The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 192

Chapter 192: The Spy’s Identity, Xiao Jinyu’s Strategy

Upon arriving at Zhaoyang Palace, Sima Maozong meticulously laid out the silk scroll, portrait, spear, and flags from the Prince of Hejian’s Residence before Gao Zhan, stating, “Your Majesty, this is the evidence found during the search of the Prince of Hejian’s Residence!”

Gao Zhan first glanced at the line of text on the silk scroll, then turned to the portrait. Seeing the crude and simplistic image on the paper that barely qualified as a “human,” he furrowed his brows.

“What does the Prince of Hejian have to say?”

Sima Maozong replied, “Your Majesty, the Prince of Hejian remained silent. It was the Princess Consort of Hejian who explained that the portrait depicts his father, Emperor Wenxiang. The Prince often misses his father and created this portrait to express his longing and remembrance!”

After a moment of contemplation, he added, “However, a concubine recently taken in by the Prince of Hejian, using this portrait and a small number of spears and flags, accused him of harboring rebellious intentions!”

“But Minister Xie believes that this concubine has not been in the residence for long and is not favored. She has only spent three days with the Prince of Hejian, yet she confidently accuses him of rebellion. She must be acting under someone’s instructions, likely a foreign spy!”

“Therefore, she is currently being interrogated under torture at the Ministry of Justice. The truth will be revealed soon!”

Gao Zhan’s brows knitted together, his expression shifting between light and shadow.

Sima Maozong, observing his expression, continued, “Minister Xie has already administered twenty strokes of the cane to the Prince of Hejian on Your Majesty’s behalf and placed him under house arrest. He is forbidden to leave without an imperial decree!”

Gao Zhan turned his gaze to “Xie Zhen,” asking, “Why did you place him under house arrest?”

Xiao Jinyu replied, “Your Majesty, there are still suspicions surrounding the Prince of Hejian. Until the truth is revealed, I dare not make any decisions, so I have temporarily placed him under house arrest. I await Your Majesty’s judgment!”

This answer pleased Gao Zhan, who curved his lips into a satisfied smile. However, He Shikai, eager to instigate trouble, interjected, “Your Majesty, Minister Xie is clearly protecting the Prince of Hejian. If he truly harbors rebellious intentions, how can a mere twenty strokes of the cane suffice?”

“Then, according to Yantong, what should be done?”

Sensing Gao Zhan’s displeasure in his tone, He Shikai hesitated before saying, “Your Majesty, harboring rebellious intentions, shouldn’t it be…”

Gao Zhan slammed his hand on the table, throwing the silk scroll filled with writing at He Shikai.

“This is what you call treating the straw figure as me? Yantong, your actions have become increasingly reckless, showing no regard for me. Do you think I am deaf and blind?”

“The matter of the Prince of Hejian has nothing to do with you. I do not want to hear any more of your opinions. Go! Leave Minister Xie, Minister Bi, and Minister Sima here.”

He Shikai’s face instantly turned pale. This was the first time Gao Zhan had excluded him from a discussion with ministers, a terrifying development for him. It signified that the unbreakable trust between them was beginning to crumble. However, he knew Gao Zhan’s temper and that further words would only increase his annoyance. With a “Yes,” he bowed his head and retreated from Zhaoyang Palace.

As he exited, an official from the Ministry of Justice handed a scroll to Sima Maozong outside the hall.

Sima Maozong glanced at it, his face filled with surprise. He then passed it to an attendant, who presented it to Gao Zhan.

After reading it, Gao Zhan’s expression underwent several transformations before he suddenly slammed his hand on the table and shouted, “Bring Lu Lingxuan to me!”

“Yes!”

He Shikai had not yet left Chanhe Gate when he saw an attendant by Gao Zhan’s side rushing towards the palace exit.

Suspicious, he found a hidden spot after exiting Zhuming Gate and waited. Sure enough, half an hour later, he saw the attendant escorting Lu Lingxuan through Zhuming Gate.

Led by the attendant, Lu Lingxuan walked directly into Zhaoyang Palace without pause. As soon as she entered, she saw Gao Zhan’s displeased expression. He abruptly threw a scroll from the table in front of her.

“See for yourself!”

Lu Lingxuan picked up the scroll and scanned its contents. Sima Maozong spoke beside her, “Chen is the daughter of Princess Yunyin of the Chen State and Xiao Jian, who falsely claimed to be a descendant of the Xiao family and replaced the legitimate heir. Her name was Xiao Rumeng, later changed to Chen Rumeng after being expelled from the Lanling Xiao Clan by Xiao Xian, the young head of the branch descended from Crown Prince Zhaoming, and removed from the clan genealogy.

Chen Rumeng’s father, Xiao Jian, and mother, Princess Yunyin, died on the same day in the Chen State’s Ministry of Justice. Since then, Chen Rumeng and her brother, Xiao Yun, have been wandering. Two months ago, Chen Rumeng was brought to our Qi State by her brother.

Her brother sold her to a brothel, but later, Lady Lu found her and trained her as a spy. This spy’s primary mission was to seduce the Prince of Hejian and infiltrate his residence. The goal was to frame him, as we see today!”

Hearing this, Xiao Jinyu was inwardly shaken. Back at the Prince of Hejian’s Residence, she had found Chen somewhat familiar but hadn’t recognized her as Princess Yunyin’s daughter, Xiao Ninth Miss, also known as Xiao Rumeng!

She still remembered the last time she saw Xiao Ninth Miss, in March of this year, on Jingyang Street in Jiankang, Chen State. They had argued and confronted each other over their mothers’ reputations. At that time, Xiao Ninth Miss was only about fourteen years old, a bright-eyed, arrogant noble girl. She couldn’t believe that in just one year, she had changed so much that even she couldn’t recognize her.

Xiao Jinyu carefully recalled Chen’s appearance: pale face, venomous eyes, and even a hint of the wanton charm of a courtesan.

While Xiao Jinyu was lost in thought, Sima Maozong continued, “Speaking of which, this Chen Rumeng has a connection with the Princess Consort of Lanling. Of course, not a blood relation, nor any familial affection, but rather, she and her mother, Princess Yunyin, once conspired to frame and assassinate the Divine Physician Lady, Xiao Jinyu, before she married the Prince of Lanling.

In her confession, she claimed that she agreed to Lady Lu’s conditions and seduced Gao Xiaowan, the Prince of Lanling’s brother, out of a desire for revenge against Princess Consort Xiao Jinyu. Her aim was to have Your Majesty kill Gao Xiaowan, thereby driving a wedge between the Prince of Lanling and Xie Zhen.

In other words, she just wanted to make the Princess Consort of Lanling feel disgusted!”

When Sima Maozong finished speaking, Gao Zhan’s expression could only be described as furious.

“Lu Lingxuan, what do you have to say for yourself?”

Lu Lingxuan composed herself and raised her head slightly, saying, “Your Majesty, I did indeed use this Chen girl, training her as a spy and sending her into the Prince of Hejian’s Residence as a test. I didn’t expect her to be so weak-willed, confessing everything before any serious torture. It seems she’s not cut out to be a spy!”

She then knelt down and continued to explain, “However, although I do harbor some resentment towards the Prince of Lanling and Xie Zhen, I did this for Your Majesty’s sake. Xie Zhen now holds a high position, a close confidant of the Emperor. If he continues to be close to the Prince of Lanling, with civil and military officials joining forces, it will inevitably pose a threat to Your Majesty’s throne!”

Xiao Jinyu scoffed and said with a smile,

“Lady Lu, you always claim that others pose a threat to His Majesty’s throne. What about you? You and Attendant He collude, constantly scheming to control His Majesty and the Qi court. Haven’t you used the Crown Prince to achieve your goal of usurping the Gao family’s throne?”

“You—”

Seeing Lu Lingxuan’s furious expression, Bi Yiyun and Sima Maozong were stunned. Bi Yiyun, in particular, began to consider whether he should switch sides!

Gao Zhan, growing impatient, waved his hand and said, “Enough, Lady Lu, stop talking. Minister Xie once risked his life to save me. You claim he’s colluding with the Prince of Lanling to rebel? I don’t believe it. First, Gao Changgong is not an ambitious person. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have abandoned the Yingyang Zheng Clan to marry a Southern Dynasty woman who offers him no political advantage. Second, Xie Zhen is the only one left in his family, with no one to rely on. I believe he wants to revive the Xie Clan, but to usurp the throne? That’s a joke!”

His expression turned serious as he looked at Lu Lingxuan coldly, “It’s you, Lu Lingxuan. Have I given you too much power? Do you think you can use the identity and authority I bestowed upon you to do whatever you please?”

Before Lu Lingxuan could retort, he issued another order, “From today onwards, you are no longer in charge of Qi’s spy network. I will hand it over to Minister Xie!”

Lu Lingxuan’s face paled drastically.

“Your Majesty!”

“Also, you’ve repeatedly sent assassins after the Prince of Lanling and Xie Zhen, claiming it was for my sake. I’m tired of hearing it. I don’t want to hear any more of your so-called justifications. From now on, you are no longer Lady of the Commandery. Go back and reflect on your actions!”

Stripped of her position with a single sentence?

Lu Lingxuan stood there, dumbfounded.

Bi Yiyun and Sima Maozong couldn’t believe their ears. The former’s eyes flickered, while the latter couldn’t help but reveal a delighted expression.

Panicked and flustered, Lu Lingxuan cried out again, “Your Majesty!” But seeing Gao Zhan’s impatient glare, she closed her mouth, uttered a “Yes,” and retreated.

Once Lu Lingxuan left, Gao Zhan turned his attention to “Xie Zhen” and then addressed Sima Maozong and Bi Yiyun,

“Since that concubine Chen of the Prince of Hejian has repeatedly harmed the Princess Consort of Lanling, let her be executed by a thousand cuts to avenge the Princess Consort!”

Bi Yiyun and Sima Maozong were once again shocked. Death by a thousand cuts was the most severe punishment. Even the notoriously cruel Emperor Wenxuan had never issued such an order against a woman.

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

As the two were about to leave, Xiao Jinyu suddenly interjected, “Wait, Your Majesty. Chen was also used by others. I believe that for a mere woman, such a heavy punishment is unnecessary!”

Gao Zhan laughed.

✿✿✿

“You are too kindhearted, Minister Xie! If someone commits a crime, they should bear the consequences. Without punishment, these spies will become even more brazen.

Execute her as a Zhou spy. It will also serve as a warning to those Zhou spies lurking in our Qi!”

Xiao Jinyu opened her mouth to speak, but Gao Zhan changed his tone, “However, since Minister Xie has pleaded for her, let her be beheaded instead.”

He paused for a moment, then looked at Sima Maozong and Bi Yiyun,

“You may all leave. Minister Xie, stay. I have something to discuss with him in private.”

Hearing the word “private,” Bi Yiyun’s eyes widened in surprise. He and Sima Maozong bowed and said “Yes” before exiting Zhaoyang Palace.

With the two gone, Zhaoyang Palace fell into an eerie silence.

Gao Zhan suddenly picked up the glowing Buddha tooth, walked to the center of the hall, and looked at “Xie Zhen,” asking,

“In your opinion, how should I deal with the Prince of Hejian, Gao Xiaowan?”

Xiao Jinyu’s heart sank. It seemed that Gao Zhan’s suspicion and fear of Gao Xiaowan had not disappeared despite the evidence Sima Maozong brought. He simply lacked sufficient grounds to convict him!

“This Buddha tooth truly is a treasure! My nephew, because he is the legitimate son of Emperor Wenxiang, often defies me. If I don’t punish him, I fear he’ll become arrogant and be misled into doing something foolish!”

After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Jinyu cupped her hands and replied, “If Your Majesty is concerned about the Prince of Hejian, why not send him to guard the border regions? At the same time, use other forces to weaken his power. This will achieve a balance and prevent him from rebelling!”

“Oh? Where do you think it would be appropriate to send him?”

Xiao Jinyu raised her head and said, “Your Majesty, although the Zhou State has agreed to peace talks and signing a treaty with our Qi, breaking treaties is common among the Three Kingdoms. Winter is approaching, and I fear the Zhou army might launch a surprise attack on our border. I believe it would be appropriate to send the Prince of Hejian to guard Heyang.

Heyang is located on the Yellow River upstream from Luoyang, guarding its northwestern gate. It is a crucial stronghold. Defending Heyang can effectively prevent the Zhou army from launching a surprise attack on Luoyang!”

Gao Zhan’s eyes lit up, “So Minister Xie is also knowledgeable about military matters? Indeed, Heyang is a vital stronghold for our Qi. Three cities have been built there: Beizhong, Zhongtan, and Nancheng. Dugu Yongye is currently serving as the Acting Minister of State Affairs in Heyang. It’s perfect to use him to keep an eye on Gao Xiaowan!”

He then looked at Xiao Jinyu, “Your suggestion is excellent. I approve. Tomorrow, I will issue an edict ordering Gao Xiaowan to guard Heyang.”

“Dugu Yongye?” Xiao Jinyu murmured the name, Dugu Luo flashing through her mind. She couldn’t help but ask, “Is he related to Dugu Xin, the Grand General Who Supports the State of Zhou?”

Surprised by her question, Gao Zhan smiled, “Actually, they are not related by blood. Dugu Yongye lost his father at a young age and was adopted by the Dugu family, taking their surname. But he can be considered a member of the Dugu Clan.”

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Jinyu suddenly requested,

“Your Majesty, I heard that Dugu Xin has an eldest son imprisoned in Yecheng. Would Your Majesty allow me to release him and use Dugu Luo as a pawn?”

Gao Zhan didn’t immediately recall Dugu Luo. Hearing that this long-abandoned pawn could still be useful piqued his interest, “Oh, do you have a plan? How would you use Dugu Luo?”

Xiao Jinyu replied, “The Zhou State is also plagued by internal strife. Yuwen Hu holds absolute power and even wants to abolish the Eight Pillar Generals, turning them into powerless figureheads. This has caused dissatisfaction among several Zhou warlords, and Dugu Xin is one of them. I want to use Dugu Luo to either restrain or win over Dugu Xin, perhaps even make him serve our Qi!

This plan might take a long time. If Your Majesty trusts me…”

“You don’t need to say more. I trust you. Go ahead and do it!” Gao Zhan interrupted, “Dugu Xin has already given up on this son. I never thought he could be of any use. Since Minister Xie can utilize this abandoned pawn, I’ll just wait for the results!”

He paused, then asked, “But how are you so familiar with the situation in Zhou?”

This sudden question caught Xiao Jinyu off guard, but she quickly regained her composure and answered,

“I captured a Qi spy who attempted to assassinate the Prince of Lanling in Yubi City. I learned about the Zhou State from this spy. I could also infer some things from my peace talks with Wei Xiaokuan.”

“A Qi spy who tried to assassinate the Prince of Lanling?” Gao Zhan looked surprised, “Why didn’t you mention this before?”

Xiao Jinyu remained silent for a moment before replying, “This spy was also acting under Lady Lu’s instructions, and her family is still under Lady Lu’s control. I wanted to rescue her family first and then have her reveal everything.”

Gao Zhan’s eyes flickered, seemingly apologetic. He thought to himself: He must think I repeatedly shielded Lady Lu, so he didn’t dare to believe I would handle this matter impartially without absolute certainty?

As he was pondering, he heard “Xie Zhen” say weakly,

“Your Majesty, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

Snapped out of his thoughts, Gao Zhan realized that “Xie Zhen” had been standing in the hall for too long, making his already injured body appear even weaker. He hurriedly said, “Alright, go back and rest well.”

“Taozhi, escort Minister Xie out of the palace and back to his residence.”

“Yes!”

Sending Liu Taozhi to escort her implied both surveillance and protection.

Xiao Jinyu didn’t refuse. Led by Liu Taozhi, she left the palace, boarded her carriage, and quickly returned to the Prince of Lanling’s Residence.

After Liu Taozhi left, Gao Yanzong anxiously rushed to the Prince of Lanling’s Residence and inquired about the situation.

Xiao Jinyu recounted everything that happened in the hall.

Such a thrilling event was described by her in a calm and composed manner, as if she had effortlessly solved a major problem. Everyone in the room, including Princess Liyang and Lady Wei, was astonished. Gao Yanzong, upon learning the outcome, was overjoyed and let out a long sigh of relief. He looked at Xiao Jinyu with renewed admiration.

“Fourth Sister-in-law, you are truly a once-in-a-century talent. Fourth Brother is incredibly fortunate to have married you!” Gao Yanzong exclaimed.

Xiao Jinyu smiled and said solemnly, “Although the Prince of Hejian has been sent to guard Heyang, Gao Zhan’s suspicion of him will not disappear. The Prince of Hejian still needs to be cautious and avoid giving anyone a handle against him!”

“Alright, I’ve already spoken to Third Brother. I believe after this lesson, he should be able to restrain his temper.”

After a pause, Xiao Jinyu lowered her voice and said seriously,

“Also, before the Prince of Hejian goes to Heyang, we need to refine a batch of medicine as soon as possible and have him send it to Jinyang!”

“This is a secret matter. No one else can know!”

“Alright!”

After arranging everything, Xiao Jinyu suddenly stopped Gao Yanzong as he was about to leave and asked about Chen, the Prince of Hejian’s concubine.

At the mention of Chen, Gao Yanzong gritted his teeth and sighed, “Third Brother did encounter this Chen over a month ago. Initially, he had no interest in her, but she persistently pestered him, even claiming to have a past connection with the Princess Consort of Lanling, hoping to gain his sympathy and shelter. Third Brother, out of kindness and consideration for Fourth Sister-in-law, took her in. Who would have thought that this Chen was actually a spy? She really framed Third Brother this time!”

He glanced at Xiao Jinyu.

“But Fourth Sister-in-law, don’t feel guilty. This matter has nothing to do with you. It’s that woman Chen who’s wicked. His Majesty wants to sentence her to death by a thousand cuts. I think he did the right thing. Why did you plead for her? She harmed you so much in the past!”

Xiao Jinyu shook her head, “It’s not because of her. I just feel that such a cruel punishment shouldn’t be inflicted on anyone. She should atone for her mistakes, but let her depart with dignity.”

“Failure to educate is the father’s fault. Chen ending up like this, her parents are to blame!”

Yesterday, I was very grateful for the monthly ticket from book friend 20181205131713668, and thank you very much for the rewards from Yanzhihu1 and Zizhuha. Thank you very much for your continued support. Today is Mid-Autumn Festival. Have you all eaten mooncakes? I wish you all a happy Mid-Autumn Festival and a happy family!