Chapter 99: Action Supported by Justification

Chapter 99: Action Supported by Justification

Meng E rarely asked questions, but this time she wanted things to be clear. “So, you’re going to a fight, and you want me to secretly protect you?”

“This isn’t just a simple fight. Lin Kunshan from before was definitely sent by Prince Donghai. He’s plotting a conspiracy, and this fight might also be part of his plan.”

“Knowing that it might be a conspiracy, you still want to get involved?”

“If I hide from a distance, I can only wait for Prince Donghai’s move, making it easier to get hurt. It’s better to confront and expose the trap, isn’t it?”

There was silence in the study. Han Ruzi stood up. “Are you still there? Do you agree or not?”

Still, there was no response. Han Ruzi shook his head in frustration and sat back down, muttering to himself, “Let’s just assume she agreed.”

The study was very dark, almost pitch black, and Han Ruzi was still quite awake. He didn’t want to go to bed so soon, so he sat on the chair, absentmindedly swinging his legs, repeatedly asking himself: Could he ever return to the throne of the Emperor? Was he doing something foolish and absurd?

He couldn’t help but mock himself.

A faint knocking came from outside.

“Who is it?”

Are you still awake?”

Surprisingly, it was Cui Xiaojun, who rarely came to the study. This was her first visit after nightfall, which took Han Ruzi by surprise. He quickly got up, walked to the door in the dark, opened it, and saw her standing alone outside. He was even more surprised. “Why are you here?”

Cui Xiaojun smiled. She was only wearing a light undergarment, appearing particularly delicate. “I couldn’t sleep and just wanted to come and see. If you’re too busy...”

“Not at all.” Han Ruzi reached out and pulled his wife inside, then turned to find a tinderbox. “Let me light a lamp.”

Cui Xiaojun held onto the Weary Marquis. “No need. I just came to see you, and I’ll leave shortly.”

“Are you afraid?” Han Ruzi held her hands.

Cui Xiaojun turned her face slightly. “Not afraid. It’s just... sometimes, I feel like the place I sleep doesn’t really belong to me.”

“Do you also have that feeling?” Cui Xiaojun raised her eyes, reflecting a hint of moonlight.

“Come with me,” Han Ruzi said, taking her hand and leading her out.

“Where to?” Cui Xiaojun hesitated with each step but followed him out of the room.

The Manor of the Weary Marquis was quite large, but it didn’t house many people. As everyone had already retired for the night, the entire manor was quiet and still. Han Ruzi led his wife through the covered corridors in silence until they stopped in front of a door to one of the side rooms. The snores inside had a rhythmic rise and fall.

“This is Manor Clerk Zeng,” Han Ruzi whispered, “He surely had quite a bit to drink today. You can even smell the alcohol in his snores.”

Cui Xiaojun burst into a suppressed giggle, and the snoring inside the room seemed to weaken a bit. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand. Soon, the snores resumed.

“Does he not go back to his home?” she asked in a hushed tone.

“He could. But I heard his wife at home is quite formidable, so he prefers to stay here.”Fôllôw new stories at novelhall.com

Cui Xiaojun cast a sidelong glance at Han Ruzi, and he quickly added, “I’m different from him. He hardly ever goes home, while I only spend one day in the study every ten days...”

Cui Xiaojun pushed him away with a smile. “Don’t talk here; you might wake him up.”

The two of them walked slowly down the corridor, and Han Ruzi introduced who lived in each room, explaining the distinctive sounds of their snores.

Du Motian got up, bid farewell to the Weary Marquis, and returned shortly after, tossing a wooden staff to Du Chuanyun. It was nearly the same length as a short sword. “Use this.”

Du Chuanyun had just finished sharpening his sword and was satisfied with it, so he looked at the wooden staff on his knee with dissatisfaction. “I’m a swordsman, not a beggar. What am I going to do with a piece of wood? I’d rather fight empty-handed.”

“Then go ahead empty-handed.” Du Motian was never polite with his grandson. “Is being a swordsman really that easy? Worshiping strength and killing with bloodthirst—those are traits of a hack who uses a sword, not a true swordsman.”

“But Grandfather, you used to train me as an assassin.”

“A state acts with justification; a person acts for the right reasons. Our assassination of Yang Feng was to avenge a friend. When did you ever see me picking fights without a right reason?”

Du Chuanyun hung his head in silence. Han Ruzi felt that Du Motian’s words were directed at him, but he kept silent as well.

Du Chuanyun reluctantly put away his sharpened short sword and took the wooden staff. He sighed, “Fine, I’ll use it. Even if the opponent is using real weapons, I won’t misuse mine. At most, I’ll take a few hits, but I won’t die.”

Du Motian took the short sword from his grandson and handed it to the Weary Marquis. “Please keep this sword, and whether to use it or not is at your discretion.”

Han Ruzi stood up and solemnly accepted the short sword. “I won’t let this sword be disgraced.”

The old swordsman smiled, turned, and left.

Du Chuanyun, puzzled, said, “I’ve been traveling the pugilist world with my grandfather for so many years, and he actually trusts you over me!”

Han Ruzi said to Zhang Youcai, “We trust each other. Go to Marquis Hengyang’s residence and ask Chai Yun to meet me at the West Market’s No Return Inn.”

In the afternoon, Chai Yun arrived with two attendants as invited. As they entered the private room, he greeted with a polite bow, “Lord Marquis, you have a knack for picking venues. The No Return Inn is not bad, and I used to frequent this place a few years ago. But the wine here is too plain. Nowadays, we often go to Jiang’s Residence in the southern city or the Easeful Manor outside the city. That’s where you find good wine and good people.”

Han Ruzi pretended not to understand and replied with a smile, “What’s the use of good people? I can’t sit here and drink with the innkeeper and the waiters.”

“Haha, you are quite interesting.”

They exchanged pleasantries, sat down, and had a drink while chatting. Their attendants stood by, participating as needed, and left the private room after receiving their master’s discreet signal.

“Have you made a decision?” Chai Yun asked directly.

“Why not? Consider it a game.”

“Good, the Weary Marquis’ words resonate with me. It’s just a game. People like us, we don’t want to be officials, kowtowing everywhere, nor can we be a lowly merchant, nor can we endure the hardships of the elements. In this lifetime, we’re simply taking a stroll through this physical world, making a few close friends, savoring the world’s delicacies, and enjoying the sweet nectar of women. Simply put, life is but a game.”

“It is a game, but I don’t want to lose.”

“Don’t worry; I’ve got everything arranged. You will make an appearance, Du Chuanyun will draw his sword, and everything will fall into place. I’ve inquired, and there are no skilled fighters on Cui Teng’s side. We’ll catch him and give him a good humiliation, so he won’t dare to be arrogant anymore. We’ll make a name for ourselves too.”

“I have one more thing to ask.”

“Please, Lord Marquis.”

“Has Marquis Guiyi agreed to the Cui family’s marriage proposal?”

Chai Yun was slightly taken aback, “Why would he disagree? That old man is eager to establish a connection with the Cui family.”

“I have an idea. If Lord Guiyi agrees to the marriage, we’ll say that Cui Teng is infatuated with a Xiongnu woman and is disloyal to the Chu empire. If Lord Guiyi disagrees, we’ll say that Cui Teng forced the marriage through abusing his power. In any case, we’ll be the righteous ones, standing up against injustice.”

Chai Yun paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, “You’re a damn genius. We’re friends now, I swear!”

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