The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 171

Chapter 171: Fenghuang’s Revenge, Poems Flow in the Hall

Lu Yu’s expression was a bit strange, and he replied, “It’s Minister of the Right Wei Shou and Minister of Justice Bi Yiyun!”

“Wei Shou?”

Xiao Jinyu revealed a surprised expression.

“A’yu has also heard of Wei Shou?” Gao Changgong asked in surprise as well.

Xiao Jinyu nodded: “I’ve heard of Wei Shou’s literary talent. It’s said that when Hou Jing rebelled and fled to the Southern Liang, your father had him write a denunciation edict, which was quite brilliant. And he was known as one of the three great talents of the north alongside Wen Zisheng and Xing Shao during the Northern Wei!”

After a pause, she looked at Gao Changgong and said,

“However, I don’t know much about his character.”

Gao Changgong smiled and said: “It’s rare that there’s something you don’t know. That’s right, my father admired him very much back then. He’s a man of great talent but knows how to retreat from danger and protect himself. When Erzhu Rong massacred the court officials at Heyin, he managed to escape thanks to his intelligence. Later, he was recommended by Cui Heng’s father, Cui Jilun, to my father and served as a Regular Attendant, responsible for compiling the national history.

However, he couldn’t be impartial in his historical writing. He would omit the achievements of those he had grudges against and exaggerate the merits of those who had shown him kindness. Later, he was reported by nearly a hundred noble children, but Emperor Wenxuan valued his talent and didn’t punish him. It wasn’t until Emperor Xiaozhao, Gao Yan, ascended the throne and ordered him to revise the national history, ensuring its fairness and truthfulness, that Emperor Xiaozhao allowed the 《Book of Wei》 he wrote to be circulated!”

“But now, as His Majesty indulges in wine and women and neglects state affairs, many important matters have been handed over to He Shikai and Lu Lingxuan. To protect himself, he no longer cares about the affairs of the court.”

Speaking of this, he couldn’t help but feel a little regretful. Wei Shou, due to his fear of trouble and self-preservation, was unable to rectify the current situation and was often ridiculed by others.

Xiao Jinyu also heard the regret in Gao Changgong’s words: “So, His Majesty now sends Wei Shou and Bi Yiyun as envoys to escort Yuwen Hu’s aunt to the Zhou State. You are quite surprised, aren’t you?”

Gao Changgong nodded in agreement.

“Then who is this Bi Yiyun?”

Lu Yu couldn’t help but interject: “He’s a cruel official. He’s very good at interrogating criminals and extracting confessions through torture. It’s said that his nephews, sons, and even servants are often beaten black and blue by him. He’s extremely brutal and shares a similarity with Zu Ting, which is lust. His household is also a mess, his bad reputation is widespread, and many officials are afraid of him. The once upright and outspoken Left Chancellor, Song Youdao, even cursed him in court with the poem 《The Male Fox》, which has become even more famous because of him.”

It must be said that when these civil officials cursed, they were truly venomous and hit the nail on the head, because the poem “The Male Fox” satirized the scandal of Duke Xiang of Qi and his sister Wen Jiang’s incestuous relationship.

“And there’s one more thing…” Lu Yu’s tone became somewhat contemptuous as he continued, “Bi Yiyun is also on He Shikai and Lu Lingxuan’s side now. He initially criticized He Shikai along with Prince of Zhao, Gao Rui, but because His Majesty favors He Shikai more than anyone else, Bi Yiyun feared that He Shikai would whisper slander in His Majesty’s ear, so he immediately flattered and curried favor with He Shikai and Lu Lingxuan, joining their camp!”

Xiao Jinyu nodded and said with a smile:

“Another one of Lu Lingxuan’s people! Then what other weaknesses and stories are there about this Bi Yiyun?”

Upon hearing Xiao Jinyu’s question, Lu Yu immediately became excited.

“You’re asking me, Princess? Aren’t you going to call Li Mi for help?”

“Li Langjun has his own matters to attend to, and he also has the entire Zhao Commandery Li Clan behind him. We can’t put them at too much risk because of us. But you’re different. You’re from the Prince of Lanling’s Residence. We need you to build our intelligence network in Yecheng!”

Xiao Jinyu discovered that Lu Yu was also very good at gathering information and prying into other people’s privacy, able to collect useful information as a basis for judgment.

Hearing Xiao Jinyu say this, Lu Yu became even happier.

“Alright! I knew I had my strengths! The Prince always asks me to run errands and inquire about these things. It seems this is my forte, right?”

Seeing Lu Yu’s childish demeanor, Xiao Jinyu couldn’t help but smile: “Yes, you have your strengths, your unique talents!”

Lu Yu was afraid that Gao Changgong couldn’t hear, so he quickly poked Gao Changgong’s arm and said with great joy,

“Did you hear that, did you hear that, Prince? Don’t always look down on me, okay? I also have my strengths!”

Gao Changgong really didn’t want to talk to him, so he pushed him aside and pulled Xiao Jinyu to his side, embracing her. He then warned Lu Yu: “Don’t barge into my chambers without permission in the future. If you have something to say, knock on the door outside!”

Lu Yu’s face flushed red again, and he hurriedly lowered his head.

“Yes, yes, the Prince is right. I won’t dare to do it again!”

Xiao Jinyu laughed again.

“Alright, Changgong, stop teasing him!” she said, then turned to Lu Yu with a serious expression. “Tell me, how much more do you know about this Bi Yiyun?”

Lu Yu thought for a moment and replied: “His principal wife died many years ago. Not long ago, he took a concubine who was a daughter from a collateral branch of my Lu Clan. Oh right, he has a son named Bi Shanzhao, who is just as fierce and brutal as him, often beating and scolding servants. He even makes servants wear bridles like animals and ties them to trees, forcing them to eat fodder, torturing them for days on end. The servants in his residence are very dissatisfied with both father and son… And I’ve also heard that his son often has affairs with his maids and concubines.

It seems Bi Yiyun and his son haven’t gotten along for a long time. Despite repeated attempts to correct him, the father and son now treat each other like enemies…”

Hearing this, Xiao Jinyu nodded.

Seeing her confident look, Lu Yu curiously asked: “Have you figured out what to do next, Princess?”

Xiao Jinyu looked out the window and ordered: “Call Fenghuang in.”

“Yes!”

Lu Yu responded and was about to run out, but the boy had already jumped down from the tree and walked into the chamber.

“Qing Gege—”

He called out, seemingly understanding what Xiao Jinyu was going to say.

“Do you want me to disguise myself as a member of the envoy and sneak out of Yecheng?”

“Yes! Tomorrow, you will go out of the residence with us under the identity of Xie Zhen. I will have Ling Ye help you blend into the envoy and escort you out of the city!”

Upon hearing that he was going to leave the city, Fenghuang felt a surge of reluctance. He held back the tears in his eyes before answering, then couldn’t help but ask:

“Before that, should we kill Bi Yiyun?”

Xiao Jinyu shook her head and said: “No need. If I’m not mistaken, Gao Zhan is using the excuse of sending Yuwen Hu’s mother back to the Zhou State to actually send Yuwen Hu’s aunt, Lady Yang. I heard that Yuwen Hu has been asking Qi for his mother for many years, Changgong, is that right?”

Gao Changgong said: “Yes, it was my grandfather who captured Yuwen Hu’s family and kept them in Jinyang. It’s been 35 years now. Yuwen Hu has often asked Qi for his mother, wanting to fulfill his filial duty. He even secretly sent spies to Qi to kidnap his mother, but every attempt failed!”

Xiao Jinyu nodded and said:

“Therefore, Bi Yiyun cannot die yet! We can’t disrupt the peace talks between the two countries! And the most dangerous place is also the least likely to be suspected!”

✿✿✿

Early the next morning, Lu Lingxuan ordered Gao Anagong and her hidden guard, Erzhu Ying, to lie in wait outside the Prince of Lanling’s Residence, watching everyone who came out. When they saw Xie Zhen leaving with the Prince and Princess of Lanling, the assassins’ hearts tightened, and their eyes never left “Xie Zhen.”

Today, the Prince of Lanling had also increased his security, with dozens of armored soldiers following him. Therefore, Gao Anagong couldn’t find an opportunity to strike. It wasn’t until the Prince of Lanling and his entourage reached the Zhu Ming Gate in the south of the city that “Xie Zhen” suddenly turned around, mounted his horse, and seemed to be leaving!

Gao Anagong and Erzhu Ying were stunned: They originally thought that if Xie Zhen stayed with the Prince and Princess of Lanling, they wouldn’t have a chance to ambush him. They were worried about how to lure Xie Zhen out alone, but he unexpectedly ran off by himself, without a single soldier! Wasn’t this suicide?

“Where is he going? Isn’t he supposed to participate in the poetry competition in front of the hall?” Gao Anagong asked in confusion.

“I don’t know, but maybe he discovered we were following him?”

“If he discovered us, shouldn’t he be hiding?”

Gao Anagong was completely puzzled. He saw Xie Zhen seemingly bidding farewell to the Prince and Princess of Lanling, galloping towards the north of the city!

✿✿✿

Gao Anagong and Erzhu Ying quickly found horses, along with seven or eight assassins, and chased after Xie Zhen towards the north of the city.

They chased all the way to the front gate of a ruined garden in the Northern Palace, where they saw a horse leisurely grazing, but the rider was gone!

“Strange! We just saw him on horseback, how did he disappear in the blink of an eye!”

Gao Anagong was still in shock and disbelief when he suddenly felt a flash of cold light in front of him, as if a bone-chilling sharp sword was slicing through the air!

He instantly felt a terrifying killing intent permeating the surroundings!

It was as if an impenetrable net of swords was descending upon him!

“Be careful, General!”

A death warrior lunged forward, blocking in front of him. By the time he saw clearly, a sword beam had already pierced through the death warrior’s chest!

At this moment, Erzhu Ying also seemed to have seen something. He jumped off his horse and chased after a figure into the ruined garden of the Northern Palace, all the way to a hidden, dilapidated thatched hut.

Seeing no one in the hut, Erzhu Ying sneered, his eyes scanning the surroundings like a hawk:

“Come out! You have nowhere to run!”

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw the young man in black slowly walk out, right up to him.

The young man was dressed the same as “Xie Zhen,” but the face he revealed was incredibly beautiful and handsome!

A look of surprise and excitement flashed across Erzhu Ying’s eyes!

“It’s you! Didn’t you already leave Yecheng with Prince of Zhao’s army to transport grain and supplies?”

Fenghuang sneered:

“Heh, how could I leave the city before you die? You even dared to plot to kill my Qing Gege. Today’s outing under the identity of Xie Zhen was just to lure you here!”

“So it was a diversion to protect Xie Zhen. You’re very loyal to your Qing Gege! You’re even willing to risk your own life for him?

Do you know that Lady Lu had already given up on pursuing you? And you actually walked right into our trap?”

Fenghuang ignored his words, only glaring at Erzhu Ying with hatred and confusion: “Uncle Erzhu, although I am young, I remember that my father treated you well, considering you his most trusted general. But you betrayed my father, even colluding with treacherous villains like Lu Lingxuan and He Shikai, killing my entire Murong Clan! Why did you do all this?”

Erzhu Ying let out a dry laugh, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world, and burst into laughter.

“Boy, do you know who I am? I am a descendant of the Erzhu Clan. If it weren’t for your grandfather Murong Shaozong surrendering to Gao Huan, and your father wholeheartedly serving the Bohai Gao Clan, the one ruling the Northern Wei now would be my Erzhu Clan!

Your grandfather was just my father Erzhu Zhao’s Chief Clerk. If he could betray my father, why can’t I betray yours?”

Fenghuang was momentarily shocked, but he didn’t know much about these past grudges and grievances, so he remained silent.

“Forget it, why am I talking to you about this? I thought you had escaped, so I planned to leave you, the last of the Murong Clan, alive as an act of kindness. But since you haven’t left, don’t blame me for showing no mercy!”

After saying that, Erzhu Ying revealed two extremely sharp daggers in his hands. With a flash of cold light, the two daggers flew towards Fenghuang’s face, swift as lightning and fierce as the wind. As Fenghuang dodged, he also shot out blades from his wrist. This was the weapon Xiao Jinyu had Ling Ye make for him before he left. It could be used as a short sword or as a hidden projectile!

In an instant, sword energy filled the thatched hut, dust and smoke billowing…

✿✿✿

While swords clashed in the Northern Palace, the Taiji Hall was already bustling with activity. Under the topic set by the Qi Emperor, the scholars were showcasing their talents, a surge of poetry filling the air.

“Desert dust rises, beacon fires alarm the frontier. The Emperor’s might inspires strategy, the general commands divine troops.”

“North wind howls on the high platform, cold clouds vanish in the distance. Xiongnu pacified, far and near, brave warriors eager to roam.”

✿✿✿

“Beacon fires in the north illuminate Ganquan, flying generals from Chang’an cross Qilian. Rhinoceros horn sword, son of a good family, white horse, golden bridle, a chivalrous young man.”

✿✿✿

“Mighty Nan Zhong marches to war, ten thousand miles from the Dragon Court. The Xiongnu chieftain now bows at Wei Bridge, where will the general seek glory?”

✿✿✿

“Able to compose prose and poetry, Pei Rangzhi, the eight-meter Lu Lang, Lu Sidao, I wonder if today, in front of the Taiji Hall, we will see talents surpassing these two?”

“Your Majesty, all the talented scholars of the nation are gathered here. As the saying goes, the waves behind drive on those before. There will surely be talents fulfilling Your Majesty’s wish!” He Shikai flattered Gao Zhan once again.

Gao Zhan scanned the crowd of white-clad scholars standing in front of the Taiji Hall, as numerous as jade trees in a forest, but he couldn’t find Xie Zhen. He couldn’t help but wonder: “Why hasn’t Xie Zhen arrived yet today?”

Li Mi had also been searching for Xie Zhen, feeling anxious. He thought to himself: The literary examination has already started for half an hour. With that young lady’s personality, she shouldn’t be late unless something came up!

“Your Majesty, perhaps Young Master Xie encountered some issue, or maybe the Prince of Lanling encountered something that delayed them!”

Li Mi explained, but He Shikai sneered from the side: “What could happen to the Prince of Lanling? Could someone be assassinating them?”

“That’s not impossible!”

Li Mi retorted, his gaze inadvertently glancing at Lu Lingxuan not far away. He saw Mu Tipo whispering something in her ear, and the woman’s face was filled with an ambiguous smugness.

“Your Majesty, Xie Zhen’s failure to arrive on time for this imperial poetry competition is already a sign of disrespect for our great Qi’s authority and for Your Majesty. If he doesn’t come today, shouldn’t there be some punishment?”

Lu Lingxuan suddenly interjected.

“Then in your opinion, what should the punishment be?” Gao Zhan asked.

“The Chenjun Xie Clan is already a declining aristocratic family, no longer in its former glory. A descendant of a declining family dares to disrespect the imperial authority. He should be… permanently banned from serving in our Qi, to serve as a warning to others. This will prevent those arrogant nobles from becoming so bold as to despise the imperial power!”

“Lady Lu, what do you mean by that? Are you saying that none of us noble children are worthy of standing here?

What if they are a declining family? Can a person’s talent be measured by their background?

In our Qi, there is no such thing as the upper class having no commoners and the lower class having no nobles. Otherwise, Lady Lu, you wouldn’t be sitting in this Taiji Hall right now!”

Li Mi angrily rebuked. Lu Lingxuan’s face changed drastically, and she glared at Li Mi with hatred.

Gao Zhan became impatient and waved his hand, shouting: “Silence!”

At this moment, the noise in the hall suddenly quieted down. A clear voice came from behind:

“Although my Xie family has declined, Zhen has always kept in mind the family motto: When the world has the Dao, sages are born. When the world lacks the Dao, sages are also born.

Although my Xie family was tragically slaughtered by treacherous villains, our spirit remains. Can your words about a declining family erase the great achievements and contributions of the Chenjun Xie Clan in history?”

As the voice rang out, Xie Zhen, still dressed in black, arrived in front of the hall with the Prince of Lanling.

The scholars parted, making way for them.

“Xie Zhen” walked forward and bowed to the Emperor: “Your Majesty, the reason Zhen is late is because someone lured me to the Northern Palace, intending to kill me. That is why Xie Zhen was delayed.”