Twenty-two
When Zhan Zhao woke up again, it was already dusk two days later.
The setting sun cast warm dappled light through the windowpanes onto the bed. He tried to move his fingers; though he still felt weak all over, the agonizing pain in his chest had vanished, replaced by a long-lost sense of ease. His internal energy, though weak, was now circulating slowly and smoothly on its own, without any stagnation.
"Awake?" A voice, as arrogant as ever, rang out from the side.
Zhan Zhao turned his head and saw Bai Yutang sitting at the table, peeling an apple, the peel hanging down in long, continuous strands. Seeing that he was awake, Bai Yutang handed him the peeled apple, a relieved, roguish grin on his face: "Try it, Fifth Master peeled it himself, guaranteed sweet."
Zhan Zhao took it and said in a low voice, "Yu Tang, thank you for your hard work."
"I know you've had a hard time, Fifth Master," Bai Yutang waved his hand casually, but his eyes still held lingering fear. "If you dare to scare people like that again, I'll rip your cat tail off."
Zhan Zhao smiled helplessly, slowly sitting up and leaning against the headboard. He looked around; the room was clean and tidy, filled with the aroma of medicine, but the red figure was nowhere to be seen. "Tianyi, she..."
"She's overexerted her spiritual energy and is resting in the other courtyard," Bai Yutang said directly, knowing his thoughts. "Jiang Yuan said she also needs to rest for a few days. She hasn't left your side for a moment while you were unconscious." He paused, his tone slightly teasing, "Hey, Cat, how does it feel to be a hero saving a damsel in distress... no, to be saved by a damsel in distress?"
Zhan Zhao's ears burned slightly. Avoiding his teasing, he said seriously, "The matter of Fangzhou needs to be reported to the lord as soon as possible."
"What's the rush?" Bai Yutang pressed his shoulder. "Lord Bao already knows the general situation and wants you to focus on recovering. We can discuss the details when you're feeling better." He sighed, his expression turning serious. "Cat, Chai Wenyi's influence in Fangzhou far exceeds our expectations. That stronghold is built along the mountainside, cleverly incorporating military formations, and houses no fewer than ten thousand well-trained soldiers—nothing like a rabble. What's even more troublesome is that Ziyun..."
Bai Yutang's eyes darkened at the mention of Ziyun.
Zhan Zhao understood: "She is already Chai Wenyi's queen, and has a son."
Bai Yutang nodded, his tone complex: "I never expected her to attack me... and I never expected she would use the Siming Poison. We've been betrothed since childhood, but I've always treated her like a younger sister... I've wronged her." He looked at Zhan Zhao, "Since the Siming Poison came from Chai Siyi, she must know about our actions. I'm afraid we've alerted her, and Chai Wenyi is already on guard."
"It's alright." Zhan Zhao pondered for a moment, then patted Bai Yutang on the shoulder to comfort him. "Now that we've obtained the defense map, we've gained the upper hand. The key now is how to use this map to find concrete evidence of the Chai family's rebellion, and ensure that if things go wrong, we can eradicate their power completely and prevent a major upheaval."
As the two were talking, footsteps came from outside the door. Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce walked in together.
"Guard Zhan, how are you feeling?" Bao Zheng asked with satisfaction as he saw that Zhan Zhao's complexion had improved.
"Thank you for your concern, sir. I am now fine." Zhan Zhao was about to rise and bow when Bao Zheng stopped him.
Gongsun Ce stepped forward to take his pulse, and after a moment nodded: "The toxins have been cleared, and the foundation remains intact, but the vital energy has been greatly depleted, requiring careful recuperation. In the coming days, remember not to recklessly expend your inner energy; proceed gradually."
Bao Zheng sat down at the table, his expression solemn: "Young Master Bai has already given a general account of what he saw in Fangzhou. Guard Zhan, please recount the details in more detail."
Zhan Zhao then recounted in detail his journey from infiltrating Fangzhou, to discovering the military camp, to investigating the layout of the stronghold with Bai Yutang, and finally his nighttime visit to Prince Chai's mansion where he encountered Ziyun and was poisoned. His narration was clear and organized, with distinct details, especially his analysis of the military camp's layout, troop deployment, sentry rotations, and possible connection to the missing Imperial Guards from years ago.
Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce frowned as they listened.
"If what Guard Zhan says is true, that Chai Wenyi has privately amassed troops and colluded with the Southern Frontier Holy Sect, his treasonous intentions are blatantly obvious," Bao Zheng said in a deep voice. "However, a single deployment map and what you two have seen are insufficient to convict him. The Chai family's status is special; without irrefutable evidence, it will be difficult to convince the public."
"Your Excellency is absolutely right," Gongsun Ce interjected. "Right now, we need to take a two-pronged approach. First, we must send people to verify the authenticity of the defense map and secretly monitor the movements in Fangzhou; second, we must gather evidence, both inside and outside the court, of Chai Wenyi's collusion with powerful figures and his dealings with foreign vassals."
"While Chai Wenyi appears to indulge in a life of pleasure in the capital, he is actually secretly cultivating a network of connections among court officials. The case of Li Jie is clear evidence of this," Zhan Zhao added. "I suspect that Li Jie is not the only one in the court colluding with him. His influence is deeply entrenched, and we must be cautious."
Bao Zheng nodded: "This matter will be secretly reported to the Emperor by our prefecture, and we will investigate it discreetly. Guard Zhan, your priority now is to recover your health. Young Master Bai," he turned to Bai Yutang, "we are very grateful for your help this time. If there is anything we can do to rely on you in the future, I hope you will lend us your full support."
"You're too kind, Lord Bao!" Bai Yutang readily replied. "Upholding justice and eliminating evil is Bai Yutang's duty. Besides, if Chai Wenyi dares to touch this cat, he's making an enemy of the Five Rats of Trap Island!"
Knowing his temperament, Bao Zheng said no more, and told Zhan Zhao to rest well before leaving with Gongsun Ce, clearly intending to go to the palace to meet the emperor immediately.
After everyone left, the room returned to silence.
Zhan Zhao leaned against the headboard, gazing at the deepening night outside the window, his mind churning with thoughts. The Chai family's affair was far-reaching; mishandling it would inevitably lead to political turmoil and instability on the borders. And Xuan Yuan Tianyi… The image of her pale face, struggling to maintain her spiritual power, flashed through his mind, a slight warmth rising in his heart, tinged with an indescribable complexity. He wasn't oblivious to that extraordinary concern, but… considering his own situation and that invisible chasm, he ultimately suppressed his surging emotions, letting out a barely audible sigh. He, Zhan Zhao, acted only to have a clear conscience; why invite trouble upon himself?
The Imperial Palace, the Imperial Study.
After listening to Bao Zheng's report, Zhao Zhen lightly tapped his fingertips on the rosewood tabletop, producing a rhythmic sound. In the candlelight, his face was calm, but his dark eyes were unfathomable.
"Fangzhou... has indeed become a force to be reckoned with." His tone was unreadable, "Chai Wenyi, on the other hand, has more魄力 (poise and decisiveness) than his father and grandfather."
"Your Majesty, although the evidence of the Chai family's treason still needs to be supplemented, their intentions have already been revealed. Shouldn't we take precautions as soon as possible and mobilize troops to prevent them from resorting to desperate measures?" Bao Zheng suggested.
Zhao Zhen shook his head: "Mobilizing troops now would be tantamount to telling Chai Wenyi that the court has discovered his plot. If he takes the risk, either by establishing his own regime in Fangzhou or by colluding with foreign enemies, it would be detrimental to the nation." He paused, a sharp glint in his eyes, "What I want is not a war with an uncertain outcome, but a trap."
He looked at Bao Zheng: "Minister Bao, continue to secretly gather evidence, especially the letters between Chai Wenyi and the court officials and foreign vassals. The defense map brought back by Guard Zhan is extremely important; I will order the Ministry of War to analyze it secretly and find its weaknesses. As for the capital..." A cold, sharp smile curled at the corner of his lips, "I want to see which other demons and monsters dare to collude with the Chai family."
"Your Majesty, I obey." Bao Zheng bowed and accepted the order, knowing that the Emperor already had a comprehensive plan.
The study of Prince Zheng's residence.
Chai Wenyi's face darkened as he read the secret letter from the Ghost Judge. The letter detailed Bai Yutang and Zhan Zhao's nighttime infiltration of the Prince's mansion, Ziyun's attack, and the subsequent unsuccessful city-wide search. It further mentioned suspicion that Zhan Zhao had been poisoned by the Si Ming Poison, but his fate was unknown.
"Useless!" Chai Wenyi crumpled the letter into a ball and threw it on the ground. "They couldn't even stop two people! And Ziyun even got involved!" He paced irritably in the room. "If Zhan Zhao dies, Zhao Zhen will definitely not let this go. Xuan Yuan Tianyi... she must already know that Si Yi was behind the poison on Siming."
He stopped, a fierce glint in his eyes: "Lu Zhen!"
"Your subordinate is here." Lu Zhen responded and entered.
"Send a message to the judge, urging him to expedite the process and thoroughly clean up all evidence. Order all departments in Fangzhou to enter a state of war preparedness; no one may move without my personal order." He pondered for a moment, then added, "Prepare the carriage; I must go to the palace to see the Empress Dowager."
"Your Highness, entering the palace at this time may arouse suspicion."
"That's precisely why we must go." Chai Wenyi straightened his robes, his face regaining some of its usual carefree air. "The more a storm brews, the more composed we must appear. Besides... some things need to be conveyed through the Empress Dowager to those who should hear them. Zhao Zhen wants to investigate, doesn't he? I'll find him something else to keep him busy."
Kaifeng remains bustling under the cover of night. However, those in the know can sense the undercurrents surging beneath the calm surface. The game is set, the pieces are in place, and all that remains is the moment of final showdown.
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