Chapter 88 Nothing to say (bug hunting)
Bu Guanlan left. Wen Yao, having drunk quite a bit of wine, even though it was all light, felt a slight flush on her face. She squinted her eyes, facing the busy street, feeling the breeze. After a while, she noticed Chu Yutang standing beside her, motionless.
"Hey." Wen Yao turned to look at him: "Why aren't you leaving? Aren't you busy every day, and the gold in the vault is gurgling like a waterfall?"
Chu Yutang waved his fan, smiling unrestrainedly and affectionately. "Wait a minute... You just said you were married, but I don't think that's right. The ceremony hasn't been completed, the wedding banquet hasn't even taken place, so how can you just call it a marriage? The Prince of Yan said a few days ago that he wanted to invite the entire martial arts world to a banquet, so that doesn't count?"
Wen Yao: "Are you anxious to attend my wedding? I want to take him to see Yue Changtuan first."
Chu Yutang unfolded his Baishu fan and placed it against his chin, half-smiling without saying a word.
Wen Yao raised his hand and slapped him on the shoulder: "Let's go!"
Chu Yutang leaned forward and responded, watching Wen Yao holding a sword and humming a song as he walked along the long stone pavement of Bianliang towards the Prince of Yan's Mansion.
The restaurant where Bu Guanlan's banquet was held was near the city gate, some distance from Prince Yan's Palace. Wen Yao strolled leisurely among the constant stream of pedestrians and vendors. She clutched the Xingyi Sword, her long hair draped behind her, bound by a red string. She hummed a tune softly as she turned a corner and walked forward. Suddenly, two or three people emerged from a side alley, all dressed in unremarkable gray clothes. They stood aside, bowed respectfully, and called out, "Commander Wen."
The tune stopped in Wen Yao's mouth.
She looked at the three people. They were completely unfamiliar faces, and she had no impression of them at all.
Wen Yao tilted his head and smiled: "Looking for me?"
"The governor invites you, Commander Wen, please follow us." The few of them did not explain too much, speaking briefly and to the point. After they finished speaking, they stepped forward and extended an arm.
Wen Yao only then noticed that the men all had pale faces and no beards, and the voices of the people speaking were shrill.
Okay, since Governor Song wants you to go, I’ll go.
The factory supervisor was at the foot of the Imperial City, and the Governor's residence was on Dongxing Street. The small courtyard these people took Wen Yao to was neither the factory supervisor's nor the Governor's residence. It had dark green bricks and tiles, and in the courtyard stood a beautiful peach tree, its blossoms blazing like flames on its branches. A half-man-high water tank, dotted with duckweed, held water, reminiscent of a tranquil home in the city.
"Please come this way." A man led Wen Yao.
Wen Yao withdrew his gaze from the splendid peach tree, followed the man to a small door, walked through an extremely narrow path and came to a secret room.
She stepped into the room and saw Song Mingde standing by the lampstand, touching the flame with the corner of the letter in his hand.
This situation usually occurs when handling confidential documents.
Wen Yao stopped immediately, feeling that it was not appropriate to go in at this time.
Song Mingde looked up and threw the paper into the lamp: "Han Zhao is leaving tonight, he wants to see you."
Wen Yao was surprised for a moment: "So soon? And leaving at night? Why do you feel so ashamed?"
"What else could we do?" Song Mingde wasn't wearing his resplendent red robe today. He wore a shimmering grey-green garment, displaying a refined demeanor. His gloomy, pale features hinted at a half-smile. "In the Tianshui court, the Western court, and other kingdoms... there are plenty of people who want Han Zhao dead, so it's best to keep a low profile. Commander Wen, remember this, too: be careful and choose your friends carefully. Otherwise, with the notorious Third Prince of Northern Liao, Yelü Duhanye, gone, there's no telling what might pop up next."
Wen Yao pretended not to hear what he said.
Song Mingde pushed aside a bookshelf and walked down into the tunnel. There was a dungeon beneath the room, straw spread on the floor. Han Zhao sat cross-legged, his hair neatly combed and his clothes neatly dressed. There were pastries and plain pastries beside him, and his treatment was much better than that of ordinary prisoners.
When Han Zhao saw Wen Yao, he smiled and waved to greet her: "Miss Wen, we meet again."
Wen Yao stared at him: "Why do you want to see me?"
Han Zhao said nothing, and turned his gaze slightly to Song Mingde on the side.
Song Mingde's face was gloomy: "Half an incense stick of time." Then he turned around and went upstairs.
Han Zhao leaned back with his hands and said, "I was in a hurry last time and forgot to ask Miss Wen if she had any message for the Xianyin Division. If she did, I'll pass it on."
"Actually," Wen Yao said sincerely, "Whenever we meet, we argue. I don't have a single nice thing to say."
"Miss Wen, you are mistaken," Han Zhao sighed. "This may be the first time you've heard of me, but those of us who followed you in Tianshui have long known you. Back then, you were thousands of miles away from Bianliang in Mobei, unaware of your identity. All your letters were brought back by the same caravan. Your Excellency has always been cautious and thorough in everything he does, but this letter must be personally delivered, and no one else is allowed to handle it. Your Excellency has a harsh temper and can't say nice things, but he truly loves you and can't lie."
The factory supervisors, aware of this pattern, would stake out the Chamber of Commerce that day. The Xianyin Division, always known for its secrecy, had killed many a thief for a single letter.
"It's just a letter. You don't have to take it if you find it troublesome." Wen Yao was unmoved: "That's all? It's fine, I'm leaving."
"Hey, wait, wait, be patient." Han Zhao said seriously, stopping Wen Yao and saying, "I trust you, young lady. There are 1,000 taels of silver notes on the beam of the calligraphy and painting shop in Shilifang. Please take 300 taels for candle money. I also have some friendship with Miss Ning'er. It will be inconvenient for me to return to Bianliang on the anniversary of her death, so please add my share. Please send the other 500 taels to Li Hui. He is a sincere man. I have harmed him, so this money will be his compensation. The rest is for me to treat you to a cup of tea."
Li Hui was the scholar who had led the riot earlier.
"He has talent, but he failed the exams repeatedly because he offended the examiners. After this, I'm afraid he has no future in Tianshui." Han Zhaowu said with regret: "If he is willing, he can actually seek a career in Beiliao. I am willing to introduce him to him."
"Come on," Wen Yao said, "A person who would rather die at the palace gate than see Tianshui succumb to Northern Liao would never go to Northern Liao to make a living. You're from Tianshui too, so why would you help Lou Chengyi? Did he save your life, too?"
"Almost. I'm a criminal, and I'll never be able to take the imperial examination in Tianshui." Han Zhao smiled calmly, but his words were a bit arrogant. "I believe my talent is comparable to that of the now-popular Minister Zhang Yun. It's a shame to have such talent, but to have to waste my life. A hundred years from now, I'll be reduced to the most useless handful of dust in the world, unknown. Why not choose another wise leader and go to Northern Liao, change my appearance and start over?"
He stood at ease, his hands resting loosely on his knees, completely calm, his ambitions undisguised. "Master Xianyinsi is a hidden dragon in the abyss, his skills are unparalleled. If I follow him, I will eventually have a place on the chessboard of the world."
Wen Yao didn't say anything, turned around, pushed open the door and left the dungeon.
Han Zhao chased after him and shouted, "You really have nothing to say to Master Xianyinsi?"
Wen Yao waved his hand: "No!"
There were candles lit in the dungeon, but it was still too dim. The moment he stepped out of the dungeon, the warm sunlight pierced in from outside the door, and for a moment, Wen Yao's vision was blurred.
After she regained her composure, she saw Song Mingde standing beneath the peach tree in the courtyard, gazing up at the branches ablaze with blossoms, a delicate pink-white flower resting between his fingers. He was unusually calm, his whole being radiating a calm and elegant elegance, like a young master from a prominent family, lost in the wonders of nature.
Wen Yao recalled that Song Mingde said he once made a living by weaving grass.
It wasn't discernible, not at all. Over the past decade, he'd wandered alone, the imprint left on Song Mingde by the opulent crimson palace had been so deep that it had erased the marks left by his past hardships. He was showered with power and glory that the world admired. To outsiders, factory supervisor Song Mingde was a vicious, ruthless, and all-powerful figure.
When Song Mingde heard the noise, he turned around and looked at Wen Yao holding the flower, then without hesitation crushed the delicate flower and threw it to the ground.
Wen Yao came back to his senses: "How is your brother?"
"It's okay." Song Mingde said calmly, "It's been buried."
Wen Yao was caught off guard: "Huh?"
"He went to a flower shop, got drunk, fell into a ditch and drowned."
Your brother went out with such a large crowd, how could he have fallen into a ditch and drowned? What a lame excuse for murder, not even bothering to cover it up.
Wen Yao looked strange, and smiled awkwardly, "Why have I never heard of this news?"
"The Prince of Yan's Mansion is now completely sealed off. Few news from the outside world can get in, unless His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan thinks it's harmless. Obviously—" Song Mingde's eyes were filled with an unfathomable sarcasm: "The Prince of Yan doesn't look down on our family."
…
Well, I can’t respond to that. Next.
Wen Yao immediately changed the subject: "Well, I haven't thanked you yet about Concubine Su."
"Everyone gets what they need. No need to thank me." Song Mingde slowly walked towards Wen Yao. "There are many parties involved in the battle for the throne. I chose Concubine Su for myself, so I'm doing her a favor. I won't suffer any loss."
"Then why didn't you quit earlier?" Wen Yao had always been curious about this question. As the throne passed, the entire court, both civil and military officials, either willingly or under duress, took sides. Compared to them, the notorious factory supervisor seemed like a loyal official. Even his collaboration with Zhao Xuanxu was just a show for the emperor.
It's simply a hellish joke for the people of Tianshui.
Whether it was the King of Qin or the King of Yong, both were incredibly powerful. Song Mingde wasn't close to either, so the factory supervisor eagerly accepted all the benefits offered by either. His intentions had always been a mystery to the outside world.
Song Mingde walked over to Wen Yao and said, "Why are you so concerned about me? Han Zhao wants to see you today, I think it's because of Yelu Duhan. We are still in love and reluctant to part. If we meet on the battlefield in the future, I hope Commander Wen will put the interests of his country first and show no mercy."
So sarcastic.
"Okay." Wen Yao sighed: "Since everything is fine, I'll leave and not disturb you."
She met Han Zhao for some unknown reason, and her drunkenness wore off. Returning to Prince Yan's Mansion, she saw Zhao Xuanxu standing in the corridor with something in his hand as soon as she entered.
"Wait for me."
Wen Yao walked up quickly, and Zhao Xuanxu took her hand.
"Yeah." Zhao Xuanxu showed her the food box in his hand: "Sweet fruit soup, for sobering up."
"I didn't drink much today." Wen Yao picked up the small porcelain cup in the lunch box and drank the soup inside: "It tastes good."
Her face looked normal, and her tone was untroubled. Zhao Xuanxu leaned in close, bending over to look at her for a moment, then suddenly said, "If you feel reluctant to leave, we can go to Liuli Island together to visit her later."
Wen Yao wiped his mouth and waved his hand weakly: "I just went to see Han Zhao, he is leaving tonight. Song Mingde said that many people want to kill him, so he has to travel stealthily."
It turns out that I was a little unhappy because of this.
The further step was because of Lou Chengyi.
Zhao Xuanxu's expression remained calm, his mind quickly shifting. He reached out and touched Wen Yao's face, "It's getting hot. I'll have Tangshan Manor cleaned up and we'll move in tomorrow."
Ding, your boyfriend has sent you a vacation request.
Wen Yao's attention was immediately distracted, and he hesitated and said, "The matter in the court—"
"The court has Zhang Yun, the Three Departments has Wu Peiming, and the Twelve Guards has Gao Shaoshan." Zhao Xuanxu said without hesitation, "They will handle the matter."
Wow.
Throwing everything onto others, is this the reason why Wu Peiming and Gao Shaoshan are so busy and haven't appeared in public for a long time?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
