There was a Ma Clan manor in the outskirts of Qi Province's Linyou City.
The Ma Clan was a large clan here, and they were the second largest landowner in Qi Province after the Shangguan Clan. While the Ma Clan was not as large as the Shangguan Clan in terms of land, the Ma Clan had four large farms and tens of thousands of war horses. Even the Imperial Court's Imperial Servant Temple, which was in charge of horses, treated the Ma Clan well. The Ma Clan's fine horses were an important supplement for the imperial court.
Because of this, the Linyou Ma Clan had an unusual status in the local area. The main officials of the local government would all address the Ma Clan as brother when they met the Ma Clan. If it wasn't for Shangguan Wan 'er's status in the imperial court, the Shangguan Clan might not be as powerful as the Ma Clan just because they owned a vast expanse of fertile land in the Qi Province.
The Ma Clan was so prestigious in the area, and Ma Jia Village naturally became a forbidden land that no one dared to offend. But these few days, Ma Jia Village's security seemed to be even tighter than before, especially at night. The entire manor would quickly quiet down, and there would be no laughter or noise. There were only shadows moving in and out of the shadows.
There were many top experts in the shadows, and there were also dozens of vicious dogs patrolling the Ma Residence. With such tight security, even an expert in stealth like Gu Zhuting would have a hard time penetrating.
In the middle of the night, the bright moon was shining high in the sky. A dark shadow leaped over the wall and boldly barged into the back of the house. Between the light and the dark, people kept coming up to greet him, but that person only needed to show one thing before he entered the house, as if there was no one there. But the people that went up knew this person's identity. He was the Sovereign's secret guard.
This Ma Jia Village was the property of the Hidden Sect, and the Ma Jia Village Manor Lord Ma Ru Feng was Shen Mu's subordinate. Shen Mu was currently living in Ma Jia Village, and because he had become enemies with the Xian Sect again, the security here was naturally very tight. Just like how Yang Fan had a secret guard like Gu Da, Shen Mu also had a group of people that always walked in the shadows. The person that entered Ma Jia Village right now was undoubtedly one of them.
This person stopped outside Shen Mu's bedroom, and the light from the corridor shone on his body. He had a tall and sturdy body, and his face was covered with a green cloth that only revealed a pair of bright and spirited eyes. Someone went in to report, and a moment later, the barrier door opened. The two guards standing in front of the door moved to the left and right to make way.
The masked man went straight in, and the barrier door closed behind him. There was another person waiting in the room. It was an extremely graceful woman with a charming smile on her face. With rosy cheeks and watery eyes, it was obvious that she had just gone through a storm.
She was obviously a delicate beauty, but the masked man could tell at a glance that this woman was also a first-class expert. When there was no danger, she would be as gentle as a cat, but when she was in danger, she would not only be a fierce female cat, but a terrifying tiger. With her slender and soft hands, it would be no more difficult for her to break a strong man's neck than picking up an eyebrow pencil.
The masked man raised his eyebrows and walked past her. He smelled a nice fragrance. When he entered the inner room, he saw Shen Mu lazily getting up and putting on his sleeping robe. The masked man took off his mask, and the gentle light shone on his face. It was Gu Da.
Shen Mu asked him bluntly, "So fast. Is there a result on Erlang's side?"
Gu Da laughed and said, "With our Gu family's tracking technique, very few people can escape our surveillance if we keep an eye on them."
Shen Mu also laughed and suddenly asked, "Who is that person?"
Gu Da's face revealed a strange expression as he said, "Lu Binzhi."
Shen Mu was slightly startled and said in surprise, "The second son of the Lu family? This is really unexpected … "
His eyes flashed as he said, "I always thought that Lu Binzhi would be a playboy for the rest of his life. I didn't expect him to be able to keep me in the dark. After three days, I really have to look at him in a different light."
Shen Mu lowered his head and thought for a moment. He then looked up and asked, "What does Erlang plan to do?"
Gu Da said, "My clan leader thinks that we can beat him at his own game!"
The smile on Shen Mu's face became even wider. "Good idea. Since it is like this, I will continue to send people to the Lu family to inquire about Second Young Master Lu. Let us see what this Second Young Master is planning."
…
The bright moon was like a jade plate, quietly hanging in the air. A corner of the eaves was so sharp that it seemed to want to stab at the bright moon.
Li Xian and Empress Wei stood by the railing, gazing at the bright moon in the sky.
Empress Wei said, "What do you plan to do with the Tubo envoy?"
Li Xian said, "Our daughters are already betrothed. If he came two years earlier, it would not be a problem to marry Ding An off. But now, naturally there is no other way."
Princess Ding An was Wang Tongjiao's wife and Li Xian's daughter. But a concubine-born daughter was not that favored in Li Xian's heart. From the start, Li Xian had never thought of letting An Le go to Tubo to suffer. But if it was Princess Ding An, if possible, it was not impossible to use her as a political tool, even if that Tubo King was only six years old.
Empress Wei said, "But that Tubo envoy is very sincere in his praise. He also stated that as long as it is a daughter of the Imperial Clan, it does not have to be your daughter. If you refuse, aren't you afraid of causing more disputes between the two countries?"
Li Xian looked strangely at Empress Wei and said, "Wife's meaning is?"
Empress Wei said, "Concubine thinks that there is no harm in agreeing to them. The Tubo King is only six years old and is in such a hurry to make the marriage. He hopes that he will receive the approval of our Tang dynasty and thus stabilize his throne. The Tubo princes have never given up their ambitions for the throne. If we can win over Tubo right now, it will be of great benefit to our Tang dynasty. "
Li Xian said, "Xiang Princess? Once Xiang Princess marries Tubo, won't it strengthen Xiang Princess's power? "
His wariness towards Xiang Princess could not be displayed so clearly in front of his officials. He still had to work hard to pretend to be a brother. But in front of his own wife, there was no need to conceal it. Empress Wei sneered, her laughter not without a hint of mockery. Li Xian glanced at her with some sensitivity.
Empress Wei said, "Times have changed. Now it cannot be judged according to the original situation. At that time, Tubo and the Turks proposed at the same time. One wanted to marry Xiang Princess, the other wanted to marry the Crown Prince's son. Their purpose was to provoke a struggle for the throne. Now that you have become the Emperor, the situation is naturally different.
Moreover, the Tubo King is still young and his throne is not stable. He proposed to the Tang dynasty in the hope of gaining the approval of the Tang dynasty. He does not have the strength to interfere with our internal affairs. Making the marriage with Tubo is precisely the time for our court to exert influence in Tubo. Think about it, if this happens, will the Tubo King curry favor with you, will the Tubo princes curry favor with you? "
Li Xian listened and nodded his head repeatedly. A trace of ruthlessness flitted across Empress Wei's face. She said, "Moreover, Xiang Princess has performed meritorious deeds for you and for the country. He is also your brother. If he does not make any mistakes, you will not have a suitable excuse to deal with him. If he does make some mistakes in this matter, when the time comes …"
Li Xian understood tacitly and revealed a proud smile.
Empress Wei continued, "Even if he is cautious and always plays the turtle, as long as Tubo sends troops to invade and harass our Tang dynasty, don't you think he, as the father-in-law of Tubo, will find it very awkward? Will he avoid arousing suspicion? When the time comes, he will have to know his place and behave himself, not daring to make the slightest mistake! "
Hearing this, Li Xian's heart burst with joy. Putting his arm around Empress Wei's shoulder, he said, "Wife is truly your husband's strategist. If I leave you, your husband really does not know what to do."
Li Xian only made a gesture of intimacy, but the two had not been intimate for many years. Empress Wei felt rather uncomfortable. Without a trace, she left Li Xian's embrace and said, "Since the decision has been made, Husband should issue an edict to the Prince of Xiang's residence tomorrow. Your wife is tired and wants to go back and rest. "
Li Xian awkwardly said, "Uh … all right, wife can rest. Your husband will also go to sleep."
Watching Empress Wei leisurely walk toward the Empress's palace, Li Xian gave a light sigh and went straight to his own quarters.
… …
In Empress Wei's palace, she lightly creased her moon-like brows as she drank the last mouthful of the disgusting medicinal concoction. A maid immediately brought over a cup of sweet water mixed with honey. Empress Wei rinsed her mouth and glanced at Ma Qinke, who was solemnly standing in front of the bed. She said, "After taking the medicine you prescribed, ben gong truly did feel a bit more comfortable, but there was no great improvement. Recently, I still often suffer from insomnia and headaches. My body is also very tired, and I often lose my temper for no reason at all. Tell me, just what kind of illness does ben gong have? "
Ma Qinke hesitated, then bowed and said, "Uh … it is just that Your Majesty is too tired from assisting His Majesty in the affairs of the state. Your Majesty is not seriously ill."
Empress Wei saw that he seemed to find it difficult to speak and couldn't help but become nervous. She said, "Illnesses are not taboo to doctors. Just treat ben gong as an ordinary patient and speak freely."
Ma Qinke still did not speak. Seeing this, Empress Wei lightly waved her hand and the palace maids waiting at the side left.
Empress Wei straightened her face and said, "All right, now only ben gong is left, you can speak freely."
With a thud, Ma Qinke knelt down in front of the bed and kowtowed, saying, "Please, Your Majesty, forgive this subject's offense of disrespect. Only then will this subject dare to speak frankly."
Empress Wei's temper flared up again. She said impatiently, "Speak! No matter what you say, ben gong will not blame you. "
Ma Qinke said, "Yes! Your Majesty's illness … "He hesitated for a moment before gritting his teeth and saying in a low voice," is … caused by improper sexual intercourse. "
Empress Wei was startled. Her face suddenly became feverish. Two faint blushes floated up. Amidst the embarrassment and anger, there was a special charm to it.
Ma Qinke seemed to be throwing caution to the wind. He continued, "Solitary Yin does not grow, solitary Yang does not grow. Yin and Yang are unbalanced, causing qi and blood to be chaotic. Insomnia and overthinking, headaches and irritability are just minor symptoms. If not taken care of in time, it will shorten one's lifespan and speed up one's aging. "
Empress Wei was shocked. She gently touched her face and asked, "Then, if I take this medicine of yours, can it be taken care of?"
Ma Qinke hesitated for a moment before gathering his courage to say, "Your Majesty should still … should still be with His Majesty …"
These words were extremely obvious. Thinking of Li Xian's disappointing body, Empress Wei's heart felt somewhat desolate.
Ma Qinke sneaked a glance at Empress Wei and said, "If this subject uses the art of massaging and medicine, it may have some effect. But … in the end, it cannot … cannot replace the natural Dao of Yin and Yang. "
Empress Wei stared blankly for a moment. She raised her eyes to look at his refined and scholarly appearance. She suddenly said, "Since it is so, then … give ben gong a massage first. Ben gong has been suffering from insomnia for many days and cannot sleep peacefully."
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
