The Child Emperor

Chapter 99: Action Supported by Justification

Meng E rarely asked questions, but this time she wanted things to be clear. “So, you’re going to a fight, and you want me to secretly protect you?”

“This isn’t just a simple fight. Lin Kunshan from before was definitely sent by Prince Donghai. He’s plotting a conspiracy, and this fight might also be part of his plan.”

“Knowing that it might be a conspiracy, you still want to get involved?”

“If I hide from a distance, I can only wait for Prince Donghai’s move, making it easier to get hurt. It’s better to confront and expose the trap, isn’t it?”

There was silence in the study. Han Ruzi stood up. “Are you still there? Do you agree or not?”

Still, there was no response. Han Ruzi shook his head in frustration and sat back down, muttering to himself, “Let’s just assume she agreed.”

The study was very dark, almost pitch black, and Han Ruzi was still quite awake. He didn’t want to go to bed so soon, so he sat on the chair, absentmindedly swinging his legs, repeatedly asking himself: Could he ever return to the throne of the Emperor? Was he doing something foolish and absurd?

He couldn’t help but mock himself.

A faint knocking came from outside.

“Who is it?”

Are you still awake?”

Surprisingly, it was Cui Xiaojun, who rarely came to the study. This was her first visit after nightfall, which took Han Ruzi by surprise. He quickly got up, walked to the door in the dark, opened it, and saw her standing alone outside. He was even more surprised. “Why are you here?”

Cui Xiaojun smiled. She was only wearing a light undergarment, appearing particularly delicate. “I couldn’t sleep and just wanted to come and see. If you’re too busy…”

“Not at all.” Han Ruzi reached out and pulled his wife inside, then turned to find a tinderbox. “Let me light a lamp.”

Cui Xiaojun held onto the Weary Marquis. “No need. I just came to see you, and I’ll leave shortly.”

“Are you afraid?” Han Ruzi held her hands.

Cui Xiaojun turned her face slightly. “Not afraid. It’s just… sometimes, I feel like the place I sleep doesn’t really belong to me.”

“Do you also have that feeling?” Cui Xiaojun raised her eyes, reflecting a hint of moonlight.

“Come with me,” Han Ruzi said, taking her hand and leading her out.

“Where to?” Cui Xiaojun hesitated with each step but followed him out of the room.

The Manor of the Weary Marquis was quite large, but it didn’t house many people. As everyone had already retired for the night, the entire manor was quiet and still. Han Ruzi led his wife through the covered corridors in silence until they stopped in front of a door to one of the side rooms. The snores inside had a rhythmic rise and fall.

“This is Manor Clerk Zeng,” Han Ruzi whispered, “He surely had quite a bit to drink today. You can even smell the alcohol in his snores.”

Cui Xiaojun burst into a suppressed giggle, and the snoring inside the room seemed to weaken a bit. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand. Soon, the snores resumed.

“Does he not go back to his home?” she asked in a hushed tone.

“He could. But I heard his wife at home is quite formidable, so he prefers to stay here.”

Cui Xiaojun cast a sidelong glance at Han Ruzi, and he quickly added, “I’m different from him. He hardly ever goes home, while I only spend one day in the study every ten days…”

Cui Xiaojun pushed him away with a smile. “Don’t talk here; you might wake him up.”

The two of them walked slowly down the corridor, and Han Ruzi introduced who lived in each room, explaining the distinctive sounds of their snores.

“At first, it sounds like a sparrow on a fence, then the sparrow takes flight like a migrating swan. All of a sudden, it soars like an eagle reaching for the sky—this is Manor Marshal Zheng.”

“The snoring in this one sounds like lip-smacking. It’s definitely the accountant, He Yi. He’s probably dreaming about drinking alcohol.”

“Teeth grinding and sleep talking, this one is Zhang Youcai. I’ve never had the heart to tell him the truth. He thinks he’s the quietest sleeper in the world.”

“Keep a bit of distance from the room up ahead. Du Chuanyun lives there. He claims he can see in all directions and has traps on his door. I think he’s just bragging, but… we won’t test him today.”

As they moved deeper into the courtyard, the number of occupants decreased. Their bedroom was in the third courtyard, and even with the main and side rooms combined, only four or five people lived there.

They stood outside their bedroom door, listening. The maids inside were sleeping soundly, not aware that their mistress had quietly left nor that the Weary Marquis and his wife were outside sneaking around like thieves.

“She hasn’t made a sound since falling asleep,” Cui Xiaojun whispered in an almost inaudible voice. “Every night, I find myself wanting to check on her in the outer chamber.”

Han Ruzi smiled and, hand in hand with her, continued their small adventure of the night.

The back garden had no permanent residents. After a little over a month of Cui Xiaojun’s care, it was starting to take shape. Various fragrances and scents wafted through the summer night air as they strolled. The couple no longer had to sneak around like thieves. They walked side by side along the garden path, capturing the fragrant breeze and listening to the chirping of insects and the singing of frogs.

“Do you feel better now?” Han Ruzi asked.

Cui Xiaojun nodded with a smile. Indeed, the Manor of the Weary Marquis was becoming more like a home.

The two of them found a rock to sit on, whispering softly. Unnoticed, the moon passed its zenith. Cui Xiaojun leaned on the Weary Marquis and fell asleep. Han Ruzi gently lifted her and carried her back to their bedroom. The maids sleeping in the outer chamber remained oblivious.

On the bed, Cui Xiaojun still held onto one of his arms tightly. Han Ruzi lay beside her, wishing this moment could last forever. However, his thoughts involuntarily shifted back to the imperial throne he had gained and then lost. He understood very well that Cui Xiaojun’s fear was justified. The Manor of the Weary Marquis was just a temporary favor bestowed upon them. For all they knew, everything might be taken away one day.

The more history books he read, the clearer it became to Han Ruzi that a deposed emperor could only live the latter part of his life in peace under one condition: if the new emperor had a secure position, and there was no dissent left in the realm. In that case, the deposed emperor would be forgotten. But the current state of the Chu empire was a world apart from this ideal, and that plump child on the throne had no proper qualifications.

The Chu empire was destined for turmoil, and the Deposed Emperor was destined to have no peace.

The next morning, Han Ruzi woke up to see Cui Xiaojun’s smiling face.

“I’m sorry for disturbing your martial arts practice last night.”

“Well, I couldn’t become a top-notch expert anyway, so skipping practice once or twice is fine.” Han Ruzi embraced her neck, and Cui Xiaojun smiled, dodging him. A maid knocked and entered the room, and upon seeing the Weary Marquis in bed, she was momentarily surprised.

Han Ruzi had already informed Meng E. Next, he needed to prepare to join the decisive battle between Chai Yun and Cui Teng. If this was just some frivolous affair among noble scions, he wanted to use the opportunity to interact with more people. But if this was a conspiracy plotted by Prince Donghai, he was determined to teach Prince Donghai a lesson.

Du Chuanyun was all set. He had retrieved his short sword and was meticulously sharpening it, the sharp sound of the blade grating on the ears. Zhang Youcai, who was standing beside him, had a rapidly changing expression. “A-Are you really going to kill someone?”

“Of course.” Du Chuanyun didn’t even look up, rubbing the blade, “You’ve never killed anyone?”

Zhang Youcai shook his head. “But I’ve seen it, more than once.”

“Heh, that’s a different matter,” Du Chuanyun pulled out a strand of hair and blew on it over the blade. He watched as the two pieces of hair fluttered down, rather satisfied.

At the other end of the room, Han Ruzi was having a conversation with Du Motian. Given the seriousness of the matter, he couldn’t keep it a secret from Du Chuanyun’s grandfather.

The old man wasn’t surprised and replied calmly, “Just play around. Don’t get into trouble.”

Du Chuanyun raised his head and said, “Don’t worry, Grandfather. I know how to use the right amount of force.”

“Hey, you’ve only been in a few fights, and you dare say you know how to control your force? Fighting isn’t the same as a martial arts competition, and even an experienced swordsman might make a mistake.”

Zhang Youcai whispered, “So, you’ve never actually killed someone?”

Du Chuanyun glared at him but didn’t refute.

Du Motian got up, bid farewell to the Weary Marquis, and returned shortly after, tossing a wooden staff to Du Chuanyun. It was nearly the same length as a short sword. “Use this.”

Du Chuanyun had just finished sharpening his sword and was satisfied with it, so he looked at the wooden staff on his knee with dissatisfaction. “I’m a swordsman, not a beggar. What am I going to do with a piece of wood? I’d rather fight empty-handed.”

“Then go ahead empty-handed.” Du Motian was never polite with his grandson. “Is being a swordsman really that easy? Worshiping strength and killing with bloodthirst—those are traits of a hack who uses a sword, not a true swordsman.”

“But Grandfather, you used to train me as an assassin.”

“A state acts with justification; a person acts for the right reasons. Our assassination of Yang Feng was to avenge a friend. When did you ever see me picking fights without a right reason?”

Du Chuanyun hung his head in silence. Han Ruzi felt that Du Motian’s words were directed at him, but he kept silent as well.

Du Chuanyun reluctantly put away his sharpened short sword and took the wooden staff. He sighed, “Fine, I’ll use it. Even if the opponent is using real weapons, I won’t misuse mine. At most, I’ll take a few hits, but I won’t die.”

Du Motian took the short sword from his grandson and handed it to the Weary Marquis. “Please keep this sword, and whether to use it or not is at your discretion.”

Han Ruzi stood up and solemnly accepted the short sword. “I won’t let this sword be disgraced.”

The old swordsman smiled, turned, and left.

Du Chuanyun, puzzled, said, “I’ve been traveling the pugilist world with my grandfather for so many years, and he actually trusts you over me!”

Han Ruzi said to Zhang Youcai, “We trust each other. Go to Marquis Hengyang’s residence and ask Chai Yun to meet me at the West Market’s No Return Inn.”

In the afternoon, Chai Yun arrived with two attendants as invited. As they entered the private room, he greeted with a polite bow, “Lord Marquis, you have a knack for picking venues. The No Return Inn is not bad, and I used to frequent this place a few years ago. But the wine here is too plain. Nowadays, we often go to Jiang’s Residence in the southern city or the Easeful Manor outside the city. That’s where you find good wine and good people.”

Han Ruzi pretended not to understand and replied with a smile, “What’s the use of good people? I can’t sit here and drink with the innkeeper and the waiters.”

“Haha, you are quite interesting.”

They exchanged pleasantries, sat down, and had a drink while chatting. Their attendants stood by, participating as needed, and left the private room after receiving their master’s discreet signal.

“Have you made a decision?” Chai Yun asked directly.

“Why not? Consider it a game.”

“Good, the Weary Marquis’ words resonate with me. It’s just a game. People like us, we don’t want to be officials, kowtowing everywhere, nor can we be a lowly merchant, nor can we endure the hardships of the elements. In this lifetime, we’re simply taking a stroll through this physical world, making a few close friends, savoring the world’s delicacies, and enjoying the sweet nectar of women. Simply put, life is but a game.”

“It is a game, but I don’t want to lose.”

“Don’t worry; I’ve got everything arranged. You will make an appearance, Du Chuanyun will draw his sword, and everything will fall into place. I’ve inquired, and there are no skilled fighters on Cui Teng’s side. We’ll catch him and give him a good humiliation, so he won’t dare to be arrogant anymore. We’ll make a name for ourselves too.”

“I have one more thing to ask.”

“Please, Lord Marquis.”

“Has Marquis Guiyi agreed to the Cui family’s marriage proposal?”

Chai Yun was slightly taken aback, “Why would he disagree? That old man is eager to establish a connection with the Cui family.”

“I have an idea. If Lord Guiyi agrees to the marriage, we’ll say that Cui Teng is infatuated with a Xiongnu woman and is disloyal to the Chu empire. If Lord Guiyi disagrees, we’ll say that Cui Teng forced the marriage through abusing his power. In any case, we’ll be the righteous ones, standing up against injustice.”

Chai Yun paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, “You’re a damn genius. We’re friends now, I swear!”

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