Thirty-three
Before news of the great victory in the southern frontier could reach Bianjing, the capital was already in turmoil.
Xuan Yuan Tianyi stood on the pavilion of Xiao You's villa, gazing towards the imperial city. Leng Moyan silently appeared behind her, handing her a secret letter.
"Last night, Eunuch Li secretly met with three court officials," Leng Moyan's voice remained calm. "They are all former subordinates of Chai Wenyi."
Xuanyuan Tianyi unfolded the secret letter, his gaze growing cold: "Just as I expected. Although Chai Wenyi has been captured, his cronies are still active."
"Shall we take action?"
"Wait a little longer," Xuan Yuan Tianyi said, putting away the secret letter. "Wait until they reveal themselves."
At this moment, inside Kaifeng Prefecture, Bao Zheng was discussing important matters with Gongsun Ce.
"My lord," Gongsun Ce said with a worried expression, "there have been quite a few unfamiliar faces in the city recently, all inquiring about news from Kaifeng Prefecture."
Bao Zheng pondered for a moment and said, "It seems someone is getting restless. Is there any news from Guard Zhan?"
"No news yet." Gongsun Ce shook his head. "The journey to the southern border is long; even if there's a great victory, it will take several days for news to reach us."
Just then, Wang Chao rushed in to report: "My lord, news has come from the palace that His Majesty will be going hunting in the Western Hills tomorrow!"
Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.
"Going hunting at this juncture?" Gongsun Ce frowned. "That's too unusual."
Bao Zheng immediately stood up: "Prepare the sedan chair; I am going to the palace to meet the Emperor."
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Emperor Zhao Zhen was reviewing memorials. Upon seeing Bao Zheng requesting an audience, he put down his vermilion brush: "Minister Bao, what brings you in such a hurry?"
Bao Zheng knelt and reported, "Your Majesty, I have heard that we are going hunting in the Western Hills tomorrow. Given the current instability of the court, I believe this is inappropriate."
Zhao Zhen smiled and said, "My dear minister, you worry too much. It is precisely because of the turmoil in the court that I need to go out for a stroll to clear my mind."
Bao Zheng was about to persuade him further when Eunuch Li suddenly entered and reported, "Your Majesty, the Eighth Prince requests an audience."
When the Eighth Prince entered, he also tried to persuade the Emperor to cancel the hunt. However, Zhao Zhen's mind was made up, and he remained unmoved no matter how the two tried to persuade him.
Leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Eighth Prince and Bao Zheng walked side by side.
"His Majesty has always been receptive to advice, so why is he so stubborn today?" The Eighth Prince asked with deep concern.
Bao Zheng said in a deep voice, "I'm afraid someone has slandered us. But our Emperor is not one to easily believe slander." After saying this, Bao Zheng and the Eighth Prince exchanged a glance, understanding each other without saying a word.
That night, Xuanyuan Tianyi received a message from Bao Zheng and immediately ordered Leng Moyan to strengthen the surveillance of Eunuch Li.
"They're planning to make their move during the hunt; Zhen is using himself as bait," Xuan Yuan Tian chuckled. "Inform 'Dark Feather' to accompany them as guards tomorrow."
The following morning, the hunting party set off from the capital in a grand procession. Emperor Zhao Zhen, dressed in military attire, looked triumphant. Eunuch Li followed closely behind, his eyes gleaming.
The Eighth Prince and Bao Zheng were also present, and the two exchanged glances.
As the hunt reached midday, the group ventured deep into the western mountains. Suddenly, startled birds took flight from the forest, and the sounds of battle cries shook the heavens.
"Protect the Emperor!" the Eighth Prince shouted.
The Imperial Guards immediately formed a defensive formation, protecting Zhao Zhen in the center. However, the assassins were numerous and highly skilled, and the Imperial Guards gradually became overwhelmed. Zhao Zhen coldly stared at the assassins, remaining motionless on his horse.
At this critical moment, a group suddenly emerged from the forest. The woman at the head wielded a long whip that moved like a dragon, and wherever she passed, assassins fell to the ground.
"Patriarch Xuanyuan!" Eunuch Li exclaimed in shock.
Xuanyuan Tianyi ignored him and went straight to Eunuch Li: "Eunuch Li, it's time for your act to end."
Eunuch Li's expression changed drastically, and he suddenly shot a poisoned dart from his sleeve. But before the dart could get close, it was struck down by a flash of sword light.
"Zhan Zhao!" Everyone was pleasantly surprised to see that Zhan Zhao had arrived at some point, wielding the Giant Sword and looking majestic.
It turns out that after pacifying the southern frontier, Zhan Zhao traveled day and night to return. He had just arrived in Bianjing this morning when he learned of the Emperor's hunting trip and immediately came to protect him.
With the addition of Zhan Zhao and Xuan Yuan Tianyi, the battle situation instantly reversed. Seeing the situation was not good, the assassin tried to retreat, but was blocked by the "Dark Feather" experts.
Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Eunuch Li suddenly burst into wild laughter: "Zhan Zhao, do you think you've won? Let me tell you, Prince Chai's power in the court is far greater than you imagine!"
Zhan Zhao pointed his sword directly at Eunuch Li: "If you have any other tricks up your sleeve, bring them on."
With a sinister grin, Eunuch Li took out a signal flare. But just as he was about to light it, an arrow pierced the air and struck his wrist.
Everyone turned around and saw Bai Yutang holding a longbow, beaming with pride: "Fifth Master, you've arrived just in time, haven't you?"
It turned out that Bai Yutang received the news on Trap Island and rushed over to help.
Eunuch Li was captured, and all the assassins were also apprehended. Under interrogation, they indeed implicated several high-ranking officials in the court.
Zhao Zhen's face darkened: "That Chai Wenyi! He can still cause trouble even in the imperial prison!"
Zhan Zhao reported, "Your Majesty, the most urgent task is to eliminate the traitors in the court."
With the assistance of Zhan Zhao and others, a large-scale purge was swiftly launched. Dozens of court officials who colluded with Chai Wenyi were arrested, and the court was cleansed.
Afterwards, Zhao Zhen summoned Zhan Zhao to the Hall of Mental Cultivation for a private audience.
"Zhan Zhao, well done." Zhao Zhen looked Zhan Zhao up and down. "Has your body fully recovered?"
Zhan Zhao knelt and reported, "I am safe. I dare not take credit for this. Our escape from danger is entirely due to Your Majesty's blessings and the united efforts of everyone."
Zhao Zhen pointed at Zhan Zhao and laughed, "When did you start speaking to me in such official jargon?" After a moment's thought, he said, "Zhan Zhao, I have something to ask you."
"Your Majesty, please speak."
"What do you think should be done with Chai Wenyi?"
Zhan Zhao paused for a moment, then said, "I believe that although Chai Wenyi's crimes are heinous, he is, after all, a member of the imperial family. If he is punished according to the law, it might damage the dignity of the imperial family."
Zhao Zhen nodded: "That's what I thought too. Therefore, I've decided to place him under house arrest for life in the Zheng Prince's residence, strip him of his princely title, and forbid his descendants from inheriting the throne."
"Your Majesty is wise."
It was dusk when they left the palace. Zhan Zhao met Xuan Yuan Tianyi, who had been waiting for them for a long time, outside the palace gate.
"Is everything taken care of?" Xuan Yuan Tian asked.
Zhan Zhao nodded and walked alongside her on the streets of Bianjing. The setting sun cast long shadows of the two of them.
"Thank you for your help along the way," Zhan Zhao said softly.
Xuanyuan Tianyi turned and sized up Zhan Zhao for a while, then smiled slightly: "It's rare that you're being so polite with me."
Upon hearing what Xuan Yuantian had said, Zhan Zhao chuckled softly, his meaning clear without needing to be spoken.
The turmoil in southern Xinjiang has finally subsided, but they all understand that this peaceful and prosperous era did not come easily. And protecting this prosperity is their responsibility and their promise.
As night deepened, the city of Bianjing was illuminated by lanterns. Zhan Zhao and Xuan Yuan Tianyi's figures gradually disappeared around the street corner.
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