Tang Dynasty Puppet Doctor

Chapter 146 introduces the flower thief and asks for the reason.

After Li Longji left, Murong Huan asked Xiao Muchen, "Do you know someone named Wei Tuan'er?"

Xiao Muchen nodded: "She is just a maid, quite beautiful and quick-witted. She works by the Emperor's side and is very much liked by him, but..." At this point, Xiao Muchen blushed, "This woman is indeed somewhat wicked, and she once... tried to curry favor with me."

Upon hearing this, Murong Huan stared at him intently until a blush appeared on his fair skin, then withdrew his teasing gaze and said, "Oh, I think I know what kind of person he is."

"you know?"

"She's quite beautiful, quick-witted, and favored by the emperor. She's shown you favor before, and now she's entangled with Li Dan, who was once the heir apparent." Murong Huan paused here, "Perhaps she's unwilling to be a servant girl and wants to rise to the top like a phoenix!"

“Hmm, that makes sense,” Xiao Muchen said. “Then do you think it’s possible that Consort Dou and Consort Liu were framed and killed by her?”

"The disappearance of Consort Dou and Consort Liu is very likely the work of the Emperor. After all, they were Li Dan's wives and concubines, and no one but the Emperor would dare to decide their fate. But what is the reason?"

When asked about the reason, Xiao Muchen's expression froze, and he sighed inwardly, "Now that the Sage is nearly eighty years old, as people reach their twilight years and death draws ever closer, the Sage has gradually stopped trusting anyone except for her male favorites and the sharp blade in her hand, especially her relatives who live in fear under her intimidation."

After saying that, Xiao Muchen looked at Murong Huan and said, "I visited Prime Minister Di yesterday. Prime Minister Di is old now and his health is not as good as before. He has asked the Emperor to retire many times. Although the Emperor did not agree, he does not trust Prime Minister Di as much as before."

"Why?"

"The Sage now trusts alchemists more and more. He used to trust Ming Chongyan extremely. Now, another alchemist named Wei Shifang has come to the palace, claiming to be a disciple of Ming Chongyan. He says he can concoct elixirs of immortality. The Sage has consumed many of the elixirs he has concocted, but not only has his complexion not improved, his temper has also become increasingly strange. Prime Minister Di once advised the Sage to face the natural order of birth, aging, sickness and death with equanimity, but the Sage did not listen to the advice. Instead, he bestowed the surname Wu upon Wei Shifang and made him prime minister. Therefore, the Sage is now becoming increasingly distant from Prime Minister Di."

At this point, Xiao Muchen paused for a moment, then said in a deep voice:
"According to Prime Minister Di, this Wei Shifang seems to have been brought in by Lai Junchen. He and the Zhang brothers are now serving the Empress and often slander and attack some officials in the court."

Upon hearing this, Murong Huan understood: "So, this is why the Sage has once again relied on Junchen. It's not only because the Sage still needs this sharp blade, but also because he brought along the sorcerer Wei Shifang?"

Xiao Muchen nodded, a hint of worry appearing in his eyes once again.

"The Prince of Linzi came here wanting us to investigate the reason for his mother's disappearance, but he probably also wants to win us over to deal with the Zhang brothers and the cruel official Lai Junchen. This young prince seems to be very cunning and not so simple."

Murong Huan remained silent without denying it. In fact, when she first saw Li Longji, some images seemed to flash through her mind. These were the deep impressions Li Linghuan had left on this person. This person was no ordinary person. It seemed that in her previous life, he had gradually grown up under Li Linghuan's tutelage.

"Then let's..."

"Let's go catch that womanizer tonight and see who he really is."

……

"Your Highness, are we just going to leave like this? Didn't you say that this Right Chancellor Xiao can only be a friend, not an enemy? But we didn't even offer him any gifts."

Inside the carriage, a young eunuch, seeing Li Longji's overjoyed and confident demeanor, asked in bewilderment.

Li Longji smiled and said, “No rush. If we were to offer him a grand gift, it would be an insult to him. He is not one to accept bribes. As far as I know, all he has done in recent years is to fight against corrupt officials and speak out for the people. He has even been on the battlefield and made meritorious contributions. The Emperor has offered him official titles and ranks, but he has repeatedly refused. It seems that there is only one thing he cares about most.”

"Hehe, Your Highness, which matter are you referring to?"

"It is his wife. I heard that she is not in good health. If I could send her a miraculous medicine to cure her illness, I might be able to win her heart. But now, we cannot be too hasty. Only those who share the same ideals can become true friends."

"I want to win him over with my sincerity..."

"Your Highness is truly thoughtful and exceptionally intelligent. No wonder even someone as stubborn as Hei Chi Jun could be recruited by Your Highness!"

When Heichi Jun was mentioned, a proud gleam appeared in Li Longji's eyes. In recent years, thanks to the influence of Heichi Jun's father, Heichi Changzhi, in the army, Heichi Jun had helped him win over many talented and brave men, and most of these talented and brave men had infiltrated the Emperor's Thousand Cavalry Camp.

Although the Tang Dynasty had strict control over the army, and princes generally only had a few hundred men in their own residences, he could now privately control an army of over a thousand men.

This is also a significant achievement for him.

……

For Zhu Qiniang, tonight was an uneasy night. Although the curfew had passed, the Hundred Flowers Pavilion was still filled with singing and dancing, the air thick with the scent of perfume and the laughter of drunken guests.

Zhu Qiniang is now twenty-four years old. Although she is still beautiful, new girls enter the Hundred Flowers Pavilion every year, and her former reputation as the top courtesan is gradually fading away.

Especially now that she has lost her virginity, she had some dreams and fantasies when she was young, hoping to meet a loving man who would redeem her and the two of them would become husband and wife and grow old together. Later, she realized that it was impossible for her to become a legal wife, so she fantasized about becoming a concubine of a truly kind and noble man, so that she would have someone to rely on.

After hearing about Xiao Mochen and Murong Huan, she seemed to truly understand that there were indeed men in this world who were affectionate and devoted, but such men were not meant for her, and she might never meet one in her lifetime.

Huo Xiaolian once said, "It's easy to find priceless treasures, but hard to find a true lover." This showed her understanding of true human relationships and also warned herself not to painfully pursue things that don't belong to her.

As Zhu Qiniang plucked the strings of her zither, a bitter smile crept onto her lips. Only after the guests had gradually dispersed did she pick up her zither and prepare to return to her room.

"Zhu Qiniang, are you leaving already? I heard you've recently become more willing to entertain guests. How about you keep me company tonight?"

A burly, drunk man staggered toward her, startling Zhu Qiniang so much that she ran back to her room.

"You've already lost your virginity, what's with all the high-mindedness? In a few years, when your youthful looks have faded, I'll see if you'll still have the same arrogance."

The madam hurriedly went to persuade the burly man. After calming him down, she ran back to persuade Zhu Qiniang: "Qiniang, it's not that I don't want to speak up for you, but the people who come here are all powerful and influential people in Luoyang. We can't afford to offend them. It's your misfortune that you ended up in this place, but since fate has already been decided, we have to accept it."

I know that five years ago, Prime Minister Xiao… oh no, now I should call him Right Chancellor Xiao, he often specifically requested to hear you play, and he did look after you somewhat. But how could such a brilliant and talented man possibly be interested in a woman like you who had fallen into prostitution? Now that he's married, he hardly ever comes to our Hundred Flowers Brothel anymore. So, Seventh Sister, stop having those unrealistic dreams, understand?”

It would have been better if she hadn't mentioned it, because as soon as she did, tears welled up in Zhu Qiniang's eyes.

"I know, Mother, please don't say anymore. I won't offend guests anymore."

"Alright, then you should get some rest tonight!" After the madam left, Zhu Qiniang lit some calming incense in the room, hoping to get a good night's sleep. But as soon as she lit the incense, she seemed to remember that she had something important to do tonight, so she extinguished the incense and prepared to go to sleep.

Just then, a person suddenly fell from the roof and rushed into her room. She was about to scream when a hand reached out and tightly covered her mouth.

"Don't make a sound, it's me!"

Zhu Qiniang turned around and saw that the person had pulled down the veil covering his face, revealing him to be Murong Huan, the wife of Prime Minister Xiao.

Murong Huan gestured for her to be quiet, and she slowly nodded.

At this moment, Murong Huan released his hand and gestured for her to lie down on the couch and not move. After Zhu Qiniang lay down, Murong Huan also lay down on the couch and changed into the clothes that Zhu Qiniang had been wearing.

After the candlelight in the room was extinguished, it gradually came to midnight. The bright moon hanging in the night sky outside was very bright, and tonight was the night of the full moon.

Murong Huan lay still, and sure enough, he heard footsteps approaching. As they reached the door, he seemed to hear a woman's voice saying, "Please feel free to go in! I've prepared the calming incense in her room; I guarantee it will satisfy you!"

Zhu Qiniang was slightly startled; it was clearly the madam's voice!
Could it be that her mother betrayed her? But why didn't she know anything about it before?
"Speaking of which, Zhu Qiniang is of noble blood, a member of the royal family. Her mother was Princess Yiyang, the daughter of Consort Xiao. Her father and mother were involved in a rebellion, which angered the emperor, who killed her entire family. That's how she ended up in the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment district). She was just a six or seven-year-old girl when she arrived, and she bumped her head and lost her memory."

"I know her background. Stop talking nonsense and get out of here!"

"Yes, yes, then tonight's..."

Then came the sound of silver falling to the ground, and the madam walked away.

Then the door was opened, and this time there was no knocking. It seems that this person knows the place well.

"Seventh Sister, stop pretending to be asleep, get up! Talk to me!"

After the man entered the room, he seemed to place something on the table, and then went to the bedside. Just as he was about to lift the curtain, he suddenly felt a chill on his neck, as if a dagger was pressed against his neck.

The man, unfazed, instead mocked, "Seventh Sister, are you trying to murder your husband? We've been together for so long, and you gave me your first time..."

"Shut up! Who are you? Why are you lying to me?"

When the curtains were lifted, the man discovered that there were two beautiful women lying on the bed. However, one of them had an extremely cold gaze and was threatening him with death by pressing a dagger against his neck.

Zhu Qiniang, her face contorted with rage, stood up, grabbed a pair of scissors, and pointed them at him, demanding sharply, "Who are you? Why are you targeting me? Are you trying to deceive me?"

The man had a smile on his lips as he looked at Murong Huan and then at Zhu Qiniang.

Just then, several men dressed in black rushed in from outside the door, pointing their swords at him.

Immediately afterwards, Xiao Muchen walked in.

Upon seeing Xiao Muchen, the man's expression darkened slightly, and he sighed softly:
"Oh no! We've fallen for their trap. So many people have come. It seems like this is a trap specifically set to catch me?"

But his tone remained playful, showing no fear.

"Why did you place Wang Xiaojie's name on Zhu Qiniang's bedside table? Who are you? And what is your purpose in doing all this?"

"No ulterior motive? I've always been extremely fond of beautiful women, and a woman like Zhu Qiniang, with both charm and talent, has caught my eye. Our relationship is mutual, and it's not illegal, is it?" the man laughed. "As for what you said about Wang Xiaojie's name scroll? What do you mean? I don't understand!"

Xiao Muchen then unfolded the scroll and placed it in front of the man.

"Don't you know why you used Wang Xiaojie's appearance to deceive Zhu Qiniang?"

"Oh, is that what you're talking about? I got this scroll from a dead man. He died such a tragic death that I took pity on him and helped him fulfill his dying wish. I also borrowed his face for a bit, since it's still usable."

What wish does he want you to fulfill?

"In other words, to hand this painting over to a trustworthy person so that his wrongful conviction can be overturned," the man said with a forced smile, spreading his hands.

Xiao Muchen's face darkened, and he asked, "What injustice?"

"According to the last words written by General Wang before his death, there must have been spies in his army, which is why he was betrayed and ended up falling off a cliff to his death. However, in addition to spies from other countries, there should also be an internal traitor who colluded with the spies. He hoped to pass this news to Luoyang and give it to a young official surnamed Xiao."

As the man spoke, he looked at Xiao Muchen and smiled, "There aren't many officials with the surname Xiao in Luoyang, but recently, the one who has become a household name is you, the youngest prime minister, Xiao Muchen!"

"How do you know that Zhu Qiniang will definitely hand over this scroll to me?"

"It's not hard to guess. You used to come to Baihualou often to listen to Zhu Qiniang play the zither. I think it's not just because her zither playing is so beautiful, but also because of her background. Her grandmother was also a member of the Xiao family, so she has some connection with your Xiao family, doesn't she?"

Xiao Muchen's expression changed immediately, and Zhu Qiniang looked at Xiao Muchen in astonishment.

The man continued, "Moreover, in Zhu Qiniang's heart, you are a very special person!" He then let out another sigh, "Alas, though I have won the body of a beauty, I cannot win her heart. They say courtesans are fickle, and today I have witnessed it firsthand. Qiniang is about to betray me and put me to death?"

"Shut up!" Zhu Qiniang was both surprised and furious. "I don't even know who you are. How can I have feelings for you? And all this time, it was you who conspired with my mother to lure me with sleeping potion and deceive me, wasn't it?"

"It's a lie, but it's not exactly a lie..."

The man seemed about to argue, so Murong Huan used force again, drawing blood from his neck.

"Tell me your name?"

The man could no longer laugh and replied, "Pei Hang!"