Chapter 390: Fu Wang

The ochre-yellow document in the Crown Prince's hand gleamed, as if it held a monumental secret.

Chen Ji instinctively glanced sidelong at Sicao Gui, only to see him feigning nonchalance while calming his horse, seemingly reluctant to depart. Sicao Gui was clearly waiting for Chen Ji to ask questions.

As a spy for the Jing Dynasty's military intelligence bureau, Chen Ji knew this report of victory likely concerned the Goryeo reinforcements. It was logical for him to be eager for the truth; not asking would imply he had something to hide. While a Great Victory over Goryeo wouldn't necessarily prove he had leaked information, Sicao Gui would certainly suspect him if he didn't inquire.

Chen Ji pondered for a moment, then smiled and pressed, "Your Royal Highness, why keep us in suspense? News of such magnitude should be shared with us immediately. There's no joy like shared joy!"

The Crown Prince smiled and patted his shoulder. "My dear brother Chen Ji, don't be hasty. Such good news must be announced publicly, not casually revealed. Our Ning Dynasty has now shaken the four seas and awed all barbarian nations. Father Emperor is also greatly delighted and has decreed additional rewards for this spring hunt!"

"Awed all barbarian nations? Most likely, it's the Great Victory over Goryeo."

As Chen Ji was about to press further, Zhang Xia, carefully observing his expression, suddenly interjected, "Since His Royal Highness wishes to keep us in suspense, let's not ask. We'll know tonight anyway!"

The Crown Prince laughed heartily. "Second Miss Zhang is right! Let us go inside and drink first!" He handed the ochre-yellow document to an attendant beside him, whispering instructions, "Keep this safe!"

With that, he pulled Chen Ji into the Red Leaf Villa.

Sicao Gui took a deep look at the attendant, then picked up the reins again and walked towards the stables.

In the blue-brick alleyway of the Red Leaf Villa, the Crown Prince said gently to Chen Ji, "My dear brother Chen Ji, the elites of the Three Camps are here today. It's a good chance to introduce you to them; you'll have to deal with them frequently in the future."

Chen Ji composedly replied, "Thank you, Your Highness."

The Crown Prince suddenly changed the topic and lamented, "It's a pity. The spring hunt in previous years was much livelier than this one. Not only would there be several times more elites from the Three Camps, but even the imperial officials and nobles from the capital would gather here, filling this Red Leaf Villa to the brim! This year, everyone is unwilling to come to avoid suspicion, and even the number of people from the Three Camps participating in the hunt has significantly decreased, leaving the Red Leaf Villa rather deserted!"

Chen Ji was unwilling to respond, nor did he wish to pay attention to the Crown Prince's self-pity. This was not his concern.

Seeing that he didn't respond, the Crown Prince smiled. "I previously promised you the position of Right Scribe Guard in Guyuan, but I broke my word! However, perhaps it's for the best, as it saves you from being implicated by me." At this point, Chen Ji should have responded with polite rhetoric such as, "Your humble servant is not afraid of being implicated by Your Highness, and is willing to go through fire and water for Your Highness." Yet, Chen Ji remained silent.

In the delicate atmosphere, Zhang Xia spoke again, changing the subject, "Your Highness, is there a prize for this year's spring hunt?"

The Crown Prince smiled faintly. "Of course there is, and this time the prize is even more substantial than in previous years..."

Before he finished speaking, hoofbeats approached from afar outside the Red Leaf Villa.

Everyone turned to look and saw a young man in black imperial robes dismount, leading twelve men aggressively towards the Red Leaf Villa.

It was Prince Fu!

Prince Fu's imperial robe was intricately woven with patterns of mountains, dragons, ornamental insects, sacrificial vessels, algae, fire, white rice, axe-heads, and stylized *fu* symbols. He wore a pure gold 'Good Wing' crown, exuding an imposing nobility.

Behind Prince Fu, the twelve men glared menacingly, each carrying a powerful bow on their back.

Chen Ji had seen one of the front-row men in Li Shamao Alley. The man carried an iron-core bow, a rare sight even on the battlefield.

They came with ill intent!

The Crown Prince seemed somewhat surprised to see Prince Fu, but was the first to cup his hands in greeting. "I didn't expect my Imperial Brother to come; please forgive my lack of a proper welcome!"

Prince Fu laughed heartily, not returning the bow. "I came uninvited, and I hope Your Royal Highness will not blame me!"

Chen Ji and the others took a slight step back, leaving the two princes in the middle of the alley.

The Crown Prince said gently, "I heard Imperial Brother was punished by Father Emperor and confined to the capital. I wonder if Imperial Brother informed Father Emperor of your visit to Xiangshan today?"

Prince Fu said carelessly, "No matter, no matter. How could such an interesting event as the spring hunt be without me? I've been cooped up in the capital all month, practically bored out of my mind, so it's a good chance to join the fun! At most, Father Emperor will give me a beating when I return. He's used to it, and so am I!"

"Imperial Brother certainly lives freely; I, your Imperial Younger Brother, am quite envious! Please, the feast is about to begin!"

The Crown Prince remained silent for a long time.

Prince Fu chuckled. "No rush, no rush. By the way, have you heard any interesting palace gossip? It just so happens to be about your Eastern Six Palaces!" The Crown Prince asked calmly, "I wonder which matter Imperial Brother is referring to?"

Prince Fu said meaningfully, "Naturally, it's the matter of the death in Jingyang Palace! A group of unfortunate people banished to the cold palace caused a sorcery disaster, almost implicating Mother Empress in a plot by villains!"

"Doesn't the Crown Prince know?"

The Crown Prince cupped his hands and said, "Your Imperial Younger Brother came to Red Leaf Villa a few days ago to prepare for the spring hunt and is still unaware!"

Prince Fu clucked his tongue twice. "I heard that Xuanzhen, the head of Jingyang Palace, died miserably, her head hanging from three feet of white silk, with two lines of bloody tears flowing down! The coroner said she had also taken poison before hanging herself, how pitiful! And that Bai Li almost got unjustly killed too!"

Prince Fu changed the subject, suddenly looking at Zhang Xia. "This must be Zhang Xia, the 'Rouge Tigress'?"

Zhang Xia frowned, wondering why the topic had turned to her.

Prince Fu smiled. "A good woman should never marry into the deep palace, which is like a sea, full of heartbroken people! It's better to marry a loving man, to enjoy snow in winter, pick greens in spring, hike in summer, and boat on the lake in autumn, living a free and unfettered life!"

Chen Ji suddenly understood!

On the day of the sacrifice at the Altar of the First Silkworm, the Crown Prince's birth mother, Consort Xue, challenged Prince Fu's birth mother, the Empress, almost accusing her of impropriety! That very night, Consort Xue again employed tactics, orchestrating the tragic sorcery case in Jingyang Palace!

Prince Fu, angered by his mother being plotted against, had come to disrupt the situation despite his confinement order!

Chen Ji's heart stirred. *Took poison before death, two lines of bloody tears...*

He had seen such a manner of death on others before!

While he was pondering, Prince Fu looked back at the Crown Prince. "Your Royal Highness has long presided over the spring and autumn hunts for Father Emperor, but you yourself must also frequently practice archery and horsemanship, setting an example! Don't come back empty-handed after a few days, making the heroes of the world laugh at my Zhu family for forgetting how to conquer this vast empire!"

Prince Fu's sharpness was fully revealed!

The Crown Prince remained unhurried. "Thank you for the reminder, Imperial Brother. Please!"

As Prince Fu passed by Chen Ji, he stopped again. "You brat, you previously caused me to be punished by Father Emperor, so you'd better be careful!"

Prince Fu swaggered into the depths of the Red Leaf Villa. Behind him, Zhou Kuang, who carried an iron-core bow, nodded slightly as he passed Chen Ji.

As they walked further inside, they gradually heard a clamor.

Stepping out of the alley, the view suddenly opened up. In the wide courtyard, a long red carpet was laid out, with dozens of tables and chairs placed along both sides. Guests were seated to the left and right, and at the end of the red carpet was a main table, the Crown Prince's seat. Upon seeing Prince Fu, the guests hurriedly rose in unison, bowing and saying, "Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Your Royal Highness Prince Fu."

Prince Fu smiled and gestured with his hand. "Please, everyone sit; there's no need to be formal!"

During the feast, several men from the Five Army Camps saw Zhou Kuang and quickly clasped their hands, calling out, "General Zhou!"

Zhou Kuang grunted, "I am no longer serving in the Five Army Camps; there's no need for excessive politeness!"

At this moment, the Crown Prince politely said to Prince Fu, "I didn't know Imperial Brother was coming, so a seat wasn't prepared for you. Why don't you join me at the main seat?"

The Crown Prince was merely being polite, but unexpectedly, Prince Fu immediately agreed, walking straight to the main table and sitting down casually behind it!

The table could originally accommodate two people, but he sat right in the center!

The guests present exchanged glances. It was their first time seeing such an aggressive Prince Fu!

In the past, Prince Fu was known for his good temper, often lingering among feasts.

Prince Fu laughed loudly. "Why are you all dazed? Drink!"

The Crown Prince remained silent for a moment, enduring it. He sat down at the first table to the left of the main seat.

Chen Ji found a seat at the back, and Yu Qi sat down beside him after some consideration.

Not far away, Yang Yang kept winking at Zhang Zheng, but Zhang Zheng seemed to ignore it, sitting at the table next to Chen Ji with Zhang Xia.

Prince Fu squinted at the Crown Prince. "Just now, on my way here, I saw the Troublesome Guards carrying an imperial edict. I wonder what the palace's decree is?"

The Crown Prince calmly said, "Reporting to Imperial Brother, it's a report of victory!"

Prince Fu smiled. "Tell me about it!"

Chen Ji's heart tightened. What was to come, was coming!

In the Red Leaf Villa stables, Sicao Gui removed the wooden shaft from the horse's neck and let it go to the trough to eat grass.

A young stablehand from the Red Leaf Villa called out to him, "There's food prepared for the coachmen inside, all in the wooden buckets. Feel free to take some!"

Sicao Gui responded, "I'll go to the latrine first; I've been holding it in all the way here!"

The stablehand impatiently waved his hand. "Go on then, you don't need to tell me that!"

Sicao Gui walked towards the latrine. He turned his head and, seeing no one in the courtyard paying him attention, immediately took out a gray cloth from his sleeve, covered his face, and with a light leap, jumped onto the wall, sneaking towards the Red Leaf Villa.

It was already dark, and he was as light as a swallow on the rooftop, easily avoiding the guards in the courtyard.

Sicao Gui squatted on the ridge of the roof, quietly observing the layout of the Red Leaf Villa while taking off his outer garment. He then put it back on inside out; the gray cloth instantly became a black night suit.

A few breaths later, he moved across the gray tiles towards the largest residence.

Just as he arrived, he saw the Crown Prince's attendant enter with an ochre-yellow document, heading towards the main house.

A moment later, he came out empty-handed.

Sicao Gui lay prone on the eaves. Once the attendant was far away, he hooked his hands onto the eaves and flipped down, as light as a feather, making no sound.

He pressed against the main house door, listened for a moment, then carefully pushed open the door. After entering, he closed the door panels with his backhand.

The imperial edict lay quietly on the table.

Sicao Gui walked to the table. Just then, he suddenly dodged backward, as a flying knife shot down from the beam, passing through where he had just stood and pinning itself onto the imperial edict.

"Who dares to trespass and spy on His Highness's bedroom?"

Sicao Gui looked back, only to see a young man silently squatting on the beam, his face grim. As he spoke, the young man swooped down like a night owl, pressing a palm towards Sicao Gui's face, his movements as swift as a phantom. But Sicao Gui was even faster!

He leaped up, twisting his body and kicking towards the opponent's face.

The young man who had swooped down changed expression, blocking with both arms to forcibly take the kick. The impact sent him flying back into the air, his back heavily striking the beam, causing even the thick beam to creak.

The young man spat out a mouthful of blood, quickly hooking his legs around the beam and flipping over like a giant python, hiding in the shadows of the beam. *Thud!* A short knife embedded itself where he had just hit the beam, its hilt vibrating and buzzing.

If he had been a breath slower, the short knife would have pierced his heart!

"Who exactly are you?" The young man looked down from the beam in alarm and uncertainty, but saw only a broken window below. Sicao Gui was nowhere to be seen!

The young man leaped down from the beam, flying out of the window like a swallow, intending to continue pursuing Sicao. But just as he leaped out of the window, he saw Sicao Gui hiding sideways outside the window, coldly staring at him!

"Not good, the opponent didn't leave after all."

During the banquet, Prince Fu popped a piece of mutton into his mouth, chewing as he asked curiously, "Why is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince silent? Is there something you can't say?"

The Crown Prince took a deep breath. "There's nothing unspeakable. The imperial edict states that the small barbarian nation of 'Siam' refused to pay tribute and killed our Ning Dynasty's envoy, attempting rebellion! Yang Xun, the Political Commissioner of Jiaozhi, led eight thousand elites of 'Annan' to suppress the rebellion, annihilating twenty thousand Siamese elite soldiers and is now escorting the Siamese King to the capital!"

As soon as these words were spoken, a weight suddenly lifted from Chen Ji's heart!

It wasn't the Great Victory over Goryeo...

The Crown Prince spoke again, saying loudly, "His Majesty has decreed that the champion of this spring hunt shall be ennobled as a Fifth-Rank County Viscount, with an annual stipend of four hundred *shi* of grain, bestowed a Qilin jade belt, and granted the privilege to bear a sword before the Emperor! Now, all you lords of the four restless seas should use this spring hunt to showcase your martial prowess to the world!"

At this moment, Yang Yang and others' expressions changed. The Ning Dynasty had not conferred noble titles outside the imperial clan for decades. The only remaining non-imperial noble titles were one hereditary Duke of Ying and three marquises.

Although this conferment was only a 'County Viscount,' once one held a noble title, even if they committed a capital crime, the Eunuch Faction could no longer 'execute first and report later.' They would first need to request His Majesty to strip the title before prosecuting the individual!

Prince Fu stroked his chin, saying with interest, "Yang Xun is a true national talent, using barbarian troops to defeat rebellious barbarians; that's enough to be remembered in history. No wonder Father Emperor is so delighted!"

Before he finished speaking, shouts came from afar: "Right Scribe Guard!"

All the guests were shocked!

The Crown Prince abruptly stood up, and the guards beside the banquet quickly gathered, forming a protective circle around him.

Zhou Kuang also left the table, flashing to Prince Fu's side, holding his iron-core bow and vigilantly looking around.

At this moment, a Crown Prince's attendant rushed in to report, "Your Royal Highness, the Right Scribe Guard has fallen victim to a villain's cruel hand. By the time your humble servant found him, the Right Scribe Guard was already dead, with a large sunken hole in his chest!"

Prince Fu raised an eyebrow. "It wasn't me who did it!"