Chapter 203 You've Changed Careers to Become an Assassin
Xiao Huaijin explained to Huangfu An who Song Zhimin really was, and of course, he focused on what Song Zhimin had done.
Although Huangfu An was not interested in the minor events happening in the capital, he was still aware of the major events.
For example, the story of King Wu being given poisoned wine, which led to the downfall of the Ruan family...
Xiao Huaijin told Huangfu An how Song Zhimian managed to poison Cai Boju, who was the most influential man in Beijing at the time, simply by relying on her acquaintance with Digoxin.
Moreover, even the Ministry of Justice and the Imperial Household Department failed to discover that this matter was related to Song Zhimin.
If it weren't for his respected elder sister, no one would have ever discovered this.
There's also how they set a trap for the King of Wu, leading him into a dead end, and how they turned the tide in the capital, making everyone chase after and curse the King of Wu and his ilk...
Huangfu An's expression grew more and more serious as he listened.
He wondered, how come after such a long time away from the capital, another clever person has emerged there?
He enjoys dealing with intelligent people...
In Huangfu An's mind, Song Zhimian should be like Ye Yunshu, stern and unsmiling, but capable of killing with a single blow once she makes a move.
Huangfu An had many thoughts on his mind.
At this time... why did that eldest princess send such a clever person over?
This is a clear indication that the Biao Kingdom is determined not to have a good life!
"Wait a minute, what did you just say about Song Zhimin, whose daughter is she?" Huangfu An realized belatedly.
"So the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion is the eldest daughter of Song Kaishan, who was stripped of his title!"
"However, Song Zhimian and that Song Kaishan have completely fallen out, and it's now a matter of life and death," Xiao Huaijin quickly added.
Huangfu An opened his eyes wide.
"Song Kaishan? That bastard can have such a good daughter, God must be blind!" Huangfu An couldn't help but say.
Xiao Huaijin...
He almost forgot that Song Kaishan had originally wanted to be transferred to the Southwest Army, but Huangfu An had stopped him with just a few words.
“Well… bad bamboo produces good shoots! Uncle Jiu, you know that! Hehe!” Xiao Huaijin chuckled.
After thinking for a moment, Huangfu An could only use the analogy of good bamboo shoots coming from bad bamboo.
It's really hard to say what will happen to their offspring.
Just like the old Marquis of Wu'an, who could have imagined that such a scourge as Cai Boju would emerge from such a good person!
"Indeed! Lord Ye Yunshu must have sent that female official here for something important."
"Tomorrow, I will certainly treat Master of Ceremonies Song well at the restaurant in Sun City!" Huangfu An said solemnly.
Xiao Huaijin was also thinking about what he should prepare to welcome Song Zhimian tomorrow.
...
On the evening of the second day, just as the city gates were about to close, Song Zhimin's convoy finally entered Sun City.
The convoy did not enter the central command tent, but instead stopped in front of Huangfu An's residence in Sun City.
Huangfu An, Xiao Huaijin, Wei Yanli, and an excited Xiao Jingjue and the Twelfth Prince all stood at the door waiting for Song Zhimian.
Song Zhimian, dressed in the attire of a female official of the Imperial Household Department, was also startled when she saw this scene.
Wow, that's quite a big operation...
She quickly straightened the slightly wrinkled hem of her robe, then walked over without looking to the side and gave everyone a respectful bow.
"Greetings, General Huangfu, His Highness Prince Qi, Twelfth Prince, Young Prince, and Young Master Wei!"
Huangfu An was somewhat surprised when he first saw Song Zhimian.
She's so petite, and looks so different from Ye Yunshu!
He doesn't seem like the kind of person who would kill without blinking an eye...
But experience taught Huangfu An that one should never underestimate a woman who seems harmless, and that the more harmless a woman appears, the more ruthless she may be...
What's this called? This is called playing dumb to fool the enemy...
"Haha, Master of Ceremonies Song, you must be tired from your journey. Please come in. I have prepared a small feast for you at my residence."
I've always heard His Highness Prince Qi mention you, and seeing you in person today, I can confirm that your reputation is well-deserved!
"Please come in quickly! Please come in quickly!" Huangfu An laughed and welcomed Song Zhimin into the marshal's mansion.
Song Zhimian glanced at Xiao Huaijin in surprise.
Why would this guy mention me in front of the Southwest Army commander for no reason? Who knows what bad things he might be saying about me!
Xiao Huaijin felt somewhat helpless.
When did Uncle Nine start using polite phrases?
He only mentioned Song Zhimin to him last night, but he's made it sound like he talks about her all the time...
"Let's go! Your Highness, someone who's willing to listen to you has arrived. You don't need to come and berate me every day anymore."
Xiao Huaijin...
Another one blatantly lying...
...
Huangfu An warmly entertained Song Zhimian, preparing not only fine wine and delicacies but also singing and dancing to add to the festivities.
Song Zhimian was surprised to find that the women in the southwest were quite open-minded.
Not only were they dressed much more scantily than the women in Beijing, but they also kept intentionally or unintentionally throwing flirtatious glances at the guests…
After a few rounds of drinks, the usual pleasantries began.
Song Zhimian brought the Crown Prince, Prime Minister Lin, and Ye Yunshu's expectations for the Southwest Army, and also presented a personal letter from the Crown Prince.
Huangfu An also expressed on the spot that he would live up to expectations and guard the southwest gate for Dayu.
Then came some lighthearted topics: which family in the capital had a happy occasion, or which family had a new baby.
However, when the topic of Lord Shangguan's passing came up, everyone at the banquet fell silent.
"When I return to the capital, I will definitely go to the old man's grave to kowtow!" Huangfu An said in a deep voice.
Xiao Huaijin and Wei Yanli also looked rather grim.
When the news of Lord Shangguan's passing reached them, their first thought was to return to the capital and kill the King of Wu.
...
The welcome banquet didn't end until 7 PM.
Song Zhimian was also a little tipsy. If she weren't maintaining her status as a female official, she would definitely be staggering as she walked.
Huangfu An arranged for Song Zhimin to live in a courtyard next to Xiao Huaijin's.
As it was getting late, Xiao Jingjue and the Twelfth Prince had already returned to their residence with their own boxes.
Xiao Huaijin and the maids from Huangfu An's residence escorted Song Zhimin to her courtyard.
After walking a few steps, Xiao Huaijin suddenly gestured for the two maids following him to step back two steps, as he had something to ask Song Zhimian.
The two maids immediately stood respectfully ten paces away.
Song Zhimian was a little confused. What did this Prince Qi want to say?
"Your Highness, what His Highness the Crown Prince wanted to say is already in the letter, and I have already given it to you, haven't I? There are no other letters."
"As for Lord Ye... she didn't send me any letters to pass on to you," Song Zhimian said softly.
Xiao Huaijin nodded, and then took another step closer to Song Zhimin.
"Tell me, why did my elder sister send you here?"
Don't try to fool me with the pretense of sending something. Any ordinary eunuch could have delivered that little bit of stuff.
"She went to such lengths to bring you here; she clearly has ulterior motives." Xiao Huaijin also lowered his voice.
Song Zhimian...
Well, if I really want to kill Ruan Xingzhi here, I'll definitely need this guy's help.
So Song Zhimian lowered her voice again and spoke in a tone that only the two of them could hear.
"Your lovely elder sister, my respected Lord Ye sent me here to kill someone!"
Xiao Huaijin...
"Song Zhimian, you've quit being a female official and become an assassin instead?" Xiao Huaijin said in a voice only the two of them could hear.
Song Zhimian...
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