Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
In the bedroom, Xiang Feiyanâs expression was a little gloomy.
For any Emperor, being suppressed by their subjects was not something to be happy about.
Su Wen stood by the side and observed her expression. He could not help but praise her in his heart. Old Suâs actions seemed normal, but he already had an extremely accurate grasp of both partiesâ thoughts.
He had calculated that Zhang Yongâs transaction of using the position of the Prefecture Governor would definitely not be small and would not give up easily.
At the very least, even if Xiang Feiyan were to speak out and reject it, Zhang Yong would do his best to fight for it. Once he did, he would have the greatest influence in the royal court. At this moment, the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince did not have any conflicts of interest in this matter. If they did not speak, it would result in his dominance over the court.
If no one tried to sow discord between themâ¦
Forget it, Xiang Feiyan might submit under pressure.
However, Su Wen understood Old Suâs intentions and naturally would not let go of this opportunity to sow discord.
This was also why Xiang Feiyan had to mention this matter.
Both the Su father and son wanted Zhang Yong to go against Xiang Feiyan.
In reality, a truly smart Emperor would make Su Wen speak at this time. Because once Su Wen spoke about rejecting the memorial, regardless of whether Zhang Yong agreed or not, whether his attitude was firm or not, it would be a conflict between the ministers.
The Emperor would be even more at ease, able to advance or retreat at will.
But in this aspect, how could Xiang Feiyan be as scheming as the Su father and son?
Once she said that, she placed herself and Zhang Yong on opposite sides.
Immediately after, Su Wen tried to sow discord.
Xiang Feiyan felt as if a thorn had been stabbed into her heart.
The struggles of the royal court could be accurately summarized as the struggles of the hearts of the people.
Xiang Feiyan asked softly, âBrother Wen, do you think Zhang Yong has too much power?â
Su Wen smiled and said, âHow should I put it? Minister Zhang has followed the previous Emperor for many years and is extremely famous in the court. You just ascended the throne not long ago, so the ministers will naturally believe in Minister Zhang more.â
His seemingly ordinary words seemed to be an explanation.
However, Xiang Feiyan felt uncomfortable hearing it.
âThis woman is the Emperor!â It was rare for her to even address herself as so in front of Su Wen.
It could be seen that she was already furious that her royal authority had been challenged.
Su Wen remained silent in the face of her outburst.
A true expertâs manner of sowing discord was to make others unable to hear that they were doing so. Otherwise, once it was heard, it might even have the opposite effect.
Xiang Feiyan pondered for a moment and asked, âWhat do you think will happen if I dismiss Minister Zhang?â
Su Wen smiled and said, âMinister Zhangâs faction is spread throughout the royal court and has a high prestige. He has done nothing wrong, so how can we dismiss him?â
Xiang Feiyan said coquettishly, âThatâs why Iâm asking you. You canât let me be an Emperor who canât even speak properly in court, right?â
Su Wen stroked his chin and hugged Xiang Feiyan. âItâs only you. If it were anyone else, I wouldnât bother with such troublesome matters.â
Hmm, after so much trouble, it turned into him helping Xiang Feiyan to come up with ideas.
He had completely forgotten that he was the one who asked to reject Zhang Yongâs suggestion from the start.
Su Wenâs gaze was cold as he revealed his intentions. âIf you ask me, kill!â
Xiang Feiyan widened her eyes and said anxiously, âNo, Zhang Yong has a high reputation and is even respected in the court. Ifâ¦â
At this point, Xiang Feiyan shut her mouth.
She realized that the more she spoke, the more she wanted to kill this old fellow.
She fell into deep thought and said, âBut we still have to find an excuse. We have to stop everyone from talking.â
Su Wen smiled. âWhat excuse are you looking for? That old fellow has been running the court for many years. If you investigate him through normal channels, Iâm afraid it will be his people who are investigating him. How can you find evidence?â
âThen what should we do?â Xiang Feiyan frowned.
Su Wen smiled. âIâll go and kill him!â
Xiang Feiyanâs eyes lit up while Su Wen said in a deep voice, âFor this matter, the easiest way is for me to make a move. Once Zhang Yong dies, there will be no evidence! As for you, you just have to help me.â
At night, in the royal palace, Xiang Feiyan held a banquet.
A group of Heaven Rank experts were invited, including Xiang Ding.
âEveryone here is a pillar of Great Zhou, a cornerstone. Today, I invite everyoneâ¦â
The banquet began.
Xiang Feiyan smiled as she watched the Heaven Rank experts drink and chat.
In the dark night, a figure had already arrived at Zhang Yongâs residence.
It was Su Wen!
He didnât want to kill too many people and only wanted to kill Zhang Yong.
He flew in the air and checked the rooms one by one to see where Zhang Yong was.
Finally, he found Zhang Yongâs location.
In the study room, a man stood in front of Zhang Yong.
The two of them were talking.
âMinister Zhang, you promised our Mu Family that you would definitely let us become the Governor of the Hu Prefecture,â the man said in a deep voice.
Zhang Yong smiled, âDonât worry, thereâs definitely no problem.â
âBut I heard that His Majesty personally rejected this matter today!â The man was a little dissatisfied.
Zhang Yong said disapprovingly, âIsnât the matter still not decided yet? What matter can be smooth sailing? I donât know why Her Majesty rejected it, but Iâve already tried my best to fight for it today. Her Majesty is also still undecided on this. In these few days, Iâll use some more connections and send more memorials.â
âThat position will definitely belong to your Mu Family. You just have to prepare a Heaven Rank expert and kill Su Wen! In a few days, Iâll think of a way to send Su Wen to the Eastern Border. When the time comes, you can intercept him halfway.â
Su Wen, who was on the roof, was stunned when he heard this.
He never expected that this old fellow would really scheme to harm him.
He couldnât help but sigh. Old Su was indeed shrewd.
From the memorial and Zhang Yongâs attitude, he could tell that this person must have had a plan.
It was also thanks to Su Changqing making him kill Zhang Yong that he discovered this.
Otherwise, he might really have been tricked by this old fellow.
As he spoke, Su Wen directly fell into the room. Die Yi transformed into a long sword and suddenly stabbed into the darkness.
Splat!
In the dark, a 9th Grade Earth Rank expert instantly died!
At this moment, in the royal palace, Xiang Ding frowned.
Just as he was about to stand up, Xiang Feiyan walked over with a cup of wine and toasted him. She smiled and said, âFourth Great Grandfather, have a drink.â
Xiang Ding was caught unawares.
He took the wine glass and drank it. âYour Majesty, just nowâ¦â
âFourth Great Grandfather, drink more today.â Xiang Feiyan interrupted him again.
Xiang Dingâs eyes flickered slightly. He didnât say anything else and sat down.
In the Prime Ministerâs residence, Su Wen swung his sword again, directly killing the Mu family member as well.
He killed two people consecutively in an instant.
Zhang Yong was dumbfounded and was about to shout out.
Su Wen turned around and smiled. âIf Minister Zhang doesnât want your entire family to die, itâs best not to make a sound.â
The moment Zhang Yong saw Su Wenâs face, he quickly paused.
âNanli King!â he muttered. âWhen did you arrive?â
âNot long, but Iâve heard almost everything I needed to hear.â Su Wen looked at Zhang Yong and shook his head. âI didnât expect Minister Zhang to have the intention to harm me.â
Zhang Yong looked at Su Wen and sighed, âHer Majesty asked you to come?â
In an instant, a lot of things went through his mind.
Su Wen nodded.
Zhang Yong continued to ask, âIn other words, what His Majesty said today was also instructed by you?â
âI guess so.â Su Wen did not deny it.
Zhang Yong said with a bitter smile, âWhat a pity, what a pity that you could see through me. Itâs because my skills are inferior. Kill me, just let my family go.â
At this point, he knew that he was already dead.
Su Wen looked at Zhang Yong and said softly, âI want to ask, why did you dare to attack me?â
Zhang Yong sneered, âWhy wouldnât I dare? You are only a traitor of Zhou Country. In the royal court of Great Chu, my words carry weight. I am the prime minister of Chu, even if youâre at the Heaven Rank, youâre not invincible. Why wouldnât I dare to scheme against you?â
He looked at Su Wen and asked, âBefore I die, I have a few questions that I hope you can answer for me.â
âSpeak!â
Su Wen did not mind chatting with him.
Zhang Yong asked, âWere you the one who ordered Her Majesty to veto Mu Zhong today?â
Su Wen nodded and smiled. âThatâs right!â
âVery good, pushing Her Majesty out to be my enemy. What a good method!â There was a trace of confusion in Zhang Yongâs eyes, âI donât understand. Did I leak the news or something? Why did you suddenly attack me?â
He asked doubtfully, âActually, I was already prepared to resign from my position the moment Her Majesty ascended the throne, but I saw that you and His Majesty didnât seem to want to be enemies with me, nor did you want to seize power. Why did you suddenly attack me?â
Su Wen smiled helplessly and said, âBecause my father entered the city. He said that you canât stay.â
Zhang Yong was helpless. What kind of reason was this?
âDidnât you say that your father is already dead?â
âHeâs not dead, and heâs already in Great Chu.â
Zhang Yong looked at Su Wen and asked in a deep voice, âThen are you planning to seize the foundation of Great Chu?â
Splat!
Su Wen did not answer.
Instead, he stabbed out with his sword.
âD*mmit! Are you done trying to stall for time?â
The long sword stabbed into Zhang Yongâs throat.
Zhang Yongâs eyes widened and he let out a series of gurgling sounds.
In the end, he fell to the ground, blood flowing everywhere.
Su Wen flashed out of the door and flew straight away.
The Prime Minister of Great Chu had died just like that!
In the palace, the banquet was ongoing. A palace maid came in and walked to Xiang Feiyanâs side. She whispered, âYour Majesty, the Nanli King has arrived at your chambers.â
Xiang Feiyan stood up with a face full of smiles and said, âI still have something on. Seniors, take your time to drink.â
As she spoke, she stood up and left.
When she arrived at the bedroom, she hurriedly threw herself into Su Wenâs arms.
âHow is it?â
âDead!â Su Wen smiled.
Xiang Feiyan blushed and kissed him.
Su Wen could sense that she was very excited.
Xiang Feiyan was naturally excited!
In reality, even though she had become the Emperor, she still respected Zhang Yong in her heart.
However, such an important official could be easily killed after rebuking her today.
This was the benefit of authority!
She did not know that some of her actions today were completely under Su Wenâs control.
However, it was undeniable that when she heard the news of Zhang Yongâs death, she felt a strange sense of pleasure!
âWellâ¦â
âComeâ¦â
âIn a while, the Zhang family will probably enter the palace to report!â
âI donât care!â
In reality, the person who arrived later than Su Wen expected.
The Zhang family had a strict upbringing, and Zhang Yongâs study could be said to be a forbidden area.
Thus, it was only past midnight when the Zhang family discovered that Zhang Yong had died
A scream resounded throughout the Zhang Residence.
âReporting to Your Majesty, Lord Zhang, Zhang Yong, is dead! The Zhang Family has sent people to report!â
Late at night, a palace maid stood outside the chambers and reported softly.
She knew that the person inside was not asleep because the commotion had yet to die down.
âGot it. Wait for me.â Xiang Feiyanâs voice came from the bedroom.
The people from the Zhang family and the Ministry of Justice had already arrived and sealed off the scene. The Secret Service was also present.
Great Chu did not have the Martial Inspectorate, but had a similar organization, named the Secret Service.
Their job was actually similar to that of the Martial Inspectorate. It was also targeted at the experts of the martial world.
The Minister of Justice, Ji Weili, had a dark expression.
The current prime minister was killed in his home!
This was a major event!
He knew that the way he handled this matter might affect his career.
âHow is it?â he asked a man who was checking the situation.
The man raised his head and said in a low voice, âIt must have been done by a Heaven Rank expert. The wound contains a trace of Heaven and Earth Origin Qi, and his sword technique is extremely powerful. None of the three people in the room could withstand a second move!â
Ji Weiliâs expression darkened. A Heaven Rank expert had entered the capital to attack?
Yet no one in the capital had noticed?
At this moment, a shout was heard.
âHer Majesty has arrived!â
Xiang Feiyan rushed into the courtyard with a shocked expression!
âWhat happened to Minister Zhang? What happened to Minister Zhang?â
Hmm⦠almost two hours had passed since the Zhang Familyâs report.
However, even if she did not come, no one dared to say anything.
The torches lit up the entire courtyard like it was daytime.
Su Wen followed behind her and the two of them entered the courtyard.
Ji Weili hurried forward and bowed. âGreetings, Your Majesty. Greetings, Nanli King.â
âHow is it?â Xiang Feiyan asked.
Ji Weili replied honestly, âYour Majesty, Iâm afraid that the culprit is a Heaven Rank expert, but we donât know where he came from. I wonder if those Lords present in the palace havenât sensed him today? Moreover, logically speaking, there should be a monitoring formation in the capital of Chu. If a Heaven Rank expert enters or attacks, they should be discovered.â
Xiang Feiyan looked at him with self-reproach. âI held a banquet today and gathered all the Heaven Rank experts for a drink. I didnât expect⦠someone to take advantage of this opportunity.â
âHiss!â Ji Weili sucked in a breath of cold air.
This was too much of a coincidence.
He subconsciously blamed Xiang Feiyan for the murderâ¦
Recalling the fight in the royal court during the day, Ji Weiliâs expression became even uglier.
However, he did not say anything and only lowered his head a little deeper.
He did not dare to ask or speak nonsense.
Otherwise⦠maybe the next one would be himâ¦
At this moment, Su Wen also entered the house.
After taking a look at the personâs wound, he pretended to think for a moment and said, âYour Majesty, I have discovered something!â
âDid Brother Wen discover anything?â Xiang Feiyan asked.
âThe sword technique of the person who attacked seems to be the Roaming Dragon Wind Sword! When this sword technique enters the body, the Qi energy lashes out like a swimming dragon. When the sword stabs out, the wound made on the outside is smooth, but the wound on the inside will be rather twisted.
Furthermore, there is wind force surrounding the sword wound, which caused the surrounding area to be invaded by the wind force.â His analysis immediately made the eyes of the man who was checking the corpse light up.
He hurriedly asked, âHas the Nanli King seen this sword technique before?â
Su Wen said, âIâm ashamed to say this, but Iâve really seen it before. However, this sword technique is the ultimate technique of the Great Zhou Bright God Sectâs Elder, Dou Zhan!â
Xiang Feiyan frowned and said, âLittle Brother Wen, why did the Dou Family come to assassinate our Great Chuâs officials?â
Su Wen had a face full of self-reproach as he sighed and said, âIâm afraid itâs still because of me. Iâm a member of the Zhou Country to begin with. After my entire family fled from the Zhou Country, Emperor Zhou treated us as a thorn in his side. He must have sent people to assassinate me!â
âHowever, this subjectâs cultivation has already broken through to the Heaven Rank, and Iâm also in the capital of Great Chu. No matter who it is, they canât easily attack this subject. This fellow probably couldnât find an opportunity, so he took a fancy to Lord Zhang being the pillar of our country, and thus took revenge!â
Xiang Feiyan came to a realization and gritted her teeth. âSo thatâs how it is. How hateful this Dou Family is! This Great Zhou actually laid such a trap! I cannot let them off easily!â
As the two of them sang along, the murderer seemed to have been confirmed.
Su Wen continued, âYour Majesty, the murderer has already been confirmed. We cannot let them off!â
âThatâs right! Weâll attack Great Zhou sooner or later and kill this Dou Family to avenge Minister Zhang!â
âThis Emperor will issue a decree. Minister Zhang will be conferred the title of a Loyal Valiant Duke. He will be buried in accordance of his title. His son, Zhang Shunzhi, will be temporarily suspended from all duties. He will grieve for three years and will be employed again after three years.â
Xiang Feiyan made her decision on the spot.
No one dared to object.
The next morning, the news spread throughout the capital.
Even the newspapers had stated the reason.
It was the Great Zhou Bright God Sectâs Dou Family that caused the death of their countryâs pillar!
The commoners of the capital wailed, and for the first time, they felt resentment towards the Great Zhou.
At Su Changqingâs residence.
Old Su was moving his body.
He slowly practiced a set of fist techniques. Of course, in Su Wenâs opinion, this fist technique was just a pile of shit.
The main thing was that Su Changqingâs soul was still not perfectly compatible with this body, thus he needed time to adapt.
âFather!â
Upon hearing this familiar shoutâ¦
Su Changqing knew that Su Wen was here.
The moment he entered, Su Wen laughed loudly. âFather, Iâve already discussed with Her Majesty. Iâll let you enter the royal court and become the prime minister!â
Upon hearing this, Su Changqing waved his hand and said, âItâs not appropriate to establish someone straight to the position of prime minister. Many people wonât believe your excuses. They will still think that Xiang Feiyan killed Zhang Yong, but it doesnât matter.
Anyway, no one has evidence, and the goal of establishing her authority has already been achieved. The position of prime minister is just a bait, so just leave it there and let them fight over it.â
âSince Zhang Yong is dead, those guys will have no leader and have benefits ahead of them. They will definitely use any means to attack others. Only then will it be convenient for Xiang Feiyan to plant her own people.â
Su Wen looked at Su Changqing for a while before he sneered. âOld Su, do you not want to be an official and earn money? Let me tell you, donât even think about leeching off me at home! I will definitely not give you money!â
Su Changqing was furious. âYou unfilial son! You spent so much of my money for so many years. Letâs not talk about anything else, how much money did Cui Yumian redeem herself for? You spent so much money for a prostitute, did I even say a word to you? Donât think I donât know. That lottery ticket you made, itâs a sure win and no loss. So what if you raised me for a few years?â
âWhy donât you return me the money you used to redeem her!â
Su Wen laughed loudly. âOld Su, I think youâve lost your mind. Youâre so young and have hands and feet. Why donât you work hard yourself? Do you think Iâm the kind of person who spoils my father? Donât you know the clearest how much Iâve squandered all these years? Do you still want to rely on me to support you?â
âWhy donât you just become an official in the royal court! If not, you have to tighten your belt and think of a way yourself!â
âBy the way, you donât have to think about business. If you dare to do it, Iâll make sure you lose everything!â
Su Changqing glared at Su Wen, but Su Wen remained fearless. The father and son stared at each other.
After a short while, Su Changqing sighed and said, âIâve worked hard for so many years. Canât I rest?â
Su Wen pursed his lips. âDonât think I donât know. From Great Zhou to Great Chu, you only took a little more than a month to traverse the sea route. How long have you been journeying for? I heard from Luo Ning that youâve been unrestrained and have a lot of fun along the way!â
Su Changqing gritted his teeth and said, âLuo Ningâs mouth will be torn apart by himself sooner or later.â
Finally, he sighed. âForget about the Prime Minister. Let me be the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Appointments.â
He explained, âAfter all, Iâm from Zhou Country. If I rashly enter the royal court and directly become the Prime Minister, it will be too eye-catching. Moreover, I just said that the position of Prime Minister is undecided. The position of Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Appointments is enough for me to cultivate my own people. Give me some time, and I will slowly climb up.â
âAlright!â Su Wen smiled.. As long as Old Su was willing to enter the royal court, he would be more at ease.