Chapter 663: He’s useful (1/2)
If Gu Beiyue recovered the Shadow Arts, would Long Feiye still be able to control him?
Long Feiye only replied, “If you need any specific medicines, just tell your lordship.” Then he rose to walk away.
Gu Beiyue watched his retreating form as his heart filled with emotions. In the end, I chose the right person.
Lil Thing scampered out of a corner then to jump onto the tea table. It didn’t know its gentleman had the chance of recovering his martial arts skills one day. It just wanted to see him stand again. Gu Beiyue took it into his hands and stroked its chin, his voice as soft as water. “Comfortable?”
Comfortable! His voice was enough to melt it, much less the stroking. Lil Thing look drunken with bliss as if it’d fallen into a honey jar. It was very happy to see the gentleman and Papa Long coexisting peacefully. Like this, it could protect the gentleman and Mama Yunxi without separating them.
“Alright, go off and play on your own. Be good.” Gu Beiyue stroked its chin again as he placed Lil Thing on the ground, then couldn’t resist rubbing one of its ears. “Go on.”
But Lil Thing’s legs gave way as it sat with a splat on its bottom. Who knew that a man could be so warm and soft that its legs would turn into jelly?
“Hungry?” Gu Beiyue smiled like a bewitching sun. Lil Thing lied on its back and rolled straight off the table. Once it landed on the floor, it fled. If it stayed here any longer, something shameful might happen instead.
Gu Beiyue had no idea what was wrong with Lil Thing, but he set it aside. Since there was hope of recovering his martial arts, he would be busy for the next few days.
Meanwhile, the estate at Yaoshui was silent. Long Feiye and Han Yunxi sat waiting for Chu Tianyin’s next act while keeping an eye on Tang Li’s impending wedding. On the other hand, the steadfast Ning Cheng was quickly getting restless! That was because neither Duanmu Yao nor Emperor Kangcheng believed that Chu Tianyin was only using his threat as a pretext. Duanmu Yao called Chu Qingge out by name to face her, while Emperor Kangcheng wanted Ning Cheng to withdraw his troops from Fenglin Prefecture as a show of apology.
“Chu Tianyin, just what did you tell Emperor Kangcheng?” Ning Cheng asked coldly.
Chu Tianyin met his angry gaze squarely. “That I was the one who killed Empress Xue, and that Western Zhou would have to pass through my Chu Clan soldiers first if they want to send troops into Fenglin. That was it. Your Highness Duke of Qin can ask around if you don’t believe me. Many people saw my pen the letter.”
Nign Cheng had arranged for all the men around Chu Tianyin’s side. They’d long reported the incident to him. He was quite surprised that Chu Tianyin would admit guilt on his own. His original plan was to pin all the guilt on the man, but he’d expected the other to resist instead.
“Emperor Kangcheng’s simply not satisfied with us handing you over like that? What else does he want?” Ning Cheng said coldly. “Your lordship offering you is already giving him a platform to withdraw! If it’s war he wants, your lordship isn’t afraid of him!”
“This subordinate finds it fishy as well. If Your Highness Duke of Ning distrusts me, then I have nothing else to say. Do as you see fit,” Chu Tianyin sighed helplessly. “Duke of Ning, this one admitted his own guilt to wash suspicion from yourself. After all, Empress Xue was kept in the Chu Clan barracks this entire time. You and the empress dowager weren’t directly involved. I never expected them to still be so keen on you and the empress dowager. As this subordinate sees it, Emperor Kangcheng and Duanmu Yao aren’t just looking to avenge Empress Xue.”
Ning Cheng grew guarded at his words. “What do you mean by that?”
Chu Tianyin said three words that immediately gained Ning Cheng’s trust: Long Tianmo.
“As this subordinate sees it, Emperor Kangcheng will seize this chance to join hands with Long Tianmo and threaten Tianning from both the east and west. Their goal isn’t this subordinate or the Duke of Ning yourself, but the empress dowager and the child emperor!” Chu Tianyin muttered in a low voice.
When Ning Cheng’s expression soured, Chu Tianyin added, “Emperor Kangcheng will use Empress Xue’s death as a pretext to go on a punitive expedition against Tianning. Long Tianmo will use the excuse of rectifying the country and eliminating the wicked empress dowager to raise arms against us as well. Together, the two of them would be perfectly justified to attack.”
Ning Cheng glanced at his deputy general in the corner before asking, “Any movements from Long Tianmo’s side?”
“After the western regions fell into unrest, Tianan City has been transferring troops nonstop. They haven’t moved yet, but they’re ready to set out at any time,” the deputy general replied.
Ning Cheng narrowed his eyes. From the side, his profile was cold and callous. He rubbed his chin as a dangerous aura emanated from his form. If Chu Tianyin hadn’t mentioned Long Tianmo, he would’ve forgotten about the man entirely. After some hesitation, he said, “Since their military’s movements are still unclear, your lordship will wait and see exactly what they’re planning.”
“Then this subordinate…” Chu Tianyin probed.
Ning Cheng laughed coldly. “What’s the difference whether or not you admit your guilt? As long as your lordship keeps you, what can Emperor Kangcheng do to you?”
Without a doubt, Ning Cheng was now keeping the Chu Clan troops. Once Emperor Kangcheng started cooperating with Long Tianmo, he would be tight-pressed for troops to oppose them. For now, Chu Tianyin knew he was safe. He cupped his hands in salute and hide the derisive smile in his eyes. “Many thanks to Your Highness Duke of Ning!”
Once he left, an attendant came to report. “Your Highness Duke of Ning, the empress dowager asks for an audience.”
What a laughable request. The high and mighty empress dowager had to wait her turn to see a mere prince regent? But this was the custom in this court of Tianning.
“I refuse,” Ning Cheng only felt annoyed whenever he saw Chu Qingge…
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