Chapter 352 Assassination at the Lantern Market
The lantern festival in Suzhou is different from those in other places.
In many places, on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, in addition to viewing lanterns, the government also organizes groups of people to enjoy the festivities.
Dragon and lion dances, or rowing small flower boats or something.
The lanterns in Suzhou were all organized by the noble families.
However, some individual artisans also make lanterns and sell them at the lantern market.
However, to sell things at the lantern market, one had to pay money to those noble families.
No matter what kind of stall you set up, you pay the same amount.
Shen Qingjun walked slowly through the lantern market with his guards.
The main street in Suzhou City was decorated with lanterns on both sides, and two rows of small vendors sold various things.
There are lanterns for sale: rabbit lanterns, lotus lanterns, or palace lanterns...
There are also stalls selling all kinds of food and inexpensive jewelry.
Although it can't compare to the capital, such a lively scene only happens once a year in Suzhou.
Vendors of all sizes were loudly hawking their wares at the lantern market, trying to sell what they had on hand.
Shen Qingjun kept looking at this house and then that house.
He would buy something from any family struggling financially who set up a stall.
And just like that, we arrived at the busiest central area of the lantern market.
Shen Qingjun stood and watched for a while as the street performers on the small bridge performed fire-breathing acrobatics.
This is the liveliest spot; I heard there will be Kongming lanterns being released later.
Whether it's a government office or an ordinary farmer's home, people can release Kongming lanterns here.
Everyone hopes for a good start to the year...
"Lord Duke, here's your lantern!" A guard handed Shen Qingjun a Kongming lantern.
Shen Qingjun nodded and took the Kongming lantern in his hand.
He was just waiting for someone to release lanterns when he lit the Kongming lantern he was carrying...
As more and more people gathered on the small bridge, Shen Qingjun knew that time was approaching.
He looked around and sure enough, he saw a figure...
A short man carries a string of candied hawthorns on his shoulder.
He walked and called out as he went, and he sold quite a few candied hawthorns along the way.
The short man smiled humbly at others while inwardly grumbling.
How could I sell my homemade candied hawthorns?
Some people bought one skewer but weren't satisfied, so they came back to buy more after finishing it. Does that mean they're that good at making candied hawthorns?
Does that mean that when you don't want to be an assassin anymore, you can go from street to street and sell candied hawthorns?
Ah, that's a good idea. Once this mission is complete, I'll go back and discuss it with the young master.
The young master will definitely agree.
Why can he open a teahouse, but his underlings can't sell candied hawthorns...?
Hmm! I'm thinking a bit too far ahead. I have a mission to complete today.
The short man glanced at the few remaining candied hawthorn skewers and quickly shut up, ceasing his hawking.
We can't sell any more, or the rest of the show will fall apart...
Shen Qingjun stood on the small bridge with everyone else.
He lit the Kongming lantern in his hand, and together with everyone else, they released the lantern into the air.
As the sky was instantly engulfed by Kongming lanterns, tiny sparks of light illuminated the night sky even brighter.
"This year is a good omen!" someone shouted.
"This year is a good omen!" everyone shouted together.
As everyone's wishes grew louder and louder, the short man slowly moved to Shen Qingjun's side.
"Sir, would you like to buy two skewers of candied hawthorns? These are the only two left. I'm going home to take care of my kids after I sell them all," the short man said humbly.
Shen Qingjun glanced at him.
The short man glanced at Shen Qingjun, then focused his gaze on Shen Qingjun's left shoulder.
He saw with his own eyes that a blood pack had been tied on.
He even prepared that bag of chicken blood...
“Great! I’ve bought them all. Where do you live? Why didn’t you bring your child along to see the lights?” Shen Qingjun asked with a smile.
Short stature...
This line isn't in the storybook, Your Excellency, please don't add it on your own!
Also, as an assassin, the thing he fears most is having family ties. Where would he get a child?
"Hehe! I'm still young, still young!" That was all the short man could say.
Shen Qingjun smiled and personally handed two strings of candied hawthorns to two unfamiliar children who were being carried on the shoulders of adults.
At this moment, a guard standing nearby handed over a handful of copper coins.
Just as everyone was having a good time, the short man suddenly threw down the straw he was carrying on his shoulder and pulled a dagger out of his boot.
"You corrupt official, prepare to die!" the short man shouted.
Shen Qingjun...
That line isn't in the storybook; isn't it supposed to be that they come at you without saying a word and immediately start barbing your wits...?
Just then, the guard who had been protecting Shen Qingjun suddenly pushed him away, and the short man's dagger missed its mark and stabbed into Shen Qingjun's shoulder.
As Shen Qingjun's shoulder became soaked in blood, the guards shouted loudly.
"Protect the adults!"
"Catch the assassin!"
"Where do you think you're going!"
......
Those who were watching and releasing the lanterns scattered and fled, fearing they would be caught up in this sudden upheaval.
The small bridge, which was originally bustling with people, was suddenly left with only the short man and Shen Qingjun.
Once the short man realized he had completed his task, he turned and was about to run away.
Those secretly observing from a distance assumed that the short man had failed in his assassination attempt and was trying to escape...
Four bodyguards descended from the sky and surrounded the short man.
In other people's eyes, the short person was trying to break through but failed.
Then, in front of everyone, the short man suddenly put a pill in his mouth.
The onlookers were shocked to see that the assassin, who had just been baring his teeth and claws, suddenly had black blood flowing from the corner of his mouth, and then swayed and collapsed to the ground!
Among the crowd of onlookers was the Wang family's butler.
He watched as the short man stabbed Shen Qingjun in the shoulder.
And then... and that was it...
Butler Wang could hardly believe it...
Is this the level of assassin we hired for 200,000 taels of silver?
Lord Marquis, have you been deceived? Even if I were to disguise myself, I would be better than this guy!
So hasty? Two hundred thousand taels! They should have stabbed you a few more times...
Could it be that the kid put poison on the dagger...?
Just as Butler Wang was wondering whether he should stay and look around a little longer, he heard several exclamations.
"grown ups!"
"My lord!"
Shen Qingjun, who had been clutching his shoulder, swayed and suddenly collapsed...
The onlookers were in an uproar.
My lord, Duke? Could it be that the assassinated man was the imperial envoy from the capital?
Good heavens, these people have such audacity! How dare they even assassinate the Duke!
Suzhou is about to undergo a major change...
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