Chapter 0065: Always Feeling Familiar with Liang Wan Da, Xie Chengze Falls into a Coma After an Assassination Attempt
There were still many details to wrap up regarding the disaster relief in Yi Province, such as rebuilding houses with river sand and stones, drying out farmland flooded by the river, confirming the locations of downstream river branches, and preparing for the winter snow and cold. Xie Chengze did his best to offer suggestions on all these matters.
Fortunately, before his transmigration, he had just entered university, and much of his knowledge in mathematics, physics, and chemistry had not yet been “formatted.” With the assistance of ingenious craftsmen recruited from among the common people, these issues were eventually resolved with proper solutions.
He also didn’t let Liang Wan Da off the hook, constantly urging and supervising him day after day, making sure he memorized all these theories and plans.
Xie Chengze often said, “Old Liang, you must study hard and apply what you learn diligently, so that in the future, you won’t disappoint my expectations of you!”
Liang Wan Da thought this was the Second Prince’s way of motivating him, urging him to wholeheartedly assist him once he entered officialdom. Moreover, having personally experienced and witnessed the collective efforts of the people and the Min River flood control project, it was hard not to be moved by such scenes, reminding him of the aspirations he held when he studied in his youth.
Initially, he had also dreamed of serving as an official and bringing prosperity to the people. However, the path of officialdom was fraught with thorns, and it was difficult to tread alone. Following the wrong master and taking the wrong path, by the time he looked back, he had already committed countless crimes and transgressions, with no way to turn back.
But heaven had given him another chance, allowing him to choose a wise ruler anew.
Liang Wan Da did not want to give up this opportunity—or perhaps he had no other choice. The moment he decided to follow the Second Prince’s advice and use scholars to build his own reputation, he had already become a firm member of the Second Prince’s faction, bound to work under his command.
At the very least, he could survive and gradually cleanse the stains from his hands, rather than being used as a pawn, never knowing when his head might be separated from his body.
Liang Wan Da was well aware that not everyone had such an opportunity for redemption, so he had to cling tightly to this lifeline and diligently carry out the tasks assigned by the Second Prince to have any chance of turning his fate around.
As for why he was so confident that the Second Prince would protect him, it was because one day, while passing by the backyard, he accidentally overheard a conversation between the Second Prince and Shen Yuan.
Shen Yuan wanted to submit a memorial to expose his past corrupt and unlawful deeds, but the Second Prince firmly refused, stating that he was his man and must not come to harm. He even asked Shen Yuan to help cover up these matters. The two argued over this issue and did not speak to each other for several days.
But Liang Wan Da was now certain that he truly was the Second Prince’s man.
In the end, Shen Yuan agreed to no longer interfere in his affairs, leaving it to the Second Prince to handle as he saw fit.
With the Second Prince shielding him so staunchly, how could he fail to live up to his expectations?
Thus, Liang Wan Da worked even more diligently, studying the geography of Yi Province day and night, successfully losing quite a bit of hair in the process.
And Xie Chengze did not disappoint him. One day, he found Liang Wan Da and said, “Old Liang, now that you’re my man, your former master will surely not let you off. Here’s what you should do: write a letter and say this and that…”
Xie Chengze leaned in and whispered a long string of instructions into his ear, then patted Liang Wan Da on the shoulder. “This way, they won’t dare touch you.”
Liang Wan Da: Oh~ Ohhh~!
Second Prince! As expected of you!
In this way, those people would indeed be tempted, and might even believe he was still one of them—that his previous actions were merely a temporary defection forced by circumstances, yet also a decision made after careful consideration, since the ultimate outcome would bring them greater benefits in the future.
However…
Why did the Second Prince’s rhetoric and tone just now feel somewhat familiar?
It seemed as though he had encountered it somewhere before…
Liang Wan Da, who had no concept of “painting a pie” (empty promises), pondered silently but eventually gave up, unable to recall where he had heard it.
——
With all matters in Yi Province settled, Xie Chengze was due to return to the capital.
The imperial food convoy sent by Emperor Jian that day had caused quite a stir, and by now, the common folk across the counties had widely learned that he was the current Second Prince. Upon hearing of his return to the capital, they came in groups to see him off.
Many also clung to Zhu Xiaobiao, reluctant to part, urging him to eat well and not let himself grow too thin upon his return to the capital.
Xie Chengze smiled and waved goodbye to them, but as soon as he stepped back into the carriage, his expression darkened instantly.
Now that his identity was exposed, he feared the news had already reached the capital. The days ahead were unlikely to be peaceful.
As expected, on the journey back to the capital, no matter how many times the carriage changed routes, they were repeatedly ambushed by assassins.
Most of these assassins targeted Shen Yuan directly, their intentions clear, but they fled as soon as they found themselves outmatched. A few scattered groups even went after Xie Chengze, but Wuhen dealt with them swiftly—the assassins didn’t even manage to touch a corner of Xie Chengze’s robe.
Just as they neared the capital, one assassin in the final wave displayed extraordinary martial prowess, overpowering Wuhen and wounding Xie Chengze.
Bright red blood instantly soaked his luxurious robes. Already weakened from the arduous journey, Xie Chengze turned deathly pale and fainted from the pain.
Fortunately, the wound was not deep enough to reach the bone, and the accompanying physician promptly stopped the bleeding and bandaged it, saving his life. However, Xie Chengze remained unconscious, and the assassin escaped in the chaos.
When news of the Second Prince’s assassination attempt reached the palace, Emperor Jian was furious. He ordered the Dali Temple to thoroughly investigate the case and show no mercy to those behind the plot.
Cheng Huan Palace.
On an exquisitely crafted black sandalwood canopy bed, the “unconscious” Xie Chengze lay with one leg crossed over the other, gazing at the ceiling. Wuhen and Wuji knelt on the floor—one quietly peeling a tangerine, the other sobbing by the bedside.
After a while, Xie Chengze turned his head helplessly and said, “Brother, haven’t you cried enough? I’m tired of listening.”
“Your Highness…” Wuji lifted his teary, peach-blossom eyes, his voice filled with indignation. “It’s all my fault for not being by your side! And Wuhen, that useless fool, couldn’t even handle one assassin! Dismiss him!”
Wuhen looked up, bewildered: ?
Xie Chengze twitched the corner of his mouth slightly: What is this actual assassin even saying?
Realizing he was being falsely accused, Wuhen retorted coldly, “Shall we settle this outside?”
“Hah, as if I’m afraid of you?” Wuji quickly scooted closer to Xie Chengze. “I’m only refusing because I don’t want His Highness to worry if I get hurt.”
Though his lightness skill surpassed Wuhen’s, Wuji’s martial arts were no match for him. If Wuhen hadn’t deliberately left an opening, how could he have found the chance to actually wound His Highness?
“Your Highness, does it hurt?” Wuji poked Xie Chengze’s left arm, which was wrapped in white bandages, successfully eliciting a sharp intake of breath from him. Xie Chengze gritted his teeth and said, “What do you think?”
Wuji narrowed his eyes with a smile. “Who told Your Highness to keep coming up with such terrible ideas? This time you even used your own body in your scheme. If you’re afraid of them, just let Wuhen and me handle it. Wouldn’t it be simpler to kill them all?”
Hadn’t he and Wuhen endured so much hardship to hone their martial skills precisely so that Your Highness could do as he pleased?
“Do you two really enjoy killing so much?” Xie Chengze sighed. “But I don’t want you to kill anymore. It gives you nightmares.”
Wuji was taken aback.
After a moment, he lowered his lashes and rested his head against Xie Chengze’s fingertips, whispering softly, “Your Highness, it’s when you’re not here that becomes the nightmare.”