Chapter 377 - Court Debacle (2/2)

The emperor wished he could snap his second son’s neck, [You just had to do that now?]

Glaring at Zhuo Fan, the emperor nodded, “Steward Zhuo, wise and brave, honest and upright. It is highly unlikely for you to have done this savage act.”

Zhuo Fan beamed back a calm smile. Zhuge Changfeng and Leng Wuchang snickered inside.

The two were aware of the second prince’s fiasco alright, although not entirely. But Zhuo Fan, who was involved as a victim, had no qualms in pushing the emperor’s buttons.

[The emperor is losing what little grip he has on the Luo clan…]

“However, Zhuo Fan, was there anyone else in the Parish before you left?” Since Luo clan gave him the slip, the emperor moved to the next best thing, Regent Estate.

Zhuo Fan nodded. He was quite blunt about it too, “Estate Lord Huangpu Tianyuan and Sir Leng were guests there. And let me tell you, they weren’t very friendly either.”

Huangpu Tianyuan and Leng Wuchang’s faces sank.

They were clear of their innocence, but feared Zhuo Fan and the emperor would join hands in dragging them in. The emperor lit up, [The scamp finally got on point for once.]

He didn’t get to enjoy barking at them though, not while Zhuo Fan said, “But after only raising their voices a bit, they left. At the door, they bumped into me, where they raised their voices at me for a time…”

“Irrelevant!” The emperor dissed him.

But Zhuge Changfeng had a faint smile, raising his hand, “No, Your Majesty, it is very crucial. Regent Estate is cleared of charges as well.”

“How….” The emperor shuddered.

Zhuge Changfeng continued, “Your Majesty, consider this. The two were furious yet didn’t strike the High Priest even when oblivious to the fact that there was someone outside. To not attack at that time, thinking they’re alone, it goes on to show that they never wanted him dead. They are ruled out! “

“That’s a fairly good point.” Zhuo Fan raised an eyebrow, putting on the most innocent look he could muster.

Zhuge Changfeng chuckled at his reaction.

The emperor’s eyebrows jumped in rage. He was livid.

Try as he might, he couldn’t find anything in his investigation to tie the rest of the people there to the case. He finished with telling them not to leave town.

Zhuo Fan was walking outside when Leng Wuchang left Huangpu Tianyuan behind and approached with cupped hands, “Steward Zhuo, we may be enemies, but thank you for that.”

Zhuo Fan grinned at his meaning and deadpanned, “We are enemies, yes, but we also need to coexist. Besides, I didn’t do it for you.”

“I know that, but one needs to give thanks when it’s due, Steward Zhuo.”

“Ha-ha-ha, since when have you two been so close?”

As Leng Wuchang bowed, a cheerful laughter announced the coming of Zhuge Changfeng.

“Oh, Prime Minister Zhuge, thank you as well.”

“It’s nothing. Steward Zhuo guided me.” Zhuge Changfeng smiled, “I picked up on Steward Zhuo’s intention of helping the Regent Estate when he recounted what happened at Parish and thought of lending Luo clan a hand. His Majesty’s plan would’ve worked otherwise.”

“Indeed, the emperor is using the High Priest’s death to summon the clans, an excuse to deal with the Luo clan and Regent Estate. Our houses may be strong, but the emperor took this chance to use the power of the court and to eradicate us both. This sudden development could’ve been the end of us.”

Zhuo Fan squinted, “Even with Luo Clan in the clear and the Regent Estate becoming the patsy for murder, the emperor would’ve charged us to annihilate you, pitting us against each other. It drew every bit of power from the Best Steward Beneath Heavens title the emperor bestowed upon me. I can’t just bear the title and shirk responsibility now, can I?”

“Ha-ha-ha, Steward Zhuo is sharp as a tack, able to analyze the bigger picture with a glance. I approve.” Zhuge Changfeng cupped his hands.

Leng Wuchang sighed with a nod, “If we three pool our minds, no one could touch us, not even the emperor. What a shame…”

“There’s nothing to feel sorry about. With how lonely it is at the top, it’d be boring.” Zhuo Fan grinned.

Zhuge Changfeng and Leng Wuchang laughed, lamenting about the ill circumstances they met in.

Interest made them enemies, but that didn’t stop respect from forming. And now that they had worked together like clockwork to fight off the court, they felt like old friends.

How often did one find a person after his own heart?

“What do you guys think? Who killed the High Priest in the end?” Zhuge Changfeng asked.

Zhuo Fan and Leng Wuchang exchanged a smile.

“Do you need to ask? It all became clear the instant the emperor asked me who else had been at Parish. When everything is said and done, the imperial capital is still in the hands of the imperial family…”

The others saw the wisdom in his words and nodded, their hearts clear of all doubts.