Chapter 75: The State (7)

Zhang Yanji was known for his straightforwardness and loathed all kinds of underhanded schemes. Brother Ke, who had always been honest and decisive, had been framed by villains and painted in a bad light. Even if Brother Ke chose not to pursue it, Zhang Yanji was determined to investigate until the truth came to light.
“Li Linfu has gone mad, and Gao Xiuyan has been dismissed. Who could be behind this chaos?”
Li Ke shook his head in confusion, unsure which noble in the court he had offended. Logically, given his current status, unless it was a mortal enemy, he hadn’t pushed anyone to his enemies. If it were a mortal enemy, the young man couldn’t understand any further. Aside from Li Linfu and Gao Xiuyan, who else could he have such a deep grudge with?
“You can’t figure this out here. Let’s head into the city quickly and discuss a plan with the Yang family.”
Those involved are often blinded, while outsiders see clearly. Zhang Yanji immediately grasped the key to the problem. This matter could be considered trivial or serious—unless the emperor took it seriously, it would just be a joke. But if the emperor believed it, it would bring disaster upon the Yang family and Li Ke.
“Mm.”
Li Ke replied briefly. This matter involved not only him but also the reputation of the Imperial Concubine. Surely the Yang family was also anxious, trying to find a solution together.
The two left the tent, took their horses from the bodyguards, and mounted them in one swift motion.
“Go!”
With a crack of whips and the sound of hooves, the two riders disappeared into the yellow dust…
The guards outside Mingde Gate saw Li Ke’s identification badge and promptly let them pass with smiles. It didn’t take long for Li Ke and Zhang Yanji to reach the Prime Minister Yang Zhao’s residence.
Leaping off his horse, Li Ke strode toward the house. Since he was already so familiar with Yang Zhao, he didn’t need to be announced by the gatekeeper.
But before he could step over the threshold, he was stopped by the guards. The head butler of the Yang household came out smiling and said, “Prime Minister Yang happened to leave to meet friends today. There are mostly family members inside, so it would be inconvenient. If General Li doesn’t have something urgent, please come back another day.”
His tone was so decisive that Zhang Yanji felt resentful. Just a lowly official acting so arrogantly? Had Yang Zhao become so domineering just days after becoming left prime minister?
He was about to step forward and scold the butler when Li Ke grabbed his arm.
“Since Prime Minister Yang isn’t here, I won’t disturb them. Let’s go!”
If they didn’t want to see him, forcing it would be pointless.
With that, Li Ke turned and left resolutely.

“Sigh, Brother Kuo, wait for me!”
Seeing Li Kuo already on horseback and a dozen steps away, Zhang Xiaolangjun glared at the steward and chased after him.
Yang Zhao’s behavior today was very strange and unusual. This matter involved the foundation of the Yang family, yet Yang Zhao seemed utterly indifferent. He had rushed from the military camp to Yang Zhao’s residence, only to be shut out with empty words.
What had caused such a drastic change in Yang Zhao’s attitude toward him? Could it really be just because of that rumor? Upon reflection, Li Kuo realized that Yang Zhao’s attitude had become cold since Li Linfu fell ill. Although he didn’t show hostility, the look in his eyes clearly carried a hint of wariness and jealousy.
Li Kuo felt a chill in his heart. Could it be that he already regarded him as a potential enemy? No, that couldn’t be right. He was just a regional general, while Yang Zhao was the prime minister of the court—there was no comparison at all. Perhaps it was just a misunderstanding?
Lost in thought, he soon arrived at the entrance of the residence in Qinren Fang. Getting off his horse, Li Kuo headed inside, with the servants taking Qingfeng away.
“Brother Kuo, if you ask me, that Yang guy isn’t a good person either! Without our daring move that night, how could he have reached such a high position as prime minister? He’s just sitting there reaping the benefits, acting like a heartless wretch!”
Zhang Yanji also rushed over, criticizing Yang Zhao nonstop. That guy was truly ungrateful, even worse than Li Linfu. Although Li Linfu was cunning and vicious, he at least acted with some sense of loyalty and often helped those close to him.
Brother Kuo might not have done many things for the Yang family, but he must have helped Yang Zhao quite a bit, right? Was this how Yang Zhao treated those who had done him favors?
Li Kuo was extremely troubled and had no mood to engage in Zhang Yanji’s chatter. He simply strode toward the inner chambers.
“Young master, young master!”
Shen Liniang came out from the corridor and called out to Li Kuo urgently.
“What’s wrong?”
Frowning, Li Kuo walked over to her.
“Young master, there’s a distinguished guest at the residence today who’s been waiting for you.”
Shen Liniang bowed slightly to Li Kuo and spoke calmly.
A distinguished guest? He rarely tried to make connections with the powerful in the capital. Who would come to see him at such a critical time?
“Young master, please come with me quickly.”
“Mm.”
Li Kuo nodded and followed Shen Liniang to the side hall.
“Young master, it’s right here.”
Shen Liniang gently opened the wooden door and led the young man inside.
After taking a few steps, Li Kuo saw the person sitting in the side hall.
With skin as smooth as cream and charm like a performer, who else could it be but the Lady of Guo State?

“Madam! How is it you?”
Li Kuo shook his head with a bitter smile, utterly puzzled by why the Lady of Guo State would suddenly pay him a visit. The Yang family was truly strange—one rejected him, while the other came to him on her own.
“Why, can’t I come?”
Yang Huahua threw Li Kuo a flirtatious glance and teased him in a sweet voice.
“Not at all, it’s just that your sudden visit caught me off guard!”
Li Kuo stepped forward, lifted his robe, and sat down.
“Li Niang said that Brother Kuo has been in the military camp these past few days?”
Yang Huahua’s gaze at the young man was strangely intense, piercing straight into his chest, forcing Li Kuo to instinctively step back.
“Mm, that’s right. I returned to the city today to handle some matters. I just went to Prime Minister Yang’s residence but was told he had already left.”
“You still went to see him?”
Yang Huahua sneered lightly. “His threshold is extremely high. Isn’t Brother Kuo afraid of being turned away? These days, every corner of the city is talking about your affairs. At such a critical moment, do you really think he’ll meet you given his timid nature?”
“Madam, you’ve also heard about this?”
Li Kuo’s heart sank, his voice filled with bitterness.
“Who in Chang’an isn’t aware of this now?”
Yang Huahua gave Li Kuo a resentful look and sighed. “I don’t know which scoundrel is behind this, but they’re deliberately trying to stir up trouble between Brother Kuo and my Yang family.”
“That’s why I thought of discussing strategies with Prime Minister Yang to prevent those villains from taking advantage of the situation.”
Li Kuo nodded in agreement with the Lady of Guo State’s view.
“You want to discuss strategies with him? I already said he’d rather avoid you than talk to you. Ha…”
For some reason, Yang Huahua’s breathing became rapid, her face turned red, and her emotions grew agitated.
“Madam, with your intervention, why would Prime Minister Yang not be grateful?”
Zhang Yanji took over the conversation and added.
But this only ignited Yang Huahua’s anger further. “Me intervening? Would that dead bastard listen to me? In his eyes, I’m just a worthless good-for-nothing, easily discarded. To be honest, I came to see Brother Kuo today to warn him to be careful of the Yang family. By the time their poison fangs bite in, it’ll be too late!”
“Madam, what do you mean by that?”
Li Kuo’s expression darkened as he asked doubtfully. From Yang Huahua’s words, it seemed Yang Zhao was quite hostile toward him. But weren’t they allies in overthrowing Li Linfu? How could they suddenly become enemies?

“That guy isn’t human. How can you rely on him? In his eyes, everyone is just a pawn—Sisi is, I am, you are, everyone in the world!”
Yang Huahua gasped heavily, her full breasts rising and falling rapidly.
“Yes, you joined forces with him to overthrow Li Linfu, but what does that matter? You know too much, understand? You know he wants to seize power; you know he used Shen’er to seduce that old thief and gain his trust. You know he’ll do anything for power, even sacrifice his own relatives! He wants to kill you to eliminate any future threat. He wants to kill you now to put an end to these rumors!”
Tears streamed from Yang Huahua’s eyes as she buried her face in her arms, sobbing softly.
Boom!
The young man’s head buzzed, as if heavy stones were falling, causing intense pain.
So that’s how it is. Yang Zhao was afraid he would expose these shameful deeds. Suddenly, Li Kuo felt empathy for Yang Huahua. Though she was a noble consort, wasn’t she still treated as a pawn by Yang Zhao, hidden among the high officials? Forced to please countless nobles and princes, enduring hardships and helplessness—how painful must her life be?
The imperial concubine was the same; her kind nature made her an easy target for Yang Zhao.
There are always people in the world who will sacrifice their friends’ and even family members’ trust and affection for their own gain.
But he never imagined Yang Zhao would go so far—ready to kill him to keep this secret hidden!
If he had shown obedience, Yang Zhao wouldn’t have rushed to act. Unfortunately, he was stubborn and often disagreed with him politically.
Of course, this message wasn’t spread by Yang Zhao—he wouldn’t be foolish enough to sacrifice the imperial concubine, his most important pawn, just to get rid of him. Yet it became the catalyst for their breakup.
He sensed a hint of danger, one that seemed to emanate from himself.
This is the court, this is the imperial palace, this is human nature!
What a cruel world, what a lie the phrase “wholehearted loyalty to the state”!