The Sickly Regent Prince Who Was Abandoned as a Substitute Bride

Chapter 616

The clamor of the Hall of Supreme Harmony had not yet completely subsided when, beneath the steps outside the hall, Zhao Xuan had just removed his heavy shackles when Crown Prince Li Jin, accompanied by two eunuchs, came to greet him. Morning light filtered through the layers of brackets, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone slabs, elongating the two men's silhouettes.

“General Zhao,” Li Jin spoke first, his impassioned tone now softened, “If you hadn’t been prepared and produced those account books and vouchers, I doubt my words alone would have been enough to convince Father Emperor to make a decision immediately.”

Zhao Xuan quickly clasped his hands and bowed. Although he hadn't changed out of his prison clothes, the composure of a military general had returned: "Your Highness is too kind. If Your Highness hadn't argued vehemently in court, clearly stating my merits in defending the border, and exposing Zhou Chongli's jealousy and envy of talent, this turmoil would have been much more complicated. Your Highness deserves much credit for clearing my name." He recalled the slight trembling of Li Jin's shoulders beneath his black casual clothes when Li Jin angrily denounced the treacherous minister—it wasn't fear, but indignation at the injustice done to loyal officials. This sincerity warmed his heart.

Li Jin smiled and waved his hand, the dark patterns on his sleeves shimmering in the sunlight. But his gaze suddenly turned serious as he swept over the palace servants standing with their heads bowed in the distance. He lowered his voice and said, “General, there’s no need for such modesty. Zhou Chongli has cultivated his influence in the court for decades, with his protégés and former subordinates spread throughout the various ministries. Although he has fallen today, his cronies may not necessarily remain dormant. You saw the expressions on the faces of those old foxes in the Ministry of Revenue when the court session ended—they have a deep-rooted connection with Zhou Chongli and are probably plotting their counterattack.”

Zhao Xuan nodded in agreement, “Your Highness’s concerns are valid. Zhou Chongli has been in charge of the Ministry of Personnel for many years, and many local officials were promoted by him. Now that the tree has fallen and the monkeys have scattered, it is hard to guarantee that there won’t be any fish that slipped through the net and cause trouble in secret.” He thought of the military pay that Zhou Chongli had embezzled at the border, and the soldiers who were in a state of panic because of giving false testimony, and his brows furrowed.

“That is precisely why,” Li Jin stepped forward, his tone solemn and resolute, “General, you are the pillar of the nation, and your troops are a formidable and battle-hardened force. Now, the court is rife with undercurrents, and I earnestly request that you join me in eliminating the remaining treacherous officials and safeguarding the stability of the Great Yin dynasty.” His eyes reflected the morning light, and the sense of responsibility and sharpness befitting a crown prince sent a shiver down Zhao Xuan’s spine.

"Your Highness, rest assured," Zhao Xuan raised his hand and clasped his hands, his voice firm and resolute, "I am deeply grateful for the Emperor's grace and Your Highness's trust, and I will do my utmost. Let alone just eliminating the remaining rebels, even if it means going through fire and water, I will not hesitate to die ten thousand times."

Upon hearing this, Li Jin smiled with relief and patted his arm. "With your words, General, I am at ease. By the way," he changed the subject, his eyes filled with curiosity, "I have long heard that the 'Windbreaker Battalion' under your command are all warriors who have survived countless battles, especially those three hundred personal guards, who once followed you to break through the Northern Di's great formation. They must all be heroes of unwavering integrity. If I have the opportunity, I would really like to meet them and hear their stories from the border."

Zhao Xuan thought of those brothers with scars on their faces who always roared during training, and a smile appeared on his lips: "If Your Highness is so inclined, I will make the arrangements immediately. Tomorrow afternoon, let them train in the drill ground, and Your Highness can personally give them guidance."

“Okay,” Li Jin readily agreed. The two smiled at each other, the morning light falling perfectly on their faces, softening the tense lines caused by their scheming and power struggles. At this moment, no more words were needed; the trust and understanding in their eyes spoke volumes.

Just then, a young eunuch carrying a whisk hurried over, his shoes making rapid footsteps on the stone slabs. He knelt down in front of Li Jin with a "plop," his face pale, and whispered a few words in his ear.

Li Jin's smile vanished instantly, his brows furrowed, and his fingers tightened around the jade pendant at his waist. He took a deep breath and turned to Zhao Xuan, saying, "An urgent matter has occurred in the palace. People from the Empress Dowager's palace have reported that... that the guards on duty last night discovered suspicious traces in the Imperial Garden. I must go to the palace immediately to see the Emperor; this matter cannot be delayed."

Seeing his solemn expression, Zhao Xuan knew that something was amiss and quickly said, "Your Highness, please proceed. Official business is of utmost importance. I will prepare some tea another day and discuss with Your Highness the plan to eliminate the remaining rebels."

“Alright,” Li Jin nodded, then added, “General, you’ve just been released from prison, so go back to your residence and rest as soon as possible. As for your soldiers, tell them to wait for orders.” With that, he hurriedly left with his entourage. The hem of his black robe flashed around the corner of the corridor and disappeared behind the vermilion palace walls.

Zhao Xuan stood there, watching his departing figure, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the creases on his prison uniform that hadn't yet faded. Although he hadn't heard the little eunuch's whisper clearly, the words "Imperial Garden" and "suspicious traces" had already given him a whiff of something unusual—Zhou Chongli had just fallen, and there were already strange movements in the palace; this was no coincidence.

A breeze swept through the eaves of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, swirling up a few fallen leaves that drifted away into the distance. Zhao Xuan looked up into the depths of the palace walls, where layers of vermilion gates concealed undercurrents more complex than those on the frontier battlefields. Yet, there was no fear in his eyes; instead, his fighting spirit ignited even stronger.

He raised a hand to tidy his disheveled hair, then turned and walked towards the palace gate. Sunlight fell on his shoulders, illuminating his ochre prison uniform, as if foreshadowing a bright future. Whether what lay ahead was swordplay or hidden dangers, he was prepared—to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Crown Prince, traversing these thorns, protecting the land and its people.

As dusk settled and the last rays of the setting sun gradually faded from the eaves of the General's Mansion, Zhao Xuan, dressed in a black casual robe, stepped into the study, a few traces of dust still clinging to his shoulders. He loosened the jade belt at his waist, intending to sit down in the pearwood armchair to catch his breath, when the hurried footsteps of his personal guards sounded outside the door, accompanied by a hesitant report: "General, there is a man outside the mansion requesting an audience, who says... says he is a former member of the Breaking Wind Camp."

Zhao Xuan paused in his seat, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly. The Breaking Wind Battalion? Those were the elite troops who had distinguished themselves three years ago when he quelled the rebellion in the northern border. However, they had been disbanded and reorganized last winter, and most of the old troops had either retired or been transferred to other military camps. For a former subordinate to suddenly appear and request an audience now seemed far too suspicious. He tapped his fingertips lightly on the cool armrest and said in a deep voice, "Bring him in."

A moment later, a thin figure was led into the study by a guard. The newcomer wore a faded coarse cloth outfit, the cuffs frayed, and his figure was so frail that a gust of wind seemed capable of blowing him over. He kept his head down, his gaze shifting back and forth across the floor, as if he dared not look directly at Zhao Xuan in the hall. Even his gesture of bowing revealed an indescribable timidity—his knees had only bent halfway when, whether from nervousness or weakness in his legs, he staggered and almost fell to the ground.

"This humble subject...this humble subject greets the general." His voice was soft, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor, and a fine layer of cold sweat beaded on his forehead, sliding down his sallow cheeks.

Zhao Xuan sat at the head of the table, his gaze sharp as he took in the man's expression and actions. The man before him was a complete stranger. Every soldier in the Breaking Wind Battalion was a veteran of countless battles; even the most ordinary soldier should possess the ruggedness honed on the battlefield. Yet, this man exuded only lingering cowardice and panic. He calmly sipped his cold tea and said in a deep voice, "Which unit of the Breaking Wind Battalion are you from? What business do you have with this general?"

The man trembled even more violently at his question, his hands gripping the hem of his clothes so tightly that his knuckles turned white. After a long while, as if summoning all his courage, he suddenly raised his head, a flicker of panic in his eyes that quickly dimmed: "General... I'm from the outpost, my nickname is Gouzi. Last night... last night I was passing by the Imperial City and inadvertently noticed something amiss in the Imperial Garden."

"Oh? What happened to the Imperial Garden?" Zhao Xuan's voice remained calm, but his hands on his knees clenched quietly. The Imperial Garden was adjacent to the East Palace and was where the Crown Prince usually rested. Hearing these two words from a stranger, a former subordinate, made his heart tighten inexplicably.

"Men in black!" Gouzi's voice suddenly rose, then he hurriedly lowered it again, as if afraid of being overheard. "There were about five or six of them, all masked and dressed in night clothes, sneaking towards His Highness the Crown Prince's bedchamber under the shadows of the trees. They moved as lightly as cats, and they were carrying short knives. Their appearance... their appearance was definitely not benign; they seemed intent on harming His Highness the Crown Prince!" As he spoke, his teeth began to chatter. "I once served in the Broken Wind Battalion, and I could tell from their movements and footwork that they were skilled in martial arts; they were no ordinary bandits. The thought that His Highness the Crown Prince might be in danger made me... I rushed here to tell the General."

Zhao Xuan's hand, holding the teacup, suddenly paused, splashing warm tea onto the back of his hand, but he was completely unaware. A man in black? Intending to harm the Crown Prince? This news was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating a storm in his heart. Just half an hour ago, he had received a secret letter from his palace informant, saying that there seemed to be unusual activity in the Eastern Palace recently, but the specific reason had not yet been determined. Now, Gouzi's words perfectly matched the contents of that secret letter!

He stared at the dog's fearful face, remaining silent for a moment. The man's expression was too panicked to seem like he was lying, yet there were thousands upon thousands of former members of the Breaking Wind Camp. Why would it be someone so unremarkable who stumbled upon such a secret event? Was it a coincidence, or was it deliberately orchestrated? Zhao Xuan's fingertips slowly traced the rim of his teacup, his gaze deep and unfathomable: "Did you see the faces of those men in black clearly? Were there any special markings?"

Gouzi shook his head vigorously, his face full of frustration: "They were all covered up, so I couldn't see their faces. I only remember that one of them had... a crescent-shaped scar on his wrist. I was so scared that I hid behind the artificial hill and didn't dare to look too much. I only dared to come out after they had gone far away, and I ran all the way to the General's Mansion."

Zhao Xuan had already made up his mind. A crescent-shaped scar? He seemed to have seen this mark somewhere before… That’s right, it was Zhou Chongli’s personal bodyguard! Zhou Chongli was a high-ranking official of the previous dynasty. Half a year ago, he was executed and his family property confiscated for treason. However, he had many followers, and many of his remnants were still at large, secretly waiting for an opportunity to retaliate. If they were indeed Zhou Chongli’s remnants, then their targeting of the Crown Prince was all too clear—the Crown Prince was the foundation of the state. If something happened to the Crown Prince, the court would inevitably fall into chaos, and those remnants could take advantage of the chaos to stir up trouble.

"You can go now," Zhao Xuan said slowly, his voice devoid of emotion. "Go to the accounting office and get ten taels of silver. Find a place to stay first. You must not mention this to anyone else, otherwise..." He didn't finish his sentence, but the coldness in his eyes was enough to make Gouzi feel cold all over.

"This humble subject understands! This humble subject will not say another word!" Gouzi nodded repeatedly, bowing and retreating as if granted a pardon. When he reached the door, his steps were still a little unsteady.

As soon as the study door closed again, Zhao Xuan's calm vanished, replaced by a grave expression. He abruptly stood up, the jade pendant at his waist clinking crisply. Zhou Chongli's remaining followers had indeed lost their composure; they were about to unleash a bloodbath in the capital!

He walked to the wall, abruptly lifted the landscape painting hanging there, revealing a hidden compartment containing several tokens engraved with different patterns. He picked up a black wooden token engraved with the character "玄" (Xuan), turned and shouted towards the door, "Go and summon the three captains Zhang, Li, and Wang. Also, have the commander of the Shadow Guard come to my study immediately!"

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, four men dressed in close-fitting clothes filed in. They were all trusted confidants of Zhao Xuan, each with sharp eyes and a steady demeanor.

"General, is there something important that you summoned us so late at night?" Captain Zhang, who was in the lead, asked with his fists clasped. He had just arrived from the military camp outside the city, and his armor was still damp with the chill of the night dew.

Zhao Xuan briefly recounted Gouzi's words and the contents of the secret letter from the palace, and the atmosphere in the study instantly became tense. Lieutenant Li frowned deeply: "How dare Zhou Chongli's remaining followers be so audacious as to attack the Crown Prince right under the walls of the capital?"

"They have been lying low for half a year, and now they dare to show themselves. They must have a well-thought-out plan." Zhao Xuan pointed to the map of the capital on the table and looked at the location of the East Palace. "The safety of the Crown Prince is related to the foundation of the country. Starting tonight, half of the Shadow Guards will be sent to disguise themselves as palace servants and guards and secretly guard the area around the East Palace. Remember not to reveal your whereabouts. If there is any unusual activity, protect the Crown Prince first, and then try to capture the prisoners alive."

"Your subordinate obeys!" the Shadow Guard commander replied in a deep voice, and his figure flashed and disappeared into the shadows of the study.

"Captain Zhang, you will take three hundred personal guards and, starting at midnight tonight, secretly seal off the southern ward and western market alley where Zhou Chongli's former troops once entrenched themselves. Carefully search all suspicious persons, and arrest any man with a crescent-shaped scar immediately!"

"Lieutenant Li, you must immediately contact the Court of Judicial Review and retrieve the case files of Zhou Chongli. Focus on investigating the list of his accomplices who have not yet been apprehended, especially those skilled in light-footed martial arts and assassination."

"Captain Wang, you stay here at the General's Mansion. Increase the number of patrols and be on high alert to prevent anyone from coming here to silence you. Also, keep a close eye on that guy called Gouzi from earlier, and make sure he doesn't make any mistakes."

The commands were clear and decisive. The three captains received their orders and quickly left, and the study returned to silence. Zhao Xuan walked to the window, pushed it open halfway, and a cool night breeze blew in, ruffling the hair on his forehead. Dark clouds covered the sky, obscuring even the stars and moon. The deep night was like a giant net, slowly enveloping the seemingly peaceful capital city.

He knew that a new storm was brewing silently in the darkness. And he had to lay out his plans before the storm arrived, protect those who needed protection, and drag out all the lurking demons and monsters, severing their sinister hands reaching into the court. The wind outside the window grew stronger, and he could almost hear the distant rumble of thunder.