Chapter 58: CH 49

Zhong Wan read the letter again. He sighed.

Xuan Jing, Xuan Qiong, Yu She… And now, it was very likely Xuan Rui was added into the mix. 

Right now, the most important thing they had to do was send people to find out what’s happening at Xuan Rui’s side.

Zhong Wan grasped the letter. Recalled every detail that had occurred ever since he had entered the capital…

Since when had Tang Ming first started interfering?

He knew that he loved Yu She. Knew that when Prince Qian An’s estate was stable, he would leave Prince Qian An’s estate to help Yu She. Tang Ming also knew that after he had entered the capital, he really wanted to send Prince Ning’s children back to Qian An safely. 

The death of Third Prince, Xuan Jin, had been a variable. As such, he sent away Xuan Rui first. However, in Tang Ming’s eyes, this variable didn’t matter. What he wanted was for Zhong Wan to separate from Xuan Rui.

Tang Ming and Lin Si had just gotten acquainted, and had only seen one another twice. Yet Zhong Wan and Lin Si had nearly fallen out. How would Tang Ming drive a wedge between Zhong Wan and Xuan Rui?

Xuan Rui was timid. How would Tang Ming arouse the intention in him to fight for the throne?

Zhong Wan felt secretly scared. If it was truly a coincidence, then fine. But if Tang Ming had started scheming the moment Zhong Wan had entered the capital, then he controlled everything in the palm of his hands. And such a person would be extremely difficult to deal with.

It wasn’t just that. They would also be ambitious to the extreme. Xuan Rui was Emperor Chongan’s nephew. If Tang Ming wanted him to ascend the throne, they would have to at least kill Xuan Jing and Xuang Qiong. Where did he get this confidence from?

For such a complicated matter, if something were to happen in between, Xuan Rui would lose his life…

Zhong Wan burned the letter. Rose to his feet to summon a family soldier. He gave him some orders, then told him he must go to Qian An today.

Zhong Wan acted out this play well. The next day, he took the initiative to visit Tang Ming. When Tang Ming asked him why he didn’t send Lin Si here anymore, Zhong Wan’s expression froze. Then he said it was safer if he came here himself. 

If Lin Si and himself truly quarreled, then this reaction would be perfect.

However, once Tang Ming had heard his response, his expression remained the same. It naturally caused Zhong Wan to wonder whether he himself had been overthinking.

No matter what, if Tang Ming wanted to incite disharmony, he should feel certain that he had already succeeded.

This time, Zhong Wan had not come in vain. 

After an entire day of running about, Zhong Wan returned to the estate sore all over. He took a sip of tea. Closed his eyes and carefully recalled every detail of his meeting with Tang Ming today.

Tang Ming was very intelligent. His speech and way of doing things were practically watertight. However, Zhong Wan was already certain that his suspicion of Tang Ming had not been unwarranted. This shixiong of his was helping Xuan Rui in the shadows.

But there was something Zhong Wan could not understand: how was he going to persuade Xuan Rui?!

Wasn’t this forcing a rabbit to eat people? 

As Zhong Wan wracked his brains, someone pushed the door open.

It was Xuan Congxin.

“You’ve returned?” Xuan Congxin was already used to Zhong Wan always running about outside. She guessed that he went to see his sweetheart, and was too embarrassed to ask for more detail, pretending she didn’t know. “After you left the estate so early this morning, someone came to look for you. Xuan Yu received them for you and sent them off. He feared hindering you, so asked that person to leave his name.”

A smile graced his lips. “Did Fourth Prince come again?” 

“No,” said Xuan Congxin. “He said he was an old friend of yours. Called… Oh, Shi Hong.”

Shi Hong, Imperial Preceptor Shi’s son.

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Xuan Congxin said, “Xuan Yu was so dim-witted. That person said he was leaving and Xuan Yu just let them leave. He did not even ask if they wanted to stay for dinner. Was he one of your old friends? We neglected him…”

“He’s the son of my teacher. Two years ago, he became an imperial censor. It truly suits him… Indeed he is an old acquaintance. However, we’re not close.” Zhong Wan laughed in spite of himself. “I’ve been back for so long and I fear he’d kick me out. I don’t even dare to visit him. How strange… He hates me so much, so why did he come to our estate?”

Xuang Congxin shook her head. “I don’t know. But don’t worry. We didn’t actually neglect him. After Steward Yan left, all the lower-ranked stewards treat anyone with the uniform of an official like they’re the prime minister. Xuan Yu also rushed out to speak with him. It’s just that once he had heard you weren’t here, he left… Will you visit him tomorrow?”

Zhong Wan didn’t have the mood to see that bookworm. “Enough. I don’t have much to say to him. Just send him some gifts and that should be enough. Don’t go too crazy. It’s the thought that counts. I don’t have a good reputation. Don’t make it so that others would gossip about the household of my teacher.” 

Displeased, Xuan Congxin asked, “How is your reputation not good?”

“I…” Zhong Wan smiled. “Nothing. Did anything else happen yesterday?”

“No. I will arrange for people to send gifts to the Shi estate.”

After Xuan Congxin had left Zhong Wan’s courtyard, she had people prepare a gift to send to the Shi estate. She thought that since Zhong Wan wanted to stay in the capital,  the more friends the better. As she was preparing the gift list, she purposely did not put the gifts under Xuan Yu’s name. Rather, she only wrote down Zhong Wan’s, wanting the recipient to know his goodwill. If something happened in the future, they would help him out more. 

The road to hell was paved with good intentions.

The next day.

Xuan Qiong shook his head as he burst into laughter. “Zhong Wan truly doesn’t fear death. Just as Shi Hong received a complaint that the officials working in Qian An were bribing Prince Qian An, that Prince Qian An and those officials frequently met, Prince Qian An’s estate then sent a gift to Shi Hong. Hahaha… Hasn’t he gone mad?”

Imperial Consort Yu smiled. Lowered her head to sip some tea. 

Ever since Xuan Qiong had offended Yu She because of the matter with Zhong Wan, ever since Yu She had shoved him into the water, he experienced bad luck. Day after day, he either got schemed against or rebuked, angering him to the point of almost falling ill. After so many days, he finally had a breath of relief. Once he had gotten the news, he entered the imperial palace full of joy and expectations to inform Imperial Consort Yu.

“I’ve told you a while ago not to be rash. Your mother would arrange everything for you.” Imperial Consort Yu set down the teacup. A cold light flashed in her eyes. “That Zhong Wan… I heard that he and Yu She fool around with each other ambiguously. Oh, last time when Yu She shoved you into the pond, it must have been mostly Zhong Wan’s idea. I’ve long since wanted to deal with him, but your uncle just kept blocking me.”

Xuan Qiong both respected and feared Yu Mucheng. As soon as he had heard those words, he hesitated for a moment before saying in a low voice, “Uncle doesn’t allow us to compete with Yu She. Once he finds out, would he, would he…”

“He wouldn’t find out,” said Imperial Consort Yu consolingly. “The person who has many dealings with the officials of Qian An is Prince Qian An, that unfortunate fellow. Zhong Wan was the one who received the bribes of the officials holding office in Qian An. And the person who spread this news was Shi Hong. Then from start to finish, what does this have to do with us?” 

Xuan Qiong thought for a moment. Smile. “Yes, yes, yes. Hey… Could it be that Mother is still investigating this matter and already has proof?”

Imperial Consort Yu smiled yet did not answer that question. But she was no match for Xuan Qiong’s persistent questioning. She could only say softly, “Actually it’s all because of your Uncle’s help.”

Xuan Qiong didn’t understand. “Didn’t Mother just say Uncle doesn’t know about this?”

“He doesn’t know.” Imperial Consort Yu snorted. “At present, although he doesn’t know, I have already bought his subordinates.” 

She relayed the matters regarding Tang Qin to Xuan Qiong. Near whisper, she said, “That old eunuch knows a lot and is very timid. I just threatened him a little, and now he does whatever I say. After I said I wanted Zhong Wan’s life… he told me this: to borrow your uncle’s subordinates to find human testimonies and material evidence. As a matter of fact, after two days, we already reported this to the Imperial Censorate.”

Pleased, Imperial Consort Yu leaned against the soft cushion on her seat. She sneered. “Your uncle is truly impressive. At the start, I thought Princess Royal Anguo had turned your uncle into a pushover. Never had I imagined that he was raising this many people in the shadows. And they’re all very useful… What a pity that no matter how impressive he is, he can’t keep an eye on his people at all times. Especially the people in the imperial palace.”

Overjoyed, Xuan Qiong quickly urged Imperial Consort Yu to let him meet Tang Qin. Imperial Consort Yu wasn’t a smart person, but she still knew her own weak points. Knew that Xuan Qiong was even less able to remain calm than herself. She feared that if he learned too much of the previous era’s dirty secrets, he would step off the path to victory. Frowning, she said, “If you meet him and inadvertently alert your uncle, causing your uncle to find out what happened, what’s to be done? At that time, if he’s bent on taking that old eunuch’s life, we’ll lose our source of information, stumbling blindly in the dark.”

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Helpless, Xuan Qiong could only listen. 

“I’ll help you blow off some steam.” She smiled at her son. “Let’s not talk about anything else. Just this matter of receiving bribes from local officials will cause Zhong Wan harm.”

Xuan Qiong also smiled. “Then what about Prince Qian An?”

Not caring, Imperial Consort Yu said, “Who knows how he’d be punished, this insignificant person.”

As soon as Xuan Qiong thought of this, a smile spread across his lips once more. “This time, Zhong Wan will be thrown in prison. How could I not go visit him?” 

“Rein in your bad habit.” Imperial Consort Yu frowned. “Why do you have to see him?! I’ve also heard the rumor. His reputation is terrible. You have yet to marry a principal consort, so don’t have any contact with such a person. Truly infuriating… Once he is thrown in prison, just tell the prison staff  to torture him.”

She fixed her sitting position, sitting upright. Furrowing her brows, she warned, “But only give that order after his first interrogation! Don’t beat him up ruthlessly to the point where even the blind can tell.”

“Obviously.” Xuan Qiong laughed. “As long as it’s after the first interrogation, we can put the blame of any additional injuries on the prison staff.”

“I never thought that he would go as far as to send Shi Hong a gift.” Imperial Consort Yu couldn’t help but laugh. “Even an immortal can’t save him now. Tomorrow, the morning court will be interesting.” 

Carefree, Xuan Qiong slapped the table. “Tomorrow at this time, I’ll have people hang him and beat him up!”

The next day.

Zhong Wan sneezed all morning. Xuan Congxin forced him to drink a bowl of ginger soup.

“I really didn’t catch a cold. There’s an eighty percent chance someone’s talking behind my back…” said Zhong Wan bitterly. “Who made this ginger soup? There’s not even a bit of sugar.” 

“I made it,” said Xuan Congxin, drawing her brows together. “You’ve obviously caught a cold again. You’re not allowed to leave the estate today! Drink a whole pot of ginger soup and cover yourself in blankets in bed all day. Then you’ll get better.”

Truly unable to drink any more, Zhong Wan said, “If I actually caught a cold, then what are you doing here? What if you catch it? Go, go…”

“I haven’t gotten sick in many years. So why would I be afraid?” she said. The way she was, Zhong Wan would not be able to win against her. Then she said, “Drink! You’re not honest even though you’re sick.”

As the two contended with one another, a racket broke out outside. Zhong Wan’s courtyard was the one closest to the front doors. He rose to his feet. “Return to the inner courtyard. I’ll take a look.” 

Xuan Congxin was unwilling to leave, but she could not show her face in public. As such, she could only hide in her courtyard.

Outside, a servant staggered along to rush into Zhong Wan’s courtyard. After tumbling to the ground, he crawled back to a stand. “B-b-b-big—”

Zhong Wan approached him. “Big what?”

“Big trouble. Officials are outside… They said they’re here to seize Young Master.” The family servant was so scared he kept stuttering. “They said… Young Master committed a crime!” 

Zhong Wan furrowed his brows a hint. “What crime did I commit?”

Fearful, the servant said, “For inciting His Highness to form personal relationships with the feudal officials with an ambiguous intention, for accepting bribes, and… and…”

Zhong Wan paled. He couldn’t understand what this servant was saying.

At that moment, he finally solved the riddle he had been pondering for many days running, a white light flashing in his mind. The lingering mess of a dense fog cleared in an instant. 

Why Tang Ming had such confidence in himself. Why Tang Ming seemed certain that he’d persuade Xuan Rui since long ago…

It was because of having “personal relationships with the feudal officials.”

Just this crime was enough to make  Emperor Chongan punish Xuan Rui.

This matter could be either large or small. Emperor Chongan wouldn’t want Xuan Rui’s life because of this, but he would discipline him. 

The heavy punishment would be stripping him of his noble rank. The light punishment would be a rebuke.

Zhong Wan had neither an official position nor noble rank. If he took the blame for Xuan Rui, the best case scenario would be serving time in prison. At that time, if Xuan Rui could not find him, and was suspected by Emperor Chongan, then Xuan Rui would definitely be lost.

With this personality of Xuan Rui, if Tang Ming offered assistance when he did not know what to do, then he would definitely listen to everything Tang Ming said. Would definitely believe everything Tang Ming said.

Tang Ming only needed to accompany Xuan Rui through this crisis, and he would obtain Xuan Rui’s trust and reliance. When the time comes, Tang Ming merely needed to use a bit of tricks, and he’d convince Xuan Rui that Emperor Chongan would kill him sooner or later. Afterward, he’d have no choice but to rebel… 

Tang Ming knew inside and out everything regarding Zhong Wan. Knew that back then in Qian An, he could not even have a full meal. So it wouldn’t be a surprise if Zhong Wan accepted bribes from those local officials. Tang Ming had once mentioned he had people in the imperial palace. To spread this news to people who disliked Zhong Wan was but a simple matter.

He wanted to create a big reaction. He would absolutely place this information, which could be used against Zhong Wan, into the hands of those who hated him the most…

It was highly likely it would be Xuan Qiong.

In the blink of an eye, Zhong Wan had figured everything out. But it was useless. 

It was already too late.

Tang Ming was careful to the point of arranging Shi Hong, who would not make any allowances for even his own relatives, to arrive at the estate after Zhong Wan had left the city.

Because of Old Imperial Preceptor Shi, he and Shi Hong had had a brief encounter, and it was very likely that he would pay a return visit. If not, then he would send a gift over. In this way, his guilty conscience would be confirmed. Once other people heard this news, they would think Zhong Wan truly went to bribe Shi Hong as a plea for leniency.

There was no way he could absolve himself. 

“Young Master Zhong? Young Master?” The servant saw him in a daze and asked, flustered, “What should we do? What should we do?”

Zhong Wan closed his eyes. He grabbed the servant’s hand. Calmed himself. “Don’t panic. Tell Young Miss and Young Master to claim ignorance no matter what. They must not ask for leniency from anyone. Lin Si… I don’t know where he is. Once he returns, inform him of what happened. Tell him to protect himself first. Don’t let emotions affect his decisions. Take care of the two young masters in my stead. If there’s a chance, kill Tang Ming for me.”

These words were very hard to listen to. The servant was so rushed that he started crying. “Then what should we do? Young Master, you…”

“I’ll grab a thick set of clothes… They will interrogate me for a long time. I won’t let myself die from the cold first.” Zhong Wan was very clear on the fact that once he died, those people would interrogate Xuan Rui. “Make them wait for a bit…” 

Sobbing, the servant nodded. “Young Master, hurry. The officials of Dali Temple are rushing us!”

Zhong Wan stopped in his tracks. All of a sudden, he looked back. “Who?”

The servant wiped his tears. “The officials of Dail Temple! They did not shout or urge us to hurry, but so many arrived. It really scares people…”

Zhong Wan muttered, “It should be the Ministry of Justice that deals with catching and punishing people involved in bribes…” 

Scared witless, the servant said, “Young Master, what does your honored self mean?! It truly is the people from Dali Temple! But so what?”

Zhong Wan’s heart that had been full of fear calmed in a flash.

Some people were accustomed to being idle and ignoring their proper duties, so much so that everyone forgot who was in charge of this section. The present head of Dali Temple was surnamed Yu with a given name She.

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