Chapter 463: The Emperor's Purpose

Chen Wuji finished reading it but still didn't know if it was truly the Emperor's handwriting; in name, however, it was a secret letter bearing the Emperor's hand.

Then he felt a bit dazed.

"Why would the Emperor remember me so clearly, a mere Negotiation Colonel?" Chen Wuji murmured.

This is somewhat overly unusual.

Qin Zhanhong also looked bewildered: "I haven't spoken much to His Majesty about you; the only time I mentioned you was when I reported on the Zhang Family affair, after which His Majesty personally appointed you as Brigade Commander of the Provincial Troops."

"Logically, that was just that one occasion; the Emperor, burdened with myriad affairs, really shouldn't remember it so clearly..."

Chen Wuji re‑rolled the silk‑written letter into its tube, something that might be useful someday, so he kept it safe.

"He actually tells me here to quickly pacify Hezhou, keep an eye on Nan Jun, and restrain Lu Ping'an—what does that mean? He surely knows what's happened to me lately." Chen Wuji suddenly felt a prickling vigilance, as if needles were on his back.

This whole thing feels completely off.

Qin Zhanhong's expression rarely turned solemn: "Husband, I don't know if my guess is right, but His Majesty the Emperor should still trust you greatly; he hopes you can pacify the rebellion in Nan Jun."

"If you say that, I think you're wrong. Does the Emperor trust me? He knows my recent affairs so well that he couldn't possibly be unaware of my status as Chen Clan Head—would he really dare to employ us Chen?" Chen Wuji shook his head.

The word "trust" could never appear between him and His Majesty the Emperor.

Talking about other things is fine, but talking about trust is just too far‑fetched.

"But aside from trust, there really is no other possibility." Qin Zhanhong said.

Chen Wuji pondered, sat down in the corridor, and ordered Chen Wuyi to have someone bring tea and snacks.

"There is another possibility." After eliminating many options, Chen Wuji thought of one.

"Exploitation!" he said slowly, "Or rather, under the present circumstances, each side takes what it needs."

Qin Zhanhong asked, puzzled: "What do you mean? I don't mean to look down on you; I'm just saying that although you've achieved a little, you're only in command of one prefecture with ten‑plus thousand troops—hardly worth the Emperor's scheming."

"But after thinking it over, this is the most likely possibility." Chen Wuji shook his head, growing more convinced of this answer.

"You're not wrong; I am indeed weak now, and logically I shouldn't even catch the Emperor's eye—how many others in Lingnan Six Commanderies have risen in arms? Yet the Emperor still remembers me and seems to pay me special attention."

"That shows he cares not about me, Chen Wuji, but about our Chen Clan!"

Chen Wuji gave a light laugh: "The Chen Clan once flourished, hailed by all as the Number One Military Gate; even though we have fallen to this state, tarnished in reputation, the weight of being the Number One Military Gate still remains somewhat."

"The Emperor probably wants to set me up as a target in Nan Jun, and even the whole Lingnan Six Commanderies, to keep the various sides in check."

After hearing Chen Wuji's analysis, Qin Zhanhong's lovely brows twitched up and down: "But what good would that do for His Majesty the Emperor? And… this is a secret letter."

"There are benefits, after all; the best use of a target is to draw everyone's attention, masking his true deployment." Chen Wuji said solemnly, "I won't dwell on my own abilities, but the Chen Clan's former fame will surely arouse many people's curiosity."

"Anyway, from others' standpoint, I'd certainly want to test this so‑called former Number One Military Gate to see how much strength it still has after rising from the ashes. As a regional lord, if I could crush that revived Number One Military Gate, I'd have plenty to brag about."

Qin Zhanhong was convinced.

Her face showed a hint of resentment: "Actually I've always thought His Majesty the Emperor is a good person and wanted to be a good emperor. But given the court situation, he temporarily lacks the power to change much, unable to completely overturn the world."

Chen Wuji gave Qin Zhanhong a deep look and spoke gently: "I can believe the Emperor truly wants to trust me, but if next he sends only an edict promoting my rank with nothing else, then I would have guessed correctly."

"My long‑held wish for a legitimate title might be fulfilled this time by His Majesty the Emperor. As for the reply, just write whatever; better to be truthful, I estimate the Emperor already knows what he needs to know."

"The secret letter reveals too much between the lines; some things are spelled out clearly, yet he deliberately speaks vaguely, as if hinting at you—so just be frank in your reply."

Qin Zhanhong asked dubiously: "No problem?"

"What could be wrong? At worst we fight." Chen Wuji shrugged with a careless smile.

"At least in Lingnan, let's first preserve your standing in the Emperor's eyes."

He also has an extremely mysterious master and the Ciji Zhai.

"All right, then I'll roughly report it, without going into too much detail." Qin Zhanhong nodded.

After a pause she added: "By the way, husband, you were watching beside me when I wrote this, right?"

Chen Wuji gazed into those utterly sincere, watery eyes, shook his head and chuckled: "Do you think I don't trust you? I don't mean that—do as you will; you're my bedside companion, if I doubted even you, how could I go on?"

"But I feel uneasy inside…" Qin Zhanhong sighed softly.

She was originally straightforward, but the Emperor's secret letter nearly turned her into a Lin Daiyu.

Chen Wuji put his arm around Qin Zhanhong's soft waist naturally: "How about I energetically make up for you, so you feel a bit more at ease?"

Qin Zhanhong burst out laughing, instantly getting it.

Her eyes flickered, she bit her lip and smiled faintly: "Then husband, I'll first have someone tidy the room… wait, it seems the office has no servants now, I'll tidy it myself."

"Just hire a couple of cleaners for now—you're not the type to do that work." Chen Wuji laughed.

Qin Zhanhong rolled a flirtatious little white eye: "Husband, you're wronging me—I do that kind of work every day at home."

"Really? Then maybe my eyesight's off—don't do it yourself, hire someone." Chen Wuji laughed.

"Go make the arrangements first; I'll go meet those officials in Hezhou, then come back to find you when I'm done."

Qin Zhanhong nodded happily, leaned into Chen Wuji's ear, blew a soft, sweet breath, and whispered: "Then I'll be clean and fresh waiting for you, husband—I'll show you a very beautiful dress today."