Chapter 14: A Young Master So Beguiling to Pity

Chapter 14: A Young Master So Beguiling to Pity

At the Second Prince's Mansion.

"Old Sixth has arrived at the Duke Wen's residence?"

Zhu Bin was in the midst of changing into his attire, a light apricot robe with hidden embroidery of coiling dragons, exuding an imposing aura. With a casual gesture, he pointed towards the chessboard.

Chen Gen, his strategist, sat by the chess table, stroking his goatee beard, smiling gently. "His Highness the Second Prince is so generous with opportunities; how dare the Sixth Prince not comply? The servants have just reported that he has indeed arrived. Upon his arrival, he demanded an execution, causing great panic throughout the Duke's residence."

Zhu Bin remained unperturbed. "It's merely a matter of understanding his nature. To him, a lute is more precious than a living soul. Pan Peng overestimated himself, daring to touch Xiong Ding and spoiling his mood. He will certainly seek retribution."

Chen Gen remarked, "Your Highness possesses a grand vision, leaving nothing to chance."

After some time spent adjusting his attire to satisfaction, Zhu Bin dismissed the servants, took his seat by the chess table, picked up a black piece, and made his first move of the day. "With Pan Peng in trouble, those around him can't help but worry. The Ministry of Justice won't be peaceful anymore. Sir, it will be a laborious task for you tonight, but please meet Chen Yongan personally."

Chen Gen held a white piece between his fingers, setting it down with a crisp sound. "It may be possible, but I fear Sir Chen might not easily agree."

"A man of great talent often harbors pride. If once doesn't work, try twice; if twice doesn't work, try thrice. Liu Bei could visit Zhuge Liang three times, why should I lack patience?" Zhu Bin confidently placed his piece, smiling calmly. "Please subtly inform him that no matter how he lost his silver and grain, I can help replenish it. I can also ensure that his family will not be implicated."

Chen Gen commented, "Sir Chen is stubborn, seemingly resolved to die."

Zhu Bin responded, "Who truly wishes to die when alive? It's merely a lack of hope, knowing the inevitable end. I've given him face and offered him a chance. Once he realizes there's no need for despair, he'll consider my proposition."

"Your Highness is wise," Chen Gen, seemingly captivated by the board's dynamics, moved his piece less decisively. "I'm just afraid that the Sixth Prince might guess something, spoiling Your Highness's plans."

Zhu Bin chuckled. "What could he possibly know? If he had such insight, would he still be my tool?"

This younger brother wasn't unintelligent; his childhood antics were proof enough. But after what happened thirteen years ago, Zhu Yan couldn't accept it, confining himself in that past trauma. Beyond venting his unresolved anger, he achieved nothing, never considering the political landscape, wasting countless golden years...

Yet, thanks to Zhu Yan's inability to move on, Zhu Bin had utilized this brother in numerous schemes, as a weapon many times, and this time would be no different, without any unexpected hitches.

Chen Gen stroked his beard. "Your Highness sees far ahead."

The Pan family had some standing with His Highness the Second Prince, making it impractical for him to act directly.

Zhu Bin sighed. "Old Sixth has endured much these years, reaching an age without any prospects for marriage. Though no one desires him, as his elder brother, I must show concern. When I next see Father Emperor, I'll put in a word for him."

"Your Highness's broad-mindedness and benevolence are admirable," Chen Gen paid a small compliment before continuing, "But the Sixth Prince is unpredictable. There's a risk things might escalate..."

"He will certainly escalate matters."

Zhu Bin calmly picked up a piece. "Wherever he appears, isn't it always bloodshed and chaos? And isn't that where I come in?"

With a sharp sound, the black piece landed on the board, its presence commanding.

The last to enter the fray is always the one who gains the most. Not only could he suppress Old Sixth, but others would witness his capabilities and his position.

How could Chen Gen not understand? Hadn't the Second Prince already changed his clothes?

When mistakes occur, the Sixth Prince bears all the blame; all the credit goes solely to His Highness the Second Prince.

He stroked his goatee, smiling with a hint of pity. "Duke Wen's residence has truly struck gold, unnoticed for years, now graced by esteemed guests. It remains to be seen if they can seize this opportunity."

...

Inside the Duke's residence, a fight had already broken out.

The Sixth Prince had vanished at some point, perhaps tired of watching them argue over who should approach him. They didn't dare search the entire courtyard, fearing further offense. This banquet today, how could they proceed?

Without the Duke present, the second and third masters, including the uncles below them, couldn't hold their own, let alone control the Sixth Prince, and even less so the next generation of young masters. The women, despite their cunning, couldn't directly intervene, as it wouldn't look proper. Whether the credit was theirs or not was secondary; the fault must never be theirs. This mutual evasion led to the argument.

One argued the banquet shouldn't have been arranged this way, another suggested quickly summoning Wen Ruan, finishing the formalities and hastily ending the event. One countered, asking if anyone dared say they didn't want to get closer to Wen Ruan, to 'evaluate' his craft. Another retorted, focusing only on money, if the Duke's residence fell, what future would they have!

As tempers flared, voices rose, decorum was forgotten.

"Enough, stop arguing!" The matriarch slammed her teacup down, her expression stern. "If arguing solved problems, I'd let you all embarrass yourselves right away."

Her gaze swept across the hall, and she raised her hand slightly.

Wang Mama stepped forward from the side, bowing to the masters. "The most pressing issue isn't this. At the pavilion thirty steps from the southwest corner, someone is meeting secretly."

The room fell silent.

"Wang Mama has just received this information, temporarily restraining the individuals involved," her voice steady and solemn. "How to handle this situation requires the ladies' consideration. While the Sixth Prince's disturbance in the residence can temporarily cover it up, with outsiders discussing his misdeeds, if this news leaks, our household's internal discipline..."

There was such filth within!

Regardless of whether it was the senior Lady Zhou, the elder Lady Lu, or the younger Lady Lu, none had the heart to argue anymore, bidding farewell hurriedly to deal with the aftermath.

"What bad luck!"

Lady Zhou was clearly displeased. Today's banquet was a reluctant pretense; no one in the residence truly wanted to introduce Wen Ruan to the outside world. They only wanted to leverage his craft to promote the 'flower soap', positioning it as the Duke's residence's product. They wanted outsiders to see the might of the Duke's residence, its promising future, encouraging those with money and connections to come forward... Now, everything was ruined!

"I said he's a jinx, we shouldn't have given him such face!"

Let him go to his death, it's just a pity about the flower soap recipe, which they hadn't obtained yet...

Lady Zhou didn't even bother smoothing the pleats in her dress. Her priority was to send the Sixth Prince, this plague god, away as soon as possible. "Why are you all looking at me? Hurry and find Wen Ruan! Where's Wen Yu, running off to who knows where! When we need them, they're nowhere to be found!"

"He's gone, Young Master Yu went to look for Young Master Ruan," Liu Mama wiped her sweat. "He should have found him by now. Don't worry, my lady, they'll be back soon!"

Lady Zhou snapped, "He better be!"

...

Indeed, Wen Yu had gone to look for Wen Ruan, and he found him. "What are you doing here? Come on, follow me!"

Wen Ruan nearly stumbled but quickly regained his balance to avoid any breach of etiquette.

"Why are you wearing this?" Wen Yu, unfamiliar with the renowned hemp fabric He Zhu, mistook it for common hemp and expressed his disdain. "Never mind, there's no time to change, hurry up..."

But Wen Ruan didn't move.

It was then that Wen Yu realized he had been too hasty. He slowly smiled, trying to remain calm. "Didn't I mention the Sixth Prince before? He's visiting the Duke's mansion today, a perfect opportunity."

"You've just arrived in the capital, without any foundation—the position of the Duke's heir..." Lowering his voice, he spoke earnestly. "We haven't had much time to discuss this, but as brothers, we stand together. I must warn you, many covet this position. If you want to secure it, you need support. Wouldn't it be twice as effective if you could win the favor of the Sixth Prince?"

Wen Ruan: "...Thank you for your guidance, brother?"

Wen Yu's expression suggested Wen Ruan still didn't understand. His voice dropped lower. "The Second and Third Princes are hard to approach, and the other princes aren't involved yet. The Sixth Prince, at least, is genuine. He never hides his likes and dislikes. Others might restrain themselves for their reputation, but he never does. He lives the most luxurious life among all the princes, the most carefree. If you can earn his favor, the boundless wealth and unreserved protection...it would all be yours."

In his previous life, the Sixth Prince hadn't visited the Duke's mansion at this time, nor had they held a banquet. For Wen Yu, this was sudden, and he had to push Wen Ruan forward. Otherwise, what if the Sixth Prince took an interest in him? He couldn't let that happen again!

And if Wen Ruan failed to impress and offended someone important, getting himself punished, how was that Wen Yu's fault?

After all, he hadn't done anything wrong.

Wen Yu gathered his thoughts and stepped closer, adjusting Wen Ruan's clothes like the most caring older brother. "Yes, there's risk, but also opportunity. We've been through hardships, have nothing. Shouldn't we seize every chance we get? Don't you think so?"

Wen Ruan smiled faintly. "Brother is right."

He knew that look, could guess some of Wen Yu's intentions—it wasn't merely gentle guidance. There was something off about this Sixth Prince.

"I know you're worried for me, brother, but don't rush," Wen Ruan said, taking Wen Yu's hand and pushing him forward. "Look who's here! My brother, renowned for his talent in the capital, a gentleman as pure as jade, wise and eloquent. He's sure to outshine all of you! Didn't you say you were stuck on a problem? My brother will solve it!"

Everyone turned to Wen Yu with intense interest.

He did have a reputation for talent, but who among them was willing to admit defeat? If he was so great, let's see him prove it!

"There's Brother Yu! Surely he has insightful thoughts. Come, take a seat!"

"Here's tea for you. Let's begin!"

"Are you from Gang A, Gang B, or Chen Yongan himself?"

The young men grabbed Wen Yu's arms, forcing him to sit down. They were eager to start.

Wen Yu: ...

While he was happy to spread his name, now wasn't the time!

But he was already seated, and there was no way he could leave. So, he joined in.

As for his talent, whether it was real or not, nobody knew. But Wen Yu had lived a lifetime. Though his mind wasn't broad enough to grasp the truth about Chen Yongan, he knew some relevant information. Playing the mysterious card worked wonders.

Wen Ruan didn't care how Wen Yu performed. He listened, analyzing the direction of Wen Yu's words and the information others added based on that direction.

There was a West City Moon God Temple he found intriguing. It seemed unrelated, but why did it keep appearing at crucial moments?

It turned out Chen Yongan had lost his seal, and there were issues with official documents, making it hard to clear his name.

Wen Ruan didn't leave. Wen Yu went once and got stuck there, never returning. How could Lady Zhou not worry?

"What's going on? Neither of you listens! Are you doing this on purpose!"

She pointed at someone. "You, go and fetch the third and fourth masters from the second branch. Either one will do. Bring them over to check on things!"

But the two who went also never returned.

Wen Ruan was quite pleased. The Duke's mansion was being considerate, sending him two more? Well, since they were here, let's all have fun and play a wargame!

He didn't mind anyone's lack of perspective or limited information. Everyone came from different backgrounds, moved in different circles, saw different things, but it all mattered. The more clues he collected, the closer he got to the truth.

As for the Sixth Prince...

He didn't know him. There were elders to handle the reception.

The young noblemen, full of youthful vigor, each took a side. No one could convince the other, and when the game stalled, it looked like they were about to come to blows.

"What are you doing!"

Lady Zhou, having waited in vain, came herself to retrieve them. Seeing this, her anger made her temples throb. "Have you forgotten what day it is?"

They were about to fight! And Wen Ruan and Wen Yu were participating!

She wasn't alone. As time passed, everyone feared the Sixth Prince's retribution and spontaneously helped search. Seeing Lady Zhou head this way, they followed, and thus met the new-found youngest master Wen Ruan, whom she wanted to introduce.

His appearance was truly remarkable, a blend of spirit and beauty, a cypress tree by a clear spring. His curved, smiling eyes seemed to hold all of heaven's favor, like the moon on a lake, like a pure spring. His aura was unforgettable, though it was a pity...he was about to be ruined by the Sixth Prince.

Human hearts have dark corners, delighting in seeing the clean stained, the noble dragged into the mire.

"So this is the eldest branch's newly found young master. Truly undisciplined."

"Not obedient..."

"A disgrace..."

The young noblemen, engrossed in their game: ...

They felt a bit annoyed, but somehow shouldn't feel annoyed, and there was a hint of discomfort they couldn't quite understand...Did they really want to play this game? Had they been manipulated?

Wen Ruan had anticipated this moment and immediately clapped like a seal. "Wow—how clever you all are! Isn't the most exciting part of a wargame the thrilling process? You clearly saw I'm young and playful, yet you didn't mind, showing such magnanimity and noble character!"

The young noblemen proudly puffed out their chests. Yes, that was true.

Wen Ruan furrowed his brows slightly, placing his right hand on his left chest, looking somewhat vulnerable. "I was a bit scared upon arriving in the capital, but you've been so understanding, so friendly, inviting me to join this wargame. Are you teaching me...that if you really want to deal with someone, you don't need to strike directly, which is too crude. Instead, make them realize their fear, wanting to escape but finding no way out, surrounded by opponents, unable to run or hide, knowing they can't fly away, unsure of when death will come, but certain it will be at the hands of an opponent? You're all too smart, too skilled!"

Gentlemen: ...

So we are this formidable?

"Ahem, naturally, you must be more cautious in the future and refrain from such reckless behavior as today's."

The young masters observed that the newly retrieved young master from the Duke's estate was quite captivating in appearance, characterized by fine eyebrows, a face that radiated innocence and charm, and an aura that naturally inspired feelings of tenderness and affection.

The Zhou Clan, however, was infuriated. Was her word no longer being heeded? "Guards, seize him at once——"

"Woof! Woof—"

A sleek, black-furred whippet burst forth, carving a path through the surroundings.

Prince Sixth approached, following closely. "Is someone else intent on harming my pipa bone again?"