Chapter 858: Turbulent Undercurrents....
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
After doing some work in the prefecture, Su Binglan and Su Chun prepared to leave for the capital. Lan Ruozhu became worried when he realized where his sister was going.
“Sister, you can’t go there. It’s too dangerous.” He was worried because he knew why his sister was going to the capital. Lan Ruozhu paled as he looked at Su Binglan nervously.
He was not worried about his sister’s activities in Dingzhou because it was his territory. He had even sent people to protect her secretly. However, he could not do much if she went to the capital because he had no power there.
Su Binglan sighed, knowing Lan Ruozhu would reach that way. She thoughtfully said, “You know there are some things I must do. Besides, I’m healthy now, so I can protect myself better. You should know how skilled I am in martial arts.’
Even so, Lan Ruozhu was still worried. “I can get someone to complete that task for vou. Don’t go there alone.’
Su Binglan said, “I have to do this myself, Brother. I have grudges to settle.”
Lan Ruozhu knew how stubborn his sister could be. No one could change her mind once she had decided on something. He helplessly said, “Then I’m coming with you.”
“You can’t. I’ll feel better with you in Dingzhou. Your people need you here.” Su Binglan’s expression turned solemn.
Lan Ruozhu had doted on Su Binglan since childhood, so he could only compromise.
Su Binglan’s expression softened as she looked at him. “Brother, I promise nothing bad will happen to me. I’ll send you letters frequently, okay?”
She felt warm inside from her brother’s concern. Still, she wanted to do this alone. Lan Ruozhu could only say, “Okay, but I’ll arrange for some people to protect you.”
Su Binglan shook her head. “I’m going to the capital as a member of the Shen family. Su Chun will suffice.”
Lan Ruozhu knew his sister had a biological uncle who was the current head of the Shen family. The family was one of the six great families in the capital who had solid connections.
He felt a little more at ease with the Shen family protecting Su Binglan. “Fine, I’ve placed spies within the various major factions in Beijing. Many of the core figures are spies we sent there when we were younger. I’ll compile a list for you.”
“l remember them, Brother. You don’t have to write it down.” Su Binglan squeezed Lan Ruozhu’s hand.
After all, it would be easier to expose the spies if Lan Ruozhu wrote a list of their names. Fortunately, Su Binglan remembered who the spies were.
“It’s good that you remember. Things will be much easier if you manage to contact them.’
Su Binglan said, “I’ll investigate as many things as possible while I’m there. I’ll even take revenge for you. You should make preparations. Perhaps war might be closer than we think.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Lan Ruozhu replied, “I’ve made more than enough preparations.”
The siblings discussed many confidential matters before Su Binglan and Su Chun left for the capital. The duo arrived in the afternoon and saw the bustling streets.
No one would have guessed there were constant internal strifes in the capital if they just looked at the bustling streets. The surrounding shops were lively as people came and went.
Many hawkers set up their stalls while others announced their products to attract customers.
“Get your candied hawthorns here!”
“Come one, come all to the Seven Fragrance Crispy Pastries!”
“Come in, come in!”
“Ma’am, the clothes you ordered have arrived.”
Su Binglan and Su Chun could hear several hawkers yelling as they walked around. Su Binglan led her horse through the streets and was a little dazed as she looked at the familiar shops.
She and Lan Ruozhu had lived in the capital for a while during childhood. At that time, the two often strolled the streets and bought food. Many years had passed, yet nothing had changed in the capital.
However, Su Binglan knew the capital’s undercurrents were turbulent as various factions competed with each other.
Su Chun stopped looking around and said, “Master, the capital isn’t as lively and prosperous as Su Teng Village. The food here is pretty simple, too.”
He felt the delicacies here were not as diverse as those in Su Teng Village. Su Binglan asked with a smile, “Aren’t you used to coming to the capital?”
Su Chun hurriedly replied, “Not at all, Master. Although most want to visit the capital for leisure, I’ve only lived here during my childhood.”
As a Sacrificial of the Deceased Royal’s Mansion, Su Chun had trained with his brethren in various places during childhood. As the duo approached the Shen residence, the people on the street suddenly became excited.
“Young Master Han’s carriage is right in front of us,” a young lady excitedly said, “He’s the heir to the Han family.” “Hey, that’s Young Master Han!”
“We can finally meet him!”
“Although that’s his carriage, the person inside might not be him.”
“Young Master Han is the heir to his family. No one else can sit in his carriage.
His status is extraordinary, and no one can surpass him.”
Everyone chased after the so-called Young Master Han. Meanwhile, Su Binglan’s expression turned cold when she heard his name. If she guessed correctly, the man’s name should be Han Yueting.
He had something to do with the incident concerning the Wei family three years ago. Lan Ruozhu had already sent someone to investigate the incident. He also placed spies in the Han residence. Since that was the case, Su Binglan decided it was time to contact those spies.
Han Yueting had just left the palace and sat in the carriage, thinking about
something. For some reason, he felt an odd sensation and lifted the carriage curtain to look at the crowd.
He felt a strong sense of impending danger, as if someone was spying on him.
“What’s the matter, Young Master Yueting?”
“It’s nothing,” Han Yeuting said with a mysterious expression.
“Sir, Princess Liuwi has invited you to her residence,” Han Song said. He was Han Yuetings subordinate, who knew many things about the young master.
Han Yueting had canceled his engagement with Princess Lan Ruobing. A few years later, he got engaged to Princess Chu Liuwu. The latter was the Crown Prince’s younger sister.
Princess Liuwu would often invite Han Yueting to her residence for a meal. People often mentioned Princess Ruobing in the past, but to them, she had died four years ago. These days, very few mention her name.
Han Yueting rubbed his eyebrows and said, “Okay..”