Chapter 333: Chapter 303: With Troops in Hand, Success Can Be Achieved
Everyone was startled and quickly turned their heads.
The speaker was none other than their commander, the Right Guard General Wang Shaoji.
With a cold smile, he said, "The one truly responsible for stabbing your brothers and getting them exiled and their homes ransacked is still doing just fine. And yet, you spend all day looking for trouble with the Jiangdu Palace guards, who will never make it in life. Does that help?"
At these words, everyone fell silent.
One of the Imperial Guards cautiously asked, "General, who do you mean is the one truly harming us?"
Wang Shaoji glanced at him.
Another Assistant General, Fu Jiang, behind him quickly said, "You might not know this, but right after the incident, the General met with Your Majesty to request punishment for the Jiangdu Palace guards, and Your Majesty had actually agreed. But—"
Hearing this, everyone hurriedly asked, "But what?"
"But someone dissuaded Your Majesty."
"Who?"
Wang Shaoji looked at them, then slowly said, "It is her—the Young Madam of the Yuwen Family who is kept in the deep palace, receiving a thousand favors from Your Majesty, Shang Ruyi."
"..."
"Because of her, Your Majesty did not deal with the guards at Jiangdu Palace but rather severely punished our Imperial Guard."
Upon hearing this name, the Imperial Guards all frowned.
They were not very interested in this woman, although back in Yanmen County, when the Emperor carried her, injured, back to the government office in front of everyone, they were quite excited and talked about it vulgarly for a while. However, after the Emperor cut out the tongues of a few people, they were scared into silence and gradually forgot over time.
This time, the woman had not followed the Emperor south but suddenly appeared in Jiangdu Palace and was hidden within the inner palace by the Emperor. People began talking about her again, but it was only about romantic gossip.
Yet now Wang Shaoji was telling them that it was because of her that the Emperor ordered punishment for the Imperial Guard.
Immediately, someone angrily said, "Damn it, what kind of thing is that woman, to dare spread nonsense before the Emperor, causing our brothers to be beheaded and our families to be exiled."
"She is the Young Madam of the Yuwen Family; people from the Yuwen Family have always been at odds with us."
"That’s right. Haven’t they caused us enough trouble already?"
Seeing everyone speaking angrily one after another, Wang Shaoji and Fu Jiang exchanged a look, and Fu Jiang continued, "Moreover, we saw while patrolling that the Young Madam was meeting with the Deputy Commander of the Jiangdu Palace Guards. The two of them were whispering about something and seemed quite familiar with each other."
On hearing this, everyone grew angrier.
"So, she’s deliberately shielding the Jiangdu Palace guards!"
"With a woman like her beside the Emperor, how can we, as Imperial Guards, have peace?"
...
Watching as everyone’s rage grew, with curses directed at Shang Ruyi, Wang Shaoji coldly smiled and turned away.
As night fell, he returned to his residence. Just as he was about to rest, he noticed lights still on in the study next door. After a moment’s thought, he pushed the door open and entered.
He rarely visited this study and wasn’t accustomed to the heavy scent of ink and oil in the room, as he had never liked reading since childhood. Ironically, it seemed as if to make up for his frivolous nature, he had a brother who had loved reading since young, almost growing up soaked in books.
Now, hearing the door pushed open, the person sitting by the candlestick slowly raised his head, a book in hand.
The flickering candlelight illuminated a face strikingly similar to Wang Shaoji’s, with the same high cheekbones and upturned eyes, yet he appeared more scholarly. Due to his pallor, he seemed gentle and harmless, easily trustworthy.
He was Wang Shaoji’s brother, the Junior Director of the Secretariat—Wang Shaoqiu.
Though they shared the same mother and had a good relationship, Wang Shaoqiu had been frail since childhood. Unlike his brother who quickly earned military merit and a promotion to Great General and became a close confidant of the Emperor, his official path was fraught with challenges. He couldn’t serve in the army due to his weak health, and after a stint in the Ministry of Rites, he took sick leave before joining the Secretariat when his health improved, allowing him to follow the Emperor south.
He said, "Brother, you’re back."
Upon seeing him, Wang Shaoji smiled a little, walked over, and said, "Your method seems to work."
"Oh?"
Wang Shaoqiu had intended to lower his head and continue reading but looked up when he heard this. Wang Shaoji said excitedly, "I only mentioned a few things to my subordinates, and now, all their anger is directed at Shang Ruyi."
"..."
"Humph, that wench has humiliated me several times before. This time, I won’t let her continue flaunting her power."
"..."
"While Yu Wenye is away, I must make her suffer!"
Wang Shaoqiu looked at him, then lowered his head faintly and said, "Brother, if all you see is a woman, and if you go to great lengths just to contend with her, your path won’t go far."
Wang Shaoji frowned upon hearing this: "What do you mean?"
Wang Shaoqiu was silent for a moment, closed the book, placed it down slowly, then looked up at him: "Having you rile up the discontent of the Imperial Guard was not solely to confront that Shang Ruyi. This woman is merely a pawn; her life or death means little other than some momentary satisfaction for you and lacks any real value or significance."
Wang Shaoji’s frown deepened: "If it’s not to deal with Shang Ruyi, then who—who else are you targeting?"
Wang Shaoqiu looked up at him, a cold light flashing in those slender, upturned eyes.
A slight unease stirred in Wang Shaoji’s heart. Though others might describe him as a frivolous young man, known for bullying the virtuous and even setting up loyal officials at court, his malice went no further than that. In truth, he had always known that although his brother seemed frail and harmless, his plans were greater than anyone’s, even surpassing his own; his mind was more insidious, and his methods more ruthless.
However, his hands had never been stained with blood.
Now, hearing his words, Wang Shaoji vaguely felt that the purpose of provoking his subordinates wasn’t simple.
So, he asked again: "What exactly do you intend to do?"
"..."
Wang Shaoqiu didn’t immediately answer but silently watched him for a long while, then asked: "Brother, do you wish to stay in Jiangdu forever?"
Wang Shaoji immediately said: "Of course not."
"..."
"Our family is from the North. Moving from Daxing City to the Eastern Capital had already weakened us somewhat, and coming to the South this time, in unfamiliar territory, staying here would only further harm us until we’re like wandering ghosts without roots!"
"..."
"Moreover, those southern gentry have always been contending with us for power, and we cannot let them succeed."
"Let me ask you again, Brother. You don’t wish to remain in Jiangdu, but what do you think His Majesty wants?"
"His Majesty?"
Hearing this, Wang Shaoji’s expression darkened again: "He hides in the inner palace each day, drinking and sparring with swords, engaging in shady dealings with that vile woman—he’s hardly considering a return to the North."
"Would you dare to advise His Majesty to return to the Eastern Capital?"
"Ji Nayan from before, as well as several from the Ministry of Rites—those who were killed, those demoted—who would dare step forward?"
Wang Shaoqiu nodded: "Exactly."
Wang Shaoji was startled: "What do you mean, exactly?"
Wang Shaoqiu said: "Persuasion hasn’t worked; they won’t leave. So now, what is the only thing we should do, that we must do? Do you still not understand, Brother?"
"..."
"Brother, in chaotic times, armed forces are most invaluable. Not only because they can protect us during upheavals, but more importantly, having them at pivotal moments allows us to act."
Wang Shaoji stared blankly at him. After a moment, a light suddenly flashed in his eyes as he started to comprehend.
"You’re—you intend to—"
Trembling with surprise and fear, Wang Shaoji nearly jumped up, swallowing back the words he dared not utter, gazing at Wang Shaoqiu with an expression filled with terror.
His fingertip shook as he pointed at Wang Shaoqiu, throat constricted, finally rasping: "You—you have a lot of nerve!"
Just then, Wang Shaoqiu suddenly said: "Who?"
Taken aback once more, Wang Shaoji hurriedly followed his gaze behind him, realizing that he had forgotten to close the door when he had come in. Outside a graceful silhouette flitted, slowly walking in.
The beauty wore a green dress, her delicate steps mesmerizing as she moved gently. With just a few steps, her willow-like waist moved captivatingly, accompanied by a refreshing fragrance floating in the air. Despite the cold sweat Wang Shaoji had just worked up, upon seeing her, he was somewhat bewitched once more.
This beauty was none other than his concubine—Lu Xiao.
The enchanting beauty sauntered in with a smile: "Second Young Master, you have such keen hearing; I’ve just arrived, and you already noticed."
Wang Shaoqiu frowned: "What are you doing here?"
Lu Xiao glanced at him with a smile, then pouted at Wang Shaoji, acting pitiful: "I was waiting for Young Master in the room, finally hearing his footsteps, but he wouldn’t return. I thought some vixen had lured him away. Luckily, I came over to see it was Second Young Master."
Wang Shaoqiu, not adept at dealing with women, frowned but said nothing more.
Seeing her, Wang Shaoji felt flushed all over, no longer concerned with further discussion with his brother. He approached and took her into his arms. After some flirtation, he said, "Let’s discuss more tomorrow. I’m busy now."
With that, he escorted Lu Xiao back to the room.
Before long, inappropriate noises echoed in the night.
Wang Shaoqiu sat in the study, silently holding the book, but he didn’t turn a single page until deep into the night.