Chapter 71: The Wretched Wu Ning

The problem facing the Lady of Peace was, in fact, the same as that confronting the royal Li clan. Thus, in Wu Ning’s eyes, if only the Li and Wu families could coexist in harmony, the Lady of Peace would have no need to marry into the Wu family for her own protection.

Yet what seemed a simple issue was anything but easy to resolve—not even the venerable matriarch of the Wu clan could unravel it. In the end, she orchestrated a solemn oath between the descendants of both houses: a vow to live in peace for ten thousand generations, never to become enemies. Whether this was the naïveté of an old woman or a gesture born of helplessness, none could say.

—

The Lady of Peace remained at the Temple of Seeking Immortals for an entire day, and for that day she was thoroughly questioned. Wu Ning interrogated her as though she were a criminal, prying into every secret, every advantage, and every hidden piece of knowledge she possessed—especially those unknown to him but within her grasp as the so-called princess.

Nothing escaped his scrutiny—he left no stone unturned. As Wu Ning put it, “Know thyself and know thy enemy, and you will win a hundred battles without fail.”

To better grasp the larger situation, he considered it imperative to exhaust the Lady of Peace's knowledge.

“So, Fat Di is still serving as governor in Ning Prefecture and hasn’t been made Prime Minister?” Wu Ning asked.

The Lady of Peace was silent.

“Fat... Fat Di…” If Di Renjie ever discovered that a village boy had dubbed him “Fat Di,” who knows what he might think.

“And what about Shangguan Wan’er? How old is she now? Is she truly as beautiful as they say?”

Again, silence.

“And another thing,” Wu Ning pressed on, “is it true what they say about the chaotic circles of nobility in the capital?”

The Lady of Peace could no longer let him continue.

“You’ve asked quite enough, sir. Have you come to a plan?”

“Very well,” Wu Ning replied with a hint of disappointment. After all his probing, he realized the Lady of Peace had no real faction, and not a trace of influence at court.

Still, having a true insider at hand, how could he resist a bit more gossip? Yet he had to relent—after all, there was serious business at hand.

“This matter is actually quite easy to resolve,” he said.

“Oh?” She looked at him with suspicion. “And how does sir propose to mend the rift between the Li and Wu families?”

“It can’t be mended,” Wu Ning answered bluntly, “but their attention can be diverted.”

“That’s simple!” Wu Ning slapped his thigh. “If Your Highness can find a way to bring Wu Sansi here to the Temple of Seeking Immortals, I have a way to resolve this crisis.”

The Lady of Peace nodded obediently. “And then?”

“And then?” Wu Ning replied with a naïve air, “Then you can return to the capital, Your Highness.”

The Lady of Peace nearly lost her temper. Was that really all?

—

“And of all those things I just told you, is there anything you can actually use?” she asked.

“Not at the moment,” Wu Ning answered, frowning slightly before quickly adding, “But don’t worry, I might need it in the future.”

The Lady of Peace was speechless with outrage.

Useless? After being grilled for a whole day?

Shameless! This man was utterly shameless!

She pouted and, unwilling to look at Wu Ning any longer, turned to bow to Elder Xiao. “Your disciple takes her leave. I will visit again another day!”

With that, she strode away briskly, unwilling to linger a moment more.

Once she had left the hall, Wu Ning clicked his tongue and pointed after her, complaining to Elder Xiao, “Tsk, tsk, tsk… How rude! I’m helping her, and she can’t even say thank you.”

“Chen, Chief Historian!!” came the furious roar of the Lady of Peace from outside the door.

“Prepare my carriage! We return to the city!”

—

Now only Wu Ning and Elder Xiao and his disciple remained in the hall.

Elder Xiao regarded Wu Ning with meaningful eyes. “Offending her will do you no good at all.”

Seeing how furious the Lady of Peace had been, Elder Xiao half suspected she might draw her sword against Wu Ning.

“I didn’t offend her!” Wu Ning grinned mischievously. “I was just testing the limits of her patience.”

Elder Xiao could only shake his head in silence. He recalled what Ugly Uncle had once said about Wu Ning: “He treats everything as a game!” No matter how grave the matter, this boy always made light of it.

“You…” Elder Xiao sighed deeply. “I have always thought myself a man who drifts through life, letting things be. But you surpass even me—I am left far behind!”

“Don’t worry!” Wu Ning was unconcerned. “I make my living by my wits. If I can help her out of this predicament, nothing else matters.”

“So what’s your solution? If you bring Wu Sansi here, what then?”

Wu Ning shook his head. “I can’t solve it—and I don’t intend to do anything.”

Again? Elder Xiao could barely contain his frustration. After all that posturing, now he claimed he couldn’t solve it?

But Wu Ning went on, “I cannot, but you can.”

“Oh?” Elder Xiao was intrigued. “What do you mean?”

Wu Ning smiled sheepishly. “No one listens to me—but your words, Elder, carry more weight than anyone’s.”

Elder Xiao was speechless for a moment. “So I am but a pawn in your game?”

“Exactly!” Wu Ning nodded. “And the most important one at that.”

“Out!” Elder Xiao’s roar echoed through the hall.

This boy—too shameless!

—

Though the Lady of Peace was angry, she did not forget her purpose. Since that vexing rascal wished to see Wu Sansi, she would simply arrange to bring him to the Temple of Seeking Immortals. For her, this was not difficult.

After all, Elder Xiao’s reputation for geomancy and divination was well established. If the Lady of Peace herself recommended him to Wu Sansi, then, given Wu’s habit of paying lip service while doing as he pleased, he would still have to make a show of agreeing out of courtesy, regardless of his private disdain for the Li family.

—

“Muddy water brings forth the rising dragon; in waters too clear, there are no fish. The plum blossom stands proud in the snow, for none are more enchanting than it.”

This was the divination slip Wu Ning had given Elder Xiao.

How that slip found its way into Wu Sansi’s hands was not Wu Ning’s concern. With Elder Xiao’s abilities, it would be no trouble.

And now, Wu Sansi held the slip in his hand.

“Muddy water brings the dragon; in clarity, no fish swim…” Wu Sansi recited with a smile. This slip… was interesting.

He looked up at Elder Xiao, amused. “Her Highness the Princess says you are a disciple of Wang Yuanzhi, and that your arts of divination and talismans surpass even those of Master Pan. How, then, should I interpret this slip?”

Elder Xiao took the slip from Wu Sansi and, after a glance, shook his head and muttered, “Why must it be this one…”

He handed it back. “Minister Wu, you should take this back to the capital and seek someone more learned to interpret it. I cannot.”

“Oh?” Wu Sansi was secretly amused. This old Taoist was the Lady of Peace’s uncle, and now he gives me such a slip, only to claim he cannot interpret it? The trick is too crude.

He tried to hand it back again. “Interpret it however you like, but you must give me an answer.”

But Elder Xiao would not accept it. He looked at the slip.

“Let’s be clear,” he said, “whether interpreted lightly, deeply, seriously or carelessly, I could interpret it in any way.”

“Oh?” Wu Sansi was even more entertained. “Then why say you cannot?”

“Because you are not the one who drew it,” Elder Xiao replied candidly. “Even if I gave an interpretation, you would not believe it.”

Wasn’t that obvious?

Wu Sansi cursed inwardly. Did they take him for a fool? Did he not know this was a trap set by Elder Xiao and the Lady of Peace? No matter which slip he drew, he would never believe it!

—