Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 977 - 975_1

Chapter 977: Chapter 975_1

"During my recent visit to the palace, the Emperor spoke of the outbreak of bandits in the northwest, remnants from the Xiyue Country, who stalk, rob, rape, murk, and loot with no scruples. The Emperor plans to send the Duke of Zhen’s heir with the army to suppress this surge. Coincidentally, the area around Yueluo Valley is often plagued by bandits who rob the goods of passing merchants. I volunteered to take over the task of pacifying the bandits," he said.

"You plan to send Young Master Jiang, don’t you? However, doing so might invite the Emperor’s wrath!" Upon hearing this, Xiao’er guessed his intentions.

The current Duke of Zhen, Jiang Weiqiang, disrupted the battlefield, betraying and framing the previous Duke. This was a grave act of disloyalty and injustice. It would not be unthinkable for Shangguan Xuanyi to aid Jiang Yuheng in retaliating in the same manner. However, the dispatch of the heir to the Duke’s title was by the Emperor’s direct decree—it’s a matter of safety and security for the northwest. If they used this opportunity to kill the commander, even without any solid evidence, the Emperor would eventually realize and likely be incensed.

In the Emperor’s eyes, the grievances of the state outweigh personal vendettas, and Jiang Yuheng’s suffering is purely personal.

"As long as this matter does not impact the overall situation, it’ll be fine. You should know that the Fifth Princess has remained faithfully single for Jiang Yuheng for eleven years, refusing to marry anyone else. In the Emperor’s eyes, Jiang Yuheng is almost like a son," he said.

Xiao’er fell silent upon hearing this. Is a son-in-law not akin to a son? True, the Emperor cares for his subjects, but he also has his own kin. How can he protect his subjects if he can’t even protect his own? As long as this matter does not affect the peace and safety of the northwest, the Emperor will definitely turn a blind eye.

And even if the Emperor is unwilling to ignore the situation, surely both the Empress and Empress Dowager would side with him!

Otherwise, shall they punish Jiang Yuheng and let Fifth Princess continue to hang in limbo?

It can never be!

While the two were still in conversation, Jiang Yuheng came seeking an audience.

They both left the room and received him in the flower hall.

Upon entering and paying his respects, Jiang Yuheng stated his purpose: "My lord, I wish to eliminate the heir of the Duke of Zhen secretly first. Then, I will ask Marquis Zhongyong to intervene and request the Emperor to officially appoint me as the heir of the Duke. We’ll figure out the rest later."

Marquis Zhongyong and his father are close as brothers, bound by life and death. He would certainly help him in this regard!

Moreover, Marquis Zhongyong is upright and honorable, and also the elder brother of the Empress. If he petitions the Emperor to restore his position, he will certainly reclaim his status as the heir to the Duke!

Of course, the prerequisite is that the current heir is no longer there! Only then can he regain from his original position.

The Emperor would never dismiss the current heir and reappoint him unless he’s gone. The Emperor’s word is absolute; this is not a game. The position of the heir signifies the prosperity and inheritance of a family!

After seeing the Fifth Princess today, he could not wait any longer. He did not want her to wait any longer, either. Although the princess was willing to wait, he had discovered many things upon regaining his memory. The Duke’s Mansion was no longer the same. The term "new wine in old bottles" didn’t even begin to cover it. Moreover, those two—father and son—were not easy prey. God only knows how many years it would take to eliminate them. He could not bear to let the princess continue to wait.

If it was only a matter of eliminating Jiang Wei’en, he was confident. To kill Jiang Wei’en, take back his rightful position, and let Jiang Wei taste the bitterness of losing a loved one, losing everything—he was sure he could do it!

More importantly, once he regains his position as the Duke’s heir, he can immediately marry the princess. She would no longer have to wait for him.

He owes the Fifth Princess far too much. All her youth was spent waiting for him to return. He feared his remaining years would not be enough to repay her devotion, therefore, in the future, not a single moment that they could spend together should be wasted due to the men who ruined his life!

"How lucky! Your opportunity has arrived," Xiao’er said with a smile, after hearing his words.

Jiang Yuheng was bewildered.

Shangguan Xuanyi speaking once again, relayed the plan he’d earlier explained to Xiao’er.

Conversing with intelligent people is always refreshingly simple. Without needing to explain in detail, the moment Shangguan Xuanyi spoke, Jiang Yuheng understood.

Jiang Yuheng immediately kneeled on one knee, "I thank Prince Rui for this opportunity. I will not disappoint his trust and exterminate the bandits without leaving any trace!"

This was indeed a rare opportunity. Nowadays, it was a time of peace and prosperity. Every country was recuperating and conserving strength. Dispatching troops was a complex task!

But, if Jiang Wei’en did not venture out and chose to stay in the Imperial Capital, it would be difficult to find an opportunity to kill him.

The two needed to strategize carefully. Xiao’er decided not to interfere, leaving them to discuss while she attended to her own matters.

....

As darkness fell, in the Duke’s Mansion.

The Duke was in his study, playing chess with an advisor. A knock broke the silence—the Duke permitted the visitor to enter.

A woman, clothed all in black and masked, stepped in.

Seeing her, the Duke absentmindedly asked, "Have there been any unusual happenings with the Fifth Princess?"

"Master, the princess went to Prince Rui’s mansion today and stayed the whole day. Upon returning to the palace, she seemed exceptionally elated. Normally, the princess doesn’t show much interest in reading, but today she said she’d frequently borrow books from the Prince’s mansion. This servant thinks that such unusual behavior definitely means something."

The Duke paused, his hand holding the chess piece still. He finally set the piece down, replying: "I see. You may leave."

The woman in black did not utter another word. She bowed and retreated respectfully.

After the Duke had set down his piece, he was swiftly overtaken by the advisor’s calculated move.

"Your mind is unsettled, Duke!"

"As long as Jiang Yuheng lives, I’ll have no peace, especially now that he’s aligning with Prince Rui against me. How can I not be anxious?"

Had it only been Jiang Yuheng, he would not have been scared. But with the addition of Prince Rui, he could not help but worry!

The prowess of Prince Rui is acknowledged throughout the realm. None dare underestimate him, let alone the Duke himself.

"Concerning the events of the past, everything was neatly taken care of, leaving no trace. Now, all those who knew of the matter are dead. Jiang Yuheng can’t possibly find any evidence. So why should you worry, Duke? Even a prince can’t simply sentence a loyal official without proof. Evidence is always needed."

"But a hidden arrow is harder to avoid than one shot openly!"

"If the arrow is hidden, then put it in plain sight by the sun, Lord Duke!"

"What are you suggesting?" The Duke felt a sense of enlightenment.

"Precisely what you’re thinking, Lord Duke."

"Haha, thank you for your guidance! I now know what to do." The Duke’s mind was now clear.

All the power of the Duke’s Mansion was now in his hands. As for those servants and bodyguards who were loyal to the former Duke, he had found reasons to sell those that could be sold, and send those that could be spared far away.

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