Chapter 25: A gathering of heroes, inviting you into a trap
Shang Yuwan turned around and found Ji Suxian standing blankly by the second-floor window, looking in the direction where Liu Niang and Xiao Tao left, wondering what he was thinking.
Ji Suxian noticed her gaze and mouthed: [I have something to hide, I won't leave.]
Shang Yuwan understood instantly, nodded, and went to find Xiao Qingxu. When going upstairs, he glanced at the people in the inn calmly.
After Xiao Qingxu and Lu Heying had their meal, Lu Heying left, and he waited for Shang Yuwan in the room.
Shang Yuwan pushed open the door, went in, turned around and closed the door, then walked over and closed the window.
"Why not? It's still raining."
"I'm wearing thick clothes, and it's a bit stuffy when I close it."
Upon hearing this, Shang Yuwan opened the window a crack, then sat down to check the letter.
"Liu Niang and Xiao Tao, what do you think?"
Shang Yuwan replied calmly, "I have no intention of harming anyone. I have already sent people to keep a close eye on her. If the prince wants to silence her, I will save her if I can. Liu Niang is not a bad person. She won't leave for the time being. She probably has something else to say to us. Just wait."
"He can use these two people as intermediaries, so I think he really knows that our people have been following the Fifth Princess."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qingxu said, "The Crown Prince led us here from the very beginning, and now he wants us to enter the city as soon as possible. Why do you think that is?"
"Of course they want to kill us."
Shang Yuwan poured herself a cup of strong tea and took a sip to refresh herself - she easily felt sleepy in spring and summer.
"It was a trap from the beginning, didn't you know that?"
Shang Yuwan raised his eyes to look at him, "You can tell, the people in this inn."
Their steps are light and shallow, their breathing is steady, and their palms have thick calluses, most of which indicate that they have practiced some martial arts.
Shang Yuwan looked at the letter and sighed.
"This Luzhou City is truly a gathering of heroes, although I can't tell which noble they are subordinates of."
If she could avoid coming, she would not want to take the risk with a sickly person like Xiao Qingxu. However, the one in trouble was the new emperor whom they would assist in the future. No matter who the prince was targeting, they had to come.
"He hasn't made any public moves in the City Lord's Mansion. He's only secretly instructed the City Lord to increase manpower to repair the dike and dig the canal. Besides that, he's also had people searching for the Fifth Princess, but it seems he hasn't found her either."
After reading the letter, Shang Yuwan pondered carefully and asked Xiao Qingxu, "What do you think are the real purposes of the prince's visit?"
Xiao Qingxu listed two points: "First, they will lure us into a trap, using the Fifth Princess' disappearance as a pretext to kill us and silence us. Second, they will help Luzhou City survive the flood and find out where the relief funds went, thus adding to their achievements that will earn the emperor praise and satisfaction from the people."
Xiao Qingxu pointed at the letter she had put down, "And according to what the letter says, the Crown Prince seems to have come with a secret decree from His Majesty."
"Yeah, I saw it." Shang Yuwan suddenly sneered, "Secretly investigating the whereabouts of the disaster relief funds to help Luzhou City survive the spring flood?"
Xiao Qingxu's slightly sarcastic voice could also be heard from behind the mask, "Left hand touching right hand, it's a pity not to become an actor."
Shang Yuwan suddenly had an idea and looked at Xiao Qingxu.
"I remember the time when Li Zixi smuggled dirty money, you said one of our guests was mixed up in Li Zixi's gang?"
Xiao Qingxu nodded, "Don't worry, I have already made arrangements. That person is now in the City Lord's Mansion in Dancheng. He can be used as a spy when necessary."
Shang Yuwan's eyebrows curved, and Xiao Qingxu was stunned for a moment.
"I remember that the 100,000 taels of silver were delivered to the Prime Minister's pocket as usual, right?"
Xiao Qingxu nodded, Shang Yuwan grinned, and a plan came to his mind.
She stood up and took out paper and pen from her bag. Seeing this, Xiao Qingxu also stood up and went to look for an inkstone and ink stick.
Shang Yuwan saw his movements and waved her hand, "No need to bother. I asked Ju Gongcheng for two charcoal pencils. They are more convenient than brushes."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qingxu put the things back and watched Shang Yuwan take paper and pen to the table to start writing.
When Shang Yuwan was halfway through writing, Xiao Qingxu understood her intention.
"Send a message to him immediately, and have him imitate the handwriting of the Dancheng Lord and tell the Prime Minister that their secret transactions have been discovered, and the account books have fallen into the hands of thieves. The Crown Prince intends to use the Luzhou City disaster relief money to kill him and silence him. Also, tell him that the Crown Prince and the thieves are now in Luzhou City."
Xiao Qingxu picked up the note and read it. "Do you want the Prime Minister... to kill you or the Crown Prince? To muddy the waters even more?"
Shang Yuwan spread his hands innocently: "Why would the Prime Minister come to kill me? Did he know it was me? But the account books are not in my hands."
Her rogue look made Xiao Qingxu couldn't help laughing.
"Stop the wind."
At Xiao Qingxu's command, a masked man suddenly appeared. Shang Yuwan was not surprised by this.
Luzhou City is full of dangers. They have entered someone else's territory and are like fish on a chopping board. It would be strange if they couldn't call out to others.
Xiao Qingxu handed the note to the man named Zhifeng and said, "Give it to Lin Yi in Dancheng, go quickly."
"Yes." Zhifeng took it and left like a gust of wind.
After everyone left, Xiao Qingxu asked with a smile, "What about the account book?"
Shang Yuwan smiled and said, "Aren't there plenty in the inn?"
The two of them laughed like two foxes.
"However, I think the prince must have another purpose for this trip."
"What?"
Shang Yuwan pondered for a moment and said, "If he just wanted to use the Fifth Princess to lure us into the city and kill us, wouldn't it be better to just say that he has the person in his hands?"
Xiao Qingxu couldn't help but think more carefully, "What do you mean?"
Shang Yuwan said slowly, "It was the emperor or someone behind the crown prince who ordered him to bring the fifth princess back to Kyoto safely after the flood."
On the other side, in the Luzhou City Lord’s Mansion.
Xiao Qingji was wearing a dark purple robe and sitting upright in the main seat. He opened his mouth and gently blew on the hot tea in the cup, then took a sip.
Then he put down the teacup, stood up, and slowly walked towards Gao Zhu, who had just returned from outside to report.
"Repairing the water conservancy project is a long-term undertaking. The city lord has been very hard-working. Go back and rest first."
Gao Zhu had cold sweat on his back. He said yes repeatedly and left.
Xiao Qingji's tone sounded gentle, but to Gao Zhu it was more like a cold poisonous snake wrapped around his neck.
The Crown Prince was ordered by the Emperor to visit Luzhou City in secret. As the city lord, he naturally felt guilty and had secretly sent a message to the Prime Minister in Kyoto a long time ago, but there has been no reply until now. It must have been discovered and confiscated by the Crown Prince's men.
Gao Zhu did not dare to act rashly. He did whatever Xiao Qingji said and did not dare to be negligent in the slightest.
Xiao Qingji walked outside and looked up. The sky was covered with dark clouds and the rain was falling continuously.
"Your Highness." Mingshu walked up, put a cloak on him, and then took a step back.
"Um?"
"They're here."
Xiao Qingji said, "Then give the order and make good preparations."
"yes."
After a while, Mingshu said respectfully again: "Your Highness, it's time."
Xiao Qingji did not answer, his chin raised high, his eyes reflecting the dark sky, just like his current mood.
He stretched out his hand, and the raindrops fell on his palm, cold and icy.
He asked Mingshu, "Tell me, has she lied to me in any other way?"
Mingshu lowered his eyes and replied, "Your Highness, that person treated you very well."
Xiao Qingji remained silent.
After a long time, he finally spoke.
"Let's go and take food to my disobedient sister."
Mingshu lowered his head and replied, "Yes."
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