“So?” Qiancheng was running out of patience. “What business does Miss Cui wish to discuss with me?”
“Pei Du has publicly claimed that the Princess’s dying words authorized Xie Huaizhou to govern on her behalf—this is the source of Xie Huaizhou’s authority,” Yuan Fuyu said to Qiancheng with a smile. “But what if He Yichen, the former School Affairs Office Military Pacification Guard Commander and trusted aide of the Princess, along with another hidden confidant of the Princess, uncover evidence that her death was orchestrated by Pei Du and Xie Huaizhou conspiring together? They seek to kill Pei Du to avenge the Princess, and it just so happens that Left Commandant Qian witnesses this…”
Qiancheng feigned calm composure, but his hand resting on the table clenched uncontrollably, betraying his inner turmoil.
“If the two trusted aides of the Princess killing Pei Du to avenge her causes a major scandal, it will shake the foundation of Xie Huaizhou’s authority. Those who followed Xie Huaizhou out of loyalty to the Princess will begin to doubt him. Uncle of the Emperor from the Zhai family, who once fought alongside the Princess on the battlefield and is the emperor’s maternal uncle, can seize this opportunity to win over the court’s support. And this golden opportunity… is delivered to him by you, Left Commandant Qian.”
“Since this is a business transaction, you’ve stated my benefits. What do Miss Cui and Lord He want?” Qiancheng asked.
“Commander Qian, don’t be too hasty. I haven’t finished listing your benefits,” Yuan Fuyu said leisurely. “If you witness the Princess’s confidants killing Pei Du, as long as people from Qianjin Pavilion are present—whether they take action or not—Qianjin Pavilion will be inextricably linked to the incident. With the very source of his authority undermined, will Xie Huaizhou still tolerate Qianjin Pavilion’s existence?”
“Once Qianjin Pavilion’s rule of not killing government officials is broken, will those officials who have received benefits from the master behind Qianjin Pavilion continue to offer it protection and cover?”
“At that point, will there still be any resistance when you, Commander Qian, seal and investigate Qianjin Pavilion? By then… with your capabilities, wouldn’t it be easy to secure Madam Wei’s release?”
As Madam Wei listened to Yuan Fuyu’s words one after another, her pupils trembled slightly, and she turned to look at Qiancheng.
Escaping Qianjin Pavilion was something Madam Wei had dreamed of for many years, but she had always been trapped by circumstances.
“Madam Wei, I offer five thousand taels to buy the lives of myself and He Yichen. How many people can Qianjin Pavilion provide us?” Yuan Fuyu asked Madam Wei with a smile.
Qiancheng gripped Madam Wei’s hand, suppressing his excitement, and asked Yuan Fuyu, “I want to know—what do you and Lord He aim to gain from this entire affair?”
“First, kill Pei Du. Second, survive,” Yuan Fuyu replied, tapping the table idly with her finger. “If Pei Du dies and He Yichen and I unfortunately fail to escape under Qianjin Pavilion’s protection, we ask that you ensure our survival after imprisonment. This is the business between you and me.”
“You’re not telling the whole truth. What is your real objective?”
“Commander Qian,” He Yichen interjected calmly, “you only need to understand what benefits you will gain and what you must do. As for Miss Cui’s and my objectives… it would be better for you not to inquire too deeply.”
Madam Wei looked at Qiancheng. Her hand was gripped tightly by him, and she knew he was tempted.
If they missed this chance, the highest position Qiancheng would ever achieve in his life would be Left Commandant. Perhaps someday, when some noble’s son desired the post, he might not even be able to retain it.
Madam Wei made a decisive choice: “We accept this deal.”
“What does Commander Qian say?” Yuan Fuyu awaited Qiancheng’s answer.
“I accept,” Qiancheng stated solemnly.
“Then let Madam Wei issue the receipt, I’ll sign it, following Qianjin Pavilion’s formal procedures to avoid implicating Madam Wei later.”
Madam Wei quickly handed the written document to Yuan Fuyu, who glanced at it: “Ten thousand taels?”
“Don’t worry, Miss Cui. I’ll cover the additional five thousand taels,” Madam Wei said. “Although this matter concerns you and Lord He, I’m also benefiting from it, so naturally I should contribute my share. When the document reaches the higher-ups, I’ll send someone to deliver the Whistling Arrow Umbrella to Lord He. The umbrella handle has a mechanism – once the whistling arrow sounds, Qianjin Pavilion’s people will arrive within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.”
Yuan Fuyu promptly pressed her fingerprint, stood up and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the ink from her hand: “Lord Qian, until this matter is settled, you’d best keep silent. Otherwise, whether the credit for this affair remains yours becomes uncertain.”
“I understand,” Qiancheng nodded.
Watching Yuan Fuyu and He Yichen depart, Madam Wei bolted the door and hurried to Qiancheng, grasping his hands: “This matter definitely isn’t as simple as she claims. I’m somewhat worried.”
“First meeting, gathered by mutual interest – we’re not relatives or friends, so it’s normal for her not to tell the whole truth!” Qiancheng firmly grasped Madam Wei’s hands in return, complex emotions swirling in his eyes. “But… the chance to free you from Qianjin Pavilion and advance my position – this temptation is too great. Even if it means risking my life, I can’t think of any reason to refuse. Fortunately… this isn’t particularly dangerous for you. Rest assured, I’ll act according to circumstances when the time comes.”
Anyone worthy of He Yichen’s loyalty must be extraordinary.
He Yichen was handling their affairs, and as for what role he, the Left Commandant, would play in their scheme – as long as he received sufficient benefits, what did it matter if he was being used?
Having been suppressed for many years, Qiancheng also wanted to gamble once.
·
As soon as Yuan Fuyu and He Yichen emerged from the side door of the opulent gambling den, snow began falling like fine salt.
Walking beside Yuan Fuyu, He Yichen finally spoke: “I understand you brought me to the gambling den to gain Madam Wei and Qiancheng’s trust. But I don’t understand – since you neither intend to hire assassins from Qianjin Pavilion nor persuade Qiancheng to use the Golden Wu Guards to help kill Pei Du, why involve Qianjin Pavilion and Qiancheng at all?”
He Yichen didn’t believe Cui Siniang’s motives were merely to use Qianjin Pavilion and the Golden Wu Guards to protect their lives.
Though he hadn’t known Cui Siniang long, he always felt her ambitions shouldn’t be so shallow.
Yuan Fuyu pulled up her hood: “Qianjin Pavilion has done plenty of dirty work – killings, prisoner exchanges, solving problems for money. Its master is merely the Liu Family, one of the noble houses. But the Princess forbade you from moving against Qianjin Pavilion. Do you know why?”
He Yichen nodded: “The noble houses are interconnected through bloodlines and political marriages. While Qianjin Pavilion belongs to the Liu Family, it also handles dirty work for other noble houses. Qianjin Pavilion is essentially the noble houses’ version of the Mystic Eagle Guards. As the Princess’s subordinate, moving against Qianjin Pavilion… the noble houses wouldn’t allow it. Using strong measures against Qianjin Pavilion would force the noble houses to unite, disrupting the court’s balance. Moreover, among the myriad affairs of state, each single matter affects the people’s livelihood. In the Princess’s eyes, Qianjin Pavilion simply isn’t worth noting.”
“Before the Princess’s death, the noble families formed their own faction through intricate marital alliances, while the Princess, appointed by the late Emperor’s decree to serve as regent before the emperor’s personal rule, represented another faction. The noble families sought to preserve their undiminished power, while the Princess aimed to consolidate imperial authority. At that time, the two factions contended and clashed, with even the slightest move by one side closely watched by the other.”
The court situation at the time appeared stable, yet it was like a fully drawn bow—ready to snap at any moment.
This was also why Yuan Fuyu needed to elevate Xie Huaizhou in the court as a model for commoners.
It was not truly about being deeply entangled in love or blinded by infatuation.
Yuan Fuyu’s identity as the regent Princess was unique, representing imperial authority, which could not directly confront the officials.
Thus, Xie Huaizhou’s new faction was necessary to serve as a counterbalance and act as a buffer between her and the noble families.