sixteen
Three days after the investiture ceremony, in the imperial study, Zhao Zhen's face was gloomy. Bao Zheng and the Eighth Prince exchanged a glance, and finally asked, "Your Majesty, shall we interrogate Li Jie?"
Zhao Zhen shook his head. "Let's lock him up in the Kaifeng Prefecture jail for now." After a long while, he spoke again, "This case will be handed over to the Kaifeng Prefecture."
Bao Zheng understood Zhao Zhen's meaning, but the case was far too thorny. First, an imperial censor was killed, then the Dali princess was kidnapped, and even the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard was a traitor. The real criminals were those who could not be convicted. This was even more difficult than dealing with crimes committed by imperial relatives. Bao Zheng had solved countless cases, but he had never been so troubled. However, Bao Zheng knew that this case concerned the fate of the nation. Even if Zhao Zhen wanted to suppress the case, Bao Zheng would argue his case based on reason. But in doing so, everyone in Kaifeng Prefecture would face the danger of being punished at any time. Although Bao Zheng was fearless, he felt powerless when he thought of the people who had followed him for many years. Helpless, he could only bow and accept the decree: "Your subject obeys the decree."
Understanding Bao Zheng's concerns, Zhao Zhen said, "Bao Zheng, you don't need to hear this case. All I need is evidence." Yes, only evidence, because there was no need to hear such a case anymore. All he needed was a reason, a reason to determine the winner.
"Your subject understands," Bao Zheng nodded and replied in a deep voice.
After the Eighth Prince and Bao Zheng left, Zhao Zhen's somewhat indulgent voice rang out in the empty imperial study: "Come out."
As soon as the voice fell, a figure walked out from the side hall: "Uncle Zhen." He called out as he moved closer to Zhao Zhen.
Zhao Zhen's voice carried a slight hint of reproach: "You came through the secret passage again."
"The ancestral precepts forbid the empress from interfering in politics, and besides, I am not of the same surname. This imperial study is not a place I can enter and leave at will." Xuan Yuan Wuji's cold voice was quite incongruous with her age.
Zhao Zhen patted Xuan Yuan Wuji's head and sighed with some affection: "Tianyi has taught you very well, but you lack some of the spirit of a young man."
“My uncle Zhen was already ruling from behind the throne when I was my age, and my aunt had already taken over the Xuanyuan family when I was my age. Besides, the imperial family needs no youthful spirit. Others envy me for having the blood of the two most noble families in the world flowing in my veins, but they don’t know that while I enjoy honor, I also have to bear the responsibilities that come with it.” Xuanyuan Wuji’s voice was tinged with weariness.
“Wuji…” Zhao Zhen looked at the ten-year-old girl in front of him, a trace of heartache flashing in his eyes, and hugged Xuan Yuan Wuji tightly in his arms.
"Uncle Zhen, have you ever regretted being born into the royal family?" Xuan Yuan Wuji stared intently at Zhao Zhen.
"No." Zhao Zhen's voice was an unquestionable affirmation.
Xuanyuan Wuji revealed a bright smile: "I have never regretted being born into the Xuanyuan family."
At that moment, Xuanyuan Wuji's pure smile shocked Zhao Zhen. For the first time, Zhao Zhen realized that Xuanyuan Wuji was so similar to Xuanyuan Tianyi. For the first time, Zhao Zhen began to face the fact that Xuanyuan Wuji had grown up.
“Uncle Zhen.” Xuan Yuan Wuji’s clear voice drew Zhao Zhen’s attention back. “Uncle Zhen, why didn’t you let the secret guards investigate the Chai family’s treason case? The secret guards are all people who can’t stand the light of day. Even if the matter fails, there will be no way to prove it. But Kaifeng Prefecture is different. If they come forward, it means that it is at your behest, Uncle Zhen. If they fail, the court will have to give the Chai family an explanation. Wouldn’t everyone in Kaifeng Prefecture be sacrificed then?”
With a slight smile, Zhao Zhen explained softly, "All that Chai Wenyi has done is to prove that he has the strength to contend with me, and to gain the opportunity to compete with me on equal footing. Since that's the case, I will give him that opportunity, and at the same time, I will warn him that my country is not for him to touch. I have the ability to protect my ministers, and I have the ability to secure this country."
After listening to Zhao Zhen's words, Xuan Yuan Wuji lowered his head and thought for a moment. When he raised his head, his eyes shone like stars: "So, no matter what happens, Uncle Zhen will not sacrifice Kaifeng Prefecture." When he saw Zhao Zhen nod affirmatively, a relieved smile appeared on Xuan Yuan Wuji's face.
Looking at Xuan Yuan Wuji, who was clearly relieved, Zhao Zhen asked with a smile, "You really don't trust your Uncle Zhen?"
“It’s not that I don’t trust Uncle Zhen, it’s just that I understand the helplessness Uncle Zhen has as an emperor.” Xuan Yuan Wuji glanced at Zhao Zhen’s expression and saw that he was listening attentively without the slightest displeasure before continuing, “Grandpa Bao is a rare good official who is not afraid of powerful people, and everyone in Kaifeng Prefecture is loyal and righteous. I can’t bear to see them implicated because of the Chai family’s affairs. Moreover, I don’t want anything to happen to Uncle Zhan.”
"Oh? Wuji really likes Zhan Zhao?" After hearing Xuan Yuan Wuji's words, Zhao Zhen suddenly remembered that Xuan Yuan Tianyi had once said that Zhan Zhao's charm appealed to both young and old, and asked with a smile.
Xuanyuan Wuji didn't understand why Zhao Zhen suddenly laughed, but she also knew that Zhao Zhen's thoughts were beyond her comprehension. She simply answered earnestly, "Of course I like him. Uncle Zhan is such a good person, he's gentle to everyone, even Uncle Leng, who has such a proud personality, is exceptionally kind to him. But my favorite is still Uncle Zhen." After saying that, she put her hands on Zhao Zhen's neck and smiled ingratiatingly.
Zhao Zhen affectionately tapped Xuan Yuan Wuji's nose and laughed, "You're such a clever little devil."
"Is Uncle Zhen praising me?" Xuan Yuan Wuji smiled innocently at Zhao Zhen.
"What do you think?" Zhao Zhen shook off his earlier gloom and deliberately teased Xuan Yuan Wuji.
"I'll just take it as Uncle Zhen praising me," Xuan Yuan Wuji said to himself, removing his arm from Zhao Zhen's neck.
"Just take it as?" Zhao Zhen looked at Xuan Yuan Wuji in confusion.
Xuanyuan Wuji nodded seriously: "Yes, let's take it that way! Actually, we don't need to take things so seriously most of the time. Since we don't know whether what others mean is praise or criticism, let's interpret it in a way that benefits us. Thinking like this will keep us in a good mood."
He looked Xuan Yuan Wuji up and down carefully: "What kind of logic is this? Did your aunt teach you this?"
"No, that's not it! It's my own thought. Although I've been showered with love since birth, everyone around me is so outstanding—Uncle Zhen, my aunt, and so many others in the clan. Although I've always tried so hard to catch up with you, I know it's impossible. In my entire life, I can only look up to you. And in front of such outstanding people, even if I do my best, others won't think it's good. So I need to praise myself occasionally and learn to be praised by others." Xuan Yuan Wuji looked at Zhao Zhen earnestly, speaking his thoughts word by word.
After hearing Xuan Yuan Wuji's words, Zhao Zhen's expression changed from helplessness to heartache. He ultimately said nothing, only holding her tightly. He sighed inwardly; being born into the Xuan Yuan family was both Xuan Yuan Wuji's fortune and her misfortune, for she had to pay a far greater price than others. However, no one can choose their birth, just as one cannot choose whether or not they are born into royalty; everything is predestined.
After returning from the palace, Bao Zheng remained frowning. Zhao Zhen wanted evidence of the Chai family's treason. Although Bao Zheng didn't know how Zhao Zhen planned to handle the case, he understood the pressure Zhao Zhen faced. Even though all the clues pointed to the Chai family, without concrete evidence, Chai Wenyi would remain at large. Therefore, the most urgent task was to go to Fangzhou as soon as possible. However, this matter should not be publicized, nor should it involve a large force. He considered entrusting the matter to Zhan Zhao, but hesitated to speak up.
Zhan Zhao and Gongsun Ce exchanged a glance, knowing that Bao Zheng was troubled by the Chai family's affairs. They asked softly, "Did His Majesty summon you to the palace because of the Chai family's matter?"
“That’s right. His Majesty only needs evidence and doesn’t need the Kaifeng Prefecture to conduct an investigation. But how easy is it to find such evidence? The Chai family is different from others. If this is not handled properly, it may cause trouble for His Majesty.” Bao Zheng’s voice was deep, and his tightly furrowed brows never relaxed as he spoke.
Zhan Zhao understood Bao Zheng's concerns. If this matter was handled discreetly, it would be fine. However, if Chai Wenyi were to seize upon it, the Emperor would inevitably have to give the Chai family an explanation to silence public opinion. In that case, Kaifeng Prefecture would have to be implicated. Zhan Zhao looked at Bao Zheng before him, his thoughts drifting back to his performance at Yaowu Tower. At that time, although he was forced by circumstances, wasn't he also willingly entering public service to protect the people's rights? So many years had passed, and he had never wavered in his original intention, simply because of the happy smiles on the people's faces. After thinking for a moment, Zhan Zhao bowed slightly: "My lord, allow me to go to Fangzhou."
It wasn't surprising that Zhan Zhao volunteered. After so many years together, Bao Zheng knew Zhan Zhao's character very well. Looking at that once spirited and handsome face, now increasingly calm and reserved, Bao Zheng felt a pang of heartache. He understood Zhan Zhao's thoughts; he knew Zhan Zhao was prepared to sacrifice himself to protect Kaifeng Prefecture. But Fangzhou was now an impregnable fortress. Although Chai Wenyi was in the capital, Fangzhou, after generations of management by the Chai family, was now virtually impenetrable. The difficulties Zhan Zhao would face were unimaginable. However, Bao Zheng also understood that no one else had the ability to complete this mission. After much deliberation, Bao Zheng finally nodded solemnly: "Guard Zhan, just do your best. Don't push yourself or take unnecessary risks. I await your safe return."
"Understood, sir. Please rest assured." Zhan Zhao bowed respectfully, and only turned to leave after seeing Bao Zheng nod.
Watching Zhan Zhao's retreating figure, Bao Zheng sighed almost inaudibly, and heard Gongsun Ce's voice in his ear: "My lord is worried about Guard Zhan."
Turning his head to look at Gongsun Ce, Bao Zheng whispered his concerns: "Chai Wenyi dares to openly provoke the imperial court, he must have a foolproof plan. Guard Zhan is risking his life alone this time, how can I not be worried!"
"It's a pity Tianyi isn't here, otherwise he could have lent a helping hand to the guards," Gongsun Ce sighed.
Bao Zheng glanced at Gongsun Ce, a hint of displeasure on his face: "Tianyi is not an official. She is willing to help because of her personal relationship with the Emperor. But in the end, we are the ones who receive salaries from the court. We can't rely on her for everything."
Hearing the reproach in Bao Zheng's words, Gongsun Ce realized he shouldn't have thought that way and couldn't help but feel embarrassed: "Your Excellency is right to reproach me; it was my oversight."
Bao Zheng understood that Gongsun Ce was worried about Zhan Zhao and couldn't bear to be harsh on him, so he softened his tone: "Moreover, if she really had an accident while handling the case, I'm afraid even if Guard Zhan had nine lives, it wouldn't be enough to save her."
In truth, Bao Zheng had considered Gongsun Ce's words, but compared to Zhan Zhao's safety, there was another worry in Bao Zheng's heart that he couldn't voice. Zhan Zhao was someone Bao Zheng had brought into officialdom, and over the years, he had devoted himself entirely to solving cases, never letting Bao Zheng down. However, he had never cared about his own affairs, leaving him still single. Although Bao Zheng was secretly anxious, he couldn't control fate and could only let things take their course. But since Zhan Zhao returned from recuperating at Xiaoyao Tower, Bao Zheng noticed that although he appeared outwardly the same, something seemed to be changing. Bao Zheng was puzzled at the time, but understood after meeting Xuan Yuan Tianyi.
Xuan Yuan Tianyi was the kind of woman who could captivate anyone at first sight, and Zhan Zhao was in the prime of his life. After spending over a month together, even the most composed person would find it hard not to be moved. Moreover, Xuan Yuan Tianyi had taken exceptional care of Zhan Zhao. Just on the journey back from Dali, her care for Zhan Zhao was meticulous. Even to outsiders, their relationship seemed anything but indifferent, let alone to Zhan Zhao himself.
Logically, Zhan Zhao had someone he loved, and the woman was of excellent character and appearance; Bao Zheng should have been happy. However, his biggest mistake was that Zhan Zhao and Zhao Zhen fell for the same woman. This doomed their relationship to failure. Bao Zheng knew Zhan Zhao was always discreet, but he couldn't guarantee that feelings wouldn't deepen over time, fearing Zhan Zhao would find himself in a difficult position. Therefore, Bao Zheng didn't want Zhan Zhao to have too much contact with Xuan Yuan Tianyi. So, when he heard Xuan Yuan Tianyi had left, Bao Zheng genuinely breathed a sigh of relief. He only hoped Zhan Zhao could find evidence of the Chai family's treason as soon as possible, close the case quickly, and restore peace to the land.
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