Chapter 250

Chapter 250

On August 13th, within just ten days, another victory report came from the northwest. The Southern Camp army led by Xiao Zhen and the Da Tong army led by Zhao Liangchen had joined forces in Deng County, now only over 300 miles away from Lü Sheng's stronghold in Liangzhou City.

Zhao Liangchen was a renowned general who had served in two dynasties, with a particularly strong reputation in the border regions. The Xiao Family, however, had been the most distinguished military clan since the late emperor founded the dynasty. They had secured the northern regions and pacified the south of Jingzhou, and had even rescued the late emperor from the perilous Jiange Pass at the risk of their lives. From the patriarch to Xiao Zhen and his wife Tong Sui, the three generations of the family had already made a name for themselves in the northern regions.

The mere sight of the "Zhao" and "Xiao" military flags was enough to shake the morale of the Liangzhou troops.

Although Lü Sheng was ambitious, the tens of thousands of Liangzhou troops were not entirely united with him. Upon hearing that Xiao Zhen had captured Liao Zhou's commanding officer Chen Wang without harming the Liao Zhou troops, the soldiers of the Liangzhou army had already set a backup plan for themselves. If Lü Sheng rebelled, they would follow him to stay alive, but if the imperial army arrived, they would surrender and wait for land distribution instead of fighting to the death for Lü Sheng.

With such morale in the Liangzhou army, Xiao Zhen and Zhao Liangchen's forces not only suffered no losses but also grew in numbers.

In Xiao Zhen's report to the Xianqing Emperor, he stated that this was a sign of a wise ruler governing the country, with people from all directions coming to pledge allegiance.

In addition to the battle reports, the soldiers sent family letters to their loved ones.

Tong Sui received four letters: one from Xiao Zhen, two from her brother Tong Gui to be passed on to their mother and sister-in-law, and one from Xiao Ye containing a letter from Sun Dian to Liu Chu.

The more victory reports arrived, the greater the hope that the soldiers would return home safely and triumphantly, much to the joy of the Xiao family.

In addition to the family letters, the four Xiao brothers also sent some local specialties, including a few pounds of greenish raisins, which were large, sweet, and delicious.

As Tong Sui sat in the study writing a reply to Xiao Zhen, A Fu brought in a plate of washed raisins and placed them beside her.

The children grabbed the raisins and ate them by hand, while Tong Sui sampled a couple before focusing on her letter.

There was a secret code between the patriarch and Xiao Zhen to prevent intercepted letters involving secrets. Later, the patriarch passed this code to Tong Sui.

The method was straightforward. For example, in this letter written on August 13th, the eighth character from odd-numbered lines and the third character from even-numbered lines were used to form a secret message when combined.

Tong Sui wanted to inform Xiao Zhen: "The emperor plans to limit your power; you have severely injured the Imperial Uncle Dou; the Wang family is purchasing poison and has concealed the report from the Empress’s father."

Some characters were rarely used in daily life, so she had to use homophones, but with Xiao Zhen's intelligence, he would surely understand.

As she let the letter paper dry on the desk, Tong Sui looked out the window.

When she first came to the capital city, she arranged secret sentries to investigate the activities of the old court families in the capital because the entire city felt unfamiliar and unsettling to her. Tong Sui wanted to know if these local powers had done any heinous things in the past, who needed to be guarded against, and who could be treated as ordinary new neighbors.

It had been five years since the founding of the Great Yu dynasty, and most of the old court families had been well-behaved, leaving only a few still requiring Tong Sui's vigilance.

This time, after Xiao Zhen's departure, Tong Sui assigned an additional secret sentry near the Wang family's residence and increased surveillance on the Fan, Lu, Wei, and Song estates, as well as the past activities and residences of the eight commanding officers of the eight camps of the Imperial Guard.

If the late emperor were still alive, Tong Sui wouldn’t have needed to monitor these meritorious families. But with the late emperor gone, the new emperor was confused, and Fan Zhao was reckless, making the capital a perilous place again. Tong Sui had to ensure everything was under control to protect the safety of relatives and friends in Wei County.

Tong Sui was quite familiar with Fan Zhao, Lu Gong, and the Second Chancellor. The secret sentries only needed to monitor which officials had been associating with them recently without prying into the private affairs of the four families. The commanding officers of the eight Imperial Guard camps were from the Jizhou troops. Tong Sui had not been familiar with or suspicious of them before, but now, because of Fan Zhao, she needed to understand the backgrounds of the eight individuals.

A few days ago, a secret sentry monitoring the Wang family reported that the son of Wang Bangxian’s trusted steward left the mansion with an unusual expression. The secret sentry followed him and discovered that the man had left the city and gone to a town in the suburbs, where he paid a beggar boy to buy medicine from a pharmacy.

The secret sentry, after the man had left, threatened and coerced the beggar into revealing that the purchased substance was arsenic.

Tong Sui wondered, who did the Wang family intend to poison?

It couldn't be the Xianqing Emperor. As long as the Xianqing Emperor was alive, Wang Bangxian could remain the Empress’s father and secure his position as the leading figure in the capital's noble families, possibly even being promoted to chancellor because of this relationship. Otherwise, even if the Wang family had the ability to poison the Xianqing Emperor, they would be exterminated by the nine familial branches by Fan Zhao's Imperial Guard and Lu Gong's Eastern Camp troops.

If not the Xianqing Emperor, then it could only be Fan Zhao. Fan Zhao had almost beaten Wang Ke to death, a personal vendetta, and Fan Zhao opposed the Xianqing Emperor's favor towards the Wang family, which affected the clan's grievances.

If the Wang family succeeded, once Fan Zhao was dead, no one would dare to openly defy the Xianqing Emperor again. If the Wang family controlled the Xianqing Emperor, wouldn't Wang Bangxian become the second Imperial Uncle Dou?

The Xiao Family would never stoop to colluding with the Wang Family. Therefore, the Wang Family must be trying to manipulate the Xianqing Emperor into eliminating the Xiao Family, their thorn in the side.

To protect her family and the fragile stability in the northern regions, Tong Sui could not afford to sit back and do nothing.

Thus, Tong Sui instructed a secret messenger to disguise themselves as an ordinary person riding a donkey and, in the evening, slipped a letter through the window of Wei Qi's carriage as he headed back to his estate.

The letter contained only one sentence: The Wang Family has recently purchased arsenic.

——

That same evening, at the Council of State.

With the Mid-Autumn festival holiday approaching the next day, Song Lan had just finished handling his official duties and looked across at Wei Qi, who was zoning out with two heavy dark circles under his eyes. Song Lan smiled and asked, "Prime Minister Wei, what are you thinking about?"

Wei Qi glanced at him and ignored the question.

Song Lan said, "I'm about to leave. Would you like to join me?"

Wei Qi shook his head.

So, Song Lan left first.

After several sleepless nights, Wei Qi's mind was foggy. Listening to Song Lan's departing footsteps, he closed the document and leaned back in his chair.

The Wang Family has recently purchased arsenic.

Was this information true or false? How had the other party found out, and why tell him?

At this critical moment, Wei Qi was willing to believe it was true and could guess who the Wang Family was targeting.

Fan Zhao was a sharp blade. First, he helped them eliminate an official sent to Jizhou by the Imperial Uncle Dou, forcing the late emperor to march south. Then, he killed Empress Dou and the young emperor, completely removing the late emperor's lingering threats. Now, Fan Zhao stood firmly between the Xianqing Emperor and the Wang Family with his loyalty and courage.

Fan Zhao might not be a good minister, but everything he did benefited the people and the country, hurting only himself.

Song Lan was good at self-preservation, but if the Wang Family seized power, the country would fall back into chaos, and the people would ultimately suffer.

So, despite knowing the Xianqing Emperor was stubborn and self-opinionated, Wei Qi had to protect him to maintain stability in the northern regions. Only the Xianqing Emperor could keep the various generals in the north in line.

To protect the Xianqing Emperor and keep the Wang Family at bay, relying solely on Wei Qi was not enough. Fan Zhao had become the only capable blade that could assist him.

With the late emperor's trust, Wei Qi was confident he could prevent this blade from harming the Xianqing Emperor.

One more use of this blade, and once the Wang Family fell and Xiao Zhen and Qi Heng returned, the capital would be filled with virtuous ministers and capable generals. He would then transfer Fan Zhao to Liangzhou.

First, solve the immediate crisis, then find a way to resolve the Xianqing Emperor's resentment toward Fan Zhao, balancing loyalty and righteousness.

As night fell, Wei Qi remained at the Council of State.

When the Xianqing Emperor heard about this, he sent for Wei Qi to come to the Qianyuan Hall. Seeing Wei Qi's loose official robes, which seemed even baggier due to his weight loss, the Xianqing Emperor sighed helplessly, "The work is endless. Prime Minister, please take care of your health."

After all, Wei Qi was an old servant of his father and had a teacher-student relationship with him. Although the Xianqing Emperor harbored some complaints about Wei Qi due to Fan Zhao's situation, he still held greater respect for him.

Wei Qi smiled and said, "Yes, I was just about to leave. With the festival approaching, what arrangements does Your Majesty have in the palace?"

The Xianqing Emperor's eyes flickered with sadness and said, "It's been less than six months since my father's passing. I will have a simple family dinner with the empresses."

Wei Qi offered some words of remembrance for the late emperor and then took his leave.

The next day, Wei Qi returned to the palace, claiming he couldn't stay idle at home and preferred to stay busy with official business rather than idle at home.

Despite the Xianqing Emperor’s attempt to persuade him, he let it go. Before they knew it, it was already the 15th day of the eighth month, Mid-Autumn Festival.

Fan Mansion.

Fan Zhao had just finished lunch with his family when the Xianqing Emperor suddenly sent a eunuch with an imperial decree. The Emperor invited him and his family to a private banquet at the palace that evening.

Fan Zhao was stunned for a moment and asked, “Besides me, has the Emperor invited any other officials?”

The eunuch delivering the decree said, “Marquis, you’re joking! The Emperor is hosting a family gathering and wants to share a drink with you, reminiscing about the late emperor. In the entire capital, no one else has this kind of privilege.”

Tears welled up in Fan Zhao’s eyes. A family banquet on Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for reunion—clearly, the Emperor still considered him a brother. Wiping his eyes with his sleeve, he happily accepted the imperial decree.

Madam Fan and Pan Yuerou were equally excited and started preparing. They focused on teaching the boys proper etiquette, as the clothes were already taken care of.

Fan Zhao’s eldest son was already a teenager. His father’s lack of attention and his grandmother’s indulgence had made the boy rather spoiled and arrogant. That afternoon, Fan Zhao specifically instructed his eldest son, forbidding him from doing this and that, showing just how much he valued the evening.

Pan Yuerou watched with the younger son by her side. When the older brother took the younger one to the washroom, Pan Yuerou sighed, “It’s too bad the Emperor didn’t invite Mother.”

Fan Zhao said, “There’s no Empress Dowager in the palace, and the Emperor is still young. Having another elder present might make everyone feel uneasy.”

Pan Yuerou nodded but still seemed puzzled. “Last month, after the incident with the Wang family, the Emperor demoted you. So why the sudden invitation?”

Fan Zhao replied, “Brothers don’t hold grudges for long. The Emperor must have realized that and wants to use this festival as a chance to make amends.”

Pan Yuerou said, “That’s great. Maybe by tomorrow, he’ll reinstate you as the full commander.”

Fan Zhao wrapped his arm around her waist. “You’re always thinking about this.”

Pan Yuerou gave him a reproachful look. He had been in low spirits for a long time because of the Wang family.

As dusk approached, the family of four set out. Fan Zhao rode a horse with his eldest son, while Pan Yuerou and the younger son sat in a carriage.

As they reached the southeastern corner of the imperial city, Fan Zhao noticed Wei Qi’s carriage turning from ahead. Curious, he rode his horse over.

Alerted by his coachman, Wei Qi lifted the curtain on one side of the carriage.

Fan Zhao smiled and asked, “Prime Minister Wei, why are you not spending the festival at home? What brings you here?”

Wei Qi said, “I was working in the Council of State today, but my chronic shoulder pain flared up again. I’m heading to see Doctor Zhou.”

Fan Zhao chuckled. “You’re asking for it. It’s a festival, and you’re not even taking a rest.”

Wei Qi waved at him.

Fan Zhao came closer.

Wei Qi lowered his voice. “No matter what happens, you must keep smiling.”

Fan Zhao raised his eyebrows.

Wei Qi’s voice dropped even lower. “I’ve received information that the Wang family has bought arsenic. Be careful tonight, no matter what, don’t offend the Emperor.”

After finishing, Wei Qi ordered his coachman to proceed.

Fan Zhao reined his horse back two steps, a smile still on his lips, but his eyes cold as ice.

A short while later, the family of four halted at the Gate of Duan to dismount and proceed on foot toward the Imperial Garden.

The Xianqing Emperor was chatting idly with three of his consorts. Shortly after his wedding, Empress Dowager Guo had passed away. After completing the three years of mourning, he had been met with the death of the late emperor, which made it inappropriate to select new consorts this year. So, the only women by his side were the same three who had been with him since his days as crown prince.

When he saw Fan Zhao, the Xianqing Emperor sighed wistfully, "During this Mid-Autumn reunion, I can only share this moment with you."

Fan Zhao also sighed, thinking of the late emperor.

Empress Wang skillfully shifted the conversation to Fan Zhao’s children, using light-hearted conversation to ease the somber mood.

Before the banquet began, the Xianqing Emperor led Fan Zhao on a walk through the Imperial Garden, reminiscing about the late emperor and their shared past.

The Xianqing Emperor said, "I remember when I was young, I wanted to climb a tree to see far into the distance like other children. But my mother was strict, so you secretly helped me climb up. When I was too scared to come down, you stood beneath the tree to catch me."

Fan Zhao smiled, "I had nothing else to offer but my strength, so I could only help you with that."

The Xianqing Emperor continued, "After the late emperor passed, many state affairs fell upon my shoulders. I was actually quite panicked inside. I made hasty decisions and, too proud to admit them, refused to acknowledge my mistakes. Prime Minister Wei and the others are outsiders, so I treat them with courtesy, but I vent my frustrations on you. I rely on the brotherly bond we share, knowing that no matter what, you would indulge and yield to me as you did when we were children."

Fan Zhao looked at the Xianqing Emperor, meeting his guilty gaze, and laughed heartily, "It’s nothing, Your Majesty. I’m a rough man. I only ask that you don’t blame me for being impetuous. How you treat me is of no concern."

The Xianqing Emperor was momentarily dazed by this smile, and long-forgotten childhood memories surfaced in his mind.

The Fan Zhao who encouraged him from under the tree, the Fan Zhao who willingly let him ride on his back, and the Fan Zhao who, even when he was deliberately ordered to do tasks because the late emperor praised him, always did so with a smile.

But the Fan Zhao back then would not confront him in public, would not draw his sword to kill his eunuchs, would not frighten him with ghostly tales, and would certainly not defy his words.

Today, Fan Zhao crippled Wang Ke to secure control over the Imperial Guard.

Fan Zhao treated the Imperial Guard as his own. If the Xianqing Emperor wanted to be a true emperor, he would have to eliminate Fan Zhao.

He grasped Fan Zhao’s sturdy wrist and said with a smile, "Let’s go back. It’s time for the banquet."

At the banquet, the Xianqing Emperor and Empress Wang sat side by side in the main seats, with the two consorts sitting next to Empress Wang. Fan Zhao’s family sat on the emperor’s side.

The women and children sipped tea, and the palace servants brought over two jugs of wine, pouring for the Xianqing Emperor and Fan Zhao.

The Xianqing Emperor raised his wine bowl to Fan Zhao, "Here, I offer you a toast. Let go of past grievances. From now on, you and I are still brothers."

Fan Zhao smiled and nodded, lifting the wine bowl with both hands, but paused as he brought it to his face and looked toward the emperor and empress.

The Xianqing Emperor’s hand trembled slightly, and he quickly lowered his gaze. Empress Wang, however, did not look in their direction, pretending to be engrossed in her meal.

Fan Zhao smiled again, using his wide sleeve to shield his face, and tilted his head back as if drinking. He then slammed the wine bowl heavily onto the table.

The Xianqing Emperor’s heart pounded with anxiety. At that moment, even Empress Wang, unable to hide her tension, looked toward Fan Zhao’s table.

The wine bowl sat there, with wine splashed all over the table.

The Xianqing Emperor stammered, "Why… why didn’t you drink?"

Fan Zhao asked, "This wine doesn’t smell fragrant. May I ask, Your Majesty, was this inferior wine prepared by you for me, or by the Empress?"

Unable to discern whether Fan Zhao had truly realized something, the Xianqing Emperor instinctively pointed at Empress Wang, "It… it was prepared by the Empress."

Fan Zhao’s fierce gaze locked onto her, "Just because I accidentally injured young Lord Wang, does the Empress think she can humiliate me with such inferior wine?"

His murderous intent was unmistakable, and Empress Wang trembled in fear.

Pan Yuerou finally realized that something was wrong, but before she could suspect the wine, Fan Zhao suddenly snatched the wine pot from a nearby palace servant and strode towards Empress Wang.

Empress Wang, panicked and in fear, hid behind the Xianqing Emperor.

The Xianqing Emperor struggled to keep his composure and snapped at Fan Zhao, "If the wine is bad, I'll have someone replace it, but you must not be rude to the Empress!"

Fan Zhao did not stop walking. "Your Majesty, you said tonight is a family banquet, so she is just my sister-in-law. If my sister-in-law disrespects her elder, doesn't she deserve a harsh lesson?"

Empress Wang cried and pleaded, "Your Majesty, save me! Please save me!"

There were only palace servants nearby, and in the distance, a few imperial guards stood, whom the Xianqing Emperor had specifically called over to deal with Fan Zhao and take his family into custody.

At that moment, the Xianqing Emperor shouted for the guards to protect him.

The imperial guards gathered around, but by then, Fan Zhao had already grabbed Empress Wang, clamping her under his left arm, and raised the wine pot to pour the wine into her mouth. "Let you taste the poison you intended for others!"

Empress Wang tried to spit out the wine, but in the forced position of having to tilt her head back and open her mouth, the more she struggled, the more she swallowed.

Finally, after almost finishing the pot of wine, Fan Zhao threw Empress Wang back to the ground.

Empress Wang propped herself up with one hand while gagging and retching, but nothing came out. She crawled, sobbing, into the Xianqing Emperor's arms.

The Xianqing Emperor, his face pale with fright, glanced at the guards standing around with their swords drawn but not moving. His lips trembled, "You, you all..."

Pan Yuerou, tightly holding her young son from a distance, watched with a horrified expression.

Suddenly, Empress Wang began to convulse. The more the Xianqing Emperor tried to push her away, the more she clung to his shoulders. He looked down and saw her eyes rolling back and foam forming at the corners of her mouth.

The Xianqing Emperor retched and vomited, his face twisted in fear as he tried to push her away with his hands and feet, but he couldn't break free.

Fan Zhao watched coldly. Only after Empress Wang lay still did he finally speak to the Xianqing Emperor, who had crawled to the side. "Your Majesty, Empress Wang poisoned the wine, intending to harm both you and me. You witnessed it, didn't you?"

The Xianqing Emperor, trembling and terrified, nodded at everything Fan Zhao said, fearing that Fan Zhao would force the poisoned wine on him as well.

Fan Zhao said, "Your Majesty, I suspect that Empress Wang and her father are secretly colluding. I request that you issue an edict to close the city gates and surround and search the Wang residence to prevent the traitors from escaping under cover of darkness."

The Xianqing Emperor nodded again.

Only then did Fan Zhao turn to the imperial guards and loudly convey the Xianqing Emperor's two edicts.

The imperial guards responded, "We obey the order!"

Without needing any further imperial decree from the Xianqing Emperor, Fan Zhao's official insignia was enough to place the eight outer gates of the capital on high alert. No one was allowed to open them without Fan Zhao's next command.

Meanwhile, several detachments of the Imperial Guard rushed to the Wang residence and the homes of the Wang family's relatives, including the Western Palace where Empress Wang resided. All the palace servants and eunuchs were rounded up and taken into custody.

Upon hearing the news, civil and military officials hurried to the palace, only to find the main gate sealed. Only the Second Chancellor, Lu Gong, and five ministers were allowed inside.

Seeing the Xianqing Emperor lying on the dragon bed, Wei Qi urgently asked, "Your Majesty, what happened?"

Fan Zhao said, "Empress Wang poisoned the wine and was killed on the spot. His Majesty, overwhelmed by grief and rage, fainted."

The imperial physician, standing nearby, confirmed that the Emperor was only temporarily unconscious.

Wei Qi breathed a sigh of relief. It must have been the shock. Thankfully, the Emperor is young and should recover after a few days of rest, just like before.