The Succession Struggle in the Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 68 Why the Brothers Talk

Tu Chengyu left after arguing with the person. Those who were on good terms with Hu Guangjin glared at Tu Chengyu, while most of the others were somewhat gloating when they saw that Hu Guangjin couldn't even argue with a child.

After leaving the Youyuan Restaurant, Tu Chengyu planned to visit other restaurants and inns in the capital to hear what the scholars who couldn't stay at Youyuan were talking about. Perhaps he could even discover other young talents and give the Emperor Emeritus more options for marriage.

But before Tu Chengyu could go far, he saw a waiter from the restaurant running out, calling out as he ran, "Young master, wait a minute."

Upon seeing the waiter, Tu Chengyu suddenly remembered something. He turned to Lao Yao and asked, "Did you pay for the food and drinks we just ordered?"

Upon hearing this, Lao Yao looked embarrassed and said, "They haven't served the food yet, and I forgot to pay."

Tu Chengyu was speechless. No wonder the waiter was running so fast; it turned out he owed someone money.

When the waiter finally ran up to them, breathless, Old Yao took out a few taels of silver to pay.

Unexpectedly, the waiter did not take the money. Instead, he said, "I am not here to collect money for the wine. I am here to deliver a message for a distinguished guest. This distinguished guest would like to invite you to meet him in the back garden."

Tu Chengyu was still wondering who would invite him here, but Lao Yao had already given up.

He said, "What kind of distinguished guest is he? The person who invited him actually sent a waiter. Go back and tell him that our young master is too busy to see him."

The waiter, who worked here, was quite worldly-wise and wasn't intimidated by Old Yao's words. He raised his hand, pulled a folded piece of paper from his sleeve, and handed it over, saying, "The esteemed gentleman said that the young master will know who he is after reading the letter."

Upon hearing the waiter's words, Lao Yao took the letter at Tu Chengyu's prompting, checked it over, and handed it to Tu Chengyu after finding no problems.

Tu Chengyu opened the letter; it contained only a few words, yet it clearly revealed his identity.

Tu Chengyu muttered to himself with a strange expression, "Why is he here, and why does he want to see me?"

Old Yao asked, "Young master, shall we go see him?"

Tu Chengyu thought for a moment and said, "During the visit to the garden, was anyone sent to check it?"

Old Yao said, "We've already sent people to check, and they found no danger."

Tu Chengyu said, "In that case, let's go see him."

Then he said to the waiter, "Lead the way."

Upon hearing this, the waiter led the way, with Tu Chengyu and the others following behind. They did not enter the restaurant, but instead bypassed it and entered the back garden through a side path.

Then, following the winding path along the small lake in the back garden, we soon arrived at the gate of a small courtyard.

In front of the courtyard gate stood a young servant, dressed neatly and cleanly. When he saw Tu Chengyu approaching, he first greeted him, then pushed open the courtyard gate and let Tu Chengyu and the others in.

Upon entering, one first sees a courtyard several dozen square meters, directly opposite a two-story building, and on the left side of the courtyard, a small pavilion.

A servant was standing in front of the small building. When he saw Tu Chengyu, he pushed the door open directly.

Tu Chengyu didn't ask any more questions and led Lao Yao and the others inside. They were greeted by a young man in white who was smiling at them.

Tu Chengyu turned around and looked around. Finding that only the young man was in the room, he waved for Lao Yao and the others to leave.

Old Yao led his men out, and the door to the small building was closed.

The young man smiled and said, "Greetings, Prince Su."

Tu Chengyu dared not presume and quickly returned the greeting: "Greetings, Brother Yixiao."

This person was none other than Tu Yanzong, the only son of the former crown prince, who was frail and sickly.

He had remained secluded at home for the past six months, so why had he suddenly come to the garden today and wanted to see Tu Chengyu? With this question in mind, Tu Chengyu and Tu Yanzong sat down, and Tu Chengyu immediately asked, "Brother Wang, did you summon me here for something?"

Tu Yanzong said, "Fifth brother, I do have something to discuss with you."

Tu Chengyu said, "Brother Wang, please speak."

Tu Yanzong said, "Fifth brother once went to Qin Ye's house. Was it the Emperor who sent fifth brother to see the Qin family's daughter?"

Tu Chengyu nodded.

Tu Yanzong said, "I'm sure you've guessed the identity of the Qin family girl, Fifth Brother. I came to see you here specifically for this matter."

He also came for Qin Keqing; I wonder what it was about.

Tu Chengyu said, "Brother Wang, just tell me, what do you need me to do?"

Tu Yanzong said, "I only learned about the Qin family girl's background today, and of course I also heard about her engagement to the Jia family. I've always known that the Jia family is not a good match, and she will gain nothing by marrying into them. Unfortunately, I can't help her now, so I'd like to ask my fifth brother to help her break off this engagement."

Is this a case of great minds thinking alike? He also saw the Jia family's deplorable state.

Although Tu Chengyu was working on this, he didn't want to tell him directly. Instead, he asked, "Since you know that the Jia family is not a good match, why don't you write to the Emperor Emeritus and explain the matter? Why come to me, someone who can't do anything?"

Tu Chengyu's words were partly to hear Tu Yanzong's plans, and partly to subtly probe how he knew Tu Yanzong had come to the garden. After all, Tu Chengyu still had a hidden enemy who hadn't appeared yet, so it was only right to be cautious.

Tu Yanzong explained, “Given Qin’s status, how could I dare to submit a memorial? Besides, given my current situation, it’s better to avoid trouble. So, I thought of you princes in the palace. I’ve been sending people to guard outside the palace these past few days to see which of you will leave. Today, a servant came to report that my fifth brother has come to visit the garden, so I rushed over here.”

Tu Chengyu thought to himself, "So that's how he found me." He thought for a moment and said, "Brother Wang, I will report this matter to my grandfather and see how he will arrange it."

After listening, Tu Yanzong said, "That's very good. There's another thing I'd like to tell my fifth brother."

Tu Chengyu asked, "What is it?"

Tu Yanzong said, "The 20th of this month is my birthday. I am a loner by nature and do not like crowds, but I like to have a lively celebration for my birthday. In previous years, many people would have come on this day, but I am afraid that few people will come this year. So I would like to invite my fifth brother to come."

Tu Chengyu asked, "Brother Wang, did you call only me, or were there others?"

Tu Yanzong said, "I always send invitations to the younger generation of the imperial clan. As for my fifth brother, I am inviting him in person today."

Since everyone had been invited, Tu Chengyu naturally couldn't refuse. He said, "Brother Wang, don't worry, I will definitely come on the appointed day."

After discussing the two matters and chatting for a while, Tu Chengyu took his leave.

After Tu Chengyu left, Tu Yanzong stood at the door, gazing in the direction he had gone, until a eunuch dressed in a dark blue robe walked up behind him and whispered, "Young master, he's gone."

Upon hearing this, Tu Yanzong snapped out of his reverie and asked, "Do you think what I'm doing is worth it?"

The eunuch did not answer, and Tu Yanzong continued, "I know he is innocent, but I just can't swallow this."

The eunuch replied, "But young master, there's no need to put yourself in such danger."

Tu Yanzong said, "I don't have much time left. If I can settle this matter before I die, I can die in peace."

Upon hearing this, the eunuch sighed deeply and said nothing more.

The editor said it will be available on Sanjiang next week, so I'd like to express my sincere gratitude to all the readers here.

Thank you all for your support and help during this time. I hope we can continue to work together and move forward together.

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(End of this chapter)