Chapter 27: 27

Horse Riding (1)

Fang was old and had lived a hard life in the past two years which weakened his health. Even though the Steward of Medicine was called to treat his injuries, it was useless, and he died the next morning.

Chu Ning was informed of his passing. She was both sad and furious—not just for Fang, but also for her family and servants that Xiao Yu assassinated in the past two years.

She really wanted to take out Fang’s letter and question Xiao Yu. She wanted to expose his pretense of the past two years and make him pay for his evil deeds.

However, she knew that now was not the time. Before his gentlemanly act, she had no choice but to force down her anger and hatred. She could only reveal her grief and frailty.

Xiao Yu did not say much to her. He comforted her a little and said, “He’s just a past servant. He’s not worth grieving over.”

Chu Ning disagreed, but she was aware that he was growing impatient. As such, she could only control her emotions and secretly filch two silver sycees to give Fang a proper funeral.

In the evening, Xiao Yu called Xu Rong into his room alone and closed the door to question him about yesterday.

Xu Rong saw that Xiao Yu was in a foul mood. Since he did not intend to hide this matter, he said frankly, “Your Highness, I asked someone to do it.”

As expected, Xiao Yu stood up in fury and said, “How dare you disobey my orders? I clearly told you not to harm him yet!”

Xu Rong remained calm and said, “Your Highness, it is true that you have instructed me as such. However, I had him killed in obedience to your instruction. You instructed me to destroy evidence from the past so that they can’t be used against you. Did you forget that the Chu family incident is the most damning against you? If he was left alive, wouldn't we have to fear him revealing this matter?”

Xiao Yu’s expression darkened further.

Xu Rong paused for a moment before continuing, “Your Highness, it is better to be overcautious than to leave him alive. Think of it this way, what if he let the Crown Princess know about that incident? Are you willing to risk this?”

Xiao Yu pressed his lips tight and remained silent. He suddenly remembered Chu Ning’s sad expression and the tears in her eyes.

He imagined those eyes looking at him gently. Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, her eyes became filled with bitterness and hatred as they stared at him, causing his heart to tighten violently.

He hid the secret within himself for a long time. It was a secret that he was most unwilling to let her know.

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“I saved her,” he said. It was uncertain whether he was consoling or defending himself.

Xu Rong stood up slowly, looked at him, and said, “But you also killed the Chu family.”

……

Xiao Yu closed his eyes in silence.

Xu Rong is right. I can’t allow any risk to myself. It is better to get rid of that Chu family servant.

“I was careless, but you did well.” He sighed and set aside the trace of pity in his heart, “However, you must be more careful next time. Don’t attract attention.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Rong knew that Xiao Yu had accepted the necessity of his action and instantly felt relieved. Before exiting the room, Xu Rong reminded, “Your Highness, although it is undeniable that the Crown Princess is gentle, obedient, and exemplary among all married women, a person’s mind is hard to read, so you must be careful about the Chu family matters.”

What he said hit the most sensitive spot in Xiao Yu’s heart and infuriated him. Xiao Yu nodded impatiently and gestured for Xu Rong to leave.

…

Meanwhile at Amrita Hall, Liu Kang had assigned someone to gather information and was now reporting what he learned to Xiao Kezhi.

“… We still don’t know who lived there, but I heard that the person who lived there died from the beating. Now, Supervisor Zhao of the East Palace is managing his funeral. As to who broke in and beat him up, Xu Shidu seemed to have arranged it.” Liu Kang reported everything he heard but was puzzled by the strangeness of it all.

The person who lived in the residence at Eternal Prosperity Lane was clearly someone related to the East Palace. However, the people who broke in there and beat him up were also related to the East Palace. He couldn’t understand why the East Palace would harm their own people.

Xiao Kezhi also noticed this peculiarity and asked, “I remember that Zhao Yanzhou was related to the Chu family.”

Liu Kang answered immediately, “Yes, Supervisor Zhao of the East Palace is a distant relative of the Crown Princess’ mother. He was quite favored by Chu Qianyu. He was recommended into the East Palace’s administration when Chu Qianyu’s daughter became the Crown Princess.”

Xiao Kezhi nodded and grunted in response. He then entered into deep thoughts.

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