Chapter 5 – The Wise Emperor Delivers the Goods
That night, Wei Wanlan had a very long dream.
The dream began with him turning into a small fish, tasked with the mission of jumping through the Dragon Gate.
The little fish Wei swam and swam, and the Dragon Gate was right in front of him, but the waters around the gate were a dark greenish-black color, with ice floes floating on the surface. There was also a huge black dragon lying in the water, fiercely guarding its domain.
The little fish Wei swam around the big black dragon, trying to leap towards the Dragon Gate.
The big black dragon then turned around and kept batting him back into the water with its claws, creating huge splashes that frightened the little fish Wei, making him tremble in the water. Eventually, he was knocked unconscious by the surging waves.
The last thing he saw in his vision was the big black dragon’s gaping bloody mouth, about to swallow him up.
“Don’t eat me, big black dragon, please spare me…”
“I’m not tasty. Wuwu, please spare my life QAQ”
[The Chongzhen Emperor never begged the Qing court for mercy even when he hanged himself at Meishan. How unbecoming of you to act this way!]
[Wake up quickly!]
With a series of crackling electric currents, Wei Wanlan sat up on the dragon bed, his eyes red, pouting dejectedly: “Why did you electrocute me?”
[I had to. Those begging words of yours, if recorded by the eunuchs in charge of the imperial household, would be a disgrace to the wise emperor. It would be impossible to erase and would be passed down for all eternity.]
Wei Wanlan rubbed his head and nodded. His last memory was of the two cups of wine he had mistaken. He seemed to have consumed a love potion, but what had happened afterwards, he could not recall at all.
Wei Wanlan’s small face shrank back into the blanket, his voice muffled: “Why didn’t you warn me?”
[I couldn’t see.] It seemed the system could only judge the environment based on sound.
The system then said: [And why would I need to warn you? The Regent Prince took you to soak in the cold spring, and you dragged him into the water.]
Danger!
[Then you clung to him tightly, almost drowning him.]
Danger, danger, danger!
[And in the end, you bit him.]
Danger, danger, danger, danger, danger!
“Don’t say anymore.” Wei Wanlan intuitively felt that something was amiss. Surely the Regent Prince Su Jingzhi was not someone who could be casually dragged into the water? He had seen with his own eyes how the assassin could easily defeat even the elite Imperial Bodyguard, yet Su Jingzhi was still able to gain the upper hand while injured.
The ruthless image of this man instantly triggered a mental slideshow of the Ten Great Tortures of the Qing Dynasty in Wei Wanlan’s mind. He’s doomed.
Wei Wanlan’s teeth felt soft, and he could hardly speak properly: “Then, the Regent Prince, how is he now, is he alright…”
[He has canceled the morning court today. Presumably, he was severely frozen. He has returned to the prince’s mansion.]
Wei Wanlan slowly let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the man was not nearby, or else if he saw him while still angry, Su Jingzhi would surely have him executed on the spot.
The system’s voice gradually sounded: [Host, you’ve done brilliantly.]
“Huh?” Wei Wanlan was confused, his eyes momentarily going blank. It’s true that many people often praised him as beautiful, and he would politely respond, “Thank you.”
[I’m not complimenting your looks,] 404 explained in a refined manner, [but the strategy you used – feigning weakness to defeat a strong opponent, intending to drown the Regent Prince stealthily, and later being able to explain it as an accidental injury, it’s truly ingenious!]
“Is it really that good?” Wei Wanlan felt dizzy.
The system sighed regretfully: [It’s just a pity that he didn’t drown. He was one breath away. But given the Regent Prince’s ruthless temperament, he will surely retaliate.]
“Uh…” And so Wei Wanlan felt as if his throat was being strangled, the small head that had just finished playing the detailed process of the Ten Great Tortures of the Qing Dynasty now immediately followed by the detailed manufacturing process of a lingchi (death by a thousand cuts).
From, putting, him, into, a, big, vat, and, then, starting.
Too bloody!
Wei Wanlan’s lips trembled, and the small head that had just popped out of the blanket quickly burrowed back in, like a frightened little animal. Every single hair wanted to stand on end.
[Then let’s take the initiative.]
[I have a foolproof method this time. Your Majesty doesn’t need to directly confront the Regent Prince, just use this Ear-Acute-Eye-Bright tea.]
“Ear-Acute-Eye-Bright tea?”
Not having to directly face Su Jingzhi was simply too good. Wei Wanlan’s head poked out of the blanket again, and a teapot appeared before him. The surface of the teapot was glazed and smooth, the spout emitting a refreshing tea aroma, and the body was labeled with the name of the tea in traditional Chinese characters – Ear-Acute-Eye-Bright Tea.
[This tea can temporarily resist all poisons. You have already prepared the Wind-Inviting-Collapse powder in the food box. Take the food box to visit the Regent Prince at the prince’s mansion. You will drink the antidote in advance, and when the food box is opened, the Regent Prince will be unconscious, and you can naturally take his head.]
It sounded quite credible.
Compared to the previous methods of cooperating with assassins or personally drugging him, this was much easier to carry out, only needing to deliver a meal to the Regent Prince’s mansion.
Delivering meals, he was an expert at that, and eating meals, he was also an expert at that. Wei Wanlan nodded: “But can this mission be completed without bloodshed… Umm, it would be best if he doesn’t feel any pain before he dies.”
The system was cold: [The wise emperor must not show mercy to the treacherous minister.]
“But since I transmigrated here, I’ve seen too many bloody scenes, the materials are enough for me to have nightmares for several years.”
[Your Majesty must also not fear nightmares.]
“But what if he wakes up in pain, and I can’t defeat him, then my mission will fail!”
[Your Majesty is right, I will arrange the most peaceful death for him.]
Only with logical and reasonable reasons would the system of logic overlord agree.
The residential layout of the Chang’an city followed a pattern of east being noble and west being wealthy. The Regent Prince’s mansion was located in the eastern Shengye District, with two fierce stone lions guarding the entrance.
The leading eunuch went ahead to announce their arrival, and the mansion’s main gate was wide open, but the Regent Prince did not come out to receive them. Wei Wanlan did not bother with the etiquette of a rebellious minister, carrying the food box and walking into the mansion, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
No artificial hills, no flower gardens, no grand pavilions and terraces as imagined…
There was a racecourse, a target range, and a training ground.
The Regent Prince’s mansion, or rather the ancestral estate of the Su generals, was a vast and austere architectural complex, emphasizing sheer size above all else.
Wei Wanlan hurried over, and from afar, the Deputy Commander Tang paid his respects: “The Regent Prince is in the inner study discussing affairs with the Three Courts, he has not come out to receive Your Majesty. This humble servant greets Your Majesty.”
“Deputy Commander Tang, you’ve worked hard~”
The young emperor’s eyes were bright and shiny, his features delicate, wearing a fur-trimmed robe like a little white fox. Tang immediately tried to take the food box, but the young emperor mysteriously backed away, hugging the food box tightly to his chest, his expression slightly anxious.
But in a moment, he adjusted his demeanor, pretending to cough a few times: “Cough, cough, cough. We heard that the Regent Prince fell into the water, these are all specially brought for the Regent Prince.”
Tang smacked his teeth and took a deep breath, feeling like a stupid dog frozen in the cold wind. The old master was so lucky.
Then he was overcome with the desire to tease this young emperor a bit, Tang took a half-step closer: “Since these are foods for the Prince, this humble servant is responsible for the Prince’s safety and should inspect them.”
[Can’t let him see!]
The Wind-Inviting-Collapse would dissipate if the box was opened.
Wei Wanlan hugged the box even tighter, taking a half-step back, his eyes darting around: “This was made by Our own hands, you can’t look.”
That casual eye movement, the crescent moon-like eyes that were irresistibly charming, made Tang inexplicably feel that this young emperor was simply coaxing him, and he could not resist, only bowing to make way: “Please proceed, Your Majesty.”
Wei Wanlan flashed another smile at Tang, revealing a small row of white teeth: “Thank you, Deputy Commander Tang.”
After all, Tang was not a wise strategist, even though Wei Wanlan’s excuse for avoiding the inspection was rather weak, he still let him pass smoothly.
The anxiety from just now had completely transformed into smugness. Wei Wanlan hurried up the steps towards the interior, but the long train of his dragon robe was too much, and he was running too fast, so his brocade boots got caught in the fabric, causing him to lose his balance and fall forward.
Crack—
Clang!
Ow, it hurt…
Wei Wanlan tumbled onto the steps, the food box colliding with the steps, the corner of his eye instantly reddening, his tear-filled eyes glistening with tears that were about to spill over.
Immediately, Tang hurriedly supported him: “Your Majesty, are you alright?” Tang quickly brushed the dirt off Wei Wanlan.
The young emperor winced in pain, his lashes sparkling with tears, his mouth puckered: “Wuu, wuu. I think I’m injured, my knees and chest both hurt from the fall. Will my bones be broken too, it hurts to breathe.”
Tang panicked: “I’ll go call the palace physician. The mansion has a military doctor.”
“No need. I’m going to see the Regent Prince.” The young emperor rubbed himself a bit, then picked up the food box again, as if enduring immense pain, limping his way into the study, leaving Tang the impression of a pitiful little creature in a fox fur.
The Deputy Commander scratched his head: “He’s so eager to see the old master, isn’t it just last night they were frolicking in the Summer Palace pool?”
Warm and affectionate, deeply touching, Tang clucked his tongue a few times.
***
In the study of the prince’s mansion.
Last night, the incident at the Summer Palace pool, the Regent Prince had not even heard the full report from the ministers, so today the Grand Academician Xin Buyi led the group of senior officials directly to the prince’s mansion to brief him.
Additionally, today’s morning court was canceled, and the various departments of the imperial court had important matters to ask the Regent Prince about, only officials of the Third Rank and above could directly consult the Regent Prince on behalf of their respective agencies.
The officials of the Great Wei, dressed in purple robes, were all gathered in the Regent Prince’s mansion, quite a crowd.
Wei Wanlan’s gaze met the ministers’ eyes as he entered. Both sides were a bit awkward. Although they were all ministers of the Great Wei, they were not gathered around the emperor but all seeking out the Regent Prince, they felt a little guilty.
In unison, they greeted: “Long live Your Majesty.”
“I want to speak to the Regent Prince alone.” Wei Wanlan spoke in a conciliatory tone, “Can everyone go outside?”
The ministers looked at each other: “This…”
It wasn’t that they couldn’t do it.
It’s just that ever since the grand feast at the Lingjin Palace yesterday, the relationship between the emperor and the Regent Prince seemed different from the usual rumors. The emperor coming to the Regent Prince’s mansion alone, it looked like they were not on good terms.
The ministers: Could it be that the emperor really wants to use a reconciliation policy against the Regent Prince?
The people in the study remained motionless. Wei Wanlan slightly raised his voice: “Then if I’m delaying your discussions, you should quickly discuss, I also have very important matters.”
Xin Buyi and the others looked towards Su Jingzhi. Interrupting the court deliberations was something the Prince absolutely despised. In the past, during the court meetings in the Hanyuan Hall, the cicada chirps outside almost drowned out the voices of the ministers, but the Regent Prince never uttered a word, yet the next day the trees outside the Hanyuan Hall had all been removed.
Xin Buyi couldn’t help but hold his breath.
But the Regent Prince waved his hand to end the meeting, briefly summarizing: “Nowadays, the corruption in the Great Wei court is rampant, not just Cui Minghai, just now Minister Xin suggested that the Three Courts dispatch officials to inspect the various states, I think this is feasible. Go and do it.”
“Yes, we will comply.” The ministers departed as instructed.
The system did not let go of any opportunity to lecture Wei Wanlan: [Host, learn from this. Appointing censorial officials, this is the key to resolving internal turmoil in the original book. Although the Regent Prince is going to die, you must still carry out this policy.]
Resolving internal turmoil is the second main task.
Wei Wanlan obediently nodded, since someone had already mapped out the path for him to complete the task, he was naturally willing to execute it. Then he quietly asked, “Isn’t this strategy of the Regent Prince’s saved a lot of people?”
[The invitation to buy the people’s hearts, you can use it too.]
Wuwu, the inescapable Jinling plot!
At this time, only Su Jingzhi and Wei Wanlan were left in the room. Even though the task was about to be accomplished, Wei Wanlan still had psychological trauma, not daring to get too close to him, timidly shuffling the food box towards Su Jingzhi’s desk, like a newly raised little animal, tentatively testing its master’s temper.
Su Jingzhi spoke first: “I heard that Your Majesty, knowing your outrageous behavior last night, has specially prepared delicate pastries to visit this Prince?”
“Y-yes.” His ears twitched. How could someone just speaking be so oppressive.
Su Jingzhi’s gaze revealed no joy or anger, his voice still extremely cold and steady: “Then just put it on the table.”
Wei Wanlan placed the food box down, but did not leave: “Let’s eat it now, Regent Prince, it won’t taste good if it gets cold.”
[Yes, open the food box.]
Wei Wanlan opened the food box. The salted pepper ox tongue pastries and magnolia flower sherbet were slowly revealed, and he waited for a few breaths.
But the mystical drug that could instantly incapacitate, the Wind-Inviting-Collapse, unexpectedly, did not take any effect at all…
Ah, this.
—How is it different from what was said?
Wei Wanlan was dumbfounded.
Those watery eyes, first surprised, then confused, and finally filled with fear, all the expressions seemed to be silently telling Su Jingzhi: “I have a dark secret”, “Regent Prince, please expose me”, “I’m hiding something.”
How could his abnormal behavior escape Su Jingzhi’s eyes?
The Regent Prince suddenly gripped the young emperor’s wrist, and Wei Wanlan felt a dangerous aura, his scalp almost exploding.
“Why is Your Majesty’s hand trembling?”
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