Chapter 166: Commander of the Main Army Division.

West Yamen, Second Hall.

Only Chen Duan and Princess Xingguo remained, aunt and nephew.

Xu Jiuxi’s ‘nonsense,’ which ignored politics and rules, not only tore away the fig leaf between the imperial heirs but also placed Chen Duan in an awkward position.

Imperial Grandfather was old, and the position of crown prince was vacant.

Among the older imperial grandsons, who didn’t have their own ambitions?

Last year, the Vermilion Bird Army was rebuilt, and Prince of Shuochuan, Chen Yi, managed to insert many of his trusted aides, alarming his cousins.

They also stepped up their own deployments within the Imperial Guards.

Military strength was the Foundation, and even more so, the hardest bargaining chip should they ever come to fight for the throne.

“Duan’er, sit down. Why are you standing there?”

At the head of the table, Princess Xingguo spoke in her usual gentle voice, as if she hadn’t been provoked by Xu Jiuxi’s words at all.

Chen Duan felt slightly relieved, but instead of sitting down as told, he deliberately adopted a look of grievance, like a child acting spoiled in front of an elder, “Paternal Aunt, you are biased.”

“Oh?”

Hearing this, Princess Xingguo looked at him and smiled lovingly instead, “Duan’er, tell me, how is Paternal Aunt biased?”

Chen Duan intentionally put on the act of a Junior, though he had already prepared his words in his heart, “Nephew knows that Fifth Brother grew up by Paternal Aunt’s side, and Paternal Aunt dotes on him, but has Duan’er ever treated Paternal Aunt as anything less than a mother since he was young?”

Half-truth, half-false, testing the waters.

Princess Xingguo smiled, her tone as gentle as if she were comforting a petulant child, “Talking nonsense. In Paternal Aunt’s heart, you, Hong’er, and Yi’er are all the same.”

Chen Duan was waiting for this seemingly fair statement. He hardened his heart and said, “That Ding Suian is clearly Fifth Brother’s man. If his injuring of Zheng Jinsan tonight is not investigated and is lightly dismissed, how will outsiders view Nephew?”

This was very bold.

It was only by borrowing the fact that Xu Jiuxi had exposed what could never be spoken of before that Chen Duan dared to say it.

But he didn’t say these things out of spite. Firstly, he wanted to determine his Paternal Aunt’s true attitude toward this matter, and even toward all the imperial heirs.

Secondly, his man had been injured by Fifth Brother’s man. If there was no handling of the result, the scholars and warriors who relied on him would inevitably feel restless and might even try to guess the Emperor’s intentions from such small matters. The worst result would be them abandoning him one after another and turning to the Fifth.

For Chen Duan, this was the most fatal outcome.

Princess Xingguo listened quietly and then said gently, “Duan’er, in that case, is Zheng Jinsan truly your man?”

This question was almost superfluous. Paternal Aunt controlled the West Yamen; would she not know Zheng Jinsan’s background?

Asking was merely to show that she hadn’t investigated Chen Duan in secret, leaving him some Face.

“Yes.”

But Chen Duan answered honestly, “He is a distant cousin of Concubine Rong in Nephew’s residence.”

Princess Xingguo nodded and asked, “And according to Duan’er’s wishes?”

“Paternal Aunt, my man was humiliated, which means Nephew’s Face has been hurt! This matter might have nothing to do with Fifth Brother, but that Ding Suian must be punished!”

Because of Princess Xingguo’s consistent gentleness, Chen Duan’s courage grew. He not only spoke bluntly but also inadvertently revealed a streak of strength deeply rooted in his bones.

At the head of the table, Princess Xingguo’s expression remained calm, and she spoke as softly as water, “Your man was humiliated, so that means Duan’er’s Face was hurt? That is well said. However, the father of that little Dutou Ding comes from my Princesss Residence. According to Duan’er’s logic, punishing little Dutou Ding, wouldn’t that be slapping Paternal Aunt’s Face?”

“…”

“Duan’er, do you want to slap Paternal Aunt’s Face?”

“Nephew does not, dare not!”

Chen Duan fell to his knees with a thud, his inner clothes instantly soaked with sweat.

Outside.

The West Yamen naturally didn’t lack money for candles, and the small courtyard outside the Second Hall was as bright as day.

But, Ding Suian and Xu Jiuxi chose a secluded, hidden corner.

The shadow of the eaves cut diagonally down, enveloping Ding Suian and Xu Jiuxi in a half-light, half-dark space. From afar, their figures overlapped.

It looked a bit ambiguous.

“Thank you, Headmaster~”

Ding Suian cupped his hands and thanked her in a low voice.

He still hadn’t figured out why Xu Jiuxi had come over to help him patch up the biggest loophole tonight.

“Hehe, no need to thank me. I helped you, so you can help me later~”

“What does Headmaster need me to help with?”

Ding Suian was a bit uneasy. Xu Jiuxi didn’t play by the rules and was a member of the State Religion. Who knew what kind of monster was hiding under that alluring skin?

It was better to ask clearly what she wanted to do.

Xu Jiuxi didn’t answer but took a step forward, as if to whisper in his ear.

Ding Suian subconsciously leaned back and withdrew. Although the two were standing in a corner, the courtyard of the Second Hall was unobstructed. Over there, Chen Yi, Li Baicheng, and even Old Ding were peeking in their direction.

But his dodging annoyed Xu Jiuxi.

She suddenly reached out, grabbed Ding Suian by the collar, and pulled him toward her. Caught off guard, Ding Suian almost bumped into two peaks.

It had a bit of a “forced” air to it.

Xu Jiuxi didn’t care at all and took the opportunity to lean in, her warm breath almost brushing against his earlobe, her breath like an orchid.

“These two days, come to the Law Academy. I have something to tell you~”

After speaking, her slender fingers, which were clutching his collar, gave a gentle push, pushing Ding Suian back to his original position, while she herself pulled back to a suitable distance.

Her voice raised a few decibels.

“Little Dutou Ding, don’t forget our agreement~”

She raised her hand again, gently smoothing out the collar she had crumpled for Ding Suian. Her fingertips brushed across the skin of his neck, bringing a trace of cold itchiness.

She raised her eyes, smiling charmingly, “I’m leaving first.”

After saying that, she turned and left decisively, completely unconcerned about the eyes peeking into the courtyard at this moment.

The hem of her skirt spread out and closed, gradually disappearing into the night.

Both alluring and flirty.

“…”

“…”

Ding Suian slowly walked back to Chen Yi and the others.

Fortunately, neither Chen Yi nor Li Baicheng were people who liked to gossip. If Li Meimei or Fatty Jiang had seen the scene just now, it would have spread throughout the entire Central Heaven city by tomorrow.

“…”

Ding Suian exchanged a look with his old man, speechless.

Actually, it was that he didn’t know where to start.

“Ahem, tonight I was discussing music with Sect Leader Xu, and on a whim, we went outside the city to gather inspiration.”

Ding Suian broke the silence, forcing an explanation.

Anyway, Xu Jiuxi had already taken the blame tonight, and it was a settled fact that they had left the city late at night.

“Oh.”

Old Ding replied with his hands behind his back.

“Dad, why did you arrive at Wanan Gate so quickly tonight?”

Ding Suian continued to make small talk. Old Ding looked at the lanterns on the corridor, “I was leading the brothers on night patrol tonight and happened to run into Sect Leader Xu, who was riding back. She told me you were surrounded at the Wengcheng.”

“Uh…”

Ding Suian abruptly turned to look at Old Ding.

Old Ding met Xu Jiuxi?

The timing didn’t match! Listening to his deliberately pausing tone, this ‘Xu Jiuxi’ was probably someone else.

Lying wasn’t embarrassing, but being exposed Face-to-Face when lying was a bit embarrassing.

Ding Suian was thinking about how to tell his father about this, but heard the latter say first: “Kid, what exactly are you and…”

There were too many ears around.

Old Ding changed his phrasing, “Dad is telling you based on experience. Too many is not good either. You are still young, you can’t handle the big ones.”

“…”

Li Baicheng, who was eavesdropping, was confused. What were this father and son talking about so mysteriously?

Just then, Prince Anping walked out of the hall.

Immediately after, Sun Tiewu walked out, “Little Dutou Ding, Your Highness invites you.”

Chen Duan, who had just reached the courtyard gate, paused slightly, then walked out.

In the courtyard, many people showed surprised expressions.

Normally, after Your Highness finished talking with Prince Anping, he should have called Prince of Shuochuan for questioning.

Why call Little Dutou Ding?

After Ding Suian entered, Sun Tiewu guarded the steps of the Second Hall. Seeing Ding Lie, who was leaning against the wall like a small minion not far away, he nodded slightly in acknowledgement.

Ding Lie didn’t pay him any mind, instead looking at the deep inner hall of the West Yamen, a look of worry appearing on his Face.

“Speak the truth, why did you get into a big fight tonight?”

Princess Xingguo had woken up in the middle of the night and was perhaps a bit tired. At this moment, she leaned on the back of the chair, supporting her head with her arm.

Her tone was weary, but her eyes remained bright.

“Reporting to Your Highness, tonight when I was returning to the city with Sect Leader Xu…”

Anyway, the die was cast; even if the Heavenly King himself came, he was with Xu Jiuxi tonight.

Ding Suian recounted the whole story again, and finally said: “Your Highness, please judge! This subordinate was impulsive and hurt someone, and I am willing to accept punishment. But the reason this subordinate could not suppress my anger was truly because seeing this scene reminded me of the pain of last year’s Southern Expedition!”

“Oh? Tell me.”

“During the Southern Expedition, this subordinate witnessed military generals drinking and having fun in public during marches, and even while setting up camp to prepare for battle. Loose military discipline came first, which led to orders not being followed, resulting in a crushing defeat. As a soldier of Great Wu, I am happy to fight for my country on the battlefield and die with my body wrapped in horse hide! But I do not want to die because of the laziness of military generals!”

“Zheng Jinsan, as a gatekeeper of the Imperial Capital, was lazy and unprepared on duty, reeking of alcohol. This scene is so similar to the signs of the defeated army I saw during the Southern Expedition! He provoked Sect Leader Xu and neglected his duty. In my eyes, this is not just the failure of one person or one event, but a microcosm of the accumulated ills of our military! My taking action certainly stemmed from the desire to protect Sect Leader Xu, but even more so, I did not want to see such vermin slowly eroding the Foundation of our dynasty’s military! For a moment, I couldn’t control my emotions.”

Just ask yourself, isn’t this motive noble? Isn’t our Little Dutou Ding hateful of evil?

Although he fought and hurt people, he remained a sincere, hot-blooded young man who, despite his low position, did not forget to worry about the country!

“Well said~”

Princess Xingguo smiled lightly, then turned her head slightly, “Hansu, come out.”

“?”

She… was really invited by Lin Hansu!

Ding Suian hadn’t seen Lin Hansu since they parted, so naturally, they couldn’t exchange information. Many judgments were based on guesses.

Now he had no idea what Lin Hansu had told Princess Xingguo. If she had been honest about leaving the city with Ding Suian tonight, wouldn’t his impassioned speech just now, based on the premise of returning to the city with Xu Jiuxi, be a joke?

A familiar figure walked out from the back room.

Lin Hansu, who was authoritative in the Lin residence and dignified outside, was now slightly lowering her head in front of Princess Xingguo, like a child who had done something wrong.

Ding Suian was guessing Princess Xingguo’s intention in calling Lin Hansu out, but heard her say gently: “Little Dutou Ding, was what you just said the truth?”

Huh?

“Not a single word of falsehood!”

Ding Suian blurted out instinctively.

“Very well, I appoint you as the Commander of the Main Army Division of the Dianqian Division, specifically in charge of straightening out military discipline.” Princess Xingguo’s voice was as gentle as before, but carried unquestionable power. “Effective immediately, you are to investigate cases of dereliction of duty, corruption, and corruption of military discipline within the eight Imperial Guard divisions of the capital. For those with confirmed evidence, you are authorized to suspend them from duty, and after reporting to me for approval, they can be dismissed.”

Princess Xingguo sat up slightly, “If you encounter any obstruction to the investigation, destruction of evidence, or gathering of cliques to resist, you are granted the power to act as the situation demands. For those below the rank of Commander, you may execute them first and report later.”

“…”

Ding Suian really couldn’t help it, and secretly cursed in his heart.

Wasn’t this power a bit… too terrifying?