facing the sudden thunder and fire, not to mention casualties that might be caused by the fire itself and by crowding and trampling in panic, just say those assassins would surely seize the opportunity to strike in the pavilion. At that time, trapped in the pavilion, they would truly become pigs and sheep for others to slaughter.

Thinking even worse, perhaps even the safety of His Majesty would be a problem.

The hall was noisy for a while. Vaguely feeling that these people were probably imagining things that had not happened as more serious than the actual situation of the previous life, Shaowei felt a sense of secret joy at having deceived and gained a great bargain.

Under such circumstances, the more the better. The events left for her to play ghost and spirit were already few. Her greatest ability should be these people's imagination.

Everyone could not help but imagine. Although they did not know what skills this young Tai Puzhe possessed, he had shown the marvelous several times, all unable to be explained by common understanding, appearing as an extraordinary person.

With crooked ways in her heart, but composed in face, facing the Emperor's praise and the gazes of the crowd, the flower fox, kneeling properly, raised her hands and crossed them, replying: "My perception at that time arose during the Driving Away Nuo in the palace chambers. Ultimately, it was under the protection of Dragon Qi that I avoided this calamity. This is Your Majesty's grace."

These words originally had a hint of flattery, but spoken by her with a solemn countenance, they instead added a sense of auspicious omen.

Liu Qi laughed once.

This laugh was abrupt, and because of the identity of its owner, people could not help but doubt its ulterior motive.

The Emperor lifted his eyelids and looked over: "Why is Liu Qi laughing? Say it and let Us hear."

He showed no sign of anger, but was also reminding this upstart not to act recklessly just because he had received rewards.

Liu Qi, smiling, turned his head to look at Shaowei.

Although both were kneeling in the hall to receive rewards, the gap between them could still hold seven or eight sturdy cows. Shaowei also turned her head to look at him, and could still clearly see this person's attitude.

His acting was indeed layered, suited to different occasions, and understood the principle of not going too far. At this moment he only carried a slight arrogant smile: "So this is how Jiang Tai Puzhe guarded the carriage. Tai Puzhe is so favored by ghosts and spirits, truly not something we mortals can compare to."

Unlike ordinary mortals like him, who must risk life and limb with real blades and spears to protect the imperial carriage, this is truly unfair—anyone can hear the meaning behind these unfinished words.

Shaowei turned her head back, her gaze not glancing sideways: "Your Highness the Sixth Prince flatters me; I merely share the Emperor's burdens."

Any more words would be superfluous; Liu Qi did not press the matter, only a smile of unknown meaning lingering at the corner of his mouth.

True or false, only he himself knew best; within this hall hid two world-class charlatans who could not see the light, and the reason he had laughed just now was that he found her solemnly acting the part of an auspicious omen truly vivid and marvelous.

Everyone saw these two people holding bolts of silk as rewards, respectively withdrawing to both sides.

Leaving other matters aside, both were so young—one protecting the carriage with skill and courage, the other with the power of ghosts and spirits; both were dazzling young people, each extraordinary in their own way.

Liu Cheng's gaze slowly lowered, thinking of recent events, with ten thousand thoughts he could not organize.

Rui Ze silently watched the flower fox return to the ranks.

The ministers continued discussing state affairs, mostly related to the disaster situation.

Shaowei pricked up her ears among the crowd.

It was inevitable that someone would mention that thunder-fire incident, without specifying anything clearly, only saying that once this matter spread among the common people, it caused many ominous rumors.

"I will discern this matter myself." The Emperor also did not speak plainly, only after the ministers withdrew did he keep the flower fox alone.

Shaowei followed the Emperor into the inner hall, kneeling at the lower seat, listening as the Emperor asked: "That night, when the drought-heaven thunder-fire occurred just as Jiang Qing was questioning heaven, in Jiang Qing's view, how should this omen be interpreted? Where lies the source of calamity?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, this subject's act of questioning heaven that night arose from instinctive feeling; however, afterward assassins caused chaos, interrupting the ritual's sensing, and this subject received no clear revelation, therefore cannot make rash judgments."

The Emperor looked at her: "Since I ask you alone, what do you have that you dare not speak plainly?"

The flower fox looked up: "It is not that I dare not speak plainly, but that there is no evidence, and one cannot speak rashly."

The girl's pupils were like the shadow of a spirit mountain, revealing no stray thoughts, only reverence and solemnity toward her duties.

After a moment, when the Emperor was about to ask again, Guo Shi's somewhat hurried voice came: "Your Majesty, the Brocade Guard reports that an anomalous object has appeared outside the city!"

The flower fox's unfinished words were spoken on her behalf by a dead thing.

This morning, outside Chang'an City, a group of commoners in a great river nearly dried up tried to scoop up fish loaches and other river food, but unexpectedly discovered a stone stele at the riverbed; this stele had cracks like a tortoise's back, wrapped with water grass and attached with eggshells, and between them were carved large characters.

This object was clearly extraordinary; soon a commoner reported it to the authorities, and because the river was near a mountain academy, many students came to watch; they carefully pushed aside the water grass and recognized the eight characters carved on it: 【Red sun chaotic subheaven, all under heaven withered bones.】

Zhen Sheng recited these eight characters aloud, and all the students changed color.

Upon closer inspection, these eight characters were carved nearly an inch deep into the stone, yet there were no traces of repeated chiseling—how could they have been written? Moreover, the script was ancient and ferocious, especially eerie and shocking.

With drought at hand, such an anomalous object appearing in the world, how could the authorities be careless? They immediately evacuated the commoners and prepared to transport the stone into the city.

But on the journey into the city, another incident occurred: a group of masked men with extraordinary skills actually tried to block the road and smash the stone; one of them held a wolf-tooth iron rod as a weapon and actually cracked the strange stone on the cart; had they not been stopped in time, once he smashed it to powder, it would be impossible to prove the truth of this matter by word of mouth.

Fortunately, Brocade Guards arrived upon hearing the news; those men, seeing they were outmatched and fearing capture alive, fled quickly upon hearing hoofbeats, scattering into the mountain forests, and now the Brocade Guards are still searching.

The tortoise stone inscribed with the prophecy was covered with black cloth, transported into the city, and thus submitted to the heavenly court.

This stone was clearly not placed in the water temporarily; the depth of the character traces was even more eerie.

Even though the Emperor still suspected this stone might be a human fabrication, when this object was discovered it was witnessed by many commoners, and those students had long since recited the characters on it; with the drought severe and people's hearts already unsettled, within just seven or eight days these eight characters spread throughout Chang'an inside and out; by now public opinion had formed, and saying it was false, no one would believe it.

Shaowei still presented pills to the Emperor on time; when taking his pulse, she discovered he was anxious and overthinking, and his condition had worsened somewhat.

Thinking that the cause of his anxiety was precisely of her own making, Shaowei felt somewhat like she was treating his illness on one hand while secretly poisoning him on the other; speaking of it, this seemed to be a form of dual cultivation of medicine and poison.

Shaowei naturally would not heed the Emperor's worries; she needed this very worry to accomplish her goals.

By now, she had secretly observed for eight days and finally confirmed that the winds had been successfully stirred; returning to her residence that night, she finally showed a hint of elation.

This tortoise stone was a plot Shaowei and her household slave had settled upon back in the second month, when she advised the Emperor that a drought would occur.

The characters were carved by Mo Li; he could not write, but Shaowei wrote them on silk, and he copied them stroke by stroke with a carving knife, finding it quite easy; they say the writing reflects the person—Mo Li's carved characters had no traces of carving, only a sense of empty purity, and a ferocious form from exerting all his inner strength.

At that time Shaowei had only recently entered the capital and acted without plan, her mind full of using all means just to be prepared; even if she died midway or the enemy died, whenever this stone surfaced and left the world guessing wildly, whether she died or fled, she need not worry about matters after her death.

The stone-smashing man who appeared wielding a wolf-tooth iron rod was arranged by the household slave.

Shaowei had long instructed that from the time the water level began to drop, people be secretly stationed by several nearly dried-up great rivers: first to guard her own stone, second to guard against Chiyang having the same sinister scheme.

Though such forged divine-machine objects need to be laid in advance, and Chiyang previously could not confirm whether the drought would truly occur, people still had to be strictly guarded; once any suspicious object appeared, it was to be smashed and destroyed immediately.

That night, Shaowei stood below the stone steps, looking up at the stars and moon in the sky, silently reciting: "Forty-seven days remain."

The household slave wore his hair loose and sandals, carrying a wooden basin under his arm; he was pessimistic and lax, only doing his best and keeping the child company, but at this moment, perhaps infected by this unparalleled determination, he actually felt a premonition that perhaps that person could truly be found alive.

In the Immortal Master's Mansion under the same canopy of stars and moon, Chiyang was still meditating, while Shunzhen already felt anxious, unable to fathom his master's intentions for a moment, and finally could not help but speak: "Master, that person is pressing step by step; how should we respond?"

?? July is over! Reserving August monthly tickets for everyone~

? Thank you for your companionship all month; this work is now past the halfway point, and I hope to have your continued support going forward.

? Wishing everyone a smooth, healthy, and prosperous August!

? And recommending a short story I've been writing for over a year, "Suí Nián Lái Yí," now completed—a story about a cat and a girl; if you're interested, give it a try.