Xizhou Qu (4)
Not many people came to the banquet. Although it was to welcome Su Wujin, there were not many people who came, so it was just a small family dinner.
"Since it's a family dinner, please feel free to do as you please." King Xizhou raised his wine cup with a smile on his face.
"I am so happy that Jin'er is back." The King of Xizhou looked at Su Wujin with a happy expression.
"This is Princess Taran. You are not young anymore. The third brother already has two concubines, but you, as his elder brother, don't have anyone close to you." King Xizhou looked at Su Wujin.
Su Wujin stroked the cup while Xu Ning listened carefully.
"Princess Taran has admired you since childhood. I have decided to arrange a marriage for you two."
The little girl next to the queen suddenly became shy. Xu Ning looked at the girl and saw that she was only a few years older than her.
Su Wujin stood up and said, "Thank you for your kindness, father. However, I just returned to the palace today, and I just met Princess Taran today. I hope you will rescind your order."
The King of Xizhou looked at Su Wujin, then at Xu Ning beside him. He twirled his beard and smiled slightly, "Well, if that's the case, let's discuss this matter later."
Xu Ning and the King of Xizhou exchanged glances, wondering what the old man with the curly beard meant. Xu Ning quickly lowered his head and looked away.
After the family dinner, Xu Ning had a rough idea of who was present. The third prince, Su Wuxie, was the son of a concubine who had died young. The woman who had attacked her was named Talan, the beloved daughter of King Yisha. Both the Queen and the King of Xizhou were intent on bringing Talan and Su Wujin together. Xu Ning hadn't yet fully grasped Su Wujin's intentions.
The King of Xizhou seemed unaware of Xu Ning's identity; the only people who knew were the Queen, Su Wujin, and Su Wuxie. It seemed likely that when Xu Ning first entered the palace, the Queen and Su Wujin hadn't intended to disclose Xu Ning's identity. Perhaps they hadn't anticipated Su Wuxie publicly revealing it, perhaps even intending to win over Xu Ning.
It's good that fewer people know her identity, as it can always avoid unnecessary trouble.
Golden light scattered on the corridor. A walk after dinner will make you live to be ninety-nine. Xu Ning ate a lot at the banquet, so he took a leisurely walk to digest the food.
After a cup of tea, the sound of footsteps came from behind.
"I didn't expect that there is a woman who is attracted to you." Xu Ning walked in front, casually looking at an inconspicuous little bug.
Su Wujin raised his eyebrows, and the corners of his lips curled up, "What do you mean?"
"A person who treats human life as worthless and kills at will is actually loved by some people."
Su Wujin frowned, then relaxed after a while and understood what Xu Ning meant.
"The one who kidnapped the woman to be a bride and bled her was Wen Liang, and he was also the one who traded in human skin umbrellas." Su Wujin said in a gentle voice, as if stating a fact.
"It's not me." At the end, Xu Ning didn't respond, so Su Wujin added.
Xu Ning looked at the fragmented light in front of the door, then turned back to meet Su Wujin's eyes. "Your Highness, what are you explaining? When did I say it was you?"
Su Wujin sent Xu Ning back home. When they arrived, Xu Ning asked, "When can I go see him?"
"Why are you in such a hurry? Sect Leader Ye is a guest of honor in this palace. I will take you there after you have had a good rest." Su Wujin left and closed the door as he went.
…
After many days, Xu Ning saw that Su Wujin still had no intention of taking her to meet someone, so she decided to go find him herself.
"Miss Xu has come all the way from the Central Plains. It's been a few days since I had the chance to entertain Miss Xu alone. I hope you don't mind." Su Wuxie appeared out of nowhere.
Xu Ning planned to go find her father by herself, being cautious and tiptoeing. When the man opened his mouth, Xu Ning shuddered.
He walks so silently.
"Your Highness, it's a courtesy." Xu Ning said perfunctorily and prepared to leave.
When he turned around, he was stopped by someone.
"Miss Xu, where are you going? You are not familiar with the palace, so I can lead the way for you." Su Wuxie and Su Wujin spoke in the same tone, and Su Wuxie's calculations were clearly written on his face.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am fine." Xu Ning had no choice but to go back.
Xu Ning walked to the corner, and someone suddenly said behind him, "I remember that there were many lacquer bottles in the study of Second Prince. Let's go and ask him for one." It was unclear whether he was talking to Xu Ning or the guard.
Xu Ning frowned, paused and left.
The guards in the palace were much more relaxed at night. Xu Ning changed into night clothes, blew out the lights, and sneaked through the window.
Xu Ning knew that Su Wuxie's last words were intentional. The situation was urgent and she didn't have time to waste here. She had to finish her work and go back to help Ah Xu.
Su Wujin's office is not inside the palace, but has a study in a side hall. There are two study rooms. Tonight, Xu Ning is looking for the one closer to Su Wujin's bedroom.
As Xu Ningfang entered the house, she was dazzled by a flash of fire. She quickly jumped onto the beam and carefully observed the area below.
Su Wujin is not here today. The maid in charge said that he has been out on business these days.
Interesting, it seems Su Wujin has quite a few rivals.
There was only a dark shadow under the beam, frantically searching, making a lot of noise but not afraid of being discovered.
The person who came was five inches tall and had a slender frame, like a woman.
The man searched around but found nothing. When he was about to leave, a figure approached the window.
The man in black jumped to the other end of the beam. In a panic, the two looked at each other in the dark, and they understood each other without saying a word.
The person who pushed the door open was a eunuch in charge. He put his hand into the secret compartment in the wall and the wall turned into a door that opened to both sides.
Behind the secret door is a long tunnel, and the gravel road reflects the bright white light.
Xu Ning climbed out the window, and the man in black who had just entered the room followed closely.
Since we have met, we must know who is on the other side so that we can have an idea if something happens in the near future.
After a round or two, the man in black was at a disadvantage. Xu Ning peeled back the man's mask, his pupils dilated, "Is it you?"
"Princess Taran?"
"You know it's me, the princess, so why don't you let go!" Xu Ning held Taran's hands with one hand and pressed the woman's back with the other.
Taran was locked in a lock, his wrist burning and his arm sore.
Xu Ning let go of the person, and when he was distracted, the woman took off his mask.
"It's you, after all. I knew that none of you Central Plains women have good intentions." Taran's face darkened, and a flash of panic flashed in his eyes.
Xu Ning's right wrist was suddenly grabbed. "Come on, I'm taking you to the Second Prince. Let him see how the woman he brought back actually visited his study so late at night! Let him see what your intentions are."
Xu Ning flung his hands, annoyed by the girl's naiveté, "Princess, you're talking about me, but don't you see how you're dressed now?"
"What's wrong with me?" Princess Taran looked uncomfortable, her eyes rolling up and down. "I just like wearing black clothes at night."
Xu Ning covered her mouth and laughed, "Don't worry, you and I will rest in our respective rooms tonight and not go anywhere." The woman's eyes were firm.
Taran's wandering eyes calmed down and he covered it up with a flurry of words, "Who said I was afraid? I, Taran, have never been afraid of anyone."
It's obvious that he's guilty.
Right, right, right. If you are not afraid, then you are not afraid of anyone. Xu Ning smiled inwardly.
That night, the night in Xizhou was clearer than that in Xin Kingdom. The sky was filled with stars, and from time to time, the breeze blew freely. A pair of invisible giant hands pushed Xu Ning forward.
The two men put on their masks and agreed to move forward together without interfering with each other or asking each other questions. Whoever found someone coming would need to notify.
Taran knew that she was not as good as Xu Ning, and this was her first time doing such a sneaky thing, so she followed Xu Ning closely for fear of being discovered if she was not careful.
The two men followed the path of the steward and moved forward carefully, lighting only one fire stick to avoid being discovered.
The surroundings were silent, and one could not see one's hand in front of one's face.
Talan Dongzhang hoped to keep up with Xu Ning's pace as much as possible.
"If you are afraid, Princess, please hold on to my sleeves." Xu Ning glanced sideways at the frightened eyes of the woman behind him.
Taran no longer cared about the princess's face and grabbed Xu Ning's sleeve.
"It's not that I'm afraid, I'm just afraid that we'll get separated later."
Xu Ning smiled faintly and said nothing.
Across the long stone corridor, there's another door. Pushing it open, I find myself in a courtyard more like a house than a dark room. Looking up, I can see the moon and stars, trees growing, and the distant sounds of mountain springs and waterside pavilions.
The corridor at the corner of the pavilion is where the eunuch in charge is placed.
Xu Ning quickly grabbed Taran and leaned against the stone wall.
"What are you doing!" Taran exclaimed in pain in his wrist.
Xu Ning glared and signaled, "Shh, there's someone!"
"Your Highness, he still refuses to take the medicine. What should we do?" The steward, Aqi, came out of the inner room and ran into Su Wujin who came out from next door.
"That's not up to him." Su Wujin narrowed his eyes, "If he still refuses to obey, he will be thrown into the water dungeon."
"But……"
A small flying insect landed on the tip of Taran's nose, "A-choo!"
"who?!"
Xu Ning pulled Taran and ran. Fortunately, the mansion was big enough, so they could find a room to hide in when the situation became urgent.
Chasing behind was Su Wujin. He chased to the corridor, but there was no one there. Wind chimes swayed in the wind, making crisp sounds.
He pushed open the doors of each house one by one, but the surroundings were empty and these were the only houses where he could hide.
Xu Ning and Taran held their breath as the rooms outside were opened and closed one after another. The sounds became louder and louder. Suddenly, the dark shadow outside stopped.
The two men hid behind the curtains on both sides of the door, each holding the hilt of a knife, ready to strike.
The man pushed open the door, and the room was silent. Frosty moonlight poured into the room, and the breeze blew up the rose-pink tablecloth, causing the tassel knot to sway.
The steward, Aqi, took a quick look and went in to check, and indeed there was no one there.
"Archie." Archie was about to take another look when Su Wujin stopped him.
Archie closes the door and leaves.
"Have you found anything?" Su Wujin frowned and looked around.
"Your Highness, no. It was dark now, and Your Highness hadn't closed his eyes for several days. Perhaps he saw it wrongly." Archie covered his shoulder and bowed.
Su Wujin stared at the end of the corridor and said after a while, "Be sure to keep a close eye on that room. Don't let anyone enter except me."
"yes."
"Your Highness, this old servant has something else to ask."
"explain."
"Master Ye has not woken up since he regained consciousness six months ago. He is now weak and the doctors are at a loss as to what to do. Your Highness, what should we do?"
Su Wujin narrowed his eyes and said sternly, "Even if you can't think of a way, you have to come up with one for me. If all else fails, use some weird witchcraft. In short, he must wake up within two days."
The two of them spoke so loudly that Xu Ning could hear them from the other room.
No wonder I couldn’t see him. It turns out he hasn’t woken up yet.
Xu Ning was thinking about the next step in his mind.
Seeing Xu Ning's expression change, Taran asked tentatively, "Are you here to see this Master Ye?"
Xu Ning did not deny it, so it was okay to tell her.
Taran said again: "I know this person, and I don't know why the Second Prince values him so much."
"How do you know?" After Xu Ning's observation, only the queen and Su Wujin in the palace knew that Ye Yulan was here.
"Because I've admired him since I was little, it's natural for me to understand him."
This admiration was too obvious. Xu Ning stared at the woman's pupils, and the next moment, the corners of his lips raised, "Why does Princess Taran love him? Su Wujin is away from home all year round, and his time in the Xizhou Palace is very limited. And as far as I know, you two have never met."
"And you," Xu Ning approached, "have loved wielding swords and spears since childhood, and have even participated in tribal wars. Three years ago, you even sneaked into the enemy camp alone and took the leader's head. You're no less capable than your brothers. If you say you're willing to marry, I don't believe it."
Taran looked at her straight in the eye and said, "Miss Xu is right. I sneaked into the Prince's Palace at night to find something to hold against him and threaten him so that he would break off his engagement with the King."
Xu Ning raised her eyebrows. It was true. She felt relieved.
"But he didn't agree that day, and it was obvious that he was evading the offer. How could there be any talk of breaking off the engagement?"
Taran sneered, "I can see that he treats you differently, but I didn't expect you to understand him at all."
"He will definitely agree to King Xizhou in the end. I am the princess of the Yisha tribe. Whoever marries me will have the support of the Yisha tribe. He only cares about power, so how could he give up this opportunity?"
Taran continued, "You followed him from the Central Plains. I'm sure Miss Xu is well aware of the chaos he caused to the Daxin government. How can a man who doesn't care about the lives of his people be worthy of being the king of our Xizhou?"
Xu Ning raised her eyebrows. She didn't expect Taran to investigate Su Wujin in such detail.
Xu Ning thought for a while, "If you don't mind, I can help you, but I have one condition."
It was pitch black that night. The two men avoided the servants and entered a storage room. When they opened the door, they were filled with dust and a thick, stuffy smell.
"I need you to help me find Master Ye and get evidence that Su Wujin is a foreigner causing chaos in Daxin. Help me uncover the Daxin spy."
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