plumnovel Chapter 16 Spy
Chapter 16 Spy
The morning sunlight slanted in through the window, spreading out dappled light on the floor.
Zhao Heng sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, his chest rising and falling with his breath. The warm, moist feeling in his dantian was much more solid than it had been two days ago, like a pebble sinking to the bottom of still water, slowly turning with each breath.
His senses have become increasingly acute, and he can even hear the servants talking in hushed tones through the courtyard wall.
"...Young Master's complexion has improved a lot these past two days."
"That's right. I went to Mr. Wei's study yesterday to listen to his lectures, and I sat there for two hours."
"I heard that the mistress gave all the fine silks from the storeroom to Guard Meng and his men..."
The sound faded into the distance.
Zhao Heng slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, opened his eyes, stood up, and stretched his muscles.
After several days of breathing exercises and recuperation, the fatigue from falling into the water has completely dissipated, and my limbs and bones feel light and agile.
He walked to the bronze mirror. The boy in the mirror had handsome features, but his skin was a bit too pale, making him look like a nobleman who had been kept in a secluded mansion for a long time and whose features were even more distinct.
At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the door and stopped at the steps. Then, Meng Ben's deep voice said, "Young Master, Zhao Su requests an audience."
"Come in."
The door opened, and Zhao Su followed Meng Ben in. In just two days, he looked thinner, his eyes sunken. When he entered, he quickly glanced at Zhao Heng, then lowered his head and tucked his hands into his sleeves.
Meng Ben stood by the door with his hand on his sword, his gaze fixed on Zhao Su's back like an eagle eyeing a rabbit.
"Young Master," Zhao Su knelt and bowed, "last night... someone came."
Zhao Heng remained calm, walked to the table, sat down, picked up the earthenware pot, poured half a cup of warm water, and pushed it towards the table: "Tell me slowly."
Zhao Su dared not take the water, but instead lowered his body and said urgently, "Last night at three-quarters past 9 PM, someone asked to see this old servant in the alley behind the mansion. That person asked, 'Since you woke up these past few days, have you been behaving strangely? Especially... how is your mind and thoughts compared to before?' The questioning was extremely detailed, even asking what time you get up each day, what time you eat, who you talk to, and what you say."
"What did you answer?" Zhao Heng asked.
"As you instructed, young master, I only said that you are weak after your illness, often have nightmares, and sometimes talk in your sleep with fear. But during the day, you are still a child at heart, just quieter than usual and don't like to play anymore."
Zhao Su said, "This old servant added a few more words, saying that the mansion has strictly ordered everyone not to discuss the young master's illness, especially not to mention any nonsense about 'a drastic change in temperament,' and those who violate this rule will be severely punished. After hearing this, the man was silent for a moment, and then asked if the young master had mentioned going to Weifeng Lane again."
"Oh?" Zhao Heng picked up his glass of water and slowly took a sip.
"The old servant said that the young master has been resting quietly these past two days and has not mentioned it. But given the young master's previous obsession with that Qin hostage, he will probably still want to go after he recovers. So the man did not ask any more questions, but only told the old servant to keep a close eye on things and report any movement immediately, and then left."
After Zhao Su finished speaking, he saw that Zhao Heng only looked down at the water in the cup and remained silent. He took a breath, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He then carefully added:
"Young master, after thinking it over, I realized that since that person specifically came to ask, he must be suspicious. I've considered it, and perhaps we should turn the tables on him—"
He knelt forward half a step, lowering his voice: "We'll go along with their suspicions and lie, saying that the young master is indeed mentally damaged, acting foolishly, and often terrified. This will lower their guard, making them think the young master is nothing to worry about. And since we're acting in secret, it'll be even more..."
"And cheaper too?" Zhao Heng put down the pottery cup and suddenly smiled.
Zhao Su's smug smile froze instantly.
Zhao Heng looked at him and said, "Chief Zhao, do you think the other party is stupid, or do you think I am?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Meng Ben pressed down on the hilt of his sword.
Zhao Su's face turned deathly pale. He hurriedly prostrated himself on the ground, his voice trembling, "Young Master! This old servant had absolutely no such intention! This old servant is foolish and thought things through, only wanting to share your burdens... Please give your instructions, Young Master, this old servant will certainly do as you say!"
Zhao Heng then slowly stood up, walked around the table, and stood in front of Zhao Su, saying:
"Gao Qu came to my residence that day and confronted me in court. I refuted his arguments clearly and logically, with every sentence focusing on 'reason,' 'law,' and 'emotion.' Could an eleven-year-old sick child have uttered such words? Gao Qu will surely report back to the palace. Anyone behind him who isn't an idiot will already know that I'm 'different from before.' This matter cannot be kept secret."
Zhao Su's face turned pale.
Furthermore,
Zhao Heng continued:
"Although Chunpingjun's residence is not as grand as it once was, it is still the residence of the eldest son of the Prince of Zhao. There are no fewer than a hundred servants, retainers, and maids in the mansion. Zhao Family Supervisor is one of their informants, but who knows if there aren't a second or third pair of eyes? If others report that my words and actions are strange, and you alone insist that I am foolish and dull-witted... Zhao Su, what do you think the other side will think?"
Zhao Su's forehead was covered in cold sweat.
"To discard a pawn already planted in the enemy's hands for something that can't be concealed at all," Zhao Heng squatted down, looking Zhao Su straight in the eye, "that's called losing the big picture for the small. Zhao Family Supervisor, you've been in charge of the household for so many years, can't you even figure this out?"
Zhao Su trembled and prostrated himself on the ground, saying, "This old servant is foolish... I almost ruined your important matter, young master! Please, young master, advise me on how to handle this situation?"
"Get up and speak." Zhao Heng stood up, walked back behind the desk and sat down.
Zhao Su's legs felt weak, and he had to brace himself to stand up. Meng Ben watched him coldly from the doorway, his hand still resting on the hilt of his sword.
"Since they ask, just answer truthfully."
Zhao Heng counted on his fingers and said:
"After I recovered from my illness, I was indeed more composed and spoke more coherently than before, but I still had the willful behavior of a child. For example, I was grateful to Meng Ben and the others for jumping into the water to save me, so I specially asked my mother to reward Meng Ben and the others with four bolts of white silk; for example, I insisted on going out to visit friends, and my mother and Madam Fu could not persuade me no matter what. This is half true and half false, and they can judge for themselves."
Zhao Su nodded quickly.
"Furthermore," Zhao Heng paused, "you can offer them a suggestion: say that you have secretly won over Meng Ben under the guise of appeasing your retainers. You can say that Meng Ben, grateful for the reward but feeling uncertain about his future, has been persuaded by you and is willing to secretly keep an eye on my movements and any unusual activity in my residence, acting as an inside agent."
Meng Ben, understanding the implication, replied in a deep voice, "I understand."
Zhao Su was stunned. He opened his mouth, then stammered for a long while, "This...Young Master, wouldn't this mean they're extending their reach even further into the mansion?"
"It's good that you're helping yourself." Zhao Heng smiled slightly, but didn't explain further. He simply asked, "Have you remembered everything?"
"I understand, I understand." Zhao Su didn't dare to ask any more questions and bowed repeatedly. "This old servant will definitely take care of it."
"Go. Next time they contact you, give me a full report of the time, place, and what they said." Zhao Heng waved his hand. "Meng Ben, stay."
Zhao Su felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He staggered out the door, almost tripping over the threshold.
Meng Ben closed the door and walked to the desk: "Young Master."
"sit."
Meng Ben knelt down on the mat opposite him.
"Pretend to be bribed, but be careful not to overdo it." Zhao Heng looked at him: "You are a Zhao native and a retainer of the household. If they really come to you, they will only offer you money and a promising future. They might even hint that if the Chunping Lord's mansion falls in the future, they can guarantee your safety."
Meng Ben nodded: "I understand. They will think that I am wavering because the young master is young and the lord is far away in Xianyang."
"Not bad." Zhao Heng took out a small cloth bag from under the table and pushed it over. "Inside are a few taels of gold that I asked Madam Fu for. Keep it and use it when the opportunity arises. Also, if they give you money, accept it openly and appear greedy; if they don't, you can occasionally show that you care about money, so that they feel there is an opportunity to take advantage of you."
Meng Ben took the cloth bag; it felt heavy in his hand. He gripped it tightly and whispered, "I will certainly not fail the young master's trust."
"Be careful with intelligence transmission," Zhao Heng said thoughtfully. "From now on, you will work with Zhao Su. Zhao Su is a man..."
He didn't finish his sentence, only saying, "He's a smart man. When dealing with him, you need to both utilize him and be wary of him. If you have the opportunity, you can try to use him to probe his intelligence network and see who else is involved and what connections they have."
"promise."
After giving his instructions, Zhao Heng remained silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Is the wound on your back still very painful?"
The topic changed abruptly, startling Meng Ben. He then shook his head, a hint of embarrassment on his face: "It's just a flesh wound, nothing serious. I should thank you for the medicine, young master."
"Take your medicine on time, don't skimp on it," Zhao Heng briefly instructed, then said, "Go and prepare it. Tell Ji Cheng and the others that I'm going out later."
Meng Ben rose, bowed, and left the study.
At the end of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), Zhao Heng finished getting ready and specially changed into an indigo-blue narrow-sleeved robe. He tied his hair up with a matching cloth ribbon and made a simple bun at the back of his head, leaving no loose hair.
This outfit made him look clean and neat, not like a pampered young master, but more like a small-scale scholar.
He went to the inner courtyard to say goodbye to his mother and his mother.
Madam Han was still worried. She held his hand and said many things, telling him to go and come back soon and not to argue with anyone. Madam Fu even went ahead and carefully checked Ji Cheng and Luan Ding's swords and attire before letting them go.
When they arrived at the outer courtyard, Ji Cheng and Luan Ding were already waiting outside the door.
Both men had changed into the usual guards' attire, in dark brown short coats, with long swords at their waists, but the scabbards were wrapped in coarse cloth, making their design unrecognizable.
Meng Ben left and then returned, walking quickly from the corridor with a furrowed brow, clearly still harboring concerns.
"Young Master, let's prepare the carriage. Walking there is a long way, and the streets are crowded..."
"No need," Zhao Heng straightened his cuffs. "Traveling by carriage at a rapid pace, hiding and concealing myself, would only make me seem guilty. I'll walk openly and honestly, leaving no room for criticism. Does anyone dare to point their finger at me and accuse me of 'colluding with Qin' in broad daylight on the streets of Handan? Even if they did, so what? I act with integrity; why should I fear what others say?"
Luan Ding stepped forward, lowering his voice: "Young Master, although walking is convenient, the streets are a melting pot of all sorts of people. What if there are petty thieves..."
"Gao Qulai caused a scene at the manor, and now how many eyes in Handan are watching the Chunping Jun manor? If something happens to me now, I would be too suspicious, which is not what the person behind it wants."
Zhao Heng spoke calmly:
"Besides, I went to Weifeng Lane. Some people might be hoping I continue to entangle with the Qin hostage so they can make their next move."
Meng Ben and Luan Ding exchanged a glance, still feeling uneasy.
Only Ji Cheng, gripping his sword hilt, said in a deep voice, "Since you have made your decision, young master, we will swear to protect you to the death. Even if something happens, our blood will precede your clothes!"
Zhao Heng nodded with satisfaction and raised his hand. Ji Cheng was puzzled at first, then chuckled awkwardly and squatted down a little, allowing Zhao Heng to calmly pat him on the shoulder.
Zhao Heng then asked Meng Ben, "Where is Master Gongsun?"
Meng Ben said, "Brother Gongsun is organizing letters in the side room, saying that the young master instructed him to do so the day before yesterday."
"Please ask him to come over."
Before long, Gongsun Yang arrived in a hurry. Zhao Heng beckoned him closer and whispered a few words of instruction. Gongsun Yang listened carefully, his eyes gradually brightening, and finally nodded solemnly: "I understand, I will go and make the arrangements immediately."
Ji Cheng and Luan Ding watched from the side, curious, but seeing that Zhao Heng had no intention of explaining, they dared not ask any more questions.
After giving his instructions, Zhao Heng said to the two men, "Let's go."