Chapter 38 Old Stories of the Duke's Mansion

Qi Rong took another sip of tea to moisten his throat before speaking again: "Almost everyone in the capital knows about this; it's not a secret."

"A few years before I was born, my grandfather and eldest uncle died in battle on the frontier, leaving their titles undetermined. My mother and eldest uncle were childhood sweethearts. After my uncle's death, my mother married my father."

My biological mother is the younger sister of the current Princess Consort of Chu. After my grandfather and uncle were buried, the late emperor appointed my father as the Duke of Qi, and I, who was born shortly after, was made the heir apparent at the age of four.

My parents had a strained relationship when I was young, and when I first started to resemble my grandfather and eldest uncle, rumors began to circulate in the capital that my mother and uncle were having an affair, and that the title had only fallen to my father because of my birth, in order to pass it on to me.

My father suspected my mother of betrayal and wanted to kill me. To protect her innocence, my mother entrusted me to my grandmother and committed suicide by running into a pillar in front of the palace. Before her death, she demanded a thorough investigation into the source of the rumors to prove her innocence.

The late emperor was furious. After thoroughly investigating the rumors, he declared that my mother had upheld traditional virtues and had not overstepped her bounds. Although a grand funeral quelled the rumors, my father remained resentful. He was punished by the late emperor with a year's salary reduction and confinement before marrying the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Nanyang as his second wife. After my grandmother's death, I was frequently beaten and scolded. Later, my aunt discovered that I was being mistreated in the household and, together with the Prince of Chu, obtained an imperial decree to take me to her fiefdom for upbringing.

When I grew older, I was assigned to the army to receive military training left by my grandfather and uncle. My stepmother gave birth to three sons after I left, who were not very capable but were loved by my father. After I turned thirteen, I was frequently targeted for assassination, presumably because they did not want the title to fall into my hands.

Lin Changning wasn't really good at comforting people. After listening to the commander, he did sympathize with him, but he just didn't know how to advise him to think more positively.

"So, Commander, are you feeling quite upset about being treated so poorly by your father?"

Qi Rong shook his head, looking at the sunlight shining through the doorway: "Younger children might be able to, but after so many years, it's nothing. They've almost forgotten what their fathers looked like. The few times they've met, it hasn't been harmonious. They're either arguing or about to use family discipline. It's not that it's painful, but I really don't know how to face it."

Lin Changning grinned: "Commander, you haven't retaliated much either?"

Qi Rong looked up: "Fight back?"

Lin Changning understood immediately and looked at Qi Rong with a smile: "Commander, you must be quite annoyed by the constant assassins spying on you. I have an idea, would you like to hear it?"

Qi Rong looked at Lin Changning as if he were a big bad wolf with a dark tail swishing behind him: "Tell me about it."

Lin Changning nodded, a malicious glint in his eyes: "Then I'll speak frankly, Commander, please don't take offense. Ultimately, the reason the assassins keep trying to kill you is..."

This is likely because the Qi family knew about the matter but faced no consequences. The Qi family held their titles but didn't have any military power, so His Majesty probably turned a blind eye to many things. Although the Princess Consort of Chu loved you, it was difficult for anyone in court to criticize your father.

In this way, if the assassination attempt on you succeeds, they will not lose anything; if it fails, even with evidence, it will be difficult for a son to sue his father. Therefore, they do not need to pay any price to assassinate you, which is why there have been so many assassins over the years.

In my humble opinion, you should be taught a few harsh lessons, preferably by taking control of your younger brothers. Strike at their vital points; if your parents love their sons and are trying to seize your title, then don't attack the father, but target the sons – that would be the most effective way! May I ask, how many assassination attempts have you survived over the years?

Qi Rong frowned, seemingly pondering the possibilities: "A dozen or so times, about twice a year, I can't remember exactly. The children are innocent, if..."

Lin Changning snorted: "You were just a child back then, and besides, it's just a lesson, not a real death sentence. Moreover, those who benefit from the command are not innocent."

Qi Rong looked at Lin Changning's face, which was slightly flushed from his standing up for her, and curled the corners of his lips: "I understand. Has Changping taken a courtesy name?"

Lin Changning chuckled: "I'm not sixteen yet, I don't have a given name, and my family usually calls me Sixth Brother."

Qi Rong laughed heartily: "Sixth Brother is quite to my liking. I am four years older than you, so you can call me Second Brother in private from now on."

Lin Changning was somewhat flattered: "This, command, in principle..."

Qi Rong interrupted, "It's alright, I like Liu Lang's personality, he'll just call me Second Brother in private!"

Lin Changning, who felt he had found a powerful patron and was eager to climb the ladder, immediately changed his address with a cheerful smile: "Second Brother!"

Qi Rong nodded, his expression inexplicably showing concern: "Sixth Brother, in your opinion, how should these lessons be taught?"

Lin Changning raised an eyebrow, a wicked thought forming in his mind: "Don't leave any evidence, but make sure they know it was Second Brother who did it. I've observed that Second Brother's personal guards are all quite capable."

Find the easiest person to identify and bring them back to Beijing. Don't you have three younger brothers? Throw them in the pond, knock them unconscious, break their legs. As for your stepmother, I don't believe she doesn't know about these things. Just burn down her yard at night as a warning.

The purpose is to tell your father that if he wants to turn against you, killing a few people is as easy as turning his hand. If he wants to live peacefully, he'd better behave himself. Otherwise, trouble will come knocking on his sons' doors!

Qi Rong took a sip of Junshan Silver Needle tea and joked, "Sixth Brother is truly wasting his talents by joining the army. In my opinion, Sixth Brother should not have joined the army. He should have continued to take the imperial examinations and become an official. He is shameless and ruthless. He is a good candidate for a civil official. Hahaha."

Lin Changning grinned: "Being a civil official is not Sixth Brother's ambition, but being Second Brother's strategist is more suitable."

Qi Rong blinked and chuckled, "You! Someone, the strategist has something to say!"

After the two had discussed how to retaliate, four or five guards left the garrison that same day and headed to the capital.

Lin Changning and Qi Rong exchanged a glance, both seeing eagerness in each other's eyes. After smiling at each other, one started drawing blueprints and the other approved official documents.

Both sides felt they had made a profit; one felt they had climbed onto a powerful figure and their career prospects were bright, while the other felt they had struck gold by acquiring a talented individual. Both were extremely satisfied.

After the others left, the guards on the top of the tent also left the garrison.

That night

The lights in the study of the Chu King's mansion were still on.

Lin Changping's life story and place of origin are already laid out on the table.

A middle-aged man in a brocade robe with dragon motifs was reviewing official documents when suddenly a figure descended from the table. The man closed the document, his eyes narrowed slightly, seemingly lost in thought or pondering something. His gaze was as cold as the moon. After a long while, he waved his hand and said, "Do as A-Rong says. Just know how to retaliate. Have you thoroughly investigated the person who advised him to retaliate? Is their background clean? Can they be used by A-Rong?"

The kneeling man cupped his hands and said, "It has been verified that he has a clean background and comes from a farming family. He was forced to join the army due to the machinations of his clansmen. He is quite capable and possesses great strength in building fortifications. He is usable. The information has been placed on Your Highness's desk."

The man nodded, his eyes almost overflowing with coldness: "That Qi fellow has gone too far. I've tolerated him for years. Ah Rong is my son-in-law. After Ah Rong's guards leave, you all clean up the mess. Not only those brats, but also deal with that Qi fellow. Leave some leverage for him. It's time to use those advisors you've arranged. Let him go to court and complain. Let's also test my good nephew!"

"Yes, Your Highness."