Forty-three
The news that Duke Rongguo, Zhao Yunbi, had been imprisoned in Kaifeng Prefecture was like a bucket of cold water poured into a boiling pot of oil, instantly causing an uproar throughout the court. A member of the imperial family involved in a case—possessing military equipment and official silver, and colluding with the Liao people—any one of these offenses was a serious crime punishable by confiscation of property and extermination of the entire clan. Immediately, memorials impeaching Duke Rongguo flooded Zhao Zhen's desk, many containing vehement demands for severe punishment as a warning to others.
However, the atmosphere in Kaifeng, the epicenter of the storm, was not as excited as outsiders had imagined.
Inside the prison, Zhao Yunbi, though dressed in prison clothes and looking somewhat disheveled, did not show much fear in his expression. Instead, he appeared to harbor a sense of injustice and resentment. When interrogated by Bao Zheng, he insisted that he knew nothing about the secret room in the storeroom.
"Lord Bao! I'm innocent!" Zhao Yunbi's voice was filled with emotion. "Although HSBC is my property, its daily operations are managed by my steward, Zhao Fu. I only enjoy collecting antiques and jade artifacts and don't concern myself with the specific affairs of the pawnshop. As for that secret room, I've never even heard of it! It must be that Zhao Fu who betrayed his master, colluded with outsiders, and used my storeroom to commit this heinous crime!"
Bao Zheng's face was ashen, and he slammed his gavel down: "Zhao Yunbi! The secret room in the storeroom has an ingenious mechanism. How could an outsider have set it up if they were not well-informed? Those crossbows and silver coins are of enormous value. How could a mere steward have obtained and hidden them so easily? Don't try to deny it!"
Zhao Yunbi kowtowed and said, "Lord Bao, you are wise! Even if I have greedy and greedy desires, I would never dare to commit such a heinous act as confiscating property and exterminating a family! I am willing to confront Zhao Fu face to face!"
However, when the Kaifeng Prefecture sent men to the Rongguo Duke's mansion to arrest him, the steward Zhao Fu was found dead at home, having "hanged himself," leaving no one to corroborate his story. The clues seemed to have once again run cold with Zhao Yunbi.
Inside the study, Bao Zheng, Gongsun Ce, Zhan Zhao, and the Eighth Prince, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, gathered together in a solemn atmosphere.
“Zhao Yunbi vehemently denies it, and Zhao Fu has been silenced. The other side acted too quickly.” Gongsun Ce stroked his beard, his brows furrowed.
The Eighth Prince pondered and said, "I know the Duke of Rong fairly well. Although he is somewhat pleasure-seeking and his actions are not exactly upright, I don't think he has the courage and ambition to secretly collude with the Liao Kingdom and hoard weapons with ulterior motives."
Zhan Zhao spoke up, "My lord, Your Highness, I found a suspicious mark on those secret letters." He then described the very faint emblem he had found in the corner of the letter in the secret room of the HSBC that day.
"The royal insignia?" Upon hearing this, the Eighth Prince's expression turned serious. "Do you still remember the specific design?"
With his exceptional memory, Zhan Zhao dipped his finger in tea and roughly drew the pattern on the table—a variant of a flame pattern, with some kind of vine seemingly wrapped around it.
Upon seeing the design, the Eighth Prince's pupils constricted, and he abruptly stood up: "This is... the old emblem of the Prince of An's residence!"
"Prince An?" Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes. Prince An's branch of the family had been stripped of its title and had its property confiscated more than twenty years ago for being involved in a treason case. Its mansion fell into ruin, its descendants scattered, and it had long since faded from the court's view.
"Prince An... could he still have descendants? And have they been operating in secret?" Gongsun Ce asked in surprise and doubt.
The Eighth Prince slowly sat down, his face grave: "Back then, in the case of Prince An's rebellion, the late Emperor was benevolent. Although he stripped Prince An of his title and confiscated his property, he did not exterminate him completely. His youngest son, Zhao Zongji, was only eight years old at the time and was demoted to a commoner and exiled to Lingnan... After that, there was no further news. If it really is him..."
If it is indeed a descendant of Prince An who has returned to power and secretly orchestrated all of this, then their purpose is definitely not simply greed for money or collusion with foreign powers, but rather... revenge! Subversion!
This deduction instantly lowered the atmosphere in the study to freezing point.
“The old emblem of Prince An… Zhang Hong’s handwriting… the treasury of Duke Rong…” Zhan Zhao connected these clues, and a vague outline gradually appeared in his mind. “Could it be that Zhang Hong and Duke Rong were just pawns used by the descendants of Prince An? The real mastermind has been hiding in a deeper place all along?”
“Very likely,” Bao Zheng said in a deep voice. “If the descendants of Prince An want revenge, they will inevitably need to rely on the power of the court and external forces. They will collude with Yelü Zongzhen of the Liao Kingdom, and use Zhang Hong’s authority and the property of the Duke of Rong to implement their plan step by step. The killing of Zhang Hong, the disappearance of Wang Jin, and the silencing of Zhao Fu are all means for them to cut off the clues and protect the real key figures!”
"What a clever move to escape unscathed and save the king by sacrificing the pawn!" The Eighth Prince sneered. "It seems that Yelü Zongzhen was not entirely passive. He may have known all along that the one cooperating with him was not the Duke of Rong or Zhang Hong, but someone else. He was happy to see us fight amongst ourselves so that he could reap the benefits."
The case suddenly escalated, shifting from official corruption and dereliction of duty to collusion with foreign powers, and turning into a shocking conspiracy involving remnants of the previous dynasty who intended to overthrow the country!
"We must inform the Emperor immediately!" Bao Zheng decided without hesitation.
Inside the imperial study, Zhao Zhen listened to the reports from Bao Zheng and the Eighth Prince, then stared at the flaming vine emblem drawn by Zhan Zhao, remaining silent for a long time. The candlelight illuminated his young yet composed face, revealing neither joy nor anger.
“Prince An… Zhao Zongji…” Zhao Zhen murmured the name, his fingertips tapping on the dragon desk. “I remember him. A very quiet child.” His tone was calm, yet carried a hint of coldness. “I never thought that more than twenty years later, I would hear his name again in this way.”
He raised his eyes and swept his gaze across the crowd: "Your analysis makes a lot of sense. If Zhao Zongji really is making a comeback, then his goal is not just to disrupt the court. The urgent military situation on the border and the Liao army's deployment of 100,000 troops are probably also related to him. He wants to use the Liao people to destabilize our Great Song Dynasty."
“Your Majesty is wise,” Bao Zheng said. “The most urgent task is to find out the whereabouts of Zhao Zongji and his cronies as soon as possible and thwart their conspiracy. Otherwise, the consequences of their collusion with outsiders will be unimaginable.”
Zhao Zhen nodded, his gaze falling on Zhan Zhao: "Zhan Zhao, you are meticulous and highly skilled in martial arts, and you have made great contributions this time. I will entrust you with full authority to investigate Zhao Zongji and his cronies. The Kaifeng Prefecture and the Imperial City Guard will cooperate fully. If necessary, the secret guards can be mobilized."
"Your subject obeys the decree!" Zhan Zhao knelt on one knee, his voice resounding. He felt the heavy responsibility on his shoulders, and at the same time, a surge of passion welled up in his chest. Protecting Bianjing, protecting the Song Dynasty—this was his duty as the Imperial Guard.
"Eighth Imperial Uncle," Zhao Zhen said, then looked at the Eighth Prince, "You still need to put in more effort to investigate the imperial clan and find out who else is still connected with the old members of the Prince of An's mansion."
"Your old minister obeys the decree," the Eighth Prince bowed and replied.
It was late at night when Zhan Zhao left the Imperial Study. After parting ways with Bao Zheng and the Eighth Prince, he did not return directly to Xiaoyou Villa, but instead strolled along the quiet palace path. The cool night breeze caressed his face, clearing his mind somewhat from the series of shocks he had just experienced.
Anjunwang's descendant... Zhao Zongji... revenge... subversion...
These words swirled in his mind. He recalled his childhood in Jiangnan, where his mother, though frail and sickly, always gently taught him to be upright and chivalrous. He never imagined that one day he would be drawn into such a treacherous and enormous conspiracy concerning the fate of the nation.
He subconsciously touched the jade pendant on his chest; the cool touch calmed him slightly. No matter what lay ahead, he would remain true to himself and fulfill his duties.
When she returned to Xiaoyou Villa, Xuanyuan Tianyi was still awake, reading a yellowed ancient book under the lamp. Seeing him return, she put down the book and looked up at him: "Have you received news from the palace?"
Zhan Zhao nodded and told her about the resolutions in the Imperial Study and the matter of the descendants of Prince An.
Xuanyuan Tianyi listened quietly, her face showing little surprise, as if she had expected it. "Prince An, Zhao Zongji... I do have some impression of him." She spoke slowly, her tone carrying a hint of reminiscence, "When Prince An's rebellion was exposed, I was still young. I accompanied my father to the palace and saw that child once. He was very quiet, but his eyes were like those of a little wolf, filled with resentment and stubbornness."
She looked at Zhan Zhao: "If it really is him, his more than twenty years of forbearance have probably honed him into an extremely dangerous opponent. You must be careful."
“I understand.” Zhan Zhao sat down beside her and took her hand. “It’s just that there are too few clues. Zhao Zongji is hiding in the shadows. It will probably not be easy to find him.”
Xuanyuan Tianyi smiled slightly and took out a small bamboo tube from his sleeve: "An Yu just sent this. It might be useful to you."
Zhan Zhao took the bamboo tube and poured out the note inside. It contained only a few short sentences: "Investigation: Recently, unfamiliar faces have been seen entering and leaving the Kucaotang in the south of the city, behaving suspiciously. They are suspected of having contact with Mr. Wu, the owner of Moxianzhai."
Kucaotang! It's a well-known pharmacy in Bianjing City, and its owner is said to be quite mysterious.
“A pharmacy…” Zhan Zhao’s eyes flashed with a sharp light. “If the descendants of Prince An want to operate in secret, they will definitely need a base. Pharmacies are bustling with people and have excellent information networks, making them a good place to hide their identities! Moreover, if they want to plan something big, medicine for wounds, poisons, and even sleeping potions are all necessities!”
He suddenly stood up: "I'm going to Kucaotang right now!"
"Wait," Xuan Yuan Tianyi called out to him. "It's already late at night, and the Kucao Hall must be closed. Going there rashly will only alert them. Now that we have a clue, we should plan carefully and make a decision tomorrow." She paused, then added, "I'll go with you."
Looking into her calm gaze, Zhan Zhao's restless heart gradually calmed down. "Okay, I'll listen to you."
The next morning, Zhan Zhao and Xuan Yuan Tianyi arrived at the south of the city. They did not go directly to the Kucao Hall, but instead asked for a private room at a teahouse across the street to observe secretly.
The Kucaotang pharmacy had a fairly large storefront and simple, antique decor. People came and went in a constant stream to get medicine and see a doctor, making it seem no different from an ordinary pharmacy. However, Zhan Zhao keenly noticed that occasionally, some seemingly ordinary people would quickly enter and exit through the back door of the pharmacy, but their steps were steady and their eyes were wary.
“There is indeed a problem,” Zhan Zhao said in a low voice.
Xuanyuan Tian nodded: "The back door leads to a secluded alley, which is easy to hide in. It seems that even if this is not Zhao Zongji's stronghold, it must be an important contact point."
The two spent the entire morning observing the teahouse, silently noting the patterns of people coming and going at the Kucaotang pharmacy and the shift changes. After noon, as the number of customers at the pharmacy gradually decreased, Zhan Zhao and Xuan Yuantian exchanged a glance and decided to take advantage of this opportunity to sneak in and investigate.
The two avoided the main gate and went around to the back alley. Zhan Zhao observed the height of the wall and the gaps in the guards' positions, then nodded to Xuan Yuan Tian. The two of them, as nimble as cats, silently scaled the high wall and landed in the backyard.
The backyard was much quieter than the front hall, filled with the rich scent of herbs. The doors and windows of the several side rooms were tightly shut. Zhan Zhao and Xuan Yuantian held their breath, examining each room one by one.
Outside a corner room, they heard hushed conversations coming from inside.
"...The master ordered that the batch of 'medicinal herbs' must be sent out of the city as soon as possible. Kaifeng Prefecture is cracking down hard, and the original route is no longer feasible," a slightly hoarse voice said.
"Don't worry, a new route has been arranged, by water. The canal gang's boats will come to pick us up in three days," another voice replied.
"The Grand Canal Gang? Are they reliable?"
"The deputy leader of the Canal Gang is one of our men. There's no chance of anything going wrong."
"Medicinal herbs?" Zhan Zhao and Xuan Yuan Tian exchanged a glance, knowing that this was definitely not ordinary.
Just then, footsteps approached from afar! Someone was coming this way!
Zhan Zhao reacted extremely quickly, pulling Xuan Yuan Tianyi and swiftly hiding behind a pile of drying medicinal herbs, concealing their presence.
A man who looked like a manager led a man in blue robes wearing a straw hat whose face was obscured, and they went straight into the side room.
"Sir, your 'Withering and Flourishing Grass' has arrived." The steward's voice was respectful.
"Hmm." The man in blue responded, his voice low and hoarse, as if he had deliberately altered his tone. "Have you inspected the goods?"
"It has been tested, and its quality is excellent. However... this herb is highly poisonous. What use does the sir have for it?" the steward asked cautiously.
The man in blue snorted coldly: "Don't ask what you shouldn't ask."
"Yes, yes, yes..." the steward quickly fell silent.
"Withered Glory Grass!" Zhan Zhao's heart skipped a beat. This was an extremely rare poisonous herb, said to cause gradual organ failure leading to death, with symptoms remarkably similar to tuberculosis, making it difficult to detect. What did they want this poisonous herb for?
The conversation inside the room continued, but the volume was lower and less clear. Zhan Zhao listened intently, only managing to catch a few fragmented words: "...in the palace...slowly...it starts..."
In the palace! Slow onset!
A terrifying thought instantly flooded Zhan Zhao's mind! They wanted to use this withered and flourishing herb to poison someone in the palace! And it had to be a slow-acting poison that was difficult to detect!
Who are they? Who is their target? The Emperor? The Empress? Or...?
Zhan Zhao felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. The descendants of Prince An are indeed ruthless!
They must be stopped!
He looked at Xuan Yuan Tianyi, conveying a message with his eyes. Xuan Yuan Tianyi nodded, indicating that he should remain calm.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the man in blue left, accompanied by the steward. Zhan Zhao and Xuan Yuan Tianyi did not appear immediately, but waited until the steward had also left before quietly sneaking into the room.
The room was simply furnished, with only a table and a few medicine cabinets. Zhan Zhao quickly rummaged through the table and found a small invoice in the tucked pages of an account book. It read, "Withered and flourishing grass, two taels, to be delivered to Shuiyun Temple in the west of the city, to Qingfeng Jushi."
Shuiyun Temple! Qingfeng Jushi!
"It seems that Shuiyun Temple is also one of their strongholds. This 'Qingfeng Jushi' is probably the man in blue from earlier." Zhan Zhao put away the invoice and said in a deep voice.
"The poison of the withered and flourishing grass is no small matter." Xuan Yuantianyi said solemnly, "We must find out their target as soon as possible and obtain the antidote. Otherwise, the consequences will be unimaginable."
"Let's go back first and report this to Lord Bao and the Emperor," Zhan Zhao decided immediately.
Without further delay, the two quickly left the withered grass hall.
Upon returning to Kaifeng Prefecture, Zhan Zhao immediately reported to Bao Zheng what he had seen and heard at the Dry Grass Hall, especially the withered grass and the possible conspiracy to poison the palace.
Upon hearing this, Bao Zheng's expression changed drastically. He immediately ordered the Imperial City Guard to closely monitor Shuiyun Temple and the "Qingfeng Hermit," and to strengthen the palace's security, especially regarding the inspection of food and medicine.
"They actually dared to infiltrate the palace!" Bao Zheng exclaimed in shock and fury. "Their intentions are despicable! Guard Zhan, this matter is of utmost importance. You must find out the target and method of the poisoning as soon as possible, and find the antidote!"
"Understood, Your Excellency!" Zhan Zhao felt unprecedented pressure. This was not just a case, but a life-or-death race against time. He had to stop it all before their wicked scheme succeeded!
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