Wei Yunzhao returned home later than usual today. He had been held up by colleagues who weren’t particularly close to him, bombarding him with questions about Su Qiao. Whether it was her identity or why someone would go to such lengths to kill her, they were all curious.
However, Su Qiao’s identity wasn’t something easily uncovered. She wasn’t from Shengjing, and those who knew her true identity wouldn’t casually reveal it. Naturally, they turned to Wei Yunzhao for answers.
After dealing with his colleagues, Wei Yunzhao returned home exhausted.
But as soon as he arrived, the housekeeper informed him of something that made his heart race: Jiang Lin’s two close friends had suggested that Jiang Lin leave him. Wei Yunzhao immediately grew anxious.
He hurriedly pushed his wheelchair into the study. “Madam.”
Jiang Lin looked up at the sound of his voice, smiling brightly. “You’re back! Come here, take a look at the new script I’ve written.”
The questions Wei Yunzhao had wanted to ask were swallowed back. Instantly reassured, he smiled and replied, “Alright.”
Taking the pages Jiang Lin had already written, Wei Yunzhao read them carefully. After finishing, he offered suggestions for improvements. One proposed changes, the other made edits. Their collaboration was seamless. By the time they finished, it was completely dark outside.
Bai Zhi came to call them for dinner, and Jiang Lin pushed Wei Yunzhao out of the study. “Earlier, when you came in, it seemed like you had something to say to me.”
Wei Yunzhao answered honestly, “I did. I wanted to ask you not to leave me.”
Jiang Lin didn’t comment on the statement but instead asked, “Then why didn’t you say it?”
Wei Yunzhao replied, “Because no one can force you to do something you don’t want to do. If one day you decide to leave, you’ll tell me openly and honestly. I shouldn’t doubt you.”
Jiang Lin was pleased with the answer. “You know me quite well. It’s not that no one can force me to do something I don’t want to do, it depends on who it is and what they’re asking.”
“Since you woke up, I’ve done quite a few things I didn’t want to do. But Wei Yunzhao, because of you, I’m willing to compromise.”
Wei Yunzhao said, “Thank you, wife.”
Love is a mischievous little imp, always tempting people to abandon a more comfortable life and instead walk a rugged, uneven path with their beloved, and doing so willingly, even happily.
Jiang Lin found it rather terrifying, but once his heart was stirred, he couldn’t bear to let go.
So, the only option was to walk this bumpy road with Wei Yunzhao, smoothing it out together, and then stride side by side onto a broad, comfortable path.
…
The people of Shengjing gradually noticed a pattern: whenever something major happened in the capital, a wildly popular and irresistible script would soon appear.
For example, the recently released The Tale of Love and Revenge of the Empress was so popular that everyone had a copy. Whether walking, eating, or even using the toilet, people couldn’t put it down.
Storytellers in the streets, teahouses, and taverns were all reciting The Tale of Love and Revenge of the Empress. The listeners couldn’t get enough, hearing it over and over without growing tired.
Every time a new script appeared, the common people enjoyed the drama and the story, while the officials of Shengjing began connecting the dots between the script’s content and real-life events. They felt they had uncovered a new secret.
This time, however, things were different. When the officials realized who the script was about, they were so terrified that they immediately tore the book to pieces. Not stopping there, they had servants bring braziers to burn the remnants, and they forbade their families from reading or discussing it. This was a matter that could cost them their heads.
“Father, why burn it? Didn’t you already know about this? Don’t you remember I asked you before if it was true that the Empress was engaged to General Wei Su before her marriage?”
A son kindly reminded his father, who, upon realizing the implications, felt even more doomed. If this was common knowledge, how many heads would roll?
Seeing his father on the verge of tears, the son patted him on the shoulder. “Father, don’t worry. Everyone knows now, so the Emperor won’t kill anyone. Besides, if he starts killing people now, it will only prove his guilt. So relax, it will be fine.”
The old father was anything but reassured. He just wanted to strangle his unfilial son on the spot. “Why did you have to go digging into these things, you troublemaker?”
The son wasn’t stupid. He quickly realized he had been led to inquire about these matters at home, but he didn’t think he was in the wrong. “They say if you stand straight, you don’t have to fear a crooked shadow. If the Empress wasn’t engaged to General Wei Su and didn’t cuckold the Emperor, why would she be so nervous?”
[身正不怕影子斜 (shēn zhèng bù pà yǐng zi xié): lit. If you stand straight, you don’t have to fear a crooked shadow; fig. If you are upright and honest, you have nothing to fear from rumors or accusations]
To be fair, the Empress was nervous. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have warned Yin Ji to stay out of old affairs.
While Yin Ji had been warned and didn’t stir up trouble, the matter had now exploded into the open because of a book. By the time the Empress received the news, she was consumed by rage, her eyes bloodshot. She viciously cursed Jiang Lin and Wei Yunzhao. “Those scoundrels! Those two vile creatures! They’re here to ruin me! Someone, come here! Go and kill them! Kill those two wretches right now!”
“I want them dead!”
The Empress was so furious she could barely stand. “Qiuxi, give the order. No matter how many people we lose or what methods we use, I want to see those two wretches’ heads today. Do you hear me? Answer me! Do you understand?”
Qiuxi who was supporting the Empress, was terrified by her frenzied reaction. Her heart pounded. “I understand, Your Majesty. I’ll have it done immediately.”
She didn’t dare to advise the Empress, only echoing her words in hopes of calming her down. But the Empress showed no signs of calming. She shoved Qiuxi away, demanding that she carry out the orders immediately.
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