Chapter 105

With the onset of the rain, Emperor Tongxu’s rheumatism flared up again.

The imperial physician came and went, able only to temporarily alleviate the pain with acupuncture.

“I’m getting old,” Emperor Tongxu said, leaning against the armrest.

Defu quickly responded, “Your Majesty, you are still at the height of your power. This realm relies on you to hold it together.”

The Emperor shook his head, speaking with melancholy, “I can’t hold on any longer. When the late Emperor entrusted Da Zhou to me, it was already in a dire state. I can’t hold on any longer.”

Defu dared not respond to these words. Instead, he offered ginseng tea, saying, “Your Majesty, please have some tea to soothe your throat.”

The Emperor accepted the cup, bringing it to his lips before setting it down again. “Though this result has temporarily placated matters, the people may not accept it.”

Defu said, “Your Majesty need not worry about whether the people accept it. It’s impossible to please everyone. We can guide public opinion through some scholars, and naturally, things will settle.”

The Emperor took a sip of the tea. “We still need to show some grace to the Shen family. What remains of the Shen family now?”

“It’s quite tragic. Only Madam Shen and the second Miss Shen are left. It’s said that Madam Shen inexplicably went mad recently.”

The Emperor sighed. “With only a widow and an orphan left, it’s hard to bestow any official position. Bestowing a title on a madwoman is problematic.”

“This matter isn’t difficult,” Defu said with a smile. “I am willing to relieve Your Majesty of this burden.”

“Go ahead,” said the Emperor, setting down his cup.

Defu continued, “For a woman, a good marriage is the best outcome. If Your Majesty arranges a marriage for her, wouldn’t that solve the problem?”

The Emperor nodded. “That makes some sense, but…”

“Is Your Majesty troubled about what kind of family would be suitable?”

“If it’s too low, they’ll say I’m mistreating the descendants of a loyal servant. If it’s too high, the family might not be willing to marry her.”

No matter the grace given, the Shen family had already fallen. With no maternal family to support her, she would be of no help to her husband’s family. High-ranking families would likely complain.

Defu smiled. “Right now, there’s someone who can relieve Your Majesty’s burden. Your Majesty, residing in the palace, might not have heard the rumors. Last September, before General Shen’s expedition, Madam Jiang came to propose a marriage for Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Revenue but was refused.”

“Someone would refuse Jiang Ji?” The Emperor looked at Defu in surprise.

Defu nodded. “Minister Jiang is known for his loyalty and integrity. After the Shen family’s tragedy, he even declared that he would marry Miss Shen anytime if she was willing.”

“Is that so?”

Defu nodded. “Princess Ruimin mentioned this to the Queen Mother during her last visit, saying that Miss Shen felt unworthy of Minister Jiang, though she secretly admired him. If Your Majesty were to intervene, it would be a beautiful match.”

Emperor Tongxu suddenly realized.

The Jiang family had significant power. If Jiang Lian were to marry a high-born lady, the emperor would worry about the two families becoming too powerful together. Once he passed away, the Crown Prince might not be able to control them.

…

Outside, the rain beat against the bamboo forest, making a swishing sound.

Xie Tingzhou took off his court attire, changed into casual clothes, and walked to Luming Pavilion with an umbrella.

Er Ya was sitting on a small stool under the eaves with the big yellow dog, watching the rain.

“Where is Shiyu?” Xie Tingzhou asked.

Er Ya stood up and tidied her clothes. Shiyu often said she played with the dog so much that she almost looked like a little beggar.

“Brother Shiyu left early in the morning and hasn’t come back yet.”

Xie Tingzhou paused for a moment.

She must be anxious to know the result of today’s court trial, so she went early to wait.

As soon as the trial ended, Emperor Tong Xu issued an edict: Liang Jianfang had colluded with the Western Kingdom, and although his death could not alleviate the anger, his nine clans would be exterminated to serve as a warning.

Ge Liangji was to be executed immediately. His household would be ransacked, the women turned into prostitutes, and all the members of the Ge family, except for children under three years old, would be exiled.

The punishment was neither too severe nor too lenient. Ge Liangji’s confession in court was likely to secure such an outcome, putting the blame for collusion with the Western Kingdom on a dead person. A dead person could hardly rise to reverse the case.

“Tell her to go to Qingpu Residence when she returns.”

After saying this, Xie Tingzhou turned and left.

The sky gradually darkened, and the maid came in to light the lamps.

Xie Tingzhou asked, “She still hasn’t come back?”

The maid bowed and replied, “I don’t know, I’ll call someone to find out.”

“No, no.” Changliu’s voice came before the person did. “I’ve checked Luming Pavilion four or five times, and Shiyu hasn’t returned yet.”

Xie Tingzhou glanced out the window.

The spring rain seemed endless, falling from morning till now without any sign of stopping.

She must be speechless and powerless at today’s outcome.

By the time it was completely dark, Shen Yu still hadn’t returned.

The stone-paved streets were flooded. A clerk at a clothing store heard a knock, climbed out of bed, and went to open the door.

Holding an oil lamp, he saw a carriage outside with a few guards on horseback.

Recognizing the carriage as belonging to the Northern King’s residence, he quickly opened the door and saw a tall man wearing a bamboo hat at the entrance.

Xi Feng asked, “Is your young master here?”

The clerk replied, “The young master is not here; he hasn’t come today.”

Xi Feng nodded, returned to the carriage, and reported to the window.

The group stayed at the door, waiting for orders, and the clerk didn’t dare close the door.

After a while, the person inside the carriage said, “Head out of the city.”

The clerk couldn’t help but say, “The city gates are closed at this hour; you probably can’t get out.”

The person in the carriage didn’t respond, and the carriage moved past the shop. The curtain was suddenly lifted.

“If she comes, tell her to go home and wait for me.”

The clerk nodded quickly, staring at the divine face for a long time before coming back to his senses.

Hooves splashed in the rain, and the guards in raincoats were soaked by the downpour.

Before they reached the city gate, the guards shouted sternly.

“Stop! The city gates are closed; no one is allowed to pass!”

The group halted. Xi Feng urged his horse forward a few steps, threw his waist badge over, and said, “The son of the Northern King needs to leave the city. Open the gate.”

The guard, looking suspicious, took the badge and saw it indeed belonged to the Northern King’s residence.

The guard bowed towards the carriage. “Forgive me, Your Highness, but without the fish talisman, I can’t open the gate.”

“Is that so?” The voice from inside the carriage was muffled by the rain.

“Come here.”

The guard stepped forward. As he approached the carriage, he felt a cold blade at his neck.

“Can you open it now?” Xie Tingzhou asked.

The guard didn’t dare move. After a moment of thought, he slowly raised his hand and gritted his teeth. “Open the gate.”

The group swiftly passed through the opened city gate. The guard immediately mounted his horse. “Close the gate. I will report to the officer.”

…

Shen Yu walked down the mountain path. The rain had lessened, but her umbrella had long been blown away.

Soaked, she wiped her face and continued down.

Turning past the pine forest, she suddenly stopped, seeing a group of people on the path.

The torches, almost extinguished by the rain, revealed a person in the middle holding an umbrella. He looked up, and stopped as well.