Chapter 43: Eighteen Scholars, the Prince's Pursuit
"If you can come, why can't I?"
Xiao Qingji frowned.
"Oh, it seems I came at the right time."
Zhao Xiang arrived late, and Shang Yuwan and Xiao Qingji could only see him walking here alone.
Song Pingsheng: “?”
Coming again?
Shang Yuwan glanced around a few more times. He thought that Liu Que must be secretly watching them with his men.
Song Pingsheng stepped forward to greet the guest: "May I know who this gentleman is?"
Zhao Xiang, however, did not intend to reveal his identity. He smiled and said, "I'm just passing by. You can just call me Young Master Zhao."
Song Pingsheng did not dare to neglect, "Meeting Master Zhao."
Xiao Qingji was not surprised by Zhao Xiang's arrival.
Song Pingsheng looked at this and then at that, "If you all don't mind, why don't you come inside and have a chat?"
I just don't know if his house can hold up...
Xiao Qingji stood there motionless, staring at Xiao Qinggu.
Xiao Qinggu was not afraid of him. He took Shang Yuwan and Xiaoman and walked into the house past Xiao Qingji. The moment Shang Yuwan passed by Xiao Qingji, he smelled a faint scent of camellia.
Camellia...is it the "Eighteen Scholars"?
Shang Yuwan's mind was working rapidly.
Such a familiar smell... No, why would a man have such a scent? In Dayu, most people prefer plum blossoms, which bloom in the cold winter, to camellias. In Dayu, plum blossoms symbolize nobility, purity, and unyielding spirit.
Camellia... According to her memories from her past life, Xiao Qingji did like to raise flowers and plants in addition to cats and dogs, but when did he start to use the scent of camellia on his clothes? Besides him, who else likes -
Shang Yuwan's heart suddenly sank.
If she remembered correctly, there really was such a nobleman in Kyoto who adored the "Eighteen Scholars".
The three distinguished guests came to the bamboo house together. Although Song Pingsheng was a little frightened, he would not change his words.
"If you all come to persuade me to return to Luzhou City, there is no need to say more."
Song Pingsheng was very determined, "I will not return to Luzhou City."
Shang Yuwan secretly gave Xiao Qinggu a look, and Xiao Qinggu asked, "Sir, why are you unwilling to save the people of Luzhou City? Can you explain the reason?"
Song Pingsheng said in a muffled voice: "No."
Shang Yuwan looked at him, choosing his words carefully, "Sir, do you have no feelings for Luzhou City at all?"
Song Pingsheng closed his mouth and did not answer.
Xiao Qingji sighed softly at this moment, "Since that's the case, then I won't stay any longer."
He stood up and looked at Xiao Qinggu, "Fifth sister, go back with your brother."
Xiao Qinggu was about to speak when Shang Yuwan secretly tugged at the hem of her clothes.
Song Pingsheng was deeply loved by the people five years ago, so he would certainly not be as ruthless as he appeared to be. The reason was still unclear, but he must have been paying attention to the situation in Luzhou City behind the scenes.
Xiao Qingji came here with the title of crown prince, and with the princess Xiao Qinggu, it was enough to show how serious the flood in Luzhou City was. There was already enough firewood, and wasting time staying here would only do no good.
Moreover, Shang Yuwan had already thought of someone else in Kyoto who was related to the "Eighteen Scholars". She wanted to test Xiao Qingji to see if he was the person she had in mind.
Xiao Qinggu immediately turned the refusal he was about to say around and said, "Okay."
Mingshu did not miss Shang Yuwan's little action, but he remained silent and did not remind Xiao Qingji.
Leaving now?
Zhao Xiang felt bored, but didn't say anything and left with them.
Xiao Qinggu refused to go with Xiao Qingji and rode with Shang Yuwan. Xiaoman ignored Xiao Qingji's expression and jumped on the horse, ready to run at any time.
Xiao Qingji stood in front of the horse and refused to move away. Mingshu followed behind him with a wooden face.
Shang Yuwan led the black horse with a calm expression, suppressing the thought of kicking Xiao Qingji to death with the horse's hooves.
"I wonder what your purpose is in coming here this time, young lady?"
Shang Yuwan reached out to stop Xiao Qinggu who wanted to speak for her, "I also want to ask His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
She smiled and said, "Last night, His Highness sent someone pretending to be from Baijialou to assassinate the princess. What was his intention?"
Xiao Qingji was no fool, "Of course it was to lure you out. Don't you know what you did? Do you still need me to explain?"
"His Royal Highness's men have no regard for the Princess's safety."
Xiao Qinggu nodded. She could see the murderous intentions of those people towards her that night.
"Why, young lady, not only do you want to steal my things, but you also want to slander my reputation?"
Xiao Qingji raised his arm and waved, and more than twenty men in black suddenly emerged from the darkness and gradually surrounded the three of them.
"My fifth sister must go with me. Please also hand over my belongings."
Zhao Xiang, watching the show from horseback, sensed something was amiss. Could it be that Shang Yuwan had deceived him, and the account books were still in her possession?
"Miss Shang." Xiao Qingji's eyes flashed with murderous intent, "Don't blame me for being ruthless."
"Qingyu..." Shang Yuwan sneered, "Qingyu?"
"Your Highness, are you really not afraid of having your tongue cut off when you say this?"
Seeing someone in the distance running towards them with a torch, Shang Yuwan tightened her grip on the reins. Her eyebrows were curved, and the corners of her eyes hinted at a hint of hatred. The red mole on her forehead gave her a slightly maddened look.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince devoured the people's disaster relief funds, treated human life like grass, and looked down upon officials like pigs and dogs. He is arrogant and conceited!"
Xiao Qingji's expression changed immediately, and Zhao Xiang and Xiao Qinggu were both surprised.
Shang Yuwan cursed angrily, "Who do you think you are? Are you worthy of the word 'reputation'?!"
Xiao Qingji was furious, "How dare you insult my reputation!"
Shang Yuwan sneered at him, "Why, Your Highness, have you been so overwhelmed by the scent of the Eighteen Scholars that you can't even scold me?"
Seeing them stunned, Shang Yuwan continued to add fuel to the fire without hesitation: "I haven't been back to Kyoto for a long time. I wonder how Her Royal Highness the Princess is doing recently?"
Xiao Qingji's pupils shrank suddenly, and Mingshu, who had usually remained calm, was also suddenly startled.
Xiaoman subconsciously pulled out the dagger hidden in his boots and stabbed at the fastest speed - "Xiaoman!"
She was brought back to her senses by the scream. When the dagger was about to pierce Xiao Qinggu's forearm, she deflected the aim, turned away, and knelt on one knee.
Shang Yuwan reacted very quickly. While they were distracted, he pulled the reins and rushed out of the encirclement, running towards Song Pingsheng's bamboo house.
"Kill..." Xiao Qingji squeezed out a word from between his teeth, his facial features twisted due to huge emotional fluctuations.
Xiaoman was filled with anger. He grabbed the horse's reins, jumped on the horse and chased after him.
Even Mingshu lifted his sleeves to reveal his hidden arrow, and a strong murderous intent appeared on his calm face.
Xiao Qingji was furious!
“——Kill her for me!!!”
At the command, the killers came out.
"Whoever takes her head will be rewarded handsomely!"
The stunned Zhao Xiang had already been secretly taken away by Liu Que and his men before Xiao Qingji noticed them.
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