Di Daughter's Strategy - Chapter 35

Chapter 35

At the third quarter of the hour of You(5-7pm), in the study of the Prince of Jing’s residence, Fang Jinling was discussing the matters from that day’s court session with his strategists.

Two months earlier, Wuzhou had suffered a severe drought, and His Majesty had issued an edict sending Marquis Jianyi to Wuzhou for disaster relief.

Marquis Jianyi was a trusted confidant of the emperor. More than that, his birth mother was the emperor’s own elder sister. During the struggle for the throne in the past, the Eldest Princess had died saving His Majesty, and for this, he was deeply favored, no less than the love shown to the imperial princes themselves.

He commanded great military power, and three years ago, had it not been for the Prince of Jing personally volunteering to lead troops to Xiliang, the one to command the army there would surely have been Marquis Jianyi.

It could even be said that if one could secure Marquis Jianyi’s support, the position of crown prince would be almost within reach.

The only issue was that Marquis Jianyi was of a sullen, solitary nature and never allied himself with any of the princes. Having grown up on the frontier, he was urgently summoned back to the capital by His Majesty three years ago when he reached the age to marry and have children.

Yet to this day, the emperor had not issued an edict granting him a marriage. There were persistent rumors in the capital that it was Marquis Jianyi himself who refused.

Thus, when His Majesty ordered him to Wuzhou for disaster relief, the entire court was surprised. Marquis Jianyi already held military command; going to Wuzhou for relief efforts would inevitably bring him great renown.

Wouldn’t that mean… Still, while there was some concern among officials, no one doubted his ability to handle the matter in Wuzhou.

Originally, this had nothing to do with the Prince of Jing, until three days ago, when a memorial from Marquis Jianyi reached the capital. In it, he reported suspicion that the prefect of Wuzhou had embezzled disaster relief funds. It was then that everyone realized Marquis Jianyi’s trip to Wuzhou was not solely for relief work.

Outwardly, the prefect of Wuzhou had not taken sides, but in truth, he had long been part of Prince Yu’s faction, information brought back by the Prince of Jing’s own spies.

Marquis Jianyi’s decision to report to His Majesty rather than deal with it directly was likely because he knew of the prefect’s connection to Prince Yu.

Now, the reason the Prince of Jing and his strategists were gathered at the residence was that earlier today, in court, His Majesty had issued an edict ordering the Prince of Jing to go to Wuzhou to handle the matter.

In the study, Fang Jinling sat on a rosewood chair, his gaze lowered, fingers tapping against the desk as he listened to the heated arguments of his strategists. He lifted his eyes slightly, looking toward a middle-aged man who had yet to speak, and asked in a low voice, “Mister Ouyang, what is your view?”

The room fell silent.

Following Fang Jinling’s gaze, everyone turned to look at the middle-aged man standing to the side, Ouyang. His frame was exceedingly thin, and upon hearing the prince’s words, he raised a hand to stroke his short beard, smiling faintly. “When Your Highness arrives in Wuzhou, how do you plan to act?”

Fang Jinling’s brows lowered, his calm voice carrying a trace of coldness. “If the prefect of Wuzhou has indeed embezzled disaster relief funds, he must naturally be punished without mercy.”

Mister Ouyang nodded. “Naturally so. But Your Highness’s most important purpose in going to Wuzhou is not the prefect of Wuzhou.”

A faint glimmer passed through Fang Jinling’s eyes. “Mister means… Marquis Jianyi.”

“Yes. Your Highness should be well aware that in the struggle for the position of crown prince, Marquis Jianyi’s stance is of utmost importance, one could even say he is the most crucial person. If Your Highness can gain his support, then all these years of planning would be twice the result with half the effort.”

The other strategists in the study all nodded in agreement. Fang Jinling inclined his head slightly and asked calmly, “This Prince naturally knows. But since Marquis Jianyi has never concerned himself with the matter of the crown prince, what method does Mister have?”

Mister Ouyang shook his head and smiled. “In the past, it would indeed have been impossible to sway Marquis Jianyi. But now, Marquis Jianyi has laid out his own condition.”

Fang Jinling narrowed his eyes. “What does Mister mean by that?”

“If the prefect of Wuzhou has embezzled funds, then even if he is one of Prince Yu’s men, Marquis Jianyi, acting under imperial decree, could arrest him, and His Majesty would not blame him. Even if Prince Yu bore resentment, he could only swallow it down. In that case, why would Marquis Jianyi still memorialize His Majesty?”

Fang Jinling remained expressionless, not responding, waiting for him to continue.

“According to what I have learned, during this trip, Marquis Jianyi seems to have taken a fancy to a certain woman.”

Mister Ouyang lifted his head with a faint smile. “And this woman happens to be the daughter-in-law of the prefect of Wuzhou.”

At these words, the entire room was shocked. Who was Marquis Jianyi?
Even when His Majesty had once considered granting him Princess Qingya in marriage, he had blocked it, both openly and covertly. And yet now he had set his sights on a married woman, how could this not cause astonishment?

Fang Jinling’s brows knitted slightly. Marquis Jianyi had stirred up such a commotion, merely for the sake of a woman?

His fingers bent, unconsciously tapping the tabletop. Understanding dawned on him, this woman was the key to moving Marquis Jianyi.

He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again, his gaze returning to calm.
“This Prince understands.”

Mister Ouyang stroked his beard, a faint light flashing in his eyes. Fang Jinling looked up. “Mister Ouyang, have you anything more to say?”

“I was only thinking… perhaps His Majesty’s decision to entrust this matter of Wuzhou to Your Highness carries his own designs within it.” Mister Ouyang left the thought hanging, then fell silent.

Outside the study, Wei Feng was standing guard. Fu Shan came over and quietly asked him, “Is His Highness still busy?”

Wei Feng nodded. “Mm. Court affairs have been tedious lately, it will likely be the hour of Hai(9-11pm) before he’s finished again.”

That morning in court, the emperor had entrusted the matter of Wuzhou to His Highness. From the capital to Wuzhou, even riding hard day and night, it would take five or six days one way. And for someone like His Highness, going with an official commission, without a month and a half, he would certainly not return.

Perhaps for this very reason, when General Luo casually brought it up today, His Highness had deliberately made the trip to the Marquis’s residence.

Fu Shan’s face twisted in dismay. “The kitchens have just sent up the evening meal, will you go in and announce it?”

Wei Feng shot him a glance and shifted aside. “Matters like this are exactly what the chief steward should be managing.”

Fu Shan straightened his dust brush. Seeing it was indeed getting late, he stopped bantering with Wei Feng. Knocking on the door, he paused when the voices inside fell silent. Lowering his head, he waited until he was called to enter before pushing the door open and stepping inside cautiously.

As soon as he entered, he heard His Highness say, “That will be all for today. You may withdraw.”

Only when everyone else had left did Fushan tentatively lift his head. Seeing that the tea on the table before His Highness had already lost its heat, yet the cup was still full and untouched, he understood, His Highness had been so busy today that he had not even had time to take a sip of hot tea.

Fang Jinling lowered his gaze to the memorial in his hand. When he saw Fu Shan come in, he did not speak, but his brows furrowed slightly as his deep voice sounded, “What is it?”

Fu Shan snapped back to attention, withdrew his gaze, and bent forward. “Your Highness, it is time for the evening meal.”

Fang Jinling’s hand paused in mid-motion. “What time is it?”

“Reporting to Your Highness, it is now the third quarter of the You hour.”

Fang Jinling lifted his eyes, set the brush on the inkstone, and leaned slightly back into the armchair. Raising a hand, he pinched the space between his brows, easing a hint of weariness before saying lightly, “Have it set in the front hall.”

“Yes.” Fu Shan lowered his head and withdrew, though inwardly he thought that His Highness seemed to be in a good mood today. Normally, at this hour, even if His Highness did not show it, there was always a heavy, stifling air in the study, let alone being so punctual for the evening meal as he was now.

Inside the study, Fang Jinling closed his eyes to rest. Tomorrow, he would set out for Wuzhou. He could not be sure if, on this trip, he would make it back before her birthday.

A faint pause tightened his heart, only a year and half a month remained before she would reach her coming-of-age ceremony…

Meanwhile, the Marquis of Qi’s residence was far from peaceful.

Luo Fu’s birthday was on the first days of the eighth month, barely ten days apart from Luo Yi’er’s. Perhaps because Luo Yi’er’s birthday banquet was never held on a grand scale, the birthday banquets of other concubine-born daughters naturally could not surpass hers.

Thus, nearly none of the young ladies in the residence had ever celebrated with a lavish banquet.

This year was Luo Fu’s coming-of-age, and she had been looking forward to the household holding a grand event. After all, it would show the Marquis’s regard for her, even as a concubine-born daughter, and it would be of great benefit to her when seeking a marriage in the future.

She thought back to when Eldest Sister reached her coming-of-age, the residence had been lively for days. This year, when it was her turn, surely it would be even more festive?

Yet this hope was entirely crushed that very evening.

Just moments ago, Madam had sent someone to Concubine Qiu, saying that with the household beset by recent troubles, someone needed to offer prayers for the Marquis’s residence. Given her years of hard work and service, it was most fitting for Concubine Qiu to go to Mingjing Temple to pray for blessings on the household’s behalf.

And once gone, it would be unlikely she could return in less than a month.

What’s more, whether she would truly be allowed to return at all would depend entirely on Madam Chu’s will.

And that was not all.

Tonight, news came from Fang Yun Hall that Madam was feeling unwell, summoning the household physician in the middle of the night. The matter even alarmed the Marquis himself, Luo Yu’an entered Fang Yun Hall with a dark expression after being pulled from his work in the front courtyard.

Many people stood in Fang Yun Hall. With the mistress unwell, the younger generation, to show filial devotion, naturally had to be present.

Luo Qian kept her head half-lowered as before. Luo Fu’s expression carried faint unease, Madam had just sent someone to deliver a message earlier, and now she had summoned the physician. She could not help but wonder if this was Madam’s way of warning her about her actions today.

Luo Yu’s face showed some worry as she stood quietly in place.

Luo Ying wore an anxious expression, even lifting her handkerchief to wipe at her eyes.

Luo Yu’an sat in the purple sandalwood armchair of Fangyun Hall, eyes closed and face shadowed, no one knowing what he was thinking.

Luo Yi’er was in the inner chamber at this moment, her brows knit tightly, her beautiful eyes filled with concern and even a trace of doubt. She had not known in advance about Madam Chu’s sudden collapse.

Glancing toward Zhang Momo, who stood nearby, she saw the old servant shake her head, her face also etched with worry. Madam Chu’s hands, resting outside the brocade quilt, seemed to move slightly.

A faint light flickered in Luo Yi’er’s eyes. Since the original storyline had truly begun, the residence had been beset with incident after incident. Her lips pressed together tightly as she understood that, even if Luo Qian was not behind these events, they were in some way connected to her.

Only… for someone to have their hand in Fang Yun Hall, when had such a figure appeared in the Marquis’s residence? And one capable of making Madam Chu stage such an act?

Nearby, the household physician’s brows were furrowed, as though troubled. Luo Yi’er’s own brow tightened, the usual gentleness gone as she asked urgently, “Well? What is it? What exactly is wrong with Mother?”

The physician cupped his hands toward her and shook his head. “Miss, Madam’s condition resembles a fever, but it is also somewhat different. This old man cannot, for the moment, discern exactly what is the matter.”

“What!”

Luo Yi’er’s cry, tinged with worry and anger, rang out from the inner chamber, making the faces of those waiting outside change instantly.

Everyone could not help but let their thoughts run wild. Luo Yi’er had almost never lost her composure. Even when the imperial edict granting her marriage had arrived, no one had seen her change expression.

Just what had happened to Madam Chu, that it could make her cry out in such a way?

Luo Yu’an abruptly rose to his feet and strode toward the inner chamber. His wide sleeves brushed across the table, accidentally knocking over a cup. With a clatter, it fell to the ground and rolled twice before breaking.

The sound of shattering only made the atmosphere in the room even heavier and more oppressive.

Luo Qiyan’s gaze swept over everyone present without any change in expression, but finding nothing amiss, his brows knit slightly. He suddenly began coughing, his face flushing red. Luo Qiheng’s expression shifted, he reached out to steady his frail frame and snapped at a nearby servant,

“What are you standing there for? Pour the Second Young Master some tea!”

The oppressive air in the room was broken. The serving maid hurried to pour a cup of cooled tea, but Luo Qiheng snatched it from her hands and personally offered it to Luo Qiyan. When he saw him drink it and regain a bit of color in his face, he finally breathed a sigh of relief and frowned.

“Feeling better?”

Luo Qiyan shook his head, his lips pale, yet still managed a faint smile. “I’m fine.”

As he spoke, his eyes, serene as jade, turned toward the inner chamber, unable to hide his worry. Luo Qiheng patted his shoulder softly and reassured him in a low voice, “It will be fine.”

The air inside remained heavy. Luo Qian and the others dared not make a sound. Only Luo Qian’s gaze toward Luo Qiyan seemed faintly complicated, but she quickly lowered her head, concealing whatever emotion lay in her eyes.

When Luo Yu’an entered the inner chamber, he saw his usually calm and composed legitimate daughter’s eyes rimmed with red. At the sight of him, tears immediately spilled from the corners of her eyes, her voice dependent yet helpless. “Father, Mother, she…”

Luo Yu’an’s hand settled on her shoulder, his dark tone steady yet reassuring. “It’s fine. Father is here.”

Luo Yi’er bit her lip, her eyes holding both fear and worry, yet she sensibly stepped back. Because of the trace of a sob in her voice, it was soft and sweet. “Father, the household physician said he cannot determine why Mother is unconscious.”

Luo Yu’an sat by the bed, taking the hand Madam Chu had resting outside the brocade quilt, his gaze lingering on her bloodless face. His tone revealed no emotion. “When will Madam wake?”

Cold sweat formed on the physician’s forehead. “In reply to the Marquis… this… this subordinate does not know.”

The room fell silent for a moment. A flicker of light crossed Luo Yi’er’s eyes, and then she heard Luo Yu’an’s flat, icy voice. “De Rong.”

“This servant is here!”

De Rong stepped in from behind the curtain, not daring to lift his head.

Luo Yu’an looked down at Madam Chu, his voice carrying a chill. “Take my command token and go to the palace to summon the imperial physician!” He pulled the token from his waist and tossed it over. Rong De accepted it, cupped his hands, and withdrew immediately.

Luo Yi’er pressed her lips together and, without drawing attention, swept a glance toward Zhang Momo. She found the woman still wearing the same worried expression, her face unchanged. Twisting her handkerchief between her fingers, Luo Yi’er showed only worry on her own face as well.

Luo Yu’an had spoken loudly enough that Luo Qiheng and the others outside could naturally hear him.

Out of sight of anyone, Luo Qian furrowed her brows. In her previous life, Madam Chu had never suffered such a serious illness. She could not help but feel a trace of panic.
Were her past-life memories truly reliable?

Was it her rebirth that had changed these events?

But in her previous life, it had been half a year later that Concubine Su was discovered to be unable to conceive, so how could she have miscarried in this life?

Luo Qian clenched her hands tightly, lowering her head to hide the emotions in her eyes, though inwardly, she could not help but begin to doubt her memories of her past life.

At her side, Biyu nudged her, and she suddenly recalled that object she had discovered in the courtyard days ago. Instantly, anger and fear surged in her heart.

At this moment, while everyone in the residence was focused on the situation in Fang Yun Hall, over in the long-neglected South Garden, someone was stealthily slipping inside.

The figure glanced around, craning their neck to check all directions, before quickly slipping through the moon gate into the peach grove.

There, someone was already waiting. At the sight of the newcomer, her lips trembled visibly as she lowered her voice deliberately. “How are things over at Fang Yun Hall?”

The newcomer kept her head low, her face also tense. “Madam is unconscious. The Marquis has already sent someone to summon the imperial physician. You…”

She stomped her foot lightly, then asked in a low voice, “Hongyu, I’m telling you, if this matter is found out, neither of us will have a good end! Including that one!” She lifted her chin, gesturing toward the inner part of the South Garden.

The one waiting in the peach grove was Hongyu, the maid by Concubine Su’s side. At this moment, her face was bitter, and her voice came out dry. “What can I do? I can only hope that after this time, she’ll stop.”

The other woman let out a cold laugh. “After today, what I owe you is paid in full. If you’re looking to die in the future, don’t drag me along.” Though her words were sharp, there was still a trace of frustrated disappointment in her eyes.

Hongyu forced a smile. “Alright, there won’t be a next time.”

After saying this, she poked her head out to check the surroundings, then gently pushed her. “You’d better go back now, before someone sees you.”

The other woman also knew she couldn’t linger and said no more. Keeping her body low, she slipped out of the South Garden. Only when she reached the small path outside did she breathe a sigh of relief, lowering her head and heading toward her own room.

Even riding hard, De Rong returned with the imperial physician only half an hour later.

By then, Madam Chu had still not woken. Fangyun Hall was silent.
Aside from Concubine Qing, the other concubines all stood waiting in the courtyard. The imperial physician finished taking Madam Chu’s pulse, his brows furrowed tightly. After a moment’s hesitation, he said,

“Lord Marquis, Madam’s pulse seems to indicate an infection of typhoid fever.”

Luo Yu’an’s expression did not change; he merely looked at him calmly. “Then why is Madam unconscious?”

The imperial physician frowned, clearly troubled. “This…”

Luo Yu’an’s brows drew together sharply, his cold gaze sweeping over Madam Chu’s pale lips, a heaviness settling in his chest. He suddenly looked toward Zhang Momo. “This is how you care for Madam?”

Zhang Momo wiped away tears and stepped forward, her voice catching slightly. “In reply to Lord Marquis, these past days Madam had been feeling somewhat unwell. A few days ago, we even summoned the household physician, but he found nothing amiss, so Madam did not give it much thought. Until this morning, she seemed to have been troubled by a nightmare, waking covered in cold sweat. By evening, she was like this.”

She paused briefly before adding, “This evening, Madam had someone go to Qufu Courtyard, saying that the household has been unsettled recently and asking Concubine Qiu to go to Mingjing Temple to recite scriptures and pray for blessings for the household.”

After hearing Zhang Momo’s words, Luo Yu’an remained silent for a long moment. Then he lifted his head, sharp light in his eyes. “Where is Concubine Qiu?”

Only a screen separated the rooms, so those outside could hear clearly. Luo Fu’s face turned deathly pale as a maid replied, “In reply to Lord Marquis, Concubine Qiu is waiting in the courtyard.”

Luo Yu’an’s expression did not change. “Since Madam has already given the order, tomorrow morning Concubine Qiu will go to Mingjing Temple to pray for her.”

At this, Zhang Momo hesitated. “Lord Marquis, before losing consciousness, Madam told this servant to inform Concubine Qiu she need not go, after all, the Second Young Lady’s coming-of-age ceremony is just around the corner, and as her birth mother, it would not be proper for her not to be present.”

Luo Yu’an’s voice turned cold. “The mistress lies ill in bed, and as her daughter, instead of staying at her side to fulfill her filial duty, she still has the mind to think about holding a grand coming-of-age ceremony, hmph!”

As soon as his words fell, Luo Fu’s tears nearly spilled over. She would have only one coming-of-age ceremony in her lifetime, how could she not hope for it to be grand?
Now, she was certain that today’s matter with Concubine Qiu was nothing more than a warning aimed at her. A teardrop hit the ground with a soft plop. Lifting her skirts, she knelt on the floor and could not help but plead,

“Father, Aunt has recently caught a chill, it is not convenient for her to go to Mingjing Temple. I beg Father to show mercy.”

Luo Yu’an’s voice was flat. “To pray for the mistress is her blessing.”

There was no room for negotiation. Luo Fu’s body gave out, collapsing completely, lowering her face as she sobbed softly.

Outside, Concubine Qiu seemed to have heard what was happening inside and called out loudly. “This servant obeys. To be able to pray for Madam is this servant’s blessing. Second Young Lady, do not misunderstand the Marquis’s good intentions.”

Inside Fangyun Hall, after Luo Yu’an’s order, the atmosphere turned cold and heavy. Especially among the concubine-born daughters, a faint sorrow flashed in their eyes. In their father’s heart, their mothers had never been as important as the mistress.

It was like a shackle that bound them, from which they could never break free, always held in the mistress’s grasp from beginning to end.

Just then, the imperial physician suddenly spoke. “Lord Marquis, this humble servant may know Madam’s condition.”

His voice had dropped suddenly, making Luo Yu’an’s brows furrow as he asked, “What is it?”

The imperial physician glanced at Zhang Momo and said with difficulty, “Just now, this momo mentioned that Madam had suffered a nightmare. This seems to be… the Art of Suppressing Victory.”

By the time he spoke those last few words, his voice was so low that only those in the inner chamber could hear. Yet even so, the temperature in the room seemed to drop to ice.

Even Luo Yi’er lifted her handkerchief to cover her mouth, but the shock in her eyes was impossible to hide.

The Art of Suppressing Victory, also called Nightmare Suppression, was a curse technique. Those afflicted would, in light cases, suffer an unsettled household or physical harm, and in severe cases, see their family destroyed and lives lost.

It was a forbidden practice, once formally outlawed by imperial decree of the late emperor. If His Majesty were to learn of it, the lightest punishment would be public censure; the most severe would be the confiscation of property and extermination of the entire clan.

Luo Yu’an looked icily at the imperial physician. “Imperial Physician Wang, do you know what you are saying?”

There was a faint threat in his eyes. Sweat beaded on the physician’s forehead. Although both were court officials, if the Marquis of Qi wished to make things difficult for him, it would take but a flick of the wrist—let alone the fact that no man stood truly alone.

Trembling, he lowered his head. “Madam must have inadvertently consumed something of a cold, yin nature, which has caused these symptoms. Please be assured, Lord Marquis, so long as the right medicine is given, she will be cured within three days.”

The chill radiating from Luo Yu’an gradually faded. He flicked his sleeves and stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his cold voice carrying outwards. “De Rong, investigate!”