Chapter 716: Controversies and the Revelation of the Truth [Thank You! Once More!]

In the blink of an eye,

the Dragon Boat Festival had passed several days,

Bianjing was the empire's premier capital, teeming with marquises and high officials.

Among the great families, relationships were intricately entangled.

Relatives and old acquaintances exchanged news, so sudden events in the distant northern Liao borderlands spread through the capital at astonishing speed.

Even in the private rooms of some city taverns and grand inns, people had begun to discuss the matter.

Yet why the Mongol tribes had clashed violently with the Luolong Zhao family remained a subject of much speculation.

That afternoon,

the sky was still bright,

Xu Zaijing and the others had just finished class,

and as they stepped out of the Sheng family gate, Xu Zaijing spotted Liang Han's servant Diaochē, standing nearby holding a horse.

Seeing Xu Zaijing and the others, Diaochē immediately smiled and bowed: "Gentlemen, my Sixth Young Master regrets his rudeness on Dragon Boat Day—he has sent me to invite you all to Yuxian Tavern."

Gu Tingye, mounted on horseback, frowned: "Yuxian Tavern? How has Sixth Young Master grown so generous all of a sudden?"

Qi Heng, pulling back the carriage curtain, glanced at Diaochē beside the vehicle and added: "If Sixth Brother knows he slighted us, why send only a servant to invite us? Where is he himself?"

Diaochē quickly bowed and smiled: "Second Young Master, Young Lord, please calm yourselves—my master was surrounded by several young nobles the moment he mentioned the reason behind the Liao incident and cannot break free."

Xu Zaijing, Gu Tingye, and Zai Zhang exchanged glances and exclaimed: "What? Sixth Young Master already found out the truth?"

"Let's go! We must hurry and hear it," Gu Tingye urged impatiently.

Xu Zaijing's elder brother, Zai Zhang, unusually sent a personal attendant back to Quyuanjie to inform Sun Shi and Hua Lan that he would return home late.

All of them mounted their horses and carriages and headed toward Jiying Alley's entrance.

Not far beyond Jiying Alley, hoofbeats sounded behind them.

One glance backward,

"Whoa!"

Xu Zaijing pulled his small Liliju horse to a halt.

"What's wrong, Xiao Wu?" Zai Zhang turned to ask with concern.

Xu Zaijing replied: "Brother, that rider behind us looks like the servant who came with Fourth Sister's dowry to the Huyan household."

"Hmm?"

Zai Zhang turned and looked, then reined in his mount.

"Brother, you go ahead with Second Young Master and the others—I'll send Qingyun to find you if anything urgent comes up."

Seeing Zai Zhang hesitate, Xu Zaijing added: "If you learn the true cause of the Liao clash, send word to me and my sister in Chunming Fang."

Zai Zhang shook his head: "Wait for the servant to arrive and hear what he says."

Saying this, Zai Zhang waved to Gu Tingye and the others: "You go on ahead!"

In the time it took to speak,

the servant had arrived nearby,

and seeing the Xu brothers waiting on horseback, he smiled and bowed from his saddle: "Greetings, Third Young Master, Fifth Young Master—Madam has sent me to ask Fifth Young Master to come to Chunming Fang."

Zai Zhang asked: "Is there something wrong?"

The servant shook his head: "Madam did not say, Third Young Master."

Xu Zaijing's eyes flickered as he guessed: "Brother, maybe the foal sent to the Huyan household has some issue."

Zai Zhang pondered briefly, then nodded: "Alright, Xiao Wu, go see. If you have time, come to Yuxian Tavern afterward."

"Understood, Brother."

With that, Xu Zaijing turned his horse and led Qingyun and the maid's carriage toward Chunming Fang with the servant.

Chunming Fang,

a carriage bearing a wooden plaque inscribed with the character "Tan" was moving along the street.

"Giddup!"

The driver's cry came from outside.

Inside, Tan family's fourth branch's second wife, Lady Qin, held her daughter in one arm and lifted the carriage curtain with her fan.

What met her eyes were several galloping steeds.

"Ji'an, whose sons are those?" Lady Qin asked.

Xiang Mama, whose gaze had been following Qingyun's retreating back, hurried to reply: "Madam, that's Fifth Young Master Xu, passing by."

"Oh?"

Lady Qin leaned forward to look.

Xiang Mama added: "Probably going to visit Lady Xu at the Huyan household."

"Mm." Lady Qin nodded lightly and lowered the curtain.

Inside the An Guo Duke's mansion,

back in her own courtyard,

Lady Qin's daughter was taken away by maids to play.

Lady Qin spread her arms as Xiang Mama helped her remove her outer robe.

Xiang Mama watched her and said: "Miss, regarding what the Hou Fu Madam mentioned today, I think you should tell your lord."

Lady Qin nodded: "It's just asking for an official post for my nephew—what's hard to say?"

She sneered: "I fear the position he gets in the Longwei Army won't even interest him."

"We've done our best," Xiang Mama said.

"Mm."

The Huyan household,

in the front hall,

Xu Zaijing sat on a chair, holding his nephew Huyan Bi.

Huyan Bi was only one and a half years old; his eyes resembled An Mei's. Though quiet in Xu Zaijing's arms, his gaze darted constantly.

Whether it was his grandmother Pan Da Niangzi speaking or An Mei speaking, the boy always turned his eyes toward them—as if he understood.

"After the courier delivered the military report, he came here and delivered this letter," Pan Da Niangzi said, handing a letter to her personal maid.

The maid took it and passed it to Xu Zaijing.

As Xu Zaijing read the letter, Huyan Bi leaned forward, peering at the paper, trying to paw at it—Xu Zaijing lifted the letter out of reach.

Then, one arm holding his nephew, the other holding the letter, Xu Zaijing began reading.

Despite being restrained, the child did not cry or fuss.

An Mei and her mother-in-law exchanged glances and whispered: "When his little uncle isn't here, he's a little tyrant. Now that he's here, he's as docile as a lamb."

Pan Da Niangzi, watching her grandson, smiled and shook her head.

Hearing this, Xu Zaijing looked up and smiled, then continued scanning the letter rapidly.

After reading, Xu Zaijing sighed with melancholy: "At the polo field, I saw Zhao Wei as a Liao noble youth—now I hear he's come to this."

Pan Da Niangzi and An Mei in the hall both nodded with deep feeling.

According to the letter, the Luolong Zhao family, once numbering over six hundred, had been slaughtered down to only a few dozen survivors on the boat.

When the Great Zhou Emperor and his ministers learned the reason for the massacre, they would surely be stirred to great turmoil.

Afterwards, Xu Zaijing asked Pan Da Niangzi and his sister about the recent condition of her husband, Huyan Jiong.

After playing with his nephew a while longer, he prepared to take his leave.

As he walked out, Xu Zaijing noticed Pan Da Niangzi's expression and said as he went: "Auntie, rest assured—the Imperial Secretariat and the Military Commission still know nothing of this—I won't speak of it."

Pan Da Niangzi smiled and nodded: "Your uncle was right about you."

Xu Zaijing smiled.

At the second gate, watching Xu Zaijing mount his horse, An Mei waved Huyan Bi's tiny arm: "Bi'er, wish your little uncle a safe journey."

Outside the Huyan household gate,

Qingyun, seeing Xu Zaijing's solemn face, asked: "Master, shall we still go to Yuxian Tavern?"

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Yes—let's hear what Sixth Young Master has to say."

The golden sun sank westward,

the sky darkened,

lanterns flickered sporadically across the capital.

Within the inner city,

at Yuxian Tavern near Zhou Bridge,

"Fifth Young Master has arrived!"

Diaochē pushed open the private room door and announced loudly.

Xu Zaijing stepped inside; Qingyun and Diaochē remained outside.

"Fifth Young Master, why so late today?"

"Jing Ge, long time no see."

"Greetings, Fifth Young Master."

"Fifth Young Master, you've grown taller again?"

Seeing the group of noble youths in bright robes, holding fans and swords, Xu Zaijing quickly smiled and bowed.

"Greetings, Brother Pei! I was just at Chunming Fang earlier."

Hearing this, a young man of the State of Xin's Pei family said, "If you need help, Fifth Young Master, just say the word."

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded. "Of course."

"Brother Chaojie, long time no see—you look even more splendid than before."

Hai Chaojie, of the Hai family, laughed and shook his head, pointing his folding fan at Xu Zaijing: "Fifth Young Master, that's more fitting for you."

Xu Zaijing laughed and covered his face. "I'm undeserving! I'm undeserving!"

"Hahaha!" Seeing Xu Zaijing's exaggerated gesture, everyone in the room burst into laughter.

"Huerui, you look radiant—clearly enjoying yourself."

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing raised an eyebrow at Shen Huerui, wearing the knowing look all men understand.

Shen Huerui, slightly annoyed, punched Xu Zaijing's shoulder.

The group laughed again.

Lu Zhang, a friend of Zai Zhang, stood nearby and said to Zai Zhang: "Third Young Master, I truly envy your younger brother's popularity."

Zai Zhang laughed. "I envy him too!"

After everyone laughed and sat down, Xu Zaijing turned to Liang Han and said: "Sixth Young Master, they say you know the truth about the Northern Liao—tell us again?"

Liang Han scratched his head, embarrassed, then glanced around and said: "Brother Jing, I've only heard rumors—I don't know if they're true."

Meeting everyone's gaze, Liang Han continued: "It's said the Mongol tribes plan to marry into several Northern Liao noble families, and the most powerful of them, the Jadarlan clan, demands a bride from the Zhao family of Lulong."

"Just before the wedding, rumors spread that the Zhao family's noble daughter had once been captured by the Jin, and was no longer chaste."

"The Jadarlan clan felt deceived and insulted, and thus clashed with the Lulong Zhao family."

After Liang Han finished, the Pei family youth shook his head: "Sixth Young Master, the northern tribes of the Northern Liao are savage, ignorant, and crude—they often follow the perverse custom of a son marrying his father's widow, or a brother marrying his deceased brother's wife."

"When northern tribes marry into Northern Liao noble families, they seek the Zhao family's status—not the maiden's purity. I think this rumor is false."

Xu Zaijing, beside them, nodded in agreement with the others: "Brother Pei speaks wisely."

Hai Chaojie on the other side said: "Brother Jing, I heard an urgent report from Jingdong East Road was delivered to the palace today—we'll likely know more in the next couple of days."

Hearing this, Zai Zhang looked at Xu Zaijing.

After nodding to his elder brother, Xu Zaijing said: "I won't hide it from you all—I just came from my brother-in-law's Hu Yan household."

Gu Tingye said urgently: "Brother Jing, have you learned something?"

Everyone in the private room turned to look at Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Yes—just as Brother Chaojie said, we'll know in a couple of days."

Liang Han, visibly anxious, said: "Brother Jing, tell us at least a little!"

Xu Zaijing studied the faces around him, then said: "It's said Zhao Weigan of the Lulong Zhao family is already on his way to the capital."

At these words,

everyone in the private room showed expressions of shock.

In the Great Zhou imperial palace,

within the Inner Court,

lanterns burned brightly in the emperor's audience hall.

The empire's top civil and military ministers,

some seated on embroidered stools, others standing, all wore thoughtful expressions, despite their differing postures.

"Your Majesty, the Prince has arrived."

The chief eunuch whispered beside the emperor.

"Hmm. Let him sit beside me." The emperor said.

Moments later, Zhao Fang entered the hall with his retinue.

He first bowed deeply to the ministers inside, then stepped toward the emperor.

The ministers all bowed and clasped their fists in return.

Zhao Fang sat beside the emperor and whispered: "Father, what's happened?"

The emperor picked up a memorial from his desk and handed it to Zhao Fang. "Fang'er, read it yourself."

Zhao Fang replied "Yes," then took the memorial with both hands and began reading.

After only a moment, his brow furrowed.

On the way back to Quyuanjie,

though night had fallen,

the streets of Bianjing still teemed with pedestrians and merchants.

As the Xu family's carriage passed, curious glances followed.

The reason was simple: the maid Huaxiang was carefully riding atop a tall, majestic little Liliju.

A well-dressed, beautiful young lady atop a richly caparisoned steed—this was rare on the streets.

Only when closer did one see that the Liliju's reins were held by Qingyun.

Inside the carriage,

Xu Zaijing and Zai Zhang sat facing each other,

Xu Zaijing said: "Brother, according to Brother Hu Yan's letter, the Northern Liao and the Jin are secretly negotiating peace."

"What!? Peace?" Zai Zhang whispered in shock, trying hard to keep his voice low.

Xu Zaijing nodded firmly: "The Lulong Zhao family, appointed by the Northern Liao imperial house, is leading the negotiations."

Zai Zhang thought for a moment, then whispered: "Not the Liu or Ma families—the scholarly clans? But Lulong is closest to the Northern Liao-Jin frontline. The Zhao family has been military for generations, deeply rooted in the Northern Liao army. It makes sense they'd lead the talks."

Zai Zhang added: "Then why did the Lulong Zhao family clash with the Mongol tribes?"

Xu Zaijing took a deep breath and smiled quietly: "Brother, do you know what the Northern Liao imperial house promised the Mongol tribes to get them to fight for them?"

Zai Zhang: "I know—it's vast pasturelands within Northern Liao. I've heard they're excellent."

"Hss!"

Zai Zhang's eyes lit up as he drew in a sharp breath: "Little Five—you mean…"

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Brother, you're right! The Mongol tribes want nothing more than to prevent Northern Liao and Jin from making peace! If they do, the tribes must return to their own pastures!"

"Their own lands aren't as good as these well-managed Northern Liao pastures—and once they return, they'll still be forced to serve Northern Liao, facing not just the Jin army they once matched, but…"

Zai Zhang continued: "Our own army—the Western Army that slaughtered Bai Gao like a butcher carving an ox."

Xu Zaijing nodded: "The Mongol tribes dare not draw blades against the Northern Liao imperial house—so the Lulong Zhao family bears the blame."

"Little Five, if the Mongol tribes are this furious to make their stance clear, what lies behind it must be vast." Zai Zhang said.

Xu Zaijing: "Yes. According to Zhao Weigan, the peace talks are going smoothly… the Jin also want to use the wolves to devour the tiger—send Northern Liao to clash with our Western Army in the west!"

What Xu Zaijing didn't say was that he had also used his connections to inquire at the Imperial Surveillance Office. If they hadn't concealed anything from him, then prior to this, they too had uncovered no intelligence.

Thus, the military nobles of the Jin must be taken seriously by the Surveillance Office's officials.

(End of Chapter)