Chapter 71
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
Mr. Cao took some time to gradually regain his composure. He was now clear that Chu Lishu wouldn’t be taking action against anyone in the palace in the short term. If he did, it would only strengthen other factions, as if he had become a tool for someone else, clearing obstacles on their behalf.
Chu Lishu just needed to stay in the shadows, increasing the chaos and watching them weaken each other through infighting. This was the best way to triumph over the stronger forces.
Thinking about the recent events, Mr. Cao couldn’t help but offer a reminder, “Your Highness, your thoughts are meticulous, and those in the palace will likely be unable to see through the truth. However, not long ago, Yue Chen came to inquire about the day you visited my residence. He specifically asked about your timing, indicating suspicions towards you. That young man is extremely clever; even I feel inferior to him. I didn’t dare to answer recklessly and had to truthfully disclose the information. This…”
“He suspects not based on the incident itself but on my true identity. His intuition is sharp, and he believes that if I were truly that person, I would act this way. He isn’t looking to investigate today’s incident; otherwise, he could have directly intervened in the Minister’s investigation. He just wants to force me to admit my identity. For now, he poses no threat to me, so you don’t need to concern yourself with him.”
“As for those two children, they’ve admired you since childhood. If you could win them over…” Mr. Cao couldn’t help but suggest.
Chu Lishu’s expression darkened slightly, and he didn’t respond.
Mr. Cao knew that after experiencing such a painful event, his master’s temperament had changed, and he could no longer easily trust anyone. No matter how loyal someone appeared, it wouldn’t matter. Subduing subordinates would inevitably expose his identity, and Chu Lishu couldn’t afford to take that risk.
“As for the Yue family of Lanxi and the military family, the Huo family, their roles in the events of that year are still uncertain. As for Yue Chen and Huo Luo, they are cherished figures in these two families and bear the fate of their families. They cannot act solely based on their preferences,” analyzed Chu Lishu calmly.
Even if one day they discovered his true identity and, out of admiration, wanted to follow him, there was still the possibility that they might betray him one day for the future of their families. Chu Lishu had experienced such situations before.
However, in his mind, memories of a few years ago resurfaced—a youth competition where Yue Chen and Huo Luo stood out among a group of aristocratic youths and came to him for recognition.
The two kneeled side by side, lifting their heads, looking at him with shining eyes, their admiration almost undisguised.
They said they didn’t need any rewards, just one thing—hoping to serve the Crown Prince’s side and assist him in his endeavors.
Back then, there were many who wanted to follow him, but Chu Lishu had a keen eye for this combination of literature and martial skills. He encouraged them with a few words of motivation.
As of today, these two individuals have not entered the court to shine brightly. The reasons they give seem lofty, and they remain scattered at the fringes of power.
Chu Lishu knows that this is likely the idea of Yue Chen. Yue Chen is very sensitive to the current situation. His approach is similar to that of Marquis An Nan – not taking sides, not getting involved in the struggle because they also cannot predict who the next rightful ruler will be.
The difference between them and Marquis An Nan lies in the fact that they do not want to gamble the lives of their family members for the uncertain reward of supporting the rising power. Thus, they won’t go around laying the groundwork or testing each one; they simply live freely. As long as the two of them stay out of trouble, when the next ruler emerges, they can still uphold the glory of their family through their own abilities.
Represented by these two, any family members in these two households who still hold positions in the court are undoubtedly following a moderate path. They work diligently, and abstain from forming factions, which is indeed the most intelligent approach in the current situation. It is also the reason the emperor has consistently treated them with favor. After all, as long as they don’t align themselves with any prince, it essentially means aligning with the emperor.
If they were just two ordinary disciples from humble origins, Chu Lishu might find it easier to figure out a way to bring them under his influence. However, their identities play a crucial role, and even if they possess capabilities, caution is warranted.
Inside the room, Lin Qingyang has already found books and is sitting to read.
Chu Lishu chuckled, “Is Cousin reluctant to leave Mr. Cao’s collection? Well, it is indeed a captivating book. How about we head back?”
Lin Qingyang raised the book in his hand. “It’s indeed a great read so I got absorbed unintentionally. So, shall we go back?”
Walking out of Mr. Cao’s courtyard, through the corridor, and returning to the Sun and Moon Pavilion, Lin Qingyang couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Chu Lishu. He was genuinely curious. Was today’s event orchestrated by the male lead? Despite spending every day with him to earn points, how could he be completely unaware of such a major incident? Moreover, with no one else around, could it be that the experienced Mr. Cao helped him arrange everything?
It just didn’t make sense!
Sensing Lin Qingyang’s gaze, Chu Lishu turned his head towards him, looking natural. “What’s wrong?”
Lin Qingyang was about to respond when he suddenly bumped into another student coming from the opposite direction.
The student approached them with a secretive demeanor and whispered, “What a coincidence to run into you; I was just looking for you.”
Wasn’t this guy the one who managed the gambling event during the day?
The student had a pleased expression, taking something out of his pocket. He continued, “After running gambling events so many times, it’s the first time encountered a situation like this. Betting on Qi Yan’s team and the other conditions turned out to be incredibly lucky for you. It’s three-to-one odds. Second Young Master Lin, you’ve won sixty taels.”
The person handed sixty taels to Lin Qingyang, then excitedly looked at Chu Lishu. “And you, Young Master Chu, I truly admire you. Your luck is truly unparalleled. However, no one else could have your boldness. You bet five hundred taels to support your cousin’s team. Initially, others mocked you, and even I thought you were foolishly giving away money. But now, look at them. Their money is in your hands. When I went to collect the winnings, many people had really ugly expressions. Haha, take it, one thousand five hundred taels.”
One thousand five hundred taels was a huge sum for the students of the academy. Even the wealthiest students combined might not have had that much money.
As Chu Lishu calmly accepted the three five-hundred-tael banknotes, Lin Qingyang couldn’t help feeling a bit envious. Suddenly, Lin Qingyang’s eyes lit up, and his gaze at the one thousand-five hundred taels changed in an instant.
When they initially saw the entries in the account book that Chu Lishu had placed bets, they thought the male lead did it to support them and regain some face for them.
At that time, Chu Lishu’s actions made Lin Qingyang think he was a bit childish, almost equivalent to Qi Yan.
But now, thinking about it, how could the male lead be so foolish as to give away money to others for no reason, unless he knew he would definitely win?
Winning, of course, didn’t refer to Qi Yan’s team winning—that was an uncontrollable factor with no certainty. The only controllable factor was that he knew the match would be terminated. That way, he could play harmless games with everyone and help their team save some face.
So…was he really the mastermind behind poisoning Yuan Ye?!
Lin Qingyang instantly felt a shiver down his spine, even a bit frightened. After all, he couldn’t figure out how the male lead managed to do it.
Even though they were deviating from the original plot, the male lead’s methods and capabilities still made him feel trapped, as if there was no escape from his control.
But what was the male lead’s purpose in doing this? Killing Yuan Ye directly and framing the Third Prince? Probably not, there were many opportunities in the original plot to directly kill someone, but the male lead had never done it, and it was unlikely now.
Unable to resist, he looked up at Chu Lishu, only to find Chu Lishu casually chatting with a gentle expression.
Seeing him looking over, Chu Lishu asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Hehe… I regret not betting more,” Lin Qingyang chuckled.
Chu Lishu couldn’t help but laugh.
“It’s good enough to win. In the entire academy, only the four of you won money,” the student said, complimenting, “But I really didn’t expect Second Young Master Lin to be so skilled. It truly opened my eyes. If the match hadn’t been interrupted, the final could have gone either way. If there’s another match in the future, I’ll be the first to bet on you.”
Lin Qingyang absentmindedly replied, “It’s all thanks to everyone.”
“You don’t have to be so modest. After the match, everyone discussed how seamless your cooperation with Xu Wenzhe was, especially the last goal. It was the best collaboration in these two matches. The chemistry between you two is like a legend…” The students became more and more excited.
While Lin Qingyang and Chu Lishu’s little gossip might be known to only a few, the gossip between Lin Qingyang and Xu Wenzhe was something everyone at the academy knew.
So, as the student kept talking, his tone changed. Perhaps he intended to tease and bond, but he ended up talking to someone who was clearly not in the mood, and another who had already darkened his expression during the conversation.
The student’s words halted as he locked eyes with the chilling gaze of Chu Lishu. Those eyes, cold enough to send shivers down one’s spine, made the previously talkative student instantly mute. It was as if something was emanating from Chu Lishu, forming a hand that gripped the student’s throat.
“Uh…”
“Just now, I noticed you were in a hurry. You must have other matters to attend to. No need to chat with us. Please,” Chu Lishu made a polite gesture with a smile that lacked warmth.
However, that student felt like the posture was telling him to leave.
The oppressive atmosphere made the student unable to stay any longer, so he quickly found an excuse and left.
Lin Qingyang’s mind was not originally here. When he heard Chu Lishu’s somewhat impolite words, the student ran away. He looked at Chu Lishu with confusion and asked, “Did he bother you? He even gave you so much money.”
Chu Lishu blinked, dispelling the icy look in his eyes. “He was talking too much. What about it? Do you still want to continue listening to him?”
“Say what?” In fact, he didn’t really pay attention to what that person said just now. His mind was now filled with thoughts of what Chu Lishu had actually done.
“He was talking about how well-coordinated you and Xu Wenze are, how you have a telepathic connection, and how intimately you cooperate on the cuju field…”
Although Lin Qingyang didn’t really take those words to heart, he wasn’t deaf either. If that student had said so many cheesy things just now, he would have been covered in goosebumps long ago. “Really?”
Chu Lishu turned to look at Lin Qingyang, his distinctive black-and-white phoenix eyes staring directly at him. Then, with a serious tone, he said, “The last goal, you mentioned you had only demonstrated it once for Xu Wenze to see, but you two managed to coordinate and perform it on the cuju field. Doesn’t that show a certain level of understanding? Mutual understanding between people is hard to come by. I didn’t know before that Cousin and Brother Wenze had such coordination. However, since Cousin has repeatedly emphasized that you have no feelings for Brother Wenze anymore, it’s better not to have such understanding, or else it will be used for mockery, just like it happened earlier.”
Lin Qingyang was stunned by his words. His mind was filled with serious topics related to human life, the overall situation, and the future. But this guy was earnestly discussing what?
Male lead, you just orchestrated such a big conspiracy. Shouldn’t you be showing off a bit now? Is this topic appropriate? It’s a bit of a mood spoiler!
Alright, this atmosphere was only in Lin Qingyang’s mind due to him figuring things out. For Chu Lishu, it was just when he heard someone mentioning the match, he immediately thought of Lin Qingyang and Xu Wenze embracing and hugging on the field, creating a sense of restlessness in his emotions.
“What the heck? It’s just occasional coincidences; you can only say it’s a fluke.”
Chu Lishu shrugged. “I think most people who watched the match at the Imperial Academy won’t consider it a coincidence. They would believe your cooperation was innate.”
Lin Qingyang’s mouth twitched. How did Chu Lishu make it sound so ambiguous?
However, considering the gossip-like behavior of that student just now, it might seem quite ambiguous to others.
Lin Qingyang felt emotionally drained; the dark history was a pain that could never be erased. It’s challenging to make friends as a straight guy when things get this complicated.
Seeing Lin Qingyang’s speechless and frustrated expression, along with those slightly weary eyes, Chu Lishu couldn’t help but wonder if he had gone too far. After all, he knew Lin Qingyang just wanted to enjoy the game to the fullest.
“I just mentioned it casually after seeing that guy’s reaction. The important thing is that you played a happy game today, and the hard training in these days has paid off, hasn’t it?”
Upon hearing these words, Lin Qingyang finally felt a bit relieved. The training and the game were almost equivalent to his only vacation since coming to this world. He could wholeheartedly engage in what he wanted to do. Although it was later disrupted by other matters, it still made him genuinely happy for a while.
Seeing Lin Qingyang’s improved expression, Chu Lishu reached out and patted his shoulder, saying, “You really did well today.”
Lin Qingyang was momentarily stunned, and a warm feeling surged in his heart. The discomfort he felt earlier was also lifted.
Although the methods Chu Lishu used to deal with people were formidable, and his thoughts were cunning, he still had a warm side.
However, when Lin Qingyang was alone in his room resting, that remaining warmth transformed into unease. The image of poisoning Yuan Ye kept replaying in his mind.
Lin Qingyang felt as if there was a voice inside him trying to tell him something.
The next day, with the return of Wang Tong’en and Cheng Yi, many pieces of news came in.
The case had been closed.
The heard results were somewhat amusing. An eunuch who served Concubine Pei was pulled out to be the scapegoat. It was claimed that he had gone mad and, in an attempt to harm Yuan Ye on behalf of the Third Prince, had committed such actions. Concubine Pei and the Third Prince were completely unaware.
When they captured the eunuch, he was already displaying signs of madness, and various pieces of evidence were found among his personal belongings.
The assistant at the Pei family’s charcoal shop also claimed to have witnessed the suspicious behavior of the old eunuch. With the combination of witness testimonies and physical evidence, the eunuch was executed. Those involved in the shop’s transactions were also implicated, leading to arrests, demotions, and exile for the members of the Pei family branch managing the business.
Concubine Pei and the Third Prince, shedding their elaborate garments, personally offered apologies. Concubine Pei knelt before Empress Cheng’s palace, while the Third Prince knelt before the Eastern Palace, saving face for them.
The emperor, opting for a lenient punishment, charged them with the crime of lax discipline over their subordinates. Concubine Pei was confined for three months, and the Third Prince was tasked with transcribing a ritual text one hundred times as a penalty.
Not only that, the emperor granted several vacillating official positions to members of the Cheng family. Furthermore, as a form of compensation, the business related to charcoal, originally belonging to the Pei family, was directly transferred to the Cheng family, representing an act of reparation from the Pei family to the Cheng family.
This move undoubtedly caused significant losses to the Pei family. However, as long as the foundation of the Third Prince’s influence was untouched, everything remained manageable.
On the other hand, the Cheng family received the compensation they deserved. Yuan Ye’s health was carefully tended to with high-quality medicine. He was expected to make a full recovery in approximately a month.
If you love what Ciacia is doing, then consider showing your support by supporting a cup of tea for her at Kofi. If you can’t wait for the next release chapter, subscribe to advanced chapters membership on her Kofi to get access to up to 10 chapters!
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
