Chapter 17 — The Heir to the Throne with the Wicked Face

Place a Military Rank Bet

Not long after the dinner, Cận Bá Tuyên officially presented to Khưu Bá Trạch a memorandum proposing to open a comprehensive investigation into Thông Bảo Trang, citing suspicions about the relationship with the Ghost Faced Witch that had not yet been clarified, which could affect the court's reputation in front of foreign embassies.

This news reached Trường Phong's ears through a trusted clerk on the night the manuscript was presented, making him extremely worried. If a comprehensive investigation is conducted, it is likely that all the careful cover that Nhược Hi has built up over the years will be exposed, putting the entire plan in jeopardy before it can be completed.

"We have to do something to delay this investigation," Trường Phong said to Nhược Hi in an emergency meeting that night, his voice full of determination. "Otherwise, we won't have enough time to find the captain and complete the final set of evidence."

"What are you going to do?" Nhược Hi asked, an uneasy feeling rising in her heart.

"I will personally guarantee Thông Bảo Trang before the court," he replied, his eyes determined. "As a Vũ Lâm Trung Lang General, I have the right to propose a guarantee for a merchant if I have enough reputation and a clear public service relationship. I will bet all my military rank and honor, affirming before the court that Thông Bảo Trang is completely innocent."

"Impossible!" Nhược Hi objected immediately, her voice full of worry. "If the truth is discovered later, you will have to bear the blame and may even lose your life because of that guarantee."

"I have considered carefully." Trường Phong held her hand, his eyes filled with unshakable determination. "But if we don't do that, the investigation will take place immediately, and we will lose everything before we can complete the mission. I would rather bet my life to buy more time, than let justice never have a chance to be served."

Nhược Hi looked at him, feeling both touched and sad. She knew that this was not an impulsive decision, but the courageous calculation of a person who was ready to sacrifice everything for the great cause.

"Are you sure?" She asked, her voice shaking.

"I'm sure." He nodded decisively. "This is the only thing we can do right now to protect you and our plan."

Three days later, at a regular court meeting, when Cận Bá Tuyên presented his proposal to investigate Thông Bảo Trang in front of all the officials, Trường Phong suddenly stepped out of the ranks of martial officials and knelt down in front of the dragon pedestal.

"I have something to say," he said, his voice echoed throughout Kim Loan Palace.

Khưu Bá Trạch, sitting in the regent's chair, frowned and looked down. "What does General Ve Trung Lang want to say?"

"I would like to sponsor Thông Bảo Trang," Trường Phong said, his voice did not tremble even though he knew he was betting his life. "In the past time, I have had the opportunity to contact and learn about the activities of this trading route, and found absolutely no signs related to illegal forces. If the royal court conducts an investigation right now, I am afraid it will damage the commercial reputation of the capital, especially during a sensitive period when the Western Liang embassy is still staying and observing our every move."

Cận Bá Tuyên frowned, not expecting Trường Phong to publicly stand out as a guarantee. "Does General Ve Trung Lang know that if in the future it is discovered that Thông Bảo Trang is actually involved in a crime, will you be held jointly responsible?"

"I understand that clearly," Trường Phong replied without any hesitation. "I would like to use my entire military rank and my life to guarantee this guarantee."

The entire Kim Loan Palace was plunged into silence. Khưu Bá Trạch looked at Trường Phong for a long time, his long, narrow eyes full of calculation. He knew that if he rejected the guarantee of a talented young military officer who was popular with many of his colleagues, it would make public opinion in the court more unfavorable for his faction, especially when there was no real evidence in hand.

"Okay." Finally, he spoke, his voice calm. "I agree to postpone the investigation, based on the guarantee of General Ve Trung Lang. But if any unusual signs are discovered in the future, you must bear full responsibility."

"God obeys." Trường Phong bowed his head, breathing a sigh of relief even though he knew that he had just placed his entire future on a risky bet.

After the audience ended, Khưu Bá Trạch kept Cận Bá Tuyên in his private study, his face could not hide his pensive look. "Do you believe Vệ Khinh's guarantee?" he asked.

"I'm not sure," Cận Bá Tuyên replied, his voice full of doubt. "But a young military official, without many deep connections in the court, why is he willing to bet his entire career on a trader he has only known for less than a year? This is not reasonable at all."

"Yes, that's what's bothering me." Khưu Bá Trạch nodded, his long narrow eyes flashing with new suspicion. "From now on, in addition to monitoring Thông Bảo Trang, you should also keep a closer eye on Vệ Khinh. A person who dares to be so reckless must have a deeper motive than what he shows on the outside."

"I understand." Cận Bá Tuyên bowed his head to accept his orders, silently remembering to monitor Trường Phong more closely from now on, a hidden threat that neither Nhược Hi nor Trường Phong could fully foresee the danger.

After the court meeting, when news of Trường Phong's sponsorship of Thông Bảo Trang spread, many people in the court began to discuss, some admired his courage, others were skeptical about the true motive behind that action. Nhược Hi, upon hearing this news, hurriedly went to see Trường Phong that night.

"You really did that," she said, her voice both emotional and worried. "You know you just bet your life on my hands."

"I know." Trường Phong smiled slightly, although his eyes still contained a bit of fatigue after the pressure he had just experienced. "But I trust you, believe in the path we are on. As long as we succeed, all the risks today will be worth it."

Nhược Hi held his hand tightly, her eyes filled with determination. "I will not let your sacrifice be in vain. I will speed things up and complete the final proof as soon as possible."

That night, Nhược Hi summoned Tang Dịch Phong and conveyed urgent orders. "We don't have much time left. Trường Phong put his life on the line to buy us some precious time, I can't let it go in vain. You must speed up the search for the captain at all costs, even if you have to go directly to the border to convince him."

"The old man will leave tonight," Tang Dịch Phong replied, his voice filled with determination. "If we're lucky, within half a month, the old man will have news of his return."

"Half a month," Nhược Hi repeated, her eyes filled with anxiety mixed with hope. "I just hope that half a month won't be too late to save everything."

Looking at Tang Dịch Phong's figure disappearing into the night on the road towards the distant border, Nhược Hi stood silently for a long time, filled with hundreds of worries about what lay ahead, both for herself and for the man who had just bet his entire career for her.

Trường Phong came to her side and stood quietly looking in the direction of the road Tang Dịch Phong had just disappeared from. "Don't worry too much," he said, his voice deep and reassuring. "Mr. Tang is an experienced man, having been through life and death countless times under my father's command. He will find a way."

"I'm not just worried about him," Nhược Hi replied softly, turning to look at him, her eyes full of concern. "I'm still worried about you. From today, all eyes in the court will be watching you more closely than ever. You must be extra careful, don't let any loopholes fall into Cận Bá Tuyên's hands."

"I will be careful." He gently squeezed her hand, his eyes filled with rare steadfastness. "As long as you believe in me, I will overcome all the challenges ahead, until the day we stand together in the middle of Kim Loan Palace, revealing the entire truth to the world."

The night wind blew past, bringing with it the cold air of the last days of winter, but there seemed to be no more room for fear between the two of them, only a firm belief in the path they had chosen, even though there were still many unforeseeable thorns ahead. They stood together until dawn, not saying another word, just quietly sharing warmth and reassurance with each other for the still challenging journey ahead.