Chapter 34: The Foresight of the “Consort” (Part Four)

“Please, Your Majesty, forgive my crime! Please, Your Majesty, forgive me!” The aged voice of Elder Zhang echoed through the grand Golden Luan Hall. It was clear that Elder Zhang was truly terrified at this moment, for the crime of colluding with the enemy and betraying the country was no trivial matter. Though Elder Zhang was advanced in years, he understood well enough. Even as a senior official who had served two reigns, it mattered little; the realm belonged to the Qin family, not to him.

Moreover, he knew well the consequences of framing a first-rank minister—this was the real reason Elder Zhang fell to his knees so swiftly.

“Why? Elder Zhang, do you not wish to see what is written on this letter?” Qin Suwen, seated above, looked down with a scornful gaze at the petrified Elder Zhang cowering below.

“This old minister… dares not…” Elder Zhang prostrated himself, his entire body trembling beyond control.

“Dares not? I think you are quite bold indeed!” Qin Suwen’s lips curled into a vicious smile, her anger palpable.

“Elder Zhang! Would you care to tell me exactly how you learned General Meng was guilty of treason? I am truly curious!” Qin Suwen’s final words landed heavily, and all present officials bowed their heads in utter silence.

“This old minister… only heard rumors…” Elder Zhang stammered, his voice shaking so much that he could barely speak.

Bang! Qin Suwen suddenly slammed her hand on the table before her and stood up. The loud crack resounded through the hall, making many officials flinch; some nearly collapsed to the floor in fright.

“Rumors, you say? Elder Zhang, you truly have some nerve! Because of mere rumors, General Meng was nearly slandered so grievously!” Now standing, Qin Suwen radiated an overwhelming aura of authority.

“Your Majesty, I believe perhaps Elder Zhang was misled by petty men, which led to his rash judgment. I beg Your Majesty to pardon Elder Zhang!” Meng Tian, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.

At Meng Tian’s words, everyone present was stunned; even Qin Suwen, enraged only moments before, looked at Meng Tian in astonishment.

“Your Majesty! Elder Zhang has served two reigns—how could he not know the gravity of treason? I do not believe this was his true intent. Please, Your Majesty, forgive Elder Zhang!” Meng Tian pressed his fists together in salute, his resolute voice echoing through the grand hall.

Even Elder Zhang, still kneeling, looked up at Meng Tian in disbelief. He could not comprehend why Meng Tian would defend him at such a moment.

Nor did the military officers behind Meng Tian understand his reasoning. In their eyes, Elder Zhang had never shown Meng Tian any regard. Now, with a chance to settle the score, Meng Tian was instead pleading on Elder Zhang’s behalf!

Had the roles been reversed, Elder Zhang would have likely added insult to injury, not come to Meng Tian’s aid.

Yet no one knew Meng Tian’s true thoughts. Qin Suwen, after a brief frown, understood Meng Tian’s intention. As he had said, Elder Zhang, as an official of two reigns, was a symbol in his own right. His influence in court was considerable; should anything happen to him, opposition would surely arise.

Qin’s kingdom, newly founded, faced threats from northern tribes and southern disturbances. Turmoil within the court at such a time could spell disaster for Qin.

Therefore, for the good of the realm, Meng Tian chose to set aside personal grudges. The time to settle scores with Elder Zhang would come when the land was at peace.

“Since General Meng has spoken thus, I shall pardon Elder Zhang this once. Elder Zhang, do you have any complaints?” Qin Suwen, now seated once more, looked solemnly at the prostrate Elder Zhang.

“This old minister… acknowledges his guilt!” Elder Zhang’s voice still trembled, though whether from fear or something else was unclear.

“In that case, you may rise.” Qin Suwen waved her hand. Only with the support of Lord Wang at his side did Elder Zhang shakily stand.

Seeing Elder Zhang in such a state, Qin Suwen could not help but sigh. She hoped this would teach Elder Zhang to set aside personal grievances for the time being.

“Perhaps some here are curious how General Meng repelled the northern tribes, or what exactly was written on the letter. Elder Zhang, would you explain for everyone?” Qin Suwen asked, and Elder Zhang, after saluting, bent to pick up the crumpled letter from the floor.

His hands trembling, he unfolded the letter. Upon reading it, Elder Zhang froze in shock.

Only then did he understand why Qin Suwen had been so furious—the letter was in fact two missives: one sent by Meng Tian to the frontier, and another, a triumphant report sent back from the border.

As Elder Zhang’s wavering voice began to read, an uncanny silence fell over the Golden Luan Hall. At last, all present understood the cause of Qin Suwen’s earlier rage.

“All credit for this belongs to Her Ladyship. If not for her tale of ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf,’ the border might never have withstood the tribes’ surprise attack. In my eyes, Her Ladyship’s foresight is unparalleled!” Meng Tian announced with a smile, bowing.

No one had expected that the one who had foreseen the enemy’s moves was none other than the famed “Lady Who Jumped Into the Well.” Yet everyone remembered Fang Xu’s telling of the ‘Wolf’ story in the Golden Luan Hall. At that time, many, especially the military officers, had dismissed Fang Xu as ignorant. Now, those same officers hung their heads in shame.

“That rascal does have some talent, after all.” Qin Suwen’s face blossomed into a girlish smile, though it vanished in an instant.

Meanwhile, the much-praised, prophetic “Lady Who Jumped Into the Well” was sleeping soundly, utterly unaware of the commotion outside. Yet after today, she was destined to become known throughout the land. Whether Fang Xu was prepared for such fame, no one could say.