Chapter Thirty-Seven: Someone Schemes

The sound of footsteps from the Emperor and Li Shishi gradually faded into the distance, allowing Zhao Yu’s tightly wound nerves to finally relax. Only now did he realize that the place where he was hiding was actually an artfully constructed secret alcove. Though just large enough to accommodate a single person, it was surprisingly comfortable and not the least bit stifling.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Yu couldn’t help but let out a wry chuckle. It seemed that Miss Shishi was not quite as composed as she appeared! This spot was clearly designed to prevent jealous rivals from barging in unexpectedly. But the real question was—how could he ever be considered a rival to the Emperor himself?

Still, such a beauty ending up with someone like Emperor Huizong—a man so utterly lacking in virtue—was truly a pity...

Just as he was about to slip out of his hiding place, another set of footsteps approached. Soon, a voice called out softly, “His Majesty the Daojun is resting, you may come out now…”

“The brothel keeper is quite attentive, knowing someone is still hiding here…”

Zhao Yu was about to respond when a sudden thought struck him. Something was wrong. Very few people knew he was here. Even if someone were to notify him that it was safe to leave, it should have been the brothel keeper or one of his own men who had been lying in wait earlier. Yet this voice was utterly unfamiliar. Could it be…?

As the realization struck, cold sweat broke out on Zhao Yu’s forehead. He recalled the Emperor’s earlier words and finally understood: the Emperor’s visit here tonight was no whim—someone had informed on him, and the Emperor had come to catch an adulterer in the act…

The voice outside continued to call, but Zhao Yu dared not move a muscle.

Suddenly, he heard a sharp shout: “Who goes there? Stop!”

“There’s an assassin! Protect His Majesty—return to the palace at once!”

At this, the previously quiet night erupted into chaos. The sounds of running feet thundered in all directions, then converged as everyone rushed toward a single location.

“An assassin? How did that happen?”

Zhao Yu’s heart lurched, but then he realized what must have happened. Lin Chong, who had been waiting outside the courtyard, sensed danger and was now creating a diversion to give him a chance to escape.

Thinking back to those footsteps he hadn’t paid enough attention to earlier, Zhao Yu couldn’t help feeling a wave of lingering fear. If he’d truly been discovered, he’d never have been able to clear his name.

Gradually, the chaotic shouting faded into the distance. At last, Zhao Yu heard the voice of one of his men.

“Brother Yu, hurry, let’s go!”

Zhao Yu didn’t dare hesitate. Guided by his subordinate, he swiftly left Li Shishi’s residence behind…

Not long after, he saw countless soldiers hurrying toward Gold Coin Alley.

Though he had escaped unscathed, Zhao Yu felt little relief. If his guess was right, all of this had been a trap set especially for him. And what was more troubling, there might be a spy embedded among his own bodyguards. Otherwise, how could his whereabouts have been tracked so precisely?

They hadn’t gone far when Lin Chong slipped out of the shadows to join him.

“Brother, you’d better re-examine your guards thoroughly. This is no simple matter.”

“Don’t worry, Your Highness. I will. Now, should we return to the residence or…?”

“Let’s go to the sports hall. I’ve already asked Old Jiang to bring those men from Jiangnan there.”

Zhao Yu made no mention of his recent ordeal, and Lin Chong didn’t ask—an unspoken understanding between the two, proof that Lin Chong was indeed a most capable protector.

“Oh, by the way, there’s someone I’d like to ask you about. Do you know of a man named Lu Junyi from the Grand Prefecture?”

Zhao Yu’s inquiry was cautious, for the Lin Chong he knew now looked quite different from the one described in the tales of Water Margin.

In the stories, Lin Chong was nicknamed “Panther Head”—a reference both to his martial prowess and his appearance, with a broad head, round eyes, and a rugged, bearded face. But the Lin Chong by Zhao Yu’s side was the kind of handsome man that could inspire envy in anyone.

There was another saying handed down through the ages: that Lin Chong, Lu Junyi, and Yue Fei were all fellow disciples under the same master, Zhou Tong, who had even taught Wu Song his skills.

Although Lin Chong still seemed close to Lu Zhishen, Zhao Yu could no longer be sure this was the same “Panther Head” of Liangshan who was sworn brothers with Lu Junyi.

Lin Chong nodded, replying, “Master of both spear and staff, is there anyone in the world who doesn’t know Lord Lu? Why does Your Highness ask about him?”

Zhao Yu wasn’t looking for Lu Junyi himself, but rather for Yan Qing. His connection with Li Shishi had become far too dangerous; it was time to find someone else.

A man might be fond of beauty, but not every woman is worth the risk.

“Send someone with a letter inviting him to our residence, and make sure he brings Yan Xiaoyi along.”

Lin Chong immediately understood from Zhao Yu’s words that it was really Yan Xiaoyi he wanted to meet.

The construction of the World Football Hall was progressing smoothly, thanks in no small part to Zhao Yu’s deep pockets. He had also transferred the idle men from Old Jiang’s crew to the site, speeding up the work and providing them with extra income—a win-win situation for all.

Hearing that Zhao Yu had arrived, Liu Heizi, the foreman, hurried over to pay his respects.

Zhao Yu asked a few questions about the project and whether Old Jiang and his men had arrived yet.

Liu Heizi answered each question, but just then, a worker emerged from inside, clutching his head.

The worker was covered in dust, and blood seeped through his fingers. Clearly, he’d been injured while working.

There was a foreman on site, who immediately led the injured worker aside for treatment.

Zhao Yu had strictly forbidden the exploitation of laborers, so the workers here enjoyed the best pay and conditions—and were the most motivated as a result.

Liu Heizi noticed that Zhao Yu’s gaze followed the injured worker, and he grew uneasy. Had he done something wrong and angered His Highness?

But then Zhao Yu suddenly slapped his forehead. “How could I have forgotten this? Heizi, send someone at once to make a special kind of hat.”

As he spoke, Zhao Yu squatted down and began drawing in the dirt with a small stick, explaining as he went. The design he sketched was nothing less than the prototype of a safety helmet from modern times.

Plastic wasn’t available in this era, but rattan could be used instead. Zhao Yu remembered that early safety helmets had been woven from rattan.

Once Zhao Yu finished explaining the purpose and benefits of the helmet, Liu Heizi was awestruck.

“Your Highness is truly a genius! To come up with such a thing—my admiration knows no bounds!”

“Enough with the flattery. Just remember, this is to be produced exclusively by us. Others may use it, but only if they pay.”

This was, after all, a patent. Not turning it into silver would be a terrible waste.

Even Lin Chong had to admire Zhao Yu’s ingenuity. With these helmets, worker safety would improve dramatically—though His Highness’s love of money was, perhaps, a little excessive…

Liu Heizi happily agreed and hurried off, already deciding in his heart that this safety helmet, invented by His Highness, should be named the “Longevity Cap”…

Unaware of Liu Heizi’s intentions, Zhao Yu took a stroll around the site with Lin Chong, eventually arriving at the public hall beneath the reviewing platform.

As if it had been arranged, Zhao Yu hadn’t even warmed his seat or sipped his tea before Old Jiang appeared in the doorway.

“Brother Yu, the guests have arrived.”

Zhao Yu beckoned to the respectful Old Jiang at the door. “Guests are always welcome—invite them in!”

At Zhao Yu’s command, Old Jiang stepped aside, allowing two burly, imposing men to enter.

At that very moment, Zhao Yu sensed a sudden shift—an intimidating aura emanated from Lin Chong, who stood behind him…