Light and Shadow

Chapter 20 - Yang Xiu's Plot, Pt. 2

Xun Yu thanked him, then bowed again and returned to his position in front of Cheng Yu. Yang Xiu sensed this as his opportunity and he stepped out of the crowd, bowing as he stated his name and addressed their Lord.

"My Lord, I am afraid that there is a traitor in our midst." Yang Xiu stated firmly.

"A traitor? Who?" Cao Cao asked as he looked at him with a doubtful expression.

"It's Cheng Yu, my Lord. He has been colluding with Yuan Shao." Yang Xiu replied.

"Cheng Yu?" Cao Cao echoed, sounding somewhat hurt. "Cheng Yu is one of my longest serving Ministers. He is just and does his best to uphold a good character. Where is your proof?"

Yang Xiu reached into his robe and produced a bamboo scroll. He then walked over to their Lord and presented it to him with both hands. Cao Cao took it and opened it to examine the contents. Xun Yu heard Cheng Yu take in deep labored breaths behind him and he also felt as though the situation was rather grim. I did not suspect that he would try to fabricate Cheng Yu's writing as well. Things are taking a terrible turn. No matter, I can still turn things around. Once Cao Cao finished reading the scroll, he looked up and appeared to be angered.

"Cheng Yu! Step forward. Explain the meaning of this." Cao Cao gushed.

Cheng Yu quickly moved to stand at the front center of the crowd and bowed to their Lord.

"Cheng Yu greets the Prime Minister." Cheng Yu stated meekly.

"Cheng Yu, why did you disclose intel to Yuan Shao?" Cao Cao asked.

"My Lord, I did no such thing." Cheng Yu replied. He was startled by the accusation.

"Tell me then, what does this letter say?" He inquired as he walked over to Cheng Yu and handed him the letter to read.

Cheng Yu quickly read over the letter and was shocked. He never mentioned anything about the numbers of troops that they had or supplies when he last communicated with Yuan Shao. All that he asked was for the man to spare his family. Cheng Yu had no words. Seeing that Cheng Yu was floundering, Xun Yu decided to intervene.

"My Lord." Xun Yu stated.

"Yes, Minister Xun? You may step forward." Cao Cao said.

Xun Yu approached the two and stood next to Cheng Yu. He bowed and properly addressed their Lord before speaking.

"My Lord, I am afraid that the letter in your possession is forged." Xun Yu replied softly.

"It's fake? Xun Yu, how can this be fake? This is Cheng Yu's handwriting." Cao Cao answered, doubtful of Xun Yu's proposal.

"My Lord, Yang Xiu is very good at forgery. He can mimic anyone's handwriting." Xun Yu said calmly.

"Where is your proof?" Cao Cao asked softly.

"I have it!" Xiahou Dun exclaimed and quickly walked up to the group from the crowd of people.

He bowed to their Lord and presented him with the foraged letter that Yang Xiu attempted to blackmail Xun Yu with. Xun Yu looked at Xiahou Dun with a confused expression, since he thought that he disposed of the scroll. He would be pretty good at this, if he was interested in it. Cao Cao read over the scroll and blushed slightly. He then looked at Xun Yu and blushed again before laughing.

"Okay, I am convinced. I believe you three; however, Xun Yu, if it turns out that Cheng Yu is actually conspiring with the enemy, then you will be the one punished." Cao Cao stated with a smirk.

"Y-Yes, my Lord." Xun Yu replied nervously, bowing as he did so.

Yang Xiu was seething with anger. He gnashed his teeth in annoyance at having his plan foiled as his eyes burned holes into the back of Xun Yu's head.