Chapter 402: Chapter 305: You’re Calling Me Mama?_2
Since then, his years of devoted study in the northwest finally had a place to be put to use. He participated in the imperial examinations, became a ranked scholar, and entered the Hanlin Academy in one fell swoop. In the aftermath of those six years—or rather, it had already been seven years. During these seven years, he advanced cautiously, killed Liang Ning, married Yongping, sided with Prince Rong’s Mansion, and ultimately stepped into the core circle of the Great Zhou Court following his planned path.
Originally, Fu Zhen believed that after achieving high honors and spending less time with her, it was due to him falling in love with another or being dependent on others. Now it seems that this fellow is not the shortsighted type. Behind their infrequent meetings, perhaps it was him seizing the opportunity of gaining an official status to break free from the Liang Family, thus gaining the freedom to reconnect with Zhou Yi and his associates, conspiring in secret.
And Yongping, too, was merely a facade drawn out to conceal his actions.
Why did Xu Yin marry her, knowing Yongping’s lack of intellect?
Firstly, he needed Prince Rong’s Mansion. Marrying Yongping was his quickest way to pledge allegiance to them.
Secondly, he needed a simple-minded wife like Yongping, simple enough to overlook all his abnormalities for the sake of possessing him.
But despite his meticulous scheming, he finally suffered the consequences. The deeper Yongping fell under his influence, the more she was prone to madness. When Yongping killed the Liu Family’s young master and colluded with Consort Yu, even he felt the backlash and wanted to rid of Prince Rong’s Mansion.
Whether it was his calculated desire for that fan or the murder of Princess Rong, his decisiveness showed that all these people were disposable pawns to him.
Just like Liang Ning back in the day.
Fu Zhen stepped outside and saw Pei Zhan with his back turned, standing under a tree. The wind blew a few leaves onto his shoulders.
She approached him: "There are still a few mysteries. First, how did Xu Zhan’s ancestral residence in Tanzhou become Xu Yin’s ancestral residence? How did Xu Zhan end up being his father? Xu Yin is from Dayue; why can he speak Tanzhou dialect? Second, Tie Ying mentioned earlier that after the war ended, only a few months ago, two groups secretly investigated the Lian Family in Dayue. If one group belonged to Xu Yin, then who was the other? Third, does that fan, or the deceased father and son in Baiyu Lane, relate to the power struggle in Dayue?"
Pei Zhan looked towards the horizon: "There’s no time to investigate these now. Exposing Xu Yin to the emperor immediately is the most urgent matter."
Fu Zhen nodded: "Indeed, with his cunning, he won’t sit around waiting. —Then you should go to the palace with Chen Fan and the others!"
Pei Zhan glanced at her and extended his large hand to wrap around hers: "Together."
"This is a court affair; I won’t steal the show."
"The nation’s safety does not distinguish between insiders and outsiders. Every citizen of Great Zhou has a responsibility. Eliminating traitors is not about seeking the spotlight. Moreover, had you not stayed in the northwest to escort your elder brother’s remains back to the capital, you would by now surely have become a valiant female general of Great Zhou."
Fu Zhen, full of emotions, swayed for a moment like the fallen leaves before her.
Pei Zhan smiled: "Let’s go!"
But Fu Zhen still shook her head: "I accept your advice, but this time I cannot accompany you to meet the emperor. Xu Yin’s plans have backfired, and he is bound to be exposed in front of He Qunying. How he explains everything to He Qunying, and how the He Family reacts, I cannot overlook."
Pei Zhan thought for a moment before agreeing: "Very well."
...
The Emperor was recuperating, and he hadn’t been attending court sessions frequently.
Outside the wide-open window, the light of dawn seemed almost within reach.
Inside the room, two candles a foot high had burned more than halfway down. Xu Yin stepped in, picked up scissors, and snipped off the candle wicks, making the candlelight blaze anew, overshadowing the brightening sky outside.
The servants were already awake, and the sound of courtyard cleaning carried from afar.
He removed his damp cloak and sat down by the light.
Lian Rong’s hurried footsteps reached the doorway as he turned his face. His bloodshot eyes, combined with his attire from toiling at the docks all night, gave his exceptional face a kind of captivating allure.
"We’ve already checked; Pei Zhan returned to his manor early yesterday and hadn’t visited Prince Rong’s Mansion all night! Moreover, just now, he’s already taken a carriage headed for the palace!"
Xu Yin, gripping the table edge, stood up, his icy gaze like sharp blades: "Indeed, it is him! I guessed correctly, it really is him!"
Lian Rong furrowed his brows and stepped forward: "The worst has happened—Lian Yang’s man fell into his hands, making it almost certain that the master’s identity will be exposed! Had he not grasped certain clues, Lian Yang wouldn’t have come to investigate in Tanzhou at all! This Pei Zhan must be eliminated!"