Chapter 34: Wei Liangqing

The Emperor's decree had already been issued; no matter how capable Madam Ke was, there was nothing she could do at this moment.

She was helpless, and there were others who were equally helpless—but unlike Madam Ke, he was filled with terror and dread, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Wei Liangqing, nephew of Wei Zhongxian, the Duke of Ningguo in history.

He had originally been placed in the Embroidered Uniform Guard by Wei Zhongxian, later expelled by Luo Sigong, and had become a runner for the Eastern Depot. But now Wei Zhongxian was imprisoned, Madam Ke's "whereabouts were unknown," and the new Director of the Eastern Depot, Liu Shimin, held no favor for them. Having lost his protection, he knew full well that those pure-stream officials would never let him off!

And indeed it was so. The enraged pure-stream officials were this time determined to eradicate the eunuch faction completely. The moment Wei Zhongxian was thrown into prison, they were elated, each pondering their wording at home, compiling lists of eunuch faction members, seeking to accomplish everything in one stroke. This included eunuchs like Liu Chao and Li Yongzhen, outer officials like Ni Wenhuan and Tian Ergeng, and relatives like Wei Liangqing.

Wei Liangqing had approached every connection he could pull, every relationship he could smooth over—but at this moment, who didn't know that Wei Zhongxian had enraged the Emperor and completely fallen from power? One by one, they shut their doors in his face.

The moon rose above the willow tips; ten Battalion Commander lay silent.

Wei Liangqing drowned his sorrows in wine, cup after cup.

Tonight's moon was exceptionally bright, with not a breath of cold wind—there was even a hint of warmth. But at this moment, Wei Liangqing felt as if he had fallen into an ice cavern; his heart and his body were both cold, and he drank to give himself some sense of security.

He knew full well that soon the men of the Three Judicial Offices would come to arrest him and throw him into the great prison—perhaps right next to his uncle.

He had originally been a farmer in the countryside, brought to the capital because of his uncle Wei Zhongxian's rise to power. He had thought wealth and glory were right before his eyes, but alas, his good days hadn't lasted long before his uncle fell.

This time, even returning to farm the land was no longer possible.

A beautiful woman in her twenties, in the bloom of youth, walked softly to his side and spoke in gentle, tender tones: "My lord, drink a little less. Too much wine harms the body."

Wei Liangqing looked up at her through drunken eyes, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly. He thought to himself that this concubine, whom he had gone to such lengths to obtain, might be sleeping in someone else's bed by tomorrow night.

This woman had originally been a lady from a respectable family, already betrothed to another household, but Wei Liangqing had snatched her away midway and kept her in this outer residence. Her father had once served as a Salt Inspector, and when he was finally investigated for embezzlement, it was Wei Liangqing who had used his connections to protect him.

Wei Liangqing now had no power or influence; in the Eastern Depot he was merely a figure who took orders and did the work. Even if the Three Judicial Offices didn't come, surely that new Director wouldn't let him off either.

He had countless feelings he wanted to express but could find no words to begin. He poured a cup of wine down his throat and said slurringly, "Go to sleep."

Zhang Yanyao had followed Wei Liangqing not entirely under compulsion—she too had hoped that Wei Liangqing would rise to prominence, that she would be honored through her husband, receiving noble titles and enjoying endless wealth and glory.

But her usual demeanor was gentle and demure. Without any change in expression, she slowly poured him a cup of wine and said softly, "Why must my lord be so dejected? Uncle has only been sent to the imperial prison. If connections can be smoothed over, he might yet be released—and besides, is there not still Auntie?"

"Auntie" naturally did not refer to that woman in the countryside whom Wei Zhongxian had divorced long ago for adultery, but rather to the Holy Mother of Sage Veneration, Madam Ke.

Wei Liangqing shook his head, speaking in a drunken, sloppy manner: "You don't understand. She can't even protect herself. This time the pure-stream faction is coming with full force—even she probably won't come to a good end."

Zhang Yanyao naturally hadn't brought this up for that reason. Feigning ignorance, she looked at Wei Liangqing and said softly, "My lord need not be anxious. Although you are Uncle's nephew, your rank is not high. Surely there are those more anxious than you."

Wei Liangqing was startled, thinking of the closed doors he had faced these past days—all from clean, honorable men with little entanglement. But not one of those who had formerly attached themselves to his uncle Wei Zhongxian had come to see him. Shouldn't they also be like ants on a hot pan, running around seeking ways to save themselves?

Wei Liangqing ran through each name before his eyes, then let out a long sigh and said despondently, "What use is being anxious? This case was personally decided by the Emperor. Though no charges have been named yet, it's only a matter of time. When the autumn reckoning comes, those people will not let my uncle and me go."

Zhang Yanyao's brows furrowed slightly. In the days of power and glory, one couldn't see it, but now that he had fallen into hardship, this crude country farming man had been revealed for what he truly was. But she could only rely on this man now. She pursed her lips, putting on an understanding expression, and said softly, "My lord, what about that Lord Zhou I met once before? Wasn't he rumored to be colluding with Uncle, plotting treason?"

Ever since Wei Zhongxian had escaped back to the capital, Zhou Yingqiu had had means to deal with those rumors. They were nothing more than catching wind and chasing shadows, without solid evidence. He merely went out to see a few friends, clarified matters, and the memorials impeaching him decreased by more than half.

First, there was indeed no evidence. Second, Zhou Yingqiu had already left office, so there was no need to hound him relentlessly. Third, many people had guessed that behind Zhou Yingqiu stood the Emperor, and it would not be appropriate to overstep.

In the end, the matter was treated as mere rumor and quietly dropped.

Suddenly, Wei Liangqing's expression shifted, and the wine cup he had raised paused mid-air.

His relationship with Zhou Yingqiu was especially good, and Zhou Yingqiu knew that he loved braised pork hock, so he had painstakingly practiced and mastered the skill of cooking braised pork hock. The two had exchanged much over the dining table.

Zhou Yingqiu had always appeared timid and subservient before him. Aside from the delicious braised pork hock, Wei Liangqing had never noticed anything particularly special about him.

But now, reminded by Zhang Yanyao, he finally recalled that Zhou Yingqiu, apart from being implicated by his uncle this time, had never once fallen into trouble. Even with such a great trouble as this, he had resolved it quietly without a sound.

Wei Liangqing was at the end of his rope. Thinking of this, he suddenly stood up and said in a loud voice, "Have the coachman prepare the carriage. I'll change my clothes and go find him immediately." Wei Liangqing wasn't afraid that Zhou Yingqiu would refuse to see him, even at this late hour!

Zhang Yanyao rose with her delicate frame and said softly, "I'll go give the orders right away. My lord might as well bathe first to dispel the smell of wine."

Wei Liangqing could barely stand steady, swaying as he nodded and said, "Alright."

Before long, Wei Liangqing was seated in the carriage heading west across the city, pondering how to broach the subject while calculating Zhou Yingqiu's likely reaction.

The east and west of the city were not far apart, and soon they arrived at the back gate of Zhou Yingqiu's residence.

"Knock on the door." Wei Liangqing straightened his clothes and said to the coachman.

"Yes, my lord." The coachman immediately went up and pounded on the gate.

Zhou Yingqiu, who had already gone to bed, was awakened by the noise. Hearing that Wei Liangqing had come, he first frowned, then felt puzzled, and finally knitted his brows tightly again.

Madam Zhou beside him had also been startled awake. They both knew that Wei Zhongxian had already been imprisoned. She looked at Zhou Yingqiu's expression and said in a low voice, "My lord, it would be best not to see him."

Zhou Yingqiu pondered for a moment, then got out of bed, dressing himself as he said, "You go back to sleep. I'll go see him."

Madam Zhou wanted to dissuade him further, but Zhou Yingqiu had already opened the door.

Zhou Yingqiu stood at the doorway and said to the servant who had come to report: "Go, invite him to the side chamber. Wake the cook and have him prepare a few dishes and warm some wine."

Zhou Yingqiu had already guessed Wei Liangqing's purpose in coming. Now the pure-stream faction was powerful, rolling in like a tide that no one could stop. In his heart, he was already pondering how to refuse Wei Liangqing.