Chapter Seventy-Seven: Layers of Mystery

At this moment, Meng Di furrowed his brow in contemplation. If Guo Yuan’s words were true, then it was quite possible that Tian Rangju had not died at the hands of the Tian and Gao clans. Coupled with Tian Chang’s strange behavior, Meng Di began to form some suspicions in his mind.

Though Tian Rangju belonged to the Tian clan, he was from a collateral branch. It was only through the recommendation of Yan Ying that he gained the favor of the King of Qi. Later, Tian Rangju was appointed Grand Marshal, wielding unparalleled authority and enforcing the law with rigorous severity.

This led to the alliance of the Guo, Gao, and Bao clans in slandering Tian Rangju before the King of Qi, forcing him to resign from his post as Grand Marshal. Under ordinary circumstances, the three clans would have had no further reason to act against him.

There would have been no need to poison him again. Yet Tian Chang’s actions were so secretive, offering two thousand mu of salt fields as bait to lure Meng Di to Qi. In retrospect, the entire affair seemed highly unreasonable.

When events deviate from the norm, hidden motives are often at play. This suggested Tian Chang must have other schemes. One motive was for the Sima Code; another was to eliminate Wang Bo—clearly, he was worried about something.

With a furrowed brow, Meng Di turned to Wang Bo: “Wang Bo, do you recall whom your father-in-law met before he was poisoned, or whether he expressed any worries over certain matters?”

Wang Bo pondered for a moment. “No outsiders came into contact with the master, only some family affairs were handled. At that time, the master was melancholic, often alone and anxious, playing the zither and singing.”

Suddenly, something came to his mind. “Before the master passed away, someone from the Tian family visited.”

Although Tian Rangju was born into the Tian clan, he had little connection with the main branch, and so Wang Bo spoke without the slightest reverence. Otherwise, Tian Rangju would not have broken with his family.

Guo Yuan and Meng Di exchanged a glance, as if they had thought of the same thing.

Wang Bo immediately reacted: “Do you mean my master was harmed by the Tian clan? But after his death, the Tian, Gao, and Guo clans became hostile—that’s a fact. How could they have acted against him?”

Guo Yuan shook his head. “Times change. Among great clans, profit is paramount—there’s nothing they won’t do. Isn’t the Tian clan now currying favor with the Gao clan just to obtain the Sima Code?”

Meng Di agreed, frowning in deep thought, still plagued by doubts.

“If this has nothing to do with the Tian clan, why do they want Han to kill Wang Bo? There are complexities here; at present, the matter is shrouded in mystery and hard to decipher.”

Wang Bo found it difficult to accept, directing his anger at Tian Yuan.

“If there’s no evidence, I won’t believe any of it. I must uncover the truth behind my master’s death, to bring peace to his soul!”

Su’er’s face showed shock; she asked softly, “Husband, do you truly suspect my father’s death is connected to the Tian clan?”

Meng Di shook his head, still unable to grasp certain details. Even though Tian Rangju had resigned as Grand Marshal, his reputation in Qi remained eminent. Poisoning him would bring the Tian clan nothing but harm.

Yet Tian Chang’s behavior was perplexing. After a moment’s thought, Meng Di suggested, “At this point, further speculation is useless. Since Tian Chang wants Han to kill Wang Bo, I can bring Wang Bo to meet him and see if we can extract some information.”

He looked at Wang Bo after speaking, for such a plan was risky—it might yield nothing and cost Wang Bo his life. So he waited for Wang Bo’s answer.

Su’er grew anxious. “Absolutely not! If Tian Chang harbors evil intentions, he will surely lay an ambush. Wouldn’t you be walking into a trap? There must be other ways; we don’t need to take such risks.”

Wang Bo, however, considered for a moment and nodded. “If I can uncover the truth behind my master’s death, I am willing to die. But we must choose the right place—if Tian Chang resorts to violence, he must not succeed easily.”

Meng Di nodded and asked, “You know this area best, Wang Bo. Is there a suitable place? Safety need not be a concern; Tian Chang’s plans may well fail.”

Then Meng Di smiled calmly, his face brimming with confidence.

“If Tian Chang believes Wang Bo and I have fought and both are wounded, he could follow and strike two birds with one stone. But now that Han and Wang Bo are united, Tian Chang may not have the upper hand.”

Yet another issue remained: how to deal with Guo Yuan. Wang Bo glanced at him askance.

“Since the truth behind my master’s death is not yet clear, I ask the young lord of Guo to remain here for a while. If we uncover evidence proving the Guo clan had no part in his death, you may leave freely.”

Left with no choice, Guo Yuan nodded helplessly.

“The Grand Marshal’s death is a mystery. I also wish to know its cause. I hope you two will investigate thoroughly, so my Guo clan may be freed from slander. I would be most grateful.”

With that, Wang Bo summoned several men to guard Guo Yuan, then departed with Meng Di to find a place to meet Tian Chang.

When Su’er tried to follow, Meng Di stopped her. “You’ll be safer here. Rest assured—I’ll be fine. If I can discover the truth behind your father’s death, our journey will not have been in vain.”

Su’er knew that if a fight broke out, Meng Di would not be able to protect her, and it would only distract him. She nodded silently and watched them leave.

When they reached a deserted place, Wang Bo suddenly halted and turned to Meng Di.

“Son-in-law, I want the truth. Did you suspect the Tian clan of poisoning because you have doubts, or merely to persuade me to spare the Guo heir?”

Meng Di let out a long breath and asked in return, “Wang Bo, have you considered another possibility? That the Tian clan wanted your father-in-law to return to the court and plotted accordingly, but when he refused, what resulted?”

Wang Bo’s eyes widened in realization. At last, he understood why Meng Di suspected the Tian clan of poisoning.

After Tian Rangju resigned as Grand Marshal, the Tian clan’s influence in Qi rapidly declined, yielding power to the Guo and Gao clans. How could the Tian clan accept this?

Under such circumstances, the Tian clan might well have taken desperate measures. Tian Rangju’s resolute refusal would have made him intolerable in their eyes.