The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 178

Chapter 178: Countermeasures and the Reappearance of an Old Friend

“If His Majesty summons you, just claim illness, delay, or… ask Second Brother or Third Brother to help?”

Gao Yanzong came up with many ideas, but Gao Changgong shook his head at all of them, especially when Gao Xiaowan was mentioned, he was met with a stern refusal:

“No, after Eldest Brother died last time, Third Brother wept bitterly in the hall, which already displeased His Majesty. Moreover, due to his status as the legitimate son, His Majesty has always been wary of him, fearing that our brothers would join forces to seize his throne…

In order not to arouse Gao Zhan’s suspicion, we… it’s better to keep our distance!”

Gao Yanzong understood his meaning and nodded slightly dejectedly. He had always known that although Fourth Brother seemed indifferent on the surface, he was not a cold-hearted person and still had feelings for their brothers. It was just that he was afraid of getting too close and arousing Gao Zhan’s suspicion!

After Gao Yanzong left, Xiao Jinyu and Gao Changgong summoned Steward Liu, Lu Yu, A’xiu, and Ling Ye to entrust all matters of the residence to Steward Liu and A’xiu. For the time being, A’xiu would continue to impersonate the Princess Consort, feigning illness at home and not leaving the residence!

But just as this decision was made, Steward Liu received an anonymous letter that read: “Let the Prince be at ease on his mission to the Zhou State, I will take care of the Princess Consort’s matter!”

Upon receiving this letter, both Prince of Lanling and Xiao Jinyu were puzzled. Who was the writer? How much did they know about their situation?

Especially since Xiao Jinyu was Xie Zhen, apart from Cui Heng, Li Mi, and Lu Yu, Ling Ye, A’xiu, and now Gao Yanzong, hardly anyone else knew.

They also believed that these people were trustworthy enough to keep the secret.

But as Xiao Jinyu carefully examined the handwriting of the letter, she seemed to have a guess, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes!

Gao Changgong asked her who she had in mind?

She only smiled and replied: “It should be an old friend, Changgong, don’t worry! This person only knows about your mission with Xie Zhen and doesn’t know my identity.”

And so, they put the matter aside, storing the letter in a box.

The next day, Gao Zhan hosted a banquet for all officials in front of the Taiji Hall to bid farewell to Prince of Lanling and Xie Zhen on their mission to Yubi in the Zhou State. After Gao Zhan gave a few words of encouragement, the envoy set off.

The envoy consisted of no more than two hundred people, mostly Hundred Guarantor Xianbei selected by Prince of Lanling. Gao Yanzong also brought some of his own trained personal troops, Ling Ye brought a few of his own, and the rest were left at the Prince of Lanling’s Residence to assist A’xiu in managing the affairs of the residence.

As the envoy exited the Duan Gate and traveled out of the Southern City of Ye, the commoners on the streets all flocked to see them off, lining the road. Especially some young maidens, who couldn’t help but feel a sense of melancholy. In times of chaos, their husbands went on expeditions, especially to battles or as envoys to other countries, with no certainty of return.

And a handsome young master like Prince of Lanling made them feel even more sorrowful and sympathetic.

As the carriages and horses gradually moved away, a song rose behind Prince of Lanling and Xiao Jinyu:

“Where do we live and dwell? Where have we lost our horses? Where shall we seek them? In the forest below.”

“We have sworn an oath, you and I. I hold your hand, and we grow old together.”

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“So this is the Chenjun Xie Clan’s Xie Zhen, whose talent shook the world, who gained fame at the Pure Conversation Gathering in the Southern Dynasty, and who defeated Minister Zu with his blind Go skills and poetry in our Qi State!”

“Such a handsome and elegant figure, truly refined and graceful, living up to the reputation of the former most prestigious clan of Jiangzuo!”

Some maidens sighed as they saw “Xie Zhen” standing tall on his steed.

“Humph, what most prestigious clan of Jiangzuo? There’s no Chenjun Xie Clan among the Jiangzuo clans anymore, just this one Xie Zhen!”

“So what if it’s just one person? He’s now a third-rank official in our Qi State, one person is enough to uphold the entire Xie Clan!”

“That depends on whether he comes back alive. If he’s gone, what use is his reputation?”

At this point, the group of maidens fell silent. It was in this brief silence that a sudden voice stood out:

“Don’t speak such unlucky words!”

The maidens turned around to see Zheng Yue, dressed in bright and beautiful attire, yet with a sorrowful expression on her face!

“Zheng Clan’s A’yue, you actually came out? We thought you’d be too ashamed to show your face after pushing the Princess Consort of Lanling off the Bronze Sparrow Terrace!”

“Yes! After this incident, let alone entering the Prince of Lanling’s Residence, I’m afraid Prince of Lanling won’t even look at you again!”

“Don’t even mention looking, I’m afraid he’d be disgusted at the sight of you, after all, you almost caused his Princess Consort to die!”

“Oh, why bother? There are many choices in life. Since Prince of Lanling only has his Princess Consort in his heart, why force yourself onto a dead end and upset the one you love?”

“There are other handsome young masters in the world. Even if he’s the most handsome, if he doesn’t belong to you, then just admire him from afar. After all, life is short, being alive is the most important thing!”

Amidst the chatter, a woman wearing a veil said these words, half in consolation, half in lament, before turning and leaving.

As the envoy left the city gate, Xiao Jinyu couldn’t help but look back. In the distance from the city gate, under the setting sun, a tall and slender figure in green stood out amongst the crowd.

The woman was wearing a veil, and in a flash, she seemed to have disappeared.

Seeing Xiao Jinyu’s unusual expression, Gao Changgong quickly asked: “What’s wrong?”

“I seemed to have seen an old friend, but before I could get a clear look, she was gone.”

“What old friend?” Gao Changgong asked softly with a smile.

Xiao Jinyu wasn’t sure, afraid that saying it out loud would disappoint Gao Changgong in the end, so she shook her head and said: “I can’t remember, maybe one day, this old friend will come to us.”

Saying this, she looked at Gao Changgong and said with great tenderness and firmness: “So, Changgong, we must come back alive!”

“Of course!” Gao Changgong nodded heavily, as if making a vow. Under the glow of the setting sun, he reached out his hand to her, their fingers intertwining gently.

Suddenly, with a shout, over a hundred armored cavalrymen galloped onto the official road, raising a thick cloud of dust.

Watching the cavalry escorting the supply train gradually disappear, the woman in black standing beneath the city tower couldn’t help but let out a mournful sigh.

“May you return safely and truly hold hands with her, growing old together.”

There was a hint of sorrow in the woman’s voice, and a hint of envy. She stood there longingly until another woman, also wearing a veil, walked up to her and sighed: “I didn’t expect the Prince to be so devoted, unlike the other descendants of the Gao family. For this young lady of the Lanling Xiao Clan, he even rejected the Yingyang Zheng Clan, who he could have married!”

“It’s just that the young lady is truly beautiful. If she stays alone in the Prince of Lanling’s Residence, it’s bound to attract trouble!”

The woman nodded and said: “Then let’s go to the Prince of Lanling’s Residence and have a look!”

Hearing this, the other woman couldn’t help but rejoice: “Princess, have you finally… let go?”

The woman in green, addressed as Princess, remained silent for a long time before replying: “I can’t just watch him being bullied by those treacherous villains. Any little bit of help I can offer is better than nothing!”

“Yes! Princess!”

“But, there’s also that Zheng Clan’s A’yue, who seems to still be infatuated with the Prince, unable to let go. I just tried to console her a bit, I wonder if that young lady will listen?”

“That young lady from the Zheng family is also quite good, but unfortunately, Xiaoguan met this divine physician from the Xiao family… I hope that young lady doesn’t harbor any wicked thoughts…”

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After a moment of silence, the woman continued: “I heard that this divine physician lady, as promised, opened another Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower in Yecheng, Qi State. Why don’t we go to this Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower and have a look!”

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There was indeed an Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower in Yecheng. It was an abandoned residence in the Seven Emperors Ward that Xiao Jinyu had bought and renovated into a place of entertainment for refined individuals. It was still newly built, and because of its secluded location in the apricot blossom forest, the scenery was beautiful, but there were only a few guests.

Xiao Jinyu had sent a letter to bring Yue Ying back from Pengcheng to be the manager of this Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower. She had also recruited some waiters, but before the business could take off, she went on a mission to the Zhou State with Prince of Lanling.

Seeing such a deserted scene, the woman’s face showed some disappointment: “I thought this young lady could instantly build a tower in the land of Northern Qi and become famous! But it turns out she’s just all talk, lacking practical experience!”

“She is famous, but she hasn’t made good use of her fame yet. Doing business probably isn’t her main goal, she’s probably…”

“Ladies, are you here to enjoy the scenery, food, drink, and entertainment in our tower?” A waiter ran over and asked enthusiastically, yet politely.

The woman in black nodded and entered the tower with the woman in red. Upon entering, the woman in black’s eyes lit up, because the layout of the tower was a beautiful sight she had never seen before. There were no extravagant carved beams and painted rafters, no high eaves and pecking teeth. Instead, it resembled an ancient and simple painting, with winding paths leading to secluded spots, small bridges over flowing water, lush grass, and wildflowers scattered throughout.

“I can’t believe that this young lady not only paints well, but even her Feng Shui skills are quite profound! How could she build this place of entertainment so beautifully, giving people a sense of homecoming, peace, and tranquility?”

“Are you trying to say, it feels like home?”

After the woman in black finished speaking, the waiter sighed: “You ladies are right, my mistress said that this Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower should not just be a place of entertainment for officials and nobles, but also a place for travelers to feel at home. When they are tired, they can come here to sit, drink tea, listen to music, or play the game of Winding Stream and Floating Cups, or ride the fastest horses!”

“Then, according to what you’re saying, this place should be bustling with business!” Lady Wei interrupted.

The waiter replied: “My mistress said, there’s no rush, those who are meant to come will come! Look, haven’t you two ladies come? And we only do business for two days a month, the first and the fifteenth!”

Saying this, the waiter smiled sheepishly,

“Unfortunately, today is neither the first nor the fifteenth!”

“What is this young lady trying to do? If she’s doing business, shouldn’t she do it every day? Isn’t she losing out by only doing it for two days?” Lady Wei wondered.

The woman in black shook her head and smiled: “Not necessarily, as long as she builds her reputation, even if it’s just for two days, she could still make a fortune!”

“Why don’t we do her a favor and spread the word about this Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower?”

After a pause, she continued: “At the same time, let’s spread a rumor in Yecheng, I’m sure that old woman won’t ignore her precious son whom she personally helped to the throne…”

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“Have you heard that an Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower has opened in the Seven Emperors Ward? The layout and the games inside are truly unique, I heard that those who have been there are reluctant to leave…”

“Is it true? What place could be better than the biggest pleasure house in Yecheng?”

“It’s different, it’s different. Pleasure houses are full of courtesans, they are for vulgar people. But those who go there are refined individuals, and they engage in refined activities!”

“By the way, do you know who the owner of this tower is?”

“Who is it?”

“I heard it’s the Princess Consort of Lanling, the one who painted at the Ice Well Terrace night banquet and prayed for rain on the Bronze Sparrow Terrace…”

“Really? Is that true? The Princess Consort can do business? Then we must go and see…”

“I wasn’t finished. It’s someone close to her…”

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As rumors about the owner of the Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower spread throughout Yecheng, another rumor arose!

“Oh, it’s so pitiful and lamentable! I heard that after Prince of Lanling was sent on a mission to the Zhou State, the Princess Consort of Lanling fell ill due to missing him. His Majesty issued several imperial edicts in a row, summoning her to the palace in the name of the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and even the female Director of Astronomy, but she excused herself due to illness and didn’t go!”

“What illness? I think there must be something more to it. Why would His Majesty summon her? It’s because…”

There was much speculation in the taverns, and some bold individuals whispered, “Who wouldn’t want such a stunning beauty? I heard that His Majesty deliberately sent Prince of Lanling away so that he could take advantage of the opportunity to make a move on the Princess Consort of Lanling…”

The rumors spread far and wide, and soon reached the ears of Empress Dowager Lou. Upon hearing this news, Empress Dowager Lou was furious. She went to the Zhaoyang Palace and saw Gao Zhan playing with a beauty clad in thin gauze. She actually drew her sword and was about to stab the beauty. The beauty was terrified and knelt down to beg for her life, but she was still stabbed in the heart and died on the spot!

“Seducing the Emperor and indulging in pleasure is your sin!”

After saying this, Empress Dowager Lou reprimanded Gao Zhan: “I disregarded the objections of the officials and passed the Gao Clan’s empire to you, hoping that you could continue to protect the empire your father built. But you… one Li Zue wasn’t enough, now you want to snatch Prince of Lanling’s Princess Consort? Aren’t you afraid of chilling the hearts of all the officials?”

“Mother, don’t make it sound so unpleasant. You passed the Gao Clan’s empire to me only to strengthen the military and political power of your Xianbei Lou Clan. Who knows, maybe one day, this Gao Clan’s empire will become your Lou Clan’s empire?”

“You——”

Empress Dowager Lou was so angry that her chest tightened, and she almost fainted. Fortunately, the old woman beside her supported her, preventing her from coughing up blood.

“Empress Dowager, let’s go back! The Princess Consort said that you mustn’t get angry!”

After the old woman’s repeated persuasion, Empress Dowager Lou’s admonishment was in vain, and she returned to her own palace.

“Empress Dowager, the Princess Consort of Lanling put in a lot of effort to cure you, please don’t hurt yourself by getting angry again!”

“I don’t know what sins I’ve committed to have these sons, each one more scoundrelly than the last. I’m not heartless, Changgong is a kind and honest child, and he loves this Xiao Clan woman so deeply. I don’t want him to be sad, and this granddaughter-in-law has saved my life, how can I just stand by and do nothing?”

“I know your intentions, Empress Dowager, but His Majesty… he has long been wary of you!”

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After being reprimanded by Empress Dowager Lou, Gao Zhan flew into a rage in the Zhaoyang Palace, even killing several palace maids with his sword before his anger gradually subsided.

He Shikai immediately advised: “Your Majesty, your health is important, don’t be angry with the Empress Dowager. This Princess Consort of Lanling is obviously avoiding you. Since you can’t summon her, why not send someone directly to the Prince of Lanling’s Residence to visit her? To see if she’s really bedridden?”

“If I send the Imperial Guards to the Prince of Lanling’s Residence, I’m afraid those censors will admonish me again!”

“Your Majesty doesn’t need to send the Imperial Guards to the residence, why not let Lady Lu make this trip?”

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