Wen Che had previously suspected this was a man-made disaster, and it seemed his prediction had indeed proven correct.

But he feared this matter wasn’t merely targeting Wen Yu alone.

Behind this, the entire Wen Family must be implicated! The Wen Family was a military household that had produced numerous generals and virtuous officials throughout the generations. Over many years, they had rendered countless meritorious services to the court, earning deep regard and the Emperor’s trust. Their influence in court had gradually spread, showing a strong trend of continuing to gain power! Therefore, they had made numerous enemies.

Many pairs of eyes were watching the Wen Family’s every move, hoping to catch even the slightest mistake by the Wen Family members to make a big issue of it and bring them down in one fell swoop!

So, the people who wanted to harm Wen Yu were probably innumerable!

If they continued investigating further, it would likely implicate many people, and at that point, things would spiral out of control, bringing even more trouble.

Wen Che understood the intricacies involved and inevitably had some concerns.

Shu Tian asked from the side: “Second Young Master, since you’ve clashed with them several times, haven’t you uncovered any details about their background?”

Wen Yu shook his head: “Their killing methods are sinister, and they strike extremely quickly, hiding very well. Even after multiple encounters, I really can’t discern any clues.”

“Since those people have been following you from Yanjing, they must have premeditated this. The person behind them is definitely not simple.”

“My Wen Family has grown increasingly dominant, so naturally it will attract hidden fires. I just can’t figure out who would be so bold?” Wen Yu pondered carefully.

Unfortunately, those who wanted to destroy the Wen Family were countless.

But who would actually dare to make a move?

“In this subordinate’s opinion, looking across all of Yanjing, even though many people have their eyes on the Wen Family, the only ones who truly dare oppose the Wen Family are the Su Family!” Shu Tian said!

And as soon as he finished speaking, Wen Che growled: “Shut up!”

“Young Master…”

“Without evidence, don’t speculate randomly, and you absolutely cannot make definitive conclusions! If walls have ears, those words of yours could cost you your head.”

Ah!

Shu Tian understood the severity and realized his words had been truly inappropriate, so he bowed and retreated to the side.

He said nothing more.

But what exactly was the Su Family’s status in Yanjing? That even the Wen Family had to be so wary of them.

Wen Yu’s eyes turned slightly. He actually agreed with what Shu Tian had just said.

The Wen and Su families had been in opposition for decades!

If anyone most wanted the Wen Family dead, it was the Su Family!

But—

He still cautiously asked Wen Che: “Brother, what do you think?”

After a moment of silence, Wen Che said: “This matter, we’ll discuss it with Father after returning to Yanjing.”

“What if it really was done by the Su Family?”

“Whether it is or isn’t, everything depends on Father’s arrangements! You also must not run to the Su Family to demand an explanation from that person, otherwise, even if Father wants to protect you, it will be difficult.”

Wen Yu nodded in understanding.

Although he had the great tree of the Wen Family for protection, there were still places beyond its shelter.

Like the Su Family!

Even his own father, General Huaihua, sometimes found the Su Family troublesome.

Wen Che patted him and said: “I’ll handle this matter, you focus on recovering from your injuries.”

“But the Emperor ordered me to bring Prince Jing’an’s remains back to Yanjing, and it’s already been delayed for three months.” “I’ll send people immediately to Lingtang Prefecture to receive Prince Jing’an’s remains. Although time has been delayed, fortunately it hasn’t dragged on too long. After returning to Yanjing, you can personally go to the palace and beg the Emperor’s forgiveness! As for the matter of your attack, whether to mention it or not?

We’ll see how things stand at that time.” Wen Che’s considerations were thorough.

He had always acted prudently.

Before taking each step, he would make thorough preparations in advance.

He also deeply understood that human hearts were treacherous and the official world was dark—a single sentence, even a single word could cost someone their life.

Wen Yu had always listened to Wen Che’s words, so he said: “Mm, that’s all we can do.”

At this moment—

Someone came in to report: “Young Master, people from Lingtang Prefecture have arrived.”

“Lingtang Prefecture?”

“The garrison troops from Lingtang Prefecture, they… have brought Prince Jing’an’s remains.”

Hm?

Wen Che asked: “Where are they?”

“They’ve temporarily settled in a courtyard, and upon learning the two young masters were in Jiahe Town, they immediately sent people over.”

He had originally planned to send people immediately to receive Prince Jing’an, but unexpectedly, the soldiers from Lingtang Prefecture had personally delivered him.

After one incense stick’s time…

Wen Che took Shu Tian and his own people to the courtyard where Prince Jing’an’s coffin was placed.

Outside the gate, two tall flags were planted.

They bore the character “Jing.”

As Wen Che entered, he saw the scarred general standing in the courtyard waiting.

Upon seeing him arrive, the man cupped his fists in salute: “General Wen.”

Wen Che was slightly shocked: “General Yi?”

This person with a scar across his face was called Yi Wei’an.

The general among that group of people Li Chuan and Ji Yunshu encountered in the desert was him.

Yi Wei’an said: “The last time I saw General Wen was ten years ago, wasn’t it!” Ten years ago, Qujiang and Da Lin had engaged in a fierce battle, and among those leading troops were Wen Che and Yi Wei’an. It was also at that time that Wen Che developed a chronic ailment that wouldn’t heal, forcing him to transfer to a position in court, while Yi Wei’an, for losing the emergency grain supplies, was punished after the great battle ended and sent to Lingtang Prefecture!

That assignment lasted ten years.

It was also in that great battle that Ji Pei (Su Ziluo)’s father died on the battlefield, and he was rescued by Ji Huan and brought back to the Ji Family.

Wen Che recovered from his shock, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth: “Yes, it’s already been ten years! I didn’t expect to see General Yi again.”

“I also didn’t expect to be able to leave Lingtang Prefecture in my lifetime!”

“It’s because…” Yi Wei’an explained: “This time the Emperor decreed that Prince Jing’an’s remains be transported to Yanjing, but Master Wen who was ordered to come has been delayed. Therefore, I had no choice but to take it upon myself to transport Prince Jing’an’s remains here. Although I was punished to guard Lingtang Prefecture and forbidden to leave,

in order not to delay Prince Jing’an’s burial in the imperial mausoleum, I could only take this risk. Once we reach Yanjing, I’ll beg the Emperor’s forgiveness!”

These words sounded as if he had done Wen Yu a great favor, but the plan he had set in his heart was crystal clear to Wen Che. For ten years, Yi Wei’an had been punished to Lingtang Prefecture for a full ten years. How could a military general who had rendered meritorious service endure such humiliation? Now that the Emperor had shown grace by ordering Prince Jing’an’s remains transported to Yanjing for burial, the opportunity for Yi Wei’an to return to Yanjing had come!

By sheer coincidence, Wen Yu had been attacked on the road.

This caused repeated delays.

Therefore, Yi Wei’an could brazenly use “transporting Prince Jing’an’s remains” as his reason to return to Yanjing. If the Emperor blamed anyone, he could push Wen Yu forward to take the punishment, since after all it was Wen Yu who had delayed the time, while he had solved the problem at the appropriate moment, having merit without fault.

At that time, the Emperor, remembering that he too had once pledged his life in service to Qujiang, would order him to remain in Yanjing and might even restore him to favor.

As long as he could stay, he would have the opportunity to make a comeback.

To wash away the humiliation of years of banishment to Lingtang Prefecture!

His calculated plan could be called flawless.

Wen Che had navigated official circles for many years, his heart clear as a mirror, and naturally understood Yi Wei’an’s plan. But he didn’t want to expose it at this moment!