The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 1)

Chapter 95 - The Source of Trouble

This Heir Apparent seemed to know nothing, yet somehow appeared to know everything, asking questions that were ambiguous and difficult to answer.

Were the people from the Zhou family so hard to deal with?

Before Song Chuyi could respond, Zhou Weizhao lowered his eyes to the bamboo tube on his desk. After a long pause, he said, "Or perhaps you truly have something to hide? Is that why the Sixth Miss Song is so nervous?"

They had only met twice, one of which she hadn't shown her face at all. Yet he seemed to understand her thoroughly. Being so controlled felt truly unpleasant. Song Chuyi frowned at him and stood up to ask, "Heir Apparent, your aggressive questioning is quite unusual. Since you suspect that I have ulterior motives, why did you cover for me this morning? A clever person like you should understand the principle of presumption of innocence, shouldn't you?"

"If I want to meet that cook, what then?" Zhou Weizhao remained unfazed, looking at her as one would at a clawing little kitten, calm and collected. "I suppose the heir wouldn't refuse, would he?" Song Chuyi said. 

This person had an incredible ability to read people; he had already noticed in the morning that she had something difficult to say and didn't want Lianyi to be discovered by the others in the Song family. So, he played the part of her protector that morning but was now using it as leverage against her.

However, it must be said that this threat was quite effective. Song Chuyi sighed softly, glanced at the pale-faced Hongyu beside her, and then turned to Zhou Weizhao. "What do you really want, Heir Apparent?"

Zhou Weizhao opened the bamboo tube, and a tiny ink monkey about the size of a finger crawled out, curiously looking around with its round eyes.

He placed it on the table, and it dashed over to the inkstone to start grinding ink with agility.

"Jingchuan has always been someone who won't rise early without a benefit; it's impossible to let him suffer a loss." Zhou Weizhao's answer skirted the question. He reached out to tap the ink monkey on the head and then turned to look at Song Chuyi. "Sixth Miss Song must have some special technique to make him yield; otherwise, why would he go out of his way to find this person for you overnight? I wonder what kind of deal you two struck?"

The Heir Apparent had just pointed out that she didn't want the Song family to know about Lianyi's existence, so he could likely deduce that her dealings with Ye Jingchuan were purely personal and didn't involve the Marquis of Changning's residence or the King of Zhennan's. It was puzzling why he was still so fixated on wanting to know the details.

Was he naturally cautious, or was he just overly suspicious?

"Not going to say? Then let me take a guess," Zhou Weizhao said, casually picking up a brush from the stand and writing something on the paper while still paying attention to Song Chuyi. "This guy fears nothing, thinking himself invincible; the only thing that can grip him is this major mistake he's made. If I'm not mistaken, are you teaching him how to extricate himself from his predicament?"

At this point, continuing to hide the truth seemed pointless. The key issue was that Ye Jingchuan was somewhat unreliable; Lianyi had almost been discovered because of his lack of diligence. Instead of lying and risking exposure later, it was better to admit it openly.

After weighing her options, Song Chuyi finally nodded.

"It's true he didn't heed warnings and illegally left the city, bringing the Tatar army to harm the people of Tongzhou. Is it because Sixth Miss Song has a kind heart or is too cold-hearted that she would help him evade responsibility?" Zhou Weizhao looked at her calmly, as if discussing the weather. "And I want to know, as a delicate young lady, what gives you the right to help him escape from such a grave disaster?"

His tone remained steady, but Hongyu and Qingtao exchanged glances, each seeing the paleness on the other's face.

If it were to be pursued, Zhou Weizhao could have easily pointed out her connection to Ye Jingchuan back then; he wouldn't have waited until now. Song Chuyi understood this, so she maintained her composure in the face of Zhou Weizhao's seemingly imposing words.

"His departure is true, and it's true that he attracted the Tatar army. However, since the Heir Apparent has come here to meet with the prince consort, you must also understand that there's more to this matter, right?" Song Chuyi fixed her gaze on his bony fingers, lowering her head and speaking clearly. "As for how I can do it, since I dare to guarantee it, naturally, I have my methods."

Zhou Weizhao paused his writing for a moment, then suddenly shifted his questioning tone, raising his head to reveal a smile that felt like a breath of spring. "Then, I wonder if Sixth Miss Song would mind making a deal with me? I can probably help you far more than Jingchuan can."

Song Chuyi's eyes widened in disbelief for a moment.

Then, she quickly considered the feasibility of this deal. If she wasn't mistaken, the Heir Apparent also wanted to deal with this mastermind and had wanted to for quite some time.

"Your Highness, your position is quite extraordinary; I'm not sure how I can assist," Song Chuyi quickly added, "but I will do my best to help."

Indeed, she was a very clever young lady; he hadn't misjudged her.

"Well then, share your thoughts," he glanced at Song Chuyi. "I'm curious to hear how you plan to exonerate Ye Jingchuan while also implicating that person."

That person referred to Xingfu, the head eunuch of the Ministry of Rites. His background was complicated; he had once served as the chief eunuch in Prince Duan's residence and had received considerable money in recent years to act on behalf of Prince Duan.

This was someone who could speak on behalf of the emperor and wield significant power; if he couldn't be turned to their side, he was a natural enemy.

Moreover, Xingfu had a large appetite and ambitious aspirations.

For someone like him, it wouldn't be wise to make a deal with a tiger; instead, they would have to seize the food right from the tiger's mouth.

Song Chuyi had already contemplated this issue thoroughly. When she saw Zhou Weizhao asking, she confidently presented her opinion: "The Zijing Pass not only has a garrison but also an Inspector General."

Zhou Weizhao raised an eyebrow, indicating her to continue.

"And this Inspector General happens to be a fellow townsman and close friend of Xingfu's nephew. He's very dutiful to Xingfu. I heard that during Xingfu's birthday, this Inspector even knelt with Xingfu's nephew, calling him 'godfather.'" As Song Chuyi spoke, she paused for a moment and added with a hint of sarcasm, "This Inspector General is quite literate and enjoys befriending the Tatars. He specifically created an illustrated book detailing the defensive lines of Tongzhou City and marked the homes of wealthy families, which he published and distributed at the border."

Zhou Weizhao didn't move, but the smile at the corners of his mouth deepened.

"So, it would be entirely reasonable for the blame to fall on Xingfu. Ye Jingchuan is merely a victim of that Inspector's deceit, leading him to unwittingly attract the Tatars."