The Rebirth of Han Yuxi

Chapter 0542 Fish In Troubled Waters (2)

This chapter hasnʼt been edited yet.

With its intricate filigree enamel carvings of mountains and rivers, the incense burner emitted a faint fragrance that invigorated the senses.

Upon hearing Han Jianmingʼs words, the Emperorʼs expression turned cold as he asked, ”Are you saying that Yan Wushuang could be the one behind Tong Chunlinʼs assassination?” Werenʼt all the members of the Yan family supposed to be extinct? Why was Yan Wushuang still alive? When the Emperor remembered his past deeds, he felt uneasy; if Yan Wushuang had indeed survived, he would surely seek revenge.

Han Jianming replied, ”Chen only has a suspicion and doesnʼt dare to confirm it.” Although Han Jianming had decided to go to the Emperor with this news, he had thought long and hard before coming. The matter had to be presented flawlessly to prevent the Emperor from digging deeper. So he had put a lot of effort into this task.

The Emperor was not interested in Han Jianmingʼs pile of nonsense and asked directly, ”What is the likelihood?” This was no trivial matter; if Yan Wushuang was indeed alive, it would spell trouble.

Han Jianming felt his previous worries were completely unnecessary; the affairs of the Yan family had a greater impact on the Emperor than he had imagined. Han Jianming responded, ”Sixty per cent.” In truth, he was ninety per cent sure, but a ninety per cent probability was too high and might arouse the Emperorʼs suspicions. Sixty per cent was just right.

The Emperor changed the subject by asking, ”Aiqingʼs mourning period will be over by the end of the year, wonʼt it?” It was impossible to cover up such matters flawlessly, and the Emperor was no fool; he had a sense of Han Jianmingʼs intentions. Although he was uncomfortable with Han Jianmingʼs secrecy, some things were not worth investigating too deeply.

Han Jianming replied respectfully, ”To answer Your Majesty, Chenʼs mourning period will be over by the middle of the first month of next year.” If the Emperor could take his effort right now as a favour, he could be appointed as an official. Therefore, his appointment depended solely on the Emperorʼs decision.

The Emperor made no further remarks and dismissed Han Jianming. He stayed in the study for a short while and then summoned the Black Dragon Guard to investigate the matter thoroughly. The Black Dragon Guard acted solely on the Emperorʼs orders; they operated discreetly, dealing with issues that were difficult to discuss publicly. Few knew of its existence, except for Grand Chancellor Yu and Song Guojiu, of course.

After some deliberation, the Emperor summoned Song Guojiu and informed him of the situation, ”Jiujiu, if Yan Wushuang is still alive, it will surely bring great calamity.”

Song Guojiuʼs expression also turned grim as he asked, ”Your Majesty, can we trust Duke Hanʼs words?” In reality, Song Guojiu understood that Han Jianming must have been confident to speak of such a matter. After all, this was not a trivial matter that could be irresponsibly brought before the Emperor. However, the thought of how Yan Wushuang could even kill Tong Chunlin made him uneasy. Dealing with just one Yun Qing was troublesome enough; adding Yan Wushuang to the mix would pose a threat to the Song familyʼs future.

The Emperor believed Han Jianmingʼs words as he had no reason to deceive. The Emperor stated, ”Jiujiu, if Yan Wushuang is indeed alive, he must be eliminated.” Yan Wushuangʼs ability to kill Tong Chunlin proved his power. If Liaodong fell into his hands, chaos would be inevitable. In such a scenario, the Emperorʼs throne would be in jeopardy, and the Song family would certainly not see peaceful days ahead.

Song Guojiu said, ”Your Majesty, I want to personally go to Liaodong to handle this matter.” Song Guojiuʼs cunningness was no less than the Grand Chancellorʼs. Otherwise, even if Song Guifei was favoured, it would be impossible for him to have the power to compete with the Grand Chancellor. However, he gained power with the help of Song Guifei, which was looked down upon by the scholars. He was also ambitious and unscrupulous in his pursuits, so his reputation was terrible.

The Emperor weighed the pros and cons in his mind. Finally, he shook his head, ”If the mastermind behind Marshal Tongʼs assassination is Yan Wushuang, it would be very dangerous for you to go to Liaodong, Jiujiu. Itʼs better to send another reliable person.” Although the Emperor had been suppressing Song Huaijin and wanted to take power from him, nothing could happen to Song Guojiu now. If anything happened to him, no one could compete with the Grand Chancellor. If the Grand Chancellor wanted to rebel and force the Emperor to abdicate in favour of the Crown Prince, the Grand Chancellor would be the regent, and the Emperor would be helpless. Who knows, in a few years, the empire of the Great Zhou Dynasty might have to change its surname to Yu.

Song Guojiu insisted on going. There was a reason for his insistence. He said, ”Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance, and I must go there myself.” After a pause, he continued, ”Your Majesty, I suspect that Yan Wushuang knows about what happened back then and even has proof.”

The Emperorʼs face immediately changed. It could be said that this matter was a disgrace that he could never wash away. If Yan Wushuang had proof of his treason, he would lose his throne once it became public knowledge: ”Since you have decided, Jiujiu, you must bring more guards with high martial arts skills.”

As for the Emperorʼs sudden order for Song Guojiu to go to Tong City to thoroughly investigate Marshal Tongʼs assassination, the Yu family smelled something different. The Eldest Master Yu wondered, ”Father, Liaodong is in chaos now. Why would Song Guojiu go there at this time?”

Grand Chancellor Yu asked about the people the Emperor had met that day. After listening, he said, ”The problem lies with Duke Han.” Han Jianming had just entered the palace to see the Emperor, and then the Emperor summoned Song Guojiu. Therefore, this matter must be related to Han Jianming.

Han Jianming had already seen through the Yu family because of Yuxi. Now that he had decided to seek refuge with the Emperor, he wouldnʼt waver. When he saw the invitation from the Yu family, Han Jianming said, ”Decline it.” If he met the Yu family, the Emperor would definitely think twice.

Mr Zhao was a little worried as he asked, ”My Lord, wouldnʼt that offend the Yu family?” It wasnʼt a wise move to offend the Yu family now. Song Guojie was about to leave the capital. If unexpected misfortune were to befall him, Grand Chancellor Yu could cover the sky with his one hand.

Han Jianming shook his head, ”I know what Iʼm doing. You donʼt need to persuade me anymore.” The Song family was unreliable, and so was the Yu family. Even the Emperor was also unreliable. The only one he could rely on was Yuxi.

If he hadnʼt guessed what Yuxi was up to before, he got a clue after Chen Yu was seriously injured, and the task of suppressing the bandits fell back to Ji Xuan. Yuxiʼs purpose in killing Cao De that day was probably the entire Northwest. Only by stirring up the Northwest could she achieve her goal. In comparison, this girl was much more far-sighted than he thought.

After thinking about it, Han Jianming immediately started writing a letter. When he finished, he picked up a match and burned it, watching the paper turn to ash and muttering to himself, ”One should not be too hasty.” Sending someone to the Northwest now would attract attention. It would be better to wait for the right time.

Han Jianmingʼs lack of cooperation greatly angered Eldest Master Yu, who believed that Han Jianming was someone who would destroy the bridge after crossing the river.

Grand Chancellor Yu showed no anger. Han Jianmingʼs failure to meet his son proved one thing - Song Guojiuʼs sudden trip to Liaodong was indeed related to him. More specifically, he had provided a clue. ”It seems that Duke Han knows who was behind Marshal Tongʼs assassination.” And this mastermind must have a significant connection to the Song family to have even persuaded Song Guojiu to go there in person.

Eldest Master Yu said, ”Weʼve known for a long time that there is a significant power in Liaodong, but we still havenʼt discovered the identity of the people behind it. How did Duke Han find out this personʼs identity?” It was truly a puzzling matter. Duke Hanʼs influence was nothing compared to the Yu family.

Grand Chancellor Yu was not bothered by this matter. ”A thin camel is still bigger than a horse. It is not surprising that a family with a hundred years of history has an ace up its sleeve.” Although the Duke Residence appeared to be in decline, its heritage was still deep. Otherwise, they wouldnʼt have been able to raise such a formidable woman as Han Shi.

Speaking of the Han Shi, Eldest Master Yu had more to say, ”Father, if Han Shi is as formidable as you say, then Tao Hongchang will surely return empty-handed this time.” He still trusted his fatherʼs judgement. If Han Shi was formidable, she wouldnʼt want to return to the capital.

Grand Chancellor Yu looked at the issue with foresight and immediately frowned. ”If there is trouble in Liaodong, the Northwest will not be taken care of.” At least until the situation in Liaodong was resolved, the Emperor couldnʼt focus on the Northwest. However, no one could predict what changes would occur in the Northwest during this time. It was a pity that although Grand Chancellor Yu had disciples and officials everywhere, he didnʼt have anyone with military power in the Northwest.

Eldest Master Yu said, ”Father, please express your concern to the Emperor!”

Grand Chancellor Yu shook his head. ”I should not be the one to raise this matter.” If he did, the Emperor would only suspect him of having an ulterior motive, making the matter even more complicated.

Eldest Master Yu suggested a half-baked solution, ”As long as Yun Qing has no money, even if he has the intention, he will lack the resources.” Rebellion also required resources. If basic needs like food and clothing became a problem, then the intention to rebel existed without the ability to do so.

Grand Chancellor Yu shook his head. ”That would be even more inappropriate.” Wouldnʼt withholding supplies and military funds indirectly force those soldiers to rebel?

Left was not right, right was not right, Eldest Master Yu was at his witsʼ end.

Han Jianming had originally planned to send a letter to Yuxi after some time. Still, he hadnʼt expected Yuchen to send someone to ask if anyone at the Duke Residence had anything to deliver to Yu City. If so, they could send it along with her caravan since she had something to send there.

Upon receiving this message, Han Jianming muttered to himself, ”This is really a pillow sent when you are sleepy.” Sending the letter at this opportunity would not attract attention.

Knowing that Yuchen was sending gifts to Yu City, Qiu Shi happily went to the storeroom and selected items to fill twelve large boxes. With Mama Liʼs persuasion, the twelve boxes were reduced to ten.

Lu Xiu had initially prepared two boxes. When she saw Qiu Shi preparing ten large boxes, she could only squeeze the contents of two boxes into one. Her husband had been away from home for almost a year, and she missed him terribly. Unfortunately, her mother-in-law was unwilling to let her go to Yu City, which caused her heartache.

When Han Jianming arrived at Changle Court and saw the twelve boxes, one of which was sent by Ye Shi, he immediately said, ”Ten boxes is too many. Except for some valuable medicine and things that canʼt be found in the Northwest, donʼt send the rest.”

Qiu Shi argued, ”Havenʼt many bandits been wiped out? Itʼs all right to send more things.” Anyway, the road was safe now, and it would only slightly delay their arrival if there were more items.

Han Jianming said wryly, ”Mother, those are just official statements.” The officials only knew how to make it seem peaceful; how would they let them know the exact situation? This was released to deceive ordinary people; he didnʼt expect his mother to believe it, either.

Qiu Shi had no choice but to choose again, and eventually, her ten boxes were reduced to six: ”I canʼt reduce them any further.” Four of the boxes were filled with medicinal supplements, one box with things for Zaozao, and the rest with daily necessities.

Han Jianming shook his head helplessly and said, ”Then Iʼll send them to Yuchen later.” He still had things to discuss with Qiu Shi. After sorting things out, he would send them to Jing Wangfu.