While Master Qingfeng waited eagerly to watch the spectacle unfold, Prince Gong had also prepared himself to witness the show. Han Zhengqing’s letter had been so certain, telling him to await good news, so he focused single-mindedly on waiting for this good news.
For this reason, even when Wu’an was beaten back again by Huang Yiqing, he forcefully suppressed the anger in his heart—after all, if Han Zhengqing’s matter truly succeeded, taking the capital would be within reach in no time. A small place like Wu’an wouldn’t even register in his eyes.
Recently, he had more or less figured out what Han Zhengqing intended to do. There was nothing else to it—it had been too long without any movement, making him uneasy. He had sent several letters to Han Zhengqing, and Han Zhengqing, presumably annoyed by his anxiety, stopped hiding things from him. He told him to wait—once news of Emperor Jianzhang’s death spread, Zhou Weizhao would be finished too. When chaos erupted in the capital, who could possibly be their match? At first, he didn’t believe Han Zhengqing possessed such capability, but when Han Zhengqing’s messenger described Han Zhengqing’s network of contacts in the capital, he became convinced. The man had made thorough preparations for this day, having planted people early on. This level of scheming and method—if it weren’t for Grand Concubine Fan courting her own death, these benefits would never have fallen into his lap. Deep in his heart, he became extremely wary of this wolf-like Han Zhengqing, fearing that later Han Zhengqing might cross the river and demolish the bridge, or use him to stir up trouble before kicking him aside. Yet now he felt extremely fortunate that Han Zhengqing had thrown in his lot with him.
With this assurance, he treated Han Yang with even more tolerance than before. After all, this was Han Zhengqing’s son—regardless of the reason, being good to him now couldn’t be wrong, since he still had to rely on Han Zhengqing. Even when Han Yang sent word that he had already persuaded the people of Weihai Guard to hand over power and requested provisions and supplies, he agreed without a second thought.
However, just as he was instructing the transport official to deliver grain and supplies to Weihai Guard, Wu Feng spoke up somewhat worriedly to dissuade him: “Weihai Guard is stubborn and unyielding, just like a stone in a latrine pit. It’s rather unsettling that they changed their minds so easily. Your Highness, why not wait a bit longer? Allow this subordinate to make a trip to Weihai Guard.”
He was utterly devoted to Prince Gong. Although he came from a prominent family, his household had long since fallen into decline, and with his disagreeable personality, he had suffered plenty of mistreatment at home. If Prince Gong hadn’t given him a meal to eat and promoted him, how could he enjoy his current comfortable life? Though Han Yang couldn’t be considered a complete wastrel, his abilities seemed mediocre no matter how you looked at it. Even Wu Qianli couldn’t handle Weihai Guard, yet Han Yang dared claim after less than a month that Weihai Guard had agreed to submit—it looked suspicious from every angle and couldn’t be easily believed. Perhaps he was just boasting.
Prince Gong, however, suddenly recalled the cryptic words Han Yang had deliberately said before leaving. He glanced meaningfully at Wu Feng, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.
Han Yang had said that Wu Feng seemed to view the Han family unfavorably, having mentioned several times not to trust Han Zhengqing so much, and repeatedly obstructing Han Yang. Thinking of this, he also recalled the Chief Administrator’s death, and his gaze gradually changed. After a long while, he coughed: “You and he are incompatible. Who knows what trouble might arise if you went? Besides, his father has already raised troops to help us—what more do you have to doubt? When employing people, trust them; when doubting people, don’t employ them. Just mind your own affairs.”
Originally, he had planned to send Wu Feng to fight Huang Yiqing, but somehow, he still felt more at ease keeping him nearby. Although he still felt Wu Feng wouldn’t do anything to betray him, once suspicion took root, it became difficult to dispel.
Now, Wu Feng’s words made him very uncomfortable. In his eyes, Han Zhengqing and his son were both his trusted right-hand men, excellent people. Wu Feng’s words were not only unpleasant to hear but also made him vaguely afraid, so his tone naturally became somewhat harsh.
Fortunately, Wu Feng himself didn’t notice anything wrong with this tone. Having grown accustomed to being mistreated at home and having climbed up through great effort and hardship, he had never been good at communicating with others. Later, having seen much of the world, he became even less inclined to speak much and was completely clueless about interpersonal relationships. Now, when Prince Gong said this, he simply shook his head: “This subordinate always feels something is off about Young Master Han.”
He truly felt something was wrong. He had sensed Han Yang’s attitude was abnormal ever since they went to search his residence, but Prince Gong refused to believe it.
Prince Gong, annoyed by his repeated insistence that there was a problem with Han Yang, had already told him to stop talking about it, yet he continued endlessly. It was truly headache-inducing. Just as he was about to fly into a rage, someone outside suddenly reported that a letter had arrived from the capital.
Finally, it had arrived! He had been waiting for news from the capital for so long, already waiting until his eyes were sore from looking. How could he still pay attention to Wu Feng? He glanced at him, furrowed his brows and told him to leave, then cheerfully had the messenger brought in, his eyes full of anticipation.
However, the messenger looked utterly dejected. Seeing Prince Gong’s expression, he hung his head even lower, his voice barely above a whisper, like a mosquito’s buzz: “Your Highness… I heard, I heard…”
One sentence half-spoken, left hanging—Prince Gong’s heart was already suspended anxiously, restless and uneasy. Now seeing this appearance, Prince Gong’s heart plummeted straight down. Rage surged as he scrambled out from behind the desk and kicked him, fury erupting: “If you have something to say, say it quickly! If you have something to spit out, spit it out! This Prince is tired of listening!”
Having received that kick, the man hurriedly knelt up again. This time he dared not stammer anymore and blurted everything out in one breath: “Now the soldiers who escaped back from Wu’an have all seen the court’s official gazette. They say His Majesty flew into a thunderous rage and issued an order to exterminate the Fan and Han clans. He also proclaimed to all under heaven that you, Your Highness… you plotted to murder your own father, disregarded your son, and framed your nephew… utterly treasonous and unforgivable, deserving to be killed by anyone!”
These few sentences were disjointed and incomplete, but Prince Gong understood almost immediately. Hearing this, rage surged through him and his hands and feet trembled chaotically. He instinctively wanted to lift his foot to kick someone, but as soon as his foot lifted, he felt the world spinning. He fell straight backward.
This fall caused the back of his head to hit the ground directly. Instantly dizzy and disoriented, everything before his eyes became a blur, and he couldn’t even see people clearly. It wasn’t until Wu Feng burst in with others, frantically helping him up and rushing to summon a physician, that he turned his head in a daze to glance at them, then woodenly closed his eyes.
It must be a mistake. It must be that old bastard Huang Yiqing deliberately spreading malicious false news to deceive him and disrupt his troops’ morale. Otherwise, why hadn’t Han Zhengqing sent any news?
Han Zhengqing was always reliable in his affairs. Since he said the arrangements were flawless, how could he possibly fail?