The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 165

Chapter 165: A Laughable Matter

Unexpectedly, she asked this question directly. Lu Lingxuan lowered her eyes and chuckled for a while before looking at her and replying, “The day you truly defeat me, I will tell you how she died and why she died.”

“Xiao Jinyu, I admit you are very smart, even more intelligent than your mother, but you are still too naive. Do you really believe there is justice in this world?”

“As someone who has experienced it all, and even as a friend of your mother, I advise you to stop here. Just be your Princess Consort of Lanling peacefully, enjoy the love and protection of your man. Otherwise, the more you know, the more painful it will be. The higher you stand, the closer you will be to death. Just like how you fell from the Bronze Sparrow Terrace today. This is a piece of advice from me!”

After Lu Lingxuan finished speaking, she called for a group of guards to escort her and Mu Tipo away, leaving Xiao Jinyu standing there, pondering her words in silence for a long time.

Gao Changgong was also puzzled by her words, but he didn’t want to see Xiao Jinyu sad.

“A’yu, don’t overthink it. You can’t take the words of someone like her seriously…”

“Yeah, don’t let that woman affect your mood. Her heart is dark, and she doesn’t believe there is justice in the world. Does that mean others can’t believe it?”

Li Mi also came over to offer words of comfort.

Xiao Jinyu finally snapped out of her contemplation. When Lu Lingxuan said “as a friend of your mother,” a surge of sorrow welled up in her heart.

She had to admit that Lu Lingxuan’s ability to reach her current position and gain the trust of Emperor Gao Zhan of Qi was truly her own doing!

Just her ability to beguile people’s hearts was beyond ordinary!

“Yes, you are right. She is her, and I am me. Maybe this world is tough, but I have never been afraid of hardship!”

Hearing her say this, Li Mi laughed out loud:

“That’s the young lady I know!”

Suddenly, as if thinking of something, Li Mi changed the subject:

“Oh right, I have thoroughly investigated the matter that Young Lady asked me to look into last time!”

✿✿✿

After returning to the Prince of Lanling’s Residence, Li Mi took out a large box full of silk scrolls and placed them in front of Xiao Jinyu.

As Xiao Jinyu looked through them, Li Mi explained, “I have to say, this Zu Ting is somewhat of a strange talent. He can even forge official documents, sell grain for gambling funds, and exploit loopholes in the imperial system to line his own pockets. He also sells official positions and titles, so greedy that he doesn’t even spare his friend’s inheritance. He was friends with Emperor Shenwu’s advisor, Chen Yuankang, and they often gathered at home for gambling, even using women as stakes. I won’t go into details about that with Your Highness!”

“After Chen Yuankang died, he entrusted his affairs to Zu Ting, asking him to take care of his family. But Zu Ting took twenty-three of the twenty-five ingots of inheritance for himself, leaving only two for Chen Yuankang’s family!”

“This man is extremely fond of stealing. He often takes something when attending friends’ banquets. He once stole an official book, 《Hualin Bianlue, 》 and pawned it for gambling money. After Emperor Wenxuan found out, he was beaten forty times with a rod and demoted!”

“And he has a rather shameful quirk. He often uses Shandong damask and peacock silk with continuous beads as gambling stakes to seduce married noblewomen in the capital. He even lured the wife of Military Advisor Yuan Jingxian to his home…”

At this point, Li Mi’s face turned red, and he couldn’t bring himself to continue.

Xiao Jinyu now knew that most of the noblewomen of the Yuan clan were descendants of the former dynasty’s imperial family. Zu Ting was so lecherous that he even dared to lay his hands on them?

“By the way, Li Langjun, how did you obtain so much evidence from him?”

When Xiao Jinyu asked this, Li Mi became even more embarrassed. He couldn’t help but cover his mouth and cough lightly, saying, “This… I better not tell Your Highness. I’m afraid your Prince Consort will beat me…”

Lu Yu’s interest was piqued. “What bad things did you do that you’re afraid of my Prince Consort beating you? Tell me quickly! If you don’t, I’ll beat you now!”

After saying that, he chased Li Mi around the Prince of Lanling’s Residence for several miles before returning, panting.

“Prince Consort, this Li Mi is really something else. Why is he a civil official? With his stamina for running, he would definitely be the first to flee on the battlefield!”

Li Mi walked back to the Prince of Lanling’s Residence calmly, his face not red and his heart not racing. He wasn’t even out of breath. He then leisurely bid farewell to Xiao Jinyu and Lanling Wang.

“If Your Highness and the Princess Consort need my help in the future, just let me know. After all, I am an official now, currently serving as the Drafter of the Regular Attendant. Oh right, I specifically record His Majesty’s daily activities. I am the future favorite by His Majesty’s side!”

Lu Yu spat and couldn’t help but mock after Li Mi left, “Prince Consort, it’s a pity this Li Mi isn’t a treacherous official!”

Xiao Jinyu, however, fell into deep thought: With Li Mi and Cui Heng’s aristocratic backgrounds and their own talents, they could have entered officialdom long ago if they wanted to. Their reluctance to do so probably stemmed from their weariness of the Northern Qi court. So why did they choose to enter officialdom now?

“Officials responsible for recording daily activities have to serve by His Majesty’s side at all times. In addition to ceremonial matters like offering sacrifices to heaven, imperial edicts, memorials, and proposals, they also have to keep detailed records of His Majesty’s private life. This is equivalent to having a pair of eyes planted beside His Majesty.”

Lanling Wang explained, then looked at Xiao Jinyu and added, “A’yu, Li Mi suddenly wanting to enter officialdom is probably for your sake…”

Knowing that she would enter officialdom as Xie Zhen, he was afraid that she would be isolated and helpless beside His Majesty, so he took the initiative to be her guide?

“I understand!” Xiao Jinyu was touched and looked up at Gao Changgong. “Then we must protect him in the future. I’m afraid…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Gao Changgong interrupted with a smile, “I know, you’re afraid that he offended Lady Lu today, and she will turn her attention to him, right?”

He smiled gently, as refreshing as a warm breeze.

“Don’t worry, he has done us a favor, and I will ensure his safety! Moreover, Li Mi is quite resourceful; he won’t be easily schemed against!”

Xiao Jinyu nodded and nestled back into Gao Changgong’s arms.

Thinking of the thrilling scene on the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, Gao Changgong still felt lingering fear and held her in silence for a long time.

After a heavy downpour, the sky was clear and bright. In the back garden of the Prince of Lanling’s Residence, hundreds of flowers were in full bloom, birds chirped, and played among the artificial mountains and trees.

Looking at the carp swimming in the pond, the willow catkins fluttering by the water’s edge, and the flowers adorning the scene, there was a sense of peace and tranquility.

Gao Changgong’s heart was filled with boundless love and happiness. After kissing her forehead for a while, he suddenly asked, “A’yu, why did you ask His Majesty for the position of Director of Astronomy?”

He knew she always had a reason for her actions, but he would always feel worried and afraid about the unknown.

Xiao Jinyu looked at Gao Changgong.

In recent days, she had seen more of the original owner’s memories, including some events from her past life. Based on her calculations, in the winter month of this year, when heavy snow fell, Northern Zhou would join forces with the Turks to attack Luoyang, a city of Northern Qi. Gao Zhan would send Gao Changgong, Duan Shao, and Hu Lüguang to rescue Luoyang. Gao Changgong would achieve a great victory in the Battle of Mangshan, gaining immense fame and becoming another god of war after Duan Shao and Hu Lüguang, feared by enemy generals.

It was also after this battle that Gao Zhan became jealous of him. The following year, in the third year of Heqing, Lu Lingxuan, using the appearance of a comet as a warning from heaven, joined forces with Zu Ting to persuade Gao Zhan to pass the throne to his nine-year-old son, Gao Wei. After that, Lu Lingxuan controlled the weak young emperor and took control of the court, becoming the first female Palace Attendant, essentially the female Chancellor!

Later, when Gao Wei bestowed poisoned wine upon Gao Changgong, Lu Lingxuan’s whispers in his ear might have played a part.

If she wanted to change all of this, she had to obstruct Lu Lingxuan’s path. Using the position of Director of Astronomy to predict celestial phenomena was one way, at least to break the Northern Qi court’s ignorant understanding of celestial changes!

And today, she had taken the first step!

“Changgong, I’m doing this for our future, for everything to be well!” she said with a smile.

✿✿✿

At this moment, in the Lu Residence located in Yuanzisi Ward, Gao Anagong, having removed his armor, knelt before Lu Lingxuan, his head lowered and his face filled with shame.

“I failed to carry out my mission. Not only did I fail to take the life of that Princess Consort of Lanling, but I also lost the position of General of the Leading Army that Lady Lu worked so hard to obtain for me.”

Lu Lingxuan looked at him for a long time without speaking. Gao Anagong’s only talent was flattering and serving others. She had chosen him for this very reason. Gao Zhan loved to hear pleasant words, so she placed people skilled in this art around him, also serving as her informants.

✿✿✿

But now that Gao Anagong had been dismissed, it was like losing an arm.

“You are not to blame for this. In terms of ability, you are indeed far inferior to Gao Changgong. Now that you have harmed his beloved wife, he will naturally not let it go!”

“I’m afraid it won’t be as simple as just dismissing you!”

After Lu Lingxuan finished speaking, Gao Anagong’s face changed drastically. Did this mean that Lanling Wang would also try to eliminate him to avenge his beloved wife for the arrow wound?

“Mother, I didn’t expect that lowly maid Xiao Jinyu to make such a fuss. Does she want to completely shatter your prestige and faith among the people? After this incident, will His Majesty still…”

“His Majesty did not read the content of the note I wrote aloud, which means he still intends to protect me. After all, the Crown Prince still needs me! And I am indeed consolidating imperial power for His Majesty. The emperor’s power should be above all people. What’s wrong with fooling the people for the sake of the stability of the empire?”

“His Majesty will naturally understand the meaning of my words!”

Hearing Lu Lingxuan say this, Mu Tipo breathed a sigh of relief, then gritted his teeth in anger:

“I thought I could use Zheng Yue’s hand to kill that lowly maid, but I didn’t expect that fool Zheng Yue to be so infatuated with Gao Changgong to the point of stupidity! It’s truly shameful!”

“Zheng Yue is indeed a bit foolish, but she’s just a naive young girl. What surprises me is that Xiao Jinyu went to Southern Chen and not only made Lanling Wang completely devoted to her, but even Li Mi of the Zhao Commandery Li Clan and Cui Heng of the Boling Cui Clan are willing to go against me for her!”

“Mother, she’s just a seductive fox who relies on her beauty to serve men. It’s not surprising that she can bewitch a few men!”

“If she were really a stunning beauty who relied on her looks, it wouldn’t be a big deal. But she’s not. Li Mi and Cui Heng seem to be genuinely helping her. Li Mi is one thing; he alone can’t represent the entire Zhao Commandery Li Clan. But Cui Heng has now become the head of the third branch of the Boling Cui Clan. If he wants to be my enemy, that means the entire third branch of the Boling Cui Clan is my enemy!”

Hearing this, Mu Tipo became somewhat apprehensive. A fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and he said,

“Mother, should we just send assassins to…”

“Don’t act rashly. The Li and Cui clans both have marriage ties with the imperial family, and these two clans themselves are intertwined, their interests shared. If we kill those two and provoke retaliation from both clans, we won’t be able to withstand it!”

Lu Lingxuan said, then changed the subject, “However, we can arrange spies to investigate those two, see what they’ve been up to recently, and what they did in Southern Chen.”

“Yes, Mother, I’ll arrange for someone right away!”

Just as Mu Tipo was about to leave, Lu Lingxuan suddenly called him back, “Wait—”

“And that Xianbei boy by Xiao Jinyu’s side, investigate his background and origins. When I sent people to assassinate her before, they said she had a skilled guard. Today, I saw that he is actually a handsome Xianbei, and at such a young age, he has such swift and extraordinary skills. He is definitely not an ordinary guard!”

“Just from his appearance, he doesn’t look like one! This is probably the most reliable amulet Xiao Luan found for her daughter before she died!”

Mentioning the Xianbei boy, Mu Tipo’s heart skipped a beat. He remembered that on the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, the boy had climbed onto the roof with lightning speed and accurately caught the thin rope shot by Xiao Jinyu. The two cooperated seamlessly, as if they had a tacit understanding.

“Yes, I will arrange for the most experienced spies in Yecheng to investigate his origins!”

✿✿✿

Yecheng was filled with Lu Lingxuan’s informants, in every neighborhood, tavern, and teahouse. It didn’t take long for Mu Tipo to gather information about Li Mi, and he also received some news about Zu Ting that made those who heard it laugh in disbelief!

“This Li Langjun has recently befriended Zu, the Assistant Minister of the Secretariat. They spend every day in brothels and pleasure houses, gambling away fortunes, and even inviting groups of women to Zu’s home…” At this point, Mu Tipo blushed and glanced at his mother, quickly adding, “As for what they do, I haven’t seen it with my own eyes, so I can’t describe it!”

“Li Mi befriended Zu Ting?” Lu Lingxuan found it incredibly amusing and asked, “Has Zu Ting been acting strangely lately?”

“This Assistant Minister Zu’s taste is becoming more and more peculiar. A month ago, there were rumors of him being seen with a woman over sixty. In recent days, he has become obsessed with women wearing veils. I heard that once, he even brought a ‘woman’ dressed as a man and wearing a veil back home for the night. Only the next day did he discover that it was actually a man. He almost lost his life because of it!”

“Almost lost his life?”

“Yes, I heard that this ‘woman’ dressed as a man wanted to play some unspeakable game with him, tying his limbs to the bed and beating him all night. He almost didn’t make it!”

Lu Lingxuan laughed in disbelief and asked, “Then who is this person?”

“Ah? You mean the ‘woman’ dressed as a man?”

“I don’t care if it’s a man or a woman, who is it? Can’t you find out?”

“Mother, no one really knows. This matter was told by a housekeeper in Zu Ting’s house. The housekeeper only discovered that it was a man who came out of Zu Ting’s study the next morning, but the man was always wearing a veil, making it impossible to see his face! If the housekeeper wasn’t so experienced in judging people, he probably wouldn’t have realized that the ‘woman’ was a man in disguise!”

Lu Lingxuan was speechless for a moment. After suppressing her anger for a while, she said hatefully, “That greedy and lecherous scoundrel Zu Ting will sooner or later lose his life because of women!”

“I heard that His Majesty wants that Xie Zhen, who became famous at the Pure Conversation Gathering in Southern Chen, to compete with Zu Ting in knowledge and talent. It seems His Majesty intends to suppress him. At this time, he’s creating these scandals for me. Does he want to embarrass me in front of His Majesty?”

Mu Tipo’s face showed unspeakable contempt and shame.

“Mother, this Zu Xiaozheng, apart from some strange talent, I think his character is truly terrible. Why not abandon this ally?”

Lu Lingxuan glanced at Mu Tipo, a thought suddenly flashing through her mind. “You just said Li Mi has been close to Zu Ting recently?”

“Yes!”

“And Zu Ting has also become obsessed with veiled women in recent days, even taking a fake woman home for the night?”

“Yes!”

“That’s right! The man dressed as a woman must be Li Mi. Li Mi wouldn’t befriend Zu Ting for no reason. He’s acting so suspiciously; he must want to get something from Zu Ting!”

Thinking of this, Lu Lingxuan’s expression became more and more tense.

“Send someone to keep an eye on him. Don’t let him cause any more trouble for me!”

“Yes!”

Note: The previous chapters were a bit heavy, so this chapter is just for your entertainment.

Also, many thanks to Yanzhihu1 and Zizhuha for their rewards and the beautiful character illustrations they contributed. They are very beautiful!