#21: Beyond the Material World (IV)

Luo Wei drew the bowstring to its fullest extent. Seeing Ye Tingyan neither dodge nor flinch, but instead stand frozen, gazing at her with an expression of pain in his eyes, she felt a twinge of confusion.

She narrowed her eyes, but the look was gone in an instant.

Ye Tingyan tightened his grip on the reins, his face gradually becoming indifferent. The sorrow that had lingered moments before slowly dissipated, replaced by a familiar, icy hatred that surged within him.

Was she… going to kill him again?

Immersed in this overwhelming and hopeless emotion, his mind raced with swift calculations.

Luo Wei had always been clever. If she had chosen to shoot this arrow now, could it be that she had uncovered something?

But if she had indeed discovered something, she wouldn’t have acted without a word. They were both cautious by nature; without thorough investigation, how could she act so rashly?

Since their meeting at Xiuying Temple the previous day, Ye Tingyan had suddenly noticed a wariness and coldness in Luo Wei’s demeanor toward him.

Yet these feelings were clearly absent during their earlier encounter at Gaoyang Terrace.

—So, it must have been within these two days.

What did she know?

As this thought crossed his mind, he suddenly heard the whistling sound of the wind. Luo Wei adjusted the angle of her bow slightly upward, then released the arrow.

The feathered wooden shaft tore through the air and arrived in an instant.

Ye Tingyan couldn’t help but freeze momentarily.

This arrow wasn’t aimed at his forehead anymore, but rather at his hair knot—or more precisely, the flower he had just snatched and pinned to his head.

Luo Wei’s aim was flawless. The arrowhead pierced the rose’s pistil and, with fierce precision, nailed it to the tree trunk behind him.

A few startled petals fluttered down from the rose.

The force of the arrow caused Ye Tingyan to tilt his head slightly. His previously immaculate hairdo was now askew, loose strands hanging about in disarray.

Luo Wei lowered her bow, spurred her horse forward, and laughed heartily, “Lord Ye remains composed even in peril. You truly command my admiration.”

It was only then that Ye Tingyan realized, with a mix of embarrassment and frustration, that she had played him. But seeing her like this somehow eased his tension, softening his expression considerably.

He adjusted his crooked hairdo, spurred his horse after her, and said half-complainingly, “My Lady, why do you mock me so?”

“It is your fortune to amuse me,” Luo Wei replied leisurely. “I have yet to see the grand gift you sent me. How could I take your life? Lord Ye has always been astute, yet you seem unable to grasp this simple truth. I saw that you didn’t even flinch earlier. Could it be that you were stunned into immobility?”

Ye Tingyan spoke earnestly, “Though I can guess the intentions of others, I cannot fathom yours. My lack of movement earlier was merely an expression of sincerity. If My Lady wishes for my life, you may take it. I am but a lowly wretch, unworthy of your consideration.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Wei quickly responded with several assurances, saying, “How could I?” She added, “I already know of your sincerity and will not mistreat you.”

She wound the reins around her hand a few times, gave a sharp command, and her horse bolted toward the mountain summit, kicking up a haze of dust along the way.

Without a word, Ye Tingyan followed closely behind her.

When they reached the mountaintop, they turned back and galloped through the forest until their hair was damp with exertion. Luo Wei glanced back at Ye Tingyan, whose long hair was partially undone but whose composure remained unshaken. She smiled and said, “I didn’t expect Lord Ye to be such a skilled rider. Later, when Marquis Fengping hosts the archery contest, would you consider participating?”

Ye Tingyan replied, “My Lady jests. Born in the northern wilderness and raised on horseback alongside my father and brothers, though my constitution may be weaker, how could I lose such a vital skill? As for the archery contest—if Marquis Fengping offers a favorable opportunity, I shall certainly compete.”

With that, the two parted ways at the foot of the mountain. After Ye Tingyan left, Luo Wei began to reflect on doubts that had not surfaced earlier.

The dense forest stretched far and wide. How had she managed to encounter him each time so conveniently?

And he had followed her here again!

Fuming, Luo Wei dismounted and casually tethered her horse to the fence at the equestrian grounds. As she walked, she pondered deeply.

Ye Tingyan had painstakingly earned Song Lan’s trust and entered Bianjing with ulterior motives. Regardless of his ultimate goal, his intent was clear: to climb higher.

Song Lan had yet to assume full control of governance. Were Ye Tingyan to become an isolated minister, he would inevitably face harm from all sides, lacking sufficient strength to resist.

Moreover, owing to both old grudges and new grievances with Yu Qiushi, Ye Tingyan had chosen Luo Wei as a temporary ally. Both parties understood that they were merely pawns in each other’s schemes to overthrow Yu Qiushi. He performed tasks for her that could not be disclosed to Song Lan, while she provided him with additional protection beyond Song Lan during his vulnerable period.

If the day came when Yu Qiushi fell from power, their primary concern would undoubtedly be eliminating each other.

Initially, when Ye Tingyan sent that young eunuch to recite the prosody of Gaoyang Terrace to her, she was astonished by his audacity but could somewhat understand his reasoning. Without concrete evidence, even if she had given Ye Tingyan her promise, he feared she might dispose of him once his usefulness expired. Thus, he attempted to bind her through clandestine meetings.

If Luo Wei ever reneged on her word, he could expose their connection, ensuring mutual ruin.

Yu Qiushi’s influence in court was deeply entrenched. She indeed needed capable subordinates willing to carry out unsavory deeds.

Besides, there was a faint resemblance between him and someone from her past.

Thus, Luo Wei agreed without hesitation. As long as she achieved her goals, she cared little about what sacrifices she had to make.

Yet now, she found herself puzzled by Ye Tingyan’s attitude toward her.

Their encounters at Xiuying Temple and today lacked any semblance of absolute safety or pressing necessity. Yet Ye Tingyan insisted on following her, almost as if he simply wanted… to exchange a few words.

Could it be true, as he claimed, that he harbored feelings for her since his youth?

At this thought, Luo Wei sneered softly.

Impossible. A man as shrewd as Ye Tingyan would never let personal emotions cloud his judgment. Even if he once harbored youthful infatuations, they were insignificant.

It was more plausible that he sought to deliberately unsettle her mind, invoking old sentiments.

Luo Wei returned alone to the hall, loosened her riding attire, and summoned her attendants to change her clothes and redo her hair before preparing to return to Song Lan.

Who would have expected that just as she stepped out, she would run straight into Yu Suiyun.

Song Lan’s harem originally consisted of only three women. Today, she had brought only Luo Wei and Yu Suiyun. This hall was exclusively prepared for them, barring entry to all others.

Thus, Yu Suiyun was equally surprised by the encounter. No longer displaying her usual haughty demeanor, she hastily knelt to greet Luo Wei, bowing her head deeply, “Empress Dowager.”

Luo Wei noticed the redness in Yu Suiyun’s eyes, as though she had been crying.

Glancing briefly at the stoic expression of Lady Qiao beside Yu Suiyun, Luo Wei curtly said, “Rise.”

After Yu Suiyun stood up, she kept her head bowed, maintaining an unusually respectful posture. As Luo Wei passed by, she caught a faint floral scent.

•

When Luo Wei returned to Song Lan’s quarters, Yu Qiushi had already departed. Song Lan was enthusiastically watching several eunuchs play a game of pitch-pot.

A jade cup rested on the table, presumably the prize for the game.

Luo Wei’s brow furrowed slightly before smoothing out. She approached and offered a respectful bow, “Your Majesty.”

Hearing her voice, Song Lan immediately removed his chin-resting hand and placed it properly on his knee. With feigned surprise, he said, “Sister has returned? Why was I not informed?”

He signaled subtly, picked up the jade cup, and tossed it carelessly. Unexpectedly, the cup struck the corner of the table and shattered into several pieces. The eunuchs knelt and kowtowed, awaiting Song Lan’s permission before scrambling to collect the fragments. Once done, they bowed and retreated.

In an instant, the space before the table was silent, not a single shard remaining.

Luo Wei noticed that one eunuch’s palm had been cut by the sharp fragments, blood seeping through. Yet he clenched his fist tightly, refusing to relax or let a drop fall.

She glanced at him briefly before averting her gaze, “Seeing Your Majesty’s joy, I chose not to disturb you. Why did you dismiss them?”

Song Lan took her hand and guided her to sit closer, “Now that Sister has returned, why should I watch these fools play?”

Luo Wei smiled and asked, “When did the Grand Tutor leave?”

At her question, a sly smile appeared on Song Lan’s face. He lowered his head, caressing her delicate white hand, his gaze tender as if admiring a cherished possession, “He left some time ago. Sister, why don’t you guess what the Grand Tutor came to discuss with me?”

Without hesitation, Luo Wei replied, “What else could it be? He surely criticized Your Majesty’s recent promotion of Lord Ye—from a seventh-rank censor to a fifth-rank official, granting him not only a title but also a key position in the Censorate, which is highly inappropriate. The Grand Tutor must have presented detailed accounts of Lord Ye’s past actions or associations to dissuade you.”

Song Lan clapped his hands and laughed, “Sister guessed correctly.”

Luo Wei’s lips curved into a faint smile, but she remained unconvinced.

Song Lan had always been suspicious. In the three years since his ascension, no one had ever threatened Yu Qiushi—not only because he relied heavily on him, but also because Yu Qiushi understood Song Lan’s mindset well. Whenever Song Lan promoted newcomers who hadn’t aligned themselves with him, Yu Qiushi would invariably dig up details of their past and present them to Song Lan.

This tactic worked every time. Unable to verify the truth, Song Lan usually erred on the side of caution, often sidelining the individual.

As a result, the court was left with either impeccably upright officials or members of Yu Qiushi’s faction.

Over the past two years, Song Lan had gradually come to realize this. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have risked bringing Ye Tingyan from Youzhou to Bianjing and promoting him repeatedly despite opposition. Though the Vermilion Bird Division had been established, their work remained covert and insufficient to sway public opinion. To stir the political winds, they needed someone more credible.

Seeing Song Lan’s relaxed expression, devoid of anger, Luo Wei knew Ye Tingyan must have had a countermeasure. Still, she couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Did Your Majesty not feel disappointed upon hearing the Grand Tutor’s words today?”

Song Lan explained, “The Grand Tutor spoke of an old matter we are both familiar with—the first year of Jinghe, shortly after my ascension. I dispatched envoys to inspect Jiangsu and Zhejiang. At the residence of Shen Sui, then-Vice Governor of Yangzhou, we uncovered ten thousand taels of gold. Overwhelmed by guilt, he committed suicide, leaving behind a list of implicated officials in exchange for sparing his family.”

Luo Wei mused, “I remember. That list implicated many, leading to a complete overhaul of the Jiangsu-Zhejiang bureaucracy. It was the largest corruption scandal in our dynasty.”

Song Lan continued, “Young Master Ye happened to be in the south at the time and had some acquaintance with Shen Sui. Today, the Grand Tutor brought forth old witnesses and evidence to corroborate this.”

Luo Wei’s heart skipped a beat, “Then why does Your Majesty show no sign of anger?”

Song Lan chuckled, “The Grand Tutor doesn’t know this, but Tingyan foresaw this issue before returning to the capital. He submitted a memorial explaining that his relationship with Shen Sui was purely poetic—they were friends in verse, unaware of his corruption. Upon learning of Shen Sui’s embezzlement, Tingyan was outraged and composed a scathing denunciation, detailing his crimes mercilessly. Truly loyal, wouldn’t you agree?”

Luo Wei’s smile faltered slightly.

Family, old friends, even his own body—this man seemed to discard them all like worn-out shoes.

Were it her, how could she trust such a heartless and unfeeling person? But Song Lan, devoid of emotions, would only see him as utterly devoted.

They were kindred spirits—cold-blooded monsters filled with cunning.

From afar, the mingling sounds of gongs, drums, and ocarinas drifted over, accompanied by the jingling of horse bells. Song Lan rose, brimming with excitement, “It seems Marquis Fengping’s archery contest is about to begin. Sister, let us go together.”