Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 652: The Foundation of an Aristocratic Family

When Zhao Changhe saw Tang Wanzhuang, she was working in the office of the Demon Suppression Bureau.

This was the first time that Zhao Changhe had ever seen Tang Wanzhuang seated in an office reviewing documents. Despite the solemn atmosphere of the office, there was an inexplicable sense that she was in a serene waterside pavilion in Jiangnan, composing poetry or painting landscapes.

It seemed as though wherever she sat, the scenery of Jiangnan would follow.

Baoqin stood by her side as always, preparing tea and grinding ink as needed. She actually held an official administrative position in the Demon Suppression Bureau, akin to a modern-day assistant or secretary. When she saw Zhao Changhe come in, she shot him a glance filled with faint grievance and frustration, then lowered her gaze and continued grinding ink.

Pouring tea had always been her duty. It was not that she had any extreme desire to fulfill that task, but she found it ridiculous for a supposed emperor to be snatching such mundane tasks away from a maid.

Unlike before, Tang Wanzhuang’s complexion now glowed with vitality. Gone was the pallid, paper-like pallor and the occasional coughing fits. Her cheeks were rosy, and when she caught sight of Zhao Changhe, joy blossomed across her face as if spring had returned to the land.

Even when she was pale and frail, people called her the most beautiful woman in the world. Now, with her complexion more radiant than ever, that title seemed inescapable—not that anyone would want to take it away.

The surrounding secretaries of the Demon Suppression Bureau stole glances at their chief. Whether they were married or unmarried, their eyes betrayed a hint of longing, accompanied by clear admiration.

She was simply too beautiful. Unfortunately for them, the joy she radiated was clearly meant for only one person.

Tang Wanzhuang teased with an unusually playful smile, “Is everything finally secure in Your Highness’s chambers?”

Zhao Changhe cleared his throat, glancing around at those present. Tang Wanzhuang got what he was hinting at and waved her hand, saying, “Everyone, leave us.”

The secretaries left reluctantly, their heads lowered and their hearts filled with envy.

Zhao Changhe watched them go, clicking his tongue. “If a rebellion ever happens out of jealousy, you might be to blame for it.”

Tang Wanzhuang smiled faintly and did not respond to his quip. Instead, she stood up and moved to a tea table nearby, her delicate hands gracefully brewing tea. The fragrance of the tea curled through the air as steam rose between them, and Zhao Changhe watched her through the mist. The restless thoughts that had filled his mind these past days began to settle.

He had to admit that his current demeanor owed much to Tang Wanzhuang’s influence. Her beauty made one unconsciously desire to align with her wishes, to become someone worthy of her grace. The memories of his past self, cursing as a bandit in the mountains, felt strangely distant now.

Tang Wanzhuang handed him a cup of tea. Then, after glancing around to ensure that they were alone, she lowered her voice and said, “Dear, please have some tea.”

A slight blush colored her cheeks as her head dipped. Zhao Changhe’s heart skipped a beat at the sight, ripples spreading in the calm lake of his heart as if disturbed by a gentle breeze in spring.

Zhao Changhe accepted the tea, feeling somewhat embarrassed by his own behavior. Bowing his head, he muttered, “These past few days...”

Tang Wanzhuang smiled gently and said, “It was me who encouraged you to do so, so why feel ashamed?”

Indeed, Tang Wanzhuang had wanted Vermillion Bird to treat him just as she did.

Tang Wanzhuang continued, “I already knew about Vermillion Bird since our time with the Yang Clan, so this outcome doesn’t surprise me. What did surprise me, though, was that it happened with Lady Three as well...”

At this point, her expression turned somewhat peculiar. “Did you know? I used to fear the Black Tortoise far more than the Vermillion Bird. Long ago, she even gave me a beating. My resolve to leave the sheltered life of poetry and music in the Tang Clan to venture into the jianghu was, in large part, thanks to her. The pressure from our encounter drove me to hastily attempt a breakthrough, which ended up injuring both my spirit and lungs. I always thought she was unfathomable, as deep as the sea. Now I realize... I was overthinking it. I’ve been fighting against an imaginary foe this whole time.”

Zhao Changhe found himself unsure whether to laugh or cry at that.

“I thought that even if you managed to sway Vermillion Bird, Black Tortoise would remain an issue. Yet... Hehe.” Tang Wanzhuang chuckled, her tone light and relaxed. “So why should you feel ashamed? From my perspective, you’ve far exceeded expectations.”

Zhao Changhe sighed. “It shouldn’t feel like some sort of mission...”

Tang Wanzhuang’s gaze softened. “As a minister of the court and chief of the Demon Suppression Bureau, coming up with such a scheme feels a bit shameful. But it’s simply the most practical approach, and it’s the result of the seeds you’ve sown—moving with the tides rather than against them. The process might have been messy, but the outcome aligns the interests of every faction under our new regime. With no hidden dangers left, we can finally join hands to do what must be done.”

Zhao Changhe hesitated for a moment, then said softly, “Wanzhuang, from my perspective, this isn’t something that should be measured like that. I’d rather you scold me for being a heartless womanizer than see you treat them as...”

“They see me the same way, so we’re even.” Tang Wanzhuang smiled. “How the women in your inner circle bicker and view each other as rivals is our business. You really don’t need to worry about it.”

Zhao Changhe blinked at her. “...So, does this mean you view Yuanyang the same way?”

“Cui Yuanyang?” Tang Wanzhuang shook her head slightly. “She doesn’t get a say in this. Vermillion Bird and Black Tortoise are leaders of the Four Idols Cult, and I hold one of the highest positions in the empire. Cui Yuanyang is far from having such a status. Whatever I said about the others doesn’t apply to her.”

Zhao Changhe said, “Well, that’s precisely what I came here to discuss with you. When it comes to the affairs of aristocratic families, you’re much more knowledgeable than Chichi or Qing’er. I’m really unsure of what to do with the Cui Clan.”

“Qing’er... Heh...”

“...”

Tang Wanzhuang cleared her throat, feigning seriousness. “Take, for example, the Wang Clan’s daughter, who married Cui Yuanyang’s elder brother. Now, she sits in isolation, and all she can do is cry. The former empress herself was executed by the late emperor without even leaving a final word. When it comes to us daughters of aristocratic families, we’ve never had much autonomy in such matters. We’re merely tools for our families to further their goals. I’m fortunate that I had the highest status and greatest martial prowess in my family. That is what allowed me to carve out my own future. As for Cui Yuanyang... her opinions hold no weight. The one you must deal with is still Cui Wenjing.”

After a brief pause, she added, “In fact, your dealings with the Cui Clan have always been with Cui Wenjing. Cui Yuanyang has always been a mere bridge between you.”

Zhao Changhe nodded. “That’s true.”

Sometimes, even he was not sure if he was courting Yuanyang or negotiating endlessly with Old Cui, who seemed to overshadow everything.

“But having such a bridge is an advantage that sets your relationship with the Cui Clan apart from others. Cui Wenjing can become one of your in-laws, which is something he has likely been aiming for all along,” Tang Wanzhuang said. “However, the primary issue now has shifted to the conflict of interest between imperial authority and aristocratic families. The late emperor severed their roots, which led to widespread rebellion. Cui Wenjing didn’t participate directly but ceded Qinghe Commandery, signaling his intention to distance himself from the rebellion. Now, with Her Majesty establishing the Han Dynasty instead of continuing the Xia, Cui Wenjing is watching closely, gauging how Her Majesty’s stance on the aristocratic families compares to the late emperor’s.”

“Mm-hm.”

“Cui Wenjing is the most insightful among the heads of the aristocratic families, but his thinking is still very much in line with the typical mindset of those from such families. If he sees Her Majesty following in the late emperor’s footsteps, the likelihood of him collaborating with the Wang Clan will surpass any chance of him submitting to Her Majesty. Never mistake the Cui and Wang Clan’s feuding for irreconcilable enmity. Family interests are national interests as far as they’re concerned, and when it comes to these interests, there are no permanent friends or enemies. For now, the Cui Clan’s silence is merely due to our reforms to the imperial examinations not yet being fully disclosed and our ongoing discussions on the new dynasty’s tax policies. These policies, which target the monopolization of population and land by aristocratic families, will be a significant challenge for them. Once announced, the Cui Clan’s opposition will be inevitable.”

Zhao Changhe finally said, “I understand the reasoning, but how do we achieve a scenario where everyone wins in such a fundamentally opposed position? Sweet-talking Old Cui won’t work, he’s too cunning for that.”

“In the past, their strength lay in the Qinghe Sword, a relic of ancient knowledge. Their martial arts and cultural heritage were passed down through the sword spirit, unlike ordinary families who relied on written records. Written texts require comprehension, and talentless descendants might fail to learn, but the sword spirit allowed direct transmission of insights, granting the Cui Clan unparalleled and consistent progress in cultivation. However, with the sword spirit dormant in recent years, the family has visibly declined. In a way, the reliance on the sword spirit has proven to be a double-edged sword, funny though it might sound. If the sword spirit falters, the family’s momentum stagnates, leaving them worse off than those accustomed to relying on texts.”

Zhao Changhe nodded. “That’s true.”

“And with the sword now broken, this is an irreversible fact. Clinging to the past, obsessing over whether the sword can be restored, or harboring grudges is futile. What they need now is great wisdom and determination—someone to lead the family out of its old ways and adapt to the new era. Does Cui Wenjing possess the foresight and resolve to do so?” Tang Wanzhuang mused. “I believe he is already contemplating it. Only those who ride the waves at the forefront can secure the greatest benefits in a new era.”

Zhao Changhe asked, “Am I supposed to act as an envoy, then? Should we offer them something more tangible?”

Tang Wanzhuang rose from her seat and offered a deep bow. “Wanzhuang humbly requests a favor for personal reasons... a formal title for my nephew, Buqi, as the Marquis of Wu. It would be an honorary title with no real authority, limited to being hereditary, but a gesture of solidarity with the empire.”