Chapter 78
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
Chu Xie saw that Qi Sui adjusted his sitting posture, slightly bent his waist and back, looking somewhat dispirited. He poured another cup of wine and drank it in one go.
“Lord Qi, don’t drink so recklessly.” Chu Xie leaned against the table, supporting his head with his hand, sitting casually beside him, looking at Qi Sui’s side face as he continued to drink, “Compared to realizing ambitions in a clear and prosperous era… reversing a corrupt era into a prosperous one would better showcase the talents of a virtuous minister.”
The hand holding the cup stopped for a moment.
Looking at Chu Xie, all he could see was that the man’s lips always carried a hint of a smile.
“Born in troubled times, naturally, everything becomes more difficult.” Chu Xie took the cup from his hand, drank the remaining half, and the spicy liquor burned his throat like fire.
“Ah Xie, you can’t drink!” Zhao Xuan immediately took away his cup.
“It’s okay, just a small sip. Fortify the courage a bit.” Chu Xie exhaled, feeling the sweet scent of wine hitting him. Qi Sui watched as a faint redness appeared on his face.
Chu Xie, with a fragrant breath, blinked slowly. His eyes seemed a bit brighter as if soaked in water.
The Adam’s apple moved up and down, and Qi Sui, somewhat embarrassed, looked away.
Chu Xie, however, pinched his chin, forced him to turn his head, leaned closer, and stared into his eyes. “Qi Sui, let me tell you a secret.”
“If you just want me dead, I might as well tell you. Do you know…”
“Chu Xie!”
Zhao Xuan knew that Chu Xie never drank, and now it was just a small sip, but the man seemed intoxicated. He regretted not knocking down Chu Xie’s cup earlier and could only rush over, covering Chu Xie’s mouth and nose.
“I actually—Mmm”
Qi Sui didn’t know what game Chu Xie and Zhao Xuan were playing. If he hadn’t known Zhao Xuan for several years, understanding his character deeply, he would almost have thought that today was being set up to listen to their double act.
Chu Xie struggled twice, and Zhao Xuan’s hand was strong. Chu Xie grunted, only to realize that his left hand had never been exposed from his sleeve.
Folding the sleeve back, he saw bruises on his wrist, swelling over a large area.
“You, have you injured your bones and tendons?” Zhao Xuan exclaimed, “What happened to you? Why did the emperor suddenly change his face and want to strip you of your position? What’s going on with everything in the palace these days?”
Chu Xie pulled his hand back into his sleeve.
His expression was unprecedentedly indifferent. “Because I have no more utility to Su Mingan.”
“Why did you two think I had to argue in the court, attempting to hand over the 300,000 military forces to Xu Chunmu? Xu Chunmu, as the successor of the Xu family, has had outstanding military achievements for many years, and his innocent heart is clear to the world. Such a person, even if he holds 300,000 military forces, has nothing to fear. As for me, I am now terminally ill and cannot live long. What is Lord Qi worried about…”
“Cough… cough…”
The strong liquor entered the throat, stimulating the chest cavity. Chu Xie covered his face with his sleeve and suddenly coughed violently.
Qi Sui realized that he had reached out to support him by the time he became aware, and he was about to withdraw, but his wrist was grabbed by Chu Xie’s injured left hand.
The force was not strong.
If he struggled forcefully, it would only cause more harm to his injured left hand. He was not the kind of person who would inflict pain on others, so he just stood there stiffly, saying, “I’m just a Yingtian Mansion magistrate, and the emperor ordered me to detain Xu Chunmu. What can I do? Su Mingan has been the Grand Tutor for four reigns, and I’m just a small magistrate…”
“You just need to move the person out of Yingtian Mansion for me.”
Zhao Xuan frowned, “Even if you move him, what’s the use? Do you think you can leave the capital?”
“Ah Xie, don’t bother.” Zhao Xuan saw that he was a bit shaky after the coughing fit, “You should go to my mansion to recuperate for a while. You can rest assured; I won’t let anyone find you…”
Chu Xie laughed softly, let go of his hand, and turned his head to glance casually in another direction.
“Zhao Xuan, you once wanted me to die quickly with a cup of poisoned wine. You also stood by my funeral tomb, intending to flog my corpse three hundred times. In the end, you’re just a powerless little Shizi in Duke Yueguo’s mansion. How can you hide me? Whether it’s Jiang Yanchi or Su Mingan, who among them is not an influential figure with great insight and intelligence? Now, don’t bother telling me these nonsense… If you don’t agree with your father and grandfather’s actions, help me this time.”
Zhao Xuan tightly furrowed his brows, deep down knowing that what he said made some sense.
Thinking about his vacillating behavior not long ago, and seeing that Chu Xie was still willing to trust him, a warm feeling gathered in his chest. He nodded forcefully, “Ah Xie, our friendship of more than ten years, I might not understand you completely, never knowing what you’re truly thinking. But I know you’re clever, something I can’t compare to.”
After saying this, he looked at Qi Sui beside him and bowed sincerely, “I know that what Lord Qi is doing involves risks. But these days, Lord Qi has been searching for me late at night, drinking with me. Lord Qi also doesn’t want to detain Young Marquis Xu. Why not join hands with Lord Chu to send him out of the city?”
Qi Sui then spoke in a calm and indifferent manner.
“He won’t get out.”
“The emperor has ordered the replacement of the guards at the city gates in all directions. Oh, Lord Chu thinks that with some control over the Ministry of War, he can really send himself and Young Marquis Xu out under the emperor’s nose… It’s impossible. Everyone in the capital recognizes you, Chu Xie. Even if I let him leave Yingtian Mansion, the two of you won’t be able to leave the capital.”
Only then did Chu Xie hear his concession, immediately bowing and saluting, “Lord, as long as you send the person out of Yingtian Mansion, that would be enough. In the future, feel free to shift the blame onto me. As for the rest, I still have considerations.”
After much effort, Chu Xie only took a small sip of wine, but the flush on his face had not dissipated. When he stood up, his figure swayed, and Zhao Xuan supported him, saying, “You should go back. I’ll accompany you.”
“Go back.” Chu Xie chuckled self-deprecatingly, “Go where?”
Nowadays, his mansion was under the watchful eyes of Jiang Yanchi. The Zhao family and the Ministry of War were also being monitored by the young emperor. Where could he go?
The young emperor acted faster than he had imagined. In just a few hours, he stripped him of his position, detained people in his mansion, replaced the city gate guards – all done swiftly and decisively.
His actions were so resolute that he didn’t leave himself any chance to catch a breath.
Could it be that the young emperor truly hated him so much that he had to take his life to find solace?
Chu Xie didn’t dare to delay. He looked at the glaring sun above his head, shining white into his eyes. It was already past noon. Today, before nightfall, he must successfully send Xu Chunmu out of the capital.
***
Inside the Zhao prison, the gloomy atmosphere remained as chilling as ever. Zhao Lingqu had been detained here for several days. Although he hadn’t suffered much, these days were filled with fear and trepidation.
This morning, when he woke up, Su Mingan had specially sent someone to deliver a letter, saying that things were progressing quickly.
His heart finally settled.
The noon sunlight was bright and beautiful, but Zhao Lingqu had not slept well for several days. In the deep of the night, he always felt the coldness of Zhao Prison, where he heard that the former Crown Prince of the previous dynasty met his end at the hands of Chu Xie.
Although he wanted to believe that Su Mingan could protect him, in the silent and deserted nights, sleep eluded him.
Now, in the broad daylight, he found himself unexpectedly drowsy.
—But this drowsiness had come too early.
With a creak, the iron door slowly opened, and the footsteps approached unhurriedly from far to near. Zhao Lingqu had a premonition, and as he looked up, he saw the familiar figure at the corner.
Chu Xie’s figure was thin and frail. In reality, at a glance, this person seemed to lack strength in appearance, with delicate features and actions that resembled those of a feeble literati. Even now, while pouring tea in front of him, the movements seemed that of a mild-mannered scholar, lacking any aggressiveness.
However, in that moment, Zhao Lingqu felt a sense of fear.
Chu Xie held a cup of steaming tea, with dark circles under his eyes, looking like a ghost.
In the rising white mist, Chu Xie’s gaze swept over the figure in the prison, sensing the fear in Zhao Lingqu’s eyes. He carefully controlled his demeanor, not letting the other perceive his feigned strength.
“Zhao Lingqu, you and that old guy Su Mingan really played me hard this time.” Chu Xie’s attitude towards Zhao Lingqu was calculated and composed, momentarily catching Zhao Lingqu off guard.
Getting up from the straw mat, Zhao Lingqu, holding onto the bars, began shouting towards the outside. However, there was no response from anyone.
Chu Xie approached, saying, “Stop shouting. You really think Su Mingan can protect you, even following him into the capital.”
“Chu Xie, dare you touch me! You—”
“Zhao Lingqu, why did you want to kill Xu Chunmu?”
Furrowing his brows, Zhao Lingqu retorted, “When did I want to kill Xu Chunmu… I only wanted to kill you. You remnant of the Shen family should have died long ago! How can you live for so many years with the bloodstains from the many lives taken by Shen Qianan, your father? You—”
In the original text, Xu Chunmu had indeed died from his assassination.
Chu Xie knew time was limited, and he just wanted to force more words out.
“Full of lies. Do you think I won’t torture you?” Chu Xie sneered, appearing as if he was about to call someone in.
For a moment, he actually scared Zhao Lingqu.
“Chu Xie, it’s clearly you who insisted on involving that Xu family, dragging him into this, and now you’re blaming me for it! If Xu Chunmu is dead, it’s because of you! You’re a traitor to the country. After the bloodshed of Shen Qianan, you should have been eradicated!”
Chu Xie snorted, slamming the cup in his hand heavily on the ground beneath Zhao Lingqu’s feet.
“You say you didn’t want to kill Xu Chunmu, but why did you chase him into the northern border and seriously injure him!”
It seemed that Zhao Lingqu had suddenly realized, his anger and shock evident: “You actually knew it was me! That day, I didn’t intend to kill him. I only wanted to kill you! But he protected you all the way, and if I didn’t get rid of Xu Chunmu first…”
What’s going on? Why would Zhao Lingqu only want to kill himself?
In the original text, Chu Xie died from a failed assassination attempt by Jiang Yanchi. Xu Chunmu, on the other hand, died from an assassination during his return to the capital after a major battle with the northern Xiongnu.
The assassin wielding the Red Tassel Flowing Cloud Spear was undoubtedly Zhao Lingqu.
The original text was clear-cut. Zhao Lingqu couldn’t possibly have had no intention to kill Xu Chunmu.
Could it be because it’s just these two months… Are these two months so crucial that they can suddenly give rise to murderous intent?
D*mn it. If only I could unlock all the plotlines.
Chu Xie couldn’t figure out some crucial points, vaguely feeling that there was something very important he had overlooked.
The time had come. Hearing the secret signal from outside, Chu Xie knew there was no time to extract more information from Zhao Lingqu. Without delay, he put on the mask he had in his arms and left the prison.
It was already the third quarter of the hour, the city gates were changing guards, and only half an hour was left.
Chu Xie, with the mask, couldn’t be identified by ordinary people based on his figure. Watching a huge fire erupt from the prison, chaos ensued instantly, and the winter wind couldn’t extinguish the raging fire.
Sharp-eyed, Chu Xie saw someone immediately rushing towards the direction of the Su mansion to report the news.
In no time, he saw the familiar figure of Grand Tutor Su appearing at the entrance of the prison.
Stabilizing the mask on his face, Chu Xie squinted slightly, pressed his body against the wall, seemingly intending to leave nonchalantly.
Just as he turned around, his wrist was suddenly grabbed, and the whole person was pulled into a small alley. Chu Xie’s heart thumped, and a cry of surprise was muffled by a cool palm. “Shh!”
It was Xu Chunmu.
He could actually recognize Chu Xie’s figure even with the mask on.
This time in prison had obviously subjected Xu Chunmu to some torment. He had lost weight, and now, as he looked at Chu Xie, he was so engrossed in scrutinizing him that he asked, “Are you okay, Ah Xie?”
“I told you to go to Zhao Xuan’s other mansion. Why are you still appearing here?” Chu Xie’s heart jolted, immediately pushing him away. “Listen, Su Mingan is currently occupied, and in half an hour, the northwest gate of the city will change guards. Zhao Xuan has already arranged it. You need to leave the city first.”
Xu Chunmu patiently listened to Chu Xie’s words before asking, “What about you?”
After glancing around, he pulled Chu Xie into an empty courtyard, flipped him onto his side, closed and barricaded the door from the inside, and then spoke in a low voice, “Aren’t you planning to leave?”
Chu Xie admitted, “There are too many people watching now. I can’t leave with you at the same time, but I will provide cover for you. You go out of the city first. I will find an opportunity later—”
“No, I have to go with you. I won’t leave you alone here.” Xu Chunmu grabbed his hand firmly, resolute and stubborn, but he sensed something unusual.
Seeing the wound on his wrist, Xu Chunmu was shocked, and as if connecting to something, his jaw tightened, and a myriad of words choked in his throat, unable to be spoken.
His eyes gradually deepened, and finally, he embraced Chu Xie with a heartache. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll figure something out. Ah Xie, don’t try to handle everything on your own this time. I will save you…”
I won’t let you die for me again.
“Listen to me, I’ve already heard about your plan from Zhao Xuan. According to your approach, I can smoothly leave the capital, but you, on the other hand, might get trapped in this city. You’re always like this, never caring about your own life, just wanting to save me… But Ah Xie, I want you to live. I want us to live together…”
Chu Xie knew he was thinking about their past lives again and hastened to comfort him. “Are you going to talk about those dreams again? Don’t be silly; they’re all fake…”
No, they’re not fake.
Xu Chunmu hugged his slender figure, his voice full of sorrow. “No, they’re not. In that dream, you took the blame for me and died. I followed your identity and investigated further… I don’t understand why you want to save me, but in just a few months, I died too…”
Chu Xie seemed to grasp something crucial and hurriedly asked, “In that dream, how did you die?”
“I won’t hide it from you.”
Xu Chunmu said each word, “I only realized on the day I saw General Zhao in Huaizhi County that, in that dream, I was killed by Zhao Lingqu.”
It was still Zhao Lingqu—whether in the original plot or the distorted plot, Xu Chunmu was unmistakably killed by Zhao Lingqu.
Listening to the crackling fire not far away, Chu Xie fell into a tangled web of thoughts.
Just now, why did Zhao Lingqu say he wanted to kill not Xu Chunmu but himself?
What was the hidden murderous intent surrounding Xu Chunmu?
He didn’t want to follow the plot; he didn’t want to assassinate Jiang Yanchi. However, not assassinating him seemed to make it impossible to unravel the mystery surrounding Xu Chunmu.
Chu Xie found himself in a dilemma. At this point, he could only passively choose to send Xu Chunmu out of the city first.
“Chunmu, listen to me. You don’t need to worry about me. You go out of the city first. I promise you, within seven days, I will find a way to get out, okay?” Chu Xie persuaded softly.
“What way do you have to get out?” Xu Chunmu stubbornly pressed on.
“I…”
“You don’t have any way. You just want me to live alone.” Xu Chunmu saw he couldn’t articulate anything, choked in his throat, and his heart was filled with bitterness. “You’re lying to me; I can tell. If I follow your arrangement and leave, I won’t see you again.”
Xu Chunmu couldn’t restrain his emotions. “You will die here. Chu Xie, you can’t escape; you will die in the capital…”
“I won’t.” Chu Xie couldn’t imagine that Xu Chunmu also had such delicate thoughts. He could see that Xu Chunmu was frustrated and at a loss. He could only coax him again, “Really, I have a way. You go out first, listen to me, okay?”
Xu Chunmu shook his head, forcibly grabbing his arm, seemingly unaware of which part of him was hurting Chu Xie, who winced in pain.
Xu Chunmu, in a panic, released his grip, only supporting his elbow. He saw that Chu Xie’s wrist was not lightly injured and wondered how many hidden injuries he still had.
“Ah Xie, the little emperor doesn’t treat you well, does he? He bullies you, right?”
Chu Xie remained silent.
“I’ve said it before, seeking a tiger’s skin is so dangerous. You shouldn’t have married him. It’s my fault… we shouldn’t have come back in the first place. I ruined you… I dragged you back to the capital, it’s all my fault…”
“Xu Chunmu.” He looked up at the sky, knowing time was running out. He took off the mask from his face and placed it on Xu Chunmu, saying, “There’s no time. You go quickly, don’t let my current efforts go to waste. Remember, from now on, whether it’s in the capital or the Northern Territory, no matter what happens, don’t come back. Forever, leave this place forever!”
He pushed Xu Chunmu forcefully. “Don’t look back.”
“And what about you?” Xu Chunmu hesitated, holding Chu Xie’s delicate and boneless hand. “If I leave, what will you do?”
“I will find a way to look for you.”
“No, you’re lying to me.”
Chu Xie, as if soothing a child, took a step forward, took off his heavy cloak, draped it over Xu Chunmu, fastened the ties, and covered his head with the hood.
“Xu Chunmu, you should be clear. I manipulate the hearts of people in this world.”
“Except I’ve never lied to you.”
Outside the old vermilion gate, there was a strange sound. Chu Xie didn’t notice, but Xu Chunmu, keenly aware, exclaimed, “Who!”
Trouble. They were still near the Zhao Prison; they shouldn’t have delayed here for so long.
If Su Mingan were smart, he would search for people along Zhao Prison.
Chu Xie tugged at Xu Chunmu’s sleeve. “Go quickly, it might be the officials.”
Chu Xie couldn’t hear clearly, but Xu Chunmu could feel that in just a few words exchanged a moment ago, this small courtyard had already been surrounded.
Sword unsheathing sounds could be heard from outside the four corners of the courtyard.
This shouldn’t be happening. Su Mingan was busy saving Zhao Prison from the fire, and the mansion’s guards were limited. How could they search so quickly?
Could it be that it wasn’t Su Mingan?
Chu Xie suddenly seemed to think of something, his heart chilling. He immediately pushed Xu Chunmu out and whispered, “Go! Now, get out of the city immediately!”
“Ah Xie, you!”
Without dragging himself as a burden, if it were only Xu Chunmu alone, and with Zhao Xuan providing cover, it wouldn’t be so difficult to leave the city.
Chu Xie watched as a long blade sliced through the old latch, and the shattered wood fell to the ground with a clatter.
The door was then forcefully pushed open, lifting a cloud of dust.
The newcomer was not the astute Su Mingan but the newly crowned emperor, Jiang Yanchi.
In just the past three or four hours, he did not only keep an eye on the Duke Yueguo’s mansion and the Ministry of War, quickly stripping himself of power, and replacing the city defense guards. Chu Xie, who was in charge, could never have imagined that he was also keeping an eye on Zhao Prison. Not only was he watching, but he also acted so swiftly.
At this point, Chu Xie miscalculated.
He never expected that the fire at Zhao Prison, which blocked Su Mingan, would alert Jiang Yanchi.
This time, he might really fall into the hands of that little brat.
Chu Xie’s face turned pale. Before he could do anything, Xu Chunmu had already stood in front of him, blocking Jiang Yanchi’s gaze, which showed neither joy nor anger.
Jiang Yanchi, in a black robe, took a step inside with his long legs.
His gaze passed indifferently over Xu Chunmu, then inch by inch, it fell on Chu Xie’s face, which was mostly covered by the person in front of him.
His eyes were neither cold nor hot, even more tranquil than they had been in recent days.
Like stagnant water, calm and without ripples.
“Ah Xie.”
His thin lips parted slightly. “Come here.”
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
