Chapter 75 - Did You Complete It by Yourself? (1/2)
The Capital.
The Palace gate had just been opened before dawn. Then the officials went straight to the Golden Hall.
Half an hour later, a eunuch hurried into the residence of the Sixth Prince. “Your Highness, this morning Commander Zhang’s request to expand the encampment of the Prefecture Guard was rejected by His Majesty.”
“What? When did Zhang Chong’s memorial to the throne arrive in the capital? How come it was taken out at today’s morning court?”
The sixth princes, Zhou Mingshen, still looked delicate and pretty. The childishness hadn’t faded from his face, which made him look younger than his age. He, who was supposed to be a lively and cheerful young man, looked a bit gloomy at the moment.
“It was submitted by the Ministry of War. ZhaoZhengof the Ministry of War said the matter was discussed in the court because Commander Zhang had requested an expansion larger than previously requested, and it was far beyond the scope of the encampment for the Prefecture Guard prescribed by law.”
“d.a.m.n it. Zhao Zheng, the b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”
Zhou Mingshen got up and paced anxiously in the room. Then he stopped, asking, “When was Zhang Chong’s last letter?”
“Your Highness, eight days ago. It was sent by carrier pigeon.”
“If at top speed, his letter can arrive at the Capital from Tanyang in seven days. And this letter should have been submitted to the Emperor two days before. Why did the Ministry of War delay the submission?”
Zhou Mingshen frowned, feeling something was wrong. “I am going out to see my uncle.”
“Your Highness, you can’t do that. His Majesty rebuked her highness, the imperial concubine, yesterday, and he also blamed you. You can’t leave the palace again at this time. If His Majesty knows that, I am afraid he will be more dissatisfied with you.”
The eunuch hurried to dissuade Zhou Mingshen, afraid that he would leave the palace on impulse.
A scowl formed on Zhou Mingshen’s face. He said after a while, “Well, then go and deliver my message.”
“Yes, your highness.”
As soon as Zhou Mingshen finished the letter, he asked the eunuch to deliver it out of the palace. Then he went to his mother, Imperial Concubine Shu.
“Mother, Zhang Chong’s request was rejected. The Ministry of War delayed the submission of his request for two days.”
Imperial Concubine Shu was a middle-aged woman. But she was well maintained in the palace, which made her look like a sixteen-year-old girl. Even her eyes were utterly bewitching.
“Zhao Zheng? He is a man His Majesty trusts, and he doesn’t belong to any party. Why did he delay the submission of the memorial that delivered from Tanyang?”
The Imperial Concubine Shu frowned and was lost in a deep thought.
“I’ve sent a letter to my uncle. I hope my uncle can find out something.”
“Good job. Now the memorial from Tanyang was rejected. I am afraid that your uncle can’t submit any matter to the throne within a short time. His power in Tanyang is our backing, so don’t upset him into thinking that we are good-for-nothing. Write a letter to placate him.”
“Yes, mother.”
After watching her son leave, Imperial Concubine Shu pulled a long face. “It’s all Imperial Concubine Xian’s fault, she is such a b.i.t.c.h. If it weren’t for her plot, I wouldn’t forget my manners in front of His Majesty. Otherwise, I will have a chance to put a few words before His Majesty.”
“Your Highness, don’t be angry. We just need to be patient. When His Majesty’s anger dissipates, it’ll be easy for you to handle her.”
“That b.i.t.c.h!” cursed the concubine as she tried to hold back her anger. “In the past, His Majesty never rejected the memorials from Tanyang, I don’t know why he did it this time.”
The Yuwen Mansion…
“Captain, Zhang Chong’s request has been rejected, and Sixth-brother has set off for two days. When are we leaving for Tanyang? Is Marshal really going to marry Childe Ling?”
Yuwen Tong’s yard was a forbidden area in Yuwen Mansion. Even if Yuwen Tong was not in the capital, his yard was off limits to everyone. Yue Qi and others were hiding in this yard after they got back to the capital.
“It will arrive all in good time. The task a.s.signed by marshal isn’t completed yet. What did you find about Li Chong?”
“I just got some leads. I am investigating according to the clues. Barring accidents, we’ll get findings in a few days.”
“Okay.” Yue Qi nodded. “Has everything been arranged in Wuhu Yard?”
“Everything’s settled. The second Master said that he will stay in Wuhu Yard tonight. There will be no one at the study except those on duty.”
“Good, be careful you guys. The study is the last place we need to investigate.”
“We’ve investigated for two days and found no evidence that Second Master and Second Madam had sent someone to make difficulties for the Ling Family. If we can’t find any clues in the study tonight, do we still need to continue the investigation?”
“Tell Marshal the results. We can’t let down our guard, though. And leave no stones unturned.”
“Yes.”
“Now, the news that Marshal is in Tanyang has not been leaked out, so the capital appears relatively calm. Once this matter is put on the street, I’m afraid that there will be a big mess. Put other disputes aside, the sixth prince’s gonna doubt the Marshal once he knows this matter. Marshal has never been involved in any of these royal rivalries, and I have no idea what he is going to do this time.”
Yue Qi kept a straight face and wondered.
……
Ling Zhang appeared at the residence of the guard on time the first thing at the morning. He felt revitalized after a night’s rest. Even if the guards were difficult to teach, he would persist.
The guards didn’t want to back down, either. He thought these guards would forget some of the basics of what they had learned the day before after a night of rest. But to his surprise, they not only remembered all but also could skillfully distinguish the basic position.