Chapter 1913 - 1851: The Fisherman Watching From the Sidelines
Chapter 1913: Chapter 1851: The Fisherman Watching From the Sidelines
His Majesty the Emperor wishes to conduct a three-day water and land Dharma Assembly at Imperial Jue Temple for the early departed Fourth Imperial Son, and widely distribute vegetarian meals to comfort the son’s spirit in heaven. All the expenses will be covered by His Majesty’s private treasury.
In addition, the late prince will be posthumously honored as King of Han.
News of this spread, and a large number of impoverished and displaced people flocked to Imperial Jue Temple, seeking those vegetarian meals out of charity.
On the first day of the Dharma Assembly, Her Majesty the Empress also personally attended, lighting an everlasting lamp for her prematurely deceased son. She also distributed charitable meals and donated a sum of Silver from her own dowry to King Hall, earning much praise from the common people, with some even erecting a longevity plaque in her honor.
Ah Jiu and Wufu received the news while they were playing chess in the Warm Pavilion of Marquis Xuanping’s villa.
"Why has this suddenly happened? Elevating him to a king and conducting a Dharma Assembly—there must be an inside story." Wufu took advantage of Ah Jiu’s distraction to pick up a chess piece she regretted.
"Once a piece is placed, regret is futile." Ah Jiu took the piece from her hand and placed it back in its original position, saying, "Royal Mother over there must have made a move and deliberately mentioned the Fourth Imperial Son. Both His Majesty and Her Majesty are uneasy. They are conducting such a Dharma Assembly, undoubtedly with the intention of calming their own minds."
"Ha, finally understood the saying ’a clear conscience makes a soft pillow.’ If one’s heart is guilty, everything appears guilty." Wufu sneered, "They murdered someone; so conducting a Dharma Assembly would ease their minds? Ridiculous!"
"It’s only self-deception."
"If His Majesty knew Her Majesty’s true thoughts, what do you think would happen?" Wufu squinted and said, "If he knew it was Her Majesty plotting against him with intentions of his death, he definitely wouldn’t turn a blind eye, would he?"
Ah Jiu looked up, "Trying to be a fisherman?"
Wufu raised an eyebrow and said, "They both want us dead. Should we be polite to them? These two cannot stop their fight. Shouldn’t we stay on the sidelines, watch as spectators, and steer clear of the whirlpool?"
Ah Jiu said, "There’s yet no solid evidence."
Wufu chuckled twice, "Evidence? His Majesty is so capable, with countless capable people under him, he will find the evidence himself. As for us, we just need to take care of our own matters."
Ah Jiu stood up, went to the window, and looked at the snow on the branches from behind, saying, "Staying away from the whirlpool is not possible, as we are already part of it. But staying away from the center of the whirlpool is also good; while there might be losses, doesn’t mean we can’t escape unscathed."
Telling Emperor Yan what they know and suspect can certainly ignite a fight between the two, but it also exposes themselves. His Majesty would never allow others to know about his act of covering up the humiliation of his mother by killing his son, even Ah Jiu.
"No wall in the world is completely airtight; not only we ourselves might know. How to extricate ourselves while causing suspicion and apprehension about Her Majesty in him requires careful planning." Wufu jumped onto the windowsill, half her body outside.
Ah Jiu was startled, quickly grabbing her arm and lightly scolding, "Can’t you sit upright? What if you fall, get down."
Wufu twisted herself a bit, holding onto his neck with both hands, mischievously saying, "With you here, how would I fall?"
"You’re livelier out here than in the house!" Ah Jiu affectionately pinched her little nose, seeing she didn’t want to get down, he supported her with his hand.
"There’s no restraint outside." Wufu giggled, noticing the guilt flashing in his eyes, quickly added, "Wherever you are, it’s great. Let’s quickly discuss how to make those two clash!"