"Something happened to my grandfather?"
Zhu Zhanjun's brows shot up.
He had never heard anything about this.
"What exactly happened?"
Princess Channing's expression turned grave. She waved her hand, dismissing the surrounding maids, then lowered her voice. "This is top-secret information. I only received it moments ago."
"Half a month ago, the main army led by your grandfather encountered a once-in-a-millennium 'White Hair Wind' deep in Mobei while pursuing Arutai's remnants."
"White Hair Wind?"
Zhu Zhanjun was unfamiliar with the term.
"It was the most terrifying natural disaster on the grasslands."
A trace of lingering fear flashed through Princess Channing's eyes.
"The snowstorm was so fierce that visibility dropped below three feet. The temperature plummeted, and water froze the instant it dripped."
"The army was trapped in a valley, unable to advance or retreat, and its grain and fodder had nearly run out."
"More terrifying still, that bastard Arutai somehow brought in a group of Shaman Sorcerers from the Western Regions. They used Evil Arts to stir up the wind and snow, making the disaster even worse."
"Your grandfather's health had already been weakened by years of campaigning. This time, rage and anxiety attacked his heart, and the cold entered his body. He has already fallen ill."
"For now, Zhang Fu, Xue Lu, and several other veteran generals are barely holding things together. Only then have they managed to stabilize the Military Morale."
"But if more grain and fodder cannot be transported there, those hundreds of thousands of soldiers may... be wiped out to the last man."
After Princess Channing finished speaking, the entire courtyard fell into deathly silence.
Zhu Zhanjun's face darkened until it seemed water might drip from it.
He finally understood why Fang Bin had dared to make his move at a time like this, using such clumsy tactics to frame him and pretend to surrender.
So this was the root of it all!
They thought Zhu Di had fallen and the Crown Prince had been assassinated, leaving the entire Great Ming court without a leader. As long as they could control him—the greatest variable—wouldn't the Imperial Throne fall into the hands of Prince Han and Prince Zhao?
What a scheme!
What a masterstroke—cutting the firewood from beneath the cauldron!
"Auntie, thank you for telling me this."
Zhu Zhanjun rose and gave Princess Channing a solemn bow.
"You silly child, why be so polite with your aunt?"
Princess Channing supported him.
"Your grandfather and your father can no longer be counted on."
"The Jiangshan of Great Ming can only rely on you now."
"I understand."
Zhu Zhanjun nodded, a trace of icy killing intent flashing in his eyes.
"However, before dealing with the affairs in the north, we need to swat all the flies in the capital first."
He pointed at the bloodstained cloth on the table.
"Auntie, I need you to help me find everyone who has come into contact with the owner of this cloth."
"No problem."
Princess Channing agreed at once.
"I keep several Wind Seeking Hounds from the Western Regions at Tingfeng Pavilion. Their sense of smell is a hundred times sharper than that of ordinary hunting dogs."
"With this piece of cloth as a scent, they can find the person for you within half an hour."
As she spoke, she picked up a small silver bell from the table and gently shook it.
A woman dressed in black, clad in tight-fitting clothes, appeared in the courtyard like a ghost, dropping silently to one knee.
"Master."
"Go and bring Black Wind here."
"Yes."
The woman took her orders and left. Before long, she returned, leading a huge dog with a pitch-black coat and a powerful build. It looked fiercer than a wolf.
"Zhanjun, let it smell the cloth."
Zhu Zhanjun held the bloodstained cloth out to the huge dog named Black Wind.
Black Wind merely sniffed it once before a low growl rumbled from its throat. Its eyes instantly turned blood-red, filled with savagery and the desire to track its prey.
"Go."
Princess Channing gave the order.
The woman nodded. Leading Black Wind, she flashed away and disappeared beyond the courtyard wall.
"Zhanjun, wait here and relax while we await the news."
Princess Channing sat down again and poured him a cup of tea.
"At most an hour. I guarantee I'll give you a satisfactory answer."
Zhu Zhanjun nodded and sat down as well.
He truly needed to wait now.
To wait for an opportunity—one that would let him capture Fang Bin, as well as Prince Han and Prince Zhao behind him, in one fell swoop.
However, before the two of them had finished their tea, a burst of commotion and agitation suddenly came from outside the courtyard.
An arrogant, overbearing voice carried over from far away.
"What do you mean Room Number One of the Heaven Grade has already been reserved? Do you know who my master is?"
"My master is none other than Lord Fang, the current Minister of War! In the capital, there isn't a place our Young Master Fang can't go!"
Immediately afterward came the deferential explanation of a servant.
"My lord, I'm truly sorry."
"Room Number One of the Heaven Grade really does have an honored guest today."
"How about Room Number One of the Earth Grade? I'll take responsibility and waive the charge for a pot of the finest Daughter Red!"
"Go to hell!"
"Smack!"
A crisp, resounding slap, accompanied by a scream, rang clearly from outside.
"You lowly servant, how dare you bargain with this young master?"
"I'm taking Room Number One of the Heaven Grade today, no matter what!"
"Anyone who dares stop me—I'll break his dog legs!"
"Go call your Steward! Otherwise, I'll tear down this lousy building today!"
Hearing the arrogant abuse from outside, Zhu Zhanjun's brows drew together slightly.
Fang Bin's son?
What a... narrow world.
He looked toward Princess Channing and saw that his pampered aunt's expression had already turned cold.
Before you continue