Chapter 10: Making a Move
The next couple of days went by like a breeze; Da Ying had traveled to Wu Temple to pray. She didn't bring many people with her, just Ban Shiang, Bai Zhi and four guards. In the morning, she would oblige and pray in front of the shrine. She wasn't stupid, those guards escorting her were simply spies sent by the empress. But at night, she was busy making plans with Ban Shiang and Bai Zhi. On the third night, she made a move.
The only light in the dim room was the flickering of the scented candle on the table in the center. Ban Shiang and Bai Zhi were standing in front of Da Ying, waiting for further instructions. "Alert Wu Man and Tang Wei, have them send her the threat,"
"Yes,"
While Da Ying was busy in the temple, Empress Mei Wu had found out about Concubine Yao's action a few days ago. Concubine Yao was kneeling in front of the Empress, her hands were sweating. If anyone knew of this, she would not live past today. Seeing the scared Concubine Yao, the empress picked up her cup of tea and sipped it lightly, hiding a smile in between. "Forgive me, your highness," Concubine Yao pleaded. "I was too rash, I won't do it again."
"You were quite reckless, do you realize that if you had succeeded in killing her that night, your daughter would be the one heading to Northern Liang. When that happens, I would not be able to help you,"
"I was not thinking, I only thought about my blood feud with that woman…" just thinking about Da Ying's mother, her blood boiled with anger.
"I will only warn you once, stay still and don't mess this up,"
As Concubine Yao walked out of the Empress's courtyard, she clenched her fists. How in the world did she find out it was her doing. If she knew it was Da Ying's doing, placing evidence in front of the empress in secrecy, she would want to tear Da Ying into shreds.
On the day of Da Ying's return, it was peaceful and quiet. It was as if her predictions were right, under the Empress's order, no one was to make a move on her. Da Ying used this chance to truly relax before the storm. She sat under the gazebo in her courtyard, eating grapes and casually reading a book.
The next night, Da Ying was summoned to Consort Yao's courtyard. "Greetings to Consort Yao," Da Ying smiled. It wasn't a smile of seeing someone she longed to see but an evil intended hidden meaning smile. She wanted to laugh badly when she was face to face with the impatient Consort Yao. No matter how hard that woman tried to hide her worries, the easier it was to spot.
Consort Yao eyed the two maids by the door to close it. Da Ying looked back the two maids blocking the doors. "What are you planning to do?" Da Ying asked in her pretentious panicky voice. Consort Yao stood up from her seat and slammed her hands hard on the table. "Da Ying, you sure have guts," she gritted under her teeth, Da Ying's innocent look was quickly changed into a wicked expression, "I can be sure that Consort Yao had a shock over the golden peacock hairpin then." The message she had Wu Man and Tang Wei send was this peacock hairpin. "Da Ying, you think you can easily threaten me with a single hairpin? How do I know this isn't a fake?" her fingers aggressively pointed at Da Ying.
"Does Consort Yao want me to reveal it in front of all the servants then?" Consort Yao looked at all the maids and servants currently in the room. Her secret was about to be revealed, how can she let them all hear this. "All of you retreat," once everyone evacuated, Da Ying's eyes turned even more malicious, she now looked like she was going to devour Consort Yao. She took two steps forward, scaring Consort Yao. "Isn't Consort Yao curious where or who I got it from…" seeing that she didn't reply, Da Ying only continued, "Did Consort Yao really forget about Wu Mama who was sent away? It's not hard for me to find her."
"Wu Mama left on her own five years ago on her own accord. Why are you bringing her up? What are you planning?"
"Oh? I don't believe that she left on her accord. If I recall, you wanted to use this hairpin that you had placed into her belt and kill her? To shut her up?"
"That woman didn't die?"
"Don't bother looking for her, she is under my care. Once I gather enough evidence, I will get justice for my mother. I'll bring you down,"
"Audacious! I had nothing to do with your mother's death. Don't you slander me Da Ying," her voice shaking.
"Oh? Would Consort Yao like to take the gamble then? Do I need to mention about your father, Prime Minister Yao's part in embezzlement five years ago?" Upon hearing her father's name and his crime, Consort Yao's face paled. Her family's taboo was coming to light. She looked defeated as her soulless eye stared at Da Ying.
"Embezzlement? It was so long ago, the emperor would not care. At most, my father would be prisoned for a year,"
"Tsk tsk…I thought that you were much smarter than that, looks like I need to exert some sense into you,"
"What are you talking about? Your words don't scare me,"
"Prime Minster Yao did indeed steal back then and was caught. Under instructions, he framed my mother of stealing the funds to start an army of her own. If I was to present new evidence…do you think this case will be reopened?"
"What do you want?" Consort Yao felt her entire spirit leave her body as she slumped back into her chair.
"Ying'er doesn't want much in exchange for the Yao family's safety. I only ask that Consort Yao send Jie You in the upcoming marriage," If she hadn't heard enough shock, she couldn't hide the ugliness on her face anymore, "I will never send Jie You to Northern Liang." She said with full intentions of fighting Da Ying. Da Ying put both her arms behind her back and casually walked closer towards the woman who was shaking from fear and anger. "Is your precious daughter Jie You worth trading your whole Yao family for? Prince Xiao Yuan of Northern Liang will be arriving tomorrow; I presume you already knew that. Don't worry, I won't pressure you to give me an answer today, I will give you until tomorrow night at the Welcoming Banquet to decide. That's the least I can do for you,"
"Da Ying, if I knew you were this malicious, I would have killed you already. Fine, I'll do as you say, but you must promise me to not implicate the Yao family," Da Ying gave no response; she turned around to leave, a smile of victory on her face. [Jie You, this is your destiny, you have no one to blame but yourself.]
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