Silver Shu Public Sacrifice
Beiyuan Wing Room.
Ren Xuan pushed the door open and took a look at the people in the room. It was just as he expected.
Ren Xuan chuckled to himself. He bowed his head and clasped his fists in greeting, but his tone was pure teasing: "Your Highness is actually interested in personally attending the public memorial service in Yinshu City?"
Qin Shu heard this, glanced at him, and said calmly, "What if I say that this trip is indeed for serious business?"
Ren Xuan smiled and said nothing. You are the boss, so whatever you say is true.
Qin Shu didn't care much about his sarcasm. His eyes fell on Lu Xiyun and he asked calmly, "How long will it take this time?"
Lu Xiyun paused, feeling a little guilty. "We'll go back after the memorial service."
Ren Xuan simply couldn't bear to watch.
Tsk, ancestor, you mixed up the script. You were talking about quarreling and running away, but why does it sound so unconfident as running away secretly?
Sure enough, the dog emperor immediately found the flaw.
Qin Shu's eyes paused, and he said, "Not angry anymore?"
Lu Xiyun was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening, but her reaction was really fast. Prince Lu immediately seized the high ground: "Fang Ci said that you already have more than a dozen princes. What's wrong with you?!"
Qin Shu's expression suddenly became extremely wonderful.
Ren Xuan's hand reaching for the teacup paused slightly, the corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably, and he began to try hard to hold back his laughter.
This pot was smashed hard and accurately.
Qin Shu really didn't remember the previous life these people were talking about. Qin Shu only knew that another pot had hit him on the head.
Qin Shu immediately drew a line between them, his voice cold and resolute: "How would I know what that bastard is thinking? Fang Ci may be a bit eccentric, but some of his words make sense. He's just a lunatic, so leave him alone."
Ren Xuan watched with great interest from the side - when I get angry, I even scold myself, you are worthy of me.
As he was speaking, Xiao Jingyuan knocked on the door and came in.
He bowed and said, "Your Highness, the princess has agreed to return to the Nan Mansion."
Xiao Jingyuan paused, as if to organize his words, and then slowly spoke: "It's just...she hopes to take Xiao Wujiu from Yinshu City back."
As soon as the words fell, the room fell into a brief silence.
Lu Xiyun had a complicated expression, while Ren Xuan blew on the teacup gently, looking like he was enjoying the fun.
Xiao Jingyuan looked calm as he added in a low voice, "The princess is proficient in medicine, and the Nanfu also has the medicinal materials that Xiao Wujiu needs. Moreover, from the intelligence I have gathered from Yinshu, the people in the city have deep resentment towards the Xiao family. It may not be a good thing for him to stay in Yinshu. Leaving Yinshu may not be a bad thing either. As long as we explain the pros and cons clearly to the young city lord, I believe he will support us."
Qin Shu tapped his index finger twice on the table, as if thinking about something. After a moment, he said calmly, "Let her be."
Qin Shu raised his eyes, and the nature of the non-stick pan came into play again: "You are responsible for this matter."
Xiao Jingyuan understood: "I will negotiate with the Young City Lord on this matter and will never let Your Highness worry about it."
Xiao Jingyuan stepped down, and Qin Shu also stepped down as Ren Xuan.
He looked at Lu Xiyun and asked calmly, "Tomorrow's public memorial, do you want me to accompany you?"
Lu Xiyun nodded subconsciously, then realized something: "Don't you have something important to do?"
Qin Shu smiled when he heard this. He spoke slowly and matter-of-factly, "You are it."
After a long while, Lu Xiyun nodded slowly and said in a low voice: "Okay."
···
The morning light was slightly cold, covering the bluestone streets of Yinshu City.
The atmosphere was solemn, and people in the streets and alleys spontaneously changed into white clothes.
White silk was hung on all the towers and buildings on the city walls. Even the usually bustling military market was now deserted.
Only lingering blue smoke and low-pitched mournful music remain.
An incense table has been set up on the high platform.
The new master of this Silver Pivot Iron City, wearing the robe of the chief priest, stood in the center of the altar.
Zhu Yi was young to begin with, and now he was dressed in plain white, standing on a broad platform, his shoulders thin as if they could be blown away by the wind.
However, when he slowly raised his eyes and looked at the densely packed people below the stage, his eyes were as calm as water, so steady that it seemed as if he had already shouldered the entire Silver Hub.
The head priest handed the scroll to him and stepped aside. Zhu Yi lowered his eyes, looking at the sacrificial text, his fingertips tightening slightly.
Zhuyi took a deep breath and recited aloud.
"In the twelfth year of the Jiasui era, the Yanshi army invaded the city, leaving hundreds of miles of land barren and countless people suffering."
The boy's voice was steady and gentle, and every word he said seemed to be engraved into his bones and blood.
Thousands of people looked up at the young man on the high platform, with fear, sighs, emotion and tears in their eyes.
Zhuyi's tone remained calm until he read the names of those who had passed away.
He slowly read out the names one by one.
Zhuyi's fingertips tightened unconsciously, and his voice gradually became lower.
He knew that his relatives and old friends were there.
But he didn't know who were his relatives, who were his old friends, and who were the names he should remember for the rest of his life.
The first half of Zhuyi's life has long been blurred in his memory.
He couldn't even remember his father's name...
Now, these names are only left with cold black letters, engraved on this memorial.
Zhuyi's Adam's apple rolled slightly, and he choked for a moment with an inaudible sound.
But he still straightened his back and continued reading.
"Thinking of the former city lord, Xie Lingyan, who faced danger alone and guarded the pass. He pledged his life to the Silver Hub, and stained the city walls with blood."
"Now all the people bow in plain clothes."
Zhu Yi's voice trembled slightly. He remembered the city wall that day, the wind and frost, and the blood flowing like a river.
He remembered how the city lord ruffled his hair with a smile, how he tenderly promised to protect everyone, and how he stood on the city wall and looked down at the city.
He even remembered the last look the man gave him, which was extremely gentle and full of expectation.
Below the stage, suppressed sobs began to rise, as if the grief of the past six months could no longer be suppressed.
Zhuyi was still holding back, but in the end, he couldn't.
The boy cried out loudly with tears in his eyes.
"May the heroic spirits remain in Chang'an, their homeland."
Green smoke curled around, white candles flickered, and the young man stood alone on the high platform, his shoulders trembling slightly.
Every word he spoke resounded through the clouds.
"I hope that my Silver Hub will never again be invaded."
···
During the public sacrifice for Yin Shu, Lu Xiyun did not go to the altar where thousands of people gathered.
The young man stood quietly, his eyes fixed on the familiar name on the tombstone, and remained silent for a long time.
Lu Xiyun stretched out his hand and stroked the inscription on the monument with his fingertips.
He was silent for a long time, as if he was thinking about something. Finally, the young man said softly as if to please her: "Xie Da Ge, you are right, Qin Shu is a bastard."
"He wants to start a harem."
"Keeping a male favorite."
"We also need to reduce the number of vassal states."
The young man enumerated them one by one, his tone as serious as if he was stating a fact.
Qin Shu, who was a few steps away, had a subtle expression on his face when he heard this, but he remained silent.
Lu Xiyun continued to stare at the name on the monument, as if waiting for a response.
But behind the tombstone, there was only dead silence.
After a long time, Lu Xiyun finally gave up and sighed softly.
The young man's tone softened completely, with a hint of flattery in his voice: "...Also, not giving you money to burn is just an angry remark."
He lowered his eyes, speaking in a low voice, somewhat bewildered, "Father said he dreamed of you."
He whispered, "Come and see me for a moment."
The wind blew and the green smoke flew.
The wind blew up the white paper banner, and for a moment, it seemed as if someone's hand had tapped him on the shoulder, but then disappeared in an instant.
···
In the distance, a burst of hurried horse hooves came from the city, and the noisy sound broke the silence of the cemetery.
Zhu Yi hurried over, not bothering to exchange pleasantries. He just said something shocking: "Brother Lu, Hall Master Xiao has been kidnapped!"
Qin Shu frowned slightly. Xiao Jingyuan had said before that he would discuss it with Zhu Yi: "When did it happen?"
The young city lord's face was pale, his eyes filled with anxiety: "During the public memorial service."
Zhu Yi's fists were clenched white. The other party chose to attack on the day of public mourning. It was obvious that the timing was perfect.
The young man took a deep breath, raised his eyes suddenly, stared directly at Qin Shu, and said in a low and sharp voice: "I went to Fang Ci's residence, and the princess was no longer in the room."
He paused slightly, suppressing the anger in his heart: "Your Highness, shouldn't you give me an explanation?"
Qin Shu looked at him calmly and said slowly, "The Fang family doesn't always follow my orders."
He said calmly: "If I want someone, there is no need to wait until the public funeral."
Zhu Yi stared at the other person, his expression unchanged, but he was unable to refute.
Qin Shu was telling the truth. If Qin Shu wanted someone, there was no need to go through so much trouble.
Seeing Zhu Yi's anxiety, Lu Xiyun comforted him, "If it really is the Fang family, then Hall Master Xiao shouldn't be in danger of losing his life."
His voice paused slightly, and his eyes swept over Zhu Yi lightly: "Besides, as Xiao Jingyuan said, the people in the city have deep resentment towards the Xiao family. It may not be a good thing for him to stay in Yinshu."
Zhu Yi's brows moved slightly, his face was still gloomy, and the boy's voice was hoarse: "Xiao Jingyuan did look for me, but I also asked Brother Xiaobai."
Zhu Yi sighed, "He and the Second Master both firmly disagree with this."
Zhu Yi raised his eyes, his emotions surging in them. He finally exhaled slowly, his tone low but firm: "Your Highness, Yinshu City hopes to receive external aid. In exchange, I can let Yunzhong select 70% of the city's high-grade weapons."
Qin Shu's expression did not change when he heard this, as if he was not surprised at all.
Zhu Yi continued, "But please also promise, Your Highness, not to interfere in this matter any further."
Qin Shu raised his eyebrows slightly, his expression unchanged: "Why should I interfere in your affairs with the Fang family?"
Zhu Yi slowly clasped his fists and said, "In that case, thank you very much, Your Highness."
He didn't say much, just looked at Qin Shu deeply, then turned and left.
Lu Xiyun watched the boy's back, his eyes narrowed slightly: "You really didn't interfere?"
Qin Shu casually straightened his sleeves and said calmly, "Ren Xuan is following."
Qin Shu patted Lu Xiyun's shoulder and said casually, "Don't worry about it. It's a rare trip to Yinshu, why not go check out the weapons?"
···
Outside Yinshu City, in an inn.
Ren Xuan leaned against the door frame, feeling exhausted.
The so-called business trip means that the leader has a love affair at public expense while I work?
He looked up into the room and saw the person on the couch was pale and unconscious.
Ren Xuan was convinced by the Fang family, but Yin Shucheng disagreed. The man surnamed Xiao actually helped Fang Ci to kidnap people.
Inside the room, Fang Ci held his chin in his hand and stared at the unconscious man with interest, his eyes filled with rare curiosity: "Jing Yuan, how did you know he would definitely drink on the day of the public funeral?"
Xiao Jingyuan stood aside with a calm expression: "This person was poisoned by Yan because he was chasing after Master Yan."
He paused, then slowly said, "He hunted down Yanshi out of revenge. This shows that they had a deep bond of brotherhood. On the day of the public memorial, he would surely drink to mourn. At the same time, he would be less prepared to defend himself, making this a perfect opportunity to drug him."
Fang Ci listened quietly, blinked, and said with admiration: "Jing Yuan, you are worthy of being the smartest person in our Nanfu!"
Ren Xuan looked at that excited face and felt uneasy.
He glanced at the person on the couch, and thought of how Xiao Wujiu had severely injured Fang Cun that day. He couldn't help but swallow his saliva and whispered a warning: "Master Xiao, this person's martial arts attainments are extremely high. Be careful of your actions today and you will get into trouble."
Xiao Jingyuan said calmly: "The princess tied him up to save him."
He raised his eyes, his gaze calm as if stating a simple fact: "As long as the result is good, I believe he is not a person who cannot distinguish between good and evil."
Ren Xuan looked at him silently, the corners of his mouth twitching.
Okay, I hope Xiao Wujiu can understand his words after he wakes up.
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