Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 395: Schemes

Perhaps it was also his own weakness. After all, he found it even more tempting when a mature big sister-like figure promised to “reward him” with the taste of endless reverie. He found it a good deal more irresistible.

Or maybe it was simply because he had only encountered a few women like this.

Although Yue Hongling was as passionate as fire, she was also straightforward and preferred simplicity. She did not play games, much less do anything seductive. When he wanted to try something different with her, she refused, saying that she would only try it if fate allowed them to meet again. But now, seeing how entangled he was in so many things, it seemed that it may never come to be.

Yet now, this “whatever you choose” was the real deal!

Zhao Changhe’s spirit was ablaze and he felt like he could take on ten Wang Daozhongs and beat them all to death.

“Where do you think you’re placing your hand?” Huangfu Qing playfully slapped his hand away and stood up with a teasing smile. “You were the one who said that this wasn’t the right place, yet now you can’t wait to act on your desire—hah, men...”

Zhao Changhe: “...”

Huangfu Qing bent down and kissed him on the cheek. “If you want things to go your way, you’d better get this done right... Give it your all, my little man.”

After saying that, she vanished, as if the house’s doors and windows were nothing to her.

On the other side, Tang Wanzhuang sighed. The walls were just as ineffective for her, and she heard everything clearly.

Zhao Changhe’s intentions aligned with the rebels, but she did not know how to stop him. The Yang Clan’s desire to revive their sword spirit was not harming anyone—it was a just cause, and helping them could even be said to be a righteous act. Not only could she not stop him, but if she had the ability, she should be assisting him herself.

The only thing that she could interfere with was the nature of the action.

Originally, Zhao Changhe attending this event with her would have naturally led others to believe that he had the favor of the Demon Suppression Bureau, or they might assume that it was a prince cleaning up after the emperor. But if he carried things out in the name of the Four Idols Cult, then the nature of his actions would be entirely different.

It could be boiled down to a fundamental question: if Zhao Changhe earned the Yang Clan’s favor, what would he use it for—to rebel or to maintain the stability of the empire?

On one side was the Four Idols Cult, and on the other was Tang Wanzhuang.

The Yang Clan had already seen this clearly. This was why Yang Bugui had previously asked about his inclinations, whether they were toward the Four Idols Cult or First Seat Tang.

It was ironic that outsiders could see everything clearly, while the people directly involved were still blinded by their emotions and had yet to figure it out.

Zhao Changhe himself did not want to enter the imperial court but also did not want to personally lead a rebellion. He largely portrayed himself as being part of the jianghu, as being neutral. However, Tang Wanzhuang knew that he had always been inclined toward overthrowing and rebuilding because he believed that Xia Longyuan’s way of governing only brought tragedy to the people—the more one tried to fix things, the more tragic it became.

The reason he had not personally led a rebellion was simply that he believed Xia Longyuan to be too powerful, and doing such things would be meaningless. If Xia Longyuan were just a bit weaker, Zhao Changhe would definitely have been at the forefront of a rebellion, which was why he was so close to the Four Idols Cult.

The reason he has been walking alongside Tang Wanzhuang was that he could not bear to see the suffering of the people, so he had been doing what he could, such as resisting foreign invaders and suppressing evil demonic cults. Continuing down this path, he might be able to leverage his ambiguous status as a prince, entering the fray with the attitude of “if you won’t take charge, I will.”

This was Tang Wanzhuang’s hope, and she believed it to be the best possible outcome.

But at his core, he was still a rebellious mountain bandit. If someone like Huangfu Qing enticed him, offering herself as a reward, he would slowly, inevitably, head down a different path.

How can I steer him back?

Huangfu Qing’s words echoed in her mind: “What has Tang Wanzhuang given you, huh?”

Right, what have I given him? He doesn’t seek power, so can I only talk to him about righteousness?

Looking at Cui Yuanyang, who was peacefully eating her melon because she could not hear what Huangfu Qing had said, Tang Wanzhuang wondered if she counted as something she had given him.

However, Cui Yuanyang was ultimately someone Zhao Changhe had risked his life to save; her affections were tied to him, so what did that have to do with anyone else?

Tang Wanzhuang knew what he truly wanted.

She pursed her lips tightly, remaining silent.

Cui Yuanyang suddenly said, “First Seat...”

Tang Wanzhuang came to her senses. “Ah?”

“I want to join the Demon Suppression Bureau.”

Tang Wanzhuang felt a wave of nostalgia as if she had returned to the time when she first met Cui Yuanyong, who had brought his sister to meet her. The young girl was eager to join the Demon Suppression Bureau, saying that it sounded exciting. Tang Wanzhuang had no intention of casually accepting the prized daughter of the Cui Clan into such a dangerous line of work, so she had cleverly redirected her to Beimang.

Time had passed, and much had changed, yet here she was, hearing the same question once more.

Tang Wanzhuang said, “Why, do you still find it exciting?”

“Because I need to grow up.” Cui Yuanyang looked at her seriously. “Many people say that I’m fated to be Big Brother Zhao’s wife. It’s been approved by my parents, with a matchmaker’s arrangement and a promise to the world. Once the promise is fulfilled, it will naturally come to be. But whether it’s my father or I, we actually feel slightly insecure about it.”

Tang Wanzhuang became interested. “Oh?”

“Because we have no real advantage,” Cui Yuanyang said. “Isn’t it funny? The Cui Clan of Qinghe, influence spanning across provinces, a clan leader ranked ninth on the Ranking of Heaven, endless resources... yet we have no real advantage. All simply because Big Brother Zhao does not care about any of that. It’s really troubling. If he valued these things, I might not like him as much; he would just be another typical man. Because he doesn’t, I admire him, but at the same time, I lose my advantages.”

Tang Wanzhuang’s expression shifted slightly.

This was actually very similar to her own situation. The greatest advantage she could offer him was the possibility of him becoming the emperor, but he did not care about that. So, what could she offer him?

“I’m not saying that my family doesn’t have its uses—I can still have our clan support him. But in that case, the value of the Cui Clan of Qinghe would outweigh that of myself, and I wouldn’t be happy if that were to happen,” said Cui Yuanyang softly. “I want him to think about me when he faces difficulties. I want to be the one who he can rely on rather than the Cui Clan. But can I be that person now? I’ve always just been a burden to him.”

Tang Wanzhuang: “...”

“I want to join the Demon Suppression Bureau, where I can fight evil, gain knowledge, and cultivate the righteous purple qi of the Cui Clan, improving my cultivation. I don’t need to be as powerful as you. As long as I can draw my sword and support him when he needs it, just like in Langya, I’d be happy.”

Baoqin, sitting nearby with her knees hugged to her chest, eyed this young girl who was about her age and inwardly scoffed.

So young, yet her mind is full of thoughts about how to be with a man. How shameless.

Also, when you say this, aren’t you baring your heart to a love rival? Do you think the young miss will help you find your worth? If it were me, I’d send you to some low-profile, insignificant branch where you’d spend your days drinking tea and strolling around, getting nothing down until you’re completely out of the picture.

Just as she was thinking this, she heard Tang Wanzhuang say, “Alright, once this matter is resolved, you can report to the Demon Suppression Bureau. I’ll arrange for you to have an official position.”

Cui Yuanyang brightened up. “What, really?”

Tang Wanzhuang replied seriously, “I’ll place you in the anti-bandit department, a department responsible for arresting thieves, bandits, murders, and those involved in robbery and vendettas... You’ll start as a deputy. We’ll see if you’re fit to become the chief officer. If you do well, and your cultivation improves, there’s no reason you couldn’t eventually join the major crimes department.”

Baoqin was stunned. Are you really going to train her?

Cui Yuanyang was overjoyed and asked, “What does the major crimes department do?”

“It handles cases of treason or major criminal cases involving powerful figures. Your opponents would mainly be the northern barbarians, aristocratic families, or demonic cults... Given your age, one day, your opponent may even be Xia Chichi.”

Cui Yuanyang’s eyes flashed with intense interest.

That sounds fun!

She stood up solemnly, bowed to Tang Wanzhuang, and respectfully offered her tea, “Greetings, bureau chief.”

Tang Wanzhuang accepted the tea, suddenly feeling a bit uneasy.

In the future, in a different setting, I wonder if you’ll offer me tea or throw it at me...

She cleared her throat and shifted to the main topic, “Yangyang, do you know what’s going on with the Yang Clan’s birthday banquet this time?”

Cui Yuanyang replied, “I only know that they’ve invited many renowned doctors, saying that Uncle Yang has encountered some cultivation issues related to his soul, which regular doctors can’t treat. I came \\ with some famous doctors from Hebei myself, hoping to see if they can help.”

Tang Wanzhuang pondered for a moment and then asked, “Do you have control over the Qinghe Sword?”

Cui Yuanyang naturally would not admit that the sword was still in a half-asleep state, currently being nurtured by Cui Yuanyong, so she could only respond with, “I can’t fully control it, but I’m still quite familiar with it. The Qinghe Sword and I get along quite well.”

From this, Tang Wanzhuang deduced that the issue with the Qinghe Sword, as discussed by Huangfu Qing and Zhao Changhe, was likely almost resolved, with Cui Yuanyang playing a significant role and possibly having gained considerable experience.

“In that case...” Tang Wanzhuang thought for a moment and then chuckled. “It seems they’re trying to keep us out of this, but it won’t be that easy to do so.”

Cui Yuanyang: “?”

Tang Wanzhuang continued, “Yangyang, the situation in the Yang Clan might seem calm on the surface, but there are some undercurrents. How about I give you a task?”

Cui Yuanyang was excited. “Please give me your instructions, bureau chief.”

“Keep an eye on the Wang Clan—Wang Daozhong and the people he brought, whether they’re really renowned doctors or attendants. If you notice anything unusual, inform me immediately.”

Baoqin was moved to tears.

Whether it’s because of rivalry or something else, the wise miss has returned!