Chapter 37: The General's Residence

d.After some thought, Li Chen said, "You adopted a foster daughter outside the palace"Samba was taken aback and hurriedly replied, "Your Highness, there is indeed a foster daughter. She just reached h...Chapter 37: General's Mansion

Li Chen let out a cold snort and said, "I have my own arrangements for this matter. First, spread the word that the mastermind behind the robbery of the treasury has been caught. Let's see how everyone reacts."

Chen Tong received the order and withdrew. Just as he was leaving, he bumped into Saba, who had just returned.

They glanced at each other and then looked away.

Sān Bǎo narrowed her eyes, glanced at Chén Tūng's retreating figure, and quickly entered Xīzhèng Diàn.

"Your Highness, I have already found out everything about the General's Mansion."

Li Chen held a cup of tea and took a sip, then said, "Go on."

"The General's Mansion inherits the legacy of Su Huo, the deceased God of War from the former Qin Empire. Su Huo served as a general during the reign of Emperor Gaozong, renowned for his illustrious military achievements. He once led 3,000 soldiers against 80,000 Hunnish cavalry and emerged victorious. In the eleventh year of Emperor Gaozong's reign, he valiantly stormed out of the pass, routing the Huns, forcing them to abandon their armor and flee as far as Mount Ju Xu. This relentless pursuit led the Huns to pay tribute and acknowledge our empire's dominion for sixty consecutive years."

“The God of War had experienced over three hundred battles in his lifetime, large and small, without a single defeat. At his peak, just the mention of the God of War’s name was enough to make the Xiongnu, Hu people, and others flee in terror. It was for this reason that His Majesty Emperor Gaozong bestowed upon the God of War the title of ‘God of War’, appointing him as the Left Pillar State, Imperial Grand General, hereditary Champion King, and the only foreign-surname hereditary prince in our dynasty.”

After the death of General Su Huo at the age of eighty-five, Emperor Renzong granted him posthumous honors and a place in the Taimiao Temple, with incense burning eternally.

"The current Emperor is said to have been close friends with Su Zhen-ting, the son of the God of War. However, during the third year of his reign, when the Jade Butterfly rebellion broke out, Wang Su-zhen-ting, the hereditary champion general, was implicated and dismissed by the Emperor in a fit of rage. The General's Mansion has remained low-key for over ten years since then, rarely opening its doors or receiving guests, staying far from court intrigue."

Moreover, Zhao Xuanji had once considered an alliance with the General's Mansion. He wanted his son, Zhao Kang, to marry Su Jinpa, the daughter of Su Zhen-ting. However, Su Zhen-ting rejected the proposal. After that, there was no further news from the General's Mansion.

"Zhao Xuanji wants to become relatives with the General's Mansion"

Li Chen sneered: “The General’s Mansion has always acted low-key and kept a low profile over the years. As the chief minister, he is the head of civil officials. It's impossible for Su Zhen to agree if he wasn't crazy.”

San Bao, the eunuch, flattered at the right time: "That's true, but according to what I heard, Zhao Tailai, son of Zhao Xuanji, is head over heels in love with Su Jinping. Though his marriage proposal was rejected, he's been trying every way possible to curry favor and get closer to her."

Li Chen put the teacup on the table and said, "Alright, this palace knows. You may leave now."

The Three Treasures bowed respectfully, then silently retreated.

After Sān Bǎo left, Lǐ Chén sat in Xī Zhèng Diàn for a while before returning to his sleeping quarters.

He went, of course, to Zhao Rui's bedroom.

Upon arriving at Zhao Rui's sleeping quarters, Zhao Rui hurriedly got up to attend to Li Chen's changing clothes.

"Seeing your face pale, were you frightened by the previous scene" Li Chen asked casually.

Zhao Rui whispered, "Those rebellious traitors, acting against propriety and righteousness, deserve to die."

"Death can be good, but there are many ways to die. Some are quick and painless, others are torturous, and some... leave you unable to live or die. The most terrible kind is when you want to die but can't."

Li Chen smiled faintly, raising his hand to gently stroke Zhao Rui's soft and smooth cheeks with his palm. He said, "For someone who has committed heinous crimes, simply killing them would be too cheap. Only by instilling deep-seated fear in them, making them taste the despair of even death becoming a distant hope, can we truly deter others. Let them understand the true cost of doing wrong."

Zhao Rui's heart trembled. She always felt that Li Chen's words carried hidden meaning. She cautiously asked, "Your Highness, will you ever use this kind of punishment on me one day"Chapter 659: Turning Point