Chapter Six: Secret Revelations and Emerging Clues-O Príncipe do Mundo Diferente: O Caminho Heroico para a Dominação(Tiras de batata picante e formigante)

Following this incident, although Su Jin had temporarily shaken off Su Han’s harassment, he realized that he must accelerate his own growth. Furthermore, he needed to gain a deeper understanding of the power dynamics within both the household and the imperial court to ensure he was prepared for any contingency.

Consequently, alongside his daily training, he began to secretly observe the movements of various factions, searching for the secrets hidden in the shadows.

One day, while in the library of the Duke of the State’s residence, Su Jin stumbled upon an ancient, dust-covered book. It appeared ordinary at first glance, but tucked inside was a tattered map fragment. The locations marked on it were quite peculiar and seemed to share a subtle connection with the layout of the estate. Intrigued, Su Jin decided to follow this lead.

Guided by the hints on the map fragment, he located a loose floor tile in a secluded corner of the garden. Upon carefully shifting the tile, a small, hidden compartment was revealed, containing a letter. The handwriting was somewhat hurried and scrawled, but the contents left Su Jin deeply shaken. The letter vaguely alluded to a mysterious organization colluding with certain factions in the court to undermine the Duke of the State’s residence. It also touched upon a military campaign at the frontier from many years ago, hinting at unknown conspiracies and deep-seated grievances.

Knowing the gravity of the situation, Su Jin carefully tucked the letter away and continued searching for further clues within the estate. During a conversation with an elderly servant, the man inadvertently mentioned having seen unfamiliar faces in the residence—people who acted suspiciously and frequented the restricted areas of the estate in the dead of night. Seizing upon this lead, Su Jin quietly infiltrated the forbidden grounds that very night.

The restricted area was suffused with an eerie atmosphere. Su Jin moved with extreme caution, fearing he might trigger hidden mechanisms or traps. Suddenly, he heard the faint sound of voices. Ducking behind a pillar, he peered out to see two dark figures whispering to one another.

From his hiding spot, Su Jin heard the steward, Zhao Fu, say in a low voice, "This plan must not fail. The Duke of the State’s residence still commands significant prestige at court; if we cannot suppress it completely, it will surely become a grave threat in the future. That boy, Su Jin, has been acting strangely lately. While I do not know what he is planning, we must ensure he remains unaware of our arrangements."

Qian Wang gave a soft scoff. "He is nothing more than a good-for-nothing heir whom everyone looks down upon; what could he possibly achieve? As long as we keep a close eye on him and ensure he doesn't disrupt our plans, we are fine. What matters is the matter regarding the Duke’s time at the frontier—our superiors place great importance on it. If we can find definitive proof, we will have no trouble toppling the Duke of the State’s residence."

Zhao Fu frowned slightly. "But that happened many years ago; finding evidence is no easy task. Moreover, the Duke is no ordinary man; his estate is filled with guards and eyes. We must act with even greater caution."

Qian Wang nodded. "I understand. I will continue to contact our associates outside to see if we can obtain leads through other channels. You must also remain vigilant within the estate. If there is even the slightest disturbance, report it to me immediately."

Su Jin was startled; they were indeed plotting against him and the Duke’s residence. He wanted to listen further, but a stray cat suddenly darted out, letting out a sharp cry. The two figures grew alert, and seeing this, Su Jin had no choice but to retreat silently.

Back in his quarters, Su Jin pondered the clues he had gathered. He realized that the conspiracy of this mysterious organization was likely far more complex than he had imagined, and what he held now was merely the tip of the iceberg.

Yet, he also understood this was his opportunity to turn the tide. If he could expose this conspiracy, he could not only protect himself and his family but also gain the upper hand in the imperial court. Su Jin decided to start with the letter, carefully studying the handwriting and content to find any trace of its author. At the same time, he instructed Cui'er and A'fu to be extra cautious and to keep watch for any suspicious people or activities within the residence.

During this process, Su Jin noticed that the handwriting on the letter bore a striking resemblance to a script he had seen in the drafts of one of the estate’s advisors. He began to investigate the man discreetly and discovered that he had been frequently meeting with outsiders who appeared to have complex backgrounds.

As the investigation deepened, Su Jin felt an invisible pressure mounting against him. He knew that the closer he drew to the truth, the greater the danger became. Yet, he did not shrink back. Recalling the mission he took on when he arrived in this world and the family honor he was sworn to protect, his heart filled with unwavering resolve. He vowed to fully expose the conspiracy of this mysterious organization and make those who sought to harm him and his family pay a heavy price.