Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 740

Chapter 740: Military Uniform

Pei Que and An Zhi slept until dawn.

Not holding an official position was so pleasant; there was no need to get up before dawn for court.

The two of them had breakfast with Yue’er. An Zhi took Yue’er to learn to read, while Pei Que went to his study.

Shuo Feng had been waiting in the study for a long time. “Master, as you predicted, the Xu family indeed sent someone to the Liang family last night.”

“Where are they? How did they do?” Pei Que asked.

“My men intercepted the Xu family assassins, but Minister Liang still has reservations and does not dare to make a scene,” Shuo Feng said, somewhat frustrated. “Minister Xu is about to kill him. Why will he not expose the truth? I do not understand.”

“Last night, Xu Wenyong only wanted to kill Liang Youliang. Think about it, if Liang Youliang were to speak out against Xu Wenyong, do you think he could bring Xu Wenyong down with the little he’s involved in?” Pei Que sighed and slowly sat down. “Liang Youliang is not a core member of the Xu family. He only knows peripheral matters. Xu Wenyong can easily gloss over even the smallest things. But behind Liang Youliang are hundreds of members of the Liang family. He cannot drag hundreds of lives down with him.”

Shuo Feng understood. “Then what do we do next?”

“Try to see if you can get anything out of Liang Youliang. If you cannot, it’s fine; just do not let his death be linked to the Pei family,” Pei Que said.

After giving Shuo Feng these instructions, Pei Que had other things to do. Shuo Feng left the Pei Mansion and went straight to the Liang family. But upon arriving, he found the Liang mansion in chaos; Liang Youliang had hanged himself, and he could not get any information out of him.

When Pei Que learned of Liang Youliang’s death, he was playing chess with An Zhi.

“Just leave two people to guard the Liang mansion. You can come back,” Pei Que said to Shuo Feng. “Our men have been at Linshan for some time. Go there yourself and see if anything has happened.”

Pei Que had complete confidence in Shuo Feng’s abilities.

An Zhi held a chess piece in her hand, and even after the north wind subsided, she still hesitated to place it. “I heard that Dowager Consort Xue is ill.”

Pei Que had also heard. “What comes from Cining Palace is mostly unreliable. The Empress Dowager is using Dowager Consort Xue to threaten me, but I’m not taking the bait.”

An Zhi said thoughtfully, “Actually, Dowager Consort Xue is a pitiful person. She entered the palace at a young age to serve the late Emperor and became a widow a few years later. She’s not much older than me. I hope we’ll get news from Linshan soon.”

“Hmm,” Pei Que nodded. He did not want to talk about Xue Mengyao in front of An Zhi.

~

Liang Youliang’s suicide was something Xu Wenyong had not expected.

What Xu Wenyong had not expected even more was that Pei Que intercepted his assassin in the middle of the night. Thinking about it afterwards, a chill ran down his spine; he had been completely manipulated by Pei Que step by step.

As soon as court adjourned, Xu Wenyong summoned Lin Fan to his side.

Lin Fan arrived first at the secluded room in the villa.

When Xu Wenyong entered, Lin Fan had already prepared tea.

“I heard there are still some disobedient people in the Imperial Guards?” Xu Wenyong asked irritably as soon as he sat down.

Lin Fan had lost an arm, and his martial arts skills were halved. If it were not for Xu Wenyong’s support, he would had been replaced long ago. He knew what Xu Wenyong wanted, and he knew what would happen without Xu Wenyong’s support. “The troublemakers from a few days ago have all been dealt with. Of the remaining ones, I guarantee they’ll listen to the Deputy Minister.”

“Good that they’ll listen.” Xu Wenyong glanced at the teacups on the table; the tea was clear, but he had no interest in it. “These days, Li Xing is becoming increasingly involved, and Li Ji occupies a position in the Imperial Guard, which is giving me a real headache. The war between the Northwest and the Northern Desert will break out soon. If the border is in chaos, the capital will be filled with panic—it’ll be a good opportunity.”

Lin Fan, having survived this long, would not dare call himself a reincarnation of Zhuge Liang, but few could outwit him. But now, he could not quite figure out what Xu Wenyong wanted him to do.

Seeing Lin Fan remain silent, Xu Wenyong gripped his cup. “The Imperial Guards can enter and leave the inner court; they have numerous spies throughout the country. No one in this world is truly clean. I need you to find incriminating evidence against those in court who oppose me.”

Lin Fan understood. Seeing Xu Wenyong’s tea had gone cold, he poured him more. “If there are still any who disobey, with just one order from you, sir, their heads will roll.”

Xu Wenyong liked Lin Fan’s pragmatism. “Before that, clean up Liang Youliang’s mess for me. Do not let Pei Que discover anything.”

Lin Fan agreed and rose to leave with Xu Wenyong. “When the war breaks out in the Northwest, do you intend to take further steps, sir?”

Although Lin Fan worked for Xu Wenyong, he only began dealing with the Xu family after his own family’s property was confiscated. Xu Wenyong did not fully trust him and had not shared many things with him.

Xu Wenyong glanced at Lin Fan, patted him on the shoulder, and said earnestly, “When we succeed, I’ll remember your contributions.”

This was a veiled insult, not a direct statement.

Lin Fan maintained a slightly bowed posture until Xu Wenyong left before straightening his shoulders.

Xu Wenyong wanted him to clean up Liang Youliang’s mess, but what exactly was there for him to do?

Lin Fan became interested.

Xu Wenyong was wary of him, and he needed to have a backup plan as well.

~

Five days later

An Zhi had just finished lunch when she heard Chunlan’s excited voice outside. She was not calling for her, but for Binglu.

“Sister Binglu, Brother Shunzi’s back!”

Chunlan’s shout was heard by everyone in the courtyard.

In an instant, Binglu’s face flushed crimson, as if painted with rouge, a color so intense it seemed it could drip blood. Only when the needle pricked her thumb did she snap out of her daze.

An Zhi nudged Binglu’s arm. “Why are you standing there like that? Shunzi’s back! Go see him!”

Binglu shook her head blankly, her almond-shaped eyes glancing towards the outside.

“If you’ll not go, I’ll go myself,” An Zhi said, putting down her embroidery and getting out to put on her shoes.

Seeing her madam leave, Binglu hurriedly followed.

An Zhi entered the hall. Chunlan pointed towards the courtyard, grinning broadly, and peeked behind An Zhi. “Madam, where’s Sister Binglu?”

“She’s shy. Go and let Shunzi in,” An Zhi said, sitting down.

Chunlan responded with a “Yes,” and Binglu finally emerged from the inner room, her hands clenched tightly.

With a soft sound, the curtain was lifted, and Chunlan entered the room first, followed by Shunzi.

Shunzi was dressed in military attire, his bronze armor gleaming, his chin covered in a thick, charcoal-black beard; without close inspection, he was almost unrecognizable.

“Greetings to Madam,” Shunzi knelt and bowed.

“No, no, you’re now an official; you do not need to bow so deeply to me,” An Zhi said, turning to Binglu. “Binglu, quickly help Shunzi up.”