{"id":3753,"date":"2026-06-03T18:06:12","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T18:06:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pursuit-of-jade-55\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T18:06:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T18:06:19","slug":"pursuit-of-jade-55","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pt\/chapter\/pursuit-of-jade-55\/","title":{"rendered":"Pursuit of Jade 55"},"content":{"rendered":"

The bruising at the corner of Xie Zheng’s eye had faded considerably.

Leaning against the couch, his eyes half-lowered, he seemed lost in thought. Gongsun Yin’s entrance into the tent didn’t even draw his attention. It wasn’t until Gongsun Yin spoke teasingly that he finally lifted his eyelids.

\u201cIf you’re that idle,\u201d Xie Zheng said, \u201cgo supervise the war effort in Jinzhou.\u201d

Gongsun Yin found a place to sit and poured himself a cup of hot tea.

\u201cIdle?\u201d he exclaimed. \u201cYou send one letter through Xueluan, and I immediately drag the soldiers of Yanzhou hundreds of miles to Lu City. I work like an ox and a horse for you, and all I get is that? Truly heartbreaking.\u201d

Xie Zheng was in a foul mood, and his tongue was sharper than ever.

\u201cYou gave that bird a ridiculous name. Aren’t you embarrassed?\u201d

He glanced at Gongsun Yin.

\u201cSince you’re already serving as an ox and horse, I assume you won’t need any carriage or mount on the way back to Yanzhou. You can walk.\u201d

Gongsun Yin choked.

Everyone praised his silver tongue.

Yet whenever he faced Xie Zheng, he never seemed to gain the upper hand.

Unable to help himself, he complained,

\u201cWhy are you so angry? If you dislike Xueluan so much, give her to me!\u201d

As he said the last sentence, his fox-like eyes drifted toward the Haidongqing hawk in the corner of the tent.

For some inexplicable reason, the bird had recently become obsessed with sleeping in bamboo baskets.

The basket had originally been intended for dirty laundry.

The hawk saw it once and immediately claimed it as a nest.

Xie Zheng lifted his eyes lazily.

\u201cDidn’t you realize? It’s not the bird’s name I dislike.\u201d

Gongsun Yin nearly stormed out.

\u201cXie Jiuheng, don’t push your luck!\u201d

Xie Zheng couldn’t have cared less.

Gongsun Yin reached the entrance of the tent.

Then suddenly turned around.

He returned and sat back down.

\u201cNice try,\u201d he said. \u201cYou almost tricked me into leaving.\u201d

His eyes narrowed.

\u201cSomeone managed to injure you and leave you in this foul mood…\u201d

He leaned forward.

\u201cI heard the Heir of Prince Changxin went to Qingping County recently. Back at Chongzhou, he outmaneuvered you and defeated your army. The military praises him as some unparalleled prodigy.\u201d

A sly smile appeared.

\u201cCould the injuries on your face have come from him?\u201d

Xie Zheng snorted.

\u201cYou think too highly of him.\u201d

The answer immediately ruled Sui Yuanqing out.

Gongsun Yin frowned.

\u201cThen don’t tell me you’ve somehow gotten yourself into romantic trouble and been beaten up by a woman…\u201d

The moment the words left his mouth, he burst out laughing.

\u201cImpossible. Absolutely impossible. Leaving aside the fact that you, Xie Jiuheng, have never had much luck with women, even if you did, I can’t imagine any young lady possessing that kind of strength.\u201d

Xie Zheng’s expression stiffened slightly.

\u201cDid you come here just to talk nonsense?\u201d

Noticing his displeasure, Gongsun Yin finally put aside the jokes.

\u201cI do have actual business.\u201d

He took another sip of tea.

\u201cThe Yanzhou soldiers encountered no issues when they contacted Merchant Zhao’s people and transported the grain. They didn’t leave a single trace behind. In fact, it was Zhao himself who deliberately left clues for the Jizhou authorities, which eventually led He Jingyuan to Yanzhou.\u201d

A calculating smile appeared on his face.

\u201cWhen I sent people to raid the Zhao family’s hidden bases, I deliberately leaked information and allowed them time to relocate. That led us to even deeper hideouts.\u201d

He looked at Xie Zheng.

\u201cThe investigation uncovered something rather interesting.\u201d

Only after making him wait did he continue.

\u201cThe Zhao family has connections with Prince Changxin as well.\u201d

Xie Zheng’s expression didn’t change.

\u201cWhen Zhao Xun met me, he repeatedly hinted that he served the imperial grandson who supposedly died in the palace fire seventeen years ago. Prince Changxin’s rebellion and whatever dealings he has with the people behind Zhao Xun aren’t surprising.\u201d

The moment the words imperial grandson were spoken, Gongsun Yin’s face changed.

\u201cWhat does the Marquis think?\u201d

This time he used the title Marquis rather than speaking as a friend.

He was asking as an adviser.

Asking which side Xie Zheng intended to support.

Xie Zheng replied,

\u201cAfter Chongzhou, Wei Yan and I are irreconcilable enemies.\u201d

Gongsun Yin thought for a moment.

\u201cPrince Changxin is hardly a good man either. If the imperial grandson truly exists, who knows what sort of bargain he’s struck with Prince Changxin?\u201d

Xie Zheng sat with one leg bent.

His hair was tied back neatly.

His tone remained cool and detached.

\u201cIf the imperial grandson really has dealings with Prince Changxin, yet Prince Changxin launched his rebellion without invoking his name, then there are only two possibilities.\u201d

He raised two fingers.

\u201cEither the so-called imperial grandson is a smokescreen created by Prince Changxin.\u201d

\u201cOr…\u201d

His eyes sharpened.

\u201cPrince Changxin’s ambitions have outgrown any desire to serve another man.\u201d

Gongsun Yin felt a chill.

\u201cEven if he doesn’t intend to remain subordinate, rebelling under the imperial grandson’s banner would make his cause seem more legitimate. Once he controls the realm, whether the imperial grandson sits on the throne would still be entirely his decision.\u201d

The more he considered it, the more convinced he became.

\u201cIn that case, the imperial grandson story really could be Prince Changxin’s scheme.\u201d

His brow furrowed.

\u201cBut Wei Yan has been investigating the imperial grandson as well. He’s arrested countless people based on little more than rumors. Even your own investigation into the Jinzhou incident seventeen years ago was enough to make him want you dead.\u201d

He looked puzzled.

\u201cIf the imperial grandson doesn’t exist, why is Wei Yan so frightened?\u201d

Xie Zheng thought back to his conversation with Zhao Xun.

Zhao Xun had claimed to serve the imperial grandson.

Yet he knew nothing about the hidden truths behind the Jinzhou tragedy seventeen years ago.

Even the story of how the imperial grandson supposedly survived the Eastern Palace fire came solely from Zhao Xun’s own words.

There was no evidence whatsoever.

That was precisely why Xie Zheng had demanded to speak directly with the person behind Zhao Xun.

Unfortunately, before that could happen, the Zhao family’s businesses began falling one after another under government confiscation.

The matter had been left unresolved.

\u201cWhat did your people find before the authorities seized Zhao’s operations in Qingping County?\u201d

Gongsun Yin shook his head.

\u201cTheir Qingping County establishments were all temporary. Most of the shops and inns had only been purchased within the past two months. There was almost nothing useful to uncover.\u201d

Xie Zheng’s fingers stopped tapping the table.

\u201cBy the time those properties were confiscated, I had only been staying in Qingping County for a month.\u201d

His eyes narrowed.

\u201cWhich means those operations were never established for my sake.\u201d

Gongsun Yin’s expression gradually changed.

\u201cYou mean something happened in Qingping County before your arrival? Something important enough to justify all those hidden bases?\u201d

Something that had happened one month before his arrival…

A cold light flashed through Xie Zheng’s eyes.

Only one thing fit.

The deaths of the Fan family couple.

Wei Yan had murdered them.

Then repeatedly sent assassins to search the Fan residence for something.

Anyone monitoring Wei Yan’s movements would inevitably have noticed.

Which meant…

Those Zhao family bases had been established because of the Fan family.

Zhao Xun hadn’t sought him out because he admired his essays.

Nor had he coincidentally discovered his identity.

The Zhao family had already been watching the Fan household.

Discovering him had merely been a byproduct.

A realization slowly emerged.

Xie Zheng spoke quietly.

\u201cIt seems even Wei Yan was played by Prince Changxin.\u201d

Gongsun Yin immediately understood.

\u201cYou’re saying Prince Changxin intentionally spread rumors about the imperial grandson and the Jinzhou battle to make Wei Yan panic?\u201d

Xie Zheng nodded.

\u201cThe imperial grandson may exist.\u201d

\u201cOr he may not.\u201d

\u201cBut Prince Changxin clearly knows some of the truth behind what happened back then.\u201d

His voice remained calm.

\u201cLacking proof, he released these rumors deliberately. He wanted Wei Yan to believe loose ends remained from seventeen years ago.\u201d

A faint smile touched his lips.

\u201cAnd when Wei Yan rushed to eliminate those loose ends, he would expose the evidence himself.\u201d

Even Gongsun Yin was momentarily stunned.

His brows knitted tightly.

\u201cIf the imperial grandson never existed in the first place, then Zhao’s purchase of two hundred thousand shi of grain was designed from the beginning to provoke Wei Xuan into forced grain collection and drive Qingping County into rebellion.\u201d

He stood and began pacing.

\u201cAt the same time, the Northern Ques attack Jinzhou. With those two hundred thousand shi of grain stockpiled there, Jinzhou becomes nearly impossible to conquer.\u201d

Otherwise, if Jinzhou fell and the northwest lay open, the Northern Ques would sweep south unchecked.

\u201cThat wouldn’t benefit Prince Changxin either.\u201d

The more he analyzed it, the more terrifying it seemed.

\u201cThose two hundred thousand shi of grain served three purposes at once.\u201d

He stopped pacing.

\u201cWei Yan wants you dead.\u201d

\u201cPrince Changxin controls the grain routes around Chongzhou.\u201d

\u201cYou hold off the Northern Ques while his armies continue advancing south.\u201d

His eyes darkened.

\u201cWhen you’re finally exhausted, you’ll either die of starvation in Jinzhou like your father and Crown Prince Chengde once did…\u201d

\u201cOr you’ll be forced to ally with Prince Changxin and hand over your military authority.\u201d

Returning to his seat, Gongsun Yin sighed.

\u201cWhat a meticulous plan.\u201d

\u201cAnd what a vicious one.\u201d

Yet Xie Zheng appeared remarkably unconcerned.

Almost amused.

\u201cI thought you’d advise me to join forces with Prince Changxin.\u201d

Gongsun Yin looked offended.

\u201cDon’t lump me in with fools.\u201d

He shook his head.

\u201cLeaving aside the fact that you’re Wei Yan’s own nephew, the simple fact that you command such enormous military power makes that impossible.\u201d

His eyes sharpened.

\u201cIf you surrendered to Prince Changxin, he wouldn’t dare use you.\u201d

\u201cNo one sleeps peacefully with a sword hanging over their head.\u201d

Xie Zheng was the finest blade in the world.

Unmatched in sharpness.

Wei Yan had unintentionally forged that blade because circumstances demanded it.

Yet the moment he sensed danger, he tried to break it.

If even Wei Yan feared him so deeply, how could Prince Changxin dare wield him?

If Xie Zheng rebelled, there was no guarantee who would ultimately rule the realm.

Prince Changxin was far too clever to keep such a threat close at hand.

Then a thought struck Gongsun Yin.

His fox-like eyes narrowed.

\u201cDoes the Marquis want the throne?\u201d

Xie Zheng snorted.

\u201cI want the truth behind the Battle of Jinzhou seventeen years ago.\u201d

Gongsun Yin immediately laughed.

\u201cNow that’s the Xie Jiuheng I know.\u201d

He straightened his robes and prepared to leave.

But at the tent entrance, curiosity got the better of him.

He turned back.

\u201cI still want to know who beat you up.\u201d

His injuries were limited almost entirely to his face.

That was simply too strange.

Xie Zheng’s icy gaze swept toward him.

Gongsun Yin quickly fled through the tent flap.

After he left, Xie Zheng closed his eyes.

The feelings he had deliberately suppressed resurfaced because of a few careless remarks.

He had suffered little defeat in his life.

What he felt now was more than bitterness.

There was resentment too.

Not a princess.

Not the noble daughters of the capital.

If he wanted them, he could marry any of them.

Yet that woman…

That woman practically treated him like a weed growing by the roadside.

His chest felt tight.

Irritated.

Restless.

At that moment, the tent flap opened again.

Annoyed, Xie Zheng looked up.

It was Gongsun Yin once more.

This time he carried a large bundle.

A familiar-looking bundle.

Seeing Xie Zheng’s unfriendly stare, Gongsun Yin shrugged.

\u201cA lieutenant from the Jizhou camp brought this.\u201d

He lifted the package.

\u201cSaid an old carpenter cured his rheumatism with a few medicinal plasters. He owed the man a favor.\u201d

Gongsun Yin grinned.

\u201cSo he helped the carpenter search for his niece’s husband.\u201d

\u201cThe carpenter said his niece’s husband is named Yan Zheng.\u201d

He spread his hands.

\u201cOut of the thousand recruits I borrowed, you’re the only one using the alias Yan Zheng.\u201d

His grin widened.

\u201cSo naturally I figured this belonged to you.\u201d

Then he raised an eyebrow.

\u201cNiece’s husband?\u201d

\u201cYou got married?\u201d

For a brief moment, Xie Zheng froze.

Then his lips pressed together.

His expression turned colder.

\u201cPut it in the rear tent.\u201d

Gongsun Yin stared.

His eyes widened so much he looked almost foolish.

\u201cWait.\u201d

\u201cYou really got married?\u201d

Xie Zheng remained silent.

Married.

Technically.

Though the marriage itself had been false from the beginning.

Gongsun Yin frowned.

Then suddenly something occurred to him.

He stared at Xie Zheng in disbelief.

\u201cYou’re not planning to abandon her, are you?\u201d

His gaze moved to the bruises on Xie Zheng’s face.

The theory seemed increasingly plausible.

\u201cDon’t tell me those injuries came from her family after you wronged their daughter?\u201d

Xie Zheng’s face darkened.

\u201cShut up.\u201d

He was the one who had been discarded.

Not the other way around.

But Gongsun Yin had already begun sympathizing with Fan Changyu.

Looking at Xie Zheng as though seeing him for the first time, he sighed dramatically.

\u201cJiuheng, Jiuheng… I never imagined you were this kind of man.\u201d

Xie Zheng lifted his eyes impatiently.

\u201cDo you want to walk out yourself, or should I have someone throw you out?\u201d

Gongsun Yin ignored the threat.

His expression became unexpectedly serious.

\u201cJiuheng, even if her status is too low to become your principal wife, she stayed with you when you were at rock bottom.\u201d

He shook his head.

\u201cAt least bring her back and give her the position of a concubine. How can you be so heartless?\u201d

For a long time, Xie Zheng said nothing.

Then, at last, he spoke.

\u201cShe doesn’t want me.\u201d

The expression on Gongsun Yin’s face instantly became so strange that it defied description.<\/p>","protected":false},"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}}},"novel":[],"class_list":["post-3753","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3753","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3753"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3753\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3754,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3753\/revisions\/3754"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3753"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"novel","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novel?post=3753"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}