The Red Mansion

Chapter 221 A Man in a Dangerous Wall, Yuan Li Dies

The following day, March 13th, it rained again in Yangzhou.

The following day, March 14, the clouds parted and the rain stopped in Yangzhou, leaving the sky clear and blue.

On this day, under Jiang Nian's arrangement, the retired Emperor Jingning went to the mansion of Tang Chengyu, the chief of Yangzhou, for a banquet and to watch a play. The fourth prince, Yuan Li, deliberately did not follow.

Early in the morning, water was sprinkled to clean the streets in front of the Tang residence. The entire area around the mansion had been cleared, with guards every five steps and sentries every ten steps, creating a very solemn atmosphere.

Tang Chengyu, dressed in a brand-new brocade robe, led his entire family and a group of salt merchants, lining up to wait for them.

At this moment, although Tang Chengyu tried to remain calm, his hands in his sleeves trembled slightly, not because of fear, but because of tension and excitement.

He was truly thrilled. Emperor Jingning's visit to the Tang residence was an affirmation of him as the newly appointed head of Yangzhou, and a tremendous honor for the Tang family. Even Zhuang Shuli, a former merchant who was more powerful than him, was now exceptionally fawning over him.

Tang Chengyu was also very grateful to Jiang Nian. If it weren't for Jiang Nian's recommendation, how could he have such glory today?

Suddenly, three sharp cracks of a whip were heard in the distance, followed by the sound of drums and music.

The imperial carriage slowly approached, with Jiang Nian and Lin Ruhai leading the way, followed by Prince Zhongshun and Yuan Xi as attendants, and eunuchs such as Dai Quan and Wei Geng flanking Emperor Jingning's dragon carriage.

Golden maces and axes gleam in the sunlight, while dragon banners and phoenix pennants blot out the sky.

The guards carried precious swords at their waists, and the personal guards wore their armor with a clanging sound.

Tang Chengyu hurriedly led the crowd to kneel and welcome the emperor, shouting "Long live the emperor!" three times.

Emperor Jingning alighted from his imperial carriage, smiled, and raised his hand, saying, "Rise, all of you."

Surrounded by a crowd, Emperor Jingning entered the main hall of the Tang residence and saw a gilded imperial calligraphy hanging high in the hall. It was the handwriting he had bestowed upon Tang Chengyu's father, Tang Yan, many years ago. This imperial calligraphy, with its powerful strokes and penetrating strokes, was stamped with a bright red imperial seal at the end, and despite the passage of years, it still shone as brightly as the morning glow.

Emperor Jingning, seeing the object, thought of his father and said, "This calligraphy was a gift from me to your father. It's a pity that your father has been dead for more than ten years. I will not be able to see him today."

Tang Chengyu immediately knelt down: "My father repeatedly instructed me that the Emperor Emeritus's calligraphy is a family heirloom. My family burns incense and makes offerings to it every day, and we have never dared to slack off."

Emperor Jingning was in high spirits and said with a smile, "Now that you are here today, I will bestow upon you another new piece of calligraphy."

Tang Chengyu was overjoyed and kowtowed three times before personally presenting the prepared writing implements.

Standing in the crowd, Zhuang Shuli stole a glance, his heart aching with bitterness. He thought to himself, "If only I had known this would happen, I should have learned from Tang Chengyu and curried favor with Lin Ruhai all these years. Now, Tang Chengyu, because of his association with Lin Ruhai, was recommended by Lin Ruhai and then recommended by the imperial envoy Jiang Nian, and became the chief. Today, he even received the emperor with such honor. And I, today, have to humbly beg him for a better position."

Thinking this, Zhuang Shuli unconsciously glanced at Jiang Nian, only to see that Jiang Nian was talking quietly with Lin Ruhai, completely ignoring him.

Emperor Jingning pondered for a moment, then wrote the four characters "Benefit the country and promote salt production" with a flourish of his brush. His strokes were like a dragon emerging from the sea and a phoenix dancing in the sky, displaying the grandeur of an emperor in every stroke.

After he finished writing, Emperor Jingning said, "The salt administration in Yangzhou has been quite successful recently. Your poem has certainly contributed to this. I hope you will remember these four words: 'benefit the country and promote the salt industry'!"

As he spoke, he personally handed the imperial edict to Tang Chengyu.

Tang Chengyu accepted the gift with both hands, his eyes brimming with tears of emotion: "This humble subject will certainly remember the imperial instructions and immediately ask skilled craftsmen to mount it with gold leaf, so that it can be hung in the hall along with my late father's calligraphy, and be worshipped for generations to come!"

Zhuang Shuli watched with envy, feeling increasingly remorseful.

Emperor Jingning left the main hall and, surrounded by his entourage, slowly strolled into the rear garden.

As soon as you pass through the moon gate, a delicate fragrance wafts towards you. You see a riot of flowers in full bloom, vying for attention with their beauty. A gentle breeze blows, and petals flutter down like celestial maidens scattering flowers. There are also Taihu stones piled up into a mountain, with clear springs gurgling and tinkling among them.

A stage had already been erected in the garden, with a bamboo curtain serving as a screen. In front of the stage was a folding chair covered with a bright yellow cushion, which was obviously the emperor's throne. Dozens of nanmu wood armchairs were arranged on the left and right wings, covered with various colored brocade cushions.

After Emperor Jingning took his seat, everyone else followed suit.

Prince Zhongshun sat on the left, wearing a python robe and jade belt; Yuan Xi sat on the right, also wearing a python robe and jade belt. Officials such as Jiang Nian and Lin Ruhai stood on the east side, while eunuchs such as Dai Quan and Wei Geng stood on the west side. Tang Chengyu led a group of salt merchants to attend to them at the lower end, each of them holding their breath and not daring to slacken their attention in the slightest.

Three clappers sounded, and string and wind instruments played in unison.

The Tang family's private troupe and famous Yangzhou actors took turns performing.

First came a scene from "The Peony Pavilion," specifically the "Dream in the Garden." Du Liniang wore a kingfisher feather hairpin and a lotus-colored pleated skirt. As her water sleeves fluttered, a subtle fragrance seemed to waft through the air. With each graceful step, she moved like a willow swaying in the breeze. When she sang, "The flowers are in full bloom," she blended seamlessly with the garden scenery.

Emperor Jingning was so engrossed in watching that the jade cup in his hand stopped in mid-air, and he forgot to drink.

Immediately afterwards, the play "The Story of Washing Silk" was performed on stage, and the way Xi Shi washed silk drew cheers from the audience.

The opera and dance troupe are deeply favored by the emperor, and the flowers in the Shen residence are in full bloom, reflecting the emperor's profound affection!
……

……

Yesterday, Yuan Li did not go to Shen's residence to meet with Yu Zhaoying in secret, because he could not find a good opportunity, which gave Mr. Zhuge enough time to prepare an assassination!

Today, seeing that the retired Emperor Jingning was holding a banquet and watching a play at the Tang residence, Yuan Li made an excuse not to follow. Instead, he took Li Ji, Zhang Qian and several other attendants and came to the Shen residence by Baozhang Lake again.

Without wasting words, Shen Chuan'en quickly led Yuan Li into the small courtyard where Yu Zhaoying lived.

Yu Zhaoying was dressed up even more elaborately today, her hair piled high like raven feathers, her golden hairpins swaying gently; her slender waist was bound with white silk, and her jade bracelets shone brightly; she wore a dance dress that was even more gorgeous and elegant than the water-red silk and gold dance dress she had worn the day before; as she moved, her jade pendants jingled and a fragrant breeze wafted through the air.

It is worth mentioning that once upon a time, Shen Chuan'en asked Yu Zhaoying to curry favor with Jiang Nian, and for this purpose, he specially gave Yu Zhaoying a brocade box containing several precious pieces of jewelry, including a pair of jade bracelets and a gold-inlaid jade hairpin.

Today, Yu Zhaoying once again used these precious pieces of jewelry, but this time she was not trying to curry favor with Jiang Nian, but with the Fourth Prince Yuan Li.

Upon seeing her, Yuan Li was instantly captivated, forgetting even to drink his tea, and said, "Your dance the other day was truly unforgettable. Do you have any new music today?"

Yu Zhaoying smiled, her eyes sparkling: "I have just composed a new piece called 'The Song of Rainbow Feathers,' which I present to Your Highness for your appreciation."

After saying this, a maid brought over a pipa and began to gently pluck and strum it with her slender fingers.

Fish reflected in the water danced gracefully to the sound of the pipa, her waist as supple as a willow, her eyes as alluring as spring water, her movements as graceful as a startled swan, as elegant as a swimming dragon, as radiant as autumn chrysanthemums, as luxuriant as spring pines.

When the music ended, Yuan Li couldn't wait to wave away the two maids, put his arm around Yu Zhaoying's slender waist, and enter the inner room with its brocade curtains.

Just as the two were entwined in passion, hundreds of assassins dressed in civilian clothes suddenly arrived at Shen's residence, some carrying knives and others bows and crossbows, and some surrounded the residence or broke in.

Zhang Qian and several of Yuan Li's followers were guarding the front yard of the Shen residence when they were surrounded and killed by assassins.

Shen Chuan'en was in his study when he suddenly heard a commotion in the courtyard. He opened the window and was terrified to see dozens of assassins killing anyone they saw.

He hurriedly went to retrieve the sword from the wall, but three assassins had already broken down the door and entered.

"Hero, spare my life! I..."

Before Shen Chuan'en could finish speaking, a crossbow bolt struck his neck.

Shen Chuan'en clutched his neck and staggered backward, only to be struck squarely in the chest by another crossbow bolt.

Shen Chuan'en collapsed to the ground and died instantly.

In the courtyard where Yu Zhaoying was sitting, the eunuch Li Ji was guarding the entrance.

Upon seeing the approaching assassins, Li Ji was terrified and was about to run into the courtyard when he was shot dead by the assassins with crossbow bolts.

Two maids were in the courtyard when they died tragically in a panic.

Inside the brocade tent, Yuan Li and Yu Zhaoying first heard a strange noise outside the window, but didn't pay much attention to it. Unexpectedly, they then heard the sound of crossbows and shouts.

"There are assassins!"

Yuan Li then realized what was happening and hurriedly put on his clothes and got out of bed.

Yu Zhaoying was so frightened that she turned pale and hurriedly put on her clothes and got out of bed.

Just as Yuan Li was about to push open the window to check, the door was kicked open with a "bang," and several assassins rushed in, led by a burly man with a square face.

Yuan Li forced himself to remain calm and asked, "What do you want to do?"

The square-faced, burly man sneered: "I'll kill you, prince!"

Yuan Li then asked, "Who sent you?"

The square-faced, burly man said, "No need to tell you!" Yuan Li said, "What benefits you received, I'll give you tenfold, even a hundredfold, I..."

Before he could finish speaking, the square-faced, burly man interrupted, "Kill!"

One of the assassins fired a crossbow bolt, which struck Yuan Li. Yuan Li staggered backward, knocking over a dressing table and spilling rouge and powder all over the floor.

The square-faced, burly man stepped forward to finish the job, stabbing straight at the heart.

Yuan Li's eyes widened, his throat gurgled, and he finally fell backward. The land of gentle pleasures is a hero's grave, the well of rouge buries the bones of emperors! This crown prince, whom the retired Emperor Jingning and Emperor Taishun had secretly chosen together, died such a tragic death, his eyes wide open in disbelief.

Yu Zhaoying stood by the bed, watching this scene unfold before her eyes, forgetting even to scream.

When the square-faced, burly man turned to Yu Zhaoying, Yu Zhaoying became unusually calm, as if she were recalling once again the fortune slip she had drawn at Tianning Temple on the night of the Lantern Festival:
"Beneath the peony blossoms lie withered bones, a touch of crimson on her lips a deadly poison. On the Phoenix Terrace, I recall her playing the flute, now turned into wisps of smoke and descending into the underworld!"

Only now do I realize that the divination had come true!

While Yu Zhaoying was still in a daze, the square-faced, burly man suddenly stepped forward and plunged a knife into her heart. She felt a chill in her chest, and when she looked down, blood was already seeping through her skin. She seemed not to feel any pain, but saw her blood splattered on the gold-inlaid jade hairpin beside the bed, staining the pearls on it crimson.

Yu Zhaoying once thought that the pearls hanging from this gold-inlaid jade hairpin resembled teardrops.

At this moment, these pearls turned into tears of blood.

As consciousness gradually faded, the last thing that came into view was a drop of blood slowly sliding down the pearl on the gold-inlaid jade hairpin.

In a short while, over a hundred elite assassins, who had undergone years of meticulous training, slaughtered all twenty-odd people in the Shen residence, including Shen Chuan'en, Li Ji, Zhang Qian, Yuan Li, and Yu Zhaoying.

Just as they were about to evacuate, shouts of battle erupted all around.

The officers and soldiers surged in like a tide.

The square-faced, burly man who was the leader of the suicide squad immediately shouted, "Break through according to plan!"

The two groups of people instantly clashed in a chaotic battle.

Swords clashed, and blood and gore filled the air.

Behind the artificial hill, in the corridors, and outside the moon gate, there were figures fighting everywhere.

Just as a soldier had cut down an officer, an arrow suddenly pierced his throat from the side.

Three soldiers surrounded a suicide soldier, but he instead shot and killed two of them with crossbow bolts.

The koi in the pond were startled and leaped out of the water, only to fall back into a sea of ​​scarlet.

The square-faced, burly man fought and retreated. Seeing that the soldiers on the east side of the wall were weak, he immediately gave a whistle and led more than thirty suicide soldiers to break through the encirclement.

The remaining assassins either died on the spot, were captured, or escaped in the chaos.

Among the captured assassins, some committed suicide, while others suddenly lunged forward to seize the knife, refusing to submit even at the cost of their lives.

When the officers and soldiers entered Yu Zhaoying's courtyard and saw Yuan Li's body lying there, they were at a loss for what to do...

The square-faced, burly man who was the leader of the assassins changed his clothes and fled to Shugang, where he met up with a middle-aged scholar.

"Mr. Zhuge, I have not failed you!" the square-faced, burly man said, bowing.

The middle-aged scholar, addressed as "Master Zhuge," nodded slightly: "Very good!"

……

……

Emperor Jingning was still holding a banquet and watching a play in the back garden of Tang's residence.

The play "The Dream of Nanke" is being performed on stage.

"The Dream of Nanke" tells the story of Chunyu Fen, a down-on-his-luck military officer in the Tang Dynasty, who dreams of going to Huai'an Kingdom, becoming a prince consort, marrying a princess, becoming a prefect, and enjoying all the riches and honors. In the end, he loses power and is banished, and it is all just a dream.

Although Dai Quan, standing to the side, was facing the stage, his eyes kept glancing towards the garden gate. Several whisks in his whisk had been unconsciously broken off, and cold sweat soaked his undergarment. He thought to himself, "By now, Zhuge's men should have succeeded, shouldn't they?"

Just as I was lost in thought, I suddenly noticed a commotion at the garden gate.

Hou Wei, a trusted bodyguard of Emperor Jingning, led a man covered in blood and dirt as they hurried over.

The man's hair was disheveled, his face was ashen, and his boots were covered in mud and blood. He was none other than Yu Xiang, Yuan Li's personal bodyguard.

Hou Wei rushed forward and knelt before Emperor Jingning: "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!"

The sound was low, yet it was like a thunderclap from a clear sky.

Emperor Jingning's gaze swept over Yu Xiang's pale face, and his heart suddenly tightened.

Hou Wei leaned close to Emperor Jingning and whispered a few words in his ear. Emperor Jingning's aged face instantly turned pale, his lips trembled, but he could not utter a sound.

At this moment, the spring colors of the garden suddenly lost their luster.

The sounds of gongs and drums on stage, and the actors' singing, seemed to be separated by a thick wall.

Emperor Jingning felt that the March sun in Yangzhou had suddenly become piercingly cold, and its rays felt as painful as hail hitting his body.

Dai Quan stole a glance and was secretly delighted: "It should be successful!" But on the surface, he feigned panic and asked in a trembling voice, "Master, please take care. Is the Emperor unwell?"

Jiang Nian also noticed something was wrong at this moment. She saw that Emperor Jingning's eyes were fixed, his withered fingers were gripping the armrest tightly, and his veins were bulging.

Prince Chungshun rushed forward to help him up, but was pushed away.

Chunyu Fen was still singing on the stage when Emperor Jingning suddenly shouted, "Stop!"

The sound was like tearing silk, so frightening that the actor stumbled and fell on the stage, his headdress askew.

The garden was completely silent.

The spring breeze blows through the flower bushes, and the petals quietly fall to the ground.

Emperor Jingning pointed at Yu Xiang: "You... step forward and answer."

Yu Xiang knelt down with a thud, banging his head on the ground: "This humble servant deserves to die! The Fourth Prince... he was assassinated... he's dead!"

With a loud "boom," it was as if a thunderclap had exploded above everyone's heads.

Prince Chungshun looked utterly astonished.

Lin Ruhai's pupils suddenly contracted.

Jiang Nian was stunned...

Emperor Jingning forced himself to remain calm: "What exactly is the matter? Tell me in detail!"

Yu Xiang immediately recounted the situation in detail with great fear.

After hearing this, Dai Quan feigned panic, but secretly glanced at Wei Geng's expression. Seeing that Wei Geng's face was ashen, he secretly rejoiced: "Now you can't escape responsibility!"

Suddenly, Emperor Jingning swayed and fell straight backward.

Everyone rushed forward to help him up, and they heard Emperor Jingning squeeze out a few words through his teeth: "Investigate...investigate thoroughly for me..."

Before he could finish speaking, he fainted.

The imperial physicians who accompanied Emperor Jingning rushed over to provide first aid.

The Tang residence was thrown into chaos...

(End of this chapter)