Chapter Fourteen: The Conspiracy of the Shangguan Family

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Meanwhile, in the Shangguan residence!

“Ah!”
A series of agonized cries escaped from Shangguan Rui’s lips, as if every bone in his body were being wrenched apart in excruciating pain. Xu Changhai’s blows were merciless—not only had he destroyed Shangguan Rui’s sea of consciousness, but he had also shattered his meridians, inch by inch!

Within the Shangguan household, renowned physicians gathered, including two imperial doctors from the palace. After examining Shangguan Rui’s condition, they could only shake their heads in dismay.

“How is he?”
A cool, detached voice sounded. Shangguan Yun and Shangguan Hong, who were inside the room, turned to look, only then noticing a broad, imposing figure standing at the window with his back to them.

“Father!”
The newcomer was none other than the true master of the Shangguan clan, Shangguan Wu. Two hundred years ago, it was he who led the Divine Strategies Office and aided the current emperor’s ascent to the throne, securing for himself the title of Duke of Lu. Though he no longer participated in court affairs, his disciples and former subordinates were spread throughout the bureaucracy, making his influence impossible to ignore.

“Disgraceful wretches! How could you let things fall so low? What exactly happened? Tell me everything in detail!”
Shangguan Wu’s tone was cold, betraying no emotion.

Eldest among the three brothers, Shangguan Yun dared not delay upon hearing his father’s question. He recounted the events in painstaking detail.

Halfway through the tale, Shangguan Wu’s expression grew stormy and he interrupted:

“So, the youth who cut down the banner is the young master of the Heavenly Strategies Office?”
Shangguan Wu’s voice was filled with surprise.

“Yes.”
No sooner had Shangguan Yun spoken than—smack!—a heavy slap struck his face, swelling one cheek instantly.

“Father?!”
Clutching his left cheek, Shangguan Yun stared at his father in shock. Never in his memory had his father lost his temper so violently.

“Useless fools! You let them humiliate the Shangguan family right at our doorstep! And had your cultivation crippled in public! You three good-for-nothings have shamed me completely!”

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Shangguan Wu’s face twisted with rage, barely contained. To have their nemesis slaughter a hundred guards at their own gate, to see the emperor’s personally bestowed banner severed, and to have a son’s cultivation destroyed in the street—it was a humiliation of the highest order! How could he not be furious?

“Thud!”
Shangguan Yun and Shangguan Hong’s expressions changed, and together they knelt, trembling. Since their father had stepped down over a century ago, they had never seen him so wrathful. They hurried to explain the sequence of events.

Yet, no matter how they tried to justify themselves, the matter was already settled and word had spread—by now, all of Eastern Capital must be laughing at the Shangguan family.

“So, the Heavenly Strategies brought three thousand elite cavalry, and General Xu Changhai himself acted? If so, why didn’t you submit a memorial to His Majesty? Must I teach you everything? To kill people with troops in the imperial city—even the Marquis of Martial Might doesn’t have that privilege! Just days ago, I joined with the Marquis of Valor, intending to use the incident from the northwest war to topple the Marquis of Martial Might. But today’s disgrace has ruined the Shangguan family’s reputation—how can I maintain our alliance with the Marquis of Valor now?”

Initially, Shangguan Yun thought his father’s anger was merely for the sake of the family’s honor. But upon hearing this, a sudden realization struck him. His face turned pale and, within seconds, he began to tremble, cold sweat pouring down his body.

In the battle to defend the northern frontier, the Marquis of Martial Might had forcibly requisitioned grain and pay from the three southwestern counties, which should have been handed to the court, causing His Majesty to grow displeased. What Shangguan Yun never expected was that his father had allied with the Marquis of Valor to seize this opportunity to undermine the Marquis of Martial Might. Yet today’s debacle had utterly disgraced the family—would the Marquis of Valor still choose to cooperate? It now seemed an unsolvable problem.

The world’s bustle is driven by profit; how many would associate with a family so thoroughly shamed in the capital?

“Father, I was wrong. I knew nothing of this matter!”
Both Shangguan Yun and Shangguan Hong were wracked with fear.

They had been kept in the dark about their father’s plan to ally with the Marquis of Valor against the Marquis of Martial Might. For years, friction between the Divine Strategies and Heavenly Strategies Offices had been constant, and the Shangguan family had sought to oust the Marquis of Martial Might but had never succeeded. At court, the Marquis had the Grand Tutor as his ally, placing the Shangguan family at a disadvantage; only after the Grand Tutor left court did they gradually regain ground.

The issue of grain shortages for the Heavenly Strategies Army in the northwest was orchestrated by Shangguan Wu behind the scenes. The Marquis of Valor was eager to cooperate, and Shangguan Wu welcomed the chance. With the Marquis of Valor’s help, Shangguan Wu believed he could use the grain crisis to ensure the Heavenly Strategies Army would gain little from the northwest campaign.

But unexpectedly, the Marquis of Martial Might dared to seize southern taxes to supply his troops. Today’s seemingly chaotic events were, in fact, a warning to the Shangguan family. Given the circumstances, the Marquis of Valor would likely hesitate to ally against the Marquis of Martial Might.

If the Heavenly Strategies Office gained glory in the northwest campaign, their status would far surpass the Shangguan family, and court factions would shift accordingly. By then, the Shangguan family would lose all ability to contend with the Heavenly Strategies.

At this thought, Shangguan Yun and Shangguan Hong trembled uncontrollably…

“Enough. You cannot be entirely blamed for this.”
Seeing his sons’ panic, Shangguan Wu’s heart softened. Ultimately, they could not be faulted—the events had happened too suddenly.

For the sake of his schemes against the Marquis of Martial Might, he had told no one in the family about the incidents on the northwest battlefield. Even his sons did not know the grain crisis was his doing.

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Even if he had told his sons, it would have made little difference—rather, it would have increased the risk of information leaking.

Though Shangguan Wu spoke words of reassurance, his heart remained uneasy. He understood deeply the gravity of today’s incident and its far-reaching implications.

If this event caused the alliance with the Marquis of Valor to fail, within a year, the Marquis of Martial Might would surely move to crush the Shangguan family. By then, the situation would be far more dire than it was today.

“Father, does this mean our alliance with the Marquis of Valor has failed?”
Shangguan Yun now understood why Xu Changhai had not only crippled Shangguan Rui’s cultivation but also slaughtered hundreds of Divine Strategies soldiers in the street—it was all an act of intimidation, meant for the Marquis of Valor to witness.

“Failed?”
At Shangguan Yun’s words, Shangguan Wu let out a cold laugh.

“The Marquis of Martial Might’s move was a mistake. He wanted to humiliate the Shangguan family and force the Marquis of Valor to abandon our alliance. But what will the Marquis of Valor think? Would he wait for the Marquis of Martial Might to deal with us first, and then come after him? Let the Marquis pick off his enemies one by one? In this situation, unless he’s a fool, he should still ally with us. The key is whether we, before the Marquis of Martial Might returns to the capital, can make our next move well and show the Marquis of Valor our worthiness as partners. If so, today’s humiliation can be avenged in time.”

Shangguan Wu frowned, lost in thought for a long while.

“What should we do next? The spies from the Court of Ceremonies report that the Grand Chancellor has suppressed all memorials impeaching the Heavenly Strategies. The Grand Guardian also entered the palace to plead for the Heavenly Strategies. His Majesty likely won’t punish the Heavenly Strategies Office just for this incident, especially after their victory.”

Shangguan Yun pondered anxiously.

“The Heavenly Strategies Office has just repelled the northern invaders; His Majesty will not punish them for the sake of officials’ pride. However, that so-called young master of the Heavenly Strategies has alerted me. I hadn’t expected him to be the Grand Tutor’s disciple… Go, investigate where that youth came from.”

Shangguan Wu’s face darkened. The Grand Tutor’s disciple… Since that night sixteen years ago, everyone in the Eastern Capital knew the Grand Tutor’s name was taboo to His Majesty. If something could be made of this matter…

“Father, will that help? Both the Marquis of Martial Might and the Grand Tutor were key figures in helping His Majesty ascend the throne, and their friendship is well known. Would His Majesty weaken the Marquis of Martial Might because of the Grand Tutor?”

Shangguan Yun asked, puzzled.

“Do not question me—just do as I say. I have my reasons. If His Majesty still trusted the Grand Tutor, he would not have let him leave for sixteen years without issuing an edict to summon him back.”

Shangguan Wu spoke coldly. He was one of the few who knew the truth of what happened sixteen years ago.

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