Shangjing Restaurant
When Xie Cheng Dong went upstairs, the boss hurriedly greeted him, "The weather is really cold. Waiter, heat up the wine quickly. Are you going upstairs to eat?"
Xie Chengdong did not say anything and went upstairs. These three private rooms were separated by a screen. There was a table of six people eating and drinking wine. Everyone was a little tipsy.
Xie Chengdong sat at a table by the window and casually ordered a few dishes. There was a Daoist priest wearing a Daoist robe with his hair tied up in a bun.
A scholar laughed, "I'm a student of a Sage, I don't believe in such things."
The Daoist man then said, "You've always been smart, but you lost your mother when you were seven. Your stepmother instigated your father not to allow you to study, and you escaped to your uncle's house."
"Your uncle paid for your education. In the first year of the dynasty's founding, you became a Xiucai at the age of seventeen. You made a living by teaching. But you only became a Juren last year. That's why you came to the capital to take the exam. Am I wrong?"
"Are you convinced? You don't have much luck, and there are still trials ahead of you. It will be difficult for you to become a Grand Scholar in your lifetime. If you are willing to join my sect, I will help you get rid of this disaster. "
The scholar laughed coldly, "I am a High Scholar. Even if I don't pass, I will not have to worry about food and clothing. If I am willing to become an official, I will become a Ninth Ranked Scholar. Why are you trying to seduce me?"
The Daoist sighed, "Fate is ever-changing. When the time comes, it will be too late for regrets."
As he spoke, he walked towards Xie Cheng Dong and looked towards King Lu's Palace.
"How is it?" Xie Chengdong asked in a low voice.
"King Lu has been reduced to a Canton King. His original fate energy has been reduced by a large amount. However, the black energy has dissipated, and the tribulation has passed. Although there's still some of it left, it doesn't affect his foundation."
"The Crown Prince's fate energy is stable, and he has a bad impression of us. It will be difficult for him to turn things around. Furthermore, our informants in the Records Department have heard that the Crown Prince is already investigating us."
"If we don't plan, our foundation in the capital will be uprooted."
"Brother Xie, you're someone sent by the sect. Please think of a way." The Daoist priest didn't have the same expression he had when he was telling his fortune. He was sweating profusely.
"Don't be afraid, I have a plan. Contact King Lu, I wish to see him." Xie Cheng Dong spoke plainly.
King Lu's Palace
When Butler Qing looked around, he saw a few people holding onto their books and checking their accounts. Some of them were feeling uneasy. He laughed coldly and took out a piece of paper and handed it to one of them, "Take a look at this."
When the man took it, he saw that there were many names written on it.
"These are all famous assassins in the fu." This person sucked in a breath of cold air and asked, "Could it be that they all want to leave?"
Butler Qing sneered, "You're right, it's precisely this kind of ungrateful person. He's usually so attentive, but once he encounters a little hardship, he'll immediately piss his pants. If it were me, how could it be so easy for him to leave?"
"We also have to keep a close eye on them. Don't let them sneak into the mansion — especially the storeroom."
"Yes!" the man replied loudly.
Butler Qing glanced at him a few times before leaving hatefully. Seeing that he had left, a guest raised his head and wanted to drink some tea. However, he found that the teacup was empty, and no one came to serve him. He couldn't help but sigh.
Today, when the sun rose, the people in King Lu's Mansion had already dispersed.
The serving maids and the eunuchs couldn't leave King Lu's Mansion. They were all extremely worried. Some of them went shopping, while others sent money home.
Now that an Imperial Prince had become a Canton King, who wouldn't be worried? The assassins and strategists had also dispersed. On the day of the incident, several of them were outside. At this point, they had all escaped and didn't return to the mansion. Some of the assassins were packing their belongings and preparing to leave.
Only half of the assassins were still working, and were preparing to leave once they were done.
One of the assassins looked around and grumbled, "At first, we were laughing at Ren Wei. Who knew that he would have the foresight to leave so early. It's been said that he's now Ying Prefecture's Top Scorer Pei's teacher, and is in charge of the accounts. He's doing very well. The last time we met, he even treated us to a restaurant and ate three taels of silver. How enviable."
"King Lu has treated us well. Let's just leave. Let's not talk about this anymore. We're already heartless. How can we speak ill of our master?" Another assassin advised.
"Alright, alright. Let's not talk about this anymore." The assassin's face was gloomy.
In the past, when King Lu's Mansion suppressed the Crown Prince's Mansion, it was glorious. Now that King Lu had become a Canton King, what was the point of being the Crown Prince? He was just a puppet, and couldn't overturn the heavens. Thinking about this, an expression of helplessness surfaced on his face.
This study was extremely unique. Looking up, one could see a man-made lake not too far away. There was also a fire underground, which allowed the fire to spread through the floor. It was as warm as spring. This had cost four thousand taels of silver. This was a rare sight, not only in King Lu's Mansion, but even in the Imperial Palace.
At this point, King Lu's face was pale. He was in the study, practicing his calligraphy. His eyes were solemn, and if he said he wasn't angry, it would be a lie. He could only practice his calligraphy to vent the anger in his heart.
"Peace Under Heaven."
The entire page was filled with such words. Some of the words were trembling, and some of them were loose.
Butler Qing hurried over, "King Lu, something's wrong. There are several assassins in the mansion who want to leave. Several of them have already snuck away."
King Lu pressed down on the page, and erased a single word. His face was flushed red as he put down his brush and paced around. He then laughed coldly, "Let's go, let's go. It's good that they've left. At least we can tell if they're sincere or not."
As he said this, he was filled with loneliness. Would there really be a day where he could make a comeback?
At this point, eunuch Liao asked to see him. King Lu then replied, "Come in."
He then picked up a cup of tea from the table and took a sip. Eunuch Liao then entered and reported softly, "King Lu, the situation is out."
"Speak, I'm listening." At this point, King Lu was much calmer than before. He leaned back on the tiger skin chair and looked outside. He looked very young, and there weren't any wrinkles on his face. His every movement had regained the dignity of an Emperor.
"The palace has sent a letter. Ge Yun has sent a letter, saying that since King Lu is already a Canton Prince, having thirteen manors is too much. He requests that the number of manors be reduced."
Ge Yun was the Minister of Rites, and was also a scholar from the Hall of Literature. He was usually polite and courteous to King Lu. King Lu's face turned red as he paced several steps and stared at the manmade lake. He then forced himself to calm down and said, "What did the Emperor say? What did the Crown Prince say?"
"His Majesty stayed in the palace and didn't hand it out, but the Crown Prince said — — this wasn't my younger brother's responsibility, and Imperial Father only needed to wipe it out a little. How could he really seize my younger brother's manor and deprive my brother and nephew of their rations and clothing? This cannot be done. "
Hearing these words, King Lu wasn't happy. Instead, he was furious. His eyes turned red as he cursed, "Since when has the Crown Prince become so crafty? What did father say?"
"The Emperor said that there must be rules. How about this, we'll reduce two manors."
King Lu laughed and asked, "If that's the case, which two manors should I reduce?"
"Black Wind Manor and Righteous Manor."
These two manors were huge manors and were worth a hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver. Every year, they would produce ten thousand taels of silver. King Lu then asked, "What else is there?"
"Also, Chen Hu has been executed. Li An Jun and Lu Sheng have been sentenced to death. This was done yesterday."
Hearing this news, King Lu didn't have much of an expression on his face. Now that he heard this news, he felt faint. These three generals were his trusted aides, and now they're all dead.
King Lu stood up slowly and asked, "What else?"
"The Emperor has reshuffled the generals in the capital city. The name list is here."
King Lu received it and looked at it. After some time, he turned around, his eyes glowed green. His voice was calm and peaceful, "Indeed, they're pushing for more. What else?"
"The various officials have also sent letters of impeachment against King Lu. The name list is here."
King Lu received the list and glanced at it before tossing it onto the table, "I've already expected all of this. They're just following the wind. Anything else?"
"There's nothing else. Oh no, the imperial court received a report from the army. The cavalry on the plains ambushed our camp and were forced to retreat. We haven't seen the details of the report, but roughly two hundred men died. Furthermore, our camp is running low on rations, and requested for reinforcements."
This was a small matter, but King Lu listened attentively. After sometime, he asked, "Anything else?"
"King Lu, other than Xie Cheng Dong requesting an audience, there's nothing else."
"Xie Cheng Dong requests an audience?" King Lu was surprised, "Dark Altar Sect and Xie Cheng Dong still haven't left?"
"I remember you reporting that the night of the incident, Xie Cheng Dong found an excuse to leave the sect. I don't believe it's a coincidence. These Daoists!"
After remaining silent for some time, he then spoke to eunuch Liao, "Summon him to come in through the secret passageway. I want to see what he has in mind."
"Yes!" Eunuch Liao acknowledged.
Although he said that he would receive Xie Cheng Dong, he had to wait for several days before Eunuch Liao found an opportunity to meet with Xie Cheng Dong. When it was dark, he brought him to a mansion.
This mansion was an ordinary courtyard, located northwest of King Lu's Mansion. It was a hundred year old mansion, and had very few guests. It was located in a remote area, and didn't look like much.
The group of them entered the backyard and arrived at a room. This was a study, but the shelves were old and there weren't many books on them. On the table, there was an inkstone, brush and ink. Xie Cheng Dong used the candlelight to look at the bookshelf. With a creaking sound, a secret passageway was revealed. He didn't go in first, but waited for the air to dissipate before lighting a candle and entering.
"When King Lu was building the mansion, he ordered people to build it!"
"Now that the soldiers stationed outside have yet to leave, although it's not difficult to enter or leave, they are keeping a record of your movements. You're a Daoist, and your movements have to be discreet. We can't let His Majesty find out about this. If not, you might attract trouble. Now, please bear with it and follow the secret passageway." Eunuch Liao only said this, but Xie Cheng Dong knew that the night he went out, he had a knot in his heart. He then laughed, "King Lu is indeed farsighted."
As he spoke, he fell silent. The passageway wasn't very long, and was only a short distance away. In the blink of an eye, they arrived at a fake mountain. They then entered the passageway.
The winter was rather cold, and there was a hint of desolation in the air. However, King Lu's Mansion was especially cold. Eunuch Liao waved a hand and said, "Please!"
Xie Cheng Dong nodded his head and followed behind. A gust of cold wind blew in, causing the trees in the garden to sway. Xie Cheng Dong shivered as he hurried to a door.
A eunuch welcomed him as he bowed and greeted him. He then smiled and led the way to the study, where several eunuchs stood by the side of the lamp.
At this point, King Lu was looking at himself in the mirror. He realized that he hadn't taken care of himself for several days. He then sighed and ordered, "Servants, change your clothes!"
Two serving maids outside the door listened to King Lu's instructions and entered the room. They then bowed to King Lu before helping him to freshen up and shave his beard.
Actually, in ancient times, it wasn't that people didn't haircut their hair. There was a 'Hair Combing Room' within the palace. There were about ten servants who were in charge of hairdressing the sons and daughters of the Emperor.
At this point, King Lu had changed his clothes and trimmed his beard. He looked very energetic as he sat in the study. At this point, someone called out, "King Lu, Xie Cheng Dong requests an audience."
"Enter!" King Lu replied plainly.
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