Twenty-five
That day, Zhan Zhao was reviewing the case files when a yamen runner came to report that someone was waiting to see him outside the mansion, saying that he had something important to tell him.
The newcomer was a middle-aged scholar, looking terrified. Upon seeing Zhan Zhao, he knelt down: "Lord Zhan, I have a confidential matter to report!"
"Please rise, sir, and speak slowly." Zhan Zhao helped him up.
"I am the accountant of Wang Chongming's household," the scholar said in a low voice. "Lord Wang... he's not sick at all! He's secretly transferring his assets, preparing to flee Bianjing!"
Zhan Zhao's eyes sharpened: "Do you have any evidence?"
"Yes!" The scholar took out an account book from his robes. "This is a copy I secretly made, recording all the financial transactions between Lord Wang and the Prince Zheng's residence!"
Zhan Zhao quickly flipped through the ledger, becoming increasingly alarmed with each page. This ledger not only recorded the financial transactions between Wang Chongming and Chai Wenyi, but also involved several high-ranking officials in the imperial court!
"Why did you report him?" Zhan Zhao asked.
The scholar smiled bitterly, "Lord Wang wants to kill me to silence me, so I had no choice but to seek refuge with Lord Zhan. I only beg Lord Zhan to spare my life!"
Zhan Zhao immediately presented the account book to Bao Zheng. After reviewing it, Bao Zheng decisively ordered, "Surround the Prince's residence immediately and arrest Wang Chongming!"
However, when Zhan Zhao led his men to the Prince's mansion, they found that the mansion was already deserted, with only a few unsuspecting servants remaining.
"It's still too late," Bai Yutang said regretfully.
Zhan Zhao, however, found an unburned letter in Wang Chongming's study, on which the words "Fangzhou" and "Sacred Teachings" were faintly visible.
"He must have fled to Fangzhou," Zhan Zhao concluded. "We must act quickly."
That evening, Zhan Zhao requested an audience with Zhao Zhen and presented all the evidence he had gathered.
After reviewing the evidence, Zhao Zhen remained silent for a long time before finally speaking: "Zhan Zhao, in your opinion, what should be done?"
"Your Majesty, the evidence is now conclusive. We should immediately order the arrest of Chai Wenyi and send troops to control Fangzhou to prevent any unrest," Zhan Zhao earnestly advised.
Zhao Zhen shook his head: "It's not enough. While this evidence proves he formed cliques for personal gain, it's insufficient to convict him of treason. What I want is absolute certainty."
"But Your Majesty..."
"Zhan Zhao," Zhao Zhen interrupted him, "I know you're anxious, but this matter is of utmost importance and cannot be rushed. You must continue your investigation secretly and find conclusive evidence that he is secretly amassing troops and plotting a rebellion."
Emerging from the palace, Zhan Zhao was heavy-hearted. Bai Yutang, who was waiting outside, saw his expression and knew the outcome: "The Emperor doesn't agree to take action?"
Zhan Zhao nodded: "The Emperor wants us to find more conclusive evidence."
"So what do we do now?" Bai Yutang asked.
Zhan Zhao gazed at the dark night sky, his eyes resolute: "Let's go to Fangzhou. Since the evidence is in Fangzhou, let's go there to find it."
"Are you crazy?" Bai Yutang's eyes widened. "Last time in Fangzhou, you were poisoned by Siming's poison and almost lost your life. Going again now would be like walking into a trap."
Zhan Zhao's expression was grave: "Last time we alerted him, Chai Wenyi must have been on high alert. But precisely because of that, he lowered his guard, thinking we wouldn't dare go again."
"Are you going to do the opposite?" Bai Yutang frowned.
"That's right." Zhan Zhao nodded. "Chai Wenyi thought we would stall him in Bianjing, but we're determined to strike at his heart. Besides..."
He paused, a glint of wisdom flashing in his eyes: "Last time we infiltrated the Prince's mansion at night. Although we alerted them, we also learned about some of the layout of Fangzhou. This time, we're prepared, so we might not be as passive as last time."
Just then, a clear, cold voice rang out: "I'll go with you."
Zhan Zhao turned around and saw Xuan Yuan Tianyi standing behind him, his red clothes fluttering in the night wind.
"Tianyi, you..."
"No need to say more," Xuan Yuantian interrupted him. "Fangzhou is a complex area, and Chai Wenyi has been operating there for many years; he must have many traps and schemes. Last time you already alerted him, so be even more careful this time. It's safer for me to provide support from the shadows."
Looking into her resolute eyes, Zhan Zhao felt a surge of warmth in his heart and finally nodded: "Alright. With you here, it's definitely safer."
The three had finalized their plan and decided to secretly depart for Fangzhou three days later. However, on the eve of their departure, Zhan Zhao was packing his belongings in his room when he suddenly heard three urgent bird calls outside the window—an emergency signal from the Xuanyuan family's secret guards.
He pushed open the window, and a dark figure silently landed in the courtyard: "Reporting to Lord Zhan, we just intercepted a secret letter. Chai Wenyi already knows that Wang Chongming has been exposed and is mobilizing assassins to ambush you on your way to Fangzhou. Moreover..."
The guard paused, his voice growing even lower: "Reports indicate that security in Fangzhou has been strengthened, with additional personnel deployed to key routes, clearly to prevent your return."
Zhan Zhao's eyes turned cold: "Just as I expected. The poisoning incident last time has made them even more vigilant."
"The patriarch instructed me to relay a message that the plan has changed," the guard continued. "This time, Chai Wenyi has laid an inescapable trap; the defenses in Fangzhou are even tighter than last time. Moreover, there seem to be unusual movements in the Southern Frontier..."
Zhan Zhao pondered for a moment: "Chai Siyi is definitely cooperating with her brother's actions. If the Southern Frontier Holy Sect were to descend into chaos now, it would be a perfect opportunity to divert the court's attention."
Bai Yutang interjected, "So, the siblings are planning a coordinated attack from both inside and outside?"
"Exactly." Zhan Zhao nodded. "Therefore, we must find conclusive evidence of Chai Wenyi's rebellion before anything changes occur in the southern border."
He turned and grabbed a pen and paper, quickly wrote a letter, and handed it to the guard: "Send this letter to Tianyi immediately; she knows what to do."
The guards obeyed and left. Bai Yutang, holding Huaying, raised an eyebrow: "Cat, what are you planning now? You suffered such a huge loss in Fangzhou last time, are you going to force your way in again?"
Zhan Zhao gazed towards the distant Zheng Prince's residence, his eyes sharp as swords: "Last time, the enemy was in the dark while we were in the light; this time... it's time to change positions."
"Are you going to take the initiative?" Bai Yutang asked, intrigued.
"Not bad," Zhan Zhao said calmly. "Chai Wenyi thinks we'll act rashly again like last time, so let's give him a 'surprise.'"
He paused, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes: "Since he's laid a trap for us, we'll pretend to fall for it and make him think he's succeeded."
Bai Yutang was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized: "Brilliant! Pretend to fall into an ambush to lure the snake out! Let's see how smug he is now!"
"One who stays near vermilion gets stained red." Zhan Zhao smiled slightly, his words carrying a hidden meaning.
That night, in Xiaoyou's villa, Xuanyuan Tianyi finished reading Zhan Zhao's letter and a smile appeared on his lips.
Leng Moyan stood behind her, glanced at the contents of the letter, and raised an eyebrow: "He's certainly learned his lesson."
"A fall into a pit, a gain in your wit." Xuan Yuantian ignited a flame at his fingertip, burning the letter to ashes. "His poisoning in Fangzhou last time taught him caution. Pass down the order: proceed according to Zhan Zhao's plan. Remember, do it cleanly and efficiently, without arousing Chai Wenyi's suspicion."
"Do you need me to go in person?" Leng Moyan asked.
Xuanyuan Tianyi shook his head: "You stay in Bianjing and keep a close eye on the movements in the Southern Frontier. This charade needs to be played out to the fullest by Chai Wenyi."
She walked to the window, gazing in the direction of Kaifeng Prefecture, her eyes filled with approval: "It seems the lesson he learned last time has helped him grow a lot."
Meanwhile, inside Kaifeng Prefecture, Zhan Zhao was deep in thought, staring at a map of Fangzhou. Candlelight cast a resolute shadow on his handsome profile.
"From here to Fangzhou, there are three ideal places to ambush," he said, tracing his finger across the map. "Black Wind Forest, Soul-Severing Cliff, and... Wild Goose Slope."
Bai Yutang leaned closer to take a look: "Where do you think Chai Wenyi will set up an ambush?"
"If I were him, I would definitely choose Black Wind Forest," Zhan Zhao said firmly.
"Why? Isn't Luoyan Slope even more treacherous?"
"It's precisely because Luoyan Slope is so treacherous that we're being extra vigilant," Zhan Zhao analyzed. "Black Wind Forest may appear flat, but it's actually densely forested, providing excellent cover. More importantly..." Zhan Zhao pointed to a spot on the map, "there's a little-known path here that leads directly out of the forest. If things go wrong, it'll be easy to evacuate."
Bai Yutang suddenly realized: "So you plan to..."
"Let's play along, but we must have a backup plan." Zhan Zhao put away the map, a sharp glint in his eyes. "This time, I'll make him reap what he sows."
As night deepened, all was quiet in Bianjing. Zhan Zhao blew out the candle and lay down fully clothed. The Juque sword lay beside him, gleaming coldly in the moonlight.
Tomorrow we set off, the road ahead fraught with peril. But this time, it won't be like last time. The initiative in this game is quietly shifting. Chai Wenyi thought the siblings could succeed by joining forces, but little did he know that the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
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