Chapter 53: Choices (5)

After drawing the fortune sticks, Lady Li Yang, the wife of the prime minister, went to a side hall to look for Li Linfu, only to be informed by a veteran servant that the prime minister had returned to the mansion early. Though slightly dissatisfied, she did not wish to show it in this sacred Buddhist place and instead returned home by carriage with her servants.

Li Linfu was overjoyed as Shen Er brought back many memories of his youth. Not only did she resemble Su Zhen in appearance, but her mannerisms and even subtle habits were identical. In his youth, Li Linfu had lost Su Zhen due to his obsession with power, so he wanted to make up for it with Shen Er. Now that he was the prime minister of the Tang Dynasty, what could he not do?

As soon as he returned to the mansion, Li Linfu ordered Shen Er to be placed in a quiet courtyard on the south side. This courtyard was peaceful, with hardly anyone passing by. He kept the matter of bringing Shen Er back strictly confidential. Although he loved her out of his longing for Su Zhen, he did not want Lady Li Yang to become jealous or upset. After all, she was his legitimate wife, the one he had married in poverty.

Of course, after calming down from his initial surprise and emotion, Li Linfu also began to doubt Shen Er’s sudden appearance. In the past, he would have thoroughly investigated her background to uncover those behind her. But now, he preferred to pretend to be unaware and enjoy time with her. Still, the security at the prime minister’s mansion had been significantly strengthened, suggesting that Li Linfu wasn’t entirely at ease with Shen Er.

When Li Kuo received the message from Miss Shen Er via carrier pigeon, he was filled with uncontrollable joy. According to their plan, the most difficult step was for Miss Shen Er to approach Li Linfu on her own and be taken back to his mansion by him. Once this step succeeded, everything else would fall into place. It was impossible for her to win Li Linfu’s trust at first sight—convincing such a cunning man to trust someone unconditionally was extremely difficult.

But trust could be cultivated. Once Li Linfu became deeply involved in his feelings for Shen Er, it would be time for them to carry out the final step.

This plan relied on each step in sequence, with no room for error.

“Young master, Li Liniang has just prepared a pot of chrysanthemum tea for you, to help ease your worries.”

Shen Liniang entered Li Kuo’s study and placed a pot of chrysanthemum tea on the desk.

These past few days, Li Kuo has been discussing important matters with his confidants. When they get excited, they often forget to eat. Without proper nutrition, the young man’s complexion turns sallow, and he appears thinner as well. Shen Liniang saw this and felt immense pain, but she couldn’t do much to help, only watch anxiously. Yesterday, she suddenly remembered the old saying that tea can relieve fatigue, so she brewed this pot of chrysanthemum tea and brought it to Li Kuo.

“It’s Liniang. These chrysanthemums are indeed good, but they can’t compare to the taste of ordinary green tea.”

Li Kuo rolled up the letter sent by Miss Shen and put it back in the small tube. Having just received good news, his mood was naturally bright, and his complexion also turned slightly rosy.

“You don’t know everything, sir.”

Shen Liniang smiled gently. “These chrysanthemums are wild ones from the southern mountains, and this pot of water is made from morning dew that I collect every day at dawn. This chrysanthemum tea is by no means inferior in taste to green tea.”

Li Kuo patted his thigh and laughed. “Since it’s Liniang’s thoughtfulness, today I’ll savor its taste properly.”

“Sir, life is like tasting tea. At first, it always seems a bit bitter, but as you drink more and get used to it, you can taste the sweetness. Think of tea leaves—after being scalded by boiling water, some float on the surface while others sink to the bottom. They rise and fall, but as long as they end up on the surface, isn’t that enough?”

Shen Liniang smiled softly. “The most important thing in tasting tea is to have a good mood. If your mind is too troubled, how can you appreciate its sweetness?”

With a bitter smile, Li Kuo waved his hand. “It’s best that you think this way. Next month, I and A Tian…”

“Sir, you needn’t say more. Liniang understands.”

Shen Liniang had already learned about Li Kuo’s proposal to Master Du. The wedding was set for the tenth day of the next month. Although Li Kuo hadn’t said it outright, she could see the joy in his heart. Du Jingtian had been his childhood sweetheart, so it was only natural for her to become the legitimate wife. As for her, even though her status had been cleared, she still came from a brothel—how could she compete with Du Jingtian?

At first, she stayed to repay a debt. But after spending over a month together, she gradually developed feelings for the handsome and valiant Li Kuo. She admired his integrity and loyalty, as well as his perseverance and fairness. That’s why she suggested to him that he take her as his concubine.

But this didn’t mean she wanted to be the legitimate wife. She just wanted to watch him quietly, stay by his side—that would satisfy her.

For a woman of her background, who valued and cherished the happiness around her, it was only natural that she was more content.

She never hoped to become Li Kuo’s legitimate wife. Firstly, it was due to her sensitive status, and secondly, because the young man was deeply in love with Du Jingtian. As another woman, how could she not understand the implications of such behavior?
Li Kuo sighed in relief. Since Shen Liniang was willing to be accommodating, the concerns he had were resolved. He treated her more like a confidant, and having a confidant by his side was indeed a great joy.
“I mean, let’s hold your wedding together. Firstly, there have been many matters in the mansion lately, so it’s not appropriate to delay too long. Secondly, my mother also disapproves of extravagance.”
Li Kuo nodded and shared his detailed plans for the wedding.
He eventually had to tell Shen Liniang about these matters, and it was better to inform her sooner so she could prepare mentally.
“Everything is up to you, sir.”
Liniang’s cheeks turned slightly red as she replied in a low voice. For people of their status, a wedding was already a luxury. Being able to marry at the same time as the main family was actually a stroke of luck.
“A Tian is straightforward in nature; you’ll likely have to take on more responsibilities in the mansion from now on.”
“Although Sister A Tian is a bit straightforward, she is very kind. I will definitely assist her well and manage the affairs of the mansion properly.”
Shen Liniang didn’t want Li Kuo to worry further over these trivial matters, so she quickly agreed after biting her jade lips.
Meanwhile, at the residence of Lady Guo in Xuanyang Fang, Yang Zhao was pacing anxiously.
Ever since he returned from Hedong, he hadn’t had a single day of peace. First, someone accused him of failing to provide adequate relief, worsening the disaster. A few days later, someone submitted a secret report exposing his “evil act” of embezzling relief grain. Upon hearing this news, Yang Zhao was furious. If accusing him of poor relief efforts was understandable, then claiming he stole the grain was pure slander!
How could they slander someone like that?
Look at those officials who came forward to accuse him—was there even one who held a rank above fifth grade? That old scoundrel Li Linfu was too cruel, trying to use this incident to suppress him, even though he still called him prime minister. In fact, he couldn’t be entirely blamed for the disaster relief in Hedong. If it weren’t for Pei Xingda, the governor of Taiyuan, secretly replacing the grain measuring containers with smaller ones, how could so many disaster victims have had to migrate?
Afterward, Pei Xingda even turned around and accused him of being unwilling to distribute all the grain in the warehouse, which was why he replaced the containers. What a ridiculous joke! The grain in Jinyang City wasn’t in his mansion—what was there for him to be reluctant about? Pei Xingda, that lackey of Li Linfu, was truly going too far.

Although His Majesty the Emperor suppressed the matter and did not pursue it further, he was quite disappointed in himself. He had hoped to gain credit from this and possibly enter the Political Council. But instead of gaining any credit, he was unjustly reprimanded by the Emperor for no reason at all.
That old scoundrel Li Linfu! It seems that unless he’s eliminated, he’ll never be able to rise to the position of prime minister. It’s you who forced me into this, you old thief!
The Lady of Guo State was annoyed by his restless movements and snapped, “Why are you running around? Can problems be solved by rushing? You truly deserve to be outwitted!”
Yang Hua-hua had no good feelings toward Yang Zhao at all. She had thought she’d landed a lucrative position that would allow her family to gain a firm foothold in the capital, but instead, he proved to be useless and was nearly dismissed from his post after being outwitted.
How can such a person hold an official position? How can such a person even aspire to become prime minister?
If it weren’t for the lack of outstanding talents in her Yang family, they would never have supported such a worthless man.
But despite her anger, Yang Hua-hua still had to plan for Yang Zhao.
Li Linfu’s actions might seem casual, but they were actually extremely malicious. Seizing grain privately was a serious crime, and if proven, not even her fourth sister could save him.
It seems Li Linfu already regards her Yang family as a significant rival and intends to suppress them thoroughly.
“Don’t worry. I’ve already started thinking of solutions. Since that old scoundrel has taken Shen Er under his wing, there’s still hope. Who would have thought that this treacherous old man would fall for love? Fine, let him remain a rogue—his so-called reputation as a prime minister of the Tang Dynasty is well-deserved after all.”
With a sigh, Yang Hua-hua glanced at Yang Zhao and said, “Don’t go see Brother Kuo these days. The Emperor was furious not long ago because he met with the crown prince in secret. If you go now, it will only make things worse.”
“How can that be! You know I’ve just uncovered some clues and wanted to discuss them with him. Do you really think I, Yang Zhao, am so useless that I can only stay in the mansion and do nothing but attend court?”
Yang Zhao was furious, his chest heaving like an inflated raft. Yang Hua-hua clearly looked down on him, not realizing that this matter could potentially change the fate of their entire family.
“Are you referring to those ‘merchants’ from the Western Regions? That’s easy to handle. Xuan Er’s residence is also in Qinren Fang—have him go discuss it with Brother Kuo. Since it’s the young people handling it, the Emperor won’t be suspicious!”