Chapter 473: 480: Bird Startled by the Bow

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“Forget it, don’t do anything. I’ll handle this matter myself.” Although Liu Kuan was anxious, he ultimately feared that Chen Chu would spoil things. At this moment, stillness was better than rash action. If he had to act, it would be more secure for him to do it himself. In the past, Liu Kuan wouldn’t have cared about sacrificing Chen Chu, but after this incident, the two of them had become tightly bound together. Thinking about having to protect such a fool, Liu Kuan felt extremely vexed.

“Just do as I previously said—do nothing and don’t give anyone a handle on you,” Liu Kuan, having written this, wiped the water stains off the table and lay back down, showing some signs of breathlessness. Although he was just acting and hadn’t hurt any vitals, his injuries were not light, and he felt it strenuous to make even the slightest movements.

Chen Chu quickly nodded his head. In fact, he did not want to do anything during this period either, since being caught would spell death. But, having no other option, it would be better if he didn’t have to act. After the assassination attempt, Chen Chu had become like a startled bird, feeling like he was constantly in danger.

“General Liu Zuoling, you seem to look very pale. You should rest more. I won’t disturb you further.” Chen Chu recounted the incidents that happened after Liu Kuan left yesterday, and, feeling much relieved by Liu Kuan’s words, thought there was nothing to worry about and thus took his leave. As he left, he glanced once more towards the spot where a shadow had flickered earlier.

At the same time as Chen Chu left, two groups of people each returned to report to their own masters, while another person stayed hidden, closely observing everything without drawing any attention. Their master had granted them the authority to act independently. Although Chen Chu had visited Liu Kuan and their conversation sounded innocuous, things surely weren’t that simple. There must be some trickery between Chen Chu and Liu Kuan, but the spy had not obtained any valuable information. He needed to keep a closer watch on Liu Kuan’s actions.

This person was one of Han Yu’s secret guards, competent and among the trusted by Han Yu, which was why he was sent to keep an eye on the cunning Liu Kuan.

“You’re saying Chen Chu met with Liu Kuan? Did you manage to hear clearly what they discussed?” Liu Xiu had also cultivated a team similar to the secret guards, and the one sent this time was a member of that team. He wasn’t swayed by Liu Kuan’s death feigning innocence and was even more suspicious, especially when Liu Kuan displayed vulnerability and led the generals to pressure Liu Xiu into taking a stance. At that moment, Liu Xiu felt strongly that something was amiss. As a ruler, suspicion was something he was never short of.

The secret guard repeated the conversation he had overheard: “They only talked about this much in total. It all seemed like normal concern and conversation between colleagues, with nothing suspicious.”

This was exactly why it was even more suspicious, Liu Xiu thought to himself. Neither Chen Chu nor Liu Kuan had mentioned that prior incident at all, and the questions Han Yu had posed to Chen Chu previously were all deflected onto Liu Kuan. But now, having met, neither mentioned anything, an avoidance that seemed too cautious and ended up being overly conspicuous. Maybe they had another way of communicating, after all, with a tent separating them, people outside couldn’t see what they were doing, and it was easy to make small, unnoticed gestures.

Liu Xiu wasn’t opposed to having someone watch Liu Kuan inside the tent, but with everyone’s eyes on the situation, especially after Liu Kuan’s act of proving his innocence, most who were unaware of the details leaned towards Liu Kuan’s side. He couldn’t be too overt in his approach. This must have been the purpose behind Liu Kuan’s risky performance—to make him aware of their problems but unable to take action. The feeling was quite frustrating.

“Understood, you may go. Keep a close watch on Liu Kuan and Chen Chu. Don’t miss any suspicious details, and ensure he has no chance to send messages outside. Report back immediately if there’s any issue.” Liu Xiu could now only keep a close eye on Chen Chu and Liu Kuan. Even if he couldn’t do anything to them at the moment, at least he could prevent them from contacting the outside world.

The same question was being asked in Yin Shi’s tent, and upon receiving the report, Yin Shi’s expression was equally displeased: “How can that be? Those two are clearly spies planted by the enemy within our ranks. It’s impossible for there to be no issue. Perhaps you just haven’t discovered it yet. Keep a tight watch on them, and don’t overlook any traces.”

Yin Shi felt deflated for not catching Chen Chu and Liu Kuan’s missteps, but he didn’t have a better strategy. Han Yu was right—Liu Kuan was too sly. Plus, now that the assassination had failed, and he had alerted the enemy, he hadn’t anticipated Chen Chu and Liu Kuan’s escape, regretting not assigning more people to the assassination.

“There’s another matter to report.”

“Speak!” Yin Shi said impatiently, not having received the information he wanted.

“While I was watching Liu Kuan, I noticed another group of people, also hidden and observing the goings-on inside the tent.”

“Who are they?” Liu Xiu narrowed his eyes, suspecting they might have been sent by Han Yu.

“It looked like they were people from My Lord’s side. They seemed to have noticed us too, but they didn’t make any moves.”

“Han Yu didn’t send anyone to watch?” Yin Shi wasn’t surprised by this news. Liu Xiu, though somewhat lenient, wasn’t foolish and naturally wouldn’t trust Chen Chu and Liu Kuan fully. It was normal for him to send someone to watch over them. He was just surprised that Han Yu hadn’t sent anyone.

“I didn’t detect anyone.”

Yin Shi, having received confirmation, waved dismissively: “Alright, you may go. Keep a good watch on them. Don’t let Liu Kuan find any opportunities to take advantage of.”

Han Yu had actually received the news earlier than both Liu Xiu and Yin Shi. The reason he hadn’t been detected by them was simply that he was more cunning and cautious. Han Yu didn’t want Liu Xiu to know he had cultivated his own secret guards. Although Liu Xiu might not mind if he found out, from a long-term perspective, this would be Han Yu’s trump card.

The suspicion of those in high positions should never be underestimated. Even if Liu Xiu didn’t mind for the moment, once he ascended to the throne, there was a fear that he would start having ideas because of this matter, and even develop suspicions. Although many of the powerful families in the Imperial Court secretly maintained their own secret guards, everyone kept it under the radar, as the Imperial Court had explicitly forbidden it.

Han Yu certainly didn’t believe that Chen Chu and Liu Kuan’s meeting was just a benign visit and chat. Although he did not know the content, he felt an unprecedented sense of crisis. Yet, after this incident, he could only do as Liu Xiu and Yin Shi had done—silently watch over Chen Chu and Liu Kuan, temporarily unable to make a move, lest Liu Kuan seize the chance to bite back at him.

Days passed by one after another. Han Yu was patient, but Liu Kuan was getting anxious. He received another message from that side, giving him a deadline.

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