Chapter 19: The False Imperial Edict

Inside the General’s Tent.

“Dou Yuan pays respects to the Sixth Prince.”

With no one else present, Dou Yuan revealed Gao Changsheng’s identity.

Dou Yuan’s action caught both Gao Changsheng and Chu Yunyan by surprise.

After all, whether Dou Yuan was aligned with the Crown Prince or the Empress, he had no reason to concern himself with Gao Changsheng’s safety.

He could have easily exposed Gao Changsheng within the army camp, using the opportunity to declare his stance to the Crown Prince or the Empress, or to gain more political leverage.

Instead, he chose deliberately to protect Gao Changsheng.

This naturally earned Gao Changsheng considerable goodwill toward him.

“General, you are a meritorious minister of our great Yong Dynasty.”

“And also my elder, but this gesture from the General is more than I can accept!”

Gao Changsheng hastily helped Dou Yuan to his feet and exchanged polite greetings.

Dou Yuan smiled faintly at Gao Changsheng’s courtesy, not taking it seriously.

In the officialdom, acting skillfully is indispensable; to believe every word spoken is either to be a novice or utterly foolish.

“Miss Chu, please present the document from the Ministry of War.”

Dou Yuan extended his hand, requesting from Chu Yunyan.

But Chu Yunyan shook her head and said no more.

“Miss Chu, what do you mean by this?”

Dou Yuan looked surprised, as if suddenly transformed from a clever man into a fool.

This was not a flaw in his acting; often, feigning ignorance is the most tactful approach.

The graver the potential problem, the more one must avoid revealing one’s stance lightly, for a single wrong word may have unimaginable consequences.

At such times, feigning confusion simply returns the problem back to the questioner.

“I am the one who wishes to see the General.”

“But I am also acting on someone’s orders.”

Gao Changsheng said solemnly.

Acting on someone’s orders?

Whose orders?

Gao Changsheng’s ambiguous reply nearly muddled Dou Yuan’s mind.

Within Jin Yong City, who could command a prince?

The Crown Prince? The Empress? Or perhaps... the Divine Martial Emperor?

“General, are you guessing whose person I am?”

At that moment, Gao Changsheng openly exposed Dou Yuan’s thoughts.

Before Dou Yuan could reply, Gao Changsheng continued:

“If I said I am both the Empress’s and the Divine Martial Emperor’s person, would that surprise you?”

As soon as the words fell, a flicker of astonishment appeared on Dou Yuan’s face.

But he quickly masked it with an awkward smile.

“Your Highness jokes. You are the son of His Majesty, and the Empress is the Mother of the Nation.”

“Who in the realm wouldn’t be considered theirs?”

Dou Yuan laughed off what he thought was a trap with ease.

Gao Changsheng inwardly cursed Dou Yuan as a sly old fox.

Only a seasoned veteran of decades in the official world could possess such formidable adaptability.

“Heh,” Gao Changsheng smiled politely for a moment, then grew serious.

“Isn’t the General curious why His Majesty sent me to accompany you on this northern expedition?”

At these words, Dou Yuan’s smile stiffened.

As the saying goes, one who has nothing to hide fears no ghosts at the door.

Dou Yuan’s mind was haunted by countless ghosts.

“Forgive this old servant’s dullness; I beg Your Highness to enlighten me!”

Dou Yuan bowed again.

He certainly wouldn’t reveal his secrets lightly.

After all, Gao Changsheng had never produced any token of the Divine Martial Emperor’s authority.

What if Gao Changsheng were trying to gain something for nothing?

In fact, Dou Yuan already suspected Gao Changsheng’s intention.

If Gao Changsheng insisted on this line of thought, he could return empty-handed.

But unfortunately...

“Dou Yuan, do you really think His Majesty was unaware of what happened in the northern border three years ago?”

“Where did the four thousand missing prisoners from Bei Qi go? What agreements have you made with the Second and Third Princes? Do you truly believe His Majesty will not investigate?”

Gao Changsheng reprimanded him.

He even altered his manner of address to emphasize the gravity of the matter.

Yet after all this, Dou Yuan only slightly furrowed his brow.

There was not the slightest sign of panic.

Instead, it was Chu Yunyan behind Gao Changsheng who frowned deeply.

She worried for Gao Changsheng—not that he couldn’t deceive Dou Yuan, but fearing he was forging imperial edicts.

That was a capital offense.

“Your Highness is still too young.”

Suddenly, Dou Yuan seemed fully confident, even his gaze toward Gao Changsheng took on a trace of anger.

Could he really see through Gao Changsheng’s deceit?

“Oh?”

“Why do you say that, General?”

Gao Changsheng’s heart tightened but he forced himself to remain calm.

“I may be but a soldier, but I am no fool.”

“If I am right, Your Highness is neither His Majesty’s nor the Empress’s person.”

“Therefore, you know little about what happened three years ago at the northern border.”

“And you seek to use this matter to threaten me, but all you have brought forth is superficial.”

“Forging imperial edicts is a crime punishable by death. Should I inform His Majesty, you will know how severe the consequences of your cunning truly are!”

Dou Yuan’s face darkened with anger—it was clear he was truly upset.

At these words, Chu Yunyan’s heart leapt into her throat.

Her worst fears had come true; even as the most talented woman in Jin Yong City, she found herself at a loss for a solution.

“Sigh.”

“I had hoped to spare the General and your men some face, but to be bitten back—so be it!”

Gao Changsheng shook his head and sighed.

“Three years ago, the General led the court’s troops north to battle Bei Qi.”

“After more than ten victorious campaigns, he captured ten thousand prisoners.”

“However, the General condoned the massacre of four thousand Bei Qi captives by his subordinates, then had their bodies buried in the desert.”

“To the outside world, he claimed those four thousand prisoners had escaped.”

As he spoke, Gao Changsheng leisurely sat down at the table and poured himself a cup of tea.

His composed demeanor only deepened Dou Yuan’s suspicions.

“General, do you not wonder how I learned of this secret that even His Majesty does not know?”

Gao Changsheng looked at Dou Yuan calmly.

At this moment, Dou Yuan’s mind spun wildly.

But before he could speak, Gao Changsheng interrupted again.

“I have already said I am both His Majesty’s and the Empress’s person.”

“You may continue to doubt me, General, but soon someone will prove this to you.”

“If you have nothing better to do, you may join me for tea and wait a while.”

Having said this, Gao Changsheng poured a cup of tea for Dou Yuan.

As Dou Yuan extended his trembling hand to take the cup, a voice sounded from outside the tent.

“Reporting to the General: a summons has been delivered from the palace!”