Chapter 88: All Will Become the Cheng Family's Breeding Ground for Soldiers!

Zhao Kuan hurriedly shook his head, waving his trembling hands, his face wretched with grief.

"No, no, this one wouldn't dare, and besides, this one truly didn't know either."

He was only responsible for selling them out—how would he dare ask too many questions?

Chen Ying's heart eased slightly, and his grip loosened a little.

That was true enough.

"After this one sensed his intentions, I've been very careful. Even when drinking and chatting with him on ordinary days, I was cautious to the extreme, never daring to actually drink too much."

"As for the grain matter, I mentioned it once in front of him. He said he did have a batch of grain on hand, but the person behind him could certainly produce even more!"

As Zhao Kuan spoke, he kept wiping away sweat, his heart filled with regret.

If only he hadn't been greedy for merit back then.

"This one originally thought that if I could buy a bit more, you, sir, would surely be even happier."

"This one truly only learned afterward that the person behind that wealthy merchant was actually the King of Muyuan Kingdom."

Having said that, Zhao Kuan kept kowtowing on the ground.

"Every fault is this one's fault, sir. If you wish to punish or kill me, this one has no complaints. I only beg you, sir, to remember that my uncle has served you and the Old Master for many years, and not to take it out on him."

Chen Ying frowned and raised his hand.

"Enough, get up."

At least he has some conscience—not unworthy of Steward Zhao treating him like his own son.

"Don't mention this matter to anyone, including Steward Zhao."

"Yes, yes, yes, this one obeys."

"As for the Muyuan Kingdom side…"

Chen Ying narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Everything continues as usual. You go on parrying with them for now, and report to me at once if anything comes up."

"Yes."

Suddenly, Chen Ying frowned toward the door and shouted sharply.

"Who's there?!"

"Meow~"

"Eek!"

Immediately after came a clattering sound of porcelain shattering.

Hearing the sound, Chen Ying gave Zhao Kuan a look.

"You may go back now. Remember what I just told you."

"Yes."

After Zhao Kuan left, Chen Ying walked out of the Study.

By the window, he found a woman crouching on the ground, gathering up the pieces of a broken soup bowl.

"Why are you here?"

Hearing his voice, the woman's body trembled.

"Ouch!"

A shard had sliced her finger, and bright blood immediately flowed freely.

The woman timidly raised her head and glanced at him.

"Master Chen?"

Chen Ying helped her to her feet and studied her.

"Qingye?"

"How did you end up here?"

"I—I'd heard from the maids in the residence that you were still busy, so I went to Chu Fang to stew some chicken soup and bring it to you. I didn't expect a cat to suddenly rush out, I got startled, and the soup spilled everywhere."

The woman before him bore a face that resembled his late wife's by seven or eight parts, holding up her cut finger.

This made Chen Ying knit his brows tightly.

"Come inside, I'll dress your wound first."

Qingye glanced at the broken bowl on the ground, a hint of hesitation in her tone.

"But what about here?"

"Don't worry about it—someone will clean it up."

After bandaging her, Chen Ying tidied up the medicine bottle as he spoke.

"From now on, don't come to the Study casually, and don't wander about the residence at will."

Hearing these words, Qingye, whose cheeks had only been slightly flushed, instantly reddened around the eyes. She quickly lowered her head.

"Yes, sir. Qingye understands."

Chen Ying, as if he hadn't seen her expression, continued on his own, his tone utterly flat.

"Yi Jiang thinks you've already left, so from now on try not to leave your courtyard. I've already sent people to look for your family. Once they are found, you should leave."

Qingye sniffed, and with effort pulled the corners of her mouth into a smile, giving him a slight curtsy.

"Thank you, sir."

"You should also take care of your health, sir. Don't work too late—it's better to rest early."

After saying this, Qingye seemed to sense something was off. She quickly lowered her head, looking as though she'd done something wrong.

"I, didn't mean… Qingye will take her leave."

Having said that, she covered her face and hurried out.

And Chen Ying sat on the chair, recalling the look on her face when she had said those words earlier.

Once, his wife had often urged him in just this way.

Outside, Qingye stopped walking, turned to look toward the Study, her expression strangely unreadable in the moonlight.

"Miss Qingye?"

A voice suddenly came.

It was Steward Zhao!

Qingye turned her face away in slight panic, raised a hand to cover it, and sobbed softly.

"Steward Zhao."

"Why is Miss Qingye here?"

"I, I only heard that Sir Chen was still busy in the Study late at night, so I stewed some chicken soup and brought it over."

Seeing her in such a state, Steward Zhao shook his head inwardly—it seemed she had been scolded by the master.

He said in a low voice.

"Miss Qingye may not know this, but the master has a rule against eating after nightfall. At night, he takes nothing but tea."

"And the young Young Master often comes to the Study to look for the master in the daytime. Miss, be careful—whatever you do, don't let the young Young Master see you."

Qingye nodded gratefully.

"Thank you for the reminder, Steward Zhao. I'll head back now."

She had only taken a few steps when she heard Steward Zhao muttering softly.

"Hm? The lamp's out. Why has the master retired so early today? Usually, doesn't he not sleep until the Hour of the Rat?"

Hearing this, the corner of Qingye's mouth curved up slightly.

……

The Hour of the Rat, in the woods on the Mountain outside the city.

Cheng Chengxuan arrived right on time.

"Quick, quick, quick—did you bring food? I'm starving to death."

The moment they met, Chu Yuan started clamoring at him for food.

Cheng Chengxuan took out a small paper packet from the little pouch he carried.

"This was all Chu Fang had."

The instant Chu Yuan opened it, a sweet fragrance rushed to his face. He grabbed a little ball and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Delicious!"

"By the way, where on earth do you people find all these strange and unusual snacks?"

Cheng Chengxuan glared at him and reached out to snatch the paper bag back.

Chu Yuan quickly clutched it protectively.

"Fine, fine, fine—I won't ask, isn't that good enough?"

At his utterly pathetic appearance, Cheng Chengxuan declared he couldn't bear to watch.

"Let's talk business. Any news on that person?"

At the mention of this, Chu Yuan deflated a little. He grabbed a few pieces of popcorn and stuffed them in his mouth, crunching down hard.

"All I could find out is that the person once appeared near Qiling Mountain, and after that, the trail went cold."

Cheng Chengxuan lowered his eyes in thought.

"Qiling Mountain?"

The range was indeed vast, but if…

Could it really be such a coincidence?

"What's that Crown Prince's name?"

A voice, utterly unlike theirs, suddenly sounded from beside them.

"Shang Gu."

"Who is it?!"

Chu Yuan's sharp gaze swept toward where the voice had come from.

He was secretly annoyed with himself.

He'd been too focused on eating just now and hadn't noticed anyone approaching.

If word got out, where would his face as the Pavilion Master of the Dark Pavilion go!

Cheng Chengxuan shook his head at him, then looked toward the newcomer.

"It's you?"

"Gu Shang, Shang Gu…"

That's right—the newcomer was Gu Shang, who had just received his waist token and hurried out of the city.

Cheng Chengxuan stared at him intently.

"So you are the former Crown Prince of Muyuan Kingdom!"

"Him?!"

Chu Yuan first walked over and circled Gu Shang, sizing him up.

In the moonlight, he made out his stubbly, weathered face and shouted in disbelief.

"You're saying this slovenly, rough-looking fellow in front of us was once a Crown Prince of a kingdom?!"

"Hey, brother!"

Chu Yuan reached out and patted Gu Shang on the shoulder.

"What exactly have you been through all these years?"

This guy is only twenty-three, right?

He looks more worn down than a middle-aged man with both elders and children to care for.

Gu Shang frowned, took two steps to the side with a look of distaste, putting some distance between them.

This person really has no sense of boundaries — he and I aren't even close, and the moment we meet he starts touching me, so strange!

He looked toward Cheng Chengxuan.

"You came looking for me because you want to cooperate with me?"

Cheng Chengxuan gave a light laugh.

"Today you saw it too — now the Fifth Prince of Muyuan Kingdom, one of the candidates for the next Emperor of Muyuan Kingdom, has found me."

"So why would I abandon the easy path for the hard one, and cooperate with someone like you — a former Crown Prince with no power and no influence, and one whom everyone already believes to be long dead?"

Gu Shang clenched his fists tightly.

"Just because — as long as you help me return to Muyuan and take back everything that belongs to me, if I Ascend the Throne as king…"

"The entire Muyuan will become the Cheng Family's land for raising troops!"