Embedded Files
Psst! We're moving!
Yunyi walked over and gently tapped Jiang Caiping’s forehead. “If we could figure it out, wouldn’t that make us just like them—assassins?”
Jiang Caiping rubbed her forehead and muttered, “But I’m just curious!”
“You,” Yunyi teased, “have time to be curious but no time to finish stitching the rest of that shoe sole? Didn’t you say you wanted to give it to your father to wear during the New Year? After tonight, there’ll only be two days left.”
At her reminder, Jiang Caiping suddenly remembered. “Oh right! I almost forgot.” Hurriedly, she rummaged through the cabinet and pulled out the unfinished shoe sole. As she stitched, she grinned and said, “Last time I visited my parents, they told me that with the wages I sent back, the family would finally be able to have a good New Year. They even bought new clothes for my two younger brothers. The villagers were so envious.”
As she spoke, she grew reflective. “Time flies! Another year is almost over. In two days, I’ll be fifteen. I wonder how much longer I can stay here.”
Her words surprised Yunyi. “What? Don’t you enjoy life at the Music Pavilion?”
“Of course I do! It’s just…” Jiang Caiping blushed and lowered her head, speaking softly. “My parents said that once a girl turns fifteen, she should get married. If she waits too long, people will gossip. If… if I’m betrothed, I won’t be able to stay at the governor’s residence anymore. My future husband’s family might object.”
Hearing this, Yunyi covered her mouth and chuckled. “So that’s what’s on your mind! You’re already thinking about marriage at such a young age.”
Embarrassed by her teasing, Jiang Caiping’s face turned even redder. “I’m not! Sister, you’re making things up.”
“You’re talking about your future husband—you can’t deny it now!” Yunyi teased. Flustered, Jiang Caiping quickly defended herself. “It’s what my parents said, not me!” Looking up and seeing Yunyi still laughing, she pouted, “Sister, if you keep laughing, I won’t talk to you anymore!”
Seeing her blush all the way to her ears, Yunyi stopped teasing and patted her shoulder. “Alright, alright, I won’t laugh at you anymore. Marriage is a natural part of life—nothing to be shy about. By the way, do you have anyone in mind?”
The faint blush on Jiang Caiping’s cheeks deepened again at this question. Her voice barely audible, she replied, “No… but my mother says I should find someone from a well-off family. That way, life won’t be too hard, and I can help my two younger brothers.”
“While family background is important, what truly matters is a person’s character and virtue. Only then will you live a happy and stable life after marriage. Money alone won’t bring happiness.” Yunyi thought of her mother back in the imperial palace in Luoyang. Since she was a child, her father—the emperor—had treated her mother exceptionally well. Her mother’s palace was filled with the finest treasures in the world. Yet despite the countless young and beautiful concubines who entered the palace over the years, none could shake her mother’s position. Still, Yunyi had never seen her mother truly smile. Those beautiful eyes always carried an unshakable sadness.
She once asked her mother why she wasn’t happy. Her mother didn’t answer directly but simply said, “There’s something I’ve always wanted but couldn’t obtain, and something I couldn’t let go of.”
“Sister, what are you thinking about?” Jiang Caiping’s voice pulled her back from her thoughts. Yunyi shook her head dismissively. “Nothing… I was just thinking about Father. I wonder how his health is?”
Before Jiang Caiping could respond, she suddenly remembered something and clapped her hands, laughing. “I know! You’re not thinking about Father Wu—you’re thinking about Master Du Rushuang! You scolded me for being lovesick, but you’re the one who’s really lovesick!”
Yunyi hadn’t expected her to jump to that conclusion and was both amused and exasperated. “You little mischief-maker! Stop saying nonsense!”
Believing she’d guessed correctly, Jiang Caiping playfully pinched her rosy cheeks. “I knew it! Sister is blushing!”
Faced with this mischievous girl, Yunyi found herself at a loss. There were things she couldn’t explain outright, so she let Jiang Caiping continue her misunderstanding.
After their playful banter, Yunyi hurried Jiang Caiping off to the kitchen to fetch food. Once alone in the room, her expression darkened. She had been so sure that with Xiahou Duan gone, the poison mixed into the tendon-renewing powder would surely kill Li Jiancheng. But out of nowhere, Li Zhiyun appeared and saved his life, ruining her plans. What a pity!
Ever since she learned that Ji Rong was preparing the tendon-renewing powder for Li Jiancheng, she had thought of the remaining poison from her failed assassination attempt on Li Yuan. This rare Western toxin was extremely potent. Given enough time, it could even seep through the skin into the body. By mixing it into the powder, Li Jiancheng would unknowingly ingest the poison. With Xiahou Duan long gone from Honghua Prefecture, ordinary doctors wouldn’t stand a chance against such a rare toxin.
This plan would not only kill Li Jiancheng but also result in Ji Rong being executed as an accomplice. While she might feel some sympathy if it were someone else, she bore no pity for Ji Rong—not after how she had framed Yunyi for Mu’s death.
However, she hadn’t anticipated Zhang Chenyue sneaking into Ji Rong’s quarters and stealing the formula for the tendon-renewing powder. Nor had she expected Li Zhiyun to possess an antidote that saved Li Jiancheng’s life!
But she wouldn’t give up. She would find a way to eliminate the Li family—to avenge Mo Ping’s spirit!
________________________________________
Early on the morning of the 28th day of the 12th lunar month, fine snowflakes began to drift down from the sky. Barely awake, Li Shimin received word that Wang Wei and Gao Junya had entered the city and were on their way to the governor’s residence. They were expected to arrive in about half an hour.
Upon hearing this, Li Shimin didn’t even take time to eat. He quickly informed everyone and braved the snow to greet them outside the residence. Aside from Li Yuan and the incapacitated Li Jiancheng, all members of the Li family stood outside. As the eldest among them, Li Shimin took the lead.
Li Xuanba was the last to arrive, rubbing his hands together and grumbling into Li Shimin’s ear, “Do we really need to make such a fuss over two minor officials?”
Li Shimin glanced at the red carpet stretching more than ten zhang in front of them and replied coolly, “Their positions may not be high, but don’t forget who sent them. We can’t afford to be disrespectful.” Just then, a group of figures appeared in the distance. Li Shimin recognized the two leading men as Wang Wei and Gao Junya. They had arrived!
“Remember, don’t show any disrespect,” Li Shimin whispered to Li Xuanba before stepping forward and bowing respectfully. “Shimin and the Li family welcome Magistrate Wang and Magistrate Gao!”
Following him, Lady Wan and the others bowed in unison. “We welcome Magistrate Wang and Magistrate Gao!”
Wang Wei, around thirty years old, wore a sky-blue silk robe. Plump and cheerful, he exuded an air of affability. Gao Junya, on the other hand, appeared far more serious, his long face devoid of smiles.
Google Sites
Report abuse