Chapter 414 - 220: Human Pillar and Sacrifice

Chapter 414: Chapter 220: Human Pillar and Sacrifice

"Oh? What Path does he walk?" Master Zheng’s eyes suddenly lit up.

If the turbulent, underhanded struggles within the Royal Family were merely enough to make Zheng Xiu "interested," then the topic of "Path Mystic Skills" was enough to get him truly excited.

"Chess Master. His skill with chess is otherworldly."

"You saw it with your own eyes?"

"A guess. But I’m about seventy percent sure."

Zheng Xiu closed his eyes, the Orange Cat nestled in his arms, his demeanor calm and composed. "Continue."

Qing Shisan mentally gave a thumbs-up to the air of composure his master was displaying.

For some reason, after his master’s severe illness, it wasn’t just that he seemed like a different person. To Qing Shisan, it felt as if his master had suddenly matured a great deal, exuding the dignity of a high-ranking elder. It was nothing like what one would expect from someone his age.

"The Eldest Prince was assassinated. Although nothing was ever proven, this subordinate believes it was most likely the Second Prince’s doing. In any case, the matter was dropped. The Second Prince then anxiously tried to flee the Imperial City and head south to save his own skin, but for some reason, he never left."

"Later, something happened that you might not expect, Master. As the third day of the third month approached, many Ministers began to openly praise the Third Prince during the morning court session."

Zheng Xiu’s eyes opened halfway, a hint of surprise in them. "The timid Third Prince?"

"That’s right, the ’timid’ Third Prince." Qing Shisan grinned, putting extra emphasis on the word "timid."

A look of realization dawned on Zheng Xiu. "So the Third Prince won?"

Qing Shisan squinted, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.

He chuckled for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "This time, you’ve guessed wrong, Master. Or rather, everyone in the world who dared to guess, guessed wrong. No one can fathom the Great Emperor’s mind."

Zheng Xiu pondered for a moment, then a surprised expression crossed his face. "They... all lost? No wonder... As expected of Old Wei."

He was suddenly reminded of "many years ago," of Old Wei before the Prison Camp, and the Three Questions of the Emperor.

Old Wei had once personally asked Zheng Xiu which of his three sons he thought had the most promise.

Surprise filled Qing Shisan’s eyes. He never imagined his master would guess the outcome. A moment later, Qing Shisan gave Zheng Xiu a thumbs-up. "As expected of you, Master!"

On the third day of the third month, the Great Emperor announced to the world that he was appointing the Fourth Prince as the Crown Prince.

That’s right. The very same Fourth Prince who had been born just a few days prior and was still nursing in his wet nurse’s arms.

"On the surface, all three Princes’ calculations came to nothing. But in reality, Old Wei used this affair to get a clear look at their methods and temperaments. Truly worthy of the Imperial Family, to even set a trap for his own sons. If things had gone wrong, all three Princes could have ended up dead," Zheng Xiu remarked with a sigh.

Qing Shisan sighed as well. "That’s why I say, there’s nothing good about being born into the Imperial Family."

"Heh."

Zheng Xiu just chuckled, offering no comment.

If such words were spoken outside, even muttering a single one could get you beheaded.

But within the Zheng Family, nothing was taboo. What was said, was said.

This was his territory. Here, what Zheng Xiu said was law.

Time slipped by quietly as the two chatted and pleasantly engaged in armchair politics.

A few whistles sounded from the eaves. Qing Shisan tilted his head to listen. "They are already waiting in the meeting room."

"Have the brothers stand guard... Though, with the Ravens gone now, we don’t need to be too worried."

"Rest assured. Forget a Raven, not even a fly can get into the Zheng Family estate."

Qing Shisan said with certainty.

Now that Ye Weiyang had lost its "eyes" and been completely silenced, the Zheng Residence had truly become a Dragon’s Pool and Tiger’s Den.

Cradling the little Orange Cat, Zheng Xiu strolled leisurely through the Zheng Residence. He passed down a long corridor, fed the goldfish, admired the still-unopened lotus flowers, and after a meandering journey of stops and starts, he finally arrived at the main hall.

In the main hall, familiar faces were seated, waiting quietly for Zheng Xiu’s arrival.

The first people he saw were the other two leaders of the Brotherhood, Ji Hong’ou and Pei Gaoya, each seated to one side.

The Monk sat uncomfortably on his stool. When Zizi, one of the four serving maids, brought him hot tea, the Monk hastily stood up to thank her.

The former Yue Yan—the public-facing Undercover agent, the Zheng’s Cloth Shop’s Gold Medal Tailor, Xi’er—was looking around from side to side.

Yan Jiji was still dressed like a foreman. The simple, honest old Craftsman seemed to be attending such a grand Zheng Family meeting for the first time and appeared restless.

The Gold Medal Tailor’s gaze flickered occasionally toward the head seat. Someone—it was unclear whose idea it was—had placed another chair beside the main seat, and seated there was the cool-gazed Feng Bei. The arrangement made Zheng Xiu pause for a second. ’Isn’t this blatantly telling everyone that someone has given Feng Bei the status of "lady of the house"?’

As Zheng Xiu sat down with the cat, the Orange Cat saw Feng Bei, happily leaped from Zheng Xiu’s arms into hers, and began to nuzzle its fluffy head insistently against her soft, ample chest.

This familiar action made Zheng Xiu raise an eyebrow. At that moment, Feng Bei also shifted her gaze toward him. Their eyes met, and both saw a trace of shock and confusion in the other’s eyes.

Zheng Xiu gave a slight shake of his head.

Feng Bei gave a slight nod.

The exchange was complete.

To put it simply: they would discuss this in detail in his room later.

Qing Shisan also sat down, crossing his legs, his pipe now extinguished.

"A lot has happened recently," Zheng Xiu began directly. "While I was away recently, I have had to trouble all you brothers and sisters to look after the Zheng Family. To have your help as part of the Zheng Family’s forces... I feel fortunate for three lifetimes and am grateful that the ancestors are protecting the Zheng Family."

"You’re too kind, Master."

"Not at all, not at all!"

"It’s enough that you are safe, Master."

Zheng Xiu first looked to Xi’er. "Has there been any movement from Ye Weiyang recently?"

Xi’er’s answer was exactly the same as what Qing Shisan had learned.

Quiet. Far too quiet.