Chapter 22: Precarious Prospects

"In trouble himself? No wonder he broke into the Eastern Palace in the dead of night to incite the Crown Prince to rebel again!"

Zhao Mu suddenly had a flash of insight.

"This fellow isn't daring; he's clearly trying to use you as a scapegoat, Your Highness!"

Zhao Mu slanted his eyes toward Li Chengqian and dropped the bombshell.

"What?" Li Chengqian was startled. "Brother Zhao, are you saying... the Duke of Chen is trying to harm me by urging me to seize the throne in the dead of night?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Zhao Mu shook his head with a smile and continued, "The man is clearly backed into a corner!"

"There is something you might not know, Highness. Today, I heard that Hou Junji had been released, and I felt something was off. Knowing he had previously incited you to rebel, I grew suspicious and personally went to scout the area around the Duke of Chen’s residence."

Zhao Mu spoke with a serious expression.

"Who would have thought I’d run right into Wang Meng, the captain of the Duke’s personal guards, leading a few men and pulling a cart of crates, sneaking out through the back gate. I sensed something strange and followed them quietly. And guess what I saw?" Zhao Mu took a sip of wine from his cup, keeping him in suspense.

"Stop drinking, Brother Zhao, and tell me what you saw!" Li Chengqian stared wide-eyed, looking ready to snatch the cup from Zhao Mu’s hand if he didn't speak up.

Zhao Mu put down his cup and smiled. "Wang Meng led his men and the cart toward the outskirts of the city. As soon as they reached the outer city, they turned into a secluded alley. Not long after they entered, a group of masked warriors in black armor suddenly appeared!"

"The moment they showed themselves, they surrounded the Duke’s guards. This group was incredibly skilled; within the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, they had subdued Wang Meng and his men, knocking them all unconscious!"

"Hiss..." Li Chengqian gasped, asking in disbelief, "Who were these people? To be so formidable?"

It was no wonder he was surprised. Hou Junji had spent decades on the battlefield. While his military record might not match some of the other founding dukes, it was certainly not far behind. As the Minister of War and commander of the Right Martial Guard, his personal guards were elite soldiers with terrifying combat prowess. Li Chengqian even felt that his own Eastern Palace guards might not be a match for them. Yet, Zhao Mu was saying that these elite guards had been easily knocked out and dragged away by a few masked men?

Li Chengqian mentally tallied the strength of the various factions, trying to figure out who might be behind these powerful men, but no matter how hard he racked his brains, he couldn't come up with a name.

"Isn't it? I was absolutely shocked when I saw it too!" Zhao Mu kept a straight face, presenting everything he had fabricated as something he had witnessed with his own eyes.

He added, "Before those people took the guards away, they carefully checked all the crates on that carriage. And do you know what I saw? They were filled with nothing but armor!"

Li Chengqian was stunned. He hurriedly asked, "Brother Zhao, you mean the Duke’s guards were transporting armor out of the residence? Could it be... that the Duke was hiding it privately?"

"Isn't that obvious, Highness?" Zhao Mu rolled his eyes. "If Hou Junji dares to break into the Eastern Palace at night to urge you to rebel, why should it be surprising that he’s hoarding armor in his residence?"

"The most critical part is that after I returned and thought it over, I realized that the style of that armor was exactly the same as the black iron armor worn by the Emperor’s Imperial Guards!"

Li Chengqian looked incredulous. "No... that can't be, can it?"

"Believe it or not, Highness!" Zhao Mu rolled his eyes again and ignored him, returning to his own cup.

Li Chengqian stared blankly at Zhao Mu, then suddenly slumped onto the couch in despair. He was clearly trying to digest this shocking news. He felt genuinely terrible. He had truly believed that Hou Junji’s sudden visit to urge him to recreate the Incident at Xuanwu Gate was a reaction to his performance in the imperial court that day. Now, hearing Zhao Mu’s words, he felt as if he had been struck by a bolt of lightning.

If things were truly as Brother Zhao said, Hou Junji was only rushing to the palace to incite him because he was in trouble himself. As for the reason, Li Chengqian, as the Crown Prince, could figure it out with his eyes closed. Hou Junji must have been exposed for hoarding armor, and to cover his tracks or destroy the evidence, he had ordered his trusted aide Wang Meng to smuggle it out of the city. But the Duke’s residence had already been under surveillance, and a group of mysterious warriors had captured both the men and the evidence. Now, the fact that the Duke of Chen was hoarding imperial armor could no longer be hidden.

Wasn't he in deep trouble then? Hoarding armor was an act of treason—a crime punishable by the execution of one's entire clan!

Li Chengqian put himself in Hou Junji's shoes. If he were caught with evidence of treason, his only path left would be to rebel!

Hou Junji, oh Hou Junji! You were walking toward your own demise, yet you tried to drag me down with you?

Li Chengqian finally understood that he had almost been exploited by Hou Junji! Rebellion required deep planning; it was not something to be rushed! Since Hou Junji was already in dire straits, he could no longer afford to plan slowly.

As the realization hit, Li Chengqian was struck with terror, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead!

After a long while, he lifted his head, eyes filled with frustration, and said in a heavy voice, "Unbelievable... truly unbelievable! I thought I could control Hou Junji, this treacherous minister. Who would have thought he was using me all along! It seems Brother Zhao was right last night—this thief is clearly cut from the same cloth as Wang Mang!"

As he spoke, Li Chengqian suddenly stood up, intending to bow and thank Zhao Mu!

"Thanks to you, Brother Zhao, I have escaped a catastrophe! If I had been headstrong and listened to his lies, I would have fallen into an irreversible abyss!"

"You mustn't, Your Highness!" Zhao Mu waved his hands, dodging to the side with a smile. "I was merely curious, which is how I stumbled upon the Duke of Chen's secrets. There is no need for such formalities!"

Li Chengqian shook his head. "Brother Zhao, you are mistaken. If you hadn't taken the initiative to uncover the truth for me, I would still be kept in the dark. This bow is something you must accept!"

Despite Zhao Mu’s attempts to dodge, Li Chengqian bowed deeply and solemnly.

Zhao Mu had no choice but to accept, saying helplessly, "Your Highness, really. I’ve already said we are friends. Helping a friend in need is only right and proper! The way you act makes it seem like I’m asking for a reward for my favor!"