Chapter 860

Regarding Yan Yan, after Chen Wuji had gathered information from all sides, he now roughly understood him; if the current emperor were compared to Emperor Xian of Han, then Yan Yan would undoubtedly be Dong Zhuo.

This person has military achievements, is skilled at winning over people's hearts, and his methods know no lower limit.

He was promoted all the way by Ruan Yuchang, and at one point was even entrusted with important responsibilities by Ruan Yuchang, regarded as an absolute confidant and the successor in the Ruan clan faction.

But after he gained power capable of counterbalancing Ruan Yuchang, he without hesitation immediately turned against him— which shows that Ruan Yuchang still had some ability, and his trust in Yan Yan was also guarded, otherwise it would have been a farcical scene of teaching a disciple only to be beaten to death by him.

Dong Zhuo's watchfulness is a watchfulness of strategy and military affairs.

But Yan Yan's watchfulness is absolute calm and keen judgment in court intrigue; before the moment arrives, he is more cautious than anyone, but once the moment comes, he is that venomous snake lying in wait in the grass.

If he does not act, fine; but once he acts, it is aimed at taking lives.

Although Ruan Yuchang did not completely lose his life, he was greatly weakened by Yan Yan, and now it seems that in some matters he still has to rely on Yan Yan's strength.

For such a person, Chen Wuji finds nothing surprising about his doing anything without limits.

"This court is truly chaotic enough." Chen Wuji sighed wistfully.

In such a situation, the emperor still tries to re-consolidate his power, which is basically a hell‑level difficulty. An emperor high above, watched by countless wolves, his every word and deed, every move, is likely under others' scrutiny, examined with a magnifying glass.

One can imagine that what is staged daily in that palace city is probably not just Intrigue, but Intrigue within Intrigue, or even Intrigue within Intrigue within Intrigue.

Lü Xun gave a bitter smile, "Who would say otherwise? With Ruan Yuchang and Yan Yan at the head of the civil officials and aristocratic clans, plus the military nobles and imperial relatives, they are now fighting so hard their dog‑brains are about to come out, as if they have reached the point where the map is exhausted and the dagger appears."

"I know they are contending for power and influence, but I really don't understand the meaning of their struggle. Take any one of them at random, their power and influence are already overwhelming, yet they still fight there—open and covert battles, head‑breaking contests, fighting until the state is no longer a state and the people cannot survive."

"Since coming to Nan Jun and joining the Regional Inspector Commander's staff, I feel even more sorrow for those people. I once naively believed the Da Yu dynasty could still be saved, but now I want to say, the world needs a hero like the Regional Inspector Commander!"

Chen Wuji had heard many pleasant words, but these two characters "hero" were still the first time he had heard them.

Needless to say, it really is somewhat pleasing to the ear.

And who would not like such heartfelt praise?

"The eldest prince is allied with Ruan Yuchang, the second prince could be Yan Yan's illegitimate son—what about the third prince? With whom is he allied, is he the militarily scorned noble warrior, or is he an imperial relative?" Chen Wuji asked.

Lü Xun shook his head, "The third prince is by nature dull and inept at socializing, having grown up in the palace, seemingly unconnected with any faction. But some also think the third prince is hiding his abilities."

"However, the sovereign currently seems to favor the third prince, with the intention of making him the heir apparent."

Chen Wuji roughly figured it out in his mind.

If nothing unexpected happens, the reason the emperor has done all this and bestowed so many favors upon him lies with this third prince—either to aid him, or to protect him and continue the imperial bloodline.

The emperor is in his prime, but judging from the situation, he seems already to be preparing for his after‑affairs.

"An emperor would not entrust the future of the Da Yu dynasty to a prince who is dull and inept at socializing; perhaps the guesses of some people that Chief Clerk Lü mentioned are correct." Chen Wuji said lightly.

Lü Xun's heart jolted, then he let out a soft sigh, "In that case, the third prince is in danger!"

He had not given this matter deep thought.

But Chen Wuji's single sentence pierced that mist‑like veil.

Something Chen Wuji can see through at a glance—would Ruan Yuchang, Yan Yan, and the others fail to understand it?

Even if the third prince is truly dull and foolish, as long as the sovereign intends it, his life is also in danger; those two princes fighting over and over—what they care about is nothing but the heir‑apparent position, right?

At that moment, the curtain of the Zhongjun Camp's big tent was lifted, and Yu Yan Chu and her maid stepped out wearing Chen Wuji's oversized clothes. Their slender, petite figures in his near‑1.9‑meter‑tall attire looked like children wearing adult clothing—both comical and adorable.

Chen Wuji stared at them for two glances, then burst out laughing.

"What are you laughing at? Your clothes are too big!" Yu Yan Chu wrinkled her delicate nose, gave a light hum, "As the Regional Inspector Commander, you don't even have a decent set of clothes—too much!"

"This is an important military camp—where am I supposed to find decent women's clothing for you? My two wives did bring spare clothes, but they took them when they left, letting you wait a few days, yet you didn't wait—how can I be blamed?" Chen Wuji laughed.

Yu Yan Chu gave a hum and said nothing, just tugging hard at her robe sleeves, trying to pull up the sleeves that were far longer than her arms to free her hands.

"Old subject pays respects to the Elder Princess, Your Highness!" Lü Xun bowed.

Yang Tiejiang and the others had no intention of paying respects; they simply stared wide‑eyed at Yu Yan Chu and her maid, utterly gawking.

"What do you mean? I am, after all, a princess—why won't you pay respects?" Yu Yan Chu frowned and shouted.

Yang Tiejiang looked up at the sky.

Seeing this, the others responded in kind—some looked up at the sky, some looked down at the ground, some pretended to talk to those beside them, directly ignoring Yu Yan Chu's demand.

Chen Wuji smiled faintly and said nothing.

Lü Xun, upon seeing this, instantly became nervous.

In this place, his being a special case is a life‑threatening matter; it's easy to get himself killed.

His face showed panic as he hurriedly explained, "Regional Inspector Commander, I'm just used to it… I'm terrified!"

"No problem, after all you are also a senior official of the court; some habits truly can't be changed quickly!" Chen Wuji said with a light smile, "Just like people from the north who can't tolerate the southern water and soil—they need a transitional period to adapt, and I understand."

That sentence almost made Lü Xun break out in a cold sweat.

How could he fail to hear the veiled warning in Chen Wuji's words? He just never expected Chen Wuji to act so bluntly, not even bothering to pretend anymore.

"I understand, I understand, I will certainly stay vigilant day and night and adapt to the southern water and soil as soon as possible!" Lü Xun said hurriedly; just then he felt as if his soul were fluttering wildly in the heavens.

Yu Yan Chu looked at the scene before her, her eyes shifted, and she instantly understood, "Not paying respects to the Elder Princess is no big deal, but I am, after all, a marchioness—can't you at least perform a salute?"