Chapter 394

The Honglu Pavilion was quickly surrounded by cavalry; yes, they were not the Youzhou Guard, but the cavalry themselves came to surround it. The entire Honglu Pavilion allowed entry but not exit, and they summoned the envoys of the three countries for questioning.

Ling Yin had already seen those people earlier; they were not in the Honglu Pavilion, and they were soon arrested on Zhuque Avenue.

After the miscellaneous people were cleared, only Xie Tu, Wei Shen, and Ling Yin remained at Spring River Flower Moon Night.

This unlucky Xie Tu was supposed to serve as a clerk for the King, but the King wouldn't let him leave.

When Wujihan and his three companions were stopped by Ling Yin, they knew it was no good; they dodged quickly, but it seemed useless. Having seen the assassins' posture earlier, Wujihan this sly one had darted back, fearing that getting close would make it unclear whether they were implicated.

As a result, they still couldn't escape.

Regarding their feigned ignorance, Ling Yin patiently replied, "Several envoys have been loitering on Zhuque Avenue for half a day; now putting on a surprised look isn't very convincing. Your Highness summoned the envoys of the Xiongnu and the Western Regions for questioning—come with me."

Wujihan asked, "What is the reason for summoning us? That direction is not the Northern Border Prince's mansion."

Ling Yin really didn't want to say more, but this group, who had been watching from afar the whole time, insisted on nitpicking.

"Just now, His Highness encountered an assassination on the street; the assassin, on his deathbed, revealed his identity—all were from the Xiongnu."

"What? How could that be?!"

"Take them away!" Ling Yin had spoken too much today; with a wave of his hand, he ordered the personal guards to drag them away.

They returned to the front of Spring River Flower Moon Night; the whole street had been cut off, prohibiting pedestrian passage. Anyone wanting to pass through this section had to detour via the back street, and at a distance of twenty to thirty meters from Spring River Flower Moon Night, the Youzhou Guard had already filled the area, with the corpses of the twelve slain assassins laid out exactly where they fell.

Upon seeing the weapons scattered around the corpses, Wujihan and Lianxi knew things were bad.

By the time they were brought in, the King had already started eating.

Although Spring River Flower Moon Night only opens in the evening, it doesn't mean there's no one during the day; when the King arrived, the entire floor's kitchen staff gathered around him.

Xie Tu had always enjoyed his meals here before, rating the dishes highly—except today.

He lifted his head to look at the two brothers opposite him—no, just now they were out there with their heads split open, blood spraying everywhere, and yet it doesn't affect your appetites?

Seeing his gaze, Wei Shen wondered, "What's wrong, no appetite today?"

Xie Tu gestured toward the outside, meaning there were corpses lying on the ground out there—how can you still eat?

Wei Shen snorted, "Just take you to fight two battles; killing two assassins shouldn't affect your meal. On the battlefield, if a bunch of people die, wouldn't you have to go hungry for days? Affected! Look at how fragrant our King's meal is~!"

The King gulped down a bowl of pigeon soup, and upon hearing Wei Shen's taunt, he gently set down the bowl, "Actually, I'm quite angry and have no appetite either."

Wei Shen and Xie Tu looked at his dishes together; the Chief Steward wasn't in Youzhou, so no one was there to forcibly deliver vegetables to him. The King only ordered what he liked; now the roasted pigeon is down to bones, the pigeon soup is finished, and the clear-stewed lamb ribs have only a bit of broth left…

Wei Shen sincerely said, "Fortunately you have little appetite, otherwise this set of white porcelain tableware belonging to the Chief Steward would be in danger."

The Wei brothers instantly started fighting like chickens flying and dogs jumping…

Xie Tu: ……

How could these two guys look like they'd just been attacked by over a dozen assassins?!

Wujihan's party of four was thrown onto a pile of corpses to wait, and they were only summoned after the King finished his meal.

As soon as the four entered, the King smashed the soup bowl he had just finished drinking at Wujihan's feet; the sound of the porcelain breaking reminded Wujihan that he, the illustrious Left Valley King of the Xiongnu, had been humiliated by a young whippersnapper!

"Hmph! Did you see the corpses outside? The Xiongnu owe His Highness an explanation!"

Wujihan also grew angry, "What kind of person can just pick up two Xiongnu-style weapons and pretend to be a Xiongnu? The Northern Border Prince doesn't investigate the real mastermind behind the scenes, but directly blames the Xiongnu—isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

The King bluntly said, "Appropriate? How could it be inappropriate?! The assassin personally admitted before death that he came from the Xiongnu, and his inner clothing and weapons bear clear Xiongnu markings; the Left Valley King outright denies it—is he just testing whether His Highness has a good temper? The results of His Highness's investigation are laid out here: Xiongnu people assassinated me! Now the Left Valley King must give His Highness an answer, or else we'll see each other at the Xiongnu royal capital!"

"You!" Wujihan was so angry he almost lost his cultivation, but Lianxi pulled him back, causing him to swallow the words he was about to utter. In the Xiongnu he had never suffered such humiliation, especially not at the hands of the Jin people.

In their royal capital, the Jin people are nothing but the lowest slaves.

Lianxi stepped forward and bowed, "Northern Border Prince, Lianxi can guarantee that these people are definitely not from the Xiongnu. The Xiongnu have already put up two million taels of silver; it's absolutely impossible for them to do such a foolish, doomed-to-fail thing."

The King pulled a face, "You haven't already kidnapped me before? You can't just pretend it didn't happen because it failed. We do have a blood feud, and I still think you're the most motivated. Oh, plus Kucha and Wusun—how much did you participate? Could it be dissatisfaction with the tribute?"

Kucha and Wusun hurriedly protested their innocence, but the King remained deadpan, utterly ignoring them.

"His Highness cannot be easily fooled. Right now, all evidence points to your envoy group; if it wasn't you, produce proof! His Highness will give you three days—if you can't uncover the truth by then, this debt will be charged to you—hmph!"

After the Great King finished intimidating the envoy, he stood up and left.

Return to the manor! So many people want my life—I really have it tough!

Wei Shen gave Lian Xi a sideways glance, then followed him out, swaying.

As soon as the Great King stepped out of the gate of Spring River Flower Moon Night, he ordered the Youzhou Guard, "Drag these corpses to the Honglu Temple and send them to the envoy, then clean the entrance; the shop still needs to open normally tonight!"

Xie Tu: ……Impressive, always keeping business in mind.

While he was silently complaining in his heart, he saw the Great King turn back and look at him, saying, "Senior Brother, did you record the scene just now when I faced the envoy? Write it down later……but it's better to polish it appropriately, make it sound more imposing for me."

Xie Tu: ……

This still isn't imposing enough?!

"Yes!"

This guy, walking along, suddenly realized, "Ah, next issue your newspaper headlines are just too many—parade, auction, assassination, each could be its own issue. Senior Brother, you should publish them separately."

Xie Tu didn't get it: "How did that newspaper become mine?"

Wasn't I supposed to let you act as temporary editor-in-chief? Then it's yours!

I, the commoner, heard from my uncle that Your Highness wants me to take the imperial exam next year.

Exactly! If you score well, I'll appoint you as Secretary and also make you editor-in-chief of the Northern Border Daily! Just follow me and do well—I'll let you enjoy the good life!

At that moment, Xie Tu couldn't hide his bitter expression, successfully making Wei Shen laugh.

"How can you not be happy with such a bright future? Hahahaha!" He finally couldn't hold back and burst out laughing. If it were someone who likes to curry favor, they'd think it's a good thing; the Xie family—this carefree gentleman Xie Tu—having a meal provided by the Great King is no easy feat either.

Xie Tu had already imagined his future miserable days; after his temporary editor-in-chief position becomes permanent, he'll likely also have to work as an artist, and in the end nobody in his family escaped—everyone came to work for the Great King, each doing three jobs.

I, the commoner, thank Your Highness for your appreciation.

Don't thank me; when you go back, don't forget to tell Sir and your father about today's heart‑patient's condition. Xie Che should also go to work.

Xie Tu: ……

【Secretary attendant, is an attendant official under the Secretary commander. Responsible for drafting documents and transmitting memorials.】