Chapter 221: Rumors Starting
A week had passed since the engagement announcement, and Chen Xing found himself increasingly concerned about the whispers that seemed to follow his lord’s name throughout the capital.
What had begun as isolated comments about the incident with Jin Wei had evolved into a broader conversation about Lord Ambrose’s character and suitability for high office.
"It’s becoming systematic," Chen Xing reported during their morning briefing, his diplomatic composure barely concealing his growing alarm. "The rumors are too organized, too consistent in their messaging to be gossip."
"What exactly are they saying?" Grim asked, though his tone suggested the answer wouldn’t surprise him.
"Several themes," Chen Xing replied, consulting his notes. "First, that your response to Jin Wei’s challenge revealed an unstable temperament unsuited for Imperial responsibility. Second, that your rapid engagement with Lady Ruxi demonstrates poor judgment and impulsive decision-making."
Grim felt the dark mana pulse with anger, but he forced himself to maintain outward calm. "And the third theme?"
"That your recent behavior suggests the pressure of your position has become overwhelming," Chen Xing continued carefully. "There are suggestions that House Ambrose’s restoration may have proceeded too quickly, placing burdens on you that would challenge anyone’s stability."
"Convenient," Grim observed with cold amusement. "They can’t attack my family’s legitimacy directly, so they attack my personal fitness instead."
"Precisely," Chen Xing agreed. "The rumors are crafted to sound sympathetic while being destructive. They paint you as a tragic figure overwhelmed by circumstances rather than a malicious actor."
"Which makes them harder to counter directly," Grim noted.
"Indeed. Denying that you’re unstable sounds exactly like what an unstable person would say. Defending your engagement appears to confirm that it was impulsive rather than strategic."