Chapter 602
Chapter 602
The next day, news spread that the King had gone to see Zhu Hongzhu, only to be turned away at the door. The court held its breath.
*Has the relationship between the King and his Prime Minister finally fractured?*
Soon after, the stances of the Great Yan Empire and the Hidden Yuan Society's headquarters in Yanjing grew even more rigid. Prince Yan of the empire even began spreading rumors that if the State of Yue failed to repay its debts, the empire would impose sanctions. These so-called sanctions would target both politics and trade. If the Great Yan Empire gave the command, all neighboring nations would cease trading with Yue, a move that would have devastating consequences. For the time being, the King remained silent.
Two days later, Duke Bian Wu stormed into the capital from the south, seething with rage. A man who had never once been at odds with the King, he now roared in the royal study.
"Why? Who does Shen Lang think he is, killing a man of my Bian clan? Was it so important that Bian Xin couldn't be entrusted to Consort Bian? Is this a slight against me, Bian Wu?"
After leaving the royal palace, Duke Bian Wu marched straight to the Marquis of Changping's estate, drew his Darksteel Sword, and shattered the main gate to pieces. Then, without a moment's delay, he left the capital and returned to Yan Province. It seemed his entire trip to the capital was solely to vent his fury at Shen Lang. Duke Bian Wu's actions were the final blow to a wall that was already cracked and barely standing. The King finally issued an edict rebuking Shen Lang, ordering him to remain confined and reflect on his misdeeds. He then issued three more edicts in succession, listing his crimes.
First, in Tianshu Province, he showed a blatant disregard for human life, brought disaster upon the people, and committed the treasonous act of unlawfully executing Central Governor Yang Yongnian. Second, in Xuanwu City, he executed an adjutant of the Tianyue Admiralty, an act tantamount to rebellion. Third, he defiled the innocence of the Third Princess, Ning Yan. Citing these three crimes, the King ordered Shen Lang expelled from the Tianyue Admiralty and confined to the ruined Jin Clan villa. Warriors from the Blackwater Terrace surrounded the villa, ready to arrest Shen Lang and throw him in prison at a moment's notice.
At that moment, the Marquis of Xuanwu, Jin Zhuo, submitted a memorial to the throne, taking a very firm stance. This enraged the King, who flew into a rage during court and accused Jin Zhuo of harboring rebellious intent. Not only did Jin Zhuo's memorial fail to sway the King, but it further provoked him into sending elite agents from the Blackwater Terrace into the Jin Clan villa to tighten Shen Lang's confinement.
Just then, Queen Aruna of the Qiang Kingdom began expelling all of Yue's envoys from her lands. Her Majesty's stance was crystal clear: if the State of Yue dared to arrest Shen Lang, the Qiang Kingdom would immediately sever all diplomatic ties. The King thundered in court, sneering that just as Su Nan had once monopolized diplomacy with the Qiang Kingdom to threaten Yue, Shen Lang was now doing the same. The court officials immediately chimed in, and the King once again savored the feeling of having the entire court echo his every word. Moreover, the officials proactively submitted memorials pleading for leniency on Shen Lang's behalf.
"Our State of Yue is on the verge of a decisive battle with the Chariot Soldiers. We cannot afford to provoke the Qiang Kingdom at such a critical time. Shen Lang is an insignificant figure; we implore Your Majesty to spare his life."
The King trembled with rage before issuing an edict that stripped Shen Lang of all titles and official posts, reducing him to the status of a commoner. It was even rumored that the King had intended to punish Ning Zheng as well, but Consort Bian fought tooth and nail to preserve her son's title and position.
* * *
Eunuch Lü Jun arrived at the dilapidated ruins of the Jin Clan villa to proclaim the royal edict.
"Shen Lang is hereby stripped of all titles and official posts. He is to be immediately expelled from the capital and exiled two thousand li away, never to be reinstated. By royal command! Shen Lang, as the edict clearly states, you are to leave the capital at once, without delay. You are not to be seen off by anyone. Do not leave through the main gate; you will depart through a side gate!"
Once the edict was delivered, Shen Lang departed the capital in a sorry state, accompanied by only a handful of people: Jin Mucong, Bing'er, Shen Mi, the Sword King Li Qianqiu and his wife, and the shameless Tang Yan. His departure was a picture of utter desolation. For over a year, Shen Lang had enjoyed the King's favor and trust in the capital, running amok and stirring up trouble as he pleased. He would parade through the capital with great pomp, often followed by a procession of hundreds, sometimes even a thousand, swaggering about with imperious arrogance. A mere sixth-rank official, he had brazenly galloped down the center of Xuanwu Avenue and Vermilion Bird Avenue. But what of him now? He was forced to leave with a meager retinue of twenty, slinking out a side gate and taking the back alleys like a commoner. Seeing Shen Lang's pathetic state, like a stray dog, everyone turned away in disdain.
*So this is the fate of a court favorite like Shen Lang—a swift rise and an even swifter fall! He used to be so magnificent, but look at him now, a truly wretched sight. The turns of fate are indeed unpredictable.*
* * *
With Shen Lang's departure from the capital, everything seemed to settle down and return to its proper place. In Yan Province, at the estate of the Duke of Pacification, Bian Wu was playing a game of Go with Zhang Chong.
"Master Chong," he began, using a respectful address for Zhang Chong, "I never thought much of Ning Zheng in the past. I had no intention of supporting him. As for Shen Lang, I found him disagreeable in many ways; in fact, everything about him grated on my nerves."
Zhang Chong asked.
"And now?"
"Shen Lang... that young man is remarkable. Truly remarkable. If that boy Ning Zheng proves his worth, I will support him in the future."
Zhang Chong smiled.
"We will."
At that, Bian Wu let out a hearty laugh.
"Yes, we! We are the ones truly united by a common cause, not some faction bound together by self-interest like the others!"
* * *
When Shen Lang left, the Fifth Prince, Ning Zheng, did not go to see him off. The officials and commoners of the capital all cursed him for his ingratitude.
*Without Shen Lang, you, Ning Zheng, would still be a nobody. How could you have ever become a marquis, let alone the Tianyue Admiral? So what if His Majesty forbade anyone from seeing him off? For you to not go is simply cold and heartless!*
But as Shen Lang departed, Ning Zheng stood atop the highest point of the Tianyue Admiralty and performed a long, deep bow. He held the pose for a full half-hour, only straightening after Shen Lang had passed through the city gate and disappeared from sight.
"Shen Lang, I will never let you down. Thank you for everything you have done for me."
* * *
Wu Lie's eyes were red. She felt as if she had reverted to the fighting slave she once was. The days when all she thought about was killing. Now that the Young Master was gone, they would never again find someone who would let them act so freely. Han Nu had slimmed down to a mere one hundred and thirty-eight pounds and become quite a beauty. She cried until she could barely breathe. In her eyes, Shen Lang was like an immortal descended to earth, a man as noble as jade. If only she had the power, she would never have let Shen Lang suffer the slightest injustice, but alas, she was powerless. Beside her, Madman Lan tried his best to comfort her.
Madman Lan felt an endless debt of gratitude toward Shen Lang. It wasn't just because Shen Lang had taken them in and helped him become the top scorer in the provincial examinations, but because he had shown them unconditional respect. Shen Lang had served as Chief Steward of the Marquis of Changping's estate and was the backbone of Prince Ning Zheng's faction. Madman Lan had expected to be nothing more than a glorified errand boy for Ning Zheng, with no real authority, simply following Shen Lang's orders.
Yet Shen Lang had completely relinquished his power within the Marquis's estate and the Tianyue Admiralty, entrusting all administrative duties to Madman Lan without the slightest interference. Both Ning Zheng and Madman Lan had struggled at first, fumbling through their new duties, but after months of being battered by the bureaucracy, they had grown immensely. Madman Lan, in particular, had transformed from a wandering scholar into a capable official.
Madman Lan had never met anyone so devoid of ambition for power. While in the capital, Shen Lang's sole purpose had been to shield Prince Ning Zheng and the entire estate from the political storms. For the past few months, Ning Zheng, Madman Lan, and Gao Duhuan had remained safe entirely thanks to Shen Lang's protection. While Shen Lang was at the estate, all the immense hatred and attacks from their enemies had been directed at him alone. And now, he was leaving to protect Ning Zheng.
*A scholar dies for one who truly knows him! Young Master Shen, I will never disappoint you or His Highness Ning Zheng.*
Just then, Han Nu, who had been weeping nonstop, finally confessed what was on her mind.
"I've secretly admired Young Master Shen for over a year. I finally made myself beautiful, and now he's gone."
The moment he heard her words, Madman Lan's hand, which had been reaching out to comfort her, froze in midair.
"Han Nu, we've already discussed this!"
"We did. I admire Young Master Shen, but I'm marrying you. Is that not allowed?"
Madman Lan was taken aback, but he replied with a bitter smile.
"It's fine, it's fine!"
He quickly told himself.
*Han Nu is just idolizing Young Master Shen. It's like how all those women used to worship Prince Jiang Li. It's a kind of hero worship, not romantic love. I idolize Young Master Shen too, after all. So this isn't cheating. Absolutely not. My Han Nu is pure and innocent! I haven't been betrayed!*
* * *
With Shen Lang gone, the Crown Prince, the Third Prince, and the Hidden Yuan Society rejoiced in his misfortune, congratulating one another. At the same time, they secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Frankly, Shen Lang was too devious, his methods too explosive. His presence in the capital had put immense pressure on everyone; now that he was gone, it felt as though the sky had cleared. Without Shen Lang, Ning Zheng was completely neutered. He could barely protect himself, let alone continue the fight for the throne. From now on, Ning Zheng was no longer a threat.
Shu Tingyu said with a smile.
"Shen Lang is a brilliant tactician, but he has no strategic vision whatsoever! He acts for his own gratification without a thought for the consequences. It's the very definition of shortsightedness."
The Crown Prince picked up the familiar statuette of a beautiful woman, turning it over in his hands. With Shen Lang gone, the Crown Prince's mood had visibly improved. Shu Tingyu continued with a sneer.
"Because we took the three thousand seven hundred people with the Blank Bloodline, Shen Lang lost his mind and retaliated against the Hidden Yuan Society by completely destroying the Silver Palace. It was a satisfyingly vicious move, but the methods he employed were far too shocking. But what was the point of such revenge? He acted with no thought for the repercussions! He should have considered the fury he would provoke from the Hidden Yuan Society in Yanjing and the Great Yan Empire. Did he think they would simply let it slide? Everyone knows the King is a ruthless man who values loyalty little. A man who would sacrifice his own wife at a critical moment would not hesitate to discard a mere court favorite. So, that scoundrel Shen Lang may seem clever, but he is, in fact, a petty man with a narrow and provincial view of the world. Now that he's been exiled, he has no hope of ever making a comeback!"
The registrar of the Crown Prince's household added.
"To provoke the Hidden Yuan Society without considering his own utter lack of power—the man is a complete fool."
"Your Highness, with Shen Lang gone, will you now move against Ning Zheng?"
Shu Tingyu asked, and Crown Prince Ning Yi replied.
"Of course."
Yan Wuji spoke up.
"When you kill a snake, you must crush its head. Ning Zheng has enjoyed glory he does not deserve. He must pay the price."
Crown Prince Ning Yi still hadn't forgotten the Rite of Heavenly Worship.
*How dare he enjoy such glory? Only I am worthy of reciting the Prayer to Heaven. Why was it Ning Zheng who recited it and stole the spotlight? For that alone, he deserves to die!*
Of course, the Crown Prince wouldn't kill Ning Zheng now, but he was determined that once he ascended the throne, Ning Zheng would not be allowed to live. For now, the priority was to remove him from his position as the Tianyue Admiral. Then, he would strip him of his title and reduce him to the stuttering waste he once was.
The Crown Prince said.
"Tell Shu Tingyu to make his move."