Tigers Sniff the Rose - Chapter 56
Chapter 56
The Princess of Jin arrived at the summer resort villa to pay her respects to the Emperor, but the Emperor refused to see her. Afterward, the Princess of Jin hurried to see Mu Wanyao, as that was the true purpose of her visit.
Mu Wanyao, dressed in elegant robes, received the Princess of Jin with formal composure.
The Princess of Jin held the deed of sale provided by Chunhua’s brother and demanded to see Chunhua.
The two sat in the main hall drinking tea. Upon hearing this request, Mu Wanyao merely arched an eyebrow, showing absolutely no intention of getting up.
She smiled sweetly: "My handmaiden is currently unwell, so it is not very convenient for her to receive guests."
She deliberately enunciated the words "my" with special emphasis.
The Princess of Jin understood, of course.
The Princess was somewhat intimidated by this Princess, yet she still actively carried out the mission her husband had assigned her: "I know that Sixth Sister holds her own handmaiden in exceptionally high regard, treating this Chunhua the best, even stripping away her slave status. But while Sister has a kind heart, you may not know that once Chunhua was stripped of her slave status, her departure or stay naturally falls to her brother to decide."
The Princess of Jin added: "Her brother presented her to your Fifth Brother; this is entirely appropriate according to the rites and laws. On the contrary, Sister, your current obstruction is not very appropriate."
Mu Wanyao raised her eyes, looking at this Princess, and said with a mocking smile: "I truly do not understand why Sister-in-law is so dedicated to helping Fifth Brother obtain women. Is Sister-in-law truly so virtuous, so fond of sending women to Fifth Brother’s chambers? Since I am unwilling, if Sister-in-law were clever, she should be stalling alongside me."
The Princess of Jin’s gaze flickered slightly.
She was stunned for a moment, then said bitterly: "How can the affairs of our Prince’s mansion be as comfortable as yours, Sixth Sister? In any case, since our Prince of Jin desires her, I must take this Lady Chunhua away."
Mu Wanyao "bang!" set down her teacup and lifted her chin: "If I do not release her, does Fifth Sister-in-law intend to use force against me?"
The Princess of Jin: "You!"
She stood up, trying to be persuasive: "Why must you be like this? Let the men handle men’s affairs. She is but a mere handmaiden..."
Mu Wanyao said impatiently: "Sister-in-law also said she is but a mere handmaiden; why must you make things difficult for me over a handmaiden?"
The Princess of Jin blurted out: "I have her deed of sale!"
Mu Wanyao, her brows as cold as snow, retorted tit-for-tat: "How laughable! I am still her mistress!"
The Princess of Jin: "According to the law, her master should now be your Fifth Brother..."
Mu Wanyao: "Does our Imperial family only have laws? Is there not even a shred of affection between siblings? I merely wish to keep a handmaiden, and Fifth Brother is reluctant? What kind of logic is this? The Imperial Father is right here in this villa; I would very much like to go before the Emperor and argue this matter with you, Sister-in-law!"
The Princess of Jin hurriedly said: "Don't, don't, don't!"
As a daughter-in-law, how could her influence before the Emperor compare to a Princess’s?
But this was something the Prince of Jin had specifically ordered... While the Princess of Jin was distressed, she saw a shadow flickering outside the hall.
Mu Wanyao saw it too.
It wasn't just the Princess of Jin’s handmaiden who was anxious outside; Mu Wanyao’s handmaidens were also worried.
Mu Wanyao and the Princess of Jin exchanged a glance, each instructing their own maid to enter.
The maid whispered a few uneasy words into Mu Wanyao’s ear. Mu Wanyao’s expression suddenly turned cold, while the Princess of Jin across from her spoke aloud: "What is the meaning of this? The ones who coerced Chunhua’s brother and seized people's homes and fields—are they your people, Sister? Are you playing the thief who cries 'thief'?"
Mu Wanyao sneered.
What the maid had whispered to her was that the local tyrant who had seized the homes and fields was none other than those connected to her. That family was surnamed Zheng, and they had originally followed the late Empress to Chang’an as part of her dowry. Over these many years, that dowry had developed into a powerful local force.
After the late Empress died, the Li clan retreated back to Jinling and no longer held influence in Chang’an. With their old master gone, those Zheng tyrants naturally shifted their allegiance to Mu Wanyao.
Mu Wanyao did not show it on her face, but her heart skipped a beat, wondering how this had become entangled with her. There were many who pledged loyalty to her; how could she distinguish them one by one? But this time, those loyal to her had actually caused trouble for Chunhua and indirectly sent Chunhua’s deed of sale to the Prince of Jin...
Mu Wanyao softened her expression and said: "Since they are our own people, I will give an order, and both sides can treat this as a misunderstanding. Sister-in-law, do not be anxious; once everything is clarified, Fifth Brother should naturally give me face regarding Chunhua’s departure."
The Princess of Jin was suspicious but nodded: "Then I must see Chunhua first."
Mu Wanyao frowned, fearing that the Princess of Jin would notice Chunhua was trying to protect her pregnancy, so she refused ruthlessly, which greatly annoyed the Princess of Jin.
The Princess of Jin had originally felt that the Princess of Danyang was among the more respectful of the royals. But now it seemed the Princess of Danyang also looked down on her as a secondary wife and wouldn't give her any face at all.
The Princess of Jin left in indignation, claiming she would stay at the summer resort villa and wait here for news.
As soon as the Princess of Jin left, Mu Wanyao ordered her advisors to go in person and have that tyrant surnamed Zheng appease Chunhua’s brother’s family, and also to find out exactly why they were seizing homes and fields. If the matter could be handled well, it would be best to have the Zheng clan trick Chunhua’s brother into handing back the deed of sale.
Chunhua’s brother was a profligate; he should be accustomed to making a scene.
She needed to lower the impact of this incident and ensure the Princess of Jin did not find out that Chunhua was pregnant... The Prince of Jin’s mansion was too desperate for a child, and Mu Wanyao did not want Chunhua to enter the Prince of Jin’s mansion because of the child—
Night pavilion, the lanterns were dim and ghostly.
Under the imperial tent, the Emperor lay on the couch with a thin brocade quilt over him, eyes closed in sleep. Outside the pavilion, water surrounded them on four sides; koi leaped in the water, and lotus blossoms were fragrant.
This place was exceptionally quiet.
An eunuch bowed and entered the imperial tent, leaning down to the ear of the Emperor and whispering a few words.
The Emperor seemed to let out a sound like a smile.
He opened his eyes.
His dragon eyes were heavy, gazing into the night as he said slowly: "So that’s how it is. Yaoyao protected that handmaiden’s pregnancy. And looking at the way Yaoyao is desperately preventing the Princess of Jin from seeing that maid, it is likely that the maid’s child belongs to the Prince of Jin."
He was thoughtful: "Yaoyao actually doesn't want her own maid to enter the Prince of Jin’s mansion."
The eunuch said: "The Sixth Princess has never had much contact with the Prince of Jin; it is the Princess of Jin who always likes to seek out the Sixth Princess."
The Emperor said: "After all, they are the Jinling Li clan. How glorious they were in those days; they are no longer in Chang’an, yet I could only force them back to Jinling for the time being. If I were to eradicate the Li clan, the north would be fine, but I fear I would lose the hearts of the noble families in the south... Yaoyao’s existence is still very important."
He paused.
"It’s just that she is too important."
That was why he sometimes felt that keeping his young daughter in Wuman was the best thing.
If Mu Wanyao remained in Wuman, the Li clan could not use her to gradually infiltrate the north, and the northern noble families could not join hands with the south... With the influence of these noble families divided, and with commoners entering the world, the imperial power could rest easy.
Although the Emperor did not concern himself with state affairs now, the situation of the world was clearly still under his control.
The Emperor bowed his head slightly and said: "Actually, it would be fine if that maid entered the Prince of Jin’s mansion."
The eunuch’s heart skipped a beat.
He wondered if the Emperor meant to make the Princess of Danyang and the Crown Prince distracted? So as not to let the Crown Prince receive the help of the Li clan?
The eunuch whispered: "If Your Majesty wishes, I can have someone quietly drop a hint to the Princess of Jin, letting her know that the maid is pregnant. The Prince of Jin is in dire need of a child... If the Princess of Jin knew the maid was pregnant, she would stop at nothing to take her away.
"After all, the Prince of Jin has no children; it is truly somewhat pitiful."
The Emperor gave a cold laugh.
The Emperor said: "I am too lazy to act, too lazy to care about the affairs of these children.
"Just you watch; this matter is not that simple. You and I shall wait and see what methods they use to stir this up and bring about a result."
The Emperor gazed at the quiet, ghostly lake water; the surface had no waves, but the undercurrents beneath had never stopped for a single day.
After a long while, the Emperor slowly said: "Cheng'an, tell me, for one who is an emperor in this world, which is the most important: a benevolent heart, ambition, the influence of factions behind one, or one's methods? Tell me, to become an emperor in this world, what is truly the most appropriate way?"
The eunuch named Cheng'an whispered that he did not know.
The Emperor said wearily: "Just say whatever comes to mind."
The eunuch thought for a moment: "Perhaps only if the faction behind one is powerful can one firmly occupy the dragon throne."
The Emperor said indifferently: "But then one would also be constrained by that faction. How one ascends the throne is inevitably how one will lose it."
Eunuch: "Then one needs powerful methods of subjugation."
Emperor: "Subjugation that is strong, harsh, and ruthless will only make people fear you. Over time, one becomes blind and deaf; no one dares to tell you what the world is truly like. You manage the court officials, yet you cannot see the common people."
The eunuch felt troubled: "Then it must be a benevolent heart. A heart that loves the people is the most important. Only by loving the people can one have a sense of empathy and universal love for the world."
The Emperor said: "I fear that having only a benevolent heart without methods results in nothing more than treacherous officials seizing the government."
Sweat seeped onto the eunuch’s forehead; he truly could not say any more.
In the end, he could only smile bitterly: "So it is still Your Majesty who is the most formidable. You have not handled state affairs for three years, yet this world... is still under your control, and nothing can escape Your Majesty."
The Emperor gave a dry laugh.
He said: "However, I am old."
Cheng'an felt uncomfortable in his heart, calling out "Your Majesty" with sorrow; he could not bear to say more. He had followed His Majesty for decades; now he himself was grey-haired, let alone His Majesty? It would be better if the late Empress were still here... but now, His Majesty was truly a lonely man.
The Emperor was also silent and no longer discussed these things with the eunuch.
The Emperor closed his eyes and fell back asleep.
The eunuch covered the Emperor with the quilt and heard the Emperor vaguely say in his sleep: "Anuan, I did not kill Erlang."
Cheng'an was startled, looking down at the Emperor’s thin, weary face, tears in his eyes, and retreated silently. His Majesty’s inner demons had become an illness, beyond any hope of cure—
The Princess of Jin went to bother Mu Wanyao every day, her purpose being to see Chunhua once.
Mu Wanyao was also afraid that her attitude was too resolute, causing the Princess of Jin to become suspicious, so she had Chunhua tidy up a bit and meet the Princess of Jin.
Chunhua was in the sickbed, her appearance somewhat withered, which gave the Princess of Jin a start, finding her completely different from the beauty she had seen before.
But the Princess of Jin was also slightly satisfied because of this; if Chunhua’s appearance were too stunning, she would be a threat to her as well.
The Princess of Jin took an inch and wanted a foot; after seeing Chunhua, the Princess of Jin wanted the medical workers she had brought to take Chunhua’s pulse to see what kind of illness it was and why she waså…»(fed/kept) so haggard.
Chunhua was terrified and refused to the death, fearing her pregnancy would be discovered by the Princess of Jin.
Just as the Princess of Jin was forcing Chunhua, Mu Wanyao pushed open the door and entered, saying: "The Imperial Physician specifically serving the Emperor is here; what are you doing, Sister-in-law, showing off your skills in front of an expert?"
The Princess of Jin was left red-faced by Mu Wanyao’s merciless words.
The Princess of Jin only said: "It is just that our Highness heard Lady Chunhua was ill and was concerned, so..."
Mu Wanyao: "The Imperial Physician is here; no need to worry."
Mu Wanyao’s expression was icy; she walked out of the room as soon as she finished speaking. The Princess of Jin had no choice but to follow her out, and so the old topic was raised again, discussing the issue of Chunhua’s departure.
Inside the room, Chunhua was incomparably anxious.
She hated her own incompetence the most; now she had become a burden to the Princess.
Whether she wanted to abort the child, or she didn't want to enter the Prince of Jin’s mansion... she didn't want to become a burden to the Princess. The Princess already had such a difficult life; the Princess had finally reached this point with such effort—how could she let herself delay her?
Chunhua was tormented in her heart; she missed Liu Wenji and didn't know what he was doing now, yet she hated that she was pregnant, and because she was afraid she would never be able to conceive again, she couldn't bear to abort the child... She was too conflicted, feeling like it was a dead end whichever way she turned.
The Princess was supporting her now, only protecting her because she couldn't bear to see her separated from her lover. However... how could she bear to watch the Princess be threatened by the Prince of Jin because of her?
After all... that was also a Prince.
As a woman, a Princess was naturally a step lower than a Prince.
Chunhua tremblingly rose from the bed, bracing herself against the wall, walking bit by bit to the door to eavesdrop on the argument between Mu Wanyao and the Princess of Jin outside—
For several days, Mu Wanyao and the Princess of Jin argued every day over Chunhua’s departure.
The Princess of Jin had the deed of sale; she held the justice. However, Mu Wanyao’s personality was strong and wouldn't release her, and the Princess of Jin was completely helpless.
Not to mention there was now an added relationship, saying that the tyrant who coerced Chunhua’s brother’s family to hand over the houses and fields was a tyrant loyal to the Princess.
The Princess of Jin was also anxious, fearing that if the other party admitted their mistake, Chunhua’s brother would shamelessly come to demand the deed of sale back, and with Mu Wanyao’s instigation... she wouldn't be able to snatch Chunhua away.
If she couldn't snatch Chunhua, it would affect the relationship between the Princess of Jin and the Prince of Jin.
Today, seeing once again that she couldn't outargue Mu Wanyao and couldn't reach a result, the Princess of Jin was upset and already planning to leave, when suddenly, a guard from the Prince of Jin’s mansion rushed in.
The guard, disregarding the fact that the Princess was still there, reported loudly to the Princess: "Princess, it is bad! Our Highness has been shot in the thigh and has fallen."
The Princess of Jin was startled, her face turning white with fear.
The guard quickly glanced at the Princess of Danyang beside her, his expression very strange.
Mu Wanyao suddenly stood up, her eyelids twitching, having a bad premonition.
Sure enough, the guard said quickly: "It was that martial fellow surnamed Zheng who stood on the corner tower and shot our Highness. Our Highness was originally just going to see the brother of Lady Chunhua, but that fellow surnamed Zheng was also there. That fellow surnamed Zheng didn't know it was our Highness, and shot an arrow down from the second floor, hitting the Highness in the thigh."
Mu Wanyao was immediately shocked and furious: "Nonsense!"
Her lips began to tremble: "I had already sent my advisors to understand the situation..."
While speaking, someone from her side also came to report.
A guard said indignantly: "Your Highness, that family surnamed Zheng did not recognize the advisors you sent at first because those few advisors didn't bring any token of identity and only said they were from the Princess’s Mansion; the other party didn't believe them. Our few young gentlemen were all beaten out... Later, they recognized them, and then they invited them in. But that fellow surnamed Zheng shot the Prince of Jin and is terrified, coming to ask Your Highness what to do."
The guard said sternly: "The Zheng family seizing good fields and houses this time is because the Ministry of Revenue wanted to collect rent; they want to levy taxes and money from the common people! They are doing it for the Crown Prince!"
The Princess of Jin sneered: "So that’s it. It seems they are indeed under the orders of Her Highness the Princess. Mu Wanyao, do you truly not know about this?"
Mu Wanyao’s eyelashes trembled.
She said after a long time: "I know, I should know... Tycoons have money but no power; they can only rely on noble families and the Imperial family. The Zheng family gained courage because of me, but I only knew the tycoons were going to collect rent; I did not know there were so many things behind it..."
Princess of Jin: "But it is precisely because they were emboldened by you that they wounded your Fifth Brother!"
Mu Wanyao felt dizzy for a moment and took two steps back.
Princess of Jin was burned with anger: "Mu Wanyao! You are too much! I am going to report you to the Emperor! That fellow surnamed Zheng is someone your late mother left for you. You cannot manage your people, and now you have wounded your Fifth Brother. Your Fifth Brother only wanted a handmaiden, and you were so excessive."
Mu Wanyao opened her mouth, but suddenly stopped her words, feeling that all of this was too strange... too coincidental.
It was as if there was a hand behind the scenes pushing all of this.
Wanting her to break with the Prince of Jin, wanting her to be at odds with the Prince of Jin.
Chunhua became a cause, a sacrifice... Mu Wanyao lowered her brows, wondering who was pushing all of this.
Did the other party want her to suffer, or did they want to use her to make someone else suffer?
The Princess of Jin saw Mu Wanyao not speaking and turned to go find the Emperor to report. At this moment, the situation was reversed; she had become the winner. If she went to the Emperor and filed a complaint... daring to wound her own brother, Mu Wanyao was so disregarding of blood and kinship—wouldn't that make people’s hearts cold?
Mu Wanyao looked coldly at the Princess of Jin’s back, her heart beginning to be tormented as well.
She clenched her hands, desperately thinking about who would benefit behind this matter, and how she could save herself and pull herself out of this mess. Thinking it over, it seemed that Chunhua was the one who must be sacrificed.
While Mu Wanyao was tormented, the door to the room was suddenly pushed open; Chunhua stumbled in and knelt on the ground.
In an instant, Mu Wanyao and Chunhua looked at each other.
Chunhua’s eyes filled with tears; her sorrow and intention of farewell were unmistakable.
Mu Wanyao’s face was pale; she opened her mouth to stop her, but Chunhua spoke before her, loudly saying to the Princess of Jin: "Princess Highness, I am willing to follow you! I am already carrying the Prince of Jin’s own flesh and blood; I am willing to enter the Prince of Jin’s mansion! I only beg the Princess to preside over this and ask the Prince of Jin not to involve our Highness in this matter.
"Our Highness absolutely did not mean to harm His Highness the Prince of Jin. It was the tycoons below who were too fierce, too ignorant, and too arrogant..."
Princess of Jin: "The fellow surnamed Zheng is a tycoon raised by the Princess of Danyang! The Zheng family’s intention is the Princess of Danyang’s intention!"
Mu Wanyao said sternly: "Then I will certainly give Fifth Brother an explanation!"
The Princess of Jin was startled into silence, staring blankly at Mu Wanyao.
And Chunhua knelt on the ground, crawling two steps on her knees to grab the hem of the Princess of Jin’s clothes: "Please, Princess, do not go to the Emperor to complain... I am willing to follow you back to the Prince’s mansion; please give our Highness a little time, and our Highness will give you and the Prince of Jin an explanation."
Mu Wanyao stood straight as a board, her face as cold as snow, but she turned her face aside, no longer looking at Chunhua.
Before, she had defended Chunhua so much; now that she could no longer defend her, she appeared incredibly cold, not wasting even a shred of effort.
And the Princess of Jin saw a beauty shedding tears, stuttering, and was extremely annoyed. But she was worried about the Prince of Jin, so she looked at Mu Wanyao.
Mu Wanyao suppressed her own anger, making herself rational, and managed to say: "Rest assured... this matter will not end like this." —
Either the Zheng family had a problem, or the Prince of Jin had a problem, or... there was another hand pushing everything behind the scenes, putting all the coincidences together.
Now the other party’s purpose had revealed the tip of the iceberg.
They wanted Mu Wanyao and the Prince of Jin to break.
Or rather... they wanted the Crown Prince and the Prince of Jin to break.
Or perhaps, sow discord between Mu Wanyao and the Crown Prince.
After the Princess of Jin left, Mu Wanyao paced in the room. Her expression became very strange; she wished she could go out herself and figure this matter out. But she couldn't go; she was ostensibly still accompanying the Emperor for the summer, and ostensibly, the fact that the Prince of Jin was injured had not yet been known...
A county prince being injured was by no means a small matter.
The Prince of Jin now barely agreed to reconcile because of Chunhua, and Mu Wanyao had to give a sincere apology.
According to Mu Wanyao’s idea, the best way currently was to suppress this matter first... and settle it privately with the Prince of Jin.
Settle it privately with the Prince of Jin; do not let the Crown Prince know, do not let the Crown Prince get involved. Because she was afraid the Crown Prince would enter the field, and the other party would use this to attack the Crown Prince for being profligate, and file a complaint against the Crown Prince before the Emperor.
Mu Wanyao drank water cup after cup, her fingers trembling, her heart beating wildly.
She had been back in Chang’an for so long, and this was the first time she realized she was involved in a conspiracy. She had to rely on her own ability to resolve it... Mu Wanyao pursed her lips, having already set a plan in her heart, and began to write letters.
One to write to the Crown Prince, telling him that there might be someone pushing this behind the scenes; one to write to her advisors, telling them to go see the Zheng clan again and figure out if there was truly a problem with the Zheng clan, and if they were still trustworthy.
The Zheng family were powerful tycoons... it was a pity to abandon them; it was best to suppress it for now and settle accounts after the autumn.
Just as she wrote the letters one by one, and when arranging her advisors to handle this, Mu Wanyao suddenly paused and fell into thought.
According to her original intent, she should let the advisors who had followed her for many years handle this matter.
But they had just seen the Zheng family, and some were beaten out.
And perhaps there was a problem with some of these advisors... If she sent these potentially problematic people again, this matter might perhaps never end.
In Mu Wanyao’s mind, the name "Yan Shang" couldn't help but emerge.
She bit her lip, frowning to herself.
To be honest, she really didn't want to use Yan Shang; she really didn't want to let Yan Shang do this.
Because he was still busy studying, because she had just hurt him and was in the middle of giving him the cold shoulder... If she let Yan Shang do this, then what of her previous cold treatment?
But Yan Shang was truly very suitable.
His temper was good, so he wouldn't easily get angry when dealing with this matter, and if he didn't get angry, he wouldn't be easily led by the nose by the people behind the scenes. His speaking skills were excellent; he could easily persuade people and make them listen to his point of view.
If she were handling a matter that required the person in charge to have a strong personality, then Yan Shang’s gentle temperament would naturally be extremely unsuitable; but if Mu Wanyao wanted the Zheng family to bow their heads, wanted to reconcile the contradictions between the Zheng family and the Prince of Jin, and also solve the contradiction of the Zheng family seizing the people’s good fields and houses... wasn't Yan Shang, who was good at reconciling conflicts, the most suitable one?
After struggling for a long time, in order for this matter to have a beautiful ending, Mu Wanyao wrote down Yan Shang’s name.
She hoped he was not angry.
She hoped he would help her once, help her go and reconcile the problems between the Zheng family and the Prince of Jin, so as not to give people a chance to take advantage—
After the Princess of Danyang’s letter was sent out, the advisors naturally received it.
Several advisors were already handling things for the Princess; after receiving the letter, they saw that Mu Wanyao wanted Yan Shang to take charge and let them all listen to Yan Shang’s arrangements this time.
Several advisors were stunned for a moment, their hearts feeling slightly unconvinced.
Although they didn't handle things well before... but they had followed the Princess for so many years, yet the Princess was now letting a teenage boy stand before them and letting them listen to that boy’s words?
However, no matter how uncomfortable they were, they still went to find Yan Shang.
At night, several advisors old enough to be Yan Shang’s fathers knocked on the door of the Yan mansion, showing the Princess’s letter to Yan Erlang, and saying that they would listen to Yan Erlang’s words for the whole process this time.
Yan Shang saw Mu Wanyao’s letter, was silent for a moment, and nodded in agreement.
Yan Shang’s temper had always been this gentle, and the advisors breathed a sigh of relief and said goodbye. After they left, the attendant Yunshu came to collect the tea set and saw his master still sitting in the hall, lost in thought, holding the Princess’s letter in his hand.
Yunshu was afraid that his master was feeling uncomfortable seeing the Princess’s letter, so he said: "It seems the Princess still trusts you, master. Letting so many people listen to your words."
Yan Shang lifted his eyes and looked at Yunshu.
He said: "She doesn't trust me the most; she thinks my temper is the most suitable for handling this matter.
"She thinks I have a good temper, know how to speak, and am most suitable to go and help people reconcile conflicts."
Yunshu was stunned for a moment, then mumbled: "That, that also shows that the master’s abilities are seen in the Princess’s eyes. Although the Princess only values one of your capabilities... but that is also trust, right."
Yan Shang smiled slightly, closed his eyes, and said nothing—
The next afternoon, Yan Shang and several advisors rode out of the city together to visit the home of the tycoon Zheng.
Those advisors were afraid that the Zheng family would drive them out again this time, so they deliberately brought guards. But this time the Zheng family obviously already knew they had offended the Princess and the Prince of Jin, knowing they had made a big mistake, and were just anxious when they saw the Princess had sent people, so they were also greatly relieved.
Master Zheng personally went out to welcome them; before the words of asking for help from the Princess could even be said, he saw standing at the head of the field, a teenage boy with a graceful bearing.
The several advisors who were beaten out last time said unhappily: "This is Yan Erlang; Her Highness wants Yan Erlang to lead you to apologize to the Prince of Jin this time."
Master Zheng nodded repeatedly, leading Yan Shang into the mansion, saying: "It is truly troublesome for Her Highness... Her Highness does not abandon the Zheng family; she is the benefactor of the Zheng family..."
Yan Shang said gently: "Her Highness does not abandon the Zheng family because the Zheng family is a powerful tycoon. If she abandoned you, Her Highness’s strength would be greatly damaged; she is just reluctant to discard you."
Master Zheng was stunned, feeling that this Yan Erlang spoke a bit too directly?
Even the few advisors following Yan Shang showed strange expressions, looking at each other, thinking that Yan Erlang’s usual way of speaking was not this style.
Yan Shang just followed Master Zheng, who was leading the way, and asked: "Are you the current head of the Zheng family, sir?"
Master Zheng nodded and said with shame: "A few days ago, a few young men were ignorant and actually dared to shoot the Prince of Jin. I have already tied those two children up; in a while, I will follow you, sir, to go apologize to the Prince of Jin. The Prince of Jin can kill or punish us as he pleases... Do you want to go take a look at them, sir?"
Yan Shang still had a gentle attitude and said: "No rush."
Master Zheng’s expression relaxed slightly.
The advisors sent by the Princess before had solemn expressions and fierce words, making the Zheng family think the Princess was going to abandon them, and they were terrified. This time, seeing the person sent by the Princess look so young, and young and gentle-natured... it was clear that Her Highness wanted this good-tempered young gentleman to lead them to apologize to the Prince of Jin.
Even if the Princess wanted to deal with the Zheng family, it would be a matter for later.
Master Zheng was thinking in his heart how to apologize to the Princess privately after this matter passed... even if the Princess wanted to kill a few people, he would grit his teeth and endure it.
At the same time, Master Zheng had a hint of pride in his heart. He thought that tycoons were still formidable; after another hundred years, when tycoons became noble families... he could rest easy.
While Master Zheng was pondering these things, he heard Yan Shang ask curiously: "Before I came, I heard that the Zheng family had been fleecing the common people for many years, and in the places managed in the countryside, the common people did not dare to have a word of complaint?"
Master Zheng was stunned.
Then hurriedly: "Master, you must have heard wrong! The Zheng family absolutely has not fleeced the villagers! If you don't believe it, master, you can go and ask those villagers..."
Yan Shang smiled and said: "Why ask? Since it is under the Zheng family’s rule, naturally no one dares to speak ill of the Zheng family. After all, I am always going to leave, and this world, however, cannot be without tycoons like the Zheng family."
Master Zheng felt that the other party spoke strangely; he was already somewhat unhappy, but for the sake of the Princess, he still didn't show it.
He just took it as a young man not knowing how to speak.
But the expressions of the several advisors behind Yan Shang were already very strange: Yan Erlang was not a person who didn't know how to speak. Yan Erlang was actually the person who knew best how to speak... What was Yan Erlang doing? This didn't conform to the plan the Princess had explained.
The Princess didn't arrange it like this!
Yan Shang followed Master Zheng, walking along the field paths, seeing the green ocean and the people living in peace... Master Zheng also revealed some pride; Yan Shang did not wait for him to boast more about himself, but said: "Are these the good fields seized from the common people? The harvest this year should be very good."
Master Zheng was stunned, forced himself to say: "This is also to pay money to the Ministry of Revenue... the Princess wants money from us, and we want money from the common people. From top to bottom, everyone is very difficult."
Yan Shang nodded.
Master Zheng walked in front and said as if with emotion: "Master, I know what you mean. You are probably dissatisfied with tycoons like me in the countryside, but we are also working for the Imperial family and for the noble families. These common people, look at them, they always want to go and file a complaint or something; in fact, they have already lived very well, at least they haven't starved to death. Under the rule of my Zheng family, there has been no civil unrest, no refugees, right?"
He didn't hear Yan Shang reply and couldn't help but turn his head to look, only to find that there was no one beside him anymore.
Master Zheng turned back in astonishment, seeing that Yan Shang was already six or seven zhang away from him.
The young man stood on the field path, as refined as jade, as tall and straight as bamboo.
Yan Shang smiled slightly and said: "So, it is true that good fields were seized, it is true that the Prince of Jin was wounded, and it is true that the Princess’s people were driven out.
"Year after year of fleecing the common people, causing them to have no homes, to flee to other lands. This vast field is all the Zheng family’s. I was previously surprised why it was so sparsely populated here, and it’s no different from our Lingnan? After all, this is Wannian County; the Wannian County under Chang’an’s rule, how can it be compared to such a desolate place as ours?
"If there are tycoons like the Zheng family, it is no wonder why it is so sparsely populated.
"If it weren't for the fact that you seized that family’s younger sister, who happens to be the Princess’s maid, if it weren't for the fact that the Prince of Jin happened to be nearby... who knows what the Zheng family has been doing?"
Across a distance, Yan Shang’s gentle and bland words were transmitted, and everyone in the field heard them.
The common people who were still toiling in the fields stood up and looked at that young gentleman; the advisors behind Yan Shang looked at each other, looking at Yan Shang uneasily; the guards beside the advisors held the swords at their waists, and some held bows and crossbows, afraid the Zheng family would make trouble; the faces of the people around Master Zheng showed anger, appearing as if they were about to rush up, and were stopped by Master Zheng; Master Zheng’s face was also blue and white, but eventually suppressed it.
Master Zheng said: "Young man, you seem to have a lot of opinions about us. Could this be the Princess’s intention?"
Master Zheng said coldly: "You are still young and don't understand anything, so you don't have to stand on a moral high ground and criticize how we should manage the countryside."
Yan Shang said: "I didn't mean to criticize."
He was slightly lost in thought for a moment and said: "Actually, Her Highness the Princess let me come to reconcile the contradictions between you. She wanted to turn a major matter into a minor one. However, she was ultimately unclear about my temperament; this matter should not end so hastily. The world does not have such logic. If I only reconcile for you... then what of those common people?
"Although I do not seek fame, sometimes I am forced to do so."
Master Zheng was vigilant and asked: "What do you mean?"
Six zhang away, Yan Shang said: "Borrow one thing from Master Zheng, then I will end this topic and act according to the Princess’s orders."
Master Zheng’s face eased slightly and asked: "What do you want to borrow?"
Yan Shang’s robes flew like clouds; he stood under the wind, with a refined appearance, and said politely: "Borrow the head on your shoulders—"
While speaking, before everyone could react, his hand reached out, snatching the crossbow from the hands of the stunned guard beside him. In full view of everyone, the crossbow in Yan Shang’s hand was aimed at Master Zheng; "Bang," an arrow was shot out.
An arrow was shot into the center of Master Zheng’s brows. Master Zheng widened his eyes, blood flowing from the center of his brows, and he fell to the ground in unwillingness.
The crossbow in Yan Shang’s hand had not yet been lowered; the Zheng family guards behind Master Zheng were dazed for a moment and couldn't react.
After a long while, in the strong wind.
First, someone among the common people in the surrounding fields shouted: "Good!"
Immediately after, everyone came back to their senses.
One of the advisors behind Yan Shang sighed: "Yan Erlang’s name... after today, it will spread throughout Chang’an, right?
"So decisive, it makes one’s blood boil... however, we dare not do it."
The people of Great Wei admired the heroic spirit; Yan Shang killed someone in public, and the first reaction of the people was not that the killer should pay with his life, but that it was truly satisfying—
The summer resort villa below Fanchuan.
Faster than anyone else, the Emperor was the first to receive this news.
Learning that a young man among the advisors sent by the Princess of Danyang killed Master Zheng in public.
The Emperor sighed: "A good spirit."
Paused for a moment: "From now on, that young man, whether he will be imprisoned or not, his name will spread a wave in Chang’an first, right? The style of a famous scholar... is exactly what everyone admires."
The eunuch said: "But killing someone in public, one should pay with one’s life.”