Chapter Forty-Seven: Concession

With his status, Jiang Bo could not possibly know about Princess Taiping’s schemes. Yet the conflict between Princess Taiping, Lady of the Nation, and the new emperor was common knowledge. The entire Tang dynasty had become a battlefield between the two, and the retired Emperor Li Dan, whose affection was divided between the two, strove to maintain a precarious balance. It was just as it had been in the struggle between Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng; such equilibrium was impossible to sustain. Outwardly, they maintained the semblance of civility, but beneath the surface, they were ceaselessly stabbing at one another.

With Princess Taiping’s power and position, she had no need to resort to poison unless the person she wished to harm was beyond her reach. Who could be so untouchable? Jiang Bo, who had survived and thrived to this day, was no fool; he already had someone in mind.

He was shocked, but also feverishly excited. If this world had already seen one empress, why not another?

He recalled how that empress of history had conferred a dukedom upon a useless lover, had made a medicine peddler her Grand General, and even entrusted him with command of the armies—all for being her favored companion. If he could help Princess Taiping rid herself of her powerful rival, his own rise would be assured.

Thus, even when he guessed the reason behind it all, Jiang Bo still did his utmost to carry out the task. Now the plan was ruined: the poison had been stolen, and he could not deliver it. He had jeopardized Princess Taiping’s grand scheme, but it was not yet a matter of life or death. At worst, he would be severely punished; Princess Taiping might lose trust in him, and he would lose everything he possessed, but the crime was not fatal, nor would it endanger his family. Yet Pei Min’s appearance at this moment brought with it a far more terrifying complication.

Behind Pei Min stood Xue Ne. If the matter escalated, Xue Ne would become involved, and the poison might end up in his hands. If Xue Ne discovered that Princess Taiping was behind Jiang Bo, it would spell disaster—the heavens would fall, and the court would be thrown into chaos.

Someone of Xue Ne’s rank could reach the emperor directly. His urgent dispatches would have access to every courier station in the land and arrive at the Imperial Secretariat in Chang’an, right before the emperor and the retired emperor. If the poison incident were reported by him, no one could remain indifferent. Then, neither the retired emperor nor the current one would spare Jiang Bo, and Princess Taiping would wish him dead as well. For someone of his insignificant standing, the extermination of his family would be a mere matter of moments.

Considering all these crucial dangers, Jiang Bo nearly fainted, his mind fixed on one thought: things must not be allowed to spiral out of control; he had to regain control immediately. The “Essay on Le Yi” could be sacrificed, and the poison could be bought again. Everything must end here.

“Sisters Gongsun?” Jiang Bo struggled to suppress his terror, looking around in confusion. “Has anyone seen the Gongsun sisters?”

Everyone knew Jiang Bo was searching for the Gongsun sisters, though the real reason eluded them. They only knew the sisters were at odds with him, had stolen something from his residence, and all shook their heads, saying they did not know.

Jiang Bo, looking as desperate as he felt, turned to Pei Min and said, “To be honest, Sir Pei, I do have a grievance with the Gongsun sisters. Not long ago, out of spite, they sneaked into my house and stole a treasured item. I believe these two young ladies meant no true harm—just a mischievous act of revenge. I’ve had people searching for them all over the city these days. I’m over forty now and don’t wish to make trouble for two young girls. I only want my property returned; as for their trespass, I can pretend it never happened. There’s been no sign of them.”

Pei Min glanced around, thought for a moment, then sheathed his sword. “Really?”

Jiang Bo raised a hand to the heavens. “By Heaven, I speak nothing but the truth.”

At this moment, Zhao Ming also stepped forward. “Sir Pei, what Jiang Bo says is true. The Gongsun sisters broke into the house at night, fought their way out, and we all saw it happen. They are in hiding, not missing, and certainly not taken by Jiang Bo.”

Pei Min considered this and suddenly felt embarrassed, a bit ashamed. “I see—I misunderstood. My apologies.” He bowed in earnest, then added, “The Gongsun sisters are both my friends, and I suppose, as Jiang Bo says, they were merely being playful and retaliatory. I apologize on their behalf. May I ask what item was stolen? I am willing to compensate you at its original value. I hope you will be generous and not hold it against them.”

Jiang Bo cursed inwardly: it was Wang Xizhi’s “Essay on Le Yi,” a priceless treasure. The late Emperor Taizong had used force to acquire it. How could a penniless scholar like Pei Min possibly afford even a single character from its pages?

Yet Pei Min’s words gave Jiang Bo some reassurance; he understood Pei Min was not involved in the matter, and now his aim was to distance Pei Min from the situation.

If Pei Min stayed away, Xue Ne would remain uninformed, and all would be resolved.

Jiang Bo smiled and said, “It’s nothing valuable—just an old calligraphy scroll, worth little. All this fuss is just my pent-up frustration. Since you’ve apologized on their behalf, and for your service in rooting out traitors for the Tang, I won’t hold it against them. Let’s end the matter here.” With that, he called out loudly, “Steward Wang, call everyone back. Tell them the issue is resolved, and even if they encounter Miss Gongsun, they are not to trouble her. Sir Pei, what do you think?”

“Thank you!” Pei Min bowed again.

“My house is in chaos, so I’ll not detain you, Sir Pei. Please take your leave, and give my regards to the Grand Commander when you see him!” Jiang Bo’s words were a clear dismissal, and he subtly signaled that today’s leniency was not for Pei Min’s sake, but for Xue Ne’s.

“Farewell!” Pei Min turned and departed.

Jiang Bo watched Pei Min’s retreating figure, anger burning in his eyes and frustration weighing on his heart.

Once Pei Min was gone, Steward Wang, seeing Jiang Bo’s fury, cautiously asked, “Master, are you really letting him go? Should I retract the order?”

Jiang Bo glared at him. “Didn’t you see? The boy was only so bold because he has Xue Ne supporting him. In Youzhou, Xue Ne’s influence is unmatched; there’s no need to risk conflict with him over something trivial. As for those two little wretches, we’ll let them off for Xue Ne’s sake.” He had never told his men about the poison; they really believed only a treasure had been lost.

Steward Wang, realizing Jiang Bo was not deceiving Pei Min, accepted his orders and left.

Jiang Bo recalled Pei Min’s actions that day and suddenly realized Pei Min might well have known the Gongsun sisters were not in his hands, and was merely forcing him to give up the chase.

“Young men are to be feared!” Jiang Bo mused. “So young, yet already so skilled in martial arts, and adept at leveraging power. At his age, to use influence so deftly—if he ever rises to power, who could stand against him?”