thefictionvixens Chapter 191 The Emperor's Remembrance!
Chapter 191 The Emperor's Remembrance!
Chapter 191 The Emperor's Memories!
As a wealthy merchant family in Jiangnan, the Hua family also had its own fleet in Jinling City. On this trip back to the capital, Chu Yang and his companions traveled on one of the Hua family's luxury ships.
Hua Manlou did not go to the capital with them; he still needed to go home to tell his father about the Datong Money Shop.
Of course, I should spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with my family, so I couldn't go with Lu Xiaofeng to join in the fun.
The two parted ways, much to Lu Xiaofeng's regret.
After seeing off Hua Manlou, Li Xunhuan also prepared to take his leave. He had originally planned to travel around the beautiful country, but he was forced to come to Jinling City by the Dragon Guard Manor.
It's impossible for Li Xunhuan to become an official; he will never confine himself to the imperial court in his lifetime.
Taking advantage of Duan Tianya and Gui Haiyi's absence, he wanted to escape the surveillance of the Dragon Guard Manor.
Before leaving, Li Xunhuan reminded Chu Yang again not to act impulsively, and then saw Chu Yang off by boat.
"Master, where are we going next?"
"Since we're already here, let's go see some old friends."
Tie Chuanjia looked at Li Xunhuan with great surprise.
"The prince said I am a bird that is not free, and after thinking about it, it is indeed true. It is time to put an end to some things."
Li Xunhuan, who was usually indecisive, was unusually decisive. The demon siege had greatly affected him. If it weren't for Chu Yang's efforts to turn the tide, the people of the city would have been in grave danger, and he himself would have been doomed.
The experience of facing life and death can enlighten people on many things, and Li Xunhuan also truly felt the regret he had carried for so long.
So this time, he needs to give himself an explanation.
"And then what?"
"Perhaps I'll make a trip to the capital? To see if the taste of Daughter's Red wine has changed."
Li Xunhuan suddenly felt a sense of anticipation, but he wondered if Chu Yang would have time to have a drink with him again at that time.
What happens next can only be discussed later.
Chu Yang, who was traveling back to the capital by boat, was unaware of Li Xunhuan's thoughts. The ship was moving very fast, and in the blink of an eye, only a blurry outline of Jinling City remained.
Chu Yang stood at the highest point, leaning on the railing and gazing into the distance. His fingers tapped lightly on the railing, and his eyes were deep and thoughtful.
Lu Xiaofeng stood behind him.
"Your Highness, who do you think will win between Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng?"
"Of course it's Ximen Chuixue."
"Oh? Ye Gucheng's 'Flying Immortal from Beyond the Heavens' is renowned throughout the land. Does Your Highness not think highly of him?"
"How skilled can a swordsman be if he doesn't believe in the sword in his hand?"
"Does Ye Gucheng not believe the sword in his hand? What does that mean?"
"He felt that power and intrigue were more deadly than celestial beings descending from the heavens. The Lord of White Cloud City, now fallen to the mortal realm, no longer possessed a pure sword heart."
Lu Xiaofeng was completely confused, his brows furrowed, unable to understand what Chu Yang was talking about. The implied meaning made him scratch his head in bewilderment.
Seeing his expression, Chu Yang laughed. It was quite interesting to be a riddle teller, especially to fool a clever person like Lu Xiaofeng.
The Forbidden City Summit is a huge conspiracy, and this duel was a joke from the very beginning. Chu Yang returned to the capital just to see this joke.
just in case----
If Ye Gucheng really succeeds, wouldn't that be even more interesting?
"You enjoy manipulating power and having everyone under your thumb. If you end up dying because of conspiracy, I wonder what you'll think when you close your eyes for the last time?"
Chu Yang whispered.
Completely bewildered, Lu Xiaofeng wanted to ask more questions, but Chu Yang remained silent, making him anxious as if ants were crawling all over his body.
In the courtesy of Baidi Caiyun, Qianling Jiangling returned one day.
Five days later, the ship docked. To reach the capital, they still had to travel overland. For convenience, Chu Yang and his companions borrowed several horses from the Hua family and chose to ride into the capital.
With the Mid-Autumn Festival just two days away, the three had plenty of time and weren't in a hurry. They traveled at their own pace, stopping frequently along the way and seeing many martial arts practitioners.
Various schools and sects, bustling with activity.
No one wants to miss a duel between two top swordsmen.
Whether they are newcomers or renowned masters, anyone who becomes a spectator in this duel will have something to brag about in the future.
Do you know what the Forbidden City is like?
"I personally witnessed the duel between Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng!"
A hundred years from now, the things that happened here will be passed down by word of mouth by the people who live here today.
This is the world of martial arts.
"With such a commotion, almost half of the martial arts world has come. Whoever loses this duel will never be able to hold their head high again," Sikong Zhaixing remarked.
Lu Xiaofeng stroked his beard, his face showing worry. He and Ximen Chuixue were good friends, so naturally he didn't want the other to lose. However, Ye Gucheng, the "Lord of White Cloud City," was not just a name; he was a rare master in the world.
Both of them are only one step away from the legendary Grandmaster level. Whoever wins this duel will almost certainly become a Grandmaster of swordsmanship.
"I hope it will be as Your Highness says—"
Lu Xiaofeng could only comfort himself and trust Chu Yang's judgment.
After riding for two or three hours, the three of them got closer and closer to the capital. More and more teahouses appeared along the roadside, catering to travelers from the martial arts world.
With his mouth dry and parched, Sikong Zhaixing hurriedly found an empty seat and, as soon as he sat down, hastily poured tea into his mouth.
"Aren't you afraid of being poisoned by just pouring it into your mouth like that?"
Lu Xiaofeng said with ill intent.
"So many people are drinking; if anyone's going to die, it's not just me. What's there to be afraid of?"
Sikong Zhaixing replied nonchalantly.
"You're quite clever."
Lu Xiaofeng snatched the teapot from Sikong Zhaixing's hand, poured a cup for Chu Yang first, and then poured one for himself.
Chu Yang picked up the teacup and brought it to his lips, but suddenly stopped and silently put the teacup down.
"Your Highness, is there a problem?"
Lu Xiaofeng quickly picked up the teacup, held it under his nose, and sniffed the aroma.
"It's not a tea problem; someone's here."
Chu Yang smiled, and as soon as he finished speaking, the road beneath their feet began to tremble violently.
Rumble!
The sound of horses' hooves thundered!
A group of people are riding horses toward this place.
"There aren't many forces that can openly ride horses around the capital."
Lu Xiaofeng seemed to have already guessed the identity of the person who came.
Before long, two distinct groups of people appeared in front of the teahouse. They were dressed similarly and had similar temperaments. If it weren't for their obvious hostility, they could almost be considered to be the same force.
"They're agents from the Eastern Depot and the Western Depot!"
A sharp-eyed martial arts expert shouted out the identities of the two groups.
This statement came out.
The martial arts practitioners from various sects who were lingering in the teahouse immediately left, fearing they might get involved with the people from the two factories.
Sikong Zhaixing subconsciously stood up, but Lu Xiaofeng pressed her back down.
"Are you crazy? If you don't leave soon, the barbarians will be watching you."
"They came specifically for us."
Sikong Zhaixing glanced at Chu Yang and suddenly realized, "Oh, then it's nothing."
Then, the guards suddenly stepped aside, making way for two eunuchs in cloaks to slowly walk up to Chu Yang.
The two men, with arrogant expressions and no trace of reverence on their faces, bowed to Chu Yang almost simultaneously.
"You lackey, Cao Zhengchun, the Grand Eunuch of the Eastern Depot—"
"You lackey, Yu Huatian, the Grand Supervisor of the Western Depot—"
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
It was said to be a formal visit.
Neither of them bent down.
The coldness in his words revealed his wolfish ambitions.
Ever since Chu Yang cut off the arms of Cao Shaoqin and Ma Jinliang, the two factory bosses, a grudge has been formed between them. It's not a blood feud, but it's not far off.
It's not surprising that Cao Zhengchun and Yu Huatian turned against each other in a second.
However, Chu Yang was still a prince after all, and neither of them dared to confront him with swords in front of so many people; that would be a contempt for imperial authority.
"You two are so busy with official duties, how come you have time to come here?"
Chu Yang smiled and raised his glass to the two of them.
Cao Zhengchun and Yu Huatian exchanged a glance, and finally Cao Zhengchun stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "We have come here to invite Your Highness back to the capital."
Chu Yang chuckled and said, "I'm already on the outskirts of the capital, so naturally I'm going to enter. Do you think I'd run away?"
"Why did you two make a wasted trip?"
Yu Huatian said coldly, "Times have changed. If the two of us don't come in person, His Majesty will not be at ease."
Chu Yang said with a playful tone, "My brother is the Emperor, is there anything in the world that would make him uneasy?"
Yu Huatian squinted, his fair hand quietly resting on the hilt of the sword at his waist, his entire body condensing into a unified sword intent, ready to strike.
Intelligence from both factories repeatedly indicated that Chu Yang's martial arts cultivation was unfathomable, and he dared not be careless, otherwise he would not have agreed to join forces with Cao Zhengchun.
Seeing that Yu Huatian was about to make a move, Chu Yang looked him over with interest and said, "Chief Supervisor Yu, life is too short."
Having said that, his Conqueror's Haki swept across the land like a golden wave, turning the fields into rain.
Yu Huatian suddenly felt dizzy and let out a muffled groan. He staggered back a few steps, looking at Chu Yang with lingering fear.
The hand that was gripping the sword hilt unconsciously lowered itself.
Life is too short.
Don't be reckless!
Having received a rude awakening, Yu Huatian's expression grew even colder. He bowed and clasped his hands, saying, "This servant has learned his lesson."
His killing intent toward Chu Yang surged wildly.
Cao Zhengchun glanced at Yu Huatian with a puzzled look, then turned to Chu Yang and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty has been worried sick about you since you left. Therefore, he specially sent the two of us to bring you back to the palace for a chat. I hope you will not disappoint His Majesty's good intentions."
"You are quite the smooth talker, no wonder you have been favored by the Emperor all these years. Well then, since the Emperor misses me so much, I will go and see him."
Chu Yang stood up and said to Lu Xiaofeng, "You and Sikong Zhaixing go to the Prince's Mansion and wait for me."
Lu Xiaofeng said in a low voice, "Why don't I go with you?"
Chu Yang said, "Let's come again on Mid-Autumn Festival night. Now is not the time to watch a show."
Seeing that Chu Yang wouldn't agree, Lu Xiaofeng could only sigh.
"Your Highness, please get into the sedan chair."
Cao Zhengchun gave a signal, and a group of Eastern Depot agents carried a sedan chair to Chu Yang, who then sat inside.
No matter how tense the situation becomes, proper etiquette must still be observed.
The agents of the Eastern Depot carried the sedan chair away.
Cao Zhengchun did not follow immediately, but instead arrogantly warned Lu Xiaofeng and Sikong Zhaixing: "You two, you should have less contact with His Highness Prince Xian in the future. There is a difference in rank, so don't bring trouble upon yourselves."
Lu Xiaofeng crossed his arms and said with a grin, "Eunuch Cao, I, Lu, have never listened to advice. The more others forbid me from doing something, the more I insist on doing it."
Cao Zhengchun sneered, "Lu Xiaofeng, your Spirit Rhinoceros Finger is utterly useless against our family's Heavenly Gang Child Skill. You'd better watch your words!"
Lu Xiaofeng was completely unfazed by Cao Zhengchun's threat and replied with a smile, "Eunuch Cao, I may not be your match, but you should know that I, Lu Xiaofeng, have many friends in the martial arts world, in addition to having decent martial arts skills."
"Just because I can't break a move doesn't mean my friends can't."
"Is Ximen Chuixue qualified?"
Cao Zhengchun's expression changed. The Tiangang Boy's Kung Fu's external martial arts skills are most afraid of sword masters like Ximen Chuixue.
Sword cultivators' sword energy is most effective at breaking through people's weak points, and the conflict between them and masters of external martial arts can be described as a contradiction.
"Let him survive Ye Gucheng's sword before he says that!"
Cao Zhengchun scoffed, turned and left. After walking for a while, he found Yu Huatian waiting for him at the very back of the group.
"Wow, did the sun rise in the west today?"
"It's really strange that Grandpa Rain is waiting for us."
Yu Huatian ignored Cao Zhengchun's sarcastic remarks and solemnly recounted what had happened.
Cao Zhengchun's expression also became serious.
"You mean the prince also knows spiritual arts? The rumors in the intelligence that he was a Taoist master might be true."
"If that's the case, then where did he learn all these skills? How could Guo Bujing possibly have taught a Taoist master?"
"We'll have to send people to Wudang Mountain and Longhu Mountain to investigate later."
About an hour later, the guards carried the sedan chair into the capital, with the two eunuchs on either side. No one dared to stop them. Such a grand procession naturally attracted the attention of many ordinary people.
People in the restaurants on both sides of the street also glanced at the scene; they were all martial arts practitioners who had come to watch the fight, whispering among themselves just like ordinary people.
Someone in the crowd said, "The useless prince is here!" The next second, the entire street burst into laughter.
Since he was the legendary wise king, the grand spectacle he put on looked almost like a circus. For over twenty years, people have become accustomed to associating him with jokes.
After all, this纨绔 (wán kù, a spoiled and dissolute young man) prince had done all sorts of embarrassing things.
Only those martial arts practitioners who had just arrived in the capital and knew nothing about this prince would be curious and inquire around, only to hear some absurd and ridiculous stories.
all in all.
No one cares about the wise king's every move.
They were unaware that more than ten years had passed since the last time the wise king entered the palace.
The Imperial Study.
The emperor is reviewing memorials.
His expression was calm.
However, the chief eunuch Wei Zhongxian noticed that the brush in the emperor's hand was trembling.
I am restless and uneasy.
Wei Zhongxian felt a chill run down his spine.
The older eunuchs in the palace all knew that Prince Xian was a thorn in the emperor's side, usually kept hidden but extremely dangerous at crucial moments.
Because back then—
The throne should have belonged to the wise king.
Everyone has become accustomed to the Prince's current absurdity and forgotten how intelligent he was in his youth, so much so that the late emperor regarded him as the crown prince from an early age.
Wei Zhongxian is almost forgotten.
But now, memories come flooding back like a tidal wave.
The same applies to emperors.
I had almost forgotten about it!
But the moment he learned that Chu Yang had concealed his martial arts cultivation, everything from the past clearly surfaced in his mind.
I think of it every day and night, every moment.
"Of all the princes, only Yang'er resembles me the most, hahaha!"
The memory is frozen in time!
boom!
The emperor, his face ashen, slammed his hand on the desk, and the writing brush in his hand broke in two.
"Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Xian has arrived."
"Let him in!"