Upon seeing that the visitors were Luo Ying and Liu Ling, Xu Qingshan pursed his lips and sighed softly, "Not only did we fail to complete the mission, but the situation has also deteriorated to this point. It's not appropriate to go back like this."
Luo Ying walked over and stood side by side with Xu Qingshan, gazing at Zhao Cheng's group as they walked further and further away, and said, "Mr. Xu, if I may be so blunt, you are too thin-skinned."
In terms of the ranking of the Five Fiends, Luo Ying is the first and can be considered Xu Qingshan's superior, but both he and Wen Hu respect Xu Qingshan very much.
Hearing Luo Ying say this so suddenly, Xu Qingshan was puzzled and asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Luo Ying smiled and said, "You were hiding in the shadows, but Zhao Cheng tricked you out and you fell into his trap. Why is that? It's because you're too shy. The fact that you feel you haven't completed your mission, that you've messed things up, and that you're having trouble explaining yourself when you get back is also because you're too shy."
“Actually, the problem isn’t as serious as you think. It depends on your perspective on the same thing.” Luo Ying looked at Xu Qingshan and continued, “Our mission this time was to kill Chen Chong, but we not only killed Chen Chong, but also Yu Beipiao and the elite spies that Southern Zhou had planted in Changsui. You could say we’ve done a great job.”
"As for killing Zhao Cheng, that was outside the scope of the mission."
Xu Qingshan felt that Luo Ying's words made sense, but he still had some lingering doubts and asked, "Aren't you going to kill Zhao Cheng?"
Luo Ying said, "The current situation is not suitable."
Xu Qingshan sighed and opened his folding fan to fan himself.
"You've already been exposed. Before long, Xu Qingshan's name will spread throughout Dajing, and your early exploits in the martial arts world will also be publicized. There will be good and bad stories, Mr. Xu, you should be prepared."
"Would it be appropriate for me to stay in the Left Prime Minister's residence?"
"I don't know."
Luo Ying shook her head slightly and said, "Since you have already exposed it, the credit for killing Chen Chong and Yu Beipiao should also be attributed to you. As for what to do next, it depends on what the Left Prime Minister and Lord Wen decide."
"Give me the credit, then you..."
"I'll try to hide it as much as possible." Luo Ying smiled slightly and said, "Mr. Xu, this credit isn't for nothing. You killed two top Southern Zhou experts, Chen Chong and Yu Beipiao. You have to be prepared to bear the wrath of Southern Zhou. From now on, you and Zhou Chuan and his sister will be targeted by Southern Zhou."
Xu Qingshan nodded, which was taken as acquiescence.
"Go back to Changsui. Don't think about killing Zhao Cheng anymore, at least not now."
After speaking, Luo Ying turned and walked into the depths of the woods.
Liu Ling nodded to Xu Qingshan and followed Luo Ying away.
...
Yongshou Palace.
Yuan Xiu stood in the courtyard, looking up at the building under construction. He was accompanied only by Lü Lu and Luo Mingyi, the Minister of Works, but behind him was a large group of palace maids and eunuchs.
It was the height of summer, and the weather was scorching. Two palace maids stood a step and a half behind Yuan Xiu, holding up a canopy to shield him from the sun. Six other palace maids spread out in a semi-circle behind Yuan Xiu, fanning him from afar. Two eunuchs would occasionally take out chilled fruit from an ice chest to help Yuan Xiu cool down.
The construction site is the former observatory, which was destroyed when Zhou Chuan and Chen Chong had their sword fight.
It could have been repaired, but Yuan Xiu, having witnessed the two men's lightness skills, decided to start over and double its height.
Of course, such requirements make construction difficult, since the height increases and the sturdiness must also keep up.
Yuan Xiu loved to play on the observatory. If any accident happened, Luo Mingyi knew that even if he had ten heads, it wouldn't be enough to get him chopped off. So, from the day the project started, he came here every day to keep an eye on things.
"Minister Luo, once the new observatory is completed, it will be the tallest building in the palace."
Yuan Xiu, hands on his hips and head tilted back, said, "No, it's not just the tallest building in the Imperial Palace, but also the tallest building in Changsui and Dajing. As the person in charge, you'll be remembered in history!!"
"I am honored that Your Majesty has given me this opportunity, so I dare not be negligent. I spend every day here except when I attend court!" Luo Mingyi said with a bow.
Yuan Xiu looked around, then at one of the rooms, and said with a smile, "I heard that for this project, you not only moved your office here, but you also haven't been going home to sleep at night?"
"That's true."
"Aren't the women in your family worried?"
"That woman is always nagging, I'm fed up with her!" Luo Mingyi blurted out, then suddenly saw Yuan Xiu pause for a moment, and quickly apologized, "Your Majesty, I misspoke! I shouldn't have complained about family matters in front of Your Majesty!"
"Haha, it's alright, I love to hear it." Yuan Xiu patted Luo Mingyi's shoulder and said softly, "Once this place is repaired, I will reward you handsomely, or perhaps I'll give you a concubine who won't dare to nag?"
"This...this...this...your subject..."
"Speak properly, why are you stuttering!"
"Your subject dares not!"
Yuan Xiu advised, "Don't be afraid. If your woman dares to refuse what I have bestowed upon you, that would be disobeying an imperial decree."
Thump!
Luo Mingyi suddenly knelt down and cried out, "Your Majesty, please don't!"
Yuan Xiu was puzzled and asked, "What does Minister Luo mean by this?"
Luo Mingyi said sincerely, "Although my wife is nagging and often scolds me, she is my wife who has shared my hardships. Before I passed the imperial examination, I was able to concentrate on my studies entirely because she worked to support the family. While I was traveling to the capital for the examination, she took meticulous care of the elderly and children at home. I swore that she would be my only woman in this life, and I would never betray her!"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Xiu was somewhat shocked. He suppressed his smile and asked again, "Now that you hold a high position, are you not tempted by the myriad women in this world?"
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