Chapter 27
Tang Qi was taken aback.
During his time back in Los Angeles, he pieced together all the seemingly unrelated things from his past. These things were like stones scattered haphazardly in a patch of weeds, seemingly without any pattern or connection. But if you actually stood on them, you would find that each stone protruding from the pile formed a clear path.
A path you have no choice but to take.
Each active-duty army, including Li Guangjun and Langcejun, has a special unit: the first battalion of new recruits in each army.
The officers of the First Battalion of New Recruits were appointed by His Majesty, and each army had the support of a prince. The existence of the First Battalion was ostensibly to supervise the various armies, but in reality, it was merely an equal distribution of power among the princes.
Li Guangjun is backed by the eldest prince, while Lang Ce is backed by Sheng Ye.
He and his father died in battle one after another, the Wolf Army suffered defeats in external wars, and spies appeared repeatedly within the army. These events would directly lead to a large number of personnel changes in the Wolf Army command. The fact that the position of marshal of the Wolf Army was parachuted in after Tang Mian's death shows what those people were thinking. The only beneficiary behind all these events is Sheng Ye.
Even if Tang Qi was stupid, he could guess that this was paving the way for Sheng Ye.
Therefore, whoever is helping Sheng Ye is the driving force behind these events.
The counterfeiting of Wolf Strategy military license plates and the circulation of smuggled iron ore—all of these are backed by the Zhou family.
"What did Uncle Ye tell you?"
Ye Qian glanced at Tang Qi, paused, and then said, "Your father sent him a letter."
Tang Qi felt a chill of fear creep into her heart: "When?"
"Green Vine Valley." Ye Qian's voice was calm, but Tang Qi unconsciously gritted her teeth as he listened to him continue, "My uncle's letter only mentioned two things: first, be careful in Jingzhou City, and second..."
Ye Qian paused, looked at Tang Qi, and opened his mouth a few times before saying, "Secondly, I want my father to make sure you don't go to the Southern Frontier, no matter what."
Therefore, General Ye issued a transfer order to send him back to Jingzhou, instead of having him go to the southern frontier to provide assistance.
Tang Qi recalled the letter his father had sent back; it turned out his father knew he was going to die from that time on.
General Ye went to the southern border to collect his father's body.
Tang Qi sniffed, lowered his head slightly, and after a moment, said, "The Zhou family's stance against Sheng Ye is a factional struggle, and Li Guangjun is backed by the First Prince. Neither of your families is a good choice for Shen Zhiqing. Ye Qian, don't try to fool me."
Ye Qian sighed. This guy always manages to stay sharp, it's really hard to change the subject.
"You're proposing to Shen Zhiqing because of Zhou Ziye?" Tang Qi looked back at him: "You're not afraid of her marrying him, but you're afraid something will happen to her, right?"
Ye Qian did not answer, and Tang Qi continued: "If she marries into the Zhou family, she will share their fortunes and misfortunes. If something happens to the Zhou family, are you afraid that Shen Zhiqing will be implicated?"
Tang Qi stared at Ye Qian with the same expression and asked, "What exactly do you know about the Zhou family? Why do you think the Zhou family's affairs are so serious that they require collective punishment?"
Ye Qian finally looked at him: "I don't want to lie to you, but there is no evidence to prove it right now. Zhong Le, give me some time."
Even though Ye Qian didn't say it, Tang Qi could guess. When he was fighting in Qing Teng Valley, Ye Qian was in Hecheng. Zhou Ziye was transferred back to the capital at that time, and everything started from that point.
His father's death, Lang Cejun's death—all of these are inextricably linked to Nanzhou and to them.
Tang Qi knew perfectly well how the Wolf Strategy's Southern Camp had been completely annihilated. If they could die like this in Katyu, why couldn't they die like this in the southern borderlands?
If it's a case of spies colluding with thieves, who is behind the spies in the southern border region?
This must be the secret Ye Qian dared not reveal.
"Have you ever met Li Wuyuan?" Tang Qi asked.
Ye Qian lowered his brows in thought for a moment and then said, "The traitor from your Southern Camp who was beheaded?"
"Do you remember a few months ago when I told you that I went to Jingzhou to investigate someone wearing fake military license plates?"
Ye Qian nodded, and then heard him say, "That person is called Zhang Dong, and he looks exactly like Li Wuyuan."
He paused slightly, and Tang Qi took another sip of water: "Before the expedition, I went to the Qi Prince's mansion, where I saw Li Wuyuan. Sheng Ye tortured him, and when I saw him, he was already half-dead."
"You mean... Li Wuyuan is a scapegoat?"
“Not a scapegoat,” Tang Qi’s eyes turned cold, “but a gag.”
Tang Qi looked at Ye Qian and suddenly laughed: "The person who used this trick is a smart one. If I hadn't survived, Li Wuyuan would have been a pawn to shut everyone up."
"You and the Marquis of Jianbei died in battle one after another, and the entire Langce Southern Camp was wiped out. If it were said to have happened naturally, the Marquis's wife and Xiaoyan would never believe it. So they put Li Wuyuan out as a pawn, to make him bear all the blame and to satisfy the Marquis's wife and Xiaoyan's resentment." Ye Qian was very smart. He understood the meaning of Tang Qi's words as soon as he finished speaking, so he paused for a moment and continued, "Only Li Wuyuan's death can make them really feel that you and the Marquis have no grievances and can die in peace."
“This truly blocked any possibility of anyone investigating this matter.” He squeezed his teacup. “But they never expected that I would still be alive.”
"If you want to get closer to the truth, this banquet is the fastest way."
Tang Qi glanced at the invitation on the table: "Thanks."
"Saying thank you to me is a bit too sentimental," Ye Qian laughed.
Tang Qi put the invitation away, then looked at Ye Qian and said with a smile, "I am Lin Zhengye now. At the banquet, just pretend you don't know me. Anyway, Yun'an's banquets never mind having a few people who just want to eat and drink for free."
"Zhong..."
Just as Ye Qian was about to say something, Tang Qi got up, picked up the invitation on the table, waved it at him, and said with a smile, "I'm leaving."
So Ye Qian also kept silent. He understood what Tang Qi meant—this is my own business, don't drag me into it.
but...
Ye Qian sighed, shrugged, shook his head, and smiled helplessly: "Still the same bad temper."
...Is it safe to stand on the shore without going into the water?
He stared at the teacup in front of him.
If Tang Qi fails, the water will eventually overflow the shore. He and Tang Qi were in the same boat anyway.
The banquet in Yun'an was to be held a few days later, but when Tang Qi arrived, the banquet had not yet begun.
As he approached, he saw a crowd blocking the entrance. He initially intended to go around them and enter directly, but then he discovered that Shen Zhiqing was standing in the middle of the crowd.
Ye Qian wasn't there, so Tang Qi stopped and stood aside to watch.
He didn't expect that the people surrounding him were all acquaintances.
“Sister Chen—oh no, I should call you Madam Ye now. Now that you’re married, you have to be careful what you say. Don’t let anyone catch you doing something wrong, or your own family will lose face, not to mention your husband’s family.”
Wei Fan spoke with sincerity, yet her words carried a hint of hostility. She skillfully linked arms with Zhou Ziye and continued:
"Is that right, Brother Aye?"
She spoke the last four words with extra force, as if she was deliberately saying them for Shen Zhiqing to see. Zhou Ziye only stiffened slightly and did not break free.
Shen Zhiqing showed no emotion, simply looking calmly at the two people in front of her.
It was quite a chaotic scene, but it was entertaining and I enjoyed watching it. Tang Qi stood by, observing the spectacle.
"Qingqing and I have known each other since childhood, so it's not inappropriate for her to call me brother."
Zhou Ziye still had that familiar cold face as he looked at Shen Zhiqing and slowly spoke.
Shen Zhiqing ignored his words, only glancing at Wei Fan holding Zhou Ziye's hand, and chuckled softly.
Of course, she knew that Wei Fan wanted to see her lose control and do something outrageous because of her intimacy with Zhou Ziye. Unfortunately, she was Shen Zhiqing; although she liked Zhou Ziye, she also knew right from wrong.
Shen Zhiqing always knew what she could do. For example, when she was young, she could shout "I like you" to Zhou Ziye without caring about anyone's expression. But she also knew what she couldn't do. For example, now, she could no longer call him "Brother Aye" without any worries.
Seeing Shen Zhiqing like this, Zhou Ziye was unusually stunned. He seemed to want to say something, but Princess Yun'an, who came out to smooth things over when she saw the subtle atmosphere between the three of them, cut him off.
"The banquet is about to begin. Instead of standing here, you might as well go in and take your seats."
Shen Zhiqing nodded in agreement and was about to leave when Wei Fan, arm in arm with Zhou Ziye, almost brushed past her. Shen Zhiqing didn't want to get entangled with them any further, so she remained silent. Wei Fan then stopped in front of Shen Zhiqing, turned around, and asked her:
"You should have come with Ye Qian today. Is it that he didn't want to come with you, or—are you still in love?"
"Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me. Has the banquet started inside?"
Tang Qi pushed through the crowd that was also watching the show, and went to the center to interrupt their heated conversation.
Yun An glanced at Tang Qi, saw that he was holding an invitation and casually pointed inside, his expression showing a hint of anger as if he had been provoked by Wei Fan's words: "It hasn't started yet, you can go in and take a seat first."
Wei Fan seemed to sense Princess Yun'an's displeasure and fearfully hid behind Zhou Ziye. Shen Zhiqing glanced indifferently at Wei Fan standing behind Zhou Ziye.
"Wei Fan, do you know that some words, once spoken, will bring you trouble? You alone are one thing, but if the Wei family is involved, how many lives do you have to pay for it?"
Wei Fan suddenly raised his voice sharply again: "Shen Zhiqing! What right do you have to talk to me like that?! Aren't you the same? Did you think that by marrying Ye Qian according to the imperial decree, everything would be fine for the Shen family? Guess why His Majesty is so unconcerned about the marriage between your Shen family and the Ye family? Because Ye Qian won't live much longer! And you, the eldest daughter of the Shen family, are destined to be a widow after marrying him. Shen Zhiqing, you are truly pathetic. You will never marry the person you love in this life, and you will only be able to grow old alone!"
"How dare you! This princess has hosted a banquet for you to spout nonsense. If you can't learn to shut up, the princess's residence will not keep you." Yun An finally spoke up. The princess's majesty naturally silenced everyone present. After speaking, she glared at Zhou Ziye and then turned and entered the residence with Shen Zhiqing. When they passed Tang Qi, Shen Zhiqing glanced at him lightly.
After the play was over, people from the surrounding area went inside in small groups.
Just as Tang Qi was about to step into the mansion, a figure suddenly appeared in his sight. He looked over and almost tripped in fright.
When did Cheng Wang start enjoying these kinds of banquets? Tang Qi was shocked.
He hesitated whether to greet him, but Cheng Junshi walked in as if he hadn't seen him at all.
This guy is really...
Tang Qi quickly took two steps and followed him into the mansion.
Upon entering the main courtyard, Tang Qi first found a seat on the outermost side. Cheng Junshi, holding an official position, naturally sat closer to the front, but Tang Qi preferred him to sit further away.
After all, this way he could properly find prey that he could use at this banquet.
He glanced around casually and indeed saw a few familiar faces at the banquet.
"Everyone, is everyone here?" Yun An said.
Tang Qi looked over and saw that, as she had said, almost all the seats were full. Even Ye Qian had sneaked in and sat down next to Shen Zhiqing without anyone noticing.
Only the high positions remain empty.
"Please be patient, everyone. The main character of today's banquet is about to arrive."
As if in response to Yun An's words, a sound indeed came from afar.
"The Ninth Prince has arrived!"
The Ninth Prince? Tang Qi ate the pastries on the plate. He didn't know many people in the palace. Apart from Yun An, the only prince he was somewhat familiar with was the one stationed at the border. But Tang Qi did know some of the rumors about the Ninth Prince.
The only things that could be heard in the palace were scandalous affairs. Compared to the other princes, the Ninth Prince's mother was of low status, which could be considered a mistake made by the emperor.
However, emperors are naturally unwilling to admit their mistakes. So you can imagine the treatment the Ninth Prince received.
This is also why Tang Qi loathed the palace; talking about love within the palace gates was too extravagant.
He swallowed the pastry in his mouth and stared at the door again. Several pairs of eyes at the banquet fell on the newcomer. Tang Qi felt his heart tremble and stood there stunned.
"Why is there another young lady here?"
"Yeah, this girl... wait, she looks kind of familiar?"
"Yes...yes...hiss, this is Princess Yunluo!"
— Tang Yan.
As soon as Tang Yan entered, she saw Shen Zhiqing in her seat, and she sat up in surprise almost instantly.
Sister Chen!
Shen Zhiqing seemed to have seen her too. His eyes first showed surprise, then suddenly darkened as he turned his head to look to the side.
Following her gaze, Tang Yan didn't catch a glimpse of anyone familiar.
Of course.
The moment Tang Yan turned his head, Tang Qi had already lowered his head as if he wanted to thoroughly study the teacup, his eyes glued to the bottom of the cup, not daring to move.
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