Mountain and River Festival 191. The Threat from Prince Ding

Late Night

The moon was dark and the wind was high, which was the favorite time for night walkers. A black shadow quickly flew over the wall of the prefectural governor's mansion and landed silently in the flowerbed beside the wall. Then more men in black sneaked in from behind the wall and headed towards a certain place in the prefectural governor's mansion.

In the attic not far away, a few pairs of eyes in the half-open window took in the shadow of the man in black in the distance. In the attic, under the faint candlelight, Mo Xiuyao lazily leaned on the soft couch, looking down at the night in the distance. Next to Feng Zhiyao, Han Mingxi, Qin Feng, Zhuo Jing, Mo Hua and others were also sitting or standing leisurely admiring the black-clad man's self-proclaimed secret actions. Han Mingyue stood by the window, his face a little pale and tired, but his eyes did not move at all, staring closely at the black-clad man below.

Feng Zhiyao picked up the exquisite snacks on the table beside him and asked in confusion: "Are these people really stupid or just pretending to be stupid? They were able to break into the place where Prince Dingguo was stationed so easily, but they didn't suspect anything at all?" If they were able to break into Mo Jingqi or Lei Zhenting's place so easily, the first thing they would do would definitely be to suspect fraud instead of just going forward. Qin Feng held the sword in front of him and snorted: "I'm afraid these people are just cannon fodder sent to test. The other party must know how strict the security of Prince Dingguo's Mansion is before they really take action." Mo Hua nodded and agreed with Qin Feng's statement. Even with the level of ordinary assassins, these people were too weak. "Is it Tan Jizhi?"

Zhuo Jing said in a deep voice: "He couldn't wait just after leaving the Northwest?" Han Mingxi smiled and said: "That proves that he really can't wait to kill Su Zuidie. It seems... Miss Su is really hiding some important secrets? Qin Feng, can you guys do it? Su Zuidie has been handed over to you for several months." Qin Feng's face sank when he mentioned this. He glanced at Han Mingyue who was standing with her back straight and complained: "This woman is really a bit difficult to deal with. After several months of torment, she told me almost everything, but she refused to talk about Tan Jizhi."

"You said everything?" Han Mingxi sneered, clearly not believing it. A group of people who claim to be professional torturers, who have been unable to deal with a useless woman for several months, actually have the nerve to say what Dou said?

Qin Feng glared at him angrily and said, "That's right, she even told him about the men she slept with!" As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Feng felt that he had said something wrong. This Su Zuidie was once the prince's fiancée, but some information obtained from the interrogation showed that this woman did not seem to be the one Zhen Jing received the gift from. Wouldn't the prince look...unpleasant? He glanced at Mo Xiuyao cautiously, but found that Mo Xiuyao was leaning against the couch with his forehead propped up in a trance, with a faint smile on his face, and he didn't look angry. Qin Feng could only pray that maybe the prince didn't hear what he said. Just as he was thinking, Mo Xiuyao had already sat up, with his long white hair casually draped over his body, looking a little colder and more distant than before. Glancing at Qin Feng, Mo Xiuyao said calmly: "Don't worry, don't kill the person before you find out the truth. Of course... if you have other channels to get the news, you don't have to report it to the king and the princess separately." Meaning, he only wanted the secret hidden by Su Zuidie, and as for the life and death of Su Zuidie, Qin Feng could handle it himself.

Qin Feng couldn't help shrinking his neck. Did the prince really hear what he said? He must follow the princess these days... No, he has to go out for some business these days. As for Su Zuidie... Qin Feng looked at Han Mingxi with some distress. He didn't care. Since the prince didn't care, even if he killed Su Zuidie, he could just find a way to catch Tan Jizhi and ask about it later. But... After all, he had a good relationship with Han Mingxi, and Han Mingxi happened to be Han Mingyue's biological brother... So, it would be better for Su Zuidie to be assassinated by someone else, right?

Watching the shadow of the man in black disappear in the most remote courtyard of the prefectural governor's mansion, Mo Hua waved his hand and gestured to the outside to indicate that the net could be closed. Soon, the lights in the courtyard were lit, and then there was a faint sound of weapons colliding. Mo Xiuyao frowned and said, "Let them hurry up and don't let the princess rest." Mo Hua said, "Please rest assured, the sound will not reach the princess's courtyard." It was in order not to disturb the people in the main courtyard to rest, so the cells for holding prisoners were deliberately placed in the most remote place of the prefectural governor's mansion. Moreover, the secret guards were also very careful in their actions. Even here, they could only hear a faint sound, not to mention that the princess's courtyard was still halfway away from here. Sure enough, in less than a quarter of an hour, the lights in the distant courtyard went out again, and the entire prefectural mansion returned to its original tranquility.

Qin Feng frowned and said, "I'm afraid there are many assassins these days. I don't understand why Su Zuidie should be moved back to the prefectural government." It would be great to put him in Qilin's station, and no one will be disturbed.

Zhuo Jing said: "If we leave it at your place, the assassins won't have to come." Because they couldn't find the place at all.

Feng Zhiyao saw that there was nothing else to do, so he stood up and stretched his body, yawned and said, "Nothing else, I'll take my leave now."

Mo Xiuyao nodded casually. Feng Zhiyao took two steps outside and seemed to remember something. He turned around and said, "By the way, Your Majesty, Xu Qingze will be here tomorrow. I heard that he will be accompanied by two other young masters of the Xu family..."

Mo Xiuyao's face darkened, he glanced at Feng Zhiyao coldly and asked, "Why didn't I hear you say that before?" Feng Zhiyao's eyes were filled with a gloating smile, he shrugged and said, "This... I only received the news during dinner. Wasn't the prince having dinner with the princess at that time? How dare I disturb him?" Mo Xiuyao snorted and said, "You go and make the arrangements. There is no place to stay in the mansion. Go to the city and give him a place to stay. "Let's find a house to live in." Feng Zhiyao shook his head, "Prince, I'm afraid that won't work... The courtyard of the second son of the Xu family is still empty. If the princess asks why the three sons of the Xu family want to live outside the mansion, what should the subordinates say?" These days, Mo Xiuyao wanted to drive out all the people who originally lived in the prefectural mansion. The first to bear the brunt were Feng Zhiyao, Zhuo Jinglin, Han Weilin and the other four who often hung around Ye Li. Unfortunately, Zhuo Jinglin and the other two were the princess's designated personal assistants and were supposed to live in the mansion. So Feng Zhiyao took all of Mo Xiuyao's anger alone. But Feng Zhiyao suddenly realized the fun of living with everyone and refused to move out of the mansion to live in an independent mansion. So every day, she was busy and happy under Mo Xiuyao's abuse. Now that there was a chance to cause trouble for Mo Xiuyao, Feng Zhiyuan naturally spared no effort.

"Feng San..." Mo Xiuyao's face was gloomy, and he said softly: "Get lost."

Feng Zhiyao shrugged his shoulders and didn't care about what Mo Xiuyao said. People who are in a bad mood have a reason to vent. He bowed and said with a smile: "I'll take my leave. I will arrange accommodation for the three sons of the Xu family. Especially the fifth son Xu, I heard that he plans to stay in Ruyang to accompany the princess. The fifth son is still young, just right for the princess to accompany her, so that she won't be bored, don't you think so, Your Majesty?" Not only did he ask you not to work, but he also didn't let the princess do it. As far as he knew, the fifth son Xu was not a pushover, and he would frustrate you to death!

"Feng San." Mo Xiuyao smiled and looked at Feng Zhiyao and said, "Now that you reminded me, I remember that this palace is indeed missing a steward. Uncle Mo is going to clean up the industries in various places, so how about you be the steward of this palace in the future?"

Feng Zhiyao's face froze, and he hurriedly retreated. The third son of the Feng family, who was known throughout the world for his romantic talents, became the steward of the palace? Comparing himself with the stewards of various palaces in the world, Feng Zhiyao suddenly felt that his image as a peerless and elegant gentleman collapsed in an instant.

Others also left one after another, leaving only the brothers Han Mingxi and Han Mingyue. The attic was silent. Mo Xiuyao raised his hand to pour himself a glass of wine and sipped it carelessly, thinking about what Feng Zhiyao had just said and not in the mood to speak. Xu Qingze was in Hongzhou, Xu Qingyan was in Yunzhou, and Xu Qingfeng was in the Guannei military camp. How did these three people get together? The most important thing is, why did these three people run to Ruyang instead of staying here? Now Mo Xiuyao didn't want anyone related to Ye Li to show up in the mansion to divert A'li's attention. But these three people were damn obviously very important to A'li! As he was lost in thought, a gloomy chill inadvertently spread out, making the already deserted atmosphere in the room even more solemn and depressing.

"Xiu Yao..." After hesitating for a while, Han Mingyue finally spoke.

Mo Xiuyao raised his head and glanced at him, his eyes filled with obvious impatience. Then he glanced at Han Mingxi lightly, and Han Mingxi frowned helplessly. In the past, Han Mingxi dared to provoke Mo Xiuyao without any responsibility because he could see Mo Xiuyao's temper clearly. But since Ye Li's accident and this time when he came back, Han Mingxi felt more and more that he couldn't understand Mo Xiuyao. Just like before, he could be sure that Mo Xiuyao would never attack him for Ye Li's sake, but now even though he knew rationally that Mo Xiuyao would not attack him, every time he saw Mo Xiuyao's eyes on him, Han Mingxi was not so sure in his heart. Therefore, he would not provoke Mo Xiuyao under normal circumstances. Han Mingxi couldn't help but smile bitterly when he thought of this. This was the difference between him and Mo Xiuyao. Without that strength, he had no qualifications to compete with Mo Xiuyao for Jun Wei's attention.

Han Mingxi knew that Mo Xiuyao was warning him that if Han Mingyue didn't restrain herself, he would be rude. But what could Han Mingxi do? No matter how confused Han Mingyue was, he was still his only brother, the one who raised him, loved him, and taught him to protect him from the wind and rain. Even if he couldn't understand why his talented brother would give up everything for a woman who was not worthy of him, even if he was angry and annoyed that Han Mingyue had abandoned his family and himself, he would still ask Ye Li for help when Han Mingyue was in danger. Han Mingxi understood even more clearly why Mo Xiuyao had never taken action against Han Mingyue. It was not because he cared about their former brotherhood, but because he knew that he would definitely ask Ye Li for help, and Mo Xiuyao didn't want him to ask Ye Li for help, let alone have too much contact with Ye Li.

Sighing helplessly, Han Mingxi stood up and said, "Brother, you should go back first. I still have something to discuss with the prince."

Han Mingyue frowned, looking at his brother who was trying to hold back his tired look, and finally couldn't bear to continue pestering him and make things difficult for him. He could give everything for Su Zuidie, but it never included his brother.

Watching Han Mingyue walk out, Han Mingxi heaved a sigh of relief and sat down again. Mo Xiuyao looked at Han Mingxi sitting opposite him with some surprise and raised his eyebrows. Han Mingxi's handsome face was filled with helplessness, and he looked at Mo Xiuyao and said, "Prince, please help my elder brother." Mo Xiuyao's lips curled up with a cold smile, "Beg me? Han Mingxi...you beg me to help your elder brother? I can't see why Han Mingyue needs help, he is obviously happy to do it. Moreover, why should I help?"

Han Mingxi gritted his teeth and said, "I know Su Zuidie will definitely die. I only ask the prince to let my elder brother live when the time comes."

"Dead end?" Mo Xiuyao sat up, looked at Han Mingxi, looked at him with interest and asked: "Why don't you ask me to let Su Zuidi go so that Han Mingyue can be happy? Although I won't agree, but with your friendship with A'li, she will definitely not refuse you if you ask her." Speaking of his friendship with A'li, Mo Xiuyao gritted his teeth. Of all the people around A'li, the one he hated the most was Han Mingxi, but he promised A'li not to kill Han Mingxi. But every time he saw the look in Han Mingxi's eyes when he looked at A'li, he wanted to dig his eyes out!

Han Mingxi was silent for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said, "Your Highness, why do you have to ask when you already know the answer? If it was before, I might really ask the princess for help. But now... the secret that Su Zuidie is holding on to must be of great importance. Once it is revealed, she will surely die. Although I don't know what it is now... but I'm afraid... the princess may not be able to make the decision at that time. Besides..." Han Mingxi sneered and said, "Who is Su Zuidie to me? Why should I ask for help for her? If she had died earlier, there wouldn't be so many things now!"

"You see it more clearly than Han Mingyue." Mo Xiuyao said calmly. They both understood that it was not that Han Mingyue could not see clearly, but that he refused to admit it. The once famous Master Mingyue had already fallen into a maze for the woman Su Zuidi and could not wake up. It is said that the land of beauties is the grave of heroes, and this sentence is indeed true.

"But you are wrong about one thing. There is nothing in the Dingguo Palace that Ah Li cannot decide." Looking at the silent Han Mingxi, Mo Xiuyao continued, "As long as Ah Li is happy, let alone the life and death of Su Zuidie, even if she wants my life, I will give it to her. Of course, you are right not to ask Ah Li for help. If you make Ah Li embarrassed, I will make everyone embarrassed as well. You can keep Han Mingyue's life for yourself. I am not interested. But you'd better remember it clearly. If you dare to stare at me, Ah Li, with your eyes again, I will dig your eyes out!"

Han Mingxi only felt bitterness in his throat. The staring that Mo Xiuyao mentioned was certainly not an ordinary staring. There were so many people around Ye Li, and many of them were closer to her than him. Mo Xiuyao did not warn Feng Zhiyao, Qin Feng, Zhuo Jinglin, and Han Weirui, but came to warn him lightly. Han Mingxi certainly knew the reason. Although he always thought that he had concealed it well, even if he could hide it from anyone, he could not hide it from Mo Xiuyao, who was Ye Li's husband. Looking up and looking at Mo Xiuyao, Han Mingxi sneered, "The prince must know that Jun Wei is a rare and wonderful woman in the world. Can the prince still withstand the gaze of the world? Or does the prince want to hide Jun Wei in the deep palace and not let anyone see her?"

Mo Xiuyao's eyes turned cold, and his smile became even more cold and ruthless. "Of course I will not hide Ah Li in my inner chamber. No matter where I am, Ah Li will always be by my side. But... anyone who dares to look at me will have his eyes gouged out!"

Han Mingxi felt a chill in his heart, but he was speechless. "You are just lucky to have met her first!"

Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrows, with a hint of pride in his eyes, "So what if I am just lucky? Han Mingxi, remember your duty. I promised A-Li not to kill you. You'd better not force me to break my promise."

Han Mingxi lowered his head and remained silent for a long time, then he raised his head and looked at him with a faint smile, saying, "Your Highness has filtered through. Han Mingxi... has no improper thoughts, and Jun Wei and I are just friends of gentlemen. Does this prince also want to stop it?" He knew that he was not as good as Mo Xiuyao. Mr. Fengyue sounded nice, but he was just a flower thief with no skills. Jun Wei did not mind his reputation and was willing to associate with him, but in this chaotic world he could not protect her safety. Since Han Mingxi met Ye Li, he has never regretted that he was always lazy and did not listen to his brother's teachings when he was young, and ended up with neither literature nor martial arts. If he had the same talent, wisdom, strategy and martial arts as his brother, even if he was not as good as Mo Xiuyao, he would have the confidence to compete with him.

Mo Xiuyao narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at the handsome man in front of him with suspicion. Although he extremely disliked the handsome man in front of him, Mo Xiuyao had to admit that he was indeed wholeheartedly helping Ah Li. And... Ah Li needed to have her own friends after all. To put it bluntly, he, Mo Xiuyao, was just jealous of Han Mingxi. Han Mingxi looked better than him and had a better personality than him. Although he was not as good at martial arts as him, and his status was not extraordinary, but what was the use? If it was Han Mingxi, he would naturally take Ah Li to retreat to the mountains without hesitation and live a leisurely and peaceful life. He was just afraid that Ah Li would like a man like Han Mingxi more, and that Ah Li would regret marrying him. No matter what... no one in this world can take Ah Li away from him!

"I will believe you just once, but remember that what I said is always valid." Mo Xiuyao stood up, said this calmly, and left.

Han Mingxi sat alone by the window, watching Mo Xiuyao walk downstairs through the garden to the courtyard of the lieutenant general in the prefectural governor's mansion. There... was the woman whose heart was moved for the only time in his life. The breeze blew back through the window, and Han Mingxi felt a chill in his heart.