Chapter 151: Not Going to the Capital

In another room of the courtyard.

Cheng Chengxuan stared at the information on the paper, his brow tightly furrowed.

"Are you certain it's him?"

"... Slurp... munch munch..."

Chu Yuan was holding a bowl, slurping instant noodles, head buried as he ate ravenously, not even bothering to lift his head as he answered.

"Rest assured, our sources are absolutely reliable."

After saying that, he slurped and gulped down another big mouthful, nodding as he chewed.

These noodles are way too delicious!

He hummed twice at Cheng Chengxuan.

With such tasty noodles in the house, he'd actually been hiding them and refusing to share.

What a lousy friend!

If Cheng Chengxuan knew what he was thinking, he'd surely cry out in protest at the injustice.

Before, at the Fifth Prince's Residence in Muyuan, he had to be doubly careful and cautious—apart from the medicine Yu'an had given him, he hadn't brought along a single thing that shouldn't have been there.

Besides, it was only after returning this time that he discovered the household even had something like instant noodles.

Even now, he'd only eaten a few packs himself.

As Chu Yuan ate, his gaze drifted to the four yellow-brown oil-paper packages still left on the table.

He first glanced at a certain someone who was head-down writing something, then swiftly tucked one of the packages into his chest, and casually raised a hand to wipe his nose tip—a small nervous habit of his.

After that, he picked up his chopsticks again and, gulp gulp gulp, swept up both the broth and the noodles into his mouth.

Full and satisfied, Chu Yuan sprawled contentedly in the chair, casually wiping the corner of his mouth.

"So good!"

Hearing that, Cheng Chengxuan glanced at him speechlessly and handed him the letter he'd just finished writing.

"Help me deliver this letter to that person."

Chu Yuan took the letter and muttered unhappily under his breath.

"I've run errands for you this many times, and you haven't paid me a single errand fee."

Cheng Chengxuan shot him a look.

"Since you've put it that way, then give me back those two Antidote Pills from before!"

Those were priceless treasures you couldn't buy even if you had the money!

Hearing this, Chu Yuan gave him an ingratiating smile.

"Don't! Just pretend I wasn't awake and was talking in my sleep."

At that expression, Cheng Chengxuan declared he couldn't bear to look, pinched the bridge of his nose, and said irritably.

"Out with it! What do you want?"

Chu Yuan pointed at the instant noodles on the table.

Cheng Chengxuan sighed helplessly and shoved all three remaining packs over to him.

"All four packs for you, happy now?"

Chu Yuan's eyes darted.

"That's clearly three packs."

Cheng Chengxuan stared at him expressionlessly, his gaze flicking to the spot at his chest.

"Don't think I didn't see that just now!"

Chu Yuan gave an awkward chuckle, hugged the four packs of instant noodles, and bolted outside.

"Well, I'm off to deliver the letter, we'll chat later!"

Cheng Chengxuan shook his head.

"What a character!"

After Chu Yuan left, Cheng Sen walked in.

"Young General, are we going to lie in ambush inside the Capital?"

Hearing this, Cheng Chengxuan's face grew thoughtful, then he slowly shook his head.

"No. I'm afraid Lord Zhou will have a hard time returning to the Capital safely—we're not going to the Capital."

"We're going to An Cheng!"

The escort party bringing Lord Zhou will definitely pass through there.

……

The Capital, several hundred li away.

Within the Imperial Palace.

Late at night, a figure in a wide black cloak, led by a palace maid, made his way to a sleeping hall.

After pushing open the door to let the cloaked figure in, the palace maid stood guard cautiously at the entrance.

Inside the room, behind a wide screen, a regal and resplendent silhouette flickered in and out of view.

A hoarse, sinister voice came from the cloaked figure's mouth, tinged with mockery.

"Imperial Consort (Gongzhu), summoning me here in the dead of night—what business do you have?"

Having spoken, that person removed the wide hood of the cloak, revealing none other than the face of the National Preceptor.

From behind the screen, the Empress also spoke.

"Zhou Shizhao must die!"

The National Preceptor gave a soft laugh.

"Given the current situation, isn't this a foregone conclusion?"

"No!"

"What Her Highness means is, to avoid complications arising overnight, it would be best if he died on the road!"

The National Preceptor smoothed his sleeve.

"If Empress Dowager wishes to do something, just go ahead and do it. There's no need to consult me."

"But these days, Her Highness has too few usable people at hand, so I can only ask you for help."

Hearing this, the National Preceptor's hand paused, and he let out a cold laugh.

"Empress Dowager isn't short of people to use—it's that all the capable ones have been left by the Crown Prince's side, isn't it?"

Hearing these words, the Empress tightly clenched her sleeves.

"What do you mean?!"

The National Preceptor gave a mocking smile.

"What I mean is, isn't it laughable that a spy who crawled out of a pile of corpses, cold-blooded and ruthless, has actually developed a mother's heart?"

"How dare you!"

The Empress lowered her voice and shouted in anger.

The National Preceptor's gaze grew shadowed.

"Don't put on your Empress airs in front of me. Otherwise, I can't guarantee I won't let something slip!"

The Empress gripped the corner of the table tightly, then suddenly rolled her eyes and curved her lips into an arc.

"I've been so busy lately that I forgot to ask after you. Speaking of which, regarding the theft of your private storehouse and the loss of your secret letters—did you report everything truthfully to your master?"

The National Preceptor's face grew darker. He clenched his teeth hard.

"You're threatening me!"

The Empress said unhurriedly.

"Letting the Crown Prince smoothly ascend the throne and stirring up the waters of Da Yin was our mission to begin with. Now it's merely adding a little more certainty of victory for the Crown Prince, isn't it?"

"Hmph!"

"Whether it's truly for the mission, or for your own private interests—you know perfectly well in your heart!"

The Empress adjusted her temples.

"One word—are you in or not?"

The National Preceptor took a deep breath.

"Fine, but that matter—you must not mention it to our master!"

"Deal!"

Beyond the screen, the National Preceptor glared fiercely at the Empress, then, with a dark expression, flung his sleeve heavily and took his leave.

After he left, a woman dressed as a palace maid flashed out from a corner of the room. She looked toward the door, worry showing on her face.

"Imperial Consort (Gongzhu), falling out with the National Preceptor at this time is hardly appropriate."

The Empress slowly rose, and the palace maid quickly stepped forward to support her arm.

"I can't worry about that much anymore. These days, Qin Shou has been opposing Her Highness at every turn, and moreover, Her Highness has heard that he seems to be secretly contacting Prince Kang as well."

At this point, the Empress's expression turned cold.

"This throne belongs to Hao'er. Her Highness will not allow anyone to snatch it away!"

"By the way, what has Hao'er been doing lately? Her Highness hasn't seen him in a long time."

Mentioning the Crown Prince, the Empress's expression softened.

"Earlier the Xiyue Emperor had him handle the resettlement of the disaster victims in the Capital. How is that going?"

The palace maid looked hesitant.

"This…"

Empress Dowager's face showed displeasure.

"If you have something to say, then say it!"

Hua Ru lowered her head, her voice growing smaller and smaller.

"His Imperial Prince the Crown Prince only stood at the City Gate for a while on the first day when the congee was being distributed. After that, he never showed his face again."

"What?!"

"This child—how can he be so clueless?!"

The Empress's expression turned very ugly.

"Then what has Hao'er been doing these past few days?"

The palace maid secretly gauged her expression, then said softly.

"His Imperial Prince the Crown Prince is perhaps busy with other matters."

The Empress's gaze sharpened.

"Are you going to play these games with Her Highness too?!"

"After following Her Highness for so many years, don't you know what I want to hear?!"

Hua Ru quickly lowered her head and hurriedly told the truth.

"A Secretary from the Ministry of Personnel presented His Imperial Prince the Crown Prince with two beauties. These past few days, His Imperial Prince the Crown Prince has been in his residence indulging in pleasure with them."

Hearing this, a flash of killing intent crossed the Empress's eyes.

"A mere Secretary—and what bold ambitions he has!"

"And those two cheap maids who seduced Hao'er—wanting to serve the Crown Prince? Can they bear such a blessing?!"