Chapter 170: How Could a Tiger's Daughter Be Matched with a Dog's Son

An extra update for fellow reader "Little Zhefu."

"Your servant, having received the sovereign's grace and drawn a salary, naturally shall devote himself wholeheartedly to His Majesty and the Crown Prince. To guard the realm of the Great Han and prevent treacherous villains from succeeding in their schemes, your servant would rather die than regret it!" Facing Liu Chengyou's questioning, Wang Jingchong kowtowed and declared his loyalty with great agitation.

He had struck the ground so hard that blood showed on his forehead—quite earnest indeed. As for such high-sounding words, Wang Jingchong probably didn't even believe them himself, but there was still a need to say them.

Liu Chengyou, naturally, didn't take them seriously either, sitting back to watch the performance. He watched as, in just a few words from Wang Jingchong's mouth, Yang Bin was very naturally branded a treasonous minister plotting rebellion.

For a moment he didn't respond to this, silently weighing matters in his mind. Since Liu Chengyou said nothing, Wang Jingchong dared not speak either, only kneeling obediently, his heart full of anxiety. This time, he had burned his bridges and staked everything on a single throw.

As for Yang Bin's "secret meeting" with Wang Jingchong last night, Liu Chengyou knew of it—he had received word long ago.

However, he did not believe what Wang Jingchong had reported, or rather, did not fully believe it. Yang Bin was, after all, the powerful chancellor of the Great Han, guiding the realm's affairs—he was bound to have some depth. Even if he were a fool, he could not possibly have entrusted Wang Jingchong with such "innermost" confidence.

But the fact that Wang Jingchong dared to muster his courage and personally come before him to make accusations—the deeper meaning behind that was worth careful consideration.

His scrutinizing gaze fell upon Wang Jingchong, making the man feel tremendous pressure. Liu Chengyou's mind turned quickly, and he could basically determine that most of what Wang Jingchong said was untrue. As for the purpose behind his doing this...

As thoughts flashed through his mind, Liu Chengyou's gaze grew clearer and his expression more resolute.

Not letting Wang Jingchong rise, Liu Chengyou suddenly barked: "How dare you, Wang Jingchong!"

Before the man could react, a string of rebukes followed: "You dare come before me spouting nonsense, slandering a great minister, defaming the chancellor, vainly attempting to stir up discord in hopes of currying favor! Do you take me for some weak-minded sovereign who believes whatever he hears? Do you think that with your one-sided tale, I would come to suspect Chancellor Yang?"

"Do you believe that I could, right now, convict you of slandering a great minister and have you dragged out of the palace gates and beheaded as a warning to all?"

"Your servant would never dare!" Seeing this, Wang Jingchong bowed again, his voice choked with emotion: "Your servant has not spoken a single false word! Given Your Highness's brilliance and martial prowess, how would your servant dare to deceive you?"

"Everything your servant has said is true, word for word. If there is even half a false statement, I willingly accept death. My death is a small matter—but if Your Highness is left unprepared and the rebels' schemes succeed, that would be a great calamity!"

"I beg Your Highness to see clearly!" Tears had already welled up in Wang Jingchong's eyes.

Appreciating the man's performance, Liu Chengyou was silent for a while, then suddenly asked: "When the Great Han was founded and entered Bian, Chancellor Yang could be considered your benefactor. Why are you so eager to denounce him?"

Sensing the change in Liu Chengyou's tone, Wang Jingchong immediately said: "Compared to the great weight of sovereign grace and righteousness, how could a few petty favors be mentioned in the same breath? To be loyal to His Majesty and the Crown Prince, your servant is willing to be a base man!"

As if moved by Wang Jingchong's loyalty, Liu Chengyou's expression completely softened: "Rise and speak!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!" A hint of joy involuntarily flickered in his eyes as Wang Jingchong slowly stood up, his back hunched.

Liu Chengyou's voice came out cold and low as he said slowly: "What you have reported is a grave matter. I cannot, on the strength of your one-sided account alone, move against the esteemed chancellor. Even if you went before His Majesty, you would not escape losing your head!"

Hearing this, Wang Jingchong shrewdly bowed and said: "I humbly await Your Highness's instruction."

To be honest, this man truly had some ability—his courage and insight were both of the highest order.

After pondering for a moment, Liu Chengyou instructed in a low voice: "You said Chancellor Yang wished to recommend you as deputy general to Guanzhong. Since I blocked it, he must have given you other instructions! If Chancellor Yang truly makes a move, then from now on, you will conceal yourself among his ranks, investigate in secret, and gather evidence. Do you understand?"

"Your servant understands!"

"Be careful when you leave!"

"Yes!"

After Wang Jingchong left, Liu Chengyou mused for a while, his expression inscrutable. Wang Jingchong's sudden denunciation was, for him, an unexpected windfall.

He summoned Li Chongju and directly ordered him: "Send men to keep a tight watch on this Wang Jingchong!"

Wang Jingchong slipped quietly away from Liu Chengyou's presence, and as he emerged heading out of the imperial city, he let out a heavy breath, as if a great weight had been lifted. The cold sweat on his back made him feel a chill, yet a faint smile couldn't help but curl at the corners of his mouth.

His coming to see Liu Chengyou this time was a gamble—a gamble with his life. Fortunately, he had bet correctly.

Since the founding of the Great Han, Wang Jingchong had been scheming and maneuvering all this time, and what he regretted most now was having chosen to board Yang Bin's ship back then. At that time, Yang Bin was the realm's pivotal chancellor, holding great power in his hands, and working in tandem with Prince Wei—by any measure, he was a big shot worth getting close to.

Who could have imagined that within a mere half year, Prince Wei would go from grave illness to death, and then Prince Zhou would ascend to the position of Crown Prince—and be at odds with Yang Bin, their conflict fierce.

Under such circumstances, Wang Jingchong naturally could no longer sit still. Everything he had done now had but one purpose: to get off Yang Bin's sinking ship before he was dragged down with it later.

The Emperor had fallen ill and had not attended to court affairs for some time—no one could say when he might pass away. Wang Jingchong had some foresight; he could see that once the Crown Prince took the throne, Yang Bin's position as chancellor would absolutely not last long, and he might not even come to a good end. If he kept following Yang Bin, he would surely be implicated later.

He knew that with the Crown Prince's shrewdness, he might not believe his accusations, and might even see through his purpose. But he had also correctly judged that the Crown Prince, being at odds with Yang Bin, absolutely wanted to move against him.

The result proved he had bet correctly! As for whether the accusations were true or false, it didn't matter at all—as long as the Crown Prince believed them. More importantly, he could take this opportunity to switch his allegiance to the Crown Prince's side.

As for whether Yang Bin could prevail against the Crown Prince—from Wang Jingchong's choice, one could tell what he thought of the matter.

After leaving the palace, Wang Jingchong returned to his own residence. When it was a bit later, he had his household prepare some gifts and set off toward Yang Bin's mansion. He walked steadily, and from time to time, a cold, sinister glint flashed in his eyes. Recalling how Yang Bin had looked down on him before, driving him about like a pig or a dog, his heart was filled with hatred.

In Wansui Hall, Liu Zhiyuan, whose health had somewhat recovered, personally received Fu Yanqing.

These past two days, he had rarely managed to regain some spirit, and he placed great importance on these military governors who had come to the capital. They had traveled here at great effort, expressing loyalty and offering sincerity—he couldn't very well not even let them see the Emperor's face. Everyone knew the Emperor was recuperating, but if word spread, it might turn into all sorts of rumors about the Emperor's condition, which would not bode well for the stability of the court and the realm. This was also why, recently, no matter how unwell he felt, he made time to receive one or two court officials.

He was an old acquaintance of Fu Yanqing's. Though their friendship was not deep, as sovereign and subject, under Liu Zhiyuan's kind words of comfort, they chatted quite pleasantly. They spoke of past events, discussed military strategy, talked of the state of the nation...

Liu Zhiyuan was ill and lacked energy. Before the meeting ended, he suddenly asked Fu Yanqing: "Minister Fu, I hear you brought your daughter to the capital this time to see her married?"

Not knowing why Liu Zhiyuan brought this up, Fu Yanqing was somewhat taken aback, but still explained: "Your servant came for two purposes—first, to have an audience with Your Majesty, and second, for my daughter's marriage."

"Last year, when Hezhong Military Governor Li Shouzhen was still serving at the Tianping Army (Yun Prefecture), he sought to betroth his son Chongxun to my eldest daughter, and I agreed. Later, when he came to the capital and was transferred by Your Majesty to guard Hezhong, the marriage was delayed..."

After hearing Fu Yanqing's explanation, the weakness on Liu Zhiyuan's dark face dissipated considerably, and he said to Fu Yanqing: "How could a tiger's daughter be matched with a dog's son!"

"What does Your Majesty mean by this?" Slightly at a loss, Fu Yanqing's heart gave a jolt.

"Minister Fu need not be nervous!" Liu Zhiyuan showed him a reassuring smile: "Li Shouzhen's son is not a worthy match. The Crown Prince's palace still lacks a principal consort. I propose that Minister Fu's daughter enter the palace to become the Crown Princess!"

"This..." Liu Zhiyuan having made his intent clear, Fu Yanqing was utterly stunned.

He looked seriously at Liu Zhiyuan, and seeing that he was indeed not joking, his expression grew grave as he silently pondered.

Seeing Fu Yanqing's troubled expression, Liu Zhiyuan waved his hand: "There's no hurry in this matter. Minister Fu may go back and consider it."

Liu Zhiyuan appeared very magnanimous, but then added with a somewhat forceful tone: "If you are concerned about dissolving the engagement, I can issue an edict. That Li Shouzhen wouldn't dare contend with me over a daughter-in-law, would he!"