Lunch for each department had been prepared in advance.
The Crown Prince was lucky to keep his life, but his leg bones were broken in the fall. In the future, let alone riding a horse, he would walk with a limp.
Everyone knew in their hearts that it was only a matter of time before this adopted Crown Prince was deposed.
The Crown Prince’s fall from the horse seemed like a huge deal, yet also like a small one. At least, after the Emperor vented his anger and offered a few words of comfort, everyone started eating lunch normally.
Coming to the West Garden, naturally, meant eating game.
The imperial chefs carefully roasted meat, mainly lamb, cut it up, and sent it to the officials.
In some closed tents, the mutton smell lingered for a long time.
At this moment, inside the Right Prime Minister’s tent, that humid, gamey smell was rising along the pair of birds embroidered on his official robe, making them seem even more vivid.
The Right Prime Minister stood by the table and said slowly, “His temperament has changed greatly.”
According to his past style of doing things, he would have ridden the horse no matter what.
Rong Chenglin always felt there was an indescribable strangeness about that child now.
Finally, unable to determine the source of this feeling, his various thoughts temporarily coalesced into one sentence: “I never realized before that his luck is really good.”
Gu Wen stood with his head bowed to the side, his posture seeming very respectful.
Only his obscure, flickering gaze held a few more traces of cunning than the birds on the Right Prime Minister’s robe.
He recalled the young man he had seen earlier.
Luck was indeed very good. If there were no witnesses, His Majesty would never have let it go lightly.
The officials helping on the periphery were almost all on the west side. During Rong Hengsong’s time in the Ministry of Rites, his reputation for laziness had long spread. If the other party were smarter, he might even have noticed the clues of being set up.
But these had nothing to do with him.
Just as he didn’t know beforehand that the Right Prime Minister wanted to harm his own son, after deducing it afterward, he only offered strategies immediately to divert suspicion naturally to Rong Hengsong.
The drama of father and son killing each other was an old one, but always fresh.
“Teacher, there is one thing this student does not understand.” Gu Wen asked, “The General and the Superintendent Bureau are usually close to the Crown Prince. Even if the Crown Prince had an accident today because of his closeness to Wurong, they acted too indifferently.”
Rong Chenglin looked up at him.
Gu Wen just bowed, adopting a humble air of asking for advice.
After a long while, Rong Chenglin said, “The Crown Prince is a cover. The one they really want to support is the Fifth Prince.”
Gu Wen was stunned.
“Unfortunately, by the time I discovered this, they had already paved most of the road.” The fine lines at the corners of Rong Chenglin’s eyes crinkled slightly as he narrowed them.
Supporting a puppet prince was indeed a beautiful idea.
After digesting this shocking fact, Gu Wen’s first reaction was: The other side is playing ‘repairing the plank road openly while sneaking through Chencang'” (feigning one thing while doing another). So what about the Right Prime Minister?
Having fought with the Chief Superintendent for so many years, what trump cards did he keep?
The muddy waters of the capital were becoming increasingly interesting.
Gu Wen gathered the books in his sleeves and suddenly smiled: “Teacher, this student has a plan that can push the Fifth Prince into the center of the vortex in one step.”
The Right Prime Minister raised an eyebrow slightly: “Oh?”
…
In the afternoon, it was raining again in the distant mountains, and soon a torrential downpour hit the West Garden.
Forcing a journey back would require passing through mountain roads. For safety’s sake, everyone stayed overnight at the Royal Villa as initially planned.
The Emperor was used to being greedy for life and afraid of death. Because of the daytime incident, he deployed almost half of the Imperial Guards near his resting place.
Rong Juan cursed under the night sky: “Wrapped him up like a cabbage.”
This directly led to sparse guards near other officials. The entire garden was large, with only two patrol teams all night. According to official rank, he was assigned to a small and remote place, practically a snail’s dwelling.
Neither safe nor comfortable.
“I have to guard against someone continuing to stab me in the back.”
[Are you going to sleep around randomly again?]
“…”
There was no reasoning with the illiterate. Rong Juan decisively went to find Xie Yanzhou, who had the highest combat value, to ask for lodging.
High-ranking court officials not only got entire suites but also attached courtyards. Seeing even personal guards at the gate here, Rong Juan was extremely envious.
In the semi-dim environment, he drifted over like a dark cloud, a layer of bedding rolled over his cloak.
The personal guard became instantly alert. Assassin!
Wait, what assassin wraps up like a bear?
“It’s you.” The guard finally saw the visitor’s face clearly.
Rong Juan: “Mm-hm, I came to return the cloak.”
After confirming it was indeed the General’s cloak, the guard went to report half-doubtingly and actually received an order to let him in.
Rong Juan successfully passed through the moon gate with an umbrella. The light inside the house ahead was dim, like a fuse in the boundless night.
The door wasn’t closed. Xie Yanzhou sat by the table in the main room, wearing casual clothes, holding a roll of military books, not even lifting his head:
“There are two more rooms inside; pick one as you please.”
Having thought of a pile of excuses, Rong Juan swallowed them all back down, immediately cupping his fists to show brotherly affection: “Virtuous Brother thanks Big Brother.”
Koukou scratched his cranial nerve.
[Little Rong, you really go all out just so we don’t have to take turns on night watch.]
Xie Yanzhou was lifting a cup to drink tea; hearing this, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
Rong Juan wasn’t polite at all. After getting permission, he decisively moved to the nearest room. Bringing his own bedding, he fell asleep as soon as he lay down.
Fast as if he’d been shot dead.
In the main room, Xie Yanzhou put down the military book. The lamp didn’t make his gaze look much softer.
The scene of the Right Prime Minister calling Rong Juan away to talk alone during the day surfaced.
Daring to let an official come out to identify him seemed more like knowing from the start that the other party would go to the racecourse. Today’s setup was probably not for the Crown Prince at all.
“Even a tiger doesn’t eat its cubs.”
Xie Yanzhou shook his head. When his cold gaze swept over the inner room, there was a bit more compassion.
Rong Hengsong probably guessed most of it, which was why he was scared into seeking his protection. Having suffered through that scene during the day, tonight must be extremely difficult for him.
Next door, Rong Juan slept dreamlessly until dawn.
“Awesome.”
It felt so good not to wake up early to clock in.
Rong Juan stretched as he walked out of the room, his steps pausing slightly.
The personal guard who rotated in for the second half of the night didn’t know Rong Juan had stayed here yesterday and was startled to see him.
But he could hardly protect himself now, let alone investigate. He lowered his head to plead guilty in front of Xie Yanzhou.
“Pass the word down. Those who fail the assessment at the end of the month, voluntarily remove your heavy cavalry armor.”
The guard’s face changed drastically.
There were seven elite squads in the army, ranging from heavy cavalry to naval forces, well-equipped and accorded the highest treatment. Naturally, the assessment was extremely harsh and strict. Any minor mistake would lead to immediate elimination.
After returning to the capital, they inevitably slacked off, often gathering to drink in private, leaving them with low energy. The only heavy cavalryman who went on the field yesterday almost let Wurong score two goals in a row.
With only a few days left until the end of the month, the thought of adding a temporary assessment made them feel as if the sky were falling.
Xie Yanzhou looked at him coldly: “Go down.”
“Yes.”
The guard walked out with an ashen face, hearing voices from behind.
“Why up so early?”
The guard tripped over the threshold. Before falling, he twisted his head completely in disbelief, confirming it was their General speaking.
He twisted his head back rapidly, glancing at the sun shining high in the sky after the dark clouds dispersed.
Early?
Although today was no different from a rest day, let alone officials, even the Emperor got up earlier than him!
Watching the guard’s neck twist back and forth in the air before finally falling into a dog-eating-shit pose, Rong Juan’s throat tightened.
As expected of Xie Yanzhou’s subordinate, even falling had a series of fake moves.
“Is this specially trained by you?” Rong Juan admired greatly: “Used to dodge arrows or long blades when falling?”
“…”
Under his General’s death stare, the trusted aide hurriedly got up and left.
Palace servants brought meals, very sumptuous; obviously, Xie Yanzhou had ordered an extra portion.
Unfortunately, Rong Juan didn’t like game much, but the milk tea accompanying the roasted leg of lamb was quite good.
Hearing Xie Yanzhou issue a warning because of the guard’s mistake in the polo match, Rong Juan suddenly said, “That Gu Wen was brought over just to participate in a polo match? Isn’t that overkill?”
A clanging sound interrupted his words.
The eaves bells rang continuously. Almost at the same time, the sound of carriages and commands came from outside.
The footsteps of a large number of Imperial Guards marching were particularly obvious. When the wheels hit the road, the whole ground shook.
The System jumped out.
[Who?]
[Who died again?]
[Little Rong, you haven’t slept today. How come someone died already?]
Three questions in a row; Rong Juan’s fist hardened.
The trusted aide who had just left not long ago ran back: “General!”
Rong Juan: “Who? Who had an accident again? Is someone dead?”
Xie Yanzhou gave him a deep look.
Fortunately, no bloody case occurred this time.
Rong Juan first returned to the Ministry of Rites side. The carriages at the temporary office in the West District were all prepared.
Lord Kong looked serious. Other officials were either as confused as Rong Juan or appeared unwell.
No one would answer questions at the moment, so Rong Juan simply followed the main group.
Under the distant mountain, the Imperial Guards originally guarding the villa had all been deployed here at some point.
Carriages couldn’t go up the mountain. After the rainstorm, the ground was muddy, making it difficult to walk in official boots.
Everyone walked with one foot deep and one foot shallow up the mountain.
Rong Juan had already cursed eighteen generations of ancestors in his heart.
Climbing what mountain early in the morning?
“Huff~ Huff~”
The people from the Ministry of Rites were in worse health than one another, looking like zombies from “Plants vs. Zombies,” their arms and legs feeling as if they’d been separately assembled.
Finally arrived!
“Since when did My officials become disabled?”
What greeted everyone was a scolding from the Emperor.
Having come up in a mountain sedan chair, he had reason to talk without back pain while standing.
Lord Kong was called over for questioning. At his age, he couldn’t even catch his breath, yet dared not breathe heavily.
With a dark face, the Emperor asked if such things had happened in previous dynasties.
Lord Kong was confused by the question. When he saw where the Emperor was staring, his expression changed drastically within a few seconds.
The Ministry of Rites stored many old archives, some of which recorded strange phenomena.
Rong Juan also looked over. Diagonally, a split mountain rock stood upright. The surroundings smelled slightly of nitric acid, likely from scorched tree bark and wild grass.
Last night, thunder struck the mountain. To prevent forest fires, the guards who came to check discovered this strange sight.
Coupled with ghost fires appearing in the mountains after the rain stopped, they reported it in panic.
Now, under the heavy dark clouds, it shone on every face with different expressions, indescribably eerie.
The rock being stared at by everyone had one intact side smooth as glaze, jade-like but not jade. But now, no one cared about the rock variety; everyone was looking at the words on the broken surface on the other side.
Gloomy ancient trees blocked the sunlight. Two lines of bright red words in the col seemed to emit the smell of rusted blood:
Distant mountain spring colors reflect in the sky
Dragon coiled, tiger crouching, entering the Royal Palace.
Those who saw it all changed color on the spot.
Except for Rong Juan.
Written so obscurely, only a ghost could understand.
The long-browed eunuch who followed the Emperor year-round and was previously sent to deliver the edict blurted out in surprise: “Song (Pine), it’s the character Song…”
Rong Juan, with zero sensitivity to word puzzles: “…”
Fortunately, having stayed in the Ministry of Rites, he knew other things quite well, such as information on princes and officials.
Fifth Prince, courtesy name Songyuan.
The Emperor’s mind was entirely on the stone now, his mood unpredictable, making those around him even more apprehensive.
Rong Juan saw the Emperor’s fingers slightly curling inside his wide sleeves.
“Dragon coiled, tiger crouching.” The Emperor’s voice was sharper than usual, as if stung by these four words.
This wasn’t a good sentence. It looked as if it carried a killing intent, as if it were forcibly ascending the throne.
None of the nearby ministers dared to respond, instantly tense.
They all stood in place, hands hanging down, heads bowed, only various thoughts flashing through their eyes.
Before the ministers could unravel the mystery bit by bit, the Emperor suddenly flicked his sleeves and left two cold words: “Return to the palace!”
Under layers of protection from guards, the sedan bearers carried the Emperor down the mountain first.
The Ministry of Rites officials pulled a repeat performance, stumbling down the mountain with their zombie limbs.
Almost all the high officials had left. Rong Juan was pondering if there was an easier way down the mountain when he suddenly found Xie Yanzhou and his group hadn’t left yet, so he moved closer.
Just as he was about to say something, a shadow suddenly appeared above his head.
After Xie Yanzhou raised his arm high, a goshawk hovering in the sky actually dived straight down, slowing to land steadily on his forearm.
With a slight tap on the goshawk’s chest, the bird easily spat out a small round object. Xie Yanzhou looked at it, frowned, and handed it to the Chief Superintendent.
The latter’s face darkened a degree.
Almost at the same time, Rong Juan seemed to sense something and looked down the mountain.
At the end of the line, Gu Wen was looking in this direction with seemingly friendly eyes.
In the instant their gazes met briefly, Gu Wen acted as if nothing had happened, slipping away to the other side of the mountain midway and riding down.
His plain robe embroidered with cloud patterns fluttered, looking like an idle cloud or wild crane.
The Right Prime Minister’s carriage was parked at the foot of the mountain. Gu Wen dismounted and got into the carriage respectfully.
“Teacher.”
The Right Prime Minister kept his eyes closed, holding a hand warmer to drive away the mountain chill.
Before long, a confidant whispered through the curtain from outside: “My Lord, matters in the palace have been settled.”
Only then did the Right Prime Minister open his eyes: “Good. Soon, there will be no one left on their side.”
The Chief Superintendent calculated well. The Fifth Prince was young and timid, a perfect target to support as a puppet. But this character was destined to be unable to shoulder heavy responsibilities.
After the wet nurse informed him in advance about the celestial phenomenon and the Emperor’s displeasure, the Fifth Prince almost fainted from fright on the spot.
Gu Wen lowered his head: “Teacher, Xie Yanzhou commands tens of thousands of troops. If he…”
The Right Prime Minister’s tone was indifferent: “Xie Yanzhou knows better than anyone that this world cannot withstand turmoil. Without absolute certainty, leading troops to rebel would allow Wurong and Baixu to take advantage immediately. A slight mistake means the destruction of the country.”
If it were him, he would risk the destruction of the country and family, but Xie Yanzhou wouldn’t.
Those who wish to achieve great things must not have scruples amidst ruthlessness. This bit of softheartedness destined him to amount to nothing.
Now that the Crown Prince had fallen from a horse, the Third Prince, who followed the Crown Prince year-round, also decisively defected. As long as pressure was applied continuously, the Fifth Prince at the center of the storm would inevitably collapse sooner or later.
Who else could the Chief Superintendent support?
“Even a clever housewife cannot cook a meal without rice.” The Right Prime Minister laughed loudly.
Author’s Note:
Small Theater:
Right Prime Minister: Who else can they support?!
Rong Juan: If you open your eyes and look at me, I don’t believe your eyes see nothing. [Let me see]
Note: The Emperor adopting princes has no complicated reasons; it’s just because he can’t perform.
Dare not open eyes; hope it’s my hallucination.