The grand hall was filled with bowing figures, each showing utmost reverence and holding their breath in fear, their minds racing with different thoughts.
When had the usually reserved and profound Your Majesty ever shown such visible anger? Those less astute were utterly baffled—why would the Emperor be so enraged over the misfortune of Worldly Son Bu? Shouldn't the Emperor be pleased the worse things went for Worldly Son Bu? Or was it because, in this era of peace, someone dared to openly hunt down a prince's heir, staining the Jialing River with blood—a slap in the face of the court? Or was the Emperor merely overacting?
Though their minds twisted through countless speculations, no one dared to reveal their thoughts.
The Youning Emperor suppressed the pent-up fury in his chest, sweeping a heavy gaze over everyone present. His eyes passed over Xiao Changqing and Xiao Changyan before finally settling on Xiao Huayong, whose pale face and furrowed brows clearly showed he was enduring discomfort.
For a moment, the Youning Emperor felt an impulse to send Xiao Huayong personally to search for the missing person—to see whether Shen Xihe would be willing to sacrifice such a crucial pawn.
"What are your thoughts on the Jialing River incident, Crown Prince?" the Youning Emperor asked.
As if suddenly called upon, Xiao Huayong appeared slightly startled before responding respectfully, "Your Majesty, although Worldly Son Bu has not yet inherited his peerage, he remains an important court official. To face such vicious pursuit—from outside the capital all the way to the Jialing River... cough cough cough—has stirred public panic. Moreover, numerous rumors unfavorable to Your Majesty have emerged out of thin air.
Your son believes we should mobilize officials and military guards from Shannan West Circuit and Jiannan Circuit to clear and secure the routes, strictly inspect travel permits, and detain all suspicious individuals for detailed investigation. This would demonstrate Your Majesty's compassion toward the orphaned descendants of meritorious officials... cough cough cough..."
Though Bu Shulin's three interception attempts hadn't harmed commoners, the incidents had spread widely. Everyone whispered that only the Emperor would dare act so brazenly. Rumors couldn't be suppressed by force alone, and Xiao Huayong spoke entirely from the perspective of preserving the Emperor's reputation.
His conventional response, full of filial devotion, made the Youning Emperor's recently dissipated anger begin to coalesce again.
"The Qu family's large vessel sank in the Jialing River. I vaguely recall the Crown Princess has long-standing ties with the Qu clan—last year's grain shipment in Wendeng County was arranged after she sent someone to persuade the Qu family to dispatch their large ship," the Youning Emperor said abruptly, ignoring Xiao Huayong's suggestion. "The Qu family's century-old reputation has now faced such peril for the first time, suffering collateral damage from court affairs. Let the Crown Princess visit on my behalf to offer condolences and reassure the public."
This declaration left most people in the hall utterly bewildered. Though the Qu trading firm had suffered collateral damage—losing a large ship due to the pursuit of Worldly Son Bu—they were merely merchants without extraordinary contributions to the nation or its people. Was it worth the Crown Princess's personal visit?
Only a few who understood that the Emperor's men were likely among those hunting Bu Shulin grasped the implied meaning: the Emperor was highlighting what they had overlooked, revealing that this brutal series of attacks had been orchestrated from start to finish by the Crown Princess.
She had used Bu Shulin as bait in a trap, ensuring none of the Emperor's men returned alive. This realization sent a chill down many spines.
"Your Majesty, they are merely merchants. Issuing an official decree to be read by the local magistrate would already be a great honor. For Your Majesty to order the Crown Princess to visit in person—once this precedent is set, it may encourage other merchants to seek similar treatment. The concern lies not in scarcity but in inequality. Your Majesty, in your wisdom, would not make such a rash, biased move that could provoke public discontent," Tao Zhuanxian was the first to express disapproval of the Youning Emperor's decision."Your Majesty, our dynasty has imperial clansmen and princes above, and capable ministers and military generals below. This is not a time of national crisis with no one available. Even if Your Majesty values the Qu Clan and intends to bestow favor upon them by sending an imperial envoy, how could it be the Crown Princess from the Eastern Palace?"Xiao Changqing also stepped forward, "If Your Majesty does not find me too foolish, I am willing to volunteer to carry out the pacification mission.""
Xiao Huayong glanced imperceptibly at Xiao Changqing.
The Youning Emperor's gaze also fell upon Xiao Changqing. Send him to Shannan West Circuit? Wouldn't that just add chaos to the situation?
The Youning Emperor had never truly intended to send Shen Xihe. He knew how his statement would be refuted, but it served to remind certain individuals to clearly understand the situation and avoid aligning themselves recklessly: "Minister Tao and Prince Xin speak wisely. We were neglectful. Let it be as Minister Tao suggested - have the Three Departments draft an edict to be issued to Minnan, offering consolation to the Qu Clan."
After a pause, the Youning Emperor continued: "Worldly Son Bu's journey has been fraught with difficulties. Have... General Yu Xiang of the Valiant Cavalry lead troops to Shannan West Circuit to search for him and provide escort. When necessary... he may mobilize the garrison forces of the Jiannan Governor."
Yu Xiang had previously lost his position as Grand General due to Yu Sangning and was demoted to Left Guard General of the Valiant Cavalry, having been sidelined for quite some time. Suddenly recalled by His Majesty for such a hot potato, he accepted the command without changing expression.
After the Youning Emperor announced the court's dismissal, officials engaged in widespread discussion. The Jiannan Governor and the Shu Southern Royal Manor could be described as two kings avoiding each other - both held military power and were stationed along the Tibetan border, with the Jiannan Governor's Protectorate Headquarters less than a day's journey from the Shu Southern Royal Manor.
Tibet had always been obedient, unlike the northwest where wolves circled - the Turks, Khitans, and various foreign tribes remained restless. Although the northwest region was vast with numerous Protectorate Headquarters and governors, they were all firmly suppressed by Shen Yueshan. Whenever His Majesty expressed any opinion, Shen Yueshan would withdraw his management, leaving these officials unable to control the external threats, thus creating the situation where the Northwest King dominated the northwest.
The Shu Southern Royal Manor didn't enjoy the same advantages of timing, geography, and popular support as the Northwest King's manor. Due to that marriage alliance, Tibet never caused trouble during His Majesty's reign, leaving Bu Tuohai without justification for arbitrary actions. He couldn't directly suppress the Jiannan Governor either - the slightest misstep could lead to charges of rebellion. Over the years, they maintained a relationship of non-interference with the Jiannan Governor, though their coexistence remained uneasy.
The Youning Emperor's order for Yu Xiang to search for the person while mentioning the potential mobilization of the Jiannan Governor's troops made people nervous. Whether this was truly to escort Bu Shulin or to potentially restrain the Shu Southern Royal Manor depending on circumstances became deeply significant.
"Has His Majesty resorted to overt methods after covert ones failed?" Shen Xihe asked, turning to Xiao Huayong who had brought the news.
"Overt or covert, both are useless." Xiao Huayong turned and leaned against the beauty rest in the waterside pavilion beside Shen Xihe. With his back against his wife's shoulder, he lifted his long legs straight onto the beauty rest, leaning his head back against her casually and comfortably.
Glancing down at Xiao Huayong, Shen Xihe said: "This has brought some trouble to the Qu Clan."
Those who understood knew from His Majesty's words that the Qu Clan had aligned with her. Those wishing to curry favor with His Majesty would naturally pressure the Qu Clan. Though the Qu Clan's shipping business was renowned throughout the land, being merchants, His Majesty neither wanted her to possess it nor feared she might subsequently acquire a naval force.
"If subordinates cannot share your worries, what use is keeping them?" Xiao Huayong remarked nonchalantly."The Qu Clan is not my subordinate." This was precisely why Shen Xihe felt responsible for implicating them.
"Not before, but they will be from now on." Xiao Huayong smiled mysteriously. "Youyou should prepare a congratulatory gift in advance."
"Congratulatory gift?"
"For your trusted general and the Qu Clan leader."
Shen Xihe was astonished upon hearing this: "The two of them..."
She had heard of Qu Hongying—after all, it was thanks to her assistance last year that the crisis in Dengzhou was resolved. But Qu Hongying was seven or eight years older than Qi Pei, and Shen Xihe had never considered such a possibility.
"Fate works in mysterious ways."
Shen Xihe found Xiao Huayong's tone somewhat sarcastic and turned to scrutinize him. "What do you mean by that? Do you think Qi Pei accepted Qu Hongying to build up my power?"
It had to be admitted that the Qu Clan was a significant asset. With their loyalty, she could indeed assemble an invincible naval force. Even if she were defeated in a confrontation with His Majesty, she could still set sail with her people and escape the country.
"I never said that." Xiao Huayong refused to admit it.
Shen Xihe shot him a glance. "There are no people of such low character around me, and Qi Pei is not the type to flatter."
Xiao Huayong gazed ahead, smiling without a word.
Not wanting to argue with Xiao Huayong further on the matter, Shen Xihe murmured softly, "I wonder how A Lin is doing."
How was Bu Shulin doing? Bu Shulin had sensed something amiss in Minzhou. Feeling that someone was targeting her, she made a swift decision: "Yinshan, take half the men and go ahead. Jinshan will stay behind to protect me in secret."
Bu Shulin disguised herself as a merchant's wife who had just lost her father and was forced to return to her hometown despite her advanced pregnancy to attend the funeral. Both Jinshan and Yinshan were with her, but they operated in the shadows, making it difficult for others to detect they were together.
She had only intended to split up the group to avoid detection but inadvertently sent Yinshan away, which coincidentally cleared her of suspicion.
As soon as Yinshan left with his men, she noticed the pursuers followed them. Puzzled, she found an opportunity to rendezvous with Jinshan: "Who are these people? Why did they recognize Yinshan but not us?"
Logically, all three of them were in disguise. If one could be recognized, the others should be identifiable as well.
"Your Highness, could it be that someone among Yinshan's followers has betrayed us?" Jinshan was equally perplexed.
"No." Bu Shulin shook her head. If there were a traitor, they might not know her whereabouts, but they would certainly not spare Jinshan. Moreover, if they knew both Jinshan and Yinshan were accompanying her, no matter how thoroughly she altered her appearance, they would not remain entirely unsuspicious.
The reason eluded Bu Shulin, but since she couldn't figure it out, she decided not to dwell on it. "Double back and follow them, but be careful. If you can coordinate with Yinshan, trap them from both sides and eliminate these people..."
She made a throat-slitting gesture, leaving the rest unspoken. Pregnant as she was, she didn't want any complications. It would be best to subdue them quietly.
"Your Highness and I should also proceed separately," Jinshan suggested for safety.
Bu Shulin nodded.
She needed to find out who had managed to track them and how, or there would be endless trouble.
That night, Bu Shulin stopped in a county under Minzhou's jurisdiction, claiming she needed rest after the arduous journey.
Yinshan continued along their predetermined route with his men, while Jinshan trailed behind to follow.Bu Shulin soon discovered that someone was following Jinshan as well—truly, the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
If the two groups tailing Yinshan and Jinshan were from the same faction, they must have realized Jinshan had detected their pursuit. They would need to act swiftly, ideally preventing any information from being relayed!
Remember, this book's first publication domain is: . :
OpenNovel