For several days, Yin Zhuli and Tang Yin toured the sights of Luoyang. Prince Fulu was busy during the day but returned early in the evening, insisting on dragging her along to every banquet he was invited to.
The local officials, following their usual patterns, arranged for numerous beautiful singers and dancers. The maidens serving at the tables were rotated frequently, which suited Yin Zhuli’s tastes perfectly. During the banquets, she spent her time flirting with the beauties, a girl on each arm, living a life of utter contentment.
This behavior caused the young Prince Fulu immense dissatisfaction. One day, he finally lost his temper. "Does this Prince look like a man of such lecherous tastes? From now on, no more songstresses or male entertainers are allowed at the table!"
The officials were quick-witted; they surmised that Prince Fulu must be exceptionally henpecked. Gradually, they dared not arrange any more entertainment, even removing the serving maidens. Deprived of her amusement, Yin Zhuli found the banquets tedious. Finding the room full of robed officials an eyesore, she had no choice but to tease her own "Ninth Highness" to pass the time.
Only then did Prince Fulu’s expression begin to soften.
Meanwhile, things were far from peaceful in Chang'an. Although Qu Tianji felt the sting of his eldest son’s unexpected death, it did not interfere with state affairs. Madame Qu remained bedridden for several days, her condition fluctuating. However, the status of the second son, Qu Huishang, underwent a sudden transformation. Previously, as the second son, he had always been overshadowed by his elder brother, despite being born of the same mother.
Now that his brother had passed, he was Qu Tianji’s only son. The people around him began to treat him with newfound attentiveness. He had indeed been ill for some time, but the fawning sycophancy of those surrounding him—like stars revolving around the moon—soon pulled him out of his previous gloom. He now carried himself with an air of high spirits.
Shen Tingyao, however, had his own concerns. News arrived from Luoyang from time to time, reporting that Shen Tingjiao was busy cultivating a faction and maintaining close ties with local officials. Yin Zhuli had repeatedly thwarted assassination attempts, clearly siding with Shen Tingjiao. Furthermore, Qu Huishang and Yin Zhuli had frequent private dealings. If Qu Huishang were to inherit Qu Tianji’s title of Marquis, Shen Tingyao feared he would become a major threat in the future.
Though Qu Tianji’s attitude toward Yin Zhuli was cold, they were still father and daughter, bound by blood. Now that he had only one son left, if trouble arose, he would surely side with his children.
The Emperor brooded over a chessboard. On the surface, the black stones appeared magnificent and imposing, but a hidden weakness had already begun to manifest.
He knit his brows tightly. After a long silence, he suddenly commanded the Head Eunuch, Manager Huang, "Invite General Fu Chaoying in. I have matters to discuss with him."
Having served by the Emperor's side for a long time, Manager Huang naturally understood the situation. He guessed that Shen Tingyao intended to elevate Fu Chaoying to balance Qu Tianji’s overwhelming influence in court. Consequently, he treated Fu Chaoying with great respect.
Fu Chaoying was the younger brother of Empress Dowager Fu and had always enjoyed the deep trust of Shen Wanyan. After Shen Tingyao ascended the throne, he became the National Uncle, his prestige reaching its zenith. However, with Great Ying facing internal troubles and external threats, his actual military authority was far inferior to that of Qu Tianji, who had spent his life campaigning across the land.
Shen Tingyao praised him extensively, stating that General Fu’s years of guarding the borders were an invaluable service. He specially appointed him as Grand Tutor and concurrently as the Minister of War. Furthermore, he issued an imperial decree betrothing Princess Shen Yihe to Fu Chaoying’s son, Fu Yunjiang.
The officials in court were all sharp-eyed; none failed to catch the scent of the changing winds. In an instant, rumors began to fly.
When Yin Zhuli received the news, she simply sent a message to Hao Jian: "Have some men wander the streets and alleys to spread a few rumors. The Qu family’s days of glory are likely numbered."
Three days later, certain officers in the military began to be reassigned. Most were "promoted" in title but demoted in power, given idle posts. That night, several shadows slipped into the Great General’s estate for a secret discussion. Among the common folk, rumors began to spread that the Qu family was planning a rebellion. When Shen Tingyao learned of this, he was furious. However, Qu Tianji had led the army for many years; his roots were deep and complex, and his students and former subordinates were spread throughout the military. Eradicating him in one stroke would not be easy.
The Emperor dared not push him too hard, choosing instead to slowly strip away his power.
While Chang'an felt like a city under siege by dark clouds, Luoyang remained a place of flowers, willows, and festive song. By the end of the eighth month, the inspection was complete, and the group prepared to return to Chang'an. They encountered several attacks on the road, but fortunately, Yin Zhuli had brought enough men and hired secret guards, allowing them to pass through the danger unscathed.
Shen Tingjiao also looked forward to returning. On the surface, he and Yin Zhuli were a devoted couple, but in private, there were no more intimate gestures.
Tang Yin... Tang Yin... Every time he thought of those two words, he felt a sense of helplessness.
Upon returning to Chang'an, the first thing Yin Zhuli did was visit the Qu estate to offer condolences for Qu Liushang. This eldest Qu son had been a clever man who stayed close to Qu Tianji and never had much contact with her. She didn't have much of an impression of him. Moreover, his death had been expected, so her expression was somewhat indifferent—to feign grief would only seem hypocritical.
White banners hung before the mourning hall. Because it was the height of summer, the body had already been interred, leaving only the spirit tablet in the hall.
She offered incense under the guidance of an attendant. Turning around, she saw Qu Tianji, followed by the second son, Qu Huishang. She bowed twice before the spirit tablet, her expression neither sad nor happy. "Life and death are fated. Please accept my condolences."
Qu Tianji pressed his lips together and said nothing. Seeing the cold atmosphere, Qu Huishang had no choice but to invite her inside for tea. In the past, Qu Tianji would never have allowed her into the inner rooms, but today he said nothing.
Due to the mourning, the entire Qu estate was draped in white banners and plain silk. She walked slowly along the corridor. The estate was exceptionally quiet, and the servants moved in a hurried, somber manner, showing that Qu Liushang’s death had a significant impact on the household.
Just as they were about to enter the hall, Madame Wei, having heard some talkative servant, ran out of her bedroom. Her clothes were disheveled, her hair was a mess, and she looked wretched. "It's you again! What are you doing here? You just want to collect a debt on behalf of that woman, don't you!"
Yin Zhuli let the woman pull at her. Before long, servants came to support Madame Wei. Her nails were long, and they left bright red scratches on Yin Zhuli’s wrist. Yin Zhuli remained still and silent, but Qu Tianji said coldly, "Take the Madame back."
As Madame Wei was led away, Yin Zhuli watched her retreating figure with a faint smile on her lips. As the saying goes: *If one does nothing shameful during the day, one need not fear a knock at the door at midnight.* If you owe no debt, why would you fear someone coming to collect?
Qu Tianji continued his stride toward the hall, and Yin Zhuli followed, walking side-by-side with Qu Huishang. Qu Huishang cleared his throat and asked about the trip to Luoyang. She answered briefly; though not warm, she wasn't cold either.
After sitting in the hall for a while, Qu Tianji remained silent and brooding. It was Qu Huishang who spoke up: "Father, Zhuli is a daughter of our Qu family after all. Since she is here today, it would be good to let her pay respects to the Qu ancestors."
Qu Tianji slammed his teacup shut with a sharp *clack*. Yin Zhuli remained seated, sipping her tea with a calm expression. Qu Huishang grew anxious. "Father! I know you have always been loyal to the late Emperor, but the late Emperor is gone! You have spent your life on the battlefield, performing great services for Great Ying, but in the end, how has the King treated you? Now, our people are either surrendering or being reassigned. Before long, I fear the one being reassigned will be you..."
"Shut up!" Qu Tianji barked. His presence was so overwhelming that Qu Huishang immediately fell silent. Yin Zhuli, however, gave a light laugh. "Why be angry, General? Even if the Second Young Master’s words aren't entirely accurate, they aren't far off. I only came today to mourn the Eldest Young Master. However, if I could pay my respects at the Qu family ancestral shrine, that would indeed be for the best. By this time next year, even if I wished to pay my respects, I might not be able to find the place anymore."
Qu Tianji frowned slightly, but Yin Zhuli had already stood up. "The General should be cautious. This commoner shall take her leave."
When Yin Zhuli returned to the Prince Fulu’s estate, she was surprised to find Tang Yin there. She was instantly delighted. "Master!"
Tang Yin’s expression was grim. He pulled her into the backyard and dismissed everyone before asking sternly, "The situation in Chang'an is tense right now. The Qu family has already aroused the King's suspicion. You should be avoiding Qu Tianji, so why did you visit him the moment you returned to the city?"
Yin Zhuli was bewildered. "Master, you were the one who said that since my brother passed away, I shouldn't gloat. I only went to offer my condolences; it was the right thing to do, both logically and ethically."
Tang Yin looked at her deeply. After a long pause, he said in a low voice, "Are you trying to incite Qu Tianji to rebel?"
Yin Zhuli shook her head. "Master, you overthink things. I am but a merchant. I can manage to earn a bit of money, but I cannot shoulder such a heavy crime."
She took Tang Yin’s hand, her words earnest. "If Master does not wish for me to have further contact with the Qu family, I simply won't go there again."
Tang Yin could not tell if she was being sincere. He could only sigh. "It is not that I am blocking your path; it is just that the timing is inappropriate. Zhuli, regardless of what he has done in the past, he is still your biological father. Heaven, Earth, Sovereign, Parents, and Teachers—it is the natural order that a child does not speak of a father's faults. You do not need to carry the grudges of the previous generation. Do you understand?"
Yin Zhuli nodded solemnly. "Thank you for your guidance, Master. I have learned my lesson. Besides, I have never spoken a word against the Great General. You can rest easy."
Once she finished speaking, however, she secretly pondered to herself: *With Master’s attitude, if he knew the true cause of Qu Liushang’s death, I wonder how furious he would be. Oh, Master... you are such a kind person. How did you ever end up raising someone like me?*
***
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