Chapter Eighteen: A Sleepless Night

The turn of events was beyond anyone’s expectations. Upon hearing the news, Zhao Yu felt his blood surge with excitement, wishing he could join Lu Zhishen himself in carrying out this bold act.

Yet, would Gao Qiu be caught red-handed? Could Lin Chong be rescued? Would Lu Zhishen and the others escape safely? A host of questions left Zhao Yu restless, but at this moment, there was nothing he could do except wait for news.

His anxious expression only deepened Shi Qian’s respect for him. “Your Highness, you need not worry too much. Since Prefect Lu has dared to do this, he must have a plan to get away. Since it’s inconvenient for you to be directly involved, it’s best to wait here for news. I’ll go and scout things out.”

A man who could remain clear-headed and keep to his place was exactly the kind of person favored by those above.

Zhao Yu didn’t think too much about it. He nodded, saying, “Then I’ll leave it to you, brother. If both of them escape safely, try to bring them here—my residence is the safest hiding place right now.”

Shi Qian agreed with a clasped fist, then leapt out the window and vanished into the night.

The most dangerous place was also the safest. Unless the emperor himself gave the order, no one would dare search Prince Yi’s residence.

It was a strange thing: so much had happened between Zhao Yu and Gao Qiu, even involving Minister Cai, yet Emperor Huizong remained utterly unaware.

But considering Emperor Huizong’s character, it was not hard to understand. He cared for luxury and pleasure, never for the affairs of state. Cai Jing and his faction sold offices openly; Gao Qiu had even sold the imperial guard’s barracks to developers; Li Yan and his ilk incited public outrage… If all these things could be concealed, Zhao Yu’s small matter was nothing.

Deceiving those above but not those below was an unwritten rule of the ancient bureaucracy.

Tonight would be a sleepless one. Gao Qiu, as the Grand Commandant, was the commander of the capital’s defenses. His abduction quickly alarmed the imperial guards. Though there was no order forbidding the guards from acting, the generals could not miss such a chance to demonstrate their loyalty. Many of them led their personal troops to the Grand Commandant’s residence.

Bianliang was a city that never slept. With such a commotion—especially with the army mobilized—the news spread through the city in an instant.

In the Crown Prince’s residence, Zhao Huan had been suffering from insomnia for days over the matter of Xiao Yiyi, his bloodshot eyes almost like those of a red-eyed rat.

In his view, he didn’t care whom the woman he’d rejected loved, as long as it wasn’t Zhao Yu. To him, that was the utmost insult—intolerable—and he wanted revenge. The men surveilling Zhao Yu’s residence had been sent by him.

Every crown prince is surrounded by opportunists. Though Liang Shicheng had been on his side, his status meant he no longer needed to accompany the prince daily. So now, Zhao Huan could only consult others.

“Someone has kidnapped the Grand Commandant in the dead of night, and the person they want to save is connected to Zhao Yu. If I report this to Father, do you think he’ll punish Zhao Yu?”

Standing beside him was Yang Xu, the Deputy Prefect of the Crown Prince’s Household—a cunning and ruthless advisor whom Zhao Huan trusted deeply.

“Your Highness, in my view, you mustn’t take the lead in this matter. In fact, when others impeach Prince Yi, you should defend him vigorously. That way, you’ll win favor in His Majesty’s eyes.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Huan immediately saw the light and agreed delightedly: “Master, you are wise. Arrange for a censor to impeach him first thing in the morning.”

He paused, then asked, “And that wretched woman—did she just leave like that?”

Yang Xu could barely conceal his contempt for Zhao Huan. He wouldn’t marry the woman, but couldn’t bear her loving someone else; upon hearing she loved his rival, he then shamelessly sought to marry her. Was there any dignity left? Still, this golden patron could not be offended. Frowning, Yang Xu replied, “I hear the Empress has arranged a marriage for Prince Yi with the daughter of Left Chancellor Zhou Jinglong. Lord Zhou is said to be fiercely upright—if he learns that Prince Yi is associating with outlaws…”

Yang Xu understood Zhao Huan perfectly—he didn’t care whom Zhao Yu married; he only wanted to make Zhao Yu suffer. That was why he said what he did.

Zhao Huan was pleased, exclaiming, “With you by my side, Master, it’s as if I have Zhang Liang himself!”

The elderly sleep lightly, and the hurried footsteps of his servants quickly woke the restless Cai Jing.

After hearing the report, Cai Jing pondered for a long while before speaking slowly: “Send someone to Prince Yi’s residence and tell His Highness to present himself to the emperor and confess in the morning.”

The old fox, after days of investigation, was now certain that Zhao Yu lacked capable advisors—a fact that suited him perfectly. How else to highlight his own importance?

“Send word to Li Yan: the imperial guard belongs to the Son of Heaven. How can it be mobilized so lightly?”

Now that he was watching Zhao Yu closely, how could anything happening around Zhao Yu escape Cai Jing’s notice?

News of Li Yan’s failed attempt to find Gao Qiu had already reached Cai Jing. Knowing Li Yan’s character, Cai Jing was sure he now bore a grudge against Gao Qiu and would not miss this chance to sow discord between Huizong and Gao Qiu.

Soon, news reached Zhao Yu at Prince Yi’s residence.

Lu Zhishen had seized Gao Qiu, picked up Lin Chong, and forced Gao Qiu to open the city gates. Escorting them thirty miles out of the city, Lu Zhishen released Gao Qiu. By the time the pursuing guards caught up, Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong had vanished without a trace.

Receiving the definite news, Zhao Yu breathed a long sigh of relief. Among the heroes of “Water Margin,” Lu Zhishen was one of the few who met a good end—he truly was remarkable.

Lin Chong’s wife refused to come to Prince Yi’s residence, so, to ensure her safety, Zhao Yu had no choice but to assign a squad of guards to protect her.

If Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong could sneak back into his mansion, the matter would be truly perfect.

Thinking this, Zhao Yu smiled wryly to himself. If everything went according to one’s wishes, what effort would anything require?

As he pondered, Duan Feihe entered quickly and relayed the message from Cai Jing.

Zhao Yu was momentarily taken aback. Looking at Duan Feihe, he asked subconsciously, “Old Duan, what do you make of this?”

A straightforward man, Duan Feihe frowned and shook his head. “Forgive me, Your Highness, but I’m too dull to fathom Grand Tutor Cai’s intentions. Still, I think it best if Your Highness keeps your distance from that man, lest your reputation suffer.”

Cai Jing had monopolized power, sold offices, and was corrupt to the core—any one of his crimes was enough for execution and confiscation of property. No wonder he was counted among the Six Great Villains of the Northern Song. Only the muddle-headed Emperor Huizong still treasured him, not knowing the common people longed to eat his flesh and flay his skin.

After a moment’s thought, Zhao Yu broke into a smile. “It’s late. You should get some rest as well.”