Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 240: Fire and Water

In front of Tang Wanzhuang, Zhao Changhe naturally had to clarify his relationship with the imperial noble consort. “Well, isn’t it natural to take a few more glances at someone that beautiful? It’s just human nature, haha...”

Tang Wanzhuang stared at him without saying a word.

Zhao Changhe cautiously continued, “Actually, I stared at you even longer when we first met. Maybe you just didn’t notice...”

Tang Wanzhuang subconsciously glanced around, and then said expressionlessly, “Don’t forget what you once said.”

She was reminding him that he had said he was not interested in a marriage alliance.

Zhao Changhe rolled his eyes. Back in Gusu, they had gotten comfortable with each other to the point where they would even flirt with one another a little, but now that they were in the capital, they were back to square one. She was being harsh and stern, clearly expressing her stance that she was not looking to be with anyone.

Ignoring his expression, Tang Wanzhuang continued, “It’s fine to take a few glances at her, but do you really plan to stay at the Huangfu Clan? Is that still just human nature?”

“I have nowhere else to stay. Can I stay with you then?”

Tang Wanzhuang paused. She realized that she did not have strong grounds to argue, so she could only say, “Regardless of whether you admit to your identity or not, she is still the imperial noble consort. Even if you were just a commoner, you could not afford to covet her, unless you didn’t really care for your head. And considering that identity, you should be even more careful around her...”

Feeling a bit guilty, Zhao Changhe sighed helplessly. “What’s gotten into you today? Every sentence you say circles back to the same thing. Wasn’t it just a few glances? Is this the perspective that the Demon Suppression Bureau Chief should have on things?”

Tang Wanzhuang also felt strange, and she knew that she had no excuse for losing her composure like that. She lowered her head to sip her tea and adjust her mood before slowly saying, “It’s because I know that that so-called imperial noble consort isn’t taking things seriously, and neither does His Majesty. So I guess I was being a bit paranoid.”

Zhao Changhe suddenly became interested. “What do you mean?”

Tang Wanzhuang hesitated for a while. These matters aren’t supposed to be casually mentioned to anyone, but if it’s Zhao Changhe, wouldn’t it be considered a family matter for him in a sense? Should I let him know?

After hesitating for a long time, she finally said, “The Huangfu Clan is a military family from the northwest. They originally did not reside in the capital. Since several of their young masters died in battle one after another, His Majesty had the Marquis of Jingyuan return to the capital for retirement, showing exceptional favor to him.”

Zhao Changhe said, “Is he afraid of having subjects with too many achievements? Or could he be afraid that General Huangfu would become unstable after having lost so many sons? Although he called for General Huangfu to retire in the capital, he was really just disarming him and forcing him back into civilian life, relocating them from their ancestral homes to the capital for containment.”

“Perhaps... to some extent,” said Tang Wanzhuang, feeling uncomfortable as she did. Then, she defended the emperor, “But His Majesty has never executed any meritorious subjects to this day, which is rare in history. Furthermore, it is not ideal for military families to be stationed on the border for too extended a period... Also, the Huangfu Clan were vassals of the previous dynasty, so it’s understandable for His Majesty to be cautious of them.”

The previous dynasty... Zhao Changhe realized for the first time that there had indeed been such a thing. The Great Xia had been established for decades, however, and the concept of a former dynasty had already faded away from the public’s mind. Even he had almost overlooked it.

On second thought, given the circumstances of the Huangfu Clan, it is quite normal for Huangfu Qing to have dissent in her heart, but her family’s thoughts are difficult to discern. Is that why she joined the Four Idols Cult on her own? I wonder if her father knows... Anyway, at least for now, it seems that the Demon Suppression Bureau does not know. Otherwise, this is not the attitude that Tang Wanzhuang would have.

He said, “What then?”

“The Huangfu Clan’s entry into the capital actually happened over a decade ago. At that time, Huangfu Shaozong was still wearing open-crotch pants. Huangfu Qing was still in her youth. They were actually fairly renowned in the capital at that time.”

“Where were you then?”

This question was indeed a precise entry point, given his track record of solving several cases.

Tang Wanzhuang really did not want to answer, but in the end, she replied expressionlessly, “Wandering the jianghu... studying in the capital.”

Zhao Changhe hurriedly suppressed a smile.

Similar in age, similar in beauty, comparable family backgrounds, and probably not much difference in academic attainment, though perhaps you are better than her in martial arts... Zhao Changhe still did not have the slightest clue that the Fire Serpent of Yi could be Vermillion Bird, otherwise, he would also acknowledge that they were comparable in martial arts.

One is a refined lady from a watery region, serious and dignified; the other is the fierce eldest daughter of a prestigious family, fiery and spirited, and maybe even a little bit mischievous.

One is a pillar of the imperial court, while the other a covert rebel.

They are like fire and water, light and dark. It is not surprising that these two have been eyeing each other and have developed such distaste for one another. The conflict between them is only natural, and the whole capital has likely long since gotten used to watching the show.

Time flew by, one became the bureau chief, the other became the imperial noble consort, and they are still at odds...

If Zhao Changhe could connect the Fire Serpent of Yi to Vermillion Bird, he would realize that back in Luo Family Village, amidst the atmosphere of slaughter and imminent danger, there was a reason to Vermillion Bird’s first words when she saw Tang Wanzhuang: “Though the name of the Spring Water Sword Art is a little crude, it’s still rather beautiful.”

There was a subtle flavor in those words that was not easy to convey to outsiders.

Tang Wanzhuang looked unhappy. “What’s with that expression on your face? Do you think that I asked you to stay away from her because we don’t get along?”

Oh, you mean that’s not the reason?

Zhao Changhe obediently lowered his head, and continued sipping on his tea.

Tang Wanzhuang knocked on the table. “What does this matter have to do with me anyway? We were talking about the Huangfu Clan entering the capital! Don’t change the subject!”

“Mm-hm, what then?”

Tang Wanzhuang glared at him for a while before finally getting back on track. “In short, after the Huangfu Clan entered the capital, there were several battles with the northern barbarians, and the imperial court suffered embarrassing defeats each time. Many elite border troops were sacrificed. Some of His Majesty’s misguided decisions in his later years led to chaos, and the Marquis of Jingyuan could no longer sit still and repeatedly requested to lead troops into battle.”

Zhao Changhe said, “So he sent his daughter into the palace to try and appease him? What kind of peace of mind can his daughter give the emperor? What a pointless move. It would have made more sense to keep Huangfu Shaozong in the capital.”

“Obviously, the real hostage is Huangfu Shaozong himself, not Huangfu Qing, though I honestly wonder if Huangfu Shaozong himself understands that.”

“...In other words, there was no need for Huangfu Qing to enter the palace at all.”

“Right, it was unnecessary and meaningless. In this matter, it is very likely that Huangfu Qing and the Marquis of Jingyuan have different views... At most, it makes the Marquis of Jingyuan look better. After all, leading troops to war under the pretext of being an in-law of His Majesty is a lot better compared to being out there because his son is being held hostage.”

“So was it because Old Xia had lustful intentions and forced her into the palace?”

“No, His Majesty has not been interested in women for at least ten years, maybe even longer. He has not even chosen a consort in twenty years,” Tang Wanzhuang said seriously. “When one reaches the level of unity between man and heaven like His Majesty, they lose interest in such matters. I have not seen anyone in the Ranking of Heaven who is interested in such things. Take Cui Wenjing, for example; ever since Cui Yuanyang was born, he probably has never touched his wife or concubines. The reason why only a single crown prince was born of His Majesty is definitely his lack of interest. According to my sources in the palace, His Majesty has not even touched the empress for at least fifteen years, much less the concubines. The incident at the Luo Family might well have been his last adventure...”

Even though it aligned with the assessment of Huangfu Qing’s virginity, Zhao Changhe’s CPU was overheating again.

Since entering the palace held no significance for the Huangfu Clan, then why did Huangfu Qing end up becoming the imperial noble consort? To seduce the emperor? But the emperor is no longer interested in women, and it seems like quite a lot of people know about it. There’s no way the Huangfu Clan or Huangfu Qing are unaware, so why would they try to seduce him? Besides, it doesn’t seem like something that the Fire Serpent of Yi would do.

It might make a bit of sense if she was just intentionally causing trouble by entering the palace for some purpose, like plotting to assassinate the emperor. But then that does not hold up on Xia Longyuan’s side. If he isn’t interested in women anymore and has not even chosen a consort in so long, why would he suddenly take one in? Did he feel like his plate wasn’t full enough? His son might have been killed by her, does he not care?

Thankfully, I don’t really need to think this through. I can just ask Huangfu Qing directly later, she should know. Damn it, if worst comes to worst, I can use joining the cult as leverage.

Tang Wanzhuang said, “In short, the relationship between His Majesty and Huangfu Qing is definitely not that of an emperor and his concubine. It is only nominal, and they are cooperating for some purpose. His Majesty’s actions might barely be explained by promoting a concubine to pressure the empress, but I really don’t understand Huangfu Qing’s motives. Since it’s impossible for her to bear a son for His Majesty, what does she want? To assassinate him? Anyway, she is very dangerous, especially considering your identity...”

She paused, frowned, and said, “You should not have come to the capital. Your arrival here is tantamount to announcing your intention to succeed the throne. This action concerns Empress Wang, Huangfu Qing, the officials... and even His Majesty himself. I can’t even predict the trouble brewing here in the capital at this moment anymore. Why come to the capital now? It’s not the right time.”

Xia Chichi’s image flashed in Zhao Changhe’s mind. He knew that his decision to come to the capital this time was not solely the result of the Fire Serpent of Yi’s persuasion.

The real reason was Xia Chichi’s sigh when she felt that her father was going to die and she didn't even know how he was really doing.

Zhao Changhe took a deep breath. “The Wang Clan has been making moves. I think that Empress Wang has leaked some serious information to the Wang Clan. I wanted to know His Majesty’s true condition, and then I’ll leave. You said that you have informants in the palace, can you provide me with reliable information?”

Tang Wanzhuang shook her head. “According to the information I’ve been receiving, His Majesty appears to be doing quite well. I don’t know how the Wang Clan are making their judgments. His Majesty even went to the court this morning and sent additional troops south. He looks completely fine.”

Zhao Changhe scratched his head and thought to himself: I’m afraid it won’t be possible for you to stop me from getting in touch with Huangfu Qing eventually even if you don’t want me to. I’ll just ask Huangfu Qing about this...

Just as he was thinking about this, an announcement came from outside from one of the personnel of the Demon Suppression Bureau, “Bureau chief, Young Master Huangfu is outside and invites Zhao Changhe to a banquet.”

Zhao Changhe looked at Tang Wanzhuang pitifully. Tang Wanzhuang glared at him angrily, and then she shook her head with a wry smile. “Just go already. Since you’re here, how much longer can you hide? Take a look at the scenery of the capital and see if it meets your expectations.”