Chapter 096: Could He Really Be a Hero?! (Second Update)

“Announce it!” The Emperor did not lift his head.

The eunuch gave the order and left. Moments later, Wu Qinglin entered from outside. “Your Majesty, I pay my respects!”

“Hm! You’re excused.” The Emperor responded casually, continuing to review the memorial in his hands. Only after finishing did he set down his brush and look up.

Wu Qinglin had come directly from the Lin family’s residence and, pressed for time, hadn’t changed his clothes. He was still wearing his informal robe and looked somewhat travel-worn.

The Emperor appraised him from head to toe and then smiled. “What have you been up to? I’ve been waiting for you all afternoon, yet you seem as if you rushed over at the last minute.”

Wu Qinglin hurriedly bowed and apologized again. “Your Majesty, I beg your pardon! It was not my intention to neglect your summons. I did not expect Your Majesty to call upon me so suddenly. This morning, my maternal grandfather’s cousin was betrothed, but there were some complications. I happened to be there and couldn’t leave right away...”

“Oh?” The Emperor mused. “Is this the granddaughter of the venerable Lin, the former prime minister? It’s been more than twenty years since I last saw him after his retirement. How is the old minister of late?”

Wu Qinglin respectfully replied, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. My grandfather is well, though advancing in age. His temper has grown rather sharp, and he often quarrels with the younger generation over trifles. The household is quite lively these days.”

The Emperor chuckled warmly, reclining in his chair. “It is said that as people grow old, they become like children again. My great-grandmother was the same—when she aged, her children and grandchildren had to find all sorts of ways to appease her.”

Wu Qinglin smiled modestly but said nothing further.

Matters of the royal family were casual for the Emperor but not for an outsider like him to discuss or debate.

Moreover—

At this moment, Wu Qinglin’s heart was full of caution and vigilance toward the Emperor.

For the Emperor to summon him to the palace at such a time could not be for mere pleasantries. It was certainly connected to Xiao Yue’s visit to the Marquis of Dingyuan’s estate earlier that day, yet whether there was something else, he could not tell.

The Emperor, however, seemed unhurried and thoughtful as he suddenly asked, “You mentioned trouble at the Lin granddaughter’s betrothal? What happened?”

“Well...” Wu Qinglin raised his eyes slightly, his expression hesitant, but he was straightforward and quickly composed himself. “The parents on both sides agreed on the match, and the groom’s family rushed over early this morning to confirm the engagement. However, I happened to hear that the young man behaved rather improperly outside and did not seem supportive of the marriage arranged by his family. These are family matters that I ought not to sully Your Majesty’s ears with.”

Tao Renzhi, who had been standing silently behind the Emperor with eyes lowered in meditation, suddenly lifted his gaze and glanced sideways at Wu Qinglin, inwardly marveling—

This heir of the Marquis of Dingyuan’s household is deliberately laying a trap for Your Majesty, applying subtle poison. His scheming far surpasses that of his father.

Wu Qinglin was alert enough to notice the oddity immediately and shifted his gaze sharply toward Tao Renzhi.

Although clever, Tao Renzhi was slower in reaction; their eyes met abruptly halfway.

Wu Qinglin’s heart tightened sharply.

Tao Renzhi felt somewhat awkward but, caught red-handed, smiled amiably before lowering his gaze again.

Wu Qinglin felt uneasy.

This Grand Steward was a close confidant of the Emperor! Initially uncertain whether Tao Renzhi’s glance was intentional, the knowing smile afterward left no doubt—

He had seen through Wu Qinglin’s intent.

Although Wu Qinglin spoke vaguely about Lin Yanyao’s marriage without naming names, he deliberately brought up the topic and guided the Emperor’s questions...

His purpose was obvious: to report black marks on Jiang Pingzhi and Li Xun’er in front of the Emperor, subtly influencing his view!

If his guess was correct, Jiang Pingzhi and Li Xun’er had been scheming to cling to Empress Jiang’s favor for their advantage. Yet the daughters of the Jiang and Wu families were both promised to the Crown Prince. If he openly accused Jiang Pingzhi, the Emperor would suspect him of slandering the Jiang family behind their backs. By merely alerting the Emperor to the possibility, planting a seed of doubt...

Later, when the truth came to light and those two were punished, the Emperor would recall Wu Qinglin’s vague warning with some prior goodwill.

The Emperor was not particularly interested in the trivial affairs of his ministers’ families, but having been through similar matters himself, he roughly understood the situation—

The groom’s parents favored the Lin family’s daughter, but the young man himself had other intentions.

“A forced melon is never sweet. The granddaughter of the Lin household need not worry about marriage,” the Emperor remarked lightly.

Wu Qinglin nodded in agreement. “Your Majesty judges rightly. My grandfather thinks the same. However, breaking an engagement is a matter of decorum, so there was much negotiation this afternoon. I was at the Lin residence, and my own household was unaware, which delayed my attendance before Your Majesty... By the way, I may have spoken out of turn. May I ask the reason for Your Majesty’s urgent summons?”

“Ha! Speaking of the old minister nearly made me forget the main matter.” The Emperor briefly pressed his forehead, then solemnly took up a memorial placed to his left. “Governor Jiang Jian hastily sent a report today. After the New Year, a group of bandits suddenly gathered around Changzhou Mountain in his jurisdiction. They have committed repeated robberies and murders over several months, attacking merchants and travelers. The death toll has reached thirty or forty. These bandits are fierce; local authorities and prefectural officials have sent soldiers multiple times to eradicate them but failed. In fact, several constables sent to surround and suppress them have been killed. The situation has become dire, causing great unrest in the region. You happen to be in the capital; I want you to go. I cannot entrust this to others. You must swiftly and thoroughly eliminate these bandits to restore peace and reassure the people.”

So it was for this matter!

Tao Renzhi took the memorial from the Emperor’s hand and presented it to Wu Qinglin.

Although Wu Qinglin was still uneasy over being seen through earlier, he accepted the memorial and glanced over it, saying, “Thank you, Grand Steward.”

Tao Renzhi smiled without speaking, then returned to the Emperor’s side.

The Emperor continued, “This afternoon I ordered the Ministry of War to assign a thousand guards from the Imperial Guard Battalion, ready at all times. You should return home to prepare and depart immediately. The local officials were slow to report, and I do not wish for further delay.”

The officials under Jiang Jian had initially attempted to suppress the bandits themselves to avoid appearing incompetent to the court. After one or two months of failure and worsening conditions, they finally submitted a plea for assistance.

Wu Qinglin quickly reviewed the memorial and bowed deeply to the Emperor. “I accept this order and shall not fail Your Majesty’s expectations!”

“Mm.” The Emperor nodded and then signaled Tao Renzhi with a glance.

Tao Renzhi understood, stepped behind a folding screen, and shortly returned with a large box of purple sandalwood inlaid with gold, placing it before the Emperor and opening it.

The Emperor took out a command token. “Tao Renzhi, you shall personally lead the heir Wu to the Imperial Guard Battalion to receive the thousand soldiers assigned to him.”

“Yes!” Tao Renzhi took the token with both hands, slipping it into his sleeve.

The Emperor was clearly urgent about this matter. With a wave of his hand, he said, “Go!”

“I take my leave.” Wu Qinglin stepped forward, returned the memorial to the desk, saluted, and bowed before retreating.

Tao Renzhi followed closely behind; the two exited the imperial study in single file.

At his age, Tao Renzhi, a lifelong privileged Grand Steward, would travel by sedan chair for long distances.

They left the palace gates.

Wu Qinglin had his horse ready but had to wait for his men to prepare the sedan chair.

Knowing Tao Renzhi had served the previous Emperor and now the current one, holding considerable status within the palace and the former reign, Wu Qinglin was careful to watch his words and actions before him. Though earlier events in the study had left a thorn in his heart, he did not mention it now.

Night had already fallen. The palace behind them was brightly lit, but the atmosphere before the gate was solemn and quiet.

They stood silently side by side until Tao Renzhi unexpectedly smiled and said, “Prince Sheng seems very fond of your second young lady, does he not?”

The topic came abruptly and bluntly.

Wu Qinglin’s heart tightened; he frowned and turned to look at him, suspiciously probing, “Grand Steward, what do you mean?”

Tao Renzhi folded his hands inside his sleeves, a faint smile playing on his lips. He avoided Wu Qinglin’s gaze, instead gazing quietly at the distant, hazy moonlight, softly remarking, “At the Emperor’s birthday banquet, one of my young apprentices happened to see the young lord accompanying your second young lady by the lake in front of Huayang Palace, admiring the moon...”

Wu Qinglin: ...

So Wu Tan still hasn’t fully told him the truth?!

But that Prince Sheng, repeatedly scheming to apply pressure on a mere girl—does he have no shame?!

Wu Qinglin suddenly felt suffocated with anger—

Setting aside whatever greater schemes Xiao Yue might harbor, just this surreptitious clinging to his sister alone was infuriating.

Yet Tao Renzhi’s words did not seem directed at him. Wu Qinglin said nothing; Tao Renzhi did not mind and continued calmly, “We’ve watched him grow up. Previously, the Zhou family’s daughter tried hard for years to get close to him. When he went off to the northern border army, the court widely believed he would never return to the capital. Even then, she wrote saying she did not mind following him there...”

Wu Qinglin could hold back no longer, clenching his fists to restrain his temper, interrupting, “So, Grand Steward, are you acting as an advocate for Prince Sheng?”

His tone was not harsh but clearly displeased.

Tao Renzhi finally returned his gaze from afar and faced him directly, still wearing that amiable smile. “Heir, please do not take offense. I have been in the palace nearly a lifetime and seen and heard countless things. Sometimes it is hard to keep it all in. Perhaps I feel a kinship with you today, so I spoke a little more than usual. If you find it unpleasant, then just disregard it!”

His manner was neither warm nor cold, revealing nothing of his true feelings or position.

Wu Qinglin met his eyes for a long moment before cautiously speaking, “Grand Steward serves the Emperor. You must know that Prince Sheng and our Dingyuan Marquis’s household are not suitable for marriage!”

Wu Qinglin looked at him intently. Tao Renzhi merely smiled. “I know everything and yet nothing at all!”

He had been at the palace all these years; no major or minor affair escaped his notice. Yet his ability to stand firm under two emperors was precisely because he always knew what to say and what to keep silent.

Clearly, what he said to Wu Qinglin today was far beyond his proper role.

Wu Qinglin was puzzled—

Was this his personal opinion, or had he been instructed by the Emperor to indirectly test and warn him?

Tao Renzhi now sealed his lips, returning to the posture of one who knows nothing.

Wu Qinglin could ask no more.

They stood silently until a sedan chair was carried out from the palace gates.

Tao Renzhi was a man of rank; at night, leaving the palace, he was accompanied by eight Imperial Guards. Wu Qinglin rode his horse; the group headed toward the Imperial Guard Battalion.

Meanwhile, at the Lin household, Lady Li, weighed down by worry, felt unwell after dinner and retired early. Wu Tan accompanied Lin Yanyao to her room; they closed the door and spoke privately. Wu Tan no longer concealed anything and told her everything she knew.

Lin Yanyao had only suspected Jiang Pingzhi’s dissatisfaction with their betrothal. She never imagined he had already found another bride and even plotted a murder to remove her as an obstacle.

The blow was immense. Though Lin Yanyao would not weep for such a scoundrel, her heart was unsettled. After drinking calming tea, she took a long time to steady herself.

“Cousin, don’t worry about anything else. Just break the engagement and cut ties… I believe my eldest brother already has plans and will avenge you sooner or later.” Both changed into nightwear and sat on the bed. Wu Tan feared Lin Yanyao might despair and held her hand tightly.

Lin Yanyao forced a smile. “I’m fine. It’s just hard to believe people can behave like this... Tan’er, do you think my aunt knows? If she does, then...”

For a woman who could plot to murder her own cousin just to remarry, Lin Yanyao no longer wished to comment on Jiang Pingzhi’s character. As for Lady Jiang and Jiang Weixian, well, Jiang Weixian was another matter. Lady Jiang was her own aunt, who always showed care and affection...

Wu Tan had no direct contact with Lady Jiang and dared not speak recklessly, but judging by how hastily the Jiang family arranged the betrothal, it was clear Lady Jiang had sensed something and wanted to make the match official to dash her son’s hopes.

“Enough. Don’t think about this now. Once Second Aunt goes to the Jiang household tomorrow to annul the engagement, everything will be fine.” Wu Tan deliberately changed the subject to distract her. “By the way, you came to see me this morning... Didn’t you say you asked about the matter I entrusted to you?”

“Ah?” Lin Yanyao’s attention was instantly diverted.

Compared to the blow of her own troubled betrothal, the information Wu Tan had uncovered must also have been a hard blow. She hesitated, unsure whether to tell her.

Wu Tan was sharp as ever, knowing the truth was out, refusing to deny it, and urged her, “Tell me! It’s nothing to be afraid of. At worst, it’s just that my mother was driven to death by my father’s anger...”

“Pah, don’t talk nonsense! It wasn’t that serious!” Lin Yanyao smacked the back of her hand, glaring unhappily.

Wu Tan grinned mischievously. “Tell me…”

Lin Yanyao felt Lady Li’s words made sense. Though telling Wu Tan might not be beneficial to her, it was her right to know a matter so closely connected. Having already resolved within herself to confide, she bit her lip and gently revealed the truth.

She watched Wu Tan’s every reaction. Wu Tan had only casually looked down, fiddling with her fingers, and at the end smiled lightly, “So that’s how it is! I always thought Grandmother was not one to discriminate against birth and wouldn’t have troubled Meng Shi all these years just because of her low status...”

Lin Yanyao found this reaction unusual and worried, holding her hand to comfort her. “Whatever happens, it’s a matter for the elders now. Time has passed. Tan’er, even if you dislike Uncle’s actions, you must never—”

Wu Tan laughed freely. “Do you think I would argue with him over such things?”

Would she not? Lin Yanyao stared at her suspiciously.

Wu Tan shrugged. “If anyone should stand up for my mother, it’s my grandfather and grandmother. They have already done so. I’ve done what I could; there’s nothing more for me to do. I want to know the truth, nothing more. I never met my mother, so I have no deep feelings for her. If the old minister is upset, I’ll be affected, but I can’t really grieve for Lin Wan’s mother...”

She was merely a woman married to a deceitful man, tricked once, yet hardly wronged in death...

Only—

Judging from this, her father’s private morals were indeed questionable!

It was strange how a man so dishonest even to his own wife was admired as a great hero by all!

Wu Tan suddenly found it amusing and couldn’t help but chuckle.

Lin Yanyao, seeing this, grew more concerned. “Tan’er, if you feel upset, you should scold or smash something, don’t keep it all inside!”

“I’ll smash things at home tomorrow! Why wreck your stuff here?” Wu Tan grinned, half-joking as she pulled the quilt over herself.

Though the matter affected her, she showed no intense emotional upheaval.

Lin Yanyao did not know what else to say and finally went to sleep.

Both women, burdened with thoughts, had little mood for conversation. They closed their eyes but could not fall asleep. After nearly an hour, a maid came to knock and announced that Wu Qinglin had returned.

———Side note———

Tan girl: Another one comes to expose my secrets! Life is impossible now~o(>_<)o~

Royal Uncle: Brother-in-law is away on a trip, heh heh heh →_→

P.S.: Took too long today; the bug didn’t get caught in time. Read ahead, I’ll review it again later~

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