Chapter 383: Killing Aura

"Mother‑in‑law, show some mercy with your words."

"The words aren't pleasant, but that's the point; don't you think this makes sense?"

"Pfft, haha."

Yuan Jiaqi and the Empress both couldn't hold back their laughter; the Old Emperor's face flushed bright red, and he quickly took a few more sips of cold drink.

"Ling'er is pregnant, Mother‑in‑law, could you lend a hand?"

"What would you like to eat?"

"As long as it's tasty, that sashimi we had at the Rong Family that day was good."

"You enjoy eating raw‑marinated dishes, right?"

"No, no, that sashimi was fine; the other raw‑marinated foods are really unpalatable, too fishy."

The Old Emperor ordered the guards to return to them and said everyone could rest.

It let out two woofs from the carriage roof, "Master, I'm ready."

At this moment, Dongzao and Tiexue had halted; the carriage stood in the middle of the street, bathed in moonlight.

"There is a killing aura, yet it seems absent, but the smell is off."

"Well, we're out to have fun, with play as the priority; everything else is secondary."

"Sorry, we came from Beifang, and we have the passage documents all the way."

"My master invites a few of you inside."

"No need, we all prefer quiet."

It seems this lady makes the decisions; that day at the Tea House, she was the one who brought out the tea bags and the ice cubes—this woman is no ordinary person.

"Well, Luzhou has many attractions; shall I send a guide to lead and introduce you around?"

Speaking, Yuan Jiaqi took a document from his bosom and handed it to the leading soldier, "From Jingcheng?"

"Yes, an informant said several conspirators from the country slipped in from Nanguan."

"They're all important figures; they've seen every kind of scene. They sat there unmoving, just staring at the soldiers."

"Yes, our two families' ancestral homes are in Jingcheng; this time we set out together for a trip—any problem with that?"

"No need, we're just looking around casually; we'll leave in a couple of days."

When the Fifth Young Master of Luzhou entered the room, Qiao Mai and the others were gathered around a round table, preparing to eat.

"Wow, if there weren't such troublesome matters, how wonderful it would be."

Immediately after, soldiers rushed up the stairs; the guards stopped them when they were unarmed, breaking into Qiao Mai's room.

The five sat down, and the Emperor set down his chopsticks and asked them.

Such enthusiasm—hard to push back. Qiao Mai, representing the three of them, nodded in agreement.

The Emperor glanced at the Empress, "The Rong Family fell, but there are people with them; it's not a grievance, the Empress need not be too sad."

"Yes."

So after a few brief polite words, he led the people away.

Each time the Emperor spoke, Qiao Mai struck him once.

Not long after, Qiao Mai brought out a large platter piled with assorted fish slices; the knife work and presentation left them stunned.

"Are you all outsiders?"

The four eyed each other; the Emperor, with a pressing tone, "Please let them in."

"Then, tomorrow at noon, we will set a banquet at the Tianxing Restaurant and invite you all to attend."

The Old Emperor is now a true foodie; when he sees something delicious, he calls for beer.

The soldiers apologized and quickly withdrew; Yuan Jiaqi shut the door and pursed his lips.

"Yes, my father wishes to befriend the two gentlemen; you are welcome to visit my home."

"No need, you all are from the Ming Emperor's court, speaking with a seasoned capital accent; I doubt you're traitors. Are you here for business, or what?"

"At first, my impression of these people was decent, but now the more I look at them, the more disgusted I become."

After observing for a while, Young Master Rong finally stepped forward.

Many soldiers appeared, surrounding the entire welcome inn.

The Fifth Young Master saw movement upstairs, and everyone stood up; Wang Jiaru's Servant Girls and the old women moved up and down, each well‑trained, saying nothing, each performing their duties. Especially the guards—every one was vigorous, their speech and demeanor unlike ordinary household guards.

"From Nanguan?"

"Alright, wait for us."

"Beer, beer, Mother‑in‑law, ice‑cold beer."

The moonlight tonight is beautiful, the stars cradle the moon in the sky, and everyone can't help feeling excited; the four rode a sightseeing car, strolling down the street.

"I heard you arrived at noon?"

After waiting, it was dusk; they're all mortals, needing three meals a day, especially those who drank a bellyful of beer at noon—they get hungry quickly.

"I still don't know whose it is."

Qiao Mai, not in the mood to accompany them, went straight back to her room to rest.

"Would you like to look at our passage documents?"

Qiao Mai entered the inner room, leaving them to wait in the outer room; Yuan Jiaqi and the Old Emperor cleared the table, awaiting the dishes.

"Please, have a seat."

The two sides exchanged pleasantries, and Yuan Jiaqi invited Prefect Liang to sit.

"Our distinguished guests rarely come to Luzhou; we wish to extend our hospitality."

"Yes."

He didn't recognize those three, so his heart seemed to drop instantly.

Qiao Mai lightly twitched her nose; the men in black appeared on the roof and leapt down from the house.

Heizi

Heizi, could you have the guard brother give a report: the Fifth Young Master of Luzhou is coming to pay respects to Sixth Master Huang and Fifth Master Yuan.

This is brazenly probing; fortunately we made ample preparations earlier.

Yuan Jiaqi, matching all the court ladies, was nowhere to be seen; he was also absent, and he went back to his room, hugging his wife to sleep.

I heard the adult is currently investigating an affair?

Speaking, the guard outside knocked on the door: "Sir, Prefect Liang of Luzhou has come to pay a visit."

The guard entered with a stern face, and after a short while came out again.

What came into view were two pairs of couples at midday, not very old; the plumper one seemed slightly familiar, but they couldn't recall who.

Seeing this, the five people felt a bit embarrassed, "Sorry for disturbing everyone."

Four people sat by the window, drinking beer, eating fish slices, chatting leisurely; at that moment, chaos erupted outside.

Prefect Liang once again scrutinized the four, silently concluding in his heart that these four were either rich or noble, beyond his reach.

"Everyone, welcome to Luzhou. I am the Prefect of Luzhou, surname Liang, given name Zhiqiu."

Just as he spoke, a gust of wind blew, yet it could not reach the sightseeing carriage; however, Qiao Mai's eyes narrowed.

The Old Emperor sensed something amiss, "Mother-in-law, is there an assassin?"

Several people hurriedly took out invitation slips from their bosoms and placed them on the table; the Emperor glanced at them, "We are just passing travelers; we'll leave in a few days and won't trouble your esteemed residence, okay?"

"No, nothing more, sorry for disturbing everyone."

"You aren't that capable, cut the nonsense."

"I placed a Barrier on the carriage and handed them to you."

"As they say, knowing people but not their hearts, surface things are never reliable."

Who is it? Naturally it's the Fifth Young Master of Luzhou; Young Master Rong belongs to the Rong Family; the Liang Young Master inside is from the Prefect's family; the other three are local gentry, all backed by powerful connections in Jingcheng.

"Master, you are so cruel, only caring about you, not about me."

Qiao Mai took a sip of juice, "Don't worry, none of them can get in; let Heizi deal with them, watch how he bites."

The Fifth Young Master was left out in front of the inn, this was the first obstacle they encountered on their smooth road.

"Just a jumping‑beam clown, no need to mind."

Grabbing a Sword, he stabbed straight at the people in the carriage—the Emperor, the Empress, and Yuan Jiaqi—without fear, all eyes widened as they looked around.

Prefect Liang, with a subordinate, entered the room with a nervous heart, intending to verify something.

"So it is Prefect Liang, a pleasure to meet you."

Finally they sent the Fifth Young Master away; the Emperor snorted coldly, "Hongmen Banquet!"

"Traveling, passing through Luzhou, that's all."

Each person came with purpose, so they wouldn't let go easily; thus they sat in the inn waiting.

Having eaten and drunk well, they were about to rest when more people arrived at the inn.

"We received a report that foreign illicit affairs have infiltrated Luzhou City."

"Waiting."

"Thank you."

The Old Emperor swallowed saliva, pointing outside with his finger.

"Is that the little dog perched on our carriage roof?"

"Hmm."

"Damn, this dog is really something!"

(End of chapter)