Xiao Yan's palm suddenly tightened, and Jin Zhi beside him was also shocked by the words.
Even Empress Lu, when she brought up the matter again, was astonished that Emperor An, whom she had once perceived as weak, could be so cruel.
It wasn’t just one or two people; it was nearly ten thousand, all burned alive, with not even a trace left—nothing, not even a dog or chicken survived.
Empress Lu swallowed, suppressing the panic she had felt when she first learned of this event years ago, and continued speaking to Xiao Yan.
"After the fire in Rongjiang, to erase all traces, Lu Chongyuan ordered the destruction of the upstream water valve in Rongjiang, causing a flood that washed away all evidence completely."
"This blood-letter was left by the magistrate of Rongjiang before his death. It details the many wicked deeds of Lu Chongyuan who ordered the burning of the city. Before he died, he hid it in a secret place within the yamen. It was accidentally found by Yue Hongchang, the former left assistant minister of the Ministry of Household, who was with the Emperor during the disaster relief efforts."
"As for the letter, I believe Xiao Du Zhu* should recognize the handwriting. It was written by He Wenzhuo after the incident with the sunken ship. He noticed abnormalities when inspecting the wreckage of the ship and the corpses of the soldiers, realizing that these soldiers had already been dead before falling into the water. This letter was sent to the head of the He family."
"He Wenzhuo told the He family head to inform the Crown Prince Li to search the Ministry of Household's grain storage and financial ledgers, as well as investigate the details of the 127 officers who had died, and also to examine the coroner’s reports."
Xiao Yan stared at the dried blood on the letter, feeling a heavy weight in his chest. "How did these things end up in the Empress's hands?"
Empress Lu fell silent for a moment. The letter was intercepted by the Seventh Prince, Xie Tianyu, but she happened to be there that day. Using some methods, she managed to trick him into giving it to her. He was so foolish he didn’t even know what it was.
As for the blood-letter, Yue Hongchang originally intended to use it to control the Lu family and climb the ranks. However, Lu Chongyuan found out, and before Yue Hongchang was killed, she exchanged this letter through Xie Tianyu’s secret guards.
But she couldn’t tell Xiao Yan these details.
Empress Lu only vaguely said, "I had to leave myself a way out."
Xiao Yan paused when he heard this but didn’t ask further.
The hall was extremely quiet. No one spoke. After a while, Xiao Yan carefully folded the blood-letter and the letter and placed them back into his sleeve.
Xiao Yan spoke, "This blood-letter could indeed bring down the Lu family. At best, it could bring justice to my unjustly deceased third uncle, but for me, it has little use. Your Majesty should know what I want."
Empress Lu, hearing him refer to He Wenzhuo as his third uncle, pondered that Xiao Yan was probably the son of the He family's first or second branch. The first branch’s son had been nearly twenty years old when he died, so it couldn’t be him. It was more likely one of the legitimate sons from the second branch, who was about the same age as Xiao Yan.
She guessed at his true identity but showed no sign of it on her face.
"I know that Xiao Du Zhu wants to clear the He family's name, but the He family is involved in the conspiracy of Crown Prince Li. You should know that the case was decided by the late emperor. The people involved are too numerous, and it is impossible to reverse the verdict..."
Xiao Yan gave her a cold look, "If I didn’t know that it’s not easy, do you think I would be standing here?"
Empress Lu furrowed her brow tightly, "Xiao Du Zhu, if you want to clear He family’s name, it will inevitably involve Crown Prince Li’s rebellion."
Xiao Yan responded indifferently, "All I want is to clear He family’s name. The entire He family sacrificed their lives for Crown Prince Li. They have long repaid their loyalty. I just want to restore the He family’s former glory, so the family can rest in peace. As for the royal family’s unspeakable filth..."
He sneered, "You’re helping me, but surely you’re not doing it for nothing."
"The emperor is old and no longer has the support of the noble families. The hearts of the officials—he’s like an old tiger without claws. If the events of those years are brought to light, the court will be in turmoil. If the emperor wants to preserve the Xie family’s imperial power, he will have to abdicate and give the throne to someone who has no involvement in the past, a clean new ruler."
Empress Lu's eyes flickered with ambition as she listened to Xiao Yan's words, "What do you mean, Xiao Du Zhu?"
Xiao Yan said, "I only want the truth."
Empress Lu, upon hearing this, seemed unsatisfied, "The Fourth Prince has a physical flaw..."
Xiao Yan looked at her and responded coldly, "So what? The previous emperor, although hideous and short, who would dare say he wasn’t wise?* Conquering lands requires intelligence, not appearance."
Empress Lu relaxed upon hearing his words. What she needed was precisely this response from Xiao Yan. However, the matter with the He family was tricky. Their greatest crime was being involved in Crown Prince Li's rebellion. Trying to clear their name was essentially trying to clear Crown Prince Li's name, and Empress Lu knew better than anyone how dangerous that was.
But the offer that Xiao Yan made to her was too tempting. Now that the Fourth Prince was "ruined," his future was destroyed. If they didn’t take this path, he would be forever out of reach of the throne. Moreover, the Lu family already had intentions of eliminating them. Once they were pushed to the edge, they would probably not even know how they died.
Empress Lu could not allow herself to fall into that state.
Seeing that Empress Lu was lost in thought, Xiao Yan didn’t rush her but said, "You may take your time, Your Majesty. When you’ve made up your mind, you can come to me."
As he turned to leave, Empress Lu suddenly spoke, "Xiao Du Zhu is leaving just like this?"
Xiao Yan turned back.
Empress Lu said solemnly, "I’ve almost revealed all my cards to you, but you’ve given me nothing in return. If you go back on your word..."
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow and looked at her for a moment before suddenly laughing, "If I truly intended to go back on my word, even if I left something behind, what could you do about it, Your Majesty?"
He smirked as he looked at her displeased expression, "If I wanted to leave something for you, it would have been difficult considering how easily people enter and leave the Fengxi Palace. I’m afraid that whatever I leave would end up in the Lu family’s hands."
"Your Majesty may be tired of life, but I’m not."
Empress Lu was momentarily choked but could not refute him.
Xiao Yan smirked, "Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I may not be good at anything else, but I keep my promises. I swear on the lives of the He family members who died unjustly that if you help clear He family’s name and assist me in taking down the Lu family, I will help the Fourth Prince ascend to the throne."
Empress Lu relaxed upon hearing him swear on the He family’s unjust deaths, "Alright, I believe you, Xiao Du Zhu."
When Xiao Yan left Fengxi Palace, Cang Lang had been waiting nearby.
De Shun stood quietly at the entrance of the shop. When he saw Xiao Yan coming out, he respectfully lowered his head before stepping aside.
Xiao Yan glanced at him, then led Cang Lang out.
Unable to contain his curiosity, Cang Lang asked in a low voice, "Du Zhu, are you really going to help the Fourth Prince ascend to the throne?"
Xiao Yan rubbed the blood-letter and letter in his sleeve, squinting slightly against the harsh sunlight, "So what if I do?"
The throne can be taken and given away. It’s just a dragon chair. He’s willing to help him up, but he’ll see if he can keep his seat.
One day, it’s about sitting.
Get up and sit down again—also sitting.
He only promised to help the Fourth Prince ascend, but he never promised to help him remain on the throne.
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Empress Lu had no idea about Xiao Yan's true thoughts. All she knew was that by reaching an agreement with Xiao Yan, both of them knew each other’s secrets and became allies. The pressure she had felt due to the Lu family’s sudden aggression was mostly relieved. With Xiao Yan’s support, even without the Lu family, what could they do?
Empress Lu walked to the rear hall and looked at the Fourth Prince, who was still in a deep sleep. With Xiao Yan’s support, after the Lu family was dealt with, the Fourth Prince could indeed ascend. But the relationship between them and Xiao Yan wasn’t yet stable. She needed to think of another way to ensure that Xiao Yan would have no choice but to help her son.
The Empress furrowed her brow as she thought back to when He family’s daughter married Crown Prince Li, and the He family had rallied to assist him. The Lu family did the same because she married Emperor An and helped him ascend to the throne. But Xiao Yan, this son of the He family, didn’t have a sister...
She paused and then realized something.
Empress Lu suddenly remembered Song Tang Ning, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.
"Jin Zhi, how does Xiao Yan treat Song Tang Ning?" the Empress suddenly asked.
Jin Zhi, confused, responded truthfully, "He treats her like a sister. I thought at first that Xiao Du Zhu was using Song Miss as a pawn, but after she broke off with the Lu family and severed ties with the Song family, Xiao Du Zhu still treated her very well. I heard that even the academy in the southern part of the city is being personally overseen by him."
That academy, if it had been a normal project, would have taken at least half a year to complete. Yet, in just one month, it was almost finished.
"Xiao Du Zhu is very protective of her. He’s intervened several times because of Song Miss..." Jin Zhi paused and remembered that Song Tang Ning was no longer a member of the Song family and should be addressed as Princess of Yiyang. "Anyway, to me, they are closer than even blood siblings."
Empress Lu’s thoughts were stirred. Xiao Yan cared so much for Song Tang Ning. If she could marry the Fourth Prince, it might bring Xiao Yan even closer to them.
The Fourth Prince’s main consort couldn’t be moved yet, as her family held military power and could help the Fourth Prince when the time came. But a secondary consort for the Fourth Prince would suffice.
Empress Lu’s thoughts shifted, "When is the banquet hosted by the Madam of Rongguo?"
"Two days later."
"Pick something for me, and send it to Madam Rongguo and Tang Ning."
Jin Zhi thought the Empress wanted to make peace with Song Tang Ning and Rong Yue, so she quickly agreed.
"Go and bring the Fourth Prince’s consort to the palace." "Yes."
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T/N: *Xiao Du Zhu - This is Xiao Yan’s title which translates to Governor or Superintendent. Basically he’s a very high ranking Eunuch in charge of one of the departments in the royal city. He also controls an army which is at the sole command of the Emperor
*“Although hideous and short” - I couldn’t help but laugh
The Empress has a good plan but i have a feeling it won’t work as well as she hopes
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You can read ahead to chapterr 400 (100+ extra chapters) here
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