Chapter 281 - 277: Mad Couple 41

Chapter 281: Chapter 277: Mad Couple 41

Ji Xiaosong was taken aback by his words, a complex look flashing in her eyes.

She gently pushed Wu Chufeng away, her expression serious. "My husband, there are some things I think you need to know."

She paused, took a deep breath, and continued, "These past few days, the Crown Prince hasn’t sent anyone to protect the estate. Our family has remained safe and sound entirely because of our household guards’ desperate defense, along with the veterans Father urgently recalled. They stood watch day and night, fending off several groups of miscreants who tried to force their way in."

Wu Chufeng’s face was a mask of shock. "How could that be?" he asked, incredulous. "The Crown Prince personally promised me that he would send men to ensure your safety."

His brow furrowed as a sense of unease washed over him. ’Could it be... there’s more to this than meets the eye?’

Ji Xiaosong sighed softly. "My husband, I don’t know why the Crown Prince would do such a thing, but that is what happened. When Father learned you’d run into trouble at the palace, he was sick with worry. He immediately summoned his old subordinates. The moment those veterans heard the news, they rushed here to help without a second thought. Our household guards have also been completely loyal, standing their posts day and night to keep everyone in the estate safe."

Wu Chufeng was silent for a long moment. Clenching his fists, he said in a low voice, "Why would the Crown Prince lie to me? What is he planning? The Tiger Talisman for the West Suburb Camp is critically important. I had intended to handle it properly with his help, but now... it looks like I’ll have to reconsider the entire matter."

Ji Xiaosong looked at Wu Chufeng with concern and urged, "My husband, you must not act rashly. The situation is treacherous and unpredictable. A single misstep could lead to utter ruin. We need to think this through carefully, figure out the Crown Prince’s true intentions, and only then make a decision."

She gently caressed her stomach. "Besides, we have a child on the way now. We have to be even more careful. We can’t put our children in danger."

Wu Chufeng nodded. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "Don’t worry, my wife, I won’t do anything rash. It’s just... in this court, people’s hearts are impossible to predict. I’m just so worried. Father is getting old, yet he still has to run himself ragged for my sake. I..."

His voice choked slightly, thick with guilt.

Ji Xiaosong gently hugged Wu Chufeng and said softly, "Father’s only concern is for you; he can’t bear to see you in even the slightest danger. Now that we know the truth, we must be even more cautious going forward. No matter what, our family has to stick together and face this as one."

Wu Chufeng hugged her back, and the warmth of her embrace gradually calmed his heart.

Just then, the parrot on the veranda cried out again, "Peace! Peace!" But to the couple, the sound now carried a heavy, ironic weight.

*

After speaking with Ji Xiaosong, Wu Chufeng went to Wu Daniu’s room and told him what had happened with the Crown Prince.

"Ah, you’re still too young."

Wu Daniu chuckled and continued.

"If our entire family had died in this ’incident,’ the Crown Prince could have easily pinned the blame on the Second Prince. With all of us dead, you would have no one left to worry about. Wouldn’t that make it easier for you to be loyal to him? What’s more, if your wife had died, the Crown Prince, as the new emperor, could have simply arranged another marriage for you. Wouldn’t that be an easy way to win you over?"

As Wu Chufeng listened to his father’s analysis, understanding dawned on him, followed by a chilling wave of fear.

He looked at Wu Daniu, his eyes filled with admiration and gratitude. "Father, if it weren’t for your foresight, for recalling those veterans to protect our home in time, our family would have already... But now that we know what the Crown Prince is thinking, how can we possibly respond to ensure the Wu Family’s survival?"

Wu Daniu rose slowly, clasped his hands behind his back, and began to pace the room, his expression grim.

He pondered for a moment before speaking. "Since the Crown Prince is capable of such scheming, he will certainly make another move. He will undoubtedly pressure you to hand over the Tiger Talisman for the West Suburb Camp. But that talisman must not fall into his hands so easily. It is both the trump card our Wu Family holds and a set of shackles binding us."

Wu Chufeng frowned, mulling over the deeper meaning in his father’s words.

"You mean that while the Tiger Talisman can be a bargaining chip in our dealings with the Crown Prince, it could also bring an even greater disaster upon us?"

Wu Daniu nodded, a sharp glint in his eyes. "Precisely. The Crown Prince hasn’t even taken the throne, and he’s already plotting against us. If he actually becomes emperor, he’ll see the Wu Family as an even bigger thorn in his side. But we can’t oppose him openly. That would be treason, a crime punishable by the execution of our entire clan."

"Then... let’s just strike first. The Wu Family fought alongside the late emperor to build this dynasty. It’s barely been a dozen years, and the Royal Family has already turned on us. We might as well take the throne back."

A resolute look flashed in Wu Chufeng’s eyes. "Father, the court is in chaos and the Crown Prince is treacherous. Why should we continue this foolish loyalty? We hold the Tiger Talisman for the West Suburb Camp. If we join forces with your old subordinates and secretly contact the factions who are dissatisfied with the Crown Prince, we might just have a chance to win. The Wu Family has served loyally, only to be betrayed. If we don’t forge our own path, I fear we will never know a day of peace again."

Hearing this, Wu Daniu stopped in his tracks. He stared intently at Wu Chufeng, his eyes a mixture of surprise and contemplation.

After a moment, he spoke slowly. "My son, rebellion is easier said than done. It doesn’t just concern the lives of our entire Wu Family; it will affect countless common people. Once we take up arms, war will tear the land apart and lives will be lost. Have you considered the consequences?"

Wu Chufeng lowered his head slightly, but his expression remained firm. "Father, I understand the stakes. But the Crown Prince is closing in on us. If we don’t fight back, it’s only a matter of time before he eradicates the Wu Family completely. It’s better to risk it all than to simply wait for our doom. Besides, if we succeed in overthrowing such a treacherous monarch and establishing a just court, wouldn’t that be a good thing for the people as well?"

Wu Daniu sat down again, his hands rubbing the armrests of his chair as he sank into thought.

After a long while, he looked up at Wu Chufeng. "There’s some truth to what you say, but there is too much we would need to prepare. First, while we can mobilize the soldiers of the West Suburb Camp with the Tiger Talisman, not all of them will follow us into rebellion without hesitation. We must carefully consider where their loyalties lie. Second, contacting the other factions is extremely risky. One careless mistake, one leak, and it will mean utter annihilation for us."

"Father, you’re not against it?"

"Why would I be? The late emperor only had a few sons, and not a single one is competent. The Crown Prince is already cornering us. If we don’t rebel, what other path is there? I’ll go and persuade the men at the West Suburb Camp. We need to handle this as soon as possible, before the Crown Prince officially ascends the throne."