Zhao Yingjie narrowed his eyes and ventured a guess. "Could it be those monks from Great Vajra Monastery?"
It was common knowledge that bad blood ran between the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor and Great Vajra Monastery. What was more, the manor had just recruited a substantial number of displaced refugees and tenant farmers from Daxing Prefecture to head west, reclaiming wastelands and tending their fields.
Great Vajra Monastery felt they had suffered a tremendous loss. Though Wang Yu's threats kept them from pulling underhanded stunts in the three northwestern prefectures, there was no telling if they might harbor dark designs now that the manor's convoy had crossed into Daxing Prefecture.
"Great Vajra Monastery is a revered Buddhist sanctuary with cozy ties to the surrounding magistrate offices. The magistrate of Pingxing County—and even the prefect of Daxing Prefecture—are temple devotees who burn incense and pray there during every holiday and festival."
Zhao Yingjie's eyes flashed. "For them, finding someone to poison the troops' meals would be child's play, wouldn't it? If they hauled the treasure straight into Great Vajra Monastery's vaults afterward, who would ever know?"
Yuan Feifei looked skeptical. "Great Vajra Monastery isn't short on money. Even if they wanted payback, they wouldn't go that far, would they? After all, this treasure is being presented to the imperial court."
If the truth came out and Great Vajra Monastery was caught plundering treasure bound for the court, it would cause a catastrophe.
Zhao Yingjie rolled his eyes at her. "Who cares? Let's splash the dirty water on them first! Daxing Prefecture is Great Vajra Monastery's home turf. If it wasn't them, they'll just have to help us dig the treasure up!"
Yuan Feifei's small mouth fell open in an 'O' shape.
Li Yunxiu, however, nodded with an amused smile. "It most likely wasn't Great Vajra Monastery, but this will indeed force them to pull their weight."
***
Meanwhile, within Great Vajra Monastery.
"Hmph! Evil brings its own reward! Now that he's lost this hoard of treasure, let's see how Zhao Yu answers to the Emperor!"
"Who knows whose hand was behind it, but making the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor swallow such a bitter defeat is a sight to behold."
"Once the Emperor hands down his punishment, I can't wait to see the look on Zhao Yu's face."
Hongzhao and Hongzhen, who had returned from Baolun Monastery, were chatting with Hongyue and several other monks of the Hong generation from Xumi Court who had previously visited the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor only to return in disgrace. They were gossiping about the sensational heist that had shaken Daxing Prefecture over the past two days, the news having already reached Great Vajra Monastery.
Zongjian emerged from Xumi Court and paused nearby to listen. The longer he listened, the darker his face became. "Silence!"
"Martial Uncle!"
"Master!"
The monks jumped in fright and hurriedly rose to salute him.
Zongjian barked, "No wonder your martial arts have stagnated for decades, never breaking through to the Xiantian realm! You let yourselves be blinded by petty resentment, casting your Buddha-hearts beyond the nine heavens!"
Though Zongjian had been thoroughly infuriated by Wang Yu himself, he remained an eminent Buddhist monk, retaining a fundamental level of reason and clarity.
"Let me ask you!" Zongjian demanded. "In all of Daxing Prefecture, who possesses ties so deep with the local officials that a government cook would dare drug the convoy of the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor? And who could haul away dozens of loaded carts without leaving a single trace? Who is the very first power that anyone will think of?"
Hongzhao, Hongzhen, and Hongyue exchanged glances. The more they thought about it, the uglier their expressions turned.
Hongzhen blurted out in dismay, "How could we have done such a thing?!"
Hongzhao's tone hardened. "Could the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor have stolen their own shipment, then smeared us with the filth? That way, they pocket the fortune and leave us to take the blame!"
At this moment, Hongyue was actually the one to regain his wits. "Even if they stole it themselves, it would be difficult to bribe Pingxing County's cooks to act. Still less could they spirit thirty heavy carts back to Longshan Prefecture without a sound."
Zongjian shook his head. "When did this happen?"
Hongyue replied, "Just yesterday morning."
Sweeping his sleeves, Zongjian marched toward the abbot's quarters. "I am going to request an audience with the Sect Master. I fear the prefect of Daxing will be knocking on our gates very soon."
Three hundred soldiers of the Xionglue Army had been drugged unconscious, and several million in Loulan treasure had vanished into thin air. The Prince of Zhenxi's Manor had lost massive face.
Yet Daxing Prefecture was Great Vajra Monastery's territory. Whichever faction pulled off such a brazen caper right under their noses had delivered a resounding slap to Great Vajra Monastery's face as well.
When word reached the imperial court, the Emperor, eagerly awaiting the treasure to relieve his financial crisis, flew into a thunderous rage. He issued an imperial decree commanding the prefect of Daxing to scour the earth, warning that unless the treasure was recovered, his entire clan would be put to the sword.
At the same time, an imperial edict summoned the Prince of Zhenxi and his consort to lead troops into Daxing Prefecture, with Great Vajra Monastery assisting them in tracking down the lost hoard.
The Emperor had not completely lost his mind. He knew that a premier sect like Great Vajra Monastery would never pull off such a stunt so brazenly. Furthermore, with Li Yunxiu present, he believed the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor would not steal from themselves.
Of course, nothing was absolute. By mobilizing all three parties—the Daxing prefectural authorities, Great Vajra Monastery, and the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor—even if one of them had committed this folly, the other two would uncover it.
Just as the imperial decrees reached all three parties, rumors that Great Vajra Monastery had secretly stolen the Loulan treasure and that the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor had staged an inside job began circulating simultaneously.
"Who would have thought Great Vajra Monastery had some quick wit? They actually managed to fling the blame right back at us," Wang Yu said with a chuckle.
Although the theory that the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor stole its own goods was full of logical holes, most people in modern times hardly cared about logic, let alone the gossip-loving masses of this martial world.
Of course, this maneuver would fool no one of real influence; at most, it merely muddied the waters.
Zhao Yingjie brandished the imperial decree they had just received and grinned. "The Emperor's gotten hooked on using us. He used us to seize the treasure, and now that it's lost in Daxing Prefecture, he comes running to us again."
Zhao Rong shook his head. "Still, if we refuse the decree, it will only look as though we have a guilty conscience."
"Then we accept it," Wang Yu said, mildly curious himself. "I'd like to find out just who this mysterious faction is that can spirit away ten million in treasure without making a peep."
Everyone turned to stare at Wang Yu in surprise.
Wang Yu met their gazes and spread his hands with an entirely solemn expression. "I am utterly loyal to the court. Out of that ten-million hoard, I kept not a single copper and dispatched it all. But now that someone has stolen it, whether it can be recovered and how much can be brought back is completely out of my hands."
Ardai ducked her head, giggling uncontrollably, while Yuan Feifei beside her couldn't even keep her steady.
Li Yunxiu pressed a hand to her forehead, and Qianqian fought back a smirk.
Zhao Rong gave a dry cough. "Makes sense!"
Wei Gutong and Yan Ziyu listened from the side. Although they had no idea how much Wang Yu had withheld, they knew for certain he hadn't handed over everything. Now that this crisis had cropped up, he had seized upon it to balance the ledger.
Zhao Rong turned to Wang Yu. "Allow me to go this time. Regardless of whether I can identify the mastermind, I will return before the New Year."
Even though he had learned from Zhao Shan and Zhao He that Qianqian was a Xiantian expert, Zhao Rong had never pressed the matter after Wang Yu's group returned, adhering to his principle of not prying into Wang Yu's household affairs.
Investigating the case in Daxing Prefecture would also require dealing with Great Vajra Monastery. The monastery was certain to dispatch a Xiantian expert. To avoid appearing weak, it naturally fell to Zhao Rong himself to step forward. Yet he and Wang Yu could not leave the manor at the same time, or there would be no one left to make major decisions.
"However, the imperial decree specifically instructs my wife and me to lead troops to Daxing Prefecture," Wang Yu noted wryly. "It seems the Emperor doesn't quite trust Great Vajra Monastery either."
Qianqian glanced at Li Yunxiu and remarked quietly, "That is a chronic ailment shared by every emperor—deep suspicion. For instance, while he distrusts Great Vajra Monastery, he still orders them to participate in the investigation. One wonders who he is really guarding against."
Li Yunxiu replied impassively, "Us, of course."
Qianqian broke into a radiant smile, linked her arm around Wang Yu's, and said in a timid tone, "The Emperor suspects us, yet orders us into Daxing Prefecture to investigate. Could he be searching for a chance to harm you?"
Qianqian was doing everything she could to sow distrust and resentment in Wang Yu toward the Emperor.
Li Yunxiu inhaled deeply, sorely tempted to tear Qianqian's mouth shut.
Wei Gutong spoke up suddenly. "If Brother Zhao can trust me, my wife and I will accompany His Highness to Daxing Prefecture."
Wei Gutong and Yan Ziyu regarded Yuan Feifei like their own niece, having traveled thousands of li to help her hunt down her enemies and avenge her family. Now that Yuan Feifei and Zhao Yingjie were deeply in love, the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor was her home.
Though the father and son Zhao Rong and Zhao Yingjie were not the masters of the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor, their close relationship with Wang Yu meant they might as well be. For the sake of Yuan Feifei's future happiness, Wei Gutong had no desire to see turmoil strike the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor.
Zhao Rong hurriedly cupped his hands. "Brother Wei, you honor us. With you and your esteemed wife willing to lend your aid, what worries could I possibly have left?"
*Gutong's three melodies, a gentle spring breeze; Ziyu's single note, a clear autumn moon.*
Gutong and Ziyu held tremendous renown across the pugilistic world. Even if they paid a visit to Great Vajra Monastery, they would be received by eminent monks of the Zong generation or prominent masters of the Hong generation—far from ordinary experts.
With them at Wang Yu's side, as long as Great Vajra Monastery cared at all for its reputation, they would never dare make things difficult for him.
Wang Yu knew well enough to recognize a favor when he saw one, especially knowing the couple was doing this for Yuan Feifei's sake. He offered them his heartfelt thanks and promised that this journey was solely to investigate the case, with no intention of picking fights with Great Vajra Monastery without reason.
Yan Ziyu smiled. "To be honest, we are also curious to see who could steal this treasure right under Great Vajra Monastery's nose. As for the monastery itself... as long as Your Highness doesn't insult them too harshly, I suspect they won't dare cross you either."
A round of laughter broke out among the crowd.
***
Upon returning to Guanyun Tower, Ardai, who had been laughing merrily only moments ago, looked a little downcast.
Yan Xiangxue stroked Ardai's hair. "I heard laughter coming from the rear hall just a moment ago. Why the long face as soon as you're back?"
Ardai shook her head repeatedly and forced a smile. "I'm not unhappy!"
Yan Xiangxue smiled gently. "What happened back in the rear hall? Was it about the stolen treasure?"
Though medicinal pills had suppressed her injuries, she remained unable to channel her inner energy. At present, Yan Xiangxue was little more than a frail eighty-year-old elder. Aside from instructing Wang Yu in his martial arts every morning, she spent the rest of her time resting in the courtyard, relying on Ardai to keep her informed of the outside world.
Ardai nodded and explained how Wang Yu, his consort, and Gutong and Ziyu were heading to Daxing Prefecture to investigate the case.
Yan Xiangxue suddenly asked, "Are you unhappy because you can't go to Daxing Prefecture with Zhao Yu?"
Ardai instinctively nodded, then frantically shook her head. "No, no! I have to look after Master."
Yan Xiangxue smiled warmly and stroked her hair. "Silly child, Master is eating well and living well here. I don't need you looking after me every waking moment. If you want to go, Master will speak to the prince on your behalf."
Ardai still shook her head. "Big Brother Zhao is already taking the two elder sisters. Why should I make a fuss and tag along?"
Yan Xiangxue smiled kindly, seeing right through the girl's thoughts.
Just then, Wang Yu's shout drifted in from outside the courtyard. "Ardai! Do you want to come to Daxing Prefecture?"
"It's much livelier than Longshan Prefecture, and there should be plenty of fun places to visit. It'd be great to have a look around!" Wang Yu added, "Don't worry about Senior Yan—Feifei said she'd keep her company!"
Ardai jerked her head up to look at Yan Xiangxue, her eyes swimming with a mixture of anticipation and embarrassment.
Yan Xiangxue gave a small smile and called out on Ardai's behalf, "She's coming!"
Chapter 94