Chapter 104: The Secret Plot

Returning to Haotian Royal Academy, the past couple of days had been relatively uneventful for Du Long. Besides retreating to the academy’s rear mountain for cultivation, he spent his time wandering the capital with his close friends, living a comfortably leisurely life.

One day, at the invitation of fellow student Su Jinbao, the group gathered to dine at the Tianlong Grand Hotel, a prestigious establishment rivaling the famed Shikai Grand Hotel. Unlike the dazzling opulence of Shikai, Tianlong exuded a more dignified and weighty atmosphere, steeped in rich historical heritage.

In contrast, Shikai was favored by the ultra-wealthy elite, while Tianlong was the preferred haunt of high-ranking imperial officials. Dining there was not only peaceful and conducive to discussing official matters but also insulated from outside disturbances.

For young men like Du Long, however, dining at any hotel was merely about having a meal — eat, chat, and leave without fuss.

“Hey! Su Huobao, what made you think of bringing everyone to Tianlong today?” Princess Huo Feng asked curiously as they entered the hotel’s grand foyer.

Already, they encountered several officials who recognized the princess instantly but deliberately avoided greeting her, averting their gazes. Princess Huo Feng understood this perfectly: at Tianlong, her status as a minor princess meant little. Many nobles and ministers frequented the establishment, and most preferred to keep to themselves, only greeting those they knew well to avoid unwanted attention or interference.

This was precisely why Princess Huo Feng disliked dining at the somewhat old-fashioned Tianlong and had questioned Su Jinbao’s choice.

He gave a nervous laugh. “Nothing special, really. We always eat at Shikai, and I’m tired of their menu. I heard Tianlong offers some unique dishes, so I thought we’d come try something new.”

“Oh! That makes sense,” the princess responded, relieved.

The group conversed quietly as a clever young waiter arrived to lead them inside. As they proceeded deeper, it became clear that Tianlong was far more than a hotel—it was a sprawling garden filled with chirping birds and blooming flowers.

Pavilions, towers, and elegant bridges spanned streams lined with exotic flora. Uniquely designed private rooms were scattered throughout, each separated by wide flower beds or lotus ponds, ensuring complete privacy and silence between chambers. No wonder the empire’s dignitaries preferred conducting affairs here.

Guided by the waiter, Du Long and his friends entered a spacious private room. It was their first visit, and the young men admired the refined décor while Su Jinbao ordered their meal.

Curious, Du Long slipped out the back door onto a small balcony beside a lotus pond, where the sweet fragrance of lotus blossoms filled the air.

“Wow! What a wonderful place—we should have come here ages ago!” Du Long breathed in deeply, enchanted.

Princess Huo Feng followed and smiled. “Exactly! Usually, it’s just officials coming and going here; they hardly bother to visit. I never expected such an exquisite environment!”

Xia Qinglian and the other women joined them, equally captivated by the scenery. Quiet by nature, Qinglian sat by the railing, gently caressing a nearby pink lotus flower.

The beauty of the surroundings, combined with Qinglian’s graceful pose, mesmerized Du Long. Yet he refrained from disturbing the tranquil moment, smiling softly as he gazed into the distance.

There, a familiar figure caught his attention—it was his sixth uncle, Du Zhennan.

He watched as Du Zhennan wore a sycophantic smile, trailing behind Chancellor Fan De. Nearby stood several high-ranking civil and military officials.

“Hmph,” Du Long muttered inwardly. “Before my rebirth, the entire Du family was ruined, yet this branch, led by Du Zhennan, not only escaped unscathed but even received rewards. Clearly, he’s long been in collusion with the Fan faction.”

“Du Long! That group just arrived. Should I transmit their conversation into your mind?” a sultry voice, the Soul Guardian, whispered telepathically.

Du Long’s eyes brightened. “I’ve had such a powerful ace up my sleeve this whole time and forgot to use it. Not wise!”

“Yes, send it immediately. I want to see what schemes they’re plotting,” he responded silently.

Soon, a vivid scene unfolded in Du Long’s mind: a grand private room quite different from the one he occupied—more spacious, filled with seated officials.

Through the Soul Guardian’s narration, he began identifying each official.

“To the right of Fan De is Lieutenant General Li Yiyan of the Second Military Rank, commanding the Dunwu Army; next is General Du Zhennan of the Zhenwei Army. To the left is Minister Zhao Guodong of the Household Department, also Second Rank, and others…” She named sixteen military and civil officials in total.

“Remember, the dishes must be served quickly,” Chancellor Fan De instructed a waiter, who bowed respectfully and left to carry out the order.

The officials then engaged in casual chatter, revealing no useful information. Meanwhile, Du Long and his friends, invited by Su Jinbao, entered their elegant room to dine.

Halfway through their meal, Du Long discreetly monitored the officials’ gathering. The banquet there had been fully served, and after dismissing the waitstaff, Chancellor Fan De solemnly raised his cup. The room fell silent as the officials followed suit.

“Everyone, as you know, the gold mine in Fengli County was confiscated. Yes, this has affected our plans somewhat, but rest assured, the impact is limited and will not deal a fatal blow to the overall scheme,” Fan De announced—finally touching on a topic that piqued Du Long’s interest.

“To the success of our grand plan, I propose a toast!”

“To success!” the officials echoed, raising their cups.

As the cups were set down, Fan De’s trusted aide, Black Hawk, moved among them, refilling their glasses.

“You all know that because a certain worthless member of the Du family became the imperial son-in-law, the plan against Du Zhentian was unexpectedly disrupted. We must therefore adjust our strategy. I’ll discuss the details privately with my younger brother, General Du Zhennan.”

At this, Du Long’s heart stirred. Before he became the prince consort, these men had already devised a plot against his father. It mirrored the past, yet he wondered what new methods they now intended to use against the Du family.

Whether before or after his rebirth, Du Long could not fathom how his sixth uncle had lost his way to the point of conspiring with outsiders against his own kin.

“You are all key figures in this grand endeavor. Today’s gathering isn’t for any urgent matter but to review the progress of your respective responsibilities,” Fan De continued.

“Brother Yiyan, please begin with your report on the Li family’s plan.”

“Certainly,” Li Yiyan, father of Li Xiaojun, stood respectfully. “My Dunwu Army has secretly expanded by eighty thousand troops in recent years. Provided the military funds arrive as planned, we aim to reach two hundred thousand within three years.”

“Excellent. No worries about funding! Aside from the efforts of the Fan clan, there is a secret channel continually supporting us,” Fan De stroked his beard confidently.

“Next, General Du Zhennan, please report on your unit’s development.”

“Yes!” Du Zhennan stood abruptly. “Our Zhenwei Army has secretly increased by over fifty thousand troops, nearing the one hundred thousand mark. With sufficient funds, we expect to quietly expand to one hundred thousand within three years.”

“Very good!” Fan De almost shouted. “Now, Minister Zhao, please update us on your area.”

“With pleasure,” Zhao Guodong rose sharply. “Under Chancellor Fan’s assistance, the Household Department has covertly appropriated nine million six hundred thousand gold coins in military funds. Continuing at this pace, we will easily raise fifteen million gold within three years.”

…

One after another, officials rose to report on their tasks. Du Long’s eyes widened in disbelief. What grand scheme required such covert and extensive coordination?

“Could it be that these men are plotting rebellion?” a thought flashed through his mind.

“Indeed, ten to one, they are conspiring to revolt,” the Soul Guardian affirmed.

Du Long was stunned. “Such a significant matter discussed openly in a hotel?”

“Don’t be fooled by the ordinary appearance of their private room,” the Soul Guardian explained. “Within several dozen meters, the area is secured by numerous experts. Stealthily approaching or eavesdropping is virtually impossible.”

“Still… Isn’t discussing such affairs in a hotel reckless?” Du Long struggled to believe it.

“Precisely because it’s dangerous, it’s also the safest place—darkness under the lamp. Besides, they must have found a good excuse for this gathering,” the Soul Guardian reasoned.

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After a busy day, today’s chapter update is a bit late. No matter what, I will strive to keep updating. Even if I fall behind, I will catch up. Once work resumes in a few days, I plan to update twice daily.