Eunuch Fu looked around, then leaned closer and whispered to Shangguan, "I heard His Majesty coughed up blood."
He feigned surprise, but he knew perfectly well what was going on.
Emei has a secret technique called "Jade Stone Cotton Palm." The "cotton" refers to the long duration of the attack. If the disease penetrates deep into the muscles and bones, the heart and lungs will gradually weaken until it becomes incurable. Even jade can be burned, and this persistent attack has its end.
What appears to be a shrewish tantrum actually conceals a hidden agenda.
"Poor Lord Ji, waiting at Qianqing Gate every day, perhaps he is worried about His Majesty and can't let go of Consort Liu."
Having once had an intimate conversation with Ji Junze, and given a bottle of medicine supposedly entrusted to him by a certain official who was unable to deliver it to the inner palace, Fu Gonggong simply drew two dots, which he then connected into a line, convincing him of the ambiguous relationship between Ji Junze and Consort Liu.
This is a weakness of human nature—being too clever for one's own good, especially for courtiers and eunuchs who have witnessed too much darkness and strife.
These two points are just the beginning; there is another line waiting for the important officials to connect.
"I heard that this year the Winter Solstice is celebrated together with the Emperor's birthday, and all officials of the fifth rank and above are required to come to the capital?"
"Yes, this year is a year of grand gifts, and the adults won't miss the chance to flatter us." Having drunk to his heart's content, Eunuch Fu began to speak without thinking, "By the way, I heard that some江湖人 (jianghu people) have become officials this year."
"A fifth-rank Zhili soldier," he kindly reminded him.
"Yes, yes, this was Lord Ji's idea. I heard he's some kind of martial arts alliance leader."
"Will this alliance leader come?"
"Of course, in the court, whoever recommends you becomes your disciple. Even if he doesn't understand the rules, Lord Ji is a man of principle," Eunuch Fu affirmed.
In this way, the other two points can be drawn.
The Jade Stone Palm technique is a martial art practiced only by those in the martial arts world; only they can discern its secrets. We only need to wait for the martial arts alliance leader to enter the court to see through Consort Liu's tricks.
Consort Liu plotted against His Majesty, while Prince Ji had an ambiguous relationship with Consort Liu.
Even assuming the alliance leader didn't point out the suspicious circumstances, once the Jade Stone Palm technique penetrated the skin, the imperial physician would know it was the work of a martial arts practitioner.
The powerful and unfamiliar martial arts leader and fifth-rank official, Minister Ji, led this person into the palace for an audience.
In any case, Chief Minister Zheng would not let go of this golden opportunity to defeat Minister Ji.
Two points in one line, killing two birds with one stone, neither Emperor Shengde nor Ji Jun can escape.
Actually, it would be best to drag Consort Liu down with us. As long as this Yu woman has a result and her fate is sealed, then no matter how things change, Zigui will be safe.
As for his previous contact with Ji Junze, he had already told Prime Minister Zheng, making Prime Minister Zheng believe that he was willing to act as a spy to help the cabinet.
He went over the plan repeatedly in his mind to make sure it would be foolproof.
Then Eunuch Fu said, "Speaking of that martial arts alliance leader, he really made a big joke this time."
"Oh?" he replied casually.
"Last night, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel who went to bestow the seal sent an urgent report, saying that the current leader of the martial arts alliance is a woman."
A woman? He couldn't recall any woman in the martial arts world possessing such abilities.
"Not only was she a woman, but she was also a Taoist nun."
"A Taoist nun?" He sensed something was wrong.
"I heard that the nun was just lucky. The one who actually won was the third young master of the Shiying Wei family. The Shiying Wei family is the same Wei family that followed the founding emperor in conquering the country and was granted hereditary titles. Back then, their eldest son died taking a knife for Crown Prince Minhuai, and their second son also died of illness. The Wei family was counting on this third young master to get back that fifth-rank military officer position. It's just a pity..."
Shangguan Yi's eyes darkened suddenly, and the more she listened, the more she felt something was amiss.
"And then?" he couldn't help but interrupt Grandpa Fu's rambling.
"Then a Cheng Yaojin appeared out of nowhere, a Northern Di person who insisted on joining in the fun. As a result, he fought with the Third Young Master Wei like a snipe and a clam, allowing that Taoist nun to get the advantage. I heard that the Taoist nun even cheated, pretending to be right-handed when she was actually left-handed."
Left-handed, left-handed.
It's almost certain he's damned.
He pulled out the letter from home, skimming through it without reading the contents, only looking for the person's name.
Yu Zigui.
really.
This woman, this woman, isn't she very pragmatic? She knows perfectly well that she can't be an official, and she can't be the leader of the alliance.
Idiot, fool!
Even in his rage, he didn't forget to throw the letter home into the fire.
Watching the letters burn to ashes in an instant, Shangguan Yi lowered his eyes and pondered his future path.
Chapter Twelve
The towering city gates pierce the sky, appearing as if a crack has been pried open in the clouds, and the glazed tiles are stained with the dawn light, which resembles glaze.
It was the capital city of the dynasty, the capital.
But the reason I feel this way is not because of the magnificent yellow-tiled roof of the city gate tower, but because I recall the words my master said when I set off from the lower county.
"I also want to see how much the capital has declined in recent years."
"master!"
She stared wide-eyed in surprise, taking in the panic of her senior brothers.
"You can go anywhere, except the capital..."
“Master, have you forgotten? The reputation of the Five Greats was stifled starting from the capital city.”
"We already feel guilty for dragging down the youngest one. If even Master... do you want your disciples to become rebellious people who disobey their master?"
His pale eyes trembled slightly, and the sixth senior brother's thin body exuded an aura that could not be refused.
"Really." The master smiled helplessly, as if looking at a playful child. "Have you all forgotten? The Five Greats are dead."
"master……"
"The one standing here now is just a poor old man worried about his youngest son, who only wants to accompany him on his journey."