Chapter 40

The terrain of Hualing Mountain on the outskirts of the capital was treacherous, but its Feng Shui was excellent. If Xiao Heng’s network extended throughout the Great Chu, the imperial mausoleum was the only loophole. Besides a few scattered guards, there was no one else around.

Chu Zhaoyou was extremely satisfied. He immediately ordered Lu Huai to lead the Imperial Dragon Guard to surround the mausoleum, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving.

Once he replaced the guards, the mausoleum would be filled with “relatives” and trusted individuals.

Initially, Xiao Heng was reluctant to allow Chu Zhaoyou to leave the capital. However, witnessing Chu Zhaoyou take such drastic measures to investigate the grave robbery and pre-emptively deploying the imperial Dragon Guard to secure the area, Xiao Heng refrained from voicing any further concerns, lest it raise suspicion.

The only downside was that Di Yan believed the mausoleum had too much yin energy and wasn’t suitable for nurturing a fetus.

Chu Zhaoyou persuaded her, “If Aunt believes that, then let me say this: the mausoleum is where the dragon’s energy is most abundant. I am the true Dragon Emperor. I will be drawing spiritual energy from the dragon veins and receiving the protection of our ancestors. Who would dare to approach me?”

Di Yan responded, “Aunt believes, it’s best for you to return with me to Liangzhou. Once the true Emperor is far away, the Regent has no authority over you.”

Yesterday’s letter from Liangzhou had reported that Zhao Yu, Chu Zhaoyou’s Niece, was ill and had been calling for his mother after being separated for several months. Di Yan was deeply concerned. However, in the capital, her nephew, now pregnant, alreadytwenty, appeared as if knew nothing, and had to guard against the watchful eye of the Regent. She dared not reveal the news of the pregnancy. It was a case of being caught between a rock and a hard place.

She proposed that Chu Zhaoyou accompany her to Liangzhou and return to the capital after the New Year.

Chu Zhaoyou had a strong intuition that the Regent wouldn’t release him. There was no reason to believe so. Based on the Regent’s strong desire for control, even meddling in minor matters like marriage, it was highly unlikely that he would allow Chu Zhaoyou to go to Liangzhou.

Chu Zhaoyou smiled and said, “Aunt, with the recent incident at the mausoleum, I have a good excuse to stay away for a while. At her age, my cousin will find it extremely hard to be away from her mother. Most likely, she has been feeling anxious all this time and only dared to speak up when she fell ill. Keeping you in the capital for nearly three months is my selfishness.”

Di Yan was persuaded, “In that case, I’ll accompany you to the mausoleum for three days. If everything is fine, I will return to Liangzhou, and I’ll come back in three months.”

Chu Zhaoyou responded, “I’m all grown up now. Do I really need Aunt to accompany me to the mausoleum?”

In a low voice, he said, “I understand. Aunt dislikes the late Emperor. If it weren’t for me, she probably wouldn’t have set foot in the imperial mausoleum in her lifetime. Aunt has been very good to Chu Zhaoyou. I’ve grown up, and Aunt doesn’t need to force herself for me anymore.”

Di Yan’s eyes reddened. Her nephew was so understanding. Why did he have to encounter the overbearing Regent, especially now, while pregnant, having to endure being confined to the mausoleum?

Chu Zhaoyou, fearing his aunt’s tears, quickly added, “Aunt doesn’t know how generous the treasury has been this time. The funds allocated are enough for me to turn the mausoleum into a paradise. I will personally oversee the restoration, and everything will be done according to my own preferences. Wouldn’t it be more comfortable than living in the palace?”

Naturally, the mausoleum had its standards and style, and no matter how much it was renovated, it wouldn’t change the essence of a tomb. Chu Zhaoyou’s words were soothing, a way to amuse his aunt.

He didn’t have many demands, just a comfortable room. The exterior didn’t matter. The leftover money could be saved as a private fund, wasn’t that enticing?

Chu Zhaoyou somewhat understood Qian Shicheng. If his wife confiscated all of his money, and he wanted to save some privately, he would have to live a more frugal life. Anyone who tried to take his money would face his wrath.

On the day Chu Zhaoyou left the capital, his aunt also set off for Liangzhou. The two bid each other a lingering farewell, with endless caring reminders.

Di Yan whispered, “Take good care of yourself. If that scoundrel causes any trouble, your aunt will handle it.”

Chu Zhaoyou replied, “…There’s no need.”

“This carriage is a gift I’ve prepared for my younger cousin and sister. When you have time, Aunt can bring them to the capital to have some fun.”

Di Yan kept wiping her tears with a handkerchief, her nose red from crying. “Zhao Jin, you must protect Zhaoyou well.”

Zhao Jin: “I guarantee it with my life!”

The Regent, silent and reserved, exuded a sense of restraint and frustration. Even though they were three people, Chu Zhaoyou’s thoughts were always with Lady Zhao. Ignoring the Regent.

Last time he escorted Lady Zhao, this time he saw her off. It was as if he didn’t exist. Yet, here he was, shamelessly seeing them off.

After Chu Zhaoyou finished speaking with his aunt, he was assisted onto the carriage by Eunuch Xue, looking solemn, not daring to show too much excitement.

Xiao Heng watched Chu Zhaoyou’s long procession and wondered if he intended to guard the mausoleum for three years. It was only a day’s journey from here to Hualing Mountain, so why such an elaborate convoy?

He stopped Chu Zhaoyou, “I hope Your Majesty will solve the case soon. If the investigation doesn’t progress smoothly, I will send people from the court to assist.”

Implicit in his words was a warning that if Chu Zhaoyou didn’t return promptly, he would send someone to supervise.

Chu Zhaoyou drew back the curtain, sneering, “If the Regent has an open mind, he shouldn’t meddle in this matter. If you send people to resolve the grave robbers in three days, how will I have any fun?”

Xiao Heng choked, regretting not leaving more people to guard the imperial mausoleum. Now it was too late to intervene, and letting Chu Zhaoyou handle it alone felt like falling into a subtle trap.

Hualing Mountain was the highest peak, requiring a winding ascent. Once at a relatively flat area, there was a royal-built resting place. Long neglected, it looked worse than the scattered rural homes nearby.

Choosing to abandon the carriage and walk, they continued along a narrow path, and suddenly the landscape opened up. Buildings nestled against the mountainside.

The Imperial Dragon Guard was encamped outside, with layers of security. Inside remained untouched.

The outermost structure was the tomb of the late Emperor, with weathered walls, overgrown with grass, and cobwebs hanging from the eaves. The steps were covered in fallen leaves.

The circular stupa, made of white granite, marked the late Emperor’s tomb. Bird droppings obscured its original color. Seeing this desolate sight, Chu Zhaoyou couldn’t help but sigh.

Regrettably, he wasn’t genuinely interested in restoration. It wasn’t about embezzlement, but the thought of large-scale construction, transporting materials and stones up the mountain through the narrow path they had just traversed. It would be a drain on resources and manpower. Chu Zhaoyou would rather be seen as an unfilial son.

“General Lu, surround the mausoleum. Let the soldiers choose their own places to stay; there is no need to sleep in the open. Without my order, no one is allowed in, especially the Regent. Send a few people to question the villagers outside the mountain, see if they heard or saw anything.”

The elderly guards were detained in a lower room, awaiting interrogation.

As night fell, Chu Zhaoyou still had the energy to interrogate, but Lu Bo, a trusted aide of Lu Huai, advised him to get some rest.

“Your Majesty, those three old men are all deaf and illiterate. It’s difficult to discern their expressions at night. It’s better to question them early in the morning.”

“Deaf?” Chu Zhaoyou speculated, “Was the tomb chamber blasted open?”

Throughout history, emperors feared their tombs being robbed after death. In addition to concealing the entrance, the tomb chamber would have multiple stone doors that were difficult to open. Considering all three elderly guards were deaf, could it be that the tomb chamber had been breached?

There wasn’t much of value to steal from the above-ground part of the mausoleum. Grave robbers typically targeted the burial chamber’s accompanying treasures—gold, jade, and items the late Emperor favored, all housed within the tomb chamber.

Chu Zhaoyou suddenly faltered in his speech. How about the late Emperor’s coffin?

General Lu Huai stood by Chu Zhaoyou’s side and, in a protective gesture, only held his sword with both hands to indicate a bow.

Chu Zhaoyou’s gaze shifted to the coffin, where a set of grim white bones lay scattered nearby. The late Emperor had passed away over seven years ago and had long since turned into a set of white bones, which had been pried out of the three-layered coffin by grave robbers.

Xiao Heng hadn’t dug him out of the tomb. This was the fate that had befallen the late Emperor.

Chu Zhaoyou closed his eyes and couldn’t help but retch.

“Prepare the coffin again and lay him to rest,” Chu Zhaoyou took a deep breath and walked a few steps toward the set of bones. Some duties had to be fulfilled for the original owner.

Zhao Jin stopped Chu Zhaoyou, “Your Majesty, you’re not feeling well. Let me handle this for you.”

Chu Zhaoyou paused, struggling with the thought of whether the late Emperor could forgive him for carrying the child of the Regent in his belly. For the sake of the late Emperor’s only grandchild, he decided to let Zhao Jin take over for him.

Lu Huai saw an opportunity and volunteered, “I served the late Emperor. Let me handle this.”

“In that case, I will trouble General Lu,” Chu Zhaoyou’s stomach churned, fearing he might vomit on the late Emperor’s remains.

Lu Huai acted swiftly, and the damaged coffin lid was closed again in no time.

Chu Zhaoyou surveyed the desecrated tomb chamber and suddenly noticed a securely sealed iron box next to the coffin. It seemed like it had been inadvertently dragged out by the grave robbers while handling the late Emperor’s remains, dropping into the corner.

The iron box was inconspicuous, but Chu Zhaoyou imagined the scene and deduced that the box was likely placed on the late Emperor, which was why it was brought out.

Such an unremarkable item didn’t seem like an accompanying piece, but rather something intentionally placed in an obvious location… for future generations to find.

Had the late Emperor anticipated such a day?

Chu Zhaoyou, feeling inexplicably driven, sensed the great importance of the contents within.

“Zhao Jin, open it and see what’s inside,” Chu Zhaoyou’s voice was hoarse as he watched Zhao Jin pick up the iron box from the ground and pry it open with his sword, revealing a rolled-up copper sheet.

Chu Zhaoyou unfolded the delicate copper sheet, and his heart skipped a beat.

The first three words read—Xiao Yudao.

…

The morning court in the Xuanzheng Hall had just concluded.

Xie Chaoyun had been fervently trying to mediate between the two individuals over the past few days. With the young Emperor absent from the palace, he could only endure the Regent’s disapproving countenance.

“I wonder if they’ve caught the grave robbers,” Xie Chaoyun sighed casually.

Xiao Heng, having endured the whole day and night along with the morning court, was finally unable to endure and mentioned Chu Zhaoyou. He gritted his teeth, “Gone for so long, for those who didn’t know any better, they’ll think that I had him confined in the mausoleum.”

Xie Chaoyun was speechless, “Your Majesty has only been gone for a day.”

Even if they had captured the grave robbers within an hour and immediately set off, they wouldn’t have made it back by now.

For a Regent, can’t he be a bit more normal?

“I seriously doubt how you managed to stay in Youzhou for two months without seeing His Majesty,” Xiao Heng said, looking like he couldn’t stand it even for a day.

“Two months…” Xiao Heng murmured, then suddenly, as if he had found a life-saving remedy, “Of course, I need to go find him.”

Upon learning from a physician familiar with the He Xin Gu poison that if he stayed under the same roof with Chu Zhaoyou once a month after the first onset, it could alleviate the pain of subsequent attacks.

Initially, the Regent had felt disdainful upon hearing this. He would rather break like jade than be whole like pottery. But less than a month after the first onset, he had inexplicably spent a night at the Funing Palace.

At the time, he didn’t understand why.

Now he knew—he simply liked Chu Zhaoyou and wanted to live with him.

With two months of campaign and the period of discord with Chu Zhaoyou, a total of three months had passed. Xiao Heng pressed his forehead; he seemed to have a headache.

The He Xin Gu poison couldn’t be delayed. He needed to see Chu Zhaoyou immediately.

“Tsk, nothing but moaning about nonexistent illness,” Xie Chaoyun watched the Regent striding away. How had the Regent suddenly become so compliant with medical advice?

Author’s note: Regent, It’ll probably take three days and three nights to make up for it, right?

The real drama of the imperial mausoleum continues

(to be continued)