Chapter 696: Wanzhuang Discusses the Situation

Chapter 696: Evening Makeup, Discussing the Situation

Zhao Changhe could understand that some people were not involved in the case, only connected through being former students, old subordinates, or relatives; they might not be "co-conspirators" but could still be called "accomplices." Ordinarily, they would face at least dismissal and investigation if not death.

Some might even have been truly involved, but before they could act, the mastermind was already crushed. Should these people be interrogated to the bottom?

According to Tang Wanzhuang's intention, the former would certainly not be dealt with, and she even wanted to let the latter go.

Tang Wanzhuang said, "Using those who have merits is not as good as using those who have faults. I even released Ding Jiang, and recently he has been quite useful. I believe that if we are magnanimous and do not investigate, they truly will not dare to have any further thoughts in the future. Instead, because they have a handle that could be used against them, they will be even more diligent and afraid to make mistakes."

Zhao Changhe hummed in agreement; such is human nature.

"However, this incident is different in nature from Ding Jiang's attack on me under orders... Just as whether to forgive Ding Jiang depends only on myself, if it were merely rebellion, His Majesty could declare that only the chief culprit would be executed, and the rest would be pardoned to win people's hearts. But involving the introduction of barbarians into the capital is a matter of principle. If His Majesty does not pursue this to the end, it would seem that he cares for nothing else as long as he secures his throne... And I cannot play the good person in this; if I did, I would be using this matter to gain fame for myself and cultivate a faction, and I would become a treacherous minister."

Zhao Changhe laughed. "Then I should be the treacherous minister?"

"Because you can cultivate a faction; the Cui family is your faction. Who dares to object?" Tang Wanzhuang bit her lower lip and said softly, "And... Tang Wanzhuang is also your faction. Do you want to rebel? I am willing to be your vanguard and help you kill that one."

"..."

I think you really want to kill them, don't you? Truth is always spoken in jest...

Tang Wanzhuang snorted twice to cover her emotions. "Anyway, what's wrong with you playing the treacherous minister? Aren't you one? Sleeping on the dragon bed, humiliating the empress dowager—if history records it..."

"People will say 'A man should be like this,' I'm sure."

Tang Wanzhuang: "?"

Zhao Changhe embraced her. "This treacherous minister also humiliates the Chief of the Demon Suppression Bureau..."

Tang Wanzhuang struggled. "We're discussing serious matters!"

"Alright, alright, serious matters." So he said, but once he held her, he didn't let go. Zhao Changhe exerted a little force with his arms, lifted the Chief from her chair, sat down himself in her place like a cuckoo occupying a magpie's nest, and then held her on his lap.

So soft, so fragrant.

Being held like this in her own office, Tang Wanzhuang felt even more ashamed than elsewhere, always feeling that someone was outside...

Zhao Changhe's hand climbed up to the Tiger Hill of Gusu, while he asked, "The serious matter? I'm waiting for you to tell me..."

Tang Wanzhuang's mind went blank; how could she remember any serious matter? Confusedly, she continued from where she had left off: "In fact, many officials not involved in this matter sincerely believe that the scope should not be too broad, but no one dares to speak out openly. Throughout the court and the countryside, only you can."

Only after finishing the sentence did she realize how shameful it was to discuss serious matters in such a posture. Poor Chief, her face flushed to the roots of her ears. She wanted to struggle, but the rogue was diverting her attention: "What do I need to do? Speak at court?"

Tang Wanzhuang instinctively replied, "If you're too lazy to go to court, just submit a memorial. For such matters, it only takes someone to take the lead, and others will naturally follow. Moreover, your coming to see me today can be made to seem as if it's for this matter, to shut me up..."

This was an official with a mind full of serious matters; her mental circuitry could be easily switched to serious topics, especially amusing when combined with the scene of the man's hand slipping into her clothes to play.

Zhao Changhe couldn't help laughing. "Shut you up? How? With noodles?"

Tang Wanzhuang blushed with anger and viciously twisted her foot on his toes.

If only others would say it was noodles—who knows how many in the court and countryside would imagine what was blocking the Chief's mouth in the Chief's Hall right now. The truth was similar... How could anyone discuss matters while playing with someone like this?

And, and she was getting aroused—what to do?

Seeing her puffed-up look, Zhao Changhe's appetite was whetted. He bent down and whispered in her ear, "Then let me block it."

Tang Wanzhuang said urgently, "Don't, I just ate noodles... mmm..."

Soon her head was turned, and he kissed her until the world spun.

Tang Wanzhuang was kissed with her eyes open; she stopped stepping on him, and her hands pushed nervously against his chest, always worried that this beast would do something reckless here—this place couldn't have that; if even a hint was heard, it would all be over...

Zhao Changhe found her look utterly adorable, but he didn't dare to make the Chief lose face completely. So he quickly released her, yet kissed her face and forehead several times with great affection: "So cute, my Chief..."

Though she knew he truly adored her, loved her to death, Tang Wanzhuang was still angry at his overly playful manner. She said resentfully, "I've changed my mind. If you ascend the throne, you will definitely be a tyrant rarely seen in history!"

Zhao Changhe just held her with a chuckle, resting his chin on her head, saying nothing.

Tang Wanzhuang scolded for a while, but feeling his genuine affection, her heart grew sweet. She hummed and curled up in his arms, pressing down on his mischievous hand to stop it from moving.

Zhao Changhe then stopped moving, and the two embraced quietly, enjoying a moment of tenderness on this cold winter afternoon.

After a long while, Tang Wanzhuang said softly, "Besides asking if I need help, you also have something to ask me, don't you?"

"Mm... just too lazy to speak. Holding you calms my heart and brings joy. I'll say it later."

"Go on... In this chaotic world, there's no time to rest peacefully like this... Once the world is settled, I'll accompany you under the moon and flowers, playing the zither and painting."

Zhao Changhe held her fragrant, soft body, still not wanting to speak, feeling listless. Tang Wanzhuang finally showed some displeasure: "You... let me guess. You're going out, aren't you?"

"Mm."

"Since you proposed letting Vermilion Bird stir things up in Jinzhong, and you trust that woman's ability so much, you probably won't go yourself. Given the current situation, Qin and Jin are forced to unite. To deal with the Three Jins, you must consider Guanlong. You're most likely going to solve the Li family's problem. But you can't do it alone; you'll probably contact Li Shentong in Bashu to see his stance. Before this, Li Shentong once attacked Hanzhong, and during the Dragon-Slaying War, he was extremely angry at the Li family's actions. He's a potential ally... This trip, you must go to Bashu."

Zhao Changhe listened quietly, sighing inwardly, and finally said, "Yes."

"And Li Shentong and Yuxu are old friends; Yuxu was also a participant in the Dragon-Slaying War. These two cannot be viewed separately. Plus, the Thief Saint took the Eternal Heavenly Divine Axe. You'll probably go find the Thief Saint, so you must go to Kunlun. Between the two, you might go to Kunlun first, since sending an envoy to Li Shentong is enough, but Kunlun requires you personally. So you came to me because you think Kunlun is dangerous and want my insights?"

"Yes."

Tang Wanzhuang finally smiled. "Doesn't the Four Symbols Sect have a spy there? Willow Earth River Deer or something... Why doesn't Vermilion Bird give you advice instead of asking me?"

Zhao Changhe coughed. "Willow Earth River Deer was exposed when we went there before; they withdrew long ago. They couldn't stay forever—that would be the Four Symbols Sect provoking Yuxu."

"Their spy is gone, but my Demon Suppression Bureau has no spy there either. What use is asking me?"

"Isn't it because you're clever? You can always analyze something..."

"If you really want my opinion, I'd say don't go. Can you?"

"..."

"Since you can't, my suggestion is: take a different path, find someone, and bring them along."

"Who?"

"Sisi." Tang Wanzhuang said leisurely, "First, when dealing with Li Shentong, you can't just appeal to righteousness. No matter what his original motive for rising up was, now he's a leader of a faction and must be responsible to many people in his power. While speaking of righteousness, you need to make them understand that we are not here to beg him; we also pose a threat to him. Where is the threat? Miaojiang is right behind them."

Zhao Changhe hissed; he hadn't thought of that.

"Don't think of this as us colluding with a foreign tribe. The difference is that this foreign tribe is submissive to you and serves you." Tang Wanzhuang turned her head and looked at him with burning eyes. "Can you guarantee that?"

Zhao Changhe hesitated for a moment. "Probably."

Tang Wanzhuang nodded. "This is your advantage, different from everyone else in the world."

She paused, then continued, "As for the Thief Sect... Ji Chengkong and the others are no good; at their age, they barely made it to the end of the Hidden Dragon list, and now they'll probably be off it. The only one who can truly inherit the Thief Saint's intent is Sisi. Back then, it wasn't necessarily that the Thief Saint was so magnanimous as to not pursue Sisi; in fact, this reason was involved. In other words, Sisi can truly influence the Thief Saint's decisions. Moreover, the Thief Saint has been in Kunlun for so long—what is his relationship with Yuxu? Did you ever look into it?"

"...No, our relationships never reached the point of digging to the bottom."

"Then this time, if you take Sisi north, the relationship will reach that point."

Zhao Changhe said sincerely, "It's not without reason that the Four Symbols Sect is suppressed by you."

"No need to praise me..." Tang Wanzhuang said softly. "In this chaotic situation, we can't do much. All we can do is create a stable rear for you. When you go on campaign abroad, I worry day and night. I only wish for your safe return. Don't always take your life lightly... Even if you can't accomplish anything, it's fine. No matter how bad the situation gets, remember that we will bear it together."

Zhao Changhe said, "Don't worry. Heaven is blind. A bad person like me won't die."

It was unclear whether this was a promise or a joke at someone's expense.

Tang Wanzhuang didn't bother to discern. She said softly, "'A thousand sails pass by, but none are him; the slanting sun lingers, the waters flow long.' In past years, when I read this poem, I thought I understood. Since you went south to Qinghe, only a short month has passed, yet I am burning with worry, looking forward day and night. Only now do I realize how shallow the words on paper are."

Zhao Changhe's playful mood vanished. He said softly, "Don't worry."

"You are gathering the rivers and mountains for the world, bearing a heavy burden. We cannot stop you. This journey is ten thousand li; I don't know when we will meet again... You must remember, there is someone in the capital waiting for you."

[End of Volume Seven]

Volume Eight: Sealing the Wolf's Dwelling Place