bestfiction Chapter 147 The Mad Prince Xuan
Chapter 147 The Mad Prince Xuan
Duke Anguo and his wife were speechless.
Seeing their reaction, Yu Qinghuai became even more suspicious.
He frowned and asked again, "Dad, Mom, where did your sister go?"
Both the Duke of Anguo and his wife knew Yu Qinghuai's personality. Although he was young, he was meticulous and serious. If they didn't tell him the truth, he would investigate on his own.
Lady Anguo sighed and said slowly, "Just before you came back, your father and I learned that Princess Changning was almost murdered at the polo match today, and your sister... is the prime suspect."
Yu Qinghuai's eyes were filled with shock, "Why would she want to harm Princess Changning?"
Lady Anguo shook her head with red eyes, "We don't know either. Let your father figure something out first and get her out of there."
"The Ministry of Justice's prison is no place for humans."
Yu Qinghuai lowered his eyes and said nothing more.
He had no expectations of the "sister" his parents had found.
On the contrary, he felt that the older sister he had just met was his own sister.
……
Meanwhile, in Shengjing City, at the Jade Treasure Pavilion.
Compared to the Feibaolou in Huicheng County, the Feibaolou in Shengjing was more extravagant and luxurious, and was a frequent gathering place for princes and nobles in Shengjing.
Yun Shang was taken all the way from the polo field to the Jade Pavilion.
When Yun Shang saw the signboard of Fei Bao Lou, a dark glint flashed in his eyes.
As he passed in front of the shopkeeper, he turned his head and made eye contact with the man.
The innkeeper's gaze lingered on the faces of him and the guards behind him for a moment before he stepped forward with a smile and greeted them, "Gentlemen, would you like to have a meal or some entertainment?"
Fei Bao Lou not only offers delicious food, but also a variety of elegant entertainment.
Yun Shang didn't speak. The two guards behind him waved their hands and said to the shopkeeper, "Those who come looking for someone don't need to be greeted."
The shopkeeper nodded knowingly, smiled, and withdrew.
Seeing that Yun Shang didn't move, the two guards gently nudged him and whispered, "Go quickly."
Yun Shang then started walking upstairs.
Upstairs were all private rooms. The innkeeper watched as Yun Shang entered the second private room in the highest tier, his smile fading. He walked over to a servant and whispered in his ear:
"Go and inform the employer."
……
"Young Master Yun has kept me waiting quite a while."
From the second private room in the "Heavenly" category, a voice that could not be discerned as joy or anger came from behind the screen.
Yun Shang stood outside the screen, his posture upright and his expression calm.
He looked at the silhouette faintly visible on the screen, bowed slightly, and said calmly, "This humble subject greets Your Highness Prince Xuan."
There was silence behind the screen, followed by a man's laughter.
"You guessed my identity so quickly."
"This is really not fun."
"Someone, move the screen aside. I want to see what kind of talented person is worth Xiao Qi traveling all the way to Huicheng County."
As soon as he finished speaking, a guard quickly moved the screen aside.
A young man in a purple brocade robe was reclining on a chaise longue. His long, dark hair was loose and not tied up. His face was slightly pale and his eyes had dark circles, as if he was suffering from qi deficiency.
Yun Shang glanced at it only once before lowering his head in a seemingly respectful manner.
Across from him, Prince Xuan was also sizing him up.
He was genuinely surprised.
I never imagined that such a remote place as Huicheng County could produce people with such magnanimity.
Although the person in front of me was only wearing a simple cotton dress, the flaws did not detract from his overall elegance. Even in simple clothes, he exuded a certain nobility.
Prince Xuan curled his lips into a half-smile and said, "With this kind of demeanor, if you said you were a young master from a noble family, I might believe you."
Yun Shang kept his head down, his voice calm: "Your Highness, you flatter me."
Prince Xuan chuckled a few times, got up from the chaise lounge, and walked barefoot to Yun Shang without putting on shoes.
He circled Yun Shang several times, his gaze lingering on him unabashedly, before finally speaking slowly after a long while:
"It's no wonder Xiao Qi took a liking to you; I also think you're quite good."
"Xiao Qi is weak and frail, panting for three steps after taking one. There is no future for you following him. Why don't you switch to my service?"
Prince Xuan stopped to the side, leaned slightly closer to Yun Shang, and said in a deep voice, "I never mistreat my capable subordinates; I give them far more than Xiao Qi."
Before coming, Yun Shang had already guessed why Prince Xuan was looking for him.
Having failed with threats and framing before, they have now resorted to bribery.
The Prince Xuan was standing too close, and Yun Shang couldn't help but frown slightly, taking a step back without making a sound.
He said, "I am honored that Your Highness thinks so highly of me, but I am not worthy of Your Highness's kindness. I am just a humble person with limited knowledge and shallow talent."
"If I say you deserve it, then you deserve it." Prince Xuan narrowed his eyes and said, enunciating each word clearly, "So, you want to refuse me?"
Yun Shang did not answer this question.
A hint of malice flashed in Prince Xuan's eyes. He chuckled, "I suppose you don't know my methods. If I can't have the person I want, I'll destroy them."
This was practically a blatant threat: if Yun Shang refused his offer of enlistment, he would kill him outright.
Yun Shang didn't even blink, and said calmly, "Your Highness is of noble status. Whatever you want to do is just a matter of a word."
Prince Xuan: "Since you know this, why do you still dare to refuse me?"
"If I were to truly switch allegiance to Your Highness, would Your Highness dare to employ me with peace of mind?"
Prince Xuan paused for a moment, then clutched his stomach and burst into laughter.
His voice turned icy cold in an instant, "If you would switch allegiance to me based on just a few words, I would not dare to employ someone who so easily betrays their former master."
"However, my Prince Xuan's mansion is very large and can still accommodate someone as insignificant as you."
Yun Shang raised his eyes, his expression calm. "I beg Your Highness's forgiveness, but this humble subject cannot agree."
Upon hearing this, Prince Xuan's expression changed instantly.
As if receiving a signal, the guards in the private room drew their swords in unison, their killing intent palpable.
Prince Xuan thought that even if Yun Shang remained calm, he would surely show fear on his face, but he didn't expect to see anything.
His face remained completely calm.
Prince Xuan was very surprised, and after the surprise came anger.
Is he really not afraid of death, just a country bumpkin?
He sneered and suddenly snatched a knife from the guard's hand.
The blade sliced through the air and landed directly on Yun Shang's neck.
At the same time, Prince Xuan's gloomy voice rang out, "Now your life is in my hands. Killing you is easier for me than crushing an ant."
Yun Shang felt a sharp pain in his neck.
The air was filled with the stench of blood.
At that moment, a carriage was speeding towards the Jade Pavilion.
The driver kept increasing the horse's speed, and voices urging him on could be heard from inside the carriage.
"Faster, faster!"
Mingwei's voice came from inside the carriage.
He looked at Prince Chen, whose face was pale, and whispered to comfort him, "Your Highness need not worry so much. Young Master Yun is a student preparing for the imperial examination. No matter how presumptuous Prince Xuan is, he will certainly not dare to harm him."
Prince Chen's expression showed no improvement, his eyes deep and somber. "He might not dare to truly harm Yun Shang, but regarding other matters..."
He countered Mingwei's question, "What is most important for a student preparing for an exam?"
Mingwei was taken aback, then realized something, his expression changed drastically, and he blurted out, "Hand!"
If a student preparing for an exam injures their hand, they are useless.