novelaction Chapter 1393: The End of Loyalty
Chapter 1393: The End of Loyalty
As he spoke, he forcefully shoved the divorce papers into Madam Meng's hands, his tone resolute and unwavering: "This bears my signature and fingerprint, every word of it is law! Go with Yunshang, go as far away as possible, never return to the capital, and never mention my name, Meng Yuan, again!"
Madam Meng clutched the divorce papers tightly, the sharp edges digging painfully into her palms. Tears fell onto the paper, blurring the ink. Looking at the disheveled yet still dignified man before her, her heart ached: "I won't leave! If you must leave, we'll go together! Even if it means death, I'll be with you!"
"Nonsense!" Meng Xiang shouted angrily, but ultimately couldn't bring himself to reprimand him. He slumped back to the ground, his voice full of exhaustion, "Azhi, don't be silly. It's true that I embezzled disaster relief funds. Rong Zhiyu has a handle on me, and the evidence is irrefutable. Even if His Majesty is merciful, he will never let me go. You should live well with Yunshang, even if it's just for my sake, okay?"
Lin Yiwan stood aside, watching all of this unfold, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
She stepped forward and said softly, "Uncle, there may still be room for maneuver now. We have obtained Rong Zhiyu's confession. As long as you truthfully report the whole story to His Majesty and make amends, there may still be a glimmer of hope."
Meng Xiang looked up at her, a glimmer of light flashing in his eyes before fading away. He gave a bitter smile, shook his head, and ultimately said nothing more.
His thin, bony fingers gripped the wrinkled collar of his court robe, his knuckles bent, as if he were suffocating under the weight of this overwhelming guilt.
He said in a hoarse voice, “Rong Zhiyu hates me to the bone. Every piece of evidence she presented points to my death. I am the Prime Minister, second only to the Emperor. If the embezzlement of disaster relief funds is proven, it is a serious crime that shakes the foundation of the country. His Majesty is wise. How could he believe the defense of a criminal like me? Yiwan, you are a good child. Don’t bring trouble upon yourself for the sake of a dying man like me.”
Madam Azhi, standing to the side, had already cried until her eyes were red. She tightly gripped Meng Xiang's sleeve, her tears soaking the brocade embroidered with auspicious clouds. "My lord, we've been husband and wife for thirty years. How could I not know your character? You've been honest and upright all your life, assisting His Majesty in stabilizing the court. How could you do such a despicable thing? Now that it's been proven that it was that poisonous woman Rong Zhiyu who framed you, let's go and beg His Majesty. He will surely investigate thoroughly!"
Meng Xiang sighed, "It's no use, Azhi. No matter the reason, I've committed a capital offense!"
Madam Meng looked at Lin Yiwan with tears in her eyes: "Wanwan, do you really have a way to help us?"
Lin Yiwan pondered for a moment before slowly speaking: "Mengxiang, I'll only ask you one question: are you afraid of suffering?"
Meng Xiang answered without hesitation: "I come from a humble background. Even if I had risen to a high position, I have always been honest and upright. How could I not endure hardship?"
Lin Yiwan smiled with narrowed eyes: "Since you can endure hardship, then there is still a way out. I will go and beg my father immediately. Just wait for my good news!"
After saying that, she hurriedly walked out of the cell.
Looking at her retreating figure, Madam Meng was filled with worry.
She asked in a hoarse voice, "Master, can Yi Wan really save us?"
Meng Xiang gripped her hand tightly: "Azhi, life and death are in the hands of fate. Seeing you and Yunshang doing well, I have no regrets in this life!"
Madam Meng reached out and covered his mouth: "I won't allow you to say such things. We must all trust Yi Wan. She is the Emperor's most beloved daughter. The Emperor will definitely listen to what she says!"
At this moment, Lin Yiwan had already arrived at the imperial kitchen.
Upon seeing her, the eunuch on night duty quickly bowed and asked, "Madam, what brings you here so late at night?"
Lin Yiwan smiled and nodded, her voice soft yet carrying an undeniable certainty, "I have heard that Father has been worried about the affairs of Lingnan recently. I am grateful for Father's compassion for the people's suffering, so I would like to personally prepare some Lingnan-style dishes to ease Your Majesty's worries."
The eunuch was taken aback at first, then realized what was happening.
He dared not delay and quickly led Lin Yiwan inside. He also specifically instructed the head of the imperial kitchen not to interfere and to let Lin Yiwan prepare the ingredients herself.
The imperial kitchen was brightly lit, and a dazzling array of ingredients were neatly arranged on the cutting board.
Lin Yiwan rolled up her sleeves, her pale fingertips brushing against the fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat, a smile appearing in her eyes.
She had traveled to Lingnan with her maternal grandfather for three years and knew the local cuisine very well.
The climate in Lingnan is humid and hot, and the local people's diet emphasizes light and refreshing flavors to reduce internal heat. The ingredients are mostly locally produced, and the cooking methods are also light and elegant, which is completely different from the heavy and oily dishes in Beijing.
She first took a few fresh mud carp, carefully scraped off the scales, removed the bones and took the meat, then boiled the fish bones into a milky white soup, then chopped the fish meat into a fine paste, added water chestnut pieces and minced scallions and ginger for seasoning, squeezed it into small fish balls, and dropped them into the boiling soup.
When the fish balls float to the surface, the soup is clear and fragrant, just like the home-style flavor that people in Lingnan love.
Next, she took fresh lychees, peeled off the red shells, removed the pits and took the flesh, and steamed it together with thinly sliced pork belly. The sweetness of the lychees neutralized the greasiness of the pork belly and meat, and the steamed meat was fragrant with fruit aroma, sweet but not greasy. This is the famous Lingnan dish, Lychee Pork.
Then, she made a winter melon and barley pork rib soup to clear heat and remove dampness; and a plate of blanched bok choy, which was crisp and refreshing.
Finally, I also cooked a pot of soft and sticky mung bean soup, which was refreshing and sweet after cooling down.
She worked at the stove for nearly an hour, her forehead beaded with sweat, but she didn't feel tired at all.
The chefs in the imperial kitchen quietly gathered around, marveling at how this lady, skilled in medicine, also possessed such excellent culinary skills.
By the time the six exquisite Lingnan dishes were placed in the food box, it was already past midnight.
Lin Yiwan washed her hands, tidied her hair, picked up the food box, and followed the little eunuch who was leading the way, heading towards the Imperial Study.
Inside the Imperial Study, Xiao Li was indeed still not resting.
He was sitting behind his desk, flipping through the memorials at hand. The flickering candlelight illuminated his profile, revealing the weariness between his brows.
Lin Yiwan walked in lightly, curtsied, and said, "Father, I have personally prepared some Lingnan-style dishes to ease your worries."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Li put down the vermilion brush in his hand and looked up at her.
Seeing her carrying a food box, with a thin layer of sweat on her forehead, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, which then turned into a warm feeling: "You're so thoughtful."
Lin Yiwan smiled and nodded, signaling the young eunuch to place the dishes from the food box onto the table one by one.
In an instant, a fresh aroma filled the air, quite different from the usual rich fragrance of the imperial kitchen, and it invigorated everyone who smelled it.
Xiao Li looked at the dishes on the table and raised an eyebrow with interest: "Is this what the people of Lingnan usually eat?"