Chaotic World Book
Chapter 96 - 94: Chichi in Danger

Chapter 96: Chapter 94: Chichi in Danger

Tang Wanzhuang’s mind was very conflicted, as could be seen from her varied actions.

She hoped the Empire would have a stable heir to dissolve some unwanted undercurrents, but she did not want an unknown Prince to appear, forcing her to discuss marriage again.

Tang Wanzhuang’s concerns were with the entire Worldly Society; she had no intention of marrying anyone, whether to be a supportive wife and mother or to find a husband over whom she could rule.

One might also say there were no men in the Worldly Society who caught her eye.

Thus, reaching her late twenties without marrying was quite rare, especially for someone from an Aristocratic Family—it was even rarer than ancient secrets.

Unfortunately, worldly affairs did not bend to one’s personal desires. By her late twenties, her family was anxious to the point of frenzy. Because Tang Wanzhuang held a high position, strong cultivation, and significant power, her family could not pressure her too much and had to negotiate: "Dare to try reaching thirty? Who will care about your status then? Is any consideration for family or empire more important than marriage?"

Moreover, her identity and beauty were rare treasures that could significantly benefit her family. Staying single was considered a waste of these treasures.

Last year, at the age of twenty-seven, it was becoming unlikely she would find someone to marry. Coincidentally, the Crown Princess Consort had died. Although being a second wife was somewhat embarrassing, it was a chance to become the Empress. Her family could not tolerate waiting any longer and began making arrangements. But, as misfortune would have it, the Crown Prince died... Tang Wanzhuang didn’t even have time to think about her own circumstances; her first action was to hastily go to Luo Family Manor and retrieve the suspected Prince, Luo Zhenwu, to bring him back to the capital.

However, Luo Zhenwu also died right in front of her.

At that moment, Tang Wanzhuang wasn’t sure whether to lament for the Empire or to feel relieved for herself. Either way, her duty required that the murderer be pursued first. She carried Luo Zhenwu’s body back and, after conducting tests that compared his blood with Your Majesty’s, discovered they did not match.

A chill went through Tang Wanzhuang’s heart as she searched all the corpses in the ruins of Luo Family Manor but found no Jade Token. Her gaze turned to the two survivors from Luo Family Manor. She didn’t mention the female, but the male—if it was him and he killed Luo Zhenwu, could it be that he didn’t want his identity usurped?

She cunningly directed the Cui Family to look into it, knowing they were loyal to the Emperor. "You, Cui Family, can deal with this—if he’s suitable."

It seemed Cui Yuanyang hit it off with him, but the Cui Family eventually turned him away, even boldly challenging her with a Dragon Sparrow in front of her. "Please, go ahead?"

Once again, the choice was before her. Tang Wanzhuang, hesitating, sent an underling to discuss with Zhao Changhe what could be done. But he insisted on dealing with it personally.

Since he was coming himself, there was nothing more important than this. What Tang Wanzhuang thought about the most was, if he truly recognized the role of the Prince, what would she do in the future? Was she really going to negotiate a marriage with him?

Yet what he said was, "Don’t think about dating younger men—I’m not interested in you."

His defiant attitude was the same as always. The killer, Zhao Changhe!

Suddenly, a thought struck Tang Wanzhuang—if Great Xia really had such a Crown Prince, then Great Xia would surely be at peace. For her personally, it would mean less trouble if this man became the Crown Prince, even if he were a fraud. At that moment, Tang Wanzhuang was inclined to support him as the legitimate heir.

Tang Wanzhuang’s mood gradually became calmer, and the previously overpowering urge to cough was gone. She even began to smile slightly. "Had I known this earlier, Wanzhuang should have met with you sooner."

Zhao Changhe said, "So you thought I was really after you?"

Tang Wanzhuang shook her head. "It’s not necessarily about you desiring anything. Given the circumstances, many would exploit the situation; few could resist... After all, the potential gains are great, and such is human nature."

Zhao Changhe said, "Have you never considered that I’m truly not the Prince and hence did not dare to pretend?"

"That doesn’t matter." Tang Wanzhuang began to make tea again, regaining her composed and elegant demeanor. "Your Highness, since you always resisted this identity, let us compromise and discuss a solution acceptable to all?"

Zhao Changhe was too tired to debate being addressed as "Your Highness" anymore—it was pointless. He felt whatever she wanted to think, she could; resolving the issue was what mattered. He said, "My visiting you was intended for the same reason. What does Your Excellency think we should do about this awkward situation?"

Tang Wanzhuang responded, "You do not accept the identity but are willing to do some work to repay the debts of your Cultivation Technique and Dragon Sparrow, correct?"

Zhao Changhe straightforwardly replied, "Yes."

Tang Wanzhuang handed over a jade token, "This is the Demon Suppression Department’s secret agent token, which holds a high rank. You can use it to mobilize resources of the Demon Suppression Department everywhere, whether you need intelligence or require someone to take action."

Zhao Changhe knew this wasn’t simply a gift but a call to action, so he calmly accepted it, "Then what do I need to do?"

"Nowadays, there are undercurrents everywhere, part of it is the Alien Clan stirring up trouble, and part of it is the Demon Sects causing chaos. You have been wandering in the Worldly Society, keeping a bit of distance from the Alien Clan’s affairs, but you’ve had quite some contact with the Demon Sects, even mingling with the Blood God Sect yourself... If we let you act as a secret agent for the Demon Suppression Department, mainly responsible for dealing with the Demon Sects, how would you feel about that?"

Zhao Changhe choked a little, his face turning slightly green, "Does ’Demon Sects’ refer to the Four Symbols Sect and the Blood God Sect?"

Falling in love and killing each other with Chichi would be too dramatic, I refuse! Would pressing down a demoness from the sect count as dealing with them? If so, that might be fine.

Only to hear Tang Wanzhuang say, "Not just them, there are other demonic factions such as the Maitreya Sect that claim the mantle of ancient times and others... You have only been in the Worldly Society for a short time and haven’t seen much. In time, you will encounter them."

Zhao Changhe sighed in relief, as long as I’m not exclusively dealing with the Four Symbols Sect, I guess I can handle it. If there are other Demon Sects, I’ll just direct the spear at them and steer clear of the Four Symbols Sect. Dealing with the Demon Sects doesn’t really bother me psychologically; there isn’t much good coming from the Demon Sects anyway. As long as I can demonstrate my achievements and justify my cultivation techniques and the Dragon Sparrow, who cares which sect I tackle?

Thinking this through, he said, "That’s acceptable. However, I need to confirm one thing..."

Tang Wanzhuang nodded, "Please ask."

"This jade token, you said it holds a high rank. How high? I don’t want any superiors micromanaging me. I am rebellious by nature, and if someone gets killed by me later, don’t say I didn’t warn you."

Tang Wanzhuang looked steadily at him for a long while before pointing to her nose, "There’s only one boss over you, and that’s me. I wouldn’t order you around without discussion, and if you agree to the tasks, you might even have grounds to order me around."

"...Nothing more." Zhao Changhe said, "Now that I’m undertaking this mission, you all won’t fuss over my identity anymore, right? Just don’t trick me into doing one thing and end up telling me to become a prince."

Tang Wanzhuang replied, "I can make that guarantee for myself, not for anyone else. For example, if the Cui Family or Wang Family approaches you because of this, I can’t command them."

"That’s fine then; those Aristocratic Families have different ideas, changing dynasties like the flow of a river, not caring too much about who’s on the throne like you, who need tangible results." Zhao Changhe said, "Alright, we’ll settle it at this; I’m out shopping with friends. Wouldn’t be good if I go missing."

"One moment." Tang Wanzhuang rose gracefully, stopping him as he turned to leave, "There are Demon Sects in Sword Lake City right now, and we know what they are planning to do. Disrupting their plans would be your first task."

Zhao Changhe silently returned the jade token, "I resign."

A hint of amusement appeared in Tang Wanzhuang’s eyes, "Because of your past with Xia Chichi? Were you intimate with her?"

Zhao Changhe winced as if in pain, "Keep it classy, Aunt Tang, that’s not something you should say."

Tang Wanzhuang’s smile disappeared, her face expressionless.

Say that again?

Zhao Changhe defiantly slacked off, "My relationship with Xia Chichi was insignificant; we were just people who could trust our backs to each other. Asking me to ruin her, I can’t do it, I resign."

Tang Wanzhuang spoke indifferently, "What if by sabotaging this mission, you’re actually saving her life?"

Zhao Changhe’s scalp tingled, urgently requesting, "Could you clarify that?"

Tang Wanzhuang sat back down, leisurely sipping her tea, "You already resigned. Why should I tell you?"

"Uh, Aunt Tang... no, not that, Chief, Sister Tang, I didn’t resign, was just kidding." Zhao Changhe snatched back the jade token, smiling apologetically, "Just give me the details of the task, and Zhao Changhe guarantees he’ll get it done!"

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PS: More to come tonight, probably around midnight.