Chapter 1200 - 877: Assassins!
In the blink of an eye, it was the end of November.
Since the mid-month snowstorm, the heavy snow at Lishan has not stopped, almost covering the entire earth in thick white, yet failing to cloak the surrounding verdant peaks and ridges. Instead, it outlined their elegant contours. Even if one had never climbed a mountain, just looking at the snow-covered peaks would reveal the perilous and unique mountain terrain.
While admiring such scenery, enjoying the song and dance, and the warm, humid climate of the Hot Spring Palace, Yu Wenquan enjoyed an almost unprecedented period of relaxation in his life.
On this day, just as he was preparing to head to the Furong Pool again, he stepped out of the palace door and saw Eunuch Yu leading a little eunuch forward to pay respects.
Seeing the little eunuch’s attire, he understood that a document from Chang An had arrived again.
For more than half a month, a document was sent every two days. He had previously examined them carefully and inquired about major and minor affairs in the court and palace, but there was no news from the battlefield in Luoyang, and with Yu Wenye overseeing affairs, nothing major happened, so his inquiries became less detailed.
Seeing someone approaching again, Yu Wenquan did not reach out to take the document offered by the little eunuch, instead, walking forward, he asked, "Is there anything in the palace?"
The little eunuch, holding the document in both hands, followed beside him and replied, "No."
"Then, anything major in the court?"
"None either."
"Any news from Luoyang?"
"No news has returned to Chang An from Prince Qi for now."
Upon hearing this, Yu Wenquan’s expression relaxed a bit more, and he gave Eunuch Yu a glance. Eunuch Yu came forward to receive the document and, after a moment’s thought, smiled and said, "Prince Qin handles matters thoroughly, leaving no worries for His Majesty."
Yu Wenquan was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "He is a loyal and dedicated person who serves the country with all his heart."
At this time, Zhang Yuping, walking beside Yu Wenquan, smiled and said, "Still, Your Majesty is more meticulous, having arranged everything before leaving, resulting in no issues over this half month. Even if there were, they would be small matters that Prince Qin can naturally handle."
Yu Wenquan then instructed the little eunuch, "Go back and tell Prince Qin to work diligently and not be negligent."
"Yes."
The little eunuch accepted the order, saluted, and withdrew.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yuping was already laughingly pulling on Yu Wenqian’s sleeve as they entered the West Hall. Soon, the sound of music resounded from inside, combined with the warm atmosphere from the Furong Pool, rising into the air where the swirling snowflakes danced with the wind.
Thus, another day slowly passed.
Because the snow did not stop, by dusk, it was already as dark as night. Only the West Hall, where the Emperor resided, was brightly lit, with drums and music playing, bustling with activity. In contrast, the other halls and pavilions in the Hot Spring Palace were much quieter.
The only place with lights still on, with shadows moving in the light, was the Merit Institute outside the layers of palace walls.
The several ministers accompanying the Hot Spring Palace outing were all arranged to stay here. In the first two days, they accompanied the Emperor in bathing in the hot springs and wandered around the palace. But after a few days, with Zhang Jieyu and others by the Emperor’s side, and with Lou Liangdi preparing performances, they barely saw the Emperor anymore, only watching documents from Chang An being delivered daily and returned empty-handed the next.
Under the flickering lights, Shen Shiyan’s originally graying hair seemed even whiter than two days before.
He said heavily, "This can’t go on."
Opposite him, Pei Xu, also with a grave expression, said, "Your Majesty has never been like this before, ignoring state affairs for days and not even seeing us, unless—"
At the last few words, his voice was low and suppressed.
Noticing he was starting to think the worst, Shen Shiyan shook his head, "It won’t be."
"Really?"
Shen Shiyan said heavily, "The Crown Prince hasn’t reached that stage yet."
Actually, in terms of trust, he might not fully believe the Crown Prince, but the current situation is that although the Crown Prince is the Crown Prince, he does not have full control of power, not even for this regency, which fell into King Qin’s hands. Even though he kept the Emperor and several ministers here, he actually had no means to manipulate state affairs.
On the other hand, with Prince Qi leading tens of thousands east to Luoyang and King Qin Yuwenye governing the state, even though he did not lead troops, his military prestige, the title of Heavenly Strategy General, and the valorous soldiers under his command were still at his disposal. Whatever the Crown Prince does here, King Qin can react within half a day.
Or even faster.
Under such circumstances, they couldn’t figure out why the Crown Prince would keep the Emperor here continuously while not allowing them to meet him.
It’s completely aimless and baseless.
Hearing what Shen Shiyan said, Pei Xu thought carefully and also seemed to believe the Crown Prince wouldn’t be that foolish. But since not, his current actions were even more unsettling. Therefore, he said, "Still, we can’t let His Majesty stay here indefinitely. I have a feeling something will happen."
Shen Shiyan said, "I, too, wish to return, but now we can’t even meet His Majesty."
Pei Xu was silent for a moment, then said lowly, "I have another plan."
"What plan?"
"Illness!"
"Illness?"
"Right, falling ill!"
Pei Xu leaned close to him, lowering his voice, "If we—or rather, I, the Chief Historian, suddenly fall ill tonight, no matter what, the Crown Prince cannot hide it and cannot prevent me from returning to Chang An for treatment."
Shen Shiyan’s eyes lit up instantly, "That’s indeed a good idea."
Then he frowned, "But if you were found pretending—"
"Who said I was going to pretend?"
Pei Xu turned to look outside. Although the door was ajar, the door crack still showed the dark sky outside where snowflakes fell incessantly—a snow view that often mesmerizes. But his eyes were more determined than before, "Aren’t these old bones of ours capable of having an illness?"
Hearing this, Shen Shiyan immediately said, "But—"
He didn’t finish his sentence, and Pei Xu quickly raised his hand to stop him, "Falling ill is much lighter than the crime of deceiving the monarch. No matter what, we can’t stay here all the time. Being subject to others is not a solution."
Shen Shiyan thought for a while, then sighed, "Then, I’ll trouble you, old brother."
"..."
"But this matter should be discussed with your son."
Pei Xu waved his hand again, "What’s there to discuss with him? Besides, that brat has disappeared to who knows where, and I—"
Before he finished speaking, he suddenly noticed a shadow flash outside the ajar door and was taken aback, "Who’s there!?"
Just as the two of them were shocked and rushed to push open the Merit Hall’s door to come out, a piercing sound of a copper gong echoed from the West Hall, shattering the night’s silence.
Someone was shouting, "Assassin!"