Chapter 23: 23

Who do you think I, Xie Changgeng, am to be at your disposal?

As her voice fell, the study suddenly became quiet.

Xie Changgeng was silent for a moment, then said, “Mu shi, when you wanted to get rid of me, did you have half of me in your eyes? Now that you need me, you are using such flowery words.”

He smiled and said mockingly.

“Who do you think I, Xie Changgeng, am to be at your disposal?”

Mu Fulan said, “I did offend you in the past, but what I said just now was not flowery words, but an insight I learned after I entered the capital.

“Today the Empress Dowager summoned me and asked me where I would go. I really don’t want to be held hostage in the capital, and I don’t want to die here.”

Xie Changgeng gave her a cold look. “You know the current situation. But why should I help you?”

“If you hadn’t come to ask for marriage, I would not be in this situation now. When you previously came to Changsha, you should have agreed to my request to divorce. If you and I have no relationship, the Empress Dowager would not have thought of calling me to the capital. The reason I am in this situation is that the Empress Dowager is not at ease with me Changsha, but do you think that you have nothing to do with it?”

Xie Changgeng sneered and said, “So it’s all my fault.”

Mu Fulan did not hear and continued, “You did not divorce me earlier but now you’ve misunderstood the relationship between me and Qi shizi you are willing to divorce. If it is know, have you ever thought that you are hitting someone who’s already down and pushing me into a desperate situation?”

“Changsha is certainly of no use to you now. It is true that my brother and I offended you for the sake of separation, but it is not a deep hatred that will kill you? Besides, my fatherwas not harsh to you back then.”

She walked over and picked up the piece of paper on the table.

“Xie Lang, you don’t have to help me, but you can’t treat me like this!”

Xie Changgeng looked at her in astonishment as she tore up the letter.

Mu Fulan tore the letter and walked back towards him.

“There is one more thing I want to discuss. Not long after you quelled the rebellion in Jiangdu, my brother learned that Empress Liu wanted to use the army against Changsha. Because he had already offended you at that time, in order to protect ourselves, I approached Zhang Ban and asked him to say some good words for us in front of Empress Liu and we temporarily avoided disaster. The envoy who escorted me to the capital told me before he left that he had already made arrangements with Zhang Ban to take care of me. Now that you are leaving, if the Empress Dowager takes me as a hostage, Zhang Ban should intercede for me.”

She looked at Xie Changgeng.

“If Zhang Ban intercedes on my behalf, when the Empress Dowager asks you about, you can play along for my father’s sake.”

“As for separating, we can do it anytime after I get over this hurdle.”

“These two things require little effort for you, but for me, they are a matter of life and death. Whether or not Zhang Ban succeeds, I am grateful.”

After she finished, she gave him a solemn salute then left.

Xie Changgeng watched the figure disappear into the doorway and stayed where he was. His eyes fell on the letter that she had torn up and he stared at it.

… 

Two days later, Xie Changgeng was summoned into the palace. After saluting, Empress Liu gave him a seat and said with a smile, “You will leave the capital tomorrow, is everything in order?”

Xie Changgeng said “Thanks for the Empress Dowager’s concern. Everything is settled and I can leave tomorrow morning.”

Empress Liu sighed, “It’s almost the end of the year, but it’s not peaceful there and you have to go again. It’s really hard for you to run around all year long, and I feel very regretful in my heart.”

Xie Changgeng said respectfully, “I am deeply favoured by the Emperor, and I regret that I can’t repay it. This is the duty of a minister, and it is honourable, what could be hard.”

Empress Liu encouraged him with a few more words and said, “Xie Qing, have you made any arrangements for Mu shi after leaving the capital?”

Xie Changgeng had already been informed that Empress Liu had met Zhang Ban. Zhang Ban said there was no need to detain people as a hostage. He was very eloquent, and Empress Liu seemed to be persuaded and hesitated a little, but she still has not yet agreed.

He replied, “Thanks to the Empress Dowager’s grace, she was brought to the capital. I originally planned to send her back to Xie County, but my mother is very displeased with her. The reason why she returned to Changsha was not only because she was not acclimatised to the land, but also because my mother dislikes her. My mother did not want to see her face, and there was no shortage of servants to serve her at home. Since I am leaving the capital, I intend to take her to Hexi as well. Although the residence is not large, there are a lot of local matters that she can be of use.”

Empress Liu nodded, “This arrangement is good, and you really need a person by your side. But Xie Qing, what do you think about me keeping her in Shangjing?”

Xie Changgeng said, “Empress Dowager, please make it clear.” 

Empress Liu said, “You are my confidant so I will say it directly. I want to keep Mu shi as a hostage of Changsha. What do you think?”

Xie Changgeng hesitated and did not reply immediately.

“Why, you are unwilling?”

Empress Liu cast her eyes on Xie Changgeng’s face to probe his meaning.

Xie Changgeng hurriedly said, “I dare not, if the Empress Dowager really wants to hold her as a hostage, I have no objection and she will stay behind.” 

Empress Liu stared at him, “Xie Qing, you are deceiving me! You clearly have other thoughts!”

Xie Changgeng hurriedly knelt down, “I am guilty! I did have other selfish intentions just  now.”

“Speak. I forgive you.”

Xie Changgeng thanked her and said, “I’ll be bold and say it. If the Empress Dowager grants me permission, can I take her with me?”

“Why?”

Empress Liu asked, narrowing her eyes.

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“Although the Empress Dowager does not explicitly say that she is being held as a hostage and keep her in the capital, how will the ministers not know? There are rumours saying that I relied on the previous Changsha wang to become an official and now, only a year after the wedding, if she is kept in the capital as a hostage, I will be criticised for breaking my pledge once I gained power. 

“In the future, when the Empress Dowager wants to get rid of Changsha, Changsha will be convicted of treason. I will vow loyalty and devotion to the court and sever my ties with Mu shi and no one can say anything bad about me. But now, if I disregard her I will have a bad reputation.”

“I came from a humble background. What I want in life is to serve the court and the Empress Dowager, but also to bring honour to my ancestors. Gossip is a fearful thing, and I have carried a lot of burdens these recent years. Although I am not afraid, I am also afraid of affecting the name of my ancestors.

“I deserve to die for not being loyal enough to the Empress Dowager, and I have a selfish heart. Please punish me!”

He kowtowed on the ground for a long time.

When Empress Liu heard that he did not agree with her detaining Mu shi in the capital, she was surprised and displeased, and became suspicious. She wondered whether he had listened to Mu shi’s urging and spoke for her. However after listening to his confession of guilt, not only did her doubts disappear, but she became angry, and said bitterly, “The court keeps those officials, but they can’t solve problems for me. I will give you a small reward, but each one’s eyes are red and slander you! It’s really hateful!”

After she finished speaking, she couldn’t help but hesitate.

Xie Changgeng has already expressed his concerns. If she still insists on keeping Mu shi in the capital, he will be disgraced.

Remembering that Zhang Ban also persuaded her, saying the current priority is to appease the country and the national strength of Changsha. There is no need to keep hostages, so as not to arouse the vigilance of Mu Xuanqing and the people of Changsha and make more enemies. Taking more precautions will be detrimental to future actions.

Now that Xie Changgeng cherishes his reputation and has such concerns, why not go along with the water, in order to show her own kindness to him.

The most important thing is to appease Xie Changgeng so that he will be loyal to her. Between that and the threat of Changsha, it is clear which is more of a concern.

Empress Liu pondered for a moment, then quickly made a decision, “Xie Qing, to tell you the truth, I originally wanted to keep Mu shi in the capital to avoid trouble from Changsha. Since you have such concerns, I will naturally put you first. You can take her with you.”

Xie Changgeng solemnly bowed his head and said, “Even if I were to die a million deaths, it would not be enough to repay one of the Empress Dowager’s grace to me!“ 

Empress Liu said with a smile, “It’s no matter, stand up. You recently quelled the rebellion against Jiangdu, and made such a great contribution, but you only got your mother a title. I originally felt that it was a little meagre so this can also be considered a reward for you.”

Xie Changgeng respectfully bowed again, then retreated

…

At sunset, Mu Fulan felt a little restless, leaned against the window and looked at a clump of banana leaves that had withered in the winter.

Xie Changgeng was to leave the capital early tomorrow morning, but at this moment, her own path was still unknown.

There was news from Zhang Ban saying that he had tried persuading Empress Liu and her attitude had loosened. Even if she won’t change her mind right now, but after a few more attempts, it will work sooner or later. She should just wait patiently.

Although Zhang Ban sent this message, Mu Fulan was still a little worried. If he fails to convince Empress Liu in a short period of time and speaks for her again and again, he may draw suspicion from Empress Liu. Once Zhang Ban realises this possibility, even if he wanted to grab onto Xie Changgeng’s evidence, he will not risk being suspected by Empress Liu.

Although there is hope, there are also many variables, and she was not completely relieved.

As for Xie Changgeng, there was absolutely no response these past two days. He still went out early and returned late. When he came back at night, he didn’t seem to see her in the room and slept alone on the couch.

It was if nothing had happened.

But according to Mu Fulan’s guess, after their conversation in the study that day, he should not be so mad as to obstruct Zhang Ban’s attempt at persuading Empress Liu.

When Xie Changgeng leaves tomorrow, she hoped that Zhang Ban was able to succeed as soon as possible, so that she can get out of the capital.

As it was getting dark, the maid came in with a lamp and the room lit up.

The wind blew in through the window, and the lamp flickered.

“Princess, the wind is strong, be careful of freezing.” 

The maid came over to close the window and persuaded in a low voice.

Xie Jiedu will leave the capital tomorrow morning, but the princess is very likely to be left as a hostage by the Empress Dowager.

In the past few days, everyone has been in a low mood, even walking and talking more careful than usual.

Mu Fulan suppressed her messy thoughts and turned to go in. The door was suddenly pushed open, and it was Mu mama who walked in with a smile on her face.

Since the princess married into Xie’s family at the beginning of the year, the maids never saw Mu mama show such a smile on her face. They all stopped and looked at her.

“Princess! Good thing! Good thing!”

She ran towards Mu Fulan and grabbed her hand excitedly.

“Just now, the steward said that Jiedushi has sent word to take the princess to Hexi tomorrow morning, and asked us to pack our things!”

If Xie Changgeng is taking the princess to Hexi, it means that Empress Liu had changed her mind and would no longer detain her as hostage.

The maids all breathed a sigh of relief and rejoiced. The atmosphere that had been suppressed for many days suddenly became relaxed.

“Quickly pack the things!” Mu mama said.

Everyone responded and got busy.

Mu Fulan watched Mu mama and the maids busily pack up the luggage for tomorrow morning’s departure. After the initial bewilderment, she gradually realised something.

Zhang Ban had already met with Empress Liu today, and it was unlikely that he would enter the palace again for the same matter. But now suddenly such news came.

She pondered for a moment, and slowly let out a breath.

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