Chapter 1444: Pear Blossom White

Chapter 1429: White Pear Blossoms

He Lingchuan sighed, "The fragrant happy beans are truly excellent, but unfortunately, my meeting with the Bu family was temporarily canceled, so this deal won't happen for now."

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Xu's smile faded. "This year's Royal Birthday Celebration has been the most tumultuous. General Xue was suddenly murdered, and Qingyang, the Regent, abruptly launched her campaign. Tianshui City is now on edge."

He Lingchuan asked with concern, "It won't affect the Yuwen family, will it?"

"Not at all. Our family's businesses are all legal, compliant, and transparent. We're not afraid of Regent Qingyang's investigations!" Yuwen Xu spoke with righteous indignation, "However, rumors have been flying around the palace and city these past few days, causing widespread panic. Wherever the Bega people under the Regent go, everyone feels apprehensive!"

Qingyang's subordinates were appearing everywhere in Tianshui City, like vultures circling, looking for prey. What official wouldn't be afraid upon seeing them? With his explanation, He Lingchuan understood. The Yuwen family likely knew what Qingyang was investigating and that it didn't concern them, which is why they appeared unaffected.

This was also what He Lingchuan wanted to find out: "Are Regent Qingyang's subordinates formidable?"

"The leader's surname is He, and his name is He Yang. He's a trusted confidant she brought from Qing Palace in Lingxu City. He's said to have extraordinary cultivation and be ruthless. The Bu family's guards had a conflict with them and several were crippled on the spot. Furthermore, He is impervious to bribes and favors, refusing all invitations and overtures, causing many to lose face."

Hearing him say that, He Lingchuan thought of Xi Yunhe. Qingyang always managed to cultivate such loyal and capable subordinates; she truly had a talent for identifying and utilizing people.

He swirled his cup, then hesitated before saying, "Brother Yuwen, I want to ask you something."

"Go ahead. I'll tell you everything I know."

"Before coming to Tianshui City, I never expected Regent Qingyang to wield such influence, but seeing the officials and generals she's impeached, one after another... they're completely helpless!" He gave a bitter laugh. "To be honest, I'm uneasy. As you know, Regent Qingyang and I have an old grudge. I don't want to experience the terror of Lingxu City from three or four years ago again." He paused. "I plan to present my congratulatory gift in the next couple of days and return home early. I'm just a merchant; I came to Jiao Country only hoping to expand trade routes, not to get caught in such a massive vortex."

His words were very clear: if Qingyang could point at someone in Tianshui City and they would die, why should He Lingchuan remain there? Should he wait to be crushed with a single finger? He was invited by the King. If the King couldn't protect his own ministers and generals, how could he protect a mere foreign merchant like He? Given Qingyang's current authority, such worries were entirely normal for him.

Yuwen Xu waved his hands repeatedly. "Brother He, you're overthinking it. No matter how formidable Regent Qingyang is, she won't target you. Look at my Yuwen family; have we ever shown fear?"

The King of Jiao wanted He Lingchuan to attend, but the latter was going to leave early and had even visited Yuwen Xu before leaving? No, Yuwen Xu had to keep He Lingchuan here.

He Lingchuan remained anxious: "How so?"

"Regent Qingyang's impeachments succeed because of four words: 'targeting specific objectives.'" Yuwen Xu hesitated for a moment but decided to reveal the key, as it was no secret in the royal court and obvious to anyone paying attention. "Those she's vigorously pursuing are all officials connected to Guardian Huang."

"Guardian Huang?" He Lingchuan looked surprised. "Huang Shen's father?"

"That's right." Yuwen Xu whispered, "Guardian Huang's case involves a wide network. You know how things are in official circles." Guardian Huang confessed, was imprisoned, and executed five days later. This process had many suspicious points.

"Then why didn't she launch her campaign earlier or later, but chose this exact moment?"

Yuwen Xu opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but stopped. Finally, he said, "Isn't it just an attempt to use my King's Birthday Celebration to teach me... us a lesson?"

The Soul-Guiding Mirror sneered, "Really? Is it that simple?"

He Lingchuan tilted his head back and drank half a cup of wine. After all, Yuwen Xu wasn't Gu Xuan; his insincerity showed. The biggest recent changes in Jiao Country were the deaths of Xue Zongwu and Qi Yunsheng. Qingyang chose this moment to launch her campaign; 90% of the cases were related to these two. From Qian Yu's accounts, Guardian Huang had quite close dealings with Xue Zongwu. When He Lingchuan burned down the Frost Creek County government's accounts, Xue Zongwu became extremely nervous – it seemed he also knew Qingyang was investigating his weaknesses. The officials recently impeached were also linked to Guardian Huang, and Qingyang had long ago gathered clues and evidence.

In an instant, He Lingchuan understood. Instead of saying these officials were connected to Guardian Huang, it was more accurate to say they were linked to Xue Zongwu and Qi Yunsheng! The position of a guardian might hold sway elsewhere, but in Tianshui City, full of royalty and nobles, it was quite frustrating. How could these officials center their widespread network of interests around him? Guardian Huang didn't have enough influence. During his lifetime, Xue Zongwu wielded immense power, and Qi Yunsheng had a profound background, with the King of Jiao's backing, making them obstacles in Qingyang's path. With them in the way, many leads couldn't be pursued. Now that Xue Zongwu and Qi Yunsheng were dead, they could no longer obstruct Qingyang, allowing her to act freely! She was truly worthy of being an old hand, seasoned in Bega officialdom for over a hundred years, with a remarkably precise understanding of the current situation and mastery of opportunities.

Having understood these hidden details, He Lingchuan remained outwardly calm. "I have no connection with Guardian Huang, so Regent Qingyang won't trouble me?"

"To put it bluntly, Regent Qingyang is very busy these days; she might not have the time to trouble you, Brother He." Yuwen Xu smiled. "You can put your mind at ease and just wait to attend my King's birthday celebration."

"Brother Yuwen, your words greatly relieve me." He Lingchuan raised his cup. "I hope Regent Qingyang doesn't notice me first, otherwise the inn where I'm staying might turn to ashes again."

Yuwen Xu, knowing about his experience in Lingxu City, couldn't help but laugh heartily. "Tianshui City right now has a guard every ten paces and a sentry every five. It's the safest place in the world, Brother He; you needn't worry."

Xue Zongwu's assassination, combined with the approaching Royal Birthday Celebration, had put Tianshui City on extremely high alert. Who would dare commit a crime at such a time? The two chatted for a long time, ate and drank their fill, and only leftovers remained on the table. Just then, a servant boy came to report that a distinguished guest had arrived. He Lingchuan immediately rose and said, "Brother Yuwen, please attend to your guest. I should be heading back too." Yuwen Xu stood up and escorted him to the door, just in time to greet the new visitor.

He Lingchuan strolled through the city for two hours. With the King of Jiao's birthday celebration approaching, Tianshui City was bustling with activity and still seemed vibrant. However, He Lingchuan felt that dark clouds hung over the city, and a stifling darkness was hidden behind the bright lights. He also found a cold drink stall by the canal, where vendors were selling cut fruit. It was almost June, and the weather was getting warmer. People always came to cool off by the water at night, enjoying some watermelon. Their conversations inevitably revolved around the Royal Birthday Celebration and General Xue Zongwu's death—indeed, this major news had finally spread widely among the populace. In just half an hour, He Lingchuan heard various outrageous claims, with many eagerly discussing how Emperor Jiuyou had used schemes and tricks to kill General Xue. However, the premise of all these discussions was singular: Xue Zongwu was indeed killed by Emperor Jiuyou, which was treated as an undeniable fact. The name of Emperor Jiuyou would henceforth resonate throughout Tianshui City and the entire country.

By the time He Lingchuan walked back to the inn, night had deepened.

It was almost June, yet deep within the Jiao Royal Palace, an old pear tree stubbornly bore a full crown of frosty white blossoms, refusing to wither. There was an ice spring underground, which could provide coolness in midsummer, but now emanated a chilling aura. Even covering it was useless; the surrounding stone slabs would frost over. Whenever the King of Jiao passed under the pear tree, he would instinctively rub his hands together. In his youth, he could jump into the ice spring and swim back and forth, but now he only wanted to walk around it. Time is unforgiving.

He had just settled into his study and hadn't even had a sip of hot water when a palace attendant announced, "Regent Qingyang has arrived!"

"Invite her in."

When Qingyang entered the imperial study, the King was half-closing his eyes, slowly drinking a cup of warm water. Viewed in the dim room, he appeared increasingly decrepit; his double eyelids had sagged into what looked like triple folds. But Qingyang knew not to underestimate this old man. A person's shrewdness isn't inversely proportional to age; otherwise, she would have been invincible in the world long ago. Yet this old fellow was still stubbornly clinging to Jiao Country, trying to suppress her. Self-righteous cleverness, the naiveté of a small state, hah.

Qingyang sat down without invitation and began to chat casually, "I just passed by that old pear tree and saw someone digging underneath it?"

"Yes, although the pear blossoms are abundant, it's a bit cold. We're planning to plant a new crabapple tree there."

"Oh, then be careful not to damage the roots with a few shovel strokes." A palace attendant respectfully brought tea. Qingyang took it and sipped, "That tree is old. If its roots are damaged, it won't be easy to keep alive."

The King of Jiao glanced at her. The old pear tree by the cold spring was planted the year he was born. It was fifty-nine years old, still in its prime for a tree. Qingyang thought it was old? She was older than the pear tree!

The King of Jiao chuckled. "It's not that delicate, is it? The old tree has been cultivated in the deep palace for years; the cold won't kill it. The soil around its roots is harder than iron; it's not easy for anyone to dig it up. Several shovels and hoes were broken digging today."

"Is that so?" Qingyang slowly said, "I hope to see both pear and crabapple blossoms flourishing next year. However, I heard that many trees have been planted near the cold spring, but none have survived more than two months."

She had only been here for half a year, yet she knew even such trivial palace matters? A hint of unease flickered in the King's heart, though he remained outwardly calm. "If you plant enough, one is bound to survive. Didn't that pear tree grow successfully back then?" He smiled. "I heard the Regent enjoys fruit wine. I have a new batch of pear blossom wine brewed here. I'll send a few jars to the Regent later."

Qingyang nodded. "Your Majesty is most thoughtful."

The imperial study fell silent. Both knew the pleasantries were over. Who would speak first? A palace attendant came to refill their tea, and both held their cups, slowly sipping. Qingyang was not in a hurry at all. In her previous conversations with the King of Jiao, both parties had always directly gotten to the point. It was rumored that the King had even angrily smashed cups afterwards. Why was he beating around the bush this time? It clearly meant the King had a request for her.