Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 348 Conspiracy (2)

Fang's outburst also stunned Lu.

Like a dud, Lu's mouth was open, but no sound came out.

Madam Li remained relatively calm: "Everyone, calm down and listen to me. Last year, the Emperor issued three imperial edicts in succession, ordering Qinghe to enter the palace as a Noble Consort. Vice Minister Han and Physician Ma both died on the way, and Prime Minister Pang and Commander Gao arrived a few days late. Only then was the matter settled after Qinghe took in a son-in-law."

"After that, the Emperor fell ill. All the affairs of state fell into the hands of General Zhang."

"Recently, rumors about the Zhang father and son have been circulating. Do you think this could be the work of someone?"

Fang muttered to herself, "Is there even a question? It must have been Qinghe who made the move!"

Lu retorted, her neck stiff: "What's wrong with taking action? Are we just going to let ourselves be bullied like this!"

Madam Li couldn't hold back any longer: "Madam Lu, can you please calm down for a moment and let me finish what I have to say?"

Lu shut up in annoyance.

"The Emperor wants to force Qinghe to come to Bohai County and submit. The Zhang family father and son have ulterior motives and are sure to make it so that Qinghe can come but not leave." Madam Li said slowly, "I also have a plan. It can thwart the Zhang family father and son's scheme, make the Emperor lose his own chicken, and allow Qinghe to completely take the initiative and gain the upper hand."

"Would you like to listen to this?"

After hearing Madam Li's plan, everyone fell silent.

Even the hot-tempered Madam Lu was completely speechless.

Madam Li slowly looked at everyone's faces, examining each one one by one: "When I left Pei Family Village, I never thought I would be able to return alive."

"I'm eighty-eight years old, I've lived enough."

“Lu family, Fang family, you are both more than ten years younger than me, and you still have many years to live. It doesn’t matter if you are unwilling, I am enough on my own…”

"No!" Madam Lu exclaimed abruptly. "When we came here, we agreed to advance and retreat together. How can we let Auntie leave alone?"

Fang gritted her teeth and said, "If it weren't for Qinghe, we old bones would have died on the road to exile seven years ago. The seven extra years of good life we've lived are all a bonus. Count me in for it!"

"Count me in too! What good is it for an old woman like me to live to seventy or eighty? Let's make a big splash!"

"Count me in!"

The elderly women of the Pei family spoke with great enthusiasm and passion.

A look of relief flashed in Madam Li's eyes as she said tremblingly, "Good! This matter must be handled quickly. All of you, come closer."

……

The Pei residence, which rarely opens its doors, opened its main gate.

Li, with her white hair and wearing the robes of a first-rank imperial consort, Lu, with a solemn expression and wearing the robes of a second-rank imperial consort, along with Fang and others, walked out of the Pei residence together.

Pei Jia and his guards followed him, their faces filled with a mixture of pride and sorrow.

Such a commotion immediately attracted a lot of attention. The residences near Pei's were inhabited by civil and military officials and their families.

"The Pei residence is open! Madam Li and Madam Lu have both come out!"

"Go and see what they're up to! Report back immediately if you hear anything!"

"Master, they went in the direction of the Zhang family." What?
What an incredible spectacle!

The officials and their families could no longer contain themselves and immediately sent people to keep an eye on Li and her group's movements. The people along the street also became excited, craning their necks to watch the spectacle.

The Zhang family's status in Bohai Prefecture was unquestionable; they were practically local tyrants. Although there had been an emperor and a host of civil and military officials in recent years, the people still recognized the Zhang family.

The Pei family army rose to prominence, and Pei Qinghe's fame soared. The people of the north yearned for him. However, Bohai County was territory that the Zhang family had cultivated for decades. The people's interest in Pei Qinghe was largely driven by curiosity.

The Pei family elders had lived in Bohai County for several years, reclusive and rarely appearing in public, maintaining a very low profile. Their actions today were anything but ostentatious.

"They really went to the Zhang family!"

"We've arrived at the Zhang family's doorstep!"

"That oldest woman, with all her white hair and no teeth, needs help to walk. What is she going to the Zhang family for?"

"Wow! Unbelievable! That old woman is standing at the Zhang family's door cursing at people!"

The crowd surged toward the Zhang family's door, some even climbing trees to get a better look.

The frail and trembling Madam Li stood before the Zhang family's gate, straightening her back and berating General Zhang for his wolfish ambitions in controlling the court.

Disliking that Madam Li's voice was too soft and lacked momentum, Madam Lu stepped forward and unleashed a torrent of words in a loud and clear voice: "You old scoundrel Zhang! Our Pei family is a family of loyal martyrs, utterly devoted to the Emperor. My husband, son, and grandson all died for the Crown Prince. How dare you slander my Pei family before the Emperor!"

"Pah! You old, despicable dog! You're full of filth and filth, yet you dare to smear the Pei family!"

Fang stepped forward, cursing angrily: "You Zhang family trapped the Emperor in the palace, and now you want to frame the Pei family. Our Pei family army is fighting the Xiongnu barbarians, what has your Zhang family done? You're always scheming against this and that, you two are both worthless!"

"What do you mean by 'the dragon vein falls and the Zhang family prospers'? Bah! You despicable things! This dragon throne belongs to the Xie family, it's none of your Zhang family's business to covet it!"

Doesn't this match up with all the rumors?
The onlookers chattered amongst themselves, saying, "So it turns out what they said in the stories was true. General Zhang has long wanted to be emperor!"

"If even that King Qiao of Jiangnan can sit on the dragon throne, why can't our General Zhang sit on it?" Surprisingly, many people in the crowd supported General Zhang: "That little emperor doesn't understand anything and hides in the palace all day. We have a peaceful life because of our General."

"Such words cannot be spoken lightly. General Zhang is a loyal minister; if he were to usurp the throne, wouldn't he become a treacherous minister!"

"What loyalty or treachery! In my opinion, what you hold in your own hands is what truly matters. What do you care about reputation! You might as well take this opportunity to rebel!"

When such treasonous words reached the ears of those with ulterior motives, their expressions were far from pleasant.

The Zhang father and son, trapped in the mansion, looked even more unpleasant!

"These old women, do they want to die?!" Zhang Yun roared in fury. "How dare they come to our Zhang family's doorstep to insult us! I'll go out right now and chase them all away!"

General Zhang was also furious: "Get them all out of here immediately!"

Zhang Yun stormed out of the main gate, followed by dozens of elite soldiers in armor, armed with swords, spears, crossbows, and other sharp weapons.

Zhang Yun's face turned ashen, and he roared, "What are you all doing here! Get out!"

The onlookers gasped and retreated hastily, fearing they might be caught in the crossfire.

At Zhang Yun's command, the elite soldiers drew their sharp blades. Under the bright sun, the various blades gleamed with a terrifying cold light: "Madam Li, Madam Lu, considering your advanced age, I'll spare you this time. Go back now, and we'll call it even. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

(End of this chapter)