good season

Chapter 225 Five-Stone Powder (Two chapters combined)

"Stop talking nonsense. There are pen, ink, paper and inkstone over there. Go and write down all the details about these five people, including their background, preferences, three generations of relatives, and where their Five Stone Powder came from. Write it all down clearly."

Zhao Yunnuan exuded an imposing aura without anger, leaving Zhao Tingrui stunned.

He's a playboy, what does this have to do with him?

"Sister, I don't know anything about other people's business."

Zhao Yunnuan: "Write down what you know first. As for what you don't know, I'll give you three days to find out clearly. Don't try anything funny. If you dare to evade me, I'll have my third uncle cut off your monthly allowance."

What is a prodigal son most afraid of?
Of course, what he feared most was that his family would cut off his money.

Zhao Yunnuan deliberately targeted his weaknesses, leaving Zhao Langzi completely defenseless. He could only rack his brains and write down everything he knew.

Under Zhao Yunnuan's pressure, the situation of those people was thoroughly investigated in less than three days.

Zhao Yunnuan's gaze fell on one of the names, Gao Guodong.

This man had a younger sister named Gao Cuixian, who was known as a talented woman in Liangdu.

Gao Guodong became famous at a young age, with poems appearing as early as twelve or thirteen. At that time, everyone said that the Gao family had produced a genius.

However, Gao Guodong is now twenty-five years old, but he is still a student who has not even passed the county-level imperial examination.

Thus, rumors circulated that Gao Guodong's poems were actually written by Gao Cuixian.

Gao Guodong gained fame and attention from the Gao clan thanks to his sister's poems. The Gao clan devoted themselves to cultivating him, waiting for him to achieve great success and bring prosperity to the entire clan.

As Gao Guodong failed the exams time and again, the rumors outside became more and more believable, and his reputation was ruined. On the contrary, Gao Cuixian not only gained a reputation as a talented woman, but also found a good marriage.

The Gao family is only a third-rate minor family. Even if a Gao woman marries into the Gao family, she can only be a secondary wife.

However, Gao Cuixian, relying on her title as a talented woman, married into the prestigious Xue family in Wu and became the eldest daughter-in-law.

The first imperial examination after the establishment of the Great Yong Dynasty produced a top scholar from the Xue family. The Xue family has produced more than a dozen Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) and more than twenty Juren (successful candidates in the provincial imperial examinations), including one top scholar and one second-place scholar. Currently, four members of the Xue family are serving in the court.

Gao Cuixian's marriage was a grand affair, making all the young ladies of Liang the envy of everyone.

Unfortunately, her good fortune didn't last long. Gao Cuixian's husband passed away less than half a year after their marriage.

Logically speaking, a strict and prestigious family like the Xue family would never allow a newly widowed woman to return home.

However, Gao Cuixian was sent back to Liang by the Xue family before the mourning period was over.

Although the Gao family remained tight-lipped, rumors about Gao Cuixian never ceased.

Some say that Xue Dalang was already seriously ill, and Gao Cuixian went to marry him to bring him good luck, but Xue Dalang still died. The Xue family believed that Gao Cuixian's illness was a curse, so they sent her back to her parents' home.

There are also stories that Gao Cuixian couldn't bear the loneliness and wrote poems about spring in her boudoir during her mourning period, which were discovered by her husband's family.

In short, Gao Cuixian was already quite famous before she got married, and her fame grew even more after she returned home.

The Gao clan was very disappointed in Gao Cuixian, and because of her, all the marriages of the Gao family's daughters were affected.

Enraged, the clan elders sent Gao Cuixian to a Taoist temple.

Gao Cuixian's days in the Taoist temple were unbearable. When she was about to give up, she asked her brother Gao Guodong to send a letter to Zhao Tingxuan.

The letter contained a poem that fully expressed her desolation, loneliness, and helplessness, with no one to confide in.

However, Gao Cuixian was not very lucky. Before the letter could be delivered to the Liang Prince's residence, news of the old Liang Prince's death spread.

When Gao Guodong came to pay his respects, he handed the letter to Zhao Tingxuan. In the past, Zhao Tingxuan would have sent some money and gifts, but under those circumstances, he had no time to be tender-hearted. Besides, he and Gao Cuixian had only met once or twice at poetry gatherings. At that time, he was just a thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy, while Gao Cuixian was older than him, and the two had no interaction.

Zhao Yunnuan knew that Gao Cuixian had written a letter to Zhao Tingxuan.

However, Zhao Tingxuan tossed the letter aside at the time, and Zhao Yunnuan didn't take it to heart.

However, the information Zhao Tingrui has found now describes the current situation of the brother and sister in great detail.

Just a year ago, after Zhao Tingxuan went to the capital, Gao Cuixian became famous again. Gao Guodong compiled and printed her poems from the Taoist temple, and they sold out as soon as they hit the market. The young men who had once fawned over Gao Cuixian flocked to the temple, vying to rescue the beauty from her confinement.

The Gao family felt this wouldn't do, as it would inevitably lead to scandal sooner or later. So, they married Gao Cuixian off to an elderly scholar who was nearly fifty years old as his second wife.

Although the old scholar had repeatedly failed the imperial examinations, he came from a wealthy family. He admired the style of the Wei and Jin dynasties, lived a dissolute life, and also enjoyed taking Five-Stone Powder.

Before long, Gao Guodong and his sister Gao Cuixian also picked up bad habits, but they didn't care and thought it was the style of a scholar.

Since Gao Cuixian had already married and had a husband's family, the Gao family abandoned her. The old scholar, perhaps with a peculiar hobby, not only did the Gao siblings hold poetry and tea parties at his estate, but he also allowed Gao Cuixian to associate with other men.

The Gao siblings often held poetry gatherings and invited Zhao Tingrui, but Zhao Tingrui didn't dare to go. Although he called himself a wanderer, he was actually aware of the situation. He came from the royal family, and there were many occasions that he couldn't attend.

However, after the news of Zhao Tingxuan's return to Liangdi spread, Gao Guodong repeatedly inquired with Zhao Tingrui about when Zhao Tingxuan would return.

Zhao Yunnuan looked at the information of the other people, but her gaze finally settled on the names of the Gao siblings.
She summoned two bodyguards: "Keep an eye on the Gao siblings."

Time flies, and several days have passed in the blink of an eye. During these days, Zhao Tingxuan has not had a single day of rest.

Upon learning of his return, his former close friends vied to throw him a welcome-back party. However, since he was still in mourning, the young men dared not be reckless and did not hold a grand celebration or entertain him with singing and dancing.

On the sixth day, Young Master Chen hosted a dinner party, and the Gao siblings were finally among the guests.

During the banquet hosted by Gao Guodong, Young Master Chen, knowing that Gao Cuixian had a bad reputation and worried that the Liang Prince's Mansion would blame him, did not send Gao Cuixian an invitation.

But no one expected that Gao Guodong would bring Gao Cuixian with him. Not only did Gao Cuixian come, but she was also drunk and clung to Zhao Tingxuan like a dodder vine.

Young Master Chen was shocked and quickly ordered his maids and servants to pull Gao Cuixian away. Zhao Tingxuan didn't care. He suddenly remembered the letter and the poem from back then, and felt a pang of sadness. He immediately ordered the Prince's carriage to send the Gao siblings back.

The next day, Gao Guodong came to express his gratitude, bringing Gao Cuixian's handwritten poetry collection, which contained her unpublished new poems, as well as a small portrait she had painted herself.

Zhao Tingxuan was somewhat moved and gave Gao Guodong a jade ornament from his desk, promising to attend the poetry gathering five days later.

That very evening, Zhao Yunnuan learned about it.

She sat under the lamp for a moment, and then said to the two guards, "Go, and make sure it's done cleanly."

Two days later, news of the Gao siblings' deaths arrived. The coroner's examination concluded that the two had died from an overdose of Five-Stone Powder. The authorities found a large quantity of Five-Stone Powder in the manor and also discovered the place where it was made. The old scholar had amassed a fortune through Five-Stone Powder, and all the men who had visited the manor and associated with Gao Cuixian had, without exception, been taking Five-Stone Powder.

Upon hearing the news of the Gao siblings' deaths, Zhao Tingxuan was incredulous. How could this be? He had seen them just a few days ago, and he was even planning to attend a poetry gathering at their estate.

Upon learning that the brother and sister had died from taking Five-Stone Powder, Zhao Tingxuan was stunned. His younger sister had warned him not to take Five-Stone Powder.

The news coming from the government office was that everyone who had been in close contact with the brother and sister had taken Five-Stone Powder.

Zhao Tingxuan suddenly realized something and broke out in a cold sweat.

Five-Stone Powder can actually kill people!
When his younger sister reminded him, he just casually agreed and didn't take it to heart, but now, he felt a little scared.

After dealing with the Gao siblings, Zhao Yunnuan sighed. This was the last time she would help him; from now on, he would have to rely on himself.

The people Zhao Yunnuan wanted to take away have been divided into several groups and have gradually gone to the capital.

Therefore, Zhao Shiqing's contact with Liangdi is now more frequent and convenient.

She had heard about the confiscation of the Five-Stone Powder in Liangdi, but there was no mention of the Liang Prince's Mansion in the news. However, Zhao Shiqing had a gut feeling that this matter was either related to her second brother, her sister, or both of them.

Time flew by, and it was April in the blink of an eye. Princess Jiayi, who had not been seen for a long time, finally went out with her husband and daughter.

Last year, Princess Jiayi was still grieving the loss of her son at the Spring Festival banquet, so the banquet was held at Princess Jianing's residence.

This year, Princess Jiayi is radiant and shows off her beloved daughter to everyone she meets. Anyone can see that Princess Jiayi has made a name for herself.

The Empress was very pleased and entrusted this year's Spring Festival Banquet to Princess Jiayi.

Although both are princesses, Princess Jiayi is the legitimate princess, which gives her an edge over Princess Jianing in terms of status.

It was only natural that she would still organize the spring banquet.

However, everyone couldn't help but feel a little sad. The Second Prince's funeral was held in early February, and now that the 47th day after the funeral has passed, the royal family is already eagerly preparing for the Spring Banquet.

The saying "There is no kinship in the royal family" is true.

Last year at the Spring Banquet, Zhao Shiqing had only been in the capital for a short time. This year, Madam Yu sent Yan Shiyi over early to ask if she wanted to attend the Spring Banquet.

Zhao Shiqing certainly wanted to go; she loved joining in the fun.

She had just agreed to Madam Yu's request when Xiao Zhen arrived.

Would you like to attend this year's spring banquet?

Zhao Shiqing hurriedly asked, "Last year, when Princess Jianing hosted the event, it was held at her own residence. This year, Princess Jiayi is hosting it. Is it at your home?"

Xiao Zhen shook his head: "It's in Yunzhong Garden. This is my mother's property. The Spring Festival Banquet used to be held here."

Zhao Shiqing then asked, "Isn't your little sister cute?"

Xiao Zhen smiled bitterly: "I've only seen her three times. The first time, she grabbed my hair; the second time, she almost tore off my mask; and the third time, she peed all over me."

Zhao Shiqing laughed heartily. Xiao Zhen was seventeen years older than his sister. If he had married earlier, his daughter would be about that age now.

Zhao Shiqing mentioned her promise to Madam Yu: "I'm sorry, I already promised Madam Yu. Maybe next time, I'll go with you next time."

Xiao Zhen's eyes lit up. The little girl was talking about next time. The next Spring Banquet was next year, a whole year away.

"Wei Ya'er will be there too, right?" This was the main reason why Zhao Shiqing wanted to attend the Spring Banquet.

Xiao Zhen said, "It's not just Wei Ya'er, but also the three girls from the Wei family. At least one of these three girls will have to go to the capital. It's enough for Wei Ya'er to marry into Liang. He can't possibly marry all the Wei family girls into the Eighth Prince's Mansion. What would that look like? Whether he likes it or not, at least one of them has to enter the palace."

At this point, Xiao Zhen's heart stirred, and he said, "Wei Ya'er's twin brother is named Wei Wubing. Recently, he has been searching all over the capital for a girl disguised as a boy. It is said that he met the girl by chance in front of the Imperial Academy and was amazed by her beauty."

Zhao Shiqing was taken aback. In front of the Imperial College?
A woman disguised as a man?

By the way, Wei Wubing, that's his name.

"Is it that big shot? Is he looking for me?" Zhao Shiqing pointed to her nose.

Xiao Zhen asked, "Is the person he's looking for really you?"

Zhao Shiqing said helplessly, "How unlucky I am to have caught that madman's eye. You have no idea, if I hadn't happened to run into my brother-in-law, his horse's hooves would have trampled on me. I was so horribly injured."

She recounted how she went to find Zhao Tingluo that day, but was unexpectedly recognized as a woman by Wei Wubing. A fierce glint flashed in Xiao Zhen's eyes as she said, "The Empress Dowager Li likes him very much and has been pestering that person to grant him an official position."

Zhao Shiqing's lips twitched: "That man is insane, what kind of official can he be?"

Xiao Zhen said, "See? In such a trivial matter, that person won't disrespect Consort Li."

Zhao Shiqing then asked, "Where is Old Madam Wei? Is she still living in Cining Palace?"

Xiao Zhen nodded: "Yes, she'll probably stay in Cining Palace until she dies."

Seeing Zhao Shiqing remain silent, Xiao Zhen assumed she was troubled by Wei Wubing's matter and quickly said, "That Wei Wubing is nothing to fear. The capital is so big, where would he find you? Besides, even if he does find you, there's no need to be afraid. I'll think of a way."

Zhao Shiqing laughed and said, "I'm not easily scared. What's so great about fame and fortune? I didn't take it seriously at all. I was wondering if you have these kinds of dreams too?"

Xiao Zhen shook his head: "No, many things have changed now. In the dream, Old Madam Wei did not move into Cining Palace."

Zhao Shiqing smiled smugly: "Isn't it all because of me? I didn't expect that old woman to be so easily frightened. I just gave her a little scare, and it scared her all the way to the palace."

Xiao Zhen: A room full of snakes, is that just a little fright? You'd be so scared you'd go see your great-grandmother!

Xiao Zhen continued, "In the dream, it was this year, and the Fifth Prince went to provide disaster relief, just two months later."

Zhao Shiqing looked solemn. She had heard Xiao Zhen mention that many people had died in that flood, but what was even more terrible than the flood was the human suffering. Because of the Fifth Prince's incompetence, many innocent people had died, and many officials had also been implicated.

"The Fifth Prince is under house arrest. I wonder who will be sent this year?"

Xiao Zhen's voice was cold: "No matter who goes, I will go."

Zhao Shiqing suddenly raised her head: "You're going?"