Chapter 2588 - 2586: Rebuking Treacherous Ministers and Stirring Up Trouble

Chapter 2588: Chapter 2586: Rebuking Treacherous Ministers and Stirring Up Trouble

Little Qingdou held her sword hand and gave it a fierce shake.

A ribbon-like flame instantly swirled around her, making her so excited that she called out, "Uncle Wine Gourd, I can use fire now, I can use fire!"

She pointed forward, and the flame flew out like a bolt, striking the waterfall ahead.

The scorching flames met the water and instantly cut off a meter-wide stream, causing billowing mist to rise into the air.

She used to be able to conjure fire, but it was intermittent and chaotic, usually out of her control.

Sometimes, after releasing one flame, she found it difficult to produce a second.

But now, the flame could be controlled at will, burning wherever she wanted for as long as she wished.

However, this thing consumed quite a bit of Essential Qi, and within moments, her little face turned pale.

She dared not play anymore and hurriedly withdrew the flame, happily grabbing the hand of the Daoist in the azure robe, laughing continuously.

The Daoist in the azure robe looked at her with a smile and said, "What do you think? Is this poison wine?"

Little Qingdou shook her head quickly and exclaimed, "No, no, it’s something good. Can I have another sip, please?"

The Daoist in the azure robe shook his head in refusal, "That won’t do. The path of cultivation avoids greed and rashness. One must build a solid foundation. If you drink more, you truly might get poisoned."

"Stingy ghost!"

Little Qingdou didn’t believe him, murmured under her breath, hugging her arms and ignoring him.

The Daoist in the azure robe said, "What, angry? I seem to recall you agreed to treat me as a friend in the future."

Little Qingdou turned to glare at him, complaining, "Don’t you dislike me? The masters all dislike me and just scold me every day."

The Daoist in the azure robe smiled and said, "Then you must have done something wrong."

Little Qingdou protested defiantly, "I didn’t do anything wrong, just like today. Clearly, it was that Chao Yueying abusing her power because she’s the daughter of Duke Chao Gai, always bossy and bullying classmates. I couldn’t bear it and helped to discipline her, but the masters blamed me instead. Tell me, aren’t they being unjust?"

"Duke of Lu?"

The Daoist in the azure robe furrowed his brow and said, "You know Duke of Lu?"

Little Qingdou said, "Of course I know him, Duke Chao Gai, known as Lord Chao. He often came to my place to drink."

"That’s the way it is!"

The Daoist in the azure robe chuckled and thought, these people have pretty sharp senses, quickly sending the daughter over.

Little Qingdou pursued, "Uncle Wine Gourd, give me a fair judgment, was I wrong in this matter?"

"No wrong, no wrong!"

The Daoist in the azure robe nodded with laughter, "They do have issues in handling things."

"Do you also think so?"

Little Qingdou’s eyes widened in excitement, as if finding a kindred spirit; she grabbed the arm of the Daoist in excitement and said, "On Liangshan Island, you might be the only good person. I’ve decided, from now on, I’ll treat you as a friend."

The Daoist in the azure robe burst into laughter, "Then that’s agreed, I’ll come see you whenever I have time. If you have any grievances, feel free to tell this old friend."

"Let’s hook then!"

Little Qingdou raised her pinky finger seriously, hooking with the Daoist’s.

The big and small chatted through the night until Little Qingdou vented all her depression.

She fell asleep, and upon waking, the Daoist in the azure robe was nowhere to be seen.

When breakfast time arrived, no one called her.

Not in a hurry, she used her belt to catch many golden carps from the waterfall, roasted them with fire, and enjoyed a carefree time.

During the Qingming Festival, Kyoto held a grand ceremonial ritual.

From the Royal Family to commoners, the whole city was in motion.

The streets and alleys were filled with people, whether for outings or ancestor worship, creating a scene of vibrancy and festivity.

An artist by the name of Zhang sat in a teahouse, his spirit lingering amidst the scene, drunkenly laughing, "I must capture this festivity on paper, for future generations to admire!"

He asked for paper and brush, and immediately wrote a line of bold characters, "Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival!"

Atop the Grand Ancestral Temple, an even grander ancestral worship ceremony was being conducted.

Emperor Huizong of Song, draped in his ceremonial robes, performed a ritual to honor the heavens and his ancestors under the guidance of the ceremony officials.

The hundred officials knelt, the kings and ministers showed submission, making quite a grand spectacle.

Prime Minister Cai Jing stood at the forefront with the group of officials, stealthily glanced back at the gathered princes and dukes as well as the regional governors.

Wang Fu and Li Bangyan, standing next to him, softly reported, "Prime Minister, all these princes and dukes who’ve come to the capital treat us with proper courtesy. There is but one who lacks decorum, publicly insulting us as treacherous ministers, eager even to draw the sword and purge the court of us at the Dragon Court."

"Who is this person?"

Cai Jing lifted his eyelids slightly.

Wang Fu reported, "It is none other than King Li Yuanhao of Western Xia. His temper is as fierce as a wild bull, untamable, with a warlike nature too prevalent—he truly is a menace to our Great Song!"

Cai Jing cast a sidelong glance, staring momentarily at a robust middle-aged man among the royals without saying much.

After the grand ceremony concluded, the emperor hosted a banquet for the civil and military officials.

King Li Yuanhao of Western Xia sat together with Duke Song Jiang of Qi, Duke Chao Gai of Lu, and Duke Lu Junyi of Yan.

The four exchanged cups of wine, drinking with great pleasure.

With the liquor taking effect, Li Yuanhao’s repressed emotions were hard to endure. He couldn’t help but vent, "Brothers, across the Great Song, only you three current heroes do I, Li Yuanhao, hold in esteem. There’s something that’s been pent up inside for far too long, and I must get it off my chest!

Look around at this Imperial Court—it appears harmonious, calm on the surface. But beneath lies complete disarray and chaos.

Some form cliques and manipulate power, deceiving the emperor, making the court unsettled and causing the common people to voice their grievances. At this rate, this flourishing era risks turning into a chaotic one. Brothers, can you truly drink this wine in peace?"

Duke Song Gongming of Qi looked around and softly reminded Li Yuanhao, "King of Western Xia, be cautious with your words!"

Li Yuanhao slapped the table vigorously and said, "Caution, caution—ever since I entered the capital, I’ve been told these words, enough to make my ears calloused."

He stood up abruptly, his tiger-like eyes swept over Cai Jing’s table, and glared at them as he growled, "Treachery is rampant, and I, Li Yuanhao, am ashamed to associate with them. Better not drink this wine!"

After saying this, he flicked his sleeves and left, his armor clattering loudly.

Cai Jing’s face darkened, and as Wang Fu and Li Bangyan were about to rise and rebuke, he grabbed them to stay put.

In the main hall, Emperor Huizong of Song raised an eyelid and lazily asked, "What drunken madness is this Western Xia King up to?"

The three dukes at the same table quickly gave a few perfunctory responses, claiming it was the Western Xia King’s drunken babble, and advised the emperor not to take it to heart.

Emperor Huizong, however, appeared indifferent and did not take offense.

After the banquet concluded, civil and military officials took their leave.

Wang Fu and Li Bangyan exchanged a glance, riding together in a palanquin to the residence of Prime Minister Cai Jing.

Upon entering, the two began to curse, saying that Li Yuanhao, being of barbarian birth, although granted kingly land, was untamably wild by nature. If left unchecked, he would eventually become a calamity for the Imperial Court.

Cai Jing changed into casual attire and invited the two to sit in the hall.

He took a sip of tea and asked them, "Is there any point in your anger? Will His Majesty behead Li Yuanhao just because of his words?"

The two fell silent momentarily, cupping their fists before Cai Jing and inquired, "May we ask what insights the Prime Minister might have?"

Cai Jing tightened his brow and said, "Our emperor, though fond of glory, is no foolish ruler. If you wish to deal with Li Yuanhao, you must plan for the long term, rash actions won’t do. Presently, he remains loyal to the Great Song, without any rebellious intent. Reporting him would be to no avail."

Wang Fu and Li Bangyan exchanged a cold glance and said, "Then we must find a way to turn him traitor!"

Cai Jing, sipping his tea calmly, reminded them, "I heard that Li Yuanhao has a daughter, whose beauty rivals that of a heavenly celestial, and was named personally by Guanyin Bodhisattva. Is there any truth to this?"

Wang Fu replied, "Rumors circulate so, mentioning this daughter is sixteen years old and named Shishi, indeed unparalleled in beauty."

"Does the Prime Minister intend to act from this angle?"

Li Bangyan displayed a sly smile.

"Li Shishi?"

Cai Jing lifted his eyelids slightly and said, "A good name, with much of a Buddhist’s zen tone. His Majesty has commanded you to select beauties from all over for the palace as concubines. Yet in three years, you’ve chosen nothing but common folks, none gaining His Majesty’s favor. If need be, let this Li Shishi try. Perhaps His Majesty might fall in love at first sight and reward you all handsomely."

"The Prime Minister is truly wise!"

Wang Fu and Li Bangyan, filled with excitement, stood up and repeatedly gave Cai Jing enthusiastic thumbs up in praise.

The two immediately took their leave, and upon returning, drafted a memorial to be presented to Emperor Huizong of Song.

In it, they lavishly praised Li Shishi, lauding her as the most talented and beautiful in the world, akin to a Bodhisattva incarnate from the Buddhist Sect, untouched by any earthly filth.