Jiang Taohua chose these officials not because of their highest positions in court, but because they had the most followers. At this critical moment of choosing sides, their attitudes would influence many others.
Shen Zaiye’s attack on Zhao at this time helped her, as without external threats, these people would be even less likely to agree to Chang Jie’s ascension.
However, once Chang Jie ascended the throne, it would mean a confrontation with Shen Zaiye.
Rubbing her slightly rounded belly, Taohua was worried. How could she prevent a venomous snake from swallowing its favorite bird egg?
The two senior officials went back to carefully consider. The court was momentarily calm, and just as Jiang Taohua was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Chang Jie rushed over, saying, “Imperial Sister, war is imminent.”
“War?” Taohua looked bewildered. “With whom?”
“Who else could it be?” Chang Jie sighed. “Shen Zaiye has brought the vanguard and is already near the capital.”
“So quickly?” Taohua was stunned. “Did he grow wings?”
“Chancellor Shen’s army moves fast and doesn’t linger after capturing cities. Plus, Zhao is post-war, with weak defenses in each city. No one could stop him,” Chang Jie explained. “But judging by this, he wants a quick victory. If we can hold the capital for a few months, Great Wei will have to withdraw.”
“Can we hold out?” Taohua was concerned.
Chang Jie smiled. “Sister should believe in me. As long as there are no traitors in the capital, we can hold out.”
Nodding, Taohua couldn’t wait any longer. She pulled Qing Tai in front of her and looked at her seriously.
“My lady…” Qing Tai was nervous. “Whatever you want to ask, just ask directly.”
“Do you know which people in court are loyal to Empress Lü?” Taohua asked bluntly.
Qing Tai, after all, used to be one of Empress Lü’s people. Though unsure how much she knew, she should at least know more than Taohua.
Looking troubled, Qing Tai said, “This servant truly doesn’t know, but I do know there’s a book in the Empress’s palace that records this. I’m just not sure where it’s kept.”
The palace was now empty, so finding a book shouldn’t be difficult, right? Taohua rose to leave, but just as she reached the door, she ran into her master.
“Where are you going?” Qian Bai Mei’s face was still pale, but his spirit seemed fully recovered.
Taohua frowned, looking at his bandaged body, and shook her head. “I should be asking you that. Your injuries aren’t healed, why are you out of bed?”
Rolling his eyes impatiently, Qian Bai Mei said, “Your master isn’t some delicate maiden. My bones aren’t broken just some flesh wounds. Should I lie around like an invalid? What about you? Haven’t you been feeling unwell lately? Where are you off to?”
Taohua laughed dryly, about to make up an excuse, when Qing Tai straightforwardly said, “The mistress wants to go to the palace to find a book.”
“A book?” Qian Bai Mei dragged Taohua back to her room, tucking her into bed. “What book? I’ll go find it.”
“Master,” Taohua’s face fell. “I’m not an invalid either. Why do I have to lie in bed?”
“When I tell you to lie down, just do it. No need for so many words.” Qian Bai Mei flicked her forehead. “If your health fails, that would be truly disastrous.”
Pouting, Taohua sighed and obediently told him what the book was and where to find it, then settled down to rest.
Qian Bai Mei left swiftly and efficiently found the book. He opened it to look at the names, picked out a few particularly disagreeable ones, and went to their residences to “pay his respects.”
While Lai Shiqing and others were still hesitating, news spread of three sudden deaths in the court – all core confidants who had helped Empress Lü commit atrocities.
Was this killing the chicken to scare the monkey? Lai Shiqing’s face turned pale with fear. He immediately stopped hesitating and, bringing the Censor Yu with him, went to express their stance to Taohua: “The country cannot go a day without a monarch. We are willing to support the Second Prince’s ascension to the throne!”
Taohua was somewhat surprised. She accepted their goodwill with a smile and, after some discussion, decided to let Chang Jie temporarily manage the imperial seal. The formal ascension would take place after the great battle ended.
“Master is so clever!” After sending the two off, Taohua couldn’t help praising Qian Bai Mei. “I didn’t even say what needed to be done, how did you know to eliminate these people?”
Qian Bai Mei was stunned. He lowered his eyes and said, “These people were previously against Chang Jie. I just went to see how they were doing. I didn’t expect them to be so fragile…”
He hadn’t intended to kill anyone, but his lack of restraint resulted in a few deaths. He had worried about messing up her plans, but it turned out to be a fortunate accident.
Jiang Taohua: “…”
Regardless, the outcome was good. The task of persuading the other court officials could be left to those two. Now Chang Jie only needed to focus on the battle, without worries from behind.
This was all she could do to help him.
In Mu Wuxia’s military camp outside the city.
Shen Zaiye rushed over, travel-worn, and immediately bowed to him: “This humble official greets Your Majesty.”
“It’s been a long time, Chancellor,” Mu Wuxia looked at him deeply. “You rushed here so urgently, your horse must be exhausted.”
Straightening up, Shen Zaiye said, “If we don’t hurry, once Zhao’s new emperor ascends the throne and they have a chance to catch their breath, it will be troublesome.”
Mu Wuxia frowned. “You intend to attack Zhao?”
“What else did Your Majesty think I brought this army of over a hundred thousand for? To scare people?” Shen Zaiye raised an eyebrow. “Since we’re here, we naturally need to achieve results.”
“But…” But Jiang Taohua is still in the city. If fighting breaks out, what if something happens to her?
Shen Zaiye smiled. “Your Majesty is in a high position and can’t just think of yourself. Expanding territory benefits all of Great Wei. How can we give up because of personal feelings?”
Mu Wuxia fell silent. He had originally thought Shen Zaiye was just putting on a show to help Jiang Chang Jie ascend the throne smoothly, as he had similar thoughts at first. But… he had been too naive. Shen Zaiye had the reputation of a venomous snake; he certainly wouldn’t just flick his tongue without striking.
“Doesn’t the Chancellor want to see Sister Jiang?” he said softly. “After all, Sister Jiang is carrying your child.”
“At such a critical moment, I have no time to see her,” Shen Zaiye said earnestly. “Moreover, we are now on opposing sides. There’s no point in meeting.”
So cold? Mu Wuxia frowned, feeling he was being too heartless. But after all, it was a matter between husband and wife. He, as a child, should just quietly study his military books.
Shen Zaiye left the main tent with an expressionless face, then calmly found the stables, quietly took two fast horses, and with Zhan Lu, galloped towards Zhao’s capital under the cover of night!
Zhan Lu couldn’t help but say, “Master, didn’t you say you didn’t want to see the mistress?”
“You believe words meant to fool a child?” Shen Zaiye snorted coldly. “You should eat more pig brains!”
He had been worried about her the whole way here. Now that he was near the capital, how could he not go see her? Of course, he had to say the proper things in public, but as for what he did, that was for him to decide.
In the dead of night, Taohua was sleeping in the palace, her brow furrowed as if having a nightmare. Qing Tai closed the door and went out, unexpectedly encountering several shadowy figures who seized her and pulled her aside.
“Who are you?” Qing Tai frowned.
The shadow pulled off his mask, looking at her angrily. “You chose to betray the Empress!”
It was one of Empress Lü’s secret guards, trained alongside her. Qing Tai pressed her lips together, holding a candlestick. “I don’t think I did anything wrong. The Empress was wrong.”
“Absurd!” The shadow gritted his teeth. “The Empress raised you, and you betray her, yet think you’ve done nothing wrong?”
Qing Tai fell silent, lowering her head slightly. Indeed, they were all raised by Empress Lü’s money, so they should serve her, but…
“Take this,” the shadow handed her a vial, his voice low. “This is your last chance. Kill her, avenge the Imperial Princess and the Empress. After this, we’ll have repaid our debt to the Lü family and can live freely.”
The training of dead soldiers always emphasized loyalty and gratitude. Until they repaid Empress Lü’s kindness, none of them could be at ease.
Qing Tai frowned, about to refuse, when another shadow flew through the air, kicking the group of shadows far away without a word!
“Repay your debts. What kind of skill is it to trouble a girl?” Zhan Lu looked at the group angrily. “You aid evil and still talk about righteousness? After repaying Empress Lü’s kindness, how will you compensate for my mistress’s life?”
The shadows fell to the ground, unable to get up from his kick. They panicked: “Who are you?”
Zhan Lu narrowed his eyes, approaching them step by step: “You can ask the King of Hell that question.”
Frightened by his killing intent, the shadows desperately retreated, only to bump into someone else.
Looking back, they saw the person looming over them. Before they could react, they felt a chill at their throats.
Blood splattered as the group fell to the ground without even a groan.
“Master.” Zhan Lu’s expression was grave as he instinctively shielded Qing Tai. “These people were Empress Lü’s.”
“I know.” Shen Zaiye didn’t stop, walking directly in front of them. He looked past Zhan Lu at Qing Tai. “So you’re also one of Empress Lü’s people?”
Qing Tai remained silent.
A flexible sword flew to her neck. Shen Zaiye’s eyes were full of murderous intent. “She trusts you so much, yet you help others harm her?”
Qing Tai’s knees buckled as she knelt before Shen Zaiye. “This servant has absolutely no intention of harming the mistress. Even if Your Excellency hadn’t come today, I wouldn’t have agreed to their demands.”
Narrowing his eyes slightly, Shen Zaiye’s anger was hard to quell. “Someone like you is a menace by her side. Leave on your own.”
Her body stiffened. Qing Tai didn’t dare raise her head, only clenching her fists.
She didn’t want to leave at all. She hadn’t even repaid what she owed the mistress!
Without saying more to her, Shen Zaiye pushed open the door to the main hall behind them and walked towards the bed.
(End of Chapter)