Chapter Seven: Surely You Don’t Wish for Something Like This to Happen Either
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Wu An did not rush to say anything, “Really? Then I can serve you diligently in gratitude for your great kindness.” After all, even if he were to serve as a dog, it should be as the dog of the Empress, not as a mere pet of Di Renjie, whom he held in disdain.
Dignity is sometimes a vital thing, but at other times, it is merely one of the bargaining chips.
Having just left the palace city, Wu An was dragged all the way here by Di Renjie. He already had an inkling—he suspected there was some connection between Di Renjie and the Empress Dowager.
Seeing Wu An remain silent, Di Renjie slowly began: “Over a decade ago, Shangguan Yi helped the Emperor draft the edict to depose the Empress. But when the Empress learned of this, she confronted the Emperor sternly. The Emperor then abandoned Shangguan Yi, resulting in the Prime Minister Shangguan Yi, Prince Chen Li Zhong, the Grand General of the Left Guard, and others either dying or fleeing.”
Wu An, of course, knew this history well.
Yet, considering their current standings, Di Renjie’s words were tantamount to revealing a secret so grave it could mean death and the destruction of one’s family.
The implications within were nearly an admission of certain truths by Di Renjie himself.
Seeing Wu An still silent, a trace of admiration appeared in Di Renjie’s eyes—he knew the other had grasped his hint.
“Now, Li Jingxuan, trusted by the Emperor, commands 180,000 troops stationed in Hexi. Do you understand the complexities behind this?”
Over a decade ago, the reins of power had gradually slipped into the Empress’s hands; a decade later, the Emperor’s confidant commanded the western armies. Could there be a connection to a power struggle here?
Wu An pondered quietly.
“Now, I will tell you what you must do.”
Di Renjie stood with his hands behind his back and spoke softly: “I’ve said so much about political twists, fearing you might not understand. So I’ll be direct... The current Prime Minister, Hao Chujun, you must keep a close watch on him.”
Wu An thought for a moment and then asked straight: “I have no enmity with him. Why must I target him?”
“You are not doing this for yourself, but for the Empress Dowager,” Di Renjie said, seemingly unconcerned that Wu An might spread rumors. “Hao Chujun is closely allied with Li Jingxuan and others. How this ties back to Li Jingxuan, you’ll have to figure out on your own.”
In an instant, Wu An connected this to Zhou Xing and the loyal ministers.
If he truly did this, even if successful, he would either become a disposable tool of the Empress Dowager or be utterly isolated as a lone minister.
Well... a lone minister is much like a sycophant—only momentarily gratifying, not lasting.
But did he still need to care about the future?
Wu An raised his head and asked, “Li Jingxuan and Hao Chujun are both senior ministers of the court—one leading armies outside, the other serving as Prime Minister inside—both heavily favored by the Emperor. And I am but a humble Captain of the Guoyi, with no power or influence.”
Not that he did not dare, but rather that he could not.
“Go ask the Empress Dowager,” Di Renjie replied.
“She can directly command the soldiers within the Hundred Riders. Take these men to investigate the crimes. Once you find any evidence, immediately report secretly to the Empress Dowager. Others will take over from there.”
What was the Hundred Riders?
Wu An’s mind drew a blank, but he still agreed.
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“But after all, Li Jingxuan is the Emperor’s confidant, and I was previously...”
Before Wu An could finish, Di Renjie interrupted with a light laugh, “Who told you Li Jingxuan is still the Emperor’s confidant?”
Wu An furrowed his brows slightly, as if beginning to understand something.
“Also...”
Di Renjie began to lead Wu An forward, his voice coming from ahead.
“Though I think you are clever now, you wouldn’t recklessly spill secrets, right?”
Wu An was about to reply when Di Renjie added:
“You wouldn’t want the families of your fallen comrades to be bullied, would you?”
...
“You wouldn’t want your mother to suffer further in the inner palace, would you?”
The Empress Dowager asked.
“I... dare not,” Shangguan Wan’er knelt, speaking softly. “Although Wu An is rash, he is also intelligent. I fear Di Yushi’s unilateral action to take him away was too reckless. If someone reported this to His Majesty, saying...”
“I teach you: conduct your affairs steadily, not recklessly.”
The Empress stood, wearing only a thin robe, her presence so imposing it seemed to press down on Shangguan Wan’er.
After a moment, she gave up scolding and instead lightly kicked Shangguan Wan’er.
“Enough, this time I’ll listen to you.”
“What?”
Shangguan Wan’er looked up in surprise, then heard the Empress say with some sadness, “After all, he is my nephew. He has suffered much outside. Di Renjie is prudent and will not make things difficult for him.”
“Go to Yongning Ward and see him. He must already be there.”
The Empress paused, then picked up a silver fish pouch and tossed it to Shangguan Wan’er.
“Take this as a gift and help soothe him.”
Shangguan Wan’er trembled as she looked at the fish pouch before her. After a moment, a deep feeling of gratitude welled up in her heart, as if she had been granted a great pardon.
...
Having left the Court of Justice, Di Renjie promised to help care for the families of the fallen comrades. He then arranged a carriage and sent Wu An directly out of the imperial city toward Yongning Ward.
Outside, the sky had darkened, near curfew. The carriage driver showed official identification from the Court of Justice and passed through checkpoints without hindrance.
Wu An mulled over the events until the carriage stopped. A clerk lifted the curtain politely and asked where he wished to stay.
“Um... at the Duke of Zhou’s residence?”
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Yongning Ward was not very large. The clerk soon found the place. Seeing the spacious and grand gate of the mansion, a flicker of envy crossed his eyes before he took his leave.
It is said that in history, Bai Juyi was mocked for how difficult it was to live in Chang’an, reflecting the city’s exorbitant housing prices.
However, in recent years, as the “Two Sages” seldom reside in Chang’an, the Eastern Capital has become a powerful competitor right under the Emperor’s nose—housing prices in the Eastern Capital have soared, while Chang’an’s remain high.
Wu An hesitated at the door, then knocked. The steward who came out was clearly aware of the day’s events, so no one looked down on him for his youth or poverty. All instructions were given politely.
Even the two concubines raised by Wu Chengsi here came out to greet Wu An shyly, calling him “Young Master.”
Seeing Wu An’s broad, imposing figure that no clothes could conceal—far sturdier than the plump Wu Chengsi—the two concubines’ eyes shimmered with tears.
Wu Chengsi is a good man, just a bit ill-tempered, Wu An thought without noticing their gazes.
It is said that in this era, nobles never truly regarded concubines as people; if they were friends, they might even exchange concubines.
But Wu An had no interest in humiliating Wu Chengsi. He sent the women away, had food prepared, and after eating, sat in Wu Chengsi’s study contemplating the matter.
The room was elegantly and neatly arranged. The desk held no secret documents, only brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
“Now, I have two viable options.”
Wu An took a sheet of paper, ground ink, and began writing his “thoughts.”
“Either build high walls and store ample grain, temporarily abandon the power struggle, and sincerely try to win the Empress Dowager’s favor... But given what I saw today, I sense this faction is eager to seize power. Playing it safe may not work.”
He pondered briefly, then continued writing.
“Or cooperate with Di Renjie’s information to help the Empress Dowager target others. If successful, my path will be swift, and in the future, I will surely win the Empress’s favor more than Wu Chengsi’s true descendants do.
“But I find it strange. I once thought Di Renjie a gentleman, yet today it seems he has long been in cahoots with the Empress Dowager...”
“Knock knock knock...”
A faint knocking came from outside.
Wu An brought the paper close to the candle flame, burned it clean, and blew away the ashes before asking calmly:
“Who is it?”
A familiar female voice came from outside, tinged with exhaustion and unusual emotion.
“The Empress Dowager sent me to comfort you.”
Wu An opened the door. Shangguan Wan’er stood there in white, graceful and poised.