Chapter 755: Chapter 756: Questioning

"Speaking of which..." Yun Cheng chuckled. "You sent Qi to his hometown to investigate a while back. By my calculations, he should be returning soon."

Shen Yanchuan nodded. "When he returns, have him report to me immediately."

"Yes."

Lian Zhou knew about this as well, but he didn’t give it much thought.

Qi was known for being elusive; even they rarely saw him on a normal day.

’Since their master had made these arrangements, he surely had his reasons.’

"That Fan Chengzhuo is a real tough nut to crack. Even in his state, he’s sticking to his story that he acted alone and wasn’t taking orders." Lian Zhou clicked his tongue. "You could almost call him loyal and righteous, couldn’t you? I just don’t get how his master earned such undying devotion."

But Yun Cheng thought it was quite simple.

"It’s not like he has any other choice, is it? I think he’s actually doing this for Zheng Baosu. As long as he doesn’t betray his master, there’s a chance that his ’all-powerful’ master might step in and save his son."

"You can’t be serious."

Lian Zhou found it incredible.

"Zheng Baosu’s crimes are so heinous, dying ten thousand times over wouldn’t be enough. No matter how capable someone is, they can’t possibly save him, right? Has Fan Chengzhuo lost his mind?"

Yun Cheng paused. "You have a point. Fan Chengzhuo’s attitude toward this master of his is unusual. It seems... he truly believes the man is omnipotent."

It was a level of worship bordering on faith, which was simply baffling.

Lian Zhou shrugged. "In any case, I doubt he can hold out for much longer. Maybe he’ll have a change of heart before he dies."

Shen Yanchuan gave the three-edged dart one last look.

"There’s no need to rush. When the time is right, the truth will come out."

For now, all they could do was wait patiently.

...

「As night began to fall.」

After feeding Tuoba Yu his medicinal meal, Si Kouji saw that the prince’s complexion had finally improved. He breathed a sigh of relief. "Just a few more days, Your Highness," he said, gratified. "Once you’re stronger, we should be able to return."

Tuoba Yu was propped up against the headboard, his spirits still languid.

He had suffered a high fever for two days, and it had only just broken. He had sweated so profusely that his clothes were soaked, clinging uncomfortably to his skin.

But because the wound on his shoulder continued to fester, he couldn’t bathe. He could only manage a sponge bath with a hot towel, which left him feeling miserable.

The relentless combination of mental anguish and physical torment had drained him of most of his will.

Even hearing Si Kouji’s words, he felt no stir of emotion.

’Return? And then what?’

’I’m crippled. Nothing is the same anymore.’

Before, he had been desperate to survive. But now, in a moment of calm, he realized just how ridiculous that desire had been.

"Where is my tutor?" Tuoba Yu asked weakly.

Si Kouji looked awkward.

For the past few days, Shui Xingqiu had been leaving early and returning late. Aside from checking on Tuoba Yu at the very beginning, he had spent all his time away.

Si Kouji himself had only inquired about his activities once or twice before dropping the subject, to say nothing of anyone else.

"The Water Family Master is out," Si Kouji replied. "It seems... he is occupied with matters concerning you, Your Highness."

Tuoba Yu stared blankly for a moment. "Really?"

Si Kouji turned his head and coughed a few times before continuing. "Well... I believe so. The day before yesterday, he went to the Yunlai Tavern. I heard it’s owned by Ye Yunfeng’s sister. I imagine that after your setback, Your Highness, the Water Family Master feels it was an injustice to you. Especially when it comes to that Ye Yunfeng—"

Seeing the color drain from Tuoba Yu’s face, Si Kouji’s heart leaped, and he immediately cut himself off.

"...In any case, your humiliation, Your Highness, is a failure on our part! As your tutor, the Water Family Master must also wish to seek justice for you."

Although Si Kouji harbored a great deal of resentment toward Shui Xingqiu, he knew that Shui Xingqiu was deeply trusted by both the Monarch and Prince Su. His position was secure, and he was far beyond Si Kouji’s power to challenge.

Therefore, on the surface, he would never pick a fight with him. On the contrary, he remained perfectly amicable.

’He wasn’t foolish enough to make trouble for himself.’

Sure enough, the tension in Tuoba Yu’s face eased considerably. "I see... I knew my tutor wouldn’t just stand by and do nothing. But..."

His expression darkened.

"I’ve just heard that Ye Yunfeng is difficult to deal with, and his sister is even more formidable."

Tuoba Yu had been confined to the palace for many days. Though he was immobile, he could still occasionally overhear the idle chatter of palace attendants and guards.

He had heard the name Ye Chutang before.

Si Kouji didn’t know much about these matters. Hearing Tuoba Yu’s words, he was slightly puzzled but didn’t pay it much mind.

’In any case, they would be leaving soon. Why bother with any of this?’

Of course, Si Kouji knew that Tuoba Yu wanted revenge. He also knew that Shui Xingqiu’s recent activities were in line with Tuoba Yu’s desires.

’He had to do *something*, find an excuse to absolve himself, to extricate himself from Prince Su’s disastrous failure.’

But none of that was Si Kouji’s business.

He had no desire to know how Shui Xingqiu planned to explain himself to the Monarch.

So, after a brief pause, Si Kouji resumed persuading him in a low, patient voice.

"I understand what is on your mind, Your Highness. But now is not the right time. You haven’t yet recovered your health, how could you possibly..."

Before he could finish, the sound of familiar footsteps approached the door.

Si Kouji immediately fell silent. He turned to look, and just as he expected, Shui Xingqiu had returned.

Seeing him, Tuoba Yu instantly seemed more alert.

"Tutor?"

Shui Xingqiu came in and first checked his pulse before nodding lightly. "Your Highness’s condition has improved significantly."

"Lord Si Kou said it’s all thanks to you."

Tuoba Yu had been delirious before, so he hadn’t had a proper chance to speak with Shui Xingqiu.

He had just heard from Si Kouji that Shui Xingqiu had gone out on his behalf, and he was deeply touched. Seeing his tutor now, he felt an even greater sense of warmth.

"You must have been busy all day. Please, sit and rest."

Anyone else would have been flustered by such a respectful and deferential attitude, but not Shui Xingqiu.

He nodded with calm self-possession and sat down on a square stool.

"Your Highness is only just beginning to recover. You must get more rest."

Seeing the two "getting along so well," Si Kouji felt awkward and tactfully excused himself.

"I have some matters to attend to. Please, continue your conversation. Just have someone call for me if you need anything."

Si Kouji personally closed the door and ordered the guards outside to move further away.

Only Tuoba Yu and Shui Xingqiu remained in the room.

Tuoba Yu looked at him and asked the question that was weighing most heavily on his mind.

"Tutor, have you seen Xiao Chenglin?"

Shui Xingqiu inclined his head.

Tuoba Yu’s brow furrowed and his fists clenched, the veins standing out on the back of his hands. A furious expression washed over his pale face.

"Then did you ask him for me? Why did he hide in the grand hall that day? Why did he never show his face? And to this day, he still hasn’t said a single good word on my behalf!?"

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