Masquerade in Bridal Attire and Marry the Prince

219. He Fakes His Death

Translator: Bryan

Sometimes, Du Chuxuan couldn’t help but feel thankful that every member of Sect Luo was so capable. Compared with some of the courtiers, these sect members were more loyal to Yuxing Tianrui. They would never defect. If someday all courtiers were replaced by members of Sect Luo, Du Chuxuan believed that Yuxing Tianrui’s big plan would very likely succeed shortly afterwards.

However, this was just Du Chuxuan’s conjecture. Sect Luo had been an underground organization since the day it had been established. If it weren’t about time Du Chuxuan launch a frontal attack on the emperor, Du Chuxuan wouldn’t have risked blowing its cover. Du Chuxuan felt that when this was over, the shroud of secrecy cloaking Sect Luo would be removed regardless of the outcome.

“Tell them to be extra careful about Cheng Xuan’s cover identity. In no circumstances should they blow his cover. He’s very important,” Du Chuxuan said after taking a bite of the pork braised in brown sauce. It was so tender that it seemed to melt the instant it came into contact with his mouth. Du Chuxuan ate it so quick that he nearly bit his tongue.

“Tsk, tsk. I wouldn’t have provoked the emperor like that on that day if I hadn’t needed to make it more convenient for us to carry out the next plan. I really want to go back to the Sinner’s Palace and see what it’s like. If they come to know that I’m here enjoying myself to my heart’s content when I’m supposed to be suffering in the Sinner’s Palace, they’d be furious.”

On hearing his words, Dongxiang felt a pang of upset. “You have no idea what that godforsaken place is like.” At the sight of Du Chuxuan’s indifferent face, Dongxiang became anxious. “There’s nothing in the Sinner’s Palace. You won’t find any pork braised in brown sauce in there.”

Du Chuxuan tossed him an amused glance. He felt that Dongxiang was a guileless man. Dongxiang had been serving him since they had been in the military encampment. Du Chuxuan didn’t know when, but he had begun to regard Dongxiang as his little brother instead of a servant. “Why are you so nervous? I’m just saying. I’d never go there to torture myself.”

Earlier this day he had heard of the emperor’s handling of the issue. No common women could withstand sixty strokes of the staff. Therefore, shortly after that, when a eunuch went there to deliver food, he saw a cold dead body and a dead man dressed like a eunuch who had killed himself by butting his head against a pillar.

The eunuch, without even checking the dead bodies, had returned to report to the emperor, saying that Du Chuyue had died. The emperor, for the sake of his plan, did not make an announcement about it. Apart from everything else, he still needed Yuxing Tianrui to fight the enemies on the borderlands. Also, he hadn’t taken over the assets of the Du family in the capital city. Therefore, no matter what, he had to hush up “Du Chuyue’s death”.

Everybody in that house had been kept in the dark about it. Moreover, Du Shi had been present in that house, and he had seen Du Chuxuan receive sixty strokes from the staff. Although Du Chuxuan wanted to keep it secret, some people would probably soon come to find out the truth.

Savoring the meat, Du Chuxuan smacked his lips and inwardly thought, “The emperor believes his plan is watertight, but I wonder if he knows that someday his overconfidence will be his downfall.” The emperor hushed up “Du Chuyue’s death”, and it eventually would become one of Du Chuxuan’s trump cards with which he could turn the tables on the emperor.

Days passed by one after another. Like Jiu Dengdan had said, the rumors circulating in the capital city had been changing every day, but the most popular one was about the third prince. It was as if the third prince had begun to show his charm after Yuxing Tianrui’s departure from the city.

One day it was rumored that the third prince was handing out congee at the city gate; the other day rumor had it that the third prince had ascertained the truth of the attempted assassination of the crown prince and that the third prince was outstanding. Du Chuxuan heard those rumors so many times that he was bored stiff.

“This is so weird.” After half a month, Du Chuxuan almost fully recovered from his injury. In the past few days, he had gotten out of bed to walk around whenever he had the time. He removed a white piece from the board and said, “Are you saying Yuxing Wei still hasn’t made any moves? And the Zhao family acquiesced?”

“Exactly. Those spying on the third prince still haven’t been recalled. I think it’s probably because Zhao Ling’er and Fang Rui are sharing a house, and it’s not as convenient as it used to be for them to take action,” Luo Yi reported, his face serious.

Du Chuxuan set aside all the pieces in his hand and folded his arms over his chest. Yuxing Wei had always been expert at scheming against people. He was almost as good at it as the emperor. Yuxing Wei had two powerful helpers at his back: Manlou and the Zhao family, either of which was influential enough to help him get what he wanted.

Du Chuxuan could tell from the common folk’s opinions that the Zhao family had definitely helped Yuxing Wei a lot, but Yuxing Wei still hadn’t set out to further his relationship with Zhao Ling’er. Du Chuxuan was positive that something was amiss.

Du Chuxuan closed his eyes and pondered. Luo Yi stood on the side quietly, not doing anything to disturb Du Chuxuan. After half an hour or so, Du Chuxuan’s eyes flew open. “That’s it!”

There were two reasons. This year’s entrance examination was only a few days away. The purpose of the exanimation was to recruit talented men for the emperor, but the princes could also take the opportunity to see if any of the examinees was fit to be their aide.

Talented scholars always had their own principles, and they naturally despised the kind of men who slept with their big brothers’ wives. Furthermore, most of the examinees were members of the Fang family.

If Yuxing Wei set out to further his relationship with the Zhao family at this point in time, those whom he could rope in would probably be from average families or have only mediocre talents. Therefore, Yuxing Wei had every reason to restrain himself. On hearing Du Chuxuan’s deduction, Luo Yi nodded, finding his explanation plausible.

“They want peace, but I won’t let them have it!” A smile touched Du Chuxuan’s lips. “I forgot that the entrance examination’s actually a golden opportunity. Tell Cheng Xuan to get ready. I want him to excel himself in the exam. I’ve given him the examination questions already.”

Luo Yi glanced at Du Chuxuan in confusion. Even members of Sect Luo were unable to get the examination questions, let alone Du Chuxuan. How were they supposed to give Cheng Xuan the examination questions?

At the sight of Luo Yi’s facial expression, Du Chuxuan was secretly amused. This was exactly what he wanted to see. Nobody could have foreseen it. Nobody could have anticipated this. A good show would soon start.

Guards were posted in the areas near the examination hall the day before the exam. The security was very tight. When all examinees were inside the hall and the guards closed the door, a sudden torrent of talk burst forth from the commoners nearby.

“My goodness! What’s that?!”

“Is God raining money on us?”

“Stop dreaming. Those things seem to be… letter paper.”

“Is someone giving out the answers to the exam questions?”

“There are so many of them. Let’s grab one and find out!”