Chapter 34: Crimes to be Added (1)

Two figures, one red and one ink-black, bypassed the Hostage Mansion. After passing through several neighborhoods, they flashed before a small alley and suddenly vanished. When they reappeared, they were already inside the inner sanctum of the Chu Gong.

Han Xi tiptoed to prop up the exit of the secret passage, revealing a pair of bright, sparkling eyes. She looked left and right, then whispered to Zi Rao, "Be careful, you must, must not let anyone discover us, otherwise it will be difficult for me to sneak out of the palace in the future."

Zi Rao took advantage of the dim light to examine this secret passage that led directly from the city to the Chu Gong. Historically, every royal palace had some unknown secret passages leading to the outside world for emergencies, and this Chu Gong was no exception. The walls of the secret passage were built with perfectly flat bluestone; it was neat and spacious, at least wide enough for two or three people to walk side by side. Although deep underground, it did not feel stifling, showing that appropriate ventilation shafts had been reserved, and a great deal of thought must have gone into its construction. Yet, at this moment, it had become the perfect passage for Princess Han Xi to sneak in and out of the Forbidden Palace to play.

The exit of the secret passage was located in a side hall in the West Garden of the Chu Gong. Han Xi, familiar with the path, led Zi Rao to bypass the areas where guards were bound to pass, heading toward the Huanzhang Hall where the King of Chu handled state affairs. The two used a few small tricks to lure away the surrounding guards, secretly infiltrated the main hall, and finally hid behind a brocade screen on the left side of the front hall, just a few steps away from the King of Chu's throne. Nearby, a feathered fan screen opened, just enough to conceal their tracks. Unless someone came around the hall pillars to check, they would never discover anyone was here. Han Xi winked triumphantly at Zi Rao, and the two held their breath, peeking out from behind the brocade screen.

Except for Shao Yuan Jun, who had not yet returned with his troops, the high officials of Chu were all in the hall at this time. The people of Chu loved splendor; from the halls to the official robes of generals and ministers, everything was intricately patterned and brightly colored. At a glance, below the hall were brocade clothes, jade belts, vermilion crowns, and gorgeous attire; Ye Xuanshang's pure black robe was particularly conspicuous.

Opposite him, a Chu official spoke righteously and sternly, questioning the Mu State for invading the border without cause. Ye Xuanshang lowered his eyes slightly to listen, a trace of almost imperceptible amusement occasionally flashing across his brow. He let that Chu official speak eloquently and aggressively, remaining silent throughout. It was not until the other party's long-winded accusations ended that he raised his eyes slowly to look upward at the King of Chu, who was seated high above. He smiled and said to the Chu official, "May I ask, Counselor Qu, among the feudal lords of the world, who is the master? Among the states of the Nine Domains, who is the most honored?"

Grand Counselor Qu Tai was stunned and said, "Does this need asking? Naturally, the feudal lords take the royal family as their master, and the states take the Son of Heaven as the most honored."

Ye Xuanshang said, "Those who are ministers should share the worries and solve the difficulties for their masters. Does Counselor Qu agree?"

Qu Tai said, "This is the way of a minister!"

Ye Xuanshang smiled and continued, "If one encounters a minister who bullies his master, what should a minister do?"

Qu Tai said, "When the master is worried, the minister is humiliated; when the master is humiliated, the minister dies..."

Ye Xuanshang followed up with another question: "If there is someone who has no respect for their superior, bullies their master, and acts recklessly, what does Counselor Qu intend to do?"

Qu Tai was a loyal man and immediately said bluntly, "Rebellious ministers who act in defiance—all under heaven may strike them down!"

Before his voice had faded, Ye Xuanshang turned calmly and bowed to the King of Chu, "Great King, this is why the Mu State has raised its army!"

The great hall suddenly fell silent. Behind the screen, Zi Rao couldn't help but curl her lips in a smile. One must know that for many years, the royal family had been in decline, and the heroes of the Nine Domains had been sharpening their weapons and horses, fighting for cities and land. Their ambition to seize the throne was obvious to all, yet no state was willing to openly break away from the Imperial Capital and be the first to bear the name of a rebellious minister. Even though Chu had used Xichuan to test the Royal Domain this time, they would never be willing to give others a handle on this matter. At this very moment, why the Mu State had suddenly raised its army to march east—the people of Chu knew their own business, but they had to make a full show of it on the surface.

The imperial court was like a stage.

Beneath the curtain of blood and smoke, there was a stage, and ten thousand miles of rivers and mountains. Great states and small states, lords and ministers—who among them was not skilled in singing, reciting, acting, and fighting? One act ended and another began; with a turn and a step, they turned the world upside down and overturned the floating clouds and the common people.

The so-called world was nothing more than this.

Zi Rao faintly narrowed her eyes and brows, bored, and turned her gaze. Inadvertently, from a pair of pitch-black eyes, she once again encountered the obvious mockery, not knowing if it was directed at herself or at this grand hall and the vast world.

At this moment, a deep voice suddenly sounded from beside the throne, "Third Young Master, what is the meaning of these words? Chu Guo has always respected the Son of Heaven and strictly observed the way of a minister. Your Mu State has occupied our territory and seized our cities without cause, yet you are here using flowery words and sophistry. May I ask what your intentions are?"

The speaker was over forty, dressed in cloud-python purple satin court robes, wearing a high cap with gold tassels, with eagle eyes and a prominent nose. His appearance was majestic and stern; one could tell at a glance that he was a person deep in strategy and accustomed to using power. Han Xi secretly curled her lips to signal, and Zi Rao guessed that this must be Helian Yiren, who could rival Huang Fei, so she couldn't help but pay a little more attention.

Ye Xuanshang cupped his hands and said, "Lord Helian, you speak too seriously. Xuanshang is merely speaking the truth and has no other meaning."

Helian Yiren snorted coldly, "A fine 'speaking the truth'! The Chu and Mu states swore an oath with blood to be allies, a fact known to all under heaven. Now you have broken your faith and raised an army to attack our border cities. Today, you must give an explanation!"

Ye Xuanshang smiled, "Xuanshang truly has no explanation for this matter."

"Hmph!" Helian Yiren squinted coldly, "Third Young Master, have you forgotten your identity? If you have no explanation, that is fine, as long as you take responsibility for what the Mu State has done!"

Nowadays, states occasionally form alliances or become enemies, fighting and making peace by turns, acting capriciously. The killing of hostages due to mutual discord was common and was seen as a matter of course. Helian Yiren's words were echoed by more than half of the Chu officials, who one after another petitioned the King of Chu to make a decision.

The King of Chu, seated high on the throne, heard the officials chattering and arguing endlessly. He raised his hand to signal them to be quiet, "Although the Mu State has broken its oath, the opinions of you ministers need to be deliberated further; one must not act rashly. How about... waiting for Shao Yuan Jun to return to the court, and I will ask for his opinion before deciding."

"Great King!" Helian Yiren immediately turned and petitioned, "If this matter is allowed to rest, the Chu State will surely be ridiculed by the feudal lords! That Wei Yuan clearly does not hold our Chu State in his eyes. Although the Great King rules the world with benevolence, how can you tolerate him being so reckless?" Before his voice had faded, the military generals below the hall had already stepped out one after another to request battle, "Great King, the Marquis is right. This subordinate is willing to be the vanguard to intercept the enemy troops of the Mu State!"

"Great King, what can be endured and what cannot? This move by the Mu State is bullying us too much!"

"Great King! This subordinate is willing to go and meet the battle!"

"This subordinate is willing to go!"

Helian Yiren seemed determined to force Ye Xuanshang into a dead end, adding one more remark, "I request the Great King to immediately order the disposal of Ye Xuanshang to give the Mu State a taste of our power, show our national prestige, and boost our military morale. Then the Mu State's army will surely retreat within days!"

The King of Chu frowned and remained silent, appearing unable to make a decision. Just as he was deliberating, a voice suddenly came clearly from outside the hall, "With a mere Mu army, why go to such great trouble and bother the Great King to personally inquire? Within three days, Wei Yuan will surely retreat. The Great King may rest assured!"

Following these confident words, a person wearing cloud-white gold-stitched armor, with beast patterns on the shoulders and a golden crown binding his hair, strode in, stepping on the light of the jade stairs. A crimson cloak fluttered wantonly with his vigorous steps, like an eagle spreading its wings or a dragon unfolding clouds. At that moment, it covered the shimmering sunlight in the sky and stole all the majestic royal power from the throne.

The King of Chu was overjoyed to hear the voice, "Huang Fei, you have finally returned!"

That person ascended the hall and entered, raised his hands to cup his fists before the vermilion steps, and bowed gracefully, "Huang Fei has led the Liefeng Cavalry back to the state. Greetings, Great King!"

Wearing a sword before the King, standing without kneeling—the King of Chu smiled and raised his hand, asking, "Mu Guo has raised an army to invade; have you heard?"

Huang Fei raised his eyes spiritedly, "This subordinate has returned precisely for this matter."

The King of Chu said, "You have returned just in time. This time Wei Yuan is leading the troops himself; he has come with ill intent."

Huang Fei smiled, "This subordinate is an old rival of Wei Yuan. We haven't met for many years; I was just thinking of sparring with him!"

The King of Chu nodded and said, "The ministers are discussing the matter of the Mu State hostage. I am unable to make up my mind. What is your opinion?"

Huang Fei raised the corner of his eye slightly and swept across the hall, "This subordinate believes that whether the Mu State retreats or not has nothing to do with this."

"My Lord, these words are wrong." Helian Yiren, who had been gloomy since Huang Fei entered the hall, suddenly spoke, "The two states sent hostages to each other to form an alliance. Now that one side has broken its promise, how can you say it has nothing to do with their hostage?"

Huang Fei turned and smiled faintly, "Does the Marquis still remember that I and the Mu State sent hostages to each other? If we kill Ye Xuanshang, wouldn't that put the Second Young Master in danger?"

Helian Yiren said, "Even if we kill Ye Xuanshang, the Second Young Master will still be safe!"

"Oh?" Huang Fei raised his sword-like eyebrows, "Why is the Marquis so certain? Could it be that the Mu State has given you a guarantee?"

Raising his eyes, Helian Yiren's cold light appeared in his eyes as they met. He said in a deep voice, "My Lord must also know that the Crown Prince and his brother of the Mu State are not on good terms. How could he make things difficult for the Second Young Master for this reason?"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 35 =====