Chapter 109: The Battle of Wits

Emperor Zhou was ushered into a newly cleaned courtyard. His spirits had improved significantly; upon entering the room, he dismissed the servants and sat in a chair beside the main table.

The Head Eunuch, Jiang Yan, was vomiting uncontrollably and had been taken away to rest.

Only Bao Ning, Pei Yuan, and Emperor Zhou remained in the room. Observing Pei Yuan’s complexion, Emperor Zhou leaned forward slightly and asked in a low voice, “What happened here?”

Pei Yuan kept his eyes downcast and wiped the corner of his mouth. “I won’t die.”

Being her first time meeting the Emperor, Bao Ning was incredibly nervous. Hearing Pei Yuan’s tone, she jumped in fright and quickly pinched him.

“You…” Emperor Zhou’s voice rose slightly, on the verge of anger. He paused, then waved his hand. “Forget it, forget it. After all this time, your temperament hasn’t changed; you still don’t know how to speak properly.”

Despite his words, Emperor Zhou looked at him with heartache. Back when Pei Yuan was in prison, he had heard the boy was injured—that his legs were ruined, though later healed. The Emperor had assumed Pei Yuan was healthy now; seeing him suddenly cough up blood made him realize things were not so simple.

Emperor Zhou asked hesitantly, “Do you… have other injuries on your body?”

Bao Ning looked at Pei Yuan with concern, wondering how he would answer. Everyone knew the poison had been administered by Pei Xiao, but they were frustrated by a lack of evidence. It wasn’t that they hadn’t looked, but the witnesses from back then were either dead or missing. Even regarding the crime Pei Yuan was originally accused of, based on current clues, it was impossible to clear his name. If they brought it up rashly, it would seem overly aggressive and suspicious.

“Some things cannot be explained clearly right now,” Pei Yuan met the Emperor’s gaze candidly and said flatly, “but the truth will eventually come to light.”

Emperor Zhou knew he was referring to the old case. His brow furrowed deeper, wondering why his son remained so stubborn.

Although Pei Yuan and Pei Che refused to admit guilt to the death, the evidence was ironclad and pointed directly at them. Emperor Zhou’s mind was a mess. He looked at Pei Yuan with a complex expression and finally said, “Let the past be the past. I am no longer pursuing it.”

Bao Ning’s heart tightened as she looked at the Emperor. He said he was “no longer pursuing it,” which meant that in his heart, he still firmly believed Pei Yuan had done it.

Pei Yuan’s fist tightened at his side for a moment, then relaxed. To say more was useless; defense was futile. It was better to remain silent and wait for everything to be revealed.

Emperor Zhou pondered for a moment, his gaze turning cautious and his tone solemn: “Then, what happened today? What is your explanation?”

Pei Yuan knelt and said, “Pei Yuan guarantees with his life that every word spoken below is the truth. I pray Your Majesty discerns clearly!”

Bao Ning knelt down with him.

Her heart pounded wildly. She noticed how Pei Yuan addressed himself—he didn’t call himself “Your subject son” or “your son,” but used his own name. Bao Ning knew this was Pei Yuan’s stubbornness; there was a rift between him and the Emperor.

Emperor Zhou nodded. “Speak plainly.”

Pei Yuan said, “Someone intended to assassinate you.”

Emperor Zhou replied with a half-serious tone, “I am aware. Those men already said they were horse bandits.” He kept his eyes fixed on Pei Yuan’s expression, searching for a flaw.

Pei Yuan’s voice was steady: “Which family’s bandits would have such audacity to intercept and kill the Emperor’s procession? Moreover, the Crown Prince personally guarded it, and General Huwei led over two thousand elite troops. Would a mere hundred bandits, armed with crude bows and iron swords, really try to rob us for wealth? If that were true, they would be peerlessly brave—possessing the courage of one man standing against ten thousand.”

Emperor Zhou said, “There have been famines in the south recently, and many refugees have drifted to the capital. They are very dissatisfied with me. Perhaps they formed a gang, wanting to risk everything in a desperate struggle. Commoners are ignorant and reckless; it is not surprising they would strike a stone with an egg.”

Pei Yuan countered, “Those bandits were premeditated; they went straight for the thirteenth carriage. To prevent assassination, there were fifteen identical imperial carriages. Why were they so precise?”

Emperor Zhou said, “Perhaps they sought a diviner, but the divination was wrong. As you know, such arts are not rare.”

Pei Yuan continued, “The southern floods happened about ten days ago. Within a short ten days, for refugees to lose hope in the government, grow hateful, and even resolve to die just to assassinate the sovereign to vent their anger—isn’t that too fast? Furthermore, as refugees, they would have no carriages. They could only reach the capital on foot, living off begging. Even if strong men walked as if flying, it would take five or six days. By then, they should be travel-worn and destitute. Those bandits not only had neat attire but were equipped with weapons and had voices as loud as bells. They didn’t look like people fleeing a disaster. Moreover, where did their weapons come from? Where did their clothes come from? How did they eat so well that they had the strength to lie in wait in the trees? And how did they find out the procession was passing through Yandang Mountain? None of it can be explained.”

Emperor Zhou said, “I know what you want to say. Someone planned to kill me.”

The room fell silent for a moment. Bao Ning could even hear the dripping of the water clock.

The next moment, she heard Emperor Zhou say, “What if I suspect it was you? That you intentionally staged this play and arranged everything just to regain my trust. How do you explain that?”

Bao Ning looked up in shock, her eyes filled with disbelief. How much did this Emperor distrust his own son?

This time, Emperor Zhou didn’t look at Pei Yuan; he locked eyes with Bao Ning. Bao Ning had been waiting at the villa for them, so she naturally knew they would return shortly. Therefore, she should be in the know. A weak woman usually panics faster than a man. Emperor Zhou watched her eyes, searching for panic or guilt. There was none. He withdrew his gaze.

Pei Yuan had long anticipated this question. He remained calm. “I knew that saving you would bring suspicion upon myself, but I could not not save you.”

Emperor Zhou asked, “What do you mean? You knew beforehand that there were bandits on the road?”

Pei Yuan nodded. “Yes.”

Emperor Zhou paused, then laughed. “So you are admitting it yourself?”

Pei Yuan cupped his hands. “A witness is waiting outside. I ask Your Majesty to allow her entry.”

Emperor Zhou looked toward the door. “Let her in.”

As the words fell, Ji Xiangzhen walked in gracefully and bowed. “This subject’s wife pays her respects to Your Majesty.”

Emperor Zhou raised an eyebrow. “Who are you?”

Ji Xiangzhen said, “This subject’s wife is the spouse of the Commandant of Escort, Jia Ling.”

“I remember now.” Emperor Zhou sized her up. “What testimony do you bring?”

Ji Xiangzhen performed a grand bow. “I am here to expose that the Commandant of Escort, Jia Ling, has treasonous intentions. He has abused his power and conspired with others to leak Your Majesty’s movements with the intent to assassinate!”

Emperor Zhou’s expression grew more serious. “Do you have evidence?”

“I do!” As Ji Xiangzhen spoke, she crawled forward on her knees and presented a rolled-up piece of paper. “Jia Ling has a poor character when drunk and is prone to talking in his sleep. I heard his nonsensical sleep-talk which briefly mentioned this matter. I pressed him and became suspicious. Four days ago, Jia Ling discussed the travel arrangements with Your Majesty. After returning home, he stayed alone in his study for a long time. Worried, I sneaked into the study while he was away and found a secret letter informing the other party of the location of Your Majesty’s carriage. Fearing for Your Majesty’s safety, I took it upon myself to modify the secret letter, changing ‘Three’ to ‘Thirteen.’ That is why the bandits identified the wrong carriage today. I have transcribed the secret letter; please look it over, Your Majesty!”

Emperor Zhou took the paper, scanned it, and looked up. “The letter doesn’t mention the other party’s name. Do you have a suspicion?”

Ji Xiangzhen gritted her teeth. “I have no physical proof and dare not speak recklessly.”

“Speak freely.”

Ji Xiangzhen kowtowed. “According to Jia Ling’s sleep-talk, the other party is the current Crown Prince, Pei Xiao! They have been colluding for a long time, not contacting each other openly but exchanging letters through a servant who drives a swill cart between the various estates.”

Emperor Zhou asked again, “Then how did the Fourth Prince find out?”

Ji Xiangzhen said, “I was terrified after hearing of this. It happened that the Fourth Prince’s consort came to the estate to visit, so I informed her.”

Emperor Zhou looked at Pei Yuan. “Do you have anything to say?”

Pei Yuan said, “Everything the Consort said is the truth.”

Emperor Zhou asked, “What about that servant who transported the swill?”

Pei Yuan said, “When my people went to investigate, he was already dead.”

“Oh, killed. That makes sense.” Emperor Zhou nodded. He asked again, “Since you heard about this, why didn’t you seek me out immediately?”

Pei Yuan replied, “I wasn’t sure if it was true or false. I could only prepare in the shadows first.”

Emperor Zhou smiled and asked, “You were very confident you could defeat the opponent?”

Pei Yuan said, “Yes. And I had to defeat them. If I truly saved Your Majesty, it would be a great service for me, providing an opportunity to rise again.”

“At least you told the truth instead of making up lies that could be seen through at a glance.” Emperor Zhou nodded and smiled. “What do you want to do once you rise?”

Pei Yuan said, “I want money, I want power, and I want the chance to investigate the truth of what happened back then, so that the villains may be brought to justice.”

Emperor Zhou looked at him for a long while, then suddenly said, “The Consort is your wife’s elder sister. I only believe half of what she says.”

Pei Yuan pursed his lips. Just as he was about to say something more, he heard Jiang Yan’s voice from outside: “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived, and he is heavily wounded.”

Emperor Zhou glanced at Ji Xiangzhen. “The other person you mentioned has arrived. Let’s see what he has to say.”

“Summon him.”

Pei Xiao’s face was deathly pale. The wounds on his arm and abdomen were only crudely bandaged and were still seeping blood. Supported by others, he stumbled in. With an expression of profound grief, he collapsed to his knees. “Father, your son is useless! I was too careless and allowed the rebels to take advantage!”

As he spoke, he struggled to straighten up. “Father, Father, you aren’t hurt, are you?”

“I am fine.” Emperor Zhou looked at him. “You look heavily injured.”

Pei Xiao kowtowed. “It is enough that Father is safe. As long as Father is well, your son does not fear death!”

Emperor Zhou smiled slightly. The personalities of his two sons were far too different. When Pei Yuan was injured and asked about it, his answer was “I won’t die.” When Pei Xiao was injured, he could weave such a long string of words while simultaneously pledging his loyalty. It was well-said; he liked hearing it. But how much of it was sincere? Who could know?

Emperor Zhou said to Jiang Yan, “Lord Jia has been waiting outside for a long time, hasn’t he? Bring him in as well.”

Pei Xiao’s breathing hitched for a moment but he quickly regained composure.

It wasn’t just Jia Ling who was brought in, but also a pregnant Xue Fu, who looked panicked and lost.

Xue Fu didn’t know why she was there. She had been staying quietly in the Jia estate. This morning, before she could even eat breakfast, she had been forcibly invited here.

Emperor Zhou asked, “And who is this woman?”

Pei Yuan looked at Jia Ling. Jia Ling forced himself to stay calm. The situation had spiraled out of control. He knelt and said, “She is my concubine, named Xue Fu.”

Emperor Zhou said, “Such a major event as an assassination occurred today. As the Commandant of Escort, do you have anything to say?”

“It is my dereliction of duty!” Jia Ling kowtowed heavily. “I am willing to atone with my death!”

Xue Fu knelt on the ground trembling. She didn’t dare look at Emperor Zhou; her heart shook with terror. Her mind frantically raced—what wrong had she done for the Emperor himself to interrogate her?

Emperor Zhou asked Pei Yuan, “What does this matter have to do with this Xue Fu?”

Pei Yuan said, “Your Majesty will know once you ask.”

Before Emperor Zhou could even open his mouth, Xue Fu burst into loud wailing and cried out, “Your Majesty, it wasn’t my intention to deceive Lord Jia! I was truly… my heart was blinded by greed for a moment! I will tell the truth now!”

Xue Fu turned with difficulty toward Jia Ling and kowtowed. “Lord Jia, Lord Jia, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have lied to you. The child in my womb isn’t yours. I shouldn’t have used this to blackmail you…”

Jia Ling was struck with shock. He looked at Xue Fu, then at Ji Xiangzhen. His head felt as if it had been struck by a hammer, ringing loudly.

“You…”

Emperor Zhou asked Xue Fu, “Do you know about Jia Ling’s intent to commit treason?”

Hearing this, Jia Ling’s legs felt even weaker. He looked frantically at Pei Xiao, but Pei Xiao kept his eyes closed and refused to look at him. Jia Ling felt as if doused in cold water. Snapping back to his senses, he refused to admit it. “Your Majesty, please investigate! Today’s matter is indeed my dereliction of duty, but words of treason are pure slander! Your Majesty, I am wronged!”

Emperor Zhou asked Xue Fu again, “Do you know?”

“I… I don’t know!” Xue Fu was stunned, her tongue trembling. Hearing this, Jia Ling felt a momentary sense of relief. Then he heard Xue Fu say, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I remember now! Once, when Lord Jia was drunk and stayed in my room, he mentioned in passing that ‘wealth and honor are right before our eyes.’ I asked him, isn’t being the heir of a Marquis enough wealth? Is it that the Marquis of Chongyuan is ill and you are about to inherit the title? Lord Jia said, ‘No, it is wealth far greater than a Marquisate!’ Only then did I steel my heart and resolve to marry Lord Jia…”

Pei Xiao’s brow twitched violently. Jia Ling was so terrified he crawled on the ground before standing up and pointing at Xue Fu. “You wretched woman! Isn’t it enough that you framed me with a fake pregnancy? What nonsense are you spouting now? Whose spy are you, trying to harm me like this?”

Emperor Zhou’s expression was now very solemn. He asked Jia Ling, “You don’t admit it?”

Jia Ling insisted, “This Xue Fu must be trying to harm me!”

Bao Ning looked at Ji Xiangzhen, signaling her to bring out the evidence. Ji Xiangzhen took a deep breath and pulled a ledger from her sleeve. “Your Majesty, this is Jia Ling’s private account book. I took it secretly and found that in the past two months, there have been large sums of money entering the accounts. Presumably, he has been taking bribes!”

Jia Ling’s eyes widened. He gritted his teeth, staring at Ji Xiangzhen’s hand.

Jiang Yan presented the ledger. Emperor Zhou flipped through a few pages and slammed it down at Jia Ling’s feet, asking sharply, “What else do you have to say! Who is your accomplice? Speak!”

Jia Ling’s thoughts were in a whirlwind. He never imagined that his most trusted legal wife would stab him in the back. He wanted to defend himself, but anger blocked his chest, and he couldn’t utter a single word. He was even more afraid that the more he said, the more mistakes he would make, so he simply kowtowed. “I pray Your Majesty investigates clearly.”

Pei Yuan suddenly spoke: “Tao Maobing is dead. He died in battle. A great general of a hundred battles was actually killed by a hundred mountain bandits. Lord Jia, aren’t you afraid?”

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