Chapter 670: Argument
Chapter 670: Chapter 670: Argument
Shen Yanchuan nodded.
"You’ve always been reliable."
Uncle Di was imprisoned for so long that he was clearly being watched. If he had suddenly vanished, it would have surely alerted the other party.
But by taking care of him amidst the chaos, there’s nothing they can do now, even if they want to investigate.
No one would ever imagine that a death row inmate who disappeared from the Ministry of Justice Prison would be hiding in the Dingbei Marquis Mansion.
Yun Cheng glanced toward the rear courtyard and couldn’t help but ask, "Master, that man... What exactly is his identity? Why did Second Miss Ye want to rescue him?"
Shen Yanchuan shook his head.
"He’s still unwilling to talk. However..."
Now that he’s recuperating here, it’s possible he’ll be willing to reveal his identity and origins in time.
"Have Su Mu and the others take good care of him. Not a single word of his presence here must get out."
Yun Cheng’s expression tightened. "Yes, sir."
...
As time passed, the weather grew warmer, and the Capital City became increasingly lively.
For some reason, however, Fan Chengzhuo suddenly fell gravely ill and took several consecutive days of leave.
When Xie Anjun heard the news, he was the first to grow restless. He paid a secret visit that very night.
Fan Chengzhuo initially didn’t want to see him, but when he remembered he still needed Xie Anjun’s help with Zheng Baosu, he finally let him in.
The moment they met, Xie Anjun was taken aback.
"Y-You... how did you end up like this?"
It was no wonder he reacted so strongly. Fan Chengzhuo was far thinner than before, with a sallow complexion and dark, bluish circles under his eyes. He looked completely listless.
If one didn’t look closely, it would be hard to recognize him as the once-resplendent Minister of the Ministry of Justice.
Fan Chengzhuo was about to speak when a sudden tickle in his throat made him turn his head and start coughing violently.
He looked as though he could barely catch his breath, making one think he was about to cough up a lung.
Xie Anjun frowned, subtly leaning back. A flash of disgust flickered in his eyes.
"You’re coughing so badly. Did you catch a cold? Haven’t you called a doctor to take a look?"
It took a long while for Fan Chengzhuo to suppress his cough and for his breathing to gradually calm.
But his face was flushed red, which, combined with his deathly pale lips, made for a rather ghastly sight.
"I’ve seen several doctors, but none can tell what’s wrong with me. They prescribed some medicine, but it’s had no effect after several days."
Fan Chengzhuo shook his head.
"Some also said it might just be the change of seasons making me susceptible to illness, and that it might clear up on its own after a while."
Xie Anjun was skeptical. "They can’t figure out what’s wrong? What kind of doctors are you seeing? If it comes to it, should I get an Imperial Physician for you?"
After Fan Chengzhuo was demoted, his rank dropped several levels, so he no longer had the privilege of summoning an Imperial Physician.
Hearing Xie Anjun’s offer, he hesitated for a moment but then shook his head. "I’m afraid even an Imperial Physician wouldn’t be able to cure this..."
Xie Anjun found his words a bit strange.
’If not even an Imperial Physician can cure it, doesn’t that mean it’s a terminal illness!?’
But since Fan Chengzhuo said so, Xie Anjun didn’t insist. The two of them were merely partners. If the man himself wasn’t concerned about his own condition, why should he go out of his way to do him a favor?
Especially since he was still holding a grudge from the last time Fan Chengzhuo had stormed into the Duke Zhongyong Mansion and had a huge fight with him. He couldn’t be bothered to put in the effort.
Fan Chengzhuo knew he wouldn’t come without a reason, especially showing up unannounced today, so he took the initiative to ask,
"But what about you? What made you suddenly decide to come here today? You weren’t seen, were you? They’ve been investigating very closely lately."
Xie Anjun found it rather laughable.
"Now you’re worried about attracting attention? Why didn’t you think of that when you stormed into my mansion to cause a scene? Hmph, if the people from the Ministry of Justice really do trace this back to us, it’ll be all because of your carelessness!"
"Let’s not talk about that. I was just anxious at the time, wasn’t I?"
Bringing up that day’s events, Fan Chengzhuo knew he was in the wrong, but it was too late to say anything now.
"Where are your men? Weren’t they sent to intercept him? What’s the situation now?" Fan Chengzhuo pressed.
Xie Anjun sized him up with amusement. "Tsk, you really do care about that nephew of yours. You’re neglecting your own illness but all you can think about is his safety?"
Fan Chengzhuo’s face darkened, his patience completely gone. "I don’t have the leisure to play games with you. If you just came here to mock me, you can get out now!"
This blunt dismissal from Fan Chengzhuo irritated Xie Anjun.
"Who do you think you’re yelling at? Don’t forget, you’re not the Minister of the Ministry of Justice anymore! You don’t have the right—"
"I’d have the same attitude even if I were thrown in prison," Fan Chengzhuo retorted, unafraid of him. "Besides, if something were to really happen to me right now, you’re the one who should be more worried, aren’t you?"
They were in the same boat, after all. Each held leverage over the other, so what was there to argue about?
Xie Anjun’s face turned livid with anger, but he could only swallow it.
"I’m not going to argue with you. Things are tense in the Capital City right now. I just came to see why you’ve been skipping the court assembly for several days in a row. Do you have any idea how many eyes are on you, both openly and in secret? Zheng Baosu is your nephew! Any move you make right now will arouse their suspicion, don’t you get it!?"
Fan Chengzhuo was also furious. "What other reason could there be? It’s because I’m genuinely sick! Even if they investigate, that’s what I’ll tell them! Besides, do you think I don’t want to attend the assembly? I’ve been stuck at home for days, completely in the dark about what’s happening outside! I’m anxious too!"
If he didn’t go, he would have no idea what was happening during the court assembly.
In the past, when he still held a high position, there would have been plenty of people eager to curry favor with him by delivering news.
But it was a classic case of fair-weather friends. Those people only ever praised the powerful and trampled on the weak. Now that he had fallen from grace, they wouldn’t hesitate to kick him while he was down, so how could they possibly remain on good terms with him?
How could Fan Chengzhuo not be vexed by this?
Hearing this, Xie Anjun couldn’t think of a rebuttal for a moment. He took a deep breath to suppress his anger. "Staying sick like this isn’t a solution. You should find more people to take a look at you! Also, the men I sent out haven’t reported back yet. I don’t know what the situation is."
A sense of unease crept into Fan Chengzhuo’s heart.
"It’s been so long. Even if they failed the mission, they should have sent word back. How can there be no news at all? Could it be that the men you sent weren’t up to the task?"
"What’s that supposed to mean!?" Xie Anjun was finally provoked. "You were the one who came begging for my help! I helped you, and now this is what you say to me!? This is a matter of great importance; I had to choose men who are completely trustworthy! The men I handpicked are useless in your eyes?"
Fan Chengzhuo opened his mouth, but in the end, he swallowed his words.
His already pale face became even uglier.
’If I had any other choice, I wouldn’t have to endure this humiliation!’
After a moment, he finally frowned and said, "If it comes to it, send more men! In any case, we must stop him before he reaches the Capital City!"