Chapter 111: Stewing the Crown Prince in an Iron Pot

Eastern Market, Yang's Medicine Shop.

Outside, fine rain fell like silk threads; a Young Master in white robes stood holding an umbrella at the shop entrance, chatting enthusiastically with the shop owner who had just arrived:

"Master Yang."

"It's raining today, keeping Young Master Xie waiting so long. The seller has been contacted and will arrive shortly. Please, come in quickly..."

"That's good..."

Meanwhile, on the second floor of a cloth shop on the same street, Nangong Ye, wearing a veil hat, stood at the window, peering through the gaps at the scene in the medicine shop, his brows slightly furrowed.

Just now, when they met by chance at the Eastern Market entrance, Nangong Ye had already begun to suspect Xie Jinhuan's purpose for coming to the Eastern Market so early in the morning.

Now seeing Xie Jinhuan interacting with Yang Sichen, she naturally understood who the mysterious buyer of the Sixty-Year Lotus was.

Although she did not understand why Xie Jinhuan, with a Rank 3 cultivation, would seek the Sixty-Year Lotus, which is only needed for Super-Rank cultivation, she was one hundred percent certain that this young man did not possess the Revival Grass!

After all, trading Revival Grass for the root and stem of the Sixty-Year Lotus is a fair deal; if Xie Jinhuan had it, given his current reputation and background, he could simply offer it directly to the Pill King or the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to exchange for a Sixty-Year Lotus root and stem from the state treasury. The imperial court would have no reason to refuse, and there was no need to risk the Ancestor openly seizing it by coming to trade with a stranger.

Since he does not have the Revival Grass, why did he sneakily summon this Daoist to meet him? What does he want?

To use his silver tongue and the poison-curing secret method he possesses to get this Daoist's treasured secret for free?

You have already told me the method to cure the poison!

Nangong Ye's eyes looked slightly strange; she originally wanted to go over and see what other abilities Xie Jinhuan had not yet used, but deep down she truly feared this child's 'charm technique'.

If Xie Jinhuan really used some flowery words to trick her heavenly treasures away, given the relationship between the two of them, she would find it difficult to openly seize them back.

Therefore, she must first find out Xie Jinhuan's specific character and background, etc., before considering whether to continue the transaction; anyway, he cannot run away...

—

At noon, the rain gradually stopped.

Xie Jinhuan walked alone down Zheng'an Street, his brows tightly furrowed and his eyes slightly heavy; his expression could be summarized in one sentence:

The local gangs are simply too damn rude!

He had waited for a long time at Yang's Medicine Shop this morning; Yang Sichen had originally said the person would arrive immediately and asked him to drink tea in the tea hall.

But not long after, Yang Sichen ran back and told him:

"That senior has already left. He said that since Young Master is of Rank 3 cultivation, you certainly do not have the Revival Grass. If you truly wish to trade, ask your master to come..."

Isn't this looking down on people?

Regardless of whether I have it or not, since you came, you should at least show your face and talk!

What if I do?

If Xie Jinhuan truly did not have the Revival Grass, he would have to bring out the item to brew tea with it, just to anger that seller who wouldn't even show his face!

He had looted Li Gongpu and barely scraped together enough money for the medicinal materials, but now the lead on the Sixty-Year Lotus is gone; isn't this going to cause a scene?

But since matters have come to this, his impotent rage would be useless; he could only ask Yang Sichen to continue helping to inquire if there were any other sellers.

Walking on the street at this moment, Xie Jinhuan asked another question:

"How much time do I have left?"

"Seventeen days and six hours. Refining pills and taking medicine also take time, and you must go early to prevent variables, so you have at most ten days of action time left; you must move faster."

"Sigh, I have already split one day into eight parts to use..."

While worrying so deeply, Xie Jinhuan returned to Zheng'an Street, only to find that a row of Wang Fu Wu Zu standing guard had appeared at the entrance of the Wang Fu.

Seeing this scene, Xie Jinhuan knew the Landlady had arrived; he quickly entered the main gate and looked up to see the sharp-nosed, monkey-faced Butler Hou hitting Laifu with a white paper fan:

"Before the Princess came, you were the butler, and I had nothing to say; now that the Princess has come, if you are still the butler, didn't the Princess come for nothing?"

"Yes, yes, yes, Butler Hou is the boss; I am just a stinking handyman..."

"Knowing who the butler is, why haven't you handed over the silver vault key yet?"

"Ah? Didn't I just give it?"

"Whose brain got flooded to clean the silver vault spotless? Where is the silver? Where are the vases and calligraphy the Prince left before?"

"Uh..."

Seeing Butler Hou, Xie Jinhuan instantly flashed back to that shocking giant pendulum and hip-shaking dance; his eyes darkened slightly, and he instinctively placed his hand on the handle of his mace!

"Eh? It seems there is killing intent!"

Butler Hou paused his movement, looked left and right, then fixed his gaze on Laifu beside him, rolled up his sleeves, and started hitting:

"You still dare to be disobedient?! Today I will not twist your head off..."

"Eh? I am not disobedient; this humble one was wrong..."

Sensing his Dao Heart was unstable, Xie Jinhuan quickly suppressed his killing intent and stepped forward to say:

"Butler Hou, has Her Highness the Princess arrived?"

Butler Hou turned around, saw the otherworldly Xie Jinhuan, and even his standing posture straightened a few degrees:

"Yo, Young Master Xie. The Princess arrived last night and is busy in the kitchen."

"Kitchen?"

Xie Jinhuan was stunned, thinking in his heart:

Does the Landlady know how to cook?

Could it be, like Wan Yi, she is specially preparing lunch for me?

I am afraid I cannot bear such a burden...

While pondering, Xie Jinhuan took his leave of Butler Hou and quickly arrived at the Wang Fu's kitchen courtyard.

Autumn rain rustled, but inside the kitchen courtyard, clouds and mist lingered, and white smoke rising from the wall tops could be seen.

The maids originally from the Wang Fu stood in neat rows in the corridor, each balancing a bowl on her head without moving a muscle, clearly being punished by standing.

In the originally spacious courtyard, a large iron cauldron used for scalding pigs sat alongside a pig-killing stool of unknown origin.

The Wang Shizi, Zhao De, disguised as "Danyang's Single Red Dot," was bound tightly with hemp ropes on the pig-killing stool, a piece of hemp cloth stuffed in his mouth, his eyes wide with terror as he:

"Mmmph—!"

The landlady, wearing a magnificent Kong Que skirt, stood beside the large iron cauldron, personally shoving firewood underneath.

Meiqiu, naturally obedient, fanned the flames with her wings nearby to make the fire burn brighter.

Yang Dabiao and Liu Qingzhi, the two old brothers, turned pale with fright; standing nearby, they dared not intervene, but upon seeing Xie Jinhuan return, they immediately winked and gestured urgently.

The Dan Wang's Wang Shizi was like "A Dou meeting Zhao Long":

"Mmmph—!"

Xie Jinhuan, realizing the pig being slaughtered was the Dan Wang's Wang Shizi, was genuinely stunned for a moment, then stepped forward quickly:

"Your Highness the Princess, what is this?"

Princess Changning continued adding firewood, her face, usually reflecting peace and prosperity, now bearing a hint of anger:

"Slaughtering a pig; what else could it be?"

"Uh..."

Xie Jinhuan stopped his personal maid, who was still fanning the fire, and attempted to mediate:

"Is Your Highness angry about the Wang Shizi's visit to Changle Street? Alas, for the Wang Shizi to take root in Jingcheng, social engagements are inevitable..."

Princess Changning frowned tightly, holding a piece of dry firewood as she spoke in a heavy voice:

"His squandering in Jingcheng is my father's business; this Princess cannot interfere. But a few days ago, you won three thousand taels of silver for me at the Golden Tower, and he squandered it all clean. I had originally planned to give half of it to you, the hero, after arriving in the capital, but now..."

Huh?!

Xie Jinhuan discovered that the Wang Shizi, reckless as he was, even dared to embezzle his silver; his body trembled in shock. He took the dry firewood and helped shove it under the iron cauldron, but considering Zhao De had still given him a share of the profits, he added a plea:

"This is indeed a bit... um... although close relatives settle accounts clearly, you can't really stew him. How about Your Highness gives him some time? Let the Wang Shizi make up the deficit within three days?"

"Mmmph!"

Wang Shizi Zhao De nodded vigorously, pecking like a chicken.

Princess Changning retorted, "What if he cannot repay it?"

"I trust the Wang Shizi's character. If the Wang Shizi fails to make up the deficit within three days, Your Highness may dispose of him however you wish; I will not utter a single word of objection."

Seeing her trusted general speak on his behalf, Princess Changning naturally accepted the compromise, then turned her gaze to Zhao De on the pig-killing stool:

"Did you hear that? Today, for Xie Jinhuan's sake, I will spare you this once. Within three days, if you cannot gather three thousand taels of silver, you know the consequences yourself."

"Mmmph~"

Zhao De nodded repeatedly, filled with gratitude toward Xie Jinhuan.

"Leave the cauldron for now; remove it only when he has made up the deficit."

"Yes!"

Yang Dabiao and Liu Qingzhi immediately clasped their hands, then rushed forward to untie the ropes...

———

Shortly after, in the main courtyard of the West Residence.

Princess Changning sat at a lakeside terrace; maids served various delicacies, while Duoduo knelt beside the table, arranging plates and pouring wine for Xie Jinhuan.

Meiqiu, seeing the large table of dishes and the small dried fish prepared especially for her, stared with wide eyes, then quietly crept over to Princess Changning, likely pondering silently—A good bird chooses its tree to perch on! A great bird born between heaven and earth cannot remain depressed under Huan for long...

Facing the landlady's warm hospitality, Xie Jinhuan felt somewhat overwhelmed:

"Your Highness is too polite; I am but a rough man, so a simple meal will suffice."

Princess Changning, deeply angered by the Wang Shizi, was still very gentle in front of Xie Jinhuan. She sat sideways behind the low table, curling her legs, her round buttocks resting on her calves, and first picked up a few strips of small dried fish for Meiqiu:

"This is just a regular family banquet; no need for such formality."

Duoduo, dressed quite tightly outside, removed her large-sleeved outer robe upon entering the room, revealing a patch of Bai Huahua on her chest; hearing this, she interjected:

"Yes, this is not the outside world. Besides, where is Young Master Xie rough? In literary talent and music, you are no worse than those pedantic scholars."

"Alas, you flatter me..."

Xie Jinhuan, full of witty remarks, felt it inappropriate to speak them before the Princess, so he simply accepted the wine cup, chuckled lightly, and glanced around:

"Is Miss Linghu not coming?"

"She didn't sleep last night, and being kind-hearted, she couldn't bear to watch the pig slaughter, so she went to catch up on sleep."

Princess Changning rubbed Meiqiu, who had buried her head in the food, while her gaze rested on her trusted general:

"Father heard you were ambushed at the Golden Tower and flew into a rage; his heart is also deeply worried. Before coming, he asked me to remind you regarding the Mingshen Sect's hidden agents: investigate if possible, but do not force it; safety must come first."

Duoduo also nodded: "Yes, I heard a thousand-household commander of the Red Scale Guard was involved. The Prince was furious, originally intending to enter Jingcheng personally to demand an explanation. Several Mr. s dissuaded him, and then hearing the Wang Shizi caused a scene in the palace, he gave up, and even rarely praised him, saying, 'This rebellious son has finally done something human'..."

Xie Jinhuan knew the Dan Wang valued him; hearing this, his heart truly felt warm. After a moment's thought, he said:

"The Prince worries too much; I act with discretion and will definitely prioritize self-preservation. As for the Mingshen Sect, um... I suspect my father was harmed by a demon, which is connected to these people, so I must investigate to the end, even if the Prince says nothing."

Princess Changning's visit this time was on her father's orders, to investigate the Mingshen Sect's hidden agents together with Xie Jinhuan.

Of course, this matter was largely the Dan Wang arranging for the two of them, deliberately creating an opportunity to work together.

Princess Changning knew her father's intentions, but marriage matters cannot be decided rashly; currently, the mission takes precedence. After thinking, she replied:

"Investigating from the streets will only yield foot soldiers as clues. The Mingshen Sect's hidden agents buried in Jingcheng must hold high positions."

"Tonight is the Empress's birthday; all high officials and nobles in Jingcheng will enter the palace to offer birthday wishes. That hidden agent is likely among them."

"Using the supernatural powers of the Hidden Immortal Sect, do you have the confidence to detect demonic things?"

Xie Jinhuan blinked, feeling this was indeed a viable path.

The Mingshen Sect has informants in the Wang Fu and government offices; the person behind the scenes must hold high rank and power. Such a person must attend the Empress's birthday banquet.

However, to prevent demons from disrupting the state, the imperial court conducts regular medical examinations for officials. For a Mingshen Sect hidden agent to take root on the surface, they must either never have cultivated a demonic Dao cultivation technique, or use secret methods to conceal traces of the demonic Dao, ensuring that physical contact or probing the Qi Sea makes it very difficult to spot any flaws; otherwise, they would easily expose themselves.

Whether someone like this could be seen through by the wandering spirit, Xie Jinhuan was not yet certain.

Ye Hongshang clearly understood Xie Jinhuan's thoughts, appearing at his side at this moment, propping her cheek with her hand as she said:

"If they haven't practiced a demonic cultivation technique, then the 'heart' is on the demonic path—I definitely wouldn't be able to spot anything unusual.

"As for using secret arts to conceal every trace, even if the disguise is seamless, I can still fish, then observe their words and expressions to screen them. For example, if you drop a line in court like 'there's a demonic aura,' anyone hiding demonic cultivation will surely panic, and locking onto the target won't be hard for me."

Xie Jinhuan felt that at the Empress's birthday banquet, there wouldn't be a chance for him to jump out and spout nonsense, but if there was a chance, he'd have to try it. For now, he still said:

"Any demonic cultivator daring to enter the palace for the banquet must be hiding very deeply. I may not necessarily be able to spot them, but I can give it a try. Hmm…"

At this point in his words, Xie Jinhuan suddenly remembered that Li Gongpu hadn't been dealt with yet, and that this grandson would surely be present tonight. Frowning, he asked:

"Does Your Highness the Princess think this Mingshen Sect mole could possibly be Li Gongpu?"

———

Haven't finished writing yet, wait just a moment, sorry or2!

(End of Chapter)