GBP Chapter 657 Savior
Chapter 657 Savior
Although Yang Sichang did not explicitly name him, Wen Tiren immediately thought of Liu Ye. Only Liu Ye could command such a high level of attention from the emperor and Yang Sichang.
He inwardly cursed his bad luck. Liu Ye's army was all outside the city. If, as Yang Sichang said, he had mobilized the capital garrison to besiege the city, along with the Shenji Battalion's cannons, with the men around him, his chances of survival were slim. He had to find a way to notify them.
Wen Tiren glanced at the sky; it was nearly Shenshi (3-5 PM), with about an hour before Youshi (5-7 PM). From the palace to the Shenji Camp's encampment, if they traveled quickly, it should take about half an hour. If they could successfully notify Liu Ye, they would have nearly an hour to escape before the cannons fired at Youshi 3:45 PM—that should be enough time. Although he couldn't leave the palace himself, he could send his servants.
Having made up his mind, he casually asked, "I wonder who this person is who would go to such lengths?"
Yang Sichang shook his head: "His Majesty has repeatedly instructed that this person's identity must not be revealed before 5 PM. Please forgive me, Grand Secretary."
Wen Tiren responded with an "Oh," and said, "Since it is His Majesty's absolute decision, we, as his subjects, dare not question it further. I have urgent matters to attend to at home, and since I cannot leave the palace, I can only send a servant back to inform him that he need not wait for me. Nothing is more important than His Majesty's affairs..."
He tried to appear nonchalant, turning and slowly strolling away. Unexpectedly, Yang Sichang's leisurely voice came from behind him: "The Grand Secretary may not understand His Majesty's meaning: all Grand Secretaries are forbidden from leaving the palace, nor from contacting their servants outside..."
Wen Tiren's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained impassive. He turned around and asked in feigned surprise, "Can't even the servants be contacted?"
Yang Sichang smiled meaningfully: "This is also for the good of the Grand Secretary and everyone else. If you send your servants back to handle the matter, and the thieves happen to get wind of it and escape, wouldn't you be unable to clear your name even if you jumped into the Yellow River? I don't want you all to be involved in unnecessary suspicion..."
Wen Tiren feigned sudden realization: "Wenruo is so thoughtful. How could I not have thought of that? I'll go to Wenyuan Pavilion and explain things to them right away. I'll leave the palace peacefully after 5 PM."
Yang Sichang smiled enigmatically: "Thank you for your trouble, Grand Secretary."
After leaving the Qianqing Palace and turning into a secluded corridor, Wen Tiren could no longer contain himself. His steps faltered, and he was drenched in sweat. Recalling Yang Sichang's meaningful smile from earlier, he was filled with worry. Had Yang Sichang seen through his relationship with Liu Ye?
If Liu Ye is taken down along with his entire group, and he himself is also suspected, even without concrete evidence, his career will be over. Forget about the position of Grand Secretary, even retiring unscathed will become a pipe dream.
He silently thought to himself, "Zhiwen, I'm like a clay Bodhisattva crossing the river, barely able to save myself. I can't and dare not help you. You'd better pray for your own good fortune!"
Just as he was feeling sorry for himself, a group of people walked towards him. Wen Tiren glanced at them and vaguely saw a group of palace maids surrounding a young woman. His old eyesight was failing, and he couldn't see clearly from a distance, so he didn't know who they were. Perhaps they were concubines from the inner palace.
Although the concubines usually stayed within the inner palace and would never appear near the Qianqing Palace unless there were special circumstances, this was not something that officials from outside the palace could interfere with. Wen Tiren quickly stepped aside, keeping his eyes down and not daring to look any further. Whether it was an ordinary palace maid or a concubine from the inner palace, officials from outside the palace had to avoid suspicion.
As the group passed by Wen Tiren, the young woman at the head of the group saw him and exclaimed "Eh!"
Wen Tiren subconsciously looked up. At such close range, he could naturally see the other person's face clearly. He was startled and almost blurted out "Ninth Young Master".
This man was none other than the Ninth Prince of the Hall of Heroes, Princess Kunxing, Zhu Meichu, the emperor's daughter. He had been a handsome young man with a face like jade, but now he had changed into women's clothing and become a beautiful woman with red lips and white teeth.
When Zhu Meichu saw Wen Tiren, she almost blurted out "Old sir." Recalling the absurd scene in the Hall of Heroes, she didn't expect to see him again in this setting. Zhu Meichu felt a little embarrassed and lowered her head, preparing to leave quickly. However, out of the corner of her eye, she saw the old man making exaggerated facial expressions, as if he had something to say to her.
Thinking of the close relationship between the other party and Liu Ye, Zhu Meichu had an idea. She stopped, cleared her throat, and said to the palace maids around her, "Wait for me at the corner ahead. I'll be there in a moment."
An older palace maid looked at Wen Tiren and asked worriedly, "Princess, is it inappropriate for a man to be present?"
Zhu Meichu snorted, "You're meddling too much. I told you to leave, so go ahead!"
The older palace maid quickly bowed her head and replied, "Yes, Princess." This princess, who had grown up outside the palace since childhood, rarely entered the palace and never followed the palace rules, which was not something she could interfere with.
After the palace maids had gone far away, Zhu Meichu looked around to make sure no one was watching, and asked eagerly, "Old sir, is there something you want to tell me? Don't worry, I won't tell my father about your visit to the brothel, but you have to help me. I like playing with him, but he's trying to avoid me. Do you have any ideas?"
Wen Tiren stopped her out of desperation; in his haste, he couldn't find anyone more suitable to resolve the current predicament. However, since she was a princess, she might not be willing to help; it was merely a desperate measure. But when she spoke, she surprisingly revealed her affection for Liu Ye, which greatly reassured Wen Tiren—this matter was showing promise!
He didn't know what happened between the two afterwards, but it must have been some intimate contact, which was a possible starting point. He replied vaguely, "What the princess said is easy to handle; I'll persuade him later. However, there's a huge hurdle tonight. If he can't overcome it, I'm afraid the princess will never see him again..."
Zhu Meichu was shocked and asked, "What do you mean we can't see him anymore? Did he leave the city tonight?"
Wen Tiren coughed a few times: "Ahem, well... it's not that he wants to leave the city, but that your father is arresting rebels, and a large army is gathering. He happens to be within the blockade area, and he might be caught in the crossfire..."
"So that's how it is..." Zhu Meichu relaxed and giggled, "He's very capable. He's not even afraid of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. My father's men can't do anything to him either. He won't be accidentally hurt."
"Princess, you are unaware that countless cannons have been erected all around. When the cannons fire, everything in their path will be razed to the ground, and even a Great Immortal will not be able to escape..."
Zhu Meichu's face turned pale with fright: "Cannons? Won't he die? No, I have to go to Father and order the cannons to be removed, so as not to hurt him..."
Wen Tiren was also terrified. He knew he was doomed if this happened—he had instigated the princess to interfere in politics, and he wouldn't have enough heads to lose.