Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 775

Chapter 775: Aftermath

“Do not worry, I’m not like you, breaking my promise,” Pei Que urged. “Hurry up and tell me; you still have many guests here.”

Xu Wenyong reluctantly told Pei Que about a few places. He knew Pei Que was not honest. Everyone called him a great villain, but the truly wicked villain was Pei Que, harming people invisibly; everyone would fall victim to Pei Que’s methods.

“This money’s enough for you to revitalize the Pei family, or for you to recruit your own troops,” Xu Wenyong said. “I hope you will keep your promise; I will be watching over you even after I die.”

“Once you’re dead, do not concern yourself with the affairs of the mortal world,” Pei Que said, satisfied with the reply. “People will come looking for you later, and I hope you will be smart. I do not want anyone to know about this money. If you try to sabotage me, I do not mind sending the Xu family to the underworld to join you sooner.”

“Xu Wenyong, this is our farewell. Wait patiently for the final outcome,” Pei Que said, then left the dungeon.

The corridors of the government office were dark and long. After leaving the office and getting into his carriage, Pei Que immediately dispatched Shuo Feng to the locations Xu Wenyong had mentioned. “Once you arrive, do not let your guard down. Any place where Xu Wenyong hid money must have traps. Once you find the money, evacuate immediately, tonight, without lingering. Xu Wenyong is down; too many people are eyeing his mountains of gold and silver.”

Shuo Feng slipped out of the carriage and quickly disappeared into the night.

Meanwhile, in the palace, the Empress Dowager had just had her dressing changed and was in so much pain she could not sleep.

After Lai Xi’s death, Yonglu became the Empress Dowager’s chief eunuch.

Yonglu knelt by the bedside, holding a basin of water. He waited until the palace maids had wiped the Empress Dowager’s hands before rising and handing the basin to the waiting eunuch.

“Yonglu, having survived such a calamity, how do you feel?” the Empress Dowager asked slowly.

“This servant feels fortunate,” Yonglu replied with a forced smile.

“Fortunate? Heh. You’re still too naive.” The Empress Dowager glanced at the wound on her shoulder; it was barely visible, but the pain irritated her. “Xu Wenyong has been arrested, but so many members of the Xu family have fled. They are bound to cause trouble tomorrow. And the Fifteenth Prince was short-lived, dying so quickly—utterly useless.”

Thinking about these things one by one was enough to make the Empress Dowager forget her pain.

Yonglu knew the remaining members of the Xu family intended to make a comeback, but he did not understand matters of the throne. “Your Majesty,” he said, “even if the Fifteenth Prince is gone, there’s still the Thirteenth Prince. As long as you’re still alive, no one can go against your wishes.”

The Empress Dowager, tired of keeping her eyes open, closed them and said, “But no one takes my wishes seriously. People outside say I’m lucky to be Empress Dowager, but only those who live with me know the truth. I only had two sons, and both died before me. Duke Cheng never supported me, and now, with Xu Wenyong’s affair, he’s even less likely to support me. Besides, that Li Xing, he’s been back in the palace for so long, and he still has not returned the Imperial Seal.”

Speaking of Li Xing, the Empress Dowager’s eyelids twitched suddenly.

Li Xing was already an adult and quite opinionated. If he were to ascend the throne, it was obvious the Empress Dowager would truly have to retire.

But the Empress Dowager had tasted power, and now that Xu Wenyong was dealt with, she was on the verge of rebirth. How could she possibly want Li Xing to ascend the throne? But times had changed. Li Xing had rendered meritorious service in saving the Emperor, earning a good reputation. As the eldest prince under the late Emperor, he enjoys increasing support in the court.

“The Seventh Prince seems to have forgotten that possessing the imperial seal is a capital offense punishable by the confiscation of property and the extermination of one’s entire clan. He certainly would not dare,” Yonglu said, pondering. “Besides, the Seventh Prince has to address you as Empress Dowager. He would not dare to act against his reputation for treason. Even Xu Wenyong has to consider his reputation; the Seventh Prince will be even more concerned.”

The Empress Dowager sighed. “Who knows if he will? His matter is not urgent. But how is Xu Wenyong in the imperial prison? Should we send more people to guard him?”

The matter of the new Emperor could be delayed for a few more days, but as long as Xu Wenyong in the imperial prison remains alive, the Empress Dowager could not have peace of mind.

“Heavy troops have been deployed to guard the imperial prison. Even if Xu Wenyong has extraordinary abilities, he cannot escape.” Yonglu glanced upwards. “Besides, there’s Pei Que. Given Pei Que’s hatred for Xu Wenyong, he will never let him escape.”

“That’s true.” Mentioning Pei Que, the Empress Dowager immediately snorted. “Pei Que is the most vengeful person. With Pei Que around, I do not need to worry about Xu Wenyong. But this Pei Que…” She paused. “…he hates Xu Wenyong so much, he must hate the Yun family and me just as much.”

Back then, those who went to raid the Pei family included Xu Wenyong, Lin Fan, and Yun Xingbang. Now Lin Fan was dead, Xu Wenyong was about to die, and only Yun Xingbang was still alive and well.

The Empress Dowager, having lived deep within the palace for so long, did not believe Pei Que would be truly loyal to the Emperor and the Yun family.

“If I remember correctly, Pei Que still has a year left in his mourning period, does he not?”

“Yes, the last year,” Yonglu said. “Why are you suddenly asking about this?”

“Nothing much. Since there’s still a year left, there’s no need to rush. Let’s deal with the immediate matters first.” The Empress Dowager raised her hand, gesturing for Yonglu to help her lie down. “I’m tired. Let’s rest for today. Tomorrow, I’m afraid, countless problems await me.”

~

The capital city had just experienced the chaos caused by Xu Wenyong’s rebellion; after dark, the streets were deserted.

Pei Que’s carriage slowly drove along the escort route. Pei Que was somewhat tired and sat in the carriage, closing his eyes to rest, until the carriage suddenly stopped.

Fusheng said through the carriage curtain, “Master, it’s the Seventh Prince’s men.”

Pei Que lifted the curtain and saw Li Xing’s personal guard approaching him. As the guard drew near, he respectfully bowed. “Master Pei, the night air is chilly. Our master would like to invite you for a drink to warm yourself. Do you have time?”

It was Li Xing’s personal guard, and Li Xing was very likely the new Emperor. Even though Pei Que was exhausted, he had to drink twice. Besides, since Li Xing had sent someone to wait here, he wanted to know what Li Xing wanted to say.

Following Li Xing’s guard through a long alley, they arrived at a secluded courtyard.

After Pei Que entered, Li Xing was already waiting for him in the courtyard and personally led him into the house.

A hot pot was prepared inside. After they sat down, Li Xing dismissed everyone else, leaving only the two of them.

“This is the finest Daughter’s Red wine; I have not been willing to drink it,” Li Xing said, pointing to Pei Que’s wine cup.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness.” Pei Que drank it all in one gulp; it was mellow and sweet, indeed excellent wine. “It’s late, and we are old acquaintances. My wife is waiting for me at home. Your Highness, please speak frankly; I will help if I can.”

“Do not worry, it’s nothing that will trouble you. Besides, I know you’re in mourning, which makes many things inconvenient.” Li Xing filled his own cup. “It’s just that there’s something on my mind that I cannot decide on, and I wanted to ask your opinion again.”