#82: The Southern Crowned Guest (V)

◎Palace Coup◎

Ai Di Sheng furrowed his brows even deeper, murmuring, “What do you mean by that, Sister-in-law?”

Qu You’s gaze lingered on Zhou Tan and Su Chao Ci. “He has the bloodline of Xi Shao.”

For a moment, no one spoke, seemingly startled by her conjecture.

Bai Ying was the first to break the silence, “This… surely it won’t come to that. Regardless, the Crown Prince is Da Yin’s heir. Borrowing troops from Xi Shao—would he really cede cities… to repay them?”

As he spoke, uncertainty crept into his tone. Zhou Tan glanced at Su Chao Ci, “It’s something he’s capable of.”

Su Chao Ci responded gravely, “Sister-in-law, please continue.”

Qu You shook her head, “I’m merely offering you all a possibility. After all, we must prepare for the worst-case scenario. Before we parted ways, Little Yan and Lord Xu mentioned they would quietly make their way here without drawing attention. That will take at least ten days.”

“With only Li Wei’s forces, General Chu can naturally defend the imperial city. But if the Crown Prince has another trick up his sleeve, such as borrowing troops from Xi Shao, breaking through the palace gates prematurely, and seizing the throne before we can react, then massacring us all—it would be disastrous.”

Ai Di Sheng and Zhou Tan whispered and deliberated for a while, while Su Chao Ci asked, “Zi Qian, what are your thoughts?”

Song Shi Xuan sat in a daze, clutching a cup on the table. Startled by Su Chao Ci’s call, he gathered himself slightly and said, “Sister-in-law’s words are very reasonable. We cannot judge the Crown Prince with an ordinary mindset.”

He cleared his throat. “When I was young, I once attended a banquet with the Crown Prince. Unintentionally, I saw him brutally torturing servants in the back garden. At the time, the Crown Prince was my age now, and his cruel methods were jaw-dropping… Afterward, he dumped the bodies in the garden, pretending nothing had happened. This person will stop at nothing to achieve his goals, warranting our worst suspicions.”

Bai Ying nodded beside them. Since recognizing Bai Sha Ting, he often visited Qifeng Courtyard to provide routine medical care for Song Shi Xuan, becoming quite familiar with him. “Then what should we do? If this is truly the case, it’s best to leave Bian Capital early.”

Ai Di Sheng turned around, “Dr. Bai is right. For now, it’s best if we temporarily leave Bian Capital before General Little Yan arrives. Chao Ci, tonight you’ll enter the palace with Xiao Bai. Clarify everything immediately. The timing is discreet, preventing the Crown Prince from reacting and detaining you within the palace.”

Su Chao Ci agreed but remained silent, seemingly lost in thought.

Zhou Tan also stayed quiet, his clear eyes lowered. Song Shi Xuan scanned between the two, suddenly asking, “If the Crown Prince uses Li Wei’s soldiers as the main force to force entry into the palace, the coup might occur within the imperial city. But if he truly has external support… After we leave, the gates of Bian Capital will open wide. What about the common people?”

A trace of relief appeared on Su Chao Ci’s face, quickly replaced by worry. “Zi Qian has the welfare of the people in mind. I was just pondering this issue.”

Yet Zhou Tan said, “Regardless of what happens, Chao Ci, Di Sheng, and Dr. Bai—you must take that imperial edict and escort Zi Qian out of Bian Capital early. Jinling is too close; it’s better to go to Lin’an. As for the rest, I’ll find a way to resolve it.”

Su Chao Ci frowned, “What plan do you have to resolve it?”

Before Zhou Tan could respond, Qu You interjected, “You follow them and leave. I’ll handle the situation inside Bian Capital.”

Her sudden declaration startled everyone. Zhou Tan’s eyes widened slightly, incredulously repeating, “What did you say? You want to stay behind?”

“I didn’t finish speaking earlier on the boat,” Qu You held his hand, whispering, “Husband, aren’t you curious about what the Crown Prince summoned me today to discuss?”

Ai Di Sheng interjected, “Earlier, I heard someone report that the Crown Prince invited Sister-in-law to Fan Tower…”

Qu You quickly continued, “He wants me to serve him. If successful, he even promised the position of empress.”

Everyone gasped.

After a long pause, Zhou Tan hoarsely opened his mouth, “And then?”

Bai Ying muttered aside, “The Crown Prince certainly knows how to promise. He offers the thing every woman in the world desires…”

Ai Di Sheng glared at him, and he immediately fell silent.

Qu You smiled faintly, caressing Zhou Tan’s hand gently, consoling him, “Wealth and rank hold no allure for me; my allegiance lies with the white gulls.”

“I know,” Zhou Tan squeezed her hand. “That’s not what I’m asking.”

Qu You’s expression stiffened, forcing herself to continue, “Then I pretended to agree, discussing much with him. He promised to release my parents from Bian Capital and even offered me… the position of a court lady after the coup.”

Zhou Tan’s breathing became erratic. Sensing this, she hurriedly added, “I barely managed to gain his trust. Among us, no one is more suitable than me to remain in Bian Capital. If a coup occurs in the palace, being by his side allows me to protect the common people and strategize for Zi Qian, legitimizing his position further…”

“This is far too risky!”

“I object!”

Both Bai Ying and Zhou Tan’s voices rang out simultaneously. Qu You glanced at Bai Ying apologetically but avoided meeting Zhou Tan’s gaze. “For now, this is the best solution. All of you are prominent figures. Staying in Bian Capital not only makes you easy targets for assassination but also complicates safeguarding Zi Qian.”

After a long pause, Zhou Tan slowly said, “What you described is merely a paranoid suspicion. While we must be cautious of the Crown Prince borrowing troops from Xi Shao, the likelihood of this happening is extremely low. It’s not as dire as you suggest…”

Before he finished, Qu You interrupted, “But we can’t afford to gamble, neither can the people of Bian Capital.”

No sooner had she spoken these words than Zhou Tan’s hand trembled, causing him to drop the teacup in his hand.

Seeing the tension between them, Ai Di Sheng quickly called Zhou Tan aside. Su Chao Ci intended to follow but heard Qu You call from behind, “Master Su…”

Surprised, Su Chao Ci turned around, “Madam.”

Qu You said, “There’s something I wish to entrust to you and Dr. Bai.”

After everyone finalized their plans, dusk approached. Zhou Tan and Qu You exited Qifeng Courtyard together, boarding a carriage prepared by Ai Di Sheng, taking a detour to Qu Mansion.

Seeing Zhou Tan remaining silent, Qu You leaned over, nudging his arm, “Husband…”

“You once said,” Zhou Tan didn’t look at her, his voice indifferent, “you’d grant any request of mine.”

Back in Ruo Prefecture, amidst their passionate moments under the moonlit flowers and in the spring chamber, they had exchanged countless words.

Zhou Tan’s life had always lacked familial ties. His father passed away early, and his mother, living in Lin’an, remained perpetually melancholic and taciturn, eventually meeting an untimely death alongside Vice-General Zhou.

Although the Ren family treated him well, there was always a layer of separation, preventing the full trust akin to blood relations. Initially, Zhou Tan might have harbored a small hope that his aunt and cousin would understand his unspoken intentions during the aftermath of the Candle Case. However, this hope ultimately shattered when, during an assassination attempt, no one came to see him.

Not to mention his seldom-seen younger brother.

And his genuinely revered teacher who tragically passed away too soon.

These events collectively obliterated the carefree youth who once bought flowers and wine in Lin’an, dragging the young minister who drunkenly inscribed “Yesterday’s days gone, abandon me” into the abyss, cultivating his aloof, sharp, and cold nature.

She pitied him deeply but couldn’t prevent any of these occurrences. She could only promise to the best of her ability.

“Xiao Bai will never be alone. I’ll always be there for you, fulfilling your every request.”

Her words still echoed.

But could history truly give her a choice?

Seeing her silent, Zhou Tan turned, raising his voice slightly, “Your own promise, have you forgotten it already?”

“Of course, I remember,” Qu You whispered, “I comply with your requests not because you ask, but because I choose to… If I don’t wish to comply with your request, this agreement becomes void.”

“You’re being unreasonable!”

“Are you only realizing now that I’m unreasonable?”

Enraged, Zhou Tan bit down on her lower lip. Undeterred, Qu You wrapped her arms around his neck, fiercely kissing him back.

She tasted the metallic tang of blood between their lips, slightly salty.

“Do you trust me?”

Zhou Tan immediately replied, “Yes.”

He paused briefly, “But as you said, I can’t afford to gamble… From the start, I distanced myself from Aunt’s family, my younger brother, and treated you coldly—all out of fear that anyone associated with me would suffer in this endless struggle, even the slightest harm… I’d rather you hate and resent me than gamble with the slightest possibility. Do you understand?”

His increasing openness and willingness to share these thoughts with her was indeed a good sign.

“I understand,” Qu You rasped, “But I’ve thoroughly analyzed the causes and consequences with you. If the Crown Prince truly mobilizes Xi Shao’s army into the capital, what will you do? If I don’t stay to prevent it, you’ll surely die defending the imperial city with General Chu, waiting for Little Yan and the others to arrive, right?”

Zhou Tan replied, “The notion of Xi Shao is the least likely possibility. How do you know it will definitely escalate to that point?”

“I just know it will. I’m not only saving the people of Bian Capital but, more importantly, saving you.” Qu You embraced his neck, lost in thought. Realizing her words were inappropriate, she quickly continued, “Pretending to be by his side is merely a temporary measure. If this conjecture is wrong and General Chu can defend the imperial city, wouldn’t that be ideal for everyone?”

Zhou Tan gave a faint smile, “I don’t need you to shoulder the risks I might face. It’s just death…”

“Just death!” Qu You interrupted, angrily shouting, “You want to protect me from harm, so why belittle your own life? Let me tell you, if you die, I’ll smash my head on the altar and turn into a vengeful ghost, haunting you with regret.”

Understanding each other profoundly, they knew exactly which words would make the other hesitate. Thus, they could only exchange such raw, biting words, tearing at each other until one relented.

Zhou Tan averted his gaze awkwardly, unsure whether he was speaking to her or reassuring himself, “Enough, enough. Time is still on our side. There must be another way…”

Together, they went to Qu Mansion. Qu Cheng, with a keen sense of the current political climate, understood the gravity upon hearing Qu You’s brief explanation. Even without implicating his daughter, it was best for the entire household to leave the Crown Prince’s watchful eye.

Thus, everyone hastily packed, leaving the city under cover of night, heading towards Lin’an to join Qu Jiaxi, who had married far away.

Qu Xiangwen wore Zhou Tan’s clothes and returned to the mansion with Qu You, temporarily evading the Crown Prince’s spies. After leaving Qu Mansion, Zhou Tan entered the palace with Su Chao Ci. Disguised as guards, they took a small gate, and for the time being, no one noticed.

Qu You spent an uneasy night at the mansion until dawn when Zhou Tan finally returned, drinking an entire pot of tea at the desk.

After Su Chao Ci submitted the indictment, Song Chang spat blood in court, laughing bitterly behind the bright yellow curtains for a long time.

“Well… truly, neither ruler nor subject, neither father nor son!”

Near the dock, Ai Di Sheng’s subordinates on North Street had obtained travel documents in advance, preparing a large ship at the ferry ready to escape from Bian Capital at any moment.

In the following four to five days, Bian Capital was eerily calm, as if nothing had happened.

But Qu You knew this was merely the calm before the storm.

As summer approached, the cicadas’ chirping was incessant. In the sixth month of Yongning’s eighteenth year, Song Chang finally regained some strength. Struggling, he summoned the court’s key ministers to Shengming Palace, writing a decree to depose the Crown Prince before everyone’s eyes.

That night, the Crown Prince led troops to surround the imperial city. The officials holding the decree hadn’t yet left the palace and were all trapped.

Chu Lin led troops to confront Li Wei at the imperial city gates, wary of the emperor’s life. For the time being, no one dared to make a move. Amidst thousands of elite soldiers, only the clinking sound of armor could be heard.

History would later term this event the “Yongning Palace Coup.”