Wispy smoke drifted from the incense burner, yet it could not dispel the heavy pressure in the study.
Prince Duan Zhao Sheng stood with his hands behind his back, the white jade thumb ring on his finger gleaming with a cold light under the candlelight. As the shadow guard reported, his face grew colder and his eyes more sinister.
“Pingyang Marquis Residence and Duke Zhenguo’s Residence are now in close contact. After Chu Yu was abducted, the second branch of the duke’s residence was driven out of the capital overnight by the Old Duke… This subordinate suspects that the Old Duke has already noticed something.”
“Duke Zhenguo is quite the old fox.” Zhao Sheng sneered, unconsciously rubbing the jade thumb ring with his knuckles. “Clean up all the loose ends for me. As for Chu Yun…” A faint trace of ridicule crossed his lips. “Keep him dangling. That kind of overambitious fool, stupid as a pig, will make the perfect puppet when Duke Zhenguo’s Residence collapses one day.”
His gaze swept icily over the people below, and the group of advisers held their breath and stayed silent, not daring to look directly at him.
“That little brat Chu Yu really is lucky.” Zhao Sheng said coldly as he sat back down in his chair. “We will leave Duke Zhenguo’s Residence untouched for now. Even if that old fox has noticed something, he will not dare act rashly at the moment.”
His knuckles rapped on the tabletop, one beat after another, tightening everyone’s nerves.
“The urgent matter is Shen Ji.” At the mention of that name, undisguised killing intent flashed in Zhao Sheng’s eyes. “This man has ruined my grand plan time and again. Gentlemen, do you have any good ideas?”
The advisers looked at one another, fine sweat beading on their foreheads. In the dead silence, a middle-aged scholar with a goat beard standing at the lower right let a glint of light flash in his eyes, stepped to the center, and cupped his hands in salute.
“Your Highness, in half a month it will be the Deer Cry Banquet, where the newly appointed jinshi will gather in a mixed crowd. We could arrange to smear his reputation, punish him openly, and secretly… eliminate him.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a blue-robed adviser from the back stepped forward as well. “Your Highness, according to information previously sent from Lady Liu’s side, Shen Ji’s martial skill is no longer what it once was, and even the Marquis Residence’s shadow guards could not stop him. If we want absolute certainty, we could poison him first and weaken his strength.”
Zhao Sheng thought for a moment, his fingertips tapping impatiently on the armrest. “The Deer Cry Banquet still requires waiting half a month… too long. I don’t want to wait even a moment longer.”
“He’s just a frail Heir who happened to get a few lucky opportunities, and he actually thinks he can turn the world upside down?” His tone was disdainful.
“Shadow One!”
A dark silhouette knelt soundlessly on the floor like a phantom.
“Take your men,” Zhao Sheng said in an icy voice. “Find an opening and kill Shen Ji. The sooner the better!”
“Yes.” The shadow rose in acknowledgment and then disappeared back into the darkness, as if it had never existed.
…
Meanwhile, at Pingyang Marquis Residence
After a solemn round of thanks, the Heir’s wife took Chu Yu to the garden to play.
Shen Ji took the Old Duke and the Heir to the study to discuss matters, waving away those on either side.
The noon sunlight fell across the desk, where fine pre-Qingming Longjing tea sent up warm steam, making the atmosphere feel weighty.
The Old Duke rubbed the warm teacup in his hand, let out a long sigh, and broke the silence. “Heir Shen, I have come to your door today, with thanks foremost in my heart. But there are some things I must say. This matter has implicated the Heir, and I feel deeply ashamed.”
Shen Ji sat calmly in the seat of honor, his expression serene, and only nodded slightly. “Old Duke, please speak freely.”
Seeing that his father seemed to hesitate, Chu Lin spoke out in anger: “Yu’er’s abduction has already been thoroughly investigated in the residence. It was my foolish and vicious sister-in-law, Lady Wang, who colluded with outsiders to do it!” He clenched his fist, but in the end still held back a little and did not mention Chu Yun.
“Although Lady Wang has already taken her own life to atone, all the clues about the mysterious person she colluded with point to Prince Duan Zhao Sheng! Prince Duan has tried several times to win over our Duke Zhenguo’s Residence, and after failing, he actually used such despicable methods to try to wipe out the Chu bloodline! Truly wolfish ambition!”
After speaking, he looked ashamed again. “The Heir’s great kindness in rescuing Yu’er must have offended Prince Duan, and in the future I’m afraid…” His voice paused for a moment. “If the Heir runs into any difficulties in the future, Duke Zhenguo’s Residence will absolutely not shirk its duty!”
The Old Duke also nodded solemnly. “The Heir saved Yu’er, which is the same as preserving the entire Duke Zhenguo’s Residence. Such a kindness is deeply engraved in the hearts of everyone in my duke’s residence. If there is ever a need in the future, just say the word, and we will not hesitate even if it means dying a thousand deaths!”
Shen Ji did not answer immediately. He picked up the celadon teapot and refilled the two men’s hot tea, his movements calm and unhurried.
Looking up at the two of them, he said in a low voice, “To be honest, Old Duke, Heir, even if you had not come today, I had planned to pay a visit in a few days to inquire about some news regarding Prince Duan.”
He stood up, took out letters from the hidden compartment in the desk, and pushed them in front of them. “The reason Lady Liu and her son have been so unscrupulous… first poisoning my mother, then scheming to frame me and seize the Marquis Residence’s property… is that they have Prince Duan backing them.”
The Old Duke’s expression changed the moment he saw the gold-flecked envelope. After opening the letter and reading it carefully, his face turned instantly livid. Chu Lin leaned closer to look at the contents, and his fists tightened at once, his rage burning fiercely.
“Prince Duan… him again!” The Old Duke slapped the desk heavily, making the teacup tremble, his voice full of anger. “His hand is reaching too far!”
“Prince Duan’s ambitions are no small matter; he is plotting something huge!” Though it was not said outright, the others all understood.
“Heir Shen speaks quite rightly! And this man is ruthless and merciless. Right now he is also favored by His Majesty, and his birth mother, Consort Shu, has enjoyed imperial favor for years without fading. Fortunately, His Majesty is still in his prime. This capital is still not a place where Zhao Sheng can cover the sky with one hand!”
Chu Lin also looked stern. “Heir Shen’s life-saving kindness will never be forgotten by Duke Zhenguo’s Residence. Our duke’s residence is willing to advance and retreat together with the Heir and join forces to deal with Prince Duan.”
Just then, Chu Yu’s clear laughter came from outside the window, instantly easing the heavy atmosphere in the room.
The others exchanged smiles, and then Chen Yan came forward leading the bouncing Chu Yu. After Shen Ji asked about Chu Yu’s health, they chatted over tea.
After the evening meal, Chu Lin picked up Chu Yu, who was still reluctant to leave, and repeatedly promised that they would return to the Marquis Residence in a few days. Only then did the group take their leave, disappearing into the night, with Chu Yu’s soft, coaxing voice still drifting in the air.