Chapter 20: Escort Ambush

Late at night, Prime Minister He, who had just finished seeking immortality, walked out of the Taoist temple with his clothes in disarray.

The new steward of the Prime Minister's mansion, Liu Liu Guodong, stood outside looking restless, having waited for a long time.

"What's wrong? You look distracted and nervous; what could possibly make you so anxious?" Prime Minister He asked.

After stammering for a while, Liu Liu Guodong finally spoke up boldly: "Your Excellency... this... the Lu family... something has happened!"

Prime Minister He snorted, dismissing it: "What could happen to the Lu family? Such a large escort agency, who in the world dares to touch them! Unless... has a life been lost?"

Liu Liu Guodong: "This... not exactly."

"Tsk... I thought it was something major." After learning it had nothing to do with a death, Prime Minister He relaxed and said: "Speak directly, don't beat around the bush!"

Liu Liu Guodong: "The escort goods of the Lu Escort Agency have been 'cut'!" (Cut: underworld slang for stolen.)

"Cut by someone?"

Prime Minister He frowned and asked: "Which escort was cut?"

Liu Liu Guodong: "It was the escort returning from Daoist Master Huanxi, the newly perfected Seven Times a Night Pills, totaling one hundred and eight pills, all cut!"

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister He began to feel uneasy, but still pretended to be calm: "Go, summon Lu Lu Xiongying to see me."

Earlier, Lu Lu Xiongying had personally reported the matter and was already waiting inside Prime Minister He's mansion; in less than half a quarter-hour, Lu Lu Xiongying arrived at the front hall.

As soon as she saw Prime Minister He, without a word, she immediately knelt and prostrated herself on the ground, kowtowing and apologizing repeatedly.

Prime Minister He restrained his emotions and asked calmly: "Who did you send for this escort?"

Lu Lu Xiongying: "Replying to Your Excellency, it was 'Big Idiot'."

"So it was the one known in the Jianghu as 'Brush-Blade Judge', Big Sha the Forked Brush."

After muttering this, Prime Minister He continued: "By rights... he is an old escort master, his name is loud enough; who would dare cut his escort?"

Lu Lu Xiongying: "This... we are still investigating."

"Besides those one hundred and eight Seven Times a Night Pills, what else was cut from you?" Prime Minister He asked.

Lu Lu Xiongying: "Apart from the Seven Times a Night Pills, all other gold, silver, treasures, antiques, and precious objects remain intact."

Hearing this, Prime Minister He felt much relieved.

Having the Seven Times a Night Pills stolen didn't actually pain him at all; it was the act of having an escort 'cut' that not only seemed incredible to him but also made him feel angry and humiliated!

"Investigate privately who cut the escort! Remember, do not report to the authorities to avoid unnecessary complications." After instructing on the follow-up handling, Prime Minister He dismissed Lu Lu Xiongying and returned to the Taoist temple to rest.

That night, Prime Minister He tossed and turned, unable to sleep all night; he simply couldn't figure out why someone would be so unprofessional, targeting the Seven Times a Night Pills and risking cutting the Lu family's escort.

On the same night, a familiar guest arrived at Prime Minister Mei's mansion: the famous master thief of the Jianghu, "Mr. Invisible".

Prime Minister Mei was not unfamiliar with Mr. Invisible. Years ago, Mr. Invisible had attempted to steal from Prime Minister Mei's mansion but accidentally triggered a trap and was caught!

Seeing his remarkable lightness skill, his ability to run on walls and eaves, appearing without a shadow and vanishing without a trace, Prime Minister Mei took him in as a thief-spy to serve as his eyes and ears.

That night, Mr. Invisible came to Prime Minister Mei's mansion to sell stolen goods, claiming he had found a rare treasure.

When Prime Minister Mei saw a box full of Seven Times a Night Pills, he impatiently wanted to dismiss him!

Prime Minister Mei: "I am at this age; what use do I have for such things!"

"Your Excellency, you don't know..." Mr. Invisible said sneakily: "Prime Minister He relies on these things to fight through the night, his golden spear never falling!"

"That is Prime Minister He; I do not have such hobbies, loving to hide in a Taoist temple acting like an immortal." Prime Minister Mei said with a look of disdain.

Seeing that Prime Minister Mei was not buying this batch of Seven Times a Night Pills, Mr. Invisible could only leave tactfully.

Two days later, Prime Minister He and Prime Minister Mei, who had just finished the court session, were summoned by the Emperor to the Imperial Study for a report.

After discussing state affairs, the Emperor suddenly changed the subject, saying the Seven Times a Night Pills he had were finished and needed replenishment!

Prime Minister He actually already knew this; the Emperor's stock had always been under his control; precisely because of this, he had entrusted Lu Lu Xiongying to send someone to Daoist Master Huanxi to escort a shipment back.

But unfortunately, this seemingly ordinary escort was cut by someone!

With a troubled expression, Prime Minister He said: "The new batch of Seven Times a Night Pills requires forty-nine days to perfect; for the moment, I am afraid it cannot be supplied. I hope Your Majesty will wait a bit longer; once I obtain them, I will immediately present them."

Hearing Prime Minister He say this, Prime Minister Mei secretly rejoiced in his heart!

That night, he immediately summoned Mr. Invisible and bought twenty pills first.

Three days later, Prime Minister Mei received an imperial summons to enter the palace to meet the Emperor; this time, the Emperor summoned him in the Zha Wenhua Hall.

Carrying a brocade box containing the Seven Times a Night Pills, Prime Minister Mei arrived at Zha Wenhua Hall with joyful steps.

However, he, who originally thought he was summoned alone, did not expect that Prime Minister He and Prime Minister Tu were also in the hall at this time!

Before Prime Minister Mei could sort out his surprise, he quickly apologized first for his lateness.

"Prime Minister Mei, no need to apologize; please rise quickly..."

The Emperor continued: "It was just that earlier, I discussed matters with Prime Minister He and Prime Minister Tu for too long, and it was not yet finished."

After speaking, he immediately instructed Jiu Jiu Qiansui behind him to quickly grant Prime Minister Mei a seat.

Although Jiu Jiu Qiansui held power over the court, before the Emperor, he was merely a servant.

Jiu Jiu Qiansui was seen running all the way, carrying a red sandalwood dragon-embroidered cushion from a corner of the hall, placing it respectfully behind Prime Minister Mei, and inviting Prime Minister Mei to sit.

A little later, when Prime Minister He finished his report and was about to rise and leave, the Emperor suddenly shouted: "Prime Minister He, please stay!"

"I wonder if Your Majesty... has any other important matters to instruct?" Prime Minister He asked respectfully.

"Important matters... none." With a troubled expression, the Emperor asked: "Your... Seven Times a Night Pills, when can they be delivered at the earliest?"

Before Prime Minister He could reply, Prime Minister Mei immediately stood up, clasped his hands, and said excitedly:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, unfortunately, I happen to have a box on hand!"

After speaking, Prime Minister He and the Emperor looked at Prime Minister Mei with surprise simultaneously; only Prime Minister Tu, like a dull duck hearing thunder, looked completely confused.

Upon hearing that Prime Minister Mei had a box of Seven Times a Night Pills, the Emperor excitedly ordered him to bring it out immediately to see.

Thus, Prime Minister Mei took out that brocade box and presented it to the Emperor.

The Emperor opened the brocade box; the fragrance, the quality, the appearance, all were exactly the same as the Seven Times a Night Pills; counting carefully again, there were exactly twenty pills, neither more nor less.

The Emperor was overjoyed, but Prime Minister He looked extremely twisted!

He understood in his heart that the box of Seven Times Pills in Prime Minister Mei's hand must be among the twenty pills lost in the recent banditry!

He just didn't know from what channel Prime Minister Mei had obtained this batch of stolen goods.

Prime Minister He deliberately remained calm, did not question the origin of the Seven Times Pills to his face, and merely made a suggestion to the Emperor.

He said, "These pills were not obtained by this humble minister directly from Daoist Master Huanxi; I hope Your Majesty will investigate clearly, and it would be best to have the Guanglu Temple test them for poison before taking them."

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Mei immediately grew anxious! He said indignantly, "Grand Councilor Weng, what do you mean by this?"

Prime Minister He: "Grand Councilor Mei, do not misunderstand; I have no other meaning, it is just... keeping an extra eye out for the Emperor, just in case."

"Old Weng... you..." Prime Minister Mei said angrily.

"Alright, alright..." The Emperor stepped in to smooth things over. He said, "My beloved ministers need not worry; regarding these pills... I will exercise judgment and handle them according to the regulations."