History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

The emperor alighted from his carriage and said, "Zhao Zhi can come along." The other guards waited at the carriage, while the eunuchs, as previously instructed, went to summon Wang Puxian, Cui Likang, and Li Fu'er to see him.

With the affairs of state busy, even if the emperor were thinking of his offspring, he could not visit the inner palace often. This time, he had little free time, so it would be good to meet each of the noble ladies at Lingzhi Fishing Terrace instead of wasting time continuing to the palace to the north.

However, Consort Yu misunderstood. She thought the emperor had stopped his carriage because he saw her sister there. So she mustered up her courage and quickly glanced up. She saw that the emperor had a naturally kind and honest appearance, and she couldn't help but feel happy and relieved for her sister.

As Yuan Ke approached, Yu Baoying maintained her courteous demeanor and said, "This humble servant, Yu Baoying, pays her respects to Your Majesty."

“Mm,” Yuan Ke responded softly.

As he walked, Yu Baoying followed in small steps, and Yu Baofei and Yu E also wanted to follow, but Zhao Zhi blocked them with her outstretched arm.

After walking about ten steps, Yuan Ke stopped and looked at the whale carved from the giant stone below the fishing platform. The whale looked as if it had just leaped out of the water, or as if it had just soared down from the sky. He asked, "Do you think the stone whale leaped into the deep sea, or soared into the clouds?"

Yu Baoying was overjoyed. Her aunt had taught her about the symbolism of the stone whale, which represented soaring ambitions, before she entered the palace. She replied respectfully, "I believe the stone whale rises from the sea and soars straight into the clouds."

Yuan Ke slowly twirled the wooden prayer beads behind his back with his left hand, and suddenly seemed lost in thought, remaining silent.

Yu Baoying's tension intensified with the soft tinkling of the prayer beads. She kept telling herself that she hadn't answered anything wrong and that she should remain calm and not show any fear.

Unbeknownst to her, the emperor was lost in thought about a question he had once asked Wei Yao, who had replied, "I believe both are true. Shi Jing is like a vanguard warrior who expands the territory for Your Majesty's country, unafraid to kill Qingyun above or Haishen below."

Given the current situation in the court, there are still very few officials loyal to Yuan Ke. Therefore, the strategists, warriors, and future empress he urgently needs must all be courageous and fearless. They must first dare to think before they are qualified to become his iron shield against the powerful clans.

However, a loyal minister and virtuous empress who are courageous, fearless, and capable are rare and hard to find.

Three distinguished guests arrived, and Princess Yuan Ying of Chang Le accompanied Wang Puxian.

After exchanging greetings, Yuan Ying said with delight, "It's been a long time since I've seen Your Majesty. Please don't blame me for coming uninvited."

Facing his own sister, Yuan Ke said in a relaxed tone, "You should have said such things to the teacher of the Imperial Clan."

Yuan Ying made an exaggerated frown and a sad face.

At this moment, Yuan Ke saw Wang Puxian, Cui Likang and Li Fu'er in turn. Among the four noblemen, Wang Puxian was the oldest and the most talented and elegant, while Li Fu'er was the youngest. This woman was so nervous that she even got her bowing posture wrong.

He smiled gently and asked them, "Are you adapting well to life in the palace?"

As the nobles responded, Princess Yuan Ying's observant gaze swept from Zhao Zhi to Consort Yu Bao behind her. She couldn't guess what the Yu family's intentions were in recommending another young lady to the palace. Was it to follow the Feng family's previous practice and immediately replace Consort Yu Bao if Yu Bao Ying fell out of favor or failed to cast the golden statue? Or was it simply to let Consort Yu Bao learn etiquette and broaden her horizons in the palace, hoping that His Majesty would grant her a good marriage?

Yuan Ke still had a lot of government affairs to attend to, so he left the palace after a few hurried words.

On the way, a night owl flapped its wings and flew over the palace wall. It was shot down by a stone thrown by Zhao Zhi. The owl's carcass landed just as the guards on the left and right drew their swords.

The emperor really wanted to tell Zhao Zhi that there was no need to be so nervous; it had been so long since he had seen even a live gecko.

Zhao Zhi reported, "Your Majesty, seeing the ominous bird reminded me of something."

"explain."

"The Prince Yu's back has healed, but his old ailment has returned. The noblewoman he has been secretly meeting with recently is the wife of Feng Junxing, a minor official. According to Wang Xian, the Prince Xiang's staff have been having frequent private dealings with Feng Junxing. I fear that this is related to the Prince Yu."

The emperor's breathing quickened; he was furious that his fourth uncle could never shake off his despicable habits! "Never mind him! He won't learn his lesson until he dies from this!"

"Your Majesty, I understand. Rest assured, I will thoroughly investigate Feng Junxing when I am not on duty."

In April, the Wei territory suffered repeated disasters, while the Xiao Qi state collapsed and its ruler perished, becoming a thing of the past. The fifteen-year-old Xiao Baorong abdicated but was killed by Xiao Yan's confidants. Xiao Yan officially established the Liang dynasty, adopting the reign title "Tianjian." In May, the various wards of Luoyang followed the court's decrees as usual, leaving the ward gates open at night, and conducting searches of ordinary people, especially merchants, at various markets and checkpoints.

Due to the drought in various places, the neighborhoods of Diaoyin and Lelu held various rain-praying dances every day. In the middle of the month, even at night, musicians and dancers holding shaking drums, playing the yu and sheng would parade through the bustling streets.

Prince Yuan Yu of Guangling had been recuperating for half a year due to a back injury, which had made him extremely bored. Now, he would flock to any place that was lively and exciting.

On the night of May 13th, he booked a guesthouse in Leluli, and then, with more than ten guards, squeezed into the crowd and followed the drumming and dancing group.

It's easy to be a thief but hard to guard against them. In addition, Yuan Yu's most capable guards were all exiled by the emperor during the incident of capturing the Prince of Jingzhao. As a result, assassins gradually infiltrated the people to follow him, and none of the guards noticed.

These assassins were civilian rogues whom Feng Junxing had bought through several layers of connections, via a steward at one of the residences of Yuan Xiang, the Prince of Beihai. Even if the assassination attempt on Yuan Yu, the Prince of Guangling, failed, they wouldn't betray him. Feng Junxing hated Yuan Yu intensely, and his orders to the assassins were to beat Yuan Yu to death!
Many of the dancing people were chasing each other while shaking small hand drums.

"Bo Lang Lang—"

"Bo Lang Lang—"

The children in the crowd were attracted by the small rattles, laughing, shouting, chasing after them, and begging for them, making a lot of noise.

Yuan Yu grinned foolishly.

Suddenly, he was struck hard on the left shoulder. Some of his guards shouted "Protect the King!" while others fell to the ground, stabbed in vital areas. Amidst the chaotic screams, Yuan Yu was horrified to discover that many burly men, all holding rattles, were moving in the opposite direction of the scattering crowd. They pulled the drums off, their murderous aura instantly radiating, and they all rushed towards him.

The guard shouted urgently, "Run!"

The assassin yelled, "Where do you think you're going?"

The head guard carried Yuan Yu to the left, but the left path was blocked.

Turn right, and an iron bar comes crashing down from the right.

It's over! When people are in a state of extreme panic and fear, they don't really have many thoughts in their minds. Yuan Yu closed his eyes, held his guard tightly with one hand and covered his head with the other, leaving it to fate.

A terrifying sound of bones breaking rang out beside him, and hot blood splattered everywhere.

Then Yuan Yu was grabbed by a hand and pulled away from the guard captain. His body spun around with the force, and he heard the sound of iron rods whistling past his ears, all of which grazed him and did not hit him.

boom!
flutter!
The sound of iron rods striking bodies continued incessantly, and the assassin's furious shouts were mixed with coded calls to escape.

Yuan Yu was spun around again, and then he heard the familiar voice of a female warrior: "Hold me tight."

"Waaah—Zhao Zhi."

The coward finally dared to open his eyes; Zhao Zhi came to his rescue. No wonder he wasn't attacked again after being captured by the guard captain.

"Leave no one alive! I will not interrogate them, I will wipe them out!" Yuan Yu, now emboldened, gave the order.

Zhao Zhi: "Don't worry, Your Majesty."

The iron rod and the drum on the ground all became weapons for Zhao Zhi to throw and kill the assassins. One of them who ran far away was the leader of the assassins. She chased after him with Yuan Yu on her back. After passing the thief, she suddenly stopped, twisted her body, and kicked diagonally!

With a "crack," the thief's head snapped, and he died on the spot.

Zhao Zhi lowered Yuan Yu down. The moonlight shone on her blood-stained face, not making her look frightening, but only giving Yuan Yu a sense of complete safety. (End of Chapter)