Chapter Fifty-Four: Hidden Motives

Zhao Yu left the capital. Just as he had arrived without a sound, he departed in equal silence, not leaving behind even a wisp of cloud...

The Emperor Huizong, ever careless and indifferent, quickly forgot about the son he had dispatched, for all his thoughts had been consumed by the ball games.

Yet, while the father was so heartless, others were not so forgetful; there were many who kept Zhao Yu in their secret thoughts!

Wang Fu’s injuries were mainly on his face, for Zhao Yu had deliberately ensured he would be unpresentable. Though treated, his features were still unrecognizable, and with his head heavily bandaged, he resembled an Indian ascetic. On the night of Zhao Yu’s departure, Wang Fu, with his swollen head, arrived at Liang Shicheng’s residence.

The moment they met, Wang Fu collapsed to his knees as though he had finally found his comrades, weeping bitterly. “Master Liang, you must seek justice for me!”

Liang Shicheng was in low spirits as well, the cause, of course, being the ever-restless Prince Yi.

In truth, according to his original plan, he too intended to move against Zhao Yu only after Zhao Yu’s marriage. Liu Wenguang had once been under Cai Jing’s command, and though he later defected, Liang had never truly regarded him as a confidant. He had long known of Liu’s dying daughter, and it was he who had orchestrated the marriage between Liu’s daughter and Zhao Yu.

Once the union was sealed, he would begin a full assault on Zhao Yu. Even with Empress Zheng’s protection, he could still strip Zhao Yu of his standing, at the very least ensuring Zhao Yu could no longer make a place for himself in the capital.

But man proposes, heaven disposes. He had not anticipated Cai You would strike at Zhao Yu first, thoroughly disrupting his plans.

Even as he felt perturbed, he could not help but want to laugh at the sight of Wang Fu’s pig-like visage. Coughing to conceal his amusement, he said, “You are a court official—how can you behave so undignified? Get up and speak properly.”

Obeying, Wang Fu scrambled to his feet, his face still drawn. “Master Liang, everyone at court knows I am your man. Harming me is nothing—they are slapping you in the face!”

“Hmph! If you had conducted yourself properly, would anyone have struck you? What became of the Xu family? If the censors report you to His Majesty, even I cannot protect you.”

“The Xu family’s residence has been returned, but the family now resides in Prince Yi’s palace. Master Liang, things cannot go on like this! This Prince Yi is far too brazen!”

Liang Shicheng’s face darkened even before Wang Fu’s words could provoke him further. After a moment’s thought, he gave a sinister smile. “He claims to be investigating the Manichaeans, but according to Lord Cai, his involvement with them is murky at best. Go to Zhu Mian in Jiangnan, make sure we have solid evidence. His Majesty detests heresy above all. If we have proof, there’s no way he’ll talk his way out of it, no matter how many mouths he has.”

“Master Liang, you are truly wise. I shall see to it at once...”

In the secret chamber of Prince Yun’s mansion, the flickering lamplight stretched two shadows long and thin, as though two ghosts were dancing.

“Your Highness, word has come from the Ming Cult: the strange stone they stole was a fake.”

Facing Prince Yun Zhao Kai was a middle-aged scholar, with a gaunt face and the air of a righteous man.

“A fake? How could that be? I saw Father place the stone in the vault myself, and no one has entered since. How could it be fake?”

“There can be no mistake. Fang La was counting on that relic to launch his rebellion. Though he would have risen regardless, lacking it, his chances of success are much diminished.”

“Hmph! Fools, these Ming Cultists. I provided them so much assistance, yet they fail again and again. I have truly misjudged them.”

After a pause, Zhao Kai asked, “Master Wu, where do you think the stone is? Is it still hidden somewhere in the palace?”

This Wu, none other than Wu Yong—the so-called Star of Wisdom—was the deputy leader of the Southern Canal Guild, whom Shi Qian had reported to Zhao Yu.

Wu Yong pondered a moment before answering slowly, “If I am not mistaken, the stone is now in Prince Yi’s possession.”

“How—how can that be? Though he visits the inner palace to pay respects to the Empress, he has never set foot in Father’s study or the Daoist temple. His closest eunuchs have always been under my surveillance; he had no chance to act!”

“Your Highness, you are too kind. From what I have learned, the most renowned thief in the realm, Shi Qian, often comes and goes from Prince Yi’s residence. Only later did I realize this. Of late, Prince Yi’s household has appeared preoccupied with the ball games, which allowed us to overlook this man. So when I received word from the Ming Cult, I realized at once: the stone must now be in Prince Yi’s hands.”

Hearing this, Zhao Kai fell silent for a long time before finally saying, “Could he be taking it to Jiangnan, intending to deliver it to Fang La himself?”

“No matter Prince Yi’s intentions, that object must be brought under Your Highness’s control. With your permission, I shall set out at once, intercept him before he reaches Jiangnan, and reclaim the stone.”

“I entrust this task to you, Master Wu. In the future, you shall be rewarded.”

“Your Highness takes the fate of the people to heart; I dare seek no reward, only to serve loyally and help Your Highness achieve great things...”

That same night, at the Cai residence, in the inner study.

“Father, His Majesty clearly intends to abandon Prince Yi. I believe we need not invest in him any longer.”

As he spoke, Cai Tao brought a bowl of medicine to his father and helped him drink it.

Cai Jing slowly shook his head. “You must not be so shortsighted. Think carefully—this Prince Yi, so young, has already accomplished much. Though it seems His Majesty has cast him aside, how can we be sure he has no remaining cards to play?”

“Now that you mention it, Father, I recall something: among the common folk around the capital, many wear a certain ‘Longevity Hat’—woven from bamboo strips, quite sturdy. It’s said to have originated with Prince Yi. They’re cheap, only a few coins, but he forbids others from making or selling them, claiming exclusive rights. At first, I thought little of it, but later, considering the numbers, even a small profit adds up. And the further they're sold, the higher the price. Truly, Prince Yi is a master at making money.”

“Hmph! As long as you understand. I suspect this journey to Jiangnan will not go smoothly for him. Send word to our people there to fully cooperate with Prince Yi’s mission.”

After a pause, Cai Jing continued, “Let me tell you once more: First, never put all your eggs in one basket. Second, in officialdom, following the crowd is most dangerous. If all act, you must refrain; if none act, you must act.”

Hearing these words, a sudden inspiration flashed through Cai Tao’s mind. He was about to speak, but seeing his father’s somber face, he swallowed his words...

Little could Zhao Yu have imagined that the already turbulent waters of Jiangnan would become even more tempestuous with his arrival...