The Perilous Palace Dream - Chapter 58
Chapter 58
The investigation into the iron ingot matter turned up nothing despite repeated efforts, but trouble had begun brewing again on the Xiongnu side.
The old Chanyu of the Xiongnu had passed away due to illness, and after a fierce struggle for power, it was Prince Xiu Tulie, the one known for slaughtering cities, who finally took the throne, becoming the new overlord of the northern frontier.
Upon hearing this news, Nie Qinglin let out a quiet sigh.
She thought of her eighth imperial sister, who had married into the Xiongnu as part of a peace alliance.
Now that the old Chanyu had died of illness, she couldn’t help but wonder what her current situation might be.
It wasn’t long before the Xiongnu sent an official letter to court.
The general message in the letter was that although a new ruler had ascended, he had no intention of igniting conflict along the borders.
He claimed he would continue to honor the late Chanyu’s wishes and maintain peaceful relations with Great Wei.
In fact, he hoped to further solidify ties between their two nations.
The new Chanyu had heard of the Emperor’s virtuous and beautiful younger sister and humbly requested a marriage alliance,asking that the princess be granted to him as the new Yanshi (queen consort) of the Xiongnu.
When the letter was read aloud in court, the hall fell into absolute silence.
Everyone looked at each other, baffled as to how the royal family’s private family matters had made their way all the way to the northern frontier.
And the new Chanyu—what audacity! They had just married off one princess from Great Wei, and now he shamelessly dared to ask for the Emperor’s own full-blooded sister?
Truly, he had no shame.
The expression of the Grand Tutor, seated next to the dragon throne, was as dark as ink.
His sharp gaze alone seemed fierce enough to slice open the Xiongnu envoy’s belly and kill him right there in the great hall.
At that tense moment, Ge Qingyuan, a Deputy Minister from the Ministry of Revenue, stepped forward and bowed toward the curtains hiding the Emperor, seeking permission to speak.
“Your Majesty, the customs of the Xiongnu differ from those of Great Wei. They may not be familiar with the Central Plains tradition of mourning. I ask Your Majesty to allow this humble servant to explain to the envoy that it is not Your Majesty’s unwillingness to strengthen ties through marriage, but rather that the mourning period for the late emperor has not yet ended. To discuss betrothal now would be disrespectful to the deceased emperor.”
The other court officials quietly admired Minister Ge.
Though he usually wasn’t one to flatter, he clearly had a sharp sense of timing.
If such words of refusal had come from the Grand Tutor, it would have seemed like he was shirking responsibility, which would not have looked good.
But with Minister Ge stepping forward to defuse the situation, the deadlock in court was broken and far more effective than singing the Grand Tutor’s praises a thousand times over.
Many silently regretted not seizing this moment of glory to speak eloquently and singlehandedly turn the tide.
The Grand Tutor, however, simply sneered at the Xiongnu envoy and said coldly, “Minister Ge speaks rightly. However, there’s no need. This marquis shall personally draft a letter to your Chanyu explaining why he cannot marry our Princess Yong’an of Great Wei. If there’s nothing else, court is dismissed!”
After the court session, the Grand Tutor said in a cold, sinister tone to the young emperor who was walking a few steps ahead, “Should I offer congratulations, Your Majesty? If not for the bond between you and that prince back then, would this Chanyu Xiu Tulie be so eager to marry your full-blooded sister without even needing to look at a portrait, just because she resembles you?”
Seeing that Eunuch Ruan and the others were far off, Nie Qinglin tilted her head slightly and replied in a low voice, “Grand Tutor has already spoiled this wonderful match. What’s the point in offering congratulations now? Are you planning to send We a red envelope in advance?”
The Grand Tutor’s brows twitched in anger.
This little emperor’s tongue was getting sharper by the day.
He actually found himself missing the soft-spoken, timid child who used to shrink into her robe.
But now, with so many prickly barbs in her speech…his expression chilled as he replied, “If Your Majesty is upset that I’ve ruined this splendid marriage alliance, it’s a simple matter. Tomorrow I’ll just tell the Xiongnu envoy that the princess is overwhelmed with longing for marriage and is eager to head to the northern frontier.”
At that, Nie Qinglin quickly smiled and replied cheerfully, “Grand Tutor, don’t joke around. What’s so fun about the northern frontier? Though… We are a little worried about Eighth Sister. We wonder how she’s doing after the old Chanyu’s death…”
The Grand Tutor glanced at her but didn’t respond immediately.
The spies stationed in the north had long since sent urgent pigeon messages back to the capital.
Reportedly, Princess Shaoyang, who had been married into the Xiongnu, was forcibly taken into the camp of Xiu Tuhong, the third son, while the old Chanyu was still gravely ill but not yet dead.
Xiu Tuhong was said to be a fierce general.
Though his biological mother had a low status and thus he had no claim to the throne, he was a staunch and unwavering supporter of his half-brother, Prince Xiu Tulie.
After Xiu Tulie ascended the throne, Xiu Tuhong was heavily promoted and now commanded a strong military force and considered the new Chanyu’s most trusted right-hand man.
That timid and submissive look of Princess Shaoyang, the Grand Tutor still remembered.
Her husband hadn’t even been buried yet, and she was already dragged into the tent by her own stepson and violated.
If what she once told the Emperor was true, that she would rather die than lose her chastity then her current situation was likely grim and dangerous.
But ever since she was taken into Xiu Tuhong’s camp, no further news about her could be obtained.
Wei Lenghou thought for a moment and decided not to tell the Emperor just yet.
However, the fact that Xiu Tulie had received news so quickly only proved one thing, he had planted quite a few spies in the capital.
Back then, Xiu Tulie was desperate to obtain the formula for refined iron.
Now the iron ingots had mysteriously disappeared… Could it also be related to the Xiongnu?
Putting these worries aside for now, after Nie Qinglin changed into her female attire, Wei Lenghou took her to the shipyard outside the capital.
Freight ships were constantly coming and going at the shipyard, spreading the wealth and prosperity of the Great Wei Dynasty to other city-states.
Although the nation’s strength had declined slightly in recent years, overseas trade was still frequent and thriving.
Nie Qinglin didn’t understand why the Grand Tutor brought her here.
She stood at the portico of the shipyard and looked down, spotting a large ship moored in the deepest part of the harbor.
That ship looked completely different from the others—tall as a fortress, narrow at the base and wide at the top, with both the bow and stern raised high.
It made the surrounding cargo ships look like tiny ants that could be crushed at any moment.
Before long, a boarding ladder was slowly lowered from the ship, and a tall, dark-skinned young man stepped off first, walking down the dock with strong, brisk steps.
Eunuch Ruan had already gone to meet him and led him up to the portico.
When the young man saw Grand Tutor Wei, he didn’t act with the deference others usually did, instead, he cheerfully called out, “Big Brother!”
Nie Qinglin, following behind with a white heavy veil draped over her hood, was slightly startled.
This young man was actually Wei Lenghou’s younger brother?
Though she knew the Grand Tutor came from a merchant family, now that he held such a powerful and prestigious position, she had never seen any of his family members in the imperial court, nor had she heard of any relatives visiting.
Over time, it had almost become easy to believe that he was a solitary demon king who’d leapt out of a rock, entirely on his own.
“So Ah Zhi still remembers that I’m your older brother. This time you return to the Central Plains, yet you didn’t even stop to rest. If not for the shipyard officials reporting it in time, were you planning to raise the sails and depart again the moment the wind changed?”
Though his words were cold, there was an unmistakable warmth in his eyes, something rarely seen.
It left Nie Qinglin somewhat stunned.
She found that this man looked extremely similar to the Grand Tutor himself, like a darker-skinned version of him.
But where the Grand Tutor exuded a chilling aura that could make one shiver, this younger man seemed to be glowing with the warmth of sunlight, as though he had absorbed it all while at sea.
Wei Yunzhi protested loudly, “You’re the one who forbade our family’s cargo ships from docking casually! Every time I dock, it’s only after I’ve sent someone ahead, just like you told me, to notify Chief Steward Liu. How is it now turned into me sneaking in…? And who is this lady…?”
Wei Yunzhi’s eyes had landed on the veiled woman who had been standing quietly behind the Grand Tutor, his curiosity piqued.
But the Grand Tutor had no intention of introducing the princess.
He only said, “You mentioned in your letter that this shipment contains some rare items. I came first to see you, and second, to let this esteemed guest take a look. Would that be convenient, Ah Zhi?”
Wei Yunzhi grinned and said, “Big Brother’s request, how could it ever be inconvenient? Please, this way!”
Several guards ahead scattered dry wood shavings and sawdust across the muddy path, creating a clean walkway so the Grand Tutor and his party wouldn’t dirty their shoes.
But Wei Yunzhi couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable.
His older brother, famous for being the rebellious son of the Wei family, always treating women with detached indifference as if they were nothing more than passing entertainment, was now actually holding the hand of this mysterious woman, gently and protectively guiding her, showing every bit of care and tenderness.
It almost made one suspect whether his elder brother had been possessed by some wandering soul who pitied and cherished women.
Whose spirit had taken over this grand and imposing body?
Nie Qinglin, too, was surprised.
She had always known that Wei Lenghou came from wealth, but she had never truly understood just how wealthy “wealth” could mean.
Only upon boarding this massive ship did she realize that the several other large ships anchored just outside the harbor also belonged to the Wei family’s fleet.
Besides cargo ships, there were even a dozen or so small warships escorting them.
Many of the servants aboard had peculiar appearances and skin tones, clearly not native to the Central Plains but all were uniformly dressed in tunics stamped with the character ‘Wei’, and all appeared well-trained.
Judging by how deeply this ship sat in the water, it was clearly no coastal freighter.
A vessel of this size and draft could ride the winds and waves to far-off lands…
Just from this glimpse of the fleet, one could already catch a sense of the whole, how immense the wealth of this little-known Wei family in the Great Wei Dynasty truly was.
When the Grand Tutor said he alone could fund the Emperor’s entire livelihood, it was clearly no boast.
Once aboard the ship’s cabin, Nie Qinglin also understood why the Grand Tutor hadn’t simply picked out a few favored items to send directly into the palace.
The cargo crates were stacked and interwoven in a staggering quantity.
Wei Yunzhi headed straight for a thick, heavy door deep within the hold.
Behind it was yet another sealed chamber.
Upon entering, they found even more exquisite treasures and mostly large decorative objects of considerable craftsmanship.
Suddenly, Nie Qinglin caught sight of a mirror, one that reflected her image with striking clarity.
Curiosity stirred within her; she lifted her veil slightly and leaned in to take a better look.
Just as her delicate hand brushed aside the veil, Wei Yunzhi got a clear look at the mysterious woman’s face.
He, who had traveled far and wide and seen beauties of every kind, stood dumbfounded.
He thought to himself, No wonder even my cold and stoic elder brother has turned tender and affectionate.
A woman like this is truly a treasure worthy of a lifetime of devotion.
Seeing her curious gaze, Wei Lenghou asked, “What sort of mirror is this?”
Wei Yunzhi promptly replied, “This is a silver-plated mirror, quite popular in the Western Lands. But one of this size, large enough to show the full body, involves very complex craftsmanship and is quite rare. If this young lady likes it, I’ll have someone pack it up and send it to you.”
As he spoke, he fully expected the young lady to light up with joy, eagerly thanking him with a face full of delight.
Unexpectedly, she merely offered a faint smile and softly said, “Much obliged.”
Her calm and composed demeanor made it seem as though someone giving her a mountain of gold was only to be expected.
Wei Yunzhi was slightly taken aback.
This girl looks so young—how could she be so proud?
He did not know that this young woman had been born of royal blood, and now held the title of sovereign, even if her power had been stripped away by his elder brother.
Raised in the ways of the court, she would never lose her composure over rare trinkets like some girl from a minor family.
After selecting a few more uncommon decorative items, Nie Qinglin began to feel unwell from the stale air within the ship.
Yet the Grand Tutor showed no signs of being finished, merely pointing out anything suitable to the servants to be carried off the ship.
She stood quietly by, enduring it, until at last she could bear it no longer and coughed a few times.
Only then did the Grand Tutor turn around.
He frowned slightly, then took her hand and led her outside.
Nanny Shan helped her into the inner cabin of the ship to rest.
The Grand Tutor, meanwhile, seemed to still have important matters to discuss with his younger brother and did not come up for some time.
Seeing the princess’s throat still uncomfortable, Nanny Shan retrieved a lacquered wooden box from the maid beside her.
She took out a teacup and a delicate small kettle with a charcoal base, filled it with mountain spring water they’d brought along, and placed a lit charcoal briquette inside.
Soon, the water began to boil, just in time for a fragrant cup of tea.
When Wei Yunzhi followed his elder brother into the inner cabin, what he saw was a nanny and three maidservants carefully serving tea to the lady.
Though the Wei family was wealthy enough to rival a nation, they had never raised their children in luxury.
In fact, the sons especially were taught to avoid living off ancestral fortune or indulging in comfort.
Thus, whether it was himself or his now-powerful brother, neither paid much attention to finery in food or drink.
Originally, he had assumed this young woman was merely someone who had latched onto his brother’s wealth and status—delicate, spoiled, and arrogant.
But now, seeing her methodically drinking tea, every gesture and movement imbued with elegant decorum, he realized she was no ordinary girl.
The poise and bearing she displayed weren’t something one could fake.
Moreover, judging by her hairstyle, she didn’t appear to be a concubine who had officially entered the household.
What kind of noble household, then, would allow an unmarried girl to travel outside the home with his brother?
Wei Yunzhi’s fleet had only docked temporarily to restock supplies.
With strong winds out at sea, there was no time to delay.
After bidding a rare farewell to his brother, and with guards helping load the chests of food, clothes, and medicine prepared for him by the Grand Tutor, the great ship was soon ready to weigh anchor and depart.
Standing beside the Grand Tutor, Nie Qinglin felt a wave of emotion rise within her.
From the brief conversation between the Grand Tutor and his younger brother, she had gathered that the Grand Tutor’s entire family did not reside in the Central Plains and that he didn’t seem keen on allowing them to return either.
After a moment’s reflection, Nie Qinglin understood why.
The Grand Tutor was truly ambitious and he had likely been eyeing the imperial throne of Great Wei for quite some time.
Previously, observing Wei Lenghou’s cold detachment toward both new and former lovers, she had thought him someone incapable of true affection, someone who merely used those around him at his whim.
But this cold and distant man, when it came to family, turned out to be fiercely protective.
Usurping the throne was a gamble with one’s life and legacy.
Win, and one ruled the empire; lose, and one’s entire clan would be executed.
But the Grand Tutor had cleverly used his family’s merchant status to relocate them outside the Central Plains, eliminating any concern for their safety.
On the return journey, Nie Qinglin grew bored inside the carriage and curiously asked the Grand Tutor about seafaring.
Hearing just a few of his words, she already felt a quiet envy.
If one could set sail, freed from the limits of land borders and frontier roads, what a vast and boundless picture that would be.
To wake each morning to see the mighty waves devouring the sky, the sea shimmering beneath the sun; to travel to strange lands unrecorded in any geography text—what a legendary life that would be.
“Why did the Grand Tutor willingly give up everything his clan had and choose to serve in the court?”
She couldn’t hold back and finally asked.
In her eyes, to willingly give up such a thrilling life and instead spend every day scheming in the court seemed like a choice made by someone ignorant and soul-less.
Someone as clever as the Grand Tutor naturally understood why she asked such a thing, and his expression turned darker than when he faced the Xiongnu envoys in court.
He shot Nie Qinglin a fierce glare.
The dragon pearl, always perceptive, could tell the Grand Tutor didn’t want to talk further, so she wisely fell silent.
It was a long while before the Grand Tutor composed himself and finally replied with a calm face: “I get seasick…”
The ships that sailed the open sea were nothing like those on rivers or lakes.
When struck by mighty waves, the entire vessel would pitch as if the sea itself were overturning.
The otherworldly Grand Tutor would become utterly disheveled upon boarding such a ship, vomiting to the point of losing all his immortal grace.
Worse still, this master of both brush and sword could not swim.
Such was Lord Wei Lenghou: even if he had the will to inherit the family trade, he was powerless to do so.
He was like a flood dragon trapped on dry land and resorting instead to land-based conquests, political maneuvering, and indulging his craving for stirring up waves on land in place of the sea.
After hearing the Grand Tutor’s explanation, Nie Qinglin found tears welling in her eyes.
So this was the ridiculous reason behind the rise of such a wicked, charismatic, and unruly grand minister of Great Wei!
On the way back, Nie Qinglin suddenly felt a dull pain in her abdomen.
At first, she assumed it was just because she had drunk her tea too quickly and felt a bit unwell.
But when she slowly got up, she noticed the Grand Tutor’s large hand that supporting her by the arm had subtly tensed.
When she followed the direction of his gaze and looked down, she saw that her white gauze skirt was now marked with blotches of deep red…
