Chapter 599:1 Can Only Hope You Won’t Regret It
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Xiao Shijie gave a scornful sneer. “Speaking of scheming, who can compare to you, Lord Chu? Why? Things haven’t even started yet, but you already think that I will definitely lose?”
Chu Min’s face was very glum. If Xiao Shijie had not pursued him relentlessly, he would have been able to extricate himself totally from this whirlpool. He suppressed the killing intent in his eyes. He could not take Xiao Shijie’s life now. This would only arouse the Emperor’s suspicion.
Chu Min controlled his temper and continued, “Now, the Emperor has probably taken notice of Your Highness. If I still don’t do something and the Emperor finds out, all of us will die.”
Xiao Shijie’s expression did not change. “Lord Chu, based on what you say, the Emperor is already suspicious of everything you have done, is that so?”
Chu Min didn’t say anything except to ask, “What plans does Your Highness have next? How did you come to the capital city?”
Xiao Shijie’s expression was unfathomable. He knew that Chu Min was trying to get information out of him. “I came to the capital city willingly. I happened to bump into Zhu Lin on the way and used his men to protect me. As for my injuries, they were just a cover to fool people.”
Chu Min frowned imperceptibly but did not continue probing. “Then what are your plans after this, Your Highness?”
Xiao Shijie’s eyes narrowed. “I must find a way to leave this place. As you said, although the Emperor hasn’t done anything to me, he is already suspecting me. If I stay in the capital city, I will be at his mercy.”
“Your Highness is right. Do you have a strategy?”
Xiao Shijie told Chu Min to lean forward. “I do have a strategy, but I need your help, Lord Chu.”
A strange look flashed past Chu Min’s eyes rapidly, but he maintained a respectful expression on his face. “Please go ahead, Your Highness.”
“On the day of my father’s birthday, I plan to…” Xiao Shijie whispered into Chu Min’s ear.
“However, I am constantly being monitored, and many of my people are unable to take action. At that point, I will still need Lord Chu’s help.”
Chu Min straightened up slowly after listening. “I understand. However, the Emperor will be attending the banquet personally on Prince Jiangning’s birthday and there will be many Imperial Guards following him. Your Highness’s strategy is not impossible, but we need to make a more detailed game plan. Let me think about it carefully.”
Xiao Shijie nodded. “This is a matter of great importance. We can’t afford to make any mistakes in any step in our plan. Lord Chu, you should indeed think it through thoroughly. After all, if something happens to me and the Emperor extorts a confession, I can’t guarantee that I can withstand the torture and won’t confess anything.”
The last sentence was a blatant threat. If Chu Min dared to refuse to help him, Xiao Shijie would drag him down with him.
Chu Min’s lips twitched stiffly. “Don’t worry, Your Highness. I know what to do. I can’t stay here for long, so I’ll take my leave now. Once everything is in order, you can send someone to inform me. Our contacts can meet at the usual place.”
“Alright.”
After Chu Min left, Xiao Shijie’s expression clouded over completely.
The maidservant pushed open the door and walked in. She placed the food container on the bed tray table and came to the bed. She whispered, “Do you think this guy Chu Min can still be trusted, Your Highness?”
Xiao Shijie gave a scornful snort. Chu Min wanted to cut ties with him in every way possible, so how could he be willing to help Xiao Shijie sincerely? However, what he wanted was not Chu Min’s sincerity. “I have my own use for him. Have you done everything I asked you to do?”
“Your Highness, everything is ready.”
Xiao Shijie nodded. “Mm-hmm.”
After Chu Min returned to Duke Jingguo’s Residence, he summoned his trusted aide. “Arrange for them to return to their posts. We’ll see what Xiao Shijie wants to do at that juncture.”
His trusted aide only managed to cut off and wipe clean all their ties with Xiao Shijie after much effort. He did not understand why Chu Min wanted to get involved again.
“Does Your Lordship still intend to work for His Highness?”
Chu Min smiled, but his smile did not reach his eyes. “Of course not. He wants to escape on the day of Prince Jiangning’s birthday and needs my help. Naturally, I am not going to help him. Instead, I’m going to send him to hell!” “Only by knowing his detailed strategy can we be better prepared to eliminate him and prevent future trouble permanently!”
“Yes, my Lord.”
After the trusted aide left, the maidservant’s voice rang out outside the door. “Eldest Master, the Lord Duke is awake.”
Ever since Xiao Jin and Su Ying came to Duke Jingguo’s Residence to treat him, Duke Jingguo’s courtyard had been sealed off by the Imperial Guards. Without the Emperor’s orders, no one was allowed to enter the courtyard, and Chu Min had no way of finding out what was going on inside.
Now that he heard that Duke Jingguo had woken up, Chu Min was on tenterhooks instantly.
“He’s already awake?”
“Yes, he’s awake. Lord Duke asked about you, Eldest Master. He said that he wanted to see you.”
Chu Min’s heart beat even faster, but he didn’t show it on his face. He forced himself to be calm and said, “I understand. I’ll head over now.”
There were still Imperial Guards stationed outside Duke Jingguo’s courtyard. However, the Imperial Guards did not stop Chu Min this time when he approached.
Chu Min followed the maidservant into the house.
“Lord Duke, Eldest Master is here.”
There was a slight movement in the room. Two Imperial Physicians came out from the inner room and bowed to Chu Min before excusing themselves.
Chu Min took a deep breath and walked to Duke Jingguo’s bed.
After another bout of serious illness, Duke Jingguo had lost a lot of weight, and his eyes had become dull.
When he saw Duke Jingguo in this state, a strange feeling rose faintly in Chu Min’s heart. However, this wisp of feeling was quickly replaced by uneasiness.
Duke Jingguo raised his head weakly and glanced at Chu Min. This glance made Chu Min feel as if he had been seen through.
“Father.”
Duke Jingguo slowly withdrew his gaze and exhaled deeply. He pointed at the cup beside him.
Chu Min understood and hurriedly brought the cup to Duke Jingguo’s mouth.
Duke Jingguo took a sip before exhaling another mouthful of turbid air.
“Indeed, I’m already old. My old bones are no longer up to the task in some matters.”
Chu Min forced a comforting smile. “Father, what nonsense are you spouting? You only caught a cold. The Imperial Physicians and the Empress have come here to give you treatment. You’ll be fine soon.”
Duke Jingguo shook his head. He did not ask Chu Min about what had happened over the past few days. He only said, “You have always had a competitive personality since you were young. There’s nothing wrong with a man being competitive, but that kind of energy can easily get one into a tight spot. A man should not be too insistent. You think that you can see the mountains at a glance when you stand on the stargazing platform, but you don’t know that there’s still a sky above you. There are always places that you can’t reach.”
These words made Chu Min’s anxious heart tremble uncontrollably. “Father… I…”
Duke Jingguo raised his head and interrupted him. “I was just lamenting. I thought of some things that happened when you were young. They were interesting but also abominable.”
Chu Min pursed his lips and swallowed the words that were about to come out of his mouth. Perhaps he was also afraid of seeing the disappointment in Duke Jingguo’s eyes.
“All of you are grown up now. When a child has grown up, his parents can no longer control him. Since you have made your choice, go ahead and do it. Even if you don’t succeed, I can only hope that you won’t regret it..”