Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

Qian Xu read the anonymous letter again and again, and the information between the lines frightened him. The letter pointed out that the empress's illness was not a simple cold, but a sign of chronic poisoning, and the person who poisoned her was most likely related to the forces that recently attacked Qian Xu and opposed the draft.

"Brother Ziming, this letter..." Dou Qing frowned, his tone full of worry. He knew that if what was said in the letter was true, then this matter was not just a political dispute, but a conspiracy concerning the safety of the court.

Qian Xu carefully folded the letter and put it into his sleeve. "This is a serious matter, we need to think carefully." A gleam of light flashed in his deep eyes, "Although the letter did not mention any names, it mentioned a rare herb called 'Han Yue Cao', saying that this herb is the key to the empress's illness."

"Hanyue Grass?" Dou Qing tried to recall, "I seem to have heard of this medicinal herb somewhere before..."

"The Fanyang Lu family!" Qian Xu said firmly, "I remember that the head of the Lu family, Lu Yanchang, loved collecting rare and exotic herbs. He bought a plant of 'Hanyue Grass' at a high price a few years ago."

"Brother Ziming means that someone took advantage of the properties of 'Hanyue Grass' to secretly poison the empress, and Lu was their accomplice?" Dou Qing suddenly realized.

"That's right," Qian Xu nodded, "Lu's family has always been against the draft, trying to use it to protect their own interests. They are very likely the mastermind behind it."

"Then how do we expose their conspiracy?" Dou Qing asked.

Qian Xu walked to the window, looked at the dark night sky, and a confident smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. "Tomorrow morning, I will personally expose their true colors!"

On the second morning, Qian Xu exposed the suspicion of poisoning the empress in public and pointed the finger at Lu Shi of Fanyang. He took out the evidence he had prepared in advance, proving that Lu Shi secretly kept "Han Yue Cao" and had close contacts with officials who opposed the selection of concubines. Qian Xu's accusation was well-founded and caused a lot of discussion in the court. Some officials who had originally remained neutral also began to doubt Lu Shi and turned to support Qian Xu.

In this court battle, Qian Xu successfully resolved the crisis with his extraordinary courage and wisdom. After the court was dismissed, Qian Xu and Dou Qing walked out of the hall side by side, both with a hint of fatigue on their faces, but more of the joy of victory.

"Brother Ziming, you were really amazing today!" Dou Qing couldn't help but admire, "I've never seen anyone speak so eloquently in the court. Even the usually strong General Lu was speechless after being refuted by you."

Qian Xu smiled faintly, "I just did what I should do." He knew very well that this was just the beginning and the real challenge was still to come.

"Brother Ziming," Dou Qing suddenly lowered his voice, "I heard that His Royal Highness the Heir to the throne intends to summon you."

Qian Xu was slightly startled, then he understood. The heir Dou Xian was the younger brother of the current emperor. He was upright and had great prestige in the court. If he could get his support, it would undoubtedly be a great help for Qian Xu.

Sure enough, within a few days, Qian Xu received an invitation from the Prince's Palace.

At the heir prince's residence, Qian Xu met the heir prince Dou Xian and his wife, Wei. Dou Xian was about 40 years old, with a thin face but bright eyes. Wei was dignified and elegant, with the demeanor of a lady from a noble family in her every move.

"Mr. Qian, I have long heard of your great name." Dou Xian stood up to greet him in a gentle tone.

"Your Highness, you are too kind to me. I am unworthy of the honor." Qian Xu bowed modestly.

"Mr. Qian, I have heard about your selection strategy and your performance in the court today." Dou Xian showed Qian Xu a sign to sit down. "You are a rare talent for governing the country. I admire you very much."

Qian Xu was delighted, for he knew that this was the heir to the throne expressing goodwill to him.

"Your Highness, I have one more thing I would like to report to you." Qian Xu took a deep breath and decided to take this opportunity to tell you his reform plan.

He took out a memorial from his sleeve and presented it with both hands, "This is a reform plan that I have been thinking hard about for the past few days. It aims to weaken the power of the aristocratic families and strengthen the central government. Please take a look at it, Your Highness."

Dou Xian took the memorial and read it carefully. Wei also came over curiously and discussed with Dou Xian in a low voice from time to time.

Qian Xu's heart was in his throat. He knew that the content of this memorial was very sensitive. If it was not handled properly, it might bring him a catastrophic disaster.

Dou Xian put down the memorial, pondered for a moment, looked up at Qian Xu, and said with a hint of admiration, "Sir Qian, your memorial is well-intentioned and insightful. However, this reform is a matter of great repercussions, so we need to think carefully."

Qian Xu understood that this was Dou Xian's euphemistic reminder that the reform violated the interests of the aristocratic families and would inevitably face great resistance. He replied respectfully: "Your Highness is right. I will act cautiously and step by step."

After that, Qian Xu acted more cautiously. While actively promoting the implementation of the reform plan, he secretly won over supporters and consolidated his power. Dou Xian also secretly provided him with help and resolved a lot of resistance from the aristocratic families.

The wind direction in the court seemed to have quietly changed. Those officials who had originally looked on Qian Xu with indifference now began to look at him differently. Some officials even took the initiative to show their goodwill to him and expressed their willingness to support his reform plan. Qian Xu's position in the court seemed to be gradually stabilized.

However, Qian Xu knew that this was just the calm before the storm. The aristocratic families were so intertwined and powerful that they would never give up so easily. He knew that the real challenge was still to come.

One day, Qian Xu received a note from the heir prince's mansion, which contained only a few words: "The princess invites you to come and have a chat."

Qian Xu was puzzled, wondering why Wei suddenly asked him to meet privately. But he did not dare to neglect it and immediately set off for the Prince's Mansion.

Qian Xu met Wei in a secluded pavilion in the back garden of the palace. She was wearing a simple and elegant dress today, with a hint of worry on her face.

"Mr. Qian, please take a seat." Wei gestured for Qian Xu to sit down. Her tone was gentle, but it could not conceal a hint of solemnity.

"The princess asked me to come here today. I wonder what's the important matter?" Qian Xu asked straight to the point.

Wei sighed softly and said in a low voice: "Sir Qian, I have seen everything you have done recently. You are a rare talent, but..."

She paused, and looked at Qian Xu sharply, "You are too sharp. You know, a tall tree attracts the wind!" Qian Xu smiled slightly and replied calmly, "Thank you, Princess, for reminding me. I understand." He knew that Wei was a smart person, and what he said today was both a reminder and a warning. His every move had already fallen into the eyes of these aristocratic families. If he was not careful, he would be doomed.

"I'm glad you understand." Wei's tone was filled with a hint of relief, but also a hint of bitterness that was barely noticeable. "The court is now undercurrent, and if you're not careful, you'll be crushed to pieces. Lord Qian, you better take care of yourself."

After saying that, Wei got up and left, leaving Qian Xu alone, sitting in the pavilion, lost in thought.

He looked up at the sky, which was clear and sunny, but beneath this seemingly calm surface, there were endless turbulent waves. He knew that Wei's words were not alarmist, and his situation was indeed very dangerous.

The power of the aristocratic families was deeply rooted and complicated, far beyond the ability of a humble boy like him to contend with. The reforms he promoted touched the interests of too many people, how could they sit idly by?

A storm is brewing quietly, and he is like a small boat in the sea, which may be swallowed up by the strong wind and huge waves at any time.

However, there was no fear in Qian Xu's eyes, but a blazing fire. He knew that everything he did was for the people of the world and for the future of the Tang Dynasty.

For this goal, he is willing to give everything, even his life!

At this moment, a dark figure appeared outside the pavilion silently, knelt on one knee, and whispered: "Sir, there is news from the palace, the emperor summons you to enter the palace immediately!"

Qian Xu's heart shuddered, and an ominous premonition came to his mind.