Reborn as the Last van Ambrose
Chapter 221: Rumors Starting

Chapter 221: Rumors Starting

A week had passed since the engagement announcement, and Chen Xing found himself increasingly concerned about the whispers that seemed to follow his lord’s name throughout the capital.

What had begun as isolated comments about the incident with Jin Wei had evolved into a broader conversation about Lord Ambrose’s character and suitability for high office.

"It’s becoming systematic," Chen Xing reported during their morning briefing, his diplomatic composure barely concealing his growing alarm. "The rumors are too organized, too consistent in their messaging to be gossip."

"What exactly are they saying?" Grim asked, though his tone suggested the answer wouldn’t surprise him.

"Several themes," Chen Xing replied, consulting his notes. "First, that your response to Jin Wei’s challenge revealed an unstable temperament unsuited for Imperial responsibility. Second, that your rapid engagement with Lady Ruxi demonstrates poor judgment and impulsive decision-making."

Grim felt the dark mana pulse with anger, but he forced himself to maintain outward calm. "And the third theme?"

"That your recent behavior suggests the pressure of your position has become overwhelming," Chen Xing continued carefully. "There are suggestions that House Ambrose’s restoration may have proceeded too quickly, placing burdens on you that would challenge anyone’s stability."

"Convenient," Grim observed with cold amusement. "They can’t attack my family’s legitimacy directly, so they attack my personal fitness instead."

"Precisely," Chen Xing agreed. "The rumors are crafted to sound sympathetic while being destructive. They paint you as a tragic figure overwhelmed by circumstances rather than a malicious actor."

"Which makes them harder to counter directly," Grim noted.

"Indeed. Denying that you’re unstable sounds exactly like what an unstable person would say. Defending your engagement appears to confirm that it was impulsive rather than strategic."

Chen Xing paused, then added with obvious reluctance, "There’s also a fourth theme that’s begun circulating in the past few days."

"What?"

"Questions about your relationship with Lady Lianna," Chen Xing said delicately. "Suggestions that your engagement to Lady Ruxi represents a betrayal of previous commitments or understandings."

The implication was clear—someone was trying to paint Grim as not just unstable, but also dishonorable in his personal relationships.

"Any idea who’s orchestrating this campaign?" Grim asked, though he suspected he already knew the answer.

"Nothing definitive," Chen Xing replied. "The rumors originate from multiple sources, which suggests either a very sophisticated operation or genuine grassroots concern."

"Or both," Grim observed. "A sophisticated operation designed to look like a grassroots concern."

"The timing is suspicious," Chen Xing agreed. "The themes are too consistent, the messaging is too refined for spontaneous gossip. Someone with significant resources and political experience is coordinating this effort."

Grim stood and moved to the window, gazing out at the capital where his reputation was being systematically dismantled by whispers and implications. The dark mana whispered that such attacks deserved decisive retaliation, but Caius’s recent warnings about manipulation made him hesitate.

"What’s the reach of these rumors?" he asked.

"Broad," Chen Xing admitted. "They’ve spread through the noble districts, the merchant quarters, and even some of the working-class neighborhoods. Whoever is behind this has access to communication networks across multiple social strata."

"And the response from our allies?"

"Mixed," Chen Xing said diplomatically. "The Empress has made no public statements, which is being interpreted in various ways. Some nobles are expressing private support while avoiding public association. Others are maintaining careful distance until the situation clarifies."

"In other words, they’re waiting to see which way the wind blows," Grim said with disgusted understanding.

"Politics is often about timing," Chen Xing replied carefully. "Public support given too early can appear partisan. Public support given too late can appear opportunistic."

"And public support never given can appear wisely cautious," Grim finished.

Chen Xing nodded reluctantly. "The rumors have created a situation where supporting you openly carries political risk, while opposing you requires no courage at all."

The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a messenger bearing urgent correspondence. Chen Xing accepted the sealed letter and examined the markings with growing concern.

"From Duke Ravencrest," he announced, though his tone suggested the contents were unlikely to be positive.

Grim gestured for him to continue.

"The Duke regrets to inform you that recent social obligations require him to postpone indefinitely his planned visit to discuss potential business arrangements," Chen Xing read aloud. "He hopes you understand that the current political climate makes such meetings inadvisable for all parties concerned."

"How diplomatic," Grim observed with bitter amusement. "He’s distancing himself without explicitly stating why."

"It’s a pattern," Chen Xing said grimly. "Three other scheduled meetings have been similarly postponed in the past two days. Nothing explicitly hostile, just a sudden inconvenience that requires a delay."

"Until the rumors either die down or are proven true," Grim concluded.

"Political survival often requires such flexibility," Chen Xing agreed, though his tone suggested he found the practice distasteful.

Grim returned to his desk, considering the scope of the campaign being waged against him. The systematic nature of the attack suggested careful planning and significant resources, but it also revealed something about his enemies’ limitations.

"They’re afraid to confront me directly," he realized aloud.

"My lord?"

"This campaign of whispers and implications," Grim explained. "It’s what you do when you can’t win a direct confrontation. They’re trying to isolate me politically because they can’t defeat me personally."

Chen Xing considered this perspective. "That suggests they view you as formidable enough to require indirect methods."

"Or they’re testing whether I can be brought down through reputation damage before they resort to more direct approaches," Grim countered.

"Either way," Chen Xing observed, "the campaign appears to be having its intended effect. Your political isolation is increasing, and your options for alliance-building are becoming more limited."

Grim felt the dark mana pulse with frustrated anger, but this time he found himself agreeing with its whispered suggestions. Perhaps the time for purely defensive responses had passed.

"Chen Xing," he said quietly, "I want you to begin gathering information about everyone who’s been spreading these rumors."

"My lord?"

"Names, sources, patterns of communication," Grim clarified. "If someone wants to wage a campaign of whispers against House Ambrose, they should understand that we’re capable of responding in kind."

"Are you certain that’s wise?" Chen Xing asked carefully. "Engaging in rumor warfare could validate the claims about your temperament."

"Perhaps," Grim agreed. "But allowing these attacks to continue unchallenged validates claims about my weakness."

[Be careful,] Caius warned quietly. [This is exactly how honorable men become the very thing their enemies accused them of being.]

But as Grim contemplated the systematic campaign being waged against him, his great-grandfather’s warnings felt increasingly irrelevant.

Honor was a luxury for those whose enemies fought with honor. Against opponents who hid behind whispers and implications, more direct methods might be necessary.

"Begin the investigation," he told Chen Xing. "Discreetly, but thoroughly."

"Of course, my lord," his aide replied, though his expression suggested he understood the dangerous path they were beginning to walk.

As Chen Xing departed to begin his inquiries, Grim found himself drawn once again to the mysterious book on his desk.

Caius’s warnings about manipulation seemed less compelling when faced with enemies who were already manipulating public opinion against him.

After all, if he was already being painted as dangerous and unstable, he might as well ensure that reputation served a useful purpose.