Chapter 219: The Final Chapter · Five

Chapter 219: The Final Chapter · Five

"How about now? Is the emperor in good health?" Minglan, knowing that the emperor was certainly fine at this moment, still couldn't suppress her lingering fear.

Madam Liu clasped her hands together, bowing several times toward her head: "Oh my Buddha… fortunately, our emperor is blessed with great fortune. He had been up all night dealing with the memorials, and that morning he wasn't feeling well. He only took two bites of his usual favorite snack… truly, the heavens have eyes…"

She had already silently cursed all of Consort Rong's ancestors and their lovers, for if the emperor had passed, men like Gu and Duan—military generals—might still have a way out, but her husband, who came from an inner guard spy background, would almost certainly meet a tragic end.

Minglan also silently prayed in the air—if anything were to happen to the emperor, even though Gu Tingye had captured the seventh uncle of the Xiongnu Khan, the outcome would still be unpredictable.

It wasn't just the inner palace; the faction of the Empress Dowager had also been working hard on the outside, even managing to bribe Teng Anguo, the deputy commander of the Five City Garrison.

Minglan blinked, and a man of nearly fifty with a cold, calculating gaze appeared in her mind. She asked in confusion, "I remember this Teng commander… wasn't he someone who came from the secret palace?"

Madam Liu spat and disdainfully said, "That's the one! Speaking of which, he and the emperor go way back, but he's useless and always tries to flaunt his old connections. At the emperor's thirtieth birthday banquet, he jokingly called his father and the marquis as the 'Five Tigers,' and he even threw a drunken tantrum! After coming to the capital, he complained that the emperor didn't value him enough! Thankfully, our emperor is generous, or who would bother with him?"

Minglan sighed quietly, without saying a word.

Shen, Gu, Duan, and the others were all young and still making great achievements. Teng Anguo, having a grudge, saw his chance for promotion slipping away and couldn't help but harbor thoughts of taking a gamble.

After their collusion, Teng Anguo, using his position, secretly allowed many rebels dressed like commoners into the city. Soon, Liu Zhengjie sensed something was wrong and went to confront the commander of the Five City Garrison, Old General Dou.

Just as Old General Dou was about to uncover the truth, he was assassinated on his way home. To prevent Liu Zhengjie from finding out, the rebels had no choice but to act immediately, planning to eliminate Liu Zhengjie as well.

With Consort Rong on the inside and Teng Anguo on the outside, even General Zheng, who had just 'rebelled,' was caught off guard.

—Wait a minute, wasn't the plan supposed to be an inside-outside coordination to capture everyone at once?

Finally, thanks to the emperor's careful preparations and Zheng Jun's quick thinking and decisive actions, at the critical moment, he turned the tables and captured Empress Dowager Sheng and the Prince's mother and son. He then joined forces with Liu Zhengjie, and together they crushed the rebels, who had lost their leader.

"Thank the heavens, things outside are finally peaceful! My husband lifted the martial law this morning." Madam Liu didn't forget to praise her husband's contribution, and then added, "The urgent dispatch arrived last night, and the Duke of Ying's army wasn't in any danger at all. They even crushed the enemy chieftain's camp! They're on their way back to the capital to restore order. My husband said this is called… what's it…?"

"Drawing the enemy in," Minglan said calmly. For some reason, she seemed to have known this all along.

Madam Liu clapped her legs and laughed, "Yes! Drawing the enemy in."

In order to make the tactic convincing, when the news of the army's fake defeat reached the capital, the emperor, fully aware it was part of the planned strategy to lure the enemy, had no choice but to suppress his knowledge and maintain an angry demeanor.

His acting was quite good; the entire court was deceived. Because of this, Empress Dowager Sheng became even more confident and began to act with more freedom.

Madam Liu noticed Minglan's calm expression and grew somewhat concerned. She clearly remembered the first time she had seen Minglan—fresh and delicate as a ripe fruit, carefree like a child. But now? The pregnant woman before her was nearing labor, pale, with a thin figure, and a look of inexplicable exhaustion etched between her brows.

"Sis, don't blame your my husband too much. Even he didn't know about it beforehand, which shows how strictly the emperor kept it hidden. My husband said it was because of the corrupt officials in the northwest who were busy spreading the news of the defeat. Otherwise, according to usual practice, news of the victory would've been spread throughout the city before you even heard about the false report."

Minglan gently spread her hand in her sleeve, her palm cool and damp. She remained seated without moving, smiling as she said, "What's there to complain about? It wouldn't be right for a wife to expect her husband to first explain all the state affairs to her… Sister, please tell me more about the night our mansion was attacked."

"Oh, look at my brain!" Liu Fu-ren chuckled, tapping her forehead, then lowered her voice. "Sis, you were right. The one who came to harm your household that night was indeed your Third Master!"

Minglan's pupils dilated but quickly returned to calm. She feigned concern and said, "Sister, is that really true? Third Master is still a member of the Gu family. Just because a few servants said they saw something, should we be quick to place such blame on him?"

Liu Fu-ren, understanding the situation, assured her, "You can trust my husband. The day before yesterday, before dawn, he sent people to deal with it. After they caught up with those thieves, they beat them senseless. Some of them escaped the city, but others were caught…"

"Third Master was caught on the spot?!" Minglan exclaimed, clutching her chest.

Madam Liu awkwardly replied, "Not exactly."

Minglan looked slightly disappointed but still consoled her, "Then Lord Liu must have made other gains."

Madam Liu let out a breath of relief and quickly said, "My husband interrogated them for several rounds, and they confessed everything. The thieves said they were mountain bandits from outside the city who had taken on this job two months ago. The contact person was an old man, but the one who led them here that night was a young man. Their leader was called 'Third Master.' When they described the young man's appearance in detail, wasn't it exactly your family's Third Master? My husband immediately took people to surround your Old Madam's residence, and sure enough, Third Master wasn't home. However, they did drag out a steward surnamed Lu from the cellar. When identified, ha, he turned out to be the old man who made contact with the bandits!"

Minglan pondered for a moment and then said, "So, our Third Master was only involved in looting, not treason or rebellion?"

"That's not necessarily the case," Madam Liu said with a meaningful smile. "My husband pointed out that ordinary looting couldn't have been so precisely timed. Just as something happened in the palace, your Third Master conveniently showed up here to force the murder of his sister-in-law and nephew."

Minglan quietly looked at Madam Liu for a moment, her thoughts becoming clear. In a low voice, she said, "Thank you, Sister. I understand now. The Marquis and Lord Liu are as close as brothers—he truly entrusted the matter to the right person."

Madam Liu thought to herself that her favor had not been wasted and smiled as she picked up her teacup to take a sip.

In truth, according to Liu Zhengjie's estimation, Gu Tingwei, with his wide social connections, likely only knew bits and pieces of the rebellion plot and had not actually joined the conspiracy. He had probably intended to act only after confirming the exact date. However, the sudden outbreak of rebellion from the faction supporting the Empress Dowager Shengde caught him off guard. With no time to make thorough arrangements, Gu Tingwei had to personally step in, leading the mountain bandits into the city and guiding them in their nighttime attack on the marquis' residence.

Strictly speaking, Gu Tingwei's actions could only be classified as murder, arson, and harming his sister-in-law and nephew, not treason or rebellion. His crimes, therefore, would not implicate his parents or des as cendants. But really, why bother making such distinctions? Liu Zhengjie was the head of a secret police-like force, not a court of absolute justice.

Besides, in his role, Liu Zhengjie had failed to notice the unusual movements of Consort Rong's family beforehand or detect Teng'anguo's betrayal. While he had played a significant role in suppressing the rebellion afterward, there was still some negligence on his part. His contributions could hardly compare to the achievements Gu Tingye might bring in the future.

With these thoughts in mind, Madam Liu became all the more attentive to Minglan, answering all her questions without hesitation.

"Third Master… has probably escaped outside the city by now, hasn't he…?" Minglan asked hesitantly.

Madam Liu nodded. "A good number of rebels escaped along with him. My husband said they can't have gotten far. Besides, their residence is now under strict surveillance. Sigh, it's only the women and children left to pity…" As a woman, one's life and fortune are rarely in one's own hands.

Minglan sneered inwardly. That old hag was hardly deserving of pity—she was likely the mastermind behind this entire scheme, with Gu Tingwei merely acting as her errand boy. But Zhu Shi… she had placed so much hope in the future…

The two women sat across from each other, sighing for different reasons.

After a long while, Minglan vaguely recalled something unresolved. "Oh, right. Yesterday, someone from the Zheng family came to report that both their Old Master and Old Madam have passed. Do you happen to know why, Sister…?"

She was merely asking in passing, not expecting a response. Yet, to her surprise, Madam Liu let out a long sigh and said with a wry smile, "What a senseless tragedy it was. On the day of the rebellion, rumors spread everywhere claiming that General Zheng was committing treason, and the stories were detailed and vivid. The household couldn't keep the news from getting out. Old Master Zheng, known for his loyalty and integrity, was so angered that he choked on his own sputum and died on the spot! The Old Madam grieved for two days, fainting multiple times from crying. Then, just yesterday morning, General Zheng rushed home to explain the truth, and the Old Madam was so overjoyed she went mad with laughter and couldn't catch her breath… and passed away too…"

Minglan sat with her mouth half open, utterly stunned.

The father died from anger, and the mother from joy—such extreme shifts between sorrow and happiness are truly too much for the elderly to bear. In this battle, General Zheng suffered the devastating loss of both parents, but he also flawlessly transitioned from being the emperor's trusted in-law to becoming his closest confidant.

—What a bloody career path! It's all about gambling with one's life!

Madam Liu's visit was like a timely rainstorm, both dispelling doubts and easing worries.

Perhaps due to her recent overthinking, Minglan's entire body felt unwell. Her feet were swollen like steamed buns, her face looked puffy as if she had been slapped, and thin blue veins protruded from her neck, giving the impression that someone was choking her.

Touching the sharp bones protruding from her body, Nanny Cui sighed heavily—so many years of careful feeding, and in just one night, it's as if they've gone back to square one.

Feeling apologetic, Minglan stroked her belly. She remembered that when she was pregnant with Tuan Ge'er, even when she could hardly walk, her face still glowed with health, and she was full of energy. This time, however, things had turned out like this… She pressed her hand gently against her abdomen, sensing the steady, strong movements of the baby. Slow and deliberate, as if an eighty-year-old grandfather were taking a stroll. She smiled and said, "This child is bound to be a patient one in the future."

Nanny Cui didn't respond. She stared at Minglan's belly, counting the days on her fingers.

In truth, Minglan had already reached her due date, but all the experienced older women around her claimed that her belly had not dropped, meaning the baby had yet to descend into the pelvis. When Imperial Physician Zhang was called to examine her, he said it would probably take another seven or eight days, at most ten days—maybe even eleven or twelve. This nearly got him thrown out by Nanny Cui, despite the fact that he was indeed telling the truth.

(As Imperial Physician Lin once said: Doctors, by nature, are creatures whose every pore drips with medical expertise and persuasive eloquence from the day they come into this world.)

A slight delay in childbirth is a normal phenomenon, so Minglan wasn't anxious. She rested calmly, focusing on nurturing her pregnancy, obeying Nanny Cui's instructions without question, and doing her best to return to a routine of eating and sleeping.

After the lockdown was lifted outside, friends and relatives began visiting Minglan one after another, often taking the opportunity to marvel at the front gate and stone steps that still bore faint traces of dark red blood. Surprisingly, the first person to visit was none other than Old Master Sheng!

Minglan was startled, and Sheng Hong was equally shocked. Ever since his youngest daughter had moved into Shou'an Hall, she had always been plump and rosy. Now, seeing her thin, pale, and frail appearance, he couldn't help but remark, "I said from the beginning that marrying a military man comes with its inconveniences. It's still better to marry into a scholar's family, but your mother was so overjoyed she agreed immediately without a second thought!"

Minglan, stunned, replied, "When did Father ever say such a thing?" She had no memory of it.

Realizing he had misspoken, Sheng Hong cleared his throat awkwardly and stammered, "…Back when… when we were arranging a match for Rulan… ahem… I might have mentioned it then…"

Minglan suddenly understood—this was when Gu Tingye came to the Sheng family to deceive… oh no, propose marriage.

Thinking about it, she glanced sideways at Sheng Hong and thought to herself, Oh, please. You were just as thrilled back then. You're just better at hiding it, more reserved compared to Wang Shi's obvious excitement.

Time flies like an arrow. In the blink of an eye, Tuan Ge'er was now old enough to run errands, and Sheng Hong's temples had turned gray. Suddenly, Minglan felt no resentment anymore. She smiled, revealing two bright white teeth, and waved a small handkerchief as she saw off the father who was trying to maintain his facade of dignity.

Alright then. This "flawed" father may have been unreliable in countless ways—forgetting his legitimate mother for his new family, neglecting his first wife for a mistress, and later sacrificing his so-called 'true love' for his career. But after more than ten years, he's… acceptable enough.

In the morning, she saw off her father. In the afternoon, her eldest sister arrived.

Brother-in-law Yuan personally escorted her, and Hualan, who had yet to show any signs of pregnancy, gracefully walked into the room. At the sight of Minglan, her eyes reddened. She leaned against the doorframe and lamented, "You troublesome little wretch, how did you end up like this? If Grandmother saw you now, imagine how heartbroken she'd be!"

Minglan swayed slightly and nearly collapsed onto the kang bed. This delicate, tearful display—her elder sister hadn't acted like this even as a teenager. Minglan found herself momentarily at a loss, unable to adjust to this sudden shift in demeanor.

Ever since she became pregnant, Hualan had grown uncharacteristically sentimental. She would choke up at the sight of flowers withering, tear up when seeing fledglings leave their nests, and even feel sorrow over a few fallen leaves blowing in the wind. And yet, Brother-in-law Yuan now delighted in indulging her whims, making their interactions sickeningly sweet and amusing.

"Doesn't Brother-in-law have work to attend to?" Minglan asked, puzzled.

Hualan pouted. "I wanted to visit you, and he couldn't rest easy, so he requested half a day off from his superiors."

"At a time like this! The capital needs people everywhere, and you… you…" Minglan clutched her head in despair. "You two are just asking for trouble!"

Speaking of which, the recent upheaval had brought misfortune to most, but Brother-in-law Yuan was one of the few who managed to turn his luck around.

He held a fairly high position in the Five City Military Police but had avoided being bribed. Teng Anguo had been contemplating whether to eliminate him early, but Brother-in-law Yuan, preoccupied with his horse farm business, had conveniently requested leave to travel outside the city. Overjoyed, Teng Anguo immediately granted his request.

Returning home, Yuan learned that Hualan was pregnant and was so ecstatic that he refused to leave her side. He stayed home to keep her company and ended up being present for the entire chaos in the capital. Rallying a group of younger subordinates, he unexpectedly charged into the fray and managed to make a significant contribution.

Another fortunate individual was Molan's husband. As he was in mourning for his father and thus excused from official duties, he was completely unaffected by the chaos. Instead, he led his household guards to help neighboring streets fend off looters taking advantage of the unrest. Given that the neighbors of the Yongchang Marquisate were all either wealthy or noble, Liang Han earned widespread praise for his efforts.

"After this incident, the Five City Military Police will definitely need to undergo a thorough reorganization. Your brother-in-law says that your fourth sister's husband might have a chance to rise to prominence," Hualan said casually while peeling open a piece of candied rice dumpling. "Sigh, if only Molan could behave and live her life properly, her future wouldn't necessarily be bad."

After finishing their chat and reminding Minglan to take good care of herself, Hualan, satisfied with fulfilling her role as the eldest sister, left happily.

Over the next two days, Madam Xuan, Madam Di, and even Kang Yuner came to visit Minglan. None of them mentioned the Dowager Lady. Later, the female members of the Duan, Zhong, and Geng families arrived together, each bearing large gifts of abalone and ginseng. Their gratitude was overflowing, and they repeatedly expressed how deeply moved they were by Minglan's kindness during the chaos, which, they said, reflected her virtuous character.

Madam Geng, in particular, was especially emotional. Gripping Minglan's hands tightly, she said repeatedly, "Sister, you're truly reliable. Next time, I will follow your advice completely—otherwise, I wouldn't have suffered so much last time!"

Madam Zhong gave a deliberate cough and lightly elbowed her. "What next time? From now on, the world will be at peace."

Madam Geng realized her slip of the tongue but refused to admit defeat. "You're always so sharp-tongued. I was talking about other matters—like renovating houses or handling people. From now on, I'll trust Sister Minglan completely in everything!"

Seeing the two bickering, Madam Duan shook her head and laughed. "You two! After going through such a tough time together, you'd think you'd stop arguing. I wonder if, when you both become grandmothers or even great-grandmothers, you'll still be squabbling like this!"

Minglan found their antics amusing, and the four of them burst into laughter together. As for what hardships these three had endured in the palace over the past few days, none of them was willing to say a word.

On the ninth day after the rebellion, Liu Zhengjie finally cleansed the entirety of the capital, rooting out even the remnants hidden in the farthest corners. These were either killed on the spot, captured, or driven out of the city, to be intercepted by Zheng Jun's forces stationed outside the city gates and herded eastward.

The rebels, knowing that the capital's defenses couldn't remain absent for too long, gathered alongside a band of scattered criminals who had also been labeled as traitors. Over a thousand of them converged on Luoshan Slope, thirty li east of the city, planning to rest briefly. Little did they expect a ferocious cavalry to suddenly charge into the valley, blocking their retreat. In an instant, the sky was filled with flaming arrows and a sea of blood.

As the sky darkened, Minglan sat at her dining table, leisurely sipping chicken soup.

Across the vast capital and the thirty li to the suburban slopes, it seemed as if one could hear the earth-shaking cries of battle from Luoshan Slope. Thick, rolling smoke rose in the distance, with golden-red flames flickering defiantly amid the gloom. The darker the sky grew, the brighter the flames burned, resembling celestial beings from legends clad in armor, descending through smoke and thunder to vanquish demons.

The watchmen's drumbeats sounded at the hour of Si (around 9 p.m.), but Minglan, having slept too much during the day, felt no trace of sleepiness. She sat under the corridor, lazily fanning herself with a large bamboo fan, gazing up at the boundless stars. The leaves carried an earthy, refreshing fragrance that gently tickled her nose. Fireflies shimmered faintly as they fluttered under the eaves, while moths lightly brushed their wings against the crystal lampshade, producing a sound like pages of a book being turned.

Sleepiness slowly crept up, and just as Minglan was about to get up and return to her room, she suddenly heard a commotion in the garden—a burst of surprised cheers. Before she could react, a tall, dark silhouette appeared at the other end of the courtyard.

The figure paused briefly, then began walking toward her, step by step. Draped over his broad shoulders was a dark red cloak, revealing two ferocious, golden beasts on either side. The snarling tiger heads, mouths agape, displayed razor-sharp fangs, poised to strike.

Through the thick foliage, scattered moonlight fell upon the figure, illuminating his face and body. Dark gold armor, splattered with thick, congealed crimson, glimmered faintly. A heavy beard covered most of his face, leaving only a pair of deep, dark eyes—burning as brightly and fiercely as ever.

Minglan felt her throat go dry, her heart pounding chaotically. Her palm grew damp against the fan handle she gripped. The longing she had buried for so long surged forth, to the point where she forgot what she had intended to say. Nearby, Xiaotao and Luzhi were saying something, but Minglan couldn't hear a word. She stood there, unmoving, her eyes fixed on him.

The man with the beard came closer and, in a raspy voice, spoke his first word, which cracked slightly as it left his lips: "I… I'm back…"

It was as if a distant drum was beating, its low, resonant sound carrying earth-shattering news. In the cool, fragrant courtyard, the fluttering of moths and the soft drip of dew from leaf tips seemed distant and muted. Minglan's ears were filled with silence, leaving her unsure whether this was a dream or reality.

Had she fallen asleep earlier under the porch, and now she was merely dreaming?

Then the man with the beard took a large step forward and pulled her into a tight embrace. The overwhelming scent of blood and dust filled her senses, and the crushing grip on her shoulders and arms brought a sharp pain that finally snapped her out of her daze. She stared at him blankly, reaching out to touch his face. "Oh, you're back." Her throat felt constricted, choking off the thousand things she wanted to say, leaving her unable to utter another word.

He held her close for a long while before cupping her face in his hands. "What do you want to say?" he asked.

Minglan stood frozen, "Did we win the battle? There were no consequences, right?"

The man with the beard grinned and said, "We won. I led a cavalry and rushed back overnight. Old General Zhang is still behind, holding the line. There are captives, severed heads, and even the golden tent of the Khitan Khan!"

Minglan wanted to laugh but also wanted to cry. She stood there, dazed, like a primary school student suddenly called on by the teacher, looking completely stunned.