Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 306 He Died (4400 words)
Outside the imperial mausoleum.

Four Imperial Guards were stationed here.

But the person he was protecting was only one: Chen Bao.

Zuo Ziliang, who had returned to his position as Deputy Envoy of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, was among them.

Of course, he didn't take it too seriously.

As usual, he sat on the tree whose leaves had mostly turned yellow and fallen to the ground, forming a soft mat beneath the trunk. The crescent-shaped sword at his waist was casually placed to the side, as he quietly whiled away the time.

Or rather, it consumes life.

Chen Bao was exiled here.

And they stayed to protect Chen Bao, who had been exiled.

Isn't that also a form of exile?

"That Chen Bao, you really can't get anything out of him."

"Should we resort to some torture...?"

Just then, he suddenly heard a familiar voice behind him.

So he suddenly got up and went around to the back of the tree.

Upon seeing him, the two Imperial Guards immediately lowered their heads: "Lord Zuo!"

"What were you talking about just now?" Zuo Ziliang asked, puzzled.

Both men were stunned. After exchanging bewildered glances, one of them spoke up: "We were just interrogating Chen Bao..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zuo Ziliang stepped forward and slapped each of them on the head, yelling as he did so, "You bastards! Who gave you permission to interrogate Eunuch Chen? And how dare you call him Chen Bao!"

The Emperor was the direct superior of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

However, the emperor could not personally issue orders to every member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Therefore, those senior eunuchs became the second-level leaders of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Chen Bao served as the chief eunuch for over a decade, and could be considered the most powerful figure in the Imperial Guards.

Even though Eunuch Chen is now down on his luck, he is still not someone that junior members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard can address as "Chen Bao" so casually.

That's a complete ingrate!

The two Imperial Guards who had been beaten dared not speak and lowered their heads even further.

"His Majesty never told me that we were here to interrogate Eunuch Chen," Zuo Ziliang questioned. "How dare you conduct a private interrogation without my orders? Speak!"

Having come this far, one of the Imperial Guards had no choice but to confess honestly: "It was Eunuch Xi who told us that His Majesty exiled Chen Bao... Eunuch Chen here as a form of punishment. Then, he instructed us to secretly investigate and find evidence of his collusion with Song Shi'an."

Grandpa Xi...

If Eunuch Xi does this, then he has received the emperor's decree.

For a moment, Zuo Ziliang panicked slightly. But his expression remained calm. Looking at the two of them, he asked, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Eunuch Xi said that this matter is quite secretive. Lord Zuo is a relative of the emperor. If you were to carry it out, it would probably involve too many people," the man explained.

The emperor sent Eunuch Xi to investigate the connection between Eunuch Chen and Song Shi'an.

Why send someone like myself, who is also connected to Song Shi'an, to lead the team?

"No matter what you ask, you must not torture Eunuch Chen, and you must not show him any disrespect." Zuo Ziliang returned to a serious expression and said, "You must have some conscience, understand?"

"Yes!" The two clenched their fists and bowed.

"You all go and keep watch. Do not move without my order."

"Yes."

After settling his two subordinates, Zuo Ziliang walked with somewhat stiff steps to the cold, deserted stone house.

Then, Chen Bao was seen sitting on a cold, round stone stool.

This is the standard setup for interrogating suspects. Especially for an elderly person, sitting in such a small, hard chair with no back support and an extremely uncomfortable height is quite painful.

"Eunuch Chen, you've suffered, please sit down."

Zuo Ziliang quickly helped Chen Bao onto the bed and said angrily, "Father-in-law, I have already reprimanded those people. They will not be so presumptuous in the future."

But as soon as he finished speaking, he realized that this was a standard interrogation tactic.

One sings the red face, the other sings the white face.

Therefore, they are not so confident anymore.

But Eunuch Chen laughed and said quite amiably, "This is nothing compared to the ministers I've interrogated before."

“Eunuch Chen.” Zuo Ziliang struggled, but still forced himself to speak, “I knew nothing about the interrogation. I only found out about your ordeal by accidentally overhearing their conversation just now… I, I am ashamed.”

When the emperor was about to behead him that day, it was Eunuch Chen who came out to plead for him.

Even if he might be able to guess the emperor's intentions.

However, it was still a risky undertaking.

What if the emperor didn't mean it that way?

Therefore, he is grateful.

"Ziliang." Looking at this very contradictory man, Eunuch Chen said gently, "I believe everything you say."

"Then, Father-in-law, how can I help you?" Zuo Ziliang asked.

"Your coming is helping me."

Chen Bao continued in his unhurried manner.

"But I was sent by His Majesty..."

Zuo Ziliang suddenly realized something halfway through his sentence.

With His Majesty's wisdom, could he not have guessed that after sending him there, he would favor Chen Bao and do his best to protect him?

Why did they send someone to interrogate him while simultaneously having Eunuch Xi do so?

On the other hand, he wanted to protect him?

His Majesty may not really want to conduct a trial.

"Your Majesty is wise beyond compare." Seeing that he understood, Chen Bao pointed out, "In this world, no one can truly hide anything from the emperor. And no one is smarter than the emperor."

"That eunuch?"

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Bao pressed his hand down, signaling him to stop.

Zuo Ziliang understood everything.

This eunuch, Xi Gonggong, was a knife the emperor used to kill people.

That day, Sheng An was chopping off heads in droves; it was he who did it.

This knife was very sharp, but eventually it became dull and was eventually abandoned.

The power that came into his life will eventually be lost.

Sending Chen Bao to the imperial mausoleum was a way of protecting him.

And among those who protect him is himself, who adds another layer of protection.

That myself...

"Don't get involved in anything, don't ask anything, let others do what they want to do," Chen Bao said. "Only in this way can you pass the test."

Yes.

The person who should pass the test is not Chen Bao.

He's just a rumor, possibly colluding with Song Shi'an, based on that one sentence—"You're walking too fast, slow down a bit."

But now, they are truly colluding with Song Shi'an.

He deliberately abandoned his surveillance mission to return to China to protect him.

Furthermore, that one sentence, "I admire Song Shi'an," was enough to get him killed.

"Then, Eunuch Chen, I have another question..." Zuo Ziliang asked, looking quite bewildered, "What will happen to Song Shi'an?"

Chen Bao remained silent in response.

He slowly placed his finger in front of his mouth, making a shushing gesture.

Zuo Ziliang didn't understand.

But it seems I've come to understand some things as well.

I didn't ask any further questions.

He slowly bent his knees, kneeling on both knees. He prostrated himself before the eunuch who had fallen from grace, bowing respectfully.

.........

Chen Bao was exiled to guard the imperial tombs.

Song Shi'an was present to welcome Wei Wusheng's triumphant return.

The King of Wu was finally made crown prince.

This information was not confidential and was common knowledge, so even Sima Yu, who stayed at home and didn't go anywhere, was able to find out.

Spring River Plumbing Duck Prophet.

He foresaw this grand trend of Sheng'an.

He knelt on the ground, looking at the pair of tortoise shells in the box. Then, he raised his head and looked at the roof beam, as if he were truly conversing with a deity, asking in great confusion, "Didn't the three divinations I consulted that day all show me auspicious omens?"

Why did it turn out like this?

"Do I really have a chance to survive?"

Chen Bao's exile meant that he had refused the emperor's order to become an executioner.

The emperor was not entirely heartless, so he let him go for the time being, allowing him to stay with the emperors of past dynasties, those mute dead, and avoid the storm.

So, besides him, who else knows about this dream?

I'm all alone now.

That's right, and Song Shi'an is also there.

But this guy, knowing full well about the curse of "rebellious ministers who respond to dreams," and at this time, the saying of "sage ruler and virtuous ministers" was circulating outside, still insisted on going against the tide to welcome the Sixth Prince back in triumph.

This is young people.

Even if it means death, I'd rather save face. But when you reach my age, you realize that face is the least important thing!

Look, what crime have I committed?

He served the emperor with all his heart, and what was the result?

By doing this, aren't you making things even worse for me?
This rebellious minister who appeared in a dream has almost come true!
"Am I really capable of passing this test?"

Slowly picking up the tortoise shell from the box, Sima Yu was utterly bewildered by his fate.

Just then, his son suddenly ran in and hurriedly reported, "Father, His Highness the Crown Prince has sent someone to invite you to his residence for a chat!"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Sima Yu was completely stunned.

He closed his eyes, his face filled with despair.

No choice.

He was previously the King of Wu, not the Crown Prince. Yet, back then, after being rejected, Sima Yu was terrified.

Neither the King of Jin nor the King of Wu were noble princes he could afford to offend.

But now, this person is the crown prince.

Furthermore, the old emperor probably won't live for many more years.

No, it's quite remarkable that they could survive for a year.

The current crown prince is practically already shouldering the heavy responsibility of overseeing the country.

Half-step emperor.

Could he refuse the emperor's order?

"His Highness the Crown Prince also said that he has found the best imperial physician for you." As his father appeared lifeless and utterly devoid of spirit, Sima Yu's son added softly, "Father is the pillar of the Sima family. Your health is not only your own concern, but also..."

"What does it concern?" Sima Yu asked hurriedly.

Seeing his father's anxiety, the son quickly replied, "It also concerns me, and it concerns the entire Sima clan."

"..."

Sima Yu's lips curled up, revealing a numb, dry laugh.

"Father, how should I reply?" Sima Yu's son asked tremblingly.

"Go and greet the person who comes. Tell them I will be there in a quarter of an hour. Please wait a moment," Sima Yu said.

"Okay father."

His son left quickly to give a reply.

Sima Yu turned his head, holding a tortoise shell in each hand, and gently tapped it.

"If I do not intervene this time, what will become of the Sima family?"

After he finished speaking, he gently tossed the two tortoise shells aside.

After falling to the ground, they lay apart on the ground.

fierce.

Only at this moment did Sima Yu understand that fate was real.

Idealism is not entirely illusory.

The fact that all three of the previous divinations were auspicious does not contradict my current experience.

The three auspicious omens were drawn for myself.

If he did not see the King of Wu, or even the Crown Prince, he would certainly not die.

This ominous sign was a result of a fortune-telling session held for the family.

If he himself did not die, then his son and the entire Sima family would die.

"Is this my destiny?"

He slowly got up and gave a desolate laugh.

He walked to the bedside and took down the silk gauze curtains.

He twisted the long strip into a complex shape, held it in his hand, and looked up at the beam.

He lifted his heavy steps and walked forward, when suddenly he kicked the tortoise shell. The tortoise shell bounced off and landed on the wooden box.

Sima Yu lowered his head.

.........

"Young Master, something terrible has happened! Master!"

When Sima Yu's son was receiving the Crown Prince's men, a maid rushed over, her voice trembling with tears and her face filled with terror, and reported the situation.

Sima Yu's son was stunned for a moment, then got up and staggered over.

The maid followed behind.

The officials sitting in the lobby looked completely bewildered.

With a loud bang, Sima Yu's son pushed open the door.

Instantly, his pupils dilated.

The father hung stiffly from the roof beam.

His neck was bent, his eyelids were swollen, and his lips were bluish-purple; he was completely unrecognizable as human and died a particularly gruesome death.

He covered his mouth and nose and knelt on the ground. He had expected this to happen, but he still couldn't accept it.

What secret is it that would kill Father if he knew?!
However, he was also very clear about it.

If he is so fixated on knowing this secret, then his father's death would have been meaningless.

The crown prince used the fate of his family to threaten and intimidate his father.

To protect himself and the entire Sima clan, his father took this secret to the afterlife.

"Son..."

The first maid to discover her father's dead face arrived behind him.

“My father died of illness, from malaria.” Sima Yu’s son turned to look at the maid and said fiercely, “If you spread any rumors, no one in your family will survive.”

“…Yes!” The maid had never seen such a frightening young master before, so she could only agree.

"Stand outside and don't let anyone in." Sima Yu's son stood up with difficulty, trembling, and said, "I... I want to collect my father's body."

"Yes."

The maid left.

Sima Yu's son slowly walked toward his father's corpse.

Then, he noticed the box containing the divination tortoise shells on the bed behind him.

He opened the box.

Inside the box was a brocade pouch.

Trembling, he picked up the brocade pouch, opened it, and found only two lines of text—

“If Shi An comes to offer condolences, please tell him…”

Upon reading this, Sima Yu's son immediately covered his mouth with his hand, his eyes wide with unprecedented fear.

.........

"Your Majesty, Sima Yu is dead."

Eunuch Xi reported this somewhat alarming news to the emperor.

What's even more shocking is that the emperor didn't react at all when he learned of this news.

"How did he die?" the emperor asked.

"Your Majesty, according to his son, he contracted malaria and died suddenly at home," said Eunuch Xi.

But as soon as he finished speaking, the emperor stared at him coldly.

Caught off guard, he instinctively began to speak, then Eunuch Xi quickly added, "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince sent someone to the Sima residence to invite Sima Yu. Then, a quarter of an hour later, Sima Yu happened to die of illness at home."

What a coincidence that he died of illness at home a moment later.

Even though Grandpa Xi knew very little, he could understand that this was not a natural death.

Imagine someone who has been hiding at home for so long, not seeing anyone.

Someone suddenly visited him, and then he died at home in less than half an hour.

Who are you trying to fool?

Yes, no one can be fooled about that.

It seems that Sima Yu really does know some secret.

It's probably related to that dream interpretation for His Majesty!
So, he died.

And Chen Bao, as the emperor's chief eunuch, should also know...

So he was exiled.

Oops!
Only then did Eunuch Xi realize that he could not interrogate Eunuch Chen.

If anything is discovered during the interrogation, then he will know the secret.

He has to die too!
Fortunately, I didn't get anything out of them!

But did the emperor believe it?

Slowly raising her head, Xishan was about to observe the emperor when, for some reason, she suddenly stopped.

As he instinctively stopped, the emperor, who was staring at him, had a hidden murderous intent in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, after Sima Yu's death, the Sima family is preparing for the funeral, so they have not continued to seal off the residence and refuse to receive guests as before," said Eunuch Xi.

"it is good."

Looking at Xishan, who was bowing her head to report, the emperor said, word by word, "On the day of the memorial service, you will go and offer your condolences on my behalf."

(End of this chapter)