Qing Zhuo nodded and put away the letter, then asked Zhou Weizhao, “Master’s wife said she wants to meet Sixth Miss. I told her I’d come back and ask when Sixth Miss would be available, then have you bring Sixth Miss to Qingxu Temple so she can see her.”
Zhang Tianshi had already brought his wife to the capital. Although Emperor Jianzhang greatly valued the Celestial Master and wanted him to stay at the official guesthouse, Zhang Tianshi firmly refused and still moved into Qingxu Temple outside the city.
After the incident where Song Chuyi and her brother were attacked at Little Qingxu Temple, the temple had been thoroughly reorganized by the Five Cities Military Commissioner. Now when people spoke of Qingxu Temple, there was no longer any need to distinguish between Greater Qingxu Temple or Lesser Qingxu Temple.
Even if the Celestial Master’s wife hadn’t mentioned it, Song Chuyi had been planning to find time for a visit. Now hearing Qing Zhuo bring it up, she smiled and said, “I really should go pay my respects to Master’s wife. After I return home for the third-day visit the day after tomorrow, I’ll go see Master’s wife.”
Emperor Jianzhang revered Buddhism and esteemed Daoism. With him setting the example, the entire Great Zhou Dynasty showed great respect for both Buddhist and Daoist traditions. After the incident at Huangjue Temple, the Daoist school became even more sought after, especially the Longhu Mountain Celestial Master lineage, which was honored as the orthodox tradition of Daoist learning throughout the realm. Their status was particularly lofty. Even Emperor Jianzhang showed great favor and trust toward Zhang Tianshi. Zhou Weizhao was his nominal disciple and had been raised by the Celestial Master and his wife, so naturally she had all the more reason to be close to them.
Qing Zhuo became even happier, quickly acknowledged with a sound, and turned to leave.
Song Chuyi called him back again. “When you go see Ma San, tell him in passing to inform Luo Gui that on that day, I’ll go to the residence in the East Street alley. Have Luo Gui make preparations.”
Qing Zhuo vaguely felt something was off. Miss Song seemed somehow not very concerned about this matter, and couldn’t help looking at Song Chuyi again. He first agreed to find Ma San and notify Luo Gui, then scratched his head as he looked at Song Chuyi, then at Zhou Weizhao. After hesitating for a while, he finally asked, “Your Highness, Sixth Miss, do you already know in your hearts who’s been causing trouble behind the scenes?”
Why did it seem like he was the only one worrying needlessly?
Zhou Weizhao couldn’t be bothered with him and glared at him with a stern face. “Just go when told to go! Have you forgotten about Qing Luo and Han Yan?”
It was Qing Zhuo who had pleaded on behalf of Qing Luo and Han Yan, asking to let them return to Longhu Mountain with the Yulin Guards and let the matter rest. Otherwise, given Zhou Weizhao’s careful and cautious nature, they would have had to wait until Zhang Tianshi and his wife came to the capital before handing them over to the Celestial Master’s wife for judgment.
At this mention, Qing Zhuo immediately felt guilty. He nervously glanced at Song Chuyi, then took off running, faster than a rabbit, afraid Song Chuyi would settle accounts with him. His Highness was much easier to talk to than Miss Song.
The study grew quiet. The ink monkey quickly scurried down from the desk, climbed along Zhou Weizhao’s hand to Song Chuyi’s sleeve, and after hooking onto her sleeve, nimbly grasped her finger, staring at her with round, bright eyes.
The weather was growing cooler. Even the midday sun didn’t feel scorching. A moderate cool breeze poured through the open window. Song Chuyi lowered her head to stroke the little ink monkey’s head, then raised her eyes to look at Zhou Weizhao. “Are you closing the net now?”
Prince Gong had used his forces in the capital to lay a large net for them, wanting to trap them all within it. But they had likewise prepared a grand gift for him.
After last night’s physical intimacy, the relationship between them had clearly grown closer. Many actions that previously seemed too intimate now felt natural and effortless. Zhou Weizhao smoothly pulled her into his embrace, reached out to take the bamboo tube to lure the little monkey back, plugged the stopper, and nodded in agreement. “There’s no time left. I’m afraid he’ll create even greater disturbances. Any later, and the situation truly won’t be within our control.”
Prince Gong’s ambitions were already glaringly obvious. When Zhou Weizhao mentioned Prince Gong, his usually calm eyes became as sharp as a hawk’s. He spread out a map to show Song Chuyi, pointing to Wu’an and Guangping Prefecture, then moved from Guangping Prefecture to Taiyuan and toward Datong. His voice was ice-cold, devoid of emotion. “Xiao Yi, look.”
Song Chuyi followed his pointing finger bit by bit. When Zhou Weizhao’s finger stopped on Datong, her heart suddenly began pounding—Han Zhengqing!
If Prince Gong had truly colluded with Han Zhengqing, and if Han Zhengqing was willing to go all out, then the Prince of Zhennan, caught in the middle and ordered to Taiyuan to reorganize the Guard Army, would be in extreme danger!
Composed as Song Chuyi usually was, she couldn’t help but let out a low exclamation. “If Han Zhengqing secretly aids Prince Gong, the Prince may not be able to withstand it.”
A strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake. After all, Prince Gong had been operating in the Jin region for over ten years. His influence pervaded the entire area. Even the old aristocratic Cui clan had to yield ground to him back then.
But after her exclamation, she immediately steadied herself. Her gaze withdrew from the map, and she looked at Zhou Weizhao with some complexity. “Have my uncles sent back any letters? What about the Prince?”
Calculating the time, the Prince of Zhennan should have been in Taiyuan for over half a month. In that time, given the Prince of Zhennan’s swift and decisive nature, he would certainly have begun making moves as soon as he arrived in the Jin region. Regardless of whether there was progress, he should have sent back a letter.
There was also the Cui family. Previously, she had already secretly sent a letter instructing the Cui family to help the Prince of Zhennan investigate Prince Gong’s whereabouts and prevent Prince Gong from returning to Taiyuan. But they hadn’t replied until now, and Princess Duanhui hadn’t received any news either.
This was clearly extremely abnormal. Considering that Prince Gong still had the energy to arrange such affairs in the capital, spreading rumors to attack the Eastern Palace, Song Chuyi’s expression changed slightly.
“Striking the cow from across the mountain!” Without waiting for Zhou Weizhao to answer, Song Chuyi first let out a cold laugh. “Prince Gong must have already made contact with Han Zhengqing. Han Zhengqing is an extremely sinister man—I heard Han Zhi was raised by him. Though I’ve never crossed swords with Han Zhengqing, just looking at Han Zhi’s behavior, one can glimpse one or two aspects of his character. With such an opponent, and with him controlling the strategic location of Datong, Prince Gong backing onto him is undoubtedly leaning against a great tree.”
Zhou Weizhao was gratified to see her quickly think of Han Zhengqing. After a long while, he shook his head. “The Prince of Zhennan hasn’t sent a letter back to the capital for over a month. Imperial Grandfather is extremely worried.”
Song Chuyi’s heart sank heavily. Her usually expressionless face showed somewhat grave concern. “Something must have happened.”
Otherwise, Prince Gong certainly wouldn’t be this arrogant, much less still able to spare attention to make moves in the capital.
Zhou Weizhao let out a sigh and nodded in agreement, his voice rarely somewhat low. “The Cui family and the Prince of Zhennan have both lost contact simultaneously. Not a single messenger has been seen either. To say nothing happened in all this—no one would believe it even if you said so. I’m afraid something truly has occurred. So for now, the only option is to close the net first.”
After all, they couldn’t let themselves be beaten down even here in the capital. Setting aside everything else, they should first snuff out the signs appearing in the capital.