Chapter 71
Hearing Wei Yunzhao’s words, Jiang Lin felt that he could write a biography for this couple. Their equally repulsive behavior needed to be widely publicized so that everyone in the world would know about it. This was the kind of reputation befitting their noble status as emperor and empress.
Jiang Lin patted Wei Yunzhao’s shoulder. “When that day comes, I’ll write a play, stage it, and spread it far and wide to promote their ‘good name.’”
Su Qiao suggested retrieving the letter her father had written, but Wei Yunzhao didn’t agree. With so many deaths today, Emperor Changde must have already received the news and knew that Su Qiao had come to the Wei residence. Going to retrieve the letter now would be like handing their lives over to the emperor.
Once the letter was in their hands, Emperor Changde would undoubtedly do everything in his power to eliminate them.
When someone has no shame, it’s all too easy for them to kill.
“By the way, did your father ever mention why Emperor Changde wanted him to spy on my father?” Wei Yunzhao asked.
Su Qiao shook her head. “He didn’t mention that, but in the letter, he said that in the early years, it was just about monitoring his movements. It was only in recent years that he was asked to cause trouble for General Wei or spread rumors.”
Wei Su had been winning more battles than he lost since he began leading troops. In recent years, rumors of him being an “invincible general” had started circulating. Perhaps it was from that time that Emperor Changde began to feel threatened by Wei Su.
There had also been rumors in the military that Wei Su was ruthless and bloodthirsty, killing without blinking. Wei Yunzhao had even heard storytellers describe Wei Su as a demon incarnate, not only cruel but even cannibalistic. This might have been one of Emperor Changde’s tactics.
However, such rumors didn’t spread widely. His father had been winning battles consistently, and the people revered and admired him, so the rumors didn’t have much effect.
Jiang Lin said, “What else could it be? He was afraid that the Wei family’s achievements would overshadow the emperor. From changing his reign title to constantly emphasizing that he was a virtuous ruler, it’s clear that he cares deeply about his reputation. He couldn’t tolerate the people knowing only about the Wei family and not about him, the emperor. Eliminating the Wei family can solve the problem.”
Jiang Lin’s speculation wasn’t without reason. “When the birds are gone, the bow is put away”, this was a tactic emperors had used against military generals since ancient times.
[鸟尽弓藏 (niǎo jìn gōng cáng): lit. when the birds are gone, the bow is put away; fig. once someone’s usefulness is over, they are discarded]
“Regardless of the reason, he has done it, and the feud is settled. All we need to do now is seek revenge,” Jiang Lin concluded.
Wei Yunzhao nodded and said to Su Qiao, “You’ll stay here tonight and return to the small courtyard tomorrow.”
By then, Yin Ji would likely have brought up the case in court, demanding a thorough investigation.
Jiang Lin pushed Wei Yunzhao’s wheelchair as they left, returning to their room. Seeing that Wei Yunzhao was in low spirits, Jiang Lin poked his cheek. “I’m injured right now, so don’t expect me, a wounded patient, to comfort you.”
Wei Yunzhao looked up at Jiang Lin and said seriously, “I’m feeling a bit sad and surprised. I never thought Su Yuan would be Emperor Changde’s spy planted beside my father.”
Su Yuan had been promoted by his father, who treated him like a brother. Yet, in the end…
Wei Yunzhao let out a long sigh and opened his arms to Jiang Lin. “Wife, I want to hug you.”
Jiang Lin obliged. As soon as they touched, Wei Yunzhao said, “Wife, you’re not accusing me of taking advantage of the situation anymore.”
Hearing this, Jiang Lin pinched his chin and kissed him. “Don’t you know who’s taking advantage of whom now?” Jiang Lin whispered in his ear, “I’ve touched every part of you.”
Jiang Lin felt that he hadn't suffered any loss at all.
What else could Wei Yunzhao do? He could only say, “Wife, you truly are my wife. I’m willing to let you… touch me.”
Jiang Lin casually ran his hand over Wei Yunzhao’s chest. “Do you think I won't stop just because you’re unwilling? Every part of you belongs to me,” so naturally, he could touch as he pleased.
Wei Yunzhao chuckled softly and looked at Jiang Lin. “With you here, I have no worries.”
Jiang Lin looked proud. Of course, who did he think he was?
Wei Yunzhao was so amused by his adorable wife that he burst out laughing, and his mood indeed brightened.
As it was getting late, the two of them played around for a while before going to bathe. Jiang Lin’s wounds couldn’t get wet, so he enjoyed his husband's body-wiping service. Jiang Lin found it quite satisfying.
He happily climbed into bed and discussed with Wei Yunzhao what needed to be done the next day.
The veterans who were killed today were people Wei Yunzhao had sent over, and the beggars were also hired to keep an eye out for anyone suspicious near Su Qiao. If they noticed anything unusual, they would report it, and in return, they were given a meal each day.
But Jiang Lin and Wei Yunzhao hadn’t expected that the assassins would even kill these beggars.
Jiang Lin said, “Tomorrow, I’ll take some silver to Wang San and have him claim the bodies from the government office to give them a proper burial. If they have any surviving family, we’ll take care of the children until they grow up, and find work for the adults so they won’t have to worry about making a living.”
“For the veterans, if they have families, have Xun Qi deliver silver to their homes. If they don’t, I’ll arrange for Chang’an to collect and bury their bodies. This is what we owe them.”
If they hadn’t been sent to protect Su Qiao, these people wouldn’t have died.
As Jiang Lin spoke, he felt increasingly uncomfortable. In this seemingly peaceful era, human life was as cheap as grass, and it felt even more cruel to him than the apocalypse.
Just as Wei Yunzhao was about to comfort him, a shout came from outside, “Who’s there?”
Wei Yunzhao immediately sat up. “That’s Xun Qi’s voice.”
Jiang Lin also got out of bed. “I’ll go take a look.” The sound of fighting had already begun outside.
As soon as Jiang Lin opened the door, he saw Xun Qi entangled with several black-clad figures in the courtyard. One of them, spotting Jiang Lin, immediately changed targets and charged at him.
The sword gleamed coldly, and the black-clad figure radiated killing intent, determined to take Jiang Lin’s life.
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