Chapter 97: The Arrival of Wei Yue, Killing a Member of the Imperial Bloodline as One Pleases (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Two days later, an exceptionally tall, entirely crimson-haired steed with scales growing between its brows and under its neck galloped into Tongzhou City, causing a massive sensation.

"Is... is this... a horse?"

"What a huge horse! It truly is a divine steed!"

"Could it be the legendary auspicious beast, the Qilin?"

Everyone who saw this horse began discussing it animatedly; if they hadn't been unable to keep up, they would have loved to chase after it for a look.

Pei Shaoqing, a Hundred-Household who was diligently working within the Jing'an Guard, which had many eyes and ears, soon learned of this news.

"My Lord! Just now, an old man rode a divine steed with scales on its body, charging recklessly through the city."

Song Youcai hurried into the office to report.

"A divine steed with scales on its body?" As soon as Pei Shaoqing heard this, he knew it must be a fine mount. He stood up immediately, furious, and said, "How bold! To dare ride a horse through the city and startle the people! Where is this person now?"

First, find this old man and probe his identity.

If he were a commoner, or inferior to himself.

Then, "Pei the Just" would have to act righteously, uphold justice for the people, and confiscate that divine steed that was disturbing the peace for public use.

After confiscation, the ownership would belong to all the people of Tongzhou.

Lord Pei would merely have indefinite usage rights.

"This official is right here!"

Accompanied by a resonant voice full of internal energy, Pei Shaoqing felt a blur before his eyes, and a middle-aged man wearing a black robe, sporting a beautiful beard, and possessing an elegant temperament had already appeared four meters in front of him.

Before he could think, and before Song Youcai had even reacted, Pei Shaoqing had already bypassed the desk, stepped forward quickly, and bowed, "Your subordinate Pei Shaoqing pays respects to you, My Lord!"

Although he did not recognize the other party, since he dared to openly refer to himself as "this official" in front of him, he must be a superior.

And judging by his temperament, his rank was definitely not low.

"Pay respects to you, My Lord!" Song Youcai followed closely behind.

Looking at the respectful Pei Shaoqing, Wei Yue was stunned for a moment, feeling somewhat unaccustomed to it; if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed this person was Pei Shaoqing.

It was truly like he was a different person compared to the past.

However, compared to the scoundrel who acted recklessly in the past.

He naturally preferred and appreciated this junior who had performed meritorious service and been ennobled, and even he, who rarely smiled, couldn't help but reveal a faint smile, "Get up. I'm still used to hearing you call me Uncle Wei. First, take me to see Yan Sichen."

Hearing these words.

Pei Shaoqing instantly guessed this person's identity.

Wei Yue, Suppressing Commissioner of the North Town Division of the Jing'an Guard!

"Your nephew obeys, please follow me, Uncle Wei." He stood up immediately and walked in front respectfully to lead the way.

On the way out, Wei Yue said in a calm tone, "I, Wei Yue, pride myself on never misjudging a person with my eyes, yet I never expected that I wouldn't even see through someone right under my nose. You kid are impressive; from the Emperor in the Capital down to the common laborers, everyone has been fooled by you."

Hearing Wei Yue reveal his own name, Song Youcai, who had already had his suspicions, felt his legs go weak. He forcibly suppressed the surging waves in his heart and silently stopped walking.

Because he was afraid of disturbing the two of them as they caught up.

Pei Shaoqing was startled after hearing Wei Yue's words.

Does everyone in the Capital think he had been acting all along because he performed great deeds and was ennobled?

Shouldn't they think I am a prodigal son who has turned over a new leaf?

Although the subsequent development of events differed slightly from his expectations, it was not a big problem. He gave an ambiguous reply, "It was all a helpless move."

"Does your father know?" Wei Yue asked with great interest. The Emperor and many others felt that Pei Shiqing had also been deceived, but he wanted to confirm it personally.

Pei Shaoqing's brain spun rapidly, pondering how to answer this question. After a long while, he gave a bitter smile and said, "Has he ever cared about me, his son?"

Pei Shiqing didn't even care if he lived or died.

The relationship between father and son was extremely poor.

If he answered that the other party knew he was feigning madness and acting foolish, how would he deal with Pei Shiqing's subsequent suspicions?

"Don't say that. Your father is somewhat biased toward your older brother, but if he truly didn't care about you, you wouldn't have survived until now after doing all those things." Wei Yue sighed and spoke a fair word for his old friend.

Pei Shaoqing pretended to be resentful of the lack of paternal love and sneered, "Hmph, he was only afraid of being implicated by me, so he had no choice but to clean up my messes. He has long wanted to remove my name from the family genealogy."

"Sigh." Seeing this, Wei Yue shook his head and said no more. Truly, every family has its own difficult scriptures to recite.

He then asked about the main business, his expression immediately returning to seriousness, "Is what you reported certain?"

"There is absolutely no falsehood! How would your nephew dare to deceive the Emperor in such a matter?" Pei Shaoqing answered decisively.

Wei Yue nodded silently.

If Pei Shaoqing were truly the reckless scoundrel of the past, then he would indeed have the guts to deceive the Emperor.

But facts had already proven that he had been pretending before and was a smart person; the greater the matter involved, the higher the credibility of what he said.

Walking out of the Hundred-Household Office's gate, Pei Shaoqing saw at a glance the divine steed surrounded by people like stars around the moon, and he gasped.

Damn, what a magnificent horse!

It was a head taller than a high-quality warhorse, its entire body's muscle lines were smooth and clearly visible, its crimson mane moved lightly with the wind like a burning flame, and it had a circle of glowing red scales growing between its brows and under its neck.

It held its head high, looking arrogant and peerless.

"Pay respects to you, My Lord!" Seeing Pei Shaoqing, the Jing'an Guard members who were watching in the crowd bowed one after another.

The red divine steed snorted two puffs of air from its nose, walked up to Wei Yue, and lowered its head to rub against him.

Wei Yue gently stroked the horse's head.

Seeing that Pei Shaoqing seemed not to recognize this horse, he was a bit surprised, but still introduced it, "This is a Dragon Blood Treasure Horse. The higher the grade, the purer the bloodline. This one of mine is Middle Grade and can travel 1,500 li in a day."

"Dragon Blood Treasure Horse? Could it have the bloodline of a dragon?"

"1,500 li in a day! That would take less than a day to get from Tongzhou to the prefecture city; it's truly remarkable!"

"Even the legendary Sweat-Blood Treasure Horse cannot compare."

The onlookers exclaimed in surprise, discussing it animatedly.

It was just like modern people gawking at a Ferrari.

Pei Shaoqing could not hide his envy either; he liked BMWs in the modern era, let alone in ancient times.

However, realizing he shouldn't be unfamiliar with this horse, he made up an excuse, "When this nephew first saw a Dragon Blood Treasure Horse, I fantasized about when I might have one. Such a divine steed, I think of it day and night!"

"That wish of yours has already been fulfilled; the Emperor has also bestowed one upon you, though it is Lower Grade, and it is currently on its way," Wei Yue said in a calm tone.

"Congratulations to the Lord for receiving a divine steed bestowed by the Emperor!"

The crowd of Jing'an Guard members immediately spoke up to offer their congratulations.

Pei Shaoqing was also overcome with joy, his face moved as he cupped his hands toward the direction of the Capital and said, "This subordinate will only serve with sincerity and repay the Emperor's vast grace with my life!"

This old Emperor is truly something.

Promoting him, granting him a title, and bestowing a divine steed.

Too generous!

Isn't it said that the older an emperor gets, the stingier he becomes?

"Alright, let's go. The Emperor said this is all what you deserve. If you handle this matter well, he has other rewards in store," Wei Yue said, then led the horse away.

The crowd immediately parted to make a path.

Only after the two had walked far away did they whisper, speculating about Wei Yue's identity and discussing the Emperor's favor toward Pei Shaoqing.

…………………………

"The sinner Yan Sichen pays respects to Commander Wei."

Because Pei Shaoqing had intentionally looked after him, Yan Sichen, who had been imprisoned for a long time, was in good spirits. He appeared very calm when he saw Wei Yue, and even maintained his etiquette.

"Is what you stated in your confession true or false?"

Wei Yue asked straightforwardly with an expressionless face.

"A man about to die, why deceive the Emperor?" Yan Sichen was already impatient to reunite with his family; he laughed heartily and said, "My second uncle only became Emperor after kicking my eldest uncle off the throne. My father wants to follow suit, so what is wrong with that? I heard my eldest uncle once said, 'Those who start such things, will they have no descendants?'"

"If it weren't for a twist of fate, we had only just begun and were discovered by Pei Shaoqing before we could accumulate enough strength; otherwise, we might have succeeded! My father might have become Emperor! I might have become the Crown Prince!"

The more Yan Sichen spoke, the more agitated he became; he grabbed the prison cell bars in front of him and roared, nearly crazed.

Pei Shaoqing felt a sense of sympathy; being a father is truly difficult.

He must strive to educate his children well in the future.

If he really were to have an unfilial son like Yan Sichen or the original host, he would definitely strangle him in the cradle.

To avoid burying a massive landmine for himself.

Hearing these treasonous words, Wei Yue's eyes turned cold, and he reached out to grab Yan Sichen by the throat through the gap in the cell door, "A traitor who offends his superiors, you deserve to die."

A strong sense of suffocation washed over him, and Yan Sichen's face quickly turned pale, but he felt no fear; instead, he revealed a strange smile, his mouth emitting a cackling sound.

Since Wei Yue killed him so straightforwardly.

It meant that his father, his younger brother, his stepmother, and his sister... everyone in the Shu Prince Mansion would die!

He had actually been afraid that his second uncle would be soft-hearted out of regard for old ties and public opinion, but now he was relieved.

Father, dear brother, I will go ahead and wait for you.

Our whole family will be together, neat and tidy.

"Heh~ hehehe..."

Yan Sichen's neck was snapped with a 'Crack!', his head slumped down, and the smile on the corners of his mouth had not yet faded.

"Uncle Wei?" Pei Shaoqing was shocked and uncertain.

No, he was the Shu Prince Heir, of royal blood.

You just killed him directly as if killing a chicken?

Wei Yue let go of the corpse with a cold face, withdrew his hand, took out a silk handkerchief to wipe it, and said in an indifferent tone, "The Emperor asked me to confirm whether the Shu Prince's rebellion was true or false; if it is true, just suppress the rebellion."

He did not think that Yan Sichen, who had been accused by Wang Wu and caught red-handed by Pei Shaoqing while attempting to break out of prison, would falsely accuse his own father of rebellion as the Shu Prince Heir.

Personally confirming face-to-face that Yan Sichen's confession came entirely from his own mouth was already enough.

As for more evidence?

Not needed.

The Emperor's attitude toward such matters has always been that he would rather wrongly kill a thousand than let one go.

This is even more true for his own family!

So since everyone in the Shu Prince Mansion is to die.

Then it is perfectly fine for Yan Sichen to go first.

Pei Shaoqing had originally worried that the Emperor would not deal a lethal blow to the Shu Prince and wanted to arrange for Liu Yuheng to fire a cold arrow when the Shu Prince Mansion was being wiped out, letting the Shu Prince die from a stray arrow.

Now it seems he underestimated the Emperor's ruthlessness.

And Wei Yue was also quite ruthless; he killed the Emperor's own nephew without the slightest hesitation or doubt.

He seemed to have no awe for the bloodline of the Imperial family.

If it were someone else, even if this were an order given by the Emperor himself, they surely wouldn't be so decisive.

However, he also really wanted to try and see how killing so-called Imperial bloodlines differed from killing ordinary people.

"Tomorrow morning, once my men arrive, we will immediately head to the prefecture city," Wei Yue said in a cold tone.

Pei Shaoqing immediately replied, "Yes, Lord!"

The destruction of the Shu Prince Mansion officially entered a countdown.

(End of this chapter)