Chapter Forty-Five: The Tale of Dual Feasts!

Seven days later, after the mourning period ended, shopkeeper Zhou and Madam Song were finally laid to rest. Since the couple had no children, the Wu sisters took on the duties of mourning rituals—wearing sackcloth, beating funeral gongs, and breaking pottery—as they wept their way out of Chang’an, escorting the coffin to be buried together in a shared grave on the Gaoyang Plain, thirty miles away, marked by a tombstone.

Three days later, Wu Moyun arrived before Li Zhao, holding a letter penned by Little Wu herself. In it, she entrusted Li Zhao with the care of her sister, promising generous rewards in the future. As for Little Wu, she had gone to participate in the Crown Prince’s palace concubine selection.

After reading the letter, Li Zhao sighed deeply but said nothing. He could guess Little Wu’s true intentions in joining the selection, but what could he do? Stop her? If it were him in her place, facing the same circumstances, his reaction would likely be ten times fiercer—blood debts are impossible to forget. But fate is fate; if the heavens decree rain, and a mother chooses to remarry, then so be it.

From that moment on, Little Wu ceased to exist in this world; only Wu Shiqing remained, a woman consumed by hatred. Such a woman entering the royal family would surely be a curse rather than a blessing for the Tang Empire.

—

On the 28th day of the seventh month in the 29th year of the Kaiyuan era, thanks to her exquisite beauty, exceptional talents, and noble origins from the Wu family of Bingzhou, Wu Shiqing successfully passed the selection and was admitted into the Crown Prince’s residence, receiving the title of Wu Fengyi.

According to regulations, the Crown Prince could have one Crown Princess, two Liangdi, six Liangyuan, ten Chenghui, sixteen Zhaoxun, and twenty-four Fengyi. The Fengyi were concubines of the Crown Prince, ranked at the ninth grade, holding the lowest status within the Crown Prince’s household with almost no presence.

But do not forget, when Wu Zetian first entered the palace, she too was only a lowly Talented Lady, at the bottom of the concubine hierarchy. What happened afterward is well known.

—

Wu Moyun was both adorable and pitiable; entrusting her to Aunt Qing’s care was most fitting. As for Li Zhao, having promised to seek justice for the sisters, he intended to keep his word.

The wretched Huahua Tai Sui was surely doomed.

In the following days, Li Zhao took advantage of his position to patrol and inspect public order, often lingering near the Ning Prince’s mansion, looking for an opportunity to strike.

But after the last incident, Huahua Tai Sui had been forcibly confined, unable to step outside the Ning Prince’s mansion for over a month. It was both frustrating and infuriating—how could one kill him if he never appeared?

Sneaking into the Ning Prince’s mansion to assassinate him would be madness; not only was the success rate minuscule, but even if by luck one succeeded, escaping unscathed would be impossible.

There was no choice but to wait patiently.

Fortunately, heaven rewards the diligent. After more than half a month, an opportunity finally presented itself.

—

That day, Li Zhao, Bai Mo, and Jiang Hao were once again prowling near the Ning Prince’s residence, waiting for the chance to act.

At noon, the east gate of the Ning Prince’s mansion suddenly opened, and a blue-canopied double-horse carriage rushed out, surrounded by a dozen or so guards.

Li Zhao recognized those guards as Huahua Tai Sui’s entourage—they had once galloped wildly through the streets together. Could it be that Huahua Tai Sui was finally coming out?

They found a concealed spot and observed quietly.

A while later, someone did emerge—not Huahua Tai Sui, but two stunning young women, their features strikingly similar, clearly sisters, carrying incense and offerings.

After they boarded the carriage, accompanied by their guards, they gradually disappeared into the distance—apparently heading to pay respects at a temple.

—

“Who are they? Why are they riding in Huahua Tai Sui’s carriage?”

“Master, those are the Gao sisters, two of Huahua Tai Sui’s concubines—also unfortunate souls.”

“Oh, you know them?”

“Yes.”

It was Jiang Hao who replied, but how could he know Huahua Tai Sui’s concubines?

“Three years ago, Huahua Tai Sui led his vicious slaves in publicly abducting these two sisters and even injured their parents. I intervened and rescued the Gao sisters.”

“But Huahua Tai Sui was despicable—he bribed the Jingzhao Prefecture to accuse me of unprovoked assault. Not only was I dismissed, but I also received eighty lashes and nearly died.”

“As for the Gao sisters, they were forcibly taken into the Ning Prince’s mansion to become Huahua Tai Sui’s concubines. It’s a pity—they each had promising matches, all destroyed. Their parents, grief-stricken and injured, passed away shortly after.”

—

“Oh, so they must harbor a deep hatred for Huahua Tai Sui, right?”

“Two weak women, powerless. What can hatred do?”

“Heh, never underestimate women. Sometimes their wrath is far more terrifying than men’s.”

Watching the Gao sisters fade into the distance, Li Zhao gently patted his belly as a flawless assassination plan took shape in his mind.

Not only would it eliminate Huahua Tai Sui, but it would leave no trace—no chance for the Ning Prince’s mansion to investigate afterward.

“Zhongyi, how is the character of the Gao sisters? Can you get close to them?”

“They are honorable and clear about their grievances. It seems they are going to pay respects; I can follow discreetly and find a chance to speak with them.”

“Excellent. Try to gauge whether they seek revenge. If they do, I can help fulfill their wishes. If not, we’ll think of another plan. Remember, be cautious during the operation—don’t let anyone from the Ning Prince’s mansion notice!”

“Yes, master.”

Jiang Hao nodded and quietly followed the carriage carrying the Gao sisters.

—

At dusk, Jiang Hao returned with precise information: the Gao sisters indeed hated Huahua Tai Sui with all their hearts and had long harbored thoughts of revenge, though they were powerless to act.

Huahua Tai Sui was no fool; aware of his many misdeeds, he feared secret reprisals. Wherever he went, he was always accompanied by a dozen highly skilled guards.

After the incident at the Great Ci’en Temple over a month ago, the number of his guards tripled. They protected him day and night, never leaving his side—even following him to the latrine, wary of further attacks.

Moreover, Huahua Tai Sui feared poisoning. Before every meal, he tested the food with ivory chopsticks and had his attendants eat samples first. Only after confirming safety would he eat.

He was so cautious that after his amorous encounters, he dismissed his concubines and slept alone, guarded by his escorts at the door.

With such vigilance, killing him would be no easy feat.

“Heh, as long as they have the will for revenge, that’s enough. As for the method to eliminate Huahua Tai Sui…I have it!” Li Zhao said, producing two booklets he had prepared that afternoon.

“Next time the Gao sisters go out to pay respects, you find a chance to give these to them. If they follow the instructions, Huahua Tai Sui’s death is certain.”

—

“Oh? What’s this?”

Jiang Hao opened the booklets and froze. They contained neither poison recipes nor secret assassination techniques, but two cookbooks.

Yes, cookbooks.

One featured dishes like Jiaojiang Lamb Rib Soup, Crispy Tofu Flower, Black Bean Catfish, Braised Lamb…

The other included Lotus Seed Soup, Black-Boned Chicken Ginseng Soup, Pig Liver Soup, Old Duck Soup…

Each recipe detailed precise preparation methods and notes on how to enhance flavor. What did this mean? Was Li Zhao planning to defeat Huahua Tai Sui through gourmet cuisine—perhaps by overfeeding him to death?

“Master, what is this?”

“Heh, all these dishes are nourishing and restorative. Whether tested with ivory chopsticks or tasted by others, they’re perfectly safe.”

“But, as nature dictates, things interact in complex ways. Sometimes combining two poisons causes no harm, but combining two nourishing substances can be fatal.”

“The first dish, Jiaojiang Lamb Rib Soup, tastes delicious and replenishes yang energy. But Lotus Seed Soup is cold in nature. Eating them together greatly reduces the warming effect of the lamb and harms the spleen.”

“The second pair, Crispy Tofu Flower, which enriches blood and sharpens the mind, and Black-Boned Chicken Ginseng Soup, when eaten together, damage the kidneys.”

“The third pair, Black Bean Catfish and Pig Liver Soup, cause heartburn.”

“The fourth pair, Braised Lamb and Old Duck Soup, cause poisoning.”

“…”

“Tell the Gao sisters to prepare these dishes in the order listed and serve them to Huahua Tai Sui. His health is already weak; presented with such delicacies, he will devour them greedily.”

“Taken together, these dishes will deplete his vital energy, blood, and internal organs. A healthy person might survive a year, but Huahua Tai Sui, weakened by excess indulgence, will be dead within three to six months, leaving no trace.”

“Even the best physicians will only conclude he died from overindulgence, never suspecting foul play. Heh heh.”

Li Zhao, usually kind, sunny, and warm-hearted, revealed a dark, ruthless side in this dire crisis.

A Gemini man is half angel, half demon.

“Master, your strategy is brilliant. Eliminating this scourge is truly a great service to the people of Chang’an!” Jiang Hao praised, giving a thumbs-up, though a chill ran down his spine and cold sweat dampened his clothes.

This young master was truly admirable—but also terrifying—capable of killing invisibly with methods rivaling gods and demons. Anyone who offended him in the future would face a dreadful fate.

At this point, Huahua Tai Sui was still alive, but effectively marked for the underworld. Only a matter of time before he reported there.

To celebrate this decisive plan, Li Zhao decided to personally prepare a feast, but first, he needed to gather ingredients.

With Bai Mo and White Rat, he went to the West Market of Chang’an, buying lamb, fresh fish, live chicken, duck, vegetables—a large haul.

But at checkout, something felt wrong.

He had estimated the cost at around ten guan, but the vendors only charged eight.

Moreover, prices on most goods in the West Market had dropped by about twenty percent, which alarmed Li Zhao greatly. Something was amiss—this could only mean trouble.