Transmigrated as the Villain: Punching the Protagonist Group and Stepping on the Domestic Abuser - Chapter 5

After breakfast, Rong Se was invited into an elegantly styled study. This home office also had a refined name called Yunsong Study, dominated by dark tones. The desk and bookshelves were made of rosewood, and the desktop was fully equipped with writing brushes, ink, inkstones, and paper.

Rong Se casually flipped through the official documents on top and then cast his gaze toward a stack of ledger books. As he flipped through them, Yun Chu reported, “The Marquis of Dingbei is far away in the Northern Desert, and even a fast horse would take a month to rush back to the capital. Yet he returned precisely when the late Emperor passed away, presumably having caught wind of it quite early.”

Rong Se’s movements paused slightly. Lowering his eyes, he said, “Things have reached this point, so there is no need to investigate further. This restaurant, how is the business doing?”

What he was holding was precisely the ledger of Fusheng Pavilion, a restaurant opened under the original owner’s name. Having the original owner’s memories allowed him to barely recognize these characters, but since he was not a finance major, he could only roughly make out the contents.

Yun Chu paused for a moment and truthfully stated, “The West Market is prosperous, and Fusheng Pavilion is built on Xinglong Street, so the business is fair. However, there are countless restaurants and eateries in this area, and especially, many of them have backers behind the scenes, so naturally, their businesses are thriving. We have our own informants planted inside Fusheng Pavilion. Since you gave orders that no one must know the proprietor is you, the business naturally cannot compare to those restaurants blatantly run by officials.”

“Mn.” Rong Se maintained a calm expression and roughly flipped through the ledgers. They were all businesses under the original owner’s name. After a brief look, he said, “Go and handle a few matters for this Prince.”

Yun Chu lowered his head, “Your Highness, please give your instructions.”

“First, investigate the background of every restaurant in the capital thoroughly.”

“Second, find Zheng Fu and the Zhao family for this Prince.”

Upon hearing the second matter, Yun Chu’s expression suddenly changed, “Zheng Fu? Why would the Emperor still keep him alive?”

Zheng Fu was the eunuch close to the late Emperor Rong Xu, and he had long been bought off by Empress Dowager Cao. The imperial physician Zhao An was Rong Se’s man, secretly handing chronic poison over to Empress Dowager Cao, while Zheng Fu covered for her by Rong Xu’s side.

After Rong Xu died, Zhao An died of the crime of failing to cure him. The reason Rong Se was certain Zheng Fu was still alive and wanted to find him out was because the memorials impeaching the original owner in the original book were not the most critical part; the most crucial thing was that the ironclad evidence was as solid as a mountain of the crime of regicide and usurping the throne!

That old wretch Zheng Fu kept claiming that it was he who entered the palace and killed the emperor, acting as a human witness. Coupled with the Zhao family holding a last testament written by Zhao An, his crimes were completely nailed down.

“Keeping him alive is so he can splash dirty water on this Prince,” Rong Se said flatly. “As for the Zhao family, do not alarm them; just keep an eye on them in secret. Zheng Fu must never be left in the hands of the Cao family. There is one more matter.”

“This subordinate understands. Your Highness, please speak,” Yun Chu said with a solemn expression.

Rong Se gently touched his own chest, and in his heart, he softly said to the original owner: “Whatever they owe you, I will help you take it back, even if it just repays the favor of you lending me a life.”

At the same time, his expression grew slightly cold, and he parted his lips: “Empress Dowager Cao.”

In the palace, the Zhaoyang Palace side hall.

Cao Lun stroked his long white beard, his expression difficult to read as he said, “You saw the intention of the Marquis of Dingbei at court today; he has no intention of reminiscing about old ties.”

“If he didn’t care about old ties, he wouldn’t have rushed back to the capital,” Rong Jing gently clenched his hand and said warmly, “He must still have lingering concerns. I will summon him into the palace to have a good talk. Having guarded the borderlands for many years, it is inevitable that he feels somewhat estranged.”

“Very well,” Cao Lun nodded. “Given Rong Se’s vengeful nature of holding grudges for every minor grievance, he certainly won’t let Liang Shenyu off the hook. If he wants to stay out of trouble and protect himself, it won’t be that easy.”

Rong Jing also smiled and nodded, saying with a hint of disdain, “Indeed.”

Arrogant soldiers are bound to be defeated. Over the years, which of the censors who had impeached Rong Se in court ever met a good end? He would definitely not let Liang Shenyu go.

As long as he makes a move once, Liang Shenyu will know which side he ought to stand on.

Rong Jing lowered his eyes slightly, dark, cold emotions surging within his pupils.

He was merely a lowly spawn born of a prostitute; with a prostitute for a mother, what kind of good son could she possibly produce?

Unknowingly thinking of something, Rong Jing’s gaze softened again, carrying a hint of lingering tenderness.

Liang Shenyu.

They had, after all, been classmates for six years, and now the Marquis of Dingbei held thirty thousand Northern Jin elite cavalry in his hands. As long as he was around, Rong Se would simply be a fish on the chopping board waiting to be slaughtered!

Moreover, the brilliant, dashing, and high-spirited young man from his memories looked even more striking now.

Rong Jing had long known that he did not like women, and even despised them, only never showing it because his position was unstable. But seeing Liang Shenyu now, compared to him, the young masters of the noble families in the capital seemed completely eclipsed, causing him to secretly harbor other thoughts.

“Just keep a clear head about it,” Cao Lun’s dark gaze grew slightly cold. “In a few days, find a way to bring your mother back.”

Rong Jing: “Naturally, Maternal Uncle may rest assured.”

When Liang Shenyu entered the palace by imperial decree, a luncheon had been laid out in Zhaoyang Palace.

The imperial chefs in the palace served only the emperor, and the dishes they made were all exquisitely plated. Liang Shenyu did not look closely; he merely bowed and said, “This subject did not know Your Majesty was dining, and has caused much interruption. It will not be too late for this subject to pay respects after Your Majesty finishes lunch.”

“No need for such formalities,” Rong Jing smiled, stepping forward to support him as he said warmly, “You and I haven’t seen each other for many years. Yesterday’s imperial banquet was originally meant to welcome you back properly, but unexpected things happened. Better not mention it. Today, I have set out a private banquet, considered as an apology to you.”

This emperor was indeed acting rather approachable. Liang Shenyu remained outwardly calm. Having served as Rong Jing’s study companion for six years, others might not know his disposition, but Liang Shenyu knew it well.

He was a person with a hidden blade behind his smile, exceptionally skilled at using others to kill.

“This subject wouldn’t dare.” Liang Shenyu stepped back, appearing very respectful.

Yet also distant.

Noticing that Liang Shenyu intended to politely decline, Rong Jing lowered his eyes with a trace of disappointment and whispered, “Shuyun, you and I haven’t seen each other for many years, and yet we have grown this estranged? Are you unwilling even to share a meal with me?”

Liang Shenyu had the least patience for such scheming and hypocrisy. He had dispatched troops because he received a real-name confidential letter written with earnest and sincere phrasing, detailing how Rong Se lived extravagantly and dissolutely in the capital and how he arrogantly seized power. Fearing internal chaos in Jin, he had wanted to return personally to take a look.

As a result, he didn’t even get to see the Regent, and instead, this fellow directly used his momentum to ascend the throne.

“Your Majesty flatters me,” Liang Shenyu said in a cold, distant, and respectful tone. “Meritless, I dare not accept such a reward. If Your Majesty wishes to summon me, once you have finished your meal, this subject will return.”

Since the words had reached this point, forcing him to stay further would be unreasonable. In the end, Rong Jing did not manage to keep Liang Shenyu.

Gazing at the table full of food, Rong Jing sighed. Suddenly thinking of the conversation between Liang Shenyu and Rong Se last night, his suspicious nature flared up. His expression shifted through several changes before he suddenly called out, “Someone come.”

A eunuch stepped inside, lowering his head to ask, “Does Your Majesty have any instructions?”

“Keep an eye on the Marquis of Dingbei for me,” Rong Jing said in a deep voice. “If he goes to the Prince Regent’s Mansion, report back to me immediately!”

After his personal eunuch withdrew, Rong Jing furrowed his brows with a sinister look, suppressing his panic as he thought that Liang Shenyu was perhaps merely testing him.