Chapter 77 Finale

Chapter 77: Finale

Wei Yan wasn't about to let Lu Jiming go see Chen Yiqing alone. After all, the Empress Dowager was a recent lesson. Who knew if Chen Yiqing, backed into a corner, might resort to some trick? So, he told Wei Xuan next to him and left the banquet with Lu Jiming.

Wei Yan was all too familiar with Lu Jiming's expressions and thoughts. When this person narrowed his eyes, it meant he was planning mischief. He probably hadn't vented his anger fully on the Empress Dowager and now wanted to go settle scores with Chen Yiqing.

"It's always fun to kick a man when he's down," Lu Jiming said with a smile inside the carriage on the way to the imperial prison.

The Empress Dowager's hatred for Lu Jiming stemmed from him inadvertently ruining the Empress Dowager and Chen Yiqing's plot to poison the late emperor and seize power. In a sense, Chen Yiqing was also responsible for A-Luan's premature birth in this life. Lu Jiming couldn't let that go.

"If not for considering the idle gossip in the capital, we shouldn't have saved him this time," Wei Yan said.

Because Chen Yiqing's poisoning plot implicated the Empress Dowager, to protect Wei Yan's throne and reputation, the late emperor suppressed the matter during his lifetime, using other pretexts to imprison Chen Yiqing.

Chen Yiqing's overt crimes, according to the law, were not sufficient for a death sentence. In the years since the late emperor's passing, Wei Yan had kept him imprisoned and tortured.

Now Wei Yan felt it was almost enough. He originally planned to let Chen Yiqing die of illness sometime after the Empress Dowager's funeral rites were concluded, but not now.

After all, the Empress Dowager and Chen Yiqing had a past before the Empress Dowager entered the palace. The late emperor, deceiving himself, was unwilling to investigate the person the Empress Dowager had once been engaged to, but that didn't mean no one else in the entire capital knew about their relationship.

If the Empress Dowager and Chen Yiqing died in quick succession, it would be too conspicuous. Wei Yan worried someone might seize on gossip and spread rumors damaging to the imperial family's reputation.

"That would be no fun," Lu Jiming said, pushing the curtain aside to look at the scenery outside. "If he dies now, he'd die resentful, hating you and me. To make him die, his spirit has to be broken first, so he dies willingly, hating the one who truly deserves it."

Lu Jiming always used the most detached and calm tone to say the most cutting, heart-wrenching words. But Wei Yan rather liked him this way, because this was the real Lu Jiming hidden beneath the gentle, courteous facade.

Lu Jiming had just given birth not long ago. Although he had recovered well, Wei Yan tried to keep him from catching a chill, so he had been wearing a cloak. The carriage was stuffy earlier, so Lu Jiming took it off and forgot to put it back on when getting out. Wei Yan carried it for him and draped it over his shoulders after they entered the imperial prison.

Lu Jiming buried his head in the cloak's fur, narrowing his eyes, looking even more like a fox with its winter coat puffed up. He asked Wei Yan, "Do you think the Empress Dowager had genuine feelings for Chen Yiqing?"

Wei Yan gave a derisive laugh. The Empress Dowager seemed entangled between the late emperor and Chen Yiqing his whole life, playing both sides, sitting in the central palace position while still having lingering ties with Chen Yiqing. But Wei Yan felt the Empress Dowager didn't like either of them; he only loved himself.

"I'm relieved you think so too," Lu Jiming said, walking deeper into the prison.

The imperial prison never saw daylight, bitterly cold and damp. Lu Jiming tucked his hands into his sleeves, following the jailer quickly to Chen Yiqing's cell.

Chen Yiqing had been treated and returned to his cell. He had injured his head, his forehead wrapped in bandages. He sat with his knees drawn up on the straw spread on the cell floor, staring blankly at a spot.

Lu Jiming and Chen Yiqing had hardly crossed paths. When Chen Yiqing was chancellor, Lu Jiming had just entered officialdom, not even qualified to exchange more than a few words with Chen Yiqing—at most they had exchanged glances and greetings.

Later, when Chen Yiqing, as a minister entrusted with the young emperor, joined the Empress Dowager in sidelining Wei Yan, Lu Jiming was either trapped in the deep palace or hiding in Mingzhou, with even fewer chances for contact. By the time Lu Jiming returned to the capital, Chen Yiqing had already fallen from power.

In memory, Chen Yiqing was handsome. He was a clansman of Consort Chen, and they looked very similar. He had more scholarly refinement than Consort Chen, less sharpness, giving an aloof, superior air.

The former Chen Yiqing always dressed luxuriously, surrounded by many people, making him difficult to approach.

Now, the wretched man in the cell made Lu Jiming feel even more disoriented, unable to connect him with the powerful chancellor in his memory.

Seeing the two approach, Chen Yiqing turned his gaze and asked Wei Yan, "What have you done to Yi-ge?"

"The Empress Dowager is gravely ill. The imperial physicians are doing their utmost," Wei Yan said.

"You're deceiving me," Chen Yiqing said calmly, with a cold tone. "His health has always been good. It's you who harmed him. You want him dead."

"He is my father. Why would I want him dead?" Wei Yan smiled. "Chancellor Chen, you should watch your words." Chen Yiqing was no longer chancellor; this address felt more like mockery.

"I know. You do want him dead," Chen Yiqing said, standing up and walking to the cell bars, gripping them tightly. His knuckles turned white from the force.

He hadn't washed or groomed for too long; his beard was a mess, none of his former appearance visible.

"Think what you will," Wei Yan said.

"I hate you," Chen Yiqing suddenly said. "And I hate the late emperor! It's you who made it impossible for Yi-ge and me to be together."

"Is that so? Haven't you two met in secret all these years?" Wei Yan sneered. "It's just that Father was too foolish, never suspecting you two."

"Yi-ge and I were mutually devoted. We should have been together. It's all because of the late emperor," Chen Yiqing insisted.

"Not necessarily," Lu Jiming finally spoke. "Lord Chen, do you truly believe the Empress Dowager liked you?"

Chen Yiqing didn't even glance at Lu Jiming. "You know nothing."

"I don't need to know anything," Lu Jiming said. "I only know that you've been imprisoned for so long, and the Empress Dowager never once tried to get you out. You were used by him. Don't you see that?"

He even felt a bit sorry for Chen Yiqing now—unlucky in love, unable to distinguish right from wrong, his once-promising future completely ruined.

"He had no choice. I don't blame him," Chen Yiqing said.

Seeing him so deluded, Lu Jiming continued, "To tell you the truth, on New Year's Eve, he took me hostage. If he had even a shred of affection for you, he should have used that to force His Majesty to release you then. Unfortunately, he only wanted to kill me to vent his spleen. He didn't care whether you lived or died."

Chen Yiqing wasn't stupid; he just trusted the Empress Dowager too much and was too convinced of their youthful, abandoned affection. Hearing Lu Jiming's words, he immediately understood some things. After a moment, he said, "You're trying to sow discord."

"What's the point of sowing discord?" Wei Yan said. "You're just a prisoner now."

Lu Jiming said, "We came today only to let you die with clarity... The Empress Dowager won't see you. He confessed everything you two did. In exchange, His Majesty agreed to let him fake his death and leave under a new identity. As for you, you must take responsibility for your actions. How pathetic."

Wei Yan glanced at Lu Jiming. This person was still the same as before, lying effortlessly without a single flaw or stumble.

Wei Yan even felt that since Lu Jiming knew he also had memories of a past life, he seemed even less restrained.

Chen Yiqing fell into a complete panic now, shouting, "I don't believe it!"

Wei Yan casually mentioned a few details from his past life—things Chen Yiqing and the Empress Dowager had revealed while turning on each other after their downfall. Because these matters were too specific and unknown to anyone else, Chen Yiqing had no choice but to believe he had been thoroughly betrayed by the Empress Dowager.

The more obsessed with feelings a person is, the less they can accept betrayal. Chen Yiqing almost broke down, ranting incoherently and frantically about many things he knew.

Wei Yan left Xue Jun behind to interrogate Chen Yiqing further and returned to the banquet with Lu Jiming.

The previous opera scene had just finished. A palace attendant brought the opera booklet for Lu Jiming to choose.

Lu Jiming chose "The Golden Orchid Calamity." Seeing this, Wei Huan laughed and said, "I've seen this opera Brother Ming chose. It's about two scholars in the Northern Li dynasty who swore brotherhood. This Scholar Li went astray, and Scholar Wang didn't save him but followed him instead. In the end, both came to a bad end."

Lu Jiming smiled. "Exactly. Scholar Wang didn't have to die, but a momentary misjudgment led to the destruction of his family."

"It would have been nice if they could live and die together. Unfortunately, these two ended up turning on each other, like dogs fighting over a bone," Wei Xuan also laughed.

"Human insatiability has always been like this," Wei Yan said. "By the way, A-Huan, there's something I need to tell you."

Wei Huan tilted his head, looking at his imperial brother. He was still holding the rabbit Ning Zhifei had hunted for him earlier. The rabbit had grown several sizes. Wei Huan wanted it to play with the one raised in the palace, so he brought it along.

Wei Huan tilted his head, and the silly rabbit also tilted its head, wiggling its ears.

"Father Consort Chen is returning to the capital. He'll stay until spring." Right after the Empress Dowager's death, Wei Yan had sent word to the frontier.

Imperial Consort Chen had been unwilling to see the Empress Dowager again, which was why he had remained at the frontier, refusing to return. Knowing the Empress Dowager was dead, he finally remembered he had a young son in the capital and agreed to come back.

"Really?!" Wei Huan exclaimed excitedly, standing up directly.

The rabbit on his lap was startled and jumped to the ground. It hopped to Lu Jiming's feet, looked up at him, then, as if frightened by something, dashed wildly out of the warm pavilion.

Several palace attendants hurried after them.

Lu Jiming shook his head helplessly. Though rebirth could solve many problems, he still had no idea how to win the affection of these little ones.

"You've grown up now. When Consort Chen returns to the frontier, if you can't bear to part with him, you may go along."

Wei Huan responded with sheer delight, running over to hug his brother, then his brother's wife, and even giving a kiss to his little nephew, who was asleep after being coaxed by the attendants.

"I hope A-Luan grows up to be this lively too," Lu Jiming said.

Wei Yan rubbed his temples. "I think it wouldn't be bad if he took after your steadiness."

Yin Yuxie suddenly stood up as well, addressing Wei Yan. "Once spring comes, I plan to marry Zi Xiao."

Wei Yan raised an eyebrow. "You were the one who didn't want to before."

Yin Yuxie replied, "Someone's pregnant. We have to get married."

"Who's pregnant?" Wei Xuan interjected.

To this day, no one had figured out which of the two was on top. Some of the young nobles in the capital who were their friends had even started a betting pool on the matter, with Wei Xuan having money on it too.

Yin Yuxie rolled his eyes. "Not telling you."

Wei Xuan glanced toward Huan Zixiao, who also shook his head, giving him a sly grin. "It's a secret."

Yan Huai stood up. "I..."

Wei Yan was startled. "What are you going to do! You're way too young!"

Yan Huai: “…”

"I was going to say, Zhifei just stepped out a while ago and hasn't come back. I'll go check on him."

Wei Yan waved him off, telling him to hurry. No need to make such a fuss about it; it made it sound like he had done something to Ning Zhifei.

Half an incense-stick later, Ning Zhifei returned with Yan Huai, each carrying two jars of wine.

"Elder sister said before she left that we should open these Tumi wines for Father's birthday next year. I just remembered and went back to get them," Ning Zhifei said.

Several palace attendants took the wine and poured it for everyone at the table.

Wei Xuan's eyes were sharp as he stared at Yin Yuxie and Huan Zixiao, trying to figure out which of them couldn't drink.

Lu Jiming lifted his cup and took a sip—the floral aroma was indeed stronger. Wei Yan raised his cup toward Lu Jiming. "Come on, Xuping, cheers!"

The cups clinked with a crisp sound. Lu Jiming's eyes curved into a smile as he said to Wei Yan, "Alright, cheers."

End of Volume Two: Crossing the River of Oblivion

On Qiong Island, hidden in the misty haze, after the orchid boat departs, the green waves lie empty. Meeting again where we once washed our skirts in the stream. Transformed into a crane for a thousand years, with no wings to return; a single spark of the heart-horn connects our souls. Do not let the east wind mislead the tidings. — From "Silk-Washing Stream" by Feng Xu