Chapter 2359: Tossing and Turning (Patreon)

Chapter 2359: Tossing and Turning

Shu Yu was puzzled. "Master, you had your eyes closed the entire time. How could you see his countenance?"

The Dongqing Temple Master sighed, "Are you here to collect debts? Every time we meet, you find a way to confront me."

She decided to close her eyes again, and Shu Yu chuckled, deciding not to say anything further.

The surveillance inside and outside the room continued. Shu Yu massaged the Dongqing Temple Master's shoulders, showing her filial respect.

However, when night fell, Cheng Wu came to get her, and she returned to the room where Prefect Magistrate Cheng was being held.

Prefect Magistrate Cheng was visibly anxious and let out a sigh of relief when he saw her return.

But then Xia Yan frowned. "Madam, Young Master hasn't returned yet."

Shu Yu looked around but didn't see Meng Yunzheng. It seemed that Rong Hou had intentionally separated them.

"Don't worry, they won't do anything to us for the time being. Ah Yun... he's fine," she reassured.

She walked over to Zhao Xi and asked, "How is Cheng Xian doing?"

"I managed to get some medicine from them. Thankfully, they gave me some common medicines that pose no threat to life. Cheng Xian is not in immediate danger, but the conditions are still not ideal." The environment wasn't suitable for nursing wounds.

Shu Yu couldn't help with the medical treatment, but she hoped that Rong Hou would "see the light" sooner, and they could be released earlier.

After a brief conversation, everyone found a place to rest. Meanwhile, not too far away in the courtyard, Rong Hou lay in bed but couldn't fall asleep. He kept replaying Shu Yu's words in his mind.

What was his original intention? Initially, he and his older brother had joined Minister Gong to lead better lives. However, his older brother possessed talent and aptitude in martial arts, while he did not. So, one became Minister Gong's trusted confidant, while he could only start from various trivial tasks.

In his earlier years, Rong Hou had felt resentful, but his older brother had died more than a decade ago. At that moment, he understood that even if he was favored by his superior, served him diligently, and gave his all, his life could be forfeited at any moment.

He wanted to live, and more than that, he wanted to take charge of his own destiny. He wanted to be a government official that others would serve.

If he succeeded in helping the Second Prince this time, he could become such a person.

However, the Dongqing Temple Master claimed that they were at their wits' end and wouldn't have a good life. Initially, Rong Hou should not have been responsible for guarding the Dongqing Temple Master and Prefect Magistrate Cheng. However, since he was the first to know the divination statement, and given the limited number of people who could be exposed to the Dongqing Temple Master, he was tasked with this duty.

In addition to guarding, Rong Hou had another important task: persuading the Dongqing Temple Master to break the deadlock. Whether it was through threats or temptations, as long as he could make the Dongqing Temple Master speak, he would be recognized as a hero.

Now, it seemed that the Dongqing Temple Master would never speak. He wouldn't be able to complete his mission, and his superiors wouldn't let him off the hook.

Rong Hou tossed and turned in bed, deeply engrossed in his thoughts. Should he make the Dongqing Temple Master speak or should he pledge allegiance to the current Emperor? Which option would be easier to achieve?

He pondered this dilemma throughout the night.

The next day, Rong Hou woke up exhausted and left his room. Cheng Wu looked at him in surprise.

"What happened last night, Steward Rong?"

Before Cheng Wu could finish his sentence, someone approached and handed a letter to Rong Hou. Rong Hou opened it and began reading. The more he read, the tenser his expression became. After a while, he seemed to make a decision, his eyes narrowing slightly.