ebookland Chapter 335 Power Struggles and Guilt Behind the Library
Chapter 335 Power Struggles and Guilt Behind the Library
Zhen Xiaosi thrived in the modern world, making a name for herself in the ginseng trade through her own abilities and the favor of the times, becoming a powerful businesswoman. However, she was framed and transported to the Tang Dynasty, becoming Xiaosizi. She thought that if she died at the age of 12, she could return to the past, but instead, she found herself trapped in the Tang Dynasty, unable to escape.
Having encountered many greedy and unscrupulous people, she gradually became more complex in her thinking, and began to manipulate power and use those around her. Now, she serves as the Imperial Astronomical Observatory in front of Emperor Li Longji, and Gao Lishi was personally selected by her for the emperor.
She thought to herself that following the historical path would surely be the right thing to do. Gao Lishi was capable and efficient, handling even the smallest matters for the Emperor. He enjoyed the Emperor's deep trust, which was akin to wielding invisible power. The Emperor had previously used Yuwen Rong and the "Two Lis"—Li Linfu and Li Shizhi…
Zhen Xiaosi used a silver hairpin as a selfie stick, striking a pose in front of the bronze mirror. The mottled glazed tiles were reflected in the mirror, and she suddenly laughed—these broken tiles from the Imperial Observatory bore a striking resemblance to ginseng gift boxes under the lighting in modern live-streaming studios; both relied on packaging to shine. Unconsciously, she stroked the celestial map embroidered on her cuff and slammed her hand on the table, exclaiming, "A time-traveling version of 'The Great Tang Dynasty's Rhinoceros Prince,' I, this young lady, have to be the screenwriter myself!"
That day, Gao Lishi arrived with a gilded tray to deliver a secret report, only to find her using an armillary sphere as draft paper to draw a storyboard for the "Birthday Tribute Robbery." This future powerful eunuch, whom she had "discovered" from among the eunuchs, even displayed the "business etiquette" she had personally trained in the way she served tea.
"Xiao Gao, do you know that Hu Ji Tavern in the West Market that has sirloin steaks? Is the owner a distant cousin of Yuwen Rong, someone you're not even remotely related to?" As Xiao Sizi approached, Gao Lishi was so startled that he almost stuffed the secret report into his mouth like a napkin.
Speaking of Yuwen Rong, Zhen Xiaosi rolled her eyes at the words "Tax Envoy" on the secret report: "This man's abacus beads are clicking away so loudly they could automatically generate an Excel spreadsheet." She grabbed a handful of Western spices and threw them into the charcoal brazier, watching the wisps of smoke rise, then watched the lean fellow sticking out his tongue as he calculated taxes. "Ha, this walking human calculator is perfect for me to use as a 'keyboard warrior' to refute Li Shizhi!"
The peonies sent from Li Shizhi's residence were in full bloom, but Zhen Xiaosi was ranting and raving at the flower room: "Is this Left Prime Minister acting out a 'Legend of the Hidden Sea' version of 'The Legend of the Hidden Sea'? Drinking fine wine all day, neglecting state affairs, is he treating the Tang Dynasty like a retirement home?" Xiaosi, looking in the bronze mirror, drew her eyebrows, using a rouge brush to create a "scheming eye makeup" look at the corner of her eye. She then pulled out a small note with a "carrier pigeon": "Tell Li Linfu that Lord Li has acquired a limited edition of 'A Thousand Years of Solitude,' first come, first served!"
Li Linfu's banquet was held in Furong Garden. Zhen Xiaosi made a dazzling entrance, draped in a crane cloak, looking every bit like a Tang Dynasty version of a "dark elf." The garden's lanterns illuminated the "honeyed-tongued, treacherous" prime minister as if he were wearing a social media filter, but they couldn't escape her keen eyes, which seemed to have a "historical cheat code."
Li Linfu eagerly offered her some Western Region grape wine, and Si Zi lowered her voice: "I heard that Yang Shenjin has a land deed from the previous dynasty, a treasure that could be featured on 'National Treasure'!" Seeing the shock in his eyes, she mentally flashed a peace sign: "Little brat, you're still too green to compete with me!"
As the water clock ticked, Zhen Xiaosi sat cross-legged in front of the chessboard carried by the young man, writing the names of Yuwen Rong, Li Linfu, and Li Shizhi on the chess pieces.
"Pawns charge, cannons sneak attack, cannon fodder takes the hits—perfect!" Si Zi was already used to her Tang Dynasty roots. "Isn't this just a Tang Dynasty version of Werewolf?" She turned to Gao Lishi and shouted, "Xiao Gao, prepare the wine! I want to watch this 'Game of Thrones'!"
The evening breeze lifted the hem of her dress, and in a daze, she heard a promotional announcement in a modern shopping mall: "Don't miss it!"
Si Zi, munching on candied fruit and drinking papaya milk, said, "Brother Zi An, let me tell you! The gossip circulating in the palace lately is far more exciting than any storybook!"
Zi'an popped a grape into her mouth and raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Your little bit of information is more interesting than the new osmanthus cake from the Imperial Kitchen?"
"Hmph! They're talking about how Yuwen Rong and Zhang Shuo are fighting to the death!" Si Zi's eyes sparkled. "Yuwen Rong is favored by the emperor, but Zhang Shuo doesn't like him. Every time Yuwen Rong makes a suggestion, Zhang Shuo can pull out a memorial from his sleeve and retort, like fighting cocks!"
Zi An chuckled: "That's an exaggeration? Can Yuwen Rong tolerate that?"
Si Zi smiled slyly: "I seized the opportunity back then! You know, I wanted to build a new library in the palace, but I hadn't been able to raise enough money. Yuwen Rong and Zhang Shuo were having a huge fight, so I secretly sent someone to tell him that as long as he helped me get the approval to build the library, I would try to put in a good word for him in front of the emperor."
"You're incredibly bold!" Zi'an exclaimed, her eyes wide.
“He was in a hurry to find help at the time!” Si Zi winked slyly. “He immediately agreed and not only helped me get the permits, but also found a few reliable craftsmen from his own network. Thanks to him, my library was able to be built smoothly.”
"and after?"
"Of course I can't go back on my word!" Si Zi shrugged. "When Zhang Shuo impeached him, I said a few good words for him to the Emperor, saying that although he was impatient, he was capable. The Emperor heard that and didn't punish him too harshly."
Zi An shook his head: "Only Goddess Si Zi would dare to do something like this."
“Isn’t that a bit outrageous?” Si Zi continued, “These three people were causing chaos in the court. The emperor was so annoyed that he waved his hand and sent them all away! Yuwen Rong went to Weizhou to be the governor, and as soon as he arrived, the Yellow River in our vast territory breached its banks!”
"Wow, this luck is unbelievable."
"He's quite clever!" Si Zi imitated Yuwen Rong's bowing gesture. "He quickly submitted a memorial saying he wanted to use the methods of Yu the Great to control the floods, and even planned to open rice paddies to make money. Of course, the emperor believed him! That's the power of gaining the emperor's trust."
Si Zi continued, "In less than two years, he returned to the court and became prime minister! He also recommended a bunch of people, such as Song Jing and Pei Yaoqing, all of whom were talented. Everyone praised him for his good judgment."
"Then how did he fail again later?"
Si Zi's smile froze, and his expression darkened: "Later, he was implicated in the case and was to be demoted to Ruzhou. I passed by his mansion and saw his white-haired old mother wiping away tears at the door, and his young child clinging to his leg, crying his heart out. At that moment, I suddenly felt a tightness in my chest."
Zi'an sighed: "You've softened your heart?"
“Yes.” Si Zi lowered her eyes. “I was thinking that if I hadn’t used him back then, he probably wouldn’t have offended so many people so quickly. Later, when the Emperor wanted to reinstate him, Prime Minister Pei Guangting used underhanded tactics to impeach his son. I could have spoken up for him in front of the Emperor, but I… I was afraid of trouble, not because I was afraid of offending Pei Guangting, so I didn’t dare to speak up…”
"Later, someone reported him for embezzlement in Bianzhou, and he was directly exiled to Yazhou! I heard he died of illness on the way, so pitiful." Si Zi's voice trembled. "Now, every time I pass by the library, I can't help but think, if I had stood up and helped him back then, would his ending have been different..."
Zi An gently patted her shoulder: "What a dramatic turn of events, what a sigh!"