Chapter 83
Zhao Heng hurried to the Duke's mansion, where An Jingliu had been waiting for some time.
An Jingliu didn't say much. It was always a bit sad to part ways with a young man. She could see a hint of worry between An Jingliu's eyebrows and smiled, "He's been in the military for many years, used to the life there. He's just going to deploy troops this time and will be back in a couple of weeks."
Zhao Heng nodded, forcing a smile, "The weather has been so cold lately, and he's been busy running around. We can't even spend New Year's together. It must be lonely in the military."
Young couples in love were always a joy for the elders. An Jingliu comforted her, "It's good for a man to gain experience outside. When he was younger, he was just a boy. I used to take him on long journeys, even camping out in caves in the dead of winter. He's not that delicate. Don't worry too much."
Zhao Heng stopped thinking about it, picked up a book from the table, and started reading.
When it got dark, a maid brought dinner. Zhao Heng took a bite of the roasted meat but couldn't help but think of the man whose face had been disfigured in the market fire.
She put down her bowl, turned away and spat into a spittoon.
"Ah Heng?" An Jingliu frowned.
The night breeze rustled, and the quiet mansion was peaceful and lonely. Servants were hanging lanterns on the eaves with bamboo ladders.
As New Year's approached, the lanterns hanging under the eaves were bright and colorful.
Zhao Heng leaned on the table, looking weary as she drank the tea brought by the maid for rinsing her mouth.
"Master, I'm fine." Zhao Heng turned to An Jingliu and said, "I caught a chill a few days ago and haven't been feeling well."
An Jingliu said, "It's almost New Year's. Take care of yourself."
"I know." Zhao Heng nodded, still not telling him about what happened at the market. She smiled and offered him some dishes, "Try this one."
After dinner at the Duke's mansion, Zhao Heng returned to the palace. Jun Ning was waiting for her at the gate, and once she got into the carriage, he reported to her from horseback.
"The people involved have been interrogated. They were all commoners who had been bribed to cause trouble at the market."
The scene of the market fire, the stench of burning flesh, and the cries of the people still echoed in her ears.
"Have the masterminds been caught?" Zhao Heng asked.
Jun Ning shook his head, "They seemed to anticipate that we would track them and didn't leave any trace."
Zhao Heng acknowledged with a sigh, lowered the heavy curtain, and shut out the wind, snow, and noise.
She knew this was a planned disturbance, meant to fuel the people's dissatisfaction with the Li royal family and undermine the stability of the country.
But she never imagined they would be so ruthless, arranging multiple incidents where former officials publicly accused the court, followed by acts of self-immolation, suicide, or death by hitting walls.
They used such bloody methods to mislead the people into thinking the Li family was heartless and to harm the former officials.
The court was in chaos, and discussions about these incidents were rampant in the streets.
With someone intentionally inciting them, the commoners were even gathering outside the capital office, demanding justice for the "loyalists."
Once rumors spread, they were hard to suppress, especially when people had already formed their opinions, making it difficult to change their minds.
Using force to suppress them would only increase their fear.
"How can we resolve this?" Zhao Heng muttered to herself.
Rumors were like invisible knives, and if things continued like this, it would be very detrimental to His Highness.
Every day, as she walked the streets, she heard the people's discussions about the Li royal family and the dirty accusations against Li Wenjian, breaking her heart.
A crown prince who devoted himself to the nation and its people should not endure such defamation and misunderstanding.
He had ambitions to create a prosperous era where everyone could live and work in peace. The millions of subjects he protected should not stab him in the back.
She would not allow it.
"Lian Zhou, grind the ink for me." Zhao Heng sat down at the desk, realizing she hadn't been in the study for a long time, and the ink in the inkstone had dried up.
Lian Zhou asked, "It's almost bedtime. Are you still going to write?"
"Not writing." Fortunately, there was still some prepared paper on the desk. She used a paperweight to flatten the paper and slowly picked up the brush.
Though full of doubt, Lian Zhou obediently went to the desk to grind the ink for her.
"Lin Mama, go summon Jun Ning for me." Zhao Heng continued writing, instructing Lin Mama.
Lin Mama reminded her, "Your Highness, you have two lives to care for now. Your health is the most important."
"I know." Zhao Heng smiled. "Lin Mama, no one treasures myself more than I do. I am well aware."
She was gentle by nature and only sought peace. She never cared about others' opinions.
No matter what others said, it wouldn't affect her life. She had pulled herself out of the mud and was covered in dirt; what harm would a little more ink do?
But ever since she met Li Wenjian, he had been like a pure moon in her heart, untainted by dust. Now these people were ruthlessly throwing dirt on him.
She couldn't let them soil his innocence, not even a speck of dirt.
During these days, he had protected her and given her strength and courage to rise above the darkness.
Now, she couldn't stay silent, couldn't wait, couldn't watch as his purity was tainted by vile words.
She wanted to do something for him too.
The woman in front of her had a determined and straightforward gaze, leaving no room for negotiation.
Lin Mama looked at her solemnly, and reluctantly nodded in agreement before turning and leaving.
Jian Ning quickly entered from outside, observing the woman writing diligently at the desk, almost filling up half a sheet of paper. Jian Ning squinted to read the words on the paper, all about the political achievements of Li's royal family over the years.
She used plain and simple language that could be understood by anyone who could read.
"My Lady, these backdoor dealings they are doing won't amount to anything," Jian Ning remarked with a glance at her.
"The people are the foundation of the country, and shaking their trust is like shaking the foundation of the nation. Trouble often accumulates from small beginnings. Today, they dare to besiege the yamen, tomorrow they will dare to break into the city. Most common people in the market lack their own opinions, they simply follow the crowd, easily swayed by agitation. If not guided, allowing themselves to be led by those with hidden agendas, it will inevitably lead to disaster one day," Zhao Heng replied without lifting her head.
Jian Ning fell silent for a moment before asking, "What do you want me to do?"
"After I finish writing, take these papers and get them printed overnight. Early tomorrow morning, take them to the bustling market, find some storytellers, and have them spread these stories as far and wide as possible," Zhao Heng instructed.
As she spoke, she had finished writing a sheet of paper and placed it aside. Jian Ning picked up the book of deeds and merits on the table, confused, and asked, "At this critical moment, won't this be too delicate and possibly cause resentment among the people?"
"It will," Lady Zhao Hong affirmed. "Those who are willing to believe will believe, while those who are unwilling will speculate needlessly."
But rumors, like a pot of dark ink spilled on a white cloth from the moment of birth, can never be completely washed clean all at once, only bit by bit, repeatedly scrubbed and washed.
Jian Ning looked surprised, gazing into Zhao Heng's determined eyes, suddenly understanding her intentions.
The common people may not all believe the traitor's words, but at least they need an explanation, to garner their support.
"I will go find people first," Jian Ning folded the paper neatly, knowing he had to find someone to transcribe it before dawn and arrange for it to be sung in the market, a task not to be taken lightly.
Zhao Heng nodded, "Alright, I'll finish writing the rest and have Fei Yu deliver it to you."
*
In the dimly lit Tongzhou yamen at night, round lanterns were placed along the corridor, casting a pale yellow light that illuminated the figure of Li Wenjian seated in a circle chair.
Having finished the military affairs during the day, the Tongzhou Chief Executive was celebrating the Crown Prince's visit at night, clamoring to host a banquet for him.
Li Wenjian sat at the head of the table, with the lantern behind him casting a circular glow on the tips of his feet. He slightly smiled, his gentle and mild-looking brows and eyelashes exuding warmth as he said, "You all have tirelessly guarded the borders for the country day after day, facing numerous hardships. This drink is my toast to all of you."
Sun Yue was originally a villager from the mountains, strong and hardworking, following the conquest with the founding emperor. Not accustomed to life in the capital, he had specifically requested to guard the borders in Tongzhou, leading a carefree life there.
Having served as an official for over ten years, he was still illiterate, with a rough and straightforward character. He shouted, "We toiled and fought alongside the late Emperor to establish this empire, and we must surely secure it. This is our duty, why speak of hardships?"
With a grin, he said, "I'm living it up here. The wine in Tongzhou is good, the meat is fat, and the women are beautiful and lively, unlike elsewhere. I've picked out some stunning ones for the Crown Prince to enjoy."
Li Wenjian frowned upon hearing this, about to decline, but Sun Yue clapped his hands and several elegantly dressed women entered the room.
These women dressed lightly despite the snowy weather, their snow-white and clean arms adorned with sheer fabrics, appearing ethereal in the light, shimmering like sheep-fat white jade.
Sun Yue leaned on his hand, grinning broadly as he said to Li Wenjian, "His Majesty mentioned in the letter he wrote to me that the Crown Prince has acquired a fine lady in the Eastern Palace."
Glancing at Li Wenjian, he nudged his thick eyebrows and eyes, saying, "Now you know the feeling of being unable to resist, right?"
Li Wenjian's hand holding the wine glass trembled slightly, spilling some wine. He replied flatly, "I don't know."
"Don't know?" Sun Yue reacted with an expected expression, "Then, who did you sleep with?"
Sun Yue was truly candid and blunt. Despite being reprimanded by emperors for years, little had changed.
"Uncle Sun," Li Wenjian tried to stop him, raising the cup, his elegance shining under the roof's light. He said, "Thank you for your kindness, but I am not fortunate enough to enjoy such favors. I must decline your kind offer."
Raising the white jade cup, he took a sip of the wine smoothly before excusing himself, saying with a smile, "I'm not good with alcohol, so I won't keep you company."
Laughing casually, he stood up, donned his robes and belt, and said, "Please enjoy yourselves."
Watching Li Wenjian gradually walk away, Sun Yue muttered to himself, "Why are three generations of his family like this? Not interested before, that's fine; tried it, still not interested?"
Then, he suddenly realized, "I knew it! The sophisticated high-born ladies in the capital are not as interesting as Tongzhou women, with their diverse charms..."
Sighing with great regret, he clicked his tongue and called over the dancing women to drink with him.
Upon returning to his residence, Li Wenjian sat at the table, slowly sipping ginger tea. Just as he picked up his coverlet, Mu Gui came in to report the recent events in the capital.
With a sigh, Li Wenjian acknowledged, "It's unnecessary to pay attention to it. People will judge deeds on their own. People's words flow like rivers, better to clear a path than block it. I'll deal with it when I return to the capital."
Mu Gui agreed and left to deliver the message. At the same time, Qin Zhao approached, carrying a box towards the room, passing by Mu Gui.
"Your Highness," Qin Zhao reached him and opened the box, revealing chestnut pastries, saying, "Before you depart, the noble lady prepared these chestnut pastries for you. She mentioned that you sometimes need to line your stomach for social drinking."
Li Wenjian picked up a piece, examining it under the light before eating it with the ginger tea.
The familiar fragrance of the food filled his empty stomach, comforting him all over.
As he turned and ambled towards the writing desk, the silvery moonlight spread out before him, its luminescence flowing like liquid silver.
Stretching his limbs, he heaved a deep sigh under the vast expanse of moonlight, a sudden urge to pen a letter home to her surging within him.
Reaching for his brush and dipping it into the ink, he found himself at a loss for words.
A torrent of thoughts and emotions swirled within him, yet when faced with the blank expanse of paper, he was at a loss for where to begin.
The tip of his sheephair brush, unable to bear the weight of the brimming ink, threatened to drip, prompting him to finally put pen to paper.
With a twinkle in his eyes, he penned a mere few words:
"Tonight, the 16th, the moonlight is exceptionally beautiful."
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Author's Note:
Ah Heng: I've been slaving away all night doing PR for you, and what are you doing?
Watching girl group dance routines all night long!