Chapter 54: You’re Just a Bulb of Garlic

Chapter 54: You're Just a Bulb of Garlic

At the foot of Nan Shan, the Imperial Dragon Scale Army was setting up wooden stakes around the enclosure, dividing the entire Nan Shan hunting grounds from nearby activity areas to prevent local villagers and hunters from entering and disrupting the hunt.

Autumn hunting is not the same as spring hunting.

Spring hunting is more of a game for the wealthy, primarily about adding excitement to outings, enjoying the fresh spring air, and praying for favorable weather conditions for the year. Autumn hunting, on the other hand, is akin to battlefield combat.

In spring, animals mate and reproduce; by autumn, they have grown, and after half a year of rest and recuperation, their meat is at its fattest and most delicious. Hunting at this time requires real weapons and genuine combat, making it the perfect opportunity for young men destined for military or political careers to showcase their skills before the throne.

Before the hunt, one would usually familiarize oneself with the terrain. In the past, Shang Rongyu would have paid no heed to such details.

But this year, the Crown Prince's side would be making moves. Regardless of whether the Crown Prince planned to rebel or not, he had to thoroughly survey every piece of terrain.

"You few, why haven't I seen you before? Why did you let those sneaky hunters go?" Several former guards from King Cheng's estate were reprimanding a few people dressed in Dragon Scale Army uniforms.

For this hunt, safety was jointly guarded by the Imperial Dragon Scale Army and King Cheng's Ironclad Army. Therefore, these former guards sternly questioned the Dragon Scale soldiers for not only failing to apprehend the hunters approaching the hunting grounds but also engaging them in conversation and letting them leave.

Shang Rongyu glanced over with little interest.

The Dragon Scale Army was the imperial guard, and if the Crown Prince wanted to plant people, it would be easy. Even those hunters might have been problematic; if they were interrogated closely, something could likely be uncovered...

But all of this was part of Ran Qinggu's plan.

He had devised a scheme to force and entice the Crown Prince into rebellion. If the Emperor did not punish the Crown Prince, he would have no way to justify it to the empire and the court. He wanted a decisive strike, and he wanted to use the Crown Prince's rebellion to slowly eliminate those in the court who refused to submit to the Third Prince.

Shang Rongque approached and said, "Rongyu, there's something off about those people. If we..."

Shang Rongyu said expressionlessly, 'Let them go.'

Shang Rongque was taken aback. "Let them go?"

Although the Crown Prince's rebellion would benefit them, allowing them to eliminate those secretly targeting King Cheng's estate,

Shang Rongyu had said that once the Crown Prince fell, Ran Qinggu would leave, as he had promised the Third Prince.

So Shang Rongque wasn't in a rush. The Crown Prince was nothing but a figurehead; leaving him in place for a while longer wouldn't hurt. As long as they prevented the Crown Prince from rebelling this time, given the Emperor's favor towards the Crown Prince, he would surely forgive him. This would allow the Crown Prince to remain for a few more days, and Ran Qinggu wouldn't leave.

Though he didn't dwell on matters of love, he could see that Shang Rongyu truly cared for Ran Qinggu.

Otherwise, given his character, knowing that someone had deceived and toyed with him, he would certainly kill that person himself. How could he be so attentive and protective, even hiding his identity?

Shang Rongyu calmly said, "Let them go. I want him to do what he wants to do. This is Qinggu's plan, and I don't want to disappoint him."

Even if Ran Qinggu would leave him after killing the Crown Prince and stay by another man's side, he didn't care.

Shang Rongque was speechless.

After a long moment, he waved his hand. Seeing the signal, those guards released the Dragon Scale soldiers, saying, "This matter is no small thing. You must exercise extreme caution."

The Dragon Scale soldiers immediately bowed respectfully. "Yes, thank you, sir."

The hunting date coincided with the Chongyang Festival, and the Emperor, to pray for blessings and ward off evil, first led the civil and military officials to pay respects at Zhongming Temple.

The hunting camp was set up right at the foot of Nan Shan, near Zhongming Temple.

On the day of the hunt, many family members of high-ranking officials went to Zhongming Temple to pray and pick the cornelian cherry fruit. Some family members also went to the camp to watch their fathers and brothers hunt.

Therefore, the Imperial Dragon Scale Army surrounded the entire Nan Shan area, including Zhongming Temple.

Before the hunt, Shang Rongyu came to the meditation room within Zhongming Temple.

His mother was praying in front of the temple altar, while Ran Qinggu, having just experienced a "miscarriage," couldn't go before the Buddha, as it was considered unlucky. Thus, he remained in the meditation room.

When he arrived, Ran Qinggu was reading a scripture book inside the meditation room. The book was old, with yellowed pages and worn edges, the text written in Sanskrit. He didn't know if Ran Qinggu could understand it, but he certainly couldn't.

But he liked the sight of Ran Qinggu quietly reading under the warm light.

It was as if all the worldly noise and whirlpool of power ceased to exist, despite the fact that this person was a ruthless and calculating demon.

He walked forward and, from behind, wrapped his arms around Ran Qinggu, embracing him along with the book. Only now did he realize how small Ran Qinggu was.

So small that one arm could encircle him. His heavy armor pressed against Ran Qinggu's back, causing the person in his arms to uncomfortably wriggle.

"Don't move, someone is watching us," Shang Rongyu lied.

Ran Qinggu stilled.

Shang Rongyu nibbled on Ran Qinggu's earlobe, which was small, adorned with a beautiful plum blossom earring.

Ran Qinggu felt ticklish and turned his head away.

Shang Rongyu smiled. "I'll be going hunting with my father and elder brothers soon. Is there anything you want? I can bring one back for you?"

Ran Qinggu was taken aback and turned around.

This was the first time he saw Shang Rongyu dressed in armor.

The dark yellow armor, the crimson velvet cloak, eyes sharp like stardust, hair neatly combed, more dazzling than the morning sun.

He found Shang Rongyu to be very versatile.

In the court, he was a cunning politician, adept at playing mind games with a group of old foxes.

In the streets, he was a rogue, frequenting brothels and gambling dens, indulging in wine and meat, with beauties in his arms, a true wastrel.

In the estate, he was a child, occasionally going to the queen to act spoiled, causing mischief with King Cheng, infuriating him...occasionally putting on airs as the heir, scolding Lady Liu and her party until they were red-faced...

And now, dressed in armor and wielding a sharp blade, he seemed like a general who had never known defeat in life...

"I have nothing I desire." Ran Qinggu said indifferently.

Shang Rongyu nodded, indicating that he understood, with a hint of hesitation in his brows and eyes, as if there was something he wanted to say but held back.

Ran Qinggu looked at the daylight outside the house and said, "It's not early anymore. Heir, do you have any further instructions?"

Today is Chongyang Festival, the queen consort wants to worship Buddha, so they arrived at Zhongming Temple at dawn, and now the sky is brightly lit.

Shang Rongyu shook his head. "I have nothing more. Take care of yourself, and by the way, I entrust my mother and the family members of the Prince's Mansion to you. Please take good care of them. Do not linger outside today, return to the Prince's Mansion early."

Although Ran Qinggu is currently working for the Third Prince, what he has seen of Ran Qinggu is certainly not someone who betrays kindness or kills innocents indiscriminately.

The Emperor took people hunting, leaving the rear vulnerable.

He had already calculated that the Crown Prince would besiege the hunting grounds.

Since all this is part of Ran Qinggu's plan, then Ran Qinggu must have ways to ensure his own safety. Therefore, he entrusted his mother and the female members of the Prince's Mansion to Ran Qinggu, and he felt at ease.

Ran Qinggu did not understand the reason.

Why does it sound like soldiers going to war?

Shang Rongyu picked up the whip on the table and raised his eyebrows. "I'm leaving, wait for me to return."

Ran Qinggu nodded.

An hour later, the foot of Zhongming Temple echoed with rumbling sounds, and countless birds were startled into flight from the forest.

The hunting party flowed into the depths of Nan Shan like a torrent.

When Shang Rongyu entered the Nan Shan gorge, he looked back, the temple's bell ringing with a long-lasting Buddhist chant, the rising sun dyed half the sky red.

Shang Rongque rode up to Shang Rongyu with a smile. "What's wrong with you? You're being so anxious today."

Shang Rongyu: "Nothing."

Shang Rongque: "Don't worry. Ran Qinggu is so adept at scheming; he wouldn't include himself in the plan. The Third Prince values him so much, he must have sent people to protect him. At worst, the guards of the Prince's Mansion can protect him. As long as he's in the Prince's Mansion, he'll be safe."

Shang Rongyu nodded and turned to ride into the forest.

He aimlessly shot a few rabbits, then spent the rest of the time pulling wildflowers and grasses off the hillsides.

Lu Yunshen and the others laughed at him, dressed in armor but without a battlefield to fight on. Shang Rongyu ignored them.

At noon, an urgent report came from the capital: the Crown Prince led his troops to besiege Zhongming Temple and the Nan Shan hunting grounds, trapping all the families of the officials, ordering General Zuo Zhuguo to attack the hunting party in Nan Shan, and threatening that any official who did not submit to him would see all their relatives killed.

It happened to be Chongyang Festival and the autumn hunt, so most of the families of the nobles in the capital went to Zhongming Temple.

Knowing that his forces were insufficient and that a direct confrontation would not end well, the Crown Prince thought of using coercion.

First, he used the families to take down the hunting party, those who go along with him will prosper, those who oppose him will perish.

Then, he would use the full support of the officials to open the capital city and ascend the throne smoothly.

The idea was indeed quite beautiful.

Shang Rongyu picked up a cup of water on the table and drank it calmly.

He was now watching a farce.

If it didn't concern him, why should he care about other people's lives and deaths?

The Crown Prince's siege of Zhongming Temple, the more outrageous he treats the families of the officials, the more he cuts himself.

And now Ran Qinggu and the family of the Prince's Mansion should have returned to the mansion. The Crown Prince won't be able to capture the capital for a while, so Ran Qinggu and the family of the Prince's Mansion are safe.

The officials were in a frenzy, many of them had taken their entire families to Zhongming Temple, which meant they were about to become lonely widowers, didn't it?

The Emperor was so angry that his face turned pale, and he almost spat out a mouthful of blood while supporting himself on the desk inside the tent.

He had virtually handed the world over to the Crown Prince, waiting for the right opportunity, for him to eliminate the factors in court that were detrimental to the stability of imperial power, help him consolidate the throne, and then he could resume his regency duties. He never expected that he couldn't wait...

Shang Zhi stepped forward. "Father, your son is willing to lead the guard team to break through the encirclement to ensure the stability of our Da Su's territory."

Shang Qianxian waved his hand, signaling him to step back. "Zhi'er, your loyalty is evident to the sun and moon. I already have a countermeasure."

Shang Qianxian summoned his confidant and ordered him to lead the troops back.

A glint of killing intent flashed across Shang Zhi's eyes.

In the end, the Emperor didn't trust him, afraid that he would disregard brotherly affection and make a move against the Crown Prince.

He also knew that the Crown Prince was a useless waste, so he sent his confidant back to ensure the Crown Prince's life amidst the chaos.

When Shang Rongyu was idly wandering outside the tent, he saw Shang Yuzhou scolding a servant.

He walked over and only heard Shang Yuzhou loudly scold, "How dare you defy my wishes... Do you still consider me your master?"

As he spoke, he drew his sword and slashed at the kneeling Fang Changgong.

Fang Changgong remained motionless. "We are doing this precisely because we consider you our master."

Shang Yuzhou's sword stopped an inch before Fang Changgong's forehead. His eyes were bloodshot, tears welling up in them. "If anything happens to him, I won't let you off."

Shang Rongyu sensed something amiss and lifted the tent flap, questioning Shang Yuzhou sternly, "Who's in trouble?"

No one answered him.

Shang Rongyu grabbed Shang Yuzhou's collar and asked word by word, "I ask you, who's in trouble?"

Shang Yuzhou pushed Shang Rongyu away and strode out of the tent, shouting at the guards: "Horse, bring my horse over, quickly."

Shang Rongyu grabbed Shang Yuzhou by the collar and shoved him hard against the wooden post behind him, roaring in fury: "Tell me, who's in trouble?"

The only one who could make Shang Yuzhou this anxious was Ran Qinggu.

Shang Yuzhou didn't want to tell Shang Rongyu at first, but now, more hands meant more help.

He couldn't risk Ran Qinggu's life on a gamble.

"Qinggu," he gritted his teeth, "the other day I sent him a message to terminate the Crown Prince's rebellion plan, but who knew..."

Ran Qinggu had always trusted him, but who knew...

He had asked Fang Changgong to inform Li Xiang about terminating the Crown Prince's rebellion plan, but these people dared to defy his orders, proceeding with the plan as usual. So, the information Ran Qinggu received now was false - the Crown Prince's rebellion was still on track, and Ran Qinggu was completely unaware. He had accompanied the Consort to Zhongming Temple for the Chongyang Festival.

Shang Yuzhou didn't dare to think further!

In a fit of rage, Shang Rongyu pushed Shang Yuzhou aside and cursed: "You damn fool."

He snatched the horsewhip from Shang Yuzhou's hand, leaped onto the horse, and lashed it fiercely.

The horse neighed loudly, dashing out of the enclosure in a flash, kicking up clouds of dust.

Seeing Shang Rongyu rush out of the hunting ground without a care, Shang Rongque hurriedly chased after him, calling out: "Heir, Heir..."

Shang Rongyu wasn't listening.

He had already vanished into the depths of the forest.

Shang Yuzhou thought he had terminated the plan, giving Ran Qinggu false information. In reality, his subordinates hadn't stopped the plan at all; they continued as planned.

So, Ran Qinggu, who had originally planned the Crown Prince's rebellion during the autumn hunt, now believed, due to Shang Yuzhou's misleading information, that the Crown Prince wouldn't rebel.

Given Ran Qinggu's compliant nature, he would certainly be accompanying the Consort at Zhongming Temple.

Today, thinking it was Ran Qinggu's plan, he had released the men the Crown Prince had placed inside the hunting ground, along with those pretending to be hunters but actually scouting the terrain.

Given the Crown Prince's vengeful character, things didn't look good for Ran Qinggu.

Wasn't he indirectly responsible for endangering Ran Qinggu?

While surveying the terrain that morning, he noticed a small path outside the hunting ground that led straight to Zhongming Temple.

He had to get back there.

Ran Qinggu's mother was also at Zhongming Temple.

Shang Rongque, unable to catch up with Shang Rongyu, hastily summoned the guards: "Quickly, follow and protect the Heir, ensure the Heir's safety at all costs."

Several guards bowed and replied: "Yes."

Their figures swiftly disappeared into the forest.

==

At dusk, while Ran Qinggu was accompanying the Consort in worship, Zhongming Temple was surrounded by a group of soldiers clad in black armor.

They captured all the officials' families who had come to Zhongming Temple for worship, to pick dogwood berries, or to climb high and gaze afar, confining them within the temple.

Ran Qinggu recognized them as the Dragon Scale Army.

Or rather, a part of the Dragon Scale Army.

The Crown Prince had rebelled.

But the Third Prince clearly told him that the Crown Prince had terminated the plan.

How did he suddenly rebel?

He suddenly recalled Shang Rongyu's instructions before the hunt.

He had instructed him to take care of the Consort and the royal family members, which he didn't understand at the time.

So, the Heir had known about the Crown Prince's rebellion all along, even assuming that he knew, but the Third Prince told him that the Crown Prince had terminated the plan, leading him to believe that the Crown Prince really had stopped the plan...

It was over. He might have endangered the Consort and the royal family members.

Shang Jue, dressed in black armor, walked into the temple: "Noble ladies and gentlemen, don't be afraid. I merely wish for your company in worship, to pray for Da Su's prosperity, nothing more. As long as you cooperate, I won't harm any of you."

The Crown Prince, having rested in the Eastern Palace for a few days, had grown plump again.

The oversized armor seemed to be squeezing his body, like a dumpling stuffed with too much filling, the meat bursting out of the skin.

As soon as he finished speaking, his subordinates pushed two women dressed in splendid palace attire into the temple.

They were Empress Liu and Concubine Liu.

These two had made a brief appearance at the hunting ground, never expecting to be captured alive by Shang Jue.

Su Xi hurried forward to support Concubine Liu: "Mother."

Concubine Liu's face was grim and ugly, indicating she hadn't been spared the humiliation of the Eastern Palace Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince wore a smug expression, his face gleaming with oil: "Empress, I'm afraid you'll have to spend more time in worship."

Empress Liu huffed in anger and walked into the temple hall.

Concubine Liu followed her.

The Crown Prince's eyes wandered, landing on the Consort among the female guests.

He curled his lips into a sneer as he approached.

Perhaps it wasn't so much a curling of the lips; his excessive obesity had given him a naturally jovial appearance, but his constant sullenness distorted his features to an extreme degree. Even in this moment of smug satisfaction, his smile was so contorted that it sent chills down one's spine, leaving no clue as to what expression he was actually making.

"Queen of King Cheng, you actually came to pray?" His tone was mocking and provocative. "This Palace thought someone like you, a venomous woman, wouldn't dare to pray, for fear of being struck by lightning."

Jian Zuihuan's face darkened. She knew the Crown Prince would make things difficult for her over Cang Jiaojiao, but she wasn't one to cower in the face of death.

She smiled. "Even if the lightning were to strike... it wouldn't reach..."

Ran Qinggu suddenly interrupted loudly, smiling. "Your Highness, in front of all the gods and buddhas, to rebel for the sake of a courtesan who has been trampled upon by everyone, disregarding the people of the realm—aren't you afraid of breaking the Emperor's heart? Can you bear to face the ancestors of the Da Su Imperial Family?"

"Don't mention the ancestors to this Palace." The Crown Prince drew his sharp sword, pointing it at Ran Qinggu, shouting fiercely.

Every time he failed to do his homework or handle matters properly, his father would question whether he could face their ancestors.

Why did he have to live up to the expectations of the ancestors? Why did they force him...

The queen hastily grabbed Ran Qinggu, calling out, "Yu'er."

She knew Bai Yu feared for her safety and deliberately turned the Crown Prince's ire towards himself.

At this moment, the Crown Prince was a madman. If he wanted to threaten King Cheng and Rong Yu, he wouldn't harm them two.

She feared Bai Yu might lose control and provoke this lunatic.

"It's not this Palace who has broken his heart, it's Father who has broken this Palace's heart." The Crown Prince glared angrily at Ran Qinggu.

All he wanted was someone who would truly accompany him, love him, and not force him to be the Crown Prince others expected him to be...

He finally met someone who told him, "You're the Crown Prince, you can do whatever you want," and she was beaten to death by his own father.

Her body was a bloody mess.

It was all because of Bai Yu, that wretched woman.

His teeth gritted, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at Ran Qinggu, grinding his molars. "Fine, since you say she's a courtesan trampled by thousands, this Palace will let you taste what it means to be trampled by thousands."

He instructed the guards, "Bring this wretch over here."

Two guards seized Ran Qinggu without hesitation and dragged her toward the side hall.

Ran Qinggu struggled. "What are you doing, let me go..."

He was simply buying time now—the longer it took, the more advantageous it became for him.

When they reached the side hall filled with statues of gods and buddhas, the Crown Prince shoved Ran Qinggu hard.

Ran Qinggu slammed the door open with a bang, falling to the ground, her knees throbbing with pain.

The Crown Prince walked into the hall, looking at him coldly. "Bring those people in."

Ten beggars reeking of filth were led into the hall—some with crippled legs and blind eyes, some so old they could barely walk, others coughing violently with ashen faces...

It was a complete gathering of the old, weak, sick, and disabled.

After bringing them in, the Crown Prince instructed smugly, "Everyone out. Without my order, no one is to enter."

Two guards left, closing the temple door behind them.

The Crown Prince laughed sinisterly. "This person is the Heir Consort of King Cheng's Manor, a very noble woman. Now she's yours for the taking. Go on, serve her well, let her see what it means to be trampled upon."

He looked down at Ran Qinggu. "Didn't you say Jiaojiao is a courtesan? To be trampled by thousands? These people are tailor-made for you. I want you to be trampled by the filthiest people in the world. Enjoy it, see who can make you happier, them or the Heir of King Cheng."

Ran Qinggu looked at Shang Zhi coldly.

Indeed, this person couldn't read the situation; he was cutting off his own path with these actions.

It seemed that Shang Zhi truly hated him, otherwise, he wouldn't have gone through such lengths to find this group.

Shang Zhi said to the beggars, "Go on, whoever performs well today, I'll reward with a high-ranking official position, right under me, above all others."

Upon hearing this, the beggars' faces lit up with eagerness. How could such a good thing fall into their laps? They could toy with a beauty and become high officials; this was something they could only dream of.

Several beggars' eyes widened, hastily untying their pants, eager to torment the beauty lying on the ground until she writhed in agony.

Ran Qinggu quickly retreated backwards. His leg was injured, unable to run, and now even walking was difficult.

The beggars chased after him, laughing lecherously. "Where can you run? The Crown Prince has given you to us. Serve us well, and maybe we'll treat you nicely..."

Suddenly, two beggars clutched their throats, unable to make a sound, their faces turning red, their skin darkening, spitting out blood.

Bang bang bang—

Their veins burst, splattering crimson blood onto the statues of gods and buddhas, blooming like a vivid red flower before the golden Buddha statue.

Seeing this, the other beggars froze. That person had died too horribly.

Ran Qinggu stood up, wiping away a drop of blood from his face, his appearance demonic yet beautiful. "Don't move, whoever moves dies."

As the Crown Prince was about to call for help, Ran Qinggu twisted his ring, shooting another poisoned needle. The beggar in front of the Crown Prince, who was coughing, instantly turned dark purple, his veins bursting, splattering the Crown Prince with blood. The Crown Prince was stunned, looking at Ran Qinggu.

Ran Qinggu smiled, stroking the ring in his hand. "I said don't move. No coughing, no loud breathing."

This ring was a gift from Shang Rongyu.

It concealed ten poisoned needles.

Last time, when picking up the ring, he used seven against Situ Feng. Now, he used the last three, leaving him with none remaining.

Not a single person in the entire venue dared to move.

Ran Qinggu raised his eyebrows and said gently, "Crown Prince, don't you think your rebellion is going too smoothly?"

Shang Jue looked at him in disbelief.

Ran Qinggu raised his eyebrows again. "Do you have something to ask?"

Shang Jue remained silent, not daring to move.

Ran Qinggu smiled. "It's fine, I'll allow you to say one sentence, but I dare to guarantee that before your reinforcements arrive, you will die. Think carefully about what you want to say."

The first thing Shang Jue could say was, "What do you mean?"

Ran Qinggu laughed with contempt. "Stupid, for someone as insignificant as you, I wouldn't even bother to swat you away. Yet, you insist on delivering yourself to me."

The author has something to say: Ah, it's already one or two in the morning again, I'm so sleepy, I'll correct any typos when I wake up.

By the way, can I ask for some nutrient fluid! Thank you to the little angels who cast their overlord tickets or watered nutrient fluid for me during the period from September 2, 2020, 23:29:38 ~ September 4, 2020, 01:15:40.

Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient fluid: 0.0 20 bottles; Dan Ran Feng Hua 15 bottles; Si Yi, Mao Rong Rong 10 bottles; Qing Yan Fei Se, MG-Sweet Orange Really Sweet 5 bottles; Yue Er Wan Wan 4 bottles; Jin Guan 1 bottle;

I am very grateful for everyone's support, I will continue to work hard!