You've Got Mail: A Cautionary Tale

Chapter 97 — What Was Man Yue Doing Here?!

Edited by DancingDolphinsYo

Man Yue? Wu Xingzi leapt up from his chair, bewildered. He understood it was impossible for Man Yue to deliberately visit him when so many people were watching, and thus knew that Guan Shanjin must have met with a huge problem.

“Quick, quickly let Vice General Man in.” Wu Xingzi did not know where the spies were. Despite feeling so anxious that all he wanted to do was run out to meet Man Yue, he had to try his best to calm himself down by controlling his breathing.

“Understood.” Mint nodded her head continuously, bounding out of the yard like a little rabbit.

Wu Xingzi paced around his room, regretting that at that time, he did not spend more time persuading Guan Shanjin to be more careful. Yan Wenxin was a vicious man, and he held great power in court. Even if Guan Shanjin had the Emperor behind his back, protecting him, but to lure the wolf, he was only a replaceable pawn.

In jail, Guan Shanjin was alone and without aid. With Yan Wenxin watching him closely, with his claws unsheathed, could it be, could it be… Wu Xingzi was frightened by the wild speculation running through his head. His legs buckling under him, he fell back into his seat.

Man Yue happened to enter right then.

“Vice General Man?” Wu Xingzi’s voice was trembling. He was like a quail huddling into itself in the rain, pale and haggard-looking.

Man Yue was dressed in a simple shuhe, his usual smile still present on his round face.

“Mr. Wu.” Cupping his hands towards Wu Xingzi, he noticed that Wu Xingzi was suffering quite a fright, and quickly poured out a cup of tea and handed it to him. “Don’t worry, calm down. If the General were to know that I’ve scared you, he’d definitely flay me.”

“Thank you, thank you.” Trembling, Wu Xingzi accepted the cup of tea, taking a few sips. It was only then did his heart manage to settle down. The smile on Man Yue’s face too had allowed him to feel more at ease.

Only after Man Yue saw that Wu Xingzi had calmed down, his face regaining a bit of colour, did he then sit down next to him. Not standing on courtesy, he poured himself a cup of tea.

“Vice General Man…”

“There’s no need to remain on courtesy, Mr. Wu, you can just call me Man Yue.” After all, in the future, Wu Xingzi would be the spouse of his boss. If Wu Xingzi were to keep calling him Vice General Man, Man Yue somewhat could not bear that honour.

“Ai…” Wu Xingzi was not in the mood to hold on to courtesies with Man Yue. He only wanted to know if Guan Shanjin was facing any trouble. “Man Yue, today, you came…”

“Oh.” Man Yue looked at Wu Xingzi with a smile, quickly emptying the cup in his hand. After wiping away the sweat on his forehead, he finally said, “It’s not a big issue. It’s just that the General is worried that you’re very anxious over the matter, and so asked me to come over and inform you that he’s well. He says that everything is fine, and the jail can even be considered quite comfortable.”

“Everything is fine?” Upon hearing that, Wu Xingzi frowned. If everything was truly fine, why was there a need for Man Yue to come here to tell him that, taking the risk of being discovered by Yan Wenxin? For the past few days, Wu Xingzi had been carefully thinking about this matter over and over again. Ping Yifan had something to do with the southern barbarians, while Yan Wenxin had framed Guan Shanjin and caused him to land in jail. The most possible explanation was that Yan Wenxin and Ping Yifan were working together, having illicit dealings with the southern barbarians, and Yan Wenxin would be laying the blame for this at Guan Shanjin’s feet. The Emperor and Guan Shanjin were thus turning his scheme against him, taking this opportunity to dig out evidence of Yan Wenxin’s schemes.

As for Wu Xingzi, being the lover of Ping Yifan, to prevent Ping Yifan from betraying him, Yan Wenxin would definitely want to keep an eye on him. At this moment, who knew how many people were watching him?

Man Yue was such a capable and intelligent person, to the extent that Guan Shanjin could feel at ease having Man Yue watching his back. Hence, it was definitely not possible for Guan Shanjin to want Man Yue to take the risk to come see him. If this was to be discovered by Yan Wenxin’s people, their plan might just fall apart, and Guan Shanjin would never be able to wash away the blame that was forced on him.

Gaining a clearer understanding, Wu Xingzi became even more anxious. Staring at Man Yue, his eyes burned, yet he was unable to say anything severe. He could only ask softly, “Is Haiwang truly fine?”

“At the very least, he won’t die.” Man Yue smiled again.

This was not an answer that would give one relief. Wu Xingzi’s expression crumbled.

“Mr. Wu, don’t worry. Since Man Yue has come to look for you, it means that we’re not at the end of our rope yet.” Man Yue saw the dried fruit and snacks on the table, and asked Wu Xingzi if he could eat them. After getting permission, he happily started eating, not standing on courtesy.

“Although you’re not at the end of your rope, there are still many obstacles in your way, right?” Wu Xingzi forced himself to calm down, picking up a piece of pine nut candy and eating it.

“Yes,” Man Yue openly admitted to it. His round chin wobbled a little as he sighed. “On a serious note, we can actually force our way through this current situation, but the Emperor wishes for us to provide some leeway. It’s hard to defy the Emperor.”

“Provide some leeway?” Wu Xingzi could not help but feel angry, his hand on his knee clenching into a fist. Just like this, Guan Shanjin had to follow orders and go to jail. Now, in the capital and most of Great Xia, who would not spit and curse upon hearing about the Lord Protector’s son? In the future, even if the Emperor pulled him out of jail, issuing an edict that proclaimed Guan Shanjin’s innocence, his ruined reputation would not be able to return to its original state! Why did the Emperor not provide Guan Shanjin any leeway instead?!

Man Yue glanced at Wu Xingzi. Seeing through to the grievance in his heart, the smile on Man Yue’s face became more sincere.

“Does Mr. Wu know of Bai Shaochang-gongzi?” Man Yue straightened up, focusing his attention on Wu Xingzi.

“I do. Hasn’t he been moved into the Lord Protector’s estate?” Guan Shanjin refused to tell him why he would deliberately entangle himself with Young Master Bai, and Wu Xingzi himself was unable to come up with a guess either.

“So Mr. Wu knows about this.” Man Yue frowned a little, studying Wu Xingzi without revealing his thoughts. Still, he did not see anything other than worry on Wu Xingzi’s face, and only then did he cautiously ask, “I had thought that the General did not share the matter of Bai-gongzi with Mr. Wu.”

“Haiwang did not mention it, it was Yan Wenxin who told me about it.” Wu Xingzi was his usual frank self.

“Yan Wenxin?” Man Yue sneered when he heard that. “This person’s hand can really stretch very far.”

He then pursed his lips. “Don’t mind it, Mr. Wu. The General and Bai-gongzi share no personal relations.”

“I know.” Wu Xingzi nodded seriously. He would never doubt Guan Shanjin’s promises and feelings for him. He was not a fool, so how could he not be able to see Guan Shanjin’s sincerity for himself? “What happened to Bai-gongzi?”

“Bai-gongzi…” Man Yue sighed deeply, his round and plump body looking a little deflated. “Has Mr. Wu ever heard about the gossip between Bai-gongzi and the son of the Defender Duke?”

“Mint and Osmanthus have mentioned it to me before. So, there’s really something going on between Bai-gongzi and the Defender Duke’s son?” Wu Xingzi was astonished. In the rumours, it was always claimed that nothing had happened between Young Master Bai and the Defender Duke’s son. Due to this matter, the Defender Duke’s son had even been reproached by the Emperor.

“Not entirely.” Man Yue rubbed his chin, his tone a little annoyed. “It’s not false that the Defender Duke’s son, Du Fei, likes Bai Shaochang, but Bai Shaochang dislikes Du Fei very much, and naturally would not put on a friendly front for him. The incident of snatching him off the streets did happen, but Du Fei actually did not succeed. Midway, someone had interrupted his plan, and his admiration too turned rancid. It could be considered that he had lost both the battle and the war, and it totally fits Du Fei’s character.”

“So, who was the one who saved Bai-gongzi?” Wu Xingzi had an idea, but he hoped that he was only overthinking things.

Shooting him a look, Man Yue had a smile curling around his lips. “Mr. Wu has guessed it for himself, hasn’t he? It was Yan Wenxin.”

Wu Xingzi pressed lightly against his own chest, only managing to take a breath after some time.

It really was Yan Wenxin!

“So, Haiwang knew very well that the person in Bai Shaochang’s heart was Yan Wenxin, but he still moved him into the Lord Protector’s residence on purpose?” Wu Xingzi’s soft voice quaked, and a swath of fire raged up within him. “The evidence showing that Haiwang was collaborating with the enemies was secretly planted by Bai-gongzi?”

Man Yue gave Wu Xingzi a look of startlement, not expecting that he would be able to get a hold of the situation so quickly. “Yes, the General feigned closeness with Bai Shaochang, leaving a hole in his defense for Bai Shaochang to enter. All those letters and messages with the southern barbarians had been secretly planted in the secret chamber of the General’s study by Bai Shaochang. When that was done, we then let Yan Wenxin disclose the matter to the Emperor, and our trap was laid.”

Half-collapsed on his chair, Wu Xingzi gasped for air. He was angry, and yet his heart still ached. He desperately wanted to go forward to Guan Shanjin right now and scold him, how could he have laid such a trap that would implicate him like that? If only one mistake were to occur in the entire process, Yan Wenxin would have a way to kill him off in jail.

“Bai Shaochang refuses to admit that he was the one who did it?” Now that the conversation had turned to this point, what else would Wu Xingzi not understand? From the start, Guan Shanjin’s plan was to first lay a trap for Bai Shaochang, then force him to admit who was the one instructing him to do so, and take the opportunity to gather oral evidence for Yan Wenxin’s crimes.

After all, it was not false that Ping Yifan had dealings with the southern barbarians. However, Yan Wenxin was very careful, never stepping forward in the dealings personally, and never giving himself away. The messages and letters of communication found in the Yue family’s manor previously could not even be linked to Huaixiu.

If there was no genuine evidence that could point to Yan Wenxin being the mastermind, at the very most, Huaixiu would be the only one who would be caught and dealt with. However, how could Yan Wenxin just have Huaixiu alone helping him?

“There is evidence of Bai Shaochang sneaking into the secret chamber of the study room and falsifying the letters and messages, but he refused to admit that there was someone behind him instructing him. Instead, he insisted that everything was just him being overwhelmed and making a mistake. He’s unwilling to become life partners with the General, but his father is forcing him to accept it. So, he thought that if he were to create a storm and let the General be captured, he would thus be able to go home.” Man Yue sneered, hatred visible in his eyes. “Bai-laoye has long shared a personal relationship with the Emperor, and the title of the No. 1 Qin Player was also gifted to him by the Emperor. Who in Great Xia does not know that to the Emperor, Bai-laoye is unlike the rest? The Emperor too could be considered to have watched Bai-gongzi grow up, and towards the younger generation, the Emperor would always be softhearted.”

Man Yue’s words were filled with a sort of sourness, and Wu Xingzi too felt sour along with him.

The Emperor had also watched Guan Shanjin grow up, but Bai Shaochang could grow up in the sheltered environment of the capital, while Guan Shanjin had been fighting and killing his way through the battlefield at the age of twelve. In the end, for the peace of Great Xia, he even willingly became the Emperor’s pawn. No matter how difficult the journey, how arduous the task, he never once frowned. Wu Xingzi’s heart truly ached, and it ached so much that he nearly teared up.

“Is there anything I can do?” Half a month had already passed, and it was no wonder that Guan Shanjin wanted Man Yue to report to Wu Xingzi that he was fine. It was clear that the younger man had wanted to comfort him.

“The General wishes for you to not worry, and the identity of Ping Yifan is still useful. Although Yan Wenxin is very cautious, he has his fingers in too many pies. There will be an instance where he will end up exposing himself, but until then, it’s feared that the General will have to continue remaining in jail. He’s living quite well, and Mr. Wu does not have to worry.”

How could he not worry? Wu Xingzi’s heart was filled with anxiety. If Man Yue were to just go back like this, and he were to just continue hiding in Rancui’s residence, in less than two days, his anxiety was bound to cause sores to grow on his mouth.

Wu Xingzi saw that Man Yue intended to leave, so he hurriedly reached out and stopped him. “Hold on, hold on, can you let me meet Bai Shaochang secretly? Perhaps I may be of use.” Knowing that Bai Shaochang and Yan Wenxin shared a love affair, Wu Xingzi had a speculation. He only needed to meet Bai Shaochang to prove it.

“Uhh… The General does not wish to involve Mr. Wu in this matter. If something were to happen to you, I’m afraid that the General would end up destroying half of Great Xia.” Man Yue stammered a refusal, conflict evident upon his honest-looking face, which distracted one from seeing the darkness in his eyes.

“It will be fine. If you’re able to secretly come see me, then it means that you definitely have a way to let me secretly meet Bai Shaochang. Vice General Man, I’m not an insensible youth, and I definitely won’t cause you any trouble.” Wu Xingzi clung onto Man Yue, refusing to let go. He knew that Guan Shanjin wanted to keep him safe, but when he was suffering, how could Wu Xingzi sit by and watch? He too did not wish to be pulled along by the nose.

“Uhh… Letting you meet Bai Shaochang secretly can be done, but what do you plan to do? His affection for Yan Wenxin is very deep, and he would rather die than give up his lover.” Man Yue pursed his lips, clearly disapproving of Bai Shaochang’s feelings.

“I’ve seen many people deeply in love.” Seeing that Man Yue had given in, a tiny, wry smile appeared on Wu Xingzi’s face. “I met them all at the magistrate’s office.”