Chapter Twenty-Five: The Scoundrel Ahead

Thus, Di Ying, who had been brought into the palace, encountered Zhang Jiafu along the long palace corridor.

Zhang Jiafu did not know Di Ying.

When the two of them merged from separate paths into one, he noticed that the person guiding the other was none other than Eunuch Su Hong. At once, he broke into a broad, enthusiastic smile.

He bowed repeatedly to Eunuch Su, bending slightly at the waist as he greeted him.

“Eunuch Su, you truly are the most indispensable person at His Majesty’s side. Look at you—so busy your legs must be worn thin. May I ask what brings you here?”

Su Hong, seeing it was Zhang Jiafu, let his fair face twitch ever so slightly, producing a smile that was neither warm nor cold.

He returned the bow and said, “I dare not accept such praise, Master Zhang. It is my honor to run errands for His Majesty. But please, Master Zhang, hurry along—His Majesty is waiting anxiously. I dare not delay you here with idle chatter, lest it hinder His Majesty’s affairs.”

Hearing that the emperor was waiting impatiently, Zhang Jiafu wasted no more words on polite exchanges with Eunuch Su.

When the imperial summons reached his residence, he had been preparing for lunch.

He had not yet figured out what had happened when the young eunuch delivering the decree hurried him along the entire way.

He tried to slip the eunuch some silver to glean information, but though the boy took the money, his lips remained sealed, offering not a single hint.

He was led along a secluded route, leaving him thoroughly bewildered.

Now, seeing Eunuch Su personally escorting a young man—handsome, slightly stout, but dressed with remarkable simplicity—his curiosity peaked.

He had tried probing during their earlier polite conversation, but Eunuch Su deflected his question.

Now, he was more confused than ever.

Who was Eunuch Su? An old hand at the emperor’s side, who had saved both the late emperor and the current one.

Even as Minister of Personnel, Zhang Jiafu, like the grand chancellors, crown prince, and Xue Huaiyi, always treated Su Hong with respect and a smile.

To personally summon someone? And Eunuch Su himself to do it? Who could this person be?

With these thoughts, Zhang Jiafu slowed his pace, tilting his head to observe the young man.

Could it be...

Another favorite of His Majesty?

Yet, his figure and face were nothing extraordinary. How could he have caught the emperor’s eye?

Thinking of this, Zhang Jiafu mused that the emperor’s tastes were indeed peculiar.

If it were robust young men, the imperial court had no shortage. Even a random soldier would surpass the likes of Xue Huaiyi and his ilk.

Why search among the commoners?

It made them all seem useless...

He clicked his tongue, withdrew his gaze, and prepared to hurry to the Imperial Study.

Unexpectedly, a loud shout rang out from behind: “Hey! You villain up ahead—are you Zhang Jiafu?!”

Startled by the sudden cry, Zhang Jiafu’s anger flared when he heard himself called a villain.

He turned and barked, “What are you? How dare you insult me so?”

Di Ying, having stopped Zhang Jiafu, raised his chin, turning his face slightly to shoot a sidelong glance, his jaw jutting.

He replied, “You look shifty-eyed and sly—aren’t you a villain? You arranged your subordinates to assassinate Master Xue and the two Wu gentlemen, Wu Qiongsi and Wu Chengsi—does that not make you a villain?”

“What... what? Me, assassinate... assassinate—where did you get that? You are slandering me! Guards, seize this insolent brat at once!”

Zhang Jiafu, with his narrow slit-like eyes, always hated being called shifty-eyed.

So what if his eyes were a bit small, his nose a bit flat, and his brows a bit thin? How could he be likened to a rodent?

Whenever he heard people gossip behind his back, he would always fly into a rage.

Now, this rustic fellow, judging by his attire, likely hadn’t even seen the emperor’s face, dared to act so arrogantly and insult him in public—how could he endure it?

Yet, his command met only embarrassment.

None of his own attendants or guards were nearby; even the palace guards were stationed far away. Hearing his angry shout, they all turned their heads away.

It dawned on Zhang Jiafu that without a word from Su Hong, the palace guards would pay no heed to an outsider like himself.

From this, he sensed Su Hong’s attitude and grew deeply uneasy.

Could it be that the emperor truly believed he had ordered the assassination of Xue Huaiyi and the others?

With that thought, Zhang Jiafu forgot everything else and rushed to see the emperor.

But just as he moved, Di Ying swiftly seized him by the collar.

Di Ying, gripping his collar, brows bristling and eyes blazing, pressed in close, gritting his teeth: “Seize my head, will you?

Not only did you attempt to assassinate Xue and the Wu gentlemen, you even tried to manipulate the palace guards on the imperial grounds to harm court officials. What audacity! Come, you’ll face His Majesty with me—I shall demand an explanation before the throne!”

Zhang Jiafu, momentarily cowed by Di Ying’s force, felt his legs weaken, his mind growing ever more confused.

‘Court official?’ This country bumpkin claimed to be an official? What kind of official? Why had he never seen him before?

Even if the man was not truly an official, Zhang Jiafu realized he had let something slip—trouble was upon him.

He immediately tried to beg for mercy, to yield.

But Di Ying ignored him, dragging him forward in great strides, calling for Eunuch Su to lead the way.

Zhang Jiafu, flustered, asked, “Who exactly are you? You’ve never even entered the palace before?”

Di Ying replied, “Walk faster! This isn’t my home—why should I know every turn? You seem to know it well—plotting something, perhaps? Hurry up, let’s go before His Majesty and settle the matter.”

Zhang Jiafu, stumbling along, tried desperately to break free, but could not, his heart seething with rage.

Meanwhile, Su Hong, who had been cooperating with Di Ying and now led the way, pressed his lips together, struggling to keep from laughing, his shoulders trembling.

He nearly veered off into a serpentine walk.

This Master Di was truly amusing.

He had business with the emperor, yet refused to strike the Drum of Justice, insisting instead on finding a would-be petitioner, beating up Xue Huaiyi and the others first, and then letting that person present their case directly to the emperor.

Thus, Di Ying’s name would catch the emperor’s attention.

Now, having snared Zhang Jiafu in this whirlwind of accusations, one charge after another, Zhang Jiafu was left utterly bewildered and terrified, and would surely beg for mercy when brought before the emperor.

Tsk, tsk—a pillar of the realm, and most entertaining at that.

…

Meanwhile, seated in the Imperial Study, the emperor was also mulling over Di Ying’s maneuver, using Peng Liang to enter the palace and file a complaint.