Wang Dian rubbed the letter, repeating its contents, “Anything changed in the capital?”
“You should return to the capital first. Zhen will follow soon,” Liang Ye said in a deep voice.
Wang Dian looked at him with an inscrutable expression, “Letting me bring the troops back to the capital, Liang Ziyu, you’re really at ease.”
What he lacked most now was military power. By doing this, he not only gained military authority but also revealed his mask, enabling him to directly replace Liang Ye as emperor.
“Will you?” Liang Ye stared at him with heavy eyes.
Wang Dian pulled at the corner of his mouth, “Won’t I?”
Liang Ye was silent for a moment, “As you wish.”
In the carriage, Wang Dian lifted the curtain to look at the accompanying army, then let it fall.
“Chang Ying,” he called softly.
“Young Master,” the coachman handed the reins to another person and entered the carriage.
“When did the communication with the capital’s military cease?” he asked.
“Last night,” Chang Ying replied in a low voice. “Our people have not sent any more messages.”
Wang Dian closed his eyes, lightly tapping his knee with his fingertips, “I always feel that Liang Ye is using this to probe me.”
Chang Ying dared not easily respond. In recent days, he had come to understand that even if Liang Ye was truly testing the young master, the master would not necessarily be angry. Speaking too much could lead to mistakes.
Wang Dian was somewhat uncertain.
He had deliberately left loose ends in the capital, perhaps to constrain Liang Ye. Liang Ye could use his hand to clean up the noble families, but he would not sit idle and be manipulated. Between him and Liang Ye, they needed a delicate balance.
But Liang Ye repeatedly broke the rules—just like now, carelessly handing over military power to him.
He admitted he was momentarily tempted. The power of the imperial throne was enough to bind Liang Ye to him, to do as he pleased. He could not resist the satisfaction of completely controlling Liang Ye, nor could he resist the satisfaction of completely controlling a country.
Human nature has never been able to withstand temptation.
He was tired of exhausting himself to convince himself to adhere to so-called morality and trust. Refusing temptation was far more difficult than accepting it.
His love for Liang Ye did not directly conflict with his desire for power.
Wang Dian draped his arm over the window, lazily supporting his head, his fingertips methodically stroking his chin, where a slight protrusion existed that could be removed with a bit of force, revealing a face identical to Liang Ye’s.
He closed his eyes. Most of the court was now staffed by people he had cultivated. The military seal was now in his hands, and he knew where the imperial seal was located, and he had this face exactly like Liang Ye’s…
He only needed to break the agreement with Liang Ye. Like a mantis stalking a cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, he could easily capture both the dragon throne and Liang Ye.
Everything of Liang Ye would become his appendage.
“Won’t I?” he murmured to himself, a greedy and mocking smile spreading across his face.
From the beginning, what he hoped for was that the situation would become more chaotic after the war.
Those standing outside were ultimately devoured and entangled by the tendrils of power and desire, stepping into the abyss.
Chang Ying looked up, spine chilling from the cold intensity in Wang Dian’s eyes.
****
“General, aren’t we supposed to go to Chilan? Isn’t this route taking a detour?” The deputy general rode on horseback behind Bian Feng. “The route along Changshui is not easy to traverse either.”
Bian Feng rode on horseback, laughing, “It’s not a detour. We’re going to capture a fierce beast.”
“A fierce beast? A tiger? Or a black bear?” The deputy general scratched his head.
“It’s a…fierce and beautiful big tiger,” Bian Feng rode happily, “A big old tiger being played around, anxious to rescue its cub.”
The deputy general found his laugh somewhat eerie and swallowed nervously, “Okay, okay.”
“What do you think about making an iron cage to lock him up?” Bian Feng laughed, “Lock him in a place only I can see, use some methods to completely tame him, so he would only roll over for me, try to please me, become… my possession.”
The deputy general subtly drove his horse a bit farther away, “Whatever you like, General.”
“I naturally like it, that’s why I’m going to great lengths to get him,” Bian Feng frowned with some disgust, “If my grandfather hadn’t stopped me, he would have been mine long ago. How could those little cats and dogs get ahead of me? I will teach him a lesson and make him know who his master is.”
The deputy general found it increasingly strange but still asked uncomfortably, “So where are we heading?”
Bian Feng leisurely rubbed his fingertips, his voice as cold as a devil’s summons, “Sipan Mountain.”
****
“Master, we are still twenty li away from Sipan Mountain.” The spy turned to look at the three thousand light cavalry behind, “Master, shall we surround the mountain?”
Liang Ye twirled the willow leaf knife in his hand, did not answer, but asked an unrelated question, “Do you think the prince of Danyang will rebel?”
The spy immediately broke into a cold sweat. This wasn’t a question, this was practically a death sentence. He trembled with sweat, “This subordinate… does not know.”
Liang Ye sighed somewhat worriedly, “Zhen doesn’t really want to be an empress, but it’s not impossible. At least Zhen wouldn’t have to review documents every day or look at those disgusting old men.”
The spy wished he could cover his ears. These were not words he should be hearing.
“However… if he dares to collude with the noble families to deceive Zhen,” Liang Ye tilted his head, giving a cold laugh, “he will never step out of the inner palace for the rest of his life.”
The spy’s clothes were drenched in sweat, feeling he might be silenced before the Prince of Danyang could even rebel.
“What’s your name?” Liang Ye indeed asked.
“This subordinate is Li Mu,” the spy answered stiffly.
“Li Mu,” Liang Ye raised his hand, speaking casually, “You lead these people and ambush on both high grounds. Whoever comes from behind, kill them.”
Li Mu was shocked, “Behind?”
“Zhen guesses it’s likely a young general planted by some noble family,” Liang Ye said with some regret, “Or possibly Wang Dian’s people. No need to keep prisoners. Zhen would be annoyed even seeing them.”
Li Mu said worriedly, “Master, are you going up yourself?”
Though the soldiers might not be skilled, at least they were numerous.
“Zhen will go up with the shadow guards,” Liang Ye found it troublesome, patting the horse’s head, looking sinisterly, “Zhen wants to see what fool this is and who sent him.”
“But the shadow guards…” Li Mu hesitated.
The shadow guards had just undergone a major reshuffle. The current ones were mostly inexperienced newcomers, which was not reassuring.
Liang Ye impatiently told him to retreat, and Li Mu could only obey.
Liang Ye led a group of people silently climbing the mountain in the dark.
****
Wang Dian’s mind was filled with chaotic thoughts. He suddenly opened his eyes half-asleep, “Stop the carriage.”
Something felt wrong.
If he were the mastermind, why insist on sending Chong Heng to Sipan Mountain? Sipan Mountain was too far from their camp. It would take a day and a night to make a round trip. It was so time-consuming that even if Chong Heng wasn’t smart, he would think of leaving a message for Liang Ye.
Unless he thought he could return within a day, the person was worth making this trip, and he didn’t want Liang Ye to know…
Liang Ye was eager to rescue someone, partly because he genuinely cared about Chong Heng, and partly to deliberately expose a weakness to provoke a response. It might also be a final test, but something was wrong with the location of Sipan Mountain.
“Let me see the Prince! I truly have urgent news to report! Wang Dian!” A commotion erupted outside the carriage.
Wang Dian was about to lift the curtain, but Chang Ying cautiously advised, “Young Master, it’s best to be careful.”
“It’s fine,” Wang Dian recognized the voice and stepped out, seeing Yang Wujiu. “Let him go.”
“Prince!” Yang Wujiu broke free from those restraining him and ran to Wang Dian, “Chong Heng went alone to Zhangmu Mountain in Chuandong County!”
Wang Dian’s expression changed, “What did you say?”
“Zhangmu Mountain! In Chuandong County, right next to Huadong County, precisely in the middle reaches of Changshui River. I asked around for a long time to clarify the location,” Yang Wujiu said. “He forced me to return, but I got lost midway. When I reached the main camp, everyone was gone. I rushed to catch up. That arrow came so suddenly. I feel something’s fishy. You should send someone to check!”
Zhangmu Mountain in Chuandong County, in the middle reaches of Changshui River, while Liang Ye went to the river’s source at Sipan Mountain in Chuanbei.
He knew Liang Ye was such a fool that he had certainly lost his mind!
This time, he had been thoroughly played!
Wang Dian mounted his horse, and Yang Wujiu quickly grabbed a horse to follow.
Chang Ying quickly approached, “Young Master?”
“Go to Sipan Mountain—no, take people to Zhangmu Mountain! Find Chong Heng no matter what,” Wang Dian gripped the reins tightly. “Yang Wujiu, you go to guide the way!”
“Where are you going, Young Master?” Chang Ying asked worriedly.
“Sipan Mountain,” Wang Dian gritted his teeth.
Chang Ying was utterly confused, “But Young Master—”
“Say no more, hurry up!” Wang Dian knew what he wanted to say.
He might have wanted to take advantage of the situation to rebel, but Liang Ye was about to be killed, so what rebellion?
“Hya!”
