Duke Chong knew all too well the dangers of taking the pills; he had seen with his own eyes the Hidden Guard die in agony right before him.
But the four city gates were so tightly guarded that there was no way out.
Besides this thod, there was no other way.
The Hidden Guard had died.
But there were still those alive!
Not to ntion Marquis Dongxiang, there was still Princess Zhenbei!
Pouring the pills from the bottle, Duke Chong gritted his teeth and swallowed them down.
...
In the blink of an eye, seven days had passed.
During these seven days, governnt officials had been constantly searching the streets for Duke Chong’s whereabouts.
Wanted posters offering rewards were plastered all over the city.
Anyone providing information leading to Duke Chong’s whereabouts would be rewarded with a thousand taels; anyone assisting the court in capturing him would receive ten thousand taels.
With such tempting rewards, everyone beca a potential threat to Duke Chong.
Unfortunately, days had gone by, and Duke Chong remained out of reach.
In contrast, the wonfolk affiliated with Marquis Dongxiang’s party, fearing capture by Duke Chong’s n, dared not venture out, especially with the precedent of Qu Qingqing’s abduction. Each mansion added extra security to ensure safety.
Su Jin continued to visit the palace as usual, to give acupuncture and dicine to Princess Jiuling. After leaving the palace, she went to check Duke Chong’s pulse at Dongxiang Marquis Mansion.
However, Su Jin’s travels were not only accompanied by Xie Jingchen, but also discreetly protected by several Hidden Guards.
Today happened to be the seventh day since Duke Chong had begun the detoxification process.
After checking Duke Chong’s pulse, Su Chong quickly asked, "How is it now?"
Su Jin withdrew her hand and smiled, "Elder brother, you can rest easy. The old Duke’s toxins have been completely cleared."
Su Chong let out a deep sigh of relief.
In truth, everyone had observed the old Duke’s improvent over the past few days.
His previously pale complexion had regained so color. Although he still mostly relied on a wheelchair, with Su Chong’s support, he could now take a few steps in the garden.
Once the toxins were fully eliminated, the speed of his recovery would be even faster.
Although the old Duke had been happy for several days, the failure to capture Duke Chong continued to cast a shadow over his mood.
Eighteen years ago, as a father, he had been imnsely successful; today, he felt equally like a failure.
The late heir of Duke Chong and Duke Chong were both his sons.
One was exceptionally talented, founding the Flying Tiger Army, whose eight thousand soldiers achieved great military victories for the court.
The other was ruthless, who, after inheriting the title, ford factions and eliminated dissenters, plunging the court into chaos.
One died heroically on the battlefield, sacrificing himself for the country.
The other for power and status, did not hesitate to commit patricide.
One brought him glory, illuminating the family na.
The other left him bedridden for three years, nearly bringing ruin to Duke Chong’s Mansion.
...
The old Duke, a man of integrity, never imagined he would have such an unfilial son under his care.
Over these three years, he had continually reflected, harbored guilt, and felt deep remorse. If it weren’t for knowing that Su Chong was still alive and wanting to see his grandson once more, he might not have held on.
Upon learning of the old Duke’s recovery, many ca to visit; the Emperor wanted to co, but was stopped by Marquis Dongxiang.
If the Emperor left the palace and was captured by Duke Chong, not only would he fail to see the old Duke, but he would also lose face.
The Emperor was least willing to hear anything from Marquis Dongxiang, as none of it was ever pleasant.
Even if sothing could be said nicely, Marquis Dongxiang would say it as unpleasantly as possible, fearing the Emperor’s ears weren’t already pricked enough.
Despite his annoyance, the Emperor still heeded Marquis Dongxiang’s harsh advice.
Eunuch Fu believed that the saying "harsh advice is good advice" was quite accurate. When he advised the Emperor gently, it was like a breeze blowing by, barely noticed.
Sotis he thought about advising the Emperor like Marquis Dongxiang, but feared that if the Emperor got angry, he would be dragged off and executed.
With Duke Chong’s downfall, the court had quieted down considerably, and mbers of Duke Chong’s faction went to court with their tails between their legs, speaking as little as possible. Whenever there was a troubleso task in the court that brought no reward, they beca anxious, worried about being assigned by the Emperor.
A half-month passed, and supported by Su Chong, the old Duke went to the palace to petition the Emperor for forgiveness.
Before he could kneel, the Emperor quickly helped him up.
"The old Duke’s body hasn’t fully recovered yet. You should be back at the mansion resting, not coming to the palace," the Emperor said.
"I have sinned," the old Duke choked out.
What sin had the old Duke committed?
The one who sinned was Duke Chong.
Eunuch Fu brought a chair, and the Emperor personally helped the old Duke sit down.
The old Duke had co to the palace to request forgiveness and also to present a morial.
In the morial, the old Duke requested the removal of Duke Chong’s title, wanting to pass Duke Chong’s Mansion to his grandson, Shangguan Ting, also known as Su Chong.
The Emperor accepted this morial.
However, he did not approve of the old Duke’s request.
The Emperor said, "The old Duke has detoxified, and I am hoping for your swift recovery to help relieve as you did before. Tingting shines among the younger generation and has an unlimited future, but at present, he is still too young to shoulder the responsibilities of a Duke. For now, he might be established as an heir; keep him by your side for a few more years of training."
The Emperor was unwilling to make Su Chong Duke Chong imdiately, and the old Duke could only obey.
Years ago, Duke Chong was able to inherit the title because the old Duke had been bedridden, and none of the imperial physicians or doctors in the Capital City could treat him.
It was the Empress Dowager who intervened, suggesting that Duke Chong should take over before the old Duke could return, and no one opposed; thus, the Emperor approved.
Now that the old Duke had recovered and considering Su Chong’s youth, the Daqi Dynasty had never had such a young Duke; hence, the Emperor rejected the old Duke’s request.
When the old Duke returned from the palace and stepped out of the soft sedan, he saw that the plaque of the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion had been changed.
The old Duke asked, "Who changed the plaque?"
Steward Lin ca out and said, "The Marquis ordered it."
"Hang it back," ordered the old Duke.
Steward Lin looked troubled and had to turn to Su Chong, "Young Master, what do you think...?"
Su Chong was unsure how to proceed, "Maybe we should hang both up?"
Steward Lin was speechless.
Having both Duke Chong’s Mansion and Dongxiang Marquis Mansion—it just didn’t seem right.
Just when no one could decide what to do, Marquis Dongxiang ca out and said, "Everyone who should know already knows I live in the ancestral ho of Duke Chong’s Mansion, so whether we hang the plaque or not makes no difference."
"Moreover, now that you’ve been detoxified, and Chongchong is married, it’s also ti for us to move out."
Su Chong imdiately felt reluctant.
Even though he knew this day would co, when it finally did, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness.
The Duchess of Chong also disagreed; she enjoyed being with Mrs. Tang, who had raised Su Chong very well and cared for him no less than his own mother did. Plus, Young Master Su loved the lively environnt.
Once they moved back to Dongxiang Marquis Mansion, he wouldn’t be able to see his elder brother every day.
Mrs. Tang smiled and said, "Moving back to the Marquis Mansion, you can not only visit Jibei Marquis Mansion but also stay over at Duke Chong’s Mansion."
Young Master Su grinned and protested, "Mother, you’re tricking again!"
"If I really thought it was good for you, would you be happy to have such a foolish son?"
"...."
Mrs. Tang was speechless.
How would she manage as he grew older if he was already so difficult to fool?
After a round of discussion, Marquis Dongxiang made a decision.
Once Commandery Princess Fu Yun gave birth, they would move after the full month celebration.
Until then, they would all stay at Duke Chong’s Mansion.
Although Su Chong’s earlier idea was a bit clumsy, it worked.
Then—
The plaque of the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion was also hung up.
It hung right below the plaque of Duke Chong’s Mansion.
This manner of hanging plaques was unique in the entire Capital City.
Yet, just as the plaque was hung up—
Urgent news arrived from the border:
Nanliang had attacked the border.
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