Married Thrice to Salted Fish

Chapter 96

Chapter 96

Qinzheng Hall was where the rightful emperor handled government affairs, it was where he met civil and military officials. It’s very name spoke of diligent attention to state affairs and love for the people. Every word spoken in the Hall of Qinzheng could determine the national economy and the people’s livelihood; the rise and fall of the Dayu.

Once, Lin Qingyu had stood in this hall as an imperial physician to diagnose the pulse of the late emperor. Today, he was still standing here as an imperial physician. The person he faced was the prime minister, the eunuch, and the emperor.

These people wore the uniforms of their office — the python robes, dragon robes — while Lin Qingyu only had on a white robe and a fox fur coat. There was nothing on his body to connote a powerful official. He looked nothing more than the handsome son of a scholarly family.

However, it was this powerful minister who seemed not at all like one, who now stood unbridled in from of the emperor acting willfully. In front of the emperor, he declared bluntly that he would take the life of the one closest to the emperor, the one the emperor trusted the most.

Lin Qingyu issued his order once again, “Take Xi Rong down.”

The two guards looked at each other, embarrassment reflected in each other’s eyes. They were members of General Gu’s troops and they have always been loyal to the Gu family. But this was the Son of Heaven; even with no real power, he still sat on the Dragon Throne. Even Imperial Physician Lin had accorded him courtesy before. Why was he completely disregarding etiquette for the emperor and his ministers now? This was serious enough to be considered rebellion.

Before the two could move, Xiao Jie, who stood in front of Xi Rong, said loudly, “You dare do this?!”

Lin Qingyu said, “I do.”

Nan’an Hou too felt that Lin Qingyu was going too far and reminded him aloud, “Imperial Physician Lin, no one wanted what happened to the provisions. Even if His Majesty miscalculated, it was an unintentional mistake. Being so disrespectful to the Emperor, are you not afraid that His Majesty would punish you?”

“Yes… yes, I am the emperor! You can’t talk to me like that! You can’t harm my people!” Xiao Jie was a little hysterical, “I want to punish you! Come, take Lin Qingyu down. Beat–beat him to death!”

Once he said these words, Xiao Jie’s voice turned weepy. He never thought of taking Lin Qingyu’s like but Lin Qingyu wanted A’Rong to die. A’Rong can’t die so Lin Qingyu had to die.

He didn’t want to do this, but he really couldn’t help it. As long as A’Rong was fine, he didn’t want to care about anything else anymore.

“Your Majesty.” Li Chan knelt down resolutely, “Eunuch Xi is indeed under suspicion of collaborating with the enemy. Imperial Physician Lin wishes for His Majesty to listen to his words, to rid the Emperor of evil ministers. He was carried away with his words in a moment of urgency…”

Cui Lian sneered and said, “It is not his place as a fifth-rank imperial physician to rid the Emperor of evil minister. Especially when we have yet to prove who is the trusted ministers and who is the sycophant.”

Lin Qingyu looked quietly at Xiao Jie. The last traces of pity and kindness in his eyes suddenly disappeared when he uttered the words “beat him to death.”

A thought suddenly popped into Xi Rong’s mind — Lin Qingyu now entertained murderous thoughts towards Xiao Jie.

Xi Rong had no doubt that Lin Qingyu wanted his own life; but before this, Lin Qingyu probably never thought of killing Xiao Jie. He would die; Xiao Jie would live. Lin Qingyu and the Empress Dowager could completely control Xiao Jie and thus control the entire Dayu.

Once Xiao Jie died, only Xiao Li remained with the blood of the late Emperor. None of the civil and military officials, none of the frontier soldiers would take a dullard as their emperor. If they insist on supporting Xiao Li to rise to power, not only will the brothers of the late emperor begin to scheme, even the northern border may make a move. Therefore, it was essential to Lin Qingyu and the Empress Dowager’s plans that Xiao Jie live.

But at this moment, Lin Qingyu truly wanted Xiao Jie to die.

This wasn’t how Lin Qingyu normally reacted — Lin Qingyu was about to lose control.

And Lin Qingyu’s loss of control was exactly what he wanted to see.

Standing behind Xiao Jie, Xi Rong bent down and said in a low voice, “Your Majesty, did you mean what you said just now?”

Xiao Jie was in a trance, not daring to look into Lin Qingyu’s eyes. He bit his lip until it turned red. “Lin Qingyu looks down on the emperor and has committed rebellion. His crime is unforgivable and he deserves to be executed.”

Xi Rong’s lips curled up. He clapped his hands and said, “Master Xie.”

“This minister is here.”

Except for Lin Qingyu, everyone turned towards the voice at the same time to see a solemn man striding in. This person was dressed in a black tunic with a sword tied to his waist. This was the leader of the Tianji Camp, Xie Min.

Xie Min knelt down on one knee in front of Xiao Jie. “Greetings to the Emperor.”

Xi Rong said, “Did you hear the Emperor’s order clearly?”

Xie Min nodded slightly, stood up and drew his sword, holding it in his right hand. The words ‘diligence in state affairs’ written on the plaque hanging within the hall, reflected on the surface of his sword. Step by step, he approached Lin Qingyu.

“No!” Li Chan raised his hand and blocked Xie Min’s way, “Imperial Physician Lin has the token of the Tianji Camp granted to him by the late emperor himself. He is your master!”

Xie Min was expressionless. “The Tianji Camp serves only the Emperor. Master Li, please step aside.”

Li Chan looked back at Lin Qingyu, only to see him staring at the sword, his eyes hidden under his long butterfly-wing lashes. No one could possibly guess what he was thinking. Li Chan was very quick-witted and he shouted to the two imperial guards, “Go and call the Empress Dowager!”

A greasy voice sounded, “When was it ever an outsider's place to issue orders regarding the affairs of our Xiao Family?”

Xiao Jie’s ninth imperial uncle, King Heng appeared at the doors of Qinzheng Hall, followed by elites soldiers he had secretly transferred from his fief to the capital. “From now on, unless the Emperor gives the order, no one can step one foot out of Qinzheng Palace.”

Xiao Jie said in a daze, “Ninth Imperial Uncle? Why are you…”

King Heng glanced at Lin Qingyu, snorted coldly, and said, “I have come late with my protection and caused the Emperor to be frightened.”

In desperation, Li Chan knelt down again: “Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please think of the soldiers in the Northwest, of the people of the Dayu. Just as the Imperial Physician Lin said just now, the fact that the demon commander was able to find Xi Rong to ‘negotiate peace’ shows that this person is intimately familiar with the situation in the capital. If there is a change in the palace at this time, we will fall into his trap. With the demon commander’s tricks of manipulating people’s hearts, he will definitely take advantage of this void and disturb the morale of our army. Until matters in the Northwest are settled, no upheaval may happen in the capital!”

“What are you talking about, Assistant Minister?” Xi Rong said with a smile, “What change to the capital could there be from executing a fifth-rank imperial physician?”

Li Chan said, “Imperial Physician Lin is the wife of General Gu. If the General were to find out that Imperial Physician Lin died in the palace…”

Xi Rong let out an “Oh” and then downplaying the matter, said, “Assistant Minister, there is no need to worry. The Emperor will not let General Gu know before General Gu regains Yong Liang.”

Li Chan was sweating profusely. He was running out of options. Could it be that Lin Qingyu really wanted for blood to spill in Qinzheng Hall today?

Xi Rong’s pupil shrank suddenly. “Master Xie, what are you waiting for?”

From out the corner of Li Chan’s eyes, Xie Min’s grip around the sword hilt tightened; still, Lin Qingyu showed no response. He couldn’t help shouting: “Lin Qingyu!”

As soon as the words fell, Lin Qingyu raised his lashes, looked at the man holding the sword in front of him. He said slowly, “Master Xie, just now, you said that you serve only the emperor?”

Xie Min said, “That is right.”

“If the Son of Heaven behind you was not the one recognized by the late emperor; if he was not the one mandated by Heaven, would you still obey his orders?”

Xie Min paused, “What do you mean?”

“I was the same as Li Chan before. My concern was to keep the status quo in the capital lest the Xixia gain a chance to take advantage of it. I wanted the soldiers in the Northwest to have nothing to worry about. Now, I understand.” Lin Qingyu looked at coldly at the pair of brothers Xi Rong and Xiao Jie. He said, “Only when those who get in the way disappear completely, can the capital be truly stable.”

Xi Rong’s face suddenly changed color. “Lin Qingyu is insidious and cunning. Do not give him the chance to confuse people – Xie Min, do it.”

Lin Qingyu said, “Eunuch Xi, why are you so anxious? The late emperor gave me the token of the Tianji Camp. Even if it is not enough for Master Xie to serve me, it should at least afford me time to finish what I have to say — What say you, Master Xie?”

Xie Min hesitated for a moment. “What exactly do you have to say?”

“Just now Eunuch Xi clapped his hands and Master Xie immediately appeared.” Lin Qingyu mocked, “I won't be following suit.”

Saying so, a rough and resounding voice came from the direction of the door, “Make way, make way… What are you doing blocking the door!?”

King Heng was being jostled from behind. He turned around and said angrily, “Who is it!”

The newcomer apologized and said with a smile, “My apologies, Ninth King. There’s a bit too many people in your entourage and they’ve filled up all the space. I had no choice but to position the imperial guards and the men from the cavalry camp around your people.”

King Heng was so angry that he was letting off a chill. He dropepd his obsequitous tone, “Wu Zhan! You brought so many soldiers into the palace, are you trying to rebel!”

Wu Zhan asked back, “Then why did King Heng bring so many soldiers here?”

“Naturally, it is to protect His Majesty!”

Wu Zhan laughed loudly and said, “Then this general is here to protect His Majesty as well. But the emperor this general wishes to protect is not the unjustly named Emperor Chuxi, but the late emperor.”

“What utter nonsense! His Majesty is the true Son of Heaven appointed by the late emperor, righteous and true. I think you are colluding with Lin Qingyu and orchestrating a rebellion!”

King Heng spoke firmly but he couldn’t see Xiao Jie and Xi Rong’s reaction. Xiao Jie knew how he came by the throne and he panicked, “A’Rong…”

Xi Rong forced himself to calm down. “Don’t be afraid, it’s alright.”

Wu Zhan stopped smiling and said seriously, “Bring him up!”

An imperial guard pushed a gray-haired man into the hall. The man knelt in front of Lin Qingyu, his head lowered. “…Imperial Physician Lin.”

The voice wasn’t deep like an ordinary man’s, but rather, sharp and reedy. Xi Rong guessed his identity as soon as he heard it. “Could it be…?”

The man raised his head slowly, Xiao Jie had a clear view of his face and he said in astonishment, “Eunuch Xue?”

Xue Ying, the eunuch in charge of administration during the late emperor’s reign. He had served the late emperor for many years. When the late emperor grew seriously ill, Xue Ying suddenly chose to retire and returned home. There had been no news of him since.

Wu Zhan said to Xue Ying, “Eunuch Xue, do not be afraid. Tell us everything you know. This general shall protect you.”

Xue Ying glanced at Xie Min. “When the late emperor was seriously ill, he wrote a will and handed it over to this servant. He tasked me with keeping it safe and to announce it to the world when he passed away.”

Cui Lian said, “What nonsense! I saw the late emperor’s edict with my own eyes. The late emperor proclaimed His Majesty as his heir to continue his great line. If you had an edict entrusted to you, why didn’t you present it at that time? Instead, you waited until today to put on this sham!”

Xue Ying said as though delivering a recitation, “Back then, King Ning was supervising the country, he had the power of the government and the people. The late emperor was forced to write the imperial edict establishing him as crown prince. When the late emperor’s mind cleared, he regretted his mistake and issued a second edict. When the previous emperor passed away, King Ning ascended the throne. If this servant had taken out the edict at that time, would it not have spelled my death?”

Color returned to Li Chan’s face and he asked, “Where is that edict now?”

“This servant escaped from the palace and hid the edict behind the plaque in Qinzheng Hall.”

Xie Min raised his hand towards the plaque and struck it with his palm. The plaque shook and a sealed imperial edict fell down, which Xie Min caught firmly in his hand. Xie Min looked at it and said solemnly, “This is indeed the handwriting and seal of the late emperor.”

Cui Lian suddenly turned to Xi Rong. “How is this possible!”

“Heh…” Xi Rong laughed, a vile expression on his face. “Did Imperial Physician Lin foresee this day long ago and that’s why you forged a copy of the late emperor’s will?”

“Shut you filthy mouth!” Wu Zhan scolded bitterly, “Even Master Xie says this last edict was written by the late emperor himself. What else do you have to say!”

Xiao Jie’s legs went limp and he almost fell down. Xi Rong held him up. “Could it be that your so-called late emperor’s edict was to appoint the sixth prince as heir?” It was like Xi Rong had heard some great joke, “The late emperor is so wise and powerful, how could he hand over the the empire Dayu to a mentally incomplete prince?”

Xie Min shook his head. “The edict states that the former Crown Prince Xiao Cheng is the only candidate to inherit the throne and that it cannot be abolished.”

Li Chan immediately said, “The late prince’s concubine mother, Chen Shi, once committed the great crime of deceiving the emperor but even then, the late emperor simply banished her into the cold palace and did not implicate the late prince. It showed that the late emperor had high hopes for the late prince. The late emperor never expressed his intention to depose the crown prince in front of anyone. How could he just suddenly depose him? There must be more to this matter.”

A chill came to his heart, Xi Rong took a few steps back and said in a low voice, “It’s not over yet.”

Xiao Jie cried and pulled him to a stop. “A’Rong…”

Xi Rong suddenly shook off Xiao Jie’s hand. Pointing at Lin Qingyu, he said, “King Heng, Xie Min, what are you still doing? Do you believe his words? When the late emperor was seriously ill, the Empress Dowager and Lin Qingyu were the ones who stayed by his side. They were with the late emperor far more often and for far longer. They were the ones who forced the late emperor to write the edict!”

“You want to lay a hand on him? Then hurry up and stop talking rubbish.” Wu Zhan rubbed his fists, “They wouldn’t let me go to the Northwest to fight those Xixia barbarians and I’ve been suffocating from boredom! Ninth King, where did your soldiers come from? It’s time to test their mettle.”

King Heng looked back. The cavalry battalion and imperial guards had already formed an impenetrable ring around them. They outnumbered his soldiers three to one. They were waiting at their ease for an exhausted enemy. They had no chance of winning.

At this point, the truth of the matter was no longer important. Being able to make it out of here alive took precedence over everything.

King Heng cleared his throat and said, “The late emperor was my brother and so of course, the late emperor’s last wish must come first—Xi Rong, Xiao Jie, you two persecuted the prince first. You conspired to usurp the throne from behind. Even death cannot atone for your offense”

Xi Rong’s hands lowered slowly. His eyes were empty and his face held a deathly stillness.

Wu Zhan shook his head and clicked his tongue. “He certainly changes his stance faster than the weather.”

Xiao Jie grabbed Xi Rong’s arm. Choked up, he said, “A’Rong, A’Rong, please say something…”

“What else can we say?” Xi Rong said numbly, “The winner is the king, the loser is the emeny — A’Jie, we lost.”

“Ah? We’re not going to fight?” Wu Zhan said regretfully, “I was so excited for nothing.”

Xiao Jie said blankly, “Lost? What will happen now…will you die? I don’t want…” He rushed to Lin Qingyu. He wanted to grab onto Lin Qingyu’s clothes but then he met Lin Qingyu’s eyes. What would happen to his hands? He didn’t dare reach out. “Imperial Physician Lin, don’t kill A’Rong, I beg you…please don’t…”

Lin Qingyu slowly opened his lips. “You’re begging me?”

Xiao Jie nodded like he was pounding garlic. “I’m begging you! I’m begging you…”

“If our military plan fails because this batch of provisions cannot reach the army, our men will be defeated by the Xixia.” Lin Qingyu’s voice trembled slightly, “Do you think the Xixia will spare the lives of those defeated soldiers?”

Xiao Jie suddenly froze. Wu Zhan sighed, “Provisions, oh provisions. No matter how powerful the general, he can’t fight without provisions.”

“I won’t kill him right now.” Lin Qingyu said, “I will keep him alive and when the Northwest Army triumphs, I will behead him as a sacrifice to Heaven.”

Xiao Jie’s eyes widened and he kept shaking his head, “No, no…”

Lin Qingyu walked to Xi Rong’s side. In a voice that only the two of them could hear, “I gave you a choice. I told you that if you two didn’t listen, I’ll have someone else take your place. I wasn’t kidding.”

Xi Rong looked straight ahead. “If I hadn’t done anything, once Gu Fuzhou came back, I would have lost my life regardless. I don’t regret it.”

Lin Qingyu said lightly, “Not necessarily.”

Xi Rong snorted lightly, obviously not believing what Lin Qingyu said. He finally looked at Xiao Jie, who had tears streaming down his face. He said softly, “Leave him alive. He doesn’t understand anything.”

Lin Qingyu made no comment. He raised his hand and two imperial guards stepped forward and took Xi Rong away.

Xiao Jie was heartbroken. Heedless of everything, he scrambled after him, “A’Rong!”

Wu Zhan blocked his way and asked Lin Qingyu, “Imperial Physician Lin, what should we do about the emp-… about him?”

Lin Qingyu said, “The emperor is tired. Help him back to the palace to rest.”

Xie Min frowned. “Although the late emperor’s decree was to protect the first crown prince’s position, the previous crown prince has already passed from illness.”

“Master Xie is right.” King Heng said in a fair and just tone, “There is no one from the lineage of the late emperor who can inherit the throne and Xiao Jie, who conspired to usurp the throne, must not be allowed to continue to rule. According to the Dayu’s rules set by our ancestors, an heir can only be chosen from the clan.”

Lin Qingyu said, “Did the Ninth King forget about King Huai?”

“Is this some kind of joke! King Huai is mentally incomplete. He is like a three-year-old child. How can he rule the country?”

“At least King Huai won’t pretend to be smart. Moreover, he might not be without the possibility of a cure.” Lin Qingyu changed the subject and said, “Matters in the Northwest are at a critical juncture. Today’s matter must not be made known to the public. You are all pillars of the court. You should all know clearly what is to the people’s benefit and what is not.”

After this day, Emperor Chuxi said that he had taken ill and would not be attending court. Instead, he began to simply issue letters to instruct the court. The running of the government was left to his cabinet. In addition, Prime Minister Cui Lian made it clear that he wished to retire and after gaining the emperor’s permission, he left, taking his family with him far, far from the capital. King Heng was also condemned to return to his fief, barred from entering the capital without an express order.

Lin Qingyu and Li Chan exhausted everything they had to send that batch of supplies. It should have supported the Northwest Army for a long time but now, only 20% was left. Li Chan was anxious to transfer more provisions to the northwest, but the roads were blocked by heavy snow. The original journey of seven or eight days would take half a month and he didn’t know whether it would be able to make it in time.

After eradicating the dissidents, this was supposed to be a time when he could relax a bit. But a layer of indescribable fear had settled over Lin Qingyu’s heart. He was plagued by nightmares for several nights in a row.

In his dream, he was back in the Nan’an Hou’s Mansion, standing in the courtyard of the Blue Wind Pavilion. He held a crimson umbrella, a vast expanse of snow under his feet. He saw the familiar wheelchair and Lu Wancheng seated in it, dressed in red. He was sleeping peacefully with his head down.

He stepped on the snow with bare feet, dragging the hem of his wedding dress. He walked towards Lu Wancheng, step after step, using the umbrella to shield against the falling snowflakes.

At this moment, Lu Wancheng’s face suddenly turned into Gu Fuzhou’s. He desperately stretched out his hand, the umbrella falling onto the snow-laden ground. But no matter what he did, he couldn’t reach the person in front of him.

Lin Qingyu sat up in shock. Huan Tong, who was on night duty, heard the movement and hurriedly brought a lamp over. “Young Master?”

Lin Qingyu was momentarily dazed. He raised his hand to touch the corners of his eyes, feeling a little bit of moisture. “Is it… snowing outside?”

“Yes. It’s been snowing almost the entire night.” Huan Tong said worriedly, “Young Master, are you alright?”

Lin Qingyu lowered his eyes slowly. “I’m fine.”

It has been half a month and he yet to receive another letter from Gu Fuzhou.

After a year of separation, no matter how deep the affection, only a solitary shadow was left wandering; their meetings confined only in dreams.

But now, he didn’t even dare to dream.

Now past the twelfth lunar month, in the Northwest, the wind blew harder and the snow fell harder than it did in the capital. The army’s ration and fodder consumption increased day by day. The 20% provisions that Shen Huaishi desperately protected was only a drop in the bucket.

In order to stabilize the morale of the army, Gu Fuzhou concealed the fact that they had been robbed of their provisions. Apart from him and Shen Huaishi, only Wu Youyuan and Shi Pei knew about the supply shortage. On that day, Shen Huaishi, fighting one agains a hundred, managed to escape with 20% of the provisions. When he returned to camp, he was seriously injured. Fortunately, Hu Ji’s miraculous skills brought him back from the brink. Gu Fuzhou originally wanted to send Shen Huaishi to a safe place to recuperate, but Shen Huaishi resolutely refused.

“Imperial Physician Lin asked me to follow and protect the general.”

Gu Fuzhou smiled and said, “Why are you so obedient to my wife? Do you like him?”

Shen Huaishi hurriedly said, “I’m not – I don’t! The General is the pillar of the country and I have admired you for a long time. Even without Imperial Physician Lin’s order, I would have still chosen to serve the General.”

Seeing Shen Huaishi so flustered, nearly jumping out to prove his innocence, Gu Fuzhou pushed him back on the bed. “I’m just kidding, take it easy. Even if you like him anyway, I don’t mind. There are many people who like him, but he……”

Only likes me.

Gu Fuzhou chuckled lightly and said, “I appreciate your kindness. Why don’t you go somewhere safe and take care of yourself first? You can come back once you’ve fully recovered.”

Shen Huaishi shook his head. “I want to stay in the Northwest to recuperate.”

“What’s so good about the Northwest? The chill wind is like a knife,. Each day here makes your looks age ten years.”

Shen Huaishi was silent for a long time and said, “I have been to many places. My body is like duckweed and my life, like a piece of grass. Only in the Northwest have I felt really alive. I saw my brothers die in battle, in saw innocents die in vain. I realized that all those things in the past—whether it was Jingchun or Xiao Cheng — they’re all ephemeral, like fleeting dreams.”

The sudden moment of soul-baring made Gu Fuzhou raise his eyebrows. Shen Huaishi has been in the Northwest for a year and he’s never mentioned the past nor did Gu Fuzhou ask about it. What surprised him the most was that Shen Huaishi was able to mention Xiao Cheng’s name so calmly. If his beautiful wife were present, he would surely be surprised as well.

“Since you mentioned Xiao Cheng, I have a question that I would like to ask you.”

Shen Huaishi said, “Ask me anything, General.”

Gu Fuzhou asked, “The fake death medicine that my wife gave you that day, have you used it?”

Shen Huaishi smiled slightly but kept silent.

Gu Fuzhou didn’t ask any further questions, but just sighed, “Those who've left cannot be persuaded but those who come can still be pursued. If you want to stay, then stay. I’ll call Youyuan and Shi Pei and let’s think about what to do next.” Patting Shen Huaishi on the shoulder, he opened the tent flap and walked out into the wind and snow.

Shen Huaishi looked down at his shoulder that Gu Fuzhou had just patted.

Talking to Gu Fuzhou was an extremely comfortable thing. He seemed to have a magical ability to pull people who are stuck in the quagmire back to the present world with a smile. Just like that day, when he came back riddled with wounds, Wu Youyuan and Shi Pei learned that their provisions had been stolen. One was furious, threatening to single-handedly break into the enemy camp to get their provisions back and the other was disappointed and depressed. Only Gu Fuzhou, after a long silence, said in his usual lazy tone, “That’s enough. What’s done is done. There’s no use being angry. Anger will only make us lose our minds. None of those long faces now. How about I play the Xiqin for you and we’ll talk serious business after you calm down?”

In this world, only people like Gu Fuzhou can get to know intimately and spend a lifetime together with Imperial Physician Lin.

The author has something to say: The following chapters will be from Er Zhuang’s perspective~