Chapter 733: Unwillingness
Chapter 733: Chapter 733: Unwillingness
Old Madam Gu could not quite remember how she left Duke Zhen’s Mansion.
Until Gu Baoshu pulled her over and asked, "That old witch didn’t give you a hard time, did she?"
Old Madam Gu then regained her composure but ignored Gu Baoshu, turning to Nanny Rong and asking, "Is the person brought back?"
Nanny Rong replied, "Brought back."
Only then did Old Madam Gu feel at ease and quickly ordered, "I have a bit of a headache now and can’t see her. You arrange for her..."
She paused, not knowing how best to arrange it.
This was indeed a hot potato she had brought back.
Nanny Rong continued, "I will arrange it first, and once Madam returns, if Old Madam is uncertain, let’s see what she says."
"... Okay..." At this moment, Old Madam Gu only wished to be alone and sent Gu Baoshu away: "You go back first, I’m tired."
Gu Baoshu was perceptive, and immediately blinked obediently, "Mother, if you’re tired, rest first. I’ll come to see you at dinner time."
Once Old Madam Gu entered the inner chambers, Gu Baoshu, like a monkey released from a cage, dashed outside to inquire about news from the guards.
Learning that her mother had returned from Duke Zhen’s Mansion with the maid Ru Hua who served Madam You, she curiously asked, "What’s going on?"
She had been quite familiar with You Da before and knew a lot about affairs in Duke Zhen’s Mansion.
You Da disliked Ru Hua the most and had complained to her.
"Among so many masters and servants in the whole family, the matriarch only notices her. My mother and aunts have to act according to her face, otherwise, they’ll unknowingly provoke the matriarch."
"My mother says to endure her for a while. Once the matriarch goes to Wutai Mountain, let’s see how cocky she gets. We’ll just marry her off to a servant. But she’s sly, complaining to the matriarch, proclaiming she wants to live a chaste life, never marrying, and if the matriarch goes to Wutai Mountain, she will stay in the family’s temple and guard for life."
Those words still echoed in her ears, yet Ru Hua had been brought home.
Who brings someone else’s servant home without reason?
Gu Baoshu was as curious as a cat, eager to get to the bottom of it.
...
Wang Zichuan’s clothes were filthy, his disheveled hair knotted like dry grass.
Contrasting with the pleasant fragrance of the premium room, he sat beside a well-dressed scholar, the melodious singing and instrumental music from outside incongruous.
But Wang Zichuan was Wang Zichuan after all.
He raised his hands, drinking tea boldly, and set the teacup down heavily, gathering courage to declare his intentions.
"Last night, I couldn’t sleep a wink; it must be said that Master Zhitong’s realm is extraordinary, truly admirable. I also wish to transcend like Master Zhitong, unaffected by external matters.
But with so many brothers’ lives tied to mine, I truly don’t know what to do.
Please, you two, give me some guidance, and I and my brothers of Black Wind Village will be eternally grateful."
Mr. Songshan said nothing, only stroked his beard and looked at Young Master Nantang.
Wang Zichuan also looked hopefully at Young Master Nantang.
Qin Yuan cleared her throat and asked, "May I know Brother Zichuan, what was your original plan for this visit to the capital? Could you share it with us?"
Wang Zichuan was also frank.
"The deeds we’ve done over the years, considered, cannot escape a death sentence. If you two do not mind, I’ll speak frankly."
Mr. Songshan immediately said, "We’d like to hear it in detail."
Wang Zichuan said, "Our Black Wind Village has never opposed Daxing, not the Emperor, only opposing corrupt officials. We’ve never disturbed the government nor harmed the people.
We’re children of good families, who, due to a moment of folly or pressure, joined Black Wind Village.
Thus, we all wish to return to the right path and earn some official position to honor our ancestors."
These words were well said, but actually, as Qin Yuan pointed out, while at Black Wind Village, their hearts were set on the court, yet unable to secure an official position, turned to Empress Lin and others.
Once the topic opened, Wang Zichuan no longer held back: "We’ve worked for the Crown Prince and King Jin, aiming for amnesty.
Our multiple amnesty attempts were thwarted by various accidents.
I wanted to use this opportunity to cause a stir in the capital, letting the Emperor know we’re not just bandits who usurp mountains but also capable people, hoping to spark his appreciation of talents, and with Empress Lin and others speaking favorably, the amnesty might indeed happen."
His words were candid, though he concealed instructing Brother Ximen to entice the Chief of the Courtyard.
This shows despite his frankness, Wang Zichuan wasn’t completely open.
Qin Yuan then asked, "Have you considered presenting a gratitude letter to the Emperor?"
Wang Zichuan was taken aback but then replied, "The previous chief expended much effort, spending countless money, entrusted someone to deliver a petition, but was rebuked by the late Emperor.
The late Emperor said that we had achieved nothing, granting us amnesty would only encourage more unrest, endangering the state, and forbade future mentions."
Qin Yuan remained silent.
Even she as an Emperor would likely think the same.
It’s all about perspectives.
Wang Zichuan continued, "The previous chief fell seriously ill, never mentioning it again. Before passing, he urged me, saying once we entered Black Wind Village, there’s no turning back, and if we were fortunate enough to receive amnesty, to be extremely cautious."
"Why?" Mr. Songshan asked.
Wang Zichuan said, "The predecessor said we come from unorthodox origins, despised by the court, even if granted amnesty, we’re not seen as talented recruits, likely used as sharp knives, with scarcely one in ten surviving.
If we all remain in the mountain village, at least we have each other’s company, living longer."
Mr. Songshan nodded, showing approval.
The foresight of the previous Black Wind Village leader was remarkable, significantly surpassing the present one.
Wang Zichuan, face flushed, said, "The former leader was once a promising general, with superiors eager to cultivate him, entrusted with escorting the Emperor’s concubines to the palace, which should have been a significant merit.
Alas, fate intervened.
A bandit invasion and Tashan’s Tatar people’s chaos occurred at the palace, he failed to protect the Empress, losing his position and imprisoned.
Later, driven by injustices, he killed the prison officer, with no choice but to flee to Black Wind Village.
He was generous and liked to associate with heroes of the world, thus many people from the martial world came seeking him.
Qin Yuan nodded.
Indeed, the former leader’s experience in the turbulent officialdom helped him see through the amnesty’s peril.
Wang Zichuan still yearned for the court, hoping for accomplishments to be revered by the world, inevitably harboring hope.
Sure enough, Wang Zichuan said, "All these years, although Black Wind Village hasn’t been entirely innocent, we haven’t committed heinous crimes either.
Our brothers possess some skills, recognized in the martial world, unwilling to remain obscure forever.
The prefecture officials from surrounding states often persuade us to surrender, with some mediating, we inevitably feel a kinship to Empress Lin who comes from common roots..."