Twenty-eight
Mr. Chen led Zhan Zhao and the others through the backstreets and alleys of Bianjing City, finally stopping in front of a seemingly ordinary house. This house was located in the west of the city and was no different from the surrounding residences. Without someone leading the way, it would be extremely difficult to notice anything unusual.
"This is it," Mr. Chen said in a low voice. "The Grand Tutor had a secret residence here before his death, specifically for training his bodyguards. After Chai Wenyi took over, he used this place as a communication base."
Zhan Zhao carefully observed his surroundings. The house seemed ordinary, but the walls were a foot higher than those of ordinary houses, and the bronze rings on the lintel were thicker and heavier than those of ordinary homes. Even more suspiciously, although it was late at night, the faint sounds of clashing weapons could be heard coming from inside the courtyard.
Bai Yutang raised an eyebrow: "Still practicing martial arts so late?"
Xuanyuan Tianyi listened intently: "Not only are they practicing martial arts, but some are also reciting military texts."
Zhan Zhao was secretly alarmed. The Grand Tutor's former subordinates were indeed extraordinary; they were still practicing diligently late into the night, demonstrating their strict discipline.
Mr. Chen said, "Lord Zhan, I can only escort you this far. Any further, and we might be discovered by the sentries."
Zhan Zhao nodded, "Thank you for your trouble, sir." After Mr. Chen left, he turned to Xuan Yuan Tianyi, "Tianyi, do you have a way to investigate the situation inside the courtyard?"
Xuan Yuan Tianyi nodded slightly and took out a small wooden bird from her sleeve. With a light tap of her fingertip, the wooden bird flapped its wings and flew silently over the courtyard wall.
About an incense stick's time later, the wooden bird returned. Xuan Yuantian closed his eyes and sensed for a moment, his expression gradually becoming serious: "There are at least thirty people in the courtyard, divided into three teams on duty. There is a secret room in the southeast corner, which should be where the documents are stored."
Zhan Zhao pondered for a moment and said, "We must enter that secret room."
Bai Yutang rubbed his hands together, eager for a fight: "Then what are we waiting for? Let's just charge in!"
Zhan Zhao shook his head: "No. These people are all secret guards carefully trained by the Grand Tutor; forcing our way in is definitely not the best strategy."
Xuanyuan Tianyi suddenly said, "I have an idea."
She whispered a few words in Zhan Zhao's ear, and a look of approval flashed in Zhan Zhao's eyes: "This plan is brilliant."
Fifteen minutes later, a drunken beggar appeared in front of the courtyard gate, banging on a broken bowl and loudly begging for food. The gatekeeper came out to chase him away, but the beggar refused to leave, causing a commotion inside the courtyard.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, three figures silently scaled the courtyard wall; it was Zhan Zhao and his two companions.
Following the route explored by the wooden bird, the three quickly found the secret room in the southeast corner. Surprisingly, there was no one guarding the door to the secret room.
Zhan Zhao became wary and signaled the two to stop. He carefully examined the ground and indeed found several almost invisible threads—these were hidden traps and sentries.
"What an ingenious arrangement," Xuan Yuan Tianyi murmured. "If we hadn't noticed it beforehand, we probably would have already triggered the mechanism."
Zhan Zhao observed intently for a moment, then suddenly drew his Juque sword and lightly touched one of the threads with the tip. With a soft "click," the mechanism was deactivated.
Bai Yutang clicked his tongue in amazement: "Cat, when did you learn this?"
Zhan Zhao smiled slightly: "Back on Trapped Sky Island, I consulted my brothers about some mechanical arts."
The door to the secret room opened with a click. The room was simply furnished with only a table, a chair, and several bookshelves. Zhan Zhao quickly flipped through the documents on the shelves, becoming increasingly alarmed with each reading.
These documents not only record the training methods of the Grand Tutor's former subordinates, but also contain secret letters between Chai Wenyi and several ministers in the court. Most shockingly, there is a roster that details the incriminating information and price tags of each minister.
"With this, Chai Wenyi's influence in the court is immediately clear." Zhan Zhao put the list into his pocket.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door. The three quickly hid behind the bookshelf.
The man who entered was a middle-aged scholar, none other than Mr. Chen, who had appeared in Kaifeng Prefecture earlier that day. He strode to the bookshelf, took down what appeared to be an ordinary copy of the Analects, and pulled out a piece of silk cloth from it.
"It really is here." Mr. Chen muttered to himself, and was about to leave when he suddenly felt a chill on his neck.
Zhan Zhao's sword was already pressed against his neck: "Mr. Chen, or rather, should I call you Commander Chen?"
Mr. Chen's expression changed drastically: "Zhan Zhao? How could you...?"
Xuanyuan Tianyi took the silk cloth from his hand, unfolded it, and saw that it was a rebellion plan written by Chai Wenyi himself.
"A well-executed ruse," Bai Yutang sneered. "First, you gained our trust, then you lured us into your trap. What a pity..."
Mr. Chen suddenly smiled: "Unfortunately, you're still too late."
Before he finished speaking, iron bars suddenly fell around the secret room, trapping the three inside. At the same time, the courtyard was brightly lit, and dozens of men in black surrounded the secret room.
"Zhan Zhao, let's see where you can run this time!" Chai Wenyi's voice came from outside.
Zhan Zhao remained expressionless: "Your Highness is indeed a man of profound wisdom and foresight."
Chai Wenyi laughed loudly: "If it weren't for this, how could I have lured you into this trap? Zhan Zhao, if you were willing to submit to me, you would surely rise to the highest ranks of the court one day."
Before Zhan Zhao could answer, Xuan Yuan Tianyi suddenly said, "Chai Wenyi, don't you want to know why the Empress Dowager suddenly fainted?"
Chai Wenyi's laughter stopped abruptly: "What do you mean?"
Xuanyuan Tianyi took out a jade pendant from his sleeve: "This is what the Empress Dowager ordered me to give you."
The jade pendant was the very birthday gift Chai Wenyi had given to the Empress Dowager years ago. Chai Wenyi's expression changed drastically: "The Empress Dowager…"
"The Empress Dowager wants you to repent before it's too late," Xuan Yuan Tianyi said calmly. "Treason is a heinous crime, punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family."
Chai Wenyi remained silent for a moment, then suddenly said sternly, "Don't even think about lying to me! The Empress Dowager loves me the most, she would never..."
"If you don't believe me, you can always go back to your residence and see for yourself," Xuan Yuan Tian interrupted him. "You probably still have that 'Ten Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains' painting, bestowed by the Empress Dowager, hanging in your study, right?"
Chai Wenyi was startled. The painting was indeed a gift from the Empress Dowager, and he knew its meaning all too well.
In the instant Chai Wenyi was distracted, Zhan Zhao suddenly attacked. The Giant Sword's light surged, severing several iron bars. Bai Yutang followed closely behind, his Shadow Sword aimed directly at Chai Wenyi.
An unexpected turn of events threw the courtyard into chaos. The man in black tried to rush forward to protect his master, but was stopped by Xuan Yuan Tianyi's long whip.
Chai Wenyi was already quite skilled in martial arts, and he held his own against Bai Yutang after several exchanges. However, his mind was in disarray, and his moves were becoming increasingly flawed.
Zhan Zhao seized the opportunity and knocked the weapon out of Chai Wenyi's hand with a single sword stroke: "Your Highness, surrender."
Chai Wenyi gave a bitter laugh: "The victor is king, the loser is villain. Kill me or torture me, it's all up to you."
"Your Highness misunderstands," Zhan Zhao sheathed his sword. "I am merely following orders to investigate the case; I dare not act on my own."
Just then, the sound of orderly footsteps came from outside the courtyard. Bao Zheng, along with the yamen runners from Kaifeng Prefecture, arrived in time and surrounded the entire residence.
"Chai Wenyi," Bao Zheng said in a deep voice, "you are suspected of treason. Come with me."
Chai Wenyi looked around and knew that the situation was hopeless. He sighed and stopped resisting. He just looked at Xuan Yuantianyi with a complicated expression.
Zhan Zhao handed the collected evidence to Bao Zheng: "My lord, this is all evidence of Chai Wenyi's treason."
Bao Zheng carefully perused the document, his expression growing increasingly grave: "Go to the palace immediately to meet the Emperor!"
This night was destined to be sleepless. As Zhan Zhao and the others escorted Chai Wenyi out of the mansion, dawn was breaking. A shocking conspiracy had finally been revealed, but everyone knew that this turmoil was far from over.
Although Chai Wenyi has been captured, his cronies in the court remain, and Chai Siyi in the southern border is also eyeing him covetously. The real contest has only just begun.
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