Chapter 794: One Thing After Another
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Zhou Shuyi hesitated a bit, but considering that Yuwen Chu had never explicitly told him not to inform Mingzhu about these matters, and since Yuwen Chu had been busy with state affairs lately, leaving most of the household matters to Mingzhu, he decided it was alright to tell her. “The Imperial Observatory Chief suddenly died last night, and his study was ransacked.”
The Imperial Observatory Chief suddenly died?
Mingzhu recalled the recent meteor shower and began to grasp the situation. It was another conspiracy aimed at Yuwen Chu. First, there was an omen, then a children’s rhyme, and now the Imperial Observatory Chief’s sudden death with his study in disarray. The search was likely for something important. What could be so important? Probably some unfavorable prophecies. Who would these prophecies target? Naturally, the person wielding the highest authority in the country without rightful legitimacy.
Thus, the target would certainly be displeased with the Imperial Observatory’s statements and would need to take action, which would naturally implicate Yuwen Chu in the Chief’s death. This wasn’t the worst part; the most probable outcome was that if Yuwen Chu pursued the cause of death, he might find evidence pointing to his own people, thereby confirming his alleged guilt and the credibility of the prophecies.
Although the Imperial Observatory Chief was listed in the roster provided by Consort Cui, Mingzhu believed that if Yuwen Chu wanted to take someone down, he wouldn’t use such methods. He would either publicly put an irrefutable charge on the Chief or make sure the Chief’s death was flawless. This was an obvious frame-up.
Mingzhu felt angry on Yuwen Chu’s behalf, admiring how he had calmly eaten breakfast with her and visited the children afterwards.
Zhou Shuyi looked at Mingzhu expectantly. “Does the Wangfei have any good ideas?”
Mingzhu shook her head. “I can’t handle this matter. Let’s wait for His Highness to arrange things.” Yuwen Chu was much more experienced with such intrigues than she was, so she decided not to meddle.
The Imperial Observatory Chief’s death was no small matter, and Yuwen Chu didn’t return that night. After finishing her household duties for the day, Mingzhu saw it was getting late. She brewed herself a pot of fine tea and asked someone to invite Zhou Nushi for a game of chess.
Zhou Nushi was a decent chess player and, when determined to please someone, could be quite agreeable. She made for good company. They played two games, each winning one. As they were about to start the third, Donghui came in to report, “There’s a message from His Highness.”
Zhou Nushi tactfully excused herself immediately. After she had left, Mingzhu asked, “What’s the matter?”
Donghui’s expression was grim. “It’s not a message from His Highness, but two major incidents have just occurred. Wei Wenlin, a Ministry of Revenue official, and Li Xinghe, a Deputy Minister of War, died in a fight over a courtesan at Chunfeng Tower.”
“How is it being handled now?” Mingzhu felt a headache coming on. These two men were also on the roster from Princess Consort Cui, and she had thought they were unlikely to be within the Longsheng Great Eldest Princess’s sphere of influence. The Imperial Observatory Chief’s death could be seen as an accident, but the deaths of these two high-ranking officials could seriously destabilize the court.
“Lord Li, the Commander of the Central City Guards, has sealed off Chunfeng Tower and imposed a curfew on the city to capture the murderer.”
Mingzhu felt slightly reassured knowing that Li Dazhong was handling the situation. Since he was on their side, even if the enemy intended to frame them, they could hold off for a while, giving Yuwen Chu time to resolve the matter. With nothing else to do, she ordered the night patrol guards and maids to strengthen their vigilance inside and out to prevent any further incidents.
Before the fifth watch, there was another knock at the door, making Mingzhu very nervous. “What’s the matter?”
Dong Hui sighed, “Qiu Zhen, the Supervisor of the Imperial College, has also died, the cause of death is unknown. The news is currently under lockdown, but it’s only a matter of time before it leaks out.”
“The capital is going to be chaotic,” Mingzhu said, feeling a splitting headache. Qiu Zhen wasn’t on that list, he was truly neutral. However, he had previously written a memorial accusing Yuwen Chu of breaking through the last line of defense and had made some remarks about Fu Mingzhu’s disappearance. Afterwards, he had conflicts with several of Fus descendants.
Although this dispute had been suppressed by Yuwen Chu’s punishment of Fu descendants, it didn’t stop others from using it to smear Fu Mingzhu. What was most fatal was that Qiu Zhen had a high reputation among scholars. Although he couldn’t sway everyone, his words carried weight.
The subtle death of such a person at such a sensitive moment, with the cause of death unknown, was a disaster. Those impulsive and foolish scholars wouldn’t listen to their explanations at all. If Yuwen Chu couldn’t give them a satisfactory answer, things would inevitably get out of control.
Mingzhu felt that this wasn’t the end but just the beginning. She paced anxiously in the room, hoping to come up with a powerful and useful solution. By daybreak, she ordered a carriage to be prepared; she was going to the palace.
But the palace gates were already closed. The students of the Imperial College were sitting outside the gates, not allowing anyone to pass until the Regent came out to explain.
So the news of Qiu Zhen’s death wasn’t successfully contained; instead, it spread at the fastest speed. Coupled with the three previous deaths, rumors and attacks came fast and fierce, giving no one a moment to breathe.
Watching the students sitting outside, Mingzhu fell silent for a moment, then quietly ordered the coachman, “Change the route.”
On the street, she saw Yuwen You, fully armed, and the Yueguo Gong, An Xiaogu’s father, leading the Imperial Guard. Yuwen You commanded the Longlin Guards. Both sides were fully armed, as if afraid that the students would cause too much trouble, leading to unrest.
But Mingzhu knew that the simultaneous appearance of these two was abnormal. Student unrest was not a simple matter; if handled improperly, it could have a much worse impact. It had to be entrusted to someone trustworthy. Both of these people standing here probably resulted from a compromise after a confrontation between two factions.
When Yue Guo Gong saw Mingzhu’s carriage, he waved at her from afar, showing a friendly smile, but he was soon escorted away. Yuwen You also saw Mingzhu’s carriage, but he quickly turned his head away, pretending not to have seen it.
Mingzhu thought for a moment and signaled to Ye Xiu, “Go and invite Linan Wang over.”
Ye Xiu was a bit surprised but walked towards Yuwen You. After hesitating for a moment, Yuwen You slowly approached her, giving a cold nod from outside the carriage and saying flatly, “What does the Sixth Sister-in-law want from me?”
Mingzhu got straight to the point, “Which side are you on?”
Yuwen You chuckled, “Is this important?”
“It’s important,” Mingzhu said slowly, “because it concerns your future.”
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