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墨書 Inktalez
In the Meng Family Half Saint, it is said in Wanzhang: "What happens without action is the will of heaven; what arrives without seeking is fate." This essentially means that what comes to pass without effort is divine intention, and what arrives without pursuit is destiny. In later generations, there arose the saying, "What is destined to happen will eventually happen; what is not destined cannot be forced," which expresses the whimsical nature of fate that cannot be altered by human effort.
At this point, Princess Jinyang and Zhang Jiunian had changed into dark night clothes and stealthily entered Du Chuke's residence to uncover the truth. It seemed that Zhang Jiunian was favored by fate, as they found themselves in Du Chuke's study, where they inadvertently overheard a dispute between Li Gang from the Eastern Palace and the host, revealing a significant conspiracy!
The two felt secure in the depths of the residence, with bodyguards patrolling. Moreover, they were attending the funeral of the short-lived Du Huan that day, so they spoke without restraint, airing all their dirty laundry during their argument. This left Zhang Jiunian shocked and terrified, realizing that many princes were restless, making it difficult for Chang'an to remain peaceful!
After all, even with walls separating them, one cannot hear everything. Zhang Jiunian held his breath and focused intently, completely forgetting his caution. Just as he was listening closely to an important part of the conversation, he suddenly heard a thunderous shout from behind: "What a bold thief! Daring to steal from the royal family! Prepare to fight!"
Zhang Jiunian's heart sank. As he turned around, he heard a whooshing sound beside him; a staff was sweeping toward him. He hurriedly ducked to avoid it and kicked the bodyguard in the chest, sending him flying!
These bodyguards were skilled fighters eager for Du Family's generous rewards. Seeing their leader attacked, several rushed in with weapons drawn. Zhang Jiunian had only brought a short dagger for convenience and found himself overwhelmed by numbers. He was forced into the courtyard, where he fought back while retreating but could not escape!
The commotion startled the two masters inside. Li Gang and Du Chuke were not young men anymore; although Du Chuke had some fighting skills, his age made him cautious. He only opened a small gap for Li Gang and instructed the bodyguards to deal with Zhang Jiunian harshly!
It was midnight; apart from a young maid weeping at the vigil, there was no other sound. Hearing the ruckus outside, servants grabbed various tools and ran about shouting "Thief! Catch the thief!" The entire residence was thrown into chaos.
"This might end badly here! Let's see how it goes; if things don't work out, I'll end this worthless life myself without troubling Lord!"
Zhang Jiunian was a loyal and brave man. Seeing that he was outnumbered in Du Mansion and realizing he could not fight alone, he gritted his teeth and resolved that if captured, he would face brutal punishment. Fearing for his life and wanting to protect Princess Jinyang from harm, he decided to take drastic measures.
Meanwhile, Princess Jinyang was on the other side of the residence searching Du Huan's room. Hearing chaotic footsteps and shouts outside made her cautious. When she peeked out, she saw servants rushing toward the East Wing and realized Zhang Jiunian had been exposed. She thought about going over to support him.
After crouching in her room for a moment until all the bodyguards had run past, she quietly opened her door. However, just as she did so, she heard a startled shout from behind: "Which traitor dares to steal from our master?"
It turned out that this person mistakenly thought Princess Jinyang was just a petty servant trying to steal something. But Princess Jinyang recognized that voice clearly—it belonged to Zhao Yong, who had harmed Caesar during the day!
It truly is a narrow path for enemies. Zhao Yong had just humiliated Xu Zhen during the day and was planning to take credit at Du Chuke's place. However, Master Du was busy receiving important guests in his study, so Zhao Yong settled down in a teahouse in the west wing. Unexpectedly, a thief appeared in the East Wing. Concerned for Master Du's safety, Zhao Yong rushed over but, being weak and short-legged, he fell behind due to his plump figure.
Just as he was feeling anxious, he encountered a small thief taking advantage of the chaos. He shouted loudly, and when the thief turned around, Zhao Yong saw a tall figure clad in tight-fitting dark clothing with a black veil covering their face. The person had a well-built physique resembling that of an adult cheetah, clearly skilled in martial arts. Zhao Yong felt a surge of fear and regretted his lack of foresight; he was now in trouble and quickly called for help.
Xu Zhen initially did not want to get involved with this official, but upon realizing her presence had been discovered, she knew it would become troublesome if it escalated. Remembering the grievances Caesar had suffered, her anger flared up. She moved swiftly, taking three or four steps at once like the wind, and before Zhao Yong could utter a word, she had seized him by the neck. The old man flailed helplessly like a duck being strangled, completely disorganized and weak. Xu Zhen struck him with a chop to knock him unconscious.
After quickly searching him and finding nothing of value, Xu Zhen was also concerned about Zhang Jiunian's safety. She tossed Zhao Yong into Dead Ghost Du Huan's room and hurried towards the East Wing.
On her way, she pondered that with so many bodyguards gathering there, it was likely Zhang Jiunian was already surrounded. Charging in alone would not change the situation; if Zhang Jiunian were captured and the matter came to light, not only Caesar but even Xu Zhen herself would be implicated along with Zhang Jiunian.
With this thought in mind, Xu Zhen steeled herself. Du Chuke was no innocent party either; she felt little guilt about harming him. She found an unused room and set fire to a lantern.
"Fire! Fire!" As she ignited the flames, she moved stealthily through the mansion using Moya's night concealment technique like a shadow, climbing walls and rafters without being seen.
Meanwhile, Zhang Jiunian was struggling to hold on. Although there were many people in Du Mansion, they feared Zhang Jiunian's prowess as a seasoned warrior on the battlefield and dared not approach him immediately. Du Chuke and Li Gang wanted to take advantage of the situation but ordered that no one should be harmed; they were determined to capture him alive.
Just as things were getting tangled up, flames shot up from the west wing, causing family members to scream as chaos erupted throughout the mansion. People rushed to fetch water to extinguish the fire. Seeing how urgent the situation was, Du Chuke decisively sent half of his men to fight the fire while instructing the other half to prepare nets and traps to surround Zhang Jiunian like wolves closing in on their prey.
"This is it!"
Du Chuke was overjoyed at this sight and was about to see Zhang Jiunian's face when suddenly a dart flew from above and struck his foot, piercing through it and nearly pinning him to the ground!
"Ouch! There's an assassin!!!"
Du Chuke screamed as his bodyguards rushed forward to shield him with their bodies while desperately trying to move into the room!
Li Gang's movements were not very nimble as he closely followed Du Chuke, anxious to catch a glimpse of the thief's face. To his surprise, the thief had accomplices who launched hidden weapons to harm him, forcing him to hurriedly hide behind a nearby pillar.
This hiding was not without consequence; trying to return to his room became difficult. The bodyguards were rushing to move their master and paid no attention to Li Gang. He shouted from the periphery but found no way out, so he could only retreat back behind the pillar.
Before the bodyguards could enter the room, several flying daggers suddenly shot over, taking down three of the outer bodyguards with incredible precision!
Zhang Jiunian, aware that Xu Zhen was coming to aid him, seized the opportunity to cut through the net and gained his freedom. He initially intended to escape amidst the chaos but saw Li Gang trembling in the shadow of the pillar.
"This is quite fortuitous!"
Zhang Jiunian sprang up from the ground like a fish leaping onto land, using Xu Zhen's flying daggers as cover. Taking advantage of the confusion, he dashed into the corridor and brandished a short knife, scaring Li Gang so much that his legs turned weak, his eyes went white, and with a scream, he collapsed onto the ground!
He still had a secret letter in his possession that he hadn't delivered to Du Chuke, but Zhang Jiunian managed to find it. After securing it, he hurriedly took three or four steps and leaped onto the wall, flipping over like a magpie and disappearing into the night.
Seeing Zhang Jiunian free himself, Xu Zhen also withdrew her hand, jumping down from the rooftop. She found a small path into the streets and soon left Du Mansion's vicinity, choosing obscure routes to escape.
However, Zhang Jiunian was not as skilled as Zhou Cang and encountered multiple attackers who surrounded and beat him. He sustained numerous injuries. Upon returning home, Xu Zhen quickly summoned Moya for treatment.
Despite this, Zhang Jiunian was a strategist with a quick mind. He thought about how although Xu Zhen's flying daggers had saved him in an emergency, very few in Tang Army were adept at using them. Moreover, Xu Zhen's daggers were specially made and could easily be recognized; at that point, Du Chuke would also know Xu Zhen's identity!
Hearing Zhang Jiunian's concerns, Xu Zhen smiled slyly and patted his shoulder, assuring him to focus on healing without worrying about the flying daggers.
Xu Zhen was not reckless; knowing she had to investigate dangerous situations meant she had to prepare thoroughly. She had already replaced her flying daggers with inferior ones that any moderately skilled craftsman could make—items that would leave no trace.
Zhang Jiunian felt reassured and took out Li Gang's secret letter to hand over to Xu Zhen. She immediately unfolded it and after reading it carefully, was greatly astonished!
Historical Records recorded that Tubo was often rebellious, even attempting to assassinate his own teacher. After reading the letter, Xu Zhen was furious, declaring that Li Gang truly deserved to die!
The Secret Letter contained many slanders against Tubo, comparing him to Later Shu's incapable A Dou, and inciting King Wei Li Tai to seize power. It hinted that a significant event might occur during the New Year Feast, urging King Wei to prepare accordingly.
This New Year Feast was destined to be tumultuous. Xu Zhenxin had anticipated this, but upon reading Li Gang's Secret Letter, the reality felt increasingly vivid and certain.
By now, night had fallen, and the palace gates were already closed. Xu Zhenxin, disguised as Caesar, could not wait any longer. He changed into the attire of an Imperial Guard Colonel, tucked the Secret Letter into his clothing, and headed straight to the residence of Chief Scribe of the Jin Prince's Office Zhao Gongcun.
Among the officials in court, many were blind to the truth, perceiving Prince Li Zhi as timid and weak, lacking both the decisiveness of Crown Prince Li Chengqian and the extraordinary talent of King Wei Li Tai. They believed he could only rely on filial piety to make any impact; yet, was being dutiful enough to become emperor?
If not for the support of old ministers like Changsun Wuji and Li Jue (Xu Shiji), Prince Li Zhi would not have received adequate attention from the court.
However, Xu Zhen understood the future; although Li Zhi was moderate, he ultimately ascended to the throne and even established the prosperous Zhenguan Era. At this point, since Li Zhi had taken the initiative to reach out, Xu Zhen had no choice but to align with him. If this Secret Letter fell into Tubo's hands, Li Gang would surely lose his life, putting the position of the crown prince in jeopardy.
In this case, before waiting for Han Wang Li Yuanchang Rebellion, the crown prince would fall from grace, completely deviating from what was recorded in the Historical Records. Moreover, if Xu Zhen intervened, all consequences would ultimately fall back on her, unaware of how great an impact it would cause!
Considering this, it was imperative that the Secret Letter did not reach Tubo. Therefore, she had no choice but to seek out Li Zhi, using the value of the Secret Letter as leverage to negotiate and ensure that he could help rescue Caesar!
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