Chapter 98: That’s A White Tiger!
Once autumn rain falls in Bianjing, the entire city is shrouded in a misty drizzle.
Chu Ying sat cross-legged on the cushion, tilting his head to gaze outside the window, maintaining this posture for over an hour.
During this hour, news from the Imperial Court and the Supreme Court Yamen kept arriving before him, but he never spoke, nor did he show any anxiety, just like every previous time he came here to relax.
The clay pot on the stove beside the table emitted a gurgling boiling sound, and he casually picked it up to add tea for himself.
At this moment, the bell under the door rang, the wooden door creaked open, and as the damp chill wafted onto Chu Ying, a person entered and removed his cloak.
“You’re here?” Chu Ying glanced at the newcomer and greeted him indifferently, then turned over another teacup, added tea leaves, and poured in boiling water. “You arrived just in time. This freshly fetched mountain spring water has just boiled—it’s perfect for brewing this Iron Goddess of Mercy.”
Mu Chang placed the jade flask on the table, then sat down opposite him, leaning back in the chair and watching Chu Ying brew the tea. “I never imagined that after so many years apart, you and I would sit here again.”
“Indeed,” Chu Ying pushed the tea in front of him. “I remember the first time you came to find me was two years after the deaths of Prince Duan and the Empress, that winter. I didn’t expect you to hide your identity to see me, so I arranged to meet here.
“Thank you, Grand Tutor, for still remembering the path to this place for tea after so many years.”
Mu Chang let out a long sigh: “Let’s get down to business.
“The Emperor will come of age next July, leaving only ten months. The Imperial Seal in the Shen Family’s hands must return to the Emperor.
“As long as we stay put and wait out these months, the overall situation will be settled, and no one will be able to shake it.
“How did you manage to mess up such a good situation like this?”
Chu Ying’s sharp eyes met his gaze: “Du Minghuan was incompetent and let the tiger return to the mountains.
“And the one he released was a real tiger!
“It was a killing god White Tiger, cultivated jointly by the Former Emperor and Prince Duan, guarding the Bright Hall alongside the Azure Dragon!
“It’s not that I wanted it this way—Heaven itself is protecting her!”
Mu Chang frowned: “In the end, it was your carelessness. Three years ago, when you had Chu Yan identify the body, you should have plugged that loophole.
He sat up slightly, his right hand lightly holding the scalding cup, a hint of anger showing beneath his brows: “Everyone says how noble and modest the young masters and misses of the Chu Family are, but how could you not even control your own daughter?
“If you had kept Chu Yan firmly under control back then, she couldn’t have lied.
“If she had told the truth, you and I could have immediately sent people to hunt her down extensively, and it might still have been in time.
“Whether she’s the White Tiger or some other tiger, once she’s dead, it’s all over! You wasted the best chance to mend the fold after the sheep was lost, leaving such a hidden danger!”
“I admit you’re right.” Chu Ying said, “I truly didn’t expect the problem to arise from my own daughter.
“I didn’t expect her to harbor such thoughts toward her maternal home that gave birth to and raised her.
“She actually concealed the truth and chose to wait in secret for Yue Tang’s return to seek revenge on the Chu Family!
“But now, discussing these things is already too late, isn’t it?
“This crisis isn’t just one for my Chu Family.
“If Grand Tutor hadn’t found me back then, I wouldn’t have dared to be so bold.
“She survived such a brutal killing formation— she’s terrifying, which is why you and I need to sit down and figure out how to clean up the mess!”
The tea room was so quiet that only the patter of fine rain outside could be heard, making Chu Ying’s words stand out especially clearly.
Mu Chang nodded: “Indeed, solving the problem at hand is the most urgent. But since she’s already allied with Yan Bei, you can’t avoid this case anymore.
“Murder of imperial clan descendants is equivalent to deceiving the sovereign; once convicted, I can’t shield you.
“Even if I wanted to protect you, I couldn’t convince him if the Emperor questions it.
“Not to mention the Shen Family is watching covetously right now. Brother Chu, you’re doomed this time—I truly can’t help you.”
Chu Ying narrowed his eyes slightly: “Have you ever thought that since my son was imprisoned in the Prison on charges of assassinating an official’s family member, she hasn’t shown her face until now? Why is that?”
Mu Chang’s raised cup paused at his lips: “Why?”
“Because on the night she was killed, Prince Duan also died.” Chu Ying said. “She’s already figured out that I’m the mastermind behind the plot to murder her, so she’ll inevitably connect it to Prince Duan’s death.”
“But in fact, I couldn’t be in the Palace laying plans at the same time, let alone fool Empress Dowager Shen’s eyes, so Yue Tang won’t fail to guess that I must have an accomplice.”
Mu Chang’s pupils narrowed slightly.
Chu Ying chuckled lightly and continued: “Before coming out today, I did some groundwork, but there are only so many people in the court capable of partnering with my Chu Family. Now that Yan Bei has allied with her, he’s naturally cleared of suspicion.
“The remaining ones are you and the Shen Family.
“Suppose I shake them off today and they trace it to you—how much time do you think they’d need?
“Perhaps by now, she’s already locked onto you, Grand Tutor!”
Mu Chang stared silently.
In the small room where neither spoke, the atmosphere grew even more oppressive.
“So you came to find me today—what do you hope I’ll do?”
“While Yan Bei is still interrogating Du Minghuan, immediately petition the Emperor on grounds of Du Minghuan’s crimes to hand the Imperial City Department Envoy position to this person.” Chu Ying placed a resume on the table. “Yue Tang’s only value is the Imperial City Department promised by the Former Emperor to Prince Duan’s Mansion. Seize the Imperial City Department before she appears as the Princess, making her lose her utility in Yan Bei’s eyes—that’s the first step.”
Mu Chang flipped through the resume and said: “Even if I act quickly enough, you’ve probably underestimated Yan Bei.
“He’s the Regent Minister appointed by the Former Emperor, and the Emperor trusts him greatly. As the Emperor’s maternal kin, I should defer to him out of both emotion and reason.
“If he wants the Imperial City Department, he’ll definitely step in to stop it.
“Besides, how can you be sure Yue Tang will keep lying low?”
“That’s why I said it’s the first step.” Chu Ying propped his elbow. “You go to the Palace to handle this first matter, then we’ll address the root cause.
“The root cause is Yue Tang—what we failed to do three years ago, we can still accomplish now.
“It’s that very phrase you said to me back then: as long as she’s dead, everyone has a bright future!”
Under the dim daylight, faint wisps of steam rose, while two pairs of eyes darkened.
Mu Chang slowly propped his elbow on the table: “She’s in Prince Jingyang’s Mansion now—how can you be sure you can kill her?”
Chu Ying placed his right fist on the table and gently opened it, revealing an object.
“With this as bait, I don’t believe she won’t come out.”
Mu Chang said: “Something from Prince Duan?”
Chu Ying nodded: “If we can’t go to the mansion, we’ll act outside. Since she doesn’t want to reveal her Princess identity publicly, doesn’t that make it even easier for us to kill her?
“I believe this won’t be difficult for you—it’s just a matter of mobilizing a few more experts.
“You personally raised the Emperor; in his heart, you’re as important as his father.
“Everyone under heaven knows you’re the one the Emperor trusts most. Finding an excuse to mobilize a few Imperial Palace guards from him would be effortless.
“Once it’s done, handling the aftermath—I believe won’t stump you.
“After all, you were the one who initially wanted to kill her. Even if there are difficulties, you’ll surely overcome them!”
Behind the tea steam, killing intent filled Chu Ying’s eyes, yet his demeanor returned to its former elegance.
Mu Chang pondered for a moment and raised his brow: “I can’t find any flaws in your scheme. If it succeeds, naturally everyone benefits.”
“Whether it succeeds depends on your determination, Grand Tutor.” Chu Ying’s voice slowed further. “I believe that three years ago, you didn’t hesitate to yield the Imperial City Department to me just to convince me to act against Prince Duan and his daughter—you must have been resolute.
“So after three years, though the Emperor has ascended and the situation is settled, the loose ends from back then have caused great trouble. To put it bluntly, she didn’t die after all, and that secret isn’t airtight. Your mood right now should be as anxious as mine.”
Mu Chang set down his raised cup again.
A touch of autumn hue appeared between his brows: “But you suddenly accusing the Shen Family of murdering the prince—that was too aggressive a move.
“Earlier, the Emperor sought me out and mentioned the drowning incident from back then.”
“What?”
Mu Chang gathered his sleeves and paced: “The First Prince’s body was never found, and the Emperor seems still preoccupied with it.”
Chu Ying looked at Mu Chang standing in the room and stood up as well. “Does this have anything to do with you?”
Mu Chang glanced back at him: “You should know Prince Duan assigned the First Prince twice the allotted number of guards, plus the ritual officials and attendants equipped per regulation—I couldn’t get near the imperial boat at all.”
“Then was it really the Shen Family?”
Mu Chang turned his face away, his back to him: “Pursuing that now seems superfluous. What concerns me more is whether the First Prince is truly dead.”
Chu Ying’s gaze lingered on his back for a moment before he slowly said: “If the First Prince’s death has nothing to do with you, then even if he’s alive, he poses no threat to you or me.”
Mu Chang nodded, his expression returning to normal: “Are you certain that girl is in Prince Jingyang’s Mansion?”
“Naturally certain.” Chu Ying sneered. “If not for confirming the situation, I would have met you long ago.
“The Supreme Court side should be progressing quickly; we need to act too.
“You go to the Palace first to request orders, and I’ll simultaneously bait Yue Tang.
“By the time you leave the Palace, it should be about time.
“Once she’s dead, dispose of the body and catch Yan Bei off guard.
“By the time he reacts, there’ll be no evidence left!
“As long as Yue Tang can’t come forward, no matter what Du Minghuan says, with my Chu Family’s disciples’ strength spread across the various yamens, we can definitely turn the tables.”
Mu Chang pondered, but at that moment the bell under the door rang again, accompanied by three long and two short knocks.
Chu Ying said, “Come in.”
The person pushed the door open and entered: “Master! Word from the Supreme Court: Prince Jingyang is personally interrogating the Eldest Young Master, accompanied by Imperial City Department Deputy Envoy Guo Yin!”
Chu Ying stared: “Both Guo Yin and Dou Yun are Prince Duan’s confidants, and they’ve handled cases with him for years—they have plenty of ways to extract confessions!
“Grand Tutor, if my son cracks, they’ll surely pursue it to the end. If I can’t hold out, I’ll have no choice but to ask Grand Tutor to step in and help shoulder it!”
Mu Chang thought for a moment and said: “Have the person withdraw first.”
Chu Ying waved his sleeve to dismiss the person.
Mu Chang’s face was grave: “Yan Bei personally interrogating, with Prince Duan’s Mansion’s confidants assisting—forgive my bluntness, your son might endure today but not the next.
“If you truly want to survive, I have one piece of advice, though I don’t know if you’ll heed it.”
“What is it?”
Mu Chang instead said: “What do you think?”
Sparks suddenly exploded in Chu Ying’s cold gaze.
Mu Chang then picked up the cloak at hand: “The Imperial City Department matter—helping you is helping myself, that’s not difficult.
“Yue Tang indeed can’t be left alive; once you’ve arranged it, I can cooperate immediately.
“But regarding your son, you must carefully consider my words.
“You know Yan Bei’s thunderous methods well; once he extracts a confession from your son, whatever you and I do will be futile.”
With that, he drew a bronze token from his waist: “This is a Palace token; with it, you can enter the Prison once.
“I’ll await your news.”
He set down the token, opened the door, and left.
Outside the door, the misty rain continued as before.
Chu Ying, sitting behind the table, maintained his cup-holding posture for a long time until the bell sound completely faded, then he picked up the bronze token from the table, wrapping it in his bluish fingers.
……
A Li refused to stay home alone, and Yue Tang truly wasn’t at ease leaving him.
So she had Lan Qin bring two bowls of hot tofu pudding, and mother and son ate while playing Go-Moku around the stove.
When the guard brought news from the Chu Family, the chess piece in her hand was instantly crushed in two.
“Did you see clearly?”
“Crystal clear! Their meeting place was in the Zen Room of Fei Yun Temple. Chu Ying arrived first, his movements more concealed, but since we were watching Grand Tutor Mu on the Princess’s orders, we followed him after he left the Palace straight to Fei Yun Temple and spotted them!”
Yue Tang nodded and asked again: “Did you hear what they said?”
“Couldn’t hear.” The guard shook his head. “They brought many people, surrounding the place completely—we couldn’t get close.”
Yue Tang propped her elbow, gazing at the rain curtain outside the door, and fell silent.
Earlier, when meeting Chu Yan, she had vaguely guessed the Chu Family’s accomplice might be the Mu Family, but had no evidence and couldn’t fathom their motive.
Pushing the Chu Family to this point made exposing their accomplice no difficult task.
With Chu Ying at the end of his rope, the person he went to meet could only be that accomplice.
Thus, she had beforehand sent people to stake out outside the mansions of targets like the Mu Family and Shen Family.
Sure enough, results came quickly.
The Mu Family!
The maternal home of Empress Mu, who doted on this niece Yue Tang as her own daughter!
On one side, as the Empress’s sister in the Palace, doting on Yue Tang immensely, while on the other, as the Emperor’s maternal uncle’s brother, plotting to kill Yue Tang and her father.
She set down the broken chess piece from her fingers and looked at the guard: “Help me pass a message to the Prince: it’s time to petition to change the Imperial City Department Envoy.”
