Chapter 072
Chapter 72: Is He Really That Useless?
“Please, Mother? Can’t Little Sister come with us too?” Yun Wan Yao circled around to Madam Yun’s side, gently shaking her arm as she pleaded.
Madam Yun nodded with a sigh of helplessness. “Alright, alright. But just you and Ye’er won’t do.”
“At that time, go ask your father for two more guards. You must keep a close watch on Little Fourth. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can be allowed to go wrong.”
The two sisters instantly lit up with joy.
[Yes! Yes! Mother agreed! I can go out, I can go watch the fun—hehehehe~]
“Yes, I will keep a good eye on Little Sister, please don’t worry, Mother.”
In the study.
Yun Zheng was busy handling affairs related to the Cangyun Ridge military camp when suddenly, a servant appeared at the open doorway.
“Reporting to Lord, the Second Young Master seeks an audience.”
“Let him in.”
“Yes, sir.”
Soon, footsteps approached, and a youth clad in a dark gold brocade robe strolled in with a languid gait.
“Yo, Father, hard at work again?”
Yun Wan Ye stretched his neck, trying to peek at the documents on the desk.
Yun Zheng continued to write and draw on the papers with his brush, not even lifting his head. “If you’ve got something to say, say it. If not, get lost.”
Yun Wan Ye fell silent for a moment. “Father, I am your son, after all. Can’t you be a little more gentle with me?”
“Hmph!” Yun Zheng let out a cold laugh, then said without mercy, “I’ve always been strict with you, and look how you turned out. If I’d been gentle, who knows what kind of disgraceful creature you’d have grown into.”
“I built our family legacy with my life—I won’t have it all ruined in your hands.”
Yun Wan Ye: “……”
Was he really that useless?
He didn’t think so.
Why did his father see him this way?
“Father, did you forget how I just recently went through all that trouble to handle that matter for you? When I was doing it, weren’t you singing my praises, calling me clever and capable, even saying I’d surpassed you?”
Yun Zheng set the brush aside and picked up the document, gently blowing on the ink as he spoke carelessly, “Wasn’t that just to get you to put in the effort? You think I’d compliment you if I didn’t need something done?”
“Don’t you have any self-awareness?”
Yun Wan Ye: “……”
So he was only worth praising when he was useful? Only then did he deserve a few kind words?
“Alright, alright, Father, I don’t want to argue with you. I came to ask—how did court go today? Did everything go according to plan?”
These past days, he had been busy collecting the guards’ tokens from the Su manor, forging evidence, and stirring up discord among the great clans.
After all that effort, today was finally the day to draw the net tight. He hoped it hadn’t all been for nothing.
“Not bad. You did well.” Yun Zheng finally spoke like a normal human being, closing the scroll with a nod of approval.
Hearing that, Yun Wan Ye could pretty much guess that the results were likely even better than he’d anticipated. A smile tugged at his lips.
That damn old man Su Jian must’ve gotten tired of living, daring to target the princess and then try to dump the blame on the Yun family.
Well then—he would just return the favor, blow for blow.
Of course, this was just the beginning. There would be plenty more to come for that old bastard.
“That’s good. Father, once he recovers, I’m afraid he’ll try to strike back at us. So why don’t we finish him while he’s down?”
Yun Wan Ye lowered his voice, his gaze flickering with a hint of malice.
“No.” Yun Zheng waved him off. “Right now, the Chancellor’s faction and the Grand Commandant’s faction are evenly matched in court. The balance is delicate.”
“If anything happens to Su Jian, His Majesty’s game of checks and balances will be thrown off. And when that happens, your father may be the first to suffer.”
“Since ancient times, emperors and ministers have been like a spring—when one is strong, the other must yield. Whether it’s the emperor ruling alone or a minister growing too powerful, neither ends well for the officials caught in between.”
“This current balance is what I’m most comfortable with.”
If the emperor grew too powerful, he would regard his ministers as ants to be crushed at whim. But if the ministers gained too much power, they might threaten the throne and stir up chaos, even dreaming of replacing the emperor.
So this current tripartite standoff was the most stable and comfortable situation of all.
The late emperor had shown Yun Zheng great favor, and Yun Zheng had no desire to become a domineering power minister. Naturally, he also didn’t want anything to truly happen to Su Jian. Just stirring up trouble to keep him busy was enough.
Yun Wan Ye: “……”
Father really lacked ambition. As Duke Ning, he didn’t seek to be second only to the emperor, but was content with peace and stability.
Sigh!
Without his father’s approval, Yun Wan Ye let out a helpless sigh and dropped the idea of finishing Su Jian off.
The next day, at midday.
After morning court, the officials dispersed in groups from the imperial court.
After bidding farewell to his colleagues, Yun Zheng and Yun Zhan rode home with their attendants.
Outside the vermillion gate, a single sandalwood carriage carved with intricate patterns sat alone on the bluestone path.
The brothers dismounted, their eyes falling on the carriage.
Just then, the curtain lifted, and a figure in smoky-gray robes stepped out. A servant immediately raised an umbrella to shield him from the sun.
“Duke Ning, may I have a word alone?”
“No time. This duke is going home to accompany his wife.”
Yun Zheng squinted, his tone indifferent as he handed the reins of his red horse to a servant and raised his head, preparing to leave.
Whoosh!
A group of muscular guards stepped forward, blocking his path.
Yun Zheng stopped, his face cold as he looked at the elegant yet domineering man in the distance.
“Grand Commandant, what is the meaning of this?”
“The meaning?” Su Jian sneered. “His Majesty ordered me to investigate the recent assassinations of court officials. Wasn’t it your suggestion, Duke Ning? Surely you haven’t forgotten?”
“I’m merely following orders. I hope you’ll cooperate.”
His narrowed eyes brimmed with rage.
Yun Zhan’s expression darkened as well. “Grand Commandant, if you don’t recall His Majesty’s exact words, I’d be happy to remind you.”
“His Majesty said to find evidence proving your innocence—not to stop fellow officials for questioning. You’re going too far.”
“Yes, and in searching for that evidence, I believe it lies with Duke Ning. What’s wrong with that?” Su Jian’s eyes locked onto Yun Zheng, completely ignoring Yun Zhan’s presence.
“I warned you nicely, and you wouldn’t listen. So now, let this duke see what your gang of misfits can really do.”
“Men!”
With a single command, more than a dozen guards rushed out from Duke Ning’s manor, forming a standoff with Su Jian’s men.
Seeing this, Su Jian’s expression twisted, the corners of his mouth twitching.
“Duke Ning, what is the meaning of this? I merely wish to speak with you—are you planning to start a fight?”
“Hah, that’s a question I should be asking you.” Yun Zheng’s gaze sharpened. “You were the one who blocked my path first, Su Jian. What exactly are you trying to do?”
“Don’t pretend it’s just a conversation. Since when does one question someone like this? And even if you want to talk, why must I listen? What if I don’t want to?”
“Don’t try slapping me with a charge of disobeying an imperial order. His Majesty gave no such directive for me to comply with you.”
“……”
Su Jian was struck speechless by the retort, his face darkening with fury before he finally growled out, “Yun Zheng, don’t think I don’t know—it was you who orchestrated what happened at court yesterday. You were trying to frame me.”
Yun Zheng let out a cold laugh, his expression calm and unbothered. There wasn’t a trace of panic in him.
“Grand Commandant, one must be responsible for what they say,” he replied icily. “Do you have proof? If you do, then go right ahead and present it to His Majesty. Don’t come here whining to me like a mutt.”
He tilted his head slightly, eyes glinting with mockery as he added, “Or is it that Grand Commandant Su is part dog? Biting anyone who passes by?”
“Yun Zheng!!”
Su Jian was so enraged he nearly passed out on the spot, his eyes rolling as he swayed where he stood. This man—this brute—actually studied the sacred texts? How could he speak with such vulgarity? It was a disgrace to the literati!
“There’s no need to shout so loudly,” Yun Zheng said lazily, pulling a finger to his ear with exaggerated nonchalance. “This duke is strong and healthy. My hearing’s just fine.”
He looked every bit the picture of infuriating calm, the kind of man who would drive one to madness and not feel an ounce of guilt for it.
Not far away, Yun Zhan’s lips curved slightly as a trace of amusement flickered in his eyes.
He had truly underestimated his elder brother’s battle prowess. Whether it was with fists or words, there were few who could match him. Especially someone like Grand Commandant Su, who prided himself on refinement—how could he possibly keep up in a verbal brawl?
“If Grand Commandant Su has nothing more to say, then I shall take my leave,” Yun Zheng said coolly.
With his chin lifted and hands clasped behind his back, he strode toward the door. Yun Zhan followed close behind.
As they neared the entrance, two guards from the Su family tried to block the way, swords drawn.
Yun Zheng didn’t so much as flinch.
He raised his leg and kicked out hard.
Bang!
The first guard flew several meters before crashing to the ground, blood spurting from his mouth as he passed out cold.
The second guard trembled all over, nearly collapsing from fear. But perhaps emboldened by something—or perhaps not thinking at all—he raised his sword and lunged.
Yun Zheng stepped aside with a light shift, and before the blade could land, Yun Zhan kicked out.
In the next instant, the second guard also went flying, landing hard on the stone-paved courtyard. His sword clattered to the ground, and the gathered crowd scattered in every direction.
“Hmph.”
Yun Zheng gave a cold snort, not sparing either unconscious man a single glance. He stepped over them with steady strides and continued forward. This time, no one dared stop him.
“Father, did Su Jian really come here with men to block you?”
The moment they stepped through the main gates, Yun Wan Ye leapt down from the wall and ran over in a hurry.
Yun Zheng glanced at him from the corner of his eye. “Weren’t you up there watching the whole thing? Why even ask? Don’t tell me you didn’t understand what you saw.”
Yun Wan Ye blinked, a little sheepish. “First of all, let me be clear—I wasn’t watching for fun. I was observing, just in case that guy tried anything. That wall’s a perfect lookout spot! I could’ve jumped in to help you at any moment!”
“I came because I care, alright? That’s why I’m asking.”
He looked serious now as he continued, “But Father, I really think you let him off too easy. If he came knocking on our door, you should’ve beaten him into the dirt. Then he’d know never to bother you again.”
“No matter how you look at it, ten of him wouldn’t be your match. And I swear, if you had started something, I would’ve been down in a flash to back you up!”
“Enough,” Yun Zheng cut in, waving his hand with an exhausted sigh. “The imperial court isn’t the martial world. You can’t go around settling things with fists.”
“Su Jian may be a pain, but he’s still the Grand Commandant. If I were to beat him in secret, maybe it’d pass. But to do it out in the open? That’s not just attacking him—it’s an insult to His Majesty, to the entire imperial court.”
“You want your father to be impeached by every official in the land?”
“Do you think I’m so reckless I’d just punch the Grand Commandant in front of the palace?”
He shook his head, clearly exasperated.
“You also need to work on your temper. Think things through before you act. Being good at fighting doesn’t mean you’re invincible. Winning a brawl doesn’t always mean you come out ahead. Understand? Always consider the consequences first.”
Yun Zheng rubbed his forehead, his tone laced with helplessness. This troublesome brat—his personality was a carbon copy of himself in his youth. Always ready to throw down with anyone who looked at him sideways.
It was a good thing he’d joined the military early on to chase after Madam Yun. The discipline had kept him out of real trouble. Otherwise, who knew what kind of chaos he might’ve stirred up back then?
Yun Wan Ye stayed silent.
…
Outside Duke Ning’s residence, Su Jian stood rigid with fury, staring at his two unconscious guards.
His face was as black as the bottom of a scorched pot.
Yun Zheng!!!
That wretched man. How dare he act so arrogantly? So outrageously?
“Let’s go,” Su Jian hissed, his voice filled with venom.
He cast one last look at the golden plaque above the gate, then turned sharply and stalked toward his carriage.
His guards quickly gathered the fallen men and followed. Soon, the entire group departed, their retreat marked by humiliation and bruises.