Chapter 57 Boyfriend
Zhao Xuanxu had been feeling utterly miserable ever since Wen Yao left that morning. He couldn't see Wen Yao, and his secret sentry hadn't even heard from him. He sat in his study, his face uncertain, his face itching with anxiety. His heart pounded when Bai Rang shakily came in with his medicine box to remove the bandages and change his dressings.
Tangshan is quite a distance from Bianliang City. By the time Song Mingde lit the signal cigarette and saw the factory supervisor near the city gate, he had brought his men over. It was long enough for Zhao Xuanxu to hear the news and quickly dispatch troops to come in person.
"Injured." For some reason, Zhao Xuanxu felt that Wen Yao's blood seemed different from everyone else's. He touched it with his hands, stained with countless blood, and suddenly felt his fingertips burning, trembling slightly.
He was calm and said softly to Wen Yao, "Don't hold anyone if your shoulder is injured. Get in the car quickly and let Bai Rang prescribe medicine for you when you get home. Go quickly."
He spoke softly and said "go quickly" twice in a row.
"Oh, okay." Wen Yao held Jiang Qiaosheng's arm and lifted it up slightly, holding him tighter, walked around Zhao Xuanxu and Song Mingde to the carriage, and climbed up with neat movements.
Zhao Xuanxu followed her closely for two steps, his eyes fixed on the wound on Wen Yao's arm, and he didn't even notice that Song Mingde was standing beside him.
Song Mingde's grip on the jade ring suddenly loosened, leaving a deep mark beneath his finger. He adjusted his clothes and spoke in a veiled tone, "Your Highness, Prince Yan, are you planning to take the Red Pavilion people away in front of our family?"
After he spoke, Zhao Xuanxu stopped and turned sideways to look at him.
"Heavy snow has blocked roads in the Huai River region, and the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works are wary of spring flooding in the Huai River. They've been checking grain and military pay these days. Zhang Yun, while checking old accounts, discovered that the Suzhou military commander had embezzled 100,000 taels of military pay over the past three years."
Song Mingde's expression gradually darkened: "What does Prince Yan mean by saying this to us?"
"The commander of Suzhou's military forces was surnamed Wei. He was once an eunuch in the palace. After he joined the Qin King, he was transferred to another post after a stint at the post office."
According to the rules of the Tianshui Dynasty, eunuchs could concurrently serve as military commanders, and most of the eunuchs who served concurrently were high-ranking officials in the palace.
"You had a grudge against him when he was still in the palace." Zhao Xuanxu tilted his head, his eyes drooping smoothly. "Don't pursue this matter. I'll help you kill him."
This Wei Qian commanded the troops of an entire state and was considered a key figure in the Qin Wang faction. Song Mingde, known for his vindictive nature, hadn't taken action for so many years without reason. Firstly, the factory supervisor was responsible for apprehending spies, and overstepping his authority would have angered the emperor. Secondly, while he had no desire to befriend the Qin Wang, he also didn't want to estrange himself from his faction.
Although he and Zhao Xuanxu were equally known for their domineering reputations in the eyes of the public, he was different from Zhao Xuanxu. Song Mingde had many more concerns as he made his way to where he was today.
The cooling, blood-activating plaster on Song Mingde's neck wore off, and the area where Wen Yao had struck him felt a sharp pain. He reached out to stop the guards who were about to approach him, and silently watched Zhao Xuanxu step forward, stepping onto a riding stool, pushing the door open and ducking into the carriage.
The guard beside him spoke cautiously, "Master, are you just going to let them go like this?"
Song Mingde didn't answer. He turned around and looked at the collapsed hole of the Red Pavilion with a flick of his sleeves. He said with a murderous look: "Seal off the Tangshan Red Pavilion and take away everyone still inside!"
Back at Prince Yan's Mansion, Bai Rang could never have imagined that just as one patient had gone out, three injured people would return.
He hurried over with the medicine box. Wen Yao got up from the bed when she saw him, lifted the curtain and called him over: "Brother Bai, come and see how poisonous she is."
"Poison?" Bai Rang wondered who the pale-faced woman lying on Wen Yao's bed was. Upon hearing this, he took out a piece of cotton cloth and placed it under Jiang Qiaosheng's wrist, feeling it carefully.
His brows furrowed in astonishment, and he said, "Is it really poison? What kind of poison is this? It's so strange! The poison is hidden in my internal organs, and now it seems to be suppressed and not releasing it."
"Is there any way to completely remove it?"
"The poisonous blood is mixed together, and it is difficult to completely remove it." Bai Rang hesitated for a moment, then said, "Unless the poisonous blood is drained out of the body and replaced with non-toxic blood. However, the blood exchange method is extremely dangerous. I am not well-versed in this skill, so I need to consult my master."
Wen Yao breathed a sigh of relief. Having a solution was always better than having no solution at all. She nodded and asked, "Okay. Your master is traveling around the world. Do you know when he will be back?"
"He never told me." Bai Rang said helplessly, "Master's whereabouts are always elusive. He is the only one who can contact me, but I have no right to contact him."
Zhao Xuanxu walked over and held Wen Yao's arm, lowering his eyes to look carefully at the wound on Wen Yao's arm.
The temperature of his palm was so high that Wen Yao could feel the heat coming from his flesh even through his clothes: "I will send the Supervisory Commissioners from all over the country to find him."
His tone was unusually firm in front of Wen Yao: "You should take care of your own wound first."
Before today, it was Wen Yao who urged Zhao Xuanxu to bandage and change the dressing, but she didn't expect that this time it would be her turn.
Wen Yao subconsciously touched her arm, then sat down at the table. She looked up and saw the suppressed tension in Zhao Xuanxu's eyes, and was slightly stunned. She wanted to speak to comfort him, saying that it was just a slight scratch and nothing serious.
But the next moment, Bai Rang, who came over to check on Wen Yao's wound, also cried out in pain, then said worriedly, "Why is the wound so broken? My clothes are stuck in it. I have to cut it open again and get the pieces out."
The longsword in the white-faced man's hand was a unique shape, its edge etched with jagged ripples, leaving wounds where the flesh was shattered and turned inside out. Wen Yao was wounded on both sides, from his shoulder blades to his elbows. His clothes were soaked with blood from the inside out, though it couldn't be seen because he was wearing black clothes, but the smell of blood was very strong.
That Ghost Lotus Killing Formation was indeed quite ingenious. Wen Yao moved her shoulder. She hadn't been injured in a long time, so she had no idea of the severity of the wound. Upon hearing this, she simply said, "Okay, you do it."
"It will be a little painful." After all, the stuck wound needs to be cut open again.
Bai Rang took out a small box and after hesitating for a moment, asked Wen Yao, "Do you want to use Ma Fei San?"
"No, just come directly. This thing makes my hands and feet weak and uncomfortable."
Zhao Xuanxu stood aside, raised one hand and pressed it on Wen Yao's shoulder. When he heard this, his Adam's apple rolled up and down, but in the end he didn't say anything.
He knew that Ayao was used to being hurt in the past.
Bai Rang nodded, put the box down, and took out a pair of scissors. Zhao Xuanxu was still there, so he didn't dare let Wen Yao take off her clothes. He just carefully cut open the circle of clothes, then took out a dagger, heated it red, and gently stabbed it into Wen Yao's scarlet and sticky wound.
The wound was reopened, and the stagnant blood gushed out again.
Wen Yao closed his eyes slightly and did not move.
Bai Rang quickly picked out the cloth scraps and dirt from the wound, cleaned it, applied medicine to stop the bleeding, and bandaged it.
He warned: "Don't let water get on the wound."
Wen Yao: "Oh." She didn't take it seriously. She was covered in dust from running around today, so she had to take a shower.
Bai Rang had seen so many disobedient patients that he had a keen eye for them. Upon hearing Wen Yao's response, he turned back to look at her and said seriously, "Even if you want to bathe, you have to clean the wound and re-bandage it afterward!"
Wen Yao felt guilty and touched his nose: "Okay, I understand."
Bai Rang then snorted, gave Jiang Qiaosheng some tranquilizing and pain-relieving medicine, and went downstairs with the medicine box.
"The four people who came with her have all been accommodated." Zhao Xuanxu glanced at Jiang Qiaosheng, who lay in bed. His eyes were completely emotionless, extremely cold. Looking closely, he even had a hint of disgust in them.
Because of this person, A Yao has been worried for a while, and now he is even injured.
He could hardly hide his hostility towards Jiang Qiaosheng.
Zhao Xuanxu leaned over, his nose touching Wen Yao's hair, and said softly, "She and those people are in the same courtyard, so they can look after each other."
The yard he specially arranged was far away from him and A Yao, one to the south and the other to the north, so they had to go around the big garden to get there.
Wen Yao had no idea what Prince Yan was thinking. He stood up, looked at Jiang Qiaosheng, who was still in a coma, and said, "Let her rest here first. We'll talk tonight."
The powder Bai Rang applied to Wen Yao also had some pain-relieving properties, softening his spirits. Wen Yao hadn't slept much in the past few days since the incident, and now that the drug was taking effect, he felt sleepy and went to the next bedroom to lie down and rest.
It was a rare sleep that lasted until the night fell.
When Wen Yao opened his eyes, the room was dark. Outside the carved window, a maid was carrying an orange lantern on a bamboo pole and hanging it on the corridor.
She breathed a sigh of relief, then rose to her feet, asking for hot water to wash. She declined the maid's offer of help and took a refreshing bath on her own. She wrapped her wet hair in a soft cloth, changed into clean clothes, and hummed a song as she walked out into the yard.
There was a shimmering lamp in the courtyard, and the air was dry and chilly, but fortunately, martial artists were not afraid of the cold. Wen Yao pushed the door open and saw a stone table filled with delicious dishes beside the lamp, which was emitting soft light.
Jiang Qiaosheng sat to one side, holding a dagger in his hand, looking up at Zhao Xuanxu provocatively. Zhao Xuanxu stood two steps away from the stone table, his eyes filled with impatience.
What's going on again?
Wen Yao raised an eyebrow.
As soon as she opened the door, they both turned to look at her.
Zhao Xuanxu's eyes and brows were filled with melting spring water, and he instantly became obedient and gentle, and took a step towards Wen Yao.
Jiang Qiaosheng slammed the dagger on the table, jumped in front of Wen Yao and put his arm around her waist: "Yaoyao, why can't I live with you?"
Zhao Xuanxu stopped and stared at Jiang Qiaosheng's hands holding Wen Yao, his eyes frightening.
Wen Yao patted Jiang Qiaosheng's head and said, "Go live on your own. You're already grown up, and you're still living with me."
"Then why do you live across from him?" Jiang Qiaosheng pointed at Zhao Xuanxu. "Aren't you here to repay a favor? Why do you need to be so close to him?"
Hearing this, Wen Yao subconsciously stopped what he was doing and looked up at Zhao Xuanxu.
Zhao Xuanxu had been looking at her.
Their eyes met, and it happened that the lanterns on the lampstand next to them were painted with floral patterns. The old yellow light and shadows fell layer by layer into Zhao Xuanxu's eyes, spreading along his eyebrows, calming the depression that usually lingered between his eyebrows, and making them inexplicably quiet and deep.
In just a moment, Wen Yao's heart moved.
Jiang Qiaosheng avoided Wen Yao's wound and tried to strangle her waist: "Yaoyao!"
Wen Yao snapped out of the intense, terrifying emotion in those eyes and wondered what she was doing, staring blankly at Zhao Xuanxu. Could it be that she was lusting after him, perhaps because she was obsessed with sex, that she felt such a strange throbbing sensation towards him?
Although Wen Yao was also a lonely person in his previous life, he had seen pigs run even if he had not eaten pork. They were all adults, and their own thoughts might not be clear for a while, but the body's subconscious love and attention could not be deceived at all.
She had made up her mind. Meeting Zhao Xuanxu's gaze, she pressed Jiang Qiaosheng's neck to pull him away a little, and said decisively, "Because I like him."
Jiang Qiaosheng stared at her, horrified: "What?"
"I like it, that's all I want." Wen Yao was puzzled, suppressing the trembling in his heart, and said, "I'm almost the same age, what's wrong with having a girlfriend?"
Zhao Xuanxu stood opposite him in a daze.
His fingers hanging in his sleeves suddenly moved, and uncontrollable joy rushed into his heart. His chest seemed to be ripped open, and a ball of cotton was stuffed in it unexpectedly, and a lot of sugar crumbs were added to it. It was soft, sweet, and incredible.
His breathing rose and fell twice, and suddenly his brows relaxed. He took two steps forward, squeezed Jiang Qiaosheng aside, reached out and firmly grasped Wen Yao's fingers. He said confidently: "I have also been in love with Ah Yao for a long time. Ah Yao and I are now in love with each other and promised to be together for life."
"Nonsense!" Jiang Qiaosheng said with a fierce look in his eyes, "Your surname is Zhao, and the most troublesome and troublesome people in the world are the Tian family. Yaoyao has everything she needs, and you can't give her anything. Why would Yaoyao marry you and cause trouble? It would be so much better to be free and unrestrained with me outside, without being trapped in one place and having to kneel before a group of people at every turn."
Jiang Qiaosheng was present at both palace ceremonies. Besides the dazzling displays of luxury and glitter, what impressed her most was the palace's rituals and etiquette.
Zhao Xuanxu held Wen Yao's hand tightly, their hands intertwined and intertwined. Hearing this, he did not refute it. Instead, he agreed with it and said, "You are right."
"So, if Ayao wants to leave, I will accompany her." Zhao Xuanxu remembered the last time Wen Yao met the emperor. The emperor had clearly promised Ayao not to kneel, but did not stop her when Concubine Li spoke. His heart sank, and he continued in a deep voice: "Or, force the emperor to abdicate..."
"Alas." Wen Yao slapped Zhao Xuanxu on the back: "Both of you shut up and sit down to eat."
Even at this moment, Wen Yao's words were still effective. Both Zhao Xuanxu and Jiang Qiaosheng fell silent, clearly absent-minded, each with their own thoughts as they finished their meal.
As soon as he put down his chopsticks, Zhao Xuanxu sent Jiang Qiaosheng back on the pretext that Wen Yao needed to rest early. He then took out a bottle of medicine and gauze from somewhere and said he would help Wen Yao change the dressing.
"Bai Rang said so, and Ah Yao also said before that we should follow the doctor's orders." Zhao Xuanxu gathered his sleeves, his hair hanging down over his shoulders in a soft and beautiful arc. He lowered his eyebrows and said, "Ah Yao, the wound is on your back, it's not convenient. Can I help you?"
Wen Yao said: "If it's inconvenient, you can ask the maid to come."
Zhao Xuanxu's eyelids drooped suddenly, and he held the medicine bottle in his hand sullenly. He said "oh" and turned around to ask someone to change the medicine for Wen Yao.
Wen Yaoyi looked at him at the door, smiled briefly, and reached out to hold him: "Hey, forget it, don't bother others, just help me."
Zhao Xuanxu's eyes suddenly lit up, and he turned around suddenly. His wide silk sleeves swayed, spreading over Wen Yao like water waves.
He looked at Wen Yao and said solemnly, "Okay!"
Wen Yao's wound was on her back, running down the back of her arm until it disappeared into the skin at her elbow. The wound was truly hideous, like two long, thin centipede-like wounds, baring their fangs and claws on her shoulder.
Wen Yao sat cross-legged on the bed with his back to Zhao Xuanxu. He reached out to push his half-dried hair in front of him, lowered his head slightly, and urged the motionless person behind him: "Okay, wipe it."
She took off her outer robe, and her inner garments piled up in layers at her arms, exposing a large area of skin on her shoulders, back, and neck. A hibiscus-colored ribbon looped around her neck and disappeared in front of her body.
Tianshui women usually use a square-foot cloth to bind their chests. It is not tied in front of the chest, similar to a tube top, and does not touch the shoulders or back, which makes it convenient for applying medicine and bandaging.
After a brief silence, Zhao Xuanxu sat sideways behind Wen Yao, and used his slender and beautiful fingertips to pick up the white and delicate medicine powder. His eyes suddenly focused and fell on the scarlet wound.
He pursed his lips, moved closer to Wen Yao without saying a word, and gently applied powder on the edge of the wound with his fingertips while blowing gently on the turned-out flesh.
He blew out a breath of air, which brought a little coolness to the edge of the wound, and the pain caused by the powder disappeared immediately.
Wen Yao's back suddenly stiffened, and he felt a piercing itch shooting up from his spine to the top of his head. He unconsciously straightened his waist and raised his head, trying hard to control his breathing. His heart was pounding. He turned his head to look behind him and asked in a strange tone: "...What are you doing?"
"Blow on it." Zhao Xuanxu's tall nose rested against Wen Yao's shoulder blade, his hot breath spraying on her as he looked up at her from bottom to top: "I also used this medicine on my hands. Ah Yao, you must be in pain right now, blow on it and it will go away."
"You—" Wen Yao's dark, smooth hair entwined and pressed against the side of her face and neck. For a moment, she couldn't tell whether this person was genuinely thinking this or just flirting with her: "Then I didn't see you blowing while you were applying it."
Zhao Xuanxu said seriously, "I'm not afraid of pain."
Wen Yao immediately said, "I'm not afraid either."
"But I'm afraid you'll feel pain." Zhao Xuanxu raised his finger and gently pressed on Wen Yao's back, signaling her not to move, and coaxed her, "It will be healed soon, Ah Yao, don't move."
So far, no one has ever spoken to Wen Yao in such a coaxing tone, which made Wen Yao feel uncomfortable.
Her body was dotted with scars, all old injuries from the past few years. But when the wounds were still warm and bleeding, no one applied medicine or blew on them. Medicine is precious, time is precious, and martial artists are in good health, so wounds heal quickly. Wen Yao herself didn't care, so why should anyone else?
Xingyi Jian Wenyao was a legend in the martial arts world, a contemporary swordsman of unparalleled skill. Most people only had awe and admiration for him, and wouldn't have much other thoughts.
So at this moment, in front of the bed under the west window of Prince Yan's Mansion, Wen Yao gritted his teeth, embarrassed for a rare time, and his ears were filled with crimson, shining like blood.
She clutched her clothes and waited until Zhao Xuanxu had bandaged her up, then immediately pulled her clothes back on, knelt down, and moved forward. Unexpectedly, Zhao Xuanxu also sat up straight, and before Wen Yao could move far away, he suddenly raised his lips to Wen Yao's earlobe and pecked it lightly.
This was like a dragonfly skimming the water, incredibly fast. Just as Wen Yao felt the slightest bit of softness, Zhao Xuanxu quickly stood up and stepped back. He stood in front of the bed, his head tilted slightly, his brows as relaxed as distant mountains, and smiled at Wen Yao: "Ayao, I'm so attracted to you. When can we get married? I want to call you my wife, just like we did in Yanling."
Wen Yao stared at him as if he were a ghost for a while, and felt that the strange heat was still flowing from her ears to her cheeks. She closed her eyes completely, raised her hands to cover her face, and fell straight back, sinking into the cloud-like brocade quilt.
Zhao Xuanxu's face suddenly changed drastically, and he hurriedly wanted to turn her over: "Ayao, don't lie like this, you're pressing on the wound."
Wen Yao's Qi was deep in his Dantian, and no matter how hard he pulled, he wouldn't budge. Zhao Xuanxu didn't dare to really use his strength to pull, and the two of them just kept tugging and pulling at each other in front of the bed, their sleeves tangled, and a stalemate ensued.
Wen Yao raised one hand and covered his eyes tightly, and pointed the other hand accurately at the door: "I will get up when you leave."
"Okay." Zhao Xuanxu immediately let go of her, took a few steps back, and stood outside the door, pulling aside the curtain. He held onto the door frame with one hand, his hair slightly disheveled under the strange gaze of the secret guards outside. He leaned over to glance in the direction of the bed and called softly, "Ayao, I'm standing outside the door. Hurry up and get up. Don't lie down."
Wen Yao suddenly put down his hand, opened his eyes and looked at the patterns of flowers, birds, insects and fish on the window curtains. After a while, he let out a sigh of frustration, turned over and pulled the pillow to cover his entire head.
A sleepless night.
The next day, when Jiang Qiaosheng strolled around the big garden to find Wen Yao, he saw her listless face.
Jiang Qiaosheng was startled: "You, what did you do last night?"
"Nothing, I'm just not used to sleeping on my stomach." Wen Yao glanced at her and asked, "What's the matter with you?"
Jiang Qiaosheng pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and said, "Here, this is all the Red Pavilion's strongholds that I know of. Feel free to check. I've moved all my assets out."
She sounded quite proud.
Wen Yao took the paper and unfolded it to look at it. There were more than ten places densely marked on it. "Oh, it seems you had this plan a long time ago."
"I'm being farsighted and prepared for a rainy day." Jiang Qiaosheng leaned closer. "I'm going to build an earthen kiln in the yard. Do you want to come and see it?"
"No, I need to go to the palace to report." Wen Yao yawned. "I heard Zhao Xuanxu say last night that the emperor can get up. I guess he will call me over today."
"Okay." Jiang Qiaosheng responded sullenly, then went to the front hall with Wen Yao to have breakfast.
When the two arrived, Zhao Xuanxu was sitting at the table drinking tea.
As soon as Wen Yao came in, he immediately looked up at her with a smile and called her, "Ayao."
As soon as Wen Yao saw him, the scene under the dim light last night flooded into her mind. It was the first time she realized that she would feel so uncomfortable seeing her new boyfriend after falling in love.
And perhaps it was the psychological effect brought about by the change of identity, but Wen Yao inexplicably felt that Zhao Xuanxu was very different today compared to the past.
Originally, Zhao Xuanxu had inherited Lingpin's beauty and was already a vibrant and beautiful lady. But now, as he sat in the Mingtang, Wen Yao actually felt that his appearance had even more flourished, and he was even more handsome than before.
Is there any difference?
Wen Yao looked at Zhao Xuanxu carefully.
Zhao Xuanxu's hair was tied with a white jade hairpin, and between his dark white clothes he wore a dark waist belt adorned with bright jade. The sleeves and lapels of his clothes were decorated with elegant patterns and covered with a layer of gauze.
Indeed, he is very different from the former Yan Prince who wore only black clothes and had loose hair, looking like a glamorous ghost. He can be described as flamboyant.
As she watched, Wen Yao suddenly felt like laughing. After calming down, she lifted her clothes and sat down next to Zhao Xuanxu. She asked, "Are we going to the palace after breakfast?"
"Yes." Zhao Xuanxu carefully held up his sleeve and served soup to Wen Yao: "Everyone who should come is here. I have already made arrangements for Song Mingde. Don't worry, Yao."
Jiang Qiaosheng sat nearby, picking at the dishes. Looking at Zhao Xuanxu, he genuinely felt that he possessed a masterful flirtation. Look at him, this tenderness and affection, so much more than some people who couldn't even speak, no wonder he won.
Although she still felt Zhao Xuanxu wasn't a good man...it didn't matter. They hadn't even gotten married yet, and even if they did, they could still divorce. If Zhao Xuanxu dared to wrong Yaoyao, she would drain his blood, chop him up, and feed him to the dogs. If Yaoyao got tired of Zhao Xuanxu, then she would take her away and live freely.
Whatever he was thinking, Jiang Qiaosheng narrowed his eyes and drank the soft and fragrant porridge cooked by the chef of the palace with satisfaction.
The meal ended quickly and people from the palace arrived. As expected, Zhao Xuanxu was asked to bring Wen Yao into the palace to meet the emperor.
Wen Yao was already familiar with the route this time.
It was still the Lama Temple, and the same ministers stood throughout the hall, along with several princes. Atop the golden throne sat the Supreme Ruler, wearing a flowing crown. Everyone's attention was focused on Wen Yao and Zhao Xuanxu, who entered one after the other.
Wen Yao bowed to the emperor and said in a loud voice: "I, the humble servant, pay my respects to Your Majesty."
She still called herself a commoner because she had no official position. In name, she was just a guard beside Prince Yan and at most a retainer.
The emperor waved his hand and asked Wen Yao to stand up. "I heard that you and Song Mingde worked together to deal with the Red Pavilion's base in Bianliang?"
Wen Yao looked up at the emperor and found that his injury had just healed, but his complexion actually looked rosy.
I wonder if Song Mingde gave the emperor some magic medicine again.
She replied, "I dare not take credit for this. This time, it was only thanks to Eunuch Song's risking his life that we were able to enter the Red Pavilion."
Song Mingde, who was standing on the left side of the emperor wearing a red and purple dragon robe, had an indescribable expression when he heard this.
"Really?" The emperor nodded.
"Commander Wen is too modest. If it weren't for Commander Wen's eloquent persuasion that persuaded the people of the Red Pavilion to abandon their evil ways and join the good, things wouldn't have gone so smoothly." The factory supervisor looked down at Wen Yao, emphasizing the last four words. "Your Majesty, those people from the Red Pavilion also handed over a number of Red Pavilion strongholds, as well as the head of the old Pavilion Master."
After hearing what the two had to say, the emperor felt that the face he had lost in the two assassination attempts had finally been redeemed. He was overjoyed and clapped his hands, saying, "You have all done well. I will reward you with forty pieces of silk, twenty pieces of gold and silver, and twenty pieces of gold each, as well as one hundred taels of gold!"
Wen Yao bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty." After Wen Yao retreated, Prime Minister Feng, who was standing nearby, suddenly stepped forward and spoke with a serious face, "The Red Pavilion's rogues are no longer a priority. Your Majesty, you are aware that this time, Northern Liao is connected to the Red Pavilion. They first attempted to assassinate Your Majesty, and then turned around to kill Prince Yelu. I'm afraid they have ulterior motives and intend to use this as an excuse to send troops to the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. The Yanshan Mountains are located at the pass, straddling the throat of the plains. We must not lose them! Your Majesty, please allocate more military funds to prevent this from happening!"
As soon as he said this, the expressions of the people present changed subtly.
Wen Yao knew that Feng and Wang's factions were about to start arguing again, so he quietly pulled Zhao Xuanxu back a few steps to make room for both sides.
As expected, as Prime Minister Feng finished speaking, Grand Tutor Wang stepped forward, his white beard trembling, and spoke out, "Your Majesty, Prince Yelu is the second son of the Northern Liao Empress and is highly regarded by the Northern Liao Emperor and Empress. He would never have been abandoned to provoke a war and come to our court. There must have been a misunderstanding! Now that the Northern Liao envoys are about to depart, Your Majesty requests that someone accompany them with mourning gifts to clarify the cause of this misunderstanding and maintain the stability of the border and the peace of the people!"
Outside the Lama Temple, the blazing sunlight fell on the palace's jade-like branches and trees, making people dizzy. Inside the Lama Temple, it was even darker. The civil and military officials, dressed in bright red court robes, seemed shrouded in the shadows cast by the ferocious beasts in the surrounding palaces. Their expressions were gloomy and their hearts were uneasy.
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