The Succession Struggle in the Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 37 Rambling about Tu Chengyu

Jia Lian's actions were quite significant, naturally attracting the attention of others nearby.

Sitting next to Jia Lian, a fair-skinned young man asked with concern, "Second Uncle Lian, what happened?"

Jia Lian shook his head and said, "It's nothing. I just drank too much. I'm standing up to sober up."

Upon hearing this, the young man stopped asking questions, and the others who had also noticed Jia Lian shifted their attention to drinking and eating.

After confirming that he didn't need to go over to pay his respects, Jia Lian hesitated before sitting down. However, his mind was not on the table at all, and his eyes kept drifting towards the door.

Tu Chengyu learned about Qin Ye from Lao Yao, and also learned that his son Qin Zhong was that person, so he prepared to withdraw.

Unexpectedly, Qin Ye, who was entertaining guests at the table, turned around and saw Tu Chengyu at the door, so he got up and walked straight over.

Qin Ye walked up to Tu Chengyu, clasped his hands in greeting, and asked, "I am so sorry that I failed to take good care of you when you arrived."

Tu Chengyu was surprised that the old man was so perceptive, able to recognize him as a benefactor at a glance.

Tu Chengyu returned the greeting briefly and said, "It's alright. We just happened to be passing by and saw that your family was about to have a happy occasion, so we thought we'd come in and share in the joy. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by our unannounced visit."

Qin Ye smiled and said, "It is an honor for my humble abode to have such a distinguished guest. How could I say it is an intrusion?"

After exchanging pleasantries, Qin Ye said, "The main hall is too noisy to entertain distinguished guests. Fortunately, there is a feast prepared in my study in the backyard. Please, distinguished guests, move to the study to rest."

Tu Chengyu came to gather information, and now that he has gathered enough, he is preparing to go back. He has no appetite at all.

Just as he was about to decline, he noticed a section of Qin Ye's wristband that he had inadvertently revealed.

Qin Ye, a civil official, was wearing wrist guards that were usually reserved for military men on such a joyous occasion, which was quite strange.

That wasn't all. What surprised Tu Chengyu the most was that he recognized the wristband. It belonged to Qin Er, a rebel, and had been given to his father by Tu Chengyu as a token.

Now that this wristband is on Qin Ye's arm, Tu Chengyu thought to himself, it seems that Qin Ye's invitation to the banquet in the backyard is not just a simple act of hospitality, but there must be something else going on.

Considering that his father inexplicably sent him out, it might also be related to this matter.

After a moment's thought, Tu Chengyu decided to go and take a look. After all, his father had sent him here, so there couldn't be any danger.

He said to the guards, "There are too many people here. Let's go to the backyard for drinks."

The guards gathered around and followed Qin Ye to the backyard.

Upon arriving at the study, Old Yao led his men inside to inspect the room. Afterward, he quietly told Tu Chengyu, "Fifth Master, the room is safe. There's only an old Taoist priest meditating."

An old Taoist priest? Could it be that Father sent me to see this person? Or did Qin Ye arrange this on his own initiative?

Tu Chengyu turned to look at Qin Ye, who said frankly, "Sir, please go in quickly, or the food will get cold."

Tu Chengyu was still hesitating when the older guard came over and whispered to him, "Fifth Master, the Master said that having a meal is no big deal."

Tu Chengyu found out that this was all arranged by his father. He thought to himself, "My father is really something. He should just tell me what to do, instead of beating around the bush."

After figuring it out, Tu Chengyu had the guards stand watch at the door, and he went into the study alone.

Upon entering, the first thing I saw was the Taoist priest meditating with his eyes closed. He was thin, with slightly dark skin, a gray-white goatee, and wore an earth-blue Taoist robe.

He heard footsteps, opened his eyes and saw a child standing not far away, looking him up and down.

The Taoist priest quickly stood up and said, "This old man, Jia Jing, greets Prince Su."

Tu Chengyu was quite surprised, not because he was surprised that this person knew him, but because he was wondering why Jia Jing would be here.

He had guessed many people in his mind, but he never imagined that Jia Jing was in the study.

Whether it was from books and videos before, or from what he heard after entering this world, Jia Jing had always given Tu Chengyu a rather mysterious impression.

Tu Chengyu believes that people who like to act mysterious are either fools who pretend to be wise or venomous snakes with deep minds.

It's unlikely that Jia Jing is a fool, so he must be a dangerous viper.

Tu Chengyu really didn't know how to deal with this kind of cunning person. The two people he knew best who liked to play mind games were his father and his grandfather.

Although both of them are very skilled at it, they have rarely used it against him. Therefore, they don't have much experience in dealing with him.

Tu Chengyu returned the greeting to Jia Jing, then slowly walked to the table. Under Jia Jing's gaze, he leisurely pulled out a chair and sat down.

After Jia Jing waited until Tu Chengyu sat down, he pulled out a chair and sat down opposite him. Once seated, he was about to speak.

But Tu Chengyu, who had been observing him closely, interrupted him. Tu Chengyu asked abruptly before Jia Jing could speak, "Lord Jia, you haven't become a monk?"

Jia Jing was taken aback by Tu Chengyu's question and was momentarily stunned. However, he quickly recovered and said, "I am merely practicing meditation in a Taoist temple and have not become a monk."

Tu Chengyu said "Oh," as if he understood, and then asked, "Why did Lord Jia dare to leave Xuanzhen Temple today?"

This was yet another unexpected question. Jia Jing was unsure whether Prince Su knew about his secret hiding in the Taoist temple, or if he was just making things up.

Tu Chengyu couldn't help but chuckle to himself when he saw the inquisitive look in Jia Jing's eyes. When dealing with this kind of person, you have to disrupt his train of thought; otherwise, you'll easily be led astray.

Jia Jing, not understanding the situation, could only casually say, "Why does Prince Su ask such a question? I simply prefer to cultivate in seclusion within the temple, and there is no question of whether I dare to leave the temple."

Tu Chengyu said, "I've only heard rumors that you betrayed the former crown prince, leading to his defeat and death. Afterwards, he became a ghost, haunting you day and night. To avoid being haunted by the ghost, you hid in Xuanzhen Temple and never came out. Is that really true?"

This story was fabricated by bored busybodies in the capital. Xiao Xuanzi overheard it from outside and told it to Tu Chengyu.

When Tu Chengyu suddenly ran into Jia Jing today, he couldn't help but think of him and blurted it out without much thought.

Tu Chengyu said it casually, but for Jia Jing, it was not so casual.

Because, in retrospect, Jia Jing had indeed betrayed the former crown prince.

He certainly felt guilty towards the former crown prince, but not to the point of being haunted by demons. Rather than hiding in the Taoist temple out of fear of the former crown prince's fake ghost, he was more afraid of the real ghost, the retired emperor.

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(End of this chapter)