24 – The Two Parties Clash, Puppet Emperor Mind Your Own Business
“What? Bring it here quickly!”
Jiang Lige rose from the Dragon Throne and hurried into the Golden Luan Hall, taking the urgent report from the guard’s hands.
Although Ningcheng was not a border region, its mountainous terrain made it easy to defend and difficult to attack. A river encircled the city, and if the bandits cut off the waterways in advance, the imperial troops would find it hard to breach its defenses.
It was precisely because of this geographical advantage that, for decades, bandits in Ningcheng had been eradicated only to resurface again and again.
But in the past, they had only engaged in minor skirmishes. This time, they dared to kill imperial officials—an open challenge to the court’s authority, tantamount to rebellion.
Whether to maintain political stability or protect the safety of the people, the court had to dispatch troops immediately to suppress them.
“Are there any troops near Ningcheng? Mobilize the soldiers quickly to suppress the bandits,” Jiang Lige commanded.
Faced with such a violent incident, Jiang Lige didn’t overthink it; she simply wanted to rescue the people as soon as possible.
A tense atmosphere filled the court.
A military officer stepped forward and reported, “The nearest city to Ningcheng is Jiaocheng, which has a garrison of twenty thousand soldiers. According to the last report from the Prefect of Ningcheng, the bandits numbered around two hundred. Twenty thousand soldiers should be more than sufficient.”
Two hundred people took over an entire city?
Were the officials in Ningcheng all incompetent?
If this news spread to other countries, it would be a laughingstock.
Jiang Lige had a vague sense that something was amiss, but the situation was urgent, and the priority was to resolve the troop deployment.
“General Zhang, send a message to Jiaocheng immediately, ordering them to support Ningcheng at once.”
“This…” General Zhang hesitated, his words trailing off.
“What is it?” Jiang Lige was so anxious she began to sweat, yet these people were still hesitating.
Han Chengxiang, who rarely spoke, stepped forward and reported, “Your Majesty, to mobilize Jiaocheng’s garrison, the tiger tally is required. The tiger tally is held by Duke Su.”
Duke Su?
Jiang Lige glanced back. Duke Su had not attended court since the Sacrifice to Heaven ceremony.
“Aside from Jiaocheng, are there no troops elsewhere?” Jiang Lige asked, unwilling to give up.
Han Chengxiang replied, “The garrisons of the dozens of cities surrounding Ningcheng are all under Duke Su’s control.”
Hah, no wonder Duke Su dared to challenge Shang Guanqi—he had the backing of over a dozen cities.
Jiang Lige returned to her seat. “Send someone to summon Duke Su.”
A eunuch rushed out and soon returned.
“Your Majesty, the Duke’s residence reports that Duke Su suddenly fainted this morning and remains unconscious.”
Hah, the old fox is feigning death to avoid deploying troops.
The lives of over a hundred thousand people in a city hang in the balance, yet this wretched old man clings to his military authority, unmoved.
Infuriating! Despicable!
Jiang Lige felt as if a massive boulder were pressing on her chest, making it hard to breathe.
Seeing her distressed and exhausted, Shang Guanqi couldn’t bear it and spoke up, “The Ministry of War must devise a strategy by the end of the day. Court is dismissed!”
Today, Jiang Lige was truly disgusted by the court’s power struggles.
For the sake of power, these people disregarded the safety of an entire city’s population.
Thinking deeper, the appearance of these bandits at this moment was clearly orchestrated by someone.
No one but Duke Su could manipulate such a large-scale situation.
“Your Majesty, why do you look so pale? What happened in court today?”
Luzhu, seeing Jiang Lige listless, thought she might be ill and began checking her, peering at her and feeling her hands.
Jiang Lige briefly recounted the events in court to Luzhu.
Luzhu comforted her, “I know Your Majesty has great talent and strategy and cares deeply for the people, but if I may say, this matter should be the concern of Nine Thousand Years. Please set your mind at ease.”Luzhu’s words were quite tactful, but her underlying meaning was clear: you’re just a puppet, this matter isn’t for you to handle, so don’t worry about it unnecessarily.
Seeing that Jiang Lige still seemed listless, Luzhu shared another piece of news.
“Your Majesty, this servant just heard something. Last night, a major incident occurred—Miss Su Luo from the Duke’s mansion was caught in a compromising situation with a man at a tavern.”
“What?” Jiang Lige was taken aback.
Last night, Shang Guanqi had framed Su Luo, and today news broke that Ningcheng was besieged, with the two factions locked in an inextricable struggle.
Looking at it this way, she, the puppet emperor, had indeed been worrying unnecessarily today.
“Alright, I’m tired. I’m going back to catch up on some sleep.”
If she couldn’t intervene, then she’d just sleep soundly.
Jiang Lige tossed and turned, managing only a fitful nap. When she woke up, she felt bored and unmotivated to do anything.
By evening, as the weather cooled slightly, Jiang Lige thought she might as well take a stroll through the streets, eat a couple of bowls of sweet-and-sour crystal noodles, and dispel the gloom in her heart.
With her pockets nearly empty, Jiang Lige didn’t bring Luzhu along. Instead, she took Jiang Dahuang out with her.
As for earning money—better not even think about it.
She was certain that any money she managed to earn would immediately be seized by Shang Guanqi to pay off her debts.
“Jiang Dahuang, you must be tired of eating delicacies every day. Let’s change things up a bit and give your stomach a break, alright?”
Jiang Lige bought a meat bun for Dahuang.
Dahuang barked once, turning his head up high—he didn’t want the meat bun.
“Hey—you little pup, I haven’t even settled accounts with you today, and you’re already putting on airs.”
Jiang Lige began scolding him right there on the street, drawing countless curious glances from passersby.
“Hey, isn’t this my dear nephew?”
Zhao Xinzhi seemed to appear out of nowhere, standing right in front of Jiang Lige.
Jiang Lige had no fondness for Zhao Xinzhi and replied coldly, “You’ve mistaken me for someone else.”
Zhao Xinzhi reached out to block her path, whispering, “Your Majesty, I know it’s you. I recognize your dog.”
So that was it. She had wondered how Zhao Xinzhi had recognized her despite her disguise.
“There’s a fine tavern nearby. Your Majesty, please grant me the honor of allowing me to apologize for what happened last time.”
Zhao Xinzhi was extremely enthusiastic and respectful, even going so far as to half-kneel as he spoke.
Jiang Lige was stunned—had the sun risen from the west?
“Come on, come on, your uncle is treating you to a drink.”
Seeing Jiang Lige hesitate, Zhao Xinzhi directly took her by the arm and pushed her forward.
Jiang Lige pulled away. “I’ll walk by myself. You lead the way.”
Zhao Xinzhi led the way, bringing Jiang Lige to a tavern called Star-Gazing Tower.
Zhao Xinzhi ordered a table full of fine dishes and wine. Dahuang sat under the table, drooling all over the floor.
“Shameless!”
Jiang Lige broke off a large chicken leg and tossed it to Dahuang but didn’t touch the food herself.
Seeing this, Zhao Xinzhi left the private room and returned with two alluringly beautiful women by his side.
“Come, come, sit down quickly. You two, take good care of our Young Master Jiang.”
Jiang Lige was squeezed between the two beauties, feeling flustered and breaking out in a nervous sweat.
Unwarranted kindness is never without ulterior motives.
“What is Uncle trying to do?” Jiang Lige probed.
Hearing the word “Uncle,” Zhao Xinzhi immediately swelled with pride.
“My dear nephew, are you satisfied with this meal?”
Jiang Lige glanced at Dahuang, who was lying at her feet with a full belly, eyes closed and dozing off. “Quite satisfied.”
Seeing that the groundwork had been sufficiently laid, Zhao Xinzhi said, “You see how well your uncle treats you. Could you help your uncle out just this once?”Jiang Lige knew he was about to get down to business and smiled, “Uncle, what do you need my help with?”
Zhao Xinzhi leaned close to Jiang Lige’s ear and whispered, “Can you arrange a marriage for me? I want to marry the eldest daughter of Duke Su’s household, Su Luo.”
“Pfft—”
Jiang Lige couldn’t hold back and sprayed a mouthful of tea all over Zhao Xinzhi’s face.
This old scoundrel, over thirty years old with no power, influence, official position, or rank, wanted to marry the eldest daughter of Duke Su’s household?
Even daydreams weren’t this far-fetched, were they?
Zhao Xinzhi wiped his face and said indignantly, “That woman is unchaste. Not only did she seduce me, but after I slept with her, I was willing to marry her, and she actually dared to refuse me!”
What? The person who had been with Su Luo last night was actually Zhao Xinzhi?
Jiang Lige suddenly understood and sighed inwardly: Shang Guanqi is truly ruthless, striking right at Empress Dowager Su’s heart with this move!
Zhao Xinzhi continued angrily, “Her refusal is an insult to our Zhao family. If she looks down on me, Zhao Xinzhi, she’s also looking down on you, the Emperor.”
Jiang Lige thought to herself, I’ve been looked down upon for more than just a day or two—you’re only noticing now?
Still, she was quite pleased to cause trouble for Duke Su.
“Uncle, Empress Dowager Su and Duke Su don’t take me seriously. Even if I issue an imperial decree for the marriage, it wouldn’t make it past the palace gates. You’d be better off finding someone to impeach the Duke in court. Su Luo is about to participate in the imperial selection, yet she’s still so indiscreet…” Jiang Lige left the rest unsaid.
Zhao Xinzhi’s eyes lit up, having grasped the idea.
Jiang Lige observed his expression and, seeing that Zhao Xinzhi had already taken the hint, prepared to make her exit.
“It’s getting late. I should head back now.”
Just as Jiang Lige stood up, the door to the private room suddenly burst open. A plump woman rushed in, followed by four or five servants.
“Tie her up! Trying to get away without paying every day, eating and drinking without settling the bill—let’s see where you can run now! Take her to the authorities!”
Before Jiang Lige could react, a rope was already thrown over her, binding her tightly.