Changshan Prefecture, Prince Wuning's Mansion.
The Wu Ning Prince's Mansion, a quiet oasis amidst the bustling city, is situated on the most prosperous street in the city and is a magnificent architectural complex.
However, after Prince Liu Xinwu of Wuning was stripped of his military power by the new emperor Zhao Gan on trumped-up charges more than half a year ago, the once bustling Prince Liu's mansion, which was always crowded with guests, has now become deserted and desolate.
Recently, some unfamiliar vendors have appeared on the streets near the Prince Wuning's Mansion, running businesses that don't make money.
Often, these vendors didn't give customers a friendly look, but their fierce and sharp eyes kept lingering around the Prince Wu Ning's residence.
Liu Xinwu immediately recognized the identities of these unfamiliar merchants. They must be henchmen of the current emperor, the infamous Red-Clad Guards of the Great Xin Dynasty, who specialize in doing shady things for the emperor.
It turned out that the news that Prince Chen Huai'an of Jin had raised an army in Longcheng and was resisting the court under the banner of Fengtian Jingnan had reached Zhao Gan's ears.
The latter immediately intensified its surveillance of the other non-royal princes of the Great Xin Dynasty, fearing the emergence of another traitor like Chen Huai'an who raised an army to rebel.
On this day, the servants of Prince Wuning's mansion somehow obtained several large carriages full of chickens, ducks, and geese, intending to transport them into the mansion through the back gate.
Just then, a group of red-clad guards dressed in flying fish robes and wielding embroidered spring knives suddenly rushed out from the alley not far away and stopped the servants of the Prince's mansion in a menacing manner.
The leader, with an arrogant air, roared:
"Red-Clad Guards are conducting an inspection. I, the commander, order you to unload everything from the carriages for inspection!"
Seeing this, Zhuge Yunsheng, the steward of the Prince's mansion, replied with a troubled expression:
"My lord, these are some poultry and livestock that my prince bought. If we release them all, it will be difficult to catch them later!"
As he spoke, Zhuge Yunsheng looked around, then took out a ten-tael silver ingot from his wide sleeve and handed it to the commander of the Imperial Guards, saying with a beaming smile:
"Sir, this is just a small token of my appreciation. I'll get you and your men a pot of wine!"
Clang!
However, in response to Zhuge Yunsheng's actions, the commander of the Imperial Guard showed no mercy, drawing his embroidered spring knife and placing the cold, sharp blade directly against the neck of Zhuge Yunsheng, the steward of the Prince's mansion.
"stop!"
Suddenly, a sharp shout came from the back gate of the Prince of Wuning's mansion.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a tall, broad-shouldered middle-aged man walking out of the back gate of the Prince's Mansion.
He wore a red python robe, his brows exuding the heroic air of a ruler, and his steps were firm and powerful. He was none other than Liu Xinwu, the Prince of Wuning, one of the eight great kings of the Great Xin Dynasty.
As soon as Liu Xinwu stepped outside, he saw the commander of the Red-Clad Guards draw his sword at Zhuge Yunsheng, the steward of the Prince's Mansion. He immediately raised his eyebrows and gave a cold, authoritative shout: "Insolence!"
"How dare you lowly scoundrels dare to act so presumptuously in my dignified Wu Ning Prince's Mansion! Put down your swords!"
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
Upon hearing this, the arrogant and domineering commander of the Red-Clad Guard could only force a smile and awkwardly sheath his sword, replying with a forced grin:
"Your Highness, it is my duty, and I hope you will understand!"
snort!
Liu Xinwu showed no kindness to these henchmen of the imperial court, and sternly rebuked them, "Has the Emperor not yet stripped me of my title?"
"Does the Prince of Wu Ning of the mighty Xin Dynasty need your Red-Clad Guards' approval to buy a few chickens, ducks, and geese into his residence?"
Then, Liu Xinwu changed the subject, sneering:
"Hmph, Zhuge Yunsheng, deliver these cartloads of chickens, ducks, and geese to my residence. I'd like to see who dares to lay a hand on them."
After speaking, Zhuge Yunsheng indeed directed a group of servants to send all the chickens, ducks and geese in several carts back to the Prince's mansion.
With Prince Liu Xinwu of Wuning personally overseeing the situation, this group of Red-Clad Guards indeed did not dare to make things difficult for the servants of the Prince's residence.
Only after the two heavy wooden doors at the back gate of the Prince's mansion were closed from the inside did the leading commander of the Red-Clad Guards spit out a curse and say irritably:
"Pah! What a piece of trash! He's just a powerless, idle prince with no soldiers or authority. What's with all the arrogance!"
"When the Emperor issues the decree stripping you of your title tomorrow, see how I deal with you then, hmph!"
"Let's go!"
Soon, the dozen or so red-clad guards sheathed their swords and left, disappearing into the alleys surrounding the Prince of Wuning's residence.
However, the red-clad guards and merchants who were ordered to monitor the Prince's mansion were still doing their business absentmindedly near the mansion, keeping a close eye on every move and word of the Prince's mansion.
Inside the Prince's mansion, Zhuge Yunsheng, the steward who had rushed back to the Prince's mansion in Wuning from Longcheng, the fiefdom of the Prince of Jin, was summoned to the study of the Prince of Wuning, Liu Xinwu, without even bothering to wash off the dust and smell of chicken, duck and goose droppings.
In the study, Liu Xinwu personally brewed a pot of hot tea for Zhuge Yunsheng and asked with concern, "Yunsheng, how did the trip to Longcheng go?"
Zhuge Yunsheng, holding a steaming cup of tea, nodded firmly to Liu Xinwu.
Then, licking his cracked lips, he replied with a sigh of relief, "Your Highness, His Highness Prince Jin has agreed to your request, however—"
At this point, Zhuge Yunsheng hesitated, unsure of how to begin.
Seeing that Zhuge Yunsheng was only halfway through speaking, Liu Xinwu became anxious and said, "But what? Speak up!"
Zhuge Yunsheng wiped the sweat from his forehead, gritted his teeth, stamped his foot, and said:
"However, before I left, His Highness Prince Jin's mentor, the old monk in black robes at Qixia Temple on Phoenix Mountain, Dongfang Xiao, called me back. He said—"
“He said that His Highness Prince Jin is about the same age as my princess and is not yet married. If they could form a marriage contract, it would be justifiable for him to send troops to rescue my princess in the future.”
"The old monk also said that the prince can protect the princess for a while, but he can't protect her for a lifetime. If the prince passes away in the future, who can protect the princess for a lifetime? We can't let His Highness Prince Jin protect the princess for a lifetime without proper authority!"
Buzz!
Upon hearing Zhuge Yunsheng's words, Liu Xinwu, the Prince of Wuning, was immediately stunned!
His heroic and wise eyes also became unpredictable at this moment.
After a long silence, Liu Xinwu finally asked, "Yunsheng, is this Chen Huai'an's idea, or the old monk Dongfang Xiao's idea?"
Zhuge Yunsheng hesitated for a moment, recalling his time at the Prince of Jin's residence.
Then, he replied uncertainly, "Your Highness, His Highness Prince Jin has never expressed this intention in front of me, but—"
"His Highness Prince Jin once said in front of me that the old monk in black robes, Dongfang Xiao, was like a father to him!"
"so......"
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