Chapter 66

Xie Chaoyun interrogated the five monks and obtained a thick stack of testimonies.

Feng Xingzhou’s visit and the corpse excavation were both too sudden, and they were still immersed in regret over not being able to meet Feng Xingzhou.

Xiao Heng, while verbally expressing that he intended to give Feng Xingzhou more prestige, assigned a team of Dragon Guards to accompany him.

Upon hearing of an unexpected change from Feng Xingzhou, they immediately surrounded both Wuyun Temple and the Matchmaking Temple, catching the monks off guard.

Questioning five individuals was much simpler than dealing with just one person. Even if one or two of them were stubborn, they couldn’t withstand their teammates’ surrender and, when their testimonies were compared, even a tiny lie couldn’t be concealed.

Xie Chaoyun organized the testimonies, first eliminating irrelevant details, such as the exchange of messages between Wuyun Temple and the Matchmaking Temple. Wishes and grievances expressed by the faithful in one place were immediately transmitted to the other and exploited. Consequently, the incense offerings at both places became increasingly prosperous.

Regarding the matter of the He Xin Gu, it matched his speculation.

It turned out that the He Xin Gu originated from an ailing foreigner sheltered by the previous abbot.

This person’s family had raised Gu insects for generations, but the sinister nature of the Gu poison had led to severe backlash, gradually wiping out the entire family until only he remained, also afflicted by a serious illness. He then vowed to never deal with Gu poison again.

But he couldn’t bear to destroy his most successful creation—the He Xin Gu. The He Xin Gu was only recorded in medical books, and this was the first time a pair of Gu insects had been nurtured. So, he wandered with the He Xin Gu, eventually collapsing from exhaustion in front of Wuyun Temple.

The abbot, compassionate at heart, took him in until his passing, even promising to chant scriptures for him after his death. Grateful, the man had nothing to offer in return, so he presented the He Xin Gu as a gift, hoping that under the abbot’s care, the He Xin Gu could be used for benevolent purposes.

The abbot never used the He Xin Gu before his death. He considered destroying it, but it was the man’s legacy, entrusted to him wholeheartedly, and destroying it would be a betrayal.

Thus, he recorded the essentials of the He Xin Gu on five sheets of paper, leaving one with each of his five disciples, hoping they would use it for good.

None of the five disciples wanted to fall behind, so they fabricated the story of “The Descent of the Five Buddhas” and jointly acted as abbots.

Two years later, a revered monk emerged in the neighboring Dayan Kingdom. He didn’t need to kneel before the ruler and held an exalted position, revered by all.

The five disciples envied his status, were jealous of his abilities, and suddenly remembered that their master had once entrusted them with a He Xin Gu. They gradually reached a consensus, and upon learning of the news about the He Xin Gu, coinciding with the late emperor’s stay, they sent Changhai, the eldest among them, to speak with the late emperor.

They handed the He Xin Gu to the late emperor, hoping he would honor them as revered monks.

Lu Pei said, “Last year, Zhang Huiji attempted to assassinate His Majesty. It was the Empress Dowager and Wei Shuangshuang who bribed Wuyun Temple, enabling him and his men to flee there. This matter is not yet known outside. Now that His Majesty holds some power, if he finds out that you’ve been easily swayed by money and have been harboring Zhang Huiji, it will be a grave offense!”

The four individuals turned pale. The Empress Dowager’s maternal family had exerted pressure at that time, and they had received substantial funds. Coupled with their existing resentment towards the late emperor, they had involuntarily agreed to facilitate this.

They had assumed that with the Empress Dowager’s downfall, this matter would be buried along with the execution of Wei’s household and others, never to be unearthed again.

Lu Pei said, “I don’t need you to do much else. Just help me hide a person.”

Someone was tailing Miao Ruoqiu. She had someone lead Miao Ruoqiu to the Yue Lao Temple and then hid her at Wuyun Temple to escape.

At this point, Lu Pei had only recruited Miao Ruoqiu, seized the sweet potato vine, believing that she now controlled the lifeline to cure the Regent’s Gu poison.

The four individuals, after a brief discussion, realized that Lu Pei was targeting the Regent. They mentioned that they possessed a prescription capable of inciting a rebellion among the He Xin Gu. Once incited, it would accelerate the onset of the He Xin Gu, allowing them to depart “together in death.” All they asked for in return was the power they deserved once the plan succeeded.

Freshly returned from the coast, Lu Pei was not well-informed about recent events in the capital. She had anticipated waiting for a few more years until the Regent’s mental state deteriorated. Unexpectedly, this opportunity arose without much effort, so she readily agreed to collaborate.

The intercepted sweet potato vine suddenly became very useful. They mixed blood and medicine into the soil, unnoticed, and then returned the sweet potato vine.

After reviewing the complete testimonies, Xiao Heng furrowed his brow. “Who is this Lu Pei? Coastal defenses are tight, and yet the merchant ships carrying the sweet potato vine, upon docking, engage in secret transactions with the court. Afterwards, the vine is secretly transported to the capital. The seller even received hush money. How did this information leak?”

Xiao Heng hadn’t made his cure for the He Xin Gu public. Firstly, he feared that if the method became known, it might lead to associations with Chu Zhaoyou’s pregnancy, which couldn’t be concealed. Secondly, he wanted to see if anyone else was lurking in the shadows, waiting to seize an opportunity.

Xie Chaoyun said, “No one knows Lu Pei. From what I see, the leak of information might have occurred at sea.”

The merchant ship’s route passed by the small islands of Yuexuo Country, making a stop along the way. If someone got wind of it, it wouldn’t necessarily mean the information would be stopped.

If ordinary folks found out, at most, they might snatch some sweet potato vines for credit, rather than preventing it from entering the capital.

Yuexuo Country’s grudge with Great Chu was due to Zhang Huiji. However, Zhang Huiji is partially paralyzed, with severed tendons and difficulties in speech. Could he really have orchestrated all of this?

They couldn’t find Miao Ruoqiu at Wuyun Temple. At this time, she should be with Lu Pei, providing blood.

The most peculiar aspect is how Lu Pei learned of the Regent’s background and found Xiao Man to threaten him.

Since assuming regency, Xiao Heng has never publicly revealed his parentage. Xiao Man was a well-known beauty in the capital, with both looks and lineage, yet no one dared to marry her. The reason was simple: a girl who frequented the theater, singing for the common people, would bring shame to anyone who married her.

Xiao Man’s mother passed away early, and she was raised by Xiao Congwen from a young age. Despite receiving an education, she didn’t grow into a conventional lady but instead became infatuated with theatrical literature. She read countless scripts and later became dissatisfied with just watching; she wanted to perform, to entertain the common folk.

Xiao Congwen cherished her like a precious gem, caring for her deeply. However, by the time he discovered that his daughter was no longer under control, it was too late. One day, Xiao Man, unknown to anyone, engaged in a “talented scholar and beautiful lady” act, becoming pregnant without being married. By the time it was discovered, the months had passed, and she refused to disclose the father’s identity, resulting in the birth of an illegitimate child.

Fearing that his daughter would never find a suitable match, Xiao Congwen concealed the existence of Xiao Heng. He personally raised and educated him, giving him a name, but never publicly acknowledged him. In the capital, no one knew that the Academician’s household had gained a grandson.

No one knew Xiao Heng, but many remembered Xiao Man’s appearance.

Xiao Heng furrowed his brow. He remembered Xiao Man’s words, “No need to look for me,” for two decades, recalling them in his midnight reveries, yet never revealing his true parentage.

If it became known that the Regent’s mother was Xiao Man, and many people remembered what she looked like, his good mother probably wouldn’t be able to continue her acting career as she wished.

He continued to use his original name without disclosing his background. Twenty years passed, and Xiao Man hadn’t come looking for him. It seemed she was doing well.

Occasionally, Xiao Heng pondered, would Xiao Man regret it if she knew that “Uncle Ma” was a human trafficker?

Xiao Congwen treasured her like a precious gem, showing great care. However, by the time he discovered that his daughter was beyond control, it was too late. One day, Xiao Man, for reasons unknown, engaged in a “talented scholar and beautiful lady” act, becoming pregnant out of wedlock. By the time it was discovered, she refused to disclose the father’s identity, resulting in the birth of an illegitimate child.

Fearing that his daughter might never be able to marry, Xiao Congwen concealed the existence of Xiao Heng. He personally raised and educated him, giving him a name, but never revealed his existence publicly. In the capital, no one knew that the Academician’s household had gained a grandson.

No one knew Xiao Heng, but many remembered Xiao Man’s appearance.

Xiao Heng furrowed his brow. He remembered Xiao Man’s words, “No need to look for me,” for twenty years, recalling them in his midnight reveries, yet never revealing his true parentage.

If it became known that the Regent’s mother was Xiao Man, and many people remembered what she looked like, his good mother probably wouldn’t be able to continue her acting career as she wished.

He did not disclose his background, continuing to use his original name. Twenty years had passed, and Xiao Man had not come looking for him. It seemed she was doing well.

Occasionally, Xiao Heng pondered, would Xiao Man regret it if she knew that “Uncle Ma” was a human trafficker?

Has she ever thought of coming to see him all these years?

If one day she passed by Lord Ding’s house and found that her son was not there, would she search for him everywhere?

Until the Regent became all-powerful, more renowned than Chu Zhaoyou, Xiao Heng knew, Xiao Man had a heart of stone, they were nothing alike.

As the years passed, this thought occurred less and less.

Now that he has learned of her news, he is being asked to trade with Chu Zhaoyou.

He is without parents, as long as he has Chu Zhaoyou, it is enough.

…

Chu Zhaoyou felt that the Regent seemed restless all day, and as the day darkened, the feeling intensified.

“Is something going to happen?” Chu Zhaoyou asked, “I feel like I’m going into labor prematurely.”

“What nonsense!” Xiao Heng covered his mouth. “It has nothing to do with you, just some troublesome matters.”

“I have never seen the Regent so deeply concerned. In this short time, you have held my hand twenty times,” ruthlessly exposed by Chu Zhaoyou.

It seemed like the Regent was making a difficult decision, needing to hold his hand to convince himself he was right.

He wasn’t just saying this, it was the scene that reminded him of the ultimate dilemma of “save the elder or save the younger,” akin to another life-or-death question: “If your wife and your mother fall into the water, whom would you save first?”

Chu Zhaoyou whimsically thought that, apart from these dilemmas, nothing else could confound the Regent.

Perhaps arrogantly, he thought, the Regent might choose him.

As Xue, the eunuch, brought the meal, the Regent suddenly found an excuse to leave: “I have some memorials to review. There’s an early morning court session tomorrow. I can’t accompany Your Majesty to bed tonight. If you can’t sleep, you can call for Lu Jinghuan to chat with.”

Chu Zhaoyou responded, “Who says I can’t sleep without you?”

Xiao Heng kissed his forehead. “Eat well, don’t overeat, take a walk after the meal to aid digestion.”

“Okay,” Chu Zhaoyou nodded, watching the Regent depart.

Suddenly, he called out to the Regent, “I took a long nap at noon and now I can’t sleep. I’ll wait for you.”

Xiao Heng paused, realizing that his restlessness had affected Chu Zhaoyou. He smiled and said, “Then, Your Majesty, remember to bathe first.”

Chu Zhaoyou blushed, thinking, “I’ll bathe, what do I have to fear?”

…

Heading straight out of the West Gate for seven miles, the route was lined with small groves.

The letter had requested Xiao Heng to bring Chu Zhaoyou in person. Whether there was an extra person or one less, Xiao Man’s life was on the line.

With a bright yellow figure on his shoulder, head facing down, Xiao Heng gazed at the moon, counting the time in his heart as they approached their destination.

As they neared, a strong, pungent smell of blood enveloped him, winding around him like a spider’s web.

He paused, gripping a nearby tree trunk to steady himself, veins pulsating on his forehead, as if enduring an extreme challenge.

The person on his shoulder suddenly retched a few times, like a dying fish struggling on dry land.

Xiao Heng caught the person who nearly fell, gritted his teeth, took a few steps forward, and finally laid eyes on an abandoned hunter’s cabin.

“Where is Xiao Man?” he suppressed his voice, speaking coldly.

“So the Regent truly values loyalty and righteousness,” Lu Pei clapped her hands as she emerged from the house, kicking over a bucket of blood.

“It’s you?” Xiao Heng sneered.

“Indeed, it’s me. How have you been?” Ying Tao, the palace maid by the Empress Dowager’s side who had changed her name to Lu Pei, smiled in response.

An even stronger smell of blood wafted over, seemingly splattering onto his face.

Xiao Heng’s face changed, turning stark white with a sudden pallor, and the person on his shoulder uncontrollably rolled off, writhing in agony on the ground—clearly it looked like Chu Zhaoyou.

“What’s this blood? Did you poison it?”

“Yes, I did,” Lu Pei said, watching the two suffer, a hint of madness flickering in her eyes.

The four monks were right. The He Xin Gu had started to take effect. Those who didn’t have the Gu in their bodies wouldn’t react upon smelling blood.

“Where is Xiao Man?” Xiao Heng asked again.

Lu Pei leisurely pointed to the house. “Your mother is inside.”

Xiao Heng walked sluggishly toward the doorway, each step becoming increasingly arduous. However, just as he neared the entrance, he suddenly darted toward Lu Pei like a ghost, striking at her neck with his palm.

No matter how skilled Lu Pei was in martial arts, she was no match for the Regent, especially when he was absolutely unharmed.

She didn’t even let out a sound before collapsing.

He swiftly rose from the ground, swiftly taking care of the small fry around him.

One of the underlings from behind lit a torch, dousing the dilapidated house with oil.

Xiao Heng’s pupils contracted sharply. He swiftly darted into the house, only to be met with a bloody, shriveled carcass with a disfigured face. He stood there in shock for a moment.

In an instant, the beams of the house came crashing down.

“Bang—”

In the light of the fire and moon, Xiao Heng wiped away the blood, and a flood of memories rushed in, crowding his mind, causing it to throb, yet he carefully stiffened his body, fearing that the memories might slip away. The final image froze in his mind, Chu Zhaoyou saying, “I’ll sing to support you.”

Some blood ties, for the sake of singing, abandoned him.

Some chance encounters, said they’d sing to support him.

Xiao Heng smiled. He was still too weak, making Chu Zhaoyou wait for him in the palace.

Author’s note: A story is not touching if it doesn’t involve a mother’s sacrifice.