Chapter 1340 – Blood Oath
Jiang Pengji had a hearty meal and then stood up to leave with Wei Ci.
She noticed that Wei Ci had been rather quiet from the start, clutching a pile of “contracts” in his arms as if lost in thought.
Suddenly, Jiang Pengji halted, causing Wei Ci to bump into her unexpectedly. While she was unfazed, he stumbled back a couple of steps. Realizing what happened, he quickly bowed in apology. Jiang Pengji asked, “What are you pondering, Zixiao?”
Wei Ci could keep secrets from others, but not from her. When she inquired, he had no choice but to speak freely.
He said, “I’m contemplating the intent of our Lord—”
Jiang Pengji tilted her head and chuckled, “What motive could I possibly have?”
Wei Ci analyzed, “The Lord’s blood oath with Huang Song, at first glance, appears to bind him rather than the other way around.”
Huang Song had already been defeated; could he possibly resist now that his life was in the Lord’s hands?
Not only did Jiang Pengji spare Huang Song’s life, but she also formed a blood pact with him. Although Huang Song had lost power and freedom, his family would no longer have to worry. As long as they stayed low-key, neither the Lord nor potential new leaders could touch them. This meager pact secured the lives of Huang Song’s family for generations, and even when his great-grandchildren were born and grew up, that would be fifty or sixty years down the line.
Fifty or sixty years—a long time, yet not so long; with the world ever-changing, who could predict the future?
Any discerning eye could see that this pact was not a bad deal for Huang Song, but rather a monumental blessing.
However—
Wei Ci had sensed a different undercurrent; Huang Song’s cryptic remark, “My descendants can’t serve in government, what about my daughter?” sparked his insight.
A wandering noble had no power and lived even worse than a small local clan. Not to mention, Huang Song once contended for supremacy with Jiang Pengji.
What good was a title if it came with no power or ability to serve?
To preserve his family’s honor, Huang Song had no choice but to invest effort into nurturing his daughters and granddaughters, helping them pave their own paths to success.
Huang Song’s former subordinates, thanks to past ties and present interests, would not obstruct him but instead would lend support behind the scenes.
Fifty or sixty years were ample for a seismic shift in the power structure of the court.
With a female emperor on the throne, chaos could be quelled through force, but once peace reigned, all officials hoped for a male heir to take the imperial seat.
The risks associated with childbirth for women were too great, and no one could guarantee a safe delivery.
To the officials, having male heirs, bound by no biological encumbrance, presented a higher chance of survival and preserved the stability of the court.
Moreover, women held little weight in the court, a major hurdle for the female succession system.
Wei Ci’s heart raced as he speculated.
Could it be that the Lord was paving the way for a future princess?
Back when the princess was established, overturning the previous succession mechanisms drew immense pressure upon the Emperor. Did the groundwork start earlier this time?
Thinking of the daughter from his past life made Wei Ci’s eyes misty.
Though the Emperor had endured the pressure to establish the princess, doubts about Jiang Yan had never truly faded; she would have to perform impeccably to silence her critics. One could only imagine the burdens she would bear from birth to adulthood as the future inheritor.
Lost in thought, Wei Ci mused that if the Lord was laying the groundwork for Jiang Yan now, perhaps the pressure she would face down the line would be somewhat lessened?
Jiang Pengji laughed and said, “I’m the kind of person who won’t settle for less, giving Huang Song a treat is just to ensure he can return the favor more.”
Wei Ci felt increasingly certain about his deductions.
“The Lord’s intention—” Wei Ci nearly bit his tongue, his words failing him, “You want—”
Jiang Pengji interjected, “I’ve heard you mention her.”
Wei Ci stared, surprised.
“Back when Han Mei married Wan’er, you got drunk and warned Feng You not to harm Jiang Yan, that child’s name is Jiang Yan, right?”
Wei Ci’s heart raced, and he completely forgot about the incident.
Jiang Pengji smirked; her hearing was exceptional, and there was no way Wei Ci’s slight flubs could escape her notice!
Having a daughter named Jiang Yan while there was a child named Feng You from the Feng family who was once close to her—this revelation pleased her immensely.
Wei Ci confirmed, “Yes, she is named Jiang Yan.”
Jiang Pengji remarked, “She must be quite an exceptional child.”
“She’s a spitting image of the Lord but with a temperament that differs. Jiang Yan is much more reserved and profound. At only ten years old, she can already teach others.”
Even Wei Ci couldn’t grasp the depths of his daughter’s thoughts. As the only heir of the newly established dynasty, only she could comprehend the immense burden she bore. All Wei Ci could do was accompany her in studying, imparting knowledge—
“Every time I see the Grand Tutor, I feel incredibly at ease. I dislike those who only know how to spout theory.”
“They’ve never been an emperor; how would they know what an emperor should do? They merely recite from books, and I’ve memorized all that already.”
This was something Jiang Yan had said at the age of four, a rare expression of defiance. Generally, she was rather composed.
In contrast, Wei Cong resembled more of a child.
When Wei Ci realized Jiang Yan was becoming an adult, he felt as if she had transformed into another version of herself—the most suitable inheritor.
“Reserved and deep, huh?” Jiang Pengji noted, “Sounds more like you.”
She understood her own temperament, yet her future daughter seemed destined to embody tranquility.
Wei Ci asked, “Is this all about paving the way for Jiang Yan?”
“Life is different from the past; whether or not our children resemble Jiang Yan, I can’t say,” Jiang Pengji stated calmly, “However, some matters need early preparation. Regardless of whether or not her name is Jiang Yan, she will always be our daughter. Huang Song’s family is helping with that. For this reason, I can tolerate Huang Song.”
She was not only interested in Huang Song but also his network of old subordinates; if things were managed well, it would surely be a form of support.
Knowing all too well the potential challenges they might encounter, laying the groundwork early would lessen the burdens down the line.
Wei Ci said, “A parent’s love for their child is about foresight.”
Jiang Pengji winked and chuckled, “Our relationship is still pure, you know! We have a long seven years before becoming parents, so don’t keep me waiting too long, Zixiao.”
Wei Ci: “…”
Always forgetting to give him a break, the Lord’s demeanor this time was quite different from before.
Jiang Pengji asked, “Besides Jiang Yan, do we have other children?”
Wei Ci paused briefly before replying softly, “There’s one son, named Wei Cong, courtesy name… Tingzhang.”
Hearing the names of the two children, Jiang Pengji instantly understood the implications.
She didn’t pry further but returned to her camp.
Based on her observations, it seemed that both children were the wounds in Wei Ci’s heart—this was a conversation best left for another time.
The next day, Jiang Pengji gathered everyone to discuss her blood oath with Huang Song.
The crowd frowned in concern; although they all agreed on eliminating Huang Song, if the Lord wanted to keep him, it could be accommodated.
Once they saw the contents of the pact, any remaining opposition disappeared completely.
