Chapter 5: Preparations of wedding or spying???

The city buzzed with activity—the wedding of Lady Chen Fengying and General Zhang Zhengyu was the talk of the empire. Preparations were in full swing, and both the Chen and Zhang estates spared no effort to make the event flawless.

At the Zhang estate, banners were strung, armor polished, and guards drilled in perfect formation. Chefs arranged platters of delicacies, and servants rehearsed their tasks with determination. Yet even in the midst of the chaos, Zhengyu’s mind was elsewhere. As he inspected the arrangements, he noted patterns, exits, and the presence of any unfamiliar faces—anything that could hint at threats or secrets tied to the third prince. His eyes, sharp as a hawk, scanned every corner, making mental notes while still maintaining the appearance of overseeing wedding preparations.

Meanwhile, at the Chen estate, Duke Chen Haotian fussed over the ceremonial arrangements, and Chen Ruilin obsessively adjusted floral decorations. But Fengying herself leaned casually against the balcony, her legs swinging lazily, eyes calculating and attentive. Though her attendants and mother fussed over her gown and jewelry, her mind was already on her next move—how to approach the third prince’s place, where his guards were weakest, and which pieces of information could be leveraged without being caught.

Even as she allowed the ceremonial hairpins to be placed and silk robes adjusted, her eyes flicked toward every messenger, every shadow moving through the courtyard.

The juxtaposition was clear: Zhengyu overseeing the order and security of the wedding with strategic precision, Fengying basking in the elegance of the preparations while scheming her next move. Both were outwardly performing their roles—bride and general—yet inwardly, both were hunting the same target.

Fengying’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Let them worry about flowers and silk,” she thought. “I have more important matters to attend to.”

Zhengyu, adjusting a line of guards, let his gaze wander over the bustling crowd, mentally noting their formations and potential weaknesses. “The third prince won’t anticipate this,” he murmured. A flicker of calculation passed over his face, but outwardly he remained composed, as if admiring the wedding arrangements.

Amidst all the preparation and celebration, both spies moved in parallel, unaware of how closely their paths would intertwine once the event began.

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Fengying's agent came hurriedly, "My lady, my lady. I found some information."

"What is it then?" she said firmly as she reached out for the papers in her agent's hand.

Fengying started reading.

“Letter to third prince:

Your highness, we have successfully kept the first Prince's mouth shut. We assume first prince is still a threat. He may temporarily can't speak due to the poison but the poison is quite ineffective.

And as you commanded we have hidden your fraud deals and paper hidden underground where temple archives are located.

Now we are currently waiting for your another command.

Your loyal servant

T. S.”

"How did you found this note?" She asked her agent Fu Pingyu.

Her agent replied, , "I bribed the mail man to let me search for the letter I was 'supposed-to-give-it-to-my-beloved."

Fengying laughed hearing that, "So it is more combination of 'emotional blackmail+ bribery'?"

"Yes, my lady"

"Impressive strategy. Anyway the location that is said in the letter, have you checked it yet?"

"Yes, my lady. But there are obstacles in the way. First problem is it is heavily guarded, but I still managed to get in. And secondly there was a secret door which could only be open with a secret stone code I assume. And lastly the code is in hidden."

Fengying asked, "What do you mean by hidden?"

Her agent Fu Pingyu replied, "There are many guesses, my lady. The code either might be with the person who had written that letter or the third prince, or it might be hidden in the side room of temple archives which is sealed off by a strong lock."

"Pass on my command to other agents. Jing will go find the person who had written this letter and sweet-talk that person then knock that person unconscious" said Fengying as she calculated her plan.

She continued, "And since you are good with lying, again go and search for the other letters of these same people who might be involved. Maybe there will code in other letters. And lastly I will handle the strong lock one. If you all can't find the codes just know it's with the third prince, meaning I'm going to handle this one too."

"Yes, my lady" said the agent as she bowed and left.

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The informant came hurriedly to Zhengyu's room.

"I found the poison that Third prince gave to first prince. And I also found out about one of the loyal servant of third prince."

"Continue." Said Zhengyu as he listened carefully.

"The poison that is given to the first prince is Opilho. This poison causes a person's vocal cord to not work temporarily. I can't give you the full details, young master. So I found this book about that poison."

"Good, about the loyal servant?"

"As for the loyal servant his name is Tan Sheng. He was basically bribed by the third prince with big amount of wealth. I couldn't his gang members."

"I see. You can go, keep finding more information" Zhengyu commanded.

"Okay, young master." said the informant as as he again flee away.

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