Chapter 70: Night Visit to Meng Manor

Chapter 70: Night Visit to Meng Manor

As the Commander General of the Imperial Guard, Meng Zhi often had night duty in the palace, and even on the days he was not on duty, he mostly stayed at the Commanders Bureau taking care of business, and it was only when he had two or more days off in a row that he would return to his own private manor.

Although its master had an illustrious reputation in the capital, the Meng residence was plain in appearance, with only around ten to twenty servants, and the household was not run very strictly. But Meng Zhi was the first-ranked martial arts expert of Da Liang, and he was not a jianghu man, so there were basically never any visitors who came to the manor looking for trouble, and so the residence had always been peaceful and had never seen any great commotion.

Meng Zhis first wife had been chosen for him when he was young by his father and mother, and although she came from a very poor upbringing, she was a person of exceeding virtue and integrity. That year, when Meng Zhi left to join the military, she was the one who stayed behind to take care of both their parents. She had miscarried once and had never conceived a child again, but Meng Zhi did not take a concubine because of this, adopting one of his nephews as his heir instead, and the two loved and respected one another, and had a very good relationship.

This time, when Meng Zhi returned to the manor after receiving his punishment, the entire household was in a panic, and it was only Mistress Meng who remained calm, bringing doctors into the manor and instructing the guards to turn away all other guests at the door, stabilizing the overall situation. Meng Zhi did not mention the reason for the beating, and she did not ask, only concerning herself with his health and waiting on him attentively, and it was only after her husband fell asleep in the evening that she too lay down to sleep, still fully dressed.

As she was falling asleep, there was a tap on the window and she started awake again, but before she could speak, her husbands hand was on her shoulder.

Who is it? Meng Zhi asked in a deep voice.

Us! A bright, clear voice answered.

A smile broke out over Meng Zhis face, and he said quietly to his wife, They are my guests, you can open the door.

Mistress Meng hurriedly threw on a cloak and lit the lamp on the table before opening the door to the room, looking out to see a young scholar in dark robes and a light fur cloak standing outside, a handsome youth with a cold face behind him.

I am sorry to disturb the mistress, the scholar apologized gently.

Since you are my husbands friends, please put aside the courtesies, quick, come in. Mistress Meng stood aside to let the two enter, then went over to the brazier to pick up the teapot which had been placed beside it and served tea for her guests. She also filled two dishes with candies and brought them over, then said in a low voice, My husband, I will go to the next room.Diiscover new stories at novelhall.com

You must be tired today too, go to sleep there, Meng Zhi said hurriedly.

Mistress Meng smiled but did not reply, and then left the room, thoughtfully closing the door after herself.

To have a wife such as this is Meng dages good fortune, Mei Changsu praised, before he asked concernedly, Is your injury severe?

I practice a hard and stiff style of martial arts, what are a few sticks of bamboo to me? It was only to sooth His Majestys anger, and to let him see a bit of blood, thats all.

Mei Changsu knew he was loyal and devoted to his monarch, and so did not comment, only asking, You work so hard day and night, but as soon as a case like this appears, the Emperor turns hostile against you, are you disappointed?

Meng Zhi waved a hand and said, The Emperor has always been like this, and as the servant, how could I hope for my lord to change his nature for my sake? Besides, the case did take place in the territory under the control of the Imperial Guard, so the blame should fall on my shoulders, the Emperor has not treated me unjustly.

A cold smile turned up the corner of Mei Changsus lip as he turned towards the lamp, his gaze flickering faintly, as he asked again, Did Prince Yu enter the palace to plead for you?

I was wondering about that too, weve never had much interaction in the past, yet he was kind enough to come and plead on my behalf this time, its too bad that perhaps he said something wrong, after he left, I saw the Emperor looking even more furious than before.

do you know why the Emperor became even angrier? Was it really because Prince Yu doesnt know how to speak?

Meng Zhi was taken aback. I hadnt thought about it, could it bethere was something wrong with what Prince Yu did?

You are the Commander General who holds a hundred thousand imperial guards in the palm of your hand, to put it bluntly, the life of the Emperor lies within your grasp. Now, as soon as the slightest bit of trouble arises, a prince appears immediately to intercede for you, and not just any prince, but Prince Yu, who just happens to have certain intentions towards the throne, so, with the understanding you have developed for the Emperor over these years, what do you think his first instinct will be?

Xiao Shu

Alright, Meng dage, I know this causes you grief, but with things the way they are now, I fear you will have to listen to me anyway.

I understand, Meng Zhis heart grew hot as he gripped his hand. Xiao Shu, I will do whatever you say. I will not investigate anything this month, and when the time is up, I will go to the Emperor and beg for forgiveness.

Not quite, Mei Changsu laughed faintly. This month, you should investigate whatever you are supposed to investigate, and appear as anxious as you should be when you are unable to uncover any evidence, it is only that your efforts will certainly be futile from the start. As for whether the Emperor will permit your resignation, although he has grown suspicious towards you, there is still foundation for trust. Even with the court full of civil and military officials alike, how can he find anyone more trustworthy than you to immediately fill the position of Commander General of the Imperial Guard? It is only unfortunate that someone will have to suffer for this.

Who?

Your vice commander.

Zhu Shouchun? He has worked for me for seven or eight years.

And that is why he will be removed. I think the Emperors most likely move will not be to relieve you of your position, but to choose a few people who have no connection with you entirely to be your assistants, and so balance the distribution of power.

Meng Zhi laughed coldly. I have a clear conscience, he may send in whoever he likes. But I must find a good place for my brothers who will be relieved of their positions.

I fear Xie Yu would not dare take them into the city guard. Take this opportunity to give them to Prince Jing, he will not mistreat your brothers.

Ai, Meng Zhi let out a long sigh. Although my heart is still a little unhappy, with you to handle matters for me, I am much more at ease. Thats everything taken care of, then.

We cannot let down our guard so quickly, Mei Changsu shook his head. You will not be idle this month, and Xie Yu will certainly not either. He has raised such a fuss, he will not back down after just one attack. So your Imperial Guard must guard the palace very carefully, there cannot be another incident to deteriorate the situation.

I am confident that we will be able to secure the palace like an iron bucket. But Xie Yu has Zhuo Dingfeng, and ordinary soldiers will find it difficult to defend against martial arts experts.

Leave this to me. Zhuo Dingfeng can only act in the open, so it is not difficult to handle him. I have my ways to monitor him, his son, and the experts he has befriended. If they are clever and realize that they are being watched, then they will not dare to act in circumstances where they cannot be sure they will be able to escape. If they are a bit slow and do not realize they are under surveillance, then they will fall neatly into my hands, and as soon as they make a move, I will have my evidence, and then I can deliver them to Xia Dong, and see whether she will let Xie Yu off so lightly this time around. A frosty haughtiness seemed to drift over Mei Changsu. Xie Yu only had the advantage in striking first on New Years Eve, otherwise, if we debate jianghu skill alone, would Jiangzuo Alliance lose to Tianquan Manor?

Exactly, Meng Zhi couldnt help smiling. If Zhuo Dingfeng really believes your power does not extend across fourteen provinces of jianghu, then it is truly his loss.

Mei Changsu sighed a little regretfully. Whether for fame, for fortune, or for friendship, Zhuo Dingfeng has already been pulled by Xie Yu onto the same boat. In the end, he is still a renowned hero of jianghu, and cannot be underestimated. It is only that the turmoil of the capital is not a battlefield with which he is familiar, and now that their children have been joined in marriage, they cannot be but one family, so if he wishes to escape from this intact in the future, it will not be so easy.

Meng Zhi answered with a hint of coldness in his voice, In the end, this was his own choice, so whatever the result, he can only swallow it himself. But as for Xiao Jingrui, this young manI have always admired his warmth and generosity, it is too bad he will be brought to grief by his fathers in the future.

On hearing these words, Mei Changsus brow knitted in distress, and he turned away to stare at the light of the lamp, murmuring dazedly, As for Jingruiit will be more than a pity.

He means Mistress Meng.

Translators Notes

The more MCS dissects him, the more I hate this Emperor.

Also, it gives me Feels seeing how much it hurts MCS to have to (unwillingly) hurt those around him to achieve his goal. And I firmly Do Not Blame MCS for anything that happens to Jingrui, because, well, you cant shoot the messenger. MCS is doing nothing except revealing the eroded and corrupted values of the court. Honestly, I will hold the Emperor and Xie Yu and Xia Jiang responsible for everyone MCS has to hurt in his quest to restore the names of everyone they straight-up murdered. And I think Hai Yan intended this as well, with all the little glimpses into how much it kills MCS to have to hurt the people he loves now in order to bring justice to the ones he loved then. (Theres a scene later, after the birthday party, that REALLY brings this home. Its in chaikats novel chapter summaries, if you want a preview. But Im getting ahead of myself. We are still seventeen chapters away from Jingruis Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Birthday Party.)

(Lets end on a happy note.)