Chapter Seventy-Three: I Won't Go—It's Too Exhausting

Wu Sansi was drenched in cold sweat. Only now did he finally grasp what Daoist Xiao had intended to say, and what that divination slip truly meant.

Or rather, what it signified that Princess Taiping had brought him here today, to have this Daoist speak these words.

To put it plainly, of course he harbored the desire to fight for power. Who, blessed with such a once-in-ages aunt, would not foster some fantasy?

Yet it was only now that Wu Sansi realized his earlier mistake. He had believed that by performing diligently before the Empress and serving her faithfully, he might secure a sliver of hope.

That was why he was even more zealous than Wu Chengsi in carrying out the Empress's will, and in persecuting and purging the Li imperial clan, he had been harsher and more merciless.

But only after hearing Daoist Xiao’s words, did he understand: the obstacle before him was not the Li family, but Wu Chengsi.

As the divination slip said—if the Li clan were exterminated, and only he and Wu Chengsi remained, would he truly have a chance?

And what if he failed to wipe them out entirely?

Those Li clansmen who survived, whom would they hate more—him, or Wu Chengsi?

He was not carving out hope for himself; on the contrary, he was digging his own grave.

“So...” Wu Sansi's temper was utterly spent. “So Princess Taiping’s intention today...is to help me?”

“We all seek what we need; help or no help makes no difference,” Daoist Xiao replied calmly. “Her Highness the Princess is, after all, a woman. The true contest lies between Minister Wu, Wu Chengsi, and those heirs of the Li family.”

“In my humble opinion, if the Empress still contemplates passing the throne back to the Li family, then the struggle between the Lis and the Wus may yet play out again.”

“But if, in the end, the world belongs to the Wu family...”

He left the rest unsaid, for it was already clear.

If the Lis had no chance left, it would come down to a contest between him and Wu Chengsi, and the allegiance of the surviving Li clansmen would be self-evident.

“What you should do now, Minister, is this: whoever Wu Chengsi wants dead, you do your utmost to save. The more of the Li family survive, the muddier these waters become.”

“But if only you and Chengsi remain, how can a mere fish like you contend with a true dragon?”

After letting Wu Sansi compose himself, he continued, “Let Wu Chengsi be that lone plum blossom in the cold; you, Minister, be the fish in troubled waters. That is no bad thing.”

“And is this not precisely the peace that Her Highness desires?”

“...”

Wu Sansi let out a heavy, turbid breath and gazed silently at Daoist Xiao.

After a long pause, he sighed with admiration, “Truly, a disciple of the Sage King of the Distant Knowing is extraordinary! Master, your wisdom is not at all inferior to Pan Shizheng!”

“I am enlightened!”

With that, he rose and bowed deeply. “If ever I should have need of your guidance in the future, I hope you will not withhold your advice.”

Having spoken thus, the meaning was already clear. With this bow, Wu Sansi had accepted Princess Taiping’s overture.

Daoist Xiao, seeing this, also rose and returned the bow. “Her Highness is my teacher’s niece; to aid you, Minister, is to aid her. I shall do my utmost.”

“Thank you, Master.”

“There’s no need for such courtesy, Minister.”

“Allow me to offer you a bow, Master.”

“And I return your bow, Minister.”

So it was: the two who had almost come to killing moments ago now stood bowing to each other.

...

When Wu Sansi descended the mountain, he saw children by the roadside plucking wintersweet blossoms, breaking the branches to adorn their homes.

He watched, shaking his head repeatedly.

Thinking of the divination slip, he sighed, “The wintersweet stands proud in the snow—how bewitching it is...”

“Ha, I had best remain a fish in troubled waters!”

...

———

Elsewhere.

As soon as Wu Sansi departed, Princess Taiping and Wu Ning emerged from hiding.

Princess Taiping could hardly believe it—was it really over so simply?

She glanced at Wu Ning, uneasy. “He...he won’t change his mind, will he?”

Wu Ning shook his head with quiet certainty. “He may be a bit slow, but not so foolish as to miss what benefits him.”

Princess Taiping rolled her eyes; the dignified Prime Minister of the Tang was being called ‘not so foolish’ by this youth.

“But...” she still worried, “but can a single Wu Sansi resolve this crisis?”

Wu Ning, inwardly amused, thought that this woman was a little slow herself.

He explained, “Of course, one Wu Sansi is not enough to resolve the whole crisis. All we did today was drive a wedge between Wu Sansi and Wu Chengsi.”

“If the two principal figures of the Wu family come to odds, the Li clan will have room to breathe. That divination slip is now imprinted deeply in Wu Sansi’s heart; should calamity befall the Lis again, he will likely stand on your side.”

Princess Taiping nodded repeatedly as she listened. Only now did she fully grasp Wu Ning’s strategy.

She could not help but sigh in admiration: no wonder her uncle’s master favored this disciple—he was no ordinary man! This single move alone left the so-called scholars and worthies of the capital far behind.

Just as she was pondering, Wu Ning spoke again.

“Of course, as Your Highness said, one Wu Sansi is not enough to reverse the decline entirely.”

“Ah?” Princess Taiping was startled and quickly composed herself. “Then what else is lacking?”

Wu Ning raised his arm and pointed at her. “You, Your Highness.”

“Me?”

“Yes!” Wu Ning said sincerely. “You were the one who took the first step to ally with Wu Sansi. Since you began with the first, you cannot stop before the fifteenth.”

“How to convince the princes of the Li family to restrain themselves and refrain from causing trouble is now your responsibility.”

“If the Li princes can make their stance clear regarding the Empress’s enthronement, then the crisis is truly resolved. So...”

At this, Wu Ning fixed his gaze on Taiping. “Your Highness, you are the most crucial piece on this entire board!”

“Ah...” Taiping could not help but draw a deep, fragrant breath.

Only then did she realize that in this game, the vexing Wu Ning was the one moving the pieces, and she was but a pawn.

“But even if the Lis and the Wus can restrain themselves and live in harmony, don’t forget, sir, my mother is the one who holds power over life and death. If suspicion or murderous intent arises in her heart, no one can stop her.”

“Ah!” Wu Ning waved a hand. “On that point, Your Highness need not worry.”

“Oh? Why do you say so?”

“Forgive my irreverence,” Wu Ning began.

Princess Taiping rolled her eyes again—he’d hardly ever lacked irreverence before!

Wu Ning continued, “The Empress is, after all, an emperor. She uses methods, yes, but what matters to her is the result. She is not a bloodthirsty maniac, nor does she kill for the pleasure of it.”

“As long as her goals are achieved, I believe she would not object to an outcome where everyone is pleased and reconciled.”

Madam Wu was ruthless, yes, but she was an emperor of her age—perhaps even an enlightened one.

Killing was a means, not an end. Unless one is truly deranged, who would relish slaughter for its own sake?

And since Wu Ning had achieved her aims, the old lady would have no need to ‘eliminate those she dislikes, or slay those she suspects.’

At this point, Taiping was wholeheartedly convinced. Wu Ning’s irritating face seemed not so unpleasing after all.

Suddenly, a thought arose: if she kept this youth by her side, would it not be like having divine aid in future difficulties?

Thinking thus, her graceful countenance revealed a hint of hope.

Judging by his attire, his family could not be well-off. If she recommended him to the capital, this chance to soar to the heavens in a single step—surely this oily youth would not refuse?

“Sir, your talent is rare in our age. Do you have any wish to serve at court? If so, I would gladly help you rise high!”

This was almost a lowering of herself for Princess Taiping. She expected the youth to fall to his knees in gratitude.

Even Daoist Xiao, seeing her take the initiative, spoke up as well. “Lad, Her Highness values your talent—she offers you a chance to shine in the capital. Such opportunity comes once in a thousand years—why not thank her?”

Wu Ning had been considering, but Daoist Xiao’s words left him no need to think.

He gave Daoist Xiao a long, meaningful look, and replied to Taiping, “No—I would find it too exhausting!”

“You!!” Taiping fumed. Why did I bother? Inviting this wretch—am I a glutton for punishment?

...