Chapter 121: Irony

Chapter 121: Irony

In the western chamber.

Cheng Yu seemed to have said something to Aunt He, who was now sobbing with her head bowed down. Though they were mistress and servant, Aunt He cherished this master more than her own daughter.

She had no idea what her young master was planning since their return to the Eastern Capital City; she could never fathom his thoughts. "Young Master, are you really going to do this?"

The sky had turned gloomy, and candles flickered in the room, casting shadows on the furniture, making them seem worn. The top two rows of the bookshelf held the books Cheng Yu had brought. They were neatly arranged, orderly and distinct.

Cheng Yu strolled over and pulled out one volume. Flipping to the first page, he found it clean and unblemished. A cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"It's not safe here anymore."

The bed, bookshelf, and travel trunk had all been rummaged through.

Aunt He apologized, "Young Master, it's this old servant's fault for failing to raise my daughter properly."

"It's not your fault, but mine as the master. I failed to protect those around me, allowing Ya'er to become a concubine." Cheng Yu waved his sleeves gently. "Go. Attend to your duties when you're done with this. There's no need to report back to me."

"Master..." Aunt He's voice trembled with emotion, "This old servant..."

Cheng Yu started to cough. "Follow my instructions. Don't worry about my health – I won't let anything happen to myself."

Aunt He remained hesitant.

Chen Ling strode in and frowned at her. "Do as your master commands. A servant's duty is to obey without question. Why so many complaints?"

She glanced at him, then bowed her head, tears in her eyes, before finally leaving the room.

Cheng Yu methodically placed the book on the shelf. His body, still recovering from his injuries, appeared more frail than before. Perhaps for ease of movement, he wore a narrow-sleeved, tightly-waisted commoner's robe that day, accentuating his slender frame.

Chen Ling's gaze flickered. He had to admit that someone from an esteemed family of a hundred years carried an air of nobility beyond the ordinary. Despite this man's current plight, trapped within this small courtyard, he still stood out as extraordinary.

"My sister isn't very sensible, perhaps due to reading too many storybooks or hearing too many street tales, her mind has become muddled. At times, she speaks nonsense and mutters absurdities. If she has said anything inappropriate to you, please don't take it seriously."

"If I did take it seriously, I wouldn't have told you about it."

Cheng Yu strolled leisurely to the window with his hands clasped behind his back. The window was wide open, allowing night breeze mixed with moisture to rush in. The candle flame on the table swayed uncontrollably, its flickering light dancing back and forth.

"Let's close the window," Chen Ling suggested.

"Better keep it open. I don't step out often; if I can't even get some fresh air, I might suffocate," Cheng Yu remarked casually, extracting a folding fan from his waist to toy with. The fan opened and closed in his hand, revealing the words 'Prepare for the Rain Before It Falls' inscribed on it.

Scanning the room, Chen Ling observed its spacious layout that allowed a clear view from one end to the other. Most of the furniture and decorations were original, except for the two additional trunks and the books on the bookshelf, which belonged to the Cheng family.

So, if the Chengs indeed possessed a substantial fortune, where could it be hidden?

He had tried to probe Ya'er indirectly, but she seemed clueless about everything. However, women, no matter how much they cared for someone else, would still heed their partner's words once they had given themselves to him.

He had coaxed Ya'er to search multiple times, yet all attempts proved fruitless.

"If you wish to go out, I'll find a way for you," Chen Ling said, both puzzled and anxious by Cheng Yu's lack of action since moving in. "Tell me what you need or want to do, and I'll assist you."

Cheng Yu scoffed at himself. "Prince Cheng jests. If I can't do anything, then neither can anyone else. Back when the Ling Dynasty was founded, our three families, the Chengs, Chens, and Gongyes, shook the world with our fame. Now, my Chen family is long gone from the court, and your Cheng family has been entirely wiped out. Are we truly content to watch Gongye Chu continue to hold sway over the government and trample this kingdom beneath his feet?"

The mocking expression on Cheng Yu's face intensified. "Gongye Chu is ruthless and cunning. Neither you nor I are his match."

"Prince Cheng, you're merely bolstering his ego while weakening your own," Chen Ling lamented bitterly. "Your family, the Chengs, were the leading founding heroes of our kingdom. What are the Gongyes in comparison? Are you content to hide in fear for the rest of your life? Can you truly bear it?"

Silence filled the room, and the objects on the table swayed precariously. The flickering red flames and dancing blue tongues of the fire seemed to aspire to consume all as a mere firefly would.

After a long moment, Cheng Yu asked, "Then, what should I do?"

Chen Ling's heart skipped a beat as he hastily replied, "Of course, you must gather strength and prepare for great endeavors."

Cheng Yu gazed out the window, where darkness had already enveloped the night. "Easier said than done. I still remember when Gongye Chu captured me last year. It was only due to the loyal agents my father left behind that I managed to escape. Yet, he intercepted me again within the city, though I eventually managed to get away. After careful consideration, I still cannot fathom how my whereabouts were exposed. Clearly, there must be someone among those who claim to follow me with ulterior motives."

"People's eyes are everywhere, perhaps you inadvertently revealed your location," Chen Ling responded, his palms clammy with sweat.

"Perhaps. Luckily, you've been protecting me, and so far, we've avoided any real danger," Cheng Yu said, slowly turning his head. His gaze was enigmatic, making it difficult to gauge the depth of his gratitude.

Feeling uneasy, Chen Ling replied, "Our families have been allies for generations. How could I stand by and watch you endangered? Stay here with peace of mind. As long as the Chens remain, we will ensure your safety."

Cheng Yu suddenly laughed. "I'm afraid that's no longer possible."

"Why?" Chen Ling's face paled in shock, fearing that his actions had been discovered. Previously, he indeed didn't want to be involved with Cheng Yu, for fear of being implicated. But after hearing an unknown rumor, upon learning that the Cheng family possessed a vast fortune, his thoughts changed.

Wealth and power were obtained through risks, and he was willing to take that gamble.

His eyes darkened, and a murderous intent emerged alongside his guilt. He inwardly resolved that if Cheng Yu dared to confront him now, he wouldn't let him leave alive.

Cheng Yu's smile turned bitter. "What else could it be? Do you think your sister only mentioned that matter about seizing the initiative when she was babbling in front of Gongye Chu?"

Chen Ling's expression instantly shifted. "That good-for-nothing idiot!"

"After disturbing you for so many days, I should be on my way." Before Cheng Yu could move, Chen Ling blocked his path.

Staring at him, Chen Ling said, "The entire Eastern Capital City is under Gongye Chu's control. Are you really going to leave like this?"

"I have no choice but to leave, or else I'll bring trouble to your Chen family."

"Our families have been allies for years. If you trust me, I do have a place where you can hide temporarily. However, constantly evading isn't a long-term solution. If there are any important items you cannot carry, feel free to entrust them to me for safekeeping."

Cheng Yu hesitated, his expression gradually changing.

"It's too late; he's here."

Who was here?

Chen Ling's expression shifted dramatically. Soon after, a servant rushed in to report that Liu Wei had surrounded the courtyard. In a panic, he attempted to flee but eventually retreated slowly back inside.

As he stepped into the house, Gongye Chu emerged.

Gongye Chu, clad in black with his jet-black hair, exuded an intimidating aura that seemed to still the air around him. It was as though a furious gale had entered with him, carrying a chilling murderous intent that struck fear into the hearts of all.

"Someone reported that the Chen family was harboring the offspring of a convicted traitor, and it seems it was true," he said, his icy gaze passing over Chen Ling to rest on Cheng Yu by the window.

"A traitor's descendant?" Cheng Yu laughed. "Lord Gongye slaughtered so many of the Shang clan – isn't that the ultimate crime?"

Chen Ling struggled to regain his composure amidst his momentary panic. "Chief Commander, our Chen family truly hasn't been hiding a traitor's descendant. He threatened me with the lives of my family members; I had no choice but to comply."

Cheng Yu's smile was mocking. "Young Master Chen just now offered to lend me a hand and join forces to achieve great things. Your betrayal came swiftly, like turning a page in a book."

"Chief Commander, don't believe his nonsense. He...has a wolfish ambition and plans treachery. I overheard him speaking – the Cheng family still has a vast hidden fortune. I initially intended to uncover the location of this treasure and redeem myself for my crime, hence why I pretended to befriend him for the time being."

Hearing this, Cheng Yu's laughter grew louder. "Chen Ling, Chen Ling, you're foolish and yet you assume others are as well. Your petty tricks are nothing before me. Do you really think he would believe you?"

"Bounty, indeed…" Gongye Chu gazed at Chen Ling. "Do tell your story slowly."

Chen Ling suppressed his fear and spoke. "The Duke of Yan's estate has been passed down unbroken for generations. It's not an exaggeration to call it the leading family of the Eastern Capital City. The Grand Marshal should be more aware than anyone that the items seized that day were pitifully few. How could they possibly represent the entire Cheng family's wealth? The Cheng ancestors, hiding their riches in secret caches everywhere, must have had rebellious intentions long ago. Their condemnation to decimation and asset confiscation was no injustice."

The smile vanished from Cheng Yu's face. "Well played, Chen Ling. To curry favor with him, you dare to slander my ancestors. Just now, who was it that told me about the founding heroes, Cheng, Chen, and Gongye, with the Gongye family being the least significant? You should look in a mirror and see your sycophantic expression – you're disgracing the memory of the Chen ancestors!"

"Our Chen family upholds noble principles, and my ancestors held wealth and power in contempt. You say I disgrace my forebears, but isn't challenging the Grand Marshal, beyond your means, even more disrespectful to the Cheng ancestors?"

Cheng Yu said with hatred, "Gongye Chu has wiped out my entire Clan Cheng. Even if it's like a tiny egg hitting a massive stone, I will exhaust all my efforts to fight him to the end. If my ancestors beneath the ground knew this, they would surely be proud to have a descendant like me. On the contrary, it is your Chen family whose descendants, one by one, defy their ancestors' wishes and refuse to withdraw from the world, that are truly the ungrateful offspring!"

"Nonsense! Our Chen family has a heritage spanning centuries, our influence and disciples are spread far and wide across the land..."

"What a fine legacy of scholarly excellence! It seems you all have your eyes set on the entire world! Look at your actions over the years, filled with hidden motives. All that effort by our ancestor Chen to reject officialdom and retreat into seclusion has been in vain." At this point, Cheng Yu burst into laughter. "Our ancestors could never have imagined that one day, their descendants, such as the three of us, would stand in such opposition. How ironic! How utterly ironic!"

Amidst the sea of Liu Wei's men, a short figure was concealed – none other than Pei Yuanxi, cleverly disguised.

Pei Yuanxi gazed at them, imagining that their ancestors must have once gathered in this very room, discussing military strategies and plotting grand enterprises. Among them, one was a scholar, one a warrior, and one a strategist – all three were the trusted confidants and pillars of the Shang family's founding ancestor.

Decades later, never would they have imagined that their direct descendants would gather together under such vastly different circumstances. If they were to witness this scene today, how melancholic they would feel.

Unity is bound to break apart, and separation is destined to reunite – it's an eternal truth that remains unchanged.

Gongye Chu's gaze grew even colder as he glanced at them. "I have no time for your canine bickering. Where is the treasure? Speak up."

Cheng Yu suddenly turned his gaze, but not towards Gongye Chu; instead, he fixed his eyes on Pei Yuanxi, who was concealed among Liu Wei. A strange smile crept across his face, tinged with a hint of self-mockery.

Pei Yuanxi met his stare with an open and unflinching gaze.