I became the God Brother of the Regent King after Transmigration!-Chapter 385 - 300: Treacherous Courtier

Du Changning truly wants to leave the Capital City. Upon his return this time, he merely intended to check on his long-unseen little disciple and extort some money for spending, but unexpectedly got trapped by Zhang Fengcai, just as his disciple came to rescue him. Yet, he couldn’t leave Zhang Ruoshui unattended.

But now, he really doesn’t want to care anymore. After all, he isn’t a deity, and Zhang Ruoshui is quite old now; there’s no one who can save him.

"The most important thing is, I must take Bao’er along, so I’ll need your help," Du Changning said.

Rong Heng lowered his gaze and gave a nod of agreement, "If you want to leave, just go ahead. However, I’d like to ask Nian—"

Before he could finish his sentence, he quickly spun around and pulled Du Changning’s collar, hurriedly retreating.

With just a "whoosh" sound, a sharp Flying Knife stabbed into the ground where they had just been standing.

Just a moment later, Rong Heng would have been cleaved by the Flying Knife.

Zhang Fengcai, clad in his everyday attire, emerged from under a tree. His complexion was that ashen hue typical of eunuchs, and in his hand, another Flying Knife swiftly spun at his long fingers.

Zhang Fengcai unexpectedly had returned and coincidentally bumped into the two.

His gaze was sinister, he stared intently at Rong Heng and Du Changning, his voice low:

"Oh, it seems that while I haven’t been in the mansion, Senior Du has been particularly free."

He didn’t recognize Rong Heng, merely felt that this mysterious man before him gave him a strangely familiar feeling.

Du Changning promptly raised his wine gourd, "Little Feng, I was craving some wine, so I had this young lad accompany me to the tavern. You see, once I’ve had my drink, I was going to come right back."

"I believe you won’t abandon your foster father today, but I can’t trust you won’t run away in the future."

Zhang Fengcai sneered, looking at Rong Heng with his long narrow eyes observing his attire and demeanor, a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes: "Are you one of Prince Xiang’s men?"

Zhang Fengcai wasn’t aware that Rong Heng often took Du Changning out, but prior to this incident, Rong Heng had threatened him, citing the hidden matter of Zhang Ruoshui, who ought to have died.

For this reason, Rong Heng’s subsequent departures from the palace had become quite simple.

At this moment, Rong Heng was dressed in black, and after leaving Prince Rui’s Mansion, he specially donned a mask of black iron color.

After all, he had been following Gu Lan closely during this period, with many people aware that beside Young Master Gu, there was a mysterious guard wearing a silver mask, and knew he was from the Marquis Mansion. He couldn’t afford to bring trouble to the Marquis Mansion.

Thus, Zhang Fengcai didn’t recognize him as Rong Heng himself and didn’t even think of the Marquis Mansion, mistakenly believing that Rong Heng had reached into his household.

Rong Heng’s voice became even deeper, coarse and unrecognizable in terms of age: "I am under orders to protect Senior Du. He wanted to drink, so I took him out briefly."

Zhang Fengcai seemed to recall something, murmuring: "Unexpectedly, even Senior Du has been found by Prince Xiang. Such remarkable tactics... Of course, he was once an apprentice of the Senior."

Back then, that youth lingering in the deep palace, struggling to survive, now surprisingly possesses such hidden capabilities.

Seeing these two seem to have a confrontation, Du Changning said: "Hey, you two chat slowly, I’ll go back and check on Zhang Ruoshui."

Zhang Fengcai’s figure flickered and abruptly appeared before Du Changning: "But didn’t I just hear you, Divine Doctor, intend to leave?"

Du Changning gritted his teeth, thinking that since Rong Heng was present, he might as well lay it all out for Zhang Fengcai.

"So, my foster father is beyond saving..."

Upon hearing his words, some of the chill around Zhang Fengcai diminished, and a trace of grief flashed in his eyes.

He had gone to great lengths to rescue his foster father and hide him outside the palace for so many years, yet, he still cannot escape the erosion of time.

"I’ve told you the true state of Zhang Ruoshui. You may silence me if you wish, as I am no longer of any use to you," Du Changning raised his head proudly and took a swig from his wine gourd.

Rong Heng rolled his eyes, thinking, well, he isn’t afraid at all, putting on a brave demeanor, yet that young disciple is right by his side.

Zhang Fengcai calmed himself, listening to Du Changning’s words, his heart felt even heavier.

"Well, no one wants to antagonize a doctor... You and your foster father are extremely close friends, I won’t kill you," Zhang Fengcai promised, "As you wish, whenever you desire to leave, go on and leave the Capital City, never to return."

Du Changning laughed, knowing the matter was settled: "I appreciate that."

Staring at his gray hair, Zhang Fengcai’s voice turned cold again, his tone sharp:

"But, the affair of seeing your foster father here must be buried within you forever, not to be spoken of to anyone, otherwise, even if I have to mobilize the entire Inner Supervision of Dayan, I’ll kill you... and all your disciples."

Du Changning felt a chill within: "I understand, carry on with your wickedly rebellious, master-betraying Chief Eunuch deeds, I won’t disturb you..."

For Zhang Fengcai to become the foremost eunuch of Dayan, besides having grown up in the Eastern Palace alongside Rong Jing, and being the foster son of the former Chief Eunuch Zhang Ruoshui, many suspect Zhang Fengcai secretly murdered his foster father to rise in power.

Thus, Zhang Fengcai’s image among the people was that of a ruthless, master-betraying, wicked traitor.

"Master-betraying?" Zhang Fengcai repeated, sneering, "Indeed, quite accurately stated."

He’d rather be a distinguished traitor that the masses despise, than let Your Majesty find out his foster father survived... Because the decree to slay his foster father back then was given by Your Majesty, when at the crucial time, his foster father voluntarily sacrificed his life, paving his path of wealth and honor, how could he bear to strike again.

Du Changning desperately asked: "Ah, uh, young lad, could you carry me up, I can’t fly up."

Rong Heng bent down, tossed the Flying Knife at Zhang Fengcai, then hoisted Du Changning up, sending him back.

Seizing the chance, he whispered beside Du Changning’s ear: "In a few days, I hope Nian Xia will accompany you to leave the Capital City."

Du Changning was surprised as he watched him depart.

Rong Heng didn’t say anything further, vaulting over the wall, finding Zhang Fengcai still standing in place.

"Does Eunuch Zhang have other matters?"

"Tell your master, he can threaten me for a while, but not forever, what transpired before is bygone, as long as he doesn’t lay a hand on Your Majesty, I will act as if nothing occurred. But — convey my words to Prince Xiang, verbatim."

But, should Rong Heng act against Rong Jing, he definitely wouldn’t continue feigning ignorance.

The latter part of the sentence was left unsaid by Zhang Fengcai.

Rong Heng slightly nodded, remaining silent, turning to vanish right before him.

Nonetheless, his heart deepened with suspicion towards Rong Jing because of Zhang Fengcai.

Seeing Rong Heng leave, Zhang Fengcai retrieved his Flying Knife, proceeding through the main gate into his own courtyard.

Firstly, he paid a visit to Zhang Ruoshui, instructed the elder to rest well, then dined with his wife for lunch, finally returning to his study, casually reviewing intelligence from various sides.

Zhang Fengcai, overseeing a significant portion of the Inner Supervision, is naturally quite busy usually, today is just a rare idle moment, suddenly recalling there is a small home outside the palace, hence he came back for a look.

Hardly had he started reading when a servant announced from outside the study:

"Master, there’s a Noble outside seeking audience."

Zhang Fengcai summoned the servant inside, puzzled: "Noble, did he mention his name?"

The servant shook his head, presenting a Jade Pendant with both hands: "This person did not provide a name card, but I noticed he traveled in a luxurious carriage, dressed rather exceptionally... He handed over this Jade Pendant, saying you would recognize it at once."

Accepting the Jade Pendant from the servant, Zhang Fengcai’s face shifted: "It’s... Second Prince’s item."

The Jade Pendant is pure white as snow, its touch fine as mutton-fat jade, and at its lower end, a pale-yellow tassel hangs.

This Jade Pendant was gifted by Zhao Country to Yan Country the previous year, totaling only two pieces, granted by Your Majesty to the Crown Prince and Second Prince, one each, with the Second Prince expressing great fondness, often wearing it after attaching his tassel.

Both Jade Pendants passed through his hands, hence his recognition.

Unexpectedly, Second Prince came to visit him.

Indeed, he usually serves at Your Majesty’s side, unfamiliar with Second Prince, inconvenient inside the palace, necessitating a meeting here...

Pondering, as Second Prince arrived, he saw no reason for refusal, although conferring might lead the Crown Prince to suspect alignment with Second Prince.

Zhang Fengcai recalled something from a few days ago.

Earlier, at Qianyuan Hall, Your Majesty shredded a Crown Prince’s fold memorial, berating a Crown Prince’s follower with unusual coldness.

Zhang Fengcai regained focus, decided to meet Second Prince.

Though he shouldn’t presume imperial thoughts, the Crown Prince’s downfall seems imminent, if aligning then let it be so, as long as Your Majesty trusts him, he might simply claim private friendships with Second Prince!

Fortunately, Your Majesty has only two princes, one must be Crown Prince or Second Prince, having experienced succession battles once, could he still fear now?

Suddenly, a vague shadow flashed through Zhang Fengcai’s mind.