Wanyan Xu and Zi Yan both jumped in fright, not knowing when or why Su Yi had returned after they had seen him leave. They turned, only to see Su Yi step out from behind the screen, with Zi Nong lending him an arm for support. When he saw Wanyan Xu, he gave a "humph" before saying in a displeased manner: “You muddle-headed thing, don"t tell me that you will pay no mind to jurisprudence and care for nothing else but your personal feelings? To think that you cannot adjust even a little to accommodate changing circ.u.mstances. You can even treat your beloved servant so harshly, even when she did not commit any great crime in the final reckoning.”
Wanyan Xu was rendered speechless, but he thought in his heart: Su Su, these words are really laughable. If even framing the Empress of treason is not considered to be a great crime, then what can be considered to be a great crime?He knew that in his heart, Su Yi wished to save Zi Yan and so after thinking a while he said: “Su Su why have you returned here? Your body is still weak, you should go back to the palace and concentrate on recuperating, leave this matter to for me to handle.”
Su Yi smiled and said: “If I insist on opposing your decision right here, I"m afraid that Miss Zi Yan will feel even unhappier in her heart, feeling that I really can exercise some magic to confuse and dominate the sagacious intellect. But there must be an axiom to everything, and so here I must do something that will arouse her suspicions and invite her derision. Besides, she also once said that if I were to become the Empress again, no matter what I do to her, she will not protest.”
So saying, he walked in front of her and said: “I know that you are a woman that has a character tempered by iron, and there are many things that you do not wish for me to know, in case I should think that you are trying to ingratiate yourself with me. But how could I not have thought of them myself? Shuo Er is but a child, it is hardly likely that he would suddenly think of examining that poem for a clue. Not to mention that the clue was so subtle that even I failed to notice it so how could he have unravelled the puzzle in mere moments? Besides, if it weren"t for Miss"s a.s.sistance, how would Honourable Minister He have discovered in such a timely fashion that General Yu had captured those scholars and were using them as collateral? Not to mention, he then managed to find them so rapidly. You had me come and listen in because you wanted to release me from my doubts. At first, I was so glad that I did not think much further. But as I was on the way back to the palace, the more I puzzled over the whole affair, the more I felt that something was off. Wanyan had not yet dismissed me, so why would you be in a hurry to have me leave? You are a person who has always carried deep reverence for your master in your heart, therefore you would not easily commit this deeply disrespectful transgression. I know that you do not wish to be indebted to me but although your master is indeed brilliant, he still needs to have capable a.s.sistants such as you. Could you really bear to abandon him? If you are going to say that he could just retrain another person, it would take countless years.”
Zi Yan made no reply. Only after a long time did she suddenly look up and said forthrightly: “Since the consort knows Zi Yan"s mind, then you should know that your good intentions are wasted on me. I was the cause of all the bitterness and suffering you endured, even if you don"t hold the past against me, Zi Yan also does not have the face to receive the Empress"s benediction.”
Her voice had just faded when Zi Nong had stamped her foot anxiously and said: “Zi Yan, why are you doing this, don’t tell me...”
Before she could finish, Zi Yan"s severe eyes had shifted to her and she said gravely: “Zi Nong, we the four sisters have grown up together, you should understand what sort of person I am.” So saying, she knelt in front of Su Yi and said: “Zi Yan has given the Consort much cause for offence in the past, I hope that the great man will show his magnanimity. If the Consort will henceforth be dedicated to a.s.sisting the Emperor, then Zi Yan will leave this life with no regrets.”
In his heart Su Yi knew that this servant girl was really too proud to accept any mercy from him, and trying to persuade her with kind words was a tactic that was doomed to failure. He rolled his eyes, and a new idea took hold in his heart. He gave a cold laugh and said: “Your courage is really commendable, as is your unflinching integrity. In addition, you are willing to take responsibility for your actions. But the mortal world is such that in all likelihood, out of every ten matters, at least eight or nine would not go according to one"s wish, so how could you expect to be the exception and that things will go exactly to your wishes? Wanyan Xu and Zi Nong both know that previously, I had similarly wished for death so that I could be a martyr for my country, but what was the result? And now, you also wish for death as a way to atone for your crime. Humph humph, how can things be so easy? Since your end is to be decided by me, then I want you to continue living and you will atone for your crimes with the good deeds that you shall do from now until the day of your death. You don"t have to think that I am being good-hearted and you do not need to feel indebted to me. To tell you the truth, this is my way of taking revenge. I have endured a lot of suffering and humiliation, if the only compensation I receive is to be an easy death for you, then how could the rage in my heart be quelled?” So saying, he looked and Wanyan Xu and said: “This is what I want, so that I can vent my anger. What is your opinion on this?”
Just by looking at his expression, Wanyan Xu could tell that Su Yi was determined to protect Zi Yan. His own heart was already loathe to part with his beloved servant and besides, since the victim of the crime had already made his will known, he really did not need to be inflexible anymore and insist on executing Zi Yan. Therefore he smiled and said: “Since the injured party has stated his wishes, how can I have any further comments. This insolent servant had inflicted so much pain upon you, she should be yours to deal with as you see fit anyway.” With that said, he turned to Zi Yan and continued speaking: “have you heard that? You should thank the Empress for his benevolence. In future, you have to do more good deeds to bring good fortune to him so as to redeem yourself.”
At this verdict, a smile had immediately brightened Zi Nong"s face but Zi Yan could only thank Su Yi grudgingly before she took her leave and left. Zi Nong could not help but laugh before saying: “The Consort need not mind her. Among the four of us, she is the most contrary. Although her actions are ruthless at times, she does not actually have a wicked nature. Don"t jump to conclusions solely because her face did not show any feelings of grat.i.tude just now; actually in her heart she knows how to distinguish between good and bad outcomes.”
Su Yi smiled and said: “I am not trying to get her to feel grat.i.tude towards me; I just think that although this girl is somewhat too prideful, she is also a person who is driven by her convictions. Moreover, she had told me long before that if I were to become a member of the Inner Court, she would definitely find a way to deal with me. From that, we can see that she clearly has a very candid character. In comparison to those people who plot against others on the sly, she is much more respectable. Humph humph.” With that, he looked at his beloved and Wanyan Xu immediately understood that he was thinking of that old score he had incurred long ago in the old Jin Liao Palace. Quickly, he dodged the accusation by giving a few "heh heh" laughs.
Suddenly, they heard someone call from beyond the chamber that He Jian was seeking an audience. Wanyan Xu furrowed his brows and said: “He just retired a short while ago, why is he suddenly requesting an audience again? Oh well, it must surely be that there has been some new developments in this case, let"s listen to what he has to say.” He had actually intended to sit down while holding Su Yi, but Su Yi managed to dodge and in a flash he was once again hiding at the back of the screen with Zi Nong.