Chapter 66 Hongmen Banquet

Chapter 66: The Feast at Hongmen

Jiang Wang arrived at the Chang residence and once again saw that familiar, opulent little courtyard.

Today, he had used running errands as an excuse to leave the house. On the surface, he was out buying daily necessities, but in reality, he had taken a detour and ducked directly into the Chang residence's back gate.

After all, with too many prying eyes, the main gate of the Prime Minister's mansion wasn't somewhere just anyone could waltz up to.

Was he nervous?

A little. After all, last time someone had escorted him, but he was on his own this time. Who wouldn't feel tense?

Was he uneasy?

Of course not!

When he received Chang Wenji's invitation to come over for a visit, he had immediately informed Xiao Yan.

Since he had already revealed his identity, why bother with this cloak-and-dagger stuff?

Therefore, Xiao Yan was fully in the loop; Jiang Wang was merely playing the part of someone sneaking around.

Moreover, unlike the deliberate cold shoulder he received last time, Chang Wenji was already waiting for him in the flower hall.

Besides Chang Wenji himself, his daughter, Chang Ying, was also present.

Jiang Wang's heart sank with a sense of foreboding.

Could this be... a feast at Hongmen (a proverbial trap)?

Waiting for him here early wasn't a welcome, but rather a clean, quick kill?

Just a few days ago, he had exposed Chang Ying's scheme at Zhaoshan and punished her.

Chang Wenji was already famous for being a doting father. Now, with father and daughter united, wanting to make him disappear from this world made perfect sense.

They could later claim he was robbed and killed by bandits while out purchasing supplies, and no one would have any evidence to prove he met his end at the Chang residence.

Even if Xiao Yan knew the truth, what could he do? With Xiao Yan's notorious reputation for debauchery, and Jiang Wang being his "Favorite Minister"...

If Xiao Yan spoke up for him, the accusation of "indulging in male beauty and disrupting court affairs" would be thrown at him, leaving Xiao Yan unable to defend himself.

Jiang Wang stopped dead in his tracks, refusing to take another step forward.

The pastries he was carrying as an excuse slipped from his hand and smashed to pieces on the ground.

He glanced back. The door to the flower hall was open; if anything went wrong, he could still make a run for it.

But just as he thought this, Chang Da came in from outside. After receiving a nod from Chang Wenji, he reached out with a beefy hand and closed the door from the outside.

Now, the three of them were trapped together in a quiet room, with muscle posted outside the door. Jiang Wang truly felt like a fish on the chopping block, at their mercy.

As Chang Wenji took a step forward, Jiang Wang took a step back.

Until his back was pressed tightly against the door, with no retreat possible.

However, at that moment, Chang Wenji let out a light chuckle, breaking the eerie silence.

"What are you doing, Zi'an? Come, have a seat."

Chang Wenji wore a smile that didn't reach his eyes, the wrinkles on his face bunching together while the muscles beneath his skin remained utterly still—it was extremely unsettling.

Jiang Wang felt his stomach churn, a wave of nausea washing over him.

But at the same time, he knew he was safe.

Since Chang Wenji had something to say, it meant he didn't intend to kill him.

Though it probably wouldn't be much better.

Chang Wenji had called him Zi'an again. Whenever his courtesy name came out of Chang Wenji's mouth, it never boded well.

Last time was the same.

Also in this flower hall, kneeling until his knees were red for days.

He wondered how Chang Wenji planned to torment him this time.

Jiang Wang hesitated, unsure whether he should sit down nearby. In the end, Chang Wenji pressed him into a chair.

Then, Chang Wenji pulled Chang Ying over and forced her to apologize to Jiang Wang.

Chang Ying was naturally unwilling. Even without her status as a county princess, she was still the noble daughter of the Prime Minister. Even if she was in the wrong, it wasn't proper for her to apologize to a mere fourth-rank official.

But her father insisted she do it, threatening to cut off her monthly allowance if she refused.

Chang Ying, expressionless and extremely reluctant, performed a curtsey, mumbling something unintelligible before leaving.

It was only after Chang Wenji explained that Chang Ying was apologizing to him that Jiang Wang realized what that series of actions had been about.

Though her heart wasn't in it, it was a half-hearted expression of intent at best.

But this made it even more frightening.

Chang Wenji hadn't targeted him today. Instead, he had made his precious daughter apologize. Jiang Wang couldn't quite grasp what this meant.

"Lord Chang, if you have something to say, please speak plainly. This humble official will do his utmost within his capabilities."

Chang Wenji smiled again, this time with a slightly more pleasant expression.

He took out two small sandalwood boxes and pushed them toward Jiang Wang.

"Zi'an, open them and take a look."

Jiang Wang opened the first one. Inside lay a semi-translucent pearl, about the size of a fist.

This must be a night-luminescent pearl.

Although Jiang Wang had never seen a real one before, based on descriptions and images from books or films, he had some idea.

Moreover, this pearl before him was as smooth and lustrous as mutton fat, its interior seeming to hold a pool of clear spring water. It was clearly of immense value.

Why was Chang Wenji giving him this?

He looked up in confusion, only to receive a look from Chang Wenji that said to keep looking calmly.

Jiang Wang closed this box, carefully set it aside, and opened the second one.

The contents of this one were simpler: just a plain white porcelain bottle containing a few pill-like grains the size of rice.

But looking closer, Jiang Wang realized the bottle concealed a secret.

The body was wide, the mouth narrow. Upon closer inspection, there was a thin line where the mouth and body connected.

He twisted along that line—the mouth stayed still but the body turned, and the pills inside disappeared, turning into a white powder!

This little bottle actually had such a clever trick to it!

Jiang Wang sniffed the powder—it had no smell.

What was Chang Wenji getting at with this bottle?

First, making his precious daughter apologize, then giving him such a rare luminous pearl.

And now this exquisite bottle, hiding some unknown powder inside.

Was it possible...

Jiang Wang’s eyes widened in disbelief. Could it really be what he was thinking? Did Chang Wenji actually have such audacity?!

This was a crime punishable by beheading and wiping out one's whole family!

Seeing Jiang Wang’s reaction, Chang Wenji said nothing, only revealing a knowing smile.

The corners of his lips lifted slightly, his eyes gleaming, an irrepressible ambition showing on his brow.

Jiang Wang felt that although this smile was terrifying, it was also the most genuine.

Chang Wenji’s earlier smiles had only made him nauseous, but this one sent a chill down his spine, breaking him out in a cold sweat.

Chang Wenji truly intended this, and now he was putting it into action.

He wanted to murder Xiao Yan!

Jiang Wang closed the small bottle, placed it back in the box, and shakily pushed it toward Chang Wenji.

"Lord Chang, this is something I truly cannot do," he said, rising to leave. "I just remembered something I have to do. I should go."

But now that he was here, whether he could leave wasn't his decision anymore.

Without Chang Wenji’s permission, Chang Da would not open the door. No matter how hard Jiang Wang pulled, he couldn't even budge it.

"Zi’an, don’t waste your energy. As long as you work with me, you’ll enjoy endless wealth and honor in the future."

Chang Wenji’s icy voice came from behind, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, wrapping around Jiang Wang’s body with a sticky, damp sensation.

"If you refuse, you won’t even leave through this door today."

This was his ultimatum.

The hands gripping the doorframe went limp and fell. Jiang Wang did not turn around but crouched on the ground, curling into a ball, his shoulders trembling uncontrollably in utter despair.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally stood up, leaning against the wall, his voice choked as he asked, "What exactly do you want me to do?"

Jiang Wang was in bad shape—his face was pale, his lips bloodless, as if the mental struggle alone had drained all his strength.

Seeing him like this, Chang Wenji felt a flicker of hesitation, though his tone only softened slightly.

"Good child, it must be difficult for you to do this, but you must understand—this is a cruel world, and only the victor can reign supreme."

He bent down to help Jiang Wang up and sit him back down, then took out the bottle again and shoved it into Jiang Wang’s palm.

"I want you to put it in Xiao Yan’s tea."

*

Jiang Wang had no idea how he got out of the Chang residence. He only felt like a wandering ghost, drifting aimlessly.

The pastries he had brought earlier had long been crushed to powder during the conversation. Now, the bundle in his hands contained some precious medicinal herbs Chang Wenji had given him, and deep inside, the two small boxes.

He had a mournful, troubled expression the entire way, only letting out a long, deep sigh of relief the moment he stepped into the Cangwu Hall.

Hehe, he had been acting all along.

He was exhausted from the performance. Jiang Wang stretched his shoulders and wiped away the half-dried tear stains on his face.

His acting at the Chang residence had undoubtedly pushed his skills to a new limit.

From Chang Wenji’s reaction, it was clear he believed Jiang Wang was nothing more than a weak, incompetent little Court Diarist, completely at the mercy of others.

His initial look of shock had been genuine, but the subsequent displays of helplessness and fear were all an act.

The only clown facing extermination was Chang Wenji himself. He was probably still smugly envisioning his glorious future.

Not only would Jiang Wang not poison Xiao Yan, but he would also tell Xiao Yan everything Chang Wenji had asked him to do!

Jiang Wang set down the heavy bundle and began calling out for Xiao Yan as he wandered around the Cangwu Hall.

"Your Majesty—Your Majesty—where are you?"

He looked all over but couldn’t find any trace of Xiao Yan.

Had he gone out on business?

But before leaving, Xiao Yan had clearly said he would be waiting in the hall.

After circling around and returning to where he started, Xiao Yan, who had been nowhere in sight, suddenly materialized behind him.

"Minister Jiang, were you looking for me?"

The familiar voice came from behind like a ghost, startling Jiang Wang and making him jump.

"Your Majesty! I searched everywhere earlier and didn’t see anyone. Where did you come from?"

He patted his chest to calm his pounding heart, then immediately took out the small bottle and launched into a vivid recounting of the day’s events, eager to share.

He first described how confused he had been when Chang Ying apologized, then how he'd pretended when he was trapped in the room with no way out.

Finally, when he turned around expecting praise, he noticed something was off about Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan was staring blankly at the small pile of white powder spilled on the table, frozen like a wooden statue.

Jiang Wang called his name several times, but Xiao Yan didn’t respond at all. It wasn’t until Jiang Wang tugged on his arm that Xiao Yan seemed to snap back to reality.

The hollow yet sorrowful look in Xiao Yan’s eyes tightened Jiang Wang’s heart. He felt as if Xiao Yan was about to shatter.

Author’s Note:

Chang Wenji is starting to dig his own grave.