Chapter 305: Chapter 305

The Marshal of Dai was the highest-ranking general of Dai Princedom, but he had few soldiers under his command, and even fewer were willing to follow their commander through hell and high water. Marshal Deng Cui led more than thirty soldiers, including over ten servants, and successfully entered the Prince’s residence. At the entrance to the Champion Marquis’s wife’s quarters, they suddenly drew their concealed sharp blades and launched an assault.

The gate guards and the four ceremonial guards sent by the Emperor were shocked and dismayed. They had thought they only needed to stand there with heads held high and chests out to intimidate madmen like Little Eyes Yin, never expecting that a group would charge at them, led by a famous general no less.

Battle erupted, and the unprepared side was immediately routed. The Emperor’s ceremonial guards were tall and imposing, but the long halberds in their hands were made of wood, and there were only four of them. They dared not block the wolf-like pack of men, quietly stepping aside, neither participating nor fleeing, pretending not to see the scene before them.

What stopped Deng Cui and his men was the main gate. Marquess Ping’en was quite vigilant – upon hearing the commotion outside, she immediately ordered the maidservants to bar the door and brought tables, chairs, and benches to block it.

Several noble ladies from the Prince’s residence who had come to provide companionship had not yet left, and all were frightened out of their wits. When they heard the attackers were led by Deng Cui, they were all baffled.

Marquess Ping’en was equally baffled. She and her third sister Cui Zhao had traveled hundreds of miles to bring the Champion Marquis’s son here. Though it was merely a pretext, there was still some merit in their hardship. Just a few days ago, Deng Cui had even sent his wife to express countless thanks – how could he turn hostile so suddenly?

Deng Cui ordered his men to break down the door, but news had already spread. Hundreds of elite soldiers from the Southern and Northern Armies quickly arrived and captured Deng Cui and his men without bloodshed.

The entire farce lasted less than a quarter hour. Though the courtyard gate was damaged, it was not breached, but the incident’s impact was significant.

First, Cui Zhao was so shocked and frightened that she truly could not get out of bed, tears flowing endlessly as she lamented her tragic fate.

Chief Overseer Liu Jie finally could bear no more. If several more similar incidents occurred, even the Emperor’s safety might not be guaranteed. He expelled Prince Dai’s entire family from the residence, and the Emperor’s guards took over the entire Prince’s residence, with three layers of security inside and out, as tightly guarded as the imperial palace itself.

Cui Zhao remained in the Prince’s residence – if anything else happened, they could only blame the Emperor.

But there was one thing no one could figure out: why exactly had Deng Cui turned hostile? Why was he even willing to sacrifice his position and future prospects?

Judicial Officer Zhang Jing had failed to distinguish himself in Luoyang, but this time he moved extremely quickly. While Prince Dai was still prostrating himself in apology, Zhang Jing had already completed a round of interrogations and determined the general cause. He came to report to the Emperor.

The corpulent Prince Dai lay prostrate on the ground, tearfully and with running nose denouncing Deng Cui’s rebellious disrespect and his own failure in supervision. While begging forgiveness, he also pushed all the blame onto his brother-in-law alone.

Han Ruzi had long grown weary of listening. Only out of respect for an elder had he endured until now. Upon seeing Zhang Jing enter, he immediately waved for the eunuchs to help Prince Dai to one side, then asked, “Zhang Jing, have you investigated clearly?”

Zhang Jing stepped forward. “Marshal Deng Cui refuses to speak, but his soldiers and servants have all confessed. According to them, Deng Cui was seeking revenge for the Champion Marquis.”

“Hmm?” Several people in the room voiced their confusion simultaneously.

Cui Teng, who had been ordered by the Emperor to remain, was even more furious. “Nonsense! My sister was the Champion Marquis’s wife. If Deng Cui wanted revenge, he shouldn’t have targeted her – he should have…”

Cui Teng glanced at Prince Donghai. Rumors in the Capital claimed that the person who poisoned the Champion Marquis was a daughter of the Tan family, but this matter involved too many people, and even he dared not mention it.

Prince Dai, kneeling to one side, raised his head and wiped away several tears from his face, also saying in surprise, “That can’t be right. Deng Cui was clearly very grateful to the Champion Marquis’s wife. He sent his wife to visit several times and presented many gifts.”

Zhang Jing kept his head lowered and said nothing.

Han Ruzi waved his hand, and the eunuchs escorted the Prince of Dai out. Only guards and a few people remained in the room.

Only then did Zhang Jing speak: “Prince Dai is right. Deng Cui was indeed very grateful to the Champion Marquis’s wife, but since last night’s incident occurred, rumors have been flying everywhere, all saying that the Champion Marquis died at… his wife’s hands. Some even claim that the Champion Marquis’s son was killed long ago, and the infant sent to Dai was an impostor.”

Han Ruzi was stunned. “What’s the reason?”

“That’s what the rumors say, but no one mentions a reason. Everyone seems to think this is perfectly logical. Others say that the Deng clan has declined and been overshadowed by the Cui clan, so Deng Cui flew into a rage, feeling he had been deceived…”

Cui Teng’s face flushed red with anger. “Who? Tell me, who dares to spread such nonsense?”

Zhang Jing kept his head lowered. “These are just rumors. We haven’t traced their source yet. There’s another version saying that Deng Cui met the Champion Marquis’s wife, so he too… fell under her spell.”

Cui Teng had never been so furious. “Your Majesty, let me investigate this case. Even if I have to turn Jincheng City upside down, I’ll arrest every one of those gossipmongers. If I don’t silence the entire city, I’m not worthy of the Cui surname!”

“Haven’t you caused enough trouble already?” Han Ruzi was also very angry, but his anger was directed at these powerful noble families who couldn’t distinguish between urgent and trivial matters. The Great Chu was in mortal peril, yet they still only thought about their own honor and disgrace. Even if Deng Cui truly possessed military talent, he would not promote him. “Zhang Jing, I’m entrusting this matter to you. Work with the officials of Dai and handle it according to law.”

“I obey Your Majesty’s decree.” Zhang Jing bowed and withdrew. The Emperor’s words “Haven’t you caused enough trouble already?” had given him the reassurance he needed to know what to do.

Cui Teng was unsatisfied and said huffily, “Your Majesty, this matter can’t end . Someone is clearly targeting the Cui clan…”

Prince Donghai across from him gave him a meaningful look. Cui Teng wasn’t stupid at times and immediately caught on. “They’re also targeting Your Majesty! Otherwise, why would they bring up the Champion Marquis’s death?”

“Enough.” Han Ruzi also felt the rumors had come too fiercely, but he didn’t want to make a big show of it. “With rebellion within and the Xiongnu threat without, the nation faces grave danger. All other matters don’t deserve excessive attention. Cui Teng, I forbid you from investigating privately, and even more so from seeking private revenge. Do you understand?”

“If you dare fight again, regardless of the reason, I’ll station you on the frontier for ten years without permission to return to the Capital. If you want to fight, fight the Xiongnu to your heart’s content.”

“Ah… But what if someone hits me first?”

“Endure it.” Han Ruzi said curtly. He didn’t believe anyone would dare lay a hand on Cui Teng first.

Cui Teng’s face turned even redder. Prince Donghai said, “Cui Teng, why don’t you thank His Majesty for his grace?”

“Huh?” Cui Teng’s eyes widened further.

“Don’t you know your own temper? His Majesty forbids you from investigating because he’s afraid you’ll ruin things. If it were someone else, His Majesty wouldn’t care—he’d let you investigate, cause trouble, and stir up problems, then catch everyone in one net. The Deng family wouldn’t benefit, and the Cui clan would also be implicated. For such a major matter, the Ministry of Justice officials would be able to investigate it. Just wait patiently.”

“I thank Your Majesty for your grace.” Cui Teng said reluctantly. He was still indignant, but he truly feared the Emperor and didn’t dare argue further.

Liu Jie brought news that the Northern Army’s vanguard had arrived outside the city and was setting up camp and forming ranks, awaiting His Majesty’s inspection.

This was something Han Ruzi had decided long ago. He was very pleased to be able to leave the city and spend time with real soldiers. Jincheng City was like a miniature version of the Capital, making him feel suffocated. If there hadn’t been so many opposing voices, he would have even wanted to move into the military camp permanently.

The Northern Army’s vanguard of three thousand men remained in full armor with horses still saddled, forming ranks to welcome the Emperor. Having just received generous rewards in the Capital and now being summoned to the Emperor’s side, this was an even greater honor, so their shouts of “Long live!” were particularly loud.

The gloom in Han Ruzi’s heart was swept away completely.

Cui Teng’s gloom, however, didn’t diminish in the least. Taking advantage of the Emperor discussing military affairs with the Northern Army generals, he quietly returned to the city.

But he didn’t know who to vent his anger on. Deng Cui and the others were under strict guard, and he couldn’t see them at all. After riding around in circles and seeing common people gathering in the streets to chat, he felt they were all gossiping about the Cui clan.

As darkness fell, Cui Teng returned to the prince’s residence. Unable to find anyone to take his anger out on, he planned to scold his sister: Why didn’t she stay properly in the Capital instead of traveling all this way to Jincheng City? Look at all the rumors and gossip she’d stirred up.

The guards at the entrance had increased in number, but they all recognized Cui Teng and didn’t obstruct him.

The women of the prince’s residence had already left. Marquess Ping’en was keeping watch in the reception hall, and upon seeing Cui Teng, she hurried out to greet him. “Good brother, you’ve finally come. I was just looking for you.”

“Looking for me? What for? Where’s my sister? I need to speak with her.”

Seeing Cui Teng’s unpleasant expression, Marquess Ping’en blocked his path. “Third Sister is sleeping. Do you think she could handle something ? Her soul was scared right out of her. I made her rest early.”

Cui Teng’s sharp edge immediately deflated. He found a chair and sat down. “Someone is targeting the Cui clan. His Majesty doesn’t believe it, but I can feel it. The fact that the Cui clan hasn’t fallen must have disappointed many people.”

“What did His Majesty say?” Marquess Ping’en was most concerned about this matter.

“Nothing much. His Majesty ordered officials from the Ministry of Justice to investigate the case and forbade me from interfering.”

“What about Third Sister? Did His Majesty say anything about her?”

“What could His Majesty say? The two of them have never even met.”

Marquess Ping’en frowned slightly. “I can guess who’s been causing trouble behind the scenes.”

“Who?” Cui Teng stood up, not bothering to ask how she had figured it out.

“The zither master Zhang Zhuhe and his so-called daughter.”

Cui Teng was stunned. “What does this have to do with that father and daughter?”

“Ha, I heard the zither girl is skilled in seductive arts. It seems my good brother has also been moved.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. She’s a zither master personally appointed by His Majesty. Who would dare…”

“Exactly, who would dare? Third Sister merely wanted to request an audience with His Majesty, yet she faced such jealousy and became subject to so many rumors.”

Cui Teng still didn’t believe it. “Zhang Qinyan is mute, and Zhang Zhuhe is an old man who doesn’t like to talk. How could they manipulate such widespread rumors?”

“Perhaps they received help.”

“The Marquis of Luoyang?”

“It’s possible. Everyone understands that whoever can gain His Majesty’s exclusive favor will be able to remain invincible in the future. The Marquis of Luoyang’s presentation of the zither girl must have deep meaning.”

Cui Teng shook his head. “It’s all useless. His Majesty only likes Little Sister Xiaojun.”

“Hehe, my good brother, and here you claim to be an expert in matters of romance. His Majesty likes Little Sister Xiaojun, but can he exclusively favor her alone forever?”

Cui Teng thought for a while, then said through gritted teeth, “The Marquis of Luoyang…” He still didn’t want to direct his anger toward Zhang Qinyan.

Marquess Ping’en didn’t mind. Back when they were still in the Capital, she and Elder Laojun had decided not to tell Cui Teng the truth, but when it was time to use him, they had to use him. “The Cui clan cannot be defeated.”

“Of course not. It cannot be defeated.” Latest content publıshed on N0velFire.ɴet

“You can stay by His Majesty’s side. This is an advantage. You must find ways to prevent the zither girl from meeting alone with His Majesty.”

“That’s not difficult. His Majesty doesn’t even want to…”

“Don’t take things for granted. Emperors also have moments of sudden impulse. Don’t let the zither girl take advantage of any opening. I’ve received word that Liu Jie has been bought by the zither master. You must guard against him causing trouble.”

“The Marquis of Luoyang has such great ambitions? I should tell His Majesty.”

“Don’t. We don’t have evidence yet. Just ensure that His Majesty isn’t bewitched by the zither girl.”

“Fine, I’ll listen to you. We’ll deal with the Marquis of Luoyang later.” Having a clear enemy made Cui Teng feel much better.

“Good brother, you’re Father’s only son now. Make him proud. Treat the zither master and his daughter as enemies.”

“Enemies.” Cui Teng said firmly, but when he thought of Zhang Qinyan’s soul-stirring eyes, he felt less resolute.

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