Chapter 77
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The capital.
Duke Yueguo Mansion backyard.
A carriage came through the morning mist, and the copper bells in front of the carriage jingled, startling the birds pecking in front of the mansion.
Chu Xie hadn’t slept all night. Now, he laid in the carriage leaning against Tao Li’s embrace, a strand of hair still sticking to his neck. Every part of his body ached, and he felt far from comfortable.
Tao Li called him softly, “My Lord, we’ve arrived.”
With Tao Li’s support, Chu Xie got off the carriage. Every step he took was weak, and his body was sticky, with his clothes clinging to his skin. This feeling was truly miserable. He scowled, instructing someone to prepare a hot bath.
Zhu Qi had been waiting here early. Chu Xie had never been in good health, and after spending several days in the palace, Zhu Qi worried that he might not be able to endure it due to insufficient energy and blood. He had already prepared a tub of medicinal bath. Chu Xie changed out of his ill-fitting guard attire, immersed most of his body in the tub, and slowly relieved the confusion in his mind and the pain in various parts of his body amidst the rising steam.
Looking at the bruises on his left wrist and the multiple bruises on his body, Chu Xie’s jaw tightened.
D*mn it.
Why did he have to end up in this sickly body? If he had ended up in Xu Chunmu’s body, or anyone else’s, he could have seen who would prevail over whom.
Due to the pain, he involuntarily recalled some scenes. Now, his hand underwater was shaking with anger, and he waved his hand, creating a splash of water.
“Host, what’s wrong with you?” A worried voice came into the mind after opening the system. “Your emotions are fluctuating greatly again… Oh, Host, why did you leave the palace? You can’t leave the palace; we still have to follow the plot…”
“What nonsense plot, not following!”
“If you don’t follow, how will you ensure Xu Chunmu’s safety…”
“Just take him with me, send him out of the capital.” Chu Xie frowned. “What military power, what glory, it’s all rubbish! Life is the most important. Why kill Zhao Lingqu, stab Jiang Yanchi? If I continue to mess with them, I’ll be done for, completely done for!”
“Host, sooner or later, you will be done for…”
“But not like this!” Chu Xie became stimulated for a moment, pulling at his injuries, the painful throbbing reaching up his spine.
His temple jumped unexpectedly.
Outrageous.
Fortunately, he had sent the letter out late last night. Zhu Qi had immediately gone to the residence of the Assistant Minister of War to arrange the West Gate of the palace city. When Jiang Yanchi left in the early morning, Chu Xie couldn’t wait any longer. He instructed Tao Li a few words and left the palace city under the protection of the palace’s secret guards.
This was the west of the capital. Three more miles outside, it would be out of the capital, the western outskirts where the sons of nobles loved to hunt. Therefore, there were few people in this area.
Originally, he and Zhao Xuan had bought this piece of land using Zhao Xuan’s cousin’s name. It had been abandoned for many years and was never visited. Now, to avoid attention, the place was cleaned up outside and didn’t look like anyone lived there at all.
Let’s lay low for now.
Then find a way to leave the capital.
Tao Li came in holding new clothes, saying the room was cleaned up, and she had towels to wipe Chu Xie’s arms and back.
Approaching, she heard her master say, “No need, you can go out.” Suddenly, her eyes turned red.
“Master, what should we do now?” Tao Li wiped her tears and knelt down on the side. “Are we doomed… sob…”
“We won’t die.”
“Sob… Master, you don’t know, back then, when you disappeared in Puyang County, the emperor sent boxes of dowry items to the Chu mansion. It was so glorious… But I thought you wouldn’t come back, thinking that the glory after death was useless. I said this, crying beside the crimson wooden box, but the emperor firmly told me that you would be fine. At that time, I looked at him, thinking he had changed, changed from the former Crown Prince, within a few days of ascending the throne, he was willing to marry even a dead person. Later, you really came back, and I thought the emperor would treat you well…”
“Who knew. This emperor is no different from the former Crown Prince… He still dislikes you, always causing trouble. How are we going to live in the days to come…”
Tao Li wiped her teary eyes, sobbing.
Chu Xie sighed, “Don’t worry, don’t cry, I’ll think of a solution.”
The sound of flapping wings came from outside. Tao Li went out to meet it and soon brought back a piece of cloth.
Still, there was no information about Xu Chunmu.
Jiang Yanchi intentionally guarded against it, deliberately avoiding his eyes. Holding the cloth in his hand, Chu Xie dipped it in the tub, and the ink on the cloth blurred. Chu Xie lowered his gaze, contemplating.
Xu Chunmu couldn’t be in the Ministry of Justice. Nor in Zhao Prison.
To be able to detain the young Marquis of the Northern Border, it couldn’t be just the local guards.
Jiang Yanchi must have used the Forbidden Army, and then…
Yingtian Mansion.
Chu Xie’s eyes suddenly lifted. Yes, first detain him in Yingtian Mansion and then move him to the Ministry of Justice.
The current Yingtian Mansion is Lord Qisui.
If the plot hasn’t gone awry, Lord Qi will be promoted to one of the Nine Ministers, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, three years later. He is a person who is meticulous and just, and he was the right-hand man of Jiang Yanchi during the early period when Jiang Yanchi stabilized the country with both civil and military measures.
Zhao Xuan, on the other hand, was a supporter of the reforms during Jiang Yanchi’s rise to power.
These three were originally supposed to have similar aspirations and mutual respect.
However, due to the mess Chu Xie created, the plot deviated a lot, and he didn’t have much interaction with Lord Qi.
Instead, Zhao Xuan had a close relationship with Lord Qi.
So, it seemed better to start with Zhao Xuan. His current whereabouts were unknown, and Jiang Yanchi would definitely keep a close eye on Yingtian Mansion and the Ministry of Justice. Even if he could obtain some convenience from Lord Qi through Zhao Xuan, how to pass through the city gate depended on one person.
Su Mingan.
This old fox was well aware of every move in the capital.
To sneak such a big person out of the Ministry of Justice and then send him out of the city, Chu Xie was confident that he could evade the emperor’s eyes to some extent, but he knew he couldn’t escape Su Mingan’s calculations.
Now, Jiang Yanchi and Su Mingan had become a joint force.
It really was a headache.
Chu Xie rubbed his temples, and after a moment, he made a decision. It was something Su Mingan had taught him when he had just arrived in this world. To cut off the roots is the most effective method.
The little emperor and Grand Tutor Su thought they had suppressed Xu Chunmu, holding his life in their hands.
But this Zhao Lingqu was still in Zhao Prison.
Chu Xie watched as the sun rose higher, calculating the time. “Tao Li, fetch a messenger hawk.”
Tao Li wiped away her tears and asked, “Is my lord going to the Ministry of War?”
No, if he went there, Jiang Yanchi would be the first to keep an eye on the Ministry of War, strengthening the city defense. Within a few hours, every city gate would likely be under the watchful eyes of the Forbidden Army.
“I need to send a message to Zhao Xuan. Remember, avoid others from Duke Yueguo’s Mansion. This letter must be delivered directly into Zhao Xuan’s hands.”
***
In just half an hour, the secluded courtyard welcomed the second distinguished guest. Equally discreet, Zhao Xuan only rode his horse to the street corner and tied it under a shed before walking over.
After scaling two walls, almost initiating a conflict with the covert guards patrolling the wall, he finally saw Chu Xie.
“Zhao Xuan, do you know that your father is colluding with the Yue Clan people?”
Chu Xie revealed the truth in one sentence. Zhao Xuan, seemingly unprepared for Chu Xie’s deep understanding, fell into silence for a while. He then responded somewhat nervously, “You summoned me today to inquire about this matter, right?”
“I didn’t come for retribution. In my current state, I can’t even inquire about the sins of your Zhao family,” surprisingly, Chu Xie showed weakness in his words, and Zhao Xuan looked at him with great astonishment.
Stammering, “Then, what do you…”
“If you’re willing to come, I’m very happy. I heard that you have a deep connection with the Lord of Yingtian Mansion, I…”
Zhao Xuan frowned, not understanding why Chu Xie mentioned Qi Sui.
Thinking about a few years ago, indeed, Qi Sui had offended Chu Xie in trivial matters. Could it be that even after all this time, he still wanted to settle these old accounts?
Chu Xie sensed his expression and whispered, “I want to privately meet this Lord Qi. Arrange for me to meet him.”
By midday, the teahouse was full. In a private room, Zhao Xuan led Chu Xie to meet Qi Sui once again.
“Lord Qi.” Chu Xie pushed the cup courteously, but Qi Sui did not respond.
“Esteemed guest, unexpectedly, the Empress is here. I wonder what business he has with this official?” Qi Sui sat upright, not intending to drink the wine, just looking at Chu Xie. “This official is busy with official matters, and am afraid there’s no time to entertain the Empress.”
Still holding a grudge.
Chu Xie silently curled the corners of his mouth.
“I and Lord Qi have official matters to discuss.”
Qi Sui’s eyes were cold, “If the Empress wants to discuss official matters with this official, this official wouldn’t dare to say a word.”
“It’s not the Empress, it’s Chu Zhangyin.” Chu Xie assumed an official demeanor.
Zhao Xuan and Qi Sui exchanged a glance. Qi Sui was about to speak, but Zhao Xuan intercepted.
“Niang Niang, do you not know that just this morning, His Majesty issued an order to strip you of your position as the Zhangyin.”
Chu Xie’s complexion changed slightly.
Qi Sui’s voice was indifferent, seemingly approving of the emperor’s actions, “In the previous dynasties, the harem should not interfere with political affairs. Niang Niang, you no longer have the right to meddle in court matters.”
Jiang… Yanchi. You moved d*mn fast.
Chu Xie sneered inwardly.
“Lord Chu, Lord Qi has always been like this, speaking without leaving room for maneuver.” Zhao Xuan poured water, trying to mediate.
“That’s how Lord Qi is, never leaving room in his speech.”
Qi Sui’s eyes were cold, “I only speak without leaving room, unlike the Niang Niang, who acts without leaving any.” After saying that, he put on an expression as if saying, ‘I knew you would end up like this a long time ago,’ glanced at Chu Xie, and then pointedly added, “Niang Niang, do you not know that just two hours ago, all the people from the Chu mansion were already detained.”
“Now, Young Master Zhao can still come to see you, truly showing his sincere nostalgia.”
The atmosphere froze again.
Thinking of Chu Xie’s past behavior, Zhao Xuan’s heart tightened upon hearing these words. Qi Sui had not been a high-ranking official for long, and he didn’t understand the principle that a thin camel was bigger than a horse.
There was no room left in his words, either implicitly or explicitly.
“Lord Chu…”
“He is the Empress, not Lord Chu.” Qi Sui interrupted Zhao Xuan, finally drinking some tea with a somewhat polite demeanor. “Since you’ve chosen to serve the emperor with your body, trying every means to climb onto the emperor’s bed, you shouldn’t still be thinking of meddling in court affairs. Today, no matter what the Empress wants to say, this Lord Qi can’t agree.”
“Not at all. Today, Chu came to express gratitude for Lord Qi’s favor several years ago at the palace banquet.”
Chu Xie took a step back and revisited the past, “Fortunately, Lord Qi brought me out of the palace during that night banquet, saving me from disgrace. Lord Qi repaid grievances with kindness, displaying high integrity. I am well aware of it.”
Zhao Xuan stared wide-eyed.
Chu Xie’s words sounded like a deceitful ghost.
“Hmph.”
“I only have two questions today. First, does Lord Qi know which important figure was imprisoned in Yingtian Mansion a few days ago?”
Qi Sui’s eyes lifted slightly.
“Second, does Lord Qi truly believe that this person should be detained?”
With a thud, the cup fell onto the table.
“On this matter, I find it inconvenient to discuss. I’ll take my leave now—”
“It’s Yue Clan people who detained Xu Chunmu.”
“Zhao Xuan, do you know? The current Grand Tutor, Su Mingan, was one of the remnants of the Yue Clan back then! He now controls the court, manipulating the emperor, and even dares to stop the young marquis guarding the border. Lord Qi, do you…”
“I am a servant of the emperor and can only follow the emperor’s orders.” Qi Sui interrupted coldly, “Chu Niang Niang, please refrain from saying more.”
“If you don’t save him, he will die at the hands of the Yue Clan.”
Chu Xie blocked his way, speaking more emphatically, “At that time, all the military power of 300,000 will fall into the hands of the Yue Clan. Do you know what kind of situation that is… Even when I controlled the court back then, I never touched the border military power! Now, what kind of situation is this? Lord Qi, are you listening to the emperor’s order or the order of the Yue Clan? The young emperor has been deceived, are you going to be a loyal servant aiding tyranny?”
Qi Sui’s eyes changed slightly, but he remained silent, still pursing his lips.
Zhao Xuan suddenly didn’t understand what Chu Xie wanted to do.
“Do you want to save Xu Chunmu?” He furrowed his brows, “Why?”
Qi Sui’s face gradually darkened, and the hand in his sleeve clenched, “If what Chu Niang Niang says is true, then whether these 300,000 military powers go to the Yue Clan or to you, is there any difference? In the end, there will be no peace.”
“It’s different.”
Chu Xie smiled faintly, “Although Su Mingan and I are both not good people…”
“But Xu Chunmu is different from Zhao Lingqu.”
Qi Sui furrowed his brows, took a step back, and returned to his seat. He propped up his chin with his hand, looking dazed.
Calling the waiter for another pot of wine, he poured himself a drink, deep in thought.
“I am an official, wanting a bright and prosperous era, not constantly weighing and making decisions in this polluted place…”
Chu Xie smiled, taking the wine from his hand and refilling it, “When faced with two evils, choose the lesser one.”
“Su Mingan has the ability to deceive the young emperor and instigate the Xiong soldiers to stir chaos in the western border, almost leading Great Wei to destruction… For such a matter, does Lord Qi still need a second look? In the end, Jiang Yanchi still has half of the Yue Clan bloodline.”
The voice became more enchanting, prolonging the trailing tone, carrying a hint of seduction, “…a heart is hard to fathom.”
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