Chapter 4- Conspiracy
If someone was to visit the fourth prince's mansion this morning, they would have found maid, servants and guards
chatting in two or three in low voice all over the mansion. No can blame them. A few unusual things happened last night in the mansion. One, Wangye, who is never drunk no matter how much he drank, came home dead drunk. Two, Wangfei, who is usually poised and elegant, shouted at and scolded Wangye. Three, the cold God of War Wangye made Xiao Si* look for candy dead in the night despite being scolded. Xiao Si had to knock almost every maid's room to look for those candies as in the mansion these things were not usually prepared, only some maids got them on their own. (Si, as in the number 'four', not death)
The two main characters of their gossip were now having their breakfast in the Rising Moon Pavilion. Unlike how they did in the past, Qiu Chen sat beside Zhao Yichen, or to be more precise, almost in his arms. Zhao Yichen kept picking food for Qiu Chen. He was happy to do so. But unbeknown to him, his behavior made the jaws of the people present drop. Their usually cold Wangye was all smile now, his eyes were so soft that it looked like they would pour softness anytime now.
Qiu Chen got irritated with all the stares his husband was getting from all the maids, "Xiao Li, Xiao Si, stay. Everyone else, withdraw." He put some food in Zhao Yichen's bowl too. This made the man smile even more. Qiu Chen felt sweet seeing his smile.
"Baby, you didn't ask why the empress wasn't there when we entered the palace that day. According to the custom she should have been there." Zhao Yichen asked Qiu Chen. He was really puzzled as for why his wife didn't ask anything, he didn't even felt wronged. This also made him think that his wife didn't care about him at all.
Qiu Chen lifted his eyes and looked at Zhao Yichen, his eyes full of mischievous smile, "We saw father emperor at the imperial garden, not the imperial hall."
"So?" Zhao Yichen was even more confused. He had an answer why the empress was not present. But his wife wasn't saying that.
Qiu Chen laughed out loud seeing his man's confused face. "It's simple, actually. Father didn't meet us formally, but informally. He didn't talk much, but wasn't angry either when I called him 'father' instead of 'your majesty'. The empress was not present for two reasons. First one being, she doesn't like you. So, she wanted to make you lose face by not being present. Second and most important reason is father emperor didn't want her to be there. He is the emperor. If he wanted her to be present, she had to. This also served two of his meanings. One is to create an illusion in the eyes of others that he doesn't like you. Another is to create a homely and easy going environment for us."
"Why do you think it's an illusion? May be he doesn't actually like me. I've been to the borders for last ten years, only returning to the capital a handful of times. I wield great power. As an emperor he should be afraid of me."
"Are you really so dumb, Great General Zhao?" Qiu Chen said as he hooked up a corner of his lips.
Zhao Yichen bowed down his head and kissed the mischievous smile. After kissing for a while he said, "Tell me your analysis."
Qiu Chen blushed from the short of air. He said as he tried to catch his breath, "Father emperor decreed us to marry. Do you think that's random? A neglected concubine borne of Duke Song's mansion to be decreed to marry the Great General Zhao is without any reason?"
This was again time for Zhao Yichen to be confused, "Wasn't it for people to think that I'm so feared by him that he made me marry someone insignificant? NO, BABY, you are not insignificant to me! It's what they think!" Zhao Yichen thought he said something wrong and might upset his baby, so hurriedly explained.
Qiu Chen laughed again seeing Zhao Yichen so flustered. "I know. But they already think that, just let them think. Actually, it was just the disguise father emperor used. He made me enter your door to let you use my power in order to obtain the throne. The second prince is the most worthy of being the crown prince by birth. If you want to inherit that throne, you need to show merit, and over that, you need assistance. I can give you that without raising visible suspicion."
"Your power?" Zhao Yichen felt like his wife was speaking in riddles. How could a young helpless ger have any power at hand?
"Seems like General Zhao is really young and has little connection in the capital. See? This is why I need to be with you." Qiu Chen said as he puffed up his chest.
Zhao Yichen chuckled softly. After signaling to Xiao Li to clear up the table he helped Qiu Chen get up from his seat and led him outside in the courtyard, "Praying my Wangfei to enlighten his ignorant Wangye."
Qiu Chen walked slowly as he spoke, "Do you remember the old Minister of Revenue, Minister Fang?"
"Teacher Fang?" Zhao Yichen was getting more and more confused.
"You call him teacher? He was your teacher?" it was Qiu Chen's time to be confused.
"Teacher Fang used to be my teacher, actually. Father emperor asked him to teach me about politics. I used to go often to his mansion in the past. I remember Qing Yuan jiejie, his daughter you know? She was such a gentle person. But I haven't seen her ever since I left." Zhao Yichen appeared sad.
"Tell me, General Zhao, are you at the border for last ten years or twenty years?" Qiu Chen was kind of bewildered. "How can a prince have no connection in the capital? And are you sure you want to call her 'jiejie'?"
"I have been to the border for ten years but I was following General Ye since I was eight. So I was visiting the places he had been to until I was posted at the border. I had some connection in the capital. But the empress interrupted it. And why should I not call her 'jiejie'? Zhao Yichen patiently answered his wife's every question though the last one baffled him.
"Because, Fang QingYuan is my mother. You are messing up the generations. Or do you want me to call you 'uncle'? Qiu Chen pretended to be angry.
"You are Teacher Fang's grandson?" Zhao Yichen was surprised but at the same time everything Qiu Chen said suddenly made sense. But another thing hit him hard, "Qing Yuan jiejie? She..... She is no more?"
"Call her 'mother'. Yeah, she has not been around for a long time. I haven't even seen her." Qiu Chen said looking at the sky. Song Ruzhen had no impression of his mother. He was always 'motherless' in other people's mouth. He didn't even know how his mother was. His grandfather's subordinates who used to meet him secretly never had the time to tell him stories about his mother.
"Come, I will tell you about her." Zhao Yichen pulled Qiu Chen to the main courtyard as he started telling stories about Fang QingYuan, how gentle she was, but how skillful in archery she was, and etc.
Qiu Chen listened to the stories until it was almost noon. Butler Wang hurriedly came to the main courtyard where the two were sitting. He appeared hurried as if something urgent happened. Zhao Yichen looked at him and raised one brow.
"Wangye, Wangfei, His Majesty has bestowed a decree. A eunuch from the palace is currently in the main hall with the decree." Butler Wang explained.
Zhao Yichen and Qiu Chen looked at each other. Zhao Yichen was confused but Qiu Chen knows what it is. He pulled his husband's hand, "Let's go and see what it is."
When the two arrived they saw the eunuch accompanied by two royal guards waiting with a golden scroll in his hands. As soon as they arrived the eunuch said, "The Fourth Prince Zhao Yichen, accept the decree bestowed by His Majesty."
Everyone present in the hall knelt down in unision and the eunuch started reading from the decree,
"Zhao Yichen, fourth son of Zhen, a general protecting Great Zhao, has done a good job over the years at the border. As he is newly married and the border is at peace now, for his marvelous deed in the border Zhen has gifted him with the permission to stay at the capital and attend the morning court as a prince unless any critical situation arrives."
After listening to the decree people present had various guesses in their hearts. Zhao Yichen just calmly accepted the decree, "Erchen receives His Majesty's blessings. It's been a trouble to Gonggong. Please accept this little offering." Zhao Yichen pulled out a pouch from his sleeve.
"Sending His Majesty's words is my fortune, not trouble," the eunuch accepted the pouch and left.
After the people left Butler Wang hurriedly came to Zhao Yichen. He seemed to be worried that the emperor was taking back Zhao Yichen's power.
"Wangye......." Butler Wang said.
"Butler Wang, come to the main courtyard. Ben Fei would like to have a word with you." Qiu Chen interrupted him.
When they returned to the courtyard they went straight to Zhao Yichen's study. Qiu Chen sat on the couch beside the long table with Zhao Yichen by his side. Butler Wang stood there. Even Zhao Yichen was curious what made his wangfei so serious. Qiu Chen was silent. He thought of something. He wanted to see if the system had any special feature like a shop. He could not find one. So he decided to call his system.
"System" Qiu Chen called in his head.
"Scanning for possible emergency. No emergency detected. Host, why did you call me? You are only supposed to call me at emergencies." System's cold voice sounded in Qiu Chen's head.
"Not an absolute emergency, but why there is no shop in the system panel?" Qiu Chen was really curious.
"This system isn't equipped with those meaningless things." Qiu Chen wasn't sure if he actually detected disdain in system's voice or if it was an illusion.
"So, what can I do if I need to use some special item? Normally people would buy them from system shop, don't they?"
"How do you know that?" System never told anything about these. So Qiu Chen's question made him suspicious.
"I don't know how, but I just know. It's like a default, saved information in my brain" Qiu Chen himself was confused at this point.
"Anyway, what do you want to use?" System didn't ask about the matter anymore and it diverted Qiu Chen's attention successfully.
"I want to use some charm or prop which can make my voice able to affect other peoples' inner thoughts, make their heart tremble," Qiu Chen described what he wanted.
"So you want a hypnotism charm?" System asked.
"No, not hypnotism......." Before Qiu Chen could finish System interrupted him, "It's hypnotism but to an even higher level. And if not hypnotism it must be martial arts of higher plane where you can do it with the help of your inner qi."
"I have learnt martial........" System again stopped Qiu, "Your soul still is not strong enough to practice inner qi. You can only use hypnotism charm now. I can add it to the reward list of this world in advance, but if you fail after borrowing a reward, all your rewards will be confiscated."
Qiu Chen nodded at the reminder, "Redeem the reward in advance."
"Reward item of the second world, Hypnotism Charm-1, has been added to the reward list. May be used at will anytime." System declared.
"Understood. System, can I ask another thing?" Qiu Chen asked.
"Ask."
"Is Zhao Yichen is Qu Yi?" Qiu Chen asked with slight nervousness.
System was silent for a moment, making Qiu Chen more nervous.
"He is and he is not," System spoke finally.
"What do you mean by that?" Qiu Chen asked sharply.
"He is Zhao Yichen, but he has the same soul as Qu Yi," System replied.
"Ok" Qiu Chen was relieved. He told the system to resume its hibernation and started the hypnotism charm. There was a recipient option. Qiu Chen added Butler Wang's name there.
Butler Wang on the other hand was getting more and more tensed as Qiu Chen was not starting to talk.
"Butler Wang." Qiu Chen called the butler coldly.
"Little one is listening to Wangfei" Butler Wang did not know why he was sweating. He felt like Wangfei did not call him, but the deepest of his soul.
"How long have you been in charge of Prince's mansion?"
"To return to Wangfei, eight years" Butler Wang hurriedly replied.
"How long Wangye has been to the border?" Qiu Chen's voice was still cold.
"To return to Wangfei, Wangye has been to the border for ten years" Butler Wang Was getting more and more nervous.
"So, you have been in charge after Wangye left. Haven't you?" Qiu Chen's voice was so cold now that it sounded horrifying.
"Yes, Wangfei." Butler Wang was sweating more and more.
"Then tell me. How Wangye doesn't know anything about the capital? Wasn't it your duty to keep him updated about everything? He doesn't even know who I am. Shouldn't you have investigated about me before marriage and report it to him? All he knew about me is that I am Song Chaoxiang's son and nothing else. Shouldn't he know what happened to his teacher? You as a servant of Gui Fei, don't tell me that you don't know which teacher I am talking about. You control everything here. Now tell me, are you so incompetent? Oh, if you were, you wouldn't be appointed as the head butler by His Majesty, or, should I say 'Her Majesty', Butler Wang?" Qiu Chen's voice was cold that it directly chilled Butler Wang's heart.
Zhao Yichen knew that his Wangfei was smart but he didn't know that he could dictate the situation from one single conversation and that, too, so soon.
"I feel like I still underestimated you. My baby is so smart!" Zhao Yichen was unquestionably happy. His father emperor always had a good sight. He sent this man to be his companion.
But Qiu Chen didn't pay any attention to him. He was still focused on Butler Wang.
"Tell me, Butler Wang. What made you betray Wangye? What made you betray Gui Fei? If I am not wrong, you came to this empire with Gui Fei? She was your princess first, then your master. I heard that she used to treat you like a brother? Yet you betrayed her. What was the temptation Butler Wang? You don't have family here, so you cannot be threatened. What? You don't have any words?" Qiu Chen's voice was like a bone chilling breath of hell. Butler Wang fell on his knees with a plop.
He remembers now. How valued he was to the Gui Fei. How the fourth prince used to call him 'uncle' when he first learnt to talk. How he in the desire of money and power betrayed the people who were so close to him. When Gui Fei came to Great Zhao as a token of the peace pact between Northern Chu and Great Zhao, he came with her. Gui Fei was not a favored princess. So, after they came here, their all contact with Northern Chu was cut off. They made a home here. The emperor fell in love with Gui Fei. Soon she became pregnant. That's when the empress approached her. Greed! His greed made him do sinful things. Butler Wang started crying.
"I thought I would play him a little more," Zhao Yichen said, no familiar respect could be found there.
Qiu Chen still didn't reply to him but told the butler, "You have been an elder to him for so long. Go to your place and reflect on yourself. What punishment should you get? Betraying the prince in this mansion means death penalty. Do you think death will made up for what you did? Withdraw. In Butler Wang's ears, the voice of the sweet little ger sounded like it could crush his soul.
Butler Wang weakly stood up. He was about to go when Qiu Chen called him again, "Adjust your facial expression before you go out."
Butler Wang did as much as he could. But he still looked grave. Qiu Chen shook his head as he saw him go away. Then he withdrew the hypnotism charm.
"How could you not deal with him earlier?" the coquettish Qiu Chen was back. He was sounded so mellow now that it became hard for Zhao Yichen to believe that the person minutes ago and the person in front of him now are the same person. But at the same time it felt so right that it was exactly how it was supposed to be.
"Little devil," Zhao Yichen brushed the bridge of Qiu Chen's nose with his back of his index finger
Qiu Chen was stunned for a moment, then chuckled suddenly as he burrowed his head in Zhao Yichen's neck. It was just a little word but was able to make him emotional. Qu Yi loved to call that occasionally. Thinking of the past he couldn't help put a light kiss on the skin in front of his lips. Zhao Yichen's breathing shortened because of this little act. His one hand hugged Qiu Chen's waist harder and the other started to caress him. Qiu Chen gripped Zhao Yichen's robe hard but didn't stop him. Soon the mischievous hands reached inside his robes. Zhao Yichen kissed Qiu Chen's forehead, eyes, nose, and cheeks one by one while his hands started to feel every inch of the soft and smooth skin beneath it.
"Knock knock" a knock came from the door of the study which instantly irritated Zhao Yichen.
"Wangye, it's noon already. Should the lunch be served?" Xiao Si sensed the hairs on the back of his neck stand, it's too scary. He might have offended Wangye.
"Set the table," Qiu Chen said with pretentious calmness. He hurriedly got up and rearranged his cloths. "Sort yourself out," he said to Zhao Yichen and went to open the door.
Zhao Yichen looked at his own empty arms and a particularly painful place. He needed to recite mantras in his heart to calm himself down. After a few minutes he came out of the study. When he came to the hall he saw his wife softly chatting with Xiao Li. Xiao Si, the culprit just now was standing with head hanging down on his chest not far away. He shot another hateful glance towards him and sat down beside his wife for lunch. Receiving the eye shot from Zhao Yichen, Xiao Si, whowas already weak in the knees, began to tremble. He was afraid that he had poked the devil.
"Don't scare him, he was doing his job," Qiu Chen said while putting some vegetable in Zhao Yichen's bowl.
"Hum," Zhao Yichen, like a henpecked husband, nodded and put away the low air pressure he was releasing.
Xiao Si looked at Qiu Chen with worship in his eyes, Wangfei just saved his little life.
"Do you have anyone at your hand who you could lend to me to run some errands outside the mansion? The person better be quick witted and good at martial art," Qiu Chen asked Zhao Yichen.
Zhao Yichen thought for a moment and then suddenly called in a tone that was louder than his regular voice but not too loud, "Xiao San!"
Even before blinking an eye, a tall and lean man all in black appeared before them. He saluted Zhao Yichen and Qiu Chen one by one.
"This is Xiao San, third of my shadow guards. You can use him," Zhao Yichen told Qiu Chen and then turned to Xiao San and commanded, "Follow the Wangfei. From now on, he is your master."
Xiao San was a bit shocked, but his face was without any trace of it. Before he could salute Wangfei and call him master, Qiu Chen stopped it with a signal of his hand and talked to Zhao Yichen instead.
"I am just borrowing him. You are his master. I have no wish to rob you off people," Qiu Chen said as he continued his lunch. But the man opposite paused, his eyes shoeing the trace of helplessness and his face became gloomy.
"You don't want to possess what's mine?" Zhao Yichen thought Qiu Chen was still alienating him.
Qiu Chen found it funny, "What on earth are you thinking about! He is one of your shadow guards, you need him. I am using him for a couple of days. Once I get my people he can go back to you. He should be with you on the battle field, not with me in the capital." Seeing Zhao Yichen still aggrieved Qiu Chen added playfully, "How about you remain his master and I be your master?"
Hearing this Zhao Yichen's eyes suddenly lit up like ha has unlocked something marvelous and said with pretentious teasing respect, "Yes, master!" The way Zhao Yichen said it made Qiu Chen's cheeks hot and he got a bad premonition, like something wicked was cooking in the man's brain.
This full plate of dogfood was shoved down the throats of the three people presents there. They could neither hide nor dared to be present. It seemed that Qiu Chen finally noticed them. He cleared his throat and said in an awkward tone, "What are you saying! Eat! No more talking during the meal." He buried his head in the food. Seeing this Zhao Yichen smiled playfully but didn't teased his wife anymore. Xiao Li, Xiao San, and Xiao Si also looked at Qiu Chen with complicated eyes. This person could make their Wangye smile like this, he is really powerful.
After the meal was over Qiu Chen called for Xiao San.
"Disguise as a commoner and go outside. Tell me the rumors circulating around the streets. I need to know everything before sunset," Qiu Chen ordered Xiao San while resting on the couch leisurely. His posture was leisurely, so was his voice. But this leisure all over his body somehow could make anyone standing in front of him surrender to him. Xiao San couldn't help but being surprised by Qiu Chen. In front of Zhao Yichen he was like a little boy, loved being spoiled and occasionally saying stuff that sounded outrageous which made Zhao Yichen pamper him even more. But when he was with them, ordering them to do things, he was like an experienced official, no less intimidating than the Wangye. One who had seen both sides of this man must fear him. He could do be anything according to the situation to achieve his goal. Xiao San was afraid that he could harm Wangye more than anyone.
"I won't hurt him," Qiu Chen suddenly said as if he could read Xiao San's mind. His voice was still leisurely and calm but the confidence in his tone was unquestionable.
Xiao San slumped on his knees when he heard this, "Little one doesn't dare question Wangfei. Asking for punishment from Wangfei."
"Don't dare? But you dared. Yeah, you didn't say anything, nor did you face show anything. But you know it yourself the best, don't you? Go, carry out task," Qiu Chen waved his hand.
Xiao San got up and turned to leave. He heard one last sentence from Qiu Chen, "If you didn't suspect me, I wouldn't use you." Xiao San didn't dare look back as he went out of the room. He could feel his cloths sticking to his back due to the cold sweat he just had. Wangfei is scary.
After Xiao San left Qiu Chen stayed in that couch for a while, then he felt bored. There is no recreational thing for him in this ancient era. He, for the sake of his plan, cannot go out either. Even his husband is not around now. He was really bored. He liked being lazy, but he did not like getting bored. So he thought of having fun and he seemed to discover the fun of scaring people.