Chapter 39
Ling Huanchen just felt drowsy and unable to think, so much so that when Yu Xi let him go, he couldn't remember what he had just asked so persistently.
Until this moment, Yu Xi's heart finally settled down. He tidied up Ling Huanchen's scattered black hair and told him the story.
The troupe's owner had an older brother who, two years prior, had been arrested and sentenced to death by Prefect Xu for stealing money and killing someone. Holding a grudge, he established his own troupe over the next two years, keeping a close eye on the Xu residence. Finally, he seized the opportunity to attack the young master of the Xu residence, hoping to make Prefect Xu feel the pain of losing a loved one.
Unexpectedly, his plans were disrupted by Ling Huanchen, who, knowing Ling Huanchen's connection to the Xu residence and a distinguished guest from elsewhere, harbored evil intentions. He hated anyone with ties to Prefect Xu, and if anything happened to the distinguished guest, Prefect Xu would undoubtedly bear full responsibility, effectively killing two birds with one stone.
While finding Ling Huanchen's whereabouts, Yu Xi had secretly ordered that all members of the circus troupe be charged with regicide and executed immediately. The only thing left for the people to know was a notice posted on the wall.
Fortunately, Ling Huanchen was safe and sound, and with his protection, Xiao Qi and the guards were spared. However, the crime of dereliction of duty could not be completely forgiven. The guards received a lash of punishment, and Xiao Qi knelt in the woodshed for a night of self-reflection.
The next morning, Ling Huanchen opened the door and was almost frightened by the person kneeling outside.
I saw Magistrate Xu and his son kneeling in the front, with a group of servants kneeling behind them.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for saving our lives!" Prefect Xu pulled the young master to kowtow, and the others followed suit.
If Ling Huanchen hadn't gone out that night and asked someone to look after the child, Prefect Xu would now be busy collecting his son's body.
Ling Huanchen suddenly felt a headache. He had protected Young Master Xu out of kindness, and it was also an accident. "Master Xu, there is no need to do this. Please stand up."
Prefect Xu, however, refused to get up easily. "This matter is fundamentally due to my negligence, which allowed them to take advantage of the opportunity and disturb Your Highness. Your Highness risked your own life to protect our child, and I have no way to repay you. From now on, if Your Highness asks, I will do my duty, even if it means risking my life."
Ling Huanchen couldn't think of any use for him at the moment, but he thought it would be beneficial to do him a favor. "I'll take note of Lord Xu's sincerity today."
When Prefect Xu saw that he was finally willing to agree, his anxious heart calmed down and he stood up with Young Master Xu.
At this time, Yu Xi also walked to the door and glanced at the scene outside. "Prepare the carriage. The king and Huanchen are going to Fengshu Garden."
The last time he went, he and Prefect Xu sat in a corner listening to a talented scholar's speech, but the result was mediocre. It was said that Xunzhou's most talented scholar was not present that day. Then, Ling Huanchen disappeared, and Yu Xi and his group hurried back, putting the search for the wise minister on hold for the time being.
When he went back, Yu Xi reserved the same table, keeping it as low-key as possible. There were many more talented people there today than last time, gathered in groups of three or five, reciting poems, composing couplets, appreciating calligraphy and paintings, and the air was faintly filled with the scent of ink.
Ling Huanchen tilted his head and whispered, "It seems that all the talented people in Xunzhou are here. Your Majesty will definitely find the "auspicious sign."
Yu Xi remained noncommittal. This wasn't his first visit, and while the number of talented scholars had increased this time, their quality remained the same. Hearing them compose poems and couplets seemed standard, lacking a touch of spirit. Hearing them discuss politics, his perspectives were repetitive and lacked any originality.
There are so many scholars with mediocre qualifications in the royal city. How can this be a good omen?
Suddenly, someone shouted, "Master Feng is here!"
The talented scholars who were immersed in the discussion just now stopped what they were doing and gathered at the door, as if they were lining up to welcome Mr. Feng.
A young man in a green robe entered the Fengshu Garden under the gaze of the crowd, and he bowed to the other talented scholars one by one. He looked to be in his middle age, and his face was full of joy under the flattery of everyone.
"He is the most talented man in Xunzhou." Yu Xi said lightly, not looking happy.
Judging from his speech and behavior, Ling Huanchen does have the demeanor of a scholar, but it remains to be seen whether he deserves the title of the world's most talented person.
"Mr. Feng, you haven't come for a long time. We have all been thinking about your poems and paintings and are very moved. We are finally looking forward to your coming."
"Yes, yes. If Master Feng doesn't come, this Fengshu Garden will be meaningless."
Master Feng was very pleased with what he heard and laughed loudly, "I have some small matters at home that need to be taken care of. I am sorry for keeping you waiting so long."
The talented scholars chatted with each other, which made Mr. Feng very happy. He then started painting on the spot with a stroke of his brush.
"Your Majesty, don't you look forward to seeing the painting completed soon?" Ling Huanchen asked, observing Yu Xi's expression.
"Let's not talk about Cheng Hua for now. His forehead is dark and his eyes are blue. He's either dying or a playboy who revels every night."
Ling Huanchen blinked and looked at Mr. Feng again. It was indeed as Yu Xi said.
When did his king learn how to read faces?
After about an incense stick of time had passed, Master Feng stopped writing. The others gathered on both sides, looking at the scroll and nodding their heads.
"The painting shows lotus flowers in full bloom, pavilions and towers hidden in the mist and rain. It is a stroke of genius."
"The summer scenery is so vivid and alive on the paper. It is indeed from Brother Feng's hand. I should display it and hang it in the hall."
Only when the scroll was actually dragged up and hung on the wall did the two of them see the entire painting clearly.
Yu Xi said quietly, "As expected, rumors are always outrageous."
It was just an ordinary lotus painting, painted in pitch black. It looked more like a random embellishment than hidden in the mist and rain. Fortunately, the people around it could praise it to the sky.
"Maybe the auspicious sign is somewhere else, and you and I might run into it when we're strolling around someday." Ling Huanchen comforted him.
Although Yu Xi loves talents, he is not hungry for them. He does not expect the high priest's divination to be completely accurate, but just wants to give it a try.
In the middle of the hall, the talented scholars were still bragging about the scroll. At this time, someone came to report, and then the talented scholars gathered at the door of the library again, forming two teams as they did when they welcomed Master Feng just now.
"Hello, Mr. Qian."
"Meet Mr. Qian."
A middle-aged man with a big belly walked in leisurely, walked past the crowd and went straight to Master Feng. The two men met as if they were close friends of many years, and the greetings never stopped for a moment.
Not long after, Master Feng led Mr. Qian to the back pavilion of the library, while the other talented scholars continued their unfinished discussion.
Yu Xi suddenly said, "Let's follow and take a look."
The two walked quickly, as if they were in a hurry to do something. Yu Xi immediately picked up Ling Huanchen and easily caught up with him with a leap of lightness.
They followed him to a small house. Yu Xi tiptoed onto the eaves and removed a tile, giving him a clear view of what was happening inside the house.
There was a man in black clothes sitting behind the screen. As soon as the door opened, the man stood up.
Master Feng pulled the man in black clothes over and pushed him to Mr. Qian's side. "Ah Xuan, why don't you greet Mr. Qian?"
Just as the man in black was about to lean over, he was hugged by Mr. Qian.
"Brother Feng, you are being too formal. Xuan is the same here with me as he is with you. There is no difference between us." As he said this, Mr. Qian smiled and bent down to steal a kiss.
Master Feng smiled apologetically and said, "That's right, Ah Xuan, please serve me well."
The door was closed again, and Mr. Qian hurriedly pulled the people behind the screen. After a rustling noise, the screen was suddenly kicked over, and the situation on the couch was clearly visible.
Ling Huanchen didn't expect that Mr. Feng was not only a fake talent, but also did such things behind the scenes.
Just when he was feeling ashamed of it, his view was suddenly blocked.
Yu Xi covered his eyes and cleared his throat twice, "Don't look at anything inappropriate."
Ling Huanchen blushed deeply when he reminded her.
Do they count as eavesdropping?
The blushing and heart-pounding sound continued, and Yu Xi had already flown down from the roof with the person in her arms.
"When I return, I will definitely reward the high priest."
Yu Xi said this with a smile, but Ling Huanchen had already foreseen the high priest's appearance after receiving the "reward".
The two spent a whole day outside, but not only did they not find any auspicious signs, but they also discovered a scandal and accidentally eavesdropped on someone's secrets.
After a disappointing trip to Fengshuyuan, Yu Xi abandoned his plan to search for auspicious signs. Rather than wasting time searching for an auspicious sign whose existence he didn't know existed, he decided to take his little mermaid on a tour while out of the palace. Learning from his previous experience, he would definitely take his little mermaid with him wherever he went, never letting her out of his sight.
"The temple fair will begin in two days. For seven consecutive days, the market will be bustling with activity. Your Majesty, why don't you take this opportunity to take His Highness to the City God Temple for a visit?"
During the banquet, Prefect Xu did not take care of his own meal and kept paying attention to the two masters sitting at the table.
Yu Xi nodded. He peeled a handful of melon seeds and brought them all to Ling Huanchen. "Eat melon seeds."
Ling Huanchen readily accepted the advice and ate naturally, showing no sign of being flattered. This made Xu Zhifu realize once again that Ling Huanchen's position in Prince You's heart was even greater than the rumors had said.
"My lord, my lord."
A guard hurried into the main hall, and Prefect Xu immediately scolded him, "Why are you in such a hurry? What if you disturb the king? What happened?"
The guard bowed and said, "Sir, there has been a murder. The Qian family came early this morning to beat drums and complain about the death of their mistress at home. He said that there must have been a murderer. The people of the Qian family are still kneeling outside the mansion, waiting for your Excellency to come to the court."
Prefect Xu immediately stood up, took two steps, hesitated for a moment, turned around and saluted Yu Xi, but was interrupted before he could open his mouth.
"Go and do your thing."
"Yes, yes, yes." Prefect Xu waved to the guards, and the two hurried away.
Ling Huanchen was eating melon seeds while thinking, why does the surname Qian Yuanwai sound so familiar?
Suddenly, he raised his head and asked, "How many Qian Yuanwai are there in Xunzhou?"
The steward who stayed behind hurried forward and replied, "Your Highness, there is only one Mr. Qian in Xunzhou."
Ling Huanchen and Yu Xi looked at each other and thought of the man in black clothes yesterday.
"Tell Magistrate Xu to send someone to Fengshuyuan to bring back two people."
The steward nodded quickly and wrote down everything. "Don't worry, Your Highness. I'll go right away."
Ling Huanchen turned his head and was unexpectedly stuffed with a melon seed in his mouth.
Yu Xi continued to peel the remaining melon seeds. "Let them worry about the rest. If they can't even handle a case, they won't have to collect their salary for the next ten years."
Ling Huanchen curled his lips and said, "Okay, then I'll think about where to go for the temple fair."
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