Chapter Sixteen: Chen Yuchong’s Countermove

Tu Huaichen ended his recollection and looked at Ye Xi, suddenly asking, “Young Miss, your old servant has a question to ask you.”

Tu Huaichen’s unexpected address caught everyone off guard.

Moreover, his choice to refer to himself as “old servant” was deeply intriguing. After all, Tu Huaichen had left the Ye residence years ago to independently govern the Chishui territory as its local lord.

Ye Xi’s crimson lips parted softly: “Uncle Tu, please speak.”

Hearing “Uncle Tu,” Tu Huaichen felt a sudden warmth in his eyes, then continued, “May I ask, Young Miss, what is meant by ‘great evil’?”

The crowd exchanged glances. Chen Yuchong’s expression darkened; he sensed the situation slipping beyond his control.

Ye Xi’s demeanor was calm and clear as autumn waters: “Only those with a heart full of great goodness possess the awareness to become an invincible blade, and the resolve to bear the expectations and fates of millions, to endure the karmic consequences of endless bloodshed. This is the meaning behind ‘great goodness is great evil.’”

“I see,” Tu Huaichen murmured, his gaze toward Ye Xi growing bittersweet.

—How did that tender, flower-like girl, once a war orphan with no kin, grow into a female general capable of bearing the fate of millions and leading them forward?

Tu Huaichen revealed his choice.

A single character: “Xi.”

Shortly after, Shui Rouqin from the Shui territory also revealed her wooden token, surprisingly bearing the same character: “Xi.”

Among the five major lords of the Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth territories, Jin Kaijia, Mu Chuansheng, Tu Huaichen, and Shui Rouqin all chose to support Ye Xi, creating an overwhelming four-to-one majority. Naturally, Ye Xi would be appointed the new Chishui Pacification Commissioner. The result would soon be reported to the imperial court, and Ye Xi’s official appointment decree would be issued shortly.

Chen Yuchong’s face shifted unpredictably. Even with his deep cunning, being betrayed by his trusted Tu Huaichen at such a crucial moment left him breathless.

The three great tribal chieftains of Wumeng, Wusa, and Yongshun exchanged glances. In truth, they were reluctant to interfere with this outcome. On one hand, they had no authority over Chishui’s internal affairs and did not wish to offend either Chen Yuchong or Ye Xi.

—In recent years, these three chieftains had been fighting alongside the Ming army in Guizhou against the Shuixi rebels and their factions, which was why they were present in Chishui rather than their own lands. Thus, they had ample contact with Ye Xi, who was also in the military.

Furthermore, lordly power is never bestowed from above but stems from the support of the grassroots. Since the five leaders’ votes favored Ye Xi, it was none of their concern.

What was there to think? Better to take home a couple of cases of Maotai wine.

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Such a sudden twist left Mu Chuansheng, who had prepared to draw his sword and spill blood in the chieftain’s mansion, bewildered as he glanced around in confusion.

(In short, she suddenly won—no wonder it’s the Young Miss.)

Shui Rouqin sighed softly.

Huo Kuangyan’s face turned deathly pale. If anything unsettled one more than stabbing a benefactor in the back, it was that benefactor suddenly winning after the betrayal.

All present witnesses felt deeply moved; today’s turn of events was truly rollercoaster-like and gripping.

First, Young Miss Ye Xi launched an unyielding assault, striking first with undeniable resolve. Yet Chen Yuchong, with his masterful finesse, effortlessly deflected this sudden offensive.

Then, the topic sharply shifted. Both sides fiercely clashed over the legitimacy of the succession and the governance of Chishui City. One side’s words were like drawn swords, sharp and piercing, while the other concealed needles within softness, flawless and impenetrable.

The voting among the five lords was more intense than anyone imagined, as if turbulent undercurrents concealed themselves beneath.

This battle for the chieftain’s seat was destined to become an unforgettable memory for all.

Everything seemed settled.

Suddenly, a commotion arose outside the door.

At the same moment, a maid supported a pale-faced youth from a side chamber into the main hall. The young man wore splendid robes but looked frail, bearing a faint resemblance to Ye Xi.

Yun Zheng, who had been observing Chen Yuchong, suddenly detected a look of assured victory on Chen’s face.

(The old fox really has a backup plan.)

Two of Chen Yuchong’s servants opened the great doors of the chieftain’s mansion. Beyond them, a procession escorted an official clad in brilliant red imperial robes, holding an imperial decree. The aura was imposing.

The decree was a double-layered silk scroll, five feet long, exquisitely crafted. Such silk was reserved for the palace and unattainable by common folk.

The guards and attendants flanking the official were well-trained, moving in perfect unison, their spears raised as their armor gleamed coldly in the sunlight.

The imperial envoy stepped forward and unfurled the decree, reading aloud:

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

Since ancient times, merit and virtue have been equally treasured, bringing enduring blessings to the nation and its people. The Ye family of Chishui has been loyal and outstanding through the generations, with distinguished achievements and widespread benevolence, bringing great comfort to my heart.

Now, the Ye family’s eldest son, Ye Yiwen, possessing both virtue and talent, resolute and courageous, appointing the worthy and upholding ancestral traditions to safeguard the land and its people, has rendered remarkable service and is the unequivocal choice for the chieftainship.

Therefore, I hereby decree:

Ye Yiwen, eldest son of the Ye family, shall succeed to the chieftainship, appointed as the ‘Hereditary Pacification Commissioner of the Chishui Territory,’ entrusted with full military and civil authority, responsible for defending the land and ensuring the welfare of the people. May he carry forward the legacy, remain loyal and diligent, uphold justice, pacify the populace, fortify the borders, ease the burdens of the court, and bring blessings to the people.

By imperial command.”

Ye Yiwen, pale and weak-eyed, trembled slightly as he accepted the decree, his frail voice barely audible: “I, Ye Yiwen, humbly thank His Majesty for his profound grace.”

Yun Zheng raised an eyebrow and exchanged a glance with Ye Xi, instantly grasping the situation’s gravity.

(So this is the old fox Chen’s backup plan? He must have obtained the decree through some channel long ago. Ye Yiwen’s succession as Pacification Commissioner is a foregone conclusion. But he deliberately lured us into this power struggle—clearly a calculated scheme.)

(If we failed to seize the position, then with the decree’s backing, Chen Yuchong would gain immense authority, becoming the true sovereign of Chishui. His status within Shao Jiechun’s faction would soar.)

(If we resorted to force during this process, the imperial envoy’s eyewitness testimony would place the master in a dire predicament. I suspect Yun Zheng’s true identity has already been compromised.)

(Now, the decree alone can overturn all results. Even if this method of seizing power is unstable and sows discord, it is ultimately a victory.)

Ordinary people, when victory seemed within reach yet faced such a catastrophic reversal, would either lose their composure or become bitter and impatient. Yet Yun Zheng remained remarkably calm, analyzing the pros and cons almost immediately.

(The only thing I can’t figure out now is why, with such a decree appearing, there’s been no word from the Tanlang Camp.)